To my friend Julie Ahn, please PM me cause I changed my Msn messenger.
For the first time. I am submitting my fic on time. I did promise Sunday or Monday. Anyway, this chapter is 900 words more than the precious chapter. At 8000+ words, it's my longest chapter to date.
Now on with the chapter...
Heaven's Tale
Chapter 8
"Oh My God," Sakura gasped, at the sight of her favourite idol. "Sasukekun," she quietly mouthed to herself.
"Brother-in-law," Lee voiced out, his mouth widening into a toothy grin.
"What?" Tenten asked, confused only to have her slender body enveloped by strong arms.
"Found you," a deep, soft voice breathed into her ears.
"What took you so long?" Tenten asked him, her voice soft, and a big smile on her face. She did not care for the answer. She was really glad he was here. Now, she can introduce him to her friends.
"The mayor," Sasuke told her briefly, inhaling her coconut shampoo. He was not one for public displays of affection but he wanted to surprise Tenten. He also noticed the long furtive glances of other males at the ball and he wanted to tell them that she was his.
"How did you get away?" The stunning brunette asked him, feeling his cheeks on her neck.
"Your father," Sasuke told her, grateful for Gai's intrusion.
"Brother-in-law!" Lee exclaimed, joining in their embrace by wrapping his own arms around them. Yep, they were one happy family.
"Lee," Tenten sputtered. "I can't breath."
Lee released them, willingly. "Lee," Sasuke said, acknowledging his girlfriend's brother. He too released his embrace on Tenten. Lee looked different what with his wavy hair and traditional outfit. Sasuke did think that Lee was attractive since he had a body that any male would envy but seeing his transformation he thought that Tenten's entire family must be a hidden gem. Although Lee and Gai had a more vibrant outlook in life, he was glad they accepted him for his stoic self.
"Teme," Naruto grinned, combing his hair with his fingers. "That was some entrance you made." Sasuke looked over at the 6ft blonde. He had not seen Naruto for a few weeks. Although, they had a rivalry but Sasuke did consider him his best friend. He was comfortable around the man, so comfortable that he can outwardly express himself despite his indifferent appearance. Naruto also seemed to understand him, even though most of Sasuke's thoughts were unsaid. Naruto looked good; he wore an orange yukata with his family's emblem sown into the back. His hair was in his usual spikes. His roguish boyish looks were heightened by his whiskers etched into his cheeks. Sasuke was sure that after tonight Naruto will be one of Konoha's eligible bachelors.
"Dobe," Sasuke uttered in monotone. "You never called," he told his best friend, annoyed.
"Would it kill you to call Naruto for a change?" Ino replied with no ounce of anger evident in her voice. She smiled to herself, although Sasuke and Naruto called each other crude names but for them it was terms of endearment.
"Yeah," Naruto agreed quickly, throwing an arm around Ino's shoulder. "Teme..." he growled upon seeing a glare from his onyx best friend.
Tenten stood beside her boyfriend, smiling. Oh how she missed this scenario.
Neji was not pleased with what he saw. A few moments ago he was talking to Gaara about his latest project when Lee called out 'brother-in-law'. The young Hyuuga followed Lee's gaze to see an actor stroll over towards their group and embrace Tenten from behind.
"Damn. She's off the market," Kiba stated, eying the brunette. "I was going to ask her out for a date," Kiba uttered softly to Shino. Neji, who was standing beside Kiba, stiffened at the remark. Neji did not believe a word Kiba said. He was certain that Sasuke was just a friend of Tenten who happened to be happy to meet her.
Gaara smirked from where he stood while watching his pale-eyed friend. Gaara noticed the hint of emotion flicker across his face. It was subtle but it was there. "They've been together for 3 years and a half," Gaara told Kiba while observing Neji's mannerisms. He smirked inwardly upon seeing Neji clench his fists unconsciously. Yep, he enjoyed torturing his friend.
Suddenly, Neji had an urge to down an entire bottle of vodka. He felt annoyed. Tenten not only went to another university without any notice and failed to keep in touch with him but she also got herself a boyfriend. Not to mention the sight of Sakura swooning over the raven-haired man only fuelled his irritation. For God's sake, he was right there.
Tenten pulled Sasuke closer to her circle of friends. "Everybody," she announced, looking from one person to another. "This is Sasuke."
Oh Neji knew who he was. He was Uchiha Sasuke and, according to Sakura, Japan's latest heartthrob. Sakura talks about him endlessly and makes him watch Sasuke's dramas with her. With his luck, she would talk about Sasuke for the next few weeks now that she has seen him in person.
"Sasuke," Tenten continued. "This is, from left, Shino, Kiba, Neji, Gaara, Hinata and Sakura. I'm sure you know who the others are," she replied, gesturing towards Lee, Naruto and Ino.
"Finally, I meet Tenten's friends," Sasuke told them briefly, mentally taking note of their names. While maintaining an indifferent face, he took in their faces. He was greeted by smiling faces except for Shino, Neji and Gaara who just nodded in his direction. Well, only Shino and Gaara nodded, Neji just looked intently at him in recognition. His eyes paused at a familiar face and he was a little surprised to see the petite female that he met twice before. He almost did not recognise Hinata as she was dressed up in her lavender Kimono. She looked like a Japanese doll. Sensing, Sasuke's eyes on her, both their eyes met and her eyes widened at the eye contact. Feeling embarrassed, she quickly turned her attention towards the ground.
Sasuke felt Tenten wrap her hands around his and tugged him to the direction of a not-too-happy-looking man. Sasuke noted that he had the same eyes as Hinata. 'Must be siblings' he thought, noticing the death glare he was receiving. He snickered to himself. 'yeah like that would kill me.'
"This is Hyuuga Neji," Tenten explained, looking upwards to Sasuke. "He's my best friend."
"Hn," Sasuke replied, extending his right arm out for a handshake. He was a little surprised to hear that Tenten's best friend was a guy.
"Neji," Tenten hissed, glowering in the Hyuuga's direction.
Neji's eyes flickered to an angry Tenten who waited expectedly for him to return Sasuke's handshake. "Boyfriend?" he asked Sasuke, returning his handshake firmly.
Sasuke smirked at the strong grip. "Yes," he answered, returning the firm grasp with equal strength. Neji blinked at the power of Sasuke's handshake.
"I wanted you to meet him in person, Neji," Tenten explained, watching the two men release their grips.
"Hn," Neji replied, taking a quick look at Sasuke and then to Tenten. He knew he should be happy for his best friend but watching them together annoyed him. Especially since they looked… favourable for one another. He took in Sasuke's 6ft tall and lean stature next to Tenten's 5ft 6in slender physique. Even what they wore was similar with Sasuke wearing a midnight blue formal Yukata that had the crest of his family sown into his sleeves while Tenten had on a similar coloured Kimono. With Sasuke's pale skin, dark penetrating eyes and messy raven-coloured hair, he was what Sakura would deem tall, dark and handsome. Tenten matched him perfectly what with her beautiful appearance and sunny personality. They were like night and day.
Sasuke smirked inwardly, as he felt the cold stare of the Hyuuga. Sasuke knew that Neji was sizing him up. To anger Neji more, Sasuke snaked a protective arm around Tenten's small waist.
"Oh and this here is Haruno Sakura, Neji's girlfriend," Tenten smiled, pointing towards the pink haired female who made her way beside Neji's side.
"Hi," Sakura beamed, her emerald eyes sparkling. "Sorry about Neji," she told Sasuke, looping an arm around her boyfriend's arm. "He's doesn't seem approachable at first but he's like that to people he just met," she explained, looking expectedly at her boyfriend. "Right, Neji," she asked him.
"Hn," Neji voiced out.
Sasuke nodded, glancing at Sakura who was smiling at him. He knew she was a fan. He could sense one from so far away. Besides the way she looked at him with stars in her eyes seemed obvious enough.
A vein appeared on Neji's forehead when a dreamy sigh escaped from Sakura's lips.
'You're embarrassing yourself, Sakura,' Ino mouthed to her friend from behind Sasuke, to which Sakura failed to take notice.
"Since everyone's here," Kiba said, noticing the hostility radiating from a certain Hyuuga. "Let's eat."
"Finally," Lee exclaimed, patting his stomach. "I'm hungry."
"Yeah," Ino agreed. "I need to go to the toilet first," she told Gaara. "Save me a seat?"
"Hn," Gaara told her, noticing that Lee had started his leave. "Lee. Wait," Gaara voiced out to his best friend.
Naruto, Shino, Kiba and Hinata followed in Gaara's direction. "Do you think there'd be ramen?" Naruto asked Hinata, who merely smiled and shook her head.
"Shino, remember not to feed your pet cockroach, Trivia in the open," Kiba reminded his quiet friend. "Ino doesn't seem the type who'd appreciate that."
"Hn," Shino agreed, patting his pocket to make sure his pet was there.
"Everyone's leaving," Tenten said, peering over Neji's shoulders. "Let's eat," she told Sasuke.
"Neji, come on," Sakura told her boyfriend, yanking his hand and quickening her pace to catch up with Tenten and Sasuke.
A few minutes later, Lee found a table that was empty and situated near the buffet table. He too found an extra chair and placed it at the table since there were 11 people.
"Do you have to return to the VIP section?" Tenten asked her boyfriend, her brown eyes in worry.
"No," Sasuke told her, reassuringly. "They won't miss me."
Tenten's face broke into a smile. "Good," she told him. "I'll go get us some appetisers," she told Sasuke again. "Don't worry Lee, I'll make sure I get you a plateful," She laughed upon hearing her brother's stomach rumble.
"I'll get us something to drink," Sasuke told her, standing up from his chair. "Lee, you want one?" he asked the thick eye browed male.
"If it's not too much trouble," Lee grinned, making no move to leave the table for some food. He was staying behind while the others go get their food. Lee wanted to make sure that no one else would snag their table.
Sasuke made his way to the beverage area. It consisted of 3 huge round dining tables where each of them is for a different type of beverage which is the punch concoction, alcoholic drinks, and coffee and tea. Piles of glasses were placed on the tables. He went over to the fruit juice section and noticed a certain female filling a glass with juice. He, then, took 3 glasses and proceeded to join her. "Hinata," he said his baritone voice clear, Sasuke reached over for another ladle and began to fill in his 3 glasses.
"Yes," Hinata returned, placing the ladle back into the huge punch bowl that was the size of a bathtub. Her eyes widened as she realised who it belonged to. "S-Sasuke-san," she said, meekly, grasping her drink tightly and carefully so she would not spill it all over his Yukata.
"I didn't know you were Tenten's friend?" Sasuke told her, placing his ladle back into the bowl.
"I'I didn't k-know you were her b-boyfriend," she retorted back, surprised at his friendliness.
"Hn," he turned to her, his dark eyes piercing. "I didn't bring your DVD," he said, quietly.
"A-ah," she said, suddenly remembering that she asked him for Kurenai's signature. "It's o-ok. Y-you wouldn't k-know I was h-here."
"You didn't even give me your address," Sasuke spoke.
"O-oh," Hinata replied, suddenly feeling very foolish. "S-sorry," she apologised. "Y-you can pass i-it to Tenten. She'll g-give it back to m-me."
"Hn," Sasuke agreed. Hinata face reddened as he still looked at her rather intently. "I have someone I want you to meet."
Hinata looked at him surprised. "W-who?" she asked him, watching his back retreat into the crowd.
Sasuke looked over his shoulder, still holding the three glasses. "Come," he told her plainly.
Hinata trudged along behind him, only to find herself at the VIP section. She bumped into Sasuke's back when he stopped abruptly.
"Sasuke!" A melodious voice, exclaimed. "Where did you go for the past hour?"
Sasuke ignored her question and stepped back to reveal Hinata. "Hinata, I would like you to meet…"
"K-kurenai-san," Hinata gaped at her idol, who was standing right there in front of her.
"Oh," Kurenai turned to Hinata, smiling and standing up from her seat. "So you are Hinata," she smiled politely, placing her wine on the table. "It's good to meet you," she told the petite Hyuuga, pulling her into a friendly hug. "Sasuke, here, told me about how big a fan you are."
Hinata's face reddened. She was unable to speak and feeling rather faint.
Kurenai placed her hands on her hip. "You never told me that your girlfriend is so cute and attractive," she scolded at Sasuke.
"A-ano," Hinata replied, her voice quiet. "I-I'm not his g-girlfriend."
Kurenai smiled back. "Is that so?" Kurenai laughed. "My bad."
"Tenten is over there," Sasuke pointed at his girlfriend who was over at the buffet bar and in deep conversation with a guy.
"Wow," Kurenai breathed. "She's beautiful," she observed. "And that guy next to her, he's not too bad himself," she looked over at him, checking him out.
Hinata turned around to see Neji. "He's my c-cousin," she told Kurenai.
"And he's too young," a voice drawled out, a little hint of jealousy. He took another drag of his cigarette and released smoke into the night air.
Kurenai laughed, wrapping her arms around the man's waist. "I know," she told him. "And what did I say about smoking at the ball?" she told him, a hint of a smile on her face. She took the cigarette from his hands and threw it to the ground. She then dug her shoe into the cigarette bud, putting out the fire.
"Asuma-san," Sasuke greeted the tall man, who looked over at him in acknowledgement. Asuma was kurenai's husband and also a teacher at Suna High School.
"Sasuke," Asuma started. "You did a good job on the drama?" Asuma told him, grasping Kurenai's wine glass on the table and took a sip.
"Hn," Sasuke replied, a little surprised by the compliment.
"But that kiss," Asuma started, placing the glass back on the table. "Was it really necessary?" Asuma told him, getting a little angry.
Kurenai sighed. "It's just a job."
Asuma ignored her and pulled her into an embrace. He, then, tipped his wife back and kissed her senseless. "Now, that is a kiss," he told Sasuke, wiping the red lipstick from his mouth. His wife giggled next to him, smoothing down her hair in place.
Sasuke lifted an eyebrow at the makeout session, not knowing what to do or say. He looked over at Hinata who seemed about to faint at the scene in front of her and held her upper arm softly yet firmly. "Let's go back to the others, Hinata," he told her, quietly. He released her arm when she nodded.
"It's good to meet you Hinata," Kurenai hugged her again.
Hinata smiled a hint of blush on her cheeks.
"Thank you," Hinata told Sasuke, after they were a few paces away from Kurenai and Asuma.
"Hn," Sasuke replied, noticing the shy smile she gave him.
Tenten was at the salad section filling her plate with lettuce, chicken breasts, carrots, mushrooms, cheese, cherry tomatoes and regular red tomatoes. "That's a lot of tomatoes," a deep voice, told her, taking a glance on her plate.
"Yeah, Sasuke loves them," Tenten told him, smiling at the person next to her. She took a glance at the person's plate. "That's a lot of lettuce and chicken breasts," she uttered. "I didn't know you were on a diet."
Neji smirked. "I'm not. Sakura is," he told Tenten, placing the plate on the table and filling another plate with quiches, sushi and bite-size sandwiches.
Tenten grinned. "I know," she laughed. "Can you pass me another plate, please?" She told Neji, who handed her another plate. She then proceeded to fill her plate with sushi, chicken rolls and bread sticks.
"Didn't know you had a boyfriend?" Neji voiced out.
Tenten turned to the tall Hyuuga. "I wanted you to meet him," she explained again. "Isn't that better than just telling you?" she pressed, and then turned her attention back towards the buffet table. "Besides, if I hadn't found out about you and Sakura, I doubt you would have told me about the two of you," she told him, reaching out for the olive oil and sprinkling it over the salad.
"I would," Neji defended himself.
"Seriously," Tenten turned to him yet again. "Sakura would have told me not you."
Neji sighed."Fine." He knew when he lost.
"Fine," Tenten said, a smile gracing her face. "So what do you think of him?"
"Who?"
"Sasuke," Tenten pressed.
"He seems… pleasant," he replied,eventually.
"Uh-huh and…" Tenten asked, wanting to know more.
"He seems to make you happy."
"It's good that you noticed," Tenten told him grinning.
Neji looked at her, wryly. "How's job hunting?" he asked Tenten, wanting to change the subject.
"Well I got accepted by all the jobs I applied," Tenten told him, dryly. "But for all the wrong reasons. No one wanted a female engineer and if they did it's only for eye candy," she said, exasperated. "They didn't even take me seriously." She picked up the other plate and sighed. "Truthfully, I think it'll take a while for me to find a job."
"Hn," Neji replied, smirking inwardly as an idea hit him. He picked up his other plate and turned to her. "Why not work for me?" At first he thought it was a crazy idea. But once he thought it through, it made a lot of sense to hire Tenten.
"What do you need a mechanical engineer for?" Tenten asked him. "You're in the hotel business."
"I don't need an engineer," Neji admitted, truthfully. Tenten sighed."But I do need a secretary."
"Who? Me?" Tenten raised an eyebrow. "However grateful I am for this offer, I can't accept it," Tenten answered, turning his offer down. "I'm not even qualified."
"I need someone I can trust," he told her.
"What does trust have to do with this?" Tenten asked him.
"My uncle did find me a secretary," Neji explained. "Well, several."
Tenten looked at him in surprise. "Several? What happened to them?"
"I fired them," Neji spoke.
"What? Why?" Tenten pressed on.
"They kept on making attempts to seduce me," Neji said, bluntly.
"Ok," Tenten stated, their eyes meeting. "So let me get this straight," she pursed her full red lips together. "You want me to work as your secretary because you trust that I won't seduce you," she verbalised, agitated.
Neji thought it over. "Hn," he agreed. She was the perfect candidate. After helping him with the charity ball, he was sure of her abilities.
Tenten sighed. "I don't even have the qualifications, Neji."
"I'll ask the other secretaries to teach you," Neji insisted.
"Haven't you even thought of hiring a man or a much older person as your secretary," Tenten told him, placing the plates back on the table and folding them across her chest.
"I tried," Neji told her. "They left."
Tenten sighed. "Neji, maybe, if you were kinder to people you'd still have a secretary," she told him, exasperated. Neji only gave her a blank look. "Fine, I'll work for you," Tenten said finally. She was always unable to say no to him.
Neji smirked, at her reply. "But," Tenten paused. "If I find another job at an engineering company, I'll be able to leave."
He nodded, agreeing with her terms. "Only after the first 3 months."
"Good enough," Tenten smiled at him, picking up her two plates.
"You start on Monday," Neji informed her before making his way back to join Sakura and the others.
Tenten smiled while following Neji to their table. Well at least it was a job. Not something that she expected but it's still a job. Truthfully, she was taken aback by Neji's offer. However, she knew it was his way of easing her worries. She looked over at the table where Sasuke was and smiled. Seems like he was adjusting well since he was listening quietly to what Shino and Kiba said.
Ino closed the portable toilet door behind her. To her pleasant surprise, the toilet was clean and smelled like oranges. She took out a mini version of her floral perfume and spritz it on her wrists and neck. There was no way she was taking a chance. She did not want to smell horrible especially around the others. She smiled as she thought about how tonight went. Surprisingly, Gaara made a very good companion. She too did not expect to meet a lot of people. She did not have many friends but somehow she had a gut feeling that all of them would be close friends eventually.
Ino looked around at the east dining area to look for a sign of Gaara or maybe Naruto but she had no luck. Wandering aimlessly, she noticed a tuft of blonde hair that belonged to her childhood friend.
"Shikamaru," Ino happily called out, her arms wrapping around the shocked blonde's neck. She gave him a tight hug and pulled away. "What are you doing here you lazy ass? You didn't even tell me you were coming?" she looked at him accusingly, her azure eyes showing a tint of hurt.
"I came here with a friend," Shikamaru told her, hoping that she would not see past his lie.
Ino laughed. "Yeah right a friend made you come here. Even Chouji and I have a hard time to ask you to join social events," she verbalized, wincing at her remark. She licked her lips and gave Shikamaru a forced smile. "Your parents forced you huh?"
"Yeah," Shikamaru told her weakly.
"You could just have told me that," Ino replied, whacking his arm lightly. She gave him a sleazy smile which he noticed.
"What is it?" Shikamaru asked her, shifting from one leg to another. Her look made him a little nervous.
"You're looking rather spiffy tonight," Ino retorted, taking in his dark gray Chanel suit with silver cufflinks and an unbuttoned white shirt which showed off his smooth, tanned skin.
"I wear this all the time," he defended himself, adjusting his cuffs.
"Yeah right," Ino scoffed. "You're dressed to impress, Shika," she told him, arms folded in front of her chest. She paused, undoing her arms and clenching a fistful of chiffon. "Is there anyone I should know about?" she asked him slowly, her face revealing distress.
Shikamaru shook his head. "No," he told her, his tone rather forceful. He watched as Ino smiled in relief.
"Would you like to join me for dinner? We got a table somewhere," Ino asked him hopefully. "You get to meet Tenten and all. Even Sakura's there," Ino added, hoping to tempt him to join her.
"I got some business to attend too," Shikamaru politely declined.
Ino looked crestfallen, as his words sank in. "Oh," she said quietly. "Well, then, I better get going. I'm sure Gaara is wondering where I am," Ino explained, looking at him uncertainly.
Shikamaru sighed. Women sure are troublesome creatures. "Hey, Ino," he called out, getting her attention. "I'll come over tomorrow."
The leggy blonde smiled widely at his statement. "That's great," she told him gratefully. "I'll show you the new studio. You're my first guest," she told him, while pointing a manicured finger at his finger. "Ja ne," she waved slightly, disappearing into the crowd in search of her companions.
Shikamaru watched her dress float behind her as she blended into the sea of people. Shikamaru hated lying to Ino. He was her best friend and they told each other everything. However, the feeling of guilt weighed heavily on his shoulder. He knew that Ino would not forgive him for what he did and so he decided to put off telling her till when he knew she was ready.
"Hey," a female approached him, her lightly make up face filled with concern. "Was that Ino?"
"Yeah," Shikamaru said quietly, a headache forming.
"When do I get to meet her?" She asked a hand on his shoulder.
"Soon," Shikamaru promised to her. "Let's go home," he told her eventually.
"Ok," She told him, hesitantly. "I am sorry," she grasped his hand, squeezing it lightly.
"Don't be," Shikamaru told her reassuringly, placing a hand on the small of her back while they made their way to the exit.
An hour passed by…
"Let's go somewhere," Sasuke whispered to Tenten, his hot breath tickling her ear.
Tenten turned to look at him and smiled. Since everyone has finished eating, it was the best time to excuse themselves. Besides these days they rarely had time alone with one another since Sasuke was busy with work. Tenten stood up and Sasuke imitated her movements.
"We'll be going for a walk," Tenten announced, feeling Sasuke's hand rest on her hip. "I'll see you guys later," she told them, smiling shyly upon seeing her friends knowing faces.
Naruto snickered towards their retreating backs. "Play nice," he called out causing Tenten's cheeks to turn pink in embarrassment.
Sasuke turned around to give a smirk at his best friend. "Dobe," Sasuke uttered, amused.
A few moments later, Sasuke carried two wooden crates that he found near the beverage area to a spot at the edge of the wide field. From that spot, Tenten and Sasuke were able to watch the crowd from afar as well as have a little privacy. They sat down, both their shoulders brushing lightly.
"You did well," Sasuke expressed in his deep voice, looking over at the entire charity ball event. The decorations, location, stage, dance floor to the food were well thought out. Nothing was up to par but went beyond that.
"Thanks," Tenten told him appreciatively. Sasuke knew about her inclusion in the making of the charity ball since she told him over the phone earlier this morning. "Neji did most of the work though. I just planned." She shrugged, not thinking too much of it.
"Hn…" Sasuke smiled inwardly. Only Tenten would not make such a big deal out of her achievement.
"I got a job out of it too," Tenten articulated, relieved. "I was worried I might not be able to find a job. But I did."
"What Job?" Sasuke asked her.
"Neji offered me a job as his secretary," Tenten explained. "But after I find a suitable position in another company, I'll resign." She tugged a tendril of hair behind her ear.
"Yeah," Sasuke agreed, a little hesitant.
"Yeah," Tenten repeated, a hint of a smile gracing her face.
"Tomorrow," Sasuke started, his obsidian eyes piercing into her chocolate eyes. "Would you follow me to a place?"
Tenten smiled. "Yes," She agreed. "Where to?" She asked him, curious.
"You'll know tomorrow," he told her. "I'll pick you up."
Tenten took out a pen from inside her black clutch and plucked a green leaf from a nearby branch. She then proceeded to scribble down her address. "Don't lose it," Tenten teased him, handing the leaf over to Sasuke.
He smirked, taking a quick glance at the address to memorise it. "I won't," Sasuke promised, tucking the leaf into a pocket sewn inside his Yukata.
Suddenly, fireworks were released into the sky, the highlight of the entire night. It lit the night sky in shades of green, blue, red, yellow and purple. The lights were never ending and it was breathtakingly beautiful. "Fireworks," Tenten exclaimed, a tint of excitement in her voice. A hand cupped her cheeks, gently turning her face to the side to meet his.
He stroked her soft cool skin. "You're beautiful." Sasuke's voice floated in the night. He took in her glowing skin, plump red lips, slender neck and almond shaped eyes. She was enticing.
Tenten laughed, her harmonious voice carried by a breeze. "Uchiha Sasuke," Tenten began, her dark eyes widening beneath her thick long lashes. "Are you trying to seduce me?"
"Is it working?" he asked, not waiting for her answer as he captured her lips in a lingering soft kiss.
Sakura wrapped her hands around her boyfriend's neck, her head resting on Neji's chest. It was the perfect ending to a perfect night. She met Sasuke-kun, her boyfriend had agreed to dance with her and she hung out with her friends.
She sighed happily, feeling Neji's arms pull her body closer towards him. She tilted upwards to take in his sharp jaw and beautiful pale eyes. "I had fun tonight," she breathed out, her emerald eyes alluring.
"Hn," Neji answered back, a hint of a smile on his face as their bodies move to the beat of the music.
"Don't Tenten and Sasuke make a gorgeous couple?" Sakura gushed, her long cotton candy hair swaying slightly in the breeze.
"Hn," Neji told her, unable to answer. He did not hate Sasuke but he felt an uneasy feeling whenever he saw the Uchiha. However, he did notice that Tenten and Sasuke looked good together. He just did not want to admit it.
"They're definitely serious with one another," she continued, sighing dreamily. "Did you see the way they look at one another? So romantic," she admired with a faraway look in her eyes.
"Hn," Neji answered his girlfriend. It was true, Sasuke only looked at Tenten. He hardly even glanced at any other female. Only when he was spoken to did Sasuke meet the gaze of any female.
"That must be how we look like when our eyes meet," Sakura looked up at him expectedly, waiting for his answer.
"Yes," Neji answered, a small smile graced his usually indifferent face.
Sakura smiled, resting her head on his firm chest. "You know," Sakura told him, the spark in her emerald eyes dimming.
"Hn."
"I think Naruto is ignoring me," Sakura voiced out, her eyes downcast.
"It's only your imagination," Neji reassured her.
"No, seriously, he hasn't talked to me since he came back," Sakura explained, her eyes flaring with anger as she looked at her boyfriend. "Tonight, he barely said a word to me. How do you explain that?"
"I don't think he realised he did," Neji told her. It was Naruto after all.
Sakura thought about what he said for a second. "Yeah…" she uttered softly, thinking about the blue eyed blonde haired man. "Everyone he knew is here after all," she convinced herself. She tiptoed and placed a quick peck on her boyfriend's cheek. "I'll go visit him tomorrow." She looked up and smiled at her boyfriend who nodded at her in agreement. "He and I could talk then."
And then, when the dark sky was decorated with colourful lights, Neji bent down to place a sweet kiss on his girlfriend's lips.
"I'll send you back home," Sasuke told the brunette as they ambled towards the exit.
"We're taking the shuttle bus?" Tenten asked him surprised. She did not know that he even took public transportation. Sasuke preferred to avoid them, usually choosing to walk if it was within walking distance.
Sasuke smirked. "I drove," he answered, humoured by her statement. "I bought a car."
"You did?" Tenten asked him again, her eyes widened.
"I did." He answered, a tiny smile graced his features.
Tenten grinned. "Alright." She whipped out her handphone and punched in her brother's number. "Lee, Sasuke will be sending me home tonight. Tell otousan ok…. See you at home," she told her brother as she ended the call and placed her phone into her clutch. "Done." Tenten smiled at Sasuke. "You may drive me home now."
Sasuke smirked. "Hn."
"Otouto," A voice called out to them.
Sasuke stopped in his steps and turned to face the man. "Tenten," Sasuke told his girlfriend, who looked at the stranger in surprise. "This is my Aniki, Uchiha Itachi," Sasuke told her, acknowledging his brothers presence.
Tenten smiled at Itachi and bowed formally to him. "It's nice to finally meet you," she told Itachi. She noticed that they looked similar. Both were good looking with the same sharp jaw line, dark soft hair, pale white skin and tall lean physique. Only Itachi's eyes were different as he had dark eyes that seemed to glint dark red in the night sky. His hair was also long and held in a low ponytail similar to Neji's. Itachi too wore a similar midnight blue yukata as Sasuke, which had the Uchiha crest sown into his arms and back.
Itachi watched Tenten from where he stood. "You did well, Otouto," he told Sasuke, agreeing with his brother's choice as he took in her friendly face and attractive appearance. Tenten blushed slightly at the penetrating stare he gave her. Itachi smirked at her and turned his attention towards his brother. "You didn't visit me once," Itachi told his brother, giving a flick on Sasuke's forehead.
Sasuke gave a low growl, covering his forehead with his left hand. "Aniki," Sasuke whispered angrily, asking Itachi to stop embarrassing him in front of his girlfriend.
Tenten laughed at the brotherly love in front of her. They were adorable.
"You had it coming, Otouto," Itachi glared at him. "No call. No nothing. I had to find out from the tabloids that you're back in Konoha."
"Give it a rest, Itachi," a feminine voice scolded, giving his arm a playful whack. "He's back isn't he," she told her boyfriend, returning the glare that Itachi gave her. She turned to look at Sasuke and rolled her coffee coloured eyes. "Next time call, Sasuke. Itachi hardly met you the last 4 years you were in university. The poor soul was lost without his little otouto," She told Sasuke, grinning from ear to ear when she noticed Itachi giving her another one of his death glares. She turned to Tenten. "I'm Inuzuka Hana," she told Tenten and wrapped her into a friendly hug.
Tenten smiled. "Tenten." Hana was gorgeous what with her dark brown locks that she kept in a low ponytail, olive skin, red tattoo marred on her skin, dainty nose and small glossed mouth. Her eyes seemed to glint mischievously which reminded Tenten of a certain male she knows.
"If you ever need someone to talk to," Hana told her, giving Tenten a soft, knowing smile. "You can always call me."
"Thank you," Tenten told her appreciatively.
Hana nodded her head sadly. "I know," Hana told her. Hana's light gray Kimono with silver floral motives glinted in the dark. "I understand," Hana told her dramatically. "These Uchiha males seem to have a stick shoved up so high into their asses that the only thing they can do is smirk and glare." Itachi rubbed his temples unconsciously while Sasuke glared in Hana's direction at her remark. "Just remember to call me when it's too much to bear," Hana told her, reassuringly.
"I will," Tenten responded, giving a small smirk in Sasuke's direction. In return, he gave her one of his infamous Uchiha glare. "Do you know Kiba?" Tenten asked, seeing their uncanny resemblance.
Hana grinned. "Unfortunately, I do. The brat is my brother," she explained to Tenten. "Hm, speaking of which, where is that brat?"
"The last time I saw him he was with Shino," Tenten said, recalling seeing them on the way to the exit.
Hana smiled. "Good," Hana said, entertwining Itachi's hand with her own. "That means he won't need a ride home." Itachi looked in his girlfriend's direction and a meaningful look passed between them. "Well, I'll see you guys later. Sasuke do visit your poor Aniki," She ordered him, bidding them farewell.
"Hn," Sasuke agreed, watching their retreating backs. "Play nice," Sasuke repeated Naruto's phrase, teasing his aniki. Itachi ignored him but Hana merely winked in Tenten and Sasuke's direction.
Hana was sure an interesting character. She was strong, firm and feisty. "Let's go home," she told Sasuke who nodded in return.
"You have great friends," Ino told Gaara, her eyes smiling. They were in Gaara's Ferrari which careened down the street five blocks away from her florist cum home.
"They're your friends too," Gaara reminded her, he was sure that after tonight the others would be in contact with the blonde leggy model.
"Yeah," Ino replied, staring out of the window and watching the scenery pass by in a blur.
"I'll be right there," Lee called out to his father, gesturing frantically for his father to head to the car first and that he'll join him soon. "It's time for me to bid farewell," Lee told his remaining friends which were Gaara, Ino, Kiba and Shino. Sakura, Hinata and Neji have long headed back. "See you, Gaara." Lee grasped Ino's hand and placed a chaste kiss on her fingers. "It was good to see such a beautiful iris as you," Lee told a flustered Ino. Gaara smirked in amusement at Lee's antics. "Shino, Kiba..." he called the two males who were in a conversation with one another. They turned to look at him in recognition. "Call me," he told them as Gaara had introduced them to him years ago. Lee, then, made his way to the exit to a waiting Gai.
"I should bring you home," Gaara told her, watching part of the crowd head towards the exit. After all, the night had finally come to an end.
Ino smiled. "Yeah, I'm a little tired." She looked where Kiba and Shino stood, uncertain if she should approach them.
"What's wrong?" Gaara asked her, following the line of her gaze.
"I want their numbers," Ino asked him, her eyes unsure if it was the right thing to ask. "I want to be their friend," she explained.
Gaara looked at her, smirking. "Ask them," he instructed her. "If they are men, they won't turn down an opportunity for your number," he quietly told her, humoured at her hesitancy. No men would turn down a beautiful woman.
Ino smiled at Gaara before walking over to Shino and Kiba. Gaara followed her from behind. "Hey, guys," Ino approached Kiba and Shino. Kiba grinned at her, his canine like teeth showing. Shino, on the other hand, watched her look at them nervously.
"Ino wants both of your numbers," Gaara voiced out, his deep voice commanding.
Kiba laughed. "Shouldn't we be asking for your number instead?" Shino's lips twitched upwards in amusement. "What's in it for us?" Kiba asked Ino, watching the beautiful blonde grin at him.
"The start of a beautiful friendship," Ino tempted them, taking out her handphone from inside her clutch.
Shino looked at her amused. "That depends..." Kiba trailed off, his face in wonder. "Are you a dog or cat person?"
"I'm definitely a dog person," Ino told him, a little nervous that her answer was wrong.
'Well, then," Kiba grinned at her, obviously satisfied by her answer. He took the purple handphone from her hand and punched in his number. His cell rang. With a glance to make sure that it was her number shown on the screen, he flipped his phone shut. "Now, I have your number too," Kiba grinned.
Ino took her handphone back from Kiba's warm hand, smiling. She looked over at the quiet Shino and held out her handphone hesitantly, wondering if he would type in his number as well. Shino's hand touched his breast pocket above his heart. Ino looked disappointed since Shino was probably apologising to her.
"This is Trivia," He told her, reaching into his pocket and showing her his pet cockroach which had diamonds encrusted on the tips of its hard shell. Ino looked at him in surprise. She was not expecting a pet cockroach. Shino watched her, waiting to see how she would react to his pet.
Ino smiled at Shino, although Cockroaches were deemed filthy bugs but she did not mind. Besides, one of the male models who she still keeps in contact with, Kidoumaru was into spiders. Ino took out a small compact case from inside her clutch and snapped it open. A spider the size of a 50 cent coin crawled out to her palm. The spider was beautiful as it had an emerald stripe over its black coat. "I got Sue as a gift from a friend," Ino reminisced, remembering when Kidoumaru surprised her with the arachnid. "We were doing a photoshoot with spiders and he gave it to me. I haven't gotten Sue a home for her to live in yet since I got her only 2 weeks ago." Shino placed Trivia back into his pocket and reached over and carefully placed Sue on his palm.
"She's just a baby," Shino voiced out, quietly. He looked over at her compact powder casing which was thoroughly cleaned and dried. It also has a few holes to provide ventilation. He smiled inwardly; Ino seemed to care for a little creature that so many would have killed or swatted away. "I can give you a small aquarium I have at home," he told her, giving a small smile to a happy looking Ino.
"I'd like that," Ino thanked him, placing Sue back into the small container and then into her gold clutch. Shino smirked as he punched in his number and rejected the call when he felt his own phone vibrate in his pants pocket.
"I have a bar opposite Konoha Hospital," Kiba told her, smiling. "It's called Mad Dog. I'll be there most of the time. Shino usually comes in the evenings."
Shino nodded. "Come," he told her quietly. "The entire gang hangs out there," he explained, referring to Hinata, Naruto and the others.
Ino smiled happily, looking over at the impassive Gaara who regarded her with knowing azure eyes. "I'd like that a lot," she repeated, excited with their invitation.
"We should go," Gaara told Ino. "Do you need a ride?" he asked Kiba.
"Naah," Kiba shook his head. "Shino's giving me a ride home."
Gaara nodded. "Good night," Ino cheerfully bid them farewell before she and her companion made their way to his Ferarri.
Kiba watched the model walk away. "Impressed?" he asked Shino.
"Hn," Shino smirked. He adjusted his sunglasses on the bridge of his nose. "Interested?"
Kiba chuckled. "I think Gaara has his sights set on her."
The two companions began walking side by side towards the car park while Kiba grinned at the females who checked them out. "Hn," Shino agreed, taking out his car keys.
"He just hasn't noticed it yet," Kiba said allowed, a mischievous smile shown on his face.
"We're here," Gaara told her, pulling over at the side of the curb in front of her quaint shop.
Ino sat up and looked over to Gaara. "Thanks," she smiled at Gaara. She did not even notice that they had already reached her home. "I had a great time."
"Hn," Gaara smirked.
Ino proceeded to unlock the car door but she turned around to face him as she remembered something. "Can I have Lee's, Hinata's, Neji's and Sakura's number?"
"I'll forward it to your phone," he uttered, taking out his blackberry and typing in some words and digits into a message.
Ino looked over at the Gaara, wondering why he did not just ask for her phone and type it into her phone itself. Suddenly, Gaara paused and he looked at her expectantly. "Your number?" he asked her, his eyes showing a little mischief.
Ino laughed. "Very smooth," she teased him, taking his phone to punch in her number.
Gaara took the blackberry, their fingers touching slightly and pressed send. "Good night, Ino," he conveyed to the blonde.
"Good night," Ino repeated, smiling. She opened the door ajar and paused with one heeled foot out the window. "Hey, Gaara," she asked Gaara, slowly.
"Hn."
"Did I lock the door and switch on the alarm when we left?" Ino asked him.
"I don't remember," Gaara told her concerned, stepping out of his car. He took of his brown coat and tossed it one the driver's seat before walking over to the front of her shop.
Ino tailed behind him. She peered into the door and saw the red light of the alarm. It was disabled. "The alarm's not on," she told Gaara, frightened.
Gaara grabbed her wrist and pulled her in the direction of the car. "Stay in the car," he ordered her.
"No, I'll follow you."
"Stay in the car," Gaara told her, his eyes assertive. He pushed open the wooden door to the shop, making sure that there was no sound or creak. Walking into the shop, he looked around to see if there was a sign of the intruder. He looked behind the counter, in the storage but there was none. He, then, saw a female figure near a narrow staircase. "Ino," he whispered harshly. "I told you to wait in the car."
"They're probably upstairs in my house," Ino explained, ignoring him. Her voice was low. "There are two more floors to check."
Gaara glared at Ino. Seriously, can she not just wait in the car? "Stay behind me," he instructed her, quietly. Ino agreed, and clutched the fabric of his shirt in her hand. Since they wanted to give the intruders an element of surprise, no lights were switched on.
On the first floor of the florist store cum house, there was a living room, kitchen, small dining room, a tiny office and another store room. Gaara moved around the room, careful not to kick or hit anything. "There's no one here," Ino whispered to him.
"Let's check upstairs," Gaara told her, making his way to the narrow staircase and climbing slowly to the top. On the second floor, there was one bathroom, two bedrooms and a walk in closet for all of Ino's clothes. They slowly opened each door to look in for any sign of the intruders.
"I guess I forgot to lock the door and switch on the alarm," Ino told him, embarrassed that it actually did slip out of her mind. She released her grip on him, noticing that the fabric has wrinkled under her tight grasp.
"Hn," Gaara agreed since they found no one in the house and nothing was also missing.
Suddenly distant footsteps that seemed to be getting closer with each second could be heard. I guess there were intruders after all. "They're coming upstairs," Ino whispered urgently, her eyes wide. "Quick, get into my room," she told Gaara, grabbing his black tie and yanking him in the direction of her room which was 1 meter away. Gaara reached out and twisted the knob of her door.
Without warning, the lights were switched on. "Ino?" a female voice called out surprised.
Ino tiptoed to look past Gaara's shoulder. "Okaasan?" She said, timidly.
"Ino," her father looked over at the couple, he was furious. "Who is he?" He pointed to Gaara. First Inoichi came back to the shop to find the door ajar, alarm off and shop dark. And now he saw a male frolicking with his precious daughter.
"Otousan," Ino exclaimed, pushing Gaara off of her body. "This isn't what it seems," Ino tried to explain to her father who seemed to be pissed off. Sure it might look like they were about to get it on what with Ino's back to the door, her hand tugging at Gaara's tie and Gaara towering over her with his hand on the knob of the door, but still they did not do anything.
"Lighten up, Inoichi," Ino's mother, told her husband. "We were young once too remember," Ino's mother gave Gaara a knowing smile. "Carry on now," She told the flustered Gaara as she pushed her husband into their bedroom, the door clicking to a shut behind them.
Ino looked over at Gaara, embarrassed. Gaara regarded her with blank eyes but his cheeks had a tint of red to them. "Sorry about that," Ino apologised, enable to look into his eyes.
"Hn," Gaara told her, feeling a little awkward around her. "I should go back. It's late."
"Yeah," Ino told him, looking at the wooden floor. "I'll send you to the door."
They made their way downstairs when Gaara turned to her. "Ino," Gaara called out.
"Yes," Ino replied, still feeling a little embarrassed.
"The photoshoot is now on Monday," Gaara told her, walking over to his car. He slowly felt himself regain his composure. He looked over to the blonde who was standing at the doorway.
"Ok," she nodded.
"Remember to lock the door," he reminded her as he closed the door of his Ferrari.
Ino watched him sped off down the streets, one hand on her heart.
TBC
Thanks to all those who read the previous chapter.
Special thanks to Rixclassa, n00b, .Angel, RozenMaiden14, GejimayuGirl, blazinfire08, Luv4Labs, and runjumpfly07 for taking their time to review.
Truthfully I had so much fun writing this chapter and I do think that writing something other than angst is becoming more natural for me. I'm actually liking Sasuten more and more, they;re the most funnest to write.
Please review,
naash