A/N: And now for chapter 3 of Vanilla. I would have updated sooner, but I wasn't allowed on my laptop this weekend. Anyhow, seeing as it's my spring break, I'll probably be updating frequently as ever. But now, on with the story.

*****

Neither of us blinked. Susume and I were locked in some kind of staring match, and no one seemed to be winning.

"Haruno-san," she (finally) spoke, "would you please tell me what happened?"

I wanted to roll my eyes. I hated when she tried to turn something completely not about me into my problem. But that's what therapists do, it seems. Besides, if I didn't tell her, she'd just get one of her 'boys' to get the information she needed (this isn't a joke, I once saw one of them harassing a librarian I found tolerable… she didn't talk to me after that).

I began to tell her what happened during my first math class as KUA High School.

The could-be wrestler wasted to time in making it over to the redhead, despite his running into desks and chairs. When he made it, he grabbed the boy's collar and sneered and growled in a low voice.

"Where's the girl?"

At this time I was staring at the two with the same look of shock on my face as everybody else. Everyone immediately started whispering about the strange man's question, but that didn't interest me. What I found odd was that his grip on the redhead's collar was slack, almost as if he was a little afraid.

"How is that any of your concern?" The redheads voice was low and had a slight rasp to it. His eyes were the color of jade, and unnaturally cold and calm.

The man's grip grew a bit tighter, but was still hesitant. "Just tell me where she is, Gaara."

The redhead, apparently named Gaara, narrowed his eyes. "You have no further business with Temari. I suggest you leave. Now."

Despite the coolness in his voice, there was still a threatening edge to it.

"Look, you…"

"I told you, you have no further business with my sister." Gaara stood. "Now, leave, or I'll remove you."

The man growled. "You don't scare me."

Apparently, Gaara got fed up waiting for him to dismiss himself and decided to throw him across the room.

"Is that what happened?" Susume asked me.

I shrugged. "More or less. After that, Gaara got up, dragged the guy out of the room, and I haven't seem them since."

"You mean to say Gaara hasn't shown up at school for the past couple of days?"

"That's right."

"Hm." Susume tapped her pencil on the paper. "Are you curious as to where he went, Haruno-san? Do you want to know where he is?"

"I'm curious, yes," I agreed.

"Are you concerned?" Susume asked me, and I glared at her.

"I never spoke to him, and I only knew him for a few hours, so you can't get mad at me for not being upset about it."

"No one's mad at you, Haruno-san," Susume calmly reminded me.

"The hell they aren't," I mumbled, to quiet for her to hear.

*****

I wasn't sure what to do with myself. I had finished all of my homework for the weekend and now rested on my bed, staring at the ceiling, bored. I could still feel the residue of the anger I felt earlier. It didn't seem to matter much at all what the circumstances were. Susume, my mother… all they cared about was labeling me.

"Sakura-chan!"

I sat up at the sound of my name.

"Phone!"

I walked out of my room with a confused look on my face. My mother handed me the telephone, looking equally surprised. But she didn't say anything, just turned around and went back downstairs.

I went into my room and sat on my bed. I stared at the phone like it was some kind of strange, alien device before finally putting it to my ear.

"…hello?"

"Sakura-chan?"

I recognized Ino's voice instantly. She called me san for all of two days before getting fed up and reverted to chan. I didn't mind.

"Ino-san, why are you calling me?" I didn't even know she knew my number. I didn't know I had a number.

"Want to come over?" She asked excitedly. She totally ignored my question.

Perhaps it's hypocritical of me, but I really hate it when people do that. I tried to remain calm and collected.

"Why?"

"Just get over here." The line went dead.

I didn't particularly want to go. And I wasn't about to go to make her happy. But I was curious. So I pulled on some shoes, had my uncle write down some very detailed directions, and left.

*****

I could hardly hear myself think. And that was not an over exaggeration. My thoughts were quite literally overshadowed by the noise and delirium. Ino had called this a 'party.' Parties are supposed to be fun, as is the general assumption. There was no fun in the situation.

I'm not normally agoraphobic, but the number of people as well as the heat (it's like they've never heard of air conditioning) was making it difficult to breathe. I stumbled around for a little while and ended up in the backyard.

There were lights, like the ones hung as Christmas, scattered around, and a few people lounged about. The noise from inside lingered in the air. I noticed Sasuke on the porch.

"So you're here, are you?" He didn't seem very happy to see me.

"You figure that out all by yourself?" I retorted. Something about him irked me. I couldn't place it, he just made me angry.

Sasuke snorted. "You shouldn't be such a bitch."

I hadn't been called a bitch since the seventh grade (I didn't really deserve it then, either). I was prepared to slap him, punch him, or commit some other act of violence when Ino appeared.

"Sasuke, come on! Let's go dance!" Ino called to him, pulling his hand. Sasuke let himself be pulled in after her, smirking at me as he disappeared into the crowd.

"Son of a…"

"Sakura-chan!"

I saw Naruto running towards me, the same goofy grin on his face as he always wore.

"Hey."

"So, I guess Ino called you over, huh?" He said happily. "Cool. I thought it would be more fun if you showed up."

I didn't understand how my presence made the situation any more 'fun,' but I felt a little warmer at his comment. I actually smiled at him.

"You should smile more often," he commented before dragging me back into the party I had just escaped from.

*****

It has been a couple months since 'that day.'

It hadn't started off particularly significant. Mother had told me to go downtown to get some things for dinner. She figured since I lived in this town since my birth I could manage it without getting lost. Unfortunately, such was not the case and I spent the better half of my afternoon wandering around the city.

Evening soon arrived and I was no closer to home than I was as the beginning. I sighed and sat down on a bench to relieve my legs and contemplate the trouble I would be in when I got home. Then I noticed someone.

Had it been just anyone, I would've glanced away without much thought. But I recognized him. The boy from my class who ran away, the person the rumors revolved around, spreading like wildfire. The boy I hadn't seen for a week or two.

I didn't know what to do.

*****

Monday came soon enough, and the morning classes passed quickly enough. Math was as dull as ever. It barely registered the redhead hadn't returned to school until he suddenly walked in.

Kurenai whispered to him for a minute or so, then sent him back to his spot. I eyed him skeptically. I wondered why he was gone for so long, but didn't want to ask him.

I sighed and returned my attention to my work, only to soon space out again.

The bell rang not long afterwards, and as I gathered up my things Kurenai called, "Gaara-san, please bring Haruno-san to Room 312."

Kurenai decided last week to tackle my directional issues head on. She had before chosen Ino to guide me, but she had already left math. Ino had been acting less than normal today. I sighed at the pathetic nature of my predicament, but didn't protest.

Gaara didn't say a word. It would have been awkward, had the walking not overshadowed it. We made it to Room 312 in no time.

"Thanks," I half-mumbled to him.

He nodded in reply and was about to walk away.

"That guy, who was he?" I was surprised I was brave enough to ask him. I would have thought I'd be too embarrassed to talk to him. I was embarrassed, actually, but it wasn't enough to stop me. I was curious. That never turns out well.

He looked at me without the slightest change of expression. "They say curiosity killed the cat."

I rolled my eyes slightly. "Cryptic replies aside, who…?"

He just looked at me silently.

I stared back at him, trying not to get irritated. He had a right to his own privacy, I of all people could attest to that. But it was difficult.

Then the bell rang, echoing slightly through the now-empty halls in an eerie manner. Gaara didn't move a centimeter. I sighed and gave up, walking into the classroom, not wanting to have to explain to Kurenai how I was late even with a guide.

*****

I walked to school Tuesday a little happier than usual. My first tennis practice was today.

When I saw that the school offered tennis, I made a mad dash for the instructor's office. The program had started some weeks ago, but they let me in because I was new. I practically flew home, I was so happy. Tennis was the only sport I could actually do without looking like a total idiot.

Of course, that elation died when I found my mother reading through my notebook.

But that was yesterday, and I hastened to forget about my other issues. Finally I went to a school that offered tennis. Nothing was going to ruin my day.

I should've known that optimism is never a good sign.

"Well, if it isn't Sakura-chan," Sasuke sneered at me.

"I never said you could address me that way," I retorted.

"But, we're friends, aren't we, Sakura-chan?" This boy was seriously making me mad.

I was ready to do something stupid. I should probably be glad Naruto interrupted when he did.

"Sakura-chan, want to walk to first period with me?" he asked, the same grin on his face as always. Naruto was in all of my morning classes, it seemed.

"Sure." He looked a little surprised, so I figured my irritation was leaking into my voice.

I left with Naruto after giving Sasuke a parting glare. The boy should thank his lucky stars he's not in any of my classes.

*****

I hesitantly stepped into the sunshine, only after smothering myself in sunscreen.

I needed some special SPF 75 sunscreen. I was very pale. Actually, back in early elementary school, a boy actually accused me of being a vampire, on account of my white skin and avoiding sunlight (I didn't have my special sunscreen at the time). I thought I handled the situation well by hitting him over the head with a broom. My mother, who had been normal at the time, scolded me severely but was laughing about it a couple days later. If that happened now, I'm sure she'd start crying and call Susume up to talk about what a deranged sociopath I was becoming.

Anyway, I didn't need to worry about such an incident occurring again.

I stood with the some other students on the courts. Some older, some younger. I looked around and my eyes stopped dead. I noticed a familiar redhead on the other side of the net.

"Well, then," the instructor, named Gai (he was also the gym teacher), called. "Who wants to start of this practice, on this glorious day of spring, with a little friendly combat with our Gaara, here?"

No one volunteered. I didn't see what the big deal was, so I raised my hand hesitantly,

"Sakura-san! Lovely, such bravery!" He said with exuberance.

"Bravery?" I was still a little behind.

"Gaara-sama's the best player here," a girl whispered to me.

"Yeah, no one can beat Gaara-sama," another boy added.

Shit.

I walked on the courts. I wondered a little about the whole 'sama' thing (everyone here talks to people so causally), but I was too nervous to give it much thought.

I shook my head. So I'll get beat, no big deal. I'll still put up one hell of a fight.

And so it began.

I served. I managed to hit his returning shot, but missed the next ball that came my way. 'How pathetic,' I growled to myself, and began again.

He was good, no doubt about it. But I'm not supposed to be this bad. I felt like such a looser when another two balls flew passed me. I could see his smirk from over here. I suddenly felt pissed. I was mad at myself before, but now I was mad at him. 'So you think your so great, huh?' I thought. 'Well I'll show you!'

He was obviously surprised when I got the return this time, but quickly returned hit it back, and so did I. I wasn't going to loose so easily. I got in a good twenty shots before I finally missed, ending the game entirely.

Despite the fact I lost, everyone seemed impressed, including Gaara, who looked surprised I did so well. I wasn't angry at him anymore, and even gave him a smile. I was sure I was glowing.

*****

The news that I managed to last so long up against Gaara yesterday spread fast. Naruto told me how impressed he was, and Ino just giggled and asked if I thought Gaara looked good in his exercise clothes (I didn't know how to answer that). Sasuke rolled his eyes, but I just ignored him.

I was smiling all the way to first period, until I remembered I forgot something at my locker. I told everyone to go ahead, assuring them I'd make it back on my own. I believed I could at first, but felt disappointed when I realized it took a good five minutes to find my locker.

After locating my folder, I began to run back. The halls were emptying, and I was going to be late.

'Dammit!' I quickly turned the corner, only to run into someone.

"Ow." I tried to get up until I recognized the redhead. Oops.

Gaara just looked at me as I got up. He didn't even try to help me. "I guess chivalry is dead, after all…" I mumbled under my breath. I hadn't meant for him to hear, but judging by his smirk, I guessed he had.

"Sorry about that," I grumbled.

He shrugged. "Only you got hurt."

"So, I guess so long as you come out unscathed, it doesn't matter, is that it?"

He smirked again. "Of course. We've all got to protect our own interests."

"Am I to assume I don't interest you?" I tried to sound crushed. I mentally told myself to shut up, before I did something dumb. But my mouth and my mind were no longer connected.

"Not much, though I was impressed by your performance yesterday."

"Yes, because you are just so awesome, how can someone so lowly as me possibly manage?"

He looked at me for a few seconds in silence before responding. "You're really not afraid of me, are you?"

I looked at him confused, but then the bell rang.

"Dammit!"

I was about to sprint headfirst down the hallway, but I was stopped.

"You're going the wrong way."

I sighed and turned around just in time to see him disappear around another corner. With another sigh, I reluctantly fallowed him to first period.

*****

I just stared at him.

What was the 'runaway boy' doing around here? Everyone was under the assumption he'd left town. Of course, it was all just gossip.

Neither of us said anything at first. Then he took a step closer. I could feel the fear in my racing heart. It felt stupid. I didn't know why I was so scared. He took another step.

I gulped.

"S-Sai?"