Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto if I did...well I donno, but I would be rich!

A/N:I want to thank my wonderful BETA JK I don't know what I would do with out ya! I didn't get as much feed back as I would have liked from the last chapter. I would like more, but then again I cannot force people to review.

Last time:

Unsuspected187: Sure Sasuke but you're sure you're not mad right?

Sil3entkiller: Yeah I'm mad, but... donno. I wont take it out on her at least. Will that work for ya?

Unsuspected187: Yeah Sasuke that will work for me. Just don't hurt her. I never want to hear that sound in her voice again. Next time I think it will kill me.

Hinata never did get her reply. She sat there at the computer, staring at the screen. Sasuke had signed off, and the words still sat on the screen blurred together making a black and white blob. Hinata never could tell that story without tears flowing from her eyes. She just hoped that everything would work out.

Chapter7: Twisted Thoughts

Sakura should have been happy when she woke up this morning, but she was actually dreading what was to come. She knew that Hinata had talked to Sasuke last night. She wasn't sure what was said between them exactly, but she knew that there would be a confrontation. Sakura just couldn't take any more heartbreak. She took pride in the mask that she wore, and she couldn't afford to let it slip now. She had to stay focused.

'All I need to do it graduate and get the hell out of here. Get away from Jin, away from all my problems.'

She sighed as she let the water run over her, still careful that she did not get her hair wet. Her wound had still not healed fully. Sasuke said it would probably be another day or two until she could take off the bandage for good. She almost became lost in her thoughts as the water continued to beat down on her back, washing away the pain from her mind.

She jumped out of the shower and went to dress. She reached in her closet and found a pair of black pants with red stitching, and straps and chains attached to various buckles. The then pulled out a long-sleeved fishnet top and a black tee shirt that read "You laugh now, but will you be laughing when I crawl out from under your bed?" Sakura went to the mirror and fixed her hair and applied a thick line of gray eyeliner to the bottom and top of her eyes. Satisfied with her appearance, she waited for Hinata. She never had to wait to long, and today was no different. As the horn sounded, she put on her shoes, and went to the car.

The ride to school was thick with tension, neither one wanted to speak. Surprisingly, it was Hinata the broke the silence. "S-S-Sakura-chan?" The pink haired girl looked up at her friend. "Y-Y-You know t-t-that Sasuke will s-s-s-still be your friend r-r-right?"

"Honestly, Hinata? I don't know." After a long pause she continued. "What did he say to you exactly?

"W-w-w-well, he said that h-h-h-he was mad, but h-h-h-he wasn't gonna take it out o-o-on y-y-you. He d-d-doesn't get it r-r-really, but I'm s-s-sure he wont h-h-hurt you." Sakura almost seemed hurt that he was mad, but was still happy knowing that he would still talk to her. It helped, even a little bit, knowing the he wasn't going to hurt her. At least, that's what he said. When they pulled into the parking lot, Sakura froze. He was already waiting for her.

Neji swore he wasn't going to school today. After last night's events, he could barely move. Although, the truth was that he did not walk into the house until well after midnight. It wouldn't have been so bad, but he had to listen to his uncle's non-stop ranting about him being on drugs. Eventually he gave up on trying to explain and went to bed. 'It still didn't work. Dammit! Why won't he leave my head? Stupid. Stupid. Stupid fucking redhead.' He was just glad he got to sleep in today. Neji rolled back over. He still had another hour before he had to get up.
Gaara woke up dreading the day. It wouldn't be that bad as long as he could avoid Neji. The outburst in the bathroom yesterday had left him frazzled. Kankurou however kept his promise. He did not inform Temari on what Gaara had done. In fact, he did a pretty good job keeping the whole incident from her completely.
Kankurou sat there for a minute, just staring at his little brother. He let out a long sigh and muttered something under his breath. Gaara couldn't quite make it out, but it was somewhere along the lines of "How could this happen?"

"All right, little one. How 'bout we get you cleaned up? That way, Temari won't ask any questions."

Gaara just nodded his head and followed him up the stairs. He sat on the toilet and removed his shirt. He wanted to leave it on, but the sleeves were too tight to roll up.

Kankurou began to get everything that he would need to fix up his little brother. He wet a rag with warm water and began to clean off all the newly dried blood.

"I'm really sorry, Kankurou. I didn't mean to do it. I just didn't have another way out."

Kankurou let out a sigh. "Gaara, you always have another way out. Temari and me are here for you. I know it may not seem like it, but we are. I told you. I care about you Gaara. You are my little brother and I really hate seeing you like this."

"Yeah, I guess."

"What do you mean 'you guess'?" Kankurou gripped tighter onto his arm. "Gaara I'm serious, dammit. I don't want to see this ever again! I love you. Do you get that? I fucking love you! You're my brother. I don't want to see you die!" He was on the verge of tears.

"I-I-I'm sorry Aniki. Really! I-I-I didn't m-m-mean for it to c-c-c-come out like t-t-that." He was really freaked out. Gaara had never seen that look in his brother's face. He felt the grip tightening on his already injured wrist. "Ow! K-K-K-Kankurou. It hurts. Let go."

"I'm sorry Gaara. Please, I am begging you, as a brother. I don't want to see this. Come to me if anything happens, or started to happen. Ok?"

"Yeah Kank. I will." With all that said, Kankurou went back to disinfecting the wound with alcohol and bandaged his arm.

"Alright little one." He had lit up and let a small smile through. "You are all fixed up. No picking until they heal alright?"

"Sure thing Aniki. I'm hungry. Can we go get some food?"

"Yeah. We can do that. Temari should be coming home for lunch soon. I don't want her to know I picked you up from school. She will wonder what happened, and you don't want her to know. So lets get going."

Kankurou had even called the school so that they wouldn't call home asking what happened, and why Gaara wasn't in class. Gaara had actually gone to him, and had a long talk about everything that happened. Kankurou had actually given him some good advice on what he should do with Neji.

"You love him right?"

"Yeah. I really think I do."

"No Gaara that's not what I asked you. I asked you if you love him, not if you think you love him." Gaara couldn't help but sigh. He didn't see what the difference was. Kankurou seemed to understand this. "Alright. Lets put it this way. What do you want most for Neji?"

"I want him to be with me."

Kankurou couldn't help but laugh at him. "Gaara think about that again. What do you want most for NEJI? Not you."

He let out another sigh. "I want him to be happy. I want him to be happy throughout his entire life. I don't want him to hurt, or be sad like I have. Like I am now."

"Even if it's not with you? Could you be happy even if he was not with you? I want an honest answer so don't lie."

"Yeah Kank. It hurts that he is not with me, but if I saw him truly happy, I would still be happy for him."

"You know what I think?"

"What's that Kankurou?"

"You really do love him. Don't worry. Let him do his own thing for a while. I promise things will work out the way that they are supposed to. I am not asking you to forget about him, or anything like that. Be his friend if he wants. Just be there if he needs you. If that is going to be to hard for you just be acquaintances with him."

"Thanks Kankurou. I will try. I'm sorry for keeping you up. I feel better, I'm going to bed now."

"Any time Gaara. Anytime. I mean it: if you ever need me just come wake my lazy ass up."

He let a small smile pass through his lips. "Sure thing Aniki."

He was felt a lot better thinking about last night's events. Yesterday there would have been no way that he would have thought about going to school today, but he felt better after his talk with his older brother. He was almost finished getting ready. He pulled a long-sleeved shirt over his head, and walked out the door, grabbing a piece of toast on his way out.

'I already know that I can't be his friend. I will just stay away from him. If he is happy, no mater how much it hurts, I will be happy for him.' He took off down the street on his skateboard. He really didn't feel like walking so he decided to roll his ass to school.

Sasuke took one look at her, and could do nothing but walk away. He couldn't talk to her right now. He was going to have to wait until later. He was still angry. 'I don't fucking get it. One minute she is all over me, and the next she just wants to be friends. I mean, I did start it last night, but she didn't tell me "no". That look on her face last night showed no form of wanting me to stop, but then she pulls a one-eighty on me. I just don't get it! There has got to be more to this story the Hinata told me last night.'

Sakura watched as Sasuke walked away.

'He didn't say shit to me. I knew he would be mad, but not this mad.' Sakura grabbed Hinata's arm and walked away.

They finally stopped under a tree. "Hinata, tell me what was said exactly. I want to know the whole conversation between you and Sasuke."

Hinata opened her mouth to speak when a blue-eyed blonde interrupted her. "Good morning!" Both of the girls looked up to Naruto and nodded their replies.

"Ummm... Naruto. I don't mean to be rude, but could you leave Hinata and me alone? I just need to talk to her for a little bit. I promise I will return her." Sakura put on her best happy face.

"Yeah sure thing Sakura-chan. Are you alright?"

She smiled a bit wider to prove her point. "Yeah Naruto. I am fine. You know it's just girl talk."

For once Naruto didn't believe her. "Whatever you say. Hey. Do you know were that bastard went this morning. I still need to talk to him."

Sakura's face instantly lost all happiness. "Yeah Naruto he went over to the benches." Hinata answered for her.

"Thanks. Hinata-chan. You are looking hot as usual." Naruto grinned and walked away.

"Alright Hinata. I want to know everything."

"Well. I didn't have the courage to talk to him over the phone, and I sure as hell couldn't do it in person."

Sakura was confused. "So how did you talk to him?"

"I-I-I In-in-instant messaged him." Hinata barely spoke above a whisper.

"You did what?" Sakura couldn't believe she did that. She figured Hinata would call him up, and tell him. Not over the Internet. Then again, Hinata never really had much of a backbone. Sakura didn't know if she could take the Uchiha's coldness. She knew there was no way her friend could.

"Well y-y-you wanted me to t-t-tell him right? T-t-t-that was the only way I c-c-could."

"Yeah I should have known that. I'm sorry, Hinata, continue."

"Well I told him your past. Everything that happened in Tokyo, he knows. I made sure he knew about what happened with your relationship, and everything that happened. I didn't tell him everything. I just told him what I knew was alright."

"So does he know what Jin does for a living?" Sakura hoped to be the one to tell Sasuke.

"N-N-No I didn't tell him that. Y-y-y-you know Jin sc-sc-scares me."

Sakura let out a small laugh. "Yeah, I know. Thanks Hinata. I swear I don't know what I would do without you sometimes."

"Don't w-w-w-worry about it." Hinata had a small blush.

"Oh yeah, I meant to ask you."

"Hm?"

"What is with you stutter? It just comes and goes as it pleases."

Hinata blushed even deeper. "Naruto said that he liked me when I am aggressive. S-s-s-so I t-try to hide it."

"Ahh, I see. Well good. Someone needs to get through to you. So when are you and him going to get together? Huh?"

"Sakura-chan!" Hinata's face could rival Gaara's hair right now.

Both girls fell over in laughter.

"Hey Sasuke. What is good?" Naruto practically yelled this down the hall. "Wait up!"

Sasuke waited for Naruto to catch up to him. "What do you want Naruto?" His voice could have frozen the coldest of people in their place.

"Geeze, bastard. I just wanted to know what was up with you. I mean Sakura looks really sad, and she told me to leave her alone. Hinata is talking to her right now." Naruto brought down his usually playful tone into something more serious.

"I don't know what is wrong with her. I don't really care either way."

"Oh whatever Sasuke. You know you care. I mean, what happened anyways? Yesterday you two actually seemed happy with each other. I know you like her. I already told you that yesterday."

A replay of yesterday's talk with Naruto played back in his head.

"Hey bastard. Did you have fun with Sakura?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about, Naruto. Me and Sakura are friends."

"Yeah, right. I saw the way you looked when you came downstairs. Both of you were disheveled, and Sakura looked very pissed for the interruption."

"You know what? You really are an idiot sometimes." Before Naruto could come back with a comment, Sasuke continued. "You can pick up on the tiniest things in other peoples relationships, but you yourself can't see what is so blatantly in front of your face."

" So you do have a relationship with -- Huh what the hell are you talking about Sasuke?"

"I'm talking about Hin--"

"Umm, boys, food's ready. Would you please come sit down? I'm afraid you won't be able to eat in the living room. Sorry, but I don't trust you."

"I swear Naruto, sometimes you just need to leave things alone."

"Yeah bastard I know I should, but would I be me if I did?" Naruto put on his best smile to please the Uchiha boy. He still wanted answers from him.

Sasuke let out a long sigh. Naruto was his best friend and if he couldn't tell him, then whom could he tell? "Alright, I'll tell you. I don't want you to breathe a word of this to anyone. If you do, I will kill you."

"I knew it! You do have a soft spot for her."

Sasuke looked like he was about to explode from anger. "Look, you ass. Do you want to know or not?"

"You know I do. I don't want a single detail left out."

"God you're such a pervert sometimes, Naruto." Sasuke shook his head before he continued. "Well, while you were out with Hinata, me and Sakura kissed. That's it. You interrupted us before anything else happened."

Naruto looked a little disheartened at this news.

"Well after we all went home, Hinata started talking to me on-line. She told me that Sakura didn't want anything else to happen with her and me. She just wants us to stay friends."

"Well..." Naruto thought for a minute before he continued. "Why didn't she just tell you herself?"

Sasuke was shocked. For once in his life Naruto actually understood where he was coming from. "See, that's what I didn't understand. I mean, Hinata just informed me on Sakura's past, and why she didn't want her and me to go any further than friendship. I still think that something is not being said."

"Have you talked to Sakura at least? She would know her past and her reasons better then anyone would. No offence to Hinata, but she is not Sakura. She might not know all the reasons."

"You know what Naruto? For once in your life, you actually make sense." Sasuke let out a small laugh. "Well, I will talk to her later. It is a conversation that will just be between me and her."

"Ok. Just don't you hurt her, I swear, I think she has gone through more then we will ever know. Hey, lets go back to the girls." Naruto turned to walk away, and Sasuke followed.

They both walked outside to find their friends laughing, and still rolling on the ground. "Hey, let's come back later. She looks happy with Hinata right now. Let's give them time to themselves. What do you say?" Naruto let out a small smile.

"Okay what have you done with the real Naruto?" Sasuke looked over at his friend in disbelief.

"What, they're happy! I don't want your ass to go ruin Sakura-chan's good mood." Naruto let his smile grow wider.

"Hn. Whatever. For a minute there you got a little too serious for me. Don't do it again." Sasuke and Naruto turned to walk back into the building, and into the courtyard.

It seemed that everyone was together for the first block. Well, except for Naruto. It was advanced math. Sakura took note of the teacher the minute she entered the room. 'Eww. He looks like a child molester.' She shuddered and her and Hinata took a seat beside one another. "Hey, Hinata. Where is Naruto?"

Before she had a chance to answer Sasuke did it for her. "You should know by now that Naruto isn't all that smart, Sakura." She turned around, but Sasuke was just staring out the window.

'Well at least he spoke to me.'

Class went on with the boring lesson. Sakura found out that she really didn't miss much when she was gone. It was only one day, but this was advanced math. The teacher who asked to be called Orochimaru went on with his lecture. Sakura looked around and saw that everyone around her felt the same way she did, this man was creepy. His long black hair did nothing to deter the image of death that seemed to surround him. She was so happy when the bell finally rang.

'Yes. I have been waiting for art class. I was so upset that I missed it last time. I hope the teacher is cool. What am I thinking? It's art. Of course the teacher is cool.'

Sakura was brought out of her musings when she remembered that she didn't know where the art room was. She looked around, but could not find anybody she knew. At that very moment a splash of red amongst the sea of browns and blacks caught her eye. "Gaara." She yelled hoping to get his attention. He turned around wondering who the hell called him.

It was a female that's for sure. He didn't know any females besides Hinata, and she would never yell out for him. He finally understood when he saw pink come into his view.

"Hey, Gaara. Do you know where that art room is? I missed my classes because I wasn't here the other day, and I just remembered that I never asked anybody where it was at."

He nodded his reply and turned around to continue walking. Sakura followed. "Well now that I know that you know, do you mind telling me?"

He let out a sigh before turning around. "I have art next. I assumed that you would just follow me."

"Oh. Ok." Sakura felt very stupid at that moment and trailed behind the redhead. "Hey Gaara, is anybody else I know in that class?"

"Yeah. Neji is in it, and that blond girl Ino that doesn't like you."

"Dammit. I really don't want to put up with her for a whole year. Is her work any good?"

Gaara let out a small laugh. "No she's not. The only reason she joined that class is because Sasuke takes art."

"But you didn't say Sasuke was in our class." Sakura was confused.

"He's not. He decided to take music theory this year instead of art." Sakura let out a small 'ohh' before falling silent. Right before they walked in Sakura pulled Gaara back.

"Do you mind if I sit next to you? I don't know anybody, and I don't want to sit beside Neji. He kind of scares me." She started to look down at her shoes. She was almost ashamed to admit that she was scared of the Hyuuga.

Gaara was almost taken aback by her question. "I don't scare you? That's funny, most people call me a freak, and wouldn't dare sit next to me."

"Really?" Sakura couldn't believe her ears. I mean sure he seemed kind of out there sometimes, and he was really quiet. In fact, Sakura couldn't believe he was talking to her this much. "I don't find you scary, just interesting."

"Yeah I don't care. I don't talk much. So don't expect me to." She nodded her head in understanding, and followed him inside. She stopped by the teacher's desk to drop off all of her paperwork.

"I'm sorry sensei. I was sick last class period and could not make it. I am Haruno Sakura."

"Ahh. So you are the new student. Welcome." He spoke in between puffs of his cigarette. "Just call me Asuma." With that she nodded and went to go take her seat beside Gaara.

Sakura took out he sketch pad and began to finish up one of her drawings that she had been working on before her move. Asuma had given them free time as long as they remained quiet. The picture was a morbid one. A beautiful woman sat there holding her child as the scene around her burned up in flames. Gaara happened to glance over at her artwork. "You're actually really good. That's a first most of the girls are in here to watch Sasuke."

Sakura let out a laugh. "Thanks. It really means a lot to me. I don't mean to bring this up, and I know that you two aren't together anymore" Gaara's face had hardened in an instant. "What is with you and Neji?"

"I would rather not talk about it." He reached down and picked up a book from his bag. Unconsciously he glanced over at the brunette. He was sitting with Deidara. He couldn't help but cringe as the blonde ran his hand up Neji's thigh.

What does he think he is doing? That was Neji. That was his Neji. It then dawned on Gaara what he had been thinking. 'That's right, was.' He sighed and started to work on something new.

Before they knew it class was over and it was time to move on. Sakura couldn't help but feel guilty for her earlier statement. "Hey Gaara." She stopped him before he left. "Look, I am sorry." She cut herself off when she saw Deidara pull Neji into an embrace and start to kiss him. At that moment Gaara turned around.

'God, I don't need to see this.' He let out and exasperated sigh.

"Don't worry about it." With that he left the room as fast as he could. He wanted to see Neji happy, but it didn't mean that he wanted to watch him make out with someone else.

Sakura made her way into government and took her seat the Sasuke. She gave a slight smile to him. He took notice, but did not reply. She let out a small sigh. She still wanted Sasuke as a friend, but after what happened in Tokyo, she didn't think she could trust anyone else with her heart. They needed to sort things out, and badly.

Iruka walked into class and everyone settled down. "Ok good morning. I want to welcome you all back to class." Random groans could be heard throughout the class. Iruka just smiled. "Once again I do not have anything planed for you today except passing out some more papers, and taking up last class paperwork. It will count for a homework grade. If you don't have it, it's a zero." More groans.

The teacher called up Sakura to check her work, and give her some more papers. When she took a seat at her desk she noticed a note. 'We need to talk.' She scribbled down something and gave it back to Sasuke.

'Yeah. We do.'

'Meet me on the roof after this class. I know you have lunch with me. You remember how to get there right?'

'Yeah. I do.'

More paperwork was explained, as well as the layout for the year. 'Well, this will be an easy A...' Just then, the bell rang. She looked up and found that Sasuke had already left. Sakura packed up her things and made her way to the roof. As she opened the door, the wind whipped hair into her face. As she pulled the strands away from her vision, she saw him. Sasuke was standing there waiting for her, a look of complete seriousness on his face.

"Sasuke, let's talk."

He let a slight smile slide onto his face. "No, you need to talk. I'll listen."

Junsui Kegasu's BETA Notes: Dude, you said this ending sucked! It didn't! It was cool! Ahh, okay, I best get back to Haunted…I swear, one day I'll finish it…one day… And to all you reviewers out there, HEY, I'M ADVERTISING MY STUFF! GO READ IT BEFORE MY MODESTY COMES BACK AND I DELETE THIS MESSAGE!

A/N: Yeah I am advertising her work to! It's some good shit. Everyone should read it! I really didn't like the way this ending turned out. Oh yeah I am so sorry this took so long!All I gotta say is Nekocon. I had to getso much stuff together. I had a blast. Well... minus some confrontations there.

Oh yeah thank you to all my reviewers! I don't have the energy for replies today. If you want one feel free to email me and i will answer them as best as I can.