There was a stir near the door when the band struck up the second dance. The Hyuugas, now dancing with each other, ignored the commotion. They had something else to focus on.

Both the Hyuugas were still a little awkward around each other, especially since Hinata had ceded her birthright to Neji. Nonetheless they were on easier terms than before, and their striking good looks won them many admirers as they danced past the tables. Lee and Tenten twirled past, Tenten giggling at Lee's energetic pace.

"How are you doing at the villa, Hinata?" Neji asked when the other two had whirled into the centre of the room.

Hinata smiled. "It's okay. I-I'm getting used to living there b-by myself."

Neji directed them around another couple. "You can always move back in. Hanabi is happy in the main mansion."

" I prefer m-my own space, ac-actually. Besides, your fiancee is m-moving in after summer, right?"

"After the engagement, yes. I just wondered if the family should stay together."

"I'll v-visit regularly."

-------

Kiba was talking to Kakashi about Hana's idea of a pet salon when he heard the low mutter rising and spreading. Most people were milling about, dancing, chatting and networking. A few were stationed around the doors. Kiba and Kakashi both looked over at the entrance. Both of them stood, stunned for a moment.

"Whoa." Kakashi blinked rapidly. "Who is that girl?"

-------

"Shikamaru, look," Chouji prodded his lounging friend. Shikamaru turned around in his seat. Kiba dashed over to their table.

"Hey guys. Check out the bronze goddess." Kiba grinned wickedly.

Shikamaru watched as the crowd slowly parted. Kiba was right; she was a goddess. She was the sun, dressed to impress. Her chin length blond hair was elegantly set in old world glamor, and she wore a shimmery golden floor-length dress. It was a halter-neck which draped from her neck to just above her décolletage, and the fabric skimmed her curves and set it off to perfection. Then she saw the Konoha chuunin and the newly-minted shadow jounin staring and she gave them a smile, before walking on to the top table. As she walked past them, all the males stared at her retreating back. Suddenly the open space felt airless.

The dress was backless and the drape of the fabric ended just below the small of her back. The curve of her spine and the smooth, tanned skin drew every man's attention. "Who was that girl?" Chouji asked, his eyes fixed on her passage.

Shikamaru felt himself breathing properly again when the girl sat down next to Kankurou. "That was Temari," he said.

Kiba whooshed out a breath. "Man, you pick the best girlfriends, Shikamaru."

"Kiba, I only have the one girlfriend," Shikamaru tried to relax again, but found his eyes fixed on the golden girl.

"Lucky dog."

"Shut up." Shikamaru got up from his seat. "I'm going for a walk."

Kiba sniggered at his retreating back. "Have fun on your walk, Shikamaru."

-------

Holding her punch, Ino fumed. She'd wanted to make a grand entrance, spent hours with her hair and makeup, but barely anyone noticed her coming into the hall. At most twenty. She knew she look great; the lavender gown cost her a year's allowance and salary. It clung to her curves and, with its deep v-neck, was certain to garner every male's attention. Or so she had hoped.

But the moment that Suna kunoichi walked in, everyone's eyes were fixed on her. Including her teammates'. She stalked over to her seat, only to find Shikamaru gone.

"Ino, where did you go?" asked Chouji. He took in her appearance. "You look great."

"Really? Thanks." To her annoyance very few people bothered looking her way; most were fixated on the top table. She had wanted Shikamaru to compliment her, but all he'd said was "you look nice" and had now disappeared.

"Man, Temari sure looked glamorous," said Naruto as he plonked down a plate. Sakura was behind him. "She's drop-dead gorgeous! Not that you aren't, Sakura, but... whoo boy!"

"I know, Naruto, you've been saying that since she came in." Sakura picked a grape off Naruto's heap with a thin smile. Then she caught sight of her friend's face.

Ino was very annoyed.

----

Sakura had stolen one glance at Ino's stormy expression and grabbed Naruto to flee the hall.

"What's the rush, Sakura-chan?"

"She's gonna blow, Naruto. Ino's never had a patient temper when it comes to her self-esteem." Sakura ran her fingers through her hair. It was far cooler outside. Naruto and Sakura found a bench and sat down. The breeze was colder in Suna than in Konoha. Naruto put his arm about Sakura's bare shoulders.

"It still feels strange, isn't it? Just the two of us." They were on that topic.

"Yeah, Sakura-chan." Naruto sighed. "I wish it didn't have to be that way."

"He was the one who forced your hand, Naruto," Sakura said softly. "It wasn't your fault he didn't... he was a lost cause from the moment he attacked you."

Naruto emitted a short laugh. "Yeah, why couldn't I just let him kill me, eh?"

"You couldn't." Sakura took her teammate's hand. Her only teammate now. "Sai took the blow for you because he knew you mustn't die. And Sasuke... Sasuke deserved what he got."

"You don't believe that." Naruto looked into her green eyes. "Hell, even I don't believe that."

Sakura exhaled. "No, I don't. I believe that, if I had been in the position to choose... I'd choose your life over his."

"I just keep thinking that there's something else I could've done, something that would've changed his mind..." Naruto ran his free hand through his spiky hair. Sakura sighed and leaned against his shoulder.

They sat in silence, each thinking of their lost teammates. The silence spun into a thick web of tension. Sakura tried to break it, but found nothing to talk about. In the end Sakura found herself sharing the tumultuous thoughts running through her mind that night, long ago, when Sasuke left.

"...And I know how you feel, Naruto, I really do. I've been through it. Thing is, even if you blame yourself nothing changes. He's gone, this time forever, and I don't want... I don't want you to try to bring him back." She reached over to hold his hands. They were now larger than hers, calloused, scarred and roughened. She looked into his blue eyes, black in the lamplight, and smiled.

Grateful, Naruto gave her fingers a little squeeze. Strains of music floated out to them. At that moment everything stilled. Slowly, infinitesimally slowly, Naruto leaned down and kissed the girl of his dreams.

She responded to the gentle kiss. After a minute, after an eternity, they separated.

They sat in silence beneath the stars.