You

He was already there.

Tenten's eyes darted across the room, searching for him the moment she stepped in. They found his as he looked up.

Neji.

She drank him in, feeling oddly relieved at the sight of his familiar face- familiar only because she liked to picture it, when she was lying in her bed, reliving every detail of that night.

His reaction pleased her. He almost jumped up, but settled for rising halfway out of his chair and waving her over. Though his face showed little emotion, it seemed clearer, as if she had been the subject of his thoughts for the past few nights as well.

She liked to think she was.

Quickly, she crossed the room, almost tripping in her haste. He smirked at her, and instead of glaring back, she let it slide.

"Neji."

"Tenten."

"Ah, so you remember me," she quipped.

"Of course I remember you," he returned quietly. There was something in his voice- she couldn't tell whether she liked it or not- that sent a little thrill through her. Whatever it was, it hinted at a deeper meaning, a more serious conversation, and she wasn't ready for that yet.

"So… how do you know where I live?" She teased, trying to keep her tone light. He understood, and didn't press it.

"I gave the note to Sakura," he answered drily, watching her carefully for a reaction.

He wasn't disappointed.

"Oh, I- WHAT?" Tenten nearly knocked the vase of flowers in front of her over. "Sakura?"

"Yes," he answered casually, face blank.

"You… you know Sakura? How?"

He shrugged. "Friend of a friend."

Mentally going over any guys Sakura knew and thinking of one, she guessed, "Sasuke?"

He nodded.

She laughed. "So then… you mean girlfriend of a friend."

Neji shrugged again.

There was a bit of an awkward silence as Tenten struggled to think of something to say and Neji watched her. Finally she said, slowly, "Explain."

He seemed to have expected this. Lacing his fingers together and leaning his elbows on the table, he began.

"Have you heard of arranged marriages?"

Tenten furrowed her eyebrows at him. "Yeah, but… no one does those anymore."

"My clan still does." He sighed. "I'm from the Hyuuga clan, one of the oldest and most prestigious clans in Konoha. They're old-fashioned. The clan is separated into two houses, the Main house and the Branch house. For generations, the two houses have had… problems, but about a year ago, the head of the clan, Hiashi-sama, has arranged a marriage between the two houses in an effort to unite them."

"And that would be you and… your cousin." Tenten nodded. It surprised her how well she was taking this- she expected that, any moment now, she would jump up and declare this whole thing stupid, and stomp off.

Neji seemed to expect the same- he was watching her carefully.

"And?" She prompted.

"And… that's about it. Hinata-sama-"

"Hold on," she interjected, shooting him an apologetic glance, "Why do you call her 'Hinata-sama'? It there… something…?"

His eyes remained blank. "The Main house is superior to the Branch house. The members of the Branch house live to serve the Main." He tapped at the scrap of silk tied around his forehead. "This is…"

Tenten waited for a moment, puzzled when he trailed of and started to smile. "What?"

He laughed then. "It's just," he chortled, "that I don't really know you. You're almost a complete stranger, and here I am, figuring I'll go ahead and tell you everything."

This made her smile. She like it, liked knowing that Neji trusted her enough, even though they didn't really know each other too well.

"Maybe not complete strangers," she whispered.

Neji grinned at her, a beautiful smile. "Maybe not," and for a moment it was just the two of them in the little café.

And then he stood up. Startled, Tenten jumped up as well.

"Are you leaving?" Already? She began searching for excuses to keep him here, to detain him, even just a little, even just for a minute or two- just a little longer-

"Calm down," he teased, eyes amused. "We're going to my house."

"But- wait- we?"

"Yes. Come along."

"But- now?"

"I'll tell you the rest there," he said, and took her hand.

OMGOMGOMG HE TOOK HER HAND OMGOMGOMG

I'm so sorry this is so late. I promised myself I would never ever ever make you guys wait this long but... here I am. BUT, on the bright side... I have the next chapter almost done! :D It should only take... a while. OTL