Hair-raising
Pairing: Neji x Tenten
Naruto does not belong to me.
Tenten sighed heavily as, yet again, the Hyuuga prodigy and her former teammate, managed to completely deflect all her weapon attacks and barely raise a sweat. She, on the other hand, had thrown everything she had, and was low on chakra and energy. Though they were both now eighteen and jounins, they still upheld their daily ritual of sparring.
Tenten knew he was the best opponent she could hope for, to help her get stronger. Neji would never admit it, but Tenten kept him from getting too sure of himself and ensured his growth continued. Tenten flung her remaining kunai to the ground, the frustration of years of losing starting to get to her.
"It's not like you to give up like that, Tenten." Neji said sharply. There was no insult or malice in his tone, just simple fact.
"Neji...I know that I will never beat you but..." Her voice trailed off as she wiped her sweating forehead.
"What is it?"
Tenten's lips pressed together, a sign she wanted to ask something but was nervous of his reaction.
"Tenten, we've known each other since we were children. If you need to ask me something, ask."
That was Neji, always to the point.
"Do...do you think I'm any good?" She finally managed.
"Why should my opinion matter?" Neji asked, frowning slightly. This wasn't like the kunoichi at all.
"Because you're my friend and we've been training together for so long...your opinion matters to me." Tenten said, looking away in shame.
Neji sighed and picked up a nearby shuriken.
"No one knows weapons like you do. Your aim is absolutely perfect, and your skill is beyond compare. In this field, you surpass even me in skill."
Tenten felt her mouth drop open. Neji did not just admit that she was better than him at something, did he?
"Each shinobi rely's on their strength to become stronger and better. Just because you don't rely entirely on chakra doesn't make you useless." A small smile appeared on his normally expressionless face, something he would only ever gift her with. "You are one of the most talented kunoichi I have known."
Neji wouldn't admit that he was glad that she was his training partner, but he didn't need to say that with words. He had always been a silent man by nature, letting his actions speak for him.
"Neji..." Tenten managed. "Thank you."
"What brought this on?" He asked, his trademark mask back in place.
Tenten was suddenly very interested in retrieving her weapons, shrugging.
"A lot of little things. I won't bother you with my troubles anymore, their not important-" She was cut off when Neji took her arm in a firm but gentle grip.
"I'll decide what's important to me or not." He said quietly.
Tenten sighed and straightened, fiddling nervously with a kunai.
"Well, after so many years of you beating me, it's going to get to me eventually, isn't it?" She said, attempting to laugh.
"But if I let you win, then that would not show the respect I hold you in." Neji said bluntly.
The woman blinked and, to the prodigy's amusement, reddened slightly.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm falling behind. Like I can't keep up with everyone because I'm so dependant on my weapons. I feel weaker than everyone."
"If you don't believe in your own abilities, then you are weak, and not the kunoichi I thought you were." Neji said sharply, unable to believe just how poorly Tenten was thinking of herself. It was almost as bad as Hinata. There was only one way to shake her out of this funk she'd gotten herself into.
Tenten was caught completely off guard when Neji pushed her away hard, then threw the shuriken he still held straight at her. Reacting instinctively, her foot flicked up a katana from the ground and into her waiting hand, raising it to block the deadly star.
"Neji, what the hell!" She yelled.
"At least your reflexes are still up to scratch." He said, crossing his arms over his chest. "I don't know what you've done with my training partner, but I'm going to fight you until she comes back."
"What do you-"
"And let's make it simple." Neji picked up two kunai from the ground and threw them into the tree next to Tenten's head, then picked up another two. "No chakra, no bloodline limits, no scrolls. Just us and these kunai. Or don't you think you can handle that?"
Tenten's eyes narrowed at this blatant challenge and retrieved the two weapons from the tree. Without waiting, she leapt forward with a cry. Even without their natural skills, she knew she had a slight advantage here. Neji was, without a doubt, brilliant, but Tenten suspected she may be able to get the better of him in this battle. As their kunai clashed, suspicion dawned.
"You're not just doing this to give me a chance at winning, are you? Because if you are, then I really am weak. Especially in your eyes." She asked as they leapt away from each other.
"You know I never give anything but my full ability when I fight." Neji answered, almost insulted.
No, then. Tenten translated in her head.
She raced forward, fighting back the urge to grab one of the more powerful weapons from the ground. While Tenten's accuracy was faultless, Neji still had the most magnificent dodging skills, and easily turned the defense to attack, which Tenten was able to prevent with a sharp twist of her torso.
"Why don't we make this interesting?" Tenten asked innocently.
Their blades clashed and they leaned forward, trying to get the upper hand over each other.
"Hn?" Neji answered, acting as though his arms shaking to keep the kunoichi back was completely normal.
The kunai parted in a shower of sparks and the two leapt apart, weapons at the ready.
"How about a bet?" She teased.
Normally, Neji would never go for something as childish as a bet. It sounded far too much like Lee's promises to himself that he would reach a goal or carry a herd of goats around Konoha. But Tenten seemed to be returning to her normal self, so he allowed himself this little sacrifice.
"Terms?"
Tenten lowered her kunai, but Neji didn't think for a second that she'd dropped her guard.
"If I win, you have to buy me something nice." She said with a cheeky grin.
Neji wasn't really much of a shopper, or a spender come to that, so she knew that would annoy him immensely. A slight frown crossed his face.
"Not a weapon. You have more than enough of those." He stated firmly.
"What about you?" She asked.
Neji's pale eyes took in the young woman before him, then he smirked.
"I want to see you with your hair out."
That was the last thing Tenten could have ever imagined her friend asking. She nearly dropped her kunai in shock.
"What?" She managed.
Neji chose that moment to resume his attack, taking advantage of her stunned demeanor. Tenten shook herself and quickly stood her ground, parrying the blade aimed at her neck while twisting gracefully on her heel to avoid the one aimed at her stomach. She aimed a kunai at the Hyuuga's back, but he was already somersaulting into the air, easily avoiding her attack.
There truly was no Byakugan activated, no chakra used. Years of sparring had taught them the others movements, and they moved in pure synchronization, like dancing birds. Neither were aware when Lee and Gai appeared after one of their many random decisions to run around Konoha ten times. Lee's eyes shone at the magnificent display of skill.
"Their youthful fires burn with such passion, Gai-sensei!" Lee said in an unusually quiet voice, not wanting to disturb the ballet.
"Indeed, it fills me with such pride to see the Power of Youth in full flow." Gai replied, tears of joy streaming down his cheeks.
The two men concealed themselves in nearby branches so they could watch without interupting.
The battle was at that monumental stage where either opponent could win out of the blue. Tenten was impressed at how competent Neji was without his Jyuuken or Kaiten, but that was the Hyuuga prodigy for you. The fact that he'd been training with Konoha's expert in weapons was an unconsidered advantage.
Neji thrust out towards her face, and Tenten bent backwards easily, then straightened as his momentum kept him moving in the same direction. She twisted the kunai in her hand and banged the back of his skull with the base of the weapon. Neji's eyes widened in surprise and pain. As he fell, he turned and grabbed Tenten's outstretched arm. Not expecting the sudden weight, Tenten found herself falling forward. Neji hit the ground hard, then Tenten hit his chest hard, effectively winding him.
In a flash, the kunoichi pulled herself up and was sitting on his chest, her kunai crossed over his throat. Lee and Gai nearly fell out of their tree in shock. It was a moment later, as they stared at each other trying to catch their breath, that Tenten realised - she'd won. She'd beaten Neji. He smirked, as though he'd won the fight.
"I guess you outmatched me." He said wryly.
"You jerk." She said, grinning. "You did do this to make me feel better, didn't you?"
"Would I do something like that?"
Tenten slid back until she was in his lap, grabbed his shirt, pulling him upright and hugged him tightly. It was hard to know who was more surprised by this, the young man she was squeezing or Lee, who really did fall out of his tree.
"What was that?" Tenten asked, loosening her grip enough to turn towards the bush Lee had fallen into.
Neji, who to his own amazement had been thoroughly enjoying the hug, followed her gaze.
"Byakugan." He said, the veins on his temples protruding as his bloodline limit activated.
Neji's vision easily pierced the bush that hid the stunned Lee. His eyes moved up and found his former sensei amongst the tree branches.
"Those idiots." Neji hissed.
Tenten didn't need anymore information. She stood quickly and stormed furiously towards the bush, grabbed Lee by the ear and tugged him out into the open.
"Did you need something, Lee?" Tenten asked in a far too sweet voice.
Neji glanced up into the branches until Gai finally leapt down beside them.
"Doesn't this bring back wonderful memories of the Springtime of Youth? My adorable students, together again once more!" He gave the 'Good Guy' pose, causing Neji and Tenten to shy away as the light glinted from his teeth.
"Tenten, please let me go!" Lee begged, eyes watering in pain.
The kunoichi rolled her eyes and released him, Lee's ear throbbing painfully.
"I must congratulate you Tenten! I always knew you would be the one to break through Neji's cold exterior and allow his full potential to blossom!" Gai continued passionately.
Neji did not appreciate his words, and glared dangerously. Whether on purpose or not, the sensei ignored this.
"I'm glad we are all here together. Do you know what this day is?"
"The day you wear normal clothes?" Neji spat.
"Once again, Neji, you have little appreciation of the-"
"Yes, yes, I've heard it all before." He said impatiently. "What do you want?"
"Today is the anniversary of us first becoming Team Gai!" Lee answered, as though it were as obvious a date as Christmas.
"That's a good thing?" Tenten muttered under her breath.
"I have reserved dinner for us tonight, and would like for you all too come." Gai continued, flashing them another smile.
Despite their obvious insanity, Tenten did have a soft spot for the spandex wearing duo. She still considered Lee one of her greatest friends, and Gai perhaps as a crazy uncle. This weakened her resolve in the face of being blinded by her former sensei's teeth.
"Alright, I'll come." She agreed.
"No." Neji said flatly.
"Neji, it won't be the same without you. You must come!" Lee begged his eternal rival.
Neji was obstinately silent until Tenten tugged his sleeve.
"Please, Neji." In a whisper, she continued. "You're not going to leave me alone with those two, are you?"
Neji glanced at his training partner, who was giving him those damned puppy dog eyes. Why did his resolve always melt when she looked at him like that?
"Fine." He said shortly.
"YOSH!" Gai cried happily.
They arranged the restaurant and time, then Gai turned to Lee.
"Now Lee, I wish to teach you a new move."
Lee's eyes shone with pride.
"A new move?"
"Yes. It will come in very useful if we ever walk in on Neji and Tenten being intimate again."
Neji did the closest thing to a shocked choke a Hyuuga would ever allow from his body while Tenten flushed red with embarrassment and rage.
"WHAT?" They yelled in unison.
"Ready, Lee! Dynamic Exit!" With that, Gai legged it away as fast as he could.
Lee realised his former team mates were bearing down on him. In spite of Neji's firm beliefs, he was not stupid.
"A spectacular move! Just what I'd expect from Gai-sensei! Dynamic Exit!"
Tenten reached out to grab him, but Lee was already gone.
"Being intimate? I'll show you intimate when I shove my katana-"
"Tenten, just ignore them." Neji said calmly.
The kunoichi gave the prodigy a furious glare, then sighed heavily.
"Besides, you were sitting in my lap and hugging me." He continued, showing a rare display of humour.
"Just who's side are you on!" Tenten yelled, angrily throwing out a punch.
Neji easily grabbed her wrist, smirking at her fury.
"Calm down." His smirk widened into a small grin. "If you kill me I can't buy you anything."
Straightening, Tenten huffed.
"I guess I'll have to let you live. For now."
She pulled her arm from his gentle grip, a shiver racing through her body as their fingers brushed. Turning abruptly, she started collecting her scattered weapons. Hearing clanking behind her, she knew Neji was doing the gentlemanly thing and helping.
"Do you still feel weak and useless?" Neji asked suddenly.
Tenten turned to look at him, thinking hard.
"I think it's something that will always plague my mind. But I know as long as I train with you, I'll keep getting better and better." She reddened suddenly as she continued. "You make me feel strong."
Neji wouldn't allow his emotionless mask to reveal that he was blushing internally, but his eyes showed gentleness at her words. Once the weapons were all safely back in her scrolls, Tenten turned back to Neji.
"Thank you."
"It's no trouble, you'd never find them all without my Byakugan."
"I don't mean just about this. I also mean about before, when you helped me feel better." She surprised them both by reaching out and touching his cheek. "You can be really sweet when you want to be."
Neji, who found himself liking the gentle touch far too much, gruffly replied,
"Don't tell anyone, I have a reputation to uphold."
Tenten laughed and pulled away.
"I'll see you tonight, Neji." She said, waving and leaving the training ground.
The young man raised a hand and touched the cheek the kunoichi had currently been holding. He could still feel the inviting warmth-
"Oh, Neji!" He quickly dropped his hand and tried to look innocent as she raced back.
"What?"
"I just thought of a way to thank you." She said with a grin.
"Tenten, that's unnecessary..." Neji trailed off as the kunoichi raised her hands to her buns and pulled off the ties.
As though in slow motion, he watched as she shook out her surprisingly long brown tresses, slightly wavy from forever being tied in those buns. Tenten ran her fingers through her hair and grinned at Neji, completely unaware she was severely turning him on.
"I know I won the bet, but I think you deserve it for everything you've done for me today. Do you recognise me?" She teased.
"Hn." Neji managed, having lost all competent ability to function.
Tenten's smile faded slowly at his lack of reaction. A small part of her had been hoping for at least a smile. She reached up to re-do her hair, but suddenly found a pair of hands holding her wrists. Tenten looked up into Neji's pupiless eyes in surprise. The shinobi released one of her wrists and cautiously reached out, allowing his fingers to push her hair out of her face.
Tenten didn't dare moved, afraid of breaking whatever spell this was. She couldn't deny being ridiculously in love with her team mate, though he seemed completely oblivious. She'd dreamed, fantasised about the day Neji would sweep her off her feet, and touch and kiss her with hidden desire. She'd long since given up that he would ever feel the same way about her. But as his fingers traced her cheek, she couldn't help but feel the hope burning in her heart.
"It looks nice." Neji managed finally.
He then smiled. Not a smirk or a half-grin, but an actual smile. Tenten had always loved his handsome features, but was blown away at how much more gorgeous they became when he emoted in such a positive fashion.
Neji then stepped back, dropping his hand.
"I'll see you tonight, Tenten." He said, then turned and walked gracefully away.
And that was it. Tenten felt like her heart was breaking. What was all that about? Why did he touch her like that if he was just going to walk away? Trying to hold back the tears of hurt, Tenten slowly re-did her hair and made her way home.
It would have made her feel much better to know that as soon as Neji got home, he had to take a very cold bath to calm down.
Authors note: So i thought is take a little break from Avatar and try my hand at Naruto. Writing + Hairspray OST win. so ive decided to try and write little mini stories about certain ships. This one will continue, after that im planning Shikatem and Naruhina mini stories. it's strange, but becoz tenten has so little characterisation, she's almost like an OC when you write about her. To my Avatar readers, don't worry, i'm about halfway through teh next chapter. i may be able to upload before i move. so as for this, ive only just found a shop that sells manga, but ive seen all the anime episodes (and i realise this is not the same, but if anything needs to be changed, i will do so). so please kind critisism as always, and if you don't like teh ships i write about, the back button exists. enjoy!
Humour: 20 chance
Romance: 95 chance
Possible OOCness: priceless ;p (i will try my best to avoid this)
