Hi there! I know I'm two days late, but I got a good reason. I noticed I focused too much on the side characters and I didn't get to advance things with Neji and Tenten. And this chapter barely had Neji in it, so I had to make some changes.

For this chapter and the other one, there will be a lot of other characters since I want to settle things down with the other pairings and properly introduce Temari, Kankuro and Sasori. Later, Gaara will come too.

For shikamaru... I made a choice but that doesn't mean that the pairing can clearly be found out from now on. I'll put shikatema and shikaino's moments... It's only towards the end that we'll know this bastard's choice!

And also, I thiiiiink that the chapter 8 will be REAALLY LONG! I will update in five days. I may update sooner if I cut the chapter in half. Well anyway that's it for now.

Refresh memories:

At the first chapter, Sakura was staring at Sasuke in the cafeteria and he caught her. In chapter two, she tried to talk to him but only said non-sense things ... in front of the whole cafeteria...

Earlier on Monday:

1) Neji went on a date with Leiko and Ino had convinced the three girls to go spying on them. They almost got cut but Ino threw out Tenten so she could be a distraction for the them to run away. it gave Tenten some quality time with Neji.

2) Later, Neji stayed at Tenten's appartment and asked Sasuke to give him a ride. When he picked up Neji, he also dropped off Sakura.

Monday evening

Sakura and Tenten's Place

SAKURA POV

"So that's what happened with you father…" I murmured.

"Yeah…" She said playing with the tip of her hair.

"It's not your fault. You know that right?" Sakura asked again.

"Yeah maybe… but I was so… sad and lost… And I felt so betrayed and left aside and alone and…"

"Desperate?"

"Yeah…"

"And Sasori was your friend and he promised you that you would have the time of your life at that party and that you would forget unpleasant thing…"

"He said he'd take care of me…" She scoffed. "Well, he kind of did."

I frowned. "Never say that again. What he did was unforgivable. Thank God Kankuro found you before Sasori could do anything more."

"I don't remember anything about that night." Tenten said. " I only remember some pieces of when he tried to… and later when Kankuro found me . I was totally wasted that night."

"It's over now." I said.

I know she's stressing a lot. They're officially moving in two weeks.

She seemed to think about it and then shook her head.

"Way too much drama… Anyway Konoha's a big city. Chances we meet aren't that great…" She convinced herself.

"And by the way…" she eyed me suspiciously. "Where were you today after you cowardly left me in the park with Neji?"

I smiled sheepishly.

"Ah that… When I got home I noticed there wasn't any milk so I went to the grocery and Sasuke was passing by… and he offered me a ride!"

I bit the inside of my cheek.

"Oh my god..." she narrowed her eyes.

I was never good at lying damn it!

"Ok, ok... he saw me walking down the street and he offered me a coffe... and I said yes!"

"Greaat! Sakura this is great!" she grinned.

"I don't know..."

"What's the problem?" She frowned.

"I've never really... you know ... had guy friend... or even friends for that matter."

She rolled her eyes.

"Saks, you're smart, funny and gorgeous! There's no way he can't like you!"

"You think...? I mean he knows I'm interested since the lunch thing.. you know when I was looking at him and he caught me... and he came to our table..."

"How could I forget it?" she stopped me. "I'll have to pay a psychoanalyst for this. No screw that, you'll pay!"

"Haha... very funny." I said sarcastically.

I trough her a cushion.

"Did you..." She caught the cushion. "… kiss?"

"Well no! Of course not!"

"What ? He took you for a coffee?" she raised a brow.

"Well yeah... we talked... it was fun..." I trailed.

"Fun?"

"We have a lot in common. He wants to become a doctor and he made this amazing trip in Indonesia where he did humanity work. This summer he's going to a south african country. And we have the same taste in movies and..."

"Did he pay for the coffee?" she stopped me.

Really? That's the only thing she can think about?

"Tenten… he went to freaking IN-DO-NE-SIA… And you still think about the coffee?"

"Who cares about Indonesia? You went to Brasilia to heal little kids!" She closed her eyes, annoyed. "What I'm trying to figure out is what was his intentions."

"He had none!" I answered.

"So he payed for the coffe, gave you a ride home but... you two didn't kiss?"

"Exactly!"

"Are you dumb? No boy would do all those things and expect nothing in return! It's Sasuke we're talking about, not Sasgay!" she shouted exasperated.

"No… Sasuke is not like that!"

"Oh my god… you are dumb."

Hey? What can I do if I'm a noob in those things?

"We didn't kiss I swear!" I defended myself.

"I believe you. I 'm just saying maybe you didn't understand he wanted to..."

"No... you think?" I raised a brow.

"There's only one way to know!" I got up.

"Ask him?" I asked.

"No!" she slapped her forehead. "You're really clueless."

"You won't ask him anything! Sasuke is a heartthrob, he surely loves to play seduction games. If you ask him directly, he'll just smirk and deny and then say something like "I didn't knew you were so obsessed with me". Believe me, he's cut from the same wood that Neji and his brother and Deidara are cut from." Tenten said. "Tomorrow we have to cheer during the football match, right?"

"Yes! But what does it have to do with it?"

"Really? You're really asking? How come you're the smart one out of us two?"

"My expertise only concerns school's matters."

She shook her head. Hey what?

"Whatever, Next Friday's night… you're going to talk to him…"

I was about to cut her but she made those scary eyes she always have when she tells me to shut up: so I said nothing.

"…and" she continued "I'll ask Ino to analyze his behaviour towards you! That way we'll surely know his intentions! Ino's really good at this!"

"Yes she is... plus it's like she attracts people's secrets... have you noticed?"

"Yeah... I don't know how she does that... being her I would have turned crazy nuts... Secrets are so stressing, mostly when they concern poeple you know." She said.

Hyuuga Place

Monday evening

INO POV

I came back rushing in Hinata's room. I run into her private bathroom to not bother her sleep. My heart was having the time of its life giving me a drum solo of its very own. Now I definitively couldn't sleep. Neji knows about Tenten!

Time to call Shika and fast.

Ringing

Ringing

Ringing

"Yeah… troublesome… leave a message."

Damn that bastard.

I'll try again.

"Yeah...troublesome… leave a message."

Fuck.

Ringing

Ringing

Ringing

"Yeah… troublesome… leave a message."

Oh come on Shika I neeeeed youuuu pleaassee!

Ringing

Ringing

Ringing

"Yeah…troublesome… what do you want Ino?"

"OH THANKS GOD SHIKA YOU'RE HERE!" I hissed loudly.

"God, Ino, what do you want? It's like 1 AM."

"I need to talk to you! Where are you?"

There was a silence. Was he hesitating? Why would he?

"I'm in my bedroom. Where are you? Your bedroom's lights are turned off." He asked me.

"In Hinata's bedroom, that's why. I'll come to yours in a matter of time ok?"

"No Ino, wai…"

I hung up hastily before sneaking out of Hinata's bedroom. We live on the same street. My house is just down the corner, just between Choji's and Shikamaru's. That's how we became friends when we were little.

I zipped my sweater over my pajamas and went out. Shika always had some wise words to calm me down. I could now see my house and in a few steps I will be able to see Shika's. Ha! There he is! With his curtains closed, his pineapple hairstyle creates an interesting shadow. That made me laugh. Wait.

There's another shadow here. Is it a girl? She has a weird hairstyle too. Four pigtails, that's… unusual. Tough I feel like I've seen it before.

They seem to be fighting. It can't be a family member; I know all of the Nara's people.

I stopped in front of the tree that linked my bedroom's window to Shika's. I heard noises but I couldn't hear what they were saying.

Is she a girlfriend or something?

What the hell? Maybe I shouldn't have called. What if I had interrupted something?

What is going on? Since when did Shika have any history with a girl?

I dialed his number.

Ringing.

I'm going to tell him there's no need for us to see each other.

Ringing.

Come on Shika, it's for your own good.

Ringing.

"Yeah… troublesome… leave a message."

I'll just text him.

Shika, everything's fixed. Sorry to have bothered you. See you tomorrow! Sweet dreams.

A Little earlier

Shikamaru's Room

Shika POV

"Temari?" I asked.

"Not happy to see me?" She said with a smirk.

"It's not that. You surprised me, that's all. What are you doing here?" I asked while lying down on my bed.

"I'm moving to Konoha." She sat next to me.

Her eyelids were half closed and I knew she was eying my reacting through her lowered eyelashes.

Last summer my mother was tired to see me do nothing in my bedroom so she asked her friend who's a summer camp director to engage me. In less than one week I received my animator formation and I began working at that summer camp. I was in charge of the eight-nine years old boys. Temari was in charge of the eight-nine years old girls. The groups of the same age rank did a lot of activities together. I spent a lot of time with Temari. At first we didn't get along but after two or three weeks we began to have a lot of fun together. We kind of dated for the rest of summer but secretly because it was forbidden at the camp. We lost contact when I returned to Konoha and she returned to Suna.

Truth is I don't know what I should think of her moving in. I truly loved Temari … but I have loved Ino since we were child.

"You still love her don't you?" She asked me in her disapproving tone.

"No."

She scoffed. "You never knew how to lie anyway."

I was happy Temari was here. That's not the problem. It's having Temari and Ino in the same town, and surely in the same high school that might be an issue.

"I know you care for me." She mumbled. " But I know you care a lot for her too."

"She's my best friend."

"I was your girlfriend."

There a silence.

"We never broke up." I remarked.

"What does it mean?" She sat on the other side of my bed.

I closed my eyes. I don't know. I really have to think over those things before I get irrational. Or maybe I'll just sleep over it. I closed my eyes and emptied my spirit.

Yeah, that's an idea.

"Are you serious? Are you really going to sleep?" She shouted.

Damn troublesome women.

I cranked an eye open.

"Yeah I have a football match tomorrow."

She scoffed.

"Another thing you did for her but that she never noticed."

I sat up.

"It's not like it was something she could tell. You know it because I told you." I reminded her.

We were really close. We told each other practically everything.

My phone began vibrating but I thought it wasn't a good time to pick it up. Temari has quite the temper.

"Why are you defending her? She doesn't deserve all the things you did for her."

My phone vibrated again but I was not in the mood either.

"Why do you hate her? What has she ever done to you?" I frowned.

I got up to face her.

"Is it what you really think of me? You think I'm some jealous bitch trying to break you apart from the girl you loved since you were five?"

I was about to speak but she cut me.

"It's not that at all! I met her once in my life before even meeting you. She seems to be nice okay? She's a little loud, she seemed to me a little superficial but I could clearly see one thing: she was dedicated and devoted to what she did. She deeply cared for all the members in her cheerleading squad. As a captain I had respect for that. I don't hate her. I don't envy her."

Of course, Temari has to envy nobody. She's confident about her qualities and realistic about her flaws.

My phone vibrated again. Must be something important.

"I'm sorry Temari but I .." I lifted up my cellphone to show her that I was receiving a call.

She had an incredulous expression. I know she hates when someone stops a conversation to take a call.

"Yeah…troublesome… what do you want Ino?"

I saw Temari rolls her eyes.

"God, Ino, what do you want? It's like 1 AM."

Ino always shouts on the phone. I lowered the volume until I reached the minimum.

I was silent for a moment. Ino looked in distress and wanted us to meet… but at the same time... Temari was here, I couldn't just send her away.

Sigh.

"I'm in my bedroom." I responded her first question. I looked up at the window and saw that her room, just in front of mine across the garden, was dark. "Where are you? Your bedroom's lights are turned off." I asked her.

She was in Hinata's bedroom. She said she was coming over.

"No Ino, wai…"

She hung up. I looked over Temari and saw her looking at her toe nails.

"It was Ino." She said not looking up. "She wants to meet you and you couldn't refuse."

I caught her strangely soft gaze.

People say blondes are stupid… so how come only two blondes can make the life of a 200 IQ a living hell?

She sighed.

"When you described her, last summer, at first, I didn't associate your Ino with the caring team captain I met at last spring's finale cheerleading tournament. You hate football but you still signed up and trained just to get in the team so you could maintain your friendship with Ino. Real friendship should be solid even if you're not from the same "social circle". So what if you're not a popular guy and she is?"

"She tried to…"

"Maybe not enough because now it's been three years that you're struggling to make a team win a sport you don't even like."

"I kind of like it."

"Yeah but we know what you like most isn't that. You love engineering, computer things, sciences and physics. That does not make you a geek, it's just your true passions. I'm sure Ino is really sweet and all, but I just think it's sad that your best friend doesn't push you to be who you truly are. Sure you love tactics and you like the game but, you're holding yourself back for a girl who doesn't notice your efforts. What's more ironic is that the said girl is now dating … a skater. Why can she make an effort for him and not you?"

"Kiba's on the football team too." I pointed out.

"All I'm saying is that you do a lot of stuff for her and I don't see her returning it. When was the last time she called before now?"

"Last night."

My phone began vibrating but I couldn't respond to my phone twice, Temari would have me dead.

"No let me rectify that. When was the last time she called to have news of you and not to rant about her life?"

My phone vibrated again. This time there were two vibrations. It was a text.

"Just look at your damn phone."

"How'd you know?"

"Your cellphone lights up when you receive a call or a text. I can see it through your pocket… and they say you're a 200 IQ…"

I smirked. That was effectively really dumb.

"It's Ino" I said. "She told me she had the matter under control and that she doesn't need me anymore."

"That's what I meant! She uses you as she wishes. I'm not saying she's the problem, I'm just saying you have to discuss that with her."

"Ino's always been like that. That doesn't mean that she doesn't care. If I talk about my life she'll listen and will give me advices. She loves to hear about other people's stories and help them out."

"Look, this conversation is going the wrong way. Again, I'm sure Ino is a nice and caring person. This talk isn't about if she's mean or not, it's about you. You wasting your time and your abilities."

I get what she meant but… I'm not sure I want to have an argument with Ino about that. She's pretty stubborn.

"I'm just saying that she doesn't care about you the way she should, the way she can. And even if I have nothing against her it matters for me because … because I guess I care for you … more than I should."

I took her hand. Once you get to know Temari, she's the sweetest girl you could meet. She rested her head on my chest. I hesitated a little but I finally wrapped my arms around her.

I felt Temari's breath becoming even. She fell asleep. I turned off the lights and covered her with my blanket.

I could see Ino's room's light.

I just can't imagine a life where Ino isn't next to me. If friendship is all we can get from each other… I guess I'll take it.


One and a half week later

Friday

Day: 39

Remaining days before Prom: 71


Tenten's math class

Friday Morning

Tenten POV

"Yeah! See you Sakura!" I waved her goodbye as I entered my math class.

My blood froze.

"Long time no see." He smirked as he sat just behind me.

Sa

so

ri.

How come he's there? They were suppoed to go to another High school! And they were supposed to move in a few days, not now! What is he doing here?

I have to calm down. My heart is beating way too fast, my cheeks are burning and my hands are sweaty. I've got to get out of here... but Kakashi sensei already began explaining things. If I get out he'lls ask questions and I'm in no mood to try to find a story.

I felt uncomfortable on my set. I felt his gaze lingers on my back. I looked for another place to sit…

"Ok class, take out you book at page 33. We will work on the problem number three. A lot of you had problems with integrating the function sinus of cosinus x."

I was trapped. My cheeks burned. I couldn't concentrate. I couldn't write either. I could only stare down at my desk and wish this class will end soon.

Each second was torture when finally the bell rung. I grabbed my things and was on my out when…

"Tenten!" It was my math teacher.

Oh please no! Couldn't it be another day?

"I have to talk to you."

I sighed and went to Kakashi's desk.

"Tenten… I must say I'm worried about you." He began. "At first, you had really good grades but now your last grades were…."

"Ok, yeah, I get it" I cut him. "I'll study harder!"

I know it's not polite what I just did but oh god couldn't he just go the point!

"I don't think it's a lack of study. I know you work hard." He said. "It's more a misunderstanding of the subject."

Sasori was just behind me. He must want to speak to the teacher.

"I wanted to give you a tutor sooner, but they were all taken." He smiled. "Fortunately, we have a new student…"

Oh no. Please, no.

"And he even won the mathematics competition last year…" he seemed really glad. "He accepted to be your tutor."

I turned around and I saw him with the more wicked smile ever.

"Tenten, let me introduce you to Sasori, your new tu—"

"Kakashi-sensei" Neji interrupted. " With all du respect, I think it is best if I tutor Tenten."

My eyes narrowed.

"I have thought about you first, " admitted Kakashi-sensei. "But you already tutor three students in three different subjects and you're part of two sports team. Don't you think it's a little overwhelming?"

"Well Sasori could take two of my students, it would be more fair. I think it's best that I stay with Tenten since she's on my team. I can make sure she can practice without it being a nuisance for her studies."

"Said like that…" Kakashi was thinking. "Well, I guess it only depends on Tenten. Think about it and come tell me at lunch time, ok? You choose the one you feel more at ease with."

Oh the irony of life. At ease?

Kakashi sensei smiled at me.

"You're one lucky girl eh?"

Oh really now?

INO'S ROOM

FRIDAY MORNING

INO POV

I woke this morning a little bit dizzy. I had a hard time sleeping. This was stressing me out. I never noticed how many secrets people you thought you knew could carry. Neji's engagement, Hinata's childhood friendship with Naruto when he doesn't even remember her name… what happened? Kiba and me were having hard times.. I don't even know if he loves me anymore.

And I haven't talked to Shika since last Monday... we have really busy schedules...I looked at my window. Shika's curtains were still closed. He must be sleeping.

Or maybe not… His front door just opened. A tall blonde girl walked out followed by Shika. She had the same hairstyle than the girl I saw last week after. Did she slept over?

He leaned his back against the door he just closed. The girl came closer to him and rested her hand on his chest. I don't know why but the mood seemed kind of sad. She leaned on him and tilted her head like to whisper something in his ear, only her mouth stayed closed. Again, I don't know why but my heart clutched. He slowly put his arms around her.

I always thought I was the only girl Shika ever held.

Someone honked and the blonde girl kissed his cheek before he let her go. She entered the car.

Oh god. I just remembered her.

Temari. I know who she is. I saw her last year at the finale of our cheer competition. She was in Suna's team. What is she doing here? How do they know each other?

Nevermind.

I need to clear my mind. We're Friday. Tonight our football team has a very important match. We have a practice this afternoon at four. There's nothing else that should be on my mind.

No questions about Hinata's love past. (Well not until after the match)

No questions about Neji's engagement.

No questions about Shikamaru's love affair.

No questions about Kiba's fidelity.

Kurenai's History Class

Friday Morning

Tenten POV

"Oh my god." Sakura said after I told her everything.

"Yeah I know… I have to go see Kakashi-sensei after this class."

"Have you tought about who you will choose?" she whispered to me.

"Yeah… kind of… Of course Neji is the best solution I have but, I can't take the risk of him finding who I am!"

"I understand…"

"I'm stuck it's like…"

"Scylla and Charybdis" Kurenai-sensei's voice echoed. "Would you mind, since you're so eager to talk, Miss Haruno, to tell us what the two of them are?"

She gulped.

"In Greek mythology, Scylla and Charybdis were a pair of monsters who lived on opposite ends of a strait. Out of jealousy, Poseidon's wife Amphitrite poisoned the waters in which Scylla bathed. This turned Scylla into a six-headed beast with three rows of sharp teeth in each head. When ships passed close by her, she struck out to grab and eat unwary sailors. Charybdis was also a sea nymph who was transformed into a dangerous whirlpool across the passage from Scylla. Ships sailing the strait were almost certain to be destroyed by one of the monsters."

You got to give it to Sakura. She sure knows how respond to a teacher.

"Very well, Miss Haruno." Kurenai-sensei coughed. "Well, we now use the expression "Between Charybdis and Scylla" to express "having to choose between two evils"."

My eyes narrowed at that.

I was just between Charybdis and Scylla.


So there it goes for the chappie! Next one, there will be more action! ;)

I try not to be confusing! If there is anything that confuses you, just tell me!

Yes, Neji knows... but he don't want to tell Tenten. Why? You will found out soon.

I'd just like to thank you all for your reviews! Really made me smile. I'm really glad that many readers I had before were still here! And specially two readers who made my day by telling me they have read my story more than once. It really touched me sniif :')

So speical thanks to dreaming 101 and genius-sama!

And finally thanks to you all my readers and reviewers! Without you I wouldn't have been as excited to update sooner :D