disclaimers at the first chapter.

"Neji-samaaa," Merizu whined, her voice unusually high in pitch. "Where are you goiiing?"

Neji restrained himself from saying, away from you. 'Cause, you know, he's generally polite to things that scare him. That's how he stayed with Gai-sensei all those years.

"To train," he said simply, walking a wee bit faster.

"Ah… Hiashi-sama has ordered me to train with you!"

Twitch. "Out of the question. I already have a training partner. Hiashi-sama knows this."

"But he said—"

"Nothing of the sort," Hiashi himself said, as he passed by. He looked fairly amused. Neji raised an eyebrow at her, but Merizu didn't look even faintly embarrassed.

"—to accompany you," she continued in what she thought was a soft and gentle voice. To Neji it sounded very, very creepy. "Hiashi-sama has ordered me to train with you. I will do as he says, because I will serve this family with every fiber of my being…"

Neji vaguely wondered how often she was dropped on the head as a child.

In the end, though, she went with him. Mostly so that she'd shut up.

"The first part of my plan is complete," Merizu said, distinctly audible. She laughed maliciously. Neji gave her a strange look.

"Pardon?"

"Oh, nothing Neji-sama!" she said brightly. She paused, and then continued, "Hah! I can fool even the great Hyuuga Neji! He's not so great!"

Neji blinked. He stiffened, and then quickened his pace. She was clearly insane.

Finally, they reached the clearing. Neji didn't know whether to be glad to see Tenten or not. On the one hand, she had always brought sanity and practicality into his life, proven many times over with Team Gai. On the other hand…

"You're late, Neji," Tenten said, looking very, very amused. "I was wondering why, but I guess I have my answer…"

"A girl? So, he does have a girlfriend!" said Merizu. "I'll bet he knocked her up already. But she's got nothing on me!"

Tenten stared. "Uh, Neji…"

i shall update tomorrow, if i can sneak unto the computer long enough. And yes, each update is only about a page long, not including author's notes. Deal.