"You Changed Me Into My Worst Fear"

Back again with the goods!

Disclaimer: I'm not even going to bother with it...(-.-)
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Sasuke cursed mentally as he felt a heavy weight grab a hold of his arm and lean on it.

“Sasuke-kun, are you coming to the cafeteria?”

‘ Is this girl moronically dense? She knows I never go to the cafeteria yet she never stops trying.’
“No.”

“Oh…I wanted to get to know Naruto-kun better. It would be much more fun with you around! Ino said he was in there with Neji,” Sasuke was off like a canon ball the second he heard Neji’s name, “and Hinata…and some other boy. I don’t really know him but – Sasuke-kun?”
Said boy was nowhere in earshot…nor sight. Sakura was left clinging to thin air and wondered for a brief moment when he had left her to talk to herself. She frowned at the few students that were now mingling about in the corridors to dare question her sanity, then she turned to stalk off to the cafeteria with a huff.

Ino was at her locker talking to a few girls when Sakura spotted her.
“Ino! Coming to the cafeteria?” then she paused, in Ino’s hand was a banner with the words ‘Naruto-kun’ printed in baby blue calligraphy at the front, “Eh? What’s this?”

“Kyoko here is such a wonderful artist, Sakura! Isn’t this beautiful? It was my idea to have it out in the lobby where we hold our…well…you should know how it goes.”

“So it’s true then?” Sakura asked Ino in a small voice, nodding solemnly as she did, as if she had just been told of the worst tragedy ever.

“What is?” she was still grinning like she was in a permanent pose for a picture, with one hand on her hip and the other clutching the banner tightly, afraid a passing-by fan might snatch it away.

“That you left Sasuke-kun for Naruto.” She spoke out, still nodding, now, with her hands on her chin.

“But Naruto-kun is so much cuter! And he’s nice too. Sasuke-kun was always so mean.” The girl, Kyoko, shouted with much enthusiasm.

“Let’s go girls.” Ino ordered. The others trailed behind and left Sakura, standing there with her thoughts, still nodding at empty air

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Ino was on top of the world!
‘Nothing could have come out better than this!’

When she still worshipped the ground Sasuke walked on, she constantly had to compete with Sakura day in and day out for his attention. Sakura was a persistent girl and they’d always argue on who should be the ‘leader’ of their twisted club. Now no one stood up to her for Naruto’s attention, she thought, because they all knew she was the closest to him. They were friends! Right?

‘Bingo!’
“There he is!” she pointed triumphantly at the table where Naruto, Neji, Hinata and Kiba sat with Sasuke standing by the table, arms crossed and scowl in place, in the middle of saying something.

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“Why I was not in Business should not concern you, Uchiha.”
He had to force all his self-will not to act out in front of the students in the cafeteria – especially not with Naruto sitting right next to him as well. What would he think? He’d think him childish and juvenile – that’s what.

But Naruto wasn’t paying anyone mind. He was too busy smiling dreamily at his plate of well-cooked school dinner Neji had managed to hustle from the dinner ladies. One, because he was good looking and rich, and two because he was president of the student body council – he was entitled to good food.

Sasuke raised a thin dark eyebrow at the paintings on their faces.
‘Art? ’

It looked impressive but never in a million years would he have admitted that!

‘And since when has he ever wanted to sit next to his dear cousin? He despises her…he would not even be within ten feet of her, what’s going on?’
And before Detective Uchiha could further interrogate stalker Neji, a clutter of girlish squeals drowned him out.

“There you are, you adorable hunk!”

Kiba spat out the food he was currently chewing as an act of surprise and disbelief, which in turn landed on an innocent passer-by on his left.
‘Adorable-what?!’

Naruto looked up from his daydreaming when he felt arms wrap around him from behind and a wave of strong but sweet-smelling perfume hit him full on the nose.
“Eh?” was all he cold come up with. He was still in a daze (from dreaming about walking ramen bowls filled to the brim with his favourite delicious meal and extra-extra toppings).

“Naruto-kun, how are you doing?”
“Is your food warm enough – because if not, there’s a microwave in your…our lobby!”
“Smile for me!” without warning a bright flash went off right in Naruto’s face. He jerked his head back and blinked sheepishly.

“Wh-What’s going on? Kiba, what’s going on?”
He called out in a frightened voice with outstretched arms as the flash of the camera had temporarily blinded him.

He stood up, accidentally pushing off Ino – who landed on someone else behind her- and knocking over his plate off food – which spun catastrophically towards Kiba.

He, in turn, leaped to his left to avoid being berated in the face with mince pies and finger sandwiches but unfortunately bumped into the innocent passer-by afore mentioned – who still stood there, stiffly, from the accident before contemplating on what to do.

Hinata shook involuntarily at the chaotic scene that played out before her. Neji, the more rational of the two made to stand up and grab a hold of Naruto’s arms before he caused any more casualties.
That didn’t turn out so well as he knocked foreheads with Sasuke, who was coming round to do the same. Sasuke staggered backwards, clutching his head and grunting in agony and grabbed onto something to prevent his fall. Kyoko, who was the closest person, put out her arms to shield her face which ended up in Sasuke grabbing a hold of the banner that she’d offered to hold for Ino earlier on. There was a big ttttearr! as the banner came apart and rendered Sasuke floorless.

By now the cafeteria was packed with students who’d gone for their lunch. And half these students had stood on their tables or gathered round to watch this chaos unfold – the shameless ones eating in between, no names mentioned, (Chouji Akimichi a-hem!) as if it was some sort of side show being acted out for their entertainment, well, it was lunch-time, wasn’t it?

Kiba cursed aloud as he tried to step away from the person he’d bumped into – with no intention of apologising. His voice came out in a strained cry as he clawed at the hands that had suddenly seized his throat in a tight grip.

“You…I’ll kill you!” the voice came in a gruff, threatening manner.
The comical moment halted.

Even Naruto, who at the moment was trying to untangle his feet from someone else’s on the floor, tilted his head and paused as he wondered why the cafeteria had suddenly grown so quiet. His impaired vision from before was slightly improving though he still saw a bright yellow dot everywhere he turned and on everything he looked at.

“Gyaugh! S-so…sorry!” Kiba tried again, to manoeuvre his way out of the unwavering hands that he now identified to be Kankuro’s – Gaara’s right hand man in destruction, his struggle became urgent and desperate as he clawed, more frantically, at the steel grip.

“K-Kiba?” Naruto shook his head once, twice then turned his head in Kiba’s direction, “Eh? Hey-you!”

“Naruto you baka! Shut your mouth!” a voice hissed by his ear, “Gaara is right there!”
He paid no heed. The boy who had Kiba by the throat, Kankuro, turned his head slowly to look down at the short blond boy.

“Yes, you! What are…what are you doing to my friend?” he scrambled to get up and walked slowly towards the two. It was all hush-hush before but now people whispered behind hands and watched on with wide eyes as Kankuro frowned at Naruto and dropped Kiba to the floor, pinning him down with his feet.

“Your friend?” Kankuro asked, his low voice laced with unshed humour. He found it highly amusing why such a little guy like Naruto actually had the guts to stand up to him. Did he not know who he was?
‘Ah, yes! The new fish…let’s see how far he’ll last.’

“Uh-huh! Get your feet off of him you big bully!” Naruto’s fists clenched and unclenched, his heart, beat at a faster pace as the thrill of anticipating a fight washed over him in a familiar tidal wave.
‘It’s been a while…alright, let’s roll! ’

“You, you’re the guy from art!” Kankuro shouted as if only just realizing it.
Naruto analysed his purple face painting and thought; indeed, he must have been in there.

“Yeah, what of it?” he growled out. He wanted a fight, damnit, and this guy was prolonging the fun!

“Feh, you know they actually took down my marionette to put up your stupid picture!” Kankuro really did sound hurt.

“Hey! It’s bad enough you’re beating on my friend but to stoop as low as to insult my art? You’re scum! Take that back – they loved my picture! It’s not my fault your Mario-whatcha’ma-call-it wasn’t appealing enough!” he smirked and mentally threw up a victory sign when he noticed the other guy was getting riled up.

“They only favour you because you’re new!” he spat out venomously.

“And real cute!” Someone from the back of the crowd shouted out and ducked down with a quickness when Kankuro threw a glare in their direction.

“This isn’t about that and you know it – they know good work when they see it and yours wasn’t cutting it! Nyah!” Naruto stuck his tongue out for good measure causing Kankuro to squint against the spark when his tongue ring caught the sunlight spewing in through the window. Naruto was so caught up in their verbal battle; he didn’t notice Kankuro take a step forward.

“You little shit! I’ve had enough of you –!” He grabbed a hold of Naruto’s blazer and just as he was about to deliver a good socking punch, a pale strong arm shot out to halt him.
Neji and Sasuke paused mid-step in their intervene – Sasuke lowering the metal spoon he was about to throw, with good aim, I might add – and glared at the face the arm belonged to.

“Kankuro…” low, deep, deadly, cold…. Such was the voice of…

“G-Gaara?”

“You will let go off him.” He stated simply.

“Y-Yes, of course!” Kankuro gulped audibly and hesitantly released Naruto’s blazer whiles also lifting his foot off of Kiba. He coughed and spluttered and scrambled to stand behind Naruto.

“You’re a disgrace…” the chilling voice continued in a harsh whisper.

“You know this guy, Gadara?” Naruto asked absent-mindedly whiles smoothing out the front of his blazer and picking off non-existent lint. There was another ripple of disbelieving gasps and whispers. Neji, Hinata and Ino, by now, had come up to stand behind Naruto as well, fearing the worst for their first-day student friend…and crush. Sasuke stood off to the side, watching, but he took no chances and kept the spoon well hidden in his sleeve.

“Move, idiot! Ugh, get out of my way! Fool, do you know whom you’re talking to…yeah, thought so!”
A pink head could be seen making its way through the dense mass of students, barging and elbowing people if need be,
“Sasuke-kun! What’s going o-…oh…my…” she trailed off when she took in the scene before her, “GAWD! Naruto, run! Save yourself, Sasuke-kun and I will hold them off! Run and save yourself,” sob, “It’s only been your first day!” she made to dive in between Naruto and Gaara when Sasuke took a hold of her collar.

“Sakura! Calm yourself!” he whispered warningly into her ear when he noticed Gaara narrow his eyes at her. Naruto tilted his head back and let his hair fall over his eyes.

“Sakura-Chan, you’re – ”

“Uzumaki, you should watch your tongue.”
Oh, who said he was done?

“Eh? He started it! No one insults my art; he’s just a jealous ugly fart!” Ino wrapped his arms round Naruto from behind and took a few steps backwards, out of Gaara’s reach.
Gaara only shook his head twice and raised an eyebrow…or what was left of it, expectantly at Kankuro. He, in turn, rolled his eyes and said something, begrudgingly under his breath. Naruto grinned.

“Huh? I didn’t quite catch that, could you repeat it, please?” he asked innocently whiles cupping his ear.

“I said sorry, little twit…count yourself lucky. Don’t let me see you in the halls or I’ll – ”

“Kan-ku-ro…” Gaara warned.

“Errm, nothing…nothing!”

“Awesome! Gadara you’re so cool!”

The mob of students were flabbergasted, dumbfounded!
What’s this? Kankuro apologizing? Worst yet, Kankuro apologizing because Gaara forced him to?!

Had they, by some twisted way or possibility, stepped in Twilight zone?
It was gravely quiet for about a minute, in which Sakura took the time to calm her hysterics and recede into shock. Ino released Naruto…only for a fraction of a second then glomped him again.

Neji and Sasuke glared at Ino. Kankuro glared at Naruto. Gaara stared at Naruto with something akin to confusion.

Kiba looked smug – like this was all his doing. Hinata shifted from one foot to the other.

Kyoko and her gang, with love hearts dancing about them, stood to the side admiring Naruto and waving the half ripped banner like a flag, the only noise apart from some shuffling of the feet – courtesy of Hinata.

The dinner ladies – who’d been watching this go on, because let’s face it, they had nothing better to do – went back to feeding on the leftovers in the school kitchen fridge.

Chouji had finished off his bag of chips and was just holding onto that last one. Shikamaru, who’d, appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the commotion stood away from them all and analysed everyone’s reaction for future references, not that he actually wanted to because you know, it was troublesome.

And Naruto, who was pouting at the moment because he felt he was missing something, looked around slowly and took in every little detail of their wrecked table – and that’s when it hit him – what he was forgetting…

“Oh my gawd! Nooo! My food!”

Thus…the silence was broken with more than a dozen falls, feet twitching in the air, as the rest gaped at his naivety.

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Ya'all know what to do. I've done my bit. Now ya'all gotta do yours!

P.S: "Shall we have a moment of silence for the late Miss Thormpson who was stealthily ambushed in her own house in lakewood, CA. Police have had a number of leads on the culprit who gave away her adress...."

Don't even joke about something like that! She's lying folks, no one was harmed during the writing of this story! (Okay maybe a little pinky finger that got stuck in between the keys...)