Two days later... 8 PM

24 hours after the LAUGHING CRISIS, all the victims woke up and things started to go back to normal. Normal for everyone except Gaara. It was now the end of the second day Manami had been asleep in the hospital. Gaara had insisted to stay beside her and was staying in her hospital room at night.

Knock! Knock!

Naruto opens the door. Gaara needed to express his anxiousness with someone and who better to go to than Naruto?

Naruto: Hey Gaara! Come in!

Gaara: Sorry to intrude.

Naruto: Nah! Don't worry about it. Hinata went to her parent's house so I was alone anyway!

Gaara takes a seat in Naruto and Hinata's new home.

Naruto: So, how's Manami?

Gaara: Sakura-san said she'll be fine but it's been two days already and she won't wake her up.

Naruto: I heard the shock she went through was very high. I'll be surprised if a three-day sleep will give her full recovery.

Gaara: I'm just anxious. Seeing her like that is just...

Naruto: I understand y'know. These girls can be real reckless sometimes.

Gaara: I don't get her sometimes. Why is she like this?

Naruto: She takes responsibility for her actions and I think that's pretty cool of her!

Gaara: I... I want to propose to her. On her birthday.

Naruto: Really?! That's awesome man!

Gaara: I don't know if she's ready though.

Naruto: Are you serious?! If there is anyone who's ready to get married then it's her! All of her friends are already married. She must be thinking of it too.

Gaara: I guess...

Naruto: Gaara... Gaara... Gaara... We have had this conversation before! If I managed it, then so can you!!!! Even SASUKE did it! Just ask her. 

Gaara: I guess you're right. I can't fail the third time too.

Naruto: That's the spirit!

After spending some time at Naruto's, Gaara heads back to the hospital and goes to sleep on the couch in Manami's room.

Gaara's thoughts: I have to be brave. It's time I make the move. I want her with me forever!

Later that night, Gaara wakes up to the sound of the room door opening. Still half asleep, he looks at Manami and sees a black figure standing next to her bed in the darkroom. He instantly opens his eyes and runs up to her, looking around for the now gone figure.

Gaara: What was that?!

He then sees the same figure standing far, outside the window. He immediately goes after it by jumping out the window.

Gaara: Who are you?!

As he gets closer though, he stops in his tracks.

Gaara: M...Manami?!

Manami looks straight at him.

Manami: Gaara...

Gaara: What are you doing here? You were just in the room!

Manami slowly begins to walk towards him.

Gaara: Manami! Say something! Is everything okay? What happened? Manami!

She didn't answer him once and continued to walk up to him until she was inches away from him. She stared into his eyes and he did the same.

Gaara: Manami, what's the matter?

Manami puts her hand on his cheek and kisses him. Gaara just stands there confused.

Before Gaara could say something, everything goes black and he wakes up on the couch. The sun just starting to rise.

Gaara: What.... What was that dream?

Gaara then turns his attention to the still sleeping Manami. He goes to stand beside her bed.

Gaara's thoughts: Something isn't right.........

The more that Gaara looked at her face, the angrier and more disgusted he felt. He started to back away from her.

Gaara began to breathe heavily as he held his head.

Gaara: W...What's happening to me?! Why am I hating her?! She's the love of my life!

Gaara: Manami.... Manami..... Manami.....

Gaara continued to say her name to himself as he sat back on the couch.

Gaara: I love her! I love her! I love her! AAAAAAAAA

In extreme frustration, he runs to her and kisses her.

Gaara's thoughts: You! I love only you Manami! I love you! You're the only one for me!

He breaks the kiss and dashes out of the room, not to return for rest of the day.

................................

?: You think it'll work?

?: On Manami, yes. On that Kazekage, I doubt it. His love is too strong.

?: So what you're saying is that Manami doesn't love him enough?

?: No, she loves him alright. She just has many many other things above him on her priority list.

?: She's stuck in her past still. That's going to be our biggest weapon.

?: HIS LOVE is strong now but all it'll take is one heartbreak and I'm sure Manami can handle that.

?: I like this game much better.