A/n: don't own, yadda yadda, ya get it. Ok, I am gonna write a couple more chaps on this and it will be finished. I currently have another work in the progress. YEAH UM MY REVIEWERS ARE THE BEST!

Really, I didn't mean to be so long with Tsunade-sama, in fact, I had planned on being in and out in a matter of minutes. However, something still bothered me, and I needed a few answers. It wasn't the way Ten winked at me or flaunted her great assets, it was the fact that somehow, she had my old forehead protector. I never gave it to her, so why does she have it. I can't ask Ten directly, then she'll be mad at me for snooping, so really there is only one person who could know. Tsunade-sama.

I walked into the office and sat down in the chair. She was borderline schnokered, as always, and had a mountain of paperwork in front of her. No wonder Jiraiya-sama makes fun of her. She's Legendary all right. Heehee. Smirking to myself, I get up and slam my hands down on the desk. She jumps and glances around confusedly. Her eyes stop on me and I get one of the coldest, scariest, and evil looks I have ever gotten. Is it me or am I spending a lot of time waking females up today? Just my luck. Really.

"Damnit, Hyuuga. Just because you are an ANBU Captain, does not mean you can come in here unannounced and disturb me while I'm working."

"Pardon me, Hokage-sama, I did not mean to interrupt your, um, work, however, an important mission has just been given to me by the hands of fate, and I want some answers."

"OK, Neji-san, lets cut the crap. What is that you want to know? And don't play games with me. I don't tolerate it from Naruto-kun and I sure as hell won't allow it from a clan genius."

"Fine, who gave TenTen my old hitate? I didn't , Lee-san didn't and I know for a fact that my Uncle would've never given it out. Any ideas Ol'Lengendary one?"

"First, don't mock me. I am still the strongest in Konoha. Second, I do know how she got it. I gave it to her. Seven years ago, when you all set out to retrieve Sasuke, you came back injured. I am sure you recall the incident. We spent hours upon hours healing the damage done to you and Kiba-san and Chouji-san. The waiting room was packed with well-wishers. Only a few people even bothered to come and see you. Your uncle of course came, but gave Shikamaru crap about the failed mission, Hinata came to see you, as well as Gai and Lee."

"What's your point? "

"I'm not finished!" she said, getting visibly upset. "There was one person though who came to see you. In fact, she stayed with you the whole time. I told her to go home, yet she refused. I would've chastised her then and there, but something struck me. It was the look in her eyes when she glanced down at my hands and saw your headband. I suddenly remembered the day I though I lost my team for good. I saw the way Sakura and Hinata and Ino waited for your all's return. They reminded me so much of me when I was a jounin and Orochimaru left us for good. Then she cried. So I gave it to her and told her to be strong. Do you have any other questions for me?"

"Why did she cry? I'm confused. Was it over me?"

"Well, she said something about idolizing me and that by showing emotion, she was weak. I told her she was crazy and that sometimes emotion is a good thing. As for whether or not it was over you, well, you'll have to ask her yourself. You know, Neji-san, I respect you, I really do, but between you and Uchiha and Uzumaki, you are three of the most dense shinobi I know. Did it ever occur to you that maybe she likes you and has for a long time? I told Sasuke that my apprentice Sakura-chan was the best he was ever gonna get and he'd be real stupid to let her go. I had to tell Naruto-kun that Hinata-san like him. They finally came around and realized I was right. I would recommend opening your eyes for a change and see what directly in front of you. By the way, how did you know she had it?"

"OH, a little bird told me. I thank you for your input, I must be off."

I left her office and headed out to the lounge area. Thinking back to what she'd just said, I was absolutely dumbfounded. Could it be possible that she likes me? Really? She's never shown any outward affection towards me. This is the second time I've asked myself this today. I'm starting to see a trend.

I snap out of my musings and see my uncle talking to Ten. What the hell? I walk up behind her and redirect his attention towards me. He makes some of his usual snide comments, but, I'm not sure why I spouted off at him. We've had this discussion several times when I was a child. There is something about the man that just makes me want to revert back to my earlier days of angst. I start walking away, clearly astonished at myself and then he suddenly laughs. It's not the evil cackling I normally hear, but an honest laugh, full of mirth. He says something about balls and dinner and a girlfriend. WAIT! I don't have a girlfriend. I stop dead in my tracks. Did he just say my girlfriend here was invited to dinner? Why isn't she saying anything. We're not a couple. Damn it. I look over at her and she finally decides to speak up. My uncle winks at her and walks off. Double damn, now it is official. Dinner. Dinner with Ten. Hmm, we need to talk.

"Ten, we need to talk. Now."

We leave the office and head towards the school. For some reason, the school has always been neutral ground for Ten and I. I hop on the monkey bars and she climbs up next to me. I started to remember the first time we met. We were five and she was hanging upside down, minding her own business when I collided into her. She fell off the monkey bars and found herself staring up at Lee and I who were fighting over a stupid challenge on the playground. Great, first day of ninja school and I knock a girl on her ass. I can still see Iruka-sensei walking over to me. It is one of the only times I had witnessed him angry. He berated Lee and I , and gave us detention for two weeks.

She looks over at me and takes a deep breath.

"Ok, Hyuuga, what's up?"

"Here's the thing TenTen, you have to come to dinner. No one refuses an invite to the compound. Plus, we need discuss why everyone thinks we are dating."

"First question then, is dinner formal? Second, how traditional are you? Third, how many people will be there? And fourth, can I carry?"

"Yes, dinner at the mansion is very formal and very traditional. I will need to go over some peculiarities that the Main House insists on preserving. I hope you know how to pour tea and sit in a full kimono. Lastly, there will be at least twenty people present so you will need to know all the honorifics. I hope you are a fast learner. We have three days. Also, I come carrying to dinner, so I really can't say. I guess it is up to you."

"Yikes, sounds like a lot for one dinner. Dad and I usually eat in our work clothes. I don't have anything really formal so you are going shopping with me. Deal?"

"Fine, I will go shopping with you on one condition, tell me why people think we are dating? I leave for three weeks and when I return, I suddenly have a girlfriend. Humor me."

"Well, I guess it's now or never, Neji. They may think we are dating because of what I may have said last night. Bear in mind I was drunk and take it with a grain of salt."

"Last night?"

"Well, I remember going to the bar and getting hammered. Apparently, I also sang karaoke to Dolly Parton's "I will always love you". And I may have dedicated the song to you. Not sure. But there were a lot of people there and they may have twisted things around a bit."

My eyes narrowed at this. I couldn't believe the words that came out of her mouth. This was so unlike the teammate I've known for years. Although I am secretly flattered, it's still annoying. As for fate's hand, well I blame it also. Fate had me coming back that night, two days later than originally planned. I breathed out a sigh and rubbed the bridge of my nose.

"So, basically Ten, you unofficially hooked us up. I guess now, we will have to break up. That is going to take a lot of planning."

"Sorry about that. Like I said, I was drunk. I should've listened to my dad when he said, "don't do anything you will regret in the morning." You aren't going to push me off the monkiey bars again for this are you? One solution is, we can just avoid each other for a couple of days. People will think all is not well and naturally assume we fell out."

"No, I won't push you. I never intentionally pushed you.. Here is the game plan however. Avoiding you is impossible because of our daily routines. We will be "together" through this dinner and until I find a place, then we will have to stage a nasty break up. When I get my place, I will throw a welcoming party, which is an annoyance in itself, and then we will do it there." Plus, I didn't think I could go a couple of days without seeing her. I kept picturing her swaying hips, her awesome cleavage and her long silky hair. Get a grip Hyuuga.

"Sounds OK to me. Will I have to cry and all that stuff?"

"Yes Ten, crying will be involved. You are the girl, after all, in our relationship."

"So, Neji, I can't dump you then? That's no fun. I've always wanted to dump a guy."

"Of course you can't dump me. I am a Hyuuga and that is unheard of. I do have a reputation to maintain."

"Gee, wouldn't want you to be too self-centered. Ok, this will work. It's my mess that I created, now you are going to have to get me through this whole dinner mess of yours."

"DEAL!"

We hop off the bars and head back to her house. It's getting late and the great search is on for an apartment. We decided to meet after our training and go over a few formalities for dinner. I look up and see her house in view. She has been quiet since we left the school and stands on the top step of her porch. Funny, I'm so much taller than her. Wasn't like that a couple of years ago. Time and fate. Hnn.

"Well, here's my stop," she says, "I guess I'll be heading in now. Dad will be wanting dinner."

"Yeah, um, what were you thinking of back there? You got quiet all of a sudden."

"Oh it's nothing really, I'll tell you when the time is right. Good night and I will see you tomorrow, bright and early."

"Yeah, um, ok, um bye." What the hell? I never get this nervous around a girl. Geez, she addles my brain when I'm around her. I see the door close after she gives me a lingering look over her shoulder. I turn and head towards home. Tomorrow should be boring as hell. Shopping, training, etiquette training, and apartment hunting, oh boy, what did I get myself into?