I just want to reiterate that Naruto does not belong to me. I realize I had gotten really lazy with my disclaimers, but does anyone here really believe I own Naruto? So since I know I'll keep forgetting to put the disclaimer on top of my chapters, let's settle this once and for all: NARUTO DOES NOT BELONG TO ME. Now back to your regularly scheduled fic. :)

Lala to the power of 2 – Yeah, I noticed how the OOC was getting slightly out of hand, but it's so much harder to get out of it than it is to slip in. And yes the story is on cruise control, but I like it that way. More surprises for me.

aura-chan the neko-jin – I'm glad you like it.

Chapter 15: The Party

The whole village was bustling with excitement. Some very important guests were coming from places across the nation in a special gathering. To top it all off and welcome the newcomers, plans were arranged for a party on the opening day. The sensei drilled his students on the importance of good impressions, and reminded them that it was a formal gathering. He also stated in none-too-vague terms what would happen if any of the students were to make a fool of themselves and disgrace the entire village. He seemed to be looking at Naruto when he said this, and added that there was to be no pranks whatsoever.

Neji would rather he not have to go, but it would be worse to skip out and then get caught doing so. They were all expected to attend and be good little representatives of what a wonderful village Kohana was. At least the girls were excited. Neji watched in amusement as a whole pack swarmed around Uchiha's desk to beg to be his date. It would take Sasuke a long time to turn down that many girls individually. Chances were he'd do what he normally did: agree to the first person who asked, and then ditch her at the party. Cruel, but effective.

Once again, Gaara was waiting for him at the door. Neji paused. This was the first time he'd seen Gaara since his embarrassing moment on the hill, and he wasn't sure how to go about it. The sand-nin probably wouldn't bring it up; he rarely started a conversation anyway. With that in mind, Neji swallowed and walked up to him, plastering a smile onto his face.

"It's a waste to smile if you don't mean it," was all Gaara said before heading out. Neji's fake smile faltered slightly as he followed the redhead. Gaara suddenly turned and regarded Neji. "Are you going with anyone to this party?"

Neji's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly regained inner composure. His outer one didn't falter a bit. He couldn't let it falter. The last time he had jumped to conclusions about Gaara, he just ended up in an embarrassing situation. He wasn't stupid enough to get dragged in twice. He made himself shrug nonchalantly and looked around. "I doubt it. Besides, some may find me to be far too pretty to want to go with me." Neji couldn't help but put that sardonic addition to his reply.

Gaara smirked. "Can't you tell when I'm joking?"

The brunette was caught off guard. Once again, he regained composure. "No, actually I can't."

The redhead shrugged. "I am often misunderstood."

Neji didn't want to venture to inquire whether Gaara was asking to go with him to the party for fear that he had misread the nin once again. He just wished his friend wasn't so incredibly confusing. Neji was still finding the right way to frame the question so that it wouldn't put him in a total dead-end, but never got the chance to verbalize it as Gaara had started to walk away. Instead he asked, "Where are you going?"

Gaara paused briefly and turned around. "I need to get something appropriate to wear. The sensei was very particular about the type of outfit he was looking for." With that, the sand-nin turned around and headed off for the center of town.

Neji paused to envision what Gaara would look like in a tux and the gourd still strapped to his back. It was almost impossible for him to imagine Gaara without it. It was like it was a part of him, and Neji wondered whether Gaara would indeed keep it on. The nin smirked, envisioning sensei's reaction if he saw the sand-nin with that gourd tonight.

Neji went home and got a shower, his vanity instantly taking over. One hundred brush strokes later he had picked out one of his many suits and was trying it on to make sure it still fit. Then he straightened his tie and looked himself over critically in the mirror. Skin spotlessly clean, shirt pressed, not a hair out of place. Perfect. Hyuuga Neji was ready to face the world.

The main hall was packed. The party space even carried out to include the garden and the surrounding area. Neji walked through the crowd, picking up familiar faces and not-so-familiar ones. He found Sasuke standing by the punchbowl. The boy was dressed in a simple black suit with a white undershirt a crisp white bowtie. He smirked and waved to Neji.

"Loose your date already?" Neji chuckled, walking up to him.

Sasuke shrugged. "It's such a big place and there are so many people."

Neji smirked. "I'm surprised they still crawl all over you with the way you treat them."

Uchiha shrugged once more. "Things would be simpler if they didn't. I take it you didn't get a date."

"I actually don't know if I did," admitted Neji. He saw Sasuke stiffen slightly. "Anyway, how long do you plan to stay here?" the pale-eyed nin continued.

"Not sure. I'll mingle around for a bit, pretend to be social and then slip off later I guess."

Neji nodded. "Same plan as me then. Well, I'll see you around."

Sasuke nodded and waved as Neji walked off. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sasuke quickly walk farther into the crowd in order to avoid the large group of girls that were heading towards the punch table. Walking around for a few minutes more, he spotted the slouching figure of Gaara standing in the far corner of the building. The sand-nin looked rather strange with a suit on, and Neji saw that he had actually left his gourd behind.

"Having fun?" he asked, walking up to greet him.

Gaara simply leaned against the wall and made an indistinct noise. "I was never much for social gatherings."

"I know what you mean," Neji nodded. They stood against the wall awkwardly. "You want any punch or anything?" he finally offered.

Gaara nodded.

"Great, I'll go get some then. See you soon." It would give Neji something to do, and break him away from the awkwardness. If he could only be sure of Gaara's intentions! Neji didn't want to make a fool of himself again, but at the same time he didn't want to sit there wondering either. He arrived at the punchbowl only to discover that they were all out, and he was directed out to the gardens where another table was set up.

The sky was overcast with dark gray storm clouds, and Neji wondered if the organizers were prepared if it began to rain. He was almost at the table when he heard voices off to the side away from the party. He recognized Naruto and Sasuke's voices and was about to walk on when he heard his name being mentioned.

Mentally scolding himself for the evils of eavesdropping, Neji kneeled behind a bush and watched the apparent argument in front of him play out.

Ok, I meant to send these chapters in a set of three, but chapter 17 is taking sooo long to write as I have hit a sort of dead-end which I am trying to resolve. This is the first of the three, and I'll send the second tomorrow probably or the next day to give me more time to finish Chapter 17.