It was lunchtime of the second Monday of semester and the cafeteria was filled with the excited squeals of girls.

Suigetsu cringed as yet another squeal of delight tore through his eardrums and pulled his biology book down over his ears in an attempt to shield them from further pain.

"I can't believe they're so worked up about a dance," he muttered from beneath his book, earning him a hefty hit to the back from Sakura, who was not impressed that he was being such a killjoy.

"It's the back to semester dance!" she exclaimed, flinging her arms around a rather unimpressed looking Sasuke. "It's only the greatest dance of the year aside from the leaver's dance! It's going to be fantastic!"

"And guess who's planning it this year?" Temari, Shikamaru's girlfriend inquired with a superior grin.

"Why, the better half of the greatest power couple Konoha University has ever seen!" Sakura squealed, flinging her arms around Temari's neck. Shikamaru rolled his eyes and sighed heavily as he always did when Sakura called him a part of a 'power couple'. Sure, he was top of his class; a year above where he was supposed to be; taking extra papers despite his laziness and a complete genius; and Temari was the alpha queen; popular, hot, highly intelligent and scary enough to command respect; but they were hardly a 'power couple'. Especially since Shikamaru had earned himself the name 'King of the Fairies' from his lecturers since he was always 'away with the fairies' as they so called it.

"This is going to be the best dance ever!" Ino exclaimed in delight, embracing her two friends and the three of them began squealing all over again, causing the males at the table to all cringe in unison.

"What do you think?" Kiba asked in a low tone, "Do you reckon Hinata would go to the dance with me?"

"Maybe if you showered more than once in a blue moon," Sasuke sniffed, scrunching up his nose. Kiba did a quick sniff of his pits and glared at the younger Uchiha.

"Hey, I showered yesterday," he growled, taking offense as Sasuke just smirked at him with his condescending black eyes.

"Hey, leave Kiba alone," Naruto snapped crossly, "He may not have a chance with Hinata, but enough with the personal attacks, bastard!"

"Hn," Sasuke responded, refusing to rise to Naruto's bait.

"Sakura!" Lee exclaimed joyfully, "Will you do me the honour of accompanying me to the dance!"

"Lee, I've been telling you for over a year," Sakura sighed, facepalming, "I'm dating Sasuke." Lee seemed unperturbed by this fact and just shot her a thumbs off and darted off to annoy Kisame.

The rest of lunchtime passed with the girls discussing possible themes; with Shikamaru being yelled at by Temari for not contributing. Hidan dumped his spaghetti in Deidara's hair; to which he then received tomato sauce down his front; starting a mini food fight that ended when Kisame stood, dragged Deidara away from punching Hidan by the scruff of his neck and forcibly removed the plate of mashed potato from his clutches.

"Let me go, un!" Deidara squirmed, unable to escape from Kisame's grip except if he slid out of his shirt –which seemed a little too childish for the situation, "Kisame! Put me down!"

"Look at the little runt squirm!" Hidan chortled.

"I'll sick him on you next," Itachi threatened, and that shut him up rather abruptly, "Thank you, Kisame," he added, easily hiding the amusement from his voice. Kisame let Deidara drop to the ground in a crumpled, food-covered heap, ignoring the swearing and death threats that the fiery blonde was sending his way. The bell rang for the end of lunch, and Deidara stormed off angrily to see if he had a spare change of clothes in his locker still –for events such as this.

"Hidan, why do you have to go and pick on him?" Suigetsu complained with a heavy sigh as he picked up his things, "Do you want mum to send you back to anger management again?"

"I don't fucking care," Hidan snapped, "That punk kid is a fucking pain in the ass and I'll do what I fucking feel like." He roughly shoved his brother, "…And don't you fucking tell mum anything." Suigetsu just sighed and looked over his shoulder at Shikamaru as Hidan headed off to his next class.

"Shika, what are we going to do with him?" he complained.

"Ask Temari," Shikamaru sighed, rubbing his temple in an attempt to get rid of his headache from his girlfriend yelling at him, "I can't make decisions."

"That's for sure," Temari snapped, striding past, looping her arm through his and dragging him off to their class. Suigetsu, Kisame and Itachi just watched them leave; Suigetsu wearing an incredulous expression.

"Women," Kisame sighed in his gruff voice, "…It's times like this that I'm glad I prefer men." Suigetsu's incredulous look didn't leave his face as he turned to face the big shark man. He wasn't the only one.

"You're gay?" Kiba spluttered. Kisame just looked at him, shrugged, and headed off to class. The eyes of their remaining friend group just stared as he left.

"He might not say much, but when he does…" Naruto remarked, mouth gaping.

"We don't all feel the need to spout continuous nonsense like some idiots around here," Sasuke smirked as he passed; tapping him under the chin to force his mouth shut.

"Agreed," Gaara commented flatly, stalking past with the younger Uchiha; his remark stopping Naruto's hot retort in its tracks. He just stared after the two of them, unable to believe that Gaara would betray him like that and side with the bastard.

"You do talk a lot," Kiba reminded him good naturedly. Naruto just scowled at him and mouthed 'traitor'.


"So how many times is it now that you've failed to ask her out, un?" Deidara inquired curiously of Kiba in their Psychology class two weeks later.

"Nine," he muttered bitterly as the blonde laughed at his friend's misfortune, "Nine times I have tried to walk up to her and ask her out."

"Are you counting the time when you walked up to her but Neji appeared so you just kept on walking?" Suigetsu teased.

"…Ten," Kiba complained, "Ten times! I have tried to ask her out ten times, but her bloody cousin is always there and I just freak out!"

"Just ask her anyways," Naruto shrugged, "What's the worse Neji's going to do?"

"…Kill me and eat my soul?" Kiba exclaimed, "Have you seen the guy; he gives looks that would make Sasuke tremble in fear!"

"I highly doubt anything Neji did could make the bastard 'tremble in fear'," Naruto rolled his eyes, "But he's really got you running away with your tail between your legs!" The three of them laughed heartily at poor Kiba's expense.

"You try it," he grumbled, "Just try getting her alone; it's an impossible job! Neji's like a bodyguard or something…" He trailed off into angry mutters about how scary Neji was. "The way he looks at me! It's like he can see my soul!"

"That's probably why he doesn't want a dirty mutt like you anywhere near his sweet cousin, un," Deidara smirked and they all laughed in agreement again.

"You guys fucking suck," Kiba muttered crossly, folding his arms and refusing to accept their sniggering apologies. "Maybe I could try just asking to talk to her alone for a minute…yeah, that could work…"

"…If you could work up the nerve to talk in front of Neji," Naruto snickered and they all giggled like little girls again. "Why don't you get Shika to talk to Neji?" he suddenly suggested, seeing that Kiba really was looking forlorn, "I mean, he knows everyone; he could probably get Neji to agree to anything!"

"He's got a point, un," Deidara shrugged, "Shika can talk anyone into anything…"

"Like that time he made you dress as –" Kiba remarked slyly, but was instantly hit in the face with Deidara's book.

"THAT WAS ONE TIME! WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THAT!" He yelled angrily, fuming and folding his arms, letting his bangs flop back over his eye to show that he was highly affronted that Kiba would bring such a thing up.

"Sorry man, I know that was a low blow," Kiba apologised, unable to suppress a snort at the memory. Poor Deidara had never managed to live it down. It had only served to enhance Hidan's teasing; that was for sure.

"Is there a problem?" their lecturer inquired, and the whole class turned to face them.

"No sir," Kiba and Deidara sunk down low in their seats in embarrassment as Suigetsu and Naruto chuckled silently to themselves.

Truth be told, things weren't going Kiba's or Deidara's way. Kiba might have been striking out on the asking out Hinata front, but Deidara was just plain getting into trouble; and all of it revolved around Hidan.

Except for that one time when he had accidentally spilt glue in Sasuke's hair; that had gotten him in quite a bit of trouble about a week ago; the bruise from where Sasuke had punched him in the ribs was just starting to fade –but mostly, everything was Hidan's fault.

He'd get shoved into lockers, pushed over in the showers; he'd been thrown in rubbish bins on three occasions. Hidan never missed an opportunity to publically humiliate or degrade Deidara. Sometimes the younger man won, leaving Hidan speechless, and then he would have about five seconds to gloat before running as something was thrown in his direction.

There were the verbal taunts of 'pretty boy', 'girly', 'slut', 'blondie' and 'princess' thrown around; nicknames that Deidara loathed with every fibre of his being. Hidan would yank his head or trip him –and every time, he felt the need to retaliate. How could he not? Hidan was a complete asshole. He'd even considered doing something to his precious car, but Deidara did actually value his life, so had refrained from doing anything more than kicking a wheel in clear sight of Hidan.

Itachi was actually mulling over these amusing incidents between Hidan and Deidara in English class whilst pretending to read as he watched Naruto and Sasuke arguing several rows in front of him. The current play they were reading was Much Ado About Nothing, and Itachi had read it many times before; hence why his mind was wandering.

It was while his mind was wandering that his eyes caught sight of a large, platinum-haired male of around twenty-one, maybe twenty-two being dragged semi-unconscious down the hallway by a familiar blue man. Hidan was looking a little black in the face and his hair was frizzled. Kisame looked over his shoulder and grinned toothily at Itachi through the door, knowing that the elder Uchiha would know exactly what had happened.

Deidara was a Chemistry major, and more often than not, he appreciated blowing things up or knocking things out. Sometimes those things included Hidan. Usually Kisame had to be called because Hidan nearly went on a massacre when he rose from unconsciousness. Itachi shook his head, allowing himself a small smile; Deidara certainly put up a very good fight.

Shikamaru was scowling; obviously not able to sleep because Naruto was yelling something again.

"Oh, your Fairy Highness, I forgot to mention that Kiba would really appreciate it if you talked to Neji," Itachi remarked, clearing his throat a little. "He's been trying to ask out Hinata Hyuga for some time, and feels that Neji is sabotaging him."

"Probably," Shikamaru muttered, "Neji has a stick up his ass and won't let anyone touch his cousin."

"Will you talk to him?"

"Troublesome."

Itachi knew that meant yes, and scrunched up a piece of paper; casually tossing it down to land in his brother's hair. Sasuke turned around, glaring daggers at his elder brother.

"Would the two of you kindly stop your foreplay and let the rest of us learn?" he inquired in an even tone. The rest of the class laughed heartily and Sasuke's glare deepened. Oh how Itachi lived for that livid glare and for others laughing at his little brother's expense.

"Thank you, Itachi," the professor sighed in relief; having been unable to control the fight that was about to break out.

"No problem, Iruka," Itachi replied smoothly; having been at University long enough to be on first-name basis with the professors.

"Now…back to where we were before Mr Uchiha and Mr Uzumaki decided to start a brawl over whether or not Don Pedro was cooler than Benedick," Iruka sighed, clearing his throat.

"He started it," Naruto grumbled, folding his arms.

"…You started it, idiot," Sasuke snapped.

"Both of you go stand out in the corridor!" Iruka growled, and they both stared at him. Naruto's mouth dropped open. Sasuke just glared over at Naruto and exited the room; the epitome of calm.

Itachi could hear arguing the second the door slammed shut on them.

Naruto was fuming as he and Sasuke stood on opposite sides of the door, both their arms crossed; not looking at each other. Slowly, he felt his anger begin to recede. He didn't even know why he was mad in the first place. Sasuke seemed to sense him relax and did the same, though it would've been noticeable only to Naruto, the other Uchiha and the ever observant Shikamaru.

"Sorry for getting you kicked out of class," Naruto muttered, refusing to give the bastard the satisfaction of looking at him.

"…Forget it," Sasuke snorted, starting to head off, "Let's go get an early lunch."

And just like that, it was back to how it used to be before Sasuke had started showing interest in Sakura; it was like back how when they really had been like best friends. They stood in the line for the cafeteria in comfortable silence and Sasuke paid for their lunches without even having to think about it. They sat opposite one another at their group's usual table and ate in thoughtful silence.

"Want to go to the arcade this Saturday?" Naruto inquired suddenly.

"What?"

"You heard me. The arcade," Naruto repeated excitedly, "You know, just like the good old days?" Sasuke just raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh come on, you know you want to! Please!" Sasuke sighed.

He knew Naruto would just be persistent about this and nag and nag and try and make those god awful puppy eyes at him; then threaten him; then whine…it would turn into a big thing unless he said yes. He knew Naruto well.

"Fine."

Naruto punched the air triumphantly. They hadn't done anything in ages –not like how it was back in high school where they had gone to the arcade practically every Saturday and Sasuke had made him study, and Naruto had made him go to the beach and have fun.

"I'm going to kick your ass in Tekken," he informed the raven. Sasuke smirked, accepting the challenge.

"We'll see about that," he remarked; a competitive glint in his eye, taking a bite of what he knew was another god awful cafeteria lunch.

It wasn't long until the rest of their group began arriving for lunch. Itachi was one of the first there, and didn't miss the smile in his brother's eyes. Sakura had never been able to do that; only Naruto. He had to admit he missed having the blonde around; he had a sense of humour, and like Itachi; annoying Sasuke was one of his favourite activities.

He watched as Sakura bounced up and hugged Sasuke from behind; the smile fading from both Naruto's face and Sasuke's eyes. Itachi rubbed his forehead; perplexed as the arguments suddenly started up again; what was it about this time? Who had claimed the last fruit jelly cup? Neither Naruto nor Sasuke even liked them, and yet here they were, arguing about one as if it was their favourite food.

"Sasuke, I told my parents you'd be coming to my mum's birthday this Saturday," Sakura was saying as both she and Itachi took a seat at the table. Sasuke looked at her in slight annoyance and then across the table at Naruto, whose face had fallen.

"…I'm going to the arcade with Naruto," Sasuke informed her, to which she scowled.

"…I already told my parents you'd be coming," she reminded him and glared. Sasuke held her gaze for a while.

"Hn," he responded, going back to his food, and Naruto knew that that meant Sakura had won that round.

"…Since when did Sasuke Uchiha let himself get pushed around?" Naruto snapped at him.

"Since he's my boyfriend, and boyfriends do things with their girlfriends," Sakura growled possessively. Sasuke's eyebrow twitched in irritation.

"…What about best friends?" Naruto muttered miserably, "Best friends do things together; and they don't steal the girl you're in love with…" And on that note, Naruto threw the contents of the fruit jelly cup in Sasuke's face and left the table, leaving Sasuke to wipe the jelly off his alabaster skin with as much dignity as he could.

"Idiot," Sasuke muttered under his breath. Itachi sighed. And things had been going so well.


I personally kind of love Suigetsu and Hidan as brothers...
Protective Neji... Quietly mischievous Itachi...