It was doubtful that Sakura had the opportunity to reach R.E.M. sleep before a banshee wrenched her from slumber.

"WAKE UP!"

Simply opening her eyes was a tremendous undertaking much less fathoming anything else - like why her mangled form on the ground was being burdened by excess weight.

"Unhand her, Barbie! That's excessive!"

Tenten's voice appeared in concert with a raging headache. Sakura gasped in pain as a brusque force yanked her upwards into a tight hug.

"I love you!" Her assailant proclaimed, flinging her side to side.

When the onslaught ceased, the victim dared to crack open an eye. She came face to face with the same set of slate blue irises from the night prior, but this time, the woman pulled her hair into the iconic high ponytail pictured across every fashion magazine in Japan.

"Ino Yamanaka?" Sakura inspected their intimate position in disbelief. She was sitting up with the famous woman straddled on top of her, their faces inches apart. "What kind of messed up alcohol induced dream is this?"

Tenten leaned against the doorway. "It's not. All six foot tall supermodel is 100% real and practicing for her first audition in the porn industry."

Ino licked her lips licentiously, snaking an arm around her prey to bind them closer together. "Who said anything about practicing?" Tenten huffed in mock exasperation and Ino batted her long lashes. "Kidding. Who said anything about first? Kidding again! Okay, never mind, this is how rumors start." She leaped off Sakura and flipped her golden mane. "Hi! A pleasure to officially meet you, I'm Ino and I am forever in your debt!"

The doctor grinned despite a crippling headache. "Nice to meet you too. Sorry if I'm a little slow this morning..."

Ever the hostess, Tenten conjured up coffee and joined her friends on the floor. "Alright Sakura, out with it. You're gonna need to fill in some gaps because Ino only has a fraction of the story."

"Panda bear, you're a doll!" The model flashed a stunning smile.

One generous gulp of caffeine later, the homeowner ventured, "Hang on, do you know each other?"

Tenten nodded and blew on the steaming hot liquid. "We went to the same university and she's a hometown friend of Shikamaru and Chouji's."

"I'm basically their hometown guardian angel," clarified Ino, "I single handedly saved their pathetic existence from dying as virgins."

"Don't forget I persuaded Temari and Karui to breathe in their direction to begin with!" Reminded the fellow Waseda alum.

Ino stuck out her tongue. "Fine, you were the sidekick angel. Anyways! I came back last night from a month-long stint in Singapore and Temari invited me to a squad assembly at the club. I got there a little late and headed for the bar where some fuckboy wouldn't quit hitting on me. I told him to get lost but...," she frowned in extreme distaste. "I'm guessing that's when he spiked my drink."

"I wish I was there to castrate him." The brunette fumed, cracking her knuckles.

Sakura soothed a hand over Ino's back. "Don't worry, nothing happened after that. I was at your side pretty much when you went down."

"I know," the blonde's eyes suddenly ignited with the intensity of blue fire. "I remember hearing your voice and I can't thank you enough. But do you know what I don't know that you do know that I need to know?"

Sakura blinked, lost by the entire dialogue. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Who was that guy you were with - the one carrying me?"

"Sasuke?" Tenten guaged with a finger on her chin. "I told him to take Sakura home last night."

"What?! Sakura, is that your man?!"

The rosette almost spit out her drink. "No! He was just helping me get you back here!"

"Thank God," Ino sighed in relief, then resumed vigilance and rounded on the other woman. "Wait, is that your man?"

"No." Tenten scrunched her nose. "I'm not into younger guys. Besides, I'm his manager."

The model gleefully squealed and rallied the roommates into a group hug. "Ladies, you're the first people I'm telling but... I think I found my new beau."

Once released, Sakura devoted her attention to draining her coffee while Tenten shook her head in amusement. "You literally just met him by chance."

"I believe in divine intervention," justified Ino in a sagely tone, "and hot damn do I think the universe is trying to tell me something." She pushed off the ground, skipped to the window, and drew the curtains aside. Sunshine penetrated the dimly lit room and everyone was momentarily blinded. "No pun intended, but how can I miss a sign like that?"

Sakura choked on the liquid when her vision adjusted to the scene outside. Directly parallel with her bedroom window was a gigantic billboard of Sasuke in his shirtless glory as if he was hand carved by the Greek gods themselves. With a tennis racket slung over one shoulder, chiseled arm flexing to boot, the image of his smoldering gaze seared right through her core.

"Prince of Tennis?" Ino read the headline. "More like my Prince Charming."

Sakura burst through the cafe with all the vigor of a tsunami. She forgot about Hinata's breakfast plans until the last minute and hurtled out the door without so much as a goodbye to Tenten or Ino. The hostess led her to the reserved table which resembled nothing short of a field day for the paparazzi. People clutching cameras and posters had thoroughly flanked the three occupants at the booth.

"Guys?" The latecomer sidestepped a girl wearing a shirt with the words 'I love you, Sasuke!' emblazoned across the front. "I thought we were meeting over breakfast. Not attending a press conference?"

Naruto gave the evil eye to Sasuke, who was signing an autograph for an ecstatic fan. "Me too, but this little nugget had to come back to Japan and brainwash everybody and their mother."

The tennis celebrity overheard this and countered with a glare.

"Pardon me, miss?" Hinata beckoned the hostess. "May we switch to a private room, please?"

The hostess obliged courteously and led the party to an enclosed section of the cafe. Sakura, Naruto, and Hinata settled into their new location while Sasuke stalled outside to slake the attention of his supporters.

"Hey, are you okay?" The nurse's hand covered Sakura's. "You look… unwell."

"You look like shit." Deadpanned Naruto.

The pinkette snorted and wryly imagined her friends as parents. "I'm fine, just tired. I guess I went a little too hard last night."

Naruto made a face. "You are a disappointment to Granny Tsunade."

"Hinata, you're going to be a young widow if Tsunade hears Naruto call her old one more time." Sakura warned, pushing aside her menu. The cafe was an old favorite and she habitually ordered the same items.

"Feh, I'm safe if she's not in the country." Shrugged the rebel, leafing through the menu.

Sakura did a double take. "Wait, what?"

"GRANDMA went to South Korea last night," he elucidated between studiously examining the breakfast selection. "'Cause the old pervert has a book signing in Seoul today."

The maid of honor smacked her head. 'The old pervert,' also known as Jiraiya, was her supervisor's unofficial life-partner. He was an author and an associate of the Tokyo Police Department, often partnering with Naruto for investigations when he wasn't writing international best sellers. "That means I'll be swamped with her responsibilities again! That's so above my pay grade!"

Hinata squeezed her friend's hand encouragingly. "She won't be gone for long - perhaps a couple of days, tops."

"Let me tell you about a real disappearance," the officer dropped his menu dramatically. "Freakin' Temari basically sent Shikamaru, Chouji, and me on The Amazing Race last night!"

It was only through slick maneuvering that Sakura dodged the C.E.O.'s antics. "Hah, she's a trip."

"We ended up at a pachinko parlor in Fuchu," the bride-to-be revealed, "I had to discourage her from leaving the country again... for Shikamaru's sake."

Grimacing, Sakura recalled her role in exacerbating the lovers' debacle. She made another mental note to compensate for her connivery. "Well, it's easy to fly away when you own an entire airline. The whole world is literally in Temari's hands."

"Hang on ladies," interrupted Naruto, "Let's take a moment to appreciate that we're breathing the same air as the Prince of Tennis himself."

The medic flinched, unaware that their missing party member had slid into the chair next to her. Memories of their previous encounter resurfaced and catalyzed Sakura's stomach to churn.

"Hey." Sasuke ignored the cheeky comment and greeted her without a scintilla of ill-will. "How're you feeling?"

She expected to be spurned, not treated with concern. "Uh… I'm fine?"

The best man inclined his head. "Good. How's the girl doing?"

"She's fine, too." Peeped Sakura, hiding behind a glass of water.

Hinata raised a brow at the odd interaction. "I hope we didn't take you away from your supporters, Sasuke?"

"Not at all."

Naruto missed the exchange from debating among the chef specials and settled on the tanuki udon. Mentally congratulating himself, he closed the menu to lecture the newcomer. "I can't even take you out into public anymore without causing a scene."

"The feeling's mutual." Sasuke retorted, crossing his arms.

"Which is why we'll be taking a short reprieve away from the public." Hinata interrupted cheerfully.

"We?" Sakura repeated, curious.

The coal haired woman procured a printout from her handbag and displayed it at the center of the table. Naruto used one arm to pull his fiance closer while synchronously stretching out his other arm in the opposite direction. "Surprise! Nata and I are holding the wedding at Tatadohama Beach and we booked a place for us to check out the venue!"

Sasuke perused the details on the page while Sakura searched for the landmark in her phone. The tennis player inwardly observed the perks of being in favor with the Hyuuga elders. It was evident that Hinata enjoyed that luxury while her cousin did not - Neji never received much support, financial or otherwise. It was only through Sasuke's recent earnings from endorsements that he could finally help in one aspect by tripling his team's salary.

"Wow!" The physician raved. "This place is gorgeous!"

Hinata blushed, remembering Naruto's proposal. "We have an affinity for the beach."

"Isn't this a couple of hours away?" Sasuke queried.

"Damn right it is!" The future groom rewarded his roommate with a thumbs up. "It's the perfect place. One, it's secluded so you won't pull aggro on the press and jack our wedding. Two, it's the best compromise between the expectations of Hinata's relatives and my friends. Three, it's big enough for a legendary ceremony and a dope ass reception!"

Sakura jerked up from furiously scribbling on a notepad. "Stop right there. I'm in!"

Hinata smoothly extracted the writing utensil from her coworker's fingers. "We're all 'in,' and since we're collaborating together, we'll all be traveling to Tatadohama Beach for preparatory research."

"In theory, that sounds great, but in practice, I doubt your cousin's going to spare me from training." Sasuke handed back the printed guesthouse reservations. Even during the two days of mandated rest, his coach still prodded him to continue some degree of physical activity.

"Don't worry about Neji," Naruto kissed his fiance's temple. "Nata's got him wrapped around her fingers. I learned my lesson to let the queen handle the art of persuasion."

The Hyuuga heiress smiled shyly. "I've also secured two vacation days for you, Sakura. Tsunade is highly grateful for you covering her absence."

So that's why Hinata was privy to her mentor's whereabouts! Sakura golf clapped. "My best friend's a mastermind."

Suddenly, a knock was heard at the door and a server entered the room. "Hello everyone, my name is Ayame. I'll be helping you folks this morning." To be expected, simply making eye contact with the celebrity caused her to redden flagrantly. Sakura diverted her attention to her phone.

"You ready, babe?" Naruto opened a menu to reaffirm his order.

"One second, please." Bidded Hinata, mimicking his actions. The menu was comparable to a tome with a myriad of different appetizers, entrees, and sides.

"I'll have the curried chicken with rice and a side of double daikon miso soup, please." Sakura and Sasuke ordered in unison. Hinata peaked up from her page while the rosette visibly stiffened and the tennis star coughed. Naruto grunted in aggravation behind his menu, failing to find his meal again.

"Oh, fantastic choice! That's always a crowd pleaser!" Complimented Ayame, jotting down the requests.

Sakura shrank back in her seat and assumed fascinated interest on the mobile device. "I'd also like a bowl of strawberries. Thanks."

Sasuke gathered the two abandoned menus and offered them to the server. "And I'll add a side of sliced tomatoes."

Hinata shrugged and averted her gaze just in time to miss the sideways glance exchanged between the best man and maid of honor. It slipped both their minds that the cafe was their favorite place to grab breakfast when they were still dating.

"You're not at a research conference, you liar!" Sakura barked at her superior's image on the computer screen.

Tsunade cursed. "Naruto ratted me out, didn't he? He could really benefit from Hinata's ability to keep a secret."

"Um, hello?" The intern waved a hand in front of the camera. "That doesn't excuse the fact that you're in Seoul and I'm inundated with your work! Again! I can cover your outpatient hours but why do I have to participate in a TV interview on behalf of the hospital?!"

Hazel eyes twitched. "You are a strange child. I thought that was going to be the fun part."

"Then let Shizune do it!"

"And risk all the paperwork for a sexual harassment lawsuit slapped against the hospital? Over my dead body. You know how Shizune's infatuated with Sasuke Uchiha."

Sakura pouted unseemingly. "What's the special occasion, anyways?"

"Hell if I know. Something about organizing a charity at the orphanage. Regardless, you're going to find out soon." The seasoned physician confirmed on her Rolex watch that, yes, somebody should be contacting Sakura any minute now.

"But why me?!" The younger woman whined. Tsunade frowned in disapproval; not once has she heard her protege complain, not even for graveyard shifts, so why the anomaly?

"Because the hospital elected me but now I'm choosing you. Because you have public speaking experience. Because you're pretty and the media eats that up. Because I'm your supervisor and I said so." As if on cue, Sakura's phone vibrated. "Now put on your big girl pants, answer that call, and get out there. Sasuke's bringing huge revenue and publicity to the hospital so don't screw it up! Ungrateful brat, you'd think I just asked you to sign your death warrant." Tsunade ended the video transmission in a huff.

In the privacy of her office, Sakura slammed her head on the desk and groaned in frustration. A brief phone conversation later, she begrudgingly reported outside underneath a pitched tent for roll-call. She mingled with the news crew who were completing last minute details. Adjacent to them stood the orphanage where the masses congregated and injected the air with the din of anticipation.

"Hey roomie." A voice popped up.

"Tenten!" Sakura perked. "Was I unconscious when you told me that you were, I don't know, starting a charity at my hospital? Because I was unaware…!"

"I tried to tell you this morning but you flew out the door," the brunette pointed out, rifling through her briefcase. She fished out a document and offered it helpfully. "I'm psyched that the hospital chose you as their spokesperson, though! Everything's super simple, actually. After Sasuke and I explain the premise of our charity, someone'll call you on stage to ask the questions listed on that paper. Just have fun with it, Sasuke's a charmer on camera and I'll be there, too!"

A man with bark-colored tresses combed over his right eye beckoned for Tenten. "We're on in five."

"Thanks, Izumo." The manager hustled away and waved farewell to Sakura.

Shortly afterward, a cosmetologist summoned her for a touch-up routine. Conveniently, the area was equipped with a television broadcasting the upcoming event. Sakura watched the segment begin with a spiky haired news reporter panning into view.

"Good afternoon, Japan! This is Kotetsu Hagane from Nippon Television News. I'm reporting live at the Tokyo Medical University Hospital's affiliate orphanage covering their new tennis foundation sponsored by the Prince of Tennis Sasuke Uchiha with his manager and retired Princess of Tennis Tenten Long!"

The camera focused on the athletes jogging on stage, met by a thunderous roar of celebration. Sasuke wore standard exercise gear as if returning from practice which contrasted sharply with Tenten's tailored suit. They exchanged handshakes with their introducer before interacting with the audience. Although poised, the woman appeared shier than her client, who radiated an aura of confidence. They took a seat while security quelled the clamor from the crowds.

"Thank you for meeting with us, Ms. Long, Mr. Uchiha!" Started Kotetsu, echoed by a brief resurgence of shouts.

"Tenten is fine," the manager reassured, to which the man beside her added, "As is Sasuke."

"Ever the friendly athletes," commended Kotetsu, "Let's jump right into it! Numerous fans are wondering if it's wise to start a tennis foundation now. There's a lot of pressure on your shoulders, Sasuke, and I'm sure your team feels it, too. Can you manage all the extra work?"

"When you genuinely care about something then everything is worth the extra mile," Sasuke deflected mildly. "And Tenten's the true architect behind this project before getting me on board. Its been in the works for a long time and we finally have sponsors who are kind enough to help bring our plans to action."

"Sasuke and I are both orphans and we agreed that tennis and positive relationships were crucial in setting the right tone in our lives," the manager explained. "We were lucky to have the support to achieve our dreams and want to pay it forward. This tennis foundation will emphasize academic assistance, team building, and leadership training to orphans who share our similar background."

Sakura was impressed by the interviewee's professionalism, but it was obvious that they experienced different levels of comfort. Sasuke's body language expressed an ease at being the center of attention whereas Tenten's showed differently.

Kotetsu cleared his throat. "That's quite remarkable. Similarly remarkable is your rare team of two, Sasuke. Besides Tenten, your coach is another famous tennis pro, Neji Hyuuga. What's it like having such a small entourage?"

"Efficient." The honesty was humorous to the audience. "Tenten's the reason for my success off the court and Neji's the reason for my success on it. He's a defensive player, and influences me to augment my more offensive style. I started my career making too many unforced errors from rushing the game, but Neji's trained me to become more patient and add new skills to my arsenal."

Applause arose from the spectators - the coach's following clearly merged with his protege's.

"Neji Hyuuga is one of a kind," admired the reporter, taking a moment to appreciate the former pro. "Regrettably, his career ended in that terrible accident during the 2013 French Open. Whereas injury from that incident forced Mr. Hyuuga into retirement, you, Tenten, did so under different circumstances. You made it to the finals without a scratch but abruptly retired afterwards. Currently, you're the only woman from Japan to progress that far in any Grand Slam tournament. Critics are labeling that as a premature gaffe against your potential - can you comment on that, please?"

Woah, what?! Sakura never heard that piece of information from Tenten! She wasn't a tennis fanatic, but she was aware of the prestige behind the Grand Slam tournaments. The medic vowed to get explanations later.

The Princess bowed her head politely. "I'm touched by the concern. While I'll never stop wanting a Grand Slam title, I must say that I have new dreams." With a teasing grin, she punched her charge in the arm. The mood of the interview lightened as expected. "I've already passed off my tiara to this kid. I'm just one more person on top of millions who believe that he'll win them all."

"It's a prized trophy I keep on my nightstand." Joked the Prince with a smirk. Fans laughed and the female demographic sighed dreamily.

"But first, Sasuke, you'll need to heal that back injury from the U.S. Open! How's your condition?"

"Never better. I've received excellent treatment from the Tokyo Medical University Hospital and already returned to train for my next tournament."

"That's superb news!" The reporter beamed into the camera. "Speaking of the TMUH, the board of directors gathered a list of questions from their employees for a more in depth Q&A session. Please give a hand for their lovely representative, Dr. Sakura Haruno!"

The pinkette barely balanced her footing when Izumo propelled her on stage. A jovial reception met her arrival and she flashed a winsome smile. Ever the gentleman, Sasuke stood up and guided her to his chair. A chorus of 'aw's' murmured through the environment as they took a seat on either side of the tennis manager.

Sakura cordially accepted a microphone from the reporter. "Thank you Kotetsu, Sasuke, Tenten, and everyone for the warm welcome. I'll try my best to represent my colleagues. I appreciate your patience." She was a veteran at public speeches from her history presenting at research conferences.

The spokesperson referred to the paper at hand and faltered. "Of course, leave it to hospital workers to ask highly personal questions." People chuckled while she read each word verbatim, "Tenten, are you interested in Sasuke?" That subdued any side-talk. Apparently everyone was dying to know.

The brunette stifled an eye roll. "Yeah, in his ability to survive working between me and Neji."

The response was met favorably and Sakura transitioned to the next inquiry. "Sasuke, do you like Tenten?" The physician cringed at the prose of these concerns - which, although succinct, were painfully inane. The way that audience members held a collective breath, though, begged to differ.

"On my days off." He playfully replied, garnering laughter.

"Third question is for Sasuke again." The representative scanned the page. "There's multiple rumors in the past about your romantic history with powerful women: the Bridgestone heiress Kurotsuchi Kamizuru, singer Yugito Nii, and actress Mei Terumi to name a few." She paused to let that register. "Will you tell us if those are fact or fiction?"

The handsome man smirked and women everywhere swooned. "This escalated quickly."

"Wait, there's an addendum." The small letters below the third bullet was difficult to decipher. "Further, your most recent media sighting with Karin Tojo, the 14th ranked women's tennis player in the world, at the U.S. Open is widely speculated. Will this possibly translate into romance off the court?"

Sasuke elongated the silence for suspense. "Maybe."

Noise erupted across the audience; his answer evoked a spectrum of emotions ranging from disappointment to delight. The spokesperson had to increase her volume to drown out the commotion. "This one's for both of you: what are your ultimate goals?"

"To be happy," asserted Tenten, "And make my loved ones happy, too."

"To be the best tennis player in the world." Sasuke unified the feelings from the crowd once more. They cheered and Sakura proceeded with the rest of the questions which were, fortunately, less personal.

The interview ended and Kotetsu wrapped up the segment, giving Sakura an opportunity to scamper off stage. The situation was surreal. It was easy to slip into an act and sequester reality, but after leaving the spotlight, she had to stipulate over how everything fit into context. How was ignorant about so much regarding Sasuke and Tenten?!

"Sakura!"

The doctor whirled around at the familiar voice. It was from one of the last people she expected.

"Sai?" She squinted to confirm that it was, indeed, her boyfriend running at her. "I thought Canon confiscated you for the entire weekend?"

He finally reached her, panting. "We're doing a photoshoot downtown and I wanted to surprise you."

"Mission accomplished." She hooked her hand with his. "How'd you find me?"

"You were on TV. How the camera highlights your head is a dead giveaway."

"Hey!"

"I was complimenting your brain." The cameraman closed the distance between them. Smiling, Sakura returned the hug.

When she pulled back, her eyes widened in shock at the scene behind Sai. From a distance, Ino stood facing away from Sakura, tilting her head at Sasuke. The tennis player felt someone staring and glanced up to see his ex-girlfriend. They lingered their gaze longer than acquaintances should before he broke it off to capture Ino's lips with his own.

Something tore straight through Sakura - something that affected her so much that it unhinged her jaw.

"What's wrong?" Questioned Sai.

"Nothing! It's just that…," the physician channeled her attention back to the man in front of her. "We're barely together lately. Do you want company tonight?"

The photographer curled an arm around his girlfriend's waist. "What do you think?"

From afar, Sasuke watched the couple with narrowed eyes.

It was only after Neji's ninth consecutive hour in his office that he finally locked the door shut. A crease at the brows marred his normally stolid features, but there was good reason for that. Although he concluded his work for Toyota, his day was far from over. Hinata strategically wrestled Sasuke away and Neji swore that his younger cousin could make an astute businesswoman if she so wished. But she didn't, and that was that. Which meant, now, en route to the newly established tennis foundation, Neji was tasked to carry out Sasuke's commitments.

He entered the elevator where it halted a second later on the 19th floor.

Someone joined the car. "Hyuuga."

Using his peripherals, Neji spied similar sets of winter-gray irises boring into him. "Likewise." It was Iroha - a third cousin - trying his patience because more than 85% of the finance department shared the same surname.

A taut silence saturated the air before Iroha leered. "You had an adorable tribute on television the other day."

The coach was taciturn, staring staunchly ahead.

"Too bad that you were, at best, an honorable mention - and I use those terms as lightly as possible. Pray tell what's worse: receiving false compliments from base orphans or shaming the family name with a reminder of your failures on national news?"

The compartment continued southward along with the false civility Neji tenuously upheld with the majority of his relatives.

"You're pathetic. You thought you were a prodigy but life finally caught up to you. Now I know better than to pity a fool. That scar that you see on your head every day doesn't help calibrate your senses any, huh?"

Neji gripped the handle of his briefcase a little tighter. "I am humbled that you carved the time necessary to delve into my personal matters. Unfortunately, there are more alarming concerns which could jeopardize the family name." He paused to build tension. "Are you familiar with the term 'jailbait'?"

Iroha paled immediately. It was late last night when his intern lured him into the conference room.

"Take solace that she initiated the tryst. But by no means should you forget that you are her senior in more ways than one." The elevator slowed to its final destination but Neji pressed on. "I recommend that you end the affair before the right authorities are accidentally notified."

The metal doors receded and the coach exited the confinement. "One further piece of advice: I strongly discourage the use of derogatory terms to describe orphans. Especially since we are welcoming one into the family come November."

Dealing with moody teenagers was hell. Dealing with moody teenagers with an equally moody Neji was a special kind of hell. Tenten wondered what atrocity she committed in her previous life to warrant such torture.

She knew that Neji was in a funk as soon as he stepped out of his car. Tenten deduced that he had an argument with his relatives and, judging from the way he crossed his arms, it must have been with a cousin. She could effortlessly distinguish between the effects caused by his elders versus his contemporaries.

Usually, Tenten allowed his temper to fester - because honestly, the Hyuuga family politics were abstruse - but right now she was forced between a rock and a hard place. The tennis foundation was an important personal project and she aimed to start off on the right foot. Neji being a drill sergeant was not doing her any favors.

Not that she was having any luck beforehand. Teenagers were a dangerous breed of angst and hormones, and it didn't help that most of these orphans suffered from additional personal issues. She could tell that some were products of abusive unions while others from overprotective families. Some came from dissolution of triads while others were abandoned at birth. All these reasons and more were why she campaigned adamantly for this project.

Gai coined it youthful altruism, sure, but he underestimated the impact of his love had on Tenten. She lived two years at the Kyoto University Hospital's orphanage before someone noticed her. She was a mute and scrawny thing that everyone overlooked and nobody wanted. Tenten who? Even the employees forgot!

Everything changed when Gai appeared at the orphanage. He was back from abroad and volunteering throughout the country, already having adopted Lee in Osaka. Tenten finally opened up to Gai following months of his unrequited patience. It wasn't long afterwards that she joined his family and it was a true blessing: Gai and Lee nurtured her in a loving environment and, due to the former's career in sports, she was introduced to tennis. Tenten emerged from the orphanage relatively unscathed with minor confidence issues, but that was infinitely better than other alternatives.

Her aspirations for the tennis foundation were definitely lofty, but she believed in it. Thankfully, Sasuke agreed to be her partner. She needed another coach to successfully instruct a group of underserved kids which was why, in his absence, Neji was needed as substitute.

"Five more laps around the perimeter." He commanded flatly.

The disgruntled orphans were on the brink of a coup d'etat. Tenten couldn't blame them - this was their first tennis lesson and Neji's 'training' was demoralizing. But these teens shouldn't be victims of his ire! "Maybe they should-"

"I'm not taking orders from some guy with girly hair!" A strawberry blonde kid exploded in a flourish. He was Yahiko, the kingpin of the boys.

"I'd like to go back inside with Iruka, Yamato, and Ebisu." Whispered Nagato - a pale, soft spoken redhead.

"That's not an option because they're teaching all the kids right now." Informed Konan, a bright and assertive leader to the girls. "But we were under the impression that this was an optional program led by Sasuke Uchiha. Don't get us wrong, Mr. Neji, you're plenty cool, but-"

"We expect a tennis prodigy! Who the hell are you losers, anyways, to boss us around?" Yahiko blurted gruffly.

The situation was deteriorating rapidly and Tenten needed to act fast. "Sasuke's busy and Neji is his coach! We were pros-"

"Two years ago." Nagato inserted quietly.

The teenagers ruptured into a schism of reactions. Tenten and Neji's retirement certainly didn't improve their reputation. They haven't competed since the fateful French Open tournament, opting to fly under the radar until Sasuke's fame skyrocketed. Their prominence was probably only known by older populations or die-hard fans.

"Tenten."

Neji's voice pierced through the ruckus and hailed her back to reality. She regarded him quizzically before noticing that he had wrapped her hand around her racket.

"Play me. One set." He retreated to the far end of the tennis court, simultaneously extinguishing the chatter. "These kids doubt our abilities and I'm inclined to correct their misconceptions."

Tenten felt all eyes on her as she stared at the piece of equipment like it was a foreign object. "But you're-"

"Not disabled." Snapped the coach, scrutinizing his racket strings.

"Bring it on!" Konan galvanized the sentiments of the girls. "You can't just let the boys win!"

Another uproar boiled over in the form of boys versus girls.

"Fine!" Hollered Tenten. They silenced at once and watched her march to the center of the court.

"Up or down?" The Princess of Tennis let her opponent pick a direction on her racket insignia to dictate who served first.

The corners of Neji's lips rose smugly and his eyes flared in the face of challenge. "Up."

Tenten tossed the racket into the air and caught it skillfully. Checking the end of her handle and displaying the verdict for all to see, she returned with a gamely smirk.

"Up."

Author's Note

Did you catch that?: TeamNewsCrew/PowerfulWomen/AmeOrphans/Teachers & shout out to the Justice League trailer. The bit at the end: for low-key matches, who serves first is decided like a coin toss, but instead of calling head/tails, you choose something based on your racket. Tenten and Neji use Head rackets, so they choose up/down.

FINALLY! NejiTen and the summary scene. Tell me what you think with reviews for quicker updates! Some might be pissed at Sai and Ino but, in real life, shit happens. I know what I'm doing! Stay tuned for Chapter 5: a showdown on and off the courts.