Hi Folks! I'm sorry this took soo long, hopefully some of you are still with me. It's really short but I'm working non-stop on the next chapter! I just wanted this up to let you all know I'm still here and writing. Thank you to all who fav/follow'd and of course to those who reviewed!

Guest-Thank you!

Ili-LOL I know! But, waiting makes it all the more better and builds the sexual tension!

KHautumn21597- Thank you, I'm soo glad. And I cant say anything yet... This chapter may tell you a bit about Suigetsu.

Soulhates-Yes, Itachi is my all time Fav Naruto Character, and he will have another appearance, or two. Lol

Kusuriurii-THANK YOU! I try! Lol, he will but Sasuke and Sakura are going to develop a better relationship before her father gets in the picture again.

pizzarolls-Sorry, it's late, but it's here!

Misskonoha-YAY for good transitions! I'm ecstatic! And I'm sooo soo glad you enjoyed the scene with Itatchi and the three dark-clothed men whom you guessed perfectly-Obito, Sasori, and Deidara(In case any of you were wondering) And that you enjoyed the feisty sasusaku-ness last chapter! You are simply amazing. LOVE your reviews and always look forward to them.

I'm really sorry again for the late post, life's been a bit hectic lately but I feel fired up to write so to hell with my time-consuming chores!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, just the plot.

On with the story... :)

Chapter Eight: Already Decided.

Drink up baby doll
Are you in or are you out?
Leave your things behind
'Cause it's all going off without you

-Frou Frou

Running a rigid hand through her long pink locks absentmindedly, Sakura rocked her right leg up and down in restless repetition against her seat, deciding then, that she had too much caffeine today. Her focused emerald irises fell on the next question.

Q: Which of these elements is a nonmetal?

-Sulfur

-Manganese

-Aluminum

-Beryllium

Sulfur, duh.

The rosette quickly circled the correct answer and moved on to the next question...

Professor Orochimaru had passed out a pre-quiz the last half hour of the period to give the students an idea of what the actual test would be about, which Sakura was grateful for but the blonde sitting before her, with his brows drawn down in frustration could beg to differ. She smirked.

Three more to go, Sakura inwardly chanted.

Q: All organic molecules contain:

-Carbon only

-Carbon and nitrogen

-Carbon and hydrogen

-Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

Mmm, Carbon and... -Hydrogen? She contemplated for a moment before she saw someone move from the corner of her eye. She turned to find Sasuke, making his way to the teacher with the quiz in hand. Orochimaru smiled delightfully at the young man and grasped the paper from his extended hand. The young Uchiha nodded at their Chem-professor before silently making his way out of the classroom.

He finished ...before me? Before everyone?

"Smart ass." She heard Naruto grumble under his breath.

Her brows drew together and she couldn't help but silently voice her inner thoughts, "What? ... But he never shows up?"

Naruto snickered and turned his face, making half visible to her, she was met with a serious blue eye and a raised blonde brow, "Doesn't change the fact that I copy his homework Sak... The bastard doesn't even break a sweat over this shit." He ran a frustrated hand through his blonde spikes and continued lowly, "Due to work, he usually cant make it to this period but always does the assignments and tests. Him and Orochimaru have an understanding... "

Her lips formed an 'Oh' at that. She didn't get much time to think on it, as she saw him shift to stand, walking over to the front to turn in his own paper. She quickly answered the last two questions and slid out of her desk as well. Gathering her things, she threw the strap of her bag over her shoulder and went to Orochimaru, handing him her paper before silently exiting the class. Noting the fact that Karin and the two other girls had already left without her notice... Probably right after Sasuke.

Upon stepping out, she saw that Naruto had waited for her. He pushed off the opposing wall and fell into step with her, throwing his arm around her shoulder casually in the process. She turned toward him and observed his face from her shorter height and found a small frown on his lips. Following his line of sight , she saw Suigetsu, ten-or so feet away, talking to a boy with white hair, jade eyes with odd red markings above his brows and under his eyes. Both men looked at them at that moment.

Suigetsu nodded in greeting, "Naruto," offering a small smile (Sakura didn't miss the fact that it was lacking sincerity) and then he turned to her,"Sakura," he grinned broadly.

She felt Naruto's grip around her shoulder tighten fractionally after the silver haired boy spoke her name. A little surprised at Suigetsu's warm greeting, in contrast to their past greetings, she uttered a shy, "Hi."

The blonde beside her remained silent, only nodding at the pale boy with the red markings. Completely disregarding Suigetsu, Naruto pulled her along the halls, turning a corner and eventually pushing open the double doors that led outside.

They were immediately under the hot rays of the sun and Sakura fought the unladylike groan threatening to escape her lips. Instead she settled with a tired sigh. Adjusting the bag that felt even heavier under the heat, she fixed her green gaze on the boy walking beside her.

"So, you and Suigetsu..."

The blonde exhaled loudly, before stuffing his hands into his pockets, he met her questioning expression,"I don't like him."

She snorted,"That much is obvious... But, why?"

He was silent before another sigh escaped him, "... He's an insecure, jealous prick." And when the rosette continued to look at him expectantly he elaborated tiredly,"Long story short Sak... He was in love with Karin," in which, after stating, he grimaced exaggeratedly, "but even after Sasuke's and her short relationship, she remained sprung and ...Suigetsu couldn't handle it."

She silently took it all in, her eyes hazing over as she watched her feet take lazy steps on the paved road. "Hmm, I see... So then, that's why you dislike him?"

He looked at her seriously then, "I dislike him because he's always felt threatened by Sasuke, his wealth, his looks, the attention he gets and of course, the 'Karin' factor... But Sasuke is a good friend and has overlooked a lot of what happened... but that doesn't mean I have to," he finished with a heated glare directed at some random, poor boy across the parking lot.

Sakura continued to study him, before a small smile broke out on her face. She reached with her left hand and gave his shoulder a light squeeze,"Your a pretty amazing friend yourself Naruto..." She thought she saw him blush in response,"Th-thanks Sak."

Music blasting form a nearby car got their attention and they looked over to find said car making it's way over to them. Sakura recognized the song playing immediately, it was Insomnia by Dj Tiesto(she often worked out under it) As Kiba, they identified, got closer Sakura she was secretly waiting for the speakers to explode. Coming to a stop in front of the two, he flashed his cheeky grin and turned down the music before stating enthusiastically,"Shikamaru, Neji and Sasuke already left to get shit ready, meet up at the dock in forty-five minutes." The blonde nodded in response and the shaggy brunette drove off, resuming the loud music. Sakura was about to ask Naruto what was going on but was silenced at the sight of Ino and Tenten also making their way over to them in Tenten's teal Lexus IS. Rolling down her window Tenten pushed down her sunglasses to the end of her nose, making her hazel eyes visible before she sang in a sultry tone,"Need a ride?"

Naruto moved to open the door to the backseat,"Did Neji give you my-"

"Yes we got your swim-trunks and Sakura's suit too," Ino winked from her spot in the passenger seat.

The rosette hopped in after Naruto, shutting the door after her, she started,"So ...a pool party? Why am I the last to know?" She muttered, crossing her arms over her chest and lips curved into a small frown.

"We're going boating Sakura, and I told you about it last night!" Ino threw her a half-glare from her seat.

"... Oh." The strawberry-blonde uttered sheepishly, Ino had probably told her somewhere in-between gushing about Shikamaru and so Sakura hadn't been entirely listening.

"Listen, you guys, I don't really want-"

"YOUR COMING!" Both blondes demanded loudly, already familiar with Sakura's escape/excuse methods.

"But-"

"WE DONT CARE!" Again they stated obnoxiously, in perfect unison.

Sakura simply watched them both in bewilderment.

... Who are they?

The rosette remained silent, not wanting to argue or convince them anymore. She sighed in defeat, staring out the window, she watched as they passed by all the tree's and buildings, until they eventually hit the hills. Tenten turned up some summer-jam and she and Ino started singing along. Naruto joined in loudly and completely out of tune, earning a small chuckle out of Sakura.

She silently pondered what the day would bring.

So, I felt it was good to end the chapter like this, especially with what I have planned for the next two. Be ready to see the Naruto gang in some fun scenes.

'White hair and red markings,' The boy accompanying Suigetsu in the halls was Kimimaro, he may or may not have another appearance ;)

'He was in love with Karin,' Aha! Naruto's displeasure at Suigetsu has been revealed! How is the picture coming along for you?

Any questions?

Thank you for your support friends.