I don't know much to say but I hope you guy like this story. I want to thank my beta for helping me out on this chapter and the chapters later on.

---

Chapter 2

Gaara woke up the next morning. He looked at the time and discovered that he needed to get ready for school. He got up and dressed. He went downstairs and saw his dad sitting at the table, Kankurou and Temari had just finished eating and were heading out the door. Gaara walked up to his father.

"Dad, may I go to the mall to go shopping? I need to get out of the house for a while." Gaara looked at him and hoped he would say yes.

"Fine, but I want you back at 9. No later Gaara or I'll beat you tomorrow." He got up and left.

Gaara got his things and ran out the door. He was going to be late if he didn't run. He got into homeroom just as the bell rang, sliding into his seat, not knowing that Sasuke was looking right at him.

In the first class, Gaara and Naruto were working on a project together. Gaara went up to the front of the classroom to get more paper, only to be tripped by Neji.

"So Gaara, when are you going to give up? I mean you do like me, if I'm right, and I like you." Neji smiled at him but it was an evil smile, more of a smirk.

"I don't think so. I mean, yeah you're cute, but I kind have my eyes set on someone else. You're not my type at all," Gaara pushed Neji out of the way and walked back to Naruto.

Sasuke saw everything that just happen. He thought it was funny that Neji couldn't even get one person, even though he was richer then the Uchihas'. Itachi only became friends with Neji because they needed the money to buy food. The money that their mother and father left them, was used for the upkeep of the house they lived in. Sasuke hated people looking down on him. It really upset him.

Anyway, he looked at Neji and then at Gaara. It was funny to him how a 9th grader like Gaara could tell off a senior. But he wanted to know who Gaara liked.

Naruto watched as Gaara came back, "You know that if you keep on pushing Neji you're going to end up getting hurt Gaara. Neji is not a nice guy. You might end up in shit like Haku."

Gaara looked at him. "What do you mean like Haku? What happened to him?"

"We'll just say that he hurt Haku for life. The person that saved him was Sasuke, and that's the reason why they hate each other. Sasuke found them in a dark alley with Neji holding Haku down. It gets worse and I don't really want to talk about it. That's why you need to keep your liking of Sasuke to yourself in school, because if Neji finds out, he'll do the same to you as he did to Haku." Naruto looked around and then back at Gaara.

"How do you know that I like.." Naruto cut him off.

"I know because of the way you act around him. That's why you need to watch out. If Neji or one of his friends sees any sighn, you're in for it Gaara. Neji will go after you or Sasuke, but probably not Sasuke, he does have Itachi on his side after all. but I don't think Neji will go after Sasuke with Itachi on his side." Naruto looked up at the clock on the wall. "We need to pack up everything. Class is almost over."

They got everything packed up just as the bell rang to signal the end of classes. Neji tried all day to get Gaara. Gaara kept saying no. Which pissed Neji off.

---

At lunch, Gaara sat with his new friends. They were all talking about things that were going around school like Neji trying to get Gaara and Itachi getting into a fight with Pein.

Sasuke heard everything from his table. His friends were trying to talk him out of going after Gaara since Neji was after him all day. He reassured them, saying he wouldn't go after Gaara, but, of course, he was lying.

The lunch was like it always was, for some reason no one never got in fights there. They talked until the bell rang and headed to their next classes. For Naruto, Gaara, Sasuke and Neji it was study hall. Naruto and Gaara walked together while Neji and Sasuke stayed behind them, Neji in front of Sasuke. They really did hate each other.

In study hall Naruto and Gaara were working on their project again when Gaara had to go to the bathroom. He asked the teacher and left the classroom. Neji saw him go and also went to ask the teacher to let him go too. Sasuke didn't suspect anything, for he had not seen Gaara leave.

Neji walked out and followed quietly behind Gaara. Once Gaara went into the bathroom, Neji waited patiently for him to come out of the stall. When he did, Neji made his move. He grabbed Gaara and pushed him back against the wall.

"What the hell Neji? Let me go!" Gaara yelled and started pushing, trying to hit Neji.

"Why? I want you Gaara. You should be happy I like you. I love your body, your hair, and that way you talk to me. I love it all, Gaara," Neji murmured as he reached his hand into Gaara's pant and grabbed his manhood.

"NO! Let me go Neji! NOW!!" Gaara screamed, freaking out in Neji's grip. Sasuke heard the shouting and came running into the bathroom.

He ran into the bathroom, quickly taking the scene in, before nailing Neji in the back of the head with a well placed fist. Sasuke grabbed Gaara and pulled him out to his car.

"Are you okay?" Sasuke asked, glancing at the disheveled Gaara.
"Yeah, I guess I am. Thanks for saving me back there. What's with that guy?" Gaara , looking at Sasuke as he got in the car, "Shouldn't I tell Naruto where I'm going?"

"No, don't worry I told him before I left the classroom. Neji is a really rich kid. He is richer then me and Itachi. Itachi became friends with him just so he will help us with money. See the money, that mother and father left us is for the house. In other words we starve if we don't have Neji. See that's why I came up behind him to hit him. If he saw that it was me again. Itachi and I would end up living on the street." Sasuke waited for Gaara to get in the car before driving off.

"Well my family is rich too but I don't get to see that money unless I do things around the house. At least your brother loves you. My family just want to hurt me or beat me or something. They hate me." Gaara looked down.

"Don't worry. I know how it feels. I was hated by my family too. But then Itachi came and I wasn't hated. You'll find someone to get you out of the darkest." Sasuke kept his eyes on the road and was thinking about what Itachi said. "Hey Gaara. Do you have anywhere you want to go?"

"Yeah I need to go to the mall for a few things." Gaara looked at him.

"I'll take you. I can show you the best one." Sasuke smiled and Gaara smiled back.

---

They pulled into the parking lot and got out of Sasuke's car. Sasuke was telling Gaara about all the things that were in this mall that the others didn't have as they walked in . After going to all the stores that Gaara need to go to, they walked back to the car and drove to a random fast food place. They sat in a seat near the window after getting their food.

"So what is with you always talking back and pissing off people? I mean you can end up being hurt or, in Neji's case, raped," Sasuke asked curiously as they ate their food.

"I know how to stick up for myself. I mean I do get in a lot of trouble, and my dad doesn't like it. He'll come after me once and a while." Gaara looked down.

Sasuke's eyebrows shot up, "Your father beats you?"

Gaara glanced up at him. "Um...no he don't but he does yell. I should go home soon. My father told me that I needed to be home at nine." Gaara made as if to stand up, only to be stopped by Sasuke.

"Gaara, calm down. I won't tell anyone, after all I know how it is when your father yells and hits the youngest sibling. My dad always used to hit me, but then Itachi stepped in and stopped him. I'm glad I have an older brother," Sasuke saw that Gaara looked upset. "What's wrong Gaara?"

Gaara looked up at him slowly. "Brothers are nice but they usually end up turning their back on you.You never know Sasuke. Itachi might be nice, and then end up turning on you and beating you. That's how they always are." He walked out of the fast food place and went to Sasuke's car.

Sasuke ran out the door and stopped in front of Gaara, "You don't even know Itachi! Yeah, he might be with Neji's group but he isn't like him. You know Gaara, people aren't always what you and your friends think we are. We can be nice but it's hard for us to trust people. I mean how can you say that! You have a brother and sister both." Sasuke was about ready to scream as he stood there, panting lightly.

Gaara looked at him with pissed off eyes. "My brother and sister hate me. Kankurou used to be on my side, but then my dad and Temari turned him on me. I have no one Sasuke! No one loves me. No one cares about me. I'm a fucking loner!" Gaara yelled and started to walk away. He just couldn't take it.

Sasuke looked dumbfound. What just happen? He turned to see Gaara about to cross the street. "Gaara! Come back here, I'm sorry!"

Gaara looked at Sasuke. He knew that the kid didn't mean anything bad about what he just said. He was the one that started the shouting match. He walked back to Sasuke. "I should be the one sorry. See I never had anyone there for me. I was a loner and I been a loner. I'm not use to people being nice. That why I didn't bother fighting when Neji had me against the wall. I'm just use to it." Gaara sat in the car waiting for Sasuke to get in and drive him home.

Sasuke knew that Gaara wanted to get home, so he started up the car. When they looked at the time it was 8:00. Sasuke drove Gaara home in silence. As they reached the drive way, Sasuke shut off all his lights and met Gaara's eyes, "Since you still have a half an hour, why don't we just talk? I need to warn you about Neji. He might seem nice some times, but that's all an act to get people he wants. You know that Haku kid?"

Gaara nodded his head at Sasuke and looked at him while he talked.

"When Haku was the new kid, Neji kept bugging him until Haku finally agreed to go out with him. After that Haku was gone for a weekend, and people started to get worried about him. Naruto asked me where he was and I told him I didn't know. He started saying things about Haku being around Neji on Friday. I started to get a bad feeling about the whole thing so we drove over to Neji's house. I never want to see that happen to anyone ever again. I feel bad for him still," Sasuke whispered, head hung low.

Gaara knew what Sasuke was talking about. "Don't worry about me. I know how to take care of myself Sasuke. I know you're just trying to help, but really, I know how to fight." Gaara tried to reassure him with a smile.

"Not everyone is you Gaara. There are people that try to fight but can't get away from him. I just don't want you ending up like Haku did. The kid still isn't the same. I was almost like Haku but Itachi saved me before Neji had a chance. I know how hard it is to fit in. It took me years to get where I am now. If you need help, get come find me." Sasuke looked at the clock. "It's almost time for you to go in."

Gaara nodded in agreement, "I'll do that. I don't want to get hurt tonight and I also have a lot of things to do." Gaara got out of the car but before he could shut it. Sasuke had to say one last thing.

"You know Gaara, you and me are alike. Just one thing. Do what your told and don't let your brother and sister bug you. That's a way to keep yourself safe. I'll see you in school tomorrow." Sasuke waited for Gaara to say okay and drove off. He needed to go home and see what money Neji gave Itachi for food this time.

---

Gaara walked into the house and looked at the list his father gave him. He washed the dishes. Cleaned the table and bathroom and the floor. After he was done, he went up stairs to do his homework. He hated that Temari and Kankurou would make a mess just so their dad could make him clean it up. God, did he hate that kind of shit.
After he was done with his homework, he went to take a shower. He was thinking about all the things Sasuke had said. He was glad that at least one he liked was being nice but the other still scared him a lot. He just didn't feel safe around Neji. What had happened in the bathroom at school was bad and he had a feeling that Temari and Kankurou said it was okay to do that to him. He hated everything about them being on Neji's side. It meant that Neji can do anything to him as long as Temari or Kankurou said it was alright for him to do it. Maybe it was a good thing having Sasuke on his side.

After Gaara was done taken a shower, he walked back to his room. He dressed himself and looked out his window. He saw that there was a car in his driveway that he had never seen before. He hoped it wasn't who he thought it was. He went to his door and was about to lock it but someone opened it just as he reached out to twist the lock.

"So I guess you knew I was here, didn't you?" Neji smiled as the redhead looked up at him with hate in his eyes.

"Leave me alone, I don't have time to deal with you. I need to be up and ready for school at seven." Gaara said, standing there defiantly looking up at Neji.

"You know that I would have had you in the bathroom if your 'friend' hadn't shown up. So mind telling me who it so I can beat their head in?" Neji asked as he pushed Gaara into his room and shut the door. Temari and Kankurou smiled; they were glad their father had to work late tonight.

---

Neji shoved Gaara so that he was laying on his bed with Neji leaning on top of him and started rubbing his hand on Gaara's crotch and sides. "You know Gaara. I would leave you alone if you would just tell me who came up behind me in the bathroom. I know it was someone strong but I want to know if you saw who is was or if you just ran," Neji glared at Gaara as he spoke.

"I didn't see who it was. I ran away right after the person hit you. I was scared and didn't know what else to do. So let me go now!" Gaara pushed Neji off of him and got up to run to the other side of the room.

"Just leave me alone! I don't like you!" Gaara yelled.

Neji only looked at Gaara as he got back up on his feet. "I will make you mine Gaara. I just hope I don't hurt the other person that's in love with you." Neji turned and walked out of the room. He had to leave anyway since it was getting late.

Gaara slid down that wall. He really hated Neji. He wanted to talk to Sasuke but he didn't have the Uchiha's number. He just got up and walked to his bed. He laid down and hid himself under the covers. He hated life. He hated everything about it. He just wanted to be love even if it was one person. He fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillows. He knew that out in the world, he would find his true love.

---

Sasuke just got home when he saw Itachi in the kitchen. He walked into the house and glanced over to see his brother with bags and bags of food.

"So Neji gave us more money? Why isn't he nice to everyone like this?" Sasuke asked as he put his book bag down and helped Itachi put the food away.

"He gave us about $200 and I don't know why he is nice to us. I also heard that he was hit in the back of the head for going after that Gaara kid. You know Sasuke if he fines out that it was you, we're in for it. He would take our house and the cars." Itachi said.

"I know, but I couldn't let him hurt Gaara! I don't want him ending up like Haku, Itachi. I hate seeing people getting hurt" Sasuke mumbled.

"I know, Sasuke. But please be careful. We really need the money. Without Neji we would be living on the streets. We need this money, Sasuke. I hate being a suck up to Neji but I have to!" Itachi took the rest of the things and put them away.

"Itachi, I was talking to that Gaara kid. He and I are very alike. But no one in his family cares about him. They beat him like father use to do to me Itachi! I wish I could help him but I don't know how to." Sasuke looked down.

He wanted to show Gaara that not all people hate him. He didn't and Naruto and his friends didn't. Neji liked him but more in a pet sort of way. Sasuke just wanted to make him feel like he was needed. He knew that he needed Gaara, just like Gaara needed him. He looked up as Itachi started the walk into the next room. "Itachi, what should I do? I like Gaara but I can't do anything for him with Neji being there."

Itachi looked at his brother. "You just have to put your heart into it Sasuke. I know you can. Just like how I'm using Neji for his money. I know that you can get him before Neji. I just want you to watch out. Neji will find out, Sasuke, and when he does it will be you or Gaara getting hurt. I can protect you but not Gaara."

"I know Itachi. That's why I hit him from behind. I don't want to cause us from not having money. I know how to hit and hide so the person won't see that it's me." Sasuke smiled. "Well I'm going to bed. I need to get up and do the homework I have. It's just a little. So I'll get it done before school."

"Fine...I'll see you when I get up. I need to get to bed too. Good night, Sasuke." said Itachi.

"Good night, Itachi." Both brothers walked to there rooms and lighted out all the lights. They got in their bed and as soon as hitting the pillows they were both asleep. Known that the next day might be a nightmare or not.

---

end of chapter

Yeah another chapter done. I'm so happy. Hope you guys like this one. I work hard on it the last two days.

Please review.