Just so you know, everyone's relationship has developed over the time skip in the last chapter. Please excuse me. I really want to finish my other stories and start my new ones. I love you, my supportive readers. You guys are amazing. I'm surprised by the amount of you guys that checked it out yesterday. Thank you so much. I wasn't expecting that. You guys are truly amazing.

XxX

"Oh geeze, relax or you will never fit into this dress!" Ino complained as she tried to get the zipper on the back of Tenten's dress unstuck.

"It isn't my fault that they only make dresses for skinny people! Who came up with that?"

"Oh my gosh, dresses are not made for only one type of person, dresses are made for everyone that wants to wear them and flaunt it. They make dresses for every shape and size." Ino said as she finally zipped the back up. "There."

Tenten sighed in relief.

"Oh…" Hinata muttered. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Tenten.

"It's so beautiful." Ino said happily. Sakura nodded in agreement as she looked at the dazzling Tenten.

Tenten wore a gorgeous deep purple long gown. It was simple and slightly bunched around her waist, making the dress fall gorgeously down her legs. The halter top showed enough to be teasing but not too much. There were small rhinestones that embroidered it and made Tenten shine. Her brunette hair was up in a fancy up do with a few decorating pins and her eye makeup was smoky and dark. She looked absolutely stunning.

"Ugh, I want to cry just looking at you!" Ino exclaimed, she went in to hug Tenten but backed away from not wanting to ruin her masterpiece. "Ugh, I'm awesome." She said happily. Tenten laughed.

"Thank you Ino." Tenten smiled.

Ding Dong

The sound of the doorbell scared the girls. It was silent for a moment before the squealed in excitement.

"I'll get the door!" Sakura said, rushing out of the room with a wink towards the girls. She rushed down the stairs and swung the door open only to come face to face with a handsome young man in a black and white suit. Sakura gave him a broad smile as he cleared his throat nervously.

"Uh, is Tenten ready?" Sakura laughed.

"Yeah, come in." He stepped into the foyer and stood awkwardly, not really sure what to do. He waited a few moments until a few squeals from the girls upstairs were heard. The sound of a door opening caught his attention as he looked up the stairs. His heart stopped as he saw Tenten coming down the stairs. He had never seen her with makeup and her hair done with a beautiful dress. He smiled at her as she approached him.

She blushed deeply and gave him a broad smile as she saw him in his suit. He looked as good as ever.

"Hi." She said awkwardly. Neji smiled and grasped her hand.

"You look beautiful." Neji said as he gave a kiss to her hand. She blushed and looked back to the girls.

"Lock the door when you guys leave okay?" Tenten said as she turned back to the gushing girls.

"Of course!" Sakura said. Tenten smiled and with that, her and Neji were gone.

xXx

Sakura sighed and hit the couch.

"I wish I could go to prom!" Ino sighed dreamily. Sakura laughed.

"We'll have our turn." Sakura shut her eyes for a few moments, exhausted from the excitement.

"Hey! They're going to an after party…" Ino said in a suggestive manner. Sakura rolled her eyes.

"No Ino."

"Hinata! Naruto is going!" Hinata's eyes widened at Ino's comment.

"Uh, I couldn't…" Hinata muttered sheepishly.

"Nonsense! Of course you can!" Ino laughed. There was no way she was missing out on this one.

"Ino! We've been to enough dramatic parties to last me a lifetime." Sakura complained.

"Just relax, this one will be fun!"

"You said that last time."

"Come on! It'll be our only chance to talk to Tenten about prom!"

Silence.

"Ugh!" Sakura said caving in.

"Ha! Curiousity is a dangerous thing." Ino laughed as she quickly grabbed her makeup and hair tools she had used on Tenten. "Now come on, we're going to go to my hosue to grab some clothes."

"What about Hinata? Hinata, do you want to go?" Sakura said, almost pleadingly.

"Well, it would be fun." She said shyly. Sakura sighed hopelessly.

"Come on." Ino said impatiently. The girls grabbed their things and left Tenten's house locking it behind them.

xXx

"I am so awesome." Ino said triumphantly. The three of them stood looking like a hot mess in front of the Hyuuga household.

"I-I didn't even k-know Neji was having a party here." Muttered Hinata.

Hinata wore a dark blue A line dress that ended above her knees and strappy heels. Sakura twirled in a tight fitted dark red dress and Ino was complete with a little black dress that complimented her gorgeously.

"It's okay Hinata, that's what you have us for." Ino smiled as she led them into the house. It was already filled with people in their after prom clothes and a few students from their grade.

"Sakura." Someone whispered behind her. She jumped and turned only to be face to face with onyx eyes and gorgeous dark hair. She blushed at their proximity. Sasuke grinned and wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Well that was fast Sasuke." She teased. He buried his nose in her pink hair and nodded.

"I can't miss the pink hair." He laughed. Ino groaned.

"Way to take me friend so fast Sasuke!"

"Shikamaru's on the couch over there," He nodded in the opposite direction where another boy sat looking bored. Ino eagerly waved at Sakura before disappearing towards Shikamaru.

"Hinata!" A loud voice was heard as the attractive blonde appeared. Hinata smiled at him.

"Hi Naruto." She said.

"Nice party!"

"I-It's not my party…" She said sheepishly. Naruto laughed.

"Nonsense! Come on! Let's go have fun." Naruto wrapped his arm over her shoulder as they also disappeared. Leaving Sasuke and Sakura to themselves.

"Come." Sasuke said. He gently led Sakura to the front where the DJ was playing loud music. Before Sakura knew it, they were dancing to the beat. He was behind her as they cheered the DJ on. He quietly kissed the nape of her neck and it sent shivers down her spine. She turned to face him and smiled teasingly before pulling him towards her in a kiss. He smirked against her lips as she leaned into him. As they pulled away his eyes sparkled in admiration.

He smirked and turned her around, holding her as they swayed to the beat.

xXx

"Hinata, you know, I think you're real pretty." Hinata laughed awkwardly.

"You've t-told me b-before." She said softly, although she still wasn't used to hearing Naruto say such words. Naruto laughed and pulled Hinata to him.

"You're amazing Hinata-chan." Naruto whispered, causing Hinata to turn redder than ever. She definitely was not used to that! Naruto grazed her cheek with his lips and Hinata froze. What was happening?

Finally she felt very gentle warmth against her mouth. Naruto smiled against her when he felt Hinata tremble in his hold. Although she was frozen, she wanted to stay this way, she felt happy like this. Exactly like this. And she hoped they would stay the way they were forever.

xXx

"Why are you here so bored?"

Shikamaru turned to see Ino smiling as always at him.

"Parties are so superficial."

"Than why are you here?" She was right. Why was he there? He hated these useless gatherings. And it wasn't like he went to prom.

"Mm…" He said quietly. Ino sighed impatiently.

"Please! You're here to see me!" she laughed and sat beside him. He blushed slightly as he felt her warmth beside him.

"Right…" He said. Although he hated to admit it, it was true, he had secretly wanted to see Ino and her smile. And she attends almost every party, so of course, he had attended almost every party. "Che." He sighed, how amusing that he hadn't realized it sooner.

"Anyway, do you like my look?" she batted her eyes and Shikamaru smirked.

"You look beautiful." Ino was unprepared for that. She blushed slightly and gave Shikamaru a broad smile that lit up the room.

"Thank you Shika." She replied. He shrugged and reached for her face. He gently brushed a stray hair away from her face. She jumped shocked by his actions. "What are you doing?"

"You had a hair in your mouth." He lied, Ino laughed awkwardly. An odd silence surrounded the two. They had been childhood friends forever and awkward just didn't happen to them. So what was happening? Shikamaru cleared his throat.

"Well, I better go home, this isn't my scene." He stood up about to walk away when Ino grabbed his hand.

"Uh," she was stunned by her own actions as he looked at her expectantly. "Why are you leaving already? I just got here."

Shikamaru smirked. "I didn't know you wanted me that badly." Ino looked in horror.

"N-No, I just-" She froze. She just what? What did she want? She wasn't sure. But she knew what she didn't want. She didn't want Shikamaru to leave yet. She wanted to hang out with him longer.

Shikamaru's hand reached for her cheek, this time it lingered. "I get it." He said. She didn't need to say anything. Neither did he. She smiled and leaned into him to give him a warm hug. Although Ino talked a lot, she didn't need to use many words with Shikamaru. And when she did, he always listened, even when he was bored.

"I-" She froze. What did she almost say? I love you? "Thank you." She whispered instead. Shikamaru pulled her closer to him where they stayed until the music died down to a slow song. Ino blushed before looking at Shikamaru.

"Let's dance." She said happily, Shikamaru followed her as the two disappeared into the crowd.

xXx

"Woo!" Tenten yelled as she wiped her mouth. After such an intense shot, she was sure she would be immobilized for the rest of the night. Neji grinned and pulled her to him.

"You're beautiful Tenten." He said. Tenten flushed and nodded.

"You're quite handsome yourself." She laughed. Neji's grin broadened as he leaned in to kiss the brunette beauty. They had danced closely the entire night and laughed with their classmates throughout the night. They were finally back in the Hyuuga household, still dressed in their prom clothes, and taking shots with others in the kitchen.

"I would tell you to watch how much you drink, but you're already home." A deep voice caught Tenten's attention as she turned to Sasuke.

"Heyyyyy SSSasssukeee." She slurred. Sakura couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips.

"Oh god Tenten, you must be having fun." She laughed. Tenten nodded eagerly.

"I love you Sakura." She smiled happily. "You better take care of her Sasuke!" she yelled. Sasuke nodded. Tenten smiled and held onto Neji's neck for support, although Neji was no better than her.

"I don't know how you still look gorgeous after going to prom AND getting drunk." Sakura laughed.

"I have to thank Ino. Where is she?" Tenten looked around eagerly.

"Dancing."

"Neji…" Sakura said in a concerned voice.

"She'll stay here tonight. You know I will protect her." Neji assured. Sakura smiled.

"Actually, I'm sure Hinata will sleep with her." Sakura laughed at Neji's confused look. "You are in no shape to care for her."

Tenten laughed and grabbed Sakura's hand. "I love you Sakura!" She said happily. Sakura laughed and nodded.

"I love you too!"

"Yo Neji!" A cry was heard from the other side of the room. It was Kiba.

"Heeey!" called Neji.

"Come help me with this, there's girls stuck in the bathroom." Neji rolled his eyes and held onto Tenten's hand and took her towards Kiba.

Sakura laughed happily. She was grateful for having such true friends. And she was grateful for having Sasuke at her side. They were always there for her, and they always made her smile.

"Sakura." She looked up at the Uchiha with a broad smile.

"I'm really happy Sasuke." She said. She had amazing people in her life, and she couldn't be happier. He pulled her to him and kissed her forehead.

"I'm glad." He gave her a broad smile and hugged her tightly, her flower smell drifting through his sense. She was really happy to be in his arms, and he was happy to be in hers. Even through the bad events and the drama in life, she knew she would be okay with her friends and Sasuke beside her. There is always a rainbow after a storm.

xXx

I have had the most amazing, supportive, and loyal readers through this journey. I really love you guys! Thank you for everything. You inspire me to write and inspire me to be better.

I hope you enjoyed reading my story. I know it gets off track sometimes and can be choppy due to the time I took off of it, but I really appreciate that you guys take the time to read it. I'm sorry if the ending was rushed. I just felt like it was time already to finish it and I can't keep you guys waiting another eight years! Ugh, I am so sorry about that. I really hope you all enjoyed my story.

Please review and let me know your thoughts, I read every review and your words matters to me. 3

Continue with me on my journey to The Tiger Lily. I am excited to continue it and turn the story into a beautiful art work. You can find the story under my profile

Much much love, as always and forever

- Jaciie :)