Title: Notes
Part 3: Wednesday
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Neji/Tenten; minor Naruto/Hinata
Rating: PG(-13)
Word Count: 975
Summary: AU. Tenten finds herself developing a strange relationship with the new guy in Homeroom.
Warning/Spoilers: None, really. Maybe OOC, but it's not OOC as much as it's just AU, if you get what I mean. The teeniest bit of cursing. POV skips like nobody's business.
Notes: Sorry that this is a little late. I try to update by 4 PM, Trinidad time, but it's about 11 right now. Technical difficulties, and all that. Anyway, thanks again for all your feedback. I throw love and hugs and kisses in your general direction(s)! XD
Thanks to: See first chapter, please.
Disclaimer: Unless I fly to Japan, seduce Kishimoto-sama, get him to marry me, and then off him, I doubt Naruto will ever be mine.

Wednesday

Neji made it to class early the next day, and was surprised to see that Kakashi wasn't even there. He stood at the entrance for a while, perusing the chattering class with his ivory eyes. Soon enough, he eased an arm out of a bag pack strap so that the bag slung from one shoulder, and advanced to his seat. As he did, he saw Tenten grin and pull out a piece of paper.

Hey.

The first note said. Neji wondered briefly why she had bothered sending it when the teacher wasn't even there, but shrugged it off, as he remembered that there was something he had to ask her.

Hi. Where's Kakashi?

Late. He always is; you're just always even later.

Oh. Who is Uzumaki Naruto?

Tenten blinked at the paper, surprised by the sudden change of subject. She took a glance at the blond topic of conversation; he currently had Kiba in a headlock, and was ruffling up his friend's brown locks playfully.

The blond guy in the corner, play-fighting with the one in grey.

After reading the note, Neji's eyes immediately flicked over to the other side of the classroom. He studied Naruto for a few moments, a crease settling itself squarely between his eyes as he recognised him as the prankster. He didn't seem to be very pleased. Tenten noted his reaction with a raised brow and a soft smile. Seemed like Naruto was just destined to have rivalries with silent, stoic, and well… sexy men.

What's the matter?

Neji hesitated before replying. It wasn't really any of her concern, and he very much doubted that Hinata would appreciate it. But, he was obliged to look out for his cousin, and if he was going to do that, he had to find out more about this Uzumaki character.

My cousin seems to display an interest in him.

Tenten grinned, realisation slowly dawning. This made sense.

Female cousin, I'm guessing?

Yes.

She almost giggled, not knowing it was possible for one to make a written word manifest such irritation.

Aww... she's got a crush on him?

Neji's scowl was enough to answer that question for her. He ignored her question, and opted for another one of his own.

Does he always act like that? )_)

He threw Naruto another look; the blond was still wrestling with Kiba, laughing uproariously as he tried to sit on his friend's head.

Tenten had barely managed to not giggle when she'd seen the little face imitating glancing eyes; it proved even harder to stifle a laugh when she saw the Hyuuga's pained look.

Pretty much. What's the problem?

He is the problem.

Tenten blinked at the note rapidly, not really understanding.

Naruto? Oh, come on. He's harmless. Just a bit... overexcited.

It is not appropriate that my cousin be transfixed
with someone such as him.

She scoffed down at the note in incredulity, getting more irritated by the moment. How controlling could you get? He was trying to dictate his cousin's love life? It was ridiculous. Surely the girl was old enough to decide these things for herself. Tenten glared at the paper some more, pretending it was Neji as she wrote her answer.

Are you sure it is appropriate for you to want to control your cousin's life like this?

Neji's mouth flattened into a thin rigid line, at which the brunette humphed lightly. Seemed like he didn't like being criticised. Well, too bad for him. She studied him with slightly narrowed eyes as he wrote out another note.

Never mind. I'm sorry to have bothered you with the issue.

Tenten wanted to ball up the paper and throw it at his head. What a typical man. He resolved the situation by avoiding it. And just when she was thinking that she might actually start to like him.

…Well, not like him, like him, because really, he wasn't the sort of person that she was apt to like like. He was too pretty… well, not pretty; more handsome… but pretty. …Prettisome? But anyway, that was all besides the point, seeing as she didn't like him, because he just wasn't the type of guy that she would find herself…

Before she could meander along that train of thought any longer, the door to the classroom opened, and heads all over the class turned as Kakashi sauntered in.

"Sorry for being late," he said glibly, dropping his books down on the desk.

"What happened this time?" Kiba asked with a grin, shrugging Naruto off of himself finally. "Got lost on the Road of Life again?"

"Nope, the Road of Strife," the teacher quipped back without missing a beat. "I took a wrong turn while coming to school and strayed into a bad neighbourhood. I got beat up three times on the way here."

"Yeah right!"

While Kakashi was distracted by the questions and accusations being pelted at him by the class, Tenten took the opportunity to pass a last note to Neji. She pinched him on his arm to get his attention, (probably unnecessarily, but it felt good) leaned forward a bit, and dropped the folded piece of paper onto his lap.

A piece of friendly advice, Neji?(1)
Being a snob? In this school? Not gonna get you anywhere.

He didn't send back a reply, but she wasn't expecting one.

"Oh my, oh my," Kakashi said, raising his brows as the verbal shots from his students kept firing. "All these questions. Did you all miss me?" It was damn near scarring, to hear their teacher speak in such a saccharine voice. Shikamaru, as well as everybody else who had had Kakashi as a teacher for more than three days, gave the man a shrewd glare.

"If we say no, will next week's test be rescheduled for this Friday?"

"…You all must think very little of me."

Notes: (1) You have no idea how very much it amused me to write this. (Cue everyone who hasn't read Friendly Advice feeling very, very confused.)

As always, anything you have to say, whether it be 'Good job', 'You suck' or 'I have something stuck in my teeth', is appreciated. :)