Anyways... this episode does another time jump and brings us to the night before the ball. All of the story's MCs will have something to say. That's right, even Gaara has something to say!
But how many doubts will be laid to rest?
And don't forget... the truth will be revealed in the next episode!
And now... Episode 22... Final Preparations...
Oh! By the way... i'll be taking a long long break from the story... So in the mean time... Read my other semi-yaoi drama... Say Something!
Naruto: Wolf High Chronicles
Episode 22: Final Preparations
This is it. The day before the ball. I don't know why I'm having second thoughts now. It could be because I'm looking at myself in this mirror fully dressed. This isn't me is it? I would've never thought I would make it to this moment. Looking back at everything, I wonder how I survived it all. Suicide attempt, fights, dates, matchmaker, friend. Friend. Shit. What Gaara told me is still in my head. Have I been that bad of a friend to Naruto that I never saw his pain?
Sigh. He's always been there when I've needed him. Wait... then again... I've been there to. But not for just him. Everyone who's needed me. Except Kiba. Every time he's around, I walk away and pretend as if things are normal. God-damnit. I look weird in a tuxedo. There's too many things going on in my head to try to think about it. I should take this off before something happens to it. I'll comb out may hair in the morning. I need some help right now. Maybe Nasake can help me.
A Bit Of Advice
Dakku sighed as he put the tux back in his closet. He closed the closet door and laid out on his bed and stared at the ceiling above. "One more day." He turned and held the pillow in front of him. "This is the night where dreams come true. Or at least... that's what they say." He threw the pillow off and stood again. He walked over to the closet and opened the door. He moved things aside and looked a solitary green box and smiled. He opened it and inside was a gray coat with a hood. He ran his hand over it lovingly and closed his eyes.
"If you're waiting for him to say it first, it might not happen. Just tell him right out." The door to his room opened and Nasake came in. Dakku stood up and closed his closet door. "What do you want?" He walked over to his bed and laid in it as Nasake took the computer desk chair. "You've been thinking a lot as of lately. That's not like you. Also I noticed you don't talk to your friends much. Namely two. Care to explain why?" Nasake waited for his answer. "It's... complicated. Just, as soon as tomorrow's over I'll be calm and relaxed."
Dakku looked over at his brother who laughed and shook his head. "Come on. Do you think I buy that shit? Just tell me what really getting to you?" Nasake stood up and sat on the bed. He began punching him playfully. Dakku laughed and kicked back. "Okay, okay! I'll tell you." He finally managed to stop laughing as he thought about what to say. "When you felt... close to Anko... what did you do?" Nasake nodded and smiled. "So, you want to be ready for it to happen." Dakku looked away and rolled his eyes. "Not what I'm asking. Just tell me what you did."
Nasake smiled and looked at his hand a moment. "It was like... after a few months of dating. I was really liking her. You know. Despite the age difference. Heh. I mean she was always fun and exciting. One day, while we was out on a date, I grabbed her and looked her right in the eye. I remember what I said word for word. 'Anko, you're an amazing person, with a lot to offer any guy. And I'm glad you chose me over all the others. I don't care if you don't believe me when I say it but... I-"
Dakku cut him off by standing up. "What's wrong, kiddo?" Dakku walked over to the door and opened it. "I need some alone time." Nasake stood and walked over to his brother. "It's not gonna happen because you want it to happen, kiddo. Sometimes, you have to grab the bull by the horns and step up. This isn't a fairy tale and there might not be a happy ending. And there are plenty of others if something goes wrong." Dakku pushed him out and smiled. "Thank you, but I'm sure I got all I need from you in that department."
Nasake laughed as the door slammed in his face. "He's having second thoughts. Classic fear. He'll get over it tomorrow when he gets to the Ball." He walked off to his room and locked the door. Dakku slid against his door. "Yea. I got it. But it's not like you feel something else for someone other then Anko." He sighed a moment and looked at his wrists. "They've healed good. You can barely tell there was ever anything there to indicate a cut. I need to relax and just let it all go. Tomorrow is another day."
One Last Thing To Do
Kiba sighed as he looked over the paper work for class. "This shit isn't gonna get me a passing grade. I'll be lucky to get out of there with a C with this." He slammed the paper down and looked at the tux hanging on his door and smiled. "One more day." He stood up and walked over to his bed. He lifted up the pillow and threw it up in the air. He held it and danced with it slowly. "I just want the night to end right. No interruptions and under the stars. And tell him what I feel about him. Wait... does he really feel the same?"
He put the pillow down and thought a moment. "I mean he plays it off a lot but he's definitely bad at hiding it." Kiba walked over to the desk in his room and pulled out a card from one of the drawers. He read the contents inside and smiled a bit.
"Hi.
Uh, what can I say?
I mean...
You're my first valentine.
Seriously.
I never gave anyone anything before.
I actually wasn't gonna give you anything.
But I...
decided it would be nice to.
Well... uh... Happy Valentines Day. :)"
The smiley face made him smile. "It's so corny, it's cute. That's right! I never got him anything. Well, what should I get him? I mean, he doesn't seem like someone you give candy too. Or flowers. I mean, jeez he's like the most impossible person to get something for. What about... hmmm. Crap!" He paced around the room a bit and looked around and sighed. "He like writing! And the color... Blue…. I think? Oh! That's right, he likes looking at the stars. That's not helpful. His likes are complicated. What kind of guy is he!?"
Kiba threw himself on his bed and looked at the ceiling. He rolled his eyes. "Wait a minute. That's right! He likes looking at the stars. I got it." Kiba jumped out of bed and walked out of his room. "Be back in a few!" When no response came he shrugged and went out. He walked for a bit till he made it to small shop. "I hope they have one here." He walked into the shop and looked around in one of the isles. He walked all the way to the back and didn't find anything. "This blows. I should ask up front if they have any."
He walked back to the front and looked at the old man manning the counter. "Do you have any posters with stars on them?" The old man nodded and pulled out a small book. "Which one you want?" He looked over the book and smiled. "Do you have that one?" The old man smiled and pulled a tube from under the counter. "Good luck. I hope whoever getting this will appreciates it." Kiba smiled as the old man told him to take it for free. He walked out of the store and thought to himself. "No matter how many stars in the sky, you're the only one I want to look at."
Trusting Your Feelings
Naruto sat at the dinner table sighing. In less then 24 hours he would have to go to the Ball with Sasuke, whom he currently hated. Not only that, he would have to bare the sight of Dakku going with Kiba. He hated this even more then he hated Sasuke. Because to him, it should be him and Dakku going together. "Stupid Kiba. Stupid Dakku." He looked at his food and sighed. Iruka gave him a look of confusion. Naruto caught it and picked up the fork and ate. Iruka nodded softly and didn't say a word.
After he, Iruka and Konohamaru were done eating, Iruka asked him to wash the dishes. He did them reluctantly and looked into the sink. As he washed the dishes, he though more about the Ball. "I hope this all works. I really want to win with him. It would have been better if I had went with him. But that damn prick Kiba ended up snatching him up before I could ask in person." He gripped the plate in his hand and it shattered. "Shit." He was bleeding a bit from his hand and Iruka walked into the kitchen.
"Damnit, Naruto. That's the 5th plate this week. What's wrong with you?" Iruka grabbed some paper towels and handed it to him. He put pressure on his hand and sat down at the table. Iruka followed after and looked at him. "I'm not gonna ask again. I want to know what's bothering you. You haven't been the same since Christmas. It's like you've lost a lot of your soul." Naruto looked down and sighed. "Is it that noticeable?" Iruka nodded and looked at his hand. The paper towels were a bit red and he went into the cupboard.
"Just, tell me, Naruto. I can help you if you tell me." Iruka pulled out a bottle of alcohol. He grabbed some more paper towels and walked back to the table. "It's... you know Dakku right?" Iruka nodded. "Yes I do. What's wrong about him?" Iruka put some alcohol on the paper towel and dabbed it on Naruto's wound. He winced at the sting. "It's... just... Oww! I wanted... to ask... him OW! I wanted to ask him to the Ball. And I was to afraid to do it in person." Iruka looked at him stunned. "Wow. I never knew you liked him."
Naruto looked away and blushed. "It's not that." Iruka gave him a skeptical look. "You know, you're just like me in high school. I had a crush on this one guy. I did my best to avoid him and did everything through someone else. And finally when I told him, he told me it was already too late because he had someone else." Naruto looked at him in shock. "What did you do?" Iruka laughed. "I got drunk one night in college and you happened. And I'm proud of that moment." He smiled as Naruto laughed at him.
"So then, Naruto. I know that there's a barrier in the form of Kiba in your way. So what are you gonna do?" Naruto looked at him shocked. "How do you know that?" Iruka laughed. "Don't worry about it. But you do know that this world is not always fair. I raised you that way. If you really like him, be honest and trust in your feelings. The moment you stop believing in yourself, that's when you lose it all." Iruka place a and bandage on his hand and walked off. Naruto nodded and smiled. "Just believe in feelings. Got it!"
Not Your Average Sight
Gaara looked into the mirror and nearly shattered it with his fist but held his anger long enough not to punch it. "I look stupid." Temari sighed and shrugged. "I think you look handsome in it." Gaara looked at her and grumbled viciously. He looked back in the mirror. He was wearing a blood red suit with black gloves. His hat was a fedora in black with a blood red feather coming out of it. "Can we at least get rid of the damn feather!?" Temari plucked it off at his request and smiled. "See. You look handsome. I could pinch your cheeks."
"Do it and I'll rip your fingers off." Gaara glared at her through the mirror. She mumbled and backed away from him. "What are you wearing?" He looked at her and she sighed. "A purple dress. It's a bit tight to make it seem slimming." Gaara turned around and looked at her. "You're going to wear something like that? And Baki won't mind?" She nodded somewhat unconcerned. "What about Kankuro?" She shrugged as he looked back in the mirror. "Think I'll win Ball King?" He asked as he looked at himself one final time.
"It's a great possibility. I mean sure you got heavy competition but, I really think you can win." She smiled and he thought a moment. "Why such a great possibility?" She was caught of guard by his sudden interest in the matter, "I'm just trying to say that somehow, it may be possible you could win. I mean, especially with that outfit, you're gonna at least win best dressed." She managed to defeat this small opponent of a question without getting him suspicious. "Hmm. Ok. Well, I'm taking this off now."
The door to the room opened and Kankuro walked in. He was dressed in a white tux and had no face paint on. "Wow. You look... very different." Temari said looking at him stunned. Gaara looked him over once. "You do. It's disturbing. Black is more your color." Gaara took off the suit slowly as Kankuro left the room saying nothing. "Yea... I'm leaving too. I really don't want to see you undress." She closed the door behind her and looked at Kankuro standing in the hall. "What do you think?" He asked. She smiled and nodded.
"A vain attempt to win Kiba back or is there something else?" She cut him deep with the questions as he grunted and looked away. "Nothing. Just going dressed to impress." Temari rolled her eyes. "Kankuro, this plan of yours to hope he comes back to you isn't going to work. There's like 2 weeks left in the semester and then you're gone. That's not the best situation here." Kankuro growled. "It's not for him! It's for someone else!" He stormed off to his room and slammed the door hard. "Is he serious? Who is he going dressed nicely for?"
She walked off to her and opened the door slowly. She closed it behind her as she entered. She walked over to he closet and looked at the dress hanging there. It shone softly in the room's light. She smiled as she ran her hand down it. "Everyone is going for a reason. Gaara, because he wants to see what'll happen with that vote. Kankuro, for someone whose not Kiba. As for me, all I have is to go and score another kiss from Shikamaru. This is the end for me and Kankuro. This Ball will determine how we will remember our final days in Fire Wolf High."
Last Thoughts
Dakku:
This is it. When I close my eyes and wake up in the morning, it'll be time for the last minute things. Sigh. I'm worried. Is he right? Should I just give into what I feel and just say it? Should I say "Kiba, I want you."? I don't know. God I hate when I can't decide on anything. Okay, I'll do it the old-fashioned way. I'll wait for him to say it. If he does, I'll say it in return. If not, then, I guess I'll say it. What if he doesn't say it back? And then there's the whole feeling stupid and awkward the whole night. Maybe, I'll stay quiet then. I need some sleep.
Temari:
One night to shine. One night to pull off the greatest scandal of Wolf High's history. Sorry, Naruto but I have other plans with that box. You see, my brothers deserve this more then all of you. I've hurt them a lot and never atoned for all of it. So when I open that box, it'll be for their benefit. Not yours. As for Shikamaru, I'll get that kiss before the Ball is over. I promise it. I swear on it. I'm gonna end my four years in Wolf High with a bang. And, I'll never regret it either. It's midnight. I better call it in now.
Kiba:
My heart is racing. I can't stop thinking about it. God, it won't end. I see 100 things going wrong tomorrow night and it's killing me. I vow not to let him out of my sights. Because when those fireworks go off right before the end, that'll be the moment. I'll look him in the eye and i'll say it outright. And if he says it too, well, I don't know. But I know i'll be happy beyond reason. I spent a while trying to get him to really notice me. And I know he does, but I want him to see me and see with the same look in my eyes for him.
Naruto:
I got to believe in myself. Despite what's going to happen, I'm gonna enjoy myself. I'm gonna have fun and i'm gonna let the night take it's toll. And when the time is right. I'll take him aside and tell him everything. I'm not giving up just yet. I might be going with Sasuke, but i'll be leaving with him. And not even Kiba will stop me. Tomorrow night will be my night to shine under the stars. I'm gonna be the top dog and nothing is gonna change that. Sigh. I'm getting excited again. I better calm down and rest if I don't want to be a zombie tomorrow.
Kankuro:
I hope it works. If not, then I give up. What will it take for you to notice? What will it take to win you this time? This being alone crap is killing me. I just want you by my side again. Despite all the things, we've been through and how you've moved on, I still love you. I may have never said it directly like that but I mean it. I always enjoyed your company even when you messed up. I never thought less of you. I never stopped believing that one day, we'd be together again. And tomorrow night, I know I got shot.
Gaara:
Last chance for everyone before the summer. I wonder if Naruto will make his move? Will Dakku pick him or Kiba? Or will Kankuro win back Kiba? What about Temari and Shikamaru? They might not have anytime left to do anything. And this ballot for King and Queen. Two boys running for queen and 2 underdogs running for King. I wonder who might win this? I wonder if I'll win. If I do win, who do I want to win with me? Wait a minute. Why am I worried about winning when I won't. And why do I want them to win with me?
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Shit! It's already 8 am. I better get up and get ready. Tonight... is the night... Fate's plan will unfold.
DF: CLIFFHANGER! That' right! You'll have to wait a full 2 weeks to find out what happens!
Kiba: For real! 2 weeks!? That blows!
Dakku: It does...
Sasuke: Anyways... Naruto's theme song is... "Candy Man" by Christina Aguilera!
DF: Is everyone anxious yet!?