Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto in any possible way except for the DVDs and manga…thank you…

Here is the long awaited chapter 15, so sorry for the delay. Please if you will read the bottom once done with this chapter to know what else will be going on with the story and updating the next chapter…thanks and please enjoy! I worked my ass off for this! Teehee ^_~

Everything you want

Chapter 15

Day 8: Reunion

Getting back to Konoha the next morning was quick and easy. Ino and Neji went racing through the trees heading back home. Ino glanced over at the silent Hyuuga. He hadn't said anything that morning about what happened last night, but it just seemed to be him though as Ino had learned from before. Neji seemed to like to avoid speaking about anything referring to him doing intimate things involving her. Almost like he was embarrassed about them though she was hoping that was not the case. If that was true then it meant he was ashamed of himself for doing that with her.

Ino sighed softly as she kept pace with Neji.

They were almost home and then she could take a nice relaxing bath before visiting a few people. It had been a while since she last talked with Chouji and she was sorely missing him too. She was in direr need of advice and she knew Chouji was the right person to get it from. Though he wasn't very knowledgeable about relationships, Ino was sure he had a clearer mind to help her dilemma rather than Shikamaru (who wasn't being helpful at all, lazy ass!).

After much of what has happened Ino was pretty sure what she was going to do. Her guilt was literally eating away at her heart and the only way to stop it was to not go through with the bet. It was the most logical and no one was begging for money so she could pay them all back eventually, at some point anyway. But as Ino thought of breaking off the bet the guilt was still eating away at her and she couldn't find any reason why it still was. Hopefully Chouji had an answer to that one, because she certainly didn't.

Neji glanced over at Ino while she was still in her head.

He quickly turned back and continued their trek back to Konoha which they would be there about another twenty minutes or so. His mind wandered as they traveled in silence which he was happy for, there was just so much on his mind he really didn't feel up to speaking not that he would anyway. After talking with the old man at the bar the other night and then saving Ino's life. Neji finally admitted to himself.

He was falling for Ino Yamanaka.

As impossible as it might and should be, he was though. Neji was sure he would save any of his teammates lives of course they were all his friends either way. But just thinking of Ino dying especially when he could do something about it…sort of broke his heart. He wanted the annoying girl around, bothering him about training, and giving her sarcastic remarks. Neji enjoyed watching the emotions pass on her face and seeing the anger boil under her skin when he provokes her.

He took another glance at the blonde girl. She was looking ahead with bright blue eyes and a gentle smile on her lips. She seemed to so peaceful at the moment while there was such conflict within him.

He was falling for this girl and there was nothing he could do to stop it. Though Neji wasn't so sure he wanted it to stop. Never has he felt like this before and if he didn't do something to keep this feeling around it was sure to pass him by and then he would most likely miss it. Basically what the old man told him last night. Neji always thought there would be time for love once he got his own personal goals finished with, but he never thought that his goals and love would clash together at the same time. There was only so much holding off Hinata could do before she was declared heir to the Hyuuga Clan and helping Ino with her training was severely wasting his own time trying to train himself for a match against his uncle.

Neji wanted badly to end their training sessions, but they made a deal and he would never go back on his part of the bargain. Never go back on his word…now where had he heard of that before.

Naruto Uzumaki popped up within his head.

He shook his head lightly as so Ino wouldn't see him doing it. Neji just couldn't end their training together; as much as he thought it was wasting his time (which it was) it did help him with his own personal training. Fighting against Ino and training her was helping him become more patient and almost like clearing up his mind from all that was going on. Training the blonde girl kept his mind from thinking about his inevitable fight with his uncle. Neji didn't mind fighting his uncle so much as the option to kill during the fight. To win he either had to beat his uncle to a pulp so he wouldn't get back up…or kill him…

That sent a cold chill down Neji's back. The same went for Hiashi as well. Meaning he could very well get killed knowing how cruel his uncle could be at times. Tough love was what Hanabi called it every now and then. Sometimes the phrase did fit his uncle perfectly.

"Were here!" Neji blinked out of his mind and looked ahead to see the towering front gate of Konoha. Ino was smiling bright next to him showing signs of relief that they were home. He couldn't help but feel relief to be home as well. They both quickly got to the gate waving to the two gate guards and started walking pass and into the village. First they would have to report back to Tsunade before doing their own thing.

Ino couldn't help the feeling of home embracing her. It felt great to finally be back in her opinion especially after the almost disastrous mission they had completed. What sucked the most for Ino was she would have to let Tsunade know of her accident with their target and what had went wrong. Ino felt her sudden happiness deflate quickly like letting a balloon go without tying the end. Dread and gloom seemed to rise over her head like a stormy cloud rumbling loudly and getting ready to drop loads of rain and lighting upon her.

"So are we going to head straight there or…get cleaned up and then to Tsunade…?" Ino questioned Neji looking at him in the corner of her eyes. He looked over to her as they walked through the small crowds on the streets. He could clearly see in her eyes that she didn't want to see Tsunade too soon. He also figured it had to do with what happened it was plainly obvious.

"We should go straight there Yamanaka. It would be unprofessional if we didn't." Neji stated trying not to feel a pang of guilt when her face dropped slightly. She forced a smile on her lips and nodded to him turning away. He tried ignoring the guilt he was feeling trying to rationalize that it was best to get it over with rather than extend the inevitable.

Neji swallowed a lump in his throat.

"Only twenty minutes, then we meet at the Hokage tower, not a second less." Ino turned to Neji smiling brightly. She knew he would break down eventually it just took some patience something she learned to have the more she spent around the Hyuuga Prodigy.

"Thanks Neji!" Ino flung her arms out wrapping them around his neck. It was only a split second later that she pulled away with her face lightly red. Ino hadn't even thought about what she was doing, it was just impulse to hug him. Neji also looked quite tense with a slight redness gracing his cheeks as herself. He coughed lightly into a closed hand.

"Yes, well…you better hurry times counting down." Ino nodded giving him a light smile before taking off completely. Neji watched her quickly disappear from his sight before sighing deeply. How could she have so easily gotten under his skin like that? It was almost like some sort of mind control really. He wouldn't put it pass her to do something like that. But Neji knew Ino didn't possess that type of ability without inserting her soul into his body…at least he thought so…

"I need a cold shower…"…

Ino raced home quickly. Her mind went over and over her current situation, trying to find the best way to tell Tsunade how horrible the mission had gone even if it was a success. She could have done a hell of a lot better than what happened, but she didn't. Instead she got hurt and had to get rescued by Neji like some pathetic damsel in distress! Ino groaned lightly unlocking her door and heading into her apartment. What was she going to do now? Tsunade was definitely not going to over look this mistake and it might cause Ino her rank if her Hokage wanted too.

"I just need to shower and relax; I'll get through this…" Ino mumbled out walking to her bathroom and entering her shower…

Though she wanted to stay in there forever there wasn't much time before she had to meet up with Neji at the Tower so it took all of Ino's will to force her to get out and change into her normal ninja attire. She brushed her hair quickly deciding to forgo blow drying it even though it was much faster with her hair shorter it was still time consuming. She ran out her door locking it quickly and took off towards the tower…

"So the mission was successful I presume." Tsunade stated taking the scroll out of Neji's hand and looking over it. Everything was there as far as she could tell. Her eyes then moved up to look at the two ninjas standing a little too still in front of her desk. An eyebrow rose up. "Something on your mind?" Neji coughed into his hand and gave a quick glance at Ino who looked as though she rather not be here.

"There was…a bit of trouble during the mission…" Tsunade set down the scroll and laced her fingers together on her desk.

"What kind of trouble?" Ino sighed softly since she was about to reveal the most humiliating incident she ever had on a mission, especially with one that was practically easy.

"I missed calculated and underestimated our target…and got hurt and…almost killed…and Neji had to save my ass…" Ino huffed out clasping her hands together tightly behind her back. Neji kept his sight straight though the urge to look over at Ino was becoming unbearable.

"So was there any actual damage to the mission? Did you need to be admitted to a hospital Ino? Is there any lasting trauma?" The blonde woman blinked slowly and then shook her head. She easily healed herself, the only trauma she experienced was a blow to her ego, and the mission went off fine after that. They weren't supposed to capture their target, just get the scroll and be rid of him. "Okay, so no harm, no foul. As long as your fine Ino, but I would like you to be more precautious next time. You're a good ninja, we can't loose you now." Tsunade smiled at the end as Ino gave out a dumbfounded look.

"W-Wait a minute! You mean I'm not in trouble, or going to be demoted or anything!" Her Hokage blinked and then shook her head.

"Do you want me too? I mean I deal with Naruto on a regular basis here and he does far worse than you have Yamanaka, but like I said be more precautious next time. You both may leave now…" Neji nodded though Ino looked as if she wanted to argue a bit more she didn't get that chance when Neji grabbed her arm and pulled her out of there. Once the two of them were standing outside her office with the door closed she turned to him quickly.

"Here I was thinking my ass is grass and being a worry wart…and all I get is 'be more precautious next time'…" Neji shook his head and began walking away; of course Ino was quick to follow. "Wait! You knew I wasn't going to get in trouble didn't you!" She accused quickly pointing her finger in his face. Neji stopped abruptly and shrugged his shoulders lightly.

"Wasn't it obvious Yamanaka? The scroll came out completely fine and you managed to heal your wounds without incident…did you really expect to be scolded for a mistake many ninja have done before you." Neji stated at the end raising an eyebrow to her in question. Ino crossed her arms and glared at him.

"Your teasing me aren't you." He rolled his eyes to her and walked off but not before calling over his shoulder.

"I have things to do today so I'll see you tomorrow; same place, same time…" Ino dropped her shoulders and watched silently as Neji walked off leaving her behind. She did want to spend some more time with him, but she also needed time to herself to really think over what has occurred for the last few days. And she knew one person with a big heart who could help her out.

"Chouji…"….

Tenten dove to her left effectively dodging a high kick directed to her head courtesy of Lee. He smiled lightly and was quick to react racing after her as she regained her balance. This is what greeted Neji as he stood there watching his two long time teammates train together. They had all worked together for so long; all of them knew each other's moves and knew how to counter them as well. So it was more like a game for the three of them to see who could outwit each other. Neji had usually won most of the time, but Tenten and Lee were quick to catch up with him.

Neji knew he would find these two training today, Sakura was most likely at the hospital or on a mission and Kankuro had left to Suna two days ago so the two would be bored if they were not on a mission. Lee was the first to take notice of their third teammate.

"Neji!" He called out happily and then went head first into the ground after Tenten connected her foot to his skull. She blinked slowly blushing at the damage she caused before looking over to the Hyuuga and wave to him.

"Hey Neji!" She then turned to Lee with an apologetic smile. "Sorry Lee…" He shook it off quickly though smiling the whole time as he got up. They both walked over towards their teammate. "So how was your mission? I heard it was with Ino Yamanaka…how was that?" Tenten questioned quickly though Neji could detect certain cautiousness in her tone as she spoke. He brushed it off since he was known not to get along with the blonde Yamanaka.

"It was fine, we got along alright…" Neji left it at that as Tenten nodded nonchalantly Lee also nodded smiling still.

"The mission you had was a success, yes?" Lee questioned after looking over to Neji with big eyes and waiting for him to explain what the mission was about.

"Yes Lee, the mission was a success. All we had to do was retrieve a scroll and get rid of the man who had taken it in the first place. Everything went fine…" Neji stated at the end looking off to the side as his thoughts started going back to Ino. He never felt so…worried and scared for another person's life that wasn't either Tenten or Lee. There was this rage that built up in him when he saw how helpless she looked, and then the next thing he knew their target was dead and he was carrying her away to help with her wounds. That night too after they had gotten further away from the village and camped out there was still that feeling laying heavy in his chest. Still a fear that something…might take her away from him, and that was something he could allow to happen. So he placed his arm around her body and pulled her to him. His mind just kept going over and over the mission and all the little things that happened…

"Wow never thought I'd see the day Neji Hyuuga would space out…" Tenten commented smiling at the far off look in his eyes. Lee nodded staring at their teammate for a moment.

"I wonder what it is that he is thinking so much about." The statement made the brunette next to him blink slowly and give him a look.

"Really Lee…really…" He only shrugged but smiled at her making Tenten roll her eyes at him. They both stared at Neji for a bit longer before he turned to him and blinked slowly.

"What are you two staring at?" He stated coldly making them both look opposite ways and shaking their heads at him. He frowned further and crossed his arms. "So who's up for a little…training."

Both Tenten and Lee looked at each other briefly as the way Neji said 'training' made it sound so…sinister…

Ino walked around slowly down the streets contempting what happened over the last few days. She knew she was falling for Neji and rather quickly too, and she knew she had to stop the bet by all costs but…there was a little thing called honesty. Ino groaned as the word echoed in her head. Just because she stops the bet or doesn't go through with it and looses so much money in the process the fact that she's not honest with Neji just makes the matter far worse. She always thought she would never get so attached to the Hyuuga Prodigy, Ino really thought that she could just get through with it without any lingering feelings clouding her mind…but then she guessed she really didn't know herself as well as she thought…

'Even if…no when I lose the bet to everyone…I'll still have this guilt baring down on my heart whenever I'm around him…' Ino thought sadly taking a right turn and heading down another busy street way. Whatever choice she did she was screwed on both ends, only one end was far worse than another but they were both equally difficult and may cost her more than her pride and money…

"It may cost me him…" She commented softly sighing as she stopped in front of a familiar resturant. The sadness she felt went away a little as she entered the establishment and noticed the familiar faces. "Hello Choza! Is Chouji around?" Ino asked politely smiling brightly up at the bigger man. He returned the smile and nodded his head.

"Hello Ino, it's been awhile. How's your father been?" Ino nodded in agreement.

"He's doing fine so far, taking a few missions outside the village but I try to visit him often as he does me…" She said in hard tone as her father, Inoichi made sure he was around for her, and also breaking into her apartment to eat her food when he could too… Choza laughed loudly patting the blonde teen on the back.

"Yeah well when you see him tell him to visit us here!" Ino nodded quickly and then was directed to where Chouji was. She came to find him sitting in the back of the resturant taking a break and eating his favorite bag of chips with a bottle of water beside him. He looked up when the back door opened to show Ino as she walked through they both smiled to each other and Chouji moved to get up.

"Ino! It's been a while since I've seen you, how are you?" He asked quickly pulling her into a big bear hug. Ino smiled and returned it best she could, that was one of the things she loved about Chouji. She could always depend on him when she was upset to comfort her and hold her when she needed it. Shikamaru was just too…awkward when it came to comforting her, but for Chouji he was right at him with his big heart and caring attitude. He was just the person she needed to talk to…

"Oh well I'm doing fine, just got back from a mission actually." Ino quickly stated taking a seat on a crate by his as he offered his bag of chips to her. Now usually she would quickly say 'no' and tell him she's watching her 'figure' but after everything that had happened and with what Neji told her Ino decided to disregard her usual habits and grabbed a hand full to set in her lap and munch down on. Chouji was shocked to say the lest with a bit of amusement in his eyes.

"Cool, it's been a while since you've gone on a mission, was it out of the village?" He questioned further smiling brighter than before as he watched Ino eat a chip or two before responding. They were actually really good and now she knew why they were his favorite too, that and Ino didn't realize how hungry she really was.

"Oh, yeah I was sent to retrieve a scroll and dispose of a man who took it…" Chouji raised an eyebrow as she left the rest untold as Ino placed another chip into her mouth to keep from saying more. It just seemed more embarrassing to have to tell anyone about her blunder, but then it was Chouji she was talking to and he would never judge her or tease her about it.

"Did you go alone?" He asked then waiting patiently for her answer. Ino stopped for a moment and told herself to just get on with it already.

'Jeez! The whole reason I came here was to get some advice from Chouji and also to have someone other than Hinata know how I truly feel…I really need someone who has a different point-of-view on my situation and that isn't very close to Neji as Hinata is…' Ino thought briefly before telling Chouji everything.

"Well Neji was my partner on the mission." She stated quietly looking off to the ground. Ino wasn't sure if Shikamaru had actually told Chouji about the bet or not, last time she went to ask for advice from him he blew her off, and Hinata was still to close to her 'subject' for her to get an outsiders thoughts and so Chouji…

"I see…how is that…bet going?" Chouji mumbled out quickly placing a few chips in his mouth afterwards. She looked up to him but he didn't move to meet her eyes at all making her guilt double from before. Ino sort of knew he would be disappointed in her for doing this, hell she was starting to feel disappointed in herself for doing this as well. Still she needed him in this so she went on…

"Good I guess…well anyway…so you know all about the bet huh?" Ino failed horribly in trying to change the subject and so just asked the question that was burning in her belly. Chouji nodded setting his chips aside and taking a drink of his water.

"Yeah, Shikamaru told me about it a few days ago…" He looked down for a moment before turning to meet her eyes head on. "How could you do this Ino! Bet your own virginity and someone else's for money! Or even going as far as to break another person for your own benefit! That isn't you Ino that has never been you! I know you can be manipulative and impulsive, but this is…are you trying to prove to everyone who started those horrible rumors about you true! Or is this some sort of game to you? Use someone just because you can, do you really think you can get away with this!" Chouji had come to stand mid-way through his speech looking down upon Ino with desperate eyes as she bowed her head to him. Everything he said…this was why she had to come to him. He could surely knock some sense into her…but then she already has done that…

"I…I…" Ino burst into tears letting down fall from her eyes down her cheeks and watching them fall to the ground and soaking up in the dirt beneath her feet. "It…I…I wasn't trying to…to….to hurt anyone…I don't know what I was thinking!" She brought her hands up to her face feeling the tears land on her palms and sliding down her wrists and arms. Chouji sighed softly his eyes showing great concern for Ino as he moved to sit beside her on the large crate. Ino felt total disgust for herself now; she was nothing but a monster. Something so low, so despicable…

"Ino…I'm sorry, I overreacted…I just couldn't believe you could…even think of doing something like that." Chouji stated softly bringing on hand to rub her back as she cried some more. After a minute or so she wiped away a few tears and sucked in some air to relax herself. Ino needed to collect what composure she had left and tell Chouji everything that had been going on since she began that stupid bet.

"In…in the beginning I just did it for a challenge…which is stupid I know", Ino gave him an appointed look to let him she knew it was bad, "but after learning more about him, letting him train me after a bet of our own resulting in the hair cut…I…I started to feel something for him. He wasn't just some guy I wanted to get in bed with for money…but my trainer, and friend. He let me know exactly what was what with my own personality and behaviors like my eating habits." Ino pointed out making Chouji nodded in understanding. "And slowly but surely I was…affecting him as well…Neji seemed to lighten up some around me, smile a little at times and take in my opinions and listen to me…" Ino huffed out some air and gave a roll of her eyes before heaving out a sigh. "I don't know how it happened but…I fell for him."

Ino looked over to Chouji looking right into his eyes with tears welling in him as she looked so desperate to him.

"I'm falling in love with Neji Hyuuga…"

Lee waved goodbye to Neji and Tenten as he walked off to pick up Sakura from the hospital. Tenten smiled lightly and leaned back against a tree, relaxing after such a brutal training session thanks to one Neji Hyuuga. He too took to leaning against a tree though he stood as she sat on the ground. They stayed in peaceful silence with each other for a good few minutes before one of them broke it.

"So how are you and…puppet boy?" Neji practically chewed the insulted name as he asked. Tenten shook her head but smiled none-the-less.

"Fine, fine. It stinks that I don't get to see him that often, but then when we do see each other it's just…that much more special…" Tenten gave a dreamy gaze as she thought about Kankuro. Neji rolled his eyes, but smiled lightly for his teammate. He didn't like the fact that she was interested in Kankuro per-say, but he was happy that she was with someone that made her feel…that way. The same went for Lee too, Neji was happy for both his teammates finding someone who cared for them. It made him think about what had been going on the last few days which seemed to be lately and always revolving around a certain blonde girl. He could picture her beautiful face right now, her blonde hair that was now short (thanks to him) though he seemed to prefer it that way, and with the way her eyes seemed to get a bit smaller when she smiled brightly and how her blue eyes shined brightly in any sort of light, but were the best in board day light. Neji sighed deeply and blinked when Tenten looked at him strange.

"What?" He questioned crossing his arms, a clear gesture to guard himself better. Tenten gave a slightly knowing smile and looked down to her hands.

"I asked you about what was going on with your training so far? You definitely seem ready for…that battle…" She was treading dangerous waters here and spoke cautiously with Neji as to not piss him off or make him close up like a clam. He nodded and looked up to the sky above.

"My training is going fine, though I need far more before I am to be ready to battle Hiashi for title of head of the clan." Tenten nodded and decided to ask a question that she already knew the answer for, but Neji didn't know that.

"What's keeping you from being completely ready?" She kept the question slightly vague and gave him an innocent look so he wouldn't get suspicious of her. Neji blinked slowly turning to eye Tenten for a moment before frowning altogether. He wasn't so sure he could tell her what has been going on with him…and that it had to do with Ino Yamanaka. But he knew from experience that if he kept this bottled inside the end would be disastrous and he really needed a girl's opinion about it all and he wasn't going to go to neither Hinata or Hanabi about his 'situation'.

"I've been…training Ino Yamanaka lately…" Neji started out getting a nod from Tenten and a look of surprise. Being around a Hyuuga for years now helped her be able to manage her emotions so he could see through them. Neji went to go on but seemed to struggle a bit so Tenten responded back.

"Really…well why don't you start from the beginning and walk me through it…" She offered and smiled gently at him. He nodded and moved to take a seat rather than standing like before.

"Okay, well it started about…" Neji searched his mind for a moment, "Eight days ago I assume, it feels like it's been months really…" Tenten nodded and urged him on. "The first day Yamanaka had suddenly out of nowhere confronted me while I was training one afternoon, she tried giving small talk and I told her to 'get lost'. After that I went to ignoring her and training once more. I noticed a certain look in her eyes, one of determination so the next day I changed my training spot because I was sure she would be coming back. And I was right…"

Neji went on from there talking about the next seven days after that first to Tenten, letting her know he was the reason for her sudden hair cut with the deal/bet they made with each other resulting in him training her till she ranked up. He told her about their interactions and how her training had been going including breaking her shoulder out of place. Finally it came to the last few days where they both kissed as he taught her certain fighting stances making Tenten blush and gasp as she listened to Neji go on about what happened including afterwards and the mission he had been on only a day ago. By the time he was done speaking Tenten was looking down to the ground in deep thought. Neji stayed quiet though and waited for his teammate to gather her thoughts.

"So…do you…like her…?" Neji shrugged lightly looking off to someplace else.

"I do…like her, but…" He didn't know how to finish his sentence so Tenten did for him.

"But you don't know exactly how much." He nodded in agreement. "Well you both kissed and she consented so she must be feeling something for you." Tenten stated as she searched her mind for the right words. "Plus the way you described your dancing during your mission shows…closeness and a sense of wanting you both have for each other and…" She shrugged at the end.

"Neji…I think…your falling in love with Ino Yamanaka…"

"Yes…I think I am…"…

Chapter ends…

Yays! Go me, go me! I finally got this chapter done with and out! I am pride of me now…teehee…

Well this chapter was a bit hard because I really started where Neji confronted himself and realized a few things and then stopped for a while before finally (right about now) finished the rest of it. That's what I call some determination! But hopefully I will be able to get the next chapter done and out!

Also I think I'm going to revise my earlier chapters like probably about chapter 1 to chapter 9 I believe which is labeled as 'Day 5: You've changed' just looking over errors in the story and fixing any plot holes that might be there. My writing has grew since I've started this story way back when and so I would like for the story to flow together rather than sound like a beginner in writing and then sound better as the story progresses… So all please be on alert, I'll be working on them for a bit so once I post chapter 16 that's when you'll know I'm done revising over the earlier chapters and you can re-read them if you would like.

I know I'll end up adding different things to them like an extra conversation or something so you all might have to re-read them, but if not then that's fine too…

Anywho, I'm out…

LostsoulofRegret ^_~