A/N: this is the wind down chapter that leads into ch. 24, so don't get all riled up. Besides, the plot is the only thing I own out of this story, so I can do anything with it I want, the characters on the other hand, I don't own...sigh I'm experimenting on how to page break so it'll be easier to see when I start on somene elses opinions...bear with me.

CH. 23: Karin Shows Her Teeth

Sakura made her way back to her friends, smirking the whole time. Gaara stood there with his stoic face, but she knew him well enough to know he was proud of her. She blew him a kiss, making him turn away from her, but she could see his blush. He also had his hand held out as if he caught something. He brought it back to his chest and flattened out his hand. She chuckled, understanding when the others looked at him with confused faces.

Karin broke the silence their flirting had caused. "NEE-SAN!! That was AMAZING!" she hugged the taller girl, laughing the whole time. Kim looked pissed and didn't bother holding her tongue.

"You cheated you little bitch! I saw you throw Sasuke-kun off by slamming your bike into his!" she walked up to Sakura, intent on smack her, when she hit the dusty ground…hard. Kim's sight blurred and her teeth rattled as she looked up at her attacker.

Standing above her was the Hatori brat who fawned over the Haruno bitch. Her eyes were black voids, no white whatsoever in them, like big black holes in her face. "You will NEVER address my Nee-san in such a tone ever again…do I make myself clear!?" she hissed while glaring that the girl at her feet. For such a small thing, she hit hard. Kim scoffed, thinking it had been a lucky hit.

Heat erupted around the little blonde, singing the long haired girl. The sky became very dark and the girl's necklace started floating, shining brilliantly. Sakura was drawn to her and immediately put her arms around the smaller girl. Kim noticed that Sakura's eyes were glowing sterling while Karin's glowed obsidian. Kim gasped in horror as lightening struck right between her spread legs. The girl scrambled onto the nearest bike and the gang took off.

Kankuro noticed Karin's state and wanted to go to her, but a hand held him back…it was Lacey. "You touch the pup now and she will kill you on the spot, Scrappy. She's not herself right now…I've seen her this way one other time." Kankuro gave her a questioning look and Lacey continued her story.

"It was when Minotsu said she was worthless compared to a genius like Sakura. She got this way and tore through Kagure like a hurricane. Course, the damage was blamed on Sakura, being as she ain't human and all. Then again…neither is the pup." She added the last part as an afterthought.

Gaara watched Sakura intently, feeling her rage, which she was channeling from her sibling. Suddenly, Karin's legs gave out and Kankuro was there to catch her. Gaara felt Sakura's consciousness slipping and was by her side immediately, cradling her form close to his body. He looked around at the people present and took on an air of authority, even though technically he had none.

"Back to the houses…we will continue this there. I will take Sakura back, along with her bike. Kankuro, you take Karin with you. Keep her close…anything happens to her and I can not guarantee my mate will not kill you." with those words, he walked to the bike and sat on it. Before anyone could protest, he, the bike and Sakura were gone.

Kankuro's eyes were wide with a slight amount of fear from his brother's new mate. His arms tightened around Karin at the thought of anything happening to the tiny blonde. He laughed at himself…he hadn't even gotten the nerves to ask her out, much less claim her as his own. He made his way to the vehicles to take her home…and to his bed.

It was four hours later that Sakura woke to find herself in a strange bed. The walls were black, creating a sense of nothingness around her. She shifted and heard something growl. She sat up and looked around herself to find she was laid out on a huge bed with music posters and artwork all around her. The comforter she was so comfortable on was a wine red color, deep and rich. She shifted to get a different angle and she heard another growl and something tightened around her waist.

She lifted the comforter only to find a pale arm wrapped around her. She followed the arm to the owner and smiled gently. Gaara was lying on his stomach, his face towards her, in a deep sleep. She could sense that his demon wished to take over and fool around with her, but something was keeping him at bay and letting the youth sleep. She searched within herself and found a viciously scowling Saiki.

'Saiki? What's wrong?' She asked the demon that lived inside her. She had merged with her demon long ago and did not understand Shukaku's need for violence, even towards his container.

'That bastard tanuki had best keep inside the boy's mind. Next time he wanders in here, I will cut him to ribbons.' Sakura 'saw' Saiki flex her claws in her mind and sensed Shukaku flinch. Sakura laughed inside her head. She felt Gaara stir and quickly laid back down. She snuggled up to the red head and drifted back to sleep. She was vaguely aware of him pulling her closer and shifting his hands to cup one of her breasts and one cheek of her bottom.

"Mine." Gaara growled in his sleep as he wrapped himself around her.

Kankuro felt something shift against him and opened one of his eyes. He saw the tiny blonde stirring, as if having a nightmare. He spooned up behind her, his right cheek pressing against her left as he nuzzled her gently. He felt her instantly relax and fall asleep once more. He could hear Temari downstairs, assuring everyone that they girls were safe and they could go home.

Sai was the hardest to convince to leave, however. He growled, actually growled, at everyone except Shino. The older boy had taken the dark artist to the roof and allowed him to check in on his surrogate mother. Once satisfied, the artist had blushed at his behavior and run off, away from everyone. Shino had sighed and followed, just like he always did.

Shino sat in the tree above the young artist, who he could tell was confused. Sai looked at his hands and then out at the darkening sky. He then looked up at Shino with a heartbroken look on his face. "What's happening to me Shino-teishu? I can't control these emotions and it's scaring me…I've never snapped like that at anyone…what's going on?" Tears filled the smaller youth's eyes as he looked up at his would-be lover.

Shino jumped down and sat as close to Sai as was humanly possible. He took the younger boy's head and pressed it against his chest. Shino and Sai stayed that way until the sun started setting. Only then did Shino give his opinion.

"Kochou…what you feel is natural. All of us went through it when we hit puberty, but because of what The Center did to you, you are having to go through it now. Don't be afraid of it koi…I'm here for you." Shino put his arm around the smaller boy's shoulder and kissed the top of his head through the mask.

Sai shivered in delight and looked up at Shino. "Shino-teishu…you never did answer my question…about loving another man being wrong." Shino started to answer until Sai smiled openly at him and nuzzled the taller boy's neck. "If loving you is wrong, then I don't want to be right Shino-teishu." With that, the smaller boy settled down and snuggled into Shino's arms, making the larger boy blush.

When Shino was sure Sai was asleep he rubbed the smaller boy in places he wouldn't dare had the boy been awake. "My innocent little kochou…what shall I do with you?" the larger boy wondered, then picked up his small companion and disappeared.

As the night got later, the couples settled down. Everyone was still too tense to let their women alone, so they decided the guys could use sleeping bags and stay in the rooms with their girls. Neji glared at Naruto, but Tenten smacked the brunette in the back of the head. He gave her an abused look and pouted, unusual for the silent man.

Tenten chuckled and stroked his head lovingly. "Leave them be, Neji-kun…Naruto almost killed everyone in the school over her…I don't think he'll let anything happen to her and he's too much a coward to make a move on her." Somewhat mollified, the brunette Hyuuga followed his own woman to her room and bunked on the floor.

Lacey glared at the black haired boy with the bowl cut. She didn't know why he was bunking down in her room, but she didn't exactly care for it. She went down the hall to the bathroom and heard sniffling. She looked in one of the rooms to see the little girl that seemed to be a part of this group. Lacey found it strange that a child that age was with this group.

"What's wrong kiddo?" she asked in a gentle voice. The young girl's head shot up and looked at her. She had tears rolling out of her big, blue eyes. She sniffled again and hugged a blanket around her.

"M-my brother usually stays with me…but he's with Michi-chan. He won't leave her side. I'm…I'm scared of being alone. Those people who hurt kids…they got me once until Nii-san saved me…I'm scared they'll get me again." she whimpered and Lacey rushed to her side, cuddling the young girl close.

"Shhhh….joji…you can stay with me if you want. I beat those mean people once…they can't get you if you stay with me. Would that help you sleep better?" Lacey smiled warmly at the young girl and she sniffled again. The young girl nodded and followed Lacey to the older girl's room.

Lacey walked into her room to find it empty. She looked around for her bushy browed stalker only to find him missing. She looked at the girl with narrowed eyes and made a goofy face. "Wonder where the bush baby went…" she muttered making the girl laugh.

"Bush baby, huh? Care to say that to my face Amazon?" came a voice right over her shoulder, so close she could feel his body heat. She bout jumped out of her skin and whirled on him, ready to strike. She came face to face with the bowl cut haired youth and noticed they were only millimeters apart.

She turned an intense red and stumbled back, her hands in front of her face protectively and one foot raised as if doing the praying mantis martial arts stance. She then noticed the young boy looking up at her and trying hard not to laugh. She sweat dropped, smirked and rubbed the back of her head. She glared at Lee and turned with a huff.

"C'mon kiddo, let's go get cleaned up now that I know caterpillar brows isn't tearing apart my room." she took the girl's hand and walked to the bathroom. A vein had popped out on Lee's forehead at the infuriating woman.

"That…that AMAZON HEATHEN WOMAN!" he growled and stomped the floor, making the furniture shake. The young boy chuckled at him and the looked at the boy with an arched brow.

"She only calls you those things to get a rise out of you Lee-san. It's like when I call nee-san a cow…I don't really mean it…I'm just picking on her. She's doing it because she likes you. That's why she blushed when you were so close to her." for a kid his age, Eto was rather intelligent.

Lee arched a brow again and smiled mischievously. He put a finger over his mouth as he went to the bed and stole the only two pillows off. He sealed them into a scroll at his side and hurried Eto into the designated boy's bathroom.

Lacey came back to see her pillows gone and fumed. Her bright red hair was down and wavy. A drowsy looking Cheela followed her in and sat on the bed. Lacey smirked and asked Cheela a little question. "Wanna see a magic trick kiddo?" Cheela perked up and nodded. Just as Lee and Eto were coming back from the bathroom, Lacey manifested two feather pillows from thin air.

"WHOA!! How'd you DO that!?" Eto ran to her and looked wide eyed with excitement. Lacey chuckled and patted him on the head. Lee was impressed…not only with her unusual talent, but with the way she interacted with the kids.

"It's part of my kekkei genkai, pup. I can manifest anything made of natural elements. Watch this." she moved her hand in an unusual pattern and then a thick down comforter flopped down on the bed. Cheela squealed and nestled into the covers. Eto jumped into the bed as well and felt of the comforter. Lacey chuckled at their enjoyment and a longing look appeared on her face. Lee noticed it and walked up to her.

"What's wrong, Lacey-chan? You look…sad." She smiled sadly at him as she looked at the kids playing on the bed. Then she looked up at him and he gasped at the immense sadness on her face.

"Because of what Madara did to me…I'll never have kids of my own. I love kids and it kills me to know I'll never be a mother. These two are the closest I've had since Karin was young. The Center aged my mind so that I would be more experienced for combat…I feel old even though I'm barely nineteen. Seems Madara was able to strip my father of his battle tactics and unwittingly put this into Ibiki's own child. Ironic, ne?" she turned her back to him and walked to the dresser and putting her belongings away. Lee processed this and sat in his sleeping bag.

When Lacey turned her attention back to the kids, they were both spread out in the bed. Lacey chuckled and went over to them. She shifted Cheela so that the young girl was pressed against Eto's back. Lacey slid in behind Cheela and gently brushed the sleeping child's hair from her face.

Lee watched as Lacey wove something in the air and a small rose sprouted from the nightstand. When it opened up, a small glow emitted from it. She then wove another pattern and the lights went out. Lee sat in the soft glow of the rose light and thought. He finally laid back and shut his eyes, drifting to sleep while thinking over what Lacey had said.

Naruto lay on the bed and waited for Hinata to come back in. He smelled her before he saw her and inhaled the scent willingly. Hinata came in and smiled at him. She climbed onto the bed and under the covers. Naruto lay back on the bed and looked her in the eyes.

"Things have really changed around here, ne, Hina-chan?" he asked softly while pushing her bangs from her eyes. Hinata again smiled at him and snuggled closer to him.

"Only for the better…Naruto-kun." she whispered and closed her eyes. Naruto felt the tension leave her as she fell asleep in his arms. He shrugged out of his clothes and unzipped his sleeping bag, dragging it up over them. He fell asleep holding her to him and thinking of what was yet to come.

Kiba was looking out the window of Ino's room. It was really late, he should be sleeping…and had been, until Ino had screamed in her sleep. Kiba had bolted out of his sleeping bag when he heard her and rushed over to her. Akamaru was whining and couldn't seem to wake the blonde up.

Kiba had shaken her until she'd woken, and she'd cried on his shoulder until she'd passed out from exhaustion. He could still smell the fear on her and it raised his hackles. He looked over at her peaceful form and sighed.

Akamaru walked up to him and licked his hand gently. Kiba stroked the large white dog's head and looked out at the moon once more. He heard the rustle of sheets and looked over to see Ino, drowsy eyed, looking at him.

"Kiba…can you lay down with me? I feel really cold right now…" She didn't have to ask twice as he made his way over to her. He knew she'd been having nightmares about her rape…and seeing her rapist in the flesh had been really hard on her. He crawled onto the edge of the bed and under the covers as she lifted them to allow him access. She had on one of his shirts and a pair of long sleeping pants.

Kiba wrapped his arms around her waist and wrapped himself around her, her head on his bicep. She scooted back against his as far as she could, drinking in the warmth and safety he exuded. Both fell asleep within moments, while Akamaru jumped up on the window seat to guard them.

Choji could feel Michi's unrest. He walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders. "Michi-chan…Eto is fine. He's fourteen years old…I'm sure that he'll be fine. Besides, he has Cheela to keep him company. I'm sure that they found somewhere to be since you guys have more guests than normal." he hugged her around her waist and leaned down enough to kiss the top of her head. She sighed and leaned back against him.

"Choji…that Sasuke kid looked familiar. I've seen someone who looks like him only older at the hospital before…back when all those kids disappeared from the psych ward. He was a doctor…but I can't remember his name…" she pushed it from her mind and turned in his arms. He nuzzled her cheek and smiled at her. She smiled back and went to the bed.

She blushed and patted the bed next to her after she'd climbed in and she saw him blush. She giggled at his antics. They'd been dating a little over a month and he still blushed at her like he had when they'd first met. She found it very endearing. Choji took off his armor and settled down on the bed beside her on the outside of the covers. She sighed and put her head on his shoulder. Soon, they were both asleep.

Temari collapsed on her bed and groaned. Shikamaru just stared at her from the doorway. She turned onto her back and glared at the ceiling. Shikamaru chuckled and walked over to her while shedding his outer clothes until he was left in just his black loose fitting cargo pants. Temari arched a brow at him and smirked.

"So you think you'll be sleeping with me huh?" she asked and sprawled out on her bed, the lavender sheets wrapping around her in interesting ways. Shikamaru leaned against her dresser and stared at her with hunger in his eyes. She chuckled again and rolled onto her stomach facing him.

"Unless you're going to find me another place to sleep…I'm sleeping on that nice big, soft bed right in front of me. If you're in it with me, I'll just count that as a bonus." He stalked towards her like a hungry lion and put one knee on her bed. She quickly scooted away from him and off the bed. She looked over her shoulder at him with a wicked smile.

"Well then I guess you'll need something to sleep in. I have an assortment of loose pajama bottoms you might like. But I'm getting into my pajamas first." with that said she turned her back to him and dug through her dresser. She pulled out a dark pair of shorts that looked really small to Shikamaru and spaghetti strap shirt. She started stripping her clothes off in front of him.

Shikamaru's eyes widened and he could feel the blood slowly rolling down his upper lip. He gulped and wiped it away, still staring at her as she stripped her shirt off first, then her bra. She put the nightshirt on and he caught a glimpse of her bare breast from the side. When she was done with the shirt, she chucked her tight jeans off to reveal a light purple thong with lilies on it. He felt the blood gush from his nose as he clamped a hand over his face.

He grabbed some tissues from her nightstand and staunched the bleeding. When she had the shorts on she turned to him with an evil look. She saw the tissues pressed to his face and laughed softly. She made her way over to him with the pajama bottoms. She smiled seductively and climbed on the bed. She reached out a hand and flicked his belt open.

Shikamaru could only stare as Temari loosened his belt and pulled it off. She then proceeded to unbutton his pants and then unzip them. Lastly, she pulled them down until they were off. She stared at him in his olive green silk boxers and she blushed heavily. She then proceeded to lean over his form, a little closer to his member than he thought was necessary unless she was going to blow him, and pulled the pants over his feet and slowly up his legs.

She allowed the spandex waist line to snap shut, making him hiss at the erotic pain. He was still fantasizing about her taking him into her mouth while pulling his sleeping bottoms up. She chuckled and slipped under her covers. He sighed and followed her, spooning against her back. He heard her gasp as he ground his member against her bottom. He chuckled and nuzzled the back of her neck, content in his revenge. Soon, they were asleep and dreaming of their little game.

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Let me know if the page breaks make it more uderstandable for ya!!