Awkward Situations

By KawaiPanda

Chapter One

A Tenten Story

"What?" It came out barely above a whisper.

"Please, don't cause a scene."

"Cause a scene?" I shoved away from the table. Who the fuck did he think he was? I mean, how else was I supposed to react to this. Be happy for him? Um, no. It doesn't work that way.

"Tenten." He hissed, glaring at me. "Sit."

"No." I gathered my things, ignoring the fact that people were staring. This was a five star resturaunt and most of the patrons were very wealthy. They weren't used to seeing specticals like this. By Kami I ought to give them one that they would talk about for the next month, but I wasn't that kind of person. Regardless of the fact that this was happening, I had class. But apparently it wasn't enough for him.

"Tenten."

"I said no." I shook my head at the prodigy before me. "You know, I hope you have a wonderful life Neji. Oh, and happy four year anniversary, you bastard." With that, I stalked out.

He was getting married. Neji was getting married. Only it wasn't going to be to me, his girlfriend of the past four fucking years. It was to be his cousin! His fucking cousin of all people! Hanabi Hyuuga. Thinking of the fifteen year old girl nearly had me heaving up that expensive meal I'd just shared with Neji.

Shit.

In the time it took for me to travel from the restaurant to my home, I already knew I wasn't going to be able to be alone right now. While I might be a good kunoichi, I am still a woman. And being dumped is not something I could take in stride. Others might be able to do it, but not me. Not with the only real relationship I have ever been in. Four years of my time invested in this man and he goes and dumps me!

When the door of my apartment was shut behind me, I couldn't stop the tears. I didn't want to. Neji had been the world to me. He had been my first in so many ways I don't think I had any more firsts left really. And I needed to mourn the loss. I was not however going to feel sorry for myself. He'd made his decision, and it wasn't based on anything I could change. His loss.

So after ten minutes of uncontrollable sobbing, I found myself stripping—cutting the dress I had on off with a kunai when the zipper refused to budge. It was one of many that Neji had bought me over the years. I had to, after all, look the part of his girlfriend and that meant not looking common or destitute.

As I looked through my closet, I felt myself getting angrier and angrier upon the sight of all of the outfits he had bought me. Do I not have anything of my own?

I finally found something wearable, pulling some clubbing worthy clothing out, and prepared. Pulling my hair out of it's loose buns that I had worn to the wedding and dinner, I let it fall down my shoulders for once. Something I had only done in private. For Neji.

I redid my makeup and then found myself sauntering to the bar, the one I used to frequent with the girls before Neji decided it was below me. The minute the door opened, the strong stench of alcohol assaulted my nose, and I grinned all feral like.

It was full tonight, since it was the weekend and there was a huge wedding that had just occured. Not everyone from every single entourage was going to fit at the reception of course. So, instead of slinking back to their countries sulking from not getting to attend the reception, they partied.

"Can I get a double? Straight?" I asked, leaning on the bar, scooping out the scene. The music was flowing, trendy of course.

"Sure thing."

"Thanks." The minute the glass hit my palm, I downed it in one gulp, giving him a tip.

"Hey there beautiful." A deep voice came from behind me, all sultry like.

I looked at the owner from over my shoulder, liking what I saw and replied in kind, "Handsome."

"Whatcha doing out on a night like this all alone?" He asked, leaning on the bar next to me.

"I'm not."

"Oh... really?" He sounded so disappointed.

I couldn't help it. I giggled. "Yeah, I'm with you."

He lifted a brow, the frown turning quickly back into a smirk. "Oh, really?"

"Really."

"I like you." I took the compliment with a smile.

"Thanks."

He held out a hand to me. "Wanna dance?"

"I'd love to." I took the offered hand and let him lead me onto the dance floor.

I didn't know his name. I didn't even know where he was from. All I knew was that he helped me let loose, and I felt safe at the same time. I didn't get wasted, because all that would do was make me feel worse, but being here and with him... I felt alive.

And when I knew I wasn't going to be able to shake my hips anymore, and that my feet weren't going to be able to hold me up any longer, I pulled him off of the dance floor towards the door. Somewhere we would be able to hear one another over the thunderous music and have a little bit of privacy.

"That was so much fun. I can't remember the last time I've been able to let loose like that." I felt heat rise to my face, and I couldn't help but look at my feet. Why was I suddenly getting subconscious about this? I pushed it aside and asked, "Do you... do you want to come back to my place tonight?"

"You sure?" He didn't look surprised, in fact he looked quite pleased with himself. Cocky much? But I knew what I was asking, and to hear him ask me if I was sure... it was kind of unnerving.

I couldn't read his dark eyes, maybe it was the lighting or maybe I had one too many to drink. I just hope it wasn't rejection. I don't think I could handle that again. "Positive."

He grinned. "Alright."

The walk there was kind of awkward, a heavy silence draping the two of us, but without hesitation, the second we are in the door of my apartment, he's against me. I can't help but think of him in the terms of a man dying of thirst and I am his drink from the way he is behaving. I feel the door handle bite into my back, but all I can truly focus on is his mouth and how it is so skillfully moving against mine, his tongue waging war.

A sigh and my arms are draped around his shoulders, my legs wrapped around his waist. And then I don't think anymore. Just feel.

XxXxXxX

The mattress of my bed moved as the man shifted, getting off of the bed. Instantly I was awakened, however I did not move nor give any indication that I had, because it would only make his leaving awkward. Both of us knew what had happened was not going to turn into anything. He was a foreigner and I had no idea who he was. In fact, he could have a family for all I knew in whatever country he was from. This... this was a drunken encounter and that is all it was ever going to be.

Do I regret it? No. Hell, the sex was amazing. I only wish it was Neji.

I listened intently to the sounds of him getting dressed and finally leaving my apartment with a soft click. My clock informed me that it was three in the morning and I drifted back off to sleep.

Only a few hours later and I'm up. I was going to be a part of the escort sent with the Kazekage and his new bride, my ex roommate, Ino. He was given only a week to travel to Konaha and be back by the end of that same week. Being a kage, he couldn't be out of his country for an extended period of time like any other ninja or civilian. So, it took him three days of travel to arrive in Konaha, a day for the wedding and reception, and the three days it took to get back to Suna.

Kind of a short time frame but it went off without a hitch.

And today they were to depart. I was kind of grateful I was being sent on this escort mission. Now that Neji and I were over, I didn't have to see his face for two weeks. And that two weeks would give me all the time I needed to get over his ass because he was not assigned to this mission. Thank Kami.

My bags had already been packed before the wedding even took place because Tsunade had informed all of the Konaha ninja escorting Ino and Gaara the day before yesterday of this mission. And I like to be ready without worrying if I forgot something.

Stretching leasurly, I forced myself out of my bed and into the shower. I needed to be alert as quickly as possible, and standing in the shower as the water heated was a good way to do so.

Shouldering my bag, I left my apartment.

It didn't take me long to navigate through the village and reach the gates. I was a bit uncomfortable as to the size of the entourage, but it was the Kazekage and his wife. His wife whom the Cloud had already tried to kidnap. So, size wasn't the issue. Skill and loyalty was.

Without any notice, the blonde was in front of me, and I smiled, jumping right in with, "The wedding was beautiful Ino."

"Thanks. It was lovely, wasn't it." It had been. But then, a Kage's wedding meant class and elegance. Nothing was too expensive if it meant making the day perfect for Ino and Gaara.

"There was a lot of people..."

She nodded in agreement. "Yeah, there was. I didn't think so many people would show up, let alone fit in the building."

"True. I heard that Tsunade-sama had Anbu Black Ops all over village security."

"Sounds about right, with all of those foreign ninja in the village." Ino paused before asking, "So, what did you do after the wedding?"

"Huh?" I blinked.

"You weren't at the reception."

And then it dawned on me. "Oh, right." I frowned. "Neji and I had dinner reservations at a resturaunt."

"Really?" Ino took a quick sip from her canteen. "Did he propose?"

I copied her, swallowing before I answered. "... No, actually he broke up with me."

"Wh-What?"

"He broke up with me Ino..." I repeated softly.

Her hand was on my shoulder. "Oh, Tennie..."

I shook my head. "It's fine... I'll get over it." I swallowed before continuing, "Get over him."

"Tennie... he didn't deserve you." She frowned. "Did he even tell you why?"

"He's getting married to Hanabi."

"Hanabi. Hanabi as in Hinata's little sister, that Hanabi?" Her eyes widened in shock. "Ew! That is totally disgusting. And he had no say in the matter?"

I shrugged. "He did. But he will be Clan Leader if he marries her."

"He is such an ass."

"Yeah..." I sighed. "Anyway, can we talk about something else?"

"Sure, sure. Sorry."

I grinned. "How were things with Gaara last night?"

"Oh..." Ino went pink.

"Uh-oh." I wiggled my brows at her, eager for details. We had talked at great lengths about mysex life with Neji, but I felt her unease about the subject and didn't push it. After that, we made a little small talk. And all too quickly, it was time to keep on with the journey to Suna. Ino found her place next to her husband, and I made my ay to the boys.

"Hey there Choji. Shikamaru." I greeted them in kind, and they me.

"Hey Tenten."

"Tenten."

I was to be the replacement member of their team for this mission and this mission only. Others were more suitable for a more permanent basis. Tsunade-sama wasn't going to mess with the dynamics of Team Gai.

And then I heard it. I was so stunned that my mouth dropped open slightly.

"Alright people, the leaf ninja will be leading us out, and they will be rotated out after six hours. I'll give further orders then." The guy. From last night. His face was covered in purple face paint, and he was wearing some black jumpsuit with cat ears. And a puppet was strapped to his back.

And I knew exactly who he was, the man from last night. The Kazekage's older brother.

Kankuro.

He must have recognized me too because the moment his eyes locked onto mine, I saw the recognition flicker in them. Mortification pulsed through me, the pit of my stomach burst into a flurry of activity from the butterflies.

This was going to be a long and awkward two weeks...