Thanks for the reviews again! Influenced me to update soon! .

Recommended Song: Seether Feat. Amy Lee – Broken

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or any of its characters. Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.

–A New Look-

-3-

"Hurry up!" Temari demanded pacing the floor.

"Where the hell does this thing go?! Oh… it's attached!" Sakura said giggling behind the curtain; Temari rolled her eyes and continued to pace until the curtain was drawn.

Sakura stepped out, partially embarrassed, dressed in skinny black jeans which had holes everywhere and chains hooked up her legs. Her boots overlapped her jeans with belt buckle straps on to match the belt which adorned the top of her jeans. She had on a neon pink top which was ripped across her chest and stomach, revealing black mesh underneath. Temari looked shocked at her transformation which she pulled off well minus the blushing red cheeks.

"It looks great!" Temari said dragging her out of the cubical and pushing her in front of a full length mirror. Sakura gasped, as did half the shop, when she was pushed into the open and in front of a mirror.

"…" She couldn't string any words together since she was shocked at the confidence which radiated through her bold, sexy outfit. She couldn't help but feel blessed by the fact Temari had helped her. "Thanks Temari!"

"For what?"

"If you hadn't sat next to me I wouldn't have had so much help today! I am sooo getting this!" She looked down and froze when she noticed her bruises could be seen through the mess cut on her stomach so she hurried back into the cubical.

"I'll find you another!" Temari said excitedly before running off into the store. She passed two guys who were anxiously looking at Sakura's cubical with glittering eyes so she stomped on their foot as she passed and glared up at the 6 foot guys, who had turned and headed out the shop.

She smirked at their retreating forms and walked over to a girl with black hair. "Hey…" She said leaning against the wall.

"I knew you would be behind her appearance Temari…" She answered without looking up from the box of shoes she was unpacking. "…but why?"

"She interests me…"

The girl looked up and raised her eyebrow at the blonde who let out a loud tut and scowled down at her.

"Not like that…" She said in no mood to raise her voice.

"So what do you want?"

"Got anything new in?"

"Sure… I'll take you through the back…" The girl stood up and looked towards the owner, who was behind the till reading a porn magazine. He looked up, as if sensing her, and nodded. The store made it their business to know Temari since she was a good customer and quite fearful. She also had a brutal sibling who could snap their neck without moving his hands if they didn't comply; but they like the blonde enough to comply anyway.

Fifteen minutes later, Temari emerged from the 'back room' and hand arms full of clothes. She marched happily over to Sakura's cubical and forgot to respect her dignity. She threw the curtain open, startling Sakura who sat on the chair waiting. That was when she saw it…

Temari gasped as she looked down at three huge black bruises over Sakura's stomach. "Sakura?!"

"It was an accident! I… fell out of bed and landed on some stuff…" She said panicking slightly. "Don't worry! They'll clear up in a few days and I'll be fine!" She plastered her usual smile on her face and Temari couldn't argue.

"Alright… well next time you get injured… come to me… I'll help you out…" She said not fully believing her story. After all, she grew up with an abusive father who had it out for her little brother. She knew what beating scars and bruises looked like; she was all too familiar with them.

"I will! Thanks Tem!"

"Tem?" She asked scrunching her nose up.

"My new nickname for you!"

"…"

"You don't like it?"

"Whatever…!" She said in a hurry, embarrassed by the fact she was letting her call her a nickname. Temari hadn't had actual friends who looked up to her or admired her; rather they followed her through fear. So when someone willingly calls her a nickname and compliments and thanks her; how is she supposed to act?

Sakura laughed and took the clothes off Temari; and by the looks of it, she would be here a while.

oOo

"I'm exhausted!" Temari said leaving the shop with Sakura, who was having trouble balancing her bags on her arms.

"Yeah! Wanna get some food?" Sakura asked with her usual grin she hadn't replaced all day.

"Sure…"

"I'm buying!" Sakura said following after Temari.

"Thanks"

After half an hour of eating and chatting, Temari's phone went off playing rather loud heavy music and attracting attention of everyone in the shop. Sakura giggled when she seen Temari shooting deathly glares at the people in the shop who were looking shamefully at her. She had the feeling that Temari was, in fact, quite a dangerous girl but she wasn't scared; she had obviously got on her good side and enjoyed her company.

She sighed and eventually put the phone down with a sulk. "My brother…"

"Oh" She laughed again.

"What's funny?"

"You're really controlling!" She said motioning to the people who were giving her weary looks. Temari nodded and understood what she had meant.

"So you believe I am dangerous?" She said with a smirk.

"Of course! I did the moment I seen you!" Temari felt a little unhappy about her answer, but her tone meant she had more to say. "…that's just who you are right? That's fine… you wouldn't be you otherwise!"

Temari found herself smiling at the girl who accepted her for who she was. An idea suddenly struck her; if she made her feel so happy and was fine with how she was, how would Gaara feel? He, obviously, has it worse than her… maybe he would benefit Sakura's kind words…

"What did he want?" Sakura asked, taking note of Temari's smile. She felt like she had seriously helped the girl in some way making herself feel better.

"He was reminding me of my brother's birthday…" Sakura was confused by what she said so Temari continued, "I have two brothers…"

"Oh yeah… now I remember! When is his birthday?"

"Tomorrow… it's his 17th" She said sipping her coffee.

"Which year are you in?" Sakura asked leaning over the table.

"What?"

"In Konoha academy…"

Temari laughed at her before explaining, "We don't have years in the academy… It isn't an overly large school and the age limit is 16 to 19" She explained.

"…" At seeing her confusion still present, Temari continued.

"You didn't read up on the school huh?" Sakura shook her head and Temari sighed, "That might be a good thing… your guardian might not let you attend if he knew what happens…"

"…happens?"

"I'll let the head tell you the main information… but I'll tell you something else, with the exception of Mathematics, PE, Science and English… you end up in categorized groups… there is a reason why the school has these separate lessons… but I don't think I should be the one to explain that to you…"

"Then… what class are you in?"

"I can't give away the secrets just yet, can I? I'll tell you when you understand more…" Sakura nodded and sat back. All of a sudden, school was starting to sound even more exciting. "I should be getting back now…"

"I'll come with you… I live nearby" She added standing up with her bags. Temari nodded and the walked out of the small café. "Today was fun!" Sakura said smiling. She still had her usual clothes on but had added a few studded bracelets to her wrists.

Once they walked back to their neat little estate, Sakura stopped where the street parted and said her goodbyes to Temari. "Hey Tem!" She said just before the blonde turned to leave.

"Yeah?"

"Does your brother like cookies?"

"Yeah… I'm not that great a cook though… so he hasn't had any decent cookies…"

"I'll make him some!" She said grinning. "See ya!" She turned around and walked up the street happily. She had heard that it was the dangerous brother's birthday so to make peace before they met; she wanted to make him something. Everyone likes cookies after all… and Sakura was getting used to having lots of friends all of a sudden. She enjoyed it…

oOo

He had been walking around, trying to find inspiration for his drawings; since there wasn't anything else to do. He was thankful that school would start tomorrow; it meant more amusement when people pass him and burst into a sprint. It also meant he could pick someone to torment, someone who deserves it of course.

There wasn't much traffic on the roads today and the streets were quite bare, with the exception of the occasional blinking street lamp, which faded on to prepare for the dark night's sky. He placed it all down to the fact school was closing in. People were probably getting ready.

He was walking up the usual path he took to get home when something caught his attention or rather, some noise caught his attention. He stopped by the path and leaned against one of the many picket fences watching as some blonde, whose face was heavily made up, argued with someone. He couldn't quite see who it was; due to the fact a nearby car was blocking his view.

He moved further along the path until he seen a girl with long pink hair holding a lot of bags. She looked reasonably plain, minus the said hair colour and the studded accessories on her wrists. From what he could check out, she wasn't greatly tall but was taller than most girls he knew. He let his eyes trail downwards to find she had quite large assets and a butt to match. He smirked at the female and drew his attention to the argument.

"…will be so mad when he finds out!"

"Get over yourself! Why do you think he gives me money?" the pink girl yelled back.

"I don't care! Stupid slut!"

"That's rich! A prostitute having the nerve to call me a slut! Go screw yourself! Or some paying customer… I don't care which!"

Gaara let a chuckle escape his lips at hearing the argument. He had already learned a great deal from his new neighbours… like how one of them was a prostitute and the other had a spunky temper. He watched the pinkette storm into the house with her bags while the blonde yelled pathetic curses after her. He eventually grew bored and was about to head back when a voice called to him.

"Hey! Looking for something? Or… someone...?" A voice asked in an attempt to be seductive. He rolled his eyes and turned slightly to look over his shoulder, letting his eyes do most of the work to see who was crazy enough to calling him.

He noticed the blonde from before had caught up with him and was batting her false, thick eyelashes madly at him. He felt sick that such a slut was mentally undressing him. He didn't feel the need to waste his breath on her so he let his sand do the talking. It wrapped its way up her legs earning him a startled shriek.

She watched as his blank expression turned into psychotic smirk as the sand continued to encircle her legs. She began to scream until the sand reached her mouth and shut her up. He wasn't planning on killing her; of course, he just wanted to scare her into respect.

That was until the pink haired girl from before returned outside, "Slut! Phone for you!" she yelled. Gaara didn't realise he had let the sand fall from the girl until he seen her running back down the street from him. He shrugged with his smirk and walked back to his house quite amused.

oOo

"Stupid sand freak!" She cursed calming her breath down. She had come inches to death and was saved by the stupid pink bitch. How shameful. She would never tell her that she had saved her though; she wouldn't give her that privilege.

After calming down and sitting around for half an hour she began to chuckle like a mad person. She had things to be happy about after all; why mope around?

It would be arriving soon… she would certainly get a shock…

oOo

After an hour of sorting out clothes and remodelling others to look like her new clothes, Sakura finally sighed and lay down on her spotted bed. She had hunted all of her clothes out, thrown some and kept some. With the clothes she kept, she had torn them or added chains which she had bought extra of.

Her whole wardrobe had been revamped and she was quite happy about her new appearance. She had set out new make-up bottles and tubes along her dressing table along with some accessories. She even painted her nails black in preparation for the following day.

She tugged her towel from her wet hair and began combing through the tangle knots. After she had removed all tangles, she walked over to plug in her hairdryer when she heard noisy footsteps plodding up the stairs. It couldn't have been Yoko, since she went out for some work, to which Sakura had harshly commented on with glee.

It meant that Osamu was back, and from the sounds of his stumbles; extremely drunk. The door burst open and he stormed in the room with a sickly grin on his face. Sakura panicked but didn't have time to move since he was on top in a matter of milliseconds. He pushed her to the floor, placing sticky wet kisses on her neck and wreaking her senses with the fumes of alcohol. She squirmed around underneath him until she found a rather heavy boot she had bought earlier. She quickly connected it with his head and he fell limply on top of her. After regaining her strength she flipped him over and put the boots down with a thud. She was glad Yoko wasn't in otherwise she would be in deep trouble.

She grabbed under his arms and dragged his heavy body out of her room and down the stairs; which amused her greatly when his head accidentally of each step. She eventually made it to his room and placed him on his bed without a second glance.

She shut the door and ran back upstairs to the bathroom, washing her neck thoroughly. She hopped into bed after drying her hair and realised she still hadn't put up her curtains. She had bought some thick white ones the day she went with Tenten and Naruto but couldn't put them up until the paint dried. She sighed and lay back down, planning on putting them up the day after.

'I was lucky today… he's starting to get rowdy… Well, I'm thankful he is a terrible drunk and forgets everything the next day… otherwise I'd be in deep shit…'

oOo

The next morning, Sakura was awoken by the sound of her alarm clock. After shutting 'the damn thing' up, she dragged herself out of bed and headed for the bathroom. She finally woke up after cold water connected with her skin. She inspected her face in the mirror to see that Yoko's pitiful slap had only left a red mark the day before and she didn't need to use her foundation. She had natural clear skin and foundation was only necessary to hide battle scars from her abusive guardian.

Around half an hour later, she emerged from her room with her new school uniform on, which Osamu had gave her the day they arrived. It consisted of a black skirt with red, thick stitching throughout and a black, skin-tight waistcoat with the school's emblem on it; a strange twirled design which pointed to the left. It kinda reminded her of a slug. Underneath it, she had a skin tight white shirt on, which she had bought with Temari the previous day. It was essential she wore a shirt underneath it but no shirt was provided. She thought that Temari would somehow have made her uniform unique so Sakura did the same.

The shirt had cut off sleeves which ended just past her elbows and the buttons didn't start to fasten up until her cleavage was shown. Over all it was quite a plain shirt until you took into account the red stitching which matched the uniform. She had chosen this shirt for that fact and Temari even praised her choice. On her wrists, she wore several studded bracelets and some that mimicked barbed wire. To match that, she wore a twisted black necklace which also mimicked barbed wire. She was unsure of what to wear on her feet so she settled for huge boots with chains and buckles on them. Over the top of these boots, her little white socks were shown, which could almost pass her off as innocent. She felt incredible and extremely daring; not to mention, she felt sexy. To finish the look, she added mascara and eyeliner to her eyes with lip gloss.

She tip toed down the wooden stairs, grabbing her messenger bag on the way with all her new stationary and notepads in. She sighed when she made it downstairs and then remembered that she had knocked him out because he was drunk. That was good news for Sakura; it meant she didn't have to stay quiet since he wouldn't be up until midday anyway. After grabbing some toast, she hurried out the door and began to walk along the path feeling fabulous; though she doubted that was a word Temari would use.

She wondered why she was keep referring to Temari; he thought it was because of her style and choice of words. But then Sakura remembered that she shouldn't try to deceive anyone since she was her own person. No matter what she wore; she was still Sakura.

She finally approached the orphanage and seen a happy Tenten heading out. She had her usual buns in her hair with Chinese chopsticks through them. She wore a white shirt with dragon symbols on cuffs and the edge of the shirt. On her feet were little white shoes with the same design.

"Sakura?" Tenten asked amazed as she looked the pinkette up and down.

"Hey Tenten! Let's go!" She said walking along the path.

"What happened?"

"Oh… I went shopping…"

"Wow!"

"…erm… T-Thanks…" She said shyly, unsure of the compliment she had never received before, not including Temari's comments which were more vulgar and to the point such as 'hot' or 'sexy as hell'. "Where is Naruto?"

"He lives just past the school, so we meet him there…" She said still smiling.

"oh, okay"

They eventually made it to school ten minutes later and headed across the grassy opening the school had. In the centre was a huge courtyard with picnic tables placed oddly throughout. Sakura wondered why they were walking on the grass when there was a path but then she noticed Tenten smiling at someone. She looked up and realised there were people she hadn't met before standing under a large hanging green tree in wait.

Some of them sat down in the grass or against the tree, while more energetic persons, Naruto primly, were jumping up and down or standing up and chatting.

"Hey Tenten!" Naruto yelled emerging from the group of people.

Sakura took note that the boy's uniform was, obviously, different from the girls. The guys wore long pants and all of them seemed to have boots or shoes on. They, instead of a backless waistcoat, wore a jacket and dress shirt underneath of any colour. Naruto wore an orange shirt underneath which seemed to show his bright cheery attitude.

"Whoa! Sakura? You look hot!" Naruto yelled attracting several people from the group's attention. "I'll introduce you…!"

"Thanks Naruto" She whispered as he led her over to the group who all smiled appreciatively at her.

"This is Kiba… and Akamaru…" Naruto led her over to a tall boy with red lines down his face and wild brown hair. He wore a light red shirt and held a little white dog in his arms.

"Hi… oh! He's sooo cute!" She chimed tickling the dog's ear. It started to lick her fingers and yap happily to her.

"Hey… I think he likes you…" Kiba said grinning.

Sakura smiled in response before being dragged over to another person, "This is Choji!" Sakura held in her laughter at seeing a rather rounded boy stuffing his face with something crispy.

"Hi!"

"Nice to meet you!" He said extending his hand to shake it. After they shook she was dragged off once again.

"You've already met Hinata, right?"

"Yeah! Hi Hinata-chan!" She said with a little wave.

"Hello Sakura-chan" She said quietly returning the wave. She wore a baby blue shirt underneath her waistcoat which curved in all the right places.

"This is Shikamaru… he's the lazy boy-genius!" Naruto said pointing downwards to the boy who rested against the tree with his eyes closed.

"Hi Shikamaru…"

"Hey Sakura…" He said opening his eyes and nodding. "…Naruto, at least keep my age in tact… I'm no boy…"

Sakura took note that he wore a green shirt underneath his jacket.

"Well teen-genius doesn't sound cool at all!" Naruto huffed.

Sakura felt someone tugging on her sleeve so she turned around to come face to face with a taller boy who had a strange bowl cut hairstyle and huge bushy eyebrows. He wore a darker shade of green than Shikamaru and had his hand extended revealing orange arm bands.

"I am Rock Lee, it is a pleasure to meet you pretty lady… what would your name be?" he asked enthusiastically. His whole appearance made Sakura cringe but she knew not to judge by appearance; it was low and beneath her to do so.

"I'm Sakura… nice to meet you too…" She said with a light smile.

"Sakura…oh the angels envy your beauty sweet Sakura…" He harped on making Sakura pull away and try to escape. He had her hand in his clutches and ducked his head to give it a light kiss which made her shiver and pull her hand back.

"Erm… thanks… Lee-kun"

Naruto chuckled at Lee's attempts to flirt and dragged Sakura behind him. "You're gonna creep her out!" Naruto argued firing Lee up to an argument.

"No, it is you who would creep her out!" He said sounding like royalty.

"Guys… I'm fine… so what lessons do you have?" She asked hoping to get more of a clue than Temari gave her.

"We can't tell you that Sakura-chan! It ruins the surprise!" Naruto said ignoring Lee. Her plan of distraction worked and they stopped fighting.

"Oh… that's what Tem said too!" She whined pouting.

"Tem?" Tenten asked growing worried.

"Oh… Temari…"

"WHAT?!" They all yelled except Hinata and Shikamaru who simply looked up shocked.

"What what?"

"We told you to stay away from her! She's dangerous!" Naruto said with his arms out madly.

"Naruto… I don't expect you to understand… but I can't just believe in rumours… besides, we got on well… she isn't bad" She said looking around for the blonde.

"R-Really?" Naruto asked in surprise "Wow… she even let you call her Tem?"

"Yeah! She's great! She helped me shop yesterday!"

"You went shopping with her?!" Tenten yelled.

Temari stood nearby, behind the tree which blocked Sakura's vision and after hearing the argument, her attention was drawn to Sakura, who, once she stood to the side of said tree, looked amazing thanks to her fashion abilities. She grinned knowing what they were talking about, and began to listen in.

"Yeah! It was fun! She helped me lots!" Sakura replied tugging her shirt out to indicate she bought it with her.

"Wow!"

"That's amazing!"

"To be accepted by Temari? Whoa…"

"Oh come on! I don't know why you haven't just tried talking to her… she is great!" Sakura argued. Temari began smiling nearby earning a confused look from a boy with purple paint on his face who stood beside her.

"Are you… smiling?" He asked taking a step back. "Who are you gonna kill?"

"Shut up! Asshole!" She yelled back punching him in the head.

"So Sakura… what made you come here?" Kiba asked passing her Akamaru, who happily jumped into her arms.

"What? Well, my… guardian, chose it for me…" She said pausing to choose the right word that could describe Osamu.

"Oh… he must love you then!" Kiba said making Sakura's eyebrows furrow.

"No way!" She said firmly attracting all of their attention. "I mean… he just chose something nearby and didn't look into anything."

"Oh… wow… you're gonna get a shock…" He replied.

"Why?"

"It's the secret!" Naruto said putting his finger to his lips.

Sakura was about to argue with him about being pissed off with the 'secret' but Hinata interrupted sensing her anger build up… somehow.

"Maybe we should take you to the head's office? You'll need to know which tutor you're in…"

"Good idea Hinata-chan!" Naruto announced turning the girl a vibrant red colour.

"T-T-Thank y-you, N-Naruto-kun!" She stuttered drawing Sakura's attention to her embarrassed form. She smiled wickedly at finding something new out before being taken to the office by Naruto and Hinata.

Nerves began to creep up within her as she approached the school's office. The walked up the main hallway and then took a route to the right which led to a corridor with several doors. They eventually came to the end of the corridor to find a larger door with a name inscribed on the gold plate next to the handle.

'Tsunade Sannin'

To Be Continued…

Hey guys! I wanna read more reviews! I can't get enough of them!

Anonymous Reviews Accepted!

Next Chapter: What is with the school Sakura is attending? Why is the red-head so scary yet so… gorgeous? Sakura X Gaara Fluff is the best! ;)