A/N: I hope you all like this chapter.
I wrote it in about 2 hours, I had so much thought up since i hardly update, lol.

Disclaimer: I do not own any Naruto characters in this reading.

Chapter IV
Real Accursed Truth

Despite Gaara's harsh words, and Neji's injured foot, he didn't remain in the hotel that night. He called in a favor with one of his few friends and received a ride to his uncle's house. He had been too afraid to return to his dorm.

Throughout the remainder of the week Neji saw Gaara less and less. The redhead didn't even bother showing up at the coffee shop for 3 days in a row. Neji was starting to feel sick in his mind. He couldn't really describe it. He was feeling tired all the time and he barely had an appetite. He was sleeping longer now and he just felt alone.

He wondered if this was what depression felt like. He couldn't be depressed though. He hadn't known Gaara that long and they weren't in love. He was just very attracted to him. Maybe he was feeling like this because he knew he couldn't have Gaara. He knew the redhead didn't belong to Haku but at the same time he knew that Gaara had obligations to the other boy.

All day Thursday Neji paced around in his dorm. He was waiting for the right time to go see Gaara. He couldn't just keep on avoiding him, though it was probably Gaara that was doing the avoiding.

Neji skipped his first two classes that day and waited for Haku to leave the dorm. He was determined to talk to Gaara and if he didn't then he would keep being partially depressed. That was what he decided was causing all these sicknesses.

When Haku did finally Leave Neji sort of smiled to himself. He thought back to the last time he saw Gaara. The boy had left so abruptly. Neji missed him so much he could almost smell the natural scent of his body gliding down the hall toward his room. Neji shivered when the thought of seeing Gaara passed over him. He wanted to smack himself for feeling so damn stupid.

Half limping down the hall Neji knocked on Gaara's room door. There was a lot of shuffling coming from the room so Neji thought the boy hadn't heard him. Instead of knocking again Neji turned the knob on the door and pushed it open. He had only guessed that it wasn't locked.

Looking inside he saw Gaara sitting on the bed. The sheets were full of blood and a sowing kit was on the night stand next to the bed. Gaara's hands were shaking as he tried sowing up a wound on his inner calf. Neji rushed over to him grabbing the sowing needle from his hand.

"What the hell happened to you?" Neji asked in low voice. Gaara just looked over at him and with a scowl on his face. He wanted to know what the Hyuuga was doing in his room uninvited.

"You can't possibly expect this to heal with the botch job you're doing." Neji pointed to Gaara's sad excuse for closing his obviously large gash. "Yes, under the circumstances I doubt you trust me but at least let me help you."

Gaara looked away and laid back extending his hurt leg toward Neji. "Hurry," He warned. "I wouldn't want Haku to see you here." He growled. That made Neji upset. So now he knew that it was Haku's fault that Gaara had been avoiding him. He took a deep breath and let the issue go. He wasn't going to whine about Haku today.

Neji grabbed the bottle of alcohol Gaara had practically wasted all over the nightstand. He cleaned the needle thoroughly before he put a towel under Gaara's leg and poured the rest of the contents around the wound.

Neji sat opposite Gaara and crossed his legs, pulling Gaara's leg into his lap. Gaara winced but Neji ignored it. As he threaded the needled Neji peaked over at Gaara. He appeared to be sleeping but Neji figured he was in too much pain to sleep.

"Why didn't you just go to the hospital?" Neji asked, trying to lighten the mood. Gaara ignored him again and cleared his throat. Neji felt his mood dropping to a low sadness. He had thought Gaara would be sort of happy to se him. Maybe they would kiss and Gaara would tell him he wanted to spend more time together. This wasn't his dream at all.

"Are you going to say anything to me?" Neji exhaled roughly.

Gaara cracked his eyes open and stared down at Neji. "Haku has forbid me from it." That was all he said before he closed his eyes again. Neji shrugged and lit the tip of the needle with a lighter.

"I see." He said, "This is going to burn a little. Please don't move." He dug the needle into the top layer of Gaara's skin and pushed it across the gap of Gaara's gash then up and out the other side. He tightened the first stitch and then proceeded to do it again.

Neji was amazed at Gaara's high tolerance for pain. Maybe when they were married they could both get a tattoo. What on earth am I thinking about marriage for?!?!
Neji calmed himself and continued his work. It was understandable that Haku didn't want Gaara to talk to him but he could try and convince the boy otherwise.

"I figured after the horrible night we had at the hotel that Haku wouldn't want us together. I took it upon myself to beg Sasuke to take me back…he agreed." Neji could see Gaara's eyes slowly open back up. "That's what I came over to tell you. I wasn't trying to intrude, believe me. There has been enough awkwardness between us thus far." Now maybe I can convince Sasuke to play along. He can have the accursed Haku and I can have Gaara. No, Sasuke won't play along. Prick.

Gaara just looked away. Neji had no idea what he was thinking or feeling. Gaara was always so bleak and standoffish. Neji knew different when it came to his attitude though. He knew the redhead wanted him, it was just a matter of time. If Gaara thought Neji didn't want him anymore then maybe Gaara would defy Haku and go after Neji on his own. He just had to be patient and hope that Gaara really did like him.

Gaara sat up, suddenly, and stretched. "You should go." He said looking down at his leg while he mumbled a thank you. He looked up at Neji and for a moment their eyes met. For the first time Neji didn't feel like Gaara was staring right through him. This time he was actually staring at him and Neji thought he might have noted a little sadness until Gaara blinked.

"I'll go." Neji pushed Gaara's leg out of his lap and stood up. He didn't wait too long before he headed for the open door. "If you want, you should come by my room later, I'll check on your leg to make sure the stitching is tight enough to get you through the weekend." Then Neji left and he didn't look back.

Gaara softly and unnoticeable sighed once Neji was gone. He had never felt like he needed to hold his breath in all his life. He thought about Neji being with Sasuke again. That just couldn't be true and he wouldn't believe it. Haku and Sasuke were close, unfortunately, and Gaara remembered Haku mentioning that Sasuke had a crush on a certain blond that Gaara knew from the coffeehouse.

Gaara growled however, he didn't know Sasuke and he wouldn't put it passed him to be dating two people at the same time. From what he had learned, this school had no compassion for loyalty. Gaara could care less. His loyalty to Haku had faltered upon the sight of Neji so often. He couldn't judge the Uchiha, he wasn't Kami.

Late in the night Neji found the courage to knock on the door of the Uchiha house. He was afraid but he knew that if he wanted any time with Gaara he would have to approach Sasuke about his ideas. The elder Uchiha answered the door and Neji stood his ground.

"Hyuuga," He said. "It's been awhile."

"It's imperative that I speak with Sasuke." Neji ignored Itachi to the best of his ability. "Is he here, Itachi?" Neji peered around the other boy and saw that Sasuke was sitting on the couch in the living room.

"Sasuke." Itachi called in a deep voice, and then he disappeared into the back of the house. Neji walked in and closed the door behind himself. He took a seat next to Sasuke but the boy didn't even look over at him.

"I must ask something of you." Neji confessed.

"What could you possibly need to ask me?" Sasuke spat. "I have no concern for you, Hyuuga." Sasuke slouched down in his seat and folded his arms. His eyes closed and he breathed easily through his nose. Neji knew that meant he didn't want to talk but he tried anyway.

"I think you might have feelings for Haku."

Sasuke immediately opened his eyes. "What does that have to do with you?" He snorted. "We're friends." He admitted. Neji rolled his eyes. Haku was very good looking and Neji knew what that meant to the Uchiha.

"Friends don't screw each other." Neji growled. Even though he wanted to be with Gaara he still couldn't get over the slight feelings he had for Sasuke. They had known each other for a long time after all. Some thought they would be together forever.

"We were friends once." Sasuke countered. "We did a lot of screwing back then, before you belonged to me." Sasuke said, looking over at Neji finally. "I am not sleeping with the new boy." He clearly stated. "Haku has made it very clear that his heart belongs to one person. Anyway, why is this of any relevance?"

"I want you to take me back." Neji got to his point. He couldn't waste time with Sasuke. The boy would soon tire of his talking and make him leave.

"Hn," Sasuke smirked. "I knew." Sasuke turned so that his body was facing Neji. "I belong to my brother, Hyuuga."

Neji shook his head. "There has to be something you want in return for being with me again. Just…" Neji trailed off when he noticed Itachi hovering around in the kitchen. He sighed and began to whisper. "I just need you to pretend to be interested in me. I don't care if you're not. I will trade you whatever you want."

"Why?" Sasuke asked. "What's in it for you?" He blinked with curiosity. Neji was scratching the skin on his hand harshly. Unaware he had broken skin. He took a deep breath and looked away.

"The Sabaku."

"That's what you're up to. You want me to distract Haku so you can have his prize. You're a devil in that body. Hn, it's too bad that I really don't care for the new boy like you think I do." Sasuke shook his head though. "The redhead will not care if we're together."

"Just try it with me, I'm begging you-"

Sasuke put a finger to Neji's lips and quieted him. "I will agree to this under two-" he put up two fingers with his other hand, "-conditions." He leaned away from the Hyuuga and folded his arms. Neji nodded.

"First this has to be cleared with Itachi and you will have to ask him."

Neji nodded and gulped as he saw Itachi sipping on sake at the kitchen table, just out of earshot.

"Second, I want a job at the coffeehouse."

Neji frowned. "Why in Kami's name would you want to work there?" Neji would gladly get him the job but that was his safe haven and he dreaded having Sasuke and Itachi hanging around there all the time.

"The blond," Sasuke smirked, "I haven't seen him in awhile. Let's just say that I miss the confrontation between us." He shrugged and then pointed to his brother who was now in the dinning room. "He will not give me up without a price." Sasuke laughed dark-like and Itachi just stared at Neji with a gloom over his face. Neji breathed as he stood and approached the elder Uchiha. This night proved to be far more irritating that he could have ever imagined. Maybe Itachi would not put up so much of a fight for Sasuke, although couldn't count on it.

Monday

Things were working out for Neji just as he had planned.

-Sasuke was going to start working at the coffeehouse that night.
-Neji and Sasuke were semi back together.
-And for Neji taking Sasuke, Itachi was going to receive another playmate via Neji for the time being.
-Neji could think of no other road block than Haku, who he had so cleverly planned to stick in Itachi's path.

Neji paid off Kiba to switch shifts with Sasuke so now Neji could work with Naruto who he actually tolerated while Sasuke got to bug Naruto and Neji could be seen by Gaara with Sasuke every time he went to school or visited Neji at work. This was fool-proof and Neji hoped it would work.

Standing in the back room of the coffeehouse Neji felt someone walk up behind him and grab him around the waist. He knew it was Sasuke but he had been startled. And for that moment all his feelings for Sasuke began coming back. He hoped that this wouldn't become a problem.

"I've been thinking." Neji turned around. "Don't lay on the affection too thick." He sort of blushed a little. "I still kind of have feelings for you. I don't want to be blinded from what I really want."

Sasuke backed away with his hands up. "Look I don't want you anymore than you want me but…" He stepped up to Neji. "There were no stipulations about how much I owned you." He put a finger under Neji's chin and kiss him gently. "And I do own you." He said.

"Sasuke?"

The two boys turned around to see a confused Naruto in the doorway. He was scratching his head as he walked in and went to his locker for his uniform.

"Naruto." Sasuke cleared his throat. The two shared an uncomfortable stare for a moment and Sasuke broke away.

"No, I meant Dobe." He smirked when Naruto quickly grew angry.

"Hey you prick just get out okay. Me and Neji have work to do. You two can go smooch somewhere else. He's not even allowed back here and hey I thought you two broke up of something."

"He works here, Naruto." Neji said, retrieving his own apron him his locker then closing it. Naruto looked from Neji to Sasuke but before he could say anything Neji grabbed him by the arm and dragged him out the back door into the alley.

"Look I know you two don't get along but you need to deal with him for just a while. He requested this job specifically for you and I agreed because I need his help. Please for the love of Kami just put up with him for the time being." Neji already knew he was going to endure some headaches from these two.

"I don't get it, what's going on?"

Neji sighed. "Remember the crazy mystery guy that's been in here? His name is Gaara and he goes to Saint Third. He's taken an interest in me and I have taken one in him but the guy he is rooming with doesn't like us together. So I asked Sasuke if he would pretend to be my boyfriend to make Gaara jealous. In exchange Sasuke wanted a job here so he could see you, why I don't know."

Naruto nodded. "Okay okay."

"Just ignore him as much as possible and get through your shift okay. You're going to have to train him under the manager's orders. Just please as a favor to me, try and get along, Naruto." Neji sighed again. He was so tired from school, and thinking about this and trying to find a way to introduce Itachi and Haku that his head was spinning.

"Ugh fine." Naruto growled. Sasuke wanted to work here for me? Naruto began walking back inside. I wonder what that could mean. Bastard probably wants to pick on me.

Two hours into the shift Neji was tired of hearing Naruto fuss over how Sasuke did everything wrong. Neji knew Sasuke was screwing up on purpose. He just didn't know why. Gaara finally did show up around six that night. Neji noticed he wasn't limping at all. Gaara had never gone to his room for a check up despite what Neji had wanted. And Neji hadn't seen him much around school except when he was gardening and Neji had missed tutoring on purpose.

Neji felt a peace wash over him after seeing Gaara. He just wanted to walk over to Gaara and lay in his arms for the rest of the night. That was until Neji saw Haku walking in behind his Gaara. Neji felt angry trying to steam out his pores but he held his breath and called to Sasuke. The brunette walked over with his hands in his pockets.

"Call Itachi and tell him I'm going to make due with our agreement now. He had better get here if he wanted his half of the deal."

Sasuke said nothing as he nodded and retreated to the back room. When he remerged he looked the same as he did when he had left. "He will be here shortly." He told Neji, who smiled in turn. He saw that Haku looked his best right now and he knew Itachi would waste no time introducing himself to fresh meat. Neji turned back to Sasuke glared.

"I'll leave it to you to get Haku out into the parking lot when your brother arrives. Then leave them and give them time before you go back outside. I will talk with Gaara." He smiled and hoped he could get a few words out of Gaara today. He missed the other's voice. Sasuke just nodded and proceeded to entertain himself with Naruto.

Itachi didn't get to the shop for an hour. When he pulled into the parking lot Sasuke was already leaving the workers area for the lobby. In a plan to make things interesting Neji grabbed Sasuke by the arm and pretended he didn't want him to go. Sasuke played along by smiling and then kissing Neji's lips. He said, I'll be back, and then he headed for Haku, who had been watching.

"Mind if I talk to you outside?" Sasuke asked Haku.

"Yep." Haku said cheerfully and stood up. He looked to Gaara, "Be right back." He followed Sasuke out the door. Gaara immediately looked over toward Neji who had his head down counting the money in the drawer to switch it for another drawer in case it got full. Gaara wasted no time standing and walking over to Neji.

"What are you up to?" Gaara asked.

"Huh?" Neji raised his head and frowned. "I'm working, if you haven't noticed. This is my job." Neji said, confused. Gaara stared at him intently and sniffled. He was catching a cold it seemed.

"You're up to something, Hyuuga. I was very aware of you feelings for me. You didn't just turn them off for the Uchiha." Gaara did start to seem like he was a little jealous. Neji couldn't help but smile in front of him. This was all too easy.

"Actually, I did just that. On Thursday when I went to beg you for attention you completely ignored me. I hadn't yet gotten back with Sasuke like I had said but after being with you I knew that you would listen to Haku and stay away from me." Neji flipped his hair. "Haku's happiness is more important to you than your own. I can't let that come between you and me. Rather than suffer I just made a deal with Sasuke. I get him if he gets this job. That's fine with me. Deal with it." Neji growled.

"He doesn't want you." Gaara plainly said. Neji shrugged. He knew it was true but he also knew that Sasuke still had some feelings for him too. This enabled both of them to pretend more easily than fighting each other for simple kisses here and there.

"You don't want me either." He countered. "I've thrown myself all over you and you just close your eyes to my feelings. The other night in the hotel I was ready to just be used by you. I didn't care what you did to me but you let Haku get in the way of something you really wanted, at least back then you wanted it."

"You'll regret it soon enough." Gaara said.

"Like I regret having feelings for you?"

Gaara almost frowned at that. He did have feelings for Neji but what could he do? He promised Haku, someone he truly cared for, that he wouldn't go near the Hyuuga in a romantic fashion ever again. No, Haku and Gaara didn't belong to each other but Gaara wanted only for him to be happy.

"Every drop of emotion I felt for you is melting away now. All you did was lead me on and hurt me. Why should I throw away my happiness to see you with him?" Neji took a deep breath. "What do you care if I'm with Sasuke anyway?"

"I don't anymore." Gaara said. He slyly grabbed a juice box in front of him and walked back to his table. Neji felt bad for a moment but he knew Gaara was jealous and that's all he'd wanted.

Outside in the chill air Haku stood a few feet away from Itachi. Sasuke hadn't introduced them. He simply told Haku that is brother wanted to meet him then he slipped into the back alley. The air between them was still as they gazed upon each other. Haku blushed as Itachi looked him over, not making a single move. Haku felt a wave of embarrassment fall over him as he stood under the gape of the elder Uchiha.

"I've seen you around school," Itachi began, "You're a sight to see up close." He admitted while lying that he had seen Haku when he hadn't. Haku ignored the compliment in having nothing to reply back.

"You go to my school then? You're a student?" He decided to be on the safe side and keep the conversation short. Maybe that way he could get back to Gaara without causing too much trouble for himself.

"Faculty." Itachi corrected him, which wasn't quite true either. He took a step closer to Haku and then another. Haku began to back away. Not really understanding what was going on between the two.

"That means that you're being inappropriate with your remarks." Haku said.

"No," Itachi moved closer. "I'm a former student and not officially hired by the school as a teacher or anyone in leadership. Therefore, a relationship with a student is neither prohibited nor frowned upon in our case." He never had such a calm face about him. He was actually taken with Haku. He would have to thank Neji later for this treat.

"I cannot have a relationship with you…I don't even know your name." Haku began to look at the boy with different eyes. He was tall with dark hair and eyes much like Sasuke's. Something that Haku often found himself lost in. But this boy was mature and well-built and something about his calm nature made Haku feel like a school girl.

"Uchiha Itachi." He gave his name. "I will be taking you out tomorrow night and I won't have any declination on your part. I have found and interest in you and you will do well not upset me by denying me the time to get to know you."

Haku only nodded as Itachi reached up to him and fingered through his hair. Haku felt like he was under a spell. He didn't want to move or say anything. Just how had Itachi gotten him to remain so silent?

Itachi leaned to him and whispered in his ear. "Until then, Haku." He swiftly turned around and got in his car. Haku watched him drive away and then he snapped out of his stupor as Sasuke rounded the corner. Haku tilted his head and frowned at him.

"Did you know he liked me?" Haku questioned.

"Hn," Sasuke nodded. "Come on, it's cold out." He helped Haku back into the coffeehouse where everyone was still bus with themselves. Haku sat with Gaara but neglected to tell him about his date withItachi. He didn't want Gaara to become jealous or upset. So he kept quite while Gaara sat in silence, sulking to himself.

Tuesday morning

Gaara was busy watering the garden under the headmaster's office window when he saw Sasuke and Neji walking hand in hand across the quad. Gaara silently growled when they got to the path that separated the Art center from the Math center. They stood on the stairs a few feet away from where Gaara was. He stopped to listen to them talk.

They kissed for a long moment and it made Gaara uneasy. When Sasuke pulled away Neji hugged him and suggested they skip class but the Uchiha said he would be sure to see Neji after school at work where they could later spend the night together.

When they said their goodbyes Neji eyed Gaara and then stuck his nose in the air and disappeared into the Art building. Gaara growled after him. Something just didn't seem right and he was going to find out soon.

Later in the day Gaara was sitting in the library where he was everyday after school. He was reading at his selected table for anyone that needed a tutor. That was his job even though he never had one single student ask him for help.

"I guess they never changed my tutor."

Gaara didn't look up from his book at Neji. He didn't need to see him right now. He just slowly turned the page and leaned back in his chair.

"You're still ignoring me Gaara." Neji sat down. "I need to pass this class, just help me okay."

Gaara pulled the book from his face. "The Uchiha is an excellent student with straight A's and full ride to Bellford. Why don't you ask him to tutor you?" Gaara leaned onto the table and stared at Neji.

"For the same reason I would have not had you tutor me if you were my boyfriend. I just wanna be romantic with Sasuke. We don't talk about school when we're together unless we have to."

"Thank you for the much needed information." Gaara was rarely sarcastic but just the thought of Neji and Sasuke together made him want to throw up. "Fine." Gaara calmed himself "I'll tutor you but only under certain guidelines."

Gaara wanted to be around Neji, he really did. And since he couldn't do that because of Haku he decided that the time he got to see Neji during tutoring would have to do. He was starting to feel like he drove Neji to be with Sasuke and that made him angry. He wanted to be the one with Neji. His jealousy was beginning to erupt and he thought he had it under control until now.

"Gaara?" Neji waved his hands. The redhead had been staring at him for a long while without saying anything. Gaara was feeling the sting of not having Neji pine after him anymore and it was sad to him. Neji was the first person other than Haku that Gaara actually liked. He was feeling weighed down by the thought was disappointing Haku and seeing Neji with someone else. Slowly he felt Neji distancing himself from him and Gaara just wanted to reach over the table and take him for his own. He wondered if he could convince Haku that he and Neji were just friends so they could get close. He wondered if Neji would leave Sasuke for him if the opportunity arose.

Tuesday night

Gaara went to the coffeehouse alone and he returned to his dorm alone. Haku said he was going to a study group and Gaara had no reason to believe otherwise. He left the door to his room open because the night was warm.

When it got late Gaara didn't bother panicking. He knew Haku would come back sooner or later. He decided to visit the main room downstairs where the students would often watch movies or hangout. To Gaara's surprise Neji was sitting in one of the lounge chairs reading, there was no one else in the room. Neji hadn't noticed Gaara yet so the redhead stood in the shadows of the doorway. He marveled and how delicate Neji looked during the night. He wanted to just hold him for a moment. Gaara had no idea what was going on with him. A month ago he would have strangled Neji and now he just wanted some time with him.

Gaara moved across the room slowly and stood in front of him. Neji smiled when he noticed who was blocking his light. He marked his page and closed the book. He stood up and faced Gaara, all the feeling in his body tingled.

"I didn't expect to see you here." Neji let his smile show more than he intended to. Gaara couldn't help but touch Neji's soft face. Neji felt like he was going to lean in and hug Gaara but he knew he had to just play his game a little longer.

"Haku will be angry with you." Neji pushed Gaara's hand away. "Unless he isn't back from his date yet." Neji cleverly planted that in there. "Then maybe he won't have to know." He saw Gaara's eyes change from solemn to confused. "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll be back soon. Sasuke's brother has always been a gentleman." Neji stepped up to Gaara and laid his head on the other boy's chest. "It feels god to be alone with you." He said, "Gaara, if Sasuke and I don't work out-"

Gaara pushed Neji away. "Don't play games with me Neji." Gaara leaned over and kissed him lightly. "Until you get the approval of Haku we can't be together." Gaara completely disregarded what Neji said Haku being on a date. He would just ask Haku himself.

"Not even in secret?" Neji asked. "I want my relationship with Sasuke and you want yours with Haku. What if you and I just stayed in the dark?" Neji kissed Gaara again, this time more obsessively. Gaara kissed him back. He could feel a warm feeling pestering him but he dare not go further than a kiss. Neji moaned into Gaara as his head began to spin. This was what he wanted. Maybe he could tell Sasuke that everything was working fine.

Sasuke. Neji thought and a bad feeling took over him.

"So this is what you do when I'm not with you?"

Neji and Gaara both looked to the door where Sasuke turned on the lights in the room. He didn't seem happy at all. TrulySasuke still had feelings for the Hyuuga no matter how much the game was being played. They were supposed to be making Gaara jealous and Neji couldn't keep his tongue in his mouth.

Sasuke I…this isn't…" Neji growled, he didn't even know what to say. He turned to Gaara. "I'm sorry." Then he went after Sasuke who left through the door. Gaara stood there alone. He wanted alone time with Neji where they couldn't get interrupted. He let it go soon after to wonder if Haku was really with Sasuke's brother. Gaara's room was calling him so he went to rest, the last two days had bothered him enough that he might sleep a few minutes, if Haku ever came back to keep him warm.

End Chapter IV

A/N: I wish this chapter had been longer but I am on a strict page number type thing for this stroy and I went over the amount of pages I wanted to do anyways!
Ah!
I'm writing this and i wanna see Neji and Gaara together but all the drma makes me love keeping them apart.
Maybe next time there will be less of the other chatacters and more of the main ones.
REVIEW please.

-Ja ne!