Chapter 20

I have decided. I know what I'm going to do, because I know that somehow, this is the right thing. I know now what I will do, and hope for the best possible outcome afterwards.

I am going to tell them. I realized what I am doing to all of them. Naruto, Kankurou, Temari, Hinata Sakura, and Tenten. . . I have been lying to them all. Well, actually I had lied to everyone in the beginning. It seems three of them were just to smart and figured it out. . . Or in Kiba's case, saw it.

I rubbed a hand over my eyes in aggrivation. I was dead nervous about this, my stomach was going in knots in my body and my hands were shaking so bad that if I had somthing sharp in my hands, I would somehow end up stabbing myself.

Sighing, I rounded a corner and stepped onto the tiled floor that began the Food Court.

They weren't that hard to spot. What with them hunched over the table like that, appearing to be planning some huge event. Aside from Gaara, Kiba, and Shikamaru that is. That's when I knew they were talking about me.

I growled and walked to the booth they were sitting at. The blonde bimbo that was still clinging to Gaara had not ceased to speak since no one had noticed me walk up, and I wanted to rip her throat out.

"I think that he is some undercover cop that is investegating you guys," she flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder. "Why else would he be so mysterious? I mean, come on, either that or he is gay and just doesn't want to admit it because he is secretly in love with one of you."

I could hear someone's sharp intake of breath, and I almost groaned out loud.

"Wait, he has been hanging around. . .Gaara a lot lately. Do you think. . ." they trailed, and I realized it was Sakura.

I rolled my eyes and decided to make myself known. Clearing my throat, I met them all with a lazy stare.

"You know, if you were going to be talking about me. . ." I shot a mean look at the blonde, "You should at least make sure I'm not right here to hear it."

Everyone flinched and looked at anything but me, embarresed that I had caught them. Gaara glanced at me with a blank look before concentrating on shaking his arm roughly where his leech clunged to him. She didn't even blink.

I sighed and grabbed a chair to place it at the end of the table, facing them.

"Alright guys, it's about time we have a heart-to-heart chat." I smirked and glanced around.

Hinata's pale eyes gazed up at me as her soft voice carried across the table.

"M-Mat, we d-d-didn't mean what we s-said."

My eyes softned as I looked back at her. She was so small and frail, I couldn't help but have soft spot for her. I didn't need nor want to lie to her.

I took a deep breath, and focused my eyes on the blonde. "You need to go." my voice left no room for argument.

"What?!"

But of course, she wouldn't just walk away.

"I'm not going anywhere! I am Gaara's girlfriend, so what you can tell him you can tell me." Her green eyes shined with mischief, and I wanted to gouge them out. My hands fisted under the table and I struggled to calm myself before I spoke again.

Someone beat me to it.

"You're annoying."

I looked at Gaara with wide eyes to find him glaring coldly at the female beside him. If looks could kill, that girl would be six feet under.

His arms were folded across his chest, and his eyes seemed to freeze the blonde.

"W-what?!" she screeched incredioulsy and wrenched her arms away from him like she had been stung. I winced and my fingers twitched, wanting to cover my ears.

Gaara gave her a look that seemed to ask 'are you stupid?' "I said, you're annoying. Do you need me to repeat it again, or are you going to leave now."

Temari snickered from her place across the table, her blue-green eyes dancing with amusement.

"Yumi, maybe you should leave." Sakura said in a voice that was trying to be soft, but was easily heard as a demand.

So, her name was Yumi. . . Nope, still didn't like her. One. Little. Bit. . .

"But, you're the one that set me up with him!" Yumi pointed an accusatory finger at the pinkette.

I could see how everyone was getting annoyed at the girl's antics, and I was fed up myself. Had been since the moment she latched onto the red-head.

"Look, Yumi. I'm sorry, really I am, but it's just not going to work out. Can't you see that?"

Sakura was trying to be nice, but she had the worst temper out of all of us. Naruto must be holding her hand under the table, he seemed to be the only one that could calm her down - or set her off. He was good at that to.

"You are all. . ." Yumi's face was red with anger, hurt and overall embarresment. I just couldn't find it in myself to feel sorry for her. I had to fight the urge to grin or smile. "All ignorant children!" she shrieked as she stood up and stomped away.

It was silent for a few moments. I didn't want to be the one to break it, and it seemed no one else did either.

I heard Gaara sigh and I glanced over at him. He held a slight smirk on his face. "I hated that bitch."

Everyone broke into small fits of laughter at his statement, and I couldn't fight the satisfied smile that split my face.

"Mat," I jumped and glanced at Kiba who had whispered in my ear. "Sorry. But, what were about to say? What are you doing?" he sounded worried.

I smiled and looked at him. "Telling the truth." I had said it loud enough for the entire table to hear.

Kankurou stared at me before saying in a breathless voice, "I knew it! You are gay, and you like Kiba!"

I glared at him and sighed angrily. "No, Kankurou. I'm not gay." my fists clenched under the table. "Dammit, I'm not GAY!" I snarled dangeroulsy.

He leaned back in his chair, towards Tenten. If I wouldn't have been so nervous and angry, I probably would have laughed at him.

Instead, I sighed and looked at all of them in turn, lingering on the three that knew my secret.

Kiba was biting the skin on his thumb nervously, his eyes wide and locked on me. I smiled at him, letting him know it was okay. I was grateful toward him, he had acted like the brother I had always wished for and had kept my secret.

Maybe I could repay him by deleting his blackmail off the site after this. I glanced at the blonde beside him, and fought the smirk. I couldn't say the same for Naruto. I was deffinatly going to give Sakura a personal tour of his pictures.

Shikamaru was lazing back in his chair, but a glint was shining in his usually dull black eyes. He looked at me, and his eyes seemed to ask me 'You sure you know what you're doing?' I nodded at him.

My eyes zoned in on Gaara's jade hues, and I gazed at him. His usual stoic facade was up, but under the surface, you could see the slightest bit of concern. He was actually concerned for me. I had to admit, it felt nice and confidence seemed to pour out of him into me. I breathed in deeply, noting that Gaara's scent was strongest and invaded my mind like it always had, and raised my eyes to look at everyone at the table again.

"I have to say something. But, before I do, I want all of you to know that you are all my friends and I don't mean to hurt you in any way. If you will let me explain afterwards, I will tell you everything just to get you to understand." I glanced at them, and looked down at my lap.

"Mat? What do you mean?" Naruto leaned foreward slightly, his blue orbs shining with innocent confusion.

I looked up at him and replied softly, "I'm not 'Mat'."

"What?"

"What are talking about, Mat?"

"Of course you're Mat."

"Who else could you be?"

Their questions were fired one after the other, barely a second inbetween. I held up my hands to stop them, resting one of them on top of my ever-present tobaggon.

"I'm not Mat." I repeated. I dropped the drawl that had become habit during my time at the school, and let my light voice ring in their ears as I spoke again."My name is. . .Matsuri."

Slowly I pulled the hat off of my head, and felt my shoulder length brown locks fall around my face, framing my ebony eyes and feminine features. I straightened in my seat and closed my eyes in a defiant manner. Trying not to let register in my head the sudden and sharp gasps echoed around the table, minus three.

'Come what may.' I inhaled deeply and slowly opened my eyes to face them.

Keep in mind, if you kill me for the cliffhanger you will never know their reactions. So ha! But what do you think everyone's reactions will be? Review please!