Thanks for being so patient! Tomorrow night is the last official night of VBS, so I will get back in the swing of things this week. Anyway, here is the next chapter.

**SPOILER**

The story is coming to its climax, so please continue to review. I need more nourishment to continue my writing frenzy =D

**END SPOILER**

I do NOT own Naruto.

The rest of the week went by pretty fast. I got many condolences from people over the loss of Ero-Sennin, I just nodded my thanks. I wasn't going to be depressed. Not with what was coming up on Friday. Aunt Tsunade announced over the intercom that on Friday, prom would resume.

After the announcement, no one really paid attention in class. Everyone was excited about prom, so it was on everyone's mind. By the time Thursday came around, the basketball team did not practice. Instead, we helped set up the gym for prom that night.

"Mr. Uzumaki."

I turned around to see that Gai-sensei was calling my name.

"Sir?"

"I think Sasuke, over there, needs help setting up the speakers and microphones for tonight, why don't you go over there and help him?"

"Hai!"

I walked over to Sasuke and tried to help, but he pushed me away. I would have protested, but I could tell something was bothering him.

"Sasuke, you all right?"

"Baka, leave me alone..."

"Sasuke, I'm your friend. I'm just trying to help."

"I said, jus-"

I put a hand on his shoulder, and he started to shake. Usually when that happens, his anger gets the best of him, so I expected a punch in the gut. Instead, I looked down to see water landing on the gym floor.

He's...crying...

I didn't say anything else. For Sasuke to be crying, something must have been up. To be honest, I thought the only emotion he knew was anger. I just wrapped my arm around his shoulder, trying to cheer him up, but to no avail.

"Hey guys..." Sakura walked up and saw he was crying. I just looked at her and put my finger to my lips to silence her. Sakura understood. She walked over and grabbed her boyfriend and embraced him. You could see the love emanate from her, and Sasuke's sobbing became louder. Sakura gave me a questioning look. I just shrugged my shoulders.

The two embraced for a few more minute until he began to calm down.

I looked at Sakura and whispered, "I'll leave you two alone."

She smiled at me as she guided Sasuke to the bleachers.

"What was wrong with him?" I heard as two arms wrapped around me.

"I'm not sure. He just started crying," I turned around and hugged Hinata. "But to make him cry like that, something must be up."

Hinata simply nodded as we watched Sasuke and Sakura talk.

After everything was set up, Naruto and I walked home. We didn't say much, but we both knew what was on each other's mind. Though I wasn't close to Sasuke, Naruto was. Sasuke was Naruto's first guy friend, and the two were as close as two brothers. To see Sasuke cry, it must have shaken Naruto.

Sakura on the other hand, I was friends with. Eventually, she would talk to me about what happened, but until then, there was nothing I could do.

I looked at Naruto and noticed he was looking at the ground. He was very downcast. I let his hand go and pulled him close to me, our faces mere inches from each other.

"Naruto."

He dropped his gaze.

"Naruto, look at me."

Hesitatingly, he did.

"I know that you must be scared for Sasuke. He's like a brother to you. But, worrying about it isn't going to get you anywhere."

"I know...I just..." He took a breath before continuing, "there were many times when I would do exactly as he was. I would cry when something bad happened, but it was always very rare. Normally, I just lost my temper. Sasuke is the same as me, if not worse than I am. To see him cry... it unsettles me. I want to do something for him. He IS like a brother to me."

I kissed him and looked him in the eye.

"It should unsettle you, but all you can do for him is be there when he needs you. You guys aren't very good at sharing what's on your heart, but he will come around eventually.

"Then what do I do?"

"Just be there for him."

Naruto smiled and kissed me. "You're right, I'm not sure why I was so worried. I mean, it IS Sasuke after all, he'll perk up."

I laughed, "Yeah, especially after he sees the dress that Sakura picked out for prom."

"Hah! Yeah, that'll definitely cheer him up," he was silent a moment, "You know, we don't have practice tomorrow, how about you and I have dinner at my place tomorrow after school."

"Ramen again?" I asked, jokingly.

"Hah, no. I've been wanted to cook for you, and I perfected this amazing recipe for Lasagna. I want you to be the first to try it." He smiled at me.

Returning his smile, I said "Oh, all right. My boyfriend won't be too happy about this random guy asking me to dinner, though."

"Ah, I'm sure he'll be fine. Besides, I hear he's a pushover."

"You got that right, I got him-"

"...whipped?" A voice said from behind.

Naruto and I turned around and saw Neji standing there.

"Lady Hinata, Naruto!" He looked at me and actually smiled. That sure took me by surprise.

"Neji!" Hinata yelled as she ran over and embraced her cousin.

He returned the hug and smiled at me.

"You know, Neji, seeing you smile at me is kind of creeping me out."

He and Hinata laughed. "...and you're laugh creeps me out even more..." That made them laugh all the harder.

After they calmed down, Neji looked at me and said, "Naruto, may I borrow my cousin for a minute, I have something to ask her."

"Sure, just bring her back. I kinda like her." Hinata blushed as Neji led her to a bench a few yards away.

At that moment my phone rang. I looked down to see that Choji was calling me.

After we sat down, I noticed that Neji kept looking at the ground. His normally pale face was red.

He's blushing...?

"Lady Hinata..."

"Neji...?"

"I...w-want..."

"This is about Ten-Ten isn't it?"

He looked up at me, his face even redder.

"How...?"

"I'm a girl, we know about these kind of things."

He just looked at me and nodded.

"Have you asked her to prom yet?"

He shook his head. "That's the thing, I'm...nervous..."

"Neji, just ask her."

"But.. what if she-"

"Says 'no?' Then you don't worry about it."

He nodded, understanding.

"But, I don't think that will happen..."

He looked up at me, but I didn't say a word. I just walked back to Naruto, who was hanging up his cell phone.

As Neji and Hinata walked over to the bench, Choji called me on my cell phone.

"Hey, Choj! What's happening?"

"I need advice on asking a girl to prom!" He said, very fast.

"Umm, I think you would be better off asking Shikamaru. I mean, you two have been friends a long time."

"Well, I wanted to, but he is over at Temari's."

"Temari? Isn't that the weird girl who hates men?"

"Thats the one! Shika is asking her to prom."

"Really?! That... that is going to be one abusive relationship if they get together..."

"You got that right!" Choji said as he laughed.

"Well, I guess I can help. Who are you wanting to ask out?"

"Anoo... Ino."

"Really? Ino?"

"Why, do you think it is a bad idea?"

"No, in fact I think you two are perfect for each other,"

"You think so?"

"Yea, that hothead needs some calm in her life. "

"Oh, so that's why you don't lose your temper that much anymore."

"You got that ri- HEY!"

Choji laughed, and I couldn't help but do so too.

"To be honest Choji, all I know to tell you is ask. I overheard her at school this morning, and she doesn't have a date."

"All right, thanks Naruto..."

"Buddy, cheer up! At least you have a girl to ask. Poor Kiba and Shino are going alone..."

"Of course, Bug-Boy and Dog-Breath aren't as suave as us."

"Haha! You got that right Choji," I looked over and saw Hinata walking over to me, "Hey Choj, I gotta go. Listen, just ask her. What's the worst that can happen?"

"You're right Naruto, Thanks!"

He hung up.

Naruto took me to dinner, and then walked me to my apartment, kissed me, and went inside his own. I could tell he was tired.

I don't blame him, though. His brother looks like he is going through hell...

As I walked through the door, I got a text message from Sakura. She wanted to talk to me.

I wish I could do something for him...

I was laying on my bed, wearing my night clothes. The tip of my sleeping hat was laying on my eye, so I blew it away.

Hinata's right... I just need to be his friend right now. He'll tell me when he feels like it...

I drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the next night.

I hung up the phone.

Poor Sasuke...

Sakura told me what was bothering Sasuke.

I can't tell Naruto this. This is something Sasuke needs to tell him himself.

I changed into my pajamas and lay on my bed, looking at the ceiling. Butterflies rose in my stomach as I imagined prom.

I hope he likes my dress...

I tried to picture Naruto. We both promised to wear the same color clothing.

I wonder what that suit of his will look like...

I looked at the clock and saw it was 11:00.

I better get to sleep...

I couldn't though. I was too excited about prom. For some reason, though, I had a nightmare that night.

Littlepans: Neji, I would run if I were you...
Neji: Why? I was just... *Looks at Hinata*
Hinata: *Death Glare, holding bat menacingly*
Neji: Please, NO. I haven't asked Ten-Ten out yet!
Hinata: *Drops bat* Oh, you poor baby!
Littlepans and Naruto: *Sweatdrop*

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