Chapter 6

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I would like to, though.

Summary: As always, our beloved new couple stands in the spotlight. What will happen at the Spring ball, now that their true feelings are revealed? And will Spring's Ball help to let love bloom between the other ninja?

Oh, I'm rambling again, just remember to tell me, now on with the last chapter of Mission: Youthful kunoichi. Beware fluff!

"Phew, safe." Tenten huffed and wiped invisible sweat off her forehead. Neji and her stood in the living-room where Tenten's wardrobe was. "Gomen, Neji-kun." She addressed the brunette beside her. He looked at her surprised. "Why? You did say that there would be the other girls and I was okay with it. For your information, it's not the first time I'm here. I'm used to your strange universe." The Jounin grinned as he watched his twitching team-mate. "My universe is not strange! It's not my fault that my friends are strange! And it's not my fault either that y o u r friends have come here, too. But I do apologize for this." She wasn't angry, she just couldn't stand Neji teasing her. "It's okay, Tenten, see, normally I would have had a meeting with them today at Nara's, you know, I cancelled it because I had plans to work on my absolute defence." Tenten chuckled. "You guys do sleepovers? What things do you talk about then?" Neji glanced at her somewhat embarrassed. "We don't really talk about stuff." He uttered then. "Aw, Neji, that's nothing to be embarrassed about, I mean your boys and all…" She tried to make him feel better.

Neji hadn't been embarrassed. At least not about that. He felt guilty, that's all. Because he had lied to her, but he had promised not to tell anyone. 'Damn the boys stupid antics. Now I have to lie to my girlfriend because they want their crushes to be oblivious. If that comes out and Tenten gets angry with me, I'll so kill them.' He thought pissed. "Ah, here it is. My pyjama." "Okay, I'm going to change somewhere else, okay?" Neji said. "Alright, see you with the others then." Tenten replied. With that, Neji walked out and closed the door. Tenten sighed. 'Maybe I should have kicked them out… nah… I'm a good girl, I have good manners. Neji didn't seem angry, but I bet he didn't tell the truth about their sleepovers… maybe he didn't want to tell… whatever, everyone is allowed to have secret's… damn why doesn't my tank fit? Oh, wrong…' She thought a lot while changing into her sleeping clothes: An olive tank top and dark-green jams. She then went to her bathroom to brush her teeth. After that she used some mouthwash, pulled her hair down and headed to the bed-room. When she opened the door, seven pairs of eyes were on her. Tenten felt queasy, she never really liked to be life and soul of the party. "Who are you? Long-haired girl?!" Naruto asked suspiciously. "Yeah, what happened to Tenten and Neji?" Ino snarled. "Troublesome intruder." Shikamaru muttered. "A- ano, that is…" Hinata tried to tell, but was cut by Naruto. "I'll protect you, Hinata-chan." 'Why don't they recognize me? Am I so different with my hair down? They should identify my chakra or- omg, I'm so dumb, I deactivated my chakra… oops!' Suddenly she felt a touch on her head. Someone kissed her. "You're even more beautiful with you hair down, Tenten." Neji had shown up behind her and half-hugged her.

"Awwww, cute!" The other girls squealed watching the blushing Tenten. "Hey, moment that is Tenten?!" Naruto and Ino asked then. "I t-tried to tell you, b-but Naruto-kun didn't l-let me." Hinata spoke softly. "Gomen, Hinata-chan!" The fox-boy hollered and tackled the poor Hyuuga heiress in an attempt to hug her tightly which caused her to faint. "Why does this girl faint every time I touch her?" He then stated. The whole group sweat-dropped. "So, what do we do now?" The Yamanaka questioned. "We could watch horror-films." The male blonde suggested excitedly. "I think I have none here." Tenten mentioned. "Ah, come on, let's just do the routine and play truth or dare." Ino made an representation to her own question. "How troublesome…" Shikamaru mumbled. "I'm fine with that, as long as we don't play 'Seven minutes in heaven'." Sakura expressed her opinion. "Hn." Sasuke and Neji agreed. "What is Seven minutes in heaven?" Naruto queried innocently. "You get in a wardrobe or something with a person of the other gender for seven minutes and you should end up kissing with that person. I don't like this game either." Tenten explained. "Hey, why don't you like it? And where do you know it from, Sakura?" Ino fired questions at her best friend. "I don't want to talk about it… Tenten and Hinata know, though." The pinkette blushed. "You told them and not your best friend? Oh, you disappoint me forehead-girl! Still, then Tenten has to tell me!" The blonde begged. "Why me? I don't want to." Tenten clarified. "Okay, okay, it was at Temari's birthday party. I got Gaara and I don't want to talk about it, okay?" "Kami-sama, forehead! How is Gaara as a kisser?" Ino pestered. "I didn't kiss him. Let's just say, we talked and that was it. I don't like this game cause it makes people do strange things." The Haruno cleared the situation. "B-" Ino wanted to say something else, but got interrupted by Sasuke. "Didn't you want to play truth or dare?" He asked. "Troublesome woman… here's a bottle." Shikamaru handed his team-mate a bottle which she began to spin around.

Then it finally stopped, it ironically landed on Ino. "So, Ino-pig… truth or dare?" Sakura's voice frightened the teens a little. "You're not angry, forehead, are you? I'm just curious, you know me… dare." Ino rambled. "Who has a dare for Ino-chan?" Tenten wanted to know from the others. "What about this one?" Naruto whispered something to Tenten. "I didn't know you could be so intelligent, Uzumaki." Neji who had listened in told the kitsune. "Okay, Ino, we dare you to kiss the person you like the most out of this room… but you have to be in underwear." Ino blushed crimson-red. "You can't make me… that's perverted! I am not a slut!" The blonde kunoichi whined. "Got you, Yamanaka, this dare was only a joke to let you feel Haruno's pain when you asked her those questions, your real dare is to tell someone out of this room what you've always concealed." "Is that even a real dare… well, better than the first…" Ino announced and walked to Shikamaru who looked astonished. "That is nothing you should be too proud of, Shikamaru." She expressed before leaning in and whispering something to him which made him flush like hell. "Must be something very interesting, don't you think, Hyuuga?" Sasuke grinned. "Hn." He also grinned and looked at Naruto who nodded knowingly. "Well, let's be not to cruel and go on." Tenten said and spun the bottle. This time it landed on Hinata. "We can't take her, she isn't awake, is she?" The weapon mistress wondered aloud. "Oh, she is awake, I can sense her chakra. Come on, Hina-chan, don't be a cheater." Sakura teased her friend. "Aw, m-man… okay… I w-want truth." The Bleunette ordered confidently. And before anyone could stop him, Naruto asked her the question he never got an answer for. "Why do you always act strange around me, Hinata-chan?" The lavender-eyed girl battered with her eyelashes, then she began to speak. Loud and clearly, without any stuttering. "I don't want to act strange around you. I know that it makes you think I'm a weirdo or something like that. Actually I am not weird. I'm just… shy. Everyone has reminded me of that, day after day, since I was little. My father told me I was weak and that I could die, my little sister doesn't respect me anymore, Neji-nii-san… well, I just got more and more intimidated. And when I met you, you were the first one who didn't judge me or thought that I needed to be handled with kid gloves. I thought that you were really unique and I grew to…" She paused, a vein popping in her head. "What's up, Hinata-chan? I want to know what's with you and me." Naruto pouted. "I would like to go on, but I have the strange feeling that somebody uses it for blackmail." The others looked around surprised. "Hinata-sama, I have every faith in you, but, don't you think-" Neji wanted her to think it over again, but Hinata wasn't in a good mood. "Neji-nii-san, hush! I've found out…", her eyes got a mad glint like Sabaku no Gaara's for a moment, "Ino-chan, give it to Hina-chan. It will be better, believe me." Ino shivered while handing her friend the record. "H-have you ever seen her so e-evil, f-forehead?" She asked her best friend bewildered. "No, I guess, she's just PMS-ing, no need to worry, I've seen worse. And still waters run deep." Sakura retorted. "Well, where was I? Oh, yes, Naruto-kun, what I wanted to say was…", the heiress bent over to the fox-boy and whispered something to him which he blushed to. "Really? I'm a lucky man then, ain't I? Oh, Hinata-chan, did you notice that you didn't stutter? Your voice sounds so beautiful! But the stuttering is cute, I suppose. Oh, are you sure about me? Not that you leave me for Teme." The kitsune rambled. Hyuuga Hinata giggled. "No, of course, I won't. B-but what do you feel for m-me?" He looked at her, pointing to his eyes. "Look me in the eyes, Hinata-chan, look deep down. What do you see?"

"Clear, honest cerulean which could make me do anything?" The Bleunette mused aloud. "I'll tell you: There deep down in my eyes my heart can be seen. And you know what? There's your name engraved." Uzumaki Naruto grinned sheepishly. "Aw!" The girls sighed happily for Hinata's luck and Hinata kissed Naruto on the cheek. "Dobe, that was one of the most intelligent things you ever said." Sasuke teased him, inwardly jealous that Naruto could open up that easy. "Romance is troublesome. Women are troublesome. Ino is trou- ow, what was that for?!" Shikamaru groaned in pain, rubbing the back of his head. "No-one here is more troublesome than you!" Ino snapped. "By the way, I'm tired… what about going to sleep?" The Godaime's pink-haired apprentice asked yawning. "Hn." "As long as I'm with my Hina-chan…" "Yeah, forehead." "Finally something less troublesome." "Naruto-kun, you make me blush…" "Fine, I'll turn the lights off. Goodnight, Neji-kun." With that Tenten turned the light off and gave Neji in the security of the darkness a long awaited kiss.

----------------------- The next day ---------------------------

Tenten was awake first. Of the four girls, that was. The guys weren't anywhere to be found. 'That's strange. Maybe they had a mission or something… oh wait, today's the ball, Hokage-sama wouldn't give them missions then. Just look around, maybe Neji-kun has put a note somewhere.' She thought and got up. She rolled her futon up which had been positioned on her bed. 'Good thing I don't have sleepovers too often, my back's so aching…' When she had put it under the bed, she left the room and went to the bathroom, just to be safe, she locked the door. After a cold shower with her favourite cocoa shampoo she immediately felt better, not to mention her back. 'I should tell that to Sakura, she is a medic-nin, maybe this helps other people… though it is ridiculous that cocoa is good for sore backs…' Sometimes Tenten's mind was really crazy. She shrugged it off and brushed her teeth, combed her hair and went to her wardrobe. "What should I wear?" She cried out desperately. "Maybe just staying in your bathrobe? Ino-pig, Hina and me will just go home and grab our things, shower and then come back here to help each other get gorgeous." Sakura stood in the door, in her clothes from the night before and sipping coffee. "Maybe. You know where the guys went?" The weapon mistress questioned, holding back a yawn. "I was up earlier this morning, when the guys went off, Sasuke-kun told me, they had something to carry out. He apologized for waking me up, but I said it was okay. Neji seemed somewhat sad that you weren't awake. You mind to tell us-" The cherry blossom was cut off by a blonde blur tackling her from behind. "Forehead! You're alive! I dreamt you were killed by a giant bumble-bee!" Ino burst out. "A-ano, Ino-chan, that was just a dream. You had raspberry gum yesterday, remember? It has b-bad influence on you." Hinata had appeared in the living room, too.

"Whatever, Ino-pig, get off me! I can't breath! And why don't you dream that anyone else dies in a strange way? I mean, every other person in your dreams dies normally, but I'm always either shot by Barney, cuddled to death by Orochimaru or drowned by Tsunade-shishou's sake!" The pink-haired exclaimed fake angrily. "Mou, the bumble-bee one is at least something new." Tenten teased. "Come on, Sakura-chan, it wouldn't be Ino, if she wouldn't dream strange things about you, don't you think? I mean, you've always had an interesting friendship." "Yeah, guess, you're right. Ne, Ino-pig?" Sakura asked her best friend calmly. "Of course! You know what? I would give you a Lee-Gai hug now, if that wasn't just so creepy!" Ino replied, making all girls laugh. "I don't want to ruin t-this moment, guys, but it's already t-ten now." Hinata interjected seriously. "What?! Really? Okay, we have to go! We're back in two or three hours! Be prepared! Omg, what will I do! Only two or three hours to grab all those things! I'm so doomed!" Ino shrieked hysterically, dragging her two friends behind, slammed the door shut behind her, only to come back three seconds later, screeching "See ya!" and stomping off again. Tenten shook her head. "And I thought Neji had no knowledge of human beings… well, never mind. I need coffee!" She had been craving for her drug since she had seen Sakura sipping on her own mug. The brunette put on the coffee machine, chose an extra-strong espresso and looked in the fridge, thinking of her breakfast. 'I need more than just an apple today. I'm freaking hungry!' Tenten had no idea why, but she felt like starving to death. "Oh, thank heaven! Fruit salad! Strawberries covered with chocolate! I'm saved!" She cheered when she pulled out the announced things and began to eat them.

Exactly at three o' clock the other girls knocked on the door and greeted their friend. "I'm so excited, you, too?" Ino squalled. "I'm more nervous that I'm not prepared. I mean, you look all so pretty and I have pink hair and a wide forehead…" Sakura said sadly. "Come on, Sakura-chan, you're totally gorgeous, I'm a tomboy, what shall I say?!" Tenten consoled her friend. "Aw! Tenten you're so cute! And you'll look stunning, I promise!" The Hokage's apprentice hugged the cocoa-eyed kunoichi. "Hey, forehead-girl, stop that, you ruin her body! Besides, I think you'll end up in the next Icha Icha in this position." Ino stated smirking. "Why so?" Tenten and Sakura asked in unison. "L-look down at you." Hinata emerged, stifling a laugh. The two hugging girls did so and released each other blushing. You couldn't blame anyone who comes up with bad thoughts if a girl in a tight miniskirt and the other in a half open, underwear exposing bathrobe hugged each other tight, even if it wasn't supposed to look that inviting, could you. "Hey, guys, it's not that embarrassing! I just don't want your sweethearts to think you're lesbian or I don't know. Let's start, shouldn't we?" Ino asked cheerily. "Yeah!" The other ninjas screeched and they entered the living-room. "What have you brought?" Tenten addressed her friends. "I have my clothes and the hair products for all of us. I t-think, I'll begin with Ino's hair, then Sakura's, then yours and mine in the end." Hinata informed the group. "I have all the make-up I own in this suitcase!" The Yamanaka pointed on a big silver metal suitcase by her side. "And I have some self-made perfume's with me, and special creams Tsunade-shishou has given me the recipes for. I'll also help each one of you to make your outfit look even more beautiful with ribbons or bracelets or other accessories I've brought." Sakura reported. "Okay, then how about we start with Hinata and then make our way to me at the end? Meanwhile, I make some lunch, okay?" Tenten suggested. The others agreed and Ino and Sakura got the Hyuuga heiress on a comfy chair, Sakura making her a pony tail to get her long hair out of the way. "Hinata, we go out for a moment to help Ten-chan, would you put on your dress and fix your hair in that time? Ino-pig and I need to harmonize everything with your dress and shoes and hair." The Haruno explained, then grabbing her best friend to the kitchen.

"Ten-chan? What do you cook?" Yamanaka Ino poked her older friend. "You're walking on my nerves, you know that? I try to make pancakes." The brunette Chuunin answered. "Be careful, Tenten-chan, Ino-pig could try to get the pan and flip it." Sakura chuckled. "Really?" Tenten inquired and turned to Ino, showing a spatula. "Look, Ino-chan, this is a spatula, you need it to turn pancakes or fried eggs. You can also-" "I freaking know what a spatula is! Why do you always make fun of me? Is it because I'm blonde?" Ino was in her drama mode, she wasn't angry, it was a typical move between the girls when they were bored. "I'm r-ready!" The blue-haired female's one could be heard twenty minutes later. Tenten stopped putting a big mass of pancakes on a table, Sakura placed the chocolate sauce on the table and Ino just laid the cutlery down messily and fast and the trio walked into the living-room. While Tenten and Sakura only stood in awe, the blonde kunoichi released her very thought. "You're Hinata? Not Miss Universe?" Hyuuga Hinata blushed at this comment. "Ano… y-you make me blush… I'm not that pretty." She replied shyly, twiddling her fingers like she did back when they were twelve and bowed her head. "Dn't be so modest, Hina-chan. Or should I say Hinata-hime?" The brown-eyed kunoichi blinked. "Yeah, I so bet Naruto gets all drooling when he sees you like this!" The pink-haired ninja encouraged the Hyuuga girl. Hinata wore a light lavender halter dress with a dark blue ribbon around the waist and matching lavender high heels. Her long dark-blue hair was put up into a ballerina bun, some tresses adorning her face. To put it simple: Even if you knew Hinata for years you wouldn't have recognized her. "I think I don't have much to do. Your skin is perfect and I have already decided on your accessories and the perfume." The medic-nin told. "You won't need much make-up also, Hinata-chan." Ino smiled at her timid friend. Sakura started, put a lilac behind the Hyuuga's left ear, handing her pearl earrings in the form of rain drops and then a little flakon filled with what she called "moonlight river". Hinata sprayed it and an aroma of lilacs, blue-berries and fir embraced her. "This is… brilliant.", was all the shy kunoichi could say.

"Okay, seems I'm next, ne?" The mind-techniques using ninja queried after having made Hinata up. "Yes, you are. Same procedure, you put your clothes on, and please use this cream before doing your make-up. It makes the skin all fluffy and rosy. If you wonder, it is with honey and peach." Sakura mentioned and handed her childhood friend a small pot. "We're eating in the kitchen." Tenten mumbled and closed the door. "Do you have a date tonight? I was wondering all the time." Sakura revealed curiously. "I wish I had." Hinata and Tenten said in unison. The three girls looked at each other and started to laugh. "You?" Tenten wanted to know when Sakura shook her head, they ate up in silence. "I'm done!" The blonde ninja's voice was heard. "Coming!" The oldest Chuunin retorted. "You told me Miss Universe? Look at y-yours!" Hinata exclaimed. "Whoa, Ino-chan, who do you want to seduce tonight?" Tenten teased with a smirk. "A certain lazy-ass, I guess." Sakura chuckled. "You look really uber gorgeous." "I'm honoured." Ino said smiling. Her dress was a simple light blue strapless one with a petticoat underneath the mid-thigh long skirt with tiny violet bows at the bottom. In addition to this she wore dark blue stilettos and carried a turquoise clutch bag. "A-ano, Ino-chan, that turquoise eye shadow suits you very well. You should use it more often." Hinata advised and grabbed a comb and a brush together with some hair accessories out of the bag she had brought. "Sit down, Ino-chan, I want to dress your hair." While Hinata was concentrating on the long blonde hair and its teasing, everyone watched interested. After that she worked on a messy up-do, unconsciously biting her lower lip. "Hinata-chan, you're amazing! Thanks a lot!" The florist cried out and hugged the lavender-eyed girl. "It's not t-that big a deal, Ino-chan, I just dressed it and put a few butterfly b-barrettes in…" The Hyuuga heiress blushed slightly. "Either way, you did a great job, Hina-chan!" Tenten assured her timid friend. "Yeah, stop being so modest. Here, Ino-pig, with that perfume you'll totally win Nara's heart! It's with daisies and buttercups! I tried to find something that Shikamaru would like and I thought of a hayfield in the sun when I created this aroma. And Shikamaru lies always in the grass, watching the clouds, ne?" She handed Ino the small bottle and said girl used it right then. Her face went immediately brighter and she insisted "I'm in heaven, I'm a pretty pixie princess in heaven.", a few times. "That's not all I have Ino-chan." Haruno Sakura smiled widely; it was the first time in years that she saw her best friend that happy and therefore wanted to make her even happier and called her Ino-chan instead of Ino-pig. "Look at these. Keep them."

Yamanaka Ino gazed at the tiny pieces of jewellery the pink-haired kunoichi showed her. It were earrings in the shape of clouds, made of what seemed like blue topaz. "I could never take this… they must have been that expensive!" The blonde stated. "Hey, you, Hinata and Tenten are my friends, we would do everything for each other, if necessary. So don't you dare decline this offer." Sakura clarified, Hinata and Tenten nodding frantically behind her. "Mou… what would I do without you three?" The mind-transferring mistress asked and put the ear-rings on. "Dieing?" Tenten joked, sticking her tongue out cheekily. "Dun-dun-dun-dun! Our winner is: Tenten!" Ino cheered. "Weeh!" Hinata and Sakura clapped. "Ah, well, I think Pinky's up next." The blonde then announced. "I know, I know, I'll change clothes and I'll call you, when I'm done. By the way, I don't think I can top any of you in the looks." The medic-nin pronounced decisively. "We'll see, forehead, we'll see." Ino answered and shoved Hinata and Tenten out of the room. "You know what? I don't think we should or can compare each other in any way." Tenten said seriously, chewing on a lukewarm pancake. "Why so, Tenten-chan?" Hinata inquired intrigued. "Yeah, tell us." Ino incited curiously. "I don't know… In my opinion you can only compare similar things with each other and we four are the last things I would call similar. I mean, Sakura has pink hair, mine is brown, Hinata's is dark-blue and yours is blonde. Aside from that, it depends on the person who looks at us. There are people who like blondes and people who like brunettes. So, we're all beautiful and unique. Each one in another way and I think the person we want to be acknowledged by will think of us as the most beautiful being on earth either way and that's what counts." The weapon mistress explained and swallowed the last bit of her pancake, sighing contently. "Yeah, you're right. Don't worry, we make Neji all drooling over you!" The 'troublesome woman' aka Yamanaka Ino yelled. "I agree with Ino, t-though I had told it more subtle." Hinata giggled. "How long is forehead going to take? I'm bored to death… no offence, girls." The kunoichi with baby-blue eyes ranted. As if on cue, Sakura called from the living-room.

"Wee! Another Miss Universe!" Tenten couldn't hold back her admiration of the Haruno's outfit. "You make me proud, forehead. See, that's what you get if you're on good terms with Yamanaka Ino: A excellent taste in style!" Sakura's best friend declared. "If Sasuke-san rejects you now, I'll let him beat up by Naruto-kun and Neji-nii-san." Hinata proclaimed. "Uh-huh. He's gonna go down if he hurts you!" Ino and Tenten shouted exhilarated. "Okay, now you've done it… I'm all blushing." The pinkette murmured covering her pink cheeks with her hands. "Oh, come on, get a look into the mirror! You're so going to be Mrs Uchiha!" Ino affirmed her childhood friend. Sakura stared at her reflection. She wore a jade kimono-style dress, with a light pink cherry blossom print all over it. Sakura's back was nearly bare and she smelled like cherries and magnolias. Her curves were emphasized by the way the silk embraced her body. Her feet were adorned by cute pink sandals which were decorated by a pink cherry blossom on each of them. The only jewellery the Godaime's apprentice wore were simple silver earrings in the shape of the Konoha leaf. "Okay, Sakura, I've already decided on how I dress your hair. It won't take long… Actually, Ino can make you up, while I'm fixing your hair. O-okay?" Hinata queried her medic experienced friend. "Hai." The jade-eyed Chuunin answered. "Okay, let's start." Ino shouted cheerily. "I'm getting my dress, okay?" Tenten excused herself and went to her bed-room. As soon as Tenten got there, she closed the door behind her and locked it. "Finally…" She sighed and let herself sink down the door. 'I need a break now. Just thinking. I have the feeling that this is not like me… not in any way… with them I feel so… insignificant. It doesn't matter how often I repeat the whole 'every girl is beautiful in her own way' thing, I just fail to believe it. I know that Neji loves me, I know that he would never have said it without any reason. He thinks I'm beautiful. The other girls assure me that I'm not losing to them in any way, but I am not sure if I have the looks. Am I really the one? Do I suit him? Will I fit the Hyuuga name someday?' Tenten threw her hands up in frustration. She glared at the neatly folded dress which laid on her bed stand and stood up. "Well, come what may, I have to do this, except I had the sudden urge of seeing Gai-sensei performing Sexy no jutsu… ow… go away, mental image… la la la innocent thoughts… yeah?" The brunette stopped her outburst because someone knocked on the door.

"Ten-chan, Sakura-chan is ready now, and you can have our full attention!" The blue-haired Chuunin said through the door. "Just change and come out then!" "Okay… just a second." Tenten responded. 'Prepare yourself world… here's Tenten for you. In a dress!' She thought with dismay, but got the dark-red Chinese dress and her matching sling-backs on nevertheless. "Here I am!" She called out and was surprised to see her three friends standing there, mouths agape and Hinata even let the brush fall down. "Gomenasai, Tenten-chan, but you just look so… different. You should wear those kind of clothes more often." She then broke the facts to the amazed tomboy. "Ten-chan, you consider yourself tomboy? Are you nuts? You look like a lady in this!" Sakura added, whose hair-style was like that of a Geisha. "Yeah, right. You so have Neji whipped there, girl." Ino nodded all along. "You abash me, gals." The chocolate-eyed kunoichi mumbled. "Aw, I am so looking forward to Neji-nii-san's expression when he sees you! Come, I'll fix your hair and make it Chinese style then, too. And I don't know what Ino-chan and Sakura-chan have planned! Oh, by the way, what cream should she use, Sakura-chan?" It seemed like Tenten was now officially life and soul of the party – again. Within ten minutes, her hair was in a complicated up-do, held by a golden barrette with a dragon decoration, similar to the one on her dress, her face was made up with red eye-shadow and violet kohl and pearly lip gloss. Simply put: Tenten looked hot. "Don't you think this is… wrong? Or… I mean I'm a tomboy and shouldn't I stay with this than? I feel like I'm not the right one for Neji…", Tenten confessed when she looked at herself in the mirror, just when Sakura wanted to give her the perfume. "Whoa, stop, dear, what did you say? You're not the right for Neji? You shouldn't be wearing a dress? What kind of idiot told you that?" Ino shook her repeatedly, as if she thought to get those bad thoughts out of her friend's mind by doing so. "A-actually I… because I saw you and then me… and… and… I thought of Temari." "There, there, Tenny-chan, don't get overdramatic here. As you said to Hina-chan and Ino-pig, every girl is beautiful in her own way. Besides, Neji loves you, doesn't he? He would not have confessed to you, if he thought you're not the right one. And since when do you rely on that sand girl? You remember what she did to you in the Chuunin exams?" Sakura comforted the weapon mistress.

"You know, I just think Tenten is nervous. I can u-understand that. Ten-chan, look, you'll fit the Hyuuga name more than I do. And I'm the heiress. Okay, maybe I'll suit it perfectly now, but let's not tell that anyone, ne? What I w-wanted to say is, that Neji-nii-san is in love with you for so long, why should it stop now? He fell in love with Tenten, the person, neither with Tenten the tomboy, nor with Tenten the girl. You understand? Fine, let's just hurry up, because it's already seven thirty and the ball starts at eight." Hinata rushed. "Stop, just two questions: Whence did you know Neji-kun confessed and from where did you know I doubted to fit the Hyuuga name?" Tenten glanced accusingly at her friends. "Mou, keep cool, Tenten, Sakura phoned with Naruto half a hour ago and Hinata has a good intuition. Will you get ready now?" Ino soothed the oldest of them. "Hai, I will." Sakura handed her the small bottle: "That's a cool one, it's with jasmine and lotus." Tenten sprayed it and sniffed. "That's delicious! Can I lay down and sniff the rest of the day?" She grinned. "No! You have to attend the ball. And put these on, please." Sakura gave her a pair of long golden earrings in the shape of dragons with little rubies as eyes. "They are so lovely!" The former tomboy exclaimed. "Now, look in the mirror." Ino offered. Tenten touched her reflection in disbelief. "Is that… me? Really?" She queried. "Sure, dumbass, now go out there and show the world the real Tenten!" "Yay!" Tenten yelled and her friends joined in. Each of them grabbed her handbag and they dashed off to the ball.

-------------- At the ball ------------------------

"Hey, Sasuke-teme, what are you looking for?" Konoha's number one loudmouth asked his best friend. "Hn? Nothing." Uchiha Sasuke answered. "This ball is so troublesome… my mum forced me to wear a smoking. Damn that troublesome woman! By the way, it seems our other prodigy is off, too." Shikamaru said, pointing to Neji who look daggers at the doors. "Okay, I'm officially confused. Hey Sasuke-teme, why are you so off?" Naruto queried. "I'm not off. Hyuuga may, but I'm not off. NOT off." The Sharingan holder gritted his teeth. "I'm not off. I just happen to have a date tonight, chicken-hair." Neji mocked. "Yeah, right, I got it! TEME must have a date, too!" Naruto cried out. "Okay, keep calm, dobe, don't you shout that out ever again." The Uchiha prodigy clarified. When Naruto took a deep breath in to shout it out again, Konoha's number one single hissed: "Or I order my fan-club to rape you to death." The blonde gulped. "That's so troublesome… there are four gorgeous girls, look. You know them? Oh, Temari comes… I'm at the rest room. Tell her I'm on a mission or something. See you later." Naruto, Neji and Sasuke looked at the direction of the doors. Certainly, Temari came and there were four girls that could make every ice-cube melt. "Hey, the one with the dark-blue hair is hot." The self-proclaimed Rokudaime revealed. "Hn. The brunette is better, but nothing compared to Tenten. I'll walk outside to see if she comes. You two take care of Temari." Neji waved and went to the doors. "What about you Sasuke-teme? Teme?" Naruto looked at his side, where his best friend used to stand, but he could see nothing but the wall. "Whatever. I'll go looking for Hina-." He was interrupted by a rough voice. Or better Temari. "Hey, Uzumaki, have you seen Nara-kun anywhere? I thought he was here, but he apparently isn't." She smiled. "You haven't heard? He is in Kirigakure, he marries the day after tomorrow." Naruto then realized that he had just told the worst lie ever. 'Temari will so not believe this.' He thought. "Oh my gosh! What?! I have to stop him!" The Suna ninja shrieked hysterically and rushed off. "Okay, wrong thought. She is a drag. Let's tell Shikamaru he is safe and then look for Hinata-chan." He was about to step forward, but he bumped into someone. "Oh, Gomen, I haven't watched where I went." He apologized. "K-konbanwa, Naruto-kun." A timid, nevertheless loving voice was heard. "H-Hinata-chan?!" Uzumaki nasuto hollered. "I thought you weren't here yet." "Thought so. You didn't recognize me?" The Hyuuga girl inquired. "No, you're prettier than you usually are." He complimented, then remembered something he was told by Ero-sennin. "May I have this dance, Hinata-chan?" Said girl giggled, took his arm and nodded.

Neji had made his way to the doors and walked outside. "You looking for someone?" A voice asked. "Hn." He couldn't recognize the person for he or she stood in the shadows and hid her chakra. He turned around a bit more and came to the conclusion it was a girl. "You're not really talkative, ne? I think I've found what you're looking for…" The stranger left the shadows and appeared to be Tenten. "Tenten!" Neji called her and embraced her. He then looked her up and down. "You look gorgeous, you know that?" "Neji, I've… I'm… are you sure?" "Why shouldn't I?" "Because… never mind, let's dance inside, I want to see what the others do, too!" She dragged her boyfriend back into the hall. In there was the ball already on the roll. Naruto and Hinata were in the middle of the dance floor, obviously having a great time. Ino stood at the bar, talking to Chouji and from time to time looking around. "Hey, Neji? You know where Shikamaru is?" Tenten wanted to know. "Yeah, he used to save himself from a sand demon. Why? Trying to be unfaithful already?" He asked back. "No, I just happen to think that Ino would like to speak with him." Tenten blinked, she had emphasized the word 'speak' enough for Neji to get the clue and gave him a peck on the lips. "I love you." She said. "Hn. I'll go and get Nara and then we go dancing. Go over to Yamanaka in the meantime." He made his way to the other way of the hall. Tenten sighed happily. 'The others are right, he loves me. Although he won't admit in public.' "Hey, Ino! Hey, Chouji! What's up?" She greeted the two members of former team Asuma. "Nothing much. Shouldn't you be with Neji?" "He's on the way to get Shikamaru out of his hiding place. From what I've heard, Temari was here?" Ino and Chouji looked at her and then at each other and began to laugh. "You know what? Naruto has put her to rout! Wanna know how?" Ino said in between giggles. "Yeah, tell me, seems totally funny." Tenten retorted. Few minutes later, Neji and Shikamaru came to the trio to find them laughing their asses off. "Hey, Tenten, what's up?" Neji questioned confused. "Kami-sama, hey, Neji, hey, Shikamaru! Ino told me how Naruto got rid of Temari! Ahahaha….. to funny." She wiped a tear of laughter away. "Let's go dancing, shall we?" She offered. After the first dance, they set down to drink something. "You know, I thought I wouldn't suit this dress nor you." Tenten revealed, sipping on her wine cooler. "Why?" Neji raised his eye-brow, shocked. "I just thought I was too much of a tomboy for you."

Meanwhile Sasuke had wandered around the ball room and was looking for Sakura. Not that he'd ever admit this. He was still thinking of the day before, with the Sai and Sakura relationship part. "I'm so gonna kill him…" He growled. "Mou, Sasuke-kun, who do you want to kill?" Sakura stood in front of him and smiled. "No-one, really." He said. As I said, he would never admit anything. "Uh-huh. You weren't taking anything about Sai and me seriously, were you?" Sasuke was dumb-founded. 'Who the hell gifted her with this cursed read-Sasuke-like-a-book-ability?' He thought. "Hn." Sasuke used his ultimate weapon. One syllable words. But Sakura wouldn't let him win. "Konbanwa, Sai-kun!" She greeted her team-mate from afar. The sole survivor frowned automatically. "Konbanwa, hag!" Sai grinned. "Isn't he funny? That's what I liked about him in our…-" Sakura was cut off. Sasuke held her tight. "Will you stop saying those things?" My, was he agitated. "As I was to say… our fake relationship. Mind to lose your grip, Sasuke-kun?" She answered. "Fake… relationship?" Sasuke repeated, feeling like a total idiot. "Yeah, fake. To get rid of my fan boys." The cherry blossom explained. "Fan boys?" The Uchiha arched an eye-brow at her, smirking in disbelief. "Look behind me and count how many boys try to get a look at my ass." She commanded. When she saw his onyx eyes widen, she shrugged with her shoulders. "See? That's what I've been going through ever since I became the Hokage's apprentice. Oh, there she is. Konbanwa, Shishou!" "They have no right to do these… things." The former traitor uttered, barely keeping his temper. "Of course, they have. Every girl has the right to be loved, and every guy has the right to love a girl." Sakura lectured him. "No-one has the right to love you…" Sasuke pinned her up against the wall. "You're mine." He kissed her roughly, but it softened. Panting, they released each other. "Anything else I didn't know?" Haruno Sakura asked flirtatiously. "Two things: You look stunning. And I like you very much. Actually more, but I'm a man of few words, so don't make me repeat myself ever again. Aishiteru." He whispered in his monotone, but Sakura saw the emotion in his eyes. "Sasuke-kun!" She whispered seductively. "I love you, too. What about a dance? Maybe you'll get a reward." She chuckled and dragged him to the dance floor. "You're annoying." He teased her when they got there.

"Seems like the others have more fun than us." Ino noticed, sipping on her punch. "Hey, I won't hold you back from dancing, Ino. Just grab a cool guy and have fun. You don't need to stay with me." Shikamaru explicated. Ino clicked her tongue. "Actually you do. There is only one cool guy here today. And I need to stay with you." She professed. "To part one and three: Why? To two: Who?" Shikamaru glanced at her. "Aren't you supposed to be a genius?" She snapped, but more friendly. "You know what? You're even more troublesome in these kind of clothes." He announced. "Why so?" She sipped on her punch again, licking over her lips. Shikamaru winced slightly. "Weren't you one of the best in biology at the academy?" The Nara mocked. "I don't get what you mean, Shika-kun. Tell me." Ino wailed, leaning forward, giving the Shougi-master an excellent sight off her cleavage. He blushed and avoided her gaze. "You see, I'm a boy… and I have hormones and I… oh, troublesome woman! Stop tempting me!" He called out, certainly aroused. The Yamanaka smiled innocently. "I'm tempting you? I didn't know you were aroused so easily. I'll stop it then." "No! I mean, oh, just come to me, I want to tell you one thing." She obliged and he placed her onto his lap. "Ino, you're the most troublesome woman I've ever met. And I've promised to myself that the woman I would marry, would be everything but troublesome. And now see what you've done to me: I'm setting all my principles at nought." She stared at him in awe. "Is that a… an… a proposal? Or a confession… Oh, you got me… I'm at a loss of words." The blonde kunoichi stated. "It's not a proposal yet, it is more of a confession. I love you and want you to be my girlfriend, so that I can come home one day, with a small velvet box in my pocket and propose to you. That better?" He questioned. "Yeah! Yes! Hai. I love you." Ino whispered. "Shika-kun, would you do me a favour?" "Maybe. Is it troublesome?" "No, you get to lie down." He blushed. "Ino… that's a little… fast I mean.." "Baka." She scolded him softly. "I thought we get to my apartment and watch a film. We've done our duty here, after all. And I just happen to always have wondered if you're as good at kissing as you're at playing Shougi." She stroked his jaw line temptingly. "You'll be surprised of what I can do." Shikamaru grinned lazily at her. "I should have seen this coming, you know?" "Why?" Ino wanted to know. "Hey, have you told me that you think I'm totally hot shirtless or haven't you?" He smirked even more when he saw Ino blushing madly. "Come on already, I want to 'see a film'." The lazy ass emphasized the last three words on purpose. Because suddenly his girlfriend seemed to speed up. "Troublesome woman." He bantered with her. "Sexy lazy ass." She teased him.

"Tenten… why would you think so?" Neji tried his best to follow his girlfriend's trail of thoughts. "It's not important, Neji-kun. I've learned that I'm the right one for you. After all, you love my personality, not only my body or my abilities, ne? And Hinata-chan told me that even so… you were loving me for so long, why should you change?" Tenten blushed a deep shade of red, matching her clothes. "I know why I would change it." Neji told her, smirking. Tentens face fell. He leant in and whispered something into her ear. She blushed even more, if that was humanly possible. "You m-mean this?" She stuttered. "Hn." He responded, blushing and avoiding her eyes. "Wee, there you have it, hell breaks loose, the almighty Hyuuga Neji blushes!" The cocoa-eyed weapon mistress teased her love. "You know what Neji? …" She had also leant in and told him something which made him blush furiously. They stared at each other, drowning in the other's eyes and finally ended up in a make-out session, ignoring the looks they received.

"Mission: Youthful kunoichi accomplished. Good job, Lee." Gai-sensei praised his student. "Gai-sensei!" "Lee!" "Gai-sensei!" "Lee!" Those two won't ever change, will they? But Gai-sensei would have been even prouder if he could have heard those whispered sentences…

"The love between a husband and his wife is different from that of a boyfriend and his girlfriend."

"If hell really was to break loose, I would stand right beside you, for a loving wife always supports her husband."

A/N: That's it! Owari! Over! Zu Ende! Finally done with it. Don't get me wrong, I'm sad. Still pondering if I should write a sequel. But that would be so troublesome… please make me happy and review. And now our main chara's opinions to this FF:

Gai-sensei & Lee: Miyu-sama is so youthful!

Me: Right… What about you Neji?

Neji: Hn. I wouldn't be such a romantic jerk.

Me: Watch what you're saying, or my next fic involves you… being raped by each male character of Naruto.

Neji: …

Me: Good boy. Tenten what did you think?

Tenten: I…

Me: You liked it, just confess to this human ice-cube already!

Tenten & Neji: … blush

Me: So, this is how it should all end. Neji and Tenten got married, so did the other couples, Sasuke rebuilt the Uchiha Clan right after this ball…

Sasuke: Where do you know that from?!

Me: Go ask Naruto, after all, he had bad influence of his two perverted senseis.

Sasuke: DOBE!!!

Naruto: gulp

Me: Where was I? Ah, yes… Naruto and Hinata were totally happy and Hinata made Neji to the leader of the Hyuuga Clan and Shikamaru and Ino lived a happy, lazy life. And Temari… well she's still in Kirigakure… never mind Temari fans… I won't let her die… just tease her a little. Hey, Temari, I thought I saw Shikamaru behind a giant stone in Oto!

Temari: I'll find my Shika-kun! He needs me! He is a crybaby and a weakling! He needs his big Temari-chan to care for him!

Me & rest of the Naruto charas: Right…

Okay, now it's over. Get in my personal space to see my opinion of Temari. Little hint: I'm not her biggest fan. Woah, that is equivocal… I would like you to read a SasuSaku Oneshot of mine, it's called bubbles. I've made up a vote there, about my next multi-chapter fic.

Bye for now,

A totally exhausted

Miyu