Everlasting Love

Loves and Hates

Hopefully the first of a long range of Nejiten one-shots. Just some spontaneous drabbles from a Nejiten addict.

Enjoy! (:

It had started out as an enquiry, a sudden question that none had expected to be asked. It was innocent enough, supposedly easily acknowledged and as easily explained, not even needing a hesitated guess. Yet, an angry, irritated and an extremely stumped Tenten had felt as though she had been blindfolded, tied up with indestructible chains and been expected to take out an army of millions with nothing more than a single kunai.

And all because of a single, stupid question.

"Tenten, what does Neji love and hate?"

The task seemed simple enough to begin with. She had asked for a minute to think about it, fair enough, she wasn't expected to know every single detail of her teammates that she had grown to love, adore and respect more than anything in the world. But when that minute had passed and her eyebrows had knotted tightly together, her team were quite taken aback.

Gai sensei had called it a team training exercise, wanting to remind them that they were a team, companions until the very end. Before Gai could even finish his speech, an infamous flash of green shot up into the air followed by a plea that his beloved Sensei should let him go first.

"The magnificent Gai Sensei loves the flames of youth that burns brightly in the soul of every ninja, his favourite flower is the lotus because it represents his glorious fighting technique and he hates when he gets seeds stuck in his teeth when eating sesame seed buns!"

"Absolutely correct! Once again Lee, you have set an incredible example of companionship towards your team. You, my beloved student, are blazing with sweet youth!"

In unison, lavender and chocolate eyes rolled.

She quizzed at why this of all things were so hard to answer. It was true that they were both very comfortable around each other, able to express themselves for who they were at heart, but she never really considered Neji outside of his ninja duties. The thought of Neji even acting somewhat normal made her lips stretch out into an amused smile, a chuckle almost erupting from her throat. But she was in no mood to laugh. With each passing second, her forehead became progressively creased and her jaw clenched to the point that it started to creak. Bewildered, Lee tried to hold back tears of dismay for his comrades lack of knowledge of her friendship for the young prodigy.

"Tenten-san…can't you answer Gai Sensei's question?"

The whole team was overwhelmed by Tenten's silence that even Neji, who would silently meditate during such activities, cracked open an eyelid, his face remaining stoic.

"I…" Determination wheedled up inside her, her face no longer looked lost and aloof. "I can! I…just need more time. Sensei, please allow me an extension on this task" Even before he spoke a single syllable, Tenten had gone, leaving, what had seemed to be, an unfazed Neji.

Running straight home, she flung herself under her covers and sulked. Humiliated and hurt, she stayed there for hours desperately trying to think of the solution. She never found one. Feeling deflated and defeated, she dragged herself to her kitchen and found herself eating the only morsel of food she could find in her fridge; pumpkin pie. Only taking a few mouthfuls, she pushed the plate away and buried her face into her scarred hands.

"You're just impossible…Neji Hyuuga, absolutely impossible"

"And how did you come to that conclusion?" She tensed at the suddenness of his arrival, wondering how he had slipped inside unnoticed by her usual wandering eyes. Her eyes clasped onto his. He looked as calm as ever, but his crossed arms indicated that something was bothering him, something big. But she didn't have the strength, nor the patience to bother asking him, instead, her delicate hands turned to fists and her orbs into sharp, targeted daggers.

"Why do you have to be so difficult!" With each word she drew herself closer to Neji until she was just a few short inches away, but he didn't flinch, or react in any way. Instead, it looked as though he had been expecting her to respond like this. She ignored this analysis.

"You, with your obscure, unreadable face. I have worked with you for five years Neji. Five. Freaking Years. And what have I got to show for that friendship" She extended her worn hands, showing tender scars running all the way down her arms until her clothing masked the rest of her cuts. "Who the hell are you Neji…I'm supposed to be your comrade…your partner" She had to avert her gaze, embarrassed to have used the word when it had more than one meaning. "Is it so hard for you to act human every now and again? What am I to you Neji?…"

Neji breathed a single, heavy breath. She sensed he was relieved for her rant to be over. His eyes had been tightly shut, as though her words had actually physically struck him. Her gaze had been focused on anything apart from Neji, but obviously she couldn't not look at him, especially when she could feel his ever curious eyes linger on her. It made her feel awkward as she chewed the inside of her cheek to keep herself in control.

"Look at me Tenten"

….

"Tenten" He could see her struggle to compete, but her stubborn nature kept her stuck firmly in one place. Giving up, he moved round to face her, though she had closed her eyes in a silent protest. Smirking at her childish pout, he made his voice barely audible.

"I'll give you a clue"

She felt her lips being crushed, not so much that it was forceful, but with enough passion that she knew what he wanted to say. Relief swept over the girl, who came to relax into the kiss, much to the liking of the young Hyuuga who had never felt so lost yet so found. The hairs that framed his chiselled face tickled her cheeks, which broadened her soft smile so dimples formed on her features. Then nothing. Her lips still pursed in mid-kiss, her eyes narrowed in confusion at the young man.

"…What have you been eating?" Her head tilted her mind still in a haze after recent events.

"Pumpkin pie…" A look of disgust instantly crossed the pale-eyed man.

"I hate pumpkin" Tenten blinked multiple times before she burst into a gleeful roar of laughter. It was Neji's turn to look confused. Minutes later, her cheeks ablaze and gasping for air she fell into Neji's arms.

"So I did find something you love and hate. Talk about two birds with one stone" A deep chuckle vibrated his chest as wrapping defensive arms around her, a feeling of contentment passing through the couple.

"Tenten?"

"Yes?"

"...Do i really have an obscure face...?"

I had expected this to be a lot shorter, but i got a bit carried away...

Reviews and comments of all sorts appriciated!

Love Panda-chan.