Chapter 10

"Speaking in Japanese"

Thoughts

"Speaking in English"

Inner Sakura/Gaara/Sasuke/Pein

(A/N To the Anon that said they couldn't see the difference between speaking in Japanese and speaking in nglish, speaking in English is supposed to be underlined while speaking in Japanese is not. I don't know why when I upload the chapter it doesn't work so I'll just put [speaking in English] before they are. Anyway please rate and review, -Shinko)

"Ya….hi…ko…" Sakura ground out through her tightly clenched teeth.

Gaara couldn't see her facial expression when she bowed her head and let her hair cover her features. The courtyard was deathly silent, as everyone stared with bated breath. What did the rosette and the orange haired delinquent have in common?

Pein reached out his right hand slowly to touch Sakura's face. The second his skin made contact with hers, the rosette's head snapped up. Her bubble gum locks moved backward with the force or her sudden movement. Her eyes became dark, almost black and shone with murderous intent. The glare she gave Pein could have made anyone cower in fear. One side of her mouth twisted upward in an almost psychotic sneer, one that Gaara could recognize as he had the same look on his face when he was fighting someone. It was the look of bloodlust.

The second Pein's hand touched Sakura's face, she grabbed his wrist, twisted her body and flung the guy over her shoulder, slamming him onto the pavement. The sheer force cracking the cement below.

The Akatsuki including Gaara seemed to be witnessing the entire encounter in slow motion, perhaps it was only their keen eyes that could see the rapid movements. Deidara's mouth hung open in shock, Sasori and Itachi shared a glance and Gaara (although his face didn't show it) was stupefied at the raw power of the rosette.

What the hell?! Was the collective thought in the Akatsuki's mind.

After Sakura flipped Pein onto his back, she lunged at him before he could recover, hopping onto his stomach and punching his face repeatedly. After she got a few hits in the Akatsuki seemed to snap out of their shock.

"Oi Sakura! Stop it!" Gaara shouted as he pried the girl off of Pein.

Sakura thrashed in his arms, desperately trying to get back at Yahiko.

"Let go of me Sabaku! Let me at him!" She shrieked.

Her voice made Gaara nearly shiver in fear, this was not the Sakura he knew, it was almost as if she were… possessed.

Itachi and Deidara helped Pein to his feet.

The orange haired senior was bleeding from several places, his lip was busted open and there was a cut on his forehead that was bleeding into one of his eyes.

"We'll take you to the nurse, yeah" Deidara said to Pein, glancing over from Sakura to Gaara he nodded, sending the red head a silent message.

As the blond and the elder Uchiha led Yahiko into the school, Gaara was still holding the flailing Sakura, soon her body went slack. Gaara looked down to see that she was unconscious.

What in the hell is happening to you Sakura?! Gaara thought. He decided to bring her to the nurse as well. He then looked up and noticed the crowd that had witnessed the entire scene. Giving them a deadly glare he snarled

"What the fuck are you looking at!"

Almost every student visibly flinched and averted their gaze, striking up conversations, anything to avoid the wrath of Sabaku no Gaara.

The red head picked up Sakura bridal style and walked into the building, before he walked in he saw Sasuke standing in the shade of one of the pillars at the school's entrance. No doubt he had also observed the mayhem that unfolded a few moments ago.

"If you can't take care of her then I will," The raven haired boy said

Gaara looked down at the girl in his arms, and glanced at the purplish mark on her neck, the mark he had given her. The younger Uchiha's gaze followed his and he scowled.

"It looks like I already taken care of her," Gaara replied coolly as he carried Sakura into the building.

This isn't over yet Sabaku. Sasuke thought as he continued to glare at the red head's retreating form.

Sakura's eyes fluttered open, she was lying down in the school's infirmary. The white curtain was drawn and she lay on her back, her head was pounding. She recalled the events of that morning.

She couldn't believe that Yahiko was here of all places. He did say he was moving to Japan but what were the odds that they would end up in the same town?! She mentally cursed him and herself. She didn't mean to lose control like that, but she couldn't help it, her inner had taken over her body.

Ever since she was young her 'Inner Sakura' as she called it came out whenever she was enraged. It was her fighting instinct, the exact opposite of regular Sakura, the darker side. As soon as she laid eyes on Yahiko she snapped. All she could see was red, all she wanted to do was beat him until he was just a bloody pulp.

Sakura shivered at the memory, it was like she was watching someone else in her body, someone she hadn't seen in a long time.

I thought you said you'd never force me out of control again. Sakura addressed her inner pointedly.

I also thought we'd never be seeing HIM again. It was necessary. Inner Sakura replied matter-of-factly.

Well look at the mess you've made. Sakura scolded herself, looking down at her bandaged hands. All the way from her second knuckles to her elbows were bandaged tightly in white cloth.

Suddenly the curtain around the bed was drawn and a woman with black hair and deep brown eyes looked back at Sakura.

"Good you're awake," the woman said. She was in a black Kimono and had a clipboard in her hands "I'm Shizune the school nurse and secretary," she introduced herself.

Shizune, that names sounds familiar.

"You should be alright now Haruno-san but I took your blood pressure when you were out and it's quite high for someone your age, I suggest you go to a doctor and have that checked out. You passed out because of the rapid decrease in your blood pressure. I would suggest looking into pills to manage the fluctuation of our heart rate. Other than that your wounds should heal in about a week or so."

Sakura nodded as she got up.

"Oh and one more thing," Shizune got out a small jar of ointment and handed it to the rosette.

Sakura took it and looked up at Shizune with confusion. Her wounds were already bandaged, why did she need this?

The black haired woman smiled softly, gesturing to her forehead and stomach

"It'll help fade the scars faster," she said kindly

Sakura felt a lump in her throat, she saw them. Possibly when she was checking for other wounds. Sakura hated it when people saw her scars, but for some reason she felt like Shizune genuinely cared about her wellbeing.

"Thank you Shizune-sensei," Sakura bowed

Shizune smiled and ruffled the younger girl's hair when she straightened up

"You're a good girl Sakura, don't let bad decisions make you think otherwise."

With the jar of medicine in hand, Sakura made her way to class.

It was already second period when Sakura came to, so she walked into her math class and took her seat beside Hinata. Only Hinata wasn't at school today, neither was Ino, something about a field trip they had signed up for in another class.

Sakura sighed and rested her head in her left hand, trying and failing to focus on Ibiki's math lesson. After he lectured and some note taking he handed out a worksheet.

"Alright class I'll allow you to work together to solve the problems, just don't get too loud."

Sakura took out her phone and lugged in her headphones, she hit shuffle and out her phone down. Nirvana's 'About A Girl' started playing. Slightly bobbing her head, Sakura worked on the equations on the sheet. In a few minutes she was done both sides.

Sasuke saw Sakura sitting alone and smirked

Now's our chance to further plan B his inner said.

Sasuke got up from his seat beside Naruto, taking his paper and pencil to make it seem like he was going to ask Sakura for help, he made his way over to the empty seat beside her.

Sakura saw someone sit next to her in the corner of her eye. She turned and saw Sasuke. She frowned slightly, paused her music and took out her headphones.

"What?" she asked impatient for him to leave her be.

Sasuke raised a brow at the edge in her voice, but his eyes softened when he glanced at her bandaged hands and the hollow look in her eyes.

"I wanted to ask you… about this morning." He spoke slowly, almost as if he was coaxing a wild animal. After the way she acted previously he knew to be cautious when Sakura was in a foul mood. He did not want her to do to him what she did to that new guy.

The frown on her face deepened "I don't want to talk about it," she snapped. But regretted it when she saw the look on Sasuke's face. It wasn't his fault that this happened, she didn't need to take it out on him.

She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed "Sorry," she inhaled and exhaled slowly, collecting herself "I just… need some time to myself. I need to clear my head."

The raven haired boy nodded. "I understand, but if you ever need anything, I'm always here for you Sakura." He gave her his best smile and touched her arm softly.

Damn, Sakura thought no wonder he's so popular, he really is good looking.

She hated to admit it, but the Uchiha was blessed in the aesthetics department. And maybe he wasn't that much of an asshole as she thought. He did apologize and now he was concerned about her.

Sakura smiled weakly, but it was still a smiled. "Thanks… Sasuke."

The Uchiha got up and returned to his desk, smirking all the way back.

She didn't flip out AND she called me by my first name. He thought

It seems plan B is beginning to work His inner replied deviously.

It won't be long until I'M the one giving her hickies He chuckled darkly.

The buzzer for the intercom went off and Sakura recognized Shizune's voice.

"Would Haruno Sakura please come to the main office please, Haruno Sakura to the main office please."

The entire class save Sasuke broke out into "ooh~"s and "You're in trouble~" 's. As she stood Sakura heard that Karin chick whisper to another girl

"That crazy bitch is gonna get it from the Godaime"

Sakura shot her a quick glare before she exited the class. In the hall she saw Itachi walking.

"Going somewhere?" He asked casually. She knew he heard the announcement.

She merely nodded in response.

He nodded at her "I'll show you the way,"

"Thanks," Sakura replied quietly.

Sakura looked straight ahead as they walked, not in the mood for conversation. Itachi noted the drastic contrast in the girl's behaviour. Her usual vivacious persona was non-existent at this point.

All this because of Pein? He wondered And why was she calling him Yahiko?

Those were only a few of the questions swirling in the Uchiha's mind but he kept his mouth shut, knowing she wasn't up for an interrogation now. He would simply find out later, through Pein perhaps.

"Here it is," He said when they arrived at the red double doors.

"Thanks again," Sakura didn't even spare him a glance as she opened the doors. Itachi raised a hand before turning and walking back down the hall.

She entered and saw Shizune behind a desk "The principal would like to see you Sakura," she gestured to the wooden door at the back of the small office.

The pink haired girl walked over and knocked on the door. "Come in," he heard the voice from the other end of the door.

She entered the room and sat on the chair opposite of the blonde woman inside. On her dark wooden desk was a nameplate with Godaime: Senju Tsunade

"You wanted to see me Senju-sensei?" Sakura asked.

The principal had long blonde hair and amber eyes, and a diamond tattoo on her forehead. She was staring right into Sakura's eyes intently. As if she were studying a textbook.

"Tsunade-sama or Godaime-sama will suffice Sakura," She replied

What a weird way to refer to someone, but whatever. I don't want to get on her bad side.

"I'm sure you have an idea why you are here?" the blonde raised a brow at the younger girl.

Sakura nodded.

"You physically assaulted a student this morning, I want to know why." She stated crossing her arms and leaning back into her leather chair.

"You want to know why? You're not just going to punish me?" Sakura was a bit confused, if she did anything like that at her old school she'd have been suspended at least.

"You will be chastised, but the severity of that punishment will be determined by whether or not I deem your reason suitable or your actions."

Well it seemed a bit fair, at least Sakura had a chance to tell Tsunade her side of the story.

"Now why did you attack Uzumaki Pein?" Tsunade asked

"Pein?" Sakura was even more confused

"Yes that's his name, are you telling me you don't even know who you attacked."

Tsunade looked appalled.

"No that's not it!" Sakura replied hastily, not wanting the Godaime to get the wrong impression.

"When I knew him he was called Yahiko." She explained.

Tsunade's honey coloured eyes widened in interest. These kids are getting more and more fascinating as the years go by. She thought

"How do you know Pein, or as you say Yahiko?"

Sakura looked down and played with the he of her shirt, avoiding eye contact "He's m…or he was my... boyfriend." she replied quietly.

The elder woman nodded in understanding. "I'm guessing it was a messy breakup huh?"

Sakura nodded in reply.

"Well I won't pry into that matter any further, one more thing however.

I heard there was also a fight between Uchiha Sasuke and Sabaku Gaara last week or so?"

Sakura looked up at the principal and nodded "Yes why?"

"I heard that you were the reason for the battle," Tsunade had a sly smirk on her face

"Are you romantically involved with both boys?"

Sakura choked on her own spit. "W-What? No well I mean…"

Was she romantically involved with Gaara? They weren't even going out really. He hadn't even called her after their make out session at Ino and Deidara's party.

Tsunade quirked a brow at the pink headed girl before her. She certainly is something. Cute, smart and a good fighter. Reminds me of myself haha! The Godaime laughed to herself.

"Well considering the fact that you broke up a fight before, and I can see from your record you are a good student."

Sakura perked up at the principal's tone.

"However, if there is any more fighting on school property you will be punished. I think you have enough on your mind now so I won't bother giving you detention."

"Thank you so much Tsunade-sama!" Sakura smiled

"But-" Tsunade continued "I have taken the liberty of calling your guardian Hatake Kakashi and informing him of the situation."

Sakura blanched.

Oh God, Kakashi's gonna kill me when I get home!

"Now off with you! I have important paperwork to do." The blonde dismissed Sakura with a wave of her hand. She reached into her desk drawer and brought out a bottle of sake and a cup.

Sakura got up and headed out.

The longer I'm at this school the weirder things get.

She smiled to herself shaking her head.

Well at least the faculty are nice.

By the time Sakura left Tsunade's office it was lunchtime. She made her way to the cafeteria and met up with Ten Ten.

"The weather's nice today so let's eat outside!" Ten Ten exclaimed as she got her bread from the vending machine.

"Sure,"

They walked through the back doors to where the field was. The field and bleacher were to the left, and there was an area with trees where some students were sitting on the grass eating. The girls sat down and began eating their lunches.

"So Sakura, how are you liking Konoha?" Ten Ten was itching to ask about the fight that morning but thought it best to let Sakura cool off.

Sakura shrugged "Well it's a lot smaller than my last school, but most of the people here are friendlier, especially the teachers."

Ten Ten nodded in agreement. "What about other things…like boys?" The brunette smirked.

Sakura rolled her viridian eyes. "Well there are some cute guys I guess."

"I hope you don't mean that Uchiha Sasuke kid, man freshman and even sophomore girls are going gaga over him." She shook her head, a look of disgust on her face.

"No! Definitely not!" Sakura laughed.

"Well rumour has it you and Sabaku Gaara are an item." Ten Ten wagged her eyebrows at her younger friend.

"What about you and Neji huh? The two of you were sucking face all night at Ino's party!" Sakura pointed an accusing finger at the sophomore.

Ten Ten blushed and hid her face in her hands "Sakura~ not so loud! Neji and I like to keep things between us… on the lows."

"On the lows my ass, everyone knows" the rosette taunted.

"Whatever!" The brunette shouted