Sparrows cawed over Konohagakure in the bright, spring morning. Neji Hyuuga stared out in the horizon and sighed. A stutter in the bushes told Neji that someone was spying on him. He closed his eyes.
Byakugan!
Tenten leapt out of the bushes and dusted herself off. Neji glanced over his shoulder at her.
"What are you doing here?" he asked. Tenten blushed and leaned against a tree.
"Maybe I should ask you the same thing?"
Neji gasped and spun around to face his squad mate. "What do you mean?" he proposed. Tenten glared at the ground.
"When you're squad mates," she started. "Well…usually people so close to one another share everything." Tenten glanced up at Neji. "I'm not trying to intrude…but…"
"But?"
Tenten sighed. "Why do you always have to be so quiet?" she asked frustratingly. "I know that you seem to be the quiet type…but you never tell us anything!" She glared at him. "Lee, nor I!"
Neji lowered his gaze. "There's nothing to talk about." He put simply.
Tenten crossed her arms. "I know that there's something bothering you," she put. "And you aren't telling anyone. People care about you more than you think." Neji walked closer to her and leaned on the same tree next to her.
"What people?" he demanded. He turned his head. "And for your information, I've already spoke to my father." Tenten raised an eyebrow.
"And?"
Neji faced his mate. "And he is unresponsive."
Tenten lowered her eyes so they met a budding new flower. Neji looked at the same flower as he continued.
"So, as you can see, there isn't anyone who cares about my problems." Tenten's eyes were concrete as she spoke her response.
"I care."
Neji grew a surprised look on his face. He jerked his gaze up to Tenten's face, who blushed in turn. "What…what do you mean?"
Tenten felt a warm breeze flutter the buns in her hair. "I know that something's been clawing at your heart ever since the chunin exams ended. I just can't figure out what." Neji set his sights on the flower again.
"Do you…really want to know?"
Tenten nodded.
Neji sighed. "Gai-sensei…he's been the one bugging me. He seems to…" Tenten gave him an encouraging glance. Neji continued. "He seems to spend all his extra time training with Lee. And, sometimes…" Tenten cocked her head.
Neji looked her in the eye. "And sometimes I want him to do some one-on-one training with me."
Tenten gasped. "Is that what's been bothering you this whole time?" she demanded. "You felt left out?"
Neji nodded curtly. "But…" He waved his finger at her. "Don't tell him I feel that way. OK?" Tenten smiled and took Neji's hands.
"Your secret's safe with me, Neji."
Neji smiled as he gazed out into the warm breeze. Tenten turned around and started walking away before she paused. She glanced back and smiled at Neji.
"If you ever have anything else to talk about…" she winked. "Let me know."
As Neji watched her walk off, he blushed slightly. His heart felt new again. As if…he had finally found a friend.
A friend worth having.