I hope chapter five wasn't that crappy. Comments and suggestions are always welcome so please, give me some reviews because I am really thankful!! I'd also want to take this opportunity to thank Papina, she helps me a lot, especially in making my titles on the chapters and she sometimes gives me ideas when I ran out…Here's chapter six, sorry in advance if this doesn't reach your expectation and I am so sorry if there are any wrong spellings or wrong grammars. Here goes nothing.

"words"-being said
'words'-thoughts
(words)-things added…but if there is A/N-then you know what that means
Words-flashbacks

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In the Last Chapter

Lee then left the hokage's office and saw Tenten, just sitting on one of the steps of the stairs, clearly there were sadness in her eyes.

"Tenten. I'll bring you home. And please, take care of yourself, it hurts me to--"

Tenten cut him off. "Enough, Lee-san. I know I should be going home and so I will. You don't have to bring me home. I can take care of myself. Don't trouble yourself too much, Lee-san."

Chapter Six: A Wall Between Us

'Men, this must be really hurting her. She doesn't usually call me Lee-san. She would either call me Lee-kun or Lee, let alone, itself. Yes, she does pay respect, but she has gone over the scale of her attitude of respect. She's not like this at all.' Lee thought, very worried about his friend…very worried about his love.

They walked down the steps of the Hokage tower going to the direction of Tenten's house. Tenten was walking ahead of Lee, and even though she had told him that she could go home by herself, he resisted and still was near by her. She got irritated at this, to her; it's as if she was treated like a defenseless child.

She started to slow her pace, until she completely stopped, knowing that Lee was still behind her. Lee didn't utter to say a word but as well stopped from his walking when she stopped. "Lee-san, didn't I tell you that I could go home by myself?" She said, her voice wasn't in an anger tone, yet very tired. She just doesn't want to be bothered.

Lee heard her, yet didn't answer. He knows that Tenten doesn't want to be treated like a child, and looking after her, it is already like treating her a child, so he chose not to answer her.

Tenten needed an answer. She turned to face him and asked again and said "Lee-san, I could go home by myself, so don't trouble yourself and go home as well."

"Tenten, I'm just worried about you."

"Don't treat like a child, Lee-san! I'm old enough to take care of myself!!" She got irritated at his words that he was worried about her. Yeah, sure, she wanted people to know that she also needed to be loved as well, but like this!! To her, it has gone far enough!! She had suspicions that it is like he has been assigned to take care of her…like treating her like a defenseless child…and she hated that!!

"Tenten, you don't have to get mad. I just want to-"

Tenten abruptly cut him off. "Stop that, would you?!! You want to make sure that I'm alright?!! I already AM ALRIGHT!! CAN'T YOU SEE?!! ARE YOU BLIND?!!" By now, Tenten was shouting in response to Lee.

"Tenten-chan!! Calm down!!"

"HOW COULD I CALM DOWN WHEN YOU'RE HERE FOLLOWING ME?? IT'S EITHER YOU'RE A STALKER OR ….OR!! OR YOU'RE TREATING LIKE A DEFENSELESS CHILD WANDERING ABOUT!!!"

"Tenten, please, I'm just trying to help. You don't have to get mad. You're really tired, you sho-"

"OH NOW I GET IT!! YOU ARE TREATING ME LIKE A CHILD!!" She had no idea what she was saying in front of Lee, who was just trying to help her in her condition at that very moment.( The thing is, she didn't understand why he was doing that, she didn't understand what just had happened a week ago. And it seems like she doesn't want to understand at all)

"Tenten-"

"OH DON'T TENTEN ME, LEE!!!" Lee could see that she wasn't in a good mood (obviously) but he has to help her in every way possible…and in her condition, he can't just leave her like that. If he does leave her alone to go to her house alone, there is a possibility that she will really not go home.

She started to run from him, yet in an unbalance way, considering that, remember, she's tired and weak.

She ran as fast as she can, away from anyone, to prove that she can be alright by herself…yet Lee on the other never did and never does give up on doing the assigned task he has been given.

He caught up to her, pulled her by the wrist, once again and her head fell right onto his chest.

He felt that his shirt was beginning to get wet. Then finally realized, she was crying. Her hands and head still on his chest crying. He didn't actually know what to say, so he just wrapped his arms around her, gave her a hug and tried to comfort her.

He then slid his hand under her chin, lifted her face to meet her in the eye and said "Shh…shh…don't cry, don't cry, Tenten, don't."

"See, that's what I'm talking about…" She lowered down her face again. "You're treating me like a----"

She then felt heavier than usual in his arms. 'Treating you like a child? Why do you always think of that?' He thought. He looked down at her, wondering why she didn't finish her sentence. He finally came to realization, she fainted.

Who wouldn't faint? She's tired, she hadn't eaten anything for a week and she just had to face the worst problem that she could possibly face.

He carried her, bridal style to her house.

XXXXXXX
Tenten's House

Upon arriving in her house, he let her lay down on her bed. He placed his hand on her forehead to feel her temperature. 'Oh! She's burning!!' He thought.

He went outside of the room, to get hot water and a wet towel.

When he came back in the room, he saw her awake already. "Oh! Tenten! You're awake"

"I guess I do really need help." She got up from bed and sat up straight. She tried to stand up and walk, but because of her weak body, her feet can't carry her.

Luckily, Lee caught her before she could even hit the floor. "Tenten, you must rest. You're tired and you've got a very high fever. I'll cook some chicken soup for you, okay?" She shook her head in way to say 'NO!'

"But Tenten, you should rest. You yourself know that, am I right?"

"I know I should rest, but if you cook food for me right now, it would be such a waste. I don't feel like eating just yet."

"Tenten…you'd kill you---"

"I know already!!...Just please stop. I know that I'm not the only one in this condition." She stopped for a while. One of her arm was around Lee's shoulders to give her support to stand up. So they went to the living room, Lee let her sit down and then he sat beside her…then she continued. "Lee, how's Naruto doing?"

"Tenten…don't worry about him…I'm sure he's fine."

"How could he be fine, Lee-san? I know that Hinata-chan must have already told him about this…tell me the truth."

"Uhm…Naruto-san isn't doing fine as well. He's been put off duty like you are." He stopped. He just realized that he said something without thinking. He thought that she would be crying again or she would be angry at what he just said, but instead she was still calm and just stood still on her position on the couch.

Her reply to this was… "Lee-san, I know that because of this condition of mine right now, you're trying your best to help me. I'm sorry for what I just did a while ago and what I just said. I know that you're just trying to help and I am glad that I have a friend like you. And so, since you're the one helping me, whose got Naruto?"

"Ino-san. But I don't know myself if he has been improving lately."

"Well, can we go meet him?" Tenten said. Her voice was now brighter than before. And a small smile crept up her face.

He didn't know why she wanted to meet him so badly. But looking at her, seeing that she had finally smiled just let him say "Alright…". He just doesn't want her to be sad again that's why he agreed to her proposal.

XXXXXXX

Naruto's Apartment

"Naruto-kun, please stop drinking!!" Ino said to Naruto, who was having another bottle of sake in his hands.

Naruto's reply to this was just a loud grumble in a way of saying 'no' to her. She picked up all the empty bottles of sake on the floor scattered by Naruto.

"Naruto, please. You're killing yourself." Ino said again.

Naruto, yet again, let out a loud grumble. He was on his way to his bedroom when he lost balance and fell to the floor giving out a loud 'thud' that made Ino jolt up and stop what she was doing and rushed to Naruto and picked him up.

"Naruto…why won't you listen?!!" She tried carrying him, yet for her, he was kind of heavy. The bedroom was still meters away while the couch was just right behind them. "GOD, NARUTO!!" She was beginning to loose her temper. 'You're heavy!!' She shouted in her mind.

She placed one of his arm around her shoulder and with all her might, walked to the couch to settle him there.

When she was about to put him on the couch to lie down, Naruto took hold of her shoulders and pushed her to lie down on the couch. "Aaah!! Naruto, what are you doing?!!"

He leaned close to, just millimeters away and they could possibly kiss already. She could feel his breath on her lips, and this made her blush slightly. He let his right hand, the one not holding the sake bottle run through her silky hair. He leaned closer and said… "Hinata…" This kind of offended her…she wasn't Hinata at all!!

"Naruto…I'm not Hinata!! STOP!!"

He was really though about to kiss her, but hearing the words 'stop', he stopped right away. He leaned to her ear and said… "Ino-chan, arigato.' And his head fell on her shoulder where he slept.

The bottle of sake on his left hand fell on the floor and he was now lying on top of her on the couch, his head on her shoulder, sound asleep. While she rested just right below him, her head rested on the right armrest f the couch. She was kind of blushing knowing at what position they were in. She wrapped her right arm around him with her left hand supporting his head so it won't fall anywhere but her shoulder. She's feeling his warmth, and was about to doze off to sleep as well.

Until knocks were heard at the door. She just can't let those people on the other side of the door come in, with the position she has with Naruto on the couch like this, it was kind of embarrasing!! So she didn't dare to answer and let them in.

Unluckily, the door was unlocked, so the people came in. "Uhm…hello? Anyone home?" These people asked out. They then found blonde hair falling from one of the armrest on the couch. "Ino? Is that you?" The visitors. . .intruders, neared her. She was panicking. 'Oh no! What should I do?'

When the visitors had finally reached the couch, she looked up at them and said "SSHHH!!!" like out of nowhere came out of her mouth. "How's Naruto doing, Ino-chan?" One of the visitors asked.

"I'm not sure how he really feels, Tenten. I just hope he's alright."

"What happened? How did you end up like that?" Lee asked.

Ino was about to loose her temper again, luckily she calmed down… "Kind of a long story…but don't get me wrong, okay? It's wasn't my fault that we ended up like this on the couch." Her blush on her face was now becoming much clearer and redder than a while ago.

"Well, if that's the case, then I'll just wait 'till he gets up." Tenten said.

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Three hours later, Naruto finally woke up, still on top of Ino, who was asleep as well.

"Whoa, what happened? My head hurts." His vision was still blurry though so he didn't see much of anything.

He scooted over, not knowing that he was on the couch, he fell making a 'thud' which startled everyone up from their sleep.

"Oh!! Naruto. Are you alright?" Ino got up from the couch and helped Naruto up.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. It's just that, my head hurts." He looked at the people in his house. It was okay for him that Ino was there but it was unusual for Lee and Tenten to be there. "Uhh…Ino, what are they doing here?"

"Well, actually, Naruto, I'd like to talk with you…alone?" Tenten answered before Ino could say a word.

"Oh, alright." The two proceeded to the blonde boy's bedroom, leaving those taking care of them (A/N: I don't like using the word caregiver, it's for aged people and do stuff that…well are not pleasing at all…so to me, just keep in mind, INO AND LEE ARE NOT CAREGIVERS!!)

XXXXXXXXXXX

Naruto's Bedroom

"So, Naruto, how's it been?"

"I don't know exactly. I want to forget about her, but I just can't"

"It's not only your problem."

"So what made you come here?"

"I was planning to meet the two Hyugas with you. I'm not sure that I, alone, can convince Lee to go there in the Hyuga compound…so care to come along?"

"Would I?!! I'd love to see her on last time. See how's she's doing…knowing that maybe that she's alright, can maybe loosen me up…problem is, how do we get to convince them to let us go to them…"

They got out of the bedroom, told them that they wanted…actually needed to see them one last time to make sure that they were alright…seeing the smiles on their face, Lee and Ino agreed so to not wipe away the smile of theirs.

XXXXXXXXX

Hyuga Compound

The three Hyugas, this includes Hinata, Hanabi and Neji, sitting on the dojo, sadness was written all over their faces. None of them even dared to utter a word to lift the spirits up.

They heard knocks on their gate, knowing that no other Hyuga was around, all were in a meeting…either the head and the elders, amongst the guards, all for they know just for the sake of their wedding…arranged marriage, they didn't expect anyone to get it for them so Hanabi volunteered in answering it.

Once she opened the door, she let out a loud gasp…which startled Neji and Hinata to question her… "Who is it, Hanabi?!!"

They saw her, like, jump out of the compound crying out… "You're here!! You're here…the both of you!! I'm so glad to see you!!!"

The two older Hyugas neared Hanabi to the gate, "Hanabi-sama, who is it?"

When they saw who were outside the gate, their eyes widened. They can't believe that they were actually there.

So is Naruto and Tenten, they themselves were also surprised…

Hinata walked up to Naruto, her arms open, ready to hug him, only to be stopped by Tekstu who gave her a punch so to stop her from nearing Naruto. She hit the tree hard. "Hinata!!" Both Naruto and Neji shouted out. Neji then looked at the direction of who gave out the punch. "Tekstu..." He said, gritting his teeth to show anger. "What are you doing here, I thought the meeting has not ended yet." Neji asked, but Tekstu didn't answer to this and just smirked at Neji's surprised expression.

"The four of you!!! What are you doing here?!!" He said, facing the non-Hyugas. Before he could let them answer, he told them… "Get lost!!" And closed the gate just right in front of them.

Behind the Hyuga gates, the four could hear what was going on inside.

"Who let them in?"

"They didn't even have a step in the compound!! They didn't come in!!"

"Never the less…"

Three loud 'thuds' and rolling sound of a person was heard.

"You're all worthless!! Haven't I told you that you are never to meet them again, until after you are wed?!"

"But we still have the right to see them, don't we?!! Well you, you don't have the right to control our lives and boss us around!!"

"Hmp!!"

And another 'thuds' were heard; only now, there were two thuds only.

So this gave the four, Lee, Tenten, Naruto and Ino, the knowing that once again, Hinata and Neji was hit, either a punch or a gentle fist.

Naruto can't take it…he charged towards the gate, forming a Rasengan on his hand. But Ino stopped him "Shinranshin no Jutsu !!!" (Mind Body Disturbance Technique). But, with all Naruto's strength, since he really has become strong over the pass few years, he tried to overcome this jutsu with all the strength he's got. 'Yeah, overcome this jutsu with physical enery!' Ino said in her mind. "Naruto-kun!! Stop!! Do you think Hinata would like this, breaking it down? Don't do it, Naruto!!" So Naruto stopped and fell to his knees, and tears started to flow down from his eyes. Ino discharged her jutsu and ran towards Naruto to help him to stop from crying and help him up his feet so they could start to head on home.

Tenten was watching…or hearing in horror. She no longer wanted to be in front of the Hyuga compound. She regretted ever doing this and ever going there in the first place.

She ran towards the direction of her house. Lee just noticed this. "Tenten, where are you going?!! Wait!!"

Yet she didn't stop, she continued running and her herself shout to him where she was headed, "Home!!"

Lee caught up to her…and saw her…she was crying…

He knew the reason why she was.

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Well…that's chapter six…I hope it's not too long. Please R&R…they would be rewarded…I know it!! I'll try my very best to make the next chapter even better!! Thanks in advance if you ever review…and thanks for taking the time to read this!!

Yo!! To all those Filipinos out there, especially those in the Queen City of the South (Cebu)... Happy 12th ASEAN SUMMIT!!! wooott!!! (January 12, 2007)