AN/Don't own, don't sue. This will become very lemony in the following chappys.

To say that it was an expensive afternoon is an understatement. I just bought a condo. Holy Mother. It's pretty sweet to say the least. It will be nice to have my own place, I'll admit. It'll be nice to be just me when I get home from work or missions. Little did I know that when I woke up this morning, I would accomplish so much. I didn't really plan on purchasing anything today, but her response to my question was Fate's way of sending me a sign. Of course, it was kinda funny seeing us dressed the same and finding TenTen on the floor of the bathroom. I know she was in that tub. My whole life I have known her as a bath fanatic. On missions as kids, she was hard core, but refused to smell like a dirty sweaty guy. She always insisted we bathe, even though I hardly ever got dirty. Wonder what she was actually doing in there, guess I'll never know. Checking the tiles, my ass. She is a horrible liar, but I will give her creativity points.

After signing an enormous check, we headed for Ichiraku. Ramen, always comfort food after a monster expense. We sit in our normal booth and instinctively grab menus. She always gets the same thing and so do I. I am horribly predictable when it comes to some things. After a menial threat by her about the food, I laugh and head up to the counter. Hey, I'll get food if the girl is paying, although, I know I'll cover the bill. My uncle would have a fit if he found out that I let a girl pay. Plus, she works harder than any woman I know, so I simply refuse to let her spend her money on me. Hey, I can be a nice guy. Sue me. Geez, now I sound like her.

As I am ordering, Ayame is smirking at me.

"Find something amusing?"

"Oh no, Neji-sama. It's just you rookies are so predictable. Each team has their own booth and it never fails, you all sit at them religiously."

"We're not exactly rookies anymore."

"No, sir, it's just that I've seen you all grow up and you will always be the "Rookie 12" to me. Sorry."

"That's Ok. I will forgive you. Hokage-sama calls us the same thing. Although she sometimes calls us her "Dozen Dunderheads", although you didn't hear that from me."

"Well, what can I get you then?"

"I want an order of pork ramen with peas and carrots, and light juice. I will have Roasted chicken ramen with tomatoes and peppers. Plus we need a bottle of Sake. Oh, if my friend tries to pay, don't let her." I wink at Ayame-san and head back to the table. I see Lee talking to her.

"What's true?" I asked after overhearing some of their conversation on the way back.

"Oh nothing really. Hey Neji-kun, congrats on the new joint. We should all get together and celebrate." Lee interjected.

"Sure, whatever. I had planned on having a welcoming party anyway. How is the new bunch of kiddies?"

"Well, what can I say, we were just as annoying when we were their age. But, that's youth for you. It's a beautiful thing. I was just congratulating TenTen-chan on her engagement, but it turns out it was just a rumor. I hate when those things circulate. I felt left out that I didn't know, but, she cleared it up for me. So, no engagement." Lee rambled for a few more minutes after that, going on about new top rookies and such, but I just looked at TenTen. She looked like she wanted to be swallowed whole by the bench. Her eyes were downcast and she looked like she was frantically trying to find something to say.

I slide into the booth in front of her and set the Sake down before I drop it. Engagement? What the hell happened at that bar? Maybe I should really find out what happened. Fate give me strength for that feat.

"Anything you wish to tell me, TenTen-chan?" I look up at her and see her blushing and fidgeting.

"Um..well, umm…hehe, well, um, Neji-kun, don't be mad, but I may have said something else that night, but honestly I don't remember. I was blitzed. The last thing I remember was coming out of the bar and other bits and pieces of that night."

"I see. Well, it could be worse. The rumors could've said we slept together. Thankfully, I was at Kakashi-sensi's that night with the guys. But know this, I am getting tired of hearing about that night from other people. Tell me all you know. I don't want my uncle to have an upper hand when we are at dinner tomorrow."

She took a couple of shots of sake then relayed what she remembered, looking sheepish all the way through the explanation. I was too stunned to eat, let alone speak. What she told me, shocked me. I would've never imagined her that out of control. Granted, I was flattered that she thought of me all night, but that was my ego speaking. I never pegged her for an annoying fan girl. Kinda disappointing. I thought she despised those types of girls. Why didn't I see it? Have I been too blinded by her ability as a ninja to see the subtle signs? Tuning back into her rambling….

"SO, apparently, after guzzling drink after drink, I made a few comments which I really don't remember making and that's how I got you involved in this pickle. Um, Neji-kun, you're not saying anything. You aren't mad are you?"

I blink at the stupid question. I'm not mad per say, but I am not happy either. I expected more from her.

"Ok, if that's all you know, then fine. We will just wait out the storm and then have a falling out like I said at the party."

"Oh, so you still want to use that plan? Ok." She kinda looked dejected but I just passed it off as, well, girlisms, my special term for all things that I don't understand about the female species. Such strange creatures they are.

She becomes quiet and eats her food in silence. Lee had left a while ago, sensing the ensuing tension. Smart guy. I just want to know who this woman in front of me is. She reaches for some water and inadvertently knocks the glass over. I've never seen her so clutsy or out of her element. Maybe I don't know her as well as I think I do.

"Mind telling me why your so clutzy all of a sudden? First the bathroom, now this. What's going on?"

"It just occurred to me. If we are to have a break-up, there needs to be some sort of relationship first. We don't have one and because of my big mouth, we need to start one. "

"We just can't pretend? We should just be seen together in public and that should suffice."

"Well, "the girls" are going to want details. You think I am stubborn, these girls are persistent."

"What kind of details?" Part of me is wondering what in the hell I got myself into. The other part is wondering why I am even having this conversation.

"You know, details, like kissing and how you asked me out and all that girly stuff which I shudder at." She blushed outrageously. She is so innocent. This is getting weird. I felt like we've crossed a bridge without us knowing and now the damn thing is burning.

"OK, TenTen, I'll play your game, but this is only till the end of the week. After dinner and my welcoming party, it's over. I can't have any liabilities hindering my priorities as a ninja."

"Fine, that's fine. But, in order for this to work, you have to help in making it look believable. We will have to arrange work schedules and training schedules so that we can actually spend time together in public. Even if it is for three days only."

"Ok, what do you want me to do?" Sometimes, it's just easier to ask a girl what she wants rather than face her wrath if you don't do something.

"Well, I have no experience in relationships, I was kinda hoping you'd be the one with experience. You have experience, right?" She actually had the balls to ask me that question. Only TenTen.

No one ever questioned Hyuuga experience. I am not saying that I am a playboy, but, I've had my share of a few females. It's expected.

"Yes, and I may have to teach you a few things for this to work. You do realize the spark you've created?"

"Yep, I just don't want to get burned by said spark. This controversy is getting out of hand"

I had no idea the impact of those words, but somewhere, I felt as if Fate was laughing at a joke I didn't get yet.

We left Ichiraku, her a little tipsy after the Sake, me rather mellow. You'd think a girl would learn. As we turn the corner to head towards her house, she stumbles slightly and grabs onto my arm for support. Guess I am up to bat. I steady her and grab her hand. Looking down, I realized then how small it was compared to mine. There was a time when we saw eye to eye, but now, I just see the perfect part in her head. Sighing to myself, I look up as we approach her door. Ok, they say déjà vu, but this time I am changing things a bit. She won't slip in the door on me again.

"Well, we are here. Guess I'll be going now. I have to finish a few reports on the prototypes we are developing." She rambles a few more seconds when I've had enough and interrupt her soliloquy.

"TenTen, take a deep breath. Relax, I don't bite. But if you really want this to work, you will have to relax around me."

I raise my eyebrow and smirk at her. She just blushes. Guess it's now or never. Neji, you are about to make your life complicated. Maybe that won't be so bad. After all, it's dark, there is a beautiful woman standing inches from you, biting her lip, not realizing that she is turning you on with her innocence. Her scent, her slight blush, and her rapid breaths are sending you the right signals. Plus, Hyuuga, she's got a great body. What more do you need? She matches you perfectly. Right I sigh to myself, time to leap before looking.

"Ten, I am going to kiss you. It is bound by fate to happen. You want this realistic? You got it."

"Oh, Okey Dokey!"