Chapter 3

Gaara ran through the busy crowds covering the sidewalk and street. His eyes were searching for Shizuko throughout the mass of people. He saw an ambulence up ahead. He ran forward, afraid Shizuko was the injured one. He saw through the crowd, shoving his way through. He was washed with relief in seeing that the victim was some random thug. He could see his bone sticking out of his arm. He was moaning in pain. Gaara turned to someone and asked what happened.

"Well, I'm not sure. He just started screaming at the light and his arm was... bent like that. It's really odd."

"Did you see anyone else? A girl...?"

"No, no one else." Gaara bit his lip in frustration. He headed to the right, away from the ambulence. He wanted to find Shizuko as fast as possible. He looked everywhere, keeping his eyes peeled for her. Pein was behind him, only taking a brief glance behind him. Konkuro and Sasori were behind him. It took a while for them to rip themselves from staring at the disgusting sight. Pein was catching up to Gaara quickly.

"Gaara! Get back here!"

"No! I'm finding Shizuko before she gets hurt!" He snapped over his shoulder. Pein growled.

"You idiot... She isn't the one who will get hurt! You saw that guy back there, right? She did that to him with barely any effort!"

"That's a lie! Shizuko doesn't even have the strength to lift her desk up!" Konkuro spoke up to his little brother.

"Gaara, listen to Pein! He's been taking care of her for the longest time, he knows how she gets when she snaps!" He explained. Gaara ignored him.

"I don't give a shit, Shizuko could get hurt!" A loud scream of pain was heard just down an allyway they passed. They all stopped and turned around in their tracks and headed back. Gaara arrived at the allyway first, searching for Shizuko. He saw her standing over someone who was grasping his stomach in pain.

"Shizuko!" Pein covered his mouth and pulled him away from the mouth of the allyway. She looked up, seeing only Konkuro and Sasori. She grinned.

"Good morning..." Gaara shoved Pein off of him.

"What the hell!"

"Shut up!" He peeked down the allyway at Shizuko, she was walking towards Sasori and Konkuro.

"Pein, what do we do?" Sasori asked.

"Just wait a little..." He turned to Gaara.

"Listen... she has a side that she's surpressed from the abuse and distress she's been through since Itachi's death. Unfortunately, that side is extremely violent and strong. She's able to just break your arm in half, bone through the skin, with a flick of her wrist. Well, that's a little bit of an over exaggeration. Point is, she's frighteningly strong. She's not the one who will get hurt when she's like that. Believe me... the best thing to do is to try and get her lost in a park or by a lake. She'll calm down in peaceful enviornments. Anywhere else, and she won't go back to the Shizuko you know," Pein explained.

"Pein!" Konkuro hissed. A hand lurched out and grabbed Sasori, he tried to get free but failed. Gaara saw a foot connect with his neck and saw Sasori's head collide with the ground. He didn't even have any time to say anything before blood dripped from his head as he passed out. Pein let go of Gaara and ran for Konkuro. Gaara saw Shizuko with a grin across her face, reach out for Konkuro, grabbing his neck.

"Good morning!" Pein grabbed her arm.

"Shizuko, no!" He yelled. Gaara stepped forward, his eyes lowering to Sasori. He wasn't moving, his fingers were twitching slightly.

"This is... Shizuko?" He whispered. She hates this sort of thing! She wouldn't think of hurting someone as bad as this! Shizuko tilted her head to the side when Pein spoke. She smiled sweetly.

"Good morning!" She leapt up onto Konkuro's shoulders, balancing herself with her hands steadily as her legs swung around at Pein's head. He dodged it barely in time. She landed on the other side of Konkuro, her hands still latched onto his shoulders.

"Konkuro!" Pein yelled, lunging to grab him. She grinned happily and heaved him over her head, throwing him out into the middle of the road. A car passed by just as he was thrown. He went through the window, only his legs sticking out of the side window. It swirved and collided with a truck. People screamed and ran away from the wreck. More cars piled up on the scene, crashing into each other. Gaara stared in awe. His brother wasn't moving either.

"Shizuko... this isn't... this isn't you at all..." He murmrued. Shizuko was bent slightly over, her arms hanging down and the same grin still on her face. Pein took a step back.

"Dammit!" She stood up and turned around, her head tilted slightly.

"Good morning!" She sang happily. She walked towards Pein, her eyes showing a crazy intention to kill. Gaara snapped out of his daze and ran towards Shizuko.

"Stop it now! Shizuko!" He stood in front of her, grasping her shoulders. She tilted her head to the side. Her eyes were empty of any regular emotion, only the cold intent to fight. She gripped his hand tightly, her nails digging into her skin.

"Who are you talking to?" She said darkly. Shizuko's grip tightened sharply, causing Gaara to grimace in pain.

"Shizuko!"

"Stop it? Stop what? Specify what you mean, if you really want to..." Gaara removed his free hand from Shizuko's shoulder and put it on her hand, trying to pry off her grip. He felt nervous, he knew what she would do if he said anything at that moment. He had to convince himself that this wasn't the old Shizuko. She gave him a swift kick to the side as he concentrated on loosening her grip. He let out a yelp and tumbled to the side. She stood over him with the same grin, hand in her pocket.

"Good... night..." Pein leapt onto her back before she managed to attack Gaara again. She let out a scream of frustration and twirled around in a circle.

"Gaara! Move your ass and get out of here!"

"Pein-!"

"She's fixing to beat the shit out of anyone she knows. Get out of here, now!" He snapped. Shizuko let out a scream and rammed herself backwards into the wall. Pein let out a grunt and clung to her tightly.

"Pein, she just needs some help!"

"You want to help her? Get these to out of here and go to my house, get that damned van out and try to get her into it! That thing is made to transport her when she's like this," He explained. Gaara grabbed Sasori and flung him over his shoulder. He pulled Konkuro out of the car he had been thrown into and ran to the sidewalk. He kept his eyes on Pein and Shizuko. He was barely hanging onto her. She was screaming like a savage beast, trying to free herself. He ran to the end of the corner and laid Sasori down against the wall. He set Konkuro on the ground and proceeded to wake him up.

"Konkuro, wake your ass up!" He growled. He slapped Konkuro a few times and shook him. He groaned and rubbed his head.

"Oh... Gaara? What happened...?"

"Pein's holding off... Shizuko... or whoever she is now... he wants you to get his van from his house." Konkuro leapt to his feet, wide awake.

"The van! I forgot about it! I'll take Sasori, I'll handle everything Gaara. Just try to help Pein hold her down from at least ten minutes." He ran off quickly after picking Sasori with strong hands. Gaara stood up and rubbed his side. He could feel the area ache with pain and fight against him in protest

"She can hit hard..." He didn't want to hurt her, but he wanted to restrain her. He walked slowly to the allyway again, watching Pein cling desperately onto her back. She let out a scream, bent down and rammed into a dumpster several times. It dented the first time and continued until he finally slipped off from the pain. His face cringed with it as he laid his head back against the dumpster. She turned around, her hair messy and hanging in her face. Her eyes were wide and insane. Her wide grin made her look like a psychopath.

"Silly... silly..." She bent down and held Pein's chin. He grabbed her arm and stared into her eyes.

"Shizuko, you being like this... just makes me wonder what Itachi thinks..." He said. Her eyes widened. She let out a scream and lurched away from him. She put her hands to her head and cried in misery. He took the opprotunity and lunged at her, tackling her to the ground. Her screaming stopped and turned into yells of rage. He was able to get on top of her and pin her down. She growled and lashed out at him. Pein stared at her straight in the eye and used all his strength to keep her pinned.

"How dare you mention him! You filthy scum! You fucking bastard!" She roared. Pein didn't say anything, he just kept his eyes on hers. She lurched up and headbutted Pein with all her strength. He yelled in pain and fell backwards. She took the chance and clamped down on his neck with her hands. She laughed and slammed his head into the pavement. He coughed and clawed at her hands, struggling to free himself.

"You won't see tomorrow!" She screamed. Gaara made his move and tackled Shizuko. Pein let out a gasp as he inhaled. Shizuko let out a yell of frustration. Gaara pushed her away when she tried to attack him. She growled and grabbed his wrist, while pushing his other arm down and straddling him. Her hair hung in his face. Pein shook himself to regain his senses as he made his way to help Gaara. Shizuko grinned as she watched Gaara struggle.

"Shizuko! Stop!" He yelled. She seemed to hesitate when Gaara yelled. She growled and shook her head; returning her attention to Gaara. Pein felt helpless. Since Shizuko had slammed his head into the pavement, it was making him feel weak. He knew he didn't have the strength to help Gaara. He saw a pipe hiding under a few bags of trash. He reached for it, jerking it free from the trash. He panted and raised the pipe over Shizuko's head. Gaara saw it and shook his head.

"Pein, don't!" Gaara said. Shizuko turned her head, her eyes widening as Pein brought the pipe across her temple. She rolled off of Gaara, howling in pain and holding her temple. She curled into a ball and sobbed, her cries wild and loud. Pein took another step to Shizuko. Gaara caught his ankle.

"Don't hurt her anymore, Pein! She's still Shizuko!"

"Gaara... why don't you understand yet? I told you, when she snaps like this, she might as well be a raging buffalo. She has no sense." He shook Gaara off and stood over Shizuko again, raising the pipe. Shizuko whimpered and stared up at Pein.

"Please... no more... Pein..." She murmured. He paused, some confusion in his eyes. Shizuko hissed and kicked him hard in the stomach. Pein flew backwards, dropping the pipe. He skidded across the pavement. Shizuko reached for the pipe. Gaara gasped.

If she gets that we're fucked! He saw behind Shizuko Pein's van racing towards the allyway. He scrambled to his feet.

"Shizuko! CAR!" He yelled. She froze, her eyes looking behind her. Her mouth widened, her legs trembled. Gaara ran forward and tackled her, moving her as Konkuro skidded to a halt right where Shizuko was standing. She whimpered and curled back into a ball in Gaara's arms. Konkuro and Sasori ran out of the van.

"Gaara, get her in the back!" Konkuro yelled. Gaara picked her up quickly and laid her down on the floor of the van. Sasori slammed the doors shut and locked them tight.

"Alright, let's hurry up before she becomes an animal again." Pein pushed Gaara in the van, sitting next to him. Konkuro pulled out of the allyway and screamed down the street.

"You need to know where this place is, Gaara. It's the only place that'll calm her down. If she's not here, she'll just keep going... and you saw how strong she was. I'm certain you don't want her going around like that for hours on end." Gaara held his head in his hands. He closed his eyes, imagining Shizuko's eyes when he warned her of the van. They were frightened, and very alone. Pein smacked his back.

"Ow!"

"You didn't do too bad."

"The pipe was a bit much Pein..." Gaara muttered.

"It was to knock her out. Better than getting beaten to a pulp, now isn't it?" He nodded. They sat in silence for a while. Sasori let out a moan and slumped up against the window.

"Ugh... again, that bitch gives me a concussion... I am in no mood to find out I also have some sort of internal bleeding..." He muttered. Konkuro motioned for Pein.

"Looks like there's some people at the park today. Where do you want me to park?" He asked; pointing at the many people picnicing on the grass. Pein pointed to the far edge of the park.

"Drive onto the grass and stop at the edge of that treeline." Konkuro nodded and drove onto the grass; dodging people expertly and heading to the wide walking path as a road. Gaara heard something move in the back. Shizuko let out a groan.

"Better hurry up, I think Shizuko is starting to wake up," He said. Pein slid open a small window behind him and glanced in.

"No, she's still out. Looks like she has a few open wounds too. She's bleeding back there." He closed the window and sat back down. "She must be getting close to realizing that she's actually got a few bleeding holes in her body," He said. Konkuro halted the van.

"Alright. Someone has to go back there and let her out. Sasori can't; he can barely stay awake. Pein, I don't think you should."

"What makes you say I can't?" He retorted. Gaara opened the door and got out.

"I'm the least beat up. I'll let her out," He said. Konkuro opened the door and caught his brothers arm.

"Gaara, she's insane right now! I can't let you-"

"Let me go, Konkuro."

"But-"

"I said let go," Gaara growled; wretching his arm free from his brothers grasp. Konkuro went after him, Pein lightly grabbed his arm from the van.

"Just let him go, Konkuro. Remember, his little entrance test to our group is to watch Shizuko. This does count towards it. I don't think it'd be wise to fuck up his test," He said in a low tone. Konkuro gulped and reluctantly climbed back into the van. He shut the door and watched his brother carefully from the mirror.

Gaara went around to the back of the van and started to unlock to doors. Shizuko was still laying down inside; her hair was draped across her face. He climbed in and lifted her up. She grunted and shifted a bit in his grasp. His jumped down from the van and laid her down on the grass. Her arm swung out; as if to reach for something. She caught his shirt and pulled him down next to her. Gaara stared at her and noticed that where Pein had hit her with the pipe was swollen and bleeding badly. He scooted away and ran up to Konkuro's door.

"Towel." Konkuro jumped a bit.

"What?"

"Give me a towel. Something to wipe the blood off," He said. Pein reached out; holding a rag. Gaara grabbed it and ran back. He stopped. Shizuko was sitting up, holding her temple and staring at the trees. He stepped slowly to the side; to try and see her face. Shizuko's eyes were calm and distant. Her face showed that she was at peace. Blood was running down her face in a few thin streams. He bent down to her level and carefully touched her hand. He found no resistance as he placed the towel on her head. Gaara wiped away the blood on her face carefully, in case she was still violent. He peered into her eyes and lightly touched her cheek.

"Shizuko?" She didn't move. Her eyes were fixed on the trees in front of her. He sat next to her, staring at the trees and holding the towel to her head. It was a peaceful scene to look at. The trees with some blossoms still clinging to the leaves. A petal fell on Shizuko's bloodied hand. She stared down at it and held it up. Gaara watched her carefully. Her eyes were half closed and distant. Gaara lightly caught a petal himself and examined it. It was ordinary, a light pink shade on it's delicate, soft petal. He closed his eyes and wondered what made her so calm when she looked at something so ordinary.

"Enlightening... isn't it?" She murmured. Gaara opened his eyes and peered at Shizuko. She was still staring at the petal.

"I've wanted to dream of this place... but when I do, I only see the painful memories. Two people who I love so much... have been here with me. I bring them a collection of blossoms every week. Sometimes they visit me and say thank you... but it's just my mind playing tricks on me."

"Two? Are they... Itachi and your brother?" She nodded. The petal floated away in a light breeze, a small blood stain carried on it's underside.

"It must have been pure bliss for you, right?" Shizuko closed her eyes and bowed her head.

"It was... but... I'll never know it again..." She whispered softly. Gaara handed her the towel in his hand.

"You need to get home, so you can clean up." She took the towel and held it against her temple.

"My home isn't somewhere I should go, I won't be welcomed. They'll be waiting for me." Gaara sighed and leaned back on his hands, his eyes gazed up at the sky.

"Then, if it's no problem for you, you can stay with me. It shouldn't be a problem. My brother won't argue with me, he'll help take care of you. And my sister, well she strong willed and she's kind so I'm certain she'll help you as well. Come on." He stood and held out his hand. Shizuko stared up at him with childlike eyes. The sun behind Gaara's head shone brightly, sending out rays of pure light down to the earth. She reached out and lightly grasped his hand. Together, they walked back to the van. Konkuro opened the door and ran out, he stopped when he saw Shizuko being supported by Gaara.

"Gaara... wh... What are we doing now?"

"We're taking her home with us, Konkuro. You can drop us off and help Pein and Sasori afterwards."

"Wha! Do you realize how pissed of Temari will be when-"

"Konkuro, help them in. Sasori can only hold out for so long," Pein said from the window. He gulped and opened the door. Gaara helped Shizuko in and sat besides her. Konkuro slammed the door shut and leapt into the drivers seat. He quickly exited the park without haste. Pein lightly took the towel from Shizuko and began to dab at her wounds.

"You really went off the hook this time, Shizuko," He muttered. She flinched slightly when he rubbed the scar on her temple.

"Swear to god if you do this again... I don't know if we'll be able to stop you without killing you."

"I'm sorry, Pein-san. I didn't mean to... I just..."

"Shush. I know, you snapped. I don't blame you. Kakuzu can be a real asshole sometimes. I often wonder how he's still alive after all this time. I'll kick his ass once you're back in school."

"Back, but I-"

"You'll stay out until your scar on the temple heals. Even if it's for a month or the remainder of the school year; if that happens I'll hire a tutor for you. You're not falling behind on you studies again." Pein's voice was full of authority and over-rided whatever Shizuko was ready to say. Konkuro came to a halt.

"Alright, Dad isn't home so you should be able to hide her for a bit, if Temari is in her room again with her boyfriend," He said. Gaara nodded and helped Shizuko out of the van.

"Gaara, you should probably carry her upstairs. She seems pretty hurt, those stairs and that ladder up won't help her. Be a good sport, eh?" Konkuro whispered. He glared at him and nodded.

"Good sport... ass..." He muttered. Konkuro slowly pulled away from the house, keeping his eye on Temari's window. Gaara opened the door quietly and took his shoes off. He set them in their usual place and took Shizuko's shoes. He wasn't going to be stupid and leave them by the door. Shizuko started up the stairs, thinking she would go up herself. Gaara stopped her.

"I'm carrying you."

"No, I'm fine. I can walk just fine, you don't need to-"

"I'm carrying you." His eyes were stern and unmoving. Shizuko was taken back, she looked up the stairs and back at him. She knew she couldn't backtalk him at a time like this.

"If you walk yourself, Temari may just happen to walk out of her room, and you'll be kicked out, or worse. She's a violent person. I won't defend you in any way." Shizuko bowed her head, defeated and let Gaara pick her up and carry her up the stairs. He didn't show any sign of strain whatsoever, it surprised her a little. The went past Temari's room in silence, the noise of her giggling and talking with another guy was all they could hear. Gaara stopped at where the ladder to his room was to come down. He let Shizuko stand on her feet for a moment as he reached up and pulled the ladder down. He helped Shizuko up the first few pegs and went up himself. After they both were inside, he closed the small door silently and slowly; making sure to lock it tight. He turned back and guided Shizuko into his room.

"Lay down on the bed. You need to get your rest." Shizuko hesitated and sat down. Gaara stood over her and kept his eyes on her.

"Lay down." She showed some discomfort in her eyes as she laid down on his bed. He went to the window and looked out. Konkuro was running back to the house.

"That idiot, he's still beat up and yet he returns..." He muttered.

"Why did you agree to look after me?" She asked. His frame was motionless as his eyes searched the evening sky.

"I'm not sure... Maybe it's becasue I pitied you, I saw you were miserable and that you were a miserable creature... or maybe it was because of how you treated me, the first time we met. Either way, it all puzzles me." Shizuko stared up at the ceiling and took in a deep breath.

"Your room... why is it the attic? There are many others, I know..."

"I wanted privacy. I wanted to escape those idiots downstairs." She turned her head towards him.

"Escape? That's a word I often use; as an excuse." Gaara flinched slightly. His eyes peered over his shoulder and straight into hers.

"Excuse. What, now are you going to lecture me or something?"

"No, I'm comparing." He turned towards her.

"Comparing what?"

"Your life to mine," She said. Gaara's eyes narrowed. He crossed his arms.

"What makes you want to do that?"

"When you said your reason for choosing the attic to live in. You said it was an escape from the idiots who live downstairs. Perhaps the idiots are more than your family... maybe it's everyone around you." His eyes widened a bit.

"What are you getting at...?"

"My escape is alcohol, drugs, and all the dangerous activities I do that endanger my health and life. I also cut myself, so you don't need to hide those scars on your wrist with your sister's makeup, I can tell a scar when there's a scar. There's no need to be embarassed. It's an escape I have as well," She said calmly. Gaara froze. She could see the scars on his wrists?

"H... How could you see them?"

"I've tried to hide them as well. I know all the little tricks..." She showed him her wrist. His jaw dropped a little bit. The number of scars on her wrist outnumbered his nearly five to one.

"Why do you do that to yourself?" He said. Shizuko smiled and looked at her wrist.

"It's an escape. Ever since I lost every person who was close to me... I've been dreaming of joining them. But everytime I'm so close to it... when I'm asleep, something stops me. It's always one of them. In my dream, they tell me that someone else will come soon. I guess, unconciously, I cling to that, and now I won't let myself die. Not until I find that someone else. It may sound silly, and you may think I'm being delusional because of what all I've been through, but it's true." She stared up at Gaara.

"Another I can compare is how you isolate yourself. I also do that. I isolate myself from the 'clean' world. The clean world is what made me miserable, so I keep myself out of it. I became close to a gang that obviously has members who will murder people for the fun of it and I've become a junkie. Yes, my form of isolation is much more servere and very, very harmful to my body and being, but I don't care. I've given up. My only hope is for my brother to come out of his coma... and the doctors already said there was almost no chance..." Gaara sat down across from her.

"Almost is a big word, Shizuko. Why are you pushing it all down on yourself? Do you feel guilty that you survived that crash and the others didn't? Is that why you're killing yourself?" She closed her eyes and put an arm over her forehead.

"To me it doesn't matter. When I compare our lives to each other... I have a sense that... you're going through what I started out as. I mean, you only recently joined Pein's group because of me, and who knows what your future will be since you're now with me."

"With you?" Her cheeks flushed. He could see her eyes open wide and stare into her arm.

"Wha...? Y-you know what I really mean!" He chuckled and stared out the window. Her eyes followed his. The silence between them let the sounds of the city air fill the room.

"Do you enjoy... losing yourself in the night sky? It's peaceful... isn't it?" He nodded.

"Sometimes... I wonder how free it must be to be lost in the space, that void of darkness. I often think that it might be quite peaceful," He said softly.

"No worries... no regrets... it sounds like... a dark paradise..." Shizuko replied in a soft murmur. He smiled.

"It sounds like a place I would happily lose myself in... wouldn't you agree?" He turned to her and saw that her eyes were closed. Her soft breath came in and out methodically. Gaara smiled softly to himself. She had fallen asleep during their short conversation.

"Idiot... you didn't even get under the sheet..." He stood and brought out an extra blanket from under his bed. He spread it out over her and made sure it covered her entire body. He sat on the edge of the bed and kept his eyes on her sleeping face.

This idiot... I really haven't seen her in such a calm state before. I hope she has good dreams tonight... she needs a good rest. After all she's been through... I can't even imagine how she puts up with it.