"Time to go dear." My father says.

"Yeah" I sigh deeply. Now that I'm leaving I really don't want to go anymore.

"Don't worry Kanae, they'll forget all about you in a couple months." My mom says. Only thing is; that's what I'm afraid of.

"Isn't it nice to finally leave?" My mother asks.

"Where's Akira?"

"She didn't want to come today dear."

"You're lying. She'd come. She would be the only one to come. I'm not really going home…am I?" I ask, getting a heavy sigh from my mother.

"No, you're not. You said you wanted to leave. We got all the paperwork done and so now you no longer attend Konoha high. You're going to another school."

"Of course, I knew it was too good to be true! How can a mother even love her own daughter? She can't when she keeps on pushing her away! I asked early on, I had told you that I didn't want to transfer anymore. You didn't listen; you never do!"

"Now Kanae don't be like that. We didn't get any message from you." My father says keeping his eyes on the road.

"That's because you just throw it out! If you're so afraid of losing me again why do you keep pushing me aside? You're failures as parents. You'd rather think of yourselves before your daughter. I have the same god damn blood as you and you treat me like I'm an alien!" I yell.

"That's enough!" my mother snaps.

"Fine." I hiss. But god knows I always have more to say. My relationship isn't the best with my parents. And perhaps this is part of the reason. I fight back. But I can't help it when they are being so god damn childish! I thought they were supposed to be the adults! But I guess I was wrong about them. I guess I'm the mature one in this family. Then again….

We drive for a good few hours before we make it to the new school. I don't even get to go home after all this shit. I thought for once I would be like a normal teenager and go home over a break! But no, I'll never be a normal teenager because my parents will never let me. The school is quite large, but it's scarce. I don't see anyone outside and there's a bunch of dust everywhere. It's just dry in general. I don't like it. Konoha had a lot of trees on the campus. It was warm, inviting. This just looks cold and unwelcoming. I don't like that. Not one little bit. To be truthful I'm afraid. Terrified to even leave the car. Did they even look this place up? Did they come here for an open house? Why are they forcing me to go somewhere that is in the middle of nowhere and is dry and dusty? They know I can't deal with severe heat and dust.

"Now isn't this just a beautiful campus?" my mother says proudly. She chose it, I know she did. "Now I'm told this school achieves wonderful marks and the students are very serious about marks. They have a regular schedule for sports and limited access to electronics. You'll love it here!"

"In what universe? It sounds like a military school! It's dry, scorching hot, and unwelcoming. You would love it here. Not me. I don't want to go here."

"You're attending this school and the topic is not up for debate. Now get inside and register. Goodbye, I love you."

"If you loved me you wouldn't force me go someplace that will make me miserable. Great job mom, you've managed to kill your daughter. I hope you're proud." I grab my bags and walk inside. It's just as disserted as outside, it's quiet and the walls are all grey, the floors are grey, everything is dull. Is this actually a military school? I was a fool to ever think that my parents would listen. They've been distant for so long that I guess I'm just used to this now. Everything is done from a distance, and for some reason I feel okay with that. But it should be that way, should it? I know every teen has problems with their parents, but is my situation a freak situation? Am I the only one with parents like these? Is it my fault, or is it both of ours?

I walk to the information desk. I can't believe I have been forced into this school. This shouldn't have happened. None of this should have. It's ridicules. How did I ever let it get to this point?

"Excuse me but I'm-"

"You will not speak unless spoken too. Rule 514 paragraph two." Umm…what?

"Excus-"

"What did I just say?" The very ridged woman from behind the desk asks. "Speak!" she orders.

"I…uh, well um?"

"No stuttering, what did I just say? Tell me now, stat."

"Um…don't speak unless spoken too? Rule 312 paragraph, um….5?" this is terrifying. I am scared shit-less.

"WRONG! Rule 514 paragraph two. You were to memorize the handbook. Rule number 1."

"I didn't know I was coming here until three hours ago!" I exclaim.

"Did I ask you to speak?"

"umm…uh…"

"Hopeless child. No wonder you were enrolled here. That attitude will be straightened out in no time flat. Dorm 536 room 2, floor 5."

"Is there an elevator?" Konoha only had three, and I was on the second floor.

"Stupid child. You need daily exercise; there is no elevator in this compound." Compound? Worry factor just went up 12 notches. "Here is your key, now scram." Okay, so this is completely terrifying! And that receptionist is pretty crappy. Not welcoming at all! I am going to detest stairs after this. I already hate 'em.

"You must be new, hi I'm Matsuri." The girl extends her hand.

"Kanae."

"What brought you here to Suna high? You seem more of the greenery kind of person." She smiles as she helps me with my bags.

"Forced."

"Thought as much. You really don't look like you belong here." She smiles.

"That obvious?"

"Well everyone here is serious, no sense of humor. All about grades and fitness, you seem like the opposite."

"I am. This is more of my mother's kind of school. I used to go to Konoha High, and then she dragged me here."

"So I was right? A greenery girl, try not to show it too much. People don't take lightly to outsiders."

"Outsiders?" I ask, closing the door.

"People who aren't from around here. We sort of all grew up together, not many new people come, and when they do they leave in two weeks flat. It's kinda messed."

"Great, that's just swell, more bullying."

"Actually no, people just act cold until you get to know them; it's more the courses, the temperature, and even the military like teaching methods. The students are fine once you get to know them. Except for one person. People still tend to stay away from him."

"Who's that?"

"Gaara."

"Gaara? I know him!"

"Really? He hasn't told me anything about you."

"I thought you just said no one talks to him."

"Most people don't. They're afraid of him."

"Why?"

"He has a dark past to say the least. People just tend to back away when he walks by, hiding. But he's really nice. People just don't give him a chance."

"So how did you come to know him?"

"I gave him a chance."

The weekend passes by slowly. I wish that I could have told Kiba and the rest that I was leaving, I wish I had known I was leaving earlier. I don't want something like this to completely shatter the remains of the relationship between Kiba and me, not like we really have much left to shatter; still. Who am I kidding, they wouldn't understand, and they wouldn't listen to reason. Not that they aren't capable of it, but because they couldn't listen to it, with them I feel like anything that happens that's bad, they somehow relate to it being their fault, especially Hinata. I don't know, I just feel like contacting them at all would be a bad idea. Maybe I'm being selfish for seizing all communication with them. But I feel if I told them, any of them, that it would ruin their break. It's better not to talk with them, it's safer that way.

Monday quickly comes and the school is now filled with students. Matsuri was right though, they are cold and very serious about work. I feel as though I'm unable to be myself while here. 'Cause if I am then I'll be told to grow up, that or get in trouble by the teachers. Everything here is so different, so structural and strict. I hate it; absolutely hate it with all my heart. This really just isn't a school that fit's my personality. But it's not like I am able to do anything about it, my mother basically dictates my life at this point. Ugh I wish I could talk to Kiba, I wish things hadn't turned out the way they have. I regret everything, but who knows if it would have even lasted to this point.

I just miss him. I miss Kiba, and as much as I hate to admit it, I miss him. I know I've said that many times but I just can't seem to get my mind off of that fact. Through these couple months I wasn't able to even forget about him slightly. My thoughts always went back to him. I don't know why, and I don't know how something like this can ever happen. I just don't understand how one person can make another completely forget their sense of being and their sense of reason while with them. There I go again, ugh! Why? Really I mean he's one guy, and he has completely messed up my emotions in every way. I don't know, maybe it's that…..I don't know. I really don't. All I know is that if he is able to change the way I feel about things to this extent, then he might just be worth some pain. But I can't, I can't tell him now that I like him, I never exactly liked him to begin with. But now he's wormed his way into my life, and possibly into my heart. I just don't know what to do at all, it's just all….all confusing.

"Kanae, when did your sorry ass come here?" Temari asks as she drops her books on the desk.

"Last week."

"Why'd you come here? This isn't you, plus no Kiba."

"Mother forced me, and don't mention that name, please."

"Touchy, touchy." She sits down "You gotta get out of here while you still can. I'm used to it, I'm from here. But you, you're not, and others don't take lightly to those kinda people. Plus you really aren't the studious type."

"Excuse me? I have no life; I do homework every night as soon as I get back to my dorm."

"Kanae, you don't belong here. I know it, and more importantly you know it."

"I know, but my mother won't let me leave."

"Well there are only a couple months left in the school year, I'll get transfer papers you can fill everything out, I'll make sure you get solid recommendations and all you have to do is get one of your parents to sign it."

"They won't sign it though."

"How do you know?" Temari asks, crossing her arms.

"They're my parents, I know."

"At least try."

"Why bother?"

"Kanae," she said quietly as the teacher enters the room, "I want you to try at least, if you don't I will."

"I know you will, they just won't listen."

"Kanae, enough is enough, do something about it instead of just sulking around about it."

I don't like it here. I really don't. I'm taking Temari's advice and getting transfer papers ready. She told me she'd get it to me some time in the next week. I don't know, it's all just odd, and weird. Very confusing.

Where the hell are you? Kiba sent me. Kiba, the boy that has consumed almost all my thoughts lately.

Sick. I reply, not wanting to hurt him.

Stop shitting yourself, I know you aren't sick. I talked to Sakura, where the hell are you?

No.

No? No! No, what? You can't just disappear and give no reason.

Yeah, I can.

No Kanae, you can't. Where have you gone?

Don't worry about it Kiba. It doesn't matter. Not anymore.

IT DOES MATTER! It matters to me, where are you? If you don't tell me I'll get someone else to.

I can't.

Kanae tell me before I have to track you down.

Kiba, seriously, just drop it.

I can't! My friend left out of the blue with no notice and no goodbye. I want that friend back now that she's gone. Did that really just come from Kiba.

I don't want to tell you okay? It's not that I don't want to, but it's more like I can't. I'm afraid that you and everyone else would hate me. And I can't have that Kiba, not now.

Kanae, we couldn't hate you, maybe be mad or annoyed at you; but never hate. Please, I'm begging now, where are you?

Promise you won't be mad?

Promise. Kiba sends back, I only just hope it's true.

My parents transferred me to Suna High. I was dropped off here when we had that week off. And I don't think I'll be coming back. My finger lingers over the send button, why is this so hard to send? It shouldn't be. If anything this should help, right? Send. There, now it's over with and I can't un-send it. A couple minutes have passed and so far nothing from Kiba. He likely just put his phone down and just did not care. Yeah, that's it, why would he care? He shouldn't, it's something that really doesn't need to be dwelled on or anything like that. Yeah, that's it, yeah. Okay why do I do this to myself? I shouldn't give a crap but I do! UGH! I seriously hate myself right now. Why do I allow myself to get like this?

Wait right there, we're coming. After twenty minutes he responds with this. I know it's the weekend and technically both schools are allowed to do whatever the hell they want on the weekends, but Kiba can't come here. For one it's a three hour drive and two he shouldn't. He just shouldn't.

Crap, carp, crap, crap! This cannot be happening! They can't come here! Kiba can't, none of them can! I can't let them come! Why are they coming? It's only going to make me want to go back when I know I can't! I know it's selfish of me to not want them to come just because of that, but really if they are to come, I'll…I'll…oh I don't know what I'll do, but they just can't come! It's almost been three hours since he's sent that text message, and I've been freaking out ever since that message was sent! Oh god, seriously someone please save me!

"Kanae, someone's at the front desk looking for you." Matsuri tells me as she enters the dorm.

"Okay, I'll go down and talk with whoever it is," although I already have a good idea of just exactly who it really is.

I walk down the cement stairs, encased in the stairwell by the grey walls. Nothing in this place is the least bit colourful. As I near the last step, I can hear Gaara's voice, alongside others. I come around the corner of the stairwell and into the lobby to see Kiba, who seems rather enraged, Gaara being quite normal, and well you get the idea.

"Kanae, there you are! C'mon we're going home." Kiba grabs my wrist and starts pulling me away.

"No offense Kiba, but this is my home now," I say; halting the motion, "if I had a say in anything it wouldn't be. Konoha would be, but I didn't so now I'm here." I pull my wrist away from his grasp, and it kills me inside to do that.

"Kanae," Kiba's voice sounds terribly hurt.

"I have no control over it. I have no choice."

"You do have a choice!" Kiba grabs my shoulders and looks at me straight in the eyes, "you always have a choice, always."

"No I don't Kiba, you may think I do, but I really don't. My parents make the decisions for me; they don't even ask what I want. I can't control it Kiba."

"Come with me." He says, taking my hand.

"Kiba I already told you I can't go!" I say in defeat of the emotions, they were as clear as day. The stress, the sadness, the anger, everything seeped out.

"I won't take you away, I just thought you'd want to see some people from Konoha, they all came to see you."

"W-what?"

"Believe it or not, not the whole school hates you. In fact most of us miss you and your craziness. Even Kakashi is here."

"Really?"

"What's with the surprise?" Kiba asks amused. I missed this boy, I really did. Kiba leads me out the door. I look back at Temari and see her wink at me, with a hidden thumbs up. As my eyes meet the light from outside they being to adjust to the difference. As soon as they've finished adjusting my eyes fall on Sakura, Hinata, Ino, Naruto, Neji, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Sai, Tenten (who I only had the chance to talk to briefly), along with many other familiar faces I have both met, and seen while walking down the hallways, and then of course my beloved History teacher that first gave me the daunting task of ringing a damn bell in the halls. The thing is that they all drove here, a three hour ride away just to see me. Words can't express the amount of happiness I'm feeling right now. I feel like I actually belong somewhere now, not to just exist in a place, but actually belong. The feeling is just so overwhelming.

"You're crying," Sakura says as she comes to me to give me a hug "why are you crying? You're supposed to be happy."

"I am; I'm really happy. That's why I'm crying, 'cause I'm so happy. I'm sorry."

"Haha, why are you apologizing for being happy?" Kiba asks bending down to my level.

"'C-cause it's stupid to be crying over something like this." I sniffle.

"'Yea kidding right?" he says with a laugh, "It's perfectly okay for you to cry when you're happy." He smiles to me.

"Thank you." I say quietly as I give him a hug. It catches him off guard, and mind you it likely wasn't my brightest idea in the world, but my emotions kind of took control of me, so I can't really change what I've already done. The hug did catch him off guard, but after a little bit Kiba wrapped his arms around me and whispered:

"You're welcome." the hug ends and I am forced to face everyone else. I will not be able to thank Kiba enough for this. After all the worrying of what will happen when he gets here, it was for nothing. This is by far the best day I've experienced in a long time.

"Kanae there are a few things we need to discuss." Kakashi tells me.

"What is it?" I ask, slightly worried about what he's going to say.

"You're of age to drop out of school and live on your own," he begins, "if you drop out of this school you can do it legally," He states.

"Okay….what are you getting at?" I ask respectfully.

"After a great deal of consideration, if you so decide to do as such of course, I am willing to support your dropping out of this school."

"Okay one problem, I want to stay in school."

"Just wait until I finish."

"Yes sir."

"If you drop out of this school you can decide to re-enroll later on. I realize that by dropping out it means you will not have the support of your parents behind you and it could completely terminate the relationship you have with them. If you so decide I am willing to re-enroll you back into Konoha where you can keep you scholarship you had with us beforehand and I would be willing to pay the rest of the costs that may not be covered by the scholarship. If your parents completely abandon you I am even willing to take you into my home, and so are numerous teachers back at Konoha. I want you to think about this before you-"

"Yes!"

"But you haven't thought about it," He says, slightly annoyed.

"Trust me sir I have. My parents don't even talk to me, they don't send me mail. They don't ever let me come home for any holidays or any time we have off of school to go home. When I am home for the summer they send me off multiple summer camps. I live a travellers life, and I'd much rather not. So yes I would like to very much so go back to Konoha. I don't think I could be anymore detached from my parents than I already am. Besides, everything has already been broken beyond repair between us, and they were the ones that made it that way. If it means not talking to my parents and having to stay at the school over the break or live on the streets during the summer I'd be willing to do that. But with Kakashi said, I could live with him. Like actually leave school and have a life! Isn't that what everyone wants? I have to say, I am definitely one of those people, a person that want's to live, not just exists.

"Very well then, I'll prepare for the transfer." Kakashi leaves and heads into the school. Everyone else who came here has managed to form into little groups, talking with Kankuro, Temari, as well as Gaara. As always I had found myself with Kiba.

"Kiba," I say looking up at him.

"Yeah Kanae?" he asks.

"You really didn't have to do this you know."

"I know, but I wanted to."

"Really?" I ask, really surprised.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I?"

"I don't know…because you hate me?"

"Hate you?" he chuckles, "Yeah, like I could hate you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean you can be an annoying girl at times, but you do the weirdest things that make people smile."

"Like what?" I ask, unaware.

"You make weird sounds when you work on homework or anything you need to concentrate on."

"I do that?"

"You really never noticed?" he asks.

"Nope."

"You're hopeless." He shakes his head, "I'm glad you're coming back to Konoha High."

"Why? So you can torture me again?" I snap, remembering why I wanted to leave.

"No Kanae," he says softly, "Just 'cause I wanna see your funny face around school again."

"So now my face is funny is it?"

"Yeah, I guess so." He says with a smile.

"Kiba can I ask you a question? You'd have to answer truthfully."

"Uh…sure thing."

"What am I to you?" I have to know. I can't let the question circulate any longer in my head.

"A friend." A friend? Have I just been friend zoned, again! You've got to be kidding me!

"Why'd 'ya wanna know?" he asks.

"I was wondering why you'd bring all these people here," I say, motioning to our group of friends, "to go out of your way to do it too. I guess I wanted to know why you'd do something like that for me. I mean, up to a little while ago I thought you hated me."

"Like I said before, I don't hate you."

"I know, I know. But I never would have thought someone would do this for me. Ever." I tell him, looking back at everyone. "you have no idea what this means to me."

"I think I have a bit of an idea."

"You all ready to go?" Kakashi asks.

"Yeah." I look around the bland room. My things were sitting silently on the grey mattress. The windows covered with the black poles, keeping us in, keeping things out. I never really had the chance to put my own personal mark on this room. I never really unpacked, placed things where they should go. Unlike in Konoha, where I was, or rather am myself. I'm ecstatic to be leaving, but I'm not as happy to have to be leaving Matsuri. Although she was cold for the beginning of our meeting, she's much like Hinata. Unsure of herself, of her skills.

Leaving the room behind I take my bags and head down the stairs. It's only been a short time since I arrived here in Suna High, but for some reason, it like forever. Perhaps it's because it's lifeless here compared to Konoha, for me at least. Matsuri says that unless you can't be yourself, than you can't be the best you can be. So why pretend to be someone you aren't if it's not worth your time to not be yourself. She's completely right too; you can't be you, without being you. Don't change for others, because in the end, it's never worth it.

I leave the school behind, the few people I have come to know and head on the road back to where my life thrives. I can't say I'm sad to leave, because that would be lying. I can't wait to breathe the fresh air of Konoha that rides on the back of the winds back. I can't wait to smell the freshly cut grass. I just can't wait to feel at home again. This may seem weird, me just talking about the small things, about things most people don't even think about. But after being taken away from the place I love I can't help but feel happy that I'll be there again, I'll appreciate the little things again. Which is something I think a lot of people forget to do.

"Kanae, there isn't enough room for you in the car. So if you want you can ride with me or someone else can give you their spot in the car and you can go-"

"I'll go with you." I tell him, "Besides, it's been a while since I've almost killed your precious ride."

"Yeah, you got another chance for my bike to fall off a cliff! How lucky for me!" he hands me the sleek back helmet. We get on the bike and ride away from the school.

It's a generally quite ride back. We weren't about to yell over the loud hum of the motorcycle. The group stops for a supper and prepare for the two remaining hours that we'll have to be on the road for.

Finally we arrive back to Konoha High! I get my spot back in our dorm. Everything is right now. Everything is as it should be. Except for one thing. Kiba. Kiba is the only problem I have left. Well he's not really a problem, I just need to find a way so that I'm not in the friend zone, I don't think I can be able to deal with these emotions and be stuck in the friend zone, it just won't work out for me. Well more like I won't accept it.

I put all my things back where they are meant to be. I can just see this room being a mess in two days. Oh well, that's at least two days that I'll go with a clean room. But for now, it's time to sleep.

I gather my books and head down to our first class, you guessed it, it's history. I'll likely be getting the bell duty again. I have to say I don't really care anymore if I'm a bell ringer, just 'cause it's sort of something that's natural for me to do now. That sounds really odd I know, but it just seems normal to me now to just ring a bell in the halls of the school.

"Good morning class. Kanae, welcome back. We will begin with" Kakashi begins. It's normal to be here, in this class room, surrounded by these people. Only there is one person that I've never seen before. I've never seen her in the halls. I always remember faces, I may not remember names as fast, but I know when I've met someone before, and I haven't met this girl. For some reason I feel threatened. I don't know why, but I do. It's likely a stupid thing to be threatened about, but it's an instinct that has come to surface. I blame hormones. "Girls, you're dismissed to your next class."

"Hey Sakura, who's that?" I ask pointing to the black haired girl that walks with she has everything made for her.

"New girl, she came after you left…and," she looks away from me "she kinda took your job as the bell ringer."

"What? Aw man, I was looking forward to having that bell again! Okay that sounds weird." Sakura looks at me with an un-wanting glance. "What?"

"It's not the only thing she took."

"What else did she take?"

"She…she's with…" she tails off.

"With who?" I ask.

"With Kiba." A striking pain stabs me in the heart. Is this what it's like to have everything fall apart? Too ultimately know that the one that you might love; loves someone else?

So this is an update. Duh. I'm sorry it took so long and it's so short. I just can't put this off any longer. My exams are next week and I will not be writing whatsoever so I will not upload a new chapter for a while. I know I take a long time to upload, but I want to have the story work well. Also I likely won't be able to update until maybe September if I'm lucky. I'm going away for a month, so I won't be bringing my laptop, and then I will be going to a place without any internet, so I may have one done, but I may not be able to upload it.

One more thing and I'll shut up! Thank you to everyone who's reviewed, alert, favorite, etc. You have no idea what that means to me. I write because I love to, and I likely wouldn't write as much if no one showed any interest in my stories. So thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you all. I am truly grateful!

Also sorry for any incorrectness in this document, I haven't had time to go through it very thoroughly. I'll be fixing it up this summer (hopefully).