okay, so if you read the message i left in 'Orphaned Alpha' you know that my computer was jacked up. But it's fixed now, I really have no clue what was wrong, but anyway here is the next chapter, and oh how exciting it is...and long.

ENJOY!

Chapter 13

I changed into the clothes of Hinata's that I had found in Kiba's car. I didn't really worry about her reconizing them, since I wouldn't be around her or Sakura. Or any of them for that matter. Tonight was about Matsuri. 'Mat' was pushed into the cornerstones of my mind. Away from the surface.

Tonight, I was me.

I was considerably happy that Hinata happened to be my size. I was worrying that they would be to small, and I would be showing more skin than I had intended. But they fit just right. Snug. I looked at myself in the mirror placed in the vizor, and ran my fingers through my brown hair, attempting to straighten it. I was surprised how different I looked, but maybe it was just how it had been a while since I had actually acted like myself.

With a smile, I hopped out of the car, hiding my guy clothes under the seat so as to not be discovered. Then I continued on into the club where the real fun was starting to happen. I didn't really know what waited for me in there, and I wouldn't want to know either. I wanted surprises. I wanted something amazing to happen tonight. With each step that brought me closer to the door, my excitement mounted and mounted. I was finally getting a taste of the freedom I wanted. The freedom I longed for since the minute I looked into the eyes of the people that were adopting me.

I shook my head as I gripped the cool metal of the knob leading into the club. I didn't want to think of all the lies, I'd already been through that. Enough, I told myself, tonight is when all the strings pulling me in different directions get cut. By me. I'm cutting everything that was holding me grounded. Tonight, I'm going to fly.

With a smile, I swung open the door and stepped into a sea of moving bodies and swaying music. Something I was about to throw myself headfirst into. Willingly. And the adrenaline rush I got was enough to make my steps bounce as I walked over to the not so crowded bar. I needed a little boost to get me started tonight, and I was proud that my steps didn't falter as I spotted a familer person sitting at the bar.

Kiba. He was talking to. . .Shikamaru. So he had done what I wanted him to do. Question the genius. I started to wonder if it was even necessary. Probably not. He wasn't a genius for nothing.

I passed by Kiba, and took a seat on the barstool on the other side of Shikamaru. From the way Shika was sitting, his back was to me, and Kiba had a good view of my person. I caught his eye from over Shikamaru's shoulder, and his reaction was priceless.

He had his glass of water raised to his lips, but was saying a comment before he took a sip. Once he spotted me behind his friend, his eyes bugged and he inhaled a large breath which caused his water to shoot down his windpipe.

His hands flew to his throat, and he dropped his plastic cup clattering to the ground, as he coughed and sputtered incoherent curses to the ground, trying desperatly to regain his lost oxygen. I muffled a giggle and held up my hand in a peace sign gesture as I stuck my tongue out at him. Which caused him to go into another fit of choking.

Shikamaru stared curiously at him, and leaned toward his baffled friend. Their voices were just loud enough for me to hear over the blaring music.

"Kiba? What happened? I told you to take the lemon out before you drank." He said in a bored tone as he put a hand on the choking male's shoulder.

"I...It...was an...ice...cube!" he gasped as he gulped in the much needed air.

I was all grins as I watched his struggles, holding my soda in my hand. Extra caffine. I figured I should play it safe and not find out exactly how well indeed I can hold my liquour. I really don't think that I have enough money to pay for a lawyer if something went wrong.

"Icecube. Of course." he said in a disbelieving voice. "Look, I'm going back to Temari. Your questions are bugging me." he spoke as he rose from his stool and turned to head back to where I guessed our group was sitting or dancing.

In that moment, when Shikamaru walked by me on his way back, I noticed something. It was small, probably nothing at all, but could be everything to. It would be looked over by someone not paying attention. But I was on alert from the moment he shifted his weight to the edge of his seat.

His steps hesitated. Nothing. Everything. I glanced quickly up into his eyes, and found him looking at me. He gave a half nod, as if something had been answered. Or it could be taken as an aknowledgment. He walked on, his gate lazy and relaxed, hands shoved into pockets. Natural. But I knew. I knew what he knew. I knew he now had the answer to his questions and assumptions. He knew. He knew it all.

I gulped down my drink, and looked over at Kiba. I didn't want to think about what awaited me back at the dorms where I would have to face the problem of yet another person knowing my secret. It could wait for now.

"What the hell do you think your doing!?" Kiba yelled as he practically leaped over the seat that Shikamaru had recently occupied, placing himself in front of me.

"What?" I asked innocently.

"Your a girl!" he sputtered, pointing at my chest. My face went red with anger and embarrasment.

"No shit sherlock." I spat. "Look, I needed a brake from my 'other life' and I thought tonight would be a good oppurtunity."

"But that's Hinata's clothes! She'll reconize them." he half whined. Probably hoping I didn't mess up the ripped jeans.

"That's why I'm not going to be around you guys. It's just me tonight."

"How are you going to get back to the school?"

I sighed and leaned my head on my hand that was propped up by the bar. " I'll take the bus."

"What if you get mugged. Or raped! Your not taking the bus!" he said in a serious voice, glaring at me.

"Then what do you suggest oh smart one." I replied sarcastically.

"That you change before we leave and go back to school as Mat." he demanded. His voice left no room for objections, so I took it. Any way to get him off my back for the remainder of the night.

"Fine. Now go back to Hinata before she sees you with another girl. I really don't think anyone will appreciate me with you...Oh, and another thing."

"What?" he asked as he half stood from his stool.

I whacked him on the head with a fist as I stood to. "How in the hell did you come to the conclusion of me liking Naruto, of all people?"

"I don't know, my first guess was Gaara, but that's impossible. So I went with Naruto. I mean it's obvious you like one of us." he whimpered as he rubbed his sore head.

I struggled to hold back the violent blush and stuttering refusals of his statement. "And why would it be impossible with Gaara?" I inquired.

"Because. . .Well it's Gaara. Impossible." He scoffed and waved a dismissive hand in the air.

"Heh, heh. Yeah. Impossible." I agreed nervously.

He stopped all movement and stared open mouthed at me. "It is impossible... right?" He wanted confirmation. A truthfull confirmation. If only I could give him that.

"I'm going to go dance. See ya!" I said quickly as I stepped into the crowd, disappearing from Kiba's line of vision. I could vaintly hear him yell a 'Oh hell no!' from the bar, and I laughed. Naive. He was so naive.

I reconized the music booming from the speakers, and felt the bodies around me move in time with the beat. I followed suit, letting my small frame sway in time with the rhythm of From the inside by Linkin Park.

I payed no attention to the people around me. I was only aware of being me. Letting the song take me deep inside myself, to a point where the phrase 'Dead to the world' had some truth. Only my body was there, my mind traveled. Back to the point of where it all began. Where my life started to actually get interesting. The point where my life became so much more complicated, but in a way that was beyond welcome. Welcome because of the dull life I led.

I danced, unaware of a pair of eyes on me. Watching as my frame moved in perfect time with music. Letting my soul pour out with the music, with my steps, with the way my hips swayed with the thrumming beat.

I don't know who to trust no surprise
(Everyone feels so far away from me)
Heavy thoughts sift through dust and the lies
(Trying not to break but I'm so tired of this deceit)
(Every time I try to make myself get back up on my feet)
(All I ever think about is this)
(All the tiring time between)
(And how trying to put my trust in you just takes so much out of me)

Take everything from the inside and throw it all away
Cuz I swear for the last time I won't trust myself with you

Tension is building inside steadily
(Everyone feels so far away from me)
Heavy thoughts forcing their way out of me
(Trying not to break but I'm so tired of this deceit)
(Every time I try to make myself get back up on my feet)
(All I ever think about is this)
(All the tiring time between)
(And how trying to put my trust in you just takes so much out of me)

Take everything from the inside and throw it all away
Cuz I swear for the last time I won't trust myself with you

I won't waste myself on you
You
You
Waste myself on you
You
You

I'll take everything from the inside and throw it all away
Cuz I swear for the last time I won't trust myself with you

Everything from the inside and just throw it all away
Cuz I swear for the last time I won't trust myself with you
You
You

I wasn't ready for the song to end. I wasn't ready to stop moving the way I was. I had never felt so...so alive. It was invigorating. Intoxicating. Almost like a person I know. But there was another thing that added to the person. Addicting.

It was then that I felt a prickling feeling of being watched. I wasn't worried though. No red flags went off in my head. Which was my first clue that no approaching danger was at hand. But there was a feeling. Satisfaction, I think. It seemed my body knew who was watching me before I myself did and was happy that I had caught the attention. The attention that I had been starving for.

I looked over my left shoulder toward the back wall. To the dark corner that seemed to scream aloness. One person was in it's depths. A person that didn't care about being alone. A person that my body, even now after the months I had known him, ached for. Burned for. And I could barely contain it.

I knew who it was standing there. His vibrant crimson locks stood out shockingly against the darkness he stood in, and his jeans and navy blue button up shirt that had the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, gave him away. His arms were crossed over his chisled chest and he leaned against the wall behind him.

My onyx eyes lifted to his face, and immediatly locked with his bright jade orbs. They seemed more excited tonight. More open. Was he really enjoying himself?

Without giving much thought, I stepped toward him and let a small smile graze my lips. I watched him carefully, and didn't miss his teasing smirk. I gained confidence, and walked over to his spot by the wall. He never moved, only followed me with that gaze of his that made my knees shake and my heart beat fast.

I walked toward my own greek god. Gaara.

so please review, and I hope you like this chapter. I know I kinda did. Next up. Is Gaara going to dance? WOOHOO!