So Initially, I was going to abandon this story. And out of the blue, everything started following again. So, I decided to take another swing at it. So, enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and or the cover art.

Chapter 9

Tenten's first week as an instructor went…. smoothly. Who was she kidding? Those kids ran her into the ground. Dinner with Shikahara's family was pushed back until Friday. And when she heard the news; she'd hoped Sasuke would attend like a good fiancée he should be. But hear she was and he was nowhere to be found; as one would expect of the Uchiha Avenger. He operates on his own wavelength; she deal with him later on.

Her soon to be in-law requested western style attire aka something more modern. Well they never outright made this request but rather Neji though to would be more appropriate. Being the good girl she was; she followed accordingly. She purchased a black pencil skirt which stopped above her knees. A pink ¾ length sleeves blouse with ruffles on both shoulder blades. A black blazer with a white lining inside and the outer pockets were white as well. Topping it all off with her black heels with white tips. She looked pretty well put together.

Tenten was knocked out from her reverie by the familiar voice of one of her students; Daisuke Shikahara.

"Hanari Sensei. What are doing here?" Asked the young man she dismissed a few hours ago.

"I was invited. I hope it won't be a problem for you" informed the Kunoichi

"No, problem at all" He shook his head back in forth in conformation

She watched as he scanned the room. The only occupants other besides them were Midori and Neji who were sited next to her.

"Sensei, did you come alone?...I mean isn't it customary to bring a date?"

This caught Tenten off guard. Being probe by a 10 year old was the last thing she expected. She could see Neji smirked out the corner of her eye. So, he thought this was funny huh?

"Home, he hasn't been feeling very well. " lied Tenten.

"Oh that sucks. If you want I could…maybe be your..escort"

This kid couldn't be serious. What he seriously hitting on her? This was enough to wipe the smug look off of Neji's face.

"I'm flattered but I don't think my fiancée would like that very much"

The Fusuma (wall panels) slide open and in came Sasuke. She was surprised. Might I add, looking pretty dapper in his white dress pants. White shirt, a vest with was black across the backside. The inside was black, the front white with black pockets. He even wore a tie. He looked fantastic. Tenten used this opportunity to slip away her pint side Casanova.

Sasuke smirked at her as he accepting her embrace. He leaned down gently kissing her on top of her head. She was surprised; never in a million years would she expect such a caring gesture from Sasuke of all people.

"What are you doing here" asked Tenten

"I've come to your rescue" he said sly

She chuckled at the arrogance. As playful as it was she knew he was totally serious.

"So who's your friend?" He asked, gesturing towards the approaching figure.

"Daisuke Shikahara" he answered, before Tenten could.

"Satoshi Arai, Her Fiancée"

"Really" his voice squeaked a bit "I thought you'd be bigger"

"DAISUKE" yelled the elder Shikahara sibling.

Daisuke freaked out and ran for dear life. Tenten couldn't help but chuckle. Sasuke grunted and this made her chuckle even more. He glared at her and poked her forehead sourly.

"Come on. Stop sulking you Big Baby"

He sided eyed her. Sasuke sulking? Nah

"Me sulk, Never" he playfully flicked her nose.

"Ouch"

"And you call yourself a shinobi"

She reached up and flicked him back. He flinched.

"What was that again?"

ooo0ooo

Their exchange was for a better lack of words, cute. He wondered how much of their exchange was an act and how much of it was real. The longer he watched things play out in front of him. The more frustrated he became. He really wanted to knock the smug look off of the younger man's face. Especially, when Sasuke plucked her across the nose. What the hell was wrong with him? And to his extreme pleasure, Tenten retaliated and plucked him back. Neji hated to admit this but they looked really good together. This made him very uneasily. All the chemistry maybe he wasn't imagining it after all.

"Habari San, you're staring" softly called Shikahara

"I'm sorry Lady Shikahara, did you say something

"Call me Midori"

He nodded and continued to focus on Midori.

Out the corner of his eye, he could still see Tenten and Sasuke. Now she was adjusting his tie. He felt Midori rubbing his back in a calming circular motion. This bring him back to his senses, he has been watching them again without even realizing it.

"Have you noticed out of the ordinary lately" She randomly asked

"Not per se. Why do you ask?"

"I've been hearing strange noises outside of my living quarters"

"For how long"

"A few days now, Last night, I decided to check it out but I bumped into Shin jo kun"

"Shin jo?"

"Shinjiro, the son of my father's personal assistant"

"Continue"

"We followed the noise. And before we go see who it was, said person fled"

Neji nodded making a mental note of this.

"What was Shinjiro doing near your quarters at that hour? I was under the impression; your living quarters was the only one in that part of the compound. "

"He likes to visit the Koi pond out back. We have so many memories there."

Neji made a mental note of this as well.

"Can you describe the noises?"

"The first night I overheard footsteps. The following night, I heard a blunt thumping noise which almost sounded like metal. And then last night, I heard a combination of all those things"

"I'll see to it as soon as possible" Neji assured her

"So what is on the agenda for tomorrow?"

"We are to meet with the elders in the morning. My Coronation prep with Shin San; and shadowing my father for the rest of the day"

Neji nodded in understanding. He too knew what I meant to deal in clan polices.

"I've dreamed of this moment for as long as I can remember. And for as long as I can remember; I've been reminded I was not born male."

"What worries you?"

"Letting my father down, He has gone above and beyond to make sure I inherited my birthright. And If I fail, all of his efforts would be in vain"

"In his eyes, I could see how proud he is of me but I also saw fear"

"He's your father. It's only natural that he worries"

"This is true. But I sense..."

She stopped mid-sentence when the Fusuma slid open for the second in a short time period. Turing there attention in the direction of the entrance; in came Kankuro of the sand. Followed in tow was Matsuri (the Kazekage new assistant).

Why was he here?

What did you think? Was it good, bad, too short or what have you. What do you think might happen next? Something not adding up? Let me know. Also, I enjoy playing the foreshadow game too. So yeah, thank you so much for taking the time to rock with me. I promise the next chapter will be longer. And hope to see you again.

S. Hollyhood 06/28/2015