The doorbell rang.

This house hardly ever has guests…

Who could it be.

Itachi opened the door.

"Hello Itachi. It's me. "

"...and what are you doing here uptown,… Gaara. "

"I was thinking of dropping by and see how you were doing. "

"Right. "

There was a short moment of silence, and a soundless exchange was passed between the two men.

"… and was also thinking, do you seriously think slipping away would be that easy? "

"How did you know where I was. "

"… you used to be quite, famous, around here, I heard. "

"… you checked the school's records? "

"Maybe. Think whatever you wish. "

"I don't need to know. "

Gaara shrugged at this.

"Yes. You don't, but… the consequences. "

"…what are you talking about. "

Gaara stares dully into Itachi's eyes, face impassive.

"There's a price to pay for every runaway… you used to say, I recall? "

"…so that's why you're here. "

Gaara suddenly bent his neck downwards, his red rumpled head tilting, showing his white and somehow vulnerable looking neck.

A slightly crazed smile lingering on his lips.

"Forgive me, senpai. "

(Session#3- Under the Cerulean sky, Clemency my ass.

Part seven- Rest, peace, tranquility)

The sun's shining bright, to match my mood.

The party, if that's the appropriate term, was at its peak.

And as usual, food fights were about to break out… typical of Neji's mates, they 'adore' frolicking.

This time, it was those two, Naruto and Choji.

They were about to pour champagne down each other's heads.

"Doggone it, this's expensive shit, don't use it for goofing around you pricks! "

Shikamaru crossed his arms and shot at the two figures who were about to chuck the drinks on each other's head. Naruto and Choji smiled back guiltily at their swimming captain, glasses poised and the 'expensive' liquid inside almost sloshing out.

"I told ya these bunch don't got a sense for what's expensive and what's cheap. "

Sino muttered, holding 'his' glass elegantly and somewhat aloofly.

Kankuro, hearing this, came over with a wily smirk.

"So you say, Sino? "

"…what you want to say, teme? "

"What about that time you chucked down the box of, 'expensive' Belgian truffles at the poor ignorant girl who only wanted a bit of your… bootie. "

"That's it, you little…"

Kankuro was referring to that time when this clueless freshman girl dedicated her love to Sino… in front of his entire kendo team.

The entire kendo team fell about laughing their heads off because, let's face it.

Sino 'ain't' the type to go for girls.

He's 'stiff' and can look a bit on the creepy side at nearly all times…

And most girls stay wary of him, not… dedicate eternal… love.

Yes, and by the way I should mention, that girl was tall. Real tall.

Taller than Sino. Towered over him.

Probably weighed a few more than him, too.

Ha.

"Ei! You guys ain't starting any food fights yet! We'ven't even got to cutting the cake yet… "

Lee's jumping up and down, trying to get the guys to stop throwing food at each other…

"Man, cake? Get real… is this my birthday or what?"

Neji grumbled at Lee, sitting propped against a bench next to the hospital fountain right outside of the building. Lee inexorably stared back, waving the plastic knife used for cutting cake.

"Naw, of course there's cake! There can't be a party without cake! "

"Says who? Look, you sound like some kindergarten pansy, where do you get that kinda crap? 'there can't be a party without cake', damn, that's messed up. "

Neji makes his 'what the fuck' face, and Lee combats it with his 'my eyebrows are way bigger than yours' face.

"And anyways, who picked the cake? You know I hate mocha… "

Neji complains, and Temari hearing this, joined the talk, smiling easily.

"This joker here picked it… 'he' adores mocha. "

"You weren't supposed to tell him that! God…, woman! "

Lee grunted at Temari, and she replied with a tinkling laugh, amused.

Neji suddenly swipes the cake box away from Lee's right hand.

"Huh, well fuck it, it's my party so I'm having the cake, whether I like mocha or not. "

Lee looks flabbergasted for a moment.

"Wha? What a scrooge, hand that ov… hey! Oi! Capt'in, hand that box over!! "

"Watch me Lee, watch me eat the cake, and with relish too. "

Neji pretended to grab the corners of the box and tilt, so that the slab of cake would slide into his waiting mouth.

Much to Lee's distress.

"Gah!! That is 'not' etiquette to taunt me like this!! "

Choji suddenly joins the scene.

"Cake? You guy's not thinking of eating the cake without me! "

"C'mon here Choji, wanna piece? "

"With pleasure! "

"…boys, what a racket. This is a hospital, seriously! "

Temari protested with a severe look on her face… pretend of course.

"Want a piece, Mrs. Nara? "

She softened.

"Well why not, hand it over sweetie! "

"Hey, don't forget me, bunch of pricks. "

Shikamaru joins, an easy grin on his face and arm slinking around Temari as usual.

Neji looks gorgeous as usual, even though a bit paler tha his usual self due to his injury.

And everyone else's having fun.

I watch this entire scene, not really feeling like joining in on the fun, but just content watching…

I remember a few months or so back, I thought… school life's supposed to be like this at all times. Kind of jokey and funny, filled with camaraderie.

Light-hearted.

I thought this day would never come, where I would feel content and happy with my surroundings.

Not when I had broken up with Neji.

Not when Tenten had betrayed me.

Not when… I seem to have fallen for a… a…

Hmm.

I look up and search with my eyes.

He's not there.

Duh.

I feel like sort of, hitting myself on the head.

I mean, of course he's not here! Neji and Sasuke hate each other, why would Sasuke remain when we're all celebrating for Neji's sake…

All the same, I can't say I'm not disappointed.

He… hadn't said sorry yet, although he did bring the flowers and sort of looked…

Oh yeah.

The flowers.

I blush again, thinking about what Temari told me.

Sasuke, probably bought the flowers due to Temari's pushing…

I bet he told her about what he's done, something stupid due to his being overdosed. And I bet Temari understood.

I bet, he was just being nice to me for Temari's sake.

I still can't help... feeling... envious?

"Sht, Hinata! "

Temari suddenly is behind me, her flowery scent entering my nose.

She slips her arm around my shoulder, and I feel guilty for … being jealous again.

How come Sasuke's so nice to her?

I mean… except for the obvious… but it isn't like he loves her or anything…

Bad Hinata.

I'm such a naive... bitch.

"W…what is it? "

"Aw, don't look so scared, it's no bad news! Just here to tell you… "

She brought her lips next to my ear and whispered.

"He's at the back of the building, in the southern corner of the hospital's parking lot. He's waitin' for ya. "

What?

"H…huh? W, who are you talking ab…"

"Sasuke of course, honey! "

…wow. Temari.

(bloodiedsugs's words on HSBK-

You can tell that this is sort of a… fill in chapter? Lolz sorry.

Doesn't really have much to do with the main plot, just something light and easy to read, plain fluff. Just something to enjoy before another main conflict start up.

I still liked writing this bit though, it balances out the story, so it doesn't just slip into the abyss of eternal(?) doom and gloom… lolz

(and apologizing for being careless sometimes; i mean, i don't think I put in much work into the writing as I used to...

Anyways, is just considering now… actually, battling over two options.

Session 4 was 'supposed' to be about Itachi, but I realized I haven't really explained the Kiba and Sakura's scheming thing yet…so. What should I do?

Am kind of considering moving Itachi's story up to session five… but that might make some people annoyed… lmao. Just thinking.

Oh, and is thinking of doing a special chapter when I hit 100 comments…

But still at loss for what 'special' chapter I'd do. Huh.

PS: oh yeah, and welcome Gaara.

Bear with me. )