AN: many thanks to all my wonderful reviewers! And, ugh, sorry about how slow I have been on updating this. I blame all the stupid two hour long semester exams we had to take I think it's a miracle in the fact that I had anytime at all to type this up. Add that up along with the fact I've been having several relapses with a problem I thought I got over with that includes sharp objects…. But since break is now here and I'm off of school I plan to be updating on nearly all my more neglected fics. I plan to be updating a lot. Happy Holidays to all here on !

Materwolf5: thank you for reviewing and I can't wait for your next update!

KakashixIrukalover: much love to you and thank you for reviewing!

Earthbender068: Thanks for reviewing, and yes when Gaa-kun calls Kanky-kun Aniki it is quite adorable. As for the friend issue in your last review they will, just later on.

MM-chan: thank you for the alert and the fav, much love goes out to you!

Evil Panda Suicide: thanks for the fav!

P.S I have a pic for this chap, the link is up on my profile and go see it when you're done please. Well enough of the author note and enjoy the fic! Please review too!

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING!!!!!!

The ride home was uneventful. I just rested against my elder brother's shoulder and he ran his hand through my hair. The action was quite soothing; it was moments like this that made life seem almost normal for the both of us. But as everything does it had to end. When we got off the bus and the cold wind hit my chest I felt instantly frozen. Kankuro noticed, removed his hoodie and gave it to me. At first I was reluctant to take it but he said that I put it on, or he'll put it on for me. I chose the first option. As we walked back home I asked if he had seen Temari at school, he grunted in a mix of anger and disgust and said that he saw our older sister but he didn't talk to her. He's still angry about how she just one day left. I miss her still, but I don't like to bring her up around him. The rest of the walk home was spent in silence. At home the driveway was empty, a good sign that we wouldn't have to climb up the tree to get inside, pulling out his copy of the house key Kankuro opened the door and we both went upstairs to but our bags down. After that the two of us spent about two hours going over homework and studying for tests. Kankuro left after that to go downstairs to see if there was anything for us to eat.

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Kankuro scanned over the cupboard looking for almost anything that could be edible, in the end he only found a couple of canned tuna. Sighing he grabbed the can opener and went back upstairs to his younger brother. Looks like tonight both would go to bed a little hungry, he more than his little brother however.

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I stared at the doorway as I heard Kankuro come up the stairs; in his hands were about three small cans of tuna fish, and a can opener. After opening two he hands them both to me, and works on the one single can for himself. I intentionally leave about half in one of the cans and pass it to him. Kankuro looks at me uncertainly but I nod and then the brunette reluctantly eats what's left.

For a time afterwards all is quiet and not a sound can be heard, and while the silence is soothing it also scares me, I can't stand the silence. Still, nothing peaceful like this lasts for long especially when you have a father like ours. A car pulls into the driveway and before Kankuro has the chance I get up first and drag him with me to the closet to hide. Kankuro looks ready to protest, but as soon as the front door opens I quickly cover his mouth and both of us freeze. Father stomps up the stairs, his footsteps heavy with drunkenness. We can't see him but after a few moments the older man snorts in anger, belches, then leaves muttering curses under his breath. Kankuro just stares at me and asks,

"Gaara, why did you do that?"

I stared back at him, and realized that he looked so much older than he used too, so worn down, and the answer came out, "Because I didn't want to see you get hurt again…."

That night we both stayed in the closet, while it was awfully uncomfortable we rather have one cramped night in the closet than fresh wounds to bandage. When dawn came we woke, and quickly left for school, got on the bus, and went our separate ways.

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Shit, shit, shit, Kankuro thought in the back of his mind as he turned sharply around the back corner of the school, cool air filling his lungs as ran.

"You're dead Sabaku!" Kisame, (or was it Hidan?) shouted, obviously the two hadn't forgotten what had occurred the day earlier and wanted to finish what they started. Kankuro, who was becoming a bit desperate in his attempts to get away made a quick dash and hid the large bushes, pulled his hoodie over his mouth to cover his ragged breathing. The footsteps got closer until they finally stood just right in front of where he was hiding.

"Aw hell, don't tell me you lost him you blue haired dumb-fuck…" Hidan swore.

"Oh piss off you white haired freak." Kisame shot back. Hidan opened his mouth but shut it just as some bushes off to Kankuro's far right started to rustle. Hidan and Kisame became curious and went over to pull someone else out. The other was about the other two's age with flaming red hair, but as soon as they helped the pale redhead to his feet he not so gracefully fell back down to the ground landing on his back.

"Ha ha! Sasori you drunk again? At least wait till noon to pull out the hard core alcohol, dumbass." Hidan laughed.

"Dude, what the fuck are you doing? You know if your probation officer hears about this you're going straight back to juvenile hall." Kisame half scolded and half snickered.

Sasori stared blankly up at the two before replying, "I know that Papa Smurf, besides my probation officer can kiss my ass."

The statement made Hidan roar with laughter while Kisame not so much. The blue haired teen was unnaturally pale, making his skin almost translucent allowing blue veins to be easily seen, giving the impression his skin tone was blue.

"Kisame chill, ok? Come on lets go see if Kakuzu's harassing any of the freshman come on."

Kisame grunted but followed Hidan none the less. After those two left Kankuro breathed a little easier but now he had a new problem, while the red head didn't seem to be much of a handful everyone knew about specific incidences that he caused. First one happened last year when he poisoned a junior's food and the kid got sent to the hospital and was out for two months. The school tried to pin him to the crime but they lacked evidence and nothing happed. The second was earlier this year went his punched a sophomore in the face, a girl sophomore knocking out several of her teeth which is how he got his probation officer and all that. Kankuro gulped and quietly got out of the bushes and dusted himself off, when he looked up again however he noticed that Sasori was doing the same. The brunette felt his whole body tense again but the red head made no hostile motions or body gestures. In fact he pulled out a cigarette, lit it, exhaled a small puff of smoke and said,

"Eh, you owe me got it?" he paused and looked over Kankuro's confused expression before continuing, "Anyway, not like it's my business, but I don't get what those two see the fun of breaking what's already been broken. See ya, kid."

Kankuro stood motionless, a hand on his neck covering some of his bruises understanding what the other was referring to.

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My plan on falling asleep in English wasn't working, Naruto and Sasuke were fighting. Yet again. The blonde and the raven haired boys glared at each other one minute the next, someone bumped the blonde the two locked lips and the usual happened. The guys all laughed, the girls foamed at the mouth and proceeded to beat the living hell out of Naruto. And Kakashi was late…. Forget this being a long period; it was going to be an annoyingly long day.