Summary: When Tenten looks at Haruno Sakura she does not see pink, she sees green.
Disclaimer: Naruto is (c) Masashi Kishimoto and Shueisha, Inc.
COLOR RUMINATION
When Tenten looks at Haruno Sakura she does not see pink, she sees green.
Her first association came from the green spandex uniform of a thirteen year old Rock Lee. Upon being introduced to Team Seven, she recalls how he confidently marched forward – chin up, chest out, shoulders squared, back straight – and boldly declared that he would protect the fair maiden with his life. The other kunoichi had yet to discover that the word of Konoha's Beautiful Green Wild Beast was his bond.
The Forest of Death led to her second association. Tenten overlooked sheared tresses in favor of green eyes that now smoldered with the fierce light of determination. The battered and bloodied damsel no longer wanted to be in distress. For the sake of her comrades, Sakura had resolved not to be left behind. She intended to become the protector instead of the protected.
Tenten's idol, the legendary kunoichi Tsunade, contributed to her third association. Due to her own imperfect chakra control, the funjutsu specialist had come to accept that she would never be able to emulate the Fifth Hokage's raw strength and skill as a medical-nin. However, the one trait Tenten coveted most was one of the few redeeming qualities Sakura actually possessed. Under the grueling desert sun, Tenten first witnessed the green glow of chakra from hands that could miraculously heal and irreparably harm. The rescue of Suna's prince and fall of its most infamous puppeteer heralded the arrival of the Slug Princess's heir apparent.
The ravages of war resulted in Tenten's fourth association. She enviously remembers how two members of Team Seven clung to their third, laughing and weeping after being reunited at the conflict's end. Spectators stood at a distance, faces awash with hero-worship as they gazed upon the trio credited for saving the five great nations and beyond. Meanwhile, the remainder of Team Gai endured a funereal silence – Maito Gai and Rock Lee did not joyously cry about youth and vigor, Tenten did not teasingly scold and reprimand, and Hyuuga Neji did not suffer their antics with a good-humored albeit sacrificial air. In her heart of hearts, Tenten realized that nothing would ever be the same after that day; the scale of her team would be forever out of balance because Neji was now gone, gone, gone.
So yes, when Tenten looks at Haruno Sakura she most definitely sees green.
THE END