When she smiles
Chapter 24
Crashing
"Ok class today's assignment is to write an essay about what you want to do in the future." The teacher said writing on the chalk board as she turned to face the class. "You're all getting to that age where you need to find what you'd like to do with your lives, at around thirteen and fourteen you should have a general idea on what career path you want to follow, I'm expecting this essay in two days." The teacher said as she passed the sheets out to the students and pausing when she reached the desk of the class troublemaker.
"Gaara, I'd like to see you at the end of class please." She said softly so the other students didn't hear, but noticing the flinch of his head she knew he'd heard her. The class flew by, it was the last class of the day and finally Gaara was alone with the teacher as he sat at his desk quietly waiting for her to speak. Finally she walked over to him with several papers in her hands.
"I'd like to talk to you about your homework Gaara, you're very attentive, very intelligent. All your class assignments are done beautifully, but you rarely turn in any homework. This essay is worth a majority of your grade and if you don't turn it in you'll end up failing this class. Is there something going on at home that's preventing you from accomplishing your homework?" Gaara simply sat silently, she wouldn't believe him, hell even to him the truth sounded like some made up excuse. "I only want to help you Gaara." These words made him flinch, could he trust her maybe? He couldn't tell her the whole thing if his father found out the consequence would be far too severe…but maybe just some of it…
"My father drinks…and when he's drunk he likes to trash things, it doesn't matter if it's the living room or my schoolwork, he doesn't care…he drinks all the time."
"Has he ever hit you?" the teacher asked looking at the pale skinned boy, she could see no bruises or cuts on his skin, scars yes, but everyone had scars.
"…" She took his silence for a no.
"So sometimes he destroys your homework and other things when he's drunk? This happens often?"
"Frequently yes."
"Ok, from now on I'd like you to come to school a bit earlier, you can make up the work that was destroyed and you can work on your essay, I'll even give you this flash drive so you can write it on a computer and save it so your father can't destroy it." She honestly didn't know if he was telling the truth or not, Gaara showed very little emotion throughout the whole conversation. It could all be one big lie for all she knew, but she knew that the boy was conscious of his grades and if he wanted it he'd get to the school early to work on his papers. Maybe she should set up a parent teacher conference to learn a bit about Gaara's father.
"Miss, I really need to go home now." Gaara said quietly still sitting at his desk. The woman nodded.
"Alright Gaara, see you tomorrow bright and early."
O0o0o0
Sasuke was a little more than annoyed, he was supposed to be working at his brother's company by now, sure he'd have on that damn ankle bracelet, but it would beat the hell out of being in this damned cell. He'd officially graduated, finishing out his senior year with a 'Home schooling' official, not that this place could be called home, but he'd been here for almost a year now and he wanted out. The one thing about this place, the only thing he enjoyed was the time to think, and it was something he'd been doing a lot lately. He'd thought about what his brother had told him, how his father had taught him wrong, how he'd messed up his life, how he hurt Hinata.
Yes, he'd found himself thinking more about the bluenette than anything else. There was just something about her that struck him, she was forever ingrained in his thoughts as he sat in the silence. At first, he'd hated her for sending him here, to be honest Sasuke had thought up ways to end her or at least hurt her so badly she'd want to end her own life. Then he realized he was being a child, life was no game of I hit you, you, hit me. This was no game, life was no game, there were consequences to every action you preformed, be it good or bad. He had taken the time to think about it, and realized why he acted the way he did, along with his father's teachings pushing him down a very dark path, he'd been jealous. He was jealous of Gaara, the one person who had truly made Hinata shine.
He'd been watching her for quite a while, more than those several months, though he'd been blatantly obvious about it at that point. She was quiet delicate beautiful and submissive, everything he'd been taught to look for in a woman, and in a matter of months since that red head had shown up she'd bloomed, she walked with silent confidence that even she was unaware of, she smiled that captivating smile more and she'd hooked him with it. He knew eventually Gaara would get it all, to be able to touch her porcelain skin, to kiss her lips, to be with her in all ways one could be with another. He'd been so driven by jealousy, and he wanted what he couldn't have, and because he couldn't have it, because he never deserved it, he stole it all for himself without regards to what she wanted. Hell he had to drink to build up the courage to do it but he did, and as terrible as it sounds…Sasuke didn't regret what he did to her. Yes he felt bad for the pain he caused, the emotional damage and the scars to her memories, but he'd gotten what he wanted, though now seeing the price Sasuke would never make that kind of risk again…
And as he was on the topic of thinking, the onyx haired teen's thoughts once again went to wonder why he was still in this eight by ten cell. He was shaken from his thoughts when the door to his cell opened. He recognized the transferring officers, if they were here then Itachi or his mother was, they were the only ones who came to see him anyways, not that he cared to see anyone else. By now he knew the routine, and hopping from his bed his hands reached out to be cuffed and he began following them to the visitation chambers. When he'd entered the room, Sasuke saw a face he hadn't seen since that day in court.
"Hello Sasuke, it's been a while hasn't it son?" his expression went from shock to anger.
"What the hell are you doing here?" he snapped refusing to sit across from the man who so quickly abandoned him.
"My, my, what a temper you have."
"I got it from you. If you're here to piss me off then leave, I don't have time for this." Sasuke growled glaring at his father who simply looked amused.
"You always were an ungrateful child you know. I did come to tell you that in the next two hours or so you'll be a free man, but since you obviously have better things to do in this dump I'll just tell the warden that the deals off." Sasuke looked at Fugaku in confusion.
"What deal? What are you talking about?"
"Sit." His father said simply and after a moment Sasuke did. "Good boy." This earned him a growl but Fugaku continued on as if nothing happened. "You see, the warden's a friend of mine and after a little persuasion I managed to convince him to cut down the time on your sentence."
O0o0o0
The mail arrived at the Sabaku house and Temari grabbed it before making her way back up the stairs.
"Bills, bills, bills…Konoha U? Hmmm this is for Gaara…" Walking to the red head's room she tossed the letter on his desk and closed the door. Ever since they returned from Suna a month ago he'd been working with their old neighbor Baki at his newest landscaping place in Konoha, the affect that man and that job had on her brother was huge. Normally the red head was slim and even close to scrawny but now she could see muscles on the boys' arms. He was still passive and quiet but was speaking his mind far more freely than he'd done previously. Every day he'd come back home exhausted and filthy, take a shower, and go to bed, waking up some time around eight or nine to eat dinner because he'd slept through it. Temari knew how hard he was working and didn't feel like waking him up for something like dinner, he knew there'd be food in the microwave for him, Temari just let him sleep. Gaara returned home once again looking minutes from exhaustion induced death, he walked by Temari and headed towards the bathroom where she had his pajamas waiting for him. Just before he entered Temari called out to the red head.
"Gaara you got a letter from Konoha U today, it's on your desk!" Turning on his heel Gaara entered his room finding and tearing open the letter. He read it quickly and paused and immediately reread it his eyes widening. He left his room and shoved the letter in the blonde's face.
"Read this!" Temari gave Gaara a look before taking the letter in her hands and looking at the page.
"Dear, Gaara Sabaku. We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Konoha University as a full time student starting this fall semester- Gaara congrats!" Temari said with a smile.
"Keep reading it."
"Ok, ok…ummm let's see, ahh here I was." The blonde said finding her place once again. "Your essay was exemplary and your transcripts from Konoha high school have shown you to be a dedicated student with a hard work ethic…Damn right you are, you get that from me, anyways…who has certainly worked their hardest under the trying circumstances you've faced. I am proud to inform you that Konoha University has decided to fund your schooling and starting this September you will be entering this university with a full…scholarship…" Temari looked up with wide eyes before grinning and hugging her brother tightly.
"Temari, can't breathe!"
"Gaara you did it you did it! Oh my gosh you actually did it!" she squealed happily sounding very un Temari like at the moment. "I'm telling EVERYBODY! Gaara you have a free ride through college!" Immediately Temari grabbed for the phone but before she could pick it up it started ringing. The blonde answered and in moments smiled even brighter. "It's for you." She said handing the red head the receiver.
"Yeah?"
"Gaara I got accepted! I got accepted!" Hinata yelled happily into the phone from her end. Neji, Hanabi, and Hiashi were currently watching the normally calm and collected Hinata jump up and down on her bed excitedly holding the acceptance letter in one hand and the phone in the other.
"I got accepted too Hinata but that's not the best part." Gaara said with a grin.
"What's the best part?" the bluenette asked happily.
"They gave me a full scholarship." Immediately Gaara pulled the phone from his ear as Hinata screeched happily.
"That's amazing Gaara we need to celebrate! We'll go out and go do something awesome and we'll have tons of fun!" again Gaara smiled.
"Ok, I'll be over to get you in a half hour, I just got back from work."
"Ok I'll see you then Gaara! Love you, bye!"
"Love you, bye." Gaara hit the end talk button and in seconds the phone was snatched from his hand as Temari began dialing numbers. The red head simply shook his head at his sister and made his way to the shower and then to his room quickly getting dressed in a clean pair of jeans and a black tank top and a black and gray t shirt over it. He grabbed the keys to his motorcycle and headed to Hinata's house making his way down the winding streets of Konoha until he arrived at the Hyuga mansion. Gaara arrived and walked in after no one answered the door, he could see a small crowd around Hinata's door after he climbed the stairs. He could hear her laughing and as he made his way to her room and watched with the crowd of maids as Hinata was still jumping on her bed but had somehow managed to drag her father up there as well, the whole time she was chanting 'I got in.'. The sight made Gaara laugh and when she heard the sound of her boyfriend Hinata jumped off the bed and jumped on him instead.
"We're going to college together I'm so excited Gaara!" Hinata said hugging the hell out of him. "This is great! We'll have classes and get to eat lunch and do college things! !" Gaara really couldn't help but laugh, especially when he watched Hiashi stumble off the bed looking a little more than embarrassed that he'd been caught by so many people doing something so childish as jumping on the bed with his daughter.
"Don't you have work to do? What do I pay you for?" Hiashi asked looking to all of the maids who quickly scurried away from the older man who was trying to scrounge up whatever dignity he had left.
"Hey Daddy can I jump on my bed too?" Hanabi asked looking up at her father who quickly gave her a stern look.
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"But you were jumping on the bed!"
"I bought the bed."
"But Hinata was-
"Fine!"
"YAY! !" The small brunette took off from the room as Hiashi simply shook his head, he was starting to go soft on his kids…
"Dad, me and Gaara are going out, we'll be back later!" Hinata said giving her father another quick hug before hurrying to the door. Gaara gave Hiashi a nod as he lifted his hand in greeting walking past the older male.
"You know her curfew Sabaku." Hiashi said seriously and Gaara gave a quick nod.
"Yep, she'll be back by midnight latest." With a nod Hiashi walked out of sight leaving Gaara to head over to Hinata who was putting her sneakers on and grabbing her helmet out of the closet.
"So, where do you want to go?"
"Can we go to the beach Gaara? We could go walking again." The red head was quick to agree, the beach was their place, it was a haven of sorts that they'd found together months after Gaara's return before all the shit hit the fan. Once they arrived at the docks, a festival of sorts could be seen as people danced along the pier playing games and riding recently assembled carnival rides.
"It looks like the festival's back in town!" Hinata said excitedly climbing off the bike and resting her helmet on top as Gaara did the same. Grabbing her hand Gaara led Hinata over to the small pier carnival. They played games for hours, Gaara winning Hinata a large purple bunny, rode the Ferris wheel and even ran into a few of their friends from school whom they told immediately of their acceptance into Konoha University. They celebrated each other's achievements by the group going to one of the eat in booths on the pier.
Sakura, had gotten accepted to the local junior college, Kiba had gotten accepted to a veterinary school, Choji was going to a chef's school, Ino had been accepted as an intern for a fashion design company after showing off her clothes designs at a local fashion show and catching the eye of a well-known designer, and Shikamaru was taking a year off. Lee had passed the test to become a firefighter, and Tenten had been accepted as an apprentice to a prestigious fighting school. Neji along with Hinata and Gaara had earned admittance to Konoha University, and much to all their surprise even Naruto had made it into the prestigious school with passing marks, carrying around the acceptance letter as proof for all who asked. The night grew late and after separating, Hinata convincing Neji to bring her large bunny home with him in the car they all dispersed making their ways home.
O0o0o0
Neji drove Tenten back to her place, and when they came to a stop smiled as the brunette leaned over for a kiss. He was going to miss her more than he'd ever admit, but she was following her dream and he couldn't fault her for that. In the middle of their make out session Tenten gasped jumping startling Neji in the process.
"I totally forgot that was there." She said looking at the large bunny in the back seat strapped in with the seatbelt. Neji shuddered as the rabbit smiled serenely at them.
"It's kind of creepy…it's too damn happy." Neji grumbled.
"Yeah." Tenten agreed. With a sigh she exited the car after giving Neji a quick kiss. They only had the summer left together after graduation, she wanted to make the best of every moment, because she'd miss him more than he knew. Neji watched as she walked up to her door and entered the house before driving away. Glancing in the rear view mirror once again he shuddered as the rabbit caught his eye.
O0o0o0
Their small prizes from the carnival were safely in their pockets still as Gaara pulled into the driveway of the Hyuga mansion, but both of them immediately noticed a new car parked in the driveway. Hinata and Gaara shared a look before heading to the door, Hinata quickly leading them inside, it was almost midnight, who would be here at this hour on a Thursday? Her silent question was soon answered for when the pair walked into the living room they were met with two men talking with her father who looked grave. It was a drastic change in the atmosphere from the previous happiness only hours ago. Hinata swallowed thickly.
"Dad, what's going on?" the two men turned and once seeing Hinata both stood.
"Miss. Hyuga, my name is Officer Shiori, and this is my partner Officer Kisuke. I wish I was here on better business Miss. Hyuga, however we're here to inform you that at 8:35pm this evening one Uchiha Sasuke was released from Konoha Maximum penitentiary." Hinata went wide eyed and her breath caught, it hadn't even been a year, not even a whole year, she felt her body shaking and immediately the pounding of her heart in her chest had become much more apparent, within moments her world went black.
O0o0o0
Gaara stood in shock at what the officers had just said. It hadn't even been a full year yet and already he was out? What kind of bull shit was that? Then he noticed how violently Hinata was shaking and how pale she'd become, he turned to her just in time for the bluenette to collapse as Gaara quickly caught her before she could hit the floor.
"Hinata! Son of a bitch! How the hell did this even happen? The courts said he wouldn't be eligible for parole until the half way mark of his sentence!" Gaara asked angrily, this was making no sense at all, how could this be happening?
"We're quite unsure of this as well, however the warden said he was getting off early for good behavior." One of the officers said to Gaara who by now had lifted Hinata placing her on the couch.
"This isn't making any sense though. He only served ten months of his sentence! Did they at least put him on parole? Is there someone he has to check in with every few days?"
"Unfortunately no. He is not on parole, nor does he have to check in with one of our officers. We have however gone over the court case and will be having an officer come by every few hours or so to be sure that Miss Hyuga is safe." The taller officer said. Hiashi led the two officers into the other room to discuss this in more detail with them and taking this as the older man's cue to leave Gaara immediately did so lifting Hinata and bringing her to her room. He'd been looking forward to the future, Hinata had been healing so well, she had been smiling so much and because of this news Gaara had a feeling that she'd be knocked back at least twenty steps from where she was now. Eventually the red head had fallen asleep in Hinata's room leaning against the purple bean bag she had on the floor. He wouldn't leave her alone tonight, it's not that he thought she might hurt herself again, it's because he knew that when she finally woke up, she'd need him.
O0o0o0o0
Gaara woke hours later feeling his phone buzzing in his pocket, and flipping it open he was shocked to find eight texts from his sister. That was when he realized that he hadn't told her he'd be staying at Hinata's. The clock read 3:18, Temari had been texting him since a half hour past his curfew.
Gaara u on your way home yet? Call me. 1:30am
Hello? Gaara you ok? Text me or something 2:10am
Little brother answer your damn phone! 2:30am
Gaara you're worrying me is everything ok? 2:45am
Dude you have the next five minutes to text me back before I come out looking for you. 3:00am
Please text me back this is making me nervous Gaara 3:10am
Please don't make me have a search party going to look for you Gaara. 3:15am
Gaara text me back! Call me! I'm calling all your friends if you don't respond. 3:18am
After flipping through all the texts from his sister he quickly dialed her number and was on the line with her immediately.
"You had me worried sick! Where the hell were you Gaara! ?"
"I'm sorry Tem, I'm at Hinata's, I have been since midnight. I fell asleep, I'm sorry."
"I should ground you for making me worry so much you damn brat!" The blonde snapped irritably. She'd been worried sick for her brother and the lack of response from him had fried her nerves completely. "But I'm glad you're ok. Try to let me know next time ok?"
"I will Tem, I'm sorry. Did Kankuro come down tonight? I know he usually has free days on Fridays."
"Yeah, he got in around nine why?"
"We're having a situation here and I need to talk to him tomorrow." He said softly looking over to Hinata who was sleeping peacefully on her bed.
"What happened? Is Hinata ok? Is it something with her dad? Sister cousin what?"
"They released Sasuke from the penitentiary this evening, no parole, no check ins nothing."
"What? That makes no sense!"
"My words exactly. We can talk more on this later tomorrow ok?"
"Yeah, I'll let you go but be home before 10:00am understood?"
"Yep, bright and early got it."
"Bye Gaara."
"Bye Tems." With that Gaara hung up and sighed. He'd figure this out one way or another, he wasn't liking the way this was playing out…there seemed to be some underhanded stuff going on, and he was determined to get to the bottom of it.
O0o0o0
Gaara was annoyed, she looked surprised to actually see him at the school house so early. Did she think he was just slacking off or what? She walked him into her office and allowed the teen to plug in the flash drive onto her computer where his essay, which was supposed to be a minimum of two pages opened up revealing a six page paper which he printed out and handed to her. He hated that look of shock and surprise on her face and glared at her.
"I told you the truth and you didn't believe me did you?" he asked softly. She simply blinked and looked away.
"Have you had breakfast?"
"No."
"Here." She said handing him a five dollar bill. "Go to the cafeteria and buy a breakfast." She watched as he walked from the room and looked over his essay. It was as exceptional as all of his classwork, but more than anything she was surprised he'd done as she asked. He'd come early and worked on his paper in the library. She didn't expect to have the final product on her desk in a half hour. The school day passed quickly and when the end of the day finally came around she returned back to her office to find a man waiting in front of her desk.
"Hello, you would be Mr. Sabaku yes?"
"Yes Ma'am, you're his teacher?"
"Yes, I am Gaara's literary teacher. I must say Mr. Sabaku your son is one of my finest students, he produces such brilliant work." She said with a smile sitting at her desk taking notice of the man before her. He seemed completely uninterested in what she had to say about Gaara which she found odd. Most parents that she'd met with would glow with pride as their child was praised so highly, and all of them showed at least some kind of response, happiness or something. He was stoic as he sat in front of her.
"I'm well aware he's is intelligent enough to write something on paper, is this all we are going to discuss because I'm a very busy man." He asked in annoyance.
"No, that isn't all sir. I wanted to inform you if your son hasn't already, that his essay has been chosen as the best in the school district and will be read during the next town meeting, Gaara will receive a reward for such an amazing essay."
"Lovely. Unless he's done something that he's being punished for I don't have the time to be here. Good day." He said simply standing and leaving the room as she stared in shock. One thing stuck out at her though. Not once did he ever acknowledge that Gaara was his son, the man had called the boy he or him the entire time. She had a feeling that Gaara wasn't lying about the man whom she'd just spoken with, he didn't seem to care for the boy. Not one bit.
Hey guys im still alive! hope you enjoyed the chapter. I have a ligitimate reason for taking forever too! In one of the reviews I recieved going back to an earlier chapter flashback the reviewer commented to how one of the scenes was remarkably similar to a part in a book "A Child called It". it's a story on child abuse and about how a boy managed to survive in such a scary and dangerous enviornment , the problem being his mother. Curious I actually rented the book from my library and was surprised, they were right, the scene was very similar! ! ! I'd never want you guys to think I was plajorizing another's work. I 'll let you all know that if I do intend to use a scene from a movie or a book i'll actually put what it's from in an author's comment. Anyways, that aside, I hope you enjoyed my most recent update, and i'll update soon. Have a nice summer! =)