"There, all done!" Ayame finished putting Tenten's hair up in a braided bun and held it down with a beautiful wine colored hairpin that matched her dress.

Tenten looked at herself through the dressing mirror in front of them. Ayame really outdid herself for her. From the makeup to the dress to the hair everything was just perfect, simple yet beautiful and elegant. "Wow Ayame..." She was speechless.

"You look stunning! And that dress fits you better than it ever did me, you should keep it." The burgundy dress was an old one of Ayame's, a simple bodycon that stopped a few inches above her knees. It hugged Tenten's body so nicely that one wouldn't think it was a borrowed dress at first glance. Now Ayame was giving it to her.

"I couldn't..it's-" Tenten could not just accept this nice of a dress.

"It's beautiful on you and you should keep it." The older woman insisted with a smile. She left no room for refusal. Tenten had to cave in.

"Thank you so much Ayame. I love it."

Ayame giggled. "When does your ride arrive?" She asked, reaching for a black coat for Tenten because it was still cold out despite being in the middle of March. The days were warm enough but nights were a different story. Tenten accepted the coat thankfully.

"It should arrive by seven." It was a few minutes past. As if on cue Tenten's phone dinged, signalling the arrival of her ride. Tenten grabbed her purse and the gift bag containing sake she got for the date. "Oh just in time. I'll be off now."

"Take care and have fun! Make sure to stay the night. Oh and don't forget to use protection!"

Tenten's ears flushed red like she was new to the words. She wasn't but all this setup had been was a dinner date and nothing more. She didn't even think of the possibility of that happening. Now that Ayame put the idea in her head it refused to leave.

"It's just a dinner date!" Tenten uttered, flustered. Ayame didn't look like she believed her if the sly smirk on her face was anything to go by. Still she said nothing about it and pushed Tenten forward instead.

"Don't keep your ride waiting now, off you go."

"Thank you Ayame. For everything." Ayame waved her off.

"It's nothing."

The ride was nothing like Tenten expected. Sure she knew that Neji was rich and that he offered to order a ride to come pick her up but the Uber she imagined didn't come close to the luxurious car parked at the front of Ichiraku. It attracted stares from the late customers that still lingered in the restaurant and ultimately Ayame's amazement.

"That's your ride?! I didn't think you had it in you girl!" The older woman teased not unkindly. "I take back what I said earlier about protection. Have his babies!"

"Ayame!" Tenten whined.

"Stop pulling her legs Ayame." Teuchi came up behind them with an empty tray in hand. He was the only one manning the restaurant while Tenten and Ayame played dress up upstairs. It was okay though, there weren't a lot of customers at night. The man regarded Tenten with a kind smile. "Good luck on your date Tenten. Can you help me close up shop now Ayame?"

"Of course! Bye Tenten."

Tenten gave a respectful bow to the two before leaving the small restaurant. They waved her goodbye.

"Miss Tenten?" The driver of the car asked when he saw her.

"Yes. Sorry for the wait." She told him as he opened the door of the car for her. Tenten got in awkwardly. She had never been in a luxurious car before but she found that it was a nice experience. Tenten sent a quick text to Neji that she was on her way. The man replied with an excited emoticon.

Neji <3:
See you in a few (⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)

They soon got to Kaguya Avenue and passed a security check before they were able to enter the place. It sure was the richest part of the town. Exotic trees lined the lit up streets and even though it was night it was still one of the most beautiful places Tenten had seen. She started getting nervous. What if she messed up this date?

"We're here." Before she could spiral the driver pulled Tenten out of her thoughts. She looked through the window at the house they stopped at and her eyes were instantly drawn to the nameplate near the gate.

Hyuga. It read.

It dawned on Tenten then that she, in fact, didn't know Neji's last name. If the name plate on the house was valid and that indeed was Neji's last name Tenten was in deeper soup than she thought. The gates automatically opened and the car drove in. Tenten's anxiety peaked.

She knew the Hyugas; everybody knew the Hyugas. The family is one of the most ancient and one of the richest in the whole of Konoha. Only a few could contend with them in terms of influence, power and money; they were just that wealthy. Now imagine Tenten's surprise (and horror) finding out that the blind guy she was always conversing with was actually a Hyuga.

Oh no. She was bound to meet the other Hyugas tonight. What if they thought she wasn't suitable enough to be Neji's girlfriend and a prospective member of their family? No that was taking it too far- What if they thought of her as a wretched country bum that just latched on to Neji for his money?

Aaargh! Why didn't Neji tell her just how high up the social ladder he actually was?! Why didn't he announce that she was going to meet his highly influential family today? Surely she would have worn nicer clothes!- not that the one she had on wasn't nice but still!

"Miss." Once again the driver pulled Tenten out of her anxiety induced thoughts. "We're here."

"O-oh."

Indeed they were right in front of the beautiful mahogany front door. Tenten got down from the car and watched it drive down the driveway into a place she assumed was the garage. So the driver was a personal one, Tenten mused. She stood there for a minute or two before snapping out of it.

"Well meeting somebody new has killed no one!" With that little chant she sucked in her nerves and marched straight to the front door. Her small fist froze in the position she held it in to knock when the door suddenly opened and out came the star of the evening; Neji.

She would come to be embarrassed of how she decided to knock when a doorbell was right there but now all that occupied Tenten's head was how incredibly handsome Neji looked in a cotton shirt and tan loose fitting slacks. He had his lustrous hair down and it framed his face so beautifully in a way she had never seen before. It was new and she really liked it.

Neji's ethereal eyes looked beyond her as they always did but the smile that lit up Neji's face when he noticed her at his doorstep really warmed Tenten's soul. It hit her then that this was the person she came to see tonight, not some rich Hyuga guy. This was her Neji. This was the funny yet adorable guy she loved talking and spending her time with. This was the Neji with a questionable fashion sense, though tonight he made it work out. This was the Neji she fell hard and fast for; this was her Neji.

"Hey you." Neji's deep voice was like balm to Tenten's soul.

"Hey." She breathed.

"You look stunning. I wish my eyes could capture just how beautiful you are."

A rosy blush sat on Tenten's cheeks. "You look amazing too." Neji perked up.

"Really? I tried not to be a fashion disaster tonight." He joked.

"I could tell." Tenten laughed.

"Well come in. If you're wearing a coat you can hang it on the coat hanger." Tenten shrugged off her coat and hung it like she was told, switching her shoes for the inside slippers that was provided in the process. "I actually was in the middle of cooking... kinda misjudged the time lapse." Neji scratched his cheek with a finger sheepishly.

Tenten's first thought was to ask why he was the one doing the cooking and not the numerous maids she was sure he would have but she kept it within her. "I can help!" Tenten offered instead.

"You're my guest, there's no way I'm letting you cook." Of course Neji refused. He was just as headstrong as she was.

Tenten shook her head fondly. "It could be a cooking date."

"Tempted as I am at the idea I just want you to sit back and enjoy your meal." As they talked Neji led them further into the house. The interior of the house was just as beautiful as the exterior but it was so sparsely decorated that it didn't seem like there was anybody living in it. Other than the bright crystal lights that hanged from the ceilings Neji's house lacked any personal touches. There was a huge TV in the living room and a grandfather clock in an alcove but that was it.

Other than the lack of homeliness Tenten also discovered that the house was totally void of people. Only she and Neji were in the place and it was so empty that Neji's voice made a little echo when he talked into the silence. It was a stark contrast to the bustling energy Tenten assumed she would meet in the Hyuga house. It was strange as it was disturbing. Why was Neji all by himself in this big house?!

"Despite how it seems I'm actually a pretty decent cook." Oblivious to Tenten's concerned thoughts Neji cheerfully led her to the kitchen and made her sit at the island table. "Here, the food will be ready soon."

"Oh ho, do I get to watch a master chef in action?" Tenten teased. Neji took it in stride. His voice dipped into a low cartoony tone as he opened a pot of steaming sauce.

"Watch and be amazed!" He announced confidently.

Tenten was indeed amazed with how easily he navigated his way around the kitchen. She was a clutz at best when it came to cooking yet Neji made it seem as easy as breathing. He used his hands to feel the ingredients and utensils he wanted to use and just when Tenten would think that he was going to hurt himself or get something wrong, he would amaze her by showing just how well he could handle cooking without sight.

Finally the food was done. Tenten helped to set up the table and they settled down to eat. Tenten muttered a short thanks and took a bite. Her eyes instantly widened at the explosion of flavors in her mouth. She couldn't help moaning in delight. "Wow this is really good!"

Neji who had been eagerly waiting for Tenten's comment visibly relaxed at her pleased voice. Then his face slipped into an easy smirk. "Told you I was a decent cook."

"You're more than just a decent cool, this is amazing!" Tenten continued munching in delight. "How can you cook so well?!"

Neji shrugged. "I've had many years of practice." It was easy to see that the conversation was turning sour for Neji and Tenten wished she never asked that question. Not now at least. There were so many things she wanted to know but they could wait. Right now she would enjoy the delicious meal her boyfriend had so lovingly prepared.

***
Thanks for reading!