FruitySmell,ButtercupandButch,miakasango,SundayMus ic and to all awesome reviewers: A BIG THANK YOU. :'D

Chapter 10: Confusion to Realization

The group had an awesome weekend but although how awesome it was, they have to snap back to reality because school just resumed two weeks ago. Neji arrived at school with Tenten because he decided to pick her up from her house. When they arrived at school, he opened the door of his car in order to let Tenten out and in return, she curved her lips forming a smile and she evenly said a thank you.

They walked together into the façade of the school when they saw Naruto, Sasuke and Kiba approaching. Kiba blurted out whatever thoughts he is having inside his mind with a grin, "Hey, I do not know that you two are living together now."

A faint blush engulfed Tenten's already rosy cheeks and she spoke in a sheepish hasty manner," It's not that. We just decided to go to school together, we're best friends and so it's not really a huge deal and it's not like we're doing something that's beyond the scope of our friendship, and—and it's not possible that we'll live together under the same roof, you must be kidding m-." She was cut by Sasuke and he spoke with an evil smirk plastered on his gorgeous face, "Hold it Ten, you don't have to explain if nothing's going on."

Neji took a glance on the girl beside him whom he noticed is now really feeling embarrassed and so he decided to speak, "We should probably go to class now."

Tenten looked up at Neji (of course she had to because the guy is a head taller than her) and inside she felt thankful for him saying that.

The three boys just grinned and decided to head for their rooms. Tenten and Neji were left behind. Neji spoke to Tenten in a low voice; "You have Japanese literature class right? You should go to your room too," Tenten nodded and treaded away from Neji without a word.

"Japanese Literature, literature of Japan, in written form from at least the 8th century ad to the present. Japanese literature is one of the oldest and richest national literatures. Since the late 1800s, Japanese writings have become increasingly familiar abroad. Genres such as haiku verse, nō drama, and the Japanese novel have had a substantial impact on literature in many parts of the world and …," the teacher continued to explain.

Tenten sat in her desk hearing but not listening. She may have looked attentive in the class but actually her mind is flying somewhere else. She pondered about the things that have been going on between her and Neji. It has been weeks after that night where they sat looking upon the moon enjoying each other's company. After that Neji had become more caring towards her and they would often go out and hang out together, go to movies, stroll on the different places in Japan and even go out to have dinner. Actually, a week ago, she was shocked when Neji told her that he likes her. At first she took it as nothing and just smiled at him saying that it's not a big deal that he likes her because they are best friends and if he doesn't like her, they probably would not even talk to each other. But his statement keep on flashing and playing in her mind over and over again like a CD player that is stucked, "No, I like you, more than a best friend. No, not even like you, maybe it's I love you."

Well you read it right, the great Neji Hyuga just confessed to his best friend of his feelings. After that confession, they even started really getting close to each other, which explains why Neji would pick her up and even drive her home. Tenten cannot understand or fathom what her reaction should be. This was what she wanted from the beginning, for Neji to return her feelings but instead she was not genuinely happy about it. She still has not admitted to him that she still possessed those feelings because she is afraid. What if Neji is just confused and had mistaken those feelings as love instead of just friendship? In the end, she realized that she is still the one in the losing end. That is why she can't tell him now.

The bell rang and she decided to snap back to her senses. She stood from her seat, lifted her bag and headed out of the room.

On the hall, she saw Hinata, Sakura and Ino. Ino waved a hand at her and shouted "Oi, Tenten, it's break time, do you want to come with us to the cafeteria?" Tenten walked towards them she was hesitant at first, what if Neji is there? She's still confused and she doesn't know if she wants to see him now, maybe it would only make her situation shoddier and so she questioned the three of them, "The –the cafeteria? Uhm, will Naruto and the others also be there?"

Hinata answered, "Tenten-chan, Naruto is still in class, Sasuke and Kiba are in the library doing some research." Tenten hesitantly asked, "-an-and Neji?"

"He still has class, why? Is something wrong? In your nuance, it would seem like you are avoiding him?" Sakura said quizzically.

Ino interrupted, "Tenten, are you by any chance, avoiding Neji? Why?"

"Uhm, maybe it's best if we'll talk over this at the cafeteria. Look, I'm really stressed right now and I'm not in my senses and I am seriously craving for caffeine to be ingrained in my very veins, capillaries, blood vessels and even DNA so that I can wake up and think and-,"

"Tenten, okay, okay, calm down. Let's just go before you explode right here," Ino said jokingly.

"What? Neji confessed to you?" Ino asked in a very enthusiastic manner.

"Yes. But could you please tone down your voice Ino? I don't want to be all over the news if you know what I mean," Tenten retorted. She thought telling would make it better but now Ino just made it worst and now, here's Sakura starting to say things that are even more disconcerting.

"So, are you two now together? Did he kiss you already? How many times have you kissed already? Is he sending you flowers? What kind of flowers? Is it a rose, a lilac, a daisy, a sunflower a chrysanthemum," Sakura continued blabbing about flowers. Hinata looked at Tenten and she saw that she is feeling a little uneasy now and she decided to speak "Uh, Sakura chan, Ino-chan, I know we are all excited to hear the details, but Tenten-chan cannot answer if we will continue to bug and flood her with a lot of questions. I-I t-think, it is best if we let her narrate to us what is really going on between her and Neji-niisan." Tenten smiled at Hinata and Ino and Sakura's gaze now are riveted to Tenten waiting for her to say something.

"Well, I am confused. I know I wanted this but what if he is just confused," Tenten gazed on the coffee inside her cup and now she could see her face in it, a face full of confusion and trepidation.

"Tenten, why won't you believe him? He took all his manly composure to tell you that he is in love with you. What's wrong with that? Maybe he has been waiting for you for a long time and that explains why he didn't bother to have a girl friend, but now he confessed to you because he wants you to be the one, and we all know that you feel the same," explained Ino.

Sakura sighed and said something. "You know what Tenten, it looks to me that Neji is not the one who is confused, but you are. You are confused whether you'll tell him that you feel the same or not. You're afraid that you'll be losing in the end."

Tenten looked up and gaped. She found answers. Her friends are right. She doesn't want to be in the losing end. Deep inside, she knows that she wants to give it a try but a part of her tells that she doesn't want to be hurt.

She was about to speak but Hinata spoke first. "Tenten-chan, we know you're afraid and it's natural, but you must be willing to take risk. I felt the same before with Naruto-kun, I-I a-am afraid, I'm not good enough and end up hurting, but I did take the risk and now I am happy. Don't be afraid of pain Ten-chan. Love is one of the painful things in the world but it is also the most wonderful of all. Don't be afraid that you'll loose in the end. Love is not necessarily always a battlefield." Hinata ended with a smile.

"Wow, Hinata, since when did you become a love guru?" Ino said smiling.

"Since, she fell in love with Naruto," Sakura answered and Hinata just smiled with a faint blush in her face.

Tenten paused and thought to herself, this is Hinata, and if a shy and timid girl can do it, why can't she be bold? Hinata took the risk and why wouldn't she? Hinata, Ino and Sakura said it all, every word hit her, and it gave her the senses that she realized caffeine cannot give her.

"Besides, it's better to have love and lost than never to have loved at all," Ino and Sakura said in chorus.

Tears fell from her eyes, she hugged the three of them and they hugged her back tighter. She is so happy right now, what would she ever do without her friends? She thought to herself that she could not ask for better ones because she already has the best.

How did you find it guys? So far this is the longest chapter I have written and I actually enjoyed it. Hope you'll still support me. Keep reviewing guys. I love you all. I really had to think long and hard for what this chapter would be about. That's why there is no preview last chapter. I hope I have done well and have somehow improved my writing. J I'm currently working on the next.

Preview:

After banning Neji from her thoughts, Tenten finally decided to take the risk and tell him what she truly feels.

Next chapter: Hook Up