50 Shades of Sand

Chapter 9 - Overprotective

                  I laid there for what felt like an hour. I stared at the wall next to the bed. I couldn't fall back asleep and it probably had to do something with the sexy Kazekage nuzzled into me. I didn't move a muscle since I woke up. I knew I should have just moved out of his grasp but he was also wrapped in my arms as well. I had my arms around his neck and my fingers rested in his hair. His hair flew into my nose at times when I breathed and I had to fight not to sneeze. I also found I needed to go to the restroom about thirty minutes ago but, again, I sat it out. I didn't want to leave him. He was so warm. The feel of his face, resting against my neck. His warm breaths made goose bumps appear on my flesh. Gaara was a very silent sleeper though. If it wasn't for his breaths on my neck, I would have presumed he was dead.

My fingers started to itch from being very still. I decided then that playing with his hair would do no harm, right? So my fingers delicately ran through his hair. I then began to slowly scratch his head as well. I then left it to have my right hand play and scratch his head while my left made slow circles on his neck. I closed my eyes and I could feel myself getting sleepy again. I then heard a very sharp inhale and I froze for a moment. My hands stopped but I didn't move. I knew Gaara was awake and he was very aware of our position. He didn't move either, so I decided to resume what I was doing. As I drew a small "s" shape on the back of his neck, he squeezed my waist and I couldn't help but smile. The Kazekage definitely liked what I was doing. I decided I would be the first one to speak.

"Good morning, Gaara." I slightly purred slash mumbled. I pulled his head back with his hair as I turned my face down so I could be face to face with him. His eyes were closed and he slowly opened them to look at me. Our faces were only inches apart.

"Good morning, Ino." He spoke in that sexy I-just-woke-up voice. I saw his eyes flash as he looked my face over. He closed his eyes and I couldn't tell if he was either trying to go back to sleep or if he was thinking seriously. I kept running my fingers through his hair and I saw him relax a little. What surprised me the most was the fact that Gaara's arms were still around my waist.

"Ino." He mumbled. He kept his eyes closed.

"Hm, Gaara?" I questioned in a half daze.

He opened his eyes and stared back at me. It woke me up instantly and I was sure my face looked a scared.

"I was asleep." He stated, but I could tell it was a bit of a question through his eyes.

"Yes, you were." I mumbled. I had my attention on his hair and forehead. His kanji stuck out to me.

"I don't sleep." His eyes remained open and for some reason I felt like he was trying to sound threatening through his tone. That could just be from the fact that he just woke up.

"I would have never thought. You've slept with me the past two nights and you've only woken up because of me." I gave a small laugh. "I'm sure if I didn't, you'd sleep for weeks."

Gaara sat up with a small sigh and I turned to lay on my back. He shook his head slightly and I furrowed my eye brows. He looked away from me.

"What's wrong, Gaara?"

"I don't know." He mumbled. I sat up and looked at him. I brought my hand to his cheek and turned his head to face mine. He didn't show any expression on his face but he just took in my worried look.

"Gaara." I couldn't help but feel sad. He was struggling with something and I wanted him to tell me. His expression softened. Our faces were only mere inches apart. I began to lean in until there was a loud knock at the door. Gaara immediately seemed to snap back to his normal stoic expression and looked towards the door. I rolled my eyes and got up to answer the door. I walked more angrily then I expected to.