Author Note: I promised you plot development so here it is, granted it's not that much more but it's still there!…enjoy?

Disclaimer: I own a whole bunch of things but Naruto isn't one of them, however this story is, so don't plagiarize, I'm sure you'd think of something better anyway.

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My breath was becoming shallower and I felt the beginnings of a headache but I tried to ignore it and kept pushing. We were so close to the ending, it would just be a few more seconds. We finished the kick combination and stepped into the last jump, an outside spinning kick. It was flawless, and we landed in perfect unison before whipping into crouching-spear-palm stances and finishing with dazzling rising-spirals—the ending flourish—all looking straight ahead.

I could hear myself almost gasping, breathing so much harder than the rest of them, but I didn't care. I was on the verge of collapsing but all that mattered at the moment was holding the precious final stance. Anko-sensei walked around us, scrutinizing us individually and searching for flaws. After another minute or so she seemed satisfied and gave us the signal to relax and there was a collective exhale as we all released ourselves and slumped over.

The team stumbled off the floor together—except for Mameha who always seemed to be graceful, and Neji who somehow managed to look dignified—towards the benches where our things were and respectively grabbed the appropriate water bottles. I felt like I was going to faint and my muscles were tearing apart but I bit back a smile. I finally had it—the entire form! I'd gotten through the entire bare-hand taijutsu form without a single mistake! I would have jumped up and down or spun around or something but then I would have died, and I would have done it while people were looking at me oddly.

I crouched down on the floor to rest and when I had finally collected enough strength, twisted open the cap to my water bottle and guzzled it down. Water never tasted so good and I'm sure I never drank it so fast before. I finished it and sighed just as there was a light clap on my shoulder, just above my sweat soaked back; it was Ryoku.

"Hey good job today," he said grinning at me toothily. "Your form looks much better."

I was still tired but I summoned a smile back, "not nearly as good as yours though." It had always been my habit to put myself down as soon as a complement was paid. Ryoku had known me forever and he was the first one to notice when I started making a conscious effort not to do it so he always tried to mess me up. He paid me ridiculous amounts of complements I couldn't possibly parry and I tried my best to volley them back.

"Yeah, you're right," he answered off handedly, and began to turn away snobbishly, but he lost the effect by cracking into wide smile. "Oh yeah! You see that Tenten? That right there is called ego!"

"And we all know yours is humongous," Hiroshi finished unenthusiastically.

Ryoku pouted for a minute and opened his mouth for a comeback but then closed it again, while Hiroshi managed to look bored smugly.

I sighed, "Oh come on Ryoku, are you serious? You totally set yourself up for that and that didn't even need a comeback."

He thought for a minute before it sunk in, "…oh, yeah…I guess you're right," he blinked a few times and glared at Hiroshi then cheerfully changed the subject.

It's moments like that which make me wonder how Ryoku ever managed to make him self into a prodigy…Hiroshi I can understand…Ryoku, well he's…'unique.'

I finished packing up my things and turned to join Ryoku and Hiroshi who were waiting by the door. Ryoku smiled at me and was grinning wickedly as he booted unsuspecting Hiroshi out the door, "ladies first," he called; clearly happy he had a belated comeback now.

"What? Are you trying to say she's not lady-like?" Neji asked with mock scorn while gesturing to me. I hadn't noticed him come up behind us and I'm sure I must have jumped a little but thankfully I didn't have to make a recovery. Ryoku had started stuttering and Hiroshi had gotten up and walked back to us, pretending to be offended for me.

"Yeah—what exactly are you trying to say? Saying I'm more lady-like than Tenten? Tenten, are you just gonna take that? I'd be pretty offened!" Hiroshi crossed his arms in feigned anger while Neji leaned over Ryoku pretending to intimidate him.

It was the only time I glimpsed a sense of humor in Neji; though at the time I was still a little too shocked to appreciate it. After a few more seconds Ryoku still didn't have a response and he apologized to me with elaborate embellishments and bowing, after which he conceded. A small smile graced Neji's lips for a moment as he walked between us when the apology had ended and clasped hands briefly with Hiroshi in triumphant solidarity.

Hiroshi was one of those rare people who had actually managed to cultivate a friendship with Neji; I wish I knew how he pulled it off.

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