Neji had been thinking. Thinking is a normal activity, and Neji is a great mind. However, the thinking of a great mind can be dangerous. VERY dangerous.

Fortunately, he'd been thinking about breakfast.

As he broke some eggs into a black frying pan, he began thinking about Tenten with a dark expression. This was more dangerous thinking. It wasn't that it was dangerous for Tenten, in fact, he felt all of the danger rested upon his own shoulders. But how could that be? Tenten might be dangerous, but not to him. He just didn't understand it.

It had been nearly a week since she'd said goodbye to him on that night, and nothing in their friendship had changed. He felt that it should have by now. He wasn't sure exactly how, but everytime he thought too deeply about it, it gave him chills and his face would flush. It scared him, so he tried not to think too much about it.

Neji now considered presenting this situation to Hinata. This was not something he was accustomed to doing, however, Hinata had great insight and would never tell of his predicament. She was also the only girl other than Tenten that he was on such close terms with, not counting Hanabi. Hanabi, he felt, was just too young to really understand his problems. Yes, Hinata was the person to ask.

Neji finished his eggs and set out to find Hinata. She wouldn't be training today, he was sure. He vaguely remembered hearing something about her meeting naruto for lunch. "That blockhead..." he mumbled, shaking his head. Naruto was about as oblivious to Hinata's affections as a rock. What a dobe. Neji decided to kill some time reading until about noon, then he'd search the obvious location, Ichiraku's, for the couple. "Ah, Naruto..." Neji mumbled to himself. Romance was not one of his gifts.

Neji walked to his shelves and scanned the spines of the many volumes, searching for something to read. He had already devoured every book he owned, but took comfort in rereading familiar favorites. Just as he was about to select one, he recalled that Hinata had given him a new book for his birthday last year. It looked stupid, so he had neglected to read it. However, he was in the mood for something new.

The book, which he located under his bed with a rolled up sweater and an old sock, was one filled with short stories and fairy tales. It was "light reading" or whatever. Neji flipped it open and delved into the first story his thumb rested on. Immediately he was repulsed; it was a romance! Furrowing his brow, he decided to finish it, just because.

It was something lame about a boy living by the sea who decided to go and seek his fortune. His family was well off, but he was not happy. So he went out into the world and squandered his money and hardened his heart. Then, one day, he found he had nothing left. The selfish boy sent for more money, but no reply came from his home for weeks, and he grew hungry.

The young man resolved to go back to his home, if they would take him, wondering if they'd even recognize him after so many years. He had realized he was wrong to reject what had been given to him. When he arrived, however, his house had come to ruin. No one was left. He soon discovered the shack where the servants used to live was still being used, and requested to be let in.

In the old servants' shack, he found only the young kitchen maid from so many years ago; his childhood friend from the days before he'd developed a sense of pride. That pride, of course, was now gone. He had nothing and was dressed in rags. Even the servant girl lived better than he. She explained to him that his family had all died of a foreign illness borne on imported food.

The man requested to stay, because he had nowhere else to go. The servant girl pitied him and, remembering the days when he was her friend, decided he could stay. But, he'd have to earn his keep. She put him to work, and the work humbled him. One day, he woke and realized that he was truly happy. When he looked across the room and saw her singing by the fire, he knew why. So, he asked her to marry him. They lived happily ever after.

Blah blah blah. Neji finished the book. What a waste of time!

Neji looked at the clock. It was still too early to go to Ichiraku's, and he could think of only one other thing to do: spend time with Tenten.

Where would she be? he wondered, wandering around konoha. He activated his byakugan (this situation was serious enough, he decided) and began to look for her. Moments later, he discovered her chakra, lurking by a fountain somewhere in town. She was alone, and she was reading.

Neji approached the area, his mind still whirring regarding strange recent occurences. "Tenten," he said. Ok, he had a friend. It didn't mean he was amazing at conversation starters.

"Hey, Neji!" she cried, jumping up from her place on the edge of the fountain. "How's it going?"

Neji shrugged. Well, it wasn't so much a shrug as an awkward twitch. "I was waiting around until I could go find Hinata," he said, honestly.

"What for?" Tenten asked. she lengthened her stride to match his. Funny, Neji hadn't even noticed they were walking.

"Well, I wanted to ask her for advice."

Tenten smirked. "The great Hyuuga Neji asking his female cousin for advice?"

Neji looked away, slightly ashamed.

"What's that look for?" Tenten asked. "We all need advice sometimes, don't we?"

"I suppose..."

"Of course! Human beings need other human beings. We were just made that way. Nobody can do it all alone."

Suddenly, Neji recalled the romance story he'd read not an hour ago. Lonliness had turned even the foolhardy and hateful son back to his family. The fleeting emotion that came with that revelation he quickly dismissed; Hyuugas did not feel emotions.

***FLASHBACK

"Tou-chan, can I ask you something?" Young Neji's face colored; he didn't make eye contact. "What is it?" Hizashi asked, as concerned as any father could be. "If someone didn't like you, what would you do?" There was a moment of silence. "Well, I suppose it depends on their reason for not liking me," he replied, logically. "What if you don't know?" Neji asked. "Is something troubling you, son?" Hizashi countered Neji's question with a question; he could sense his child was close to tears. "Uncle doesn't like me. I can tell. He looks at me so strangely..." Hizashi sighed. "Your uncle loves you, he just doesn't know what to make of you. After all, you're his only nephew."

END FLASHBACK***

When his family could do no more for him...

"You'll be there," Neji said, almost under his breath.

"What?"

Neji felt his face flush. He hadn't realized he was talking out loud.

"I just...well, I'll have you to ask for advice, right?"

Tenten grinned. "Of course!"

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