Olly: Hey y'all! It seems I had a chapter mix up. I know most of you have already read this chapter, but I'm trying to put it back in order. Sorry!!!!!
Disclaimer: Don't own naruto
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Sakura made sure to set her alarm clock a few minutes earlier the night before, when she rolled out of that morning she was just on time. She didn't give a second glance to her now completely flattened alarm clock. Sakura did the morning thing—shower, brush teeth, pick out clothes (white tee with red cat on it, black cargos), stumble down stairs, grab a power bar and juice, give mom and dad kisses on the cheek) and soon she walked outside to wait for Gaara. Things had been iffy with her dad the last two days, but he didn't say anything as Gaara pulled up. Sakura smiled at him as he drove up, seven o'clock exactly. They were soon on their way to school.
They walked to the tree and Gaara pulled himself up, only this morning he helped Sakura up by giving her a hand. She smiled and for a brief moment he expected a kiss. He didn't get one however, and was slightly disappointed, but said nothing. Sakura's bell like voice soon broke the silence.
"Hey Gaara?" she asked with a smile. "Hn?" was his only response. He was still a little upset at not receiving a kiss. She smirked and ignored his enthusiasm. "Well I was looking at my room last night, and it's so boring. The walls are all white and stuff, and its really getting on my nerves, so I have this great idea, you wanna hear it?" she turned to him, all smiles.
"Nope."
She pouted. "Well I'm gonna tell you anyway." Gaara smirked and closed his eyes to listen. "Ok, I was thinking, what if everyone came over and I had like a painting party or something? We could just splatter different colors of paint everywhere! It would be so much fun. And then if you or anyone else wanted to draw pictures later over the splattered paint it would look really cool!" she said, hopping around carefully on her perch. Gaara kept his eyes closed, but arched an eyebrow. It was a good idea; the rest of their friends would definitely like it. Sakura watched him expectantly. He cracked one eye open. "Ok."
Sakura's face lit up as if one cue. She planted a kiss on his cheek, immediately heightening Gaara's bad mood. He smirked. "Thanks, Gaara!" she said. "I know you like to draw, so you can have a whole wall to yourself if you want!" she flashed her beaming smile. Secretly Gaara felt somewhat proud that she would dedicate an entire wall to his artistic abilities, but he didn't show it and only shrugged again. She pouted for a second, but decided that was all the response she was going to get from him at the moment, so she shrugged and sat back on her branch and waited for the rest of the group to arrive.
Gaara glanced over to look at her. He could only see the side of her face, and she couldn't see him looking at her. Her beautiful pink hair was tucked lovingly behind her ear. He saw how the sun glinted off her eyelashes and how her porcelain-like skin seemed more delicate than glass. Great, he thought. I could become a damn poet with this shit.
He stared painfully at her as she stared off in the distance. He wanted to tell her. How he felt, how he saw her in his mind almost every moment of the day. He wanted to ask her why he felt this way around her. And why her kisses seemed to be worth more than anything every time he thought of them? He suddenly became very determined. Ok, this was it, he was going to tell Sakura right now…
"Sa—"
"Hey Sakura!" came the obnoxious voice of Gaara's best friend. Gaara cursed silently. Dammit Naruto! I'm so gonna kick your ass later! Gaara secretly vowed as he watched Sakura greet the overly loud blonde. Naruto put his arms behind his head in his usual pose. Gaara sighed. Soon everyone else was going to arrive. Sakura jumped down to join Naruto, and as soon as she did they started arriving in pairs (or so it seemed). Hinata and Neji, Temari and Kankuro, and Kiba and Ten Ten just kinda walked up together. Shikamaru just like appeared out of nowhere. They all raised eyebrows at his sudden arrival.
"Geez Shikamaru! Your like an alien, just poofing out of no where!" Ten Ten joked. Shikamaru's eyes widened at the word 'alien' and he scooted back a little ways.
"I don't know what you mean," he said rigidly (A/N Omg Shikamaru's an alien!! Lmao). They all looked at him strangely but Sakura brought all the attention back on her. "Hey guys!" she said. They all looked at her. She told the about her room, and they all agreed it was a great idea. They decided to meet at her house on Friday after school. The bell soon rang and they all went inside.
(Ok let's just skip ahead to Friday)
Sakura and the others walked out of the school after the last bell for the day rang. Gaara hadn't had a chance to talk to Sakura at all. Something always happened. She had decided to go on a surprise shopping trip to the mall with the other girls, so he hadn't taken her home last night, and that morning had been interrupted by a very early Naruto, determined to steal Gaara's spot in the tree. Of course Gaara gave him a very sore backside quickly afterwards and reclaimed his rightful place, but he still hadn't gotten a chance to talk to Sakura alone. It was driving him absolutely insane and he had become even more irritable than usual. Not like tonight was going to help. Sure he would get a chance to 'accidentally' splatter everyone who pissed him off with paint, but other than that…
There was one advantage, however. Sakura's only ride home was Gaara's bike, and she still had to move the furniture out of her room, so he was going to be alone with her for at least thirty minutes to an hour. Yes, he would have to be lugging a bed or desk or something while he talked, but other than that, he still had sharing time. Gaara smirked as everyone started walking off in different directions to their cars, each holding a copy of directions to Sakura's house, except for the girl in question, who walked happily by his side. He loved being in her company, and now and then Sakura would unknowingly lean in her walking. She never noticed until after their arms would touch, and every single time she would blush and apologize, while Gaara would remain silent, mentally thanking the gods for the brief contact.
Sakura walked beside Gaara. He had somehow become her best friend, because she had been spending so much time with him, and ever since their kiss it seemed like something more. Even though Gaara had said it was alright, Sakura still kissed him on the cheek quite often, and their other friends had caught her doing once or twice, resulting in many unneeded questions and bothers that only made Sakura blush and Gaara angry. She really needed to refrain from it, but she couldn't help it. Anything nice he did for her, Sakura wanted to reward him with a kiss. And every time she would give in, she would feel like slapping herself. She prayed that he only saw it as friendly, because she wouldn't know what to do if he discovered her crush on him. Sakura only saw two choices:
He accepts and they start going out: ending up with angry parents, awkward relations with her other friends, embarrassment for Gaara, and possible break-up. Or…
Things are screwed up from the start: he rejects her, they begin to act more distant and eventually don't remain friends and Sakura loses close ties with the rest of her friends.
Sakura didn't want either choice, but instead kept her mind focused on the happy daydream that Gaara really does love her back and they stay together forever. Their friends are totally supportive and soon the start to pair up too, leaving Kankuro and Kiba to become a gay couple. (A/N Gotcha! Just kidding.) Kiba and Kankuro both get girlfriends and they're all a happy little group that go on sextuple (A/N to all you pervs, it means six just like double means two, and so on) dates together. Gaara would eventually become a world renowned artist as well as Shinobi would become a world class band. Sakura would become a great doctor if not a singer and they would buy a big house overlooking a lake and…
"Sakura, we're here." Gaara's voice sounded fuzzy through her helmet. Sakura looked around. They were in her drive way, and she was still hugging Gaara from behind. What the hell? When did I even get on the bike? I don't even remember the walk through the parking lot! Sakura awed at her ability to blank out like that as she climbed off the bike and took off her helmet. She was still dazed as she led Gaara up to her front door; at least this time she was aware of what was happening. She fished out her keys and opened the door. After closing the door she led Gaara upstairs to her room.
Gaara looked around. It was a nice sized room, bigger than his, but not too big. There was a desk in one corner and a bed in the other. On the other side of the room Gaara saw still a few boxes—or maybe they were empty, he couldn't tell, and a full length mirror. Her bedspread was bright pink with green flowers, and Gaara looked questioningly at it. Sakura caught his stare.
"Oh, uhh…my last room was pink. I plan on buying a new bed spread soon." She said nervously. Gaara nodded. She looked around the room. "Ok, let's get started then." She said. Gaara nodded again and waited for instruction. Sakura looked around her room again. "Umm, could you take those boxes into the empty room down the hall please?" she asked. Without a word Gaara picked up four boxes as if they were nothing and walked off out of the room. Sakura admired his strength for a moment, for some of the boxes weren't empty, but she quickly focused on getting all of the small things off the desk and from other places I the room. She started piling everything onto her bedspread—nail polish, makeup, etc.—and when everything was there she rolled it up in the cloth carefully.
Gaara came back to collect the other boxes, and Sakura followed him out of the room with her folded up bedspread. He wondered why it clinked like metal and glass when she moved it. They both went back into her room. They stood still for a moment wondering what to do next, but then sakura advanced over to her desk and Gaara followed example. They each picked up a side and began to walk it out the door. Gaara finally decided to speak up. "Sakura?" he asked, walking backwards slowly.
"Yeah?" she asked, watching the bottom of her side of the desk. Gaara tried to word his sentences carefully, but he suddenly became nervous. What if she didn't want him?
"Uhh (they dropped the desk by the spare room) well um, you remember the band practice on Tuesday?" he asked, following her back to her room.
"Yeah, you guys are awesome! I really think you could be big!" she smiled and started to lift the mattress off her bed. He smirked but then tried to speak again, leaving him with a confused look.
"Well that's not what I was talking about, but ok, thanks." He said, picking up the other side of the mattress and helping her carry it out sideways. She looked at him from across the mattress length.
"What were you talking about then?" she asked. Gaara looked away for a second, but then answered:
"Uhh, the kiss?"
Sakura's eyes widened and she dropped her end of the mattress. Gaara grunted at the sudden shift in weight and let his side drop too. Sakura looked apologetically at him before she picked up her side again and they continued on. The poor girl looked around as if she was trying to find things to say out of mid-air.
"Uh, the kiss?" she said quietly. Her voice had for some reason become higher than before. "Well, w-which o—"
"The kiss." Gaara said firmly. "The one in the closet." At this Sakura made a yelp-like sound, causing Gaara to look at her in concern. She looked away from his gaze.
"Oh," she barely managed. "Well…what about it?" she asked squeakily. Gaara suddenly realized just how nervous Sakura really, was, and it made him feel a little more confident.
"Well it was more than just a friendly kiss." He pointed out. They shuffled into the spare room, set down the mattress, and headed back to her room, Sakura keeping her eyes fixed on the floor the entire time.
"Oh, well it was my first kiss. I'm sorry if it was more…" Sakura struggled for the right words. Gaara looked at her bank faced but on the inside he was shutting down. Sorry? She's sorry? It ran over and over in his head, and he didn't even hear her next few words.
"—I didn't mean to, and I'm sorry." She finished. Gaara looked at her. "Why are you sorry?" he asked a little coolly.
For a moment Sakura looked like a fish as her mouth opened and closed as if she couldn't think of words. "Well…well I thought…that was what you wanted…for me to be…you know…to be sorry." She managed softly. "You weren't looking for an apology?"
Her response processed through his mind. She thought he had wanted an apology. Did that mean that she really could possibly like him? Gaara remained completely motionless, yet on the inside Inner Gaara was doing a victory dance.
"No," he said a little softer. "I was wondering how you felt after it." Sakura blushed. She honestly couldn't tell where he was going with this. She could tell the complete truth of how she had immediately felt closer to him and developed a crush…but that might not be what he wanted and she would doom herself to awkward embarrassment. She could say it was just a friendly kiss…but that on the other hand, would be a lie. Sakura closed her eyes and squeezed her own wrist for support.
"I-I feel more attached to you I guess," she said quietly. "I kinda have a crush on you." Her face became hot and her left hand was slowly losing feeling from her squeezing it. Her stomach did the 'sudden drop' feeling (A/N you now the one, like on a roller coaster) and her chest tightened from lack of air as she held her breath.
Gaara, however, was staring at her in complete shock. If there was ever a time when shock was easily readable on his face, it was then (pity though; Sakura was staring at the ground and didn't see it). Sheliked himBut heliked her Gaara mulled it over for a moment. They likedeach otherHe looked closely at her. The blushing young woman was looking away and holding her wrist very tightly. What's worse, she didn't seem to be breathing. He wondered what would happen if he…
Sakura was starting to feel faint because she refused to breathe until Gaara answered. But, second after second passed and there was no reply. Not a sound. Sakura started running a string of curse words through her mind. He didn't like her back! And she was only making the situation worse by acting all nervous like that! She let her breath out quickly but before she could take a breath…
Sakura found herself staring in surprise at Gaara's closed eyes. Her lungs ached and her legs were buckling, but she wasn't falling. What's h-happening? Sakura asked herself. Why was he so close? What was holding her up?
Gaara's face retreated and he gazed at Sakura. Her face showed pure shock, and he smirked a little. She didn't move at all, and Gaara soon became worried. "Sakura! Breathe!"
Sakura shook her head and started breathing again. She felt light headed for a second and had to breathe deeper to regain her lost air. Soon she was breathing normally, but she was still so close to Gaara. Why was she so close? She tried to move, but something was wrapped around her lower back. It was Gaara's arms. Why was he holding her?
Realization hit Sakura like a ten-ton truck.
"Ohmigod!" she voiced a little loudly. Gaara suddenly became very worried. "What?" he asked. She stared at him. "You just kissed me!" she said, looking at him in utter confusion. Oh shit. Gaara thought in horror. She didn't want that! But I thought she said she liked me? Whatever, she'll hate me now. He released his hold and backed away a couple steps. Sakura's eyes widened.
"No, no, no! I didn't mean it like that!" she gasped quickly closing the space between them. Gaara's face was completely emotionless. Sakura had trouble speaking clearly. "I didn't mean like I didn't want…I mean I did want…I couldn't breathe…and I didn't know what was happening…I thought you didn't like…" she paused for breath, trying to get her words straight. "I never thought you would kiss me again."
Gaara's face remained emotionless as he looked at the blushing girl who seemed to be having a speech crisis. She what? Kiss her again? What? He watched her look around the room again as if looking for quick answers, but when she looked back at him her face went from confusion to worry.
"Do you hate me now?" she asked quietly. Gaara eyes widened and for a moment he almost looked angry. "No!" he said sternly, gazing down into her eyes. She followed example and looked into his in return. "I could never hate you." He said firmly, gaze unmoving. Her expression softened and she leaned up to kiss him.
It was softer and less surprising than their last kiss. It shocked Gaara for a moment but then he welcomed it, wrapping his arms securely around her waist again. Sakura smiled into the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. After a minute or so they broke off for air. Sakura hugged him and Gaara rested his chin on her head. He smiled. That was the second time she had made him actually smile (and, Gaara figured, probably not the last). They stayed in each other's arms for a while.
"Well, now that we're past that, do you want to finish this room?" he asked. Sakura gasped in remembering what they were supposed to be doing. She giggled.
"Yes." She said. Gaara smirked and released her. She smiled warmly. "Thanks, Gaara." she said, kissing him on the cheek. His smirk broadened and they began where they had left off. Gaara took the remaining objects out of the room while Sakura started laying down plastic over the carpeted floor. When Gaara came back, he helped her. They also put plastic over her door and windows, and painters' tape over the edges of her door, windows, and closet. Gaara sighed once they were finally done, and sat down in the middle of the floor. He looked up at Sakura expectantly and she took the invitation to sit next to him. She leaned against him and rested her head on his shoulder. It felt great to get close to each other and not feel embarrassed or at fault for doing something wrong. Sakura smiled and checked her watch. It was 4:45.
She turned to Gaara. "You brought your paint clothes, right?" she asked. He nodded. "Well then I'd better go get mine. Everyone will be here soon." She stood up and went over to her closet. Gaara watched as she fished through piles of shirts and pants and so forth. She finally picked out two things and headed to her bathroom, shutting the door behind her. Gaara went to get his own clothes while he waited. When he returned it took all his power to not fall backward.
Sakura was wearing plain old ripped jeans. They were already stained with paint from previous use. Her overly baggy t-shirt was tied up in the back, and the sleeves were rolled up to her shoulders. Her pink hair was pulled into a messy (but good looking) ponytail. Gaara had to steady his breathing. Holy shit! She looks good! How could she look so hot in baggy old painting clothes? Sakura giggled and he realized his mouth was open. He cleared his throat and went to change while Sakura went downstairs to wait for everyone.
Gaara looked at his refection in the mirror. His relationship with Sakura was definitely different now. He imagined himself being able to be closer to her more often, without shame or confusion. But what were they? Was she his girlfriend? Not that Gaara minded that idea, heck, he would've loved it. But he thought he had to ask or something, before it was official. Gaara shrugged. Whatever they were, it was better than before. He now had the liberty to hug and/or kiss her, which was a big relief for him. Ok, so he hadn't asked her about all his feelings and thoughts, but at least he didn't feel weighed down by them anymore. A least he knew that Sakura would be there to listen if and when he decided to tell her about them.
Sakura paced back and forth through her kitchen. She had told him she liked him, then he had kissed her, then she had made everything confusing, then she had kissed him, and now they were…she paused. What were they? Sakura had never had a boyfriend. Was Gaara her boyfriend now? She felt giddy from the thought of it, but then she remembered her mom saying something about 'guys have to ask permission from a girl's father before they can be a couple'. Sakura suddenly became worried. Her father would never accept Gaara. Not fully. Gaara walked down the steps in a baggy black t-shirt and paint jeans like Sakura had. She smiled to him. Now wasn't the time to think about that. Right now she had a painting party to host...well…at least in ten minutes she did.
Gaara smirked and joined her in a final kiss in the kitchen. They didn't stop until they both heard the doorbell ring. "Ready?" Gaara asked mockingly. "Yup," she answered with a smirk. "Hey what are we now?" she asked truthfully. Gaara blinked and replied, "I don't know." Sakura bit her lip. "Do they need to know just yet?" she asked awkwardly. Gaara gave a half-smirk. "nah." She smiled and gave him one last, small kiss. He let"Hi!" Sakura said happily, leaning to give Hinata a hug. She returned it and they both said "hey." Hinata was dressed much like Sakura, but with a purple shirt instead. Neji's clothes looked almost identical to Gaara's. They each carried a small can of paint and brushes. Sakura invited them in and they went to greet Gaara. Before Sakura could close the door she saw Ten Ten drive up with Naruto's car right behind her. No doubt she had to lead the dumb blonde there. Like the two before them they both walked up with paint cans in hand and paint clothes ready to go. After them was Kiba, who, for the first time since Sakura had met him, was without his trusty dog and fur jacket. Temari and Kankuro had come in the same car, and had to park on the side of the road because Sakura's driveway was now full. Like always, Shikamaru came last, but nobody noticed until he was already there. Thankfully Sakura saw his car parked on the road as well, but couldn't remember when he had driven up. She shrugged it off.
Sakura felt excited hosting her first party. Ok, so it wasn't a party, but it was going to be fun and with her friends. She pulled out some chips and drinks and called for a pizza, but other than that they were already having a good time. The girls wandered through her house, looking in the different rooms and such; while the guys joked around with Gaara (they apparently thought it was hilarious that he had spent nearly an entire hour alone with Sakura, in her house, and most likely—her room). Gaara glared at all of them. He didn't find them funny at all.
As soon as everyone had seen most of her house, Sakura led them all upstairs, helping them carry paint and brushes as well. They looked around her room and commented on the good job that Gaara and Sakura had done.
"Ha! What do you know? They actually did get some work done!" Kankuro said, making the guys laugh (except Gaara, who punched his brother in the back of the head). Sakura decided to get started immediately to avoid any conflicts that were about to start.
"Ok! Thanks so much you guys, for coming and all," she said looking at all of tem. Kiba however, didn't let her finish.
"What are you thanking us for? We're only here to make sure you girls don't leave without having been covered with paint first." He sniggered and the girls glared at him.
"Yeah right, Kiba. If anyone's going to be covered in paint it'll be you guys." Ten Ten said crossing her arms.
"Shut up, Twenty." Kankuro said. Ten Ten fumed.
"Don't call her that." said Neji, eyeing Kankuro evilly. Ten Ten blushed.
"Oh, so you're playing for the girl's team then Neji? Where's your skirt?" Shikamaru said with a smirk. Neji glared.
"I never said we weren't going to cream the girls, I just told him not to call Ten Ten Twenty." He said, smirking at Ten Ten. Her blush disappeared.
"Who said you'd be the one's creaming us?" she asked hotly.
"We did, because you're out-numbered six to four." Said Naruto with an evil grin. Temari huffed.
"You guys stand no chance. If your aim is anything like Kankuro's, you're already beat." She said with a devilish smirk of her own. Kankuro fumed.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he demanded holding up a fist. Temari put one hand on her hip and shrugged.
"Think about it Kankuro. I've been cleaning our house bathrooms for years. Your aim sucks." All the girls laughed and Kankuro turned redder than Gaara's hair.
"How do you know that's not Gaara, huh?" he asked heatedly. He received another whack in the head, courtesy of his little brother.
"It's definitely not me, idiot." Gaara said, face emotionless as ever. Everyone laughed at this, except for Kankuro who was muttering death threats to everyone under his breath. Sakura decided to continue at this point.
"As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted (she shot a mocking glare to Kiba, who grinned), I'm happy you guys came to help me paint my room. So I guess we'll get started then!" she said clapping her hands together and giving a paint can to each person. They all opened their cans to a different color.
Sakura looked into her can. It was light blue. Hinata got light purple. Gaara got a dark-red color. Neji got dark purple. Kiba got a lighter red than Gaara's. Ten Ten got royal blue. Shikamaru got navy blue. Kankuro got a color between red and purple. Temari got emerald green. Naruto got light green.
"Aww!" Naruto whined. "I wanted it to be orange!" They all rolled there eyes at him. Before Naruto could say anything he was bombarded with flying paint. "Hey that's not fair!" He screamed. "No one said start!" Again they all sent strings of paint flying at him. He glared. "Ok, that's it!" He grabbed a brush and dipped it into the light green paint, making sure there was a lot on it. He slung it in a horizontal line so it hit everyone a little bit.
And so the fight began.
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Olly: Ah so sorry! I know, I hate when authors do that too, but I'm running on limited time and resources here. Now please! Review! I beg of you! –chibi eyes- pwease:3