×Author's POV×
{At the age of eight)
Tenten's Story

Tenten Mitsachi, a girl with a loud, friendly, vivid personality. Her parents passed away recently. They were sent on a mission away from the village, they were both killed by rogue ninja from the hidden stone village. Despite the fact of having to be alone since such a young age she still remained as happy as she could be on the outside, but on the inside she felt lost, confused and most importantly, she felt lonely.

The third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi is the one who provides said child with all her necessities making sure she's got everything she needs to fill in the hole that was created on her heart due to the fact she had no one else but her parents.

Luckily, Tenten met someone else like her. Naruto Uzumaki, is his name. A boy who's parents died the day he was born.

Naruto and Tenten have been friends for three months and they are starting to develop a strong bond based on understanding on one another's loneliness.

Today, they are going to meet at Konoha's main river for the afternoon so they can spend time together because they don't want to feel alone.

The day passed on until it hit three o'clock. Both of them couldn't wait but to see eachother at the river.

As they went by the village to get to the woods they saw other two kids. Tenten then noticed Naruto had made it and ran off to greet him.

--"Naruto..."-- she said as she tackled him into a tight hug.

--"Hey Tenten!"-- he replied excitedly as they gave eachother a fist bump.

Tenten then leaned over to Naruto's shoulder and whispered to his ear, pointing at the two kids that were currently sitting on a log near the river.

--"I've never seen those two around here before...have you?"-- she asked him raising an eyebrow.

Naruto then lifted up his chin and glanced at the kids up ahead. --"Nope."-- he replied popping the 'p'. --"Are they both girls?"-- he asked tilting his head.

--"Hmm...I don't know... let's go check them out secretly."-- she suggested as they both tiptoed and hid behind a tree.

--"It's a boy and a girl."-- Naruto said as his eye's widened, --"Look at what they're wearing...."--, --"Geez, look at his hair...."-- he said pointing at the boy, --"it's super long!"-- he said almost yelling but Tenten quickly covered his mouth. --"Lower your voice Naruto, they could hear us."-- she told him practically scolding him. Yes, Tenten was loud herself but she knew when to control herself while Naruto on the other hand is way more carefree.

--"Who's there?"-- they heard someone say, the voice was noticeable enough to know it was the boy who had spoken.

Tenten and Naruto then froze where they were and attempted to make a run for it but miserably failed to do so because Naruto tripped over some rocks.

--"Ouch..."-- Naruto said as he sat up and rubbed his forehead and dusted himself off.

--"Naruto, you dummy...."-- Tenten stated giggling but that happy mood of theirs changed as soon as the two other kids walked up to them.

--"Who are you? And why were you spying on us?"-- the boy with pearly white eyes, pale skin and long hair asked.

--"We weren't spying on you, we just happened to be walking around..."-- Tenten told the boy who was currently trying to believe what she said.

Tenten then saw that Naruto was staring at the girl behind the long haired boy. She noticed the faint blush on both Naruto and the girl.

--"Hi! I'm Naruto, what about you?"-- he asked as he got closer to the girl, but then the boy took a step forward and hid the girl behind his back even more.

--"Lady Hinata, we should be leaving..."-- he stated with a frown.

--"What's his problem!?"-- Tenten thought as she gave said boy a hateful glare.

--"But Neji....they seem like nice people."-- she stated, attempting to greet Tenten and Naruto but Neji quickly took her hand and pulled her behind him.

--"I will not allow you to talk to them, or else I'll tell uncle you disobeyed his orders."-- Neji stated, threatening his cousin.

Tenten and Naruto were surprised by how Neji treated Hinata, so they both stepped in.

--"And who do you think you are, telling her what and what not to do!?"-- Naruto said while stepping forward with an irritated expression.

--"She's her own person! You shouldn't be bossing her around!"-- Tenten added, aggressively pointing at Neji.

Hinata felt overwhelmed by the scene taking place, she then looked over to her cousin worryingly.

A dark aura covered the boy's face, clenching his fists. It was obvious he was annoyed.

--"Why don't you two mind your own business!"-- Neji answered, loosing his formality.

Tenten and Naruto were about to give a piece of their minds but that quickly changed when Neji spoke again.

--"Sorry...that was rude of me, I suppose..."-- Neji stated. Making Hinata look at him surprised.

Naruto and Tenten gave eachother a confused look but they shrugged the thought off and gave Neji a warmed hearted smile.

--"Why don't we introduce ourselves....in my opinion, that first impression wasn't to pleasant."-- Hinata suggested.

--"Yeah you're right. I'll go first, my name is Tenten Mitsachi and I'm eight years old!"-- Tenten said with a proud smile.

--"And I'm Naruto Uzumaki, seven years old. Believeeee it!"---Naruto said, throwing a thumb's up at Neji's and Hinata's faces.

--"Neji Hyūga...eight years old...hn..."-- Neji said plainly.

--"I'm Hinata Hyūga, and I'm seven years old...nice to meet you..."-- she shyly said as she extended her hand towards Naruto.

Naruto then folded his hand into a fist and extended his arm towards Hinata, making her look at him dumbfounded.

--"It's a fist bump, don't tell me you've never given one to someone."-- Naruto stated chuckling.

--"I-I actually have....never fist bumped with someone."-- Hinata stated looking at the ground disappointed as she took her hand away, but before she could fully remove her hand Naruto took a hold of it and folded her hand into a fist.

He then fist bumped with Hinata and gave her a smile. --"That's how ya do it."--

At this, Hinata blushed slightly and nodded.

--"So, what was your name again?"-- Tenten asked Neji teasingly as she gave him a smirk.

--"Don't act cocky around me, I know you heard me when I stated it."-- Neji said giving Tenten an emotionless reaction.

--"Geez, you're so boring."-- Tenten told him placing her hands at the back of her head while smiling. She didn't mind Neji's comment. She had made new acquaintances. And that was something she always had trouble doing.

--"And you're childish."-- Neji stated, now, giving Tenten a faint half smile as he crossed his arms.

Tenten then slightly shouldered Neji. --"We're still kids."-- she answered cleverly.

Neji then closed his eyes and slightly chuckled. --"You're right."-- he replied.

Then they heard footsteps approaching them.

--"Lady Hinata, Neji....we need to go, we're late for dinner!"-- Hinata's bodyguard, Katō, said in a hurry.

Hinata then politely bowed down and gave her best smile. --"It was nice meeting you, till next time."-- she said waving her farewells while Neji just gave them a smile, walking besides Hinata.

When they left, Naruto then glanced over at Tenten, wide eyed.

--"We. Made. New. Friends!"-- he stated cheerfully.

Tenten then smirked at Naruto. --"Yeah, and you definitely like Hinata."-- she said.

Naruto instantly turned red. --"N-No I d-do-don't!"-- he denied, stomping his left foot onto the ground and placing his hands on his hips.

Tenten then raised an eyebrow while shrugging her shoulders. --"Sure.... whatever you say Naruto."--

And as of this day they met the love of their lives...

♠~♠~♠

I'll be updating Neji's story later, hope you enjoyed it.💞

Bye👑