Disclaimer: These characters are not mine, nor will they ever be!! So I will just have to deal with it! 

Hey everyone! Thanks for the great reviews; they were very encouraging. I hope that you keep it up! Sorry it took me so long!! I had midterms then projects/papers galore (like two a week, no joke) and then finals, but now I am free to write. And school is no longer in my way. Sorry again. There is nothing else for me to say, so without further delay: here's chapter 2!!

Unexpected Pair

Chapter two: Party Time

The community center was beautiful. The ceiling was covered with streamers and banners that read "Happy New Year." Balloons covered the corners in groups of assorted colors. In the middle, colorful lights illuminated the dance floor. Surrounding the dance floor was circular tables, a perfect area for friends to just hang out and talk. Music was playing, but softly, being as it was still early and the only few people were there, all too concentrated in their own conversations to even notice the music. Sakura had been there since early that morning, setting up and organizing everything. She helped the cooks prepare a perfect array of snacks and helped the DJ plan the song list for the night. Since she basically organized the entire party, Sakura felt that she had the right to enjoy herself with all of her friends who had decided to come early. At her table sat Shikamaru, who had his arm draped around Ino's shoulders, Naruto and Hinata, who had come together, and Tenten, who was there at the request of Lee.

About 7:30, which was a half hour after the party had started, the huge double doors opened, and Lee stepped into the room. His eyes were filled with amazement as he stared at the beautiful decorations. While his eyes darted from side to side, he seemed to absorb everything from the colorful dance floor, to the vibrant banners. Finally, his eyes found their way to the table where Sakura was seated. He watched as she stood up to wave him over and called his name.

"Lee-san, we're over here." He waved back and looked to his right expectantly. Suddenly his hopeful expression turned into one of disappointment. He held up his index finger to indicate that he would be back shortly and turned around, walking through the double doors. Moments later, he returned, along with Neji, whose face portrayed his anger and frustration. As they walked over to the table, Sakura noticed that Neji had a thick book tucked under his right arm, and that he was dressed in his normal clothes. Even Lee had dressed up slightly, wearing around his neck an orange tie that matched his "leg-warmers." If Neji was going to come to the party, he could have at least tried to look dressy, and he didn't have to be so rude as to bring a book. Sakura would NEVER understand him!

(A/N: This basically means a change in perspectives; sorry if it throw you off!)

Neji saw things very differently than both Sakura and Lee did. The second that he came reluctantly into the room, he began looking for a place where he could read his book, away from the sounds of the music and chattering people. He noted all of the speakers and discovered that the best spot was right next to the bar. Unfortunately, Tsunade was already there, with five empty sake glasses in front of her. Shizune was right next to her, pleading with Tsunade to stop before she downed her 6th glass. This wasn't a party! It was just another excuse for the Fifth to get drunk without the elders scolding her.

He sighed as he made his way to the table, hoping that after a few minutes of mindless small talk, he could duck out early to read. Neji said his 'hello's' and bowed slightly out of respect to Hinata. The conversation, however, did not stop after the quick greeting. Sakura had thought on her feet and changed the topic before one became stale. After over four hours of talking with no chance of escape, Neji had to give Sakura credit. She had been articulate and clever. Even he had to admit that he had lost himself in the conversation. They didn't talk about stupid-girly things, like Neji had expected. Most of the topics were training, or difficult missions. And it was…fun. As much as Neji didn't want to admit it, talking with Sakura was fun. If it hadn't interfered with his plans, Neji would have admired Sakura's perseverance and charm.

By this time, people filled the room and music echoed off the walls. The dance floor was full of people, Tsunade included. She had so many drinks that her "dancing" was just the stumbling of a drunk, back and forth across the floor. Her partner didn't seem to mind though, probably because it clearly matched his own. Yes, her partner was none other than Gai. Neji was only able to watch this comical scene for a little while, before the sight became too unbearable. The entire table exploded with laughter; Ino practically in tears. She was so annoying!!

The song ended and some of the couples left the dance floor, casually making their way to the tables. When the next song started, Ino's eyes lit up and she jumped up to her feet, before she could even finish making fun of Tsunade's "dance."

"I LOVE THIS SONG!!!" she shouted, causing the people at the surrounding tables to jump and then stare awkwardly. That is just one of Ino's gifts. "Let's Dance!"

Shikamaru opened his mouth to refuse, only to be pulled out of his seat. All that their friends could hear was the word 'troublesome' as Ino dragged him onto a clearing on the dance floor.

Naruto stood as well, and, as if triggered by Ino's sudden outburst, asked Hinata to dance. She accepted, of course, while trying to hide the blush that seemed to creep onto her face every time that Naruto talked to her.

"Will you be okay if we leave you here?" she asked Sakura, hinting at the fact that all that was left at the table were from team Gai.

"I'll be fine, Hinata. Go and enjoy yourself." Before she even finished, Naruto had began escorting the now red Hinata to the dance floor. Ever since they started dating, Naruto had a bit of class, well at least when Hinata was around. Sakura always was so oblivious to the obvious, though, that she hadn't even realized who was left at the table, instead letting her thoughts roam to the change in her childhood friend. And this whole time she had been avoiding being left alone with Lee, even though they weren't actually alone now. Tenten and Neji had stayed too.

Tenten then looked at Lee, expecting the same reaction from him as Ino. Lee, however, seemed to have a troubled look on his face. His eyes continually switched from Sakura to Tenten.

"Sakura-san," he finally said, "I have truly enjoyed the evening so far, but I must ask you something."

"What is it, Lee?" Sakura tried to sound a little concerned, but her tone sounded more fearful than anything. She hoped that Lee wouldn't ask her to dance; she didn't want to have to relive that experience EVER AGAIN.

"I promised a dance with Tenten so that she didn't have to sit the whole party, and now seems like such a perfect time. Would it be alright if I danced with her and later we could dance?" Tenten began to protest, clearly not wanting to seem like a charity case. But being as she didn't technically have a date, she stopped herself. At least Lee was a good enough friend to care.

"That would be fine, Lee. Don't worry about me.," Sakura replied, attempting to hide her relief.

When Lee and Tenten were out of sight, Sakura realized that the only two alone and the table were her and… Neji. Sakura, being the bold person that she was, decided to have some fun.

"So Neji, looks like it's just you and me," she began, interrupting his few seconds of reading that started as soon as Ino stood up.

"Hn."

"You want to dance?" Sakura couldn't help but smile as she saw Neji's face look at least a little frightened before going back to his regular apathetic scowl.

"No," he replied brusquely.

"Cone on, it'll be fun!"

"No."

"You know…" Sakura said slyly. "I'm pretty close to Tsunade-sama, since I am her pupil. And she is the one who decides whose going to be in the ANBU. I could put in a good word for you."

"…"

Did everyone in the village know about how badly he wanted that rank?! Neji didn't know what to say. He was only at the stupid party because of that position. He wanted, no NEEDED, to be an ANBU, but dancing… with Sakura?! Was it really worth it?

"Stop analyzing it and just dance!" Sakura exclaimed, as if she were reading his mind.

Reluctantly, Neji stood as Sakura grabbed his arm, dragging him off onto the dance floor. She had to find a clearing on the dance floor which successfully avoided Lee and Gai-sensei, who were dancing right near each other. The thought of being forced into that scared Sakura more than any mission she had been on. Just when Sakura stopped, the DJ came on over the speakers.

"We're going to slow it down now, with one of my personal favorites."

CRAP!!! Sakura had gone in way over her head. Dancing with Neji was just supposed to be a fun way to torture him, but slow dancing?! She couldn't do that. Apparently, her worry had shown through her casual façade; because Neji gave her one of his famous "I know everything" smirk.

"We can just sit down now," he said knowingly.

"No way!" Sakura exclaimed, hiding her nervousness. She had come this far, and wouldn't back down now, not to Neji. "You can't get out of this that easily." And for a split second, Sakura was able to see uneasiness in Neji's eyes.

Well, that's chapter two! I will continue soon (hopefully). Please keep up the reviews! Thank you!

misaomaniac