Chapter 13: The Dance

Breathless sobs filled the room as Itachi held the boy in his arms. Hot wetness coated the front of his shirt, but he said nothing as he continued to hold him all the tighter. Sasuke's face was buried into his chest as he soothingly tried to quiet the younger's crying. The boy sobbed all the harder as older dark eyes shifted to the broken phone on the floor, pieces of glass everywhere from where it had been thrown against the wall. He shifted his gaze to the mirror on the wall as he took in the scene before him. It made him squeeze Sasuke all the tighter to him. He put his lips against the shell of the boy's ear and spoke in a whisper.

"It's okay...Shhh...I'm right here. Big brother is right here...Little brother."

His only response was the head of his younger brother burrowing itself deeper into his chest.

"I'll never doubt you again nii-san..." Sasuke whispered, voice hoarse and sounding used. Itachi smiled if not ruefully, a small smirk of triumph, laced with regret.

"Never again..." he whispered back.

Hours Earlier...

The night of the dance was upon them as boys and girls met in the commons to walk together to the large and overly decorated gymnasium. Lights and music blasted from the gym doors as couples excitedly walked in and joined their friends at tables and near the food tables. Little to no teachers roamed among the students as Prefects hovered carefully and watchfully over groups of students and couples that chose to try to make out in dark alcoves behind the bleachers.

"Deidara-sempai! We are supposed to be setting an example for the students!" Neji hissed as he once again found the fair-haired making out with Sasori near the bathroom door. The fair-haired pulled away with a pout as Sasori stood looking bored as ever although his arms were on Deidara's hips.

"What un? There are no students around, they're all out on the dance floor," he told the pale eyed boy. Neji rolled his eyes as he squeezed the bridge of his nose with his fingers.

"Why do I even bother?" he whispered to himself. He walked away from the display and made his way out onto the dance floor. His eyes shifted around to the couples dancing to some students talking in the corner holding their drinks. He turned and saw Haku sitting on a chair near a table while Zabuza, the quarterback leaned over him and smiling like the shark toothed creep he was. Just about everyone from every dorm was here. Girls traveled in groups, stalking boys from the Blue Dorm while Red Dorm boys hung near the speakers, laughing and making faces at the DJ that had been hired by the school. Neji would have berated them, but his heart wasn't truly in it. Lastly, his eyes shifted to the door just as two more people walked in. Neji sucked in a breath as Sasuke came in, arm finally out of his sling from his fall a week ago. He wore a deep-blue button down dress shirt and slacks that complimented his lithe frame. Neji's eyes couldn't help but roam the boy's figure as he walked in fully followed by his friends. Hyuuga scowled as a blond head, namely Naruto, trailed just behind the boy, accompanied by Kiba, Hinata, Shikamaru and...

Gaara.

Neji looked away when he saw the red head walk in with no date. Kiba of course had walked in with his cousin while Shikamaru has asked Temari, a mannish girl in his opinion, to the dance with him. The brunette jumped as he felt a hand come down on his shoulder, making him spin around. Itachi Uchiha smiled pleasantly at him, not noticing his jumpiness.

"Sempai?" the Hyuuga asked.

"Have they arrived?" The dark-haired teen asked him. Neji shook his head and straightened his jacket.

"Yes, just now," he replied. Itachi smiled.

"Well then, I think I'll go greet them," he said. Neji nodded as he watched Itachi walk away and towards his little brother. Naruto immediately scowled at the older Uchiha just as Itachi walked up to Sasuke. Sasuke smacked the blond's arm and made him drop the scowl.

"Nii-san? Are you here for the dance?" he asked his brother. Itachi smiled at him but shook his head.

"Me? No, I'm here to chaperone tonight. Not enough teachers to cover," he explained. Sasuke looked around, noticing all the Blue Dorm prefects walking among the students. Naruto and his friends noticed to and looked at each other.

"Where are all the teachers?" Gaara asked him, crossing his arms. Itachi didn't drop his smile as he looked at the red head.

"Kakashi-sensei holds a poker night on Saturdays," was all the said. Gaara nodded reluctantly in acceptance. Itachi looked back at Sasuke before slowly moving his gaze to the blond Naruto. The boy scowled at Itachi as the dark-haired boy just looked at him. A moment later, Itachi smirked and to all of their shock, raised his hand and offered it to Naruto to shake.

"I trust you to show Sasuke and good time tonight. Of course, that means being an utmost gentleman and having him back at his dorm before it gets too dark?" he said to the blond. Naruto stared at him with an open mouth, seemingly struck dumb by the older Uchiha's behavior toward him. Naruto still held a hint of suspicion as he took Itachi's hand and shook it quickly before letting go.

"Of course! Uzumaki is a definition of a gentleman! Believe it!" he smirked right back. Itachi did everything he could to hold back his disgust. Instead, he took a step back and nodded at them.

"Have fun tonight then," he smiled at Sasuke. The younger Uchiha smiled as he watched Itachi walk away and toward another group of students. All of Naruto's friends were struck with suspicion and surprise.

"That...Was weird," Kiba said slowly. Shikamaru nodded as he watched Itachi walk over to Sakura and Ino and strike up conversation. Of course, both girls gifted him with their full attention and devotion. His eyes then traveled to Naruto who watched Itachi easily talk to Yellow Dorm's most popular girls. Shikamaru didn't miss the way Naruto's eyes trained on Sakura a little too long.

Something is up...

The blond stopped staring when Sasuke laced his hand with his own and smiled.

"Let's find a table for everyone," he said.

The dance was in full swing as students moved to the music. The lights had been fully turned down as music pounded out of the building. Naruto pulled Sasuke around as the dark-haired boy laughed and felt sweat start to gather down his neck. Having never been to many dances through his old schools, Sasuke let himself go. The music turned soft as couples wrapped their arms around one another and turned slowly. Naruto didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around Sasuke's hips and pull him close. Sasuke blushed as he set his hands on top of Naruto's shoulders.

"I'm all sweaty," he mumbled to the blond. Naruto though only smirked and leaned in closer to his face to see him more clearly in the dark.

"I don't care," he whispered. Sasuke blushed and looked down to the floor as he moved to the music with the blond.

"Hey...Sasuke...I was wondering...You know...After the dance...You want to...I mean...Uh..." Naruto mumbled over his words as his tan face slowly started to turn scarlet. Sasuke raised an eyebrow as the blond struggled to get out what he wanted to say.

"What is it?" he asked the nervous blond.

"Well...I have this place...Where we can...Be alone and I...You want to?" the blond smiled nervously. The song ended suddenly as the lights brightened a little. People looked up from the interruption at the DJ.

"All right folks! Time to play a game!" the man announced. Students clapped and hollered as he commanded their full attention. Naruto reluctantly pulled away and shrugged at his boyfriend.

"I'll tell ya later," he winked. Sasuke smiled at him as he looked to the DJ.

"Okay! We're going to have a dance shuffle! Second years take a seat in the chairs arranged in the circle in the middle of the floor! First years, stand opposite the second years and don't stop walking until the music stops! When the music stops, you have to dance with the person you're opposite of!"

Students moved around, and Sasuke wanted to play. He dragged Naruto to the middle of the floor and made him sit. Naruto smiled at him as Sasuke giggled. Everyone was situated as other students sat, watching the game in motion. The music started as first-year students walked around the second years. Students bumped into one another as the music slowed a few times but never stopped, tricking them. When the music finally stopped, Sasuke frowned when he wasn't across from Naruto, but from another boy from Red Dorm. He looked up to see who Naruto would be dancing with.

Naruto stared and swallowed when Sakura smiled down at him.

"What are you doing? You're not a first year," Naruto whispered at her. Instead, she shrugged and batted her eyes at him. Sakura wore an off pink dress that was sleeve-less and not leaving much to the imagination. Her strawberry rose coloured hair was curled over her ears, falling in ripples over her shoulders. Her green eyes were narrowed seductively at him as she held out her hand.

"No I'm not, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to dance with you Naru-kun," she whispered. Naruto felt his collar go hot, but he wasn't sure if it was in anger or embarrassment. Not wanting to make a scene, he got up and walked to the dance floor without her behind him.

"Let's get this over with," he whispered at her. She smiled widely and pushed right up against him as a slow song started.

Sasuke danced with a boy he knew from science class as they moved to the music. He liked the guy but really...He talked way too much. He tried to concentrate on the conversation, but his eyes kept roaming over to Naruto. Sasuke felt a sliver of jealousy and nervousness as he watched Sakura press herself right up against his boyfriend.

Relax...Relax...You're getting worked up. It's just a dance. It's only one dance. You're overreacting Sasuke. Naruto isn't like that.

"Naruto, why won't you look at me? I dressed up for the dance," she smiled. Naruto looked up at her as he stiffly held his hands on her hips and moved in a circle. She tried to press against him, but he kept her at bay every time she tried.

"Will you stop! I know what you're trying to do, and it won't work. I love Sasuke!" he hissed at her. She pouted as she stuck out her bottom lip cutely.

"You didn't even think about what I told you at the arcade?" she smiled. Naruto held back a scowl and took deep breaths.

"You made it clear...Last year, that we would never be an item," he said in a growl.

"What if I changed my mind?" she asked him. Naruto blinked a few times at her.

"What?" he asked confused. She stopped dancing and smiled endearingly at him.

"Follow me? Just for a sec?" she asked, tugging on his arm. Naruto narrowed his eyes at her.

"Five minutes, no more," he said. She watched him walk away from her and toward the bathrooms.

Sasuke was sitting at a table as he watched students continue playing the dance game. He looked around and wondered where his boyfriend had gone. Kiba and Hinata walked over, sweaty from dancing and carrying their drinks.

"Hey Sasuke, where did Naruto go?" Kiba asked him. Sasuke shrugged.

"I don't know. He was dancing with Sakura, last I saw him," he said. Kiba and Hinata looked at each other.

"What? Why?" he asked. Sasuke pointed at the dance floor as the game continued.

"But Sakura isn't a first year. How did she end up dancing with her?" Hinata asked. Sasuke blinked at them.

"She isn't?" he asked. They shook their heads at him. Sasuke looked down at his fingers that were slowly wearing a hole in the table cloth.

"Hey," Kiba suddenly said. Sasuke looked up at him when he put a hand over his trembling fingers.

"Relax. Naruto will be back in a sec. If he went anywhere with that pinkette, it's to chew her out for something. She wouldn't be interested in him in a million years, trust me, I've seen it," he winked. Sasuke relaxed almost instantly. He smiled at his friend.

"Thanks Kiba," he said. Kiba winked at him as he grabbed Hinata's hand and went to go join some people by the punch bowl. Sasuke took a moment and let the sweat cool on his body. He looked over when Neji Hyuuga sat down next to him.

"Sasuke-kun, having fun?" he asked the dark-haired boy. Sasuke nodded at him as he watched the other students dance.

"Yeah. I've never been to many dances before. This is so much fun!" he smiled happily. Neji nodded and smiled himself at how happy the boy seemed.

"You look good tonight," he said suddenly. Sasuke blinked in surprise, and he looked shyly to the floor.

"Uh thank you...It stinks that you have to chaperone tonight. You could have brought a date or something," he said. Neji's smile dropped but only a bit.

"I can still dance," he said. Sasuke watched as he stood and looked at him in surprise as the brunette offered his hand to him.

"Can I have this dance?" he asked. Sasuke laughed nervously as he stood and took Neji's hand.

"Uh..S-sure!" Sasuke said. He let Neji hold his hand to the dance floor as they found a clear spot in the middle. Neji was a head taller than him, and he had to reach up a bit to set his hands on the older boy's shoulders. They moved steadily in the crowd as Neji's larger hands settled securely on his hips. Sasuke swallowed around his dry mouth as he let the music move them.

"Where is Uzumaki?" Neji suddenly asked. Sasuke looked up at him from where he had been watching his feet move on the floor.

"Oh, uh, he went to talk to Sakura, I guess," he answered. Neji only hummed as he continued to move them.

"Does he mind someone else dancing with you?" he asked. Sasuke nodded.

"Yeah, its fine," Sasuke answered simply. Neji only nodded and Sasuke suddenly noticed something.

"Neji, is there something you want to tell me?" he asked the older boy. Neji took in a breath as he moved them toward the corner of the dance floor.

"I don't trust Uzumaki, not to hurt you," he said. Sasuke stopped moving and took his hands away from Sasuke's shoulders.

"Not this again. You're starting to sound like Itachi," Sasuke said, crossing his arms. Neji huffed in frustration this time.

"Sasuke, I mean it. I think...I think you should go find him," he said. Sasuke tilted his head.

"Why? I trust him Neji," Sasuke said resolute. Neji took a step closer and suddenly Sasuke felt himself very short of breath. The brunette's pale eyes held his own as he reached up and grasped Sasuke's shoulders.

"Because I think that blond moron isn't good enough for you. I think; you shouldn't trust a weasel like him," he told the boy. Sasuke didn't move as he felt Neji draw near and a hot breath wash over his face.

"N-Neji..." he whispered nervously.

He went stiff as suddenly a pale pair of lips, unfamiliar coated his own, drowning out everyone and the music buzzing in his head. Sasuke pulled away quickly and covered his mouth with both his hands. He stared in shock at Neji as the boy only continued to watch him.

"Sempai...I-y-you...I h-have to go!" Sasuke trembled. The dark haired boy's legs felt like jelly as he walked swiftly away from the dance floor to outdoors. He sucked in lung fulls of cold air as he hid in a dark corner by the bushes.

He kissed me! Why did he kiss me? Naruto! I need to find Naruto!

Sasuke felt his heart hammer in his chest as he went back inside. He avoided all eye contact as he made his way swiftly to the bathrooms. His breath quickened as he entered the side hallway and passed by other laughing students. He never expected that kiss from Neji. He never expected that the older boy would hold some sort of attraction towards him but what he really didn't expect...

Was seeing Naruto...Kissing Sakura...Up against the wall.

Sasuke stopped in his tracks as all the remaining breath left his lungs. Naruto was pushing the girl up against the wall as she moaned against the blond's lips. Sasuke started to shake as he felt bile rise in his throat. Everything shattered in his ears and suddenly going to the bathroom was no longer important. He let the image burn in his mind as he turned seemingly in slow motion and walked like a drunk back toward the exit.

Just remember...When he breaks your heart Sasuke, that I told you so. That your big brother only thinks about your safety and your happiness above anything else at this school. I warned you, but I guess it is one of those situations where I'm just going to have to let you get hurt by him in order for you to understand, yes?

Itachi's words pierced his heart as his vision tunneled.

He'll pretend to be your friend so you'll defend what he does Sasuke. He'll hurt you; I've seen him do it constantly.

"No...No, no, no!" Sasuke whispered.

Sasuke, you're not seeing it. Naruto is pretending to be nice to you.

He couldn't stop hearing Itachi in his head. Itachi being right about everything.

How do you know? How do you really know Sasuke?

"I thought I did. I thought I did. I believed him Nii-san!" he whispered frantically. Sasuke forgot his jacket as the cold air swept him up. The sweat on his body cooled rapidly, but he didn't even acknowledge it. His feet crunched on the snow as he walked blindly to where his body thought was home.

I know that fleeting shit better than anyone in this school. He is a sneaky liar, who hides behind that happy go-lucky-smile you so adore. Nevertheless, I guarantee you; you're not the first person he's tricked with that oh so happy attitude and charm.

Sasuke stopped and breathed deep as the first wave of tears slid down his face. He scrunched his face up and hid it into the palms of his hands.

"Uh...Uh *hic*," he cried.

He'll hurt you little brother...

Sasuke felt the bile coat his throat as he turned and vomited onto the sidewalk. He shakily wiped his mouth as he let more tears fall from his face. Not looking back, Sasuke ran to Blue Dorm, almost slipping on the snow.

TBC