Well, this took me a while, I know. Crap, last week was a bust. Open house at the high school I want to go to, then a friend's birthday. Then, a friend came over. And this week, I have Standardized Testing. Crap.

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Chapter 10: The Second Confession

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Tenten stared at her lunch. "Ewe… What is it?"

"I don't know," Sakura said. "I think it's some sort of broccoli oatmeal. Gross." She stood up. "I have to go. Kakashi-sensei needs more helps with the papers."

"Okay."

As soon as Sakura left, Hinata came to sit at the table. "Hi… Tenten."

She looked at her. "Hey. I heard you're going out with Naruto."

She blushed. "Oh, it's just one date. I wouldn't have said yes if I knew it was going to be such a big deal."

Tenten shook her head and smiled. "No, it's just that it's obvious Kiba likes you, and you said you liked him too."

"Oh, he does?" She bit her bottom lip. "Tenten, I have to tell you something about Neji?"

"What is it?"

"Well, he wouldn't want me to tell you this… but seeing what has happened, I think it's best that I tell you… You see, that girl that Neji wanted to ask out was you. He's really upset that you didn't want t go out with him."

Tenten slammed her hands on the table. "What! Oh my god, you mean I rejected him for no reason?" She sighed. "Shit, shit, shit. I'm an idiot."

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Neji looked at his food, threw it out, and sat down next to Shino. "I am such an idiot. Sasuke's right. He's always right. That's why he has a girlfriend I'm I'm stuck with you."

Shino crossed his arms. "You're jealous?"

Neji scoffed. "No."

"Then, try asking her again."

"Why would she change her mind about going out with me?"

"She's a girl, and they tend to be very… difficult. But eventually, she'll just realize how much she likes you and finally say yes."

Neji stared at him. "How do you know this?"

"Dude, I was around when Hinata realized she liked Naruto."

"Did you just call me dude?"

"No. It was just you're imagination."

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Kiba saw Hinata walk out of the cafeteria. "Hinata!" he called. "Hinata, could you talk to me?"

She looked nervous as she turned around to face him. "Um… about what?"

"About you and Naruto… and the dance."

She stood silent for a while, but as he walked closer, she remembered their close friendship. He'd understand. "He's… Naruto means a lot to me, Kiba."

He nodded and gave her an obviously forced smile. "Well, I'm happy for both of you." Then, he turned to leave.

"Kiba!" she called. "Kiba, you mean a lot to me, too."

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Oh, the drama rehearsals. They were beginning to be a pain. It was impossible to put horses into the play, not even fake ones. They looked too plastic. The horses had to be drafted out. That meant that Gwyn couldn't steal Philip's horse, because it doesn't exist. So, Tenten had to steal a pot.

But, that whole scene was centered around the horse, so they just had to rewrite the whole scene. In this version, written by Ino, Gwyn and Philip meet each other in the marketplace. Philip saw Gwyn steal a bag of fruit, but he doesn't turn her in.

After reading the script, Tenten laughed. "This is hilarious… So, when do we get the real script?"

Neji looked at the floor. "This is the real script, and it's a disaster."

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Neji was on stage. It was an awkward moment. It was the scene when they were supposed to kiss. Kurenai had rewritten it so that it would only be a hug, but it was still awkward.

Not only that. But Neji couldn't even remember half of his lines. He told them that it was only because he didn't feel well, but Tenten knew the real reason. He was just too gloomy to give a damn anymore.

"Come one, Neji," the teacher urged. "You used to be the best. Just give a little effort. You have the lead role, for god's sake."

He nodded, looked at Tenten, and went back stage.

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Tenten took a look at him as he sat there, all alone thinking to himself. She walked up to him. "Neji?"

"What?"

"I… What's wrong?"

He crossed his arms. "I don't know." He looked at her as she sat down beside him. "I'm planning on quitting drama."

"Oh." She shook her head. "Neji, you can't do that."

"Why not?"

"Neji, you're the best person for the role! You were just distracted before, that's why."

"It's my decision."

"But…" She paused. "Neji, what about me? I would have quit a long time ago if it weren't for you."

He stood up and looked at her. "Tenten, that's your own choice if you want to quit."

"But, Neji… Will you stay for me?"

"What?"

"Neji, I really, really, like you, and it would be crazy if I didn't go to the dance with you."

He stared at her. "Do you really mean that?"

She nodded. "Well, yeah. Of course, I do." She gave him a smile. "Some one told me that you really did like me, and I was the girl you wanted to ask out."

"Hinata." He nodded. "She's my favorite cousin."

He gave her a small smile. "So… What now? Are we, like, going out?"

"I think I've already answered that."

"No you haven't."

"Do you really want me to answer you?"

"Um, yeah."

She kissed him.

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Sakura stepped out of the school. Her backpack weighed a ton Anko assigned enough homework for a whole week. Kurenai wanted her to redo the stitching on the hem of Gwyn's first act dress.

As Sakura started on the path, she saw the shadow of a person walking toward her. "Hello," she. No one answered her. "Hello… Hey! Temari, is that you!"

"Yeah." She put her hands on her hips. "Sakura, tell me one thing. Is Ino really going out with Shikamaru?"

Sakura laughed. "Are you kidding? Ino's been trying all month to get him to go out with her, but you know how Shikamaru is. Ino's hopeless… You didn't think that she would actually prevail, did you?"

"What? Oh... Of course, not." She looked relieved. "No, I just wanted to make sure. You never know when Ino might have a trick up her sleeve."

Sakura studied Temari's face. "Oh my gosh…"

"What is it?"

"You like him, don't you?"

"No, I don't!" She thought of a quick but reasonable excuse, but none came to her. "I…"

"Do you think he's attractive?"

"A little."

"Then you like him!"

"Oh shit… Sakura is you ever tell this to anyone, I'll tell Naruto you like him."

Sakura's grin disappeared. "Okay, I swear I won't tell a soul."

"Good."

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WARNING: SLEEPOVER NEXT CHAPTER. BE PREPARED FOR THE VALENTINE'S DANCE.