Limits and Control
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. My first independent oneshot for NejiTen
She had always watched him ever since they were teammates.
His back was turned at her. His face and body was filled with sweat and salt as he trained for hours.
His eyes glowered with ferocity at every move he made. Once he perfected the technique, he practiced it again for a few more hours, and after that, he moved on to the next one. Sometimes or often, he would call her in aiding to perfect this technique. Not once did she ever complain, and not once did she even say a word to anger him.
On the times when he never asked her to train with him, she would either train on her own using several of weapons, or she would watch him from the side lines, silently sheering him on.
She'll always be there for him, even without him asking her to. That's what teammates are for. They came to that silent agreement. No questions to be asked and no objections. No complaints.
"Still training, huh…" Tenten commented on night as she was watching Neji from the sidelines.
"You should get going, Tenten." Neji ordered, "It's night time and you need some sleep."
"You need some sleep as well." Tenten pointed out.
"I'm fine. Now leave." He turned his back at her to continue his training.
"No."
"Tenten."
"It's still a no, Neji. Deal with it." She stuck her tongue out at him, even if he didn't see it.
"Tenten, what do you really want?" Neji sighed and adamantly turned to her, giving an irked expression. She would've laughed right now if he weren't so… Neji-like.
"You need to rest."
"So do you."
"So do you."
"Tenten,-"
"Oh no you don't, Hyuuga. Don't make me stab you."
"But-"
"Neji, you don't get it, do you?" she placed her hands on her hips as if she were the one who is to scold him.
"Everyone has limits." She began, "Yes, we could do something about them, but we have to be aware of those limits. We are not deities, Neji. We're humans… we have the capacity to improve and yet, we also have the capacity to fail… we aim to go the extra mile, but right now, rest… besides you need all the sleep to wake up early, right?" she smiled to see a defeated Neji coming over to sit beside her.
"Since you're here…. Sushi?" she showed him a box full of food.
"Is that your dinner?"
"…kinda…"
"Then eat it. I won't eat anything."
"Oh, come on Wedgie! I bet you're hungry from all the training!"
"…what did you just call me?"
"N-nothing! Anyways, dig in, Neji! This is awesome food!"
"…" the Hyuuga prodigy wordlessly took a few pieces of sushi and ate silently. Tenten smiled in triumph as she took more and gobbled them up.
Sometimes, being in control isn't so bad after all if you're the on who takes advantage of the situation.