SN

Sasuke manages to evade Gaara and Naruto after school by heading to the library, with a hurried promise to meet them outside the school. Gaara gives him a look, but says nothing, and Sasuke expresses his gratitude with a nod.

He’s barely set foot in the library when Tenten corners him. “Come on.” Grabbing him by the arm in a grip that rivals Naruto’s steel clamp, she drags him over to the reference section (completely deserted, like it is every day except finals week).

“Listen.” Even though the library is mostly devoid of people, Tenten still glances around nervously and leans in close. “Neji said something strange to me this morning. About you.”

“M-me?” Sasuke is caught completely off-guard. “What?”

“He said that you and I, and I quote, ‘shouldn’t worry about him.’” Tenten draws air quotes with her fingers. “What were you talking about last night after I left? He seemed pretty upset when he left the theater, and now this?”

“Um.” Sasuke swallows. “What exactly did he mean by ‘don’t worry’? He didn’t say anything else?”

Tenten grits her teeth. “If I knew what it meant, you think I’d be asking you? I’d interrogate Neji if I could find him, but he must’ve left school early or something. So spill.” She prods him in the chest. “What were you talking about?”

Sasuke is pretty sure this is what is known as a dilemma. On one hand, Neji will probably be furious with Sasuke for telling Tenten about how he feels. About how he’s in love with her. On the other hand, Tenten might know the best way to turn him down gently, and explain why she’s not interested. But if he tells Tenten the truth, Neji might never want to talk to him again. But Tenten might keep her source of information a secret. But then again, she might not, and Neji might be suspicious of him anyway. Sasuke’s thoughts are darting back and forth like crazy, the way they do when he’s trying to solve a math problem or figure out a riddle -- only this time there’s no right answer.

“Well?”

But there might be a wrong one that will work just as well.

“Neji said that he thought I had a crush on you,” Sasuke finally answers. “And… that I shouldn’t get my hopes up, because I don’t really know you, and you… don’t seem interested in me.”

Tenten’s eyes go wide and she backs up. “Seriously? He thinks you’re in love with me?”

Sasuke feels mildly insulted. “Um, yeah. What’s wrong?”

She’s laughing, one hand covering her mouth. “Nothing, nothing, it’s just… I didn’t think Neji was so dense.”

Sasuke feels slightly more insulted, even though Tenten isn’t criticizing him. “Well, it’s not impossible, is it?” he defends.

Tenten freezes. “Wait. Do you?”

“Do I what?”

“Think you have a crush on--”

“No! Of course not!”

“Good. Oh jeez, you really scared me there for a second.”

Sasuke huffs, momentarily blowing his bangs away from his face. “Like you didn’t just tell me you’re a -- mmph!”

“Shut up,” Tenten hisses, pressing her hand over his mouth. “Nobody knows yet, okay?”

Sasuke’s eyes widen. “Mnnbdhy?”

“What?” She releases him.

“Nobody? You mean, nobody at this school? Only your parents, and -- and me?”

“Uh, yeah.” Tenten’s cheeks are a light pink. “So, can you, like, not tell anybody? I mean anybody at all?”

Sasuke blinks in surprise. “O-of course. I won’t say anything.”

“Not to Naruto? Or Gaara? Or whoever else you’re friends with?” Tenten presses.

“Nobody, I swear.” Sasuke pauses. “I don’t… know too many people anyway.”

“What?” Tenten gives him an extremely skeptical look. “After, what, two years, your only friends are the friendliest guy in school and his sidekick who wears too much eyeliner?”

Sasuke coughs a little. “It’s not eyeliner, it’s just bags under his eyes --”

“Whatever!” Tenten fires back. “That’s ridiculous, Sasuke. No, worse -- it’s pathetic.” She studies him for a moment and then sighs. “Great. Just great. Thanks a lot for telling me that. You just made my life a lot more complicated.”

“What? Why?”

“Because.” Tenten flashes a blinding grin. “Now I’m going to have to be your friend. M’kay?” Without waiting for an answer, she hooks her arm through Sasuke’s and tows him out the door to the library. “And that means I’m going to walk you home.”

“Um--” Sasuke struggles to free himself. “Wait-- hold on -- I’m not --”

“Sasuke!” Naruto is standing in the lobby next to Gaara, beaming at him. “That took you forever --” he catches sight of Tenten and the wattage of his smile is lessened slightly. “What’re you doing?”

“Oh!” Tenten smiles and tugs Sasuke a little closer. “I’m walking him home -- but are you three going somewhere?”

“Yeah. Gaara’s house.” Naruto jabs a thumb towards the redhead standing passively beside him. “And we need to work on a project, it’s kinda important --”

“You can come.” Gaara’s voice startles all three of them. He toes the floor, avoiding Naruto’s shocked look. “I wouldn’t mind. And my siblings might be happy to see you.” He glances up at Tenten. “You know Temari, right?”

Tenten squeezes Sasuke’s arm a little harder and he winces in pain. “Yep!” she squeaks in a too-high voice. “I know her!”

“Great.” Gaara turns and heads for the doors. “Let’s go, then.”