A/N: A NejiTen series (which I would hopefully manage to finish) which idea was formed from the crack that my brain is filled with. :) Please do keep in my that I don't own Naruto and that I'm writing this all because it's enjoyable and I love this pair to bits and pieces XD I hope you enjoy this little piece of crack :D from yours truly because writing a kiddie Neji and TenTen makes my day great XD Also, I would like to apologize in advance if I somehow (and probably I would sniff) make these two characters OOC.

Childhood Misadventures
- because every good partnership has some history -

Episode One – First Meetings

"What are you doing there?" the question came suddenly from a young 8-year-old boy as he squatted down to meet a young girl's gaze. He was on his way home from his private training when he incidentally passed through the route that led him to the young girl – he liked to call it fate. He liked to call plenty of things fate.

The girl turned to him with a grin reaching from cheek to cheek, showing her face clearly to the young boy. Her face was covered in scratches, a couple of bruises to add to that, and yet she kept her grin wide and stated as if it was the simplest thing in the world, "I'm playing ninja with some of the kids from the academy."

"Don't girls usually play with dolls or pick flowers in the gardens?" He inquired with one eyebrow raised - that was how his younger cousin always acted. It irked him that she continued to laze around, smelling daffodils when he trained his hardest to some goal he could not attain - he hated it that she didn't value what position she was in, she was to-be the clan head in the future after all.

The young girl scowled, seemingly offended as she raised her fists dreamily and stated with pride, "Don't compare me with them! I'm strong, and I will be as great as the legendary sannin, Tsunade-hime one day!"

The young boy smirked - ever since his father's death; he had been one to avoid unnecessary bonds of friendship, even with fellow children in the academy. The only thing he focused his mind into was becoming strong, and with that strength, he would exceed whatever expectations the cursed Main family had of a Branch family member. He would show them what wrongs they have been practicing; he would revolutionize their clan. He needed no friends for his mission, and yet he had grown quite fond of the girl that was before him… How surprising…

"What are you laughing about?" the girl told him furiously, catching the smirk that graced the boy's mouth. It annoyed her to no end whenever people laughed at her goal, because she knew… She knew that she had the strength to be what she dreamt. After all, she wouldn't begin announcing it to people unless she thought it possible.

"It's nothing. It's actually nice to see girls out there not playing with dolls or sniffing flowers that practically have the same scent whatever type they were." The boy told her as he stood up from the ground. Ever since his father's death, he was unable to smile, and yet his mouth slightly curved upwards as he bid her his farewell, "Well… It was nice meeting you, good luck on your dream."

Quite moved by his words and rendered speechless, the girl's eyes followed the boy's moving figure before deciding to stand up and follow him herself. She ran to catch up with the rather speedy lad, grasping his shoulders before saying, "Hey… wait…"

"What is it?" he asked shifting his gaze from his pocket wherein he searched for something to her steady gaze.

She felt rather uneasy saying the words but she was compelled to nonetheless, "What's your name?"

"Neji… Hyuuga Neji." The boy known as Neji told her as he swiftly stuck something on her face, "What's yours?"

"TenTen," she told him distractedly as she began to touch her face, curious about whatever Neji had pasted on it. Giving up after a few moments, she glared at the boy while demanding to know whatever it was he had placed, "What did you do?"

The boy couldn't help but chuckle as he watched the girl helplessly try to discover whatever had been placed on her cheek; "It's called a Band-Aid. It'll help your wound from getting infected. I noticed that that cut was particularly deep, you shouldn't be too careless you know."

"Thanks…" she mumbled incoherently, slightly blushing in embarrassment; she felt particularly stupid not realizing that it had actually been a bandage that the boy placed on her cheek abruptly. After regaining her lost confidence, she chose the time to ask the boy a question, "Do you go to the academy?"

The boy shrugged, "Yeah, I do… How about you?"

"Yeah, I do as well." She grinned as she outstretched her hand to the young boy. She didn't quite understand it but she felt it was rather enjoyable to exchange words with the longhaired boy, "Shall we be friends?"

Neji arched an eyebrow, reluctant to take the hand of the girl, but opted to nevertheless, "I'll just have you know that I'm quite the talented person. I wouldn't want to outshine you."

"Ha ha… you're modest, aren't you?" she stuck out her tongue at the boy. She then beamed with pride, "I'll have you know that I'm the top of my class in far-range combat."

"I'm best in almost all fields…" the boy snorted; he enjoyed the company of this young girl…

She playfully punched him in the arm, "I'll prove to you that I'm better than you."

"Would you?" he asked, fairly amused as he raised an eyebrow.

"Of course, though there really is nothing much to prove…" TenTen grinned, "It's pretty obvious."

"Is that so? Well then… I'll be sure to really excel tomorrow during class to meet your expectations of my greatness." Neji said haughtily, mocking the girl beside him. For the first time in four years, Neji found himself a companion, someone whom he felt in good company with. His mouth curved slightly upwards as he realized that he had one more reason to attend the academy now besides his hunger for strength.

"Shut up!" TenTen exclaimed, laughter soon following her statement.

And with this, Two individuals began a friendship… or whatever they liked to call it…

:Tsuzuku - to be continued:

A/N: … … Err… Am I going to get punched from this piece of crack? cowers in fear Please don't, it's just my dorky brain juices running 8D! I'm sorry if this chapter is short, I just couldn't add anything into the scene anymore… X.X I promise following chapters would be much longer, and as of the current mode I'm in, would come quite quickly :D I hope you enjoyed reading the premiere chapter of "Childhood Misadventures" and I am trying my best to dish out something worth reading :3 because I love you guys XD