A/N: Sorry for the late update. I was so busy with school work. X_X Anyways, enjoy!

Key: Though – whose.
XXXXXXX:end of a section
."words"
:flash back

Chapter 3 – The Change

"TenTen. Let's take a break!" Gai called out.

"I'm not hungry," TenTen replied in a monotone, "Neji, you can go if you want."

In a normal case, Neji would be caught surprised, but he was kind of used to it now.

"I'm fine," Neji replied in the same tone as he quickly changed into his fighting stance.

Ever since the incident, TenTen had changed from an open-minded, kind girl to a secretive, cold girl. Everyone was shocked with the sudden change, and whenever they talked about it, TenTen would get very angry and break whatever she was holding. The only good point was that just like her personality, TenTen's skills had dramatically improved; she had beaten all the konichi in Konoha and never failed a mission.

Neji quickly dodged a fast kunai and jumped away when he realized there was an explosion tag attached. He quickly tried to focus on the fight, but deep down, he felt sad and blamed it on himself whenever he thought about what had happened to his training partner. He knew he should stand beside TenTen at this time, but, as days past, he found it hard to do so. TenTen kept pushing him away and sometimes treat him as if he was not worth a penny.

"Neji, you better stop day dreaming," the weapon mistress warned and sighed, "You're tired. Let's rest for a while."

Neji gritted his teeth. Those used to be his words.

"TenTen. What is your problem?"

TenTen stopped walking, her back still facing Neji as he raged on.

"You just transformed into a stranger. You treat other as if they are nothing. You don't talk much to anyone and just shut yourself up in the research centre or your house. The only time we get to see you is at the training ground or during missions! Your eyes have turned so cold and hard. It's like being with a stranger!" Neji stopped to catch his breath.

TenTen, still giving her back, simply replied "Are you done?"

This just set Neji right off, "Who are you? I understand how you must feel after that…. day, but hey, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!"

The weapon mistress finally faced Neji, her face red with anger and her eyes were a dark shade of brown.

"You understand?" she said, her voice icy cold, "You have no idea what it was like. There is something I care more than anything else and that is my pride. And it was taken away for some stupid selfish bitch! Yours have never been touched before, so, don't talk like you know what I had to go through. And what I do is none of your damn business. I stuck with your through your giant ego, and I didn't say complain once. If you can't accept me for what I am now, .alone. I can find myself a new partner. But don't ever say something so recklessly without considering what the result might be."

With that, the brunette jumped away. Neji stared as the figure disappeared, and he punched a tree, anger bubbling inside. The tree flew away and crashed into the waterfall. Neji took several deep breaths and when they weren't working, jumped into the flowing water. This helped him cool down.

When the Hyuuga prodigy resurfaced, he had decided to leave TenTen alone. He fully knew it was not supposed to turn out like this, but at least he'll be fulfilling her wish.

XXXXX

TenTen jumped from tree to tree, her face looks calm now, but she was still pissed off. How dare Neji said that he understood her! She thought he knew she didn't want to relive the memory again, but clearly she was wrong.

! He's just like everyone else! –TenTen

The dark time at the shed appeared on her mind and all the feelings she had suppressed with so much effort over the year suddenly came over and disappeared just as fast like waves at the beach.

The weapon mistress quickly balanced herself as her uncontrolled chakra broke a branch. Realizing the state she was in, TenTen calmed herself back and rushed home. There were more important matters to worry about and she had a guest coming over tonight.

On her way, she heard her two bestfriends talking about her. TenTen stopped to listen.

"Do you know what is going on with TenTen?" Sakura asked.

"No. She's so weird these days," Ino replied, "she's so cold and just… freaky!"

"Imm… I'm worried. And I miss the old TenTen,"

"Me too… but we can't crack into her mind anymore…"

TenTen continued back home because if she couldn't bear to listen another gossip about her again. She's not the girl who cries anymore, not even the time when her very close aunt passed away. She had to be strong because things were to be bloody soon.

XXXXXX

Neji changed into clean clothes and went to the garden. He looked up at the sky, but his mind was still on TenTen. For some reasons, he couldn't shrug off the nagging feeling that something was wrong. He knew TenTen was planning something, but he didn't know what.

After fully circling the garden twice, he made a check on TenTen tonight. He had once let her go to danger, but he didn't plan to let it happen again.

XXXXXX

The bell rang just as TenTen finished cooking for dinner. She quickly answered the door to see the one she was expecting.

"Hello!" TenTen greeted as she stepped back, "Please, come in. And thank you very much for coming."

"It's the least I can do," the pretty lady said.

Hm… at least she's politer now. - TenTen

"I'll just get to the point," TenTen said as she put down two cups of steaming tea, "Do you remember those two men from that day, Lady Tsukima?"

"Umm…"

TenTen took a deep breath and took out two pictures from her neat folder.

"Oh," Lady Tsukima said taking the photos, "Of course. The two bastards. You know, the big one is caught by the police from my village. And I gave him the dead sentence."

"I see," TenTen replied, feeling slightly satisfied, "And how about this one?" TenTen pointed at the picture of the thin man.

"He escaped. The dog left his brother when the police came," Lady Tsukima said, "But from our sources, he is currently hiding in the Village of Flowers. I would have go there, but my father forbid me. He said 'enough is enough'"

"Enough is enough" Neji…. –TenTen

TenTen quickly shook her thought away. This conversation needs her feel attention. She jotted down the precious information.

"Can you tell me his name?" TenTen asked, her heart thudding for no reason.

"Moki."

"Moki," TenTen repeated as she wrote down the name, "Is there any other information you can give me?"

"All I know is that he is currently hiding at the Village of Flowers and that he has a wife and a daughter of 2."

"Okay. Thank you very much," TenTen replied, "Please stay for dinner."

"No, I'm sorry I can't. I have to meet Tsunade-sama."

"Oh. Please keep this little conversation between us, okay?"

Lady Tsukima stared into TenTen's eyes, and she knew she had to listen to her. She nodded understandingly when, really, she had no idea.

XXXXXX

Neji was about to approach TenTen's house when a familiar lady arrived before him. He jumped onto a roof and watched as TenTen let the lady inside.

That is very weird. TenTen NEVER have any strangers over at her house before…-Neji

Neji searched his brain and the lady's face appeared. Her name was…. Tsukima. Yes. The selfish woman, who because of her TenTen turned into a new person. Why TenTen agreed to see her was even more bewildering.

Neji quietly tiptoed to the side widow, which, much to his delight, was slightly opened; just enough to hear the conversation. After eavesdropping, he put two and two together and he realized what TenTen was up to.

Neji rushed back home.

XXXXXX

TenTen bid good night to Lady Tsukima and ate her dinner. Then she went to her room and polished her weapons before subscribing them into her big scroll. She checked the time – it was 9 at night- it was too early to leave. The weapon mistress carefully polished her weapons, especially one in particular; a knife she made herself.

She opened her closet and took out the bag she had longed to use. The time has finally come and with that, she set her alarm to midnight and took a nap.

XXXXXXX

Neji stuffed his clothes and all the necessities into his bag, worried that he might be too late. He felt giddy, yet good now that he can see everything clearly. He jumped out of his room and to TenTen's house.

The Hyuuga prodigy sighed with relief when he saw TenTen asleep on her bed, but dressed in her outdoor outfit. He daren't sleep, scared that she might slip away. He waited and watched his team mate sleep. He felt something he had never felt before. Then suddenly, her alarm rang and TenTen got up. She looked happier, but determined. She grabbed a bag Neji had never seen her used and attached her scroll.

XXXXX

As TenTen left the house, she scanned the area, making sure no one was following her. Neji, being with her for over a decade, knew very well her weakness in sensing chakra. So, all he had to do was suppress it a little.

Neji followed TenTen as she entered the thick forest.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Where is TenTen headed too? What will happen? Find out next chapter! =D

A/N: Again, Really really reaaaaaaaallly sorry for the late update. I'll try to update faster for the next chapter(s). Oh and I think Neji's characteristic is a bit unusual here, but I had to change it to make the story better. PLEASE REVIEW!