A/N: Alright. Two things I need you to do. Read, and Review.

Neji Hyuga slowly woke up from within the confines of the Hyuga mansion. He disentangled himself from the white sheets covering his bed and made his way towards the kitchen, listening to the other inhabitants of the house also wake up. He grabbed a piece of fruit and a bento box for lunch, before going back to his room and dressing. Pulling on an all black ninja outfit, he paused before attaching his sword to his back. He was meeting the Hokage today and if she took offense to his being armed, it wasn't his fault.

Hiashi Hyuga, his uncle, had spoken to Tsunade the day before asking whether or not she thought Neji was ready to take on a genin team. Neji enjoyed teaching kids, he found this out when he was given a C-rank mission for substituting an academy class. He'd never admit any of that to any of his fellow shinobi however. Hiashi told him after his talk with the hokage that Tsunade was unsure if Neji had the temperament to teach young kids. Neji had sulked about this for an hour. He was a jounin and was trusted with valuable, even sacred, information about Konoha, but he wasn't allowed to be a sensei to three genin? He laughed at the thought. Hiashi later told him that Tsunade was still considering him, and that he should meet with her today.

On his way out of the mansion he ran into Hinata who, without stuttering, wished him good luck. She had finally broken the bad habit when Naruto finally asked her to be his girlfriend. Her father, Hiashi, approved of her choice greatly and Neji secretly thought that Hiashi was hoping that they'd get married. They do make a cute couple. Neji thought, slightly depressed. Shikamaru was now in a relationship with Temari, who was in Konoha most of the time to help with the Chunin exams. Ino had proved that she wasn't as materialistic as everyone thought and to everyone's surprise, started dating Chouji. Neji also noticed that Lee and Tenten were hanging out more often then before, and knew that sooner or later things would begin to happen. Of course, Lee had stopped acting like their sensei Gai after he finished puberty. He had even gotten rid of his horrible haircut, and to Gai's dismay had stopped wearing his spandex and began wearing more ninja suitable clothing. Sakura was still not over Sasuke, and was 'holding out for him' which caused her love life to be a complete 0. Just like his own. Neji was also reminded that branch members could also be suddenly put into an arrange marriage. Especially if they were single already. Neji inwardly shuddered, that would not be a pleasant experience. He'd probably run away. Ha the great Hyuga Neji running away from marriage when he can single handedly defeat teams of missing nin. Everyone would love to see that wouldn't they? Neji thought sarcastically.

He approached the Hokage building as the sun began to rise, it was only six am but Neji didn't mind. He'd rather be here then inside the mansion. That and he secretly hoped that Tsunade had decided that he could teach, and that he could start soon. Entering the building, he walked past Kotetsu who was carrying several large scrolls before reaching the main entrance to the Hokage's office. The two guards nodded, and indicating that it was alright to go in. After doing so, he was surprised to see a very stressed out Tsunade holding her head in one hand and a bottle of sake in the other. Shizune was slightly bent over behind her and talking to her soothingly. Nevertheless Neji felt a bit awkward. Shizune noticed him and whispered urgently into Tsunade's ear, before wrestling the unopened bottle out of her hand. Tsunade looked up at Neji and addressed him.

"Hyuga Neji, you want to be a sensei?" she asked, a little bewildered

"Yes." Neji thought that was kind of obvious.

"This works out well Tsunade-sama, you could test his abilities as a teacher by making her his student for the time being." Shizune went on, "I'm sure that she'll be able to handle him, and she's already a chunin so it won't be like she's new to being a ninja. Not to mention that it would be good for her to start training again right away to keep her mind off things. Her sensei and both her teammates, what a shock..."

"Its my fault. I shouldn't have sent them on a B-rank, it was too soon. Right after the chunin exams, they must have been tired-" Tsunade said before she was cut off by Shizune

"It was not your fault, that mission should have been a higher level, we really had no idea-"

At this point, Neji blocked out the rest of their conversation, feeling as though he was eavesdropping on something private. He thought about what they had said though. If she was to become his student, he'd have a chance to refine his teaching technique on someone less impressionable then newly appointed genin. Not to mention, she already knew the basics so he could focus on the actual training and techniques. But it sounded as though her old team had all died. If she was anything like the rest of the kunoichi in Konoha, she'd be crying her eyes out right now. They never knew how to conceal their emotions. Hopefully she'd be up to training at least.

"Neji, you will be Yuki's temporary sensei. It may be disappointing not to get your own team yet, however take this time to practice teaching and find out what works well. But keep in mind that everyone learns differently and what may work for Yuki probably will never work for young genin." Tsunade told him. Neji pondered the meaning of this for a moment before Tsunade went on, "I want you to start here training immediately tomorrow, today you will meet her and...attempt, to get to know her." Shizune then picked up the conversation.

"Yuki needs a strict teacher, I think you fit this standard perfectly Neji," Neji wasn't sure if this was a compliment or otherwise, "However I must warn you, she has a sharp tongue and a sarcastic nature, make sure she doesn't get under your skin, and don't show weakness."

Well that was comforting. Neji felt like he was going to meet an enemy or something of the sort.

"Is she out of the hospital yet Tsunade?" Shizune asked quietly

"You know her, I doubt she even stepped foot in that hospital. I'm not sure where she is at the moment, but I did tell her to come by my office around seven or so." Tsunade replied, everyone turned to look at the clock. It was seven fifteen. Tick marks appeared over Tsunade's forehead, while Shizune laughed.

"She'll probably be here soon." Shizune said. But Neji doubted it, he was right, she was probably off somewhere sobbing her face off.

"Maybe someone should just go find her." Neji suggested, not wanting to wait any longer than he had to. But before anyone could say anything a young kunoichi stepped into the room.

"Yuki. Are you feeling alright?" Shizune asked.

"Yes." Was the polite but short answer

Neji was more than surprised. Yuki didn't look like she had been crying at all. For a minute Neji wondered if she had any remorse at all for her fallen teammates. But after a second Neji began to analyze her face and stance, to determine her mood and her thoughts. He was an expert at reading other people, which made it easy for him to predict actions in battle. It surprised him at how well she had hidden her emotions. All that he could tell at the moment was that she felt that she was totally helpless. Neji also noticed that she felt guilty, making him think that Yuki blamed herself for the death of her team. That, and she was really really hungry. Neji looked at her curiously. Is she starving herself? That isn't necessary for a ninja, we are already in perfect physical condition. I'm gonna have to talk with her about this. Neji looked her over again, Yuki was a blond with piercing ice blue eyes, fair skin and a deadly aura that floated around her, despite her innocent looks. She had to be at least two years younger than him, and he had just turned nineteen.

"Hyuga Neji, this is Yuki. Yuki, this is your new sensei. You will do whatever he tells you." Tsunade said strictly before adding gently, "I'm so sorry for your loss. If there's anything I can do-"

"Tsunade-sama, thank you very much, but I'm fine." Yuki said, but Neji knew she was lying.

"Okay," Tsunade responded, slightly disbelieving, "Today, you're going to get to know eachother. Tomorrow, training begins. At the end of two weeks you may be able to start missions again as a team, but they will be smaller tasks seeing as your team consists only of two. You are dismissed." Neji and Yuki walked out of the room, but Neji caught Tsunade wiping her eyes.

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