Ch .X Could It Be by Christy Carlson Romano

"Guy. Pull yourself together and get out of there," Kakashi said to a door.

"Snake scary," came a slurred voice.

"Snake gone," Kakashi said.

God. Who gets drunk on sugar? Retards.

Tsunade analyzed her surroundings. The Hokage's ballroom was in ruins. The roof had collapsed in chunks and the night sky was clear above everyone. The floor was flooded with debris and all the equipment used to make the dance exciting was in pieces. The decorations were in shreds. She sighed.

"Oh well. At least that snake is gone and everyone's safe."

"So…now what?" Kiba asked.

"Uh…good question," Tsunade replied scratching her head.

"We should celebrate!" Naruto called.

"What's to celebrate?" Sakura asked, clinging to Sasuke's arm like a magnet to a refrigerator door.

"We can celebrate Orochimaru's defeat and the success of the 'DreamDateDance!'"

"The dance wasn't very successful if you take a look around," Neji remarked.

"Thanks Neji. I can always count on you to back me up."

"Don't start you two," Tenten said, tugging Neji away from a glaring contest with Naruto.

"I have to announce to the village that it's safe," Tsunade said. "Kakashi! I'm leaving you in charge of these guys. Enjoy yourselves if you can. Come on Shizune!"

"Right!"

The two women left.

"So, Kakashi-sensei, what are we going to do?" Naruto asked.

"Well, we still have to crown the king and queen of the 'DreamDateDance—'"

"Ooooh! Pick us! I'll take it!" Naruto volunteered him and Hinata.

"No way! We should get it!" Ino protested, dragging Kiba over.

"When I said you could kill each other over it I wasn't serious!" Kakashi hollered over the arguing teenagers.

"You want it?" Sasuke asked Sakura in a corner away from the violent, teenage voices.

"Not really. I wouldn't want to put you through that," Sakura said, squeezing his hand.

"If you want it I'll get it for you."

"No. I don't need it. All I need, I already have."

She hugged his arm.

"Let's go outside," he said.

"Okay."

"What is wrong with them?" Tenten questioned.

"There all drunk on popularity," Neji replied.

"So…what now?"

"Maybe I should take you home."

"No! I'm not ready for the night to end yet!"

"Oh. Okay."

Neji scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

"Um…then…what do you want to do?"

"I need some air."

"Okay. Come on."

Taking her hand, Neji led Tenten outside.

…..

"Sweet! We hit the jackpot!"

"Don't you need a license to shoot those things off?"

"We're ninjas! We don't need licenses!"

Instead of fighting the others, Temari and Shikamaru had snuck to the back of the ballroom and had discovered boxes of fireworks!

"This'll 'lighten' up everyone's mood after that battle. Heh. Get it? Lighten up everyone's mood?"

"Um, yeah."

"You're supposed to laugh slacker."

"Ha."

"Very funny. Got a match?"

"Why would I be carrying matches around?"

"I guess that's a no. How hard do you think a fireball jutsu is?"

"Here. I have an idea."

Shikamaru picked up two rocks and rubbed them against each other. Sparks fell onto the fireworks' tails. They started sizzling and burning.

"Duck and cover!" Temari laughed, tackling Shikamaru to the ground.

I know we've been friends forever

But now I think I'm feeling something totally new

And after all this time I've opened up my eyes

Now I see you were always with me

Naruto and Ino were bickering over who should get the title still. Kakashi had started reading his book halfway through the argument. Kiba and Hinata were observing the conflict from a safe distance.

"Amazing. It's like the crisis never happened to them," Kiba said.

"That's just like them isn't it?"

"Yeah. Good point."

Kakashi finally snapped from the arguing teenagers and came up with an idea.

"Okay," he started, silencing the blondes. "I shall now choose who the rulers of the 'DreamDateDance' are," he continued dramatically. "I now dub Naruto Uzumaki as the King of the 'DreamDateDance.'"

"Yes!" Naruto bellowed, jumping in joy.

"And I dub Ino Yamanka as Queen of the 'DreamDateDance.' You may kiss the bride."

"What!?"

"You two are going to rule the 'DreamDateDance' side by side forever and ever so it makes sense."

"Ew! You know what? No! Kiba! You can be king! I'm outta here! Come on Hinata!"

Taking Hinata's hand, Naruto rushed outside.

I'm such a genius, Kakashi thought to himself.

"Okay Kiba. You're the new king. Come over here and kiss your queen."

Both Ino and Kiba turned the deepest shade of red. Thankfully, at that precise moment, the starlit sky exploded in a rain of colors.

"Fireworks!" Ino exclaimed.

"Who got into those?" Kakashi asked himself.

As Naruto and Hinata passed through the exit of the ballroom, they heard a loud crash from above. Looking into the sky they saw fireworks.

"Sweet! Just what we needed right Hinata?"

"Mmhm," she replied with a smile.

"Come on! Let's get a better view!"

Laughing, Naruto and Hinata went in search of a better view. They passed a tree and were called to a stop. When Naruto looked up into the tree, he saw Sasuke and Sakura lying side by side on a large branch.

"What do you want Sasuke?" he asked, annoyed.

"I just wanted to thank you for taking are of Sakura while I was gone."

Naruto stared at Sasuke for a little bit, wondering if he was on something.

"Did you have too much fruit punch or something? You never thank anyone!"

"I'm in a good mood."

"You're never in a good mood either."

"Come on Naruto. Just accept his thanks. It's a once in a lifetime chance," Sakura said.

"Fine. Your welcome Sasuke."

"Thanks Naruto. Oh yeah! Naruto? I'm sorry I was a bitch to you tonight."

"That's okay. I understand. I know that if Hinata ran away from me I'd be upset too."

As he said this, Naruto pulled Hinata a little closer. She smiled at him.

"We're going to go find a place to watch the fireworks. You want to come?"

"No thanks. We can see fine from here," Sasuke replied.

"Okay. I still hate you Sasuke," Naruto said, as they walked away.

"I still hate you more."

"I still hate you ten times more.

"Twenty times."

"Thirty."

"Forty."

"Fifty."

"Sixty."

"One hundred."

"One hundred fifty."

"Screw it Sasuke!"

"I hate you too!"

Could it be you and I never imagined

Could it be suddenly I'm falling for you

Could it be you were right here beside me and I never knew

Could it be that it's true that it's you

"How could this night get any better?"

Neji knew one thing but didn't say it. Neji and Tenten were lying on a hill and the sky was clear of trees or buildings. When the firecrackers exploded they left everything bathed in neon light.

"Aside from Orochimaru attacking, this night was perfect. Thanks for taking me Neji."

She took her eyes from the sky and looked at Neji, lying beside her.

"Thanks for asking," he replied.

Tenten smiled and looked back at the fireworks. The fireworks weren't helpfully distracting Ino and Kiba like they had hoped they would. What Kakashi had wanted them to do was lingering over their heads like thunderclouds.

Kiss? Does he even want to kiss me? Ino thought, pretending to watch the fireworks. Yeah right. Why would he want to kiss a slut like me?
Why would she want to kiss a nobody like me? I mean, she's like royalty almost. I'm nothing. Just a peasant with delusions of grandeur. She wouldn't want to kiss me, Kiba thought.

Why did I have to fall for the crazy one? Shikamaru asked himself.

Temari was laughing as the fireworks set off into the sky. She had the most beautiful laugh he realized. And when she laughed she looked most beautiful; when she was happy. A smile snuck onto Shikamaru's face as he watched her laugh. She was perfect, not crazy.

It's kind of funny you were always near

But who would ever thought that we would end up here

And every time I needed you you've been there to pull me through

Now it's clear I've been waiting for you

"Sasuke?"

"Yeah?"

"Um…never mind…"

"Don't hesitate to ask me a question Sakura. I don't care how ridiculous it is. I'll answer."

"Well, it's sort of a personal question though."

"It doesn't matter how personal it is either."

"Okay. Well…if we're going to get into a relationship…do you think you'll be able to give all of your love to me?"

"Why wouldn't I?" he asked, looking at her curiously.

"You know…you told me you used to love…"

"Oh. That. That was a long time ago Sakura. Before I knew any better. I promise, nothing's going to come between us Sakura. I can give you anything you ask of me."

Looking into his obsidian eyes, she knew he meant it. That made her smile. The sparkle in her jade eyes made Sasuke smile back.

Naruto and Hinata found a hill to sit on to watch the fireworks. They made themselves comfortable just as a blue firework sparkled in the sky. Hinata immediately was reminded of Narutos' bright blue eyes. She smiled. As the blue sparks drifted to Earth a white firework crackled to life. Naruto recognized the silver color of Hinata's eyes and blushed.

Could it be you and I never imagined

Could it be suddenly I'm falling for you

Could it be you were right here beside me and I never knew

Could it be that it's true that it's you

It's strange, Tenten thought. We've been so close all this time. How come it took so long to just 'fess up?

Tenten couldn't concentrate on the rainbows of light. All she wanted to do was stare at Neji and look into his eyes. She wanted to get lost in those silver pools and see her future. She sighed and that drew Neji's attention. He looked at her and she looked at him. Their gazes locked and they couldn't look away.

Ino couldn't help it. She had to look at Kiba. She had to ask him how he felt about kissing her. When she finally forced herself to look at him he was already looking at her. Anything she planned on saying got lost in his dog-like eyes. She never realized how strange his eyes were. They were just slitted and that was it. Maybe it was the strangeness of his eyes that held her gaze hostage.

Naruto was curious. He wanted to compare the color of the firecracker to Hinata's eyes. Hinata wanted to do the same. They glanced at each other at the same time. When they were caught in each other's eyes they turned and looked at each other fully in the eyes. Hinata realized that the firework had nothing on Naruto's eyes. They were like sapphires she realized. Naruto felt the same way. He didn't know how to describe Hinata's eyes. They weren't pale enough to be pearls or crystals. So what were they?

Today is the start of the rest of our lives

I can see it in your eyes

Oh that it's real and it's true and it's just me and you

Could it be that it's true that it's you

Shikamaru didn't realize he was staring at Temari until her dark, turquoise eyes met his. She had astounding eyes. They were fiery, determined, but playful eyes. She really was perfect. And then, Temari lunged in and wrapped Shikamaru up in a big kiss.

"Whoa!" he exclaimed, when she pulled away.

"Admit it. You just scored big time slacker."

"Hell yeah."

Temari kissed him again.

It seemed to Tenten like she was getting sucked into the silver puddles of Neji's gaze. They were getting closer and closer. It wasn't until she felt Neji's calm breath on her skin that she realized their faces were inches apart. Was this it? Was it really going to happen? Their lips touched ever so slightly. Then, Neji leaned in and kissed her gathering her up in his arms.

Hesitantly, Naruto leaned closer to Hinata, his face glowing a soft pink color. He relaxed a little when he saw Hinata lean in too. When their lips finally met, all traces of hesitation left Naruto's mind. He reached up and cupped her face in his hands. Hinata wrapped her arms around his neck and inched closer to deepen the kiss.

Ino and Kiba didn't hesitate. Ino jumped into Kiba's arms and planted a firm kiss on his lips. Kiba didn't fight her. He held her tightly and spun her around.

"Sasuke? Can you promise me something?"

They were inches apart but Sakura wanted to ask before he kissed her again. He gave her the slightest of nods never letting go of her gaze.

"Promise me you'll never do something stupid and run away like that again."

He chuckled quietly. The sound was like water gently running over stones, like a babbling brook.

"I can't promise I won't do anything stupid. My ego's way too big for that."

Sakura laughed. The sound was like a wind chime or a songbird.

"But I promise I won't run away again."

"Okay. I'll settle for that."

He kissed her again. Tenten, Sakura, and Hinata got the boys of their dreams that night. Ino found true love and got her fairy tale ending. Shikamaru found his perfect match. Kiba, Sasuke, Naruto, and Neji finally figured out where they belonged and who they belonged with. All that was left for all of them now was the future.

Could it be you and I never imagined

Could it be suddenly I'm falling for you

Could it be you were right here beside me and I never knew

Could it be that it's true that it's you

A/N: Finally done! Review people review! I'm desperate!