Hey guys… thanks for all the reviews! I even had people who didn't normally review comment! Thanks to you guys!

Another important point: One of the bad guy's names was Katashi. Please don't get that confused with Kakashi.

Remember: KaTashi. NOT KaKashi.

Recommended Song: - Ricky Martin – She Bangs (HAHA great song lol)

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

-A Month Later-

-Part I-

-9-

The morning was like no other in the time she had spent in the fire country Konoha. Bright rays of sunshine shone down a bearable heat, which warmed to her thin, but curvaceous body. The wind swept past blowing her hair gently, cooling down her skin. Birds flew all around, hoping along the grassy banks she passed and flying from building to building, inspecting the surroundings and occasionally watching her pass by.

An outlook on her old life made her smile at her fortune. She went from having one friend, who was tired of having Sakura around, to having a whole bunch of friends who were lively and always happy to be near her. Her heart seemed to warm at thoughts of her friends greeting her, or inviting her to have fun. It may seem like nothing, since her memories weren't of special events. Eating at Ichiraku, while Naruto argued for more Ramen. Shopping with Temari, who persuaded her to buy, yet more clothes. Watching Tenten's training and practicing to hit all of the targets. Movies and trips to the woods, where they had built a camp, thanks to Naruto's idea, and been soaked by the rain.

Yes, all little things, which made her smile so much. Not only had she been hanging around with her usual bunch of friends, she had even attempted to talk to people from the other group classes. At first, she had been unsuccessful, but she knew persistence was the key to getting noticed.

It started when she got lost one day… and stumbled upon the art room…

Flashback

It was Naruto's fault. But then again, everything that went wrong usually was. One moment he was showing her 'something cool' and the next, he ran off down the maze, which were the school's corridors.

"Naruto!" She shouted, running down the corridor's to find the hyperactive blonde. Her patience was wearing so thin that she was resorting to talking to herself, mimicking her friend's voice. "This way dattebayo!" she mocked, now stomping her feet against the floor beneath her. "Believe it! I'll make him believe it alright!'

Every time she came to a door, she would slow down and hunt through the class. When she came to one door, which was brightly decorated in red, bold letters, she found herself drawn to the eye catching design. She pushed against the stiff door and peeked into the class room to see several unrecognisable students, deep in concentration on the colourful masterpieces they drew.

She gasped at the work before them and slid past the door, hoping not to be recognised. She partially scoffed at the thought since her pink hair would normally attract all sorts of attention, but they were too focused to notice her.

She walked along the classroom until she found a familiar face. She smiled at seeing him so in thought and quietly walked over to spy on his work. When she was behind him, she took a moment to admire his tall build and soft, yet rough looking hair. She blushed at remembering what it felt like before moving forward and leaning over his shoulder to see his work.

She tried not to let out a gasp when she seen a drawn version of a horror scene. A man lying in pools of blood with several pins and gashes over his body. The scene was set in a dark alley, and the moonlight over looked his shape in delight. She sighed and looked down curiously to the smirking red head that looked up at her. Yes, he was still trying to prove he was not to be trusted.

"It's great!" She chirped making him raise the muscle above his eye, since no eyebrow lay there. He didn't believe her. "I'm not saying the scene is pleasant… but it is drawn perfectly…" She smiled at him making him turn towards the picture once more.

It had only been a week since she had known the broody red head, and she only had the chance to talk in their science lesson, where he was her lab partner. People assumed they only got on through force, so they had been shocked when she smiled at him if she passed through a corridor.

She sighed at the people surrounding them. They hadn't noticed the pink blob entering the classroom, but as soon as she talks to the 'bas ass' they are all eyes. She decided to ignore them, but it was proving hard.

"I bet you haven't drawn a pleasant scene before huh?" She mocked raising her eyebrow at the red head. He blankly stared down at the painting and seemed to notice the class's attention, so he looked back up at her with a small, smug grin. Sakura had to squint to see it, but it was still there. He seemed to sense her tension from being stared at. "Don't go all silent on me!" She hissed through her teeth. Gaara didn't seem to like the order to he glared at her before looking back down at the painting.

She gave up and surveyed the room angrily. As soon as she made eye contact with the spectators, they would turn and pretend they had been talking the whole time. The only two who had actually been talking, drew Sakura's attention.

She decided to ignore the silence from Gaara and began to walk towards the work bench where the two sat bickering over something she couldn't quite hear. When she approached closer, she took a chance and sat down across from them, curious as to what they were talking about.

"…stupid enough to believe that?!" the blonde argued.

"It is the truth…" The red head calmly stated, unblinking, "you're art is insignificant… I could barely class it as art, in fact…"

Sakura rested her arms on the table and put her head in her hands. She looked down at the small clay birds and then over to the black, wooden puppet which had unusual holes and strange cracks which could open.

She felt the room once again go silent and looked up to see the blonde girl and the unmoving red head looking at her as if she were unworthy, yet mad. "Oh, hey!" She greeted with a smile.

Gaara had been annoyed by her sudden disappearance and when he found her watching the two curiously, he almost smiled; almost. Now he watched out of interest.

"Who are you, un?" Deidara asked reaching for a piece of clay and putting it in his hand. Sakura was amazed when a smaller bird emerged from his grip. He didn't even move his hand!

"Sakura" She answered plainly. "That's amazing!" She gawped at the little bird he had made and looked up to see him smugly grinning at Sasori.

Gaara let a small sigh escape his lips. She was too honest. Too openly honest. It could also be classed as innocence, which made him feel sick. He was the complete opposite of that.

"She knows true art when she sees it!" He proudly stated teasing the red head ho sighed and shook his head.

"What are the holes for?" Sakura asked looking now at the puppet. Her face looked like that of a child's who had just discovered a new toy.

Sasori looked up and seen her eager eyes watching the puppet. "I can't reveal the secrets…" He stated calmly. She pouted so he decided to show her how it worked. "They release 3mm needles which are coated with a thin layer of poison, which, at its worst, could paralyse a person."

Sakura's eyes widened in shock. Of course, this school was full of people with specialities in different areas, so she shouldn't have been shocked by this. But, only part of her shock was of worry, or fear. She was much more excited to learn more.

"Wow! What about these…?" She pointed to the little compartments of the miniature puppet and Sasori smiled at her enthusiasm.

"They contain poisonous fumes which could disorientate or knock a person unconscious." He decided to move on since she would ask anyway. He raised his hands to his chest and moved his fingers, causing the puppets to move. Sakura's eyes widened and she clapped her hands giddily. He made the puppet reach for the two identical blades on its back, drawing them out.

Once the blades were in the puppets hands, he decided on a safer option to gain her appreciation, and not creep her out. He made the puppet start juggling the knives earning her laughter.

Gaara's face softened at the sight of the clueless girl. He had seen what Sasori's puppets could do and was a little startled he didn't make her flinch or momentarily stun her. After all, Sasori was also a Sabaku descendant. Not that they talked much.

The people around them had drawn their attention to the little puppet show Sasori was performing to the intruding girl and began to secretly watch, occasionally murmuring their thoughts under their breath.

The class was a mixture of different art forms. Some were statues made of clay or chipped stone, some were simply paintings or 3D pictures made from recycled metals. Chairs and canvases were scattered randomly across the room, and the benches where she currently sat, were near the edge of the room, where a lot of strange clay shapes had been made.

"Che, why don't you be a child's entertainer, un?" Deidara mocked flicking her hair out of her eyes.

Sakura stopped watching the puppet since Sasori's attention had been drawn to Deidara. She reached forward to touch the small clay duck, but the blonde stopped her hand immediately. Sakura pouted at the older girl. "No fair" She whined.

The older girl snickered and grabbed a different coloured ball of clay, tightening it in her fist. Sakura watched amazed until she spoke. "If you touch that clay, BOOM! un" She laughed.

"T-They blow up!" Sakura's amazement came back making the two elder students forget their fight, wanting to entertain the pinkette more.

"Yeah! Here you go, un!" She held out her long fingered hand where in the centre an identical duck lay. Sakura took the duck with a grin and began to inspect the art work.

"He's so cute!" She chimed.

"Keep him, un!" Deidara stood up, swiftly followed by Sasori, they walked around the table where Deidara patted her head, "You should come by more often Sakura!"

"We would enjoy your company…" Sasori said, placing a tiny puppet key ring in her other hand. She looked down to her hand and back up at the two with a smile and a nod.

"Thanks!"

End Flashback

Sakura smiled at the memory. She had placed the duck and key ring on her bedside table. Ever since then, she had tried her hardest to visit the rowdy couple and calm them through praising tactics.

Deidara and Sasori weren't the only ones who she made a friendship with. She had also managed to talk more to Nina, the quiet girl in her medical classes. She opened up a bit more when Sakura was partnered with her, but seemed reluctant at first. Sakura even made the usually silent girl giggle, which was a great accomplishment.

Nina was by no means moody, or permanently anti-social. In fact, Sakura often watched her new, silent friend with interest. Whenever a conversation would arise, she would watch hopefully, as if she expected confirmation before she talked. She was a shy girl, but Sakura felt like there was more to her. More than meets the eyes, and she wanted Nina to lay back and have fun.

Heck, she even stuck with her policy not to judge by a rumour or by appearance and attempted conversation wit Sasuke. Sakura couldn't deny he was handsome. His demeanour, look and IQ proved he was a unique guy. Any girl would be head over heels for him.

Flashback

"Hey!" Sakura greeted with a smile, in which her teeth shouldn't have been tightly clenched.

"Ah… I see I finally get the attention from the famous new student…" he complimented making her unsure.

"Famous?"

"The fearless one… I hear you talked with Sasori and Deidara… good choice, better than those you have been calling friends.

"Excuse me!" She snapped angrily. She had given him a chance and he blew it with his arrogance and harsh choice of words.

"Calm down… I'm sure they are great friends…" he sighed, hoping she wouldn't walk away angrily.

"You're right… they are great friends!" She said in defence. Something about this guy made her unsure of things.

"So, I take it you want a date…" He said smugly. That was exactly why she was unsure.

Being a popular, handsome guy made him a babe magnet. He had been used to the attention from the girls all his life, most probably, and must have thought Sakura had that kind of interest in him.

"No, I just want to find out what each rumoured student is like…" She answered making his eyes narrow slightly, and unnoticeably.

Maybe, he was too used to attention from girls. He would take his male pride and his looks and practically ram them up a girl's nose demanding she see him and worship him. Sakura would not be that girl.

"Well… I should probably go now! Erm… nice to properly meet you…" She said turning around. Sasuke stood with crossed arms. She was probably the only girl not to throw herself at him.

End Flashback

Sakura sighed at the memory, turning the corner and continuing to walk down the recently swept streets. Part of her felt sorry for Sasuke; maybe he didn't know how to act with a girl when she wasn't throwing her self in his face, with hope to be noticed.

That wasn't the only bad thing about the conversation with the human ice-cube. His fan girls didn't seem too happy about the whole ordeal.

Flashback

"Stay away from him!"

"You're unworthy!"

"Unnatural is a better description!"

Sakura sighed. The fan girls seemed to have surrounded her while she was on her way to class. How predictable.

"I am not interested in Sasuke Uchiha… so you can relax…" Sakura sighed, raising her hands in defeat. In truth, she didn't know what else to do.

"She's gonna be so mad with you!" Another girl added with a sickly, girlish laugh.

"Who" Sakura asked.

On cue, a blonde walked through the small group in front of Sakura, who stared blankly.

"Ino, right?" Sakura asked out of memory. Tenten's information on the students was pretty helpful now that she thought about it.

"You must be Sakura…" Ino smiled at her, making the other girls laugh or smirk.

"Yeah"

"Well… I am sure you have been warned already… but on behalf of the group I must ask that you keep your distance from Sasuke-kun…" She said grinning at the girl.

"It's not like anything was going on anyway…" Sakura mumbled leaning against the wall of the corridor. The girls around Ino thought she was too relaxed in this situation, and wanted to see her in fear.

"Teach her a lesson Ino!" One girl screamed.

Ino followed the crowd to see a blonde girl who copied her look off Ino herself. She looked back at Sakura who watched her curiously. She knew the girl wouldn't do anything like that to her, or at least not on these terms.

"What's going on here…" Another female voice interrupted from behind the crowds of people. Some of the crowd walked away quickly, shooting nervous glances behind them at the female intruder. Other stayed glued to the spot, out of fear.

Sakura didn't need to recognise the girl or her voice. The fan girl's reaction was enough to tell her who was pushing through the frozen girls, to stand next to Sakura.

"Hey Tem!" Sakura greeted cheerily, making the crowds build up a new sense of hate for the girl. "Yo Kankuro!" She added seeing a taller boy with a black hood emerge.

"Hey Sakura… what's their problem?" Temari asked with a smirk in Ino's direction.

"Oh, just fan girls…" Sakura said smiling. She pushed off the wall and began to walk over to Temari and her brother when a seemingly brave, or stupid, fan girl stood in her way.

"W-We warned you!" Remember that!" She said shakily. A few hushed whispers, instructed the girl on what to do. She raised her hand to strike Sakura's cheek but a layer of sand broke the contact. Sakura looked down to the shaking girl, whose hand was now captured by the cocoon of sand.

The surrounding girls screamed and began to run down the corridors sobbing or wailing. Ino took one last look at Sakura before turning and leaving the scene. Temari and Kankuro were still looking at the scene, a little worried. They knew what their brother had done before and what he was capable of. They didn't want Sakura to see this side of him.

Sakura turned around to see Gaara leaning against the wall she had been standing at, looking overall, pretty carefree. "Gaara…" She turned around to se the cocoon spreading up the now hysterical girl's arm and she turned around to face the red head, whose eyes were now angrily staring at the thin framed girl his sand was engulfing. "Gaara" Sakura said again turning around.

The red head broke his trance and looked at Sakura who was watching him intently. The sand around the girls arm dropped to the floor making Sakura smile. The girl ran away to join the other girls who fled through the corridors screaming.

"Whoa… you guys really scared them…" Sakura said in disbelief as she watched the girls disappear around different corners.

"They deserved it!" Temari cursed raising her fist.

"Tem…" Sakura sighed. "…it was fine, really"

"How can you say that?! You coulda been mowed down by rabid fan girls!" Temari announced.

"Oh come on! It wasn't that bad!" Sakura laughed. "After all, they were Sasuke's fan girls! Obviously something already wrong with them!"

When he first heard she had talked with the number one playboy the school had to offer, of course he had been more than pissed. Her simple sentence seemed to calm him and reassure him that she wasn't attracted to the Uchiha.

"Yeah!" Kankuro snorted laughing at her joke, making the two girls laugh at him in return.

"Gaara?" Sakura called, catching the red-head's attention. "Thanks!" She said still laughing at Kankuro's snorts.

"Hn"

"Hey! Gaara does care after all!" Sakura said when she moved closer to him, so his siblings wouldn't hear. "Doesn't that throw another rumour out the window?" She whispered with her own smug grin.

Gaara scowled and leaned up from the wall, startling Sakura in the process. He let out a sharp mocking breath, which embarrassed her, and began to walk down the corridor.

"Hey!" She argued following him down the corridor. Exchanges of long sentences could be heard followed by sharp replies.

Temari sighed and Kankuro looked at the two in disbelief. "Can you believe she stopped Gaara?" He said seriously.

Temari smiled at the two before turning and walking the opposite way followed by her brother who was grinning to himself. Who wouldn't be happy for their brother?

End Flashback

Ino; every time Sakura seen the long haired blonde, her adrenaline would pump and she would get excited for a challenge. She could tell the blonde would be a great friend, to which they would probably share a love-hate friendship, constantly in competition with the other.

Sasuke's existence seemed to threaten them ever becoming friendlier. Fan girls and spectators would constantly assume the worst between the Uchiha and Haruno. If she didn't have her pride and good will to stand by her beliefs, she would have ignored him from the start. It did seem to be part of the reason there were social groupings in the first place.

In fact, there were several people who seemed to highlight the separation between the groups. Also known as the leaders or the people who have the most to say in the group.

First, she had the popular group, everyone adored. Sasuke was an obvious member of the group, who would stand by their decisions against other people. Ino and Saki, too, seemed to be moderately in control of the more quiet members of the group. After all, they were head of their own fan clubs, which made Sakura feel sick towards them. Who sections people off because of looks?

Well, she could think of a few people, like her 'father' and most of the group she was complaining about. Even the students who didn't belong to a grouping would pass their judgement on her as she passed.

Another person would be Naruto. Although, it wouldn't seem like it, he still had the most say in her group, and would often have the most ideas of where to hang out during and after school. Sh couldn't be biased and say her own friends weren't judgemental either, seen as though her first break had been spent learning about the other students, with Tenten and Naruto's commentary on how they behave.

There were also, more less known people who seemed to start these never ending rumours, but would think their identity wasn't known. The first being a guy named Oto-kun. He was one of the guys who had been brooding in the surroundings when she was searching for Gaara. He had been casually leaning against the wall with a cigarette in his mouth, watching the whole exchange between Gaara and herself. Only two days later did the whole school know of Sakura as either fearless, brain dead, or meddling.

It had also gained Sakura unwanted attention from the guys who thought she had Gaara's approval. Since she wasn't dead or seriously injured, the popular bad boy that was her red-haired friend must have took a liking or appreciated her in some way. Therefore, the guys deemed her worthy through her newly gained status and looks.

It also didn't help that whenever Sasuke would pass her, he would greet her or smile at her. Sometimes he would even stop her to talk or openly check her out. So, the other half of the male population would also take an interest. Sakura just didn't understand guys.

There was however, one guy who seemed to hate Sakura, only she thought it was quite comical as to why he hated her.

Flashback

She pushed off the wall where she had been cornered against by the famous Uchiha and sighed. He came out of nowhere and decided it was the perfect moment to ask her on a date. Honestly? Did he expect her to fall into his arms asking if she was dreaming? No, she did the opposite; by turning him down flat.

She was just about to start walking again when a small, but well built guy stopped her by pushing her against the wall. She was thankful her bruised body had healed only two days ago, that night 3 weeks ago would haunt her forever.

"What do you think you're doing bitch?!" The guy asked in an annoyingly high pitched voice making Sakura space out. At first she thought she was gonna be raped by his sudden actions, but it was more likely she was going to be bitch slapped.

"W-What?" She stuttered unsure of what was happening.

"You heard me you little whore! Sasuke-kun is mine bitch… and for that matter, stay away from Gaa-Gaa too! They don't want anything to do with a freak of nature!" He huffed strutting away from Sakura who almost fainted at hearing him call the 'dangerous' Gaara Gaa-Gaa.

Once she was sure he was gone, she skipped happily along the corridor feeling laughter bubbling inside, threatening to escape at such a baby name for her anti-social friend.

End Flashback

Just thinking about the memory made Sakura start laughing to herself again. She had meant to tell Gaara about the encounter, but she was unsure if she had his full trust, or if he would even let her get away with it. Plus, she didn't want the guy to die at an early age.

"What are you laughing at?" Her brunette friend asked curiously. Sakura opened her eyes to see a new Tenten in front of her.

Today she wore a red Chinese top under her waist coat and strange chop sticks in her neatly tied buns. Sakura mentally sighed at seeing the sharpened needle edges to the chop sticks; they were Tenten's signature move if someone got too close.

"Just, memories…" She sang as she fell into sync with Tenten's steps.

"Oh god…" Tenten gasped, "You're already turning old…"

"HEY!" Sakura yelled running after her unusually energetic friend. "GET BACK HERE!"

Tenten's laughter echoed down the streets until a speeding bike passed them loudly, making them jump, scream and laugh some more. It was a beautiful black bike and when it passed, a flash of red caught her eye, but she couldn't make out the design which caused it. But right now, she wasn't concerned with the bike, Tenten was leaning against the fence, clutching her chest to slow down her frightened heart pace.

"That.was.too.fast!" She gasped, laughing to herself.

"Tenten…" Sakura asked, worry now set on her usually happy face. "…What's wrong?"

"Eh?" 'How did she find out so fast? Am I that readable?'

"You're acting…strange…" Sakura added.

"Ah… I guess I can't hide anything from you huh?" She asked with a laugh.

"Everyone would have noticed…" Sakura laughed earning a stern glare from her spunky friend.

"…I…I'm being adopted…" she answered with a sheepish grin, which showed her uncertainty.

To Be Continued…

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Next Chapter: So Tenten's being adopted? What else has been happening this past month?