Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Kita: Today I have dragged Neji up here!

Neji: …

Kita: ….

Neji: What?

Kita: Really don't waste your breathe on us lower beings.

Neji: Fine.

Kita: Rolls eyes and smacks him Ever get the concept of irony?!

Neji:…

Anyhow, enjoy the story! And review, dammit! Push the button, type some words, send and presto! You have reviewed!

"Hinata?"

Hinata turned around slowly, waiting for Tenten to catch up with her. The brunette had just come back from track practice (even though it's fall there and track is in spring.). Her hair was falling into her face randomly and she was still clad in her blue and white uniform. A green sports bag was slung over her shoulder, hitting her in the thigh as she raced to her friend.

"Hey, girl!" she beamed, smiling brightly.

"Hey, Tenten," Hinata said, also smiling but smaller.

They started towards the dorm rooms in companionable silence. Tenten could sense the inner turmoil Hinata was facing, and frowned. She paused in her steps and Hinata almost walked away, not noticing her until she grabbed her arm.

"Earth to Hinata," Tenten teased, though she really meant it. "Is something wrong? Cause you look like you have something important on your mind."

"Oh, umm, just some things," Hinata replied, not wanting to bother her friend.

Tenten crossed her arms. "That is complete and utter bull, Hinata. Don't pull that crap over my head." Her hard gaze softened a bit. "Here, why don't we go to your dorm and talk about it there. "Fair enough?"

"Fair enough."

Hinata extracted her key from her blazer pocket and inserted it into the lock. Letting Tenten pass, she relocked it nervously, not wanting anyone else to hear what she had to say. It was bad enough she had to spill as it was.

Tenten had made herself comfy at the foot of the bed, lying on her stomach. She scooted over for Hinata, who sat pretzel style next to her. She thought over what to say, striving for the right words.

"You know that I am getting married to Sasuke right?"

"Of course. I think everyone within a five mile radius does."

Hinata flinched. "Well you see, umm, I, umm…" She couldn't say it! It was too hard.

"You like someone else don't you? Perhaps that red haired boy?" Tenten asked, wisely.

"How did you know?"

"Please, Hinata, it was obvious." Tenten looked at the depressed look her friend had on her face and realized why she was admitting it. "Oh, God I am so sorry, Nata, I didn't even think that you wouldn't be together." The brunette reached over and squashed her friend into a bone-crunching hug.

"It's alright," Hinata told her, praying she would let go so that she could breathe.

Tenten released her, and faced her worriedly. "Does that kid have to do with why you weren't here?" she asked slyly.

Hinata turned red and fidgeted under the older girl's gaze. "Well you see, Gaara kinda…kidnapped me?" she finished uncertainly.

Tenten's brown eyes bored into her white/lavender ones. "Tell me if he hurt you and I will kick his ass from here all the way to Finland and back," she whispered. Hinata gulped; a threat from Tenten was not something to fool around with. The last kid that didn't take her seriously ended up in the emergency room with several of his teeth gone.

"NO!" Hinata yelled, trying to get the point across. "He umm…confessed that he loved me and he kissed me."

"What?! Why do you never tell us the good parts? So what did you do?"

"I told him I was going to marry Sasuke and then I ran away," she confessed, feeling the shame and hurt all over again.

In a softer tone, Tenten said, "Nata, if you love him, and he loves you, why would you marry someone you don't love?"

Hinata's lip trembled she managed to say clearly, "I will do as my father says, and marry Sasuke. I can't leave them."

Tenten sighed and racked her fingers through her hair. "Sometimes I wish you weren't so god damn nice."

Sasuke clenched his fingers, feeling the skin break and his blood seep out. He was in front of Hinata's door and had heard her confession to Tenten. His anger was beyond control; he needed to get out of there before he beat someone up.

Heading towards the gym, Sasuke tried hard not to think of what she had said. How could she-his future wife and lover-love another? He did not love anyone else so he felt she should do the same. It pissed him off to no end that another guy got the attention that he could not, even if he got her body.

Sasuke yanked the doors open and went straight to a red punching bag. The color fit his mood-mad- and his enemy in love-Gaara. He nailed it over and over again, till his couch calmly told him that the gym was being closed. His fists were bruised, but all and all his mood was more agitated than anything.

Sasuke was going to have to shape up to win Hinata. And he always won. Would he win her?

Gaara ran hot water on his hands, washing the crusted blood down the drain. His practice had been vigorous, since he needed an outlet for all of his emotions. Squirting lemon scented soup onto his hand; he rubbed in circles, making sure to get every drop. Temari didn't appreciate the sight of blood.

Kiba's news of Hinata's departure hadn't surprised him, but it still hurt. It was like he was losing her all over again. The first time had been bad enough. When Kiba had told him, he nearly broke his knuckles taking out his pain. The emotional pain was harder to deal with.

Sick of being inside, Gaara slipped out of the house like the shadow he had become, and perched on a low branch of a tree in his back yard. The night was relaxing him; soothing his ache.

Love can be a dangerous thing. Too bad I learned that the hard way.