Chapter 13: Tenten – Could He?

How could Neji agree to that of all things? All to get his stupid seal removed? I thought we had got him past all that stuff. Walking down the hall to head back to base, my heart felt heavy.

"Do you think he would have done it?" my lazy black ops partner murmured to me.

"Who knows Shikamaru, in my heart I truly hope he would have done the right thing and gone straight to Tsunade but in my mind I'm starting to seriously doubt his actions."

"I can see your opinion but you're wrong."

"Gee Shikamaru, I almost saw a bit of empathy there, or is that only reserved for a certain blonde sand princess?"

A smirk graced his lazy features "Amusing Tenten, but no. I'm saying you're wrong because you are,"

Confusion struck my mind. I never really understood Shikamaru. No one really has apart from Asuma-Sensei, Chouji and Temari. No one actually expected him to get through the Jounin exam, let alone the Anbu Training. Everyone saw his lazy-ass attitude and care-free ways that they forget that he has an IQ of over 200, even me and I've known him for years. His analytical mind and excellent strategies in a mission can provide somewhat useful and sometimes plain annoying.

"OK Shikamaru, I'm listening. What's our master scheme of things in this situation?"

"Neji Hyuuga, as we all know, is of the branch sector of the family. Old fashioned family ways in my opinion but it's not my family to talk about. And as we all know, he grew up from the age of 5 with a hatred for the family, including the branch family. He took his built up and somewhat conditioned rage out on Hinata in our first Chuunin exams …"

"Wait, conditioned rage?"

"I thought it was rude to interrupt Tenten," answering back with a smirk. A blush crawled across my cheeks. "I was getting to that bit,"

"You don't have to dodge around your analysis story to get to the point"

"But then you wouldn't understand and your doubt against Neji, the love of your life, would only increase and wonder what he was capable of."

"How did you kn –"

"It's pretty obvious Tenten. What a drag, this is taking longer than expected. If you hadn't interrupted me, I would have been home on time for dinner and not have to face the wrath of my mother"

A blush filled my face that rivalled Hinata's "Get back to the conditional rage" I murmured as another smirk crossed his face.

"Neji took his rage out on Hinata in the Chuunin exams and everyone wondered why no one had tried to stop the hatred growing in his young and impressionable mind. The answer is because the branch family rewarded his hatred. They modelled his mind into that of a usurper's. When he was given a reality check from Naruto, Hiashi was forced to take him under his wing to keep a socially acceptable appearance of family. Neji made a public apology to Hinata, which he accepted and healed his wounds. He vowed from then on to protect those kin an good towards him. That excluded the Hyuuga clan apart from Hinata. When he became Anbu, he had a lot more meetings with Tsunade than the rest of us, which suggests he was doing extra missions for her than the regular Anbu missions. I think he was doing reconnaissance jobs within his own clan for Tsunade as to avoid another Uchiha situation. Yes, Neji is capable to kill without remorse, but he never kills for his own gain. I think … I know that when we intercepted him, he was on his way to report to Tsunade. Why he took so long, I don't know. Yes he wants to change the Hyuuga clan but not this way."

A pause filled between us. Shikamaru and his lazy ass attitude were right. How could I doubt Neji when I knew everything that he went through? Well at least I hoped Shikamaru was right.

"I gotta go, don't hurt your brain too much with thinking Tenten. See you tomorrow!"

Watching him slouch off made me re-evaluate what had happened. I helped towards the hospital. I had to know what Hinata had to say. Hopefully it would boost what Shikamaru said.

Neji couldn't hurt Hinata, could he?

A/N Masashi Kishimoto is the wonderful creator of the Naruto Universe

OOOOOOOoooooo, aren't I a mean author? Not telling you guys what's going on with Hinata and Kiba? :O *hides* please don't hurt me :O I did upload 2 chapters in a day for you guys :P

It is coming along fairly soon, with some much needed fluff :P

Reviews and opinions are appreciated :)