Note: Wow...it feels like i haven't updated this in a while. I blame the lack of inspiring material in my life. It's probably because i have no life, but whatever. Anymewho, school starts soon, so perhaps instead of working i can dream up ideas. YOSH. Oh, IMPORTANT: the format is changed. i decided i didn't like reading/writing in italics, so only the conversations are gonna be that way. sorry to inconvenience anyone.

Listening to: Why Oh Why (ATC)

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Really, i don't.

Dedicated to: LEAH (cause i'm not inspired...if i die, you have to write this.)

Chapter 9: Jumping to Conclusions

"Is that Uchiha Sasuke over there?"

"My, he is certainly handsome, but who is the girl with him?"

"She's not the Hokage's apprentice, that's for sure."

"Now that you mention it, I've seen her come into the store a few times, but she was always with a Hyuuga… "

"You don't think…?"

The question was left unasked when the brown-haired girl spun around suddenly, looking at the ladies with an expression that showed how loose the hold was on her anger, "Would you old gossips mind shutting up for one second! It isn't unusual for shinobi to walk through the village on the way to the training grounds is it? I mean, come on, we're just friends!"

With that, the girl grabbed her companion and roughly jerked him in the direction they were going, muttering all the while about nosy old ladies with too much time and stupid assumptions and this only happening because she was out of cereal.

But Sasuke, usually very alert and apathetic , had other matters on his mind. While his face blank, his preoccupation could be noted by his wrist still caught in Tenten's smaller hand. The thoughts running through his mind were largely on his as of late sparring partner's outburst.

What did she mean by "just friends…"?

"Oi Teme! Have you seen Kakashi-sensei's new book? It's just like Ero-sennin's, 'cept it's about us!"

"Don't speak of that crap to me, dobe."

"Why not? It's really cool! I bet me and Sakura-chan are going to end up together and you're gonna end up all alone and you won't be in any of the major sex scenes that are sure to occur--"

"Housenka No Jutsu!"

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING! You can't just go around shooting people with fireballs Teme!"

"I wasn't aiming for you."

"Oh yeah, then what were you aiming at?!"

"That book."

Haruno Sakura was on her way to the hospital when she saw a most peculiar sight. A dark haired man who looked suspiciously like one of her teammates was holding hands with a girl who looked a hell of a lot like Tenten. 'What a funny notion,' the rosette thought to herself as she continued to walk. She would have believed it to be Sasuke and the brown-haired girl, but Uchiha Sasuke did not hold hands.

…right? Of course right. The green clouding her sight was merely healing chakra getting pumped about another day of not being Uchiha Sasuke's girlfriend. It had nothing to do with the fact that another girl, a used to be friend, was sniffing around in her turf.

"Yo Naruto!"

"What's up Kiba?"

"Have you read Kakashi's latest installment of Bye-Bye yet?"

"Yeah! I even tried to show it to Teme, but he had a large stick up his ass and tried to burn the book!"

"Ouch man. Hey, did you see the potential cat fight brewing?"

"What do you mean?"

"How could you miss it? Kakashi's totally setting the scene for a massive catfight between Sakura and Tenten! It's gonna be sweet!"

"Oh yea, that! Haha, can't wait! Sakura-chan is gonna kick ass!"

"You kidding me? This girl's been training with Neji! She gotta be killer!"

"No way! Sakura-chan is totally going to win!"

"Let's put money on it then. 500 yen says that Tenten is going to win."

"You're on!"

A certain blond haired ninja happened to be sitting on at a certain ramen stand when Tenten decided to drop Sasuke's wrist, only to use the now free hand to rub the back of her head apologetically, "Hehe, sorry about that Sasuke-san. Some people can just be so nosy, and I'm not in the mood to put up with it. If it makes you feel better, I can have Neji go all 'Hakke Kuushou' on them. It seems to be his time of the month--"

As the brown haired girl continued to chatter on about Neji and his mood changes that were similar to a certain female happening, her companion's expression darkened slightly. This change could only be detected by few people, the closest being otherwise engaged.

'Ah, my youthful teammate, you have bested me again! But never fear, for after I complete 5,000 laps around Konoha, I shall train even harder so that one day I might beat you!'

'That's great Lee. Oh, before you go, have you been reading Kakashi's…story?'

'Of course! Gai-sensei's hip and cool rival has found a new way to express the springtime of youth in a way that even Gai-sensei fails to best--'

'That's great, but you do realize that he is writing about Tenten.'

'—Bye Bye Paradise is quite a marvel! Why, he portrays the youthful Sakura-san in such a way that even I am unable to compete with. YOSH!'

'That's great Lee, but we're talking about Tenten.'

'The Youthful Flower of Team Gai-Sensei is also one of my favorite characters! That she is able to be friends with Sasuke-kun was truly a twist of fate. I cannot wait for another issue so that I might read further!'

'…you don't get it do you?'

'Get what, Neji?'

'Never mind, go run your laps or whatever you've created as a punishment today.'

'YOSH! Well then, I shall be off! Goodbye Neji!'

Note: Apologize for all the misspellings (hopefully there aren't too many...) or grammar mistakes. Really, there shouldn't be. My computer is smart like that.

Now, its time to go press the little review button! I know you want to!