Happy birthday Praying-Cherry-Blossom.1! This is my birthday prezzie to you! Have a brilliant day!

And shout out to Rainstar148, because she makes me laugh and reads my stories avidly!

Disclaimer: I fail to own any part of Naruto, not even his little finger!

Fitting In

Chapter 8 – He's Back

Oh God

Oh No

Crap

Look I know that I am panicking and that I totally should just relax, but…

He really is back.

Ino rang me late last night and told me. Just 2 words "he's back"

And

I swear I just dropped the phone. There wasn't anything else I could do really! Just drop the phone and stand there with wide eyes and a fearful look reflected on my lip.

Because I couldn't hide anymore.

I couldn't just sit in my house and avoid going into the street.

I couldn't feel like I wouldn't bump into him in the corridors or at the bus stop.

I couldn't feel safe anymore.

He's back and I can't do anything about it!

My ribs don't hurt nearly as much anymore. Well they don't hurt enough to use my crutch at least.

For what it's worth at least I can make a quick escape if I am unlucky enough to bump into him.

And lets face it! I am not a lucky person! I have been living in Konoha for just a few months and I've already almost died!

Twice!

By the same god damn person.

Luck is far from on my side.

There is sasuke's promise though, for what its worth.

'I promise you that Gaara wont hurt you. I really wont let him'

But come on, Sasuke Uchiha is not going to stand a chance up against him. The raven-haired boy is really quite scrawny compared to Gaara, and he is pretty strong himself!

It is very weird though, because form what I have heard; Sasuke isn't the sort of person that ever feels any emotional bond towards anyone. Not even Naruto.

And Naruto's his best friend.

So why the sudden desire to protect me?

I know I shouldn't even be asking myself this question, because I should be grateful for any support I can get.

But it's niggling in the back of my mind, and I just can't shake it.

Oh my go what am I even think about? This is not prioritising my problems!

I have bigger things to worry about!

I mean he's back!!!

I slide back against my seat on the bus, and look out of the window, watching the trees and fields whiz past me in a soft blur. Around me children are yelling, and laughing. Carefree.

They don't have any reasons to worry.

Totally carefree

Painfully carefree.

"Sak … you are going to be ok aren't you?"

I tear my gaze away from the window and smiled gently at Ino, whose face reflected a look of pure concern. The girl had been fretting about this whole situation almost as much myself, and I think it's maybe a little more than any teenage girl should have to put up with.

Especially when they're not in the situation.

More to the point, especially when they are NEVER going to be in the situation.

Let's face it Inos far too popular and well connected for that to happen.

"Ino I am going to be fine. Please stop worrying" I managed to reply, careful to keep my voice steady and calm.

I really do need to look strong.

I'm totally fed up with being a scared young girl who looks like she's a deer that's been caught in cars headlights. I want people to think that I'm strong enough to handle this.

So I'm putting on a brave face

Putting on a smile

A laugh

When inside I just want to run.

Run and keep running until I just can't run anymore.

"Ok, I'm sorry, I just don't want you to get hurt"

She sounded so solemn, that it might have even been slightly funny if it was a different sort of situation.

Yet in this case, it just made me start to panic all over again.

It's just one of the many things that has put my life in perspective.

x……………x…………….x

"Sak I am telling you Gaara is the man! You will totally love him!"

I found my self just staring in total disbelief at the blonde idiot sitting beside me.

Was Naruto Uzamaki really that ignorant?

"Umm Naruto I really doubt it!" I said in reply, being careful to avoid the boys piercing blue eyes.

"I completely agree Sakura! Naruto that is extremely insensitive of you! It is completely unyouthful!" boomed a voice from behind me.

Oh great eyebrow boy had jumped in. Could he not just go buy a pair of tweezers and leave me alone?

Well apparently not.

"Look bushy brows I am not being insensitive you moron!" Naruto sighed in reply, an arm shooting out to hit Lee on the head.

"I beg to differ! It was after all Gaara and 2 of his cronies that landed Sakura in the hospital was it not! And please don't hit me you frikking idiot!" The dark haired boy said icily in return, eyebrows furrowing into a frown, which probably obscured all of the sunlight from entering his eyes.

Well he had really dropped me in it now.

Naruto was the last person who I wanted to know about that.

Not just because he appeared to be so pally with … that boy, but also because his mouth was so big it would ensure that anyone that didn't know, definitely would soon.

"What? Gaara? Nah I know he wouldn't do that he's a decent kind of guy! Doesn't lay into anyone who doesn't deserve it!" Naruto said with a nervous laugh in his voice.

I could feel my heart start to ache again at this comment.

So … I'd deserved it?

He had done it because I had deserved it?

I really didn't know him like I thought I had.

I really hadn't

I could feel my heart just begin to rip itself apart all over again.

"Yeah … well he did ok? Now just drop it" I said in reply, my voice slightly dry and a bit croaky.

My eyes must have betrayed my pain, because the blonde proceeded to extend his arms to me, and take me in a friendly and comforting hug.

The sound of the school bell, which signalled the beginning of morning lessons, caused us to break off from each other.

"I am sorry Sak, look I need to get to French, Anko won't be happy if I'm late, So I'll see you later!"

Yeah, if I live that long.

x……………x…………….x

Stupid teachers with their stupid needs for photocopying and the stupid pieces of paper they insist on forcing on you.

Why?

Why must Orochimaru see a need for me to be the one who needs to take a towering pile of paper to 'Resources' so they can photocopy it?

I mean that just isn't fair!

And this pile of paper, dear god it's like a fucking mountain!

I mean I'm carrying it in my arms and I can't see in front of me.

It is obscuring my vision!

You would think that I would have at least been able to dump half of it on someone else though.

Well it appears that that is not the case.

God I am beyond miffed!

I really can't see what I'm doing or where I'm going!

You know for all I know I could be in the boys bog!

Oh damn I think there's steps at the end of this corridor, and it's totally deserted so no one is going to …

"Ooof"

I felt my entire body just collide with someone that seemed to be standing directly in front of me.

Paper flew everywhere, as I felt my arms fly up into the air as I completely lost my footing, and practically lunged at the unsuspecting person, grabbing at their T-shirt.

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING? DID YOU NOT SEE I WAS WALKING HERE?"

It was like a glass of freezing water had been trickled down my back.

My blood just rain cold.

I knew that voice.

Hands were tightening around my wrists, as I felt my body be pulled away from the floor and slam into a wall to my right.

Red hair, black lined green eyes, icily expression.

Right in front of my very eyes.

My body just started shaking uncontrollably.

"Oh your that fucking girl! The one that Haku beat the shit out of! You have some nerve bitch!"

Gaara.

His eyes were sort of misted over, like he wasn't all there.

Consumed by some sort of anger, so much so that I doubt he could even make out my face.

In fact, I think he might have been a bit high.

I tried desperately to pull myself out of his intense grip, but it just wasn't working.

I couldn't control my body, my emotions, anything.

Panic just started to totally consume me, tearing me apart as much as the increase of pain in my chest.

I could feel my heart break for the millionth time this month.

I almost yelled out loud, as I felt him pull me back away form the wall, before he slammed me back again.

"Well are you going to apologise? Or am I going to have to beat it out of you?"

His nose was practically pressed against mine as he said this, eyes narrowed and dangerous.

"Please don't" I managed to whisper in a voice that didn't sound like mine. Edged with panic, fear and sadness.

"SAKURA!!"

What?

I tore my head to the side and saw Sasuke tearing down the hall, eyes wide and angry as he watched Gaara release me.

Release me?

He'd let go?

I looked at the red head that was now stumbling backwards, a look of total shock on his face.

Shock? Why was he shocked?

"Oh my god … oh my god … Sakura? … Oh shit … the hair … and I mean … I can't… I didn't … I!" Gaara stuttered, moving forward again trying to grab my hand.

Sasuke, who had reached me, pushed him away again.

"What the hell is your problem? Would you just leave her alone? HAVEN'T YOU DONE ENOUGH?" the black haired boy yelled, arms encircling me, as he tried to shield me from Gaara.

"Sakura I didn't … Oh I can't … I'm so sorry … Oh my god … what have I? … OH FUCKING LET HER GO! SAKURA!"

I felt Sasuke reach out to the boy with his leg, as he aimed a kick at his chest. Naturally Gaara blocked it, but he seemed to start to realise even more exactly what he had done and been so close to doing just now.

"I swear if you touch her again I will kill you Subaku! You leave her alone!" The Uchiha hissed.

I dug my hands into Sasukes chest, and turned my head to face Gaaras.

That amazingly handsome face that I had loved so much.

The face of the boy I had fallen in love with so deeply that I had thought I could do anything.

The face of the boy that broke my heart.

"Gaara … just go" I sobbed

"Sakura I'm so…"

"I SAID GO!" I yelled tearfully.

And surprisingly he went

Just like that.

"Are you ok?" Sasuke asked softly, hugging me gently.

"No, I can't believe … thank you" I managed to whisper in reply.

Because I was grateful.

So grateful that Sasuke had been there.

Because I had seen the way Gaara had looked when he had realised who I was.

And I swear if I had been on my own.

I would probably have let him apologise

And I would have fallen in love with him all over again.

Things sure seem to be heating up!

I will update next week!

Please review! I want to know your views, questions, ideas everything!

And once again happy birthday Praying-cherry-blossom.1