Under the Same Sky Pt 1

As the two girls made their way down the street, Tenten couldn't help but let out a loud breath, looking over to her friend at the side. "You're going to be hot in that, you know," she said, referring to Hinata's ever present bulky jacket.

Hinata blushed but chose not to answer. At least the girl had decided to where one of her nicer fitting, powdered blue tops underneath, but it wasn't like anyone could actually tell the difference. Besides, she was still very nervous about being dragged out this night.

"Well I guess I can see your point, what with Genma being there and all," Tenten continued on, shrugging her shoulders lightly. "How do you feel about him, anyways? You haven't really said."

Hinata blinked up with cautious eyes, wrapping her arms more tightly around her torso. "W-what do you mean?"

Tenten snorted to herself. "Come on, we both know why you started hanging out with him. Are you still par on course, or has that changed?"

To Hinata it seemed as though Tenten didn't have a care in the world. They walked side by side and she thought nothing of the whole situation the two found them selves in. Well, she supposed, that wasn't very questionable. She was, after all, going there as friends, not as a date; a date with Genma Shiranui, no less.

Hinata swallowed, her nerves shot just thinking about it. He was so much older than her, but he was also so nice, and really, was not being at all shy about his intensions. Hinata knew this was a date. She knew he wanted her there as his, well, girlfriend she supposed. But it wasn't like he'd actually asked her to be his, nor did she remember actually dropping any hints that she wanted to be. All she did was look at him that one day, and he'd assumed the rest…

"He tried to kiss me," the girl finally answered in whisper. "But I didn't let him."

Tenten's eyebrows rose and for the first time that evening, actually looked over the girl with some appraisal. There was silence between the two where the only sound in the night was their echoing footsteps. After a minute passed, Tenten seemed to find her words. "I see. Well it seems we're in the same boat then."

Hinata gaped. Did she mean… "Kakashi sensei tried to kiss you?"

Again the girl snorted before nearly breaking down into a fit laughter. "Oh god, no," she laughed, clutching her stomach tightly as though she'd just heard the most amusing thing in the world. "But the truth is; I haven't really tried after that first day."

Wait, so it was sort of like... Hinata bit her thumb nervously. "Why?"

"Why didn't you let Genma kiss you?" she answered easily, shrugging shoulders yet still not meeting her eyes. "You still haven't answered the question by the way."

Hinata took a moment to think over that. Why hadn't she let Genma kiss her? Well the answer was obvious; she didn't want her first kiss to be because of a bet. And she didn't want to use the man who'd gone so far out of his way for her, for something so silly as a game amongst the girls.

Was that why? Did Tenten feel similar about her target as well?

With a grin, Hinata turned to the girl. "You like Kakashi sensei," she stated conspiratorially, feeling as though she'd just unearthed a great secret.

"Sure," Tenten answered at once, again paying no mind. "He's a pretty awesome guy once he lightens up a bit. Doesn't mean I'm gonna date him, though."

"I'm not dating Genma." Inwardly she cringed at her knee jerk response. Well they weren't boyfriend and girlfriend, at least not technically…

"Then where the hell are we going?"

"This- this isn't a date," Hinata answered, blushing furiously. When Tenten gave her a knowing look, the girl felt the need to further defend her herself. "Well it's not! Besides, I still like- I mean the person… there's still-"

"It's okay to have feelings for more than one person, you know," she bluntly interrupted.

Hinata looked up at the older girl by her side. Did she really know what she was going through? Her feelings for Naruto had not change, would not change. He was, just, everything to her. Everything she wanted to be and everything anyone could be. All she needed was to see his smile, I she felt that fleeting confidence within her grow.

But then there was Genma. Genma, who always looked at her, who trusted her abilities and wanted to know her. It was true, all she'd done was bump into him that first day, and everything else was him. And she was so grateful for that! That he seemed to understand her, and made it so easy…

But this was wrong! She couldn't, she wouldn't let her devotion- "No, I can't! It's wrong, it's-"

"You know what?" Tenten abruptly cut in. "You're right, Hinata. You evil, emotion – flowing -" A pause. "Skank!" She turned to give a triumphant smirk, while Hinata stared wide eyed at the girl. "How dare you have such a big heart to go around throwing feelings at everyone..? Emo-hussy!"

The Hyuga's steps faltered, as she stared incredulously at her friend. "W-what?"

At her obvious distress, the older girl deflated while rolling her eyes. "Come on, I'm struggling here."

Oh, she was just teasing… "I still feel guilty."

Again, Tenten sighed before grabbing her playfully by the arm. "Come on. Let's just see what happens tonight. And remember, there's nothing wrong with keeping your options open."

"Can I see some ID?" the doorman asked, giving the two girls only the briefest glance.

"Do we look like civilians to you?" Tenten asked derisively, giving him an unimpressed once over while Hinata appeared to shrink at her side. "We're Chunin's, buddy."

Perhaps they should just go…

"Like I haven't heard that one before. ID," the man replied in a dull, unimpressed voice.

The brunette crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at the man, but he only echoed her movements and continued to stand firmly against their way. "Oh for the love of… Hinata, did you bring-"

Hinata looked up for the first time, feeling her face glow beet red at their situation.

The man blinked and then stood at attention. "Oh, you're a Hyuga," he said, realizing his mistake.

"Finally," Tenten breathed, getting ready to make her way in, only to be blocked again.

"So then what are you?"

Hinata wasn't sure, but she could swear she saw something fierce flash across her friends face. "A bloody Uchiha. Obviously."

"Cute," he replied without moving an inch.

It was then they were saved by the sight of Anko waving from across the bar. "Hey Tenten," she yelled loudly. "Will you stop flirting and get your ass over here?"

Hinata blushed, but Tenten merely put on her sweet smile and grinned knowingly at the door man. No one was going to question Anko, and they both knew it. The man grumbled under his breath before standing aside.

"Coming Anko," she called before grabbing Hinata's arm and dragging her inside without a second glance.

The bar was filled with mostly shinobi of varying ages, and quite a few civilian women. Anko was holding a large table in the back corner for them and earning a few weary glances from the patrons. Hinata ducked her head as they made their way through the crowd, feeling horribly out of place.

"It's just us girls right now, so how bout a round of shots on me," Anko said with a grin as the girls arrived.

"Sweet, thanks," Tenten answered, sitting in the middle.

Hinata looked down at the small shots of alcohol set out before them with an uneasy mind. Did she really want to risk getting drunk while out with a bunch of her superiors? What if she over did it and made a fool of herself?

She hadn't had a lot of experience with social drinking, but the one time she did remember ended with Ino holding her head over a toilette while Kiba and Shino beat the crap out of some Chunin she'd apparently gotten too friendly with, or something… It's was all very blurry. "Um…"

Misinterpreting her hesitance, Tenten quickly nodded to the girl. "Oh, right. Anko, you remember Hinata?"

Anko, who'd only been eyeing the girl since they arrived, gave her a feral smile. "Of course. How can I forget when Genma hasn't shut up about her since he got back? Good job by the way," she added with an impressed nod. Hinata blushed, supposing she referred to the mission.

The woman then picked up her shot glass and raised it high. "Ladies, cheers." Tenten picked up her own though Hinata still hesitated, staring dumbly at the small thimble. Anko leaned over to push the glass towards her. "You too, girly."

As she had no choice, Hinata picked up the shot and held it in a manner similar to both Tenten and Anko. Seeing her acceptance, the woman nodded her head and appeared to down the drink. Tenten and Hinata followed suit, though just as the liquid began to burn its way down her throat-

"Oh, by the way, you hurt him and I'll cut your fucking tits off with a kunai," Anko added before downing her shot and slamming the glass back to the table with a loud thump.

Hinata's eyes widened and she began to cough violently. "W-what?"

"So who's buying the next round?" asked Anko, ignoring the girls sputters. Tenten chuckled to her self, watching with a slight grin on her face.

It was not long before Raidou and Aoba joined their table. Raidou sat next to Anko and Aoba next to him, leaving the seat beside Hinata still ever presently empty.

"Well, I see my date's are here," Aoba called, sitting down. "So Raidou, where's yours?"

The man sighed, muttering sorry, under his breath. Anko merely raised an eyebrow at him and seemed about to respond when Tenten spoke up.

"Oh, hey! How're those boxers working out for you? They a good fit?"

Aoba smirked. "You could say that, though they're feeling a bit snug at the moment. But I'm sure I can find the right person to remedy that."

Hinata nearly choked on her drink while Anko's mouth was covered by Raidou as he whispered something in her ear.

"You know what," Tenten answered. "I bet I can help you out with that. The bar's got some pickings tonight. I'm sure we can add to our party, if you catch my drift."

Aoba's eyes seemed to double in size while Raidou struggled with all his might to keep his hand firmly in place over his woman's mouth as she struggled to restrain a laugh.

"You know, Tenten," Aoba said, grinning widely. "I knew there was a reason I liked you."

"Of course," she answered simply, giving the disbelieving Hinata a wink.

It was another fifteen minutes before Genma managed to make his appearance. Hinata had, like usual, kept quiet while the conversation flittered on around her, keeping a constant look out for her would be date. True she had Tenten there to help make her comfortable, but it was apparent that even though she was doing her best to fit right in with the older shinobi, Tenten was not yet one of the gang and couldn't buffer her completely. At least not the way Genma had during their mission together.

When she finally saw him walk through the door, Hinata was surprised to find her self letting out a breath of relief. She watched with a warm feeling in her chest as he nodded and waved to a few of the shinobi in the crowd while making his was towards the back, not having yet seen them.

Tenten grind, noticing what had caught her friend's eye and caused her to bare what was her first genuine smile all night. The smile faltered however, when the man was waved over to the bar by a petite civilian woman with firry red hair and killer look, who then practically jumped him in a massive hug. Tenten looked between her friend and the scene, holding back a laugh as she noticed the equally sour expression on the man who was clearly the redhead's boyfriend, perfectly matching Hinata's.

A strange twisting feeling wrung through Hinata's body and she suddenly felt the strange urge to break something. She frowned, trying to make sense of the sensation. Was she actually…

"Awe, that's so cute. She's getting jealous," Anko cooed in amusement, watching Genma release the redhead and then continue his way to their back table.

When he finally got there, it seemed everyone was just finishing a laugh, and by the look on Hinata's face, it was at her expense. Inwardly the man sighed. He knew he shouldn't have left her alone so long, but apparently there was a bit more to getting ready for a Genin team than just showing up on the right day and it held him back quite a bit.

"Hey, who said you could start without me," he said, greeting the table.

"You're late," Raidou told him with a raised eyebrow.

Genma shrugged, giving his senbon swish. "Had to make my entrance."

"Hn."

He then smiled down at the timid girl, doing her best to fight the blush creeping up her neck and avoiding his eye. "Hinata, glad you could make it," he said in a warm voice and placing a hand on the back of her chair.

"Genma," she acknowledged, only briefly meeting his eye. He then took the seat next to her a pulled it in much closer to the girl than it had previously been sitting.

"You better not make an entrance like that again, Genma," Anko said once he seemed comfortable. His eyes rose to her in silent question. "Or your girly's liable to scratch the next poor woman's eyes out."

Anko smirked across from him. "Huh?"

"You should've seen the glare she was giving your redhead."

He frowned but then quickly put it together. A large grin spread across the Jounin's face as he leaned over and gave the now bright red girl a quick half hug. "That's my girl."

The conversation was once more centered upon Anko and Raidou, allowing Genma to shift his focus back over to his would be date. She was so pretty sitting there, all self-conscious and demure, smiling at the conversation around her, occasionally gaining the nerve to put in a word or two, only to then go back to her quiet observation. She was just so-

Genma felt as though he'd been given a precious gift, something that would break if not under his watchful gaze. And he would do all in his power to retain that beauty. Absently his hand drifted over and spun a strand of her hair between his finger and thumb, marveling at the texture. So perfect…

She looked over with questioning eyes, though still keeping her bright smile in place. She was happy he realized with a start. Hinata was actually happy to be there, with them, part of this group, and she was his.

Genma leaned over, unable to stop himself, and meant to take the girls lips with his own, but abruptly she turned away and then mumbled something about having to use the washroom.

The man stared blinkingly as the girl rushed off, leaving him baffled. Tenten too had seen the altercation and watch with a contemplative brow. She turned to the man, and nodded for him to join her as she rose from her seat.

Confused and still completely baffled, Genma complied as she pulled him aside so that their table would not hear.

"I just wanted to let you know something about Hinata," she said, looking hesitant but determined. "It's really weird, I know, but she's got this thing about kissing on the lips. She's kinda got this whole weird built up superstition in her head about it, so she wont, even is she does like the guy, until she feels you've met some celestial preset terms or something…"

Genma gave her an incredulous look. Sure, he's seen his share of quirks in his day, but this was… "Are you serious?"

Tenten gave him a shrug and a half smile. "Not entirely, however, my point is she's got a kissing thing, so don't take her the wrong way, she just needs to work it out."

He frowned. Apparently he was not getting the whole story but at least one piece of the puzzle was beginning to fall into place. So Hinata had some thing, whatever that meant, with kissing. He smirked, remembering their past mission. "But only on the lips?"

"Right," she answered without much thought.

Maybe this wasn't so bad, come to think of it. "And everything else is free game?"

"…sure."

"What about touching?" he asked quickly.

"I see no problem with that," she shrugged, though the beginnings of a grin were obvious. She knew where this was going too and apparently, she approved. Genma smirked. He was beginning to see why Anko got along with this girl.

"I think I'm going to enjoy this," he said after a moment and they both returned to the table to wait for Hinata's return.

Not sure she had done the right thing, Tenten watched with curious eyes as Hinata returned to the table. Her friend smiled shyly making to take her seat, but just as she was about to sit, Genma had reached out a hooked an arm around her waist.

"Oh, I don't know about that," he said, as she let out a surprised yelp while he forced her down onto his lap. The rest of the table erupted in snickers. Hinata turned bright red not wanting to make more of a scene than she already was, accepted his would be seat. He then gave her a small bounce while snaking his arms snuggly around her waist. "Now that's much better I think."

Tenten smiled, happy for her friend. She could tell Genma genuinely liked the girl and that she was in safe hands, however the killing intent that swept over the group at just that moment caused her and a few others to turn their heads.

Neji was there.

Hinata stiffened while Genma did his best to ignore the troubling sensation. Tenten looked over with an unimpressed gaze to see her teammate sitting by the bar with a purple haired girl trying her best to catch the shinobi's attention. He had already shifted his gaze away from the group, trying to look inconspicuous, but the damage was done. They all knew he was there. Genma, to his credit, acted as though nothing had happened and began to let his hands drift somewhat under the table, causing Hinata to take on an adorable shade of red.

Poor girl, she thought mildly, looking over the purple haired woman. Unless there was a bit more hiding under that outfit than it seemed, she was not going to catch the Jounin's interest, and Tenten knew, she'd been there. But really, coming out to spy on Hinata? Did he really think that was appropriate behavior?

With a sigh, Tenten found that her drink was once again empty.

"Excuse me," she told the table and then made her way over to the crowded bar. It was then the girl who'd been flirting with Neji came up to her.

"Hey, you're Tenten, right?" she asked with a wide grin and coming to stand beside her.

"Uh, yeah…" Tenten answered, not really sure what to make of this.

"Oh, Neji has told me all about you. And I think you know my sister too, right? Yugao."

Tenten let out a sigh of relief; okay then, something she could work with. "Yeah, sure I know her. Awesome chick with the sword."

"Well, I suppose that's one way to put it," the older girl replied. "Anyways, I've been wanting to meet you for some time now. There are a lot of good things going around about you, pointing towards ANBU and the like," she said while taking a long sip from her beer. Tenten was unused to being caught so off guard. After all this woman seemed to know quite a few people within her acquaintance and yet never her.

"Well, I don't know about that…"

"Trust me, I know," she said with a smirk. "I'm Saika, by the way."

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you, Saika," Tenten replied, finally receiving and paying for her own drink.

The two stood in silence for a while, quietly observing the crowd. "Interesting crowd here tonight," Saika finally announced, trying to make conversation.

"Mm," Tenten agreed. "Lot's of civilians."

"I almost feel sorry for them, I mean when you look at their competition."

Tenten smirked. "But the guys do out number us, we can't take them all."

Saika gave her a knowing look. "Says who? I don't know about you, but I could find a thing or two to do with two men in my room at night."

At that, Tenten did snort. She could get to like this girl. "Cheers to that," she agreed and the two clinked their glasses and drank.

It wasn't long before the two young kunoichi, standing unattended caught the eye of a few patrons. It was just as Tenten was getting ready to excuse herself to rejoin her party, she really had left Hinata unattended for too long, that a man came up to them, grinning broadly.

"What are you two ladies doing alone on a night like this?" he asked, leaning casually against the bar beside them. The two girls exchanged a knowing look. Mentally Tenten wanted to know where in the rule book it said that a female was no longer allowed to simply enjoy a night out without a male companion present to buffer unwanted advances.

"Well actually…" she began hesitantly.

"May I buy you a drink?" he asked before she could finish, looking ever so hopeful.

"We've just gotten ours I'm afraid," Saika replied with a pout.

It was then that something seemed to slip into place for Tenten. This man was definitely familiar, but he looked so different out of uniform. "Hey don't I know you?" she asked, taking an extra long swig of beer.

"It's possible. I am known for having some spe-"

That was it, with Sakura and Naruto! She knew him now. "Yeah, you've covered Kakashi's team before right? What was it? Yamato!"

The man smiled lightly. "I see you have heard of me."

"I've heard of Kakashi," Saika muttered.

"Yeah," both he and Tenten replied at once.

"Hey shouldn't you be worried?" Genma said, leaning over the table slightly while still holding Hinata firmly in place. "It looks like your date is being picked up."

Hinata and Anko snickered, both having picked up and were exceedingly entertained by the continuing miscommunication going on between their friend and the Special Jounin. Especially since Aoba was now under the impression that Tenten was out to find a suitable female companion for an audacious threesome and Tenten thought she was keeping her eyes open for a spirited young male to keep the other man company.

"Hmm?" Aoba answered, looking over and then shrugged. "Oh, it's just Tenzou."

"Poor guy," muttered Raidou, now looking over too.

"Point," admitted Genma with a light chuckle.

Hinata looked down with a frown. It seemed they were all in on some private joke. "What?"

Genma smirked up at the girl nestled comfortably upon his lab. "Oh, well, long story short. Back when I was in ANBU-"

"You were in ANBU?" she gasped, never having even considered it before.

The man practically preened. "Oh yeah, didn't you know? I've got a cool tattoo and everything. Wanna see?"

He was just about to pull up his sleeve when Raidou smacked him from across the table, giving him an exasperated look. "Put it away Genma."

He sighed as though put out. "Sorry." He then turned his attention back to the girl. "Well as I was saying. Back in ANBU he and I were on the same squad and we had this captain…"

"Tenzou was rather fixated on him," Aoba cut in.

"Actually it was pretty awkward at times," added Raidou.

"Actually it was pretty fucking gay," Anko loudly exclaimed.

"Yeah," they all agreed.

"So, no worries," Aoba shrugged, turning his attention back to the beer in his hand.

Hinata merely blinked, not really sure if they meant what she thought they meant only to have her thoughts interrupted as Genma's lips once again attacked her neck, causing her to giggle and blush. She really did need to ask what it was Tenten had told him. He hadn't kept his hands to himself since and the spectacle they were making was starting to get embarrassing.

But it was also kind of nice, she admitted, taking another swig from what was now her third beer of the evening. Actually, everything about him felt nice at the moment.

"Anyways, I'm afraid my date would be none too happy to see me accepting drinks from another man. You may no him. Neji Hyuga? He's a Jounin," Saika said, finally having enough of the man.

Tenten stared wide eyed in surprise and then realized it was just time for the brush off. "Oh, yeah, and mine probably wouldn't either. Over there in the back table, you see?"

She then pointed over to the group of shinobi in the secluded corner. Yamato followed her gaze and flinched, seeing just who she was referring to. "You mean with Anko?"

"Yeah." Yamato visibly deflated before them. Tenten almost felt sorry for the poor guy but it wasn't as if they were the only girls in the bar.

"Well I let you two enjoy your night," he said with one final smile and then made his way away from them.

"Man, I feel sorry for the guy," Tenten mumbled, watching his slouched posture as he went.

"Yeah but he was kind of a dork," Saika replied with a shrug.

At that, Tenten bristled. She happened to be on a team with more than one dork after all. They weren't all that bad, most of the time. "Hey some people like dorks. By the way, about Neji." She paused, trying to think of the best way to break the news. "I've seen the way you hang over him. Now don't take this the wrong way, but I feel I should let you know, Neji… Well, he's gay."

There was a moment of silence as Tenten just stood there with held breath. The look of shock on Saika's face was palpable though slowly it turned to disbelief and then furry. "Excuse me?"

"I know, I took me off guard at first-"

"No, seriously," the older girl snapped. "What the fuck? I come over here specifically to make friends with you, and this is how you treat me? Are you really so jealous?"

"W-what?" Wow, she seemed pissed.

"Ok, yes," Saika continued, incensed. "I agree, Neji is a giant pussy for not telling you at first, but to say he's gay?"

"Uh…"

"I've been dating him for the past month!" the girl finally snapped. And then with one last sneer in Tenten's shocked expression, pushed her self from the bar. "Excuse me."

And then it dawned on her. "Wait, you what?"

The whole table looked up as Tenten rejoined them in a rage, slamming her fresh beer on the table without even noticing as half the thing fizzled over the top.

"Um, Tenten?" Hinata prodded, not too sure what to make of this.

"Sorry Hinata, but I'm pissed, I'm frustrated, and I've just been emotionally screwed over by my best friend. I need to get drunk."

Hinata's mouth dropped.

"Oh, and apparently Neji isn't gay. Thanks a lot Kakashi! Thanks to you I've just managed to make a complete ass of myself. And what's worse? I liked her! I mean, I could actually get a long with the girl. I'm not supposed to like the girl stealing my best friend. I'm supposed to hate her, and have you hold me back while I threaten to kick her ass. I can't kick the ass of someone I like, can I?"

The entire table was silent, having listened to the girl's tirade.

"I can," Anko shrugged as Raidou let out an exasperated sigh.

Tenten then noticed the volcano that was her beer and the mess it had made. "Shit! I need to get shit faced so that I'll never remember that stupid, prissy, Hyuga again. Oh- uh, no offense."

Hinata simply shrugged. She knew how it went.

Tenten groaned, looking down at her ruined beer. "Okay, who wants to help me black out?"

The girl had barely been able to finish her sentence before Aoba sprang to his feet. "I'm on it," he said and then rushed off to the bar. With a sigh, Tenten began to mop up the mess with a few spare napkins.

"By the way," Raidou said as soon as the man was gone. The girl stared. "Aoba's not gay either."

"What!"

Raidou smirked. And his revenge was complete.