Note: Just wanted to say happy new year to everyone...in doing so I bring you a new chapter...thank you to all that reviewed the last chapter, it is much appreciated

Title is for the last scene of this chapter….

This chapter is pretty much the second half of last chapter…

So this is the extra chapter, it is a little longer than the other ones and looks more at the other characters than it does at Naruto and Sasuke…

As always I own nothing

Please review…

Chapter 14: More Than Tolerable

Shikamaru was trying to avoid Ino and Temari. They both came out with them and both were looking for him. The problem was, every time they all three hung out together the two girls fought, silently saying that he should make a decision already. If it were that easy, he would have made a decision. He liked them for different reasons and it wasn't like he could just pick the one that was hotter because he found them both appealing. All he wanted to do was get out of there and find a nice hill to look at the stars, but he figured someone would see him leave and both girls would know exactly where to find him, he was sort of predictable in that sense.

"Have you seen Ino and Temari?" Shikamaru asked Sai, who was standing quietly by Hinata and Shino, all three of them not looking as if they were enjoying the party much. The brunette figured if Sasuke wasn't drunk he might be right there with them.

"Ino was talking to Choji a few moments ago, I believe she was looking for you," he smiled, obviously not seeing that this was a bad thing. "Temari was talking to Gaara, she looked angry, or at least I think she was angry. She was clenching her fists as she looked around," he said while keeping the smile on his face. Shikamaru could only think that the guy was clueless when it came to people, or at least was acting like it, because every one knew that it meant that those two were looking for him. Shikamaru cursed under his breath as he thanked Sai and leaned against the wall behind Hinata, Sai, and Shino, hoping the two girls wouldn't find them.

Every now and then Hinata would try to strike up conversation with Shino, but none of them led anywhere. It wasn't until Shino surprised her by asking "Do you like Naruto still?" that a conversation got started.

She blushed as she looked down and played with her fingers. Naruto had been her high school crush; she had always been in love with him, or at least the idea of him. "I can't really help it," she stuttered as she played with her fingers. She always stuttered when she was nervous.

"Even after seeing him kiss Sasuke like that, you like him?" he asked. He couldn't believe the girl could be so dense. It wasn't as if she had a shot with the guy, yet she was infatuated with him. It was understandable when it was a movie star and the girl understood she could never have him, but for it to be a friend, made it ridiculous. He just looked at her in disbelief, feeling sorry for Kiba, knowing that he may never have her because her heart belonged to his best friend.

"I know it's foolish, but it's not something you can turn off and on," she said once again stuttering and wondering why this was suddenly coming up. She hoped that it wasn't because Shino had a crush on her. Hinata knew that she had harbored no feelings for the bug-loving boy. "Why is this coming up?" she looked down, trying not to stutter, but it didn't work as she played with the hem of her shirt.

"Today's activities had me wondering if you could possibly still love him," he shrugged. "You seemed so interested in talking, so I provided a conversation piece, that's all."

She looked at him, wondering if that was truly all and she genuinely hoped that it was. Hinata just nodded, deciding not to try to engage him in conversation again. "I'm going to talk to Kiba," she hurried off to the brunette, causing Shino to frown. He knew that her encouragement of him liking her would only make it hurt all the more when she turned him down. She was always so nice to him, more so than she was to anyone else, besides Naruto, giving him some hope that maybe she did in fact like him. Shino, however, was starting to think that maybe she just saw him as a best friend and not boyfriend material.

NS

Hinata walked over to Kiba, she seemed upset. Kiba looked at Suigetsu as if to tell him to leave them alone, "I'm going to find," he paused for moment wondering whom else in the group he really talked to since his friends didn't tag along and Sasuke was occupied, "Neji." It was the first name that came to mind; he sort of talked to him since the older man wouldn't let anyone in his room that he didn't know at least a little bit about. While Sasuke said he was cool, that meant nothing to the longhaired man.

"What's wrong?" Kiba asked after Suigetsu walked away.

"Do you think Shino likes me?" she asked. Kiba almost choked after the words came out of her mouth; he was shocked to think that he may have to compete with two friends for her affection.

"Shino? Why do you ask?" He wondered, thinking Shino showed no signs of interest in Hinata ever since he met her.

She looked down, "He asked if I still liked Naruto." Kiba felt his heart sink, feeling he knew the answer to that question. "I was hoping it wasn't because he was interested in me. I wouldn't want to break his heart."

"Oh, I don't think Shino's been interested in anyone as long as I've known him. I think you're safe," Kiba reassured her, knowing he had to get to the bottom of things.

"Thanks Kiba, you're the best friend a girl could have," she said as she hugged him. He frowned at her words; they were the worst words that a guy in love with a girl could ever hear. Kiba had a feeling he would always be stuck in the friend zone; it almost made him wish he had never entered it to begin with.

NS

Suigetsu walked over to Neji, who looked as if he was debating something, silently fighting it out in his head. It amused him; he almost didn't want to interrupt the brunette's thoughts. "Care to share?" he asked with a chuckled as he knew he startled the man. While he was only a few years older than the rest of them, he was considered a man. He was a grade ahead of them in high school and now 20, almost old enough to buy booze, and knew people who would buy it for him. While in high school he was seen as goody-good Hyuuga, however, college had changed him. He still wanted the approval of his family, however, that didn't mean that he didn't help his friends get booze. He knew how to not get caught and sweet talk his elders; therefore he knew he would never be suspected of assisting a minor get alcohol.

"What do you want?" Neji asked the light haired teen, annoyed that he could tell something was wrong. The guy was hardly his friend and yet he could see right through him, what did that mean for his actual friends. The only way he could explain it was those stupid eyes, but he couldn't say that to Suigetsu, it would confuse the hell out of him. If he confused him, then he'd have to explain how confused he was about Gaara and the way he felt about him and that didn't sound appealing.

"I'm just confused," said Neji as he sighed, trying to think of a way that he could be confused and not be gay. Everyone knew that it was not like him to be confused about anything.

"From what I hear, that doesn't sound like you," Suigetsu said as he looked at the longhaired teen. Neji knew that something like that was coming, that the guy wouldn't just let it go. He was like Sasuke in some ways, but in others he was just like Naruto. He knew if Naruto was sober and knew he was confused he'd be doing the exact same thing.

"That's with school, this is completely different," Neji snapped, annoyed with how nosy he was being. It just made Suigetsu laugh, he was used to guys like him, mostly because Sasuke was like him. They both wanted their privacy and annoyed when people pushed for an answer. He was obviously strong willed, as he was not giving Suigetsu an answer to his initial question.

"Care to explain?" Suigetsu asked, knowing he was probably crossing a line. He was a hardly friend with Neji. The light haired teen was bored and the two people he was an actually friend with at the party were busy, so he figured he had nothing to lose with bothering the brunette.

"Not to you," was his simple answer. It almost shocked him how blunt he was about it, usually Neji a little more polite. Suigetsu then realized that the brunette was aggravated, not with him, but with Gaara. He'd never personally talked to the redhead, but it seemed that Neji had.

"So what'd Gaara do to you?" he asked, worried he might get punched for doing so. Neji just glared at him, which was nothing considering he was used to Sasuke's glare.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said, looking away from Suigetsu. He tried not to look back at Gaara, causing him to become uneasy. Suigetsu just looked at him, not believing a word he said but he remained silent before realizing what Neji meant when he walked over.

"Wait, you're confused about Gaara? As in you're confused if you like him?" Suigetsu connected the pieces and it all made sense.

Neji put his hand over Suigetsu's mouth to silence him, "Shut up, do you want everyone to hear you?" He looked around to make sure no one was looking at them.

Suigetsu just grinned at him and said, "I'm right, aren't I?" He couldn't believe he didn't see it sooner; it was obvious by the way the two of them acted.

"No, you're wrong, I can't like him," Neji said as he looked at Gaara. "It's not right, my family would never approve." Suigetsu just looked at him as if he were crazy, not believing that he would sacrifice his happiness for his family's approval.

"Your family should be happy for you as long as you're happy," Suigetsu said. "It shouldn't matter if it is with a boy or a girl," he continued. When he saw the look on Neji's face, he knew that for some people that just didn't happen.

"You don't understand how traditional the Hyuuga family is obviously," Neji said. He once again looked at Gaara, feeling he'd never have what he wanted.

"Well sooner or later someone has to break tradition, you just have to be ready to lose your family if they don't accept the real you," Suigetsu offered. Neji just frowned, remaining silent as he let the words process. He'd never been one to against his family and he wasn't sure he was ready to start.

"Tenten is the safe choice," Neji pointed out after a moment. "I am meant to be with Tenten," he said, thought not believing his words.

"Is she really the choice that will make you happy?" he asked. Neji just sighed, feeling more confused than he did when Suigetsu walked over. Before Suigetsu came over, he thought he'd choose Tenten because she was safe, but Suigetsu had him questioning if it would truly make him happy. Rather than thinking about it, Neji just took a drink and decided he didn't want to think anymore that night.

NS

"Dude, I," Naruto started to say, however, he tripped which cut off his sentence and started the laughter. Kiba just looked at him as if he were crazy; since he was much more sober than the blonde. "I am so drunk," Naruto continued, dragging out the "so" and slurring his words.

Kiba just shook his head and looked at their other drunken companion, Sasuke, who wasn't any better off than Naruto. The brunette regretted sending Suigetsu away when Hinata came over, as it then left him alone with Naruto and Sasuke. He could only blame himself for the situation he was in, knowing he couldn't let his best friend attempt to get back to his dorm on his own in his condition.

Kiba was glad when they made it to the dorm with only a few incidents of falling on the stairs. He was just happy Naruto and Sasuke weren't being all touchy feely like they were at the party, he wasn't sure he could handle that the whole way to the dorm.

"Come on give me your key," Kiba said, hoping they'd make this easy on him.

"I don't know where I put it," Sasuke drunken smirk appeared on his face as he leaned on Naruto.

"Come on, it's got you be in one of your pockets. I know you're drunk Sasuke, but can you not be a moron," Kiba sighed, wishing he'd drank more at the party so he could be as happy as the two roommates.

"I'll look for it for him," Naruto grinned and looked at Sasuke as if he were his prey as he pushed the raven up against the wall and started to search his pockets while kissing his neck. "Not in the back pockets," Naruto said as he started to kiss Sasuke and as he searched his front pockets. Kiba could not believe he was standing there watching them make out just so he could make sure his friend got in his room. Just as he thought about leaving, Naruto said, "Found it."

Kiba rolled his eyes as he took the key. "It couldn't have took that long to search his pockets," he said under his breath.

"What'd you say?" Naruto asked with a smile as Kiba unlocked the door.

"I said get inside," he said as he handed Sasuke his key back, knowing it'd probably get lost somewhere in the room that night. He didn't want to know what they were going to do that night; his job was only to make sure they got to the room safely. He couldn't help but think that Naruto was right; Sasuke certainly did find him more than tolerable when he was drunk.

TBC…?

It will slow down again after this chapter…however these last two chapters were fun to write and necessary to build on their attraction for each other