A/N: It's Neji's birth month, so I wanted to write something for the occasion. I hope you like it :)

Tenten looked nervously into her mirror. A week ago Neji had invited her to his coming of age celebration at the Hyuga compound. It was the first time that such a traditional celebration would be held for a branch member, a sign of the changing clan structure. Tenten was happy for Neji. He finally got the recognition that he had fought so long for.

Despite that Neji was a jonin now, they were almost always together, no matter if they were training or going on missions. The little bit of free time that they had in their busy schedule, they spent together as well. Over the years they had become not only teammates but best friends. The trust and the bond their shared was special. Tenten had never felt so close to anyone else, so it had been inevitable that over time she had fallen in love with him. However she would never tell him her true feelings. Neji wasn't interested in love, he had his goals in life and this wasn't one. Tenten had known from the moment she had realized that she had fallen in love with him, that she didn't want to lose their bond over this. Just being by his side had to be enough.

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Tenten took one last look into the mirror. Neji had told her that the dress code was white, not surprising considering it was a Hyuga celebration, so she was wearing a white Chinese dress with a few golden accents. It was one of the few dresses that she owned. Despite that it was modest in length, going a little over her knees, it accentuated her curves that she normally hid. She wasn't an expert like Ino when it came to styling, but she had to admit that she had done a good job with her hair and the light make-up. Her Chinese earrings and white flats were the final touches. Taking a deep breath she left her apartment.

The compound was beautifully decorated when she arrived. Everyone was wearing white and so far Tenten had only seen Hyguas and none of her friends. Then she saw Hinata walking over to her. Thankful that she knew someone between the otherwise unfamiliar faces, she smiled at her friend. The young Hyuga heiress immediately returned her smile.

"You look beautiful. Leaving your hair open, suits you."

"Thank you, Hinata. Your kimono is beautiful too. I'm happy that Neji finally gets the recognition he deserves."

"It was the idea of my father. He wanted to make the change, that he promised Neji, happen as fast as possible."

"That is very honorable of him." Tenten said and looked around again. "Not that I don't like talking to you, but where is the rest of our friends?"

Hinata was more than a little confused. She knew that Neji wasn't very open and far from talkative, but hadn't he told Tenten about the basics of the celebration at all?

"You're the only non Hyuga here, Tenten. This celebration is one of the most important ones in a Hyuga's life. Normally no one outside of the clan is allowed to be here for it. Neji asked permission from my father and the council for you to be here."

At the way Tenten's eyes widened, Hinata realized that her friend hadn't known that. Of course was Hinata aware of how strongly the weapon mistress felt for her cousin, but was she really this obvious to how important she was to him as well. Never before had Neji asked anything of her father or the council, but for Tenten he had done so despite how much pride it must have cost him. When it came to his best friend, he was so different and Hinata had seen the change with everyday they had spent together. There was only one reason for Neji to ask Tenten to be here and if Hinata was correct that would change everything.

Before Tenten could fully collect her thoughts, the announcement was made that the ceremony was about to start. It was the first time that she saw Neji today. Just like every other Hyuga here he was wearing white robes. He stood next to Hiashi while the clan head was holding a speech in his honor. Tenten didn't know how formal celebrations normally went. The only official celebration she had taken part in was when Tsunade had been announced as the new Hokage. Considering that Neji had only told her the dress code and time of this celebration, Hiashi's next words left her breathless.

"As it is tradition, with Neji officially become a man today, he has to announce who he wants to marry to secure the future of the Hyuga clan."

Hiashi's words made Tenten's heart squeezed painfully. It was as if his words were one of her beloved kunais that was now stuck deep inside her heart. Neji would announce his future wife. Of course had she known that he would have to marry, the Hyuga clan was nothing if not traditional, but she hadn't thought that she was about to lose him already. Then again she never really had him. Sure, she was important to him or she wouldn't be here, but she was only his best friend. She had thought that she could live with that, but now she knew that she couldn't. Seeing him with someone else by his side, would be too painful. For the first time in her life Tenten felt like she couldn't look at him. Her heart was beating too fast, her eyes felt too wet and she was sure that she was trembling. She had to get away from here before anyone noticed. She was about to turn around and make a run for it when a gentle hand on her wrist stopped her.

"Please stay. You won't regret it." Hinata whispered softly.

No matter how much she trusted Hinata, Tenten was still about to leave when Neji spoke up.

"Thank you for your words, Hiashi-sama. As is tradition, I should announce now who I intend to marry. Normally I would be expected to marry someone from our own clan, but I choose the woman who is always by my side. It's a change from tradition, but so is that she is already here. The woman I intend to marry is Tenten."

Tenten felt hundred pairs of famous Hyuga eyes on her, but there was only one she could focus on and that was Neji's. He was looking straight at her with an expression in his eyes that she had never seen before. Slowly his words processed in her mind. She had thought that her heart couldn't beat faster, but at this moment that was proven wrong. How could one man turn one of her most painful moments into the best one of her life? Was he really breaking tradition for her and choosing her over someone from his own clan?

In a trance Tenten barely noticed that Hinata was talking to her, but nothing of what she was saying registered in her mind. Her eyes never left Neji, who now walked over to her with Hiashi by his side. While Hiashi had appeared cold during the official speech now, that he stood in front of her, he seemed more approachable.

"Tenten, I welcome you to the family. It was to be expected that my nephew would choose you. I have to say that he chose wisely. Your reputation as Konoha's weapon mistress is recognized even in the Hyuga clan. I wish you two all the best for the future." With that and one last look at his nephew, he left.

After Hiashi was out of sight neither Neji nor Tenten said anything. It was Hinata who finally suggested that the two should talk in private. Nodding in agreement, Neji gently took a hold of Tenten's hand and lead her away from the celebration to the small koi pond on the compound. When they faced each other he let go of her hand and just looked at her. She was beautiful. If it was during a battle or in a dress, to him it didn't matter. They had been through so much together and when Hiashi had asked him weeks ago who he wanted to marry, he had realized what his heart had always known. He loved her and probably had for a while. He couldn't imagine a life without her. They were already mission partners since he had become a jonin, now he wanted to be her partner in life as well.

Words had never been his strong suit, so after the realization that he loved her, he had thought that telling her through the announcement would be the best idea. It would show her how serious he was about her and his clan could meet the most important woman in his life. Looking at her expression and the way she had started pacing, made him second-guess his plan. Her next words only made him worry more about his way of confession.

"Neji, you never even told me that you like me. We never went on a date or even kissed and now you announced in front of your whole clan that you want to marry me."

"So you don't want to marry me?" For the first time since she had known him, he sounded insecure.

This was such a roundabout way of confessing, but then again this was Neji. He had grown up in a traditional clan and he had never been someone who was very open with his emotions. However there was only one thing that was important.

"Do you love me?"

"Of course I love you, otherwise I wouldn't have asked you to marry me."

A beautiful smile took over Tenten's lips and she stepped closer to him. This was not how she had imagined his love confession to go, but in the end that didn't matter. What was important was that he returned her feelings.

"Hyuga Neji, you're really something else, but I love you too and I'll marry you."

The young Hyuga had just enough time to let his lips twitch into a small smile before Tenten met his lips with hers. It wasn't a traditional way of starting a relationship, but then again the only thing that mattered was that they loved each other.

A/N: Please review and tell me what you think :)