AN: I am sooo sorry it took so long to update. I did not intentionally do this, in fact I wanted to get this chapter out just a week after the last one but things happened. Life came up and said, 'oh look winter break and you want to relax and write and watch anime, how cute.' Sucker punch to the face! Yeah like two days after I posted the last chapter my dad was in a bad car accident and he broke part of his neck, his right knee and shin, and his left ankle. He and my uncle were both in the accident and my dad was in the hospital until xmas eve. Even since then he's in a wheelchair for a few months so I've had to help out a lot more and with work and then school starting back up it's been hard to sit down and work at this. It's no excuse and I did say updates would range from 1 week to a month but I still felt bad. Anyway I'm hoping it won't take so long next time. Thanks for waiting I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my cat and her name is not Naruto.

Chapter 3: Movement

It was the end of the week already and she actually felt kind of nervous as she looked in the mirror at her reflection, well not exactly hers. She had already activated her henge though the cloths she was wearing were her own. The woman staring back at her had long red hair down to her waist. A long silk blue backless dress ended at her ankles with slits up to her waist, the color matching her new blue eyes. She had a simple gold bracelet and small gold hoop earrings. She was taller then she normally was, at 5'11 with light warm makeup. Just a slight pink lip glass making her lips stand out. She was also wearing dark blue heels giving her another inch and a half, she looked nothing like her former self. 'Hell I'm pretty hot if I do say so myself.' Sakura winked at herself in the mirror, before getting ready to leave. She had no idea what to expect tonight and no plans whatsoever. 'Tonight I'm just going to go and have fun.' Even though tempted she wasn't going to use her abilities to figure out who people were. 'It wouldn't matter anyway since people like Kiba and Naruto will be bragging about what they did by tomorrow morning.' She giggled, locked her door and made her way to the party.

It was to be held in the new banquet hall erected in remembrance of the Uchiha's in what used to be their compound. As sad as it was to see it go, there were no more decedents and it was nothing but a ghost town. They had renovated and rebuilt over it, though gone they were not forgotten. They had also included a memorial stone in the middle of what used to be the compound. Though it didn't do the clan justice with such a horrid end no one could come up with a better idea. This was started before the war was officially over and it had been almost 2 moths since they had finished with most of it. She vaguely remembered the compound from before the massacre but it had never seemed as warm and inviting as it was now. Even though it was being held in the banquet hall they also had lanterns strung on poles around the building as some people were enjoying the warm night and music could still be heard out there. As Tsunade mentioned there were extra guards stationed, meaning there were probably twice as many not seen. She scanned the crowd as she approached but didn't see any familiar faces. Well at least not until she saw a certain couple that even with a henge stood out.

It seems even with the henge Iruka-sensei still let the scar across his face look visible, but his hair was shorter, and he wasn't tan like he usually was. Though she figured he was like that on purpose. The person holding his hand, though henged, could only be Kakashi-sensei. She giggled and blushed, no one in Konoha had saw that coming. It was said it was the only thing that could trump Naruto's usual stunt as the 'number one most unpredictable ninja.' Hell even Naruto was floored when they found out. Personally she didn't care, in their profession people died too quickly to worry about what others thought of their relationship. Hell if you could find someone to love it shoulnd't matter what gender they are. Unfortunately it seemed like tonight they still wouldn't get a chance to sneak a peek at their teachers elusive face as he was henged, surprisingly enough, as a woman with long white hair and pale blue eyes. Her face was like a finely chiseled sculpture, though she was pretty sure Kakashi didn't have a face that feminine. Though anyone in Konoha would be able to figure out who the couple was she noticed quite a few men checking out the beauty holding only Iruka-sensei. 'If only they knew.' She finally made her way inside and heard some more popular pop music playing surprisingly. Then again a lot of the younger generation had been pulled into this war and therefore a lot of the veterans who were actually attending were younger. 'Least I'll have something to dance to.' She looked around to see if anyone else was being obvious when she stopped dead in her tracks and felt her eyebrow twitch. 'THOSE TWO!'

In front of her was a pretty voluptuous blond woman with her hair in pig tails and dazzling blue eyes in a bright orange halter top and ankle length skirt but with a slit up to her thigh. And next to 'her' was a young woman with short black hair, black eyes, and a 'smile' plastered on her lips with a tight piece of black cloth stretched over her body just barely keeping her decent. She had no idea what the hell Naruto and Sai were doing, the only thing that told her the woman wasn't Hinata was not only that she would never wear something that skimpy outside the bedroom but also since they were both acting flirty with each other to get the attention of any men in the area. She damn near walked over and socked the two idiots but stopped in her tracks. 'You know what, not tonight. It's not like anyone knows I'm friends with them, and if they do they expect something like this by now. I'll probably hear all about it by tomorrow anyway.' She sighed and continued to make her way around the room.

She started to make her way to the edge of the room to see if there were any seats, took one look, blushed, and turned around. No chairs, but plenty of dark corners for couples to sneak off into for some 'privacy.' 'Jeez the party only started about an hour ago!' It took a few minutes for her to wipe the blush off her face. She wasn't a prude by any means, but it's also not like she was experienced in that area. She wiped it from her mind and heard a song she liked come on, not too fast but with a great beat. She looked around and did something she rarely ever was, she was spontaneous, she picked a good looking guy who looked like he was from sand (if the tan and accent were any indicators), and asked him to dance. He took one look at her and agreed. They made it out to the dance floor and she finally let go after years on edge, and months on the front line she cut loose and had a good time. At least for a couple songs, eventually he tried getting a bit closer, but she just said thanks but she needed a break and thankfully made it to the bathroom without catching any more glimpses of people in the corners making out. God she hoped they were just making out.

She came back out and instead of looking for someone to dance with she instead went out on the dance floor and started dancing near a group of girls who didn't mind scooting over for one more. It was odd, freeing even, even if she did something embarrassing tonight or something totally unlike her, it's not like anyone would know. Ok, it was a ninja village, it's not like many people would know. Each song blended into another, a few times she thought she caught sight of a pair of twin blond pig tails swaying in the middle of the floor but they disappeared again quickly enough. Faces and bodies appeared and reappeared in waves as the tempo picked up or slowed down, until she felt hot and out of breath and needed to step out into the night air. It gave her goosebumps on her arms even though it wasn't very cold, but compared to inside it had to be at least 15 degrees cooler. She saw a small area with some snacks and drinks and went over for a glass of punch but changed her mind at the last minute and got a fuzzy navel. She could slam sake as well as her shishou (she was her student), but she enjoyed the fruity less intoxicating drinks that after a few could give her a good buzz.

She made her way to a less crowded area outside and leaned against the wall sipping on her drink and cooling off. It seemed like the party was in full swing, the inside was wall to wall people and though not as crowded out here, it was still easy enough to bump into someone. In fact even though she wasn't moving someone almost fell onto her. She was able to catch him though and caught a good wiff of sake on his breath. She helped push him up and steady him and was kind of stunned. 'He looks...like a pirate.' Sure enough he had a billowy white shirt, tight black pants, a large brimmed black hat, over a red bandana with his long brown hair that wasn't being covered tied in a short pony tale. All he was missing was a peg leg and an eye patch.

"Thank you missy, but what is a beauty like you doing out here?" He winked but whatever suaveness he was trying to achieve was overthrown by the way he swayed and almost staggered.

"I needed some air and a drink, I'd ask you to join me but I think you may have had enough for the both of us." He gave a gruff laugh and staggered a bit closer to her. She once again was assaulted with the smell of sake and...'wait dog?' She blinked a few times and giggled.

"What's so funny," he said sounding a bit hurt, like he actually thought his flirting was going well. She leaned in close to his ear and held him to make sure he didn't fall on her.

"Nice try Kiba, but I prefer ninjas over pirates," she whispered in his ear. He jumped back, his face pale.

"H-how? Wait, who are you?" It was her turn to wink as she slid away from the wall and walked passed him and looked over her shoulder.

"It's a secret." She walked away leaving him kind of stunned. 'He probably wouldn't have been so shocked if he wasn't so trashed. Still that's going to drive him nuts...if he remembers.' It was then she noticed the music and stopped and it looked like people were going inside. 'It must be time for shishou's speech.' She really didn't want to hear it again, she'd helped her prepare it all week and she was sure her Tsunade's feelings wouldn't be hurt if she wasn't in there. She went back for a refill and grabbed a shot of peach pucker on a whim. She felt the low warmth on her face and felt herself unintentionally relax. 'I wonder if Ino's here yet?' She'd been unconsciously looking for her since she'd arrived but she had no idea what Ino may have been up to. Ever since they last talked she had this weird feeling in her stomach, almost like she was waiting for Ino to show her something, but she had no idea what.

"Why aren't you inside," came a smooth voice from her left, she jumped in surprise and turned to see a guy about her age with short blond hair slightly spiked and blue pools for eyes. He was about her height if maybe an inch shorter, and was wearing brown slacks that hung around his hips, and a blue button up shirt with a white casual one underneath and an earring in one of his ears.

"I just came out for some air and I'm still cooling off."

"Well that won't help you cool off at all," he said with a smile pointing to the empty shot glass and her refill in her hand. She felt her heartbeat throughout her body and her face grow warmer then it already was. She'd met up with a couple of guys tonight and talked to them, but there was something about this guy. He'd barely said anything to her, but his smile and his eyes. It was like he was staring straight into her. She smirked and tried to compose herself.

"It seems as if you've stumbled across my master plan. By continuing to drink and stay warm I will not have to go back inside. But now that you've figured out my master plan what do you plan on doing about it?" She thought she saw him blush for a second but it might have just been the light as she took another sip from her cup. His eyes followed her mouth to her drink and unexpectedly he took the cup from her hand and turned it to drink from the same side she had just drank from and finished her drink. 'Is that...an indirect kiss?' She knew her face was red now and she was too stunned to fight it off.

"Well since you're plan is much better then the one I had in mind to stay outside then I will just have to be a co-conspirator in carrying out this devious plan of yours."

"W-what makes you think I want a partner in crime," she said trying to pout but when he smiled his eyes seemed to almost shine and she couldn't help staring into them.

"If you weren't at least interested you would have just walked away already. In fact you still can, I won't stop you." He paused to try an assess her face and saw she was considering it. "Though it doesn't mean I won't follow you."

"Well then I guess I really don't have a choice do I?"

"I'm hurt! Were you really thinking of leaving your partner behind?"

"Hmmm, when did I agree we were partners?"

"You didn't but you also didn't reject the idea therefore I take the fact you didn't as an acceptance."

"That's awful presumptuous of you don't you think?"

"I like to think of it as being suave, though that only works as long as you're willing to believe it as well." They stared each other down with smirks on their faces in an almost stare off, just gazing at each other...until they both cracked. They both broke down laughing.

"I'm really happy I came tonight," Sakura finally said as she composed herself. "I feel like I haven't had this much fun in years."

"Yeah same here, it finally feels like we're really free you know?" He turned around and asked for two more drinks and handed Sakura her own to sip on. It was then they heard the music start back up. "Seems like Tsunade-sama finished her speech."

"Yeah, seems so." Sakura felt this nagging feeling in her stomach and felt kind of nervous. But then she thought back to earlier, and how right now she wasn't Sakura, she was just some random girl enjoying herself. "Hey, wanna dance?"

"I thought you wanted to get some air?" He seemed kind of surprised.

"Yeah well, you only live once and when does Tsunade have a party on her tab? This will probably be a once in a lifetime opportunity." He seemed kind of nervous at the new idea. "What are you getting shy for now? Don't tell me you can't dance."

"It's nothing like that," he said with a definite blush on his face this time.

"Then what is it?" He looked like he was trying to stall while glancing towards the banquet hall.

"Well we still have our drinks, we'll spill them," he said obviously the first thing that came to mind though he apparently knew how ridiculous that sounded since he looked like he could kick himself for saying that. Sakura quickly turned her cup up and gulped the glass down in just a minute.

"I'm good, and if you don't finish yours I will for you," she said and made a grab for his cup but he pulled it out of her reach. "Come on what's wrong?" She got closer to him and whispered near the side of his ear, "I won't tell." He jumped a bit and it accidentally brought their faces close together and they both turned red as they were close enough to feel each others breath on their faces. It was just a second they were stuck in that situation though as he quickly turned away and mumbled something. "What was that?"

"I said I don't wanna be attacked anymore." His face couldn't be any redder.

"What?"

"I left in the first place because while I was in there girls were all over me and groping me, and I have seriously never felt more like a piece of meat in my life!" He sounded like it was the most heinous act ever. She couldn't help it, she laughed. "Well great help you are," he pouted.

"Sorry, but you never hear a guy say that kind of thing."

"Yeah well as much as I like girls, I don't like girls treating me like a toy."

"Well then you have nothing to worry about." He gave her a questioning look. "I thought you were the one who said we were partners. Don't worry I got your back, I promise I won't let those dirty girls use you like their plaything," she said in a singsong voice. He glared at her and it looked like he was seriously debating over it before he sighed and downed his drink before grabbing her hand and making his way back inside. She thought he may have been over exaggerating or something, but as soon as they made their way inside she noticed all eyes on him and felt like she may actually have to protect him. But as soon as they got on the floor she forgot all about them as they started to dance.

This was different then dancing with that one guy earlier or just dancing by herself earlier. Even though he had done absolutely nothing to make her trust him or even knew who he was she wanted to get closer to him. She had no idea who he could be, but just the way he acted and played with her, she swore she had to know who he really was. Though she didn't know how to approach it, then again the night was still young and for now she'd just enjoy herself. This time the music was thumping around them, but she barely paid any attention to it as she found herself moving more to his rhythm then the actual beats. Every time their eyes met he smiled at her in a way that made her heart skip a beat and made her smile back.

She vaguely wondered if this was normal when it came to flirting and dating and felt like she had been cheating a bit if this is the first time she'd been able to experience it. She'd definitely have to make sure she could do this more, a lot more, and hopefully maybe with the same person in front of her. He never over invaded her space or did a lot of touching other then her arms or a couple of times her shoulders, almost like he knew she was new to this. 'I don't know if I know them. But they seem to definitely know me.' Her suspicions kept clogging her head up, even as she tried to ignore it and just enjoy dancing. She was so caught up in her own thoughts that he had to shake her shoulder to finally get her attention enough to figure out there was now a slow song. He was blushing and seemed a bit more timid as he held a hand out her her wordlessly asking if she wanted to dance. She looked around and noticed the mood in the room had definitely become more romantic and looked back at him, his eyes warm but unsure, anxious even. 'How cute.' She grabbed his hand and put it on her waist, his other also followed and they slowly came together to sway to the music, their bodies fitting together she felt his body heat wash over her, but it wasn't uncomfortable. She leaned her head on his shoulder and laid her hands on his shoulders, she closed her eyes just enjoying the movement. It was surprisingly him who broke the silence as he whispered to her.

"You're so beautiful," she felt her heart speed up a bit. "Especially when you smile."

"Thank you, I-I really don't know what kind of compliment to give a guy," she answered meekly. He laughed softly.

"How about an honest one?"

"I really like you're eyes." He laughed again.

"Are you trying to tell me I have pretty eyes?" He could hear the pout in her voice when she answered.

"You told me to be honest and no they're not pretty, they're...expressive. Your smile seems brighter then I see you're eyes." He was silent for a while and she was about to ask if he was ok when he finally replied.

"T-thank you." He slowly pulled away from her looking her in the eye, and the eyes she was talking about were now looking at her in a serious way, like he could see through her henge and knew exactly who she was. 'He has to know who I am...but...I don't care right now.' She couldn't help feeling drawn to him and as he stared at her their feet stopped and Sakura slowly started to close the gap between them. He seemed to panic and back up leaving her wondering what she'd done wrong. It's not like she didn't know how to kiss, it wasn't her first. Though that didn't mean she was very experienced either.

"What's wrong," she asked and felt embarrassed when her voice cracked and told herself not to get too emotional over someone she'd just met. Instead of answering he grabbed her hand and pulled her back outside where it was almost deserted now. He made sure they were far enough away no one would disturb them before turning around and looking her in the eyes. The look there now was one of confusion and a whirlwind of other things she couldn't dissect.

"I'm sorry, I just. I didn't plan on something like that happening." The way he said that...

"So you did plan this? I guess then you already know who I am don't you," she said finally voicing what she'd been thinking all night. He sighed and rubbed the back of his head defeated.

"Sorry but yeah Sakura I know who you are."

"So what exactly did you have 'planned?'"

"Jeez you don't have to say it like I planned on stealing you away and molesting you."

"Then what were you planning?" He took a step back as he yelled and she actually felt bad at the hurt look in his eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm jumping to conclusions." He wouldn't meet her eyes after that.

"Sorry it's nothing like that. It's just...I-I like you." His face was a light pink but he continued. "I like you and I wanted to ask you out, but...I didn't know if you would ever think of me in that kind of way so...I thought if we could have fun tonight, together, maybe when tomorrow comes, you might give me a chance."

"Isn't this kind of a round about way though? I really didn't think I knew anyone this shy except Hinata."

"I'm not Hinata," he said quickly. "And...let's just say I definitely wouldn't usually be you're type. Heck I don't even know you're type." She thought back to her conversation with Ino just a few days before and it started to make sense. 'That's why Ino was so nosy! She must be helping this guy out! But who would Ino help? Well then again Ino is usually a good judge of character so it's not like she'd help anyone who she didn't think was a good person. I guess if Ino thinks he's ok, then I should at least give him a chance. I mean we were having fun.'

"Well I really don't know my type either yet. I haven't done much in the way of dating," she replied embarrassed. "But you seem like a good person. But if you wanted to get close to me then why didn't you kiss me? It's not like it was my first kiss." He seemed a bit shocked but got over it quickly.

"Because!...Because I don't want you to regret it when you figure out who I am. And I want you to kiss me, not this person. Man I'm just one huge walking contradiction aren't I? Kind of pathetic."

"Nah, definitely shy, probably confused, but not pathetic. Probably kind of sweet too."

"You say that now, but...tomorrow. Would you...be willing to meet with me tomorrow? Just to talk?"

"After all this you just want to talk? I figured you'd ask for a date."

"I do want a date!" At this his face turned a deep crimson as he just realized he said something embarrassing and he shook his head a few times before continuing. "Let's just say I want to talk to you first though, because if you take one look at me and decide you just want to walk away I won't stop you."

"Hmmm...that doesn't sound like you. Just earlier you said the same thing, but then you said you'd follow me. Why backing down now?"

"You seriously don't understand the situation, but I wouldn't expect you to know. Let's just say if you wanted to walk away I'd still want to be friends with you but I wouldn't try and force you into a date with me."

"Now I really want to know who you are," she said with a giggle. "Listen I don't care what kind of circumstances there are. You showed me a great time tonight, it's not every night or just any person I become partners with," she said with a wink. "And you were even a gentleman, for that I at least owe you one date. No matter what." His face could not get any redder and he couldn't look her in the eyes. The silence between them was like the world holding it's breath waiting to see just what this guy would do. He finally turned and smiled at her like he had when they first met, and his eyes just seemed to make his smile brighter.

"Fine but it's no one's fault but you're own. You're too damn cute for your own good. Tomorrow then, at noon in the park. There's a Sakura tree down this one path. The center path forks into three different roads about a quarter of the way in, it's off the right path about a quarter of a mile down on the right. I'll be there and I'll be wearing...hmmm." He seemed to think for a minute. "How about you pick, what should I wear to make me stand out?"

"I think you stand out just fine on your own," she said and got a pout from him. "Fine then how about behind your ear a yellow acacia flower?" He once again blushed before nodding.

"It figures you'd pick that flower."

"So you know the language of the flowers? I thought only kunoichi knew those kinds of things."

"You'll have to wait til tomorrow." She gave him a confused look. "It doesn't matter what you try you'll have to wait til tomorrow to figure out who I am," he said with a smirk.

"Am I seriously that transparent?"

"Of course not, I'm just that good. And you're partner, what kind of partner would I be if I didn't know you?"

"Don't know me huh," she said with a smirk. That smirk was dangerous, it spoke of proving him wrong, and it kind of scared him, though mostly because he had no idea what she would do to prove him wrong. He was thinking a fist to the stomach, kicking the ground to split it open beneath him, he was not expecting what she actually did. She walked up to him, grabbed his hand, and before he could figure out what she was doing she pulled him flush against her, grabbed his face, and kissed him. He was frozen, her soft lips moved against his, her lip gloss making their lips glide along each other. It took a good ten seconds for him to snap out of it and respond closing his eyes and kissing her back.

Sakura seriously had no idea what she was getting herself into, and if things went bad tomorrow she could end up hating him. But he had decided before, if anyone, Sakura was worth taking a chance for. So regardless of what lay ahead for them, he kissed her back like he had wanted to do on that dance floor so badly. It wasn't heated or lusty with tongue and saliva, but soft warmth of lips on lips as their hands unconsciously drew them closer. It seemed like forever but it may have only been a few minutes before they slowly pulled apart and half opened their eyes staring at each other. They may have stayed that way for a few more minutes but behind them the sky exploded in reds, blues, and yellows and caught their attention making them turn to the fireworks that had started signaling the end of the night. They then noticed people starting to come out of the building to watch or to make their way home. She was looking up at the sky again when she felt his breath against her ear and him whisper, "Good night, Sakura." She turned to look at him but all that was left was a poof of smoke, and a promise for tomorrow.

Back in her apartment Ino made her way back to her room and closed the door shedding her cloths as she went until she was left in a white tshirt and her underwear. She made a hand seal and the blond man who she had been parading as all night shrunk back to her normal height and body. It had been easy enough to steal some of her dads dress cloths a few days ago and henging to make them fit. She really didn't know what she expected to happen tonight when she decided to go as a guy. She was hoping to open Sakura's eyes. She acted exactly as she would have if she were Ino, but she wasn't afraid to flirt with Sakura, when they were bantering outside the first time she had gotten chills and finally started to really hope that maybe something could happen. Regardless of what Sakura had said if she met up with her tomorrow and she took one look and walked away she wouldn't hold her to the date. Tonight she had gotten so much more then she had ever thought. Though it might have been because Sakura thought she was being seen as an anonymous no one, but even after she figured out Ino knew her, she still played along. She had been so afraid for so long of being hurt, even now she knew she should guard her heart against what might happen tomorrow. But that still didn't slow it's beating, even as she raised her hand to her lips and felt them still wet with lip gloss she felt her own lips curve into a smile and her heart race just a little more.

AN: Sorry if it was a bit confusing but it was just as confusing when I tried to make Ino in male form say her instead of him while thinking so I put it in Sakuras POV and I just treated Ino like a man because that's all Sakura knows her as right now. BTW the yellow acacia is supposed to mean secret love. I found it on this website: www weddingbokay com symbolism html