AN/: Hey everyone! I'm back with a new chapter! Sorry that it's taken me a while to post this. It's not like I don't have this written already, it's just been a crazy summer and I've been busy so I don't have time to type up my chapters (I hand write them all first) and post them here. But here I am back again! I hope you enjoy this chapter. Now, without further ado, here's chapter twenty-six.

I don't own anything except for the plot.

Chapter Twenty-Six: In Which Naruto is a Major Idiot

Now when it cam to one of Naruto's schemes, one has to be extremely careful because…well Naruto could be pretty out there. Out there wasn't even the description for it. Naruto was just out of this world. Now don't get me wrong, Naruto means well. He always does. He just can be a little bit stupid. Take Operation SasuSaku for example. Yes, he had all the right intentions of setting up the two, and he even had the perfect opportunity. But he screwed that up at the school's dance.

Thursday in Kakashi-sensei's class, everyone was enjoying themselves in doing nothing and joking around. The gang (except for Sasuke and Sakura) all knew their parts in the operation and knew what had to be done. Alice, who had been filled in by Ino earlier that morning, was talking to Sakura about small things. Every so often, Sakura would steal a glance over in Sasuke's direction, who was trying to ignore whatever Naruto was rambling on about, and would smile.

"What? Alice, what is it?"

"Oh, nothing. I just know that look too well."

"What look? I don't have a look."

"Really? Okay Sakura dear. Whatever you say."

Alice then turned away from Sakura and started filing her nails. Sakura then looked back at Sasuke with a puzzling look on her face.

"Teme…Teme…Teme! Dude are you even listening to me?"

"No Dobe. Now go away, I'm busy."

"Busy doing what? Being emo?"

"How many times must I tell you that I'm not emo?!"
"Right, whatever you say Teme…"

"Urgh! Naruto just go away!"

"Fine, fine. Oh Dude, she's doing it again."

"What? Who are you talking about?"

"Sakura. She's been stealing glances over here all period."

"Maybe because you've been obnoxiously loud all period."

"Nah Dude, that's impossible. She's been looking at you my friend."

"What?"

"Why don't you turn around and see for yourself." And indeed when Sasuke turned around, there was Sakura looking at him. When she saw that Sasuke was looking back at her, she quickly turned away, blushing and fumbling with papers in her backpack.

"I told you so."

"So what if she was looking at me? She has every right to do so. I mean we're friends after all."

"Dude, you just don't get it, do you?"

"I—"

"Alright class, listen up!" Kakashi-sensei had finally walked into the classroom (twenty minutes late as usual) carrying a stack of papers in his hand. He looked quite bored as he lazily walked to his desk and sat down.

"Starting today, tickets go on sale for next Friday's school dance. You can purchase them before and after school. That is all. Now go back to whatever you were doing, while I do this paperwork Tsunade dumped on me."

"Teme did you hear that? It's perfect!"

"Perfect for what exactly Naruto?"

"Uh…nothing. All I know is that we're going to PARR-TAY at this dance."

"And who is this we exactly?"

"Well, all of us. You, me—"

"You see that's where you've gone wrong Naruto. I'm not going to the stupid dance."

Naruto stopped dead in his tracks. In his mind crickets were chirping.

"What do you mean you're not going? Uchiha Sasuke not going to the school dance? THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!"

"Naruto, kindly keep your voice down. It's annoying and distracting," said Kakashi-sensei.

"But Sensei!"

"Enough Naruto!"

"Fine. We'll talk about this later Teme." Naruto then walked to his seat and sat down, plugging in his headphones to listen to some music.

"Naruto's a pretty persistent person Sasuke-nii-san. You of all people should know that."

Alice and Sasuke were walking down the hallway together on their way to their free period in the library. Sasuke had just told Alice about why Naruto had that outburst in first period. But what had surprised Sasuke the most, was that Alice was agreeing with Naruto.

"Yeah, but Tsukiko, what's the point of me going to the dance? You know how it is for me and my fangirls."

"True, but lately they haven't been bothering you. So I don't see what could be possibly stopping you."

"I just don't want to go.

"Sasuke, you're going to that dance. When Mom finds out that you rather stay home and be emo—"

"I'm NOT emo! Why does everyone keep saying that?"

"Because it's true? Anyways, she's going to make you go and you know it. So you might as well. Plus, Sakura's going to be at the dance."

"What does Sakura have to do with anything?"

"Nothing."

"Tsukiko…Tsukiko…Tsukiko!" But Alice was already inside of the library, ignoring Sasuke now, which left a frustrated Sasuke alone with his thoughts.

Sakura wasn't doing too hot herself. Ever since she found out about the dance, she didn't know what to do with herself. Alice had been dropping hints about her finding someone to go with, and that just wasn't Sakura's style. I mean, even going to the dance was very unusual or her.

At the end of the school day, Sakura was hanging with the girls at Ino's house. She really seemed out of it, like she wasn't completely there anymore.

"So Sakura, what are you going to wear to the dance?" asked Ino.

"Huh?"

"Finally! It's about time you joined us. I was beginning to worry," said Tenten jokingly.

"Sorry guys. I've just been thinking about a lot lately and with the dance and all…whether I should get a date or something…"

"YES! YES! YES!"

"Wow Ino, way to be quiet," said Hinata.

"Sorry, it's just that this is really the first time our Sakura's expressed interest in finding a date for well anything! I'm so proud."

"Alright Ino-pig, chill. I don't think I'll get a date anyways."

"Why? Because you're one smokin' girl Sakura. Own it."

"It's not that! I just don't really have anyone I want to go with."

"Why? Because you're hoping a certain someone to ask you?" asked Alice.

"What? I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh, I think you do. This morning you couldn't take your eyes off of Sasuke-nii-san."

"That's not true!"

"Right! Anyways, we're going dress shopping this weekend and that's that." And the girls continued to talk and joke around, leaving Sakura to think about all that just happened.

The weekend came and went pretty quickly. By the time the next school week came, all everyone could talk about was the upcoming school dance. What they were going to wear, who they were going with, what type of music was going to be played, what they were going to do after the dance, it all was so much pressure for our Sasuke and Sakura. Both were going to the dance solo, saying no to the requests that they were getting. When the two were near each other, things were very awkward. Not wanting to acknowledge the difference in their friendship both acted as if nothing was wrong and continued on with their normal activities.

Naruto had noticed these actions and told the rest of the gang about the progress.

"Hopefully they'll stop this dancing around their feelings at the dance. I just can't take it anymore," said Ino.

"Yes, this is really pathetic, that it's more of a drag than usual," added Shikamaru.

"Not to worry! I have a plan so that at the dance they'll be together. Believe it!" replied Naruto.

"Dude, don't do anything too drastic. You know how you get," warned Tenten.

"Oh posh! I've got this."

On the night of the dance, everyone decided to meet at Sasuke's house so they could all go together. Sakura was in her bedroom with her mother, getting ready for the dance.

"Oh Saku-chan, you look so pretty."

"Thanks Mom. That…that really means a lot coming from you."

"It's just that…so much has happened to us since we've moved here, and you have been so strong. I'm so proud of you. You've grown so much Sakura dear."

"I couldn't have done it without your support Mom. Yours and Sasuke's."

"Yes, that Sasuke has been a blessing to us, hasn't he?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"Tell me, is there…you know…between you two?"

"What? No! Mom no, we're just…I don't even know anymore."

"Well maybe tonight you might find out, hm?"

"Mom!"

"What? I'm just trying to be helpful."

"I know, but things are just fine just the way they are."

"Alrighty then."

Sakura and Mrs. Haruno then went to look at Sakura in the mirror. They were silent in shock of how beautiful Sakura looked. Mrs. Haruno was starting to get all teary eyed.

"Oh Mom."

"I'm sorry. I just can't get over you in that dress."

"I know."

"Now as for your cuts—"

"I'm not covering them up. Not anymore. After all, they are a part of my journey and I don't want to forget about that part, not ever."

"I think that you are ready."

"I'll be down in a minute, you go on ahead."

Sasuke was anxious downstairs. Watching his friends with their girlfriends made him more and more nervous for Sakura to come downstairs. This wasn't because he liked her that way or anything, he just didn't want to be the only one around lovebirds.

"Sorry to make you all wait. Saku-chan will be down in a minute. She's a bit nervous."

"Mom! Do you really have to tell them that?"

Sakura was now at the top of the stars, frowning a bit at her mom. She looked beautiful in her off white and black laced dress. I stopped just before her knees. The dress was sleeveless, exposing her arms. Her hair was worn down in loose curls and she had very little makeup on her face. Her shoes were a simple pair of black heels. All in all, she looked wonderful.

"You guys look awesome!" said Sakura to everyone.

"Us? Look at you Forehead! That dress is perfect! So glad we made you get it," said Ino.

"Yeah, same here. Well, are we all ready to go?"

"Yes, let's PARR-TAYY!" said Naruto.

As the gang began to leave, Sasuke and Sakura caught each other's eyes and smiled at each other. Little did they know about the craziness Naruto would soon cause.

The music at the dance was blasting loudly and the energy was at an all-time high. When the gang entered the gym at school, it had been transformed into the largest rave they had ever seen.

"Hey everyone, this is your DJ! Don't forget to vote for the King and Queen of tonight's dance. At the end of the dance, the lucky couple's gonna have a spotlight dance! Alright y'all! Let's get this party pumpin'!"

"Hinata and I are for sure going to win! Believe it!"

"Naruto, you idiot! Don't forget about the plan," said Neji through clenched teeth.

"Oh right, right. My brilliant plan! I'm on it!"

Meanwhile, Sakura was walking around the gym, taking survey of the atmosphere. Being here felt so strange to her after all that's happened. She wondered if she even knew how to be a normal teenager anymore. Across the dance floor she spotted Sasuke talking to the guys. She couldn't deny the fact that he was extremely good-looking. She also couldn't deny the fact that she was attracted to him. But the one thing that wasn't certain was what was going on between the two of them that caused them to have such a close bond. But tonight, she wasn't going to worry about the whatifs. Tonight she was going to have fun and enjoy the night with her friends.

"Okay Naruto, you know what to tell the DJ, right?" asked Ino, who stole him away from Hinata in the middle of the dance.

"Yup! And he already knows the deal. All he has to do is read the envelope."

"Now DON'T screw this up. Our friend's happiness is at stake. You screw this up and I will kill you."

"Okay, okay, gosh."

Naruto started to make his way over to the DJ by dancing through the crowd. Once over there, him gave the DJ the message then made his way over to the voting booth. Attempting to be all ninja about it, he switched the votes and went over to his friends.

"Did you do it?" asked Tenten.

"Believe it!"

"Alright good, now all we can do is wait."

"So does that mean that we can finally party?"

"Yes Naruto."

"HELLZ YEAH! C'mon Hinata, let's shake our groove thang!" And with that, Naruto dragged Hinata to the dance floor and started dancing wildly, while everyone else sweat dropped. The night continued on with merry measure. Ino and Shikamaru were cuddling at a nearby table, Tenten and Neji were making out against a wall, Naruto, Hinata, and Sakura were now all dancing together, and Sasuke was just taking it all in.

"Yo, yo, yo! Wassup y'all?! It's yo DJ! It's now time to announce the king and queen. May I have the ballots please? Alright, your king and queen are…Uchiha Sasuke and Yakamuri Saya?!"

Everyone at the dance stopped right then and there. This was a huge shocker!

"NARUTO! WHAT DID YOU DO?!" yelled Ino.

"Nothing, I swear! I did what you said!"

"I'm gonna KILL you Naruto! This was something you COULDN'T screw up! Get back here!"

And thus, Ino started chasing Naruto with Hinata following closely behind.

"Alright will the king and queen please come forth and share your spotlight dance?" asked the DJ. Watching all this happen before her eyes, Sakura couldn't watch it anymore and just left. In the corner of his eyes, Sasuke saw this happening and wanted to go to her, but couldn't with everyone watching. He felt trapped. And thus, the plan had sadly failed.

A/N: Well that's the chapter! What do you all think of the story so far? Where do you think it's going to go next? What's your favorite part of the story so far? Please review! More reviews equals chapters coming out faster.