13. Visitor

The last remnants of the fireworks show rang loudly across the compound and cast soft, colorful glows across the threshold. Outside, Hinata was still listening to the show and enjoying the warm summer evening.

Inside, Neji leaned against the wall feeling mixed about her inability to have gone into town.

"Look at you."

Neji's eyes snapped up and realized that Tenten had snuck onto the compound and into the room. How had he not noticed her chakra?

"I tried to mask my chakra, to see if I could sneak up on you."

Her eyes twinkled in the soft glow of the room. She stood about five feet from him dressed in a red yukata with a gold obi. Her sleeves were tied back and her hair was styled as usual. Of course, she had a knowing smirk on her lips. He knew her too well to know that the only thing that would come pass her lips now would be teases.

"What are you doing here, Tenten?"

"You're quite the caretaker," she mused, his question ignored. She leaned to the side to peer out the door, where Hinata was sitting. Neji's lips tightened into a line and he crossed his arms over his chest.

"I heard all about your little mission. You should have asked me to come. Aren't I better company than Naruto and Sakura?"

Neji grunted lightly, almost a laugh.

"I probably wouldn't have had to save you as quickly as I had to save them."

Tenten pressed her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes.

"Who said I need saving?"

Neji sighed. He wasn't quite interested in discussing the finer points of feminism.

"Why did you come here?"

"To check on you guys."

"We are fine. Why didn't you stay in town with Lee and Gai-sensei? I thought you were excited about tonight."

"Well," she frowned, hands still on her hips, "You promised me you'd come. And since you couldn't I figured I'd come to you."

Neji frowned. Tenten had been looking forward to the fireworks, mostly because they represented Tsunade's rise to Hokakge.

"That wasn't necessary."

"Don't be so stubborn, Neji. Have a little fun. I left the fireworks early to come see you two."

Neji clenched his jaw. He hated being scolded, especially by Tenten. He held a certain amount of respect for her. For her skills, for her strength. But she had a talent for mothering their team. And she was good at it. Lee was scolded much more often by her and Neji knew that when she turned to him, she was usually right.

"I apologize," he admitted after a moment.

"It's alright." She smiled at him and peered out the door to Hinata again. "So, how is she feeling?"

"Fine." Neji uncrossed his arms and stood up a little straighter, no longer leaning against the wall. "The doctors say she should be recovered within another week or so."

"That's good. Seem's like you're doing a good job taking care of her."

"You continue to point that out," he said, flatly.

"It's because it's sweet."

Neji frowned and Tenten giggled.

"Oh, come on," she stepped close enough to try and pinch his cheek (which he was unable to put a stop to quickly enough) and continued her thought. "It's sweet to see you like this."

Neji crossed his arms again and shifted his weight nervously. He supposed if someone was going to see him like this, then he would prefer it to be Tenten. Even though she liked to push them regularly, it still seemed like she was the most respectful of his boundaries.

"If I got hurt would you take care of me?"

Neji glanced down at his teammate, her eyes soft and lip slightly pouted.

"I thought you said you didn't need saving."

"That doesn't mean it wouldn't be nice every now and then."

"I am sure you can take care of yourself, Tenten."

It was too late that he saw the challenge in her eye.

She wobbled lightly, bending her ankle so she rested on the side of her foot.

"Oh no! My ankle!" She laughed as she teased him. But he saw her knee buckle and knew she intended to let herself hit the ground. If she did, Neji would never hear the end of it.

She made it halfway down before he caught her, hooking his arms under her armpits and pulling her against his chest.

He stood them both back up and loosened his grip around her. Her hands had grabbed fistfuls of his shirt and she smelled sweet, like peony flowers. Neji decided that she looked pretty under the glow of the moonlight, eyes wild and face flushed from the realization that he'd caught her and both had yet to let go.

"So," she teased, catching her breath, "you do care."

"I wasn't going to let you fall."

"You contradict yourself," she teased, "It's cute."

Neji frowned, but didn't let go. It was seldom he was so close to someone outside of combat. It was nice.

She leaned in close, winding her arms around his neck, brushing her nose against his and he stiffened.

"My ankle hurts, Neji," she whined in a teasing manner. He noted that he could feel her breasts pressing lightly against his chest. "But I want to go say hi to Hinata."

Neji kept his lips in a tight line, not sure how to react or respond.

"Carry me." It was not a question. He raised a brow and she pressed down against his shoulders, jumping up. Neji easily caught her legs over his arm and she rested her head on his shoulder and grinned.

Neither of them had anticipated that he would actually carry her. She was light in his arms and he found the weight comfortable.

Neji began to walk away from the wall and turned to see the threshold of the open door and began to walk towards his cousin, Tenten teasing him and cradled in his arms.

"I'd let you take care of me," she decided out loud. "Hinata is lucky, although it kind of is your fault."

Neji paused and looked down at her, ready to argue back. Tenten was right, and she was the only one he would ever admit that too. She had quickly picked up the art of nonverbal communication with him after joining Team Gai, and Neji was relieved that he did not have to vocalize now.

"Just take it easy on her. Even if she is from the main branch, it's clear she isn't quite as strong as you. Don't push her so hard."

Neji pursed his lips in thought while trying to decide if he could formulate an adequate response. But he found that he was at a loss for words when his cheek tingled from the light pressure of her lips.

She had kissed him full on the cheek and his body stiffened and he held his breath. It was quick and friendly, yet so unexpected. Tenten pulled back and gently nudged his shoulder, signaling her desire to be let down.

Still in a reasonable state of shock, having been caught off guard, Neji lowered her legs down awkwardly until her naked toes found the smooth wooden floorboards. When he saw her face, he thought her cheeks were stained pink with embarrassment, but he could not be positive in the dark.

"You're a good cousin," Tenten stumbled over her words, trying to regain her composure, yet unwilling to sacrifice the intimate distance which set her on edge. "You're a good teammate and a good friend."

She placed another quick kiss on his cheek and pulled out of their embrace and crossed the threshold where she placed a hand gingerly on Hinata's shoulder to announce her presence before settling down next to the heiress.

Tenten started talking with Hinata animatedly, trying to describe the fireworks and cheer her up while Neji watched.

The sight of her perched on their porch, next to his cousin, was a sight that Neji decided he quite liked.

A/N: Another update! Yay. Rewatched the eipsiode where Hinata strains her eyes and Neji wont admit to taking care of her to anyone. Hehe. As always, thank you for taking the time to read and review!