×Tenten's POV×
{A few years later...}

--" I'm gonna be late for my first day at the academy! No, no, no!"-- I ran as fast as I could, making my way through the dusty hallways...--" Man... this place stinks!"-- I thought while sneezing a couple of times.

I was in front of my class now. 3B....was the classroom I was put to.

I tried my best to quietly slip the door open but for my luck...it seemed like everyone was expecting me. --"Tenten Mitsachi, you're 30 seconds late."-- Iruka Sensei stated while looking at the classroom clock. He was currently sitting down on the desk in front of the class.

--"30 seconds is nothing! That can't count as being late!"-- I argued out.

--"It's still past the time the bell rings. No matter how you put it, you were still late anyways."-- he justified. I just frowned at his comment....--"Wait till Naruto gets to meet him..."--

--"Now take a seat at the corner of the right back row. It's the only place left....since you were late."-- he ordered, pointing at my seat.

I quickly looked back...
I'm sitting next to...
Neji!

My face lit up from seeing who was the boy I was going to be seated next to. --"My bestfriend!"-- (Besides Naruto, of course)

As I made my way up the stairs I heard some whispers hear and there...and some hateful glares. But I ignored them since I was used to it.

--"I was right. You did wake up later than usual."--Neji said with a small smirk, not taking his eye's of the board as he payed attention to Iruka Sensei's class.

--"Ohh shut it, that was just coincidental."-- I stated rolling my eyes as I sat down.

~•Flashback•~
Last night....

I went to Neji's house since I had a nightmare...the Hyūga residence wasn't far away from my house so it was a ten minute walk.

I quietly walked inside without being noticed... I've gotten good at sneaking in places, especially this one. Since I always come here when I get my nightmares...cuz Naruto always has his door locked. Plus, he snores really loud.

I slipped Neji's bedroom door open and walked inside, shutting it behind me.

I got closer to him... admiring his peaceful face as he slept. I poked his shoulder gently.

He grunted a little as he opened his eyes.

--"Let me guess. Nightmare?"-- he asked lazily.

I just nodded in agreement, he took my wrist and pulled me up to his bed.

--"Come here, you'll be fine."-- he said as he placed an extra pillow next to him. I laid down next to him without saying a single word.

--"You know, our first day at the academy is tomorrow. You better rest up."-- he reminded me.

--"Yeah...I know, I'll wake up in time..."-- I said as my eyes began tu see blurry.

I always left the Hyūga residence before sunrise, and that was at six o'clock. School started at eight and it was currently nine p.m.

--"Just don't oversleep. Or you'll get up later than usual."-- were the last things I heard him say.

Next thing I know, I hear my alarm clock ringing.

I opened my eye's and sat up, rubbing them as I yawned and stretched.

I looked over to the clock on my nightstand. --"7:38! I'm gonna be late for class! Wait....how did I get here!? I completely forgot to wake up...."-- I thought panicking as I went to get ready.

~•End of Flashback•~

--"You still haven't lost that attitude of yours. I would appreciate a small token of gratitude."-- He whispered softly so Iruka Sensei wouldn't hear him.

--"Ahaaa... I'm so rude! I didn't even thank him properly for taking me back to my house!"--

--"T-thanks..."-- I managed to say stuttering.

He simply --"Hn."-- at my so called token of gratitude...

Hours passed by......ughhhhhhh! This was hell!

I decided to just take a nap while the last period of class came. We were supposed to learn about taijutsu.

But Iruka Sensei had to leave because he needed to take care of an errand.

--"Alright, class dismissed."-- he said as he walked out of the classroom.

I didn't really have anything else to do so I was planning on staying a little longer there.

Until I heard someone complaining.

--"No! That's not fair! Taijutsu is my specialty! Why do we have to miss this class out of all the other's!"--

I raised my head up annoyed. --"Did he have to be so loud? Sensei didn't even hear him anyways..."--

I then felt someone slam their bag in front of my face. I slightly jumped back.

--"Hey! What was that for!?"-- I asked as I looked at the person next to me, who was standing up.

--"Try not to be so loud, Tenten. Ohh, and don't forget there's class tomorrow...get here early."-- Neji said with an emotionless expression. I just took my stuff and scooted over so he could pass. I ignored what he said and simply decided to stay quiet. He walked down the stairs until the boy who was complaining earlier bumped into Neji.

--"You're that Hyūga! I challenge you to a fight!"-- he said taking a battle stance.

--"Huh? What does he mean by 'that' Hyūga?-- I muttered as I stood up to check what was gonna happened. Neji looked .... irritated.

--"Get lost."-- Neji told the boy as he walked away.

But the boy blocked the door. --"Is it true? You're the Hyūga prodigy? If so, take me on, here and now!"-- he demanded.

I was about to help Neji out until I saw...

The Byakugan....

Neji swiftly poked the boy's shoulder with two of his fingers from his right hand. Causing the boy to freeze up. And cough a slight amount of blood.

--"Neji! Stop it!"-- I shouted as my eyes widened to the horrible scene taking place.

His eyes softened when he saw me...and he just walked away....

I ran up to the boy he had just injured and kneeled down to him, because he fell.

--"He hit one of his chakra points..."-- I thought as I took the boy by his other arm and walked with him to the academies infirmary.

--"Thank you."-- he said smiling.

--"I just did what anyone else would've done. But please, don't taunt my friend again....he can be a little... harsh..."-- I told the boy as the scene of Neji hurting him popped up to my mind... repeating itself...

I shook my head and ran away, --"See you tomorrow, take care!"-- I shouted at the boy as I went to my house.

~∆~∆~∆~

Well here's another chapter. Hope you enjoyed and see you in the next one.

Byeeeee✨