A/N: Hope you guys like it!

Fireflies

By KawaiPanda

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Looking back now, I realized that it all began with the fireflies.

When I was a little girl, my mother and father used to take me to this field where on the right night, it would be glowing, as if the stars had fallen down to earth for this one night. And I always came here to see it, regardless of the deaths of my mom and dad when I was younger.

The ground would be covered, almost to the point where it was alive, made of the small creatures.

The trees that had lived in the small clearing would have the iridescent critters crawling all over them. And unlike most people who would be terrified, I knew them for the beauty they beheld. I loved the feel of the small appendages crawling on my skin, and the little warmth the light let off.

When I was four, my first real memory took place in that clearing. It was dusk, and my mother and father were encouraging me to explore the area, and I did, coming up short when I saw the first twinkling of light. Because of my age and the vast amount of curiosity I held, I chased after it, trying to catch it each time I saw the light, at least this was until I noticed another light, and chased after that one.

To say the least, I was very confused when the place lit up all over and because I didn't know how to catch them, I plopped down and started crying my eyes out. My mother and father laughed at my antics, and consolled me with my confused crying.

"Tenten, look here sweetie." She said, and I stopped crying immediately. She held a flashing light in her cupped palms. I placed my tiny hands on her arms, to peer into her hand, and that's when it made it's move. I was startled when the light took flight and perched itself precariously on my nose. I blinked, and let out a giggle, as the little life form fluttered its' wings and lit up every so often.

Every year, I come to see it, no matter what I had planned because the memories that the place holds for me are dear, and going there helps me relive them. And even though it holds the memories of my parents, I do not feel sadness there, only the joy and happiness I held at that age.

This year is no different.

Late as I was, I would get there. The mission I had today took much longer than expected, but even as the sky faded into darkness and the stars took the place of the sun to light the night, I knew I still had time.

"Tenten-chan! Neji-kun! Come, let us celebrate the victory of conquering the youthful mission!" Lee shouts, regardless of the fact that both of us were only a few feet away.

"Whatever." Neji says, and I giggle.

"Sorry guys, I have something to do tonight." I tell them, shaking my head with a smile. I turn and start walking away, calling out over my shoulder with the wave of my hand, "Bye!"

I make my way through the cool night towards my apartment. When I reach the duplex, I head up the stairs and towards my door, pulling out my keys and unlocking it. I push it open and after shutting the door closed behind me, I head straight for my room and the adjoining bathroom. As soon as I walk inside the small living quarters I claim as mine, I kick off my ninja sandals, and sink my feet into the plush carpet.

Regardless of the fact that I am weapon obsessed, they do not litter my apartment.

I then proceed to grab the hem of my top and pull it up and over my head, tossing it to the side. I place my fingers under the fabric of my capri's and shimmy my way out of it.

I then stop in my tracks towards the bathroom, and start unraveling the breast binds that flatten my chest, letting the white strips fall the floor at my feet. I let out a sigh as the cool air brushes over my skin, causing my skin to break out into goose bumps. Then I slip out of my white underwear, and walk into the bathroom. I turn on the water in the tub, waiting a few minutes for the water to heat itself before I pull the knob down and allow the shower to turn on.

I pull on the hair ties that keep my hair in the normal buns, and shake out my chocolate colored hair as it cascades down my back where it rests in curly waves at mid back. My hair is my pride and joy, something I got from my mother, like I got my brown eyes from my father. I usually keep it up because I don't like people messing with it, nor do I wish to risk it getting in the way of a mission or something, but tonight is special, and I will leave it down for the fireflies.

I gingerly step into the shower, a low hiss escaping me when the hot water attacks my cool skin. I get used to it fairly quickly, and cleanse myself as fast as I can because I wish to take my time in the field before I have to drag myself back home and sleep until I am forced to wake up and start a new day.

Once satisfied that all of the grim of the day is gone, and my skin is clean as can be, I take a fluffy white towel and rub it along my body, wrapping it around me once I get most of the excess water off.

My hair isn't as wet as it would be if I had placed it under the water, but it is pretty moist, and I know I will be a bit cold tonight, but oh well.

I take my time putting on a pair matching bra and underwear, and grab a random shirt out of my closet along with a pair of jeans from my dresser. Once I am dressed completely, along with a pair of ninja sandals, I walk to the living room, and make sure that I locked the door before going back into the bedroom and sliding the window open. I jump onto the window frame in a crouch, and taking a deep breath I leap, landing on the roof of the building closet to my apartment, and I set off for the firefly field.

I make my way through the village quickly, before I come to the edge of civilization and take to the trees as my way of travel.

I takes me ten minutes to get there, but the trip was well worth it, as always.

I grin, and jump into the area. Almost immediately, I am surrounded by the small creatures, who are fascinated by me as much as I am them. I giggle, lifting my arms out in front of me to watch the fireflies crawl up and down my exposed skin. I close my eyes, and begin to sway to an unheard beat as if to mimic the flight patterns of the fireflies in the air.

My arms find their way straight up in the air, as I twirl. Once. Twice. I slowly bring my arms back down, moving my hips, and arching my back.

When my eyes slowly open once more, I gasp.

Staring at me was a set of sunglass covered eyes. I feel my arms drop back to my sides, as the fireflies that had taken up the skin flew away and towards the newcomer. A blush was heavy on my cheeks.

I recognized him immediately from the clothing he wore his hair style.

Shino Aburame.

He stares at me for a long moment before speaking. "What are you doing here?"

"I-I... w-was... w-wanted... s-see... f-firef-flies..." I couldn't stop staring at the guy, so startled was I that I was at the point where I was stuttering much worse than his teammate. I closed my eyes, and shook my head to clear it before I stared back at him. "What are you doing here?"

He nodded at something behind me. I ripped my eyes away from him and looked in the direction he directed, and my mouth dropped.

The fireflies were making a small whirlwind of flashing light, as they mixed and mingled, shifting with the breeze that flitted around the clearing.

Entranced. That's what I was.

"Wow." I don't remember saying it, but as it passed out of my lips, a breathless sigh, I feel a smile tug at my lips.

"I am here to study their behavior patterns." Comes his quiet voice, mere inches from my ear, and I feel my face heat even before I turn to see him not three inches from me.

Personal space much?

I feel my heart quickening, and the low rumble that comes from him sounds so mesmerizing. Without knowing, I lean a bit closer to the guy. He notices, and steps back a bit, much to my disappointment. When he sees the look that crosses my face, I hear a low sigh from him I wouldn't have heard if not for my ninja enhanced hearing. He then grabs my hand, and I know my face is redder than Hinata's has ever been.

"Come." He pulls me in the direction he came from, and towards a recently fallen log that just so happens to not be covered in the fireflies. He sits, forcing me to do so as well, and his hand drops it's hold on mine. "Watch."

I then look back to where the fireflies dance in the wind, and know that by sitting here I would have the best view.

"Thank you Shino-san."

We sit there for hours, just watching, and as time passes, I find myself scooting closer to the quiet boy, until our hips bump. He looks at me, the sunglasses that hide his eyes telling nothing of his thoughts.

"Tenten-san?" He voices the question with just my name.

I blush. "Sorry." Even though I apologize, I make no move to scoot away, and neither does he. I don't know what this means, but I turn my attentions back to the beautiful display.

Eventually, I can no longer fight sleep, and I drift off, the last thing I remember is his warmth against my side and the masculine scent of the him heavy in my nose.

A/n: So what did you think? Is it review worthy enough? Reviews are very appreciated!