Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Warming up

The day went by faster than Tenten wanted. It was four in the afternoon already, and soon she would need to head for the library to meet up with Neji. She shivered. It wasn't like she would stay alone with him, where he would watch every movement and she would fear that he would see through her with those sharp, pale lavender, pupiles eyes. They were going to be in a library, filled with other students, so it was going to be ok. Plus, she knew that the guy ignored her as much as he could, so he would just do that, right?

Getting up, she fixed herself in front of the bathroom mirror, making sure her man bun and headband were tight enough, and that the wrappings around her chest and torso were good. Taking a deep breath, she went out of her room. With each step, her anxiety grew, worrying that spending time with the Hyuga genius would blow her cover.

It was no surprise when she found him already in there, sitting by a table, with Greek history books all around him.

"Yo" she greeted. He didn't even lift his eyes to meet her, just grunting in acknowledge of her presence. She mentally sighed in relief. Maybe she was overreacting, maybe he would ignore her full time and her cover would be safe.

"Are you going to keep standing there or will you sit down?" He asked her, and now she noted that she was staring. He also noted her staring, and was staring back at her. Chuckling nervously, she sat down quickly. 'Way to go Tenten, just perfect' she thought.

"So, any ideas on what should we work with?" She asked, picking up a pencil and twirling it with her fingers.

"Hn" Tenten's eyes twitched.

"I'll take that as a no" she picked up one of the books and started to rummage through it, "we could do something about The Troy War, making a little wooden horse statue."

"That's what most will do probably"

"Then what about the journey of Odysseus?" She picked another book.

"Too much work, his journey lasted ten years full of probations"

"I guess that Hercules tasks are out then too" she murmured to herself.

"Sisters of fate" he said, looking down at the book he had on his hands.

"Uh, sure. What are they about?" Tenten asked, she didn't remember much about them, just that they were three sisters.

"Three sisters. The youngest is the begin, the second the journey, the oldest the end" he said, and she rolled her eyes. Whenever he spoke to her, he would use small sentences and speak the less he could.

"Could you elaborate, please?" She asked, nicely.

"Read the book" Neji tapped his index on his book, and her patience with him started to run low.

"Neji, for the sake of shortening our time on this project, please don't be an ass and just explain it to me" she glared at him.

"Are you in a hurry?" He suddenly asked, and Tenten blinked. She thought that he would like to finish this as fast as she wanted.

"No, but I thought you were"

"When did I say this?" He stared at her.

"You never-"

"Then don't assume things" she scoffed at him.

"Says the guy who assumed that I was hitting on his cousin"

"You were" he pointed.

"For the love of-. No, I wasn't, just drop that already!" She was dangerously losing control of her voice.

"No"

"You are impossible" she hissed, getting up, snatching the book from his hand. Without glancing back, she started to stomp out of the library. If the damned Hyuga wanted her to read a book, she would read a god damn book, then make him eat said goddamn book while she wrote the paper sitting on his back.

A strong hand on her shoulder stopped her on her tracks. Spinning around, not because she wanted, but because the hand forced her to, she faced Neji again. She glared at him. As she opened her mouth to curse him, he lifted his index at her. Glaring now his index, she raised an eyebrow at him.

"I'm sorry" He said, not looking at her. Her glare vanished, now a confused look taking place on her face.

"Huh?"

"I don't repeat myself" He told her, now looking at her. She blinked. Releasing his hold on her and sighing loudly, he passed a hand through his hair, "I'll explain the lore about the sisters… Lets just get this done, as you want" He told her, turning around and returning to his seat.

She blinked again, not sure of just happened. Neji Hyuga just apologized to her. Surely a calamity was on its way.

Not wanting to gather any more attention that she already gathered from the students around, she made her way to her former seat.

"Do you actually feel sorry?" She asked, hoping she wasn't pushing him too much. He lingered his eyes at her for a moment, and she could see that he was thinking, hard.

"Yes." Well, he surely had a way with words, thinking so hard to only say one.

"Hn" she used his usual grunt back to him.

"Anyway, The sisters of fate" Neji told her, changing the subject, "They are also called Moirae. They are three sister and are the personification of destiny, or fate. The younger one is Clotho, she has a distaff, where she spins the thread, that thread being the life of a person, thus being called the thread of life. The roman equivalent of her name is Nona, representing the last moth of pregnancy, thus, birth." He paused and glanced at Tenten, who was looking intently at him, "Then there is Lachestis, the middle one. She measured your life, how long you would live with a measuring rod. The older one is Atropos, or how her name equivalent in roman is, Morta. She cut the thread, with a pair of shears, choosing when and how you died."

"That's probably the longest I've heard you talk" Tenten commented when she thought he had finished. He made a sound that resembled a chuckle.

"Hn, there is more."

"You are going to talk more!?" She joked, making a surprised face. She thought she saw Neji's lips form a small smile, but when she looked again there was nothing in there.

"They were independent from the Gods, watching over fate and making sure it was followed, by man or by God. They were often represented as ugly old women, and sometimes only represented as two sisters, or even one, but those are rarer. They appear in a lot of literatures, even Illiad from Homero, the one you wanted about Odysseus, or Ulysses in Latin." Now he was done.

"What are you, an encyclopedia?" She asked, shocked of how much he knew about these things.

"There was a time that I studied a lot about fate. You could say that I was obsessed. Then an idiot came around and hit some sense into me. But that's another story. I just happen to have studied a lot about the Greeks because of the sisters." She chuckled, surprising herself at how at ease it was being to talk to him at the moment.

"Well, he could have knocked some sense of how to be social into you" She teased.

"It was worse before" He shrugged, not offended. She was surprised, he did a total hundred eighty degrees in behavior. Whatever it was, she was glad, she never liked too much bickering. "But still, you should read the book, it will give you more insight about everything… There's a lot more that I didn't comment, that we will probably need to know to present the project."

"Sure" She said while putting his book in her backpack.

"Actually… Never mind" She looked at him, but he paid her no mind. Whatever he was going to say would be forever a mystery. She shrugged.

"So, how do you propose that we do the mini model?" She asked. He closed his eyes in thought.

"Didn't think about that" He admitted, making Tenten almost fall off her chair.

"You should have thought about it before suggesting it!"

"Hn"

"Don't 'hn' me, God, you were being so nice before." She huffed. A chuckle surprised her. Looking at him, she realized that he was chuckling at her.

"We can think on something, don't worry" His face turned into his usual stoic self again, "By the way, there are some people stalking you" He moved his eyes slightly, indicating the positions of the stalkers. Tenten had noticed that she was being watched, but hoped it was only her imagination.

"Cant they leave me alone?" She groaned, "How do you deal with this? Your fan base is much larger than mine…"

"You get used to ignoring them, as for me, I know they are behind the bookcase behind my left shoulder" He shrugged. Glancing at where he said, Tenten found two girls sending them looks now and there.

"Do you have eyes on your back too?" She joked about his observation skills.

"Maybe" He joked back, smirking. She grinned at him.

"Well, anyway, about the model… Maybe we could try to use some clay to build three old women, and connect the with a thread, making as if they were holding it, the last one with something that resembled a shear on her hand, also made from clay." She proposed. He pondered for a while before answering.

"Can you work with clay?" He asked, still thoughtful.

"You'd be surprised" She grinned at him. Neji stared at her for a moment.

"That's… Impressive. Ill be looking forward to see your art" He commented, "When do you want to make the models?"

"Where and when do you think we could do?" She asked back.

"We?" He blinked, she rolled her eyes.

"You didn't think that I would do all the didty work alone, did you?" Yes, he did.

"I don't know how to work with clay" He confessed.

"I'll teach you, no biggies" Neji opened his mouth to protest, but closed it.

"What about the paper? I could do the paper and you the models?" He proposed, but he wasn't getting away this easily. She wasn't the only one that would get dirty.

"No can do, we make the models and the paper together. You have no escape Hyuga" she smirked, Neji looked away.

"Fine" He growled, sighing afterwards. She grinned.

"Glad that we came into an understanding. Now, if you'll excuse me, Ill go back into dorm to read your book" She got up again, this time in a good mood. He just nodded and she left.

...

Wasn't that nice

Hn

See, you can be nice too

Hn

Aren't you afraid of him reading your book?

I have a feeling he won't judge

Hn

...

Arriving at her dorm, she took out the book. It was a very old book by the appearance, but it was well cared.

"Prolegomena to the study of Greek religion, 1903" She read its title out loud, "1903!? Shit, this is old, better take extra care".

Tenten spent the next hour reading its introduction, feeling that she didn't understand much. The book was about going further down the mythology, citing how Homero's work were just superficial and all. Reaching the table of contents, she felt that she understood even less. Deciding that she would just ask Neji another time where exactly she needed to read, she closed the book, carefully placing it on her desk. Glancing at the time, she realized it was seven already, time flew while they were in the library.

She couldn't say she didn't like it. When his attitude changed, he was another whole person, someone she could talk easily, even joke, and that pleased her a lot. It was a shame that he wasn't always like that, but she would take what she got, hoping that he wouldn't go back into being like before with her.

...

The rest of the week passed by, and she never got to ask him what she should really read, because she actually forgot about it. They started treating each other like normal human beings, a pleasant change. He would still talk in short sentences, and grunting, but he was neither glaring wholes at her nor ignoring her existence. She could say that they were beginning to be friends.

Talking about friends, Sakura started to talk a lot more with her as well. Starting chit chat at lunch, or when she would spot Tenten somewhere, she would call her over and start talking. Not that she minded, but apparently, someone else minded, and that someone wasn't Lee, who had proclaimed his love for her innumerous times.

"Amarai" Tenten looked up from her water bottle. It was the ending of Saturday's practice, and Sasuke was approaching her, in his cool and stoic behavior. But Tenten knew he was somewhat irritated. You see, she was a very sharp observer. She would notice some behavior changes depending on someone's mood.

Even Shino didn't escape her sharp eyes, even though she didn't see him right away sometimes. For example, when his mouth was totally hidden under his high collar jacket, he was either sad or angry. When you could see just the tip, he was ok. When you could see almost all his mouth, he was happy, and if you could see his full mouth, then or he was sick, or just saw some rare bug and is bubbling from happiness.

So right now, Tenten knew, from the slight, almost imperceptible squirm of Sasuke's eyes, that he was irritated.

"Whats up Uchiha?" She asked, feign ignorance about what he wanted to talk. He stared at her for a while, then looked at their surroundings. Most of the team members were already in the locker room, just Neji, Lee, Sai, she and Sasuke were left there. The first three were busy taking out the volleyball net.

"Are you and Sakura… A thing?" Tenten almost choked on her water. She knew that he wanted to talk about the pinkette, but not that he was going to be so direct.

"No, of course not" She coughed trying to claim some air, "Where did you get this idea from?" She asked, looking at him like he just grew another head. Sasuke averted his gaze, shifting his weight from one leg to another. That was a new body language for her to memorize, and it screamed embarrassment.

"Its that you guys were being extra close these past days…" He trailed off, probably unsure on how to proceed. Tenten sighed.

"That's just because I listened to her when she was troubled" She said truthfully, it was all that she did to deserve the extra attention from the girl.

"She was troubled? With what?" His head snapped at her, eyes slightly wide with surprise and worry. Apparently, obliviousness was a thing in this school, as he was the reason for Sakura's troubles.

"Can't tell, its her thing. If you really wanna know it, go ask her" She told him. Like hell she was going to be a snitch on her friend. He glared at her, but she was immune to it, after being the end receiver of Neji's glare for some time. "You can glare all you want, but still, its her personal stuff, so I don't have the right to spill" She shrugged at him.

"Hn, very well" He stopped glaring, but still didn't move. Tenten didn't know if she should leave him there or just wait for him to decide if he wanted to talk more or just be a pole in there.

"I'll be going now, if you'll excus-"

"What can I do to have more of her attention?" He finally asked. Tenten sighed, why the heck was he asking her that, out of all people. She stared at him, pondering if she should leave or help him. "Please?" ok, she would help him.

"Look, hypothetically speaking, if she were to come at you and start talking about her day, what do you do?" They stared at each other for a minute, "So?"

"This" he answered, gesturing at them, "I would do this" He said nothing more, and started to stare again.

"You would just stare at her?"

"Yes, and listen"

"Of course, that's good, because IT REALLY ISNT YOU IDIOT!" She slapped herself, this guy must have taken classes from Neji on being antisocial, or the other way around. Because God helped her to not try to punch some sense in him. At his dumbfounded face, she exhaled loudly. "Look, when a girl is talking with you, you have to be proactive on the conversation, to SHOW her that you are listening."

"Why do I need to show her that I'm listening" That's it, she punched him in the head.

"Because girls like it! You project of an ice cube!" She yelled at him, he nodded frenetically. "You ask her more questions about the topic, contribute with the conversation. Sometimes, you should start a conversation, or just ask how she is or how went classes or her day. If she is cold to you, then you have to melt her, like, keep trying or something, I dunno!" She put her hands up, exasperated. Sasuke seemed to absorb what she said, and nodded again, slower this time.

"I see… Thank you" He bowed slightly and left. Tenten sighed, wishing the best of luck to Sakura, understanding how the girl could be frustated with that guy.

"What was that about?" She repressed a yelp upon hearing Neji's voice behind her.

"Oh, hey Neji. Nothing much, just giving some tips to Uchiha" She scratched the balk of her head awkwardly.

"Tips to Uchiha?" He lifted an eyebrow at her.

"Sakura" She hoped he got the point and thanked that he was smart enough to get it. He just grunted and nodded, starting his way into the locker room. Tenten let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

Grabbing her stuff, she went for her dorm. She needed a shower and then food. Letting herself relax against the warm water, she felt happy. Her plan was going smoothly, so far, no one, aside from Lee, suspected her genre, Neji was treating her like a normal human being, she strengthened her bonds with others, and apparently, she was matchmaking too, helping Sakura and Sasuke sort themselves, even if indirectly. She just hoped that it wouldn't backfire.

...

"Have you and Tenshi figured out your history project already?" Lee asked him while they were heading for their dorm.

"Yes"

"About what are you guys going to do?" Lee asked excitedly.

"Sisters of fate. We'll make some clay models to fulfill the requirements of the project." Neji informed the boy.

"Really? I didn't know that my eternal rival could model clay!"

"I cant, Tenshi can. He said that he would teach me to help him" He stated, ignoring the warm sensation that it was forming in his belly. Lee seemed more excited than before.

"How awesome! I'm so happy that you two are getting along so well!" Lee beamed. Neji grunted.

"What about your project?" He tried changing the subject of questions.

"I still haven't talked with Sai. But he is good with arts, so I doubt it will be much trouble for us!" He gave Neji his signature thumbs up. Neji nodded. They kept walking in comfortable silence.

"Say Neji, what you think of Tenshi?" Lee suddenly asked. Neji almost tripped with surprise.

"Huh?"

"What you think of the man?" Lee asked again.

"He is alright, I guess" Neji answered, not understanding much the question. Lee hummed, and kept walking without questioning more. Neji followed behind, still confused with the sudden question.

You are blushing by the way

Shit, shut up!

A shorter chapter this time, but it is because if I continued, it would be way too big, so I thought it was a good ending point hehe Well, I hope you guys liked this chapter! Please review and tell me your thoughts about it!

Thank you for reading, and I apologize for grammar errors!

Be well, and see you on the next chapter!