Gaara POV

I don't bother calling goodbye to Temari as I head out. The night is cold but clear. I take a deep breath of the cool air. The conditions are perfect for the firework display. Sai is going to meet me at the entrance to West Park as he doesn't know were our watching place is. Sai. Only Naruto knows he will be there tonight.

Flashback

I sit beside Naruto and watch him eat his lunch in his usual disgusting fashion. It's strange how I feel about him now and quite hard to explain. I still care about him, I mean I've known him most of my life and even before I discovered my feelings for him we were very close. But now when I look at him instead of feeling a burning desire there is only a tender ache like a newly healed cut. I don't regret that I never admitted my feelings, in fact I'm sincerely glad I didn't. Now that I have Sai I know Naruto just wasn't the right guy for me, nor I for him.

Glancing around I realise I'm not the only one watching Naruto; Sasuke's eyes are slightly unfocused as though he remembering something. Naruto looks across at him as though sensing his gaze. Sasuke smirks a little and rubs a finger at the corner of his mouth. It's a small gesture but Naruto immediately interprets it correctly and wipes breadcrumbs from around his mouth with the back of his hand. Watching the two of them I can't help but notice a slight change in their attitudes towards each other. Did something happen? I've been a little distracted (by someone) lately but surely I wouldn't have missed something like that!

Dragging my eyes away from the chemistry between them I look around our group. We are gathered around our usual bench. Tenten has her phone out and is texting someone, she has a slight smile on her face. Kiba is leant up against a nearby tree with Ino in his lap. Apparently they got together at the Halloween party. I avert my eyes; they seem to be getting on very well.

The bell rings in the distance. As everyone moves reluctantly toward the main school, Naruto shoots me a significant look and hangs back to untie and retie his shoe. I wait and once the last person (Sasuke) has turned the corner, I turn to Naruto.

"I have something to tell you. Seeing as how you can read me better than almost anyone," 'Almost anyone?' He hesitates before continueing, "Me and Sasuke… er… well… ahem… we…"

"Yeah I know."

He looks at me, surprised. Then chuckles lightly. "Yeah, guess you would."

"How long?"

"Halloween night."

"That was quite a night, eh?"

"Yeah… sure was," his eyes become slightly unfocused but I don't really want to know what he's thinking about. I give a little cough and he comes back to earth. "Well anyway, will Sai be coming to watch the fireworks tonight?"

"Yeah, why?"

"No reason, but I don't think I'll be telling Sasuke; he doesn't seem too fond of Sai," he says thoughtfully.

"Yeah, I noticed that too." I say as we begin walking towards our classroom. "Sai mentioned Sasuke used to go to Konoha East like he does. Apparently he just upped and left leaving the teachers to inform all the students that their friend wasn't going to be around anymore. Sai was in the year above him and he said he didn't know Sasuke very well."

"Well it will be good to see Sai, he seemed like a really nice guy. I wish you'd told me about him before though." Naruto screws up his face and I smile apologetically. "But I won't tell Sasuke he's coming, or that bastard will probably make up some excuse so he doesn't have to come."

Hearing Naruto call Sasuke a bastard makes me smile. Just because I'm not jealous of him anymore doesn't mean I like the bastard.

End Flashback

I spent yesterday in the enjoyable company of my boyfriend. I helped him move his stuff into the room his aunt has set up for him above her ice-cream parlour. The job took longer than it should have because we kept getting distracted.

Lost in pleasant memories, I don't notice the man sneaking up on me. He wraps an arm around my neck and punches me in the side knocking the air out of me in a rush. It takes me a second to regain reasonable thought. He manages to drag me into a nearby alley. I catch my breath, smelling sweat and cigarette smoke.

"Money. Now." He barks, in a rough voice. His breath stinks!

I reach slowly into my pocket. Then in one swift movement duck down out of his grip. At the same time I flick my pocket-knife out. I hold it with a steady hand so he can see it plainly glinting in the meagre light filtering into the alley as I stand opposite him. I read fear and surprise in his expression as his eyes flick between the blade and my own eyes. He backs away lifting his hands him a gesture of surrender. I flick my head toward the street indicating he should leave.

After watching him flee from the alley I fold up my knife and follow him. What an amateur! To attack someone in this neighbourhood without a weapon is pure idiocy.

Slipping my hand into my pocket I feel the cool handle of my knife. I'm glad I haven't lost the habit of carrying it. It's presence did just save me from having to give up my wallet! I haven't used it since I called Sai and I feel oddly free. I obviously still bear the scars but I no longer feel the need to create more.

At the park entrance Sai greets me with a smile and a kiss.

"I missed you." He murmurs.

I smile. "You saw me yesterday."

"Still missed you. But they said I can start at the West Konoha Sixth Form this week."

"That's great!"

When Sai starts attending our sixth form I'll see him everyday. So will Sasuke and I know a childish part of me will enjoy making Sasuke uncomfortable. And maybe I'll find out just what he has against my boyfriend.

Sai POV

I follow Gaara along the darkened paths of West Park. I've only ever been here once so I don't know my way around. I have a rough idea which direction the lake is in so I can tell we are headed towards it. There are quite a lot of people walking in the same direction, paying customers I suppose. However when I finally catch a glimpse of the shining surface of the lake Gaara stops. He glances over his shoulder to check we are alone then takes my hand and slips into the shadow of the trees. We push our way though the many plants that have overgrown a barely recognisable path. I have a torch in my pocket but Gaara doesn't seem to need it so I just allow him to lead me enjoying the warmth of his hand in mine.

We soon come across a river. The path we are following happens to come out at its narrowest point and I wonder whether it's like that on purpose. After jumping easily over the river we continue through the forest until we reach a small stream. It's rather pitiful compared to the previous one. Gaara turns right to follow it uphill. After a while our path changes direction slightly and I lose sight of the stream. The climb is steep and we are both panting when we emerge into a clearing.

I survey the clearing. There are obvious signs of teenagers: crisp packets, beer cans and a heart engraved in the wood of a log which lies in the centre of the clearing. On the log sits Kiba, Ino and Tenten. Naruto and Sasuke stand with their backs to us.

Tenten spots us first and calls out. Sasuke turns slowly his eyes immediately burn into mine. I give him my best fake smile. Smiling is the best way to avoid a bad situation. It's not that I don't feel guilty for what I did at that time but it wasn't my fault Itachi turned up and I refuse to apologise. Personally I did think he might have let go of his anger but his attitude at the Halloween party made it clear he still resents what happened.

Naruto's warm greeting breaks the silence. "Sai! Hey there, glad you could come along!"

"Well I wanted to see if the Westside's fireworks were any better than the Eastside." I reply cheerfully, ignoring Sasuke's glares.

"Are you kidding? We wipe the floor with Eastside!" laughs Naruto.

As we all settle down to wait for the fireworks I sneak my arm around Gaara's waist. I look up and find that we have a view of a large patch of sky. Being fairly tall I am just able to see the lake if I strain my neck.

"What time do the fireworks start?"

"Eight O'clock, though they're usually a little late."

I glance at my watch, it's half past seven. We have a while to wait but I don't mind, not when I have Gaara for company. We stand to the side of the clearing slightly in the shadows. At about ten to eight I see Tenten look up from where she was carving into the log with a sharp looking pocket knife. She stares intently into the trees at the spot where Gaara and I emerged. Straining my ears I can make out faint voices. The others look around as the voices get louder as they approach.

I realise they are girls voices and they are doing a lot of giggling. A second before their owners appear I recognise one of the louder voices: Temari.

Gaara POV

As soon as Temari steps into sight I realise she's been drinking. She grins at me and waves a bottle of vodka. Spotting Sai, her grin widens. She strides over to us and gives him a friendly hug.

"Sai!" she exclaims, "Long time, no see! How have you been, darling?"

"Good, thanks, Tem." Sai says with a good-natured smile.

She casts an obvious look in my direction. "I bet you have." She says slyly. "You remember these guys, don't you?" she waves in the direction of her companions.

The taller of the two, a girl with dark skin, black pigtails and a fringe so long her eyes aren't visible, makes no move to greet anyone and stands slightly behind a red haired girl who is distractedly trying to scrape a clump of leaves from the heal of her stiletto boots.

Giving up, she stamps her foot down and scowls at Temari. "Bloody hell! Temari you didn't say we'd be hiking up muddy fucking river banks! These are my favourite boots"

"You have more than enough shoes," says the taller girl placing a sleeve-covered hand on her friends shoulder, "And the majority of them are just as impractical as those ones."

"Hmph." The red head replies crossing her arms sulkily. Then she looks around the clearing and seems to realise everyone is watching the two of them. "What're you all staring at? Better be careful or your eyes will all fall outta your fucking heads!" she strides towards Temari, Sai and I, still watched by five curious pairs of eyes. "Sai, good to see you again! Hot as ever I see!" she moves to hug him.

I try not to feel a twinge of annoyance as he hugs her back with a smile. "You're not looking so bad yourself."

At this my anger at being ignored boils over. "And who the hell are you?" I ask rudely.

"Oh, sorry Gaara," says Sai, "I should introduce you. This is Yukiko," he gestures at the dark skinned girl who nods silently at me, "And Ande."

"You'd know them if you ever came out of your room, Gaara! These two are always up at the apartment," adds Temari.

Ande gives me a grin before turning to Sai. "Bit short for you isn't he?"

I glare at her and open my mouth to retaliate, but Sai cuts across me. "I'd prefer it if you didn't insult my boyfriend, Ande," he says coolly. "Anyhow, you're about his height without you're heals."

"True, but I'm a girl." She says with another wide grin.

I instantly dislike her but think that maybe I could deal with Yukiko. I like it when people don't talk too much.

"Temari, why are you here?" I ask coldly.

"To watch the fireworks of course! What makes you think I have anymore spare cash than you do? Besides some of the guys in our year said they were going to watch from up here." She says with a sly smile.

I sigh. She's always like this. I mean honestly with her for a mother figure is it any wonder I'm so fucked up? I guess I should be glad she's not like our dad or brother, they're both in prison.

Naruto POV

Temari and her friends turning up was quite a shock but if my ears hear correctly we'll soon be joined by a few more of the sixth formers. Sasuke is frowning a little. I'm about to ask him what's wrong when a shout of laughter echoes up through the woods. We all turn to see who it is.

Sure enough it's a gang of sixth form boys. I know most of them. The tall, sickly looking guy with dyed blue hair I know is called Kisame, and then the one with green hair and different coloured eyes I think is called Zetsu, the pretty blond boy is Deidara and the dark skinned guy with creepy eyes is Kakuzu. These guys are like the equivalent to our gang of misfits, only rougher. A second later a couple arrive in the clearing too. The blue haired girl is firmly attached to a handsome guy with face full of piercings. The girl gives Ande a gloating smile and Ande waits until the boy isn't looking before making some very offensive gestures in the blue-haired girl's direction.

I can't remember that guy's name, but I've seen him around campus plenty. He looks as uninterested as ever. Deidara glances around the clearing once before throwing himself down on the grass looking disappointed. Temari immediately sidles over to the pretty boy. She sits with her arm draped over his shoulder and smiles at him.

"What the matter Deidei?" she coos softly.

He sighs heavily. "I thought Itachi might be here."

I feel Sasuke tense beside me at the mention of his brother.

"Aw don't worry, he might still turn up." Temari says comfortingly.

"Yeah I guess…" he says with a little smile.

"That's better! You're so much cuter when you smile! Here." Temari says offering him her bottle.

Deidara takes it and swigs. "Thanks Tem, you always make me feel better."

"No problem, darling."

I turn my attention from where Temari and Deidara continue to drink from the bottle of vodka to where Yukiko is trying to console Ande.

"I can't believe that bitch snagged Pain! He's too hot for her!"

"You'll find someone else to obsess over soon enough," says Yukiko calmly.

"I don't want someone else I want him! Argh! That hair-dying, cock-sucking fugly slut!"

"Keep your voice down. If Konan hears you she will just be even more pleased with herself. Besides Pain must see something in her or he wouldn't be with her. You can't expect a guy like that to be on the market very long. You should have had him whilst you still had the chance."

Ande gives a sigh of defeat. "I know, you right, as usual. But it doesn't mean I have to like it."

"I don't expect you to," Yukiko replies tartly.

I turn to see that Sasuke had been listening to the two of them as well. Sasuke raises an eyebrow and I shrug. Tonight is proving to be rather educational.

A/N

Picture of my OC's Yukiko and Ande: Doesn't work! But it's in my gallery on DeviantART, my username is mcrluver25. So type in by:mcrluver25 in the DeviantART search engine and look for 'Yukiko and Ande' if you can be bothered. I totally don't blame you if you can't.