Chapter Thirteen.
New-found Friend.

It's amazing how the days passed by. The memory of my first day on the job's still crystal clear. How I walked into the gym's locker room, only to be greeted by the half-naked form of the basketball team's captain, the campus heartthrob, Hyuga Neji. How he desperately wanted me to quit. I never would have imagined that two weeks later, I'd find myself standing beside him outside the principal's office, with a decision that we were both happy to make.

"Come in.", Tsunade's voice called out from behind the wooden door. Neji took a step forward and grabbed on to the door knob. Without further hesitation, he made himself welcome and stepped in. I followed, only a few steps behind.

Principal Tsunade was there, sitting on her office chair, facing the two of us. "Time's up.", she said with a slight smile. "I assume you two have already made up your minds." She gestured for us to sit down on the two chairs opposite her desk.

We both took our seats. Tsunade leaned towards us, her elbows on her desk's surface. "Well, what is it then?"

The room remained silent. I felt the need to say something. I was just about to open my mouth when Neji started talking.

"We have arrived at a decision regarding this matter not too long ago.", he started. He wasn't looking at Tsunade, instead, he was staring at the floor. That's weird, this was so not like him.

"It has been decided that Tenten would remain as the team's manager.", yes, this was what we have talked about. Considering that the two of us are now in good terms, and the Taekwondo tournament's not in a few months, I told him that it would be okay for me to keep the job, just as long as it was okay with him.

"The past two weeks have been.. very interesting.", he said with a smirk. I couldn't help it but smile at his remark. Tsunade must have seen this, as she directed the next question to me.

"Did you find things interesting as well, Tenten?", she asked with a hint of amusement. It's obvious that she's enjoying herself right now.

I smiled at her, "Of course I did.", and then she started to laugh, only that this time, it was the more dignified version of her usual laughter (which involved a higher volume and hitting whatever is within reach).

"You see, I told you you'd get along.", she said.

"Surprised me too.", I answered.

"But...", Neji's deep voice then brings tension.

Tsunade's face slowly turned blank as she looked at Neji with her honey colored eyes. Clearly, there was something wrong.

"But what?", she asked him. Neji looked up at her.

"I think it's not fair, for things to turn out this way.", he said in his usual monotone voice.

"What?", we asked him at the same time. He didn't move.

"I.. in a way.. acted stubborn towards this matter. Konoha High shouldn't be allowed to play in the Tournament."

What did he say? He didn't need to say that, we already agreed to forget everything that's happened before, but he did say it anyway. I should've known that he was going to do this. Neji's just too much of an ideal man for his own good.

The room was quiet for a short while, until the sound of Tsunade's clipboard slamming on to her desk shattered the silence.

"Well, when you put it that way, I guess, it's only fair to not allow you guys to play..", she turned her chair slightly until she was facing my direction. "Right, Tenten?", she smirked.

"No.. that's not right ma'am. I think we should allow them.", I answered her. I saw Neji turning to me, with his pale eyes widened. I ignored him. "They have to play."

Tsunade's face twisted in to a frown. "But, won't that be a problem? Considering the deal we made? Won't it be unfair?"

"Will be it be problem if you would just give him another punishment, instead? This is a matter between the two of us, it doesn't need to concern the whole team."

As I said this, it felt as if the tension in room was a bit thicker. Tsunade's frown was gone, though. Her face was blank.

"What do you suggest we should do then?", she said, lifting her brows. So this is what she was aiming for. She's been probably aware of the fact that Neji's been torturing me before, and wants to get me back at him this time. Oh, how I love this woman right here.

"How about...", I turned to Neji. His eyes were on me, his features were blank though. Still, I could tell that he was eagerly waiting for my answer. That's when I finally figured out what I wanted. "How about Captain Hyuga helps me mop the gym after practices?", I smiled.

Tsunade looked at me, a bit shocked at my request, maybe. The corners of her lips formed a smile. "If that's what you want."

Neji remained silent, his eyes still on me.

"You're dismissed.", and on Tsunade's orders, we left the room.

After our visit to Tsunade's office, I went off, running for the cafeteria. I was starving, I hadn't eaten breakfast this morning. I was worried about getting late for this meeting with Tsunade, she has demanded we have the short discussion before our classes. After this, I'd make my way to my class' homeroom. We have free period first, so it's really okay to take things slow.

I was already at the cashier, paying for my croissant when I noticed that Hyuga Neji has followed me here. What was he doing here? I thought he already went to class. He was right beside me.

"Want some?", gesturing to the piece of bread I just purchased. He shook his head.

"What was that about?", he asked me in a stern voice.

"What was what about?", I took the bread out of the plastic and bit a mouthful. I started to walk.

"Why'd you let me off so easily?", he was still following me. I swallowed and then answered him.

"It's hard mopping alone, you know?", I answered with a laugh. I could tell that he wasn't buying it, even though this was the truth. Well, part of the truth maybe.

"That's it?", he grabbed my shoulder and made me face him. I guess I should answer him honestly, since we're friends and all now.

"No, that's not it.", I smiled at him, but he frowned in return.

"Why then?", maybe he really was upset about this. Maybe he really was bent on doing the right thing. But frankly, right or wrong, I couldn't care less, they have to play.

So here's a shot at the truth. "This is your dream, Neji. I can't let you waste it on something like that.", his face then went back to its usual stoic expression. "And besides.. it'll be fun having someone to talk to while I mop up the floors.", and then he finally smiled.

His hand landed on the top of my head. "Hn."

After that, it seemed like everything was easy-going. We walked in a slow pace, not minding the time. Neji finally agreed to have a piece of my croissant, the third time I asked him. You see, the croissant they sell at the cafeteria is bigger than usual. Hence, it's a little more expensive. I never managed to finish one myself. Originally, I was planning on saving some for later.

"Skipped breakfast?", Neji asked as he took a bite.

"Yeah. I was afraid I'll be late for today's early morning meeting. Didn't have the time to cook for myself.", I said. I turned to him. It looked like he was thinking of something.

I wonder why Neji wasn't in a hurry to get into class. It was clear that he was already late.

"Hey, are you sure you're okay with being late?", I asked him. He smirked.

"Nah. It's fine. Kakashi-sensei doesn't arrive until class is almost over.", so this is why the straight-A, Hyuga Neji, has been so cool about walking around with me.

"How many minutes have passed, by the way? Ten?", I asked him casually.

He looked at his wristwatch. "Thirty."

"Oh. I have free period, so it's totally fine too.", I said and I flashed the class schedule printed at the back of my school ID. He looked at it for a brief moment, and then smirked again.

"You sure? Aren't you supposed to be having Math?"

I looked at my schedule. He was right. I must've looked at the wrong day.. And Miss Kurenai hates nothing more that late students. I am so dead.

We were already in the second floor seniors' building, Our room was just around the corner. As if on impulse, I made a run for it. "Sorry, Neji, gotta go!"

That afternoon, I walked alongside Neji on our way to the school gym for basketball practice.

"I can't believe I got my schedule wrong.", I said. It was my first time talking to him, since this morning.

"Hn. What's so unbelievable?", he asked with a smirk. So he was making fun of me now, huh?

"Yeah. Yeah. It's not my fault I'm not as smart as you are."

"You don't have to be smart to read a class schedule right.", he looked at me with a serious face. "You're hopeless."

I stared at him. And then he smirked. "Kidding."

"You really are a mean person, you know that?"

Practice went by quickly. Instead of a practice game, the team went on with basic drills, dribbling, passing, and the like. And soon, everyone was gone, leaving me with Captain Hyuga to clean up.

We finished cleaning up in silence. After the whole gym has been mopped and squeaky clean , we found ourselves sitting on the floor at the edge of the court. After thinking about it for a while, I finally spoke up, asking him something I wanted to ask for so long. "So, how'd you get in to basketball, by the way?"

"It's a boring story.", he said with a sigh.

"I'll listen.", I answered, and so he started to tell his story.

"There was this time, when I was young. You may have already noticed, but I'm some sort of a genius.", I laughed at this. He smirked. "See, even someone like you is aware of that."

"Cocky bastard.", I muttered. And then he started chuckling.

"Well, anyway, seeing that I was this prodigy, everyone wanted me to be the heir, except my grand father maybe. So since then, I've been treated as if I was the eldest son of the main family, much already was expected from me. Nobody objected, even my Uncle, whose eldest child was supposed to be the heir, wanted me to take his place instead.", there was little I knew about his family. The Hyuga clan, one of the richest people around, maybe even richer than the Uchihas. With the almighty Hyuga Neji as their heir.

"My life was pretty simple. I went to school to study, and the moment I get home, I go back to studying. It was crazy.", he looked at me and smiled. I nodded, gesturing him to go on.

"I never needed to study though, I had an IQ of 200, dammit. But nevertheless, I followed. Not that I could fake things, I was being watched 24/7 back then.", I couldn't help it but stare at his expression. Moments like this don't really happen everyday. They hardly happen at all. Getting Neji to talk.. I was finally convinced that he was human, too.

"Soon, I got sick of it. Then I ran.", he looked at me, as if to see my reaction. A second later, he was looking another way. "I got to the park. I've never been there before, though I was almost ten years old by then.. Have you been there?"

"I haven't been there..", I said, it was almost a whisper.

"Come on then.", he stood up and then reached his hand towards me. I grabbed on and he pulled me up. Minutes later we arrived at the park. It wasn't as big as the one we've got in the province though.

With his bag on his shoulder, he walked over to a basket just a little taller than he is. He faced me and then smiled that angelic smile of his. "This is it."

I couldn't help it but smile back. It was strange. But somehow, I felt as if I'd known him my whole life.

"Kids were playing basketball here then, basketball minus half of the game's rules.", he smirked. "They asked me if I wanted to play, they taught me how. And before they knew it..."

"Let me guess, before they knew it, you were better than all of them?", I said with a giggle.

"You're smarter than you look.", and then we both started laughing. "Since then, every time I felt like I'm only inches from going over the edge, I play."

We sat under a nearby tree soon after. He was leaning against the trunk, I was on the other side of it, we just sat there. It was nice actually. The birds gave the place life, and you can barely hear the cars as the roads are several meters from our spot.

"Hey.", he finally spoke up. I went over to his side of the tree. He was leaning against the trunk with his eyes closed.

"What?", I asked. He opened his eyes then.

"Thank you.", he said. "You're the first one to hear that story, you know that?"

I laughed. "I know. You aren't the talkative one."

"Hn. No I'm not."

"Maybe you're starting to change.", I smiled at him. He shook his head at my remark.

"No. It's not me.", this confused me a little, causing me to frown. He then placed his thumb on my forehead, like he was trying to straighten my frown out. "It's you."

I looked at him in silence. I didn't know what to say.

"There's something about you that makes me want to tell you everything.", at that, my frown vanished and was replaced by a smile. There's something about Neji too. Something that makes me want to listen to him.

The next day, I woke up a little earlier than usual. I'm sure Miss Kurenai won't like it if I come late two consecutive days. I got dressed as fast as I could. I decide to skip breakfast once more. I'll just grab a snack on the cafeteria before class.

I got in to my uniform. My bag was resting on my study table, ready to go. After I put on my shoes, I quickly made my way towards the door.

I almost didn't notice the small paper bag on the floor, right outside my door. I took it and read the words written on the small white card attached to it.

"Breakfast. In case you decide to skip again.", it said in clean print. I looked inside and saw two croissants. There was something else too. A small card about the size of my ID. A little bigger though. It was a laminated copy of my class schedule! How on earth did something get there? More importantly, how could someone know my sched?

I took the laminated card. It had something written in the back too. "A simpler one. The one you have is too complicated for your brain.", it said, in the same handwriting as the white card on the paper bag. Right then, I knew where all these came from.

I smiled to myself. Hyuga Neji really is something else.