Author Notes:
I'm not very good with describing sceneries and places and rooms, so please bear with me. You can use your own imagination to make up for where I'm lacking. Sorry. Since this is AU please respect the fact that I adjusted my characters to suit the personalities of Go-con.
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Almost all the dialogue and scenes are taken from the manga Gokujou Rakuen Tours. It is not a crossover. The characters from Naruto were "transported" to the world of Go-con.
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This story is being beta'd by selandora. Thank you very much for your guidance.
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Warning: Mature content
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to the wonderful mind of Masashi Kishimoto, Gokujou Rakuen Tours is property of Nishimura Shuuko. This story is only for the amusement of myself and others, and no money is being made.
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People in search of a soul mate attend different parties every night…
Among them is one particular party hosted by a mysterious group. It is called "The Illusion"…
Rumors have encouraged speculation, but everyone come to the same conclusion…
"The Illusion" has…
…The Finest Cuisine
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Hyuuga Neji checked his inbox and found 2 new unread messages.
"Huh? What is this?" he exclaimed while he read the first one.
It read:
Hyuuga Neji-sama,
Ticket to the Tour of the Finest Cuisine
Please excuse for the abrupt letter. We would like to invite you to a tour organized by our company.
Upon reading the email message, Neji was wide eyed and suspicious. "Ah? A tour? Weird. Whatever." He deleted the strange email and started reading the other one.
Neji,
I heard that you weren't feeling well. Are you better now? Tell me if there's something bothering you.
-Haru
"Haru! Oh gosh, my hands are trembling." And indeed they were. "It's been a long time since we talked. Ah! I finished my work. Let me get him into a chat room…"
A few months ago, Neji's job application was rejected. He was feeling down and accidentally sent an email to the wrong address. That was how he met Haru.
Neji logged onto his instant messenger:
Neji has entered the chatroom.
Haru has entered the chatroom.
Haru: Thank you, Neji. I was able to finish my work because of your encouragement. I had so much work, I didn't even have time to read my mail. Now, I think I can take a short break.
Neji: Don't mention it. You are a novelist; it's common to be overly focused. You don't have to be so hard on yourself.
Haru: You're working for Kage Enterprises, you must be busy too, right?
Neji: Yeah, now I'm working on the security system. I have to work overtime a lot, but I love what I do.
Haru: You always work so hard. When will you take a break?
Neji sighed. He didn't think they would be friends for such a long time, so he lied about his job. Haru seemed like a mature, gentle and capable adult. They had absolutely nothing in common. But the more they talked, the more Neji would tell him about everything, like all of his likes and dislikes; all of his problems and complaints.
Neji: I haven't made any plans yet. And you?
Haru: The same. There are still some issues for me to settle.
Neji: We are the lonely ones. ^^
Haru: Oh…then let's go on a date. ^^
Neji: What do you mean?
Haru: Let's meet.
"Huh? No…NO! We can't do that!" Neji cried. He's fallen in love with Haru and didn't know if he had the courage to face him yet.
Neji: I can't meet you yet. I will when I'm confident.
Haru: Confident? About what? Your looks?
Neji: No…not that ;;
Haru: Then what? I want to know why
Neji: …
Haru: Alright then. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.
Neji: Sorry ;;
Indeed Neji wanted to know the man with whom he fell in love, but he was insecure because of his job. Although he said that he worked for Kage Enterprises, he really wasn't in charge of security…it was something else entirely.
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The bustling sound of dishes, cups and cutlery served as background noise of a café on the ground floor of a business building. Two young men; one of them with shoulder length black hair curled on the back and bangs falling on the sides of his face, black eyes and pale skin, and the other man had long black hair and pale eyes; were talking between themselves.
"Hn, so you haven't told Haru that you work as a waiter in Kage Café?" said Sasuke, the black eyed man, Neji's best friend and colleague at the café.
"I…I will eventually!" said Neji, terribly embarrassed.
"Tell him. Now."
"B-but we're working now!"
Sasuke pushed his own cellphone into Neji's hands. "5 minutes is all you need. I'll take over for you."
"Sasuke, not now!"
Neji had met Uchiha Sasuke during the interview for Kage Enterprises. After their applications had been rejected Neji had met the pale raven man again while applying for the Kage Café. They had promised each other to try again the following year and had been friends ever since.
"Senpai, there's a man sleeping at a table. I can't get him to wake up." said Yamanaka Ino, a newly hired blond waitress.
"Oh" groaned Sasuke.
"He's here again." said Neji.
"Go sort him out, Neji!" ushered Sasuke.
Neji picked up a tray with a cup of coffee and a sandwich. "Understood."
He approached the man's table. "Sabaku-sama, I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Here's your coffee."
The man slowly rose from the smell of coffee. His blood red hair covering a part of his face as he sleepily tried to open his eyes.
"Um…" started Ino.
"What is it newbie?" asked Sasuke. He was watching his friend slowly feeding the sleepy Sabaku his hot coffee.
"Is that man under Neji-senpai's care?" asked Ino.
"You could say that, Ino." answered Sasuke. Neji was now mouth feeding Sabaku his sandwich. "His name is Sabaku Gaara. He's a little weird though, and only Neji's coffee can wake him up."
"Sabaku-sama is weird but good-looking." Ino drooled. She had a good cause too. Sabaku's sea green eyes and well-proportioned face, coupled with a pale skin and a great body made a girl's wet dreams. The tattoo 'Ai' inscribed on his forehead only increased his charm.
Sasuke started "Yes, but even though he acts like that-"
Loud noises and exclamations from outside interrupted him.
"Ah…speak of the devil…" said Sasuke.
"Whoa, who are they?" exclaimed a blushing Ino.
"Good morning, President Uzumaki!" – the room chorused as three men entered.
Amongst them was the president of Kage Enterprises, Uzumaki Naruto, who was also the most gorgeous man alive. He was tall and muscular body, as well as blond with striking ice blue eyes. He had three straight lines on each side of his face that made him look fierce.
"That is the president of Kage Enterprises. He and his friends are part of what's known as the Kage Club, a group made up of only the department heads and President Uzumaki. They actually live a penthouse in the Kage Enterprises, so they're known as the 'Residents of the Club'," explained the raven.
"Wow, he's a company president? Looks so young," said Ino in disbelief.
"Let's go, Gaara!" Naruto ordered Sabaku, who glared at him.
"Thank you for the coffee," the red head muttered to Neji as he passed.
"Ah, you're wel-welcome," stuttered Neji.
"Is Sabaku-sama also part of Kage Club?" asked Ino.
"Yes," said Sasuke. "He's only 27 but he's already the vice-president in charge of Opinion Research. He's more like the lone wolf of the club – he's very independent," he continued.
Ino was trying to brew coffee frantically and it drew Sasuke's attention. "What are you doing, Ino?"
"I'm practicing. Practicing! Let me take care of Sabaku-sama instead!"
"Don't even think about it," deadpanned Sasuke.
Neji sighed as when the four men left. "I heard that they stayed up all night working on some business contract."
"And it seems like it was more than worth it," commented Sasuke. "The profit from this contract is around a hundred billion yen."
"A hundred billion?" blurted Neji.
Sasuke nodded, jealousy flickering across his features. "Damn it, they're so cool."
"Yeah," said the Hyuuga, longingly.
"Although we were rejected this year, I'm sure we'll be able to work with them at Kage Club someday!" said a determined Sasuke.
Ino realized aloud, "Oh, I see, the Kage Enterprises rejected both of your applications. That's why both of you are so close."
Both males sweat dropped.
"We were sitting next to each other during the interview, so we recognized each other." explained a disgruntled Sasuke.
"After receiving our rejection letters, we came to interview at this café and met each other again," finished Neji.
"But you're both aiming to get into the IT department at Kage Enterprises, right?" asked Ino cheerfully.
"Yes. We're going to be corporate heads of the IT department. We're going to be part of the Kage Club like Uzumaki-sama and Sabaku-sama, " Sasuke smirked looking at his friend. "Right, Neji?"
"Yeah…" answered Neji, unenthusiastically.
He thought sadly 'Despite trying my hardest, I couldn't land even a junior position. I can never be like them, that's the reality of the situation. Every day I work here, I can't help but think that my hopes of working in the Kage Club will only remain a dream.'
"I want to help you!" exclaimed the blond.
Both guys stared at her "Huh?"
"Yeah, you guys can help me get a date with one of the guys from Kage Club," suggested Ino.
"A date!?" exclaimed Sasuke.
"With the people from the Kage Club!?" cried Neji.
"Impossible. A hundred percent impossible" replied the raven.
"But Hyuuga-senpai, you're Sabaku-sama's morning pal. I only date receptionists and sales clerks!" cried a flailing Ino.
"'Morning pal'? That's a weird way of putting it, and it's completely out of the question," answered an agitated Neji.
"Yeah, stop exaggerating. They hardly know each other," said Sasuke raising an eyebrow.
"It's all right. Let me try. They might be interested." said the blond.
"Really?" said Sasuke.
"I will work hard, I'm going now." Ino said, determined to succeed.
"Okay. Use your womanly ways to get them to agree." said Sasuke smirking at Ino.
"Sasuke, shut up," admonished Neji.
"Girls who date corporate heads are only interested in their money." sighed Sasuke as he prepared dishes to wash.
"What about the corporate heads?" asked Neji behind him.
"Well, men are only interested in one thing," answered the raven, looking at him pointedly.
"You're very frank…"
"Is that so? Well, you know I'm telling the truth. Let's finish up here."
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The day ended and both boys were walking home together. Neji was telling Sasuke about the strange email he received that morning.
"Huh? You got an email about the Tour of the Finest Cuisine? I got that message too!" exclaimed Sasuke. "Are you going?
"I deleted the message. I thought it was weird," said Neji.
"Huh, you weren't curious? Well, the email was a little weird but if you go, I'll go."
"I don't want to. 'The Tour of the Finest Cuisine'? It sounds really freaky," said the long haired male.
"We can take a day off and go on the tour. Let's go!" continued Sasuke.
"I'm not going!" said Neji shaking his head.
Sasuke changed tactics, he began to try and guilt Neji into going. "But I can't go if you don't want to. "
"Who cares! Besides I can't keep messing around with you like this," said Neji looking down.
"Huh?"said the raven looking confused.
"I didn't tell you yet. I've got a job interview" said Neji, hiding his face behind his long hair.
"With an IT firm?" asked a surprised Sasuke.
"Not, it's got nothing to do with computers. It's a small company that deals with health products."
"Really?"
"I've decided that if they offer me a job…I will give up on Kage," announced Neji.
"Give up…? What are you saying?" exclaimed Sasuke. "You told me during the interview for the café that getting a job at Kage was a task that required a lot of determination. It was you who said that. And now you're quitting? It hasn't even been four months, and you are already giving up!"
"I don't want to lie to Haru about my job anymore. I want to be able to tell him the truth about myself," Neji explained trying to keep his voice level.
"So what you're saying is that you're tired of lying to a person you've never even met before? You're a liar, liar! This has nothing to do about Haru. That's just some lame excuse you twisted up in your mind to make up for the fact that you're afraid, Neji, "Sasuke hissed.
Neji gasped.
"You're afraid that you're not going to make it next year," concluded Sasuke. He turned away from Neji, as the other looked down, and ran his hand over his face. He turned back and said, "You know, I've always thought that if you reapplied next year, you'd definitely get the job. That's why I've been working so hard – so that I wouldn't lose out to you! In the end, you're the one who wants to give up. I was wrong about you."
"Well aren't you afraid of being rejected? I am! Are you confident that you can be as good as Sabaku or Uzumaki!?" Neji cried at his friend. "What if I fail again next year!? As we get older, our job choices get more limited. I want to keep on trying, but what if I never get hired?"
Sasuke stopped and calmly looked at him.
"I won't give up on Kage. You can give up if you want. At least I'll have one less rival to compete against."
"What!? I finally found a job after a long search and you won't even congratulate me!?" Neji yelled.
Sasuke snapped "Why would I want to do that, idiot?"
"Fine! Then go ahead and work as a part-timer for the rest of your life. You'll have no pension and regret it when you're older," Neji hissed.
"Shut up! I don't want a pension! I want to be a part of the Kage Club! I want to be a billionaire! I will hire you when the time comes. How's that?" the raven retorted.
Neji lunged to his friend and shook him roughly by the shoulders. "I don't need your charity! When you're old and become a homeless old man, I'll be the one offering food to you."
"Shut up! You're making a huge mistake!"
"I've already made my decision, stupid!"
"Fail! You will fail!"
"Stop cursing me!"
And the fight went on…
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The next day, Neji went to present himself at the health company. When he got there, he couldn't believe what he was told.
"Huh?" Neji said in confusion.
The manager of the health company that was attending to Neji's application repeated, "I'm very sorry, but we cannot hire you. Sorry-"
"What do you mean? You haven't even interviewed me!" cried Neji.
"I am very sorry about this." said the manager.
A young woman came in and interrupted them, "Hello?"
"Ah! Welcome," answered the manager and left Neji standing in the middle of the hall. "Welcome! Your father has always taken care of me."
"Thank you very much for hiring me..." continued the young woman.
'I see…she got the job through the backdoor….' concluded Neji. 'Damn Sasuke!' and then he left for his home.
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Upon arriving home, Neji decided to write an email telling Haru all about himself. He told him everything, about his job, about the reason he lied.
'I was even rejected by such a small company health products and my best friend gave up on me. Haru, this is the real me. Forgive me for lying to you.'
He finished and sent the email. He remembered the email he received about the Finest Cuisine and decided to fish it back from his deleted items. He opened it again and this time read until the end. Since the event was on the next day, he printed the letter, went to pack and get some rest so he could wake up early.
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It was the morning of the next day and Neji left his home with a backpack full of clothes and necessities and set in search of the bus of the Tour Cuisine. He took out the letter from his bag and re-read the instructions.
"Okay, it says here to find a double decker bus with an eagle painted on the side. Hm, it's parked near the bridge on Central Park. Wow, its just 15 minutes from my home." He started walking in the direction of Central Park.
Upon arriving he started looking around for the bus. "A coach bus with the picture of an eagle…Oh there it is!" he exclaimed and started walking towards it. He was putting away the printed email when he bumped into someone.
"Oof…" he mumbled. When he looked up he saw a very familiar face.
"Sasuke?"-"Neji?" the boys said at the same time.
"What are you doing here?" asked Neji
"What are you doing here?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
"I-I was afraid that you'd be conned by this weird tour, that's why I'm here," said the other waiter looking away.
"I thought you got a job with that health company," said Sasuke folding his arms.
"All because of your curse, I was rejected," Neji said darkly.
"Huh, seriously?" exclaimed Sasuke. "Sorry."
"Well, anyway, we're here now so…" Neji shrugged.
Sasuke started "Oh yeah, Ino told me that 'Tour of the Finest Cuisine' is that date thing, 'The Illusion' and… well,"
"What?"
"Well, she also told me that only those who got the invitations are eligible and wanted me to give her my ticket instead." continued Sasuke, "After hearing that, isn't it tempting?"
"You mean that we were invited to a dating party? Sasuke, you know what happens at those dates, it's to sle-slee- you know" Neji said embarrassed. "So, if we were invited, then that means…"
They looked at each other, blushed and turned away.
"Wa-wait, I'm not here because of that! I mean, I heard that only women are invited to these parties, so maybe this isn't it. And so what if it's for sex? I mean we're guys, right?" said Sasuke as he shrugged his shoulders.
"Id-idiot! I told you not to be so frank!" responded Neji. "Well whatever, let's board the bus and take a look who's in there".
"If they look weird, then we'll get off." said Sasuke.
"Okay!" agreed Neji.
With hearts bursting with anticipation, both boys began to enter the coach bus, with Neji climbing first.
Sasuke pushed Neji "Hurry up!"
"Stop it, Sasuke!" said Neji and as he looked inside, he gasped.
"Hey Hyuuga! Why did you stop-"
"Welcome…" said a smooth voice.
Inside the bus was every girl's (or even guy's) fantasy. Sitting on a luxurious couch was none other than the blond sex god Uzumaki Naruto, the president of Kage Club. He was flanked on his left by the gorgeous Umino Iruka, and smirking on the right was the sexy Hatake Kakashi.
Neji slowly backed up a step….and then another step…and then collided with Sasuke. "Sasuke, it's the wrong bus. I think we made a mistake."
"You didn't make a mistake. We were the ones who invited you," said Umino Iruka, coming to the door, with a kind smile.
"Y-you're the guys from Ka-Kage…Kage Club!" said Sasuke surprised.
"Come on board," invited Iruka.
"Ahh so-sorry…we thought it was a group date, so we weren't properly dressed…." said a flustered Sasuke.
"Well, what is this about? I don't quite understand," said the Hyuuga.
"It's exactly what the Uchiha said it was" the reply came from Naruto.
"You mean a dating party?" asked Neji.
"Hmph, I don't like slow people. You are not little kids who know nothing. It's up to you to board the bus." replied the blond arrogantly.
"I…I want to go! Please let me participate." the flustered Uchiha pleaded.
"What? Sasuke!" Neji cried.
"Wise decision." smirked Naruto. Sasuke blushed profusely.
Naruto then turned back to Neji. "How about you, Hyuuga Neji?"
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Thank you for reading.
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Love,
P.