×Gaara's team POV×

--"Are we all here?"-- Gaara asked as he took quick glances of his squad.

--"Tenten and Neji are still missing. Tenten told me that they're going to be a bit late because of a problem taking place within the Hyūga clan."-- Ino said will sighing.

--"But Tenten is a Mitsachi, not to mention the only surviver. What does she have to do with a clan such as the Hyūga?"-- Gaara asked raising an eyebrow, of course he knew nothing about the previous mission. Only about the mission they're about to accomplish.

--"Well it's a long story, we should talk about it when we get to our resting location."-- Ino said with an awkward smile.

--"Sure..."-- Gaara replied plainly.

--"Aren't those them?"-- Matsuri said pointing at two figures who were proceeding up to where they were.

Sai then used his ninja super beast technique, he wasn't convinced about the two blurry figures approaching being their comrades.

--"Sai! What are you doing!?"-- Ino asked confused --"You're waisting your chakra for no apparent reason!"--

--"Those aren't Neji and Tenten."-- Sai replied with a serious tone. --"Stay behind me. All of you. I'll take care of this."-- he said.

--"But...what? Who are they?"-- Ino said refusing to do what her husband had commanded.

He looked back at Ino, walking towards her, placing his hand gently on the back of her head and pulling her up to his chest. He the whispered something into Ino's ear, Gaara and Matsuri just watched, not understanding what was going on.

Ino then pulled away from Sai's grip and took his hands --"No! You can't do that! Please Sai, there's got to be another way!"-- Ino started begging him not to do whatever he was going to do.

--"I have to, I don't have a choice."-- Sai said, and within that time two masked shinobi appeared. But they weren't Anbu....

--"Lord Danzo has a request."-- One of the masked men said.

--"Right. I'll be on my way."-- Sai answered. --"Three days. Hidden Cloud village."-- The other masked man said. --"Three days? I can't. It's too much time."-- Sai deadpanned with an emotionless expression. --"Lord Danzo's orders, not mine."-- And with that both masked shinobi disappeared.

Sai was about to leave until Ino gripped the back if his shirt. --"Please don't...."-- she said with a frail, cracked voice.

Sai looked over his shoulder back at her, she was looking at the ground but still didn't look at him in the eye, he sighed and turned around, kneeling down so he could face her.

--"I'll be back before you know it, don't worry, I won't get myself killed."-- he stated with a smile, kissing her forehead while rubbing her back. --"Just....come back...."-- Ino said and extended her pinky towards him. He was surprised by this and was about to take it as a joke --"Ino..."-- --"Swear to me you'll make it back."-- she said with a demanding tone, wiggling her pinkie in front of his face. --"This is childish..."-- Sai said straight forward, earning a shout from Ino --"I don't care if it is! Just promise me!"-- she stated with a serious face.

Sai internally facepalmed but did as he was told to and they locked their pinkies together --"I promise I'll make it back no matter what."-- he said and gave her a genuine smile. She smiled back and nodded, soon after Sai left.

--"Ino? What was that all about?"-- Gaara asked confused, raising an eyebrow.

--"I'll..... I'll explain later...."-- she replied, looking at the ground, biting her lower lip as she clenched her fists.

Matsuri noticed that whatever the thing Sai told Ino, it wasn't good.

She leaned up close to Gaara and whispered --"Do you think she'll be ok?"--

Gaara sighed as he heard what she asked, he didn't know what to think. He just hoped nothing went wrong.

--"She's a strong willed kunoichi. She'll be fine."-- he replied.

Minutes later Neji and Tenten arrived.

They both ran to them panting.

--"Sorry we're late, the meeting took longer than expected."-- Tenten said, not showing a bit of emotion.

Neji didn't say anything, just looked around until he asked --"Where's Sai?"--

Ino then plainly stated he had to leave. Neji asked her why, and she just replied with the same thing she told Gaara, --"I'll explain later..."--

--"Let's go, time is something we don't have."-- Gaara said as he turned his back and started to sprint from tree to tree with Matsuri by his side while Ino went alone and Neji kept himself beside Tenten.

{Minutes Later...}

They made it to their resting place, Ino said she needed some fresh air and wanted to walk around for a while. Gaara needed to finish some of his paperwork as Kazekage so he told Matsuri if she could please accompany Ino since she would easily get bored while he was busy. She accepted and before she left Gaara pulled her close and kissed her head.

--"Be careful."-- he told her, she nodded and with that Matsuri and Ino left.

--"Now, can you both explain where you were?"-- Gaara said as he faced Neji and Tenten.

--"With all do respect, is it necessary for you to know, Gaara?"-- Neji said raising an eyebrow while crossing his arms.

Tenten bumped Neji with her arm, --"Don't act stubbornly "-- she mouthed at him. He just shrugged his shoulders at her.

--" It would be best if I knew, but if you don't intend to tell me, that's up to you."-- Gaara replied.

--"You might as well take a seat, it's a long story...."--- Tenten said as she sat on a nearby couch next to Neji and Gaara sat on the other couch in front of them.

×~Flashback~×

×Neji's POV×

--"What does Hiashi want.... he's never cared about my well being....and he's never tried to form a bond with me......and most importantly, why does he want Tenten to come along!?"-- I kept on thinking until Tenten interrupted my thoughts.

--"Neji, we're here. Neji? Neji...."-- Tenten kept on saying until I spoke up --"Ugh, yeah, sorry."--

One of my uncle's maid's opened the door to the house.

--"Welcome home, Neji."--Kanu said with her usual sweet smile. She was a Hyūga but she lacked fighting skills, she's as old as I am. But Hiashi advised her to not become a ninja, she'd be better of as a maid. She didn't refuse, infact she was somewhat happy about it, until I left for some reason....

--"Good evening Kanu."-- I replied with a simple smile and made my way through with Tenten.

Minute's later Hiashi came walking, his face lit up as he saw the girl accompanying me. Tenten Mitsachi, my wife at the moment, the girl I have feelings for.

--"Lord Hiashi."-- Tenten said as she gave my uncle a hug. --"It's been so long."-- she added. --"Certainly my dear. How's Hinata been?"-- He asked concerned.

--"She's an amazing Shinobi, I trained her everyday as you suggested. We both developed many skills over time, and now we're considered one of the strongest Kunoichi regarding all five Great Nations."-- Tenten said with a proud smile.

--"Splendid news, I knew you would all become fine ninja."-- he said patting her shoulder with a smile. He then looked back at me.

--"Neji..."-- he mentioned my name, his eyes somehow softened as he looked at me, Tenten turned her back to see me, gesturing me too come closer.

I sighed but did as she said, I steadily walked up to Hiashi.

--"Uncle. What's the meaning of this meeting? And why does Tenten have to join us?"-- I asked straight off the bat.

--"It's important. I need to talk to both of you."-- Hiashi said as he walked away telling us to follow him.

We entered a room where only members of the Main Branch appeared.

--"Please, take a seat"-- he said as he sat down himself. We were all seated around a squared shape table.

Tenten reached for my hand below the table, she was shaking. She told me earlier she was nervous about this meeting, I understand how she's feeling. She has nothing to do with our Clan and yet they specifically requested her to accompany me. I took her hand and gently rubbed my thumb above her palm. She calmed down but not enough.

--"Tenten, we need to ask you a favor. And truly I would much like you to accept."-- Hiashi started off saying.

--"What may this favor be?"-- she asked him confused.

--"We're short handed on skillful Hyūga Kunoichi. To be completely honest with you, only Hinata and her younger sister Hanabi have become worthy of being called shinobi."-- Hiashi said while sighing from disappointment.

--"Uncle, I don't get the picture of what you're proposing here."-- I stated.

--"Let me finish, Neji."-- He said with a calm voice. Tenten and I both nodded for him to proceed.

--"I wouldn't like neither of my daughter's to marry my nephew to keep on with the Hyūga name, I would like them to marry someone from a different clan and break the traditional way. And that's were you come in, I would very much like for you to be my nephew's wife. You've got all the characteristics we've been looking for, not to mention the fact you even went out of your way to help Hinata with her training and I also remember the time you helped out with Hanabi's care when she was ill."-- Hiashi said, stood up and walked in front of Tenten, bowing down to her.

--"You're the only one suited to be his wife. I beg of you, please accept this offer."-- Hiashi said, taking Tenten's hands.

--"Lord.... Hiashi..."---she looked at him in disbelief.

--"Uncle..."-- I muttered.

--"I know this is a harsh decision, so please think this through, with Neji. I'll be gladly waiting for your answer whenever you're ready."-- he stated.

With that being said, we agreed to think our answer. And left. But as I walked away....Kanu glared daggers at Tenten...what has gotten into her....

~×End Of Flashback×~

TO BE CONTINUED

Well guy's here's another chapter, hope you like it, there's some good old mystery😜👌

Anyways, hoped you enjoyed, Byeeeeeeee💞