A/N : Thank you for those who reviewed. I have been on hiatus for a year and a half now but I'm looking forward to continuing my fic. I apologise for the long wait. Uni was too demanding and when you do a degree it takes a lot out of you. I hope I haven't lost my knack for writing. Please read.
Heaven's Tale.
Chapter Four.
Three and a half years passed by…
"It's good to be back…" I smiled softly. I'm home after all.
"Yeah… It is…," Naruto smiled contently, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.
"Do you think they've changed, Naruto?" I asked him, eying the conveyor belt in front of me that carted passenger's luggage. I saw my army green trolley bag and reached out to retrieve it. It was rather heavy as I packed everything I owned and crammed it into just one bag. "Could you help me?"
Strong arms lifted the luggage from the conveyor belt and placed it lightly on the ground. "Naah… I don't think so," Naruto stated, his fingers running lightly over his tattooed cheeks. He had whiskers etched on his face to signify a new beginning 6 months after we started our degrees. He looked more rugged and wild. It suited his rowdy personality. Soon after, he became popular with the ladies but never made an attempt to start a relationship. I always had a feeling that he was still hung up by his feelings with Sakura. My heart clenched at the thought of her but I shrugged it off. "They've got rather strong personalities." He gave his familiar foxy grin. "It's us who have changed, Tenten."
"That's true…" I nodded. Spotting Naruto's worn out duffel bag, I grasped it and placed it on top of my own luggage as it had wheels and it'll be easier to pull that way. "Why don't we get a trolley?" I suggested.
"Good idea, last thing I need is one arm longer than the other pulling this. The ladies wouldn't appreciate that at all." I thwacked him on the head playfully. "What was that for?" He pouted unappreciatively.
"That was for being too Naruto." I laughed. The bond we shared was something that kept me going through university life. He reminded me of home and with him around I wasn't as homesick as I thought I would be. I wrote constantly to otousan and Lee, calling twice a week, but still the empty void was always present in me. However, with Naruto, Sasuke and a few good friends that I made throughout, I didn't have a need to stand alone. Though, during nights I'd find myself staring at the dark ceiling, thinking and wishing maybe … of him, but I've moved on now. "Wait here with the luggages. I'll get the trolley." I saw him smile at me reassuringly and I walked away in search of one.
A few minutes passed by and I returned to find not only Naruto but Gaara as well.
"Gaara…" Upon hearing his name, Gaara gazed sideways, his cerulean eyes read of recognition. I embraced him well aware that he isn't fond with physical contact but I did not care. At that moment, I was too happy not only because I finally met him after all those years but he didn't push me away too. "You look good." I told him. It was the truth. He was slightly taller now and wore his crimson hair slightly longer. His 'ai' tattoo was evident on his forehead as well as black coal that lined his clear cerulean eyes. He still had that cold air about him and to me that was his most attractive attribute.
"Likewise," He answered simply, giving me a one-over. I blushed slightly, fidgeting with my pink cheongsam top that ended mid-thigh. Underneath, I wore black skinny jeans as showing too much skin made me uncomfortable not to mention Sasuke restless. I smiled inwardly remembering the first few days when I decided to become more feminine. Sasuke had enlisted the help of Ino. The end results involved Naruto having a major nose bleed as for Sasuke, well, he was in shock.
"Ino," Sasuke uttered, his dark eyes read indifference. The stunning blonde, busy with filing her nail, looked up to the dark haired teenager. She smiled pleasantly, pleased that an idol, her crush, would talk to her.
"Yes," Her voiced sounded bored but her eyes displayed interest.
"Ino-chan..." I hesitated, aware that she had one of her neatly plucked eyebrows, arched at the mere sight of me whom she had not noticed before. "I need to be more feminine. Could you help me?" I revealed, bluntly. There's no need for me to beat around the bush.
"You have some guts. Coming to a girl who especially has her eyes on your boyfriend," Ino declared, ignoring Sasuke's intent glare.
I narrowed my eyes in annoyance but remembered the reason why I came to her in the first place. "You're the prettiest girl on campus. If I want to be attractive, it would be only right for me to ask you. After all you are a model. You should know fashion better than anyone." I complimented her. She peered into my caramel eyes, studying it for a few moments.
"And what would I get in return?" She asked, smug by all the compliments.
"I heard you wanted to be a professional photographer." Sasuke replied. "You need a model, won't you?" I gave a side glance to Sasuke beside me and he squeezed my hand slightly for reassurance. She would be a fool to give up this opportunity. It would be her chance to photograph the Uchiha which would easily launch her career into photography. After all, he was a heart throb and a famous actor.
Her eyes clouded for a moment. She stood up, pushing her chair a few inches away from the wooden table. "Very well… I accept." She gathered her notes, plunked them on the desk just before placing it inside her fuchsia plastic folder. Her blue eyes twinkled "Just to tell you though…" She started eying my figure up and down. "I have rather expensive tastes in clothing and makeup. Nothing less with me would do."
I blinked, wondering how to get the money for my make-over. "Money isn't an objection," Sasuke stated.
"Very well… I'll see you at Tokyo Mall this Saturday at 10am ," Ino answered, nodding her head at me. "Try and look more acceptable." She waved her hand towards my disheveled hair and clothing. I couldn't help it I just finished training for archery club. I didn't have time to shower or have a change of clothes.
"Ok…" I agreed, my voice a little strained and small. Her back met my gaze as she made her way out of the library. I knew she didn't hear me then. I looked up at my 6 ft boyfriend. "Sasuke, I can pay on my own." He gave me a knowing glance. "Really I can."
"How can a girl who eats mostly ramen pay for designer clothes?" His baritone voice revealed. I always did find his honesty attractive but right now I didn't need it.
"First off, being friends with Naruto makes you eat ramen 99 percent of the time and second I can always take a part-time job," I defended myself. I saw wanted signs placed on several restaurants around the area. I could always work as a waitress.
"I'll pay for it," he insisted, using his end-of-discussion tone.
I couldn't give in. "At least let me pay you back if not all then some," I pleaded, my brown eyes watered a little.
"Hn…" He agreed, pulling me into a warm hug despite his cold exterior. I smiled mischievously. The puppy dog eyes always worked its magic.
Saturday came sooner than I hoped.
I waited anxiously for Ino by the waterfall in the mall's center court. She came a few minutes later, on time, as I looked at my clock for the umpteenth time that day as I had came earlier. I did not know why I was so nervous. Maybe it was because Sasuke or Naruto was not present today.
"You look better," Ino declared, circling around me, taking in my light blue jeans and black sleeveless. 'It's ok if a girl sweats, to a guy she'll look sexy but remember hygiene is equally as important too. Guys love a girl who smells good." I nodded, mentally noting her tips. "I just wanted to explain to you why I commented on your appearance the other day." She quietly said.
"Tenten, I know we started off on a bad note." I looked at her a bit startled. "Things have been rough these few weeks for me. I admit I do have a crush on Sasuke-kun but who doesn't right." She explained. "Just I think you'd be a pretty good friend to have." Her eyes were downcast, she was unsure of what to say anymore.
I grinned. "Of course we could start anew. Since, my relationship with Sasuke, I haven't made any friends with any girls at all. They'd ignore me and talk behind my back in whispers. And those few friends that I have avoid me like a plague. I don't blame them after all I stole their Sasuke-kun." I pursed my lips, painfully.
"Don't worry," Ino exclaimed cheerfully, looping her hand with mine. "I'll make you look pretty and the new you would show everyone why Sasuke chose you in the first place."
"Oh ok," I voiced out, noticing a slight skip in Ino's steps as she guided or half dragged me to the boutiques. It was a side of Ino, I didn't see before. I rather like it as it reminded me of a certain pink-haired girl back home.
"Hey ino…" I hesitated.
"Yes," she answered, looking through racks and racks of clothing, occasionally taking an outfit from the rack and inspecting it. If she found the outfit satisfactory, she'd fling it into the arms of a salesgirl who was more than happy to be within the reach of the Yamanaka Ino. I grimaced at the sight of clothes that continued to heap in the salesgirls arms and of course the dressing room.
"Uh… just to let you know I'd appreciate it if the clothes aren't too expensive. I'm using Sasuke's money but I'd like to use my own." Ino stopped in her tracks, a thoughtful look on her fair face before letting out a laugh.
"Don't worry I was joking about the designer stuff. I buy normal clothes too really just I was in a bad mood that day and I always thought Sasuke-kun would be mine you know." She revealed in one breath. "And the brand of the clothes is not what's important. It's how you wear them." She added knowingly, turning to a new rack of clothes and continued choosing outfits for me.
I sighed I knew this was going to be a long long day. I wasn't exactly a fan of shopping but I missed having a female friend to talk to. Hundreds of outfits tried and 6 hours later, Ino and I walked out of the store with 10 shopping bags in total. My feet were aching and I was wearing my sneakers. I looked down at Ino and her 6 inch stilettos. Doesn't that hurt?
"Next is to learn how to put on make up and style your hair," Ino declared excitedly. I gave her a tired smile. I could tell Ino doesn't have much female friends but I love being in her company. Even though, we've just on been friends a few hours. "Your skin is so beautiful," She babbled on, bringing me to a makeup stand and trying on different types of lip glosses on me.
"Ino…" I said slowly.
"Yes, Tenten." She paused for a minute, she had just finished explaining how to put on foundation.
"I don't want to be a different person just a new improved Tenten," I pressed carefully, not wanting to offend her efforts on me.
"I wouldn't want that any other way too." She beamed. "I promise."
Monday…
"Ok boys," Ino exclaimed excitedly in my box-like dorm room, body facing in the direction of both Sasuke and Naruto who was seated on my bed. I swear she sounded like an emcee; all she needed was a microphone. I waited patiently in the bathroom attached to my room, waiting for my cue. I adjusted the yellow tube summer dress, feeling the lace at the hems. Letting out a nervous breath, I peered into the mirror, wondering if the makeup was too much. I had on just a light brush of pink blush, black mascara and a hint of lip gloss. Ino wanted to put on more but I told her I wanted to highlight my features and that I'll only really wear makeup during special occasions like dinners or balls. She agreed, after all with all the sports I do, the make up would only clog up my pores. "I present to you the beautiful, Tenten…" Ino smiled brilliantly as I opened the door to reveal myself. All of the sudden I felt shy. I tucked a tendril of my auburn hair behind my ear. My hair was held in a bun with an antique chopstick made out of bone. I could use it as a weapon if I wanted to as well. Very handy in my opinion.
"Wow…" Sasuke breathed out, his dark eyes flickered at the sight of me. My cheeks heated up under his gaze.
"Thanks…" I answered quietly. On the other hand, Naruto had a major nose bleed. " Naruto… God, Ino get him a tissue. He's bleeding." I panicked, pinching his nose from further blood loss. Ino handed me the tissue and I stuffed it into his nose. "Use your mouth to breath." Naruto opened his mouth to breath, at that moment he looked like a fish.
Sasuke looked on, amused. "Dobe."
"Teme!" Naruto yelled, a few minutes after his nose bleed was under control. I sighed. Although they were really close, having a bond of that of a best friend, at times they were rivals as well especially in the Kendo club and boxing club. Both of them never being in the same team but opposing each other so they could have a match. Normally Sasuke would win but a few times they'd fight till both were too exhausted to stand. It was moments like that that I love to watch. I'd lean against the wall at the entrance watching both of them try to outdo each other, never giving up. I'd tend to their wounds after, often scolding them for going too far then what they should do.
Needless to say, Ino's makeover project on me was a success. Throughout the whole week I'd garnered much attention from the male community. I'd hear wolf calls and whistling wherever I'd go to my annoyance. Sasuke was equally irritated or pissed. He would glare to whomever guy that looked my way and would hold my waist protectively.
A week passed by…
It was the annual boxing match between Tokyo University, Osaka University and Hokkaido University. This year it was held in Tokyo University. I sat in the front row, ready to cheer for Sasuke and Naruto who has participated in the match, both of them wanting to come out victorious. Both Sasuke and Naruto were in the semi-finals. Naruto was against some guy who looked like a shark from Osaka University named Kisame. It was a tough fight but in the fourth round, Naruto gave Kisame an uppercut which left the guy lie on the floor in exhaustion. Naruto had earned himself a place in the finals.
Fangirls cheered loudly, giving their support to the next contestant. I resisted rolling my eyes. The whole female population of Tokyo seemed to be here which I bet not to watch boxing but to catch a glimpse of their idol. Not to mention him topless. It was Sasuke's turn now. He was against Kidou Hitoru, a purple haired wise guy who happened to be making sneers at him. Sasuke not being bothered by the competition bounced on the balls of his feet, swinging his arms around to loosen his muscles. My eyes trailed to his torso. It looked firm and smooth from all the training.
"Hey! Princess!" I glanced up in the direction of the voice. I fumed silently as it was Hitoru. "This round is for you!" He bragged, kissing his right glove. Sasuke's eyes narrowed darkly and his fists tightened. 5 minutes later, Sasuke came out victorious after knocking out the opponent who was a bloody mess on the ring floor. Poor guy was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.
Later that evening…
"Congratulations…" I chirped pushing a bouquet of roses into Naruto's and Sasuke's arms. It was a tie. Both of them fought hard, not wanting to lose from each other. Men and their egos. I shook my head. I would never understand that. In the end, both collapsed on the floor, body too spent to move. Thus, the referee called it a tie.
We were walking down the hallway in direction of Naruto's and my room. I knew Sasuke was tired but he insisted on walking me to my door. A few moments passed and I was at my room door when Sasuke called out to me.
"Tenten," He started. Brown eyes met onyx ones. "This…" His eyes roamed to my miniskirt and baby blue tank top.
"Yes…"
"You do not look good in a skirt." He bluntly said. His voice emotionless.
"Excuse me," I looked at him confused. I looked at my lower body. Did I not wax my legs yesterday?
"Wear pants," Sasuke said coughing slightly or rather uncomfortably.
"You're jealous," I said teasingly, laughing. "You're jealous because of all the male attention I get." I grinned. Who knew that a certain onyx-eyed Uchiha can be green-eyed too. Sasuke didn't seem to be too happy with the fact that I'm making fun of him.
"You just don't look good in a skirt," He said flatly. For a born genius, his excuse was sure lame.
"You know I find it rather hot," I seductively told him, pulling him closer to me, his breath tickling my lips. His eyes showed of an emotion I never saw before. Weakness maybe?
"I'm still here you know," Naruto exclaimed loudly. "Get a room. No one wants to see their best friends making out."
With a swift arm movement, Sasuke opened Naruto's dorm room door, pushed him inside and closed the door back again, drowning out Naruto's threats of beating him into a pulp the next day. I smiled, Sasuke's hand tilting my chin up and capturing it in a sweet kiss. His lips moist and soft to the touch.
Our first kiss and it was magic.
Since that day, I never wore something too revealing unless the occasion deems me to.
"Where are they?" Gaara questioned me. Both he and Naruto, looked at me expectedly, waiting for my answer.
"Sorry," I apologized, snapping out of my reverie. "Uh well they went on first class while Naruto and I took economy. They didn't want to be harassed from their fans and needed their privacy. Although, they should have come out by now..." I glanced at my wrist watch. "You mean Sasuke and Ino right?" I asked making sure as I wasn't really listening to Gaara and Naruto talk before. Gaara nodded. "You'll love them," I gushed.
"Hn," Gaara replied.
"Gaara-sama, please make your way to your office. There is an urgent call waiting," The women at the speaker said, her voice booming.
"Well that's your cue?" I told him, smiling. "I'll introduce them to you some other time." He nodded to Naruto, who grinned back and made his leave. "So, let's find Hinata first. I'm sure she'd be waiting for us at the arrival area." I told Naruto, making our way to the exit.
"What do you mean you lost my luggage?" Ino insisted, her cerulean eyes filled with rage. "I checked my luggage two hours before the flight and you're telling me it's not on the flight."
"Yamanaka-san, I'm sorry for the inconvenience," the stewardess apologized, head declined to the floor. "We are trying to locate it."
Ino was certain she'd want to throw a tantrum right there and then if not for her being in the public eye. "So what am I to do now? My clothes not to mention important documents are in there." She urged.
"Please stay put and we'll contact you," the stewardess replied, politely, shifting her feet which showed her nervous nature.
"Very well. I'll wait," Ino answered with a huff. "I wonder where Sasuke is? He's taking a long time in the bathroom. We've to find Tenten and Naruto soon." Ino thought to herself, arms crossed.
"Sasuke-kun!!" Shrill desperate female voices could be heard behind him. "Sasuke-kun!! Sasuke-kun! We love you!!" Sasuke ran as fast as he could. It seemed that his whole Konoha fan club turned up. How they knew that he would appear in Konoha at this time especially in the airport, he did not know. However, he was certain a hyper blond-haired male was involved. Despite his need of killing Naruto, what was important now is to escape the clutches of hundreds of screaming fangirls.
The dark haired Uchiha saw a Coffee shop just to the left and stepped into it, the bell tinkling lightly as he opened the door and entered. He breathed a sigh of relief as he saw the fangirls run past the store. The aroma of fresh coffee filled his nostrils and he decided he might as well get a cup of coffee.
"One caramel latte. On the go," Sasuke voiced, placing the exact amount of money on the counter. The barista, a chubby women in her mid thirties, seemed star-struck at the sight of him but was clear-minded enough to brew him his drink. She placed the hot coffee on the counter, pushing it towards him. He grasped it and brought the Styrofoam cup to his lips, tasting the latte. It was good.
He turned around to walk away when something knocked into him. The cup he held fell to the floor, the contents of the drink spilling onto his pants. The barista lady on the sight of the spill handed him a couple of napkins to clean himself up.
"A-ah g-gomen, g-gomen," A young women repeated, bowing constantly to the barista. She then turned to him. With a handkerchief in her hand, she started to wipe the coffee off of Sasuke's pants. "I-I'll pay for your d-dry-cleaning. I'm so s-sorry."
He was annoyed. Not only did she make him spill his latte onto himself but she was wiping the coffee around his crotch area too. "Stop," Sasuke verbalized, holding her wrist. Hinata inclined her head to him, realizing where she was wiping. Her face turned beet red.
"I-I didn't realize," She apologized, embarrassed. All she wanted to do was help. But as usual she was useless. "You're h-hurting me." She told him in a small voice as he had a tight grip around her.
"Sasuke-kun!!" A female fangirl spotted him. Not only that but she beckoned the other fangirls to where he was. "He's here!!" She pointed into the coffee shop.
Sasuke was desperate. On seeing, the white-eyed girl in front of him clutching a pair of car keys, he asked her a question. "You drive?" He looked at her expectedly for an answer.
"H-hai." She answered. As soon as she answered, he dragged her away. Upon seeing the mob of girls chasing them, Hinata ran too.
"Where's your car?"
"The blue Volvo," Hinata pointed to the right. "B-but I got to p-pick up some f-friends…"
"Get in and drive," Sasuke stated, eying the fangirls who were inching closer to the car by the second.
"H-hai," Hinata answered, timidly. With a press of a button, the car door unlocked and both of them entered. She sped off, leaving the disappointed fangirls behind. "M-my phone…" Hinata started as Sasuke took the phone and dialed a few numbers, but she decided against it as he turned to her and glared.
Two hours later…
"Did you call them?" I demanded to Naruto. I didn't mean to be rude. I was just so tired from waiting. Hinata has not arrived and neither has Ino nor Sasuke has turned up.
Naruto ran his finger through his hair. "Sasuke called. He said that he got a ride to the hotel. Fangirls were on his tail. As for Ino, her luggage is missing and she's waiting for it to turn up. She'll get a friend to pick her up," Naruto explained, yawning a little. "As for Hinata, I lost her new number. So I couldn't call her."
"Don't worry, I got it in speed dial," I assured him, dialing Hinata's number. 3 tries and she still didn't answer it. "I think she forgot about today. She's usually very punctual."
Naruto nodded. "Let's call a taxi then. I'm too tired," he decided, flagging a cab down. "Don't worry, both Ino and Sasuke are from Konoha itself. They'll find their way around." He reassured me.
"Arrange the meeting at 10am tomorrow." Gaara said, signing a few documents in the leather file. The 4 month pregnant secretary nodded and excused herself out of the room.
Suddenly…
Bam…
His door threw open with such force.
"So you're the person in charge…" Ino walked in, pissed off, shrugging the secretary's hands away from her arm.
"Gaara-sama, gomen, she just came barging in. I tried to stop her," the secretary tried to explain.
"Leave us be," Gaara announced, his brow creased in annoyance. "Take a seat." He told the lady.
Ino straightened up. "I'd rather stand." She placed both hands on the desk, frustrated.
"What can I help you with?" The sooner she goes out of his office the better. All he wanted to do now was recline in his chair and relax.
"It's been 2 hours and your staff still hasn't found my luggage yet. What type of airline do you run?" She said, her voice raising 2 octaves. Ino demanded for an answer.
"This airline is not liable to any luggages lost," Gaara calmly answered. Inside, he saw red but this girl peak his interests. No one has every yelled at him before. People were normally cautious around him as he proved to be a force not to be reckoned with. No one wanted him as a foe.
"What? Do you know who I am?" She continued, yelling.
"Who are you?" Gaara replied simply.
Ino seethed. Everyone knows her. What millennium did this guy live in? "Yamanaka Ino," She replied. She looked on at him waiting for his worried expression at offending a celebrity like her but none came. "The model."
"I see." She can't be the Ino that Tenten talked about today. She's supposed to be, in Tenten's term 'lovely'. This is hardly it.
"Yes. If the tabloids catch a hold of this story, your company's name will fall. You'll lose sales," Ino exclaimed, exasperated. She banged her right fist to prove a point, but she accidently hit the pen and it flew to Gaara's nose hard causing a nose bleed. Narrowed eyes looked at her while she looked on at him in shock.
Ring… Ring…
"Yes," Gaara answered the phone, taking a handkerchief from his pocket and used it to stop the bleeding. "Very well." He looked at her, eyes still narrowed. "Thank you." He placed the cordless phone back to its origin. "They found your luggage bag. It was in the wrong flight."
"Well… thank you for your cooperation," Ino hurriedly replied, heading towards the door to make a quick exit.
"Yamanaka-san, I do not take kindly that you barged into my office and yelled at me not to mention assault me." Ino stopped in her tracks. "You do know the consequences it will have on your career if word happens to get out." Gaara verbalized, containing his anger.
"I'm sorry for everything, your nose and the entire racket I made. I'll pay for your medical bill as well as buy you a new pen," Ino apologized, worried about the tabloids receiving news like this. She knew she wouldn't win because of two reasons; the company being not liable to passenger's loss and also she just knocked his nose with a pen even if it's accidental.
"I'm afraid that's not enough," Gaara replied in monotone.
"What should I do to make this right again?"
"You'll be the spokesperson for my company's advertisement." Gaara explained. "No pay of course but ounces of publicity."
Ino contemplated for a moment to make her decision. "Very well. I agree."
"My lawyers will draw out the contract. I'll see you soon, Yamanaka-san," Gaara nodded. He watched her as she stormed her way out of the room. She was very interesting indeed.
Hinata was very nervous. She was in the car alone with a guy who would do nothing but glare at her and smirk upon seeing her timid expression. She couldn't read his expression at all. He was very much like Neji nii-san in that way. But she knew nothing of this guy. Sure he was good looking in a dark, smoldering sort of way but nothing compared to Naruto. And besides he could maybe be a rapist or a serial killer. Her fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly at the thought.
"A-ano," Hinata started. "Would you like to hear some m-music?" She asked him, making sure not to make eye contact. She needed the music. Anything to get the bad thoughts out of her head.
"Is this your car?" He demanded.
"Y-yes." She stuttered.
"Then why my permission?"
"A-ah I u-uh just in case you m-mind," Hinata flustered, fingers reaching the knob of the radio to switch it on. Soft jazz filled in the silence. "Where do y-you want me t-to drop you off?"
"Do you stutter all the time?" Sasuke asked, surprising her. He was making small talk.
"Only when I'm n-nervous," Hinata replied. She tried to not stutter in that one sentence but she still did. At the highway, they passed through a billboard that showed a new drama. "O-oh I've been waiting for that d-drama to be r-released." Hinata pointed causing Sasuke to look in the direction of her hand.
"It's good," he said shortly.
"R-really. They s-say the actor is r-real handsome. But I'm l-looking forward t-to it cause it was a-adapted from my f-favourite novel. I-I hope the actors d-don't spoil it." Hinata continued.
Sasuke observed her from the corner of his eye. Didn't she know who he was? He acted in that drama as a lead. She was different and right now he's glad that she wasn't a fan. He didn't know many girls who wouldn't treat him like a sex symbol. "Drop me off at the Hyuuga hotel." He told her and she nodded.
A silver Porsche screeched to a halt.
"Shikamaru! What took you so long to get here?" Ino demanded.
"So troublesome. I was taking a nap when you called me," Shikamaru explained. Women are all troublesome creatures. "Do me a favour and save me the lecture." He saw the leggy blonde seethe in anger. He sighed its going to be a long ride home.
However, before Ino could throw a tantrum. He wrapped her arms around her small frame, breathing in her familiar scent. "It's been too long," He told her. "You look well." He released her. He saw her smile, her anger forgotten. This technique always worked on her.
"You can't believe what happened, Shika? I had the worst day…" Ino told him, after calming down a little. On the ride home, she continued her story about her encounter with a certain red-haired guy.
The yellow cab pulled over at the side of the curb. Naruto opened the door and stepped out onto the tar road, opening the boot of the car to take out our luggages. I, on the other hand, took out my purse to pay the cab driver for the ride home. "Thank you." I told the old men at the drivers seat. He nodded before taking off as soon as I stepped out of the car.
"He's in a rush," Naruto stated the obvious, coughing at the dust trail left by the cab.
A pair of muscular arms enveloped us, crushing us into a bear hug. My bones as well as Naruto's compressed under the strength. Only two people I knew could do that. One being my brother Lee the other…
"Otousan… We… Can't… Breathe…" I struggled to say. Gai happily released us, tears of joy was seen streaming down his face.
"My beautiful flower. Welcome home," He exclaimed, the sun shining brightly behind him. "Naruto, my boy. Good to see you again." Gai turned to him, giving him a fatherly slap on the back. Naruto stepped forward from the force. As usual, Gai still had the brute strength. "Thank you for looking after my daughter." He continued, tears still streaming down his face.
"Otousan… I'm 21 now. I can take care of myself." I said exasperated. "Where's Lee?" I asked, looking around for my brother.
Gai gave a good guy pose, his teeth sparkling. "My son, the second green beast of Konoha is at the dojo training to be in the national squad for martial arts." He continued. "How I've raised two youthful children."
Before Gai would continue with his speech of vigor, I looped my arm with his as well as Naruto's and half-dragged them to the lift that leads to our apartment. "Let's go home. I'll make us a delicious lunch otousan." I turned to Naruto. "You're welcome to join us."
"I'll pass. I need to go back. See what the old man is up to." Naruto rejected, stepping into the lift. I nodded, pushing the number '6' and number '8' that leads to my home as well as Naruto's.
Ding…
The door to the elevator opened and I walked in the direction of my apartment. "See you." I told Naruto, waving.
"Ji-ji… I'm home." Naruto yelled, opening the door to his house. It was dark, his fingers caressing the wall to the right, searching for the switch. He found it and with a flick of his wrist, the lights came on, illuminating the living room. "Ji-ji, what did you do?" Naruto exclaimed, eyes roaming throughout the room. The room was a mess. Confetti was strewn around the ceiling with bottles of sake on the coffee table and a cake placed neatly in the middle. Cushions were on the floor as well as pieces of clothing. Naruto sighed inwardly. It'll take hours to clean this mess up. It seemed that Jiraiya had a party here last night.
"Surprise," Jiraiya came out of the room, lipstick stains on his cheek. In his arms was two women with another two walking out. Jiraiya cocked his head in the direction of Naruto. "This is my son. Quite a catch. Don't you think ladies?" The women, scantily clad, giggled in agreement.
"Ero-sennin…" Naruto started. If he was 12 or 14 or 17, he would be disgusted by the thought of being with women like this. However, since he's 21, he should have some innocent fun. Sleep could wait. "This is some welcome party." Naruto gave the girls a foxy grin, putting his arm around the two girls which weren't by Jiraiya's side.
Ding… Dong…
"Otousan… Otousan… Can you please get the door?" I called out from the kitchen but only silence answered me. I washed my hands hurriedly, drying my hands on the baby blue apron. I forgot that Gai went to the store to buy some tea as the house supply had run out.
Ding… Dong…
It must be Lee. I thought. At times, he'd forget to bring his key along. "Hold on," I called out. I ambled hurriedly to the door, unlocking it. " Sorry Lee, I was in the kitc-"
Silver eyes looked down at me, ebony hair in a low ponytail. I didn't think I'd see him so fast. My heart raced, pumping hard in my chest. "Neji…" I trailed, not knowing what to say.
"Tenten…" He acknowledged.
I believe you when you say
Let's laugh just for today
Then weep over tomorrow
TBC
A/N: I hope this chapter is good. I don't think its as good as how I wrote a year ago. I'm a bit rusty now. From now on I'll update soon. I've been on hiatus far to long.
To all those who waited patiently for my story. Thank you so much. And I'm really sorry for the wait. Please do review.
Naash
Ps- the short poetry seems a bit odd right. I feel that something is lacking.