Alright everybody! Here's my new chapter for this story! Sorry for the long wait, my charger crapped out on me, so i had to get a new one. Then my family went camping for a week. Hope i didn't make you guys to mad for the wait!! Well, review at the end, and let me know if you like it!! Thanks!

Chapter 21!

"You are grounded."

"WHAT?!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Sachio had just... grounded me!! He can't do that! No! I will not accept this!

"You are grounded. And that's final."

"WHY?!" I screamed.

Taya walked into the room with a crying Asa at that point. "Stop the screaming and listen to your cousin, Sakura. You know what you did, so you deserve it."

Sachio sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Go up to your room, I really don't want to talk to you right now." I was about to yell at him some more, but Taya held up her hand.

"Just go." she whispered, bouncing Asa on her hip to get her to stop crying.

I glared at the both of them as I left, making sure they know how mad I am at them right now. I didn't do anything. So why are they saying I did? I came home from school about an hour ago, Gaara dropped me off. What could I have done?! Nothing! That's just the thing! I came home, took a shower, and started my homework in the living room. Sachio called me into the kitchen, and he grounded me. This is so not fair!! When I got to my room I jumped on my bed and screamed into my pillow, I was supposed to go out with Temari later. She was taking me shopping, but now I can't go. I suppose I could sneak out, but if they find out I'll be grounded forever.

"What's wrong, love?" I jumped and spun around so quickly that I almost fell off my bed. Konan was standing at my window smirking at me. "Did I scare you?"

"Konan!" I gasped and ran over to her, hugging her. She hugged me back.

"Are you going to tell me why you were crying and screaming into your, now death, pillow?"

"Sachio grounded me." I grumbled, walking back over to my bed and flopping down on it. Konan calmly sat next to me. "I didn't even do anything, and now I can't go shopping with Temari, and now I can't hang out with you." I gave a big sigh and covered my face with the pillow.

"Sounds like you were set up to me."

I moved the pillow down my face a little so that I could glare at Konan. "What are you getting at?" I growled at her.

"Never mind it." She waved her hand and her face suddenly went serious. "I came here for a reason. I need to talk to you about this "Nature" thing." I felt a frown start to cross my face as I sat up, staring at her intently. "Nature is not something that you want to mess with at all. They are a group of people, kind of like the Akatsuki, except much, much more dangerous."

I nodded. "But how would I get involved with them? What are they?"

She stared at me blankly for about a minute, like she was debating whether to tell me or not. "Like I just said, Nature is not something you want to mess with, or to seek out. Only very few of us know who they are, me because... Nature is a group of very powerful creatures who do not bide by the rules. They are the rule enforcers." She changed the subject off of her kind of fast... Maybe I can get it out of her later.

"You said... creatures."

"Yes," She continued. "I did. That is because they are creatures. I think one is an Ox, if I am correct. Another a large cat, another I believe is a fox..." She trailed off in thought for a moment. "Nature lives within humans, which may become a vampire, or a werewolf. Most people do not know that they have one of the Nature within them, for Nature does not show itself until there is a big problem that we cannot fix on our own, so they need to help us to restore order to the world."

"How come only a few of you know? Shouldn't others know so that they are afraid of turning bad enough to bring the Nature back?" I asked, hugging my knees to my chest.

"No. I... I don't know why, exactly, Nature is not well known." She said, then sighed. "I think it's because they haven't been around for about nine hundred years. Last time they were... it wasn't too pretty. Just be careful, and watch your back. I talked to Ino's father... I think you should stick close to us for awhile. Gaara mostly, he can protect you."

I nodded and fell back to my bed. "I would... but now I'm grounded, so I can't."

"You know he would stay with you if you asked." She chuckled. "That boy is whipped, big time."

I rolled my eyes but smiled anyway. I've known that. "What about Pain? He'll fall at your feet if you chip a nail." I laughed when she playfully hit my leg. "How's Sasori and Deidara doing?"

"They hooked up already." A deep voice came.

I gasped and sat up, glaring at the red head coming through my window. "Gaara, your a jerk." I grumbled.

"It's true, though, Sakura." Konan giggled. "Sasori had a small limp this morning."

"OH MY GOD!!!!!" I sat up and stared at her with wide eyes. "Deidara topped him?!"

"I guess so." The female vampire laughed. I think my jaw has just dislocated itself.

Gaara sat down next to me and pulled me into his lap. "Konan, leave before you alert her cousin to us being here." He grumbled. I ran my hands over his chest and up to his hair, holding his face inches from mine.

"Sure, thats why you want me to leave." She chuckled, then was gone.

I smiled and kissed Gaara roughly, pulling his body closer to mine. Gaara grunted and laid down with me on top of him, still holding me close to his body. Where this all came from I have no idea, but I don't mind it one bit. Nope, not at all. When I pulled away for the need of air, Gaara tilted my chin up and then he kissed a line down my neck and to my collar bone. I gasped when I felt his cold tongue flick against my skin. This is new. Very new. I pulled away from him and sat on his stomach, looking at him confused. Now I really want to know where this all came from. Gaara seemed to know what I was waiting for, because he sighed and covered his face with his hands.

"What's wrong?" I asked, moving to sit in his lap when he sat up. "Gaara? Tell me what's wrong."

He sighed and looked at me. "I love you." He whispered. "I can't imagine anything ever happening to you. It hurts to know that something might happen and me not able to stop it. I want to be able to protect you. No matter what."

I smiled and ran my fingers through his hair, thinking about how sweet he-THAT LITTLE BASTARD!! "You did this!" I almost yelled, then quickly quieted my voice knowing that I would make Sachio come up here to check on me if I keep yelling. "This is your fault!" I whispered harshly, hitting him in the chest as I tried to pull away.

"I'm sorry, Sakura. But it is for the best. I can protect you easier now."

"So you make Sachio ground me?!" I whispered, pushing at him again, but he wont move. Stupid frozen cube. "I'd be safer at your house, surrounded by all of you, then being here where I was almost killed by some sick freak!" He finally let go of me, and I stood up and walked over to my closet door, leaning my head against it as I tried to calm down. "I don't want to be here." I whispered. "I'm scared, Gaara. I don't want to be in this house, I don't even want to see that thing again. I'm scared. Petrified, that he will come back for me."

Only silence met my ears. I laughed as I cried, still not moving my head from the door. Stupid bastard left me. And right after I told him that I am scared, that I don't want to be alone. How can he do that? How can he just leave me, after I basically begged him not to?! Tears rolled down my face faster and I fell to the floor, leaning against the door and hugging my knees to my chest tightly. I don't want to be alone. Why did he leave me alone? What if that guy comes back? What if he takes me and my nightmare comes true?

What if I never see Gaara again?

"Sakura?" A soft knock came at my door. I buried my face against my knees as Taya came in. She didn't really say anything, just stood there while I tried to stop crying. "Sakura... we just got a call from Tsunade." She said softly. "There was a mistake, you were blamed for something that someone else did. She apologized and said that you are off the hook."

I looked up at her with my mouth open. So Gaara left to make it so I can do what I want? He's not upset that I was mad? I scoffed and shook my head. That's not it. He just realized that I was right and would be safer over at his house.

"Temari is here, she still wants to go shopping, then you are spending the night at her house."

Yup, just as I thought. I scoffed again and wiped my eyes. "I don't want to." I whispered, then stood from the floor. "I'm not in a shopping mood and I already made plans to go stay at Hinata's house tonight." I lied. "Can I still go?"

"Yes, you may. I will go let Temari know." Taya smiled at me then left the room. She must think I'm a little baby for crying. Though she doesn't really know that I was crying out of fear and not out or anger.

I was about to grab my phone to call Hinata to make sure its okay that I stay at her place, but a hand with chipped purple nail polish grabbed it before I could. I glared at Temari. "Why did you lie to Taya?" She asked, putting the phone in her back pocket.

"Because I don't want to go over your place." I said, sitting down at my computer. Good, Hinata is on AIM. I quickly messaged her before Temari could stop me, then waited for her answer.

"Gaara isn't going to be happy about this. He got you out of trouble so that you could sleep over with us."

"Yeah, got me out of trouble he made up." I said, typing back and thanks to Hinata. It's all good with her father, who loves me by the way. He said that I can stay over when ever I would like. "Now, if you don't mind, I need to pack because Hinata's dad is picking me up in a few minutes." I brushed past the angered vampire and grabbed my duffel bag from under my bed.

"Just don't be surprised if Gaara wants to talk when the human is sleeping." She grumbled, then was gone from sight.

"I know he will want to." I whispered to myself, putting clothes in my bag.

– –

"Thank you so much, Mr. Hyguua." I said, getting in the back seat next to Hinata. Neji nodded to me from the front. I guess they all felt like they needed to come get me...

"We are p-picking up Tenten, too." Hinata said, smiling at me.

"Sweet." I smiled, now understanding why Neji is in the car with us.

Hiashi looked at me in the mirror with that serious face of his that he always has on no matter what. "Sakura, if you need to get away for a night, you always have a place to stay. You are always welcome in the Hyguua house hold."

"Thanks." I smiled at him.

After we got Tenten, we all went to the Hyguua mansion. Along the way we passed an abandoned house with a really long driveway. Gaara watched us pass from by the road. It's a little creepy if you think about it, it sounds like something out of a horror movie, but I know he is just trying to keep an eye on me. He's probably pissed that his plan backfired on him like that. He shouldn't ever doubt that I can get out of anything. I think I've made it clear enough in the past.

Us three girls went straight up to Hinata's room, where me and Tenten fought over who got the bed next to the pale eyed girl, I ended up winning by pinning Tenten down and tickling her until she gave up. So now, I sit next to Hinata on her bed talking with the both of them. Tenten is sitting on a mattress we stole from a guest room and put on the floor next to the bed. Hinata and Tenten are talking about something at school that I had missed, but I can't help but zone out. A feeling in the pit of my stomach is making me sick. Something is going to happen, and I fear that it has to do with Gaara. Maybe he is madder then I thought, but I know he will never hurt me... on purpose at least.

"Hello?" A blue of something tan waved in front of my face. I blinked a few times. "Earth to Sakura!" Tenten said, still waving her hand in front of my eyes.

"What?" I grumbled, pushing her limb away from me. Talk about annoying!

"A-are you okay, Sakura?" Hinata asked in a small whisper. "You k-kinda zoned out for an hour..."

"Yeah, we were watching you to see when you would jump up and start doing that stupid dance of yours!" Tenten laughed. I glared and went to grab her, but my legs got tangled in the blanket and I fell of the bed with a thud.

"Ouch..." I murmured and pushed myself up right. "I'm to tired to fight." I yawned.

Hinata giggled softly. "I think we all should h-hit the sack." Tenten agreed after getting a few threats from yours truly, and Hinata shut off the light before climbing into bed.

Gaara's going to kill me. He's going to be so mad. I'm dead. Oh god! Were some of the many thoughts going through my head. Tenten fell asleep awhile ago, and Hinata is almost there. Once she is asleep, I'm as good as dead. I can feel his eyes on me as I lay on my back, staring at the ceiling of Hinata's bedroom. Is it possible for looks to kill? Cause I think I'm dying as it is... and there is glass between us! I never knew he has laser beams! That sneaky little vampire! Okay, happy thoughts aren't helping much. I'm so dead! Hinata rolled over, shes asleep. Shit... maybe I should "accidentally" wake her, I really don't want to face-

"Sakura."

-Gaara. Damn. I opened my squinting eyes and looked to the right, where Gaara was standing looking down at me with that blank face of his. I took a deep breath and rolled over so that I was facing Hinata, my back to him. "I'm sleeping." I whispered, closing my eyes once more. Maybe, just maybe, vampires really are stupid and he will go away!

But no, of course not! Gaara's hand grabbed my shoulder and turned be back around, he is now glaring at me. Great! Perfect! He's even more mad now! "Explain yourself." He whispered, voice soft enough to just let me know how outraged he is.

I sighed and sat up, rubbing my face with both hands. "I told you that I was petrified to be alone in that house. And what did you do? You left me alone. I told you how scared I was, but you still left. It hurt. It still hurts. Then you couldn't even get me yourself, you had Temari come to get me."

"It was more logical for you to. You had shopping plans with her."

"I don't give a crap!" I almost yelled, but caught myself and whispered it harshly. "I want you! You are my boyfriend, not her!" I scoffed and covered my face with both hands once more. Damn him. Twice in one day he has made me cry. "I am not sorry that I didn't 'follow orders' or what ever. You made something up to get me into trouble. You lied. I want to hang out with my friends that don't lie to me, if you don't mind. Now I'm going back to sleep." I turned away from him and laid down, covering my head with the blanket.

Only silence met my ears, but I know he is still there. I can always tell when he is around, I get this feeling in my stomach that wont go away. Like butterflies, but worse. I love the feeling he creates within me, but I just want him to leave now. I don't want him near me. I just want to sleep.

"You will always be within our sight, Sakura." He whispered. "You are safe." Then he was gone. The feeling fled from my stomach. I choked back a sob and buried my face into the pillow.

"S-S-S-Sakura?" Hinata's frightened voice came.

SHIT! I sat up really quickly and looked down at the pale eyed girl with big eyes. Her eyes stared back at me, large and scared. "H-Hinata?!" I whispered. "How long have you been awake?"

"I-I-I-I haven't slept." She slowly sat up in her bed and looked at me with the same eyes. "Why was G-G-Gaara in my room? And w-w-where did he go?" She looked around the room quickly, finding nothing in her perfectly neat room. Not one thing out of place.

A dark chuckle came from the sliding glass door on the other side of the room. A chuckle that I know all to well. I gasped and snapped my head in that direction, fear already climbing up my throat. "You are one hard girl to find, Sakura."