Chapter 8

Here In Your Arms

A girl had come up and requested a dance with Naruto, and many lined up in waiting, eager for their turn. Hinata looked at the scene sadly but shrugged, accepting her defeat as a sense of resignation washed over her. Perhaps tonight was not the night she danced with Naruto. Kiba was successful in his bravery to secure a dance with a girl of his interest. She was not. Naruto had even left her present on the table just like that, along with a mountain of others.

She sighed. That just left her and Neji standing idly at the corner. The night was still young, and she could perhaps still salvage some enjoyment out of it. She turned to look up at Neji expectantly, her eyes conveying a message he did not understand.

"What is it, Hinata-sama?" he asked. She shook her head, her eyes widening with unspoken turmoil. Neji puzzled over her cryptic message, scanning their surroundings for any clue. He saw Naruto involved in a sexy dance with a huddle of girls. He wondered if she wanted him to interrupt on her behalf, and he felt a surge of apprehension.

"Do you want me to fetch Naruto?" he sighed, but she shook her head indignantly, and relief flooded into him.

He was actually relieved that Hinata no longer intended to skulk around Naruto at the moment, but it still stressed him to wonder what was going on in her mind. He knew not to probe her, or she'd just retreat back in her shell.

As the song ended and the soft strains of another slow song filled the air, Tenten returned to them without Lee, her cheeks tinged with pink from the exertion of dancing. Neji, noticing her return, raised an eyebrow in mild amusement.

"Where did you leave your partner?" he inquired, scanning the room casually.

"He went to get drinks," Tenten replied with a shrug, her gaze drifting towards the refreshment area.

Meanwhile, Hinata fidgeted nervously, her gaze alternating between Neji and the other couples twirling gracefully on the dance floor and as more couples made their way. Sensing her hesitation, Neji and Tenten turned their attention to her, waiting for her to speak as she twiddled her thumbs, bringing up the courage.

"Umm..." Hinata began hesitantly, but her words trailed off as she blushed and glanced away.

Neji, ever patient, gently prodded, "What is it, Hinata-sama?"

Unable to voice her desire, Hinata shyly averted her gaze once more, feeling a pang of longing as she watched the others enjoying themselves. Standing idly by with Neji was not quite the experience she had hoped for amidst the lively atmosphere of the party. She wanted to have some fun too.

"Do you want me to get you a drink as well?" Neji finally asked, unable to comprehend her glances to the dance floor.

She shook her head wildly, turning away once more.

Sensing her discomfort, Tenten let out an exasperated sigh and intervened, realizing Hinata's unspoken wish. "You fucking idiot," she stated bluntly, smacking a hand against her forehead in frustration at Neji's obliviousness. "She wants to have a dance with you," she said.

Neji blinked in surprise, a faint blush coloring his cheeks as he comprehended Tenten's words. Hinata, flustered by the sudden attention, glanced away once more, feeling a mix of embarrassment and hope.

Gathering his composure, Neji cleared his throat and addressed Hinata directly. "Ahem," he coughed, drawing her attention. "Hinata-sama, would you like to dance?"

His invitation sparked a bright smile on Hinata's face, her eyes shining with delight. "I-I would love to, Neji-niisan," she stammered, accepting his outstretched arm. Tenderly placing her fingers in his, she allowed him to gently lead her towards the dance floor, her heart fluttering with anticipation.

As they began to sway to the rhythm, there was an undeniable sense of grace and elegance in their movements. Tenten smiled at the pair, happy that Neji - though he would never admit it to anyone else but her - got to realize his wish for a dance with Hinata tonight.

Neji, ever composed and refined, led with a confident poise, his hand resting lightly on Hinata's waist. His movements were deliberate yet fluid, guiding her with a gentle yet assured touch.

Hinata, her delicate frame nestled against Neji's, mirrored his steps with a softness and grace of her own. Her hand rested lightly on his shoulder, fingers trembling slightly with nervous anticipation.

As they danced, a subtle yet undeniable spark seemed to flicker to life between them. It was a fleeting moment, easily missed by an outsider. In the gentle press of their bodies and the shared rhythm of their steps, there was an unspoken energy that pulsed between them.

Neji's gaze softened as he looked into Hinata's eyes, seeing a depth of feeling starting to mirror in her own. There was a warmth in her smile, a tenderness in her touch, that spoke volumes without the need for words.

For him, every movement felt electric, as if a current of electricity passed between them with each step.

Hinata, likewise, felt a sense of closeness, of connection, that she hadn't experienced before, and it filled her with a quiet sense of wonder.

Neji couldn't help but wonder if Hinata saw him as more than just a friend and a cousin. He longed to tell her how he felt, to pour out his heart and lay bare his emotions, but uncertainty as usual held him back, and he feared it always would.

What if she didn't feel the same way? What if his confession only served to push her further away? The thought sent a chill down his spine, and he tightened his grip on her hand, as if seeking reassurance. He could not lose her.

She was in love with Naruto. And he was her protector and guardian, and there was nothing more to it. And if that's what she wanted, if that was what would make her happy, then that was what he would help her achieve, and he would learn to keep his feelings buried, like he had done so for years.

But as the music continued to play and they danced in silence, Neji couldn't help but hope that maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for something more between them. And as he looked into Hinata's eyes, he allowed himself to dream of a future where they could be more than just friends, where their love could blossom and flourish like the petals of a delicate flower.

Sakura didn't answer, her eyes just wide in disbelief. He was so nervous waiting for her response, knowing that she would most probably just shoot him down, that he broke into a cold sweat. He didn't want her to think that he was desperate.

"It's ok if you don't want to," he hurriedly concluded when she kept looking at him for a full minute, speechless. "No pressure."

She continued looking at him and her hands reached up both sides of his head and her fingers buried in his hair, interrupting his speech. She pulled him down, closer to her, a hair's distance between their lips. He broke into more cold sweat as they felt each other's breath, once more daring the other to even tilt one of their heads to close the distance. One of his hands was still at her waist while the other had lightly touched her cheek. He slowly pulled it up to cup her face with both hands, not blinking at all, completely oblivious to the room, to their surroundings. He could no longer hear the people chattering and dancing around them nor could he make out what music was playing anymore or if another song had started playing. It was her, and only her who mattered, the object of his focus, and the entire background and surrounding was just white noise.

Unable to take it anymore, she finally snapped. She angled her face and grabbed his lips, devouring his mouth in hers, smashing their mouths together. His eyes, if possible, grew even wider. She continued looking at him as she chewed his upper lip, her face jammed against his, and he had to breathe through his nose once more to prevent suffocation. Once he did, it appeared that he took another hit to his brain with her scent, almost knocking him out as his eyes half-closed in ecstasy. He groaned loudly and Sakura just deepened the kiss, opening his mouth with hers and his eyes slowly closed. He clutched her face and returned the kiss, eliciting a loud moan in response. He stuck his tongue in her mouth, and she granted him full access.

Kiba felt like a bomb had exploded too close to his ear, as all he heard was a high-pitched noise and all he felt was the woman in front of him. He tipped her head back as he leaned in over her, grasping her for dear life as she did the same. She nibbled his lip and ran her tongue over his right fang, and then over the entirety of his upper teeth, lingering on his left fang. He was careful not to poke her but she pressed her lips harder against his. The resultant groan told him that she actually liked it. She broke contact with his lips to kiss him all over the face, licking his nose and his cheeks, not sure what she was after.

As the dance continued, Sakura and Kiba's connection deepened, culminating in their first kiss that caught the attention of the group. They had been drinking silently, enjoying one another's company. But as soon as they saw their two friends kiss on the dance floor in plain sight of everyone, the whispers grew louder, and the commentary more animated.

As the couple had leaned in so close, a hair's distance between their lips, Naruto tugged the scruff of his collar. "Is it me, or has it suddenly gotten too hot in here?"

Lee responded in kind. "I guess it's the heat coming from the dance floor, as before it was the friction of our dance battle, and now it is the intensity of their moment!"

And as their lips finally touched, Naruto, unable to contain his excitement, exclaimed, "Whoa! Did they just...?"

Rock Lee, equally surprised, added, "Indeed! Love blooms even in chaos!"

Tenten, realizing the significance of the moment, stepped forward with a decisive look. "Alright, guys, let's give them some space. Looks like this dance is more than just a dance. We don't want to ruin the moment. Let's respect their privacy."

Naruto, glanced back at Kiba and Sakura. "Lucky dog. How the hell did he manage to pull this off?" Naruto muttered under his breath. "I'm going back to dancing too, perhaps get my own kiss," he told the duo, and went where his fangirls awaited.

Lee once more turned to Tenten, extending his hand to her with a warm smile, perhaps encouraged by Kiba's boldness and needing to take a step further himself. This time, she accepted without hesitation, her eyes meeting his in a silent understanding. She had hoped he would offer again, and she was filled with glee that he had understood. Perhaps she too was encouraged by Kiba and Sakura taking a step further, though she wasn't sure she was ready. Either way, she was very happy that Sakura choosing his rival had not dampened Lee's mood. Perhaps, since hopefully Sakura would be out of his mind now, he may focus more on her.

Stepping onto the dance floor, their movements were fluid and effortless, as if they had danced together countless times before. With each gentle sway and graceful turn, they communicated without uttering a single word, their connection deepening with every shared step. Tenten met his eyes, and was lost herself to the moment.

Locked in a mesmerizing gaze, Lee and Tenten exchanged unspoken sentiments, their eyes reflecting a shared understanding and trust. It was very unlike Lee not to say anything, and there was power in that silence as Tenten, hesitatingly at first, rested her head on his chest and his hands wrapped around hers in a soothing embrace, holding her close.

This was not bad at all, Tenten thought, closing her eyes.

He dropped to her chin, licking it and proceeded to her jaw, her neck, till he came to rest on the bottom of her throat. Her head was thrown back as he sucked it like he needed it for oxygen, and her moans just kept sending him into a frenzy. Desire rose through every follicle in his skin as he placed his teeth on the side of her neck and bit gently, and he knew he was fully hard. But he could do nothing as Sakura replied him by trying to wrap her leg around his thigh, squeezing herself as she hugged him tighter, like she wanted to get absorbed into him.

She broke the kiss, having felt his hardness on her thigh and her eyes were wide as she looked at him. Had she done that to him? His face was completely red and his breathing was so heavy. It wasn't the drink, she knew, which had also now made her drunk with desire. This time, she took his hand in hers and led him away from the dance floor. It wasn't long till they reached a darkened corner and as soon as they did, she pushed him against the wall, pinning both of his arms. He looked down at her, punch-drunk as well, but with desire, and he definitely did not mind being in a compromising position. She looked down at the obvious bulge in his pants then back up at him.

He opened his lips and tried to say something, probably asking her intentions, but she did not let a single word escape his mouth. She lurched forward and buried his mouth in hers once more. Her tongue was hot, and the pressure was hard, so much so that she felt his stubble scratching her cheeks hard enough to leave marks. She felt his fangs occasionally poking her lips and pressed harder, hard enough to force them to sink into her lower lip and draw blood.

He groaned very loudly, but thankfully, the loud music and the chatter of the people in the room drowned him out easily. She pulled back to observe the trickle of blood on his lips and teeth. He slowly licked them clean, snatching his arms away from hers and grabbing hers instead, rolling her over and now pushing her against the wall in a successful reversal. His subsequent licking cleaned the blood around her own lips and in turn elicited a very loud moan from her this time. Her hands strayed all over his arms and his chest, lowering down to his hips while his roamed up and down the sides of her body. She pulled him close to her, and felt his hardness on her pelvis as she pushed into him as well.

He lifted her up and Sakura's legs went around his waist immediately. She comfortably sat in his hold, remotely aware that this way, he was feeling her bottom. He captured her lips once more, their mouths opening wider than ever, their tongues engaging in a fierce battle for dominance. He humped her rhythmically against the wall like a wild animal inside him was struggling to escape. He found that to be the only way to even remotely sate the incessant throbbing in his groin which had now grown painful, oh so painful.

Sakura felt waves of electricity every time his hardness came in contact with her crotch. She wanted more, oh so much more. She tried to move her waist, trying to receive a more forceful thrust, not quite sure what she was expecting. She hopped back down, rolling him over, and doing just that. She lifted her leg so that a wider speck of area would be pressed against him, his rhythmic, breathy moans loud against her mouth.

A surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins, his heart pounding in his chest. The intensity of her gaze, filled with a potent mixture of passion, lust, and desire, sent shivers down his spine.

"We... we should get out of here," he managed to murmur, his voice barely above a whisper, his breath hot against her skin. "We're… we're kind of getting carried away."

But she shook her head, her eyes locking onto his with unwavering determination, her eyes misty. Here, in his arms, nothing else mattered.

"I want to be carried away," she confessed, her voice a breathless whisper that sent a thrill racing through him.

Caught in the heat of the moment, he glanced around the crowded room, suddenly aware of the storm of people swirling around them. Despite the chaos surrounding them, all he could focus on was her, the magnetic pull between them drawing him closer with each passing second.

He met her gaze once more, his own eyes reflecting the fire that burned within her. Unaware of the lipstick marks adorning his face, he leaned in closer, his lips hovering just inches from hers, ready to lose himself in the whirlwind of passion that awaited them.

"Wanna come over to mine's?" he asked her gingerly. "Ma's not gonna be home from her own party till a couple of hours at least and Hana's still here somewhere."

With a hesitant nod, she signaled her agreement, her heart pounding with anticipation as he took her hand in his, their fingers intertwining in a silent promise of what was to come.

They made their way through the crowded club, the sound of their mingled breaths and the rhythm of their racing hearts was all she heard and felt. She was unable to make sense of her surroundings, completely trusting him to lead the way. Hand in hand, they stepped out into the cool night air, leaving the chaos of the club behind them. Under the soft glow of the streetlights, they walked side by side, their footsteps falling into sync as they disappeared into the darkness together.