Good news! I'm not dead!!! (yet). Honestly there is NO excuse for my tardiness. I apologize for being a schmuck to top all schmucks. I'm ashamed of myself for taking so long, and can only hope that some of you still remember this humble little fic and remember to review.

I still love you guys!!!

Disclaimer: Me? Own Naruto? Hell yeah.

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I finally knew how a criminal felt on the day of his execution. Itachi's every step matched my doomed heartbeat. Thump. Thump. Thump. I gulped. The whole world stopped, well at least it seemed to stop. I could still hear the false chatter of celebrities reuniting, the clink of glasses, the forced titter of older women, but it all seemed muffled, muted under my intense fear. I didn't understand why I was so afraid. Maybe it was because I could feel everything crashing around me. My pretenses had finally hurt someone important to me.

I backtracked at that thought. Sasuke was important to me?

I remembered our day in the park, and what a strange but good friend he had been. Yes, he was very important and I was wrong to lie to him.

I need to make up to him. Somehow, someway.

"Hello Tohru, fancy seeing you again so soon."

Oh crap. I forgot about Itachi in the midst of my silent musings. There he stood before me, larger and sexier than life in a black tuxedo. The Uchiha family definitely had some good genes. How was it possible for him to be so gorgeous? My inner fan girl drowned in a puddle of her own drool.

"Hi!" I squeaked, two decibels too high. I tried again "I haven't seen you since the photo shoot. How have you been?" I sounded elegant, poised. I mentally congratulated myself on a job well done.

"I'm better now that you're here."

Did he really just say that? I pinched my right thigh through the dress as discreetly as possible. Nope. I was definitely NOT dreaming. Again I say: holy crap.

I gave a throaty chuckle, trying to hide my inner panic and delight. "Really Itachi, you're such a flirt. Have you received any more modeling contracts?"

That was a dumb question. Of COURSE he did. He's Itachi Uchiha and drop dead gorgeous! I wanted to slap my own forehead but that would be questionable in such a posh environment. I settled for gritting my teeth a little instead. Gritting your teeth is acceptable, right?

Itachi kicked things up a notch with a sultry smile. "Yes, a few here and there, although I regret not being able to work with you again. Perhaps my agent can talk with your agent and we can arrange something."

Whoa, whoa, whoa! I nearly fainted. Uh HELL YEAH! OF COURSE I WANNA WORK WITH YOU! I WORSHIP YOUR VERY IMAGE! PLEASE LET ME BEAR YOUR CHILDREN!!! But what I really said was "That sounds lovely, I'll have to have a little talk with Anko."

Itachi smirked, as if he could hear my inner voice screaming for his attention. "I'll be looking forward to it. Have a lovely evening." He nodded politely and then seemed to float off in a cloud of his own godliness.

I wanted to move with him to a desert island, where I would wear a little grass skirt and coconut bras and fan him 24/7. My daydream dispelled as I was brought back to reality. Where had all that came from anyway? Was it possible that I had a celebrity crush on Itachi? I thought it over. Yes, it was very possible. However, celebrity crushes like all other crushes were prone to fading, so I didn't worry about it anymore.

Besides, my date was approaching and let me tell you that Neji cleans up nicely. Very nicely. Smiling smugly at the jealous looking hussies I gracefully accepted his arm and descended into the crowd.

For that brief moment I felt like a goddess, and let me tell you it's a very nice feeling.

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Neji's POV

Tohru is beautiful, of course. The dress she is wearing accentuates her figure without showing off too much. It's a color that looks rather lovely with her skin. Her hair is long and wavy, her eyes violet. She is a vision and she is currently on my arm. I could see rows of men watching her with desire-laden eyes, and I couldn't help but tighten my grip on her.

Those kind of men disgust me the most.

They didn't know Tohru, but then again neither did I. I knew she was fun loving, honest, and easy to get a long with. It was more than the lechers knew.

"Are you having fun?" I murmured as I steered us towards a table over flowing with delicious looking finger food. She removed her warmth from me to fill her plate with whatever looked chocolate. I hid a smile.

"I will be once I get something to eat." She said with a mischievous grin "I forgot lunch." She confessed.

"Well then by all means eat. If anyone talks about you, I will have my father fire them."

She frowned a little "What if they don't work for your father?"

"Everyone works for my father." I told her, spreading my arms to signify the vastness of our family fortune.

She still looked a little put-ff. "Huh." Was all she said before she popped a chocolate dipped strawberry in her mouth. I wondered if I had offended her. Women.

End POV

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*Tenten's POV

The arrogant little jackhole. 'everone works for my daddy, even your daddy works for my daddy' indeed!

*End POV

*Itachi's POV

Tohru looks annoyed. No, annoyed isn't the word for it, pissed off. That sorry little prick of a Hyuuga must have said something that set her off. She tried her best to hide her emotions but I am an expert at reading people's faces. Looks like trouble in paradise.

Earlier my little brother ran off, looking as though someone ran over his cat.

I had no idea this stupid banquet would turn out to be so much fun.

End POV

*Tenten's POV

I was still irked with Neji, but not enough for it to ruin my evening. What DID ruin my evening was when Lorraine Stevens, an actress famous for her role in 'Don't forget Mikey' an 'intellectual movie', cornered me and began talking about her fame and career for two hours.

I ran out of chocolate halfway during her droning. Rats. I squinted to the side to see if there was some form of distraction that could reunite me with my beloved chocolate. Those strawberries were good.

"-it was all very stressful and tiring, but as a model I'm sure you can relate at some level." I blinked. Was she insinuating that her job was more difficult than mine? Would it be wrong if I stomped on her little stiletto clad foot?

I took a deep breath and counted to ten.

…

…

No luck, she hasn't disappeared yet. Find your happy place, Tenten.

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My rescue came in the form of a buzzed Anko. She wobbled up to me, wrapped her bare arms tightly around my neck, and belched loudly. I flinched. This wasn't exactly what I was praying for, but oh well. You take what you get.

"Toooohhhrruuuu! This fruity drink is sho, sho, TASTY! I just wanna pour it down my pants!" she threw back her head and cackled. Her dull eyes then noticed Lorraine standing a safe distance away with a horrified look on her botoxed face. "Welly-well-well-well-well! If it isn't Lorraine 'i'm so goddamned smart' Steshens."

"Stevens." I corrected, my face turning tomato red.

"Have fun spreading your legs on camera?" She laughed some more at her pun. In the movie, Lorraine played an aging cheerleader who was excellent at doing splits. I flushed darker and could see Lorraine doing the same. "Haha, you whore! Nah, I love you, I love Tohru, I love this fruity…" she paused "Tooty fruity." She howled with laughter.

I glanced at the half spilled drink in her hand "Long Island Iced Tea." I said, my eyes widening. It was Anko's favorite drink in the world. "Anko, you really shouldn't be so drunk."

"Shut up and leave me al-alone!" she cried, even though SHE was the one hanging on to ME "I just want friends…" she mumbled against my neck "you don't love m-m-me." She sniffled.

"Of course I do." I silently prayed that the ground would swallow me up. Please?

"NO ONE LOVES MEEEEE!" By now more than a few people were watching us. Famous people. Ugh, I did not deserve this. I could see Itachi chuckling from behind his martini. I flipped him off. There were a few gasps. Oops, wrong move Tenten.

Crapoloa.

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*Sasuke's POV

I was halfway home when I realized something. I was running away. From Tenten of all people. No. I was better than that. She lied to me, not I to her. SHE should be running away. SHE should be apologizing!

Growling, I illegally cut across an intersection and floored the gas pedal back towards the hotel.

*End POV

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Tenten's POV

This party officially bites. I just thought I'd say that. Anko, after thoroughly embarrassing me doubled over and spewed out all she ate and drank today. This sort of occurrence was common, so the wait staff got to it right away. I still couldn't help but feel ashamed of my manager's behavior. If I didn't know her as well as I did I would have fired her years ago.

I watched silently as two strong men carried her off towards the kitchen. "You're manager is a disgrace." Lorraine Stevens was saying. I was in too big of a daze to care about her. Past her big blonde head, and past the crowds of people, was Sasuke.

He had just entered the door and boy did he look pissed. His eyes blazed like a black fire. He scowled directly at me and that's when I knew I was in trouble. I swallowed loudly and looked for some form of escape. Let's see, I could go bug Itachi, who was watching me like I was the most fascinating show on television. Nope. Anko? Hell no. I could always find some old perv. I shuddered at the thought. Which left me with… I blinked as something large filled my vision. Sasuke.

Uh oh.

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"You lied to me." He seethed, getting straight to the point.

Think of something smart Tenten! "Uh, no I didn't."

Is that the best you got?

Sasuke gave me a look which mirrored my current thoughts. "Yes you did!" he spat out, this time gaining the attention of a few nosy onlookers. The last thing I wanted was an audience.

"Come on Sasuke…" I attempted lightheartedness "You're acting like you're the only person I've ever lied to."

Somehow that comment sounded a lot better in my head than it did out loud. His eyes darkened "I thought we were friends."

His words felt like a dagger piercing my lying heart. "We ARE friends." I said desperately.

"Then why did you lie?"

"Because you would've told the press!"

"What?" the little jerk had the nerve to look baffled. And hot. Note to self: reign in inner fan girl.

"You were blackmailing me!" I was shrieking by now, and more than ten people were watching avidly. I sent them my harshest glare, enhanced by my purple contacts. They quickly turned away. I returned my attention to the jerk in front of me.

Sasuke's dark perfect eyebrows furrowed as his jaw clenched. He ran a nervous hand through the fringes guarding his eyes. "I would never blackmail you."

"Well you certainly made me believe you would!"

"It's called a bluff!"

"You are such a…" I fumed, searching for the right word "pig!"

My face was red from beneath the makeup and my eyes were brimming with tears. How dare he accuse me of being a bad friend? How dare he make me feel guilty! How dare he make me feel anything! I was mad enough to spit nails. I needed to get away from him to clear my head.

Sasuke's face mirrored my own in fury, although I'm sure it looked a lot better on him, even IF I was a supermodel. "For one moment there I actually cared." He quickly turned his face away. He was referring to when my 'grandma got in an accident.' I ducked my own head, ashamed. I didn't want to hurt him or anyone else anymore. I was tired of living a lie. The sound of laughter filled one corner of the room. I was sick of all this. For once I wanted to be just me, Tenten.

I wanted to tell Sasuke how sorry I was. I wanted to let him know that I would always be his friend, Tohru or not. I wanted to show him how much I cared, despite my pretenses.

Which is why, unthinkingly, I grabbed his face between my hands and drew his soft lips to mine.

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Sasuke's POV

Holy shit.

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End Chapter

Hey look, a cliffhanger! Okay maybe a cliffhanger wannabe. I hope you guys haven't forgotten me and my wonderful friend Tenten. I love writing all the girls from Naruto, but Tenten's my favorite. I think in a weird way we kind of relate.

I apologize for the long wait. I'm such an awful person. How could I have abandoned my favorite reviewers in the whole wide world? (not to mention my only reviewers, which makes you even more special!). Thanks to anyone who still remembers me and my fic. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Please Review!!!! (you guys must hate me)