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A 16-year old Uzumaki Naruto was seen riding his bicycle across the Konoha Highschool campus. A passerby saw that a message on the front of his T-shirt announced his goal: "I AM GONNA BE A HOKAGE!" As the blonde-haired boy rode on, the passerby noticed a sign on the rear of his bicycle: "I AM GONNA BE A MERCEDES!"

Naruto's Lesson In Life: Follow your dreams! Yes, that includes inanimate objects too.

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I Wanna Be A Supermodel

Summary: Tenten is an ordinary girl who was thrown into the crazy world of showbiz. Can she survive? Pairings are: NaruHina SasuSaku InoShikaTema and eventual NejiTen. Read & Review pls!

SARAFU-CHAN: Hello there people! Sorry for not updating quickly, I was lazy.

CHIBIKAKASHI: Bad bad Sarafu-chan! You forgot to buy me the Icha Icha Paradise DVD!

SARAFU-CHAN: Gah, put a sock on it. When I said I was lazy, I was too busy reading the Naruto doujinshi from my uncle when he last visited the Akihabara district.

CHIBIKAKASHI: Ooh!

SARAFU-CHAN: I got two NejiTen ones and a 100-paged doujinshi that contains a NaruHina with some slight SasuSaku.

CHIBIKAKASHI: Anyway, mail time!

Confuzzled: Naku salamat po. Pinatataba niyo po ang puso koh! (bigay na ng halo-halo tsaka Naruto poster) Tnx for the review!

hibiyuru: Right, I would love to write that as well, a happy ending, (gives a cute Neji and Tenten poster) But that would mean lesser chapters and less blooming romance for them! No, I would love to write their love story step by step, from the first kiss up until their first child…or something like that…Hehe, sorry. It's just me babbling on.

harukakanata: Thanks! (gives a HUGE Neji poster)

i-dream-of-blue-eyes: The "manny" part, just some kind of nickname I got from the word "manicure" and how people go on calling it "mani" (hands a Tenten poster w/ Shikamaru keychain to go with the Ino keychain Sarafu-chan last gave)

paperpenman: That's right. I finally got out of my writer's block and managed to forget about my laziness just so I can type this new chappie. (happily gives a massive Naruto and Hinata poster)

moonlightpath: Hey, thanks for the suggestion. (throws a Shikamaru and Ino poster in turn)

animEvivvErz: Yeah, Ino SHOULD go for Shikamaru…Go Shika-kun! And Sakura has to stay strong! YEAH! (gives another Shikamaru and Ino poster)

dobson: Gracias. Now I know how to say "congratulations" in Spanish. (throws a Neji and Tenten poster)

lunarangel: Man, you sure have a lot of questions! (hands a cute Sasuke and Sakura poster w/ Haku keychain) Here's the new chappie!

hopeless-girl: It's cute? (tickled pink) Oh my, thanks! (gives a ramen-eating Naruto and shy Hinata poster)

Periwinkle: Sorry, no SasuSaku here but there'll be more in the next chappie! Stay tuned for that! (hands a Sasuke and Sakura poster)

Airheaded dude: Yeah, you're like so totally right. My cousin is SO a pervert with a capital P. (gives a Neji and Tenten poster) And yeah, dude. I totally dig Full House. I'm addicted to it! "JUSTIN! OMG, ang gwapo mo Justiiiiiiiiiiiiin!" Hehe… (wipes a tear) Sayang, tapos na Full House. Miss ko na agad.

Lady Snow Blood: You'll find that out by the next chapter or so. (smiles and gives a Neji and Tenten poster)

Preventer Squall: WHOA! (gives Preventer Squall some medication) Take a chill pill! (turns to a tied-up Naruto and Sasuke) You iiiiiiiiimbeciles! (turns to a crying Hinata and Sakura) Look at what you have done to them! (faces Naruto and Sasuke with…GASP! Icha Icha Paradise!) Apologize to them right now or else I shall torment your soul and blind your eyes with this horrible book! (Naruto and Sasuke mutters sorry) That is right. You used the strength of youth which was inside your very soul to melt those glacial hearts of yours. (raises fist up in the air) It is still not too late for you! Repent! REPENT! Use your inner youth to follow what is deep within your hearts! Do not be ashamed to be in love! (sighs and returns to normal) Okie Preventer Squall, here's your Naruto and Hinata poster w/ a free paper fan that's got Gai on its front (throws the poster and fan) Hehe, and about whacking Ino too… Hmm. I think she's feeling quite alarmed now after seeing you hit Naruto and Sasuke repeatedly with a paper fan. I doubt she'll appreciate that.

Fantastical Queen Ebony Black: Thanks for supporting my fic regardless of the pairing I used. Shika-kun sure is a girl-magnet hmm? (hands a very cute Shikamaru and Temari poster)

SARAFU-CHAN: The ice creams melted…

CHIBIKAKASHI: Yeah, that's why she just gave you those posters. She left the ice cream melting out there in the scorching heat of the sun because she was too excited to come and play badminton with her cousins.

SARAFU-CHAN: It was an accident, okay! (cries)

CHIBIKAKASHI: I'm still mad at you for not buying me the DVD.

SARAFU-CHAN: Hey, I have no money. Why don't you buy it yourself, you pedophilic muse.

CHIBIKAKASHI: …Ouch…That hurts…

SARAFU-CHAN: Anyway, I need to do the disclaimer thing but I guess you already know who owns Naruto, right?

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"So Tenten, what are you planning to do now?"

Tenten and her manager, Hyuuga Neji, were sitting on a bench inside Konoha's Park. Even though Neji was usually a grumpy, egotistical and arrogant kind of guy, there was something about Tenten's eyes that made him want to comfort her. He had figured that he had heard and known more than what he should about Tenten and her family. And what was that talk all about Tenten being just like her mother?

"Um, I don't know…" came Tenten's depressed voice. "I mean, I don't know where to live now."

Neji looked at Tenten. "Well, you are always welcome to stay with me…"

"Really?"

"Actually, not really," Neji said as he gave a smirk. "I just thought of making that up to see how you will react."

"I see." Tenten shrugged. "I figured just as much. One look at you and people can instantly presume that you're not really the humanitarian type."

"Hmm?" Hyuuga Neji looked quite amused. So, trying to intimidate a Hyuuga huh? We'll see about that. "Oh, I'm a humanitarian alright. Someday I plan on building a homeless shelter for model-wannabes."

"Grr…You're so cocky you know that?" said Tenten with the tiniest hint of annoyance in her voice as she gave her manager a glare. "You scored one on me. A very crucial score on that." She watched Neji's usual apathetic face give another vomiting-worthy smirk. Then a light bulb popped over her head. "Hey, I get it! Why don't you try to cheer me up, Manny?"

Neji blinked.

"Take me out to dinner." The model said casually, as if she was just asking him to walk to school with her.

"And you actually think I'll agree, how come?" Neji asked, an eyebrow raised in curiosity. His mood was beginning to darken.

She nudged him playfully. "Hey, I'm the one doing you a favor here. I reckon that if I won't invite you out, no one else would. It would have been another boring day for you then."

"How would that be a favor?" Neji asked sarcastically. This girl was getting on his nerves. "Point number 1, I'll be the one who'll spend money and point number 2, I'm totally fine with my plain, dull and boring life."

"So that means so you're not comfortable with change?" Tenten stuck her tongue out at him, unable to believe Neji's smug ego.

"Exactly."

"Fine Mr. Smarty Pants." Sighed Tenten as she looked at her manager in disdain. "Just find me a decent place to stay in for the night. Hey, you're my manger right? I'm your responsibility then." She gave a victory-sign at Neji.

"Okay, fine." He took out his cellphone and dialed a number. "Hello? Mr. Koshikawa? Hyuuga Neji. I am- My what? No! I am not in the mood for your fun and games. Listen, I want you to find me an apartment that would be very accessible to the Hyuuga Buildings…" Tenten watched her manager talk with the Koshikawa guy in amusement. "Okay, right. Call me in about half an hour." He turned to a grinning Tenten. "Happy now?"

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A scheming Ino is a manipulative Ino. A manipulative Ino is a scary Ino. A scary Ino leads to a doomed Shikamaru…

Run Shikamaru, run! Run like the wind! Lock the doors, board up the windows, hide the women and children, grab a gun, and head for the hills!

As Ino sat there on her computer, smiling proudly at her piece of work, there were pieces of crumpled paper all around, making Chouji wonder if Ino had a habit of… being messy. His friend called him to go to her house first thing on the next morning without any valid reason at all in the middle of the night. Chouji had missed his beauty sleep. And he was dreaming of being stranded in an island made of ice cream. However, he woke up and that is very sad. So so so sad… And what was sadder was that he was bribed by Ino that she would give him a dozen bags of chips if he will come to her house. No wait. That isn't sad. That is delightful! But enough about that. Let's now go to the conversation of the two characters in this part of the story.

"Um, Ino. Exactly why did you call me to go to your house so early in the morning?" asked Chouji, picking a handful of chips. Chips, never forget about that.

"I just want you to be the first person to know about my new plan to get Sasuke-kun and Shika-kun back!" Ino said as she gestured at her computer. "TA-DAA! What do you think, Chouji?"

Chouji blinked. "It doesn't look very edible to me."

Ino stared at the oblivious Chouji and laughed. "Ha ha! Silly Chouji, this is Operation: Getback!." She pointed at the drawing on the computer screen. "With this full-proof plan, nothing can go wrong." She stopped laughing. "But…there is a catch."

"A catch?"

"Well yes." Chouji cringed when he saw the twinkle on Ino's eyes. "I will need your help."

To quote Shikamaru, this will be too troublesome. "Er, can't you find someone else?"

"No way! Besides, you're my friend right? And you've got access to Shika-kun's room." Ino looked thoughtful for a second. "Actually, you've got access to almost any of the rooms as assistant head of the security system in the Hyuuga Building B…" Ino said, pondering for a moment how Chouji actually got promoted to such a job despite his er, eating habits.

"Well…"

"I'll supply you with a hundred bag of chips if you help me." Ino exclaimed, using her friend's culinary tastes to her own advantage. "Shall we make it two hundred? Or maybe five hundred? A thousand chips supply?"

Chouji smiled as he heard the offer. "Deal."

"Haha, alright!" Oh my, I almost said a lifetime supply. That'll be a waste of good money… Ino shrugged and went to the kitchen, hoping that Chouji will forget about her promise to give him a dozen chips.

"Ino, where are my chips?" Chouji called out as he ate the last chip remaining in the bag.

"Hai, hai."

As Ino groaned and got the chips she was hoping to eat (she was cheating on her diet), Chouji picked up a crumpled piece of paper. On it were inscribed the words 'Contingency plan for the protection of Ino's Sasuke and bestfriend Shika-kun.' Also drawn on it was a large star-shaped symbol that looked vaguely like an explosion. There is also a drawing of two girls, one with pink hair and the other one with sandy hair. One might also note that there was an arrow pointing towards the drawing that said "Boom!".

This might go a long way in explaining Ino's plan.

It could be violent, too violent for a Rated K+ fic that Ino decided to abandon the original plan.

Or maybe it was just some random plot slapped by the authoress in three seconds.

The world may never know.

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Tenten was humming as she made her breakfast. Looking at the interior of the apartment, she decided that it was very comfortable and silently thanked Neji for finding her a well-mannered abode. Setting the breakfast table, she proceeded to get some hand towels…only to find that there are none.

"Shi-"

Unfortunately for Tenten, she forgot to go back inside her house and pack some clothes. Which was bad. Neji was unusually kind enough to give her some food supplies last night that got Tenten thinking that maybe he had considered her situation and also thought about her apparent deficiency of clothes. Tenten looked at herself and groaned. She had been wearing the same pink t-shirt last since yesterday and she did not even notice it. Now Tenten is in major… filthiness.

"Damn, got to find some clothes, got to find some clothes…" Tenten was muttering as she racked the closet and searched under the bed. Finally giving up, she went back to the dining room and finished her breakfast which was promptly forgotten.

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Sakura woke up early that morning and got up from her bed. Pulling the window blinds, she went to the bathroom. After washing her face and brushing her teeth, the pink-haired actress decided to check outside if the milkman had already delivered her a bottle of milk.

"LEE!"

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"Hi, I'm Tenten. I live in apartment C-1 and I need-"

SLAM!

"-some clothes…" Tenten trailed off as an ugly old woman in her late forties slammed the door right on her face. So far, her gameplan is to ask the other occupants in the other apartments for some help…if they are kind enough. So far, a woman had slammed the door on her face, three just gave her weird and uncomfortable looks while a guy rolled on the floor and fell laughing. Tenten was about to give up. The last apartment is her last chance.

DING DONG!

A girl with sandy hair opened the door, an apathetic look on her face. "Who is it?"

"Uhm, hi! I'm Tenten and I'm in seriously in need of some clothes." She paused as the girl looked at her. "Can I ask for your help?"

"No."

Another slam on the door. After a second, the door opened again.

"Wait, Tenten?" Tenten gave a small nod, wondering what just happened. "The new model for the Hyuuga Company right?" Another nod. "Okay, I guess I can make an exception. Besides," The girl scanned her up and down. "No offense, but you look dirty. Come in."

"Oh thank you, Miss…" Said Tenten, not knowing the kind girl's name.

"Temari." Smiled the sandy-haired girl at Tenten. "You can call me Temari."

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As Lee marveled at Sakura's exquisite taste when it comes to house decorating, the said girl just snapped her fingers in front of his face.

"Lee!"

"H-Huh?"

Sakura stared at Lee and gave him a disbelieving but amused look. "Don't be shy now. You can eat your breakfast here. What would you like?" She proceeded to the kitchen.

Lee looked down at his shoes and said, "Um, Sakura-san, I guess anything. I mean, I'm not a guest here after all…"

"Of course you are!" Came Sakura's voice as she came back with a bowl of cereal. "Anyway, what were you doing outside my house anyway? You might've gotten a cold or something! And aren't you scared? I mean, some burglars might see you there, standing guard in front of my door all alone and defenseless..." Sakura poured some milk on the bowl and gave it to Lee. "Lee?"

"Sa-Sakura-san. I want to…protect you at all costs." Replied Lee, not looking directly at Sakura. "Last night, I heard you…crying."

Sakura's face softened as she looked at her dedicated bodyguard who is very much concerned at her well-being. "Lee, I really appreciate your concern for me but there was no need in endangering both your health and safety just for me you know."

"But that is my job as your bodyguard!" Lee proclaimed, shaking a fist up in the air.

"I know," Sakura continued. "But that doesn't mean that you have to guard me 24/7 all the time. Have some time for yourself. And don't worry about me!" She gave a wink that made Rock Lee blush. "I'm a strong girl. I can handle this!" That's RIGHT! Ino Pig, get ready to face the new Sakura!

"I just noticed…" Lee said as he pointed at Sakura's hair. "Your hair, it wasn't that short before. How come…"

Sakura picked up a part of her hair and showed it to Lee. "Oh this? Well, I don't think long hair really fits me so I cut it short last night by myself." She gave a small laugh. "But I'm no professional. Do you think it's alright?"

Lee gave a thumbs-up. "It's perfect for you!"

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Tenten bowed at Temari. "Thank you for lending me some clothes."

"That's okay." Said Temari, waving a hand to dismiss it aside. "It's really not a problem. But I am kinda curious as to how a model like you would run out of clothes. Aren't models supposed to have tons of clothes in their closets?"

"Haha…" Laughed Tenten, her face red in embarrassment. "It's quite a long story."

"I have a car outside. Are you going to go to the Hyuuga Buildings? If you are, I can always drive you there. I mean, I'm going there myself too so why not take you along?" Temari picked up her car keys and showed them to Tenten.

"Really? Do you mean it?

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Chouji looked around at Shikamaru's office carefully. No one in sight. Good. He took a small envelope in his pocket and placed it on the top of the marketing strategist's desk. Sighing, he got out of the office and cursed the tastiness of chips.

"With this love letter, a part of my plan shall be carried out." Ino proudly stated as she held out a piece of paper.

"Um, Ino? What would Shikamaru do with a love letter?" Chouji asked. ""He surely can't eat it can he?"

"Chouji for the last time, I need to you to get your mind off any food for a while!" Ino cried out, getting annoyed. "Listen, when he reads this love letter, he'll want to find out who wrote this and that would occupy his mind and take up his time. Then I'll step in and tell him that his secret admirer is…" Ino stopped. Surely, she doesn't want to be misunderstood as Shika's secret admirer right? "…I don't know. Maybe I'll hire someone to pose as Shika-kun's obsessed admirer."

"Ino, are you sure this plan will work? I mean, Shikamaru is very smart. He won't fall for such a thing." Chouji said.

"Nonsense!" Ino hastily replied as she got an envelope and placed the letter inside. "Boys are suckers for this kind of thing. I should know, I read it in Girl's Magazine." She sprayed some floral perfume on it. "There! Now for Sasuke-kun…" Ino grinned and laughed manically, making Chouji wonder if his dear friend has a few screws loose.

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Tenten gave a small and courteous bow, "Um, thanks again Temari. You are so kind."

Temari gave a big grin. "Hey, no problem." She watched Tenten step out of the car. "I'll have to go the Hyuuga Building B now. Ja ne."

Temari made her way to the parking lot, got out of the car and headed to the third floor. Looking at her watch, she had decided that it is still a little early for Shikamaru to go to work and looked for Chouji, who was quietly sitting while eating some pancakes in another room.

"Chouji, I need the keys to the office." Temari said, eyeing the assistant head. "See, Shikamaru's still not here and-"

"Uhm, okay!" Chouji cut in suddenly, giving Temari the keys and shoving her outside the room. "Good bye, Temari!"

Temari sweatdropped, wondering what had gotten into Shikamaru's bestfriend Chouji. "Okay… So I'll go now." Giving another puzzled look, Temari shrugged and went to Shikamaru's office.

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Hyuuga Neji was frowning as he read the paper document. Hyuuga Hinata had been very polite to inform him of some good news and bad news. Giving a glare at his first cousin as if it is his way of telling her it's all her fault, he put down the paper and went to a thinking pose Shikamaru-style.

"Manny!"

Neji's concentration was shattered as he glared daggers at the offending person whose voice made him feel homicidal. He then gave another glare and this time, the unlucky person who received the fierce look was Hinata's bodyguard who was Naruto. Naruto sweatdropped and hid behind Hinata who seemed to have paled from Neji's constant glaring. Sigh. Sucks to be them.

"Tenten, was it necessary to make a whole lot of noise so early in the morning here in my office?" asked Neji, still glaring at Tenten.

Tenten casually took a seat on a comfy chair near Hinata and Naruto, ignoring Neji's deadly glares. "My, someone sure has wakened up in the wrong side of the bed this morning!" Receives a more intensifying glare. "Seriously, you need to lighten up. Even just a little bit." She gave a small smile towards Naruto and Hinata. "Aren't you ashamed of yourself? Alleviating your pent-up aggravation by glaring menacingly at the innocent?"

"They are not innocent. Especially her." He gave a glance at Hinata who paled even more than usual.

"Geez, what did she ever do to you?" Tenten defended.

"Why do you want to know?"

"Hey, that's not fair! You can't ask a question to answer another!" She pointed accusingly at her manager. "Unfair!"

"Life is unfair, get used to it." Neji replied rather unenthusiastically. Glaring again at Hinata, he sighed. "If you don't have anything to discuss with me, then you may leave." Hinata nodded meekly, standing up and walking towards the door with Naruto right behind her. "Why are you here Tenten?"

"Um, I'm supposed to be the talented model you are handling remember?" Tenten asked.

"Talented? You praise yourself more than what you should be credited," Neji said, ignoring Tenten's darkening look. "Anyway, I've got some important announcement for you. Some good news and bad news." He paused, shutting his eyes tight before continuing. "Let's start with the good news. Your first fashion show would be next week at the Konoha Mall. The Cosmos line would make you their main model. Is that alright with you?" Tenten nodded, even though she wasn't exactly feeling confident with the idea of walking around a stage where many people would see her. "The bad news is that the president, Hyuuga Hiashi would arrive also next week and was invited to watch the show."

Tenten noted the indication of hatred in Neji's voice, especially when he spoke the name "Hiashi." "So? What's the big deal? I mean, I just have to look good when modeling on stage, smile if needed and then do a pose in the end right?"

"You don't understand." Neji replied, sounding colder than usual. "Hia- The president is a very strict and discriminating person. He isn't the type to let insolence slide. One wrong move from you and it's the end for your career. The end of our career. Believe me when I say it, the president would find a way just to humiliate me…"

"Humiliate you?" repeated Tenten loudly.

"Yes, so stop toying with the idea of me getting sacked." Neji arranged the papers in his desk and looked at the window. "It's not very funny…"

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CHIBIKAKASHI: Read and review!

SARAFU-CHAN: ...

CHIBIKAKASHI: Still addicted to that book huh?

SARAFU-CHAN: ...

CHIBIKAKASHI: That's alright. I'm addicted to Icha Icha Paradise myself.

SARAFU-CHAN: But I'm not addicted to that book. And I'm reading this doujinshi so carefully because...I can't read the katakanas and hiraganas here...

CHIBIKAKASHI: O.o Oh...

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P-R-E-V-I-E-W ON THE NEXT CHAPTER:

"Naruto-kun, you really like Sakura huh…" Hinata muttered sadly.

Naruto gave a fox-like grin. "YEAH! I told you before right? I LOVED her ever since we were little!" He stopped when he realized something. "Hinata…Did you just…say a sentence without stuttering?"

CUT!

"Let's make a bet okay?" Tenten said as she pointed at Haruno Sakura. "Sakura would get Sasuke to fall in love with her than Yamanaka Ino."

Neji smirked. "Fine." He looked at Sasuke thoughtfully. "I bet that Sasuke won't fall in love with the two of them because they're loud, annoying and both have weird hair." Tenten raised an eyebrow. "Well, pink-haired girls usually are ditzy while blonde girls are…dumb."

"You have a bad sense of humor."

"Thank you."

CUT!

"Temari, did anyone come here in my office before you?" Shikamaru asked.

Temari shook her head. "No, I don't think so. Besides, Chouji would know because he's the assistant head and keeper of the spare keys right?" She went back to her desk and continued typing in her computer.

"…"

CUT!

"You know, Sakura. You haven't changed one bit…" Sasuke said as he bandaged Sakura's right leg carefully. "Let me guess. Swimming lessons didn't even cross your mind even after the incident?"

Sakura smiled. "Sasuke-kun, it's because I know you'd always be there to rescue me anyway…"

"Annoying girl…"Sasuke muttered, fighting off the blush now appearing on his face.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura laughed as she eyed Sasuke's frown turning into a visible smile. "You know what? It's like going back to the past again. Were Naruto here, it would be Group Seven all over again!"