Hey, hello, and how are you?

I hope you guys are all doing okay… I haven't updated in almost a month *cries* I am sooooo sorry about this! It's just been crazy, lately!

Anyway… I just wanted to share a few things with you…

I have a facebook page!

That's right guys – the Snow Fairy got herself onto facebook… this page is just for if you guys wanna chat without the 7 hour gaps (hopefully), or if you want to review without your pen-name attached, or I can share your works on this as well! Get excited, and please like: FACE BOOK /pages/Snow-Fairy/229306803835490 (Remove the spaces ad capitals )

I have a Deviantart Account!

Yea, this one's old news… but, I figure if I put all my links together... this is on my profile :D

I think that was all I wanted to say… enjoy the chapter!

After dinner was over, and they were all dismissed, Kiba took over. The message was passed along like Chinese Whispers, and by the time Shikamaru received the message, it had gone from, "Meeting at the Point, to strategize prank tactics" to "Make out with the pervy sage at the Point."

"NARUTO! I know it was you who changed it!" Kiba yelled, when Shikamaru asked him. Naruto answered with a snicker, as the group of leaf gennin boys, with Gaara and Kankuro in tow, made their way up to the Point, an old cave that was situated above the Hokage's faces. It had once been an ANBU lookout point, but that had been years ago. Now it was used as a hangout for the gennin when they weren't out on missions or training. It had been filled with things over the years; crates held blankets and cushions for cold nights, as well as a variety of other things: cups, plates and bowl for when Choji brought food; a stash of old porn magazines that had been pilfered over the years that showed Tsunade in her teenage years (Naruto had received these from Jiraiya, but had hidden them in fear of Kakashi or Iruka finding them); in the corner was firewood and kindle, and they'd even cleared a space saved for sparring.

"Wow, this… this is… homey," Kankuro commented as he and Gaara looked about the cave-room that Kiba and Shino had led the group to.

"It's private, the adults don't like coming up here," Shino said, as he picked up a few branches from the pile and set them up at the cave-mouth, lighting a fire.

"Why?" Gaara asked. "This would be perfect for observation of the Village, you could see for mile if anyone decided to attack…"

"It brings bad memories to most of the people here," Shikamaru stretched, as he got out cups for the tea that Choji had brought in a thermos.

"Bad… Memories?" Kankuro probed, As Shino accidentally sat down next to him. The two glared, before promptly ignoring each other.

"The area around this lookout post was where many of our village died fighting the Nine-Tailed Fox…" Neji said plainly, glancing at Naruto, who looked away from all of them, clenching his fists uncomfortably.

Kankuro and Gaara both noticed Naruto's discomfort, and shared a look; they both knew that Naruto's burden was one that Gaara shared.

"Um…" Gaara quickly searched his mind for a new topic. "… What were the ideas you had for your competition? That's why we're here, isn't it?"

At this, Naruto perked up. "We've got heaps of great ideas… You better believe it!"

After this, the conversation settled into tactics and planning, with many of the gennin animated and even Gaara looked like he was enjoying himself.

Choji got out a few bowls, and filled them with packets of chips from his Hitai-ate. Where he managed to fit all that food, no one knew. But everyone was grateful; it had been at least a few hours since the dinner.

They munched on the chips, as the conversation changed.

"Hey, Gaara…" Kankuro stretched out, making sure to avoid touching Shino, who instinctively moved back.

"Yes?"

"Are you into Sakura?" Gaara stared at his brother, and Naruto choked. Lee's eyes bugged, then narrowed as he stared at the Sand Jinjuriki. Another rival?

"… She's nice," Gaara finally answered.

"But you like her, right?" Kankuro pressed. "I mean, you did try to kiss her…"

"WHAT?"

"Th- … That was because she was helping me!" Gaara stumbled over his words, his face pinking slightly. Kankuro stared at his little brother. He'd never seen… was Gaara blushing?

"What was my darling Sakura helping you with?" Lee asked, keeping his voice level, though on the inside he was screaming.

"She is NOT your 'darling'!" Naruto yelled.

"Anyway," Lee's voice was hard. "What was she helping you with?"

"One of the Mist kunoichi came up to him and started flirting with him," Kiba yawned, as he leaned back.

"He was getting all flustered, and Sakura helped him out," Kankuro continued. "Pretended that she was dating Gaara…"

"But the kunoichi… Kagura, her name is, annoying as hell the entire way here… Yeah, she didn't believe that they were going out at all. So he demanded that they proved that they were in love…" Kiba shrugged, adding in the extra detail of her name.

Lee settled down, the fire in his eyes dimming at the revelation. That's good, Gaara's not a rival… even though he will get to be… closer to her… he gritted his teeth at this thought.

"So?" Kankuro was getting impatient. "Do. You. Like. Her?"

Gaara was twitching violently, desperately trying to thinking of a way to avoid the question. He came up with nothing.

"She's a nice person… It's hard NOT to like her," he finally managed. "But I would feel the same way if anyone treated me as nicely as you all do…"

An uncomfortable silence filled the room.

"…So, err… not romantically, no," Gaara finished, wanting to strangle himself with his own sand.

"Hahaha!" Naruto threw his arm around Gaara's shoulder. The tension in the room cleared almost instantly.

"So, Kiba… Got anyone special in your mind?" Choji grinned, massaging his belly.

"Weeeeeeellll…" Kiba rolled his tongue, and most of the boys leaned forward in anticipation. "Not telling," He finished sticking out his tongue. Akamaru gave a bark of laughter.

"Argh! Kiba, you suck!"

"Moron, you could have just said so to start with…"

"Hahahaha!" Kiba was bent over with laughter. "Gotcha! Shino… have anyone who makes your heart flutter?" he asked, batting his eyelids.

"No… no female holds any kind of attraction to me."

"So that means… you're gay?" Neji couldn't help himself, it just slipped out. But he accompanied his outburst with a huge grin, to show that he wasn't being serious.

"DUHN DUHN DUUUUUUUHHN!" Kiba and Shikamaru shouted together, laughing like maniacs. The entire group collapsed into laughter. Shino just sat there for a moment, before chuckling.

"Well, supposing your theory is correct…" he pushed his glasses up his nose. "Then you're all in trouble…"

"How do you mean?" Lee asked.

"I'm blocking the entrance to the cave… you're all trapped…" He stood up.

"Uhh, Shino?"

"…And you're all MINE!" Shino shouted, crash-tackling Kiba. The two play-fought for a moment, before Shino trapped Kiba against the wall, their faces inches apart.

"Okay, you've made your point," Kiba said, not entirely sure if Shino was joking.

"Hehe… that was funny," Shino moved back to where he had been sitting before, chuckling softly. "The look on your face…"

"So, are you actually gay, or…" Naruto pursued. Shino answered this by flinging a shuriken at him.

Still not entirely convinced that Shino was joking around, Kiba scooted over next to Neji.

"This is entirely your fault," he accused, pouting. "So you're up next. Answer or die," he said, holding up a kunai.

"But if you got to skip your turn-" the kunai moved closer. "Okay, okay… Tenten. I like Tenten."

This was answered with catcalls and hoots.

"What do you like about her?"

"Have you kissed her?"

"When is the wedding? Gai-Sensei will want to prepare a speech…"

Neji stared at Lee. "Shut up, you… No, Naruto, I have not kissed her… and what I like about her… She's great to spar with, is fun to talk to. She's really strong, with a good aim, and-"

"Dude, you're not exactly describing a girlfriend… you're describing a mate…"

"-AND she has pretty eyes, and a kind smile. You should let people finish before you interrupt them, Kankuro…"

"Does she like you back?"

"I've…" Neji sighed. "I've never told her… Lee…? Oh, wait, no-"

"Sakura! The darling of my heart! I will make her mine, because my love can protect her until the end of time! Our love will surely transcend time too! Her beautiful eyes-"

"You just had to ask, didn't you?" Shikamaru rolled his eyes at Neji, who hung his head in shame.

"Well, then… Choji, do you like anyone?"

Choji was silent for a moment, as he slowly chewed the bite he'd just taken.

"-And her hair! It's so soft and shiny! And her forehead is so wide and beautiful! It makes me want to kiss it!"

"SHUT UP, LEE!" Neji yelled.

Choji mumbled something inaudible.

"Sorry, didn't catch that," Kiba said, leaning forward.

"I, um… I like… Ino…"

Shikamaru smiled, knowing just how hard it had been for Choji to admit that. Like Naruto with Sakura, Choji had been in love with Ino since he'd first met her in the Academy.

Kankuro scratched his head, his hood shifting slightly to show a few locks of his hair, before he tugged it back down. "So, she's the… blonde? The one giving out lap dances at the dinner?"

At this, Shikamaru and Gaara shared a glance before bursting out into laughter.

"Yeah," Shikamaru snorted. "But she wasn't doing it because she wanted to…"

Kankuro chose to ignore this. "Good choice," he said to Choji. "But a bit out of your league, right?"

Choji's heart dropped into his stomach, but he forced a smile. "Haha… yeah, out of… my league…" he trailed off and his shoulders slumped.

"Ah! I didn't mean-" Kankuro reached out a hand, suddenly realising what he'd said. "I just meant-"

He cut off as he felt an icy glare from Shikamaru's direction.

"Yes, Kankuro, what did you mean by that?"

"Judging from the way that she was acting at the dinner, she's one of those girls who look down on anyone who doesn't fit their standard of perfection? You know, 'not pretty enough for me', and all that crap?"

Shikamaru was still glaring at Kankuro, but his eyes softened slightly as he realised what Kankuro meant. Ino was like that… she was always going on about how women preferred men with muscles than fat, and that all good guys loved girls who were nice and skinny. Choji had been on the receiving end of many lectures on this topic, so many that he and Shikamaru could pretty much quote it word for word.

"… I don't really want to talk about it…" Choji changed the subject. "But what about you, Kankuro? In love with the sexy beast that you're rooming with?" Kankuro pulled a face, and Shino's expression was unreadable.

"Okay… I guess I deserved that…" Kankuro leant back against the cave-wall. "No one really interesting, but… there are a few girls in the Sand who are a bit-" he cut off here, and Gaara rolled his eyes. Kankuro was such a player…

"Shikamaru… have anyone?"

"Women are all so troublesome…" Came the yawning reply. "Not much point…"

"What about Temari?" Gaara asked suddenly. "What do you think about her?"

"She's…" Shikamaru had trouble describing her, even in his own mind. "She's different from the girls around here," he tried, knowing that this would not be enough for the other boys. "More intense, ya'know?"

"More… intense?" Kankuro didn't really think that she was any different. But Gaara was nodding his head. He'd been watching people for years, it was all he could do to feel human. Temari had had to shoulder a lot more responsibility than most other kunoichi, and it had taken its toll. Not that she was insane or anything… she was simply a lot more brutal than most… which was why Shikamaru should be afraid…

"Anyway, Naruto…" Shino pushed his glasses up his nose. "The only one left is you…"

"Well, I do like Sakura-"

"Naruto, you traitor! How could you do this to me?" Lee jumped up, the fire in his eyes renewed.

Naruto leapt up as well. "Shut up, Bushy-Brows! I saw her first!"

"Oh yeah? Well, let us see who is stronger, and more deserving of her love!"

"Yeah, you're on! But don't go crying when you lose!"

"Ah, but that is where you are mistaken, Naruto. For you see, I will not lose! My love for Sakura is just too great!"

"Bring it on!"

The two leapt into action, sparring furiously.

"LEAF HURRICANE!"

"MULTI-SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!"

The others watched them with interest for a moment, until Lee hit the wall with a crash, causing part of the wall to crumble slightly, then more violently, as the entire cave started to shudder slightly.

Shikamaru stood up. "Alright, time to go…" He quickly pulled Choji up, and pushed the gennin out of the cave.

"But I… I want to! I want to watch!" Kankuro yelled as Kiba scooped up Akamaru, and practically dragged him out. And soon they were running, Shino pulling Naruto and a barely conscious Lee from the cave.

They turned back, to see the mouth of the cave collapse.

"Whoops…" Naruto, wiped the dirt from his eyes, as he tried to get up. Kiba kicked him in the back of the head sending him back down.

"Thanks a lot, moron… now we don't have a hangout…"

"Oh, yeah… don't worry about the fact that we could have lost our lives because of a rivalry over Sakura, or anything…" Shikamaru shook his head in amazement. "Is anyone hurt?"

Everyone answered with 'no's and shakes of heads. Well, everyone except Naruto and Lee who were groaning in pain.

"You definitely bruised a rib, Naruto…" Lee winced as he slowly sat up. "Good job."

"Oww! Kiba, I think you broke my head bone!"

"Deal with it!"

"Maybe I don't want to- Aah! My spleen!"

Kankuro looked at his brother. "If this is the way the Leaf lives, then I wanna live here."

"Too bad we weren't born here, then..." Gaara smiled one of his rare smiles. Not the evil grin of victory after a kill, like Kankuro was used to, but a genuine smile of warmth.

"Hey, man," Naruto turned to Lee slowly, grunting in pain. "You wanna call a truce?"

"Yes… I do not wish to fight you anymore, Naruto…"

"Well, we may as well all go home," Shikamaru said, standing up.

The boys broke off as they went to their homes, yelling goodbyes as they put as much difference as they could between them and the collapsed lookout cave.

As Choji and Shikamaru lived close to each other, they and Gaara walked home together in comfortable silence. The night was perfect, not too warm, not too cold, a slight breeze and crickets could be heard, as they chirped away. Each of the boys was dwelling on their own thoughts, but they all revolved around a certain point: Kankuro's words to Choji.

Gaara was disgusted at his brother's lack of thought. He wondered how this had affected Choji's self-esteem. It was obvious that it was more than just some teenage crush… maybe he could talk to Shikamaru about it later…?

Shikamaru was musing. He'd known for years that Choji had been in love with Ino… it was only natural after all… Ino was a beautiful person, even if she though that she was ugly and fat… he knew for a fact that Ino would be even more attractive if she stopped trying to diet and lose weight, which was what Choji tried to tell her, all the time...

Choji felt that it was all a bit hopeless… Kankuro had been right, there was no way that Ino would ever see him as anything more than a friend, a team-mate. While it was true that they and Shikamaru were a closer team than most, almost like family… and that's all that she'll ever see, he thought miserably.

They heard footsteps and laughter from in front of them and each looked up. Ino, Sakura and Temari were giggling about something after having said goodbye to Hinata and Tenten, who had gone in the opposite direction to their homes. They stopped as they drew level with the boys, and instead wore sombre expressions.

"Hey, Ino," Shikamaru tried for a nonchalant attitude, trying to ease the tension between him and Ino… he was still rather worried about what the girls had planned.

At this she smiled. "Hi, Choji. Hi, Gaara… Hi, idiot."

Sakura giggled again, but Temari shushed her, also trying not to laugh.

"Temari," Gaara stared at his sister for a moment, trying to figure out what was going on. "Whatever you're planning, it won't work… I've seen all of your tricks, and now all of us know what to look for."

Temari grinned. "You've seen all of the tricks that I wanted you to see," she answered. "Trust me when I say that you've got nothing on me…"

The three kunoichi went to move past the boys. Shikamaru stopped Temari before she could pass.

"Temari… I have a premonition… about you… your life will be in danger…"

She waited for a second, a smirk on her face. He stared at her for a second, before grinning.

"Nope, sorry, it's nothing…"

She shook her head, and kept walking for a moment, before the ground was, for the third time that day, rushing towards her face. Shikamaru had tripped her. Again.

He whipped out an arm, and caught her, his arm wrapped around her stomach.

"Haha… guess I was right. Saved your life…"

Choji started laughing softly, and Gaara smiled.

Temari's teeth gritted. She let herself go limp for a second, before pushing off of the ground, and flipping up, aiming to kick him in the face. He stumbled back, bringing his hands up to his face, only just managing to dodge.

"That was uncalled for," he said, bringing his hands back down as she righted herself again with her hands on her hips. "All I did was try to save you from death, but fine. Maybe next time I won't bother if that's the way you repay me," he stuck out his tongue.

At these words, Temari was suddenly fighting a very strong urge to slap him across the face.

"So how would you like me to repay you next time?"

"I don't know… a hug? Chocolate? Eternal adoration? That kind of thing."

Choji and Gaara were beside themselves with laughter. Gaara was actually leaning on Choji because he could no longer balance himself, he was laughing so hard. He had never seen Temari so rattled by a boy before… this could prove to be very entertaining…

Sakura and Ino were watching with interest. This could be VERY interesting… Maybe they could…

Shikamaru was watching the Sand kunoichi's temper with glee. She was so easy to mess with…

He tripped her up again, catching her in the crook of his arm. She was silent for a moment, anger and surprise lighting her features.

"Heh, I must be some kind of superhero. You really need to work a lot more balance. It's too easy for me to do that." "Asshole!" Temari shrieked. "If you do that again, I'll-"

"You'll what?"

"Shikamaru, you should probably stop now," Choji warned, but it was already too late.

Temari had whipped her hand back and slapped him across the face. He stumbled back, wincing at the pain from the force of the hit.

"Ow… troublesome…"

Temari pushed past him roughly, practically dragging Sakura and Ino with her.

"That's what I'll do!" She shouted over her shoulder. "Don't mess with me, Shikamaru, or you will be dead!"

The three boys stood there stunned for a moment, Shikamaru rubbing his now-pink cheek.

"Do you have a death wish or something, Shikamaru?" Choji asked, as he ripped open a bag of chips that he seemed to have conjured from thin air. "That's the second girl that you've pissed off today… and they're both out for blood."

Shikamaru said nothing. He just stood there staring at the spot where Temari had disappeared and rubbed his cheek thoughtfully.

From up in a nearby tree, Kakashi was watching.

Things are going to get really interesting around here… maybe even better than Icha Icha Paradisu… I'm going to need backup if I'm going to be able to keep an eye on all of them…

He hopped down from the tree, landing as softly as a feather. He pulled out his book and walked slowly to his destination.

He knocked on the door of the apartment, hoping that he would be allowed entrance at this late an hour…

"Coming…" A tired voice called from inside. There was a pause, in which Kakashi could hear a kettle being turned on, the soft padding of bare feet on a wooden floor and a lock being pulled back, before the door opened.

"Oh…hey, Kakashi…" Iruka popped his head out, rubbing his eye, and yawning. "What do you need?"

"I need you, Ruru… I need you badly," Kakashi couldn't help himself; Iruka had made it way too easy…

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't just slam the door in your face, you moron..."

Kakashi's eye was dancing with mirth. "Because I have a favour to ask of you, and it is actually important…"

Iruka glared at the jounin for a moment, before opening the door wide enough for Kakashi to step through.

"It had better be, you fool… Come in, I just put on some coffee…"

Kakashi smiled softly under his mask at the tired chunnin as he closed the door behind him.

Stay tuned all you lovely duckies, you, because the next chapter is coming soon! (And I'm really sorry about the low quality of the chapter, but I am proud of a few moments *winks*). Also on its way are a couple of one-shots (that will probably turn into multi-chapters, but still), so stay tuned, please!

Thanks again for all the support that you guys give me by reading, reviewing and faving! I love you all xoxo

Next up for commentary is either Anko or Shino (voting lines are open on facebook, as well as in your reviwing, I don't mind how...)

If you hold my heart, I'll fly without wings,
Love, Snow Fairy,
Xoxo