I'm sorry that this chapter came out so late. I didn't have enough time to produce quality writing in the time period I was given to sit at the computer and work.
"Flat."
Naruto poked at Gama-chan. "Completely flat. Empty."
He sighed and slumped over his desk. "Dang, Jiraiya's book took a lot out of Gama-chan! And no work, either." He picked up the newspaper and stared at the columns of red slashes on the page entitled "Job Opportunities".
"Naruto!! Are you there?" It was Tenten.
"Yeah! Come in!"
Tenten tousled his hair affectionately. "Hey, you haven't been out for weeks. You got me all worried, you little rascal."
"I'm trying to make some money, Tenten."
"What? Money?" Tenten's face was suddenly filled with concern. "What about your part-time job? Look at me, Naruto."
"They fired me."
"What?!? Why? They know you have financial problems, they wouldn't just do that." Tenten cupped his chin and lifted his face. She looked at him firmly in the eye. "Why?"
"I didn't go to work."
"What did you say?"
"I said I didn't go to work. I was in the playground, you know, on the slide." Naruto stared dreamily out the window. Then – "Ow!"
"You deserve a good slap once in a while, to get your head out of the clouds." Tenten angrily drilled his head again.
"My god, woman! Stop harassing me!" He yelped as Tenten landed another powerful one on his backside. Naruto quickly grabbed her and pushed her to the wall.
Tenten glared at him furiously, and Naruto glared back. Then Tenten blushed.
"What?" Naruto asked roughly.
"Think about it for a second," Tenten snapped.
It took within a cat's yawn for it to register in Naruto's head. His neck and face flushed deeply.
"Ahh…right." He removed his fingers (which were slowly working their way down Tenten's skirt) from her waist and uneasily brushed them against his jeans. What the hell am I doing?
Tenten began to giggle. "If you're that desperate, then I might as well help you,"
"Oh, that's hilarious," Naruto said sarcastically. "Forget it. I'm fine on my own."
Tenten ignored his remark and skimmed through the newspapers. "Hmm…there's Jiraiya's assistant – no, you crossed that out…numerous times…"
"Don't bother, Tenten. There's nothing good in there," Naruto called, sticking his head into the refrigerator.
"At this point, it looks hopeless," Tenten reported. "But – oh, wait! There's one where you take care of horses!"
"Horses? I got kicked by one once." Naruto returned with a carton of milk in hand and shivered at the childhood memory of his first horse. "No, thanks."
"Are you going to be a pampered princess for the rest of your life, or are you going to make some damn money?" Tenten demanded.
"Ok! Ok! I'll take the job!!"
Swish. Swish.
"You can stop doing that."
The horse lazily turned to Naruto. Her beady eyes glowed with mischief. She continued to swing her tail in a most irritating manner.
"Seriously, that was the only thing I've heard for the past two hours. Stop it."
Sensing Naruto's annoyance, she nuzzled Naruto's neck with her warm nose. Naruto softened and petted her mane. The horse suddenly grunted and trotted away.
"What? You have to go to the bathroom? Ok, but please do it here, not there, because I'm already shoveling your fragrant – aww, come on!"
The horse let out a stuttering sigh.
"Fine, you won. But this is the last time, you hear me? I already can't stand cleaning up after Neko-chan, so don't make it even harder for me." Naruto stumbled over her hooves as he walked by. The horse neighed and reared up, flinging one very blessed being into a "fragrant" heap of animal refuse.
Sasuke would never have expected Naruto to even bother to think about one of the fanciest restaurants in Konoha. However, a very disturbed Naruto staggered into Ichiban (scaring two of the waitresses).
"Naruto, over here!" Sasuke jumped from his seat and waved with animated energy. Naruto smiled weakly at his lively little friend.
"Hey," he managed to say and, sighing, slumped over the fine cutlery.
"What's wrong? You look like shit," Sasuke commented, a frown deepening the creases under his perfect eyebrows.
"Thanks. I smell like it too."
Sasuke then sat up straight and folded his arms. "Well, then. Waiter! Five bottles of sake! No, I'm not messing around!"
"Hey, hey!" Naruto hissed and lowered Sasuke's arm. "Keep it down!"
Sasuke leaned towards him. "You need to relax for once. Why don't you spend a weekend with Sakura-chan on the beach? Or how about a nice cruise? Sakura can afford that."
Naruto shook his head. "Can't. I have to find work, otherwise I'm bro– I mean, I need work." Naruto reddened and began twirling a knife around.
Sasuke looked at him questioningly. "What were you doing before? Wallowing in animal crap?"
"More or less."
"Well, I know where you can find work. Right here." Sasuke casually extended his arms. "Am I genius or what?"
"Well, genius, I'm pretty sure that you looked in the newspaper today. Did you happen to see any work, hmm?"
"Yes! Yes, I did!" Sasuke said enthusiastically. "They need a new pianist!"
"And do you suppose I know how to play piano?"
"Well…no." Sasuke banged his fist against the table. "Damn it, Naruto, stop ruining it!"
Naruto ate his rice in the dim light of the setting sun. He chewed slowly, knowing that he wouldn't have a chance to eat good food again sooner or later. The AC needs to go off soon, too. I can't afford to let it last throughout the whole night.
This shouldn't be the way I'm supposed to live. So should I play piano? Those lessons with Tenten probably are gone by now.
Naruto smiled at those memories.
"What does the 'piano alphabet' end with?"
"J."
"No, it's G. Remember, Naruto, G."
"Boy, Tenten-chan, this piece is really hard!"
"Don't worry! You're the best piano player ever! Even better than me! I mean it!"
"Why are you crying, Tenten-chan?"
"It was beautiful, Naruto-kun. You played it so well. Do it again, please."
Neko-chan meowed. She rubbed against Naruto's shirt. Naruto placed his chopsticks down and picked her up, burying his face against her stomach of soft fur.
"You think I can do it, Neko-chan? You really think I can get out of this hellhole?"
Absolutely.
"Tenten-chan. Tenten-chan." Naruto knocked Tenten's front door softly. He heard a shuffle of footsteps and then dove into a nearby rosebush.
"Hmm? Tenten, dear, did you hear anything? I thought someone just knocked."
"No, I didn't. That's strange."
"Well, your father and I are going shopping. We'll be back soon, so don't go off to a friend's house!"
"Ok! Bye, okaa-san!"
Naruto then leaped out of the bush and hugged Tenten-chan. Tenten let out a little squeal, and then hugged Naruto back. "W-what's the matter, Naruto-kun?"
He sweeped her into the air and slung her over his shoulder. "It's perfect, Tenten-chan! It's perfect!" He laughed out in sheer bliss.
Tenten shrieked (and laughed at the same time) as she bounced up and down. "Ok, ok! What's so perfect?"
Naruto set her down. "Tenten, let me practice on your piano."
"What? Why?"
"Why? Because I just found a job!"
"With a piano? A pianist, you mean? Why, that's perfect, Naruto!!" Tenten's eyes glowed with excitement. "Wait. But do you remember anything?"
"Maybe. Maybe not. But, still! I think I can do this!" He grabbed her arm and charged into her house.
"You still remember where the piano is?"
"Of course. It's in the family room, next to the wall with the window facing east." He sat down smugly on the familiar leather seat. "Ok. Which song first?"
"Do you remember that Valse by Chopin?"
"Oh, yeah. You cried when I played that."
"Yes, because you did it so well. Let's see if you can do it again."
Naruto set his hands on the keys and looked at the notes. Eighth note, quarter rest, B flat. It was all rushing back into his tingling fingertips. So he began.
As he played, he cheerfully glanced at Tenten. Her eyes were closed, she was silent, and tears steadily trickled down her face. He abruptly stopped.
"Why didn't you finish?" Tenten opened her eyes. "Go on, keep on playing."
"I don't want that kind of response from the audience."
"Oh, Naruto, you just don't understand," Tenten gushed. "It was like – oh, it was so beautiful – like being dehydrated and then drinking something refreshing and feeling go down your throat, oh, it was so beautiful. I couldn't help but cry."
"Really?" Naruto scratched his head, embarrassed. "Wow."
"Yeah, I'm serious!" Tenten's face lit up as she grabbed his hands. "You'll be great, don't worry about it!"
Naruto practiced multiple pieces the next few days, over and over again until he was completely comfortable. Then, with a wide grin, he waved goodbye to Tenten as he left for Ichiban.
Tenten had expected Naruto to come back in at least two hours.
But Naruto returned within the next ten minutes.
And swearing.
"They want a girl! A fucking woman!" Naruto flung his sneakers on Tenten's lawn and lay there, pummeling the ground with his fists. Damn it, damn it, damn it!!
Worrying a little bit more about the potential harm Naruto was capable of rather than about Naruto himself, Tenten rushed over.
"They want a woman? Oh, I'm so sorry, Naruto." Tenten quickly examined the lawn.
"Oh, my lord! Damn it, damn it! They told me that, unless I would wear a wig and freaking cross-dress, they wouldn't hire me! –bleep- them!"
"Oh, I'm so – wait." Tenten looked up at him. "Dress like a girl? Naruto, that really isn't too bad of an idea. I mean, you could be taken for a girl, with the right makeup and a higher-pitched voice."
Naruto sat up and glared at her. Bits of grass fluttered from his head. He flopped to the ground again.
"I'm serious, Naruto! You could get this job! Really, you can! If it weren't for the gender problem, you would be able to do this!"
"Yeah, but the 'gender problem' is apparently a pretty big deal."
"Fine. Don't cooperate. Your mistake." She huffed and then walked back into her house. Naruto was suddenly silent.
Ding, dong. Tenten opened the door and smiled sweetly. "Do I know you?"
"I'm doing it, ok?" Tenten laughed and pulled in a huffy, indignant Naruto.
Naruto allowed makeup and hair extensions, but Tenten simply crossed the line when she pulled out her undergarments.
"No. No bra. That's it." Naruto backed away.
"Come on, you look great! Girls who look as cute as you don't have flat chests."
"Are you implying that I need breasts?"
"Oh, just put it on." She stuffed her bra into his hands. Naruto began to refuse, but then dangled the limp object in the air and examined it.
"Damn, those are some small-"
Naruto immediately paused when Tenten dropped the lipstick case and balled her fingers into a fist.
Uh oh.
Sasuke was able to laugh for the next few days. And he had the right to.
"How is the bra, Naruto?" Sasuke teased. "I hope you really feel as comfortable as you look in it."
Naruto didn't even attempt to swat at this maddening fly that forever buzzed in his ear. He sighed and turned around.
"Look, Sasuke," he began, "I'm tired. My feet are being mutilated by these cursed heels and my jeans are shoving up my ass. Just leave me alone."
Naruto spun around (while tripping) and stumbled to the only place he could think of now.
"Tenten-chan?" Naruto's tone was thick with surprise. "It's so late! What are you doing on the slide?"
"Oh. No reason, I guess." Tenten's voice wavered a bit as she spoke. She hastily cleared her throat.
Naruto peered at her skeptically. "Anything wrong, Tenten?"
"No, no. Nothing's wrong."
"Ok, then." Naruto kicked off his high-heels and climbed up. "Well, guess what? Sakura-chan went to watch me play at Ichiban. Isn't that great? She told me I did great…and…she mentioned something about how I looked funny with breasts…but that's fine! It was pretty good compliment, I think." Naruto let out a silly laugh and blushed.
"Mmm…" Tenten said absentmindedly.
"So…how is it going with you and Neji? Never mind - I already know the answer, you look so lovestruck!" Naruto nudged her playfully.
"He turned me down." Tenten lowered her eyes.
"What?!? He did what?" Naruto jumped up.
"It's no problem, Naruto. He can do whatever he wants to do."
"Are you ok with this, Tenten?"
"Yeah, yeah."
"Are you sure?"
"Oh, fuck off, Uzumaki!" Tenten angrily shoved him off the slide. But then she covered her face with her hands. "Oh, Naruto…Naruto-kun, I'm so, so sorry!!" Tenten choked back a sob.
"Tenten-chan…" Naruto stood up and rubbed her arm consolingly. Tenten's sad, sad eyes bore into his own. His grip hardened. "That son of a bitch. I'm going to fucking strangle him!" Naruto slammed the slide so hard that Tenten temporarily stopped crying.
"Please, Naruto. Please, stop." A pleading look in Tenten's eyes softened something in his heart. Without thinking, Naruto picked her up and, cradling her gently, ran home.
Naruto laid her limp figure on his couch. Tenten cried softly as he left. Even as Naruto sat down, he couldn't tame the blazing fire that erupted in his body.
That …that fucking bastard made Tenten cry. I'll rip out his heart, then he'll feel the same pain.
In the adjacent room, a faint dripping sound caught Naruto's attention. She's taking a shower? Well, I guess that's all right…
But why did Naruto care so much about Tenten? Why was he so angry when Neji refused her? That could have happened to anybody. But he did it to Tenten. My Tenten.
Naruto groaned. "I'm just being obsessive right now. That's it. There can't be another reason."
Could there?
"Naruto, I used your shower." Tenten walked up to him. "Sorry, I didn't ask you first."
"Oh, that's all -" Naruto suddenly turned around to find Tenten dripping with water under a towel hanging loosely on her body.
Naruto's heart squeezed and twisted as one thought refused to leave his mind: If Neji had dated Tenten, he would have gotten all of this.
Naruto stood up. Not anymore.
"What's wrong, Naruto?" Tenten asked as Naruto slowly approached her. There was something strangely daunting in his eyes, and she backed away.
Naruto grabbed her shoulders and slammed her to the wall. He crushed his mouth against hers. Tenten tried to resist, and Naruto could feel it beneath his lips.
"Why do you want Neji? Why? Am I not good enough for you?" Naruto kissed her neck seductively. Tenten blushed.
"It's not that, Naruto," she breathed. "It's just – it's just…" She faltered. Naruto's piercing, azure-blue eyes left her mind muddled and confused.
"It's what?" Naruto's lips moved to her chest. "Tell me."
"Y-you're only a friend…" Tenten protested futilely.
"Only a friend? Is that it?" Naruto's fingers worked their way down to Tenten's waist.
"But…it's not right…" Tenten's legs wobbled slightly as Naruto tugged at her towel.
"I love you, Tenten." Naruto looked at her fiercely. "I love you more than anything."
Tenten's heart was ready to spill open. "More than Sakura?" she whispered.
"Sakura was just…Sakura. She never meant anything to me, and she never will. Tenten, goddamn it, I love you!"
That did it. Tenten eagerly threw her arms around Naruto's neck returned his kiss. "I love you, too!"
In a frenzy of passionate kisses, Tenten's breathing was suddenly erratic. She slid her arms up Naruto's shirt and rested them on his well-muscled chest. Naruto pushed her onto his bed. Damn it, just take off her clothes!
Tenten gazed up at him and smiled. "Let's see how well you can seduce me," she said, and let her damp towel fall to the floor.
In a quiet town called Konoha, a boy with long black hair presses his ear to the door of an apartment. Jealousy is written across his face.
He slumps to the ground.