Inner Kitty

Tsunade stared at the bun haired kunoichi for several torture filled moments.

"Let me get this right." said Tsunade. Her tone did not sound displeased. "You want to learn to summon an animal?"

Tenten nodded. "I know the basics of summoning, but summoning an animal is a different subject entirely."

Tsunade folded her hands and rested her chin of them. "Correct. It takes time and skill. But why now? You've been summoning ever since you were a genin."

Tenten thought for a moment. "Summoned animals are extremely loyal and helpful during a mission. If anything, it will help out tremendously."

Tsunade said nothing, as if she was debating in her head. Finally she spoke. "Is this really what you want, Tenten? Are you willing to work for it?"

Tenten didn't hesitate. "Yes, Tsunade-sama.

Tsunade nodded. "Fine. You will go to the Stone Village and seek out Yasumi, she is an old friend of mine. She'll teach you what you need to know." Tenten nodded, she was so excited she could barley stand it. "Tenten?" asked Tsunade.

"Yes?"

"Gai and Rock Lee are away on a mission, take Neji Hyuuga with you. He could learn something." Tenten nodded, her spirit somewhat less bright. "Here are your passports, leave tonight."

Tenten took the sheets of paper and bowed. "Thank you very much, Tsunade-sama."

Tsunade nodded and waved dismissively at Tenten.

--

"Can I talk to Neji?" asked Tenten.

The pre-teenage Hyuuga girl glared at her. "What for?" she demanded.

Tenten glared back. "None of your business girl." she spat.

"Why you!" hissed the girl.

"Hanabi." said a familiar voice. "Let her in." Hanabi glared at Tenten one last time and stepped out of the way.

Tenten smiled. "Thanks." The girl slammed the door and stomped off to somewhere. "Already PMS-ing..." murmured Tenten. Neji sat on a mat in the living room, eating a bowl of rice. "Hey Neji!" Tenten sat across from him.

Neji inclined his head. "Hello Tenten, how have you been?"

Tenten rolled her eyes. "Always the gentlemen, aren't you?" He narrowed his eyes causing Tenten to giggle. "We got a mission."

Neji nodded. "How long?"

"We leave tonight; I don't know how long we'll be gone."

"The purpose?"

"I'm going to see a Yasumi-person about summoning; I don't know why she wants you to go. I don't need an escort."

"You can already summon."

"Animals, Neji, animals."

"Hn." Neji thought about this. "Destination?"

"Stone Village."

Neji stood and left the room. He came back moments later. "Would you like to see my room?" he asked.

Tenten had been in the Hyuuga household before, but never in Neji's room. Tenten nodded.

--

"Neji."

Neji ignored his team mate and began packing.

"Neji." Tenten flopped on his bed. "I'm going to go blind here. Too much white. Ever heard of color?"

Neji still ignored her.

"Fine." hissed Tenten. She closed her eyes and relaxed for a moment.

--

Neji zipped his pack and turned to inform his teammate that he was ready. "Tenten…"

Neji rolled his eyes; Tenten had fallen asleep on his bed. Now he'd have to wake her. He leaned over her sleeping form and gently shook her shoulder. She mumbled something incoherent, but didn't wake up. He tried again. Nothing. "Tenten." He said a bit forcefully.

"Kiba-kun, do touch me there." Murmured Tenten.

Neji jerked back. Kiba? That loud dog boy on Hinata's team? Why was she dreaming about Kiba touching her?

Tenten smiled, still sleeping. "I didn't know your nose could smell that."

Neji glared at the bun haired female. He grabbed her shoulder and shook her roughly. Her eyes snapped open and she shot straight up, causing her and Neji to bump heads, hard.

Tenten rubbed her head and moaned. "What happened?"

Neji glared at her again. "You fell asleep on my bed."

Tenten flushed. "Oh I'm so sorry," she said. "All this excitement is exhausting."

Neji motioned toward the door. "If we leave now, we'll be there by daylight."

Tenten jumped off the bed and massaged her shoulders. "Wow," she groaned. "Your bed is amazing! We're gonna have to have a sleepover!"

Neji raised an eyebrow at her comment. Tenten blushed. "With Lee, of course!"

Neji ignored her and left the room, she cursed and followed him.

--

"You stay in here and I'll be right back, okay?"

Neji nodded and Tenten bounded off to god knows where. Her living room held a simple couch, love seat, television, and piles of scrolls and books. An empty sake bottle lay on the floor. He didn't know his team mate drank. She'd never mentioned liking the bitter alcohol.

She came back in the room and apologized for the mess. "I'm just so busy." She explained. He nodded; missions had been multiplying in these last few months. Then he caught sight of her appearance.

Tenten traded the loose, red and white outfit for an extremely form fitting cheongsam. The Cheongsam was sky blue with a red dragon embroidered in the fabric. It stopped mid-thigh, sleeveless, a mandarin collar and had two slits starting at the hips. The dress clung to her like a second skin. It covered her, but left empty promises to any male who dared look. Tenten had bandages covering her naked thighs and heeled sandals. She looked like a… woman.

Tenten grinned at him, knowing that he saw her new dress. She twirled once and smiled at him. "How do I look?" she asked.

Neji cleared his throat. He wasn't good with questions like that. Hinata had once asked him the same question when she tried on new clothes. Needless to say, she ran out of the room crying. He'd only been honest.

Tenten didn't like the silence forming after her question. "I wanted to try something new," she explained. "See what kind of reaction I'd get."

Neji knew what kind of reaction she'd get, and he didn't like it one bit.

TBC...