Chapter 5
Gaara's POVIt's been two days since the second-degree burn to my leg. The good part is, I think my dad has convinced himself that I'm no longer possessed. Which means no more strange rituals, though we still have to meet with the others this Thursday. I came to school today, though my leg still hurts. I limp to my first period, ignoring the sting in my leg. I just didn't want to stay home all alone today.
I sit in my seat, and only a couple of minutes later I get tackled. "Oh Gaara your back just in time for the test in German!" The blonde hugs me tight. "So how's your leg? Better?" He asks letting go of me, and sitting down. I nod my head. "That's good. Anyway you won't believe what I went through yesterday…." The blonde starts to blab, until the first bell.
In German class the blonde copies some of my answers. I don't mind, it's better then what some people do. He knows the answers, he just doesn't know how to spell all of them, so it's all right.
"I'll grade your papers and have them back to you tomorrow. This will be the last grade that's going in your report card." The teacher explains, and sits down at her computer. The bell then rings, and Naruto and I head to the lunch room. The blonde stands in the long line for pizza. When he finally comes back he offers me some. I decline.
"Do you usually get good grades on your report card?" He asks me. I nod my head. "I don't I get D's and crap like that." I say nothing and the blonde looks at me with worry. "Are you sure you're ok, you seem quieter then usual. I don't think you've sad a word yet." I lower my head. I just didn't feel like talking today.
"Oh, I wanted to say sorry." I look up at Naruto. What would he be apologizing for? " I kinda upset you on Saturday, asking about your home life. I shouldn't of, it's none of my business." He explains. I almost smile, but don't. The corner of my lip just twitches. No ones every honestly apologized to me. It made me a little happy that he respected me like this.
"It's fine, forget about it." I mumble. The rest of the lunch period we talk about other things. The day went on as normal. And when I got home it was normal, well as normal as my family can get. All in all today was a nice day. I don't know why but I just have this feeling of ease, and I like it. I don't remember the last time I didn't have to worry about something. Or be reminded of something.
The next day we got our report cards in school. I have all A's and B's. Naruto on the other hand, mainly had C's, but that's average and he was happy with it. I don't really mind coming to school now. Even though the only thing that has changed is that I have one person there waiting for me. Only one, but that's enough for me. He doesn't care about all the rumors the kids spread about me, they've warned him and he ignores them. Everyone still glares at me, and whispers about me behind my back; but I don't care. I never cared, but I have a little joy in school now.
When I get home I do my homework, and stay in the living room. When father comes home he'll be asking for report cards. After that we'll probably leave to go meet the others. I hope that this will all stop. I hope that I won't have to go through this shit anymore. I look at my ring, the one I inherited. I just want this all to stop. I never meant to kill anyone. Have I not paid enough for my sins?
The door opens, and my dad steps in. "Hey nice to see you waiting for me." He smiles at me, I just look at him. He calls Temari and Kankuro down. Like I predicted asking for report cards. He takes Temari's first, seeing she's the oldest.
"You have a C in math, you can do better." He tells her handing her back the slip of paper. He takes Kankuro's next. "You're grounded." Are the only words that pass his lips. Kankuro grumbles about something, taking back the paper. Then he comes to me, I hand him my report card. "Good like always." He smiles at me, handing it back. I throw the report card away, not wanting to keep it. Then I grab my jacket. Father tells the others we're going out, and they say goodbye.
We get to the field were we usually meet. Everyone is there with their cloaks on and hoods up like always.
"I believe the demon has finally left my son." My father announces proudly. The group claps. "But to be sure one last ritual. So we are sure." Everyone claps again, showing their support. Two of the supporters hold my arms out. My dad takes out a knife. He draws a circle on my wrist, and scratches the skin, which made it look like he colored it in. Then he turns to another person who hands him something I see a little bottle in his hand. I was going to start struggling, but stopped and readied myself. If I struggle or scream, they'll just label me demon again.
The salt water is poured on the fresh wound. I chew the inside of my cheeks, trying hard not to scream or show sign of pain. Everyone watched me closely, my father's stare being the most intense. He frowns, and a look of angry comes over him. I panic thinking I'll be called demon once again. But, then he turns around, his attitude changing.
"It is clear the demon is no longer with him. Our work is finally done." He says. The group says amen , and then after cheers and all pat themselves on the back. I sigh in relief, the salt water still hurting and stinging. The people pull down their hoods, and for the first time I see their faces. The faces I recognize. The face of my priest, of my sixth period teacher, of one of my classmates, of people I've seen around town. Anger comes over me but I say and do nothing. What was wrong with these people?
Finally when I get back home I wash my cuts. The water felt good over them. The marks on my palm were almost gone, but still noticeable. I put a band-aid on my new and last marks. I watch TV down stairs with my father. It was quiet, and awkward. Then he speaks.
"I'm glade you are free of evil spirits. Now you can start a new." I look at him, and nod my head. He's fucking crazy, but at least I don't have to deal with torture anymore. I go to bed not soon after.
When I enter school, everyone seems to stare at me. I ignore it, and go to my locker. Whispers start up when I pass a group of kids. I ignore that as well. Then I enter the classroom, were I can't hear the whispers anymore. But I hear one once again in about three minutes.
"You should really stop talking to that kid. Haven't you been listening to the stuff they're saying this morning?"
"He's a real nice guy, and that stuff probably isn't true." Came Naruto's voice.
"I don't care who you hang out with, I'm just saying be careful. Just look at his hands and wrists to see if it's true." With that the blonde walks in cheerful. I stare at him, I wonder who he was talking too? He sits next to me, and I hide my hands. Just in case he thinks about looking at them.
"How are you this morning?" The blonde asks. Leaning back in his chair.
"I'm fine." I almost whisper. I had fear for some reason. I wanted to know what the rumors are, and if he dose look at my hand…will he believe them? I wouldn't care what anyone believes. None of them really know me. Maybe it'll be better if he believes the rumors, then he won't find out the truth. The blonde starts to talk again, and all seems good and normal.
At lunch we sit together as normal. "You're not eating today?" I ask the boy, he shakes his head.
"Amazingly enough , I ain't hungry today." He laughs. I stay quiet, just waiting for the blonde to start ranting about something.
"Um…Gaara?" He asks shyly. I look at him, waiting for him to continue. "Are you suicidal?" I look at him surprised.
"If I was what would it matter to you?" I ask. I don't know why I just didn't say no. The word just didn't come to me, this question seemed more suited.
"Cause you're my friend." Naruto explains. I glare at him for a moment. Then I get up to leave, he stops me though. "Why is it that you always seem to run away?" I tug my arm, and try to get him to let me go.
"You shouldn't make empty promises." I hiss out at him. I didn't want a friend. I liked spending time with the boy. But, him saying that ruined everything. He can't admit to being my friend, this makes everything complicated. He'll expect me to do the same, he'll ask questions I can't answer. He'll get close. A friend is something I just can't have.
Naruto's POVI don't get it. Why is he trying to run away? Is he suicidal? I just want to help him, that's all. For some reason….It's like he's asking me to help him. It's like from the first day I came here he was begging for help. Or was it that I just saw a little of myself in him? When he was sitting all alone by himself. Did I just see the young me in him? Is that why I was drawn to him?
I let go, shock on my face as I realize. That's exactly the reason why I was drawn to him. The red head stumbles, and then turns around. He obviously hadn't expected me to let go. I look into his eyes to see confusion…..and a reflection of myself. The eyes are like what mine use to be. When no one was looking my eyes use to be so sad, they use to cry out for attention.
"Naru—" I don't stick around to let him speak. I have to get away from him. I run out of the launch room, and go into the boy's room. Hoping I'll be safe there, that the red head wouldn't follow.
I stand in the corner. Like I've done must of my life, staying in a corner all by myself. I look at my feet. He's so much like I us to be. "Damnit! We moved here so I could forget about this!" I yell to myself slamming my fist against the wall.
"Forget about what?" Came a soft voice. I look up, to see who was specking to me.
"Gaara…"
A/N: CLIFFHANGER, MUHAHAHAH! I'm so mean. See what happens next chapter