She Liked To Think.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Summary: There were many things that she used to like to think; that her heart was unbreakable, that her parents were normal, that she was too clever to make mistakes. But she was only human; and no human is perfect. Her life has always run like clockwork, but we all know that batteries need changing.
Authors Note: A little something I feel like writing after a holiday in France and Germany... in a tent. Roll on the day I get a good bed!
Her high heels clacked along the smooth laminate flooring of her office. Her long fingers, which were attached to dainty hands, held a file; while her nails rested gently on the surface. Her nails were long, manicured and decorated in a pearly shade similar to the colour of the rock mother of pearl.
The women had long legs, which if it was a choice of her own, would be covered in anything baggy. But time had taught her that ageing brought responsibility, which led to a new wardrobe. The slender legs, which were always hidden, were covered in elegant, while flattering, opaque tights. Above the knees came a black pencil skirt, which had a white blouse tucked into it. Over the top of that blouse was a thin black cardigan, which she wondered if it was necessary. She had on thick brown bangles, and a long metal necklace with beads spread at random points on. Her aching feet were pushed into a plain pair of black leather heels.
This was a far fetch from what she used to wear five years previously when she had first entered the business fresh out of college. Entering the world of work brought a new requirement of formal wear, for now she had to impress clients, her boss, and anyone whom was higher in the business then herself. Her boss had hired her a personal shopper, and hence she had been kitted out in what was thought of as flattering, while hiding the flaws.
She fell down into her desk chair, and brought her ankles towards her. Slipping one of her shoes of, she massaged her sore ankles, and sighed. Putting the shoe back on she repeated the exercise for her other foot.
"You have a call waiting, from Naruto Uzamaki wanting to organise a surprise party. You also have a message from your dad asking for you to ring him as soon as you have a spare moment, he said it was urgent," Her secretary recited from the door. She was a rather beautiful person, in more ways then just looks. She had a catchy smile, and her soul was kind; though she could bitch as much as the next person when needed. She had a mixture that you would tend to associate with a gay man; honest, brilliant fashion sense and sharp. She was also drop dead gorgeous, and she knew it. She had long blonde hair, and a single bang covering one of her sparkling blue eyes.
"Thanks Ino, I will call Naruto, then my dad," She sighed. She had been out of the office for half an for a breakfast finalising a deal with a caterer, and already she had a full days work.
Taking a note from Ino with the number on it, she dialled it, throwing her aching feet onto the desk.
"Hello, is Naruto Uzamaki available please?" she asked. "My names Tenten, Mr Uzamaki called me earlier today, and this is the first chance I have had to ring him back. That would be great, thanks."
Tenten waited patiently as the person on the other end connected her to her man.
"Hey Tenten, thanks for ringing back!" He exclaimed. "Right, Hinata's birthday is coming up, and we are planning a massive surprise party, but to be honest with you, we have no idea where to start."
"Right," Tenten held in a sigh. "Do you have any ideas yet?"
"No..." Came the sheepish reply. Tenten didn't hold in the sigh this time, she would be here a while. Time didn't change some.
*
She walked over to the blonde in the restaurant. It was gone six, and Tenten had left work early to go to dinner with him. Though she hadn't exactly left work early, for this dinner was work orientated.
When she was stood by the table she unbuttoned her cardigan, and walked to the back of the chair, slipping her jacket off and placing it carefully behind her before sitting down.
"God, Tenten, how long has it been!" Naruto exclaimed, as she examined the drinks menu.
"Eighteen months, give or take a few weeks," She replied still scanning the list.
"Man, how did we let it get that long," He laughed.
"I don't know, I guess sometimes love distracts you from friendship," She smiled kindly, before beckoning over a waiter.
"I guess that's true," He smirked. "But man you look great, but what's with the skirt. Come on we had to fight to get you into a bikini!"
"I got promoted, comes with the job," she laughed. "And come on, that was when I was nineteen, and everyone thought I was more of a male then Shikamaru. Things change."
"And I know many from out own crowd that would be loving the change," He winked, Tenten knew exactly who he was on about, and blushed.
"Well, enough about that," She was beginning to feel uncomfortable, believe it or not she had drifted away from that crowd for more reason then they thought. "Have you given the party any more thought?"
"Well yes..." He went shy, and scratchy around the neck. Tenten tilted her head to the side, a gesture that Naruto well knew meant for him to carry on. "Well me and Hinata have been in love for well over two years now, and I was thinking, that maybe an engagement would be a wonderful thing to do at the party. I mean we could make all the party like a prom theme and have them all in like elegant dresses, and suites!"
"I like it," She said, jotting down notes. "Congratulations."
He smirked, he knew that though Tenten had not been in contact for a long time, she knew Hinata best and if anyone could pull this off for Hinata she was the one to do it.
*
Home!
Tenten kicked off the killer heels, and smirked. Shame she would have to wear them again tomorrow. Slinging the jacket over the back of her sofa, she waltzed into her favourite room of her flat; her bedroom.
Throwing her dirty clothes around the room, she searched for her old grey slacks, and one of her brothers old football shirts. Coming out victorious, she slid into her kitchen opening a bottle of wine, and grabbing some tuc biscuits.
Sitting down carefully on her sofa, she switched on her TV.
*
Six Weeks Later:
Tenten was stood in front of the mirror. She was perplexed. It was a duty and a habit of hers to make sure she went to these events, make sure they ran smooth. But now she wished she hadn't put it as a promise that she would be there. She really had no desire to go to this party. It had been so long, and she was sure she wouldn't get the same warm reception from the others, as she had Naruto.
There was no way she could get out, not only because of work, but because she had also been invited by Naruto. She had even sent herself the invite without realising. She didn't want to let him down in all honesty either.
The only upside was that Ino would be there.
She twirled before the mirror in her green dress. It was a soft satin material, and a halter neck dress. The dress hugged her figure nicely at the front, and fluttered nicely around her knees. The back of the dress was non-existent, and begun at the base of her back. On her wrist she wore a thick green ribbon with a white lily stuck on it, and high heeled peep-hole shoes. She had a green gem in each ear.
She let her brown hair hang in loose curls around her shoulders, with a green bow peeping out of the thick locks, and she tucked her money into her bra.
For her make up, she wore a thick black liquid eye liner that curled in the outer corners of her eyes, while wearing a glossy red on her lips. Her already long, full eye lashes had a coating of mascara, but not too thick. Her skin was pure, so she simply wiped a thin coating of powder across her face.
Looking at herself one more time, wishing she was in baggy clothes hands full of chocolate so she could curl up on the sofa to a good thriller, she turned to the door, and flicked off the light as she left her bedroom. Walking across her dark living room, she left her cosy flat, and made her way down the stairs to the entrance of her building.
She knew she was being silly, she knew it in her hearts of hearts, but she was dreading this.
*
She walked into the entrance of the hotel, just as the rain began to fall lightly from the sky.
She was the second to arrive, Ino being the first. The had arrived half an hour early, in order to make sure everything was perfect; and for the first time in her career, it was. She knew exactly why, and wasn't surprised, she had planned this to perfection. She felt she had too.
"Why haven't you been with us recently?" Ino asked.
"I got the promotion, and work was mad," Tenten began with a sigh. She had practised this lie for a while now. "I wanted to show that I was worth the title I had been given. So I worked my fingers to the bone, chasing every client I could. You know what I was like to begin with, I mean I let them give me a make over and completely bin all my old clothes. That's saying something. But I mean I was working from seven in the morning till ten at night, and that was on a day I finished early. Before I knew it three months had passed, and I hadn't been in touch with anyone, and I became embarrassed, I kept on saying to myself I will have you all over, and then before I knew it a year had passed, and I kept on saying tomorrow, tomorrow. Then tomorrow never came."
It was the part truth, and Ino liked to guess at the rest. A messy drunken fling had something to do with it, she bet.
Slowly, one by one the guest filed through. But as of yet, they were all yet to arrive.
"They are all showing up together," Ino informed her, as Tenten held her breath as another guest arrived.
Butlers were now circulating, trays carrying champagne and various snacks. The guest seemed happy enough.
Ino pulled her phone out of her bag, it must have been on silent for Tenten had not heard the phone ring. Naruto, she mouthed, before answering it.
Hanging up without a word, Ino ran to the microphone.
"Right, lights off, birthday tune ready, she's two minutes away!" Ino screamed in delight. Jumping down from the stage, they both ran to the centre of the dance floor with everyone else.
The doors creaked open, and the lights jumped on, and balloons fell from the ceiling.
"Happy birthday!" Everyone screamed, and the band began to play the well known melody.
"Tenten?" Hinata whispered as she walked to her, her eyebrows dipped down in confusion.
"That's my name," She replied sheepishly. "Sorry its been so long, but happy birthday!"
Tenten threw her eyes around looking for an escape.
"Thanks," Hinata answered politely. "Its been so long, you look fabulous!"
"Thanks," It was Tenten's turn to polite. "I really didn't mean for that."
"It's fine," Hinata smiled sweetly. "I am just glad your back, I have been lonely without you."
Tenten laughed, but before she had the chance to reply, a clinking of a fork on glass caught their attention. Looking to the stage, they saw a nervous, red faced Naruto standing alone.
"Could I have your attention please?" He asked with a nervous smile. "I know I should wait till we sit down to eat, but I don't think I can enjoy the night till I get this out of the way." A nervous laugh followed from the usually confident blonde, while the guests just looked plainly puzzled, Hinata more so then the rest. "As you all know, I mean we held an anniversary party the other month, and it's all over the papers, me and Hinata have been together now for two years, and I feel so full of love, that I could pop. I mean every time she is not in my sight, my heart aches. And I have decided that I feel its time to take our relationship to the next stage." Naruto was pure white as he fumbled through his suit jacket before pulling out a black velvet box. "Hinata Hyuuga, love of my life, will you marry me?"
Hinata had tears streaming down her face as she ran to the stage.
"Yes, yes I will!" Hinata cried as she ran.
Popping corks from shaken up bottles of champagne flew through the air, as celebrations began.
Though Tenten knew she shouldn't, she had every intention of getting pissed, so much so that they are glad if they never see her again.
*
The next day:
Tenten knew that very morning that there was every draw back to her plan, a few that sprung to her mind just so happened to be;
When you are that drunk, secrets can spill. Alcohol always loosens the jaw.
She had no recollection of what had happened last night.
She had no control over anything that she had done.
And lastly, she had a killer hangover.
But there was one thing that she instantly disliked, she had no idea what she had said to anyone. She knew she had spent a lot of the earlier evening with the people she was once close with, but after she reached a certain amount she couldn't remember any more. Including what she said, and who she was with.
She had thought of all of this with her eyes shut, as her head rested on the pillow. She was in a state of semi consciousness when these thoughts occurred to her, and she was yet to open her eyes.
And the minute she had, she wished she hadn't.
Mainly due to the fact the room she was in wasn't hers. And the fact that her clothes, and underwear, were mixed with someone else's.
"Oh shit," she muttered. She couldn't have left that circle after all.
"You weren't saying that last night," came the reply. Tenten groaned.
"How drunk was I?" Tenten asked.
"Very. It was hard to be drunker then me," He smirked.
"Oh shit... Don't take this the wrong way, but mind calling me a taxi, while I get ready?" She didn't care what way he took it in all honesty.
*
By the time she was home, it must have been about twelve o'clock. She had no idea how long the taxi took to turn up, and she didn't care. That wasn't what the delay was from.
From the moment she had pulled away from the flat, they had hit the traffic jams. Her home team was playing a league match at home today, she remembered the taxi driver muttering something about it. Something about a crap job, it made him miss the match. He also said loud enough for her to hear, not that she had replied, that it was a tie breaking game, and whoever won it, was the champions of something or another.
She couldn't care less. What she cared about was her churning stomach, pounding head, and lack of memory. Oh and the fact that she had no common sense when she was drunk.
"Never ever let me get that drunk again," she groaned as she put the latch on the front door. "Or at least in their company."
She had a habit of saying these things aloud. It made her feel like they were sealed, although she said them to no one in particular; which often meant there was no one to ensure she up held these rules. Which was also a good thing. She never stuck to them for more then three days, on average.
As she passed the home phone, she back tracked. The answer machine light was flashing.
She had six messages. She smiled to herself. Never in her life had she felt this popular. She decided to listen to them in the order they came, listening to the oldest ones first.
"Oi! Ten-hic-ten. Get in there babe! You scored, but not alone! Get in there... yeahh..." It was Ino. At two forty eight. Drunk. Delete.
"Tenten my main womannn, beside Hinataaa... get in there! Next time, when you pole dance, watch my drink! Just calling you now, as then I can leave a message, as I would have forgotten!" That was Naruto, sounding more sober then Ino, though his was left at three oh two.
The next two messages were much the same.
It was the next one that held her attention.
"Tenten! If you are there, this is urgent, answer the phone. Please!" It was her dad. Oh shit, she had meant to phone him two days ago... though she could have sworn she had called him.
"Tenten. This is serious, no time to be messing about, I need your help. Please call me back as soon as possible. I really need your help." This time it was her brother, it had been left half an hour ago.
Tenten grabbed her phone, and called her brother back.
"Sorry, was on out last night, what's up?" Tenten asked. Whenever her brother called, she always rung him back as soon as possible.
"Recently, I have been getting messages once a day off of dad, but each time I ring him back, there is no answer. I have tried mum, and their home, and yet there has been no answer," He sounded puzzled. Dad always answered his phone, and never left messages. "I called by their house after work last night, and no one was in. They never leave the house, without telling us!"
"I got a message on my machine from dad as well. Just saying something was urgent," Tenten frowned. "I don't get it. He left me a message at work six weeks ago, and I never got back to him. I was swept of off my feet at work. I didn't notice till I got that message, but I haven't heard from him since that message..."
"I know this sounds stupid, I have been away with work for a month, and I was there when I left... but I have been back two weeks, and I haven't heard a word from them..." He took a pause. "They couldn't be missing could they...?"
"For six weeks..."
"Without us realising," Her brother finished.
"Noo..." Tenten laughed uneasily. "We are lousy children but we would notice..."
"Yeh... I guess," He tried to laugh too. "Well next time he rings be sure to answer!"
"Will do. See you later," She said.
"Bye." He hung up.
Before Tenten had a chance to leave her phone, the bleeper for the door went. Tenten sighed and picked it up.
"Tenten, its me," Ino's voice ran crystal clear in the phone.
Tenten let her in, and waited for her to reach the top of the steps.
"Wow, you look as bad as I feel," Tenten commented, as she let her in.
"Thanks bud," Ino grinned. "Same clothes."
They both sighed, and walked into her lounge.
"You have got to be shitting me, right," Ino commented.
"Tell me about it... just tell me about it." Tenten sighed.
As she finished her sentence, the door went again. They both looked at each other in surprise.
"T-t-tenten..." Came the breathless voice from the phone.
Tenten's eyes widened.
