Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Do you?

Although their visit had been rather unexpected, Soichiro couldn't honestly say that he hadn't seen it coming.

"Sakurai-san, Fuuma-san, is there something you need?" he inquired politely, even though their interlocking fingers told him everything he needed to know.

Rin hesitantly glanced up at the man beside her, who conveyed his silent encouragement in the form of a nod and a slight squeeze of her hand.

"Soichiro-sama," she murmured, her gaze returning to the floor. "I'm so sorry, but I'm afraid I won't be able to go through with our engagement."

Smouldering grey eyes sent Soichiro a measured look as though searching for some indication as to what his reaction would be. But, Kazuya soon learnt that his concern was uncalled for when he smiled gently at the both them.

"There's nothing to apologize for, Sakurai-san. Everyone deserves a chance at happiness. It just so happens that you have found yours with Fuuma-san. Actually," Soichiro admitted, "I was considering breaking off our engagement myself. I realized that what my father wanted wasn't for me to get married, but to start taking my life more seriously. And I intend to. The both of you need not trouble yourselves over my affairs," he carried on calmly, but in a more businesslike tone. "I will settle the issues regarding my inheritance on my own."

Soichiro paused.

"But, I would suggest that you start making all the necessary arrangements for your engagement party."

"E-Eh?" Rin stammered.

"Our what?" Kazuya asked.

"Well, so many preparations have already been made and the guests have already been invited. It would be a shame to let it all go to waste," he mused almost thoughtfully with a note of seriousness that was betrayed by the merriment in his eyes.

"I wish you all the best." There was another hint of barely hidden amusement as he added, "You will invite me to the wedding, will you?"

"We will," Kazuya answered for the both of them. "Thank you."

Their combined gratitude went far beyond anything those two simple words could encompass, yet Soichiro couldn't help but feel amply rewarded as the other man slid open the rice-paper door and placed his unoccupied hand on the small of his fiancée's back before they left his office.

To say that the guests attending the Fujimura-Sakurai-wedding-reception turned Fuuma-Sakurai-engagement-ceremony had been surprised would have been the understatement of the century.

While everyone was undoubtedly curious as to what had lead to the extremely sudden and equally scandalous development, most simply had the good grace not to ask. Even the biggest gossips in amongst the invited crowd were wise enough not to mention anything within hearing range of those involved, not unless they wanted to risk offending some of the most powerful and influential families in both the financial and the shinobi world.

In spite of the questionable and just as confusing turn of events behind it, absolutely no expense had been spared and a combination of flawless planning, the lively ambience and a well-chosen orchestra made the party itself a most enjoyable affair.

As soon as they entered the hall, the happy couple were surrounded by well-wishers offering gifts and congratulations.

The bride-to-be was resplendent in a pure white kimono trimmed in gold brocade. Her hair had been arranged atop of her head in an intricate twist that held in place an elaborate head dress of gold filigree and pale pink pearls.

At any other time perhaps, her outfit would have eclipsed her entirely. But tonight, she exuded an elegance and confidence she never thought she possessed. And a serene smile also added a light to her face that no amount of jewels or finery ever could.

Her future husband looked just as striking in his robes of navy blue with the Fuuma clan symbol prominently displayed on his back in silver and a charming grin on his handsome face.

His new father-in-law had taken the news much better than he'd expected. Whether it was because their union was far more advantageous than the original one or due to the insistence of his usually soft-spoken wife, the Sakurai patriarch had given them his blessing and much to both Rin's and his own relief.

Once some of the excitement about the newly-engaged couple had died down, the quiet entrance of a mysterious lady went far from unnoticed.

Judging from her interactions with them, she seemed to be on very good terms with the three hosts for the evening as well as quite closely acquainted with the aloof man with the distinctive pale eyes whom everyone had immediately assumed to be the heir to the famous Hyuuga clan.

Everyone here knew one another; if not personally, then at the very least by name, rank or reputation. Yet, despite having relations with all four of the most important parties in attendance, she clearly did not know anyone else and the reverse was just as evident.

The presence of someone from outside their limited social circle was a rarity. The presence of a woman, and an attractive one at that, was especially intriguing for the men and an immediate topic of speculation and gossip for the women.

She had already been approached by several males asking for her to dance with them and each one had been politely declined. The next few who had wanted to try their luck were dismayed to find that she had vanished just as suddenly and silently as she had come.

The delicate silk of her borrowed kimono trailed gracefully behind her as Tenten quietly slipped out of the hall.

The last social gathering she had attended had been around a year ago before a long spell of training and missions had completely taken up her life. While the kunoichi usually enjoyed company, she felt stifled by all the insincere smiles and polite conversation.

She was also getting quite tired of having to turn down requests from random men asking for her to dance with them.

That particular distraction would have been more than welcome. Unfortunately, she had only been allowed to attend the event under the condition, though in this case instruction would have been a more accurate description, that she avoided anything physically strenuous. Dancing certainly fell under that category the last time she'd checked.

Sounds of talk, laughter and strains of music from an instrument she couldn't identify left her behind as she reached the very end of the deserted corridor.

The gardens were illuminated by hundreds of tiny lanterns that provided an almost ethereal air to the place. Her eyes closed momentarily and her lips relaxed in a contented smile.

"Why are you here?"

Tenten whirled around, the hem of her skirt swishing around her legs and against the wooden floor.

"Neji, what are you doing here?" she asked, surprise in her tone.

"Hn," the syllable came out a little more sharply than it normally did.

His already limited patience had been worn increasingly thin over the course of the evening by the marriage proposals, ranging from thinly veiled hints to relentless badgering, from families with eligible daughters and other female relations.

Then, a particularly observant guest had chosen to praise Fujimura's perfectly circular and completely symmetrical reflection pool or rather, the cleverly disguised crater his Kaiten had left behind three nights previous.

Either meaning it as a joke or revenge for ruining his landscaping, Fujimura had proceeded to cheerfully redirect their praise to the Hyuuga responsible which resulted in the latter receiving numerous requests for him to do the same in their gardens.

His presence may have been required, but he had more than fulfilled his duty and dealt with their insufferable nonsense for long enough.

He would have infinitely preferred spending the evening training, something he had not done for a considerably long time. But, although shinobi did not need to indulge in such frivolity and luxury, Neji couldn't say he entirely disapproved of Tenten doing so.

Though they had been previously surrounded by women of higher social standing and more elaborate dress, she was their equal both in beauty and in presence. The unadorned kimono she wore was an admittedly attractive shade of emerald green that brought out the gold in her skin. Her hair had been bound in its characteristic style and secured by a pair of jade dragonflies.

She was beautiful enough to drive most men to distraction.

Hyuuga Neji wasn't most men.

He resumed his usual monotone. "You haven't answered my question, Tenten."

"Well the only thing to do there is talk or dance. It's not like I really know anyone and though I would love to, I can't dance." The accusation in her voice as she said the last three words was plainly obvious.

Colourless eyes remained impassive, regarding her with detached interest as the owner walked towards her.

"I never said you couldn't dance," he informed her patiently.

"You-"

"Dancing does not necessarily have to be a physically demanding activity," he interrupted smoothly. "But, had you danced with someone who was unaware of your condition, there would have been a possibility of you aggravating it."

He held out his hand and she blinked, shimmering eyelids glittering in the dim lighting.

"You said you wanted to dance."

It was clear from the look she was giving him that she hadn't been expecting his invitation, but she didn't protest when he took her hand into his. Their other hands fell easily into position, his on her waist and hers on his shoulder and they began moving in slow, perfect harmony to a melody only they could hear.

The hand holding onto hers was unbelievably gentle. He was so close that had he been anyone other than Hyuuga Neji, she might have thought he was going to kiss her. The weapon mistress let out the breath she hadn't realized she had been holding and a breath of laughter escaped her lips.

It didn't take long for her to decide that she liked the way he looked tonight. The formal Hyuuga robes added a form of nobility and status that was always implied by his proud, authoritative demeanour but otherwise unexpressed.

Tenten soon realized she had been staring and his near imperceptible smirk told her that she wasn't the only one who had noticed.

"Kazuya told me everything," she said softly.

They stopped dancing.

He didn't say anything, merely waiting for her to continue even though he was more than aware of what her vague and no less abrupt statement was referring to.

"I mean, I don't blame you for your decision. Of course that fact that I didn't actually die may have something to do with it," she commented with a wry smile. "But I want to thank you. For not giving up on me."

He only nodded in response. A moment of silence passed between them as she paused to find the right words.

"We haven't really known each other for very long, but there's just something that makes me want to believe in you. And I do believe in you, Neji, now more than ever."

She ended her words with a genuine smile this time and he was at a loss as to how he was supposed to respond. His face was the picture of a blank page as intense silver pierced warm brown.

"I know," Neji finally answered, his quiet baritone oddly lilting and the weight of her trust etched onto his brow.

"Soichiro-sama, I don't think it is appropriate for you to excuse yourself from your own party," Hiroshi reprimanded mildly.

A rustle as the young businessman flipped to the next page in his thick stack.

"This contract has to be signed by tomorrow and it's Fuuma-san and Sakurai-san's party, not mine," he corrected, pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose when they started slipping down. It went without saying that he was in for another long night.

Lowering the sheet of paper he had been perusing, Soichiro leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes briefly.

"You knew?"

Both of them had been so busy lately that he hadn't had the opportunity to raise the subject until now. Soichiro saw his adopted brother stiffen slightly at the question that was really more of a statement than anything else, but he still replied dutifully and truthfully.

"I was ordered not to tell you until everything was over."

Soichiro frowned up at his friend, impatient, and definitely not understanding. "Father never said you had to surrender his assets to me if I failed to fulfil the terms of his will."

"Everything is rightfully yours," Hiroshi answered. "And you would do a better job at managing the company than I ever could."

Soichiro found that last sentence somewhat doubtful.

"But, I'm sure your father would be proud." Hiroshi's voice was unwavering yet somehow conveying all the emotion he was trying hard not to show.

With sadness mingled with his smile, Soichiro shook his head.

"Our father would be proud."

The next day...

"Tsunade-sama, we just received a message from Hyuuga Neji's team."

The busty blonde nodded distractedly and Shizune took it as a signal to continue.

"It seems that Tenten had sustained moderate injuries during the course of their mission and they are asking for clearance regarding the extension of their stay to give her sufficient time to recover."

Tsunade waved the hand holding her pen dismissively before she began scribbling on a fresh sheet of paper.

After scanning through the next few lines, Shizune's brown eyes flickered nervously to her still unsuspecting, blissfully oblivious shishou.

"Ano... Fuuma Kazuya is also requesting that he be relieved from all active shinobi duty once this mission has been completed on the grounds of needing to spend time with his new... fiancée."

It took a couple of seconds for her assistant's words to sink in, but when they did, the Godaime practically shot out of her seat.

"WHAT?!?"

Her hand accidentally hit the ink bottle that was positioned precariously near the edge of her desk. Although her quick reflexes had managed to prevent most of it from spilling, she cursed when she saw several dark splotches on her draft of Konoha and Suna's new trade agreement that certainly hadn't been there before.

However, there was a much, much, much more important issue at hand.

Tsunade promptly snatched the offending memo from her assistant, amber eyes roving over the its contents. There simply had to be some kind of mistake.

There wasn't.

"My hundred thousand ryou..." Tsunade trailed off blankly, sinking down into her chair.

From somewhere under the desk, Tonton whined in sympathy for his poor, devastated mistress while Shizune sighed.

"Tsunade-sama..."

The week had passed by uneventfully and before long, it was time for them to return home.

Except, "home" now had a very different meaning for one of them. Neji and she would be going back to Konoha, while Kazuya would be accompanying Rin and her family back to their home in Tea Country.

They had already said their goodbyes to Soichiro earlier that morning. He had invited them to visit again whenever they were in the area before leaving with Hiroshi to supervise the new shipment of jewellery from Lava Country.

Now, it was almost time for them to go.

"Tenten-san," Rin began shyly as the two of them took one last stroll through the garden. "I know the wedding probably won't be for a long time, but w-would you be my maid of honour?"

"Me?" Tenten asked bemusedly.

Rin nodded earnestly. "You saved my life and if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have had the courage to tell Kazuya how I felt and..." She bit her lip, a light blush rising to colour her cheeks. "You're the only friend I have. I really want you to be my maid of honour."

Tenten smiled at the younger girl. "I'd love to be your maid of honour, Rin-chan."

In the shade of the porch, Neji watched the two women chatting animatedly, their features gilded in the summer sunlight. Both so different, each equally enchanting in their own right, yet he only had eyes for one.

"Hyuuga."

Neji turned to see Kazuya extending a gloved hand and he accepted, shaking it briefly, wordlessly.

"So, what is it you love about her?" the blonde asked casually, leaning against the wall behind him. When he realized that an answer was not forthcoming, he tried something else.

"You don't know, do you?" His question earned him a glare in response and Kazuya could only shrug. "Guess that makes two of us."

The breeze rushing through his hair was brisk and warm. His previous irritation faded slightly at the sudden sound of her laughter and he gave the other man's statement a single, similarly cryptic reply.

"Hn."

Author's Note:

Well this is it for this arc. Despite what the chapter for this title implies, this isn't the last chapter of this story so it's not over yet. *wink*

I hope you guys enjoyed the NejiTen fluff. I know I did while writing it :D

My sis and I had a fun time trying to come up with a name for Rin's home country. I wrote Rice country before my sis informed me that that's where Sound Village is near/based in so we came up with random names including Dog, Tea, Ramen, Noodle, Potato (???), Donkey and Mice (since, I quote my sis "it sounds like Rice"). Eventually we just decided to use Tea since it sounded the least ridiculous. XP

I'm not sure when I'll be able to write again coz we're starting on exams again next week T-T, but I'll do my best. Many thanks to Midnight Memories for beta-ing this chapter even though she's super busy too. May which ever higher power up there who's paying attention to my rambling save both of us from the evil pile of work looming over our heads.

That's it for now.