Sorry, I don't know much about the court system so I'm probably just going to get on with this before I look like an idiot….which I probably do…..Also, I know the surprise witness was a little obvious so bear with me…

If there was ever a time in her life where Sakura had been absolutely, and utterly, completely, astonishingly surprised, it would be now.

"G-Gaara?" The tears immediately subsided as the red headed boy came floating down the hall. His arms were crossed and his eyes were locked on Itachi.

"Excuse me, but, who are you?" The judge's eyebrows drew together and a frown plastered itself on her face.

"I'm Gaara of the Sand, and I witnessed Sakura getting beaten up. Itachi is testifying wrong. Someone made him do it." His voice was a low hiss but casual, as if he didn't quite care.

Sakura was still utterly amazed. Gaara of the Sand had just come to her rescue! GAARA! She turned back to the judge with a blank face, traces of smugness ran across her features.

"Well, tell me what happened?" The judge seemed to deny that the boy had seen anything. Obviously against Sakura's testimonies.

"Sakura spoke out of term to some gang members. They waited until everyone left until they grabbed Sakura. The leader wanted Itachi to beat her up because they're so close as friends. Itachi refused at first but the leader threatened to get someone who could be more brutal towards her, maybe even kill her…"

The judge nodded and glanced nervously over at Itachi. "Then why would this boy plead guilty?"

Gaara shrugged. "Maybe because he never wants to do that to a friend again and feels he should just get locked just to keep her safe."

Sakura covered her eyes as different tears replaced the angry ones. Happy tears. How could Gaara be so nice all of a sudden?

The judge shook her head. "I'm having trouble believing that."

Gaara straightened up. "Since when do our courts refuse to believe the truth?"

That must have hit a cord because the judge suddenly looked up, eyeing Gaara, and then Sakura, then Itachi. "I-I-"

"He's innocent." Sakura said quickly. The judge glared at her for a little. Obviously making one of those decisions where another person's well-being was at stake. Believe this strange red head and set the boy free? Or believe the blondies and send the boy to prison?

Sakura crossed her fingers. "Please make the right choice…" She whispered. She suddenly felt a hand on her back. She jumped and looked over to see Gaara next to her. He was staring ahead, but spared her a quick glace before righting his gaze. She turned her head forward.

"He's innocent." She whispered.

The judge nodded and declared that Itachi would have to do around 50 hours of community service but was cleared of all other charges.

Sakura pumped her fist in the air. Over on the other side of the room, Ino and Naruto bowed their heads in shame. Not because they were sorry they ever thought badly about Itachi, never, but because he wasn't getting locked away. Ino felt her hate for Sakura flare up again. Just plain flare. How could her one and only sister do that to her? To fight so hard to make a criminal innocent? What the hll was wrong with her? These questions spun through Ino's mind as people began to spill forward. Even a few reporters were buzzing about, enjoying the news that Sakura had thought Itachi didn't deserve prison.

Sakura made her way over to Itachi's side of the room as quickly as possible, forgetting Gaara. Her eyes wide as she threw herself around him in tears.

"Itachi…." She sobbed.

Her friend only patted her back, tears welling up in his eyes too. Soon enough he came to his senses and hugged her tightly with both arms.

"You should have let me go…" He whispered in her ear.

Sakura pulled back. "Is that why you wanted to plead guilty? Was because you thought being friends with me would endanger myself and my family? Itachi I WILL hurt you if you ever think like that again!"

Itachi let himself smile. "I'd like to see you try. Thanks Socks."

"You're welcome. At least you get to help the environment with your community service."

"At least." He laughed.

Gaara watched Tenten's friend hug the Akatsuki boy as they whispered funny and sweet things into each other's ears. He felt the grip of his hands on his crossed arms tighten as he watched her cling to the boy, a fire burning in her eyes, as he watched her cry over him. As he watched the Akatsuki boy hug her and reassure her. He wanted to give up his freedom to keep her safe. What a strong bond….

Suddenly, a ping of something Gaara had never felt before entered his system. What was it? It took him a moment to sourly admit what it was….jealously.

XXX

Sakura and Ino hadn't talked or acknowledged each other's existence when they got home. Dinner was eaten in silence except for the occasional joke told by Naruto.

Afterwards Ino went to go help Sasuke with a Summer Day Camp project (the first sisterly thing they had done since their family had been united.) and Sakura trudged up the stairs with Neji so they could talk.

Sakura's hands were folded in her lap. Her eyes down as Neji cast a wary glance at her. Now was the truth. He still found himself perturbed at her for not telling of her misfortunate run in with the Akatsuki.

"Next time that happens…I swear…" He bit his lip. "I'll fcking kill anyone."

Sakura gave a wary smile. "Next time….I don't think there will be a next time Nej."

Neji nodded and looked lazily out the window, his eyes scanning outside quietly. Sakura followed his gaze, only to catch something suspicious. There was something on the roof, near the wind. Eavesdropping!

Before she realized what she was doing, she was at the window screeching as she saw Kiba perched there.

"KIBA!!!" She screeched.

Her brother's face fell. "Aw man…I wanted you and Neji to make out…or something…"

Sakura's face paled and a fire burned in her eyes. "What the fck is WRONG WITH YOU, YOU LITTLE CREEP??!!!YOU WANTED ME TO MAKE OUT WITH MY BROTHER????!!!!!"

Kiba blushed and laughed nervously. "Uhh….kinda."

Sakura screamed, well she more like battle cried and prepared to dangle him out the window when someone burst into the room.

"Sakura! You should pack!" Someone said.

"Pack for what?" Sakura asked.

"Camp! You leave at like 5 in the morning!" It was Naruto.

"C-" For the second time in 2 weeks Sakura let go of Kiba and he fell. This time, he was not granted the fortune of landing in a bush, but instead, the concrete walkway had the honor of meeting him.

"Camp?" Neji asked the question for her.

"Yeah! You and Ino leave for that camp tomorrow really early in the morning. That's the whole reason we moved the date of the wedding. Remember?!"

Sakura did remember. She just didn't pay it any mind until now. Her eyes widened and she froze.

"You should make sure Kiba's okay." Naruto said, his brow creasing as he nodded pointedly at the window.

Sakura didn't turn around. "Kiba, you okay?"

A muffled reply came. "I'll clean up the blood. Just wait 'till I get up!"

"Yeah he's fine."

Naruto nodded. "You should still pack Sakura. I don't want you…you know, unprepared."

"What did you hide in my suitcase?"

"N-nothing!" Naruto put his hands up defensively.

Sakura made a Phhhh sound and pulled her suitcase down from the closet. She started throwing random clothes inside to show Naruto that she was obeying and he left. Neji followed their little brother downstairs and Ino eventually came up.

Great. The last person she wanted to see….

Ino seemed just as reluctant to be in the same room as Sakura. Her eyes were hard and her shoulders tense.

They packed in silence. Mirroring each other's movements unknowingly. Sakura checked out the window to see if her poor younger brother was still on the cement, but he had long since cleared out, blood stained the walkway in circular motions, as if someone had attempted to clean it but could not succeed.

She hadn't been paying much attention to camp lately. She knew it had been coming. Why hadn't she acknowledged it? This seemed so sudden and yet she was being so calm.

Sakura slide her suitcase under her bed and heaved a heavy sigh. Ino had been done a long time ago. Mr. Yamanaka came up to wish the girls a good night sleep before the big day. But Sakura didn't sleep at all.

There was a feeling in her gut that something bad was going to happen the moment she stepped out the door. Something very bad.

That chapter SUCKED. Anyway, have fun. I'll update soon.