Warning: This chapter is a Flashback heavy chapter. Just to make sense of all the confusion (Neji getting kneed by Tenten) last chapter. Basically it's an explanation chapter.

To my reviewers: Thanks to all the reviews too! It motivates me to continue writing. Yes I do like bleach. Matsumoto from bleach is a cool character so I had to give her last name to Tenten. That and it he fact I was too lazy to think of one for her.

P.S.: The titles of the chapters are following a trend…anyone know what it is?

Previous Chapter

"Shizune, heal Neji. Make sure he'll live…" Tsunade commanded. "The rest of you can leave. Someone give this to Tenten. It's the location of the apartment and the key to it." Time for some sake…

Shizune sighed as she helped Neji to his feet and lead him to the treatment room. The rest of this day is going to be hell…

Chapter 3: Afternoon in Konoha

"WAIT! TENTEN WAIT!" Sakura yelled at the bun-haired girl in front of her. She had no idea why Tenten would do that to Neji. They've been close, everyone in the village knows they are best friends and everyone also knows that they liked each other. But why would the fiery weapons mistress knee her captain where the sun doesn't shine just because he was "too close"? "TENTEN!" the pink haired girl yelled before getting stopped by her now 'fiancé'

"Let her go." Sasuke commanded eyeing the chocolate haired kunoichi stomp away towards her house. "She has other business to attend to," he told her not looking into those emerald green eyes that showed utter confusion. "We should go too."

Go? Go where? And why is he being nice all of a sudden? Where is the block of ice I fell in love with? Sakura asked herself. Amazingly, her inner self was still in shock so she didn't comment on anything. "Go where Sasuke-kun?" she asked, slight blush on her cheeks.

"Home, but breakfast before that. My treat." He replied walking the opposite direction Tenten went. Sakura couldn't believe what she was hearing let alone witnessing. Sasuke, the #2 ice cube (Neji is #1, Shino #3) of Konoha, the Uchiha Avenger, the forgiven traitor, was showing affection let treating her to BREAKFAST! The world must be ending like Naruto said…she wondered in her head. "Sakura. Come on." Sasuke said a few feet away from her. All she can do is nod and follow.

- Outside the Hokage's Office –

Hyuuga Hiashi and Hyuuga Asuka talked with the former teachers of their children. Yuuhi Kurenai seemed pleased that Naruto didn't object to marrying her stuttering student. Maito Gai, however, had a different opinion.

"OH SWEET AND LOVELY TENTEN!" he sobbed at the corner. "WHY MUST YOU HURT YOUR TRUE LOVE? WHY COULDN'T' YOU HAVE JUST FORGIVEN HIM FROM OUR LAST MISSION!"

"What is he crying about?" Asuka asked. "And what about their last mission?"

Flashback numero uno – Raven Team's last mission.

The ANBU is known to be the best of the best. They are the definition of "hard work and training pays off." Each team is well balanced and should anything happen to one person in the team; another can take over momentarily while the medic takes care of the injured. Unfortunately, Neji's team was assigned on a mission…A really stupid mission…on getting information back to their Hokage…a mission that would put a friendship on the rocks…

"Why is this mission an A class mission," Tenten asked as she jumped from one branch to the other, "When all we're doing is asking the wine country when they are going to have their wine festival?"

"A mission is a mission Tenten. Let's just get this over with." Neji commanded. "Shino, estimated time before we reach the Wine Country border."

"With our speed right now, about 15 more minutes. After that, another 15 to get to the village." The boy who wears his sunglasses 24/7 replied back to his captain.

They traveled in silence until they reached the border. Filing in line, the 4 person team gapped at the beauty of the wine country behind their masks. Lush green vineyards spanned for miles and miles. It seemed it never ended. Little red, green and purple specks could be seen from where they stood and they could smell the juice from the houses.

Neji signaled them to stop and change clothing so that they will look more like tourist instead of ANBU. Once they were changed, the proceeded towards the border.

"Welcome to the Wine country," a really skimpily dressed kunoichi said leaning into Neji. Tenten pretended to ignore the fact her captain and best friend was getting hit on by the guardian of the gate. "The inn is just north from here; about 2 blocks then turn right and its right there." The girl said leaning over the booth pointing towards the village. In doing so, she showed her bust and her really short skirt to the ANBUs.

"They make me sick…" Is, the team medic Nin and Shino's wife, whispered to Tenten. The other merely nodded in reply. She was holding back on killing the girl.

"Thanks," Neji replied leading the group in. He knew that Tenten wasn't happy with the way the girl was flirting with him nor was she happy that he just stood there and took it all in. Reaching the inn the girl pointed out, Neji went over to the reception desk while the others sat down at the chairs.

"Welcome to the Wine Country Lounge," the receptionist said. "How can I help you?"

"We would like a room," Neji stated bluntly.

"Two rooms," Tenten said from behind. "2 couples, 2 rooms, right hun?" she pretended.

Neji stared at her weirdly. Why was she being so nice all of a sudden? She gave him the 'I'll tell you later once we're in private look." "So that is 2 rooms, 3045 and 3047. Enjoy your stay."

"Thank you." Tenten replied. She gave one key to Shino and Ise and told them to have fun.

Once in their room, Neji sat on the couch, while Tenten say on the bed. "So why did we get 2 rooms?" he asked his friend.

"1: so we can give Ise and Shino some privacy. 2: So we can relax by ourselves." She replied turning on the television.

"We're on a mission Tenten. We're not supposed to be relaxing." He reinformed her of their mission. She tossed him over a piece of paper shaped to be a shuriken but kept quiet. He opened it up and read.

COME TO THE WINE COUNTRY WINE FESTIVAL!

ONLY HAPPENS EVERY 5 YEARS! STARTS NEXT MONDAY!

LASTS FOR ONLY 3 DAYS! DON'T MISS IT!

"Mission accomplished captain." Tenten replied. "We're ahead of schedule anyways. Might as well enjoy the 2 days we have before returning to Konoha."

Neji smirked then looked outside. "Fine."

Later that day, the group went out for dinner at one of the restaurants in town then a tour of the oldest vineyard in the country.

"Why don't we go to a club?" Ise asked. "All this talk about wine makes me want something alcoholic to drink."

"Sure." Tenten agreed. Neji and Shino sighed as they followed the girls to the bar.

"You know that girl at the gates really pissed her off," Shino said to Neji.

"I don't have time for romance." Neji replied keeping an eye on his female team members.

"I know you don't captain," Shino said adjusting his sunglasses. "But Tenten wasn't pissed from a romantic point of view. She was pissed from a best friend's point of view."

"Hurry up guys!" Tenten and Ise yelled before going into the club. The two men fell in a silence as they entered the bar. It looked like all the other clubs back in Konoha; dark, smelled of booze (no duh,) really loud music blaring but this bar had overly skimpy waitresses.

"Hello," A waitress said. "What can I get you?" she asked eyeing the Hyuuga.

"Martini." Neji replied

"Daiquiri please." Tenten said.

"Same as her," Ise said.

"Nothing," Shino told the waitress. Tenten looked at him weirdly. "No good for my bugs." He explained as 2 of his bugs scurried away to keep a look out while they has some fun.

The group chatted happily, catching up to each other, talking about gossip around their village and which new chunnins have the possibility to make the ANBU when all of a sudden a man about their age came up to their table.

"Hey there," the guy said to Tenten. "Can I buy you a drink?"

She smiled at him and held up her daiquiri. "Already have some. Thanks."

"That's alright. Offer's still on when you're done." The guys leaning into Tenten.

"Beat it buddy," Neji said calmly.

"Hey, I'm just offering her a drink." The guys replied.

"Well you're getting too close to her." Neji said not looking up at the guy.

"Geez, sorry. I didn't know she was taken." The guy replied. "Sorry miss." He said to Tenten before leaving.

Tenten glared at Neji and was about to react to what just happened when Ise tugged on her arm and shook her head no. They pretended nothing happened but for the rest of the mission, they didn't talk. Tenten stayed with Ise the rest of the time they were in the Wine country and even in formation while Shino and Neji said nothing about the whole situation.

Getting back into Konoha, They merely nodded to each other than the usual Good-byes and asking about when training is. Neji thought he should say something but being himself, he knew that he was protecting her…even if she didn't like it.

Flashback end

"THAT IS WHY!" Gai yelled out and sobbed some more. He opened his eyes to see that he was alone. "NOOOOOOOOOOO! THEY LEFT ME! ALONE!"

In the far end of the hall way, Asuka and Hiashi talked about the situation. Both knowing the stubbornness of Neji and how he would stand up for what he believes and the fact that Tenten too is stubborn like a mule, they knew this would result on a fight of words to unbelievable proportions.

"Ano…" Naruto interrupted the two Hyuugas. "Hyuuga-san. Can I take Hinata to lunch then help her move?" the usually loud and overactive blonde asked the main house leader shyly.

This boy…Your blood flows in him strongly Kyousuke… Hiashi thought. "Yes you may, Uzumaki-san." Naruto smiled his foxy smile and started to run away before Hiashi's hand stopped him. "Take care of Hinata. I know you won't let her get hurt."

The whiskered boy nodded. "I won't ever hurt her or let anyone hurt her. I would rather die before she does." Hiashi smiled and let go of the boy. It's part of my nindo never to get her hurt…ever…

- Medic room –

Damnit…why the hell did she have to do that to me… Neji thought on every possible time he pissed Tenten off so much she could have held back a grudge. Being a genius, he remembered back to the gennin and academy days and flinched every time he remembered something painful. He limped as he walked but Shizune assured him that he will be able to use them. Not that he cared but it hurt…Like getting the thousand years of pain 500 times in a row hurt. Or listening to that dreaded Barney song for a whole 10 minutes. If you are able to with last that pain, then you are a saint.

Neji limped out of the room to find his cousin waiting there for him. "Hinata-sama." He said.

"I heard the explanation from Gai-sensei," Hinata said standing up. She didn't even stutter so he knew she was serious. "You should have known better Neji-niisan." She said walking away from her cousin towards the south exit

What explanati- crap…Neji thought. Why didn't he think about it sooner? Stupid mission. He grumbled walking the other way.

Hinata heard her cousin going the other way and sighed. Knowing Neji, he would confront her older sister like friend and possibly make the situation worst. She sighed again, keeping her eyes on the ground walking towards the exit until she bumped into someone.

"G-Gomen..." She stuttered looking up to the person she bumped into only to be greeted with a huge grin. "I-I'm so s-sorry, Naruto-kun."

"That's ok Hinata-chan." The blonde said smiling warmly at her. "Are you hungry? It's almost lunch time and I was wondering if…" Naruto stopped, blushing slightly as he scratched the back of his head. "I was wondering if you want to come with me to Ichiraku's for some ramen…and so we can talk…"

Hinata could believe her ears. Did he…He just asked me out to lunch…she thought to herself. SAY YES ALREADY! Her inner self shouted shaking a miniature version of her. "I-I would love to…" he replied, blush tainting her cheeks. The blonde in front of her glowed with delight as he nodded and opened the door for her to get out of the building. Thank you, father…

- Matsumoto Weapons Store -

9 am in the morning. Yet, the sign on the store still said "Closed". They were known to be open at 7 and close at 11 every working day in Konoha. Yet it was still closed.

"FATHER!" yelled the oldest daughter of the renowned blacksmith Matsumoto Hiruma. "FATHER!" she bellowed from the garden/firing range. She threw a bunch of the shurikens at the targets hitting each one dead centre.

Inside the house which was behind the store, a very scared father was shaking under the kitchen table.

"Sheesh…the hell is her problem…doesn't she know the meaning of the word 'beauty rest'?" asked the other, younger daughter of the Matsumoto family, Matsumoto Ayame. The more feminine of the two sisters, though deadly with weapons like her siblings, she went over to the refrigerator and took out some milk and cereal. "What did you do this time dad?" she asked her cowering father.

"OTOUSAN!" yelled the youngest child of the family, the 7 year old Matsumoto Junpei. "Neechan is summoning her snakes again!" the child yelled happily. Ayame cringed in disgust "They look soooooo cool!" Junpei yelled as he rushed to the back yard.

"NO! JUNPEI DON'T OPEN--" Hiruma yelled but was too late. Before him was a very very very pissed off 19 year old daughter and a very happy 7 year old son, both holding snakes. The one Tenten was holding seemed to be more deadly that the itty bitty one Junpei was holding but it made him shriek like a girl. Hiruma hated Snakes and he knew Tenten only asked Anko to teach he rot scare him. Kids these days…no respect for parents…

"That is gross," Ayame said finishing her cereal and going back up to her room. "Since both of you seem to be preoccupied, I'll open and mind the store."

"Jun…" Tenten said voice holding back the venom she was about to unleash. "You have school soon. Go get ready. You can play with the snakes later."

"OK! Can I take Mondo to school though?" the boy asked. His sister nodded and he rushed away to his room to get ready for school leaving his father alone to fend for himself.

"Now, hunny…" Hiruma started. "The whole thing about being tied up with our own weapons was a joke….you know that…" he explained to his glaring daughter.

"But why did you set me up with Neji?" she yelled. "Yes he's my teammate but that is all I feel for him! He's a friend! A FRIEND!"

"Tenten, think back through the years." Her father said getting up from under the table and sitting down on a chair. "Who was the one who you sneaked off every night with to train since you were 8? Who was the one you ran to tell the good news you now have a brother? Who did you run to when your mother died?"

"DON'T BRING MOM UP ON THIS!" Tenten shouted. "It was hard enough losing her as the leader of a mission but it was harder losing her as a mother." She said, fighting back tears and memories of her mother.

"I know… but I need to clear this up. Hyuuga Asuka and your mother were best friends. They grew up together just like you and Neji. That is why when your mother learned that Neji would be forced into marrying someone that she knew he wouldn't love, she just offered he be arranged to marry you." Hiruma said lighting a cigarette before continuing.

"That way, he would be married to someone that isn't a complete stranger and fate had it that you were placed in the same class and the same cell when you graduated." The teen in front of him remained quiet. "And I guess Neji trusts you enough that he specifically asked that you be put in his team when you got accepted as an Anbu. He does care about you; even if you're only his friend. Build on the friendship you have with him and give him a chance."

"You've been watching Ayame's soaps with her haven't you?" Tenten asked, now calm. "I'll go pack my stuff…baka father."

"Call me if you need me…Jigo-chan" he replied before going into the store to start the day….late.

-Outside of Dango Dango-

"Thank you Sasuke-kun," Sakura said shyly as they walked out of the Dango stand. "I should be going now. I need to pack."

"Aa." Sasuke replied. "I'll help you move your stuff tomorrow. Call me if you need me when you're ready to move."

"Thanks Sasuke-kun. Bye." Sakura said getting a wave from Sasuke. She walked home thinking about the conversation she and Sasuke had over breakfast.

Flashback number 2

Sasuke lead Sakura to Mitarashi Anko's favourite Dango shop in Konoha, Dango Dango. To their surprise, Anko was no where to be found. The waitress sat them down by the window and served them tea while they waited for their orders of mochi and dango.

Sakura felt uneasy towards this nice Sasuke. She fell in love with the human ice block and though those feelings were now gone (A/N: yeah right…), she still looked at him to be the cold yet protective team mate.

Sasuke, on the other hand, was enjoying the company of one of his best and closest friends and teammate. When he left Konoha, he felt that there was something missing in him. Though he would never admit it, he had grown to the company of his team. He longed for that feeling in his 3 years with Orochimaru. Not being able to stand the snake master anymore, he turned on him and persuaded the now weakened Itachi. Confronting and winning the battle again his older brother, he surrendered himself back to Konoha Anbus which ironically were the people he was just in the room with. Though it took 2 years to regain Naruto's friendship back but Sakura remained his friend. His treatment of her changed and he cared more about her now than ever. But lately…he doesn't know if the feelings are of friendship or something more…

"Ano…Sasuke-kun," Sakura questioned. "I like the fact that you're nicer and all…but why be so nice all of the sudden?"

He knew this question was going to come up sooner or later. He has been especially nice to her for the past 2 weeks. He let out a sigh before explaining. "You're one of my best friends, Sakura. You were my only friend when I was alienated by everyone else in the village for being a traitor. You didn't give up on me either."

Sakura was taken aback. She wasn't expecting him to be so straight forward and reveal his feelings that easily. She then giggled making Sasuke confused, "Of course I would stick by you Sasuke-kun. You were my teammate and even if you were a brick wall most of the time, I knew you still wanted a friend. That's why I didn't give up on you." She smiled warmly at him. "And thank you…for acknowledging my friendship."

"Thank you for being there for me," He replied as their food got served. They talked and laughed like good friends should and caught up with the missions and happenings in the village.

"Ne, Sasuke-kun." Sakura asked. "What's your input about this arranged marriage thing?"

"I don't like it." He replied taking a bite out of the Dango. "But I'm ok with it since it's you."

"Oh?" she said blushing a bit as she took a bite out of her mochi.

"You're not a complete stranger at least." He reassured her. He gave her one of his rare smiles before continuing his breakfast.

Flashback ends

Sakura smiled at herself. Maybe his heart is just waiting to be thawed.

"SAKURA!" Ino yelled.

"Hey Ino." The pink haired girl greeted.

"Let's get the other girls and gather at my house! I want to know the facts about this mission Godaime-sama is putting be and Shika on."

You just want the gossip…Sakura thought, eye twitching a bit from her best friend's actions. "Since we're in this part of town, let's get Tenten first then Hinata." The blonde nodded as they walked toward the Weapons Store.

- Ichiraku Ramen –

Hinata and Naruto sat at the stall, eating their ramen and talking calmly. The girl isn't stuttering for once and Naruto miraculously only had 3 bowls.

"Ano, Naruto-kun." Hinata said putting her chopsticks down.

"Yes?" he questioned.

"Do you like the idea of getting married to me?" she asked him looking in to his azure eyes.

"No." He told her sipping more ramen. Hinata was beyond hurt. The boy she admired, the boy that gave her the courage to pursue her dreams and never give up, just shot her down so easily. "I love it." He said smiling at her. "If I knew who my parents were, I would thank them endlessly for pairing me up with you."

She was speechless. She looked at the boy in front of her. She hugged him and sobbed lightly on his shoulder. Naruto smiled down at the purple haired girl and lightly patted her back as she cried her tears of joy. "I've always liked you Hinata-chan," the blonde told her when she calmed down. "I was just afraid to ask you out since you were the Hyuuga heir."

"I-I've liked you for a long time too." The girl said as she kissed him on the cheek. The owner of the stand smiled happily at the couple in front of him and gave them their peace.

"Hinata-chan." Tenten said accompanied by Ino and Sakura. "Hey Naruto."

"Tenten-neechan. Sakura-san. Ino-san." Hinata greeted. Naruto smiled at the other girls before returning to his meal.

"Hinata, we're going to my house to talk before you guys pack. Want to come?" Ino asked.

"Go ahead Hinata-chan." Naruto said. "I'll see you at your house later so you can pack."

"Thank you Naruto-kun." She said kissing him on the cheek again before leaving with the others.

- Ino's house –

The girls, after gossiping about other jounnins and kunoichi's sat in a circle playing 'Old Maid' since Hinata didn't know how to play poker and Sakura doesn't want to play cheat or president (more commonly known as asshole).

"So piggy," Sakura said, "how's the relationship with the lazy genius?"

"Going well. He woke up today without my help which scared me." The other replied putting down her pairs in a pile.

"You've whipped him already. Good job Ino." Tenten teased arranging her cards. "So Hinata, what was up with you and Naruto? And what was with the kiss?"

Hinata blushed. "He confessed to me."

"About time he did." Sakura said picking a card from Hinata. She found a pair and laid it down in her pile. "He liked you since the academy but he kept going after me for some reason. He told me later that he didn't know how to ask you since you were a Hyuuga."

"That and Neji beat him up back in the academy," Tenten added as she picked a card from Sakura.

"Speaking of the Hyuuga prodigy himself, why did you knee him in the nuts?" Sakura asked.

"You kneed Neji, your best friend, your training partner, you CAPTAIN, in the nuts?" Ino asked. She too was a medic nin and have seen her fair share of men that had THOSE parts kneed for either being a pervert or pissed off wives/girlfriends. "Let's hope he can still reproduce after that."

"He deserved it...that bastard…" Tenten said picking a card from Hinata and laying down the pair.

"You like him…just admit it…" Ino said picking another card from Hinata.

"You'll have to like him anyways. You are getting married to him," Sakura said taking a card from Tenten.

"N-Neji-niisan isn't that bad…Tenten-chan" Hinata said while choosing the card she wanted from Tenten.

"Yeah. Yeah. Whatever..." Tenten said pulling a card from Ino's hand. Aww crap...I got the old maid…she thought as she carefully masked her emotions from her friends. So what if I have to marry him. I do like him but not to that extreme…

Hinata sensed the turmoil in her 'older sister' and patted her. "Neji-niisan probably thought that guy was a trouble and protected you from it." She defended her cousin.

"I can handle myself, Hinata" Tenten retorted.

The others sighed. Tenten was as stubborn as Neji. Maybe being around him all these years affected her.

- Hyuuga Mansion –

Neji limped through the gates of the mansion only to be blocked by Naruto, Asuka and Hiashi.

"Go talk to Tenten." His mother commanded him.

"No."

"Talk to the girl Neji." His uncle said.

"No."

"You scared of her Hyuuga?" Naruto asked, smirking at the older boy.

"She kneed me in the balls, Uzumaki. Don't you think I need to stay away from her?" Neji said limping forward again.

"If you didn't do what you did, maybe you won't be limping." Naruto said. Neji glared at the fox-holder. "If you want to talk to her, she's at the Yamanaka's" the blonde said before leaving with Hiashi toward Hinata's room.

Know-it all brat… the other thought before turning around and going to find his teammate.

Conforontation between Neji and Tenten. What will happen? Who will win? will this drive them apart or bond them? Find out next chapter.
Wow that was a long chapter...hope that cleared up teh kneeing neji in the nuts thing. The characters were a tad OOC. Neji will be next chapter too just a warning. I'm not good at writing fluff so this was my first time actually writing something fluffy. The Tenten family situation was fun to write. Can anyone see Tenten having a sister that is the exact opposite of her but still good with weapons? Or her with a younger brother? Thanks to my reviewers once again.
Preview: Chapter 4: Evolution: From friends to lovers?

"My Fault? MY FAULT?" Tenten yelled at Neji. "I was going to turn him down nicely Neji. But you had to butt in!"

"We're you? You sure we're taking your sweet time with it!" Neji yelled back. "For all I could have known, you were flirting with him!"

"So what if I was flirting with him? He was good looking and nice unlike you!" the female shouted. Neji didn't respond. Was he jealous of the fact she liked that guy or was he pissed that the guy might have won Tenten's heart?

"I was protecting you." he said in a low voice.

"I didn't need protecting at that time." Tenten said her voice also back to normal. "Were you jealous that he was going to get close enough thatI date him?"

"Yes..." He responded in a whisper.