A/N: Hope you enjoy the latest chapter. Had a lot going on this week, but I wanted to get it out. x] Remember to review. Thanks to those who have and will!

Also, check out my new story "Dreams." Which should be put up soon and updated daily hopefully. x]

"Nobody's home?" Sakura asked as they opened the door to utter silence. Even with the windows open, the sun shining through, the house seemed dark and abandoned. They slipped their shoes off and walked through the entrance.

"I guess my mom's shopping..." Sayuki suggested weakly. It was a relief for her though. She didn't want her mom to see her this way. Her family already saw her as weak; she had gotten used to that. If they saw her like this though, she was sure to drown in her own shame. They would be ashamed to have her as their daughter. Just like in school, she'd be completely isolated and pushed away in her family.

"Let's not worry about it. We can tell them later." Sakura said, nudging Sayuki forward. She glanced around the entry way into the living, then the kitchen. She looked back to Sayuki whose back was towards her. "Where's your bathroom?"

"You can't." Sayuki managed to let out. Sakura stared at her, baffled.

"You can't stay in those clothes though. You have food all over you, you need to shower at the very least and get it out before it's too hard." Sakura insisted, her face calm again. She put her hand on Sayuki's shoulder. The trembling had eventually stopped on their way back to the house, but it had returned once again. Unsure of what to do, she pulled her hand back, even more confused now.

"No! You can't tell my parents!" Sayuki shouted, surprising Sakura. She was used to the quiet, timid Sayuki. Her voice was surprising loud and sharp with anger and fright that she stepped back. She opened her mouth to talk, but for once she was at a loss of words. She couldn't understand why she didn't want to tell her parents. She knew it would be hard, but she knew they couldn't handle it themselves, and they deserved to know.

"W-why?" Sakura asked, after taking a small breather to collect her words together. She grabbed Sayuki by the shoulder, turning the girl around. Her eyes were wide, but her trembling was controlled. Her arms were wrapped tightly around her, not permitting her to shake any further. Her eyes were red and puffy from her earlier crying; new tears about to emerge. Oddly enough Sakura noticed her eyes were a brighter blue thanks to the tears, but it wasn't exactly a reason to celebrate.

"If they find out, they would hate me!" Sayuki's words shot out like they couldn't stay in any longer. She went crashing to the ground, her legs unable to hold her any longer. Sakura just stood and watched as the small girl brought her arms to her head and sobbed uncontrollably. She had never seen anyone so weak and afraid. To her own surprise this didn't make her dislike her like she had thought it would. It brought on the feeling of wanting, even needing to protect her. "I don't know what to do... I can't stand going back but if I don't they'll find out and abandon me..." Sayuki's words were almost inaudible.

"They wouldn't hate you..." Sakura said soothingly, and moved closer to her. Her steps were slow and tentative, afraid to set off a bomb of emotions from her. She bent down slowly, so she was in front of her blond girl. She was a complete wreck.

"They will! I know they will! They're already so ashamed of me for being weak, and this would only push them over the edge!" Sayuki howled, her nails digging into her skull. Sakura pulled Sayuki's frail arms down from attacking herself gently. Tucking them to her side, Sakura embraced the girl as she cried.

"They won't... but I promise I won't tell them until you're ready to, okay?" Sakura asked softly. Sayuki nodded, but her sobbing didn't subside. After sitting there for a few more moments, Sayuki began to calm down. Sakura rubbed her back, trying to comfort her further. When she seemed to stop crying, Sakura let her go, and stood up.

Standing up, she looked back to the disaster on Sayuki's head. Most of the rice had fallen out during their walk, but some still remained. She sighed, and with a smile, messed up Sayuki's hair further. "Come on let's go get you cleaned up before someone gets home." Sakura suggested. Sayuki nodded once again, and wiped the remaining tears from her face. "Besides you look ridiculous." Sakura laughed lightly and to her surprise and delight Sayuki did too.

Sakura helped Sayuki up gently. Even though she had just laughed, her eyes still looked empty of happiness and corrupted with fear and agony. She closed her eyes and put her arm around Sayuki. She attempted another smile, and pretending she believed it, Sakura smiled back. Slowly they both made their way upstairs as Sayuki directed her.

They entered the rather large bathroom, and Sayuki began to fumble with her clothes as she tried to unbutton her sweater. Sakura saw her having difficulty and offered her helps as she undid the buttons. Sayuki dropped her arms to her side. "I'm sorry for always getting you to help me. Even with my shirt." Sayuki let out a short, disgusted laugh. Sakura had known Sayuki had self esteem problems; anyone could. Sakura couldn't see why she would though. She didn't understand how she could be so disgusted and hateful towards herself. Had something happened to her, or was it just her own doubts and fears?

"I want to help you, so don't apologize." Sakura replied genuinely as she finished unbuttoning the shirt. Sayuki slipped it off her arms, and turned around as she took her pants off. Sakura went to the bathtub and turned the water on. "Even I need help, everyone does. I know you'd do the same for me." Sakura sat on the edge of the tub as she looked at Sayuki. Sayuki paused, and slowly nodded. She looked unsure if she would ever have to or if she even could.

"Anyways hurry up, it's almost ready," Sakura ordered. She ran her hand through the water, checking the temperature. Soon she turned the water off. As she did so, Sayuki stepped forward and without a word slipped in. Sakura scooched over for her as she did. Sayuki shifted in the water nervously. "I'll help you clean the rice out of your hair." Sakura grabbed the shower head and brought it down, ready to use. The rice was harder to see against Sayuki's blond hair, but it was still visible. "Where's the soap?"

"Oh. I forgot to grab it. I'll go get it." Sayuki said softly. She put her arms on the edge, ready to lift herself out. Sakura gently pushed her shoulder so she sat back down. She stood up herself.

"Where is it?" Sakura asked, glancing around the bathroom. "You'll need a towel too for after. I'll get both." Sakura thought aloud, glancing back to Sayuki. She slowly nodded an okay.

"In the hall there's soap, and the towels are below." Sayuki explained. Sakura nodded. She headed outside where she saw a cupboard. She opened it up to find the supplies she needed. She grabbed two towels and some soap. Her eye was caught by a red towel. Her lips curled into a frown.

The color was a complete match to Karin's long hair. The thought of her and what she had done made Sakura's blood boil. She had always disliked her that much was true. She had never hated her as much before. She had always thought it was her actions she hated, and that she had her own problems. That's what bullies did. Or so she had been told. So she had believed it wasn't Karin's fault, she had been taught that. Now thinking of how she had hurt her fragile friend, that idea was smashed. It was Karin's fault and she would get revenge for Sayuki.

Without a warning, Sakura slammed her fist against the wall, cracking the paint of the wall. She held it there as she imagined Karin's face being smashed into pieces. She heard water splash and Sayuki's worried call. Brought back to reality, she dropped her hand. It was red and stung a bit. It wasn't enough to calm her down though or faze her. So she walked back into the bathroom, a smile plastered on her face for Sayuki. She wasn't going let it end like this for Sayuki.

"You girls sure can be harsh..." Sakon commented casually as he stared intensely at the cards in his hand. He held two aces and three kings. He smirked, as he sat back comfortable against the chair. To his left was his brother Ukon, Tayuya, Suigetsu, Karin, Sasuke, leaving Jugo to his right. They all made their bets, not speaking at first.

"I deal with things fairly, it's not my fault dumb bitches try to get in my way," Karin stated casually as she put three cards down and picked up three. Her face stayed the same as they all went. Sakon left his hand the same.

"I heard it was an accident that she hit you all." Ukon replied, folding as they continued their next round of betting. He raised an eyebrow, ready to hear Karin's ranting about how she was right and it was their fault. But she stayed silent, disappointing him slightly.

"Knowing you Karin, you were too busy drooling over Sasuke to pay attention." Suigetsu said mockingly, raising the bet. Sasuke grunted, annoyed by the comment. This time Karin shot daggers at Suigetsu with her eyes, threatening to jump from her chair and attack him. He looked away, and sighed. He was usually ready for a fight, but she was calm. Which probably meant she was enraged beyond words and scheming.

"Either way I can't wait to see her face when she comes to school tomorrow." Tayuya announced as she folded, throwing her cards down to the table. "That is if she even comes. She looked like some sort of wounded, frightened cat."

"She'll come. I'd bet on it." Karin replied simply, as the rest of them showed their cards. She held hers up though, and they all stared at her impatiently. "I won't need to do much either. She'll be crushed."

"Hurry up already." Sakon grumbled, impatiently. His arms were reached out to grab the pile of cash, knowing he had already won. Karin grinned and placed her cards down gently. A royal flush of hearts. Sakon blinked before he cursed and snapped back to sit straight in his chair.

"Just like that. Except I won't play as nicely." Karin assured them as she gathered the money from the center. She placed the money in a bag and back beside her on the table. Her smile was in place as she cracked her fingers. She couldn't wait for tomorrow.

"Do you think you should really be wasting your time playing these games? She just bumped into you. There are more important things you could be doing. That freak is still at school too." Sasuke stated coldly, as he gathered the cards. Karin flinched at his words, wiping the smirk off of her face but she recovered quickly. She smiled sweetly and batted her eyes.

"It won't take much time, she'll be easy." Karin replied matter-of-factly. "By the end of the week she'll definitely be out of there. No. In three days at the very latest." Karin's voice was filled with confidence.

"I'd hate to be a girl..." Ukon chuckled as he looked at the rage and determination in Karin's eyes. The rest stared at her, smirks on their lips.

"Who wants to bet when she runs away crying?"