So! I want to take a moment to thank my wonderful little sister honneybeee for updating/ uploading my stories for me while my Internet is down. I truly appreciate it! Xoxox! Love you!

Second of all... It hasn't been a full day and I already have reviewers! I am enthralled that people are actually reading this! Thank you so much! It means a lot : ) I'm always one to finish what I start so fear not I won't leave you hanging, okay?

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As soon as Kakashi was ready he headed out the door greeting a panda and a tiger. Kakashi of course, wore the mask of a wolf. There was something different about Tenten. Her hair was down in two pigtail braids. Probably to keep the rest of the village from noticing her and her 'signature' buns on top of her head, although the panda mask almost gave it away. Her hair was surprisingly longer than he imagined it to be. It brushed gently across her hips with every step she took.
"Everyone ready?" Kakashi asked, trying not to think further about anything he probably shouldn't.
Lee and Tenten nodded. "allegedly, Neji is MIA, always assume the worst. As far as we know he is most likely Already dead."
Lee and even Tenten didn't want to believe it to be true. They may have all been competitive but it didn't change the fact that they were a strange little family with an overly enthusiastic father figure. Despite Neji's proposal, Tenten still didn't wish him dead.
"It is an honor." started Lee. "to be in this team with you, Kakashi Sensei."
Kakashi gave a nod acknowledging Lee's compliment.
"off we go." Kakashi started.
"wait!" A frantic Lady Tsunade shouted, running out from her quarters to meet them at the gates of Konoha. The three new comrades stopped.
"I need one of you to stay, Lee, Tenten, Gai Sensei has entered a serious state of depression. He tried to harm himself this morning. First with you three leaving, and now with Neji missing, I think it best that one of you stay behind to comfort and watch over him. " She explained sorrowfully. Without hesitation Lee chimed in.
"I will gladly stay, he is my Sensei and he needs me! Tenten, be safe." he said, removing his mask. "bring Neji back, please. " he said hugging Tenten tightly. Although she was a little violent with Lee, okay, a lot violent. She loved him with all her heart, of course in a brotherly way. The only one who could love him romantically would be... Well she couldn't think of one. She hugged him back.
"Lee, I'll do my very best. Go take care of Sensei, okay?" she said sympathetically.

They parted their ways and Tenten and Kakashi headed outside of the village to begin their mission. Itachi Uchiha. Dead, no exceptions.

They traveled a ways, without speaking. Both a little unsure of what to say. Tenten couldn't help but feel a little intimidated, after all this man before her was the only one who could ever come close to defeating Itachi, no, the only one who eve and still lived to speak about it. How could she compare or measure up? Not to mention she felt flustered after seeing him shirtless and she hadn't the slightest clue why. Why would it matter? So what it's just a shirtless man. J u s t? So was there another reason for feeling flustered?

"What's the reason for the mask?" she asked without even realizing she said it, immediately wishing she could recant.

"What's the reason for the buns?" he replied, witty as Kakashi normally is.
"Touché, but still. I let them down. What I want to know, is what you're hiding under there. " she said as the continued through the trees as skilled Shinobi do.
"You are not the first to ask, Tenten Chan, but will you be the first to know! Thats the real question. Do you really wish to know that badly because I've heard it said: curiosity killed the cat." He smirked almost wishing she could see just so she knew he was saying everything lightheartedly.

'did he say...Tenten..chan?' she thought to herself. She brushed it off.
"hopefully you're not implying that if I see your face I will fall over dead at the horrendous sight before me!" she said. They both chuckled.

It was assuring to him that she could understand his light teasing. And it felt good for Tenten to not be around such serious stiffs. She felt a bit different. She didn't understand why. Was this what a crush felt like? Oh certainly not. Obviously at 20 and still no crush on anyone, she must be incapable of normal female fan girl feelings. But... Womanly feelings, those are different. Those are not compulsive, stalkerish, irrational, selfish, or any of those things. But maybe curiosity did kill the cat. She was afraid of losing a life.

They trekked on for what seemed to be endless hours. The sun was beginning to set and Tenten was growing a bit weary. Kakashi could see she was falling a little behind. Although he wanted to continue, she needed rest, and that was what came first at this point. She needed to be ready and able to fight.
"we can stop here for tonight." Kakashi said jumping down from the tree branch to the forest floor. Tenten, relieved, jumped down as well and plopped her giant scroll against a tree.
"Thank goodness." she said. "I was getting worried you couldn't keep up with me old man!" she said, jokingly of course knowing he was much faster than she. But it was most certainly not because he was male and she was female, no Tenten knew it was because he had far more training and experience than she, that was all. He chuckled.
"Old man?" he started. "I'm not old..." he said slightly concerned she may think of him as absolutely off limits due to the age gap. More like gaping age hole.
"yep! You're gettin up there in age! You're probably just hiding wrinkles under that mask of yours." Tenten teased. Kakashi came toward her and set his pack down, looking her in the eye he said:
"What is hidden behind my mask is..." she interrupted him
"Another mask, I know, I know Naruto told us like, 1000 times."
"No. " he said seriously as he slowly pulled down his mask revealing a very handsome and younger than expects face. Before Tenten could react, his lips were placed against hers softly. Her brown eyes widened and then fluttered closed as she decided to kiss him back. He stopped.
"I...umm..." he started. "I'm sorry. We... Probably should get some sleep." Tenten could say nothing. She touched her lips and looked at him. He was something else. He was stunning, magnificent and beautiful. He was a mystery she wasn't sure if she had solved.

"oh...r.. Right you're right captain." she said trying her very best to ignore every butterfly in the stomach, pitter patter in the heart, and every question in the head.