A/N: Another fabulous collaboration with Gracie-Sketchy-Cat. Please go see her companion art piece for this on her Tumblr page! This was ALSO a prompt requested by nairil-daeris, who also does some amazing art! Please check out her Tumblr page too!


29. Tea with Tenten: Interrupted

Tenten had wanted to take Neji to town for lunch, but he had already promised his afternoon to training with Hinata. As a compromise, he had invited Tenten over for tea before their training session and was pleased when she'd accepted.

He always enjoyed her company and had even made a point to prepare her favorite blend of tea. But even before she had sat down at the table (beside him, as he'd planned) two cats made their appearance.

As they always did when she came to visit the compound.

Neji drummed his fingers on the table while Tenten sat on the steps, just feet in front of him, focusing all of her attention on them. Gushing and cooing over them. Not sitting at his side, discussing the specially acquired tea and their plans for the weekend. No, the attention that Neji was so used to having laid upon him by his teammate was now being given in two-fold to Hinata and Hinabi's cats.

"Oh my gosh! You're so adorable!" Hinabi had recently adopted a new cat she had dubbed 'Yakitori' over one of her favorite dishes.

For some reason unknown to Neji, the two sisters shared a common interested in naming animals after food.

"Neji," Tenten called over her shoulder, "He looks like he dipped his snout in ink. Isn't that adorable?"

Hinabi had likened the black patch against white fur to having gobbling up tare sauce, but where Hinabi saw food, Tenten saw ink.

Perched on her shoulder was Hinata's cat, Moyashi, who was definitely not named so because it was a popular topping on ramen. Moyashi had an old injury that left his left ear permanently folded over in a way that the girls melted over ("His smooshed ear is so cute!")

The cat, in question, was purring contently on Tenten's shoulder while she fawned over Yakitori, staring at Neji with his tongue sticking out.

Mocking him.

Moyashi was older, and had long ago decided that Tenten was his favorite visitor and was so confident in her favoritism over him that not even the young and charming Yakitori could knock him off her shoulder.

And neither could Neji.

"I see Tenten remains the favorite." Hinabi plopped down at the table and poured herself a cup of Tenten's tea. Moyashi was still sticking his tongue out at Neji, who chose not to respond to his youngest cousin.

Hinata sat down next to her sister, pulled out her phone and opened the camera app, snapping pictures of the scene before her.

"Hinabi, he's so handsome," Tenten cried over her shoulder.

Hinabi laughed.

"Thanks."

"I just can't get over his face."

"I know! Isn't he adorable?"

"Tenten," said Neji, "your tea is getting cold."

"I'll be right there." She poked Yakitori on the nose and he batted playfully at her finger.

"Someone's jealous," whispered Hinabi.

"Tsk, don't be ridiculous," said Neji.

"Oh come on, you can reheat tea easily. Admit it, you're just jealous she's not stroking your hair and calling you handsome."

Neji turned his nose up at Hinabi, hoping neither of the girls picked up on the flush that ran across his face.

Hinabi giggled and elbowed Hinata.

"Totally jealous."

Hinata bit back a smile and stuck her phone in her pocket.

Tenten had begun the difficult process of detangling herself from both cats. Moyashi was especially difficult and always clung to her sleeve as long as he could.

"Oh Neji! He's sticking his tongue out!"

"He always sticks his tongue out, Tenten."

"I know, but it's so cute!"

Neji sighed.

"Jealllllooousss," teased Hinabi.

Freed from both of her captors, Tenten made her way to the table and sat down next to Neji.

"Okay, tea time." She inhaled deeply before taking a sip from her cup. "Mmm, jasmine!"

Neji smiled and was about to comment on the particular blend when Moyashi howled and climbed back on to Tenten's shoulder, right between her and Neji. He purred away and glanced over at Neji, pink tongue contrasting against grey fur.

Hinabi snorted and Hinata drank from her cup, hiding the humorous grin that spread across her lips.

"Do you always need attention?" He asked the cat. Moyashi replied by nuzzling his face in to Tenten's ear.

"Aww, he's so cute," she said, nuzzling him back. And while Neji would admit that perhaps the fact that he was curled on Tenten's shoulder made her cuter, he had long ago resolved not to be moved my smooshed ears, ink-dipped noses or small kitty tongues poking out.

After tea, Neji and Hinata took to the training ground. Hinabi mentioned something about meeting Konohamaru in town and left, whispering her opinion that Neji really should just ask Tenten out as she walked past him, earning a glare.

Tenten, who was still sporting Moyashi on her shoulder, leaned up against a pillar, set to watch the training session. Neji was not entirely pleased to have to share her attention with Hinata's cat, but decided that it was better than nothing and began to lead Hinata through the day's katas.

About halfway through their training, Neji noticed that Yakitori had made a reappearance and was snoozing on Tenten's lap and she was absorbed in stroking his black and white splotched fur.

He frowned and redoubled his efforts against Hinata, sending a particularly nasty air palm in her direction, which she barely avoided.

They continued for another fifteen minutes before Neji concluded their training for the day. Hinata thanked him and hurried off to meet her team.

Tenten was asleep, propped against the pillar, both cats draped over her.

Neji resisted the urge to yank both balls of fur off of her and rest his head on her shoulder, but chose instead to sit down next to her.

She stirred and yawned.

"Tired?"

"Mmm."

"Interesting, it doesn't look like you did much training today," he teased, resting his weight on his palms.

"And yet, I'm still tired." She looked up at him and smiled before resting her head on his shoulder.

Neji froze as his brain tried to process the weight and warmth of her head against him. He did not know what to think. The only thing that he seemed sure of was that if he moved she would realized what she had done and the moment would be over.

But when she moved, it was to make herself more comfortable, to curl her legs under her and readjust her head on his shoulder.

Her movements caused both cats to stir and hop off of her and Neji lifted his hand off of the floor and placed it on her hip.


A/N: This piece is dedicated to my sweet rescue cat, who literally sat on my chest as I wrote this and passed away not even a week later. I miss you Hank!