A.N.- Alright...sorry i didnt post this sooner. i had people show up at my house and not leave...how rude right? oh well...
Anyway i had tons of fun writing this chapter and ihope youhave fun reading it! i honestly hope it makes you laugh there is one part where i actually laughed while writing it (I know i'm such a loser for it but i did cannot deny the truth.) if you want to guess which part it was i will tell you.

Thank you to those who reveiwed chapter four, it was very hard to write. a sad naruto...you dont really see that all too much so i wasnt sure if i was doing it right. but thank you for encouraging me about that.

To JPLteen- i'm glad you liked my latest chapter. you think so? with the conflict? hee hee just keep reading you'll see soon how it goes. i hope you will like it.

To HalfBloodPhoenix- so thats what it means? cool! i knew hime meant princess but thank you you taught me two new words! and being a little weird is good...heck being a lot weird is good too. thank you again for the compliment and you mayget to see Gaara be the jealous type soon. i want it in my story so it will be there i'm just not entirely sure when it will come yet. the story is writing itself i'm just doing the typing...

To TOTAL RANDOM- hee hee, naruto is your favorite character from naruto? the way you said that just made me giggle. thanks. you think i got Naruto perfectly...or the chapter? either way, for you to say i did any of it perfectly makes me very happy. srry i couldnt post the chap that day... but i hope you enjoy it now that it is out.

To chikkachoo- yes it made me sad too, poor Naruto having to go through all of that alone...and yeah those stupid villagers were total jerks to him. but at least he has true friends on his side. two of your favorite characters? Naruto and Kiba right? well then you will hopefully like this chapter alot. and dont worry naruhina is coming...because yes they are an absolutely adorable couple.

okay so i hope you like this next chapter and please continue to tell me what you think about my story. thank you so much!
Fanggirlx

Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine...

"Ahhh. Glad that's over! Eh, Sakura?" Naruto laughed.

She giggled along side him.

They'd been in his acceptance meeting for three hours. The committee had been hesitant to allow him in to say the least.

The minute they learned of his name their smiles left and their tones changed.

Apparently even they had heard the rumor of how he lured a sweet little medic-nin into a friendship and then put her in an early grave.

Sakura had felt Naruto go rigid beside her.

His fists balled tightly beside him trembling as he struggled to reign in his anger.

Sakura however felt no desire to reign hers in.

"You pompous idiots! And from who did you hear this story, oh ones who have never even seen Konoha?! Whoever it was, was not a good reliable source! For if they were, you would know that story was not true! CHA! And if you were wise enough to research rumors you've heard you would find that I, Sakura Haruno, am the girl medic-nin he befriended! And I'm not frigging dead am I!? In fact I'm not dead because of Naruto! He saved my ass tons of times! If it weren't for Naruto I would have been in an early grave! And then you jerks stand here and ridicule him and mock him and throw false stories in his face!? How stupid of you! How senseless of you! And if he truly were a killer, why in all that is holy would you mock him?! How stupid could you be! Make it a rule of thumb from now on, morons, if they can kill you without even breaking a sweat don't mock them! Damn you're all dumb!" her fiery eyes faded back to her normal green shade and she reached down to take Naruto's hand. He held it tightly with a trembling grip.

Having her voice back to normal she said haughtily, "And aren't you guys just lucky Naruto isn't really as bad as people say? Or you all would be dead. But instead of lashing out he stood here and took it."

Sakura glared at them one moment longer before saying, "Now, he has good grades on his records for the most part. He was on many sports teams and he is a wonderful person to add to your roster. How about you give him a fair interview this time?"

Scared of starting her back up again they simply nodded in agreement.

She would have laughed at all of their heads moving together in unison like that if the situation hadn't been so serious.

"Now, what say we get down to talking about the real Naruto, eh? No more false rumors, just the plain simple truth. Because this guy here is like my brother and I want him to be treated the way he deserves. You got that?" her voice switched slightly half way though her talking, taking on the much harsher tone her inner opted to use mostly.

Again they did their simultaneous nod and she repressed a giggle. She'd laugh about it later once out of this dumb meeting.

Which she did. And currently still was.

They were now out and her giggling would not, could not stop.

Naruto inquired silently what her issue was.

Giggling even more she struggled to explain, "Committee….nod….together."

Catching onto what she was saying Naruto joined in with her laughter.

"Yeah, I barely held my laugh in at that. And I was pissed at the time. You know that's bad. Man. Can you believe those guys?"

Sakura grabbed his hand, "Don't worry about them. Okay? You know the truth. I know the truth. And all our friends know the truth. That's all that matters right?"

Naruto sighed, "Yeah, but still. It really gets me when people do that, you know? Sends me back, I guess." he admitted.

With a wide grin he rubbed the back of his head, "Well I guess there's nothing we can do right? So why mope about it?"

Sakura nodded, a sad smile on her face.

Suddenly Naruto stopped walking.

"Hey look!" he shouted pointing excitedly.

There in front of them was Kiba walking with Hinata.

Naruto laughed as he raced forward.

"Hey Kiba! Hey Hinata! How's it been going? What are you two up to, huh?"

Sakura rushed to join the others. As she came up she noticed Naruto cast a long side glance at Hinata as Kiba started to tell him all about his recent adventures.

'Interesting. Very interesting, indeed.' Inner Sakura grinned wickedly as she rubbed her hands and began scheming.

Naruto jumped back into the conversation when he heard Kiba mention him not really liking his roommates.

"Yeah? How come? They big jerks or something?"

Kiba laughed, "Nah its nothing like that. 'Least I don't think they are. I may find out they are later as it goes further, though. I mean at least I know them right? Better than total strangers I guess."

Nodding Naruto said, "Yeah I know what you mean. I'm a little curious to see who I'm bunking with. I can't wait actually. We'll be the best of friends by the end of the year I bet!"

Kiba nodded, not saying anything, simply happy to see his old pal back to his old self again. He couldn't help but wonder if it was all thanks to the presence of the pink haired Sakura at his side once again.

"So who exactly are the guys in your room?" Naruto asked.

"Kankuro and Sai." Kiba shrugged.

Naruto laughed, "Sai's here?! No way! I can't wait to find him then! And how's Kankuro doing? He's a lot of fun once you get passed the 'face panit' and 'puppets'." Naruto said making quotations around face paint and puppets.

"Why did you put those quotes like that?" Kiba asked cocking his head to the side, as did Akamaru, which made Sakura almost want squeal with how cute they looked doing the same thing together. But she refrained from doing so, if for nothing more than, if she did squeal then Kiba would never let her live it down.

Naruto covered his mouth trying to calm his laughter as he answered, "Because everyone knows that it's really make-up and dolls."

Kiba joined in the laughter. "Guess that's what happens when you get raised by your sister." he added.

Naruto nodded as his face reddened from laughing so much, "Yeah, but it probably wasn't how we think. I bet the make-up and dolls were hers, and she gave them to Kankuro because she didn't want them and she took his guy things."

As tears formed in his eyes from laughing so hard Kiba replied, "Yeah, because Temari is definitely more manly than Kankuro. She can kick his ass any day of the week I bet! One hit from her and he's probably out cold."

At the thought of a manly Temari sending a cross-dressing Kankuro flying, they fell to the ground laughing.

Sakura rolled her eyes and made an exaggerated face at Hinata making fun of them for being such children.

Hinata giggled.

"Okay guys." Sakura called to the two boys rolling on the sidewalk. "Cut it out."

They gave no sign of even hearing her, much less actually stopping.

Hinata laughed lightly and then whispered something in Sakura's ear.

Grinning evilly Sakura nodded, "Great idea. Thanks Hinata!"

"You're welcome." Hinata answered with a grin.

Sakura cleared her throat, took a deep breath and then shouted, "Oh my god! Temari heard you and she's coming this way! Run Naru! Run Kiba!"

They were on their feet frantically looking around for Temari in seconds flat.

When they realized there really was no threat of being bashed by Temari they turned fairly dark glares on Sakura.

"Now hold on guys…I was just trying to get you to quit laughing." she said slowly backing up a few steps with her arms held in front of her as if to hold them off.

When they began to slowly approach her she shrieked, "It was Hinata's idea! I just screamed it!"

Kiba stopped.

Naruto stopped.

They looked to each other then to Hinata who stood tapping her fingers with a blush on her cheeks.

"Sakura," Naruto started sweetly then changed tones quickly and screaming. "How could you even think that you could get away with an excuse like that!?"

Kiba nodded, "Yeah! Hinata isn't evil incarnate like you are!"

Sakura's eyes flashed for a moment, "What did you just say?"

Akamaru whimpered and ran behind Hinata's leg. Apparently his master was alone on this one.

"N-nothing?" Kiba gulped realizing his mistake. He'd angered the other half of Sakura…the crazy half.

"Yeah, that's what I thought you said." she said angrily.

She turned her back on them to share a grin with Hinata.

As she did Kiba, thinking he'd faced down the evil Sakura and won did a weird little victory dance making faces as he stuck out his tongue at her.

Naruto held in his laugh as he joined in as well.

Sakura whirled around.

They froze mid dance step. Which ended them both on one foot, with the other up in the air out in front of them while both their hands were up at their head making something akin to flapping dog ears on top of their head.

"Thought you were being clever didn't you? Thought I didn't see!?" she growled.

Kiba smirked, "Nah, we wanted you to see."

Naruto looked at him like he was crazy. Then jerked his eyes back to Sakura.

"Well good job boys. I saw it." she said with a wild smile.

Naruto gulped nervously, "Sakura?"

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!" she charged at them with glowing fists.

"Run!" Naruto screamed.

They were off before Sakura took two steps towards them.

Once they disappeared around the corner of one building Sakura stopped and looked back to Hinata.

"How long do you think it will take those two to figure out I'm not chasing them?" she asked with a grin.

--

Twenty minutes.

That's how long it took. Those boys kept running for twenty minutes before they risked looking back only to see nothing.

So they stopped, leaning on their knees panting, trying to catch their breath.

After seeing no Sakura it took Naruto little to almost no time to realize…"She was never behind us!" he gasped out between pants.

Kiba looked up at him from where he was bent over still leaning with his hands on his knees.

"You're kidding."

Naruto shook his head, "Nope. She got us."

Growling, Kiba stood up straight. "Not yet she hasn't." with that being said, he began to march back to where he figured the girls still were. And Akamaru, that traitor…siding with the pretty and scary Sakura.

"Come on, she isn't getting off that easily." Kiba called over his shoulder.

Naruto followed not minding one bit whatever revenge plan Kiba planned on telling him as they returned.

The problem was that something happened they hadn't counted on.

When they reached the girls again they stopped a little ways away and spied on them. Getting ready to attack.

What had they not counted on? As they watched the girls they got caught up in just watching them.

Sakura smiled at something Hinata was saying. After a moment she replied with an goofy grin and that had Hinata cracking up. Literally laughing out loud.

Kiba stood watching with amazement.

"Hinata never laughs like that." he said mostly to himself.

Naruto answered anyway, "Yeah, well, Sakura has this way of making anybody feel fine with being themselves."

"She has a cute smile doesn't she?" Naruto asked seconds later.

Thinking he was referring to the pink haired girl Kiba nodded, "Yeah and Hinata's is cute too."

Naruto glanced at the boy who stood in a daze and decided to not correct him.

Kiba didn't have to know he'd meant Hinata the whole time.

He already knew what Sakura's smile looked like. It was ingrained in his mind. He'd seen it tons of times, been the cause half of those times. Which he delighted in.

But Hinata's was such a rare thing to see…he was really happy he got a chance to see it. Not to mention hear her laugh. That was really great too.

Quickly shaking his head to clear those thoughts he placed a hand on Kiba's shoulder.

"Well, I think she won." the brown haired boy muttered. "There's no way I could pull my plan of attack and ruin things for them with them looking like that."

Naruto laughed at the boy, "She won before we even started running."

Shaking his head Kiba grinned, "Women."

"Ain't it the truth." Naruto agreed.

They rejoined the girls and sat with them in the shade of a tree. They started chatting once again.

After awhile Naruto decided Hinata was being too quiet. He wanted to hear her voice more.

Turning his dancing blue eyes on Hinata, Naruto grinned.

"So Hinata, who are you living with?"

A dark blush dusted her cheeks.

"W-well, um, I-I'm actually living with S-Sakura and T-Temari."

Naruto's eyes widened, "No Kidding!?"

Her blush darkened more as she answered with a small nod.

"Yep. She and Puffles are my roomies." Sakura said.

Naruto's eyes went to her, and he sat there just staring at her.

And she knew why.

She hadn't told him.

"Sorry, I hadn't told you yet. I was just focusing on getting you into the school first." she offered in way of apology.

With a slight nod he smiled, "Don't sweat it, Saka." he said.

Nothing in how he'd said it implied that she should in fact sweat it, but she knew she should. He was angry and probably a little hurt because of this. But he'd matured apparently, because looking at him now no one would know he was upset at all. Years before he would have probably sat pouting through the rest of the conversation.

Naruto faced Hinata again, "Well it looks like I'll be seeing you a lot then. I'll probably be with Sakura in her dorm more than my own. Right, Sakura?"

"Most likely." she answered, shrugging.

Subtly she studied Hinata's reaction. And she watched Naruto carry on like nothing was bothering him.

Oh, the plan is forming. Yes it's forming quite nicely. Inner Sakura cackled happily. Just look at them!

"O-oh. W-well that'll be fun t-then w-won't it?" was her soft reply.

"You bet!" Naruto exclaimed.

Flashing both Kiba and Hinata a happy grin he grabbed Sakura's hand and stood. Wishing them a good rest of the day he quickly pulled Sakura along and ran off.

Once they were out of range of their friends he stopped, let go of her hand and whirled around to face her.

"Now Naru, I was going to tell you. Honest." Sakura said.

"Oh yeah? When?" he challenged as he glared at her.

"When we were in you dorm room. I was going to bring it up in a casual, 'oh, this is who you live with? This is who I live with' sort of thing." she admitted lowering her head so she couldn't see his face.

His glare softened.

"You still plan out how and what to say when talking to people, don't you?" he questioned knowingly.

"Yeah." she answered quietly ashamed.

"You don't have to with me you know." he replied with a gentle smile.

"I usually wouldn't, but…I know Hinata is a touchy subject for you."

"She's not a touchy subject." Naruto shrugged, feigning indifference.

"Oh really?" she countered.

"Yep. Really." he answered.

"You'll be over now more than you ever were going to be, like as much as you can be, aren't you"" she smirked.

"Yep. You know it."

"Believe it?" she teased.

Laughing he agreed, "Believe it."

Throwing an arm around her shoulders as she tossed hers around his waist they started walking.

"Now how about we go grab some food before we go check out my new home?" Naruto asked with a hopeful look.

Giggling at his priorities of food before home Sakura nodded, "Sounds good."

"Great! I'm starving! Let's go!" the blond cheered happily as he took off for the cafeteria.

--

In the campus cafeteria Sakura watched amused as Naruto ran about bouncing from one place to another greeting and chatting with old friends that he spotted.

Smiling softly to herself she scanned the huge room.

As she surveyed the place, frosty black rimmed eyes met hers.

The wattage behind her smile doubled and she could've sworn his eyes had widened in the tiniest fraction as if he were shocked.

Gaara.

The one person her mind had been thinking about off and on since this morning when she awoke from a strange but curiously nice dream in the cradled warmth of someone's embrace. And her mind had instantly told her that it had to be the same man who had graced her dreams that night that was currently sharing her bed.

Gaara.

Sighing happily she'd rolled over expecting unruly blood red hair and an intense aquamarine gaze studying her as she slept. Instead, she found unruly blond hair and whiskered cheeks nuzzling her as he snored lightly.

Waking to Naruto was no bad thing. She loved the boy with all her heart; but as a brother.

Nothing more.

Back when they'd been training as chunin one day they'd sat down and talked it out and decided there really was nothing more than a deep family love between them.

So waking up to your brother when expecting the troubled sand master was a slight let down. Especially when the dream you were waking from had said sand master playing an amazing role of protective lover.

She'd always had suspicions that she liked Gaara. It seemed to her it had started back in Suna when she'd spent so much time with him.

The thing was she'd never really bothered to look in to it too far.

Why?

Because, One- He was Kazekage. Which meant he was extremely busy and could already have a planned marriage.

And Two- He was Gaara. Gaara didn't very much like people and though he's her friend she doubted he'd drop and banish all thoughts of his one life rule just for her.

And that rule was? Simple really-love no one but yourself.

If Gaara only loved Gaara there was no way he could also love Sakura.

But just because she was mildly attracted to him and just because she'd sometimes find him playing various role in her dreams didn't mean she was in love with the guy or wanted him to be in love with her. No, she convinced herself, it was nothing like that.

She was simply interested. That was all.

But Sakura knew she could ignore that little fact and simply enjoy being his friend.

That in and of itself was a very, very rare position to hold. She was honored to have it.

So she wouldn't let her little crush get in the way of their friendship. She'd be the best friend he could possibly have and enjoy her time spent in the presence of the powerful and brooding Gaara.

Sakura made her way over to him.

Gaara was leaning against a wall away from everyone, watching everything with cold indifferent eyes.

Few were welcomed into his world. She was one of those few. And that was enough for her.

"Hey Gaara! Good morning." she greeted happily, as she came up to him and hugged him.

The boy before her froze, tensing at her touch.

He glanced around the cafeteria and was relieved to find no one had seen her. He jerked her away from him.

"What are you doing?"

His voice came out a little harsher than he'd intended but, eh, it got the point across.

Sakura tilted her head, confused. "What?"

Well…it usually got the point across.

"Why did you do that?"

"Oh!" she exclaimed as understanding dawned in her eyes.

Gaara watched her shrug and lean into him again. Bracing her away from him by placing his hands on her shoulders hoping to hold her in place, Gaara shook his head.

"Why?"

"Duh, silly. I made you my best friend last night or don't you remember?"

He simply stared at her. She'd been serious?

"And well, I'm happy right now because my one and only other best friend is back and he's alright. So I wanted a hug from my other best friend. Is that so wrong? I just wanted to share my joy with you, Gaara."

"I don't really want it."

"What? Why not?"

"Its your joy. Keep it." he shrugged.

"Fine." she pouted momentarily.

Thinking she'd stay off him now he released her, and breathed an inner sigh of relief when she didn't move.

Then she was hugging him again.

"What is it now?" he asked.

She shrugged, "I want give you joy of your own. Hugs make people happy."

The child like innocence in her words almost won him over.

Almost.

He pushed her off again.

"Thank you but, no."

"Oh, but Gaara, you promised."

"Yes. To allow hugs when we needed them. You do not need one."

"I do now. My best friend doesn't want anything to do with me."

Huffing he muttered, "Fine."

Then like a robot moving, he raised his arms a little and held them out the slightest bit as if holding a box out but nothing was in his hands.

Sakura realized he was granting permission for a hug.

Smiling brightly she leaned into him again.

"Told you I liked hugs." she said with a giggle.

Gaara patted her back awkwardly.

After a moment he decided she'd been on him long enough.

"Good?"

"Yes good. Thank you, Gaara." she said with a giggle as she took a step back and smiled happily at him.

He felt his chest tighten and the sudden desire to hold her against him again overtook him.

Ignoring such stupid feelings and notions he nodded and leaned back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, eternal scowl still in place.

Sakura leaned against the wall as well and copied his stance and posture as well as his facial expression.

Glancing at her through the corner of his eye he saw what she was doing. And she looked ridiculous, because she was trying to appear intimidating when she rarely ever was. Not this Sakura anyway…

Naruto walked up to them as he finished off a cheeseburger and studied Sakura a moment before grinning at Gaara, "Hey, buddy."

He gave the boy a simple nod of recognition.

"What's she doin'?" Naruto asked jerking a thumb at Sakura who had not moved since taking her place on the wall.

Gaara shrugged, "Not sure."

Studying her a moment longer Naruto shrugged and went to stand by her side, taking on the same pose and expression.

Gaara nearly sighed.

This was going to be a long year if he would have to tolerate both of them like this.

When he got back, the Sunan council was in for a long hellish experience, for making him come to college and endure this.

Required his ass, they just wanted him gone for a while.

Well he'd be back, and he'd take his office back, and his damn paperwork too.

Casting another glance at the two mock scowling beside him he decided that yes, even mountains of paperwork would be better than this.

He noticed with annoyance that others were beginning to look at them and whisper amongst themselves.

Oh yes, this was definitely going to be one very long year.