Hey SparkyCasper Here.

Here's the next Chapter. Please Read and Review.

Sorry I haven't up-date in a while, but school was so busy for the last few weeks. Thankfully its now the summer holidays so I'll have more time to write. Anyway, on with the chapter. I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer-- I do not own Naruto!! Just the Story plot!!

Summary- Tenten had a normal, boring life, till she met Neji and was thrown into the world of the gangs. It was a shock how quickly her life could change.

Pairings- Main-Neji X Tenten Minor- Naruto X Hinata, Ino X Sai, Temari X Itachi and Sakura X Sasuke

How Quickly Life Can Change!!

Chapter Seventeen!!

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The night was dark and gloomy. Everything was silent and still. Well, except for four young teenagers who crossed the fresh hold of a house that wasn't their own. They walked over to the door, peering through the glass. Everything in the house was similar to everything outside; dark and still. There seemed to be no life in the house, which meant that either no one was home or everyone was asleep.

"Are you sure this is the right house?" One boy said to his comrade.

"Of course, Orochimaru-sama couldn't be wrong." The other replied. They turned back to face the door. As everything seemed to be still, they could assure it would be safe to enter.

"Tayuya, unlock the door." Said one boy who seemed to be leading the group. As he spoke the only girl in the group stepped forward, bending down to examine the lock. She pulled out a Barbie pin from her red hair and started fiddling with the lock. If there was anything Tayuya could do, it was pick locks. She was great at it. This proved correct when the door clicked open.

"We're in," she spoke, stepping back to let the leader of the group in. The grey haired boy walked forward, into the house. It was a dingy little thing, with on a sofa and television in the living room. That was the room the door opened into. The walls where bare, except for one picture on one of the walls. The group walked over to it. In the picture was of three teenagers. One girl and two boys. The girl had her arms around the boy's shoulders, smiling madly. Her blond her flowing down her face. Both the boys looked miserable and were glaring at the girl. One with red hair, the other a brunette.

"Have we got the right girl, Kabuto-san?" a comrade asked the leader of the group. Kabuto nodded, staring at the girl.

"Yes, I've seen Itachi-san with the girl myself. This is definitely the one."



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The sun shone brightly through the tent opening when Tenten awoke the next morning. She shuffled awake, wiggling in her sleeping bag so she was sitting straight. Hinata was still lying asleep next to her and she looked oh so peaceful.

Tenten unzipped her sleeping bag and got out of it. As they were kind of in the middle of nowhere, Tenten and Hinata had both slept in their clothes. It was so much warmer with them on then in stupid P.J's. She slowly and quietly crept to the flap/door of the tent and popped out of it. The fire was distinguished and there was 10 bums print printed firmly into the ground, which made Tenten laugh. However she hadn't notice the only person sitting around the now gone fire.

"Tenten, what's so funny?" at these words Tenten whipped around to face the boy sitting on the grass. He'd surprised her as she hadn't recognized his presence yet.

"Neji, you scared me," she muttered, walking over to sit next to him. He had a bottle in his hands, which he was drinking from.

"Wants some," he asked, handing the bottle to Tenten, who took it and took a sip. The cold liquid trickled down her neck and into her stomach. It was a kind of refreshing feeling. Handing the bottle back to Neji, she smiled weakly.

"Thanks," he nodded, taking the bottle. Then there was silence. Something Tenten had known was coming. What where they suppose to say. Maybe they should be a couple now, or maybe Neji regretted kissing Tenten. This was what Tenten feared and she hoped beyond hope that it wasn't true. Hearing Neji say it was a mistake would really hurt Tenten. This was the first boy she'd every really liked and being rejected would be awful. Perhaps, if Tenten could settle things, then she wouldn't get hurt and they could still be friends. Saying she wanted to forget it and she liked the way they where would be ok.

"Tenten"

"Neji" both blinked as they'd spoke in unison and slightly blushed.

"You first," Neji muttered, allowing Tenten to speck first.

"Ok, well it's about last night." Tenten began and continued when Neji nodded his head. "Well, I was wondering if we could perhaps forget about it. I mean, I wouldn't want things to become awkward and I love being friends with you." She let out a long breath after saying this as she'd spoken very quickly. Neji looked at her with a very surprised and confused face.

"Forget it happen?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Tenten replied. "Isn't that what you were going to say?"

Neji nodded. "Of course. Let's forget." He stood from the floor and walked over to the water bucket. "I'm going to get water." Tenten nodded and watched as Neji walked off into the campsite. She hoped now that she made the right decision.

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Neji had been gone half an hour and when he returned with a bucketful of water. All the boy's where seated around the fire, talking away to each other. The girls were nowhere in sight, which Neji was glad about. He didn't want to see Tenten at the moment. Why had she asked to forget about it? It didn't make any sense. He thought she liked him. Maybe she didn't in the end. She just wanted to be friends. It made Neji sad. He really wanted to be with Tenten.

"Neji, where you been?" Sai asked as Neji sat next to him on the grass.

"Getting water," Neji muttered in reply, placing the bucket by his feet. "Where are the girls?"

"They went to the showers," Sai replied, chucking some fire wood on the now lit fire.

"Neji, did you hear Naruto and Hinata are going out?" Sasuke asked, nudging Naruto, who blushed slightly.

"Yeah, they told me last night,"

"Well, you best make sure he looks after her properly," Sai chuckled.

"Oh come on, I'd never treat Hinata unfairly. I love her." Naruto said, turning red.

"Good for you, Naruto." Itachi mumbled. Neji noticed him seemed rather quite, but discarded it. Sai stood and walked over to his bag, pulling out some tin cans. They all had food in them, which had to be heated. It was special camp food.

"I'd better make the food for when the girls come back." He said, more to himself than anyone else. So the other four boys just sat and watched him cook. For some odd reason it was quite. Neji knew he had his own thoughts but it looked like all the other boys had something they also wanted to think about. He was unsure what could be bothering them, but didn't ask. It weren't really the something that boy's asked each other. They didn't really talk about feelings.

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All the girls were walking back to the campsite after having a shower. They'd been gone from camp for about an hour. Ino, Sakura and Hinata where all walking together in front of Temari and Tenten. Ino was telling Hinata about all the double dates they could go on. She seemed excited that another of her friends had gotten a boyfriend.

"Tem-sempai, what's up?" Tenten asked her sempai who was walking by her side. She looked a bit distracted and wasn't really concentrating on her surroundings.

"Oh, er, nothing much." Temari replied a little off handily.

"Temariii, you so bad a lying," Tenten said in a sing song voice, which made Temari laugh.

"Fine, it's Itachi's. He's being really off with me." Temari admitted and Tenten raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"How'd you mean?" Temari sighed, looking into the sky before replying.



"He's been a bit shitty with me. Like if I say anything he snaps at me. Then during the week I only saw him once because he said he was busy. I think he might be cheating on me."

"No way. That's totally impossible." Ino interrupted. Her and the others had stopped as if waiting for Temari and Tenten.

"Why not?" Temari asked. There was sadness in her face as she was clearly hurt by the thought Itachi might have cheated on her. "There are so many more pretty and nicer people out there." She looked down at her hands as all the others exchanged looks. They'd never realised that Temari might be self-conscious. Strong, load, bubbly Temari. "She's probably really rich as well."

"Stop it Temari!" Hinata demanded, which surprised the others as it was a little out of character for Hinata to suddenly burst out like that. "Temari-sempai, you're lovely. Your confident and determined. Funny and cute. And you've been through so much, but you're still positive. If Itachi ever cheated on you, which I doubt, he'd be the craziest person on earth." Temari stared at Hinata with teary eyes.

"Thanks Hina-chan," she mumbled, before hugging the younger girl tightly. "Your the best." Hinata blushed, but didn't say anything.

"Well that settle's it." Ino said, placing her hand on Temari's shoulder and spinning her around. "You're going to go up to Itachi the moment you see him and ask him straight out, why he's acting moody with you. If he says he's creating on you, then you dump him and kick his arse."

"Yeah, otherwise you wouldn't be the person I look up to the most." Tenten added, sticking her thumb up to Temari, who smiled.

"Although I doubt he has as Sasuke said he's crazy about you. But if he has, we'll all beat him up." Sakura smiled, flashing the peace sign. Temari nodded, a huge grin spreading across her face.

"You guys are so right. I'm never going to let a guy bring me down. Us girls have got to look out for ourselves."

"Right on," Tenten agreed high fiving Temari. "Now, let's get back before the guys send out a search party." The other girl's laughed, but all headed back in the direction of the campsite.

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The girls had finally arrived back at the campsite, which was good because the guys had started to worry.

"Why did it take you an hour to have showers?" Sai asked Ino as she plopped down next to him.

"Beauty takes time," Ino replied in a sing-song voice.

"Well, maybe you should have spent a few more hours there then," Naruto muttered quietly, but Ino still heard.

"What was that Naruto!" she demanded, standing from the grass glaring at Naruto.



"Nothing," he replied, quivering under her sharp gaze.

"Well, if I hear you say anything like that again, your heads mine." She sat back down and smiled once more, as if nothing had happened. Temari and Tenten burst out laughing, which cause the rest of the group to join in.

"Naruto, you're such a scared cat," Sasuke teased, wrapping his arm around Sakura as she sat next to him.

"SHUT IT, girls are scary." Naruto protested snuggling up to Hinata who was blushing slightly.

"He's right, we are scary." Tenten agreed, sitting in between Neji and Sai. For some reason Neji seemed to be avoiding making eye contact with her, which confused her. She shook it off, insisting it must be her imagination.

"Itachi, can I have a word in private?" Temari asked him, not taking a seat but standing in front of him instead.

"Sure," Itachi said, looking slightly confused, but followed Temari into the woods anyway.

"What was that about?" Sai asked, handing everyone some breakfast he'd already made.

"Nothing, just a bit of time to themselves," Sakura said, smirking as she took her own breakfast.

"Yeah, some talking time." Hinata added, also taking a plate. They all started digging in but made sure they left some food for Temari and Itachi.

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Temari stopped by a log and sat on it. Itachi followed suit, sitting next to his girlfriend. Temari could tell he had no idea what she wanted just by the face he was pulling.

"Itachi, we need to talk." Temari stared, facing him and looking into his eyes.

"Are you breaking up with me?" Itachi asked. He'd obviously thought by 'we need to talk' was the break up line, which it normally was but not in this case.

"Well, it kind of depends. First thing is though, why have you been off with me lately?"

"I haven't," Itachi said, clearly defending himself.

"Oh come on Itachi. All week you haven't been right with me. On Monday when you came round you were shitty to me and rude to my brothers. You might as well just tell me what's up as you didn't answer any of my phone calls until yesterday."

"Temari, I don't have to call you all the time. I've been busy all week. I'll admit I was wrong being mean to your brother but I don't have to tell you everything."

"Do you know anything about being in a relationship? You're supposed to tell each other things. If you don't want to share then why are you with me?" Temari stood as she was clearly pissed off.



"Temari, I do want to tell you things," Itachi said, also standing and grabbing Temari's arms. "I'm just stressed ok. Mum and Dad have been on at me a lot about you. Saying I should be with someone rich, so they've made me distanced myself from you. I'm sorry ok." He leant forward and leant his forehead against Temari's.

"Serious?" Temari asked, looking into Itachi's eyes.

"Yeah and they want to met you. I guess I don't want them to hate you cause, well, I kind of like you." Temari smirked, closing her eyes.

"I kind of like you too, but you have to tell me things, cause I though you where cheating on me."

"Really?" Itachi pulled away from Temari, holding her head in his hands. She nodded, blushing slightly. "Temari, I'd never cheat on you."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Good," Temari leant forward and pressed her lips against Itachi's. Itachi returned the kiss, wrapping his arm around Temari's waist. Temari pulled back slightly, just enough so there lips weren't touching. "So when am I meeting your parents?" she asked.

"You want to? They can be pretty mean."

"I'm up for the challenge," Temari smirked before again pressing her lips against Itachi's.

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"What do you think here doing in there?" Naruto asked, looking into the forest. Temari and Itachi had been gone for over an hour and everyone was more than curious.

"Maybe there still talking," Sakura suggested.

"Or they could have fallen asleep," Tenten added, although she knew that was a bunch of crap. They were either arguing or having a huge make out session. Knowing Temari and Itachi it was probably the latter.

"Guy's, it's not really any or are business," Hinata said quietly.

"Hinata's right." Sai agreed. "It's not our business, so let's talk about something else."

"What time are we leaving this place?" Sasuke asked.

"Well we'd planned on starting our walk at about 2-ish. We kind of don't want to leave too late in case we get stuck in the dark." Ino replied.

"Good idea." Neji muttered. He hadn't been saying much, which although it wasn't unusual, kind of surprised people. Ever since he'd met Tenten he'd been a bit more vocal but hadn't said much all morning.



"Well we've got about 2 hours to waste, so you want to go for a walk?" Ino asked Sai, standing and lowering her hand to him.

"Sure," he agreed taking her hand. "Be back soon." The others watched as Ino lead Sai off into the forest.

"Well, what should we do?" Sakura asked, addressing the group as a whole.

"Why don't we pack up the tents, as Sai-san was kind enough to make us breakfast." Hinata suggested. The other all looked at each other, obviously hating the idea.

"Sure Hina-chan, let's do it." Naruto said, jumping to his feet. He grabbed Hinata's hand and pulled her over to the tents.

"How about we leave it to you?" Tenten called after them.

"Sure thing!" Naruto replied. They all doubted he'd heard the question, but knew if Hinata wanted to do something then he'd do it any day.

"Well, anyway have you two decided what you're going as for the Halloween dance yet? At Sasuke's school?" Sakura asked, gesturing to Neji and Tenten. Tenten looked over at Neji, who just shrugged.

"Neji, what do you want to go as?" she asked. Neji still didn't meet her eyes.

"Don't mind, you pick." Was all that came out of his mouth.

"Well I'll have to think, but I'll get back to you." She smiled at him, but he just 'hm' in reply.

"Tenten, can I've a word?" Sakura asked. Tenten nodded, stood and walked a little away from the guys.

"What is it Sakura?" Tenten asked, looking at her pink haired friend in confusion.

"What's up with you and Neji?" she asked. "He was totally off with you just now." Tenten looked down at her hands as if embarrassed.

"Well...I guess it.. it's because he kissed me last night. But then I told him I wanted to forget about it, because that's what I thought he wanted."

"But by his body language, it looks like he didn't want that." Sakura finished for her. Tenten nodded. Why was she such an idiot? Neji liked her and she liked him, but now she'd probably blown in. Why would he ever want to be with her now? "What you going to do?" Tenten shrugged.

"No idea. I like him, but I doubt he'll want to be with me as I've hurt him."

"Maybe you should wait a little while." Sakura suggested. "I'm sure if you give it time he'll want to be with you again."

"Ok," Tenten nodded taking in a deep breath.



"Oh, I know at the dance. That will be a perfect chance to get together. And we can make you look beautiful. If I talk to Ino, we'll be able to come up with some really good character for you to be and make him want you more than anything. That way he should forgive you right?"

"I guess," Tenten said rather unsure. Somehow it didn't feel safe trusting Ino and Sakura with her character. It was somewhat scary.

"Well, just act normal from now on."

"Ok."

"Let's go back."

"Ok." And with that both the girls returned to the camp fire, where Sasuke and Neji were sitting in silence.

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For some reason the walk back seemed to be longer then the walk there. Everyone was dragging their feet, talking and laughing. This caused the walk to take double the time. Neji was the only one not with the group. He'd walked ahead and was now out of sight. Hinata, Naruto and Tenten were in front, then Ino, Temari, Sai and Itachi with Sasuke and Sakura bringing up the rear. For some reason Sakura was walking rather slower. The others didn't want to wait so they were probably about a 10 minute walk away from Sasuke and Sakura.

"Come on Sakura, why are you walking so slowly?" Sasuke asked, it's not that he was irritated with her, he just wanted to get to the cars and get home.

"Sorry Sasuke, you can go on if you want." Sakura replied. She had a great look of pain on her face and it looked like she was limping slightly.

"Sakura, are you hurt?" Sasuke walked over to his girlfriend who was taking another break. She was sitting on the grass clutching her ankle.

"It's nothing; I just twisted it back there."

"Back where?" Sasuke asked; who was now eyeing her ankle suspiciously. He wanted to pull the trouser up to see it properly.

"You know when I fell,"

"Sakura, that was an hour ago. Let me see you ankle."

"No."

"Sakura," Sasuke said in a demanding voice. Sakura sighed and pulled up her trouser leg. Her ankle was all red and blue and twice it natural size. Sasuke was really shocked that Sakura had been able to walk this far with it. "Sakura, you're crazy. It looks like it could be broken."

"Well it doesn't hurt that much." Sakura said, trying to get to her feet. However she let out an unmistakable wince when she put pressure on her foot.



"Sakura, you are not walking anymore." Sasuke said, bending down in front of Sakura. "Get on."

"What? Why?" Sakura asked, shocked by her boyfriends actions.

"I'm not letting you walk with that ankle. So get on or I'll force you on."

"But we've still got half way to go." Sakura protested.

"Who cares, get on." Sakura sighed in defeat and gentle jumped on her boyfriends back. "See, so much easier." Sasuke muttered starting to walk. Sakura had both their bags on her back as Sasuke couldn't wear his.

"Sasuke, why are you so kind to me?"Sakura mumbled, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Because you're too special to me to be mean too. I also happen to have strong feelings for you." Sakura blushed slightly.

"Good, cause you're special to me too." She smiled into Sasuke's shoulder. This was in some way the best way to end the camping trip.

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Everyone had been waiting 10 minutes when Sasuke finally came over the hill with Sakura over his back.

"What took you so long?" Ino called. "And why are you carrying Sakura."

"She got hurt," Sasuke replied. "Itachi, will you take us to the hospital please?"

"No, it's ok really." Sakura begun, but Sasuke cut her off with a glare.

"Yeah sure, we'll go straight there." Sasuke helped Sakura into the back of Itachi's car. "Sai, will you drive Temari home for me?"

"Sure jump in," Sai replied. Temari kissed Itachi before jumping into the back of Sai's car along with Tenten. Ino was in the front. Hinata and Naruto where going home with Neji. "See you all later."

"Bye,"

"Call you tomorrow."

"Good Luck, Sakura."

"See You."

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The light was dim and the room was silent, even thought there was 3 people sitting in it. They didn't speak. They had no need to as they were waiting for someone. Someone who should have been there 10 minutes ago. The leader was getting impatient. That was obvious by the twitch in his eye. The door swung open and a fourth person entered. He stood in the shadows so his appearance was masked.



"Your late." The leader said, standing. His long black hair flowing down his back. The man in front of the leader bowed to his knees.

"Sorry, Orochimaru-sama." He said. "I had to do something after my return today."

"And how was your little camping trip?" Orochimaru questioned. He didn't really care too much, but he was just curious.

"It was fine. We had an enjoyable time."

"Are you getting second thoughts." This was said in a snarl.

"Oh course not, Orochimaru-sama."

"What about that girl." the man in the shadow didn't reply. "I knew it, your falling for her."

"I'm not falling for her, I just think she's a nice girl. I don't want her to get hurt."

"Well it sounds to me if he's falling for her." Another boy said, standing from his chair. His silver hair was tied into a pony tail and his glasses plopped on his face.

"Be quite Kabuto." Orochimaru's voice was not load, but it sure was menacing.

"Yes, Orochimaru-sama." Kabuto said, re-taking his seat.

"Anyway, i will not harm this woman as long as THAT person dies." Orochimaru re-took his own seat next to Kabuto and the other man.

"He will, Orochimaru-sama," the man in the shadow's said, rising to his feet.

"Good, now come and join us." The man walked forward. His face was exposed and his mid-length dark hair. He had two long scares on his face which made him look older then he really was. "Come sit, Itachi-kun."

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That's all for this chapter. I hope you liked it. Please review!

Chapter Eighteen...Coming Soon...