thanks guys for all your reviews! they inspire me to keep writing.

and yes, this will be inoshika.

Entry #025: Way too early in the morning

Because I can barely keep my eyes open, I'll just say this: Sunny is the worst person to sleep with in the world. Thank God for Ivy's dad's extra-black, extra strong coffee.

-Carrot Top-

8:06 A.M. Psychology

"You may begin."

Although it was only eight in the morning, it was clear someone had gotten Ibiki in a bad mood before the school day had even started. There was a pop quiz laying face down in front of every seat, much to the dismay of twenty two seniors who piled in after the warning bell. The chatter that followed the students died instantly Ibiki came into view. His face was like an angry work of art - his temples were throbbing, he had a Y- shaped vein popping out on his forehead, and he was pacing around.

"We're starting with a pop quiz on yesterday's reading." Ibiki said shortly. "You have until the end of the period. You may begin, now."

Tenten's eyes flew open when she flipped over the quiz. Not only were there two pages stapled together, but there were ten questions on the front and back of every page totaling the number of questions to forty. Tenten didn't even know that there was textbook reading due, although that was most likely because Ibiki's homework sheets tended to end up as paper balls in Asuma's Philosophy class. She felt a bubble of amusement and despair in her stomach as she glanced at all the questions about schools of psychology, Freud, Skinner, Piaget and some names she had never heard before. With some reluctance, Tenten lifted her pen and began reading through the questions. As pens scratched away at the papers, Ibiki continued pacing and glaring at each and every one of his students with suspicion in his eyes.

After answering the very few questions Tenten actually knew, she began to guess. It wasn't even the matter of reading the question and trying to find the best answer choice anymore. It was about which psychologist had she not picked for the past few questions and which definition had she not yet matched with a certain school of psychology. Using this method was quick, not very efficient, and risky, but it gave her some assurance that she could have at least gotten a twenty on the quiz. Tenten glanced up stealthily to look at the clock when her eyes rested on the dark haired boy sitting diagonal from her. He obviously did the reading and was going to pass with flying colors - because that was Neji. Neji never failed, or skipped, or even procrastinated anything. It was irritating when he tried to force his habits onto her, but now that she couldn't hear it from him directly, his nagging voice was ingrained in her mind.

"You shouldn't have stayed over on a school night." Imaginary Neji said. "If you fail this quiz, you're going to have to come after school to make it up."

That used to be her biggest motivator, when something prevented her from hanging out with Neji since it was hard to match their schedules. But now, whether it was because of senioritis or not, Tenten couldn't care less about a single quiz grade. Or maybe she was finally on the verge of moving on from Neji's overwhelming influence.

"Jesus Christ." Someone said from behind. "Who the hell is Sigmund Freud?"

At least she was better off than the poor sucker in the back. But it wasn't just Tenten who heard the kid. Ibiki slammed his hands on his podium, bringing out a few shrieks and starts of surprise from his students. The air was thick with fearful tension that only a teacher like Ibiki could induce within ten seconds. His eyes seemed fixated on her, but Tenten knew that he was trying to scare the kid who talked.

"Anyone who scores less than a sixty five will be subjected to questioning of a crime that was committed last night."

For the first time, everyone got up and started talking in outrage. "That's not fair! Why should we suspected for a crime that we don't even know about just because we failed one of your quizzes?"

"Because," Ibiki's voice drowned out everyone else's. "The criminals took all of the cell phones in Tsunade's office, and our security cameras clearly showed that the criminals were students."

So that was what had Ibiki in such a bad mood. He was the one who initiated the cell phone ban in the first place, so the fact that some students managed to break everything that ban stood for must have been a huge hit on his ego. And Tsunade probably had yelled at all of the teachers for not being able to control the students and for letting them break into her office

"But they could be anyone in the school. How could you suspect just the students in your psychology class?" Tenten responded. "This isn't fair."

"You know what I think is unfair? I spend days teaching you everything on these quizzes and you can't retain the information in your heads!"

Tenten looked away, mumbling to herself. "It's not our fault this is the first period of the day."

"Now, if any of you have any idea who has the phones I suggest you talk now." Ibiki said calmly. "Or else these quizzes will talk for you."

When no one spoke up, Tenten knew what was in store for them. By the end of the day, Ibiki would have twenty one suspects on his criminal list.

8:12 A.M. Shakespeare English

"It's not looking too good for you guys."

While Ibiki was using forward-aggressive techniques to figure out what happened to the missing phones, Kakashi had taken the more subtle route. Kakashi had come to class early by some miracle, and was standing by the doorway. Students sauntered out of the stairwell in no hurry at all, until they saw him outside. As soon as they caught sight of his unusually somber expression, their relaxed walks turned into quick jogs up to the classroom door. Kakashi was known for his easy going and carefree disposition so his tense shoulders and set mouth brought some dread into all the students' stomachs. His single visible eye flickered over every incoming face for about two seconds before turning to the next anxious student. No one knew what was going on, and the talking from inside the classroom got louder by the minute. Kakashi rarely paid attention to anyone, nevertheless waited for them outside the classroom door. There had to be a reason he was doing what he normally never did.

Sakura had heard the talking from the classroom while she was on the stairs, and assumed Kakashi was late once again. She took her time coming up the stairs, munching on her sour green apple as she stepped into the hallway. Then she saw something she had never once seen in the six years she had been Kakashi's student - he was standing outside, like a teacher who cared about his students. Sakura waved at him cheerfully, keeping her pace as she continued biting into her apple.

"What's the occasion?" Sakura asked before walking by to get into the classroom. To her surprise, Kakashi flicked her forehead back so she had to stop and step backwards.

"Ow, what was that for?"

Kakashi pointed at the opposite wall. "Wait there."

"What?" Sakura blinked in confusion. "Why?"

"Oy, what's the geezer doing here so early?" Naruto's voice echoed in the hallway. Sakura turned to see Naruto and Sasuke coming towards them, neither one in a rush.

Kakashi stuck his head inside the classroom. "Keep working on whatever you have left." He kicked away the door holder and shut the door.

"What's going on? A secret meeting of the Order?" Naruto grinned. "Did you finally get the Extendable Ears to work?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "This is why I don't watch movies with you. You get obsessed with them for a week before you move onto something else."

"Guys, shut up." Sakura said irritably. "Kakashi, what is it?"

Kakashi let out a long sigh, avoiding their eyes and looking a a spot right above their heads. "I need to know where all three of you were last night."

"Why?" Naruto asked curiously.

"We weren't together." Sakura informed him. "I was with Ino, Tenten and Hinata."

"Well we were." Naruto gestured towards himself and Sasuke. "We were watching Harry Potter."

"Do you have people who can attest to that?" Kakashi asked, still avoiding their eyes.

"What are you talking about, Kakashi?" Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Are you suspecting us of something?" Sakura and Naruto's jaws dropped open.

"You are! That's why you're asking us for our alibis, aren't you?" Sakura dropped her half-eaten apple on the floor.

"But why just us? Just because we like to have a little fun once in a while-" Naruto argued but Kakashi interrupted them.

"This isn't about having fun." Kakashi finally looked into Sakura's shocked green ones. "Someone broke into the school and stole all the cell phones. Tsunade reported this to Uchiha Headquarters and they're deeming this a robbery case as well as breaking and entering."

Sakura held her hands up in the air. "And you're suspecting us? Why not them?" She pointed at the classroom door.

Kakashi sighed. "You have a history of doing things like these. Sakura, just a few weeks ago you barged into Tsunade's office asking for your phones back."

"But that's different from stealing them!" Sakura argued. "The people who stole the phones just took them without permission - I asked for them back."

"And Naruto, you and Sasuke are the town criminals as I'm sure you know." Kakashi shook his head. "Tsunade's apprentice, the mayor's son, and the police chief's son - don't you think you three make a convenient crime group? Think about it logically; if you did steal the phones, you wouldn't get in trouble because you each have some source to get you out of it so you would have nothing to lose."

"That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard." Sakura was utterly outraged. "First of all, there's no guarantee Tsunade or anyone else would get us out of trouble. If anything, Tsunade would kick our asses to juvy. Second, we would lose any chance of scholarships or even admittance to Konoha University and we might even get expelled from the school. Even Naruto's not that stupid to risk everything we've worked for."

"I'm telling you so you realize the severity of this. You three are at the top of the suspect list, so if you have anything, you better make sure to bury it three hundred feet under the earth." Kakashi warned.

"You're not telling us to give it back?" Naruto asked disbelievingly. "If we did have the phones?"

"Like I said, bury it to the core. If you don't have the phones but you know about it -"

"We should tell you about it." Sakura finished.

This time, Kakashi held up his hands. "I don't want to be told anything. But the faster those phones show up in that safe again, the better it is for all of us." He looked around and leaned in. "And I mean for all of you and me."

Entry #026: Will the real Phone Robber, please stand up?

Alright, whoever took those phones needs to give them up now. Do you realize that person has placed me, the Unavoidable and Mr. O in danger of getting expelled? And worse, not getting admitted into KU? I've already finished the damn application, and I'm not giving up my dream of becoming a doctor because of some stupid idiot's joyride of a crime. I swear, I'm going to get to the bottom of this and beat the crap out of the kids.

-C.C-

"Oy, hurry up."

It was sixth period, and the period where most seniors had off. Usually everyone went out for lunch, and didn't bother coming back to school until the end of sixth period. Today, however, Kiba requested that Ino, Tenten and Hinata stay back. Sakura was finishing off some scenes with Lee which was just as well because Kiba specifically requested that Sakura didn't see. Instantly, all three girls exchanged looks: Kiba was trying to sell them drugs. Sakura, a doctor-in-training, would definitely confiscate them.

"Kiba, we're really not interested your pharmaceuticals." Tenten said as she slowed down. Kiba had them rushing to the student parking lot for "something" in his beat up jeep. The last thing Tenten needed was to get high three hours before practice started.

"Unless they're chocolate flavored." Ino piped up, but not before she saw Tenten's face. "Just kidding."

Kiba waved their comments away impatiently. "It's not drugs. Hurry up."

Within minutes, they were in front of his jeep parked next to Shino's Volkswagen. Kiba pushed them all into the backseat before closing the door and getting into his own driver's seat. There was a box on the passenger seat next to him, and he lugged it close to his body.

"What is that?" Ino asked suspiciously.

"You have to promise you won't report me."

"Kiba, we already said -"

"Promise me!" Kiba insisted.

"Fine, we promise." Tenten, Ino and Hinata said hesitantly. Without further ado, he opened the box cover and presented it to them.

Simultaneously, all three girls shrieked. "Holy shit, you stole the phones!"

"What the fuck man?" Ino punched his arm. "Are you insane?"

"No, I'm a genius." Kiba grinned. "Take yours."

"Are you insane?" Hinata repeated. "You need to get them back into Tsunade's office. If she finds out you have them, you're going to be expelled."

Ino gasped. "That's why you didn't want Sakura with us. You're letting Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto take all the blame!"

"I didn't mean to." Kiba's grin dropped and he looked at them earnestly. "I didn't know they'd get in trouble."

"How'd you do it?" Tenten whispered.

"How? Are you guys all insane?" Ino shrieked. "We have the missing phones on our laps! We could be arrested right now!"

Tenten grabbed Ino's arms. "Calm down. Kiba, how the hell did this happen?"

Kiba lowered his voice. "Shino stole a key from the janitor."

"Shino?" Hinata exclaimed.

"Yeah, he needed his phone to send some stuff to a guy." Kiba cleared his throat, letting them know he wasn't telling them anything else. "Anyways, it would be weird if just his phone went missing so we planned to take everyone's and give it back to them."

"Who do you think you are, Santa Claus?" Hinata was furious. "How could you?"

"Who opened the safe?" Tenten questioned.

"Shikamaru." Kiba looked uncomfortable at this point. "He wasn't really part of it. We had to convince him."

Everyone heard Ino's sharp intake of air. "When was this?"

"At like, nine last night."

Ino's blue eyes widened, and her grip on Hinata and Tenten tightened. That meant right after Shikamaru had talked to Ino, he had gone to break into the school. Tenten looked worryingly at the pale girl inbetween her and Hinata, and shook her gently to bring her back to her senses.

"So how did you plan on giving these back to everyone?"

Kiba shrugged. "We didn't really plan that far."

"You idiot!" Hinata exploded. Kiba flinched.

"You guys have to help me." Kiba pleaded.

"We don't have to do anything." Hinata said in a high-pitched voice. "You got the phones, you get yourself out of trouble." She pulled the handle of the Jeep door on her side, but it was stuck. Hinata turned to Tenten. "Tenten, open the door."

Kiba gripped Tenten's hand. "You guys, I have nowhere to put these. Akamaru might find these at home and start playing with them. If Hana finds out, I'm dead."

"If Sakura finds out that we know who has these phones, we're dead!" Ino punched Kiba again. "Why the fuck did you have to show this to us?"

"Because you guys are the only people I can really trust not to rat me out. Please." Kiba begged.

Tenten swallowed hard. Hinata and Ino were both shaking with anger and fear, but Tenten felt bad for Kiba. He was stupid and he made a mistake, but he didn't deserve to go to jail. Kiba was, all in all, a good kid who wanted nothing more than to carry on his family's veterinary hospital. If he went to jail, no one would know what would happen to him.

"We'll hide them in my house." Tenten finally said.

"Tenten!" Hinata wailed.

In the extremely crowded space of Kiba's jeep, Tenten could feel Ino struggling to get some space so she could open the door on Tenten's side. "Tenten, you're getting high off some leftover marijuana in the backseat. You're going to regret this tomorrow."

"Tenten, I would worship you forever." Kiba clasped his hands in a praying position.

Tenten looked at him contemptuously. "You owe me forever for this. Come to my house by nine o'clock tonight, or I'm pretending I never saw these phones. How many more boxes are there?"

"Three. I love you." Kiba said gratefully.

"Tenten, if you go to jail I'm not bailing you out." Ino finally managed to free herself and opened the door. "Get out before I die of asphyxiation."

Tenten hopped out while Kiba got out of his seat as well. He had her in a bear hug before she could even say another word, and she was trying to push him away when she saw Neji pulling up in the parking space across from them. When he got out of his car, he turned to see Tenten and Kiba hugging and his eyes turned cold. Then, he walked over to the other side and opened the passenger door where a long, high-heeled leg stepped onto the parking lot floor.

Neji Hyuuga had taken a girl out to lunch.

Entry #027: And the hills are alive with the sound of music

Tell me, am I just a freak of nature or are decent guys in Konoha becoming an extinct species? How is it that I can't find a single, good looking guy who does not: a) smoke (drugs or otherwise), b) commit crimes (petty or otherwise), c) prefer stocky, ugly Suna girls (Temari or otherwise)? I wish guys were like clothes where they can be restocked when all the girls take the good looking ones. It's pretty depressing to know that I'll be stuck with these same hooligans for the next four years at KU. How am I supposed to fulfill my dream of getting married at twenty two when I can't even find a boyfriend at the age of seventeen? It's as if God is telling me that I was meant to live as a nun in a convent in the hills where I can sing to my heart's content until I get sent off to a widower captain's house to be the governess of seven kids. Maybe not that specifically, but you can tell my life is headed in a downwards spiral if I don't get married in the next few years. Guys, if none of us are married by the time we're in our thirties, we're all applying to live in a convent. Agreed?

-Sunny-

"We don't have class!"

When Genma had announced that class would be cancelled because he had impromptu jury duty at city hall, everyone immediately headed for the door. It was with some difficulty that he blocked the exit and announced that no one would be allowed to leave the campus because there was renovation being done on the borders of the school that would be finished by the end of the school day. The renovations were most likely additional security cameras to make sure no one would be able to break into the school again. All the students griped and complained, but headed to the cafeteria nonetheless.

Hinata and Ino crept behind Shikamaru and followed him to the corner of the cafeteria where he was inevitably headed to sleep. When he sat down, Hinata and Ino grabbed chairs and pulled them to his table.

"You're a criminal!" Ino accused without warning.

Shikamaru already had his head in his arms. "I thought we weren't going to talk to each other."

"I was planning on it, until I found out you were a criminal!"

"I never would have suspected you." Hinata said sadly.

"Because he's a top notch criminal! Top notch criminals make you think they would be the last ones to commit the crime."

Shikamaru finally lifted his head. "Could you keep your voices down? There are other people around. How did you even find out?"

"Does that really matter?" Ino whispered. "If you get caught, you could go to jail. Or worse, you could end up going to Oto College!"

"What did you think you were doing, helping Kiba? You're supposed to be a genius." Hinata added.

Shikamaru propped himself up on one arm. "So Kiba told you? Which one of you is going to hide the phones?" His eyes rested on Ino. "Not you, I hope."

Ino bristled. "Why? Because I can't keep a secret?"

"Because you're way too troublesome to deal with."

"Screw you. I need you to convince Kiba to put the phones back."

Shikamaru closed his eyes. "Do you hear that?"

Ino was about to berate him about listening to her when Hinata shook her head and held Ino's wrist. Amidst the chatter in the cafeteria were sounds coming from outside. There was the sound of a lawnmower, as well as something that sounded like chains or metal being slapped against each other. Ino got up and went over to a window to see what was happening. Men were putting together a fence that looked to be going around the entire back property of the school.

"Those are the new safety precautions Tsunade ordered." Shikamaru explained. "You honestly think we can break back in with new security measures like that?"

"You're a genius." Ino said simply. "You can do anything if you would stop being so damn lazy."

Shikamaru opened his eyes. "Do you really want me to get caught and go to juvy or Oto College? Do you understand the chances of breaking in and coming out without getting caught is slim to none? Do you really hate seeing me that much?"

That last part made Ino flinch internally, but she looked at him unwaveringly. "You were willing to do it last night."

"The chances were better then."

"The chances of what? Getting caught or being suspected as the mastermind?" Ino challenged. "Because knowing you, you calculated everything. And you definitely knew Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke would be blamed."

"And how exactly would I know that?" Shikamaru asked testily.

"Don't act stupid. Sakura's close with Tsunade, Naruto's dad is the mayor and Sasuke's family makes up the majority of the police force. There's no way you couldn't have at least thought about that."

Suddenly, Shikamaru stood up. He definitely looked mad, something Ino hadn't seen for a while. "Maybe I'm not the genius you thought I was. You made that clear last night." And he walked away, out of the cafeteria and out the courtyard doors.

"Should we follow him?" Hinata asked unsurely.

"No." Ino didn't look at Shikamaru when he left, and she wasn't looking in the direction he was probably headed. Instead, she looked up at the ceiling. Shikamaru had that annoying effect of making her tear glands go into overload whenever she was around him. She turned away from Hinata and pretended to look at the progress of the fence out the window. The last thing she needed was to start crying in front of all these people.

"Maybe we were too mean?" Hinata worried.

"Maybe."

Entry #028: I do believe stupidity grows with age

Sunny, you will not end up as a nun because that would just be a disaster in a wimple. You're probably going to be the first out of all of us to get married, and you're going to be worrying about who to make the maid of honor while the three of us are trying to find decent guys in your groom's best men entourage. But I do have a request: please do not marry Kiba. You are so much better than that. And Kiba has gotten on my bad side so I would really rather see one of my best friends marry a decent, clean, good-for-everything guy. Actually, I'd like all of you to marry decent guys. But C.C's already kind of taken, and Carrot Top, I really think the Devil in Disguise is doing all these things to make you jealous. He really likes you, I swear. I can't prove it, but I know he really does. So please don't be too angry when he asks you to forgive him sooner or later.

-Ivy-

"That hurt, you little weasel!"

While the final bell rang only five minutes ago, the senior hallway was nearly empty. Most seniors arranged their schedules so that they would have the last period of the day off in order to go home early but since there were renovations going on, everyone crowded in the front hallway until the security guards gave the okay to let them out. The new renovations included fences, security cameras, and well trimmed shrubbery around the back and the sides of the school. The shrubbery was most likely trimmed so students couldn't hide in them though the bushes were rather full and would probably cover most students.

Hinata was at her locker when she heard Sakura's voice coming from the opposite end of the hallway. From what Hinata could see, Naruto was slapping Sakura's hands and none too gently. Sasuke was next to them, his hands flat against each other as if in a sideways prayer position. Hinata wanted to call out to them, but they made such a nice picture that Hinata would probably just ruin it.

"Hurry up. A!" Naruto called. Both Sakura and Sasuke moved their hands so their palms were facing the floor. Disappointed, Naruto looked up and saw Hinata. "Hinata! What are you still doing here?"

"Hinata!" Sakura's face broke into a grin. Hinata waved at her before putting all her books except one into her locker and closing it shut. The trio continued their game as they made their way to Sakura's locker where Hinata stood waiting patiently.

"C!" Sakura shouted. Both Naruto and Sasuke cursed, while Sakura laughed. She smacked Naruto's hands three times as he howled in pain, and did the same to Sasuke. Sasuke didn't make a noise but his face twitched to signal discomfort.

"Ha! Okay, let's stop." Sakura decided when they reached Hinata.

"No, keep going." Sasuke said through clenched teeth.

Sakura held up the back of her hands. They were bright red, as if she had dunked her hands in icy cold water. "We've been playing since sixth period. My hands are so numb I can't even open my locker."

Almost naturally, Sasuke grabbed her hands and began rubbing them quickly. "Ow, can you do it a little more gently?" Sakura winced.

"What do you think you two are doing in front of me and Hinata?" Naruto frowned and slung his arm over Hinata's shoulder. Her heart skipped a beat, and started racing after that. Naruto didn't seem to notice how red her face was probably getting, but only noticed Sakura and Sasuke's antics.

"Shut up. We're starting again." Sasuke let go of Sakura's hands and held out his hands. "Go, Sakura."

"You are the world's sorest loser." Sakura told him before she turned to her locker. "Hinata, would you please explain to Uchiha that girls are not indestructible robots who can play at his will?"

Naruto laughed. "Don't bring us into your lovers spat. Come on Hinata, I'll walk you to Neji's car." And he steered away from the bickering two, all the while laughing to himself.

"Hinata, are you okay? You look a little red." Naruto asked in a friendly tone.

"I'm okay." Hinata said quietly.

"You're so quiet, like a little bird." Naruto cocked his head. "Don't you ever feel like bursting from everything you hold in?"

Hinata smiled. "I don't hold anything in."

"Really? Because I never hear you talk, except when you're around Sakura or Tenten or Ino. You should talk more, Hinata. It's good for the soul." Naruto lifted his chest so high, it looked like he was getting ready for an earth-shattering sneeze. Hinata laughed, thinking how he looked like the red robin that chirped outside her window every morning.

"See, you're starting to laugh. That's the first step." Naruto tapped his nose. "I'll teach you the rest some other time. See you later, Hinata!"

Hinata didn't even realize they had come to the front entrance. Talking with Naruto made time seem to fly at light speed, and she wished the walk from her locker to the front would have been just a little longer. But Neji's car was waiting outside, and she didn't want him to wait any longer than he needed to. As she walked to the car, she thought about how perfectly his arm fit across her shoulders. Just when she opened the passenger door, Hinata remembered the way Naruto puffed out his chest and was overcome with a fit of giggles that made Neji question if Naruto had given her something to drink.

She answered with another fit of giggles.

Entry #029: Nuns? Convents? Sound of Music? Oh my.

Whoa, since when did we start hating on Kiba? Don't get me wrong, I don't love the kid but it's rare for anyone to get on Ivy's bad side. And since when have I ever been kind of taken, may I ask Ivy? Unless you're talking about Tarzan, the monkey Sunny got me for my eighth birthday that I sleep with to this day, I'm currently very much single. It is you, my dear Ivy, I am suspecting of being romantically involved. Where exactly did you two go after leaving me at my locker? Hm? Getting so sly, my dear. We've taught you well.

-C.C-

4:15 P.M. Soccer Field

"Let's take five."

As soon as the words left Tenten's mouth, everyone sprinted for the stands where their bags and water bottles lay. There were no onlookers today, and it was a good thing too because Tenten felt less driven than she had in a while. While the girls took a break, Tenten ran another lap around the field for an adrenaline rush. Normally, Tenten felt unstoppable in her cleats on the field. Today, she felt anything but that. Sakura's fury at the stolen phones and Kiba's pleading for help were playing like reruns in her head, and she had no idea how to solve the two problems.

"Captain!"

Tenten turned to the stands when she heard screams coming from her players. Cars that were passing by were throwing pink balloons filled with red goo at the girls, and the girls were hysterical with fear. Tenten ran across the field to get to the stands as soon as she could, but the cars had already made illegal u-turns and sped away from the school. Some of the younger girls were crying hysterically, believing the red goo to be blood.

"It's fake." Tenten said flatly. "Did anyone get the license plate number for any of those cars?"

None of the girls did in their hysteria and confusion. Knowing practice couldn't continue like this, Tenten dismissed the team but made them stay on the stands while she jogged to the school to get the custodian and some towels. Her blood boiled when she thought about the sick people who planned this, and how scared her freshmen girls looked when they saw the red all around them. At the very least, it would have a traumatizing effect the next time they blew balloons.

When Tenten informed the custodians of what had happened, they had told her the girls would have to wash off on the fields. Not only was in November and getting cold, but now her team members had to be washed off with icy cold water from the hose. With a heavy heart, Tenten went down to the field and informed them about the janitor's instructions. To their credit, they took the news better than Tenten had imagined. The girls just wanted the red gunk off of them.

"Alright, line up." Tenten instructed. "It's going to be cold, so get ready."

Cold was an understatement. The shrieks coming from the girls made it seem as if acid was flowing out of the hose instead of cold water. Tenten felt horrible by the time every girl was clean but dripping wet. As captain, she should have been there with her team. Tenten dismissed the girls to go change, and they sprinted up without further ado. She made Kimi stay back, however. Without hesitation, she handed the hose over to Kimi.

"You can soak me."

"Are you crazy?" Kimi shivered violently but shook her head. "Just because you're captain doesn't mean you should suffer with us if you didn't get hit."

"But I should have gotten hit." Tenten said firmly. "Just press down."

"No." Kimi set the hose down and picked up her also drenched, and slightly pink bag. "I'm going to go change now, Captain."

Tenten felt guilt swell up in her stomach. "Kimi-"

"There were messages in some of them." Kimi said nonchalantly. "Things like 'you were warned' and 'consequences follow action' and other philosophical crap like that."

Pink balloons. Fake blood. Of course, that's what it meant. "I got it. Go up and change. Get all of the girls into the showers, even if you have to squeeze. I'll meet up with you guys after I hose off the stands."

"Aye-aye, Captain." Kimi ran, her dripping ponytail swinging from side to side. Tenten watched her leave before picking up the hose and marching up the stands. It was true - the messages were all referring to a foreboding future. She sprayed all the messages onto the ground beneath the stands, and washed the stands clean of anything reminiscent of blood. The pink balloon remnants lay pathetically on the grass, and Tenten didn't have the heart to pick them up.

"Is this your new training technique? Giving your team members hypothermia?"

Tenten had to take a second to control the anger that was in danger of spilling over before turning to the speaker. "Obviously. Haven't you heard that instead of drugs, we give them life threatening illnesses?"

"What's that?" Neji looked at the pieces of pink balloons on the grass.

"What does it look like?"

"It looks like you were hitting a pinata that was filled with blood, and you're trying to get rid of the evidence."

Tenten shrugged. "If that's what you think, then fine. Are we done here?"

"I should be asking you that. You look like you're still cleaning up."

"Neji, why are you here?" Tenten asked tiredly. "I have enough to deal with as it is. I don't have the energy to fight with you."

Neji threw a soccer ball in her direction. "Just returning this."

"Thanks." Tenten kicked it in the direction of the others.

"Do you need help?" Neji asked suddenly.

Tenten almost laughed out loud in frustration. Yes, she needed help dealing with stolen cell phones, threats about her best friend and her current Psychology grade. But nothing he could help with, and none that she wanted his help for. "I think I got it, thanks."

"I mean with your training. Judging from the way I saw them run up to the school, they have good speed. It's probably accuracy that they're lacking, right?"

He was right, as usual. "They're pretty well rounded."

"Then maybe it's just the team captain." Neji said calmly before walking over to the balls.

"Don't you have practice?" Tenten snapped.

"Genma has jury duty so, no."

Tenten raised her eyebrow. "So your soccer team can't practice without a coach?"

"No, we just choose not to." Neji juggled the ball with his knees. "Because we're good with or without the practice."

Neji's self-confidence was on the verge of arrogance, and Tenten felt the urge to spray him with freezing water. "How nice for you."

"Let's play." Neji suggested. "Loser has to pick up the pink crap."

Just when Tenten thought she had started moving out of his sphere of influence, she felt herself gravitating towards him once more. It was so tempting to give in, especially with everything that was going on. She had been searching for ways to distract herself from her everyday stress, and Neji was offering her relief, at least for a short period of time. Maybe giving in just once wouldn't be so bad.

"You're on."