A/N: Okay, chapter 3 is FINALLY up! Sorry it took so long, guys!!!!! But don't worry! I'm back!
Chapter 3
The image of the island slowly, but surely, became bigger and closer. The continuous rowing made even the best of ninja have sore arms. As soon as they reached the beach, Tenten jumped out as soon as possible.
"Aw man!" She stretched her arms to loosen her muscles. "Didn't expect my muscles to be this sore. Ughh..."
Neji just stayed quiet and pulled the kayak onto the shore, far enough so it wouldn't be carried out by the water.
Tenten looked around the island and smiled proudly. "It actually didn't take too long to get here. I guess we make a good team, huh? Haha."
"You're right. I thought it would take much longer having YOU as my rowing partner." He said that with the most joking tone he could utter.
Tenten playfully and lightly punched him on the arm. Then she resumed looking around the island. "What do you say we go around the island and find that cove I was telling you about earlier?"
"Sure. Why not?" Neji looked up at the sky as Tenten went on ahead. Dark clouds seemed to be coming from the way they came from. "Er...Tenten...there's clou--" Tenten cut him off and yelled over to him.
"Neji! Come on! Hurry up!" And without further stalling, Tenten hurried off into the woodsy area of the island. Neji sighed and followed after her. The clouds didn't look too bad, so he just brushed it off.
About an hour passed, and Tenten and Neji were still searching for this "cove." The worst part was that they were deep into the woods, and they weren't sure where they were.
Tenten let out an annoyed sigh and sat down on a nearby stump. "Ughh...where is this cove? I could've sworn it wasn't this far in the woods."
Neji looked at her. "I'll just use my byakugen and find where it is."
"Alright. Good idea."
And with that, Neji used his byakugen and kept concentrated, trying to search where this cove is. Then, after a moment, he returned to normal. He had an almost irked expression on.
Tenten looked at him with a worried look. "What's wrong, Neji? Is it far?"
Neji shook his head and looked at the girl. "Tenten, there IS no cove."
"Whaaat?! But, Naruto told me there--"
"NARUTO told you? You actually listened to that kid? Sheesh, Tenten, I thought you knew better! Anyways, since there's no cove around here, I guess we can just head back." He turned and began walking back.
"Wait!" Tenten called to him. "You really want to leave so soon?! I mean, just because there's no cove...we can still stay here."
He glanced back at her. "Now why in the world would you want to do that?" He said that rather coldly and continued walking.
Tenten felt a bit hurt by that comment. It sounded as if Neji didn't even want to spend time with her. She only wanted Neji to come today so she COULD spend time with him. Slowly, she stood up from the stump and followed Neji, keeping a good distance from him so she wouldn't "annoy" him any further.
They reached the beach on the island, where they started their search for the cove. Neji searched around. "...Tenten..."
"Yes?"
"Where's the kayak?"
"..."
"...shit." They looked out at the water and saw a glimpse of the vibrant yellow from the kayak, but strong waves were collapsing onto it, causing the already cheap kayak into a piece of rubbish.
Tenten put a hand to her forehead and thought to herself, "This is just great. And if Neji wasn't annoyed enough before..."
Neji just exhaled sharply and went over to some piles of wood. "Well, get over here."
"What...are you talking about?"
"Since that kayak's gone, we have to make a new one. We can use your weapons to help build one."
"Um...Neji."
"What is it now?"
"...my scrolls were in that kayak...that went out to sea...I can't summon any weapons without them. I mean, I have more at home, but...that really doesn't help."
Neji grumbled under his breath a bit. "I guess that means we'll have to make it the old fashioned way then."
"...yeah. Huh?" Tenten felt a raindrop fall upon the tip of her nose. She put a cupped hand up, seeing if more was coming. As seconds went on, more and more raindrops began falling. "Rain? ...this isn't good."
Neji looked over at Tenten. "Tenten, quit stalling. We need to start making this kayak."
"Neji, it's beginning to rain. And..." She looked up at the sky, which was filled with blackish-grey clouds. "...it looks like a really bad storm is coming."
Neji then recalled seeing some clouds from before. "...great. Then, the kayak will have to wait. Tenten, we have to make shelter until this storm passes."
"Right."
TO BE CONTINUED...
A/N: Oh nooo! A storm is coming! Shelter needs to be made! Will a storm bring a shaky relationship between Tenten and Neji closer? ;) We'll see! Chapter 4 is coming soon!
