Chapter Fifteen

Sakura shut her eyes as she felt her body being thrown full-force on a soft, fluffy material, something she knew was his bed. She listened involuntarily as the door slammed behind Gaara and the lock on the handle was activated. Her body was lying flat against the covers, her knees bent inward as closely as they could be and she crossed her arms over her face, preparing for the worst.

"N-No!" she shouted, trying to sound strong through her crying but seeming utterly weak. "I don't . . . just no!"

But as she waited, not necessarily ready but facing the facts on what was to come, nothing happened. She heard more shuffling, but it wasn't on top of her and Gaara hadn't ruffled her up or anything of the sort. It almost sounded like he was doing something on the other side of the room.

Letting her guard down just a bit she slowly opened her eyes, for the first time noticing a simple, plain room. There was the bed she was lying on in the corner, then there was a desk where he had sat down with a computer on it and a closet as well. He looked like he was reaching into a bag to take out books and it clicked. 'He's . . . he's doing homework? Now?'

"What's happening . . .?" she asked lightly to no one in particular, sitting up a bit and turning to stare out the window that was next to her. There was a small space in between the home she was in and the next, with small bushes lining the sides. When she found it less interesting than what she hoped she looked to Gaara, who already had a pen out and was writing. 'He's confusing me . . . why am I even here if he's not doing anything?'

"Can I go get some water? Umm . . . please?" Again, she was ignored, and she wiped the tears that were starting to dry on her face. She could have cared less about her make up at the moment; she was sure Gaara didn't care either. When she waited long enough for her to tell he wasn't ever going to ay anything to her she cautiously scooted over the side of the bed, ready to get off. "Okay . . ."

That was what made Gaara notice her. When Sakura's two feet were on the ground and heading for the door he stood up and pulled a sharp knife from his pocket, pushing her body forcibly against the wall and stabbing right next to her head, leaving a giant crack on it. Her breath stopped as she looked into his cold, hard eyes, ones that threatened her if she even dared to move a muscle at the moment.

"You're staying here," he told her obediently, and she nodded. With that he didn't go back to his desk for homework, but instead was heading towards the door to go back downstairs. Sakura still had the nerve for at least a little something, but only verbal; she couldn't have willed herself to move from the spot even if she wanted to.

"Why?" she asked, playing the question she had in her mind out loud. Gaara stopped, his hand on the door. "If you're noot doing anything to me . . . not that I want you to, or anything, but . . . what's the point in having me here? I'm . . . I'm not following this."

There was a pause, and for the first time Gaara answered one of her questions. "Naruto and Sasuke . . . both of them are strong fighters. But because of you, they've gone soft. You are just in the way."

Gaara left after he said that, but the words he said seemed to linger in her mind, over and over again. You are just in the way. How could he say that? Sakura let herself fall to the floor, but unlike what she had expected she didn't cry at all. Something in the pit of her stomach turned into a heavy weight, weakening her legs and rendering her unable to stand up any longer. 'It hurts . . . I knew all of that already, but it still hurts when someone says it to you.'

Somehow she and Gaara were on the same level with things, with the same thought and ideas about herself. But their methods were completely different, their reasons for wanting change. Because of that she couldn't be angry with him no matter how much she wished she could be. 'Gaara . . . Naruto . . . Sasuke . . .'

As Gaara was walking down the stairs he stopped, noticing Temari was already coming up with a tray in her hands. It had a bowl of soup, a glass of water and three tiny pills rolling around on top of the gray metal. She glanced up at him with her blue-green eyes and frowned, but held up the tray as if gesturing for him to take it.

"You've got to take your medication now, Gaara," she said, and just that moment he picked off the three pills in one hand and the glass of water in the other. As he did what he was told, she also informed him of other things, her voice soft and cautious just in case her younger brother was going to snap at him. "I want you to eat too; you haven't been properly having your meals lately . . . and also . . . I want you to stay home for the next couple of days. You've been going out to much."

When Gaara didn't answer, still drinking down his medicine with the water, she opened her mouth to speak again. But before she even got the chance he slammed the glass onto the tray again, startling her, then he said in a harsh voice, "And what are you going to do if I don't come home?"

Temari didn't have a single answer for that; nothing came to mind. When she was faced with Gaara's cold, unyielding stare she froze on the spot, afraid of what her little brother was capable of doing. She only came back into focus when his gaze fell and his body seemed to waver.

"Gaara, are you okay?" she said quickly, putting the tray down on the stairs they were on and gripping his shoulders to hold him up. She could see his half-closed eyes were instantly ready to shut and she could feel a sort of weakness emanating that made him want to fall and rest on the spot. She turned his body around and pushed him up the stairs by his back, and for once he complied. "Go to sleep, Gaara. You're tired . . ."

At first he only yawned, covering his mouth before reaching for the handle. As he turned, he spoke. "Bring up a glass of water soon."

"Huh?" Temari gave him a confused expression, in which he explained. It was an answer she hardly expected.

"Haruno Sakura said she wanted some."

As soon as Gaara had closed his bedroom door behind him Temari relaxed her tense shoulders and sighed. She turned as she heard a creak on the stairs and saw her other younger brother, Kankuro, walking towards her to pick up the tray she had put down, a clever smirk on his face.

"Gave him sleeping pills instead, huh?" he said knowingly, and though she didn't answer he knew it was the truth. He chuckled a little as he balanced the glass Gaara had drunk out of so it wouldn't fall so easily and break. "The fast kind, too. You know he's gonna realize it as soon as he wakes up."

Temari shrugged in response and turned to walk back down the stairs, Kankuro following her so they could continue in with their conversation. Even though the youngest of the three wasn't among their presence anymore she felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle. "I'm not going to worry about it now . . . I just wanted some quiet for a while."

"Or at least a chance for that girl to get away."

"Whatever," she replied, scoffing a bit as she crossed her arms. "I don't like prissy looking girls like her. Still, she wasn't supposed to be a part of Gaara's obsession either. She just . . . happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time."

Kankuro nodded in agreement, siding with her on everything she had just said. Even though they looked different on the outside, they were of one mind when it came to most decisions. "True enough."

Sakura already found herself back on the bed by the time Gaara had come back, which was only within a couple of minutes. She turned her face away to look out the window, not exactly sure what to do or say in his presence at the moment. But there wasn't any need to do anything; as soon as he walked in he fell right next to her on his bed, his eyes shut and his breathing heavy.

"G . . . Gaara?" she said slowly, now focusing her attention on the boy. For a moment she just watched as he comfortably curled himself in a small ball, his face becoming unusually soft. Any aura of fear from her was gone as she waved a hand over his head, realizing he was completely out of it. 'I . . . I don't know what happened, but whatever it was, it worked!'

Despite the strange black make-up he wore, Sakura almost thought he looked like a baby. In comparison to what he usually looked like, to say the least. The harsh mask he had worn every time she saw him had changed into a sleeping figure. He grumbled and started to curl up even more, moving his hands underneath his head to prop it up comfortably like a pillow. Finally, she dared herself to poke the one cheek he was exposing and she immediately giggled. 'He's like a child now!'

More inaudible grumbling came from his that for some reason or another made Sakura giggled again, but she stopped once she heard soft words come along with a pained expression. "Yash . . . Yashamaru . . ."

'Who?' Sakura thought, a million questions coming to mind. Of all the people to whisper names in their sleep, she least expected Gaara. He just didn't act like the type of person who would hold onto anyone for the sake of anything. 'Is it a girlfriend . . . maybe . . .'

Although she still felt uncomfortable in such an unfamiliar place, she wasn't sure what else to do. Watching his sleeping self started to make her eyes drift, and before she even realized it she balled her knees up to her chin, leaned against the window behind her and closed her eyes . . .

"Geez," Shikamaru muttered, checking his wristwatch and frowning. The entire time they were still waiting outside the restaurant, never noticing the small flowing of customers walking in and out the doors. "This is too troublesome. We've been out here for an hour already. What's taking her so long?"

A rather loud growl from Chouji's stomach made both pairs of eyes go in the large boys' direction, in which there was only one simple explanation. "I'm hungry."

Shikamaru couldn't help but laugh. He knew it had to come sooner or later if they had to be outside this long, but it still amused him almost every time. Even though they were on a sort of emergency he waved it off. "Go ahead and eat. Oh, and let me have my cell phone before you go in."

"Sure thing."

The moment his friend went inside the restaurant he went right to work, dialing the number of the person he had wanted to get a hold of for quite a while. As soon as the cheerful, giggling voice of the young girl picked up on the other line he said sternly, "Ino, where are you? When are you planning on coming here?"

An immediate silence followed on the other side, followed by Sasuke's voice saying something he could barely hear. Before she could answer he had already hung up and sighed, leaning himself against the glass of the restaurant. "I knew it . . ."

'She was never planning on coming in the first place,' he thought, his first plan of action in ruins with –or at least he was sure of- limited time left. 'I wasn't sure if it would happen or not, but at least we know what side she's playing on now.'

Shikamaru stood up straight and walked into the restaurant, already quickly spotting Chouji among the hungry customers. None could ever be so loud and quick to chow down as him, and the large boy was sitting in one of the booths gulping down an appetizer. Shikamaru walked up to him and motioned with his hands for him to come. Chouji seemed to immediately understand everything and sighed, putting down the empty bowl he had in his hands.

"Ino," he said, a frown coming to his face. "She'll do anything to get Sasuke, even betray her friends . . . Sometimes I just don't like her so much."

"Same goes for me, but she'll learn," Shikamaru replied. "Now come on. Pay so we can go try and get someone else."

Chouji reached into his back pocket, shuffling around a bit before he pulled out a small wallet and flipped through the inside. It took only a few seconds before his frown deepened and he turned to Shikamaru with a pleading look in his eyes. "I don't have any more money . . ."

Shikamaru sighed, already reaching into his own pocket like he was expecting this sort of problem to happen. It must have occurred for them many times for them to have been so much in synch with such simple events. "Don't worry, I'll pay."

With things taken care of the both of them got themselves ready to walk out the door to find help. But, as soon as they opened the entrance they bumped into the two people that were perfect for a rescue mission.

X x x x x

Gosh, this story is getting tough to write . . . even with all of my notes! T.T I'm so sorry. I hope this wasn't too dissapointing of a chapter, since I'm sure many of you were expecting a sort of resuce in this chapter from evil Gaara . . . but not quite yet! Gaara has a sad side to him too! Just like in the manga/anime . . .

Of course, it won't be exactly the same, since this is supposed to be a sort of out-of-whack high school romance story, but it's gonna follow the same sort of guidelines! Maybe. XD And where's the romance? Aaack! No romance in this chapter! T.T Well, there's family love here. Temari and Kankuro do care for their brother. Really.

So . . . I think within the next few chapters this arc of Gaara-ness will be complete. But how so? And now we have multiple mystery people! The person that was at the restuaraunt, and the people walking in the resturaunt! Who iz them all? I think that should be answered by th next chapter. So yes!

And you know what else? Where is the hit counter? XD I wanna see my hits! That's so cool of to do it, but I can't see mine! Or at least, I have no idea where it is . . . XD

Kist- Thanks:D I hope this is too bad . . . and I hope you'll continue to read this!

Hyzenthlay-shine dew fur- Wow, so many people are angry at Ino! T.T She's definitely getting a 'What goes around comes around' sort of thing . . . thank you so much for reading this!

brokenxrequiem- Thank you so much:D And no worries about reviewing earlier chapters; I always wait till I finish all chapters to a story before I review! XD It just seemes strange to clutter up someones inbox with reviews for every chapter if they're all already up or something . . . or . . . Ack! Dunno what I'm saying . . . lol!

I really like Sakura a lot. Through the anime and manga she develops so much as a character, and it's in such a natural way that many can relate to her. In the beginning she's just what one would call an average girl- But then she turns into her own person. She originally just had a crush on Sasuke, but as she comes to know him she comes to truly love him. She's always been a smart girl, but towards the later chapters she learns how to apply her strengths instead of just standing on the sidelines. :D She really is amazing to me!

Yokaigurl- Ack! Sorry. XD Mwahaha, so many hawt people in Naruto . . . it's so awsome! I wanna see what Shino looks like without those glasses of his . . . he's such a curious character, so I hope he has a role in the latest chapters soon! It seems appropriate for him to finall come out. XD Have you have the later chapters? I hope!

HinatasBiggestFanBoy- I'm so sorry I didn't update in so long! T.T But now I am, so all is well again! I'll try not to take so long with the next update . . . yes!

krn-kimbap- Hmmm . . . someday in the story he's not gonna be evil! And with the help of Sakura, because she's the main character here. Yeay! XD Hmmm . . . I'm still contemplating on who I want Sakura to be with. But I think I might have an idea on how I want this story to go!

Diamond Skye- Wheeew, the update dance! –Makes Sasuke join in- OMGosh . . . O.o I completely forgot about the idea of adding Tsunade or Jiraiya or Orochimaru in this story . . . Now I have to find a place for them! XD XD XD I love those characters too.

Byushi- lol:D Thanks a lot for the review. I'll try and continue to make good chapters!

veracytzwolves- Well, with the way things are going it looks like Sasuke is still clueless . . . T.T But one never knows what's going to happen! Things could go crazy in an instant and Sasuke would be the Knight who saves his Princess and the evil warlock Gaara would melt into a pile of water and stuff . . . or something along those lines. XD lol!

zornoid13- Updating:D This wasn't exactly soon, but I still hope it's okay.

Ou Yang Jing- Oh, I'm so glad you like this and Byakko Bouken! –Big Hugs- I really like typical Highschool stories for some reason, but I don't like how some of them are so poorly written because of the fact that they're so typical . . . It's hard to find perfect ones! Though I found a ton of Kingdom Hearts ones I abolsutely adore . . . lol! For some reason I tend to gravitate towards Shounen-ai/Yaoi Highschool stories . . . ack! Terrible habit! XD

DoCToR MeOwZiE- Well, hopefully this wasn't too bad! I know it's a litle long to wait for an update, but yeay! It was within a month! XD

Drackial- lol! XD Everyone sitting on a dumpster while Ino is inside of it . . . that's too funny! XD I'm making her such a back guy her, but the truth is I really like her a lot:D I love strong-willed characters like her in anime, especially since it's not too common for female characters to be strong in mind and strong in battle like her.

ang3L-blue- -Hugs- Thank you! I hope this wasn't too bad for you, chapter-wise. XD I just didn't see Gaara as the type to try anything on Sakura, you know? And I'm sure that's what many people expected . . . ack! XD

BBKarateGrl- No worries, I'll say that Neji isn't the café character, but he will definitely be in this fanfiction. I love him in the later chapters of Naruto:D He's so cool, and no so arrogant like he used to be. XD So I agree with you! And have you seen him with his new hairstyle in the latest chapters? It's so . . . –drools- OMGosh! XD

my-ripped-paperheart- Yeay for the sexayness of characters! XD Sasuke and Ino actually hang out in this story a lot more than what it would seem- Ino adores Sasuke and he honestly can't stand her, but they have a strange sort of relationship that will be explained later in the story. XD Hopefully I'll be able to portray it right!

BlueKanji- Thank you so much, and to add it to your favorites is such an honor! XD Truth be told, I really like Ino a lot! I was saying to another reviewer how I admired her because not only is she strong-willed as a person, but she's a talented fighter as well. I think she's really cool! Just . . . somehow she's turning evil in this story. XD

Defafaeth Mechqua- Ack! Cute face! XD Thank you for reading my story.