Hello!!

Fifth chapter...so sorry for the wait.

School is starting so I'm probably going to update the latest once a month...I hope.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto...sadly.

Well, Enjoy!

The Mask To Play

Chapter five: Realizations and Breakdowns

Sasuke let out a long sigh, they had finally gotten rid of the as Shikamaru would say 'troublesome women' after a long while of 'modeling'.

Neji and Naruto stood by his sides while Shikamaru lagged at the back. Sasuke's brother and company had left after getting their blackmail pictures. It seemed they had completed their little 'mission'.. each picture with a fangirl dangling off the arm of one of the heartthrobs, much to their dismay as each heartthrobs face was distorted in anger, annoyance and disgust.

"Where are the girls?" Sasuke spoke standing in the very spot that the guys had left the girls. Apparently the girls hadn't had enough patience to tolerate the wait so as a result they had left.

"Probably at their dorms being troublesome women" Shikamaru answered, his head tilted to the direction of a hallway leading to Ino's dorm room. Being childhood friends with the latter, he had gotten to know the location of the dorm and had been forcibly told to memorize the number and hallway.

Sasuke gave another sigh and turned around to face Shikamaru, Neji and Naruto.

"Alright does anyone else know the location of one of the girl's dorm?"

"Hn, I know Tenten's and Hinata's. They share one." Neji spoke in monotone.

"I only know Hina-chan's." Naruto said, clearly ignoring Neji's comment

"Whatever, we'll discuss the appearance of a new member tomorrow then. Got that? Oh and Neji text Tenten and Hinata that. Shikamaru text Ino."

Neji and Shikamaru nodded their heads and disappeared down the hallway to their dorms leaving Naruto with Sasuke.

"Do you understand dobe?"

"Uh, yeah I guess. But I have a question teme. Why her?"

"Like I said, we'll discuss this tomorrow."

"Fine then teme. But you better answer my question." Naruto said, wagging his finger in front of Sasuke's face.

Sasuke smirked and headed off to his dorm, instead of heading home as he usually did.

"Or else something will happen teme!" Naruto shouted after him

Sasuke chuckled at the threat.

---

Ino had never seen anything like that before. There on the wall written in a red substance to what looked like blood said

'Anyone found within in a five meter distance of one of the heartthrobs will be tracked down and will be forced to accept the punishment, regardless of who it is with the acception of the president of the said heartthrobs fanclubs.'

It was odd really. Ino had previously tracked down her anonymous cupcake bringer and it had turned out to be a fangirl president, rather a fangirl of lower rank.

But it came with a problem, seeing as the 'heartthrobs' were in her gang, she was obligated to participate in meetings and 'talks'.

'Well, a new problem has just made an appearance' Ino thought

---

Hinata stared, shocked, unable to speak, frozen.

There, stood Inuzuka Kiba making out with Hiroshin Ami the current president of Uchiha's Sasuke's fanclub.

Tenten couldn't believe her eyes, surely they were lying to her, deceiving her in the worst possible outcome. Really, how could the Inuzuka Kiba aka dog-lover boy be neck and neck with a fangirl who worshipped Uchiha Sasuke?

The gossip would be spread immediately, the Uchiha Sasuke fanclub overthrowing Hiroshin, therefore as a rule; kicking her out of the fanclub for being with someone else than Uchiha Sasuke. Ah, if only the Yamanaka Ino was here aka gossip-girl/ Miss. Gossip.

Tenten carefully got up from the floor, her body movements slow and sleek, as to not draw noise to the pair making out. She wound her arm around the arm of the stiff, younger Hyuuga, who flinched back. Tenten started to steer the Hyuuga away from the pair, who currently had their tongues down each other's throats. Hinata shut her eyes, trying desperately to block the mental image away from her pure, innocent mind.

They had finaly made it out of the hallway, completely in shock.

"Hina? Are you okay?" Tenten asked, poking the female Hyuuga, to try to get her out of the tremendous shock she was in. Hinata didn't answer, she stood rooted to her spot.

"Hina-chan? Why don't I go over to them and beat them to a pulp for tainting your innocent mind?" Tenten said happily as she began walking back to the direction they had come from.

The young Hyuuga's pale hand wrapped around Tenten's wrist, causing her to turn back.

"I-it's a-alright T-Tenten-chan. I-I'm f-fine."

"Are you sure? I wouldn't mind exercising a bit before starting on homework." Tenten added casually.

"Y-yeah, l-let's g-go."

"Fine."

And together they walked to their dorm room, Hinata slightly dazed from what she had previously experienced.

'Well, it's going to take a while for Hinata to erase that image from her brain. Neji is so going to kill me.' Tenten thought, still leading Hinata down the hallway. She was still in shock, and slightly stiff.

---

Tenten sat on her bed across from the still Hyuuga. Hinata lay across the bed, in a peaceful slumber. Tenten watched, wondering if she should call the older Hyuuga to inform him of what had happened or to let in Neji's words 'destiny lead us to the future'.

Her question was answered as her cell phone buzzed. She opened it and read the text.

Tenten, you and Hinata are to meet us in the morning before school at the usual place, to discuss…things.

-Neji

Tenten quickly replied and adjusted her focus back to the bright white screen and read over it.

Tenten sighed, and fell down onto the bed in exhaustion. She quickly succumbed to a light slumber.

---

Sakura opened the door to her new dorm and was surprised to see that already half of the dorm was covered in purple and pink. Perfect flourishes decorated the walls and posters were hung against the bed. A plain white picture frame was on the desk.

Sakura walked over and bent down. There were seven laughing faces, their arms around each other, the girls in the middle grinning, the guys behind them smirking.

Ino was in the middles, her arms around Hinata's and Tenten's shoulders, Tenten with her hand out with the peace sign, her tongue sticking out of the side of her mouth. Hinata laughing surrounding her arms around Ino, Naruto stood behind Hinata, his arm around the shoulders of Sasuke. Sasuke smirked, his arm around Neji's shoulders with Shikamaru's arm leaning against Neji, grinning.

Sakura picked the frame up and studied it. It looked vaguely familiar. She had just met these people in the hallway…where she had almost gotten caught delivering information to Hiroshin.

" It's a nice picture, isn't it?" a voice said from behind her. The voice was vaguely cheery…too cheery and happy.

Sakura turned around, shocked. She had not heard any footsteps or the door opening as she had shut it the moment she had gotten in. The footsteps drew nearer and stopped in front of her. Sakura looked at the face. Ino stood there, a small smile plastered on her face.

"Yes, yes it is. Everyone seems very…happy." Sakura murmured.

"Everyone was happy that day. It was the first week of freshman year and we had all been friends since around middle school really." Ino responded.

"How nice."

"Well, I guess we are to be roommates?"

"It seems so."

"Well, that will be your side of the room and this will be mine." Ino said as she gestured at one half of the room and then the other. Sakura nodded, she put the frame gently back down onto the desk and walked to the other bed, she sat down, leaving her messenger bag leaning against the bed.

Sakura lay down, staring up at the white ceiling, completely lost in her thoughts, until a voice penetrated the still silence.

"So…what school did you go to before coming here?" Ino asked sitting up at her bed and staring at her awaiting a response.

Sakura hesitated before answering, carefully thinking over her words. "Just a school." she said lazily.

"Care to put some detail into that?"

"No." Sakura answered bluntly.

"Fine, then why did you come here? Why didn't you stay at your old school?"

"Because…I heard it's a great prestigious school. High quality and stuff. And second, who wouldn't want to come to a good schoo like this?" Sakura answered, slightly narrowing her eyes at the last question and gestured to the dorm.

"Oh." Ino said, noting her narrowed emerald orbs.

Sakura sat up and opened up her messenger bag, starting on her homework. English.

She ignored the sneaky eyes of Ino, which watched her movement.

---

The next day

Sakura woke up to the blairing sound of the alarm clock at her roommate's bedside. The solid green numbers shown brightly against the black background. Sakura shut her eyes, it was too early to wake up now. It was 6:15. School started in an hour and fifteen minutes. She glanced to the other side of the room. Ino was already awake and dressed, looking over her homework then glancing at her wristwatch.

Ino looked up and noticed the now alert Haruno staring at her from her bed.

"Sorry if I woke you. I'm gonna go now. See you later." Ino whispered and gathered her things in her hands and walked out the door, shutting it silently behind her.

Sakura stared at the closed door, then lying back down onto the bed, choosing to get dressed at 6:30 rather than now. She shut her eyes tightly; wishing all the memories from her old school would just vanish, Ino's words had triggered something. All she had done, all the heartbreaks she made happen. All the friendships broken. It was all just so much, now that she looked back, she couldn't believe she did all that. Caused it all to happen to everyone around her, just so she wouldn't feel alone anymore. Unwanted.

Sakura clutched her head, her body slightly shaking, a slight sob came out. Sakura screamed, her scream muffled into her pillow as she lay down again. Her sobs coming out uncontrollable, tears flowing down from her slightly red emerald eyes.

The clock ticked, her sobs grew smaller and slower. She started calming down, now laying her back against the bed, staring at the ceiling. She got up and washed her face, her eyes were still red from her breakdown. Sakura got out of the shower now clad in a towel, she went over to her dresser and pulled on a pair of dark grey skinny jeans and a light grey tight T-shirt coming down to her mid thighs and put them on. The color matched her mood today; she picked up her messenger bag and balanced in onto her shoulder. Her dorm room key in hand and walked out the door, locking it behind her.

Sakura wove through the small crowd and towards her locker.

---

Ino walked down the now familiar hallway to a deserted classroom, where no one was ever allowed in. The staff had banned and restricted this section off limits to students, not even the faculty went there. Ino had previously received a text from the lazy-ass concerning something that the group had to discuss that morning; she had adjusted her alarm clock early to get there. Ino put her head against the doorknob and opened it. Sasuke stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed against his chest. He was clothed in a black sweater and denim jeans. Shikamaru sat in a desk, dozing off, his brown sweater rising up his back, black jeans clad his legs. Neji sat on top of a desk, leaning against the wall, his eyes blank as they turned to the door. Neji was dressed in a white black sweatshirt and a pair of blue denim jeans.

Naruto, Hinata and Tenten were still missing from the group, Ino sighed and sat on a desk awaiting the three.

---

Tenten groggily got up from her bed and got dressed. She put on a dark green sweatshirt and a pair of black capris. She looked over to the other bed and noticed that Hinata had already awoken. She was dressed in a light blue blouse, and dark blue denim jeans, white ballet flats adorned her feet.

Hinata looked up, her face solemn. Tenten gave a quick grin and snatched up her bag from the floor.

"C'mon Hina, we gotta go meet with the others."

"N-nani? W-why?" Hinata asked walking out of the room with Tenten at her side.

"Oh, well while you were asleep last night, Neji texted me and told us we had to meet with them to discuss stuff." Tenten replied hurriedly and began dragging the Hyuuga down a deserted hallway.

They stopped at a classroom and opened the door.

Everyone turned to look at them. Tenten gave an awkward smile. Hinata just stood stiffly beside Tenten and looked around at them.

"Sorry we're late." Tenten said sheepishly.

Sasuke sighed and looked at them "Whatever, we're still waiting for the dobe so you're off the hook."

Tenten grinned and pulled Hinata off to the side, Neji's eyes followed her movement, Tenten looked up from the young Hyuuga's face 'I'll tell you later' she mouthed to him. He nodded but his eyes never strayed from her as she stared back down at Hinata.

"Are you okay Hina? You seem a bit distant."

"Y-yeah I'm f-fine."

"Is it something to do with the incident yesterday? I can go beat them up for you?" Tenten added, a grin etching its way across her face.

Hinata shook her head, "Are y-you g-going t-to t-tell N-Neji-nii-san?"

"Meh, I'll avoid it if you want me to." Tenten replied

"Y-yes p-please."

"'Kay."

Hinata waited next to Tenten. Her eyes seemingly to flicker between her and her cousin who still had his eyes trained on them. Hinata slightly nudged Tenten, when Tenten turned her head to Hinata, her eyes questioning; Hinata seemed to tense under her gaze.

Hinata took a deep breathe and whispered "N-Neji-nii-san i-is w-watching u-us."

Tenten moved her chocolate orbs over to Neji and caught his gaze, she tilted her head slightly questioning him. He gave a shrug of his shoulders and continued to stare at them. Tenten raised her eyebrow at him, he gave a smirk in return, she frowned at him and turned back to Hinata.

"Is he bothering you Hina" Tenten asked.

"K-kind o-of." Hinata responded, her voice shy.

"I can do something about that if you wish Hina-chan." Tenten said grinning

"W-what a-are y-you g-going t-to d-do?" Hinata asked, her head tilting to the side cutely.

"Something very funny… do you want me to?"

"N-no T-Tenten-chan i-it's o-okay." Hinata answered, her voice slightly troubled. Tenten pouted and turned her attention back to the door awaiting the blond idiot to come.

Neji turned his gaze back to Tenten, she turned her head slightly to the side and caught his gaze, she grinned at him. He smirked at her, and then she fully turned around and gave him a questioning gaze that clearly indicated 'why are you staring at me'. He ignored her and kept staring at her. She pouted at him and turned back toward the door, he gave a slight smirk but dropped his gaze. Tenten ignored him while everyone else was waiting for the blond to arrive; the clock was starting to tick dangerously to the bell indicating class was starting.

Sasuke gave a frustrated sigh, and then snapped his eyes opened.

"Oi. Class is going to start soon and because the dobe hasn't arrived yet everyone just head to class now. We'll do the meeting some other time." Sasuke growled out, his eyes narrowed. Everyone rolled their eyes and filed out of the classroom one by one, hesitating between each person as to not draw attention to where they were.

Hinata and Tenten made steady pace to head to homeroom early, Ino had left them to wait for Shikamaru to wake up and went on ahead. They made silent conversation until Tenten suddenly jerked back. The former turned around and was met with a pair of lavender tinted eyes. She gave a slight grin at him. Hinata stood by her side, shaking slightly, Tenten turned toward her questioning. She followed the younger Hyuuga's gaze to see the Inuzuka boy talking with a slightly taller boy with shades and a chin high drench coat. Tenten narrowed her eyes, and quickly grasped the Hyuuga's arm hauling her to homeroom. Neji trailed after them, his hand still wrapped around Tenten's wrist.

He turned to glance back at the Inuzuka boy still talking and then back at his cousin who was now shaking slightly.

They quickly got to homeroom and sat at the back three seats. Neji loosened his grip on Tenten's wrist while she calmed Hinata down who sat frozen in her seat like she had just experienced a murder. Tenten gave a sigh and leaned back in her seat, raising her arm to cover her eyes, which were weary. Neji slacked his grip on her wrist and let it drop, Tenten moved her chocolate brown orbs to the side where Neji was seated, and he looked at her with a blank stare.

She layed her hand down at her side and turned to look at Hinata, Hinata sat facedown on her desk, her arms covering her head, breathing softly.

Neji poked her in the shoulder, Tenten turned back to him.

"Yea?" she asked, eyes slightly droopy, she lifted her hand to cover an upcoming yawn.

"What happened?" Neji asked, dropping his hand from her shoulder.

"Um…nothing?"Tenten answered, now avoiding his gaze.

"You're lying." Neji said bluntly.

"So? What are you going to do about it?" Tenten retorted, crossing her arms over her chest.

"What do you think?" Neji whispered into her ear, his voice husky.

Tenten put her hand up to his head and pushed it away from her ear, clearly used to the treatment. She sighed at him. Then mumbled something to him, he leaned his head closer to her and rested his check against hers.

"I can't hear what you're saying" Neji whispered to her. She blew lightly into his face as a response and repeated herself.

"Hinata and I saw Kiba making out with the fangirl president of Sasuke's fanclub yesterday after school. It was really awkward."

Neji gave a hiss and mumbled incoherent words at her.

"Sorry!" Tenten mumbled, "I think she's in shock or something. She's afraid to go near him now." She added.

"Neji shook his head at her, " It's fine Tenten, I'll deal with it." He said to her.

"B-but that's not fair! How come I can't deal with it?"

"Because I said so." Neji responded to her, a smirk coming across his face.

She glared at him and turned away. He chuckled at her, and she in turn pouted at him, refusing to look at him. Tenten had wanted to go and give punishment to those who done her bestfriend wrong, those who upset her, and especially those who tainted Hinata's pure mind. Her back straightened, an absolute sign she was angry, angry with him and his decision. He wouldn't let her get hurt, ever.

Neji snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her against him, she let out a small gasp and sat still.

Neji tightened his hold on her and nuzzled his face into her neck, she elbowed him, but he never loosened his grip.

"Neji. Let. Go." Tenten said, her voice icy.

"No" he answered her.

Tenten continued on struggling with him, she jammed her elbow again into his ribs, he flinched but he still held onto her. Tenten let out a frustrated hiss.

"Why are you being so stubborn? I'm not mad at you." Tenten let out.

"Don't lie to me" Neji answered her, his voice stern.

Tenten didn't answer him, but she sat still.

'He will eventually let go of me right? I mean class is starting soon.' Tenten thought, her inner thoughts were interrupted when Neji's sultry voice broke through.

"I don't care if class is starting soon, I'm not letting you go, not unless you tell me why you're mad at me."

" Go away Neji, I'm not angry." Tenten whined out, trying desperately to free herself from the Hyuuga's stone hold on her waist.

Neji didn't respond but he lifted his head up to glance at the clock.

"Time is ticking Tenten. If you don't want to be caught, you better make the right decision." Neji taunted her.

"But I'm really not mad at you." Tenten tried again.

"Hn"

"Don't 'hn' me., it was a joke okay?"

"A joke?" Neji asked, "It's not funny then Ten." Neji had used her old nickname, sure it was practically her real name, but she liked how he said it. He only said it when trying to enlighten the atmosphere between them…eventually it always worked.

Tenten went slack in his arms and she placed her head into the crease between his shoulder and neck. She blew lightly into his neck, he gave a small moan, she giggled at his reaction.

"Fine I forgive you okay?" Tenten responded and placed a chaste kiss onto his cheek.

Neji didn't answer. Tenten misjudged his silence for being one of anger.

"Neji?" she poked him in the cheek. He didn't respond, but Tenten kept trying.

"Neji?...Neji?..." Tenten gave a light shove.

"Hn"

"You're not going to properly answer me? Why are you so mean to meee?" Tenten pouted at him, her eyes beginning to tear up.

Neji's eyes softened at the sight of her, but ignored her constant ramblings nonetheless.

"Nejiiiiiiiii! Listen to meeeeeeeeeeee!" Tenten screeched into his ear.

"Gah!" Neji said, covering his now deaf ear.

"What do you want Tenten?" Neji hissed out

"Hi!" Tenten replied, grinning at him.

"Is that all you wanted?" Neji asked annoyed

"No"

"What else then?"

"This" Tenten said and gave him a peck, her lips lingering on his. She caught him by surprise, his eyes were shocked when she pulled away. She gave him a quick pat on the head and pulled his arm away from her waist and slid back onto her seat. She started to animatedly chat with the younger Hyuuga who was now unfrozen and alive.

Neji would get his revenge and very soon and you can count on that.

At that moment the rest of the gang walked in. Ino dragging a dozing Shikamaru by the ear, who grumbled something along the lines of 'troublesome women and what a drag', Sasuke came in with Naruto in a headlock, the latter yelling profanities at the former. Sasuke just smirked at Naruto and continued dragging him to the desks in front of Tenten. Sakura walked in, unsure of where to sit and sat at the front of the room.

Sasuke turned to look at her, a questioning gaze. Ino stared at her form, tilting her head to the side.

"What's up troublesome woman?" Shikamaru asked Ino from his seat beside her. He lifted his head up to look at her.

"Mmm, nothing I guess." Ino replied, too distracted to notice that he had called her a 'troublesome woman'.

Shikamaru let the matter drop but watched her inconspicuously.

'Something happened when I left her this morning' Ino thought still watching the pinkette crouch down to her messenger bag to retrieve her books for the class, her eyes still red.

---

Okie Dokie.

So that is the end of Chapter Five, review and tell me what ya think.

I also have a favor to ask of you guys. Do you like really sweet gestures between couples or really fluffy, romantic scenes?

Tell me what you think and give an example please.

Take care,