Firstly, this fic has been rewritten for the second time! So please start from chapter one!

This chapter shall be dedicated to Stealth-Chan. Happy Birthday!

And also, a special mention to PhantomBlaze, gomen x100 for the wait!

Reviews/Comments/Ideas/Critiques greatly appreciated. :3

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto Masashi

'Blah' - Talking
"Blah" - Thinking
Blah - Scene Change

First Love

Chapter Three: Headed For Trouble

The sun glared particularly strong today, and thus resulted in very noticeable heat rise. As most traces of humidity evaporated, so did Kiba's patience. The mission would have operated much faster if it was only Shino, himself, and Akamaru. However since the client is with them, he slowed them down considerably. After about an hour, they finally reached the other side of the mountain, and came across a village.

'Lads, I'm exhausted. Let's find somewhere to rest for a while.' The client said. The other two nodded and they entered the nearest teahouse. While the client is enjoying his tea blissfully, Kiba and Shino just sat at a close-by table. Then, they noticed an old man approaching them. His profile suggested that he was probably a peasant, but being trained ninja, they were both on guard.

'You boys from Konoha? My... such a nostalgic headband' He sighed and smiled. 'I used to live in Konoha. Then a few years ago, I moved here with my wife.'

The only reply he got was a nod from them.

'Hmm... you know the Hyuuga's?' the old man asked.

'Everyone's heard of the Hyuuga clan.' Shino said. From his tone, Kiba heard a warning for him to be on guard and not revealing anything.

'Ah... I suppose so. Well, I was a servant at the Hyuuga Compound, but just a mere yard-sweeper, but I still quite remember Hyuuga-sama's daughter. Looked exactly like him, she did. You've seen her I suppose?'

Kiba shrugged. 'Could have. But anyone should be able to recognise a Hyuuga.'

The old man laughed. 'You're right and- why, Satoshi-san, is that you? Excuse me boys, must catch up with an old acquaintance.' Here he nodded and moved to the next table, sat down and began chatting with their client.

'Who is he?' Kiba muttered, lowering his voice so only Shino could hear him.

'I have no idea. But he obviously is trying to get information off us.' Shino replied.

'Should the fact that he made it sound like Hyuuga-san only has one daughter raise my suspicion?'

'Shouldn't the fact that he implied Hanabi's existence rather than Hinata's raise yours?'

Kiba scoffed. 'You're very irritating at times. You could have just said yes. So what would he want with the Hyuuga's?'

'He might not be alone.'

'You're right... Think our client's got something to do with it?'

'It's possible. Just be careful of what you say from now on.'

'Ah.'

'Kiba, have you noticed? His chakra...'

'Now that you've mentioned it, yeah. Although it's quite hard to notice...'

At the other table, the old man and the client were also engaged in a quiet conversation, both skilfully speaking at a low volume; if anyone observes, it might even look like they were not talking at all. While they talked, occasional glances were thrown at Kiba and Shino, noting their behaviour. Unknown to them, they were bugged.

'What are you doing here? I thought I was the one assigned to this?' the client hissed. 'Is this an order from the hag?'

'Manners, boy. Komura-sama didn't order anything. I just thought you needed supervision.'

'Well isn't it obvious that I don't? I managed to get them here without raising suspicion. And don't give me that look; I know what you're thinking.'

'And I'm thinking...?'

'It's not my fault that this guy is so useless. But I couldn't completely take over his mind when he requested the mission. He was in front of that Tsunade woman, she'll probably notice.'

'Well, we did give him the choice that he either requested a Hyuuga, or we'll kill his family. Guess he's too dense to understand that we're serious.'

The client snorted. 'Don't sound so merciful. You were going to kill him either way.'

'Hmm... true, but in the end, it's your responsibility. To see no Hyuuga, I wonder how Komura-sama will react.'

'Argh, don't rub it in. But didn't you notice? Those two Konoha boys, they should know about the Hyuuga's. The way they didn't reveal anything...'

'Ha, how can I miss it? Well I guess you're not so empty-handed.'

'Course not. But from now on, I can take care of this, alone.'

'Confident aren't we? Well, I'll be nearby if you need me. And just some friendly advice from your senior, if you stay too long in the full-conscious mode, your control will get weaker much faster.'

'Che, I know that. I'm going to switch back. Now go!'

'Of course, Satoshi-san.' He smirked before standing up and saying, in a normal tone. 'Well, it was good seeing you. Hope you find it soon, I'm sure those boys will do a good job. Konoha ninja are very reliable. Come over sometime.' With that said, he left the tea house.

Shino, who was observing the client, noticed that he looked very exhausted, perhaps more than when he first came in.

'Lads, if you don't mind, I'll just take a moment.' The client said, and mouthed the words, 'nature calls'.

After he left, the kikkaichuu that was hidden under the table flew back to Shino.

'Heh? Not bad, Shino.' Kiba smirked.

The bug flew onto Shino's fingers and recounted the exact conversation. After he heard the whole thing, the client came back.

'Satoshi-san, are you alright? You look very exhausted.' Shino asked.

'W-what? Oh... I, I'm... alright. J-just tired from t-the trip. You don't mind if we stay a little longer here, d-do you?'

"He sounds like he's pleading... and his chakra changed again." 'No, of course not.'

While he sat into his seat and rested, Shino told Kiba about the conversation. Kiba's brows creased deeper and deeper as he listened. After Shino finished, Kiba too a deep breath, and exhaled slowly.

'Umm... that's quite, curious? So what do we do now?'

'We play along.'

'But you heard him... he can't stay in full conscious, whatever that is. And look at him now, he's exhausted. I say we-'

'No. The other man may still be nearby.'

'Oh right... then what?'

'We play along. Meanwhile, I'll send a few kikkaichuu to investigate.'

'Locked.'

'Good. And the children?'

'Asleep.'

Tenten let out a sigh of relief. After somehow making through lunch, entertaining them for the whole afternoon, dinner and more entertainment, the two finally got the children in bed, safe and sound asleep. However, it wasn't easy. Making sure they ate their food properly was one thing, but keeping them entertained and out of trouble for around twelve hours in total was both mentally and physically exhausting. It was currently nine-thirty, and having put the four children in bed, they sat in the living room, with nothing much to do.

'Well, this isn't too bad.' Tenten admitted. 'Although very tiring...'

'Not bad for you perhaps. You handled them fine, and they liked you.'

'And whose fault is it that they don't like you? You were glaring at them. Little kids are scared of intimidating sixteen-year-olds.'

'They were pulling on my hair.' Neji deadpanned, as if that explained it all.

'Only because you refused to play with them.' Tenten pointed out. 'I bet if you let them plait your hair or something, they'll like you more.'

Neji could only glare at Tenten for suggesting such an absurd idea.

'Go to sleep.' Neji commanded after a moment of silence.

'And you?'

'I'll walk around and make sure everything's in place.'

Tenten shrugged. 'Okay, night Neji.'

'Hn.'

Tenten walked into one of the two guest bedrooms prepared for Neji and her. She lied down after tucking her headband and weapon pouch under her pillow. She thought about the earlier conversation with Neji, and couldn't help but smile.

Oh yes, Neji would look very pretty in plaits.

-serenitatis417