Part of the NejiTen discord Secret Santa exchange! I hope you like it, Sheepish Smile!

Note: This was originally an idea I had for an offshoot series of my 'You Must Believe in Spring' story. A quasi modern AU, where the Konoha gang is at University. All of the Konoha 12 are also in ANBU, which in this AU is a secret counter-terrorism organization.

Shades of Konoha: Dragon and Phoenix
Tell Her Everything

They were in the beginning of their last fall semester at Konoha University, and bonfire season was in full swing. Tenten arrived late, only to be immediately set upon by Ino.

"There you are!" she dragged her into the circle of logs surrounding the closest bonfire. "What in the world took you so long?"

"Sorry," Tenten sighed, letting Ino pull her until she sat next to her. "It was a conditioning day, and Gai-Sensei was relentless." She looked around. "Did Lee get out yet? I know they kept the track team late, too."

"You mean is Idate here yet," Ino grinned slyly. "I still can't believe you two were a summer item and you didn't bother mentioning anything until a month or so ago."

"I told you - it's an athlete thing. A few months isn't very long when you consider how much of that time is spent training, conditioning, traveling," she ticked the items off on her fingers and shrugged. "Never mind all of our other obligations."

"I call B.S., but I love you anyway. Neji!" she called across the fire. "Throw another log on!"

Neji reached behind his seat and grabbed some wood to pitch into the blaze. Tenten sat and chatted with Ino for a little while before deciding to check on her more-stoic-than-usual teammate. She no sooner stood up than she was seized from behind, causing her to let out a startled shriek.

"Idate!" she pounded her fists on his arms which encircled her waist. "Put me down!"

Idate was laughing and spun her around before complying, but kept his arms around her. "Sorry, babe," he kissed her cheek. "Couldn't resist."

"Yeah, yeah," she rolled her eyes and slapped at his chest playfully. "You're big and strong – we get it. You joining us?"

"Wish I could," he sighed, "but I'd better sit this one out. I've got an away meet in the morning and have to be up early. You're welcome to call it an early night with me," he pulled her closer, voice low and eyes intense.

Whatever Tenten might have said to that was interrupted by a familiar green uniform streaking across the grounds, yelling at the top of his lungs.

"Was…was that Lee?"

"Definitely Lee," Kiba tossed Akamaru a toasted marshmallow and re-loaded his toasting fork.

Tenten sighed, and looked up to Idate. "Looks like I have some more training to do."

"You want my help?"

"Normally I'd say yes," she smiled crookedly, "especially since you are one of the only people that can catch Lee, but I'd bet he is drinking, and we can't risk you this close to a meet."

"Don't suppose I can convince you to just leave it to your friends?" he asked, a small frown on his face. "Hyūga?" he called over to Neji. "Isn't this something you can handle?"

"It's not my day to watch him," Neji grumped, and for the first time, Tenten noticed he was drinking.

"Okay, first of all," she turned to face him. "That's my line, and second of all it's always your day to watch him because you are the only one he'll listen to, and Byakugan. Why is he so toasted, anyway?"

"You didn't hear?" he scoffed, eyes on the bonfire, a nearly empty drink in his hands. "Sakura and Sasuke are official, and Uchiha has made it known that he isn't going anywhere."

"Oh, no," she sighed. "Poor Lee."

"Yeah, well," Neji finished a bottle of something and tossed it into the recycle bin just outside of the fire. "Shit happens." To her shock, he stood up, grabbing a bag that clinked suspiciously. "See you later."

"Neji? Neji, wait!"

But he was gone.

Tenten watched him go, confused.

"Let him go," Idate murmured into her ear, wrapping his hands around her waist as he nuzzled her neck, and pulling her flush against him where she could have no doubt as to his intentions. "The others will fetch Lee. Come with me, instead."

Tenten's sigh was heavy.

"I wish I could."

"Come over when you finish then," he held her more tightly.

"You know I can't. Besides," she turned in the circle of his arms. "Coach will never forgive you if you aren't in top shape for the meet."

"Fine," he sighed, holding his hands up in surrender. "I know when I'm beat. See you tomorrow."

"Idate...!" she reached for him, but he was already walking away.

"Night!" he called over his shoulder, before stuffing his hands in his pockets and striding off to the dorms.

She might have followed after him then, but as Lee went racing across campus, she knew she didn't have time.

"Ino!" she shouted. "Kiba! Quick!"

She took off after Lee, and Ino grimaced.

"I hate this part."

"Don't worry, beautiful," Kiba grinned, standing behind her. "I've got you."

With a sigh, she dropped back in his arms. Dropping a kiss to her temple, he lifted her carefully and sat them both down around the bonfire, arranging her body as if she'd fallen asleep sitting next to him. He had just draped a blanket over her shoulders when Tenten and Lee staggered back into the circle of the bonfire.

"Omigod." It was Lee's body that flopped down on the nearest log, but it was Ino's mannerisms and tone in his voice. "What in the hell did he drink? I can barely control his limbs!"

"Could be anything," Tenten sighed. "And not necessarily much of it. Lee gets drunk just holding bottles of alcohol."

"He needs water and probably one of those don't-get-hungover supplements they give you athletes."

"Already on it," Tenten handed her both, which Ino downed as fast as she could.

"Alright," Ino crumpled the empty bottle in Lee's powerful hands and tried not to slur her words. "Here is the plan. Tenten – you babysit my body. Kiba? You take Lee back to his room, because if I can't keep control, you'll have to carry me."

Kiba looked Lee over. "Can't you just put a sleep jutsu on him?"

"Won't work," Tenten shook her head. "Lee's is ridiculously resistant to that kind of thing."

"Tried once to trick him into thinking it was training," Ino added, her words running together. "He ended up sleep walking around Konoha on his hands 500 times."

"Alright, so your plan it is. Hang on a sec while I get, er, you situated." He gently placed Ino's body to rest in the circle of Akamaru,'s warmth and adjusted the blanket over her. "Keep an eye on her, old boy," he said quietly, and Akamaru gave a reassuring bark.

"Don't worry," Tenten sat down next to them. "I've got her."

"Oh, we'd better hurry," Ino squelched Lee's eyes shut. "He really wants to start singing."

"C'mon," Kiba hoisted Lee's body up and put his arm around his back. "Time for all Good Green Beasts to say goodnight!"

Tenten shook her head as Kiba supporting a staggering Lee being piloted by Ino. "Good thing the boys' dorm isn't far," she said, scratching Akamaru behind the ears. About five minutes later, Ino gasped and sat up.

"Ugh," she pressed a hand to her head. "I can't tell if I need a drink, or if I never want to drink again."

"Start with hot cocoa," Tenten handed her a cup bought from one of the vendors. "We'll work our way up from there."

Kiba joined them, and soon he and Ino were talking together, while Tenten pretended to listen.

When her phone buzzed in her pocket, though, she stood quickly "Gotta go, you two – catch you later!"

Kiba looked at Ino. "Isn't that the direction of the guys dorm?"

"Huh," she looked back up at him. "Maybe her night won't be boring after all!"

Neji stormed his way toward the dorm preferring the grey and white view of the world provided by his Byakugan to the noise and color of the real world.

Keying his way into his room (that was meant for three people, but he somehow had to himself), he activated the chakra and privacy locks before thumping the bag of alcohol onto the counter and fishing out a bottle of sake.

"Arrogant ass," he growled, filling a small glass with sake and gulping it down. "Self-serving, self-absorbed, simpleton." Another shot of sake. "Idiotic imbecile of a useless …idiot." Another shot. "Bucolic…nonentity…!"

The first bottle disappeared, and he had no sooner opened another, when a muffled cry met his ears. He quickly scanned his immediate area before extending his Byakugan to look through the dorm and beyond.

When he saw the two figures grappling a few rooms away, he put the sake down and ran back down the hall, performing the handseals to override the chakra locks, knowing it would automatically alert security to an emergency.

The sound of furniture hitting walls and struggle escalated even as he flung open the door, kunai in hand, Byakugan at full force, ready to protect his fellow student from the assailant.

He wasn't expecting to find both parties naked, writhing and moaning together. Oddly enough neither person involved noticed his rather dynamic entry, and the alcohol had slowed his wits enough to where he didn't fully process what he was seeing as he was seeing it. His stomach dropped when it registered 1) precisely what they were doing 2) who the woman with her face pressed into the bed and half hidden by the sheet was most likely to be seeing how 3) Idate was busy slamming his hips into her repeatedly from a position one could only imagine to have been recommended by Akamaru.

His confusion (and blush) only deepened when Idate's hurried pace suddenly halted as he stiffened, calling out a name Neji didn't recognize. The woman soon followed suit, arching her back and pressing back against him, revealing a face Neji vaguely recognized as belonging to that transfer student with the ridiculously long hair. (Which was braided and Idate had wrapped it around his fist and been pulling on, and Neji forced himself to stop cataloging observations.)

Idate had about half a moment to enjoy a sense of smug satisfaction before he looked up and noticed he had another guest.

"H-Hyūga? What the hell are you doing here?"

"I thought you were being attacked," Neji replied, with as much dignity as he could muster. When he sensed the rapidly approaching chakra signature (and knowing he couldn't stop what was about to happen, even if he wanted to ((which he didn't))), he allowed the smallest of smiles to pull at his lips. "I still might not be wrong."

"Neji!– I just got the alert - what's going" -Tenten skidded to a halt as Neji flung his arm out to balance her- ...on? I-Idate?" Her spine stiffened as her boyfriend met her quickly-shifting-from-concern-to-understanding-to-WTAF gaze in a mix of horror, humiliation, and 'I don't fucking believe this.' "Wow," she deadpanned as Neji cautiously lowered his arm. "You really are fast."

At that comment it was as if Idate suddenly realized he was naked and in a very unfortunate and way-past incriminating position. With a yelp, he and his bedmate separated, both scrambling for cover. She snagged the light blanket to her and ducked behind him as he clawed at the sheet and tugged it around his waist. He didn't manage to find an explanation or even the remotest scrap of dignity in the mussed bed or on his tongue. He looked to Tenten almost helplessly.

"Tenten – I" -his eyes widened at her - "wh…what are you doing?!"

Neji looked over his shoulder to see the familiar flash of weaponry in her hands as she narrowed her eyes in that way that meant she had locked on to a target.

Neji reached for her arm slowly. "Tenten," he kept his voice even despite the alcohol, "You don't want to-" She never looked away, even as her eyes widened and she moved with a sudden and unexpected burst of speed, roughly shoving Neji down and to the side. He heard the zing of weapons cutting through air and landing in rapid succession all before he even hit the ground.

When he looked up, Tenten's eyes still fixed on her target with a grimly business-like expression as she touched something at her ear. "Send the Captain up."

With a one last glance at the bed, she knelt next to Neji. "You okay?" she scanned him quickly, looking for injury.

He felt a sudden surge of dizziness and anchored his hand on her shoulder. "Tenten, what did you-?"

She held his arm as she shoved up his sleeve to inspect his forearm with a grimace. "She got you."

Neji stared at the thin cut sliced across his forearm; whatever was responsible must have cut through his shirt, but he could barely feel it. Tenten muttered a curse under her breath and produced a square of cloth from one of her pockets, pressing it to his arm. He glanced up at her and noticed the small trickle of blood trailing down from a thin slice on her right cheek. Without a thought, he pulled the cuff of his shirt into his left hand and pressed it to the cut, gently blotting away the blood.

"And you," he said softly, skimming gentle fingers down to the shallow slice across the top of her shoulder where blood was already starting to seep into her shirt. "Here, too."

He locked eyes with her, her expression impenetrably neutral. "I'm okay," she said firmly, and he suspected she wasn't just reverencing her injuries. "Can you stand?"

Neji nodded but needed her help to get to his feet. Once there, he leaned heavily on her, and he doubted it was just because of the sake…ok. The sake was a large factor. An increasingly large factor.

She supported him with an arm around his back and the other on his chest. "You sure you can stand? 'Cause you're not looking to steady, Hyūga."

He smirked at her dry tone.

"Unnnnngh…!"

They both looked across to the two bodies half covered by the tangle of sheets. Idate cautiously got up from behind the bed (where he'd fallen in an attempt to dive for cover), clutching the sheet in a white-knuckled grip around the lower half of his body. "What the fuck, Tenten?! You could have killed us!"

"Please," Tenten scoffed, "I wasn't trying to kill anyone." She glanced to the other form on the bed. "Can't say the same for your friend, there."

Idate looked sharply down at the still figure, his mouth gaping wide in astonishment. "What did you do to her?"

Tenten didn't bother to comment, as Ibiki and several of his Chūnin officers filed quickly into the room. He arched his eyebrow at his younger brother, who burned with embarrassment and tightened his jaw. The medic of Ibiki's unit approached. He flipped back the sheet to see a pair of dark eyes at half-mast; all traces of consciousness gone. There were several small darts poking out of the side of her neck, within millimeters of one another.

Ibiki smirked. "Nice grouping."

"Thanks," Tenten shrugged, eyes on Idate. "It wasn't like she could run away."

Ibiki gave a 'hmph' of what was probably amusement and Idate's face turned a deeper red.

"What the hell is going on, Tenten?" he demanded. "And why are you dragging my brother into this? What do you have against Kin, anyway-" he faltered at her arched eyebrow and expression that clearly said, 'you mean other than screwing my boyfriend?'

Tenten glanced behind her and carefully pulled a handful of senbon from the wall. "Nothing in particular," she shrugged. "It just so happens she's an Oto agent."

One Ibiki's men took the senbon from Tenten. "Probably poisoned," she advised him.

He did a quick test and nodded. "Definitely poisoned. We don't have an exact antidote match," he looked at the test strip, "but we can neutralize it if we use a blanket antidote. Have to pull out the big guns, though."

Tenten shrugged. "Fine." She glanced first at Neji and then to the two on the bed. "She threw wild; she knew she was cornered. You should probably treat all three of them just in case."

The medic nodded, studying her test strip. "Looks like you're resistant to this one, so you don't need the blanket antidote. Take this general one instead."

She took the field syringe from him and pushed it into her arm.

"You're better off than these other guys," he grimaced. "The blanket antidote is almost as bad as the poison."

Tenten gave a snort as she handed back the syringe. "Guess it's my lucky day."

Idate stared back and forth between his brother, his now-probably-ex-girlfriend, and unfuckingflappable Hyūga Neji. "What is going on, Tenten?" he interrupted tersely, snatching his arm away as soon as the medic administered the antidote.

Tenten met his gaze evenly. "Kin is an Oto agent. I've been assigned to watch her since she got here."

Idate's eyes went wide. "Was I part of that assignment? Jesus, is that why you wouldn't sleep with me – you are working with my brother? Are you fucking kidding me?!"

Tenten turned sharply to Ibiki who heaved a sigh.

"Fine,"

"How many?"

"No more than five."

Idate didn't even have time to attempt to react before five tranq darts pinned the sheet to the side of his ass in a tight grouping. He had about three seconds to stare at her, then his ass, then back to her before he collapsed forward, unconscious.

"Inoichi will scan him," Ibiki said as his men prepared to transport Kin and Idate, having already gathered their clothes and personal belongings. "His memory will be altered for security." He looked over at her as the room cleared. "I'm sorry," he said gruffly. "And he won't remember to tell you, but Idate is sorry, too."

"No, shit," Tenten muttered.

Ibiki looked over to Neji, who was quickly feeling the effects of the alcohol and whatever else was in his system. "Alright, Hyūga?"

"Y-yeah," he mumbled.

The medic frowned, pausing before giving Neji the antidote.

"Have you been drinking?"

"A little."

"Then you should return to headqu-"

"I'll monitor him," Tenten interrupted. "How long do we have?"

"I'd venture forty-five minutes? An hour if you are lucky, but I wouldn't count on it."

Neji focused on the medic. "What happens after forty-five minutes to an hour?"

"Well," he adjusted his glasses. "The dangerous part of the poison has been neutralized, but the remainder of what is in your system coupled with the antidote and the alcohol acts almost like rohypnol. You'll remain lucid, but you won't remember anything up to an hour before administration to 12 hours after, depending. Most likely, you'll just get really sleepy and pass out, but hallucinations are common for dōjutsu users."

Ibiki nodded to the medic, who administered the antidote. He turned to Tenten. "Anyone awake that knows how to get to your kit?"

"Mm," she checked her watch. "Ino should still be at the bonfire. If not her, then Hinata. They both know how to deactivate my emergency seal."

"Good. As of right now, you are both officially on leave for the next 48 hours," Ibiki's tone invited no debate. "One of my Chūnin will be by with whatever supplies you need. Tomorrow I will collect you at 1000 hours to report to base where we can monitor you. You will be under observation until 1400 hours the day-after tomorrow, so prepare accordingly. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," they both answered.

"Good. You are dismissed. Hyūga, get back to your room. Tenten, get him there."

"Here," the medic handed Tenten an emergency kit. "This will be enough to get you started."

"Got it," Tenten said, shouldering the bag. "Come on, Neji," she went to the door. "We've got orders."

Two days later, at 1400 hours, Neji was at his exit briefing with Genma.

"Wow," Genma flipped through his report. "Guess what they said about dōjutsu users is true. You had some incredibly detailed hallucinations."

"Yes," Neji said dryly. "I understand my teammate had quite a good time helping me log them."

"Her attempts at illustration are rather glorious. The bird with the giant eyebrows that quacked "YOUTH!" might be my favorite." He glanced up at Neji, shifting the senbon in his mouth. "And you don't remember anything?"

"My last clear memory before the incident is sitting at the bonfire. I have a vague recollection of Ibiki collecting us yesterday morning, and arriving at ANBU, but it was mid-afternoon, yesterday before I could honestly say my memory was unaffected."

"Your description matches what we know about this poison. It is plant based, so the concentration is not easy to regulate, even for the most accomplished poison masters. It isn't fun, but that blanket antidote is the best way to treat the stuff. Here," he handed back his mission log. "The official report won't need to say more than your symptoms were consistent with what we know of the compound."

"That's a shame," Neji tucked the notebook away. "I believe Tenten had her heart sent on eyebrow-duck being preserved for posterity."

"There may or may not be a reproduction of her illustration in the break room already...or so I hear." He glanced at the clock. "Once Shizune gives me your paperwork, you will be free to go. Tenten aside, you fared the best out of those affected by the poison. Turns out that poison plus tranq darts plus the antidote makes for a rough few days."

Neji managed to keep his expression neutral. "Oh?"

"A very rough few days," Genma grinned wickedly. "And that was before Ibiki got involved."

"Well, then," Neji's lips twisted into something smugly satisfied. "I am sure they were given precisely what they deserved."

"And then some," Genma snorted. "Turns out Idate had applied to transfer to Suna, so we just went ahead and pushed that through. You are aware which ANBU member is undercover for training all of the athletes?"

Neji raised an eyebrow. "Should I be?"

"I thought since Tenten is close with her you might be. Let's just say that Temari is very much looking forward to expanding Idate's training."

A brisk knock on the door signaled Shizune's arrival and gave Neji a moment to hide his smile.

"Serves him right," he thought. But then… what about Tenten? Would she be glad that he was leaving?

After a brief conversation with Genma, Shizune left, and Genma gathered a few things on his desk.

"Alright then. Here is your discharge paperwork and your phone. I am also to remind you to meet Tenten at Ming's for dumplings because, and I quote, "she will be starving, and I owe her dumplings."

Nonplussed, he asked "And did I ask you to remind me, or did Tenten?"

"Both, actually. I think you'll find that Ibiki contacted them and told them to put whatever you order on his tab."

"He might regret that," Neji mused.

"I'd head over to Ming's now, if I were you. I'll send Tenten over when they are done with her."

Neji frowned. "I would have thought she'd be discharged before me."

"She was," Genma agreed. "Healthy as an ox, and twice as stubborn. She will be free once they finish the debriefing about Kin."

"I am surprised you are not there."

"I did my bit earlier," he motioned to a stack of papers on his desk. "Ibiki gave her the option to just submit a written report, but she wanted to see her assignment through. Unfortunately, that meant having to report on all of her observations of Kin, up to and including finding her with Idate. Best we could do was postpone the meeting until we were sure she'd gotten some rest, and wasn't, you know, poisoned."

"Ah," understanding dawned on him. "Now the Ibiki-dumpling-connection make sense. Have her send me a message when she is on her way."

And with that, Neji was officially discharged and stepping into the sunshine of a cool autumn day.

He powered up his phone but did not stop to check it, choosing instead to go directly to Ming's and see about getting her favorite table. Luck must have been with him, as he was seated quickly and without question. The owner knew both him and Tenten, (and had probably been tipped off by Ibiki,) and promised to be ready with sesame dumplings whenever he gave the word.

He was just starting his first cup of green tea when his phone buzzed in his bag.

Thinking it might be Tenten, he pulled it out, but was puzzled at the message preview on the lock screen.

He had apparently messaged himself.

Perplexed, he unlocked his phone.

The first thing he noticed was that someone (Tenten. It had to be Tenten.) had changed his phone's background.

No longer the least-offensive of the generic factory-preset options, it was now him sitting next to Tenten on the couch, his arm draped around her as she took the picture.

"Typical," he half smiled, because of course Tenten would take the opportunity to breech his strict 'no-selfie' policy, and had probably done so to either amuse or annoy him. Given his expression, she must have been going for amused.

Although, upon closer inspection, his expression couldn't quite be described as amused, either. Unable to zoom in, he opened the photo in the gallery.

It was a small detail that had been lost in the cropping of the background photo, but it was enough to make his world grind to a halt.

As he stared at their interlaced fingers (and swore he could feel the heat of them resting on his thigh), his screen flashed an alert as his phone buzzed and sang merrily.

He tapped on his messages to read the note he must have scheduled to send to himself.

'While you wait at Ming's, read the sealed mission log. Inside pocket.'

Half thinking Tenten had messed with his phone, he reached into his bag, surprised to find an additional mission log there. He studied it - there was no mistaking that it was one of his, and it had been sealed with his own chakra. Curious, he released his own seals, and went to the first entry of the mission log, unsurprised to recognize his handwriting, but moderately surprised to see he had addressed a note to himself.

N,

There is a high probability that I will have no memory of this evening. Therefore, I am using my last half-hour or so of lucidity too record these events, that I may not remember, but cannot allow myself to forget. It all started when we returned to my room last night…

Neji waited until they were safely in is room with the chakra locks and seals in place before asking.

"How did you know to come to Idate's room?"

"I didn't exactly," she walked over to his kitchenette sink and washed her hands. "I was just responding to the security alert on my phone."

"And why did you get the alert?"

"Genma and Ibiki tapped me once they'd made Kin out to be an Oto agent. I'm looped into any alerts on campus."

He handed her a towel before motioning for her to have a seat at the counter. "But why you?"

"Genma was on Gai's team, you know," she peered into the bag of alcohol before pushing it to the side. "You had your clan, and Gai had Lee, so he sort of took me under his wing. He started recruiting me for security work after the Chūnin exams."

"And I am your latest assignment?" he poured them each a glass of water.

"Just for now," she shrugged, motioning to his injured arm.

"And... Idate?"

"No," she rolled her eyes. "He was never part of any assignment; just an unfortunate choice of boyfriend."

"So," he nodded to the alcohol on the counter. "If we finish everything on there, will that ensure we completely forget what we saw tonight? Because am more than willing to share."

She gave him a wry smile. "Thanks, but we won't hate anything as much we hate ourselves tomorrow morning if we do that. Better stick to water."

Neji offered her a silent toast with his glass.

A moment later, someone knocked on Neji's door. Tenten signaled Neji to stay where he was, and answered the door with a kunai in her hand.

On the other side was Ibiki, holding a familiar duffel bag. They had a short conversation that was too quiet for him to hear before she closed the door and reactivated all of the seals.

"What did Ibiki have to say?"

"Nothing much. Just reminded me that neither of us are to leave the premises until someone fetches us tomorrow. Once the drugs fully kick in I'm not to leave you alone until you are asleep. After that, I can sleep on the couch, or in one of the spare rooms. Wherever I can get to you the quickest if you have an unexpected reaction to any of the million things currently in your system."

He watched as she put her bags on the counter and began unsealing supplies.

"I am sorry for the inconvenience," he offered, washing his glass.

"It's a mission, not an inconvenience," she shrugged. "Besides. You'd do it for me."

He had nothing to add to that, so he simply washed her emptied glass.

"Here," she handed Neji a pill and filled a giant handled cup of water (complete with straw) that he was almost certain she'd pilfered from the hospital. "Take this," she instructed. "We have to get you set; the effects of the antidote will ramp up in about 20 minutes, making it harder to move."

Neji obliged, watching as she filled her matching cup and sucked down about half of it before refilling it again.

"Sorry," she gasped after a gulp. "It was a rough day of training. Did you want to shower?" she asked, glancing at the clock. "Because now is the time."

"You said I'd remain lucid."

"True, but that sake is still going to be in your system. I don't know what you'll be like by the time you are ready for bed, but more sober probably isn't the answer."

"So, why are we both on leave for 48 hours? The medic said you were resistant to the poison."

"Resistance or not, it is a nasty compound that even neutralized stays in the system for up to 24 hours, and we both have to be re-evaluated after the drug runs its course. Standard protocol is we can't be assigned anything for 24-hours post evaluation, so there's your 48."

"And why are you resistant?"

"Because I work with those kinds of things all the time," she shrugged. "I'm not like Anko or anything, but you build up a tolerance to that sort of stuff after a while."

Neji looked at her skeptically. "You mean you worked to build up a tolerance, didn't you?"

She smiled at him. "Good to know that even drunk, you are a genius. Yes. Over time I have been subjected to carefully controlled doses to help build my tolerance since I could just as easily be poisoned by my own weapons." She glanced at the clock. "Go shower, Hyūga. I'll get things set out here. Don't lock the door, though," she warned. "It'll be bad enough if you need my help – I don't want to have to break down the door as well. I've about had my fill of surprises today."

The the small white bandage on her cheek - such a stark contrast to the rest of her - caught his attention. He almost reached for it, but forced his hands to stay at his sides. Instead, he offered, "I'm sorry. If I had made sense of the situation sooner, you would have been able to dodge easily. It's my fault you got caught in the crossfire."

"Pretty sure that of all the people involved, you get the least blame." At his skeptical look, she half-smiled. "Well, I blame you the least."

"But your injuries-"

"Are not serious," she interrupted. "And I think we've both had our share of awkward moments with naked people for the evening, so I'd appreciate it of you'd go get your shower while you can."

Unable to argue, he obeyed. He was showered and dressed inside of seven minutes, and took several more to help her prepare the room nearest to his for her stay, before she sent him to his couch.

"Drink this," she handed him his giant refilled cup. "The electrolytes will help."

"You are pushy, you know that?"

"So, I've been told."

He took several large sips before opening the mission journal and handing her a pen, feeling the edges of his focus begin to blur.

"I thought it would be a good idea to log any observations," he said, organizing several other writing utensils on his coffee table. "Considering our memory will be impaired."

"Probably not a bad idea," she shrugged. "I'm looking forward to hearing about your hallucinations."

"So," he ignored her comment as he smoothed down the first pate of the mission log. "Do you want to record the events from earlier together or separately?"

"Events from earlier... you mean before Ibiki arrived?"

"Well... yes," he frowned at her incredulous tone. "We were the first on the scene... it will have to go in the mission report."

"Ibiki has it covered. Our direct orders didn't start until we got to your room."

"But I,-"

"Neji, do you really want us to formally log in writing how we saw my definitely-now-ex-boyfriend plowing an enemy agent?" she asked, exasperated. "Because the only good thing about any of that was getting to throw tranq darts in his ass."

Neji was quiet a moment before offering. "That was my favorite part as well."

He very neatly lettered the top of the mission report with the current date and time, and Tenten nodded her approval.

"Thank you."

"And I am sorry."

"It's ok," she adjusted the pillow behind her before settling more comfortably into the couch. "I appreciate you meeting me halfway on this one."

He hesitated, then asked, "Would it be too cliché if I told you that never trusted Idate?"

"Under normal circumstances, yes," she grabbed a throw blanket she'd given him two winters ago and pulled it onto her lap. "Not to mention extremely unhelpful. But you don't trust anyone you haven't trained with for over a decade, so it wouldn't shock me to hear. Besides," she tucked the blanket around her crossed legs, "you didn't hide it well."

"I did try."

"Hard?"

"Not very hard."

"Mm-hm. Just out of morbid curiosity, and to prepare myself for Ino's later onslaught style of comfort, why didn't you trust him?"

"He changed too much around other people," Neji crossed his arms. "Also, for all of his talk, Lee still outran him – and he liked to ignore that little fact in conversations. For that matter, you are a more rounded athlete than he is, but he loved to downplay your accomplishments."

"I think he was jealous of Lee," Tenten admitted. "He never really liked me hanging around him much."

"I imagine he didn't care for any of your team."

"If you are asking, no, you weren't his favorite, but he said it was to be expected since the two of you are so different, and to give it time. I guess I thought eventually you'd work it out between you."

"Was that important to you?"

"Of course," she picked at the pattern on the fleece. "I would never accept having to choose between someone I was dating and my friends."

He slid a glance to her before reaching for his drink again.

"Why did you start dating him?"

"Well, he asked, for starters," she laced her fingers and stretched her arms over her head before pounding a fist on her shoulder. "So we went out a few times, and believe it or not, Idate can be… I don't know. Charming? Fun? He is dedicated to training, but nothing else seemed to weigh on him, and I guess I liked that. Nothing seemed to bother him." She drew up her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. "We are both really busy, but it seemed like our time together was enough." she rested her cheek on her knee, "Guess I was wrong about that."

Neji's insides seized in disgust. "Idate is an idiot," he fumed. "He is selfish, and callous, and has never done anything to be deserving of your time or attention."

"Wow," her smile was slow. "You sound just like Ino. Did she give you a break-up script?"

"Sadly, no. Although I do believe I would have liked to see what she would have done to him, had she arrived in my place."

"Yeah," Tenten sighed dreamily. "That would've been epic."

"Mm," Neji agreed putting down the cup, now a few healthy swigs lighter. "I will admit to a well developed sense of Schadenfreude where Idate is concerned."

"I've noticed," she said dryly. "Why do I get the sense that it didn't start tonight?"

"Because it didn't," he said bluntly. "I've never cared for him."

"But why?" she asked, curious. "I can see where your personalities would rub the wrong way - just like you don't really get along with Kankurō or Sasuke, but you've barely had to interact with him."

Neji took in a deep breath, and a controlled exhale.

Resting his head on the back of the couch, and staring up at the ceiling, he admitted "I hated how he treated you."

"Treated me?" she blinked. "What do you mean?"

"He was possessive," Neji focused on the white paint overhead. "Not in an obvious sort of way - you would never have allowed that. It was more subtle. More controlling. He made more and more demands on your time in small ways - things that made it seem like he wanted to spend time with you, but translated more like he didn't want you spending time with anyone else. He always made light of or belittled everything you did. He is ... small," he turned his head to meet her eyes. "He tries to make everyone else smaller to make himself feel bigger. That... that just isn't you. You always lift everyone up, even when you are exasperated with us. You don't need much, Tenten," he let himself study her openly. "And you ask for even less...but you deserve to have it."

Tenten rested her cheek on the back of the couch, body curled into herself as she faced him. When she spoke, it was barely a whisper. "Like what?"

"Respect," he said immediately, his voice lowered but sure. "You are quick to acknowledge talent in others, but yours should also be acknowledged. Consideration. Somehow every time he asked you what you wanted to do, you both ended up doing what he wanted - and if you did do something you wanted, like the time we all went to Ming's, he complained most of the time, or made it seem like he was doing you some huge favor. Loyalty and fidelity - I don't suppose those need an example."

She shook her head "no," a single tear rolling down her cheek.

"We have one thing in common, though," he carefully brushed the tear away on her injured cheek. "We are both guilty of taking your time for granted."

A small crease deepened between her eyebrows. "You've always respected my time."

"Respected, yes," he allowed. "But it wasn't until Idate arrived that I noticed how much time we spent together outside of training as a team. Whether it is because Gai-Sense and Lee go and train on their own, or we have similar classes, or because … because," he shrugged one shoulder. "When Idate became part of the equation, I realized just how much I had enjoyed and missed that... you. I realized I missed you. I admit, his recent demands on your time, coupled with is treatment of you and more blatant public displays of affection have been rather distressing for me."

"Is… is that why you were drinking tonight?"

"Very probably," was as close to 'yes' as he was going to get.

"Oh." She flushed under his gaze, which kept dropping to her mouth, and the air in the room shifted. When he spoke, it was low and resonant.

"May I ask a favor?"

She blinked at him, her breath sitting high in chest. "Yes," her voice was airy and strange to her ears.

"For the next few moments, I just need you to hear me. Will you?"

"Of course," she sat up, that worry line deepening between her eyebrows. "You can tell me anything Neji, you know that."

"I do," he allowed, reaching for her hands and hesitating until she took his.

She met his eyes, and said, "Tell me."

When he still hesitated, she pulled him forward gently until he could rest his forehead against hers.

"Better?"

He nodded, and took a steadying breath as he closed his eyes.

"Now. Before you blame the alcohol or the poison or the antidote for anything I might say – which, despite what you might think, is not easier to say knowing I won't remember – please understand they have not influenced my feelings, Tenten. I have cared for you as more than a friend for quite some time. I have managed to convince myself that we would speak on this one day and I could tell you everything, but those were just things I told myself to avoid the truth."

His hands tightened on hers, and he swallowed hard as a faint flush began to creep up his neck.

"I was afraid. I was afraid if I did anything to change what we already had, that I might lose it, and I couldn't bear… I couldn't risk it."

He gave her hands another squeeze before letting go, and sitting back, his face still near hers.

"Being with you is a right to be earned and cherished, Tenten and I…I would like the chance to earn that right, if you will let me."

"I would very much like to elaborate further," and his eyes dropped to her mouth with pure want before he dragged them back to hers. "But I do not wish to forget telling you something so important. Nor do I wish to intrude where I may not be want-"

Tenten put a finger to his lips, stealing his breath. Gently – oh so gently, she trailed her fingers across his cheek, marveling at the feel of him under her fingertips.

"You always did hate repeating yourself," she murmured, cradling his cheek in her palm. "I understand if you would like to elaborate later."

Hope rose in his chest, but he tempered it with his usual discipline. "Just to be clear," the note of concern faint in the dark of his voice, but present. "Will it be…amenable for you to hear such things?"

She held his gaze for a moment longer, before plucking his phone off the coffee table. She unlocked it (and he didn't bother asking why she knew his code), and swiped across a few screens. When she finished, she turned it to him.

The alarm was set for two days later, and when he read how she titled it, he met her eyes, and smiled.

"So," he cleared his throat as she settled into his side. "At the risk of changing the subject, shall I tell you about the green bird I thought I saw walking by just now?"

"Oh, absolutely."

"Oh, good," he sat back and draped an arm across her, resting his head on the top of the couch. "Then wait until you hear about its eyebrows."

Neji stared at his mission log, his tea long since cold, his chest unusually warm. He was dragged back to reality by the singing of another alert on his phone.

The one Tenten had set.

He swallowed hard as he read the alert.

'Tell her everything.'

"Everything?" he murmured.

"Yes," he looked up to find Tenten taking her seat across from him, holding out a hand to him. "Absolutely everything."

His mouth suddenly dry, he cleared his throat.

"You...you remember?"

"Yes."

"And... you are sure?"

She wrapped her hands around his and met his eyes with no hesitation.

"It is everything I ever wanted to hear," she smiled. "From the person I always hoped would say it."

Neji was suddenly grateful they always ate in that corner of the restaurant – the one that was rarely busy, and mostly secluded – because he wasn't one for public displays of anything.

At that moment, though, his sense of propriety was uncharacteristically absent as he pulled her to her feet and into his arms. He didn't stop kissing her until he heard someone politely clear their throat.

They broke apart long enough to see the waitress putting down their food, shaking her head with a smile.

"Well it's about time," she clucked. "That other boy was no good, and this one," she jerked her thumb at Neji, "has been coming alone and sad. I'll bring you more tea." With that she bustled off, leaving Neji and Tenten alone and too happy to be embarrassed.

Tenten watched her go, and turned back to Neji with a questioning look.

"How long do you think it will take her to get the tea?"

Neji's smile was slow.

"Long enough."

Neji suspected the waitress would take her time, and that sooner or later Tenten's appetite would get the best of her. But for now?

He had some very important things to tell her.

"Everything," he reminded himself as he wrapped her in his arms. "I have to tell her everything."

Thank you for reading, friends!