Unexpected Hero


Chapter 12 – Pointless

Sakura frowned, gazing at the couple, who were having a mechanical conversation on something most likely mission related. They looked perfectly normal, well, as far as they went, but there was something missing in her eyes and something brewing in his. Tenten had been forced to take some time off, after completing back to back missions without a break and nearly exhausting herself to death. The ANBU captain also was ordered to take a break. Sakura knew that Tsunade had planned them both to be free, after spending a routine few weeks alternating, one out on missions while the other was in Konoha, or in Tenten's case, out on missions the whole time.

And only on Lee's begging had she stopped by, and they had thrown a belated surprise congratulation party. She had blinked and a small smile crept on her lips as they all patted her on the back, whooped, cheered. She was used to being in the background, the back-up.

"Don't they like each other?" Sakura muttered exasperated at Shikamaru, who was lounging around, a bottle of beer in his hand.

"Sure," he mumbled, throwing a glance in their direction. Neither of them looked too excited, and Tenten had stood up, made an excuse to Neji, and walked away. As soon as she did, of course, an acquaintance threw herself in Tenten's seat and promptly chatted with the stiff Hyuuga.

"What happened? I thought Tenten-chan was still living here," Sakura said, green eyes watching Tenten's back.

"She was only here to support herself before she became Jonin," Shikamaru replied, apathetic.

"Then when she became Jonin…"

"Well, she found out Neji's been keeping her from it."

Sakura spun around and stared at Shikamaru. The Nara gazed at her through half-lidded eyes, "you didn't know?"

The medic spluttered, and Shikamaru shrugged, "Neji planned all this, he left the flyer on your desk."

Sakura was slowly spiraling into confusion, her quick-headed thoughts jumbling. Shikamaru looked away, took a swig of his beer, and calmly explained.

"Neji sabotaged each exam, setting Tenten apart from everyone else. Sasuke told her the day before the exam, Neji had confirmed it unexpectedly, and Tenten had determinedly became Jonin, with of course, losing most her hair."

"Sasuke-kun had been most cruel," she lowered her eyes, remembering that burnt out flame of love for the heartless man. But, then again, Neji had been crueler.

"Neji ordered him to go there. No one expected her to become Jonin with a personal proctor like that," Shikamaru replied, his words drawled out, "Then he took her mission. Tenten wasn't going to succeed, she's too feminine, more than she knows, and having her first seduction mission as a male would have been utterly humiliating."

"Neji broke his own rules," Sakura breathed, remembering Neji distinctly telling her one night that he would never never lower himself to take a mission like that, a mission to seduce another. Shikamaru nodded. Sakura knew Tenten's stubbornness can rival Neji's own, and having her mission stolen from her by her ex-teammate must have pushed her over the edge.

"How did Neji break his leg?" Sakura asked quietly, eyes turned back to the Hyuuga, who's translucent pupils occasionally rested on Tenten's frame before returning to the woman in front of his. Neji had never loved her, she knew that. Their relationship on the whole was mostly dinners, talks of missions and of healing, and cold hands and unsatisfied kisses. They weren't meant for each other, only compatible and only expected to be friends. Sakura knew what was running through his head, at night when he slept listlessly, brows furrowed when he whispered his ex-teammate's name.

Sakura knew not to be jealous, she was only a distraction for him. But she knew not to let this game of pretend last, and when she ended things, Neji did not even seem to care. They still occasionally had lunch together, they still worked together, and Sakura refused to allow things to be awkward.

"He did not trust Tenten's abilities, he still thought she needed his protection. And she of course, beat it through him, by killing the rest and dragging them home."

"How can he do that though, they trained and battled for years together?" Sakura frowned, brows furrowed.

"That was a long time ago," the voice made Sakura jump as she spun to meet eyes with the brunette kunoichi. Tenten smiled softly, "I'm sorry, Sakura, I did not tell you."

One hand fluttered to her mouth, as Tenten must have overheard her conversation with Shikamaru. Sakura opened her mouth to apologize but Shikamaru nodded to Tenten, tipping his beer towards her drink, "Congratulations, Tenten."

Tenten smiled back politely, "Did you find a new dorm mother?"

Shikamaru shook his head, "None of them liked any of the candidates. Naruto's convinced that you'll come back, not as the dorm mother but as a fellow shinobi. He… misses your cooking. Troublesome."

"Tenten-chan, I think, I think Neji was doing everything for your safety," Sakura murmured softly. Tenten shrugged, "It doesn't matter anymore, it's… all in the past."

Suddenly the pink-haired girl wriggled under Naruto's grip and flung her arms around Tenten's neck. Tenten stepped back for footing and the medic giggled, whispering in her ear, "I think you are the strongest person I have ever met, letting go of a grudge like that."

Tenten smiled, patting the younger girl on the back, "I'm just trying to grow up, Sakura-chan."

She let her go, green eyes watering, and she whispered, "You're an amazing person, Neji really knew what he was thinking."

Tenten chuckled, "Why the tears Sakura, I just forgave him, he's not in my good books yet."

"But after all those years! No one would!" she squealed as she hugged Tenten harder, turning heads. Naruto and Shikamaru just grinned, leaving this teary embrace another one of the troublesome woman rituals. Tenten smiled, catching the eyes of Neji. Her smile faltered slightly, his expression unreadable. But Sakura laughed, and he turned away and everyone cheered, for no apparent reason.

---

The party ended rather late, it was already midnight. Everyone was leaving, but Tenten stayed, mostly out of obligation to help clean up. Sakura stayed too, and was mostly upstairs, probably in Naruto's room.

Lee was bouncing around, happy and sober, running around grabbing paper plates and plastic cups and trashing them. Tenten was in the kitchen, collecting the bottles of sake and beer.

"Tenten."

"Hello Sasuke, I haven't seen you all night."

"…"

She looked up, "Yeah?"

He took a breath, and said calmly, "We want you to make breakfast tomorrow."

"What?"

Sasuke glared at her, refusing to repeat what he considered shameful. Tenten blinked.

"I don't live here anymore…"

"You may stay the night. Your room is still unoccupied."

"All my stuff is at home."

"Lee can get it."

"Sasuke, you can't just order me to make breakfast for all of you tomorrow!"

Sasuke stared at her, his look spoke, does it matter? Tenten gaped back.

"You will make breakfast tomorrow, and you will stay the night."

He pulled a pen and paper out of a drawer, and placed it in front of her, "Write down any ingredients you need. I'll get the green thing to go buy it."

"No store's open this late!"

Again, he gave her the look.

"We are shinobi, he can easily sneak in and leave money on the counter."

Tenten glared at Sasuke, "That's called trespassing."

He smirked. Tenten looked down at the blank sheet of paper, then back at the Uchiha.

"No."

His smirk morphed into a snarl, "I'll pay you."

"It's not about money, it's about my pride!"

"Dobe's been moaning for something homemade."

Tenten stared at Sasuke. They hadn't found anyone else to cook or clean, and must have been relying on ramen as nourishment.

"Why don't any of you make something?"

"Dobe or the green thing near fire?"

"You can."

Sasuke glared at her, the look of, does it look like I degrade myself to cook?. Oh, Sasuke was getting on her nerves. Obviously, Neji thought the same way, and to get the lazyass to do anything wasn't possible so early in the morning.

She sighed. Only for Lee and Naruto.

With the list fully completed, Sasuke whisked it away and practically strutted out of the room. Tenten sighed, resting her head in the folds of her arms. She missed the dorm, really, and she missed all of them. Maybe one more time wouldn't kill her.

Half an hour later, Lee was beaming at her, groceries in one hand and all her other necessities in the other.

"It's good to have you back, Ten-chan!"

"Only for tomorrow morning, Lee."

He didn't stop grinning though, and Tenten couldn't help but smile back.

---

When she walked into the empty room, everything seemed to feel fine. She sat on the bed, running a hand on the fresh laundered sheets.

Changing quickly, she snuggled into the sheets, breathing in what felt like home. Her eyes closed to the alarm clock, it's hands held awkwardly.

She awoke as she always did, and instead of pulling on her usual flak jacket and black pants, Lee opted for comfortable shorts and a tank top in the warming weather. Obliging, she pulled them on, took a shower and got ready quickly, and headed downstairs. It still felt odd showering without a cascade of hair, just short strands that lathered easily. The groceries were in the refrigerator as she left them last night, but she was early and headed outside.

Dew kissed the grass as she surveyed the training arena. A few more trees were broken, the pond was rippling small waves from the fish, and Hyuuga Neji was gazing out into the water, his back to her.

She stepped out, the cool grass between her toes. She could see Neji stiffen slightly as she came closer, still tense when she sat down next to him.

He didn't ask why she was there, and she simply said, "Sasuke wanted me to make breakfast."

His eyes were full of something she couldn't feel.

"I wasn't lying the morning of the Jonin exams."

Tenten gazed at the small golden fish swim between the rocks. Careless, free, living comfortable lives.

"I know."

"I… shouldn't have doubted your abilities."

"I know," Tenten replied lamely, in lack of anything better to say.

"You forgave me."

"I know."

She looked at him, his ivory eyes gazing out into the pond. Neji really was handsome, prominent cheekbones, lanky, muscular body, and sharp features, his silky onyx hair catching the light. Of course it was his eyes, the ivory blend that caught people's attention, and it was his talents and skills that held it.

"Can… we go back to being friends," she murmured slowly.

He didn't answer, but turned to her, and captured her lips.

She was caught surprised, and her hand fluttered to his shoulder and it ended. He smelled of dew and steel, wind and earth, and it was over before she could react. Then his lips moved to her ear, his breath hot and tingling.

"No, we can't."

He stood, walking back to the house as she stared at nothing, her hand over her mouth.

---

Sakura squealed loudly when Tenten told her. Hurriedly, Tenten slammed a hand against the girl's mouth hissing, "Shh!"

When the medic calmed down, she was beaming, whispering in hushed tones, "I knew it!"

Tenten frowned, "I asked if we could just be friends!"

"Of course he doesn't want to be friends; he wants to be more than that!"

Tenten rolled her eyes, denial evident, "Why me though?"

"Why not you?" Sakura replied, logically concluding, "He's was your training partner for a hell of a long time, needed to protect you, and what else, you're so pretty otherwise!"

Tenten blinked, "I'm not pretty, I'm plain."

Sakura smiled, "No you're not! You're pretty."

Tenten looked away. It wasn't their first kiss, but it had been a while since Neji's birthday. Where was he now? She had left the dorm hours ago, and sitting in her own flat with Sakura sipping tea. The breakfast had been a raging success, Naruto had gaped at her for minutes. Sasuke had obviously lied, he hadn't spoke to the others about it, except maybe making Lee buy the groceries.

Naruto and Lee ate cheerfully, Shikamaru hadn't muttered a single 'troublesome' and Sasuke smirked the whole time. Neji didn't say anything, a blank expression on his face, and Tenten refused to meet eyes with him. Nevertheless, it felt like it used to, Naruto proclaimed it was the best breakfast he ever had, slurping down the rest of his congee.

Tenten had really missed those times, and was invited to stay again. She declined of course, biting her bottom lip as Lee looked thoroughly disappointed. She had to remind herself she had given this place up. She had to.

But she couldn't resist offering to come back, and her heart melted to the sight of Lee's eyes brightening.

She spoiled the boy too much.

The medic propped both elbows on the kitchen table. Tenten sighed, glancing over and playing with a kunai.

"Now what?"

---

There was silent movement, and his breathing was held, in, out. Sasuke smirked, the intruder dared sneak into a house inhabited by S-rank shinobi must be incredibly stupid or strong enough to be cocky about it. Sasuke preferred the latter, thus, giving himself a fight – he had been away for missions too long and he needed some practice.

The intruder concealed his chakra, not well enough to have glimpses of it after a moment. It was distinctive, rather strong, but definitely no match for the Uchiha. The Uchiha really didn't even have any matches in this house, unless it was Naruto and maybe even the Hyuuga.

Nonetheless, the idiot was about to die.

He crept closer to the small abandoned room, the one that made the Uchiha bristle with anticipation. It was Tenten's room, and if he didn't kill him, her traps would.

Still, before the intruder was close enough, a kunai was pressed against his neck in the dark.

"Move, and you will die," Sasuke hissed behind him.

"Uchiha… Sasuke…" the man breathed, that much was distinctive. Sasuke's frown turned into a snarl and in one flick, the Uchiha nicked off the forehead protector and felt the engraving as a blind man.

"Leaf…" it left disappointment in the Uchiha, he really was bloodthirsty lately, and his limbs were eager for battle. But he was already on thin ice with his betrayal and killing a fellow shinobi would not please Tsunade.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Sasuke growled, kunai still at the man's throat. He could have stolen the headband from another shinobi…

"I'm looking for Tenten. I… used to be close."

The Uchiha frown deepened. He didn't remember Tenten being close to anyone except the men of her cell.

He pushed the kunai closer to his flesh, already feeling the metallic blood fill the cold air. He could taste it.

"She doesn't live here anymore," he growled.

Suddenly the lights flickered on, startling the Uchiha. The single moment's hesitation and the intruder was gone, the headband slipping from his fingers as he disappeared.

"Hyuuga," the Uchiha growled.

The Hyuuga merely stared at the empty space in front of Tenten's door.


A/N: Ah… writer's block. Anybody got any ideas? Credit of course. Sorry on the delay, wasn't in the mood to write when I got back.