It had been approximately 28 days since she saw him again. He looked painfully awkward and bland next to Yamanaka Ino with her bright outfit and personality, but he was in the flower shop by his own free will (as in, he had not been body-snatched by Yamanaka Ino).
It was too soon to see him again right now. 28 days were not enough to get rid of that incident in Section 19 of the library. The brunette wished she could walk away but now that she had caught his eye, it would look too suspicious to pretend she was here by mistake and catch Ino at a different time. She had to deliver a message to Ino, only because her work had been complimented by Tsunade and the crafty woman had quickly wangled Tenten's interest and turned her into a messenger. Well… let's get this over with.
"Hey Ino… Sai," she added after a pause, realising it would be quite rude to ignore him when he was there too. "I have a message from Hokage-Sama."
Sai offered the brunette his usual, plastic smile whilst Ino managed a better one. The flower girl's ears were red and Tenten couldn't believe that Ino was enjoying the attention of Sai. Anyone with an analytical mind could see that Sai was about as honest as a banker.
"We have a mission together with Neji," Tenten returned Ino's smile but didn't bother looking at Sai again.
Instead of being pleased like Tenten thought Ino should be, she looked like she was considering suicide.
"What about Lee?" Ino spluttered, looking stricken tones. "Or Gai-Sensei! Why him of all people!"
The Mindwalker ninja looked thoroughly appalled at having to work together with Hyuuga Neji, a fact that Tenten couldn't seem to understand. Since they were all Chuunin, Neji was the only Jounin, it was an honour to be considered to go on a mission with him. However, Ino was pacing behind the flower shop's counter and muttering to herself.
"I'm a kunoichi… I can do this… yes… idiot… cow…" those were the only words Tenten or Sai could make out.
She was about to bid her farewell after she told Ino to meet them at dawn tomorrow until Sai dropped his fake smile and stared at Tenten.
"You shouldn't go on that mission, Tenten-San."
Tenten walked out of the flower shop as fast as she could, but she knew that he saw her flinch before she left.