Hahaha! I gotcha! Who really thinks I could have left you guys hanging for 2 weeks?

This series is near it's end... this episode is the episode you have all been reading to get to.

No spoilers... nothing to say... ladies and gentlemen... I give you the 23rd and second to last episode... It Ends Tonight

(A/N: The episode is riddled with songs. If you don't know them, I suggest going to youtube and finding them. The episode's theme song is it's titular name. "It Ends Tonight" by AAR.)

This episode is dedicated to to all the loyal readers, reviewers, silent readers, naysayers, and secret yaoi fan boys/girls. Also to my mom who encouraged me to write this story. Love you all!

Wolf High Chronicles

Episode 23: It Ends Tonight

(background song: "I Could Fall In Love" by Selena)

Kiba paced around the foyer keeping his gaze at the top of the stairs. He had been an hour early to Dakku's house. His black tux shone nicely in the dim light of the foyer. He looked down at his watch and began to pace faster. "I... wait... that's not right. You look great. No... that sucks. You look incredible. No... that's a bit over doing it." He began biting his nails in anticipation of Dakku's appearance. He had not given any indication as to what he would wear all week but said not to worry. Kiba, however, didn't trust that judgement.

But for some reason, it wasn't what he was wearing that made him worry. It was the first look of him dressed up he had been anticipating. He wanted to see the small puff of brown hair before anyone else would. The gleam in his eyes as he walked down the stairs. To have him look down at him. This was what he came one hour early for. If he was going to tell Dakku the words he wanted to say, it would be further pressed into his mind from the moment he walked down the stairs. Kiba looked down at his watch again and sighed.

"Relax, he'll be done soon." Nasake appeared with dark blue tux on from the kitchen. "I'm sure he's just as nervous as you are, if not more." He smiled as Kiba relaxed a bit and heard a door opening. Kurenai appeared and smiled. "If you could hold just 5 more mins. He's almost done. He's just deciding on a color." She walked back into the room and Kiba looked at Nasake. "What does your mom mean... deciding on a color?" Nasake laughed and told him to wait and see. The five minutes went by silently and then they heard a door open again.

"Gentlemen, I give you... the finally done... Dakku." Kurenai pointed to the room and smiled. Kiba's heart jumped as he heard those words. A small puff of golden brown hair appeared and green eyes met his. Dakku smiled and blushed lightly. He was wearing a silver tux with black shoes. His hair was combed forward and no longer spiked at the ends. He walked down the stairs, never breaking eye contact with Kiba. Kiba smiled as Kurenai took a picture secretly. "I... is it possible to fall in love more with someone?" Kiba thought silently.

"Hi." Dakku's blush turned into a full on red. He keeps his face up but felt his eyes go down every so often. "You have green eyes?" Kiba asked softly. "Yea... I wear contacts for shits and giggles." Dakku smiled and Kiba took his hand and held "You... look... different." Kiba nearly choked on his last word. Dakku and Nasake laughed as he did. "I'll take that as a compliment. You look great too." Dakku smiled and Nasake looked at his watch. "I think we're suppose to go now. So if you two will stop falling for each other... we can go." Nasake opened the door and the 3 walked out. "WAIT! I NEED ANOTHER PICTURE!" Kurenai yelled after them.

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The Early Start

The Ball was held at the River Club. The building itself was pure white and mostly glass. It was situated right next to the river and had a deck in the back of it overlooking the river. Tsunade stood in the massively large marble floored foyer and grumbled. "Dammit. this dress is annoying." Making reference to the slimming black dress she was wearing. Nasake, Kiba, Dakku finally arrived at the club and she greeted them. "Hello. Welcome to the River Club which is hosting our Ball this year. When you make it to the dance hall/dining area Izumo and Genma will give you your voting forms. Dakku and Kiba will receive Ball Court sashes."

Dakku grimaced at the thought of wearing a sash that further imposed he was nominated for Ball King. As the three walked towards the large opening where the dance floor was, a table with a smiling Genma was sitting. "Hey Dakku, Kiba, and Nasake." He too was dressed up which surprised all three of them. He handed them a piece of paper and two sashes to Kiba and Dakku. "Hmmm... I think... oh! I got it." Nasake laughed as he looked over his voting ballot. When the three were done they walked into the club dance floor.

Izumo was standing on the inside and looked as they walked in. "Whoa! Wait! I have to announce you guys." He said smiling. "If you do... I'll rip your tongue out." Nasake quipped quickly and Izumo stood back and looked away. The three made a smooth walking entrance to the dance floor. Eyes were on them as they entered. They walked over to a table labeled Ball Court and Guests. They took there seats and looked out at the dance floor where some people were already dancing. It was only 7 but the real party was about to begin.

The song playing in the background was "Could I Have This Kiss". Kiba felt the strong urge to ask Dakku to dance but held it in. It was far too early he thought to make moves. "Wanna dance?" Dakku cut his thoughts and smiled. Not only did Kiba look on stunned but Nasake almost fell out his chair. Dakku walked off to the dance floor and held his hand out for Kiba who laughed and followed. "Good luck kid!" Nasake yelled out to Kiba who rolled his eyes. He took Dakku's hand and they began swaying to the beat. Kiba looked into his eyes and felt taken by them.

"Your... eyes... they're much more beautiful." Kiba said softly as he spun Dakku during the chorus of the song. He pulled him back in and held him from behind. "You're trying to make a show." Dakku pushed off in a fluid motion that made it appear as if he was still dancing. He watched as Kiba walked up to him and continued his dance. "So? It's a dance. And you asked for a dance. If there's a show... then let there be." Kiba's voice once again soft made Dakku smiled as he continued flowing to the beat. "I see those lessons with Iruka paid off." Kiba added as Dakku laughed and nodded.

The song ended as Kiba pulled him back in and looked into his eyes again. They heard clapping and looked around as the students were looking at them. Dakku laughed and blushed. He walked off and left Kiba on the dance floor to receive the attention solo.

"Ladies and Gentleman... Introducing Lady Temari and Sir Shikamaru!" Izumo's voice carried as the two made their way into the room. Temari had on a tight purple dress which took note of all her curves. He hair was no longer in two buns. It was loose and went down to her shoulders. Shikamaru looked normal in a black tux. The two walked on to comments being whispered. "Holy crap on a stick! She... she looks... hot!" Nasake stood up and practically drooled on the table. Dakku looked at him and sighed. "You're nasty. There's no way me and you are alike."

"Introducing Sir Gaara and Lady Ino." Izumo's voice made everything, even the music stop. "Gaa... Gaa... Gaara... and Ino!?" Nasake, Dakku and Kiba added as they looked on stunned. Gaara made his way into the room with Ino. Ino's dress as Dakku put it looked like a red version of the infamous Jlo dress. Gaara's dark red suit made a few people make wolf whistle noises. The two made their way to the table and sat down silently. Gaara looked at Dakku who returned an equally stern look. The two broke off and looked away.

"Wow... two girls that look hot and not to mention the drama building." Nasake laughed and then Izumo's voice boomed off. "Introducing Sir Kankuro and Sir Kabuto." Nasake jumped out of his seat and glared directly at the entrance and growled. "What the fuck!?" Kankuro walked in with Kabuto beside him. The fury in Nasake's eyes grew as he nealy stared a hole in Kabuto. "Why is he here!? With him!?" Nasake added as Dakku looked on confused. "Why are you so mad?" Dakku asked. "Because... Kabuto broke his heart before!" Nasake stood and walked off.

As he did the song "Get It Poppin" began playing. He made it to them and stared Kabuto down. "You got nerve." Nasake's anger made his words sting. "Do I now? Do I sesne jealousy? Oh wait, that's right, you're not. Back off." Kabuto's response only served to piss Nasake off. "Enough. He's my date for the night." Kankuro cut in and looked at Nasake who looked at him. "Why the hell would you bring him!?" Nasake's fury was reaching it's max. "Why do you care!? It's not like you have feelings for me. You got Anko. So go to her and leave me alone to make my decisions." Kankuro walked off with Kabuto smiling.

Nasake grabbed his arm and looked at him. "That's not true. I always look after you. You're my best friend." Nasake sincerity fell on deaf ears. "Some friend you were. You didn't even do anything to help me when your brother strolled along and took my boyfriend. In fact, from what I remember you've been encouraging them to work. I guess you really have that friend thing nailed good." Kankuro's comment was a bitch slap with scissors. "Don't give me that shit! You were the one who fucking threw it away because you got jealous of a little competition! You gave him a free hand! So don't blame me for it!" Nasake stormed off leaving Kankuro to watch him leave.

Dakku watched his furious brother take his seat on the table. "You okay?" Dakku asked softly. Kiba, Gaara, and Ino took their cue to leave. Nasake looked at Dakku and glared. "I'm going to tell you this but once, and if you don't listen, god help you. If you ever give up because someone else tries to step in your shadow, I will strangle you. Don't let someone else to come along and steal your thunder." Nasake's words hit Dakku hard and they stood silent. For a moment Dakku almost regret asking and he stood. "I'm going to get some punch." He left the table silently as Nasake looked on at Kankuro and Kabuto.

Temari looked at Shikamaru who was drinking some punch at their table. The song "Tempted To Touch" began to play and Shikamaru put his cup down. "Let's dance." He took Temari's hand and took her to the dance floor. The began their dance slowly. Then it turned into full on dirty dancing. Shikamaru took his position behind her and whispered in her ear. "You look good tonight." She smiled and blushed as they danced to the song. His hand traveling all over to keep rythym of the dance. "You always look good." She said softly at him and he smiled.

Ino looked on and had enough of them dancing. She stormed over to them and began dancing on Shikamaru's back. Shikamaru looked back and laughed. "This is gonna be troublesome." The three kept dancing and all eyes were on them. Everyone clapped to the the beat as they had the floor to themselves. The three began shifting left and right during the course of the dance and cheering ensue. Temari could see Ino from the corner of her and grumbled. She turned around and faced Shikamaru and gazed into his eye. This only served to make Ino turn him around and dance face-to-face with him.

"Go Ino! Go Ino! Go Ino!" Cheers from some. "Go Temari! Go Temari! Go Temari!" Cheers from others. Then Shikamaru turned so that his body's sides were in between both girls. The cheers only grew louder as the fight for supremecy continued. Dakku laughed from the punch table. Kiba edged over to him and whispered in his ear. "Having fun?" Dakku nodded as the triple dance went on. Kiba grabbed him and whispered again. "You know... that could be us on the dance floor." Dakku blushed and broke his hold. "Maybe later."

The dance-off ended with all 3 tired. But then both girls kissed his cheek. He blushed wildly as the two girls glared at each other. "Whore!" Temari yelled out. The room went silent. "Skank!" Ino yelled right back. "Cunt!" Temari countered. "Bitch!" Ino slapped her hard. Temari slapped her right back. Before anymore damage could be done Tsunade was standing there between them. "This fight, ladies, is over. Return to your tables and don't let me catch you trying to go at it again or I will throw you out by your bra straps." The two girls broke off and walked to their tables. Shikamaru sighed and walked off to his table.

Kakashi was standing over in the corner shaking his head. "Kids these days." Iruka appeared and looked at him. "You know, I remember you being the same way before." He looked at Kakashi who smiled. "I was never like that. I was nice to everyone." Kakashi's comment only gained him a skeptical look from Iruka. "Sure. What about that guy you beat up for touching back in High School?" Iruka waited for an answer. "Kuranai did the most damage." Kakashi laughed and Iruka joined him. "You're horrible." Iruka grabbed Kakashi's hand and held on to it.

"Now Introducing Sir Naruto and Sir Sasuke." Izumo's voice cut into the room as Sasuke came in with Naruto beside him. Sasuke had on a Navy blue suit and Naruto had on a normal black tux. Dakku and Gaara looked on silently. Naruto had his normal spikes in smaller spikes that was even split around his head and bent in a sort of wet look. "Wow... he looks... different." Both Gaara and Dakku agreed. The two boys made their way to the table and sat down. Naruto looked at Gaara and smiled. The his gaze fell on the figure of Dakku standing up and walking away.

"Did you do that to his hair?" Kakashi looked at Iruka who laughed. "No. He did that himself." Kakashi rolled his eyes and sighed. "He looks much more younger then normal now. That and his hair oddly reminds me of yours back in High School." Iruka looked at him and punched him. "Yea... sure. Anyways... about that dance you owe me." Kakashi looked at him and sighed. "I owe you a dance? Hmm that seems out of the ordinary for me." Iruka looked at him stunned. "NO! YOU CANNOT PULL THAT NOW! WE'RE DANCING!"

"Presenting Lady Hinata, Sir Shino, Lady Ten-Ten and Sir Neji." Izumo yelled as a small dinner roll hit him in the head. The four walked in. Hinata had on a white sparkling dress that flowed a bit behinf her. She had on long white gloves and had a small tiara in her hair. Shino had a dark gray tux. Ten-ten was wearing an emerald mini dress that went down to slightly below her knees. Neji wore like most others that night, a black tux. The four made their way to the table and sat down looking at Gaara, Nasake, Ino, Naruto and Sasuke. They noted the Kiba and Dakku were missing.

The Real Reason

"If I could have your attention... it is at current time... 9 pm. We will begin the dining services now. At 10pm we will announce the Ball court. We are in the process of counting the votes right now. So enjoy your dinner." Shizune smiled at all of them and left the room. Everyone stood up and mad their way to the dinner line and took a plate. Dakku had reappeared as Kiba looked on from the line. He stepped out of the line and walked over to him. Dakku wandered around a bit lost and walked right into Kiba's arms. "Hey, you okay? You look lost."

Dakku snapped back into reality and smiled. "Is it time to eat?" He asked disregarding Kiba's question. HE sighed and nodded. The two made their way over to the line and waited their turns to get food. Kiba looked back at Dakku who still had a lost look in his eyes. "Only 90 more mins. Then... me and you will dance alone under the stars." Kiba said to himself. As they collected their food, they made their way over to the table and sat down. They all said their hellos again and Dakku kept his words short with Gaara and Naruto.

As they ate they conversed and Dakku's lost look returned. "Dakku, seriously, what's wrong with you?" Kiba askes as Dakku snapped back into reality once more and smiled. "Nothing." He went back to his eating and everyone looked on. "Dakku, can I ask a question." Hinata finally broke her silence as Dakku wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Sure." She surveyed him and nodded. "Why were you home schooled for so long?" Nasake stopped and dropped his fork as Dakku closed his eyes. Nasake stood up and walked off.

"What's wrong with him?" Ino asked softly. Neji looked at her and nodded. "Its... something they don't talk about much." Dakku opened his eyes and nodded. "You want to know? I'll tell you." The look in his eyes returned. Kiba and Naruto looked on silently.

Truth be told... my father was abusive to me. He would beat me when he got drunk. One day, he punched me so hard, he broke my jaw. I was nothing more then a punching bag for insults and flesh. Finally one day, he came to school drunk to pick me up and beat me in front of all the kids of the school. Then to finish it all off... he demanded that I walk home alone. 5 miles alone. I didn't. I stood there as all the kids looked at me and laughed. They said my father hated me and that I was a mistake. When a police car finally was called to take me home, my father had denied me at the door as his child. He called me a horrible tragedy of the world. The son of a mutant that didn't exist. Thats how he saw me. That's how everyone began seeing me. My mom had heard what happened and picked me up one night. She packed all my stuff and dragged it out and looked at my dad. They got into a huge argument and it ended with her telling him that the mistake she made was letting me go. When I moved here, I didn't want to go to a school. I refused. I regret it now.

Ino, Hinata and Ten-ten had tears in their eyes. Everyone else stood in silence. There was no words to say as Dakku took a sip of the water in his cup. Kiba looked down and away from him and felt a cold breeze sweep over him. Naruto looked on silently but inside he wanted to yell at himself. Gaara felt remorse for him and and everyone else went back to their eating. Not another word was spoken for a bit until Ino broke the silence. "Where did Nasake go?" Dakku looked up and around the room. "Good question. Where did he go?"

Nasake stood outside in the foyer. Kankuro silently walked into the large room and looked at him. "You okay?" He asked looking at him. "No. I'm not. Just... go away." Nasake didn't look at him. "Just... tell me why. Why me?" Kankuro asked him softly. "Because... you reminded me of him. Broken and abused. Picked on by people who thought they were better then you." Nasake finally turned his head slowly over to him. "Who is he?" Kankuro asked with concern. "My brother. When he was a kid, my dad and the kids at his old school always picked on him."

"I see." Kankuro nodded. "I couldn't protect him you know. When he came back to live with my mom and me, he always had this broken look in his eyes. He shyed away from us. He locked himself in his room and never came out, because he was araid of us. He was afraid o everything. Do you know how useless I felt when my mom told me what happened to him? He's my little brother! He used to smile all the time and laugh and play and was never afraid of a damn thing! I was suppose to be there or him! I was suppose to make sure he was okay! That's why I chose his happiness over yours!" Nasake gripped his fists hard and began tearing.

Kankuro looked at him stunned. "Nasake..." The tall blond closed his eyes. "When I first meat you, Kankuro, I saw the same thing in you what I saw in him. And I swore to myself, that as long as I could stop it, I would. No matter who it was, I wouldn't let someone feel that same pain. That's why I fought those bullies that day." Nasake looked at him. Kankuro looked down and sighed. "You wanted redemption for the mistake you think you made." Kankuro looked up at him and he nodded. Nasake wiped the tears from his eyes.

"Kankuro. I never wanted to be the guy who hurts someone. But there was a choice to be made... and I made it. Whether or not you forgive me is on you. But I am sorry. Family... especially that boy in there whose smile means the world to me... comes first in my life." He walked off towards the exit and felt something tug his arm. "I... I'm sorry." Kankuro said as Nasake looked back silently. "I never really liked Anko." He smiled and walked off waving his hand once as he exited. Kankuro looked on and thought a moment. He went back inside and left it alone.

Temari looked on as the two left and sighed. "I see now. He's always been looking after him because he reminds him of Dakku. But not only that... he has real feelings for him. Nasake... deeply cares for Kankuro." Temari walked from behind a door and had a metal box in her hand. "This should be enough to make it work." She walked off to another door and opened it. Inside Izumo and Genma were standing with a metal box. She smiled and looked at them. "Gentlemen. It is time to switch the vote boxes. This box should be the fixed results."

Izumo looked at the box. "This feels wrong. Why are we doing this again?" Temari smiled and nodded. "Because, I said so or i'm going to tell everyone about that incident." Izumo's eyes opened and he nodded fearfully. They went to exchange boxes and Temari's high heel gave out and broke. She knocked both boxes to the floor and they opened up scattering all the voting forms all over the place. "NOOOOOOOO! Hurry up! If Tsunade finds out we tampered with the boxrs she'll kill us!" Genma yelled out. "I KNOW THIS! Just make sure that we put the right ones back!" Temari yelled out nervously.

"Izumo! Genma! Where are you!? Are you done with the votes!?" Tsunade's loud voice called out. All three jumped back in fear. "OH MY GOD!" They quickly scrambled to get the papers into the boxes and closed one up. "Go! Before she gets suspicious!" Temari yelled out. The two left the room and she picked her box and waited for Tsunade to clear out. Temari sighed relieved and looked at the papers before her and noticed something. "Oh god... wait a minute... these... are the Dakku votes! Oh crap. This isn't good at all..."

Final Moments

Tsunade looked over the votes with the results in her hand. "We counted them twice. There's no way in hell we could have messed up." Gai and Anko shrugged and sighed. "Well if we did, then does it matter? Even if we're off by one vote it's a lanslide victory for queen and King won by 1 vote." Anko looked at the her results. "But honestly, this is all very weird. This is something most people would not have expected." Gai added and Tsunade sighed. "However, it's already time to announce the winners. Whether or not it's expected... it's time." The three walked into the dance room and Tsunade grabbed a mic from the DeeJay's booth.

"Okay brats! Settle down and come to the dance floor." Tsunade spoke. Everyone stood from their seats and stood on the dance floor. "Okay. It's time to annouce the Ball Court. First off I would like to say you all look incredible tonight. OKAY! Well then first up... Ball Prince is... Dakku!" Appluase rang out as Dakku slowly made his way to collect a small crown. "Ball Princess is... Hinata!" Hinata smiled as she made her way to collect the small platic tiara. Both Naruto and Kiba sighed fustratedly. "Damn that Temari! She screwed me over!" Naruto thought to himself.

"And now, the moment you've been waiting for." The room stood in hushed silence. "This years Ball queen is..." Everyone held their breath. "Uzumaki Naruto." The entire room had their jaws on the floor. Naruto looked on stunned and confused. "I... what!?" Naruto looked on as his feet carried him to the front. Ino passed out from shock. Naruto was handed a crown and a sash that said "Ball Queen". This of course sent laughs through the room. "And now... Ball King." The silence fell again. "This year's Ball King is... Sabaku no Gaara!"Once more silence and shock hit the room.

Gaara appeared on the stages and recieved his crown and sash. "Since you two... are the only boys in school history... to win... you don't have to do the traditional dance." Tsunade added."Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance!" Everyone cheered for the dance. Naruto blushed a moment and looked at Gaara who made no apparent emotion. "What should I do?" He thought to himself as Gaara took his hand and took him to the dance floor. "What... what is he... doing?" Naruto thought to himself as Tsunade and Iruka nodded. The DeeJay took his cue and played a song.

"Beauty and The Beast" began playing as Gaara led the dance slowly. "I'm sorry if this bothers you. But it was the only way to shut the idiots up." Gaara said softly as they swayed to the song. Naruto nodded and smiled. "It's okay. I just... wasn't expecting this." He looked at Gaara and propmtly looked away. "I was suppose to win with Dakku... but... this... is just as good I guess." Naruto leaned in and rested his head on Gaara's shoulder. Gaara's face lit up as he saw this. Everyone began joining the dance slowly not paying them any mind.

Shikamaru sighed as Temari was missing. "I wonder where she went." "Look behind you dummy." Temari smiled and beamed down at him. "Hi. Sorry for being a bit late. Wanna dance now?" She smiled as Shikamaru took her hand and walked off to the dance floor. Shino looked over at the two who were now dancing and looked at Hinata. "Hinata..." She laughed at him and nodded. "Yes. I would like to." He blushed slightly and took her hand. The two went off to the dance floor. Kankuro sighed as he watched all the couples dancing.

"Hey... Kanky." A soft voice called down to him. He looked up to see Nasake standing there. "Nasake... you... I thought you... why are you here?" Kankuro looked at him as he sighed. "You're stupid. I only went outside for a bit. I need some air. But then I realized something about it." Nasake's voice trailed off. "Where's Kabuto?" He asked looking around. "He left with... him." "Ewww... with Orochimaru again!?" Nasake laughed as Kankuro rolled his eyes. "I guess it's funny a bit." Kankuro finally laughed but his laugh was cut short. Nasake was kissing him softly and ran his fingers in his hair.

"Na... sake." Kankuro broke their kiss. "I thought... you... and Anko... why?" Kankuro's words were getting crossed. "We broke up about the same time the tickets went on sale. I told her that I wasn't in love with her anymore. I kept up the rouse long enough to get to this moment here. The moment I tell you... Kankuro... that I care for you... more then a friend. That's why I hid it for so long. But... our time is almost done here... and if we're gonna leave Wolf High... I just... I want to tell you... I'm in love with you. Have been since day one."

Kankuro began crying as he held on to Nasake. He looked up and the tall blond laughed. "I... uh... crap... it's not as easy as I thought. I think I gave Dakku bad advice." Nasake laughed as Kankuro pulled him into a kiss. "I love you too you stupid blond bastard." Kankuro laughed as Nasake swayed with him to the song. "Why... didn't you tell me before?" Kankuro looked at him and he sighed. "Because... I was afraid. But then, Dakku made me realize how waiting to the last minute could destroy everything. So... I decided it was now or never... because... you were the air in my life." Nasake caressed his cheek and smiled.

Choji had managed to get a furious Ino to dance with him out on the dance floor. Kakashi and Iruka were silently dancing in secret in a far off corner. Even Gai and Anko joined in. "Sigh. Everyone's dancing. Including Shizune with Jiraiya." Tsunade looked down at the floor. She felt a hand pick her face up. "Sorry, I'm late." She looked at the man stunned and held on to him. "Oh... you're never late, just always making an entrance." "Wanna dance, Tsunade." He asked her softly. "Sure, Dan." The two walked off on to the dance floor.

Kiba looked around for Dakku and finally found him sitting down facing the large windows over looking the deck and river. The moon was shining perfectly and he sighed. Kiba walked up to him and grabbed his hand. "Hey you." He said as Dakku looked up at him and smiled. "I'm sorry about before. I killed the whole night with my story." Dakku's voice was warm. "It's okay. Dakku... I want you to come with me outside a moment okay? Just for a few minutes." Dakku raised a brow and then nodded. "Fine. But no funny business." The two walk off together as Naruto watches from a distance.

"Naruto. Are you okay?" Gaara askes softly. "Gaara... he's leaving with Kiba outside. Do you think... maybe he's trying to pull something?" Naruto's voice is filled with uncretainty. "Possibly. Naruto... I know you like him... but is it worth the pain? Why not try looking past it." Gaara breaks their dance and looks him in the eyes. Naruto looks down and away. "Because... I did too much to give up now. If it's really the end... then at least I want to hear it from his mouth." Gaara nods silently and then points off outside. "Then go. And tell him what you feel." Naruto runs off as Gaara watches. HE feels a hand touch his shoulder and looks at Nasake standing there. "You know... you could have told him you liked him, Gaara." He walks off and Gaara looks out the window. "Yea... I know how he feels now."

Confessions Under The FireWorks.

As they exited the building and stood on the deck, Kiba and Dakku stood next to the railing overlooking the river. Inside the building the song "Dreaming of You" could be heard. Dakku took in a big breath of the fresh air and sighed happily. Kiba looked at him and gathered his courage. "Dakku... I want... I mean... jeez... this is tough. Heh." Dakku looks back at him and thinks a moment. "What is?" Kiba takes a step forward and decides that he can't hold it back. "I want to tell you something. Something... i've been holding in since March." He watches as Dakku turns away.

"What exactly?" Dakku's voice is soft and Kiba walks up and holds him from behind. "What's wrong. Why'd you turn away?" Dakku shrugs and sighs. "I don't know." He looks off to the distance as Kiba turns him around and looks him in the eyes. "Is it because of me?" Kiba keeps gazing into his green eyes as a whistle goes off in the background. "It's just... Kiba... I-" An explosion of colors go off in the sky as a fire work lights up the night sky. Kiba has cut off Dakku's words with a kiss. As they kiss under the continung fireworks, tears begin to stream from Dakku's eyes.

"Please... for the love all things good... just tell me what it is!" Dakku looks into Kiba's eyes pleadingly. He caressed Dakku's face softly. "I love you. I can't stop thinking about you. And it's tearing me apart with thought. It's killing me inside because all I want to know is... if you'll be with me." He looks into his eyes again as they gleam a bit with joy. "Are you... asking me-" "I want you to be mine. I want to be with you. I want to share this world with you. I want this limited life in this world to be just you and me." Kiba smiled and Dakku is unable to think. "Kiba..."

(background music: "Foolish Games" by Jewel)

"Don't say anything... not until you hear me out." Dakku and Kiba break their hold and look at Naruto whose appeared from the club. "Naruto." Dakku says softly as the fireworks continue behind them. "Dakku... I may not have what he had, I may not even be the perfect choice at this moment, but there's no doubt in my hear that I love you more then he does." Naruto steps closer and Kiba glares at him. "Back off, Naruto. This isn't funny." Kiba growls at him as Dakku pulls him aside and looks at Naruto. "What did you say?"

"I love you. No matter how much crap I took from you, even all the denials and put downs, I love you." Naruto grips his chest and looks at Dakku. "Is... that what... Gaara meant about you?" Dakku's eyes begin to brim with tears. "What does Gaara have to do with this?" Kiba cut in. "Yes. I told him about you. And he must have told you. I told him how I sent you that card for valentine's and how-" Naruto was cut off by Dakku. "You sent that?" Naruto nodded. "Yes and that whole day I prayed you would find out it was me." Naruto looked deep into Dakku's eyes despite the distance between them.

Dakku's heart begins racing and his breath goes short. "That's really touching, Naruto. But he doesn't want you." Kiba goes for the kill with his words. Dakku looks at him unable to catch his breath. "Fuck you! You don't know anything!" Nauto shot back as Dakku felt dizzy. "Oh how is that?" Kiba counters quickly. "He could have feelings for me!" Naruto growls at him. "Oh yea, sure, keep think that." Kiba continues as Dakku feels his heart almost jump out of his chest. "You're not even half the great guy I am!" Naruto yells out.

"ENOUGH! This... just... enough. I'm done here." Dakku walks off trying to balance himself as Kiba and Naruto call out to him. "Don't follow me. If you do... consider it that last time you talk to me. Just... leave me be." Dakku walks off towards the street and both boys look at the ground and back at Dakku whose gotten into a car and is taken away to wherever he was headed. Kiba kicks the railing and walks back inside the club. Naruto looks at the lake as the fireworks continue. HE sighs and hold back his tears as Gaara appears and looks at him.

"Na... ruto." Gaara call softly at the blond who turns and looks at him. He runs to him and holds Gaara tight. "I... messed up. It's... over." Naruto begins to cry on his shoulder. Gaara sighs and hold him. "No. It's not. It's never over. There are others out there. Naruto, it may not seem like it but there are more people out there who value you more then you think they do." Gaara wipes away his tears and Naruto looks at him. "What?" He says softly as Gaara nods. "Trust me. I believe that there people who... believe in you more then you think." Gaara smiles somewhat.

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One... choice. There's no time left... is there? What do I do now? Next Friday... is the last day... 1 week... can I really... but who? What have I done this time?

DF: Be honest! Who cried? Did anyone cry? I know I shed a few tears during the "Real Reasons" scenes. It's almost over kiddos. That's right... one... more... episode. Whose gonna get what's coming to them? Who wants who to end this story? And will Lee and Sakura ever make an appearance?