"Don't think getting hurt on a mission is going to get you out of going to the bar with us!"

Tenten gaped at the blonde. "Bar?"

Ino rolled her eyes, looking exaggeratedly exasperated. "Yes, bar. You promised you'd go a month ago, before you got called on a mission. Well, I'm calling you on your promise. Now, get out of that hospital bed so we can go already!"

Tenten contemplated the use of arguing.

"But, I haven't been released yet." It couldn't hurt.

"I already talked to the nurse, they're waiting for you to sign some paperwork at the front desk."

Damn her mind reading and plot foiling abilities!

"Alcohol would be a bad idea with my meds."

"Already asked, you're not on meds, and Sakura's a medic. If you pull any stitches, she can fix you on location."

No, seriously, how did she know Tenten was going to use stitches next?

"Fine, okay, just let me find clothes first."

Ino smirked, obviously pleased with herself, and busied herself with the flowers by the bed.

"This is nice by the way, Lee?"

Tenten pulled on her pants and glanced over at Ino.

"No idea."

"Youthful innocence. Hope he doesn't expect you to jump back into training today. It'll be a week before you can do any serious workouts without reopening anything. "

The brunette snorted.

"Lee would send me a lotus."

"Lotus? No, lotus blossoms mean spiritual awakening, or reality of life. This is a white lilac."

Blood and marrow, Flesh and bone.

That's what makes the lilac grow!

Tenten shoved that thought as far down as she could as soon as it came and shook her head. Ino was right; Lee must have left them, or Gai.

"Huh, trust Lee to study up on 'the language of flowers'. I bet he's trying to impress Sakura again."

The two girls shared a smirk before Tenten finished getting dressed in something other than hospital clothes.

"Come-on stitches, your paperwork awaits!"

"Gah! Don't remind me!"

0.o.0.o.0.o.0

Ibiki glared into his beer. Since when did Tenten start going to bars? More importantly, when did guys start buying her drinks! Especially Arata, the kid was one hell of a jounin, but his reputation with women left quite a bit to be desired; not someone Tenten needed to be associated with outside missions. Besides, once the weapons mistress figured out his game, Arata wouldn't be on missions.

Ibiki glared at the unfortunate drink again. Damn it. As much as he'd like to see the punk neutered, it looked like he was going to have to step in. Ibiki watched Arata's hands travelled lower down Tenten's back possessively, like he had the right to. When he leaned in to whisper something into the blushing women's ear, glass shattered.

0.o.0.o.0.o.0

"Admit it, you're having fun!" The pinkett demanded, watching Arata head off to get more drinks.

Tenten's blush deepened. They'd been there less than half an hour before the jounin attached himself to her, and Tenten was baffled. Males were comrades, friends, or sometimes targets. They didn't look at her like they did Ino, Sakura and sometimes even Hinata (when Neji wasn't looking). Heck, most of the time she doubted they even remembered she was female! But this one didn't act like the males she was used to. He touched her, intimately, on her arms, or lower back; worlds away from the casual friendly arm around the shoulders Lee usually treated her to. Arata looked at her like a woman, and Tenten loved it.

"See, this is why you should listen to me more often!"

Ino of course . . .

Tenten toyed with the idea of pointing out the poor Hyuuga, who looked ready to pass out. The poor girl.

"You were right, this time. But don't even think about dragging me on your next crazy shopping escapade!"

"But Tenny, you'd look so cute in a skirt!"

Sakura eyed the glaring brunette.

"No, she's right Tenten. You have the legs for it… besides," Tenten didn't trust the medic's suddenly sly tone. "I bet Arata would appreciate the view."

Ino caught the kunoichi mid lunge, while Sakura jumped out of the seat, now riddled with senbon, laughing.

"Easy there tiger! Wouldn't want Arata to see you murder someone on the first date!"

Tenten growled, and stomped on Ino's foot.

"Speaking of Arata, he's been gone a while…"

Ino and Tenten stopped to look around for the missing male, catching sight of him making his way toward them in the crowd.

"Hey Arata, I thought you were going to get more drinks?" Tenten eyed him. Not only did he not have there beverage of choice, but he also looked rather pale and shaken.

"Mission! Um, er, yeah, a long, uh, extended mission, could be gone for months."

"Oh… well, uh, good luck then…"

"Right! On the mission! Uh, I should just go-"

The man didn't wait for an answer, he was to busy running for the door like ANBU was out to get him.

Three sets of eyes turned to Tenten.

"I'm, just going to head home then."

"Oh, Tenny, it's not your fault!"

"Ino's r-right, if it was you, w-wouldn't h-he have brought the d-drinks?"

Tenten bit back a retort. Hinata was right, maybe. Sure, the one guy to show interest in her, ever, had just ran out of the room faster than Gai to the spring time of youth, but… hmmm, no, Tenten wasn't finding an upside.

"Thanks Hinata. But really, I should be heading home. I just got out of the hospital, and I want to go to bed."

Ino winced. Apparently, physical exhaustion hadn't occured to her. Heh, she may be a mind reader, however her common sense could use a bit of work.

0.o.0.o.0.o

Tenten was relieved to step into her apartment. It had been weeks since she'd last been inside her small sanctuary, where anywhere she stood, a full arsenal was at hand. Sure, she carried enough weapons on her to outfit a not so small army, but there was just something different about actually being able to touch cool blade of a kujang. It just felt right to see them, to be surrounded by them. She felt safe to be able to hold the solid weight in her hand and know that she was far from helpless.

Walking over to her bed, she paused. There, laying on her pillow like it belonged there, was a painted mask.

Tenten frowned. Did ANBU really think she was a rat? Scratch that, she made ANBU?!

0.o.0.o.0.o.0

AN: Okay, yeah, it took forever to write, sorry no excuses this time, I've just been lazy. I'll try to do better, really!

Anyway, I'm afraid I'm not making sense, so just in case, I'll explain. Tenten found an ANBU mask on her bed, which is basically informing her that 'Congratulations! You're an ANBU!' and yes, the mask is a rat. That will be explained later.

In other news, I got a beta! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lol, so now you guys won't have to worry about trying to decipher my crappy spelling. ^^