Omggg! I'm so happy I got this far! I just thought I'm gonna give this up eventually but NO! We still have a long way sooo... I hope someone's still reading and anticipating! Hehe.

All credits to Yves_Liong (author from Wattpad) and Masashi Kishimoto (owner of Naruto).

Warning: OOC characters

-DenHime

Battling With A Hot Guy

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27

As Sakura said those words, she is also looking at me accusingly. "What? I didn't do anything. I was even friendly when I approached him." I defended myself.

Sakura shook her head disbelievingly. "Do you think a guy wouldn't give up after trying to put up with you and your terrible treatment of him? Hello? You practically blow up everytime you talk to him." She said with a raised brow. "Now it's going to be harder to go with our plan. And here I thought we could start a few squares ahead of square one but I guess not."

Was it just me or is Sakura more eager about this than me? "Hey, you seem more excited than me!" I commented as we walk out of the comfort room.

"Well, I really want to get even with Karin after everything she put me through, especially when Sasuke and I were together." She reasoned, now her eyes full of determination. "Don't you?"

She's right, Karin really needed to learn a lesson. Or two. And the only way for her to learn her lesson is to experience what it's like to have someone ruin things for her. Like she did to others, especially me and Sakura. "Good point. So what are we going to do?" I asked her, knowing this is her line of expertise.

"Hm... Since you said Sasuke wants you to stay away from him, it wouldn't be easy for you to get close to him. In that case, we're going to need someone's help." Sakura suddenly took out her cellphone and looked through her phonebook and pushed the call button.

"Who are you calling?" I asked her curiously.

She grinned at me. "Who else could help us but Naruto?"

Knowing Naruto, I doubt he'd go against Sasuke. He's practically Sasuke's other half. Maybe they really are gay! I snickered inwardly, and then focused at Sakura again. "Naruto might just rat us out to Sasuke."

Sakura cancelled the call and held her phone down. "Don't you trust me?" She looked at me worriedly.

"Of course I do!" I scratched my nape as she grinned again.

"Alright. I can get Naruto to help us. If I fail, then you can punish me."

Why is she confident about it? Unless... "Is something going on between you and Naruto-kun?" I asked her suspiciously. She gave me an innocent smile but I knew her too well. "You guys are dating?!" I exclaimed.

"What? No! We're not!" She answered almost too fast. "Uhm... We've just been... Talking often.." She cleared her throat and then started dialling again to escape from me. "Now stop interrupting me while I call him, okay?"

Sakura said and moved a few meters away from me like she always does when she's calling someone. Or maybe this time it's because she doesn't want me to hear her talking sweetly to Naruto. I snickered, outwardly now, since Sakura wouldn't see me. Now I'm standing here looking like a loner. Luckily, my phone started vibrating so I took it out and saw Ino's name flashing in the screen.

I instantly answered. "Hello?"

"Hinata-chan! Where are you? I have some news for you!" She sounds excited.

Already curious about it, I told her my location. And after hearing what I said, she hung up. Sure enough, next thing I know, she appeared just as Sakura hung up her call with Naruto. Ino and Sakura approached me together. As they walk towards me, it looks like they're chatting, probably making up after the incident in the comfort room a few days back.

When they reached me, Sakura spoke first. "We're all set. Naruto is going to make sure that he and Sasuke will have lunch with us tomorrow."

"Great." I replied making Ino's eyes grow wide in surprise. When I noticed, I asked away. "Why? What's the matter?"

"Since when is having lunch with Sasuke sound great to you?" She remarked and suddenly her hand felt my forehead to check my temperature. "Are you feeling alright? You're a bit hot, I think." She fussed worriedly.

"I feel fine, Ino-chan." I answered.

"Something fishy is going on. First, I see Gaara acting weird, now you are too. What's this? Am I in a different dimension right now?" Ino exclaimed almost looking like she's about to panic.

But instead of answering her, I found myself asking about Gaara instead. "What's wrong with Gaara?" I asked not being able to hide the worry in my voice. Because of that, Sakura looked at me questioningly but said nothing.

Ino frowned once again. "Well... Earlier, he entered the cafeteria looking like the whole world just crashed down on him. He didn't even notice me. He just went ahead and pulled Sai out of nowhere. Only when Sai told him to acknowledge my presence did he turn to greet me uninterestingly." Ino huffed in disappointment in the last word. "Then he asked for permission for the two of them to talk alone so I left them." She narrated. "Actually, that's the news I was talking about, Hina-chan."

"He's probably just being dramatic so you'll sympathize with him." Sakura was the one who commented, knowing I'd be lost for words. Ino seemed surprised once again.

"What do you mean?" She asked Sakura, looking confused.

I decided to answer Ino this time. "Ino-chan, there is something I learned about Gaara today. He's not who we thought he is." I started, checking my watch for the time. "Unfortunately, it's about time for class so I'll just tell you later after school, okay? Let's walk home together."

Ino shook her head. "No! You know how I hate waiting. Just tell me now, I'm sure it's not going to take long." She argued, and soon the bell rang, signaling the start of afternoon classes. Looking disappointed, Ino gave up. "Fine, I'll just wait for you later. Just don't be late!"

Sakura and I assured her we won't be before we all rushed to class. When we got there, Sakura and I were about to take our seats but just as I did, someone suddenly pushed past me and took the seat before I could. I was going to tell the guy that it was my seat but he looked pretty pissed so I let it go. I just waved at Sakura and tried to look for another seat.

But there is a big problem. There are only two vacant seats left. These are the seats beside Gaara and Sai. I know either of the two seats would make me uncomfortable but I chose to sit beside Sai because even if he and Gaara are close, we once talked and gotten a bit close. Only a bit.

"Hey, Hinata!" Sai greeted. He's probably pretending not to know about what Gaara did.

"I know that you know what's going on between Gaara and I." I responded icily. I took my notebook out and started scanning it so I wouldn't have to look at him.

"What do you mean?" Confusion is dripping in Sai's voice.

"What I mean is that you already know about Gaara's deceiving ways yet you never warned me. I really thought you were a good guy, Sai. That's why I introduced you to Ino but now I see you're exactly the opposite." I let out, finally craning my neck to look at him.

But frustration is written all over his face and his voice turned serious. "That's not true. I only found out about it earlier at lunch. I had no idea he was involved in something like that until he dragged me away from Ino and told me. If I knew, I would have convinced him to stop. But I didn't so I can't do anything about it."

After what he said, I know I shouldn't doubt Sai. I felt so bad I doubted him. I already know he is a nice guy, weird yeah, but nice. He even set up Ino and Gaara even if he's going to get hurt in the process. I looked at Sai apologetically. "I'm sorry, it's just I felt stupid for not having realized that I was being set up."

Before he could reply, the teacher entered the room and so, Sai took out a piece of paper and wrote something. Then he passed it on to me.

If you're stupid then what do you call me? I'm very close to him yet I didn't have any idea. I must be very, very, very stupid.

I know Sai is trying to make me feel better, and I have to admit it's working. I smiled as I write a reply. Okay, so maybe we're not stupid. He's just a really great actor then. How else can he convince you and me, right?

I passed it on to Sai again and he read it. Then he started writing a reply and then passed it to me again. His reply caught me off-guard.

I don't know, Hinata-chan. But something tells me he wasn't acting the whole time. When he told me he started liking you I know he didn't lie. The look in his eyes is the same I had when I told you I like Ino. Gaara really likes you.