Paint
Rating: PG
Word Count: 344
"This is a waste of time," Neji said flatly, and leaned against the wall. The painter glared at him, probably thinking that he was trying to dissuade his customers. Neji blinked back.
"Oh, come on," Tenten said with a grin as she sat down on the chair. "It only takes ten minutes right?" The artist nodded in confirmation as he dipped his brush into the paint.
"Ten minutes that would be better spent getting back to Konoha," Neji said, but sighed in acceptance. Tenten had talked about getting a portrait done by this painter ever since they had come to the little village, and now that the mission was over, she was determined not to go home without it.
"Please sit very still," the artist told her, eyes flitting from Tenten to his easel, to the paints and back. Tenten obeyed, smiling widely.
Neji watched as he worked. It was true; the man seemed to be very talented, and worked extremely quickly. The Hyuuga noticed that sometimes his eyes lingered on Tenten a little too long, and his fists clenched slightly.
Ten minutes passed surprisingly quickly, and Tenten handed over the money as the artist gave her the portrait. She grinned her thanks, and went over to Neji.
"Well?" She held up the painting. "What do you think?"
White eyes inspected the work. It was Tenten, in perfect likeness, in soft muted tones that complemented her smile and the dusting of pink on her cheeks. Faultless in every way.
Only Neji would be able to see that he had not captured the sparkle in her eyes. Only Neji would notice that he had not included the small mole on her temple. Only Neji would see that he had not perfected the arch of her smile, the way it dipped and curved. Only Neji could glean that there was so much more to Tenten , so much that could not be shown on mere paper.
Tenten was looking at him expectantly.
"It's fine," he said, and began walking. He heard when she laughed, and followed.