Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Save Your Last Dance For Me ❯ Chapter 3

Chapter 3: More Project Making

 

Neji and Hinata were walking along to school. It was another ordinary school day after the project pairs were assigned and they were as usual together since Neji had always escorted Hinata along because of the family bonds. Hinata's father had been way overprotective of her because she is the princess and the only child.

 

They were simply walking along and Neji was carrying Hinata's bag as usual when suddenly they came to the topic of the dance. “Hey Hinata, are you going to the Christmas Dance?” Neji asked curiously. He had always known that his cousin has always been in loved with Naruto and well, maybe Naruto with her only he hasn't said it. It's a really big possibility that he would ask her out… But that is, if Hinata's father would approve.

 

“Huh? Er-umm… I don't know. Maybe not…” Hinata replied, blushing a bit with the thought of Naruto again. “Oh okay. Because you better let me know so we could tell uncle about it… You know, he's way strict.” Neji replied, being overprotective of his cousin again. “Of course I'll let you know… But that is if I'd go…” Hinata replied thoughtfully, wishing that Naruto will ask her out. “Neji-san, are you going?”

 

Neji almost stopped at the question. He suddenly remembered it, with the dance just about more than a week away and he still had to ask the girl of his dreams if he could be his escort, before someone asks her. Hinata seemed to understand Neji. “Oh, Neji-san I think you're going… It's just that the girl you're going to ask out is… Who is it?” Hinata asked curiously.

 

“Huh? I'm not sure of going, okay? And besides I don't know if I should even ask that girl I have in mind.” Neji replied guiltlessly. “Oh, so my cousin is in loved with this certain mysterious girl and he is unsure whether to ask her out or not… Neji-san, I think you should ask her out… This is your chance!” Hinata replied. “I don't know with you, Hinata. Let's not talk about my issue.” Neji said. “But… who's the girl???!!! Please, Neji-san tell me! I swear I'm never going to tell anyone. WHO IS IT??!!” Hinata pleaded. Neji thought Hinata was trustworthy since he had entrusted her some secrets before. It was not bad telling her… “Oh Hinata, just promise me you're never going to tell anyone especially that girl… If you do- Oh well I've got to trust you… It's-”

 

“Tenten!” Neji just saw his best friend from the corner of the street waiting for them as usual. He felt excited to see her and they started telling stories and talking about the issues happening in school like they usually do. Hinata was ignored but she smiled to herself. You never know what deep friendships could bring, she thought.

 

Soon they reached school and Hinata had to get her bag from Neji. As usual, Neji gave her instructions and precautions and etc. Before Hinata went on her way, she whispered “I think I already know who you're going to ask out.”

 

 

* * *

 

During homeroom period, the dance committee was excused because they called for a meeting in the conference room. Ino was included, who had a lot of plans to make the dance more romantic. Her ideas were inspired by the thought of Sasuke dancing with her all night. She entered the conference room together with her fellow committee members who were mostly girls.

 

Haku headed the meeting and asked for new ideas from the members. Ino had a lot to suggest including the decorations, food and other stuff important. “We must also choose a dance prince and dance princess, like the Prom King and Queen. It's very romantic and exciting.” Ino suggested, which Haku liked a lot. Ino dreamt that she was the Dance Princess and Sasuke was the Prince. Oh, was she so in loved with Sasuke!

 

After the meeting, Haku asked Ino who her partner in the dance was. “Well, I still don't have yet. But I hope the Uchiha heartthrob will ask me out.” Ino asked, grinning. Of course, Haku had always known that every girl had dreamt of going out with the greatest and most handsome Uchiha Sasuke. Even she won't deny that she had once been captured by his dark deep eyes.

 

“Well, Ino. Good luck to you.” Haku said. “Really, good luck.”

 

* * *

 

Ninja Anatomy period was used to start the projects. The pairs went on their own ways to research and organize their files. Most went to the library to search for books related to their assigned topics.

 

-at the library-

 

“You won't mind Gaara, if we first search for books related to our topic will you? Then after that, we'd organized the facts. Is it all right?” Sakura asked politely who was still trying to get used to Gaara's attitude. “Of course, Sakura. Whatever you think is best.” Gaara said.

 

After getting enough books from the shelves, Sakura and Gaara settled their books and research materials on a table. They were starting to organize the research work, when Sasuke and Ino came up to them. “Oh guys, would you mind if we joined you two? That is if we won't be disturbing your work.” Ino asked politely. The pang of pain came back to Sakura all of a sudden, but then she tried to ignored it. “Well, i-it's fine with me. Gaara?” Sakura turned to Gaara. “Okay.” Gaara replied coldly.

 

Sasuke and Ino settled at the table too and spread their research materials. They also organized everything, like what Sakura and Gaara were doing. But while doing their tasks, Sakura and Sasuke were stealing glances at each other. For a moment or two, their eyes would meet as if telling a message. The pang of pain was still there and Sakura saw it when she stared at Sasuke's deep dark eyes. These were the eyes she once loved glaring at, the eyes she fell in loved with. But now, it all changed. The love was still there in her heart but now, included with pain. Sasuke's eyes made her remember that. On the other hand, Sasuke just felt puzzled about what he felt. It must not be love… Well maybe, it shouldn't be. Sakura, like he always known, was just a simple former teammate in his past. But was that just it? Oh well, they guessed they both needed to concentrate more on what they are doing.

 

“Oh Sasuke, would you like us to go have snack together during recess time?” Ino invited. Sasuke glared at Ino. Sakura pretended not to hear the question and concentrated at what Gaara was saying about organizing the information. “Fine.” Sasuke mumbled coldly. Ino grinned.

 

While Sakura and Gaara were doing their project, Sakura herself were thinking and pondering about things. Even if it hurts for a long time now, she had been way happy for Ino that she was closer to Sasuke and especially now that they were partners in the project. She understood how much Ino loves Sasuke and that she had to give her best friend a chance to feel how to be close to Sasuke. Besides, she thinks that now Sasuke would ask Ino out to the dance. And then Sakura would have Lee for a partner or maybe some ordinary guy out there. Whoa, that's great ironically. She stopped thinking about these things and concentrated at what they were doing.

 

* * *

 

Naruto and Hinata were going okay too as they were settled in another table at the library. Research materials were also scattered at the table, like at Sakura's and Gaara's table. Hinata was the one who helped Naruto be organized as ever. Naruto, having a cluttered mind and mixed-up, crazy ideas, had a hard time organizing his thoughts. Good thing, there was Hinata who was a very organized and neat person - especially with her things and school work. Naruto, on the other hand was the one who brought out the creativity from Hinata, since she was really quiet usually. Naruto discovered that Hinata's ideas were great and he loved them too. He had also been cracking jokes to lessen the seriousness in making their project, as well as the tension between them. Then suddenly the thought he was thinking for a past few days.

 

“Uh Hinata, are you going to do something tomorrow after school?” Naruto asked hopefully. Hinata glared at Naruto and thought for awhile. “Um… No, I'm not going to anything… Uh, why Naruto-kun?” Hinata asked. Naruto hesitated for awhile. Was he really going to ask what was in his mind? He was unsure of himself but it was something not so hard to do. “Well… uh if it's alright may I see you tomorrow at the giant cherry blossom tree by the Ninja Academy playground after school? If, uh it's alright…” Naruto said unsurely. “Uhm… Okay, I think I'll be there.”