Amaranthine
by layniebleargh
:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x::x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:
Chapter 3: Cold
It has been three days since Neji made his vow. He is very determined to keep it, and from dawn till midnight he kept a close watch over Tenten. They have discussed certain issues, and they thought it best not to return to Konoha unless personally requested by their Hogake or until Tenten regained her skills.
"Um, Neji?" Tenten asked cautiously to the meditating Hyuuga. "Aren't you going to train me today?"
"Rest, Tenten. We have been doing rigorous exercises three days in a row. Just rest."
"I've had enough rest." Tenten said stubbornly.
"…"
"I told you, I'm not going to go in there."
"Coward."
"Look, it is not my idea to take a bath."
"You're telling me you're planning to stink? Oh, c'mon…"
"Tenten, I'll just go after you have taken a bath. I-I will look for something to eat at the moment. See you la - " Neji tried in vain to get away as fast as he could. No matter how he denies it, he is just too young to take in the sight of bathing women. Especially Tenten.
"Jeez… Neji. You're such a baby." Tenten emphasized. Neji's ears went pink.
"No I'm not."
"Then prove it."
Neji hesitated for a second. Then, shrugging all of his humiliation off, he took off his shirt, carried Tenten bridal style and jumped into the cool water.
"What was that for?" Tenten angrily asked, her body accentuated by her soaked clothes.
"Well, I was telling you to jump in first." Neji replied with a smirk. "It's all your fault so no blaming at Neji Hyuuga for you."
"Hmph."
Tenten sneezed. And sneezed. And sneezed. Neji frowned.
"I told you."
"Don't lecture me. I've got enough to bear with tonight."
"You can sleep beside the fire. I'll keep watch."
"No thanks, mister."
Tenten and Neji glared at each other for a long time. Finally, Neji sneezed after ten long minutes. Tenten smirked.
"You've got cold too."
"Don't press it."
Tenten finally smiled. "Come here Neji." She offered her blanket. "Two can survive a cold night."
Neji turned red. Due to his careless action earlier, both of them ended up wet in their soaking clothes. And they got no spare clothes. So, before the afternoon ended, Neji turned down his pride and, blushing, offered Tenten his dry shirt and even proceeded to give her his blanket. Poor Neji endured the cold night wind in Tenten's thin blanket, wearing no clothes whatsoever. Completely chilly.
Neji sighed. Carefully checking if no part of his shows, he slowly stood up and walked over to Tenten. "Thanks."
Tenten moved an inch closer to Neji. Neji stiffened, as if sensing something to happen. Tenten blushed. "Don't worry, Neji. I-I j-just thought - "
Neji completely lost himself in Tenten's presence. Looking at Tenten straight into the eye, he captured her lips, passion burning on every inch of his body. "I have thought of only one solution to survive the chill…" he whispered. "That is…"
