Chapter 9: The Homecoming Masquerade

The month of October was an eventful time for Lee and his friends. The month was now ending as the nights started to arrive earlier and last longer. Now with the staples removed from his scalp and accustomed to his new hairstyle, Lee's confidence was restored. He returned to his routine and was able to secure private tutoring with Kakashi to impress Sakura with his French at the dance. After work, he went to dance practice. He was sure he got rusty from the downtime he had.

"Let's start with the basics," Anko said as she started her playlist. "We can add some flair as we go. Just feel it out with the rhythm. And I expect you to lead." she instructed. Lee obliged and without making any noticeable mistakes, he felt relaxed as he led the dance. Anko was impressed, enjoying practice with a competent dancer. Suddenly, the front doorbell chimed, and the music was too loud for the two to notice.

Lee and Anko completed their dance and felt watching eyes on them. They turned around to see Guy standing by the door, in utter dismay. Lee's eyes widened and Anko facepalmed.

"I forgot to lock the door." She said to herself. She looked at Guy and waved nonchalantly. "Hi."

"Hello," Guy said to Anko. He turned to Lee. "Lee. What is this?" he asked, confused. Lee looked sheepish as if he had been caught doing something embarrassing.

"This is Ms. Mitarashi. She is my dance instructor." Lee explained. Guy's frown intensified. "What is wrong, Sensei?" he asked, concerned.

"Lee." Guy started. "Don't you know that I know how to dance?"

"Whaaat?" Lee said, mind blown. Anko looked annoyed and bored, checking her phone for missed messages.

"That's right! Your very own Sensei, Might Guy, is not only a master of the martial arts but a master of dance!" Guy said.

"Good grief." Anko said. Guy studied her, feeling challenged.

"I will have you know; I was trained by a master of Disco dancing. He was the very best around and today he is still the best!" Guy said proudly.

"Wow! What is his name, Sensei?" Lee asked. Anko's attention turned to Guy, curious about his instructor.

"His name is…" Guy said, trailing off. He raised his hand to his chin and looked down, deep in thought and trying to recall the name of the face. A long, awkward moment went by until Guy sighed. "I forgot." Lee hung his head, disappointed while Anko was eager to move on.

"If he's so good, let's see what he taught you." Anko challenged.

"It's on!" Guy said, with burning passion in his eyes.

Anko scrolled through a playlist before settling on a song. Lee kneeled on the floor in seiza position, his orange legwarmers providing a comfortable cushion for his shins on the hard floor. He watched in amazement as his teacher broke out into dance. Guy performed big moves involving his hips, pelvis, and arms. His hands twisted in time to the beat as he side-stepped between moves. Anko stepped in, dancing to the contagious rhythm. Lee felt his fingers tapping on his legs as he sat and bopped his head to the music. He smiled as he watched his two masters battle in dance. Anko and Guy gestured at Lee to join them, which he did without hesitation. The night went on as the three danced, and Lee now felt more ready than ever for the dance.

The following day, Lee visited Tenten at her home. She was happy to help him with making his mask and headcover for the dance, despite her misgivings about Sakura. She was busy crafting her Halloween costume, which she had to change now that she anticipated spending the holiday with Neji. Lee sat in a chair in her bedroom as she was using him as a model for her alterations to the cloth she was sewing.

"These eye holes are narrow. Can you still see?" Tenten asked as she was inspecting her work so far.

"I can see enough." Lee assured her. Tenten sighed as she continued, doing her best to conceal Lee's face while leaving his mouth and chin still exposed. Keeping his hair, eyes, and eyebrows concealed left Lee unrecognizable. His chosen attire is fully black with silver and gold details. His Venetian-inspired outfit was complete with a large hat decorated with colorful feathers. His black and gold mask was shiny, reflecting the light and making it more difficult to see Lee's eyes.

Lee was thankful for her help, despite his nervousness. Though he was still uncertain if Sakura would attend the dance, he intended to go and have an enjoyable time, even if she wasn't there. He felt his heart thumping as he daydreamed about dancing with Sakura. Tenten noticed Lee was unusually quiet.

"I never imagined you would be so excited about a dance," Tenten said as she was sewing. "You seem even more excited to go than I am." She teased. Lee smiled.

"I just hope she goes," Lee said. "She and Sasuke are broken up now."

"That's true, but that's another reason why she may not go. It's not like it's prom or anything big." Tenten said. "Well, except I heard those weirdos are going to be there."

"Who?" Lee asked. Tenten tensed.

"The Akatsuki." She said. "Sasuke's brother is one of them." Lee froze. He recalled his unpleasant meeting with Itachi and Kisame. Though he was grateful to be relieved of the debt, he wanted nothing to do with those men.

"Deidara, this guy in my art class is one of them, I think," Lee said. Tenten focused as she continued her work.

"Yeah, he does some directing backstage for the play. He's the worst." Tenten said. "He's always fighting with Sasori. And he dared to try to change some of the costumes right after I finished everything." Tenten said as she furrowed her brow. "He's a huge jerk."

"Neji said the same thing about both of them," Lee commented, remembering Neji complaining about the pair. Neji's judgment seemed harsh to Lee at times, but he agreed with Neji's assessment when it came to those two.

"Be prepared for them to do something at the dance. I heard a rumor that it's the older Akatsuki members who are the alumni that are coming to reveal the prom theme." Tenten said. "They better not try to ruin it."

Lee was deep in thought, recalling the bizarre interaction he had with the gang and trying to decipher what their main goal could be. It seemed that causing trouble was what they were known for, but anticipating their shenanigans was impossible. Though they weren't shy about their group, they remained elusive. That fact may be due to most of them being college-age.

"How confident are you in your French skills?" Tenten asked as she was inspecting her work.

"Je suis prêt." Lee said. Tenten frowned. "I am ready," Lee said, translating his sentence. "Mr. Hatake tutored me specifically for the occasion."

"Hopefully he taught you to say something tame. He's always reading those romance novels like a creep during lunch." Tenten said. Lee blushed. He had hoped so too. It would be a travesty if he had said something to upset her. All of his hard work may have been for nothing if it came to that.

"I will need to be bold. This may be my best chance to impress her." Lee said, feeling motivated as Tenten let out another long sigh.

"Good luck." Tenten said, defeated by Lee's persistence. Tenten had been friends with Lee for most of her life and viewed him as a brother. Although he took her advice most times, when it came to Sakura, anything Tenten would say would go in one ear and out of the other.

The football game ended. The home team, Konohagakure, beat their main rivals 31-23. The audience roared in cheers and celebrated as the team rejoiced by their sidelines, quenching themselves with ice-cold Gatorade despite the temperature being 47 degrees outside. Asuma Sarutobi, the football coach, was ceremoniously splashed with the ice-cold sports drink by the team, who managed to catch him in a state of distraction whilst he was lighting a cigarette. Sai, who had scored several field goals during the game quickly made his way to the locker room to prepare for his date at the dance. He noticed Sasuke was in the locker room before him.

"What will you do now?" Sai asked as he went to his locker for his toiletries for his shower.

"I'm going to the gym." Sasuke said, taking a change of gym clothes out from his locker to change into. Sai was aware Sasuke was banned from the dance, but his concern for him grew.

"After a game? That seems a bit risky." Sai said.

"It's fine." Sasuke responded curtly while removing his heavy protective gear.

Sai tried to sneak a peek into Sasuke's locker, but Sasuke slammed it shut after removing a large, black gym bag. Sasuke turned to Sai and scrutinized him. Afraid he was caught snooping, Sai reverted to his usual conflict-avoiding tactics. "You would look good going without that shirt." He smiled, referring to the long-sleeved and high-collared compression shirt Sasuke had on under his jersey. "Those pants too. You have nice legs." Sai commented. Sasuke frowned and collected his belongings, walking out of the locker room still in his uniform.

"Weirdo." Sasuke murmured as he left. Satisfied with the effectiveness of his tactic, Sai quickly showered and got dressed, excited to spend some time with Ino. He wondered to himself how Lee would fare tonight.

Sometime later, Sakura arrived at the dance. She went straight to the bathroom before heading to the gymnasium. She checked herself out first in the mirror, looking at her beautiful burgundy-colored dress. Her heels were already causing some discomfort, but she appreciated how nice they made her feel. She felt so tall and feminine, although keeping balance was hard. She regretted not practicing walking or breaking in her shoes first before the dance. Despite her new singleness, she was dressed to impress. Her new short haircut demonstrated she was ready for a big change in her life. She placed her silver plastic mask over her eyes and left the restroom.

She nervously entered the gymnasium, where she began the search for her friends. This proved difficult, as the lighting was poor, and the constant movement of the crowd kept her eyes busy. It was not only difficult to see through the mask, but the crowd all sported masks of their own.

The gymnasium was quite large and had a high ceiling. Some basketballs and volleyballs remained stuck along the ceiling. They threatened to fall as the loud music and boisterous crowd shook the building. Despite the theme, the music was primarily modern songs. Sakura spotted Naruto, who wore a kitsune mask and an obnoxious orange suit. She was surprised to see he was accompanied by a navy-haired young girl, who seemed quite happy with him, even though they didn't know how to dance. She was happy to see her old friend had found someone. She recalled repelling his affections for years until she and Sasuke got together.

Thinking of Sasuke, she felt a mixture of sadness and anger wash over her. Though she had broken off their relationship officially, her heart still ached for him. She longed for the old Sasuke, who held her close while they watched movies and would always surprise her whenever he picked her up with ease. She missed his sweet smile and his handsome eyes gazing into hers. She felt tears fill her eyes as she continued her search for her friends in the crowd, noticing Ino near a corner who was talking to some of her cheerleader friends. She was dressed in a short, tight purple dress and very tall heels. Her hair was tied in an updo and she wore a matching purple mask.

"Hey." Sakura shouted over the music to Ino. Ino smiled once she realized it was Sakura.

"You made it!" Ino said as she smiled. Sakura knew she must understand how she felt. It seemed most people in attendance arrived with a partner, and Sakura's fresh singleness and Ino's potential new relationship left them somewhat at odds with each other. Shortly after, Sai arrived and spotted the two.

"Hello." Sai said as he came close enough to hear. Ino's smile intensified.

"I'll leave you two to get acquainted," Sakura said, smiling. Ino winked at her and turned her attention to Sai. Sakura walked off, trying to locate some more familiar faces, hoping she wouldn't be the only one she knew left out from having a date.

Across the gymnasium in another corner, Neji and Tenten were together. Neji didn't seem as excited about the dance as Tenten was, but he was happy to be spending time with her. He was dressed in an all-black suit that was tailor-fit, his black mask somewhat menacing over his pale face. Tenten wore a long, grey, and black corset dress with puff sleeves. She wore a dark silver mask and red lipstick. Neji couldn't help but gaze at her beauty, admiring her very exposed neck and bust. A lone figure in all black with a dark mask and hat approached them.

"There you are." Tenten said. Neji looked confused about how Tenten could know who this person was, despite most of their features concealed. His hands were covered by black gloves and only some of his black hair peaked under his hat, resting along his forehead. Tenten looked surprised. "I never thought you would try cologne."

"I borrowed it from Shino." The masked man said. Neji looked shocked.

"Lee!?" He said, dumbfounded.

"Shh!" Tenten hushed him. "Lee, you shouldn't linger with us for too long, Sakura might see and she'll know it's you."

"How could she?" Neji asked. "Even I didn't know it was you."

"You are right. I must go." Lee said, bowing to show his appreciation to Tenten. "Thank you again for the help, Tenten."

"No problem, Lee." She said, happy she could help a friend. Neji still looked surprised as he watched Lee disappear into the crowd.

"You are so talented." Neji said. Tenten swooned, flattered by Neji's compliment. Though Neji doubted Lee's success, he was still with him in spirit.

Sakura noticed some of her friends but was stopped in her tracks by a sudden announcement over the speakers. Her attention was turned to a small stage that had the DJ and a podium. The principal was present, ready to speak as she had a group of former students with her.

"Hello everyone. Your attention please." Principal Tsunade spoke into the microphone. "I would like to thank you all for coming tonight and supporting our team. I am always impressed by my students' enthusiasm in showing school pride and team spirit." She said. The boisterous audience cheered as she continued. "I don't want to bore you all, so I will be passing the mic to some of our former students who are our special guests tonight. Please welcome; Itachi Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki, Tobi Uchiha, Nagato Pain, Konan Amegakure, and Hidan Jashin." The audience clapped as the Akatsuki took the stage.

Lee recognized Itachi and Kisame. He tensed up, worrying what they would do or say. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Sakura in the still crowd, her attention turned to the stage. He felt his body become hot as the realization hit that he may have his chance to dance with her tonight. He feared she had decided to stay home. He noticed her hair was shorter, exposing her lovely shoulders and back. He noticed her silky burgundy dress hugged her body just right and the side slit in his dress revealed one of her beautiful strong legs, supported by her strappy heels. He felt a lump in his throat as he concentrated on building up his courage, though he worried about what the Akatsuki were up to.

"Hey everybody!" Tobi Uchiha shouted into the mic as it blared a high-pitched static noise, causing pain to everyone's ears. "It's good to be back!" he said, although it was hard to understand which emotion he was conveying, his face was completely concealed in a strange orange mask that swirled like a large lollipop. His tone seemed both playful and menacing. "We spent a lot of time considering which theme would be most appropriate this year for prom. The theme for our prom, the Titanic, was absolutely amazing as you can imagine." He said sarcastically. "It's incredible how what was once a great tragedy is now fodder for our modern imagination. With that said, we thought we would share the fun we had by choosing a theme this school has not done before." Tobi said, curling his fingers into a fist. The crowd watched on in a mixture of horror and curiosity. "One word: Disco."

The crowd erupted in a mixture of laughter, anger, and disappointment. Tenten bared her teeth and stomped her heeled foot in anger.

"Disco!? Are you serious?" Tenten shouted.

"That's so lame!" Ino shouted, also angry. Sai frowned, though he knew the theme beforehand, he could feel Ino's disappointment in the Akatsuki's choice. A sick grin of satisfaction formed on the faces of the Akatsuki members, reveling in the pain they caused to the seniors in the crowd, minus Itachi and Konan, who seemed disinterested.

"What a drag." Shikamaru commented.

"Hey DJ, how about a disco song to kick off the dancing for the night?" Tobi said, his voice sickly sweet. The DJ complied and he began playing "Magnolias for Ever" by Claude François. The Akatsuki left the stage and disappeared stealthily into the crowd like ninjas, making a quick exit before anyone could attempt to retaliate against their decision.

Sakura stood dumbfounded by the announcement. She had daydreamed about the prom for years, and now without Sasuke and a theme she did not care for, it felt as if her dreams were just destroyed before her eyes. She stepped away from the dance floor, which had just been illuminated brightly for the song. She watched as a few brave souls stepped onto the floor, dancing amateurishly to the archaic music. Though she was disappointed, she felt her foot tapping to the catchy beat. She turned to continue her search for her friends until a lone figure strutted out onto the dance floor. He stood out, his suit and costume looking so carefully crafted for the occasion and his stride was so seamless and confident in each step. He erupted into dance and everyone's attention was focused on him.

Though it seemed lame at first, Sakura couldn't help but smile. Seeing this enthusiastic and skillful dancer reminded her of her theater friends. It was as if he was playing this mysterious character that stole everyone's attention. She felt intrigued as she watched him dance. She was confident in her ability to recognize most of her fellow students, but she was at a loss as to who the mysterious masked man could be. She noticed he was tall and though he was adorned in a suit, she could tell he had a muscular frame by how tight his sleeves and shirt collar fit him. He danced passionately, though his face seemed quite rigid, and he did not smile. She felt her heart flutter when she realized some of the lyrics of the song were in French.

Somewhat surprised by herself, she felt almost intoxicated by the scene unfolding. She felt the same feeling whenever she watched the performing arts. Watching this stranger dance so skillfully and stylishly, it felt as if time had slowed down. It almost seemed as if he had noticed her and was dancing just for her. Quite suddenly, he closed the gap between them and reached out his gloved hand to her. Sakura froze, breaking out of her stupor and realizing what was going on. He smiled at her as she blinked. Without speaking or thinking, her hand reached up to meet his.

His large hand carefully took hers and he guided them back to the dance floor. Sakura felt her heart pounding in her chest. Once they arrived, the masked man worked himself back into a dance, facing Sakura and holding both of her hands in his. She knew some dance moves, but she felt like the time she danced with her father at a father-daughter dance in middle school years ago, outclassed by his experience.

"I don't know how to dance." She said, embarrassed. The masked stranger smiled and continued.

"Suivez-moi." (Translation: Follow me) He said confidently. Sakura felt her heart skip a beat. She was starting to wonder if she was in a dream. She mirrored his movements carefully and did her best to keep up. She was glad the song wasn't too fast or too slow. Though she wasn't a fan of disco, she was glad the beat was consistent and loud, making it easier for her to dance to.

She lost herself in the dance, feeling her body heat increase as she stepped along to the music, becoming more confident in herself as she watched her partner's smile grow. Her disappointment in the prom theme had subsided, as she now felt that maybe disco wouldn't be so bad. So long as she had a dance partner like the one she had now. Realization hit her that she was now thinking about this guy she just met instead of Sasuke as her prom date. She stumbled and nearly fell, but the masked man caught her. He pulled her close to him as she grabbed him tightly for balance. She smelled his warm, spicy cologne scent that was emanating from his chest and neck. She blushed as she looked up at his masked face, unable to see his eyes or any defining features aside from his black hair.

"Are you okay?" he asked in a hushed voice. Lee feared his cover would be blown, but his concern for Sakura was greater. The song ended and another song was now playing.

"Je vais bien." (I'm fine) She said while smiling, somewhat embarrassed by her fumble. "You're an amazing dancer." She added. Flattered, the masked man relinquished his hold on her, and she adjusted her footing until she felt stable again.

"Merci beaucoup. De même." (Thank you very much. Likewise.) He responded. Sakura felt her face get hotter. She continued dancing with the stranger until she felt fatigued. Her shoes were now hurting her feet and the two sat down on some empty seats away from the dance floor. She looked at him, smiling and intrigued.

"Parlez-vous français?" (Do you speak French?) Sakura asked.

"J'apprends le francais." (I'm learning French) he responded.

"So, who are you then?" Sakura asked, amused but also scrutinizing him.

"Je suis un admirateur." (I am an admirer.) he said coyly. She smiled as she lightly hit his shoulder playfully.

"Quit that." She giggled. "I'll show you my face, then you show me yours." Sakura said. Lee felt his heart pounding as Sakura removed her mask. A lump formed in his throat as he prepared to reveal his face. He looked at her bare face. Though the room was still dark and illuminated only by the rainbow party lights, he could see her beautiful visage. Though her new haircut was a surprise to him, he thought she was even more lovely than before. He could feel himself melt as he noticed her eyes were looking at him differently than she ever did before. Her eyes were filled with intrigue and want.

"Vous êtes belle." (You are beautiful) he said, gazing into her eyes. Her cheeks reddened again. She smiled, enjoying the attention he was giving her. Suddenly, the music changed, and it slowed down. Couples were gathering to slow dance. The masked man felt relieved and reached his hand out once more to Sakura. She slipped her mask back on and took his hand, letting him guide her to the dance floor.

His right hand held her left hand. Her right hand rested on his left shoulder and his left hand rested on her waist. She got closer to him as they gently swayed to the music. He noticed Neji and Tenten next to them. They were enjoying their dance, but even they couldn't take their eyes off of Lee, amazed that his plan seemed to be working much better than they expected. Lee smiled at them and turned his attention back to Sakura. She was leaning against his chest, taking in his intoxicating scent, and enjoying the night.

Sakura noticed Ino and Sai dancing together. Suddenly, she felt self-conscious, worrying what others may think of her now that she was just newly single and already dancing with some other guy. The image of the graffiti in the bathroom still haunted her. Though she changed her haircut and wore a mask, she knew her unusual pink hair betrayed her. The song ended and she left the dance floor abruptly. Lee followed her, concerned. He was stopped by a bunch of girls who had been watching him dance, begging him for the opportunity to dance to the next song with him. Ino witnessed the event and did not stop her dance with Sai.

Sakura exited outside into the cold. She felt the freezing night air hit her like a train as she struggled to walk with her tired, hurting feet. Sakura took out her phone and texted her mother that she was ready to be picked up. Her mother responded promptly and Sakura sat on a bench near the curb of the parking lot, shivering as she sat. She felt tears fill her eyes as she tried to distract herself with her phone. She noticed some missed messages on her social media app and saw new messages from Sasuke. She forgot to block him on the app and decided to check the messages.

He sent her three pictures followed by a message saying: Couldn't get you off of my mind tonight. She viewed the pictures, which were all gym selfies. His small compression shirt was stretched to its limit as he flexed, revealing Sasuke's chiseled physique that was concealed just underneath. The definition of his muscles was unreal as if the photo had been manipulated, but there wasn't an obvious sign of it. His grey joggers were pulled down low, revealing the band of his underwear and treasure trail. Sakura felt a mix of emotions as she pulled her legs closer to her body, feeling cold. She checked his profile and saw that he posted the same photos to his public profile, with over a hundred likes and dozens of comments already, even though the post was only two hours old. She frowned as she put away her phone, feeling her sadness return as her fingers began to go numb and she was shaking.

Suddenly, something warm wrapped around her. She flinched as she turned her head to face the masked man, who had just covered her up in his jacket.

"Oh. It's just you." She said, shivering. "Thank you." She smiled weakly, trying to conceal her sadness.

"What is wrong? Are you going home already?" He asked as he sat down next to her.

"Yeah." She replied, looking down, feeling ashamed. "I'm sorry I left so abruptly."

"It is okay." He said. He noticed she was still cold. He removed his black gloves and handed them to her. Embarrassed, but grateful, she accepted them. She was cursing herself for not bringing a coat. She was unaware of the cold front moving in tonight. She noticed a faint scar on his right hand now that it was bare. She felt like she had seen it before but couldn't remember where. The cold and her emotions were numbing her thinking. "I will wait with you."

"Are you sure?" Sakura said, feeling guilty for taking up so much of his time.

"Oui, bien sûr." (Yes, of course) he said, smiling. Her smile returned.

"I feel like I know you," Sakura said, still scrutinizing him. Lee felt nervous again. Sakura sighed, shaking her head. "I'm just a mess tonight." She explained. "I recently broke up with my boyfriend and it's been tough. I didn't think I was going to have so much fun tonight. It's been a while since I did." She smiled. She watched as cars had passed by on the road ahead. She was hoping her mom would be here soon to save her from the frosty air, but she had to admit she was happy in the company of the masked stranger. "Thank you for dancing with me."

"I enjoyed our time together." He said as he moved in closer to her. "You are so beautiful."

Sakura looked down sheepishly, feeling warmth return to her face. She moved closer to him, and he turned, looking back at her and frozen in place. She planted a delicate kiss on his cheek. Lee felt his heart skip a beat and he swore he could hear all the angels in heaven singing in a choir. He felt his eyes water as his heart was on fire. His body felt lighter as if gravity no longer obeyed its natural law. His mind and senses went numb, although he felt warm despite the icy breeze. Sakura blushed as she wrapped his jacket tighter around herself, protecting herself from the cool breeze. He stared at her as she slightly tilted her head, inviting him to return the favor. His body now felt completely hot, almost hot enough that one could see steam wafting from his skin.

Carefully and gently, he planted a kiss on her cheek. He could smell her floral perfume on her neck. He wanted to kiss her neck too but held himself back. She felt her face flush, warming her. That feeling of intoxication filled her again as her heart fluttered. Lee felt his brain had overheated, enjoying the same euphoria. A pair of headlights snapped them out of their stupor and Sakura realized it was her mom's car.

"That's my ride." She said, looking reluctant to go. She moved to remove the jacket.

"Keep it, it is cold." He said. "I will be fine."

"Oh, thank you," Sakura said. "At least take your gloves back." She insisted. Reluctantly, he accepted them back. "Will I see you again? I never even got your name."

"À bientôt." (See you soon) He said. She smiled as she turned to the car. He quickly got up and opened the door for her, and she stepped into the passenger seat. The seat was heated, and the inside of the car was warm. Her mother was surprised by the site of the masked stranger. Sakura sat down and he carefully closed the door. Sakura waved at him as her mom took off.

"Who was that?" her mom asked, intrigued.

"I wish I could tell you." Sakura said, sadness in her voice, but she smiled as she held the jacket closer to her still. She liked the fact that it still smelled like him, a mixture of his cologne and natural musk. Its sweet and spicy scent warmed her.

"It looks like you had fun tonight! See? Didn't I tell you that you would have a wonderful time?" Her mom teased. Sakura had to admit she was right. She was talked into going. She was already wondering who this guy was. He seemed so familiar, and yet, he wasn't like anyone she knew. She could not recall knowing any guys who could dance and speak some French. His identity was a mystery. She couldn't help but smile as she thought about the night with him. She had so much fun dancing, that she didn't realize her feet were hurting. "That young man seems like a real dreamboat." Her mom commented, referring to the jacket Sakura was wearing.

"Hopefully Dad won't be too angry." Sakura joked. Her mom giggled as she continued the drive back home.

Back at the school, students had started to leave as the dance was coming to a close. Lee decided to make his way back home, feeling somewhat tired from the eventful night. He returned to his home, still feeling light as a feather and warm despite the crisp climate. He finally removed the mask and his hat as he reclined on the couch. Shino and Kiba looked at him expectedly. Lee was oblivious to them, smiling to himself as he was reminiscing over the night.

"Well? Did you score?" Kiba asked. Shino pinched him and he let out a yipe like a wounded dog.

"How did it go?" Shino asked Lee, sipping some steaming hot tea. The thermostat was still turned off, but Kiba managed to clean the chimney and get the fireplace going. The warm fire illuminated the living room and brought warmth.

"It was like a dream," Lee said. "All those dancing and French lessons paid off."

"So, what now?" Kiba asked. "Are you two going out?"

"No." Lee said sadly. Shino and Kiba looked confused. "I never took off my mask." He said, frowning.

"Seriously, dude?" Kiba said, baffled by his ineptitude. "Why?"

"I was so close, but I lost the nerve. She is still upset over Sasuke." Lee said. "It is too soon." He said hanging his head. "But we had such a great time together. She even kissed me on the cheek!" He beamed. Shino couldn't help but smile at his friend. Kiba let out a sigh, but even he felt happy for Lee.

"You will tell her eventually though, right?" Shino asked.

"I will," Lee said, determined. "I will strike when the time is right!" he said, throwing out his fist as if he was shadowboxing. Lee thought about her lips touching her cheek. He smiled and felt the need to pinch himself. He felt so happy.

Lee showered and dressed into his pajamas and a hoodie, wrapping himself like a burrito in his warm bed. He couldn't stop thinking about Sakura. He thought about the way she was looking at him and his face was beginning to hurt from smiling so much. He thought about their dancing and how much fun he had with her. He smiled until he noticed the last flower he had from the bouquet was nearly dead. He climbed out of bed and took petals from the daffodil and arranged them carefully in the middle of a book he had in his dresser. He pressed the petals between two pages and placed a heavy textbook on top of the book. Satisfied with completing the task, he returned to his bed and drifted off into a deep sleep.

Across town, Sakura was lying in her bed, cozy under her weighted blanket and her cat curled up next to her, trying to stay warm with her body heat. She thought about the masked man and remembered the feeling of his large hand on her waist as they slowly danced. Although she felt underprepared for dancing, he made her feel like a woman tonight. She still felt surprised by herself. She expected it would take more time for her broken heart to heal, and yet she couldn't wait to see him again. She frowned at the thought that she had no way of finding him. All that she knew was that he was tall, strong, and had black hair. She sighed, fearing too many guys at school fit that description. Her eyes rested on the black jacket she had hanging over the back of her chair.

She was tempted to bring the jacket back to her bed so she could smell it again. She felt weird about it, especially since this guy was still a stranger. She walked into the dance trying to keep her heart protected, but somehow this man masterfully found his way through. She thought it must be someone who knew her, but she couldn't think of who. She considered Rock Lee, who had been noticeably absent from the dance. She noticed Neji and Tenten were there. However, he might have just stayed home. Knowing him, he probably would have boldly approached Sakura at some point if he had been there. Sakura didn't know how she would react if Lee did such a thing. It couldn't have been him, she thought, because Lee never shared that he knew some French or dances. Before the dance, she felt so uncertain about love. And now, she felt like she was willing to risk being vulnerable again, so long as the guy was a gentleman like he was at the dance. She let herself drift into a deep sleep, happily dreaming about dancing some more with the handsome masked stranger.