50 Memories and 50 Times: Neji/Tenten

Chapter 1: Distraction

Neji was running through the treetops, fighting off the enemy ninja, when he heard a scream. 'That sounded…like, no it can't be. She never gets hit.'

"TENTEN-SAMA!" 'It must be someone else, calling for her help…'

He turned his head, to see one of the Chuunin assigned to this mission holding Tenten; she was bleeding badly and looked dazed. Just then, a Sound Ninja swung a kunai at him, but he moved out of the way at the last second. Dispatching the enemy quickly, he jumped back to Tenten, and the Chuunin. "What happened," he demanded.

"Well sir, she looked forward or something and her eyes got all wide…and she opened her mouth, but at that second someone stabbed her from behind."

"Where?" The man pointed to her stomach, which true enough, had a katana through it. The blood trickled down her, and she coughed weakly, spitting out more of the red substance. 'What the hell…Tenten never gets like this! She's always focused!'

"Kill the ninja here with your comrades…let me have Tenten." The Chuunin nodded, and shifted the girl into Neji's arms, and he began his run back towards Konoha.

He was sitting in a chair, staring at the girl in bed. She was dressed in the classic white hospital gown, sleeping somewhat peacefully, while the wound in her stomach was slowly healed. "Sir? We're done with the treatment…but it'll be at least a day before she can leave. Your welcome to stay I suppose…but what's your relationship with her? Father, husband, brother…what?"

"Friend." The doctor nodded, and walked out of the room. Neji looked at Tenten again, her chest slowly rising and falling, and the monitors beeping with her heart rate were his only reassurance. "What happened Tenten? What did you see…?" Her eyes fluttered open a bit, and she groaned. "N-neji?"
"Yes…I'm here."

"What happened…where am I?"

"Apparently you got sidetracked on the mission and got yourself stabbed through the stomach! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"

"I was worried…"

"About what? What could possibly be that important!" She paused for a moment, and bent her head…but he could still see her tears. "I'm sorry Tenten…that came out in a very harsh way." She looked up and smiled weakly. "It's ok Neji…I was worried about…you."

"W-what?" For the first time in his life, Neji stuttered.

"Well, I saw someone about to attack to stab your blind spot, and I tried to tell you, but I think it was just a clone. The real thing came behind me, and well…you know the rest." 'It's my fault…that's why she's here. Me!'

"I'm sorry I made you worry Tenten."

"Don't apologize, it's my fault not being able to see it was just an illusion…I just didn't want you dead!" She smiled warmly, and Neji felt even guiltier.

"Just…don't let me distract you again."

"But you will! I always look out for you, especially your blindspot!" He was lucky, to have someone who cared this much, who could have and probably would die for him. Was that love? "Thank you…Tenten, for caring…and wanting to protect me."

"It's not a problem…I'll always be there!" He smiled, not a smirking smile, but a real one…

"I know, and that's why I'm lucky…"

"Your one heck of a distraction sometimes though! Gosh, it's such a pain having to help you out constantly!" He smirked at this though, "now who really does most of the protecting?" She frowned. "Way to kill my moment of glory Neji!"

A/N: Yes, I'm doing it! 50 different probably very fluffy one shots of Neji Ten, some love, some just friendship. This one teeters on the brink…I personally think Neji's OOC but w/e…sorry!