I do not own the Naruto, for if I did, I would be a rich guy walking around with money by the pound; I would have also made Sakura and Gaara hook up.

Dark Attractions

Summary: Meet Sakura, a hyper, popular, and crazy girl who is hung up on winning the affection of one person: Sasuke. But to do this, she must be anything but herself. She tries to act cool, and relaxed, almost seeming like she has no feelings. Apparently, this is the kind of girl Sasuke likes, and after years of un-fulfilled dreams about him, she is finally asked out. Happy at first, she takes her time getting to know him, and as much as she hates to admit it, she doesn't like that fact that Sasuke likes this "false Sakura". That is, until a new boy comes into school, and she can't help but feel drawn to him and his mysterious past. As she later learns, this boy is just like her. Hiding who he really is. Will these two be able to cope through things, and accept their relationship? And will Sakura be able to accept this guy for who he really is?

Pairing: SakuraxGaara

Italic- Inner Sakura

Bold- Sakura's Debating

Chapter 14: Awakening

The school boomed with commotion as the rosette made her way to her locker, quickly putting in her com and gathering her stuff. It had been so long since she had been to school, and the thought of the stack of papers that awaited her scared her. Slamming the gray door behind her, she approached her first hour class; though it was early, she found her desk and set her stuff upon it. Walking up to her teacher, who sat on a chair typing at the keyboard, she merely glanced at her as the teacher returned the stare. Pointing to the stack of papers, all she said was, "Return these to me as quickly as you can." Nodding, she gathered the papers and stuck them in one of her many folders.

This was going to be a long day.

Finally, the end of the day came quickly rolling in; all that was left to attend was Kakashi's class. She was tense, wondering what his reaction would be as she walked through the door. Then again, he probably wasn't even – "Welcome back, Sakura." She froze in her footsteps and turned to look at the man behind her. "You're here…early?" she questioned. "Yes," he said, looking at the clock, "I apparently am."

The classroom was empty, for there was still five minutes to go before the end of passing time, and no one was going to let such slip when a good chat could be progressed because of such. Plotting her things onto a chair, she bit her lips, body tense. It seemed awkward to be around him; I mean, what were the chances of finding out your teacher was some hot-shot spy? It made you gasp in shock, while at the same time you gawked in curiosity. Besides; judging from what had happened, he was a part of a rivaling organization… did that mean he would try to kill her?

"Sakura." She jumped, feeling his voice right next to her ear. "Y-Y-Yes?" she stammered. "You have a lot of work to catch up on." Relaxing a bit, she nodded, understanding. "I figure that," she replied. Walking up to his desk, he observed her for a moment. He could tell that she was nervous, and if this kept up she wouldn't be able to concentrate on her work; besides…there was no reason for her to be fearful. He wouldn't do anything to her. "Sakura," he repeated once again, "I have no intention to lay a single hand on you." She released a breath that she didn't even know she was holding and simply nodded.

The bell then rang, students rushing in, only a few seconds late to class. It seemed that the class and Kakashi had switched roles in time, the students performing what seemed to be a daily ritual for their enigmatic teacher.

Class ended, the weight on Sakura's shoulder having long disappeared. She gathered her things, turning to rush to the door; but as she made her way to it, she was stopped as someone muttered her name. "Sakura." Turning around, she was met with the eyes of her sensei. "Yes?" she politely answered. "I would appreciate it if you stayed after class with me to discuss." Questions rushed through her head like a hurricane as she obediently walked back to her chair, her bag, that which carried all her school work and folders, set onto the floor.

Closing the door, he walked up to Sakura and stood by her, his figure casting a long shadow over hers. "You've got yourself into quite a mess, I must say," he stated, "but I'm willing to help. Do you mind telling me what exactly happened? How did Orochimaru convince you to take part in his association?" She was silent. "I heard about that car accident you had, and I know for sure that that was no coincidence; that was Orochimaru wasn't it? The one who caused that incident; he weakened you to make it easier for him to get away with your detain, am I right?" She was once again soundless. Setting an arm upon her shoulder, he muttered something into her ear. "Talk, Sakura."

She didn't know what it was exactly that got to her, but she felt her heart warming up knowing that he cared for her; she yearned to feel a voice of comfort. With Gaara's disappearance, her life was seemingly empty. Everything crashed upon her at once, and, without being able to control herself, the tears quickly fell down her face as she jumped in her teacher's arms, his shirt getting soaked from her droplets of emotion. She let it all wash out of her system and found comfort in his arms; how was it that she found herself to trust him so easily?

She closed the door behind her softly, rubbing her red eyes once more. She felt so much better after the talk she had with him; he had relaxed her to such a great extent that she could actually afford to smile. Humming, she took a quick glance at the clock; it seemed that their conversation had made it through most of the thirty minutes that students were given at the end of the day to study, read, or if they didn't prefer either, to silently talk.

So, instead of returning to her home room for the last four minutes of Study Hall, or Prime Time, as they sometimes called it, she just headed to her locker and gathered her stuff. She was happy to find her doodling notebook, and didn't even give a second thought to throwing it in her bag which held a wide collection of homework. Slamming it shut behind her, she leaned on it for only a few short seconds; she was then met with the all-too familiar ring of the bell, and quickly dashed out of the front entrance. The traffic outside wasn't overwhelming as it usually was, and she could easily make her way around things without a shove, struggle, or push.

"Oi! Sakura-chan!" shouted a voice. Turning around, she was met with blonde eyes and blue eyes as he jumped on her, his smile widening. "I haven't seen you in a long time!" "Th-Th-That's true," she stammered. What was wrong with her? Why was she being so uneasy? Surely it wasn't because of Naruto.

"Hey! Wanna walk home together?" She kept silent for a moment, and then opened her mouth to respond. "I owe him." "Sure," she replied with fake enthusiasm. Why was it that she was suddenly so unhappy? She didn't hate Naruto…she didn't love Naruto, but she still, sorta…liked him. Who would've thought that such a troublemaker would be a kick-butt spy?

Can't we just get off that topic for a least a DAY?

I can't help it.

Yeah, just like you can't help thinking about Gaara. I mean, honestly! You LIKE HIM! When you think about a person that much, you obviously have feelings for that individual! Why can't you understand that?

…He left me.

Yeah, but he did it for the well-being of you.

I don't care.

Wha-?

Why should I care for the person that was first to deny our relationship?

…He never denied it…he just…

couldn't accept it. I know.

They walked along the sidewalk; Naruto rambled on about things, and all she did was answer with a simple, "huh" and "yeah". They soon then found themselves having to part in different directions; Naruto waved good-bye to her and made a right turn while she made a left. Her head hung low as her demeanor left unchanged. Why was she so…sad? What was that feeling that hung in the pit of her stomach, sending shivers down her spine?

She didn't even pay heed to the cars in the street and simply walked onto the boulevard, completely unaware of her surroundings.

Reaching over to her purse, she didn't even pay attention to the speed she was going at, yet alone the pink-haired girl that was crossing her path, her footsteps slower then usual. Finally, claiming what it was that she needed, she turned only to have her eyes turn wide in a split second. She grabbed the steering wheel and pressed the breaks hard, but no avail. It was too late; she had been going far to fast, and her breaks weren't efficient.

She knew she shouldn't have dragged on the time of repair for her breaks; she should have heeded that mechanics warning.

But it was all too late now.

Sakura's head snapped to her side as the sound of tires squeaking across the road ran through her ears, and she quivered at the sight before her. She could still remember those cold hazel eyes staring at her with interests that were completely out of her knowledge.

She shook with fear, stationary. She couldn't scream; her heart quickened, and she just fell to the ground, trembling. Why was she being so… weak? After all that training she had received…she hadn't changed at all.

"Sakura-chan!"

It was all too quick for her to recall; but with a single flash of yellow, she was out of harms way, and the car simply rotated a 360 degrees and slammed to a stop. "Are you okay, Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked with a sincere voice.

Jumping out of her car, the brunette trudged to the girl, her pink hair scattered by her sides. "Are you okay, dear?" she asked worriedly, laying an arm on her shoulder. "You want a ride home? We can call the hospital if you'd like."

The woman's voice drowned out of her intellect, along with Naruto's, and the feeling at the pit of her stomach rose up. Her eyes opened with a shot of confidence, and a smirk appeared on her face. It was like her personality had changed in a split second, being taken over by something ominous.

She was changing… and promptly.

She didn't know why she did it, but she soon unconfined a fit of chuckles and shot a piercing glare towards Naruto's direction. It was all clear now what that feeling had been; she hadn't been anxious at all in the first place.

What she was undergoing was a sense of challenge; Naruto was her rival. After all, they worked on completely different sides, and each held true to different alliances; thinking of him as an adversary shouldn't have seemed surprising to either.

A new part of her was initiating;

it was making a home in her mind,

slowly changing the morals that she had lived with till this very day.

This was the side of her

that

had

been

hidden

for

so

many

years.

And, finally,

it was able to unclasp it's handcuffs and roam free.

Part of her stood with new energy…

while the other cowered in fear.

Well, well, well! It looks like a new part of Sakura-chan is awakening! Anyway, like I promised I would, I have updated two weeks since that last update. I promise to keep this, and since I've obtained Microsoft Word, it only makes it so much easier. I have also posted a little link on my profile; the video is a link off of YouTube, and is titled, "An Author's Apology".

Yep, yep, people; that's me talking in that video. So if you want an explanation as to why my updating had been so slow lately, or if you just want to hear my voice, feel free to check it out; and, if you have the time, please check out my AMV's. The ones I recommend are, "Don't Let Me Get Me" and, "Die Another Day".

I have an AMV teacher, so he's been pushing me to learn to follow the beat; it's all thanks to him that I'm even making it anywhere in my AMV career. Thanks, Bryan!

And thank you, all my reviewers! Please continue to review! I only received about 6 reviews from the last chapter, which is a major setback considering I used to get at least 20 for a single chapter. :S I'm getting worried, guys…! Please review.

Return to Top