A.N.- Alrighty guys I'm finally back with a new chapter but I must apologize…its not as long as many of the ones that I've been posting recently. And it is less fluffy. But if a story is all fluff you just have a cotton ball ...or a bunny… Anyways, I hope you guys all still enjoy it and I can't wait to hear what you all think about it!
FanggirlX
Disclaimer: still putting it…Naruto isn't mine. Lol yet….dun dun duuuuuun
Um…I think this one is to Courtz. Babee- lol I'm pretty sure anyway…Yeah! You totally have to love happy dances! They make you happy and the great bonus people who see you being silly usually smile too! Lol o wow! Cute! I bet you and your friend Laura had a huge laugh because of that. Your step mom might have too it sounded funny. But don't worry I definitely would have been red too. But it is super great to know I'm not the only one who just must obey the tiny urge that says 'I just gotta dance!'. heehee. Yep Naruto totally loves his sister! I am a big family girl myself so I really like writing family scenes. Of sweetness. Gaara was funny to me. Like looking back on it as I read it reviewing it so I could write my next chapter right, I just sat back and said to myself, 'Well, Gaara is a jealous ball of fluff in this isn't he? Oops. It's…kinda cute though.' But by the time I realized it, it had already been posted for 3 days! So it had to stay. So I am glad you enjoyed that because honestly it might not have meant to go that way but I very much like it better then however I had actually meant it. I hope you enjoy this next chapter and thank you! I will try very hard to keep it up. Thank you for your really cute review! It made me smile.
To Guggas- I guessed right! Yay! Total yayness moment for me! I love guessing right in guessing games. Lol. That's so cool that you are Icelandic! Wow. So you do think Sasuke and Temari are cute together? Or did you mean Shikamaru and Temari? Lol sorry I confuse easily sometimes. I will agree to both couples anyway. Lol. that's a cool talent to have predicting writers. Heehee but I try hard to be unpredictable so you just never know what's coming from me! it's a mystery! Heehee. You think it will be great!? Thank you that gives me a huge confidence boost. I have actually started practicing and well one day my sister who is older than me by one year stopped and read over y shoulder and then took several other pages I had and read those too then she just stared at me and shook her head and said, 'I'm not even going to ask why you are practicing writing smut.' which sent all of my brothers into a tizzy about wanting to know what I was writing. I was so red from embarrassment. Lol. Anyway I think I may be getting close to one of those lemons I'm worried about (not sure because my writing is a mystery to me too! Heehee) but I think I am and I want to do it right. So yeah, thank you for the encouragement I definitely needed it. It's fine if you are like that. I am some times. I will be sitting somewhere trying to come up with an idea and it just won't come! Then I go grocery shopping and bang! The idea comes. Lol fun isn't it? Wow, may I just say your name looks very intimidating. And sorry I tried to say it anyway. Lol I couldn't resist. So I must apologize because I am almost definitely certain I slaughtered your name. So its your nickname though, that is so awesome! Cool! Thanks! I like learning stuff so your history lesson was neat! Heehee do you know what uber alles means yet? I'm dying to know. that's what those other two mean!? Thank you I'm glad you like my story then! I'm so happy I could make you laugh! I love doing that! Aw Naruto is a sweetie isn't he? You may be right…its isn't much though this chapter…is less fluffy. Thank you for the long review! I love them and really enjoy them! Lol you did? I'm sorry you got cramped but I'm glad you laughed and enjoyed the fluff! I hope you like this chapter as well and thanks for again for your review!
To crazyanimeidiotnumberone- lol cool name! Thank you! I am so glad you love my story! I'm glad you made it through it all. Heehee I know I tend to write a lot so I'm super glad you read it and liked it! So I'm ecstatic too! Gaara is my favorite character too so for you to say I captured him and didn't mess up his awesome character makes me just so so happy! I am also really happy my little twist added to him didn't mess anything up. Yay! I made you giggle! I love making people laugh so much so I'm glad I managed to! One of the best you've read?! Thank you so much! I have to tell you my confidence in writing this story right now is just soaring with all the great things I'm hearing! Thank you so much for your review and I hope you continue to enjoy my story! And I will definitely try to keep it up.
To Gothic Saku-chan- Thank you I was going for cute with those two! So it's really nice to know I succeeded! I really like writing brotherly/sisterly moments! They are just so adorable. Lol protective guys are fun! So bodyguard Gaara is cool! Lol Gaara is now her personal secret service! Can't you just imagine him in a cool suit and nifty shades? He'd be armed and dangerous! Lol Thanks for that image! It was funny to me. And also thanks for your review! And I hope you like this next chapter!
To xoLovelyEyesox- lol thanks Lee-chan! I am really really glad you liked it! Lol who wouldn't want Naruto as their twin brother? (Not to say mine isn't already cute enough) but Naruto does just rock much! Aw. Poor Trevor. Heehee. He should be more like Naruto! Try and make him be see if he goes for it. Lol. You do?…you know with that quote you are right. Gosh! People around me do influence my character styles. I hope that doesn't mess things up. O well if it does I will just have to fix it won't I? heehee oh and I know it's late here too but I also want to say to you HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Did you have a good day of your birth? Lol I really hope so. I also hope you like this next chapter. O and btw…I am posting something else you asked for so enjoy it also ok? Heehee thanks!
To alana124pyro- Waffles is a funny word. So it does rock much! Lol yes, yes you so definitely have to wonder about her. Lol. You're hilarious! I laughed when I read your 'priceless' thing. I had never thought of anything like that but it was so cute! Lol that would be somewhat a mood killer, huh. don't worry I don't think there can ever be TMI for me. I have a friend who suffers the same 'curse' as you do so I know what you mean from seeing how she deals with it. Pivotal. Cool word choice! Heehee. Aw thank you so much! I'm glad you thought I did it perfectly! It always makes a writer feel like on top of the world when they're told they did something perfectly. Lol yeah poor Gaara isn't he just the sweetest when like that? Lol I have a laugh fit at those words too and as you I definitely turn red when the 'real thing' comes out. My perverted brothers love to torture me with that information too. Meanie brothers. Thanks for your reviews and I hope you continue to enjoy my story!
To missladylaura- lol it's fine! I know how that can be with the friends and all. Thank you! I'm glad its really good. I was laughing too when she told me about that and I wasn't even there when it happened! Heehee yeah you just have to love the weird friends! that's pretty much all my friend group has. Lol we could definitely trade weird friend stories. But it was really neat to learnt hat you and Courtney were friends! I had no idea! Awesome! It sounds like you two have a lot of fun together that's really great! And thank you for the review! I hope you enjoy this next chapter!
To BluePanda22311- I know, he was a little ball of worry wasn't he? But Sakura made it better. Heehee thank you! I'm so happy that you loved it that much! I love brother sister stuff too. Wow you made me blush! It's got you on the edge of your seat!? that's so cool! And you just have no idea how wonderful it made me feel for you to say my writing was like watching a movie and waiting for the good part but it was all good so you didn't have to wait! I was so red and so happy at the same time! Thank you! Lol you liked that? that's great because I giggled when I pictured her saying that especially when I pictured the glare he really was sending. Lol he is so stuck with her. They're just too cute together to not be. YAY GAASAKU! Heehee thanks for the review and please enjoy this next chapter too!
To JackedUp- lol awkward? I didn't mean for it to come across as romantic or anything so I'm sorry it was awkward. Wow. A master piece?! Thank you so very much! I blushed when I saw that! I was just amazed. I never thought I would hear my story called that but now that I have I am so so glad I did. Thank you! Your review made my day that day.
Sasuke slammed his fist into the wall as he hung up his cell phone.
"That baka! Calling me a whole day after the event!" he snarled to himself as he hurried to get dressed.
He'd been pissed to be awoken from a good sleep by his cell phone, even more angry that it was Naruto calling and waking him.
Now he was furious because of what that idiot had said in his call.
'Hey idiot! Morning! Just thought I'd call and tell you before you heard it somewhere else. Sakura almost died yesterday. These assholes attacked her and almost raped her. But she's fine now. Saiyomi healed her. She's still sleeping and you probably want to do more of that yourself so yeah there ya go. That's all I had to say. Well, bye, idiot!'
And then he'd hung up. He delivers news like that and then just hangs up. That loser!
Sasuke stuffed his feet in his shoes and rushed out the door and just barely missed plowing head first into Yura.
Wait. Yura?
"Oh hey. I know you. You're friends with Sakura." she grinned pointing a clawed finger at him.
Sasuke shook his head, "What are you doing here?"
She opened her mouth to tell him when Kankuro's arms wrapped around her waist.
"She was coming to wake me up." the puppet master supplied as he nibbled Yura's neck.
She huffed, "I just woke you up. I am not gonna lie, Konkers."
"But, Yura, you-"
She looked Sasuke in the eye and said, "I am on my way to my room to get new clothes. I have kind of been wearing these a while seeing as how-"
Kankuro put his hand over her mouth "We don have to tell the guy everything, Yura. Come on. Lets go."
"Cranky Konkers." she teased.
Kankuro smirked at her as he took her hand and began to lead her away towards the building main doors to leave.
She turned back and winked at Sasuke, "Hey, since you'll probably see her first tell Temari I'm gonna have to rain check on our plans for this evening. She'll know what you mean."
Sasuke frowned, "And just why would I see her first?"
"Her scent is all over you." she supplied with a knowing grin, "You will see her first."
"That's ridiculous." Sasuke scoffed. He had no idea how Temari saw their little deal. Was it out in the open or was it a secret private meeting kind of thing? He didn't want to say something wrong.
Yura's dark laugh echoed down the hall as Kankuro continued to guide her towards the door, " If you're going to try to lie make sure its not to someone who can sniff out the truth. Just tell her, okay? Chao."
Sasuke scowled at their retreating backs a moment contemplating Yura's words.
He had Temari's scent on him?
The black haired boy couldn't help but smirk at that. He kind of liked the idea. Besides if he carried her scent, then she carried his, which was an idea he liked even better.
Then he remembered where he'd been headed in such a hurry before running into Yura.
Cursing his own stupidity, Sasuke clenched his fists and took off running.
Spotting Yura and Kankuro up ahead on the sidewalk, he hurried to catch them.
"Hey, how do you get to the teacher's houses?" he called to the couple.
Kankuro turned and asked, "Why do you wanna go there?"
"Sakura is at Saiyomi's. Naruto called and said she'd almost died. I'm going to her. So how do I get there?"
Kankuro's eyes had doubled as he listened, "Sakura almost what!? Does Gaara know?"
Sasuke scoffed , "Wouldn't doubt if it was his fault somehow."
His anger snapping quickly, Kankuro grabbed Sasuke by the shirt front and shouted, "Watch what you say Uchiha or you'll be asking for some trouble!"
Yura snapped her fingers, "Konkers. No. Bad boy." she scolded spanking him. Dumbfounded by her actions Kankuro dropped Sasuke.
She then turned her cunning pale blue eyes on the youngest Uchiha, "And you. Don't get your man thong in a twist at the slightest sound of trouble. There's something between that red head hottie and little miss pink. I doubt Konkers' brother would actually hurt the girl. Now do you wanna know how to get there or not? No you know what. Nevermind, Konkers, we're going too."
Kankuro hastily nodded, he'd been thinking the same thing. Jerking out his cell phone he called Temari and told her what had happened as he and Sasuke followed Yura to the section of campus that held the teacher cottages.
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Gaara sat in the bed and watched the girl who slept in his lap.
He'd attempted getting up early. After all, he wasn't exactly used to sleep so he didn't really need that much of it. He'd been restless but when he'd tried to leave the bed Sakura had latched herself around his waist and had refused to let go.
It had yet to be determined by him whether or not she'd been sleeping or not when she'd done it.
Gaara wasn't entirely sure which one he wanted it to be. She could hold him down either conscious or asleep. Neither sat well with him.
None the less, she'd done it and now here he sat with her head in his lap and her arms still tightly around his waist.
Naruto and Hinata had come in about half an hour ago to check up on Sakura but she hadn't woken up for them. That made Gaara wonder just how tired she'd been, just what she'd endured.
He hated that she'd been hurt. Hated it with a hot fiery passion that made his blood boil inside him. And he would never let it happen to her again, he'd sworn it to her.
He placed a hand on top of her head, feeling the softness of her hair surround his fingers. Never. She would never suffer something like that again.
He heard shouting downstairs.
One voice was unmistakably Naruto's. Then when the shouting stopped footsteps were heard thundering up the stairs.
The door swung open hitting the wall with a bang and there in the door way were his siblings, that troublesome cat girl, and the damned Uchiha.
Gaara refrained from sighing audibly as he met the eyes of his brother and sister.
He silently demanded why they were here and barging in uninvited no less.
"Sakura! She's ok?" Temari shouted, sounding angry.
Gaara nodded.
Sasuke stalked to the edge of the bed and fell to his knees.
"Sakura you….you idiot." he muttered as subtly trembling hands brushed her arm tenderly.
His onyx eyes locked with Gaara's, "You better take better care of her than this cuz if this ever happens again, I'll-"
"It won't. Now leave." Gaara cut in feeling more than slightly agitated.
Yes, he damn well knew it was his fault! People didn't have to keep rubbing it in his face! He held enough grief about it without their frigging help.
"You-"
Sasuke was once again cut off only this time it was by Temari shoving him aside and collapsing on Sakura hugging her tightly to her.
Sasuke glared at the back of Temari's head then sighed and stood back up from where he'd landed on his butt.
"You better get well soon, Sakura. Or I'll kick your ass you got that, Pinky?" the tough girl whispered.
She stood abruptly, "Take care, Gaara."
With that said, she left the room. Rushing past Yura and Kankuro who still stood in the doorway and then past Naruto and Hinata who were still in the hall and just barely missed running into Saiyomi who was on her way down the stairs.
She made it out onto the porch bracing herself with the railing before her tears came. Temari sobbed out her worry. It had been so overwhelming. She'd heard what had happened to Sakura and she'd feared the worst. Then getting to her and seeing her perfectly fine and sleeping peacefully in her brothers arms…it was just too much. The relief was overflowing and coming out as tears. She wiped at them fiercely trying to stop them but it didn't work.
"Hey."
Damn! That's twice he's seen me cry now! He's going to think I'm the biggest cry baby in the world. Temari thought miserably.
His hand came to rest reassuringly on her shoulder.
"Its okay, you know. She's fine."
The blond girl nodded, unwilling to look him in the eyes.
Sasuke saw that she had no intention of turning around so he hugged her from behind, gently resting his chin on her shoulder.
"It's okay if you cry this time. Sakura isn't something insignificant. She's….she's important. So its okay to cry." Sasuke whispered in her ear.
Temari felt a droplet of wetness hit her shoulder.
Gasping she turned around in his arms.
Sasuke had a single tear trail down his cheek.
"See? Its okay." he mumbled looking uncomfortable.
Seeing the worry and relief she felt mirrored in his black eyes Temari's control slipped and she fell into his embrace sobbing embarrassingly about something good. She shouldn't be crying. Sakura was fine. But she was crying. She was crying because she was okay.
Sasuke held her comfortingly rubbing her back the way Sakura tended to do with him when something bothered him.
He felt Temari tremble in his arms and could feel her tears soaking his shoulder. He understood her feelings. He'd been overwhelmed by it all too. Thinking she'd almost died…then seeing her uninjured. He hadn't meant to let that damned tear slip. And he really hadn't meant for Temari to see it. But it encouraged her to let her emotions go so he supposed this one time it was a worthy sacrifice.
"She's okay." Temari whispered clutching tightly to him tangling her fingers in his shirt.
"Yeah, she is."
"One air headed girl with crazy pink hair shouldn't mean this much. But…but dammit she does. She…she's like a sister. She's family. And she almost died."
Sasuke knew exactly where she was coming from.
"From the looks of things in there she will actually be family soon enough." he murmured.
Temari a small laugh bubbled out through her tears, "Yeah."
He hugged her, burying his face in her neck using her warmth to comfort his own overwhelming emotions.
Taking a deep breath hoping her scent would calm his nerves.
But what scent he got was not simply Temari's.
There was a masculine scent with it. And it wasn't his. Very obviously not his in fact. She'd already been with another man?
"Where were you when they told you about her?" he asked trying to make it sound casual.
Don't say in bed. Don't say in bed. He thought over and over as he awaited her answer.
"At the library. I was studying with this guy in my class."
"Heh, studying. Right." Sasuke couldn't bite his tongue quick enough and suddenly didn't want to hold in his anger. "I suppose you need him as you need me right? Is he in a different game with you?"
Temari pulled out of his arms.
She searched his fiery eyes a moment then shook her head, "No. No game with him. He wasn't even very cute. He was just there and I wanted to quit studying. Besides what's it to you?"
"Its nothing to me." Sasuke sneered as he turned and went down the steps.
With a slight sigh he stopped and turned back to her speaking in a cold, level voice, "Just let me know when you want another round of our game. That's all I care about. What you do with your body the rest of the time is your own business."
She watched him walk down the drive and then back towards his dorm room.
Why did she suddenly feel like crying again? She was over her emotion overflow due to Sakura so…was this… because of Sasuke?