I returned to school in the New Year with Kiba wrapped around me like nothing had happened over the past few month. Some of the students eyed the two of us and began whispering amongst themselves, I was sure rumours were going to start about me. Hinata was the first friend that I saw that year, she happened to be holding onto Naruto's hand. I smiled at her, she just blushed and looked away suddenly unsure as to what she was doing.

"Good morning Hinata."

"Hi Irie," she glanced up nervously "Um, how are you?"

"Besides missing about a month worth of memories I'm back to my old self."

"That's good. What part are you missing?"

"I remember Kiba going to dinner with my father, then the next thing I know I'm in the hospital."

"Welcome back Irie," Sasuke walked into school "You ready for drama this week?"

"Of course," I smiled "The opening night for our play is coming up."

"Oh, this is a new student – Jake."

Jake held out his hand "It's a pleasure to see you again."

"Have we met before?" I tilted my head curiously.

"You actually met during the time that you've lost your memory," Kiba interjected "It's quite a shame, I'm sure you two would have lots to talk about."

"Oh that is a shame," I smiled at Jake "I hope we can still be friends."

I made my way down to the auditorium that Saturday with a muffin in my hands. I was thrilled to be going back to one of my favourite classes but the play really made me nervous, especially after what had happened. The girls in the class glared at me – nothing new there, but the guys were whispering to each other which was a whole new thing.

"Quiet down class," Mimi walked in shortly after I had "It's great to have you back Irie, I do hope that you've been able to memorize your lines."

"As much as I could during my time off."

"Good because the principal has changed the date of the play to the end of the month."

"WHAT?!" the class exclaimed.

"We're no where close enough to being prepared," Sasuke commented glancing at me "Don't we have a say on the opening night?"

"Unfortunately not," Mimi sighed "Luckily the costumes are done and I have a few friends who have generously taken time off to create the set for us."

"What are we waiting for?" I took the last bite of muffin "Let's get to work on our lines; we don't want to disappoint the school."

"That's the spirit."

Mimi gained a little spring in her step as the modern version of Cinderella was practiced all day long. I knew my lines well; it was when it came to having to kiss Sasuke did I fumble, he forgave me easily but Mimi insisted that the two of us practice those parts more often.

"Next week we'll practice once more, only this time we'll be in costume and hopefully have the stage set up with our back drops," Mimi announced "You've all done magnificently, I'm proud of you all."

"Hey Irie," Sasuke caught up to me after I had raced out of class "What is wrong with you today?"

"Nothing," I shrugged "Why?"

"You were messing up our scenes on purpose."

"No I wasn't."

"Yes you were. Why?"

"Because of recent event, I don't feel confident in myself."

"Talk to Kiba," he commanded "This can't go on forever."

"I'll be perfect on opening night, promise."

I could tell by the look that he gave me he didn't quite believe my words. But, knowing me well enough he dropped the conversation and continued on his way. I went to find Kiba, I had promised him that I'd go mini putting with him right after drama class.

"There you are," I found him outside playing around with Akamaru "You could have told me to look outside first."

"Sorry," he kissed me "Akamaru was getting restless."

"He's cute enough to forgive," I bent down to pet his dog.

"So how was drama?"

"It was perfect, until my kiss scenes with Sasuke. I just couldn't do them."

"It's just for the play, you'll be fine."

"You sure?"

He picked me up from the ground "I'm absolutely sure."

I smiled brightly "You better be there on opening night."

"Front row, dead center, I'm all over it."

"I believe I won the game of mini putt last time, care to try to regain your dignity back?"

Kiba laughed "I let you win that time; it won't be so easy this time around."

"Big words but can you really back it up?"