Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
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Smile
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She would smile, because it was the only way she could escape reality, to cover up the resentment and the pain she felt whenever she would go to the training grounds, dusk or dawn, just to be with him.
She smiled to make him see she wasn't hurt. She laughed as she felt the powerful surge of energy rip through her; the feeling of showing him she wasn't affected by the things that were starting to become clearer as each day passed.
He would come up to her, give subtle compliments about her training. She would smile; grateful for the attention he gave her, but still, she could see, feel the superiority in his voice. And that made her fall apart.
She wanted to be the best; the greatest for him. The only woman he could look up to, his inspiration.
She just wanted him to love her.
She felt the powerful surge again, then forgetting everything, forgetting about him, who was watching from a short distance. She was sure he was studying her, eyeing her with only meticulous interest…nothing more.
The kunai had landed perfectly on target. She sighed with relief. The tension that she faced earlier was over. The tension that she felt everyday whenever she was with him. She could sleep soundly tonight, knowing she did great. She just had to wait for the next time they would train, when the tension would devour her all over again.
Catching her breath, she did not notice him come up to her. She looked up as a shadow blocked the sunlight and the heat. Her heart skipped a beat. It was him.
"Very impressive…" he was breathless, as though he too had felt the tension between them. "I'm really…I'm glad that you are improving."
Once again, she smiled. She smiled to release all the bad feelings away. To take away the negativity that consumed her. She wanted him to see her as a bright and sane teammate, unlike the other two they had. She strongly believed that the two of them, her and him, were the only sensible people in the team.
"I'm…so proud of you."
The words caught her off guard she had to stop so she could absorb the words she just heard him say. She looked up, unable to comprehend what she felt. She searched his eyes, frantic for the familiar spark, for the twinkle in his eyes that would show what she had always dreamed of seeing in him.
None. Her heart fell as she only saw approving and admiring eyes. No spark. There was no twinkle. She bit her lip, trying to hide the pain she felt. He glanced at her, worried about his teammate.
"Tenten? Are you alright?"
She suddenly looked at him, her eyes bright and sane, her lips curved into a smile.
"I'm okay, Neji, really."
She smiled because she wanted him to see she was proud of herself, of her talent…her gift.
But the truth was, she would smile, because it was the only escape from reality.
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END