AS if I don't have enough work on my hands, with my two other fics that I need to update, and with my finals rearing its ugly head, instead of studying, I wrote this. I had to write this as soon as possible so the excitement of it wouldn't fade away, which has happened many times before. Anyway, this is rated T for cursing, slight gore, and some references to slash. (note, none of the characters are planned to be gay, its merely something that will be mentioned.)

Shinobi High.

Month of January.

Extremely and utterly cold.

Possibly the worst day in my history of school.

The worst part?

Its' not even first period yet.

My name is Kankuro Subaku. I'm what you would call a nobody. A person everyone seems to forget. No one says 'hi' to me in the halls, and my teachers don't know my name. Kind of odd since I'm the only guy here wearing purple make-up.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not some emo psychopath like my brother used to be. I'm not depressed or anything. But when your little brother is Gaara, and your older sister is Temari, you tend to get overshadowed.

My sister is a junior, my brother is a freshman. I'm a sophomore, right in the middle. Not babied and loved like Gaara was (or at least like he USED to) and I'm not expected to be the responsible head like Temari.

I'm just the filler. The extra, the guy whose there to make it look like people other than the main characters are there.

Not that I blame them. Gaara had been pushed into the spotlight when he had brought a gun to school- only to stop from killing everyone by some loud mouthed idiot whose name might be Naruto.

Temari had always been popular due to being unnaturally tough for a girl, but her real fame shooter had when she started dating a guy two years younger than her. His name is Shikamaru Nara, and a real ass hole.

So, I'm all that's left. Not that'd I want to be popular. Like Kiba has pointed out many times, if I ever do become popular, it won't be for the right reasons.

Kiba, one of my acquaintances. We're not best buds or anything, but I saved him from some bully a while back, and every once in a while we hang out. Not that we'd ever be best friends. Kibas' best friend is some guy named Shino. I met him briefly once, he creamed me on the online RPG we had met on. He's a weirdo alright, but he's' just quiet and he likes to wear sunglasses.

I suppose, I'm Kibas 'backup' friend, when he needs someone rowdy and loud to talk to. When he needs someone to talk about wrestling or monster truck rallies, or whatever else you just can't talk about with Shino.

I can accept that.

I always assumed I would go through life as a nobody until I got out of high school. I don't know what'll happen then, but in my fantasies (yes, a guy can have fantasies!) I become some big rockstar or actor, and everyone claims to have known me and try and get an autograph or some other favor. But when I hear their name (Except if it's Kiba,) I just pull of a confused look and say 'Who?'

I know, I know, incredibly lame. But it's not like I'll ever go spouting off my thoughts. That would be social suicide. Second only to if someone got their hands on a picture of my room.

I sometimes wondered what it would be like to have someone 'know' you, or be popular, but I always thought it'd never happen.

Unfortunately, if only for a couple of minutes, I became popular. And you know what? I'll stick to being a nobody.

X.P.O.V. Ten.Ten.X

Whenever anyone hears my name, a smile forms, and undoubtedly, they'll repeat the name in a questioning tone, and make some lame pun. Yes, my name is a number repeated. Get. Over. It.

However, after they learn my seemingly comical name, they lose interest. They go back to whatever conversation they were having, whether it's about the cute freshmen, or if it's about violence. But they don't talk to me. They see me as 'shy' or something I guess.

I, TenTen, am ignored. I am less popular then most of the freshman here. Which is weird since I'm a sophomore. But of course, this year's group of fresh (meat)men are particularly noticeable, so it's not that bad.

After all, they have Greek God Sasuke Uchiha, the crazy bastard Gaara, junior dating Shikamaru, Hinata (heir to the Hyuuga industries) and a lot more people I can't even name.

Despite I chased after Sasuke a bit, it became clear to me he was not interested in me. So I gave up. If he doesn't like me, then he doesn't like me.

So, being the odd girl I am, I resumed pining after my former crush. Neji Hyuuga. (sigh). He is feminine sometimes, but I never fail to get entranced by his eyes.

Not that it matters. He doesn't know.

He doesn't know I like him.

More importantly, he doesn't know me.

We've talked. Sorta. Ok, I said hi to him once. He's in a lot of my classes, and he's friends with my friend Lee.

Not that I think their particularly good friends. Poor Lee is dyslexic, and he also has Asbergers Syndrome, but he is amazing in sports, and even manages to get a solid B average, which continually amazes our teachers daily.

However, when Neji got transferred to our gym class the second semester in freshman year, Lee was no longer the most athletic person around. Neji could jump higher, throw hard, and aim better. So Lee proclaimed in an ADHD way, that Neji was his rival.

Thus, their awkward friendship started.

Neji has been getting better. I'll give you that. He used to be an arrogant idiot, always believing in destiny. Then, just three days into the sophomore year, he beat up his cousin, Hinata.

Neji was supposed to be the one to inherit the Hyuuga industries, but something happened, and his mothers' marriage got annulled, and Neji became nothing but the son of a bastard. He later got adopted by his father's brother, once his mother committed suicide.

Back to Hinata

She almost died. Neji was going to be sent to some sort of private school, but then this other kid –whose name might be Naruto- confronted Neji after school. No one really knows what happened, but Neji stayed here, and he seemed to be a lot nicer ever since.

I had liked him when I first met him, but this declined as I saw his personality. But, this year, he was a lot calmer, nicer, and he even mentioned that he was helping his cousin study for a math test the other day.

So, against my better judgment, I decided to ask him out. I spent at least a week just prepping myself, getting ready for rejection, or if I was lucky, acceptance.

So, this morning I walked up to him, trying to be calm.

He was talking to Naruto.

"Look Naruto, I said you could try and change the Hyuuga business, but don't you think that's going overboard?"

"Not at all 'Tebayo!"

I'm not far away. If I reach out, I could touch him. I take a deep breath.

"Ne…Neji!"

I practically blurt it out. Stupid!

Neji turns slightly startled. When he sees me he calms slightly.

"Hello…" Neji said awkwardly.

"Neji-kun, I was wondering if you would be interested in…"

Why did this have to be so damn hard? Toughen up TenTen! Be the tomboy you always claimed you were!

"…in going out with me?"

Yessssss. That was easier than I thought! Now all I had to do was wait for Nejis' answer!

Neji frowned slightly. He said nothing for a couple of seconds, and looked around awkwardly.

"I'm sorry. Really, but…do I know you?"

My hear crashed right through the floor and started heading for the boiler room. He was joking. Right? RIGHT?

"Neji…I…I" I try and sputter out the words, but it's no use. Neji walks away, slightly confused, Naruto gabbering in his ear.

I failed.

Neji didn't know who I even was.

Even though I was in a lot of his classes.

Even though he was friends with Lee. Why hadn't Lee ever mentioned me? Why? I had partnered up with Lee plenty of times in gym! Then we would play Neji and someone else in a tag team basketball game! How could he not know me?

I'm TenTen. The nobody. No, not the nobody, just a nobody. I don't deserve a specification. I head for my class a couple of minutes early, hoping to drown my sorrows in Global Studies.

My brain is on a frizz- it's not thinking properly, I'm not really sure where I'm going. I make a wrong turn, and I see an unpleasant sight.

Four seniors all ganging up on another kid.

I hide behind an old vending machine, my heart pounding wildly.

The seniors were notorious for being in the school gang that was known as 'Akatsuki'.

Off the top of my head, their names were…Kisame, Deidara, Hidan, and Sasori.

The other kid looked vaguely familiar, but it was hard to tell with his face scrunched in pain.

The red head- Sasori- has him pinned up against the wall, and the other three are cackling madly.

"Whatcha gonna fucking do now faggot?" Asks the guy with gray hair whose name was Hidan.

"Gonna ask your doggy boyfriend to save ya hmm?" The blonde one named Deidara puts in.

The victim struggles, attempting to break Sasoris grasp, but it's no use. He hisses something under his breath that I can't catch, but it was probably offending. For not a second later, Deidara sends a punch flying at him, and blood spurts everywhere.

The guy gasps in pain as is nose is clearly broken.

Sasori makes a disgusted face and drops the boy. He looks down at his shirt. "Really Deidara, you almost got blood on my shirt."

Deidara didn't reply, he only stomped his foot on the poor guys face "I'LL SHOW YOU WHOSE THE GIRL AROUND HERE HMM!" He roars, and I see more blood.

The boy curls into a ball, attempting to get away from the pain. He starts moaning slightly.

Where are the teachers? I look around. Crap. I wandered into the art wing. No teacher (with guts) is ever here.

Kisame cocks his head. "Oi!" He cries out, and jabs is thumb in my direction.

I step into sight. I start to tremble. Unlike your average bully, these guys weren't afraid to hit a girl.

Hidan rushes towards me and grabs me by my collar. "'sup bitch?" He asks smirking and my eyes widen in fear.

But, I keep a level tone. "Let him go."

They let out raucous laughter.

Kisame-with tears in his eyes- asks "Whatcha gonna do girly? Cry?"

More laughter and my eyes harden.

"No. I'll scream."

They look at me like I'm crazy and the victim gives me what looks like an inquisitive look.

"Whas that gonna do hmm?" Deidara asks

Slowly, my plan forms vaguely in my mind. "Well, you guys normally pick on the social rejects and losers in this school" I begin slowly.

"I'm not a nobody, if you hurt me, I'll get my dad. He's the head of the police department. He will hunt down each of you and find you."

A lie. Complete bull shit. But they don't know that.

Hidan slowly lets go of me and steps away. Deidara puts his foot to the ground, and doesn't lift it up. One by one, they step away, and leave.

I breathe a sigh of relief. The lie won't hold up for long. But next time I'll make sure to stay away from dark places.

I hear a weird coughing gurgling noise. Of course! The guy! I rush over, he has smeared purple make up all over his face, and spiky brown hair. He wears a sweatshirt with a hood that has cat ears.

"Thanks" He mumbles between the blood. I slowly lift him up, and even though he's a lot heavier than me, I slowly make it to the nurses' office. The minute she sees us, she immediately directs us to a bed and takes out her bandages.

"umm miss…?" I ask quietly.

"Call me Nurse Shizune hun." She says.

"Nurse Shizune, Is it ok if I stay here for a while? I'm not hurt that badly but…"

Nurse Shizune smiles knowingly and nods. "You can stay for first period, I'll alert your teacher. Your teacher is…?"

"Kotetsu. Mr Kotetsu." I say quickly, and she directs another nurse to make the call, while she helps the victim.

About ten minutes pass, and the guy opens his eyes. He slowly sits up and feels his broken nose, wincing in pain. He looks at me, and gives a feeble smile.

"Thanks TenTen."

This causes shock. He knows me? How does he know me?

Somehow reading my mind, he just sighs.

"Kankuro. I'm in your science, and carpentry class."

A jolt of realization takes over, and I immediately recognize him. How could I have been so dim? How many people in our entire school wears purple make up? I mentally make a note to hit my head a couple of times with a frying pan.

"Kankuro," I begin "Why were you…" I break off again. Who am I to ask him such a question? He probably thinks I'm some ignorant busybody (oxymoron!) right now!

But, Kankuro just chuckles softly, before wincing in pain. "The blonde…he had been picking on my brother. I heard him talking about how he was planning on putting a smoke bomb in Gaaras locker. I guess…I just stopped thinking."

Gaara, this kid was related to the guy who tried to kill people?

But all I do is nod sympathetically.

"But…as it turns out, they had their fair share of taunts on me too."

I search the memory. I slowly remember what they had been saying before Kisame noticed me. Something about sexual orientation…

"So are you gay?"

The words come out of my mouth before I can stop them. I cover my mouth in horror, and I blush a deep, deep red.

Kankuro just shakes his head. Back and forth.

"Naw. They were just saying that because I wear make-up, and I'm friends with a freshman. Honestly, if they want some gay perverted guy, they should look at our Chemistry teacher, Mr. Orochimaru."

I laugh slightly. "I'm sorry I didn't recognize you" I say. It's always good to apologize. Even when they don't appear hurt.

Kankuro just gives me an odd look. "S'okay, I tend to be a person nobody notices."

And before I know it, we start talking. He talks about Gaara, Temari, and occasionally Shikamaru. I talk about Lee, and I soon cover the subject of Neji.

Before I know it, I hear an annoying sound. First period is over. I sigh and pick up my bags. The nurse says that Kankuros dad will show up in ten minutes to pick him up.

I inch out of the room. I reach for the door, and I step into the now crowded hallway. I'm almost home free when I hear a voice.

"Hey! TenTen!"

I turn to see Kankuro, looking slightly frantic.

"Yeah?" I ask.

"I…well…with Neji…."

I frown slightly. My second period class is on the other side of the school.

"…Look, if you ever ne…I'll see you around TenTen."

It was an odd thing to watch. Kankuro probably had about twenty things he wanted to say. But all he say was that he'd see me around. But, in my gut, I knew it was a more important question then it seems. I pause and look outside.

Then I look back at him and smile.

"Yeah Kankuro. I'll see you around. Definitely." I slowly close the door, so I don't appear like I'm rushing, and I take off down the hall, curses muttering through my breath.

I don't really know who or what Kankuro is. But something about him seemed nice. It wasn't the hormonal charge I got every time I saw Sasuke. Nor was it the fluttering feeling I got when I saw Neji. Nor was it the warm feeling I got when I saw Lee.

I had never felt anything like this before. But, whatever it was, it was nice. It felt nice. And maybe-just maybe, I'll make a point to bump into Kankuro again sometime…

Ok, YES I KNOW NEJI IS NOT THE SON OF HIASHI! I just changed that little fact because…well frankly for drama and cause I can. The whole reference to the Akatsuki calling Kankuro a little yaoi is because the first time I ever saw any Kankuro shipping, was a video on youtube that was a KibaxKankuroxShino threesome. It was a long time until I ever saw any hetero shipping, which was mainly KankuroxTenTen, KankuroxIno, and KankuroxTemari. The scary part is that out of all of these, KankuroxKiba probably has the most canon back up -.- Anyway, I changed some of the ages so that all of the characters could be students or teachers. Just for clarifying: Tsunade is the principal, Ibiki is the V. principal, Kotetsu is the history teacher, Izumo is the math teacher, Jiraiya is the Health teacher, Gai is the gym teacher, Asuma is the Art teacher, Kurenai is the foreign language teacher, and I really haven't thought much else about the teachers. Konohas nine (and Gaara) are freshman. Kankuro, Nejis team, the Sound team, and Haku are sophomores. Temari, the Sound Five, and Kabuto are juniors. The entire Akatsuki and Anko are the seniors.

My final note, this fic has multiple endings. It could end KankuroXTenTen, or, it could end NejiXTenTen and KankuroX(?). if it's the second one, there would be a strong KankuroXTenTen friendship.

Note, this is a chapter fic, but it might be a while until I update cause I'm up past my head in stuff I need to do. Now, if you could be so kind, leave a review.