I wanted to do a more serious story and this just sort of…came to me. I’ve loved this pairing for a while now, and while I think that Naruto is a great friend for Gaara and teaches him that he's not alone, I really think that in the romantic sense Hinata would be a good choice to heal his heart.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or the song Porcelain Heart, which is by Barlow Girl. It is an amazingly beautiful song – think piano with violin harmonies and long, soft, soaring notes for the singer.

The first star shone down upon Konoha, serene in its glow. It radiated a soft joy; an inner peace. It was a beacon of hope that never seemed to reach all the way to his heart. He looked up at it for just one moment, not daring to make a wish. He knew that there was no use in wishing for things that could never be.

Broken heart, one more time.

Pick yourself up, why even cry?

Every time he killed, a sort of rush came over him, a horribly fierce joy. In that moment, he wanted nothing else. But once it was over, he would realize that it was a false joy. True joy was something that he was never meant to have.

Broken pieces in your hands,

Wonder how you’ll make it whole.

After his uncle, there had been no one. No one to cheer him up when he felt alone, no one to make him feel wanted…needed. No one to heal his shattered pieces.

You know, you pray, this can’t be the way.

You cry, you say something’s gotta change

And mend this porcelain heart of mine…of mine.

He was always cold and distant – it was who he was. Or at least, that was how it seemed. If only…he shook his head vigorously. No. He was wishing again. He had to learn to live with what he had…

Someone said a broken heart

Would sting at first then make you stronger

We wonder why this pain remains,

Were hearts made whole just to break?

He had told himself that it was for the better that his uncle had died. No attachments…no weaknesses. No reason to hurt anymore. Love would only cause him more pain. And yet this feeling – while he sat here alone and tried not to look at that star - hurt more than anything else. Because as much as the betrayal had hurt him, he still missed him. Desperately.

You know, you pray, this can’t be the way.

You cry, you say something’s gotta change

And mend this porcelain heart…of mine.

Everything that happened because of Shukaku – because of himself – everything that he would never have, everything he had done…it was killing him from the inside. When he had been younger, he had yearned for just one friend. Now he realized that even if someone was willing to befriend him – a monster – it would make no difference. He would probably end up killing that person, whether he wanted to or not. That was his nature – this cold-blooded, horrible monster. Or at least, that’s what he had come to believe, no matter how fragile he really felt. A single tear fell down his cheek, never to be seen by anyone, never to be wiped away by a friendly hand. More tears followed behind through the break in his shell which seemed to be so impenetrable, until it got to be too much. Just then, his eyes widened as he felt something – someone – wrap their arms around his shoulders.

Creator, only you take brokenness,

And create it into beauty once again.

He turned his head to see a girl’s black hair and soft white eyes…a girl from the exams. Those eyes – they could hold such power in battle, but such gentleness as well…and those eyes were crying now. Crying…for him? He didn’t understand it. How could someone be crying for…him? Wasn’t he feared? A monster?

“Why…?” he barely whispered, surprised that she could be so bold. He couldn’t understand her precious, pure tears being shed for him of all people. Was it possible…?

“I was…afraid…before…” she began. He noticed that she had stopped her nervous stuttering.

You know, you pray, this can’t be the way.

You cry, you say something’s gotta change.

“But…I saw you here tonight, and I saw something…that most people don’t see…you are Gaara of the Desert, that’s what everyone knows, but…I realized…that there must be part of you that is…just…Gaara.” He looked at her in a stunned silence. Could it be…? Just…Gaara… She held him tighter as he struggled to take everything in. He didn’t understand it, and really neither did she, but it felt…right. Indescribably right. She had a gift, that was for sure. He didn’t really know how to react. Part of him wanted to push her away, make a stand for his dignity, keep his shell raised…his lonely shell…but that part was dwindling away as his heart ached for comfort.

You know, you pray, this can’t be the way.

You cry, you say something’s gotta change

In the end he simply gave into the thing he had wanted for so long and let her sit there with him, holding him close as his frustrations and bitter pain flowed out with his tears. He had hoped for anyone…but she was more than just anyone. His body relaxed as he began to feel…more whole…he just wanted to stay like this…

and mend this porcelain heart, please, mend this porcelain heart

of mine…of mine…

Hinata looked up at the star, twinkling so high up, a beacon of hope that had put her heart at rest and given her the unusual courage for what she had just done. She didn't know why she had done it, or how she had become so bold tonight, but if felt as though she was fulfilling some devine purpose. As she felt him there besides her, nearly trembling as he finally got what he had really been secretly longing for…she smiled towards the star and he finally allowed himself to look up as well.

Creator, mend this heart…

“Make a wish…” she whispered.

Reviews are greatly appreciated, flames not so much. But I can deal. I just have one request – if it’s not too much trouble, can you make the reviews anonymous? It seems to be the only kind I can get…