Survival of the Fittest

Note: Shout out 2 all me peeps! Wish me luck on me vacation...shudder...going w/parents...don't think I'd survive...jkjk

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Kin's face paled slightly at those words, those cursed words. "A two-thirds majority?" she whispered fearfully, shaking her head in denial. "There's no way they're going to allow me to come...no possible way..."

A furtive smile slid gracefully onto Ino's face, her eyes sparkling with brightly. "Whew...at least the odds are on my side," she smirked, "I doubt they'd want her to come..." she threw a glance towards Sasuke and Naruto.. "But...Sakura...and Hinata...I'm not so sure..."

"Hokage, that's impossible," snapped Shikamaru, as his fist slammed against the wall, causing dust to fly off the ceiling. "It wouldn't be a fair vote, since they don't even know her. They'd only be judging by her past...not how she is now," he insisted, glaring at Hokage without an ounce of fear. "Please..."

Hokage momentarily raised one of his eyebrows in amusement. This girl is changing him...I've known him ever since he was a child. And yet I have never been able to successfully teach him some manners. He growled in frustration at the memory.

"What do you suggest then?" he asked eyeing Shikamaru warily.

Shikamaru grimaced slightly at Hokage's indifferent tone. "I suggest that we give the others a day to decide," he replied, after recovering his voice. "Kin is a great person once you get to know her," he muttered, "If given the chance, Kin and the others would become great friends."

Hokage sighed in frustration, "Very well," he muttered, waving his hands impatiently. "You'll have a day to cast your vote," he said reluctantly.

Kin grasped Shikamaru's hand, before lifted her off her feet and twirled her around the room. "I'll do my best," she whispered in his ear. "I won't let you down."

Ino watched them, as jealousy flared in her heart. Her hands were clenched tightly together, her thin frame shaking with suppressed anger and hurt.

Hokage cleared his throat, waiting for them to calm down. "However, I'd like to make a few rules," he stated calmly, ignoring Shikamaru and Kin's stricken expressions. "First of all, Shikamaru is forbidden to help or introduce Kin to anyone. She has to do everything on her own. In other words, he has to spend the afternoon with me," he said, calmly tapping his fingers against the table. "Second of all, Kin has to stay over tonight. I think she should room with Ino," he suggested.

Kin's face dropped in shock as she turned towards Ino, who had a similar expression on her face. "You're kidding right?" she begged, falling to her hands and knees. "Can't you place me with anyone else? Please?" she whispered desperately.

"Over my dead body! There is no way that bitch is sleeping in MY room!" snapped Ino, her eyes flaring dangerously.

"Do you think I want to spend time with you?" she snapped, clapping her mouth shut to stop the colorful wards that were bound to explode. "You're impossible! The most annoying and spoiled brat I've ever met!"

"Why you..." growled Ino pushing up her sleeves preparing for battle.

"Silence!" snapped Hokage, who had just about enough of the ordeal. "That's final!" he declared sternly, ignoring their protests. " The vote will take place tomorrow at sunset. And you'll leave for your cruise the day after tomorrow," he muttered rubbing his temples weakly.

"Now get out of my sight!" he yelled shooing them out of the room.

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"Stupid jerk," growled Sakura, as she stared at the stars. Whenever she needed time to think, for some reason she would always come here. "He has some nerve...kicking us out of the room as if we were nothing better then...then...dogs!" She turned around when she felt a presence close behind her. She twirled around and came face to face with...

Sasuke

"What are you doing here?" she questioned, genuine surprise was evident in her eyes.

Sasuke abruptly turned away from her. "I saw you leave the academy...you looked distressed," he stated with forced indifference. "I was worried about you."

When Sakura didn't answer he started to turn away. "If you need time alone...I'll leave now," he muttered, ignoring the glance that she shot him.

Sakura was puzzled. Why would he follow me all the way here for nothing? More so he looked concerned...truly concerned about her. She gave him a gentle smile and beckoned him to sit down next to her.

Sasuke was truly a conundrum...a puzzle...a mystery...it was nearly impossible to predict what he would do next. She studied his face...which wore it's usual stoic expression...however underneath it she saw something...something different.

She frowned as she stared into his eyes. His dark handsome complexion shone brightly under the stars...he looked like as if he was a creature of the night. His broad muscles, his strong chin, and steady onyx eyes. It was frightening yet for some unknown unknown reason comforted her...made her feel safe.

Sasuke stared at the stars, however flicking a few glances at Sakura every few seconds. "So what's wrong?" he asked, trying to start a conversation. "You were acting different today."

"Was I?" she muttered returning his glaze. It wasn't a question, nor an answer. She sighed mentally, debating on whether or not she should tell him.

"It's about Shikamaru and Kin," she confessed as she ran her fingers through her hair. "I don't know what I should do...I know that we should trust Shikamaru's judgment and all, but it just seems so wrong..." she whispered.

Sasuke edged slightly towards her, "Why do you think it's wrong?" he asked softly, trying not to damage the mood. "Is there something about her that I don't know?"

"No," muttered Sakura as she shook her head slightly. "But, no matter how hard I try, I just can't forget everything she's done to us. She tried to kill us...especially you."

He released the breath that he didn't know he was holding. "Is that all?" he muttered, trying his best not to sound sarcastic. "It doesn't matter to me what she did in the past, the important thing is that she didn't succeed."

Sakura tossed her head defiantly, . "But what if she's only pretending, what if she's just using Shikamaru as an instrument. An excuse to get closer to us, so she could have a better chance of killing us."

Sasuke frowned slightly, "I never thought of it that way, but she's weak, there's no way she could defeat us now. Even with her Sound friends. Besides, I think we should give her a chance," he replied shrugging his shoulders calmly.

"After all, you never know, you might become great friends with her," he added humorously. "It's getting late, I think we should get going..."

Sakura nodded in agreement, as she pulled herself up. "Thanks," she whispered turning towards Sasuke. "You're the best," she wrapped her arms around him. "Good night," she giggled at Sasuke's shocked expression, and trudged on towards her room.

Sasuke stared silently towards her retreating back. "Good night," he whispered, before turning towards his room. "Good night..."

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Note: Hope u like me chapter! Please review if you like it! Thanx!