I have returned with yet another chapter of Scars. Many apologies for the long wait, June just got really hectic really fast. Well that's enough from me...
Enjoy-
Naruto and the characters don't belong to me
Chapter 4: An Interesting Offer
The smell of freshly made popcorn filled the room as Tenten spiced the bowl and headed to the living room and sat on the couch with her friends. Tenten, Ino, Sakura and Hinata were having a movie night/sleepover at Ino's house; they sat comfortably in the living room in their pj's. They enjoyed snacks and drinks as they watched the two and a half hour sci-fi movie. At ten p.m. the movie ended, the girls cleaned up the living room and went upstairs to Ino's room to set up for bed. Not that they actually intended to sleep anytime soon.
"So I finally got Shikamaru to pose in 'Yamanaka Style'. He'll be joining us tomorrow for the photoshoot"
"Wow that's an accomplishment. How'd you get him to agree?"
"Well let's just say it's my early birthday present but that doesn't exempt him from actually getting me a gift" she said matter of fact as she fluffed up her pillow
"You're really unbelievable sometimes Ino" Sakura slowly shook her head with a small smile
"But that's why you guys love me"
"Unfortunately" Tenten said under her breath which resulted in Ino throwing a pillow at her
"And how did you get Naruto on board?" Hinata asked
"You want to know how you got the opportunity of a lifetime to work with the love of your life Hinata?" Ino teased
"N-No, I'm just curious is all" she said trying to conceal her blushing cheeks
"Sure you are" Tenten smiled at her "It was actually pretty easy. Ino and I told Naruto about the catalogue but he didn't seem too keen at first; so we just told him that Sasuke was doing it and he declared that he was a way better model than Sasuke so he agreed" she chuckled after her explanation
"Competitive as ever" Sakura commented
Tenten looked at the wall clock-23:00
"It's getting pretty late girls, if we want to be well rested for tomorrow I suggest we go to sleep"
"Agreed" Ino said standing up to turn off the lights
The next morning the girls got up and got ready to head to the studio. Within an hour and a half they were already there. Hinata and Sakura were getting their hair and makeup done while Tenten and Ino were sitting in her office, going over the details of this issue of 'Yamanaka Style'
A few minutes later the guys showed up-Sasuke, Neji, Shikamaru and Naruto walked in and went to get changed. This edition of Yamanaka Style had a colour theme so all six models would wear different shades of blue. Hinata had her hair done in a top bun and wore a baby blue form fitting strapless jumpsuit. Sakura wore an electric blue crop top and faded denim jeans with a pastel blue blazer over it.
The guys had some darker shades of blue to work with. Naruto was wearing a royal blue blazer over a suit of the same colour although the inside of the blazer was navy to contrast the rest of the outfit. Sasuke was wearing indigo jeans and a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, the rolled up part of the shirt matching his jeans. Neji wore a navy trench coat over black jeans and a white shirt. And Shikamaru-whom Ino had purposely saved for last-wore the most outstanding shade of blue which was aqua. An aqua button up shirt and matching pants with a black blazer over it. The girls had their hair up while the guys-whose hair was long enough-had their hair loose.
That was the arrangement of the photoshoot but half an hour before they were to start a sleek black Porsche pulled up in front of the studio. A young man with black tied up hair, hazel eyes and confident smile walked into the studio dressed in an expensive looking grey suit.
"Excuse me sir can I help you with something?" Sakura had noticed him and walked over
"Yes I'm looking for Tenten, the photographer for this catalogue"
"Oh I can take you to her, follow me" Sakura led the way
"…and next month's issue will be done like this" she could hear Tenten speaking on the other side of the door before knocking and entering "Sorry to interrupt guys but this man…
"Masao Shinzo I'm a representative of 'Konoha Style'" he explained as he shook Ino's hand then Tenten's
He held on to hers a little longer than necessary but Tenten didn't seem to notice
"Konoha Style, one of the top magazines in the city?!" Ino said in shock
"The very one" he replied with a smile at her reaction "Is there somewhere we can talk in private?" he looked
"You two can talk in here. Sakura and I will be on set Tenten" Ino said while walking out with Sakura but not without winking at her before leaving
"So what are we discussing?" she asked taking a seat as did he
"Well I understand that you're the photographer as well as the creative director for each photoshoot, correct?"
"Yes I am and then I co-edit the final product with Ino"
"The editor-in-chief of Konoha Style has been keeping a close eye on the progress of this catalogue since the first issue six years ago and she's been very impressed with your camera work"
"Oh wow, that's amazing" she said in surprise that someone that high up in the industry would praise her works
"It is and she's so impressed that I've been asked to give you this…" he handed her a letter "It's a request from Misaki Kyouko herself to have you as the creative director and photographer for the twentieth anniversary issue of Konoha Style"
"You've got to be kidding me. She wants me direct such an important photoshoot?" she said reading over the letter
"Of course-one of the main articles in this month's issue is recognising new young talent in the fashion industry and she sees that in you, as do I" he finished with a genuine smile that Tenten couldn't help but blush at. He was quite an attractive man
"Wow this is a lot to take in…" she said standing up
"Of course, I don't expect an immediate answer but how about I take you out to dinner tonight and we can talk about this some more" he stood up after her and gave her his card
"Sure that sounds great. I'll call you as soon as the shoot is done"
"Well then I look forward to seeing you tonight Tenten" he gave her his most charming smile before leaving. As soon as he was gone Tenten fell back in to her chair and sighed heavily
"Okay time to spill the beans. What was that about?" Ino rushed back inside "And is it just me or is he incredibly attractive?"
"Oh he's definitely attractive but anyways he gave me this letter" she gave it to Ino to read
"No way! Misaki Kyouko wants you to be the photographer for the next issue of Konoha Style!" she squealed in excitement
"I know right, it's unbelievable. But I'd feel strange taking this job"
"Tenten Tenten you should totally do this. Not only is a top magazine editor recognising your talent but they're obviously going to credit you for this meaning that you'll be getting major publicity for Yamanaka Style" she reassured her friend "You should totally call him and accept his offer" Tenten thought about it for a while then something clicked in hr head
"Wait a second how did you know he wants me to call him?"
"I might've been listening to your conversation" she said looking away from Tenten
"So you were listening to our conversation" she deadpanned
"Okay fine I was and it sounded like he was way more interested in you than just your photography skills" she said suggestively
"You're reading way too much into it. He was charming sure but he was just doing his job of delivering a message" she completely dismissed the subject
"And gained a date with you in the process" Ino pressed on
"It's not a date; we're discussing how the photoshoot would progress"
"Yeah over dinner, probably in a romantic setting in a fancy restaurant"
Tenten just rolled her eyes and followed Ino out of the office and to the set where the photoshoot finally began.
Xxx
It was six p.m. when Tenten returned to her apartment. She'd called Masao on her way home; they'd agreed to go out at seven. That gave her enough time for a quick shower and a change of clothes into something more formal. After going through her closet she decided on a teal jumpsuit with a white blazer over it and a matching white handbag. Just as she finished brushing her hair her phone started ringing.
"Hey Neji" she answered
"You left your camera at Ino's place, should I bring it over for you?" he asked as he placed the camera on his desk
"Uh could you bring it tomorrow I'm actually on my way out?" she'd put him on speaker as she was typing up her hair
"Out? With the girls?"
"No I'm going to dinner with Masao"
"The man from this morning?"
"Yeah he's a representative from Konoha Style and his boss wants me to direct their next photoshoot. I agreed so we're going to dinner to discuss it"
"Oh I see…" it was silent for a few seconds
"Alright what is it Neji?" she knew him way too well
"What are you talking about?"
"I know that tone of voice, something is obviously bothering you"
"No this is a great opportunity for you and I'm glad…
"I'm sensing a 'but' coming" she replied ready to hear his explanation
"But going out to dinner with him…is it really necessary?"
"So that's it, you don't want me spending time with him. This is rather possessive of you Neji"
"I just don't think his intentions are as simple as just this job. I don't have a good feeling about him"
"So you're jealous that I'm spending time with a guy that isn't you basically." She sighed "And so what if he's interested in me? You think just because I know he likes me that I'll invite him into my bed, you've got to have more faith in me than that" she answered incredulously
"I'm not jealous I'm just worried about you. You can be just as stubborn and narrow-minded as me and Sasuke combined"
"Wow thanks" she replied sarcastically
"Look I'm just saying don't see this as me being a jealous friend, we're not children in high school anymore" he was trying to be gentle but she could hear the underlying sharpness in his words
"And I'm not accusing you of being childish. I appreciate you looking out for me, I do but I'm just saying it's not anything serious we're talking over dinner. It's not romantic just business. And if you're really that worried I'll even tell you what happened"
"No it's not necessary I trust you" he answered as neutrally as possible and she took in his words with a grain of salt. He had always been quite overprotective of her despite them never being in a relationship
"Alright then I'll see you tomorrow" she hung up the phone and as soon as she did Masao messaged her. He was outside in his car. Tenten turned off the lights and locked her door before heading downstairs
Once they'd arrived at the restaurant Tenten couldn't help but hear Ino's words echoing in her head as she looked at the romantic setting before her. He'd reserved a table for them outside under the starry sky with candlelight in the centre of the table. It felt more like a date than anything else but some professionalism was regained when he started talking about working on the photoshoot and how many models would be present.
As they enjoyed their meal and eventually desert as well; Tenten's mind kept wondering back to the day she'd gone out to lunch with Neji. The thought of him sitting across from her on this beautiful night in this romantic restaurant brought an uninvited smile to her lips.
'It would be really nice it was the two of us out here' she thought to herself
"Shall we head back?" he asked standing up as did she
It didn't take them long to get back to her place. To thank him for the dinner she invited him inside for a cup of tea.
"Wow this place is beautiful" he said taking in her beige painted living room with black couches and a caramel coloured carpet with a fireplace "It would only make sense that the home matches the person living inside of it" he complimented her as she set down two cups of tea and they sat down on her couch
"So after you agreed to spend the evening with me over dinner I'm assuming you're accepting the offer?" he repositioned himself to be facing her and she did the same to face him
"Absolutely I can't wait" she smiled at him
The longer she looked at him the more she realised just how handsome he was. His stunning golden brown eyes contrasted his dark hair that made him striking to look at. His chiselled jaw matched with his incredibly charming smile made Tenten blush slightly. They were sitting quite close to each other and she'd only noticed it when she saw him leaning in. She was so taken in by him that she'd leaned in as well-her heart rate increased slightly and she could feel her eyes flittering shut but in the back of her mind something didn't feel right. So she drew back and he was surprised at this.
"Uh Masao I really think we should keep things professional between us" she said feeling slightly awkward
"You're right we should. I didn't mean to be so forward" he pulled back as well
Tenten stood up to take the cups back to the kitchen
"Oh I almost forgot, before you go you said you wanted to see some of the other issues of 'Yamanaka Style'. They're all on my laptop, it's charging in my room"
"Oh yes, I'll go get it" he stood up to retrieve her laptop from the bedroom
Tenten had rinsed the cups and put them away but Masao hadn't returned yet. I'm sure I left my laptop on my bed. She thought to herself but just as she did he came with it.
She turned on her laptop and they went through a few catalogues and chatted about them. After an hour they were both by the door saying goodbye.
"Thank you for the wonderful evening Tenten and for inviting me to your home"
"Thank you too I enjoyed it"
"I'll keep in touch with more information about the photoshoot" he said shaking her hand then kissed it at the last second before leaving
Xxx
Tenten had just come out of the shower and walked into her bedroom with a towel wrapped around her body and one around her hair. She went straight to her closet to get out her sleepwear to go to bed.
However, believing she was completely alone she removed her towel and got dressed in her sleepwear. Completely unaware that somewhere far from her someone sitting in front of their monitor was watching her every move with a wicked smirk on his face.
"Oh yes Tenten…show me every inch of that delicious body"
Ooh surprise suspenseful ending. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, hit the review button and let me know what you thought. And btw when I said that I'd be writing things a little differently I meant it in the sense of from chapter four onward will be in the same timeline as the prologue and not in the flashback timeline like in chapter two and three. Chapter two and three was when they were in high school and chapter four is them much older like aged 22, so yeah that's it. Man this was a long author's note, I think I'm done now but before I go...happy 20th anniversary to all the Potterheads like me. Harry Potter forever! Okay that's it from me-
Until the next chapter-
Ketsui Tasogare :-)