Chapter 11

Okay, I'm afraid this chapter will be the last chapter of M&R for a looong time. I am currently out of ideas for this and thus am unable to continue until I can think of any. Also, I am currently interested in starting a new fic. So this fic might not be updated for around a month or two maybe…

With the second round of the exams behind her, Tenten knew she had three more to conquer. "Two down, three to go." she thought. A purple-haired ninja had told them the day before, that there was going to be gathering of festivity the next day to be held at the stadium of the first round. A partner of a different ninja village was required for this ball, and the dress code was formal. (A/N: Imagine the Yule Ball in Goblet of Fire)

It was supposed to have been for improving the ties between shinobi of different villages, and to have more acquaintances in the ninja society. That was very important, as ninja often met each other on missions, and it was best to have a friendly connection with each other.

Tenten did not have a partner. She had been sent alone from the Mist, just as Temari did. But she had Shikamaru. Tenten didn't have any male friends around. Unless…..unless she asked her Konoha friends, the ones who had thought her dead, the ones who had scorned and shunned her so many years ago. She knew it was risky. She knew how dangerous it was. How she might reveal her concealed true identity, the weapons master Tenten, ninja of Konohagakure, teammates of Rock Lee and Hyuuga Neji.

Neji. Her heart was again cracked as she thought of his name and saw him from the corner of his eye, discussing something with his sensei. It had cracked millions of times before, but this time, it did not heal as quickly as before. For there he was, right there near him, so close but also very far. She knew he was unreachable. She felt pressed against a glass window, being able to see him, but not touch him and get close to him, or talk and listen to him.

Just her luck, when she was looking in the other direction, a warm hand tapped lightly on her shoulder. Her ninja instincts made her turn around quickly. Gasp. Chocolate brown met pearly white. "It seems that I shall have to ask you to be my partner for this dance, Tenten-san. Would you be so kind as to accept?"

Faded crimson flushed Tenten's cheeks. "Neji! Here he is, asking me out for the dance. Should I agree? I mean, I don't think any other partner would be better. But he knows too much of my past, and if he finds out I am his former teammate I shall be punished and banished from the shinobi ranks without a valid reason." Her brain was debating with herselfbefore it came up with the final answer.

She flashed her best smile and nodded. He left swiftly with a "Meet me here, half past seven."

She was so excited, and spent the rest of the day planning her outfit. She had to rush to the shops several times, as she did not have all the things she needed.

In the end, she wounded up with a beautiful pink and blue kimono, decorated with scenes of Sakura(A/N: the flower, mind.) floating in a river.

That night, she wore the kimono excitedly at Temari's place. Both had decided to meet up to prepare as they knew they would have to get help from each other. "Man, Tenten, you look fantastic! I'm sure Neji would gasp at you when he sees you, definitely!" She remarked as she finished tying the obi on the back of Tenten's kimono. "Hey, you don't look so bad either, you know. Shikamaru-san would definitely want to cart you off back to his house when he sees you." teased Tenten as she straightened Temari's kimono and made sure the obi had been tied properly. A blush appeared on Temari's cheeks.

After the outfits were worn, they proceeded next onto the hair. Temari had her hair in one single bun, and it was adorned with several gold and silver combs. Tenten had her hair in an arch shape, ornamented with a gold phoenix and several silver flowers.

They both teased each other playfully as they left for the gathering. Shikamaru was there in a tux, while Neji was in a traditional white kimono. Both looked equally handsome. Perhaps Shikamaru had actually bothered to style his hair properly and take a bath.

Each greeted each other, and complimented briefly on outfits and such. Then, they entered through he vast doors of the stadium.

Hmm…nothing much to say..except remember that I AM NOT GIVING THIS FIC UP and that I AM OPEN TO ANY IDEAS ANYONE MIGHT HAVE..