Weak. Weak. Weak. That is what TenTen has been told since she came out of the academy. She used to be the head kunoichi in her class. Always on the top of things, always getting and understanding the jutsu first, and always able to hit that target. Her peers always looked up to her and often asked her to help them after school was over, to learn how to throw a kunai with the same precise accuracy that she had. Most of the boys in TenTen's class thought she was really cool although of course they would never admit that. Even the infamous Hyuuga prodigy himself had to admit that she was quite handy when it came to class work. And he hated her for it.

And when poor unsuspecting TenTen was assigned to Team Gai, Neji always shot her down. Like when she learned how to do her "Rising Twin Dragon" he said, "And once you have used that in a battle, what else will you be able to do?" She had stayed quiet and said nothing although she knew what he meant. The technique could only be used twice and if she missed both times, she would have to resort to unsummoned weapons such as normal kunai and shiriken and also close combat or taijutsu which she wasn't specialized in. Altogether she felt very stupid and pathetic that she had just spent and wasted the last 5 months perfecting a jutsu that could only be used twice.

Another scenario would be when she came out of the chuunin exams for the first time and lost, he had told her that this was a sign from fate itself that she should quite being a ninja and find another profession. She was broken hearted at this even though kind Rock Lee had told her that she did her best and that she could always go back in a few months. And to think she had actually had feelings for the young Hyuuga at the time. But the sad and unavoidable truth was that she could never amount to anything in Neji's eyes.

TenTen knew that and understood, but she still put on a huge smile everyday they saw each other, still in hope that he would one day accept her for what she is. She would just have to get stronger, even if it means unlocking a power she never would have guessed she owned…

(To Be Continued)