Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto; therefore characters may differ slightly from Anime.

Chapter 7 Class President Elections

"Quiet down, quiet down" the principle chided into the microphone, as she stood on the podium delivering the general morning notices to the student body. The buzzing of chatter filled every inch of the auditorium and the scowl on Tsunadae-sensei's face showed her displeasure with the students' behavior.

"Shall we remain here for the rest of the day, because it seems you all haven't been punished in a while and I don't have anything to do. Well chatter on, your parents seem to not be expecting you home by 3 pm today", Tsunadae stated calmly. This was her no non-sense tone and the kids and staff knew this, immediately the auditorium fell silent.

"Okay then, let's continue. Today is the day where you elect your class presidents, isn't that good news?"

The respond emitted was that of a mixed nature. Cheers and boos sounded all around.

"Now quiet down. One more notice then you can all be on your way for first period, your form teachers will over look the process of choosing your class president candidates. Now....... the school will be hosting its annual bonfire fund raising event next week and we want to see all of you there supporting it. Remember to invite family and friends. This year we are going to the Yakumi reservation, all that nature, up close and personal................ anyways off to classes".

**********************

"So what's this bonfire fiasco?" Hinata questioned the gang as they strolled along to class.

"Yeah, what's this bonfire scam thing? I bet it's to make money off of us", added Sumaru passionately.

"Nah Uhn" Ten-Ten stated as she shook her head

"It's only the biggest bash at school", Chouji reassured them.

"Every year the school goes out on a camping trip to some jungle area, where they stay for three days and just have fun".

"So is it free?" asked Hinata

Ino releases a small giggle, "No, that's why it's called a fund raiser. The tickets cost only fifty bucks......."

"Plus it's for a good cause", Neji interrupted.

"Yeah the money they make from the bonfire fiasco is used to fund our graduation ball", added Chouji.

"So you guys going this year?"

"Definitely, who'd wanna miss out", Neji stated as he winked at Ino from whom he dragged a deep crimson blush.

"Plus it's our last year, why not and I know for a matter of fact that this year is gonna be wild"

"True dat" Rock-Lee chimed in.

"An this year you're tagging long"

"Me?" Hinata questioned doubtfully.

"Of course and you too Sumaru, so get ready to experience the camp-out of a life time".

This was the last thing said before they all parted with 'see you laters' and made their way to their home rooms. Neji, Hinata and Ino managed to make it into the classroom just before Kuranai-sensei. They quickly made their way to there seats as Mrs. Sarutobi placed her hand bag and folders on her desk.

"Ahem……"

This got the class' attention and they began to settle down in anticipation for what was approaching.

"We have approximately 30 mins to go and during this allotted time we are going to nominate our class president candidates……" Kuranai-sensei stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

"…and we are going to do so in an orderly fashion, DO YOU GET ME" she stressed the last part and paused a bit for the students' reply, when she was met with silence she continued.

"Because I am not in the mood for your usual crappy behavior this morning, so without further hindrance lets elect. AT this the class burst out in an uproar.

"WHAT DID I JUST SAY!!" shouted Mrs. Sarutobi, the class quickly shrank back into silence, it seems that her earlier command has finally been taken seriously. Slowly but surely, a fearful but determined Temari raised her hand.

"Yes Temari, Go ahead. Who are you nominating?"

Everyone pivoted in their seats to stare interestingly at the orange-haired girl with the great figure, who was obviously apart of the in-crowd.

"Well as you guys know, last year I was class president……" she boasted openly.

"An this year since I don't feel up to it, I thought who better to take my place but my favorite chica; Sakura-chan" she added with a preppy applause that seem to be contagious as half the class joined in her rallied applauding.

"Ok, quiet down children. Temari you may sit down. Is there anyone who will second this nomination?"

"What kind of question is that? Of course there is someone to second the nomination. Naruto-san here would gladly oblige to do so, right Naruto" Temari injected forcefully. Naruto who was not too keen on what was happening around him looked questioningly up at Temari whom had just uttered his name. Temari seeing the blank expression on his face, decided to fill him in.

"I was just saying that YOU would gladly second my vote to nominate Sakura has our class President" she informed him with a smile. Confusion beamed across Naruto's face like a beacon in the distance.

"I Would what?"

"Second my nomination" Temari added softly as if not sure of what he was asking.

"Really now" a hint of mischief played in his voice. Before Temari could answer, she was cut short by Sakura's tartly input.

"YES you would, Darling"

"HAHAHAHA!, excuse me?" the last part he added breathlessly.

"Naruto you son of a Bi……" her rampage was prematurely ended by Kuranai-sensei.

"OK guys. Let it go and calm down and let's get back to the meat of the matter, who is gonna second the nomination?"

"I'll second the nomination" Hitomi another of Sakura's cronies inputted with a raised hand.

"Ok Sakura you're our first Nominee, anymore nominations?"

"I Neji; Senior Student Council President -and smartest person in the class (ahem!) which means I know best- would like to nominate the person who I think is best suited for the position of class president……"

"Ummm, we already nominated that person for your info, since it seems who were not here" Temari rudely interrupted.

"Well thank you gossip Queen for just starting a new rumor. Next time raise your hand before, if you decide you have something worthwhile to say or else keep your trap shut until the person speaking has finished. Got it papatitsy" Ino added in Neji's defense.

"Girls calm down, do we have to go through this every year" Kuranai-sensei stated with much frustration. The two bickering females peacefully sat back down.

"Thank you, Neji you may continue but make it short, no more of that speech stuff. Ok?"

"Thank you Kuranai-sensei, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted. I would like to nominate Ino-chan" at this the whole gang burst out applauding and cheering and not only them, the cheering echoed across the classroom. So many persons where cheering you couldn't tell who was from who wasn't. One thing you could tell for sure was the unhappy scowls on Sakura, Hitomi and Temari's face.

"Ok, for the last time, QUIET DOWN" shrieked Mrs. Sarutobi.

"Now who is gonna second this nomina……" before Kuranai-sensei could finish her statement, about a dozen hand shot into the air, accompanied by "me's".

"OooooKkkkkk…………… I guess Ino that this makes you our second nominee. Well who else do we have" as if the school was sick and tired of the childish bickerings and the yearly class elections on a whole, the bell started blaring, signaling form room-time was up and that it was time for the following session. Suddenly the class became a mess of activities; people talking simultaneously, some packing up their books while others made a mad dash for the doors, as if this kind of behavior was attuned to the ringing of the bell.

"Well, see you tomorrow students, where we'll continue the nominations, if there's anymore" Mrs. Sarutobi shouted attempting to be heard over the blaring of the bell.

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"Hey today's ma baby sister's birthday and I'm carrying her to the Teriyaki ice cream place just a few blocks from your house and I was wondering if you would want to tag along" Ten-Ten asked meekly.

"Ahhh…………" Hinata said as she thought deeply about the proposal.

"Ice cream's on me" Ten-Tan added with a pleading smile. "I really need the company, since it's only me and suuki.

"Ok. I'll meet you around 7"

"Make that 5:30 and we have a deal"

"Okie Dokie"

Hinata waved goodbye to all her friends as she got into the passenger seat of Neji's van. She closed the door and dramatically settled into the comfy leather of the van's seat with a sigh, at this Neji glanced over at her wondering if she would be ok. Since the first day that Hinata laid eyes on Neji's New Toyota Tundra, she has been dying to ride in it. Now she has finally got her wish, today Neji was coming over her house to visit his uncle, her father.

"Soooo…" Neji started.

"Oh Neji, I love it! Could you convince your mom to buy me one for my birthday" She pleaded

"That's not the way I was planning to steer the convo, but ok, I'll ask her for you"

"Really?" Hinata asked sounded really hyped up.

"Yes, really" stated Neji already bored of the conversation.

"Promise"

"Yes, promise! Now can we move on" he more like ordered than asked.

"Ok" Hinata stated squeakily. "What's really on your mind?"

"So how is your pa holding up?"

"He's doing fine now a days, he's keeping away from any strenuous house work and taking care to rest every chance he gets"

"Well that's good to hear, I wonder how he'll react when I show up today?" this was more of a question meant for himself but Hinata answered any way.

"Don't worry, even though you haven't visited in like a year, he'll be jumping out of his skin with joy when he sees you" she added with a warming smile. Even though she didn't tell him, she too was beside herself with joy that Neji was coming over even if it was only for a few hours. The smile was still plastered across her face when they pull into her drive way. They both got out of the car simultaneously and approached the door.

As they crossed over the threshold and into the living room Hinata called out to her dad, who was obviously in the kitchen. The merry show tune whistling that floated from it and into the adjoining rooms was a dead give away. Since her dad recovered from the trauma of the aeroplane crashed that killed his wife and left him with lingering back problems, he has taken up cooking as a comfort source.

"I'm in the kitchen honey" he answered in a sing song voice.

"You never guess the surprise I have for you" Hinata said as both Neji and her dropped their bags on the couch and made their way towards the kitchen.

"Oooo, Nata-Chan. You got me a new food process…" he didn't get to finish his statement as his daughter and the surprise she was talking about, entered into the kitchen. Mouth agape and knife pointed at Neji like a psycho killer ready to pounce, Mr. Hyuuga stood like this for who knows how long as thousands of emotions rippled throughout his body. His mouth opened and closed repeatedly like a fish out of water has he tried fruitlessly to voice all the thoughts swarming his muffled mind. Neji, seeing his uncle's utter state of shock decided to speak up before the ensuing silence killed him.

"Good day uncle, how have you been doing?"

"Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!" at his shrieking out burst both children covered their ears as the hunched over in defense.

"Oh Neji-san, oh Neji-san" Mr. Hyuuga squealed as he hugged himself tightly and rocked back and forth.

"Neji, you came to visit me. How long as it been now since I have seen you. You've gotten so big, look at you, all manly and handsome. My brother's only child, I wish he was here to see you now. Oh, oh. come over here and let me hug you" he flung his hands out in front of him in a wide open embrace, but this quick and rash action sent the knife he had in his hands flying towards Neji.

"Neji-san duck!" yelled Hinata as she flung her body at her cousin who seemed to be in a trance. But at the moment that both the knife and Hinata were going to make impact with him, he ducked. The knife ended up lodging itself in the kitchen wall behind him and a poor Hinata laid crumbled up on the floor a mere foot away from him. Mr. Hyuuga seeing the state of his only child ran over towards her seemingly lifeless form.

"Nata-san... You ok baby?" when he got no response he shook her lightly but this did not bring her around, worry lines began etching themselves cross his brows.

"Hinata?" he questioned again as he slowly rolled her unto her back. He shirked inwardly as he saw the dumb dizzied out look on his daughters face. Her mouth was fully opened and she was frothing/drooling but the snoring sound she emitted immediately wiped the look of concern off her father's face. As he was about to open his mouth, he was interrupted by the down pour of water that fell into his daughter's face which threatened to drowned her. Shock washed over his face has his gaze followed the dripping trail of water in the air to the bucket being held by the culprit.

"Are you crazy!!" he yelled at Neji.

"You trying to kill her"

"Calm down uncle. She's ok. Look" Neji pointed at a coughing Hinata.

"I know water would do the trick" he boasted loudly.

"Hinata darling are you ok?" asked Mr. Hyuuga.

"What happened?" she asked seriously. Both males looked questioningly at each other. Mr. Hyuuga allowed a nervous laugh to escape him.

"Nothing you need to worry yourself over darling". He laid his hands around her shoulder as he helped her to her feet. Hinata looked at her damp attire with even more curiosity.

"Why is water dripping from my clothes?" she questioned looking up at her father. Mr. Hyuuga then turned his head to glare at a guilty looking Neji who turned his back on him, trying to hide his laughter.

"Don't dwell on it Nata-san, just go up to your room and freshen up" Mr. Hyuuga encouraged her.

Hinata walked out of the kitchen, turning to look back, every now and then, casting her relatives a look of suspicion. Slowly but surely, she made her way up the stairs to her room and into her bathroom, wasting no time, in enjoying a long awaited shower.

A/N: I just wanna say thanks for reviewing to my first three reviewers, you definitely made my day when I read them. Am sorry I took this long to get the next chap up. I had it written for a while now but I was busy with school work and such so I didn't get to post it, so pardon me, please. Any ways keep reading and reviewing, this will ensure I keep writing. Arigato!