As The Leaf Turns

Fifteen: The Great Experiment Begins – Tenten Watches an Amazing Thing


Sasuke stood in the center of the courtyard of the Hyuuga estate and watched as the Hyuuga man performed the Jutsu and became Meneji again, this time using a varied form of chakra control that had his body recycling the expended power.
He waited and watched as the transformation became complete before turning to the tall dark-haired girl that watched next to him.
“So, now you see. What is your opinion, Tenten?” he asked as Meneji stood before them, her long black skirt tapered with her shapely legs and a slit running up her left thigh to cease before exposing anything improper. The pure white blouse was loose but fell in a way that accentuated the perfectly shaped breasts it concealed. The no-heal pumps on the perfect feet added dimension without height for the already 5’ 10” beauty.
“I think I would have a run for my money if we were in a beauty contest. Neji, you look gorgeous!” she said.
“Meneji.” Sasuke corrected and the buns on her head bobbed as she nodded. “Show her.” He added.
Neji crossed to the doors and entered a private room, settled on the couch and shifted the skirt to the side exposing her body for the other girl’s examination.
Tenten was nervous, but she had promised to help her ex-teammate with the perfection of the jutsu and she never went back on her promise.
After a half of an hour, they had determined the problems with Neji’s transformation and he had changed back and forth several times in attempt to perfect the internal differences.
Tenten sat back as he looked at her oddly, his mind reviewing her last suggestion and his nose ready to bleed when he figured out that he would have to undergo this in order to actually be able to bear a child within his transformed body.
“And this happens every twenty-eight days?” he asked receiving a nod from the girl. “How do you stand it?” he added.
“You get used to it, kinda. Okay, maybe not. The cramps are the worst part.”
“I can’t do this!” Neji said, turning to Sasuke and glaring.
The Uchiha returned his glare as Tenten decided to finally voice her query.
“Neji-kun? Why do you want to?” she said and both young men turned to her.
Neji sighed and settled down on the floor nearby, his hands fisted as they settled on his knees and he looked down at the floor in front of him. Sasuke stayed where he was and watched as the Hyuuga gathered his courage and prepared to shock his teammate with his admission.
“Tenten, did you know about Shikamaru and I?” he asked and she tilted her head to the side. “That we are not just roommates, we are lovers?”
“Um, I kinda suspected. I mean you two have been living together longer than you have let go of that apartment, right?”
Neji looked up and smiled lightly. “Yes, for a year and a half now. We can’t marry, that is reserved for male/female couples. But, what we have is equal. Naruto and Sasuke also have such an arrangement. It isn’t just for the raising of the child.” He added, bringing a smirk to the Uchiha’s face.
“I kinda figured that, too. Naruto has been very open about his preferences or maybe lack of preferences, over the years. And it seemed natural with how you two have obsessed over each other since you were Genin. But, why do you want to be a woman? Is it so that you can marry, Neji?” she asked.
“No. That would be a lie. I will stay with Shikamaru as myself, but Tenten, I want to have something permanent between us. I wish to give Shika a child. It is my ultimate goal and then we can find that kind of family happiness that we strive for. I have some experience taking care of a small child and I found that I enjoy it, also. With Shika I could be the parent that I crave to be and we would have something to bond us in the sight of the village also. Just as Sasuke and Naruto have Tanomoshii.”
“That is too long on the tongue. We are calling him Koibito until he is older.” The Uchiha added as he listened to the Hyuuga struggle over the name. Neji looked up and then smiled.
“An apt nickname. He is a sweetheart. Now, Tenten. If I must do this to be completely female, I will. Please explain it once more.” he said, his resolve strengthened by the thoughts of the tiny pale baby that lived in the home of his closest thing to a rival and the blond that had stirred this up in the first place.
Tenten started at the beginning and was soon lost in the description of Monthly flows and fallopian tubes, not noticing the green look to the two men who were listening and glad that they had not eaten a heavy lunch.


Iwashi stood at the counter to the jewelry store with a smiling Inaho and Gennai.
The clerk stood on the opposite side looking irritated and glaring at the two smiling Chuunin.
Iwashi pointed at yet another ring and the clerk reluctantly pulled it out to show it to the Jounin and his companions.
Inaho whistled loudly as the lights hit the gem and danced back into his eyes.
“If that don’t impress a girl, nothing will.” He suggested.
“He can’t just impress her, he has to dazzle her. I still say the big diamond is perfect.” Gennai argued.
“You and the bigger is better stuff again. Get real. Tenten is not like that. That’s just you.” Inaho returned.
“Right and that’s why I like you.” Gennai said.
“Um, guys. Enough foreplay in the jewelry store, and can you say, ‘too much information’?” Iwashi said as he held the ring and glared at the pair. “I don’t want to know about your sex life, I just want one of my own. Now, I think she would like the second one. I’ll take it.” He said to the clerk and the man returned the latest to the case and brought out a simple gold band with a pair of tiny sparkling stones set next to each other along its length.
Once it was boxed up and he had paid the clerk, Iwashi and his shadows headed back into the streets. They turned down the side road and headed for the apartment that the two shared to have lunch and continue to plan for the “Big Date” when Iwashi would propose to the Chuunin Teacher.
“Hey, Washi? Are you going to take her out to dinner first, or did you want to get it over with without risking throwing up?” Gennai asked, leaning against his counter as Inaho diced some vegetables behind him.
A sharp rap to his head informed him that the other young man was not pleased with his question. Iwashi laughed at the look on his face as he received the blow and failed to even turn back to his lover in response.
The blush that covered him was sure to have traveled down beyond the turtleneck sweater that was his trademark and Iwashi was sure that if he removed the full scarf forehead protector he wore that his hair was standing on end for fear of burning its roots.
Inaho slammed the knife into the cutting board a few more times before he placed it on the counter and yanked the other back by the scruff of his neck and placed a quick hard kiss on his lips. “You’re an idiot. But you’re my idiot.” He said releasing him and turning to the wok on the stovetop.
Gennai smirked at Iwashi as the Jounin groaned in defeat.
“I don’t know why I hang out with you two. You will drive me insane yet.” He growled.
“Ah, you know you love us, Washi. Ever since we paired up with Minoji and finally passed the exam, we have been best friends.” Gennai said as Inaho nodded in agreement.
“We’d still be Genin with Kumugi if we hadn’t gotten smart and changed teams. Thanks for the advice by the way. Did you ever get into trouble about that?” the pretty young Chuunin asked as he stirred the vegetables quickly in the hot oil.
“Nah. Morino-san wanted me to tell you. He could tell that the guy was never going to be brave enough to pass the exam, and didn’t like you two being held back. He was impressed by the way you bowed out so gracefully when Kumugi balked at the first exam. It took a great deal of team support to do that, but he didn’t want to loose you to that emotion. You needed a team member you would be able to count on, too. It worked, too. Up until the tragedy, Minoji was perfect with you two.” Iwashi stated remembering the fatal day and the great loss for the village.
“Well, the food is ready. I hope you both have your appetites.” Inaho said, scooping the vegetables over rice and delivering it to Gennai to hand to their guest.

::::Yes, I have just thrown in two or four other characters. Deal. Gennai and Inaho needed some airtime. They were very gallant when their third man backed out at the first Chuunin exam and Inaho is such a hunky sweet little guy. But he also looks too pretty to be straight. Kumugi was their partner and Minoji was partnered with Tanzou and Shibire. I felt bad for the characters that were let down by one of their teammates and repaired them so to speak.

Vashta – Stalking ninja’s is a difficult trick. Good luck.

Marielle – As I explained on aim, Koibito is a knick name, the baby’s name is Tanomoshii and it means: Hopeful, reliable, promising, and trustworthy.

Next Chapter is A Marriage in the Works and A Traitor is Returning
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