Acrobatics


AN: So, this is my first fic in a while. College has been hectic. Partially because I'm studying abroad next semester and partially because I'm sick. Next story to get done is Hinata's part of the Masquerade, promise.

Neji watched his teammate though half-lidded eyes. His gaze followed her as she cheerfully did acrobatics in the clearing. He himself sat under a tree, meditating in the shade. His pale eyes opened fully when the young woman started towards him.

She leaned her head on his shoulder, closed her eyes, and sighed. "Why won't you join me?"

"I could ask you the same."

Tenten raised her head and looked at him. "Acrobatics work you body. It's a lot of fun too." Neji shook his head. "Fine." The young woman stood and bounded into the field. He watched her as she leaped up into a tree and across the area. She seemed to fly, somersaults twisting her body through the air. Neji had just closed his eyes when she let out a cry.

His pale eyes flew open and gazed across the field. When he alighted on his teammate, he was on his feet in an instant. He was by her side before she could move. Her limbs were spread and none looked broken. Tenten's eyes were closed and her breathing ragged. She twitched her hand when Neji touched her face.

"Tenten," he whispered softly. Her chocolate brown eyes slid open. She saw the worry hidden in his eyes.

"I'm fine." She moved to sit up but stopped when Neji slid his arm under her shoulders. The other he wrapped under her knees and stood up. Slowly he made his way to her house. Tenten stayed quiet as he made his way through the tiny apartment to her bedroom and laid her upon the bed. A soft whimper escaped her lips when he set her down but she was soon quiet. She continued to be silent as he gently checked her for broken bones. The only sound that came from her was when he touched her shoulders. Tenten said nothing as he stripped her shirt off and got a good look at her shoulders.

"Be glad it was only your shoulders." Neji stood and retrieved a tube from the bathroom. His hands gently rubbed the cream in and relaxed her bruised muscles. "This is why I didn't want to join you."

The kunochi rolled to face him. "If you had joined me, I wouldn't have gotten hurt."

"So you're blaming this on me," he said in a very calm tone.

"If you had been with me," she seethed, "I wouldn't have been imagining that you were." She blushed slightly and Neji pushed on.

"And why were you imagining I was there?"

Her hands slapped against the bed. "Is it so hard to imagine that I wanted to enjoy a day without training? A day with my boyfriend that was full of fun." Her hands gripped the blanket and her voice rose; tears collected in her eyes as she spoke. "I simply wanted to spent my birthday with the man I love. He seems to have forgotten though." The last part came out as a whisper and she turned on her side, her face buried in the pillow.

Neji smirked and rested his hand on her arm. "I didn't forget; I had a special night planned. You're hardly in a suitable condition for it now though." He gently pulled on her arm until Tenten lay on her back again. He dug into his pack and pulled out a little box, which he handed to her. "Open it."

The kunochi wiped away her tears before opening the little box. Inside was a plain silver band. "What is this for?" Neji stayed quiet and looked at her for a moment. That moment was all she needed. "Oh!" Her eyes went back and forth between the ring and Neji.

"What's your answer?" he asked.

"Yes, of course."