AN: Anyone know how long it takes for multiple minor fractions in the knuckles of the hand might take to heal? Because I'm planning on saying that Gaara's hand is better. Oh, yeah, I mentioned this was a long project and it's almost due, so it's been about two and a half months since it was assigned. Enough of my rambling, onto chapter twelve!!!
Warnings:
Disclaimer: *Deep sigh* this again? Really? You can't just read one of the others? No? Fine. I do NOT own Naruto. Happy now?
Chapter
Twelve
Plans
"Hey, Ino," Sakura starts, taking her friend's arm. "I need a favor."
"What?" Ino's eyes narrow suspiciously.
"Well, you see, I kinda have something to do tonight and you know how my mom can get… So can you cover for me? I know you're the best when it comes to stuff like this." Sakura bites her lip nervously. If Ino says no, she going to have a really hard time getting to Gaara's later.
"I might…" Ino says, "If you tell who you're sneaking out to meet."
"Come on, Ino." Sakura whines. "Please?"
Ino's eyes convey her excitement. "Ah ha, so it's a guy! Come on, tell me who's worth ticking your mom off and getting grounded for, like, ever?"
"I really do not want to have this conversation."Sakura is abruptly reminded of her Inner.
That's not a good sign…
"Tough. You need my help if you plan on not getting caught halfway out of the house, so spill." Ino smirks, knowing she's already won. "Who's the guy?"
"Gaara." Sakura mumbles.
"What? That freak?" Ino practically yells, drawing a few glances from the other students choosing to eat outside today. Including said freak. His jade eyes meet Sakura's for a fraction of a second and she can't breathe. His gaze tells her he knows exactly who she and Ino are talking about. It also conveys a sense terrible wanting and violent restraint. As if he's sensed how much he's given away, he pulls his eyes from her, snaps his sketchbook shut, stands and walks away. "I know he's hot, Sakura, but you can do so much better."
"I appreciate the vote of confidence, Ino, but it's not like that."
You wish it was.
Shut up! "We have to finish our project for Government. But you know my mom would hear the words 'boy' and 'house' and completely freak."
"Oh," Ino says, "In that case: are you out of your freaking mind?!?!" More curious stares.
"No, but I think I might be a little deaf now." Sakura says, rubbing her ears in an attempt to soothe the ringing.
"You cannot go into his house alone at night. He'll kill you." Ino says managing to lower her voice to a less attention drawing volume.
"One, he's not going to kill me. And two, we're not going to be alone. He has siblings, remember? Plus, hello, his dad."
"Ha-ha, yeah. One, he crazed so he might. And two, yeah you are. His brother is on the soccer team, which left for regional's about twenty minutes ago; his sister's gone with him; and his dad's in New Zealand for another month."
Crap!
YES!
Sakura swallows hard. "I have to go or we'll both fail."
"Do it somewhere else!"
"It's already done, if I bail we both fail."
Ino looks like she wants to argue some more, but in the end just nods. "You so owe me for this."
"Thank you, Ino!" Sakura squeals, throwing her arms around her best friend.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Hey, Gaara, let's go do something this weekend!" Naruto shouts, running after his best friend. "You should go back to the dojo now that your hand is better. Or we could go to the movies. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans looks pretty decent. Or, we could just hang out."
Gaara looks at his friend. "Sorry, I have work on my Gov. project all weekend, or I'm going to fail."
"You're still not done?" Naruto asks incredulous. "Dude, it's due, like Monday. Iruka-sensei's totally gonna kick your ass."
Gaara wrinkles his brow in irritation. "Thus, working all weekend."
Naruto frowns, "That sucks. You guys are gonna be stuck in the library all weekend."
"Actually, we're not." Gaara tries to say it without any emotion, but Naruto must have noticed something because he gets a strange expression on his face.
His lips are drawn somewhere between a genuine smile and a knowing smirk, eyes practically glowing with excitement. "So, where are you working?"
"My house." Gaara does not like the look on his best friend's face. Anytime the mischievous blonde looks excited always ends badly…for someone else. "Why?" He's almost afraid to ask. Almost.
"No reason…" He says, busting out in a ten thousand watt smile and putting his hands behind his head contently. Now, Gaara could grab this annoying, short, social outcast and beat the crap out of him and get the information that way. In fact Shukaku is rooting for this plan of action. But Gaara, against all logic, actually likes Naruto. So, he lets it go. He wants to know, but he doesn't have to. With all the secrets he keeps from his only friend, Gaara guesses it's okay to let him have a few of his own. "So how long is she going to stay?"
"All weekend. She said something about an all nighter."
"He he he." Naruto chuckles.
"That's annoying. Either tell me what you think you know, or shut up." Gaara snaps. He won't force Naruto to tell him, but that doesn't mean he'll let him rub it in his face.
"All right, all right." Naruto says, managing a shrug without removing his arms from the back of his head. Gaara's normally mask of neutrality cracks; a small frown pulls at his lips, minuscule lines of worry furrow his forehead, his hairless brows pull together in concern. Naruto still had not stopped smirking.
Then the bell rings and Gaara and Naruto turn and begin walking towards English II CP.
AN: Naruto totally knows! How did he get more romantically intuitive than Ino? And how the hell did he pass the college prep tests? It's all set now, Ino is covering for Sakura and Gaara resigned to his fate. Next chapter, Sleepover! Be excited! And REVIEW!!!!!!
