Chapter 9: I Already Know

A/N: Hello guys, alright well nothing much to say but the usual R n R please. Oh before I forgot I haven't written any disclaimer notice here do I'll do my first and last here.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything here just the idea.

After the night of attack, everyone was suspicious about everything especially about the two strangers that arrived the night after the said attack. They started to avoid contact with them. When they pass the streets people would avoid going near them and would gossip behind their backs. This all happened in only one morning. "I'm sorry for the reaction of the villagers. They just don't know who else to blame." Kagura apologized.

"That's only a proof that they're people. They point fingers even before they know the root of it all." Gaara retaliated coldly as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Let me ask you something… When our chakras returned, I tried to manipulate the sand here but nothing seemed to happen. Why?" He continued. "You haven't forgotten the words I have said when you came here, have you? "We are the Xenoliths the children of the earth." We control the earth here." Then suddenly Kagura threw a dagger straight towards Gaara's face. Sand quickly rose and blocked the dagger. Gaara glared at his attacker as she explained, "It cannot be used for offense only defense." "If he happened to be hit by that dagger, he would have died for sure," Sakura blurted out. "Yes, but it would also prove that he is inappropriate to be the representative of his village if he happened to be hit." Kagura responded as she smirked.

Gaara was about to shout at her when a knock on the door interrupted him. "Ah, they're here." Kagura said as she sat in her comfy armchair and told them to come in. Gaara and Sakura were dumb-folded by what they saw. What the hell are they doing here? They thought the same. It was Sakura's best friend, the blond hair shinobi, the Uchiha protégée, the shadow master, the princess of the byakuggan, Gaara's sister, the puppet master and one unfamiliar shinobi with short, light blue hair from the sand village. Temari and Sasuke stepped forward and announced, "We are here upon the request of the Xenoliths for reinforcements." "I see, you're briefing will begin as soon as you have rested. Maybe this afternoon but for now…" gesturing for Gaara and Sakura. "I guess you're all acquainted. Well then, please lead them to their rooms." The pair could only stare at her in disbelief. Since when did we become your freaking bell hop! Again they thought of simultaneously but they have no choice.

"Hey Sakura, since when did you arrive here?" Naruto asked cheerfully as they traveled the road towards their building. "Two days ago. What is your mission here?" Sakura countered. Please don't smile so much when you're with me. It hurts too much. "The hokage told us that we are to follow Kagura-san's orders." Hinata interfered with growing jealousy. Don't look at her like that. It makes me feel worthless. They arrived in their only room. As expected, their reactions were the same as theirs. "What one room for all of us all?" Ino complained. "Less talk more sleep." Shikamaru countered as chose a bed, put down his bag, laid down and started to sleep.

"So Gaara, you were alone with Sakura for to days in only one room with no dividers?" Kankuro asked gleefully as he elbowed Gaara for "further information". Temari and Kankuro were surprised to see that their little brother was not rudely answering back instead he turned away and answered, "Stupid, nothing happened. My bed is here and hers is over there." "Tsk, tsk, tsk, my dear little brother, someone has to teach you the ways of love," Kankuro teased taking advantage of Gaara's submissiveness. Then it all ended with the famous death stare by Gaara to Kankuro. It shut him up and Temari as if on reflex hit Kankuro's head. "Who's she?" Gaara gestured towards the ninjas with light blue hair. Temari and Kankuro looked at each other…long and hard as if trying to convince the other to answer his question.

"She's Shizuka…umm your fiancée." Temari had the guts to day it to him knowing the possible consequences. Gaara immediately glared at the speaker "What!" Almost everyone said simultaneously except for Temari, Kankuro and Sakura. Expecting that sand would come rushing in, Temari and Kankuro closed their eyes and waited for their punishment but none came. But if looks could kill they'll probably dead now by thousand painful ways. "It was decided a long time ago by our parents," Shizuka dared to answer the question of her betrothed as she tried to wrap one of her arms with his. Gaara shunned her actions forcefully as he said "I am manipulated by no one's decision but mine. Don't touch me ever again." He then walked away to his bed. Shizuka was some how not surprised by his reactions instead her only reply was a satisfied smirk.

"Okay, so much for the introductions. I'm dead tired I think it would be best to have a divider between the beds that are occupied by the girls and the boys," Ino suggested loudly as the majority agreed except for the ones sleeping and well Gaara and Sakura. I think Ino's right on this decision but somehow I'll miss seeing him asleep. Sakura thought of, as her best friend started barking out orders on how the divider should be placed. Her thoughts traveled and unknowingly her gaze crawled towards their new comrade and to her fiancé, which was also looking at her. I wonder what she's thinking? I guess her friends are there to wake her up from her nightmares but still… The image of Sakura calling out for him in her sleep flashed din his mind as his eyes wondered towards her bed to see her also looking at him. As their eyes connected,they quickly turned away with a slight blush. Why am I feeling like this? He's engaged for crying out loud!

That night, neither of them can't sleep… Urgh! For Pete's sake I want to sleep will you get off my head? What's wrong with me? Why am I thinking of him at a time like this. Maybe because the knowledge of his engagement had effect on you more than you know. Irritated by the constant nagging in her head, Sakura left the building to proceed to the lake.

The lake was the only place she thought of to calm her noisy thoughts. The full moon gave the lake a crystal-like barrier as the wind stirred its clam surface. It was the perfect scenery, the wind and even the night itself so she settled herself on the banks to let her thoughts nag away. Her feet touched the cold lips of the lake, as she closed her eyes. It was almost heaven. Why am I even comparing myself to Shizuka? It's not like I want to prove I'm better, right? Well it's not like I like Gaara or anything, right? Right? She questioned her nagging-before-but-now-silent mind as she stared at the black tapestry of stars above her. Then she felt that someone was watching her, she instinctively placed her hands just above the pocket that contained her kunai.

"Can't sleep?" Gaara lamely asked as he stepped into the moonlight to relieve her tension as she was preparing to defend herself. "What are you doing here?" "Shouldn't I be asking you the same question?" as she laid her guard down. "Hey, congratulations on your engagement…" She teased. "I am not anyone's toy to be played with. I'm not engaged to anyone." He countered. "You know what I can't sing," she blurted out. Gaara could only raise an eyebrow to show his confusion. Then he heard the most beautiful voice…

How many times did I pray
You'd find me
How many wishes on a star
Gazing off into the dark
Dreaming I'd see your face
Safe at home unafraid
Captured in your embrace

So many times
When my heart was broken
Visions of you
Would keep me strong
You were with me all along
Guiding my every step
You are all that I am
And I'll never forget

It was you who first believed
In all that I was made to be
It was you looking in my eyes
You held my hand
And showed me life
And I've never been the same
Since you first believed

"I'm still working on it but I found my song. You see Panda-chan when those who wish to sing will always find a song. The same goes with everything… including love." She said these with both truthfulness and mischief as she walked away. "I couldn't agree more," Gaara lately replied knowing that she was far away then he made his first true smile. He then followed soon.

Sakura was on her way to the building when she saw a shadow. And as she walked towards it, the moonlight revealed the blond shinobi leaning against the wall. "Sakura-chan, can we talk?" Naruto asked. "Uhmm, sure." "Let's take a walk." She replied as she leaded the way.

"You and Hinata seem to be fine."

"Yeah, I guess so."

"You guess so? Well that's not the answer I was expecting."

"Sakura stop playing numb will you?"

"I'm not playing numb. I'm just telling what I'm seeing."

"Sakura, you know I love you still."

"No, you don't if you do then you shouldn't be with Hinata ever since."

"Hinata…I tried to love her. I really did. I thought she could somehow replace you in my heart but Sakura, I never loved her as I loved you."

At that instant another Sakura cried, as another Sakura stepped into the moonlight. Naruto wasnot surprisedby what he saw. He then stared at the crying Sakura. There was a puff of smoke to reveal that it was Hinata. She then ran away still crying. "Follow her, you baboon!" the real Sakura ordered. "No," a stern answer came from the determined ninja as he only stared at the disaapearing figure into the distance. "I knew, it was her from the time our conversation started." Naruto confessed as he approach Sakura. "That was best way to end things. You've heard everything?" She could only stare at the ground for as an answer. "You know Naruto the pain I endured ever since that day grew… and what's amazing about it is that… it withered. I don't know whether the pain went away or that if I got used to it but then the pain isn't here any longer and what's left is well friendship. I don't know…" "Stop. Please stop, I've heard enough. I've tried but then I've failed miserably. What's amazing is that I'm quite curious… did I fail because of our friendship or because there's somebody else?" Naruto replied hurtfully as he forced a smile. He closed his expressive eyes to hide the pain that it reflected but as he did so tears started to trickle down his cheeks. Sakura approached her friend and wiped his tears with her palms. She placed her forehead on his and stared into his blue eyes. He saw her unspoken answer. "No need to answer, I already know." This was his final reply as he sprinted away.

A/N: Alright, I confess I wasn't satisfied with chapter 8 so I posted chapter 9 with it. So please R n R. The more reviews the faster the update ; )