Last chapter. Enjoy and leave a review on your way out.

Neji's jaw dropped so far a parade of elephants could have marched in with room to spare. She was beautiful, lithely twisting her body into a number of seemingly impossible positions with the greatest of ease. The routine only lasted a few minutes but to the group of boys it seemed like hours, and after she finished they all were quite disappointed.

"So" Tenten's aunt began, "What did you all think of that?"

Lee began to cry before saying "It was marvelous! I am so happy that you outdid my youthful standard of excellence! Now my youthful companion must run laps around the youthful village of Konoha!"

Neji's eye twitched. Lee's use of the word and the synonyms of 'youth' was really beginning to rub him the wrong way.

Tenten gave Neji a funny look, "You made a bet with Lee over … me?" she questioned.

"Hn." Neji said, being his usual untalkative self. In all actuality he hadn't actually realized what he'd agreed to do until just a few moments ago.

"Hm, you just did not strike me as the kind of person to make bets over trivial things like how the new girl in town could dance." Tenten said giving Neji a toothy smile. She could see right through the Hyuuga prodigy's façade as easily as a fish sees through spring water.

"OH HE ISN'T IT'S A MIRACLE I GOT HIM TO AGREE TO MATCH MY BET AT ALL!!!!!" Lee cried.

"Oh, then I guess my first impression was right after all. But you better get to those laps, Neji; with what Lee told me before you came that it would take you at least the rest of today to get all of those laps done. Bye." Tenten turned around and walked toward the rest of the class, "Oh," she added turning around, "Hope to see you all around town."

XXX

'Only 25 more laps to go, pull yourself together Neji you can do it, you have to prove to Lee that you are strong!' Neji mentally coached himself. DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! It was the sound of Konoha's clock tower. 11 o'clock at night and he had started running right after they had left the dancing school. He still wasn't done yet, almost, but not quite.

A half hour later and an exhausted and sweat soaked Neji plopped himself down on the grass near a large oak tree, too tired to go home.

"Here Neji, you'll dehydrate if you don't drink something," A mellow voice said softly beside the exhausted ninja.

"What!" Neji bolted a few feet into the air. He had not seen nor sensed the girl approach.

"You herd me. I've got some food for you too after you relax a little, I don't want you to get stomach ulcers if you eat it too fast on an empty stomach" Tenten said.

"Thanks Tenten" Neji said softly, still wheezing slightly with each breath. He took the proffered water bottle from her smooth, unblemished hands. Quickly he took a gulp and almost immediately felt a little better.

"That helps a lot," Neji said gratefully

Tenten smiled, "You're welcome, ready for some food?" she asked him

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother." The milky-eyed boy said with a frown.

"Why would you think you are a bother? I'm here because I want to be, I was worried about you. Now open up." She said before he could protest and Neji slowly opened his mouth for her. Tenten unwrapped a parcel that had been lying in the grass near her, picked up a steamed dumpling carefully, and gently maneuvered it into his open jaws.

Neji frowned when he was done chewing the dumpling, "Why are you doing this for me?" he asked, puzzled. No one had ever been that kind to him before.

Tenten's brown eyes looked a bit hurt before she said, "Is there something wrong with wanting to help someone out? I like you Neji. I'm not going to lie. I really don't want to see something happen to you."

Neji seemed a little puzzled by her answer. Yes, he liked it, but it was definitely not what he was expecting.

"Gooutwithme." He mumbled

"Sorry." Tenten said, leaning closer. "I didn't catch that."

Neji cleared his throat. "I was wondering if you would, um, want to go out with me on a date."

Tenten's smile broadened, "I'd love t-" She was cut short when Neji pushed a dumpling into her open mouth.

"I couldn't resist." He said lamely.

Tenten quirked an eyebrow at the Hyuuga.

"You got to feed me so I get to feed you." Neji said in defense. Tenten only smiled.