Yes another chapter! I was away at the weekend so I wasn't able to update. A weekend away with a one year old is hard work lol.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters

Xx

Suddenly they heard a wolf whistle and Gaara leaped up from Ino as if he was on fire. Ino rolled onto her stomach and jumped up coming face to face with a grinning Naruto.

Damn it

'Naruto' Gaara growled, 'What are you-'

'Are you crazy!' Naruto exclaimed, 'Matsuri could have been back at any minute!'

Gaara shot him a questionning look which Naruto returned with a wink. Within a few seconds their group waltzed in, Ino breathed a sigh of relief, she had no idea why Gaara had such a hold on her. He was taken. Taken by a complete bitch. Matsuri came in and of course basically kidnapped Gaara, she took him to the corner of the room and handed him his lunch. It was her things, she would make him lunch. Every day.

Choji came in with his arms full of different snacks, such as crisps and sweets. Kiba and Shino went home for lunch on Tuesdays, Kiba was very close to his dog Akamaru and said that he liked to walk past the park on Tuesdays. How he knew what his dog wanted was beyond Ino. And Shino liked to observe bugs every chance he got.

It was an awkward lunch for Ino as she pretended to listen to Shikamaru talk about how troublesome everything is, when all she wanted to do was grab Gaara and... And what? Cry in his arms, kiss him, punch him? If she was honest it was probably all three.

'So. You like Gaara?' Shikamaru asked, Ino nearly choked on her can of Diet Cola. She wasn't expecting Shikamaru to be so blunt about such, delicate, things.

'W- what?! What made you say that?' Ino asked. Shikamaru glanced at her with a knowing smile on his lips. Stupid genious

'He's taken' she whispered, the feeling of unease returning to her stomach.

'Yeah, by a bitch' Shikamaru muttered. Ino smiled, so Shikamaru didn't like Matsuri either huh?

'Hey!' Gaara called in their direction making Ino and Shikamaru jump and turn around, Ino tried to wipe the guilt of her face, as if they hadn't just been bitching about his girlfriend.

'What?' Shikamaru asked. Gaara tossed a few packet of crisps over at them which Shikamaru caught, he tossed a packet to Naruto who caught it with his teeth. Ino was surprised that Choji didn't tackle them all for the snacks.

'Thanks!' Shikamaru said, 'Yum, salt and vinegar' he said as he popped a few crisps into his mouth. Ino set her crisp packet down, she really wasn't in the mood to eat anything. Her mind started to wander to the end of school. When she would meet up with Sasuke.

Xx

Before Ino knew it, school was over. It was time to meet up with Sasuke. She told Shino not to tell anyone about it. Ino knew that most of them would assist in escorting her, especially Naruto. The guy had a heart of gold, Ino had no idea how he was still single. Was this what it was like when you weren't popular.

Ino went to class after lunch, staying in the art room would be more difficult to slip away alone. Once Ino was at the bike shed she saw Sasuke already waiting. He looked anxious which pleased Ino. She walked over to him, once he saw her he smiled and pulled her into a hug and planted a kiss on her forehead.

'Ino' Sasuke pulled away smiling at her. 'How've you been?' Ino felt a flicker of rage, how dare he? How dare he ask her how she is, when it was his fault that she was in this position in the first place. Ino took a step back from Sasuke glaring at him.

She felt her anger build up inside of her until it burst. She pushed Sasuke, almost making him fall over.

'How dare you ask me that!' Ino yelled, 'It is your fault my life is like this now!'

'Ino' Sasuke said, 'Listen to me' He walked towards her, his hands held on either side of his head in surrender.

'What!' Ino yelled. Sasuke grabbed Ino and pulled her into a rough kiss, Ino gasped causing Sasuke to deepen the kiss, one hand was grabbing her hair and the other was snaked around her waist. Ino pushed her hands against his chest to try and pry him away, but it was pointless.

Ino gave up, dropping her arms to the side, waiting until Sasuke was done. It was agony trying to seperate the thought of just giving in, that little part of her that just wanted to kiss him back. She felt her fingers twitch and then she pulled them into a fist, she needed to end this kiss, she needed to end it now.

BANG

Suddenly Sasuke was on the floor clutching his nose. Ino blinked, her fist was still at her side, how the hell did that just happen?

Just as suddenly Sasuke was lifted up and pinned by his throat to the chainlink fence by...

'Gaara!' Naruto exclaimed, Ino turned around to see Naruto sprinting towards them, followed by Matsuri and Shikamaru. Gaara didn't remove his hand, but tightened it and brought the other one up to the side of Sasuke's face.

'If you ever touch her again' Gaara growled dangerously, suddenly Ino was brought back to their first meeting, when he was just as aggressive with her. 'I will tear this pretty head of your shoulders and-'

'Stop it!' Matsuri yelled, 'What are you doing?!' Ino looked at the girl, the brunette looked visably upset and was looking at Gaara as if she had no idea who he was. Tears were beginning to form in her eyes.

Gaara let him go. Sasuke jumped to his feet and glared at the redhead, his nose was bleeding freely Ino doubted it was broken though. Sasuke glanced from Ino to Gaara, his eyes narrowed, he noticed how the redhead stood in front of her now, protecting her... from him.

'Him?' He spat looking at Ino, 'You and him?' Sasuke walked away with a pfft, surprisingly Gaara and the others let him go. Ino glanced at Gaara but he was looking behind her at-

'No!' Matsuri yelled 'He's mine!' Matsuri rounded on Ino glaring at her, 'If you want to go back to Sasuke then go! But don't involve my boyfriend!' Ino blinked away the tears that were beginning to form and shook her head.

'I didn't' Ino said, 'I- I just wanted to hear him out! B-besides I didn't even tell anyone but Shino I was coming here!'

'That was stupid wasn't it!' Gaara spat at her, Ino turned around to look at him. Gaara had never looked as scary as he did right now. His green eyes were burning with fury that Ino was genuinely scared of him.

The fuming Gaara put a hand to his face trembling, Ino stretched her hand out automatically reaching out to Gaara. Matsuri walked over and pulled Gaara into an embrace. Naruto put a hand on Ino's shoulder.

'Are you alright?' Naruto asked her softly, Ino leaned into Naruto, putting her arms around him. Naruto returned the hug.

'You're okay' Naruto whispered. Ino snuzzled into him, enjoying the comfort.

'And I'm alone.' Shikamaru muttered. Ino broke from Naruto's embrace and laughed at Shikamaru's face. She threw a glance over at Gaara and Matsuri, they were still hugging. Matsuri was standing in front of Gaara so she couldn't see him, but he still looked very tense.

Naruto and Shikamaru broke into conversation about the party.

'What should we bring?' Naruto asked 'I'm thinking beer.'

'Ew!' Matsuri exclaimed, 'I hate beer! Lets get vodka and some mixers'

'I agree with Matsuri' Ino said, 'That way everyone will be happy' Matsuri looked at Ino, but didn't say anything much to Ino's relief. Ino really didn't want to get into anything with Matsuri at the minute. Shikamaru yawned.

'That's it, let's go' Shikamaru said, 'Gaara, Naruto you coming? Sorry girls it's guys night.'

'More like gays night.' Matsuri smirked, she leaned over and planted a kiss on Gaara's cheek. The guys bid farewell to Ino and Matsuri and left, Gaara left without saying a word to Ino, much to her annoyance. Ino went to walk the other way when a hand grabbed her arm. She turned to see Matsuri holding her.

'Can we talk?' She asked.

Xx

Ino found herself sitting in a cafe with Matsuri, the girl had been quiet from the moment they sat down, Ino didn't understand why though. Nothing was going on between her and Gaara. Matsuri ordered a Mocha frappachino and Ino just had a hot chocolate. She was currently stirring the cream and marshmallows around the top of the cup.

'I want you to stay away from Gaara' Matsuri said. Ino sighed, Knew this was coming.

'Matsuri listen-' Ino began setting down her spoon.

'No you listen' Matsuri snapped interrupting her. 'It took me a long time to get where I am now with Gaara and I am not going to let you ruin us.'

Ino smirked, 'I see' she replied placing her chin ontop of her intwined hands. 'You're threatened by me.' Ino looked straight at the brunette. Matsuri looked furious, Ino snorted at her.

'Gaara is my friend,' she continued standing up shooting a glare at Matsuri. 'I do not take that lightly.' Ino turned to leave, Matsuri didn't move or try to stop her.

'One more thing' she said, her back still to Matsuri. 'I can hang out with Gaara whenever I please. Alone or not. If I hear you're hasstling him I will make you regret it.'

Matsuri hmphed a reply and Ino left the cafe feeling quite pleased with herself.

Xx

Gaara closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, he had so many thoughts running through his mind. Matsuri, Ino, Sasuke. People were a real pain in the ass, he was beginning to think he would be better off without the lot of them.

The sofa bed that Gaara was currently stretched out of was surprising comfortable. Shikamaru definitely knew comfort. He and Naruto were currently away to get Kiba, Choji and Shino. Naruto told Gaara to stay because he quote, 'still extremely pissed. I wouldn't want you killing Choji because he eats too loud.'

'I'm back!' Naruto called, 'Kiba had to walk his dog but he says he will call later.'

Gaara looked at Naruto wishing he could tell him how little he cared right now. Naruto walked over to Gaara's legs and knocked them aside to make room for himself, commenting that Gaara was taking up all the room. Gaara kicked Naruto's side in mock irritation.

Naruto reached behind the sofa and brought up an Xbox controller, turning on the Xbox Naruto started playing some fighting game that Gaara didn't know.

'So' Naruto said, 'Ino-'

'No' Gaara replied firmly turning his gaze to the ceiling and frowning.

'What do you mean no?'

'Don't go there.'

Naruto sighed, 'I care about Ino' he said turning around to look at Gaara, who glared back at the blonde.

'I am worried about that Sasuke guy you know?' Naruto continued, he squinted his eyes at Gaara, as if he was suddenly thinking of something. 'Can you try and not let Matsuri come between you and Ino?' Naruto asked.

'Shouldn't that be the other way around.' Gaara said. Naruto continued to stare at Gaara with a serious expression on his face. Gaara sat up and leaned into Naruto's face.

'I will' he said. Naruto smiled, he leaned in and kissed Gaara playfully on the mouth. Gaara brought his foot up and kicked his friend away from him.

'Idiot.' he muttered.

'Oh Gaara!' Naruto exclaimed, 'You know you want me.' Naruto leaned back beaming at his best friend who had returned back to his position.

'Gaara?' Naruto questioned, 'This past month has been crazy hasn't it? I do hope that you and Matsuri are okay?' Gaara didn't miss the tone of Naruto's voice, he never did much like his girlfriend.

'I love her and she loves me' Gaara said in a final sort of tone.

'Fine' Naruto said rolling his eyes. For all he cared Matsuri could go to hell. Beep Beep Gaara rolled over on his side so he could fish his phone out of his pocket.

'That's the fifteenth text you have got this night.' Naruto said his blue eyes narrowing at the redheads phone.

'She's worried' Gaara said smirking slightly, 'I think my little fight with Sasuke got her all wound up.'

'Well there's one way to get her to unwind.' Kiba announced as he walked into the room. 'If you catch my drift' he added winking at Gaara. Naruto laughed as Kiba dropped in beside the two. Gaara heard Akamaru his dog, bark. He assumed that the dog was in the kitchen, Shikamaru's family were always happy to give the pooch some food and water.

Beep Beep. Gaara looked down at this phone to see another text.

Stay away from Ino. Or else. I'm Serious.

It was from Matsuri. Gaara muttered something under his breath and got up, he walked outside to the balcony and leaned on the railing. His feelings were so confusing. He was with Matsuri, she was the one to bring him out of his shell and introduce him to Naruto. And there was that other, arrangement. So why was he thinking of Ino?

He had only really known the girl a month, but there was something about her that he couldn't help himself, he just had to be around her. He wondered why his stomach flipped everytime he thought of her. His inner voice told him to stay hostle, keep his distance... But he felt like he needed to protect her.

Shit Gaara thought I'm in trouble here.

Another chapter down :) I am having so much fun with with story