A/N: Will probably be updated every week. The first two chapters will be about how Tenten and Neji meet and all that.

Enjoy! :D

"Tenten, you've got to be stronger than yesterday." A firm and encouraging voice of her teacher would echo in her mind constantly.

The country of Konohagakure was vast and blessed with resources. Mountains and trees surrounded the countryside while the villages contained five skilled clans. The mind-reading Yamanakas, Intelligent Naras, Secretive Uchihas, big-boned Akimichis and the oddly calm Hyuugas with pearl eyes and a few words.

Tenten, a girl with dark brown hair and eyes of the same hue belonged to none of them. She had no distinct features from any clan nor a surname. The only thing made her stand out was her expertise in weapons and a goal that one could possibly think as foolish; cooperation.

To the eyes of a foreign man, the lineup of shops and restaurant stalls along with the lack of people would've made Konohagakure peaceful, but truth be told, they were the most vulnerable. The throne was empty so the citizens had no one that could be called a leader. They also did not have any concern in the matters that didn't involve themselves. It was deemed as a curse specially for those villagers who were not born from a clan and gain no support from the non-existent higher-ups.

Another was the shinobi system, based entirely on either luck or fate. Each clan had developed fighting techniques that was passed on to each member. There were even those with eyes such as the Uchihas or Hyuugas that can see through illusions or a long distance. For the outsiders, some learned to teach themselves and survive.

Sighing at the apparent situation, she continued to walk through the main village until she reached the end where trees started to cover. Beyond the thick trees laid the public training grounds. A usually quiet clearing with a row of target practices but this time, she heard someone using the grounds. Curious to who had come, she made her presence known.

She was shocked, albeit a little annoyed to see long dark hair tied to the end, a simple and loose white attire and those familiar pearl eyes. A Hyuuga. She watched a little longer despite knowing that he had noticed her already. She watched as the air seemed to compress at his hands only to be released which made the surroundings shake.

Slowly, she started to approach him. "Hyuuga?" Tenten called, unsure of how to adress him. He turned to her, wordless, as if telling her to continue. "Why are you here?"

"Why not?" he said, nonchalant.

Raising brow at his vague answer, she decided to put a bit more detail in her question. "I mean, don't you guys have personal training grounds back in your home?"

"It's much bigger here."

"Can I join you then?"

"If you wish."

They began their personal training with Tenten positioned a few feet away from the boards tied to logs, scrolls in her hand as Neji curiously observed her technique.

She first threw three of her kunai and hit three bull's eyes followed by two shuriken that were aimed at both sides of the red mark. Tenten grinned at the sight, feeling the satisfaction set inside her. She absolutely loved the sound of the blade slashing through air along with the sound of her weapons hitting the board. Just thinking about it made her heart beat faster. Quickly, she took another scroll on her free hand and rose through the air, releasing them like ribbons that danced around her. Simultaneously, a barrage of weapons appeared as she aimed them at the board hitting a perfect ten. The last weapon had stuck to the ground, an explosive tag tied around it and activated at her command creating a small explosion. She smirked. If she was going to have a Hyuuga as a training partner, she might as well create a good impression.

Neji Hyuuga, as he quickly introduced hinself before training, had a glint of amusement in his eyes. 'A weapon specialist' he thinks to himself, impressed by her excellent usage of sealing her weapons. It required a good amount of chakra not to mention, the number it held. He was pretty sure there were more, probably bigger or deadlier ones than he had seen. Her deadly accuracy was also amazing, hitting all ten perfect marks from any range. He had to admit, even that was something he couldn't complete.

He went toward her, offering his hand. "Well then, shall we spar?"

The two of them were positioned in their battle stance, a kunai on each hand as beads of sweat started to form near their foreheads. Silently counting to three, they ran towards each other, the sound of metal echoing.

Tenten was the first to use offense, using her right hand to punch the Hyuuga which was quickly avoided. Still moving forward, she alternated both of her fists only to swing at air. She then decided to change her position and ran behind him to aim a kick, but before her leg could hit him, he disappeared with a puff of smoke. Tenten looked behind to see Neji with a smug look on his face. She started to smile. This was surely going to be fun.

Neji charged toward her, veins visible near his eyes, the infamous Byakugan activated. His strikes were extremely fast, barely giving the weapon mistress enough time to dodge.

She found out that she wouldn't last long in the defense position so she quickly ran further, allowing her enough space to jump and whip out two scrolls that were now loose. Weapons came raining down but her attempts were futile as Neji used a technique called revolving heaven that was a blue spiralling shield that defelcted each of her throws. Landing down on the ground, Tenten summoned what seemed like a wooden stick and charged at him.

The sparring session from morning lasted until late in the afternoon, neither willing to be defeated. In the end, the two decided to take a break, their bodies sticky with sweat and breaths heavy from exhaustion.

"Need a towel?" she offered, lending a clean white one to which he accepted.

"Thanks."

They both sat down under the shade of a tree enjoying the momentary silence until Tenten decided to talk.

"Hey, why don't Hyuugas talk to anyone?"

Neji looked away from her. "Well there isn't much point in talking unless it is important."

"But you're talking to me right now." she said with a triumphant grin. "You also let me train with you."

This time, he faced her, gaze away from her face but modest enough as to not look at her chest. "It is what they call a public training ground."

Tenten huffed. "Yes but forming bonds are important too. The more the merrier am I right?" She says jokingly, stretching out her arms and lying on the ground. She didn't seem to earn a reply from him so she continued to her point. "I mean like, someday, I want the country to get together you know?" She admitted, cheeks turning a shade of pink. Never had she shared her goal with someone unless it was either her mentor or teammate and she never imagined saying it to a Hyuuga no less.

"And why is that?"

"Without teamwork and without a leader, we could barely be called a country. We still remain so vulnerable, open for others to invade us."

Neji frowned. "It's suppposed to be that way. The fact that we can't get along with others is a fact that cannot be changed."

Tenten sat back up. "Who says it can't?" Her voice raising as she points a finger at him. "They're all idiots. Blessed with all these powers yet cursed by their own selfishness." She complains. "We'll be kissing the ground once word gets to other countries!"

"Are you sure your desire of cooperation is not just for the benefit you, a villager of no family name and no private political systems? Why do you wish to help us?" He snaps with sharp words and yet remains to have a calm look. His question makes her quiet for a while but he waits, for he knows she would answer.

"Someday, you'll see. I'll be the person to alter not just yours but everyone else's views." His pearl eyes widened, he knew she would respond but never did he expect what it was she would tell him.

The weapon mistress could only sigh, help without any ulterior motives was such a foreign concept to them. Maybe not even their eyes could see what was inside the heart. If she were to tell the truth, she had not the faintest idea of how she would be able to prove her wishes but for know, she would like her words to hang on the Hyuuga's head no matter how much he tried to push his beliefs.

Neji closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I apologize for the outburst but we were destined to be this way, and it is only fair to remain so." He stood up and waved, giving a small smirk. "Let's meet again tomorrow." He left after that.

Though he simply could not deny the fact that he strained both his eyes and ears to hear the sound of laughter from the clan members and see colour in the monochrome that is his home.