Crimson Love


Ok when I first wrote this, I was pissed because I only got 3-4 reviews. But now I am happy. I got 9! (Kenshin grin) Here's my responses... Don't really have that much to say... (Responses to Apprentice reviews are at the end of the chapter)

narutoyuyufan: Ty! (Kenshin grin) I'll try and work on Apprentice, too, but I warn you... I'm totally not good at writing two stories at once. Just look at Apprentice compared to Genius In Love. But if it's two fics that I really like, like this one and Apprentice, I try my hardest. Okies?

RedLotus and IceHunterNin: Are there going to be any other pairings? Hm. Maybe, maybe not. Read this chapter and then ask me that question again, if you can. Lol. Yeah, thank you, I fixed the genre. I just kind of thought this would be a dramatic thing (but then again I guess all fics are dramatic, ne?). Oh my gosh, I am totally not a Sakura-hater! God, no, I mean... Yes, she could think of something other then Sasuke, and sometimes I think she's a little selfish concerning him, but... No, I don't hate her! Sakura is my favorite Naruto girlie! (P.S: Nothing makes me happier then hearing someone will review for all my chapters! -glomp-)

HinatasBiggestFanBoy: Ty for correcting me on Kimi's name. I checked, and you're right, it is an 'o' not a 'u'. In the translation I got, the type made it look like a 'u' since it was all caps, but I checked, and it's an 'o'. Ty! I fixed it!

SilentAdaon: I'm so glad someone's happy to see Shizuka! She's a very popular O.C. for me, ne? Of course I have a plan for Tayuya! (I have two, actually, and I'm not sure how people will react; let's just say, red-heads go with red-heads, and leave it at that) I like it when people don't know how my fics are going to go, because...Yeah. I like being unpredictable. Lol, R&R!!

KageNoKatana: Um... Apprentice is solely focused on Shizuka (sort of) and it's pretty damn popular... Lol. I know what's supposed to happen in Genius in Love, like, I know exactly how it's going to end and I know how everyone reacts and everything. So, yeah. But I can always use help! (Look at me, talking like I'm professional...)

Dragonman180: Yeah, I feel sorry for them, too... (cough cough) The thing with the locker is that, like I said in Apprentice, my O.C.'s are just like me. And I can never get my locker open. But, yeah, it was one of those "Know-the-school" things... Lol.

Xl-twisted-lx: Okies, here you go! (Kenshin grin) R&R!!

SkyBlueSunShine: (looks at you oddly) DUH she was spoiled! Dude, where have you been? Shizuka is always spoiled, she's like, brat of the century. But we love her anyway. Lol. Yes. Itachi is the cool. Knows-all upperclassman. HELL YEAH!

Speaking of Apprentice (this is kind of relevant if you read the last chapter) I was listening to the song Duality by Slipknot, and I was like O.o because they sounded so good! The guitar parts were so damn good! But then again, with 9 members, I guess they have to sound great, ne? I've only heard them do that one song, but I fell in love with it. The guy who sings it (I know nothing about Slipknot -.-') has a nice, sexy deep voice, ne? Lol. Hey, I'm a girl, ok, I think these things, get used to it! Anyway, I downloaded it as an AMV from anime music videos dot org, and it was so good! I got my own account now so I can download everything I want. Duality was a tribute to Neji (so fitting) and I also got one for Neji, Session by Linkin Park. They were both so well-done! I'm jealous... sigh... Oh well, I get to watch them whenever I want!


Chapter Two: I Don't Need Anyone!

Sakura looked around the inside of the limo as Ukon helped her in; it had plain black leather seats, and was built basically just like your average stretch limo, with a TV in the corner, an ice box with drinks, and buttons galore. She didn't have a chance to push them, however, as Kimimaro came in right after her and informed her that she was in "his seat." So, with a sad sigh, she sat on the other seat, in a buttonless world.

But, on the bright side, Sasuke sat next to her. (Inner-Sakura: Hell yeah! Today is a good day to be alive!) Kimimaro scooted over to the corner of the other seat, starring out the window, and Neji perched himself on the corner of the seat Kimimaro was sitting on, ready to get up when Shizuka came so she could get in.

They didn't have long to wait, as Shizuka stalked out of the building, looking especially peeved. Sakura could see her muttering darkly to herself, and, once, Shizuka stopped to kick a trash can, shouting something along the lines of "Jerk-off!" When she finally reached the car, Neji got out and let her go in before him, like a little gentleman, and then climbed in himself, so Shizuka was sitting between him and Kimimaro. Sakkon then closed the door, and he and his brother went to the other car.

Shizuka turned to Kimimaro, giving him an imploring look. "Now will you sing it? It's later!"

"..." He gave her a look that implied pure hatred, but she didn't seem to pick up on it, just as she hadn't picked up on the dark-haired upperclassman's "Don't mess with me" look. "...Fine," he said with a huff, looking back out of the window.

"Yay!" She glomped him quickly, then reached up and pressed a button above her head.

A low guitar solo filled the back seat of the car, followed by a rhythmic drum beat. Sakura was slightly startled when she heard a soft, quiet voice singing... in the car!

"Sometimes, I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear," Kimimaro sang in a low, clear voice, "And I, I can't help but ask myself how much I let the fear.. Take the wheel and steer.. It's driven me before, but it seems to have a vague, haunting mass appeal.. But lately I am beginning to feel.. That I should be the one behind the wheel.."

At this point, Kimimaro's voice picked up, gaining strength, and he sang in a much clearer voice: "Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there, with open arms and open eyes.. Whatever tomorrow brings... I'll be there, I'll be there..."

Shizuka switched off songs, letting Kimimaro sing several randomly selected peices as they drove. Eventually, Sakura picked up on the words and sang along as best she could, and no one seemed to mind that she didn't really know the words. Neji was tapping his foot ever so slightly to the rhythm of the drums, and Sasuke was smirking a little.

Finally, the car stopped, after about a half hour of Sakura and Shizuka having a battle of the D.J.'s, alternating the song selections. At one point, Sakura found a track of "Look At Them Now," a D.D.R. song that she happened to like, and decided to play it, until Shizuka realized what she was playing, and screamed in utmost, overly-dramatic agony, clawing at her ears.

The driver came around and opened the door. "This is it, Shizuka-sama, Kimimaro-sama."

Shizuka nodded, pushing Kimimaro out of the car. "Thanks," she said, getting out herself and waiting for her company to come out of the car. "This is my house," she told the three newcomers.

Shizuka's "house" was surrounded by a huge, red wall and huge gates; on the gates was a huge picture of a snake barring it's fangs. Sakura took a moment or so to admire the awesomeness of it before Tayuya pressed a button next to a speaker by the gates and said into the speaker, "Tayuya here. We're back from school."

"Alright, come on it," crackled the voice from the other side of the speaker as the gates eased open about five feet wide, just big enough to let them in.

Shizuka turned and grinned. "Come on."

Sakura grinned back, following the seven past the opened gates, closely followed by Sasuke and Neji.

In one movement, their jaws dropped, even Sasuke's.

The "house" was actually not a "house" at all. It was a five-story mansion, with several windows, huge wooden glass doors, and balconies sprouting out here and there. The house was white, with black roof panels and shutters, built western-style. Sakura glanced at Neji; she'd been over Hinata's house once or twice, for random things or birthdays, but the Hyuuga estate was nothing compared to this!

"Come on, y'all," Shizuka called from where she was already standing before the front doors.

They quickly ran in.

The house was even more elaborate on the inside then it was on the outside. The front foyer had a wooden floor a level lower then the rest of the floor, for shoes, and was painted white with a small table with a vase set on it, containing an arrangement of pink lilies and buds. The three friends had barely gotten through the door, however, when two men in black suits came up to them and started checking them for weapons.

"They're clean," one of the men said, going back to stand on either side of the door, leaving a traumatized Sakura, Sasuke and Neji, who gulped and began taking their shoes off.

"This way," Shizuka instructed, beckoning them out of the foyer and down the hall. The hallway was nicely decorated, with old Japanese-style decor (i.e.: rice-paper walls, wooden, polished floors, etc.) with more small tables and vases here and there. Sakura instantly fell in love with the place, and decided that she had found her happy-place. Shizuka slid open one of the rice-paper doors and stepped back so they could go in. This room was decorated the same as the hall, but slightly more modern, with framed water-color paintings and a sliding glass door taking up most one of the walls, showing gardens and fountains outside. In the middle of the room was a low-set, wooden table.

Shizuka sat down at the table, setting her notebook down, and beckoned them to sit down, as well. Neji sat down on Shizuka's left, and Sakura sat on her right, Sasuke across from her, so they each had a side of the table to themselves.

Neji took out his notebook (A/N: When I say 'notebook' I mean 'binder'... Sorry.) and opened it. "Ok." He took out Iruka's homework. "It's really kind of easy."

"Obviously not," Shizuka said with a sigh as Sakura took out her Fashion Strategies homework.

"I know, that's why I'm here." Neji gave her a small smile and picked up his pencil. "Ok–"

"Ooo, Sakura, I like this one!" Shizuka pointed to one of the outfits Sakura was drawing. "Will you draw it in any other colors?"

"Yeah, thanks, I was going to do it in a dark red–"

"Can we not do this now?" Neji asked, interrupting them.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah..." Shizuka opened up her own notebook and took out her homework, letting out a depressed sigh.

At this point, there was a soft knock at the door, and Kidoumaru, wearing his trench coat, as usual, came in carrying a tray. "Here's a snack for you guys–"

"What are you doing?" Shizuka snapped, getting up and taking the tray from him. "You don't come in here when I have company!"

"Jeez... Sorry." He stalked back out.

Shizuka went back to the table and set the tray down; there were four mugs, a teapot of hot chocolate, and a plate of five different kinds of cookies, neatly arranged. "He annoys me," she informed them. "He's socially retarded so he likes to bug me."

"I heard that!"

"What're you gonna do about it, dickhead?!" she shouted, sweet exterior melting for a split second before she went back to pouring hot chocolate. "Here." She smiled sweetly, giving Sakura her mug.

"Ok, can we think English now?" Neji asked, sipping his own hot chocolate and looking at his homework.

Shizuka gave a depressed sigh again. "Fine..."

"Ok, to conjugate 'to have,' you have to–what are you doing?" Neji raised an eyebrow as she pulled out a manga.

"Readin'." She opened the book and, indeed, began reading.

"Uh, no." He took the book and put it next to him on the floor.

"Aw, come on..."

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No!"

"Please?!"

"No!"

"PLEASE?!"

"No!"

"Fine." Shizuka crossed her arms and rested her chin on them. "Butthead," she muttered out of the corner of her mouth.

"What'd you just call me?" Neji raised an eyebrow.

"Butthead, butthead."

"...I can't believe you just called me a butthead." Neji starred at her in disbelief. "No one's called you a butthead since, like, elementary school."

"Maybe not to your face," she mumbled, picking up her pencil and doodling on the borders of her homework paper.

Twenty minutes later found Sasuke asleep, homework finished, Sakura playing with Shizuka's hair while the latter tried to balance a pencil on her nose, and Neji banging his head on the table.

"Come on, I'm serious this time, you have to do your homework," he said in a long-suffering voice.

"Or you could do it for me."

"Or you could go to hell where you belong."

"Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha–Shut up," she ended with a glare.

"Hey, Shizuka, why don't you ever take off your sun glasses?" Sakura asked, noticing that the other girl hadn't taken them off all day.

"I have sensitive retinas," Shizuka answered, taking the pencil off her nose and going at her homework. She wrote for about five minutes, looking almost comatose, then gave the paper to Neji, and promptly buried her face in her arms, looking ready for a nap.

Neji raised an eyebrow, taking the paper and looking at it. He turned and looked at her in disbelief. "You knew this stuff all along?"

"No."

"Then, how–"

"Maybe you're just a good tutor," she said in an "I dismiss the matter" voice. While Neji continued to stare at her paper, Ukon came in, a weird expression on his face, and said, "Shizuka-sama, your father's back."

"Really?" Shizuka jumped up, suddenly awake. At Ukon's nod, she grinned, and turned back to her friends. "You guys wait here. I'll be right back," she assured them, before leaving with Ukon.

Neji and Sakura looked at each other.

"Well, that was interesting," Neji said, looking back at Shizuka's paper.

Shizuka was only gone for a few minutes before she came back, grinning hugely. "Guys, this is my dad," she introduced, stepping back. Neji and Sakura turned to look.

It was pretty obvious where Shizuka got her looks from; her father, though much taller and slightly more masculine, mirrored her long, black hair, pale skin, and seemingly graceful bearing. His light eyes, whose color couldn't really be made out, were framed by thick, dark lines Sakura suspected were make-up (Hey, I said "slightly more masculine," I didn't say "a lot more masculine"!).He wore a suit, just like Ukon and Sakkon, though his made him look... well... scary.

"Daddy, this is Sakura, Sasuke, and Big-Fat-Butthead–I-I mean, this is Neji."

"Hello." Shizuka's father gave them a weird, wide smile, looking around at all three of them in turn; his eyes lingered on the sleeping Sasuke before moving on. "Welcome."

"Um...Yeah..." Sakura felt a chill go down her spine. They just get more and more gangster-ish by the person!

"I have a dinner meeting with a client at seven, and you and Kimimaro are both going," the man told Shizuka. "Make sure you're ready."

"Ok, Daddy." She gave him a hug before he left again. Then, she sat down and ate a cookie. "That's my daddy," she informed them again.

"We could tell. Where's the bathroom?" Sakura asked.

"Down the hall, fifth door on the right," Shizuka answered, sipping her hot chocolate while Neji checked her homework.

"Ok. Thanks." Sakura stood up, a little unsure about wandering around the house looking for a bathroom, but her bladder wouldn't allow second thoughts, and she slid open the door, stepped out into the hall, and slid it shut again.

Fifth door on the right... Sakura went to the right door and started to open it when she heard sounds coming from across the hall.

"...the fuck were you thinking?!"

Sakura turned. Someone was sure pissed. The light was on in the room, and she could see the shadows of the people inside through the rice-paper. Her eyes widened.

"O-Orochimaru-sama..."

That's Ukon... Sakura froze when she saw one of the taller shadows knee the other in the gut, and heard the other choke, gasping for breath. What's going on?!

"You know why I keep you and your brother here, Ukon?!" shouted an angry voice, as the shadow of the person who'd been hit fell over. "You're supposed to protect them, that's your job!"

"I-I know, Orochimaru-sama..."

"Then what the hell is the Atatsuki gang's leader's brother doing in my house?!"

Sakura's eyes widened. Atatsuki...? Brother? Who's he talking about? What's going on?

"I-I--"

"If you can't do your job, there's no reason for you to be here! You want me to drop you and your brother back in the streets like the pitiful orphans you are?!"

"N-No, Orochimaru-sama, please–!"

"Then do it right, or don't do it, you fucker!" The shadow who was still standing stepped back and turned away. "Get out of my sight, trash."

"H-Hai.." The shadow on the floor pulled it's self to it's feet and made it's way to the door.

Sakura gasped as the shadow loomed closer. I have to move... He's going to... Move, feet! Move, dammit!

Too late. The rice-paper door slid open and Ukon stepped out, holding his ribs with one hand and closing the door again with the other. Sakura's hand flew up to cover a gasp when she saw him; his head snapped up when he heard the noise.

He looked horrible; one of his eyes were bruised and swollen shut; his lower lip was busted, and blood trickled out of both corners of his mouth; there were bruises freckling his neck and what Sakura could see of his chest, and probably more were under his clothes; the fabric of his coat and shirt were ripped and torn here and there, showing cuts and scrapes.

However, through all of this, he just glared at her with his good eye and snapped "What?" before stalking down the hall.

Sakura's eyes followed him, still petrified.

He was limping.

Sakura stayed, rooted to the spot, long after Ukon had limped around the corner and out of sight. Oh, my god... Was he just–

"HI, SAKURA!"

"ACK!" Sakura jumped halfway out of her skin, whipping around.

Shizuka raised an eyebrow at her. "What are you doing?"

"N-Nothing what-so-ever, nothing is wrong, thank you for calling!" Sakura said, rather too loud, and too fast, for she was still a little freaked out.

"...Right. I just came to check on you, you were taking so long." Shizuka shrugged, holding up her hands in a helpless gesture.

"Shizuka-sama, a package for you," called one of the men at the door.

"A package??" Shizuka turned, grinning hugely, skipping down the hall.

"And you have a phone call." The door man gave her a small, cardboard box and a cell phone.

"Thanks," Shizuka said, taking the phone as Sakura finally made it to the bathroom, remembering her obligation to her bladder. "Hello?" she said into the phone, holding it against her ear with one hand and examining the package with the other.

"I'm not a dickhead," said a quiet voice on the other end.

"Huh?" Shizuka held the phone away from her ear, looked at it, then held it up to her ear again. "Who is this?"

"...The 'jerk-off.'"

Shizuka's eyes widened. "You! What are you doing calling my house?!"

"Did you open it?"

"No... Why?"

"Open it."

"Why? Is it some kind of bomb?"

"Open it and find out."

Click.

Shizuka looked at the phone when she heard a dial tone. Hmph. That was weird. She turned to the door man. "Can you trace this call?"

"I already tried, Shizuka-sama," he answered. "It was made by another cell-phone, so the number and person can't be traced."

"Oh. Thanks, anyway." Shizuka turned and went back to the room where Sasuke and Neji were waiting, and met up with Sakura.

"What's that?" the pink-haired girl asked.

Shizuka shrugged. "I haven't opened it yet," she answered, opening the door and going in.

"What's that?" Neji echoed Sakura's question.

"Like I'd know, genius!" Shizuka snapped, going to sit by the table. She gingerly placed the box in the middle of the table. Maybe it was a bomb. Maybe that guy was going to punish her for insulting him.

There was about fifteen minutes of silence before Sakura finally asked, "Are you going to open it, or what?"

Shizuka shook her head. "I don't know what it is. What if it's from that guy?"

"What guy?" Neji asked, a little confused by all this precaution over a little cardboard box.

"This dickhead–er, upperclassman who gave us directions," Shizuka answered. "What if it's a bomb for insulting him?" she asked Sakura, who suddenly blanched.

"Oh, my god, he was just the kind of person who would send you a bomb, too!" she cried.

"Here, Neji, you open it." Shizuka gave him the box.

He gave her a look. "Oh, thanks." Using his mechanical pencil's point, he cut the tape that bound the box; instantly, both girls ducked under the table.

There was a few moments of silence.

"Ha ha ha ha ha.."

The two girls looked at each other, bewildered.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha..."

"Laughing gas?" they whispered together, utterly confused.

"You two really are stupid, you know that?" Neji's laughing face leaned down to grin at them. He held up something small and shiny in his hand. "Ta-da. Behold your bomb." (Oh god, could that have been anymore O.O.C.?!)

Shizuka raised an eyebrow, taking it from him. It was a silver ring, rather plain, just the simple band, but as Shizuka turned it over in her hand and looked at it, she noticed something carved into the inside of the band, but she couldn't see it, as it was so dark under the table. Climbing out from under it (bumping her head in the process) she looked closely at the band. Etched into the inside was the kanji for "Gomen." (That means 'sorry' to those who are Japanese-retarded...)

"Who's it from?" Neji asked, after a few moments of Shizuka starring, eyebrow raised, at the ring.

She shrugged, pocketing it. "Who knows."

"You're not going to wear it?" Sakura asked.

"No."

"Why not? It's pretty!"

Shizuka shrugged as the doorman knocked at the door and said, "Shizuka-sama, another package for you." He set down another, much larger box on the floor by the door and closing it again. She sighed and got up, picked up the box, and brought it back to the table. "This is it," she said solemnly.

"What is?"

"This is the bomb."

If Neji had been one to fall over anime-style, he would have. "Oh, for crying out loud."

"...Here, you can have it, Neji." Shizuka gave it to him.

"If it's another present, I'm keeping it," he informed her, using his pencil point again to open the box.

Sakura and Shizuka waited with baited breath as he opened the box and looked in. After a few moments of silence, Sakura said, "Well?"

"Would this make me look fat?" Neji asked in a mocking voice, holding up a small, dark red, pleated skirt.

Shizuka flushed and snatched it out of his hands. "Yes!" she snapped, pulling the box towards herself. "It's just my school uniform!" She pulled out a small jacket that matched the skirt, as well as a white, button-up shirt, a gold tie, white socks, and black shoes. There was also a book bag, for when Shizuka actually got books, and a name tag with her name typed into it in bold, black characters. The skirt and jacket were both lined with gold.

"Oh my gosh, it's cute!" Sakura cried, picking up the tie. "I can't wait 'till I get mine! Gold isn't really my color, but I'll make an exception."

"Oh my god, you'd look so cute in this, Sakura!" Shizuka cried, grinning.

"Do you think so? I've always thought gold kind of made my hair look orange–"

"Argh!" Neji clamped his hands over his ears and banged his head on the table.

"What's wrong with you?" Shizuka looked at him oddly.

"I am sick of your girl talk!" Neji shouted, glaring up at them.

"Oh, god, can you imagine Neji in the boys' uniform?" Sakura cried, now that she was on a fashion-roll.

"Oh, I know!" Shizuka held up the corner of the skirt to Neji's face. "Red is so your color, Neji!"

"Argh! Stop it!" He slammed his head down on the table.

(Later that night)

Sakura rolled over, pulling her covers up over her head. She couldn't sleep. She couldn't get that scene out of her head; the shadow of what she could see had been enough to scare her half out of her whits. But, more then anything, she couldn't get the look on Ukon's face out of her mind. He'd looked...

Flashback

"If you can't do your job, there's no reason for you to be here! You want me to drop you and your brother back in the streets like the pitiful orphans you are?!"

End flashback

...Scared, Sakura finished. 'Orphans'....The twins are orphans?

(The next day)

"Oh, I was right!" Shizuka cried, running out of the limo to glomp Neji as he came out of his house wearing the boys' school uniform. "It looks so good on you!"

"Che." Neji pushed his hair out of the way with a black bandana, his face slightly pink.

The boys' uniform was similar to the girls', with long, streamed red slacks, a red suit-jacket fitted to Neji's body, a white, button-down shirt, and a golden tie. (Just picture, like, your normal Japanese boys' uniform in red, ok? I'm sort of basing this on Yuhi's uniform from Ceres, except that Neji's uniform has a tie, not a high collar, ok?)

"You look adorable, Hinata!" Sakura cried, leaning out of the window of the limo. She, also, was wearing her school uniform, and it must be said, it didn't clash a bit with her eyes. "You too, Neji!"

Hinata, who was riding with them because Neji was, blushed and twiddled her fingers. "T-Thank you, Sakura-chan... You look nice, too..."

Sakura grinned as Shizuka ushered the two Hyuuga cousins into the limo. "Thanks, Hinata!"

The limo Shizuka and Kimimaro normally took had gone a separate route from the one Sakkon and the others normally took, in order to pick up Shizuka's friends like they had planned the night before. Sakkon, Ukon, Tayuya, and Jiroubou took the other, while Kidoumaru rode with Shizuka and Kimimaro, looking especially harassed in the usual trench coat.

Sakura was slightly disappointed that it was Kidoumaru, but at the same time, she was relieved. She'd wanted it to be Ukon who rode in the car with them, if he came to school at all, so she could see how he was, after last night. But, at the same time, she was glad, since he was probably mad at her, and wouldn't talk to her, anyway. I feel like I'm intruding on something secret... she thought sadly, watching as Shizuka pulled on Neji's tie to loosen it, grinning. Shizuka has a crush? she thought, forgetting about Ukon for a minute or two. She glanced at Neji, who was allowing this behavior. It's totally obvious he likes her, too... I think...

Actually, being honest, Sakura had zero readings on Neji. She didn't know anything about him, even though she'd known Hinata since first grade, and had seen him around Hinata's house every once and a while. He was a hard guy to pick up on.

Sakura was the second person out of the limo after Neji, wanted desperately to find Ukon, her big heart reaching out to him, like it did to almost everyone she met. Her face fell when she saw him, standing with Tayuya, Jiroubou and Sakkon by a bench. Even though the uniform had long sleeves and pants, Sakura could see a bandage wrapped around his left hand, with a pad-bandage over the eye that had gotten bruised. The swelling in his lip at gone down, but he had tiny butterfly stickers in one of the corners of his mouth. He carefully avoided looking at her, standing behind Sakkon, as if using his brother as a shield.

(Geometry/Homeroom)

"ALRIGHT, MY WONDERFUL EXAMPLES OF THIS GENERATION'S YOUTH! TODAY, WE WILL CONDUCT A SHORT QUIZ TO TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF LIFE AND ALL IT'S WONDERS!" Gai screamed at his students, brandishing a stack of pink papers. "DO NOT BE FOOLED BY IT'S COLOR, GENTLEMEN! REAL MEN TAKE PINK TESTS!" he added when the boys groaned.

"Hey, Sakura," Ino turned to Sakura as the tests were being passed out. "I heard you went over that Shizuka's house the other day."

"Huh?" Sakura looked up. "Who said that?"

"Neji did," Ino said bluntly. "I was on the phone with Hinata when he came home."

"Um...Oh?" Sakura wondered where she was going with this. It wasn't that big a deal.

Oh, wait... Yeah it was, Sakura corrected herself. It was a big deal that I went over there... Because of us, Ukon got in trouble... I wonder if that's happened before... From the almost thoughtless look on his face when he'd come out of the room, Sakura suspected, to her immediate horror, that it probably did occur on a regular basis.

"Hello!" Ino's face suddenly appeared before Sakura's, causing her to jump.

"W-What?"

"I said, what did you guys do?"

"Homework," she answered, not lying.

Ino looked disappointed. "That's it?"

"Yeah..."

Ino actually pouted. "You suck, Sakura."

"Huh? Why?" What had she done wrong this time?

"You were alone in a house with Sasuke and Neji! What would any self-respecting woman have done?!" Ino cried, drawing the attention of more then a few people in the room, but not caring. Hinata was blushing hugely. "What would I have done?!"

"Sorry, Ino, but I don't believe in masochism," Sakura said casually, more for the fact that everyone in the room was listening.

Ino's jaw dropped. "Sakura...!" she growled, clenching her fists.

Sakura gave her a would-be sweet smile and turned to her test paper, which she had yet to begin. I know that was mean... But seriously, can't girls and boys just be friends in high school? (No)

(Biology)

"Ohayo, Sakura-chan!" Shizuka smiled, coming into the classroom with Kimimaro and Sakkon behind her.

Sakura smiled. "Ohayo, Shizuka." She leaned backwards slightly, looking out into the hall. "Is that Neji?"

Shizuka looked out in time to see the older Hyuuga's black ponytail disappear out of sight past the door. "Yeah. His class is down the hall from this one, and his last one is right next to mine, so he said he'd walk with us."

"Oh..." Sakura gave Shizuka a coy smirk as the black-haired girl sat down.

"Huh? What?" Shizuka raised an eyebrow at her.

Sakura shook her head. "Nothing."

Kimimaro, who caught on, rolled his eyes and sat down, looking at the huge, thick books that were not sitting on their desks.

Shizuka, still looking mortally confused by Sakura's comment, looked at the books and asked, "What's this?" and picked up the copy in front of her.

"Your new biology books, which you will use every night for homework, and to study from for quizzes," Kurenai answered, and proceeded to preach about book-health while passing out sheets that basically said "I promise not to fly into a rage at my teacher and burn this book."

Shizuka groaned, banging her head on the book. "Another damn class I'm gonna fail..."

Sakura smiled slightly, patting her friend on the back. "It's ok..." Shizuka doesn't seem too confident... I don't really blame her, I mean, she's my friend and everything, but all the classes I've had with her, she's gotten into trouble in at least once, except Jiraiya's class, but he doesn't punish girls...

After class, Sakkon, Kimimaro, Shizuka and Sakura were one of the first people out of the door, namely because Sakkon was anxious to get to his Calculus class (Probably because his 12th grade brain is turning to goo in a little 9th grade class! Inner-
Sakura suggested), and found Neji waiting for them, his book bag over his shoulder, holding a piece of paper.

"I finished checking your English homework and your Language Arts essay," Neji told Shizuka, giving her the piece of paper. Sakura saw it was covered in red marks with little notes and Xs. "Just recopy it and fix that stuff I wrote about, and you'll do fine."

Shizuka sighed. "Great." She put the paper in her book bag (A/N: The book bags they carry are the traditional brief-case-like bags that Japanese students carry, by a handle or on their backs). "I just know I'm going to fail this year..."

"You're helping her with Language Arts, too?" Sakura raised an eyebrow at Neji as Sakkon walked as fast as he could through the crowd down the hall to his Calculus class.

Neji shrugged. "Sure, why not?"

"Are you going to tutor me some more after school again?" Shizuka asked as they waded through the hallway.

He shook his head. "I can't. I have soccer practice. I can come later, though, around four, or so."

Shizuka groaned, clawing at her hair with her free hand. "Damn, I'm so gonna fail this–"

"You're not going to wear it?"

"Huh?" Shizuka stopped, turning. She yelped slightly.

The tall, dark-haired senior who had called her the day before stood behind her, leaning against the locker. He, also, wore the boys' school uniform, except that his jacket lay unfastened, showing that he didn't wear the button-down shirt or the tie, and instead wore a black T-shirt that said "I'm out of my mind. Please leave a message." Shizuka saw, to her annoyance, that he wasn't wearing his name tag. His hands were in his pockets, and he looked down at her with the same, condescending look. "Well?"

She scoffed, glaring at him, knowing he meant the ring. "No!"

"Why not?"

"Because you don't just give a ring that says 'sorry' on the inside to a girl whose name you don't even know!" Shizuka snapped, crossing her arms.

"I know your name," the boy answered, looking a little... confused?... at this outburst.

"Then what is it?" she snapped, glaring at him even harder.

"Hakai-teki Shizuka, homeroom F-1, age 14, likes Chinese food, manga and silver jewelry." He gave her the smallest of smirks. "Did I leave anything out?"

"Yeah! Your name! And how do you know so much about me?!"

Kimimaro, having watched this entire scene, rolled his eyes and started walking again down the hall. "We'll meet you in class, Shizuka." Sakura, who was anxious to see Ukon, who was in the next class, agreed with this statement, even though she was unsure about leaving her friend alone with this weird guy. Neji also looked unsure, and probably would have stayed, except that Sakura and Kimimaro dragged him away.

Shizuka starred after them in disbelief, then whirled back to glare at the senior. "Well?! What else do you know about me?!"

"I know everything about you, Hakai-teki Shizuka," the older guy said with a full smirk. "Your schedule, your locker number and combination, your address, your cell phone number, I even know that Kurenai assigned homework today that you intend to burn to ashes. Am I right?"

Shizuka's eyes widened for a split second before she glared at him again. "How do you know all this crap about me?"

"Don't worry about how I get my information," he said nonchalantly. "I'm not here to get a third degree. I'm here so that you can thank me for yesterday."

"Yesterday? What happened yesterday?"

"I helped you find your class, and I helped you open your locker," he answered, smirking again.

She scowled, crossing her arms. "I'm not going to give you any thanks for it!"

"That's fine."

"Huh?" She flushed when, suddenly, his face was before hers. Oh... crap!

"This is for helping you with your locker." To her immediate shock and almost enjoyment, he pressed his lips on her forehead. "And this is for helping you find your class." He kissed her forehead again. He leaned back, leaving a furiously blushing Shizuka, and smirked, tapping her cheek. "Keep it up. Maybe I'll have to help you aga–I mean..." He cleared his throat, pulling himself to his full height glaring down at her. "Don't make me have to help you again," he said in a different tone before turning on his heel and walking away.

Shizuka flushed, quickly recovering from her recent experience by throwing her book bag (which now contained a biology text book) at the boy's head. "Hey!" she shouted when he stopped, her book bag embedded in the back of his head. "You don't just kiss a girl and then run away! Tell me your name before I run down the call screaming 'rapist'!"

The boy took the book bag out of the back of his head and held it for a moment, looking down at it, then turned, holding it out to her. "Itachi."

"Huh?" She took the book bag.

"My name's Itachi," he repeated before going around the corner and down a flight of steps.

Itachi... Shizuka repeated the name in her mind. She smirked. I'll remember it.

She glanced at the digital clock on the wall.

"WAG! I'M GONNA BE LATE!"

(English/Lunch)

"You're late, Hakai-teki," Iruka informed her when she ran into the room, totally out of breath, her face flushed.

"It's not my fault your class is so hard to find," she pointed out, hands on her hips.

Iruka smiled. "I agree with you there. No punishments the first week, but I do expect you to attempt to be on time, alright? Have a seat."

Shizuka gave a sigh of relief and went to sit at the back of the class room in her seat. Sasuke, Sakura and Kimimaro were working on the drill on the board, and Ukon just lay there with his head buried in his arms, his face not visible.

Sakura hid a sad sigh. He'd been like that since they'd reached the classroom, not bothering about doing his work, and definitely not looking at her. But oh well. There was always gym class, the only other class she had that he was in.

"What did that boy want?" Sakura whispered to Shizuka as the other girl took out her binder and a pencil.

Shizuka shrugged. "Nothing, really."

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "Nothing?"

Shizuka shook her head. "I did find out his name, though." Glancing at Iruka, who was glaring at her for talking, she whispered, "I'll tell you later."She took out a blank sheet of paper and looked up at the black board.

Conjugate 'to have' and 'to be' into present-tense English with translations.

Your homework is your friend!

Shizuka groaned, looking at Neji, who was sitting two rows in front of her. "Damn. I have no resources."

"You have us," Kimimaro pointed out, already finished his drill.

Shizuka looked at him, then went back to looking at Neji's back. "I have no resources."

Neji suddenly turned around and pretended to ask Shino, who was sitting behind him, for a pencil, while instead passing him a small, folded piece of paper very discreetly. Shino, taking the hint that it was suppose to be discreetly passed, reached down and lightly tossed it under Shizuka's desk without turning around.

"Hm?" Shizuka looked down at it, then back up at Neji, who gave her a pointed look before turning around again. A note? She shrugged, dropping her pencil, and reached down to pick it up, also picking up the note and putting it in her lap. Glancing up to make sure Iruka wasn't paying attention to her (he was talking to Naruto), she scooted her chair back a bit and opened the note in her lap.

Having troubles?

Shizuka raised an eyebrow, glancing back at Neji's back, which was still turned to her, and picked up her pencil, putting the note on the desk under her binder and writing under Neji's neat scrawl, What do you think?

"Hey." She poked Shino in the back of the neck with her pencil before tossing the note back under the desk so he could pick it up and put it on the seat of Neji's chair that Neji wasn't using. Neji picked it up, scanned it, and tossed Shizuka a smirk, before scribbling something and passing it back.

Need any help?

DUH!

Ok, I deserved that. Do you remember anything I told you yesterday?

Yep. "Don't read manga and do homework." "Don't look at clothes and do homework." "Just do homework and only homework!" Nag nag nag!

(Insert a small sketch of Shizuka slamming Neji's decapitated head against the ground by his ponytail)

Oh be quiet. Do you want my help or not?

(Insert chibi-sketch of Shizuka with shining sun glasses and hearts all around her, clasping her hands before her face)

Ok, then.

I need help with 'to have'.

However, before Shizuka could get her desired help, Naruto suddenly passed between Shino and Neji's desks just as Neji was dropping the note for Shino to pick up, and Naruto picked it up. "Oi, Neji, you dropped this folded piece of paper. Is it yours?" Naruto held it out to him.

Neji's eyes widened and he quickly snatched the piece of paper as Iruka's eyes flicked over him. "Naruto no baka!" Neji hissed as Iruka called, "Neji, come over here, please."

Every pair of eyes in the room except Ukon's, who remained in his comatose state, followed Neji as he slowly got up and made his way through the rows of desks to the teacher's desk, where Iruka was waiting. The same thought passed through every freshman's head: Oh my god, a sophomore got in trouble!

Iruka held out his hand expectantly to Neji, who dropped the folded piece of paper in his palm unceremoniously. Iruka took it, unfolded it, and examined it.

After a moment, he sighed. "Neji," he said in a disappointed voice. "How long have I been your teacher?"

Neji thought for a moment, then answered. "Ten years, Iruka-sensei." There was a murmur around the room.

"Mm-hmm. Can you tell me your grade-point average in my classes during those years?"

"98.2 percent," Neji answered; his face was not visible to the class, so no one could tell his emotions (not that they could have anyway...).

"Mm-hmm. And have I ever had to punish you?"

"No, sir."

Iruka looked incredibly disappointed. "Go stand in the hall, Neji. I'll be out to talk to you shortly."

"Yeah..." Neji turned on his heel, walking across the front of the room to the door, his head held high, like it always was (unless he was talking to someone shorter then himself).

Iruka stood up. "Shizuka." He beckoned her with his finger, following in Neji's footsteps outside.

Shizuka, wishing the God of Death would just come and bite her legs off rather then having to see that look on Iruka's face (because, lets face it, who wants to Iruka-sensei sad?), stood up and followed him. Once they were outside, Neji leaned up against the lockers, and Shizuka standing a few feet away from him, hands behind her back and feet slightly apart, Iruka spoke again.

"I'm disappointed," he informed them, as if they couldn't already tell. "Shizuka, this is the second time in two days since the beginning of school two days ago that you've gotten in trouble in my class. Neji, this is your first time since I've known you that you've gotten in trouble in my class."

Neji ducked his head slightly, and Shizuka merely adjusted her weight from one foot to the other.

"I'll speak plainly," Iruka said with a sigh, opening the note and showing it to them. "This is considered cheating. I don't tolerate cheating in my classroom. Normally, cheating suffers after-school detention..."

Neji looked up, eyes wide, a protest on his lips, but Iruka cut him off. "But since this is the first time either of you have been accused, there won't be any punishment, for now. You have my warning, however: if I catch you again, you will both have after-school detention, regardless of after-school activities. Are we clear?"

Both of them nodded. "Hai..."

"Neji, you can go back into the class. Shizuka, I'd like to speak with you for a moment." Iruka crumpled up the note and tossed it in a nearby wastebasket.

Shizuka raised an eyebrow as Neji went back into the classroom. "Um...Ok?"

As soon as Neji closed the door, Iruka asked, "Is anything bothering you, Shizuka? Anything at home, or here at school?"

Shizuka faltered, eyes wide in confusion. "Huh?"

"I suppose not. The school is agreeing with you alright, then?"

"Er... I guess..." Shizuka flushed, thinking of the boy named Itachi.

Iruka sighed. "I'll get to the point. I know you're new here, and you're a freshman and feel the need to fit in, but you don't have to goof off in order to fit in."

Shizuka raised an eyebrow. "Sensei, I really couldn't find the–"

"No, I believe you. I'm just letting you know. Also..." Iruka smiled at her. "Having a boyfriend may seem like the only thing that's important right now, but let school come first, alright?"

Shizuka full-out blushed at that, her eyes wide, sunglasses askew. "W-What?"

Iruka's smile widened, and he went to open the door to the classroom. "I assure you, you can see him after class."

Shizuka's jaw dropped... and remained dropped for the rest of the class until lunch. "The nerve of that guy!" she cried, taking her bento box from Ukon, who briefly resurrected to complete the task of giving her said bento. "I mean, seriously!"

"What?" Neji asked, raising an eyebrow. He and Shino had switched chairs, so now Neji was sitting in front of Shizuka, chair turned around, so they were sharing the same desk to eat off of. Shino had opted to sit next to Kiba and Naruto in the front row, for what reasons no one could comprehend.

"Nothing," Shizuka said in a completely different tone, causing everyone's eyes to go up, as she took a mouthful of rice.

"...Whatever. Are you going to rewrite this or not?" Neji pulled her Language Arts essay out from the pocket of her binder and waved it in her face.

"I can't do homework and eat. I have a weak stomach," she informed him.

"You have excuses for everything," Sakura said with a laugh, unwrapping her own bento box.

"Yeah, whatever, Pink Panther." Shizuka took a bite of shrimp chow mein, a rather strange dish for a Japanese bento box, but no one seemed to care.

Neji rolled his eyes, taking out a bag lunch. "Come on, seriously, this thing's already late. If you rewrite it now, Iruka-sensei'll probably let you leave class early to give it to your teacher." He took out a plastic-wrapped sandwich, a bag of baby carrots and sliced cucumbers, a cup of applesauce and a spoon, and a bottle of water.

Shizuka raised an eyebrow. "Why are you eating so healthy?" she asked, taking out a clean piece of paper and a pencil.

He shrugged, unwrapping his sandwich. "During the soccer season, I always eat like this so I stay in shape. I'm the 'whatever' player, so I have to be ready for pretty much everything."

"The 'whatever' player?" Sakura repeated; she was a little vague on sports.

Neji nodded. "Yeah. Mostly, I play on offense, but I also play defense and goalie if I have to." He shrugged again, taking a bite of his sandwich. (SNG has no idea what the rules in soccer are, but she watched her little sister, 'Big Foot,' play, so she sort of has an idea..)

"When do the games start?" Shizuka asked, recopying the essay.

"In about two weeks." He looked at her. "Why?"

Shizuka shrugged, not taking her eyes off the paper she was copying (well... at least they thought she didn't... the sunglasses made it kind of hard to tell). "I dunno, maybe I'll go to one or two."

Sakura nodded, grinning. "Yeah, me too!" She gave Sasuke a long, side-ways look before nudging him.

Sasuke looked up at her, catching onto the conversation. Then, he turned to Neji. "I hope I don't break your heart when I say I won't come out and be a cheerleader for you."

"Oh, spare me the vision." Neji rolled his eyes, eating a carrot stick. He was slightly slouched over the chair, with his legs crossed, one ankle resting on the other knee, and one arm hooked behind the chair, the other arm's hand feeding him. The posture made him look pretty cool, although he seemed totally unconscious of it, starring off into space while he ate his carrots.

After a few minutes, Shizuka snapped her fingers in his face, bringing him back to reality with a jump. "What?"

"I'm finished." She gave him her essay.

"Oh." He sat up slightly, putting both feet on the floor and leaning forward slightly to read it. After a few moments of reading, brow knit in concentration, he gave it back to her.

"Well?"

"Ok." He leaned back in his seat, eating another carrot stick, followed closely by a cucumber slice.

"Ok?" Shizuka repeated, looking astonished.

"Yeah."

"It has the Neji Flower Circle Seal of Approval?" she asked, in that same voice.

He gave her a look. "Shush. Go give it to your teacher."

Shizuka hurriedly finished her lunch, packed up her things, explained to Iruka, and with five minutes to go till the bell rang, left the class.

Sakura turned, giving Neji a smirk. "What was that?"

"What was what?" he asked innocently, finishing his sandwich.

"That 'pretending not to care' that we would come to your games, crap." Sakura's smirk turned into a grin. "I think Neji-chan has a cru-u-u-ush..."

"I don't," Neji said at once, unblushingly. "She just happens to be an English-retarded person who I'm helping out for the good of the community."

"How'd you know I was talking about Shizuka?" Sakura smirked.

"Er–I don't have a crush!" Neji repeated, looking miffed.

"Uh-huh, right, sure." Sakura rolled her eyes. "You keep telling yourself that, practice saying that fifteen times fast."

"...Why?"

Giving him a coy grin, Sakura turned and called loudly, "Hey, Naruto, wanna hear something really funny about Neji?"

Neji's jaw dropped as Naruto turned around, grinning. "Yes, Sakura-chan?"

"Just a second, Naruto." Sakura turned back to Neji. "Do you like her?"

"No!"

"Really."

"Really."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"No hormonal attractions whatsoever?"

"Nada."

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

Neji nodded, as if she were dense. "Yes, Sakura. Seriously."

Sakura looked disappointed. "Damn."

(Gym)

"I'll be back in a sec," Sakura told Hinata and Shizuka before exiting the locker room and going out to the gymnasium. Looking around, she saw Jiraiya standing by the bleachers (who needed to peek when you were about to have a show in five minutes?) and Ukon sitting several rows up on the bleachers, all by himself. I thought so. Taking a deep breath, Sakura went up to Jiraiya and said, in her most pitiful voice ever, "Sensei, my stomach hurts, can I sit gym out today, please?" Puppy dog eyes.

And of course, Jiraiya being Jiraiya, he couldn't say no to a girl who looked at him like that. "Sure, Haruno, go sit over there with Otaki." He nodded to the bleachers.

Sakura smiled sweetly. "Thank you, sensei. I'm sure my stomach will feel better soon."

Jiraiya smiled his lecher-smile. "Let's hope so, Haruno."

Forcing the smile to stay on her face, Sakura nodded and climbed up the bleachers to sit near Ukon, who immediately began inching away.

"Hi," she said kindly, giving him one of her "I can be your friend" smiles.

"Hmph." He looked away.

(He's worse then Sasuke-kun! Inner-Sakura screamed, tearing at her hair, totally annoyed)

"Er," Sakura said as a few people started coming into the gym, dressed. "I, uh, meant to talk to you... About yesterday."

"Hmph."

"Uh..." Stay calm, stay calm, stay perfectly and utterly calm, we are here to help him, not kill him! Sakura smiled again. "Uh... H-How are you? I mean..."

He didn't answer, watching as Jiraiya explained, with utmost glee, to the girls' side of the class, that they would be playing volley-ball, boys against girls.

"...Has-Has... um..." I have no idea what to say! I've never had to deal with this kind of thing before! Finally, she spoke. "You look horrible."

"Hmph."

Somehow finding confidence from somewhere deep within her that she had absolutely no knowledge of, she asked sternly, "Has that happened before?"

Ukon turned to look at her briefly, then went back to watching the game. Sakura's jaw dropped.

"Oh my god, it has!" she cried. "How long has this been going on for?!"

"A few years," he mumbled, speaking for the first time.

"Why do you let that guy do that to you?!" she cried, leaning forward to tilt his head to either side, checking for more bruises. She quickly withdrew the hand, however, as he suddenly flinched before she could even touch him. That answered that question. "Ukon, you have to tell someone!"

"No," he said coldly, turning on her with a glare. "And you better not, either."

"W-Why?" Sakura faltered; his glare was terrible.

"Because," he snapped, "if I got in trouble with Orochimaru-sama for something like that, what do you think he'd do to me if I told someone?"

"Um..."

"He'd toss me and Sakkon both back out into the streets," Ukon answered his own question. "I'd rather take the hits then have to go back to that. This kind of pain only lasts for a while, but that pain lasts forever."

"D-Does Sakkon know?"

"By 'know' I assume you mean he knows why I have these bruises?"

"Um... yeah..."

"No."

Sakura stared. "Why not?"

"Because," Ukon answered, "he'd only get pissed at Orochimaru-sama, and that would just get us in more trouble with Orochimaru-sama. Besides..." Ukon looked away. "I'm the older twin, and I promised her I would take care of him."

I was right, they are twins. "You promised who?"

"My ...mother... before she died..."

Sakura's eyes widened. So they are orphans... "You promised her you'd take care of Sakkon?"

Ukon nodded. "That's why..." He clenched his fists, his eyes clenched closed, as well. "That's why I'm willing to do anything to make sure that he'll be alright." He opened his eyes, looking down at the wooden floor where the rest of the class was playing volleyball. Sakkon made an excellent spike from the front line, turning to grin at his brother as soon as the ball made the point, as if waiting his approval of the move. Ukon gave him a small smile, causing Sakkon's grin to widen, and the younger brother quickly resumed the game. Ukon turned to glare, one-eyed, at Sakura. "I don't need your help, and I won't let you take away what we've accomplished."

Sakura gulped, but refused to let it drop. "I don't understand, who's this Orochimaru guy you keep talking about?"

Ukon's eyes melted back into looking pained before he looked away again. "Orochimaru-sama... My... boss, and... Shizuka-sama's father."

Sakura's eyes widened. Nani?!


Ha ha ha you guys got a lesson in note-passing by SNG! (Used to pass notes all the time and only got caught once)

Well, that seemed like a good place to end that chapter. (Smiles brightly at all the nice little people who haven't read Apprentice and are wondering "The hell is she thinking?!") Oh well, if you'd review, maybe I wouldn't leave such crappy endings. (Glares at all the evil people who have read Apprentice and are just being spiteful because their pairings weren't decided) I think I said in the last chapter that everyone gets a pairing in this.

...Except TenTen. Her voice bugs me. (I might skip a few people that I don't like...)

(Listens to all 37 of her AMV's and still can't find a soundtrack for this fic.) Jeez, that's sad... Sigh. I put my fingers into my eyes... it's the only thing... that slowly stops the ache... If the pain goes on, I'm not gonna make it... blah blah I have that song stuck in my head now. I was thinking something like the Dot Hack Sign theme, but... Now, it doesn't really fit now.... Just wait, tho!

Come on, now. Be fair! Leave a review!

(Show picture of Inner-Sakura, glaring Karasu-like) Ever wonder what happens if you don't leave a review?

One of the things that bugs me a little is when people leave double-reviews for two different stories. I understand if, like, there are complications, like Kie-san once said "it wouldn't let me review for Apprentice, btu I loved it, F.Y.I." I understand that. But when people review for, like, Genius In Love, per say, and say, "Please update Apprentice, I love that too" but don't actually review for Apprentice, it gets annoying.

I dunno, maybe I'm just being a bitch. I'm surprised you people review for me, even though I bitch at you all so much.

(A note: This chapter is 24 pages long, not counting my A/N)