REMINDER: From this chapter all the way until chapter 23, the point of view will be in FIRST PERSON. Just thought I'd give a little friendly reminder. D
SPECIAL CHAPTER #1
Danielle
Camp was so beautiful. There was a big open field that we could play field games in, the cabins looked nice and didn't really take much away from the environment around it, there was a beautiful lake on the southern side of the camp, and there were woods that surround the entire camp. There were many different trails that led throughout the woods and they all led to different places. It was beautiful. I love the nature, even though I'm not very comfortable with everything that's in it, like the creepy bugs for example.
Camp was so much fun as well! We did so many things and I made a few new friends. I loved it! I met this guy named Haku, who has long black hair and is a bit of a cross dresser, but is super nice. If he were a female, he would be a very pretty one. That's kind of weird to say, but it's true. He's a great swimmer and is probably the best one to have on your team for water polo or swimming races. Anyway, he's just really sweet. He's a great listener and always says the right thing, which makes him somewhat lucky as well. Those are definitely traits that you want to have.
The other day we went on an eight hour hiking trip. It was super long and tiring, but I thought it was fun anyway. I stuck around with Neji and his friend Lee and Haku stuck around me. We joked around with each other the entire time, although Haku just stood back and watched. Lee was practically running circles around us. I have no idea where he got all that energy, but someone really needed to zap it from him.
We also played ultimate Frisbee in the sport field, but we played it in the pouring rain. It was hilarious. There were people slipping and sliding all over the place. After awhile, this big mud puddle formed on one end of the field and some of the people stopped playing Frisbee and did some mud wrestling. Eventually everyone stopped the original game either to take a turn, or to watch the wrestling contenders. Neji ended up shoving me in, making me go against this chick named Kin. I really hated fighting against her. She had really long nails so she kept scratching me and I was afraid that it was going to get to the point where she would actually break the skin. I was smaller than her though, so I had a bit of an advantage. I was eventually able to pin her down, which was a big surprise for me because I had never been able to do that before. I made Neji go up against Haku since he had put me up against Kin. It was very interesting. Neji does martial arts, so I thought that he would have a bit of an advantage. Haku was really good though, and I mean really good. Their match went on for a good five minutes before someone finally stepped in and said that it was a tie. When Neji walked out of the little mud pit, he looked hilarious, although I'm sure that I did too. He was covered from head to toe in mud, as well as Haku. Their long hair was coated over, which made me feel kind of happy that I decided to cut mine. I knew that it was going to be a pain to get that gunk out. I miss my long hair and all, but sometimes when Neji is in a good mood, he will let me play with his. Haku let me play with his that night, after he had taken a shower.
Another one of my favorite events was the obstacle course. There is this trail that goes through the woods and then back through the camp. Along this trail there are obstacles such as a tube you have to crawl through, monkey bars, a rope swing, a net wall and a rock wall, a balance beam, and some other stuff too. I love rock walls! I'm not a very fast runner, but I can go for long distances. I'm also not the best at balancing, although I usually don't try very hard. I love rock walls though, because I can climb them so easily. I suck at all the other sports, but rock climbing is easy for me. My aunt says that it's because I'm part monkey. I don't think I am, because if I was, I would have a tail and I don't. Lee tore through the entire thing. In fact, he made it through the entire course, breaking the current camp record. Even after he had done all that, he still had the energy to run around and goof off. Going through the obstacle course just one was enough to get me tired out. I almost didn't make it back to the cabin because I was so exhausted.
Today is our last day, meaning that we are leaving tomorrow. We got to go swimming in the lake again today, which was a lot of fun. Neji wouldn't come in at first, saying that the water was too cold. It was a little chilly but it wasn't that bad. I got Lee and Haku to help me jump him and throw him into the lake. He was standing on the dock, wearing his swim-trunks and we tried coaxing him into the water. After about five minutes, we were kind of getting aggravated with him. Lee then snuck up behind Neji and grabbed him under the arms. Haku and I help by grabbing him by each leg. Then we just tossed him in. He was not happy but that's what he gets for being stubborn. He eventually got used to the water and we had a great time. We played with one of the big inflatable beach balls, hitting it back and forth to each other. I got smacked in the face with the stupid ball a total of four times. Three out of four came from Lee who tended to get overexcited and would hit the ball harder than necessary. I eventually got fed up with him and dunked him under the water several times. Neji was the first one to hit me in the face with the ball though, saying that it was revenge for coming up with the idea of throwing him into the lake. Actually, it wasn't my idea. Lee was the one who came up with the idea, but I think it was easier for him to pin the blame on me.
Later tonight, everyone is going to be hanging around the bonfire. I can't wait. We leave tomorrow around noon, but the college Neji is going to be attending is a little less than an hour away from here so we are going to be stopping by there first. It's in the opposite direction of where we need to be heading but we're out this far already, so it would be really stupid for him to have to make a four and a half hour drive to come back out here again. I really don't mind anyway. I would really like to see the college that he's going to be attending. He has already told me a lot about it so the only thing left is for me to actually see it. We probably won't be home until late at night, so I told my aunt about the possibility of that happening so she shouldn't be freaked out about us not showing up early.
XOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOX
Gaara
Danielle left for camp about a week ago. We would usually call each other about everyday and talk for a little while. It's kind of weird not hearing from her. About three days after Danielle had left I had gotten a postcard from her, along with a picture of her, Neji, and a new friend of hers. The three of them were covered in mud. The two boys were smirking while Danielle was grinning happily. It really looked as if she was having a great time, and I'm very happy that she was.
In other news, my dad has been released from prison on parole. Temari didn't want to tell me about it, knowing that I would get upset, but she told me anyway. I'm not too upset about it, or at least I don't feel upset. It's more of a worry feeling if anything. I keep running these "what if" scenarios in my head and it has been freaking me out. The nightmares are starting to come back as well. They're not as bad as the ones right after he was taken away or when I was sick. They are starting to get to that point though. I've been getting less sleep now and I'm starting to feel the same way as before. Even when he isn't around my father still tortures me. I hate to admit it, but I fear him. He is truly my worst fear.
On a less disturbing note, Naruto finally mustered up the strength to ask Hinata out. I knew he could do it. It only took about two years to figure out that he really could. He called me up after he had asked her and was completely ecstatic. He was literally talking a mile a minute. I couldn't even keep up with him. He went on and on for about 10 minutes before I could get him to shut up and repeat everything again at a slower pace. I was rather impressed when I heard of his accomplishments. He wanted Danielle and me to go on a double date with him, but I told him that it would be kind of hard to do that since Danielle was about five hours away at a summer camp.
I'm happy that he finally asked her, because I was getting tired of hearing about it. I'm also kind of sad because I was able to hold that over his head so easily. I guess I'll just have to find something else to use against him. Finding a new source of aggravation will be fun in itself.
Temari has been trying to kick me out of the house, using the excuse that I need to make more friends. Why would I try and make friends with people around here? I'm going to be living with Iruka and Naruto again when school starts up again. I don't need any friends to last me the rest of the month. I'm content with just hanging out by myself. I have always been that way, not like they would know that though. They left me as soon as they got the chance. I used to think that they hated me. I'm still uncertain about all this love stuff, but I know that they don't hate me. If they really hated me, then they wouldn't have kept me around for so long. They wouldn't worry over me the way they do. They actually show me compassion. Most of all, I feel like I can trust them with anything.
XOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOX
Danielle
I was pissed at Neji. We left camp somewhere around one o'clock and everything was going just fine. We walked around the college campus and he showed the apartment he was going to be staying in. We walked around for about three hours. At around four, I asked him if we could get going. I was tired and all I really wanted to do was go home. Neji said we would go after he did one last thing. I told him to hurry up and that I would be waiting in the car for him.
Neji didn't show up again for another three hours. I was furious at him. He tried to apologize, but I wouldn't hear any of it. We were both tired and frustrated, which made us get into a big argument. I ended up sitting in the back seat, not wanting to sit next to him because he was being a big asshole. We drove for about an hour and stopped by somewhere to get something to eat. I tried to tell him that I wasn't hungry but he wouldn't listen, which added to the flames. I just hate it when people don't listen to me.
We were pissed off at each other and nothing less. The entire time we ate, there was nothing but thick tension between us. We didn't talk at all and we barely even took a glance at each other. When we finished, we each paid our own bill and got back into the car. It was close to nine at night and we were still a good three or four hours away from home. Not only that, but it was dark outside. I say this because it's kind of hard to find your way in the dark, especially when you're in unfamiliar territory.
We drove for about an hour in pure silence. I glanced up at Neji every now and then, seeing a look of worry and agitation on his face. I kept quiet for awhile, but it started to bug me.
"Is everything alright Neji?" I asked softly. Neji sighed and shook his head.
"I don't know," he groaned. "This doesn't seem right. I don't remember going down this road on the way up here."
"Maybe you just took a wrong turn somewhere."
"Maybe, but I'm not sure. Could you get the map out and check it for me?" I nodded and turned on the car light before searching through his things.
"Where did you put it?" I asked, still digging through his stuff.
"It should be in the red bag," he sighed, turning his head slightly to look at me. I took the red bag he was talking about out from the pile and searched through it.
"I don't see it in here Neji. Are you sure this is where you put it?" Neji sighed again in frustration.
"I don't know! I'm almost certain that's where I put it!"
"Well it's not in here!" Neji turned around again and I looked up at him. Something else caught my attention though.
"Neji watch out!" I screamed. Neji turned around and slammed his foot on the breaks. The car began to swerve and Neji tried to get it back under control. He was unsuccessful however as the car ran off the road and down the hill. It hit something and started rolling over and over and over again. I don't remember when it stopped rolling or what position we were in at the point. I was out cold.
Hey! Look, I posted a day early. Aren't I nice? Because I did post a little early, I have a favor to ask you all. Review! There are a few things I would like to know and would love to read it in your review. Was it alright in first person point of view? Did I depict the characters alright, and did you like the introduction of a new character? Should I have Haku make another appearance in a later chapter? What did you think overall?
Those are just questions that I would like to get all of your opinions on. I would also appreciate ideas or suggestions. I know that I kind of ended the chapter at a bit of a cliff hanger, but I haven't done anything like that in awhile, so I decided that it would be fun to start off the specials.
I have a deal to make with you guys. I will post the next chapter up once the little review ticker thing gets up to 135 reviews, or on Friday. Whichever comes first. I'll also count the more lengthy and helpful reviews as 2, even though it won't say that on the ticker.
On to the thank yous! A special thanks to the following reviewers for last chapter:
Nikki Mustang, Yume Ninja, AddictedtoBleach, GothKid12, and Readerfreak10.
You all rock! The reviews always keep me motivated. I really can't thank you all enough.
I'd also like to thank my beta reader, NeferNeferi, for everything she has done. She's been doing a great job and appreciate all the help. (congrats on finishing your first year of university! yay!)
Thanks again to all you amazing people.
PLEASE REVIEW! THNKS! D