Tenten didn't go.

He figured he'll fake an illness and lie through his teeth come Monday.

Most Saturdays he was already up and taking a morning run. Instead, for the past four weeks he's been at his desk writing down notes and going over math problems, and despite his best efforts all he's gotten were average grades that slowly sank further down.

His stomach growled at him but he decided he wasn't hungry. He needed to finish this assignment, and maybe ask the teacher if there was any extra credit work available.

It isn't until noon sharp that he hears a loud, sharp knock coming from the front door. It's so abrupt he jumps out of his chair, chest hammering and shoulders tense against his ears. Did he order a package? Who the hell knocks like that?

Questions pour into his head, and for a brief moment he considered ignoring the noise, until curiosity won and he padded his way over. He opened the door.

"Hel-"

"After all that happened, you have some damn nerve not showing up."

Tenten floundered, mouth open, eyes wide, at the sight of Neji at his front door, textbook cradled under his arm like it was yesterday. The foremost question was how Neji knew which apartment he lived in, a distant memory reminding him that Lee dragged him over for a group project previously, and the next was wondering how quick he could close the door.

Immediately Neji brought his foot forward, catching the door before Tenten could swing it shut. A growl curled from his throat.

Tenten tried Plan B. "I'm not feeling so good–"

"Too bad. I'm already here so let me in."

"It's kind of contagious…"

"Then wash your hands." Neji's hand came up to pry the door from Tenten's feebling grasp.

"If this is about Hinata then–"

"She's grounded, and yes, it's your fault. Now. Let me in."

Tenten stepped to the side, spirit effectively broken as Neji walked in like he owned the place. He walked into the living room, sitting on the couch and placing the textbook on the table, looking over at Tenten expectantly.

Tenten didn't hide his sigh. "I'll get you some tea." He passed by, trying to scrounge up a few minutes before this ordeal begins.

He hid away in the kitchen to find where the tea was. There wasn't much in the pantry anyways, just some cans of soup and a bag of rice left unopened. Picking up the box of tea he gave it an experimental shake, relieved there was some left, and went to boil the water.

He'll have to apologize to Hinata later, for getting them both into this mess. For now, he really could use some tutoring, even if his tutor was Death itself.

There was only so hot tea could be made and soon Tenten had to return to his living room, tray balanced in one hand and a small bag of chips in the other. He'll have to go grocery shopping later if this was all he had for guests.

"Thank you," said Neji, as if he hadn't forced his way inside. "Now then, what lessons have you been struggling with."

They worked together for the next two hours, Tenten showing which problem were difficult while Neji provided help on solving them, pointing out what was missing, and even wrote up his own practice problems for Tenten to solve. The pressure in the room lessened somewhat.

As the hardest problems dwindled, Tenten took himself back to the last time Neji was over. Lee was often the one who asked him to tutor, and now and again the two would wind up at Tenten's place since it was the closest of the three from school. They'd all sit here, both Tenten and Neji trying to help Lee understand one of the basic problems, and Lee challenging them to a race afterwards.

Without Lee though, there wasn't much binding the two together, and in Tenten's opinion the rift had only worsened. He spared to glance over at Neji.

The guy was class representative and lived on his own like Tenten. He was often busy, though when Lee brought him over he never protested, as well as attended several of the track team's races in the past years. He never cheered for them but he did offer his silent support, as if watching the team run faster was his own personal achievement. Tenten didn't know what clubs he was in nor what he did in his free time, and it even took him all of freshman year to realize he had a family, albeit one that lived further away.

"Is there something on my face?"

Neji's voice yanked Tenten out of his reverie, giving an inattentive, "Huh?" that only caused the former's brow to knit together.

He looked down at the watch on his wrist, still eyeing Tenten as if some specimen under glass. "Have you eaten yet?"

"Uh, I've had… crackers?" Tenten gestured lamely to the small bag between them.

Neji huffed and stood abruptly. "We're getting food. I can't have you spacing out, plus hunger makes it hard to concentrate."

Tenten could only nod and follow obediently in Neji's wake, unsure of this sudden turn of events. It'll be for the best anyways, he didn't have any food in the house, and when Neji opened the door to allow him out first, Tenten couldn't help but feel he'd been forgiven in some way.

He didn't say where they were going but Neji lead the way regardless and Tenten just followed, allowing his mind to wander again. Thinking back he realized Neji has been there a lot more than he thought, often aiding him with club activities and making sure Lee doesn't get into trouble. A twinge of guilt rose up in him as he realised he must not have paid enough attention to realize until now, and he resolved to pay for both of their lunches.

They got to the cafe and Tenten became aware he didn't have enough money for so much as a biscuit.

When Neji looked over he snapped his wallet close. "Hey, how about something at the convenience store instead?" He pointed to the store across the street, where inside the window they could see the cashier yawning into their hand.

Neji frowned, unimpressed, and pulled out his own wallet. "I don't remember you being this useless."

Tenten could only scratch at the back of his head, unable to give a reply as Neji bought them both a drink and sandwiches. It stung to hear but Neji never said anything else but the truth.

They sat down and Tenten finally looked around at the scenery. It was Saito's, a comfy little cafe that both of them liked. It was never too crowded and the menu always had something available, not to mention being within walking distance.

"Wow, I haven't been here in ages. Mm." Tenten munched on one of the sandwiches, enjoying the freshness. They bake their bread from scratch so it always tasted amazing. "Thanks Hyuga, I needed this."

Neji took a moment to reply, sipping his tea with measured stillness. "You can call me Neji."

Tenten hungrily took another bite. "Sure, Neji it is." And that was the end of that.

XXX

They ended up not going straight back to Tenten's apartment. Instead, Tenten found themselves on a walk, side-by-side, strolling through the quiet streets.

The sunlight was hurting his eyes and reminding him that he'd spent too long indoors. Still, it seemed to be what Neji wanted, and so Tenten went with it.

"After this you can help me clean the house."

Tenten halted mid-stride.

"Huh?"

Neji stopped when he realized Tenten was no longer following him, looking over his shoulder, hands tucked into his pockets, the picture of calm. His words were frigid ice. "You said you'd help me with chores if I tutor you."

Oh. Oooh. Tenten's shoulders slumped, the wind gone from his sails. "Alright," he conceded, lower lip sticking out in a pout. "Lead the way Hyu… err, Neji."

And that's how Tenten arrived at the Hyuga household for the first time.