A/N: This was written for the Naruto100 "Prom" challenge.
Our Last Dance
Even though they were at war with the village hidden in the clouds, Konoha still held its ninja academy's prom. Uzuki supposed it was to keep up with morale and all, but it seemed like a hollow gesture. So many of their former class had been lost, and a reunion prom only served to tear open newly healed wounds. Nevertheless, Hayate came to pick her up at 7:00 pm sharp. She pinned a flower on his suit and he slipped the corsage on her wrist as if it was a regular dance, not a reminder of what they'd lost.
Hayate coughed on the way, averting his head and causing his black suit to rumple slightly. Almost without thinking Uzuki smoothed the white shirt and adjusted his tie, letting a small smile grace her features when he thanked her. He complimented her dress, a flashy dark green number, and her hair, which had taken her a considerable time to do up. She replied with compliments on his hair, he'd actually combed it, and his tie, which actually matched.
The dance, held at the Ninja Academy as always, was somber. The dour mood contrasted loudly with the upbeat music being played, and Uzuki felt estranged from it all. There was Aoba, and there was Kotetsu. Genma played with the toothpick in his finger sandwich as Raidou stood in the corner, idly sipping the punch no mischievous teens had bothered to spike. His girlfriend Masaki had died in the last skirmish with Kumogakure, but he still had dragged himself there that night. Not even the teachers trifled themselves with trying to lift the mood.
A slow dance lilted over the small gathering, and Uzuki let Hayate lead her onto the dance floor, his hands resting lightly on her slim waist. He led her gently, and she leaned against him, gathering some comfort in his stoic manner. She knew he was trying to lighten her spirit, and she appreciated it, but this atmosphere, this time, was just too much.
"Uzuki… are you crying?" Hayate asked, wiping away a single tear that had rolled down her cheek. She shook her head and leaned her face against his chest, her voice muffled slightly by his suit.
"Hayate… you'll never leave me, will you?" Uzuki was tired of death. But it was her business to deal in it. But the death of the man she loved, the death of Hayate, was something she never wanted to have to face. Hayate drew her close and kissed her reassuringly, smiling that smile of his.
"Of course not. I'd never leave you, I promise…"