Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, you know the drill.

Is it me or are my chapters getting longer and longer? I should probably try not to crap on so much...


Day 4: Ino's little discovery

Tenten rubbed the back of her head as she stared at her reflection. This was so not her. She was wearing figure hugging jeans and a white lacy singlet which revealed a tiny modest bit of cleavage. Ino had also styled her hair so that it fell in soft curls and it was pulled into a low, loose side ponytail. (Think what Mischa Barton likes to wear)

She cleared her throat, "Uh… this is a little bit too revealing for my taste."

Ino crossed her arms and glared. "That is hardly revealing by normal standards."

Tenten fidgeted and tugged at the strand of beads Ino had forced her to wear. "It's lacy! Can't I change the top at least?" she protested.

"No I'm not going to let you wear an ugly shapeless t-shirt! People would kill to have a hot body like yours!"

"But I feel so exposed!" whined Tenten.

"Too bad you're going to get used to it. Embrace your body Tenten, your body is a temple and by the end of the day every guy in Konoha will be worshipping at it."

Tenten scowled, she was sick of trying on outfits. Ino had made her try on about 20 different combinations and taken photos of every single one. Before they had even started with the dress ups, Ino had also insisted on making her write down and memorising "Ino's top 10 tips to flirt with a male to get whatever you want out of him." They needed a hell of a lot more refining even by Tenten's standards.

"Ok Tenten-chan! Make up time!" exclaimed Ino with a very happy smile.

5 minutes later…

"Argh! Stop trying to jab out my eye!" screeched Tenten

"Ugh, just stop closing your eyes for kami-sama's sake. How on earth am I going to apply the mascara?"

"I don't want mascara!"

"It really opens up your eyes! I still have to do your eyeliner etc."

Tenten's stomach rumbled loudly. It was time to eat lunch and the fastest way she was going to get food was by allowing herself to be subjected to Ino's prodding and pushing. She sighed and stayed still as Ino happily worked on her makeup.

"Ta dah!" said Ino with a wide smile as she flourished a mirror in front of the brunette. "I. Am. A. Genius."

Tenten peered into the mirror warily half expecting to look like a kabuki player but she gasped when she saw her reflection. The girl staring back at her was actually quite pretty.

CLICK!

Ino placed the camera on her dresser and dragged Tenten by her hand. "Let's go get lunch I'm starving!"


"Revision time Tenten, what's 'Ino's top 10 tips to flirt with a male to get whatever you want out of him'?" asked Ino as they strolled out of Tenten's apartment building towards the famous Ichiraku Ramen Stall.

Tenten rolled her eyes and recited mechanically…

"1. Compliment him - a lot.

2. Bat your eyelashes at him - a lot.

3. Speak in a high pitched voice to appear less intimidating and less of a physical threat to him.

4. Do not make direct eye contact unless absolutely necessary.

5. Give him a special nickname it makes him feel special-"

"Now what was the example I gave you?"

"…"

"Come on Tenten spit it out."

"My little hunny bunny pumpkin" whispered Tenten. She would rather drop dead before she called anyone, especially the tall dark and handsome ninja she was in love with, that.

"Now what were the other tips?"

"…"

"Is that all you remember?" asked Ino aghast.

"No it's just that they get even more ridiculous and I'd rather not say them," replied Tenten.

"Tenten, if you follow them religiously I guarantee you that any male you pay attention to will be eating right out of the palm of your hand."

"Ino, do you actually follow it yourself because it certainly didn't work for you when you and Sakura used to fight over 'Sasuke-kun'," she snapped back. Ohhh Tenten, that wasn't very nice that was a low blow…

A vein in the blonde girl's temple bulged and pulsed dangerously but Ino's wide smile didn't falter once. "Oh, Sasuke-kun was a special case Tenten-chan and I suggest you finish reciting the rest of the tips before I tell everyone that you're in love with Neji."

Tenten's mouth dropped open in shock as she tried desperately to think of a clever retort but was unable to. She blushed deeply, how on earth did Ino manage to figure it out? I don't talk in my sleep or keep a diary and I've never never told a single soul and I've been so careful not to reveal my feelings!

Ino grinned evily. It had been wild guess but judging from the brunette's reaction she had managed to hit jackpot thanks to Shikamaru's hints.

FLASHBACK

"Hey Shikamaru, what do you think of Neji? He's getting pretty handsome these days," remarked Ino to her lazy team mate who seemed to be paying more attention to the clouds as their team sat on the park bench. Chouji serenely continued to munch his way through yet another packet of chips.

No response.

Ino kicked his foot impatiently and turned back to watching Team Gai planting tree seedlings around their training grounds which had basically turned into a desert over the years that they had started training there. Two crazy green spandex clad ninja ran around shouting something about planting all the seedlings in an hour or else they would run 500 laps around Konoha on their hands. It was a boiling hot day and the other sane members of Team Gai had already removed the outer part of their usual robes. Tenten was down to a white tank top and her cargo pants were rolled up and Neji was shirtless. Ino was almost drooling already, she had no idea how Tenten managed to keep her calm when she was in such close proximity to a HOT SHIRTLESS Neji.

Tenten ignored the antics of her disturbingly enthusiastic sensei and team mate and stuck a seedling into the hole that her only sane team mate had dug and patted soil around it firmly. The Hyuuga prodigy scowled at Gai and Lee as he rested against the long spade for a moment. He turned to Tenten and said something that made her laugh.

"I don't check out guys," Shikamaru finally replied.

"He's straight Ino, he's in love with Temari," added Chouji helpfully.

"Shut up Chouji," drawled Shikamaru slightly pissed off.

Ino rolled her eyes, "Yeah and so what, I check out other girls to see if I'm prettier than them."

"Neji won't be interested in you."

"Excuse me? Are you implying that I'm ugly?" huffed Ino indignantly.

"Troublesome. No, I'm saying that you're not his type."

"Oh and you are then?" snapped Ino sarcastically.

Chouji chuckled as Shikamaru finally stopped staring at the clouds to glare at her irritably. "Neji is straight. He likes brunettes." He turned back to stare at his beloved clouds. "Besides Tenten will probably chop you up into little bits if you start bothering him."

"Tenten isn't interested in guys she wouldn't care."

"Well they're both close and Team Gai are very protective of each other," pointed out Shikamaru.

END FLASHBACK

"Oh so you do like Neji," teased Ino.

The younger kunoichi was suddenly pinned against a wall immobilised and with a kunai at her throat.

"You tell a single soul and I swear I will shave your head and tell Chouji who ate all of his junkfood stash," hissed Tenten, her eyes narrowed dangerously.

Ino stared back at her in shock; she wouldn't dare shave off her precious hair, would she? How on earth did Tenten know that it was her anyway? Chouji, when he was extremely angry with you, was a very scary thing indeed and eating all of his stash was something that made him extremely angry. It had been a nerve wracking day when Chouji discovered his stash gone… She nodded quickly, trying very hard not to cut her own throat on the kunai.

Tenten released her abruptly, glaring at her suspiciously.

Ino touched her throat where the kunai had been and checked to see there was no blood. Nothing, thank goodness. She stuck out a hand to Tenten, "Truce?"

The brunette took her offered hand and nodded, "Truce."

"Great," said Ino grinning as if nothing had happened. "Now tell me the last four tips I taught you."

"…"

Piercing blue eyes glared at Tenten who sighed. She wasn't going to get any peace unless she gave in to Ino on this.

"6. Be very clingy, men like physical contact.

7. Fully exploit whatever womanly assets you have.

8. Act helpless, so he will have to come to your rescue.

9. Focus solely on him, ignore all other guys.

10. When in doubt: Drop, bend and snap" recited Tenten monotously.

This goes against every feminist thing I believe in, she thought disgustedly.

Ino beamed at her and handed her a pair of large fashionable sunglasses for Tenten to hide behind since she didn't want to be recognised. Tenten put them on as they entered the bustling market square and stuck her hands in her pocket.

"Take them out, that's such a guy's thing to do," hissed Ino.

Tenten pulled them out and fidgeted as they walked down a main street. She could hear wolf-whistling and she looked around wondering who was getting whistled at.

Ino pinched her arm, "They're whistling at you idiot."

Tenten froze. She never got whistled at. Ever. Ino grabbed her arm and continued to drag her along to their destination. "Are you sure? They're probably whistling at you Ino," she whispered to the younger girl frantically.

"They stopped whistling at me when my dad gave them all a talking to," muttered Ino grumpily.

"Hey Ino and friend!" said Kiba with a huge smile on his face as he and Shino walked towards them. The dog lover was so focused on Tenten he didn't even give Ino a glance.

Shino nodded at both of them but his gaze lingered on Tenten for a fraction longer, his dark glasses reflecting mysteriously.

"Friend"? I guess they don't recognise me but it's hard to tell with Shino… thought Tenten as she stood quietly next to Ino and forced a friendly smile.

"Hey Kiba and Shino, what are you guys up to? Where's Akamaru and Hinata? Aren't they usually with you?" replied Ino cheerfully.

"Akamaru got bitten by a tick so he's recovering at home."

Phew, he would have recognised my scent. Tenten relaxed slightly.

"We just had lunch and were getting back to training. Hinata's training with Neji today," replied Shino quietly.

"Hey Ino don't be rude, introduce us to your friend," said Kiba with a wide smile as he looked Tenten up and down approvingly.

Tenten forced herself not to punch Kiba then and there for being so obnoxious and continued smiling even though her cheeks were starting to hurt from all the effort.

Ino could sense the killing intention emanating off the very attractive brunette whose smile was starting to become a bit creepy. She laughed nervously and flung an arm around her shoulders, "This is um my cousin-"

"Rei" interrupted Tenten a little bit too quickly.

"Hehe yeah and she's visiting from Earth country because she's on a holiday," finished Ino rather lamely.

"So how long are you here for Rei-chan?" asked Kiba with a toothy grin.

"Three more days I'm afraid," replied Tenten with a sweet smile. She had been counting down on her calendar when this stupid assignment would be over.

"Pity," sighed Kiba looking disappointed.

Ino giggled and elbowed Tenten, "Come on let's go eat I'm starving." As if on cue, both their stomachs rumbled. The blonde girl grabbed her arm, turned to wave at Shino and Kiba and pulled her down the street.

After a safe distance from the two ninjas they just ran into, Ino squealed right in Tenten's ear. "They were both checking you out majorly!"

"Ugh yeah I know Kiba was but are you sure about Shino?" asked Tenten pulling herself from Ino's iron grip. She needed to save herself and her eardrums.

"Shino was totally checking you out! I could tell!"

"Uh huh," agreed Tenten rather disbelievingly. The two girls strode into Ichiraku and Tenten nearly bolted when she saw who was having lunch there…


A/N: Haha cliffhanger, I bet you're all hating me. The chapter was getting rather long though in my opinion. This is probably more of a filler chapter I'm not too happy with it myself... Anyway hopefully it'll get better next chapter :P I'll get started on it asap

Please read and review! Be nice too my birthday is this coming monday!