Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. If I did I would have at least drawn Team 8 into the background!

Rock Lee folded his arms across his chest impatiently. Neji sat across from him. He held a kunai in his hand, swinging it nonchalantly like a pendulum. The sun was starting to set, and the breeze that was blowing had lost its warmth.

"She is almost five minutes late." Lee finally said. He had been the first to arrive, with Neji following up behind him almost immediately. After what happened the last time the three of them had split up, Lee had no desire to wait for too long to see if their teammate was ok. "We should go looking for her."

Neji stood up, sheathing his kunai. He nodded. "You're right. We shouldn't underestimate what happens in this forest. She could have run into trouble." At that moment there was the sound of rustling leaves, and both boys turned around. Tenten was slowly walking towards them. Her head was lowered, and she had one arm braced against her stomach.

"Tenten, you are finally here!" Lee cried, happily, but his elevated mood quickly turned. He noted that her demeanor had changed from when they had first parted. She did not raise her head, or even acknowledge the boys, but simply continued her slow walk.

"Tenten," Neji said quietly when she reached them. He had a troubled looked on his face. "What happened?"

It didn't take Lee long to figure it out. Tenten's clothes were dirty, and her hair, although still in its buns, was disheveled. It was obvious just by looking at her that she had run into some kind of confrontation. "Are you ok, Tenten? Who did this to you?" Lee burst out angrily.

Tenten's shoulders were shaking now, but she still did not look up. In a barely audible voice Lee heard her say: "I'm so sorry, you guys...I... I... didn't mean to fail either of you." She paused. "The scroll..." Lee blinked, and Neji paled.

The scroll! Lee had forgotten that Neji had given Tenten the Earth scroll at the last minute.

"I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry..." Tenten was saying over and over. Although she was not crying her voice was filled with a sobering pain. It was something that was out of character for the usual perky girl. In fact Lee could not ever remember seeing her in such a state. At that moment it suddenly hurt him to even look at her.

"Tenten, you have to stop and get a hold of yourself." Neji finally said. Had he been upset by the loss of the scroll or the kunoichi's demeanor, he hid it well. His composure, as usual, was even. Any hints of anger, disappointment or despair were absent. "We can't do anything as long as you are like this. Tell us exactly what happened and who took the scroll."

Tenten breathed in deeply, and raising her head, looked at her teammates for the first time. Her eyes were clear, though puffy, and she had a worn look on her face. Finally the story came spilling out. The more Lee listened, the more anger rose in his heart. The Sound Nins from earlier, the same ones that he had trouble defeating, had defeated his teammate and taken their scroll. He felt sorry for Tenten. He could easily relate to the shame and loss she felt.

But now was not the time for sympathy.

"Did you see which direction they went?" Lee asked, and Tenten shook her head.

"It doesn't matter. We know where they're headed." Neji said.

Lee looked at the Hyuuga. He had been angry with him since they had parted ways earlier. He had still been angry when they returned. But any resentment he had felt toward his rival had melted away. No matter what their feelings, they were in the same boat.

"It's too bad you weren't with me, Lee." Tenten said suddenly, bitterly. "Maybe if you were with me this wouldn't have happened. You could have protected me the way you protected Sakura chan."

"What?" Lee's eyes widened, a surprised look on his face. He opened his mouth and then closed it. "Tenten..." he stopped, searching for the right words. Finally, he said: "Tenten, Neji is right. You need to get a hold of yourself. Believe me, no one knows the painful feeling of defeat better than I do. But have you not been listening to anything Gai sensei has taught us? You never let that defeat stop you." Lee glanced over at Neji, who stood expressionless with his arms folded across his chest. "You worker harder until you have conquered that defeat. And besides," Lee smiled, his white teeth gleaming. "To me, you were never one who needed protecting."

Tenten looked up startled, her eyes wide. Lee was unsure whether his words made a difference to her. Her face was just that of surprise. "Lee... I..."

"But enough of that. I have been wanting a piece of those guys for a while now." Lee said. There is no time for regrets. It is time to move forward.

"Yeah," Neji agreed.

"But they're a good fifteen minutes ahead of us." Tenten noted quietly.

Neji smirked and Lee grinned, clenching his fists. "Fifteen minutes? Is that all? Not much of a challenge, but one nonetheless."

"But, Lee..." Tenten began.

"I assume it's easy to start doubting yourself after a loss," Neji interrupted. "But we don't have the time for that. If we're going to get the scroll back we need you to contain whatever doubt you may be feeling. You're either with us or against us." His words were cutting. It was unusual for Neji to talk to Tenten in such a manner. Lee could see that the girl was taken aback, surprise and hurt written on her face.

"If only Gai sensei were here!" Lee suddenly bellowed out, trying to rid heavy mood. "We would make him so proud with what we are about to do!"

Neji nodded. "Now, Lee, is the time for speed." He looked at his rival. "Are you ready?"

"Hai!"

"Tenten?" Both boys turned to their partner, a grim look on their faces. In truth, this was the first time that Lee could remember Tenten faltering. Of all people, he never expected defeat to happen to her. But still, he and Neji held her to a level of expectation. And both their eyes showed that they expected her to uphold her end.

She nodded slowly, though her face still held uncertainty. "H-Hai."

"Those guys are going to pay for what they've done." Neji said quietly, clenching his fist.

"Let's go!" All three jumped away.

I threw in the comment that Tenten made about wishing Lee was there to protect her because I think that Tenten has a little crush on him (from the little that is shown in the manga). I think she was slightly jealous about the whole Lee protecting Sakura thing from her reaction when she and Neji finally met back up with Lee.

Also, I really try to keep them in character. I could be wrong, but I wouldn't expect anymore of a reaction from Neji about his teammate's beating. Now when they actually meet up with the Sound Nin... that may be a different story... ;)

Hell hath no fury like Neji scorned...

This was written and edited quickly, so forgive me for any typos.

Please review, I appreciate them!