A different day, a different surprise. I should know by now, when in this house, there are no rules to play by. Anything is fair games, so don't act too shocked when something happens out of the ordinary. Almost four months here, and I still don't remember that rule.

But this, this takes the cake of weirdness. No, it isn't anything remotely close to what my goal is in the family, but it could turn into one of those weird times where the burden is lifted off of me and put on someone else.

I have found Hinata sneaking a person into the house. I thought, looking past the tarp one morning. This was a day after a wild night of fun and complete bliss, in my opinion. Why I was up that early was beyond me. All I knew was that someone was in that room, and it couldn't possibly be anyone other than Hinata. And I need to go in there and stop her.

But how, exactly, was I going to do that? I was not allowed beyond the tarp. That was not my place to be. I don't know how many times I've asked Neji for a glimpse of what he had done back there, and he always said no, I could wait until it was done. It wasn't fair. She was back there! I had to get her out, and get whoever she brought with her away.

If only I had just waited until someone allowed back there was awake. I pulled the corner of the tarp up and snuck under it, only to trip over a piece of wood, probably the same piece from the day when paint was going on the walls. "Someone's there!" I heard a male voice shout.

"No! They found us!"

"Hinata, it's just me, Tenten!" Even though I was flat on the floor, I waved my arms around. "I just need him, whoever he is, out."

I heard the man sigh. "It's okay, sweetie. I'll just go, and we can meet up at my place next time. I should have known coming here would be a bad idea." Since Hinata was a strong woman now, I figured she'd take that lightly. Nope. She just whined, loudly, of all things.

I scrambled to get up and get back out, but when I was able to turn back around, there were lights being turned on in the hall, in the bedroom, and then in here. I was stuck, but so were they.

"There are people in there."

"I wouldn't have gotten you if there weren't."

Chills went down my spine. Those voices belonged to Neji and Hiashi. I really didn't want any trouble with them, but I was in the one place I wasn't supposed to be, with Hinata and some guy she brought. In the heat of the moment, I covered my eyes and waited to be caught.

I heard the rustle of someone entering, and then nothing. Something brushed up on my arm. "What are you doing in here?" Neji hissed into my ear, sounding very upset that I had done what he had said not to.

"I-I had to see who was being snuck in by Hinata..."

"Couldn't you have done that without coming in?"

I couldn't answer. Why hadn't I done that? "Maybe, but I wasn't thinking clearly."

"Neither were they," he said, before grabbing me and pulling me out of the area. "Uncover your eyes, Tenten." I did as he said. "Now listen."

What was I going to listen to? He wasn't speaking anymore, but slowly the sounds of Hiashi yelling filled the air. "How dare you think you can sneak a boy into this house!"

"Father! He's my boyfriend! I've been seeing him everywhere else except for here!"

"Boy, what is your name?"

"I'm Kiba, sir."

My mouth fell open. "She's dating him?"

"You didn't know that?"

"I tripped as soon as I got in there. I never actually looked at who she was with."

"He's not the kind of man I want my daughter being with! You are not allowed to see this mongrel again, not now, not ever!"

The noises of crying became louder than the screaming. "I hate you, Father! Hate you, hate you, hate you!" Seconds later, Hinata came running out of the room, tears streaming on her cheeks.

"I still can't believe all that happened earlier." I was sitting cross-legged on the bed, brushing out my hair, sometime after noon, and I had to nod in agreement. Hanabi smiled at me and continued her talking. "And it made me realize, seeing my sister all sad like that, maybe being part of this family isn't all that fun. Father is way to strict on all of us."

"Tell me about that," I snorted.

She nodded. "He used to be real hard on you, but he loosened up when he learned you'd do what he wanted. I think he doesn't want to lose me or Hinata to other families, but because he has some sort of ownership over you two..."

"He's okay with demanding things of me. I know."

"Good. I'm going to go out now. A couple of my friends came by last night, asking if I'd go shopping. How could I refuse?" With a wave and another smile, she was gone, leaving me alone on the bed, just brushing my hair.

A knock at the door startled me. "You in here?" I heard Neji asking.

"Yeah."

He opened the door and looked at me. "Sorry about earlier."

"It's okay. I shouldn't have gone in there, and I know it was wrong that I did."

"Ten, I just don't want you to get hurt in there. For being a master with weapons, you are very clumsy, and I'd appreciate it if you weren't missing limbs."

What could I say to counter that? He was truly thinking for my safety. I could feel my cheeks warming up. "But I can be useful. I only tripped because it was dark."

"There's another reason."

My eyes widened. "Which is what?"

"I'm building something special in there, and I don't want you to see it. When we can move in there, hopefully it'll be done and you can finally understand why I'm being so protective of it."

"Good. Some days, I think you love that project more than you love me."

"Don't ever doubt that I love you."

He came over and sat next to me. I laid my head on his shoulder. "I won't. Promise."

"So everything's okay from earlier?"

"Of course it is. As long as you still love me, I'm cool."