So...apology on the late update.

But it's a nice chapter! Promise!

HA.

Awkward moments galore. :)

Disclaimer: I own none of the Naruto characters. Even though I really want to.


So, turns out the whole bed sharing things was the least of my worries. After surprising me with the fact he wanted us to share the bed, he added the "oh, p.s., I also have to share my life force with you so you stay alive."

Like the innocent young lamb I was, I naively said, "How do we do that?"

And like the pervert he was, he said nonchalantly "Nothing big. Just kissing."

Just kissing? JUST KISSING?

I had never been kissed in my entire life. I was a total lip virgin—wait, no mentioning of the V-word. Sadly, the most experience I've ever had (it doesn't amount to much, trust me) was through reading romance novels. Don't tell Ino.

And maybe a bit of skinship with Neji.

Don't tell her that either.

"It's just kissing," he grumbled from the arm chair, a set of reading glasses on his nose. Where he got those from remains a mystery.

I scowled from my place on the bed, hair sopping wet after my shower. "It's not 'just kissing.' I refuse to do such an intimate and personal act with you."

The bed creaked as I shifted my weight, determined not to look him in the eye. Sure, in some weird, stupid, messed up part of my mind—let me tell you, this place is tiny—wanted to, you know…maybe kiss him a little.

I take it back, I take it back. This information is too delicate. We're done here.

"If I don't feed you, you'll starve here."

"Or you could just feed me a raw chicken. I can cook those you know…with things we mortals like to call 'ingredients.'"

He sighed again, sitting up. "It's not physical hunger, Tenten. I'm talking about your life force dwindling as we speak…when it runs out, you'll decay into a little empty shell without a soul. Get the picture?"

"But does it have to be through kissing?" I whined.

"Oh, we can do it other ways," he said mischievously, "Like through some close intercourse or something—"

I immediately hit him with my shoe. "Fuck you."

"Just tell me when and where."

I hit him with my other shoe.

"Get serious here! I'm stuck in the middle of Dearth, some creepy place off the weirdo road in no-where, in some hermit's house…the last thing I want to do here is kiss you."

"It'll be just a peck."

"I don't want a peck."

"A French kiss, then. Would you like that?"

Yes.

"No."

"Don't be so stubborn. I'm just trying to help you until we get back to the mortal world. If you want, I'll do it when you're unconscious," he offered.

I contemplated it. "Fine. But if I wake up, there will be hell to pay, understand?"

"Crystal clear. I'll be taking the bathroom now, so don't peek."

"Never in a million years."

He got off the couch and strolled to the bathroom, closing the door quietly behind him. I let out the breath I wasn't aware I was holding. Seriously…this guy knew how to push all of my buttons.

I went to the drawers and pulled out some spare clothing, tentatively sniffing it. It smelled clean. I wasn't about to wait about in my prison clothing that was sweaty and gross and dusty. I could wash that by hand later, but for now, a change of clothes was necessary.

I made sure Neji was safely locked in the bathroom, and quickly changed. The pants were way too long, so I did my best to hitch them up. The shirt was baggy and reached mid thigh, and I was drowning in the clothes, but had never felt more comfortable. I drew up the covers up to my chin and lay on my back, looking up at the ceiling.

I was still hungry.

I was growing tired of waiting for the vampire to come out of the shower (really, it was 15 minutes already), and was just about to doze off to sleep when the bathroom door opened. "Took you long enough," I muttered. "Now get to sleep."

"You took the words right out of my mouth. Good night," he answered, climbing into bed.

Instant warmth spread through the covers, warming up my stone cold feet. The same warmth rushed up my cheeks. I quickly turned away so he wouldn't see. What would my mother say?

Tenten! Such indecent behavior…oh, but such a handsome young man…

Indecent. Right. First time sharing a bed with the member of the opposite sex.

Keep your mind off it, Tenten. Don't look at him.

…He was sure to look really hot after taking a shower.

Oh, how I hated that tiny part of my brain that may have been a little infatu—right. Stop there. Confidential information.

Finally, my stupid head decided to turn in his direction.

He looked better than I imagined. Wide awake and staring right back at me, his lips were slightly parted. Hair, also wet from the shower, fell across his face, sending tiny dewdrops of water down his cheeks. His skin was tinged pink from the wash, and he smelled lovely. I could see collarbones peeking out from above the loose gray shirt he wore. And his eyes were still that shade of grey, like the moon being graced with lavender.

He watched me, and I watched him, both unable to tear our eyes away.

"I…think I'm going to sleep now," I whispered, still not blinking.

"Then go to sleep. I'll have to feed you, so I'll wait," he whispered back.

He didn't break his gaze.

I quickly drew a line with my finger down the middle of the bed. "Don't cross this. Got it?"

I cleared my throat, cheeks hot, as I turned back around.

I was going to have my first kiss tonight, and I wouldn't even be consciously aware of it.

My life sure was unfortunate.

I lay in bed, completely sensitive because a hormone ridden guy was sleeping in the same place as me. I mentally swore that it would be the first and last time until I found a worthy boyfriend.

Trying to ignore his presence, I snuggled into the covers, feeling warm and drowsy.

And then I was suddenly very, very, cold.

I turned to the source of my sudden heat loss. Neji had stolen the blankets, wrapping himself like a burrito, back turned to me, obviously searching to irritate me in any way possible.

I heard a snort of laughter.

I kicked him as hard as I could out of spite, then grabbed the covers and wrenched them back in a single tug. I only received half when I felt resistance from the enemy's side.

"Stop hogging the blanket!" I hissed, pulling harder.

"Learn to share," he hissed back. "And you crossed the line when you kicked me. Can't even follow your own rules?"

"Shut it."

I stuffed what material I had under my hip and then rolled. The force got the remaining blanket on my side. I wriggled a bit to get comfortable, realizing that I was the one wrapped up this time.

"Bitch," he snarled. And then his hand shot out, over the line, to get the covers I had stolen. He pulled hard and I unraveled, only stopping to grab onto the corner that was now slipping out of my hands. I fisted the cotton into my hands, and yanked back. But he refused to give up, using his body weight to his advantage, glaring at me in the dark.

I refused to take any more of his crap, and stuck my foot across the line to plant it in his stomach for some extra leverage. The breath was immediately knocked out, and he gasped, his hold loosening.

"Ha," I said triumphantly. But I didn't take advantage of the situation.

The only thought that was running through my mind was that he had some really tight abs. I could feel the tautness of his muscles under my foot, feeling them move with every pained breath he took.

And then, for revenge purposes, Neji propped his leg on top of mine and invaded my personal space. In that short moment, his grasp on the blankets increased as well.

The spell was broken, and we were back in the war.

"Let go," he grunted.

"Get off my leg," I said back, pushing into his gut with even more force.

As if to purposely disobey me, he wrapped his leg around mine, entangling them.

"Sexual harassment!" I yelled in anger, feeling completely violated.

"Like you're not used to it already?" he retorted, still not giving up the fight over the covers.

"So you admit it!" I said, pulling harder, taking my twisted leg and moving it in between his, trying to break free. "Get out of my area!"

"Get off my stomach," he chewed out, stuffing what blanket he had under his arm. He used his other arm to push my foot off, fingers slipping around my ankle and tugging it away.

I struggled, of course. "You suck," I said through clenched teeth. "Let go, let go!"

"In your dreams," Neji snarled, shoving my captured foot back across the line. His legs squeezed mine tighter, and it was such a foreign sensation that I yelped.

Then reality came crashing down.

I relinquished my grip, letting my fingers slack.

I was sharing a bed with Neji.

My legs were in between his, and I could feel the slip of his skin against mine since his sweats had ridden up during our struggle. The touch of his fingers tickled against my ankle.

He snatched the blanket away, grinning in victory. He wasn't aware of it yet.

I, on the other hand, was blushing so furiously that I could have fried an egg on my face.

Time passed. Neji looked confused, as I wasn't fighting back.

I gulped, accidentally moving my leg.

And then he got it, and his face froze.

I looked down, too scared to make eye contact.

Slowly, his fingers let go, setting my foot gently on the mattress. He untangled his legs from mine and moved back to his side of the bed.

He cleared his throat. "Uh, yeah, take half." He shoved some of the blanked to me.

"Thanks," I mumbled. Then, as an added after thought, "This better not happen again, or your face will resemble a smashed pumpkin."

He snorted. "Maybe I should just take the blanket back. Go to sleep, Tenten. There's a long day ahead."

"Says the person who started it," I muttered, taking the covers and pulling them over me.

I dearly hoped that he wouldn't kiss me that night. I didn't think my heart would be able to take anymore.

Like I said before: my life was really unfortunate.


Every girl dreams of waking up next to some hot guy. I woke up next to a hot guy. Except he was about to take a chunk out of my neck.

Lovely, isn't it?

"Not in the morning," I hissed. "I'm still malnourished and—"

Strange. I felt fine. Energetic, in fact…my stomach was filled, and my throat had never been happier. I was about to thank him, then realized the implications of my normal symptoms. He…kissed me. And now…

His arms were around me, hair tangled with mine, like we were actually a real couple, waking up after—

Those indecent thoughts needed to stop.

Judging from his breathing, he was still fast asleep, mouth dangerously close to my neck. With a mild bit of difficulty, I struggled out of his grasp and headed to wash up. Any more contact with him would make me even more perverted.

I didn't know where he got all the hygienic items, but I really appreciated their existence while washing up. I decided to go out in the baggy clothes as opposed to the more fashionable ones. Now that I thought about it, now was a good time for clothes washing.

Sure, I had never washed clothes by hand before, but I figured it wouldn't be too difficult.

Minutes later, I found out I was an extremely sheltered child.

The clothes were sopping, the soap would not come off my hands, and my legs were getting sore. Wringing them out was the most difficult part, and required the use of all my upper body strength.

After my exhausting battle with the clothing, I hung them up to dry above a bucket in case water continued to drip.

I finished washing, and felt clean and refreshed, and ready to take on the world.

"Oh, good. You're awake. I need to eat."

Scratch that. Dealing with Hyuuga-sensei was enough.

"Wash first. Eat later," I ordered, still trying to find my way out of the situation. He raised an eyebrow from his spot on the bed.

"Whatever. Just feed me."

Jerk.


"So, how are you feeling today?" he asked slyly. "I feel like this is the perfect example of a symbiotic relationship. You never get hungry while I share my life force, and in repayment, you give me some blood. Together, we coexist in harmony."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. You want blood right now. Make it quick. And not through the neck, or else I'll inflict bodily damage on you," I replied stiffly, trying to hide my embarrassment. I still wasn't over the first time he had sucked my blood.

He reached out for my hand, fingers long and cool.

"What?" I yelped, a little surprised.

"Don't be so jittery…relax or else I might puncture an important vein," he murmured, looking at my wrist. "Ah, here."

He licked the spot with a fluid motion of his tongue, looking at my reaction as he did so. I wrenched my wrist away, which was already numbing. "Less of the sensual licking, please," I said with my highest-pitched sarcastic voice, then realizing I sounded squeaky, cleared it to make it go away.

"But it makes the blood taste so much nicer…" he replied, taking my wrist back again. Smirking at my now flustered expression, he nibbled the pulse on my wrist bone for a brief moment, and sunk his teeth into it.

Sure, I was numb, but it didn't stop me from letting out a pleading sigh.

Oh, by the way, I would've liked nothing better than to take it back.

Red blood trickled down my arm, and he caught it with his tongue before it stained my clothes. Gently sucking on the bite wounds, he took a bit more blood before finally deciding it was enough. With the tiniest of kisses, his tongue flicked out to dab at the puncture marks, which quickly disappeared.

"Thanks for the meal," he said grinning.

"N-no problem," I stuttered. He wasn't kidding about not going overboard: I still felt fine as ever. I quickly rinsed my arm underwater, as if it would get rid of the vampire spit germs that were on it.

"Now that we've both had our fill, we had better get a move on. I've got some stuff I need to settle here before we get back," Hyuuga-sensei said, completely disregarding the fact I was in the room and he proceeded to strip.

I closed my eyes out of courtesy. "You could warn me next time you're about to randomly throw off your clothes."

"It's called 'changing,'" he retorted within the rustle of clothing. "You can open your eyes now, I'm done."

He had changed into his usual wear of a white shirt and black pants. I rolled my eyes. This guy had no creativity.

"I do too have creativity," he said absentmindedly.

"Stop reading my thoughts!"

"I don't need to read them. Your facial expression is enough. Now take my hand—we've got to fly."

I hesitantly put my hand in his. The moment I did so, he rushed through an open window and dragged me outside, where the wind was nice and warm. His wings unfurled and we flew into the air, high enough so that onlookers would think we were birds.

"So, where are we going, exactly?" I pried.

"I've got some matters—"

"I know. You've mentioned it. Some exact and non-vague descriptions would be great."

"If you must know," he said sarcastically, "I'm heading off to get my energy replenished. Ripping a dimension open takes a lot of work. And I need some special ingredients for further things. Got it?"

"Vi did it easily," I pointed out. "You're weaker than her?"

"Dimension travel is a witch's specialty. I can't win against that, no matter how much power I have. Now shush, no more questions, lest I 'accidentally' drop you."

I decided keeping my mouth shut was a good option.

We stopped in front of what looked like an office building. It was tall, and very intimidating. Hyuuga-sensei looked at me with some sort of gloating expression. "Go in, it won't bite."

"Are we meeting someone here?" I mumbled, keeping my eyes on the ground in case some people found out I didn't belong. Some eyed me warily, but most were too busy taking calls and running every-which-where to pay me any attention. It looked like a normal day at the office: desks, papers, elevators, screaming people telling others to "turn in that chart/essay/paper/report/list now," and a bunch of other chaotic and nonsensical stuff.

Like a pro, Hyuuga-sensei weaved in and out of the human traffic, while I was subject to being bumped and jostled in the most uncomfortable of fashions.

"Watch it," someone snapped.

"Sorry," I mumbled back, still trying to keep track of Hyuuga-sensei as he walked through the crowds.

He finally stopped at an elevator, which I quickly went into. He pressed a few numbers.

"We're going to the twelfth floor?" I asked as I felt the familiar sensation of moving up.

"Why not? That's why I pressed the twelve, isn't it?"

I clamped my mouth shut so a nasty reply wouldn't come out. It was no use to provoke him—the faster we got there, the faster I could get back.

We stopped at floor eight, and some…overly chubby…guy got on. He may have been a businessman, with his suit bursting at the buttons and pants that may have split right then and there. I couldn't help but wrinkle my nose at the wet spots near his armpits.

To my absolute horror, he decided to stand next to me, sipping his coffee.

I tried my best to ignore him.

Then I yelped in surprise as I felt something scalding hot on my leg, trickling down into a puddle on the floor.

I just had coffee spilled on me.

Super.

"I—I—oh goodness gracious, I'm so sorry," the guy blubbered, also managing to spit on me in the process. His cup (now empty) was trembling in his hands.

It took all my will power not to wipe the saliva off.

"No, it's okay—I'll clean it later," I reassured him, trying to end the conversation.

"No here—let me help you."

Suddenly, his weak, portly face turned lecherous and menacing. He whipped out some frilly-looking doily, and planted his hand on my buttocks, where the biggest stain was.

I never had felt more violated. "It's fine!" I yelled, getting panicky.

"I'll rub it all off for you," he panted, sweat glistening on his face. Before he could say another word, Neji's hand had shot out and grabbed his wrist in a vice-like grip. I looked at it in surprise. The fat guy screamed, dropping the handkerchief on the floor.

"You'd best not touch her again, imp," Neji said in a cool, menacing voice. His eyes were narrowed in anger, and he increased the pressure on the man's hand. "Do such a thing again, and I'll snap off your wrist. Understand?"

The last word was uttered with such a threatening tone, the temperature of the elevator dropped a few degrees.

"I got it! I got it!" the man yelped. One of his suit buttons popped off.

"Good."

The elevator door opened with a ring, and Neji let go of the man's wrist, taking my hand instead. He took me out, leaving one last glare at the now traumatized man in the elevator.

"That was mildly disturbing," I muttered. There was still a cloud of anger loitering over Neji's head.

"No one is allowed to touch you but me," he hissed.

"That's kind of possessive," I said, rolling my eyes, but a little flattered as well. If he said it like that, it kind of seemed that he might have been a bit attached to m—

I took a breath and exhaled.

What in the world was I thinking?

He didn't say another word until we had reached a set of iron wrought doors. "Stay here," he ordered, sitting me in a chair. He grabbed a clipboard off of someone's desk and gave it to me, along with a pen. "Look like you're doing something. If anyone asks, you're just a secretary. I'll be back."

He opened the doors and disappeared.

So I was by myself, with only a clipboard, a pen, and a chair for company, in an unknown business building in the middle of a bustling city in Dearth.

Did I mention I was wearing sweatpants?

Yeah…not a good combination.


I was so bored I almost fell asleep. Getting recharged shouldn't have taken SUCH a long time, right? There was also the slight possibility that Neji was trying to make my life miserable by making me wait again, which, judging from what I knew about him, was highly likely. And I swore some of the people around me were getting vaguely suspicious. I crossed my fingers and hoped no-one would come over and interact with me.

"You there," came a snotty sounding voice.

I pretended I didn't hear.

They weren't talking to me anyways.

"You! Brown hair, clipboard, writing freak."

I was so busted. I pointed to myself just in case.

"Yes! You!" the snotty voice spat. "My devil, you're slow. Come here, and hurry up. We have work you need to do." The speaker came into view, a middle-aged man with glasses on his nose and the most haughty demeanor I had ever witnessed.

I played it safe, saying politely: "I'm just a secretary, sir."

"I know, I know, dimwit. That's why you're needed. Get your ass over here, bring your dumb clipboard. We're moving out."

People from Dearth had no manners at all.

"I can't leave sir," I muttered, wishing Neji would hurry up and come out.

"Nonsense," the man said, rolling his eyes. "Follow me—I'm offering you the job of a lifetime! All the other secretaries are running fill-ups in this dumb corporation. You don't really look like you're doing anything, so I know you won't mind." His eyes flashed red. "You won't mind, right?"

I gulped. I knew what that gaze said. You refuse, and I'll push you out the window. I did the only logical thing I could do at that moment. "No sir," I mumbled, collecting my belongings.

I followed him.

Albeit, a bit reluctantly.

"In here," he said roughly, jabbing me unceremoniously in the ribs and forcing me through an open door. He locked it with a wave of his fingers, scowling the entire time, complaining in an angry voice. "They don't pay me enough at this job. I'm sick, tired, and everyone here is so damn incompetent—unable to handle a simple filing job. Can you believe it? Filing!"

I pretended to nod in understanding. "Of course sir."

"Don't call me sir!" he bellowed, shoving some papers off his desk.

"Mister."

"That's much better. I'm glad I finally found someone with a little respect around here," he said, sighing, having seemed to calm down a little. I sighed to, but in relief. It seemed like I had escaped a near-death situation.

Take that, Hyuuga-sensei. I could totally handle my own affairs.

The lanky man sat down in his swivel chair, and clasped his hands together, a contemplative, almost calm look on his face.

"I'm Imura. I run this place, co-head with Tsunade-sama herself. Since I chose you, you will run documents between us; always checking and filing appropriately given the office. I go alphabetically. She goes by category—you'll see when you get there. Errors are to be fixed and documented on your clipboard. Questions?"

Yeah, I had one. So, what would happen if I wasn't actually a secretary, and had no idea how to document?

"No, mister."

"Good." He took a two-foot stack of papers off his desk. "For you," he said curtly, dumping them on me. "Check and file. Any life energy that mysteriously disappears, you are to write down. Sum it up, make sure our losses aren't terrible. Out you go."

He opened the door again with a snap, and pushed me out with more force I thought his bony arms could muster.

So now I was in a company, wearing sweats with a coffee stain on my butt, and had a pile of paper in my arms. And to top it all off, I was lost.


Finding my elusive vampire teacher was proving to be more difficult than I expected. I knew he was on floor eight, and I tried retracing my steps, but by the time I had reached the place I was waiting and tried the door, I found that it was locked. I knocked and waited. And knocked again and waited. And again. But no one came to answer.

Now I was getting even weirder looks.

"Oh, see her? That random girl with the grey sweatpants and massive papers? She's been standing outside that door for five minutes already. What a dork. She's obviously a novice."

"This is a top firm. Why is she even here? No adherence to the dress code whatsoever."

"Tsunade-sama would be so displeased."

"She would be more than displeased. I bet, she would fire this loser immediately—"

"Actually," I said through gritted teeth, turning around. "I can hear you, colleagues. And I'm working for Tsunade-sama and Imura-sama, so if you'd like to keep you jobs, I suggest you either shut up and stay, or leave. Your choice." I narrowed my eyes to look menacing. "Unless you want me to tell them what you've assumed about me?"

The crowd that had somehow found its way around me dissipated quickly. I held myself a little taller, proud of my accomplishment.

That's right. Who was the boss? Me.

"…Who the hell are you?"

I turned around. That door that I had supposedly thought was locked was now open, and a busty blonde lady was leaning against the doorframe, swaying side to side. Her face was flushed.

I blinked. "Are…you alright?" She looked like she would collapse any moment.

"Aish, of course," she slurred, eyes half-lidded and unfocused.

The only logical explanation I could come up with was that she was drunk, but I chose to keep my mouth sealed.

"Drunk? Drunk?" she roared, swaying violently. "Of course I am!"

Another mind reader.

SPLENDID.

"Tsunade-sama, do not push yourself. After recharging people, you always get a little…intoxicated," said Neji, appearing beside her. Then he saw me. He sighed and rubbed his temples.

"What the hell are you doing with all those papers?"

I gulped and shuffled my feet. "It's a long story."


"That fool!" Tsunade-sama yelled, kicking her feet up on her office desk. "I told him—double spaced—shit, that Imura never listens to me." She glared at me angrily, like it was my fault she had more paperwork.

Well, it was my fault. Partially.

"Take these back to him," she said snappily, stuffing a handful of papers in my direction. "Tell him to file these forms and send the third one to the Resource Department."

I took the papers, unsure of what to do.

Neji sighed. I knew what he was thinking: She got herself in a pile of shit this time.

I knew. I really did.

So I just awkwardly stood there, unsure of what to do. Finally, I cleared my throat. "Uh, Tsunade-sama…to tell you the truth, I don't exactly have the credentials for this job," I said guiltily. She pursed her lips in aggravation. Hoping to avoid unnecessary conflict, I bowed in apology. "Sorry."

She rolled her eyes. "You finally admit it. I was wondering how long it would take—you have the largest mortal scent I have ever smelled."

I wasn't sure of whether that was a compliment or not.

"So you're not…upset?" I tried.

She scowled. "Of course I'm upset! A mortal got into my company and none of my workers reported it to me. There is obviously some slacking going around here. And I have to look for a new secretary…maybe Shizune on floor two. I hate doing work, you realize that? But for now, take your blood-sucking friend. His energy's up and ready, free of charge." She gave me an offhand wave. "Off you go."

I decided it would be unwise to cross her, so I stepped out of the doorway, almost out of earshot. As I left, I heard Tsunade-sama comment to Neji: "That large amount of innocence is nauseating. Don't do anything immoral to her."

I could hear the smirk in his voice. "Like that's possible."


And, we're done. That's a wrap!

Overprotective Neji is a fun one to write. :)

...So, I just finished writing something extremely fluffy that shall be coming up within the next few chapters. Look forward to it.

I had so much fun writing the blanket snatching scene...I just stuck it in there a while ago. It makes me giggle. :)

What do you guys think of this chapter?

R&R!