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Disclaimer: Disclaimer: Naruto doesn't belong to me, otherwise the NejiTen would be canon.

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Enjoy.


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Chapter 3. The mission

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That morning was just another one since Neji had gone on a mission, she really hated when he was sent on such long missions, though at least she had had missions too that helped keep her entertained and the time pass faster.

A bird flew over her window, giving her to understand that the Hokage requested her in her office immediately, so without delay she left for there.

"Tenten, I sent for you on a very important matter," was almost the blonde's greeting as she entered the office.

"I listen attentively, Tsunade-sama," she answered without hiding the surprise that this greeting caused her.

"We have received a mission of vital importance, and after much analysis we believe that you are the right person to fulfill it," a pause while Tsunade turned on the chair to look out the window and start talking as if she wasn't there, "it is a delicate mission, so I consider it appropriate that you read it and decide whether you want to accept it or not, if you decide not to accept it... well, I guess I'll think of something in case you don't accept it... and if you accept it, well... it would be your final mission," those words froze her blood while she saw how the Hokage stood up, handed her the scroll and after that hugged her in an almost maternal way. "Read the mission carefully and let us know your decision, you have a week to do it."

She nodded and almost automatically left the office completely bewildered as she felt that the scroll in her hand began to weigh more and more. Once in the comfort of her home she took the scroll and opened it, her eyes widening in surprise at every word.

Mission type: S

To be performed by: Kunoichi between 19 - 23 years old.
A single kunoichi (preferably jōnin) between the ages indicated is requested to become the wife of the son of the Great Feudal Lord of the East Yoshida Toshio, it is also expected that such wedding will be a signing of a peace treaty between the village of the Leaf and the village of the Lightning.
If you do not respond to the mission or refuse it, it will be taken as a call for non-alliance between the villages, in other words a call to break off relations between them and a possible war.
=If the kunoichi is in a proven love relationship she cannot be forced to fulfill this mission.=
We look forward to a soon response to our request.

Raikage.

She remained static in the chair, grateful for being seated, while her eyes went over the lines again and again, "it would be your final mission", now those words made sense, she mentally reviewed all those who met the requirement of age and rank, because although the scroll said preferably jōnin, the reality is that it was an indispensable condition. At that moment she noticed with horror that with the exception of her all were in some happy and perhaps too romantic relationship, all except her. Her thing with Neji had always been a secret, and not being something official put her as the only available candidate for the mission, and that hurt her.

She left the scroll on the table and went out to get some fresh air, she was out all afternoon trying not to think about anything, and when the night was beginning she came back home. She didn't even close the door when she felt the only person she wanted to see behind her.

"Neji!" she greeted throwing herself into his arms and completely forgetting what was bothering her.

"It's good to be back," he answered, that was his greeting whenever he returned from a mission.

They slowly made their way into the house, closing the door so that no one would notice he was there. It was amazing that he always came and went through the front door, and was never seen by the neighbors. And once he was sure that no one would see what was going on he kissed her, always with that fierceness, with that fire that cannot be put out, and just as always, she let that fire consume her being fully aware that she was burning with him.

When she woke up there was a slight change in what was usually the routine when he returned, for she woke up alone, the Hyūga was neither in bed nor in the house. Without giving more importance to that and assuming that something important would have shown up, she got ready to go to train, when she went into the kitchen to have breakfast, she didn't notice that the scroll wasn't in the position in which she had left it. She only noticed that again there was a bird at her window warning her that she should go to the Hokage's office, and she found it suspicious, only 24 hours had passed since she had been given the scroll with the mission.

"Hello, Tenten," Shizune greeted her before entering the office to which she answered with a slight wave of her hand.

"Good morning Hokage-sama, Neji," she greeted hiding her surprise to see him there.

"Very well, the reason for summoning you both here is very simple," started Tsunade completely serious, "I want you to answer me truthfully and bluntly," the woman paused while staring at them, "Are you two a couple?"

She tried to hide her surprise as she felt her pupils dilate, why was that question? If the kunoichi is in a proven romantic relationship she can't be forced to fulfill this mission, was that it? She looked at the Hokage and could almost swear that with her eyes the blonde was saying yes, that was the reason for that question, she didn't dare to look at Neji.

"Well? I don't have all day."

She lowered her gaze without knowing what to say, begging him to answer and save her from that hell.

"No," finally spoke the Hyūga with a strong and firm voice, while she felt herself dying in that same place, she could only hide her gaze trying not to let anyone notice that she was about to burst into tears. "We are just teammates, Tsunade-sama," he completed.

"Tenten?" asked Tsunade again.

"N-Ne..." control yourself, Tenten! "Neji has told the truth, we are just teammates," she said it almost in one line, which caught her breath so that they didn't notice her crying tone at all.

"Very well, you may leave," spoke the blonde with a disappointed voice, "One week, Tenten."

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She nodded as she left the office almost running, without thinking she headed to the training field and began to unload all her anger and frustration against the poor piece of wood that was there, a few minutes later it looked like a pincushion, a presence in the place made her turn around, and throw with all her strength the kunai she had in her hands without even aiming.

"WHY?" she shouted furious.

"Why?" He asked calmly "What are you talking about, Tenten?"

"Why did you deny it?" Tears streamed down her face as she fell to the ground on her knees.

"You'll have to explain a little better Tenten, what exactly did I deny?" His calm voice only served to unnerve her even more.

"Ab-About... About us, why did you deny that we are a couple?" The tears refused to go away.

"Are we a couple?" he replied as if surprised by those words. That question only triggered more tears, and a lot of anger.

"So what are we, Neji?" he opened his eyes slightly confused and opened his mouth to answer but no sound came out, his only answer was to look away, "if you had admitted it," she said with a bitter smile, "you would have saved me."

"Saved from what, Tenten? From going to war?" she opened her eyes in surprise.

"You knew it!" she accused him standing up.

"You left the scroll on the table, it's dangerous to leave a scroll unattended with such delicate information."

"And yet you didn't save me! You knew perfectly well that if you admitted about us, you would save me from that mission."

"You are a pathetic shinobi, you know that? The real ones don't depend on others to save them, much less put their work and the peace of a village aside for sentimental situations."

"I am a good shinobi! I am a professional! but I haven't stopped being a person and as such I have feelings."

"And your feelings will condemn the whole village, it's too selfish."

"And isn't it selfish to condemn me?"

"It's only one life, one life in exchange for thousands, the truth is quite fair."

"Just one life. Is that what I am?" as she spoke she advanced until she was in front of him and without hesitation she slapped him, "you are a damn heartless, Neji."

"And you an irresponsible one who doesn't deserve the title of kunoichi, maybe you'd be more useful as a silly housewife," another slap was her immediate reply.

"Damn you, Hyūga," she didn't know what else to say, she really hated that he belittled her so much, "so according to you I should marry a stranger and pretend that I will be happy forever am I wrong?"

"You can either pretend that or stay in the village and in a while, if you are able to survive the war that you will cause, you will have to console your friends for the loss of their loved ones."

"It's unfair to put all that burden on me," she mumbled almost giving up.

"Repeat it as much as you want, but you won't stop being a coward who calls herself a ninja without deserving it."

And without further ado he left there leaving her alone, she slowly picked up all her weapons and headed home, there she took a shower to hide any trace of sadness, got dressed, and headed to the Hokage's office.

"Excuse me, Hokage-sama," she greeted shyly as she entered.

"Come in, Tenten."

"I just wanted to give you my answer to the mission," she paused to take a breath while Tsunade looked at her expectantly, "I accept," she said slowly leaving the scroll on her desk. Without waiting any longer, she left the office, leaving the Hokage stunned.

She would do it, she would prove to herself and to everyone that she was an excellent kunoichi.

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A small clarification: the village of Lightning doesn't officially exist, but this will be clarified later.

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All corrections and comments are always well received, they help me improve a lot.

Hope you like it!

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Regards, Sally K.