*No One's POV*

The summer came and went, filled with endless days of playing games with friends and swimming in the lake in the forest and just having fun. Now today was October 21st-Tsunami Halu's 9th birthday.

"Happy birthday, Tsunami!" Choji cried, greeting the blue-haired girl with a hug as she walked into the classroom.

"Thanks, Choji," she replied with a smile and took her seat next to Kyoko.

"Happy b-day, Halu," Kyoko said with a grin and Tsunami smiled back at her.

"Thanks, Jalika. I can call you by your last name, too, you know." Kyoko rolled her eyes, and smiled a little bit.

"Happy birthday, Tsunami," Shikamaru said, smiling and shoving his hand in his pockets.

"Thanks, Shikamaru!" Tsunami cried, happily and tucked a lock of her bright blue hair behind her ear before turning her attention to Iruka-sensei at the front of the class. Choji and Shikamaru took their seats as class began, but Shikamaru couldn't concentrate. He had too much on his mind, which usually wasn't why he didn't pay attention in class.

"Hey, Shikamaru. What's up?" Choji whispered, elbowing him lightly in the ribs.

"Nothing," Shikamaru murmured, angrily.

"Are you sure?" Shikamaru snapped a pencil in his fist and turned to the slightly overweight boy.

"I like Tsunami, okay?"

"I know. I like Tsunami, too," Choji said and Shikamaru rolled his eyes.

"No. I like Tsunami. Like how you like Ino." Choji blinked in shock.

"Really? That's what's bothering you?" Choji asked and Shikamaru nodded, trying not to blush.

"Yeah. Don't tell anyone, okay? I don't want Tsunami to know."

"Why not?"

"Cuz she likes someone else," Shikamaru answered, bitterly and Choji grew quiet. He knew he shouldn't push. It hurt enough to see Ino drooling over Sasuke all the time, so he knew what it must be like for Shikamaru.

"Who?" Oh crap, Choji thought, frowning, I wasn't gonna push.

"No one."

"Okay."

"IRUKA-SENSEI! IRUKA-SENSEI! IT'S TSUNAMI'S BIRTHDAY TODAY!" Kiba screamed, jumping up from his seat and waving his arms like a spaz. "WE SHOULD SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

"Kiba, shut up and sit down!" Tsunami scolded him, blushing but the entire class started the song: "Happy birthday to you...happy birthday to you...happy birthday, dear Tsunami...happy birthday to you..."