KonohaSchoolof the Arts

Chapter VII: While Sakura was Gone (Part III)

A/N: Hi! Yeah, I know, miracle I'm updating so much! Sorry there's so many chapters to the "While Sakura was Gone" part. But, I want to show how the other characters are getting along as well. I'm starting to think that this story doesn't really have a plot and that everything is being rushed- so many things are happening at once but I'm not really moving the story along. So, in this chapter I'm trying to get all the loose ends tied together so we can get this baby moving!

Also, I've started getting into Naruto again, and I barely found out bout Neji like a week ago ^^" yeah, I haven't had too much time for Naruto but I can honestly say his death made me cry. This is why I left last chapter as an entire Tenten and Neji chap without any other character involvement. That chapter will be my minimum word count goal meaning that from here on out I don't want to write a chapter with less than 825 words.

On to present matters,

I know Tenten is a weapon specialist so Archery and possibly Kendo will be apart of her clubs which Temari doesn't mention. After all, some secrets need to be kept ;)

So thank you very much, as I try to say every time, for your patience.

-Momo Mirasaki

Temari and Hinata waited out in Hinata's room for Ten Ten to come back. While they sat there Hinata began asking questions about Suna again. This time Temari had no way out and as uncomfortable she was with the subject she knew she couldn't evade Hinata for long.

"Okay, okay. One question at a time," Temari was pacing now, eager to finish this.

"I want to know everything. What were your classes like, what clubs did you have? Which clubs and sports teams were you involved in?" Was it her or did Hinata get more talkative the more comfortable she got?

"Well, we had six classes a day with ten minute breaks at the end of each class to be used for exercising or class work. Classes started at 9 a.m. sharp and we had all the normal teams and clubs every other high school would." Temari took a breather continuing even though she was mildly irritated at this point. The past was meant to stay in the past after all. "I was on the Tennis Team, Ten Ten was apart of Track and Volleyball, and Sakura was on the Dance Crew."

"No clubs?" Hinata had moved from her bed to her desk and was writing in a journal like thing. Once they had gotten back from her family's gym and the rock climbing course they had showered and changed. Afterwards they had gone to find Ten Ten and seeing the girl was occupied they opted to wait for her to come to them. Temari had muttered something about Ten Ten not thinking much of many boys between her snickers.

"Ten had tried for Student Council and the Art Club only for it to be too much with Volleyball and Track. Sakura was in the Health Club and I was…well…in the Animal Club and the Traditional Dance Club. I still carry my fans everywhere with me." There were a few other activities and clubs they were apart of but the little details didn't matter right now. She was kinda grateful that Hinata hadn't asked about their friends or teachers.

Hinata stayed quiet letting everything sink in. Finally, after what seemed like years, the silence was broken when Ten Ten herself walked in with several pieces of paper in her hand. Temari smirked; it was teasing time. Pulling out her phone she slung an arm around Ten's shoulders as she spared her friend a questioning look.

"So, Ten Ten," She clicked on the menu then made her way to her photo gallery. "Where have you been?"

"I was in the art room with Neji." She had slipped out of the blonde's hold and walked over to her backpack and slipped her materials back in, slipping the paintings she and Neji had done in her sketchbook carefully making sure none of the edges would stick out and bend. "He was showing me how to paint a flower. Why?"

Ten Ten sat down on Hinata's bed smiling at the purplette who returned the smile. Temari looked through her pics for a more seconds before grinning wickedly and holding it up in front of the brunette's face.

"That's not what it looks like to me!"

As Ten Ten's face went red Temari knew she'd scored big time.

Ten Ten herself hadn't thought of it that way either. Well, not until Temari had brought it up. And staring at the picture she did have to admit that Neji didn't look half bad. Shaking her head, her blush slowly fading she met Temari's eyes, a small smirk on her lips. The blonde didn't need to know what she was thinking after all, and being defensive would make her look guilty.

"Temari, it was just him showing me how to paint. Honest. Right there he was correcting my grip and stroke. Apparently I've been doing it wrong since the beginning of time. But, think what you want."

Dinner just had to be finished cutting teasing time short.

As they walked out together, Hinata could faintly hear Ten Ten mutter "saved by the bell." Was it possible that the girl did have a crush on her cousin?

They arrived, the dishes were passed around and soon everyone was eating, silence thick in the air. Even though the dining room table could easily seat up to thirty people there were only five people present. Hinata, Neji, Ten Ten, Temari and Hanabi and with the quiet it gave them all too much time to think.

Ten Ten began worrying about the absent Sakura; sometimes her gaze would fall on Neji for a second then dart back to her plate as quick as she looked. Temari was plotting, an occurrence which never seemed to benefit any party involved save herself. Hinata was worried about the pinkette as well and pondering about the evil smirk Temari wore, while Neji was wondering when he had started becoming so soft. Hanabi just sat there observing as they all made weird faces.

"Temari, Hina, has Sakura replied yet?" Ten Ten found herself getting looks from everyone. Neji turned back to his food noticing nothing had been directed at him. Hanabi never ever looked in the first place not really caring about her sister's friends at the moment.

"Nope."

"N-no."

Ten Ten sighed poking at her food. She knew Sakura was a big girl but still, a friend could be worried right?

The rest of the sleepover went by peacefully- save for Temari's constant teasing and the next day found the girls getting ready to go home. Their projects were looking good and it had been fun. Ten Ten went to say bye to Neji finding him in the art room again. Not really knowing what to say, she gave herself a minute to build up her usual courage, watching him paint.

He had seen her come in from the corner of his eye but remained silent. He wasn't going to let her disturb him again. Last night he reasoned with himself that he had been kind to her and that there was nothing wrong with that as long as he didn't do it again. He was getting ready to ask her to leave when she spoke.

"Well, thanks for the help Neji! See ya Monday." Waving she took her exit.

Neji stared at the spot she had been in for a few seconds before shrugging. Monday was looking just a little more interesting.

Hinata dropped off Temari first, then Ten Ten. Both found out from their families what had happened. They were planning on going to the hospital when they were told Sakura was to be released today. They began planning. Temari called up Kiba, Lee and Choji while Ten Ten called up Hinata and Shino. Temari dragged Kankuro and Gaara with her; the whole group was gonna be there for Sakura's release no questions.

They met up at Sakura's house two hours later and started setting up. Along with the normal group, Hinata had dragged along Neji and with Neji came Naruto and Shikamaru. Sasuke had left them once he found out where Hinata was taking them. Gaara had brought Matsuri with him since they had been working together on a project when Temari summoned him and demanded he come.

Even though there were a few arguments between the two parties they had the living room transformed into party central. The only thing needed now was the guest of honor herself. Now that the moving was done everyone found themselves sitting in said living room.

The weird group sat there quietly. On one side of the living room sat Temari and the Suna kids, opposite them were the Konoha kids and right smack in the middle sat Ten Ten and Hinata. The awkward silence was drawling on and on which was odd considering Lee and Naruto were there. Ten Ten sighed. How was there gonna be a party if everyone was so…awkward. Hinata and even Temari noted this and knew they'd have to combine forces once again.

"So…" Up, totally a big mistake. Everyone eyed Ten Ten and she just sat there at a loss of words once again. The others were getting impatient and Kankuro was the one to take the hit.

"What is it Ten? Spit it out, I'm tired of just sitting here." Kankuro was bored a can soda in his hand boredom and aggravation etched on his surprisingly make-up free face. He hadn't had time to do his make-up or grab his hoodie so he felt like he was sitting there practically naked.

"I agree," everyone turned to the green clad Lee now. He was striking a pose now, the ever dramatic boy that he was. "We are still full of youth! Let us enjoy this moment to the fullest!"

The Suna kids sweat dropped.

The Konoha kids stared at them like they're weirdos.

"Well…I don't think everyone has been introduced yet soooooo let's get this over with," Ten Ten effectively cut him off to the relief of everyone. She knew that once Lee got started he'd never stop. Shino patted his back as Kiba laughed.

The girls smiled. This was the crowd they were used to. Ten Ten gave Kiba and Kankuro a look and they groaned. Leave it to Ten Ten to volunteer to introduce themselves first. Both turned towards each other a serious look on their faces. There was only one way to settle who would go first.

"1…2…3!"

"PAPER!"

"ROCK!"

Kiba shouted in his victory, jabbing his finger at the younger boy. "IN. YOUR. FACE!"

"Yeah, yeah," Kankuro stood muttering darkly under his breath until something small hit the back of his head. He turned and glared at his sister who motioned her finger for him to turn around and get it going. Her cursed her and her fan that had bounced straight back into her lap, her legs were crossed as were her arms. She smirked at him, using said fan to fan herself.

He turned back around. Oh was he gonna get this started all right.

"Yo. I'm Kankuro no Sabaku, yeah no Sabaku the unfortunate brother of the wench. Trust me, if you think she's horrible-" He didn't get so lucky this time as Temari stood tick marks above her head. She had hit him with her bigger fan and he'd fallen to the ground and she walked toward him admitting a dark aura. The Suna group didn't think much of it used to their displays, Hinata squeaked and Matsuri shivered a respect for her former captain still there as they watched her destroy her brother, wrestling him till she had him pinned.

"Call me a wench again brat," The Konoha boys stared. Yeah, totally not going to mess with her, even Naruto whistled lowly watching her. As soon as Kankuro submitted she stood and sat down dusting her hands off. Boy did it feel good to show everyone who was boss.

"…Okay. Nice one 'Mari but leave the Kankuro discipline to me," Cue Kiba. He stood and them his "charming" wolfish smile. "'Sup, I'm Kiba Inuzuka. Don't mind Temari, she's just violent cause she's always on her ra-" Kiba joined Kankuro, enjoying the Haruno's living room floor.

"Shino," He waved.

"Gaara no Sabaku."

"Matsuri…"

"Choji Akimichi,"

"Rock Lee! Youth is cool!"

Sweatdropping again everyone looked at Hinata and the Konoha boys expectantly. Ten Ten patted Hinata on the back encouragingly.

"H-Hinata Hyuuga…"

"Neji Hyuuga…"

"Naruto Uzumaki!" He gave his infamous thumbs-up. "BELIEVE IT!"

"Shikamaru Nara."

Crickets were certainly the ones partying.

Suddenly, someone opened the door, a tall girl with long pink hair walked in, giving them the thumbs up. Everyone crouched as the lights went out.

"Okaa, help me please…" They heard mumbles as Sakura struggled up the steps with her crutches. Then, the door was opened by a man and in came Sakura. The lights flashed on and everyone jumped up and yelled and crowded her.

Sakura was happy to be home that was for sure.

She had been surprised that they'd gathered so many of her friends together in such a short amount of time. She enjoyed herself and was sad to see everyone go. Ten Ten and Temari stayed to help clean but they also had to leave soon after. Her sister helped her into bed, propping her leg on a stack of pillows, leaving a plate of pizza and a pitcher of water there on her desk. She sat quietly for a few minutes.

She was thinking about Sasuke again when something tapped on her window. She jumped, her leg falling off its high perch. Looking outside her window she saw the last person anyone would expect:

Sasuke Uchiha.