Ino tucked a bit of hair behind her ear and frowned at Sakura.
"Too much?" Sakura asked, pulling at her skirt awkwardly.
"No, no… It's just weird, seeing you like this…" Ino's eyes were wide; she couldn't seem to shift them from Sakura's face.
"I need to look my best, Ino. Sasuke's in that room. I can't slither back in there with a face like the back end of a bus." Sakura said decisively.
"One second…" Ino leant forward and fluffed up Sakura's hair, "Um… put your reading glasses on. OK, good. Your look's kind of Sexy Secretary, isn't it? No? Oh. Never mind, you look awesome. My look? It's Deceptively Chaste Cheerleader."
Sakura pulled a face.
Her pink hair had been ruthlessly chopped to shoulder-length (Sasuke likes girls with long hair! I always loved your hair…) and was now purposefully dishevelled and sprayed to within an inch of its life. Her eyes were lightly covered in green sparkly eye shadow and Ino had attacked her face with some kind of powder. She was still wearing the school uniform, but with trademark Ino alterations – the skirt was hiked up, exposing the knees (to Sakura's horror) her tie shortened, her plaid socks traded in for some sheer tights and she had left her blazer behind.
"You need to walk in there," Ino advised, "Don't apologise for being late. Make eye contact with Sasuke and look away with an enigmatic smile."
"Who tells you these things?" Sakura raised her eyebrows.
"My mother." Ino shrugged.
"Right. OK, I'm going in." Sakura said, ignoring the fluttering of anxiety in her stomach.
"Good luck." Ino graced her with a rare, sincere smile.
Sakura breathed out once and turned, hand on the classroom door handle.
The class looked up briefly when the door opened, and in a rare moment of complete unity, the entire class did a double take.
(Ex) Student Body President, Haruno Sakura, rated the single angriest girl in the school, was walking into the class, late, and well… looking very, very different.
Kurenai dropped her book in shock. The thud it made was timed perfectly for the moment Sakura's kohl-lined eyes connected with Sasuke's.
He looked astounded, his dark eyes wide and his mouth hanging open gormlessly.
Look away with an enigmatic smile, Ino's voice whispered in Sakura's mind.
Sakura did so, her lipgloss-smeared lips stretching into a mysterious smirk, her eyes narrowing, her skirt floating slightly in the breeze coming from the open window.
She took her seat, noting that once again Gaara was absent and she was once again left sitting next to an empty chair.
Kurenai's hands were frozen in place; the fallen book still lay on the ground.
The class were all staring at Sakura, their shock evident in their mutually wide eyes and unattractively hanging open mouths.
Sakura wiped off some excess lipgloss from around her mouth and studied her nails, as Ino had instructed her to.
"Ha-Haruno-san …" Kurenai stammered.
Sakura looked up slowly, her mouth poised in a perfect pout.
"Is something wrong?" Sakura said innocently.
"Sakura?" Sasuke said in disbelief, looking at her as though he had never seen her before.
She didn't look at him but fixed a content expression onto her face, rather enjoying ignoring him.
"I'm going to have to give you detention…" Kurenai said faintly.
Sakura had planned for this.
She crossed her legs and raised her eyebrows, "Oh? What for?"
"You're wearing makeup, your tie is too short, so is your skirt, you aren't wearing your blazer… I could go on…" Kurenai seemed to be trying to regain her composure and failing.
"So are ninety percent of the other girls in this room. The guys are even worse. So why just give me detention?" Sakura smoothed her hair back and glanced around the room pointedly. Girls with heavy makeup like Karin immediately tried to hide their faces.
"I-I…" Kurenai's wide eyes swept over the students, most of whom broke the dress code openly every single day. The majority of them also had parents who paid the school hefty fees to allow them to do whatever they wanted.
What will you do? Sakura wondered, now that I've pointed out the injustice, will you correct it?
"Because it's your first offense, I'll let you off." Kurenai said lamely, trying to skirt around the issue.
Sakura glared at her.
"That sounds fair." Sakura said meaningfully. She looked around the room, "I mean, it's not as though the entire class breaks school rules every single day, is it? I couldn't help but notice that since I left the student council, not a single detention has been given. It's been a week, Kurenai-sensei. Don't you think that's strange?"
"I-I…" Kurenai stammered.
"I could point out twenty-three dress code violations in this room in a second. I can list a series of offences committed by this year and above. Karin has been doodling hearts on her desk for the past two years. Tenten brings weapons to school. Hyuuga Neji beats up anyone who looks at him twice. Rock Lee has destroyed the school gym at least twice in the past. Kiba smuggles his dog into class every day and allows it to use the school's plants as its toilet. Shino is the one who has been secretly releasing the insects from the science labs. Naruto is behind every single major prank to ever plague this school. And don't look so surprised, Kurenai-sensei, because I know for a fact that every teacher knew about all of these offences, and did nothing about them. How do I know this? Because you all made me type it up and file it away under no punishment required." Sakura managed to say it all calmly, though anger was rising.
"In the Faculty Office there is a very slim file of the detentions given out by teachers. My name is in there. So is Shikamaru's. So is almost every other scholarship student who has ever broken a school rule. Do you spot something unfair here, Kurenai-sensei?" Sakura carelessly shrugged her shoulders
Kurenai had gone white. Sakura had always gone along with the rules of the school without complaining… what had happened?
Gaara had happened.
Sakura had been furious about his expulsion until Ino pointed out exactly how much power Sakura had over the school.
"I already said you won't get detention, Haruno-san." Kurenai said warily, "And you know I never ignore any rule-breaking."
"I know," Sakura smiled, "I just wanted to point out a few things."
"Right… well… let's return to the lesson." Kurenai said, picking up her book hastily and turning to face the blackboard.
Job done, Sakura took out her notebook and began to note down what Kurenai was saying, ignoring the urge to laugh. She had argued with the teachers a few times about the rules, but she had never been so public about her opinions. She could see a few students looking puzzled and alarmed, like Kiba and Shino, who obviously had no idea the teachers had known they were behind several rule breaks.
As she wrote, a piece of paper was flicked onto her desk. Sakura tensed, automatically thinking it was Gaara, then she shook herself. Gaara wasn't in school anymore.
The note said: Sakura, what is going on with you? You disappeared from school last week, I saw you through the door and you never came in. Everyone's saying you quit as Student President. And now this makeover?
Sasuke.
Sakura snorted and scrunched up the note. She tore a strip off of her own paper and wrote a terse note of her own.
I wasn't well last week. I did indeed quit the student council. I got a haircut. Get over it.
She tossed it carelessly back at Sasuke, who caught it deftly, to her annoyance.
She saw him read it quickly and nearly winced when he turned his dark glare upon her.
When he tried to pass another note to her, she brushed it off her desk and left it for him to retrieve.
xxxxxxxx
Sitting with Ino meant sitting with all of her friends.
Karin (who had warmed up to Sakura quite nicely upon learning she had dumped Sasuke, and thus he was now single), Temari (to Sakura's surprise), a fair few girls Sakura barely recognised and Tenten.
Unfortunately, Tenten brought Lee… and Neji.
Neji spent most of the lunch hour sitting opposite Sakura and glaring at her. Hinata and Shikamaru sat on either side of Sakura, and were bearing the brunt of Neji's death glare too.
"Are you looking at my boyfriend?" Temari asked casually, buttering her toast with an unnecessary amount of force.
Neji blinked in surprise and then hastily turned his glare on Hinata, a much safer target of his anger. Shikamaru rolled his eyes and stretched his arm across Temari's chair in silent thanks. She smiled at him.
Hinata turned red at the sight of Neji's glower and looked down at her plate miserably. Sakura was about to threaten to punch Neji again when suddenly, Naruto walked past them and casually smacked Neji around the head before continuing on his way.
Neji stood up angrily, knocking his chair backwards with a loud bang.
"What the hell was that for?" He spat, clenching his fists.
"Neji-nii-san…" Hinata murmured, her eyes wide and alarmed.
"Stop glaring at Hinata-chan." Naruto said, his mouth etched in a deep scowl.
"Neji, calm down…" Lee said uneasily. Tenten's hand was covering her face; she shook her head in frustration.
Naruto flipped Neji the bird.
Neji tackled Naruto, knocking them both through the table.
Sakura was left holding her knife and fork, with no food or table. She sighed, putting the knife and fork down.
Hinata was dithering next to Naruto as he yelled at Neji, who was on the floor, his nose bloodied. Temari looked as though she was enjoying herself. Shikamaru was scratching his head, his face nonplussed. Lee was trying to help Neji.
Ino and her gang were not impressed, most of them covered in food.
"Sa- uh, Haruno-san?" Kakashi said from behind her.
Sakura turned around to stare at the teacher, who was doing his best to ignore the fight happening a few feet away.
"Oh. What do you want?" Sakura rolled her eyes at him, folding her arms.
"Um…. Haruno-san. Kurenai has let the staff know about… um… your feelings regarding how things are run here… and… we want you to be Student Body President, if you promise not to report how biased the rules are towards the rich kids." Kakashi said bluntly.
Neji and Naruto rolled past them, locked in each other's grip.
"Hmmm… No can do." Sakura grinned.
"What?" Kakashi was surprised, "Why not?"
"I might… if you do a few things for me." Sakura said, her grin turning mischievous.
Kakashi inwardly groaned. This is what happened when you forced students to listen to motivational speeches about being pro-active.
"Like what?" He said warily.
xxxxxxxx
Two weeks later, and Sakura's requests had almost all been fulfilled.
"I want a new sash." Sakura had demanded. The teacher had nodded. It was a reasonable request, "I want it to be gold. And glittery." Sakura had crossed her arms and refused to budge.
"And I want a whistle. And a cool hat. And unlimited access to the library, all hours."
They had wearily complied with her demands.
Sakura remembered how she had clenched her jaw and glared at them all, the teachers who had used her and pushed her around all this time.
"And I want…" Sakura breathed out slowly, "Gaara to be allowed to return to the school."
Kurenai had spluttered indignantly, but Kakashi had simply looked at Sakura thoughtfully.
"Deal." He said.
"What?" Kurenai said, aghast.
"I won't be Student Body President if Gaara isn't allowed back. I bet you've missed me doing everything for you." Sakura said stubbornly.
Anko had looked wistful, "Those were the days…"
"I'll have a chat with the head teacher. She's a nice woman. And if that doesn't work than I'll just challenge her to a gambling match. Gaara's as good as back." Kakashi said with a twinkle in his eye.
xxxxxxxx
Today was the day Gaara returned. Sakura couldn't help feeling nervous.
Her relationship with Gaara was so weird… She didn't hate him and he didn't hate her, and they had kissed twice. She couldn't figure out what Gaara wanted. She knew next to nothing about him, except that he was a lot nicer than he pretended, and he didn't wait around to get what he wanted.
Sakura stopped on the stairs, ignoring the grumbles of those who had been walking behind her. She leant against the wall and stared at the ceiling.
When did things get so complicated?
Once, she was Sakura the Student Body President, the girl who never broke the rules and only had eyes for the intelligent, serious Uchiha Sasuke.
Now, she was Sakura the Student Body President 2.0, the girl who swore at teachers, skipped school, almost drank beer, hung out with delinquents and didn't know who the hell she only had eyes for.
Gaara?
Impossible. They were polar opposites, and he had hurt her so badly in the past…
In Gaara's absence, Sakura had become good friends with Kankuro and Temari.
To her surprise, she now had many friends, Ino, Karin, Tenten, Lee, Neji (very begrudgingly, after Naruto had beaten some sense into him), Hinata, Shikamaru, Temari, Kankuro… Gaara…
Maybe being Sakura 2.0 wasn't so bad.
A dull thud made her look down suddenly, through the staircase down to the lower level.
Gaara stood on the steps below her, staring at her through the bars.
"Gaara!" Sakura said, shocked, her lipgloss-covered mouth automatically smiling.
He just stared.
Sakura suddenly remembered Ino's influence on her appearance.
Oh…
"Um… do you like my hair?" Sakura said nervously, combing through it with her fingers.
Gaara's head tilted to the side, still staring at her.
Sakura felt herself blush under his scrutiny.
"It's shorter." Gaara finally said. Sakura felt oddly disappointed. What had she expected, compliments?
"Yeah, I had it cut." Sakura smiled weakly.
For a moment Gaara merely stared at her with his cool, inscrutable eyes.
"You look nice." He said, his voice oddly flat, his eyes accusing, "But not like Sakura."
Sakura's eyes widened in shock.
"Not… not like me?" She heard herself say faintly.
"You look like your friend, Ino. I prefer you when you look like you." Gaara said firmly.
Sakura blushed even more. Was that a compliment…?
"In fact… come here." Gaara said, his eyes narrowing. He gestured for her to come closer.
She obediently moved closer, her face almost touching the bars.
Gaara managed to stretch himself up and held her face through the bars on the staircase. He kissed her slowly, ignoring her surprised squeak.
He pulled back, wiping his lips and studying his pink, glittery fingers, "That's better." He said, smirking.
Sakura's mouth was tingling and was no longer covered in lipgloss, thanks to Gaara.
"What the fuck?" Sasuke said sharply.
Sakura jumped in surprise. Sasuke was standing on her staircase, staring at them both, his face a mixture of anger and shock.
Sakura looked back at Gaara and saw him tense up, his scowl deepening at the sight of the Uchiha.
When neither of them answered him he clenched his fists and walked up the stairs to Sakura.
"Were you cheating on me with him before we broke up?" Sasuke snapped, his eyes oddly hurt.
"What?" Sakura exploded, "No!"
Gaara was running up his stairs, trying to get to Sakura and Sasuke quickly.
Sasuke saw him coming and his eyes flashed spitefully.
"I don't know why they let you back in this school, but I'm pretty sure another display of violence will get you kicked out permanently." Sasuke said, his smirk growing cruel.
He grabbed Sakura by her new, golden sash, and yanked her towards him, her lips forcefully connecting with his.
Her sash tore slightly.
Sakura heard Gaara's footsteps getting louder and knew he would definitely display violence. A few people were gathered at the bottom of the stairs. She knew they would report Gaara for fighting, and he would be expelled, yet Sasuke would be treated like a victim.
Sakura shoved Sasuke away and punched him in the face, harder than she could ever have thought possible. There was an audible thud and Sasuke flew back, hitting the wall, his eyes wide in disbelief.
Gaara halted right next to Sakura, his expression murderous. Sakura stood in front of him.
"Gaara, it's OK." She said quietly.
Sasuke wiped his mouth and stared at the blood on his fingers. Sakura could hear the students at the bottom of the stairs talking excitedly.
"You hit me!" Sasuke said, shocked.
"No shit." Gaara snapped, though he looked amused and… proud?
"Sasuke, I never cheated on you," Sakura said calmly, ignoring her aching knuckles, "I loved you when we were together. I'm sure you knew that already. You've already hurt me so much, Sasuke. Please stop trying to hurt me more."
Sasuke stared at her, his eyes still wide.
Gaara grabbed Sakura's wrist and he started to walk down the stairs, evidently under the impression that they were finished talking.
"I am sorry, you know." Sasuke said flatly, his face red where Sakura had struck him.
Now why don't I believe that? Sakura wondered with a rueful smile.
She simply nodded, allowing Gaara to pull her away from Sasuke, who watched with that familiar, impassive expression of his.
xxxxxxxx
They were in the girl's bathroom because Gaara had refused to allow Sakura into the men's.
Gaara was instructing Sakura on how to bathe her bruised and cut knuckles. He held her hand gently and guided it under the tap. Sakura bit her lip against the pain and studied Gaara. The lighting gave him a soft glow, his eyes were gentle and his hands were careful.
"Gaara," Sakura began softly, "What are we?"
He looked up at her briefly and turned the tap off, "Speak more clearly." He chided her.
Sakura sighed. "Are we boyfriend and girlfriend?"
Gaara froze, dropping her hand in the sink. He turned towards her with a frown, "Is that what you think?" He asked.
Sakura looked away, horribly embarrassed and nervous. Her heart was pounding and she was sweating slightly.
"I-I think I'd like to be your girlfriend." She muttered.
"You are Student Body President," Gaara's pale eyes were fixed on her face, "I am a criminal. We are at war."
"So what is this?" Sakura gestured to the sink, to Gaara's wet hand still touching her own, "You don't kiss someone three times and call them your enemy, Gaara!"
"Why not?" Gaara said, sounding somewhat confused.
"You got angry when Sasuke kissed me. Don't deny it. Doesn't that mean something to you, that you don't want me to kiss anyone else?" Sakura asked, quickly growing upset.
Gaara frowned. He leaned closer, putting his hands either side of her waist, holding onto the sink behind her. His face was very close to her own, she could see the love tattoo very clearly and distinctly.
"Yes. It means I don't want you to kiss anyone else." Gaara said simply.
"What are you offering me here? A few kisses? I want more than that!" Sakura said angrily.
"Like what?"
"A relationship!" Sakura said disbelievingly.
Gaara just stared at her.
"You – you said to your father… that you would marry me over any other girl…" Sakura said, trying to ignore the prickling of tears behind her eyes.
Gaara's frown cleared in understanding, "I only meant if I was forced into marriage, I would prefer you over anyone else. I don't want to get married if I'm not being forced. Is that what you're upset about?"
"I don't want to get married yet either, Gaara, but I want to be with you." Sakura admitted, her eyes on the floor, her face flushing darkly. That had been difficult for her to admit.
"Why?" Gaara still looked confused.
Sakura felt her frustration and anger rush up and bubble forth out of her mouth.
"Because I love you, you stupid idiot!" Sakura shouted the words that had been haunting her since the first kiss, the reason why she never broke down and quit the war, the reason why she believed his word over Sasuke's, the reason she'd never been able to hurt him like he could hurt her, why his face occupied her every waking thought and why she'd worked so hard to get him back into the school.
Gaara looked startled.
"Love…?" He said quietly, beginning to frown.
"It's tattooed to your forehead!" Sakura seethed, "How can you stand there and look so confused?"
"I didn't know." He said, still frowning deeply.
Sakura scrubbed her eyes furiously and then caught sight of herself in the mirror. Black mascara and eyeliner was smeared across her face. She looked upset.
"Of course you didn't." Sakura said wearily, lowering her hand, feeling the tears fall thick and fast.
Gaara looked taken aback, "Sakura, what –"
"I'm so stupid," Sakura said, one hand covering her eyes, her shoulders shaking, "I thought you liked me too!"
She turned on her heel and fled the room, the door slamming shut behind her.
Gaara let go of the sink and turned to stare at the closed door, his eyes wide, his hand outstretched as though he could still catch her before she left.
Sakura's back as the President and she's got a whistle, a hat and a golden sash (only slightly ripped, courtesy of Sasuke)!
Definitely coming up to the end now… :)
Naruto defeated Neji in MORTAL COMBAT in the cafeteria and they are now the best of friends :D Just like in the manga XD
First person to review gets the Best Cookie in the World via the power of imagination!
Quick poll for fun: Best fight scene in Naruto?
A) Naruto vs Sasuke pretimeskip (you know the one, when Sasuke put some lipstick on XD)
B) Tsunade & Jiraiya vs Orochimaru (possible glimpse of future team 7…?)
C) Sakura vs Sasori (Because it's roughly the point where Sakura is AWESOME and from then on is USELESS)
D) Other! Let me know!