Hana POV:

THIS-TH-THIS GUY. He has lips pressed firmly on mine, his arms wrapped around me. My eyes widened in shock before closing them and turning my head to the side, deepening the kiss. His arms pulled me closer to him as my hand crept up from his cheek to his hair. I felt the sensation of electricity travel from my lips down to my toes. These fireworks set off in my stomach, making me weak at the knees. I pulled on his hair while deepening the kiss. After a few seconds he pulls back out of breath, just like me. He rests his forehead on mine before saying "I don't know what came over me...but I love it." I started giggling before rubbing my nose on his neck affectionately, scent marking him without realizing.

"Do you know what I just did?" I asked in a whisper.

"No, what?"

"Without realizing it, I scent marked you. So when you leave  others of an animalistic clan know you are mine." I said, before burying my face in his chest. Why did I say that?! He gently petted my hair before placing his chin above my head in an embrace, saying "I will always belong to you." I blushed while hiding my face in his chest. Damn he's smooth when he wants to be. Eventually we separated because he had to leave before Temari throws a fit. I laughed before walking him to the door. We smiled before he gave me one last hug before setting off. I closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a huge sigh. He's amazing. The way he cared for Haku and Yuki left me speechless. Even now Haku is babbling to dad about how great he is, while Yuki started calling him Niisan. Mom is even thinking about inviting the siblings over for dinner. WAIT! The siblings, Temari! THE CAKE! Well I have a week left, the flowers are all done so that's a relief. I guess the cakes could all be done in one day if the oven arrived. I should get more things for the fondant...

Gaara POV:

When I walked through the door I was welcomed with bickering between Temari and Kankuro. Now usually I would grow irritated and head straight to my room, but I was still on my high that I couldn't come down from. I was overflowing with this unfamiliar sensation of joy and serenity. I noticed Temari started yelling at me about where I was all those hours, but all I did was give her a light hug and pat Kankuro on the back, my smile never ceasing. 

"Woah are you drunk?" Questioned Kankuro.

"No, just happy." I said before walking towards my room. "Good night you two." I added softly before going in my room. I lay on my back, thinking about everything that has happened within the day. From coming back from a mission, to ending Hana's depression, to enjoying a dinner with her family, to being a part of her family. At first I was terrified: being tied to someone I don't fully know yet. But I suppose it's destiny. Her smile is forever etched in my mind as well as her laugh, her caresses, her lips, our mark. I touch my lips, remembering how it rendered me helpless. There was a shock that shot out throughout my body when we kissed; it was addicting. Soon enough I felt a warm sensation on my back, almost like a glow. I touched the spot where my mark is and felt Hana's lips. On my cheek, on my forehead, on my other cheek, and then my lips. But she was in her home; she isn't here. But it felt so real. The softness of her lips, the gentleness of her kiss, the shock; it was all there. I laid back on my pillow, engulfed in happiness and bliss.

Before I fall asleep I hear a knock on the door.

"Gaara? It's Temari."

"Come in." Temari cautiously opened the door, analyzing me before closing it and sitting on the side of my bed.

"We were really worried about you Gaara. Kankuro said you took off before they even reached the gates." I chuckled softly. "I did. I wanted to see Hana."

"Awww, how is she?"

"She's good. I think we're..... I think we're dating."

"WHAT OH KAMI THANK YOU!" She said before engulfing me in a hug. "So wait she likes you?"

"Yes. We're soulmates."

"Aww you're so cute and romantic!"

"No I literally mean we're soulmates."

"I know that's so-"

"No Temari. I mean in her clan there is a way of finding her soulmate. We both grew a mark that symbolizes our love. It's meant to connect us. Look." I said as I took off my vest and my shirt, revealing the mark.

"Woah, so, you two are actually destined for each other."

"It appears so." I said while putting my shirt back on.

"How do you feel about this?" She asked questioningly.

"To be honest...overjoyed." I said with a smile. I've been doing that a lot now haven't I?

"Aww, I haven't seen you smile like that in forever."

"I met her family. Her parents treated me as if I belonged there, and her siblings started calling me Niisan. It was...incredible. I became a member of their family in one day and it feels as if I've known them from forever."

"Then she's the one. I felt that way when Shika introduced me to his family. They were weird, but I felt content being in their company. Having that sensation of parents who love you unconditionally is life changing." I nod in agreement. I let out a yawn and she laughed before saying "Yeah you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow. You should get some sleep." I nod in response and turn over to my side while Temari leaves. Sweet dreams Hana.

Third Person POV:

The following morning, everything seemed...happier. From how a soldier aided an old lady with her bags, to an old lady giving a young girl an apple [Wait...], to a young baker smiling brighter than the sun, to a Kazekage enjoying the morning. Gaara was never much of a morning person, but now he had a reason to be a awake. Because Hana is probably awake. He hurried to work, because Hana would be working early as well. Everything he did revolved around Hana. And everything Hana did revolved around Gaara. She smiled while opening up shop to her lovely customers. He showed respect to all of his visitors. She baked and decorated the pastries as quick as she could to keep the customers happy. He diligently finished his paperwork in record time.

"Hana! We're running out of forget me nots!" Yelled Chiharu by the counter.

"On it!" answered Hana as she pulled a few batches of forget me not cookies out of the oven. "Now they just need to cool." She said to herself as she placed them on the large cooling rack.

"Hey Hana we got a kid interested in working here." Said Daisuke as he started kneading the dough for the baguettes.

"Who?" She asked, not looking up from her mum flower she was making.

"My little sister Aiko. She's jealous that I work here so she wants in." He said with a laugh. "But honestly she's really dedicated to her work so I think she'll help Chiharu a lot."

"Well if you say so, she can start today if she wants. We could use some help with the rush hour."

"I'm glad you said that because she's already helping Chiharu." He said with a big smile before opening the door to the counter quickly yelling "YOU GOT THE JOB KIDDO!"

"YES!" was heard from a girl's voice, making Hana laugh as she shook her head and went back to work. 

As it grew dark, the customers slowly left. And soon so did the employees. As usual Hana was the last to leave after baking a dozen more of the popular 'forget me not's. She was smiling from ear to ear on her walk home, thinking about her beloved red head. The dorky, sweet, lovable Gaara. She sighed as she continued daydreaming of her soulmate. About a few blocks away from her home, she felt a jolt sensation coming from her neck. Her mark. Her eyes widened as she felt the mark. It felt empty. It sent her into a panic as she realized that sensation is coming from Gaara's emotions. The panic was making her legs wobble, her breathing uneven, and her hands shake. With determination she bolted towards the home of the sand siblings. They don't necessarily live near Hana but she didn't care.

Time is of the essence.

She ran as fast as her legs could carry her before she put the strap of her bag in her mouth and transformed into a cheetah, running as fast as she can.

In five minutes and being completely out of breath, she scratched on the door and quickly changed into her red panda form, we don't want to scare anyone away being a predator now do we?

Kankuro opened the door and looked left and right; not noticing the little figure walking through into the home. He shrugged and closed the door. Hana on the other hand wobbled up the steps, seeing as how she's exhausted and has tiny legs, it's a hassle. She decided to jump up and switch into a sparrow, using her upper body strength instead to fly through the hallways to find Gaara's room.

'Please be alright' She thought to herself as she heard sobbing from a room.She transformed back into her red panda form before listening in to be sure it was him. The close proximity of the soulmates caused the panicking sensation on Hana's mark to grow exponentially. That's when she knew: he was having a panic attack.

Gaara POV: 

Today was a normal day: the usual never-ending paperwork, the visitors, the unexpected drop ins from the elders, everything. But today seemed...better. Thinking of Hana took away my headache, my anger, I even stayed calm when the elder was criticizing me on how I show my authority. All I focused on was Hana. 

As I was walking home, again I caught myself thinking about Hana. Her smile, her laugh, her terribly punny jokes; all of what I know of her I love. And that got me thinking: how much do I actually know about her? I know she's my soulmate so we have to be compatible right? At least I believe so, I've heard of mates of the Inuzuka clan fight each other to the death. Though it was rare, it still happened. 

As I reached my room my mind kept on wondering about Hana. I don't know that much of her, but I know she knows very little of me. She only knows from rumors and from what happened with the Akatsuki, but nothing else...

What if she doesn't like who I really am?

What if she won't accept me for how strong I can look on the outside while on the inside I'm terrified? I'm terrified of my own paranoia. All the 'what ifs', all the unanswered questions. I'm afraid to have a soulmate and I'm petrified at thinking about the possibility of my soulmate not loving me. I was fine loving myself, but Naruto proved me wrong back then; he taught me to be stronger by loving others. And I did. I love my village and my siblings, but this new kind of love...it brings back all of my fears Shukkaku always threw in my face.

'They'll never love you' He whispered while I had breakfast.

'Your own siblings despise you'  He chanted on my way to school.

'You see those people staring? They want you dead, kid.' He'd yell while I tried to buy a snack.

Everyday I dealt with the biggest voice in my head and I grew cold because of it. And now even with him gone I feel myself telling me that I can't have the privilege of feeling love.

Maybe I don't want to be in love.

What am I saying? The best days of my life were with Hana! In a few days she has turned my world upside down and I felt like I was on a high. Except when you have  a high, you also have a crash. I clutch onto my bed sheets as I try to calm down and even my breathing. I feel my breathing getting even more out of control when I ask myself: Does Hana not love me?

I feel nausea and my breathing is getting worse. I'm having another panic attack. Beads of sweat are rolling down my body as I start shaking. Hana can't love me. I'm a monster. A monster doesn't get the girl of his dreams; he gets a dungeon where he can rot with his thoughts for the rest of his pathetic life.

Third Person POV:

Hana quickly went to the bathroom to change and rushed to open Gaara's door. Her eyes widened at the sight: her beloved was sitting on the side of his bed facing away from her. His body rattled as his chest heaved upward and downward. He was beyond terrified.

"Gaara?" Hana whispered. He darted his gaze to meet hers. His eyes were wide and full of tears.

"H-Hana?" She closed the door and dropped her bag before walking to him. He flinched at her actions, slowly enclosing himself until she was standing right in front of him.

"What's upsetting you Gaara?"

"N-nothing."

"It's not nothing Gaara." She said in a low whisper.

"Just leave me alone! Everyone else already has!"He yelled in anger, his teeth clenched and his hands balled up into fists. She took a step back in shock before hanging her head low. 

"Is it because you think I don't love you?" She asked. He remained silent. "Because, Gaara." She looked up to face him, a single tear rolling down her cheek. "I do. I love you Gaara."