A/N: I'm glad you guys liked! Thankies for the reviews!
moonlightpath: Thankies! Yep, Tenten's rolein the manga/anime is nothing big >> Thankies for adding me in your C2! I'm honored 3! A week is not a long waiting, is it?
jmj102: I'm happy you liked. Thanks for the review!
RedLotusNin and IceHunterNin: Thankies for the review! I'm honored D Here's the next chap! I hope you two like ;D
lunatic9000: Hey! Thanks…I know, I also don't like Hinata's stuttering.
harukakanata: NejiTen became my fav pairing as well! They so match 3! I already have other fics in process and the pairings you recommended are there (I also love those pairings). Even thought I think InoShika won't happen in the anime/manga (I think it will be ShikaTemari). Here, it's updated!
Zapperbug: Here is another chap. I hope to see another review ;D
secret7: Thankies! The fluff will come asap! Just wait and see (maybe this chap contains some…).
MisSs005: Thankies for the cute D I think the pairing makes it cute! I also want a cool fic from this.
v son sayian: The idea/plot came while I was bathing xD and it came 100 after my history teachee started the feudal stuff with wars and all…This is what happens next. I hope it get's your attention D
I forgot to translate baka-sama: baka means idiot. So, when referring to Neji, she's calling him idiot. Tenten adds the –sama in respect. Even if she dislikes him, she is loyal to his position.
Beta/editor: I'm looking for someone to read and correct my mistakes! I know I don't have the better grammar, so if anyone is willing, tell me in a review!
02: Baka-sama
After I went to serve Hinata, I was to pack her stuff. Man, how could this happen? Hinata looked so troubled when she told me that. I must tell her it's not literally her fault. I mean, I could me a cook…Better yet, the gardener. I could even learn how to sew! Ok, limits…But still…
"Hime-sama, I would like if you stop looking like it's your fault." I told her when I was putting silk nightgowns in her bag. "I w-wish I could do s-something, Tenten-san." She told me softly. "Don't worry. Baka-sama won't make me work too hard. I'm making sure of that!" I smiled at her. "Who's Baka-sama?" She asked. …Shit!
"Ehehe…You see, I call Neji-sama like that. Just don't tell him, please!" I told her in a mocking plea. We both giggled. There was a knock in the door, "Hinata-hime-sama, Neji-sama is requesting you in the room." The advisor told from the door. He must respect a lady's space. "Tell him I'm on my way." She answered. We exchanged glances and when I finished packing we went to the room. I was waiting outside.
When she came back, she was blushing but with a sad expression. "Is something wrong, Hime-sama?" I asked. She looked fine when she entered that door. If I get my hands in Baka-sama! "I'm leaving now," she whispered, "Tenten-san…Good bye." She then left. I followed her to the gates. There was a huge carriage and her bags being placed in the back. She entered and closed the window with white-pearled curtains…Must be the clan color.
When the carriage was far away, I sensed someone behind me. I turned with my hand where there was supposed to be a senbon…Still, I can always punch. My fist was about to make the impact when that someone grabbed my hand. When I realized it was Baka-sama, I gasped. "I…uhm…sorry?" I tried to make things better. His eyes are emotionless but I can sense his angriness…
"What are you trying to do, maid?" He asked with the sharpest tone I ever heard. I felt offended, "What do you mean 'trying to do'? You were the one who was behind me! I could think it was everyone! I didn't realize it was your chakra!" I shouted at him forgetting my position. It didn't matter anymore…And besides, it felt good to shout at him. I'm revenging it for Hinata.
"You can sense chakra?" he asked after a while of silence. Curse myself. I should just jump a cliff. How could I forget maids didn't know this stuff? "I…learned with a friend." I told him. "Who? Only important people or clans know that stuff." He asked eying me up and down. "Just because I'm a maid doesn't mean I can't learn! It's not impossible when I'm capable of learning while watching," I told him, "and…I'm human as well." I told him icily. He gave me a critical glance. "Follow me, maid." He ordered me. I huffed and stayed still. He looked back, "Follow me, maid." He ordered again. "I have a name. And I won't follow you if you treat me lower than a dog," I said turning my head.
"Then accompany me, Ne-kun." He told me while making his way back to the main house. I smiled slightly and followed him inside. When reaching a door, he opened and told me to get inside. When I saw what was inside, I began to shiver. It was filled with weapons with my emblem on it! There was Lee, looking slightly alarmed himself. I think he figured the trouble we are. "May I ask what the meaning of this is?" I asked implying I knew nothing about this.
"This morning, my advisor, went to grab weapons from the town blacksmith. Upon reaching there, he found a letter. Our enemy took her captive and is asking for a huge amount of ransom," Baka-sama started talking, "My advisor say we should just leave her there until they realize she means nothing to us so they return her." He was talking looking at something in the table. "Neji! How can you say something like that! As a woman, she needs her supplies. We are risking her youth!" Lee said horrified. Apparently, he forgot that I'm the kidnapped blacksmith…
"But as I don't like my advisor, I decided that I should keep you two by my side, seeing you two are the only ones with the guts to fight my words." Baka-sama said that like it was the most normal thing in the world. Is he insane? It's me and Lee, for Gods sake! "Yosh! I shall do my best, Neji! And one day I'll surpass you! Yooooshhhh!" Lee was crying his heart for all I knew…Maybe he didn't realize the mess he got himself. Should I warn him?
"Uff…I think I can help." I bowed. Man, this will sound like Shikamaru but…How troublesome. "Then we should start tomorrow by morning. Lee, you are dismissed." Baka-sama told Lee who after that yoshed and left to do his two thousand runs. I stood there waiting for some reaction. Damn, I hate silenced people. "Could you tell me hat is the meaning of this, Ne-kun?" Baka-sama told me while pointing to a thing in the table. I approached and saw what he was referring. I almost fainted. It was my weapons. "Maids found this under your bed. I want an explanation as to why you have kunai, shuriken and poisoned senbon with you."
"I practice with them. I thought it would be a good thing as considering I was to guard Hime-sama." I told him confidently. He was talking about my weapons. I really don't like people messing with my stuff. "Who thought you?" Baka-sama asked. "I learned in the ninja academy and perfecting it with practice." I'm a proud person, for all I knew.
"How did you enter in the ninja academy?" He asked again. Man…This is getting out of hand. "My dad was friends with the Third Hokage. Also, Tsunade-hime allowed me there." I answered him with a challenged tone. It's my business, not his! "I see…I would like to test you. Let's spar." He told me. Man, I'll kick his ass.
I asked for pants and a shirt so I could move faster. We were now in the training grounds, positioned to strike any moment. I decided it was time to attack. I calculated the space between us and ran around him. Then I took a parchment, jumped high, opened the parchment did this movement and then I started throwing every weapon I had written.
I smirked when I saw he wasn't moving. My weapons were to – "Byakugan! Hakkeshou Kaiten!" He was turning repeatedly with chakra surrounding him. Chakra…He works with Charka…He can control the chakra! I blinked, then I heard it coming; "Hakkeshou Rokujuu Yonshou!" The next thing I knew, he was in front of me hitting my body with his chakra. After receiving the attack, I stood focusing on the attack he just made… Divert was not an option. He uses chakra, so maybe, increasing the weapons will differ the attacks. That's it; I'll throw him the Soushouryu and he'd loose. Right, now I need to henge two parch-
…
Slow…Focus…Light…Open my eyes carefully…When I saw I was in my room, I started coughing. The third time came blood. What happened? I looked around and found myself alone. Breathe…cough…lay down…breathe…cough...cough…shut eyes…open eyes…No…I'm not dreaming. What happened?
"Don't! She's asleep. You'll disturb her!" I heard Ayame-girl talking to someone. Who is it? "NOOO! You don't understand! Her youth will fade if she stays there!" Lee-kun was shouting. "Lee-san, I'll kick you if you don't remove yourself form the kitchen. You are making a huge noise and getting unwanted attention," Ayame-girl was trying to work things out. Maybe I should help? Considering Lee won't listen to her; youth is more important after Gai-sensei.
I walked to the door. There was Lee and Ayame-girl and kitchen workers' surrounding them. "What's all this noise?" I tried shouting. My voice came so weak that I had to make myself repeat. When they noticed me there, Lee came rushing to my side. "Yosh! I see you are awake after four ours of unconsciousness! I might tell you that are not good for youth. You might stay older and besides," Lee had his finger pointed at me. Was he lecturing me? "Neji is waiting for you in the room upstairs." At this, everyone resumed working and averted my gaze. I coughed more and nodded. I asked to Lee to show me where Baka-sama was waiting.
"Tenten-chan, you must be careful with your words toward Neji. I heard that the attack he used on you is his ultimate and best attack," Lee told me while helping me walk, "I also heard he only uses that attack on someone he can find a match." I could only stay silent. Did he think I was a match? "You mustn't call me like that in here; I'm Ne-Kun, so make sure you don't forget." I told him. He yoshed and stopped in this huge door. "He's waiting." I nodded, "Oh, Lee-kun…" I turned to him, "If you ever spy on my training again, I'll chase and beat you." Then I entered the room.
Now it's normal to enter the cold rooms in this place. I entered and saw Baka-sama seated in a chair. He was reading a scroll. I coughed to make my presence noticeable. He looked at me and motioned for me to seat in the remaining chair. I sat there waiting for him to say something. I so don't like when people are silent. "I'd like to apologize for my hasty attack earlier," I could only blink, "And…I'd like if you spared with me every hour or two a day until Hinata-sama isn't here." He told me like that. I nodded. "Good…Then you might want to drink this," He gave me a cup full of something green, not teat, "I asked Haruno for this a while back when I spared with someone." I nodded again and took the cup and drank the green thing. This is worse than normal medicine.
"I wanted to confirm something," I told him after I drank all that supposed medicine, "Do you see the chakra path with the Byakugan?" I asked. He looked startled for a moment before returning to his usual face; emotionless. "So you noticed…And with just one match…" he told me while returning to the scroll. He then tossed the scroll to me. Inside, it was written this;
'I, as heir of the Aburame clan, want to prevent unnecessary wars that you, from the Hyuuga clan, are making. Those attacks are making my soldiers weak and I do not want wives without husbands. I'd like an alliance with the clans, forgiving past mistakes. I must not say forget, as facts related to war cannot be forgotten. I hope you accept proposition.
Sincerely,
Aburame Shino'
I re-read before looking at Neji. "Right…What do you want me to say?" I asked him. "Tell me…What should I do?" I'm loss. I sighed, "I need to be paired with every bit of information surrounding you about those wars. But first, I need to know why Hinata-hime is courting before you. I remember that heirs court first, then the rest of the family." I went directly to the point. There's no need to outline minor stuff.
"…Officially, Hinata-sama is the heir. She's the daughter of the first Hyuuga son, making her first. But, I'm the eldest and the stronger, I was made heir. But traditions didn't mind in my case, so Hinata-sama is to court before me." I sat there, listening, "She went to the Uzumaki's for that purpose; this week, she was sent there to prepare for a marriage in two months with the Uzumaki heir; Naruto." He said that like he didn't mean. "You know…You know Naruto doesn't recognize her as a fiancée in the first place. Why make her suffer like that?" I asked angered at him. Hinta is my friend; I'll be there for her.
"Because of destiny. She is meant for Naruto. It was written in the stars the day she was born." Baka-sama said that crap like nothing. "And you go with destiny like nothing mattered? If you wanted a different life, would you live with this 'destiny' because it was written?" I shouted. "…Yes."
"Then…You are no one!" I told him and was about to leave when he grabbed my wrist. "Go prepare my bath, maid." He ordered me. I huffed and left. I'll so leave this place no matter how troublesome Shikamaru worked for this. I was about to turn the corridor when I bumped with Ayame-girl. She looked startled for a moment then relieved, "Ne-kun! I'm glad I found you on time to prepare Neji-sama's bath. I'll show you're the way." She dragged me to the second floor. When we reached a beige door, she shoved me inside and gave me soup, towel and fragrances. Great…And here I was thinking I was going to leave.
I prepared the bath like I thought it was good enough and was about to leave when Baka-sama arrived. How embarrassing! I as going to leave when he told me to stay…Did he mean that we…Kyaaa! Tenten, you pervert! Get your head out of the gutter! "…Wait outside. I'll need your help after I bathe." I nodded when he told me that with his superior glance at me.
After half an hour in the bath (and they say women take longer in the bath…) he was out with royal pants and no shirt on…Oh MY GOD! NO shirt on? I think I'll faint! Breatheeee and don't let him notice your blushing. I'm almost 100 tomboy-ish, but I'm still a girl with eyes on. I'm allowed to look, right? I need to fan myself…
"I'd like if you brushed my hair…Ne-kun," he asked m with this so irresistible voice that I nodded. He sat with his back to the edge of the bed. Thank God I won't need to sit in the bed. I started combing his hair from the end then proceeding to the middle and then his whole hair. It's so soft…I wonder, why does boys have better hair than we, women? I stood there, combing his hair for another ten minutes before I pulled it of. I saw no reaction so I reached to take a look in his face. There was Neji sleeping seated. My heart softened and I did the thing my heart wanted; I pulled him inside the covers.
I tiptoed out of the room and left to the kitchen. I asked Ayame-girl where I could bathe. She looked at me strangely but told me that maids bathe in the state river. I thanked her, took a towel and then left to the river. It's evening so no wonder there's anyone here.
I didn't dare take out my kimono. I need to clean myself, but I still have sense that I'm a woman and here have plenty of men. Single men. I undid the buns, entered the cold waters and bathed myself. I stayed there making techniques on how to bath with kimono on and how to wash your hair when you have no product with you, making it wet but with a funny smell (used water smell). It's ok, so tomorrow I can try again…I'll need to come early but still…Maybe before dawn.
After, I rolled the towel in my body, protecting me from the wind and cold. I went as quickly as I could to reach the state. When I entered the kitchen they were already serving dinner! I'm late! I rushed to my room, took a light blue kimono, tied my wet hair in messed buns, tossed my wet clothes in the bed and left to the serving room. I paused in the door that lead to the room, took a huge breath and entered with head down.
I took my place behind Neji, whom was serving himself nicely. I nodded there was Neji, me and some Hyuuga characters not necessary to recognize. I heard Neji asking for juice and went to serve him. While serving him half-glass, he whispered that he'd request my company after dinner. What did he want?
When dinner was finished, I left to the kitchen and waited for him to call me. I was doing nothing in my room so I decided to rest my body a little. When I lied down, I noticed that the bed was wet. I panicked. Half of my bed is wet. Its past nine and most of the workers are sleeping, I'm new here and I don't know where they put sheets or pillows. I'm so screwed.
I took the wet sheet, tossed it on the group with my wet kimono. I should pay more attention with my things. Hopefully tomorrow the maid who clean my room can clean this mess…I'm so tired. Maybe Neji forgot about the talk he wanted to have with me. I might sleep now. I got some kimono from the wardrobe and make it seem like it was a blanked, I added another kimono to keep m warm. I undid my messed (still wet) buns, brushed it lightly and the lied down.
I was about to sleep when I heard a knocking on the door. I sighed, cursed who it was and opened the door and was faced with Neji. "What the fuck are you doing here, this hour?" I asked him angrily. Doesn't he understand that when you want to sleep you leave the person to rest? "Watch your words with me. I'm here because I wanted to talk to you." Oh…Right. I nodded.
"Do you want to me to come inside or you want another place to talk?" He asked. I processed what he asked and replied, "Another place. Inside is with a huge mess, so we can find another place. Maybe some place with fire?" I suggested prying for all gods I knew that he'd take me to a place with working fireplace and not those cold rooms in the state. "Huge mess?" He asked.
"Yes! You'd never guess. I bathed in the river, but when I got back, I was late and without realizing I tos--…" I stopped when I realized what I was doing. I just sounded as a gossiper. I should remember he's Neji and I'm the maid. I think he realized that as well because he nodded and asked for me to follow him. We arrived in a small room with a fireplace lit. I so love fire! I happily sat in front of the fire watching how the wood burned slowly. Then I nodded Neji there. I muttered a little apology.
"What did you want to talk to me?" I asked timidly. This is so not me. Where's the brave Tenten? I need a real break. "Why did you arrive late?" He asked. "I told you I was bathing and didn't realize the time." I answered him a little mad because he just sounded as if he didn't listen to what I told him. "When I asked for Ayame where you were, she told me you went to bath. I don't think you realized but you took a huge time in there and it was evening, dark." He told me superiorly.
"You see…I had to bath with the kimono on so it was hard and I also had to wash my hair because it was smelly. It wasn't that dangerous. Besides, next time I'll bath early. I was thinking the first morning hour so I can be able to serve you." I told him while returning my gaze to the fire. Fire is such a complex thing…It may burn you but it can keep you warm.
We stayed there for a long time, enjoying each other company (not that we are allowed) in silence until I decided to break the ice, "Well, your highness, I shall return to bed. I'm pretty tired. If you excuse me, good night." I bowed and looked at him. He was sleeping again. Doesn't he ever sleep like normal people? I shook him slightly but still, there was no response. I sighed, "Neji-sama…Neji-sama," I whispered to him trying to wake him up, "Neji…wake up. Go sleep in bed…Nejiiii" I told him a little louder. I shook him again and then he gained consciousness. I smiled at him, "Neji-sama, I think you better sleep in your room, here will get cold." I told him while he stood. He nodded and left. So much for a 'good night, Ne-kun' from him.
I went to my room and sleep with the kimono messed. It was all worth after all…it's for Neji.
A/N: There! I'm glad you guys liked! Thankies for the reviews! Also, I'm intending to write with SasuSaku, NaruHina and InoShika (but as sided stories, having their own plot). Also…I wanted Naruto to lecture Neji about destiny…but as seeing that Naruto won't appear much in here, I decided that Tenten could make the job.
Translations
Yosh: Mostly Lee and Gai's word. It's a meaning for 'all right', 'ok'.
Hakkeshou Kaiten: Hand of the Eight Divinations: Heavenly Spin
Hakkeshou Rokujuu Yonshou: Hand of the Eight Divinations: Sixty-four Palms
Soushouryu: Rising Twin Dragons
obs: the techniques came from www. narutofan. com (delete the spaces) and there in the Naruto Technique List is explaining those attacks better.