Disclaimer: Sis didn't own Naruto, only her story plots and her OCs.

17—Best Laid Plans

Sakura was nervous. She had been spending her weekends in Tokyo with her brother and Gaara. Xavier and his wife Ayame had been helping to educate her on her rights as an emancipated teenager. The paperwork had already been filed and a statement taken from both Hiashi and Meyumi regarding the conditions under which Sakura lived. She was deemed responsible enough to be on her own and her parents had been out of the country for the hearing, further provoking the case in her favor.

It had been two and a half months since she'd discovered her brother in Tokyo and four months since she'd been staying with the Hyuuga family. Hiashi and Meyumi had been very supportive, but still would not allow Sakura to be alone with Gaara in any capacity. At least not until they either had a proper wedding or went to the Justice of the Peace and were married. Sakura was hoping for the latter. She didn't want some huge wedding. Her birthday had come and gone and instead of partying with her friends, she'd had a baby shower.

She knew people at school whispered about her, calling her all kinds of names behind her back, but they were quickly silenced by her friends. The most shocking of her advocates was not even a student. She'd been surprised when her teacher, Hatake Kakashi, had made special allowances for her. She was allowed a water bottle, snacks when she needed them, frequent bathroom breaks and even a shoulder to cry on when she needed it. She wondered what was up with him, but she found out all too soon.

She was visiting her brother with Gaara when she mentioned Kakashi's treatment of her. Xavier arched a brow and chuckled, drawing both their attention. He shook his head as he chuckled. "How is Kakashi? He actually became a teacher? That's hilarious considering what he used to do to teachers when we were in school together." Sakura's eyes widened and both teens looked at one another.

"You know Kakashi-sensei on a personal level Aniki?" She noticed his eyes soften as she called him 'big brother'. He nodded and pulled out his wallet. There was a picture there. It was Kakashi, a black haired man, a brunette girl, Ayame and Xavier. She arched a brow and he looked at the picture with a smile.

"Kakashi, Obito, Rin, Ayame and I were friends all through primary and high school. When Obito passed away our sophomore year, Rin transferred away and it was just Kakashi, me and Ayame. We stuck together; we immortalized Obito's memory in the year book, thanks to Ayame, and even kept in touch through college and my disownment. Kakashi never did like mom and dad." He chuckled and shook his head. His phone buzzed and he smirked.

"That's Kakashi now. He wants to know if you're alright." Sakura blushed and regarded her brother before nodding shyly. He chuckled and texted back she was feeling just fine. He then regarded Sakura carefully. "If you need anything, and I mean anything, Kakashi will help you. Ayame and I are all he has left. His parents died when he was young so all he had growing up were his friends. We're the only ones left now that Rin has passed away. He's going to keep a very close eye on us…and you." Sakura looked at Gaara, who just sat there with his arm around the back of her chair.

"I can protect Sakura just fine." He stated before holding his hand up to her brother. "But it will be nice to have an adult with some sway backing us inside the school." Xavier smirked and Sakura leaned against Gaara with a happy sigh. He looked at her and noticed she was getting tired. It was time to head back home. Xavier seemed to notice.

"Alright, Sakura-chan, it's time for you guys to head back. You need rest." He wagged his finger at her with a mock-stern expression. "As your doctor, I have to urge you to rest more." He then smirked and stood, heading around the table to hug her. "But as your brother, I'm excited to see you whenever you come here. Take it easy, okay?" She nodded and smiled at him before looking at Gaara, who helped her up. It was getting harder for her to maneuver the longer she went through the pregnancy.

As they climbed into the car that the Hyuugas had allowed them to use, Sakura's phone rang. It was Hiashi. She arched a brow and quietly asked the chauffer to take them home. She answered it when they were on the road. "Hiashi-sama, is everything alright?" She heard noise in the background and arched a brow at the temporary silence. She was surprised at how fidgety he sounded when he did answer.

"Sakura, your parents are here and are wondering where you are." Her eyes widened and she looked over at Gaara in slight panic. Gaara reached over for the phone and spoke evenly.

"Tell them that Sakura is on her way to their house and they should meet her there. We're on our way back from Tokyo. I'll call Xavier and Kakashi-sensei." Hiashi grunted and then the line went dead. Gaara dialed Xavier's number first. "Xavier, you're going to need to take the rest of the day off. Your parents showed up over at the Hyuuga's house looking for Sakura. They're making their move." Xavier grunted and told him that he'd meet them as soon as he could.

When Gaara hung up from talking to Xavier, he dialed Hinata's number. She answered on the first ring. "Hinata, can I speak with Naruto please?" She gave a quiet 'yes' and handed the phone to her boyfriend. Gaara's voice was stone once more. "Call Kakashi; tell him to meet us at Sakura's house. Her parents showed up at Hinata's house looking for her." The silence on the other end was telling and when Naruto finally grunted in acknowledgement, Gaara hung up and handed the phone to Sakura. He could see her shaking. She was nervous and frightened. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to his side. He kissed her brow and told her everything would be alright.

It was a long ride back from Tokyo to Yokohama. Several hours, in which Sakura napped off and on, passed before they were back in town. When they pulled up at Sakura's house, they could both see the car her parents used to travel back and forth to the airport. There was also a dark green Jeep sitting nearby. They recognized the owner easily…it was Kakashi-sensei. And ironically, Xavier was in the passenger seat. How had he gotten here so fast?

Sakura noticed Xavier nod and she got out, taking Gaara's hand as he pulled her from the vehicle. She was bundled up, as it was still a bit chilly, and that hid her impregnated state. She allowed Gaara to pull her towards the house. When they were right in front of the door, Sakura used her key to unlock it and they both walked in. The silence was deafening. She led Gaara, hand in hand, to the living room.

When they walked into the living room, it was to see Sakura's father had a glass of brandy and was sitting in his chair, his hand massaging his forehead. Her mother was pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace. When her mother caught sight of Sakura, she strode quickly to her child. "Sakura!" The woman made to wrap her arms around the younger female, but Sakura shied away from her, slightly hiding behind Gaara. The look on her mother's face was one of shock. It was like Sakura had just slapped her.

"Sakura…" Her mother started, but was cut off by her father.

"Who is this…boy…with you?" Sakura started shaking against Gaara's back and he reached behind him and soothed her. He maneuvered them so that Sakura could sit, but he was still between her and those who had hurt her. He stared at her parents with cold, emotionless eyes.

"I'm her boyfriend." He stated bluntly. He noticed both her parents stiffen before looking at one another.

"Sakura would never date anyone. She knows it will take away from her studies." Sakura's mother said mechanically. Gaara lifted a brow and looked back at Sakura, who was frowning.

"No, mother, you think it will take away from my studies. I got a perfect score on the exams even while I was dating Gaara-kun." The look on her parents' faces was all the confirmation she needed. They'd been up to something on their little ventures overseas.

"I will not allow this, Sakura!" Her father shot to his feet and took several steps towards them. Gaara put himself between her and her parents, his eyes full of that same single minded fanaticism that she found so endearing.

"You don't have a choice. Sakura is her own person and she chose me. You should have thought a little more before treating her like your punching bag." He growled, his body language suggesting that, should her father get any closer, he'd attack. Sakura put her hand on his wrist and he looked at her. She shook her head and he backed off slightly…but only slightly.

"She's our daughter. Of course we can forbid you from seeing her." Her mother lifted her chin and sniffed. It was Sakura that spoke this time.

"No, actually, you can't." She said and pulled an envelope from her jacket. She handed it to them, her eyes neutral. Her mother took it and looked back at her father. Her father closed the gap between him and his wife and took the envelope. He tore it open and his eyes widened in shock.

"What is this? What's the meaning of this Sakura?" Sakura stood and moved her hair back from her face. There was still a lingering bruise there.

"I found out that in the Honshu Province, if a parent abuses their child, as long as that child is proved to be competent and responsible, that child can petition for emancipation. My hearing was a few weeks ago. An attempt was made to notify you, but you were out of the country. This only pushed the decision in my favor." She noticed the horrified looks on her parent's faces. She then held something else out to them. "I wanted you both to see this." Her mother took it and opened it. They stared at it, not quite sure what was going on.

"Sakura…what is this?" A voice caused them both to turn very pale.

"It's a sonogram, mother." Both of Sakura's parents looked at the young man before them and then back to their daughter. Sakura noticed her father's face turn red in anger.

"You did this. You turned her against us." He hissed and took a step towards his eldest. Xavier wasn't even phased.

"Dad, I didn't have to do anything. You and mom did this all by yourselves. It's about time you took responsibility for your own mistakes instead of always finding someone else to blame." Again, her parents looked like they'd just been slapped. It was Sakura's turn to speak once more.

"That sonogram is of my baby." Her hand went to her stomach. She was once more seated and Gaara was standing behind her chair, his chin held high. Sakura's mother shrieked.

"You're lying! This has to be some sort of joke!" Sakura arched her brow at her mother and looked at her brother, who shrugged. Sakura removed her coat, revealing her slightly swollen figure. Both her parents stared.

"I know I made a mistake in having sex before marriage. I have accepted that and I have accepted responsibility for my actions. I will have this baby and I will raise it." Again, her mother shrieked.

"We are going to the clinic right now and you are getting rid of that!" She reached out to grab Sakura's wrist, but Gaara was there, his eyes blazing.

"Don't touch her." He growled. Sakura's mother pulled her hand back as if afraid a rabid animal was about to bite her. Sakura stood, with Gaara's help. She looked at her parents and found she felt…nothing. There was no emotion where her parents were concerned. She regarded them with a certain level of aloofness.

"I'm keeping my baby, and there's nothing you can do about it." She stated as she regarded them. She then looked at Gaara, a smile warming her features. He nodded and grabbed her coat, helping her into it. He kissed her forehead and ushered her past her flabbergasted parents. Before walking out, Gaara turned and looked at her father.

"If you ever put your hands on her again, you will regret it." He left the threat hanging in the air as he pulled the door shut behind him.