"Dobe, whatever you do, do not combine the two mixtures. Got it?"
Uzumaki Naruto nodded at his partner before scowling behind his back. Feh, who does Sasuke-teme think he is? He's acting like I'm just some kind of assistant or something.
Meanwhile, Sasuke was calculating the amount of x that he should put to bottle b and adding to mixture z. Dangit. This is one of the times I wish that Sakura is here. She's better in Chemistry than I am. Now I'm stuck with Naruto. He sighed as he poured the x mixture to bottle b.
You know, these two mixtures are very colorful. Naruto shook the two mixtures, one orange and one pink. Hey, this reminds me of Sakura and I! Naruto giggled stupidly. When the two mixes, love would be born! He then unintelligently poured the pink mixture to the orange one. Wait, didn't… Oh man.
BOOM!
And you know what happened next…
Sasuke's Lesson In Life: Never speak to a dobe and expect him to understand you. Never turn your back on a dobe. Never ever trust a dobe. Better yet, do not meet a dobe. (thinks of mutilating Naruto as he stared at the F in his paper)
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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: Hi there people, I am so sorry for not updating lately. I have to set my priorities straight before moving on to updating my story. (drinks coffee)
CHIBIKAKASHI: You're still drinking that?
SARAFU-CHAN: Yeah! It's really good! You should try it sometime!
CHBIKAKASHI: No way. I am satisfied with collecting Icha Icha Paradise, thank you very much. Also, I already downloaded the new chapter just yesterday and I loved the scene where…
SARAFU-CHAN: Woah! (puts a hand on Kakashi's mouth) Um, I'm too young to hear those kinds of things. Save your ranting for someone else…
POOF!
SARAFU-CHAN and CHIBIKAKASHI: (coughs)
CHIBIGAI: The beautiful green beast of Konoha has arrived!
CHIBIKAKASHI: G-GAI! What are you doing here?
CHIBIGAI: My eternal rival, Kakashi! Have you forgotten that every month, we have to go and duel each other to challenge our youthful spirits! (strikes nice guy pose no. 29) Or maybe, you do not have any youth left in your unhealthy body because of that white hair…
CHIBIKAKASHI: (automatically touches hair) Hey! Leave the hair alone!
CHBIGAI: (notices person standing behind CHIBIKAKASHI) Ah, SARAFU-CHAN! (teeth goes PING!)
SARAFU-CHAN: Hi there, Chibigai… How's it going?
CHIBIGAI: I am in tip-top shape now and very ready to compete with Kakashi! (strikes sexy guy pose no. 3, which, according to Kakashi, is the most horrid of all "sexy guy" poses)
SARAFU-CHAN: (shudders) I see.
CHIBIKAKASHI: Save me!
SARAFU-CHAN: (looks at Kakashi pitifully) Sorry, I have to answer the reviewers first.
moonlightpath: Woo, thank you! You always give me some encouragement, moonlightpath.
hibiyuru: No, I'm a disorganized writer too. I just love writing so I write and I write until I am satisfied.
psychedelic aya: Omigosh, tama po kau! Si Naruto kasi, sobrang clueless. Remeber the episode aired here in the Philippines where Jiraiya wanted Naruto to bring him some "melons?" Tawa ng tawa ako kasi di maintindihan ni Naruto. Yes, ganon ka-dense si Naruto. Don't worry, everything would be fine for Hinata in the end.
NaruHina113: Yup! Go NARUHINA! Go NEJITEN! Rock the world with your awesomeness!
Lady Snow Blood: Gaara and Kankurou are up to something alright.
Confuzzled: Too much coffee is BAD! Waaaa! How come something that tastes so good be bad? (CHIBIKAKASHI walks in and throws the coffee in Gai's face. Uh-oh. Gai tasted the coffee…)
FireDragonBL: Well, I don't really know Tenten's personality seeing that she has no character development whatsoever so I make her naïve, innocent, friendly but angry like hell when you get on her bad side. And sorry for the very late update. As I told you, it's my grandma's fault. (sad)
hokage: I am great! And a Hokage told me this so it MUST be TRUE! And yes, I'll give you a Tenten keychain so your Neji keychain wouldn't be lonely anymore.
Preventer Squall: (spins faster and faster then goes to Gai-mode) YOSH! (raises the 3-dimensional hammer of youth) Now that I have acquired the Hammer Of Youth, I now have the power to teach the idiotic fools in this story a lesson they would never forget and spread the youth to surround them with love! (spots Sasuke and Neji trying to hide) YOU TWO! (the two boys try to escape) You cannot outrun someone who is fueled by the power of youth! (magically jumps in front of them) Fear not! I have seen your kindness towards the girls that are dear in you hearts and I am truly touched. I can see that the your other side, the other side that is hungry for love and romance, is already awakening! However, I am still unsatisfied, knowing that you two still have a large ego that might get in the way! For now, you shall be remained untouched by my Hammer Of Youth. (turns around and teleports to Ino's side) You, girl! (whacks her head with the Hammer Of Youth) What is that for, you might ask? It is for being too blind to not see how your heart yearns for Shikamaru! A love letter is not enough! You should take the incentive and approach him, telling him of the love you feel! (sees Shikamaru) And you there! (glares menacingly) Do not be lazy when it comes to listening to your heart! How dare you, thinking that I would not notice how you just stupidly stand there in the background, waiting for Ino or Temari to make the first move! Be more open-minded and decide who is the girl your truly love! Ino or Temari! (Shikamaru mutters "how troublesome") You fool! Love is not troublesome! It is universal and unquestionable! You cannot go around saying such stupid things! For now, I shall leave you to meditate and think about the happiness that is about to come if you choose to love without saying "troublesome." I now bid you farewell! (spins and lands near Naruto) Naruto… (with fire on her eyes) NARUTO! (repeatedly smacks him on the head with the hammer) Forgive me for saying so but you have the logic of a monkey! Hurting the feelings of someone who would be willing to breathe for you even if the world stops moving, that is disgraceful! You are hopelessly dumb when it comes on the matters of the heart! You bring shame to the name of love! (stops smacking Naruto's head) I hope that my smacking in your head has finally made you more sensible and intelligent! I cannot forgive you for breaking the heart of poor Hinata and even having the nerve on mistaking her for Sakura! There is a HUGE DIFFERENCE between bluish-black hair and pink! Bear that in mind (smacks Naruto's head 1000 times) I hope you're happy now, breaking our beloved Hinata's heart into two. I do not understand what she sees in you but I want to see her happy and I want you to wake up and realize how beautiful love can be! (teleports beside an Icha Icha Paradise reading Kakashi) Your efforts to matchmake Sasuke and Sakura is very praiseworthy. I appreciate your youthful approach and can only hope that you would do more good deeds to persuade the youth of today to spread the love! (eyes Icha Icha Paradise) However, it is my most honest opinion that you get rid of that book. (spins off and flies to Hinata's side) Hyuuga Hinata! The courage you have shown in the last chapters touched the very bottom of my heart. I have never seen anyone like you, a girl who can still love the person who broke her heart! You have my respect, dear friend! (pats Hinata) Your inner youth truly shines. Do not lose hope and never give up! Follow your heart! (a torrent of waves suddenly pops out of nowhere, threatening to drown SARAFU-CHAN but the scene changes to the top of Mt. Fuji with the cherry blossoms raining down) Be of stout hearts, everyone! Let your noble heart and steely sinew, fueled by youth, be your weapon when facing the odds! (raises the hammer and completely changes to normal) Preventer Squall, I hate you for making me write such a lengthy reply to a reviewer. Demo, I would also like to thank you for being so kind enough to introduce to me the joys of having an emergency Gai-mode in my system. A Gai-mode Sarafu-chan is bursting with youth and a youthful Sarafu-chan is energetic enough to speed the typing on the computer.
i-dream-of-blue-eyes: I might sound too emotional but when I wrote the part when Naruto said it was Sakura he met in the Summer Festival, I felt really sorry for Hinata-chan. Poor Hinata-chan.
Fantastical Queen Ebony Black: Gaara would appear! All hail Gaara! We all heart Gaara! Hope he doesn't die in the current arc. About Ino sounding sappy, you'll find out in this chapter why. And the highschool group thing. Well, it's kinda hard to explain really. I borrowed the idea from a private school whose style is to group students into five to ten members in the same group and then those groupmates would attend the same classes and help each other out. Also, those groupmates would have an "advisory teacher" who would be the one to give them guidance and check their grades and the such. For example, group seven, Kakashi's their advisory teacher but when they attend english, Iruka would be their teacher. Let's say P.E would be next. Gai would be their teacher. But in the end of the semester, the teachers would give to Kakashi Team Seven's grade and he would be the one to calculate them or something. Sorry for the bad explanation. I'm not really good at explaining things.
paperpenman: Thank you for pointing out the grammatical errors. I'll try to improve!
harukakanata: Yeah! And is it me or everytime I look at Tenten in the manga, it's like she's so close with Neji?
lunarangel: Lala, yes. After one million years, I finally updated. You want something Kiba related? (rummages her backpack) Oh here! A cute Kiba-kun poster with Akamaru by his side!
Jai0rOku: Neji is getting nicer. Must be Tenten's influence. BTW, your penname's kinda hard to write.
Rachel: See? I updated! YAY!
animevivverz: That was the longest chappie I've ever written. I don't think I can make the others as long or longer than that. -.-;
Kodoku: Shucks, you make me blush.
animeliOus: Another NejiTen fan! I knew this pairing's popular!
senx2: Dan dan dan! An update!
AddictiveJon: I just hope you find the other chapters interesting.
Hyuuga Sakura: Oh, Saku… Thanks! Such nice words.
starry-eyed angel: Of course you can! What the reviewers want, the reviewers get! (gives a sundae)
Ayumi Uchiha: Wow, creative ideas. Nice naman po. Okay lang, maganda naman po story niu. Tingnan niu, tagal ko rin nag-update. (winks)
Shurah: Another Filipino! YAY!
SARAFU-CHAN: Before I forget, every reviewer would get a free… PIZZA! Major yumminess!
CHIBIKAKASHI: Can you save me now?
SARAFU-CHAN: (drinks coffee and falls down on the floor)
CHIBIKAKASHI: What on? What the hell just happened?
CHIBIGAI: Seems like she drank too much coffee! This is the time for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation!
CHBIKAKASHI: Poor Sarafu-chan. And she doesn't own Naruto too…
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Sakura woke up and felt a wonderful feeling enveloping her whole-being. What is this? Yes! It must be love! Sakura blushed as she remembered how Sasuke saved her for the second time and how they spent the entire night together.
She got out of her bed and did a little twirl. She danced and imagined Sasuke right in front of her.
"This is so exciting! I love this feeling!" Sakura exclaimed as she twirled again and bumped into the wall. "Ouch…"
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Yamanaka Ino is in a very happy mood today. The first day (actually the second but the first was cancelled) of their shooting in The Race For Sasuke's Heart Show would surely end up with a bang. Especially after she launches her plan to get Sasuke to be madly in love with her. When she arrived in the studio, a big commotion is already going on.
"Huh?" Ino raised an eyebrow. "Why is everyone looking all… excited today?"
"It was so sweet…" Ino heard a girl who just passed her by.
"… Didn't know Sasuke could be so kind." The other said.
"Sasuke-kun?" Now Ino was really confused. She wants to know what's going on!
"…Happy…"
"Wonder what Ino would… "
"Must be love!"
"Bandaging Sakura's leg…"
"So kawaii!"
"Out of my way!" Ino shouted as she ran towards the video-editing room and opened the door. Oh, nothing much is going on. Just a crowd of people with popcorn and all sorts of snacks watching some kind of a video.
"What is this nonsense?" Yamanaka Ino's eyes widened as she saw the video featuring Sasuke and Sakura in a bonding moment…or something like that. "This…This can't be happening…" Ino fell on her seat helplessly. "I…I have to commence Phase 2 of my plan…"
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"I can do this," said seven-year-old Haruno Sakura to herself as she arranged the flowers in front of her. She delicately touched them and smiled. "It looks nice! I hope I would pass in- Hey!"
A malicious face came into view as Sakura looked up. "Look what we have here. The forehead girl!" Watanabe Ami snatched the flowers Sakura arranged and stepped on them, her face with no sign of sympathy for the poor girl.
"A-Ami…" Sakura was crying, barely looking at the mean girl as she stared at the wasted flowers.
"Hope you learn that a forehead girl like you is a loser! Loser!" Ami laughed and went away.
Sakura was left all alone and taking Ami's words to heart, cried until her eyes were red and swollen.
"Hey, you alright?"
Sakura looked up and saw a blonde-haired girl with bright blue eyes looking at her. Sakura shyly nodded but her face told Ino otherwise.
"You were crying. You don't look fine to me." Ino sat beside Sakura and gave her a handkerchief. "Here. Use this. You don't want to look like a wreck now, right?"
"R-Right…" Sakura nodded again and took the handkerchief. She wiped the tears away and gently smiled at Ino's friendly face.
"There! All better now!" Ino grinned.
"Y-Your handkerchief. But…" Sakura inspected the handkerchief sadly. "It's all dirty now. My tears messed your handkerchief up." Then Sakura timidly handed the handkerchief to Ino which the latter refused.
"Keep it! I have a feeling we'll meet again someday!" Ino ran, waved a hand, and was already out of sight.
The next day, Yamanaka Ino was trying to read and memorize a poem about trees. She collapsed on her seat as she groaned in frustration. She can never memorize such a long poem! Who cares anyway if she doesn't pass her literature subject? Would it end the world? Would it change history? Would it help her get Sasuke-kun?
Ino surprised herself as she hastily turned around to see the handsome Uchiha Sasuke in the back, looking oddly peaceful while reading a book.
"Sasuke-kun…" Her eyes scanned her crush but someone caught her eye. Behind Sasuke is the pink-haired girl she saw just yesterday!
After the class, Ino stood up and approached the girl. "Hi!" she cheerfully greeted.
The girl looked up, startled. A wary, guarded expression hooded her angelic face. "Y-Yes?"
Ino looked puzzled, but she chose to carry on with the conversation. "You're the girl I saw yesterday, right? I didn't know we're classmates! The world is truly round! I told you, we would see each other again!"
"You're right," Sakura spoke up after a moment of silence.
"I am Yamanaka Ino, and I was wondering if you want me to be your friend." Her eyes twinkled as she met the girl's wide emerald eyes.
"Friend?"
"That's right!" Ino clapped her hands. "I'll introduce you to my other friends like Shikamaru and Chouji!"
"T-That would be great!" Sakura happily said but she returned to being sad again when she touched her forehead. "No…W-Wait…"
"Huh? What's the matter?" Ino asked as she looked at Sakura's forehead.
"I-It's too wide, my temple…" She looked away embarrassedly.
"That's no reason to feel shy!" Ino raised a finger as if lecturing her. "You're cute and you don't have to be embarrassed just because of one flaw! People with wide temples are very smart."
"Really?" The jade orbs of the girl twinkled. "I…didn't know that…Ino…"
"You still haven't told me your name," Ino pointed out smilingly.
"Haruno Sakura."
"Spring's cherry blossom," Ino nodded in approval. "That's a cute name. Fits you perfectly."
"Really?" Sakura shyly asked.
"Uh-huh." The blonde girl tipped her chin and looked at Sakura. "And about your problem, it's no big deal really." Ino got a beautiful red ribbon from her pocket and handed it to her new friend. "Here."
"What would I do with this?" Sakura asked.
"Silly Sakura!" Ino laughed as Sakura blushed. "Use the ribbon to tie your hair like this." She proceeded to fix Sakura's hair and placed the ribbon neatly on her hair. "Okay! Sakura-chan, you look cute! But you would look even cuter if you smile."
"Ino-chan…" Sakura said as she slowly smiled. "You're so kind to me. First the handkerchief, now the ribbon…"
Ino pretended to look exasperated. "Sakura-chan, don't be stubborn. If I say you're my friend, then you are one." She tugged lightly at her hand.
Sakura nodded and clasped her hand back trustingly.
It was the start of a beautiful friendship, of harmony.
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"What do you mean by it didn't work?"
Chouji sighed as he held his cellphone at arm's length, as though frightened it might explode. "I told you, Ino. It didn't work. Shikamaru just threw the letter at the garbage can. I just checked a while ago."
"Well, check again!" Ino shouted to Chouji as she silently cursed Girl's Magazine in her mind. It's supposed to be full-proof! No man could resist such a romantic letter! It is already filled with a lot of "i-love-you!"
"Look Ino, the thing is, Shikamaru is not the type of guy who would fall for that." Chouji said as he munched some chips. He's too intelligent… And probably too lazy to care.
"Aaagh!" Ino is now annoyed. "Bad day! Bad day!" She sighed and spoke up in a gentler voice. "Chouji, I have no choice. Sakura already made her move. I'll do mine. Phase 2 shall be commenced right now."
"Gulp! Right now?"
"Yes, right now! So do your job right or the thousand-chips supply deal is history!"
Chouji sighed again. Ino is truly scary.
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Ino became a good friend to Sakura. She would help her out in their assignments, especially in flower arrangement. In turn, Sakura would give Ino some tips when memorizing things. Ino would also defend Sakura whenever Ami and her gang would bully her. Ino was everything Sakura wanted to be. They were the best of friends and neither was seen without the other.
Until that day…
"Hey, guys! I met a cute guy yesterday!" Sakura said as she arrived in the playground. "He's really cool and he saved me from drowning too!"
"Let me guess…It was Uchiha Sasuke right?" Shikamaru said knowingly.
"Uh… Y-Yeah. How did you know, Shikamaru?" Sakura asked, looking confused.
"It's so obvious. Practically every girl likes him!" Mirai said, a girl that is also Ino's friend.
"Oh." Sakura gently laughed. "I can see why."
Meanwhile, Ino was looking shocked at Sakura as her fist tightened into a ball. Sasuke… But I like him too…
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Temari looked dismayed as she got out of her apartment and took a long walk. She decided to take the day off today so that she could allow herself to rest and think things through.
She left the Sand originally because she was tasked to keep an eye on Konoha and to report about the current happenings there. To do this, she posed as a girl who is trying to apply for the job of a marketing strategist. It was supposed to be easy to get the job… Well, that is, if Shikamaru didn't come along and ruin it all for her.
Speaking of Shikamaru… What would he do if he got stuck in such a situation? Maybe she should ask him for advice. But no! Shikamaru is too sharp! He might sense something funny going on and report her to the police.
Temari bit her lip. Konoha is supposed to be the place they were going to destroy. It was a stupid idea from the start. Orochimaru is one of the most wanted in the world, no way would they get associated with them. But Orochimaru… He used a lot of treachery and tricked her father into thinking that Konoha is against them. Is there something she could do?
She passed by a huge billboard and noted something of importance.
Temari's eyes narrowed as she saw the sign on the billboard. It can't be…. So they really are coming?
LIVE! In Konoha's Stadium on the Fifth of November, Gaara and Kankurou Of The Sand!
Rock stars… That' supposed to be Gaara and Kankurou's cover but she knew better.
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"Ino-chan. Let me ask you something." The cherry blossom once said as the two of them sat on a bench under a cherry blossom tree.
"Okay. What is it, Sakura-chan?" Ino asked softly.
The blonde smiled so warmly that Sakura just tucked her knees underneath her chin. "Do you… Do you like Sasuke too?" Ino looked shocked as Sakura continued. "I just want to know cause I like him… a lot…"
Ino was too busy contemplating in on what Sakura just said to reply.
"So Ino-chan, I'll take that as a yes." Sakura stood up and walked away. As she did, she vowed that she would not lose in the competition, even if it meant she would lose her dear friend in the process too.
Many days passed and the two close friends grew apart. Ino's other playmates would wonder why and Ino would not tell them. Whenever she sees Sakura trying to stand up to Ami by herself, she immediately feels a pang of guilt stab her heart. Is it really worth it to give up Sakura's friendship just to gain the love of Uchiha Sasuke?
"Sakura!" Ino dropped the –chan and headed towards a beaten up Sakura nursing her wound. Sakura was fighting the urge to cry her heart out.
"I-Ino!" For a moment, Sakura looked startled as she looked at her former friend. "Ino…"
"Your wounds…" Ino looked at the wounds Sakura got. She wanted to help Sakura but her pride's preventing her from doing so. "What did you do again? You're such a klutz and a crybaby."
"Ino, I don't need you protecting me anymore." Sakura said in an almost commanding tone.
Ino stiffened. "I'm not trying to protect you!"
Sakura's eyes showed determination. "From now on, let's make a deal. We don't exist to each other because being friends ever again is out of the question. I'm sick of it, and you're sick of it…"
"Fine!" Ino spat out, turning her back on Sakura. "You're a lousy friend, so I don't even feel sorry for this."
"And about the handkerchief and the ribbon…"
"You keep it!" Ino shouted as she walked away.
The harmony never ended even though they stopped being friends. Deep inside, Sakura and Ino could never stay mad at each other. It is a melody that would continue to vibrate inside their hearts no matter how they try to deny it… A symphony of friendship. Of Harmonia…
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"Ne, Hinata-chan? Are you angry at me?"
Hinata shook her head. No, she's not truly angry. How could she be? It's not like it's Naruto's fault he can't remember her.
"Hey, lookie here, Hinata-chan!" Naruto happily pointed to the car window and grinned. "It's raining!"
Hinata glanced at the window and let out a small gasp. "H-How come? It's all sunny and the sun is up but it's raining." She turned to Naruto. "W-What type of weather is this, N-Naruto-kun?"
"I don't know the exact term for that actually," Naruto replied sheepishly.
"M-My mom used to tell me when she was alive that when this event happens, t-two…" Hinata paused and forgot what to say next.
"…Two foxes are getting married! Yeah! I heard about that too!" Naruto finished for Hinata as she blushed. "It's the nature's way to celebrate the marriage of two foxes. Kind of a gift to them. At least that's what Iruka-sensei says."
"Aa." Hinata nodded. Two foxes, huh?
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"It's just a rehearsal, Tenten. What are you so worked up about?" Neji stated dryly as he stared the closet where Tenten apparently tried to hide. Call it nervous breakdown or whatever but the wardrobe manager said that she won't come out. Could she even breathe in there?
"I know!" Came Tenten's muffled voice from the closet. "But I'm not really good at crowds and this dress… It's starting to itch."
"Tough," Neji smirked. "You should have thought of that before becoming a model. And for those itching problems, I got a calamine lotion with me. You want some, hm?"
"That's a trick!" Tenten shouted.
"Hn."
"Don't 'hn' me! You're tricking me so I could come out!"
"That's not part of my plan," Neji said smugly.
The closet door opened and out came Tenten looking annoyed. "Admit it! You want me to come out from this clo-" She stopped and looked at Neji. "Uhm, yeah. Just like what I said…"
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Hinata arrived at the designated hotel room where she's supposed to meet her father.
"Your name please." Hiashi's personal butler asked.
"Hyuuga Hinata." Hinata said confidently. I won't run away. I want to be as strong as Naruto-kun.
"Please come in." The butler opened the door leading to the executive suite reserved especially for the Hyuugas. Yes, they were that rich.
"Hinata."
Hinata looked at his father's solemn and impassive face before giving a courteous bow. She sat on a comfortable chair opposite of Hyuuga Hiashi. "F-Father, I see you've already arrived. I-I trust that your trip home had been f-free of hassles."
"I can see that you're still stuttering, Hinata." Hiashi said as Hinata's face lowered in shame. "How is the company by the way?"
"E-Everything is just the way it was before you left, F-Father." Hinata said, getting nervous.
"Useless." Hiashi said as he stared at Hinata's shocked face. "I specifically told you before I left that I want some improvements. Some changes. But instead you did nothing. You are useless, Hinata."
Hinata bit her lip and said nothing. She's already used to being treated like this so she knows that even if she says something, it'll just make matters even worse. Useless. Weak. Nothing. Worthless. A waste of time. Disgraceful. That's what Hinata is, right?
"I can see that you are not fit to become the heiress." Said Hiashi as he snapped his fingers. The butler quickly came and gave him a bottle of sake. "However, there's another way in which you can bring honor to the Hyuuga name."
"W-What is it, Father?" Hinata asked bravely.
"An arranged marriage." Hiashi said simply as he calmly sipped some sake. "That's the only way you can bring back the prestige of our clan, by marrying someone of a status as high, or even higher than ourselves."
Hyuuga Hinata solemnly stared at her father, hoping that her ears are deceiving her. "F-Father…Y-You can't be serious…"
"Oh? I do not jest, dear daughter." Hiashi sipped his sake again. "Now off you go. I have some matters to discuss with Mr. Kurosawa."
Hinata nodded and left. It can't be… She felt her tears threatening to fall again. No, I must be brave. I can get through this…
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
"And the new model of the Cosmos line, Miss Tenten!"
"BOO!"
"You suck!"
"Get out!"
Tenten was behind the curtains with Neji. "Neji, why are they shouting boos instead of clapping for me?"
"Don't worry, they're just some 'pretend audience' we hired."
"Even so, they are deliberately insulting me!" Tenten pointed out as she looked at a wave of banners of her face with a large x on it.
"No, they're not." Said Neji calmly. "They're practicing you."
"Practicing me?"
"Yes, in a fashion show, they always insult the new model." Neji said in an as-a-matter-of-fact voice. "It's some kind of tradition or habit they've got. If you get through this, you can get through anything."
Tenten's face lighted up. "I see! Thanks Neji! Wish me luck."
"I will." Sucker…
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
"ATCHOO!"
Tsunade wiped her nose and stared at Haruno Sakura on the set of The Race For Sasuke's Heart Show. She sure looks so happy.
"This question is directed to Miss Ino." The host turned to the blonde who was confidently sitting on her the sofa. "Miss Ino, what do you think would happen between you and Mr. Uchiha?"
"Well, I think this show would help us become closer." Ino smiled at the camera.
"Now to Miss Sakura." Sakura waved as the camera turned to her. "What do you think could you do for Mr. Uchiha that no one, including Miss Ino, can? Please answer honestly."
Sakura gave a small laugh. "I'll make him happy!"
"But I'm already happy." Sasuke responded, who was beside the host.
"Then I'll make you happier!" Sakura protested.
"You're annoying."
"You're stubborn!"
"No, I'll make him the happiest man alive!" Ino said suddenly, wanting to take part in Sasuke and Sakura's conversation.
"Ino, stay out-" Sasuke tried to say but was cut off by the cherry blossom princess.
"Ino, this is my question!"
"But I deserve the right to voice out my opinions!"
"I did not say anything when you were asked your own question!"
"So? Your point being?"
"My point being you're not allowed to answer my question because you've got your own! That's practically stealing!"
"What! No, it's not!"
"…" Sasuke merely said as he watched the two women glare daggers at each other. Staring contest, anyone?
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's getting intense!" The host said as he flashed a smile that was obviously a rip-off from Gai. "Stay tuned to The Race For Sasuke's Heart Show!"
Tsunade smiled at her client and spotted Sakura's bodyguard with the strange taste of hair and clothes. What's his name again? Oh yeah, Lee. He looked pretty sad as he stared at Sakura.
"Love…" Tsunade sighed as she forgot to listen to the winning number in the lottery on the radio.
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"I'm so stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Tenten scolded herself.
The crowd watched as Tenten came on stage and whirled around, doing a pose Paris Hilton-style. Except that she was WAY better than any snobby heiress. Neji was shocked to see Tenten, her hips swaying perfectly in rhythm and he just stood there, awestruck.
The boos started to become replaced by some clapping as Tenten began to feel confident. But just as she did the last twirl, her ankle wobbled. And in a split second, she doubled over.
Tenten lay there, facing the ground. The audience did not say anything. No "You suck!" No "Go Tenten!" Just nothing. Tenten slowly stood up, brushed a bang that fell out of place and ran in embarrassment. She passed by Neji who looked at her in sympathy.
Her crystal tears fell like rain on the gown she's wearing as she continued to cry.
"Here."
Tenten looked up and stared at a handkerchief in front of her. She looked at its owner and frowned. "Neji… You don't have to feel sorry or me you know."
"I'm not." Neji replied. "Now get this handkerchief before someone sees me standing here like a fool, my hand outstretched to you."
"N-Neji… I don't know what to say… I…." Tenten's eyes were getting teary as she stared up at her manager.
"Then don't say anything." Neji replied as he gave her a handkerchief. "Sometimes, actions are enough."
Tenten took the handkerchief and looked at Neji. It was almost…nice. She didn't want to believe that Neji, the Hyuuga Neji, helped her out and even encouraged her to stand up even though no one believed she can do it. Whoever knew that the guy with the heart of ice also has a sensitive side to him?
"I'm a bad model, huh?"
"No, you're quite good." Neji said sincerely. "You were just inexperienced. Remember Tenten, if you fall down again, stand up and look confident like you've completely forgotten that you fell."
"Really?" Tenten had her mouth hanging open. Why didn't she do that instead of running like a sissy?
"That's supposed to be a trick to fool the audience that falling down on your face didn't affect you at all." Neji smirked. "Get your act together, Tenten and don't mess up on Sunday. The president would be watching you."
"Yeah, I know." Tenten nodded, her eyes showing determination. "Neji?"
"Hmm?"
"Thanks."
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Shikamaru is standing in the background as the curtains close.
Wait! This really can't be the end?
He didn't even make an appearance so it must not be…
…the end of chapter 9?
END
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SARAFU-CHAN: (miraculously wakes up before CHIBIGAI would try to do mouth-to-mouth) I'm alive!
CHIBIKAKASHI: She's… alive?
CHBIGAI: (sad) Aww, now I can't show off my medical skills. (brightens up) But now, I could go and challenge Kakashi!
CHBIKAKASHI: …I don't want to…
CHBIGAI: Admit it! You just want to run away! Kakashi, you coward!
UME: I didn't know Kakashi-san's a coward.
CHBIKAKASHI: Who the hell is this kid?
SARAFU-CHAN: Someone who got lost… over the rainbow and lala-land.
CHIBIKAKASHI/ CHIBIGAI: …
SARAFU-CHAN: Okay fine, she's another one of my muses. Ya happy?
CHIBIKAKASHI: I'm not! (angry) I thought I'm the only muse around here! And why isn't she in chibi form?
SARAFU-CHAN: Yeah, Ume… How come?
UME: Shouldn't you know, Sarafu-chan? You're the author after all.
CHBINEJI: Why am I here?
CHIBIGAI: Neji! My student! (glomps Neji)
CHBILEE: Sir Gai! (glomps CHBIGAI who's glomping CHIBINEJI)
UME: I've never seen a stranger sight…
CHBIKAKASHI: Believe me, you're gonna see even stranger stuff if Gai's around.
CHIBINEJI: Twentwen, welp…
CHIBITENTEN: Please read and review!
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(Okay guys, I decided to just do a summary of the next chappie instead of a preview. Don't hurt me people! (ducks as rotten tomatoes comes flying on the screen)
Chapter 10: The Show!
Hinata is pressured by the idea of an arranged marriage, especially now that she's about to meet her fiancé. Also, Ino tries to get Sakura's makeup artist, Kasugano Ume, to help her humiliate Sakura. Would the girl, who is famous for being a pushover, help Ino? Meanwhile, Tenten get readies for the fashion show with Neji's promise about a shopping spree after the show in her mind. Would Tenten embarrass herself in front of Hyuuga Hiashi? And what about Lee?
