My head hurts and I really don't know why I still bother to write this chapter. Must be cause you guys will kill me if I don't update soon.

Kankuro: Pushover!

Me: Oh, quit it, Kankuro. Just this once, can you please be a good guy?

Kankuro: Oi! I've always been a good guy! You're the evil fan girl thing whatever!

Me: Ugh. Just… keep quiet and let the story just flow.

Kankuro: Is that all? I can do that with my hands tied down.

Me: Well, I hope you can do it without your mouth sealed with duct tape.

Kankuro: Bet on it!

Me: Oh, gawd. By the way, guys, DemonFalcon said in the other chapter that they were graduating in 7 days… meaning the Grad Ball is in 6 days. It's how it went with my experience so please bear with me. Tenten is on her third day of the date search so she's got three more days. Got it? Thank you.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

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Chapter Seven:

"This is the Night of the Century"

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

"S-Sasuke?"

When Neji heard me say that name, his eyes grew in surprise. I saw him furrow his brow and open his mouth to probably say something furious, but he ended up hesitating and storming out of the closet, leaving the door open.

What the heck is wrong with him? Is it illegal to talk to Sasuke?

Neji has always been the one telling me that one day, I'll get Sasuke. One day, he says, Sasuke won't be my untouchable dream boy anymore. Why is he the one who seems to be pissed now?

"Hello? Anyone there?" Sasuke called my attention from the other side. I kept my gaze forward, to the open doorway as I answered to him in a mutter, "Look, Sasuke, I'm sorry but can you call me back in a—…"

"I can't. I'm just going to ask you a favor, Tenten. It's about the Grad Ball." Sasuke replied, stopping me from finishing the sentence. His voice seemed to be such a soft whisper with all that drunken laughter and blasting music in the background.

A favor? From Sasuke? And it's about the Grad Ball. I felt myself gasp and wheeze a little, "R-Really?" I stammered, "Well, what is it?"

He didn't answer immediately. I heard him talk to someone first before telling me, "I gotta tell you privately. Mind passing by here? I'm in Naruto's house. There's a party over here. You're not gonna be alone here coz there are other people here like Ino, Shikamaru, Hinata, the usual."

Privately. The word echoed in my head. Plus, Sasuke Uchiha was inviting me to gatecrash. "I… I'll try." It was all I could say.

I traced a small and satisfied snicker out of him and he finally muttered, "Awesome. I'll see you." And he hung up.

Okay, recap. How'd Sasuke get my number? Why is he asking a favor from me about the Grad Ball when we're not close friends? Why did he want to ask me this favor privately? Since when did I, Tenten, agree to gatecrash to a party? And what's with the snicker?

Too many questions and just one answer: Hell, who cares?

I pocketed my phone again and rushed out of the closet (How nice to have a phone call there, no?). Whatever Sasuke wanted to ask from me, I'd have to hurry to that party and talk to him unless I want to miss something not worth missing.

"Neji?" I called out, turning to the left to check if he was there then to the right to see if he was nearby. No luck. I shut the closet door and briskly walked to the smoothie stand, hoping he'd be there. Luckily for me, he's there with Lee, drinking his (and my) favorite vanilla shake (I don't know why they serve that in a smoothie stand.).

At the sight of me, he coughed a little and almost spat some of his shake out. As he wiped his lips with a tissue, he questioned with his usual tone, "Hey, Tenten. Wha'd your dream boat have to say?" Here he is, talking to me like he didn't storm out of the closet, annoyed.

I threw him a surprised and doubting look before explaining, "He wanted to ask a favor from me but he said he'd rather talk to me… 'privately'. So, he told me to meet him in Naruto's party and—…"

"Perfect. Hinata's there." He interrupted me. Seriously, why is everyone cutting my remarks? He got off his stool and left his half-finished glass of shake on the counter, "If we go there now, you can see your Sasuke-babe, I can keep an eye on my cousin and Lee can go harass the ice sculptures."

Sasuke-babe?

He walked away, making his way to the elevator. Lee hopped off his stool after paying for his and Neji's drinks, giddy to go share some poetry with the ice sculptures (He does that in every party he goes to.). I was hesitant, but I took Neji's shake and drank it on my way to the elevator.

I couldn't help it.

O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O

This is a party? It's more like a food fight, a riot and a coup de tat all done inside a neon lighted mansion.

To my left, at the stairs, there were people throwing popcorn, soda and chips at each other. But only the nachos were left on the floor, making the melted cheese stick to my sneakers. To my right is the couch, full of jumping and screaming partygoers with beer bottles along with some couples, making out. But everywhere, there are people dancing to the RnB beat.

We lost Lee but we assumed that he's at the buffet, looking for an ice sculpture. Come on, will a party like this have a 100 buck ice sculpture? Neji said he'd stay in the car. I bet he got uneasy from the swirling neon lights. I went to look for Sasuke.

Pushing past everyone else, I squeezed through the crowd and even fell on a dog. Then, at a corner, I saw Sasuke seated at a small coffee table with two bottles of soda on the tabletop. I felt myself quiver as I walked to him.

When he saw me, his brows arched and he greeted me, "Hey, Tenten. Thanks for coming by. Sit." He pointed at the chair across him and as I sat there, I knew something stuck to my butt. Whether it was gum or a lollipop, it's beyond me.

"What did you want to ask?" I started, looking back at Sasuke down his soda. Oddly, I didn't feel so awkward and shy at this encounter. He slammed the bottle back onto the small table with a clink and explained, "Remember how I told you that I was going to the Ball with Sakura?"

I nodded and recalled it very well. "Well," he began with a mumble, "When I said that, I hadn't asked her to the Ball yet. I was a little… afraid. Then, yesterday, at the last baseball game of the year, something happened."

I arched a brow, curious to know what had happened. Then, Sasuke looked like he was going to stand up… but what happened was: he showed me his wheelchair. Sasuke was seated in a wheelchair all along with his ankle in a cast. He must've sprained or broken it.

"I tried to do a slide to home base to save the game…" He explained, "Yeah, I'm supposed to be a first baser, but that's the point. I pretended to be a batter since coach didn't notice. I swung, I ran, I slid, and I lost. And I broke this. Real nice."

I gotta admit that it's both heroic and stupid. But what did I have to do with this? More importantly, what did the Ball and Sakura have to do with this? But he continued, "And Sakura wasn't there to watch me, luckily, coz she had a library shift, so she doesn't know what I made the team lose."

That was just one good thing, though. Since Sakura didn't see it, he wouldn't feel so humiliated. "Anyway," Sasuke spoke again, "I don't know what to do, Tenten. I can't ask Sakura now since I've got myself in a wheelchair. Who wants to go to the Ball with a handicap?"

Handicap is such a harsh word, Sasuke.

The only real problem Sasuke has is this: he's underestimating Sakura. I know she'd understand and knowing how much of a sweetie Sakura is to Sasuke, so she'd completely understand. Besides, I bet Sakura's just waiting for him to make his move. I'm sure she'd rather go stag than go without Sasuke.

"So, you gotta help me with this little something." Sasuke then said, eyeing me with a smirk.

All I did was nod again quietly and wait for him to explain everything. "Since I can't ask Sakura," he said, "She's gonna have to ask me."

I don't like where this is going.

"You and Sakura and friends, right? Not exactly close, but friends, I'm sure. Just tell her that girls asking guys to the Ball a la Sadie Hawkins Dance is in. I mean, you're doing it, right? Go tell her. If she gets influenced enough, she'll do it and ask me." He told me.

Hearing this, I wanted to decline. This isn't something I'd call a 'flawless and fool-proof plan'.

He looked back at me, expecting an answer, more of a 'Yes, I'll do it', I guess. But I can't give him that. "Sasuke," I tried to oppose to his plan, "Honestly speaking, that won't work. Compared to you, Sakura's shyer. You can't expect her to ask you to the Ball. Besides, I'm positive she'll agree to go to the Ball with you despite the cast. I mean, she loves you."

Clearly, Sasuke was blushing and he grumbled, "Right, like she isn't starting to like Naruto and Lee, too."

Whoa. Lee? No offense to Sakura, but she's got some pretty awful taste. I know Lee's my bud, but I'm just being honest.

Strangely, I couldn't help but pity Sasuke at the moment. I didn't know someone like him, someone I've labeled as my dream guy, would actually have these kinds of situations. He's got good grades (exclude Chem) and he's doing fair in baseball. Plus, he looks decent. He's one of the few guys in Konoha High who haven't snapped my bra straps during class (Neji has done that before.). Plus, he's semi-sweet…

An average Joe with a certain dreaminess.

But I had to push Sasuke to do what he has to. Even though this will help him and him alone (I'm losing any chance of ever ending up with my crush as of now! Hear me: I am not selfish after all!), I'll still reach out. A nice guy like him deserves what he deserves.

"Is Sakura here?" I asked, leaning towards him so he can hear clearer.

He glanced at me and muttered, "I think she's at the backyard with her pals. She doesn't know that I've arrived."

When he told me this, I grinned happily and added, "I've got a better way to get Sakura for you. It's the easiest way, after all."

O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O

The ride home was rather hushed.

Neji drove while Hinata sat beside him at the front. Lee and I were just counting red cars that passed us silently. I don't know what provoked the stillness that comes around rarely. Even the radio was turned off. The only noise we heard was the revving of the engine and the occasional swears Neji made whenever he nearly kills us all by overtaking a car.

I can't believe Hinata. She's slightly tipsy from drinking light beer at Naruto's house (Mr. Hiashi would kill us if he finds his daughter in this state.). She hiccupped in her seat, playing with her jacket's broken zipper every now and then. Her next stop was a party at Choji's.

We dropped her there and Neji told her that he'd pick her up in a few hours. We planned to drive to my house for a few snacks (Actually, we're supposed to be having dinner by now. How weird that we spent so much time in Naruto's party.) but Lee's mom called up.

She wanted Lee home since they still had to go watch a play in the cultural center in fifteen minutes. So we drove to Lee's house and dropped him off there. Neji and I left without seeing his parents. Seriously, they'd bombard you with questions (Like "Do you like broccoli in vinegar?").

So that left only the two of us. We went to my house and since my parents weren't home, we had to help ourselves. I grabbed a galloon of Rocky Road ice cream and two spoons while Neji filled two cups with Diet Coke. We both went up to my room to watch TV, listen to the radio… the usual.

We both sat on my bunk, facing the television with the ice cream comfortably on my lap. Every now and then, Neji would get a scoop from me. Lamely, we were watching Saturday night cartoons.

I turned to him and found him just staring out the window with his spoon in his mouth. What is he, depressed or something?

To ask what was wrong, I took my hand from under the ice cream container and patted his arm, saying, "Hey, something bothering you, bud?"

He snapped to me and flashed a nervous smile, "Nothing, nothing. Something just got into my mind, that's all." He tried to fix his grin until he threw his gaze down at the ice cream and mumbled, "Say, can I have some more?"

I giggled and placed the container on his lap. And he hasn't stopped poking at the ice cream, eating none of it but the marshmallows. Usually, he'd eat everything and he'd just spoon the marshmallows to me. It's so cute when he does that. But he's not himself right now.

Heaving a sigh, I spoke, "What did you want to tell me back there in the… closet, anyway?" Okay, saying that with the word 'closet' made me feel so weird.

"It's still in your mind, eh?" he chuckled, still poking the ice cream, "Uh… I just wanted to say that you're doing better than great. I didn't want Lee to hear coz… well, he doesn't know that the 'CPR practice' was actually a kissing lesson. That's all."

Obviously, I didn't want to believe it. But seeing how creased his forehead is, I'd rather not bother him about it. But I still wanted to find out.

"Seriously, you think I'm going to buy that, Neji?" I chuckled, gently slapping his arm in amusement. He grinned sheepishly and muttered, changing the subject, "Tenten, which college are you going to after graduation, anyway?"

I leaned on my pillow, scooting nearer to him and yawned, "Aw, I'm staying in Konoha High. I'll just take my courses there. You know, so things won't be so complicated anymore. What about you?"

He hasn't stopped poking at the firm ice cream and finally answered with a tiny beam, "My uncle said that it was my dad's will to have me study college in Mizu University. It is, after all, one of the best. If I pass the entrance exam, I'll have to study there then."

Mizu University?! That's more than three days away from here! If Neji has to study there, he'd have to go live in a dorm. He'll be so far from Konoha, from the town, from his friends, from Lee… from me…

"Oh my gawd, Neji, that's so damn far!" I exclaimed, giving him a rather shocked and saddened expression. He raised his brows in acknowledgement and he went back to jabbing the ice cream. Wasn't he at least worried that we'd be apart by the time we graduate? That's not fair.

"So… the Grad Ball is the last time we'll be having fun together?" I choked, glaring at him with dropping eyes. Neji laughed and disagreed, "Don't make it sound dramatic, Tenten. I'll be there on graduation. But after that, I'm going to Mizu City to submit requirements for the university and all."

Despite the explanation he gave me, I'm still right. On graduation, we'd be too busy with getting the diploma and all… Would we even see each other beyond the stage on that day?

"You idiot, why didn't you tell me?" I asked, looking at him with my arms across my chest. But I got a plain shrug as an answer. My gaze was thrown downwards and I said nothing. What else did I need to say, anyway? Maybe that's the reason why he seemed so disappointed. He'd be moving off.

Turning the television off with the remote, I mumbled with a shy smile on, "You know, Neji, I never told you that you've always done a great job with your hands…" Wait, wrong way to say it. No, no. Erase!

Hearing that, he gave me a dismayed look and said in disgust, "A great job with my hands?"

I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment and I stammered, "What I mean is, you're really great at… massages. You know? Like last time, when you were getting the goop off of my hair? It was… relaxing and all. Get me?" That was something very gauche and kinda was supposed to be the last thing I'd admit to Neji.

When I got that cleared, he snickered and replied, "Yeah? Hm, I'll take that as a compliment, I guess. Technically speaking, you're the only one who'll probably tell me something about it since you're the only one I do that on. I guess it stuck to be that way."

He went back to playing with the ice cream after that. I was beginning to feel sorry for the ice cream. But then, I took the container and the spoon from him, placed it on my bedside table. I then requested, "Do me a favor and do it again."

Is it me or did he blush when I said that?

"Do what?" he asked.

"The massage."

"Which?"

"The one you do when you shampoo my hair. But this time, do it on my back."

"Uh… why the hell?"

"N-Nothing. I just want to get to feel it one last time, you know."

He rolled his eyes, "Right."

"I mean it!"

"Heh, alright, alright. I'll do it this one last time."

Seeing that I won and got it my way, I squeaked and immediately, I lay down on my stomach, facing the blank television and demanded, "Okay, Neji, work your stuff." I had my chin resting on my pillow and I was ready to get the same relaxing feeling… Ah, I feel limp just thinking of it.

I heard Neji crack his fingers and stretch his arms. Soon, I sensed his slender and soft fingers on my shoulder blades. As he kneaded my shoulders with his fingers, I couldn't help but smile thinly and loosen up. Gawd, he still hasn't lost his touch.

He was silent as he did the massage while I kept on muttering "Oohs" and "Ahs" in between. I swear I could just sleep on the spot at this very minute from the relaxation I'm getting. I'll be frank: Neji can snatch a girl with just his massaging skills.

He went on, gently running his fingers down my back and even on my shoulders, rubbing them. Each movement feels so smooth and I swear that sometimes, I feel a tingling feeling that just suddenly makes me giggle all of a sudden. My eyes were next to closing and I was so sure that I was already drifting to sleep. I shouldn't, but I couldn't help it.

Then, as I was going to fall asleep soon, I felt a warm feeling near my ear, somewhere near my neck. Against my skin was a soft and affectionate yet foreign touch. I wanted to snap my eyes open and roll over to see what Neji was doing. But no sense came into me. Besides, this little feeling I'm sensing is the best as of now.

But, soon, I found myself giggling at the ticklish yet enjoyable feeling down my neck. "Oh, gawd," I thought with shock, "Is… Is that Neji leaving kisses down my neck?!"

Shit, it is.

My eyes still didn't open at my command. I knew my mouth was ajar and I think my spit was even dripping down. Gawd, I gotta shake Neji off of me. I know it's marvelous that he's actually great at kissing, but does he have to prove it even more by doing this?

Wake up, Tenten! Yes, I'm half-awake but I'm not awake enough to stop Neji!

Hold up… Why do I want to stop Neji? Heh, this… actually feels kinda… good…

Oh my gawd, now I'm enjoying it?

I can still feel his breath down my neck and I knew my senses were failing me. The massage, the kisses… everything's so beautiful, I'm falling for them all in all, like a trap! Oh, gawd, Neji! I am going to kill you once I've managed to break your spell on me!

Then, I heard him whisper…

"Tenten…"

Shut up! Shut up! You jerk! You're supposed to be my friend! My best friend! Why are you doing this to me? Why the hell are you—?!

"…Back there at the closet, I wanted to tell you what I wished the kiss was real. I wanted it to be more than a practice or rehearsal… more than a test play… a try-out… Gawd, Tenten, I wish it was real…"

Real? What the hell do you mean, Neji? It was real! You felt it, too! Why do you want it to be real when it is?

"…Real as in… A real kiss something done out of love…"

Oh, gotcha. … Wait… what?!

"Tenten… will you be my Grad Ball date…?"

Grad… Ball… Date…?

Neji wanted me to be his Grad Ball date? Is he kidding? He must be. But he doesn't smell or sound drunk so… Gawd, does he mean it? Wasn't it illegal to go to the prom or the ball with your best friend?…

Wasn't it…?

And I knew that before I just let go of trying to slap some sense into myself, just before my eyes gently shut so I could sleep…

… I failed to say yes when I wanted to.

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Okay, I am so, so sorry but I couldn't help but add that ONE, TINY, LITTLE swear word in. And this isn't lemon, technically. Come on, guys, it's not lemon as in HARDCORE lemon! Oh, and the filler for what happened to Sasuke will be in the next chapter, I guess.

Kankuro: Lemon or not, I enjoyed it!

Me: -wide-eyed- That's a first.

Kankuro: You took it seriously?

Me: I am really sorry if I offended anyone or whatever, but please tell me in a review if you hate me for doing this or if you completely loved it or if you want to poke my eyes off! I am just so sorry to anyone who hates me for what I did to this chapter! –cries-

Kankuro: I'm betting you joined the drama club in high school, too.

Me: I failed the auditions.

Kankuro: Pity.