Chibi: I had a sudden desire to start my two stories of oneshots, both starring Tenten. One is KankuTen, one NejiTen. This would be the NejiTen one…
Disclaimer: I'm only going to say this once, unless I forget and put it again. I don't own Naruto. I never have. I never will. I know…it breaks my heart too…
National Silence Day: National Silence day is a day when kids/teens stay silent for the entire day, kind of like supporting those who choose to be gay, lesbian, or bi, but get bullied…I'm not sure if that's right though….so don't blame me if I'm wrong… and by the way, this fanfic takes place soon after they are sorted into their three men cells, so they know each other fairly well, but not that well.
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Neji noticed something that day, as he and Tenten were sparring. She hadn't spoken one single word. He knew her. Barely. Something had to be up though. Tenten not speaking is like a store-bought cupcake without the disgusting, thick, icing that he hated.
"Hn…Tenten…you haven't spoke a word." He spoke calmly and coolly when he stopped for her to take a water break, as to not let her notice the curiosity boiling inside of him.
"Hn." Tenten replied, glancing at him slightly, before guzzling the cool and refreshing natural resource.
"Hn?" Neji cocked an eyebrow. Did she just use his word? Though it is not really considered a word…
"Hn." The tone the asian girl used sounded as if to clarify what she had just 'hned'.
Lee walked up to the two. "Hello Tenten! Hello my eternal rival Neji! Isn't this day joyous and youthful?!" He asked, beaming.
"Hn." Tenten replied, giving a small smile.
"Hnnnn…" Neji's 'hn' dragged on, as if he was agitated in some way.
Lee noticed how Tenten had responded with an 'hn', he knew that this was most unlike her. He shrugged it off easily, thinking that that might've been a legitimate answer from her point of view. "I'm going down to Ichiraku's soon to grab some lunch and bring it back here!" Lee exclaimed jubilantly. "I'll grab some for you two as well! What may I get for you?" Lee asked curiously.
"I'll have miso…thanks…" Neji gave Lee a blank look, but Lee could tell that Neji was just as grateful as anyone else, but just let the Shinobi way…in his way of emotions, so didn't show them in order to prove himself worthy.
"Wonderful! What about you Tenten?" Lee asked, turning to the female of the group. He knew Tenten loved ramen a lot; it was her favorite food from Konoha.
"Hn." Tenten had a blank look on her face as well, and neither Lee, nor Neji could read it. Neji's eyes widened slightly at this, and Lee went berserk.
"Tenten?! What is wrong with you?! Have you caught Neji-itus?" Lee exclaimed, referring to Neji's lack of normal vocablulary.
"Hn." Tenten responded with an 'hn' as well.
"Tenten?!" Lee was getting even more worried.
"Hn." This was Tenten as well.
"TENTEN?!" Lee was officially scared. "What is wrong, the youthful blossom of our trio?!" he practically screamed.
"Lee!" Neji had to raise his voice in order for the taijutsu specialist to hear him. "Tenten is fine! Just…get her pork, okay? I'll find out what is wrong with her."
Lee's mouth hung open. "Neji! That is the most you've said in a week! Oh! How the world is crumbling down on top of all of our youthfulness!"
"Lee! Just go." Neji's eyes slightly darkened, not too happy about Lee's outbursts and somewhat ashamed of his own sudden outburst.
Lee nodded, absorbing every word Neji had said, and ran off in the direction of the ramen bar.
Neji turned to Tenten. "Why won't you say anything other than 'hn'?" he asked blankly, staring at her with his pale, lavender eyes.
Tenten stared him directly in the face, and replied. "Hn."
Neji sighed. "I suppose I'll have to find a way to get you to speak again." He gave her a small smirk.
"Hn?!" Tenten's eyes widened, the chocolate orbs begging him to not use physical force. Oh please don't hurt me! I just decide to take part in National Silence Day, and I could end up dying! She thought dramatically. Please let Neji take mercy on me!! I don't want to be killed by a cute guy! Tenten knew very well that Neji was attractive, but refused to ever go fangirl on him. Those fangirls were…well…they sent shivers down her spine. How they dressed. How they acted. How they laced themselves around the hot Konoha boys, earning titles like 'slut' and 'whore'.
Neji could read Tenten like a book. "I'm not going to hurt you." He mumbled, rolling his eyes. "If you were a fangirl on the other hand…" he watched the Chinese girl sigh in relief. At that moment, Neji found himself taking in Tenten's image, his eyes staring at her feet, and slowly rising up, watching her legs curve into her hip, then waist, her curvy chest, and finally, her soft, friendly face. He realized she had just caught him checking her out, and looked down, embarrassed.
"Hn?" Tenten asked questioningly, as if to ask 'why me?'
Neji felt a sudden urge wash over him. He groaned. He could sense Tenten giving him a concerned look. Neji looked at her, and sighed. "C'mere Tenten." He motioned for her to step over, and she did obediently. He gently took her hand in his, and gave it a squeeze, before bringing it up to meet his lips. Tenten turned a red even crayola had not yet managed to turn crayon.
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Chibi: I know Neji is very OOC in this first oneshot, and I hope to keep him in better character after this fanfic. This is basically the starting point. All the fanfics take place after this.