Oh, so many nice reviews! They make me feel less like killing local school administrators! Just kidding… but thank you! I'll do my best!

I don't own Naruto… but if I did… oh the things that would happen…

Tenten: Um, I have a question.

AK: Shoot.

Tenten: Um… what exactly did Lee and Gai get me for my birthday?

AK: Something green!

Tenten: 00

AK: Just kidding… I know what Neji's getting you but I haven't decided on the other 2 yet… I guess we'll just have to see!

Tenten: I don't like that face when you say that…

AK: giggles

Chapter Three: Wait, Was That Sugar or Salt…

Neji couldn't believe how fast Kunoichi are.

When he'd gotten to Tenten's house, the girls were already there, and had everything they needed to sleep over at Tenten's. Hinata had even brought Neji's things, although he suspected that she may have asked Hinabi to dismantle the sliding paper door to his room, since the lock Tenten had given him for his birthday was unpickable.

Before he even had time to ask Hinata to confirm this, Ino pulled Tenny into the house and slammed the door in his face. He stared at it in disbelief before using the same entry method he'd used that morning- climbing the tree. Fortunately for him, the girls weren't in Tenten's room, and he managed to get into the house without incident.

Alright… if I were a girl, where would I be…?

Chasing bishies like yourself?

No, I mean just in this house… I'm not a bishie…

Hmmm… suuuuure ya aren't….

Neji scanned every room in the house, except Tenten's closet, which had a ladder that led to the attic, where Neji had found some suitable clothes for Tenny. He thought about the old boxes of clothes, one of which had been taped shut quite tightly, and labeled: DON'T TOUCH UNLESS YOU LIKE SHARP METAL! He thought about this.

Oh well, couldn't hurt to check. Hopefully they didn't open it.

Do you really mean that?

… Maybe not…

(AK: This may seem random, but right now I'm wearing my pj's, eating breakfast (poptarts and flavorice) while listening to Evanescence. That's a lot to do while typing and babysitting, trust me!)

He crept up the stair and up the ladder in the closet, and almost fainted from shock.

"Hi Neinei! What took you so long?"

All the boxes were empty, and the clothes were

strewn haphazardly across the room. What shocked him most though, were the contents of the secret box:

Dress up clothes. Which Tenny was currently wearing.

She was decked up in a full princess kimono, pink in color. The girls had done her hair in a traditional style, and she was wearing more jewelry than Neji would have thought physically possible.

"Well?" Sakura chided, "What do you think? Kawaii isn't she! Just like a little doll!"

Neji barely heard her. He was too busy wrapped in memory, wrapped in the image of princess Tenny, trying to remember why this was… familiar…

Rain falling

Pain

Exhaustion

Don't get caught

Stop

Someone else is there

Comfort

Warm feelings

Love…

"I'm Tenny…"

"… prince, Neinei…"

"… Marry me, OK..."

"I'll see you again… wait for me…"

Wait

You can't

She's mine

"No! Neinei! Help me! I don't wanna go!"

"No! I'll stay with Neinei!"

"WAIT FOR ME, NEEEIIINNNEEEIII!"

"I'll wait… wha! Um…" All the girls were string at Neji as if he was crazy. Then again, he was laying on the floor, string fixedly at Tenny, and talking to himself. I'd think he was crazy too.

"Um… why is she dressed like that?"

Temari and Ino giggled, and Hinata smiled. "She's just so fun to dress up, doncha think?"

Neji sweat dropped. "Why don't you put her in something less… conspicuous and bring her downstairs?"

The girls immediately agreed. "Quick! Let's find her some cute day wear!" Neji sighed and left as the girls began rummaging through boxes and tossing clothes around.

He made his way down stairs and sat at the kitchen table, listening to the squeals from upstairs, until he decided he needed and aspirin. Badly.

He walked up to one of the cupboards and opened it, hoping a miracle headache pill would be inside. Instead, he found cooking supplies, dusty from non-use. All the supplies fell form the cupboard, onto the counter:

Cookbook

Bowls

Wooden Spoons

Flour

Sugar

Salt

Various Chocolate chips, sprinkles and toppings

Eggs

Milk (that was magically cold and unspoiled due to plot hole)

Yeast

And numerous other things needed to cook/bake dessert.

Neji stared in annoyance at the mess, and was about to pick it up when the girls came back. This time, Tenny's hair was held in two pigtails by green ribbon, and she wore dark blue gauchos with a pink short sleeve flutter top. She was also wearing a silver necklace with a kunai charm, and she had a shuriken charm bracelet to match.

Ino smiled proudly. "Isn't she just adorable? We call it, 'Charming Angel, a la Kunoichi'!"

Neji grunted and began to pick up the cooking supplies again, but Temari stopped him. "Hey, sugar! And chocolate! AND A COOKBOOK! SNACKTIME!" She pushed him aside and all the girls crowded around the cookbook, until an argument broke out as to what should be made. Temari and Sakura wanted cookies, while Ino and Hinata wanted cake.

"Ooh, ooh, I know, I know! Cookie cake!" Everyone stared at Tenny. "Wow… you're really smart Tenny!" Hinata patted her on the head and the girls began to pick the ingredients out of the pile.

Neji interrupted. "Aren't desserts bad for you?"

The room was silent.

"Ino, now!" Sakura yelled, catching Ino's body as she used art of the valentine on Neji. Neji sat down in a chair and Hinata apologetically tied him to it. Ino then pulled back into her own head. "That'll hold ya! When we're done, we're gunna force feed you a big slice! Then we'll see who doesn't like dessert!"

Neji couldn't have possibly glared at the girls with any more intensity.

The girls were now mixing things together in the large bowl, splattering batter everywhere, and not giving a damn. There was so much chatter and excitement that Neji thought he might burst from the power of his headache. Amongst the chaos, Tenny sidled up to Neji. "Do you want this? The little voice said you might." She waved a bottle of pain-killer in his face. Neji cold have broken into song.

Tenny popped the pill into his mouth, and he swallowed it dry. "Tell the little voice thanks. And… you do look very cute." Tenny grinned. "Thanks, Neinei."

"HEY WAIT! THAT WAS SALT, NOT SUGAR!"

"SAKURA, YOU IDIOT!"

"SHUT UP INO PIG!"

"YOU SHUT UP BILLBOARD BROW!"

"INO PIG!"

"BILLBOARD BROW!

"Ano… please calm down…Temari could be wrong…"

This is going to be one crazy day…

Hey, it cant' get much worse… It's only 3pm…

How did time pass that quickly?

You got to Tenten's at 8, you got to Tsunade's at 10, and you got back here at 12. Now it's 3.

Nothing we've done today takes that long.

Well then, it must just be a plot hole…

Much, much later…

Now that the sugar high from the disastrous cookie cake had worn off, all the girls, especially Tenny, had collapsed. Neji and Ino had to drag the other 4 to their sleeping bags, but now he was the only one who was awake, waiting for the sun to go down. He watched Tenny as she slept, admiring her innocence as she smiled in her sleep. At one point, she had muttered, "I do, Neinei…" And something about kissing the bride, but he couldn't be sure that he hadn't just heard her wrong.

Then, as the last of the sun's light began to vanish, a thought occurred to Neji. Tenny was wearing clothes meant for a five year old, but when she turned back into Tenten, they would be too small.

WAY too small.

In a panic he tried to think of something. Anything. As much as his subconscious might want to, his conscious mind had no desire to see his teammate practically naked.

Shoot… what to do…

Hey, at least it ain't Lee. I mean, come on, it's TENTEN!

True…ack! I don't need this from you!

Fine… why don't you get one of the girls to help?

But Tsunade said not to tell anyone!

Just pick someone who won't blab! Like her!

… That might work…

Neji crawled over to Tenny and lifted her up. She began to stir as he took her up to the bedroom and dropped her on the bed. As he left the room, she wearily fell back asleep.

He ran downstairs, and shook Hinata awake, and dragged her upstairs. "Hurry! Go in Tenten's room and change Tenny into some of Tenten's clothes… including underwear…"

He blushed furiously at this last statement, and looked away from Hinata's questioning glance. "Ano… Neji-kun, are you ok?" Neji looked back at her, seeing the sun setting behind her. "Please? And, be ready for a surprise in about… 1minute. Just go!" He pushed her into Tenten's room and shut the door. He listened as Hinata rummaged through the drawers and heard her squeak in shock as the transformation began. He also heard the first words his beloved teammate uttered as herself:

"…Neji… where is Neji?" The door opened and Tenten stepped out, dressed in a long sleeved, white ruffley nightgown, complete with baggy sleeves that were sectioned off with ribbon for that poofy-princess-sleeve look. Her hair hung loose around her, reaching the small of her back. She promptly hugged him, nestling her face into his chest and making a strange humming sound that Neji could've sworn was purring. She continued to embrace Neji, not noticing how stiff he had become, until he cleared his throat. "Um… Tenten? You can let go now." She jumped back. "Sorry. Just , uh…some of the Tenny left over is all."

(AK: Hmmm-I'm sure…)

Hinata stepped foreward, her eyes calm with understanding. Tenten shifted closer to Neji, who stared at Hinata helplessly. Hinata smiled. "I guess I wasn't supposed to see this. Ah, well… easily fixed." She lifted he hands to the top of her head, and her fingertips glowed as they softly dragged across her scalp. With a sudden gasp, she was down on the floor, asleep.

Tenten yelped. "What happened? What did she do?" Neji looked grimly at his cousin. "She altered the chakra flow to her consciousness, putting herself to sleep. I guess she'll just think it was all a dream if we put her back in her sleeping bag." Tenten smiled wanly at Hinata. "I guess she figured we didn't want her to know. She's… a great friend. They all are. Help me move her downstairs."

The 2 lugged her downstairs to the living room and put her neatly back in her sleeping bag, after which they had to find a private place to talk without waking anyone up. "I know," Tenten whispered. "The roof! There's an opening in the attic, with a ladder to help you up! Come on!" "You go. I'll be right there." Neji ran back to the hallway while Tenten set up the ladder.

The night air blew softly across Tenten's face, and she had the perfect view of Konaha. She could see every building and house, and the roof's tiling wasn't too uncomfortable. She breathed in the air, grateful to be able to experience it. She hadn't' expected a day without any sensations except sight and sound from someone else's point of view to be so… empty. She shuddered at the thought of what might've happened if Neji hadn't come looking for her. Tenny would've wandered aimlessly around, and Tenten would've been alone, trapped as a prisoner in her own head, without anyone outside knowing.

"Happy 15th birthday Tenten." Tenten jumped at Neji's sudden arrival, but smiled when she saw the presents in his arms. "Ah, I'd… forgotten." She took the large green one first, knowing it from Gai, from the green wrapping and red ribbon. Neji sat beside her as she ripped off the wrapping and opened the box with a squeal. "It's… I don't believe it, a new katana! A jade handle, reinforced steel blade, and my name carved on the blade!" She lifted it from the box and swished it through the air. "Perfect balance too! And the weight is perfect! Not too light or heavy!" She continued to swing it about, until she heard Neji chuckle. Quick as lightning, she whirled around and pressed the tip of the blade against his throat. He didn't even flinch. Tenten grinned.

"What's so funny, mister?"

"I've never seen a girl get so excited over a sword, that's all. Besides, you're cute when you're excited-I mean… uh…" Flustered, Neji pushed Lee's package in Tenten's face. She smiled softly, and took it, placing the katana back in its box.

She didn't mention Neji's little comment, but on the inside she was frozen with the shock of it.

Me… cute? Did he mean that? Am I really…

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she pulled the light green paper and pink ribbon from Lee's gift, and opened the box, which was half as tall as Gai's, but twice as thick. When she lifted the lid, she squealed again. "Sais! And they match the katana!" She tested these out too, confirming that they were just as perfect. She twirled them around, making them flash like the katana had minutes before. But Neji couldn't help but think that Tenten shone even brighter than the steel she loved so much. Sadly, he reminisced on all the times he had wished, as he fell into a lonely sleep, that he was made of steel. When he asked himself why this was, he had convinced himself that he had been thinking of the benefits of a steel heart, that couldn't feel, but now, he could see another obvious reason…

"Ok, your turn!" Tenten snatched Neji's gift from out of his fingers, and gently pulled off the blackish-blue paper and silver ribbon. This time the box was a small jewelry style one, and Tenten's heart almost stopped when she saw it's contents.

She lifted the silver filigree chain from the box with trembling fingers, and stared in awe at the medallion that hung from it.

It was a dusky silver-white that reflected the faint light from the village shops as a rainbow myriad of colors, like the surface of a bubble, but with even more vibrancy and splendor.

The design itself was gorgeous. Around the edges were small chibis of the 4 yoma and a Kirin, carved in a star formation. In the center was a single kanji, 'Serene' which was carved straight through the stone, forming a 'serene' shaped window.

With tears in her eyes, she held the medallion up in front of her eye, and she cold see Neji's embarrassed face through the kanji. She put the necklace down, and to Neji's shock, she began to cry.

"What… Tenten…" Neji pulled Tenten to him, and she continued to cry into his shirt. "Do you… not like it?" She pulled her face up and shouted. "Of course I like it! It's the best gift I've ever gotten!"

Neji was rather shocked at this.

"When I was little, my parents gave me gifts, but after they died when I was 5, I didn't get anymore presents. No one cared about my birthday. But when I turned 13, you and Lee and Gai gave me the first gifts I'd gotten in 7 years! And I loved them! But… In 10 years, I haven't received anything but weapons, which I love, but this… It's like something my mother would've given me… And I've never owned anything so beautiful in my life! And no one but my dad ever called me cute, and I've never had as much fun with anyone as I've had with you! Without you, I… I don't know… I don't think I'd be like this right now… I'm just so happy!" She continues to wetten his shirt with her tears but Neji understood. He understood what it was like to cry when you realized that you'd just become happy one day and hadn't noticed, when you compared this new happiness to the ball of crap your life had been. He knew what it was like to realize how much you really needed someone.

He understood.

………………………………………………………………………….

"Ahem. Well isn't this cute."

Neji blinked blearily in the bright morning light, trying to figure out what was going on.

Ino was standing above him, accompanied by Sakura. They were both staring at him, with good reason.

He was sleeping on the roof, hugging Tenny like a teddy bear. Lying next to him were the necklace and a bunch of swords, as well as shreds of wrapping paper and ribbon. Not only that, but Tenny was wearing clothes meant for a 15 year old.

"Um… whatever you think this looks like, it isn't what it looks like."

Sakura smirked. "Sure. C'mon Tenny, Hinata's making chocolate chip pancakes!"

Tenny sat up straight at the mention of sugar. "Really! Yippee!"

Ino made a face. "And while we're at it, lets fix this fashion disaster, shall we?" The girls left, leaving Neji to clean up the mess that he had left behind. He put the presents back in their boxes, and threw away the wrapping paper. As he did so, he thought abut the previous night…

And wished he could repeat it.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….

YAY! Longest chapter yet! Sorry if it seems like I rushed the sleepover part a bit. Please review! Tell me what you like and don't like! Longer reviews appreciated!

For the record, day one was mostly from Neji's' POV, so Day 2 will be from Tenny/Tenten's.

Next Time: The girls are gone, but Neji has a cold! Tenny tries to play Nurse, but Neji's patience has reached its end… more scraps of mysterious flashbacks! Have Neinei and Tenny met before?