AN: Hey guys it's been absolutely ages! I said it before but i'll say it again, i have exams so im really sorry for the delay, i'm posting this chapter as an apology and just to let you know that there probably wont be another update till either the end of May or the end of June because that's around the time that my exams end.

I hope you wish me luck because my first exam is on Tuesday and i also hope you enjoy this chapter ;D

Thank you: Kessapearl for favouriting.

Thank you: embagshot and Kessapearl for following.

Review replies at the bottom! ;)

The Worries

S

I could feel the stares on me as soon as I walked into school late that Wednesday. Well they weren't on my but on the scowling truant behind me who I had forced to come to school.

Just as my brother had promised he was walking into Gaara's apartment exactly 10 minutes after I had called him with a uniform just Gaara's size in hand. How he got Gaara's size was unbeknownst to me but I thought it would be better if I didn't ask.

The two of us had to basically force the uniform onto the soggy wet red head and smuggle him into my brother's car so he could drive us to school. The drive was long and silent but I was inwardly rejoicing over the fact that I no longer needed to worry about whether or not I would make it in time for the project. I had 3 other people at the ready (if I ignored Gaara's reluctance), the whole friend farce was now over.

But thoughts like that brought me to Naruto and had me worrying once again if he would leave me and assuring myself that I didn't need him anyways. My sighing got so bad that Gaara had to promise that he would go to school from now on as long as I stopped sighing for the rest of the ride.

That's where we found ourselves at the moment, walking through school to the lunch hall where I knew Naruto would be waiting, I hadn't given him my number so I knew he was probably dying to call me and find out why I had skipped the first half of school. But he wouldn't need my number anymore; he would see Gaara by my side and find no other reason to stay with me.

Unknowingly I let out another sigh and got a smack to the back of my head, I glared at the abomination behind me, "you promised to stop doing that, why are you still doing that?" He hissed in an annoyed fashion.

My glare deepened, "I was just remembering how your stubbornness made us miss the first half of school; couldn't you just be a good little boy and get in the car quietly?"

I saw him smirk in amusement at how weird that sentence sounded, "which reminds me, how is your brother supposed to get us out of trouble?" He questioned as I quickly opened my locker and got the books I would need for the last two lessons, one of which was coincidentally History.

"Well," I started with a glare as Gaara threw his bag into my locker before I could close it, "Itachi knows a lot of people, and a lot of people are scared of Itachi. It's not that hard to guess he probably resorted to threatening."

Before he could manage a reply I pushed open the doors to the lunch hall and strode over to the now familiar table with purpose. I took a seat in a space probably left for me between Hinata and Naruto and gestured with a smirk for Gaara to sit opposite me, next to Neji.

As we sat the whole table went silent, "where have you been Sasuke?" Shino was the one to ask surprisingly, I shrugged, "just picking up an idiot."

I received a glare at that but only smirked back at the angry red head, "Gaara needs to re-familiarised himself with the school," a mischievous smile grew on my face, "Neji would you mind showing him around."

In an instant the brunet's face blushed a deep red and after some prodding from TenTen he nodded feebly and stood. Although slightly reluctant, the red head also stood and made to leave but I stopped him, "wait."

Turning to me expectantly I quickly threw him a plastic bag I got from my bag. He reached inside and brought out a sandwich, "you need to eat."

Looking at me with narrowed eyes for a moment he nodded as if in thanks before leaving the room with a fumbling Neji on his heels.

N

When Sasuke sat next to me at lunch it was like a weight had just been lifted from my shoulders.

When he didn't show up for English I convinced myself that he was only running late and that he would eventually show up later in the lesson and correct my spelling in my homework the way he did last lesson.

When I couldn't find him in Chemistry I realised he was never late and came to the conclusion that he was sick and got so worried I didn't catch a word my teacher said about carboxylic acids.

After break time I didn't see him on his way to his French lesson and recalled that Sasuke Uchiha was never sick and therefore let dread overtake me and think that he must be skipping school to avoid me. He must have hated my advances so much that he refused to go to school anymore; this is how I found myself bumping into almost every door on the way to German.

Sitting in Maths I remembered that he was the one to kiss me on the bus yesterday and would rather confront me about things that run away so I persuaded myself once again that Sasuke was just sick, he was after all only human, right?

It's safe to say I was a complete wreck that morning and obviously I wasn't the only one to notice it. "Are you ok Naruto?" Sasuke asked me with concern lacing his soft voice as I started after Gaara who had just left the lunch hall.

I felt dread run through my veins as I thought about the guy, don't get me wrong he seemed like a cool guy, I'm sure we'd be the best of friends soon but it was the fact that he was the last person Sasuke needed. He had fulfilled the requirement and no longer needed me to hang out with him.

"Naruto?"

If I had no excuse to see him what would I do with myself? I loved him, I really really loved the guy sitting next to me yet I could do nothing about it; he already knew how I felt and it was up to him to make the next move.

"Oi Naruto."

But I didn't want him to have the next move, what if he didn't do anything, what if he just walked out of my life and there was nothing I could do about it.

I was knocked out of my reverie by an elbow in my ribs. Spluttering in amazement I swung around to face Sasuke who was looking at me with amusement clear on his face.

"What's up with you?" He asked, shifting closer to me on the bench but I couldn't stand being close to him, not if he was just going to leave.

Plastering a fake smile on my face I stood up, "nothing, I'm really glad you convinced Gaara to come to school, you know?"

I saw Sasuke flinch but I didn't let myself get affected and I slung my bag over my shoulder, "I've got some things to do; I'll see you later, OK?"

S

I didn't see Naruto for the rest of the day after he said that. I couldn't catch a glimpse of his bright blond hair on my way to history like I usually did; the only reason I knew he didn't just skip the rest of the school day is that Hinata told me that Kiba told her that he would walk home with Naruto that day.

I tried to forget about it, tried to focus on unloading my books and ignore the stairs Gaara was getting from where he sat behind me (Shino and Hinata flanked my sides). When I felt one particularly irritating stare on the side of my head I turned and glared and the long haired blonde who I mildly associated with Sakura.

"What?" I hissed at her exasperatedly, inwardly smirking when she jumped in surprise.

Stepping forward hesitantly, she looked into my eyes, "are you the one who convinced Gaara to come to school?" I raised an eyebrow at her bold tone and I could tell Gaara had stiffened from behind me.

"So what if he was?" Shino asked as I continued to get my things out paying no mind to the blonde who opened her mouth to reply but was cut off buy Iruka-sensei finally entering the classroom causing everyone to take their seats and the girls who used to sit where Gaara and Hinata currently resided scramble to find an empty one.

I let out a chuckle as Iruka did a double take when Gaara answered his name in the register. The man then noted me and the people around me and raised an eyebrow before turning back to the class. I guess Naruto had yet to tell his adoptive parent about his role in me finding friends.

My thoughts were once more brought back to Naruto who, I felt, was avoiding me. It hurt to think that he didn't want to talk to me, even if I did expect it to happen eventually but it hurt even more to experience getting ignored by him.

All throughout biology he sat next to me like he usually did but refused to talk or look at me. Even I didn't expect how much that would hurt me.

N

For the first time in what felt like ages, but was actually a week and a half, Kiba and I were going home together. We walked home in a comfortable silence as I tried and failed to keep my thoughts from straying to a certain Uchiha.

"Is it just me or has the population at our lunch table increased?" Kiba broke the silence with a teasing question causing a small smile to break out on my face, "that's kinda what Sasuke and I were aiming for but don't worry, Gaara was the last one." I couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Kiba looked concerned, "hey Naruto are you ok?"

I nodded vehemently but I knew Kiba wasn't convinced, he was my best friend, I should just come clean, "I was just thinking that I should have taken your warning about one sided love more seriously."

Despite my bitterness Kiba just nodded, "yeah you should've, I told you that after experiencing the pain of rejection myself."

I stayed silent, Kiba did warn me, he had every right to chastise. "But I've now experienced the joy of mutual love and because of that I can tell you right now, don't give up."

I looked up in shock at Kiba's smiling face which, at that moment, looked surprisingly wise, "yeah sure, it hurts now but it'll feel so much better when you both like each other."

My shoulders slumped, that was impossible, Sasuke would never return my feelings, he would never make the next move. "But what if he never likes me?" My voice was weak, I hated it but Kiba grabbed my shoulders and shook me out of my wallowing, "why should that stop you? Do all you possibly can to make him like you and if it doesn't work out at least you can say you tried right?"

Looking at Kiba in amazement I realised how much he had grown without me even noticing, the whole ordeal with Hinata had took a lot of courage and perseverance and made him change. There I was stumbling in self-pity rather than giving my best friend advice on how he should approach the new relationship he was obviously so nervous about.

I smiled brightly; Kiba knew what was right so I would trust Kiba, "Thanks Kiba."

He shrugged continued walking; I hadn't even noticed that we had stopped, "no problem man, what are friends for?"

Omake

Neji

I followed Gaara blindly through the school as I tried to cool my flaming face. I was currently cursing and thanking Sasuke at the same time in my head for granting me this opportunity.

I hadn't seen Gaara in almost a year yet he had changed. I chanced a glance at his big back that walked ahead of me and marvelled at the fact that he was now taller than me despite being a year below and although he spent all his time in his house it was obvious he had built up in the muscle department.

I sighed softly, almost longingly as I watched him walk, I had this chance to talk to him yet I knew I wouldn't even be able to speak; I would splutter and stutter and he would think I was a crazy person and never speak to me again.

Not noticing Gaara stop, I kept walking until I bumped into his back. I stumbled back and tried to apologise but he cut in, "oi, tour guide."

I glanced up at him as he ate the sandwich that Sasuke had given him, "where are we?"

Looking around I opened my mouth to reply when I realised something, "where are we?"

Gaara

I watched in amusement as my tour guide flailed his arms in panic. He seemed like a composed person but he probably went crazy when he panicked.

Once I had finished my sandwich and had thrown my rubbish on the floor I went up to him, "hey."

Before I could say anything he walked past me and picked up the rubbish and threw it in a nearby bin. He turned and glared at me, "if there's a bin near you why would you even think of throwing your rubbish on the floor?"

I noticed for the first time that his eyes were wide and pale, some would call them beautiful, I think I was one of those some. Shaking out of my surprise I smirked and took a step closer to him, "that's the first time you've ever looked me in the eye tour guide."

His scowl only deepened but it was quite hard to miss the light blush that appeared on his pale cheeks, "I have a name you know."

An eyebrow rose, "and what would that be?" I took another step closer, this boy was very amusing. He took a step back as a disappointed frown settled on his face, "you didn't pay attention when Sasuke said it earlier?"

I shook my head and I could see his face fall, "I don't care if it doesn't interest me," I took two more steps forward so that our bodies were almost touching and tilted his chin up with my hand, "but now you interest me."

A deep blush spread across the boy's face and I could feel my smirk widening, "what's your name?" I breathed out as I leant even closer to him.

We stayed that way for a second before his hands rose to my chest and he pushed me away from him, I opened my mouth to protest but he held up his hand. "I'll tell you my name, after we get back to civilisation, agreed?"

I nodded, "agreed."

He huffed happily and straightened his uniform, "good."

I watched with a genuine smile as he walked away, maybe I had a reason to come to school from now on.

Review Replies:

Misakichan123: I 100% agree, that's why i put it in ;)

Uzumaki Naho: Haha who doesn't like Gaara? If that's what you're like im sure we'll be great friends ;D Aww thanks, i try my best to keep it cute.

hikora: I hope you wondered right, sorry for the wait :)

berry5tz: Woah that's good, i hope you're like up to the moon for this chapter then even though it wasn't that cute... Itachi's the best brother anyone could ever hope for honestly XD Aww thanks, although i haven't done them yet i really appreciate it, studying had been reeeally tough.

(Guest): Umm thanks for being honest i guess... you really shouldn't read these kind of stories if you hate gay people...

kirito1234567890: thanks for letting me know.

No he needs 4 people in the group including him so he only needs 3 more people who are Shino Hinata and Gaara.

Still fighting what?

keltieful: No worries, everybody had those phases :D That's true Sasuke really needs to learn about a lot of things, there is some Gaara and Neji in this chapter so i hope you liked it ;) I thought about it, i considered it and let me be honest i think that may be the best idea I've ever heard of... Iruka's part will appear in due time my friend just await him patiently plus i've already thought of a super cute way to let them realise their love for each other ;] Don't worry, i wont judge you.

AN thank you guys for being so patient, if you havent already please go read the AN at the top to know when the next update will be, hoped you guys liked it and see you after exams ;D