Eleven Chapters...this is insane...I never expected so many reviews or chapters for this fic!I swear, you reviewers are too nice to me! You all get cookies!

Soundtrack:

Move Along by All-American Rejects

False Pretense by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Dirty Little Secret by All-American Rejects

Disclaimer: Sure...I'll own Naruto...when Sasuke stops using hair gel...

Sakura watched Gaara out of the corner of her eye, and noticed that he'd disappeared onto the battle ground already. Puzzled, she looked at the screen. Her eyes widened in shock. It can't be...it just can't!

"Sabaku no Gaara versus Rock Lee."

Sakura could tell he was itching to start the fight. As Lee jumped down to meet the challange, Sakura stared.

I hope Gaara wins...he's all I have left to count on.

"Begin!"

The battle was beginning to get out of hand. Gaara couldn't even remember a time that his sand failed to stop an attack.

He's too fast...the sand can't keep up...

Kid! Behind you!

Gaara turned quickly, sand feebly trying to keep up. The punches were getting faster, the speed was incredible. For an enemy to get that close to inflicing pain on him...it was insane...

You'd have to actually plan on dying...

The attacks kept coming on, faster and faster, with blinding speed...Sakura had never seen anything like it. Whenever Lee managed to land a hit, she would gasp and come very close to falling from the balcolny. Faster and faster, the punches and kicks increasing in force...Sakura could physically feel Gaara's pain with each blow, could sense his growing instability. Lee was thrown to the ground, Gaara floating on a protective cloud of sand. He raised a fist to finish the job...

"Gaara! Don't!"

His head snapped in her direction, bloodlust evident in his eyes. She jumped down, dared to defy him. Everyone was reacting like she was in mortal danger; Sakura knew different. Gai jumped down and picked up Lee as Sakura spoke to Gaara.

"Gaara, don't...he's not worth it anymore...let him live."

Sakura grabbed his hands, and looked him in the eye.

"He's already half-dead...let him go..."

Gaara shakily raised himself to a standing position, sand forming back into a gourd. He limped over to Sakura, who helped him support himself.

"I quit. There's no point anymore."

"Did Gaara-san lose?"

"No...the fight was over when Sakura and Gai intervened."

Sakura led the injured red-head up the stairs, walking him past shocked participants and sensei. She took him: tired, injured, and half-insane to his awed family members and his sensei.

"Sakura...thank you..."

Sakura looked at him. He was leaning against the wall, looking at her with his sad, tired eyes. She paused, unsure of what to say, then cracked a good-natured smile.

"It's alright, Gaara..."

Okay, Quick Japanese lesson for those who don't understand the honorifics...

Nee-san (chan, kun): older sister

Nii-san (kun, chan): older brother

-san: general honorific

-chan: young children, also for girls and women, indicated affection

-kun: young boys, men, sometimes girls, term of affection

-(none): exclusive for good friends, lovers, or family

-sensei: teacher, master

That's all...big shout out to the return of Kiona Kina's Panda! Konnichiwa and welcome back! now review! Shannaro!