It's been a LOOOONG time, I know. And I guess I don't have to make any more of my lame excuses about college life. lol Oh well, might as well seal my lips and let this chapter do all the necessary talking for me... but at least let me say this: I AM REALLY REALLY SORRY.

That's all...

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Naruto... but I do own NAOKO...

Hope you will all enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it... it's really been a long time since I was able to write again. Good thing my ideas for this fic is still stock inside my head... lol

WANTED: Hyuuga Neji's BRIDE WANNA BE!
by: Eleonor Dale

A weapon master's room should only be complimented with the finest collection of weaponries. But for once, a young kunoichi like her fail to abide such rule; and she happened to be drawn in her own collection –not of weapons but of clothes and make-ups.

But then again, who would have blamed an in love kunoichi like her?

No one…

No one, I daresay.

CHAPTER ONE: My Lips are Sealed

She has been combing her hair for what seemed to be the hundredth time. Her hair wasn't in its usual buns, which happened to be her trademark. It was the first time she looked at herself in the mirror with her hair freely touching her shoulders, making her feel quite uneasy yet excited at the same time.

From the red dresses to the shades of pink, our dear kunoichi ended up wearing a black cocktail dress that seemed to fit her slender body perfectly well, tracing her curves in great precision. And one thing's for sure, any mortal who dare to set eyes on her would be left breathless – that, of course, she wasn't aware of.

She turned around, the hem of her dress billowing slightly around her and she felt funny especially when her hair followed with her sudden move. She smiled despite of herself and suddenly remembered how a certain Hyuuga revealed his feelings for her.

It wasn't really how Tenten imagined her first boyfriend to propose to her. There was nothing to boast about that night, really, but she could remember everything in great detail – oh, that magical moment. They were the only ones left practicing at that time and instead of giving her roses, which any normal men would do, he was sending kunais straight at her. So, red roses were already out of the list. And what more could she imagine? No fancy candlelight dinners, no chocolates, no walking in the beach, no holding hands... oh, not a single idea of a woman's romantic proposal of love was evident that night.

And all he did was to open his lips and say without much effort, "I would like you to be my girlfriend." Plain and simple. Without even stuttering and without even blinking an eye, he said it like it was the most ordinary thing to say to a woman. And the next thing she knew, he was already telling her the rules of their relationship, which was to keep it a secret, especially from the ears of Hyuuga Hiashi. Tenten didn't question that for all she knew was that her heart was beating so fast and her face was all flustered.

The courses of events that happened next were no longer of importance for now, is their first anniversary and that is what matters the most. And Tenten couldn't help but lost herself in her own dreamland. Before she knew it, she has her eyes closed and her lips kissing her imaginary Hyuuga in mid-air, unaware that someone was standing outside the door, watching her with much enthusiasm.

"Next time, remind me to buy you a book: How to kiss a Hyuuga." The unwelcome visitor said, giggling.

Snapping out of her imaginary kissing scene, Tenten frowned at the image of the woman reflected at the mirror in front of her. "Mom!" she cried in embarrassment.

Sure, their relationship was supposed to be a secret but Tenten couldn't help but tell her mom about it. (Well, at least her dad was still unaware about their relationship.) And Neji got mad when he found out but all he did was neglect Tenten the whole day and spent his time sparring with Rock Lee, who later on found out as well. Maybe Neji let out his anger on Lee for the very next day the couple started practicing together again. In fact, their relationship was no longer a secret from their friends, even Sir Gai knew of this, even Tsunade. But no one gave big fuss about it, though Ino and Sakura would love to do so, seeing Hyuuga Neji's dagger-like eyes they preferred to seal their lips.

"What?" the unwelcome visitor, who appeared to be Tenten's mother, asked in fake surprise as she picked up the dresses scattered all over the room. "Don't tell me that that Hyuuga haven't kissed my little girl yet? Hmm… is he or is he not your boyfriend?"

Tenten blushed at that. "Mom!" she cried again, turning to face her mom completely. "Neji is just being… Neji."

Tenten doesn't know either how they managed to keep their relationship going, despite the fact that Neji really didn't change towards her. She was still treated like a teammate and if there was anything new, it was their picnic every Saturday noon – well, Rock Lee and sometimes, Sir Gai, were also in the picture so, it's not really one would call as a date. And Tenten would only end up sleeping under the shade of tree while she watched Rock Lee goofed around.

But now that it's their first anniversary, she'll make sure that Hyuuga Neji will be kissing her: TODAY.

"Who would have thought that wardrobes could explode like this?" her mom asked, snapping Tenten out of the kiss again. "Oh well, you better get going now dear… you shouldn't let your man wait for you that long…"

Tenten's eyes widened. She completely forgot about the time and the thought that a certain Hyuuga Neji was in fact waiting for her.

"Hurry up and go get that kiss!" her mom added as Tenten stormed out the room.

Hyuuga Neji, a name that could even kill by just a mere mention of it. Right now, the one who bears that name was leaning firmly against a tree. And his face contorted an expression any artist wouldn't dare to paint. But then again, no tough Hyuuga can compete to a young lady as lovely as the one approaching him. A blush crept on his cheeks the moment he saw her in the distance but it utterly faded out as he felt a gush of anger building up inside him.

Obviously, what had happened last night doesn't please him at all. Why does that ugly woman (Naoko) has to ruin everything?

"I'm really sorry… I lost track of time… and…" Tenten tried to explain as she was running out of breathe. Her face was quite even flustered. Running her way here wasn't a big joke to begin with. Her high-heels prevented her from jumping from the limbs of the tree.

"Go home." was the only reply she got from him, and Tenten wasn't expecting that one. She looked at the young lad in front of her and she realized he was only in his usual attire. She was even excited to see him at least in a more formal outfit. At that very moment, gush of anger welled up inside her. She couldn't find her voice to speak but the way she looked at him was enough for him to know what she couldn't say: "Are you crazy?"

"Go home." He repeated in a deeper voice, ignoring the bewilderment that was etched all over her face.

This wasn't how she imagined their first anniversary… and how about her long awaited kiss? They haven't even begun and yet, he was telling her to go home? What on earth has happened to the brains of this man before her? Were there even any brains behind that handsome face of his? Or too much sparring with him got him a major brain damage? Maybe, sparring with him this moment would be a better idea. That way, she could easily rip his throat out!

"I HATE YOU!" were the angry words that came out from her lips, she completely forgot about her posture. Before she knew it, he had her trapped against the tree with his furious face so close. For a moment, she forgot she wanted to turn him to a pulp and she blushed wildly, thinking that God himself already answered her prayers. He would kiss her.

Oh that kiss!

But then, was it too much to ask to move his lips a little closer?

Was it too much to ask to tilt his head a bit more so as to catch her lips?

Was it really that much?

Before Tenten knew it, she has her eyes closed, waiting for Neji's lips to touch hers...

TO BE CONTINUED...

CHAPTER TWO: A Kiss Or Not a Kiss?

See you all next time... please keep the reviews coming... love you all... muahs