Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. If I did, Gaara and Neji would be locked up in my room right now.

MC: Yes, there is a lot of giggling and cussing last chapter. Ha. muah. Oh, and I forgot to mention… I made Deidara a girl (i'm obviously aware HE is a GUY in the manga).. Hehe.. He always looked like a girl to me in the manga.

Chapter 4: The encounter
Deidara wouldn't stop getting so close to Gaara. She admired him, a lot. Mostly because his unique style and mysterious personality. She kept asking him random questions that Gaara totally ignored. 'Maybe she'll go away if I don't say anything' he hoped. He was wrong, Deidara kept flapping her mouth, occasionally winking and smiling at Gaara. He cringed as she grabbed on to his arms giggling like a maniac. His bubble, she was invading his bubble. "So, how do you like the school so far?" asked Sakura. "Its fine." he answered back.

"Don't worry Gaara sweetie, you will get used to things. Maybe you'll even find a girlfriend soon.," she said while giving the boy a gigantic smile. 'Leave me alone' he thought. He didn't have the guts to tell her aloud. The threesome finally reached Kurenei sensei's class. Deidara finally let go of Gaara's arm as she made her way to a table. "Gaara, we have assigned seats, you better ask sensei where to put you." Sakura told Gaara. "Ok." he said. Gaara walked to the teacher's desk, up to Kurenei and asked her about the seating arrangement.

"Well, it seems like all the seats are taken. One moment while I look at the seating chart." she said. 'Hurry up' he thought, as students began to stampede in the room. A few seconds later, "Ah, I forgot about one of my students transferring out of this class. Ok, see that table near the door?" Gaara turned around.

Thump, thump, thump went Gaara's chest"Neji, raise your hand so Gaara knows who to sit next to." she yelled at him. The silver-eyed boy raised his hand. Neji was slouching down on his seat with his arms crossed, his eyes focused on Gaara. "Neji is a good student, he will probably help you out if you need any help." she assured him. 'No, no, no.. Please no.' Gaara thought as he slowly made his way to his new assigned seat. Knees trembling, face warm. He set his backpack down on the floor and finally sat down, not even bothering to look at his new seat buddy. Neji never took an eye off him.

"Hey." Neji said to him. Gaara was too bothered to hear and kept his emerald eyes busy by trying to find where Deidara and Sakura sat. The two girls were both seated on the other side of the room. "Hello?" Neji said again. Gaara almost jumped out of his seat in surprise. "H- hey." he said quietly, while he twiddled his thumbs. Thump, thump, thump. His heart was beating so fast. "What's wrong?" asked Neji. Gaara shook his head as to try and silently say that nothing was wrong. The red head was a nervous wreck. Neji saw this and didn't understand why. "Um, ok, what's your name? I've never seen you around before." Neji asked.

Just say something already damnit.

"G- Gaara. I j- just moved here." Gaara finally said, though rather quietly. Gaara thought Neji looked ten times better up close, he smelled so good too. "Names Neji Hyuuga." he said as he stuck out his hand to shake Gaara's. Gulp. 'Breath damnit, breath.' he thought to himself as he stared at those beautiful hands. 'My bubble' he thought. Neji felt awkward sticking his hand out and not getting any response.

Fuck your bubble

Gaara reached out his own thin, pale hands and only grabbed the tips of Neji's fingers and shook it. Gaara quickly let go and returned to face the monotone instructor . 'I touched him.' he thought in amazement. Gaara tried to hide his diminutive smile by pretending to cough on his hands. He felt like jelly. He feasted on this new feeling, he was intrigued how the butterflies flew around his stomach like that. 'Those emerald eyes seem to posses many secrets' Neji thought to himself. Neji slouched back on his seat and took out his cell phone from his front pocket. He was texting someone. Gaara could tell because he could hear the clicking sound as Neji pressed the key pad. 'At least he has something to do this period.' Gaara thought while deeply inhaling through his nose, trying to detect Neji's scent.

During the same period, two halls away from Gaara's, was Naruto and Sasuke's Science class. Naruto was sitting behind Sasuke. Occasionally, the blonde would try and ask Sasuke for help, even though he knew the answer.

"Sasuke, what does he mean about that certain molecule?" asked Naruto. "Dobe, you know that damn answer. Stop pestering me." cried Sasuke angrily.

"You don't have to be so mean about it, teme.," said Naruto. Naruto didn't like it when Sasuke acted this way. He wanted Sasuke to look at Naruto the way Naruto looks at Sasuke, with extreme affection. Naruto then giggled to himself as he got out his cell phone. He knew a secret about Sasuke that no one knows besides Sasuke's two best friends.

Last summer, Naruto was at the mall window-shopping, when he noticed his all time crush. This certain crush was making out with a boy right outside the food court, in the corner. This couple was trying to hide themselves from the public. The thing is, Naruto was good at surveying his surroundings, so he noticed this right away. Naruto hid behind a small hotdog stand and continued to observe the kissing duo. It was Sasuke and Kimimaro. This was way before Itachi asked Kimimaro out. It was suppose to be a secret.
Sasuke felt his cell phone vibrating in his back pocket, he got a text message from his friend Neji. 'Dude I'm bored. Hey, guess what? The guy you don't like is in my class. Gaara right? As a matter of fact, he's sitting next to me. He's always acting weird around me, its freaking me out.'

At the same time, the raven-haired boy got another text message. It was from a blocked number. It read, 'roses are red, violets are blue, I am gay, and I bet you are too'. Sasuke made a 'what the fuck' look and frantically looked around to make sure no one was taking a peek at his cell phone. Naruto chuckled to himself as he put his cell phone back into his backpack. He had fun torturing Sasuke.

Back in Gaara and Neji's class, "Alright class, remember to turn in your homework tomorrow. Oh, and I'll be assigning partners as well for next week's big project." Moans in the class can be heard as Kurenei wrote the homework assignment on the blackboard.

Class was finally over. Gaara got up quickly trying to avoid Deidara when he heard, "See you tomorrow, nice meeting you by the way." said Neji behind him. 'God, he looks so sexy in those faded denim jeans'. Gaara was lost for words and just nodded at his new milky-eyed crush. Gaara was smiling big inside, he now knew Gaara existed. Deidara nor Sakura noticed their new friend leave the class. Deidara looked around for Gaara and pouted when she noticed he had left without her.

The rest of the day at Kanoha High was petty dead to Gaara, so basically, it went by really fast. The bell rang, it was finally time to go home.

Gaara gathered his things in science class and headed outside with the rest of the scattering students. He was supposed to meet his siblings outside the gates of the school. He looked at the watch on his wrist. 'I still have ten more minutes until they come.' He decided to wait by the big oak tree near the student parking lot. As he walked over, something from behind decided to shove him to the ground, causing the red head to fall flat on his face. Students that were near by started laughing. Embarrassed and in pain, Gaara put both hands on the ground and tried to get up. Suddenly, someone's foot stepped forcefully on Gaara's back, forcing the boy back on the hard cold ground.

"What? You can't get up?" a voice laughed. Gaara managed to turn his face towards the voice. Gaara's face turned red with anger. It was one of the people Naruto pointed out to Gaara during lunch. It was Orochimaru.

"Is Mr. Creepy going to cry?" laughed Orochimaru. He heard two people laughed behind the bully. Gaara took a quick glance. It was Itachi and Kimimaro. "Get off of me." Gaara managed to say as he struggled to get up. This caused more laughter out of Orochimaru's mouth, as well as the two boys behind him.

"What's this little ensemble you're wearing?" the bully said while he bent down and tugged on Gaara's jacket. "Oh and what's this?" he continued, "Did you steal my sister's eyeliner?". More roars of laughter can be heard. Gaara just wanted to die on the spot.

No one likes you. Give it up.

"Let him go." a voice from the back of the crowd yelled. Gaara wondered who it was. "Didn't you hear me? Get your foot off of him." the voice said, nearer this time.

Orochimaru picked up the injured boy from the front of his shirt and whispered in his ear, "You got luck today." and he threw Gaara towards the oak tree, causing Gaara to have sharp pains on his back as his back met with the tree trunk. The dazed boy tried to get up, but he couldn't. Gaara soon felt a hand grab his arm, it wasn't being forceful.

"Here, let me help you up." said Neji. 'He saved me' Gaara thought.

You just embarrassed yourself

'Neji saved me'

So? He probably thinks your weak and helpless now

'No he doesn't!"

I suggest you run away from here, people are laughing at your pathetic self

Gaara never looked at Neji. He was thankful but he was just full of embarrassment. He didn't want to be seen. He had to get out of there. A few seconds later, Gaara finally had the strength to get up.

Run away. Don't show your face to the crowd

"You better go to the nurse's office to get checked." said Neji. Gaara, who didn't even bother to listen, pushed Neji out of his way, gathered his things and ran as fast as he can out of the school gates.

"What happened?" Sasuke said angrily as he came out of the school doors. "Did he do anything to you Neji? Let me go after him!" cried Sasuke as he prepared to run to the red head.

"Leave him. Orochimaru fucked him up. I just stopped Orochimaru from fucking him up more." said Neji. Sasuke looked at the running boy and back at Neji. "I feel sorry for that kid." Neji said in a low voice to his friend. "Sasuke, I need to have a word with your brother." he said.

Gaara ran, he ran fast. He wanted to get out of there. His first day of school and this already happened.

Run, run far away. They don't want you.

Neji and Sasuke, in the meantime, were looking for Itachi. They found him, Orochimaru and Kimimaro hanging around Orochimaru's car.

"What was that all about?" asked Neji. "We were just making the new kid feel welcome." said Itachi smiling.

"Well, you didn't have to go that far. The kid was scared shit." Neji told them. "And why do you care?" asked Orochimaru.

"I don't." said Neji in a low voice. Itachi and Kimimaro headed for Itachi's car "Sasuke get in the car. Neji get in so I can drop you off home." he said. "Fine." Neji said.

Gaara was heading for his house. It was hard for him to breath, his back was still getting shocks of pain, his nose still bleeding. "Why me" he managed to whisper. He wanted to cry, but he didn't want to be a pussy. He just wanted to run to his house, lock himself in his room, and stay there for all eternity. Gaara was very pissed, at both Orochimaru and himself for not being able to do anything.

The redhead finally reached their apartment. Out of breath, he opened the door, he was glad it was unlocked. Tamari was in the kitchen making a snack after just coming home from Kanoha Community College. "He Gaara how was school?" she managed to say. Gaara ignored her and headed straight to the bathroom. "Huh? Gaara what's wrong? Where's Kankuro?" she cried as she went after her little brother.

"C'mon Gaara open up, what's wrong?" she said as she banged on the bathroom door. She was worried. She wanted to know what happened. All of a sudden, she heard the front door open. "Anybody home yet?" cried Kankuro from downstairs.

"Yeah I'm here" cried Temari. "Temari is Gaara home? I just came from his school and he wasn't there. Someone told me he got in a fight. Is he okay?" he asked as he made his way to the second floor. "What! Are you serious?" she said in shock.

"He wont come out. He wont even talk to me." said the eldest. She was really upset. "I can't believe people still give him trouble in this place." said Kankuro, getting pissed.

"Little man, can you open the door? You're not doing anything stupid are you?" he asked in concern. No response, but they heard the shower turn on. "Maybe we'll just let him be for a while. We can check up on him in a couple of minutes, I think he just wants alone time." Temari told Kankuro.

"I guess.." Kankuro said rather disappointed. He wanted to help out his brother but he knew Gaara wouldn't open up to him like that. The siblings then headed downstairs to the living room.

Gaara looked at his self in the mirror. He detested that person he saw. He stripped off his clothes and stepped in the hot steamy shower. Gaara just wanted to cleanse his dirty body. He sat down on the corner of the shower and just let the hot water fall on his face, leaving black trail marks running down his face as his eyeliner began to smear off. The warm water felt good on his body. It made him calm down a bit. 'How can people be so cruel' he thought. He didn't understand what he did wrong. Did he do something wrong? Was there something wrong with him? He didn't get it. Gaara stayed in the shower for a few more minutes until his fingers began to prune up. He wanted to savor the quiet, alone time he had to himself. He had a busy day today. Gaara actually hung out with people at lunch.

Gaara heard a knock on the door. "Gaara, dinner is ready. Come downstairs and join us. You okay? You haven'y killed yourself yet right?" asked Kankuro jokingly. "I'll be there." said Gaara in a low quiet voice. "Ok, we made your favorite. TV dinner. Yummy right?" Kankuro said trying to pull off a laugh.

As soon as he heard his brothers footsteps disappear into the kitchen, Gaara got out of the shower, toweled himself dry, and wrapped the towel around his waist as he quickly made his way to his room. He decided to wear a red plaid pajama bottom with a black t-shirt with a few small holes at the bottom. He then made his way to the kitchen where is siblings already started on their micro waved meal.

Temari was glad he came downstairs. She gave him a smile. "Gaara tell me who the guys are if you see them so I can beat the living crap out of them." said Kankuro as he pounded his fist to his hands. Gaara looked at him and looked back down at the micro waved chicken meal. He didn't want to talk about it. He was embarrassed enough. "Err, sorry little man." Kankuro said as he realized his bother wasn't up to talking.

"Kankuro, I still think you shouldn't of dropped out of school. I mean, you had one more year left." said the eldest. "Yeah but we need someone to support us right?" said Kankuro, even though he did want to go back to school. Temari gave out a long sigh. "Besides, dad's life insurance won't last us forever. I just want to be prepared." said Kankuro.

Gaara closed his eyes. He didn't like it when someone mentioned about their father. He hated him. Their father died shortly after the body of their mother was discovered, apparently from a suicide. People claimed he did it either for covering up his crime or because he lost his one and only love. Gaara always believed it was for the first reason. Their father beat their mother, Gaara thought his father didn't love her. She always protected Gaara from the beatings his father gave him. His father didn't like him as well.

Before Gaara's mother died, Gaara found out that the father he has been living with wasn't his real dad. During a short split his mother and father had, Gaara's mother had an affair. Thus, causing her to conceive Gaara. Gaara's father never knew about the affair and always thought the baby that was born was his. Until when he was ten. His mother couldn't handle the lies and told her husband the truth. The father was crushed. It wasn't his real son. So from then on, his feelings for Gaara lessened. He was getting more over protective to his wife. Causing the multiple abuse she had to get from him. It wasn't long until Gaara had to endure his punishments.

She always wanted to protect her baby. Until one day, she couldn't take it anymore. Mother ran out of the house as father tried to beat her once again for not going home on time from work. She ran out of there, she wanted to run anywhere, away from the devil she called her husband. She stopped when she realized she wasn't followed. She thought about her children. She wondered what he might do to them. In a panic she ran back to the house to retrieve her three precious kids. Instead she found a drunk husband waiting for her in the patio. She yelled for her kids. He ran up to her, punched her, and dragged her to the wooded area to the side of their house. Boom! He shot her in the head with the gun he was hiding in his back pocket. In the meantime, little Gaara, who was locked up in the attic, saw everything from the attic window.

Of course his siblings never hated Gaara for any reason. They loved their little brother. Although Tamari and Kankuro didn't get abused as much as Gaara, they still formed a hatred for their father. They knew Gaara did nothing wrong. Gaara never told anyone the real reason he heard voices in his head. It wasn't because of Yashamaru, although he did cause it to get worse. It was of what he saw that night. He blamed himself for not being able to save his mother. He blamed himself to be so pathetic. The voice kept telling him he wasn't wanted, and the he wasn't good enough for anyone. It kept telling him to run away from certain situations. Gaara blames himself for not being strong to defeat it. This was the reason Gaara didn't want to get close to people. He didn't want them to get hurt because of him. Everything was always his fault was what he always thought.

"So, do you think you'll be able to go to school tomorrow?" asked Kankuro. Gaara didn't want to run away again so he told them he would go. Kankuro wasn't sure though, he didn't want them to harm Gaara again. However, it was what his brother wanted, Kankuro just wants him to be happy. After finishing his dinner, Gaara headed for his room. "Goodnight" they said. Gaara turned around and gave them a small smile.

April 27th (cont.)

After school went bad. Fuck. Why did they have to do that. I made a fool out of myself. In front of everyone, in front of Neji. Neji stopped the fight. I'm too embarrassed to go to school, but I don't want to be a pussy and chicken out again. My life sucks. My back still hurts a little. That fucking Orochimaru threw me so hard. That asshole. I hate him.

p.s. I definitely like Neji now.

-Gaara