A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed once more and I apologize in advance for the lack of Sakura and Sasuke fluff in this chapter but I wanted to give the other couples some limelight. Don't worry there will be plenty of Sasuke and Sakura in the next chapter. So please read, enjoy and review.

Disclaimer: Last time I checked I did not own Naruto in anyway…….well not yet that is.

Previously

"Go out with me on Friday night" he asked as she smiled.

"Is that a date?"

"If you want it to be" he told her as she smiled.

"In that case I would love to go out with you"

"Good" he said as she smiled.

"Ok then" she replied as he took her hand in his and kissed her again.

"Now your mine again" he told her as she frowned.

"Yours?"

"Yes" he replied as he gave her another chaste kiss. "You're my girlfriend and I want everyone to know that" she hugged him in reply as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I love you" she told him as he smirked.

"Yeah I know you do" he said as they walked back inside and shut the door only to be faced with six pairs of eyes or looking from them to their hands which were intertwined with amusement.

"So what exactly have you two been up to?" Ino asked as Tenten smiled.

"Making out, what did you expect?"

-

-

Love is in the air

"Whoa he actually said he loved you" Ino asked as Tenten smiled and nodded.

"Yep those exact words"

"Wow you are so lucky" Ino told her as she laughed.

"Yeah I know"

"I told you he did" Hinata added as Tenten hugged the girl.

"And I will never not believe you again" she declared as Sakura laughed at them all.

"I'm really happy for you Tenten"

"Thanks Sakura"

"Well I am to, I just wish lazy arse would tell me he loved me to" Ino muttered.

"I'm sure he does Ino" Sakura told her friend who sighed.

"Who knows, being in love is probably too troublesome for him" she said as the others giggled.

"But you can't help who you fall in love with or when" Hinata explained.

"Yeah but ignoring it is easier than acting on it and when it comes to my boyfriend he likes to choose the easy way out of things" Ino pointed out.

"Give it time" Sakura suggested. "Maybe he is just waiting for the right moment"

"I doubt it" Ino responded. "Shikamaru never waits because he can never be bothered waiting. If he wants to say or do anything he will do it straight away so he can get it over and done with"

"Ah well who knows, maybe he is just nervous"

"I doubt that"

"Yeah so do I"

"Sakura your not helping" Ino said as Sakura looked at her.

"I agreed with you"

"Yeah and your suppose to be making me feel better not agreeing with me" Ino told her as Sakura stared at her friend in disbelief.

"So Hinata" Tenten began so the two girls would stop glaring daggers at each other. "Has Naruto told you yet r not?"

"Told me what?" Tenten looked at her and sighed.

"Has Naruto said I love you yet?" she asked as Hinata blushed.

"N…no"

"Ah I see well do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Do you love him?" Hinata looked at her friend and went even redder.

"Um…ah…I…um" she stammered as Sakura giggled.

"Spill Hinata"

"Ok yes I do" Hinata admitted as the girls giggled.

"What about you Ino" Sakura asked turning to the blonde girl.

"Well duh"

"Then why don't you guys tell them" Tenten told Hinata and Ino who both looked horror struck.

"I couldn't, I couldn't do it" Hinata said in a hurry as Sakura smiled at the shy girl.

"Besides they should say it first" Ino said. "I'm not saying it till lazy arse says it"

"And if he doesn't?" Tenten asked.

"Then ill break up with him, there are plenty of other guys who would be happy enough to go out with me" she said as Tenten shook her head at Ino. Sometimes she just couldn't understand where Ino got her logic from.

"So Sakura what about you?" Hinata asked her friend who smiled sheepishly.

"Well I have always loved Sasuke" Sakura confessed as Ino grinned.

"And does he love you back"

"I…uh I don't know" Sakura admitted as Ino sighed but Tenten just shook her head.

"Don't worry Sakura, I think it's pretty obvious he does"

"Really?" Sakura said as Tenten laughed and did an Ino impression.

"Well duh"

-

-

The next week was eventful if nothing else. With Naruto constantly whining about not being able to eat his ramen, Shikamaru frustrated because he had to stop himself saying his trademark and Tenten annoyed because now that she was wearing her hair in a plait or pony tail she was receiving a lot more attention from the male population then she liked and her boyfriend was being rather overprotective to say at the least. Even though she did find the times when he would glare at the other boys who would flinch back rather amusing.

It was now the Thursday after the party and so far all was good. Tenten and Neji were closer then they had been with his arm constantly around her waist so everyone knew she was his. Hinata was a lot happier now that her cousin was out of his sulky mood and spent most days laughing at Naruto's jokes, who was still grieving the loss of his ramen but was now trying other foods, while Neji and Tenten talked among themselves. Sakura was enjoying her lunch times as well where she would talk about her day or anything really and Sasuke would just listen and occasionally make a comment. Sakura found him to be a rather good listener.

Ino would usually complain about something or other while Shikamaru would cloud gaze and pretend to listen t her although Ino knew he wasn't. She was trying to be patient but the fact that Tenten had gotten the cold hearted Hyuga to admit he loved her before lazy arse had told her was causing her temper t rise. And now that Shikamaru was still paying more interest in his clouds than her and had even blown her off for study, when he never did his homework anyway her anger was increasingly rising.

She was getting really sick of him not paying her enough attention when there was at least a dozen males in the school that would love the chance to give her the attention she desired. Especially since at least two a day reminded her of this when they asked her out. It wasn't her fault she was a natural flirt and even when she had agreed to date Shikamaru they had still continued to ask her out. Except now she was tempted to say yes. She didn't like being tied down and had made that sacrifice for Shikamaru but if he wasn't going to out any effort in then why should she.

Now she had a plan, if he was going to act like he couldn't be bothered with her then she was going to be bothered with him. Better yet she was going to show him what boyfriends were supposed to do by getting others to demonstrate it for her. She had always been popular with the male population and now was the time to use it getting up she told the others she was going for a walk and was intending on purposely walking past a large group of her admirers. Now it was time to test just how lazy Shikamaru really was and she couldn't help but smirk at this thought.

"Do you want to come Shika" she said as he sighed.

"To troub…..damm" he muttered as she smiled.

"Ok then see ya" she replied as he frowned. Usually she would demand he came and then he would pretend to be annoyed and go when really he didn't mind spending some alone time with his girlfriend. Ino smirked as she walked past the group and it wasn't long until her plan started to work.

"Ino" they called as Ino turned and smiled at them all.

"Hi" she greeted them with a wave as four came towards her.

"Would you like to sit with us?" they asked as she laughed. She was glad they were talking loud enough so Shikamaru could hear.

"Actually I was just going for a walk" she told them. "But your welcome to join me" she offered as their faces lit up.

"Yeah alright" one said as she smiled seductively at them.

"Then lets go shall we" she said cheerfully as she walked off with about five or six boys following. Shikamaru glared daggers at them all but there was nothing he could do about it.

"You should go after her?" Neji told him as he just shrugged.

"Ino is just showing off, I have nothing to worry about and chasing after her would be too troubl….you get the point" he replied as Neji nodded. Yet Shikamaru couldn't help but feel slightly uneasy as Ino didn't return and instead disappeared from sight with her fan boys.

'God women are troublesome'

-

-

Hinata smiled as she walked out of the school and was walking across the grounds. Her cousin had gone over to Tenten's place since Ino was going out and so she had time today to day dream as she slowly walked home and enjoy some time alone. She loved Neji like a brother but he always walked to fats and never gave her time to enjoy the scenery. That and she had stayed back a little late so she could borrow a book from the school library.

"Hey you" a voice shouted as Hinata turned to see three girls walking towards her. She knew who they were of course, rebels of the school or bullies as most called them. She felt her heart rate quicken as they approached, all laughing at her. Damm why couldn't she be more like Tenten, these girls wouldn't think twice about teasing her. But no she was the shy, timid girl of the school and everyone knew she was an easy target to pick on when her friends and cousin were not around.

"Yes" Hinata politely said as the girls laughed at her again.

"We were just wondering what you were doing here still?" One asked as Hinata gulped.

"I…uh…I wa...was" she stammered as they all laughed.

"Aww is the little baby scared of us" one mocked as Hinata frowned.

"Maybe we should give her something to be scared of" the third told them as she held up her fist in a threatening way.

"Please don't" Hinata cried but they only laughed and ignored her.

"Hey leave her alone" Naruto shouted as he approached the three and stood in front of Hinata.

"Aww if it isn't the little misfit" they laughed as he scowled.

"Leave Hinata alone, she didn't do anything to you"

"Fine we will pick on you instead" they teased.

"That's not very nice" he told them as they laughed at him.

"So we don't care" one said.

"And neither does anybody else" the other added.

"I mean" the third began. "You just a little prankster aren't you, an outcast really. A misfit and no one cares about you. I mean no one could possibly love you and this girl hear is probably just using you. I mean why would she ever like someone like you, she is from a high bred family and you are just a lower class nothing. A bum who has no home and no place in this world or our school"

Hinata felt her blood boil, how dare they pick on Naruto like that. He wasn't like that at all, he was a caring and respectable student and she did care for him. She would never use him and they had no right to say that to him when he was only protecting her. Naruto was looking at them in shock, unable to find any words to say because deep down they were right. Who was he but a nobody and he didn't deserve Hinata at all. They were right and he knew it. Hinata saw his face fall and that was it that was the final straw.

"Stop right there" She told the three girls who all turned to look at her. No more was she cowering backwards but standing tall and firm, her fists clutched in anger.

"I don't care what you say but your wrong, all of it its all wrong, He has people who care and he is not a nobody, he is a somebody very important and he will achieve great things I know it"

"He will not, his a prankster and a misfit and that's it" one finally said as Hinata turned to her, giving off a deadly aura similar to what Tenten and Sakura did when they were angry.

"Yeah and I don't see why you are sticking up for him he doesn't deserve you"

"Yes he does if anything it is I who doesn't deserve him" Hinata shouted.

"But his just a prankster"

"I told you I don't care if his is a prankster, I don't care if he isn't from a rich family because it doesn't bother me. I love him and that will never change no matter what" she screamed. The girls all looked at her as Hinata gasped and took a step back.

'Shit why did I say that out loud, why'

She looked at Naruto who was staring at her and suddenly felt very scared and afraid. Without another glance she took of as Naruto only watched her run away. The girls were laughing but Naruto couldn't care less as he slowly walked in the opposite direction trying to understand what had just happened.

"Dobe" Sasuke greeted when he walked through the door.

"Huh oh hi Sasuke" he replied absent mindedly as Sasuke stared at his friend. "Where is Sakura?"

"With Ino some where" he told him as he frowned at him. "So what's up with you?"

"Huh oh nothing" Naruto said quickly as Sasuke sighed.

"Naruto what happened" he demanded as Naruto looked at him and took his seat.

"Hinata said she loved me" he informed him.

"What?" Sasuke exclaimed as Naruto nodded and told him what had happened.

"So what are you doing here?" Sasuke asked when Naruto had finished.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you love her back right?"

"Well yeah" Naruto replied.

"So why aren't you going after her and telling her that yourself"

"Um I don't know" Naruto admitted as Sasuke sighed.

"Naruto she is obviously feeling right now that you don't love her and you don't want her to get the wrong idea. One it could ruin your relationship, and since she is the only one who can put up with you I doubt you will find anyone else, and two Neji would pound your arse into the ground"

"I hadn't thought about that"

"Yes so get up and go after her you idiot" Sasuke ordered as Naruto stood up.

"Your right thanks teme" Naruto shouted as he ran out of the house.

'Well at least I know his back to normal' he thought, 'serious Naruto scares me'

-

-

Ino was giggling as she was surrounded by boys or flirting with her as she eagerly flirted back. Beside her was Sakura who couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at her friend's actions.

"Um Ino I think I better go" Sakura said as Ino laughed at one of the boys jokes.

"Huh oh ok well see you Sakura" she called before she went back to her gang of admirers. Sakura rolled her eyes as she left but smirked as she noticed a certain pineapple haired male sitting at a nearby booth watching the blonde intently. She sat down next to him and smiled in greeting.

"Hey"

"Huh oh hi" he said as she smirked.

"So are you going to go over there or not?" she asked as he stared at her.

"What do you mean?"

"Well you obviously jealous" she pointed out.

"Yes but she is trying to make me jealous" he told her.

"That may be but she wont stop just because she sees you unaffected and the fact that your hear staring at her shows you are so unless you do something it will only continue and get worse"

"Yes but what am I suppose to do"

"Easy go over to her"

"Yes but I don't even know why she is behaving like this" he admitted as Sakura sighed.

"You're the genius so figure it out" she sighed again as he looked at her clueless.

'Ok you two are dating and Neji and Tenten were dating. Tenten broke up with Neji because his not paying her enough attention, he confessed his love and now their together and stronger then ever. Figure it out" Sakura told him as she got up and left.

Shikamaru sighed as he watched her go, he knew what Ino wanted but truth was he was afraid to tell her because he was afraid it would destroy their friendship. But he did love her and he couldn't risk loosing her. He stared at her and felt his anger rise when Ino laughed out loud and one of the boys had the nerve to put his hand on Ino's thigh. How dare he even touch his Ino?

He stood up and marched over there as Ino turned to him and smiled.

"Oh hey Shika what's up?"

"Hn" he said as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her away from the crowd.

"Shika" she cried as he dragged her outside and into a nearby alley. Once there he kept her go as she turned and glared at him.

"What the hell was that about" she demanded as he sighed.

"I'm getting you away from those creeps" he muttered.

"Well sorry to be a pain but I was having fun"

"I don't care your mine"

"Says who" she argued.

"Me"

"Well I don't care" she shouted as she turned to leave but he grabbed her.

"You're staying here" he ordered as she frowned.

"Why?"

"Because I love you" he told her as he kissed her. She gasped at his words which gave Shikamaru an opportunity to enter his tongue into her mouth. After awhile he pulled away and smirked.

"Do you really?" she asked breathlessly.

"You may be troublesome but that's why I love you" She looked at him and smiled as she gave him a chaste kiss on the mouth.

"I love you to" she said as he smiled and kissed her once more. They broke off and stood in an embrace before Ino started laughing.

"I just realized" she said as he frowned.

"What?"

"You lost the dare, you said troublesome" he stared blankly at her for a second before it sunk in.

"Shit"

-

-

"Hinata" Naruto called as he banged on her door. He sighed loudly as he waited for her to answer, hoping that it wasn't her younger sister who scared him. He knew that neither Neji nor her father would be there but that little girl was as evil as the both of them put together. Thankfully when the door opened it was revealed to be Hinata and he sighed loudly.

"Naruto" she said nervously as he grinned at her.

"Hey Hinata um can we talk" he asked her as she blushed and nodded and allowed him in.

"Um about earlier I'm sorry Naruto it just slipped and I…" she was cut of as Naruto eagerly kissed her and she just as eagerly responded. When they broke of both were panting for air while Hinata was as red as a tomato.

"Naruto" she said, a little unsure of his actions.

"Did you mean it?" he demanded as she frowned.

"Huh"

"Did you mean it when you told me you loved me?" he asked as she blushed again and nodded.

"Yes I'm sorry Naruto I didn't mean for it to slip out"

"Its ok Hinata I'm glad it did"

"You are?"

"Yeah" he replied with a grin.

"But why?"

"Because now I know you feel the same way" he said.

"The same way" she repeated confused as he took a step forward and smiled at her.

"I know have the courage to admit that I love you to you" he said at last as she blinked up at him.

"I uh"

"I love you Hinata" he said as she felt herself go faint. She stumbled a little but he caught her laughing.

"Did I ever tell you I think it's cute when you do that?"

"D…do wh…hat" she stammered.

"Its cute when you get all embarrassed" he said with a grin. She smiled up at him as he kissed her softly.

"Do you think you can stand now?' he asked as she nodded weakly and he let go. She turned to look at him.

"Does this mean we are ok?" she asked as he laughed.

"Of course we are, I would never let anything separate us. You're the best thing that happened to me and even if I don't deserve you I will make something of myself so you can be proud of me" he declared as she smiled and took his hand in hers.

"You don't have to prove anything to me Naruto" she said. "I love you already and I am proud of you. No matter what anyone says to me you are something very important and I know you will go far despite what people think"

"Really?" he asked as she nodded. He hugged her tightly as Hinata blushed once more.

"This is why I love you Hinata" he told her. "You always make me feel good about myself no matter what and I am never going to let you go" she smiled and whispered in reply:

"I will never let you go either Naruto, never"

A/N: I hope you liked it and sorry once more about the lack of SasuSaku fluff but there will be lots in the next chapter I promise. But that will only happen if you review…