Well, I'm glad you guys enjoyed chapter six. If you were wondering why Sasuke didn't get sent to the hospital in my last chapter, you're about to find out why. I hope you enjoy.

Shikamaru: Due to the face that, indeed, Shea is flat-out broke and does not own Naruto, she paid, I mean, asked me to tell you that she does not and never will own Naruto. Ever.

Chapter Six: The Pre-Party

It was true, Gaara and Sakura were now being called a couple. Not to mention a good couple.

See, a hall monitor had seen them hold hands, he had texted his neighbor Hinata, who texted Neji, who texted Kiba, who told Ino, who told... well... everyone. And it all happened in a matter of minutes, too.

Ino had decided, that since she didn't have to worry about Sakura's love life, she was going to focus completely on Temari and Shikamaru's. She had a mission, and it was for them to get together. And quickly.

Ino had some shifty ways of doing things. Snooping around lockers, listening to girls talk in the hallways, making geeks spy on people for her, and all for one bit of gossip. But, it was Ino's life. She had never really had a serious relationship with a boy, though Sasuke and her went out a few years back. It was when Sakura and Ino had hated each other, but when Sasuke broke up with Ino harshly, Sakura comforted her, and they were best friends ever since. Other than that, Ino was pretty much always single. Always looking, but never finding anything. She was too caught-up in everyone else's love life to worry about her own. It was just the way Ino was. Never love, never get hurt.

Ino caught up with Temari near the circle that was once circling the fight.

"Some fight... so, you and Shikamaru are..." Ino asked, wearing a curious face.

"Uhm.. Shikamaru and I ? Oh, we're... just friends !" Temari said, blushing a bit.

"Yeah. He's pretty cute. I'm surprised you don't really like him yet..." Ino said, obviously lying. She had no feelings whatsoever for the lazy boy, but it was a simple white lie.

"Well... I don't know really... he's nice and funny once you get to know him..." Temari said, scratching her head.

'Nice and funny ? Shikamaru must like this girl, around us, he mostly just sleeps !' Ino thought to herself. But, hearing that was a good thing.

"Yeah, he is. You should ask him out to Hinata's party ! Gaara's going with Sakura, you should come with Shikamaru !" Ino said enthusiastically.

"Oh, Gaara's going with that girl ? I knew it ! He needed some love in his life ! Hmm... but I don't know... I guess I'll ask him..." Temari said. It was strange, seeing the bold girl in the lunch line turn unsure when talking about a boy she had met nearly thirty minutes ago.

"You know what ? Yes. I will ask him." Temari replied going over to Shikamaru.

"Yes ! Score two for Ino ! Go Ino... go Ino... you rule... you're awesome..." Ino said, doing a little dance. Kiba had spotted her and began cracking up. Ino had stopped her dance of joy and turned red.

"Hey, shut up ! I just got a cute couple together ! Temari and Shikamaru are going to the party together !" Ino said, trying to put a stop to Kiba's uncontrollable laughter.

"Oh yes, the party, which reminds me. I have no date, so, want to go with me ?" Kiba said, finally stopping his laughing.

"Yeah, sure. You can pick me up later or something. But, hmm, who shall we pair our dear little Hinata up with ? I think her and Naruto would be cute..." Ino said, and began focusing on a new couple.

Little did she know it, Kiba was doing a dance in his mind, he now had a date to the party, and he wasn't unhappy with who it turned out to be. He remembered last year, he was being nice when Lynn asked him out to the party, and he had said yes. She was a geek, but Kiba was a really nice kid. Sure, they all laughed at him, and he did too, but he didn't care.

However, this year's party would be much more fun than last's.

...(with Temari)

"Hey, Shika ! I hear Hinata's having a party tonight !" Temari said strongly.

"Yeah." Shikamaru replied. He acted like he hated that nickname, but he loved it when Temari called him that. It must have been his ancestor's fault, because he was definately falling for a 'troublesome', tough woman.

"Wanna go with me ?" She asked, biting her lip.

'Damn.' He said to himself. 'That gets me everytime. Troublesome lip-biting...'

"Sure." Shikamaru said lazily, wanting to take a nap. If he was actually going to dance at the party this year, he would need plently of rest. Last year, the party was lame and he went by himself, and just hung out by the food table. Asking out a date was far too troublesome for him.

Temari smiled a huge, wide smile. "Alright, Shika ! I'll see you later then." She exclaimed, waving flirtaciously at her date.

'Alright ! Score for Temari ! Note to self: thank that annoying, loud, blonde girl Ino.' Temari told herself.

Shikamaru smiled. He had gotten a date, and only had to say two words. Awesome. Next he had Language Arts, and he figured what a perfect time to take a nap. Kakashi would be too interested it Itchi Itchi Paradise to notice him. But the science teacher wouldn't... and he had science after language arts. What a drag.

...(with Sakura and Gaara)

'Who was that ?' Sakura thought to herself, looking behind.

Gaara and Sakura were walked to their lockers, which were reasonably close to each other. Unfortunately, Sasuke's locker was just a few yards away from theirs as well, and they were not looking forward to seeing him again.

Sakura heard a grunt in front of them. The grunt did not sound happy. It sounded like the person was having a crappy day, and that nothing was going his way.

Sakura didn't care. She didn't care if it was a poor little freshman, she didn't care if it was a geek, and she especially didn't care if it was Sasuke.

The only reason why she hadn't totally beaten-up Sasuke was because she couldn't take seeing anyone covered in blood. Blood gave her the chills. Sakura felt as if she was going to throw up when she saw Sasuke's face covered in the red substance.

Trying to forget that thought, Sakura give Gaara a quick kiss and rushed off to language.

Okay, that wasn't completely true. A) It was not a quick kiss. 2) It was more along the lines of making-out. and D) she certianly did not 'rush off' to language.

...(with Ino and Kiba)

"Kiba, this party is going to be amazing. Hm, wonder if there will be some spinning of a certain bottle ?" Ino said flirtaciously. Kiba rolled his eyes. He knew Ino was just playing with him.

"Probably. Last year there was..." Kiba replied.

"That's right ! Sasuke had to kiss Sakura, and then he asked her out ! Funny how things turn out, huh." Ino retorted. Kiba laughed at his friend. You would only find that funny if you knew her.

"Yep. Well, I have to go to language, so later babe." Kiba said, giving Ino a peck on the cheek.

They both stopped dead in their tracks. A few kids standing nearby began laughing. Kiba had totally not meant to do that.

"Uhm, that never happened..." He began, blushing.

"Agreed !" Ino squeled back, blushing madly.

The two turned around and walked to their classes, embarrassed as hell.

That was chapter six, and I hope you enjoyed ! I didn't get many reviews for my last chapter, but thanks R i D 3 R for your review ! You're awesome. R&R ! next chapter coming soon !