A/N: This chapter was written on my new laptop! I'd say it had some impact on the speed, but it really didn't. As always, thank you for all the support in the form of reviews, favourites and follows! They make me really happy ^_^ - Mufin
Warning: This story is rated T.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Custody ~MufinXoxo
Chapter 11: Vanilla is the new chocolate, but never ever strawberry
*Tenten*
It was Tuesday, and Tenten frowned when she looked at the big red circle on the calendar hanging at her work around the 14th of April. It was otherwise a pretty calendar, being light blue with rain clouds on it (a memory of Konan's homeland) and a rainbow printed over the clouds. Still, Tenten found that the certain red circle really ruined the whole image. Also, the more she thought about it, her blatant hate for rain was also overriding any prettiness of the rainbow.
"Is the meeting today?" Temari asked, coming up behind her and squinting at the calendar.
"Yes." Konan breezed past, having evidently just cleaned the room they would be meeting in, "But I was assured that today Hyuuga-san would come in person."
"Which Hyuuga-san?" Tenten asked, eyebrows twitching. She had to make sure.
"Hinata-san." Konan called back, before reappearing with purple origami flowers in a vase. "It appears she discussed what conspired last meeting, and wants to come herself to finalize everything, now that she is no longer as poorly."
Temari nodded, beginning to help Konan by arranging the designs on the table.
Just as they finished, a chime made them aware that someone had entered the shop. Tenten rushed over, enveloping Hinata in a hug. The girl herself seemed slightly baffled at first, before returning the hug with just as much enthusiasm.
"Akiyama-san—" The servant from before started.
"It's fine." Hinata smiled delicately, "Tenten and I are friends."
"I'm so glad you're feeling better." Tenten beamed. Mainly because she really was glad that her friend was better, but also partially because it really was Hinata as opposed to Neji who had come. She hadn't seen her friend in ages. Not since the scandal had happened.
"If you would please follow me..." Konan led them all to the meeting room, "These are the designs we have prepared." She gestured to the table which was clustered with pages of drawings and small samples.
Hinata shyly shuffled forwards, studying the designs with a bright spark in her eyes, "They're lovely." She said softly, her fingers trailing over the pages.
Well, Hinata was definitely a more pleasant business partner compared to her cousin.
"I have already done some search concerning our extra employee. I have in mind a man called Kaguya Kimimaro."
Temari gasped, "I read about him years ago. Isn't he the man with those massive, bone-like structures?"
Tenten also looked at her boss, surprised. This was the first time that she'd heard of Kaguya Kimimaro being the new employee; he was the last member of a family of highly skilled artists, their skeletal formed sculptures -ranging in all sizes, contrary to Temari's belief- being almost notoriously famous.
Konan allowed herself a small smile, pleased, "Yes, I contacted him recently. It seems like he was ill, but he seems willing to work here."
After all the other details had been worked out with Hinata, she got ready to leave. Kimimaro would start working in the shop in a few weeks, at the beginning of Mai, so he would help to finish the bulk of their new jewellery line which they would be launching on the 1st of June. Depending on the revenue and profits they made, it was possible that he would stay on as a permanent employee.
As Hinata hugged her good bye, she whispered into Tenten's ear, "I never blamed you for what happened. I don't think you would ever do something like that." She offered Tenten a small smile before she left, and Tenten sniffled, holding in tears.
Hinata was such a gem.
###
"This was our third lesson and I'm beginning to get the hang of it." Tenten told Sasuke on the way back to their apartment, stretching her arms above her head as she tried to loosen up the tensed muscles.
Rock Lee trained them rigorously and she swore that it was a wonder that she hadn't passed out yet from the intensive sessions. It was also something seeing Sasuke get all sweaty whilst Rock Lee ran around the room, fuelled by the 'energy of youth' and firing them on.
"That's good." Sasuke replied, and Tenten was about to retort when a movement caught her attention in the corner of her eye.
Beside a lamppost was a cardboard box, illuminated by the glow that it cast on the pavement and its other surroundings. A small black paw was beating around in the air. As Tenten got closer, a faint mewing could be heard.
She crouched down, instantly spying the lone black kitten in the soggy box, wet from the evening showers that had been occurring recently. It looked pitiful, with slightly drenched fur and shivering in the cold. When it opened its eyes and looked at Tenten with large, vivid green orbs, Tenten's heart skipped a beat. The creature was adorable.
Carefully reaching out her hands, she lifted the kitten up and cradled it against her chest, smiling as it snuggled into her for warmth.
"What are you doing with the cat?" Sasuke asked her, glancing down at the creature with a bored expression, "Put it back so we can go." After all, Tenten had the keys for the apartment.
"I'm adopting it." Tenten told him.
"What?"
"Say hello to Sasuke." She crooned, to which the kitten only blinked at him and snuggled deeper into Tenten.
"Aww, he doesn't want to talk to you." Tenten patted Sasuke's arm condescendingly, "Don't feel too bad."
"I don't feel bad. At all." Was Sasuke's curt reply.
"Yes, yes." Tenten waved him off, looking down at the kitten, "This must be love at first sight." She held out her finger, which the kitten licked. "Sasuke, you've got competition."
"How so?"
Tenten stopped short. What had she meant? That Sasuke now had competition concerning her affections? Had she just subconsciously admitted to liking him in a romantic way? No, no, no, it was physical attraction at best, which was her hormones fault and had nothing to do with him or her as a person and also explained the occasional blush. Because a person like him was just no. Sure, he was no longer as annoying as over a month ago, and she had come to terms that she might care for him, but that by no means meant that she was starting to fall in love with him.
"Never mind." She said instead, noticing that Sasuke was still waiting for a reply.
The kitten meowed.
###
"It's finally Saturday!" Tenten cheered as she skipped into the kitchen to make waffles. Her hair was in a messy bun and she had quickly thrown on a pair of jeans and a red t-shirt in case she would run late. She was in an exceptionally good mood; today was the vet appointment and little Kuro-chan was getting his first vaccinations. He was officially becoming part of the Akiyama-slash-temporary-Uchiha household.
Sasuke came into the kitchen, "You're in a good mood." He stated as he saw Tenten humming whilst beating the ingredients together with a whisk.
"Kuro-chan is becoming Akiyama Kuro today." Tenten told him, pouring some of the waffle mix into the heated iron.
Sasuke frowned, "Why not Uchiha Kuro?"
Tenten scooped up the kitten that had come padding into the kitchen, giving it a kiss on the nose, "Because he loves me more. You're just jealous." She stuck out her tongue.
Sasuke rolled his eyes condescendingly at her childish behaviour.
"Also, you have to get dressed," she pointed to Sasuke's pyjamas, "As you're coming too."
"Why?"
"A man called Orochimaru called and said we should do something together this weekend, saying that he was worried about your lack of social interactions. He was awfully nice about it, so we're going to the park afterwards."
For a reason Tenten couldn't fathom, Sasuke's face had turned into a sneer as soon as she mentioned Orochimaru and he muttered something along the lines of 'interfering bastard'.
###
The vet was located in a small building next to the park. When Tenten entered, Kuro-chan sleeping contently in her arms and Sasuke trailing behind reluctantly, she noted that the room was surprisingly full for a Saturday. Birds chirped in their cages and a tortoise was even attempting to make its escape before it was picked up and set back by its owner.
"Hello, we have an appointment." Tenten walked up to the reception desk, where a girl with red markings on her cheek sat typing away at her computer. Her brown hair was tied neatly in a ponytail.
"Of course," She replied, "Name?"
"Akiyama Tenten."
"Thank you. Please take a seat, you'll be called when it's your turn."
"Okay." Tenten walked back, almost tripping over an ash grey, husky-like dog. As she stumbled, Kuro got jolted awake and looked around, eyes gleaming with curiosity. He jumped from her arms.
"Kuro-chan!" She called.
The kitten, not letting any call from Tenten deter him, darted through the room.
Tenten had almost caught up, Sasuke being no help and leaning against a wall, when a big white dog caught the little kitten by the scruff of his neck.
Tenten, wondering if her new family member was about to be eaten, was surprised to hear her name called. The dog padded ahead with the kitten still dangling in its grasp, so she had no choice but to follow.
As she entered the sterile white room, Tenten saw none other than Inuzuka Kiba take Kuro-chan from the dogs grasp, and it suddenly clicked. The dog was Akamaru. Kiba was the vet.
Kiba saw her surprised expression, grinning, his hair messy as always, "Never thought I'd make it through university?"
"It's not that." Tenten protested, a rueful grin making its way onto her face, "It's just that, I always swore I'd never get my animal treated by you." She always used to mock him endlessly back when they still went to school.
"I never understood why." Kiba muttered, beginning to examine Kuro, who was holding perfectly still under his gaze.
"You were always getting into trouble with Naruto and Choji, dragging Shikamaru along with you." Tenten bent down, fondly ruffling Akamaru's fur. He'd grown so big, he used to be way smaller, small enough that she could have carried him like she did with Kuro-chan.
Kiba let out a laugh that sounded like a bark, "Did you hear he settled down? Married, even has a kid."
Tenten laughed, "I know, I work with his wife, Temari. What about you? Found a special someone?"
Kiba pulled out an injection, carefully plunging it into the tiny animal, "Nah..."
A moment of silence passed and Tenten studied the room. Although she had initially assumed that the walls were white, they were actually a pale blue, the typical dog, cat and other posters hanging on them explaining various medical terms she would never understand.
"You know Hinata is still single?" Tenten stated matter-of-factly.
The tips of Kiba's ears turned red, "What's that got to do with anything?"
"Just saying, just saying. But I always thought it better to take the opportunity when it presented itself." As far as Tenten was concerned, Hinata needed a little more happiness and wasn't every woman's dream a doctor, even if it was a vet?
"Is that why you dragged along Uchiha?" Kiba said disdainfully. He and Sasuke had never gotten along.
Tenten groaned, standing back up, "It's not how it looks. Honestly, there's nothing going on."
Kiba didn't look up, still examining Kuro, "Really? Because as far as I could see, the whole time you were in the room his eyes never left you once."
Tenten didn't know what to say, except, "Why were you watching?"
"I had to call you a few times. You were too busy chasing your cat. Speaking of the cat, he'll have to stay here for a while. If you come back in about two hours to pick him up, would that be fine?"
"No problem." Tenten grinned, "Just don't kill little Kuro-chan whilst I'm gone."
Seemed like the park visit would take place a little earlier than she had anticipated.
###
As the weather was fair the small park was milling with small children that tottered up and down the shiny red climbing frame, parents keeping a watchful eye on them whilst happily chatting away. Some teenagers were riding their skateboards along the paved path, causing others to jump out of the way. Content couples also strolled around, glad for the cloud free day. Tenten smiled, the happy atmosphere being infective.
"Ice cream, fresh ice cream!"
"Let's go!" Tenten grabbed Sasuke's arm in a burst of joy, dragging him towards the moveable ice cream booth with a bicycle attached. It had a pink and white striped umbrella attached for providing shade from the sun, which was beating down with considerable force considering that it was only April and it had been raining almost incessantly the past few weeks.
A bland man with brown hair and eyes stood behind the counter, a name tag reading 'Yamato'.
"Ah, it is the couple issues pair." He said upon seeing both of them. He looked at Tenten clinging to Sasuke's arm, "It is wonderful to see that you have resolved your issues. I work at Zikea too, so if you ever decide that the bed is not big enough after all—"
Tenten let go of Sasuke's arm, pushing him away. What had she been doing again?
"The bed is big enough." Sasuke interrupted him, placing his arm around Tenten's waist and pulling her closer, "As we like to get extremely close when having—"
"Sasuke!" Tenten shouted, slamming her hand over his mouth. Turning to a rather flabbergasted Yamato, who evidently still thought they were the oddest couple ever to exist with a sea of unspecific problems the size of the Spacific between them, she said, "We'd like one scoop vanilla and one scoop chocolate. Please." She added as an afterthought.
Detaching herself from Sasuke, who was smirking, she paid for the ice cream and took the cones, handing Sasuke the chocolate one before striding away. It was odd; when they had first met Yamato, Sasuke had denied ever having something he'd want to do with her. Now he was saying that of all things... Tenten blushed profusely at the thought.
Sasuke quickly caught up with her as she sat down on a wooden bank under a cherry blossom tree, licking her vanilla ice cream. She decided to ignore what he had said earlier instead of picking a fight over everything.
Sasuke had finished his chocolate ice cream, but he still had the audacity to say, "I'd rather have vanilla."
"Too bad." Tenten shrugged, leisurely taking a lick of her vanilla.
Sasuke reached for her cone and she held it away, causing him to press himself against her as he reached for it, "Just a tiny try." He said, his face surprisingly close to her ear.
"No." Tenten answered.
"Please?"
Tenten froze, shocked. Had Uchiha Sasuke just said please?
"Tricked you." He smirked, quickly reaching forward and grabbing the frozen goodness from her hands, licking it.
"That's mine!" Tenten exclaimed, all coherent thoughts forgotten as she launched herself at Sasuke, her only goal to reclaim her vanilla heaven.
Tenten did get it back, but not like she had expected. In her attack, she somehow managed to plant her face into what was left of the scoop, smearing the pale yellow substance all over her cheek. The cone landed on the floor.
"Now you've wasted it!" She blamed him, resuming her position from before as she stared forlornly at the cone on the floor. Her poor vanilla ice cream was now on the floor and dripping off her cheek.
"Hold still." Sasuke instructed, leaning in, taking her face into his hands and holding it in place. Tenten's breath hitched; what was he planning?
He licked her face. More precisely, he licked the ice cream off her cheek.
Tenten froze for a moment, before shooting up, glaring at Sasuke, her cheeks a flaming red. "What are you doing?!"
"Not wasting the holy vanilla ice cream." Sasuke smirked, "But with the colour of your cheek it looks more like strawberry."
"Argh!" Tenten let out a frustrated howl, too embarrassed to do anything else as she stomped off to the ice cream stand.
"I need a tissue." She told the bemused Yamato.
He handed her one, "I thought you ordered vanilla and chocolate, not strawberry..."
She gave him a withering stare, striding back to Sasuke who was sitting on the bench, holding his stomach from laughing at her appearance. Her face softened; she hadn't ever seen him laughing like that before. When he saw her come back, his mirth resumed with twice the strength and Tenten's face hardened again because she was the source of his amusement.
An insect started swarming to her face because of the sweet smell and she batted it away, annoyed as she wiped off the remnants of the ice cream.
"You shouldn't do that." A voice said and a figure emerged from behind the tree, clad in a long coat and wearing sun glasses that obscured his eyes.
Sasuke stopped chuckling, jumping up from the bench in surprise.
"The insect. You shouldn't hit it."
"Shino?" Tenten asked, incredulous. She dimly remembered having a similar boy in her class.
"That bee was an important worker."
"I'm sorry. You work as an apiculturist?" She asked, glancing at Sasuke. She'd never thought that she would meet Shino again. Sasuke, on the other hand, looked like he was still trying to remember who Shino was in the first place.
"Yes." Shino said, "Remember in the future to not just carelessly swat bees away. Honey can also be used for medical purposes and is an important resource."
Tenten sweatdropped, "I'll try my best. Well, I need to go pick up my cat now. See you around!"
"Bye." Shino said, walking away.
"I don't quite remember..." Sasuke started.
"Who Shino was?" Tenten bit back, still not having forgotten the ice cream. "He's very polite, unlike some." She told him as they made their way back to the vet. Once there, she would need to look for the bathroom.
"Speaking of politeness, I don't understand how you can be so polite to everyone but are extremely rude to me." Sasuke accused her. "I was only trying to not waste ice cream." He smirked upon seeing her glare.
"It's surprisingly easy," Tenten told him.
But it's getting harder she added in her head.
A/N: Aaaaand that was chapter 11. If you feel like it, feel free to leave feedback :) Also, with the question(s) regarding updates, they're sporadic and infrequent. I apologise, but I'm not very consistent. Please bear with this story anyhow x_x – Mufin