I do not own anything but the lint in my pocket, it must be nice to own things.

Rescued

"So let's approach this mission with all of the power of youth we possess!"

Tenten rolled her eyes. Could she really make it through another one of Gai Sensei's speeches? She definitely respects his abilities as a ninja, but sometimes his enthusiasm is grating.

To her left Rock Lee was completely engrossed by their sensei's senseless ramblings. Lee was always enthralled by Gai Sensei, to the point of emulating his haircut and bad fashion sense. Despite this, Lee is one of Tenten's best friends. He was one of very few who respects her abilities and never put her down for trying to get better, unlike a certain other team mate.

As if he knew she was thinking about him, Neji let out a small sigh. She glanced over at him, not that she could ever read his emotions. She guessed that he was at his limit with non-ending speech. Tenten decided to cut this off before someone lost their cool.

"Gai Sensei? Don't you think we should head out now? Tsunade-sama did say this mission was of utmost importance and was to be immediately acted upon."

"Too true, Tenten," Gai flashed one of his trademark grins at Tenten.

After checking to make sure they were fully prepared, they finally got on their way. Tenten was very nervous about this mission. They were to act as bodyguards to a Jinchuuriki. This particular Jinchuuriki was being tracked by the Akatsuki. She hoped that she could hold her own and show Gai sensei and Neji that she was every bit as useful on a mission as they are. She gets so tired of that tired old image of the kunoichi needed to be rescued by her male counterparts. She is just as strong as most of the other ninja and she would prove it, somehow.

They traveled all day, eating as they walked. A little before nightfall they began to make camp. Tenten helped Lee set up the tents while Gai studied his map and Neji started a fire.

"Man, I am starving. What do we have to eat?" Lee asked as he plopped on the ground near the fire.

"Depends on what she can cook," Neji stated as he tossed a bag of food at Tenten.

"Why am I cooking? I shouldn't have to cook just because I am a female."

"C'mon Ten. You are a good cook. If you cook tonight, I'll do it next time," Lee suggested.

"Fine, but don't expect anything special. Looks like all we have is ramen packs."

After dinner, Gai started laying plans for their initial meeting with their client. They should meet up with him the next afternoon.

"We will stick close to him and look for clues as to what the Akatsuki may have planned. We need to be prepared for an attack at anytime. I think we will have to sleep in shifts. This mission lasts as long as it takes Team Kakashi to track down the Akatsuki and remove the danger from this situation for our client. Does everyone understand?" Gai leveled a very serious glance at each of them. When he was pleased with their responses he said, "The two person teams will be Lee and Me, Neji and Tenten."

"Why do I have to work with her? She'll just slow me down. I think the three of you should work together and let me work in a situation that best suits my skills."

Inside, Tenten felt herself cringe. Did he really think of her as nothing but a liability? She felt Lee pat her hand and tried to smile at him. She knew she failed at the gesture when he frowned back.

"Listen here, Hyuuga. Tenten is just as good as any other ninja and you should be grateful that she is willing to work with someone as egotistical as you!" Lee had jumped to his feet when he saw the hurt in Tenten's eyes.

Gai pushed Lee back down and faced Neji, "Your team mate may surprise you. This is the end of this discussion. The teams will stand as I said. Now I suggest everyone get some sleep. It may be a while before you can do so again."

That night Tenten did not sleep well. Neji's words had really bothered her. For Kame's sake, they were team mates. Shouldn't he at least try to cooperate with her? Did he have to undermine her at every opportunity?

"You look appalling." Such a nice good morning from Neji had her teeth on edge.

"Well, we don't all get to look as beautiful as you, Hyuuga." She knew she probably had dark rings under her eyes and she hadn't put her hair up, yet. He looked as he always did, and far too many kunoichi found him sexy. No wonder his ego is the size of Konoha, all the ninja were awed by his talent and all of the kunoichi were swooning at his feet. Secretly, Tenten had always agreed with the other women, but his personality was enough to keep her from showing anything but appropriate team mate camaraderie toward him. He was as warm as a penguin's rear.

Finally, they were all ready and set off on their way. All the way there Tenten wondered about this client. Were they young like Naruto and Gaara? She really wished she knew what to be prepared for. Gai and Lee could easily annoy some people and she just hoped to act as buffer if that happened.

Gai sensei's voice broke through her thoughts, "This is the designated area, and he should be here…"

Suddenly, a young man appeared right next to Tenten. He wrapped his hand around her throat and jerked her back against his chest. She felt the cold, sharp tip of a kunai pressed to her jugular. This was really not helping her gain esteem in Neji's eyes.

"Who are you?" the man demanded of Gai.

Gai looked the young man over and replied, "We are ninja from Konoha, sent here to act as bodyguards."

The man's hand tightened on Tenten. Her mind was working in overdrive trying to figure out her best course of action. She slammed her foot down onto his and spun around. She slammed the palm of her hand into his nose; blood instantly started pouring from his wound. She easily knocked him to the ground and pinned him there.

"Now, my sensei has told you who we are, who are you?"

"I am Daisuke. The jinchuuriki you were sent to protect."

Great. She just had to go and attack the one guy she was supposed to protect with her own life. She felt herself being lifted from Daisuke's back. She was roughly tossed aside as Neji knelt to check on their client's well-being.

"Wonderful, Tenten," he grumbled as he helped Daisuke to his feet.

"I thought she reacted quite well. I have been on the run so long, that I have grown a bit paranoid. I wouldn't have actually hurt her, but it is reassuring to know that my protectors are capable," he gave Tenten a slight smile as Lee checked to make sure his nose wasn't broken.

He wasn't such a bad looking guy. He was tall, maybe an inch taller than Neji and just about as muscular. His hair stood in spikes all around his head and was a nice chocolaty brown. He appeared to be very close to her age, as well. She had to shake her head to clear away that train of thought. Her mission was to protect him not become his fan girl. She was not the sort to indulge in that kind of behavior anyway.

"Thanks, Neji. I'm fine and all," Tenten growled as she dusted herself off.

"Hn."

"I suggest we head into the village and see about getting rooms for the night," Gai said as soon everyone was hale again.

The first thing they did upon arrival was head to their separate bathing areas. Tenten kept finding herself thinking about Daisuke. He was like Neji, but with some warmth. Maybe if this mission went well, Tenten could see if the attraction was returned.

She returned to the dining room where a large meal had been set out. Gai must have made a lot of money somewhere, she thought as she settled into a chair. Daisuke was the first to return from the baths. He shyly smiled at Tenten and settled into the chair across from her.

"So, how long have you been on the run?" Tenten asked as she folded a napkin and placed it in her lap.

"It has been a year and a half since they made their first attempt and I have been on the move since then."

"It must be hard being away from your loved ones for so long."

"I didn't really have much family or many friends. As far as romantically, I haven't met that special someone yet."

"I understand that. Although, I guess in my case it would require that someone notice me in a romantic light first. I think everyone considers me "one of the guys" because I am not like the other girls."

"I have definitely noticed that…" His statement was broken off when Neji entered the room.

Neji elegantly seated himself next to Tenten. He turned and glowered at her as if she had just killed his dog. She idly wondered what his problem was.

Lee and Gai entered with a loud slamming of the door. They were in such a hurry to eat that conversation was very difficult to continue.

The inn only had two available rooms. Daisuke would sleep in one room with Lee and Gai keeping watch while Neji and Tenten slept in the other room.

That night, Tenten had gone to bed earlier than Neji. She heard Neji come in about an hour later. After a while she thought she felt Neji scoot his mat closer to her so that their mats were touching. Then she felt his arm encircle her waist and his lips decided upon hers. It all felt so good, a low moan escaped her lips…Then she felt a sharp jab to her ribs. She woke up to see Neji glowering over her.

"Can you keep quiet? I would like to sleep."

Of all the rotten…Now he was invading her sleep. It was all so frustrating. He could never like her that way and all of a sudden that really bothered her. Why in the world could she not set her sights on Daisuke? She had never dreamed this way about him before, maybe him sleeping in the same room was the problem. She was too exhausted right then, but she would figure out the problem tomorrow. That was her last conscious thought as she finally succumbed to sleep.

I'll write more if there is any interest.