Neither Hinata nor Tenten found Neji after school. Tenten felt uneasy but Hinata assured her that he probably had already made it home.

"N-Neji? Are you here?" Hinata called from the front door.

...No response...

Tenten scrunched her nose. "Could he be with Lee or someone?"

"M-Maybe, but he would have said something. He's usually good about letting me know if he won't be home." She checked her phone. No texts either. She sent him a quick message asking where he was.

Hinata exhaled loudly before plopping down onto the couch. A note on the coffee table caught her attention. "L-Looks Hanabi isn't here either. She's spending the night at a friend's house."

"That sounds like fun." Tenten grinned. Why don't I stay with you tonight? It's Friday so my parents won't mind. It'll be fun. We can watch movies, paint our nails, all that girly crap. You need a breather from life."

Hinata bit her her lip with uncertainty but the idea wasn't unwelcome . Now that she was away from school with all the staring and whispering some company didn't sound so awful. Maybe Tenten could help sort out her tangled thoughts. And who knew, this could also be the starts of a budding friendship. The two girls were always around each other from school and because of Neji but they never really got past the acquaintance stage. That was mainly do to Hinata's shy, antisocial nature but she felt the urge to change that.

"S-Sure. Let's d-do it." Hinata pulled her phone back out. "What do y-you like on your p-pizza?"

Tenten clapped her hands with excitement. "Now we're talking!"


A few hours later the two teens were piled on Hinata's bed laughing and enjoying their junk food.

Hinata stuffed the rest her pizza crust in her mouth and reached for another slice. "S-So are you and N-Neji dating now?"

Tenten's cheeks flushed red. "T-To be honest I'm not really sure. He knows how I feel about him and we've been spending a lot of time together but he's never actually asked me to be his girlfriend. It's a little depressing."

"W-Why don't you ask him y-yourself?" Hinata offered. "Things l-like that don't necessarily c-cross my cousin's mind. But I can say t-that you don't have to worry about t-the feelings not b-being mutual."

"Really?" Tenten beamed. "There's been times when I've wondered if he was only hanging out with me because he didn't want to hurt my feelings. You know. You can like someone and want to be around them from time to time but not necessarily want to date them."

"N-No, Neji definitely likes you." Hinata got off the bed to open her window. It was starting to get stuffy.

The once clear sky now looked angry with rolling clouds. The smell of rain hung thick in the air. She thought it was odd for it to storm when the weather had been so cool today. Maybe it had something to do with the previous warm days last week. Either way the weather dropped from her thoughts when someone in Gaara's house turned off a light. She wondered if he was home. It bothered her how much she missed him. She turned back to Tenten who was opening a can of soda. "W-Why don't you ask N-Neji yourself instead o-of waiting for him?"

There was a soft pop as Tenten pulled down the tab and drank away the foam that surfaced around the brim of the can. She took a thoughtful moment before responding "I don't know. I could...I guess I'm just worried. What if he rejects me? I'd rather things stay as they are now. At least with this things aren't awkward like they could be if he happens to say no."

Hinata nodded thoughtfully. "I u-understand how you f-feel. But w-would you really b-be alright w-with leaving t-things as t-they are?" T-That w-was the main r-reason why I o-originally finally asked N-Naruto if he w-wanted to be with me. I didn't l-like the thought of s-spending any m-more of my life with unsure f-feelings. I h-had to know how h-he felt so I could either be w-with him or somehow e-eventually get past h-how I felt about him and m-move on."

Tenten lips pressed tight. "I know you're right. I should just bite the bullet and see how it goes. Besides there have been times when he's shown more affection to me then normal. His feelings must be mutual." She pumped her fist. "I'm going to go for it. Next time we're alone I'll talk to him."

Hinata laughed and joined Tenten back on the bed.

"Speaking of Naruto,:" Tenten shuffled awkwardly." have you heard anything about him?"

"O-Only that he was put i-in the hospital. I c-can't believe Neji hurt him that bad," Revolt clung thick to her words.

Tenten went for an opened bag of chips. "I know how you must feel, but Neji only did that because he loves you. I'm not saying he didn't go overboard, and I'm not taking up for him because I care about him. But what Naruto did was wrong. Neji told me what happened that night we were all at the club. I still feel awful about that. We shouldn't have left you alone. I don't know what we were thinking. We just assumed Naruto would have surely stayed with you.

It's no telling what would have happened if Gaara hadn't been there."

Hinata took a deep breath and slowly released it. She was ready to get something off her chest. "C-Can I be honest with y-you about something?"

"Of course, you can tell me anything." Tenten encouraged.

"Well . . ." Hinata hesitated, wondering how to put her feelings into words. "It's b-been no secret h-how long I've cared for Naruto."

She rubbed her arm uncomfortably, trying to spare more time.

"Go on," Tenten urged.

"I f-feel so bad for e-everything that has happened. B-But there's a part of me t-that is starting to wonder h-how much I r-really care for N-Naruto." Hinata glanced at Tenten's face, looking for any sign of disapproval.

Tenten smiled with sympathy. "That's more than understandable after all you've been through. As a matter of fact, it's a good thing that you're detaching yourself from him."

"But it's m-more than j-just that." She felt herself getting worked up. "All week I've been w-waiting for a breakdown, wondering when e-everything would c-catch up with me a-and I would realize that N-Naruto and I . . . are f-finished. My h-heart is broken, t-that is true, but I've h-held onto Naruto for so long, never g-giving myself a chance to s-see that maybe there is s-someone else o-out there that I c-care for m-more."

"You wouldn't be referring to Gaara by any chance would you?"

Hinata frowned, guilt was starting to set in. "H-How –"

Tenten took a drink from her soda. "Neji's made mention of it in passing. He just said that you two have been spending some time together."

Hinata grimaced. "D-Do you think that I a-am in the wrong? I haven't even m-made an effort to v-visit him in the h-hospital, instead I'm here, thinking a-about another guy wondering if he is alright."

"It wouldn't have done any good for you to visit Naruto anyway. Sakura has been there every day." Tenten said with slight disdain.

"I-I see." Hinata wasn't sure how to feel about that.

Tenten sighed. "I don't think you're in the wrong. Like you said, you've never given yourself a chance to care about anyone else. You're starting to realize that you're first love, isn't necessarily your last. If you want my opinion, I'm proud of you. With all the mess you've gotten dragged into you seem to be taking it with stride. But a bit of advice, don't use Gaara as a replacement to get over your feelings for Naruto. You don't want to misunderstand your feelings for him."

Hinata blushed with shame. "I d-don't think that's the case. I have been n-noticing Gaara for awhile n-now. Even . . . B-before everything turned bad with Naruto."

Tenten's chuckled.

Red tinted Hinata's cheeks. She was embarrassed, but relieved that the other was so understanding.

Hours later after a couple bad movies and no more pizza the girl's decided to call it a night.

"Do you think Neji is alright?" Tenten asked as she curled into bed beside Hinata.

Hinata thought for a moment. It was very unlike her cousin to leave like this and not tell her. He never did text her back "I-I'm sure he's f-fine. If n-nothing else, we will t-try and find him i-in the morning."

Tenten seemed alright with that.

Hinata reached over to her nightstand and clicked off the light. They said they're goodnights before both quickly fell into sleep.


"Hinata . "

"Hn?" Hinata groggily opened one eye. They had only been sleeping an hour or so. But now Tenten was sitting up in bed trying to rouse the other girl.

"Wake up."

"What's t-the matter?"

"Did you hear that?"

"H-Hear what?" She sat up, now fully attentive to her friend's alarm.

"I heard something," Tenten paused trying to listen again. "It came from downstairs."

Suddenly a loud CREAK caused Hinata to jump.

"T-There it is again."

Hinata gulped, trying to stay calm. "I-It's probably just Neji. Wait h-here, I'll go check." She got out of bed and clicked on her lamp, but frowned when the light didn't come on. Was the power out?

"No way," Tenten grabbed Hinata's slender wrist. "I'm going with you. If it's not him, I . . . I don't want you to get hurt."

Hinata hesitated but agreed after a moment. Maybe it was best if they stayed together.

As quiet as possible the two teens crept their way down the stairs.

"N-Neji?" Hinata called softy. "Are y-you down there?"

They were almost to the foot of the steps when the creaking turned into a BANG.

Both girls halted, fear held them in place.

"Should we call the cops?" Tenten whispered.

Hinata sucked in a breath, trying to ease her nerves. She shook her head, not wanting to make a big deal out of this just yet.

The two pressed forward with what little courage they could muster before the sound started again.

C . . r . . e . . a . . k . . BANG! . . C . . r . . e . . a . . k . . BANG!

Hinata yelped as the room suddenly lit up. The frightened girls hugged each other close.

Seconds passed before either spoke. "It's j-just the electricity." Tenten laughed anxiously.

Hinata smiled weakly, still shook up but ready to press on.

Tenten shot up. "God, I can't take this anticipation anymore!"

"W-Wait," Hinata hissed. She tried to stop the other but it was too late. Tenten wedged herself between the wall and Hinata, making her way down the rest of the steps.

"Who's down here?!" Tenten readied herself by taking a defensive stance.

Hinata listened hard for some response but was baffled when Tenten started laughing.

"Oh God, Hinata come here."

She did as she was told and joined the other's side.

She laughed sheepishly at the culprit. It was the screen door. Sometime during the wind had picked up with the approaching storm. The strong gusts was catching the screen by the frame. It would repeatedly slam it shut then force it back open.

"I m-must have forgot t-to lock it a-after the pizza g-guy left."

The feeling of panic and danger eased away.

Hinata pulled the door shut, making sure it couldn't open back.

"Well not that, that wasn't fun or anything but our little adventure has wore me out." Tenten snickered. "Want to go back to bed?"

Hinata eyed the clock on the wall by the door. It was nearly two in the morning. She definitely agreed.

"Shit we didn't shut your window either." Tenten mentioned once they were back upstairs.

Hinata groaned. The wind carried the rain through her window drenching her curtains in the process.

Tenten patted her softly on the back. "I'll go get a few towels."

Hinata nodded and slammed her window shut. Oh well, at least I have wood floor and not carpet. She made an attempt to find the bright side. She really wanted this rough spell to end.

Moments later Tenten returned with a hand full of towels. Together, they were able to quickly get the water dried up.

Tenten tossed the wet towels aside. "What about your curtains?"

"Hopefully t-they'll dry, if n-not I'll wash t-them later." Hinata stifled a yawn as she pulled down the blankets. "F-For now, lets go b-back –

Hinata paused when something unusual on the bed caught her eye. It took a moment to register the oddity in question before she fell to the floor and let out a blood curdling scream.

There, in the middle of her mattress all curled up was a huge rattlesnake.

"Oh my God!" Tenten shouted.

Their frantic movements only seemed to anger the snake further as it leaned its coiled body back, ready to strike. The end of its tail shook violently putting Hinata in mind of a cicada only this was much more dangerous than a harmless bug.

"We have to get out of here!"

"Y-Yes but be v-very careful," she managed to choke out. "If you m-move too f-fast you m-might frighten it more, it c-could attack."

Very slowly Hinata scooted herself back. She stood up once she felt it was safe.

"Let's go," Tenten companded. They were on the opposite side of her room from the door.

Inch by inch, they scooted closer to the exit, taking heed as the snake twisted its scaly grayish-brown body. The serpent wasn't letting either one leave its sight.

It seemed they would make it out unharmed until Hinata tripped, falling towards the bed. The snake didn't waste anymore time warning off its enemy as it lunged forward.

"HINATA!" Tenten's scream echoed from the room, throughout the house.


As he came into the window
Was a sound of a crescendo
He came into her apartment
He left the bloodstains on the carpet
She was sitting at the table
He could see she was unable
So she ran into the bedroom
She was struck down
It was her doom

Annie, are you OK
Are you OK

Will you tell us that you're OK
There's a sign at the window
That he struck you
A crescendo, Annie
He came into your apartment
He left the bloodstains on the carpet
Then you ran into the bedroom
You were struck down
It was your doom

Annie, are you OK
You OK
You've been hit by
You've been struck by
A smooth criminal

So they came into the outway
It was Sunday
What a black day
I could made a salutation
Sounding heartbeats
Intimidations

Annie, are you OK
You OK

Annie, are you OK
Will you tell us that you're OK
There's a sign at the window
That he struck you
A crescendo, Annie
He came into your apartment
He left the bloodstains on the carpet
Then you ran into the bedroom
You were struck down
It was your doom

Annie, are you OK
You OK
Are you OK, Annie
You've been hit by
You've been struck by
A smooth criminal


A/N Woot another chapter done! I don't know why but I've always enjoyed the thought of Hinata and Tenten being best friends. I also really like the couple pairing of Tenten and Neji...Such cuteness...Maybe sometime I'll try my hand at a fic of those two. But not right now! I'm in the middle of 3 fics That keep flopping back in forth in my head. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew anymore then I already have. So with that I hope everyone had fun with this chapter. Stick around to see what happens next. I'd like to thank everyone who was awesome enough to review and those who have alerted it to keep up with it. Makes me feel like it's totally worth the nights I stay up too late to write more :)

Also this song at the end is Smooth Criminal, the Alien Ant Farm version. I don't own. If anyone's ever wondered what's up with the songs I put at the beginning or end of a chapter I like to listen to specific music depending on the chapters mood. So I guess It's kind of just my way of sharing the song/s I've found most fitting for the setting. Whether that was obvious or not I have no idea but if you didn't know before, now you do ;)