Partners by blackdragonflower

Dedication: Adio4 birthday fic.

Summary: Tenten is faced with a large decision. Two males are trying to gain her affection and her heart. One is her teammate Neji Hyuga, the other Sasuke Uchiha. What will she do?

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"Tenten." The weapons kunoichi looked up to see the handsome Sasuke. Her eyebrow rose slightly. It had been a couple years since he had gotten back but he had never talked to her much less glanced her way.

"Yes?"

"You've grown..." Tenten was appalled. She wondered if he meant in her ninja skills or her bust. She swallowed the spit that had gathered in the back of her mouth. Over the years Sasuke had grown also, taller, stronger, a fairer face with his dominant cheekbones. "Much more... beautiful." Tenten blushed, though it didn't often happen, she was stunned.

"Eh..."

"Ahem." Neji cleared his throat walking up to the two. "Uchiha. May I borrow Tenten? We have training." Sasuke nodded his head and took a step back. His eyes spoke that he wasn't exactly pleased with the Byakugan master. He turned on his heels and left the two. Tenten watched Sasuke go.

"Neji... what was that for?" Neji didn't answer her question.

"Let's go... we have training." He began to walk away, his posture was stiffer then normal Tenten noticed. There was something bothering Neji, and being smart Tenten guessed it had something to do with the Uchiha. Both stood opposite sides one another and the hand to hand training began. Neji had been teaching, and training Tenten in hand to hand combat since it wasn't one of her better points. He went into his first form which Tenten managed to block. As they trained Tenten asked him questions.

"Neji... you seem upset."

"..." An arm blocked.

"Neji?"

"It's the Uchiha... What he said."

Tenten's eyebrows furrowed. Sasuke had said nothing to Neji. Then it dawned on her, it wasn't what Sasuke had said to Neji, but what he had said to her. She questioned herself, was Neji jealous? Was he afraid of losing Tenten? "What he said to me? What about it?"

"He's wrong." Tenten took that the wrong way. Her eyebrows took a dip southward and she had an angry frown set on her face. Unintentionally her punches and kicks became harder. She usually wasn't the vain type of girl but the comment stung.

"Oh yeah? He's wrong? Am I not pretty to you Neji?" Neji shook his head to dismiss the idea. He caught her arms and quickly twisted her so her back was pressed into his chest. His arms were around her waist though her arms were still held in his hands. Neji leaned forward his lips at her ear. His breath came out in a hot little puff over the tip. His voice was deep, yet almost a whisper as he spoke.

"No, he's wrong. You're much more than beautiful Tenten. He's compared you to a simple rose which is much less wonderful in comparison." Tenten shivered in Neji's grasp, partially because of the hot breath on her ear, partially because his chest was so toned and warm it was driving her crazy. "You've grown in more ways then one, but he can't see that like I can. I don't need my kekei genki for that." He gently let her go. His posture straigtened up and they both stepped away as if the moment before had never happened, as if everything was normal.

"Neji... I..."

"Go home. Think about things. They've been happening fast for you Tenten." She just nodded with a dip of her head.

"A-alright Neji... See you tommorow for training?"

"If you wish." He moved his long hair from over his shoulder and left, his face neutral. Tenten slumped to the ground.

'Wow... This is all so strange. How long has Neji felt like that? How long have I?' Her thought process was interuppted when she heard someone clear their throat. She looked up to see Sasuke once more. "Oh... Sasuke." He offered a hand, obviously uncomfortable. She took it and quickly pulled herself up.

"Come to dinner with me." It wasn't a question, it was an order. Tenten gulped.

"Ah, alright..." She was surprised as Sasuke wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close as they walked.

"It's nice to see you again."

"Yeah, you too." Tenten found her unease slipping away back into her gut. He was smiling at her, he never smiled, though this was more of a deadly smirk. Tenten smiled but remained quiet unable to make conversation.

Sasuke broke the silence, "You're quiet. Nervous?"

"Oh no! Just nothing to talk about."

"Ah... well," He smirked more, "Talk about me. I know you use to think I was cute. What about now? Or would you like to tell me at dinner?" Tenten bit her lower lip, she hadn't been expecting that.

"How about at dinner." She quickly replied buying herself a little time.

"Alright. But I'm very anxious to hear what you have to say."