Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any characters from Naruto.

They walked out of the restaurant and neither really knew where they were going. In the end, they found themselves at an old training area, it was one of their favorites because no one ever bothered them there.

The news had surprised them both, and Neji knew he had to do something. If he didn't do it now, when the opportunity had finally arose, then he would regret it forever. This was destiny smiling down upon him, and he knew it. But he couldn't bring himself to say the words, they just wouldn't come to him. Somehow, years of keeping everything inside were keeping him from saying anything now, when it mattered the most. He looked into Tenten's eyes, and saw the same need to open up as he felt. Neji looked away a gain quickly, not ready to talk just yet. Things had been going so well for so many days now, what if this messed it all up? Thatw as the last thing he wanted. But still, deep down, he knew she wanted the same thing he did.

"Neji," Tenten finally broke the silence. He looked back at her and she noticed itwas starting to get dark. The lighting made his eyes seem to glow against the darkness creeping in to the world. She couldn't read the look in his eyes, but it didn't matter. They had three days, and it was now or never. "I…Really don't know how to say this… I l-" She was interrupted by his lips meeting hers. Tenten's eyes opened wide before shemelted into the embrace she had wanted for such a long time. His strong arms held her tight, never wanting to let her go.

"I know," He said as he slowly pulled away from her. "Make me your suitor, Tenten. I love you."

"I've waited so long for you to say that," She said into his shoulder. He cradled her head in his hand delicately and kissed her forehead. She wrapped her arms around him and just held him to her, feeling him return the warm embrace.

"It just took me this long to realize that was what I wanted," Neji answered. "I needed to think I'd lost you."

"You'll never lose me," She brought their lips together once more as they held each other in the growing dark.

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Amaku returned to Rumiko's house long before the other two had and he simply strode in casually. Rumiko heard the door and called after him before he could reach his room.

"Where have you been? I was wondering…" Rumiko asked.

"I've been matchmaking," He called back with a smile, "They'll be home any time now."

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Three days passed by in a breeze of Tenten and Neji training together. He needed the practice when the day came for him to face an unknown opponent. Tenten had no doubt of his ability, she knew he could probably beat anyone they threw at him. He wasn't so sure. The doubt kept clouding his thoughts as they trained. He would think of a million different factors that could cause him to fail. At the moment, he was completely unsure of his destiny. All he knew was that Tenten was in his future, and he would fightto keep it that way.

Tenten just did all she could to help Neji prepare, but the few days before the match were some of the happiest she'd ever had. Every day she was with Neji, and they would not only train together like always but he would hold her like she'd always dreamed of. She finally knew what it was like to be truly close to him, and it felt like she would never stop smiling. But time was not on their side.

As the fateful day came, the whole group went to the other village. Tenten felt nervous throughout the journey. She was about to meet her fiancé, and announce Neji as the man that she really wanted. Doubt nagged at her, 'What if I do have to marry the other one?' She shuddered at the thought.

Neji was just about as uncomfortable. He was about to fight for Tenten's hand in marriage, something didn't quite feel right and that feeling would not go away. Despite the feel of Tenten's hand in his, he knew they were in for a big surprise. She gently squeezed his hand and placed her head on his shoulder. At the moment they were staying in aroom outside of the mainhallwaiting for the ceremony where the suitors would be announced. The first thing on the agenda for the ceremony: presenting Tenten to her suitors formally.

She was already dressed for the occasion. Her hair was down, flowing gently around her shoulders, and her Mother had made her put on make up. Tenten was wearing a soft pink dress that looked gauzy but was made of several layers of fabric. The hem was uneven, giving it the appearance of floating as she walked. The neck line was a V, enough to leave a few things to the imagination but close enough to make Neji's blush lightly (because the Hyuuga Neji just doesn't blush).

"We're ready for you now, Tenten," Amaku had suddenly appeared and held out his arm for her to take. Tenten gave Neji a quick kiss on the cheek and went to join her Father. He felt alone as she left, but Rumiko guided him to his place with the crowd. The room was huge, adn Neji suddenly felt very out of place.It wasn't very long before Amaku and Tenten appeared before the crowd.

"May I present, my daughter, Takashi Tenten," the Tenkage announced grandly and she smiled as best she could. "And the two competing for her hand are; Hyuuga Neji of Konoha,-" Neji gave a slight nod from the midst of the crowd as Amaku pointed to him.Tenten smiled down at him as he looked back at her. "- and Gaara of the Sand."

A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, I wanted to cut off right here for suspense. Please review!