A/N: Thanks to everyone for reviewing and I'm glad so many people liked last chapter. All of your comments are appreciated!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

'Tenten'- Demons, Inner selves etc.

'Tenten'- Thoughts

Chapter 5: Festival Preparations

The next morning, Team Gai met up at the Konoha gates around 5:00, so they could probably get to the Sand village by nightfall. Leaping off, Neji caught up to Tenten while Gai and Lee sped ahead.

"Tenten, about yesterday morning…" he started.

"Oh yeah, I owe you an explaination right?"

'Damn, he remembered'

'Duh'

'You're no help' she inwardly scowled.

'Let's just get this over with hm?'

'Agreed.'

"Well?" Neji asked impatiently.

Tenten sighed, "It's a long story".

"If you haven't noticed we have plenty of time."

"Fine then. It all began two years ago…" she began to tell him all about Cai zhi and how she was the demon's container.

"Understand now?" she asked. Slowly, Neji nodded almost as if seeing Tenten for the first time.

'It looks like he took that pretty well.'

'I know, thank goodness.'

'Well he wouldn't really be your best friend and crush if he wasn't.'

'Hey! I saw that!'

'Saw what?' Cai zhi feigned innocence.

'… Never mind.'

----------

'Wow, you learn something new everyday.'

'I know, who would have thought that Tenten was a tailed-demon container anyways?' Neji thought

'Actually the transformation during the battle was kind of a dead giveaway. I mean, remember Gaara?'

'Good point.'

'And they call you a genius huh?'

'Shut the hell up'

'…'

By the time their inner conversations were over, all four of them reached the familiar gates that lead into the Sand Village. Temari was waiting at the gates for the group to arrive.

"Long time no see," she smirked.

"I know," Tenten smiled back. She wasn't upset that the sand sibling beat her and actually thought of Temari as an older sister.

"We are glad to be here again on happier terms," Gai announced.

"Yes, much better," Temari chuckled, "As you already may know, the festivities will take place in the centre of this village tomorrow night. They will begin at sunset and end at dawn. Feel free to explore the area as you wish. Now I bet you guys are pretty tired so I'll show you where you'll be staying for your mission."

They followed the sand sibling to the hotel, where they got two rooms. Neji, Lee and Gai went into the room with three beds while Tenten and Temari went into another. Closing the door, Temari smiled maliciously at the other kunoichi.

"Ummmm… Temari? Why are you looking at me like that?" Tenten asked nervously.

"One word my friend," the younger paled visibly, "SHOPPING!!!" Without a thought, Temari caught Tenten's wrist in an iron death grip with no chance of escape and proceeded to drag her towards the clothing stores.

"Can I ask why!?"

"BECAUSE, we need to find you a new kimono Tenten! I'll be damned if I let you wear an old one."

"Ugh…Fine."

'Is she always like this?'

'Not always, just before a big event. Besides, I guess I COULD use a new kimono…'

'Now that I think about it, I don't think you even own a decent one'

'Yeah that would have been a problem.' Tenten grinned sheepishly.

'Well that settles it! To the store!' Cai zhi cheered.

They arrived at the store, where Temari released Tenten and they began to browse around. Both went into the fitting rooms to try on different outfits. Temari came out in a royal purple halter top with a silver fan design accented with gold on the shoulder, a short faded jean skirt over ankle-length black tights. Tenten came out in an emerald green tank top with a pair of kunais crossed along the front, fishnet sleeves that went down to her elbows and a pair of beige capris. They grinned at each other and purchased the outfits. This continued for several more stores until they hit the one of the best dress shops in town.

Temari glanced at Tenten and once again dragged her into the store. She took several different kimonos and shoved the younger into the fitting room. A steady stream of 'No's and 'Definitely not's filled the air as the pile of kimonos grew. That was, until the sand sibling saw the perfect kimono that even Tenten would love. Silence, and then: "Yes! It's perfect!"

----------

On the way home The Leaf kunoichi suddenly remembered something important

"What about your kimono Temari?"

"Don't worry about me, I got mine already."

"Really? What's it like?"

"You'll see tomorrow night."

Temari walked off towards her home while Tenten walked in the other direction but she didn't go near the hotel yet. She went to the flower shop they had passed and bought two boquets of long stemmed roses (1). She then walked to the edge of the village, where there was a secluded cemetery. Kneeling down towards two of the older graves, Tenten placed the flowers gently in front of each one. Paying her respects, she took one last look at her foster parents' final resting place and left without turning back.

Time skip (Tomorrow night):

Gai, Lee and Neji were patiently waiting for their only female team mate at the entrance of the hotel they were staying at. Gai and Lee were both wearing pale green yukatas with a dark leaf pattern covering it. Neji's yukata was a dark grey with the ying-yang symbol on the left side. The sound of footsteps came from the stairs and they looked towards the noise only to drop their jaws in utter shock. There stood Tenten, dressed in a shimmering silver kimono that flowed like water. A royal blue dragon with eight tails wound around her body with its head resting on her shoulder (2). Her hair was designed in a fancy bun with a few strands shaping her face and a very faint amount of makeup to highlight her features.

"Te- Tenten?" Neji stuttered.

"TENTEN YOU HAVE BLOSSOMED INTO A YOUTHFUL FLOWER!!!!" Gai boomed.

"GAI-SENSEI YOU ARE CORRECT!! TENTEN HAS TURNED INTO A BEAUTIFUL BLOSSOM!!!!!" Lee added.

"LEE!"

"GAI-SENSEI!"

"LEE!"

"GAI-SENSEI!"

"LEE!"

"GAI-SENSEI!" Sunset background, crashing waves, you know the drill.

The sane members of the team sweatdropped at the randomness of their sensei and team mate. "Okay…Neji let's just leave them alone shall we?" Tenten asked.

"I'd be happy to." The two backed away slowly from their hugging comrades and bolted as fast as possible through the doors.

Meanwhile…

"Okay this is a good chance to grab her while she's unguarded. Let's go." Two shadowey figures leapt towards the festival grounds.

The pair reached the entrance where Temari and Kankuro awaited them. Kankuro was wearing a yukata version of his normal outfit and Temari was dressed in a light purple kimono with several intricate fans covering it.

"Are you ready to go inside?" Kankuro asked. Everyone nodded and walked towards the grounds.

A/N: That took longer than usual but I'm getting major writer's block so all ideas are appreciated. Plus this week has been chaotic so I find myself with less time to write.

(1): Those flowers mean 'I'll remember you always'. Fits the occasion.

(2): Thanks to Mizu-Kaze Hana for the idea :D

Thanks to reviewers:

Paralizing-Ninja

inu/naru fangorl

nejitenfan

NejixTenten forever

Dakotarox14

Mizu-Kaze Hana

SagaMoon

me-is-to-lazy-to-sign-on

R&R