*I passed my bio class that had an 11% pass rate. Yup High! Here is another chapter and more to come. Hopes you enjoy*

Chapter 19/ Love is a hopeless place

Haku was getting the mic set up at the booth for the first practice for "Beauty and The Beast". Naruto looked up at the booth wishing she was up there with him. But Haku insisted that she wait for the director's instructions before she began to help him. Naruto sat down on the edge of the stage trying to hide her butterflies. She knew most of the actors from teaching them dance routines but this would be the first time she could act with them.

"Naruto?" a voice asked pulling her out of her day dream.

"Yes?" she said looked up to come face to face with Kotetsu.

"Hi, I am Kotetsu. I don't think we have formally meet." He said extending his hand.

"Oh yes, nice to meet you." Naruto said shaking his hand.

"You're usually the dance teacher for the plays are you not?"

"Yeah that's me."

"Are you still going to be?"

"I think so. Just gotta wait and see what Miss. Rin says." Naruto said slightly relaxing.

"Right. Well I am glad that I got such a well-rounded person to be my partner."

"Huh? But this is my first role ever."

"So doesn't mean anything. Everyone has to start somewhere. I could tell that you were more than just a gusty freshmen. I mean as a middle student you were teaching us dance like a pro. Don't take this the wrong way but I can wait to see if you can improve. Your audition wasn't bad but I can see that you have more in you. I tried out for a big role this time is because I saw your name on the try out list."

"What?"

"Yeah, every year it is the same people going for the same role. June usually lands the female role. But then I saw your name and thought why not maybe she can break June's strike and you did. Moreover I was more surprised Ms. Rin casted me. Guess she finally saw that the people can only take so much of June being lead. No one wants to see the same actor perform over and over again." He said with a big grin. Naruto had never heard him speak so much.

"Then why did Ms. Rin choose you?"

"She has always wanted me to be in a lead role but I never put any effort into trying out. I always went for small parts. I thought for sure she would have placed me as an understudy since senior guys usually have a better chance for landing the lead. But hey let's just give it our best and show them what we can do alright?" Kotetsu grinned.

"Sure sounds like a plan." Naruto smiled back 'He sure talks a lot.'

"Kotetsu!" a boy with straight black hair pulled back with a sweat band shouted from the auditorium side doors.

"Oi, Izumo?" Kotetsu said slightly confused on his best friend's appearance.

"You left your gym bag. Here catch!" Izumo shouted as he swung a black bag across the stage.

"Hey don't-"

BAM! The bag hit him square in the face causing him to fall down.

"Oh shit are you okay?" Izumo asked as he ran up to him. Naruto dropped down to Kotetsu's side to help him back up.

"Kotetsu?"

"It hurts…" he said as he pulled the bag off his face and cupped his nose and mouth.

"I am sorry. I thought you had it." Izumo apologized.

"What made you think that I was ready?" Kotetsu muffled out in a hush voice trying to hide his pain. A few other of kids were now circling around the three to see what all the noise was about.

"Is everything alright?"

"We heard a thud and saw Kotetsu on the floor?"

"I am okay." He said taking Naruto's hand and sat up.

"Oh you're bleeding." Someone said as blood began to flow between his figures.

"Pull your hand away." Izumo said trying to get a look at him. Kotetsu had a gash running across his lips and his teeth were covered in blood, his upper lip and nose were bruised black and purple.

"Oh!" the crowd gasped.

He panicked at their expressions. A girl handed him a purple makeup compact. He quickly opened it. "Oh crap!" he shouted causing more blood to run out of his mouth. "Here!" Naruto handed him a couple of tissues from her jean pocket.

"What was in your bag?" Izumo asked as he went to unzip it.

"Gym clothes, swimming googles, axe spray and….shit! I had my weights in there. The ones I use for training."

"You mean for the vest?" Izumo said shocked.

"Yeah they be the ones."

"Shit I am stronger than I thought…I mean sorry." Izumo said hiding his smile.

"What's going on here?" a new voice said bringing them to turn around.

"Ms. Rin! Kotetsu is hurt." The girl who handed him the compact said as she pushed her glasses up.

"Step aside. Mr. Hagane what happened…" Ms. Rin stopped talking once she saw the blood covering his face and blue shirt.

"Everyone stay here while I take him to the nurse. Ah Mr. Kanizuki not too far as usually. Why don't you help us?" Ms. Rin said as she helped Kotetsu up.

After everyone got settled down Ms. Rin reappeared and told them that Kotetsu was going to be fine and he would join them later but for now that they needed to get started. Naruto had never had anyone yell at her so much. Ms. Rin would just shout her to move again and then back and again. Naruto was not use to everyone moving around. "Smile to Bell. Hand the book to her. Stay five steps back from her! Where are the sheep? Yes you…no Sanji slow your stride. Now my Gaston walk up to Bell. More teeth back row. End scene!" Ms. Rin shouted as they ran through the opening number. Naruto was thinking on pulling out of the play. "Five minute break!"

'Great, now I can catch my breath.'

"Hey stranger." Haku said as he walked up to her with a big smile, a little too big to seem real.

"Haku. I thought it would never end." Naruto said with a soft smile as she looked at him. She loved it when he would let his hair down something that did occur too often since he always had it pulled back.

"Come it wasn't that bad. Here let me buy you a water." Haku said as he pulled her hand into his. After that it was the beginning of the end.

Kotetsu showed up with a bandage running across his nose and cheeks. He said he didn't feel pain since the nurse gave him pain killers. Naruto was getting back into the groove of working on a play with the only difference of her being on stage verse back stage. Ms. Rin said there would be no time for her to be a stage hand. Another that was different was Haku. Every time a scene ended or break was given he was there. Naruto only seemed to talk to him, she could never get a word with the other kids let alone Kotetsu. She only exchanged lines with him. Naruto was at first liking having Haku around her like old times but this was not the same. She couldn't figure it till the day they finally reached the last act. Ichigo a senior girl who played Mrs. Potts asked Naruto if she was ready for the ball scene. She was stick thin but had a stomach to put the quarterback to shame. She even dyed her long black hair to purple to go with her character. She was very serious about theater and her grades but very nice and kind overall. Naruto had gotten to like her but never talked much due to Haku.

"Yes. All I gotta do is dance." Naruto smiled on not having to do anything else.

"Well more than that Naruto you gotta make everyone believe you are in love with the beast." Ichigo pointed out as she began to clip her mic battery on.

Haku had ran to the booth to set up all the microphones.

"The dance will show it. Don't worry." Naruto told her as she tied her shoes laces.

"Um Naruto where are your heels?" Ichigo asked as she stared at Naruto's feet.

"My what?" Naruto asked with raised eyebrows at the girl.

"Your heels that you wear for the ball. You know the big yellow dress. Mrs. Ganson has been working on for the last four days to fit you. There is a pair heels next to the dress in the costume room." She explained as she pushed her glasses up from falling off her face.

"What?" Naruto repeated.

"Here I'll go get them for you. Tell Ms. Rin I am here." Ichigo said running towards the costume room.

'Heels?' I thought I was getting flats!' Naruto thought as she looked down at her feet.

"Hey girl." a friendly voice said.

"Hello Kotetsu. Did you get to practice the routine?" Naruto asked.

"I think I got it down. I do apologize in advance if I step on you." He said as he placed his backpack down.

"Good, you two are already here. Where is my Mrs. Potts?" Ms. Rin shouted as she looked down at her clipboard.

"She is here but went to grab my shoes for this scene." Naruto shouted back.

Apparently Ms. Rin lost her hearing as a child during the war that hit her old country. So she shouted all the time not to be mean but because she couldn't tell her volume and she was stubborn for hearing aids. The drama kids soon learned to yell. Ichigo showed up with the heels that looked to be four inches up. Everyone took their places well Naruto changed into her foot wear. "Places!" Naruto took her first step towards the dining table and knew that heels would take some practice. Naruto has never felt stiffer in her life. "Bell flow with it!" The dance was worse. Naruto stepped on Kotetsu many times. "Okay Stop! Five minutes everyone, Naruto, Kotetsu a word please?" Rin said as she beckoned them to come down to the music pit.

"Naruto learn to walk, dance, run, jog, and sleep in heels please. Kotetsu I can see that you know the steps but stop letting Naruto lead. Third, step closer to her, put your arm tighter around he, you had too much space between you guys. Lastly you both need to make a spark for Beast and Bell. Please work this out soon." Ms. Rin said exasperated and walked away shaking her head.

'Ouch, well that was nice.' Naruto thought as she looked down at her feet. Her toes were red from rubbing on the straps.

"Naruto?"

"Yes?" Bet he is mad at me too for stepping on him.'

"Come let's try it again without the music." Kotetsu said as he walked back up the stage.

"Yeah, well everyone is still on break." Naruto said as she followed him up.

"You lead now." Naruto said as Kotetsu stepped closer to her than before.

"Okay, like this?" he asked as he brought his hand to Naruto's waist.

"Yup, now one two three…" she counted with a smile as Kotetsu began to dance.

Everything was going fine but slow due to Naruto's pace with heels. He then slowly brought Naruto to the first twirl when Naruto lost her balance.

"Crap!" Naruto shouted as she began to fall.

"I got you!" He shouted as he stretched his arms to catch Naruto in mid fall. Leading them to being close enough that he could see the blue hue in her eyes and for Naruto to feel his breath on her.

"GET AWAY FROM HER!" a voice shouted at them.

Both looked up to see Haku filled with rage. His body was ridge, muscle tense, eyes narrow filled with hate, fists clenched as he stomped over to them. Naruto was confused on what had just happened and remained still. Kotetsu slowly pulled Naruto to a standing stance.

"I caught her from falling." Kotetsu said defending his action as Haku jumped up on stage. By now they had all the kids' attention on them.

"I don't give a fuck. All month long you have been undressing her with your eyes. Back off!" Haku said as he shoved Kotetsu.

"Hey Man! Don't touch me!" Kotetsu said as his voice took a deep tone replacing the cheerful he had a few moments ago.

"Haku! Stop it." Naruto shouted at the boy in front of her. He looked back at her with a face that Naruto didn't know. 'He is so…scary.' Naruto thought as she stepped away from him.

"Naruto… he has been trying to drive us apart." Haku spat out with venom at the older guy.

"What!?" Naruto and Kotetsu said at the same time.

"He only tried out for the part because he could spend time with you."

Naruto quickly whipped her head at Kotetsu. 'What?'

"No, Naruto. That is not the truth. I told you from day one nothing but the truth." He said with his familiar tone.

"I know but-" Naruto began but stopped when Haku took a hold of her hand.

"Naruto, don't tell me you fell for his lies?" he pleaded her as his hair cascade around his face.

"Lies! Tell her Haku. Tell the lies you keep from her!" Kotetsu said.

"What is he talking about?" Naruto asked puzzled.

"Shut up!" Haku said.

Ichigo then stepped on stage, "Guys please stop it. Ms. Rin might be back soon." Kotetsu looked at the nerdy girl as she pushed her glasses up.

"Ichigo can back me up. She knows Haku, hell almost everyone knows."

"Haku what's going on?" Naruto asked with demanded at her boyfriend as he tightened his hold on her. Haku looked down at the ground and took a deep breath and said nothing in fact Naruto could hear a small cry escape his throat.

"Tell her! Tell her what you have done to her. What you keep doing to her! No one would tell her because they didn't want her to get hurt. Naruto I wanted to tell you but I figured it would be better if I became your friend first. I wanted to gain your trust, no I wanted to earn it."

"What is it? Kotetsu you are my friend. Tell me!" Naruto was mad on what was going on.

"Haku has been with someone else." He said clear as day.

Naruto's eyes went wide and looked at Haku holding her hand.

"He had been with cheerleader Kim from Coast Prep. I saw them parking at the park last year. I confronted him then." Naruto ripped her hand away from Haku. Haku looked up at her with tears in his eyes.

"Naruto I love you, please-" The world went silent to her. She turned away from scene in front of her. She broke into a run down the stage, she fell face first hard. 'Fucking Heels!' Naruto pulled herself up and ripped the shoes off. Her voice final choked out her sobs as she ran out of the auditorium.

"Naruto where are you going practice isn't over!" Ms. Rin shouted as the blonde ran past her in a flash. Naruto didn't care where she went just as long as it was far away from him. She busted out the front doors and dashed out into the parking lot and out of the school grounds. She could faintly hear voice shouting for her to come back. 'Haku had been with someone else.' Rang over and over in her head. Her vision became blurry as her hot tears ran down her face. She could feel the burn in her lungs from crying, and running. All of a sudden a car honk brought her back to earth. She looked up and saw a white jeep pull over next to her.

Kotetsu jumped out of it, "Naruto, I am sor-" Naruto cut him off by running up to him and pulled him into the tightest hug she ever gave. She just wailed into his chest seeking for a life line in her broke world. Her chest literally felt broken. Kotetsu didn't know what to do for the poor girl, so he stood still for her. Hours later Kotetsu dropped her off at home only to remain by her side. Iruka was gone for the weekend on a contract that needed his skills.

"Naruto?" he asked as she turned on all the living room lights.

"Don't worry my dad is gone. I stupidly planned on spending the whole weekend with him. Kami it hurts so much." Naruto said with a sore throat that came from crying.

"Okay but I need to make a phone call. Do you have a charger for a Razor?" He said with a kind smile.

"Just go to the kitchen, there is phone in there. I'll look for a charger meanwhile, my dad has gone through so many due to his job." Naruto said as she pointed to the door behind her.

"Thanks." He said walking away.

'Speaking of phones….argh I left everything at school. Phone, backpack which had my homework, and I pod nano…Kami this cannot get any worse.' Naruto groaned as she began to rifle through the entertainment unit. Naruto finally found one cord that could fit a razor when a knock at the door called her attention.

'Who could that be? It's like 9:00…I think or half past attest. Naruto then glanced at the grandfather clock, 9:23 it read. 'Close.' Naruto walked to the door and slowly opened it to see a pizza boy.

"One larger everything on it?" he said to her.

"What? I didn't order pizza." Naruto said through in surprised voice.

"Naruto, I ordered it. Here." Kotetsu appeared at the door and handed her a 20.

"But?"

"Come on, you need food." He said as he took the white box from the pizza boy. Naruto then handed the bill to the boy. He then pulled a bag out to break change.

"Hey man, keep the change." Kotetsu said as he walked back into the house.

"Thanks, have a good night." He grinned and walked away.

Leaving Naruto confused at the door, 'What the heck just happened?'

"Sorry but I figured we should eat. My mom is fine with me being out. Hurry up before the cheese cools." Kotetsu shouted as he walked into the kitchen.

/Present/

"I spent the whole night talking with him and it turned out he had all my stuff in the back of his jeep. He grabbed it when he chased after me. My phone was over loaded with voicemails and texts and emails. I only listened to two voice mails before the tears rolled out and Kotetsu took my phone away. We spoke the whole night and till dawn. Kotetsu helped hold all the broken pieces of me even when I just wanted to give up. I almost quit the play but I knew I had everyone counting on me. But I hated feeling everyone's eyes on me waiting for me to cry. I didn't … not in front of them. I dodged him every night, no one would let him get close to me. I knew that they meant well but I felt embarrassed and pity that everyone knew I was cheated on. I never spoke to him again. He would beg for me to hear him out but Kotetsu always had my back. My dad then got a promotion after closing a new deal. His job wanted him posted at the UK, I followed him there where I learned that I had a singing voice. I kept in contact with Kotetsu, he still swims but now for his college and he still performs on stage. He is the one who told me to join the band with Hinata and them. It wasn't till after living in the UK. Iruka saw I wasn't really enjoying life. I did online schooling and hung out with the starving artists who basically lived in a café near our apartment. Iruka told his bosses to put him back in the USA and they did not wanting to lose their best man. I didn't want to come back because I knew there was a chance of running into him. So Iruka bought the house next door to Ja- my grandpa that we use to live in before he finished his law degree. I continued with online school but grandpa was there to make sure I stayed in line. Then the company asked my dad to handle the big three ….the one with the oil companies… anyway Iruka didn't want me to go, didn't want to bother jar- grandpa with me so I got handed to my aunt and her family the Uchiha clan. And well you know the rest from there." Naruto finished as she slumped into her seat. She closed her eyes and felt all the energy pulled form her. Retelling Gaara made her feel like she opened up a raw wound. Almost like she was back in the moment. She opened her blue orbs and saw Gaara with his head hung down low.