Hey everyone! I apologize for the lack of substance in that last chapter! I've been a bit busy and just sort of spat that one out. It didn't help that it got deleted several times :( it was better the first few times lol! anyway, please enjoy! A always I really appreciate reviews. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR THE REVIEWS! I'm so happy Mina :3 This chapter has more substance as a present to my reviewers ;) you're all AWESOME!

I do not own Naruto and I never will

Chapter four* assignment: therapy.

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Tenten once again, rose bright and early. She sat up and stretched her aching body. better eat something this morning, Ne? Gonna work real hard this morning! Tenten felt refreshed after her nights sleep. Her eyes wandered to the window in which Neji would periodically sneak in and out of. She sighed and tried to remind herself that things were really over now. All she had left was training. First she had to become a Jononin, then onto Anbu. She swung her legs around and let them dangle off her bed for a moment. When she looked at the pajamas, she suddenly remembered about who had brought her home. She had attacked him and threatened him, yet he posed no threat to her. In fact he had taken care of her. Sasuke's face flashed in the forefront of her mind. She had wondered if he made it out of Konoha alright, or if he had been found and compromised. She slid out of bed and slowly walked to the kitchen. The thoughts of Sasuke acted as a numbing sedative to her heart, she wasn't thinking of Neji or that last memory they shared there in her kitchen. She was thinking about making scrambled eggs and a protein sheak before heading out on another run. She wondered what it was like to train with Orrochimaru. Sasuke must've been very strong by now, rumor had it, that he actually killed his older brother and accomplished his life long goal. Now maybe that's why he was in Konoha all of a sudden.

Tenten found it easier to eat this morning than she had is since Neji's passing. She dismissed ever crediting that to the Uchiha, after all he was a traitor and she was determined to forget about the night Before. Surely the funeral had given her closure and she felt a little more at ease today. Whatever it was she would deny the truth if the truth had anything to do with Sasuke Uchiha. Tenten quickly got dressed and headed out to the training grounds. Today she had resolved to train the whole day through.

Sasuke had spent the night in a cold, damp jail Cell. His wrists and ankles were bound and there ease a seal on the cell in order to prevent any chakra from escaping his body. Tsunade had taken the scroll and wanted to review it overnight, in the mean time he would be held captive. Hehadn't slept at all, he was too busy thinking on the words Itachi said, and wondering why on earth the Konoichi he had helped the night before, simply would not leave his thoughts. Thankfully, the lady Hokage had provided him with clean and dry clothes. A black jumpsuit, fitting for the criminal he was.

Sasuke heaved a heavy sigh and pressed his back against the cool, brick wall. He turned his head to look at the guard who was keeping watch on him. It was none other than Shikamaru Narra. The two hadn't spoken a peep since Sasuke was thrown in the cell. Shikamaru looked quite annoyed, he was leaning nonchalantly against a wall with his arms folded a crossed his chest and a cigarette hanging from the left corner of his mouth. Sasuke shook his head and looked back at the emptiness of his cell. He was quite exasperated, but he didn't dare sleep. He still didn't know what his outcome would be. There were only two options For Tsunade. She could either kill Sasuke, or free him and let him become a part of the village once more. It was simple, really. Sasuke was growing tired of waiting for his fate. The sun suddenly shone brightly through the window of his cell, causing him to close his eyes from the intensity.

"Won't be long now, eh Uchiha?" Shikamaru droned at Sasuke, tilting his head to the side slightly.

"I imagine the Hokage will have an answer for me soon." Replied the Uchiha. He was right. As soon as he finished his sentence, the door to the prison entrance opened with a loud squeal. The sound of heels clanking against the cement floors echoed down the hall, growing closer and closer. Finally, the busty blonde Hokage appeared before the two.

"Alright, Uchiha, let's go." She said, giving Shikamaru the signal to release the seal and let Sasuke out. The cell door swung open and Shikamaru released Sasuke from the chains the bound him. "Follow me." Tsunade stated as she turned on her heel and headed toward the exit. Sasuke thanked Shikamaru and headed after Tsunade.

The two arrived at her office, many shinobi gave them odd and confused looks as they passed by. Tsunade closed her office door and gestured for Sasuke to take a seat in the chair that faced her desk. He obliged without speaking and sat.

"So tell me, why did it take you so long to come around you stubborn little brat?!" Tsunade questioned as she rounded her desk and took a seat directly in front of Sasuke. She clasped her hands together and blinked her honey eyes, staring intently at him.

Sasuke noticed the scroll that he had given her the night prior lay open on her desk. Apparently, whatever Itachi had written, worked. "I suppose if I had left prematurely, Orrochimaru would've attacked Konoha in retaliation."

"You know the truth about Itachi now, and your clan, hm?" Tsunade twisted her lips to the side and rested her chin on here hands. Tsunade replayed the letter in her mind as she stared at the boy before Her.

To whom it may concern,

I assume that the Hokage is reading this letter. I would have it no other way. I also can assume you have been filled in on the truth about the Uchiha massacre. Fair warning, Hokage, I am alive and if my brother is harmed by the likes of you or any of the elders of the leaf, I will not think twice and I will leak this information to the nations you call allies. You will face a fifth Shinobi World War without a doubt. We have has previous agreements regarding Sasuke's safety and well being, I do not intend for those agreements to be broken whatsoever. Word has gotten out to me that Danzo, while you were in a state of comatose, labeled Sasuke as a missing nin. I will not stand for that, and I wish for him to rejoin the village. However, if Sasuke fails to comply with any rules or restrictions you wish to set before him, please do not hesitate to punish him. I am not asking for any special treatment for my younger brother, I simply ask you allow him back into the thriving society of Konoha. My eyes are upon you, and him constantly. Nothing gets by me. If there is any doubt in your mind as to if this is a threat, Tsunade, let it be known that this is indeed a threat to you and Konoha.

"Yes, I have indeed, learned the truth. Lady Tsunade, I.."

"Do you, or do you not, wish to rejoin Konoha?" Tsunade interjected.

Sasuke gulped and clasped his hands together. He had finally decided he would do it, having plenty of time to think on it the night before. "Yes ma'am, if you'll allow it." He stated, respectfully. Although he'd been away for so long, he still knew better than to ever disrespect or sass Tsunade. He's seen what she had done to Naruto when he got out of line. He assumed he would probably be rejoining that knucklehead and the pink haired stalker. He didn't mind rejoining his Sensei, though. He figured Kakashi would have answers about Itachi.

"Well, according to this letter, Sasuke, I don't have a choice. Let me make this loud an clear, though, you had better not have some sort of twisted motive toward Konoha, or any of the Shinobi here, I do have permission to punish you!" She said, cracking her knuckles. "Now," she continued without giving him a chance to reply to the open threat, "you'll have to prepare for some exams, after all, you're just a Genin." She said with a smirk.

Sasuke's jaw dropped. He expected Chonin at the least, he had passed those exams. But he knew he deserved it, he had been away so long, and Tsunade had to punish him somehow. Now Naruto would be able to rub this in his face. Sasuke frowned but nodded. "Alright, fine."

"Let's see..." Tsunade tapped her index finger to her chin in thought. "We'll have to put you on a team."

"I already have a team, don't I?" This time Sasuke interjected.

"Mm mm." Tsunade shook her blonde head, "you were replaced. However, team Gai is down a man, and I think you'll be a perfect fit." Tsunade looked down for a moment, her heart was heavy, thinking of the fallen Neji. A moment passed and she then looked up at Sasuke, who seemed quite relieved to be on a different team. Aside from team Gai needing a new member, she also knew Sasuke and Naruto would be destructive toward each other and their personal growth.

"Thank you, Tsunade Samma." Sasuke was pleased to hear he was on the same team as the bun haired Konoichi. Yet again, fate was pushing the two together. He knew she may not be as pleased, but at least she could appreciate the training and advice he could offer the team.

"The team is to undergo therapy today, so you may as well stay here while I round up the other members."

"oh, therapy?" Sasuke questioned, sitting up straighter.

"Yes, therapy. Gai sensei requested his students undergo some therapy in order to cope with the loss of their previous teammate. You may or may not have heard, but Neji Hyuga was a casualty of war." Taunade stood and walked to her door.

"Yes, I did hear that. It's a shame." Sasuke looked down. Tsunade didn't reply to his last statement, she merely walked out of her office and closed the door behind her.

Tenten had run two miles and moved on to her tai jutsu training. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes, she focused and began punching at the air slowly. Jumping and kicking, turning and squatting. For a moment, she thought she heard her name being called in the distance, but she shrugged it off and continued her motions. Suddenly, the ground began to shake and crack, knocking Tenten off her feet.

"Ah!" She shrieked and scrambled to her feet, looking for the source of the disruption of the earth. Trees, track, straw dummies, Tsunade, trees. "Tsunade!" Tenten blushed and ran toward her mentor, who looked more than annoyed.

"Tenten chan. I need to see you in my office pronto. Head there immediately."

"Sure, Tsunade. What's this about?" Tenten replied nervously. She wondered if Sasuke may have been captured and ratted her out, and now she could be in deep trouble. She gulped and her heart began pounding. The last thing she wanted was to be in trouble with Tsunade. Despite Tenten learning to appreciate being herself, she still had the utmost respect for Tsunade, and she wanted nothing more than to make her proud.

"You'll see, calm down. Sheesh you look like you're about to faint. Go get some food and meet me there" Tsundae again, turned on her heel and ran off to fetch Lee and Gai sensei.

Tenten sighed in relief and headed to the local take out shop. She ordered fried rice, soup, and several spring rolls, feeling starved after training so hard. Once she got her food she grabbed the bag, and paid the cashier. She then made her way to Tsunade's office briskly. She reached the office after greeting Sakura and Ino in the training center and opened the door. She nearly dropped her food when she saw who was seated in the chair in front of Taunade's desk. Maybe she was in trouble after all. He was the last person she really wanted to see at the moment, considering their awkward moment last night.

Sasuke, on the other hand, was happy to see that Tenten had decided to get some food after all. "Hello, Tenten." He said with a nod. Tenten nodded back and made her way to the second chair in front of Tsunade's desk and sat next to him, hesitantly. Sasuke's stomach grumbled when he smelled her food, it had been a while since he had eaten. Tenten noticed and handed him a spring roll. She set her rice on Taunade's desk and set the soup in front of Sasuke.

"Did she catch you?" Tenten asked, noticing his change of clothes, and red marks on his wrists where she assumed shackles were not too long before.

"Thank you," he replied. "Yes, she caught me. But we've come to terms." Sasuke took a bite of the spring roll she handed him. It tasted so good, he was thrilled. He looked his new teammate over. Her hair was in it's usual buns, and she was once again in black shorts and a half shirt, this time her shirt was green. Must've been their team color or something. He smiled a small smile as he watched her eat her rice, her toned stomach growled as loud as his had earlier and he let out a small chuckle. He was happy to see that she seemed to be doing better. He wondered if she knew about the 'Therapy' to come, or the fact that he was Neji's replacement. Sasuke frowned at the thought. He could see Tenten having a fit about both. She was a stubborn, hard headed Konoichi. One who seemed very independent and also very protective over Neji. Here Sasuke was, stepping on her toes again, and this time it wasn't even his idea.

"Terms huh?" Tenten asked, wiping her mouth with a napkin. Her stomach was now happy and full. Her mind clear of any grief or sadness, she found herself wondering why. Sasuke still had that strange and warm presence.

"Yes. I guess that's why you're here too." He replied. Tenten raised an eyebrow at the Uchiha.

Oh great. She sighed inwardly wondering what on earth he meant by that last statement. Before more could be said, The door to Tsunade's office swung open, and Gai Sensei, Lee and Tsunade Samma herself walked in. Lee ran to Tenten and greeted her with a hug. He then spotted Sasuke and gave Tenten a confused look.

"what's Sasuke doing here? Did you capture him, Tenten- Chan?!" Lee asked, excitedly.

"No Lee, I didn't capture him." Tenten put her face in her hands, annoyed at Lee's question.

"Nice to see you, Lee." Sasuke tried to be friendly, although this was something quite new to him. He knew that if this was his new team, he'd have to do his best to get on their good sides.

"Alright, alright listen up everyone." Tsunade said, closing her door. "Tenten, Gai, Lee. Meet the new member of your team. Sasuke Uchiha. He's returned to Konoha for good, and he's been assigned to your team." She said, walking in front of her desk, facing the four before her.

"A new team member, already? Lady Tsunade, are you sure Sasuke would be a good fit?" Lee asked, completely baffled that Sasuke was back in Konoha without any real explination as to why on earth they just 'let' him back in like that.

Tenten stood and placed her hands on Tsunade's desk, obviously fuming with anger. "You're already trying to replace Neji!? Who says we want another member, huh?" Her eyebrows lowered and her eyes narrowed into a deep glare at her former Idol. She gasped when she felt a strong hand fall heavy on her shoulder, pushing her back down to her seat.

"Excuse my pupil. This is why I suggested therapy in the first place. Tsunade, we will gladly accept Sasuke as our new member to team Gai. May the power of youth fill you, Uchiha!" Gai sensei spouted as he gave Sasuke a wink and thumbs up. Of course, Gai sensei was still mourning his wonderful student, but he also wanted the best for his team, and he knew that Neji's shoes were big ones to fill, and if anyone would be suited for that job, Sasuke would do a fantastic job. Sasuke and Neji had striking similarities. Personalities were both 'cool, calm and collected.' Deep, nearly monotone voices, and rough childhoods. Both extremely intelligent and strong. They just happened to choose two different paths, but now it seemed as though Sasuke had turned himself around.

"Th-tharapy!? I don't need therapy! I'm perfectly fine! I've never been better! Who says I need theray!?" Tenten growled and crossed her arms against her chest.

"I do!" Tsunade said loudly and sternly. Tenten sank in her seat and pouted a little. What a lousy day this turned out to be. "Now partner up and quit your bitching!"

"Oh! I call Sasuke!" Lee exclaimed. He saw what Gai Sensei saw as far as Sasuke being the only possible person to take Neji's place, and he had always admired the Uchiha. Frankly, Lee was always happy to make new friends, and to see friends progress in the way of life.

"Perfect, that leaves Gai and Tenten." Tsunade said. Sasuke's reaction to Lee picking him was more than laughable. He frowned and tried his very best not to roll his eyes.

Just as bad as Naruto Sasuke sighed.

Tsunade had the pairs sit at opposite ends of her office and open up to one another about their feelings. Of course Gai sensei bawled his eyes out as he expressed to Tenten his sorrow and pain of losing Neji, and how it pained him to see Tenten so angry. He explained to her the stages of grief and that she was now in the 'anger' stage. She soon would find herself angry with Neji for leaving her alone, and being selfish to abandon the team. But Tenten aggressively denied. When it was her turn to open up, she struggled. She told Gai sensei she was training as hard as she could so she could fulfill Neji's dream of becoming an Anbu captain. She explained that she loved Neji romantically and was now dealing with the pain of losing her lover. Gai sensei was shocked at the news. He hadn't seen that between the two. Probably due to the fact that Neji was always very serious on missions, and would never let anything, even love, compromise the outcome of the mission. That's why he was so successful in his life. Gai told her what Neji would tell her if he could, speaking as if he were Neji himself.

"You know what Neji would ask you to do right? He'd tell you, Tenten, that this is part of being a Shinobi. My flower, Neji would have you move on. He doesn't want you thinking about him anymore. His life was his, not yours."

Those last six words hit Tenten like a ton of bricks. Not yours. "Not.. Mine." She whispered. She shook her head and put her face in her hands. He's so right. Tenten had been spending all this time being upset that he was gone, she was being so selfish. She should be just as proud of Neji now, as she had always been. There's still no one that can replace Neji, but maybe it is time for me to be proud of what Neji sacrificed.

Lee had spent the entire session spilling to Sasuke about how Neji had impacted his life. He wanted to be able to fight Neji and defeat him since the day they met. He expressed his hopes that maybe one day, he could fight with Sasuke, saying it would compare to fighting Neji seeing as how strong they both were. He told Sasuke to go easy on Tenten, as Neji could sometimes be a little cold and discouraging, even if he was only being a realist. Lee told about how he was honored to have Sasuke step into the team, and felt as though it was good timing. Lee felt as though Neji would approve greatly of Sasuke taking his place. Little did Sasuke, or many other people know, Neji often times spoke to Lee of the Uchiha. How he had wished he could see what they Sharingan could do, and how Sasuke would be a very worthy opponent once again. Sasuke felt relieved that Lee had been so accepting, but even more so relieved after he stopped blabbing and crying.

"Alright, time's up. If you feel your team needs to return, please let me know, Gai. Aside from that, focus on training together. Sasuke has been demoted and has to work his way up. So prepare him for exams. I'll notify you on the nearest dates. No missions are available for you at this time. I'd like for you to focus on bonding and getting to know each other before I send you out. Also, Tenten, Lee. Congratulations. You've been promoted to Jonnin. You survived the war, and contributed a great deal of bravery. Especially you, Tenten. You were on the first division, and you should be proud." Tsunade smiled at the bunhead, expressing no hard feelings at her previous outburst.

Tenten's eyes widened. "Ts-Tsunade?!" Tenten smiled a wide smile and lept over the desk and embraced the large breasted Hokage. "Oh thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She exclaimed.

"oof! Tenten, don't suffocate yourself!" Tsunade warned. Tenten released her mentor and bowed.

"Thank you so much Tsunade Samma! You are a wonderful Hokage!" Lee said as tears streamed down his face like a waterfall.

"Yeah, yeah. Get outta my office, I have a lot of stuff to take care of now. Sasuke, the Uchiha complex is yours. If it's too much for you to go back, I can arrange somewhere else."

"No." He said, standing. "I'll stay there."

"Very well. Dismissed."