Author's Notes: Hooray for Chapter 2! Thanks for the reviews in Chapter 1. It's getting harder to write this, because I myself have never really experienced being a model. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm one hundred percent open. Hope you guys'll enjoy this next chapter!
Title: Hot Shot
Pairing: Neji/Tenten (of course) plus others
Rating: T (but it will get hot)
Summary: In the modeling world, no matter how pretty you are, things can get ugly, especially if you don't know who you're up against.
Model Portfolio
Full Name: Haruno Sakura
Age: 18
Height: 5'11
Weight: 110 lbs.
Measurements: 32-24-33
Body Type: Ruler Figure
Has Modeled For: LVK French Cosmetic Line, Black Pearl Perfect Lips Cosmetic Line, ANKO Autumn Runway Show, Zabuza Bridal Wear Runway Show, Takashima Akito White Out Runway Show
Chapter 2 – Twisted Knots
Haruno Sakura, Japan's newest model gracing the covers of magazines will soon be facing an even newer and hotter competitor for the spotlight. Her name is Yamanaka Ino, a 5'9 platinum blonde with dazzling blue ey-
"Hey!!!" Tenten shouted. Who dared come in the way of her quality time with her beloved TV? She turned to the intruder, only to find the face of her not-so-happy mother. "Oh, sorry, Mom."
Her mother gave her a glare, the TV remote at hand. "Have you finished your homework?"
She slouched into the couch and murmured, "Yeah." Okay, so she had at least 8 pages of her organic chemistry book to answer, but it was only 5 in the afternoon. It could wait.
"Tenten, finish your homework. Now!"
Damn. Was she really that easy to read?
As she plodded back to her room, her mind drifted back to the news on TV. Yamanaka Ino, she was probably even better than Haruno Sakura to be aired on JAPanEntertainment so quickly. Of course, none of them would go down without a fight. She could see it now. Model catfights, runway sabotage, scandals, and trash talking were in the works. Then, when the two girls are about to kill each other, one of them goes to jail, while the other would live in the shadow of the famous person she used to be. Thus, giving Tenten a chance to actually get a shot at being the next it girl.
Funny, she thought, as if that would really happen.
She glanced at her clock. 6:30pm
She'd been studying nonstop for almost two hours now. Unfortunately, her adorable mind was absorbing very little information. Seriously, who would? She was alone in her miserable, hollow little shell wanting to lash out in frustration. How much more could she take before losing it? No one understood how much she wanted this. Well, maybe Shikamaru did, but that was beyond the point. She loved the camera, she loved walking on the runway, and she loved modeling. It was in her blood.
Closing her eyes, she looked back at her first runway show. Takashima Akito handpicked her and several other girls and recalled them for fitting three days before the show. That day, she arrived an extra hour early, much to the delight of the designer and make up crew, who were all rushing to get everything done perfectly. She remembered how nice it felt to be pampered with beauty products and make-up. The soft brush that ran across her cheeks gave her that extra bright-red glow, while the small, tighter brush against her eyelids created a mixture of pink and gold art. Gold glitter paint was added to her dark brown tresses and tied into a high ponytail. It was almost too tight that it hurt, but it was perfect.
Then Takashima dragged her into one of the dressing rooms. His entourage of assistants dressed her in a backless, mint green chiffon dress with intricate, braided designs and a soft fabric flow to her knees, as well as gold gladiator heels. They then handed her a gold fan and pushed her out of the room.
That night, when she was supposed to be going out with her family to dinner, she walked down the runway for the very first time. There was an adrenalin rush. The music had a quick tune and reminded her of Paradise Kiss. With her one hand resting on her waist and the other gracefully waving the fan around, she gave her fiercest look and loving it the whole time. At the end of the runway, she struck a pose – her body totally aligned with the camera while she slowly twirled the fan to the side of her face and over her mouth. Snap. Snap. Snap. Pictures of her were taken again and again.
Going home, she had a disclosed amount of money in her wallet and a huge grin plastered on her face, even though she was only dressed in jeans and an oversized shirt.
It was such a beautiful experience. That was the kind of life she wanted everyday.
Don't try to live so wise…don't cry cause it's all right…
Shikamaru calling…
Tenten picked up her phone and answered. "Hello?"
"Tenten? Are you alone right now?"
"Yeah, why?" She bounced onto her bed and hugged a nearby pillow.
"Okay, listen. I'm only saying this once. How does working under a modeling agency sound?"
3…2…1…it registered to her, and with her Akeboshi singer pillow at hand, she buried it in her face and screamed into his handsome face.
"Oh my gosh, I can't believe it, Shika! You're the best brother ever!!!"
"I'm only asking. I'm not saying hey want to hire you yet."
"Okay, okay, so what are you implying?"
"I've got a friend in Hyuuga Model Management that's-"
"Hyuuga? As in THE HYUUGA Model Management agency run by the greatest male model to ever walk the runway shows of his decade Hyuuga Hiashi?"
"-interested in you."
"Oh my gawd...AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Would you keep your voice down? Mom and Dad will kill me, if they find out about this."
"Yes. Quiet. Tell me more!"
"So, I got Sai to give you a makeover this Friday at nine in the morning. Do you have classes around that time?"
"No." Of course, this was a lie but just a tiny little lie.
"Okay, then so remember nine o' clock at Sai's and then 2 o' clock at Hyuuga Corporations. Do you need me to go with you?"
"Not at all! This is the happiest day of my life! Thank you so much, Shika! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"
-xxx-
Beep.
Shikamaru threw his phone into a random drawer and continued stacking some papers. The shoot was nowhere near done, because the model couldn't get any of the lines down properly. So at the last minute, he had to get a new model, and he had to get everything else done (which was still of course paperwork).
How he'd kill for a break every once in a while. He wasn't superman. Why did everyone expect him to do all the dirty work? He'd better get a raise for all the crap they'd been making him do.
"Hyuuga doesn't even know she exists, does he?"
"Maybe," he slurred, rubbing his temples. This was so not his day.
"You know that your sister will kill you, when she finds out you lied."
"It was a white lie. I had to boost up her confidence a bit," he answered the voice with an annoyed tone. "I don't want him to eat her alive."
"So what will you do, when Tenten gets rejected, and Hyuuga cuts off all ties from the network?"
He furrowed his brows and turned to her. "My sister's better than you think. So get of my back, Temari."
She shrugged her shoulders. "Whatever, Nara. I just don't want to lose my job because of you."
Without another word, she left him in his peace. "Bitch," he murmured.
This wasn't a one-man company. When will everyone realize that? Even geniuses needed help sometimes.
-xxx-
Things to Bring (so please don't ask me to drive home at the last minute to get them for you):
Model Portfolio book (with all the pictures I can't seem to remember)
Hair tie
Sneakers
Heels (the decent ones, please don't use the ones with beaded-frogs ever again)
Sai will fill you in and explain everything else to you. You know how good he is, so do what he says. Do your best, sis!
That was the text she received from Shikamaru that wonderful Friday morning.
Clad in a white tank top and skinny jeans, she packed her things, textbooks aside, (no way was she going to school today) in her school bag and headed to Sai's beauty salon – The Paintbox, a huge spa-like oasis almost hidden in the gardens of the Hyuuga-owned Hotel of the Centuries. She'd been there only once, and that was only to use the bathroom. Clients all over Japan paid hefty prices just to get in and experience the wonders they offered. The place was more than magnificent. Through the garden maze, a Japanese styled house, plaid in wooden floors and white washed sheets dancing in the soft breeze, stood next to a huge cherry blossom tree. They had everything there, from facials and waxing to aromatherapy and yoga sessions.
"Sai-sama will be with you very shortly," the receptionist stated, furiously scribbling down something in her notebook. She pushed the tangled side of her messy red hair over her shoulder and picked up the phone. "Yes, yes, and no, Sai-sama's not available tomorrow and for the rest of the month. No…no…and no, not going to happen."
"Karin, what did you do to your hair?!" a man came frantically running from out of nowhere and ran a brush through the receptionist's tangled tresses. Immediately, it straightened perfectly under his touch, not a single strand out of place.
"Wow…" Tenten gawked.
"That's a special conditioner I've been working on," he winked. Though his face had a lesser expression, she knew how happy he was with the results.
She gave him her biggest smile and stepped forward. "Hi, I'm Tenten, Shikamaru's sister."
"Ah, yes, Nara-san told me everything about you." He took one of her hands and kissed it. "You're much more beautiful in person."
She blushed, looking away. "Thank you…"
"Now, now, don't be shy. You're in good hands. Come with me."
Before she knew it, the whole beauty team was attending to every inch of her body. It was either between having her nails French tipped and legs waxed or having her eyebrows reshaped and shoulders rubbed that Sai started telling her how he got to where he was now.
He started out as a humble, free-lance hair and make-up artist for LVK Cosmetics, when his boss referred him to Hyuuga Hiashi, who at that time wanted a professional for the new beauty spa he was opening in his hotel. At first, he didn't know whether to accept the job or not, since he had just started working and had little experience. He took a chance, and even though he almost lost his job twice because of some jealous bastards who couldn't get a grip, his talents proved to be superior and thus giving him recognition around the world. Of course, that wasn't the whole (nor true) story, but let's just keep it at that for a while.
Once her whole body was finally pampered with everything they had, it was on to her haircut. Sai played around with her chest-length hair, deciding on what to do. There had to be something in his artistic mind that would finally prove that he was more talented than that over publicized, excuse for a make-up professional Kankuro.
Slowly, he examined Tenten's features. She had a very versatile face, like a doll's. She gave him another one of her adorable smiles, and instantly, he knew what to do, setting aside his own personal gain. Shikamaru was definitely paying more than the normal price for it.
-xxx-
Deep breathes, Tenten, deep breathes. Remember this was not the best time to get nervous. She told herself again and again. She knew she was drop-dead gorgeous at the moment (as usual), even though Sai wouldn't let her look at a mirror, and on the plus side, she brought everything she was supposed to. Besides, she wasn't booking a job just yet. She was just trying to get into an agency right now, a well-known, professional, high standard modeling agency with outrageous demands expected fulfilled by each and every model they threw into the world. Oh, yes, that took away all the pressure.
The Hyuuga Corporation, just a few streets away from Hotel of the Centuries, was where famous models like Yuhi Kurenai started out as nobodies and transformed into the highest paid models of the 21st century. Not only was the corporation a modeling agency, it was also the home of two major magazine sellers, Five Seasons Magazine and Konoha Playboy Magazine.
A girl with long, onyx black hair, very beautiful in her own right, was talking to someone on her phone, laughing and giggling, almost not having a care in the world. Next to her was a girl with purple, punk-styled hair sticking it in every direction, biting her nails off and shaking in utter terror.
Tenten shifted in the soft couch of the waiting area. Would she really be able to pull this off? Remembering what Sai said…
"Don't try flirting with the big guy. He'll definitely throw you out."
"Think professional. Give them your best walk. Don't just pose blank-eyed and stiff. Act natural."
"Be ready for anything, especially harsh comments."
"You want to know what's wrong with you?! You're too heavy, your head's too big for your body, and your ass looks like it's about to explode any second!"
Hold on. Sai never said that.
The longhaired girl she originally thought to be extremely gorgeous and outgoing came running out the office door, crying her heart out.
"Next!" The other girl was nowhere in sight. Great. Thanks a lot.
Tenten gulped and stood up. This was it. She was so going to die.
Taking another deep breath, she pushed the long, golden Victorian style handle of the office door and entered. To her surprise, it was as if she was stepping into the gates of Heaven themselves. A bright light greeted her, as well as a beautiful, soft floral scent and gentle cooling air (which was probably the air conditioner). There, three white-eyed angels, one seated in between the two, met her gaze.
"Welcome to our Modeling Agency," the one on the left said shyly, fluttering her wings.
"Hn," the one on the right murmured, glaring at her and dragging her back to reality, horns replacing the halo above his head. No way was he an angel.
She quickly coughed lightly and bowed down. "Please to meet you. My name is Nara Tenten."
The man seated was now who she recognized as Hyuuga Hiashi. "Nara? Then, you must be Nara Shikamaru's sister, am I right?"
"Oh, uhm, yes, I'm his adoptive sister," she laughed nervously.
"Please, let me see your portfolio book," he said with a gentle tone. He actually sounded really nice.
Clumsily, she rummaged her school bag and almost tripped walking/running through the long red carpet that led to his desk.
Her heart pounded against her chest as the three turned from page to page, not a single word escaping their lips. She couldn't even tell what their expressions were. Oh, no, this was bad.
"Hinata," he said, turning to the girl on his right. "What do you think?"
"W-well, I…I think she's…uhh…well…s-she takes b-b-beautiful pictures," she stuttered, timidly pressing her fingers together. "Ve-very photoge-genic."
"Neji, how about you?" Hiashi motioned to his left.
"Her looks are too plain," he commented, barely looking at her. "She'll never be able to sell a magazine cover, even if she stripped down naked for it."
He grabbed her book and threw it in her direction. "There's nothing great in these shots, all of them are amateur. There's nothing interesting in them at all. What can you contribute to this industry with all these dull pictures?"
She picked up her book and pressed it against her chest, an ache slowly forming in her heart. Still, she tried taking it all in professionally.
"She's just another slut who thinks she can make it big in this industry, when clearly, she can't."
She winced at his comment. Where the hell did all those harsh words come from?
"Really? Is that what you think?" Hiashi asked, an amused expression playing on his face.
"Yes, that's exactly what I think." The ache worsened, driving her to the edge.
-xxx-
It was past seven, when she got home. Her parents were still out working, which was a relief, and left her chicken salad for dinner.
She didn't bother turning the lights on and leaned against her bedroom door. Quietly, she allowed herself the privilege of crying; finally letting the tears she desperately held back run down her face.
TBC
Author's Note: It took me a long time to get this chapter right. I rewrote it over and over again, because I wanted it to be perfect. This was the best I could do, so I'm sorry, if I disappointed any of you. Please forgive me. I'll make the third chapter better. I promise! Please review.
Preview:
Newspapers were scattered everywhere, all with the heading:
Model injured in a fall at SUKON Urban Wear Runway Show
"What the hell happened?!"
"She fell off the runway."