I almost wasn't able to post today with all my crap going on today. Am I spoiling you guys with everyday updates? Ok in this chapter the plot thickens and the rookies decide to be proactive. I cant believe how sweet you guys/girls are! Your feed back is so inspiring that I am already plotting out the next couple of chapters. I'm so spoiled by your reviews that I may go rotten. I'm starting to get an idea on who the next eliminated will be and I even wrote some conflict in this chapter. Please let me know what you think. As always reviews are not necessary but they are inspirational.

"You want me to what?" Shikamaru asked not believing that something so stupid was asked of him. Not ten minutes ago Choji, and Ino had burst through his front door with a completely unconscious Kiba dragging behind them. Then Naruto and Hinata followed pulling on a rope that was attached to a very distressed Sai, Neji, and Shino. Yes his life was a drag and his friends were troublesome in deed. Now they were demanding that he help them with some insane plot that had to do with Sakura and the competition.

"We need you to help us have Sakura marry one of these four." Naruto rolled his eyes as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Why should I help you with that? Why would you even think I could help? I was eliminated to. That should be a dead give away that my plans would be ineffective." Shikamaru raised a brow becoming frustrated.

"I know that you can possibly be that dumb Shikamaru Nara!" Ino accused while throwing an empty pack of smokes at him.

"Why would you care Ino you cant even be in the same room as her without a fight starting." He pointed out as the empty container landed on his chest.

"You don't get that she purposely eliminated you, Choji, and Naruto because you were involved with someone. Besides if she leaves we lose our best field medic and the hospital will fall into chaos." Ino planted her fists on her hips and rolled her eyes.

"Yeah she did us all a favor. So now it's our turn to help her I mean she gave us back Asuma." Choji pointed out as he placed an arm around Ino's waist and tucked her into his chest. She in turn placed a hand on his chest and looked at Shikamaru with pleading eyes. The same look she had when he found out that the flower shop had been burned to the ground. With a sigh her leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

"We just want our friend to be happy again. Is that wrong?" Hinata asked as Naruto pulled her closer to him. Hinata blushed gently as he allowed his arm to wrap her waist. The blush on her cheeks had given him the ego boost he needed. Sakura had been the ones to bust them. Hinata had come to the Hokage tower to discuss Neji's role as a candidate per her father's request. After Naruto, and Hinata's eyes lingered on each other Sakura finally closed and locked the door to the room. She told them they would not be allowed to leave until Naruto kissed Hinata. With that Naruto had swept the her up in his strong, loving arms and locked his lips to hers. Hinata felt she owed Sakura for all the happiness that she had given her.

"What about the Uchiha's? They could up our chances indeterminately." Shikamaru conceded his defeat.

"They wouldn't help unless it directly effected Sakura's health, or safety." Naruto added with a snort.

"Besides Sasuke would get in the way with his tantrums. You know that he's been increasingly irritating." Sai finally added to the conversation as he broke out of his confines. Neji and Shino following suit as they rubbed there wrists. The ropes had slightly dug in and left little red marks but nothing else. Akamaru licked at Kiba's face to wake him up sputtering.

"Fine no Uchiha's unless necessary, but if I say we need them then I want them here and in on every detail." Shikamaru looked each one in the eye waiting for there answer. Each nodded stiffly. They had never really interacted with Itachi or Shisui, but they were known to sacrifice everything for the people they cherished. Itachi would have been the real asset of the two. The way he could slip in and out of someones mind was astonishing.

"Okay lets get to work then! We got a best friend to save!" Ino clapped her hands and plopped on the couch with a pleasant giggle bringing Choji with her. The others following suit as they found seats around Shikamaru's room. Then the realization hit them, they had allot of work to do, and little time to do it in.

"She's looking for a reliable, smart, strong, and has the ability to love her despite her violent tendencies." Sai offered the first piece of the puzzle.

"He'll have to be trust worthy as well. We cant have someone who'll sell her out to Tora." Neji offered the next. Everyone knew that Tora and Sakura were enemies. Most thought he was trying to marry her off to a foreigner so he could have freedom to exact revenge on Tsunade.

"Not to mention he'd have to be loyal. I don't want to hear about him sleeping with some tramp because he doesnt know how to keep it in his pants." Ino added.

"Someone who wont allow clan politics to hurt her." Shino shot at Neji with a cold tone. This caused everyone to freeze. Not many knew that Shino had a tendency to hold grudges. Anyone who did thought he'd hold them till the day he died. Every eye turned to look at Neji. It was obvious who Shino waas referring to.

"So I was suppose to die for her?" Neji argued his case again. Something he was use to doing more often than not.

"I would have she's worth it." Kiba growled scratching Akamaru's head not bothering to look at Neji, but it had effectively shifted his attention to the man and his dog. Neji's fists clenched tightly as he became irritated.

"How about Akamaru's life would you sacrifice that for her?" Neji spat back.

"I've already had that conversation with Akamaru, and we already came up with the answer to that." Kiba shot back.

"Really and what would that answer be?" Neji challenged.

"He better or I'd do it willingly." Akamaru answered before Kiba could with a deep growl and his teeth baring at Neji.

"Enough! None of us have room to talk. Not one of us has even tried to pursue a relationship with Sakura. Neji was wrong, but right at the same time. The point is if we lose just one of us then were lowering our chances of success." Naruto interrupted as the voice of reason this time. "You'll have to convince her that you want her because you love her and has nothing to do with clans or councils."

"That's why I said the Uchiha should join us. They could help eliminate the competition until your the only ones left." Shikamaru pointed out putting out his cigarette.

"Fine, Naruto go get Itachi and Shisui. We need to get ready and if we get really desperate we can get Tsunade in on it as well. She wont be willing to let go of Sakura so easily. Especially after she brought Dan back." Kiba scoffed. He didn't like involving other candidates. He would do his best to make sure that if Sakura didn't pick him then she would have someone who would treat her the way he would. It seemed that this competition was going to be more cut throat than he had originally thought.

"I'll be back in an hour, there training should be over soon. We all know nothing good can come from getting caught in there cross fire." Naruto smiled and left tugging Hinata behind him. Shikamaru went for another cigarette only to discover that he was completely out. Looking up at the others he sighed dejectedly.

"Man what a drag."