Chapter 1 – Set Off

'Ah, finally we are all here. I have a mission for you three.'

Three shinobi stood in the Hokage's office listening attentively to the orders they were given. The Hokage had her back to them, concealing the serious expression that was mapped on her face. 'Rock Lee, Hyuuga Neji and Tenten, I want you to travel to the Water country, to the hidden village of Mist, to be precise,' Tsunade ordered, 'your mission is to transport a valuable object safely to the client. Neji, you'll lead this mission. Shizune will fill you up with the details and give you the item. You may go.'

'Hai, Tsunade-sama.'

'Hai.'

'Hn.'

'I wonder what's up with that stern mood,' Tenten voiced her thoughts as the three team-mates entered the streets.

'Maybe she's just having a bad day,' Lee suggested, who was walking in between Tenten and Neji.

'Or there's something that concerns her,' Neji said quietly.

Typical, Tenten thought, he has to think of the negative side, everything's gotta have a reason…She rolled her eyes unnoticeably.

The trio made their way through Konoha's lively streets in silence. As they passed Ichiraku Ramen, Tenten spotted a blonde and a pink haired shinobi – Naruto and Sakura, of course. Her attention was suddenly drawn to a growl within her.

'Um… I think I'm going to have some ramen, I haven't eaten since yesterday evening, so I'll see ya later,' Tenten waved at her team-mates, changing her course towards the ramen store.

'Uh…ok,' Lee answered, slightly puzzled. 'She didn't eat breakfast? How'd she survive? Breakfast is the meal that brings out the youthful spirit!' he said loudly, fist in the air.

'You might wanna keep it down a bit,' was Neji's neutral response.

'Hey guys,' Tenten greeted Naruto and Sakura.

'Tenten! What's up?' Naruto smiled widely.

'Nothing much, I'm leaving for a mission tomorrow so I thought I'd enjoy some ramen before I go. That looks delicious, I think I'll have the same,' Tenten said, eyeing Naruto's bowl. She ordered her meal and quietly listened to Naruto talking about this 'awesome new technique'…

'Yeah, yeah Naruto. We get the point…' Sakura was obviously starting to get bored of her team-mate's ramblings. 'So, Tenten, what's that mission about?'

'Oh…I don't know all the details yet, but I know that we're going to transport some object to the Hidden Mist Village,' Tenten replied, relieved that someone had stopped the blonde's exaggerated babble.

'We?' Naruto cut in.

'Yeah, me, Neji and Lee.'

'Two chuunins and a jounin just to transport an object? It must be really valuable,' Sakura noted

'Yes, that's crossed our minds too…' Tenten replied thoughtfully. Ok, it hasn't, but now that she says it… Although Neji probably noticed… Naruto and Sakura were satisfied with the information Tenten offered and soon moved onto arguing about who should pay. The brunette smirked as Naruto lost the row.

Later that afternoon Tenten meandered leisurely through Konoha. She knew she had to pack but her house seemed awfully far away and she wanted to spend at least some time relaxing before she had to go. Walking past the flower shop she saw a familiar figure stroll towards her. The girl with platinum blonde hair wore an amused expression on her face.

'Hey Tenten!'

'Hi…um…' what's her name again? 'Ino…'

'How's it going?' Ino asked, grinning widely.

'Err…fine, I suppose…' What's gotten into her? I never talk to this girl!

Ino giggled. 'You know, I've heard rumours that you've got your eyes on the Hyuuga,' her grin widened.

'Hyuu…ga?' I took a moment for Tenten to grasp what she had heard, 'WH-WHAT?? N-no! No way! H-he's n-more than a friend!'

'More than a friend?' Ino said mischievously.

'NO! I meant NO MORE than!' Tenten replied frantically.

'Really? All right then.' Ino didn't look convinced. 'Oh well, how about we go for some tea in the cafeteria nearby? The flower shop's closed at the moment. ' (A/N - um…do they have cafeterias in Konoha…? Well for the sake of this fanfic, let's just say they do…)

'Uh…sure.' Now Tenten was even more puzzled. What does she want?

Once they entered the café, the two girls found a space next to a window. Tenten seated herself opposite Ino who was currently eyeing the male customers sitting at the adjacent table. A waiter approached and Ino ordered a cup of tea for both of them. The waiter scribbled in his notebook before striding away.

'Thanks for inviting me, Ino,' Tenten began, trying to bring up a conversation. She knew how much Ino loved gossip and had a bad feeling about this little meeting.

'Oh, no problem!' the blonde replied cheerfully. 'But there's something I want to ask you.'

'Yes?'

'See, I've heard people say that a lot of girls are quite interested in Hyuuga Neji at the moment. I hardly ever see him. How 'bout you tell me a little about him?' Tenten blinked at her. What?? Why is she so interested in Neji?

'Well… Let's see, he's arrogant, stuck up, talks only when necessary, and is obsessed with the word 'fate' a lot,' Tenten mumbled in one breath. Ok, maybe the fate bit's not so true anymore, but oh well…

'Aha…' Ino remarked, 'what about his techniques? What are they like?'

'Why are you interested in his techniques?'

'Ah…err…as people say – a person's techniques and style says a lot about their personality. Haven't you heard that? Also, I heard some girls say that he's drop-dead-gorgeous when he's activated the byu…bya…'

'Byakugan,' Tenten corrected. I can't believe what we are talking about. If she's got the hots for that guy then she should go talk to him, not me…

'Yes! That's it!' Ino's face lit up.

Tenten felt the urge for a hurried escape from this girl. 'Let me give you some advice Ino. How about you just go up to him and ask him yourself? He isn't that scary…ok, a little, but you'll manage.' She tried to make herself sound apologetic, 'I really have to go now. Tomorrow I have to leave early on a mission so I've gotta pack,' Tenten slowly pushed her chair back. 'Thanks a lot Ino. I'll see you around.'

'Sure, was nice talking to you…' Ino waved as Tenten walked away but after a moment she realized too late that neither of them had drunken anything. 'W-w-wait! Tenten, you didn't get your tea!'

As the brunette exited the café, her mind was even more muddled up than before. What the hell was that all about? She tried to push her worry aside and walked towards her home, lengthening her stride. Not looking back, she didn't see the sly smirk that crept across the platinum haired kunoichi's face.

Delicate rays of sunlight trickled through the partially closed shutters, falling onto the eyes of a sleeping figure. Slowly the lids flickered open revealing a pair of pearl white eyes. It was six o'clock in the morning and Hyuuga Neji was tranquilly sliding out of his warm bed. He dressed unhurriedly, wrapping the Hyuuga robe around him. Most of the other residents of the Hyuuga House were still asleep, and he had become accustomed to getting up early and leaving the house to train or meditate.

This morning, however, he was on his way to the Konoha Gates to meet his team mates. At a calm pace the tall jounin strolled through the quiet streets of Konoha enjoying the cool breeze that swept past him. Within minutes the huge gate loomed over him. The area was empty. Neji looked at his watch; he was ten minutes early. 'Tsk...'

Time passed slowly but soon the jounin could hear the loud voice of his youthful spandex-wearing team mate. Seconds later Rock Lee came into sight along with a very irritated looking Tenten.

'Aw, shuddup already!' Tenten yelled at her babbling team-mate. Lee either purposefully ignored her or he hadn't heard her, for his attention was now directed at Neji.

'Neji! You're pretty early,' Lee said joyfully.

'No, you're late,' Neji replied evenly.

'We're not, it's exactly six thirty, you know,' Tenten reasoned.

'Being punctual means coming earlier than the set time. It is also a sign of courtesy,' the tone in Neji's voice did not change. A sigh escaped Tenten's lips. She was in no mood to argue. Just 'cause you're jounin, doesn't mean you have to act all high and mighty…

'Alright everyone let's GO!' Lee screamed into the air.

'Not yet,' Neji said quietly, 'looks like someone has come to say goodbye.' The other two blinked.

'Hey guys!' a familiar voice echoed form behind. The three turned to see Ino run towards them. Tenten's mood darkened. Her again…

'Ino!' Lee exclaimed, 'what are you doing here this early in the morni-'

'Lee, I have to talk to you,' Tenten interrupted, dragging the chuunin back the way they had come. 'Give her some time alone with him,' she hissed into Lee's ear as they were out of Neji's or Ino's hearing range.

Lee looked puzzled, 'Ino…and Neji?'

Neji stared as Tenten dragged Lee away. What the…? He remembered who was in front of him and turned his attention back to Ino. 'Did you want something from me?'

'Uh… well…yes…' Ino blushed; she looked somewhat relieved that they were now alone. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small pendant. Attached to it was a black string. 'Here,' she said timidly and gave it to him, her eyes focused on her feet. He took it, slightly puzzled. She's acting like Hinata-sama… 'I heard it was your birthday a while ago, so I thought I'd also give you a little something. It'll give you luck on your mission,' she said quietly before turning on her heels and rushing back into the direction she had come from. She thinks I depend on luck on my missions?? He looked at the pendant resting in his hand. It looked something like a polished pebble with a few lines scratched into it. And she sure has a weird taste when it comes to accessories...

'Now what was that all about, Neji?' Tenten said mockingly. Neji had been so wrapped up in his thoughts that he hadn't even noticed their approach.

'I thought you could tell me, especially since you guys just ran off all of a sudden…' he answered. Tenten just sighed; this guy will never understand girls.

'What a wonderful start to our youthful mission!' Lee pointed out. The other two sighed. (A/N - Tenten's sighing a lot today, isn't she…)

'Well, before we start I'll give you the details of this so youthful mission…' Neji said, glancing at Lee. 'We will travel, by foot, to the edge of the Fire Country where a boat will be prepared for us. From there we'll sail to the Water Country and then meet our client in the Mist Village. Clear so far?' Both his team-mates nodded. 'We will take the package in turns, and for the first part I'll keep it. This may seem like a simple mission but I have an uncomfortable feeling about this. No-matter what, don't let your guard down. This isn't A-rank just for fun.'

'Uh…where is the package?' Tenten murmured. Without looking at her, Neji brought out a small box wrapped in paper from his backpack.

'Maybe we should check what's in it, so at least we know what our enemies, if any, would be after. How 'bout you use your byakugan?' Lee suggested.

Neji frowned at him, 'that won't work.'

'Why not?'

'Firstly, because that is against the rules – we are only meant to transport this object, no less, no more. And secondly…uh…I've already tried… and I figured it has a seal on it. I can't see what's inside.' Neji broke the rules?! He really must be suspecting the hokage of hiding something…Tenten thought surprised.

'Why would they not want to let us know what's inside?' Lee asked. Neji shrugged and placed the mysterious item back in his backpack.

'One more thing,' Neji said , 'the package is to be delivered by sunset on the fourth day of our mission.'

'Urgh, now I really want to get rid of this thing. We better get this mission over and done with a.s.a.p.' Tenten said.

'YOSH!'

'Hn. Now we're already ten minutes late…'

A/N: ok this is my first fanfic. hope you like it!

Reviews are always helpful as feedback equals love.