Hey here is chapter 7 hope you guys like sorry it took sooo long to get out I've been really busy but I hope you guys enjoy it!
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO! _
"Tenten." Mom's voice came through the door of Tenten's room. "Wha-?" She drowsily opened her eyes. Her seaweed wrap and massage had so completely relaxed her that after leaving the spa, she'd come straight back to the house (without any Mr. Clean), sneaked upstairs, and promptly fallen asleep. There were now shadows gathering in the corners of the room. She had even managed to ignore the cricket, who was still cheeping away in his corner of the porch. The door opened. "Mmm-what time is it? I fell asleep."
Mom sat down on the side of the bed. "I can see that." she smoothed Tenten's hair gently. Tenten closed her eyes again. Mom's soft hand felt nice on her forehead. "Don't go back to sleep, honey. We forgot to tell you that we're having guests for dinner tonight. We're going to eat out on the lawn."
"Okay. Who's coming?" Tenten mumbled. "Well, I bet you didn't know we have a famous chef living down the road, did you? His name is Orochimaru and he has a wonderful restaurant down in the city. And he asked if he could bring his daughter tonight. She just arrived in town for the summer also- I think she's about your age. And there will be us, and Fugaku and Sasuke of course." Tenten opened her eyes. "Fugaku and Sasuke?"
"Well naturally. This will give you a chance to get to know everyone better. Did you have a good time working with Sasuke today?" Tenten turned and faced the wall. "It was okay." If she was going to ask about her birthday, now probably wasn't the time to tell Mom that she hated cleaning, hated being stuck in that shack, and had blown off her work for a spa day. "Oh, good, honey. But you need to get ready, because we're eating at nine, and it's eight already. And I found a little something for you when I went into town for groceries this afternoon. Just look at this darling dress I found it at a little boutique called Sun and Moon." She rummaged around in a shopping bag by her feet and came out with a coral red silk strapless dress. Tenten couldn't believe it- it was adorable. Usually Mom tried to get Tenten to wear "classic" outfits- which, translated, meant stiff collars and prim buttons.
"That's so cute! Thanks Mom." Her mom smiled. "I can't believe you like it. This may be a first for us." Tenten grinned back as Mom rose from the bed. "Oh, by the way, honey, when you take a shower, remember, the hot and cold faucets are reversed. You have to turn the cold all the way on first and then off, then turn the hot on, and then turn the cold back on. And don't worry if the pipes scream a little." She must have noticed the stricken look on her daughter's face, because she gave Tenten a reassuring little pat on the knee before leaving.
After her shower in the tiny bathroom, during which Tenten barely managed to remember her mother's instructions about the hot and cold. She combed her hair in front of the vanity mirror in her room. She turned and gazed out the porch doors at the fading sunset. A crimson line burned just above the black silhouette of the mountains. Above the scarlet, the sky had melted into its deepest shade of blue. She could just make out the evening's first tiny star. She felt as if the gathering dusk had smoothed her afternoon's rough edges. Her face was still glowing from the shower, and a touch of sunburn tinged the bridge of her nose and the tops of her cheeks. Her shoulders shone smooth and brown as she zipped up the red pleated dress. It fit perfectly. The patterned silk slid against her skin and fluttered just above her knees. She decided to skip jewelry and tucked her long hair behind her ears, letting it hang over her shoulders. Barefoot, she headed down the stairs to the kitchen, where Mom was pulling a giant rack of lamb studded with rosemary out of the oven. " Mmm! That smells great!"
"Remember the neighbor who owns the Emmett the pig? He brought over this lamb this morning. He feels bad that Emmett got out again."
"Oh that's nice of him, I guess." Apparently, in the Sound, people apologized with animal parts. "What else are we having?"
"Will you get the corn salad and bring it out back? We're going to eat at the picnic table." Mom's face was flushed as she carved the lamb. She glanced at the clock. "Uh, we're having cold cucumber soup and the tomato-corn salad, and Orochimaru brought a chocolate- almond torte for dessert."
"Yum." Tenten loved cold cucumber soup. She hefted the big white bowl and balanced it on one arm as she stuck a wooden spoon in it. The screen door banged behind her and she stepped onto the back porch. The yard was dark, save for the flaring candles on the picnic table and some light spilling from the kitchen windows. After her eyes adjusted, she could see a little knot of people standing on the lawn with drinks in hand. She could see Sasuke's rangy figure slouching off to one side. Everyone turned at the sound of the screen door. "Tenten!" Her father waved. "Come and meet Orochimaru and Karin!"
Orochimaru and who? She hugged the heavy salad bowl as the cool grass slipped between her bare toes. She felt a little self-conscious with everyone watching as she approached. Kotoru announced, "This is my lovely daughter Tenten." He gave her a little one-armed squeeze. Fugaku smiled at her. Sasuke faked a look of surprise. "Wow! You're here! I thought maybe you got kidnapped by grocery baggers or something," he said, pressing his hand to his chest. "I was so worried." Tenten ignored him. "Hello," she said to the tall, skinny, and pale white man standing next to her father. He had long black hair and snake like eyes.
"Hello," he replied quickly, his eyes darting somewhere over her shoulder. "And this is Karin," Tenten's father went on. "Hi," the girl said casually. She was tall and skinny, with red eyes and matching hair and an unusual hairstyle: her hair is short and unkempt on one side, while long and combed on the other. She had brown glasses and she wore tight jeans and a really revealing shirt. Tenten wished she hadn't chosen the silk dress. It seemed fussy all of a sudden. "Tenten!" her mother's voice called from the house. "Oh, sorry," Tenten said. "I think I'd better-"
"Go help your mother," her dad said. "I was just going to show everyone the aging room before we eat." The group trailed away across the grass. Orochimaru, Fugaku, Kotoru talked animatedly in the front, with Sasuke and Karin side by side in the back. Their tall, lean figures matched somehow. They could pass as brother and sister, Tenten thought. She forced herself to stop staring and went over to the long trestle table at the very edge of the lawn, where the grass ended and the grapevines began. She placed the salad bowl at one end and stepped back to admire the surprisingly romantic setting. The table looked gorgeous. Tenten's mother had used cream colored linens and scattered flickering candles everywhere. The air was redolent with the scent of lavender arranged in ceramic vases at either end. Tenten couldn't help tilting her head up, her mouth open like that of a little kid, and gazing at the stars flung like powder across the black velvet sky. It never got this purely dark in Konaha.
Tenten's mother came up next to her, balancing the giant platter of lamb. Fragrant steam curled up from the hot, pink meat. "Isn't it just lovely out here?" she said, moving some of the candles around to make a place for the platter. "Yeah," Tenten admitted. "I've never seen so many stars before."
"I thought the same thing the first time Dad and I came up here." Across the yard, Tenten could see the shadowy forms of the group returning from their tour. "Oh my goodness, this looks wonderful, just wonderful," Orochimaru said, flitting around the table like an excited child. "Well. we're ready to eat. Have a seat," Mom waved her hands over the table. Everyone shuffled around, pulling chairs and shaking out their napkins. For a few minutes, the only sounds were of the clink of silverware and the breeze in the vines just behind them as people concentrated on their food. Sasuke sat next to Tenten, and Karin sat across the table.
"Amaya," Orochimaru said, putting down his fork for a moment, "this is all wonderful-wonderful! I'll take some more of that corn salad."
"Here, just pass me your plate." Tenten's mom smiled as she dished out a generous portion of salad. Kotoru and Fugaku were discussing oak versus metal fermenting tanks at one end of the table. Sasuke glanced over at Tenten. "Always business," he said with a smirk. Karin turned to Sasuke. "So, I know this sounds weird, but you look really familiar. Did you go to the Land of the Waves Camp?"
"Yea, I did," Sasuke replied, scooping up a forkful of corn salad. "I was actually thinking the same thing about you. I went there for years, and then I was a counselor the summer before last."
"Wait-me too!" Karin laughed. "That must be what I was thinking of." Tenten concentrated on her plate. Perfect. Now she had to listen to these two bond? She looked around the table. Every face was relaxed and smiling in the soft candle light as people ate and drank and chatted. She was the only one who wasn't having a good time and, apparently, the only person on the planet who didn't love, love, love the Sound. Tenten stuffed a bite of lamb into her mouth and chewed morosely. Next to her, Sasuke and Karin were still falling all over each other in the ecstasy of their shared memories of the Land of Waves Camp. Remember that girl Mitori, the drama counselor?" Sasuke was saying. "I ran into her a few weeks ago. She's dating that American dude- what was his name?"
"John! Oh my God, I haven't thought about him in forever!" Karin laughed. "Hey, do you remember that one canoe trip. . ." Sasuke was dropping his voice. Karin erupted into giggles, putting her hands over her mouth. Tenten's face was growing hot and she could feel her jaw clenching. It was actually rude of them to be telling inside jokes right here at the table, she thought, twisting her napkin in her lap. Not that she cared, because she didn't. But you'd think if they wanted to have a freaking Camp orgy, they'd do it somewhere else. Karin must have sensed something, because she abruptly broke off conversation with Sasuke and leaned toward Tenten. "So, when did you get here?" she asked. "Hmm?" Tenten pretended she hadn't heard at first. "What? Oh, yesterday." She offered a tight smile. There was an awkward little pause. Then Karin nodded. "Yeah, I just got in this morning." More silence. Tenten stayed quiet for the rest of the meal. All around her, conversation flowed effortlessly, like water around a stone. Why should she bother being sociable when everyone was doing just fine without her help? She didn't even have an appetite for the chocolate-almond torte, although she had to admit it looked incredible. She gazed the vines, letting the breeze and the moonlight reflecting off the glossy grape leaves soothe her.
Eventually, Kotoru pushed back his chair. "Anyone up for a moonlight stroll?" he asked. "I think we could all use a little exercise after that wonderful meal." He looked over at his wife. "You all go ahead," she said. "I'll just clean up a bit." The group rose from the table slowly and gathered wraps and wineglasses. Amaya started stacking plates. "I'll help you clean up a little, Mom," Tenten volunteered. Her mother looked up, a little startled. "Don't you want to-?"
"No. I want to help you." There was no way she wanted to spend one more minute with these people. Besides, if she could get her mom alone, it would be the perfect chance to ask about her birthday. "Okay, honey. Let's get all the dishes first." Tenten gathered up the used silverware and dumped it into an empty serving dish. Then she made her way across the cool, dark grass toward the warm glow of the kitchen.
Inside, Amaya started filling the sink with soapy water for the dishes. Tenten wrapped up some leftover cake. "Well, I think that went well," Mom chattered, splashing around with the sponge. "I love that corn salad recipe, but what do you think about white corn, Tenten?"
"Mom," Tenten interrupted. Her mother stopped talking and looked over. Tenten took a deep breath. She would have to approach this carefully. "You know, my birthday's next month. . . . ."
"I think I just might remember that." Tenten's mom gave her a little smile as she scraped cucumber scraps into the compost bucket. Tenten took a deep breath. "I was thinking that maybe I could go back to Konaha just for the weekend, to celebrate." Her mom's back tensed, but Tenten rushed ahead. "I could stay with Sakura-"
"We'll see," Tenten's mother cut her off. "Let's see how it goes here before we talk about any privileges." Tenten's plan was teetering on a very dangerous ledge. "I know, but I was thinking if I stayed. . ."
"I heard that part. I also heard you tell your Dad and me that you would be completely responsible if we left you alone all summer. And I seem to remember seeing patio furniture floating in my swimming pool and a roomful of underage teenagers spilling beer on my leather sofa. Let me talk to your father." BAM. The plan fell to the floor and shattered into a million pieces. Her dad would never let her go. Tenten's mother heaved the big roasting pan into the soapy water. "Would you go out to the porch?" she said, raising her voice over the sound of the taps. "I think there are still some empty glasses out there- everyone was sitting out front before dinner." Tenten nodded and trailed slowly through the darkened living room and the foyer out the front door. She struggled to contain her disappointment. She'd known any chance of celebrating her birthday in Konaha was iffy, but there was alwyas a chance. Maybe she should have waited longer. That was it-she'd just ask later, after they saw that she'd been on her best behavior. The front porch was unlit, but her eyes adjusted, she could see well enough to gather the scattered wineglasses onto a tray. She padded down the porch steps and had just rounded the side of the house when she heard someone talking. It sounded like the voice was coming from the front, where she had just been. She stopped, listened, and realized the voice was Sasuke's. He must have just come back from the stroll through the vines and hadn't noticed her in the dark on the porch. He was talking to someone standing in the yard, near the parked truck. The cicadas and crickets were making a giant racket in the trees, but when she held her breath she could make out the words.
". . . .stuck here the whole summer," he was saying.
"Well, I don't know what you guys are going to talk about all day. You're really different." Tenten inhaled sharply. He was talking about her- and with that bitchy Karin!
"I don't know- my mom always said I could talk to a potato if I had to. I mean, come on. We can talk about..." Sasuke trailed off. Tenten cringed as Karin laughed. "See? You can't think of anything. You might as well just face it- she's a spoiled suburban brat. I mean, she practically gagged at dinner when I told her what I was doing this summer."
I did not, Tenten thought.
Sasuke laughed a little. "She's definitely nothing like I expected she'd be, that's for sure." Tenten had had enough. She couldn't believe they would talk about her this way. As she backed away, her toe caught the edge of a wooden rocker and sent her tumbling forward, almost off the porch steps. Crash! The tray fell, shattering the glasses all over the porch. Sasuke stopped talking. Overwhelming silence was broken only rooted in place. Slowly, Sasuke's figure turned and peered up at the porch. as soon as he saw Tenten, his eyes got wide as a deer in headlights. He opened his mouth as if he was about to speak, but Tenten gave him her most hateful glare and turned her back, walking into the house with slow deliberation. She could feel his eyes burning into her back until the door shut behind her with a bang.
Forgetting about the mess of broken glass, Tenten tore up the stairs to her room and slammed the door. Her heart pounded under her ribs, and her breath whistled through her nose with anger. With fists clenched, Tenten threw herself onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling, where a spider was peacefully spinning a web in one corner. Everything was quiet and then...cheep, cheep, cheep!
"Shut up!" Tenten shouted, and bolted from the bed. Furiously, she yanked open the porch doors. the cheeping stopped. Silence again. She stood still for a second and then turned and slowly went back into the room. She laid down and reached for her BlackBerry to call Sakura. CHEEP. CHEEP! CHEEP, CHEEP! It was never-ending. Tenten threw the phone on the bedside table and rolled over, pulling a pillow over her head. Forget it. Why was everything going wrong? She had never felt so out of place. No wonder Sasuke liked Karin better. At least she wasn't a spoiled suburban brat.
Well there it is! :) Sorry again for the delay! Chapter 8 will be out soon! I'm going to try and work on it this week and over next weekend. Review please! :D