Looking Through Shattered Glass
By: Hikari Minamoto
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of these characters...that right is solely Mr. Masashi Kishimoto's
A/C: I warn you all - there is definately some OOC-ness going on. If you like hardcore characters that never stray from the original versions, this might not be for you! However, if you're not bothered about it, read on!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chapter 1: Falling for You
Thwack!!
The kunai hit the mark perfectly. Of course. As always, Konoha's weapon's mistress had complete control over where her tool landed. This one was placed right above Lee's ridiculous bowl-shaped hairstyle, mere centimeters from his quivering skull.
"Nice one, TenTen!" he complimented enthusiastically with his signature thumbs-up gesture and large smile. "You've never missed. I am personally still amazed at your skill!"
Maito Gai struck a gorgeous pose beside them. "Ah, the beauty of youth! TenTen, never fail to remember this! Youth! This is source of your ability. I firmly believe it, as should you...Lee!"
"Yes, Gai-sensei!!" He saluted and snapped into a rigid position.
"On three, ready?!"
"Ready!"
The two put their hands together as if for a cheer and immediately began chanting "YOUTH! YOUTH! THE BEAUTY OF YOUTH!" over and over. It lasted for several moments until Gai suggested running the parameter of Konoha. Lee, of course, suggested doing it twice. Then Gai made it three times, and off they went at full speed. TenTen sighed. Now at least she'd have some peace and quiet.
Thwack!!...Thwack!!...
Neji had had to leave early for something, but he hadn't told anyone what it was about. Ah well. He liked his privacy...but it did make her curious. Was he meeting someone? If so, what for? Was it a date?!
Thwack!!
She'd thrown it a lot harder on accident, burying it rather deep into the bark of the tree. Great. Now it'd take forever to get it out. The kunoichi sighed heavily and trotted over to start on her new task. Retrieve the kunai! After a few minutes, she'd shimmied it free, but it looked like it'd need some sharpening. She stared at the knife hard for a moment. Then, without warning, she started to furiously chop at the tree with it.
"Damn you...Neji!!...Damnit!...Damnit!" she cursed aloud, hacking at the bark. Finally, an exhausted TenTen dropped the kunai and dropped to the ground, panting heavily. She sat back and surveyed the damage done. The tree was in pretty bad shape. No doubt about that. But why did she just go psycho like that? It wasn't like her. Well...she usually only went psycho on Lee, but he had to really provoke her.
"Um, TenTen?"
She froze. Her heart started pounding wildly. How long had he been standing there?! Had he heard her curse?
"Y-Yes?"
"What were you doing just now?" Neji eyed her carefully, his arms crossed across his chest. He looked...confused. And maybe a little annoyed. But mostly confused...
"Um..."
He raised an eyebrow, waiting for a response. Those exotic pearly eyes focused intently on her. It always made her nervous for some reason, and now she actually had good reason to be. "U-Um...well, you see...I was trying this new thing that Gai-sensei was telling Lee about. Something about focusing anger..." A complete lie, but hey. At least it provided some sort of excuse, right? "And Lee always trains much harder when he's thinking about fighting you, so I just wanted to see if it would do something for me." She bit her lip, praying that he would buy it.
Neji continued to stare at her. "...Well, did it? "
"Heh-heh...um, no. Actually, it didn't really..." She lied again. He had made her really angry and he hadn't actually done anything! That's the whole reason she was standing here being scrutinized.
"Hn."
"That's all he can say?! 'Hn'??? And after he saw me (not to mention heard me) doing that? H-He doesn't believe me! That's what it is!" she thought frantically, tugging at one of her buns in a nervous fashion. TenTen decided to change the subject. "So...where did you go today, Neji? It's not like you to miss training."
The Hyuuga glanced up at her as he started picking up kunai. "Hanabi needed an escort and Hiashi wanted me to do it," he stated simply.
"Oh, I see." A flood of relief washed over TenTen. So it wasn't a date after all!
"Why do you ask?" Neji walked the kunai back to their owner.
"Um, no reason. I just was curious...thanks for the help," she said with a smile.
He only nodded in reply and started doing a few stretches. It looked like he was going to train a bit before dark. His forms were perfect. Such grace and yet such power...He was so beautiful... TenTen felt herself blushing suddenly at this thought. Willing herself to look away, the kunoichi coughed awkwardly and started tossing a kunai up in the air as leisurely as if it were a rubber ball or some coin.
"TenTen?"
She turned and nearly dropped the knives when she saw him looking intently at her with those wondrous eyes.
"Y-Yes?" she replied nervously.
"I need your help again, today. Would you mind staying for a bit longer?"
"Sure thing, Neji. I don't mind." As the brunette started pulling out some scrolls, a flurry of excitement rushed through her body. Training with Neji was one of her favorite things to do, mostly because they got to spend some time together without Lee or Gai-sensei interrupting. Even if they didn't really talk or "bond", it was still time she treasured. "Ready?"
The Hyuuga nodded and dropped into his fighting stance. "Any time."
TenTen took a deep breath before making some hand seals and slamming the scrolls down on either side of her. "Right then! Sōshōryū!" Immediately, a huge cloud of smoke appeared, followed by a strong gale. Two huge dragons rose out of the mist and high into the air. TenTen grinned and launched herself straight up between them. The dragons started to rotate around her body, faster and faster, until they disappeared altogether, leaving her two scrolls. The kunoichi began firing all sorts of weaponry at Neji, aiming for the vital areas.
Neji's eyes focused on the incoming projectiles. "Byakugan!" Now he could see all of them as individual kunai, shuriken, or whatever. Everything looked a lot slower as well. As the weapons came closer, Neji began focusing his chakra outwards. "Hakkeshō Kaiten!"
TenTen smiled as she continued her attack. She knew nothing would hit Neji. It never did. The girl wondered how much longer he'd ask her to train with him. There wasn't much else she could really do beside this, was there? He was brilliant, and she was...mediocre in comparison. Well, maybe she could try that new jutsu she'd been working on... The girl sighed inwardly. It would be useless. All she had was her weapons, her speed, and her accuracy. No kekkei genkai for her. Heck, she didn't even really know where she came from. She had no idea what her last name was, no clan history, nothing. Did that make her a nobody? When introductions were made, all she could say was "My name's TenTen..." and that was the end of it.
All these bitter thoughts made her focus waver a bit. The kunoichi wasn't able to keep up her chakra flow, making for certain disaster. Next thing she knew, her body was plummeting towards the ground far below. TenTen shut her eyes tight and tried to maneuver her body around so it'd be a safe landing. However, things weren't working out so well. She'd been exhausted before this extra training and simply didn't have enough left in her. "I wonder how much this'll hurt..." she heard herself say.
Three...Two...One...
Impact? Wait...She should be senseless and crippled on the ground right now, but...TenTen opened her eyes and found herself looking right at Neji, their faces mere inches from each other. She'd almost forgot he was here with her! It soon became apparent that he had rushed over to catch her when she'd lost focus. A leap into the air, a heroic grab, a bit of rolling around, and voile! Here they were! It really shouldn't have been awkward…but it was. Big time.
Those exotic pearlescent orbs lingered on her sepia ones, unsure of what to do now. His arms were wrapped tightly around her, and his breath was warm against her neck. TenTen felt herself blushing at their closeness. Neji also felt the blood rush to his cheeks, but prayed the dusk would hide it. After a moment, he carefully let go of her and stood up again.
"You need to be more careful, TenTen. Why did you train with me even though you were exhausted? Your actions were far from wise."
TenTen sighed inwardly. "Sorry, Neji. I just wanted to help you out if I could…I'll be more careful next time. Promise." The brunette kunoichi got up and tried to steady herself. Phew! That had been close. Thank God for Neji.
"It's getting dark. We can always train again tomorrow." Neji paused awkwardly for a moment. "…I'll walk you home since Lee's still running laps with Gai-sensei."
TenTen tried to hide her surprise. Neji hardly ever walked her home! Maybe in all four years they'd trained together he'd done it three times…at most. "Well, alright. I think I can make it home by myself though. You've done a lot for me already, Neji. I'd hate to be a bother."
"It's not a bother. I'd like to make sure my teammate is safe, and Lee isn't here to ensure that. So tonight I will." He started walking towards her house on the far side of town.
TenTen smiled. "Alright, well thanks, Neji. Hey, wait up!"
It was a brisk pace the Hyuuga set. They arrived shortly, but TenTen was nearly out of breath. She gasped her thanks and started to head in when Neji stopped her.
"Please make sure that you rest well, tonight. I'd hate to see something happen to you because of me. If I hadn't asked you…" He looked away, obviously tormented that he had nearly hurt her tonight.
She tugged at her two buns and laughed. "It's fine! I should have been more aware. Guess that will teach me, right? Well, goodnight, Neji. And thanks again."
"Goodnight, TenTen."
After she closed the door, the kunoichi smiled widely. So many thoughts and emotions were swirling around inside her! Just the way he had held her so tenderly…and then he had walked her home too!? This was more than she could have asked for. TenTen suddenly realized something. How it happened, she had no idea. But one thing was for sure.
"I…I think I love you, Hyuuga Neji …" she whispered painfully into the darkness.