Sorry it's been so long. This is it, the finale! The end! The finish!
It's been great! Even if I did lose interest half way through, I pulled through to finish it off for you guys!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or any of its characters. Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto
-See You At School-
-30-
Standing tall, Sakura stared back at her reflection contemplatively. Could three months change a person? She felt new and refreshed.
Still, the small reminder streaking across her stomach would always remind her of the past.
Lazing back on the bed, against the firm, breathing creature beneath her, she allowed his fingers to roam over her body. They trailed slowly up the inside of her arm, looping around and teasing the side of her breast, which made her breath catch in her throat, then pausing on the underside of her breath.
She cringed.
"What's this?"
He gently eased her from his stomach and lowered himself until he was eye level with the small, star-shaped scar imbedded into her skin. It was silvery; an old one, he realised.
"Before Osamu," Gaara growled at the name, "You know I was in an orphanage, right?"
He nodded and eased her to continue, watching her through his dark lashes unwaveringly.
She smiled defensively. "It was given when we misbehaved. To set an example to the others. We got it lucky. Some didn't leave that place." She broke off and turned towards the wall. Gaara didn't push her; he never would. Instead, he lowered his head and traced his tongue over the scar. Sakura threaded her hands through his hair.
She traced her fingers over the small scar. It wasn't so much a reminder of her misbehaviour or the consequences of it, but it reminded her of that place, nevertheless. Every secret that went on behind those walls. The body of her friend, who was one of those who didn't get lucky. It was most likely still buried beneath the academy's soil.
She looked back up to her determined green eyes.
The past months she had been sheltered by her friends and boyfriend. Boyfriend. That didn't sound quite right. It sounded almost immature, considering all they had went through since she arrived in town. Lover? Maybe not; he made sure not to take things any further than a passionate kiss.
She wasn't sure whether or not she'd mind; she'd been placed in one too many sexual situations in her life. Having someone touch her who she actually wanted to touch back was a pleasant change. His hands didn't remind her of any bad experiences.
But he made sure to let her know he felt she should recover. Along with Naruto and the gang, who were beginning to get a little too protective.
In fact, that was why she was standing in front of the mirror, clad only in her underwear. Her hand raised, and the light caught the metal of the scissors she held. She tapped them against her lip in thought.
It was time to show those who cared about her that she was a new person and not to be babied. She was made of stronger stuff now that she felt blessed. A bubbly laugh left her lips. If Gaara were to enter now, she wasn't sure whether he would give her that searing look which told her not to tempt him, or wrestle the scissors from her hand under the misguided impression she was harming.
With that thought in mind, she raised the scissors and set about her business before someone interrupted and though she had lost her mind.
Clumps of pink hair fell to the floor, and with it, all worries of the past.
oOo
The next morning, she headed downstairs with a smile. Her short, chopped cut bobbing with each step she took.
It took little time to get used to the new house. Her room had been painted with a fresh coat of cream, and many different coloured pillows, objects and boxes rested everywhere. Instead of windows, two balcony doors overlooked an open stretch of field, which she often found herself looking onto.
And best of all, down the hall slept her new guardian. Sure, sometimes she found herself having to take Tsunade to bed after a night with the teaching staff, but it was a sure improvement on feigning sleep so she wasn't bothered.
When she entered the Kitchen and took a seat at the white island counters, a slow, cunning grin rose on her lips as the moment she had anticipated arrived. Tsunade, who had been stabbing at the bacon in the pan with curses under her breath, turned around.
"Good Mor- What the hell have you done to your hair?"
Sakura ran her fingers through it and smiled. "Do you like it? I felt like a change."
The suspicious glint in the blonde woman's eyes dissipated at the normal answer. She looked over her new daughter's bright persona, searching for any false truths. When she was satisfied she was still in the right frame of mind, she turned back around and nodded.
"Very chic"
Chic?
"You're gonna be late"
Sakura glanced over at the clock and nodded, standing quickly and snatching a piece of toast she had been eyeing in secret. She bit down on the crispy edge and ran from the room, snatching her black messenger bag on the way.
She almost skidded to stop, then spat her toast out and turned. "You're gonna be late!"
Tsunade nodded absentmindedly. Not the best of attitudes for a principle to have, but Sakura didn't bring it up. Instead, she turned to leave and found a head full of blonde hair bobbing up and down outside of the window.
She threw open the door and began walking down the path, letting Naruto run to catch her up.
"You... uh, okay?" He asked her unsurely.
"I cut my hair, Naruto. I haven't lost my mind."
He sighed quite openly, irritating her to no end. "Good! For a second there..."
He broke off into relieved laughter and began striding beside her towards the school.
Now that she had moved in with Tsunade, she lived close to Naruto and decided to walk to school with him. She had declined Tsunade's offer for a lift, deciding on the less flashy route. Everyone had already found out she had been adopted by Tsunade; so there was no need to throw oil on the fire.
Tenten was a little put out that she couldn't walk with her now, but the reasoning behind it meant she preferred it this way.
When the school gates drew closer, another person joined her side quickly. She smiled over at Nina, their matching green eyes connecting, and then hooked her arm through the girls.
Nina, the timid crowd pleaser who had been underneath Saki's control, turned out to be connected deeper with Sakura than she would have ever guessed. She should have realised; it was the eyes... the eyes of their father.
It was all thanks to Tsunade, who had dug up Sakura's past after she began asking questions about who her real parents were. They had been residents of Konoha, which puzzled Sakura as to how she ended up in a Mist orphanage.
Who'd have thought she had a sister; she certainly didn't expect it. If course Nina was thrilled, in a quietly pleased way; she hadn't the courage to ask about her parents, so finding out from Tsunade out of the blue cheered her up.
"I like your hair"
Sakura thanked her happily; it was the first positive comment she'd received all day. Sometimes she had to remind herself the withdrawn girl was a year older.
Life turned out well for the girls affected by the Council's plans. Nina decided to continue school; she didn't have long left until she graduated, so moving away and accepting the fund from the government was pointless. She happily agreed to remain in Konoha with her newfound sister.
Hotaru and Izumi, who had also been offered the fund being over eighteen, chose very different paths. The raven haired Izumi, who Sakura remembered very vividly at the orphanage in Mist, decided to head back to her hometown, though she vowed to avoid the orphanage at all costs.
Something Haruhi, who wasted no time in rinsing the disgusting green dye from her hair, had no qualms with. She returned quite eagerly to the orphanage in her hometown, where friends were waiting eagerly for her. It had been quite awkward for her to get along with the group, especially Ino who had stolen (borrowed, she would interject) her body during the raid. She seemed almost scared of them.
With a curt thank you, Izumi had parted ways with a relieved Sakura and accepted the grant from the government, who had been influenced to help the girls start a new life after Tsunade's pleas. Sakura wasn't sure she would know what to do if Izumi decided to capture her lost school years in Konoha with Sakura. The two, though they tried, didn't seem to mix well.
Hotaru, the red-headed beauty, was unsure of what to do. After influence from Sakura's friends, who wasted no time introducing the girls to their unlikely group of ex-outcasts, artists, geniuses and socially etiquette, the girl decided to join the Academy, where she was admitted into the strategist's team, with a troubled Shikamaru.
She was a quiet one, still unsure of her past before the League, but being bought only two weeks before the meeting meant she hadn't suffered half as much at most of them, who had been anticipating a life of slavery. Sakura had no doubt her memories would soon return, thanks to Tsunade's medical treatment, coupled with Kurenai's mind techniques.
Speaking of the devil, the girl waited at the gate demurely and smiled over at the three. Naruto waved at her, which she returned quickly with a hello. She joined his side as they walked into school, but didn't say much to Sakura about her new style. She wasn't one to talk much to the girls.
When she approached the group, an excited Sayuri jumped up from her spot on the grass and threw her arms around Sakura's neck, who found herself ducking so the younger girl could manage.
Her silvery blonde streaks were tucked up into her saggy blue hat, revealing every inch of her troubled face.
"You cut your beautiful hair!"
Sakura nodded, unable to ignore the slight frown Nina sent the young girl with sparkling blue eyes.
"Hey Naruto," the little minx tossed over her shoulder carelessly, towards an irritated Naruto, who ignored her and walked towards the blushing Hinata who mouthed her approval to Sakura. Sakura's blue eyed friends seemed only capable of winding one another up.
Sakura barely had time to ask young Sayuri what she wanted to do. The girl jumped up and down and told Sakura she was joining the academy with her. Apparently Tsunade had already been through admittance issues with her by the time Sakura met the girl again. At least she was determined.
Tenten wasn't too thrilled to have another joining their Weapon expertise team, but an unusually amused Temari gladly accepted her under her wing. Sakura had been worried about the older girl's influence on her, but she was graduating soon, so she forced herself not to think on it.
The group stared at her unusually, some muttering under their breath about her frame of mind. She sighed unhappily and propped her hands on her hips. "I'm not insane. I thought it was time for a change. Leave the old behind and bring in the new, you know?"
It seemed only some managed to catch the underlined meaning that she had moved on; Neji and Shikamaru shared an understanding glance then said nothing, like many of the guys in the group. Sayuri stuck her tongue out cheekily, angering Tenten and Naruto, who stood alongside one another, grimacing at the girl.
"Yeah, back off! It's cute!"
"Weren't you just crying because she cut her beautiful hair?" Tenten muttered under her breath, pursing her lips and glanced up at the tree.
Sayuri pointedly ignored the irritated girl, who had her ankle held back by Neji, who rested beside her lazily.
Tenten had been devastated when Miu stayed with her foster parent, Yosaku; the gentle giant of the group, who had all the charges against him dropped. She had yelled out some insults, claiming he should have notified someone about something so big, and that he couldn't be trusted, but gave up eventually. Sakura guessed it was because Tenten had managed to talk quite pleasantly with the golden haired Miu, who she claimed was a kind version of Ino (much to Ino's loud intervention).
When the group settled once more, Sakura quickly excused herself and began searching the school grounds. She walked past the stubborn secretary behind the reception desk, who stared at her all the way to the double doors leading to the corridor, without so much as a glance.
In the corridor, her eyes searched through the windows viewing the inner gardens at the academy, which were shining brilliantly with the sun's help. She had to pause mid way when she spotted a scene she would never have expected three or four months ago.
Out on the shortly cut grass stood two unlikely Uchiha's. After news about Sasuke's uncle's arrest spread around the school, and many brave individuals asked into the case, Sasuke began to change. Even his brother didn't have so many complaints about his ignorant little sibling anymore, who had been so influenced by his hard-headed family.
Beside him, he frowned and spoke lowly to his cousin, Beth-Ann, whose eyes bled red and looked down at the small cut grazing her forearm.
Without the weeds in the Uchiha's now blooming garden, it seemed Sasuke was free to believe in anything that fit his fancy. He even gave up harassing Sakura, who had questioned his pleased brother about it. She had the slight suspicion Itachi had said something.
In the distance, she actually spotted him alongside Deidara and Sasori, who were openly laughing at Itachi's brother and cousin. It seemed they still liked to verbally abuse him, which didn't seem to bother Itachi at all.
She passed them with a knowing look, replying to the quick greetings.
"Stay out of trouble," Deidara teased with a meaningful grin. What did he mean?
She ignored it and rounded the corner, immediately spying the person she had been looking for.
It took a moment for the three siblings to spot her; he was first, naturally.
Temari often joked he had a built in sonar whenever she was in the area. Sakura guessed it had something to do with Shukaku, but never openly discussed the theory with its container.
He turned to look at her and for a stunned moment, simply watched as she stood fiddling with her hands. He had been with her the night before, and quite put out when she kicked him out, claiming she had something to do and that he'd find out in due time.
Of everyone's approval, she needed his the most.
When their brother became silent, Temari and Kankuro followed his line of sight and smiled. Temari waved her over, and Sakura quickly skipped to it.
"Hot cut; any reason?"
"Not really," she waved off with a lie.
Kankuro slid an arm around her shoulder and waggled his eyebrows. "Yeah, you look-!" Just as she was sure some filth was going to leave his lips, he paused and took a deep gulp, which confused Temari and Sakura, who caught one another's eye. He smiled shakily, "Very nice." His arm left her.
Gaara pushed past them and tugged her wrist to make her follow some distance away.
"He made me eat sand! That's sick!"
"You don't like it?" Sakura guessed, running a nervous hand through the short length.
"Serves you right, pervert!"
Gaara took over, placing a hand where hers had been and running his fingers along her scalp and then through the strands. "It suits you. But why'd you do it?"
"Hey... he can't like, control me can he?"
"It's a new start; I don't need you guys to baby me. I'm fine now everyone's here with me," Sakura reassured him.
"What are you talking about?"
He accepted that answer. So long as she hadn't developed some weird new habit she found pleasurable, he could sleep at night. With her right beside him. His face turned sour, remembering the previous night.
"You didn't have to get all serious and kick me out. That damned demon gave me hell."
"His sand is inside me! Not just any san; his! What if he starts moving me around?"
"Sorry," Sakura apologised sincerely. "I'm here now."
She folded her arms behind his neck, and relished in the feel of his arms circling her and holding her waist close. He rested his forehead against hers.
"You moron!"
Sakura frowned, and they broke apart to stare at his squabbling siblings. He raised his arm to drape around her shoulder and walked her away from the scene to where they would hopefully find some kind of peace and solitude.
oOo
The cold fence dug in her back, but she didn't bother moving. She watched the traffic passing the school, remembering the cars which had gathered outside of the school when Osamu had taken her. She could still see him slamming the door shut and screaming her name out for the school to hear.
A hand ran its way through her hair, and pulled her into a firm chest. She sighed, knowing exactly who it was. His scent washed over her pleasantly, so she closed the distance and inhaled it greedily.
"What were you thinking about?"
She looked up into his serious jade eyes and paused. She had been waiting for Naruto for quite some time now; the idiot was late again. Still, she was surprised to find Gaara was still here.
"Sometimes, I can't help it. You can't make them disappear altogether; the memories."
It was the truth. Though she didn't feel pain anymore, or dread, she did think on it still. It wasn't to be helped.
He nodded, and placed a slow, soft kiss on her forehead. She lowered her eyes and smiled, raising a hand to run through his blood-red hair.
All too soon, he pulled away and walked past her.
Before she could help herself, she blurted out his name, "Gaara!"
He half-glanced over his shoulder almost cockily. His eyes were sparkling mischievously. "Hm?"
Sakura grinned and shrugged her shoulders, feeling a little silly. "Nothing. I just wanted to say your name."
He nodded, and turned back around but didn't walk away. She swore she could feel tiny grains of sand gently encircling her hand; the thought warmed her.
"Sakura"
"Yep?"
He shook his head quickly, so she shouted out after him. "See you at school!"
It was something she could do now. Go to school without a care in the world. Something she hadn't believed to ever happen again three months ago, in the solitude of that manor's room. Something she found immeasurable amounts of pleasure in saying; something so simple.
He turned back around again, fully this time, and lowered his head. His serious eyes never left hers, and a delicious smirk curved at his lips. She paused, losing her smile and becoming unblinking so she didn't miss a thing.
"See you tonight"
She blushed hotly, and looked back to the road so he couldn't see how much that one had affected her. Seconds later, when she looked back, she was half-satisfied, half-dejected to find him walking away quite casually, like he hadn't promised such a thing.
Really, what was she going to do with him?
Well... she had a few thoughts.
The End
God it took forever, didn't it?
Thank you everyone for the immeasurable amounts of support. PM's, reviews, alerts, favourites, C2's, hits... everything! Thank you!
Before any perverts review, hints of jiggy-ness is it! Lol, I've went off sex-scenes. Sometimes they just seem tacky and no matter how much I tried to fit one in on this chapter, it didn't seem right. It killed it, if I'm honest.
Check out my new story; Kingdom In Peril. It's gonna be a good one!
Let's break a record! Everyone, anonymous and members alike, review! Come on everyone! Don't disappoint.