A.N.- Okay here is chapter 6. it is kind of short. i just have to warn all readers. Sasuke is coming. he will show up in this chapter. to those of you who hate Sasuke- I am sorry. But hopefully you won't hate my version too much. to those of you who love Sasuke the way he is- I am sorry to you too. Hopefully you won't be angry at how i change him. his change isnt very evident in this chapter but definitely in chapter 7 it starts to show. i just didnt want to write an evil sasuke and the douche sasuke was getting old you know? so i tried to change things up with him a little bit. i know i said in the first chapter i would keep them as close as possible to their characters? well...sorry but i guess i lied about Sasuke. he will not be an emo life hating jerk in this story.

anyway i'd like to thank my reveiwers again! you guys are the best part of writing this. really you are!

To chikkachoo- Thank you! i'm really glad you thought Naruto and Kiba were funny. and now that you mention it...i can see Rock Lee in them a little...oops? maybe he has rubbed off on them? (probably a bad thing...) and yep that was my first real hint at naruhina for this story. it will get more attention after a few more gaasaku focused chapters. and dont worry about the planned marriage thing-that was just Sakura making excuses. like anybody in Suna has enough balls to tell Gaara who to marry. yeah right. just picture it, 'Gaara you are marrying this woman.' gaara looks at woman then man who informed him he was marrying her and simply says 'no.' then kills them both or...tosses them out of his building through the window. either way...he gets rid of them and the problem. so yeah no arranged marriages for Gaara. i hope you like this chapter!

To HalfBloodPhoenix- Thanks bunches! i really want people to love Sakura and Naruto's relationship. i imagine them very close even if they aren't in love. so thanks. Gaara made you mad huh? yeah he tends to do that with people, but he didnt want to show much emotion in that chapter especially after the last one he'd been in. he demanded a break, so i let him be grumpy in the next chapter. be warned in this next chapter he's a little better but not much. his mood swings take a while to get out of i guess.

To itachi2011- Thank you so much! You guessed it. that was the part that made me laugh out loud as i wrote it. the faces i had them making in my head almost had me in the floor with laughter to be honest. imaginations are fun...so anyway it is great to know someone else found that part funny too. i hope you continue to enjoy my story!

To JPLteen- lol yep sorry. i just couldnt resist doing naruhina. i'm glad you like that couple. cuz they're cute. and no sorry though i loved the manly Temari kicking tranny Kankuro's butt that wasnt the part i laughed at. the part was actually the end when Sakura and Naruto mimic gaara. just picturing them posed like him scowling like him with him practically rolling his eyes at them...i just had to laugh. but i'm just happy you laughed at a part in my story. well i mean a funny part. if you laughed at a sad part or something that wouldnt be as good...so i'm glad you didnt. and about Hinata...really?! oh no. i didnt know i was. could you tell me how i made her ooc and please, pretty please tell me how i can fix her! i dont want to write Hinata wrong. she's too cute to do that to. besides if i plan on doing naruhina and my hina half is bad then wont Naruto be falling for the wrong Hinata? and that just will not do! so please, if you can tell me how to fix her oocness. it would be much appreciated. and thanks for the warning. ;)

alright thanks to everyone else who is still reading my story! i hope you guys all enjoy what comes next!
and incase you missed the warning up top...yeah i put Sasuke in my story. but hopefully he's a good version.
Fanggirlx

Disclaimer: not mine, not mine, naruto is not mine.

Sakura was strolling down the sidewalk alongside Naruto and Gaara. Naruto's belly was finally full and he was now excited to see his new home.

"I mean, I wonder who my roommates are! I bet we'll have tons of fun! You think so, Sakura?" he asked cheerfully.

She laughed, "With you Naruto they'd have to be crazy not to have fun."

"Thanks, Saka." he beamed at her. Suddenly his eyes grew wide. "Oh gosh!"

"What?" Sakura gasped, thinking something was wrong.

"I forgot my stuff! I can't move in without that!" Naruto exclaimed, "You guys wait right here. I gotta go get it!"

Before either Sakura or Gaara could protest the hyper blond dashed off.

"What stuff? He didn't have anything with him. What's that guy talking about?" Sakura muttered as she watched him disappear from sight.

Gaara said nothing, he simply stepped off the sidewalk and went over to lean against the closest tree.

Sakura followed his example and joined him at the tree, but instead of standing she chose to slide down and sit leaning against the bottom part of the tree trunk.

Several moments of silence passed by. She tried very hard to stay quiet because she knew Gaara preferred silence but finally her talkative nature and need for the silence to be filled overcame her.

"So…Gaara. Who is in your room with you?"

Gaara glanced down at her then returned his eyes to where he had them staring off in the distance.

She waited patiently, hoping he'd actually answer.

After another short moment of silence he glanced back down at her and smirked.

"No one yet."

"Really? No one?" Sakura asked stunned. How did he not have anyone yet? Hadn't most people already signed in?

His nod confirmed it though. There really were no roommates with him yet.

Just when she thought he had quit talking and had returned his attention to glaring at nothing he added, "I am surprised."

Happily grasping at any straw he'd offer she asked, "Surprised how?"

"Because I am to have roommates."

"Yeah…and so is everyone else on campus. Why is that surprising, Gaara?" Sakura asked tilting her head up and kind of to the side as she watched him waiting for his answer.

"They were afraid to even allow me into their precious school." he said, though Sakura detected a slight growl underlying his words.

"I know, but you proved to them you were stable and safe and willing to obey their rules."

"I am neither. I did not."

"What? Yes, you are."

"No."

"Fine whatever, you're a dangerous unstable delinquent. Continue." she muttered crossing her arms and slumping against the tree.

Glancing at her slightly amused, Gaara complied and continued on with his point.

"They were afraid to admit me and yet they are not afraid to trap two unsuspecting souls in a room with me."

She could hear the smirk in his voice without even glancing up at him to see it.

"Stop smirking like a mad man. What's the point. Everyone is trapped in a room with two others."

"Not with a monster with previously accounted murderous tendencies who does not sleep." was his smooth reply.

"Ah." Sakura replied nodding her understanding. "That is kind of strange that they would have roommates with you then isn't it?"

She sat pondering it a moment, when an idea hit her, "Oh! Gaara! Maybe they decided to trust you!" she offered joyfully.

She could have sworn she heard a snort come from Gaara.

"No one trusts me. Don't be foolish."

Sakura sprang to her feet, "I'm not being foolish!"

Gaara simply gave her a look of 'Oh yeah?'.

"I'm serious. People do trust you!" she shouted as her emerald eyes glowed with the fiery determination to prove him wrong.

"Who?" he demanded quietly. His tone bitter and angry as he glared at her.

That doused her fire fast. Once over her shock of such a question in such a tone from him she answered the boy.

Staring Gaara right in the eye she said, "Me."

His eyes widened, the only clue as to how much she'd just shocked him.

Before another word could be said between them Naruto chose that moment to return.

"Hey guys! I'm back. And I have my stuff!" he announced and held up his ragged backpack proudly. "See? I found it."

Sakura slowly took her eyes from Gaara's and smiled at Naruto.

"So you did have stuff."

"Yeah. I told you I did. I just stashed it in a tree before coming to see you last night. But I kind of forgot which tree." Naruto grinned sheepishly while rubbing the back of his neck.

Sakura laughed at him and stuck her tongue out at the blond who laughed and shrugged.

Sakura and Naruto both missed the sliver of surprise that crossed on Gaara's face.

He frowned to himself. He seemed to be getting surprised often lately. Perhaps he'd lowered his guard too much? Whatever it was he'd see to it that it was fixed very soon. He was sick of discovering the unexpected and actually caring.

It was frustrating and confusing to say the least.

Even still, the fact that Sakura had seen Naruto after she'd been with him the previous night angered him to a point where he could barely think straight. Which was a difficult enough task without her added complications.

"Well now that I have stuff to move in we can get going! Hey Gaara, once I'm done can we check out your room?" Naruto asked excitedly.

"Why?" he asked coldly.

Naruto, however was unfazed by the red head's chilly answer, "Because we want to see what it looks like, dummy."

Gaara said nothing, he just turned and headed for the male dorms.

"Great, we'll take that as a yes then. Come on, Saka!" Naruto danced merrily as he grabbed Sakura's hand and followed after Gaara.

Gaara glanced at Naruto and suddenly felt conflicting emotions.

He felt angry because Naruto had something he never would.

And yet he was also glad Naruto had that something because of who Naruto was and what he'd endured to make it as far as he had to such a place where he could actually have that something.

Pushing such thoughts from his mind Gaara decided that yes, it was better for everyone involved that Naruto had Sakura's love. Not only did Naruto know what to do with it he could return it, ten fold probably. Sakura deserved such affection. Affection… a thing he could never even comprehend much less bestow on someone else.

Listening to them chatter behind him as they walked Gaara felt his chest tighten when she laughed at something Naruto said.

And yet, even though it was the obvious better choice for her to be with Naruto, he still felt angry that he would not receive her gift of love.

That thought nearly stopped him in his tracks with surprise.

He noted angrily that he had indeed been surprised yet again. Damn emotions sneaking up on him…

It was surprising though. It was a very surprising revelation to just come upon him. He, Sabaku no Gaara desired to be loved by one Haruno Sakura. What a strange discovery.

So strange that he questioned it. He wanted her love? How could this be?

Thinking back on the previous night's incident and how she'd treated him throughout the entire ordeal.

Her smile came to mind. As well as her touch and her scent.

He wanted her to love him?

Yes. From what he'd learned of love thus far…bad instances not withstanding… it truly looked to be the case here. This was a new concept to him to be sure, but it seemed that he did in fact desire Sakura's love and affection.

He wanted her to look at him like she did Naruto, and like she had that Uchiha before him. He wanted her to laugh because of him. He wanted her…that was it. It was that simple. He wanted her.

But that could never be. He was who he was and she was who she was and…it was just impossible and improbable for the two to join in a union of love and affection to that degree. He was her friend, he would simply have to be satisfied with that. He was fortunate enough to be offered that much.

Refraining from letting out a heavy sigh Gaara stilled his thoughts. He'd had enough self inflicted torment for the day. Shukaku did a well enough job of tormenting him, the creature did not need his help.

--

Sakura, Gaara, and Naruto were walking towards the boy dormitories when suddenly Sakura let out a happy shriek and raced forward.

There walking not too far ahead was the Uchiha himself.

"Sasuke!" she exclaimed cheerfully. Sakura ran up to him with a wide smile on her face.

The black haired boy turned to face her, expressionless.

Naruto leaned close to Gaara and mumbled, "Looks like we just lost her, huh?"

Gaara shifted his gaze from Naruto to Sakura then on to the Uchiha.

Loose Sakura? To the Uchiha?

No.

Gaara was fine with loosing her to Naruto. Yes, that he could accept. The blond deserved her.

But the Uchiha? Definitely not.

Sasuke flicked his eyes to meet Naruto's.

Just as it looked the two boys would be getting in a staring contest Sakura jumped on Sasuke wrapping him in a tight hug interrupting it.

"Oh, Sasuke, I have missed you so much! Its great to see you again. So you will be going here too?"

He simply nodded as he motioned for her to let go of him.

Complying with his wishes she turned and grinned back at Naruto.

"Now we just need to find Sai, ne?" she giggled.

Naruto laughed and ran to join her. "Yeah, then we'd be the good old new and improved team seven again."

Sakura nodded. "Yeah, we were the only four man team then, weren't we?"

"Yep, and we were the best team. No one could beat us! Probably still can't. Believe it!"

The year right before she'd had to move Sasuke had come back and revealed all the information he'd gathered on Orochimaru's fortresses and future plans and projects.

Naruto had been pissed at Sasuke for leaving. He'd been mad as hell when Sasuke came back and explained that it was a secret under wraps mission that he could talk to no one about under any circumstances.

Naruto didn't care if Sasuke wasn't supposed to tell anyone or let on to anyone. That made sense. What angered the blonde the most was the fact that Sasuke had acted like a complete and total ass.

That was unforgivable!

For about two weeks... Then he forgave him. Sasuke had not expected Naruto to walk up and ask him to train with him and Sai. But he had.

After that training session Sasuke had pulled Naruto aside and apologized -in his own way, Uchihas never truly apologized- for getting too into his character for the mission.

Naruto had gotten a little angry again saying that Sasuke should never endanger or hurt others no matter how important the mission.

Sasuke had relented and agreed that he'd gotten out of hand.

Naruto then grinned at his old rival and held out his hand. Smirking Sasuke had taken it.

They both then declared that they were rivals again.

Which in their language meant they were friends again.

Sakura had stood behind a tree watching the whole thing take place as she silently cried. She could not have been much happier. That is until Sasuke called Sai over and informed him that if he was going to stand up against him and Naruto then Sai would have to train a lot more. And that he looked forward to sparring with him one on one later.

Not knowing it had been an offer in friendship Sai had taken him seriously. After he attacked Sasuke later that day Naruto and Sakura had had to set the boy aside and explain that Sasuke just wanted him to be his friend, but didn't know how to ask.

Saying he understood, Sai had left them and went to Sasuke and informed him that if he wanted to be friends he just had to ask and that he should be more clear when dictating his wishes to others.

Sasuke had almost jumped the boy, ready to call their interrupted fight back on but Naruto had quickly smoothed things over. Then the four of them became an almost unstoppable force to be reckoned with, especially when their sensei Kakashi was added into the mix.

Sakura bet they could have even beat the sand siblings.

Sand siblings…Gaara!

Swirling around she found him standing exactly where they'd left him, silently watching their interaction with narrowed eyes.

"Gaara!" she called, running back over to him.

Once she reached him she took his hand.

Surprised yet again, he thought ruefully, as he stared at her hand gently gripping his.

"Come on. Lets go to the dorms now. I can't wait to see your room. You will show it to me after we unpack Naruto and Sasuke right, Gaara?" she asked with wide hopeful eyes.

He just stared at her.

Then he glanced at Sasuke.

"Oh, don't worry. You don't have to let Sasuke in if you don't want to. I know you and him still aren't on the best of terms. He'll understand, I'm sure of it."

"Hn, gee thanks, Sakura." she heard Sasuke say behind her.

"Yeah, but hey, Gaara, I get to go in don't I?" Naruto asked pointing to his face with a grin.

Gaara simply squeezed Sakura's hand once before releasing it and heading towards the dorms once again.

Sakura smiled following after him motioning for the other two to follow as well.

She then dashed ahead and reclaimed his hand.

He looked at her and she smiled sweetly at him.

Turning away from her he stared ahead as they continued walking. Gaara could feel the frown leave his lips. He wasn't smiling, but he wasn't scowling anymore either.

She'd come back to him. When she could have completely forgotten him with the excitement in having her team together once again. She'd remembered him and still included him in her plans. And when she could have held Naruto's or Sasuke's hand, she'd chosen his.