AN: Sorry about the long wait for an update things in life got a little strange. I am going to try to update at least once a week which will be a Monday to Monday. Thank you all for the great reviews it makes me happy. Ok enough of that on with the story.

Talents

Gaara sat atop the roof of Konoha High the stick of his previously consumed lollipop sat lazily between his lips. He wasn't sure if it was, because of the fact he wanted a cigarette or if he was to lazy to spit it out. His mind went back to the class room, and what Kakashi had said about him being behind. Biting down on the stick in irritation he cursed his teachers assumptions. The red head hated when anyone assumed the knew something about another being. It was pure arrogance on the persons part. Hearing the bell Gaara walked back inside, and melted into the crowd of students as the left class.

Naruto sighed in annoyance as he moved against the tide of students. Clutching a piece of paper he scanned the crowd again. If he didn't hurry he was going to be late for his next class. He shuddered at the mere thought. Taking a moment he weighed his options either continue to look for the elusive red head, and give him the literature assignment or be late to his next class. He cursed Kakashi-sensei for giving him such a task it wasn't like he was class president or anything. Sighing he stuffed the assignment into his bag, and turned around heading to his next class.

Skidding to a stop Naruto brushed a hand through his hair. Regaining his breathing he entered the class everyone dreaded being late for. Lucky for him he made it with a few moments to spare. He let out a soft laugh at the cause of his delay. His friend Sai had grabbed him in the hall and asked for a moment of his time. The blonde agreed not knowing what he was getting him self into. Sai had asked Naruto to explain the difference between love and lust. Naruto tried to explain to the best to his knowledge the difference between the two. He himself had mistaken lust for love before that being the reason Sai sought him out. He had read a book on the two and couldn't tell the difference. Naruto never minded helping his friend when it came to help with emotions and making friends. It did annoy him though that some bastard was out there that caused his friends emotional retardation. After about five minutes of explanation Sai finally got the difference. Giving Naruto one of his genuine smiles he left for his next class.

"Your awful cheerful for someone that was almost late to Anko-sensei's class," a bored yet amused voice came for the desk next to the one he was about to sit in bringing him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah its funny how dodging life threatening situations puts one in a good mood," Came Naruto's reply

The blonde let out a chuckle as his friend raised an eyebrow at his wit. Naruto took in his friends appearance noticing something different. His black hair was in its trademark pineapple pony tail. His brown eyes had a heavy look to them that was probably due the fact he wanted a nap. He was wearing a plane white t-shirt and blue jeans. About to give up he caught a glimpse of metal at the top of his ear.

"Shikamaru you got a new piercing," the blonde pointed out "when did this happen,"

Shikamaru grinned slightly "this weekend," he spoke lazily before putting his head on his desk.

Shikamaru laughed to himself at his friends observation. As always his friend was sharp as a tack not much missed the blondes attention. Most people would say it was because the blonde was ADHD which could be true. What most people didn't realize was how smart Naruto really was. That was proven in his quick wit earlier and the fact that he was one of the top students. The blonde never bragged about it though he was afraid that if people knew the would shun him. Just like when he was little. He was truly afraid to be alone. Shikamaru knew this he was finally being accepted not only in school but the community as well. To be afraid that his friends would disown him cause of his intelligence was irrational but Naruto knew this he couldn't help being afraid though. All of his friends were within the top 20% of there class. That didn't stop the fear though so he adopted a prankster care free attitude and lived by it.

Shikamaru was brought out of his thoughts as the door slammed inward. A slender women with a wicked grin on her face walked in. She wore a yellow trench coat with two much fishnet underneath and a plan brown skirt. Her eyes were brown that were partly hidden by her bangs and the back was pulled into a pony tail. She looked more like a hooker or student then a teacher, but here test results and overall grades proved that her teaching methods were effective. That's was because in Shikamaru eyes the women was the devil incarnate. She was had a short temper which caused her to at times so students really didn't want to upset her.

The grin should have been the precursor to know she was up to something wicked. They would have never guessed that she planned a surprise quiz on the early history of the Fire Country. One of Naruto's best subjects was history, and with Shikamaru being a genius they were not to worried about it. Once the were prompted to begin there pencil flew across the paper with such a speed that one would be afraid the paper would catch fire. Naruto and Shikamaru had a healthy competition to see who could finish there test first. They weren't allowed to fill in random answer they had to be what the believed to be correct. If the test came back less then an average for them and the won the win would not count. They used to go to see who could get the higher grade as well but Naruto soon gave up knowing Shikamaru almost always got a perfect grade.

After Anko's class it was Naruto's free period. He his hands were itching to touch the thing he desired. Melting into the crowd he walked easily to the auditorium. Once he entered he gave the place a quick look around satisfied that no one was there he made his way to the stage. In the center of the stage sat a grand piano sitting on the bench he let his hands ghost over the lid. Lifting the lid he began to play.

A hunted low sound began to swell in the room. Everything the music touched seemed to get covered in a sad lonely aura. Every time a cored was struck the blondes facial features would contort as he tried to hide his pain. He gave up as a single tear slide down his check. This is ok he thought here its fine to be myself. As the song died down he began to change tone and tune. Everything began to take on a light happy aura. This sound seemed to fit the blonde more then the previous.

In the back of the auditorium sat Gaara sketch pad in hand the way blonde played called for him to start a new piece. He had snuck into the auditorium with the intention of taking a nap, but the blonde was already occupying the space. He was going to leave and head to the roof, but the sight of the blonde stunned him. He seemed to be a different person as he sat at the piano. The blonde looked to be at peace yet on the path to wage war. What got him to sketch though was once the blonde began to play. Such raw emotion was like a conduit for his art. He could not fight the urge he needed to capture the music.

Naruto was completely oblivious to the presences of another in the room. He was lost in his own world cerulean eyes hidden behind eyelids. He was in deep concentration as the tempo began to pick up and swell. His head bobbing slightly as his hands danced across the keys. There was a smile on the blonde face as the light tone filled the room and bounced of the surface. It was not nearly as loud as the first song he played but that did not diminish the effect. As soon as it began it ended as the shrill sound of the bell cut threw the music like butter. The spell broken Naruto shut the lid and opened his eyes. His head snapped to audience chairs when he heard a sigh, but saw nothing.

"Must have been my imagination," he thought.

"What was Blondie," Came a voice and punch from his left.

The blonde turned to see a wild looking teen with brown hair the went in ever direction. His brown eyes held a mischievous glint to them with red fangs tattooed underneath them. He was wearing black shorts and a gray t-shirt.

"Kiba what's up," Naruto said pushing the teen of the stage.

"Ow that hurt," Kiba said landing on his butt "lets go to lunch,"

Naruto snickered as he jumped of the stage and helped his friend up. He ran to the door after Kiba was on his feet. Kiba was right behind him laughing as he burst threw the doors. Gaara let out another sigh as he picked himself up from his hiding place, and began to put his belongings in his bag. Picking up his sketch pad he was shocked at what he saw. It was a back view of an old gothic style castle in ruins in the background with a cemetery in the foreground. The tombs were off center and only one spire of the castle was in tact. What was different about this piece compared to his others was that a light shown down from the heavens illumining part of the castle. . The themes the red head pieces usually came out in was dread, fear, death, and terror. He grinned this piece gave off a since of hope even if it still held a haunted aspect to it. Tucking the sketch pad under his arm he continued to gather his things. Satisfied he had everything he headed to lunch.

Gaara sat alone in the back of the cafeteria picking at his food. He really wasn't hunger but understood the need to eat. He was lost in his own thoughts so he did not realize the approach of another in till the were across from him.

"Hey anyone in there," came a voice and hand waving in his face

The red head just swatted the hand away and looked up. It was the obnoxiously loud yet interesting blonde boy. Gaara had no idea why the blonde was at his table. When he first came in he saw the blonde sitting with a rather large group of friends. Was he here to ask to be friends or make fun of him? The blonde continued to stare at Gaara and it was beginning to get on his nerves. The change in Gaara's eyes must have clewed Naruto in because he began to speak.

"Sorry about that," Naruto said running a hand threw his hair "hear this is tonight's literature assignment Kakashi-sensei asked me to give it to you,"

Gaara took the paper and seat it next to him. Putting his head back down he hoped the boy would leave after his errand.

"You know you don't have sit alone," The blonde said "you can sit with me and my friends,"

Gaara looked at Naruto as if he had five heads. Yeah he was sure someone was going to try to befriend him, but not this boy. Usually the only ones that approach him are the Goths or Emo kids. They felt that he belonged with them because of the similarities in dress style and music. But here stood a seemingly "normal" boy asking him to sit with his friends and him. He didn't know what to do he was sick of being alone, but could he trust these kids. He decide against it and put his head back down completely ignoring the blonde.

"Well the offer remains good if you ever decide you want to," Naruto said slightly sad.

Returning to his table Naruto began to eat. He had a slight pout on his lips that went unnoticed by the rest of the group. Except one the raven haired teen sitting next to him.

"Why were you talking to that loser?" said teen asked.

"He's not a loser Sasuke," Naruto said defiantly "he is interesting"

"You don't even know him Naruto," Sasuke said trying to reason with him

"Yeah but he seems familiar," the blonde said dropping his fork

" I have to agree with Sasuke," Sakura said "just look at him he looks do you think he know that black is not the only color,"

"I assume yes since black is the absorption of all colors," Sai said "its actually not a color it self"

"Shut up artsy I was just saying its creepy," she responded

"Its just another way of expressing yourself," Naruto said trying to ignore his rising temper.

"Well he should find a more natural way of doing so," Sakura said

Naruto realized the stares they were getting from the surrounding tables. The weren't actually being quiet while the discussed the new kid. They were getting glares from the Emo and Goths tables as well as approving smug looks form the jocks and yearbook tables. It was all very annoying to Naruto he didn't understand why cliques excited in the first place. All they did was dived people and pit them against each other.

His temper reached the point of no return and couldn't help the words that exited his mouth "un-natural that's funny Sakura coming form the girl that dies her hair pink," he snapped.

His friends gave him puzzled looks at his outburst. It was no secret that Naruto used to have a crush on her. Now the were best friends and he was almost like siblings. He never lost his temper before with her so it was odd seeing it happen now.

"Sorry Sakura," Naruto said though he wasn't he just wanted the starring to stop.

After that there was no more talk of Gaara or anything of importance for that matter. Everyone kept glancing at Naruto who had seemed to have calm down. He was talking a lot per usually and kind of excited but no one wanted to set him off. The blonde seemed a little off to everyone.

"Hey guys want to come over tonight?" Naruto asked the group

"Sorry Naruto not tonight family dinner," Sasuke answered

"Me and Ino are going out," Sakura said off handed she was still mad at Naruto for saying her self expression was un-natural. He didn't really but that's the way she was taking it.

One after another came the excesses. The majority of them were true but the blonde knew some were full out lies. After lunch the all went to class. Naruto really didn't have class with anyone for the remainder of the day and if he did he didn't speak to them. Not because he was mad but he had nothing to say. The rest of the day went on un-eventfully.

The end of the day came by fast for the blonde yet he wasn't ready to go home. He had no reason to. He also had no reason to stay out either. He walked home in a daze not really caring about his pace. Once the blonde reached his house he sighed as all the lights were off. He let him self in and threw his jacket on the couch.

"I'm home," He said not expecting an answer

The house was dead he was the only leaving being there, and it tore at his soul. No matter how hard he wished for someone to be there when he got there he knew it would never happen. Those days were gone. I need to get out of here he thought as he walked into his room.

Xxx

And another one bites the dust. Second chapter w00t that was a blast to write. Again I apologize for such a long wait never again shall that happen. Please review.