This is just a story I wrote that centers around Neji and Tenten, with slight allusions to Romeo and Juliet. I hope you like it, I'd love feedback, and I accept prompts. It may start off a bit slow, but feel free to skim and skip to the next chapter. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or the characters mentioned here. They are Masashi Kishimoto's.
Once, Gai suggested that his team take an entire day off from training or missions. It would be a sort of "holiday", where the four of them could play board games, watch movies—do all the things that only civilians had the time to. Tenten and Lee agreed, of course, rather quickly. Neji agreed soon enough, and the plans were nearly set.
"Ah, finally a day off!" Tenten exclaimed. "And Neji?" He turned.
"There's something I want to talk to you about tonight. Don't let me forget, okay?" Her brown eyes shone with quiet enthusiasm, and he smiled. "Alright."
"So where shall we go?" Lee sang. "My house, or Tenten's...no room can contain the youth we'll feel tonight!" Tenten and Neji exchanged a glance, unsure of how to respond. He sighed, and said, "If Lord Hiashi agrees, we can use my room. There's more space, DVDs--"
"Perfect! Will it be a sleepover, then?"
"Ah, I'll need permission, but that's fine. How about six, an hour from now?"
"Great! See you then." He bowed quickly, smiling, and started toward his house. Gai gave a similar polite gesture, and left for his, leaving Neji and Tenten alone in a comfortable silence.
"We need to talk tonight, eh? That was vague, what you said."
Tenten returned his smile. "It was supposed to be."
"So I don't suppose you'll tell me here, while we're alone?"
She pondered this with a mischievous smile. "Nope."
"See you in an hour, then."
Grinning, she said, "Bye!", as she departed to get ready. And he, left alone in the clearing, left in the direction of the Main House.
"Lord Hiashi," he asked, while there. "May I ask a favor?"
He waited silently for Neji to continue. "I'd like to have friends over, and they asked to stay the night."
He turned the idea over in his mind, and decided that he didn't like it. He pursed his lips and Neji feared his answer.
"There's a clan discussion over tea in the morning."
"I'll be there either way, sir."
"See that you are. Have fun with your friends." At that point, he returned to his room.
And soon, the three were led formally into Neji's new room, in the Main House. The movies, "Drunken Master", "Fight Club", "Unleashed", and "The Notebook" were set neatly on the television, to be watched later that night. Snacks such as popcorn and fresh fruit with sugar were set on the table, catering to each of their tastes. The TV glared with he credits of Dance Dance Revolution, a favourite of Gai's and Lee's.
The guests arrived early and changed into comfortable clothes. After a light snack, Gai and Lee were locked in a heated battle of DDR. Neji took the opportunity to glance at Tenten, who whispered,"Let's go somewhere quieter."
Just then, a game concluded and Lee shouted, "I win again! Another game, sensei?!"
"Much quieter," Neji muttered.
He led her down the hall, past Hiashi's room, to the guest bedroom. From the royal purple carpet, Neji strode to the bed and stood there, while Tenten lingered at the door. The embellished comforter, with its matching bed skirt, pillows, and curtains amazed her still. She walked less confidently to the bed, her resolve strangely weak. He waited patiently for her to speak, so she did.
"Neji, we've been friends a long time," she began. He blinked, knowing the direction the conversation would go, and was unable to object. "Even best friends. But, what you don't know is that I don't see you as only that. Lately, I feel something that I don't really understand, and I'm kind of scared. But I know, after all that's happened, that I'm in love with you."
"You are." he said, an uneasiness to his voice that caused her to feel the same. "Tenten, we can't—I don't see you in that way. I just don't, so I hope you understand." His tone was raw, expressive. "I'm very sorry."
"Oh, okay." He could see just how restrained her emotions were right now, and he could see the tears brimming in her chocolate-brown eyes. "That's fine."
"Really? Listen, I'm really glad that we're friends; I am. Would it be unbearable for you if we stayed this way?"
"A little. But it's okay."
"Alright." He examined her expression carefully while he said, "Why don't we go back in there, and just forget about this? Unless you'd like to talk about something else."
"No. Let's go." She offered a smile, and he barely returned it as they returned to the living room, greeted excitedly, a movie already beginning. As the title screen flashed, they both realized that it was "The Notebook", a sad, achingly sweet film that neither of them was in the mood for. Though Tenten felt alone in her unrequited love, Neji, too, pondered what could have been. And, once enough kissing scenes and awkward glances had taken place, Neji and Tenten both retreated to bed early.