Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Unfortunately.
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♥ Chapter XVII: Let's Party! ♥
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"Hey, Ino, why did we come here?" asked Tenten suspiciously as they went to a room with big wooden doors that were painted white and golden doorknobs. "Didn't you say we were going to the movies?"
"Yeah, that's right", Ino chirped happily. "But I just need to fetch something from my room. It'll only take a couple of minutes, I promise!"
"Okay…" Tenten raised an eyebrow when Ino walked into the dark room and then closed the doors. "Hey, why are all the lights out?"
"…"
"Ino?"
"…"
"Ino?"
"SURPRISE!" a dozen voices shrieked and the lights switched on. Tenten blinked, stunned, as she looked around the room. Almost the entire class was there (save the SUFC, James and Kari), and there were tables with snacks and drinks, and a big stereo, and a… disco lamp? (A/N: What's it called? That big shiny lamp shaped as ball? )
"Eh… Ino…?" Tenten turned back to Ino who was grinning widely and motioning at the crowd. Neji came forward, smiling.
"Hi, Tenten", he said with his voice that Tenten loved so much. "We just wanted to throw a party… for you."
"For me? But it's not my birthday", she retorted dumbly, even forgetting that she was angry with Neji.
"No… but we wanted to say a proper goodbye. We know you're leaving, and if you really want to, we won't stop you." Neji's smile lessened a little. "But if you have to, we must of course throw a party! But we'll all miss you…" He took some steps closer to her, and Tenten hid a blush at how close he was to her. "… especially me…" And he bent down and…
… kissed her!
Tenten's blush couldn't be hid anymore, and she only stared when Neji pulled free from the soft kiss. Had they really just kissed? Then she heard a giggle and saw Gabrielle stepping out from the crowd, too.
"I knew all along from Temari that you and Neji liked each other, so I came up with a little plot to get you two together… to make you jealous", she laughed. "Nobody knew about it, and even Temari thought it was weird I was flirting so much with Neji, but it was just a little plan to make you envious. Apparently, it worked." She winked. "Yesterday I told Neji the truth – I didn't like him and I just wanted him to be with you."
"You…!" Tenten's face reddened out of wrath. So all her depression, anger and loneliness had been for nothing? Then she suddenly came to think of the idea. She'd probably have done something similar if it was another person. She instead began giggling too. "You're right. It was an excellent plan – congrats, you succeeded." She turned her eyes back to Neji. "Too bad I got to know this so late. Neji… sorry…"
"It's OK." Neji pulled her into a hug, and Naruto made a face.
"Only a hug?" he shouted. "We want to see a kiss!"
Soon, the entire crowd was chiming 'We want to see a kiss! We want to see a kiss!'. Tenten and Neji eyed each other, grinned, and then began kissing, making everyone shout out of approval…
… and the party began.
---
"I hope we haven't missed anything", Sakura said, her eyes sparkling out of glee when they rushed towards the room.
"Yeah", Sasuke simply replied, and then opened the doors. Everybody's attention was drawn towards them… and suddenly Ino's face burst into a grin.
"Oooh, so there's not only one couple getting together tonight, ne?"
"D-d-don't be stupid, I-Ino!" Sakura stammered, her cheeks bright red as she and Sasuke, at the same time, pulled away from each other. Though Sasuke desperately tried to hide it, he was blushing too.
"I was just kidding", Ino laughed. "C'mon everybody, let's dance!" She switched on the stereo, and Rihanna's 'Pon de Replay' began playing. Everybody moved towards the dance floor, while Sakura remained at the snacks table together with Sasuke, awkwardly silent, each with a glass of Coke in their hands.
As the music changed to Martine McCutcheon's 'Perfect Moment' and people began dividing up in pairs, Sasuke suddenly reached out a hand to her. "Care to dance?" he asked blankly.
This is my moment
This is my perfect moment with you
Sakura blinked up in surprise at him, before smiling. "Sure!"
This is what God meant
This is my perfect moment with you
"Sasuke-kun?"
I wish I could freeze this space in time
The way that I feel for you inside
"Aa?"
This is my moment
This is my perfect moment with you
"You know, before we got to know each other here in Paris…"
Tell me you love me, when you leave
You're more than a shadow, that's what I believe
"… did we know each other… before?"
You take me to places I never thought I'd see
Minute by minute, you're the world to me
"Hn… I don't know. Maybe we did. Why?"
I wish I could freeze the look in your eyes
The way that I feel for you inside
Sakura looked up into his ebony eyes with a little smile on her lips, before sighing. "I don't know…"
This is my moment
This is my perfect moment with you
"… but it feels like…"
And if tomorrow brings a lonely day
Here and now I know I haven't loved in vain
"… as though we've met… before…"
From my tears in the rain
And if love never comes again
"… doesn't it, Sasuke-kun?"
I can always say I've been to paradise skies
In your eyes…
Sasuke looked down into her jade eyes. "… Aa."
Tell me you love me the moment you leave
You're more than a shadow, oooh, got to believe
"Sakura?"
I wish I could heave you all of my life
The way I feel for you inside
"Yeah?"
This is my moment
This is my perfect moment with you
"When I was a kid, I knew a girl like you."
This is my moment
This is my perfect moment with you
"I don't know if you're her or not… but you are… very similar."
With you…
"Really?" Sakura grinned. "Maybe I'm her, then… you never know."
"Yeah. You never know", he murmured as the music switched to another song.
---
"Shiiiika-chan!" Ino pounced her lazy boyfriend who was standing in a corner of the room, sipping on a glass of lemonade.
"Ow! Ino, get off!" he replied, shoving the blonde off. "And don't call me Shika-chan!"
"But you are Shika-chan", Ino said, putting on a cute pout.
"My name is Nara Shikamaru, of what I can remember", he muttered.
"OK, then, Shikamaru!" Ino stuck out her tongue at him. "Why won't you dance?"
"Too troublesome", he responded nonchalantly as he took another sip of his icy lemonade.
"C'mon, we're at a party, Shika!"
"It's still too troublesome."
"Oh, c'mon, Shika. You don't want me to dance with another boy, do you?" she added mischievously. This little comment made Shikamaru twitch before he groaned.
"Okay then, Ino, you win."
"Yay! Let's dance!" she beamed as she dragged him towards the dance floor.
---
Neji smirked at Tenten as they danced to Kelly Clarkson's You Found Me.
"What you smirkin' at?" Tenten asked as she grinned back.
Is this is a dream?
If it is, please don't wake me from this high
"At you", he responded, his smirk widening.
I'd become comfortably numb
Until you opened up my eyes
"Why?"
To what it's like when everything's right
Oh I can't believe
"Because of… well… just you." He laughed. "I can't believe that you became jealous of Gabrielle. I never thought you'd be jealous of anyone."
You found me
When no one else was looking
"Well, I guess I can since I just became it." She stuck her tongue out. "Would you become jealous if I were with a guy?"
How did you know just where I would be?
Yeah you broke through all of my confusion
"Not anymore, since I know you'd never be unfaithful to me." He grinned. "But if it had been before, I would."
The ups and the downs and you still didn't leave
I guess that you saw what nobody could see
You found me
"Really. I knew I should've tried my 'make-Neji-jealous-plan'." She smirked. "But then I thought it'd be stupid, since you might not get jealous at all and then I'd stand there as a jerk with a useless guy."
So here we are and that's pretty far
When you think of where we've been
"Well, I'm glad you didn't try that out, since I'd probably have killed that guy", he growled.
No going back, I'm fading out
All that has faded me within
Tenten giggled. "You're so aggressive, Neji."
You're by my side
Now everything's fine, I can believe
He grinned teasingly. "Maybe."
You found me
When no one else was looking
"Neji?" she whispered.
How did you know just where I would be?
Yeah, you broke through all of my confusion
"Mm?"
The ups and the downs and you still didn't leave
I guess that you saw what nobody could see
You found me
"Did you know all along what I felt for you?"
I was hiding till you came along
And showed where I belong
"If I had, do you think I'd have waited until now to confess what I feel?"
You found me
When no one else was looking
"Maybe not", she giggled.
How did you know
How did you know?
"Well, there's your answer", he smirked. "And you?"
You found me
When no one else was looking
"No… I didn't know what I felt. I was afraid of telling my feelings in case you didn't feel the same, and then our friendship would come to an end." She smiled softly. "But now…"
How did you know just where I would be?
Yeah, you broke through all of my confusion
"… Neji…"
The ups and the downs and you still didn't leave
I guess that you saw what nobody could see
You found me
"… I'm happy… with you. I'm so glad you feel the same."
You found me…
Neji grinned. Tenten's smile widened. "And oh, Neji?"
You broke through all of my confusion
The ups and the owns and you still didn't leave
"Yeah?"
I guess that you saw what nobody could see
"I love you."
The good and the bad and the things (everything) in between
Neji's grin widened. "I love you too."
You found me
You found me
---
And at last, the party came to an end, about three hours later. Tenten stepped out of the crowd, smiling at them.
"Arigatou, everyone", she smiled broadly. "I've had a great time with you tonight. And I'm so happy that I've regained my friends, and…" Her cheeks reddened slightly as she smiled at Neji. "… gained a new – or old – love."
She paused a while, but nobody spoke, merely smiled back. "But I've some things to tell you." Her smile broadened. "I…" Neji smirked. "… will not leave Paris."
Silence.
Then,
"YEAAAAAH!"
"TENTEN, YOU ROCK!"
"C'MON, LET'S CONTINUE TO PARTY!"
"AWESOME!"
"I'm so happy for you, Tenten!" Sakura exclaimed as she came forward and hugged her friend.
"M-me t-t-too", Hinata stuttered with a shy smile as she joined in the hugging.
"Yeah, welcome back, girl!" Temari grinned as she and Ino almost choked Tenten in a double-bone-crushing hug.
"Th-thanks", Tenten coughed when they let go.
"Welcome back, Tenten-chan!" Naruto grinned.
"Hn", Sasuke simply said with a smirk.
"Welcome back." Neji pulled her into a romantic kiss.
Tenten had never felt happier in her entire life.
Tsukiko: So everything seems alright again... or so it seems! A groundshaking truth is about to revealed... but what truth?
Inner Tsukiko: You sound really lame. -.-
Tsukiko: Gomen XD Anyhow, next chapter is published August 29th! And coming up is an "interview" (a.k.a. answers on your reviews) with... -drumroll- Tenten :D So ask away, people! And also, since there weren't that many questions for James-teme, he's going to answer your reviews in this chapter instead! ;D Go ahead, James!
James: Humph... I can't believe that so many people hate me... I mean, I'm both handsome and cool and SO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT DAMN UCHIHA!
Tsukiko: -cough-pervert-cough-
James: Am not!
Tsukiko: Anyhow, let's answer the reviews now... XD; So ja ne! ;)
Reviews Corner... ANSWERED BY THE MIGHTY JAMES-TEME! XD (Don't blame me if the answers aren't nice, it's James who answers them, not me. XD Btw, James won't answer them next time, it's Tenten who'll answer them ;P)
nickygirl: A fangirl? Hmm... I wonder if it is that...
Kawaii IceCream: Yes, I know, isn't it horrible? Damn that Uchiha... one day I'll kill him... and hopefully, they'll never get together... then I'll have my dear cherry blossom all by myself... -drools-
sasusaku4eva101: I don't. I wish I had a fanclub myself... damn that Uchiha... if he hadn't been there everyone would've liked ME!
rebel-girl: Do you really hate me that much? -sobs- I've done nothing wrong! -sobs- I don't hate you! Why do you hate me if I don't hate you? And that bonus chapter... well, Tsukiko says that's up to the 200th reviewer...
starlight lily: Happy birthday! Does everyone like me more now?
Jaciie: -pulls his hair in frustration- How can you be happy for something as horrible as that? If only that damn Uchiha didn't exist... -mutters about assassins and hitmen-
werwolfofkonoha: I feel sorry for you... everything is that damn Uchiha's fault! Yes, I know, stupid idiotic guards... I didn't do anything wrong! The Uchiha did! Hmm, good idea, I should try that out... Why is everyone happy that Uchiha and my dear cherry blossom are friends again? ;.;
everlasting memories: (Tsukiko in the background: Thank you!) Shut up, Tsukiko! And yes, isn't it incredible? I was hoping he wouldn't... oh, well...
Green Animelover: Tsukiko says thank you again... but why do y'all think it's cute that I got punched? It hurt, goddammit! o.x
hushhushyou: Don't be stupid, I wouldn't spy on Uchiha! But maybe on my dear cherry blossom... heh... especially when she's showering - OW! (Tsukiko: I'm gonna kill you someday if you don't stop being perverted... -.-) That HURT AS HELL, Tsukiko! (Tsukiko: I'm aware of that... XD) Hikari? Big possibility... she's that kind of type... (Kari: -whacks-) OW! Why does everyone hate me? T.T And Uchiha is NOT sweet, goddammit!
Zuan: (Tsukiko: Thank you:D) I want something to eat... damn Tsukiko for not giving me food because I'm perverted... NOT!
iamNOTafangirl3221: Of course I would! Just that... that damn Uchiha would win... and that possibility has already been confirmed, has it not?
Crazy Gal42: He just did. Happy? And Tsukiko is sending a private message soon. She says she's happy that you made it, and that she sucks at singing herself... I'm really good at singing! -boasts- Better than that Uchiha anyway.
themangaloverofdoom: (Tsukiko: Glad that you like it n.n) Do you like me too? Tell me you do! (Tsukiko: Does ANYBODY like you? -.-;)
Sharingan508: I know, Tsukiko is so evil... OW! She won't let me eat because she says I'm perverted, oh, she's so evil... OW! Look just how evil she is... OW! (Tsukiko: I warned you before. Don't make me angry or you'll be sorry. XD Thank you for liking my story anyway :D)
dontconfuseme: Tsukiko says thank you again, and... I hope they're not more than friends! I hope they start to hate each other! What if they're more than friends? What am I going to do? What? What? -panics-
silverkage-chan: Me and HIKARI? Don't be ridiculous! -blushes- (Tsukiko: Oooh, he's blushing... xP) It's HOT in here! HOT I SAY! I'm NOT blushing! My dearest cherry blossom is my true love...
sasusaku90: WHY IS EVERYONE HAPPY BECAUSE THEY'RE TOGETHER AGAIN? T.T I WANNA CRY! CRY I SAY! -cries rivers- ;.;
tiffanylicis: You're being so mean to me! ;.; And I certainly WILL date my dearest cherry blossom again if she says yes! I'll ask her right after this...
frienz4ever: Yes, he's a stupid cold-hearted bastard... finally someone agrees... do you like me more than you like him?
MELCAR16: Why are you so mean to me? T.T They're NOT cute together, they DON'T love each other, and besides, I WOULD leave Uchiha alone if he left my dear cherry blossom alone!
killjoy6000: Tsukiko says thanks again, but is it because I'm in the story that you think it's awesome? It is, isn't it? Oh, I KNEW someone liked me!
Kaoru-chan-PL: (Tsukiko: CONGRAAATS:D You won the 200th review! You're able to request a bonus chapter, but unfortunately you can't really decide the exact details ;P You can dedicate it to an event (for example, punch the shit out of James) or a person/couple (but not SasuSaku because there's already a bonus chapter dedicated to them :D), so once you've made your decision, PM me! It must be done before the 20th chapter is out, though ;D Thank you anyhow :D) Tsukiko, what the hell are you saying about punching the shit out of me? She loves me, as everyone else does, don't you, Kaoru-chan? Don't you...? T.T
WHOA! 200 REVIEWS! OH, THE JOY! THE JOY OF REVIEWS! I LOVE Y'ALL! X3 Btw, there's no use replying to James because he won't reply in next chapter, Tenten will. XD
Sneak Preview of Next Chapter – The Truth Revealed:
"Let's go, Cindy", Daiki murmured.
"Wait, we're having a little reunion here, Daiki-san", Cindy retorted irritably. Ha! Sasuke thought triumphantly.
"You should be glad", Kari sneered. "He's treating her like you. In fact, I think he's… seeing her as you. Maybe that's why they're friends at all."
Fanfictions News
My computer is having serious problems and I really need to put the files in my USB before it's too late and it completely, err, dies. x.x; Until then, I can't work on the bonus chapter dedicated to KakaKure... or HeartAngel's bonus chapter. Besides, I'm having a minor Writer's Block and I'm really busy in school... gomen ne, everyone T.T
(A/N: If you find errors such as words pasted together likethis, sentences that are in bold or italics when they shouldn't be or sentences that are repeated even though they're not supposed to, please tell me. This happens a lot out of some unknown reason, and it isn't because it was like that from the beginning - no, when I edit the chapters after uploading them, they get like that. I don't know why, maybe it's my dad's computer being weird. And also, do the symbols ' and ... look weird? Because on dad's computer, it does.)