Chapter 2

He gazed at his teammate, her chest going in and out rhythmically.

"You work her too hard." Neji's head snapped up at the sound of a voice. Shikamaru stood there, smirking at the fact that he startled THE Hyuuga Neji- a rare occurrence. The longer-haired ninja just glared.

"What do you mean?" He demanded, narrowing his eyes at the lazy-nin.

"You've been training all day, haven't you?" The strategic ninja asked. Neji just nodded, not seeing where he was going with it. Shikamaru gave an exasperated sigh. "So she spends the entire day throwing pointy objects at you so that you can perfect your techniques, but did you ask if she wanted to take some time to practice her own?" Neji raised his eyebrows. He hadn't thought about that. "Did you guys even stop to eat?" At this Neji lowered his eyes guiltily. He recalled Tenten's earlier request about lunch that she didn't even get to finish saying. "Well, I know better than to get involved. I'm not going to lecture you about your relationship with your team. I just came because Tsunade-sama asked me to inform you that Lee and Gai have been sent on a mission for a week. Oh, and she wants to see you and 'sleepy' over there first thing tomorrow. She has a mission for the two of you. She wants you in her office no later than nine."

"Thanks." Neji murmured, still sore about having been proven insensitive. Shikamaru mumbled a 'troublesome' before turning around and walking off casually with his hands behind his head. Neji viewed the still-slumbering Tenten, thinking that maybe she's been more of a friend to him than he realized. He didn't want to wake her; she worked hard for his sake today. He rose, swung her pack over his shoulder, and lifted her up bridal-style. He marveled at how light she was, and found himself wondering if she ate enough. Suddenly a wave of protectiveness washed over him. The girl in his arms shifted, snuggling in closer to the warmth of his chest. He couldn't resist a chuckle. If she knew she did that she would die of embarrassment. He smiled at the thought of a flustered and blushing Tenten. Now that would be fun to see. Finally he set off in the direction of Tenten's house.

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Neji couldn't help but stare at Tenten as he walked. She looked so peaceful: lips parted slightly, breathing softly.

"It's no wonder she was at the training grounds so early," he thought sadly, "she probably does that every day so that she can get some of her own training time in before I come and take over." The teenage genius continued carrying his teammate through the barren streets. Most people were getting ready to go to sleep by now.

"Why does she help me?" He asked to no one in particular. He remembered what Shikamaru said. "If I treat her so unfairly, why does she keep coming?"

"Because she cares about you." Said a quiet voice. Neji turned and watched a boy slightly taller than himself step out of the shadows. "That's what teammates- what friends- do for each other."

"Shino." The other ninja nodded his greeting. As refined as the Aburame was, the fact that he valued loyalty and friendship was always evident. "What are you doing out so late?" Neji asked, raising an eyebrow. (He does that a lot :P)

"I was trying to catch a certain insect that only comes out at night." He supplied, patting the now occupied container that hung by his waist. "And you…" he said, "by the looks of it you and Tenten trained hard today." He looked at Neji who shook his head up and down in confirmation. "Here." He offered, stepping up. "I'll hold her while you get the key." Neji blinked, noticing that they were at Tenten's house. If Shino hadn't come along, he probably would've walked right past it in his deep state of thought. He handed the kunoichi off to Shino and began to rummage through her pack. His skin felt cold where he had once held her. He immediately wanted her back, warm and safe in HIS arms.

Tenten yawned and wriggled closer to Shino. Neji noticed this and felt a pang of jealousy. Discovering the key in a side pocket, he quickly opened the door and thanked the bug-wielder.

"See you around." He said, taking Tenten from him. Shino simply nodded his head and walked off into the shadows. Neji drew in a deep breath when he had his teammate safe in his arms again. Bringing Tenten into her house, he shut the door and locked it. Using his Byakugan, he found a light switch and flipped it up with his nose. (A/N: I laughed when I imagined Neji doing that. Have you ever tried? It's hard! . Okay, sorry back to the story!) He took a quick minute to admire her living room before laying her gently on the couch. He noticed a piece of paper on the coffee table and picked it up:

Tenten,

Your father and I have gone to visit your Aunt Lynn in the hidden Stone Village. We waited for you to get back, but it was getting late, and I figured you were training with Neji. I know how you like helping him, so I didn't bother you. There's leftover miso soup in the refrigerator, and don't forget to dust the front hall. I understand you want to work hard, but please don't overdo your training. (I don't want to come home and find you passed out in the hospital). I'll tell Kito you said 'hi'. (He likes you and you know it). We'll be gone for five days. Be good, I love you!

Mom

Neji was sure to place the note back exactly where he found it.

"Her parents aren't home… who is this 'Kito' person?" He asked himself acrimoniously. At least her parents weren't home. That was a relief. Him in the living room next to an unconscious Tenten would be a little hard to explain. He heard a groan from behind him.

"Neji?" The boy genius turned around to see Tenten rubbing her eyes. "Neji?" She questioned again, this time more awake. "Why are you in my house?"

"I brought you here. You fell asleep. I… didn't want to wake you." He told her. "Go back to sleep." He spotted a blanket on a nearby chair and draped it over the tired girl. She closed her eyes and yawned, settling back into the pillow. Neji quietly turned to leave.

"Neji?" He faced the girl again.

"…What is it, Tenten?"

"…Thanks." Neji smiled.

"It's the least I could do… for a friend." Upon hearing those words Tenten's smile seemed top make her whole face glow. She closed her eyes again, and Neji left, locking the door behind him. "I'll give her the key back when I come for her tomorrow about the mission." He decided, and started toward the Hyuuga Complex.

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"Tenten."

Groan.

"Tenten." Someone nudged her shoulder.

"Huh? Wha?"

"Tenten get up. Tsunade-sama wants to see us. We have a mission." Tenten's eyes widened as she noticed that it was already light outside. Because she slept on the couch she hadn't been able to set her alarm clock. The girl shot up when she realized this.

"Ahhh! I'm late for training! Neji's gonna kill me!"

"Tenten!" The girl stopped, staring at Neji who had put his finger to her lips to shut her up. "Calm down." He went on, in a softer tone. "You're not late for anything. But we will be late for our meeting with Hokage-sama if you don't get ready now." He said with a smirk.

"The Hokage?" She inquired.

"As I said before, we have a mission." He stated flatly. He watched, amused, as she tried to smooth down the hair sticking out of her buns to no avail.

"Oh, a mission…" She replied thoughtfully. "Hey! Don't laugh at me!" Neji held up his hands in defence.

"I'm not, really." He said, still smirking. "Now hurry up and get ready." Tenten narrowed her eyes at him, but then laughed.

"I guess I do look pretty funny." She agreed, getting off the couch. She headed for the stairs. "Make yourself at home. I won't be long." She jogged up the stairs, leaving Neji to his thoughts.

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