Enjoy Chapter Ten! I've also began a new story called Paper Memories which is also a NejiTenten fanfic so go check it out! Remember to fav, follow and review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto!

It was almost midnight and the party was still going strong thanks to Ino's enthusiasm and general knowledge on how to keep to keep everyone entertained. Kiba had returned from the bathroom in a remarkably good mood and stayed by Tenten's side most of the night. The couple rotated from one conversation to the next, discussing training, mission and new techniques until Ino forced them onto the dance floor. Tenten surprisingly had a good time and discovered Kiba wasn't half bad of a dancer.

"Let's go get another drink," the beast master suggested tugging the brunette over to a table. "I'm parched."

"I'm good thanks," Tenten shook her head as he passed a champagne glass to her. "I think I've drunk a bit too much."

"Can't hold your liquor, can you?" Kiba gave her a mocking smile before taking the glass for himself.

"Yes I can," she defended hotly folding her arms. "I just don't really want to wake up with a splitting headache tomorrow morning."

"Whatever you say," the dog lover laughed before a thought popped into Tenten's mind.

"Hey, have you seen Neji at all? I haven't seen him all night."

Kiba shrugged and replied, "Last I saw him was in the bathroom. Maybe he's gone to bed."

"I think I might go find him," Tenten stated as she disentangled her arm from Kiba's. "I'll be back."

She quickly waved before exiting the room and she was surprised at how quiet it was once she was in the hallway. She could hear the thumping of the music coming from the other side of the wall but other than that it was silent. Tenten trod carefully around the house until she found Neji's room. The door was closed indicating he was either inside or not in there at all. Tenten drew in a deep breath before knocking on the door gently.

"Come in," his voice came muffled from the other side.

Tenten was surprised, she didn't expect him to reply. Nonetheless she opened the door cautiously, colour flooding her cheeks as she peeked around the wooden frame.

After all the times she had visited the Hyuga Mansion, she had never actually been inside his room before. It was a very simple room – stark white walls contrasted by dark, maple wood furniture. Yet the space was enormous even with a king sized bed, shelves stacked full of books and scrolls and a large desk taking up a third of the space. Her eyes instantly caught a framed photo on one of his bedside tables of their recent team photo. It warmed her to know he kept little things like that in his room. She then spotted the Hyuga prodigy himself lying elegantly on his bed, face toward the ceiling and his hands folded gently on his stomach.

"Tenten?" he inquired, sitting up on his elbows as the weapons mistress smiled apologetically before stepping into the room.

"Sorry, I just wanted to see if you were ok," Tenten explained closing the door behind her. "You've been gone a while."

"I'm fine," Neji replied wearily trying to focus his gaze on the kunoichi.

"Too noisy, huh?" the brunette said light heartedly and Neji nodded.

An awkward silence fell between the two and Tenten bit her lip, casting her gaze downwards.

"Sorry, I'll leave you alone. I –"

"No, stay," Neji cut her off a little too hurriedly.

Tenten's eyes widened with surprise and a small smile played on her lips.

"Ok," she said before walking over to his bed and plopping herself down on the floor.

"Has everyone left?" the Byakugan user inquired, looking at the girl on the floor.

Tenten shook her head.

"No, Ino's managed to keep the party going somehow. They should all be leaving pretty soon though."

"Ok."

The brunette's head shot up as if she had just remembered something.

"Oh, did you give Hinata her gift?"

"I did," Neji replied swinging his legs over one side of the bed. "She greatly appreciated it. I told her you chose it out for her."

"You shouldn't have told her that," Tenten's brows furrowed with a slight frown. "You should have said you picked it out then the present would have been more sentimental."

"It doesn't matter now anyway," Neji told her.

"I suppose so," the girl sighed before asking slowly. "Do you think I'll ever make Jounin?'

Neji blinked in surprise at her question.

"Of course I do," he answered sincerely and Tenten craned her neck to give him a disbelieving expression. "You're more than able to become a Jounin at this very moment. You've been training vigorously and you're a strong, capable kunoichi."

"Do you really believe that?" Tenten asked, drawing her knees into her chest. "I don't feel any stronger. You're already a Jounin and with Lee's strength he'll be able to be promoted no problem. I don't see any improvement within myself at all."

"You're being too hard on yourself," Neji told her firmly. "You just need to be patient. You're almost there. Under my tutelage you'll be a Jounin in no time."

"You have so much faith in me," Tenten muttered into her knees sadly.

"I do, and so should you."

The weapons mistress managed a small chuckle in appreciation.

"I'm sorry, Neji," she apologised trying to keep her eyes open. "I think I had a bit too much to drink. It's just the alcohol talking."

"Did you want me to take you home?" the boy suggested as Tenten stifled a yawn and rested her head against the wooden bed frame.

"No, no…I'm fine. I'll stay a bit longer and then I can head home myself."

"I don't think that's such a good idea to walk home on your own," the Hyuga frowned with a hint of concern lingering in his beautiful features. "When you're ready, I'll walk with you."

"No, don't waste your time on me," Tenten mumbled drearily. "Really, I'll be ok."

"Don't argue with me, Tenten," Neji smirked before stepping onto the floor next to her. "You won't win, especially in this state."

He began making his way to the door before Tenten called out, "Where are you going?"

"I'm getting you a glass of water," Neji replied softly as he opened the door. "Stay here, I'll be right back."

Tenten watched as he exited the room, closing the door silently as he left. A smile still hung on her lips as their conversation replayed in her head. She never knew Neji believed in her so much. Or at least in her skills. It felt like this whole different side of the Hyuga had begun to show itself over the last few days and Tenten couldn't help but be happy. Even if he didn't end up liking her in the end, Tenten would feel content in the position they were in right now. And even though she tried to supress it, she couldn't ignore the constant hope that fluttered in her chest.

Tenten sighed peacefully and unable to fight to stay awake any longer, she closed her eyes and fell into blissful sleep.

Neji returned to his room a few minutes later. Unfortunately, he had been held up by Naruto who caught him down one of the corridors and struck up a rather annoyingly long conversation. After the prodigy managed to shake off the hyperactive blonde he made his way back to his bedroom only to find Tenten slumped against his bed, sound asleep.

He set the glass of water on his bedside table as he crouched down to check on his teammate. Neji, couldn't help but think at how beautiful the girl was when she was asleep. Her features were calm and serene and lost in absolute innocence. Her caramel skin glowed in the dim light and her loose bangs gently glanced across her forehead. She looked like an angel and Neji could feel his own expression soften at the thought. Unthinkingly he stroked her cheek with his pale hand before tucking the loose hair behind her ear.

In an instant he froze at his actions and quickly withdrew his hand from her face.

I don't like Tenten, he reminded himself severely through clenched teeth. What was wrong with him? Why did he do that? He had spent years and years of practicing perfecting his cold and calculated façade. But for some reason, it seemed to crumble whenever he was around Tenten. But he could not like. He wouldn't like her. They were teammate's after all…just teammates. Yet, he couldn't help but feel a surge pleasure knotting in the bottom of his stomach at the thought that Tenten could be his…and only his.

Neji mentally smacked himself for having such thoughts and took a deep breath before steeling his composure.

"Tenten," he murmured softly, gently shaking her shoulder in order to wake her up.

When the girl didn't react beyond a small, content sigh escaping her lips, Neji knew what he had to do. Ever so gently, he slipped his hands underneath her slim body before lifting her up in his arms. He was surprised at how light she felt, almost like she weighed nothing. Neji pulled the covers of his bed back and carefully placed the sleeping girl on the mattress. Suddenly, Tenten grabbed a handful of his shirt, pulling him closer to her to the point where the Hyuga prodigy was almost lying on top of her.

He could feel the warmth of her body radiating onto his and he could smell her sweet scent of aromatic perfume wafting off her hair. Neji felt a tingling sensation all throughout his body and his heart thumping rapidly in his chest. He hoped with all his heart no one was going to suddenly burst into the room and find him in this very awkward positioning of him lying on top of his teammate.

After a moment Neji sighed and began probing Tenten's fingers from his shirt but for some reason it seemed to make her grip become tighter.

"No, Tenten," he murmured under his breath as he wrestled to unclench her fingers.

After a moment of struggling her felt Tenten's hands slacken and Neji seized the opportunity to free himself. He climbed off of the bed before tossing the covers over the brunettes sleeping figure who seemed to bury herself down even further within the comfort of the mattress.

Neji couldn't help but smile. He didn't know how long he stood there, gazing at his teammate sleeping peacefully, as a strong but silent battle raged in his mind. Then, without another thought, he swiftly leaned down towards the girl and lightly pressed his lips to her forehead, his lips lingering against her skin a bit longer than necessary.

He slowly leaned away, heart racing a million miles an hour as he felt a rush of happiness and triumph flow through his body – warming everything from his fingertips to the pit of his stomach.

Neji loved her, he knew that. But he couldn't love her and that was the problem. However, he didn't know how to not love her. He had tried so hard over the years but the more he tried to supress his feelings, the stronger they became. He was running out of options. He could tell her how he felt but what if she rejected him? He would lose her. But if he didn't tell her, then Kiba would make his move soon and take her away from him forever. Either way, he would lose the girl he loved and he would be left alone. And Neji didn't know how to handle that. He didn't know what was more painful: her rejection, or losing her to someone else. It frightened him beyond belief and for the first time in his life, Neji didn't know what to do.

In that moment, Tenten rolled over onto her side and said his name so clearly Neji thought she had woken up. But when she didn't move again, Neji knew she was still soundly asleep. His heart had leapt up into his chest when he had heard his name uttered from those beautiful lips. Yet he dared hope that she dreaming about him in any romantic sort of way.

After staring at the girl for a few more moment, the white eyed prodigy sighed before making his way to the door.

"Goodnight," he whispered towards Tenten before exiting the room and leaving the girl he loved behind.

A/N – Short chapter, I know, but school's a bit hectic with exams. Tell me what you think of this chapter. Personally I loved it but was it too soon? Too rushed? I'm not sure. Review please!