Hey guys, I'm back again...but only briefly. This chapter was wrote about a month ago now and has been kept as a back up in case my college work gets too much, which it has :( so the next chapter will be uploaded (and wrote) a month from now, when I finish this years course, then I should get lots written in my 2 1/2 month holiday before I start again. Sorry about all this but everything is stressful with a lot of other stuff making it worse and just can't concentrate on writing. However to make up for it this chapter is one of my longest (or could even be my longest one) and I did enjoy writing it. Anyway enough ranting, and on with the story

Disclaimer - I don't own Naruto

Darkness. Darkness surrounded her as she struggled to find some source of light. She was blind, as the black crushed her, making her claustrophobic. Her heart beat erratically as she panicked. She felt like she was in a maze but she couldn't find the exit. She kept looking around as if she could feel herself being watched, but all she could see was the darkness around her, as if a blanket of black smoke was stopping her from interacting in any way with the outside world.

A deep laugh erupted from all around her and caused her to flinch violently. She whipped her head around looking for the source but couldn't. He was scared, her body was shaking.

'Wh-who's there?' She called out hoping for an answer but not actually expecting one.

'…It's time.' Eyes opened with a snap and she stared into the large aqua shaded eyes which were once so familiar to her. Teeth glinted as the shape smiled and giggled.

With a lurch, her whole body thrust forward as she awoke from her nightmare. She was sobbing uncontrollably and she couldn't control her breathing. She didn't have time to calm herself down before she was jumped on.

'Sakura-chan? What's wrong?' Lee said quickly as he hurried to her side.

Tears just ran down her face as she struggled to speak.

'Take your time. Deep breaths.' He commanded. She did as she was told and eventually she had managed to slow her heart beat and breathing rate to a bearable pace.

'It…was just a bad dream,' She smiled fakely, 'nothing to worry about at all.'

Lee reached and wiped away the tears which continued to fall, 'something tells me that isn't true, maybe it's the tears.'

Her smile faltered as she collapsed into his arms and held onto him tightly. She needed his support. The dream she had couldn't ease her mind to the fact that there was something wrong back at home, and Gaara was in the middle of it. It's time? What did it mean by that? What is time? That dream where he lost control, is it going to happen now?

She couldn't handle her best friend becoming a mindless monster; she knew that the Gaara she knew and grew up with would never be able to do that even if he didn't get along with his family much, he wouldn't slaughter them. She didn't want to believe it yet she knew it was true and that was what was killing her. She wasn't there for him and she didn't know what was going to happen afterwards, she was scared.

She pulled back and wiped her eyes.

'Better now?' She nodded, 'good, I'm sure you used up all your lifetime supply of tears now.'

A short laugh left her throat as she started to smile. She shivered and as she looked down she could see the faint outline of her lacy seductive red bra in the morning light. Her face became as red as her underwear. Lee followed her gaze and found himself staring at the large breasts resting against his muscularly chest.

Sakura looked back up and noticed that his gaze had wandered.

'Kyaaaaaaa!' She screamed as she thrust her hands up and forced his gaze to the ceiling, 'don't look!' She pulled the covers up around her so she was wrapped up in a cocoon with only her head visible.

Lee finally let his head down and looked back at her with a shameful look. 'I'm sorry, I couldn't help it.'

Her face was still burning, 'it's okay, I just was embarrassed by my body because I don't like it and you were staring so I became uncomfortable.'

'Hey! You shouldn't be embarrassed, you're beautiful and you shouldn't be ashamed of it.' He said forcefully.

'But…'

'No buts.' He brought his face close to hers, 'yes you are, don't complain, it's the truth.'

Sakura sighed, 'if you say so.'

He gently kissed her, 'of course I do,' he smiled and stood up, 'it's time to go home, I'll wait just outside for you.'

Once his back was turned and he was walking away, she pulled at the sleeping bag and stood up, examining herself. She noticed that she had a flatter more toned stomach and the flab which she knew used to be in her arms had gone and the lean shape of muscle replaced it. She looked surprised, she had wondered what Lee saw in her but that was only because she had took her old appearance into account, she never realised how much she had changed over the time she had been away from home. It must have been due to all the training and eating a healthier diet than she had been.

She smiled shyly as she had remembered the way he looked at her and she had to put her hands on her cheeks to stop them from appearing red even though there was nobody around she was still embarrassed about being embarrassed.

Soft whistling from the entrance to the cave brought her back to reality as she looked around for her clothes which she had found were neatly folded next to her. They were dry and she was pleased about it, she hated the feel of damp clothes and the thought of having to spend almost all day travelling back to the Academy in damp clothing didn't fill her with joy.

She gently pulled the material over her head and when she was fully changed she snuck up behind Lee and cheekily jumped on him. She laughed loudly as they both ended up trying to pin each other down and finished with Lee tickling her.

'S-stop it.' She said through fits of laughter as Lee stopped and pinned her hands above her head and his knees on either side of her abdomen. He smiled as he had her right where he wanted her.

'So now you are my prisoner, huh?' He asked as he raised a large eyebrow, he lowered himself so he was resting gently against her body, 'was there any need?'

Her cheeks grew red and she stammered, 'i-it was f-fun.' She giggled shyly as she tried pull out of his grip but instead of loosening, it tightened holding her there as she struggled pitifully underneath the rather large and strong male above her.

His eyes seemed to glaze over as he looked at her seductively causing her to bite her lip gently. She can't say she had ever seen this assertive, seductive and, well, sexy side of him before and it made her squirm in excitement and she loved it. Without her realising he had leant down and started tracing his jaw with the tips of his lips leaving soft trails along her skin, unconsciously her head pulled back to allow him better access and a soft moan left her lips.

'Lee-kun? Why?' She breathed out breathlessly.

'Because it's fun,' he repeated the same words as she said before as she could feel his hot breath on her neck making her shiver briefly but as quickly as he came closer he pulled away, 'I can stop if you want.'

Him? Stop? Never, she wanted this. She wanted to have him closer. 'Please. Don't stop.' was all she could say, it seemed that Lee could see pain through her eyes for some reason.

He returned to her neck and continued to caress it. He lightly bit it resulting in Sakura squirming under him, his tongue gently swept across the red area, causing the breathing rate of Sakura to increase rapidly. He moved up to her face and looked in her large green eyes, seeing the desire she experienced mirroring his own and that spurred him on.

Sakura tried to pull herself up to meet his lips with her own but the grip around her arms forced her to remain where she was; he teased her by staying out of her reach. She whimpered at his teasing as her brain urged her to keep moving forward to meet him but she couldn't. He smiled as he leaned in to kiss her softly but deeply as his own mind told him to. It was instinct; he couldn't control it as he leaned closer towards her, taking care not to hurt her.

By moving, Lee deepened the kiss between them and caused Sakura to bite down on Lee's bottom lip. He gasped loudly from the shock of it. A metallic tang could be tasted by both as blood seeped from the incision. Sakura's tongue traced the wound and lapped at it, to stop the bleeding. It was strange to her but she enjoyed the taste it brought to her, she also enjoyed the moans from Lee she received as she touched the tender skin. She enjoyed it all, as in really enjoyed it and she could help but thrust her hips up slightly coming into contact with Lee, feeling the beginnings of a rather hard object in his pants.

She fought to wrap her arms around him but before she could it was all cut too short. Lee stood up, pulling up a startled Sakura by the wrists until she stood on her own feet. He squeezed her hands gently and gave a quick grin, letting go of her hands and walking back to pack up.

She shakily sat down on a rock, she had no idea what had happened. Why did he suddenly stop? She had no idea, but it was only when she felt his soft, bandaged hands on her face wiping away tears, did she realise she was crying.

'Why do you do that? Start seducing me and then stop and carry on with something.' She said trying to keep her voice steady.

'Only because I want you so much but someone has to remember the situation. First time you were drunk, the start of this mission we were out in the hallway and yesterday we were out in the open. I wouldn't have been able to control myself if I didn't stop before and I'm sure you wouldn't want your first time to be in a cave without any protection.' He said explaining, trying to show Sakura how much he cared for her and how much he wanted it but something always got in the way.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and held him tightly, she knew that someone had to take control and be the one to instigate and stop anything but she still didn't like being rejected like she has been but she knew he was right. This wasn't the time or the place, all she wanted was to go home and have a good shower. 'Let's just go home. Please.'

She pulled away and walked to the entrance of the cave without looking back at Lee. She wasn't in a mood or upset with Lee, he did the right thing, she was mad at herself for constantly losing control around him in moment like that and being selfish enough to be like this when he did push her away. Why don't someone just shoot me now before I screw up his life? She was probably just still feeling emotional from waking up in such a bad way.

She heard Lee exit the cave just behind her with one of the bags and she had automatically picked up one herself as she left. She waited for Lee to head off in the correct direction and she followed him closely as they flitted through the tree at high speed.

The journey was generally quiet; neither really spoke to each other. Sakura was trying to keep to herself for a bit and Lee was giving the time and space she needed because he understood how it felt. They hardly stopped for breaks and they arrived back at the Academy in early evening around 5pm. Feeling exhausted they immediately went to Lady Tsunade's office and knocked on the door urgently.

'Come in.' they heard an annoyed voice from the other side of the door.

Sakura pushed open the door and stood on the opposite side of the desk to her and placed the scroll in front of her.

'Here it is.' Sakura said as Lady Tsunade opened it. Inside of it there was strange markings but upon the addition of chakra within a circle surrounded by the markings, a book appeared. It was a Bingo Book, a book which was used to contain information on the most powerful criminals and rouge ninja which are alive.

Lady Tsunade flicked it open and went through a few pages and then smiled and put it down. 'Our allies have given us one of their Bingo Books since we produce the best ninja around they have asked that we help them in their endeavours. Thank you Sakura, Lee, this will help improve relations with our allies and we can get to work on trying to find and remove these criminals from society.'

She sat back down at her table and started shuffling through a few papers, there was a memo she was going to pass on to Sakura, something she should know but she decided against it since she would find out soon enough. 'You passed. You are now a genin, just like your classmates.'

Sakura smiled and fell into the chair beside her in relief, she was worried she wouldn't make it through the preliminary training but now she had much more trials in her life ahead with this line of work but at the present moment she could care less. She passed, and she was pleased.

'Now, I'm sure you are tired so take the rest of the week off and I shall see you very soon. You did well.' Lady Tsunade gave a knowing look at the two of them and spun in her chair and looked out the window, giving the signal that they were dismissed.

Now Sakura was back home the bag she had on her back weighed a tonne and she could feel it in her muscles as she walked.

After reaching her dorm and before she opened the door, Lee held her hand gently. The interaction made Sakura look up in surprise at the lack of it today.

'Congratulations,' he said smiling and gave a soft peck on the cheek, 'when you've caught up with everyone and had a shower, please come round to mine.' He said and without a reply he headed down the hall a little. Sakura stood there as she usually did waiting until he entered his dorm before she opened the door to hers.

As she opened the door and dropped her bags, she was instantly jumped on by Ino, as she gave her a large hug.

'Sakura! You're home. How'd it go? Did you pass? Phew, no offence but you smell.' Ino said excitedly as Sakura stood there slightly dazed at seeing her friend again.

'Hey Ino,' she said smiling brightly, 'it all went fine, great actually, I passed. I'm so pleased, but it still feels like I'm in a dream.'

Ino smiled as Sakura picked up her bag and started to drag it to her room, 'it usually does, but I'm so pleased for you, well done. I'm sure everyone will say the same.'

Her room was exactly as she remembered it being but the feel of the bed felt more like heaven than it had before, she couldn't wait to crawl in tonight and have a really good night's sleep.

Then a thought occurred to Sakura, 'where is everyone?' she asked curiously.

'Well Tenten is with Neji as expected, but you will not believe what happened when you were away.' Ino said excitedly as she usually did when there was some really good gossip.

'What's that?' Sakura prompted.

'Naruto and Hinata became a couple; it only came out two days ago.'

Sakura smiled, 'so they finally went public huh?' She thought, making a mental note to congratulate them on it at some point.

'You knew?' Ino said slightly disappointed in her news not being taken as a surprise.

Sakura chuckled, 'I was the one who suggested it. I suggested that Hinata may like him, although I already knew that, and that they may make a good couple. That was just after I rejected him.'

'B-but why didn't you tell me?' Ino pouted.

'I couldn't even tell Lee until Naruto came out and told him himself.' Sakura said upset, she didn't like hiding things from her friend, but it wasn't like it was hiding, more like not telling her the truth.

Ino cheered up immensely, 'speaking of that, how are things with you and him? Did anything happen between you two?' She gushed with a wink but then she saw Sakura's face as she clenched tighter at the pillow she had absent-mindedly picked up and she felt stupid for bringing it up. 'Oh god, tell me everything.'

So she did, Sakura told her everything what happened between the two of them since yesterday and the events of this morning and even included the whole story about her first dream about Gaara as a monster and the one she awoke from this morning. Surprisingly, Ino was a good listener and waited patiently until she had finished telling everything before she spoke.

'So how do you feel now?' She asked to get a full picture of the situation.

'I don't know. I mostly just feel stupid for letting my hormones control me and that I acted as I have all day.' Sakura said honestly.

Ino had to think for a minute, she honestly thought Sakura was just being stupid but it's not like she's had such a close friend like Gaara for the many years that she had and felt such strong feelings towards him, like a family bond. She couldn't understand how it would feel to see the things she has been seeing and then act normal so she couldn't really say anything about that.

'The only thing which I can really suggest is to go and explain this all to him and apologise for how you acted.'

Sakura nodded, 'you're right. At least I'll get a chance soon, he's asked me to come round after I finish here, I can explain then.' She smiled, she could see Lee taking all the blame and trying to make it up to me and not the other way around, the way it should be. She almost laughed but held back. 'I had better start getting sorted and head over there then.'

Ino got up from her seat and headed to the door, 'I'm guessing you won't be back tonight then?'

Sakura shrugged briefly, 'I don't know, the call of my bed is almost impossible for me to resist but I don't think so.'

Smiling, Ino left the room and called out, 'I'll see you tomorrow then.'

Sakura got herself ready quickly, as she speedily but thoroughly washed her hair and body. After that she dried off and dried and straightened her hair and with the addition of a deep red ribbon instead of her Konoha head-band, she only had to change. She had already chosen her clothes before she started so she just pulled the clothes on. She had chosen a pair of cool-grey leggings with a khaki skirt which reached her knees; she paired that with a dark red shirt with long arms and a thin white jumper to go over it. She was ready to go after she had squirted a small amount of perfume over herself. She really wanted to make a good impression, she needed to do something to hopefully make him forgive her and she had to do everything she could to do it otherwise she wouldn't feel like she deserved it.

Soon after she was standing outside his door waiting for him to answer. Almost as if he was on the other side of the door already, he opened as soon as he heard the knock. He appeared to be anxious about something but Sakura dismissed it and walked in as he gestured.

He handed her a large glass with a red liquid within it, she took it gingerly and took a sip, she could feel the familiar tang to it as she remembered that she had drank this recently. It was wine.

'I thought you couldn't handle alcohol.' She said curiously.

'I have not tried recently, but I knew you enjoyed it so I got it for you.' He said as he took a drink of water and led her to the couch.

She shook her head slightly, she knew he would do something like this, blaming himself for it all even though he hasn't come out and said it, she could tell just by his tone of voice and his mannerisms. 'You didn't have to do this though.'

'I still want to apologise for what happened during the mission.' He said sadly, he felt guilty about the whole thing but he only wanted to take her long-term feelings in consideration.

She let him finish before she gently placed a hand over his mouth to stop him from carrying on. 'I don't accept your apology. Only because you were never in the wrong. This was all my fault, I let my hormones control me and it caused this, I'm sorry.' To her it felt like days since she had actually spoke to Lee as she had but it felt unbelievable it was only this morning.

He softly stroked her cheek until she removed her hand, 'We were both in the wrong, I don't believe you caused any of this and vice versa to you. Let's just put it behind us and keep moving forward rather than looking back at the past events.'

Sakura smiled and nodded as she gave his hand a squeeze, she leant in close to him so his arm was draped over her shoulders and her head was on his shoulder.

'Besides,' Lee started, 'you tempt me too much, especially when you look like you do. You're beautiful.' He inhaled deeply at the usual sweet strawberry scent she always carried.

Sakura blushed at the compliment, she would never get used to the never-ending compliments he had for her, even if she didn't believe some of them it was still nice to hear them. 'Thanks, you aren't so bad yourself.' She giggled and stuck her tongue out at him.

A sudden wave of lethargy swept over her as she could feel her body shutting down from the mission she had completed.

'Sakura-chan?' Lee called to her and shook gently not to disturb her too much, 'are you hungry?'

She looked up blearily. She hadn't thought about it but her tummy growled in reply. Smiling and nodding, Lee went into the kitchen and a few minutes later came back with two plates.

'Here you are. Sea bass with ginger, chilli and spring onions.' Sakura looked in amazement. 'I wanted to celebrate you becoming a true ninja and I thought I would cook you dinner. Hope you like it.'

She started eating and her face showed Lee that she was enjoying it. He was enjoying watching her reaction as she ate that he didn't start eating. She noticed him staring at her and she turned away, blushing brightly. 'Why are you staring?' She asked shyly.

He smiled brightly at her, not his goofy grin but a soft sweet smile. 'It amused me to watch you eat.' He gathered he was embarrassing her a lot so he stopped and started on his meal.

Sakura had determined that Lee was a good cook, the fish was perfect and the sauce went really well, unlike her who couldn't cook to save herself. She realised that she was really lucky to have him, not that she didn't know it before but it enforced the thought. She was well fed and she had made up with Lee, she just now had to make sure she doesn't fall out with him again because it felt like hell without him. Sakura was starting to get drowsy and as Lee took the plates back to the kitchen, she curled up on the couch in the spot which he had sat and she could smell the familiar scent of him before she closed her eyes and involuntarily fell asleep.

Lee returned to find her curled up in a foetal position and was instantly worried but when he saw the deep rise and fall of her chest he smiled at he realised she was actually asleep.

'So cute,' he thought as he watched the breath pass between her plump glossy lips, 'you must be tired after that trip and I wouldn't blame you.' He gently lifted her without disturbing her resting body and proceeded to carry her upstairs to his bed. He passed by the door of Naruto and smiled at how redundant it was for him to ask Naruto to be somewhere else tonight. He was planning to make it up to her by giving her what she wanted but she was tired and fell asleep before he could propose the act.

'Well maybe another time then.' He said as he laid her on the bed without a sound, he pulled the bed-sheets over her to keep her warm as she slept. Lee sighed deeply and left the room allowing her to sleep peacefully as he gave the dorm a quick clean since he knew Naruto would not have done it.

Sakura was only vaguely aware of her surroundings as she awoke from hearing a rustle in the darkness but the next thing she felt was a source of warmth next to her, drawing her closer to the body in which it came from. She could feel the familiar shape under the clothes he wore.

'Lee-kun? What time is it?' She mumbled almost incoherently.

'Around 2 in the morning. Go back to sleep, you need the rest.' He kissed her forehead softly and traced circular patterns on her back, easing her into a calm state to fall asleep to.

It was working already as her breathing became deep and heavy indicting she was asleep once again.

Light streamed in through the open curtains into the eyes of a girl who had begun to stir. She stretched out searchingly to avoid hitting anything as she worked out the kinks in her body. Rubbing sleep out of her eyes she sat up. Noticing Lee on his ceiling bars performing inverted push ups. She giggled as she saw him work out without noticing she had woke up but the noise brought attention to her and he looked down to see her cross-legged on his bed, waving up at him with a smile on her face.

'Good morning Sakura-chan.' He said as he performed his final push ups and jumped down and wiped the sweat off his body with a towel. He usually only wore a pair of shorts which went half-way down his thighs, green obviously. To begin with Sakura used to find it embarrassing when she seen him wear them and see the rest of his toned body but now she just smiled at how that damn nice body was hers alone to do with what she wished, if he would let her of course.

'Why is it I almost always wake up to see you doing something like that? You're gonna hurt yourself one of these days.'

His hair stuck up slightly as he dried his face which made her giggle, she liked it like that. 'It's part of my daily routine, I've done this for around 2 years now and if I haven't sustained an injury from doing yet then I doubt I will.'

'Even still. I'm not fully trained in medical ninjutsu so I can't help you if something goes wrong, I don't want to have that on my conscience.'

He knew she didn't like being coated in other people's sweat but he couldn't help but take her in his arms. 'Sakura-chan, I'm a big boy, I can take care of myself, you don't have to worry anymore.'

'But I do.' She said, smiling and threading her fingers through his thick hair.

'You worry about everyone though. I think I can look after myself.'

'I'm not going to win this am I?' She said pulling back to look in his eyes.

'I'll try and be more careful if it makes you feel better, okay?' He said leaning towards her, closing the distance so they were only inches apart.

She became intoxicated by his scent, earthy with a hint of the sea, 'I guess it will have to do,' she breathed as she closed the gap and felt his lips against her own. She was pleased about the contact since she felt lost without him, but she remembered about yesterday and decided maybe they should slow things down a bit until things became a bit more settled. She pulled back and grinned, blushing slightly.

'Maybe you should go in the shower now.' She said, using the towel to wipe the rest of the sweat off his face.

He smiled and nodded, 'Lady Tsunade has asked that I report to her in a bit to show a new student around.'

'New student?' She asked curiously.

'Yeah, all she's said is he's moving in this dorm and I'm to show him around...he's one of us, and apparently he's being told the truth now.'

'That's...unusual.' She said as she thought about how soon they have to know about this life, when she had such a little time to prepare for it.

'I know.' He agreed, also thinking back to him telling her the truth.

'Are you still going to be here when I'm finished in the shower and come with me to meet the new student?' He asked.

She shook her head and stood up, 'no, I'm going to get changed and then hit the library, I want to do some research.'

'Okay, I'll come and see you when I'm done.' He said as he turned the tap on for the hot water.

'See you soon.' She said blowing him a kiss as she went out the door.

She was still smiling when she reached her dorm and started to get changed. She was glad to have him, to have him help her feel better and to make her smile like this from just seeing him. Her thoughts returned to the new student. She started to wonder what he was like. What did he look like? Would they become friends like she has with everyone else in the class? Or would he segregate himself and not communicate in any way?

She hoped that he would become friends with everyone because she knew what it was like to have no friends at one point, because she was a freak. That was the other weird thing of how as soon as he enters the building he is being told the whole truth, that must mean he is special in a way which she may never understand.

She was still thinking about it by the time she had reached the library wearing a simple t-shirt and cardigan and a pair of light blue jeans. She mindlessly wandered the library, past the librarian Yamato, till she reached the section she was looking for, it was the children's section, the area which would less likely have normal students. She found the wooden post which was used to support the classrooms above and placed her hand on it and gathered her chakra and put it gently into the wood. Yamato was a ninja; a special ninja which could bend wood to his will, only one other person in history was able to do that which made him a vital asset to the Academy. By putting her chakra into the wood it signalled to Yamato that she wanted to enter the library, he could bend the wood to his will to allow a person-sized hole to appear which led to a set of stairs which led to the ninja library.

She descended and she picked up the torch which was laid at the side as the hole behind her closed until she was engulfed in darkness. There were many stairs as it lead down and down, she gathered she must be at least 30ft into the ground until she came upon the large room. Upon the walls were brackets which held flammable material. She lit a small portion with the lighter which was next to it; this soon caught fire as it gave a soft glow around the room. She lit the rest and soon she was searching the cases they had for new and interesting jutsu to learn. She already had a few tricks up her sleeve which only she and Lee knew about and she wanted to learn some more, but today she felt like she wanted to work on her medical ninjutsu. Whether it was because of talking to Lee earlier or not, she had an urge to learn something new about medical ninjutsu.

She didn't just want to learn about healing, she wanted to learn something else, something which she could do to others which would allow her to give them a great disadvantage by messing with their internal systems.

She had flipped through a few books and found some interesting techniques, such as extracting poisons from the body and creating an antidote from them, she skimmed through it briefly but she felt like she wanted to learn about this at some point so she made a mental note to ask her mentor to set something up for her after she had done some more research about it.

Finally, she read something which piqued her interest. Curious, she read on. Chakura no mesa, a medical ninjutsu which forms one's chakra into a small, sharp blade. This is a highly accurate technique used to make precise incisions, useful for dissections and surgery. Unlike a normal scalpel it can even make cuts inside the body without damaging the skin, reducing the risk of infection to the patient.

She was fascinated as she read but there was more on the next page.

This can also be used offensively but requires great precision to be effective. Using the chakra scalpel is unusual but not un-heard of in battle. In heated battle it is highly unlikely that this technique would be performed because to make fatal cuts you need high precision but can still cut flesh and even muscles and tendons which could render the opponent immobile.

'Interesting,' she thought, 'I wonder if I could train myself so I would be able to do this while in the midst of battle.'

She looked at the basic method, it didn't say about chakra, you had to feel that on your own, but it did tell you the hand signs which were needed to perform the technique.

She stood up from the desk and took a step back. After a deep breath she began.

'Tora...Uma...U...Ne...Inu.' She performed the hand seals as she spoke and practised until she had them memorised.

'Okay let's do this.' She gathered her chakra, she decided to start small and work up until she could start to see the bright blue which was supposed to surround your hands as you performed it.

At first it took her a while but as she started rising through her different levels of chakra she could see the colour start to appear and take longer to disappear, it meant she was getting closer to it. She didn't want to have to use all of her chakra so she would have to wait until she could actually cut something easily to check if it was working correctly, but to do that she would have to be outside. She did however see some rubbish in the bin next to the desk. Before she tried again she picked up a plastic pop bottle and placed it on the table. She tried again and could now see a bright blue which surrounded her hands; she tried to slice along the middle of the bottle but instead knocked it flying across the room. She dropped her hands, ending the jutsu and sat down looking at the book. She had no idea what she had done wrong but she knew that it wasn't supposed to do that. She looked at the images again and saw where she had went wrong, she didn't visualise her chakra like a razor sharp edge; instead her chakra sort of just clumped around her hand, probably due to her fighting technique she learnt off her mentor.

She smiled at how stupid she was, she was trying to learn the chakra scalpel, of course the technique meant you needed to have a sharp edge.

She picked up the bottle again and placed it back on the table. This time she tried to imagine her hand like a blade and the chakra imitating that shape. It seemed to work for her as a visual aid, so she tried again. This time she saw the difference in the shape of the chakra and she could feel the difference in her hand.

She swipe quickly through the air and through the bottle. It didn't even make a sound as she slashed through the air and cut through the bottle, the only sound indication was the top half of the bottle falling onto the table with an audible clatter.

She giggled slightly as she felt so happy that she had done it. Yeah she felt tired from using all that chakra in practising it but since she managed to at least perform the theory work here, she could easily go and practise in an outdoor environment.

CLAP! She whipped round to see Lee standing by the entrance behind her and he saw her slice through the bottle with ease. She let out a pent up breath as she saw him, smiling at her.

'I learnt another techniques, heh-heh.' She said giggling again at the end.

'I'm sure it will come in handy.' He smiled.

'Finished with the new student? What's he like?' She asked quickly.

He placed a hand over her mouth gently to stop her from speaking so he could actually answer her. 'Give me time,' he chuckled and removed it. 'No I haven't he's coming down now, I just raced ahead to let you know. He seems a nice guy, a bit disturbed but even you would if you knew his story, so tragic,' he said shaking his head in disbelief, 'I would have been done earlier but your name came up as I said I was leaving to find you and he would not let me go without him, he said he's from Suna.'

Sakura's heart started to race as she couldn't help but think of the worst. Please don't say it's Gaara, please don't say it's Gaara, please don't say it's Gaara, her mind chanted hoping to make it come true, her eye's trained on the doorway, ear's ever-listening to the approaching footsteps.

'Lee, please tell me that she's here.' A hard-raspy voice came from the direction of the stairs. Sakura didn't want to believe anything until she saw the figure which started to appear as he came down the stairs. Black, open-top sandals were the first things she noticed, followed by the dark grey pants. They were common enough. A long burgundy trench-coat could be seen with a purple vest which protected his stomach and supported his back. She could now see a large gourd come into view which seemed to shake as he walked, not only because of the way he moved but because something seemed to be inside it, fighting to be released.

At last his face came into view, his face was thinner than she remembers, red hair framed his face; it had grown since she saw him last, the outlines of his eyes were much darker as if he hadn't slept in such a long time and there was a new addition of the kanji for love on his forehead as if it was scraped into his flesh just recently, the same colour as freshly drawn blood.

But even though much had changed, she still knew him, not from the similarities but because of his eyes. The aqua which she had grown accustomed to as she grew would always change, they changed colour depending on the emotion he felt, right now the aqua iris was flecked with shades of deep blue, indicating sadness ,and pale green, indicating pain.

His eyes locked to her and she took all of this in. Her eye's brimming over with tears, as much as she was happy to see him, she couldn't handle the fact that he was here, that he was exposed to this life and by that it meant only one thing. His family were dead.

'Please…..no…..this isn't real,' she said, 'Gaara you can't be here, it c-can't be true.' She started to break up in tears, knowing that she was just trying to avoid the truth.

His eyes squinted as he internally winced. He nodded and said, 'I'm sorry.' She dropped to her knees and screamed into her hands.

Hope this chapter is good, please review and let me know. And finally Gaara has made a permanent appearance, been waiting for this moment for a while now, so I'm glad it's happened, next chapter will be entirely in Gaara's POV. Until next time x