Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Enjoy!

Tenten sat in the police station with her mother. The man who attacked her had been arrested, and they had called her in for questioning about the incident.

"Ms. Tenten," the police officer said as he came in and sat down opposite from her. "Have you ever seen this man before?" he asked, holding up a picture of the man that had attacked Tenten.

She shook her head. "Never."

"Can you tell me the time that this incident occurred?"

An hour later…

Tenten walked back outside after they were done with the questioning. Her mother was waiting with her, along with Sakura, Ino, Hinata and Temari. Her friends rushed up to hug her. "Oh, my god I'm so sorry," Ino said. Tenten smiled.

"It's ok guys really… I'm just going to go home now." They nodded and released her. She walked over to her mom and hugged her. Her mom looked like she was going to cry. They walked towards their car and Tenten looked around. 'Where's Neji?' she wondered.

She saw him standing a little ways away. She walked over to him and kissed him. He looked like he wanted to kill someone, but Tenten just kissed him. "I need a little time… I'll see you tomorrow," she murmured, before walking back to her mom's car. She got in and they drove off.

The next day…

Tenten got up Friday morning and did her stretches. The attack hadn't made her insecure or nervous. Quite the contrary, she felt much stronger to know that she could protect herself if she needed it. She smiled to herself and finished up before jumping into the shower.

She walked downstairs as she was pinning her hair up into their usual buns. She found her mother waiting for her. "I thought I'd drive you to school today," her mother said.

"Mom, you'll be late for work," Tenten said, grabbing a banana and protein bar. Tenten's mom bit her lip.

"This shouldn't have happened," she murmured.

Tenten looked at her mother and bit her own lip. "But that's the thing… nothing did happen. I was able to save myself." Her mother looked up at her, her eyes filled with tears.

"And I am so proud of you," she said, hugging Tenten. Tenten closed her eyes and hugged her mother back.

"That's me, the self rescuing damsel."

Her mom drove her to school, and hesitated when she pulled up. "I love you Tenten," she said. Tenten looked at her and smiled.

"I love you too mom."

She stepped out of the car and walked up to school. Everyone seemed to be staring at her as she walked in. 'News travels fast,' she thought ruefully. She saw Neji waiting for her by her locker. She walked up. "Hi," she said with a grin.

Suddenly he embraced her, kissing her. It took Tenten by surprise, but she relaxed and kissed him back. "I take it you were worried?" she asked teasingly. Neji growled.

"Your so nonchalant about this," he said, sounding angry. Tenten was a little surprised. Sure it could have been bad, but that's what all the training was for. So she could defend herself. She studied a tile on the floor before she looked back up at him.

"I don't think so. I'm a little shaken up, but this just proves what I've known all along. That I can take care of myself," she said. "Are you alright?" she asked him.

"No," he said, taking a small step back to let her get her stuff out of her locker.

"The worst part of this for me is the fact that it could happen to anyone," Tenten said quietly. She sighed. "But the good thing is… because he's getting arrested, that means that that's one less fucktard out there," she said looking up at Neji. "You're not going to calm down for a while are you?" she asked him.

"No."

She hooked her arm through his and started to walk towards homeroom. "For some reason that makes me feel good."

Her friends all had similar reactions to Neji's. Sakura and Ino made a big deal about how calm she was. Temari said she wanted to go, 'fuck his shit up'. Hinata just stood by Tenten, like she was trying to keep her within' her range of sight. Neji stuck to Tenten like a bur for the rest of the day.

About halfway through art she was called to the principles office. She trudged up to Principle Tsunade's office. "You asked for me?" she said when she entered. Tsunade nodded.

"I did. Please take a seat," she said, motioning to one of the seats across from her. Tenten did so and looked at Tsunade. "Ms. Tenten, I heard about the attack that took place," the principle said. 'I could've guessed,' Tenten thought.

"It could have been worse," was Tenten's response.

Lady Tsunade nodded. "Indeed. I am just here to offer an ear if you need it. This kind of thing can be hard on a person," the principle said.

'Wow, she isn't drunk for a change,' Tenten thought.

"Thank you," Tenten said. "It actually isn't that hard for me. I'm just relieved I fended him off."

Lady Tsunade nodded, a strange look on her face. "Erm, yes. Well, you should probably get back to class."

Tenten smiled. "Thank you ma'am," she said, before leaving.

That evening…

Tenten was sitting in the bleachers in the gym. She was waiting for practice to start, and was watching the cheerleaders practice. She watched one of the girls wobble a little but then straighten, as they practiced the pyramid. Tenten felt a bit like that. Almost losing her balance, but in the end getting stronger because of it. She heard someone sit down next to her and she saw Temari

"Oh, Temari," said Tenten with a grin. Temari looked at Tenten with an expression that might resemble a smile.

"What's wrong?" asked Tenten.

"Just wondering if you really are alright," Temari said with a shrug. "I'd imagine you would be but I know how you can feel after this sort of thing."

"I rea-… wait, you know?" Tenten asked, looking confused.

Temari shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah… I had something similar happen. I got jumped in Suna. Gaara got on the bad side of one of the gangs and I got the brunt of their reaction. It… didn't end well for me."

Tenten's eyes widened. "Oh my god…"

"Really, compared to a lot of things it isn't the worst that could have happened. I was able to do a little bit of damage. Not as much as you though," Temari said with a bitter laugh.

Tenten just looked at her, her face sympathetic. Temari sighed. "I'm glad you're okay though. Didn't want to make this about me… um… maybe you could not mention that to anyone? I have my pride," she said, slightly sheepish in the last part.

"Of course," Tenten said.

"Arigato, Ja ne," she said before walking off.

After practice…

It had taken a while, but Tenten made her mom practice to stay at work instead of pick her up. The deal was Tenten would take the bus home after practice. Tenten sighed and walked towards the bus stop. A car pulled up in front of her. She recognized it as Neji's and she walked towards it, opening the door, before sliding in.

"The last time I was in here I was about to vomit," she muttered with a smirk. Neji just looked at her and pulled away from the school. She in turned looked at Neji. "Y'know, this 'over-protective' shtick is going to get old fast," she said sternly.

He nodded. "I know."

"I'll give you a week," she said, crossing her arms.

"Hn."

They arrived at Tenten's house and she got out of the car and stretched. She looked back in at Neji. "By the way, you could give Hinata a break."

Neji looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

Tenten rolled her eyes. "The thing with her and Naruto. I mean, I know you're worried about her, but what is Naruto going to do? Anyways, please think about it," she said, before closing the car door and walking into the house.

The next morning…

Tenten woke up early again. She pulled on her soccer uniform and grabbed her gym bag. She padded downstairs and found her mom waiting for her again. She had obviously put on a brave face and had made her a big breakfast. "I know you have a game today… so I made you some food," she said with a smile. Tenten smiled back and sat down. She had early morning practice and she knew it was a mistake to eat so much right before exercising but she didn't want to refuse her.

She dug into the pancakes and bacon her mom had made. "'rigao," she said with her mouth full. She mom sat across from her and watched her eat. Tenten looked up at her and grinned.

"I'm going to drive you to practice today, ok?" her mom asked. Tenten nodded.

"'kay."

She finished eating and got into the car. They drove to the school in silence and Tenten kissed her mom on the cheek as she got out. "I'll see you this afternoon," she said.

She got out of the car and walked towards the field. People were still giving her weird looks, but Tenten just ignored it. This wasn't the first time something like this had happened around Konoha, and she knew it would blow over soon enough.

'Still,' she thought. 'I wish everyone could just stick it…'