Zero Hour!

(A:N) Thanks you guys for the encouraging reviews. I was half about to not finish this story because I though there was too much going on. Dammit here I go talking again…lol….enjoy chapter II…it’s before Friday like I promised!( I don’t follow baseball much and don’t know when the season starts so…sorry that it’s September…however, I do know its football season.)

Disclaimer: I don’t own the song….Copyright to Madina Lake 2007
Warning: Multiple Flashbacks ahead-enter massive self-mutilation, violence and language.

Chapter II


The grass had grown in pretty well over the summer. The janitors or the gardeners or whoever they were have released just the right amount of chalk on the grass to make the perfect baseball diamond. There was a runner on third and a runner on first by the time Gaara sat down on the bleachers. Apparently varsity tryouts had run long after school had ended.

Naruto was on the mound with sweat dripping down his face. He turned a brave eye to the runner on third and then looked back at his catcher. A sign for a fast ball was in his sight but Naruto had a feeling the batter was going to bunt the ball. He couldn’t afford to let the first base runner make it to third and he couldn’t let the third base runner get home. His team was winning 7 to 5 but if he lost these two basemen then it would be tied and he didn’t have the energy to go into overtime. He needed to prove to the coach that he could pitch under immense pressure. He looked back at the runner on third as he leaned, ready to take the home plate for his birthday present.

Up in the stands Gaara wasn’t paying much attention to the game. He was more paying attention to a certain person in the game. His eyes twitched with a little feeling almost familiar to happiness but he couldn’t be sure of what it was.

“I’ll be doing gassers all day if I make it late to practice.” Sasuke stood up. He hoped Naruto didn’t see him getting up, otherwise it could cost him the whole game. He thought he heard Gaara growl but he shook his head and began walking.

“He’s watching you.” Gaara said slowly. Sasuke turned around and looked onto the field. Sure enough, hiding behind his mitt Naruto was cautiously watching him and the runners. Sasuke tossed up a hand to wave and then sat back down. He couldn’t afford to let Naruto screw up on his account. If the blond didn’t make varsity he would blame Sasuke forever.

Naruto breathed, leaned back with his arm and threw the ball. It rolled off his fingers and straight lined right down to the catcher. The batter swung and missed.

“Strike!” The umpire yelled. The third base runner had decided he wasn’t going to run on that one so he stood and began to lean again. The batter stood up and rolled his shoulders. He pointed his bat at Naruto and nodded, getting back in his position. Naruto breathed as the ball was tossed back to him. He leaned again and let the ball fly. The few spectators gasped at how it curved off from the left and flew straight in to the catcher’s glove.

“Strike 2!” The man yelled over the crowd as they cheered for Naruto. The blond smiled to himself. He only needed one more and he was sure to have a spot on the team. This was it, he just needed one more shot.

“Neji! What the hell are you doing?! If you let that junior strike you out I’m taking your captain spot you got that!” The coach yelled from the dug out as he chewed on a piece of gum that was entirely too big to fit in his mouth.

Yes Neji is our batter and the one Gaara had been keeping a close eye on. The game was much less than boring to him. He hadn’t even come out to watch Naruto play. He could barely deal with the sun as it was. He only came to secretly cheer on/stalk his ex lover.

Neji cracked his neck and swung the bat around to relax his arms. He looked behind him momentarily to see Gaara in the stands. It was too hard to miss that red hair. The brunette sighed as he gripped his bat. There had been a time when he had to beg Gaara to come to one of his games.

((Flashback))

“Who is it?” A strong voice came from the opposite side of the door Neji was standing on. He knocked again, having barely heard the voice and wasn’t sure if it had come from the apartment door he was knocking on. He waited for a good twenty seconds before the door flew open, revealing and irritated older Uchiha.

“Are you deaf or something?” Itachi growled as he opened the door wider and let the Hyuuga in. Said Hyuuga boy was wearing some black slacks and his baseball shirt. He looked like he’d woken up and just thrown anything on but he hadn’t cared, he was in a hurry.

“Is Gaara here? I’m already late.” He looked down at his watch and started searching through the house. Itachi snorted a ‘yes’ and slammed the door a little harder than he’d meant to. Neji maneuvered through the hall and down to the last room, which belonged to Sasuke. He blared a knock and threw the door open. The room was dark for it having been noon. The blinds were closed and the light was off. The only source of light in the room was that of Sasuke’s computer in the corner. Half dead looking in the computer chair was Gaara. He was fast typing away to someone on Yahoo! He paid no attention when Neji came closer.

“You’re not even dressed.” Neji noted and pinched Gaara’s arm since he wasn’t listening. Gaara rubbed his shoulder and turned around to look at Neji. The Hyuuga walked away and flipped on the light.

“Turn it back off.” Gaara whined and turned back to the screen of messages beeping quickly. Neji opened the shades in the room and shed some light on his lover. Gaara squinted and shielded his eyes with his hands. “Didn’t we have this conversation last night?” He spun around in his chair and looked at Neji who was rummaging through Sasuke’s closet. “I really don’t want to waste a good Saturday out in the sun.”

Neji ignored him as he found Gaara’s backpack and pulled a pair of jeans out. He threw them at Gaara and then did the same to a shirt. “You’ve missed my last three games. This one’s important to me okay. There, are you happy now?” Neji walked over to him and pulled him from the chair. “I haven’t seen you since Thursday. Is it alright if I want you there?” Neji wrapped his arm around Gaara’s waist.

“No.” Gaara grumbled and stared at the boy leaning over him. Neji leaned his forehead on Gaara’s and stared at him. He could have said something about that but the blush falling over Gaara’s face was a bit more interesting. He leaned closer and just barely tipped Gaara’s lips with his.

"You're such a pig." Neji mused. The small peek on his lips only irritated Gaara. He leaned up and kissed Neji harder, sending him to stagger back a little, taking Gaara with him. Gaara walked Neji backwards until the latter turned him around and backed him up to where he knew the closet door was. He fought with the other to maintain control of their connection. Gripping Gaara’s hair he won the battle of dominance between their tongues as Gaara turned away to breathe. He smirked and pushed Gaara back farther until they hit-

“Dammit.” Neji cried as he fell on top of Gaara into the open closet. He cold have sworn that damn door was closed. Gaara was sitting up against the inside of the closet wall with Neji straddling him. Gaara gulped and felt his face blush a deep pink. Neji blushed as well in seeing his position over the boy. He could feel his body reacting to Gaara's so he leaned forward and-

"Conspicuous, ne?

Neji froze, as well as Gaara. He leaned out of the closet and Gaara leaned with him. Sasuke was leaning against the doorframe chewing on an apple while Itachi stood behind him. The elder Uchiha's face looked somewhere in between harboring enjoyment and hating the scene. He shook his head and began walking the other way when Neji stood up. The boy dusted himself off as a reflex and then put his hand out to help Gaara up. When the redhead was finally on his feet they both looked at Sasuke. He was still chewing on his apple as if he was amused and couldn't stop staring. Gaara started to glare until he felt Neji's lips on his temple.

"Get dressed. I don't want to be late." Neji gave him a little push and then walked passed Sasuke, bumping him too. The brunette looked at Gaara once Neji was gone. He was grinning and probably dying of laughter inside.

"Sex in the closet?" Sasuke asked.

"Shut up." Gaara said getting his clothes and walking out the room. He could hear Sasuke laughing as he entered the bathroom and slammed the door. Neji walked passed Itachi in the living room and out the door. He couldn't stay in the house. He needed to cool down and his car was the perfect place for that.

((End Flashback))

"Strike 3!"

Neji tossed his bat on the ground and growled. How in the hell did he strike out? It was because of that redhead sitting in the stands. He'd been so busy remembering that day back when he'd won one of his best games and spent most of the night chasing the boy around that he'd let the ball fly right passed him and by the time he'd swung it was entirely too late to take it back. He growled and kicked the dirt as he picked up his bat and walked back to the dug out. He could hear his coach screaming but he didn't really care and tuned the man out. He grabbed his bag and headed for the gym. He was going to take a long shower.

"Oh Yeah! Who's making it to varsity now?! U-Zu-Ma-Ki, that’s who! In your face Hyuuga!" Naruto was smiling and jumping up and down on the field. He stopped and did a pose, to no one. There were no cameras or anything but he could have cared less. He looked behind the back catcher's fence and saw Sasuke shaking his head. He walked over to the fence and took his mitt off. "That last one was for you Gaara. I struck that damn Hyuuga out and now I'm going to take his spot on the team. I Uzumaki Naruto will rise as supreme ruler and take over the Kage Ninjas team!" He winked at Sasuke but the boy must have missed it as he stood.

"I'm late for practice, Naruto." Sasuke stood and picked up his backpack. He slung it over his shoulders and then grabbed his gym bag. "Try to keep down the rumors of our 'love life' Naruto. I don't want it getting out okay." Sasuke jumped off the bleachers and started walking towards the football field where his lacrosse team was already warming up. He missed the fact the Naruto was blushing and biting his lip lightly. The blond looked at Gaara who was grinning.

"Maybe one day you'll tell him you like him." Gaara stood and grabbed his backpack too. Naruto frowned and watched Gaara start walking away. Had he heard what Sasuke said correctly? That damn Uchiha was always trying to embarrass him with his sarcasm. Naruto smiled through the fence.

"I don't like him. Don't kid yourself Gaara. If I liked Sasuke I could have him. He's not all that special. If I liked him you'd know. We would have been barning each other’s brains out by now. I don't like him you're crazy. I can't believe you would insist that. Oh my God you make me laugh. Hahahaha, Gaara you trickster."

"Naruto." Gaara cut in and the blond paused. "When you lie, you talk too fast and too much." Gaara hopped off the stands and started walking off towards the school parking lot. "I'm gonna take a walk home. " He gripped his backpack tighter when Naruto leaned over the fence.

"You ‘are’ going downtown with us right? I have to buy my lady something." Naruto raised his voice so Gaara could hear him a little better. The redhead choked on the 'lady' comment. Sakura was hardly a lady and she was hardly Naruto's. He ignored Naruto and kept walking. The current spot he was in would give anyone on the football field a clear shot at him and he just knew Lee was down there on the track. Shaking at the thought of the loud voice he walked faster.

-----

"We've been in here for over an hour Naruto." Sasuke was plastered against the wall next to Gaara in the Bath & Bodyworks store of their downtown Horton Plaza Mall. The blond was standing near the wall of body sprays and hand lotions. He was currently holding a bottle of Cherryblossom body spray and a bottle of Japanese Cherryblossom bathgel. He had been pacing but stopped to get a better look at what he wanted to purchase.

"I know I know but this is a tough decision. I can't deiced if I want her to smell good when she gets out of the shower or if she should smell good when she hugs me at junior prom." He looked up as if he was daydreaming. Sasuke kicked him in the back of the leg.

"You bought her the same thing last year and she still wouldn't go to the dance with you. Her birthday was in March, you're a little late." Sasuke rolled his eyes. He was beginning to smell like the store and everyone knew that the longer you stayed in the Bath & Bodyworks, the more you smelled like THE Bath & Bodyworks. He flicked Naruto behind the ear. "While you buy yourself some lotion-because we all know it's really for you-we're going to do something more constructive than sit and watch you pamper your varsity ass." Sasuke put his hands in his pockets and started walking out. Gaara looked at Naruto and shook his head as he followed.

"You guys are just jealous cause I already have a date to junior prom and it's the first day of school. Ha! Shove that in your coffee Uchiha." Naruto stuck his tongue out and went back to his dangerous glaring of the bottles in his hands.

-----

"Why the hell are we here?" Itachi was walking next to Haku. His fairly feminine friend had a smiled on his face and was searching the mall franticly. He made his hands into little mini binoculars as if it would help him see farther. Itachi wondered how he got stuck coming to the mall.

"I heard somewhere around school that Zabuza would be around here today. Just stop your whining, when we find him then we can leave...after I stare for awhile." Haku was practically drooling on the floor at the mention of his crushe’s name. He was walking and looking to his left when he ran into a living wall. He clutched his nose in pain and nearly snarled at the person.

"Neji, what the hell? You can't just stop on a dime like-" He stopped talking when he saw why Neji had just ceased to finish walking. Haku gasped and straightened himself up to stare at the-of course-unwanted company...again. "You think he might be following us?" Haku put his hands on Neji's shoulders and peered over at the two boys standing about ten feet in front of them. Haku smirked and walked around to the side of Neji. He slithered his hand around Neji's waist and put on his best smile for Gaara.

"You're too late puppy. He's mine now." Haku sang. He put his head on Neji's chest and batted his eyes. Gaara turned his eyes to Neji and but didn't glare. Nor did he say anything or make any type of movement. It was like the entire mall had stopped moving for him. He stood there just staring, wanting to pry Haku away and punch Neji in the face, only so he could kiss him and apologize. There didn't seem to be any need though. Neji looked just about as uncomfortable as Gaara did with the boy hanging all over him. Gaara could see it in his face. It was just a ploy to get Gaara to leave him alone. My God! How Freshman was that?

The redhead decided it wasn't worth his time. He finally moved, turning around and heading back the way he came, spotting Naruto finally leaving the store. Sasuke waited, narrowing his eyes at every one of the boys before he turned to walk away too.

"Gaara."

Who said that? Sasuke froze. Gaara froze. Naruto froze. Itachi froze. Haku froze. Neji had been the one to speak. What on earth could he have to say after a day of four unlucky run-ins with his past? He wanted to snatch Gaara up and tell him to just stay away so he could get some air. Three months hadn't been enough for him to breathe. There were still so many memories. So many flashbacks that were haunting him. He still shook at night alone in his bed when he remembered how he'd either let go voluntarily or lost the grasp by some unstoppable force that was...Gaara being Gaara.

'You chose.' Neji thought. 'You chose to take the jump. You wanted to end it. This was mutual in every aspect. What...made you-' Neji's thoughts were cut off at the feel of Haku squeezing him a little tighter. He continued to stare at Gaara. He'd calmed down since the lunch fight, the art class encounter, the office fight and the baseball field extravaganza. Now he just wanted some-

"Space."

Gaara half turned his head around. He turned his eyes to Neji and saw that he wasn't in the bad mood he'd left him in earlier. He breathed and turned around to look at the other. Naruto rolled up between Sasuke and Gaara to stare as well. Haku loosened his grip and looked up at Neji. Gaara looked like he had no idea what Neji was saying. Neji started walking and Haku trailed his side, not letting go.

"You said I didn't call." Neji managed to get Haku off of him but he grabbed the boy's hand. Haku glared at their conjoined hands then looked at Gaara. The other was staring at Neji. The Hyuuga used his free hand to ruffle Gaara's hair like he always did. "I needed space." He waited for Gaara to snap at him but apparently the other was frozen solid. He nodded and stepped passed Gaara. He dragged Haku and Itachi soon followed. Gaara didn't move but Sasuke and Naruto turned around and looked as the three boys continued to walk away. Neji still was grasping a shocked Haku's hand.

"Who feels like kicking some Hyuuga ass today!" Naruto slammed his fist into his open palm. Had it been five seconds earlier Gaara would have agreed with him but right now...he didn't have anything to say. Sasuke elbowed Naruto and they both looked at Gaara. If depression wasn't a real word then they'd have created it just for the look on Gaara's face.

"Gaara-" Naruto tried.

"Save it." The red head uncharacteristically put his hands in his pockets and started heading in the opposite direction that Neji had gone. Naruto immediately tried to follow but Sasuke grabbed his shirt and held him back.

"It's a lot smarter to stay back. We'll find him in a little while." Sasuke turned and walked away. Naruto stood in the middle, Gaara leaving in front of him, Sasuke leaving behind him. Which way was he supposed to go?

-----

Neji walked in silence. He was still grasping Haku's hand but it was probably wasn’t intentional. Four times Haku had turned around to Itachi as if to ask for help but the other only looked around like he wasn't paying any attention whatsoever. Haku relaxed and into the hold and followed Neji to wherever he was trying to get to, in not so much of a hurry. They stopped once Neji felt he was far enough not to run into Gaara again. He looked in a near by store window at his reflection. His eyes looked shot, he hair had had it, his shoulders weren't as proud as they could have been. Just what was going on?

"Haku."

The boy spun around to see two very familiar people from his school standing near him. He gulped and stared at one in particular, with short brown hair and dangerous black eyes. He wasn't smiling nor did he look like he knew how. His body was bulging out of a wife-beater shirt and he was wearing basketball shorts. Boy was he comfortable. Haku remembered that there was a gym on the other end of the mall and that was probably where the guy had just come from. His friend was dressed in the same attire and looked almost exactly the same. In fact it just happened that these two were half brothers and Haku knew them very...very well.

"H-Hi Zabuza." He squeaked and immediately mentally slapped himself for sounding so stupid. Totally forgetting the hand grasp between him and Neji, Haku smiled sweetly and looked over the other boy's body.

"I didn't know you were dating Mr. baseball jock." Kisame mentioned, grinning to himself when he saw Haku blush and look down at his hand that was still warming up in Neji's. The Hyuuga finally looked away from the depressing window and stared at Zabuza. He narrowed his eyes and the school's most talented football star.

"Indeed. And so soon after the redhead." Zabuza replied to Kisame's previous comment. Haku wanted to snatch his hand away from Neji and say 'No' a thousand times but then he felt Neji's grip on him get tighter. Just what was the Hyuuga thinking? He wasn't denying it or anything and he knew just how much Haku liked the star quarterback. Haku could almost feel Neji smirk next to him.

"You're too late pigskin. He's mine now." Neji mimicked Haku's earlier comment to Gaara. He released Haku's hand so he could pull him closer and wrap his arm around the femi-boy. Zabuza probably growled but it wasn't heard as he shifted and gripped his gym bag tighter.

"Is that right Hyuuga?" Zabuza grinned and croaked out a wicked laugh that abruptly stopped. He was taller then Neji so he towered over the boy. "Fine." He growled and then momentarily looked at Haku before him and Kisame wandered off. “Later Haku.”

After they disappeared from earshot Haku snapped up to Neji who was busy looking at something else by now. Most likely his lonely window.

"Neji what the hell?! That was my only chance-"

Haku was cut off and pushed forcefully up against Neji's lonely window. The Hyuuga forced all his body weight against him and quickly leaned down to capture his lips. Haku froze, he didn't even react to the kiss...just...stood...there. His eyes were wide open and he wasn’t sure if the warmth in his pants was his ever growing erection or if his body had decided he wanted to pee on himself in surprise.

"You said I was yours...make it so." Neji said as he backed away just enough to speak, his lips still hovering over the other's. Neji seared their lips back together without taking another breath. Still blushing but gaining his composure Haku finally closed his eyes and welcome Neji to him. He wrapped one leg around Neji and grabbed his hair to fold it in his hands. He pulled closer but Neji backed away and held him to the glass with one hand on Haku's chest.

"You're mine now." He wasn't giving Haku much choice or much say. Itachi had long since walked away. He was leaning up against one of those indoor tree things, watching the whole thing. 'Dark Trio' was now 'Dark Couple plus Dark One.' He half growled at that. What was Neji doing? Itachi had been certain that the break up Neji and Gaara had, had been classified as a just break by one Hyuuga. Did he forget or was he over it?

-----

The night had come not too quickly. Neji dreaded the next day. It was about to be Wednesday again and he hated Wednesday’s. For an hour a day he was supposed to sit in a room with a man he thought was crazy personally. Jiraiya wasn’t a very good counselor but Neji found himself going back to the man for advice. His sessions should have stopped months ago but after having stopped for two weeks Neji’s nightmares started getting worse. Nightmares of dead bodies and blood and death. Nightmares he couldn’t control. Ones that reminded him and had convinced him that everything was always his fault. So his uncle insisted he go back for two more months of treatment.

He laid on his bed and whined a groan into the vacant room. He thought about how many times he’d ‘run into’ Gaara that day. It was supposed to be easier after not seeing him for three months. Just why the hell was it harder? He could feel a pity of regret of want in his stomach It was annoying and it had been there every since that last day that’d been together.

‘Do I…miss him?’

((Neji’s Flashback))


The halls were quiet in the dark of night. Sirens blared outside of the emergency room doors and people in smocks were rushing around like they were all apart of a mad house. It was a mad house. There were tons of patients either waiting around or demanding some attention in the waiting room. With all the fuss and rushing Neji wasn’t even sure he was up for it.

Itachi was holding him up and as they walked down the halls of the clean building. Haku followed close behind with tears in his eyes. He had been sniffling the entire car ride and it in turn drove Neji’s depression to a full max. He was barely walking, barely talking, and barely alive. Who knew if he could even see straight?

Neji was muttering little things to himself that made him look like he belonged in the mad house. He wasn’t drooling, or murmuring things like, “Breakfast, breakfast, cakes and pans” but he was slouching, and dragging his feet on the floor. Itachi pulled him into a secluded portion of the waiting room and instructed for Haku to watch him while he went and talked to a nurse.

“Neji.” Sniff sniff. “Are you, alright.” Haku looked over at his friend who had resumed shaking. His face was in his hands and he looked a little more unstable than his boyfriend usually did. Haku moved closer and rubbed Neji’s back. He hadn’t seen what happened but if they were in the hospital then it had to be something bad.

“There was so much.” Neji muttered. “…so much.” He looked at Haku. There was no sign of tears in his eyes but there was a pool of confusion and worry lodged somewhere in there. Haku looked down at Neji’s arms and shirt. He was covered in blood and he just looked beat. Haku could tell he was exhausted, they all were. It was nearing two in the morning and they were just arriving at the hospital.

“You wanna talk about it?” Haku asked, still rubbing his back. The Hyuuga looked at him and Haku smiled sadly. He couldn’t imagine what Neji was feeling right then. He didn’t even know what was going on. He just remembered receiving a frantic call from Itachi at 1:00. He sprang from his bed and drove to Itachi’s house. All he knew was that-

“…so much.” Neji dropped his head again. “They wouldn’t let me ride with him.” That seemed to be bothering him the most. “He’ll die.” Neji whispered. Haku gulped and looked up as Itachi approached them with the nurse. Neji lifted his head and stared at her. His eyes seemed empty now. He hardly had anything left in him but at least he’d stopped shaking and he had gained a bit of his composure. He stood when the nurse reached him.

“Hyuuga-san.” She cleared her throat. “You’re the boy that found him aren’t you?” She asked softly, sensing Neji’s pain and hurt and whatever else he was feeling. Neji nodded. His eyes were shaking, he knew what she was about to say to him. He knew she’d say-

“He’s going to be okay.”

‘Wha-what? There was so much blood everywhere. There’s no way he could have possibly survived! Calm down Neji, at least he’s not dead.’ Neji couldn’t even smile at the news. His lips twitched as they tried to smiled but it just turned into a frown. “Where is he?” Neji asked with an almost frantic voice. He’d been waiting to see a dead body, or hear news that the body was too dismembered to be seen. However, everything was…okay.

“This way.” The woman said and turned slowly to walk away. Neji looked at Haku and he nodded. Itachi did the same and Neji followed quietly behind the nurse in pink. She led him down a rather dark hallway to a room at the end of the hall. She grabbed the handle and paused.

“He’s in recovery but I think he’s still a little shaken up. He might not be awake but you’re more than welcome to stay with him until morning.” The nurse opened the door and stepped in. “Gaara, you have a visitor.” She whispered as she walked over to his bed and turned on the little lamp on the table next to him. It wasn’t much help. Neji could barely see and that room looked like a dream. The nurse nodded to him and then left the room.

Neji looked Gaara over. He was covered in bandages and he was hooked up to so many tubes that Neji couldn’t trace where they were all connected to. He took a deep breath and calmed himself. How was he supposed to get through this one? He was in front of the boy he loved trying not to yell or have a nervous break down.

“Your shirt.” Gaara whispered. So he was awake. Neji ignored his comment. He didn’t care about the shirt. He was more concerned with the entire situation. Gaara had been fine a few days ago. Sure they’d had an argument over the phone a few hours ago but that was nothing out of the ordinary.

“Gaara, I’m-“

“Don’t. You were busy, I understand.” His voice was hoarse and he sound dead tired. Neji got angry at the comment. He should be the one pissed off. Gaara had completely taken things to the extreme. Had he even thought of the consequences of his actions?

“How’d you think I was going to feel about this?” Neji held back a growl. “What’s possessed you into thinking suicide is the answer to all your problems?” He was louder than he’d wanted to be but he was hurt. How was he supposed to handle this? Didn’t Gaara know just how torn up he would be?

“So you care about me now huh?” Gaara sat his aching body up and snapped a few of the cords he was hooked to out of the machine. Neji’s eye twitched. He could feel his anger circling around him. He couldn’t figure out if it was because he was pissed about what happened or because he cared about Gaara and he…loved him.

“What? I’ve always cared about you. Who’s been riding your ass about getting better? Me. Who’s been helping you escape that hell hole of a home? Me. Who’s been with you listening to your shit problems for a year. Me! Who the hell loved you when no one else would! ME! Don’t tell me that I’m just starting to care now when I’ve been caring from the first God! Damn! Day!”

“Fuck you! All you do is lie!” Gaara’s heart was probably aching but he looked passed it into the eyes of fury. “You’re no better than the rest of them! I’ve been in hell for the last two months with you.” He coughed. “You could have just left.” He calmed down and looked at Neji who was still heated.

“You’re really messed up in the head aren’t you? Who’s fault is it that the last two months have been shit? Sure as hell isn’t not mine. I could have left, I wanted to but I came to the conclusion that I needed you for something.” Neji turned his back and stood in front of the window. “Hell, if I would have known you go and do something like this I wouldn’t have stayed.”

There was a silence in the room for awhile. Gaara had questions but he didn’t know how to ask them. There had been things going on for a long time that had never been explained to him. Neji’s disappearing on him for days at a time. Unreturned phones calls. Rumors around school that couldn’t have been avoided. Gaara couldn’t have known if they were true or not. He and Neji hardly saw each other during school and Neji had a hectic schedule because of work and the team. He used to make extra time for Gaara. Sneaking out of his house late to see his lover but that had stopped and Gaara didn’t know why.

“When did you stop…loving me?”

Neji turned around at the sound of Gaara’s sad voice. “What?” He asked wondering where the question had come from and if he’d heard correctly. “What are you talking about?” He frowned.

“You said ‘loved’ a while ago. You subconsciously used past tense.” Gaara put his head down. “So…when?” It had been a question Gaara wanted to ask for a very long time. He had felt it for a long long time but he never had the guts to ask until now. It was his excuse for wanting everything to end.

“I-I don’t…” Neji paused. “Are you trying to turn this around on me? Don’t blame me for the problems.” Neji stepped closer. “I never said I didn’t love you.” He felt a ripple of pain growing in his chest. He didn’t need to say it. It wasn’t even close to being true. Neji had never loved anyone in his life after his father died but he did love this boy.

“But you want to…” Gaara looked up at him. Neji was staring intently. The worry in his eyes was back. He couldn’t muster the courage to object but he knew it wasn’t true. How was this turning into such a big thing? How was…wait-

“Is that what this is about? Is that why you did this?” Neji grabbed Gaara’s arm and looked down at it. “Gaara, what’s gotten into you? When have I ever been afraid to tell you what I’m feeling? Had I not loved you anymore I would have said so.”

“You didn’t have to. Fucking everyone in school was enough word.”

Neji raised an eyebrow and stepped back, anger entering him again. He narrowed his eyes. Did Gaara really believe all the rumors going around about Neji? Did he honestly believe that after an entire year together, after knowing Neji inside and out that the boy would just let them end on such a horrible term? Neji lost control of the hate he was trying to suppress. He grabbed Gaara by the throat and plastered the boy’s head to the pillow.

“Do you think you’re so high and mighty that you don’t make mistakes? Whatever problems I had with whom ever happened ages ago. Stop brining it back up!” Neji held him tighter. Gaara choked a hysterical laugh as he didn’t strain against Neji’s grasp.

“I should have killed you instead!” Gaara versed.

‘What?!’ Neji thought as he maintained his hold. ’Does he hate me that much?’ Neji let go of him and staggered back. Had he missed something? Maybe he had made a mistake but that didn’t mean-

“Get out.”

Neji looked back at Gaara who was laying down staring at the ceiling. Neji could have sworn he saw tears but everything was so dark and maybe it was his own eyes that were watering. Had it really come to this?

“I said Get. Out.” Gaara wasn’t yelling and he didn’t sound angry but it was a firm statement. Neji shook his head, pissed off again. He stepped up to the bed and poked Gaara in the forehead.

“Fuck you.” He said sternly. “I wasn’t hoping for all this but fine. Have it your way. If you wanted out so bad you should have said so. But whatever I’ll make it easier on you. I’m through. I won’t be back. Now, go ahead and kill yourself, there’s no one left to care.” Neji stormed over to the door and left, slamming it shut.

((End Flashback))

-----

Gaara was sitting in Sasuke’s computer chair by now. It was very early in the morning and he had school in a few hours. Sasuke snored softly on the other side of the room but Gaara wasn’t bothered by it. He was giving the computer a death stare since he’s gone brain dead for what to write next in his Angel Sanctuary YAOI fic. (Oh Yeah!)

He plugged in his 2gig USB stick and scrolled through the stories and poems and rants he’d written. One in specific he was looking for. Following the mouse the file titled ‘Morning Sadness’

Cut my eyes on visions of you. Memories aren't clear.
I lost touch with the boy I knew. While you were still here.

Have you met your God? Does he know I'm in pain?
Does he even have any plans? For me to see you again?

Morning sadness, so we meet again.
Pack your bags 'cause we're leaving. Tonight.

Damage done by a lost loved one. You can never forget.
Questioning my faith in God. I know evil exists.

So I look past the sky. It's where we're going tonight.

Morning sadness, so we meet again.
Pack your bags 'cause we're leaving. Tonight.

On a mission to find him in heaven.
Maybe we'll get to sleep next to God tonight.

There's a razor with my name. It carves my life away.
And I'll find out who's real. Right now...

Morning sadness, so we meet again.

Pack your bags 'cause we're leaving.
It's the only way, to untie the pain,
from a heart that has suffered.

It's the only way, to untie the pain.
from a mind that is strangled.

-----
(End Chapter))
AH! ((Screams)) That was a horrible filler chapter. Sorry! I needed to fill you all in on the break up and blah….you know. THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEWS! They were my drug for the last two days and I wrote and finish like I said I would. Now if I could only get a few more than I could finish another chapter! SOON! Like this WEEKEND!
Side story up in about 30 minutes!