((You guys have made my day, after reading the latest review I think I've finally regained enough inspiration. Again, I'm sorry I had to waste your time on all that when you've been waiting forever foran update! So I won't hold you any longer, enjoy chapter seven! Enjoy)
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"Slave-Chan, yeah?"
Sakura dully looked across from her, hand pressed to her cheek, but her mind was elsewhere- most likely on a certain boy; more like a complication, who had yet to show up and deliver his earlier threat than the her new blond companion who'd added a cute suffix to 'slave' like it'd make her open up to him. She couldn't care less for Deidara or Sasori, not like she thought about Neji on purpose either…she was just cautious about her lunch box. Hungry or not; and she was starving, she didn't want anything to explode in her face as soon as she lifted the lid.
"Hey slave-Chan, UN."
Like she trusted that bastard to make her a special bento filled with love and care, or even a neat rice ball- a small amount of food but thoughtful none the less?
"Slave-Chan? Slave-Chan? Sl-"
Yeah, that would be the day she'd pull the wrist device off and it would snap in two.
Sakura suddenly irked awake at a hard shake to the shoulders, so hard that her shoulders felt sore after. She winced, scowled, and narrowed her eyes in search of who'd touched her only to meet bored brown eyes incredibly too close for comfort. The girl let out a squeak and backed up as much as she could from the other without falling off the bench her face flaming with heat after having her nose nearly brush with another. Her breathing was heavy as she tried to regain herself.
'If that didn't take a few years off my life.'
She glared as best she could at Sasori in her fluster, only to have him return it intensified. Deidara looked between the two confused, but it was obvious he was already sided with Sasori when he didn't offer a hand to help, or maybe he was just waiting to see who'd become the victor. None of this helped Sakura's rising fury.
"What the hell did you do that for? I don't know what warped version it is that all you guys have to touch me and keep me in line, but I'm really getting sick of it! How am I supposed to explain black and blue bruises to my parents? Don't do that again."
If Sasori was affected at all by her little speech; a use of standing up for her, he didn't even blink to acknowledge it. Was he mocking her? The humiliation only grew worse along with her anger.
"Say something!"
"Why?"
His expression didn't budge the same dull look in his eyes though maybe there'd been a slight crinkle she hadn't imagined. She hardened her glare, placing one of her hands on the table as she tried to make herself taller. This was really getting irritating.
"Because I'm talking to YOU against my better judgment, but for good reason and I made strong points. If you guys hate me so much why do you always grab me and stuff? I know it's not to screw with my head all the time."
Again, he answered her in silence and she felt like screaming. Gripping her fury and the mockery she clenched her one fist on the table and tried her best to just bury and forget about it.
"You know what? Never mind. You' don't grasp—"
She cut off when she felt his larger fingers enclose around her other hand, holding it. H-he was touching her again! She ignored reason that he wasn't hurting her; if she stood for anything they'd find ways around it and end up turning her own words against her. Her eyes narrowed once more at Sasori.
"Let go."
"Sakura." He let go of her hand.
Haruno Sakura froze in shock, her green eyes larger than she'd imagined possible as she let out a small gasp; lips trembling in a lack of anything but noise. She blinked at him and checked to make sure this was the same guy who'd been ignoring and mocking her, but by the same brown eyes and the lack of a smile it couldn't be any other. The pink haired girl pressed her lips together, tilting her head.
"H-hai?"
"Deidara was repeating your name over and over again. It's not nice to be ignored is it? Pay attention so I don't have to deal with such annoyance."
She blinked again a completely miffed look on her face; had all that been to teach a lesson on respect? Had he even shook her shoulder before so she'd realize Deidara was talking to her? His method was something she couldn't place at all, but at the tip of her tongue it reminded of her own words about good points and paying attention to her. If anything she liked being called by her name and she owed him at least a little respect for the small generosity he didn't have to give. Not that she liked these guys; all of them were total bastards for what they did and what they put her through, but maybe they had other layers she hadn't considered to explore.
She scratched her cheek lightly; a nervous habit, as she glanced to Sasori- alright, a favor for a favor.
"Gomen, I didn't ignore him on purpose. I was just thinking about other things." In response to her apology Sasori lightly nudged his head in the direction of the blonde, lacking a reprimand that she should apologize to Deidara and not him.
She took the hint and straightened up moving a little closer to the two, her attention fully on Deidara.
"I'm sorry…Deidara-sama, what were you trying to tell me?"
It was then she felt a gentle caress of her pink strands and immediately looked over to Sasori only to find him adjusting the headphones on his i-pod, both hands currently too busy to pay her hair any attention. Instead she took it as a trick of the wind and looked over at Deidara. If only she'd noticed that the headphone he was currently adjusting was perfectly set that it didn't need any adjusting.
The blonde seemed unfazed by any of what had happened; just then reminding Sakura of a child as he instantly put on a boyish smile and leaned across the table radiating excitement.
"I want slave-Chan to play Soccer, UN!"
An eyebrow twitched at the cutesy slave nickname but she was a bit interested in the offer.
"Soccer?"
"Yeah! Our team is boys and girls, but our goalie sucks, yeah. Try out, yeah since slave-Chan likes soccer?"
Okay, so she was more than a little interested. She loved soccer like a dream and she'd held a lot of interest in it as a kid and at her old school, but even without being bullied she'd never been fast enough and her gentle nature before couldn't match up to anyone playing dirty. It was still amazing she'd managed to outrun people at her school whenever bad things happened, but it wasn't really her speed that counted it was her knack of smarts that'd reminded her of short cuts the other kids didn't know about and how to face the next corner.
"How did you know I liked soccer?"
"Neji-Kun found out, Un!"
"Somebody say my name? Ah, princess it's nice to see you adjusting."
The pleasant melted away with that sarcastic voice, the girl's shoulders stiffening as he sat down on her other side. Damn it! Why did HE have to show up now? Wait Deidara just said that Neji found out she liked soccer!
"Neji, you bastard who said you could look up things at my old school?!"
Hyuuga frowned at Sakura's sudden shift in mood, but inwardly her challenging tone called to him to retort. He wondered what had gotten her to calm down so much until he arrived. He was almost tempted to question Deidara and Sasori about it later, but it wasn't that important; only brief curiosity.
"Your favorite color is yellow."
She irked instantly ruffled by his lack of denial, but then she realized that her favorite color wasn't yellow.
"Wrong!"
She felt a little smug that he didn't do his reading right, but then…something felt familiar. Wasn't her least favorite color yellow? The trick to the question came too late and she cursed herself for not figuring out her own likes and dislikes sooner. Oh god, how much had he read?
"Are you out to make my life generally suck?"
"I try." His leg brushed hers and the girl's face went scarlet.
Never had she been so thankful to be wearing shorts under a skirt.
"Hey watch it Hyuuga!"
"I don't know what you mean. Why haven't you opened your lunch box?"
She huffed lightly but decided not to press on, hoping very much it was an accident. "And that's why your blood is rushing so much."
Inner Sakura took that moment to give a helping hand, much unneeded while Sakura ignored the heat and looked down to her lunch box answering honestly. Hell, she was hungry as long as HE opened her lunch box first she'd deal with it.
"I thought something was going to jump out at me."
Deidara snorted from across the table and even Sasori didn't seem so lost in his
Music though it was hard to tell as always with that guy—Neji just looked amused.
"Ha, slave-Chan sweets don't jump yeah."
Neji nodded to the blonde's statement, his lips curled upwards as he regarded her with humor. "Unless you're the type that sees tarts hopping up to dance and sing."
Sakura could feel the heat again not sure whether to take to be more embarrassed or relieved.
"I-I didn't know alright!"
She opened her lunch box curious about the treat. Wait a tart? All she had was a tart? She was going to STARVE and get fat! Looking at the delicious thing, small and vanilla with its small coat of white icing and a single strawberry she immediately wanted to cave in a swallow it whole.
"I-I can't, I'll get fat."
Neji rolled his eyes and took her lunch box, reaching for the plastic fork and knife that came with it.
"Don't be stupid one tart isn't going to make you fat. You're to skinny if anything."
"Gee, thanks."
She gave him an irritated look, but he only kept cutting the pastry until it was in four parts, poking the fork into one.
"Say ah."
"What no way!"
"You're hungry right? We only have five minutes left."
They only had five minutes?! H-How did she lose such track of her time…her begging stomach wasn't helping any.
"Just give it back to me, I'll eat it myself."
"We can spend more time arguing and you can starve. Open your mouth."
He had a point. But she couldn't- really how embarrassing! Damn it, trying to get her lunch box back would be hard since it was on the other side of him. Hunger won with three minutes left, and she slowly parted her lips opening her mouth.
He smirked and fed her the first piece; sweet frosting tingling on her tongue along with a tiny piece of strawberry. He forked the second piece.
"Not so bad right? Open your mouth."
She blushed and chewed first, swallowing. She had to admit it tasted really good; she should have just tried it without saying anything…
"One minute."
Her eyes widened at the 'one minute' and she opened her mouth again for the second bite, scowling when he suddenly shoved it in her mouth causing her to have to bite down quickly before he choked, the hell was that? She was about to ask him but he'd already gotten up and was dumping the rest of the tart in the trash, the bell ringing upon his return as he handed her the lunch box back.
"Why did you throw it away?"
She'd chewed and swallowed by then a little angry he hadn't saved the rest of the tart- she could have eaten it later.
"If the teachers catch you with any snacks you get detention and you have to throw it away. Didn't you know that?"
She raised a brow surprised he actually cared.
"Um, thanks."
"Don't thank me; you can't try out for soccer if you have detention.
She knew it was too good to be true, but she couldn't help a small smile. Neji started away to his next class and Sakura was about to do the same when she felt a finger brush her cheek. Looking over she noticed Sasori without his headphones on, Deidara beside him grinning.
"You had some frosting on your cheek." The redhead proceeded to lick it off his finger as he walked away, Deidara giving her a happy wave as he followed.
"See you at tryouts!"
The rosette girl placed a hand to her cheek and shook her head, really what was she doing- get along with these…
'It's an act don't be brought in SHANNARO! They may be hot and sexy but they humiliated us and we're going to do the same to them cha! Don't forget that you have to get that picture!'
Her weird inner voice was right except for the fun and sexy part.
Besides a few small things…it was time to get that picture back and not fall for anything stupidly like that EVER again!
'Let's learn their dirty little secret, your opportunity is today at the tryouts' Hopefully her weird little voice would give her more hints than that, but it was silent again.
Realizing the time Sakura zipped up her lunchbox and grabbed her stuff racing toward where she remembered the gym to be. Crap! She was going to be late again!
Out of breath Sakura ducked into the girl's locker room and slumped against the wall exhausted; it was a miracle she made it; now if only her legs didn't feel like Jell-O.
"Hey forehead!" Oh no, she knew that voice.
Sure enough the Ino from her class stood with two other girls arms crossed and their pretty little faces practically snarls; she noticed right away one of the girls had creepy big muscle and had a feeling why they were talking to her, but she was too tired to argue.
"Sakura, Ino-pig, Sakura."
The blond reeled back with a screeching noise, her hand twitching like she was going to slap the pink head, but she contained her anger hissing.
"Stay away from Sasuke-kun."
Sakura spared her a glance, but her legs hurting from that barely good run were more important. Unfortunately Ino took that as a sign of 'no' and grabbed the other girl's collar, digging in her nails.
"We aren't kidding! We'll mess you up if you don't stop stalking him."
Sakura gave everything not to wince at the nails against the skin of her neck; she was getting nervous- incredibly nervous with all the eyes on her by now, b-but she couldn't let her weaker side win! Gathering her courage with a swallow she smiled at the other girl and placed her hand over Ino's.
"Ino-Chan couldn't you just kiss him instead?"
Just as Sakura had guessed, Ino let go of her shirt and flustered blushing mad at the thought of kissing Uchiha Sasuke. Good thing she hadn't thrown in an insult about her 'feelings' for the Uchiha…they would have turned against her again. Now, however the girls were squealing over Sasuke and who'd get his kiss first—Sakura just sighed in relief and went to change into her gym clothes. That was too close for comfort…could she do the same thing next time?
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"Alright, everyone, twelve laps! Go!"
Sakura groaned as Coach. Anko blew her whistle sending them off in sprints. The girls were off with the boys, top speeds and everyone running their best- she was sure to be left behind.
"Move it!"
She quickly moved out of the way of a different blonde, nearly shoved by how fast she was running- who'd ever wear their hair with that many ponytails? It wasn't just her weird appearance that got her though; as the other girl ran past her she'd suddenly gotten a cold chill like a sense of warning.
'But I've never even met her before.'
"Haruno pick it up!"
Sakura snapped to, now nearly last of everyone but two or three people. She tried to keep up making her way around the corner and the next; she'd done three laps before she was a lap behind EVERYONE. Dear god did she hate running, and still nine more laps to go! About to go past the bleachers for the fourth time she was surprised when someone snatched her arm and pulled behind them.
Had someone from the coolest and cruelest snuck of class…like Gaara? She hesitantly looked to her captor only to find someone completely unexpected.
Shikamaru let go of her arm as he checked to make sure no one had noticed.
"It's alright, the coach never checks back here."
He let go of her arm and sat down in the grass laying back. She blinked at the boy deep in thought as she watched him look to the sky, then it came to her,
"You're that pineapple guy!"
"Troublesome."
((That's it for this chapter now some long awaited review answering, and a few new ones.
housekiJeM: CONTINUED the inspiration took a while sigh but here I always appreciate support it creates chapters!
Lily: It is no problem at all the way you guys tend to make my day so much
Namida Drop: Yes xD Deidara is adorable
Gothic Saku-chan: Thank you updated
EvilFaerie17: Ah, great serious and funny was what I was going for- yes Naruto is going to play a big part on Sakura's side. If the guys see them hugging…Gaara would throw a fit, Deidara would want a hug too, Itachi would just scoff and walk on, Sasuke would get annoyed and either approach Sakura later or 'interrupt', Sasori would scowl but not make a scene, and Neji would completely interrupt. Yeah bunny…it was a threat 'really'. Oh god Shikasaku is my favorite! He's the newest character added: D –added last chapter more brought in this chapter- Ino re-brought it along with first appearance of Temari! UPDATED!
luvssasuke: Thank you Uh I failed out soon- how about this lovely addition instead X3
dancingwithinbrokendreams: sidesteps the chocolate DX Thank you 3 Yes, she'd just got to get enough confidence—but Naruto will play a big part!
: Thank you Yeah, I love there brother sister relationship- he's such a good guy
gin-inu: Never give up! Writing is quiet fun- those moments where you lay in bed and then you just have to get a notebook and jot something down! Thank you sweetie you're always one of my favorite reviewers any Naruto stories you can update I would be forever pleased Naruto is cute- you'll see has a dark side to him though 3 eight Shikamaru IS toughs- I hope I do a good job…
alchemist001: Thanks! Updated
rebel-girl: Yes, Shikamaru in this one too and more throughout Naruto only likes her like a brother yes THERE IS YOUR MORE DEI. Enjoy
OtakuAnime131: Yes, soccer xD
Hellbound-spirit: She's a horrible runner- she just escaped by using that lovely large forehead on good use- UPDATED
Natsu Yukili: Sometimes I can be fast, other times my brain dies—updated!
Love of Midoriko: And here's another I'm glad you like it.
evilflynmonkeys: Ha, yes…updated!
MistressBlossom: Lmao thank you—updated!
hardy4ever: Thank you
al2010: Thanks, updated
o0Dreamer0o: Aw, thanks! Yes! More Shikamaru cha!
latoya: Thanks! Updated
Trapped In The Dark: Naruto WILL play a big part! Well pairings are a secret 3
badbunny1818: Thank you updated
SNOWDEVIL: Thank you sweetie I hope you liked this too
Tili: Thank you sorry it's been so long- yeah well he is nuts xD but his adorable makes up for it
Kaiko: Thank you! Updated
Tac03e11hp: Ha, thanks—updated!
death's birth: it'll get better for her 3
Confuzzled239: Thank you I'm really touched—hope you liked this chapter!
jayanx: I was pretty upset over it, and it's thanks to you and someone else I managed to write this chapter—I'm glad there ARE people out that like the darker story, if there wasn't well they'd been in for a sad surprise while reading this, I do have a dark nature to my writing I like twists and things you don't see coming with little complication and problems, and I'm a sucker for sadistic love—things should never be easy. Yeah bad boys are great thank you Naruto is one of my favorite characters and I can't wait to bring out his more dark side—I love their brother sister relationship and it's no problem
hugsanimekisses04: We had three minutes till school let out and I read this- I dedicate this chapter to you for really making my day! After my authors note I wasn't sure how people would respond and I was really upset, but its support and how much people like to read what I write that keeps me going. It's pretty cool you read it twice, I'll try to save you from rereading a third time with this chapter. Thank you very much – yes Sakura is trying hard to improve herself--- ha! That's awesome you gut that it's another way I want my readers to feel (envy because even though they mess with her you have to admit the scene itself is totally hot right? She's building up people on her side so she just might survive—Naruto, Hinata ,Tenten (Tenten is a friend and though Hinatas shy she also sees Sakura as a friend and kind of admires her) and the latest; Shikamaru.
Naruto does have a darker side and I can't wait to bring it out
from the bottom of my heart thanks for making this a good day- UPDATED
And that's it! The next chapter more Shikamaru, Soccer, more Temari, and Sakura takes action! Read and review )