"May I have this dance?"
Naruto bowed, keeping his eyes on the shocked lavender of the girl's, and extended his hand. Cautiously, the girl took it. He grinned.
Leading her onto the dance floor where a slow classical was playing, he put his hands on her hips, but took them off to guide her hands to his shoulders when she just stood there.
"I'm Naruto."
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Hinata blushed as he linked her hands around his neck, forcing her to step closer and look up. Into his face. His eyes. His cerulean blue eyes, grinning down at her blush.
"I'm Naruto."
Hinata blushed, darker, and looked down. "Hinata," she muttered at his chest. She didn't even reach his chin. She willed her blush to fade.
"That's a pretty name," Naruto said quietly, on purpose.
"Pardon?" Hinata looked up, not having heard what Naruto had said.
Leaning down, he whispered right into her ear, "I said, that's a pretty name."
Hinata's blush, just beginning to fade, came back full force, making her feel as though she was a traffic light stuck on red. Ducking her head away from his close proximity, she tried to step away from his, to create a bit more of a distance.
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As soon as Naruto felt her try to step away, he slid his hands around her waist and clasped them, bringing their chests flush against each other. She was so, so soft…and warm…and she was looking at him with her face red. Again. Inwardly, Naruto sighed. Sure, she was really cute when she blushed, but he would never get her to open up and talk to him if she turned red at everything he said.
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Hinata gasped silently as Naruto put his arms around her and brought her right up against him. She could feel her breasts being slightly pressed against the hard wall of Naruto's chest, and panicked slightly.
"Um…Naruto…th-there are people around…and I've just met you," she whispered, as her mind said, 'Yeah, but you would want to know him a little better…'
Naruto grinned. "So, does that mean you want to go to a place where there aren't people around and get to know me a little…better?" His eyes left Hinata no doubt as to what he was talking about.
"No! I-I mean…this isn't pro-proper," Hinata wondered wildly whether or not Naruto could read minds. How else could he have known what she was thinking?
"Relax, I'm not going to molest you or anything…Just here to enjoy the party, have fun. Y'know," he said, still smiling, but not in the pervert-way he had just a few seconds ago.
Hinata was relieved, but also a little disappointed.
Yeah, cause you would have loved it if he tried to kiss you. On your first meeting, too.
Shut up.
Oh, you're engaged, too! And you would gladly throw away all that if it meant being with Naruto, even though you just met him a couple minutes ago!
I would NOT!
Would too.
Would not.
Would too.
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How could she! Here he was, working his damnedest to keep the guests happy and the drinks cold, and she goes off to dance with the biggest loan shark in the business. Oh, she didn't know, of course, but almost everyone else did, and…and…it just wasn't right!
Neji snarled at the sight of Hinata swaying to the gentle beat with her arms around Naruto, blushing and smiling. She should know better, damn it! This was her debut as a woman; she was getting married! Yet, at her own engagement party, she goes off to dance with someone she's never met before. Neji had often been told he was overprotective of his cousin; he rarely agreed and definitely didn't agree now.
Shoving through the crowds to get to Hinata, he was stopped by Shino.
"Where are you going?"
"It's Naruto. The bastard has his eyes on Hinata, and I won't allow it! This party is about her, dammit, whether she wants it or not; I won't let her name be ruined," he hissed, fighting to get free of Shino.
"Hyuuga. Listen. You're right, this party is for her, but do you really think the guests will be satisfied if you broke up the party because of Hinata dancing with some stranger? She's the host; she's supposed to dance. If she were to stay up in the balcony all evening, not dancing or enjoying her own party, how would it look? Let her have this dance, then retire her. We can continue the party if we wish; if not, we'll announce that Hinata was simply too tired to carry on, and sorry for the abrupt ending. I will not stand for seeing Hinata's party broken up because she was just starting to enjoy herself."
Neji stared, his temper cooled quite a bit by shock. Shino only called him Hyuuga when something was very serious, and Neji didn't think Shino would be this adamant on not interrupting Hinata's evening. Also, that was the longest speech he had ever heard Shino make; usually the stoic boy makes his point in 2-3 sentences, not being one to waste words.
Reluctantly, Neji backed off. "Alright…but tonight only. If she ever sees him again…"
"We'll get rid of him," finished Shino.
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Across the floor, Sasuke regarded the flirting Naruto with brooding eyes. Irises so dark they might have been black observed the way Naruto leaned down into the girl's ear, the way he slid his hands around her waist, the way he grinned easily.
He looked away.
He had been aware of, for a while now, the feelings he held for Naruto. But he never showed them, never acted upon them, forgot them whenever possible. Naruto would put his life down for Sasuke, and he would do the same. As friends. As comrades. Not as…whatever. Even Sasuke himself didn't know what, but every time he was alone, his thoughts would turn to the blond.
He's happy. Leave him alone.
But he doesn't even know that girl.
He won't appreciate you walking over there.
I know that.
Then stop thinking about it.
Sasuke growled in annoyance and snagged his seventh cocktail in the last half hour from the passing waiter.
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darkAngel