In My Dark World

7

"There, all done!" Ayame finished putting Tenten's hair up in a braided bun and held it down with a beautiful wine colored hairpin that matched her dress.

Tenten looked at herself through the dressing mirror in front of them. Ayame really outdid herself for her. From the makeup to the dress to the hair everything was just perfect, simple yet beautiful and elegant. "Wow Ayame..." She was speechless.

"You look stunning! And that dress fits you better than it ever did me, you should keep it." The burgundy dress was an old one of Ayame's, a simple bodycon that stopped a few inches above her knees. It hugged Tenten's body so nicely that one wouldn't think it was a borrowed dress at first glance. Now Ayame was giving it to her.

"I couldn't..it's-" Tenten could not just accept this nice of a dress.

"It's beautiful on you and you should keep it." The older woman insisted with a smile. She left no room for refusal. Tenten had to cave in.

"Thank you so much Ayame. I love it."

Ayame giggled. "When does your ride arrive?" She asked, reaching for a black coat for Tenten because it was still cold out despite being in the middle of March. The days were warm enough but nights were a different story. Tenten accepted the coat thankfully.

"It should arrive by seven." It was a few minutes past. As if on cue Tenten's phone dinged, signalling the arrival of her ride. Tenten grabbed her purse and the gift bag containing sake she got for the date. "Oh just in time. I'll be off now."

"Take care and have fun! Make sure to stay the night. Oh and don't forget to use protection!"

Tenten's ears flushed red like she was new to the words. She wasn't but all this setup had been was a dinner date and nothing more. She didn't even think of the possibility of that happening. Now that Ayame put the idea in her head it refused to leave.

"It's just a dinner date!" Tenten uttered, flustered. Ayame didn't look like she believed her if the sly smirk on her face was anything to go by. Still she said nothing about it and pushed Tenten forward instead.

"Don't keep your ride waiting now, off you go."

"Thank you Ayame. For everything." Ayame waved her off.

"It's nothing."

The ride was nothing like Tenten expected. Sure she knew that Neji was rich and that he offered to order a ride to come pick her up but the Uber she imagined didn't come close to the luxurious car parked at the front of Ichiraku. It attracted stares from the late customers that still lingered in the restaurant and ultimately Ayame's amazement.

"That's your ride?! I didn't think you had it in you girl!" The older woman teased not unkindly. "I take back what I said earlier about protection. Have his babies!"

"Ayame!" Tenten whined.

"Stop pulling her legs Ayame." Teuchi came up behind them with an empty tray in hand. He was the only one manning the restaurant while Tenten and Ayame played dress up upstairs. It was okay though, there weren't a lot of customers at night. The man regarded Tenten with a kind smile. "Good luck on your date Tenten. Can you help me close up shop now Ayame?"

"Of course! Bye Tenten."

Tenten gave a respectful bow to the two before leaving the small restaurant. They waved her goodbye.

"Miss Tenten?" The driver of the car asked when he saw her.

"Yes. Sorry for the wait." She told him as he opened the door of the car for her. Tenten got in awkwardly. She had never been in a luxurious car before but she found that it was a nice experience. Tenten sent a quick text to Neji that she was on her way. The man replied with an excited emoticon.