Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and the characters in it.

Author’s notes: I got the idea for this story from a book I saw at a friend’s second hand book stall. The book has the same title as my other story ‘Among Friends’ which was what prompted me to pick it up and read it. This fic starts nearly the same as the book but veers off in a different direction soon after. Certain plotlines are borrowed from it. Enjoy the story.

---------

Sakura's diary

Everyone who had Gai-sensei for English last year had warned us about The Assignment, but we still thought that we could change his mind. We'll read Shakespeare, we'll read War and Peace, we'll read any book with more than 1000 pages but please, please, please, just please don't make us keep diaries!

Of course, Gai-sensei just passed out the notebooks with white pages and announced, with that megawatt smile of his "You'll find these easy to fill, my youthful students".

There are around twenty of us in advanced English class. Moans and whines rose like hungry puppies. Hungry annoyed puppies.

"Fill?" we said, horrified. "What are we going to fill it with? What are we going to say?"

"Whatever comes to mind. You are all so young, so full of life, filled with the power of youth. We'll keep them for three months. You'll be surprised at what happens in your lives in just three months," he offered another grin.

After English class, Ino, Hinata and I stood in the hall and stared at our notebooks, leaning against each other. Three always makes great support.

Like that time when we were younger, I still remember the day I said we'll all learn how to jump rope or die trying. We stood in the park the whole day, missing lunch and lying to our parents that we had eaten at each other's houses. But by the time it was dark, we could jump rope and do any pattern possible.

Today, we straightened up and Ino said," Let's play 'This Hallway Is Ours'".

She invented the game on the first day of high school, when we were scrawny little kids and everybody else was lost in the maze of hallways or struggling to remember new locker combinations. We were scared of the seniors because they had seemed sophisticated, stylish, and experienced. But we linked arms, and marched down the hallways like an army taking over a place and the even seniors got out of our way.

We haven't done that in ages. We haven't been together a lot lately. I'm busy with work, Ino's busy with her boyfriend and Hinata's busy with her family.

So I guess I'm lucky to have a diary. Somebody to tell.

Oh, great. I'm calling a diary somebody, as if it's a person who understands me , not a bunch of wired together white pages.

Naruto's diary

I don't know about this. A person could be sorry about writing things down. I like Gai-sensei, no matter his eccentricities but once it's there, it's there. I spoke to Sakura during lunch break but she was a little busy with her physics experiment... err, I mean our physics experiment, which she's doing the majority of work. Can't help it if I don't like physics right? But we're doing a laser experiment that's guaranteed to blow everyone's experiment away. Yes!!

She's been a bit emotional lately too. Terrible mood swings. I think it's PMS but she'll kill me if I say anything. But I heard that she's writing a musical. And there's this German exam coming up. Of course, in German, she sits next to Sasuke-teme and they flirt in foreign languages. Thank God I didn't take up that class.

Gai-sensei lost his enthusiastic streak for a while today and solemnly promised us that the diaries would be guarded with his life and nobody else would read them. I don't know whether I have faith in him or not. The teachers enjoy making bets and gossiping about the students, so giving them the diaries would mean big trouble.

I wonder what these diaries will accomplish. Sasuke has so many secrets we could auction off his diary at the end of three months and pay for our prom. But I know him, we're not best friends (apart from Sakura-chan) and rivals for nothing. He probably won't give away a thing. Probably records the daily temperature instead of his thoughts.

It's funny how all the girls just fall for him, including Sakura-chan although she denies it. I've listened to the gossips: ooh, he's so tantalizing just because he never responds, he's so good-looking etc etc. Well, he does have a silent presence and you're always aware of him, tall, strong quiet. And before he talks there's always a slight pause, Sasuke planning ahead so each sentence reveals as little as possible. And no, I am not gay. I get these descriptions from listening to girl talks. Seriously, with a girl as your best friend, you'd be able to get select information, no?

Sasuke's diary

You transfer to another high school and people are curious. They know your name since the teacher helpfully puts it on the whiteboard. But you're anonymous in blue jeans and a black shirt right? So they ask questions, as in, "Hi Sasuke, I'm Sakura. Where are you from?"

OK, she's Sakura. Cute, sparkly, nice. But I'm not going to tell anybody anything. Once they learn one thing, they're going to want to know another. I've practiced a new smile in front of a mirror, and I know it's a good one. I say to Sakura, "I move a lot".

Right from the first day, I mean to stay away from Sakura, because she's the type who will win. If she wants to know me bad enough, eventually she will. But I stay around her because she's exciting. She's a genius, not as good as me of course, but something about her intrigues me. There are two other so-called prodigies around here too: Shikamaru and Neji but Sakura's the only female one.

In chemistry lab, Sakura is assigned to be my lab partner. She flirts like mad and I start liking her but I keep a grip on myself. She'll say, "What do your parents do for a living that they have to move so often?"

The whole lab is listening, I'm inwardly annoyed but I answer pleasantly, "Oh, this and that. They blow hot and cold on a lot of stuff".

Next time we have lab, she says, "Hey, can I have your phone number?"

Again the whole lab is listening. Even the teacher. Most girls already have their hands on their hand phones so they can key in my number the moment I blurt it out. As if that would happen. I manage to smile, "Sorry Sakura, I haven't got around to getting a phone at the moment".

She laughs and I discretely nudge the phone in my pocket so it hopefully won't be noticeable. She asks another question and it's one I can't answer with a crafty little quip. I smile and pay attention to the teacher. She's getting a little close for comfort. Things are getting bad for me and I can't risk it.

Funny: I’ve moved three times and it takes months to find your slot and make friends. This time I swear off friends and overnight I've got status. I'm popular because I'm a mystery. Strange world.

One day, we're filling out forms that require all your personal information. "Oh good. At least we'll find out his address," grins Ino.

I can't stand Ino. First of all that's not a real name. Second, she reminds me slightly of my-

No. This may be a diary but I don't have to reveal any secrets here, do I? I scribble in a made-up address and phone number.

Ino is best friends with Sakura. And Sakura is best friends with Naruto. Ino is the prettiest, if you like conventional beauty: blonde, blue eyes, great legs. Sakura is a bit more exotic. Pink hair, green eyes and sparkly enough to make snow appear grey. Naruto is loud, blonde and annoying. Through him, I got to know Hinata, with dark hair, big soft grey eyes and a personality that says don't notice me.

I wish my posture said that. People notice me no matter what. Sakura flirts with me for the fun of it. Ino flirts with me even though she already has Shikamaru, I believe she's trying to make him jealous. Naruto loudly confesses that I'm his new best friend and rival.

I'm leaning against my locker waiting for the bell to ring while Naruto loudly talks about going to some ramen place. "Sorry," I tell him. "My family has plans". That happens to be the truth. We always have plans. Not plans I like, but I can't do much about it.

Sakura and Ino walks pass, laughing like crazy. Sakura's a breathy giggle and Ino's a deeper chuckle. Sakura winks at me. I try to stop myself, but I wink back. I can't help it. She's all mine, all special at that moment. And then I leave fast, ignoring Naruto's indignant yells. If Sakura touches me, I'm gone, and I can't afford it.

Ino's diary

I, Ino Yamanaka, begin my journal in my junior year at Konoha High. I flirt again with Sasuke today because Shikamaru happened to be standing nearby. For some reason, everyone seems to think that Sasuke is so fascinating. Even Sakura. Trust me. The only thing fascinating about him is that he has managed to convince the whole school that he is fascinating. Underneath all that so-called mystery is just another guy with nothing to say. Maybe I'm just saying this because I already have Shikamaru.

I swear every girl in school has a crush on him, just like every guy in school has a crush on me and Sakura. Yes. All we have to do is stand there showing off and other people just fall over their feet. That's the life.

Thank goodness for Shikamaru. Another few weeks and we'll have been officially going together for one year. A January anniversary. I'll call it our Janiversary. How's that? I'll have to drag Sakura shopping later. I'm glad bright colors are in this season, I look my best in strong colors.

Shikamaru's diary

For purposes of organization (and to make thins less troublesome), each day shall be divided into categories.

1) Car: Another week , and I'll have to send it in for it's first mechanical check up. Remember to phone mechanic. Funny jokes on radio.

2) School: Physics dull, chemistry dull, lunch disgusting, English this assignment, full marks in French quiz, did laps in the pool during gym, hate running laps.

3) Girls: Ino wore a new outfit, which looked exactly the same as what she wore yesterday, but luckily I didn't say that to her. She always looks good to me. Sakura too. They were both being crazy again in the hallways, like they were kindergarten kids or something, laughing all the way. At first I thought they were showing off for Sasuke Uchiha, who annoys me and is totally troublesome since he turns out to be another prodigy. Sakura grinned when she passed me , old friends and all. She's got a way of making you feel like God when she smiles at you. There are guys in this school who work hard to get one of her smiles and she doesn't even know.

All the girls know it though. Unfortunately, Ino is my girlfriend and Sakura and I have known each other since we were younger so there can't be any lovey dovey feeling between us. Sakura is writing a musical everyone’s talking about it. I think that one day we will point across the street and tell people that Sakura Haruno grew up there and they will gasp and say, “You know Sakura Haruno?”

Now, wouldn’t that be fun, though a little troublesome?

4) Home: Dad's still out of the country. Mom's still waiting for the construction crew to begin work at our house.

5) Weather: Cool. Not too hot and not too cold.

Sakura’s diary

This is scary. I don’t want to write a diary. As long as your thoughts are on paper, it’s fine. But diaries? A lot of assignments I don’t feel like doing , but this is the first one that makes me want to run. The thoughts I’m having now are bad ones. I can’t write them.

And yet… I have the desire to write the best diary of all.

I want to be good.

Wrong.

I want to be terrific.

Wrong.

I have to be terrific.

And that’s wrong. I can feel that I’m going to pay. Some awful price is waiting for me, like a monster in the dark.

Shikamaru’s diary

Just for the hell of it, I followed Sasuke Uchiha home today. I think it’s funny how he won’t tell anyone anything but it’s getting to me. Listening to Sakura chat about him did it. We had free period together and Ino was nowhere to be found so I spent that time talking to my pink haired childhood friend. I mean, she talked, I nodded every time she paused to take a breathe. I hope she didn’t notice.

It is so troublesome that every girl in Konoha High is falling under his spell. Most guys don’t tease him. Guess it helps to have that strong built and cold glare.

Coach asked him why he doesn’t go out for sports, because they could really use him. Sasuke said he was needed at home. That kind of answer stops a teacher short. Says nothing, closes subject. You’ve got to admire him. He’s got the technique down.

Lee thinks he might have a parent in prison and doesn’t want to admit it. Tenten thinks his family might be in drugs- distributing and manufacturing. Ino thinks his name is fake, and his parents are yakuza. Or in another country’s secret service, here under false passports. Is this ridiculous or what?

We were talking in the locker room, and Kiba says he heard Sasuke just has many brothers and sisters he has to go home and take care of. I don’t remember anyone saying he had any siblings but Kiba punched me and said that’s not the point. So now I have cracked ribs (damn, that guy can punch hard) and it’s all because Sasuke Uchiha won’t tell anybody why he goes straight home every day.

One thing though. He’s definitely not too poor to have his own car. He drives a black Toyota Celica for goodness sake. He doesn’t take the school bus. After all, it would have to stop near his house and that would give things away. We might oh no… find out where he lives.

So I followed him.

I might have a lot to learn about the undercover business. This totally ruined my reputation as a genius.

First, I probably shouldn’t be driving a red Ferrari. It’s rather striking, you know?

Anyway, Sasuke Uchiha spotted me, waved, parked in front of a hypermarket and walked in. The guy’s slick and crafty. Tomorrow, I can’t exactly say, “Listen, I was following you but you outplayed me, how bout we give it another try today, huh?” And it is always possible his mother made him stop to but toilet paper, right?

Wait, categories, forgot my categories.

School: Troublesome.

Family: Troublesome. No changes there.

Car: Too red. Troublesome.

Weather: Who cares?