Memory
A/N: Not completely dead...yet. Gomenasai minna-san.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, dumbass.
I remember seeing her for the first time. I was at a martial arts tournament, competing in fighting, and kata to please my sensei. Between my two events, a gleam caught my eye. It was the glare from a newly polished bo. I watched out of the corner of my eye, not wanting to appear too interested, a teenage girl around my age who appeared to be quite confident taking the floor. She bowed peacefully with grace as all eyes seemed to be on her. She slowly rose from her bow and sharply opened her eyes to reveal a look that could easily stun. She started out the form strong and sharp, she would definitely have bruises the next day. Her yells were loud, from the soul and so spirited it gave me the chills. By now, I fully gave her and her performance my attention. She could jump so high that she could surely fly above my head. Her final move was a simple slash across her invisible opponent's body, but she put so much power into it that when the bo came back to her side, she had snapped it in half as if it were made of foam. She bowed again and backed out of the ring to catch her breath from the adrenaline.
"Yatta! You kick ass Tenten!" I heard kids from her school cheer. I looked at the brown haired girl who had her tresses tied up in two buns, who was panting and gave a weak smile to her friends. She was cute, I thought. Of course, no one would hear me say that, ever.
That was the summer before my first year of high school in Osaka. I returned home to Tokyo two days after the tournament with two first place trophies and the memory of that girl who snapped her bo in two.
While turning the key to my apartment door, I noticed some boxes outside the room next to mine. I never had a neighbor before and wondered if anyone was moving in. I saw a head poke out of the doorway and a cute face I didn't recognize. It was a girl around my age with long brown hair tied in two braids. Something about her seemed familiar, maybe she was an old classmate.
"Are you my neighbor?" She questioned as she looked up at me while lifting up a box with a smile.
"Hyuuga Neji," I began and bowed slightly.
"Ah, Hanamatsu Tenten," she introduced and bowed her head.
Tenten, the name rang a bell, but I still couldn't recall it. She was definitely cute and had a nice smile. Again, I'd never let what I was thinking show.
"Nice to meet you Hanamatsu-san," I replied. I turned the key and went into my apartment without any further conversation. I wasn't one for talking too much. I took off my shoes and changed clothes for dinner with my uncle and cousins.
My uncle Hiashi owned the complex I was residing in. Although we didn't get along at first, we eventually grew to sort of like each other. He even helped me with my fighting every now and then. Living with him were his two daughters, Hinata and Hanabi who would one day take over the complex. Hinata was quiet, shy and always bothered me in a bit. There was just something I didn't like about her at the time. Then there was Hanabi, Hinata's younger sister. She was more energetic, talkative and annoying. Still, I liked her more than I did Hinata.
I exited my room and looked to my left to see all the boxes outside of my new neighbor's were gone, most likely inside and unpacked. I moved down the stairs to see Hanabi waiting outside.
"Ah, Neji nii-san, dinner's ready," she informed. I simply nodded and followed her into the house. I slipped off my shoes and went into the dining area where I saw the brown haired girl sitting down across from my spot at the table.
"Neji, meet your new neighbor, Tenten-chan. This is my nephew, Neji," Hiashi introduced.
"Hai, we met earlier," she smiled in my direction as I sat down.
Hinata brought out our meal and joined us.
"Itadakimasu!" Hanabi cheered and picked up her chopsticks.
"Tenten-chan will be going to your high school starting tomorrow," Hiashi mentioned after a bite of his fried fish.
"Soo ka," was all I said. It's not that I didn't care, but it wasn't that interesting.
"She was scouted for the swim team. Apparently she set a record back in junior high at her school Osaka," he boasted for the girl.
I looked over at Hanamatsu, who was staring down at her meal blushing.
"Interesting," I spoke before trying the fish.
"More than interesting nii-san, she swam the 100 meter freestyle in 54.96 seconds," Hanabi butted in, her mouth full of rice. I didn't know whether the time was good or bad, seeing as I knew nothing about competitive swimming, but I assumed it was a feat with setting a record in all.
"Really?" I responded. All I really wanted to do was finish my meal quickly, take a shower and go to bed in a short amount of time. However, this discussion was dragging me down as I tried to keep it short as possible with my one word answers.
"Yup, they say she's gonna go to the Olympics!" My younger cousin raved. The Olympics, that actually sparked my attention. I thought about the Olympics for martial arts, but they don't accept traditional styles.
"I'm finished," Tenten announced as she got to leave with her dishes. "You want me to just put them in the sink?" She asked when she walked into the kitchen.
"That's fine. Are you sure you're full? You hardly ate," Hiashi commented.
"I'm fine really. Arigato, dinner was delicious," she bowed politely.
"You're welcome. Feel free to eat with us again, I'm sure Hinata doesn't mind cooking an extra portion," my uncle offered and Hinata smiled at her assuredly.
"Hai, I will," she accepted and exited the house. I had the feeling my family scared her off with their showing her off like one of their own.
"Now, there's a good girl for you Neji, strong and successful," Hiashi suggested.
I nearly spat out my rice. My uncle trying to play matchmaker? There's something you don't see everyday. She must've really made an impression on him.
"I'm finished as well," I stated as I gulped down the last of my water. I got up and put my dishes in the sink nest to Tenten's. I thanked them for the dinner and quickly got out of there before they tried to corner me into expressing my opinion of the brown haired girl.
I glided up the stairs and was about to go into my room before I decided I needed to work out a bit. I turned around and went up several more flights of stairs before I reached the rooftop. I immediately noticed I wasn't alone. I saw a figure against the sunset, a girl. She was practicing martial arts with a bo. I thought of the girl at the tournament when I saw this person jump high into the air. She landed gracefully and ended the kata. She seemed exhausted, like she'd been practicing for a while. Still, she bowed, starting the form over again. I continued to watch, my presence unnoticed, impressed by what I saw. I watched her jump high into the air again, almost getting swallowed up by the sky, but her landing was off this time. She collapsed to the ground and I waited a few moments to see if she'd get up. However, she remained unmoving and I rushed over to check on her. It was Tenten.
"Hanamatsu-san, are you alright?" I asked as I approached her. I got no response from her collapsed body though.
"Hey, Hanamatsu-san." I rolled her over onto her back and saw her chest rise and fall. She was out cold from overstraining her body. Not knowing anything better to do, I scooped her up into my arms and heard the bo smack on the ground as it slipped out of her hand. She was very light for her build I noticed as I made my way down the stairs. Such a pretty face and good figure too. I was surprised she had such long hair for someone who swims while her chocolate brown braids bounced against her chest with each step I took.
I made it down to my uncle's house and let myself in. Hinata was doing the dishes with Hanabi's help when Hiashi was reading an article in the newspaper. Hiashi looked up from his paper and seemed surprised to see me standing there with Tenten limp in my arms.
"What's wrong Neji?" He asked, getting Hanabi and Hinata's attention from the kitchen.
"I found her passed out on the roof top," I stated as the body began to feel heavy in my arms.
"Here, set her on the bed. What was she doing up there?" My uncle asked while I settled her on the bed.
"Working out with a bo," I answered, wondering if we should do anything for her.
"Ah, hai. She's practiced martial arts back home she told me. Maybe you two could spar together," he suggested as Hinata came out with a cold cloth and pressed it on Tenten's forehead.
"Maybe," I mumbled. I had this thing about sparring girls. They always complained if you messed up their hair or hit them in the chest.
"Hinata, make some hard boiled eggs," Hiashi ordered then went into the kitchen to check on something.
I stood there by the bed, unsure of what to do. I wanted to go back to my room to get ready for bed, but part of me was slightly worried about the brunette. Hinata asked me to change the cloth and I did as she requested. As I placed a new cold cloth on Tenten's forehead, I saw her eyes twitch then slowly flutter open.
"Ano, where am I?" She asked, slightly groggy.
"My uncle's place, you collapsed on the roof top," I answered, backing away from the bed a few steps.
"Soo ka," she responded with a sigh.
"You shouldn't push yourself so hard if you don't have the energy," I advised.
"Ne, I'm fine," she pouted.
"You should eat more if you're going to train like that."
"I can eat as much as I like."
"Food gives you energy," I stated.
"I know," she snapped then sighed again. "I just wanted to drop some weight so maybe there would be less weight to propel while swimming."
"There's better ways to do that." God, women and their obsession with their weight.
There was a silence between us when Hiashi stepped into the room.
"Ah, you're awake Tenten-chan. Good thing Neji carried you down here or you might've caught a cold," he greeted.
The girl blushed and flipped over on her side so she wasn't facing us.
"You didn't have to do that," she spoke with an attitude, so not cute.
"What'd you want me to do? Leave you out there until you woke up? God knows how long that would've been," I retorted.
She just gave a "hmph" and continued to pout.
"I'll go get you some hardboiled eggs to boost your protein back up," Hiashi dismissed himself into the kitchen.
"I'm leaving then," I announced as I turned towards the door.
"Matte," Tenten ordered quietly. I looked over my shoulder at her.
"Nani?" I questioned.
"Arigato," she thanked, still not looking at me.
I nodded my head and left the house. At least she thanked me in the end, I thought as I made my way up the stairs and to my room. When I approached the door, I saw someone waiting outside. I saw the messy brown hair and thought, oh god, not him.
"Neji my man! How's it going?" Inuzuka Kiba my loud, obnoxious, womanizing child frie- er, acquaintance greeted with a big wolf-like grin.
"Go away," I ordered sternly, not wanting to deal with him before the first day of school.
"Oh come on man! You know you missed me!" He persisted as he watched me unlock my door.
"No," I answered flatly and opened the door. I went inside, about to close the door behind me.
"Aren't you gonna let me in? Please?" He begged.
"No," I rejected again.
"Fine, be that way," he moped and turned to walk away when he read the name plate on the room next to mine.
"Ooo, Hanamatsu Tenten, a girl. What's she like?" He questioned while stopping me from closing the door.
"She's nothing special," I answered, hoping he would settle and go home.
"Come on, is she cute? Is she? Is she?" He persevered, risking me getting angry for a chance to see a woman.
"No, she's not cute, hot, pretty, sexy or anything else you would use to describe an attractive woman. Now leave me alone," I lied, wishing he would lose interest and let me be.
"Gee, thanks," I heard a feminine voice sneer.
We both turned to see Tenten walking towards her room while glaring at me. Oh shit was the only thing I could think at the time.
"Hanamatsu-san, I-" I started, only to be cut off.
"Why are you talking to me? Wouldn't it be embarrassing to be associated with such an unattractive woman right in front of your friend?" She jeered, refusing to look at me.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, I knew Neji was blind the moment I saw those weird eyes!" Kiba exclaimed, following after her.
She acted like she didn't hear Kiba's comment and entered her room and slamming the door after her.
"Dude, are you on crack? She's to die for! You have no taste at all man!" He pestered while jabbing me in the stomach with his elbow.
"Shut up," I snapped, giving him the death glare. I could've killed the kid right then and there when Tenten's door flung open. We watched as she marched out.
"Hey, I'm Kiba. Where are you going? I'll walk you there, it's not safe for a woman to be out after dark alone," Kiba offered as he went along side her.
"The corner store," she answered.
"Ah, what do you need?" He asked as he put his arm around her shoulder.
That was it. Out of all the annoying things this guy did, that bothered me the most. I took Tenten's wrist and pulled her out of Kiba's hold.
"Hey, what are you-" She began.
"I know this area better than he does," I fibbed, and lead her downstairs.
"Let go of me!" She commanded as she shook her arm.
I finally released my grasp on her once we went around the corner so I knew we were out of Kiba's sight. I let out a sigh as I slowed down the pace.
"Gomen," I apologized, not looking at her and feeling awkward.
"For what?" She asked with bitterness.
"I just said that to get him to leave," I admitted.
"You're weird," she said bluntly, but the bitterness gone.
"Hn," I grunted to the strange response. She's the weird one.
We came to the corner store and I held the door open as she strolled in. She picked up some soap, toothpaste and other basic necessities. I saw something that I thought she should have and purchased it while she was still browsing. I waited for her to finish, which took a while considering women are so picky.
"Let's go," she spoke as she appeared next to me with a bag.
We exited the store and I handed her a can.
"Nani?" She inquired, staring at the can.
"It's an energy drink. If you're not gonna eat, at least drink one of these before you train so you won't pass out again," I recommended.
She slightly smiled and took the can. "You really are weird."
"I'm weird? A normal person would say thank you and not comment on the other person's oddities."
She giggled, not taking the hint.
"To think you're the same impressive girl from dinner and the roof top, jeez," I grumbled.
"Impressive?" She repeated as if she's never heard the word before.
"Yeah, setting a record, the Olympics and your martial arts skills, I'd say that's impressive," I admitted as we approached the apartment building.
"Usually people just say that it's cool and that I should just keep it up," she spoke softly when we walked up the stairway.
"No one has ever described me as impressive before." We stopped in front of her door. She turned around and looked at me with a smile.
"Arigato Neji-kun," she thanked while looking me in the eye. God she looked so cute with that smile and her braids blowing in the wind.
"Good night," she said with a giggle and went into the her room.
I turned around after a few moments and entered my own room to see the lights were. I slipped my shoes off and saw Kiba in my room at the table while flipping through the channels. Damn, I forgot to lock the door.
"Hey, you're home," he noticed as if it were normal to just let themselves into other people's home while they weren't home.
"Go home Kiba," I sighed, feeling too tired to argue.
"I just wanted to know how things went with Tenten-chan after what you said," he defended.
"Fine," I answered as I dug through my drawers for some sleep wear.
Kiba chuckled lightly.
"What is it?" I asked, getting irritated that he wouldn't leave.
"I was just beginning to think you were asexual, but you proved me wrong," he laughed.
"Just leave," I ordered. This guy got on my nerves to the point were I thought I'd go out and buy a gun the next day to keep at home with me.
"Fine, fine, just keep on to her. I have the feeling she'll be high in demand starting tomorrow at school," he warned before he left. I heard him shut the door and I flopped on my bed, burying my face in a pillow.
Tomorrow would be the first day of school. I wouldn't mind being in the same class as Tenten, but Kiba could definitely stay out of it.
A/N: Well, I've been dead for a long time now. I haven't been in the writing mood for some time now, but summer has proven to be boring so I'm stuck writing. I have no one to blame but myself, and finals. For my Girl's Cabin fans, the NaruHina lemon is on it's way. Wait maybe a few more days and it will be up. Sora.