A line of Q's indicate a change in time/setting. (the other icons don't work. ;;)

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Naruto sang happily along to the song blasting out of the radio in his sleek red-and-silver convertible. Sasuke sat beside him, knuckles white on the door handle and seat belt, staring straight ahead. In the backseat was Shikamaru and Gaara. Apparently, because Ino had "bitched him out", Shikamaru had blatantly refused to spend another evening alone with her. "Another evening" soon turned into several; which explained why he was sitting in the backseat of Naruto's convertible, hands balled on his knees and gazing determinedly out the window. Gaara was his usual self, staring straight ahead with his arms crossed. Frowning at the lack of atmosphere, Naruto turned down the music so he could be heard.

"Oi! Sasuke!"

Sasuke did not appear to hear him.

Pouting slightly, Naruto took a hand off the steering wheel to hit Sasuke on the head. Just as his hand was about to make contact, however, Shikamaru yelled.

"Naruto! What the hell are you doing! Put your hand back on the goddamn wheel and drive properly!"

Sasuke whipped his head around fearing for his life, and Naruto ended up smacking him flat across the cheek. He sat there, stunned, while Naruto clapped both hands to his mouth and looked at him anxiously.

"…oops," Naruto's small voice couldn't be heard over the blasting music.

"Naruto! BOTH HANDS ON WHEEL!" Shikamaru lunged for the wheel, completely forgetting he had his seat belt on.

Naruto blinked at Shikamaru, then gaped. "Shit!" He grabbed the wheel and directed the car back onto the road, right before they crashed into an old lady taking out her garbage. She stood there frozen as a car swerved right by her, missing her by inches. One of her pink hair curlers clattered to the ground, garbage can forgotten in her hands.

"Jesus! Don't give me a fucking heart attack!" Shikamaru snarled. Sometimes, Naruto was just too damn easily distracted. Unfortunately, since Naruto wouldn't let anyone else drive his precious, they were stuck with the haphazard driving habits of the hyperactive blonde.

"I believe we just missed the turn," Gaara said calmly from the back.

"What?" Sasuke yelled, turning down the music. "What'd you say?"

"I believe," Gaara repeated, "we just missed the exit."

"No way!" Naruto whipped his head around, searching the past intersection for a street sign.

"Yup. We did." Sasuke sighed.

"Crap! Alright, everybody, hang on!" Naruto jerked the wheel sharply on the word 'on', directing the car on a sharp U turn. Shikamaru hit his head against the glass, Sasuke lost a couple of years off his life, and even Gaara jerked his head back at the sudden motion. Naruto stepped on the gas as he came out of the turn, sharply accelerating back past the old lady, who had finally started breathing.

Her hair curler was run over by the rear wheel.

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"S-so, everyone, I would l-like to thank you f-for coming out h-here today and celebrate our en-engagement," Hinata finished her speech (written by Neji) and stepped off the stage, almost fainting in relief. Her fiancée Chouji was standing there, and gave her a hug, which she supposed was to feel comforting. Instead, she felt only regret.

Yes, she would eventually have to marry this man. Eventually kiss him. Eventually fulfill her 'wifely' duties. So, if she couldn't handle even a hug, how could she be all her cousin had hoped?

She smiled weakly at Neji who gave her an approving nod. Almost immediately, she was swept away by guests waiting to congratulate her on her "fine choice" and "wonderful engagement party". If only they knew how it was Neji who planned all of this, Neji who chose her husband, and she had no part in this…It was Neji who had picked out her costume for this party. She supposed this was all part of upper society, pretending to be who you're not.

Her attention was captured by a mass of blonde hair that had suddenly appeared amongst the floor of black hats and generally dark coloured hair.

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Naruto stood next to the trunk of his car, pulling on his gloves. He was decked out in black with a black mask and leather cape. A black cowboy hat completed his look.

Sasuke grimaced. "Don't you think going as Zorro is a little too stereotypical?" Sasuke himself was dressed in all black as well, with a pair of black feathered wings protruding from his back. His fingernails were also painted black.

"Hey, at least I'm not dressed as the 'angel from hell', with the looks to go with it," Naruto smirked. He knew Sasuke hated it when people teased him about his feminine looks. No doubt tonight someone was going to get drunk and mistake Sasuke for a girl. It happened every time he attended a party that served drinks. Although why he chose to dress in this particular outfit eluded Naruto completely. Did he want to be mistaken for a girl?

Shikamaru was dressed as usual, but Gaara wore a blood red shirt with low-slung jeans, complete with black leather choker and bracelets. Chains of every length and thickness were hanging out of every pocket in his jeans, making him sort of shimmer in a surreal manner.

They were dressed to party.

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They stepped through the huge glass doors of the Hyuuga household and were immediately surrounded by pulsating lights, throbbing music, and expensive-looking décor. As Naruto stepped into the foyer and gazed around at the high ceiling and crystal chandelier hanging impressively from the height, he failed to notice someone sneak up behind him and knock his hat off, revealing his bright blonde hair for all to see.

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Hinata stared at the boy's eye-searing hair, and wondered how she couldn't have noticed it before. He was obviously dressed as Zorro (the fake moustache was a dead giveaway), but for some reason Hinata couldn't place where she had seen him before. As she watched, he picked up his hat and placed it over his hair again, answering her question of how she didn't notice before.

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"Dammit, what the…" Naruto muttered as he picked up his hat. Straightening, he set the hat on again, turning to glare at whomever it was who knocked his hat off. The glare, however, turned into a delighted wide-eyed stare when he realized who was standing behind him.

"Tenten!" Naruto threw himself at the girl, crushing her in a hug. Tenten laughed and patted his head affectionately.

"Hey, Naruto," she chuckled as Naruto let go of her.

"Totally haven't seen much of you since you started dating Lee," Naruto whined as he stepped back.

Tenten smiled. "Well, you guys don't exactly hang out together, so what can I say? Besides," she grinned slyly, "are you sure you haven't been busy with anything or anyone else in your life?"

Naruto smirked. "Oh, I've got things to do, places to go, people to see. I was just being nice, you know, when I said I missed you."

Tenten hit him upside the head, then turned to start chatting with Sasuke and Shikamaru. Naruto smirked. Shikamaru had always had the hots for Tenten, only settling down with Ino after getting rejected twice and finally deciding it was too troublesome to waste his efforts on someone who wouldn't have him. Tenten was an unknown element, Naruto mused, watching her laugh at some smartass comment no doubt made by Shikamaru. She was best friends with Neji while growing up; yet she had turned into one of his closest friends while still being close to Neji. Recently, she had started dating her childhood friend Rock Lee, and it was only then they had started losing touch.

Sasuke drifted partly away from the chatting Naruto, scanning the crowds for someone he hadn't seen or talked to in a long time, when he felt a tap on his shoulder. HE turned, to come face to face with Neji.

"Look, bastard, I don't know what the hell you're doing here, but if you start any shit…"

Sasuke's lip curled. "Really. We wouldn't be as stupid to start shit here, makes a bad name for business."

Neji growled. "As long as you keep your fucking business out of here and on the streets, where it belongs."

Sasuke turned away, opting instead to glare at his blond friend who was currently dancing his way through the crowd on the dance floor.

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Hinata scanned the crowds again, worriedly biting her fingernail. What if people didn't like her party? Well, that didn't really matter to her, since it was Neji who planned and organized all of this, but still. She couldn't help but worry over the smallest things, things that included her voluntary consent or not.

Turning back from the balcony railing, she was immediately accosted by an elderly couple who gave her "their congratulations, and a blessing for a happy future." She politely thanked them, complimenting the old lady on her emerald earrings.

Neji appeared at her elbow, thanking the couple for their wishes, and wouldn't they like a drink? Hinata sighed as Neji led the two away, chatting about the different types of wine and which year was the best. Hinata couldn't tell ice wine from vodka if she were asked to.

Deciding she had hidden up here long enough, Hinata descended the grand staircase, keeping to one side and avoided bumping into people when possible. When she reached the floor, she stood there for a moment, thinking where to go and who to speak to. Suddenly, a voice sounded from her shoulder.

"May I have this dance?"

Hinata whirled around.

A pair of blue eyes laughed at her, complimented perfectly by the strands of bright blond hair peeking from under the black cowboy hat.

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Alright, nothing really happened…but…stuff will happen next chapter. Lol. Even though I have no idea when the next chapter will be out. Thanks for reading, and please review!

Luv,

darkAngel1090