A/n: Wow... I can I honestly say I was not expecting that many reviews. I was so overjoyed I had to start on the next chapter immediately, so I hope you all like it. And thanks for your reviews:

princesshyuuga01, Zergling, FruitySmell, berryboom, I Can Hear The Sea, the-olive-pixie, regreeg, guest, Chisa Chispa, Reider, Ichigo-chan, Luafua, Candy-W, neondiamindz, Dreaming101

Disclaimer: Me no own Naruto (duh)

The next update should be sometime near the end of next week, so look for it!

enjoy!

"What?" His raspy voice snapped, brows narrowing in annoyance, "Can't you recognize a god when you see one?"

A...god?

I made a face.

He didn't look like a god.

Exempting his eyes, everything else was pretty normal.

I gave him a cursory once-over, taking in the dirty head of tangled brown hair, slender physique, and surly expression with more than a little skepticism. If he was really a god, then the world was severely misinformed. Though passably attractive—in a effeminate sort of way–he was nothing like the legends depicted.

Where was his commanding presence?

Or otherworldly glow?

Hell, where were his muscles. The boy was obviously underfed, and skinnier than a swordfish on a kelp diet. I was tempted to drag him back home and force-feed him octopus tarts except I couldn't of course, because a; he would die before we got there, and b; I had just run away from said home.

He was also filthy, moss caked to his skin in moldy clumps and completely ruining his already ratty tank and pants beyond saving. And who knew where his shoes had gone.

He looked so pitiful I had to fight the sudden maternal urge to lick my thumb and wipe the grime from his cheeks. I doubted he'd take very kindly to that anyways, with the malevolent way he was glowering at me, and settled for folding my hands and answering amiably,

"Really?"

It obviously wasn't the right thing to say, as he scowled so hard I was sure his face would crumble to dust.

"You dare not to believe me?" He snarled in outrage, colorful irises flashing silver like twin razor blades. It might have been unnerving if he didn't resemble a half-drowned cat.

He couldn't possibly have been any older than seventeen at the most, and his face was far too proper-looking to hold such a hostile expression effectively. It was nearly adorable.

This kid clearly took himself too seriously.

Amused by the thought, I stifled a giggle between my fingers, but no doubt my eyes were shining with ill-concealed humor.

Humor he didn't appreciate in the least if his teeth grinding was anything to go by.

I'd hate to be his dentist.

"Are you laughing at me siren?" He hissed, affronted. He seemed scandalized that anyone wouldn't take his girlish features seriously. It was hilarious. Or, at least it was until his words registered.

Siren.

My amusement evaporated immediately.

What?

I flinched, eyes darting about instinctively for any lurkers. It was still raining, though not as heavy as before, and no one seemed to be in the immediate vicinity.

I expelled a relieved breath.

Some humans would be beyond thrilled if they managed to stumble across a defenseless female, or even worse—a creature deemed purely mythical. Then who knew what would become of me? I could end up as some smelly fisherman's sex-slave...or his throw-rug. Both of which weren't very ideal.

I shuddered at the idea, before diverting my attention back to the boy suspiciously.

Just what was he?

And how had he known what I was without my tail?

Seeing my apprehensive expression, he snorted, sitting up (with much difficulty mind you) so that we were eye-level and reiterated with upmost arrogance,

"I already told you. I am a god, I know all."

I swallowed, still not entirely convinced, but choosing not to object out of sheer politeness. And fear. If he wanted to believe he was a god even while covered head-to-toe in slimy crust then who was I to dissuade him? The guy obviously had issues.

"Alright... Um, mister..?" I trailed uselessly and he rolled his eyes, exhaling heavily as if exasperated.

Well excuse me then.

"You mortals refer to me as 'Hercules', but my real name is Neji." he drawled primly and I couldn't help contradicting him then, because—c'mon. Hercules. Really? If he was Hercules then Zeus was a fluffy, pink seahorse.

Plus he was pretty. Hercules couldn't be pretty!

It was absolutely ridiculous. He had to have more than a few loose screws if he expected me to believe that nonsense.

"Hercules," I echoed, eying him doubtfully. The kid was having trouble sitting up for goodness sake! "But I thought he was supposed to be buff and all powerful?"

A fair question I would say, but pretty-boy didn't seem to agree.

His eyes narrowed so thin I could hardly see his pupils, jaw contracting in the most painful of looking ways. I'd never met someone who could frown so hard before, it must've been a talent.

Face set defiantly, he stared me down, lip curling in distaste.

"And I thought sirens were supposed to be sexy." He countered acerbically, gaze dropping pointedly to my body, "So I guess we were both mistaken."

Huh?

Bewilderedly, I tracked his gaze only to flush hotly, suddenly remembering my state of undress. With an indignant squawk, I clamped my arms across my chest and turned my back to him.

Oh my God.

My face was practically steaming.

He saw my boobs. An insane, moderately attractive, most-likely-human boy saw my boobs and wasn't turned on in the slightest.

How humiliating.

He should've been salivating at the mouth, tripping over himself with desire, and professing his unwavering love by now, yet he was looking at me like I was some moldy barnacle at the back of the fridge.

I didn't look that bad did I? I mean, I'd always known I was on the scrawny side, but my breasts were perky and full—though my ass was lacking—but my hips were pretty shapely—though my thighs could use some work, and my hair...

Yeah, not going there. It was so tangled it looked like sea snakes had abducted my head.

I groaned, slapping my palm into my forehead repeatedly. No wonder I could never get a date, I lacked sex appeal.

I couldn't even arouse a human male while stark naked. Some siren I was, I might as well been decked in full winter gear.

"Look," he continued, seeming to completely ignore my mini-breakdown, "I need to get to Aeron, any idea which direction that's in?"

I stopped slapping myself long enough to stare at him wide-eyed.

Oh, I had an idea alright. But there was absolutely no way he was getting inside that tight-knit little village. Especially not alone. I told him as much as he scowled, declaring heatedly,

"And why the hell not?"

I arched a brow.

"I thought you were supposed to know everything," I quipped, sending him a pointed look, then added patronisingly "Oh mighty Hercules."

I topped it off with an over dramatic bow with my back still turned ( no way was he getting another eyeful of my ta-tas), peeking just in time to catch his jaw clench. His face was so red it resembled a sea crab, and I snickered, causing him to shoot me a hateful look.

Not that it affected me, I was used to far more baleful looks back home.

I rose my hands in a placating manner, still grinning despite his murderous expression. He was just too fun to annoy, and seemed to bring out a side of me I didn't recognise at all.

Since when had I been this playful?

I didn't have an answer, and deciding it didn't really matter anyway, I continued to pester him.

"Somebody needs a nap," I teased, watching as his angry features collapsed into one of utter exhaustion.

He groaned, his entire body slumping in defeat.

"I swear, when I get my amulet back," He ran a frustrated hand through his hair, "The first thing I'm doing is sending you to hell."

My ears perked at that, head tilting curiously over my shoulder as I inquired,

"Amulet?"

It sounded shiny, and as an ocean-dweller I was naturally allured by all things sparkly, glittering, and slightly metallic looking in the sunlight. It was was a pathetic weakness, but one I couldn't overcome no matter how hard I resisted.

I was already excited.

He sent me a knowing look.

"Don't even think about it fish-brain," he growled, "You are not coming with me."

I pouted, lower lip pooching out dejectedly.

"Why not?" I protested, genuinely disappointed. It wasn't like I had anything better to do anyway, I was a runaway, and this promised at least some entertainment.

Even if he was clearly off his rocker.

He worked his way slowly to his feet, and it was then that I realised just how tall he was. He easily cleared six feet, and it only served to make him seem even leaner. He had model legs, and I could only stare at them enviously.

So not fair.

He noted the direction of my jealously and smirked, no doubt amused by my envy. Meeting my eyes however, the smirk vanished and his visage abruptly became hard and unreadable.

"I have serious business to attend to," he quipped, tone dismissing, "And I don't need some ocean bimbo trailing after me like some sort of lost kitten."

I could only gape as he turned his back on me and strode across the sand in fluid, graceful movements. Could only gape as his form disappeared behind sheets of rain and out of my line of sight. Could only gape as I sat there nude, wet, and dumbfounded.

Ocean bimbo?

Lost kitten?

I had freed him of his moss grave and this is how he repaid me? He didn't even have the decency to say thank you!

He didn't even ask for my name.

Moderately offended, and majorly pissed, I scanned the shore for my seaweed bag and snatched it up. I began yanking out random articles of clothing and slipping into them, ignoring how the rain made the material cling to my skin.

If he thought he could get get away with treating me like that then he had another thing coming. The old Tenten might have taken his bullshit, but the new Tenten would be damned if she let it happen.

That was the reason I left home in the first place. I was tired of being overlooked and written off as non-important.

Pretty-boy had sparked a fire in me, and was about to find out the hard way.

I took off across the sand, running full-speed in the direction I watched him disappear.

The fire was officially burnt out.

Three hours had passed, and still no sign of Neji.

And it was raining. Still.

I moaned.

What have I gotten myself into? It was too late to turn back now, I didn't even know which way 'back' was.

Not only that but my feet were positively killing me. Back home I had no use for shoes, so was unprepared for the harsh reality that was the forest floor beneath my bare toes. Each step was like a thousand tiny needles shooting up my legs, and I winced and swore profusely.

Who knew humans had it so rough?

At least I remembered to pack the pants I had found during one of my previous getaways a while back. I could only imagine how much more uncomfortable I would have felt with sore, muddy feet and a scratched up ass.

So not attractive.

"Okay, I need a break!"

I plopped to the ground where I stood, grimacing as the moss and water seeped through my pants within seconds.

Awesome.

It didn't feel great, but I was too tired to move, so I just had to put up with it. Titling my head back, I watched as lightning flashed above the trees, wondering vaguely if my family noticed I was missing yet.

Would they send someone after me?

Would they even care?

What if they just saw my disappearance as a blessing from the gods and went about their lives as usual?

Suddenly depressed, I flopped onto my back, watching the clouds swirl and thunder. It had to be at least early morning by now, yet it was still dark. The forest was eerily silent except for the infrequent chirping bird or tuneless cricket.

It was creepy, and I hugged my arms around myself in a futile attempt to retain warmth.

Nearly forty minutes had passed before I had enough strength to continue. By then I was in the foulest mood imaginable. Just where the hell was he? And had I really been foolish enough to venture blindly after him? My stomach gurgled relentlessly and on more than one occasion I entertained the thought of eating bark.

It didn't look that bad after all. Maybe it was tasty.

That plan was foiled however, when I happened to catch sight of a small cabin a few meters off. It looked long deserted, vines covering any available space and wood decaying. It was a miracle it was still standing.

Hope bubbled in my chest.

If no one was there then maybe I could rest there for a while. My quest to chew out the boy was discarded by this point, my main focus now being finding somewhere secure to rest my head.

With renounced energy, I scurried to the shack, nearly killing myself several times in the slippery grass before latching desperately onto the doorknob.

Thats when I heard a noise. A light shuffling, and it was coming from inside. My heart was beating wildly within my chest.

Oh crap.

Someone was here after all. I dropped my hand.

I should leave. Now.

I attempted to flee, but only managed to trip down the porch steps, emitting a crash that could probably be heard in Timbuktu. Panicking, I scrambled on all fours, ignoring the painful protests of my limbs.

I couldn't be caught. Not when I finally managed to free myself.

There were footsteps. I heard them drawing closer.

I quickened my movements, but the mud restricted me, and I found myself slipping and sliding around pathetically.

The door was opening, the loud creek reverberating throughout my entire body. I squeezed my eyes shut, flinging my arms above my head.

No. No. No.

A long, agonising pause then,

"Seriously?"

That voice.

I cracked an eye open, squinting up at the doorway in disbelief.

It was him. And he looked beyond irritated. He was no longer dirty, skin clear as snow and long hair circling and shimmering in the slight breeze. A cotton shirt covered his torso, his legs encased in loose-fitting pants. He still didn't have on shoes, but that did nothing to distract from his beauty.

I realized I was staring and immediately turned my gaze to the ground.

A resigned sigh.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" He demanded. I lifted my head, gazing at him with wide, confused eyes.

"What?" I answered dumbly.

He rolled his eyes.

"If you're not inside in the next ten seconds you'll be sleeping outside tonight."

He didn't have to repeat himself. Exactly five seconds later I was at his side.

A/n: Like? If so then leave me a nice review!