(Those latest two Reviews got me back on track…Many thanks to you two…I had almost given up if you hadn't said something. So here's the next installment. The songs used in this chapter are as follows:

"Piddle, Twiddle, and Resolve" – 1776 – Jiraiya

"If You Were Gay" – Avenue Q – Naruto, Sai, and Sasuke

"On My Own" – Les Miserables – Hinata, Ten-Ten

"Not While I'm Around" – Sweeny Todd (Michael Ball Version) – Lee

One more than last time, but I wanted to get all of these off my mind. Anyway, here's the next chapter.)

Act 1 : Scene 11

Jiraiya took a sip of his sake as he sat on the roof of the Hokage's building. Beside him a small toad sat, taking a sip in time with Jiraiya. The little toad looked up to the Toad Hermit with a slightly foggy eye.

"You hear them…right?" he muttered lightly. Jiraiya nodded lightly as he took another sip. Below them, through a closed window he could hear the Council of Konoha shouting about their latest decision…at least that's what Jiraiya thought at first. Now they had begun to argue about random things that probably had nothing to do with Naruto and Sasuke. He sighed and stood, causing the small frog to jump back lightly.

"…For one whole year they've been discussing so many different things for Konoha. Half of them don't even mater in the least! …A whole year, doing nothing!" He shouted to the air as he began to pace. A militaristic song began as he looked to be marching down the rooftop, while staying in line with the room. He looked up to the sky as he began to sing.

"I do believe you've placed a curse on our, Konoha!" Jiraiya sighed and stopped, smacking his forehead lightly, "A curse that we here now rehearse in our, Konoha!" He began to list things he began to list off as he motioned out with his arms, pacing again, "A second flood, a simple famine, pelages of locusts, everywhere! Or a cataclysmic earthquake I'd accept with some despair!" He suddenly stopped and looked to the sky, motioning down to the room below.

"But no, you sent the Council! Good Gods, now, was that fair?!" He sighed and sat back down, the toad jumping back towards him. Jiraiya looked to him and began again; "I say this with humility in, Konoha" He motioned up to the sky once more as he sang the next line, "We're your responsibility in, Konoha! If you don't want to see us hanging from some damned Sound Village hill, if you don't want to see the voice of Naruto forever still, then Gods, please, get thee to it! For the Council, never will!"

With a grunt Jiraiya stood again, pacing again as he sang with his hands, motioning out with each word, "You see, they piddle, twiddle, and resolve, not one damn thing do they solve, piddle, twiddle, and resolve, nothing's ever solved in foul, fetid, fuming, foggy, filthy…Konoha!"

Gamakichi, the small toad, jumped towards Jiraiya, who had once again come to a halt, standing there thinking.

"Now, it's not that bad, is it?" Gamakichi asked. Jiraiya thought about it and, after a moment was about to agree before a head poked out of the window from down below.

"Someone oughta open up a window!" Jiraiya's eye twitched lightly before he yelled down at them, "Shut up!"

"You see? They only care about themselves!" He said as he began to walk off, leaving Gamakichi by himself.

"They may sit here for years and years in, Konoha! These indecisive grenadiers of our, Konoha! They can't agree on what is right and wrong or what is good or bad; I'm convinced the only purpose this Council ever had was to gather here, specifically! To drive me and Tsunade, mad!" He stopped when he reached the end of the roof, just standing on the edge, looking up to the sky.

"You see, they piddle, twiddle, and resolve, not one damn thing do they solve, piddle, twiddle, and resolve, nothing's ever solved in foul, fetid, fuming, foggy, filthy…Konoha!"

"Jiraiya, calm, is that you carrying on? Calm…" A voice said behind Jiraiya, causing him to turn to see Tsunade standing there. He sighed and looked back out.

"I know you're as pissed at I am Tsunade" Tsunade sighed and clenched her fist.

"Hai…But action is what's going to change there minds, not yelling at the sky"

Jiraiya chuckled before he looked back to Tsunade, his cheeks slightly tinted from the Sake, "I was singing…" Tsunade sighed and chuckled, touching his shoulder.

"…So…Got anymore of that Sake left?"

"Not if Gamakichi drank it all…" Tsunade chuckled again and nodded, looking down as she saw a pair of heads moving down the darkened streets of Konoha.

"…Naruto doesn't seem to look worried…" Jiraiya shook his head and looked down at the two as well.

"He and Sasuke must be going to that party…what was it again? New years?"

"Kind of…One year since Naruto brought Sasuke back…"

"Oh yeah…Naruto was pretty happy with himself after that one…"

"Sasuke was knocked out though…" Tsunade said with a smile. Jiraiya chuckled and shook his head.

"He won't admit it…"

Act 1 : Scene 12

Sasuke growled as he was pushed forward by his friend and partner, Naruto. He was wearing a dark blue, button down shirt along with a pair of black pants. Naruto, on the other hand was wearing a nice, forest green shirt with a pair of brown pants, of course, there was a slight bit of orange on his shirt, a lettering of a K, standing for Konoha.

"I honestly don't see how a party is going to help you and me prepare for the trial the council has planed for us…"

"Oh c'mon Sasuke-baka, it does sound like it's gonna be a good time, you can't deny that…and Sakura-chan'll be there, with a nice, tight dress…" Naruto's nose began bleeding lightly as Sasuke turned to look at the blond Shinobi. With a sigh the dark Uchiha placed a cloth under Naruto's nose.

"You've been around Jiraiya too long Dobe…" Sasuke said irritated, making the blond suddenly seem to return to life as he whipped his nose and shook his head, pointing his finger.

"Well what about you?! You're saying NOTHING happened from you being with Orochimaru? Huh?!" Sasuke suddenly got quiet, even more so than usual as he turned and put his hands in his pockets. Naruto watched his friend go confused before he ran up, standing in front of him.

"Hey…Sorry man…" He said scratching the back of his head, "I guess that was out of line…huh?" Sasuke sighed as he walked past Naruto.

"It's fine…let's go…"

"Hello Friends!" a sudden voice shouted out at Naruto and Sasuke's side as they turned, seeing a black haired young man running towards them. Sasuke's eyes twitched at him for a moment before Naruto broke down in a giant fit of laughter.

"S-Sai! What are you wearing!?" Naruto choked out. Sai looked down at his clothes confused. He was wearing a dark purple tuxedo with a shirt that seemed to puff out in the chest with frills. He straitened his purple bowtie and shrugged.

"I read in a book that when you go to a party you are to dress to your best…this was the best I could get on such short notice…for Miss Beautiful only told me of the party this morning."

Sasuke and Naruto looked to each other, Sasuke showing a look of confusion.

"He means Ino" Naruto explained, making Sasuke sighed and nod. He had heard about Sai's problems with…socializing….

"Well, it's too late now…" Naruto said as he walked to Sai before he reached up and pulled off the bow tie, "Loose that and it looks better…sort of…" He said with a shrug as he began walking back towards their destination. Sasuke turned to Naruto with a chuckle.

"And you think I'm gay?" he muttered, causing Naruto the hold in some laughter.

"Yeah, but you see, now you two can share tips or…something" He said, cause Sasuke to glare at the blond as Sai caught up to the duo.

"I'm actually quite fond of females, so I believe that I would not be, as you put it, gay." Sai said simply. Naruto chuckled and looked to Sasuke.

"Looks like you're alone then Sasuke!" Sasuke growled and turned to Naruto.

"Listen Naruto, I am straight, not gay, no mater what you may think! So this conversation is over!"

"Oh C'mon Sasuke-"

"Over!" Sasuke shouted, stopping and turning to the two of them. Naruto chuckled lightly, scratching the back of his head.

"…Well…Ok, but just so you know" Naruto put an arm around Sasuke's shoulders, causing the Uchiha to look at the blond confused. A soft, whimsical melody began to play.

"If you were gay" Sasuke growled, pulling away from Naruto, "That'd be ok! I mean cause hey, I'd like you anyway" Naruto chased after Sasuke, who continued to glare at the boy, "Because you see, if it were me! I would feel to say, that I was gay, but I'm not gay" Sasuke turned right before Naruto said the last part, acting all innocent.

"Naruto…I just want to keep going…alright?"

"Fine" Naruto nodded. Sasuke nodded back and turned, only to come face to face with Sai, who was staring at him with a very thoughtful look, his hand on his chin. A few moments pass before Sasuke finally get irritated enough to shout.

"What?!" Sai smirked.

"If you were queer" Sasuke groaned as Sai smirked, continuing the song, "We'd still be here, Year after year, because you're dear to me"

"I am?" Sasuke muttered lightly.

"And I know that you, would accept me too!"

"I would?" Sai nodded and, as he was beginning to say the next to last part, he got a very feminine voice to come out of his mouth.

"If I told you today, "Hey, guess what? I'm gay!" But I'm not gay…" Naruto grinned and ran up to the two of them, beginning to sing again.

"I'm happy! Just being with you!"

"I'm don't care, I don't care" Sasuke muttered as he closed his eyes and covered his ears.

"So what should it matter to me, what you do in bed with guys!" Sai yelled the last part into his ear, catching Sasuke's attention easily.

"That's just wrong!"

"Maybe, but…" Naruto began as he and Sai began to do a small, two man kick line, right in front of Sasuke.

"If you were gay" They sang together, Sasuke groaning in the background, "I'd shout, hurray! And here I'd stay! But I wouldn't get in your way!" Naruto and Sai broke apart as they ran to Sasuke.

"You can count on me" Naruto sang, "To always be! Beside you every day"

"To tell you it's okay" Sai sang on Sasuke's other side.

"You were just born that way!"

"And as they say, it's in your DNA!"

"You're Gay!" They both finished together with Sasuke finally snapping and shouting to the two of them.

"I AM NOT GAY!" Naruto smirked and stopped singing, only stating a fact while shrugging.

"If you WERE gay" Sasuke shouted a loud groan as he punched the two ninjas in the face, ending the song indefinitely.

Act 1 : Scene 13

Hinata sniffed lightly as she finally stopped walking, ending up on a bridge near the edge of Konoha. She sighed lightly and leaned against the railing, looking down at the water. The others had all gathered together in a rather large restaurant. When Sasuke, Naruto, and Sai finally came, the littler gathering was in full swing. Hinata had continually tried to tell Naruto how she felt about him, getting advice from Ino that she "Had to do it soon or she might not get another chance!" Hinata sighed as she once again attempted to talk to Naruto, but was only stopped as Kiba ran to her with a soda in hand.

"Hinata-chan! Come look at this!" Kiba said, causing Naruto to look to Hinata and then Kiba. Hinata looked to the two of them for a second before turning to Kiba.

"One moment Kiba-kun" she started but Naruto interrupted.

"What is it Kiba?" Kiba grinned and looked to the two of them.

"It's a new technique that Shino showed me, I wanted to show Hinata!" Naruto nodded and looked to Hinata.

"Why don't you go see, Hinata-chan?" Hinata looked crushed for a moment before speaking.

"N-Naruto-kun…I just…wanted to tell you…that…" Kiba sighed and looked to Naruto and then to Hinata.

"I get it; I'll see ya around…" He said as he walked away. Naruto reached out to Kiba for a second before looking back to Hinata.

"Hinata…I think I know what you're going to say…but before you do…you should probably go see Kiba" Hinata blushed, but nodded, at first walking slowly towards where Kiba had gone, but then slowly turning it into a run. When Hinata finally found Kiba, he was outside the restaurant leaning against a wall.

"Kiba-kun? I'd like to see what you wanted to show me?" Hinata asked softly, which caused Kiba to jump lightly, but then he turned away.

"Thought you were talking to Naruto" Kiba said darkly. Hinata was taken back by the harsh tone, but took a step forward.

"I…I came to see you, make sure you were ok…" Hinata said. Kiba shrugged.

"I'm fine…" Hinata sighed and shook her head.

"Kiba-kun…"

"Just leave me alone Hinata!" Kiba shouted, turning to face her. His face was angry as he finished what he was saying, "It's not like you care…with "Naruto-kun" here anyway…" He finished, turning away. Hinata took a step back, and then began running, she didn't know where but she just ran, tears down her eyes. Kiba turned, seeing Hinata run and cursed, calling out to her, but Hinata continued to run.

"…Why did Kiba-kun say that…?" she asked herself softly, "…I do care for him, and Shino-kun, and Shikamaru-kun…I care for all my friends…"

Kiba's words filled her mind again as she shook her head, listening to the silent sound of the river flowing.

"You feeling lonely too?" a voice said behind her as Hinata turned, looking to see a saddened Ten-Ten walking towards her. Hinata wiped away her tears and put on a happy front.

"N-no Ten-Ten, I'm….I'm just thinking, that's all" Ten-Ten gave her a skeptical look before she smiled and nodded.

"I'm not a baka Hinata, I know what Kiba said, and Neji and the others are yelling at him for it now…"

"Neji, is…yelling at Kiba-kun?" She blushed and looked to the ground. Ten-Ten smiled and placed a hand on Hinata's shoulder.

"Hinata…you know…sometimes things aren't going to go like you want them to…remember that, it's taken Ino a while but I think she's starting to get it." Hinata nodded and looked to the older Kunoichi, chuckling lightly at her last statement.

"I-I know…But I still wish…"

"Wishes…won't make it happen, Hinata" Ten-Ten looked away, a slight tear falling down her cheek. Hinata looked to Ten-Ten, wanting to ask what was wrong…but slightly afraid as well…what could have upset her? Ten-Ten laughed and whipped away the tear.

"I'm sorry…I just got carried away…we're here about you"

"…Is it Neji…Ten-san?" Ten-Ten sighed and walked beside Hinata, leaning against the railing as well.

"No…yes…I don't know…I'm not sure how to feel anymore Hina-chan…Something Lee said…It made me think…"

"What did he say?" Hinata asked softly. Ten-Ten shook her head and said nothing.

There was a silence between Team Gai as they walked towards the restaurant. A feeling of uneasiness fell over Ten-Ten as he eyes moved from Neji to Lee. There was something in their eyes…almost a challenge. She sighed, then again, they were always challenging each other.

"…You two are a bundle of fun aren't you?" she muttered lightly. Lee merely grinned and saluted her while walking.

"I just didn't want my youthful excitement to overwhelm anyone!" Neji sighed and glared at his Taijutsu team member.

"It wouldn't overwhelm, just annoy…"

"What did you say Neji?! Is that a challenge!" Neji grunted and turned towards Lee, who had stopped moving. Ten-Ten stopped moving as she looked to the two of them.

"We're already in one, are we not?" Neji said. Lee, as if seeming to remember, nodded and turned to Ten-Ten.

"Come Ten-Ten, let us go to the party as the good lo…friends we are!" he extended an arm, gentleman like. Without thinking Ten-Ten took a step back, slightly freaked by her friend's weird behavior.

"Ten-Ten, let's go" Neji said, extending his arm like Lee had. Ten-Ten took his and began walking with him, leaving Lee behind. Ten-Ten turned back to look at Lee, who's head was down dejected. He balled his fist as he looked to the sky, his fist in front of him as he made a proclamation.

"I swear Neji, you shall not win! I shall win the heart, I promise!" He shouted to the sky. Ten-Ten suddenly blushed and looked forward…what could he mean?

Ten-Ten sighed as she finished telling Hinata what had happened.

"I suppose I understand why you are so confused then…" Hinata said softly, looking back to the water. Both of them were thinking, confused over their own feelings.

"You know…when I'm alone like this I would…" Ten-Ten began, but then blushed, looking down, "I would, pretend Neji was with me…"

Hinata smiled and nodded, "I would…pretend Naruto-kun was there with me…and it would always be here…by the river…" she finished softly as light, sad music began to play.

Hinata turned to Ten-Ten, but her eyes were now closed, as if she were day dreaming. In her mind Hinata was in a meadow, holding Naruto's hand as she walked through the flowers.

"One my own…Pretending he's beside me, All alone…I walk with him, till morning" she opens her eyes and smiles, spinning around in a small circle. Ten-Ten watches, interested in her younger friend's imagination, "Without him, I feel his arms around me, and when I lose my way I close my eyes and he has found me." Ten-Ten smiled sadly as she looked down, thinking back to her own imaginings.

"In the rain, the pavement shines like silver." She smiled and danced around towards Hinata, "All the lights are misty in the river. In the darkness, the trees are full of starlight, and all I see is him and me for ever and forever!"

Hinata smiled, but a frown soon came to her pretty face as she walked back to the railing.

"And, I know, it's only in my mind…That I'm talking to myself and not to him!" Ten-Ten sighed and began walking over to Hinata.

"And although, I know that he is blind! Still I say…There's a way for us…" Hinata looked to Ten-Ten and sighed.

"I loved him, but now the dream is over…He is gone, the river's just, a river…" Ten-Ten nodded and leaned against the railing, looking to Hinata.

"Without him, the world around me changes." Hinata and Ten-Ten began to sing together, "The trees are bare and everywhere the streets are full of strangers."

"I loved him, and every day I'm learning, all my life, I've only been pretending!" Ten-Ten sang/yelled. Hinata sang as well, looking down to the water.

"Without me, his world will go on turning, a world that's full of happiness that I may never know!" Hinata and Ten-Ten looked at each other, sadness in their eyes as they continued to sing.

"I loved him…" Hinata began.

"I loved him…"

"I loved him…But only…On, my…own…" they both finished as they looked at each other, sad smiles on their faces. As the song ended there was the sudden sound of barking. Hinata and Ten-Ten turned to see the giant form of Akamaru with Kiba riding on top.

"Hina-chan!" Kiba shouted as he neared her, jumping from Akamaru and running towards her. When he was a few inches in front of her he stopped and sighed, looking down, "Hinata-chan, I never meant to hurt you, I was upset about something and…and I took it out on you, please forgive me…" Kiba said quickly, looking rather embarrassed and flustered. Hinata blushed and stuttered a bit before she smiled, bowing to Kiba lightly.

"…Of course I forgive you Kiba-kun" she said with a smile, causing Kiba a grin brightly as he grabbed her hand. The contact caused Hinata's face to blush an even darker shade of red as he ran towards Akamaru.

"C'mon, we have a party to get back to!" He picked Hinata up, who yelped lightly as he put her on Akamaru in front of him. Akamaru barked before he began running back towards the party, Hinata covering her eyes and leaning into Kiba, which Kiba had no problem with.

Ten-Ten laughed as she turned away from the retreating form of Akamaru, looking back to the water.

"At least she's happy…sort of…but what about me?" she asked softly, shaking her head lightly.

"…Ten-Ten?" A voice spoke softly from behind Ten-Ten as she turned, seeing the form of Lee standing there, his hair lying neatly, instead of in the normal bowl cut. He smiled lightly as he straitened his green suit coat and walked towards Ten-Ten.

"Lee? What are you doing here?" she asked confused. Lee blushed lightly stuttered with his words.

"Well, I saw that you left the party, a-and, I was just making sure you were alright." He said simply, nodding vigorously. Ten-Ten giggled and smiled lightly.

"Well, I'm fine, so you don't have to worry…" she said as she looked back to the water, but Lee took a step closer.

"Um, Ten-Ten…"

"Yes Lee?" she asked, looking back to the Taijutsu user. Lee sighed and folded his hands behind his back.

"…I…just…well…Has Neji ever hurt you?!" He asked suddenly, taking a step forward. Ten-Ten looked surprised as she stuttered lightly.

"Wha-Lee? No, no he's never hurt me, what's that supposed to mean?" She asked, really confused. Lee sighed and walked towards her.

"It's just…Ten-Ten I…don't want to…" He smiled lightly and made the good guy pose, "Don't worry, nothing's gonna hurt you, not if I have anything to say about it!" Ten-Ten giggled lightly at her partner, not knowing if he was serious or not.

"Um…thanks Lee, but I can take care of myself-" Lee cut her off as music began to play lightly, a soft, sweet melody.

"I mean it…Nothing's gonna harm you, not while I'm around. Nothing's gonna harm you, no sir, not while I'm around." Ten-Ten watched Lee as he walked towards her. He stood near her as he began to sing again.

"Demons are prowling everywhere, nowadays, I'll send 'em howling, I don't care, I've got ways. No one's gonna hurt you, no one's gonna dare. Others can desert you, not to worry, whistle, I'll be there!" Lee took her hand and began to sing more. Ten-Ten was blushing and actually nervous, she didn't know what to say…what to do…

"Demons'll charm you with a smile, for a while…but in time…Nothing can harm you…Not while I'm around…" Ten-Ten stuttered again before Lee began singing again, "Being close and being clever ain't like being true. I don't need to, I won't ever, hide a thing from you…like some..."

"Lee, stop" Ten-Ten took her hand from his as she took a step back. She was confused…really confused. All this time she had been trying to get Neji to notice her and now…now here was Lee, telling her all this?

"Ten-Ten…I just"

"Lee, what are you talking about? Who's gonna hurt me?"

"I don't know, I just couldn't stand it if you were hurt Ten-Ten!" Ten-Ten was confused but she didn't have a chance to say more as Lee began singing again, "Demons are prowling everywhere, nowadays, I'll send 'em howling, I don't care, I've got ways. No one's gonna hurt you, no one's gonna dare. Others can desert you, not to worry, whistle, I'll be there! Demons'll charm you with a smile, for a while but in time..." Lee held the note and Ten-Ten smiled lightly, looking into his eyes, "Nothing can harm you…not while I'm around..." Lee took her hands in his as he looked down at her, humming lightly, as if a lullaby. Ten-Ten blushed and found herself leaning forward, but stopped.

"Um…Lee…I…" He cocked his head to the side lightly.

"What's wrong Ten-Ten…?" Ten-Ten sighed and pulled away again, smiling at Lee.

"Let's go back…ok Lee?" Ten-Ten turned and began walking, leaving Lee standing there confused. It took Lee a moment before his feet caught up with his brain as he ran towards Ten-Ten and began to make his way back to the party.

(Alright, here's where you can get involved. There's going to be a Lee/Ten-Ten/Neji love triangle, it's up to YOU who she will end up with. So anyway, that's the next chapter, for those who do read this, I hope you enjoyed it.)