Confessions in the Circus

Do you ever get the feeling your life is going in a completely wrong direction and the same time, you couldn't be happier?

No?...Well you don't have to be a jerk about it; I'm just saying! That wasn't the point anyway. I was supposed to be great. Supposed to be great, the shit. But really who, other than Naruto, can handle all that attention? Although I wasn't as popular as Uchiha, hey, i had a fanclub; as in 30 or plus village chicks that piss themselves whenever I come into view. I was a "genius" afterall. I was (and still am) sexy as hell and come on, how many other 13 -year -olds have a tattoo...on their forehead?!?! Yes, I was supposed to be great.

... ( --- cheap, uncreative divider)

"Neji-kun?" each syllable of my name was dripping with a certain hesitant cheerfulness that made me stop my actions momentarily to give attention to the voice's owner.

Her...wait, her?! In front of me stood extremelly hott (but not enough for me to acknowledge) panda-headed, bright-eyed konoichi team mate Tenten. I scoffed and pretended to be more interested in the assortment of papers scattered on the desk in front of me.

"Hn." Her eyes lowered to the floor. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a grimace before my comrade composed herself and adressed me once more.

"I know that this may a bad time to come and talk but-" she was cut off.

"Oh for Kami's sake, can you shut your damn mouth already?!" We were both bewildered by my sudden of loss of calm. So out of character for me. Shaken, i started again, this time gripping on to whatever relaxed part of me I had left "...Are you honestly trying to talk to me? Tenten, yesterday I was humiliated to an uncharted extent by my own team and my reputation went down the crapper! I'm doing my uncle's damned taxes right so I don't have to face all the pathetic fools of this village!"

"It was an accident!"

"Suck a dick, you whore." Okay, that was out of character. I think I might have hurt her feelings because without further notice, she walked hurriedly out the door. I was left alone in my room with only the memory of the previous day to haunt my thoughts.

Flashback; Third Person (Normal) POV

Today was Neji's day... he had finally asked out his teammate. It wasn't one of those 'spur of the moment' type of situations. Being the haughty young lad he was, Neji couldn't have just gone up to the young miss and declared his undying adoration. That was way to embarassing and would make him look like he didn't have control of the situation, which he always did. After thier sparring match he walked nonchalantly over to her heavily-breathing form.

"Such a pitiful sight, are you sure you've been training hard enough...Tenten-chan?"

Tenten raised an eyebrow. Chan? She gave him the same defiant look she always had during his inward gloating sessions.

"Its annoying to see you in the same position after every match. I'm obviously not working you hard enough. Its almost noon, lets go to Ichiraku's for lunch" (not a classy place, but its the only eatery other than the Curry of Life Shop i know of in the Naruto-verse).

Tenten soon caught on and smiled despite her disbelief.

Rock Lee had been wandering around aimlessly without his beloved sensei for hours. He was deep in thought. Kiss... kissing...

Not too long ago, he had been turned down by Sakura for the billionth time. Sakura was trying to explain the hopelessness of a relationship when Yamanaka Ino walked over to the two. With a snear she delivered the real reason for the pink-haired konoichi's disapproval. Sakura didn't think he was a good kisser! Now don't take this in the wrong sense, nothing had been shared between the Green Beast and Forehead Girl, not even a simple peck on the cheek. This was just a minor conclusion the Haruno girl had come to, given Lee's awkward lips. Rock Lee baid them farewell and after all that time was still brainstorming for possible solutions to his 'kissing dilema'.

'I'll prove to Sakura-san that I can kiss. It'll have to be public for her to see it. I know! At the village square! Everyone's getting ready for the circus that came from Iwagakure. They have been setting up a stage. If I demonstrate my 'skills' there she'll be overcome by jealousy and fall into my arms! Shame on me! What unyouthful thoughts. I better not tell Gai-sensei... ' Lee was consumed in his thoughts as he made his way towards the inner core of the village. Sure enough, the two terribly annoying girls were giggling and setting aside their Sasuke-obsessive differences; they called a truce for the day to enjoy the main attraction that was going to be shown in the high outdoor stage: a lion tamer or something.

Neji and Tenten exited the ramen stand with full tummies. Then they kissed furiously and Neji's hand slid lower and lower down her frame... (J/K!!!! just wanted to screw with who ever is still reading this.) Neji had hoped to spill his feelings during their 'lunch date' but, for a guy like him, it wasn't going to happen just like that. He needed a catalyst...and unfortunately, for everyone, he got one.

"Hey Neji, i hope this isn't too much to ask of you but..." she stopped, as if asking him permission to utter something offensive. He nodded his head encouragingly. "Do you want to go to the circus, it's not going to be here for very long and Ireallywanttogowithyou!!!" she said the last part in a hurry and blushed soon after. Neji looked at her with a blank expression and then smiled awkwardly.

"I suppose we have had enough training for one da-WAGH!" Tenten grabbed his hand and the two ran off in the direction of the village square. They arrived a bit later. It was a great deal for the both of them. Tenten ate cotton candy while Neji teased the caged animals when no one was watching. The sky was darkening, signs of dusk approaching. With it, came the cavalry; the horrid gang the young Hyuuga had grown to despise. Kiba, Naruto, and Shikamaru ran up to the couple.

"Hey, Neji! I never thought I'd see you here!" Naruto yelled. The boy then noticed brunette standing inpatiently next to Neji, and very close, might I add. Kiba must have seen it too.

"Shut up Naruto, isn't it obvious he's here to spend time with his girlfriend?" he teased and the two genin (they're 12/13 here, people) burst into laughter. Neji looked caught off guard and Tenten gawked.

"Tenten, go get some candy or something, I'll deal with them." he said coldly. The girl nodded, eager to escape any other embarassing comments. As she walked, an arm extended from a shadowy corner and got a firm grip on her wrist. She had no time to react; it pulled her closer and Tenten found herself pressed against a muscular chest. In the dimly lit area, the person's face was obscure. Who could it...

"Tenten, please help me! I realize how terrible of me it would be to use you, but at this point..." they shifted slightly into the light and the girl was able to see Lee's troubled face inches from her; oh, and did I mention they were pressed together and Lee's arms were wrapped around her tight? Tenten blushed and pushed him away. "No, please. I'm sorry I grabbed you like that but I need your help desperately!" Lee cried out. His teammate began to worry.

"What's wrong, Lee?" She looked at his troubled face.

"Sakura won't go out with me because she believes I'm a 'bad kisser'" He began his wild hysterics and anime tears. Tenten eyed the boy then sighed.

"That's all? What do you want me to do about it?" then Lee gave her a sheepish smile not meeting her gaze and all realization seemed to dawn upon her. She laughed nervously.

"Oh no, you're not thinking-"

"Tenten, let's prove her wrong"

"No, for the last time, it's a platonic relationship"

"Admit it already, you're into her!" Kiba urged.

"Leave it alone, this is none of you're concern."

"STOP BEING CHILDISH AND-" Kiba was cut off by the sound of the loudspeakers.

"The show will start in 5 minutes. All circus goers proceed to stage and prepare to be amazed!"

Neji let out a inaudible sigh of relief. Maybe it was his bad luck that Kiba and Naruto happened to be so nosy. He was in a predicament. There wasn't anything he could say to prove his innocent intentions with Tenten. All he wanted to do was spend some with the girl he liked. It had taken alot out of him to admit his feelings to himself. He had to tell this chick and soon! The three (Naruto, Kiba and Neji. Shikamaru had met up with Temari who had come her for a visit) reached the front of the outdoor stage. It had plenty of space with glistening, black floor tiles and curtains that matched the now blackened heavens in colour.

Rock Lee had taken the girl past a small entrance into a dark room. Tenten heard cheering close-by. He positioned her to stand before him and drew her close. She stopped him.

"I'm not sure about this anymore." Tenten hesitated and then looked sternly at Lee. "I think Neji's finally's coming around; if he is, I will not ruin 'us' by kissing you. Come on, you know its dishonest" she smiled lightly "...and unyouthful. Her friend stared down for a long while. He knew she was right however, it didn't stop him from being disappointed. He wanted to win Sakura's affection. Another part wanted to know what Tenten's lips felt like. Lee promptly shook the thought out of his head.

"Yes, I must agree this was a stupid idea, gomen. I shouldn't have taken your time" Tenten rested both hands on his shoulders reasuringly.

"What are you waiting for you idiots, get out there!" the two turned to see the stage manager push them forward. Out of suprise they fell to the ground. Tenten landed on top of Lee; she watched in horror as the blue curtains shot up, unveiling them. Spotlights blooded her vision.

One minute before

"Dude, what's holding your girl up? She ditch you, or what?" Naruto said bluntly. Neji grunted.

"Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if she's swapping spit with the Candy Counter guy" Kiba chuckled at his disgusting joke and Naruto just smiled like an idiot. Neji could have killed them although that would ruin the stoic, unreachable image he had worked to hard to obtain.

"Really, at least pretend to care about your little-"

"Shut up..." Neji had snapped. He raised his voice noticably so that the large crowd that had formed behind them for the show could here clearly. "I LOVE that girl. I didn't see it before but Im in LOVE Tenten. I DONT think she's a promiscuous whore who can't be trusted around men and I KNOW she would never 'ditch' me so I CARE about her and she LOVES ME!" Just then, the drapes behind Neji lifted themselved and pretty much announced the scene the audience beheld. The look on the two younger genin was indescribable. It shook him; the Hyuuga turned and he cringed just as his eyes met with the sight of his teammates on the floor, lips pressed together and a dazed expression on their faces. The crowd erupted into laughter.

"What's that you were saying about love?" Kiba grinned. At that moment, all the pride and self-esteem Neji had built up during the years fled from his grasp. He turned pale and no witty retort followed Kiba's smirk.

...END OF FLASHBACK...

He shut the rest of it out of his mind. He remembered the stinging humiliation as he stalked off through the crowd and headed home. It had been just yesterday. Neji skipped training and remained in his room. He took no calls and answered no vistors. Tenten had somehow talked Hinata into allowing her inside and she invited herself right in. She left after some harsh OOC words and left him alone and empty.

Alone and empty; inside and out.

HI! I know this chapter came out a little 'sad' and dramatic. I plan to update. Don't take it too seriously, please. I wrote this just so i could feel what it was to post a fanfiction again. As many of you might have noticed, i wrote this as i went along. You'll have to excuse that. I expect some kind feedback. Come on people, i tried hard despite my lack of motivation! Tell me what you want to happen, NejiTen, LeeTen, or a love triangle perhaps? One MORE thing. Neji's curse mark, not sure how the process of getting it went, but it doesn't wash off with soap and water so its a tattoo to me!