Ch

Ch. VIII Far Away by Nickelback

Naruto slammed the plastic cup onto the table making Choji jump.

"What the hell is her problem?"

"What the hell is whose problem Naruto?"
"Sakura! She's so annoying! No matter what I do to cheer her up about Sasuke she only gets worse!"

"Worse?"
"Yeah! She's just mean to me and barely talks to anyone. Just because Sasuke ruined her night doesn't give her the right to ruin mine."

"Well if she's ruining your night, why not go back to Hinata? You didn't seem to have any problems with her."
"You're right but…"

Naruto's eyes fell upon Hinata who was leaning against another table by herself.

"What if she doesn't accept me back?"

"Come on man. It's Hinata."
"Good point."
"Where is Sakura anyway?"
"Bathroom. Going emo."
"If she's going emo then Temari can fix her."
Choji and Naruto didn't even notice Shikamaru leaning against the table beside them until now. Naruto thought he saw little hearts popping about Shikamaru's head as he gazed across the room at Temari.

"So I guess that dance went well, huh Shikamaru."
"Yeah."
"He's creeping me out with those puppy dog eyes. It reminds me of the looks Sasuke gets from his fangirl club."

Choji was about to say something when he was gently pushed aside and someone dove under the table. Shikamaru was too distracted to notice but, curiously, Naruto looked under the table.

"Put that table cloth down! They'll see me!"

"Neji? What do you mean? Who'll see you?"

"The fangirls! Now hide me!"

Neji pulled the white tablecloth down and Choji and Naruto tried to look casual as a horde of girls approached the table.

"Have you seen Neji Hyuga?" they squealed.

Choji and Naruto shook their heads.

"Awwww…" they whined and scurried away.

Naruto tapped his foot by Neji's head to let him know the fangirls were gone.

"Thank you," Neji sighed and emerged from under the table.

"I guess that since Sasuke's gone they've got nothing else to do but go after their backup guy, huh?"
"I guess so. Why can't all girls be like…"
Neji trailed off as his gaze fell upon Tenten coming towards him in the crowd.

"Hey. I'm going to go to the restroom. I'll be back soon okay?"

"Okay," he said, smiling at her.

Tenten smiled back and gave him a kiss on the cheek before leaving.

"Mr. Perfect," Naruto mumbled when Tenten was gone.

"Get as jealous as you want. I love my love life."
"Me too," Shikamaru sighed.

…..

Ino waved good-bye to the dirty blonde and her date.

That actually felt surprisingly good! Maybe being nice isn't as hard as I thought!

"Ino. What are you doing?"

Ino turned and met Temari's fiery turquoise eyes.

"Hey Temari!" she greeted cheerily.

"Answer the question."
"I'm doing what you're doing. You know. I'm helping to get all the couples I broke up back together."
Temari stared at Ino in disbelief. Then she saw the dirty blonde girl and her boyfriend.

"Your serious?"
"Mmhm."
"What triggered the sudden change?"
Ino's eyes drifted beyond Temari. Temari followed her gaze and found Kiba in a corner, scanning the room, by himself. Temari looked back at Ino.

"So you're in love?"
"I think so."
"I never thought I'd see the day. I'm proud of you. So what are you going to do all night?"
"Will you let me help 'fix what I broke?'"
"Sure. I think we're almost done. Some of these hopeless boys have gotten back together with their dates on their own. Does this mean your done playing Goddess of Chaos?"
Ino smile and nodded.

…..

Kiba glanced from Ino to Hinata who were each on different sides of the room.

I love Hinata. But, I think Ino's in love with me. And…maybe I'm also in love with her!

Kiba was hesitating between two girls that night. He needed someone to dance with at the "Dance 'Till Midnight." He told Ino he'd think about it and he was. He'd been in love with Hinata since they'd been put on the same team. But now there was Ino who he didn't know about. She'd been so annoying and heartless like Ino always was that evening. Then, he caught her from falling and she changed completely.

She's such a drama queen. She's probably going through mood swings or something. She's in love with me one second and she hates me the next. Hinata looks so lonely and she never hates anyone, not even for a second.

Kiba took a breath, straightened his clothes, and headed towards Hinata.

"Um, Hinata?"

"Huh? Kiba? Hi."

"Hi. Um, you busy?"

"Um, no. Why?"

"Would you…uh…like to dance?"
"What? Oh! Uh…sure. I-I guess so."
"Cool. Um…"
Kiba offered her his arm and she hooked her's around his. They headed onto the dance floor. Soon they were waltzing to another slow song. Out of the corner of his eyes, Naruto spotted Kiba and Hinata waltzing together.

O-Oh. I-I see. She's moved on. It's too late to ask for her back.

Naruto tried to ignore them. Neji noticed Naruto's downcast face and realized that he was upset about his cousin.

"I thought you and Lady Hinata were together tonight."
"Yeah…well…we had problems…"

Naruto didn't want to say that he "dumped" her in front of Neji. Even though Neji wasn't fond of Hinata, Naruto didn't want to "disrespect the Hyuga Clan" or something.

"Why on Earth did you choose Sakura over Hinata?"
Oh come on! How did he know?

"I dunno, okay? But I know it was a mistake. I would have been much happier if I stuck with Hinata. And now I'm too late to go back to her."

"Eh. Your problem. Not mine."
"Gee. Thanks Neji."

…..

Ino and Temari were sitting down against the wall, watching the broken couples get back together on their own. It was then that Ino caught a glimpse of a certain couple, waltzing on the dance floor. Her heart started to ache. It was Kiba, slow dancing with Hinata.

That's right. He's in love with Hinata. We could…

Temari saw the look of hurt on Ino's face and realized what was going on.

"Ino…I'm sorry…"
Ino shook her head and, trying to keep her voice steady, she said, "I'm going to go use the restroom. I'll be back later."
"Okay…um…"

Temari watched Ino go. She'd never seen Ino upset before. She was really in love with Kiba. Temari watched Kiba and Hinata waltz for a little bit. Then she thought, Why do I have to act as the mother figure of these four girls?

…..

"Did I tell you how nice you look tonight?" Kiba asked.

"Um…yeah. I think so. Thanks."

"Oh! Sorry! Your welcome! I must sound so weird huh?"

"N-No. You're fine Kiba. Honest. Thank you."

"Oh. Okay. No problem."
Hinata's silver eyes drifted away from Kiba and she found Naruto watching them dance. Sakura was nowhere in sight. He was alone except for Neji, Choji, and "Lovesick Shikamaru." But his eyes said that he was lonely. Naruto must have saw her staring because he reluctantly looked away.

"K-Kiba?"
"Yeah Hinata?"
"S-Shouldn't you be with Ino?"

"Oh please! Ino's got plenty of boys she's stolen that she can be with."

Hinata caught a purple flash from the corner of her eye and watched Ino rush through the crowd with tears in her eyes.

"K-Kiba…y-you shouldn't be with me."

"Huh? W-What do you mean?"
"We're teammates. A-And…I don't think I have the same feelings for you that you have for me. My heart belongs to someone else. And there's someone else that can give you their heart. I still want to be friends, but I think you'd be better with someone else."
There was a pause as they stood there looking at each other. Kiba took a breath and sighed.

"Okay. That's fine. You're right. No hard feelings?"

Hinata nodded and they shook hands.

"I'm going to go use the restroom. I'm sorry I…couldn't give you what you wanted."
"That's okay. I'll move on," he replied smiling.

Hinata smiled back weakly and they went their separate ways.

…..

Sakura pressed her forehead against a mirror, a flood of tears running down her face. She hated this night. She wanted Sasuke back. She wanted to go to bed, wake up the next morning, and see his face at the Training Field. She wanted to start over. If she could have gotten Ino to leave him alone, maybe he wouldn't have left. Maybe he wouldn't have remembered what happened in his past.

But maybe he wouldn't have told you he loves you, her Inner Self crooned.

Sakura ignored her. She was to upset to be comforted. All she wanted was to be with Sasuke. One dance…One more kiss…Sakura looked up when she heard someone enter the restroom. It was Tenten. When the brown-eyed girl saw the tears on Sakura's face her own face immediately softened in concern.

"Sakura…?"
"Tenten…what are you doing here?"

"Why are you crying Sakura?"

Sakura didn't answer and bit her lip to try and stop herself from crying.

"Is…"

Tenten searched for the right words.

"Is it because of…him?"
Fresh tears built in Sakura's eyes and she abruptly turned her gaze away from Tenten.

"Oh Sakura…"

Tenten went over and gave her a hug. Sakura cried quietly into the older girl's shoulder. A minute later, someone else entered the room. This time, it was a teary-eyed Ino. She wasn't as hysterical as Sakura but she was close to getting that way.

"W-What's her problem?" Ino whimpered, wiping away the tears accumulating at the corners of her eyes.

"What's your's ?" Tenten asked Ino.

The tears returned to Ino's eyes.

"K-Kiba. He was dancing with another girl," Ino sniffled, burying her face in her palms.

"Oh Ino…"

Then, Hinata and Temari entered the restroom.

"Looks like we've al got problems huh?" Temari said.

"You don't!" Ino criticized Temari. "You've got a nice guy who's lovesick over you. You don't have anything to be upset about!"

"Okay. Calm down," Temari said to Ino, giving her a hug.

The younger girls cried into the older girls' shoulders. Hinata leaned against a sink quietly. She wanted to cry too but she decided to keep her feelings hidden. For three girls, the night was a disaster. Nothing could make the night better.

This time, this place

Misused mistakes

Too long, too late

Who was I to make you wait

Kiba came over to Naruto, Neji, and Shikamaru.

"Kiba?" Naruto asked. "What are you doing here? I thought you were dancing with HInata."
"I tried. Didn't work that well. She just wants to be friends."

"Friends? Really?"

"Yeah. Her heart belongs to someone else."

"Someone else?"

Could it be…maybe…?

Kiba sighed.

"I think I messed up," he said.

"Yeah me too," Naruto agreed. "How about you guys?" he asked Neji and Shikamaru.

"I love my life," Shikamaru sighed.

"My night's going perfect," Neji replied.

Naruto was jealous. How come he couldn't have had that perfect night?
It's all Sasuke's fault! If he didn't leave then I would have never went to Sakura and Kiba wouldn't have gone to Hinata—

"Whoa…" Naruto heard Kiba say.

"What?"
Kiba pointed to the entrance door of the ballroom.

"Are you freakin' kiddin' me?"
Unbelievably, the trouble-maker himself, Sasuke Uchiha, was at the doorway, looking around for someone or something. Fury welled up inside Naruto. It was Sasuke's fault. He'd ruined the night for so many of them. Before anyone could stop him, Naruto stormed towards him. Sasuke saw him and approached him too. He was about to say something, but Naruto punched him in the face. A quiet yelp came from Sasuke and he touched the pink mark growing on his cheek.

"You stupid bastard! You ruined EVERYTHING!! Why the hell did you have to leave? Because of you, Sakura's night's ruined, my night's ruined…EVERYONE'S night's ruined!"

Naruto panted angrily, glaring at Sasuke. Sasuke slowly stood up straight but didn't meet Naruto's glare. They were silent. Kiba and Neji came over to make sure Naruto wasn't going to kill Sasuke.

"Well? What do you have to say for yourself?" Naruto screamed at Sasuke.

There was a pause and for a moment, it seemed like Saske wasn't going to answer but he did.

"I'm sorry," Sasuke whispered. "I'm sorry I ruined your night, Naruto. I didn't think you'd be affected by my mistake. I'll fix this. I'll do everything I can to set things right."

Naruto stared at Sasuke with a little less rage.

"Naruto…do you know where Sakura is?" Sasuke asked him slowly, finally looking him in the eye.

Naruto held his onyx gaze for a moment before telling him where Sakura was. Sasuke sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

"Great," he mumbled. "How long do you think she'll be in there?"

"Who knows? You know how long girls take in the bathroom!"

Sasuke sighed and tapped his foot.

"I wonder what they're doing in there," Neji said to no one, glancing towards the women's restroom.

"They?" Sasuke asked, looking at Neji.

"Yeah. Tenten went in there earlier and she's still not out."

"Ino and Hinata went in there too," Kiba said.

"Hey! Do you guys know what's taking Temari so long?"

Shikamaru came over, out of his lovesick trance, obviously irritated that Temari was taking so long.

"They're all in there?" Sasuke asked, deep in thought.

They're all friends too. Hm.

"Come on."
Sasuke headed towards the women's restroom.

"H-Hey! Sasuke! What do you think you're doing? You can't go in there!" Naruto shouted, running after him.

"I'm not going in. I'm going to listen in."

Neji, who had followed along with Kiba and Shikamaru, looked at Sasuke like he had three heads.

"Why would you 'listen in' on a female conversation?"

"Sh," Sasuke whispered, pressing his ear to the restroom door.

The others couldn't resist so they joined Sasuke and eavesdropped on the girls.

Inside the restroom…

"I just wanted this to be the best night of my life," Sakura sniffled.

Me too, Hinata thought to herself, an image of Naruto appearing in her mind.

"I thought I'd actually found true love," Ino sobbed. "Why were you two the lucky ones?"

Before Temari could reply, Ino continued her hysterical rant.

"No, no. You guys deserved a good night. I didn't. I'm to much of a whore to have a good night."

"Don't beat yourself up about it," Temari soothed. "At least you've changed for the better."

"Why couldn't I have a happy ending?"

"How come Sasuke couldn't stay?" Sakura cried. "He didn't make any sense. There's no sensible reason for him leaving. If he loved me that much then…"

"Sasuke said he loved you?" Tenten asked.

She looked back at Temari who just shrugged.

"Don't worry Sakura. If Sasuke is really truly, madly, deeply in love with you, then I'm sure everything will work out in the end."

"This is the worst night of my life!" Ino interrupted.

Quiet Hinata was on the verge of tears herself when someone knocked on the restroom door. The hysterical girls stopped crying and listened.

"What?" Temari yelled.

"Um, hey, it's Naruto."
"Get lost Naruto!" Sakura screamed.

"But…Sakura…there's someone out here that really needs to talk to you."

Just one chance

Just one breath

Just in case there's just one left

'Cuz you know, you know, you know

I love you

I loved you all along

And I miss you, Been far away for far too long

I keep dreaming you'll be with me and you'll never go

Stop breathing if I don't see you anymore

On my knees, I'll ask

Last chance for one last dance

'Cause with you I'd withstand

All of hell to hold your hand

Sakura wiped the tears off her face.

"Who is it?"

"You have to come out if you want to know."

Sakura looked at the two older girls for support.

"Go on," they mouthed.

Tenten followed a few feet behind Sakura as she went to the door. When Sakura opened the door, Naruto had disappeared and someone else stood there. It took Sakura a moment to realize that this wasn't a dream and he was actually standing there. The tears she'd tried so hard to hide came running down her face.

"Sasuke!" she screamed when she ran into his arms.

Sasuke held her tightly and they spun around in circles, trying to keep their balance. Sasuke tried to stay on his feet but Sakura just let herself be spun around. All she planned on doing was holding onto him and never letting go again. She buried her face in his neck. Sasuke finally regained his balance and they stopped spinning. They just stood their holding each other as if the world depended on it.

Tsunade just happened to be walking by when she spotted Sasuke holding Sakura by the restroom.

Well, well. Look who showed back up. Looks like I don't have to make the Anbus waist their time after all.

Tsunade smiled and kept walking. Ino cried quietly to herself in the restroom while everyone else watched the Sasuke/Sakura reunion.

Everyone gets a happy ending except me. I guess I deserve this for all the nasty things I've done.

A vivid image of Kiba materialized in her mind. She whimpered quietly, about to bawl again. Hinata, who was still in the restroom with Ino, looked up hopefully. If Sakura was with Sasuke, was Naruto back to be with her again? But her hopes were crushed. It wasn't Naruto.

"Hey, Ino? You in there?"
It was Kiba. Ino froze. Kiba? Kiba was asking for her?

"Uh. Y-Yeah. I'm here."
"Can you come out? I really want to talk to you."
Talk to me. Kiba wants to talk to me?

Ino squeezed out the door of the restroom. Kiba was waiting for her. Sasuke and Sakura were still in their tight embrace behing him.

"What did you need?" Ino asked, trying to sound strong.

"I…I'm…sorry…"

"Sorry? About what?"
"About dancing with Hinata."

"Why are you story? You love Hinata. It makes sense that you would dance with her."

Ino turned her back to him, hiding her face.

"I…don't love Hinata."

"You already told me you did."

"I thought I did. Not anymore. Besides…she loves someone else. And I realized…so do I."

"Great. Who is it now?"

"You."

Ino's heart jolted. Her? Was he serious? Could she have a happy ending too? Suddenly, Ino felt Kiba's arms around her.

"K-Kiba…"

"You know…I thought about that 'Dance 'Till Midnight.' And…I've decided I want to dance with you."

"R-Really?"

"Yeah. Really. What do you day?"

Ino turned around and hugged Kiba back.

"I'd love that. More than anything."

I want to have a happy ending. What better to end the night with than a dance.

Ino left Hinata alone in the restroom. Temari and Tenten were outside monitoring Sasuke and Sakura. She sighed. No Naruto. She wandered across the room to the mirrors above the sinks. She leaned on one of the sinks and looked at her reflection. Why wasn't she good enough for Naruto. What was it about her that was keeping him away? Was she not pretty enough? Did she not talk enough? Did he think her to weak? As she looked at her reflection, she saw tears building at the corners of her eyes.

Naruto…

Then, like he'd heard her say his name in her mind. Naruto crept into the restroom. Hinata saw him in the reflection of the mirror. She blushed. He was in the women's restroom…alone…with her…

"U-Uh…H-Hinata?"
She turned and looked at him.

"Naruto."

Naruto came towards her, his eyes filled with remorse.

"Hinata…I-I'm sorry about before. I messed up. I thought I was in love with her but…now I realize that I don't! I'd much rather dance with…you…instead of Sakura."

"N-Naruto. You really mean that?"

"Every word," he replied, touching her arm. "I want to have you back. I want to erase Sakura from my memory of this night. All I want to remember is the time I spent with you."

"Naruto…"

"Please forgive me Hinata. I make mistakes…lots of them. But, you once told me that I always pick myself up from my mistakes and try again. That's what I'm trying to do now. So…will you take me back?"

Hinata looked into Naruto's bright, blue, cerulean eyes. He was honest. He wanted to be with her. And she wanted to be with him.

"Of course Naruto."

Naruto's shoulders sagged in relief.

"Thank you," he sighed, gently pulling her into his arms.

Hinata sighed quietly, resting her head on Naruto's chest.

I'd give it all

I'd give for us

Give anything but I won't give up

'Cuz you know, you know, you know

I love you, I loved you all along

And I missed you, been far away for far to long

I keep dreaming you'll be with me and you'll never go

Stop breathing if I don't see you anymore

Sasuke and Sakura held each other for a few more moments before Sasuke pulled away, enough to see Sakura's face.

"I'm sorry I left, Sakura. I don't know why anymore. I think I just needed some air. I just needed to get away and think about everything."

"I'm so glad you're back," Sakura replied, as if she hadn't listened to him.

Sasuke didn't mind that she hadn't listened. He just wanted to be with her. He smiled, leaned forward and kissed her. Temari and Tenten watched the pair carefully from a good distance.

"It looks like everything's turning out for the better," Temari said.

"Yeah. Well, less work for you then, huh?"

"Yup. Maybe I can actually take a break and dance with my own guy."

As she said this, Shikamaru and Neji approached them.

"Hey, you want to prepare for the 'Dance 'Till Midnight?'" Shikamaru asked Temari.

"Sure. Gladly."

Holding hands, the couple went onto the dance floor.

"How about you?" Neji asked Tenten. "Sorry I had to run off before."

"That's okay. I know how insane fangirls can get."

"Okay. You want to dance?"

"Sure."

Neji offered Tenten his arm. She gladly hooked her arm through his and followed him to the dance floor. Meanwhile, Sasuke released the kiss he had laid on Sakura. He looked into her jade eyes.

"Sakura…if I could rewind this night I would."

"I know."

"Can you forgive me for running away? I know it was wrong and that I confused you. I confused myself too."

"Don't worry. I forgive you."
"Really? You're not mad?"

"Why would I be mad? I know you didn't mean to hurt me."

"I'm sorry," he whispered, stroking her soft, pink hair.

"It's okay. You're here now. That's all that matters."

Sasuke smiled at her and gave her a quick peck on the lips.

"So what happened while I was away?"

"Well, soon…there's going to be a 'Dance 'Till Midnight.' It's one of those 'last dancers standing' things."

"Don't you think that'll go until past midnight?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Well…if you're not home by midnight…won't your dad get mad?" he asked in a whisper.

In all her sorrow, Sakura had completely forgotten about the time and her dad. Now, all she wanted was to dance with Sasuke in the "Dance 'Till Midnight." But, her temperamental father had to destroy her fantasies. Sasuke must've seen the upset look in her eyes because he started to say soothing words to her.

"Don't worry. We'll get to dance together. We'll dance for as long as you want. I'll take you home and I'll defend you. If he wants to beat you up…he'll have to beat me up first."

"Sasuke…you don't mean that…"

"Of course I do. I don't want you to be more hurt than you already are tonight."

Sakura stared up into his onyx gaze. He was honest. He really cared about her. She smiled at him. Realizing he'd madder her feel better, Sasuke asked, "So when does this 'Dance 'Till Midnight' start?"

…..

"I'm sorry I danced with Hinata."

"You said that like 50 times already."

"That's what I do when I feel guilty about something."

"Well I forgive you so you can stop apologizing."

Ino and Kiba were slow dancing together. For once in her life, Ino felt at home and at peace. Kiba felt surprisingly good about being with Ino. Was he falling in love with her too?

"Hey. Um…Ino?"

"Yeah Kiba?"

"Uh…can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Um…would you consider…wanting to try us…as a couple?"

"You mean…like boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"Um…yeah. What do you think?"

"Oh Kiba. Of course! I'd love that!"

"Okay. Cool. So…what do we do now?"

"Um…why don't we just keep dancing for now?"

"Okay…I'm cool with that."

I wanted

I wanted you to stay

And I needed

I need to hear you say

I love you, I loved you all along

I forgive you for being away for far too long

So keep breathing 'cuz I'm not leaving you anymore

Believe it, Hold onto me and never let me go

Naruto led Hinata out of the bathroom and out onto the dance floor. They found a spot to slow dance again.

"Are you sure you're not mad at me going with Sakura?"
"I'm sure. We were both just confused. I understand."
"Really? You're awesome Hinata!"
She blushed and looked away.

"Hey Hinata?"

"Y-Yes Naruto?"
"I have a question…about you…"

"Mmhm…"

"Uh…why are you always so…nervous around me?"

Hinata didn't reply but met his bright, cerulean eyes. How could she tell him? She couldn't! What if he didn't feel as deeply for her as she did for him? Her silver gaze began scurry away from his. But, Naruto cupped her chin in his hand.

"Hinata…just tell me. It's okay. I'm not going to laugh or leave or do anything jerkish. Promise."

"I…uh…I…"

She couldn't say it. Not the dreaded L-word. Why was it so hard to say it?

"Hinata? D-Do you…love…me…?"

Hinata held his gaze and gave the slightest of nods. Naruto's beautiful eyes filled with affection.

"Good…Because…I think I love you too."

Hold onto me, never let me go

Hold onto me, never let me go

A/N: This is to RoseTiger. Okay happy now? I got them back together. That was for you. Sorry it took so long but I told you they'd end up together didn't I? Anyway hope that was good everyone. I'M BEGGIN U ALL 2 FREAKIN REVIEW THIS FIC PLZZZZZZZZZ!! I'M DESPERATE 4 REVIEWS!!