Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Save Your Last Dance For Me ❯ Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Pair Project

 

The next day, everyone was in their class with Miss Kurenai who was teaching a subject about Ninja Anatomy. It was like the usual Anatomy with studying the different systems of the body, only there were additional facts about chakra and everything.

 

“I have decided for you to have a research project for the Holiday season. It's due during the week of the Christmas Dance. It's done by pair and I have already assigned your partners. About this project, you will research about a certain topic - it's either about a body system or something related like that. But the thing is, you will prepare an illustration about that certain topic I will assign - either a chart or a certain technique. Whatever creative way, you can think of. Now I will announce the pairs and save your questions for later.” Everyone in the classroom stood up.

 

“When I announce the pairs, please sit together with your partner.” Ms. Kurenai added. “First pair: Neji and Tenten.” “You're my partner again?! Haha, we've been partners in Algebra too.” Tenten exclaimed happily, but happy with her partner. Neji simply smiled. It was a good thing that they were partners since they were really close and nearly best friends. Because of that, they would already be comfortable with each other.

 

“Pair Two: Lee and Shikamaru.” They sat together but felt not that okay because they were not assigned to their desired partners. “Pair Three: Shino and Temari.” “You again?! Why in the world did this happen to me??? Oh, Shino you're just the greatest teaser in the whole wide world.” Temari exclaimed, being so annoyed. “Haha, you can't do anything else about it. Ha! Ha! Ha! I've got someone to tease again.” Shino replied, chuckling.

 

“Pair Four: Sasuke and Ino.” Ino almost jumped at the announcement. Oh my gosh, it's Sasuke!, Ino thought. She felt so happy. On the other hand, Sasuke had no reaction about it only a bit annoyed since he had known from the start that Ino really liked him so much. It's just that, Ino's gestures of showing her affection to him was so irritating. “Pair Five: Sakura and Gaara.” Sakura simply smiled at Gaara but on the other hand, wished it was Sasuke. Gaara did not know what he felt, but he felt indescribably happy about it and he felt his face getting about redder. “Pair Six: Naruto and Hinata.” Hinata, as usual blushed about it so much like she usually does. Naruto cheered about it. Hinata was so nice to him always and he really loved her being nice and quiet.

 

Miss Kurenai continued announcing the other pairs. Finally, the pairs were already settled. “Talk about what your plans for the project are.” Ms. Kurenai announced. In Tenten's and Neji's part, they had a really lot of ideas together and agreed to a lot of things. In just a short time, they already formulated good plans for the project. Ms. Kurenai agreed of them. Meanwhile, Ino and Sasuke were also doing the same. But Ino was the one who was doing most of the talking, showing Sasuke that she knew a lot of good ideas. Sasuke kept quiet and went nodding but also suggested a little. In the inside, he wanted badly to be paired with somebody else (who could it be? Guess who!).

 

Sakura and Gaara were new to each other and were just trying to be comfortable. Of course, they knew each other before but they weren't close since Gaara was too quiet and close about himself and always joining his siblings while Sakura was always in her group of girl friends and always fantasizing about Sasuke. “Uh Gaara, I'm sorry if I wouldn't be able to have a lot of nice ideas. You know that I have no special talent except about knowing chakra control and a bit about being a medical ninja. You're a genius, Gaara and I believe you have good ideas. I know we can do this project together.” Sakura said nicely. “You believe in me? I don't know. Well, uh maybe. But I'll try my best.” Gaara said. “Of course, I believe in you! I believe that every genius has a potential in creativity. You can control your sands well, what more could it be in generating ideas? Let's start now.” Sakura said. They had a lot of ideas and for the first time in his life, Gaara opened up his creative side and Ms. Kurenai approved of their plans.

 

Naruto and Hinata were almost like the other pairs. Like others would predict, Naruto would do much of the talking but this time, it was Hinata. “Well, Hinata. Please, I would ask a favor. Would you be the one to create ideas? I mean, more of it? I believe that you are very creative. You're great, Hinata. Now, let's think of ideas.” Naruto said. He simply wanted Hinata to show her creative side since she was always quiet about herself. They had great ideas that Ms. Kurenai approved of also.

 

While the other boy-girl pairs were doing so well, as expected Shino and Temari were not doing well. They were arguing so much about their plans. If Shino would have an idea, Temari would point out a weakness about it and Shino would also do the same to her. They were always having a debate but of course, sometimes they were just laughing their misunderstandings off. They were just arguing for the fun of it. “Okay, Temari. Let's fix this over. I'm tired of arguing.” Shino said finally. “You were the one who's arguing with me, okay?” Temari argued. “Okay fine if I was the one. I'm sorry, okay? Now please will we fix this out?” Shino said. Temari was so impressed by Shino's apology. He knows how to say sorry, ah, she thought. They tried fixing out their plans and so it worked. Even though they were last, they still submitted their good plans.

 

-after Ninja Anatomy (recess time)-

 

It was already recess time and the girls there talked about their projects and their partners. “You know what, Tenten? I think you and Neji look good together. I saw you two talking about the plans and you simply had, uh, good chemistry.” Ino commented. “Neji and me? A big HAHA to that. Neji and me are close friends, okay? We've been friends ever since we've been teammates. That's just that and it's so impossible he might even like me. He's the one who tells his secrets to me.” Tenten defended. “Yeah, that's why you look good together. You're very comfortable to each other. You were always partners in all subjects when there's pairing.” Sakura added. “Whatever, it's nothing okay?” Tenten laughed it off. “What about you, Sakura? Is Gaara okay?” Temari asked. Sakura smiled. “He's fine, you know. I never knew that he wasn't that fierce. I mean, he wasn't so cold and everything. And he was creative with his ideas.” Sakura answered. “Uh really? Gaara is nice too?” Hinata asked, unbelieving. Sakura nodded. “I didn't know that too. What did you do to him, Sakura? As long as I've known my dearest brother, he's very cold especially to girls.” Temari said. “Uh nothing. I guess his creativity just showed up.” Sakura replied. “Oh I smell something different about that.” Ino said.

 

-after school-

 

Sakura had just finished fishing out the things from her locker and walking on the way home when she noticed Sasuke walking along. She chased him. “Ei, Sasuke. May I join you?” Sakura asked unsurely. She tried to be cheery despite Sasuke's cold unchanging attitude towards her. “Hn.” Sasuke mumbled, as always. “And uh, Sasuke? Here's the History notebook I borrowed from you.” Sakura said, handing Sasuke a notebook. Sasuke took it and slid it in his knapsack. They continued walking together. Sakura felt so blessed having to walk beside the boy of his dreams. Sasuke, on the other hand felt so weird being seen of walking with a fan girl. He, Sasuke, the top 1 genin and most handsome boy in Konoha, is walking with a fan girl. But to Sasuke, in the inside Sakura was no ordinary fan girl like Ino is. He didn't know why, but he felt like Sakura had been special to him in some ways. Maybe because, they were teammates for a long time. But of course, he isn't supposed to be in loved with a girl since he is Uchiha Sasuke, the coldest boy in the universe. Finally, they reached Sasuke's home - a condominium he is sharing with his brother, Itachi (they have made up already). “May I say hi to your brother? It's been long since I last saw him.” Sakura said unsurely. “Hn. I just don't know if he's at home. But you can come in.” Sasuke answered, entering the house. Itachi was there, reading his college text book (He's going to Konoha Ninja College). “Oh ei Sasuke. Hello Sakura!” Itachi greeted. “Hello, Itachi! I just dropped by to say hi. It's been long since I didn't see you. Sasuke was on his way home and I decided to join him.” Sakura said. “Oh I'm so glad to see you, Sakura! You'd like to come in for some tea?” Itachi invited. “Uh no, thanks. I'm on my way home now and I've still got loads of homework to do. Maybe some other time, Itachi.” Sakura said. “Oh okay. Come visit anytime, Sakura.” Sakura went away.

“So, is Sakura you're girlfriend already?” Itachi asked with interest. “Of course not. It's like I'm going to have a girlfriend. Besides, I'm not like you - a certified playboy.” Sasuke said. “Oh don't be too annoyed. I'm just asking. Or maybe she's the one you planned to ask out in the dance.” Itachi said. “You know about the dance? Don't tell me you're going out with Ms. Kurenai again.” “Of course, I am. How did you know?” “I've been used to you…” “Come on, Sasuke. Kurenai is not that old for me. I'm in third year college already. We're have just like six or seven years gap.” “Whatever, Itachi.” “Wait, you haven't answered my question. Is Sakura the one you're going to ask out? If she's the one, I'm on total support with you. I'm ready to give you tips about girls.” “Whatever, Itachi.” Sasuke went away to his room. “Hey, you haven't answered my question!”