Disclaimer: Naruto doesn't belong to me. But if you want to sue me anyway - go ahead. My government lawyer will take care of it.

Chapter 3

"That was… amazing. I have never seen anything like it!" Miroku was saying while the group kept walking through the woods.

"Amazing is not quite the word for it, hoshi," Sango was just as impressed as the monk.

"Now all we have to do is figure out how something like this could be possible," Kagome spoke. Alerted by Inuyasha the group witnessed something none of them had explanation for. Through Inuyasha forest Hokage monuments were visible. Only the two ninjas knew what those faces carved in stone meant but seeing a part of their world through the trees of Feudal Japan was a unique experience.

"It looked like a mirage and as soon as Neji came close to it the whole thing disappeared!" Kagome continued.

"What the fuck is going on here!" Inuyasha was just plain confused.

"It was just like a… it looked a lot like an illusion technique. But it was an actual place," Tenten was just as confused as everyone. "I guess whatever or whoever brought us here is still in the area."

"Maybe if we spread out and look we can find a clue,"

"No, whatever it was its long gone. I can't smell anything unusual." the dog-demon was unusually thoughtful. "Damn, I wish this asshole could go back to wherever he came from!"

"Inuyasha!"

"What? Don't tell me you want them to stay?"

"It would be nice if they could go back to their world, but until they do I am grateful for the help they can provide," miko was not happy with the attitude her best friend was displaying, "And you can try to be nicer to Neji."

"What the fuck are you talking about, wench? I didn't kill him yet. He should be fucking grateful for that."

"Inuyasha…"

"If you want to fight me… " Neji's eyes flashed dangerously. It was clear that he didn't like the dog-demon ether.

"If you want your ass kicked… !"

"Inuyasha, Sit!"

"Grrr… what was that for, wench?" eating dirt was not one of Inuyasha's goals.

"Stop trying to start a fight and don't call me wench!"

"The bastard started it!" Neji's smirk was a clear indication of what the ninja though about that comment.

"I hate to interrupt this exchange but this serves no purpose. I suggest we get moving, "

"I agree with the hoshi, for once. Lets just go." Sango couldn't keep amusement out of her voice. It was very entertaining to watch Inuyasha hit the dirt, after all.

"Keh"

"I heard rumors of increased demon activity north of here. Lets had in that direction." Miroku continued.

"Oh yeh? No shit monk. That's where we were going in the first place, remember." shaking the dirt off his fire-rat armor hanyon glared a Miroku.

"I do remember but I just wanted to make sure you did too." walking ahead monk made sure to stay out of the dog-demon's reach.

"Why you…"

"I like these people. If we have to stay here longer then expected then at least it won't be boring," Tenten quietly spoke while following the Monk.

"If you say so…"

***

Camping out in the forest after a very uneventful walk the group was in a significantly less cheerful mood then before. Even eating a filling dinner that Inuyasha caught didn't help.

"There wasn't a single fucking demon. What the fuck?" Inuyasha's complaining was nothing unusual for the group, "I really wanted to kill something," looking pointedly at Neji and not receiving a response the dog-demon huffed and walked off to sit by a tree while keeping a watchful eye on Kagome.

"Is he always this…"

"Stupid?"

"Annoying?"

"Cranky?"

"Emm… something like that?" Tenten was still observing the dog-demon.

"Well, yes," Kagome replied, "but it's all an act. He is actually a great person and a…" stopping herself before saying anything she might regret later miko blushed lightly. "How about a bath? There is a hot spring near by."

"Count me in!" Tenten always hated being dirty.

"I'll come too," Sango was not about to leave her friend alone with the ninja. She still didn't trust the new guests completely. "And if I see you peeking, monk, I swear you won't have to worry about your curse - I'll kill you myself."

"My dear Sango, how can you even suggest that a holy man like me do something as lowly as…"

"You heard me," demon exterminator was too familiar with Miroku's perverted ways to be fooled by his innocent act.

It took no time at all to get to the hot spring. The stream itself was shallow and full of rocks, but there was a deep part of it secluded by the giant boulders. Water felt relaxing and calming. Settling comfortably in the water the girls were content to just sit there and talk.

"So, are you sure there is nothing between you and Inuyasha?" Tenten couldn't help but ask, "I mean he watches you like a hawk all the time and wont let the perverted monk anywhere near you."

"We are just friends," Kagome answered blushing, "There is nothing other then friendship between us."

"But that could change. Just tell him how you feel,"

"H-how I feel?" deep red Kagome couldn't help herself, "Is it that obvious?"

"Just a guess," Tenten smiled, "you should tell him."

"It's complicated," Kagome's face got even darker with her blush.

"Wow, some interesting thoughts must be going through your head if you can blush like that, " now Tenten had to actually force herself not to laugh.

"That sounds like something Miroku would say," Sango, who stayed quiet during the beginning of the conversation, said with aversion. "That pervert…"

"Yeh, I guess I have been hanging around Naruto too much…" Tenten spoke half to herself.

"Naruto?" Sango asked, "Is he like Miroku?"

"Kind of. But from what I have seen - no one can be as perverted as that monk." Tenten laughed.

"That's true."

"So, are you sure you and Neji are not together, " Kagome, who finally regained her normal skin color, asked. Payback is a bitch. Now it was Tenten's turn to blush.

"There is nothing between us. We used to be teem-mates and now we spar on occasions. That's it!" and before anything more could be said on the subject Tenten made a quick retreat. "I soaked long enough. I think I'll get back to camp now. I'll see you guys there." Two girls left in the water just exchanged knowing smiles.

***

Hopping from tree to tree Tenten enjoyed the feel of wind in her face. It was definitely faster then walking. No wonder they were not getting anywhere with their search - walking everywhere took too much time, Tenten mused. With a boost of chakra Tenten landed a little ways past camp. Some alone time was a welcome change. Ninja enjoyed her new friend's company but she couldn't see herself spending all of her time with them. No wonder they fought so much, it had to be frustrating to be with each other all the time, she though.

But then, thinking back on herself , Neji and Lee she remembered the fun times they used to have going out on missions. She never got tired of her teem-mates. Well, maybe Lee… Never Neji. And before her thoughts could go in a totally different direction Tenten forced herself to stop. This is not what should be going through her head right now. Leaning against a near by tree Tenten signed. Thinking about Neji was just distracting. And the thing that could have happened between them had their spar continued brought Tenten thoughts right back to what she tried to avoid. Thinking about Neji.

"How about another spar?" she should really pay more attention to her surroundings, Tenten thought, annoyed. Here was Neji, and she didn't even notice his presence until he spoke. Just because she trusted him with her life did not mean that she shouldn't be alert to his sneaky self.

"Are you sure you are up to it?" Tenten smirked. Getting a rise out of him was one of her lifetime goals that she have not reached yet.

"You still owe me for your last loss, if I remember correctly," his answering smirk was not what Tenten was going for.

"The fight was interrupted! I could have won that, you know," arrogance must run in Hyuuga family and Neji got an unhealthy dose of it.

"Then we can begin exactly where we left of," the smirk on his beautiful face turned dangerous while his eyes burned with something Tenten couldn't place. With a light blush Tenten quickly moved away from the tree she was leaning against and got into defensive stance.

"I'm ready when you are"

TBC