"Everybody wants to rule the world." Nothing like listening to a little Curt Smith on a drive to school. Actually any good song makes the day feel better before the mad mad world of high school sets in. Don't get me wrong. I love high school, especially Konoha High School. With all my friends that make it us against the world. Hinata, Kiba, Shino, Rock Lee, Shikamaru, Choji and especially Naruto. There isn't one single stunt or prank possible that he hasn't pulled on the teachers. Of course we naturally got carried into it. To us it didn't matter that we were considered the freaks and losers. We were who we were. What did make high school maddening were the Akatsuki gang and other populars.

Like Sakura's click, the wealthy overachievers, Sauske Squad and the Sand Siblings. Each one held a certain dislike of one of us or we disliked one of them. All of them rooted in our life's history. Some of them as far back as middle school. That's considered ancient history to a high schooler. Here are the actual reasons that we have these numerous enemies. Gaara of the Sand siblings has it out for Lee. They had a tournament back in 6th grade and Gaara nearly killed him. He was banned from the fighting circuit. Needless to say that he blames Lee for that. The wealthy overachievers blame us for turning Shikamaru into a sloth and having them lose Shino too. Hey it's not our fault that they ended up quitting. Shikamaru just wanted to be himself and Shino was sick of the group. You would too if everyone forgot your name or thought you were some kind of freak. Naruto and Rock Lee have a crush on Sakura, who has a crush on Sauske, who is the main rival of Naruto's in school as well as love. Sakura hates Naruto and Rock Lee for their crushes. Hinata kinda dislikes Sakura since Naruto has a crush on her. Hinata has been in love with Naruto since kindergarten. Kiba is always challenging Suigetsu to a match and Shino dislikes Karin (who is also overachiever). Finally why the Akatsuki gang hates us is mostly mine and Naruto's fault. They asked us to be a part of their gang, but we refused. They still try to get us to join.

Anyway it's time to get to today and not the past. I'm driving down the street getting ready to pick up Hinata, Kiba and Rock Lee. When I notice that someone is following me. It was a black convertible a high class black convertible. I knew I saw it before, but I wasn't sure how I should react. I was already at Hinata's and luckily her father was outside waiting with her. I pull up and try not to act scared and call Mr. Hyuuga towards me.

"Hey, Mr. Hyuuga how are you?"

"I'm well."

"Can you come over here for a second?"

"What is it Ms. Rook?"

"I think someone is following me and swear I have seen the car before."

"What does the car look like?"

"It's a black convertible. One that looks pretty expensive. Not an average Joe's car." He stares at me for a moment as if he thought I was pulling a prank. He turns his head to the side.

"Hinata get Neji for me will you."

"Yes, father."

"You did the right thing not to raise alarm." Neji arrives looking as glad to see me as ever. Which is never.

"You called for me Uncle."

"I want you to follow Ms. Rook on the way to school. Keep an eye out for a black convertible. If it shows get the license plate number and give it to me. Understand?"

"Yes, sir. "Hinata climbs into the car, along with Kiba. We have to drive down the street to get Shino. The car doesn't make any appearance on the way there. Which gives me a sigh of relief. But not a complete sense of it. I still had this feeling that I knew who was driving that car. It just wasn't clicking together.

"Are you alright Luisa?"

"I'm fine. Just a little distracted. You know from having that paper due for Kakashi's class."

"Look Lu, we know the real reason for your distracted driving. I know my body is hard to resist, but you should pay attention to the road."

"Your right Kiba it is hard to resist. Hard to resist laughing at."

"Hey!" Hinata chuckles along with me. She was quiet normally, but around us she actually spoke more.

"Luisa, you almost missed Shino's house."

"Oh right. Sorry." I pull into his driveway and he slides right in with a covered aquarium. 'Shino."

"Yes."

"What's in the fish tank?"

"Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches." Even though I'm used to Shino being a bug guy. I am not used to him bringing them in my car. Not since the last time when his red ant farm crashed in my car. Those things took forever to get rid of. Driving was nearly impossible with the feeling of a bunch of little tiny legs crawling up and down your spine.

"Shino, those..."

"The tank is plastic and covered so that they can't escape and still breathe." He sighs in exasperation. I can tell it annoys him that I have to ask every time if the bugs won't get out. "Thank you."

Checking my mirrors and making sure Neji was behind me, I head out. Konoha High was like any other high school. Big, loud and filled with teenagers. Like I had said earlier it has its groups and each group had its members.

Sakura's group consisted of Sakura (leader), Ino (2nd in command), Tenten (information source) and Carly. A new girl at our school. Who has no idea what she has gotten into with this group.

The wealthy overachievers were Neji(leader), Karin, Kabuto(Karin's brother), Sakon, Ukon and Tayuya. All of them are pretty much wealthy snob stereo types.

The Sand Siblings were Gaara, Kankuro and Temari. A small group that held enough power to keep them at the top.

The Sauske group has of course Sauske, Juugo, Suigetsu and Karin, anything involving Sauske she was in. Sakura would have joined too, but she didn't want to look as desperate as Karin looked. At least that is what she had told everyone.

And finally the Akatsuki. Pein, Konan, Hidan, Kakuzu, Zetsu, Itachi(older bro of Sauske. Major issues with each other), Kisame, Deidara and Sasori. Most of the groups tend to avoid each other or get one up on each other.

When they are busy doing this they often gives us a break from them and their attempts at harming whatever reputation they think we have or trying to break us apart. Today was not one of those days. The minute that we arrived they set their radars on us. An akatsuki came right up to us. The one that irked me only minorly. The pyro Deidara.

"Hey there Luisa."

"Hello Deidara. What do you want?"

"Nothing much just a chance to talk to you."

"If it's about me becoming an akatsuki, the answer is still the same as last time. No."

"Pein's not going to be too happy about this. Either am I."

"Why would that be? I heard you hated being the one to recruit."

"Because I would like to see a cute girl in the group." He says as he runs his hand through his hair. In the back I can see Kiba and Naruto making gag faces in the back. I have to agree with them. His forced attempts at flirts were bad. He thought he could act, but no one (outside the group I was in) had the heart to say it to his face.

"Look Deidara. I don't have time for this and I would like to get going. So this conversation will have to wait later. I brush past him and the others follow suit. But Naruto stops to stick his tongue out.

"Will they ever stop? This is starting to be a real drag."

"Agreed. Shikamaru. One thing for sure we will never join them."

"Amen to that! Come on Hinata, we're going to be late for Kakashi-sensei's class!" As Naruto raced to class with Hinata in tow. I swear I could hear her think. 'He's touching me. He's holding my hand!' A sweet innocent Hinata, if only she got her nerve. Then she would be dating Naruto.

"See you guys at lunch!"

*fast forward to just before lunch*

'Come on, ring, ring! Just a little more!'

*BRING!* 'YES!' quickly gathering my things I rise in an attempt to leave. When Bam! Someone smacked into me.

"Ah! Sorry. Sorry."

"It's alright. I wasn't looking were I was going." Not looking up, I continued to gather up papers. This was a seriously important paper. It was for Kakashi's class and lately he was not very forgiving on grading. When I was about to get the last page. His hand was covered by mine from trying to gather the paper. I choose to use my eyes to travel up the arm to the face of my unknown helper. I find that I have come face to face with one of them. The Sand Siblings own Kankuro. A pervert and mechanical whiz.

"Hey, you're that girl that hangs with that weird guy Lee."

"He's not weird! He's one of my best friends. A cool guy." I shake his hand off and quickly grab the paper. Leaving the room in a quick huff.

"Hey, what's the rush? Meeting your "best friend" for lunch?"

"I am meeting him for lunch, but I'm not dating him."

"That's good. Cause your way out of his league."

"I'm what?"

"You're out of his league. You're hot. He's well a dork. Hence his nickname of Dork Lee."

"Oh really. Funny. He looks ten times hotter compared to you. And to mention not as shallow."

"Ouch. So you are attracted to him?"

"As much as this conversation has been stimulating. I have to get to lunch."

"Hey, I was just heading there myself. So allow me to accompany you fair lady."

"Uh-huh. Why are you flirting with me? As of last week you were ignoring me."

"What makes you think I'm flirting?" I give him this why are you even asking this? Face. He gets the message. Looks me dead in the eye.

"Maybe I think you're hot. Nothing more." I brush past him and say "Whatever."

A hand grips me from behind pulling me into a rock hard chest.

"What makes you think that our conversation is over?" I struggle to get out of his grip.

"Since I have nothing more to say to you and I really need to be going." I break free from his grip and get the heck out of there. I head to the usual spot for lunch. The eco garden. It was a garden that the district came up with to help beat global warming and cut on food cost. There was a veggie and floral area and a couple fruit trees. It was a cool little hangout since it was kind of isolated. The gang was already there.

"Hey, where you been Lu? We almost sent out Akamaru to find you!"

"Kiba. Remember what happened the last time that you brought Akamaru to school. Everyone got fleas."

"That was not his fault. Anyway where were you?" Everyone stop to stare at me. Well maybe not Shino. It's hard to tell what he's looking at with those shades on. "Nothing much, Kankuro held me up."

"What?" Everyone looks at me with a wtf face. Hinata looks worried. With every right to be. A meeting with any of the big cliques was something that meant trouble for us.

"What did he want?" asked Lee.

"Trouble is my guess." Stated Shino. He seemed to have a slight edge to his voice.

"A date, I think. As if I would ever go out with that jerk."

"Ouch again, duchess." My pulse rushes at the voice that I prayed was Kiba or Naruto making a joke. Life must love pranks and punishment. Scowls follow the guys, while Hinata twiddles her fingers. It was Kankuro. This guy must seriously have a death wish.

"What do you want?" Rock Lee stood up in his about to battle pose.

"Nothing to do with you. I came here to give something back to Luisa." Everyone turns to me with WtF faces. Kankuro hands a paper to me.

"You left this in the hall." It was the first page of my report for Kakashi's class. "Thanks."

"You're welcome, see ya around duchess."

"Duchess?" Shino makes this a moment to hear him.

"I guess he has a new nick name for me."

"I see." Shino gets closer to me. "If he bothers you again come and find me."

"That's alright Shino. I can handle him." Shino didn't look convinced, granted it's hard to tell by his looks. Unless you're one of us.

"Well we should get going the bell's about to ring." Sure enough it just did. Shino and I head to our biology class. It's nice to have him in biology class. He is really smart when it comes to that stuff. He always helps me with class assignments, homework and group projects. It's safe to say that without him I would have failed the class pretty quick. Unfortunately my mind forgot that certain people were in that class. Hidan and Deidara of Akatsuki, Karin, Sakon and Ukon of the upper wealth's and the sand siblings.

"Great." I mumble.

"Ignore them. Otherwise they'll gain power over you." Shino still hadn't left my side. We walked over to an empty table waiting for the ever slow teacher to come. She's a great teacher, but could she at least buy a watch that's on time.

"Sorry I'm late class but one of the teachers was chatting up a storm and before you know it the final bell has wrung." She puts her hand behind her head and laughs. Until it turns into an awkward chuckle. Typical and yet still awkward.

"Any who. Class today is going to be a little different. Instead of the usual you choose the group. I'm going to choose your partners for this next assignment." Cue the groans, what the hecks and surprised faces.

"Now I know that many of you are not happy by this development, but I think a change of pace will be good for everyone. Oh and the next project will consist of three people groups, except one that will have four. Now let us begin with the group listings. First group, Temari, Gaara and Leroy Jenkins. Second group, Shino, Paul Carson and Karen. Third group, Henry Jones, Ukon and Deidara."

'Oh crap. If my math is right that means that the last group is...' "And last but not least the fourth group, Luisa, Kankuro, Sakon and Hidan. 'Crap!'

"Well, well duchess looks like we are going to be seeing a lot of each other." This was so not good. Really not good. I have three sides of enemy in the same group as me.

"Now I want everyone to go ahead and get together in their assigned groups." She looked back and forth at every student that was looking at her with second head stare.

"If no one does this now then they automatically fail. The project. That set off a hurricane of activity. But before Shino left he said that if I ever felt uncomfortable about anyone of the guys to get help immediately. I thanked him for the advice, but I told him I could handle myself. This was his reply.

"You can handle yourself, they can't handle their selves." Then he did his walk away without a rebuttal from me. I could see the stakes. One of them was sure to turn this into hell for me. As soon as he was gone, the other guys showed up. Each held a different expression. Sakon's was one of what trash do I have to deal with now. Hidan's was one that said waste of time and Kankuro's was the hello new score.

"So..." Sakon takes this opportunity to speak.

"We will discuss the project at my family's villa this afternoon. Be sure to arrive right after school. Here is the address." He hands everyone a slip of paper. This was going to be a long project. I could tell that already.

Fast forward to Sakon and Ukon's family villa.

"Wow, so this is a villa? Hmm." I pull into the driveway where a butler type guy comes over.

"I take it that you are a Ms. Luisa?"

"Yes and you would be?"

"Mr. Sung."

"Nice to meet you Mr. Sung." I put my hand out for him to shake. He looks at it like I offered him a dead fish. "Follow me when you are done parking."

No wonder he works for Sakon and Ukon he is about as lively as milk toast. I park in a spot that wouldn't be much of a problem for others to get in or out. I get out of the car and follow Mr. Sung into the house. It looks bigger on the inside than it did outside. It was designed in a Mediterranean style. Until we reached Sakon and Ukon's floor it was more gothic. "Here you are Madame."

"Thanks." I was about to knock on the door when Sakon appears and I think Ukon too. "Good you're here on time."

They both turn around and walk into the room. I follow suit. The others were already there. Each had something in there hands. Some kind of drink. I hope it's not beer.

"Hey there Duchess." Kankuro throws in one of his trade mark smirks.

"Please quit calling me that."

"You know you like it."

"On what planet?"

"Can we just focus on what we are going to do for the stupid ass project? I have other things to do then stay with you fucktards." Hidan looks at us then down to his phone.

"Aren't you a ball of sunshine." I said under my breath.

"What was that bitch?"

"Excuse me?" He just goes back to cell phone.

"Hidan does have a point let's find a project idea and then leave. I have other things that need my attention and being around you people is not what I had in mind." stated Sakon with his high air around him.

"Like we want to spend any more time with you, Hidan? Trust me I can think of a thousand people I would rather be with than you." His glare turns to a stare. A creepy pervert stare.

"You know if you kept your mouth shut maybe you and I could meet up tonight?"

"Did you not just hear what I said?"

"You mean the denial? Yes I did."

"You are a very delusional being."

"Hidan don't respond we have a project to get started on and a life I wish to get back to. So ideas would be really helpful." Hidan stopped talking but his creeping continued.

"We all have a life." Stated Kankuro. He swings back his arm in a wide gesture and hits something against a drink that goes all over my white school blouse. It wasn't soda or lemonade. It was much worse the drink was water. A lot of water.

"Agh!"

"Sorry about that Duchess."

"Can someone pass me a napkin." I start to dab at the water splatter when someone says.

"Hey how about that becomes our project." All turn to Hidan who was pointing at my blouse. He tried to get closer. The perverted creep.

"I don't think a wet t-shirt contest would impress the teacher." Sakon sighed.

"The male student body yes. But not the teacher." Ukon sweat drop added.

"Not a wet t-shirt contest. But that still isn't a bad idea. Maybe we can try that out later Luisa." I roll my eyes Hidan was so predictable. A horn dog that has nearly slept with all the girls in two schools.

"Something similar to it." Kankuro takes his turn on the conversation pole.

"You mean like we do a study on attraction?"

"That could work. Have a female be examined by different possible partners. Rate the attraction. Maybe..."

"Yeah. Yeah. That's our flippin project. We can call that down for the mark. I want to know is who gets to use our female first?" This time they all look at me. I do not like where this is going. "I have to go. Quickly racing to the door and quickly I am blocked. "Not yet, Luisa."

'Oh crap!' Sakon wraps an arm around me.

"I think that you should stay awhile longer. After all you're going to be the center piece in our project." He pushes me back toward the circle of guys that had now formed. Each with their own perky smile.

"Hey guys, I don't feel comfortable with this idea for our project. Plus the teacher will disagree with the idea."

"Good point. Teach isn't always easy to get ideas by." Kankuro said as he scratched the back of his head.

"Not for me. I have her trust and therefore can convince her that this project will be beneficial." 'Shoot that was my only ace.'

"Now that there is no reason to worry. We really should decide who gets her, when to switch out..." I wriggle out of his gasp.

"Hold. The. Phone! There is no way that I'M doing this as our project! This is more of a sick male fantasy than a school project." Hidan in his lazy uncaring tone said, "So?". I stare at all of them and realize they're crazy.

"I'm outta here!" I pick up my backpack and head for the door. "You can't leave!" shouted Kankuro.

"She won't. She's bluffing." stated Sakon or was it Ukon? I turn around for a second. "Oh yeah, watch me." I went out the door and down to my car. Just when I was about to get into my car someone was lifting me over their shoulder.

"Hey!" Whoever grabbed me didn't answer. They just headed straight back into the house and up to the room. "Got her."

"Really you guys? You just had to do this?"

"How else were we going to get you to come back?"

"Did the idea of changing the project come to bear fruit in the recesses of your mind?"

"No."

"Then I guess you're not the overachiever that everyone thinks you are."

"Come on. Luisa just agree to this little request. It might help people realize that you don't have a pole up your butt."

"Just because I do the right thing and refuse to do a project that overstimulated the already too large male hormone induced fantasy does not mean that I have a pole up my butt as you have put it." None of us were going to budge on this issue. I could tell. Then Hidan did something that freaked out everyone. "This'll change your mind."

Hidan grabbed the back of my neck and forced his lips onto mine. In response to his attempt at opening my lips with his gross tongue I did the lady like thing and kneed him right where it hurts the most.

"If you ever do anything like this again, I will not go easy on you. "As he started to get up from the floor. He actually gave me a smirk. Now I don't know about you but I don't find it normal for a guy who got hit in his most sensitive area to start smirking at the very person who just hit them. "Sakon, maybe you should start taking notes...We just got one reaction...from our test subject."

'Oh that cheeky little bastard.'

"Already on it. I have to say that was one way to get the project started. Next time let the others in on the idea."

"There is no way this is going to go on." I whisper. I race this time out the door and into my car driving the heck out of there. Halfway home I dawn on what's going on, or what had gone on. I just lost my first kiss to a jackass and an enemy that wants me to join him, in front of the other two groups of people that hate me/ flirt to hurt.

This day sucks. And you know what it wasn't over yet. I get home, put on a Phil Collins CD, and soak in a long bath. Easing the tension of the idiots I just had to deal with earlier. It did the trick I was relaxed and in a world I could control.

(Ding, Dong)

"Mom! Could you get the door?"

"Why don't you get it?"

"I can't. I'm in the bathtub!"

"You've used that excuse before."

"Not an excuse."

"Alright, fine." It was probably Mr. Sanders, he probably got our mail again. "Luisa someone is here to see you!"

"I'll be down in a minute." It was probably Shino. He could be such a worrywart sometimes, but this time I was going to appreciate his trait. I get out of the bath and put on some sweats quickly. Heading down the stairs, I hear my Mom laughing and chatting with my mystery guest. "So who's here?"

"Nice to see you, duchess."

"Wha?" I stood there stone faced and surprised.

"You left before I had a chance to talk to you." My mother gets up to leave the room not before she says that if we need anything that she will be in the kitchen. I wanted to shout out, I need a restraining order on this guy! But Kankuro beat me to the punch. "We'll be alright. Ms. Rook. Sorry for troubling you already."

"Alright then. Sweetheart, don't let this one get away."

"Mom!" she gives me a wink before going off into the kitchen to finish the food for the Sanin group's dinner party.

"How did you find out where I live?"

"Does the online student phonebook ring a bell?"

"That's one question down. Now on to the rest. Did the guys send you to come and convince me to do this stupid project experiment?"

"Duchess they don't even know I'm here."

"Then why are you here?"

"Just came to check on you."

"Uh huh."

"Or maybe I came to tell you that I convinced the guys to do another project."

"Really? Why do I find that hard to believe?"

"I guess you don't trust people."

"When they have been known to be part of groups that try to hurt my friends and me. Yes, I would agree with that statement."

"Fair enough. Still you know that you are going to have to go through with the project."

"Not until you change it from a male fantasy to an actual school project. Then I would be more than willing to work on the science project."

"Chances of that are slim to none. Do you really think that you are willing to fail a science project that could mean the chances of you getting out of this town slipping away from you like water."

"Well, well look at that you are a poet in disguise Kankuro."

"Still doesn't mean that I am right about the grade you could get from the project and how it will irk you. You may not be a grade grubber, but you sure as hell are the type to try and keep your grades up." Came another voice that had just come in it was Sakon. How did he get in? Mom must have let him go through as she was heading out or he was there the whole time. Which is still creepy in any way you look at it.

"What was that about the others not knowing you were here?"

"Hey he followed me here after all." Kankuro gave an attempted look of surprise that would sooner smack him upside the head for.

"I can find a way to get my grade to passing. You are running out of options."

"I have one other option."

"And what would that be?"

"I don't think you would like that option."

"You don't have an option."

"Oh I do duchess one that would affect you and your mother."

"What are you…"

"I am referring to your mother's business of course." His eyes cast an unsettling gleam.

"Your mother's main source of income for her business is with many of the people my family runs circles with. One word can make or break her career. Do the social project the way we ask and your mother's business shall flourish, don't and well you already know where this is heading." His smirk grew knowing he had me in a corner.

"If I were to agree to this deal. There would have to be certain restrictions."

"What kind of restrictions?"

"You can't force me into anything that I don't wish to do willingly."

"You mean if we were to force ourselves on you? I can easily agree to that and will see to it."

"And after this project you guys will go back to leaving me alone."

"Fair enough. Now do we have a deal?" He puts his hand out for me to shake

"Yes." I shake hands with the jerk. He smiles and Kankuro slacks on the couch.

"Hey let's call the other guys over and get this project started."

"No you two are leaving now!" I shove the two out the door and lock it behind and listen carefully to their retreating steps. A sigh of relief exists my body and I for once could relax. If I forget that I just agreed to do the project the way they wanted. Oh crap! What did I just agree to?