Okay Mina, first of all I would like to beg beg beg for your forgiveness! I've been busy! No excuses I'm sorry :( please forgive me for the Belated update. Anyhow, some of you may not have read the updated chapter 12. If you haven't, please do before continuing to read this, if not you may be confused. Sorry! Bleh! really sorry! This is my most popular story and I don't wanna let any of you down! IM SORRY THIS IS SHORT! I WILL MAKE IT UP TO YOU

I DO NOT OWN NARUTO!

Chapter 13- * Splinters

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

It had been about a week since the team had returned early for their mission, due to Sasuke's leaking of the plan. Tsunade had requested to see him abruptly after their return and when he did, Sasuke explained to her in detail about the dream.

"Hmmm..." The Hokage said, placing a finger to her chin and staring the pale Uchiha in the eyes. She could tell that the dream had done more than scare him a little, after all, Kabuto was alive, and he was sick and twisted. She wouldn't put it past him To do those things in reality. As Sasuke explained, he seemed tense, and worried about Tenten, who was home and resting, but alone. He was antsy to insure her safety and it was clear by his actions, inflections and demeanor. But Tsunade knew that such a dream couldn't be meaningless, especially from the likes of an Uchiha. Granted, the boy probably had plenty of nightmares in his time, but the vividness of the dream, and what happened within it, was all too real to him. Tsundae also found it interesting that Tenten's alleged parents came up in the dream, and immediately, Tsunade wanted to test Tenten's DNA against Naruto's to see of there could be any relation whatsoever.

Finally, after much thought, Tsunade finally spoke. "Sasuke." She said, gently. Sasuke looked down at her, for he was standing across from her at her desk, unable to sit because of nerves. "Do you feel that this dream was more than just a dream, but a possible premonition of sorts?"

Sasuke narrowed his eyes and looked directly at the Hokage sternly. "Yes. I have no doubt." He replied in a monotone.

Tsunade then placed her hands on her desk and stood, she then walked around the desk and grabbed Sasuke by the collar. "Then let's do everything we can to protect her, got it?"

Sasuke was a bit unsure why Tsunade seemed to be threatening him, but it didn't matter. He agreed whole heartedly. He would protect Tenten at all costs, it didn't matter who came in his way, even if it was Taunade herself.. Sasuke also knew it would be easier to protect Tenten if he could openly express his feelings to her, and he resolved to do so soon, because those feelings grew significantly after the dream. The comfort she gave him, ignited something within him. "Yes ma'am." He managed to reply. Tsunade released him and brushed off his shirt.

"Have her stop by tomorrow, by then I should have some plan in motion. I want to keep her inside Konoha until I feel she is safe, but she won't like not being able to do any missions. I'll have to give her some kind of task or duty to distract her." Tsunade said as she rounded back to her desk and sat.

Sasuke nodded and began to walk out, before turning and looking back at the Hokage over his shoulder. "Thank you." he said, before exiting her office.

.

.

.

.

.

Sunset neared and The Uchiha made his way slowly through Konoha, knee deep in his own thought. Sasuke wanted to visit Tenten, but he also wanted to give her a little space. They'd been training so much together day in and day out, he was sure she must be tired of him. Still, though, Sasuke wanted to ensure her safety. How can I without being a stalker? Unless I just.. Barge in... ? No.. Well.. Yes? Ahh! He began fighting with himself mentally before suddenly being yanked from his thoughts as he heard a familiar female scream. Tenten?! Tenten was walking in his direction from the market place, and it seemed as though time was elapsing in slow motion. Two children had run by a merchant's cart of heavy building materials, causing it to tilt in Tenten's direction, her arms went up and crossed to block the blow, but before it collapsed on top of her, Sasuke rushed as fast as his feet could carry him, in front of her and shoved her out of the way just in time. Tenten stumbled backward and fell onto the ground with a thud and simultaneously, heavy blocks of wood and a few bits of scrap metal toppled onto Sasuke with a cloud of thick sawdust as dirt. Tenten sat up, mouth agape and hands trembling as she stared for a moment, almost waiting for the dust to settle itself.

"Sasuke!" She screamed, finally regaining herself. She stood quickly and rushed to the pile, not caring if it was dangerous or safe. Sasuke could be seriously injured and there was no way she was gonna leave him in there.

"No, it could be dangerous, ma'am" The merchant said, nervously.

"Do I look like I care if it's dangerous?!" Tenten snapped as she began tossing hunks of wood an metal to the side, desperately digging for her companion. More and more dust clouded and thickened the air around her. "Sasuke?!" She screamed as she dug. "Sasuke?!" Her voice cracked as she yelled for him, tears on the verge of falling.

"Hey." Came the Uchiha's voice, followed by a light gasp from the bun haired Konoichi as Sasuke's hand gently latched onto her wrist. "If you're not careful, you'll get splinters." He said, followed by a light chuckle.

"Where are you?" Tenten asked, desperately searching for him in the clouded air. Suddenly, she felt an arm wrap around her waist and soon after, she was being pulled away from the rubble until they were clear of it. Tenten looked Sasuke up and down. There's no way he got out of there unscathed. As Tenten looked, she realized he was covered in scrapes, bruises and little splinters, but his face had a smile that couldn't be denied. It was a different smile than Tenten had seen.

"You were really worried about me, huh?" He asked as he examined the perplexed girl before him.

Tenten blushed and pouted a bit as her chocolate eyes widened. Now, all of a sudden, he's teasing? He could've gotten really hurt. He could be hurt. We've gotta get him checked out. "Are you crazy? You could've gotten really hurt! We should go get you checked out." She said, almost scolding as she reached to grab his arm. Sasuke pulled away quickly.

"I'm fine. Just a few scratches." Sasuke replied stubbornly.

Tenten rolled her eyes and sighed. "I'm glad you're okay. At least let me help you get all those splinters out." She plead.

Sasuke wouldn't turn down her offer if it meant spending time with her and making sure she was okay, besides, he knew he would need help getting all the splinters out.

.

.

.

.

.

Sasuke sat on Tenten's toilet, shirtless, crinkling his nose and wincing a bit with each pluck of the tweezers. Tenten sat on a small stool directly in front of Sasuke with a small cup in her left hand and a pair of slanted tweezers in her right. His body was more bruised than she had anticipated, and she was almost positive his wrist was sprained, if not broken. She focused herself and stuck her tongue out as she examined his chest for any remaining splinters. So far she had counted at least 85. Oh Sasuke, you always seem to come to my rescue. At some point, I'll have to rescue you. She thought, as she plucked yet another splinter from his now red and irritated chest.

As if on cue, or if he had read her mind, Sasuke's hands found themselves atop Tenten's knees and he leaned himself close to her and rested his forehead against hers, breaking her focus completely. Tenten gasped lightly and blinked a few times as his dark orbs fixated themselves onto hers. "Thank you for doing this, Tenten." He said, with a slight smirk.

Tenten's heart pounded. What is this? I feel... "Y..you're welcome." She replied. "I owe you." She said, then looking away.

"For what?" Sasuke inquired, putting a hand beneath her chin and turning her gaze toward him once more.

"Everything..." She whispered. "You've done so much for me."

"Don't think this you haven't for me." Sasuke replied as he gently brushed her face with his hand. It was no longer possible for him to hold his feelings inside, it was spewing out of him and he could not stop it. Yes, it was new to him, and a bit scary, but he was willing to accept . Sure, they had kissed in the forest, and made some progress, but this was different. Sasuke realized that Tenten was special to him, and call it fate, destiny, whatever you may, he knew that it certainty wasn't coincidence that they happened to run into each other when she was in desperate need, wound up on the same team and began forming bonds. Truth was, she really wasn't the one in desperate need, he was. Sasuke was a different person all together because of Tenten, and he liked that person he had become.

"Sasuke..." Tenten said as she leaned into his touch looking up at him.

"I love you, Tenten." Sasuke whispered bravely.

"I..." Tenten said through trembling lips. "I'm beginning to love you too, Sasuke."