Konichiwa, Mina-san!!! It was kind of heartbreaking to find out that more than half of my reviewer population did not review anymore! (TT-TT) I was sort of depressed because of that. But fear not! ( O.O") there were still some of my loyal reviewers from before that continued to stand by me! Which brings me to say THANK YOU to all meh lovelies! Thanks to you guys I did not abandon this fanfic! :S Thank you, my lovelies once again!
Note that: In this fic nearly at the bottom there will be a slow song being played, and I request for you guys to listen to it, onegai? Oh, and for the people that are curious to see what the outfits of the girls look like, feel free to visit my profile. You can spot the link to their outfits immediately. I recommend that you guys check out the outfits before reading this you once again.
Chapter IX- The Last Dance
The water coming from her shower rained down on her. Her hand was gripping the two knobs, specifically the combined hot and cold water to form the warm liquid that ran down her body. Sakura was already done cleaning herself up…although she could not find the will to step out of the hot steaming shower as her thoughts got the better of her…
'Just when I think I'm over him, he pulls me back again!' Sakura thought, enraged as she slammed her fists on one of her bathroom tiled wall.
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Stepping out of her bathroom with a robe tied around her petite body and a towel wrapped around her damp hair, Sakura slipped on her lingerie that was placed on her bed beside her prom dress.
She went back in her bathroom and began applying light make-up on her face. Once done with that, she slipped on her dress for the evening and sprayed perfume on her neck, wrists, behind her ears, and some lightly sprayed on her dress.
Sakura glanced at her digital alarm clock by her bedside table, the green digital digits flashed 6:25 p.m.
Perfect, 5 minutes to spare before Ino and the others will arrive at her house with their ride towards the venue of their school dance.
Sakura strapped her silver strappy high-heels before leaving her room.
As she walked down the stairs, one would normally expect the natural tradition wherein one's parent's would be awaiting for their child at the bottom of the house stairs while flashing their cameras right at the child, blinding him or her in the process.
But not Sakura's family…
Her Dad was out since the starting of the month somewhere in Europe attending to business manners…while her Mom…one that she thought would atleast be there for her in a day that was special to any growing teen, was also out… apparently she had another photo-shoot.
"So no one's going to bid me goodbye, huh? The usual…I guess." Sakura said as she sat down on one of the living room couches and waited.
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"Your parent's aren't here?" Ino asked, disbelief coating her voice as she scanned the somewhat lack of human atmosphere.
"Yeah. But what are we delaying time here for?! Your Shika-kun must be waiting for you already!" Sakura said, covering up her distress with one of her fake smiles and enthusiasm.
"OHMYGOSH! You are so right! Let's go!" Ino exclaimed, immediately grabbing on to Sakura's wrist and yanking her out of her house.
Once they were in the vehicle, Ino immediately checked her make-up for any signs of fading.i
"Ino, it hasn't even been an hour or so before you last checked your make-up." Sakura said, amused.
Ino giggled. "I know. But I want to look perfect for Shika-kun." She said with a smile on her face.
Aw, love-struck indeed.
…and Sakura couldn't help but envy the love-life of her friend.
Ino snapped her compact mirror close as she met Sakura's gaze. "You know," she began, " it was kind of weird…cause like, I saw something interesting hours ago."
"What weird thing?" Sakura asked, curiosity getting the better of her as she placed one of her elbows of on one of the arm-rests on the chair she was sitting on in the vehicle.
"Hmm…well I saw this pink-haired girl…"
Sakura winced.
"Sitting on the front passenger seat beside this black-haired guy"
Twitch
"While I was getting my hair done at a salon. I saw them through the glass window." Ino said, smirking at the end of her statement. "Do you think you know them, hmm, Sa-ku-ra?"
Sakura inwardly shrank. "I-I don't think so…" she said.
Ino's sly grin widened.
But before further could be said, the hotel that the ballroom which their school dance would be held came into view.
"Oh my…I think that's Shika-kun with the rest of the guys plus Hinata and Tenten over there!" Ino said, leaning in more on the dark-tinted windows as she scanned the people thoroughly.
"That's is them!" Ino exclaimed as the car halted and out came Ino practically running towards them, followed by a very, very amused Haruno Sakura.
"Shika-kuun!!" Ino exclaimed, jumping at the said Nara boy as he caught her in an embrace.
"Woah. It hasn't even been a day since you guys haven't seen each other, and now you guys are acting like you really haven't in years.
"Troublesome woman…" Shikamaru muttered as he held Ino.
The group erupted into fits of laughter soon afterwards.
A certain red-haired teenaged male walked towards the group, stopping right before the person he was looking for.
"Saku." He greeted nodding curtly. "Mina-san." He added, addressing the others.
Sakura's felt her breath hitch once she saw Sabaku no Gaara…in a tux.
"Gaara?" Ino questioned.
Naruto, who was unusually quiet at the beginning, whistled. "You sure you're Gaara?" he asked, walking up to the said male as he poked him on the chest.
Gaara raised an eyebrow at him, amused at the action.
"Naruto! I didn't notice you there!" Sakura exclaimed, quite surprised.
Said boy's expression dropped. "Yeah, I feel A LOT better now." Naruto grumbled which caused the group to laugh once again.
"Hahaha, you know I didn't mean it like that." Sakura said.
Setting that aside, they heard one of the teacher chaperones speaking into a mega-mic.
"Mina-san! The party is about to start, we request all students to please get inside already, thank you."
"Hear that? It's tiiiimmmeee!!" Ino sang as she dragged Shikamaru towards the entrance, gesturing for her girls to do the same with their dates.
"Shall we?" Gaara asked.
Sakura was a little spaced out at the moment. She looked like she was…searching for someone.
"Sakura?" Gaara called out once again.
"Uh…Huh?" Sakura said, snapping out from her daze.
Gaara smirked. "Would you rather spend the rest of the day out here, or in there―," he said pointing to the building where the rest went in "where the rest of the people are."
Sakura gave him a bright smile. "Care to escort me inside?" she asked.
Gaara smirked and held out his arm, which she gladly took.
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The various different lights from the upper ceiling shown down on the dance floor. A lot of elegant looking white clothed round tables and chairs were placed at the sides. The long buffet table which seemed to have been catered by a very fancy catering service of the hotel.
Ino found a good table, lucky for them each table consisted of 8 chairs. Luckily she found a good table with a good view of the dance floor and the stage at the front.
"You know Sakura, you should really take that huge coat off. I can't even see your dress under that thing." Ino commented as they sat down on their table.
Sakura merely blushed. "Oh, I didn't notice that I still had it on." Sakura replied, blushing.
She slowly undid the strap at the front, then removed it and folded it neatly, placing it on the back of her chair.
Naruto whistled once again from across her which made her chuck one of the silverware which was placed neatly on the table which happened to be a fork straight for Naruto's face.
The group was engaged in a slight chatter, being as their prom hosts weren't on the stage, and since it hasn't even officially started yet.
"Ne, did anyone see the teme yet?" Naruto questioned.
Ino rolled her eyes. " Probably with his slut of a girlfriend date." She said.
"In a way…yeah." Tenten said, her voice slightly farther and less concentrated.
Everyone turned and followed the direction of her gaze.
It was true though. Sasuke, in terms really was with Karin.
'Oh my God...' Sakura thought as she scanned the Uchiha male. 'He looks so good in that black tux...and his chicken-butt like hair…looks shinier tonight…'
The group's eyes were on them, as Karin seemed to have noticed, cause she flashed a smile at Sakura which she returned in as a scowl.
"She looks ten times the bitch she is tonight." Ino commented as she gulped down her ice tea, referring to Karin.
There were no spiked drinks at their school dance.
Sakura saw the two sat down in a table across from theirs, being as the huge dance floor was in the middle. Their table wasn't really directly across from Sakura's and the others, but close enough.
The people surrounding Sasuke's table were: Ami, Suigetsu, Juugo Karin (of course), Tayuya, Kimimaro, and Kabuto.
"Ugh, when will this thing start?" Naruto groaned as he slumped down on his seat.
Sakura didn't miss the soft smile she gave him in return.
Before anything else, finally, the hosts went up the stage and began starting the introduction of the party and all.
Half an hour later, after all the opening introductions, and the opening dances, the floor was finally open to the students. It was an upbeat though, and according to the invitation sent to the students which also had the schedule, there would be a few more upbeat dances before the time for eating would arrive, then afterwards the slow dances and finally, the crowning of the best dressed and the Spring King and Queen, followed by one last dance, then the speech, soon followed by the closing of the Spring School Dance.
Shikamaru was dragged to the floor by an Ino, who invited a Tenten, who grabbed Neji by the wrist, who glared at Naruto not to overdo the dancing with his cousin, who cheered for Gaara to take Sakura to the dance floor the same time he would with Hinata, who obliged.
The eat of friends ended up at the dance floor, oblivious to the other students' eyes who were on them for the fact that they were having such a great time dancing with not only with their dates, but also with their friends all at the same time.
Sakura was surprised to see that Gaara could atleast dance on a somewhat upbeat song, which earned her a weird look from the said red-headed male.
"What?" he asked, raising one of his eyebrows.
"Nothing!" Sakura exclaimed in defense, laughing soon afterwards. "What…is Naruto doing?" Sakura asked, apparently she wasn't the only one who noticed Naruto's…drunken state of dancing.
A few minutes soon after that, the host which was the student body president, which was Aburame Shino, announced that the last dance before they had to begin the start of the dining time, was a slow dance song, surprisingly Chris Daughtry's 'What About Now' played from the speakers.
Sakura and Gaara were already seated a few songs before that. They were tired as hell, for the fact that they had been up dancing for most of the upbeat songs. Well, that was until the energy came back to Gaara as he stood up and offered his hand before Sakura.
"Care to dance with me on this very first slow dance song?" He asked her, a small genuine small etched on his face as he asked her.
Sakura, albeit tired, took on his offer as he led her to the dance floor where she lightly wrapped her arms around the back of his neck, and he, gently wrapped his arms around Sakura's petite waist.
His eyes clashed with hers.
This action did not go unnoticed by a certain pair of onyx orbs.
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Sasuke and Karin were seated along with some of the people on the table since the starting of the dance for the fact that Karin was too busy chatting away with Tayuya to even force Sasuke to dance with her, and Sasuke was not in the mood to dance with Karin…rather anyone…
The song ended and the couples that danced to that song, returned to their seats as Shino went up the stage once again to announce that the buffet table was now open to the student body.
The rest that followed suite went by smoothly.
Sakura and the rest returned to their table with a plate full of different food that was served by the people tending to the food at the buffet table.
They saw a scowling Naruto, glaring the food down.
"Uh…Naruto, what are you doing?" Sakura asked as she placed her plate down the table. Seeing Naruto glaring at his meal today— or rather any day that he would be consuming food was just plan weird.
"Can you believe that they don't serve ramen?!" Naruto exclaimed, scowling at his food soon afterwards.
"Naruto…" munch munch "You can scowl at your food all you want," gulps down water "but that won't change the fact that it won't melt and turn into ramen." Ino said, chewing her food soon afterwards.
"You know, Naruto-kun," Hinata's soft voice said from beside him. " Ino-chan is right."
Naruto heaved a defeated sigh as everyone from their table stared at him.
"I guess…so." He said, picking up his chopsticks.
Everyone stared at him wide-eyed as he started eating the food on his plate.
Munch "Wh-hat?" Naruto asked, food still in his mouth which earned him disgusted looks from the girls.
"We've never seen you eat anything but ramen." Shikamaru stated.
Naruto gave him a weird look. " Hey I'm not that into ramen." He said.
"Sure you aren't." Tenten replied.
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Sasuke watched them from his seat as he came back with Karin to their table.
"Ne, Sasuke-kun, why do you keep staring at the idiot's table?" Karin questioned, referring to Naruto.
Sasuke hn-ed.
Karin's expression fell. "Aw, come on, Sasuke-kun. Lighten up! It's a party after all!" Karin exclaimed.
Sasuke just stared at her in return. "I'm just not in a cheery mood, that's all." He replied as he picked up his chopsticks and began eating.
"Aww, Sasuke-kun, what's say let's start dancing once the slow song starts to play, hmm?" Karin said, winking at him soon afterwards which earned him a smirk from the Uchiha.
"Hn. Sure, why not?"
"Yay! Ne, ne, aren't I the prettiest here, Sasuke-honey?" Karin asked, as she fed Sasuke a sliced steak.
"Hn." He replied.
Karin flashed Sasuke a smile as she continued on feeding him.
From across their table, Sakura could already see what the two were doing.
'So I guess that, the car ride home only meant something for me…and not for him…'
"SAKURA!!!"
A loud call of her name snapped her back to reality.
"Y-Yeah? What is it, pig?" Sakura asked.
"Ugh, you've been snapping out of reality lately, is there something wrong?" Ino asked from across the table to Sakura.
"Mmm, Nani? Nothing's wrong!" Sakura said in return, waving her hands infront of her for added emphasis
"Hmm…If you're sure." Ino replied.
"H-Hai!"
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The eating hour went by fast for Sakura. The first slow dance song that followed after they ate, she noticed that Sasuke stood with Karin and both of them walked towards the dance floor as the lights above dimmed. Most of the students, minus a few remained in their seats.
Either to watch the school's badboy/heartthrob dance with his date, or either because they were still too full to start dancing immediately.
Sakura's head was already spinning by the time Sasuke's arms were wrapped around Karin's waist.
"Man she's such a slut!" Ino huffed, crossing her arms infront of her chest.
As the song from The Hedley's "For the nights I can't remember" played, Sakura noticed, amazed, that Sasuke, after all these years, was still the same, smooth person when he was on the dance floor he was also years back.
Sakura saw the small exchanges from the two. Namely Karin and Sasuke.
The others on the table were also watching them, but from time to time, Sakura felt some of her friends' glances shift from the dancing couple…to her.
As if she felt their sympathy. Hell, she didn't need their pity!
Sakura huffed and tore her gaze from the two, to the white clothed table infront of her.
That dance number soon ended, for it only lasted for more than 3 minutes.
The following dances mostly consisted of Sakura watching her friends dance with their dates looking at each other with loving and caring eyes.
She envied them…envied all the people that had a love life that wasn't messed up.
Gaara was gone, for other people, namely some fangirls of his asked him for a dance…and being the gentleman he was, had no choice but to oblige their request.
Dance after dance Gaara was still invited by a different girl. Looking at Sakura with apologetic eyes from the dance floor, Sakura returned it with a smile, a reassuring one.
She didn't mind that he was off dancing with another…that was the thing that bothered her…should she be?
The answer, no, she wasn't…not the least.
She actually wanted to be alone…to clear up things in her mind.
And she certainly could not do that with her date just sitting beside her.
Sakura spotted Karin and Sasuke once again on the dance floor.
Anyone would have mistaken them as a married couple…but Sakura knew better.
Sasuke's eyes weren't really enthusiastic about the dance at all. He seemed rather…spaced out.
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The dance was almost coming to a close…and Sakura knew it.
The fact that they were already announcing the night's King and Queen proved Sakura's assumption correct.
The people on the dance floor were asked kindly to clear it, and return to their seats.
Of course they had no choice but to oblige, for they too, wanted to know.
"Now, the award, goes to, none other than…"
-Insert drum roll here-
"Uchiha Sasuke and his date, none other than, Miss Karin!" Temari announced, being even though she was a new student, she was already part of the student council, although she was not part of Sakura and the others' grade, she still received the invitation that required her attendance.
Sakura saw the two stand up, Sasuke escorting Karin, being the man she knew he was to the stage.
Sakura felt someone stop by beside her.
Looking up, she met the dark eyes of Ami, one of Karin's so called minions.
"Hmm, don't they look cute together, don't you think?" she asked Sakura.
Sakura remained stoic.
"Oi, Ami!" Ino said from across the two.
Ami turned and stared at Ino.
" I didn't know that they allowed peasants in our school dance." Ino said, grinning at the end.
Her statement made Naruto erupt in volumes of laughter, which caused Hinata to giggle, which caused Neji and Shikamaru to chuckle lightly.
"I agree, Ino. I don't think they did. Want me to call security?" Tenten asked.
Ino laughed. " Nah, I think this is the best we can do for Ami, our very own charity."
Ami scowled at the group before walking away. Her dark blue hair swaying behind her.
"Now, as tradition, our King and Queen must share a dance, lights and song please." Temari said, cueing the lights and the song, D' Sound's "Tattooed on My Mind"
They shared another song.
In the middle of said song, Temari invited the other couples to join them on the dance floor, which of course, they did.
One of the members of Gaara's fanclub came up to him.
"Ne, G-Gaara-sama, would you like to dance with me?" a blonde shy girl asked him.
Gaara…once again, apologized to Sakura, who replied that it was alright before he left for the dance floor with the said girl.
"Ne, I've always found it weird that the crazed fangirls were the ones to ask their idol/lord" Naruto mumbled.
"Well, what can you do. That's how in love they are with Gaara." Tenten said.
Neji could only chuckle.
"Ne…why don't you go up there to the Uchiha and ask him for a dance? I mean, just like the good old days." Ino said, directly meant for Sakura.
Sakura glared at her. "Yeah right." She snorted.
"Hm…well now's your chance." Tenten giggled, nodding to the direction of a now, Uchiha walking towards their table.
Sakura's heart beats quickened it's pace.
"Gambatte, ne? Sakura-chan." Hinata whispered.
As Sasuke was approaching, Ino immediately grabbed Shikamaru's arm. "Ne, come, Shika-kun, let's dance!" Ino said, winking at Sakura before dragging the Nara boy to the dance floor.
Tenten giggled, realizing what was to happen, she immediately stood up as well, without even saying a word, Neji already knew the situation they were all in, he followed Tenten to the dance floor as well.
"Bakas…they're going to miss the show!" Naruto exclaimed, leaning back on his chair.
Hinata was now, currently panicking. She knew that if Sasuke were to ask Sakura, they had to atleast ease the tension by minimizing the people that were to witness him personally asking Sakura to dance…so she did the next best thing.
"N-Naruto-kun!" Hinata said, surprisingly aloud, standing up in the process.
"I—I want to dance to this song." Hinata said
Naruto sat up straight. "Can we wait for the next, Hina-chan? I'm still a bit tired, and I don't want to miss the show that will happen."
Hinata stared at him with soft eyes. She would never do this in real life, but for the sake of a friend— "Th-Then I guess, I'll just ask Kiba-kun if he can dance with me, then."
Naruto immediately sprang up to his feet. "On second thought, sure, Hina-chan! Let's go!" Naruto said, leading Hinata to the dance floor.
Of course, Hinata didn't miss the thankful look her friend gave her.
"You're welcome, Sakura-chan." Hinata mouthed back.
Just in time…
Uchiha Sasuke stopped right infront of Sakura's chair.
Sakura looked up to stare at his face.
"Care to dance with me, Sakura-chan?" he asked in that velvety voice of his.
"Wouldn't your girlfriend mind?" Sakura asked, her gaze meeting with that of Karin's. Well, Karin was practically glaring at her direction.
" Nah, come on. We're on the rode to building up the friendship we once had. Don't you want to take that way?" Sasuke asked, hand still offered before her.
"I…guess so." Sakura replied. Taking his hand in hers as he led her towards the dance floor.
"Alright, everyone. This is the very last song for the night, hope you guys had a good time, and men, may I suggest that you spend this last dance on your special woman, thanks for coming and have a good night, seniors!" Temari said into the mic before stepping down the stage for the kast time tonight.
As if on cue, The Fray's "Be The One" played out of the speakers.
They're two lovers in the night
Waiting on the sun to rise
Passing ships into the night
Under different skies
Sakura's arms wrapped around the back of Sasuke's neck as he wrapped his around her slender waist.
But you just whisper what you said
One last time
I could have sworn I heard you say
That you are mine
Their eyes were locked on each other's.
Faded flowers in your hand
The best that I could do
It's the only way I've had
Of reaching you
I never saw it like you did
Didn't know that it was there
You don't see it in your hand
Until the end
Sasuke buried his head, which was kind of surprising on the crook of Sakura's neck.
"S-Sasuke…what are you doing?" Sakura whispered silently as she bent her head slowly, resting the side of her face on Sasuke's head.
"Hm…I have to admit it…I missed this…Sakura." He murmured. His face still buried on the crook of her neck.
His nose hovered in a ghostly way above Sakura's slender neck.
Be the one and only, wait for me
Will you be the only one
Will you be, be the one and only
Wait for me, will you be the only one
What if I knew how to yell
What would I pray
What if I knew how to tell
What would I say
Their faces were so close to each others as their eyes met, which caused a spark to ignite within them…something that seemed so different…yet familiar at the same time.
Their lips were so close to eachwell. They were both like magnets as they inched towards each other.
Onyx met Emerald…
I will be the only one
If you say you'll never go
I'll be screaming out your name
From the back of ohhhh
Be the one and only, wait for me
Will you be the only one
Will you be, be the one and only
Wait for me; let me be your only one
Three…two…one…and their lips met…
Sasuke's lock on Sakura's waist tightened all the more, as Sakura's did the same from his nape.
Everything seemed oh so cliche, but neither one cared anymore.
Sasuke pressed his lips to Sakura's…harder this time.
It was short and sweet before they pulled away. In their relationship before, they went further into making out…
But this was just the beginning…and as confused as the both of them were…they both figured out a very important matter…
Be the one, be the one and only
Wait for me; let me be your only one
Will you be, be the one and only
Wait for me; let me be your only one
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It was as if…everything was right in place.
.::TBC::.
Chyeaaah! Some SasuSaku action at long last! :D Ne, ne, review, onegai??? -insert puppy dog eyes-
My dearly beloved...(s) XD
TragedyDawl,Itoe-chan, ToraHimeSama, NarutardedJellyBeans,gianna loves SasuSaku, fumiko-chan, x.X.x.X.x Babyboo294 x.X.x.X.x, Otakugal, Crimson Tranquility, harunosakua,
lucy-chan18, musical harmony-08, Checkers lime Viola, xXKira-Kira-ChanXx, xX emocolorluver Xx.
Thank you once again!!!
Now, now, I have assumed of two things possible for half the population of my reviewers...missing. Err-hem. Either they just forgot about me- ( TT- TT ) or because they were massacred! -points at Itachi- (0-0) Ne, ne, ne! Tell me there are still survivors! XD
Review, onegai?
