Walking out of the principals office I grinned when I caught up with the others and said, "Well I'm hungry."

Iruka asked, "What did you do?"

I blinked innocently, "Do? I didn't do anything."

I froze when I saw Itachi in front of the school, leaning against his black car. I laughed nervously and his eyes glinted red. I flinched slightly, "Oh dear he's mad."

He asked coolly, straightening, "Would you all mind taking a cab? I have business to discuss with Ariana."

I looked at the others pleadingly but they could only shrug. Itachi held open the passenger door and I slid in, looking anywhere but Itachi. He closed the door, softly which told me he was really mad.

Fiddling with my arm cast I hid a smile when Sasuke said to his brother, "Be nice, she worked hard today."

Itachi said nothing and got in. I glanced over at him and grimaced when I saw his jaw clenched and his knuckles white on the steering wheel. I scratched my cheek and noticed we weren't going home. Looking around I realized I didn't recognize the area. I asked cautiously, "Um, where are we going?"

He didn't say anything and I asked, joking, "Should I jump out or something? Your not going to make me sleep with the fishes are you?"

I squeaked as he suddenly pulled up next to a park and shoved the car into park. He glared out the window and I shifted nervously. I nearly jumped out of my skin when he growled, "Ariana."

I squeaked out, "Yes sir!"

He blinked and looked at me in surprise and the fact that I looked about to bolt. I gripped the door handle and stared back, wide eyed like a deer caught in headlights. He frowned slightly, but softened his features, "I'm not mad."

I showed my disbelief and he sighed heavily, "Ok I'm a bit irritated. You did lead us on a wild goose chase and had us chasing Naruko all over the building. I got nothing done today."

I slowly let go of the handle and said, "I think you work toomuch anyway. And you defiantly need the exercise from sitting behind a desk all the time."

He glared and said with a huff, "I'm not fat."

My lips twitch, "I didn't say that, you did."

His eyes narrowed and I bit my lip to keep back a giggle. It finally escaped and he slackened and smiled slightly, "Fine you got me. But why did you do this?"

I sobered and said, "Well, I was bored."

He began to glare and I quickly said, "But that's not the only reason."

He stopped glaring, waiting for an acceptable answer. I took a deep breath and said, "Well, Iruka looked a bit stressed, and the boys told me their class was in chaos. Not to mention the calls to the office were getting ridiculous."

I then smirked, "I did have fun though. Terrorizing students and teachers. Getting bastards fired."

His eyebrow raised curiously and I explained about that dumb bastard looking for Iruka and abusing the students. Itachi's eyes glinted and I knew what I hadn't bruised he'd crush on that guys career.

I chuckled and he grinned slightly. Putting the car back in drive he pulled out and said, "When we get to the apartments, get changed."

I blinked and frowned slightly, confused, "Why?"

Itachi smirked at me, "I do owe you dinner."

It took me a second to register what he said, blinking dumbly. Then I asked bluntly, "You want to take me out to dinner looking like I got hit by a car?"

He grinned at me, keeping one eye on the road, "You did get hit by a car. And yes I do."

I slowly grinned and asked, "Can we go to a sea food resturant?"

He nodded and I cheered, throwing up my good arm in cheer, "Yay!"

He grinned and pulled up infront of the apartments. I got out and he kept pace with me as I hobbled up the stairs and to my apartment, "Give me ten minutes."

He nodded and entered my apartment with me and I yelped as Naruko grabbed me in a gentle hug and laughed, "We should totally do that again!"

I laughed and then we both froze as Itachi coughed pointingly. We slowly turned to look at him and said as innocently as possible, "We mean we're so sorry and it'll never happen again."

He snorted and I said to Naruko as she let me go, "We're going out to dinner. Mind helping the boys with homework?"

Iruka said from the kitchen, "I can do that."

Naruko winked at me heading for the door, "I have a design I'm working on. Talk to you tomorrow."

I nodded and didn't see Naruto or Sasuke and Kakashi said, "The boys are at Sasuke's, doing homework until dinner. And since your not going to be here."

He grinned whickidly, "We're having enchillada's."

I gave a gross face and said as I headed for my room, "You guys have fun with that."

I glanced back to see Itachi's grin, knowing full well I didn't like mexican food. Kakashi laughed and I shook my head at him and closed my door. Changing quickly out of my chalk covered t-shirt into a green shirt that was tied at the top with a string and had no sleeves. Then I carefully sat on my bed and pulled on a loose pair of pants that was a darker green and had white flowers going up the left leg.

Brushing out my hair and leaving it down I went out and rolled my eyes at the scene. Itachi was twitching next to the door, Kakashi was telling some rediculace story of me in my college days and Iruka was trying to shut him up, but to no avail.

Seeing Itachi about to his breaking point and before he tried to break Kakashi I smirked. Taking a breath I suddenly squealed, "GAI!"

Kakashi jumped as if electricuted and spun, looking around wildly, "Where?"

Iruka snorted, shaking in silent laughter. I grinned triumphetly as Kakashi saw that Gai wasn't here and glared at me, "Ariana!"

I teased as I hobbled over to Itachi, "Why so jumpy Kashi? Afraid Gai will pop up and challenge you to a match? Maybe I should give him a call."

Kakashi narowed his eye and I grinned at him. He finally sighed and said, "Fine i'll leave Itachi alone."

Iruka and I exchanged a grin. We both knew Kakashi's good friend was Gai, even though he drove Kakashi insane with his challenges.

I smiled at Itachi, giving him a look that I would explain later. He said, "Ready?"

I nodded and waved bye as I followed him out and to his car. Itachi said, amused, "Who is this Gai character?"

He opened the door for me and I slid in carefully, "He's an old friend from college."

I waited until he came around and got in before I continued, "He's tall, loves green, has a bowl hair cut and is a master at martial arts."

Itachi glanced at me, confused at that last part. I grinned widely, "Kakashi and him are masters of martial arts. Gai has more muscle. Kakashi has more brains."

I shrugged when he looked at me completely, "They've been friends since before Fumiko and I got to college. Gai always challenges Kakashi, annoys him to no end."

Getting a thoughtful look on my face I said, "Last I heard from him he was off to study at a dojo. I wonder what he's up to."

Glancing over I blinked at the scowl on Itachi's face. Cocking my head to the side, curious I said, "Fumiko and Gai were going out when I last saw them, maybe Fumiko knows."

That almost instantly stopped the scowl and I thought in surprise, "Could he be? Nah! He couldn't be jealous."

Mentally shaking my head I smiled when Itachi pulled up at a resturant called King Claw. He came around like a gentleman and opened the door. I grinned, hopping out, "Thanks. So what's going on at work?"

We talked buisness as we walked in and was seated. We chose a booth so that we could sit next to each other and be able to look around. A male waiter brought us a menu, winked at me and left. I didn't think anything of it but Itachi glared at the mans back. I asked, "So how did you figure out Naruko knew where I was?"

He blinked at me, taking a second to get his thoughts together and said, "She was giggling into her design book."

I chuckled and he slowly softened until the waiter returned. He came up and took our orders and drink requests. He leaned next to me and smiled as he grabbed my menu, "I'll be sure to bring you your drinks right away."

I leaned away, and he straightened and left. Shaking my head I said to Itachi, "So.."

I stopped when I saw the red in his eyes and asked worriedly, "You ok?"

He blinked and the red dissapeared, "Fine."

Cocking my head to the side, showing I didn't believe him I didn't get to say anything because the waiter returned. For some reason he was next to me the whole time. I was getting a bit irritated, mostly because it seemed to bother Itachi more.

The waiter didn't seem to notice any of this as he set an extra glass next to mine, winking, "And our special wine, for you."

I wrinkled my nose and held it back out to him, "No thanks."

He looked surprised and he took it back. Then he smiled and said, "For one so beautiful, your wish is my command."

He took my hand and raised it to kiss. Before I could recoil or even hit him a strong arm wrapped around my shoulders and pulled me back into a firm chest, "Excuse me, but she's with me. So go do your job before I call security."

I looked back at Itachi in surprise and his glare had that guy squeaking apology and bolting. I sighed in relief, "Nice save Itachi. I'd hate for us to get kicked out for hitting that moron."

He slowly let me go and I smiled reassuringly, "Nice glare. You've been practicing."

He snorted and I crossed my eyes at him. He flicked my nose and I squeaked, "Hey! Meathead!"

He smirked and tugged on a bit of my hair, "Hmmm, Baka."

I stuck my tongue out and then tugged on his ponytail. He glared and I glared back. Then I couldn't hold it in any more. A giggle escaped me and I saw him screw up his face. This made me laugh and he couldn't help but laugh with me. I winced at my sore ribs but couldn't stop laughing.

When we finally did, I rubbed them absently, "Oh man! How long has it been since we've lauged like that?"

He shook his head in amazement, "Too long."

I nodded in agreement and looked as a different waiter brought us our food. The waiter was female this time and she seemed completely professional as she asked if we needed anything else and then left. Grinning eagerly I took a bite of the clam chowder and groaned, "This is so good!"

Itachi chuckled and I sighed in bliss, "It's has been too long. What did you get?"

I looked at his dish, it was of creamy noodles and shrimp. He held up a rolled ball of noodles, "Seafood alfredo. Want to try?"

I nodded, barely hiding my blush and opened my mouth wide. He fed me the bite and I chewed it thoughtfully. Swallowing I said, "Not bad, but not as good as clam chowder."

He snorted, rolling his eyes and I copied him. He glared, which made me laugh. He finally grinned and asked me about my college life. I told him some of the insane stuff I did and it ended when Itachi paid the bill and we headed home.

I sighed happily, "That was great Itachi, thank you."

He nodded, "Your welcome. A bet is a bet."

Feeling a twinge I realized that this was not a date, it was a bet. I nodded, hiding my hurt feelings behind a mask of steel, "Yep. Next time I'll bet a trip to disney land."

He grunted, showing his disbelief and I forced a grin. When we got back he walked me to my apartment and I said, "Call if you have any problems at work, but i'm going to help Iruka with his class this week."

He nodded and said almost smugly, "I'll win the next dinner bet."

I forced a smile and quickly said, "Well goodnight."

I spun and quickly opened my door but he grabbed my arm gently, "Ariana."

"Hmm?" I made myself show nothing as he made me look at him. He stared at me, seeming to search my face, "You alright?"

Showing complete shock I asked, "What do you mean?"

I smiled brightly and said, "I'm a bit sore so I think i'll crash early tonight. Terroizing kids can be tiring."

He seemed to buy it and let me go, "Ok, good night."

I said cheerfully, "night." and walked into my apartment, closing the door firmly behind me. I looked over at Kakashi, who had been listening behind the door. He said softly, single eye worried, "That would have been a perfect moment to tell him Ariana."

I shook my head, saying firmly, "Like I said Kakashi, it'll never happen."

Turning on my heel I nearly ran into Iruka, who looked as worried as Kakashi. Taking a deep breath I said softly, "Look, please drop it. He doesn't like me that way anyway. The dinner was because he lost a bet, nothing more. And if I say anything it'll just make it awkward."

Iruka slowly gave me a soft smile, "Alright Ariana. We won't pressure you."

Relieved I said, "Thanks. I'm crashing, long day tomorrow."

Saying good night I went to my room, carefully changed into my pajamas and curled up in bed. A let a few tears escape before clamping down hard on them and saying to myself, "It's for the best."

Closing my eyes I made myself believe it and then fell asleep.