A/N;This chapter is dedicated to:

'sasusakublossom26'.

(Yes I do realize that 'luckycharms' was the sixtieth reviewer, but since the last chapter was dedicated to him/her I decided that it would only be fair to give it to the next person who deserved it.)

Congrats 'sasusakublossom26'!

Chapter 14

"Party, couples, and fights!"

Tenten POV

I polished the set of Kunai's stored in the far back corner of Cailey's until it was so shiny, my face reflected off of its surface. I've been working hard ever since I started my shift here today at eight.

Ironically though, unlike all the other times I've worked here, this was the first time I couldn't keep still and my mind was focused on one thing…that was Neji, of course. I missed him.

Sad, I know, pity me. We just hooked up—when, what today?- and now I'm starting to act all attached and stuff. I couldn't help it though. I just keep remembering his words, his actions, his face…how his lips felt pressed against mine. It was driving me insane.

Thus, the reason why I was working so hard; I needed him out of my head! I have come to notice that the harder I worked the farther away my mind seemed to wander from thoughts of him. So, I decided to play its safe and work my ass off instead of daydreaming all day long like a lost person who had just found love. (I was barely comfortable with the idea that I liked him yet, where did love come from!)

I headed to the back of the store room for a box of new shuriken that have just arrived on stock and needed to be placed outside for sale. As I headed out the room to place the weapons on the shelves outside, I heard Amy, the owner of the store, calling for me.

With a frown settled on my face from confusion, I placed the box down near the door and made my way to the front of the store.

"Yea—" I started to say but froze up completely when I saw the person leaning on the front counter.

As a reflex reaction to his appearance a blush crossed my cheeks and I looked away, shocked. 'WHAT WAS HE DOING HERE SO EARLY!'

"Tenten," Amy called out to me. "This young man has come to escort you home." She smiled kindly at me, giving me a look that screamed "How in the world did you score a man like that?"

I looked from Neji's smirking face, to Amy's, and then back again.

"B-but," I finally stuttered. "My shift doesn't end until another two hours!"

Amy shrugged. "Oh please, the way you've been working around here makes up for two shifts! It'll be fine, go enjoy today! You deserve it, hon."

"But, I-I,"

"Just go!" She encouraged. Then a slow smile crossed her lips. "Unless…you'd like me to go in your place…"

I blushed crimson and quickly turned my head so they couldn't see. "I still have a box that needs to be shelved. Give me a few minutes. I'll be done quickly."

I jogged away from the front of the store to the place where I left the box sitting on the ground. I quickly (and most likely messily) placed the shuriken on the shelves, labor useless now that I've seen Neji and my heart was beating so fast in anticipation to being in his arms again.

I breathed a sigh of relief once all of the weapons were in there place, breaking apart the cardboard box and putting it in the storage room with all the other broken boxes. I practically zoomed around the store as I grabbed my sweater and my mini-back pack from the staff room, more than eager now to be with Neji.

What the hell was going on with me! Why this sudden excitement and anticipation to see the guy? Oh. Right….I liked him. Damn him and his too -good–to-be-true charm.

I tried my hardest to get my breathing under control as I went back to the front. I didn't want him to start getting any ideas.

"Ready." I said once I came into view.

He held out his hand and I took it, ignoring the way his warm hand fitted into my cold one. (A/N; this ones for you Hasagachi-san, lol, I know you'll get it.) I smiled back shyly at Amy just as she waved us away and walked through the door Neji held out for me.

Once I was comfortably seated in his car, my seatbelt on and my things arranged comfortably at my feet, I decided it was officially time to tease him.

"Why did you come so early?"

Once I turned around in my seat to face him, I realized why that was such a bad idea. He smelled just like that cologne he wore in the club that day, Sasuke and Sakura first met, the black party shirt he was wearing was unbuttoned a little, giving anyone who so much as glanced at him a good view of his very nicely toned chest.

His hair was still pulled back, but it smelled of shampoo, and I noticed that his jeans seemed to fit his long form completely. He looked, dressed for a party. He smelled, like an adult; like a man. He appeared, just as he was, cool, confident and drop dead gorgeous.

Me? Not so much.

I've been working for six hours straight. I looked, like I've been rolling in dirt all day. I smelled, like sweat, musk and weaponry. I appeared, stupid and foolish beside this man.

I suddenly felt very insecure being his girlfriend. I felt reminded of our differences. He was rich, I was…NOT so rich. He had everything, I only had a few. How could I, someone who hardly could compare, who came from what most would call the bottom of the food chain, possibly be good enough to be Neji Hyuga's Girlfriend?

"I missed you." He said and I barely heard him. He leaned down to kiss my cheek but I quickly turned away.

I knew he was confused and I probably made a huge blow to his ego, but I didn't care.

"What's the matter?" He asked searching for my eyes. I didn't turn to look at him; I just continued watching people walk past on the sidewalk, silently, unmoving.

"Tenten, is something wrong?" I ignored him that time too, figuring that if I continued to ignore him, then, he'd just drop the subject, drop me home and erase me from his life forever. I didn't belong there. Someone like me didn't belong there.

He grabbed my face with his hands and made it almost impossible for me to turn away. "What is wrong?" He asked, well, ordered. His voice was stern now, and I knew he wouldn't take my silence for an answer.

"Nothing," I whispered, finally. "Just tired; Work was tough today."

I suddenly felt brave, and decided to look him in the eyes. He didn't look like he believed me but I could see when he made the decision not to pressure me any further.

He leaned down again, this time to kiss my lips. I didn't stop him.

When he pulled away, he whispered in my ear. "I missed you. I was sort of debating with my self whether to pick you up early or not. Sorry if I upset you. I don't like seeing you so troubled this way."

I smiled slightly, my bad mood disappearing, whether I belonged there or not, I knew he wanted me to be there, and I…I knew I wanted to be there. In the end, that's all that should matter.

"I missed you too." I said to him. A cocky smirk slowly crossed his face at my comment, but, before he could dare say something slick, I silenced him with my lips.

That's all that should matter… right?

I felt like a freaking Barbie Doll sitting in Neji's car, again, that evening.

Before we went over to my house after work, Neji had stopped by his compound to get Ino, Hinata, and Temari who I also invited to Sakura's surprise party. When we finally did arrive to my apartment, I was then harassed by all three girls to get ready. (Neji just sat there on my couch watching TV, "choosing" as he had called it, to stay clear out of our female business. Great boyfriend he was, huh?)

During the time me and the girls were alone together, I still didn't tell them about Neji and me. Finally, I decided that the news was probably best told at the party in front of Sakura.

I didn't know how any of them would react, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was somehow bordering on surprised or shock.

Ino made it no secret to comment on my earlier attire, making me feel even more self-conscious by the way, than before. By the time they were done, I was wearing a green Jewel V-neck front dress with cap sleeves. It reached about three inches above my knees and it hugged my curves, (the few that I had), perfectly. (Courtesy of Ino too, a dress like that would have cost a lot for me, and she had it in the back of her closet collecting dust.)

I was barely able to walk straight with the light brown sandals/wedges on my feet. My hair was getting on my nerves, flying in my face whenever it felt like it. I wasn't allowed to touch anything. Not my hair, the clothes, and the small amount of jewelry I had on; nothing.

Sakura better really love her party, cause I swear, I was going through hell just to help throw it for her.

Neji parked his car in one of his apartment's parking lot. The party was going to be in there condo accompanied by a few friends Sakura had including the other people that Neji and I decided to invite.

I have never been to his apartment before, and out of no where, I started to get nervous.

We all got out of the car, taking the time to close Neji's doors with care. (He gets a little…crazy when people didn't take care of his car.)

"Hold on!" Ino ordered me before I could even take a third step from the car. I rolled my eyes as she fluffed out my hair and (attempted) to fix the stray strings that were standing up. My eyes widened when she took out lip gloss from her silver purse.

"Oh. No." I said shaking my head.

"Yup. Fix your lips!" She ordered and reluctantly, I did what she said.

"You guys!" I heard Temari holler from the front of the building. "Hurry up will ya."

"Coming!" Ino and I sang together before following the others into the building.

All the lights were off. The condo was engulfed in nothing but silence as Sakura's laughter echoed through out the room.

From my hiding place with Neji behind the couch I eagerly awaited the moment my best friend would walk through those doors.

1….

Sasuke's keys jingled as he took them out to open the door.

2…..

The sound of the key entering the lock; the door knob turns….

3!

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Everyone screamed just as the lights turned back on, jumping out from their hiding place.

Sakura's facial expression changed from one of shock, to happiness, to disbelief. Her smile widened when she saw me. She ran to me and engulfed me in the biggest hug I've ever seen Sakura give, to anyone.

"Oh my god, ten thank you so much!" I knew she was crying by the way her voice sounded so scratchy. She released me and turned to all the other guests, smiling genuinely.

"Thank you everyone. You have no idea how much this means to me."

Some peopled whooped, some laughed and some even smiled. But the smile that shined the most that evening, was definitely Sakura's…until, that is, I ruined her special night.

"What!" Sakura shrieked, before giggling like a maniac. "No way!"

I solemnly nodded my head, blushing. "It's true." I whispered and half screamed through the music blasting through the speakers.

Hinata was the only one that seemed happy about my news, her dark blue cotton strapless dress felt great on my skin as she hugged me congratulations. "I'm very happy for you, Tenten-san."

I smiled kindly at her. "Thanks Hinata."

"Wait a minute!" Ino declared, holding up her hands. "When did all of this happen?"

"Today, I guess." I shrugged like it wasn't a big deal.

"Well I'll be," Temari patted me on my back, hard. "I knew you were acting strange at the sleep over. Now I know why."

My blush turned darker.

"This is too good to be true, I can't believe we BOTH get boyfriends in the same month." She shrieked again. "I'm so happy for us!"

"Yeah," Ino said suspiciously. "It kind of is too good to be true. I still believe you though, Congrats Ten!"

I grinned, really happy that they all took my being with Neji as a good thing. "Thanks."

"What are you ladies giggling about over here?" A voice asked behind us.

We all turned around at the same time to see Sasuke, Neji, and Naruto coming our way.

Neji sat next to me on the couch that the girls and I were sitting on, draping his arm over my shoulder. Temari grinned at me and at the look in her eyes, I couldn't help but to blush. (Again!)

Naruto asked Hinata to dance, and Temari left to go look for Shikamaru. I didn't know this before I stepped through the door, but their condo was actually kind of big and spacious. Its no wonder Shikamaru disappeared the way he did.

Ino left after a while of sitting with Neji, Sasuke, Sakura and me. Muttering something along the lines of "unbearable and stuffy" and making her way through the people scattered around what use to be Sasuke and Neji's living room.

Sasuke and Sakura were busy having a secret conversation between themselves and I was getting bored watching them. Ino was right, it really was disturbing watching people who were dating, do that to each other.

I almost jumped when I felt Neji's lips on my neck. I turned back in my seat and kissed him, right on the lips. I was the first one to enter my tongue in his mouth. We were really getting into it when I let out a low moan by accident.

His cell phone chose that moment to ring, and that's when all hell broke loose.

Neji had excused himself to go speak to whoever was on the phone. Sasuke also left but he had excused himself to go to the bathroom.

Sakura came and sat next to me and we talked a bit about all that's been going on in our lives these past few days. It was hard to believe we went to the same university since we haven't seen much of each other for a while now.

After starting to feel thirsty, I then excused myself to get something to drink. Once I got a can of Soda I started to make my way back to where I left Sakura.

That was when I accidentally ran into Sasuke.

He was leaning on the wall a bit impatiently, almost like he was waiting for someone. I was about to call out his name but I held my tongue when a girl with red hair walked up to him. For several minutes the air around me remained stiff as I watched him lean down to kiss her cheek.

I didn't recognize her, and she didn't look like she was from the party.

Did Sasuke know her or was this just a small meaningless encounter in which he had momentarily forgotten he had a girlfriend?

From my place near the hallway, I watched as the red haired girl circle her arms around Sasuke's neck, with no resistant from him by the way, as she leaned down to whisper something on his lips I couldn't make out.

Without doubt, any minute now Sasuke would surely remember Sakura, push this girl away, whoever she was, and go back to the girlfriend sitting alone waiting for him.

Only, he didn't. They stayed there talking and smiling, and at one point Sasuke even brushed her hair from her eyes-an obvious flirting move.

I held the can of soda in my hand limply. What a two-timing bastard!

For some time now, I truly had believed Sasuke was the right man for Sakura, even going so far as to help him throw this party for her. She seemed so much happier now that he was in her life; I thought it was the real thing for the both of them; true love.

Guess that was only coming from Sakura's end of the relationship.

I shook my head and turned my back from the sickening scene, ready to go tell Sakura exactly what I had seen, it would hurt her, but I knew she would believe me; we always do in cases like these. Who else could you trust?

I saw her on the dance floor, dancing with Ino and a couple of her other friends and as I was about to go join her out there too, a hand pulled me back.

"Hey," Neji's smooth voice said in my ear. "Where are you going?"

"To Sakura," I responded trying to get free from his grasp but he only held on tighter.

"What?" He asked me and I could tell he was confused. "Why?"

"I'll explain later, but for now, I need to get to Sakura it's-"

"BIRTHDAY GIRL!" Someone screamed, interrupting what I was about to say, just as all the music stopped. "IT'S TIME TO CUT THE CAKE!"

Everyone cheered at this and I saw it as Sakura squealed with happiness, following the large crowd of people to the main food table. I fought harder in Neji's arms.

"Let me go Neji, please! I NEED to speak to Sakura right now!"

I stared into his eyes, pleading, and reluctantly his hold loosened on me. It appalled me when Sasuke handed Sakura the knife to cut the cake like he wasn't just with some other woman just seconds before. How could he possibly do this to her? And how in the world did I let it happen?

By the time I pushed through the pile of people crowded around Sakura—Neji at my heels—everyone was cheering and congratulating her. My heart sped up as she and Sasuke leaned towards kissing each other.

I closed my eyelids tightly. 'Sakura please forgive me,' I pleaded in my head. I knew it would embarrass her terribly by doing this in front of everyone; I had planned on it being private and just between us. But, now, as I watched him getting ready to kiss her, something in me snarled in outmost anger.

Before I knew what I was doing, I screamed. "WAIT!"

I cringed as all of their attention turned to me, including Sakura's.

I turned to Sasuke. "How could you do this to Sakura? What the hell has she ever done for you to be cheating on her for!" I was very close to his face now, so close in fact that his smell nearly intoxicated me. And not in a good way either.

Everyone looked surprise at my outburst and Sakura looked as if she's been slapped. My heart clenched painfully for my friend.

"Sakura, I saw him with another woman. I swear I'm not making this up. He didn't try to push her away or anything. They were being very secretive about it too only meeting up in the hallway and stuff."

"N-n-o way," She muttered pain covering her whole face, the excitement and happiness from before was gone now. She started to cry, which almost made me cry too.

"I-is this true, Sasuke? I-is what Tenten saying…"

Her voice drowned on and in the quite of the room she started to cry. Sasuke pulled her in his arms continuously repeating to her over and over that it wasn't true, but I knew it was, I saw it with my own eyes and I told Sakura that.

"SHUT UP! Would you? Can't you see you're upsetting her!" Sasuke sent an aggravated and surly look in my direction; which probably matched the look I was giving him. I could NOT believe he just said that!

Me? Of all the people in this room I was the one upsetting her?

That was the last straw, he went way too far. But before I could slice off his throat, a pair of strong hands held me back.

"Lets talk calmly about this, alright? There's no need to raise our voice." Neji was a gentleman and all but he was REALLY starting to get on my nerves.

Ino and the other girls helped get Sakura away from the drama and into the bathroom. Now that Sakura wasn't there I felt no need to hold back any longer.

I lunged for Sasuke and this time I really did lung for his throat. I was ready to smack him to Africa but out of no where a fist came in contact with my stomach and by the direction that it came from I knew Sasuke was the one that threw it. I reeled back in pain, crouching on the floor.

I heard it as everyone gasped in surprise at the turn of events. I bet you didn't expect this kind of thing at a birthday party.

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?" I heard Neji scream to Sasuke, and I was glad when he kneeled down with me to make sure I was okay.

"I didn't do ANYTHING! She was the one that came up with this nonsense about me cheating. Its Sakura's freaking birthday, and yet your girlfriend is acting like a bitch, coming up with lies to feed Sakura. I did nothing wrong! And those who know me would know that I would never do that to her."

"AND? What authority does that fucking give you to touch her like she's a fucking punching bag?" I was surprised. Way beyond surprised in fact. This was probably the first time I've heard Neji curse so much in one sentence. This was the first time I've seen him so upset, period.

My head suddenly became dizzy. Nothing made since anymore, all the other things they screamed at each other became drowned out. The last thing I remembered seeing before welcoming the darkness, was the figure of Sasuke and Neji as they lunged for each other in the dim lighting of what was suppose to be the best birthday Sakura ever had.

A/N; Guess who the red head is….

HA! I'm not telling, sorry!

Hey you guys, it's been a while huh? I know, I know. I'm pretty sure many of you wouldn't have been expecting this piece of drama. Trust me, I wasn't either. Lol.

I just thought it would be more exciting if I just went crazy and added more suspense instead of having everything all happily ever after. I am getting kind of close to the ending though, (sniff) so sad, it seems like its going by so fast!

Schools back in, bummer! I don't really like my teachers. But I can't change them right? (I wish we could) Anyway, I love you all as always and….

I CAN NOT BELIEVE WE PASSED FIFTHY REVIEWS!

THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH! It means a lot.

Review please, or else I'll send Kisame after you with his big ass sword!

Until next time,

Animehostess.