Chance: The beginning Chapter 2: The Winter Festival, a naruto fanfic

doorah: Before I start, I want to thank the people who reviewed my story: Thanks a million to Matahari,tenjichanSailor Kunoichi, and last but not least, Merciless Ruby for reviewing my first chapter of "Chance: The Beginning"!!! Not only did you guys encourage me to go on, but you also made me feel glad that someone actually paid attention to my chapter. Thanks to the people who read my story also! This chapter is actually pretty average, but then again, I tried to make it more interesting. So now, ON WITH THE STORY!

-The Winter Festival-

Tenten carried the full tray back to Eri's kitchen and left it for him on the counter. Eri wasn't there for some reason, so she decided to leave, but then something caught her eye. It was a letter. The well-designed letter paper looked almost expensive and Tenten couldn't help but to take a look at it. She took a quick peek then and she saw something astonishing. The letter started with 'My Dear Tenten,'.

"This is for me?" Tenten wondered curiously and she flipped the folded part up to read the note. This was Eri's writing, Tenten was sure of it. The letter read:

My Dear Tenten,

Tomorrow night will have a Winter Festival held in the city, as you may know. Since I have been your friend for so long, would you like to go out with me to the Festival? Like a date? I will pick you up tomorrow at 7:00p.m sharp, see you!

Loves,

Eri Tanaka

Tenten didn't know what to do. She gasped in astonishment when she saw the sentence 'Like a date?' and she almost dropped the letter out of her hands. The writing f looked like the writer was shaking, maybe Eri was a bit nervous to ask Tenten out. Even though writing a letter to ask someone out on a date was very endearing for Tenten, she didn't exactly want to become 'lovers' with Eri. He looked attractive, yes, but she only wanted to be friends with him and stay as friends only. So what is she going to do now?

"Oh, hi Tenten," A familiar moderate voice was heard; it was Eri's. Tenten spun around, surprised, and the letter slipped out of her hands. Eri peered down at it and flinched. "You…you read it?" He stuttered. Tenten's cheeks tinted slightly red and she nodded.

"So," Eri paused nervously. Then there was silence…..

"Would you go out with me, then?" He asked and Tenten didn't respond. "Uhh, Tenten….?" She looked up at him, still blushing.

"I…I can't. Too busy, hmm, maybe next time!" And then, without another word, she ran out the kitchen back to her room, leaving a stunned Eri behind. As soon as she went in her room, she fell on her bed. She was gasping now for it was too embarrassing to tell him that she only wanted them to stay as friends. She didn't want to hurt his feelings and had decided to tell him later. Or maybe, just maybe, he'll forget about this, she thought. The brown haired kunoichi sat up and opened the door to check outside. Good, he didn't follow me, Tenten thought again. Unexpectedly, someone was knocking on her door. She turned to stare at where the sound came from and paused. Should she open it or not? Then there were more knocking. The nervous Tenten decided to walk over to the door and open it.

Please don't be Eri…

…

"Tenten, what took you so long?" One of Hinata's bodyguards inquired, it was Inuzuka Kiba. Tenten had been his friend since she came to the Hyuga compound; he was a very nice guy. The boy wore a black outfit all over and he had jet black, spiky hair. He also has a huge dog as his 'partner'. The dog was Akamaru and he used to be a very small white puppy, so tiny that it can fit in Kiba's jacket. However, Akamaru grew a lot within 3 years.

"I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else." Tenten apologized. "What do you need me for?"

"Hinata-sama wants to see you, now." He said and Tenten nodded. The brown haired girl followed him and Akamaru to Hinata's room. When they went in, Tenten noticed that Hinata was wearing a nice light lilac colouered Kimono. This must be for the Winter Festival.

"Greetings, Hinata-sama." Tenten bowed politely and Hinata quickly went over to her.

"Oh, Tenten! Look at my Kimono!" It was very clear that Hinata adored her beautiful attire and the heiress spun around to show Tenten the back of the lovely dress. "Isn't it so pretty?"

Tenten grinned and nodded, "Yes, it sure is, Hinata-sama!" Truly, Tenten loved the Kimono. She wished that she can wear one too, but she looked at her worn out robe. Obviously, she won't be able to afford one.

"Tenten, would you like to go to the Festival with us tomorrow night? It would be so exciting!" Hinata asked suddenly. That gave Tenten a huge surprise; hanging out with the heiress would be such fun! Hinata looked at Tenten harder and waited for a response.

"Am…I allowed?" stammered Tenten; she was too thrilled! "If Hiashi-sama found out, will he punish you?" Hinata giggled happily and patted on Tenten's shoulders.

"I already asked him, silly!" Tenten had never seen Hinata in such a contented way. "Who is coming with us?" The heiress sat down beside the resting Akamaru and thought for a moment.

"My bodyguards: Kiba-kun and Naruto-kun, and Neji nii-san. Hanabi is going out with her friends." Hinata replied and started spinning around in her kimono again. Tenten laughed and spun around with Hinata as well. The two girls joyously danced around with Kiba and Akamaru gazing at them awkwardly. It's not like Kiba would start dancing with them as well. All of a sudden, a harsh, forceful voice was heard and Hinata stopped spinning around in an instant. It was Hiashi.

"What do you think you're doing with that pesky girl?!" Hiashi yelled. Hinata could only mutter apologues in a frightened way, "My daughters don't go ahead and dance with servants in such an unmannered way, understood?!" He boomed once more. The heiress nodded slowly and her father angrily left. Then, there was a mere silence between Tenten and Hinata.

….

"I…I'm so sorry," Tenten said remorsefully. "I think I should get going now. Thank you for inviting me to the Festival tomorrow. I'll see you." Abruptly, the brown haired girl bowed politely and ran out the door.

NEXT NIGHT…

"Its 6:30 p.m," Tenten quickly paced out of her room, "The Festival will start in 30 minutes." Since, tonight is such an important event, Tenten decided to wear 'nicer' clothes to the festival. An ivory coloured robe with a thick bright red ribbon around the waist fitted perfectly on Tenten. That robe was the only outfit that she has that looked more formal and cleaner. By the way, Tenten's hair wasn't in two buns anymore (GASP), it was in one!

"Oh, Hinata-sama, am I late?!" She asked and gasped for air. Hinata smiled and shook her head.

"You're not late. Naruto is." Kiba complained and added, "Baka yaru." Tenten and Hinata laughed as Neji walked around the room impatiently. Tenten noticed that Kiba and Neji both wore nicer outfits; Neji looked especially charming tonight.

"Tenten, you look beautiful!" cooed Hinata as she looked at Tenten's dress. The brown haired girl gave a small smile. At that comment, Neji turned his head to look at Tenten. Well, she looks...cute, I guess, he remarked in his mind, Damn, what am I thinking?

Suddenly, a blond haired boy leaped in excitedly, "LETS GO!" Everyone gazed at him, with the exception of Kiba and Neji, who glared at Naruto instead. "Hinata-sama, you look so pretty!" Naruto stated and Tenten noticed that Kiba almost slapped him on the head.

"Why, thank you, Naruto-kun." Hinata's cheeks flushed bright red. That was when Tenten actually noticed that Hinata liked Naruto and Kiba liked Hinata. "Lets…lets get going then."

Bright stars sparkled in the sky and then suddenly, beautifully coloured fireworks splashed into the darkness of the night. Everyone 'wooo-ed' and 'waaahh-ed' (except for Neji) and the five continued to admire the different shops in the festival.

"RAMEN EATING CONTEST?!" Naruto beamed in excitement when he saw a 'Join this contest….etc' poster, "Hinata-sama, can I please stop here to join?!" The blond pleaded, going down on his knees and Kiba sighed, feeling annoyance.

"Yes, Naruto-kun." The blushing heir answered softly. Naruto hooted agitatedly and due to his lack of attention, he hugged Hinata. The heir's face reddened even more and as quickly as Kiba could, he yanked Naruto aside.

"Get off of her!" The inuzuka snapped and Naruto rubbed his arm where Kiba grabbed onto, in pain.

"Oops, sorry, Hinata-sama. Good thing Hiashi-sama wasn't here, or else he'd beat me to a pulp." Then Naruto spun around to face Neji, "Please don't tell him, Neji-sama."

"Hn, just don't do it again." Neji answered emotionlessly. After a few 'random' screams, Naruto ran into the ramen restaurant to sign up. I wonder how he ever got to be Hinata-sama's bodyguard…, wondered Kiba, and probably the rest of the world too. Tenten glanced at Neji in curiousity, due to the lack of feelings in the Hyuga's tone. He was interesting, almost as if nothing in the world would bother him. It was then when Tenten really wanted to talk to that Hyuga. At first, she was scared to start the conversation but then, Hinata spotted Tenten's awkwardness and decided to leave Neji and her alone.

"Oh, Neji nii-san, uhh….Kiba-kun and I want to see the…hair ornaments over there." Hinata started, pointing vaguely into the gathering streets and Kiba tilted his eyebrow, "Why don't you and Tenten walk around… over here?" The heiress grabbed onto his bodyguard's arm and dragged him forward, with Kiba gaping at her strangely.

"Hair ornaments?" Neji inquired impassively, he was obviously wondering why Kiba would want to look at 'hair ornaments'. Hinata nudged Kiba and he gave a light chuckle.

"Well, Hinata-sama wants to buy some, so I better protect her!" Kiba explained falsely and then he left with the heiress, leaving behind an uncomfortable Tenten.

Next, there was an unusual stillness stuck between Neji and Tenten. Only the laughters of enjoyment were heard from the crowded streets and also were Naruto's far away thrilling cries. The brown haired girl opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Then she tried to start a conversation once more, but then again she failed.

"Do you want to say something?" remarked Neji, with a slight taste of impatience. How did he see that I wanted to talk to him? Tenten wondered, I was walking after him…Does he have eyes behind his head or something?

"Oh, its nothing." Tenten pretended and she walked forward beside him. "Where do you want to go?" She asked. Neji shrugged. The two continued walking further and further. Suddenly, Tenten stopped in front of a weapons specialty store. She stood there, for minutes, just to stare at the sharp pointy objects inside. Other people perhaps thought that she was a little 'crazy' and Neji wanted to know why Tenten liked the shop so much. Most girls don't like pointy things, he thought. Without any movement, Tenten continued to stare inside.

"Too bad its closed." Murmured Tenten disappointedly and Neji heard. He remembered that there was another weapons shop here somewhere. He looked around and there it was across the street, opened, waiting for the weapons mistress/lover to go inside.

"You know, there's another one over there." He told her and she spun around in excitement.

"Really?!" Tenten gasped. "Can I go in? You can wait here if you'd like!" Neji mumbled a deep 'hn' and the brown haired girl ran over joyfully. Something that Tenten didn't notice was that there was a dark alley beside the weapons specialty store and she had to pass it. She went on, running towards the store until a strong manly grip clutched onto her right arm. The figure covered Tenten's mouth tightly, so that no one can hear Tenten's shrieks for help. She struggled as the two went deeper and deeper into the endless alleyway.

"AHHH!" Tenten tried to push the man away but it was no use. The stranger smirked maliciously.

"Hey, you're real cute, aren't yeah?" He covered her mouth stiffer and thrusted her to a wall. Tenten attempted to kick and punch him but it didn't work. "Don't move and you won't get hurt. I just want money, damn it." The stranger declared forcefully.

"HELP!!!" She managed to shout before the stranger slapped her hard on the face.

"I told you to shut the hell up!" He said again. "You don't have any jewellery on you!" Tenten trembled with fear and tried to search for weapons around her, however, there were none.

"Where's your purse?!" The man demanded. Tenten refused to respond. "I said, WHERE.IS.YOUR.PURSE?" He marked every word with threat and she could only manage to shake even more.

"If you're not gonna say a word, don't blame me if I kill you." There was a knife in the stranger's hands and it looked like he was going to stab her until….

"Am I dead?" The frightened girl opened her brown eyes and thought. It was then when she saw the man, still clutching the knife, fall on his front before her. Tears swelled up in her eyes and she wiped it away.

"Are you alright?" It was a very familiar voice. Tenten turned around and saw Neji, standing opposite of her. She wanted to cry, but she wouldn't. She wanted to scream, but she couldn't. There was just something that was stopping her and then, maybe because of shock, Tenten fainted. She felt herself letting go and she also felt the warmth of Neji when she had landed right on him. Luckily, he caught her by her waist and he tried to call her awake, yet Tenten didn't. It was too comfortable this way, she thought and then she closed her eyes, falling into a deep sleep.