Hi new chapter. Also stay reading because at the bottom there will be a few announcements.

Since we're getting pretty far in the story I thought it'd be best to explain the warnings again. This story contains : Abuse, Rape, Smex, Self Injury, and Violence. I forgot to add Smex in the beginning but some of you probably already knew that would be in the story.

Who owns Naruto raise your hand? Put your hand down you don't own Naruto and neither do I.

/-\\

[ Unstable Control ]

Neji had just returned home from school, and the whole time - even in school - he was worried about his Panda therefore the brunette wasted no time in heading upstairs to the bedroom Gaara was in.

Neji had expected the red head to be asleep but when he sat at the Panda's bedside he wasn't expecting to see the Panda with a pained expression.

Gaara was curled in on himself, his arms wrapped around his body. He mumbled incoherent words, whimpering ever so softly.

Neji felt bad for the Panda, he couldn't let him suffer anymore in whatever nightmare he was having.

"Gaara…?" Trapped away in the secluded darkness of Shukaku's arms Gaara's eyes open in the second his name was called, pulling from the silent pits of his mind. His visions blurry as he looks around but lands on a smudge of brown. Then his sight clears and he comes face to face with a worried Neji.

When Neji saw Gaara's seafoam eyes look towards him he smiled softly, moving his hand to stroke at the red head's damp locks. "Sorry to wake you, it seemed like you were having a nightmare."

And maybe he was, the dream was faint in his mind now but Gaara was sure something was chasing him, trying to hold onto him and take him somewhere dark and bloody. But the red head shook it all away, sitting up in the bed he occupied. "Thank you." He said softly.

"No problem. How are you feeling?" Neji said. He was sitting at the red head's bedside, his hand placed on his lap but his eyes fixated on Panda.

"Exhausted."

"I'm not surprise, that dream of your's didn't look very restful. I'll bring you something to eat, maybe that'll give you some energy." Gaara smiled at Neji's concern as the said brunette left the bedroom. He couldn't just flat out say he didn't want to eat, he knew how Neji would take it, he'd just have to try and eat it up.

I hope it isn't a lot… The red head looked down to his forearm, snapping at one of the elastic bands around his arm. His arm was still bothering him but he couldn't cut, at least in Neji's home, it didn't seem right to him.

/-\\

Sasuke and Naruto walked hand and hand in the park, they were taking a day off from studying to spend some romantic fun together even if it was just a little walk. The sun was starting to set in the autumn air and everything seemed just perfect.

Until they both caught sight of a familiar brunette and silver haired male. Their eyes widen. "Oh my gosh, is that my dad and Kakashi-Sensei!" Naruto's jaw dropped.

Kakashi and Iruka were walking down the walk way, Iruka leaning into the other male's form and Kakashi's arm draped over the brunettes shoulders. They were enjoying themselves talking about things Naruto and Sasuke couldn't hear, laughing ever so often; all smiles and completely oblivious to Sasuke and Naruto.

They look pretty cozy. Sasuke quirked a thin ebony brow but then he glanced to Naruto and seen the boy's shocked expression. It was rare to see the boy so quiet for a length of time. But when he was, it was a sign that it usually wasn't for a good thing.

Sasuke understood why, he didn't have to think about it. Naruto lived with Iruka for quite awhile and Iruka was always single. Sure he went on a couple dates but never anything that lasted more than a week. But Sasuke, as well as Naruto, could tell that this wasn't a one time thing. How would Naruto feel if Iruka had a serious relationship? Not all children and teens take it well and with Naruto's innocent mind, he's bound to be one of them.

Sasuke and Naruto didn't make their presence known and he knew that standing there wasn't helping. He pulled the blond boy away, walking down a separate walk way in a different direction. Not only did Sasuke knew it was for the best, he also knew that Naruto wasn't suppose to be out, he was after all, still grounded.

Naruto was in complete shock, he didn't know how to react-whether it was a good thing or not. He didn't even snap out of his stupor until he was seated on the ground by Sasuke and realized they were under a tree.

"Are you okay?" Sasuke asked with general worry.

"I…He…He didn't tell me…" Naruto frowned. Out of all the relationships Iruka had, he always told Naruto why was this one different.

"He probably had a good reason for it." This wasn't something Sasuke was very good at. How was he suppose to cheer up the blond when the said boy just saw his dad with a man that he wasn't told about? Sure he knew Kakashi was great teacher, his favorite actually but that didn't excuse the fact he wasn't told that Iruka was dating him.

"Come on, lets get you home." Sasuke gave the boy a comforting smile as he helped him up from under the tree. This was something Naruto needed to work out with Iruka, he couldn't help, not this time.

/-\\

My arm… Gaara couldn't even think the words as he clutched his lacerated arm to his chest, wincing but he didn't have to say anything because Shukaku knew Gaara's pain. It had been awhile since Gaara had cut and he was feeling the withdrawal symptoms as if it was an addiction.

Gaara we need to-

No! Not here…Never here…

Neji had since left back to his room to do his homework, on his uncle's order. Of course the brunette wanted to stay with Panda but that just couldn't be done. And now Gaara's alone, trying to get control over his urges to cut.

We can't continue on like this Gaara. It needs to be done, it's for the best remember?

No, I don't want to cut while I'm here. Neji-

Neji, Neji, Neji, that's all you ever think about. You should think more about us Gaara.

But I-

No buts. It seems I need to take things into my own hands.

"Shukaku…No…!" Gaara spoke out as he grabbed his head with his hands, shutting his eyes closed while trying to force his split personality back. He could feel his consciousness drowning as Shukaku began to take over. His breathing increased, screaming in his mind he clawed at the imagined cage that locked him inside and within a moment everything stilled, Gaara relaxed, and he opened his eyes revealing cold distant seafoam irises.

Silently Shukaku sat up in the bed that he occupied, distant eyes traveling over to the door upon hearing soft foot steps but the steps never stopped at his door, in fact continuing on down the hall.

Without even a word the split personality stood from the queen size bed sauntering over to the bathroom door that was right across from him and entered, closing the door completely behind him.

Shukaku was doing what he thought was best. He could feel Gaara succumbing to the darkness in his mind, finally quieting and stopping the obsessive banging on the cage Shukaku put him in. It may have been a bit harsh but it was the only way Shukaku could keep Gaara from taking over.

He was finally getting stronger as time progressed but there still was the point that he wasn't strong enough to stay taken over without enough force, it was even an effort to take over forcibly.

Upon entering the bathroom Shukaku went straight to bathroom counter, looking through the medicine cabinet and bottom drawers only to scowl when he couldn't find what he was looking for. "…So…They are smart enough to know better…" After all, why would they keep something sharp in the bathroom when they know an unstable boy is using it?

Tisking softly Shukaku simply stepped out the bathroom and out his room, heading down the corridor with not a care in the world, feeling as if no one could stop him even if they saw him out Gaara's room.

Shukaku turned down at separate corridor heading down the hall. He didn't know what was behind the doors that a-lined the hall but he didn't really care if it brought him closer to his goal.

Coincidently, Shukaku stopped in front of Hiashi's door, peaking in to make sure no one was there before lurking inside. He made sure to close the door behind him, not needing anyone getting curious of the fact that the door was open.

Just as he expected there was a private bathroom and luckily Hiashi was in his office and his wife wasn't home. A growing smile crossed Gaara's face that held Shukaku's expression as he crossed the bedroom to the bathroom and entered without another thought, closing the door behind him quietly.

He flicked on the lights to be welcome by a glorious sized bathroom but Shukaku expected nothing less from a snobby Hyuuga. There was various drawers meaning various options to choose from but Shukaku only needed one thing.

Shukaku found a razor, exactly what he was looking for in one of the drawers but the problem was, it was electrical. He should have known that a rich Hyuuga wouldn't use cheap old disposable razors. Shukaku almost growled in frustration until his eye caught something shining in the light of the bathroom.

It seemed he had spoke to soon for Shukaku giggled demonically, pulling a female's razor from it's pink package. So the wife didn't go out for waxes, probably didn't have time, that's perfectly fine for Shukaku because she just made his day.

The women had many other un-used razors in the pack so she wouldn't miss one.

Shukaku nicked and prowled at the razor until he got the blade out, four to be exact. How ironic it is that he was going to cut in the vary bathroom of the person who tried to keep him from such an intoxicating relief. As if mocking the man Shukaku rose up Gaara's sleeve, licking his lips for what he's been waiting for.

Looking downward he placed the razor blade to the pale flesh of his forearm and masochistically slid it across his arm, over and over again, watching as the blood slowly dripped down into the sink.

Staring upward Shukaku looked at the distant eyes of Gaara in the reflection of the bathroom mirror.

This is for our own good Gaara. I'll do whatever it takes.

/-\\

Neji leaned back in his desk chair, sighing softly as he rubbed at the back of his neck. "…Finish." And by finish he means his homework and studying. He may seem tired but by the way a giggle-ish smile came on his face it was obvious he wasn't.

If anyone didn't know Neji's intentions by now they should be ashamed of themselves because there was only one thing that could cause such a smile to come onto the stoic Neji Hyuuga's face ; Gaara.

Now that he finished his homework and studying there was nothing keeping the brunette from seeing his precious red head. In an instant Neji stood from his chair and walked out his room, heading for Gaara's bedroom down the hall.

/-\\

This is for our own good Gaara. I'll do whatever it takes.

Gaara was curled up, holding himself in his arms as he laid at the bottom of the dark cage, his eyes close. He could hear Shukaku's voice resonate around him, sending shivers down his spine. Then he felt the constant slashes at his arm, sending a numb tingling sensation through his body, a small pink tinge crawled across his face, feeling the relief he tried so desperately to ignore.

However he frowned, feeling the blood drain from his body. It was apparent that since he went so long without cutting that since he just started back, he'd cut more than usual, losing more blood than he would before.

…T-Too much…

Gaara gasped, he could practically hear his blood drip into the sink. He squirmed within the cage, whimpering only to feel a large hand 3 times his body size be placed over his form, the demonic index finger stroking lightly at Gaara's vibrant hair.

It's okay Gaara…It's over…

Shukaku stared down at Gaara's scarred and bloody arm, smiling with satisfaction. He cut Gaara's arm more than the red head normally would have but only because he was itching for it.

He cleaned up the blood on the sink and the blood on Gaara's arm, using paper towels that could be easily dispose of as he used the soft paper fabric to close the cuts on his arm.

Shukaku's eyes began to droop, feeling rather tired, obviously being in control too long made him lethargic but he tried to hang on as he disposed of any evidence that he was in the bathroom, along with the razor blades. Normally he would have kept them but sadly, he didn't have any place to hide them where they couldn't be found.

He then waltz out Hiashi's bathroom and bedroom, closing every door he went through as he headed down the hall.

/-\\

If Neji was a hummer he would have hummed his way to Gaara's room but luckily he managed to control himself. Yet Neji only blinked when he made it to The Panda's door because it confused him as to why the red head's door was slightly ajar.

Shukaku had managed to close every other door except Gaara's bedroom door.

"…Gaara?" Neji pressed his hand against the wooden door, allowing it to creak open to reveal the bed the red head was suppose to be in, empty.

Being his un-frazzled self Neji didn't panic when he didn't see Gaara in bed, only because he was in a bit of denial.

He's in the bathroom. Neji nodded with his excuse as he headed over to the private bathroom in the room and gently but firmly knocked on the door. "…Gaara?"

When Neji didn't get a reply he knocked again this time a bit louder. He didn't want to be rude, no matter if Gaara didn't respond it just wasn't right to walk in on someone in the bathroom. But Neji started to get worried. "…Gaara…I'm going to come in okay?" Therefore he put aside everything else and entered the bathroom only to frown when he didn't see the panda.

Now Neji was out of denial, there was no point it denying it when it was obvious that the red head wasn't in the guest bedroom. So Neji really did start to panic and rushed out the room.

"Ga-…" Neji was about to call out for his panda but he didn't need to for he spotted the said red head shakily making his way down the hall.

Upon reaching the corridor Shukaku had left back into Gaara's self conscious. Gaara had awoken disoriented and light headed. He could barely stay on his feet as he tried to walk down the hall. He didn't know where he was going, he wasn't even going to a specific location for the panda just wasn't in his right mind set.

"Gaara, there you are. What are you doing out of…bed…?" Neji was relieved to find Gaara and as he sauntered up towards the red head he noticed Gaara's distraught appearance.

Yet Gaara finally managed to come back to some of his senses when he heard Neji's voice. Stopping near the stairs, and raising his head to look at Neji but only saw a blurry version of the brunette as the said teen walked towards him. "…I-I don't know."

In truth, he didn't. He never knows where he is or what happens before and after when Shukaku takes over. He even forgets the fact that his split personality had taken over. But that wasn't the worst of it because it was obvious Shukaku takes a lot out of him. Evident by the way Gaara stood on trembling legs and when he couldn't keep his eyes open anymore he simply closed them, feeling himself fall.

"Gaara?" Neji shouted loudly so loud Luka heard the brunette all the way downstairs and in the kitchen. The Russian jumped by the sudden noise, dropping the dishes he was cleaning and sprinted out the kitchen.

And the reason why Neji shouted so loudly was because Gaara didn't notice that he fainted near the stairs, causing his limp body to fall in the angle of the steps but with quick reflexes Neji made it to his panda, catching the small red head in his arms before he fell down the stairs.

In perfect timing Luka came into the area to see his young master holding a certain red head in his arms at the top of the stairs. But the brunette and the butler could only exchange looks without a word.

Yet they didn't have to exchanges words because someone else did, that person being Hiashi. The older Hyuuga had heard his nephew shout, after all he was only a couple feet away in his office.

"What is going on out here?" Hiashi at fist scowled for having his worked interrupted and headed to where Neji was. But his expression completely changed to worry when he seen what all the ruckus was about. "What happened?"

But Neji nor Luka could answer for not even they knew the answer.

Neji pulled Gaara closer to his form, trying not to seem too affectionate in front of his uncle as he embraced the panda. Gaara…

/-\\

It was late and Iruka had been made it home from his date with Kakashi. They were only suppose to go out for coffee but lost track of time with each other. Now he was sitting in the kitchen, under the dim lighting, grading papers.

Of course you're probably asking yourself : Why is the school nurse grading papers? It's because Kakashi is such a procrastinator that Iruka had no choice but to help the silver head teacher catch up in his paper work.

So distracted he didn't notice when Naruto, holding his stuffed frog, Gamakichi in his arms, walked up near the kitchen. The said blond was quiet, looking all too adorable in his orange pajamas ; the pants short enough to appear as though they aren't there, and the orange cotton shirt loose, falling off one of his shoulders.

Naruto bit at his lower lip, he was too nervous to talked to Iruka about seeing him with Kakashi or that he was even dating Sasuke. It all just seemed too much for him. I wish Gaara was here…

"Naruto what are you doing up? It's late." Naruto was knocked out of his trance when he looked up to see Iruka blinking at him.

"O-Oh um…" Iruka frowned slightly, this wasn't the first time he seen Naruto so quiet and with a lost for words. It happened on many occasions when the blond was young, after his parents died, it was always a sign that something was bothering Sunshine.

"Naruto…What's wrong?"

Naruto lowered his head, he just couldn't say what was on his mind so he said the next best thing. "…Gaara's sick…And I'm…I'm worried about him. Would it be okay if I go see him tomorrow?" I'll just ask Gaara for advice…

It wasn't like he lied. For he was worried about Gaara and what kind of friend would he be if he didn't visit his sick friend at least once.

"Sure. Just be home by curfew." Naruto was still on punishment but Iruka didn't have the heart to say no when Naruto wanted to visit a sick friend especially when he's acting so sadly. Iruka has been Naruto's guardian for the longest so it was easy for him to tell that, that wasn't what was on Naruto's mind. He'll tell me when he's ready.

"Okay…Thank you." Naruto smiled for a moment before turning away and heading off to his room but stopped for a moment to look over his shoulder. "Goodnight." He then left, not waiting for a reply as went to his room.

"Goodnight Naruto." Iruka mumbled to himself as he looked back to the papers in front of him.

/-\\

Not the best ending but an ending.

I wasn't trying to make this chapter so angst filled but I had to get in the part about Shukaku for a reason. The next chapter is the last chapter Gaara is going to be staying with Neji.

Do not ask me where Hinata and Hanabi are. I typically keep out characters because I don't like them in the scene I'm working on in the chapter or they just get in the way. That's why they haven't popped up in a bit.

This chapter took awhile because I was bit disappointed at how few reviews I got for the last chapter. I thought you, my readers, would go a bit crazy over it but no. I didn't really get any feedback for it. It sucks too because I worked really hard on it.

That's why I'm not posting the next chapter until I get at least three reviews. If you notice that the chapter is taking long to get posted that should give the idea I didn't get all three reviews. So yeah, you want a new chapter, you better say hi. ._.

Also MY POLL IS OFFICIALLY UP! If you go to my profile and look at the summary of stories I have posted, you can vote. The poll is at the top of the page and the summaries are near the bottom. YOU CAN NOT VOTE FOR A STORY WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE SUMMARIES. Because you won't know what the stories are about. So please vote! You can choose two.

That also reminds me. I have another story coming out, it's called : Broken Behearted. And yes it's a NejiGaa X3 .

Anywho : DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW AND STORY ALERT. ALSO AUTHOR ALERT. If you like my stories, you'll be glad you did.

Preview of Next Chapter :

[Holding Hands]

"There's something that's being kept from me. I want to know what it is." Neji narrowed his eyes at the equally stoic raven. He was tired of putting it off, he had to know the truth.

Sasuke tisked, looking away with a knock of his head. "…It's not my place to say…" Sasuke mumbled his eyes softening, just at the thought. Sometimes I wonder…If Gaara's even telling me the complete truth…Let alone Naruto…