I'm so glad you people liked it! And since you asked, I'll try to make the chapters longer, but that does mean I'll update more slowly, sorry!

Still, thanks for all the reviews, I love you people!

O, and just in case. The girls are just friends, although they will share a connection, so to all perverted people out there I'll repeat. They are just friends! So don't go getting any strange idea OK? Thanks....

Hearts in love and denial, chapter 5.

Tsunade led the girls to a different room. It had no windows, and the candles were the only source of light in the whole room, giving the girls an eerie feeling. Rings were drawn on the ground, with some strange pure white sand. Tsunade walked on, until she stood in the centre of the room, in the smallest of all the rings.

"So, who will be the first?" she asked, cracking her knuckles.

Nervously Sakura looked at the other two. Yes, who would be the first? Hinata started to do her finger thing, something she always did whenever she was nervous. Tenten stood, eyes downcast, shadows covering her eyes.

You're embarrassing. She bet he didn't even notice her, other then as his team-mate. The one who was always following him as a damn puppy. She clenched her fist. Gai had made comments about Lee's strength, Neji's genius mind. But he always ignored her. Seems that even her idiotic teacher didn't notice her. And he was an idiot, at least she always thought that, but at least he was acknowledged. Unlike her. Now she understood Naruto. She bit her lip. The shadows danced because of the flickering light, and she saw the other two hesitating. This was the chance to stop being the weakest, maybe even defeat Neji. God, she would love to see his face if she did that. Maybe then he would notice her...

"We can't be weak forever" Tenten spoke up, almost mockingly.

The girls nodded; apparently they had the same problem, well not anymore.

"I'll go first" she told Tsunade, no hesitation whatsoever.

Tsunade motioned for Tenten to come forward. She did, and tried to hide her nervousness. "You have to take of your shirt Tenten; I need to touch the seal. Don't worry there are no men here" Tsunade spoke, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. Tenten scoffed. And did as she was told. Taking of her shirt it revealed her seal. It was a dragon's head, in the middle of her shoulder blades. Strange markings around it, and the deep black stood out on her creamy skin.

"Now kneel before me, facing Sakura and Hinata. It will hurt Tenten, badly. There is nothing I can do about it" Tsunade warned. Tenten nodded and again knelt down before Tsunade.

"Don't worry I'm used to pain" Tenten spoke, hoping to sound confident. She refused however to look at Sakura and Hinata.

"You'll be alright Tenten-chan" Hinata told her.

Tenten looked up, and Hinata smiled encouragingly at her so did Sakura. Tenten relaxed slightly, she knew she was not alone She looked over her shoulder and nodded at Tsunade. Tsunade, who had silently watched the exchange between the girls, started to perform handseals. After they finished them her fingertips glowed blue. Without warning she slammed her hand in the middle of the seal. Her fingertips touching the necessary spots. Tenten cried out, and braced herself to the pain. She could hear Hinata gasping and the distinct voice of Sakura asking her if she was all right. She paid them no heed, the pain claimed up every single thought. She couldn't think, she couldn't hear, smell or feel anything but the pain. Her seal felt as if it was burned into her skin. No matter what she did the pain didn't go away, it felt as if her whole body was on fire, not just the area of the seal although it was the worst there. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she found she couldn't move her body. The fire seemed to consume her body and no command of her brain could make it move. She could do nothing but sit, sweat, cry and let the pain wash over her. Suddenly the pain released her and she fell forward breathing hard. Her breathing stopped momentarily as she felt her new power rush over her. Her eyes widened in shock she could again do nothing but let it wash over her.

"What... the... hell" she panted, as it slowly ebbed away. She could still feel it though. She could feel the power resting inside her. It was as if her senses had awakened. Slowly one hand came up over her shoulder, and gently touched her seal. It was warm, not burning like a few minutes ago, but warm almost comforting.

"You all right, Tenten-Chan?" came the hesitant voice of Sakura. Strange, after this Tenten felt strangely closer to both Sakura as Hinata. She guessed the hokage was right; they would have sought each other out anyway. She guessed that if the other's seals were unlocked, they would feel as if they were connected. She could feel it, the connection, but not as clear as it could be, she knew.

"Does it still hurt, Tenten-chan?" Hinata asked this time, when they got nothing out of the weapon master. Tenten smirked and looked up. She put her shirt on again and looked at her friends.

"Never been better, who's next?" she asked, slightly arrogant. Hinata blinked confused, for she was sure Tenten-chan was crying just minutes ago. Sakura stepped forward.

"I'll go now" she spoke. She had been weak long enough. She was tired of seeing Sasuke´s and Naruto´s back. She wanted to look them in the eye, as an equell, no as an better ninja. She would be weak, no longer. She won´t be protected any longer, no this time she was going to protect. She won´t stand in there way again. She took of her shirt. And revealed a cherry blossom, right above her heart, she also had strange markings surrounding it. The marking looked the same as Tenten's. She knelt before Tsunade, facing her as she looked Tsunade in her eyes.

"Do it" she ordered, momentarily forgetting it was the hokage she was talking to. Tsunade formed the seals and again her fingers glowed blue. Again without warning she struck Sakura. Sakura's breathing stopped, as her eyes stood wide. It was as if spring itself settled itself over her, caressing her on a painful way. It was both pleasant and painful. She couldn't breathe. She knew she had to but she couldn't. Somehow she didn't feel like she was going to die, if anything she felt more alive. Slowly spring settled itself in her and she could feel her surroundings. Tenten stood out, her fire was soothing to Sakura. Behind her Tenten gasped, and fell down, she was caught by Hinata. Both Hinata as Tenten sat on the ground. Hinata barely was feeling Sakura, but enough to know about the connection. Tenten felt Sakura as if she was a part of her, a breathing living part of her. Sakura, feeling the same, managed to breathe again. Spring calmed down and Sakura fell backwards, her eyes wide as Tenten had been. Her hand found its way to her seal, which was cool like a spring breeze.

"O... my..." she panted. Behind her Tenten laughed. Hinata smiled, feeling both Sakura as Tenten getting close to her. She knew it was her time, and she wasn't afraid anymore.

"Told you so" Tenten teased. Sakura laughed.

"We can handle this, can't we?" Hinata shyly asked. Tenten smirked.

"Hell yeah" Sakura answered, smirking as well.

Tsunade looked up, and straight into Hinata's eyes.

"Your turn" she told her. Hinata nodded, and Tenten patted her hand. Sakura got up, smiling and put on her shirt. She set her hand on Hinata's shoulder and smiled encouragingly to her.

"It's not that bad" she whispered, and winked. Walking further she settled herself beside a sitting Tenten. Hinata walked over. She wanted to make her clan proud, she wanted to make all her friends proud, but somehow she was still shaking. Were Sakura an Tenten just as nervous? Was she weaker? No, she was here because she was going to be strong, just like her father, Hanabi, Neji and Tenten and Sakura. She was going to be strong...Nervously Hinata lifted up her shirt and nodded to Tsunade. Her seal was a bit different then Sakura's and Tenten's were. The pearl in the middle was white, even more white then her pale skin, around the pearl was a black line, that stood out on her pale skin. The markings were the same, also midnight black as those of Tenten and Sakura. Tsunade, once again, formed handseals and the familiar feeling of chacra in her fingers was once again present. She slammed her hand on Hinata's seal and Hinata's eyes widened.

Well that's it...I hope you enjoyed it and....

jumps and avoids flying objects

I WAS JUST KIDDING sheeeees....

Hinata raised her head and opened her mouth in a silent scream. It was as if there was light in her that suddenly exploded. The pure white sand started to glitter and suddenly gave light. Soon Tenten and Sakura stood outside, blinded by the rings of light, while a circle of light surrounded Tsunade and Hinata. Hinata trembled as the light in her sought its way. Tears crept down her cheeks because of panic and the pain but she wasn't able to utter a sound. Both Sakura as Tenten stood, worrying about their friend when suddenly they gasped. They could feel her, like they could feel each other. She was as a light in midnight darkness. They smiled, it had worked then. Hinata's body gave one final shook before she collapsed to her knees. Eyes wide, panting and clutching her side, which was warm and pleasant under her fingers. She knew where Tenten and Sakura were, she could feel them. Tenten was as a fire in winter's cold, and Sakura was comforting like spring. She lifted up her head and smiled at them, they smiled back.

"It's great, ne Hinata-chan?" Sakura asked, waiting for a reply.

Hinata nodded to them, and turned to bow to Tsunade.

"Arigatou, Tsunade-sama" she spoke, meaning her words. Behind her Tenten and Sakura nodded, and smiled. Tsunade scoffed.

"Don't thank me just yet, after I spoke to your sensei's you can thank me by training." she said, not knowing how to deal with gratitude.

An hour later...

Hinata nervously sat. The chair was becoming more uncomfortable by the minute but she was tired of walking in circles. She was nervous, and for once, for a good reason. Her father was there, in the room behind her. She sat on a chair beside the door, against the wall, waiting. Tsunade was telling her father about...well... her. Slowly her hand moved to rest on the area of her seal. She could feel it, right through her clothes. The warmth was comforting, but she still felt like she was on her own. No Naruto to impress, nor Sakura and Tenten. The sounds of footsteps made her look up. She blinked in surprise when she saw both Sakura as Tenten walking towards her. They smiled at her and took seats beside her.

"A-ano, what are you doing here?" she asked, distracting herself from her troubling thoughts.

Sakura smiled and Tenten answered.

"Because of you of course, we all know how your family thinks about you. And we came to see the show"

Sakura shook her head and lightly playfully punched Tenten.

"She's just kidding Hinata-chan, we came to support you of course" she told the nervous girl. Tenten rolled her eyes but smiled.

"Yeah, that too" she said lamely.

Hinata smiled, happy to know she wasn't alone.

To be continued...

This chapter isn't that exciting. But I needed this, and the last one, to explain things. Now you all know how things are, you'll see how everyone reacts. And will they be able to keep it all secret? Or will anyone find out? Well, you just have to wait. Review if you're up to it.

Greetings,

Gasha Aisu