Summary: She was the new, shy and insecure girl. He was the hot, emotionless and reserved guy. He found out her hidden strength, she found out his hidden secret. Only he could break her barrier, only she could touch his heart. What happens next?
Main pairings: SasuSaku, NejiTen, NaruHina, ShikaIno
A/N: Thank you once again for the reviews and please enjoy this chapter as well and don't forget to review.
Special thanks to the reviewer Jasmine for her kind words and comments. Sorry that this chapter doesn't have the dance in it but the dance will either be in the next chapter or the one after. Anyway I really appreciated the review and to show you my thanks I am dedicating this chapter to you.
Disclaimer: So far all my attempts have failed therefore I do not own Naruto…yet!
Previously
"Yes but do you have feelings for him though" Ino asked as Tenten sighed. She wasn't about to deny it since all her other friends had been truthful.
"I don't really know, I guess part of me do but part of me is holding back"
"Ok that makes no sense" Ino said as Tenten shrugged.
"I don't like him how I use to" she told them as Ino frowned.
"Wait you use to like him?"
"Yeah"
"She did" Hinata told Ino who looked at Tenten.
"You use to have feelings for him, but then what happened."
"Yes I had feelings for him when we were friends but then he turned cold and I became scared of him."
"So do you still like him like that" Sakura asked as she sighed.
"When he turned cold he hurt me, he hurt me really bad and after all that" she topped to face the girls, "I just don't think I could ever bring myself to have feelings for him again."
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Chapter eleven
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Sakura moaned as she rolled over in her sleeping bag. For some reason she had woken up and just couldn't get back to sleep. She didn't know why but it was extremely irritating at the most. With a sigh she sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"Cant sleep either huh?" someone asked as Sakura spun around to see Tenten sitting cross legged on her sleeping bag next to her smiling.
"Yeah" she said as she yawned and leant against the couch back as she faced her.
"What's up?" Tenten asked her as Sakura sighed.
"No idea" she replied.
"You sure?"
"Well I guess I was a little overwhelmed by tonight" she admitted with a laugh. "This was my first sleepover with friends, ever"
"Really wow poor you" Tenten exclaimed as Sakura smiled and kicked back her sleeping bag.
"So what are you doing?"
"Just thinking really" Tenten told her as Sakura smiled.
"About the conversation before?" she asked as Tenten looked at her and nodded.
"You know Neji was a good friend, he was always there for me and he would spend time with me just to save me from going home. In fact he even tried to protect me and I don't know I had never known kindness like that. But now I don't know what to think, things use to be so easy back there" she sighed. "When did things get so complicated?"
"I don't know" Sakura said. "All I know is it just gets worse as we get older"
"Great" Tenten muttered as Sakura giggled.
"Anyway why were you guys so close, I mean what was he trying to protect you from" Sakura asked as her friends face went slightly pale.
"Well uh that's complicated" Tenten said as Sakura nodded.
"So try me"
"Well it's about my family" she said in a whisper.
"What about them?" Sakura asked, she had been curious to learn about her past since she learnt Tenten use to live with Lee.
"Well I kind of don't like talking about it" Tenten said.
"Please" Sakura begged as Tenten sighed.
"Fine I will make a deal with you, you tell me your story and I will tell you mine" Tenten offered as Sakura frowned. She didn't like telling people about her past and the only one who knew about her situation was Sasuke since they were next door neighbors, that and he was her closest friend. Then again she really wanted to know about Tenten and if this was the only way then maybe it was worth a shot.
"Ok but only if we promise to never tell anyone else" Sakura said as Tenten smiled.
"Fine deal"
"Deal" Sakura replied as Tenten nodded.
"Ok you go first"
"Well my brother died three years ago" Sakura explained. "My parents work and are never home and after we moved my older brother and sister took of with some money. My sister is staying with her friends in the city where she works on the street and my brother is an alcoholic and druggie and I have no idea where he is. But as long as I don't tell my parents they don't say anything to me. There really only my half siblings from my mum's first marriage so basically I live alone and after my brother died I had to look after myself"
"Oh my god I'm so sorry Sakura" Tenten apologized. "I had no idea things were so rough"
"Its ok I don't mine, I don't want peoples sympathy or pity that's why I don't like people knowing"
"Well don't worry your secret is safe with me" Tenten promised as Sakura smiled.
"Yeah I know it is" she replied. "So what about you?"
"Well I guess since you were so honest with me I should be honest with you" Tenten sighed as Sakura giggled.
"That would be nice" she said. Sakura still wasn't sure what she had been so forward with Tenten but she felt it was right. After all the only way that Tenten would tell her was if Sakura gave Tenten her own sad story so Tenten wouldn't feel bad or ashamed to tell Sakura in return.
"Well ok here it is, I lived with both my parents but my dad was an alcoholic to and he used to beat my mum a lot. Sometimes he would even hurt me so I used to live in fear basically. He was a very scary an abusive man, I have no idea why mum married him. Every time I did something wrong I would be punished severely and I was afraid of him. But Lee and Neji found out and although they promised not to say anything Neji brought me a pocket knife so I would feel a little safer in case he ever decided to hurt me when he came home at three in the morning drunk."
"That was nice of him" Sakura said as Tenten smiled.
"Yeah it was, I still have it you know." She pulled out a little pocket knife and held it tightly. "I carry it everywhere even if it's pretty old now I don't care"
"So they knew and they never told the authorities"
"We were too young to realize that it was so illegal and I was scared he would hurt me even worse than he did if he found out they knew or worse hurt them. So I made them promise not to tell anyone"
"Oh I see"
"It was pretty hard since I was constantly going to school with injuries but because we were poor and I was already wearing baggy old clothes and because I was a bit of a tom boy no one ever said anything"
"Really?"
"Yeah but I'm like you I don't want sympathy" Tenten laughed as Sakura nodded, she completely understood where Tenten was coming from.
"So um what happened then?"
"Well my mum became sick and my dad stopped coming home much at all. Then Neji's father died and he became distant so I spent a lot of time trying to help him and my mum. Then my mum became worse and Neji was ignoring me so I had to make a choice and started dedicating my time to helping my mum. But now that my dad couldnt beat my mum as much he started beating me more so when he was home I tried to spend my time at Lee's. I guess because Lee was helping me and we were kind of ignoring him Neji became some what jealous and stopped talking to us." She sighed as she broke off and looked out the window.
"You don't have to continue if you don't want" Sakura suggested but Tenten shook her head.
"No I need to and you deserve to know"
"Then take your time" Sakura offered as Tenten smiled. She liked Sakura, how she understood without words what people felt and knew just what to do. Like now she knew instead of saying anything to comfort Tenten the best she could do was to wait for Tenten to finish what she had to say. She took a deep breath and continued her story.
"One night my dad came home drunk and my mum was coughing loudly. He got mad and started to hit her. I don't remember much except for her screams before it fell silent and then my dad came in my room and started on me until I fell unconscious." Sakura didn't say a word as Tenten paused. But it didn't last long before she continued.
"Next thing I remember was waking up with Lee next to me and his parents who told me my mum was dead and my dad was responsible but he had done a runner. I was twelve at the time so Lee's parents offered me a home since my mum had no family and my dad's family couldn't be trusted. So that's the end of that really" she finished as Sakura smiled.
"For what its worth I'm sorry"
"Nah its ok, if anything it worked out well. I got to go live with Lee and never had to see him again" she laughed as Sakura smiled.
"Now we should probably get to bed" Tenten told her as she nodded.
"Yeah ok and Tenten thanks" the girl smiled at her.
"You're welcome Sakura"
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Shino studied his friend as he sat next to him and couldn't help but feel a little pity for him.
"So I take it you heard" he said.
"Yep" Kiba replied with a nod before he let out a long sigh.
"I didn't realize he liked her" he admitted.
"I don't think Naruto knew he liked her himself until the other day, though I have no idea why Ino told us" Shino said.
"Because maybe she is hoping they would get together" Kiba suggested as his friend smiled.
"Hinata agreed to go with you; she wouldn't turn around and say yes to him"
"I know but does she want to?" Kiba asked. "I mean I know Naruto doesn't want to steal her away because face it Naruto isn't like that but I know Hinata has had a crush on him since forever. What if she still does?"
"I don't know, that's something you would have to ask her"
"Yeah I know I do"
"Then what's wrong, she is just over there isn't she" Shino said as Kiba nodded. Shino patted him on the back as Kiba looked at him in a pleading way.
"Talk to her" he mouthed as Kiba nodded than stood up and slowly approached where Hinata was studying in her corner of the library. Naruto, Sasuke, Lee, Neji and Tenten were currently at basketball practice while Sakura and Ino watched them from the side lines and Shikamaru attempted to sleep. Hinata had decided to come here to do her homework so she would have free time to tutor Naruto tonight and this is where Kiba had found her.
"Hey Hinata" he said as he sat down next to his friend. Hinata looked up and smiled in greeting.
"Kiba what are you doing here, I thought you hated libraries"
"I don't hate them" the dog boy argued as Hinata smiled.
"Weren't your words to me exactly 'me and Akamaru wouldn't be caught dead in a library' the other day when I offered to help with your English" Hinata asked as Kiba looked at her.
"Your memory never ceases to amaze me"
"Your lack of one never ceases to maze me either" Hinata laughed.
"Anyway I wanted to ask you something"
"Oh ok well go ahead" Hinata told him.
"And you have to promise me that you will be honest"
"Promise"
"Good" Kiba said as he stared at her. "Hinata do you still have a crush on Naruto?"
"Um" Hinata froze as she looked at Kiba before she sighed.
"I know it's sad and stupid but yeah I do"
"Heh" Kiba said as Hinata smiled.
"I'm sorry Kiba" she said as he shrugged.
"You have nothing to apologize for, I was only asking"
"Ok um I better get going I have a class soon" Hinata said as she stood up.
"Alright see ya" Kiba replied as she smiled.
"Where still right for the dance aren't we, after all Naruto will never like me in that way anyway" she told him as he nodded and watched Hinata smile as she walked out of the library with a pile of books in her arms.
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Neji was walking home when he stopped a she heard a familiar voice. It was Tenten he knew it and as he walked closer he could just make out Lee and Tenten sitting under a tree talking to themselves while Tenten kept throwing something at a dart board on a tree. H couldn't help but smirk at her perfect aim and knew that he was the reason she had started this hobby. He was about to move when she said something that made him stop.
"I told Sakura about my family" Tenten told Lee who stared up at her in amazement.
"You did"
"Yeah"
"Why?" he asked.
"I don't know I just trust her I guess" she told him with a shrug.
"Are you ok" Lee asked as she laughed.
"I'm fine Lee you should stop worrying, I'm over it, and I have told you that"
"And I have told you that I don't believe you" Lee said as she sighed.
"Look I'm fine" she told him firmly.
"Tenten you're always fine and that's what has me concerned"
"So?"
"So you never talk about it, pretend nothing ever happened and act like your fine all the time when you haven't even dealt with it yet"
"And I'm not going to Lee, I just want to forget it and move on"
"But your rather is…"
"His not my father" Tenten snapped as Lee sighed.
"Fine that man is still out there and despite what you say I know you're mad at him. He killed your mother and he hurt you"
"So" she said again. "My mother allowed herself to put up with that, as far as I'm concerned she is no better than he is. Besides his gone and his not coming back and I barely remember what he did to me so what does it matter" she asked.
"Because one day something will trigger that memory and bring it to the surface" Lee replied. "And I'm worried that because you never dealt with it you won't be able to cope and if I'm not there you will be alone and have no one to help you"
"Lee what is your point?"
"I'm only saying that you shouldn't be so afraid of receiving help all the time. You need to accept it Tenten, you need help"
"Lee" she said sharply. "I am fine and I don't need help" he looked at her with sympathy as she turned away.
"I'm sorry Lee"
"I know you are Tenten" he said as he gave her a hug. "Come lets head back"
"No you go I think ill stay here awhile" she told him as he nodded and started to leave. Once out of her sight she slumped on the ground and hugged her knees to her chest.
Neji watched her and suddenly had an overwhelming desire to go speak with her. But he couldn't, he was in no position to. He sighed as he turned and started to walk in the other direction before a movement caught his eye. He turned around and came face to face with Lee.
"I was leaving" Neji told him but Lee just smiled back.
"She isn't over it you know" he said as Neji frowned not quite understanding where Lee was coming from. Why was he telling him this, didn't he want him to leave her alone.
"Talk to her" le told him as Neji made a noise of surprise. "What?"
"Go talk to her" Lee repeated as Neji frowned.
"Why"
"Because she needs a friend right now, she shouldn't be alone" Lee explained.
"So why don't you go"
"Because I'm not what she needs and I know it" Lee admitted. "I thought I was all those years ago until I realized that I couldn't help her. I'm not the one that is mean to"
"What in the hell do you mean by that" Neji said rather rudely as Lee sighed.
"I know you can help her much more than I can Neji. She needs you right now and I know you would rather die than admit it but you need her to" Lee exclaimed and then why Neji was still looking at him as if he had lost his mind Lee grinned and gave him the thumbs up.
"Let the power of youth do its work" he cried as he ran from Neji's sight. (A/N: You have to love Lee lol)
Neji sighed a she looked back at Tenten and then slowly he started making his way over. She looked up as he approached her and sat down yet she didn't say a word. That is before Tenten broke it and looked at him.
"Neji"
"Hn"
"I'm sorry about your dad" she said as Neji looked at her. "I don't think I ever really said that" she admitted with a nervous laugh.
"I'm sorry about your mum" he replied as she nodded.
"I don't really acre anymore" she said as he looked at her.
"What is it?" he asked as she blinked. It had been years and yet Neji still seemed to be able to read her like an open book. She smiled at him as he gazed into her chocolate brown eyes.
"It's nothing" she whispered as he nodded yet he knew, he could tell she was hiding something. And no matter what it took he would help her. She had saved him countless of times and he had promised to do the same, to protect her. But he hadn't been able to and instead it was Lee that had rescued her. Well nit anymore, no matter what he would help her.
"You know you can still talk to me" he said as she nodded.
"I know" she replied. No more words were exchanged but they didn't need to be. The two just simply sat in silence, being comforted by the presence next to them and that for now was enough to allow them both to relax and enjoy the sunset. It felt just like old times and although neither said it both knew that the other agreed. This moment was a rare one and they appreciated it for what it was. Because just knowing the other was there was enough to make their troubles disappear. They didn't mind that it was only for a short while because at least for that small period they could be happy, they could have peace. They could be together.
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Kiba sighed as he watched Hinata from out the corner of his eye. She was sitting at the ramen stand with Naruto, both of whom were laughing and mucking around. He felt a pain in his chest as he remembered the conversation he had with Hinata earlier that day. He had just found out from his friend's that Naruto was jealous of him and Hinata and he couldn't help but wonder whether he had just stolen Hinata's opportunity with blonde boy who she had been crushing on for years now. That's why he had decided to ask her himself.
Yes she had agreed to still go to the dance with him but he felt guilty that he was taking this chance away from her. He cared for her a lot and he didn't want to spoil their friendship. He wanted Hinata to be happy and that is why he had decided what to do about this mess. He loved Hinata, much like a sister even if he felt it was something more, and if backing away and letting her go was what was right for Hinata then he would do it. After all her happiness had always come first and no matter what that would never change.
He approached the two with a smile as the looked up and grinned at him, though he noticed Naruto's was a little forced.
"Hey Kiba, would you like to join us" Hinata asked as Kiba nodded.
"Sure why not" he told them as he sat down.
"What would you like, I will go order for us" Hinata said as Kiba looked at her.
"Just the beef ramen" he replied as Hinata smiled and went off to the counter. Kiba turned to Naruto who was eyeing him strangely.
"Naruto"
"Yeah"
"Do you like Hinata" he asked as Naruto's eyes widened.
"What?" Kiba sighed as he shook his head.
"I'm asking you if you like Hinata" he explained. "Because I know she likes you"
"She likes me" Naruto repeated as Kiba groaned in annoyance.
"Naruto do you like her yes or no?"
"Well yeah" Naruto admitted.
"God then I want you to do something for me" Kiba told him as Naruto frowned.
"What?"
"I want you to ask Hinata to the dance" Kiba said as Naruto gaped at him in surprise.
"But aren't you going with her"
"I was" Kiba said slowly. "But I know Hinata wants to go with you and Hinata's happiness has always come first so I want you to take her to the dance" Kiba decided as Naruto looked at him.
"Please Naruto just do it" Kiba sighed as Naruto's lowly nodded.
"Ok"
Hinata returned to the table and looked from Naruto to Kiba with curiosity since both were staring at her.
"What's wrong?" she asked as Kiba nodded at Naruto. Taking the hint Naruto grinned as he looked at her.
"Hinata"
"Yes Naruto"
"I just wanted to tell you that I like you, I like you a lot and I was wondering if you would go to the dance with me" Naruto confessed as Hinata looked at him in shock before swallowing.
"Naruto I…uh I wo…would l…lo…love to bu…but I uh already um" she stammered as if she was struggling to breathe. Kiba smiled as he patted Hinata on the shoulder and when she turned to him, her face bright red he smiled at her.
"Its ok" he assured her as she looked at him.
"But Kiba"
"Don't worry I know this is what you want" he whispered as he stood up. "Well I will see you two around" he called as he left. Hinata turned to Naruto who was for one patiently awaiting her answer.
"Hinata?" she smiled as she tried to control her blush.
"Yes Naruto I will go to the dance with you" she said as Naruto grinned and kissed her on the lips making Hinata almost faint.
"Be my girlfriend" he said as Hinata coughed and stared at him. He looked at her, worried that she would actually faint before she did something more surprising. She quickly leant forward and crashed her lips against his in a shirt chaste kiss before pulling away with a smile, her face as red as a tomato.
"Is that a yes" he asked as she giggled.
"Yes Naruto ill be your girlfriend"
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A/N: Sorry for the lack of Sasuke and Sakura fluff and all but there will be some moments between them in the next chapter.
Well you know what to do, review and next chapter the couples for the dance are revealed. Who will it be?