Chapter 3: The Stage is Set for Tragedy

The brunette sat in her favorite perch high above the ground in a large, leafy maple tree. It was where she went to work out her personal problems. And this was definitely a personal problem. The big tears rolled slowly down her flushed cheeks until her hand angrily brushed them away. "Stupid jerk…" she muttered to a curious bird. "I can't believe he said that! But…I was at fault too. We're both terribly insensitive I suppose, Mr. Sparrow…"

Suddenly, she sensed a strong chakra presence approach then stop at the base of her tree. "Sakura, I'm not going back to the hospital! I already told you before, and if you came for something else, I don't want to talk about it with you!" she shouted down.

"Would you talk about it with me?" said a masculine voice.

TenTen was shocked speechless for a moment. She hadn't expected this at all. "N-Neji?" she stammered nervously. "What are you…why are you here?"

He sighed and looked up at the kunoichi. "I want to apologize for what I said earlier. Will you come down so we can talk?"

TenTen jumped down like he'd asked. He noticed her sepia eyes were a bit duller than usual. And were those the remnants of tears? "Neji, I wanted to tell you I'm sorry too!" she blurted out suddenly. "I was insensitive and should have known – I mean we've been teammates for five years now and I –"

Neji put his hand over her mouth to make her stop. "TenTen, listen to me. I know I'm not the most…emotional person, so I don't hold it against you. However, I was angry – furious actually –and I didn't handle myself well. Please forgive me. I am truly sorry for what I said to you." His hand moved from her mouth to cheek and gently brushed away her tears.

TenTen nodded and attempted a smile. His tenderness was unnerving. She'd never seen him like this, but…it was oddly satisfying. "I forgive you," she whispered. Her hand lifted to meet his ever so shyly. Neji was rather surprised, but kept his hand on her nevertheless.

Both of them stood silently, pearly eyes locked on sepia. Neither knew what to do next until the moment was completely destroyed by a familiar "Ah, the joys of Youth!"

Neji's hand retreated quickly, a slight flush upon his cheeks. TenTen cursed inwardly at her sensei. Why did he always pop in at the worst times?! It was like he had a knack for it or something.

Gai approached the pair with a mischievous grin. "Soooo…what were you doing there, Neji? The gorgeous atmosphere of spring getting' to ya'?" he asked, one eyebrow raised and that stupid grin plastered to his face.

Neji scowled. "I think not. I merely apologized in order to repair our relationship as teammates. If one of us is unfocused during a mission, it could mean failure and I was not going to be the one responsible for that."

The brunette kunoichi stared in disbelief. She felt like shouting, "I'm right here, hello!"

Gai shook his head. "If you insist…Well, speaking of missions, Tsunade-sama has given us a new endeavor to undertake!" he shouted, changing the subject like a kid with ADD. "She has so generously assigned us an A-ranked mission, so pack up my students! We're off to the Claw nation in one hour!" And with that he poofed away, leaving the two alone again. Yet, the air was rather tense. Neji knew he shouldn't have spoken so rashly yet again, and TenTen's feelings were smarting as the words echoed in her head.

"TenTen – "

"Well, seeya' soon. I've gotta pack now," she said, cutting him off and not caring. She gave a half-hearted wave and took off.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Back in her apartment, TenTen roughly threw several outfits into her satchel. She was mad. Furious rather. Well, it was better to get it out here anyways before it made her unfocused for the mission, and Neji could not be responsible for that! Oh no, God forbid! BANG! She slammed her drawers, searching for hygienic necessities. Who the hell did he think he was anyways?! THWACK! She launched on offending scroll across the room. This is why they weren't really friends. He was so…insensitive! Neji didn't seem to care anything about how anyone else felt. Lee was such a sweetheart, and Neji was such an ass.

TenTen groaned and flopped onto her bed. Why was he like that? She'd have to chat with Lee. He'd understand, right? After all, they were best buds. The bushy-browed boy listened to everything she had to say and she in turn did the same for him. The kunoichi glanced over at her clock. Damn. Time to go. She heaved a sigh and rolled off the bed, relishing in the pain of hitting the floor with a thud. TenTen waved goodbye to her apartment, then headed over to meet her team.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The entire way there, TenTen refused to look at (let alone speak to) Neji. However, she kept up a steady stream of chatter with Lee and Gai, acting much more cheery than usual. However, no one said anything so she supposed they must not have noticed.

"So, Lee…" she said mischievously.

"What is it, TenTen?" And why are you looking at me like that?" he replied worriedly.

"How are you and Sakura doing? Still just friends?"

Lee flushed and giggled girlishly. "Sadly yes. However, I will prove my love to her eventually! She already knows that I would give my life to protect hers!" he made a fist, his eyes burning with determination.

TenTen giggled. "I'm sure things will work out between you two eventually. Sakura's lucky to have someone like you, Lee. Someone who'd die for her." Her tone took a more serious turn, one marked with sadness as well.

Her friend put a hand on her shoulder. "Do not fear, TenTen. I would die for you as well! And so would Gai-sensei!"

"Indeed I would!" he joined in.

TenTen smiled a bit. It was sweet of them to say that, but definitely not the same. "Thanks…" she managed to finally choke out.

Neji was the only one who hadn't said anything. Well, it's not like she expected anything special from him. But then…why did it hurt so much? This was wrong. She didn't want to feel this way. Feel this hurt.

They were near the destination now. Gai and Lee had decided on three times the normal pace, so it had only taken two days to reach the Claw country. Team Gai reported to the client who explained the situation. Apparently, a gang called the "Unlucky 13" ran a local casino/club/bar thing just outside the city. Normally, it wouldn't be that big a deal, but lately all the girls were disappearing and nobody knew where they went. Gai promised to resolve the problem and the team headed out.

"Alright! This is how it's gonna go down." Gai laid out an elaborate plan that seemed like it'd never work, but they all knew it would. It always did. However, this time, TenTen was particularly not fond of it since she was to be used as the bait. When she protested, Gai told her that it was either her or Neji and since Neji gave them both a death glare at that idea, Gai went with TenTen. She'd be wearing a tracking device and have a few scrolls in her handbag. Gai assured her that they'd all be there with her, just out of sight. Besides, these punks were just a bunch of thugs. No way could anything go wrong. Right? Wrong. So wrong….