A/N: Finally, I've been given enough time by the Oh-So-Mighty King of Computers (my best friend) to finish this story, so that he can kill me knowing that the fourth chapter is up. HaHa! He will never know the ending, I tell you, NEVER! I'm just kidding. Dram, Drama, Drama. sighs Well I finally get to update, but I'm pretty sure you all must hate me for taking such a long time. sniff sniff I'm sorry, really, I am. I decided to write this in honor of FATHER"S DAY.

Well, before I go on and rumble utter nonsense, I hope you enjoy the chapter. Oh! Please Review.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. sigh

Recap:

Sakura was surprised none the less. He actually said something, and it was something actually worth listening to. Sakura smiled in return, and whispered an 'Arigatou' before exiting the cafeteria. Sasuke still heard it though, and a small smirk slowly graced his lips. He gathered all his things and exited the cafeteria.

A figure stepped out of the dark corner of the cafeteria. That person was smiling.

Hmm.. Well this should be interesting. Sasuke likes this girl enough to stand up for her huh?

Chapter Four: Family, what a beautiful gift.

It has already been a month and so far, it seems like Sakura is adjusting pretty well. She has gotten quite close to Tenten and Hinata. As for the guys, she converses with them every now and then. Surprisingly, it seems that Sasuke has also warmed up to the pink-haired teen. It was nothing big really, but he is more open to her than he is with Tenten and Hinata. However, it also seems that the whole school has taken note of this effect as well. The guys are not that much disturbed about it, but the girls, THE GIRLS. They were beyond furious with Sakura. It is only fair that they get close to Sasuke because they were here longer, and not to mention but they were better looking.

A figure stepped out of the dark corner of the cafeteria. That person was smiling.

Hmm.. Well this should be interesting. Sasuke likes this girl enough to stand up for her huh?

The figure then pulled a cell phone.

"Hello," said the person on the other line.

"This is Gaara."

"Oh Gaara, hold on." In the background you can hear shuffling and things flying around.

"Gaara, this is Itachi, how is everything with my little brother?"

"He is okay," replied Gaara.

"He is, that is nice to know. Anything else I should know?" asked Itachi.

"Yes, based on given information that you gave me, Sasuke doesn't really do things on anyone's behalf. Mainly because of his pride, am I right?" asked Gaara. Gaara was trying to hold back a chuckle because he knew of how uptight Itachi was with his little brother.

"Why yes, my brother is a person of pride, I would find it unlikely that he would stand up for a person, let alone, offer them a helping hand. Why do you ask?" Itachi responded.

"Well, unless my eyes are deceiving me, he just helped a girl today," Gaara stated bluntly.

While on the other line, Itachi ponders as to what his brother's actions are and had hoped for the better. He can remember one incident where his brother "fell hard" for a girl. Her name? Her name was Nizumo Amy. A lovely girl she was. Sasuke wouldn't go for a day without mentioning her name. Itachi clearly remembered that day when Sasuke had learned how wrong he was with his "oh-so-innocent girlfriend".

Itachi's Flashback

They had been going out for at least six months and Sasuke was content with how everything was going. He was in the movies by himself, hiding from his fan girls which can still be heard outside the theater doors. He was in a chick flick. A CHICK FLICK? Great now people are going to assume things.

He heard a girl giggling in the back and could've sworn it sounded just like Amy. He chuckled at such a ridiculous idea. Amy? It couldn't be. She was at home because she came down with the fever. He heard that giggle again. Acting on instinct, he turned to see who was giggling. Low and behold, there was Amy cuddled up to a guy. Sasuke turned around, laughing to himself. He found it funny that Amy was in the movies, cuddled up to another guy. ANOTHER GUY?! Sasuke immediately turned around and rechecked. No, his eyes were dead on. It was AMY with another guy.

He immediately shot up from his seat and approached the "happy couple". Amy saw someone approaching them and couldn't quite tell who it was until that person was standing right in front of them.

"Excuse me, mind moving, we're trying to watch the movie?" said the guy, whom Amy was cuddled up to.

"Really, I didn't think you could watch with all that giggling and laughing going on" stated a rather pissed-off Sasuke.

Amy immediately recognized the voice.

"Sasuke?"

"Why, Amy, you remember me. That is really flattering of you," said Sasuke.

"Babe, who the hell is the idiot in front of us?" the guy asked.

"Yeah Amy, please do tell," Sasuke deadpanned.

"Oh, ugh, well, you see, this is … " Amy was speechless. She didn't think Sasuke would be here. Especially in a chick flick!

Sasuke had enough. He walked up to the guy, held him up by the collar and gave him one hell of a left hook. He, then shot Amy an angry look, yet his eyes were filled with sadness. With that, he walked out. Amy waited for at least a good ten minutes and then went after Sasuke. After that day, Sasuke has never been the same. He just didn't give a damn anymore.

End of Flashback

So there Itachi sat, his brother in pain was not a good thing for an older sibling to bear witness to. They were suppose to teach them about the basics, but somehow Itachi felt like he had failed in this case. Ever since then, Itachi has always kept a close eye on his little brother and hopefully Sasuke will not make the same mistakes Itachi has done when he was Sasuke's age.

"Itachi? Are you there?" asked Gaara.

"Sorry, thank you, Gaara. Get back to me when you have more information," with that said and done, Itachi hung up.

Back To Sakura.

Sakura was at home just lying around. It was a Saturday and she had finished all her homework. Her mother was at a garden party for one of her colleagues from work, and her father was away for a business meeting. It would seem that even though Sakura's mother was a teacher, a professor to be exact, she was still too busy. Sakura had grown accustomed to both her parents being away. However, she sometimes wished they were both home.

Out of the blue, her phone started ringing. (Ringer ID : Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne)

"Hello," stated Sakura.

"Hey Sakura, get your arse up and meet us at the mall in twenty minutes. Got it, get it good. See you there," said Tenten.

"Wait, what?" aske Sakura.

Beep beep beep beep, If you would like to make a call please hang up and try again.

Ugh! I swear Tenten is so gonna pay! She decided to pull me out of nowhere and take me to a place where it is going to take me at least half an hour to get to! Sakura thought as she made her way to her room to take a shower.

Sakura took a thirty minute shower. She knew what she was doing, and knowing Tenten, she would wait there for days just to see Sakura turn up. She would probably then kill her afterwards. Tenten, Hinata, and Sakura have all become close friends within that month. Each of them standing up for each other. Surprisingly, it seems like the only threat there at school was now Daina. They would see Ino now and then but she would just ignore them and strode to where he friends were. To be more specific, her fake friends. Sakura somehow felt sorry for Ino. She needed real friends. The ones that you can depend on and not have to worry about them talking smack about you when you turn your back. Sakura has been in one of those before and knows how it feels.

Sakura got out of the shower and immediately started looking for clothes to wear. She threw everything, basically everywhere. After a couple minutes passed, she finally found something to wear. She had on a plain white tank top and a jean mini skirt. She then put on her black hoodie with little, light pink skulls on it. She put on her black high-top converse with the words "All-Star" printed in white on one of the sides of the shoes. She fixed her hair in two low pig tails. She took one last look at the mirror and decided that she looked decent enough for a day out at the mall. She quickly ran down the stairs and made a quick not to her parents just to let them know where she is going to be. She grabbed her cell phone and house keys and went into the garage. She took out her bike and rode out of her driveway. Sakura took the long way to the mall because it had seem like a beautiful day.

While at the mall…

Tenten was fuming mad.

"Where is she? She is an hour late?!" Tenten shouted at poor Hinata.

Hinata on the other hand was cowering behind a pole. Nobody wants to mess with an angry Tenten. You never know what might be on her.

Hinata was still standing there, when all of a sudden, she spotted Naruto. While she was eyeing Naruto, Tenten took notice of this and started to smirk.

"Aw, Hinata, it is either you find the lingerie store very appealing, or you ogling that idiot, Naruto," said Tenten. She was snickering afterwards.

"Na-a-rut-to is n-not an i-idi-o-ot," replied the timied girl.

"Oh really?" asked Tenten. She turned around to look at Naruto and Hinata followed suit. After two seconds of glancing at Naruto, a girl in very "revealing" clothes came up to him and kissed him on the lips. What had been just a kiss soon turned out to be a make out session.

Tenten immediately turned around. She saw the hurt look on Hinata's face and immediately try to change the subject.

God, I hope Sakura gets here fast, thought Tenten.

"Ugh, say Hinata, why don't we got to Shannons?" asked Tenten. She was trying to make Hinata forget what she saw.

"No, Tenten-chan, it is okay, really. It happens. We can go order some frappacinos. They smell delicious. Hinata put on a smile, but Tenten could see right through. If only, she hadn't press the matter any further.

Sakura, I swear you better be here or else!

Back to Sakura…

Sakura was half-way to the mall, when all of a sudden a car started to honk at her from behind. Sakura took a glance back and saw that it was a black Lincoln Navigator. She ignored it, but then the car honked again. Sakura stopped riding her bike and immediately got off. She kept her distance from the car, when all of a sudden a big figure stepped out. It was a bit sunny in the background so Sakura couldn't really make out what or who that person is. He, as you can tell by the manly figure, started to approach her.

My parents have taught me to never talk to strangers, thought Sakura. She quickly went back to her bike and got on. She was about to speed off when that person spoke.

"Sakura? Don't tell me you don't even remember your dad?"

"Dad?" queried Sakura as she looked back at the figure. He started to walk forward as she stood there. Then she could see her face clearly.

"DAD!" screamed Sakura. She immediately got off and ran to her dad. Her dad chuckled at his little princess' behavior.

"Ah, I see, you're still louder than usual" said Sakura's father.

"Oh my gosh, dad, what are you doing here?" asked a very excited teenager.

He dad laughed, he had missed her so much.

"Well, I went home to see if you are there, but I got your note that you were going to the mall, so I decided to come and see if I were to meet up with you there," said her father.

Sakura smiled and then frown at the sudden realization.

If he wanted to find me, he must be going away soon, pondered Sakura.

Her father took the time to analyze his little angel. It has always been his dream to see his little girl grow up, but he was never there. She grew up hardly seeing him, and still she wears a smile every time she sees him. He had made an assumption that she would hate him, but he was wrong. He had hoped he was wrong.

Sakura let out a heavy sigh, snapping her father out of his thoughts.

"So, when are you leaving?" asked Sakura. It had seem that something had drained out all the excitement from her.

Her father gave her a smile.

"Why sweetie, the company gave me three-months off," replied her father.

Sakura immediately smiled and hugged her father once again. And then it dawned on her.

"The MALL!" Sakura yelled out, nearly deafening her poor father. Her father stumbled back and looked at her.

She sure is loud, thought her father and with that came a smile on his face.

"Here, put your bike in the back, I'll take you there. I have to pick up your mother anyways."

Sakura smiled and immediately complied. Within a couple of minutes, they arrived. Sakura gave her father a peck on the cheek and dashed out the door before he could say "goodbye". He was worried about her, not to say the least. Her heart still has healed yet, and he was afraid that she might have a cardiac arrest. Being a father is not as easy as it seems.

Sakura dashed through the entries of hall, and came to a halt. She was panting like crazy.

That was not a good idea running that fast, thought Sakura.

She went to the food court to meet up with Tenten, when she saw Sasuke and his crew. It had seem that Ino was there to clinging onto Shikamaru. She went the other and saw Hinata. She went running up to the girl and hugged her. Hinata laughed at her friend's childish antics and saw that Tenten was coming out of a weapon store.

Tenten, Hinata, and Sakura were all sitting in a triangular arrangement. Tenten was wearing a navy blue, sleeveless, collared shirt that reached her hips with a pair of khakis that went beneath her knees. She had on her white and blue vans. Hinata was wearing a shirt with the sleeves reaching her elbows, with caprice. She had on white Nike tennis shoes. They were conversing something about history. It was something about 'kunoichis', until they heard Sasuke and his crew making fun of someone. They looked only to see a boy clad in a green jumpsuit. Then they recognized who it was, it was Rock Lee. Sakura sat there fuming mad, wishing she could do something. However, as it turns out she can't. It will be her against those idiots, and enemies were the last thing she needed at the moment.

They all came to an agreement, so they went inside and decided to get something to eat.

"Hi there, I'm Temari, how may I take your order?"

"Hi, I would like one chicken katsu with water please," Sakura said and then she turned around to get Tenten's and Hinata's orders. "Oh, and one fish fillet with mash potatoes on the side and a green salad with two diet cokes. Thank you," said Sakua.

Temari, as she stated, turned around to give the order to the cooks and turned around to tell them the total amount. After they received their change, Sakura being Sakura turned to Temari and introduced themselves, seeing how there was no one else in line.

"Oh, it's a pleasure to meet you," said Temari.

The next thing they know they were sitting at a table near the counter and talking about "stuff". Temari and the girls kept glancing at the counter to see if there were any customers. They totally lost track of time and the next thing they know, the Food Court was closing down.

So here they were, seated in front of an ice-cream store, chatting away. They failed to notice Sasuke, Shikamaru with a clingy Ino, Naruto, and Neji enter the ice-cream shop. Sasuke had a girl hooked on his arm, while Naruto and Neji also had one. It was 6:00 p.m., and it seemed like the night was going to last forever. The girls were having fun talking about things, being lost in their own world. That is until…

"Temari, we have to go home," said a boy wearing a dark purple hoodie.

"Oh, Kankuro, I would like you to meet my friends. This is Sakura, Hinata, and Tenten," said Temari..

"Nice to meet you all," responded Kankuro.

"Where's Gaara?" aske Temari.

At that, it seemed like time stood still.

"Gaara? You know Gaara?" asked Tenten.

"Hehe, yeah, he is my little bro," replied Temari.

Tenten, Hinata, and Sakura looked at each other and looked at Temari and Kankuro giving them quizzical looks. They all looked at each other and mouthed a "No Way".

While with Sasuke and his crew…

Sasuke was getting bored at Naruto mouth of about how great ramen was and how he was going to write a song about.

Dobe, thought Sasuke. He looked around until he saw Sakura. He saw that she was with a couple of people, and then out of nowhere Gaara appeared and approached two people with whom he assumed Gaara knew. He couldn't help but notice the way Sakura looked at Gaara. Sasuke couldn't help but feel a tad bit envious. He wanted Sakura to look at him the same way she looked at Gaara.

Even though he had known her for only a month, he had come to feel comfortable around her then any other girls. He continued to look at her until she looked around and came face to face with him.

Sakura had felt someone staring at her. She looked around only to have her jade eyes locked with onyx ones.

To Be Continued…

A/N: Okay, now that was not a cliffy. Well, at least I think it is not. I hope you enjoyed and don't worry, I'm already starting on the next chapter. But I have to get all my other stories up and running. Oh and if there are any grammatical errors, I'm sorry and please don't hesitate to tell me. So please review. Oh and Father's Day is coming up. Don't forget to thank your dad for everything.

Bye….

Funks-