Holy woah! I haven't updates in like, 4 days? 5 days?

I am so sorry. :(

See, I was writing it…then I got distracted and started watching Bleach. Then I was watching it for so long…my laptop crashed, ergo making me lose my work.

Oh, and by the way. Reviews simply saying: "update" will be disregarded.

I update when I want to, and how I see fit. Believe it or not, I do have a life.

So anyway, on a lighter note, I present to you…chapter ten!

-

Chapter Ten: Façade

"Okay, okay. Calm down Tenten. Maybe if you act like you don't love him, said feeling will go away!" Tenten rambled to herself, pacing up and down the room and making large hand motions. "So, I have to act totally natural around him. Maybe even meaner than before. And then - "

There was a loud crash outside in the hall. Tenten groaned and slapped her arms against the sides of her legs. She stomped over to the door, yanked it open, and stuck her head through the small gap she'd made. She glared at the maid that was stood not five metres away from her, trying to sweep up a broken vase.

"Do you mind? I am trying to have a teenage crisis here!"

"Sorry, miss. I'll try to be more quiet...next time I drop a vase."

-

Tenten rolled over, moaning and muttering in her sleep. She half-consciously reached out and grabbed Neji's shirt.

Woah. Hold on. Neji?

She sat bolt upright, suddenly wide awake. She gawked at Neji, who was sat on the edge of her bed. Tenten started a string of confused words.

"Wha – Neji? What are you doing – on my bed – in the – here – in my house – and you're – you're dressed – and - "

"Good morning to you too. I came over to see you. Is that so wrong?" Neji teased, laughing softly. He suddenly blinked and grinned. "By the way, I can see your bra."

Tenten wrenched her shirt closed, suddenly wishing she had the ability to break down and buy some real pyjamas instead of wearing her father's old painting shirts.

Hey. They were splattered with paint. They looked cool.

"S-shut up!" Tenten squeaked, jumping up onto the mattress and kicking Neji lightly in the chest. "At least get out while I get showered and dressed."

"Actually…I don't mind the whole, open shirt, visible bra thing - "

"Get out!"

Tenten pushed him out of the door, hands on his muscular chest, and slammed it behind him. She hesitated, then turned her face to the door. "Alright. Count to thirty, then you can come back in."

Neji's heart started racing. No! No! Must restrain…dirty mind.

Following her orders, Neji counted at his own pace to thirty. He then turned, and twisted the door handle.

His gaze spread across the room. There was no sign of Tenten, or her –

No. Don't say it.

"Scattered clothes…" Neji whispered, so quietly that he could hardly hear it himself. He heard laughter from the door to the ensuite, and sighed. He'd fallen into her little trap.

"Haha, sucker!" Tenten yelled from the bathroom. "Just hang out until I'm done. And no peeking, you little pervert!"

Neji smiled as the sound of running water filled the room. He leaned against the wall beside the ensuite door, listening to Tenten's quiet singing. She wasn't that great, but it was nice to know she was happy.

The singing stopped. Tenten held the shower head in her hand, aiming it at the floor.

"Neji?"

"Yeah?"

"Bring your eyes away from the door. It's eleven in the morning, and I really am not in the mood to be raped."

Neji flushed red and looked to his left, closing his eyes tightly. "H-how did you know where I was looking? Not that…I was looking at the door. I was…um…gesundheit?"

"I just did. It seems like something you would do, that's all." Tenten went back to singing, signifying that the conversation was over. Neji couldn't help but smile.

A few minutes later, he was still facing away from the door, his eyes closed and cheeks red. He heard the shower go off, but didn't dare turn around. The door clicked open, and Tenten padded out into her bedroom, holding a towel over her soaking front.

"Neji."

"Are you naked?"

"Well - "

"Just a towel counts as naked."

"Yes."

Neji blushed. "Okay. What is it?"

"Have you been standing there like that all the time I was in the shower?" Tenten asked, a hint of laughter in her tone. Neji nodded. "Why?"

"I don't know…to…protect you?" Neji murmured. "I really don't know."

"You're a sweet boy, Neji." Tenten smiled at him, turned, and went back into the bathroom.

-

"So what are we doing today?"

"I was thinking we could just hang out. Maybe get some lunch together?" Neji asked casually, continuing to walk alongside the princess. The couple were walking around Tenten's garden, slowly strolling through the lush grounds. Tenten winked up at Neji.

"Or a picnic in your maze?" And maybe a little kissing?

"Sure." Kissing would be nice.

-

Tenten threw a grape at Neji, frowning and pouting like a child. "Bastard."

"What?" Neji laughed, picking up the grape and feeding it to her. "So I think that Hinata would make a better mother than you would. Why are you so worked up about it?"

"Because you're doubting me. Therefore, I'm worked up about it." Tenten murmured, nudging Neji with her open toes. "Besides. Hinata might marry and have kids with Naruto. Point made."

"Point proven."

Tenten squirmed under the the discomfited silence. She was really tempted to kiss him, but that would just shatter the whole, 'act like an ass, fall out of love' theory. Ohh, but his lips are right there…

"Tenten."

"Uh."

"Tenten."

"Uh."

"Tenten!"

"Oh – what?" Tenten snapped back to reality, shaking her head and grinning giddily. "Sorry. I was just thinking of kissing you."

"Damn. How much alcohol did the chef put in this rice?" Neji murmured. Tenten looked at him with an innocent, somewhat shy smile.

"Would you mind if I did?"

Okay. Alcohol? The best.

"Go ahead."

Tenten pounced, pressing her mouth against his. Neji could definitely taste the sake on her lips, and mentally reminded himself to thank the chef later. He wrapped his arms around her pale shoulders, when her dark eyes snapped open. She pulled away abruptly, blushing furiously.

Ah. I see. So she's sober.

"I'm sorry. That wasn't meant to happen - "

He kissed her again. "Yes it was."

"No, no, it wasn't – I mean – ugh! I don't know. You'd laugh if I told you. That, or molest me or something…"

"I'm not going to laugh at you. Just tell me; you can trust me." Neji prompted her, leaning forward and looking at her with serious silver eyes. Tenten gulped.

"Well…I think…I mean, I'm not sure…but I think I - " she hesitated. "Have had too much to drink."

Neji laughed and rolled his eyes. "Really? Is that all? Because, I think that too. You had me worried there. I thought you were going to say you loved me or something!"

Ah, hell. He's on to me.

"Don't be silly!" Tenten giggled, poking his arm. "Like that would ever happen."

Pretend, pretend, pretend.

-

"Oh my god, Ino, you suck."

"Oh, shut up. All I asked her was if she loved him." Ino replied. "Besides, it's not like you haven't said anything of the sorts, Hinata."

"N-no, I haven't!" Hinata lied through her teeth, squirming in her seat. "Anyway. This is not about me, it's about you. How could you be so insensitive? You know Tenten's under a lot of pressure with this whole marriage situation."

"No, actually, I don't." Ino sighed. "I mean, I wouldn't mind it. That Neji guy is fine - "

"Ino!"

"Okay, okay. Sorry. But, you know, if I were in her shoes, I'd get married to him in a flash!"

"But you're not in her shoes, because you're size five, and she's size four and her shoes wouldn't fit."

Ino tilted her head to the side, clamping the phone between her cheek and her shoulder. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean – you wouldn't – Neji – shoes – UGH!"

Hinata hung up.

-

Crickets chirped.

Tenten was asleep on the picnic blanket, and Neji was holding her as she slept. He couldn't believe they'd been out there near enough all day.

"Tenten." He whispered into her ear. Tenten rolled over, still half asleep, and opened one eye.

"Hey…Tenten is…my name." she giggled and poked his nose. "Not…yours."

"I know." He grinned, trying not to laugh at her and her sleep talk. "I just want to tell you something."

"Speak to me." Tenten muttered, wriggling into the space under Neji's arm and closing her eyes again. Within seconds, she was sound asleep again.

Neji sighed. "Sweet dreams."

-

Dear Tenten,

I understand that we've only known each other for a short period of time, and this may sound a little weird to you, but I

Without finishing the sentence, Neji screwed up his paper and threw it over his shoulder. He banged his forehead against the desk and clutched his head.

"Get it together, Hyuuga. She's your cousins best friend. You can't fall for her. Not yet. Not until you know exactly how she feels about you." he muttered to himself, keeping his voice low. "No. You don't love her. You just want to make her happy."

Shut up. His conscience hissed in his ear. You love her, and there is no denying it, Hyuuga. Admit it.

Alright, alright. So what if I love her? She doesn't love me back.

She never will.

-

Tenten glared up at the ceiling and sighed. Again.

Eighteen days. That's how long I have left to decide whether I'm going to tell him or not.

If I tell him, and become a better princess, then chances are I'll end up marrying him. Then I'll be happy.

If I don't tell him, and become a better princess, then it'll be awkward.

If I tell him, and don't become a better princess, then I'll have to marry him, and I'll be very happy.

And if I don't tell him, and don't become a better princess, it'll be even more awkward.

Tenten ran over the list in her mind. She buried her face in her pillow and yelled. "I hate you, Hyuuga!"

-

Ugh. Shortest chapter yet. For this fic, I was aiming for two thousand+ words per chapter.

This chapter – not including A/Ns – came to a mere total of 1,659 words. Boo.

Ah, well. Who cares? I just wanted to get something up for you.

Ahem. Review? Please?