Chapter Summery: Tenten leaves the Vilalge of Leaf and is now on her way to the Sand. But one the way, there'd be an adventure she'll never forget . . .

Disclaimer: You can already tell I don't own Naruto and I don't. Why? My writing sucks! Well, this chapter is a bad one I find . . .

Ages:
Neji-16
Tenten-16
Lee-16
Gaara-17 (I know that it's wrong, but I always thought he was older)

Ch4- I'm lost in the tragic past

Tenten smiled happily to herself as she continued her way towards the Sand Country, skipping along with a slight bounce in each of her steps as she adjusted the fairly large knapsack upon her shoulders. If one was suppose to go to another country to train for a month, one should bring many clothes right? Well, that's what she thought.

Hearing as a small chirp come form up above her, her chocolate brown eyes glazed into the cloudless blue sky, watching as a small snow-white bird fly up above her. Smiling slightly, she let off a loud sigh as her eyes looked back down upon the dirt path she was taking, it was obvious that sadness had overtaken the girl.

A single snow-white bird was able remind her of such sad memories, was she that weak that she couldn't change herself? Why had fate make Neji leave her just when she got up the courage to tell him her feelings? Why was the world like this? WHY?!

Stopping in the middle of the dirt pathway, head facing down, she heard as the trees rustled softly around her as a soft breeze of wind come along. Tenten shook her head furiously, trying to get rid of those unhappy memories that had suddenly overcome her, but it was no use. Her body had started to shake, and she instantly brought her hands upwards so they rested upon her bare shoulders. It wasn't like she was shaking for fear or anger, she was . . . sad. Even after a month of trying to escape that sadness, it was no use. But why? How come such things had to happen to her and no one else? Why was life so cruel?!

Tears were now straining to fall, but she suppressed them, gritting her teeth in anger. If love was such a harsh game to play, she'll never play it again. Never.

Soft rustling in the bushes brought Tenten back into realization and her hand instantly went over towards where her shuriken holster, taking out 2 shurikens just in case.

"My. My. My, what do we have here?"

Tenten frowned in disgust as she heard that cold heartless sly voice, watching as a fairly large man appear from behind the bushes, his face was covered by the shadows of the trees.

"What's a pretty lady like you doing out here all by yourself"

A different voice, it was sly and sharp. She was most likely facing off not one, but a group of men.

"I think the little lady needs some companions, don't you think Boss?"

Gripping her hands into a fist of anger, she threw the 2 shurikens toward the man who had suggested that stupid idiotic suggestion, pinning him against the tree, "I'm fine, thank you very much" She spat out, her eyes narrowing. Taking out a kunai from her back pocket thingy, she watched as they emerged from the shadows. In total a group of five men excluding the idiot whom was pinned against the tree, she would be able to handle them.

"My, she's a rough one?" The 'Boss' stated, licking his lower lip. He was quite large, maybe in his early twenties or so, with sharp emerald eyes and ruffled chestnut brown hair, a grin plastered over his face. He seemed young compared to his companions, but his arm full of scars showed her he had earn his place in the gang.

"Leave unless you want to die" Teten stated harshly as she watched the group of men surrounding her, getting into her fighting stance, her hands out in front of her holding the kunai, she watched as the 'Boss' just smirk, making her cock her eyebrows.

"We've already got you right where we want you"

Rustling could be heard from the ground beneath her, she tried to jump away from the spot but it was already too late. Hands had grabbed upon her heels, allowing her no movement. Chocolate brown eyes showing a tint of fear, she swore under her breath, watching as the group slowly start to approach her.

"Damn it"

====== Back at Konoha ===

The pure white eyes of the Hyuuga Clan looked around the barley lite hospital room, his eyes landing upon his teacher and comrade, but something was wrong, something was missing, more preciously, someone was missing. He wanted to speak out and ask, but the only sound that came out was a high- pitched squeak that even him, himself couldn't stand the sound of.

"Neji"

The sound of a rough voice caught his attention and he looked towards his same old green outfit teacher, Gai.

"I'm so glad that your back!!" A river of tears escaped the green teacher's eyes, flowing freely down his cheeks, "We've missed you so much!"

Neji looked towards his teacher in a cold heartless stare, Gai never changed. Letting off a soft sigh (at least he was able to do that), the branch Hyuuga member looked towards his comrade, maybe Lee was able to answer his silent question.

"Neji, it's a long time since I've talked to you"

[Question: Where's Tenten. Answer: NOW] Neji thought as he just calmly nodded his head, well at least tried to.

"Yes! It's been a long time since our group has finally had a time to come back together!!"

Yep, there goes the enthusiastic Gai again. Something's just never change.

"Tenten, she's-" Lee stated quietly as his eyes looked down upon the marble floor, remembering the incident that had happened just a month ago. But before Lee was able to get any further, his idol had interrupted him.

"Yes!! Once you are better we shall all go to Ichikaru Ramen!"

[Damn you Gai! DAMN YOU!!]

===== Outskirts of the Sand Country ====

A red haired 17 year-old boy sighed as he continued to walk aimlessly around the outskirts of the village. Why was he here? He didn't understand it himself. All he knew was that he had an urge to go walk in the outskirts of the village, and he did as he wished. No one dared to appose him, except for Temari who had said:

"No! It's dangerous in the outskirts of the village! You are not going!"

But luckily his brother, Kankuro, had opposed Teamari and taken on his side:

"Gaara's old enough to take care of himself, he's 17. Let him go wherever he wants"

Yes, after Kankuro had said that, his older siblings had gotten into quite a big fight, but in the end Temari had won, but stated that Kankuro was right. It was quite weird actually.

Shrugging it off, Gaara of the Sand continued his way along the dirt pathway, watching and hearing as the trees around him rustled ever so slightly as the soft summer breeze brushed past them. Yes, this was summer, boring, boring and boring, even the missions now seemed boring. Nothing exciting to do, no blood to shed, well, not that he was able to shed any anyways, he had his ultimate defense and no one was able to get through that . . . well, besides Naruto but he was a different story. No one besides 'him' was able to make him shed blood. Speaking of Naruto, it was because of him that Gaara had changed ever so slightly, nothing on the outside, but on the inside. He was able to express his feelings a bit better, but he would never 'love'. Loving meant sadness and sadness meant hurt, and he did not want to be hurt mentally in any way again. No never he-

Yelling

Screaming

Cries for help

They were heard in the distant road ahead, causing Gaara to stop for a split second. That voice seemed familiar . . . kind of . . . like he had heard it before. But where? He hadn't interacted with anyone outside (for most of them ran away from him) for a while, more precisely 3 years ago during the Chuunin Exam at the Hidden Leaf, but that was long ago.

Screaming could still be heard in the distant, making Gaara frown. Well, there goes his peace and silence.

Deciding to go check things out, he picked up his pace and continued along the road. Eyes narrowing as he saw dark figures up ahead. But one thing was for sure; 3 men were pinning down a girl, while the other 2 seemed to be on guard.

[Perverts] Gaara thought silently to himself as he slowed down his pace, but continued on forward. He was Gaara of the Sand, no one dared to oppose him, and if they ever were so foolish enough to, death awaited them.

Peering closer towards the girl, whom now seemed to be screaming, Gaara stopped for a split second [Raven black hair tied into two front pigtails] Gaara's brow ceased, "That tells me a lot" he mumbled under his breathe sarcastically.

Feeling as curiosity overcame him for the first time since . . . well, since yesterday after the incident with the weird looking Panda cookie jar, the red haired gourd boy slowly crept over towards where the trees lay, moving closer towards the scene from there. The two standing on guard still didn't seem to notice him, actually they seemed to be focused on something else, the girl.

"Idiotic fools" Gaara mumbled as he continued to watch the scene and it wasn't a good one. Why didn't he go out and save that girl? Well, he didn't exactly wish nor want to be part of another's business. It was stupid, idiotic and gay to just jump into someone else's business before knowing what was going on, so Gaara had decided to stay back and watch for a while, gathering some information.

[Let's see, Raven black hair, chocolate brown eyes and a very strong voice] Gaara's brow ceased, [Do I know her? She seems familiar in a way . . .]

Deciding to saveher first and ask questions later for it seemed like she was in trouble, Gaara slowly emerged from the bushes, his eyes casting off a disgusted look.

[They still don't seem to notice me] Gaara cocked his eyebrows ever so slightly, arms crossed in front of him. What? Should he make some sort of greeting now? Like: "Hey guys! What's up?" Okay, no, that would be just loud and stupid, exactly what Naruto would say (I don't mean to say Naruto's stupid!!!!! Sorry Naruto!)

"Get off of her"

Oh, now that was a much better greeting, cold and harsh, exactly like him . . . well, it was more like his old self, but people never cared for him, why should he care for others?

"And who do you think you are?" One of the guys on guard asked. Wearing a red bandana, he held what looked like staff, with a sharp blade connected to the end of it.

Gaara smirked. Amazing, someone didn't recognize him, that was a first, "Who I am does not matter to you, get off her"

The two guys on guard just looked at each other, a sly grin plastered upon their faces as both nodded in unison.

"I said: 'GET OFF OF HER'" Gaara's patience was running low and he didn't like repeating himself. Sheesh, why was he here anyways? Oh yeah, to save that girl and see why she looked so familiar to him.

Watching as the two men ran towards him in a quick pace, the Sand Demon grinned, Oh, this was getting better than expected. The man in the bandana ran behind him, jabbing his weapon towards where Gaara's back lay, but he was too slow and Gaara's ultimate defense acted up, blocking the attack with its sand. The other man was standing in front of Gaara, doing a bunch of seals, but he never got to finish them.

"Dessert Coffin" Gaara summoned up the sand from his gourd, making it wrap around his enemy like a snake. Surrounding him so no movement was allowed.

"Dessert Grave-yard!" Gaara clenched his fist together, making a it rain blood. Yes, Naruto might have changed him slightly on the inside, but Gaara still had the thirst for blood.

The man behind Gaara whom was attacking him instantly stopped as he watched the Ninjutsu (I think it's a Ninjutsu) being preformed by Gaara who had killed his ally, and he instantly knew whom the boy was, Gaara of the Sand. Feelign as fear overcome his body, the man instantly ran away as fast as his skinny legs could carry him.

[Run boy! Run!] Gaara thought as he snickered, watching as the bandana head man run away, what a nice companion he was, didn't even warn his alley's. Approaching the other three men who had finally seemed to realize he was there after seeing the rain of blood he had created, Gaara smiled, a wicked smile.

"It's-That's! That's Gaara of the Sand, Boss!!" One of the men stated as he pointed a shaking finger towards him, eyes becoming distant with fear.

[No, I'm your mother] Gaara thought sarcastically. When had he changed so much? It must've been all Naruto's fault, that's what.

"Run for it!!!!!"

The two men ran away, leaving only the 'Boss' and the unconscious almost nearly naked girl there. The Boss grinned, "Why, It's a pleasure to meet you Gaara of the Sand"

Gaara snickered, "And you are?"

"Kazi Kimeru" The boy answered as he licked his lower lip, gazing down at the unconscious girl, "Man, she was great, she your's?"

Gaara felt like puking, this guy was a perverted man, "I just happened to pass by"

"I'm glad that you did so dear Gaara, my day has become much more interesting" Kimeru stated as he took out a kunai from his bag, "I'll be known as the one who killed the 'great' Gaara, man, I'd get a good reward for this"

Gaara smirked, "Only one guy was able to defeat me" he stated, "And apparently, your not him"

======

Hoii!!! I'm sorry for the major OOCness of Gaara! It's so hard to write him! I kinda used the excuse 'Naruto was the one who changed me' a bit too much didn't I? Well, I might make another chapter if this is really that bad. Sorry!!! Anyways, don't worry if this is really a REALLY bad chapter I don't mind rewriting one. But please tell me so I can do so, cuz if you don't I won't know 0 Hope you enjoyed, but if you didn't tell me.
Oh also, if you're wondering why i made Tenten leave the Leaf and go to the Sand, it's becasue 'Love never comes that easily' right? Aslo, there will be slgith GaaraxTenten in the upcomign chapters.

Ice Flamez