The silver, Hummer stretch-limo pulled up in front of the imposing structure of Konohagakure Secondary Academy. The four members of Sweet Revenge peered out the windows at the impressive architecture and perfectly manicured grounds.

"Sheesh! Talk about a rich kid's school!" Tenten exclaimed.

Although the girls were rich now, they had all originated from less than ideal environments.

Hinata frowned. "There are a lot of people…" she was the most introverted of the four while Sakura was the most extroverted.

Temari smirked. "Just so long as we don't get any spoiled, stuck up brats trying to push us around, it'll be fine."

Sakura laughed. "Who cares if they try? We'll just let them know that NO ONE pushes us around!"

The four girls gave one another high fives and climbed out of the limo. They were all dressed in the school uniform, a scarlet skirt and a white shirt with a black vest and a red, ribbon tie worn around the collar. They also wore scarlet blazers over the top since the air was a bit chilly.

Temari led the way up the steps of the school. As the girls stepped through the entrance, dozens of pairs of eyes were instantly glued to them. Murmurs could be heard throughout the halls. "Who are they?" "I've never seen them here before…" "Wow! They're gorgeous!" "I love their hair!" "I hope they're in my homeroom!" the whispers floated around.

The four friends exchanged smirks. "Hey there!" Tenten called out. "Could anyone here direct us to the Principal's office?"

Instantly a hundred fingers were pointing to a door at the end of the hall.

"Thanks!" Sakura grinned and the four made their way through the crowd of students to the door that had been indicated.

Sasuke trudged through the halls, ignoring the crude comments and degrading names that were continually being shouted at him by his fellow classmates. He sighed as he pulled the right books from his locker and shut it before turning around, only to be slammed back against the locker.

"Hey there ducky!" a tall jock by the name of Suigetsu taunted as he and a couple of his friends cornered the teen against the wall of lockers.

Ducky was Suigetsu's nickname for Sasuke because of the way the smaller boy's hair always stuck out at odd angles in the back to resemble a duck's butt.

Sasuke grimaced. 'It's too early for this!' he thought.

Suigetsu nodded to the folder Sasuke was clutching. "Is that the report that's due today in History?"

Sasuke frowned. "Yeah."

Suigetsu smirked and extended his hand. "Great, I'll take it then!"

Sasuke frowned and gripped the folder tighter. "It's mine Suigetsu!" He snarled. "Write your own paper!"

Sasuke didn't have the chance to say anything more on account of the fist that slammed into his gut. Sasuke doubled over with a grunt. He felt Suigetsu's hand wrap around his throat and squeeze. Sasuke struggled desperately against the bigger boy but, with his three friends backing him up, Suigetsu couldn't lose. "You better hand over that paper baka!" Suigetsu growled threateningly.

Around him, Sasuke could hear the snickers and laughs of the other students as they watched his torment. He knew from past experiences that he would receive no help from any of them. Slowly he handed the history paper over to Suigetsu who snatched it away from him before releasing his throat and punching Sasuke once more in the ribs for good measure. Sasuke slumped against the lockers, gasping.

Suigetsu laughed. "See you in class Ducky!"

Sasuke watched them walk away and then gathered his book which had fallen to the floor and trudged miserably off to class, ignoring the scoffs and comments of the teens around him.

Sakura and Tenten stepped through the doors of their first class, 'geography/cultural studies'. Heads turned and the chatter quieted as the two newcomers entered. The teacher, a slender, sickly looking man nodded to them. "Ah, hello there." He greeted kindly. "You 'cough' must be the 'cough' new students 'cough'?"

The two of them nodded.

"Well, I'm Genma, 'cough' the geography sensei 'cough'. Welcome. Would you mind 'cough' introducing yourselves to the class?" he asked.

Sakura shrugged. "Hey everyone! I'm Hurano Sakura, age sixteen, and a junior. I love playing guitar, skate boarding, singing, and writing music, and, before anyone decides to ask, this is my natural hair color. I did not dye it! And just a warning, if anyone makes a comment concerning my forehead, I'll blast them into the next millennium! You have been forewarned."

Tenten Smirked. "Hi all! I'm Akari Tenten, also age sixteen and a junior. I love playing the drums, basketball, singing, blades and weapons of all sorts, and skate boarding. Don't even think, about asking me to take down my hair 'cause I'm NOT doing it!"

Gemna raised an eyebrow at their slightly odd introductions, and then doubled over coughing. "Go 'cough' find some seats girls 'cough'. Please excuse me 'cough' for a moment 'cough' class; I'll be right back 'cough'." The teacher stood up and left the room, hacking as he went.

Sakura frowned in concern. "Wow! I feel bad for the poor guy. He doesn't look too good."

Tenten nodded. "I know. Come on, let's find a seat."

Tenten took a seat at one double desk beside a brunette girl and Sakura sat at the empty desk behind her.

"Hello. Tenten and Sakura wasn't it? Welcome to Konohagakure."

Sakura and Tenten looked up to see four young women standing over them. "Thank you." Tenten responded. "And you are…?"

The one, who had spoken, a girl with dark eyes and shiny black hair, replied. "My name is Machida Kin." She pointed to a girl with long blond hair and blue eyes. "This is Yamanaka Ino." Next she motioned to another girl with brown eyes and reddish pink hair that was much darker than Sakura's rose pink. "This is Okare Tayuya." Finally she pointed to a girl with dark eyes and reddish brown hair that was straitened on one side and stuck out in unruly spikes on the other side. "And this is Tsukimo Karin."

"We are some of the members of the student welcoming committee. And we're also all on the student council."

'In other words… they're popular.' Tenten thought.

"It's nice to meet you." Sakura said politely.

Kin smirked as if to say 'of course it is'. The blond who had been introduced as Ino addressed Sakura. "Where did you get those shoes? They're positively darling!"

At a little boutique in the mall called 'Maricia's'. Sakura told her.

Ino smiled. "I'll have to check it out."

Tenten nodded. "You should, they have some really great stuff there and the salespeople are the best!"

As they chatted, the new girls failed to notice that the door to the classroom had opened and someone had quietly slipped inside. In fact, they weren't aware of the new arrival until someone slipped into the seat beside Sakura.

Said girl looked up and caught sight of a teenage boy with raven hair, obsidian eyes and an unusually pale complexion. The boy sat down quietly and busied himself with arranging his books and pencils on his side of the desk. His eyes never once glanced upwards.

Sakura tapped the boy lightly on the shoulder and he glanced sideways, surprised. "Hi! I'm Hurano Sakura." She smiled. "This must be your seat huh? Do you mind if I share it?"

The boy's eyes snapped up to meet hers and narrowed slightly as he seemed to be studying her. After a moment he shook his head in a negative reply to her question before quickly lowering his eyes.

Sakura flashed him another brilliant smile. "Great! What's your name?"

The boy glanced up at her oddly. Sakura noted that he seemed to glance around at the people who were listening in on their one-sided conversation for a moment before replying in a terse voice. "…Sasuke."

"Nice to meet you Sasuke-san!" Sakura greeted with exuberance as she shook his hand. "I just moved here along with three of my best friends. Konoha certainly is a beautiful village."

Sasuke just nodded and glared at his lap again. He could feel the heated glowers of his fellow classmates as the pretty, new girl focused all of her attention on him.

"What's your favorite subject Sasuke-san?" he heard the rosette beauty inquire.

Before he could respond, a sharp voice cut in. "Sakura-san. You mustn't speak to him!" Kin stated firmly as she glared at Sasuke over Sakura's head.

Sakura frowned. "Huh? Why Kin-san?"

"Well, for starters…" Kin's voice grew very cold. "He's the biggest loser in school!"

Sakura's eyes widened slightly at Kin's words. "Wha…?"

"He's a freak." Tayuya clarified. "A Nobody. Anyone who hangs out with him is sure to be shunned from all of the social groups here." There were murmurs of agreement from the other kids.

"You two seem to be nice girls. We wouldn't want that to happen to you." Kin told Sakura and Tenten. She turned a cold gaze on Sasuke. "This is Sakura's seat now reject." She snapped. "Sakura is one of our friends and she is a nice girl. We don't want her to be dragged down by affiliating with the likes of you."

"That's right!" Tayuya agreed. "So you can just move to a different seat. And don't let us catch you ever trying to associate with her. She's obviously in a whole different social level than you."

Karin smirked. "Hah! This loser doesn't even have a social level! Why don't you go hang out by the dumpster out back… trash like you will get along great with the garbage!" There were several shouts of "Yeah!" and "Loser!" and "Get out of here!"

Kin nodded. "That's right! You're nothing but trash. Get out of here! Nobody wants you here. We all hate you!" She snarled, shoving Sasuke out of his seat. The boy was caught off guard and hit the floor with a hard thud!

A loud roar of laughter erupted from the class.

Sakura gasped and leapt to her feet. "Kin-san!"

Tayuya put a hand on Sakura's shoulder. "Don't worry about it Sakura-san." She said. "That loser's not important." She told her flippantly.

Sakura looked at her shocked. She turned her gaze to the boy.

Sasuke glared at them and flushed in anger and mortification, before scrambling to his feet. "Hn… whatever." He muttered. Keeping his head down in an attempt to hide his burning face, he quickly began to gather his things.

Sakura frowned and a look of firm resolve appeared in her emerald eyes. Tenten caught sight of it and smirked. Ooooh, this was gonna be good!

Sasuke took a step towards a vacant desk in the back of the room when he felt a hand grasp his wrist.

Believing it to be Kin or one of her cronies, he spun around with a scowl on his face. He paused when he realized that it was the new girl who was holding onto him. He frowned. "What do you want?" he snapped.

Sakura looked him directly in the eye and gave him a sweet smile. "You don't have to move if you don't want to." She told him gently.

He glared out the window. "…No… they- they're right… you shouldn't be seen talking to a… to a loser like me." He muttered bitterly. "I'd ruin your image." He bit out, his voice filled with sarcasm.

Sakura frowned and tightened her grip on his wrist slightly. "Don't say that about yourself! You're not a loser Sasuke-kun!"

There was a collective gasp from the class and Sasuke's head snapped up as his eyes widened incredulously. The pretty new girl had just added 'kun' to the end of the school rejects' name!

"Sakura-san!" Ino exclaimed. "You should not behave so familiarly towards someone like him." She warned.

Kin placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder. "Sakura-san, I can see that you are a sweet girl and you don't like to see anyone hurt. But you shouldn't worry about Sasuke here. He's used to it. Everyone treats him like this… It's just the way it is. There's nothing you can do about it. He's the freak and that's a fact."

Sakura shook her head. "You're wrong Kin-san!" she retorted. "There is something I can do about it! He may be used to it - though I highly doubt it – but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt him. And just because everyone else treats him badly doesn't mean I have to! Everyone else at this stuck up school may be mean enough to behave that way, but I won't! Sasuke-kun," she added emphasis to the word 'kun', "is NOT a freak nor is he a loser and I will NOT sit by and watch anyone say otherwise!" she glared coldly at Kin. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Sasuke gapping at her.

Kin grit her teeth. "Sakura-san, this is your last warning. Don't associate with him; no one will talk to you if you do!"

Tenten stood up. "I will still talk to her and so will our other friends." She stated firmly. "If you and your friends choose to be that petty and not talk to us then I say, good riddance!"

Kin's face flushed with anger. "Are you crazy? Your life will be hell if you hang around with those losers! They'll drag you down do you hear?"

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Whatever… popularity never was something I've cared about." She snapped back. "And if being popular here means that I have to be a nasty witch to people then no thanks! You can keep it to yourself!"

She turned and sat down pulling the shell-shocked Sasuke down beside her.

Tenten smirked and also sat back down.

"Fine!" Kin huffed. "Come on girls!" She and her friends stomped back to their seats.

Sakura and Tenten rolled their eyes.

"Wow!" Sakura muttered to Tenten. "What a bunch of witchy brats!" She looked up to find Sasuke staring at her with an odd expression. "What's the matter?"

Sasuke frowned and eyed her suspiciously. "Why did you do that?"

Sakura gave him an odd look. "Why? Because those girls were being jerks and pushing you around and badmouthing you! What did you want me to do? Join in?"

Sasuke shrugged carelessly. "It's what everyone else would have done."

Sakura frowned. "Well if that's so then they're a bunch of jerks and who needs 'em?"

Sasuke shook his head. "You shouldn't have done that… you'll be classified as a 'nobody' for sitting with me." He warned seriously.

Sakura shrugged. "I don't care! I'd rather be a 'nobody' and hang out with a genuine person like you, than be 'popular'," here she added finger quotations, "and have to be a witch!"

Sasuke looked at her as if she had just said she came from Mars.

Sakura just grinned. "Anyhow, where were we? Oh yes! What's your favorite subject Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke blinked once… twice… then the suspicious look in his dark eyes ebbed a little and he slowly replied, "It's Music."

She smiled. "Cool! Do you play anything?"

He looked a little embarrassed. "Well… I used to play guitar, I haven't in a while though because mine broke…"

Sakura cocked her head. "Electric or acoustic?"

"Um… both, but I prefer electric." He said. She noticed that he seemed more comfortable when the topic of discussion related to music.

She grinned. "Cool! I'll have to hear you play sometime."

He shrugged and stared down at his hands, still looking little embarrassed, but not in a bad way.

Before Sakura could say anything else, the door opened and Genma came back in.

Tenten had finished with her lunch and now walked around to the back of the school where there was an empty area in which she could skate board. She gave a little smirk as she hopped onto her board and began to practice flip-kicks; for some reason, she never grew tired of skating.

Her concentration was interrupted several minutes later by the sounds of crashing and banging accompanied by curses. The sounds were coming from a nearby ally way.

Curious, Tenten picked up her board and made her way toward the sounds. Four, teenage guys stood in the ally surrounding a boy with dark hair and pale eyes who was backed up against the wall. They appeared to be a rather rough group.

"Well, well," one of them was saying "It looks like last Friday's thrashing didn't quite get the message through to your thick skull. Tell me, you homeless piece of trash, do you like getting beaten to within an inch of your life?"

The pale eyed boy glared at him and tried to struggle out of his grip but the bully's buddies held him in place. "Let go of me you hiretsukan!" He shouted. "I swear I'll- Ungh!"

He was cut off when a second bully slammed a meaty fist into his gut.

"You'll what?" The first bully growled as he grasped the boy by the throat and started to choke him.

Tenten growled. She pulled a small kunai from an inner pocket of her jacket and, with an easy flick of her wrist, sent it flying in the direction of the five males. The kunai embedded itself in the wall between the chief bully and his victim.

Both froze and looked at it, then turned to look in the direction from which it had come.

The bully smirked when he saw Tenten while the pale eyed boy just looked confused.

"And just who might you be missy?" The bully drawled.

She frowned at him. "Who wants to know?"

His smirk grew. "The name's Kairo." He stated with an air of superiority. He jerked his thumb towards his friends. "These are my homies, Hikaru, Jirobi and Yatoro." His smirk widened. "Now how about tellin' us your name?"

Tenten quirked an eyebrow. "Ahh…No."

Kairo frowned. "Com'n! I'm curious about a girl who handles a knife like that." His eyes roamed over her.

Tenten rolled her eyes. "Oh? That doesn't seem to be the only thing you're curious about."

He just chuckled. "Well missy. We have a little business to finish up here and it's not gonna be pretty. So why don't you go back out front and hang out with some of your little girl friends? We'll find you when we're through and then I can show you a good time."

He started to turn his back on her and the pale eyed boy cringed as the bully pulled back his fist and aimed for his victim's face. Both were startled when she called out in a firm, demanding voice. "Hold it! Step away from him."

Kairo glanced back at her over his shoulder and quirked an eyebrow at her. "Huh?"

"Step away from him!" Tenten repeated. "Let him go."

The bullies looked at one another and burst out laughing. "Why would we do something like that?" one of them taunted.

"I'm not kidding." Tenten warned. "Step away from him! Now!"

Kairo smirked. "I don't think so."

"You'll regret it." She threatened.

Kairo turned to face her fully, amusement evident on his features. "Oh really?" he taunted. "Tell me, Panda-girl, how exactly are you planning on making us…'regret it'?"

Tenten's eyes narrowed and she tensed. 'Oh no he DIDN'T!'

POW! Her fist slammed into his gut and her knee shot up to hit him in the groin. He doubled over, cursing.

Before he had even a split second to recover a blade of a kunai was being pressed into his jugular, courtesy of the enraged fem-fatale that held him in a headlock. Her dark eyes glared at the other bullies and she spoke in a cold, authoritative voice saying, "Alright, listen up! I'm getting really sick of all the backstabbing and bullying at this school! If you boys want your little leader hurt… then by all means, keep coming. If not, then there are three things you must do. One- drop the boy."

The guy called Jirobi released the pale eyed boy with a hiss.

"Two- hand him your knives." She gestured to the switchblades they held.

They growled angrily but did as she said. The pale eyed boy just took the knives wordlessly, not sure what to do with them.

"Three- GET THE HECK OUT OF HERE!" her command was accompanied by a bunch of senbon as she flung them at the bullies.

The boy's instantly turned and started to run off.

"And one, other thing!" She called. They froze. "Never, ever, EVER, make fun of my hair!" the boys yelped and dashed away. Tenten flung Kairo away from her. "You too! Get out of here!" she snarled as she brandished the kunai threateningly.

Kairo stood up and pointed at the pale eyed boy. "Don't think this is over!" he growled. "We'll get you, just you wait kid!"

"NOW!" Tenten bellowed and took a step towards him, kunai in hand.

Kairo scowled before turning and hurrying away.

Tenten turned back to the pale eyed boy. The two stared at one another, each seeming to size up the other.

Tenten saw that the kid she had just aided had long, silky black hair fastened back into a loose ponytail, pale skin and unusual, opalescent eyes that slightly resembled Hinata's. He had about two inches height advantage on her with a fairly good build from what she could tell. He was dressed in a pair of dirty, grey jeans with large holes worn through in several places, scuffed tennis shoes that looked like they were on their last leg, and a black T-shirt over which he wore a dusty, blazer that appeared too small on him. Tenten recognized the emblem on it and realized that it was a school uniform's blazer, showing that he was a member of the school.

"Hi… Are you okay?" she finally asked after they had been standing for about five minutes, silently regarding one another.

He shrugged. "Fine."

She nodded. "I'm glad to hear it. I'm Akari Tenten. Who are you?"

"Neji." The boy muttered.

"Neji…?" Tenten prodded him for his surname.

"Just Neji." The boy stated shortly. "I no longer have a surname."

"Oh… sorry." Tenten apologized, suddenly feeling as though she had been prying.

He was still watching her with a slightly frustrated expression on his features, as if waiting for something.

Tenten wanted to break the awkward silence but was at a loss for words.

Finally he spoke. "Well? Are you gonna make your request or what?"

Tenten cocked her head to the side in question. "Request?"

He rolled his eyes. "As in whatever it is you demand in return for having stepped in when you did. What is it this time? You want me to do your homework or figure out how to hook you up with your crush?" His voice clearly told her that he was annoyed.

Tenten shook her head. "I can do my own homework and I don't currently have a crush." She smiled. "I don't want anything. I didn't stop those guys because I wanted something from you."

"Uh-huh… sure. Well if that's the case, why did you stop them?" He asked sarcastically.

She frowned. "Cause you were in trouble and I was able to help. No one else was around so I was the only one who could have done it." She shrugged. "It needed to be done, so I did it."

He shot her a disbelieving look. "Yeah right! Why would you go through the trouble without a good reason?"

"First, that was a good reason." She crossed her arms over her chest. "Second, because if it had been me in your predicament, I would have wanted someone to step in. My mom, Kurenai, taught me that it is not just the duty, but the privilege of one person to protect and help other in whatever way they can." She shot him a firm look. "And if you say that that was a lousy reason, I will be pummeling you instead of those jerks!"

Neji shrugged and rolled his eyes. "Whatever. It's a pretty thought and all, but no one actually lives like that."

"Actually, I've met a lot of people who do." Tenten told him, a faraway look coming into her eyes. "Of course there are plenty who don't…" her eyes clouded slightly. "But that just means that the rest of us have to do more and shine brightly so that they see how important it is!" She grinned.

He shook his head. "You're weird."

She nodded. "And don't you forget it!"

He shot her a slightly disturbed look. She just smiled.

"Whatever… I'm going to class." He muttered and turned to leave when she called out.

"Wait a second. Aren't you going to eat lunch?" she asked.

He shrugged, his back still turned.

"Aren't you hungry? It's one o'clock!" she frowned.

He shook his head but the sudden growl of his stomach contradicted his gesture. He tensed.

Tenten smirked lightly. "Your stomach seems to disagree." She tried to stifle a giggle as another rumble was heard.

"Are you blushing?" she asked after a moment. She could have sworn his ears didn't have that pink tinge a few moments ago…

"I don't blush." He stated firmly, but kept his back facing her.

She shrugged and switched back to the original topic. Tenten wasn't stupid. She had heard what those bullies had said about him being homeless and the fact that he had disowned his surname seemed to support that information. She could quite easily guess the reason he didn't have a lunch. She didn't want him to go hungry, but she could tell that he was a proud person and probably wouldn't like the idea of charity… she wondered how she could rope him into eating with her.

She smiled suddenly. "You know…" she said slyly. "I do believe I've changed my mind."

"About…?" He turned to look back at her, having gotten his embarrassment under control.

"There is something I want from you… in return for helping you earlier." She clarified.

He sighed. "So much for the little, self-righteous speeches, I guess. What do you want?"

She smiled. "I want someone to have lunch with… I'm new here and it's boring eating alone."

He shot her an odd look. "That's not a good idea." He warned. "I'm not exactly well liked here and if you're seen having lunch with me, it won't look good for you."

She shrugged. "I don't care."

"You will." He muttered. "You'll be made fun of and ridiculed. I meant it when I said I wasn't liked."

She rolled her eyes. "As an old friend of mine said, 'I hate having to repeat myself'." She grabbed his wrist and led him towards the Cafeteria. "I want some company and you owe me so you're it! Congrats on winning that jackpot. Come on, I'm buying!"

Hi everyone! I finally updated... Yay! In my defense, it wasn't all my fault, I moved recently and we haven't had internet or phone service until this morning. It's been driving me crazy! But we finally got it so hopefully I'll be able to update again soon.

Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know what you thought. :D

~MidnightAnimeAngel