HEY GUYS! This time I'm going to write a NejixTen story! [audience: yaaaay...boo- me: who said that! audience: ...] ANYWAYS, for those who actually want to read, here's a background to the story...kind of:
Brief background: Neji is the son of the Lord and is a member of the royal Hyuuga family. Instead of being ninjas the men practice kendo and the women are taught to be gentle. Tenten is one of the maids that attends to the family and she used to play with Neji when they were young.
The maids have a uniform they must wear, and this includes a cloth that they wear on their head to hide their hair, as a sign of residence and respect. When great things happen or birthdays come around, there are a lot of festivities. The maids work and serve the royal family at these events. And sometimes the maids dance for the royal family. When they dance, they do not wear the cloth on their heads. Instead they wear masks over their faces. Tenten has always loved Neji but he has never showed any interest in her that was more than platonic.
*thought in italics
*titles and small heading in bold
Chapter 1
*Oh, Neji's father's alive...[lol] and everybody [Neji etc.] are around 17/18 in this, that age when all the dram starts [lol just kidding]*
"Happy Birthday Neji! You are finally at the age when you can start training to protect the family name!" Neji's father congratulated him with a pat on the shoulder. Neji smiled and nodded in reply.
His father continued, "and now that you are 16, we will celebrate your birthday like all other men, with a dance!" All the other men in the room cheered and held up their glasses, taking seats around a long table with about 24 seats.
The table was horizontal and that plus all the people, decorations and workers serving took up 1/3 of the room. The table faced the rest of the room which was decorated with columns on which streamers of all colours hung proudly. The floor was made of wood, polished till it shone. Neji sat in the middle of the table, facing the centre of the room. His eyes sparkled with anxiety. Every boy in the Hyuuga family waited for this day.
/Outside the residence/
"Okay girls listen up, I have a reputation for choreographing the best shrine and maiden dancers in the region, and I will NOT let it be ruined because one of you slipped on your dress or forgot how to properly address the royal family, so be sharp! Remember everything I've taught you and make me proud!"
"Yes Tsunande-sama!" the girls responded with confidence and in unison. A small bell was heard and Tsunande clapped her hands quickly and twice. The girls filed into 2 straight lines in front of the wide sliding doors.
She went ahead to introduce them and slid the doors slightly, just enough for herself. She turned to slide it back and said in a soft, sly voice, "And don't forget to smile~ " All the girls smiled as the doors closed.
She turned to the group at the table and bowed, "Happy birthday, Hyuuga Neji. I present to you, the maidens of the Hyuuga residence, who have come to bless you on this glorious night." She opened one the doors slightly to give the girls their queue and walked quickly to the door at the far end of the room, watching with anxiety and hope.
The two girls at the back of the lines opened the doors quietly. A draft came in and some shivered, others were unmoved. Bells were heard and the girls walked in quietly, their feet made no sound. The first two had in each's grasp, a little silver bell, that they shook simultaneously in 3/4 time. The others followed behind with their hands clasped in front of them, hidden by the large sleeves of the kimono.
Some had other instruments and as they entered, walked to the side of the room and sat on the floor playing softly; adding more to the music of the bells.
The others formed a group in the centre, among the columns. They stayed till, cat masks staring at the audience. One person walked forward and the others made way for her. She unclasped her hands to reveal a small tambourine.
She raised it slowly, arms length from her body, like a clock's hand. Everyone else followed soon. She shook it once, then twice. The others did as well. Silence.
One of the girls on the side then stood up and started to play her flute. She was soon joined by a girl on the other side of the room who had a harp. Drums started, and soon the music was lively. The person in the front started dancing slowly and increased her speed with the music.
She touched someone with her tambourine and that girl danced with her. The chain reaction continued until all the girls were swaying and spinning. Some of the men stood up, clapping to the beat. Neji watched in awe. He had never seen something so beautiful.
"Wow...I can't imagine Tenten doing this. I wonder which is her..." Neji thought looking from dancer to dancer.
"I'm going to dance with Neji."
"You can't do that Tenten. Only she can do that."
"Why does she get to do it?"
"Because Tsunande-sama said so and besides, she's the leader of the dance. You can't break the tradition just because you guys are good friends."
"...fine."
The leader twirled and stopped gracefully in front of Neji which startled him but he quickly regained his composure. She held out a hand to him. He looked at his father.
"She wants you to dance with her." He whispered. "But I can't dance. You know that." Neji replied just a soft. His father only laughed and pushed the boy forward. The girl caught his hand and rebalanced him with ease. He looked at her, blushing from embarrassment. He knew she was probably smiling.
She led him to the centre of the room. His relatives cheered him on. She twirled with him and after analyzing the extent to which he looked good dancing [lol] twirled around him and had him lead her in small steps.
Their dance was short and soon she let someone else take him. As Neji was 'transferred' she invited his father to join in and other girls brought more dance partners onto the floor.
Neji kept staring at her, however, ignoring his new partner who tried effortlessly to get his attention. Her movements entranced him and he thought he had fallen in love. And since there was a high possibility that the next time he would see her was next year at his 17th birthday, he decided to make a move today.
He finally looked at his partner and she stopped awkwardly, but he didn't notice. He took her hand and led her across the room gracefully to introduce her to his cousin. After the two started dancing, he took a deep breath, and approached his first love and his father.
Politely asking to cut in, his father allowed, but the girl hesitated. Neji held out a hand : he was GOING to dance better if that's what would give him a chance. He was determined.
She looked at him through her mask and saw the determination on his face. Also, it was his birthday, so it would be rude to refuse his invitation [in front his father, the Lord of the region as well].
So she took his hand and he led her to the centre where they danced first. He would take control and show everyone he could dance.
Though the dance lasted about 15 more minutes, he had watched his father and the other men and knew the proper movements for the dance. At the end the music stopped abruptly and the girls who played stood and bowed.
Everyone applauded them for their playing and all the girls bowed in front of Neji, then in front of everyone at the sliding doors before leaving the room. The leader was the last to leave and handed Neji a small red ribbon before leaving.
The boy looked at it and watched her leave, her hair swaying and blowing in the wind. His father walked up beside him. "I knew you could dance all along son. That was a very brave thing, asking the leader to dance. Especially since she left you."
"That was sign that she was unimpressed with you." replied one of his cousins, the same one he had dumped his partner on. His father was about to respond but the cousin continued, "Like what you did with your partner."
"But-", "It's fine Neji. Today's your birthday so you have the right to choose who you want to dance with. But I'm impressed at how quickly you learned the steps for this dance. I can't wait to see you next year. Making us proud already." he ended on behalf of the family and left the boy.
He only looked at the ribbon in his hand, and left the room for a good night's sleep.
"I wonder if Tenten had a good time." He thought as he drifted off to sleep, dreaming of a red ribbon and cherry blossoms.
BAM! END OF THE FIRST CHAPTER! lol yeah I know the dance seemed weird and creepy at first BUT please remember this is a Neji Tenten story
PLEASE REVIEW!X33333!
