Chapter Five

The next day Satomi awoke and prepared herself for work. Washing up and changing. She headed for the door ready to walk to work. Upon exiting the apartment, she noticed Neji leaning against the wall of another apartment complex. Blushing red she waved shyly.

'I wonder why he keeps showing up and I don't know if I could face him right now after yesterday' Satomi pondered silently

"Morning Neji, did you sleep well?" Satomi asked politely. Neji smirked. "Yes I did. You were constantly on my mind and in my dreams." He said winking. "What about you? Did you dream of those kisses from last night? He said as he walked towards her.

She stepped back unaware that she walked herself into a corner. As Neji descended to bring his lips to her own once again a rock hit him squarely in the face.

"Yo!" Shikamaru waved lazily with a yawn.

Glaring Neji looked at Shikamaru. "What's with you following us?' Neji exclaimed. Satomi sighed softly and due to the distraction that was Shikamaru she slipped away to head to work. Not looking back at the two boys she had left behind.

After Satomi left the two boys. Neji had become agitated at Shikamaru. Shikamaru on the other hand was happy he made the mighty Hyuga annoyed. Yawning he was ready to make his way to the training grounds.

"Now look what you did Nara! She left because your so rude and watching her every move!" Neji said fuming.

"At-least I don't corner her. This is getting boring I have things to do anyway" shikamaru left ready to train which he was not looking forward to with his teammates and sensei.

"Took you long enough!" Ino shouted at Shikamaru. The lazy genies rolled his eyes and yawned again.

Asuma smirked and crossed his arms. "Nice of you to finally join us Shikamaru, any interesting happen for you to be late for the first time ever? Now we can officially start your training for the exams." Asuma said with a grin.

Shikamaru yawned again and scratched the back of his head. For his training for the day. He had to go against Ino, Asuma and Choji. This was going to be the a major drag, He had to dodge attacks, avoid being run over by his best friend, Avoid Ino getting into his mind. And to top it all off he had to avoid the brass knuckles of his sensei.

Meanwhile

Neji was training in the Hyuga compound with his Uncle. He was extremely upset with had happen with the Nara and Satomi leaving. He had Satomi all to himself. She was trapped like a little mouse and he was in for the kiss until it was all ruined. That stupid lazy ass Nara was getting in his way. Letting his anger get the best of him and gentle fist-ed his uncle cracking a rib cage. Neji had immediately stopped.

"I'm so sorry Uncle, please forgive me." Neji had bowed to floor hoping his uncle was not into to much pain. Hiashi had laughed and waved it off.

"It is fine Neji, good technique, but don't let anger be the only reason for fighting or the only reason." Hiashi smirked as he made his way out of the backyard while holding his sign.

'glad he is finally showing interest in the girl obviously something is bugging him and i hope my plan is working, soon everything will fall into place'

- With Satomi -

Satomi was trying not to think so much about Neji's actions towards her. It was making her nervous and very uncomfortable. She was only 11 and a half not even a teenager yet and boys were already doing things. She had her first kiss and she was ashamed. Blushing at the thought she shook her head and continued working.

Satomi was finally over with her shift. She was happy with her work day was over but was not looking forward to seeing Neji.

'Oh my! Neji-san will be here soon but i don't want to be rude and not see him. I'm so nervous, I don't want another kiss. It was not what I was expecting'

Satomi was battling with her thoughts when Shikaku Nara made his way towards Satomi.

"Hello again." Shikaku said waving lazily at Satomi. Satomi looked up and blushed a million shades of red.

"Hello Nara-San" Satomi said shyly. Shikaku smiled.

"I didn't catch your name last night.'

"It's Satomi Kumo, Nara-sama" Satomi then bowed her head to be polite.

"Don't say that it makes me sound old, call me Shikaku." the older man smiled widely

"That's because you are old." Shikamaru said stretching his arms over his head. Upon hearing Shikamaru's voice Satomi blushed.

"I don't think…" She trailed off. Kurenai always drilled polite manners & respect into her and hearing Shikamaru's comment was different. Shikaku laughed at the frazzled girl. "H..How may I help you both?' Satomi asked. Even though her shift had ended she felt the need to assist them before leaving.

"Pick up order, we called ahead." Shikaku said as he waited. Satomi turned and headed back to the kitchen. Finding the order under Nara she had made her way back to the front of the house of the restaurant. Handing the bags of food to Shikamaru her hand had lightly brushed against his.

The eclectic current from the previous day had returned and the two stared at each other again. Satomi's face began to feel hot as her face began to turn a light pink. Shikamaru didn't want the feeling to stop so he brushed her hand again the feeling intensifying. Soon the two had had Shikaku's attention. 'Hmm, you definitely don't see that everyday' he thought with a smirk. 'I'm sure he will eventually figure it out'

"I'm sorry!' Satomi blushed profusely as she apologized by their side finished paying.

"Nice bumping into you again, Shikamaru we should go so your mother won't worry." Shikaku said smirking as he walked lazily out.

"Goodbye Nara-sama, Shikamaru Nara-San." Satomi said shyly with a small bow of her head.

Shikamaru gave her a lazy nod and walked out with a small blush on his face as he walked out of the restaurant.

Neji was making his way towards Satomi's work and saw the two male Nara's leaving. Neji smirked to himself as he watched Shikamaru and Shikaku walk off past him away from Satomi.

Satomi went to the back to say her goodbyes and put her apron up in its usual spot. She had soon spotted Neji waiting by the front door. Trying not to be seen she quietly made her way back to the kitchen to leave through the back door that lead to the ally. 'Neji-Sama will be upset with me, but I can't face him just yet.' Not paying attention as she rounded the corner of the ally she bumped into a figure and landed hard on her behind.

"Hn." the dark figure grunted.

Satomi looked up and saw onyx eyes and raven hair. She felt at ease as she realized who it was. She got up and dusted off herself.

"Sasuke-kun." Satomi said bowing her head. Sasuke rolled his eyes and put his hands in his pockets looking bored. "What are you doing in an ally by yourself Satomi?" he had asked a little annoyed.

'I can't tell him about Neji or the things that happened last night he will be upset or annoyed with me.' Satomi thought sadly showing it in her face.

You see Sasuke and Satomi were really good friends. Best friends actually. Though Sasuke would never admit out loud, just like Naruto was his other best friend but more like a brother. But that's another story. Sasuke could be at ease with Satomi because she wasn't one of his fan-girls who were obsessed with him or trying to kiss him on a daily basis. And Sasuke could be very blunt and honest which what he thought Satomi needed for she was way to innocent and naive. They defiantly did make an odd pair of friends but then there was Shino who made Sasuke be more lenient on Satomi and help him not be as harsh.

Sasuke could read Satomi like an open book. She was to easy to read. Her being a civilian as well but mostly because she wears her heart on the sleeves. "Cut the crap Satomi, tell me whats really going on or I'm gonna bring Shino into this."

Satomi made a squeal and vigorously shook her head no. Satomi began to tell Sasuke what has been going on lately with Neji and how her first kiss was stolen and how hurt she was that she could never get it back. She was embarrassed at the hyuga compound with the silk kimono and how hurt she felt when her mother was upset about it. After opening up to Sasuke she felt silly for hiding it. She began to continue to tell him that she has been avoiding Neji all day. Sasuke stayed calm trying not to be upset at the fact that his best friend was assaulted by a hyuga and didn't want to lash out at her for none of this was her fault but she was way to naive. Finally Satomi had finished her story as he took a deep breath and suddenly grabbed her wrist leaving the ally.

"Sasuke-kun, what are we doing?" Satomi asked terrified.

"I'm taking you home, and Shino and I are gonna have a nice talk with that good for nothing Neji Hyuga." Sasuke said with gritted teeth.

As all this was happening in the alley Neji was patiently waiting for Satomi. Thirty minutes had passed and he began to worry and Satomi was not seen anywhere. Neji began to come jealous thinking that the Nara had found a way to steal her away from him. Clenching his fist the angry prodigy had exited the restaurant and making his way towards the Nara compound to get his girl back. The Nara had a way of always ruining everything.

Sasuke dragged Satomi all the way to the Aburame compound. "Sasuke.. We really don't need to bring or brother Shino with this matter. Satomi muttered softly.

"Bother me with what?" a voice asked from behind Satomi. She jumped trying to catch her breath. "Shino!" Satomi called in surprise with goosebumps on her skin from the surprise. Shino nodded in greeting. "Hey." he greeted Sasuke. "What seems to be a problem with Satomi?" Shino asked.

"It seems that Neji think its ok to just plant kisses on girls." Sasuke said sarcastically.

"Hmm I have noticed the amount of attention he has been giving her." Shino said his bug hive swarming inside his body.

"This seems to be an issue."

Shino agreed with Sasuke. "I have also noticed that Shikamaru has been giving her attention recently as well but seems to be a play at Neji." Shino told Sasuke.

"It does seem that Satomi is gathering a lot of attention lately." Sasuke sighed. "I guess we will need to watch over you for a bit so nothing like this can happen again." Sasuke told Satomi in a stern tone. Blushing Satomi bowed her head. "It's fine I truly don't want to bother either of you, I know you both are in the third part of the exams."

Sasuke snorted. "if these guys are bothering you it's fine with me and Shino, you will just watch us train or we will take turns. End of story Satomi." Satomi sighed and nodded in defeat. This was going to be a very long day.

Storming into the gate of the Nara compound, Neji quickly located Shikamaru who had been leaving his house.

"Shikamaru where is Satomi!"

Shikamaru looked up at Neji sighing "Last I saw her she was at work ready to leave before she gave us our pick up order. I don't know where she may have gone if she isn't with you or Hinata." Shikamaru explained. Neji glared at the Nara and began to stalk off and sulk.

"This girl is very troublesome for me." Shikamaru sighed

Neji sighed becoming frustrated. Neji looked everywhere for her in the village. Feeling almost defeated he decided to make his way towards her apartment hoping Kurenai would know where she is or even see if she went home.

Knocking on the door he waited patiently. Soon enough and to his surprise Sasuke Uchiha answered the door.

"Can I help you?" Sasuke said with an annoyed look seeing the last person he ever wanted to see. Looking confused and double check the number on the door Neji stepped back. "Isn't this Satomi's apartment?"

"Yes, me and Shino walked her home." Sasuke then shut the door on Neji and locked it.

Neji was in shock. He knew the Nara was hovering around but now Shino and above all Sasuke. This was not happening and no way in hell was he going to loose now. Neji walked back home trying to think of another way to get Satomi to himself.

Sasuke made his way back to Satomi's room taking a seat on her floor. "Who was that Sasuke-kun?" Satomi asked as Shino began to braid her hair. "Someone asking for sugar, i said no." Sasuke said as he began to lay on Satomi's lap.

"Oh ok, we did have sugar though" Satomi laughed at her friends rudeness knowing he is just playing tough.

"Now Satomi let me and Sasuke handle Neji, we will make sure he doesn't do anything without your permission again." Shino said finishing up the braid as he made his way next to Sasuke and do the same thing as him.

"But I'm sure Neji-san doesn't mean anything by it, I'm sure." Satomi said honestly.

"Look he only wants one thing especially if he started all of this when he saw you in the kimono you told me about." Sasuke said annoyed as he arose and sat up

"And what is that he wants from me Sasuke-kun?"

"You really are stupid, he wants to fuc.."

"Do things that are inappropriate." Shino cut of Sasuke giving him a stern look through his glasses

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Your so annoyingly naive it's ridiculous." Sasuke said crossing his arms

"What he means to say to you is that you are kind and worried of hurting others. So we will make sure nothing like this happens again." Shino said as he rose up and faced his friend.

"Hn." sasuke replied as well.

Satomi smiled widely at her two best friends. Soon enough the two boys left going their separate ways home and letting her know they would check up on her later since her mother was out on a mission.

Satomi felt a little more at ease she wouldn't have to hide from Neji. but she still felt somewhat guilty because she didn't know how to feel about him she felt guilty as well because she didn't want her friends to be involved in her problem.

The following morning Satomi had almost forgotten that she had the next two days off. Getting up she quickly dressed into a sundress. The dress was more her taste then the horrid kimono. It reached her ankles and was a lovely shade of white it made her eyes pop more. She put her hair in a high ponytail after undoing the braid that Shino had made her. The curls unraveling and covering her shoulders. exiting her room she noticed her mother still hasn't come back from her mission. She then decided to make a snack for her mother and a bento for herself to take to enjoy in her favorite spot. Making her way outside locking up the apartment finally making her way to her favorite spot near a tiny forest she began to lose herself in the beautiful sky and flowers.

Meanwhile with Team 9. "Alright team, it's time for you all to battle against Shikamaru again to get him ready for the exams, after all he does have twenty eight days left." Asuma had mentioned to the young genin as they settled on the grass of a training field. "ok first Shikamaru vs. Choji." Asuma announced.

Shikamaru sighed as he sat up. "What a drag.." trailing off he got in a potion to start the match against his friend.

Satomi was walking through the forest and enjoying the animals and the freedom of not having anyone waiting at her door or trying to get her attention. Without knowing she was entering the training zone in which Shikamaru and Choji were battling.

Shikamaru and Choji were throwing kunais back and forth at each other to see how Shikamaru's brain for strategy and always being ahead of the enemy. Asuma was smirking when he had noticed Satomi lost in thought making her way towards them.

"Choji why don't you take a break for a little while." Choji soon sat down relieved to finally breathe and eat his last bag of chips with delight. Asuma lit himself a cigarette as Ino made her way to her team to give them some water from her canteen. Choji then noticed Satomi and smiled as he began to wave at her. Ino glance and puffed her cheeks at the intruder. "Hey satomi-chan! Nice seeing you." Choji shouted catching her attention. Ino rolled her eyes and then turned her back on Satomi. Asuma then made his way over to tell the two they could call it a day since shikamaru will have some more training and sparring to do. Ino dragged choji before he could say goodbye. Satomi then glanced towards the noise of metal hitting wood. Shikamaru was jumping and dashing while throwing ninja stars and kunais at a tree. Her eyes began to stayed glued on shikamaru. Every move he made was graceful and quick. To her it looked like dancing. Asuma then soon started dashing at Shikamaru the two began to battle. Satomi was amazed at how fast they were moving now. Her eyes never leaving Shikamaru. Asuma then noticed how memorized the young girl was. With a small chuckle he stopped with Shikamaru crashing into his stomach.

"Good job kid, tell your dad he is doing well teaching you.." Asuma finished his cigarette and then walked off.

'What a drag, i'm so tired i really need to lay down and relax' Shikamaru then noticed Satomi

"How long have you been there?" Shikamaru asked with a heavy breath. Satomi blushed then began to play with the curls in her ponytail not making eye contact with him. "I was watching you train, I was enjoying it actually, your so fast and I'm sorry I didn't mean to bother you." Satomi eyes were glued to her feet. Shikamaru's stomach then soon begin to growl. Which caught Satomi attention.

"Oh I have a bento if your hungry." Satomi took the bento out of her bag and gave it to Shikamaru. "Why would you give me your lunch?" Shikamaru was oddly shocked that she would just give her lunch away. Satomi smiled and sat under a tree patting the seat next to her for Shikamaru to join. Shikamaru sat down and the two began to eat in silence. It wasn't a bad or awkward silence it was comfortable and nice.