Word count: 19,876

3rd Persons POV:

Tenten sat curled up in bed. Lights off, curtains closed. Music blasting through her earbuds. She hadn't left her room for two days. Living off of protein bars and a package of thirty four water bottles.

She knew it was Monday and she was completly ready to ditch school. What was she supposed to say if she was forced to speak with Neji? How was she supposed to act? She had spent Saturday night and all of Sunday trying to answer her own question. But she couldn't.

So, instead of facing him at school. She wouldn't go. Ignoring her father's knocking, she turned up her music even louder. She wondered if she would ruin her hearing this way. She inwardly shrugged, not caring.

Maybe if she went deaf she wouldn't have to hear what he has to say to her.

Tenten snapped back into reality when her door slowly opened and light poured into the dark and cluttered room. She narrowed her eyes as they adjusted to the brightness of the natural sunlight. Her father stood in her doorway with a bobby pin and concerned, yet upset expression.

Tenten hesitantly removed her earbuds and met his gaze. For a minute or two, they just stared at each other. Tenten trying her best not to crack under his gaze. He was worried about her. She could tell. She could always tell what her father was thinking. Unfortunately, the same went for him when it came to the brunette.

Without warning, Tenten started to sob. Her father was by her side in a second, embracing the young girl. Her shoulders shook and tears stung her cheeks. Her nose grew stuffy and she was unable to breath through it. Taking uneven breaths she tried to stop the flow of tears. But it seemed that years of build up had lead to this.

Truth be told, when her mother died wasn't the last time the teen had cried. It had been after that. Not too long from the present day. It was because of that, that Tenten had gone into this mode. Unable to accept Neji's words, she blocked them out.

Because of him.

The brunette let out a pained sob, her voice cracking as she did so. She hugged her father closer and buried her face into his shoulder, soaking his shirt in the process. "Tou-san.. tou-san I-" He gently shushed her, "I know sweetheart. I know."

Tenten continued to cry for a few more minutes before finally pulling away from her father. Wiping her tears away she tried for a smile, "You really are the best dad ever."

He gave her a grin, "I know that! If I wasn't I wouldn't have such a great kid." She laughed dispite the situation. "Thanks dad." Wiping her nose with her sleeve, she took a deep breath. "Are you gonna force me to go to school?"

Her father slightly shook his head, "No. But tomorrow-"

"Okay," she interupted. "I'll go tomorrow." She pulled away and fiddled with her sleeves.

"Tenten," her father called. Looking up she meet his gaze. "Your remind me so much of your mother sometimes." Tenten's eyes slowly widened as she registered his words. Tears quickly filled her eyes as he continued. "She had such a kind heart. Never wanting to hurt anybody. You know that just as well as I do."

Tears left salty trails behind them, where they fell down Tenten's face. Flashbacks of her mother's kind words and actions filling her mind. Unable to stop herself she left out a few choked sobs.

Her father wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a sideways hug. "You have her eyes, you know. Big and brown, and full of that loving look. I had never seen eyes like those before I met your mother. She was always so full of life." He gave a content sigh. "I was over joyed when she told me that we were having a girl. The thought of having a little girl who was a spitting image of her made me so happy. And look what happened," He said, looking down at his daughter. "My wish came true. Your mother gave birth to a baby girl with big brown eyes. And I got to watch her grow into a beautiful young woman."

His words only made Tenten sob harder. Tears forgotten, she clutched his shirt. "Agrigato, tou-san. Arigato," she sobbed.

What she didn't notice, is the way a single tear fell down her father's cheek. "I know, sweet heart. I miss her too."

~♤~

The ride to school had been very stress relieving for Tenten. She had left the house about an hour earlier than usual just so she could ride around Konoha. After stopping for some gas, she made her way to school.

Taking a deep breath, she mentally prepared herself for the next eight hours. Walking inside the school, she kept her head down and tried to take the less crowded hallways to her locker. Although her attempts were in vain when she saw Kankuro leaning against her locker as she turned the corner.

Deciding that she wouldn't be needing her textbooks anymore, she turned on her heel. Which was also in vain because she didn't turn around fast enough.

"Tenten!"

Said girl let out a pained sigh. 'Should I ignore him? Yeah probably.'

Listening to her thoughts, Tenten proceeded to walk to her next class. She stopped only when a hand landed on her shoulder. Turning around, she was met with the face of a confused and concerned upper class men.

"What happened on Saturday?" Kankuro asked, "I waited for you to come back but you never did. And you didn't answer my messages or calls." His eyes darted over her face. "What happened?"

Avoiding eye contact, she looked to the side. "I just didn't feel good all of a sudden. Cramps, ya know?" Kankuro continued to stare her down, "You couldn't at least have come back to tell me?"

Tenten felt a wave of guilt wash over her. "Gomen," she muttered, still not looking at him. Kankuro gave a sigh.

She could tell he was worried about her. And the thirteen missed calls and twenty four unread messages on her phone supported her thoughts. More guilt forced itself upon Tenten. "I really am sorry. I didn't mean to just walk out on you like that," she mumbled, not liking how she sounded.

Before he could give he an answer, the bell rang. Cutting him off. Kankuro ran his fingers through his hair before gently setting his arm on her shoulder and turning them in the direction of first period.

"Lets get you to class, Miss. Cramps."

And instead of telling him off for that side remark. She gave a small smile and nodded.

Totally friend zoning him in the process.

~♤~

Ignoring the heated gaze of Neji Hyūga proved to be very difficult. Never once did it seem he was going to stop staring at Tenten. She squirmed in her seat, trying her best to focus in on what Asuma Sensei was teaching the class. However, that also proved to be quite difficult.

Writing notes or trying to busy herself with her book seemed insignificant. Nothing seemed to help the brunette shake his gaze. When the bell rang Tenten thanked God that she was dismissed before Neji. Hurrying out of the room, she quickly made it to the next class without having to face him. Second period ended and she skipped nutrition break, making it to her third period without a problem. But as Tenten made her way to fourth period, her stomach started to act up. Gripping her mid-section, she took her seat and spent the rest of the period thinking over lunch. Deciding she should talk to her teacher about retaking that test from last week, she had planned her lunch hour.

But as most of us know, life doesn't always go as planned.

Ever.

When the lunch bell rang, Tenten waited until the room had emptied out of all the students. Walking out of the room, she kept her head down until a pair of sneakers came into her view. Sneakers that she recognized. Looking up, she took in the pale lavender eyes and long brown hair. Flawless fair skin only seemed to compliment those pale eyes that stared her down.

That is how it went for a good long while. Ten ten stopped counting the seconds after she got to fifteen.

Tenten felt as though she would crumble underneath his piercing gaze. Goosebumps danced across her skin, and a single bead of sweat rolled down her back. The feeling in her stomach worsened every second they stood there. She felt as if her mid-section would implode.

Finally Neji decided to speak after taking a deep breath. "Tenten," he breathed. She shivered as she heard the way her name sounded when he said it.

Wrapping her arms around herself, she looked down the hall. "Yes?" She could feel his impatience a million miles away. He sighed, "Look at me." Tenten continued to stare down the hall.

"Please."

Slowly, but surely, Tenten managed to meet his gaze. Surprised molded itself into her features when she saw the look in his eyes. Instead of the infuriated look she was expecting, she was met with eyes that held a gentle look. Upon seeing this, the feeling in her stomach ceased. He wasn't mad. Upset for sure. But not mad.

But this look made her drop her guard, the look in her eyes turning as raw as the look in his. In that moment Neji saw who she really was. A vulnerable girl with a heart that was torn to shreds. Somebody hurt her. And he could see it. He could see it all. That one look giving everything away.

Taking one more moment to take in this rare opportunity, he took her hands in his.

"Tenten," he started.

"Who hurt you?"

~♤~

Guyyyyssss this chapter was too much.

Writing it was so hard

Anyway, you will learn more of Tenten soon. But the next couple chapters might be fillers.

But, I hope you enjoy them anyway.

Also, as you might have noticed in the beginning of the chapter. I started doing a word count! So I'm kinda excited about that.

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. And if you did don't forget to...

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