A/N:

So, here's the next chapter. A new character is introduced, and FYI—Iruka is the principle. Just wanted to make that clear.

Thanks to all those who've reviewed so far. I enjoyed reading your comments. Hope you enjoy reading this next installment, and now on with the story.

Warning: This is a maleXmale fic. It is rated M for language, and adult themes. This is an AU fic, and characters are mostly OOC.

Neji X Gaara

Sasuke X Naruto

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, nor will I in the foreseeable future.

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And the Wheels Turn…

"THE STUPID BASTARD, HOW DARE HE IGNORE ME!!!" Kin shrieked as she slammed the door with more force than was needed.

Kabuto, who had been checking over some reports, looked up at her sudden entrance and tried to swallow the smile that almost made it to his lips.

For the last three months Kin's attempts to seduce the Hyuuga had ended in utter failure; and for someone who was used to having men fall at her feet at the mere twitch of her finger, this was definitely a blow to her ego. But try as she might, Neji simply was not interested.

Of course, Kin would not accept the possibility of Neji—or any man for that matter—not falling for her charm and beautiful features. So, she persisted on until her angry outburst became routine.

"Is something wrong?" Kabuto asked her; a hint of mirth behind glass rimmed eyes.

Kin glared at him. "HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO SEDUCE HIM WHEN HE ISN'T EVEN INTERESTED IN WOMEN?!" she practically shouted.

Kabuto frowned at her outburst and gave her a look that clearly told her he would not put up with her yelling. Seeing the disapproving look the grey-haired medic sent her, Kin lowered her voice. "I don't understand why you don't give this job to Kimimaro. He certainly has the looks to make even that cold idiot fall for him."

This time Kabuto didn't hold back the smile that tugged at his lips. "You've seen Kimimaro's social skills. I highly doubt if he's ever even kissed anyone." Kabuto tried to picture it, but his mind turned blank. The mere idea of Kimimaro trying to seduce anyone was laughable. No, Kimimaro would simply not do. "Besides, I don't think Neji is rejecting you because you're a female, but simply because you're not that red-head. I do believe our little pawn has fallen in love."

Kin only stared at him, clearly not understanding his words. "What do you mean because I'm not that stupid little boyfriend of his?!" She could not believe that Neji would actually prefer that disgusting creature to her. It was just impossible.

"It's really quite easy to comprehend," Kabuto told her in a tone that would be better suited when talking to a small child. "Neji has fallen for that Gaara character and anyone else is simply a nuisance to him. In other words, you can't seduce him because he isn't even sparing you glance."

"WHAT!?" Kin shrieked.

As he thought, Kin didn't take the news well, so Kabuto waited till she finished the little tantrum she was having before informing her that she needn't waste her efforts anymore—it was time to execute Plan B.

Kin seethed in rage, obviously not happy with the news, and without preamble spun around on her heels and walked out of the office making sure to slam the door on her way out.

Kabuto simply smiled at her childish attitude as he heard the faint click of her heels as she left.

In a good mood, Kabuto gathered the papers he had been reading when Kin had made her dramatic entrance, and after making sure he had all the reports, he left the office—he needed time to prepare.

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"I can't believe he's making me do this," Sasuke hissed through clenched teeth.

After stupidly reminding Naruto of the bet, Sasuke had dreaded what the blonde would make him do, so he had prepared for the worst case scenario. Whatever Naruto made him do he was sure he could handle it like the Uchiha he was…but nothing could have prepared him fore THIS!!!

When Naruto had first told him what he wanted of him, Sasuke had been speechless while a grinning Naruto simply watched as his composure crumpled at the mere prospect. Luckily, his brain didn't fail him and he used it to its full potential as he tried to find a way out of the situation.

However, the blonde wouldn't change his mind. No matter what the Uchiha proposed, Naruto would simply not budge.

He couldn't believe Naruto was so stubborn. He wasn't even fazed when he had blatantly told him that he, Sasuke Uchiha, had given his word that he would do ANYTHING coughs SEX coughs that Naruto told him. It was the chance of a lifetime. AND WHAT HAD THE STUPID DOBE TOLD HIM.

"We can always do that later, besides this will be much more entertaining."

Sasuke had almost punched him, ready to kick his ass but refrained from doing so—it wouldn't help his cause if he jumped the stupid blonde. Who knew what else Naruto might throw in the already embarrassing challenge?

So that's how the young Uchiha now found himself backstage of the school auditorium listening to the principle's speech at the school assembly.

"Well, that's all I have to say about the matter," Iruka finished. "The last thing we have for you today is a special performance by one of your fellow peers," he informed the assembly of students, who only groaned at the news. They just wanted it to be over already.

With those words of introduction, Iruka stepped away from the student's line of sight, and stood just inside the backstage waiting for Sasuke to begin.

A week ago when Naruto had burst into his office dragging along a very pissed off Uchiha, he had been suspicious of the blonde's actions, and after Naruto told him the reason for his sudden appearance, his suspicions had only increased. As Naruto blabbered on, Iruka looked at the young Uchiha, silently asking him if he was actually going to do what Naruto was saying he would do. To his surprise, Sasuke had said nothing to counteract the blonde's words. So Iruka listened to Naruto's proposal, and seeing as Sasuke had no objections, he allowed the raven-haired boy the opportunity to display his talents to his peers. However, when the lights illuminated the young Uchiha, Iruka staggered at the sight.

Naruto had definitely left this part out in his explanation.

As soon as the curtain lifted, the stage was darkened as all the lights were turned off; seconds later, a single beam of light illuminated the stage along with the young Uchiha.

Raven locks framed his face bringing out his onyx eyes as his jet-black hair fell down under the black western hat he wore. The hat was tipped low so that his eyes were barely visible and accentuated his sleek jaw line as well as his immaculate features.

The entire student body gasped and snapped up in shock, leaning forward in their seats as they recognized the lone figure on the stage.

Sasuke stood under the light beam wearing a full out cowgirl outfit along with a leather belt that held a gun holster that enveloped a fake weapon. He wore a tight leather vest and skirt that clung to every curve and dip of his well-toned body. The entire outfit was black and a pair of black heeled boots completed it.

"An Uchiha always executes his plan flawlessly," Sasuke told himself as he smirked at the gapping audience.

If he was stuck doing this, then he would be damn sure he did it to the best of his ability. Cursing his boyfriend one more time for making him do this, Sasuke brought up his right hand which held a small microphone. A moment later, the loud speakers in the auditorium emitted a static noise indicating that they had been turned on.

The loud sound served to snap some students out of their momentary stupor and some even managed to tear their eyes away from the scantily clad Uchiha to look at their neighbor silently asking them what was going on.

One such student was a short red-head who sat between his boyfriend and blonde friend.

Gaara looked at Naruto and noted his grinning mouth and glittering sapphire eyes. Seeing a look of absolutely mirth plastered on the blonde's face, Gaara instantly put two and two together, but before he could question his friend the opening melody of a song echoed throughout the auditorium. The red-head swiftly turned his eyes back to the stage just in time to see Sasuke begin to sing along to Shania Twain's "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!"

"So this is what you made him do," Gaara thought as he watched the show, not wanting to miss a second of the Uchiha's performance.

Still smirking at the audience Sasuke began in a coquettish tone.

Let's go girls, come onthe entire audience gawked at his flirtatious tone.

I'm going out tonight--I'm feelin' alright

Gonna let it all hang outhe tore off the black leather vest he was wearing leaving him in a skin-tight fishnet shirt.

Wanna make some noise--really raise my voice

Yeah, I wanna scream and shoutthe entire female population shouted in encouragement.

No inhibitions--make no conditionshe shook his finger flirtatiously toward the audience as dozens of girls swooned at the gesture.

Get a little outta line

I ain't gonna act politically correct

I only wanna have a good timewith his free hand, he grabbed the black hat that lay snuggly on his head and in one smooth and sexy motion, threw it toward the audience. Hundreds of girls tore through the rows of seats in a mad frenzy to reach the discarded western hat; many fights broke out.

The best thing about being a woman

Is the prerogative to have a little fun (fun, fun)he smiled looking straight at Naruto as he began to execute a series of quick steps; the blonde gawked and Sasuke smirked sending the girls swooning from the over stimulation.

Oh, oh, oh,both Neji and Gaara gapped at Sasuke's high pitch—go totally crazy--forget I'm a lady

Men's shirts--short skirtshe pulled on his own short skirt and looked at the audience in feigned innocence.

Oh, oh, oh, really go wild--yeah, doin' it in stylehe crouched down, and half the students were surprised that the skirt didn't rip from how tight it was.

Oh, oh, oh, get in the action--feel the attractionhe swiftly sprang up again and executed a few more steps as he sang the last few lines.

Color my hair--do what I dare

Oh, oh, oh, I wanna be free--yeah, to feel the way I feelhe stopped his movements and laid his free hand on his hip. Looking at the audience with an air of confidence, he said the next line.

Man! I feel like a woman!

As the melody played once again, the entire audience just stared at him mesmerized, not even blinking lest they lose a precious second of the Uchiha's performance.

The girls need a break--tonight we're gonna take

The chance to get out on the town

We don't need romance--we only wanna dancehe moved his hips suggestively; the girls screeched with giddiness.

We're gonna let our hair hang downhe ran a hand through his sleek raven locks.

The best thing about being a woman

Is the prerogative to have a little fun (fun, fun)the girls began to shout their enthusiasm as they cheered him on.

Oh, oh, oh, go totally crazy--forget I'm a lady

Men's shirts--short skirtsonce again he pulled on his own short skirt and aimed an innocent look at the audience that clearly said "molest me" (at least in their minds -).

Oh, oh, oh, really go wild--yeah, doin' it in stylehe moved his hips to the music as he continued on with the song.

Oh, oh, oh, get in the action--feel the attraction

Color my hair--do what I darehe tugged on the raven locks that framed his sculpted face.

Oh, oh, oh, I wanna be free--yeah, to feel the way I feelhis pale hand ran down his toned stomach as he said the next line, capturing the eyes of everyone as he did so.

Man! I feel like a woman!

The best thing about being a woman

Is the prerogative to have a little fun (fun, fun)he winked at the audience; girls fell down by the dozens with massive nosebleeds.

Oh, oh, oh, go totally crazy--forget I'm a lady

Men's shirts--short skirtsas he sang the rest of the verse, he slowly lifted the skirt revealing a generous amount of leg, but before he reached his crotch he let the end of the skirt slip out of his hand and the material fell back in place to the disappointment of many, both male and female.

Oh, oh, oh, really go wild--yeah, doin' it in style

Oh, oh, oh, get in the action--feel the attraction

Color my hair--do what I dare

Oh, oh, oh, I wanna be free--yeah, to feel the way I feel

Man! I feel like a woman!he sang the last verse with a little more enthusiasm than the last time to the joy of many audience members.

I get totally crazy

Can you feel it

Come, come, come on babygesturing toward the audience to come join him, the teachers who were near the front had to stop the dozens of girls who took him up on his offer and literally ran to the stage; Sasuke smirked as the teachers fought back the swarm of locus that tried to reach the stage to try and molest him.

I feel like a woman!

The music stopped and he bowed, and again many of the students were left perplexed as to how the skirt did not rip by the constraint he put on it.

After bowing to the audience, the single beam of light went out and the room was left in darkness once again. It was so pitch black that even the swarm of fangirls stopped their attempts to reach him seeing as they couldn't see where they or he was at the moment. A few seconds later the light was turned on again, but to the utter disappointment of everyone, the principle stood in the middle of the stage—Sasuke was nowhere in sight.

Too disappointed with the Uchiha's abrupt departure, no one noticed as three boys swiftly made their way out of the aisles and toward the backstage.

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"HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!"" Naruto laughed as he literally rolled on the ground trying to contain his giggles. "You make a great WOMAN, Sasuke," he told his raven-haired boyfriend.

"Shut up, Idiot!" Sasuke growled out as he pulled off the skin-tight fish net shirt. He'd be damned if he would wear the stupid ass outfit a second longer than he needed too.

"If you're not going to help me take this shit off, then leave," he told Naruto, anger lacing his words. Naruto paid no heed to his obvious bad mood, and wiping the tears from his eyes, he got off the floor to help Sasuke with his clothes.

"Damn, how did you get this skirt on?" Naruto question as he struggled to pull the material off his boyfriend.

Sasuke's eye twitched. As if he would tell Naruto what he had to do to get the offending cloth on him. He would rather eat dirt than reveal to the blonde that he had to use a great amount of lotion in order to get his hips slick enough to slip the leather skirt on.

"Forget it, just grab a pair of scissors and cut it off," Sasuke told him, as he tried to take off the high-heeled boots with no success.

"You know, you really do make a nice chick," Gaara said a few feet away where he and Neji had been observing their two best-friends for the last five minutes.

"Shut it, Sabaku," Sasuke growled.

Gaara smirked. "The fact that you're in the backstage of the school's auditorium, wearing only a miniskirt with high-heeled boots, takes all the intimidation out of your threat Uchiha" Gaara pointed out.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at Gaara. "You better keep your boyfriend in line Neji, before I do it for you," Sasuke hissed.

Neji raised an eyebrow at his friend, while Gaara gave the Uchiha his come-and-get-me smirk.

"You don't think I'll actually let you touch what's mine do you Sasuke," Neji told him to the satisfaction of the red-head, "but I'll keep him busy for a while," Neji said with a sigh as he spun Gaara around and crushed their lips together, effectively keeping him occupied for the time being.

"Got them," Naruto said as he ran back in the room with a pair of scissors in his left hand.

"Children shouldn't run with scissors, Dobe."

Naruto glared at him, "Don't make me throw you out to the front stage," Naruto threatened, "there's still hoards of girls out there just waiting to catch a glimpse of you."

Sasuke literally shuddered at the thought. Those girls would tear him limb from limb.

"Hurry up and help me," he said, fuming at fact that Naruto got the upper hand—this time.

Ginning at Sasuke's words, Naruto dropped to his knees in front of him. Sasuke was much taller thanks to the high-heeled boots he was still wearing, but Naruto paid no mind and happily began to snip through the leather material.

"There all better," Naruto said as he literally peeled the material off his boyfriend.

"Your impeccable choice of fashion has done wonders for my brother's looks," a familiar voice said.

Sasuke instantly froze in place as he recognized his brother's voice.

"Itachi, what are you doing here," Sasuke growled, as he glared dagger at his older brother.

Itachi shifted his eyes away from the digital camera he was currently holding up, recording the scene in front of him like he had recorded Sasuke's entire performance.

"I came to see you," he told him as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Sasuke's eye made another involuntary twitch as Itachi smiled at him; still continuing to record him.

"YOU TOLD HIM," Sasuke yelled down at the blonde who was still on his knees in front of him.

"He asked me," Naruto defended himself. "It's not like I went up to him and volunteered the information."

"You look like a prostitute," Itachi observed.

This time, as Sasuke's eye twitched, he was unable to stop the motion for a whole minute. He silently fumed, but refrained himself from exploding. Though he would never admit it out loud, Itachi was right.

He was currently wearing only a pair of black underwear, since he couldn't really have worn boxers underneath the short leather skirt, and the only other thing that clad his body was a pair of black heeled-boots, and it didn't help that he was towering over his very clothed boyfriend.

"Itachi," he said, using all his will power not to scream, "turn off that damn camera this instant."

Itachi smirked. "No."

Seeing that Sasuke was about to go ballistic, Naruto asked Itachi to turn off the digital camera. Thankfully, Itachi heeded the blonde's words, and shut the camera.

"Well, as much as I'd like to stay here and embarrass you, I have to get going," Itachi told his younger brother. "Oh, before I forget, your tickets arrived today," Itachi told him.

"What tickets?" Naruto curiously asked.

"We'll talk about it when get home," Sasuke told his brother, who nodded in acknowledgment before he left, making sure to secure the digital footage he had taped.

"Sasuke, what was he talking about?" Naruto asked him.

Evading his question, Sasuke answered with a question of his own. "Where are Neji and Gaara?"

"Huh…"

Naruto peered around the seemly deserted backstage, and scratched his head in puzzlement. Where is Gaara?" he asked himself, but he soon found the answer to his own question as he noticed Gaara and Neji near the corner of the stage fervently making out.

"Get a room you two," he yelled at them.

In between kisses, he heard Neji's muttered response, "If you'd leave, then we'd have an entire auditorium to ourselves."

However, the small pause, allowed Gaara to regain his mind, and swiftly pushed Neji away from him.

Neji glared back at Naruto, clearly not appreciating his interruption. Naruto only rolled his eyes, silently congratulating himself from saving his friend's virginity for the moment. Honestly, it was becoming a constant battle, trying to save Gaara from the clutches of Neji's corrupting hands. It was down-right wearing him out.

By the time the blonde turned his attention back to Sasuke, the raven-haired teen was already wearing his regular MEN'S clothes that were VERY comfortable, and did not require OBSCENE amounts of lotion in order to get them on.

"Let's go" Sasuke said, as he wrapped his arms around Naruto's waist nudged him forward, while he leaned down and captured his lips in a chaste kiss that soon turned heated. He kept the blonde in place until he was sure Naruto was far gone in the mind-blowing kiss, before abruptly releasing him.

Satisfied that he had turned the blonde into putty, Sasuke walked toward the exit; heading back to class. Neji and Gaara followed him, as Naruto's dazed form, slowly but surely followed behind them.

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"Neji have you taken your shot?" Hiashi asked his nephew, a little concerned. Earlier that day, Hiashi had checked the logs and noticed that Neji had yet to take his medication even though his time to take it was fast approaching.

"I was just going down to the lab," Neji answered him.

Hiashi smiled at him. "I'll go with you."

Neji said nothing, as his uncle walked with him down to the lab that was located inside the Hyuuga compound. It was supposed to be a family hospital, where only Hyuuga's were attended, but to Neji it was little more than a lab where they stored hundreds of vials of the same medication. The very medication Neji was about to receive.

Hiashi walked with him inside and talked to him about the day's events as a medic of the Hyuuga family, who was also a Hyuuga, prepared the shot.

"Okay, Neji," the medic said in a pleasant voice as if this was an everyday occurrence, which he guessed it probably was seeing as how many Hyuuga's needed the medication. "If you'll hold out your arm out for me."

Neji knew the routine, and immediately stuck out his hand, never taking his eyes off his uncle as the medic stuck the needle inside his flesh and emptied the medication into his system.

"And were done," the medic told him, giving him a sweet smile.

Never changing expressions, Neji politely thanked the man, and excused himself from his uncle.

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DING.DONG.

Gaara waited for the Hyuuga's butler to answer the door and let him in.

"Is Neji home?" he asked the butler as the man lead him to the parlor.

He had thought about calling Neji in order to ask if it was okay to come over, but seeing as he left his house in too much of a hurry to remember to grab his cell phone, he was unable to call. But he didn't think it was a big deal since Neji had repeatedly told him that he didn't need to call him in order to visit him.

"Let me go find him," the butler answered, but before he had a chance to search for the young Hyuuga, Hiashi entered the parlor, and spotted him.

"Gaara, it's good to see you," he said with a smile.

"Uhh, good to see you as well," he said nervously. He was never good with small talk.

"Are you looking for Neji?" he asked him.

"Uh, yes."

"We'll go ahead and see him. He's in his room right now, though I think he's feeling a little sick since he got his shot today," Hiashi told him.

"I don't want to bother him if he's feeling sick," Gaara tried to explain, not wanting to intrude on Neji.

Hiashi smiled at the teen's obvious panic. No wonder Neji fell for him. The boy was absolutely adorable when he was nervous. "I'm sure he'll appreciate your visit. Who knows, it might just be what he needs."

Trying not to act like a total social dunce, which he sadly was, Gaara thanked Neji's uncle before walking off toward the younger Hyuuga's room.

When he reached the familiar room, he knocked on the door, before entering.

As soon as he entered the room, pale-lavender eyes immediately locked on his own teal colored ones.

Neji sat on a chair next to his desk, and looked at him in speculation.

"Your uncle said you might like some company, since you were feeling a little sick after taking a shot," Gaara told him.

"Did he call you?" Neji asked.

Gaara shook his head. "I came to visit you."

Neji let his mouth curve in a smile. "I won't be much company," he said in apology.

"How are you feeling?" Gaara asked him, clearly remembering the last time Neji was sick.

"Don't worry. I'm just a little nauseous. That's all."

Gaara frowned. Temari always made Kankuro stay in bed whenever he was sick, yet Neji was currently sitting on a chair as if he was fine—bed-rest was the last thing on his mind.

"We can go to the gardens outsid—What are you doing?" Neji asked in confusion as Gaara crossed the room and effortlessly picked him up off the chair. Strolling toward the Hyuuga's bed, Gaara gently laid him on the bed.

As soon as Gaara put him down, Neji sat up about to protest only to have Gaara's ivory hand push him back down.

Neji frowned in annoyance but stayed in place as Gaara went to his closet and rummaged through it looking for something. When he returned back to the bed, he was carrying a small blanket that had been Neji's when he was a little kid.

"You need rest," Gaara told him, noticing Neji's frown.

"I said I was feeling fine," Neji told him a little annoyed.

Gaara looked at him, and noticed his pale skin was even paler than usual. He was definitely not fine, but he probably wouldn't stay in bed unless he watched him. Resigning himself to his fate, Gaara propped a pillow on the headboard of the bed and sat down, leaning on the pillow. Before Neji could question him, he grabbed another pillow that was within arms length and placed it on his lap looking at Neji in expectation.

Neji knew what Gaara was asking and even though he hated bed-rest (it made him feel weak), he let the red-head have his way, and laid his head on the pillowed lap.

Once he made himself comfortable, Neji looked up at Gaara who was staring down at him. Theirs eyes locked and pale-lavender drowned in teal.

Before he knew what he was doing, Neji slowly reached up with his hands, and gently cupped the familiar face. He brushed the rosy lips with his index finger and watched in fascination as Gaara's usual teal eyes turned a soft blue as he watched him with an intensity that made him shiver.

Using his hands, he gently brought Gaara's head down until their breathes mingled, and for a moment they stayed that way until Neji closed the distance between them and gently nibbled on the familiar rosy lips that made him purr with want. Neji pulled the red-head closer to him and delved in the sweet taste that was Gaara; losing himself in the others softness. After a few more kisses, Gaara lifted his head much to Neji's disappointment.

"You need to rest," he told him.

Neji only rolled his eyes. "I told you. I'm fine."

Gaara ignored his words, and instead, began to stroke the silky chocolate locks. He ran his hands through the Hyuuga's long hair, and watched as Neji closed his eyes in pleasure as he literally purred at the contact; soaking in the warm feelings Gaara produced inside of him by the simple gesture.

He didn't protest again, and for the next two hours both boys laid on the bed, one caressing brunette locks, while the other kept his eyes closed as feelings of love washed through him.

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"Are you sure you don't want to stay for dinner?" Hiashi asked the red-head for the second time.

Gaara declined the offer once again.

After he had left Neji's slumbering form, Gaara had made his way downstairs, hoping to leave unnoticed, but as luck should have it, he had encountered Neji's uncle.

Noting that the young teen was ready to leave, Hiashi lead him to the entrance.

"Thank you for keeping him company," Hiashi told a surprised Gaara.

"There's no need to thank me," Gaara told him, a little embarrassed.

Hiashi only smiled, and opened the door for him.

Grateful, Gaara stepped outside and said his good-bye.

As he walked to his car, Gaara's mind was on a certain long-haired Hyuuga, who at the moment lay sleeping in his bed. "I forgot to ask him what type of shot they gave him," Gaara thought. "Last time he got sick, Hinata told me he had forgotten to take his medicine." Gaara frowned at the thought. "Is Neji sick?"

However, before he could contemplate the question, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Leaving so soon," Kin cooed.

Gaara said nothing and continued heading toward his car, but to his annoyance, Kin followed him.

"What happened? Did Neji finally get tired of you and throw you out?" She asked in mock concern.

Gaara looked at her with a blank expression, he would be damned if he would sink to her level—he refused to get angry.

Taking his silence as confirmation, Kin burst out in a fit of giggles. "So, he did dump you."

Unable to stand it, Gaara actually spoke, but kept his voice level.

"Unlike you, I don't need to use tricks to get what I want. After months of trying to get my boyfriend's attention, I'm surprised you still think you have a chance."

Kin glared at him with spite.

"It must be embarrassing to openly flaunt yourself only to be utterly rejected—he doesn't even spare you a glance."

"Shut up you little freak!" she hissed, clearly remembering Kabuto's words.

Gaara smirked. He had hit a nerve. "Now is that anyway to treat someone who can crush you with a few choice words to the right people?" Gaara tsked at her, and enjoyed the site of her white skin slowly turning a beet red with rage.

"You should count yourself lucky that I didn't inform anyone that is was you who locked me inside that closet."

"Like they would believe you over me," Kin drawled.

Gaara only smirked, as he grabbed his keys and unlocked his car.

"A word of advice," he said, turning toward Kin, "I won't tolerate you near my boyfriend any longer. It was fun at first, but it's just pathetic now," Gaara told her with a hint of mirth in his voice as he slipped in his car.

Kin fumed at his words, but kept her composure.

"I'm done with Neji," she stated.

Gaara kept his emotionless mask in place, but a hint of disbelief showed through.

Kin leaned on the driver's window, much to Gaara's annoyance, and continued. "Your stupid threats don't scare me, but as it just so happens, I no longer have any interest in Neji." She smirked. "But a word of advice," she said mockingly, "he won't be yours for much longer, and when that happens, I'm going to be there and bask in your misery. I'm going to enjoy—"

Gaara pushed the up button for the driver's window, and effectively shut the woman up by closing the window in her face mid-sentence.

The curses she aimed his way as he drove out of the Hyuuga Mansion were music to his ears.

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"You're leaving?" Naruto repeated. Unable to get past the news Sasuke had just told him.

After Itachi had informed him that his pair of plane tickets had arrived, he knew he could no longer put off telling Naruto. So, he had invited the blonde over to his house in order to tell him.

Sasuke had explained to him that he was going to accompany Itachi on a four month trip to Italy as they inspected the company's European Branch. It was late March and he would be leaving within the first week of April, and would be back late into summer.

"It will only be for four months, Dobe," Sasuke told him, adding the familiar pet name.

"You're going to miss prom," Naruto said.

Sasuke sighed, knowing how excited Naruto had been about the event.

"We'll go to next year's prom. Besides, that's the most important one seeing as it'll be our Senior Prom."

"You mean it," Naruto excitedly asked.

"Of course I do Dobe," Sasuke said and watched as Naruto beamed. The Uchiha couldn't help but pull the shorter boy to him and give him a quick peck on the lips. Naruto was just so easy to please, and when he was happy, his entire demeanor shined. He still wondered how he had ended up with someone so full of light and laughter.

"Okay, then," Naruto said. "I'll be here waiting for your return."

Sasuke couldn't help but smile at his answer. He had someone to come home to. That simple notion filled him with a warm feeling he was still too inexperience to call love.

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"I can't believe your abandoning us at the end of the second semester," one of the students asked their art teacher the next day, following the school assembly.

"I already told you that the only reason I was even teaching this class was because it was the easiest way to finish my hours for community service," Kakashi told his art class. "And I specifically explained that I won't be abandoning you. I will still be teaching three days per week."

Kakashi looked at the class as they digested what he was telling them, and at the back of the class he noticed a student's raised hand.

"Yes Kiba," Kakashi said, motioning him to ask his question.

"I was just wondering what the heck you did that you got hundreds of hours for community service?" Kiba asked.

Kakashi smiled. "I got a speeding ticket."

The class looked at him in disbelief. There was just no way he would've been given that many hours for a simple speeding ticket.

"That's it?!" Kiba yelled, clearly confused.

"Well, that and I was too busy to take care of it until eventually they made me go to court." At this point Kakashi smiled which was evident by one moon crescent eye. "I probably shouldn't have been late to all my court appearances. The judged finally had enough of it and assigned me an insane amount of hours of community service."

"So if your not an art teacher then what do you do?" a curious Naruto asked Kakashi. The rest of the class looked at him in expectation curious as to what their art teacher really did.

Kakashi was not about to answer the blonde's question, and was happily delighted when he heard the bell ring indicating the end of class.

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"Have you put all the papers together?" Orochimaru asked his most loyal servant.

"I have everything ready," Kabuto answered. "I can send the envelope as soon you wish."

Orochimaru smiled a creepy smile. "Send it immediately."

Kabuto nodded in acknowledgement as he watched Orochimaru; ready to scribble down in his notepad anything else his master might need.

"Hyuuga Neji will have a great surprise next time he opens his mail," Orochimaru said aloud to no one in particular.

Kabuto inclined his head, knowing the truth of those words. "Will you need anything else for your trip to Italy?" he asked.

"No. You've taken care of everything," Orochimaru said; smiling at the grey-haired medic. "I'm entrusting Neji to you while I take care of Sasuke," the golden-eyed male told him.

"I am honored that you would allow me such an important part in your plans," Kabuto responded in his usual humble manner.

"I trust you above everyone, Kabuto. And you are the only one capable of taking on this role. Your medical background will be the coin that will tip the scales in our favor when it comes to dealing with the Hyuuga."

Kabuto inclined his head. Yes, his medical skills were key in Neji's cooperation.

"While you deal with the Hyuuga, I will take care of Sasuke." Orochimaru said as he picked up the business proposal he had been looking over.

Even with their new found companions, the pawns he had chosen would be easy to manipulate, and he knew exactly what buttons to push.

It wouldn't be long now.

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"How are you feeling Kimimaro?" Kabuto asked later that evening.

"The same as ever," a soft voice replied.

"Is the medicine helping you?" the medic asked, curious to know if his new concoction had worked.

"I feel a lot better," Kimimaro answered truthfully.

Kabuto scribbled down some information on Kimimaro's medical file. "You are free to go," Kabuto dismissed him as he finished writing the last of his notes.

Kimimaro walked out of the lab and made his way out of the building; away from the unwanted pity.

Once outside, he looked around and found that he didn't have anywhere to go. He was alone, like he'd been for most of his life.

Not knowing what else to do, he decided to take a walk, and let his feet lead the way.

A few hours later, the eighteen year old sat at a local café that was fast filling with people as dusk approached. It seemed the small café received many customers in the evening. Feeling a little uncomfortable with so many people around him, Kimimaro decided to finish his tea quickly so he could pay and get out of the social atmosphere.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" a young man around his age asked him.

Kimimaro looked at his smiling form, and not knowing what to say in such a situation, he did the only thing he could think of and gestured to the seat across from him; silently inviting the teen to sit.

Getting the message, Sai sat down across the white-haired teen. "My name is Sai, what's yours?" he asked, making small talk.

When Sai had arrived at his favorite café, he was a little miffed that it was so crowded, and was about to order his drink to go when he had spotted the teen in front of him. The male had instantly intrigued him, and seeing the look of panic in his eyes as more and more people filled the small café, Sai decided to introduce himself. It was rare to find such lonely eyes on a pretty face; he wanted to erase the loneliness reflected in those soft blue orbs.

"Kimimaro," the teen murmured.

"Nice to meet you," Sai told him, aiming another smile his way. "Were you waiting for someone?" Sai pried, wanting to know the reason he was alone.

"No," the other said as he finished his tea and stood up. "I have to get going," he said in apology as he strode toward the door, but as he passed Sai, his arm was caught in a light hold. Surprised at the other's action Kimimaro turned to him in question, his eyes laced in anger.

Sai looked straight into his eyes, ignoring the anger reflected off the pools of sky blue, and spoke.

"I can see the loneliness in your eyes," he said softly as he watched the sky blue eyes widen in surprise. "You don't have to be alone," Sai told him, as he slipped his business card in the other's hand.

Kimimaro looked at the pristine piece of paper, and back at the owner of the parchment. He gently pulled on his arm and to his relief the black-haired teen let the appendage slip through his hands.

Free from the other's grasp, Kimimaro turned toward the exit, never looking back.

He didn't know why he decided to intrude on the other's space, nor why he thought he should say those words to him. Maybe it was because he knew the feeling of loneliness, was occasionally plagued by it even now.

And when he saw the white-haired teen leaving, his limbs moved of their own accord and next thing he knew he had grabbed the other's pale hand, effectively preventing him from leaving.

Sai understood loneliness more than most, and knew the constant ache that assaulted one's being until they felt that they would go insane from the feeling. He had seen the same ache in those sky blue eyes, and had been loathed to leave the poor teen without some from of comfort.

He himself had wished for words of comfort when he was plagued with the desolate feeling. So, he gave the white-haired teen the words he had hoped someone would give him and watched as he rejected them.

However, as he watched Kimimaro's retreating form, he noticed the strain in his fingers as they clutched the business card he had given him.

Maybe they could both find comfort in each other.

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So, there it is. I hope you like it.

So, the wheels are turning as the new characters are revealed though what part they will play in the new developments is still unclear. In the next couple of chapters the story will reach the first climax as Orochimaru's plans are revealed and each teen makes his choice. What will happen?

Until next time…

Reviews are appreciated. Thanks. ;)