Naruto swayed gently on the spot, occasionally singing along to the music softly. His hands rested on the small of Hinata's back, fingers interlinked. Her hands were clasped around his neck, cheek resting slightly on his shoulder. They were like this for several songs now; Naruto had the oddest feeling he never wanted to let go, literally or figuratively.

She's special. She's the one.

As if she'd heard his thoughts, she turned to look up at him. "Naruto…? Is something wrong?" Their eyes locked, and Hinata felt something inside of her jump.

Slowly, keeping his eyes on hers, he lowered his head until their noses touched.

"May I?" A whisper of breath, barely heard.

Hinata closed her eyes, a gesture of trust, so rarely received.

Naruto felt his lids slide shut as he pressed his lips against hers. Soft, was the first word that came to mind. She smelled so good. His hand left her waist to travel up her back, cupping the back of her head and angling her so he could bring her body flush against his.

His tongue flicked at her bottom lip, asking for permission. Hinata parted her lips slightly in shock; that was all the opening he needed. His tongue slid inside her mouth, tracing the inside of her sensitive lip. Shyly, Hinata nudged his tongue with hers, and Naruto nudged back, sliding his tongue farther into her mouth, then darting back, teasing her.

Hinata got the idea and slowly slid her tongue forward, until she felt Naruto's canines. She traced them over, feeling their unusual sharpness, before withdrawing and breaking off the kiss for much needed air.

Hinata flushed immediately, ducking down and burying her face into his shoulder.

He closed his eyes and rested his chin on the top of her head.

I won't let her go.

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Soon, the guests started leaving by twos and threes. Some, like Naruto, had carpooled with friends. Feeling it was all too soon to leave, Naruto looked at Hinata. "So…when do you leave?"

"Oh…I…I live here, Naruto…" Hinata trailed away, frowning slightly. Hadn't he heard her speech?

What!

"You…you live here? With Neji and people?" Naruto gaped.

Hinata nodded.

"Wow…you're -" But just what Hinata was, she never found out.

"Oi! Uzumaki! Let's go!" Shikamaru appeared at his side, frown marring his brow. Other than a slight redness on his cheeks, there was no indication he had been drinking.

"I think we overstayed out welcome," added Sasuke, materializing beside Shikamaru, Gaara not far behind.

Naruto looked around. True enough, there was almost no one else left; Neji was closing in fast and Shino regarded them silently through his ever present shades from his position on the balcony.

"Well, Hinata, I…" Naruto fell silent as he noticed the way Hinata was staring at him. "What? Something on my face?" he asked half-jokingly.

"U…Uzumaki?" she whispered.

"Nara, Uchiha, Gaara." Neji nodded curtly in greeting as he passed them. "Uzumaki." He stopped in front of Naruto, eyes narrowed. "The party is over; surely you can find no reason to stay?" He turned to address Hinata. "Hinata, your maid is waiting in your bedroom."

Hinata took a last, fleeting glance at Naruto's astonished face and turned to head upstairs.

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Naruto's head was spinning. Hyuuga? Hinata was part of the Hyuuga family? Moreover, she was directly associated with Neji? Just who was she?

"I see you've met my cousin," Neji said softly.

Naruto averted his eyes from Hinata's bottom swaying up the stairs to look directly at Neji. "Cousin?"

"Yes. She is my cousin. Hyuuga Hinata. Also the "guest of honor", so to speak, at this party," Neji's face had a distinctly pleased look. "This party was held in honor of her engagement."

Sasuke put his arm around Naruto's shoulders, steering him away. "We're leaving," he said shortly to the others. Naruto allowed himself to be led away, shocked at the implications.

He had fallen in love with his worst enemy's cousin who was about to get married.

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Hinata sighed into her pillow and looked at the clock beside her bed, the pale moonlight lighting up the reflective needles.

3:56

She turned on her back and stared up at the cloth ceiling of her four-post bed. It was useless; there was no way she could sleep.

She sighed again and got up. Wrapping the comforter tight around her, she grabbed a pillow and headed to the balcony.

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Sasuke had driven them back to the apartment after the party; Naruto had gone into his room and shut the door. After everyone had went to sleep (Sasuke on the couch since he shared a room with Naruto), Naruto emerged from his room dressed in sweats and sneakers. Silently, he slipped out the back door and headed off.

Sasuke opened his eyes and got up from the couch, slipping out the door after Naruto.

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Naruto had wandered down to the beach, taking comfort in the rhythmic slosh of waves against sand. He had stayed for an hour, lying there and thinking. Staring up at the sky, he wished the velvet blackness would consume him and take him from the world.

It was too cruel.

Naruto got up, brushed off the sand as well as he could, and headed back to civilization. Lost in thought, he paid no attention to where his feet were taking him.

As he came to a halt, he looked up and saw the familiar emblem illuminated by moonlight. He was at the Hyuuga estate.

Red eyes watched him with a mixture of curiosity and jealousy from the bushes out front.

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Yay another chapter up! Alright, I think I should explain a bit about the setting before continuing the story, it should help clear things up…

This storyline is pretty much set in our time, except since Hyuuga is a really rich and "classy" family (even though Neji runs less than legal expeditions…), I thought it'd be more fitting if they lived in a castle/mansion kind of place. Naruto lives with Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Gaara in his apartment. He and Sasuke shares a room, while Shikamaru and Gaara shares the other room.

Thanks for reading and please review!

A great big hug goes out to all the excellent people who reviewed so far.