A/N: Duchess: WE'RE SO SORRY!!!! Wait... No we're not. See, this is what happens when there are 145 hits with only 4 reviews. And one doesn't count cuz I've known her forever. Still love ya, Pink Amber (Seriously, check out her stories. They rock.)

Pixie: This chapter is dedicated to babikittie for being our first reviewer.

Shadow: Yeah. So. On with the chapter!!!!

All together: WE DON'T OWN!!!!

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"Back off!" a six-year old Tenten growled as she was slowly surrounded by a group of boys. When she was fully encircled, the leader stepped up.

He was a tall, gangly thing of 14. It was said that he failed the Academy Exit Exam 23 times. He was a stupid fool that liked picking on the younger Academy students, especially the ones who had the potential to be better, or were already better, than him. Tenten was one of those who already were.

"What do you want?!" Tenten asked, glaring fiercely at the boy. He smirked before replying,

"I've heard you need to be taught your place. And that I'm the one who has to teach it to you!"

Tenten would have laughed in his face, if she could've reached it. But he was 5'7 to her 4'3, so he towered above her. And laughing at him would not help her situation much. No matter how much better it would make her feel.

'But seriously! "Teach me my place"? What is this fool talking about?!' Tenten thought as the leader advanced on her. She wasn't afraid of him. Him she could take. And with the arsenal of weapons in her pockets, she would reduce him to that of a walking pincushion! But if the others stepped in... She didn't have enough weapons to take on 9 others.

She was still mauling that thought over when the boy attacked. Tenten was caught unawares by the kick to her stomach. She flew back, hitting a wall. Sinking to the ground, a cry of pain was torn from her lips. All the boys around her began to laugh.

Just then, another boy walked in. He had long brown hair and white eyes.

"What's going on here?" the new boy roared, his white eyes gleaning with fury as they flicked back and forth between Tenten and the boy who had kicked her.

Tenten stared at the newcomer. He looked about her age but spoke with a confidence and authority she knew she'd never have.

The room was dead silent. Good. That's how he wanted it. Wait... huh? Suddenly, an enraged roar came from the boy who had attacked the girl. He ran at the new boy and the others followed his lead.

The kid did something with his eyes. Tenten gasped.

'The Byakugan!' she thought. 'He must be a... Oh my gosh! He's a Hyuuga!'

(A/N: I suck at fight scenes. : ) So use your imagination, because mine's faulty at the moment.)

All the guys ended up running away like frightened birds. (A/N: Not flying, running, people! Running! Kids can't fly!)

The Hyuuga deactivated his Byakugan and walked slowly over to where Tenten was still on the ground. He grabbed her hand and helped her to her feet. She blushed.

"You ok?" he asked, smirking at her. (A/N: That stupid Hyuuga smirk. I HATE IT! It's intoxicating. Or as Shadow says, intoxinating: ) Luv ya Shadow!)

"Y-Yeah," Tenten stuttered. The Hyuuga laughed. (A/N: He's six, ok? He laughs!)

"You sound like my cousin Hinata!" He continued to laugh. Then, because the Hyuuga's laugh was contagious, Tenten began laughing as well. The two six-year just sat there, laughing their little heads off.

Wiping tears from her eyes, little Tenten asked, "Why are we laughing?"

Likewise, the Hyuuga wiped his eyes before replying with a simple, "I don't remember." He smiled. "Oh, my name's Neji, by the way."

"Mine's... uh... um.. uh... Tenten," she sputtered.

"What was that?" Neji asked.

"I don't know. My speech sucks today. Sorry." Tenten bit her lip, embarrassed.

"Pretty girls shouldn't apologize." Another smirk. Big blush from Tenten. Desperate, she changed the subject.

"Thanks for the save back there. Did you see those guys run? Talk about hilarious!" She laughed nervously.

"Yeah." The smirk was gone, replaced by a genuine smile. Tenten smiled back. It was the start of a true friendship that would last for years.

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12 years later:

18 year-old Tenten was moving in with her boyfriend of 2 months (A/N: Not something I would recommend). All her friends told her that she shouldn't but she didn't listen. Even her teammates and sensei got involved (much to her annoyance). None of them liked her boyfriend. And they were about to like him even less.

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Neji was walking to Tenten's new house. He sighed. He regretted telling her he would help her move in. He didn't want anything to do with her new boyfriend. To his great surprise, he heard yelling and screaming coming from inside the house. Thinking it a lovers' spat, he turned and walked the other way.

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The next day, Neji and Tenten were sparring as they had done for the past 6 years since they were put on the same team as Genin. Suddenly, Tenten fell. For no apparent reason. She began clutching her ankle. Neji ran over. He lifted her pant leg to see if her ankle was broken. What saw surprised and angered him. Tenten's leg was speckled with bruises. He gritted his teeth in fury.

"Did your boyfriend do this?" He spat the word. Tenten looked away. Her silence was answer enough.

"I'm going to kill him."

"What?! No!" Tenten was shocked that he was as angry as he was. She never really thought he cared.

"Stay here!" He ordered before disappearing.

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Neji found Tenten's boyfriend. He was with his friends. Neji attacked he then and there. Just as he had done to him 12 years ago (1). Neji had him pressed up against a wall when Tenten showed up. By that time, the guy's friends were gone and Neji was shaking violently.

"Neji, let him go." Neji obeyed.

"Leave. Now." Neji looked shocked before nodding and leaving.

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6 months later:

The stars shone brightly as Neji and Tenten lay beneath them. Tenten had her head resting on Neji's shoulder. Neji was wearing a real smile for the first time in years.

"Look at the stars. They seem so small to us. Do you think we seem small to them?" Tenten tilted her head up to see Neji's reaction. He smirked.

"You seem small to me!" he said teasingly. Tenten hit him lightly.

"Jerk!" she exclaimed. She moved to turn away. Neji stopped her by cupping his hand under her chin and turning towards him. She was about to protest when he captured her lips with his. He smiled as they broke apart.

"Fate has destined that you and I were made for each other," he said calmly.

"It's easier just to say we were

Meant to Be!"

(1) In case you didn't get it, the guy who's 8 years older in the first part become Tenten's boyfriend. Why? Because I said so, that's why.

Duchess: Ok. Anyway. If you want a speedy 3rd chapter (and a happy author), you'll review.

Shadow: Thanks for reading!!!!

Pixie: )

Princess: Why am I here?

Duchess: Cuz I want you to be. : D