Don't own it
An: Thanks for your lovely reviews. First off, yes Sasuke is a beep –beep –beep beep beeeep- BUT! He has a reason to be, which I will some day get too. I will do a side chapter explaining Ino and Sasuke's relationship (In flash back mode) Gaara and Sakura, and maybe a few others.
They are 16 or turning 16 btw. Sorry if this chapter feels rushed.
Typical High School Story
Chapter 4: Love at first sight?
The rest of the night for one Sakura Haruno went by pretty easily other then her over imagination. A few times during the night Sakura got up to check over Gaara's wounds – thinking a sudden attack of infect would occur or that pod people had switched him. Satisfied he wasn't running a fever, the chance of infection were low and he was in fact still the real Gaara, the girl returned to bed only to wake with the same fear and do the check all over again.
Finally around five or so in the morning Sakura settled down next to Gaara. If she just watched him to make sure he wasn't going to suddenly vanish, then she could sleep. Only when sleep claimed her, did she realize that she couldn't sleep and keep watch. Sometimes logical thinking was not her best subject.
Her apartment was small but had a touch of lived in feel about it. Pictures of friends and more favorable relatives hung on the walls. Flowers sat on the small two person dining table and added a bit of life and color to the apartment. The carpet was a plain tacky blue but that didn't bother Sakura too much. It matched the used and tacky couch and a small used 20 inch TV.
How she hated that ugly couch, while it was cheep, it was just as ugly. The couch was an off color brown and had a few ripped and stained areas. It was cheap, Sakura told herself that every time she looked at it.
In the small open floor room in her living room Sakura had pulled out her extra futon for Gaara. Ordering him to lay down, the red head seemed to humor the girl. To try and get him to sleep was an uphill battle.
The light from the window painfully burned the outside of Sakura's eyelids. The girl rolled over with a groan. A hand reached out to the spot next to her to find it vacant. Green eyes shot open but relaxed when the sound of running water echoed from the bathroom.
'He didn't leave… he stayed all night… thank goodness…'
While Sakura once upon a time ago had a full on crush for the dangerous red head, she kept it under control. One did not fall for her body guard; it led to endangerment for herself and for him. It was better that way. To make the mattered worse her father saw Gaara as an expendable object – a tool to be used for a secret war. A war that has span generations and most likely never end.
Somehow he found out about his daughter's crush. His actions were swift; he removed Gaara from his duty and placed Sakura over seas. Sakura assured herself it was for the best; after all nothing hurts more then a one sided love affair.
A yawn escaped her lust lips and emerald orbs wandered around the empty room. Gaara's blanket draped over her small form the ends tucked in slightly. Sakura fingered the soft wool; a small crept onto her lips.
Some things never change, and most likely never will.
Sakura rolled her head towards the general area of the shower to spot a very wet Gaara. Clad only in his pants and a towel around his shoulders, the man-boy walked towards the couch. Suddenly fathom feelings from the past attacked Sakura's heart. It rekindled feelings from the years spent with him hit her hard in the gut, only now it was coupled with hormones. All of it was almost unbearable.
Keyword - Almost
Gaara watched the girl before him with some amusement. Drying his hair Gaara sat down on the couch. He watched his old charge look anywhere but him. It might have been a bit cruel to walk out wet and only in his pants, but he was hardly ever fair.
It didn't sit well with him being saved by a girl. To add salt to the wound it had to be his old charge.
"Sakura, It is rude not to greet your guest in the morning." He spoke in his normal deadpan voice.
She dared a glance at him heart beating fast and hard. Sakura noticed the wound from last night was healing well and the changed bandages. That thought made her a bit peeved. Fingers itched to touch that fine toned body once more, oh damn these crazy teenage emotions!
Think of something quick! Sometime to make you angry!
Sasuke.
Much better.
"Well good morning too you, Gaara. Did you sleep well? I hope so. I slept like a baby." It was a lie; sleep was the farthest thing on her mind last night.
"go and take your shower, I will walk with you to school this morning." Again, it was a command not a question. Some things really never do change.
Sakura pushed herself up into a sitting position and glanced over at him. Arms wrapped around the bent of her knees and rested her head on them. Long pink strands stood on end and ruffled from all the movement from last night. What looked to be the being of rings appeared blow her eyes and it didn't help that her skin looked pale in the morning light.
"We are? Don't you think it will be better for no one to know… you know…" It was one thing for Sasuke to be going after her; it was another for him to target Gaara.
"Don't even start. I will be leaving Uchiha's pathetic little gang today. I can hardly stand him as it is, this only gives me reason." The red head boy tossed the damp towel at Sakura. It hit her right in the face and muffled the up coming whine.
"You are joking right! Gaara I am a big girl now, I don't need you in my shadow lurking and snarling at anyone who tries anything anymore. I have a fighter's background too you know…. I just…" Sakura peeled off the damp towel and looked down at it. She fingered the white cotton material. The moment her eyes met Gaara's she realized her mistake. Anger fumed behind cold stone jade orbs.
" Sakura. You will not fight, do you understand."
Green eyes darted away and nodded. She would not fight. She would not soil her self with blood, Sakura would not become like the other members of her family. The goal was to remain untouched by the violence, murder, blackmail, death, and all the things that pledged her family's lifestyle.
Gaara forced her into that promise, it was a promise she was not meant to break.
"… alright.. but…" Sakura braved another look at Gaara. At times he scared her, something in those wild eyes. There was unpredictability about him, that Sakura found herself both liking and disliking at cretin times.
"Don't worry about me." Why did he always have to be the selfless knight? Who did he think he was superman? Sakura fumed slightly.
The pink head bobbed up once and twice in an affirmative way. Sakura pushed herself up, towel in hand and walked to the bathroom. Men annoyed her just as much as the snobs at her old schools. They say women hard to understand what about men?
It was going to be a long day. A very, very long day.
--
Sakura sat uncomfortably on the train, her newly self proclaim body guard sat beside her. His arms crossed, eyes closed he seemed dead to the world and the odd stares from the other passengers.
She chewed on her thumb slightly. Mind in overdrive Sakura thought up things to tell her nosey schoolmates. 'oh you see Gaara is really my brother, see green eyes? red and pink? yup! just one over protective brother! surprise Ino!' No, that wouldn't work. 'well you see Gaara is my pet… uhh.. panda, no he is a raccoon! hell I don't even know what he is do you?'
Each reason she came up with after that became progressively worse.
When they first got on the train no seats were open, with just one snarl and growl two young college students stood for them. Gaara motioned for Sakura to take a seat and he followed suit. The two sat in silence for most of the way to school.
Sakura was still trying to figure out a reasonable story for her classmates.
They walked side by side to the gates 20 minutes early. Both walked in step with other and always knew the others next move. Without missing a beat, if one would turn so would the other, if one wanted to pick up the speed so would the other. Eyes of the other classmates were on the two, peering, wondering, questioning why would Haruno the new girl be walking with one of the school's hottest but the worse tempered of bad boys?
Neither of them looked at the people staring, they just kept on their way. Only when they reached Sakura's home room did one of them speak.
"Gaara there were a lot of eyes on us…" Sakura titled her head to the side, and glanced down the long hallway.
"ch' whatever, Uchiha should soon be here soon. Remember; don't even look at him Sakura." The newly reinstated bodyguard gave Sakura gentle push inside of the classroom and followed her in. He scanned the room only to find his target already there.
Naruto was the first to spot them, he was about to greet Sakura in his usual fashion when he halted. Gaara stood awfully too close to his crush, his right hand on the small of her back. While most girls would either flip from happiness, or die from fear, Sakura displayed nothing of that but instead trust?
"Gaara… Sakura?" Naruto asked in a confused tone. "What are you two…."
The names caught Sasuke's attention; his eyes drew up slowly to glance at the two. "How cute."
Naruto couldn't rip his glaze away from the two.
"So this is why you didn't want to help in my plans? You know the… annoying twit? How very disgusting," Sasuke interlocked his fingers and leaned into them.
"How I know Haruno is none of your concern Uchiha. Our… truce is off. However, I would advise you this once to keep your distant from Haruno."
Sakura just looked away from the both of them. Was he trying to be civil for her? Normally, the poor guy never had a chance if she wasn't there. There was also the feeling of bloodlust in the air, the calm before a storm.
He must really hate him, or Uchiha was a proficient fighter.
"I knew it was going to end, but not like this. Well then, I will enjoy making your life hell as well, Gaara of the Sand." Sasuke didn't hide his smirk. The ego on this guy was huge.
"Gaara…" Naruto just looked between the two he called friends. While he too didn't want to hurt Sakura he would hopefully talk Sasuke out of most of the things planned.
"I told you Naruto it would be short lived, shorter then I expected however." Gaara glanced at his renewed charge and nodded. Sakura left the spot by his side and walked towards her desk, eyes downcast and never once did she look at Sasuke.
"You have her trained well Gaara; I must give you some credit. What a girlfriend of yours? Ran away from her family to be with you?" The raven haired boy titled his head to the side in mock amusement.
"You have it all wrong Uchiha like always but it doesn't matter." Gaara's fist clenched then unclenched. "Haruno, I will meet you here after school and lunch." With that Gaara pivoted on the ball of his foot and left the room.
Green eyes just stared out the window; she heard the hush whispers of the other classmates, along with Naruto's attempts to whisper. It would be the talk of the first years for sure. Gaara never did learn why it was good to be subtle with such matters.
---
As the lunch bell rang, Sakura found herself jumped by the female classmates. All of them wanted to know the secret connection between her and the quiet yet deadly Gaara. Sakura was at a lost for words until Ino's big mouth scared them off.
"Hey get lost! scram!" Ino marched over to her friend. "What ever secret love affair you think she is having with Gaara is… so dead true. Now beat it and leave the poor girl alone, she is suffering enough with that monster as a boyfriend." Ino smirked when the girls nodded but sighed. They were a little bit jealous and felt some pity for Sakura all at the same time.
"INO! We are not dating!" Sakura growled under her breath, "How could you say something like that!"
"Well… it will get them off your back won't it? So stop fussing; now come on to my home room, Tenten wants to meet you." Ino smiled and took Sakura's hand to forcefully drag her there.
"Wait… Ino I have to wait for Gaara… he will…" Sakura noticed out of the corner of her eye the red head. As she peered over the blonde's shoulder green eyes fell on Gaara. He stood by the door, nodded once, and Sakura turned to smile at Ino. "Come on lets go Ino-pig."
The bodyguard vanished Ino turned her attention completely forward, arm linked with Sakura's.
--
In the dim lit student council room Yukito sat in his expensive self bought CEO chair. His fingers kitted together, a devilish smile appeared on his thin lips. At his side was his faithful second in command Hinata Huugya. While Neji had the chore of protecting young Hinata, Yukito took it upon himself to take her under his wing.
After all he needed the person president for the next year, what better then to leave it in the hands of a woman? You see Yukito loved to cause unneeded drama and shake up the social norm. He loved to see people's faces when the unexpected happened.
Yukito loved being a puppet master. He was raised to be a leader and Yukito enjoyed the spot light but only at certain times. He favored the shadows and the control one could get from there. What better to have a woman president? He of course will advise Hinata of who to keep for her cabinet.
"Hinata."
"Yes sir?"
"The specs on Haruno Sakura please."
Hinata handed him the folder. Pale eyes watched as he scanned the contents. "So.. Gaara of the Sand has taken in the little kitten. Amusing, Uchiha is planning revenge, Naruto is torn between the two, and as for the other two… hmm I see. This girl will be prefect for my plans." Yukito closed the folder.
"… you don't mean sir…?" Hinata tilted her head to the side. When alone with Yukito her stutter was gone and self confidence bloomed.
"Yes, those plans my little Hinata-chan. I will need you to get close to Uzumaki Naruto. Can you do that?" The president shifted in his plush seat to glance up at the first year. "I have a love letter already written for the occasion." He rested his chin into the palm of his right hand a coy smile on his lips.
The first year glanced away nervously cheeks burning a soft red hue. "I… I don't think…"
"You like him don't you? Weren't you just telling me that?' his voice soft, almost brotherly.
"But… S-sir…" Hinata shut her eyes and sighed, "I will do it. b-but I don't like it."
"Well you can chew me out in front of Sushune then. About me being an evil tyrant, deal? And please remember to control your shutter a president must never show uncertainty or weakness"
Hinata just smiled and nodded. It however, did nothing for the butterflies in her stomach. Her crush on Naruto span all the years of middle school and it didn't help Neji hated Sasuke.
She was going to get an ear full once the rumor mill started up.
---
Sakura was pushed into another first year home room. Ino tugged her along to where three people sat. A Chinese looking girl and two young men sat comfortably in each other company. The blond placed her hands onto Sakura's shoulder and grinned like an insane teenager.
"Guys, this is Haruno Sakura, just call her forehead she love that nick name. Forehead this is, Tenten, Kiba, and Shino." Ino pointed to each one in that order.
"I don't like being called forehead like Ino-pig says. It's nice to meet you…" Green eyes met each of theirs. Sakura gave a small bow in hello.
The one named Kiba sniffed the air once and frowned. "Is she the one dating that psychopath Gaara?" Kiba made little effort to hide the dislike.
"I am not dating him, we are friends… Just friends. I have known him since I was little… he is like an over protective brother." Sakura forced a smile.
Kiba nodded and glanced at Ino, " hmf. Either way he hangs around that ass whole Uchiha."
The Chinese girl smirked, "Didn't you hear, he quit the gang. It's one less guy to worry about anyways, though Lee is going to be a bit over dramatic about it though. He liked facing off with Gaara."
Sakura blinked and glanced at Ino.
Ino just shrugged and took her seat.
Sakura leaned on Ino's desk unsure where to sit.
"So Sakura right? How did you end up on Uchiha's hit list?" Tenten opened up her bento lunch box and offered it to the group while picking out her share.
"… It's hard to say… though he hasn't done anything yet…" Sakura just sighed and unwrapped her lunch.
"Yet is the key word," Kiba reached over with a set of his chopsticks for some of Tenten's lunch. He growled slightly at the mere thought of the Uchiha. " he is a prick, we are the only ones brave enough in the first years to stand up against him. Then you got –him- in the third years. That guy is sick and twisted." The wolf like boy stuffed the BBQ chicken into his mouth.
"Alright I keep hearing, him this, and him that? What is so scary about this him person?" Sakura's head looked around for answers.
It was Shino's monotone voice who answered her. "Sai."
"Sai?"
"SHH Sakura It is bad luck to say his name! He is a bigger prick then Sasuke and has a leads the 3rd years with his creepy smiles and stuff." Ino pointed her chop sticks at Sakura. "The guy is a freak, not using that term lightly here either."
"Hello! TenTen, Ino, Kiba, Shino! Isn't it a wonderful beautiful day! Time to show our school spirit by running laps around the tennis courts!" Something dressed in an odd green jumper bolted towards them. Clearly the student dress code did not apply for him, Sakura wonder just what a student could get away with here.
The something had an odd hair cut; no it was a bowl cut, and weird things growing where his eyebrows should be. All Sakura could do was stare in shock at the poorly formed creature before her. That was until the creature turned to her, something burned deep within his eyes.
"What is this? Who is this lovely beauty?" The creature stated.
"Well Lee this is Sakura. Sorry but she is taken, Gaara got her claimed. See I saw a love bite during gym." Ino stated in a sing song voice.
" INO! N-no. that isn't true, Ino is a chronic lair." Sakura waved both hands back and forth in a defensive manner.
"Sakura… what a beautiful name… you are named well. You are truly a flower who blooms in spring. Aah my youthful heart such emotions burn deep within it! Sakura will you do me the hono--" At high speed what appeared to be a bento box smacked poor Lee right upside the head. The box fell right into Lee's lap as he stared at it.
The group blinked for a moment until Tenten giggled slightly, the rest shortly joined even Lee. Sakura laughed last, her eyes brimming with joy and happiness.
It felt like she belonged here.
It felt… comfortable…
it was… prefect.
When most of the laughing had stopped Sakura noticed the Chinese girl sat up straight. There was an odd look in her eyes. Slowly Sakura turned her vision to match the girl's and noticed a long haired boy that walked into the room. 'Strange, this school must not have a hair code…'
" psst Sakura, that's Neji," Ino whispered into her friend's ear as the upper classmen walked over. As if it wasn't strange at all to sit with the underclassmen Neji settled himself in an empty chair.
Tenten smiled and handled him what looked to be a specialized bento lunch. The pink hair girl also noted that it appeared to be made with special attention. Neji nodded his thanks and began to eat.
The group went back to their random conversations that varied between cloths, fighting, proclamations of love, and other random subjects.
- -
It was later in the after noon Hinata stood in front of her cousin Neji. The shy girl toyed with her hair nervously and tried to tell him something important.
" I… Can you….You see…. Yukito-senpai…"
The second year student stared at Hinata for a while. "You are going to be late is that it?"
"Y-yes Neji-nii-sama… C-could you wait for me by the front gates after clubs?" She raised a nervous sliver eye to meet her cousin's.
The older boy nodded and started to walk towards his after school club. Hinata watched him go as a sigh of relief slipped out; there was just one more thing to do.
A confession of love
The letter was waiting for Naruto in his shoe cubby and had detailed instructions to meet on the roof top. A few deep calming breaths and Hinata found her self waiting there.
Now, she truly did like Naruto, or was it classed as love? However, she was a spy as well and would be held responsible to report everything and anything to Yukito.
In a way, it made this whole confession a bit wrong, cheated, and a lie.
The door creaked open slowly and a soft hello sounded out. It was sink or swim time and all Hinata could do was hope not to drown. She heard the figure move closer but Hinata kept her eyes glued to the setting sun. Rays of yellows and reds bleed through the sky and shimmered thanks to the reflective glass of the Tokyo's skyscrapers. Knuckles turned white due to the killer grip she had on the chain link fence around the edges of the roof top.
"Hinata?"
It was him, that voice for sure. Slowly, Hinata turned around to face the object of her affections.
They stood still unsure what to say to each other, unsure of what to do.
"I have always liked you."
