A/N: Okay, before you guys start reading, I just want to let you this story's going to be in the Shippuden arc. They're finishing their last year in high school aka the academy. For this story, ignore that some characters were older in the academy. For example Gai's team. Now you're free to continue the story.

I sat in the classroom waiting for Iruka sensei to start the second half of class. He said something about having a special end of the year assignment for us. But said he wouldn't reveal anything about it until the last half of class. So here I wait, bored as hell. I look at the clock on the wall at the front of the room. Ugh, two minutes left till the end of lunch bell rings. I sigh and rest my head in my hands.

I hear the door click open. My ears perk up and I look for the source that opened the door. A glimpse of long black hair catches my attention. Only one of my classmates has hair like that. Which happens to be my boyfriend, Neji.

A smile appears on my face as he walks to my table. He sits next to me and wraps an arm around my shoulders. I blush as I feel him lean in close. His lips peck my cheek. "Hey there, princess. Have a nice lunch?" He asks, smiling. "Yeah, it was good." I replied softly. The warmth of his arm dissipates once the others start coming back. Iruka was the last one to walk in.

Usually I sit with Hinata, but Neji traded seats with Naruto to be with me. At first, she was reluctant to switch, but changed her mind when she found out it meant getting to sit with Naruto. She loves him so much. I don't blame her. I'd be the same way. I love Neji whole heartedly. I really hope he's my project partner. If it's a group project that is. I'm not opposed to making new friends. I'm just not sure if I'm ready to.

The only friend that's really close to me, Neji aside, is Hinata. Sure, I'm friends with the others, but Hinata's my closest friend. I wanna say she knows practically everything there is about me. If I had to pick a close guy and girl friend, hands down it would be Naruto and Hinata. Although technically Neji's the first close guy friend, but that's not the point right now. It's kinda funny though since they both have huge crushes on each other. They're too shy and oblivious to confess though. Perfect couple, right?

Iruka sensei clears his throat after shuffling his papers. "Alright everyone, it's time to discuss your final project. It'll be worth 25% of your grade. That's almost half. Please do well not to fail this assignment." Groans erupt all over the room. Mine included. I think the loudest one came from Naruto. Along with some incomprehensible words muttered under his breath.

If I know him well enough, which I do, he's probably mumbling about how he's going to fail. "Settle down everyone so I can call your partners. If you can't tell, this is a group project." Iruka called over the room. Everyone quiets down after a few seconds. Sounds like everyone's ready to get this assignment done and over with. Good. Great, the last assignment's a group project. Projects always make me nervous from how unsocial I typically am.

Before Iruka sensei starts calling out partners, Neji leans in close. "I hope we're paired together. I honestly don't feel like working with anyone other than you this time. Besides that, its's probably going to be a waste of time." He whispers. I blush and giggle. "You just don't want to share me any more than you have to." I smile softly. Neji snickers. "Maybe, maybe not. Still, I'm not too enthused." I playfully roll my eyes at him. I then discreetly snake my left arm around his waist. By now everyone was quiet and nervously waiting for what was about to happen.

I watch as Iruka pulls out his clipboard. He clears his throat and then begins reading off our names. "Choji and Ino." Two moans sound from the back of the room. They're not too happy. "Lee and Sakura." Sakura face palmed with a groan. Lee cheered, very pleased with his partner. "Hinata and Naruto." Naruto blushed and smiled nervously. Hinata started blushing so hard I thought she was going to faint. "Kiba and Maki." Kiba smiled warmly. I'm sure he's just glad it's nobody he's not fond of. If it has to be somebody else, I'm glad it's him and not someone like Lee. It still hurts that it's not Neji, but I'm not going to get all worked up about it like the others.

I caught a glimpse of Neji's face. He wasn't too happy. Especially since it's another guy. But then again, the other pairs are guy/girl. Interesting. "Tenten and Neji." I couldn't really look at her reaction, but I guess she smiled since her reaction wasn't an audible one. But Neji on the other hand wasn't too pleased. "At least I know her from being on the same team." He mumbled. "And since there's an odd number and gender for the last pairing, these three students will be working together. Shikamaru, Shino, and Sasuke." The three guys looked at each other speechless.

I snickered a little while everyone except Neji laughed. "Okay everyone, settle down." It took a moment for the room to go quiet, but once it did, Iruka sensei spoke up again. "So, why do you think you are partnered with your partner?" Iruka asked, serious face and all. Everyone just gave him dumbfounded looks.

Ino then raises her hand to give an educated guess. Iruka sensei calls on her. "Ino." "To have us to work with different teammates from our own?" She asks, uncertainty in her voice. "Sort of. You've got the right idea and you're not wrong, but that's not the reason why. I'm sure you all will figure it out by the end of the project." He smiled. No one said much after that. No one really knew what to say to that.

I casually scan the room and the next to raise their hand was Kiba. "Kiba." "What are the conditions of this project?" He asks. Iruka sensei sighs. "I was just about to explain that." He laughs. "You all sure can be an impatient bunch." He clears his throat. "Firstly, the entirety of this project will approximately last thirty days." He announces.

Thirty days?! Is he serious?! "Thirty days!" Sakura interrupts. "Yes, that is correct. But allow me to finish explaining." He flips over a page or two on his clipboard before continuing. "You have thirty days to get to know your partner. At the end of each week, an assigned Jounin will visit you and record your progress. Halfway through, there will be a meeting and a quiz. With that being said, don't think you'll be able to ignore one another. The project will begin in three days. On a final note, you'll be living with your partner. I will give you ten minutes in just a moment to discuss the living arrangements with your partner. Oh, and before you ask, your families are already aware of this assignment so there's no need to talk to them first. If you are unable to decide, I will decide for you. Now that everything's settled, meet up with your partners." Iruka sensei heavily explained. This is a lot to take in.

As I get up from my desk, Neji cups my face with his hands and kisses me hard, yet quickly on the lips. My face heats up. "Don't let Kiba get in the way of our relationship just as I won't let Tenten. I don't want there to be anything for you to worry about." He reassures me with a small smile. I nod and smile back. He lets go of me and we go our separate ways to our partners. I find Kiba sitting in the higher levels while Neji met Tenten on the lower level.

I sit beside him and softly give him a small 'Hey'. He smiles. "Hey yourself." I don't know where to begin the conversation. How do you ask an almost complete stranger about whose house you'll be temporarily living in for the next month? He seems to notice my awkwardness and speaks up first. "So, your house or mine? I don't care either way." "Um, your house since my parents aren't exactly here." I said with a saddened smile. He makes a 'o' shape with his mouth and hopefully understands what I meant. I slowly nod my head. "Would you like to come home with me after class?" He blushes at how it sounds. "You know, just to see where you'll be staying." He tries to improve his previous sentence.

I glance at Neji and slightly frown. But I fake a smile once I turn back to Kiba. "Um s-sure, b-but I don't wanna be a bother to you." I stutter as my smile starts to falter. "No problem. You're not a bother, I promise. My mom and sister are going to love you." Kiba encourages. "You sure about that? You don't even know me." I nervously laugh. "Yet." He winked. I blush a bit from his response. I don't even know why. I guess it's just his charm. I'm surprised at how easy he is to talk to. He's nice too but I already knew that from seeing him in class.

Ten minutes passes by quicker than I expected. Before I knew it, I was back in my seat next to Neji. Like earlier, his arm was wrapped back around my waist. I'm not worried about us. I know we won't cheat on one another. At least that's what I hope for. I've never given him a reason to want to be with someone else. But I know that doesn't always mean anything. I'm just hoping for the best.

By the end of class, everyone knew who was staying with who. Choji at Ino's. Lee at Sakura's. Naruto at Hinata's. I mean obviously. I don't think Hiashi would approve of Hinata staying with Naruto alone for a month since his parents are gone. Just like mine.

I chose Kiba's house because I didn't want to feel weird having a boy at my house with no parents to meet him. I still feel awkward that I'll never get to introduce Neji to them, but then again, I'll never actually get to meet his real parents either.

Neji told me Tenten will be staying at his house. The thought makes my stomach turn, but I trust him. He did his best to reassure me. I told him I was fine with it and that I was just nervous about the project as a whole. The awkward group had decided on Sasuke's house since it can accommodate them better. I hope those three will be okay in the same house for that long. I sigh. This is going to be a very interesting project. I just know it.