Chapter 36-Her Hair

When the lantern ceremony had ended, most of the shops were closing down and the citizens of Konoha quietly returned to their homes.

But for Naruto and Tenten, the night was still young as the pair went in search of a place to eat. Coming upon one of the Akamichi barbeques that was known for being open late, Naruto cast a questioning glance towards Tenten who nodded her agreement, the faintest of smiles lighting up her tired brown eyes.

The blue-eyed Jinchuriki's grinned back as he held the door open for her, letting her go first.

"Hey there, Naruto! I didn't expect to see you here, Man I mean it's late."

Naruto gave a casual wave to his friend, a small smile gracing his features. "Hey there, Choji. Listen um I know it's pretty late but I—"He glanced at Tenten who was looking uncertain as she glanced about the place, worrying her bottom lip.

Somehow, a part of Choji seemed to understand and he pulled out a couple menus. "How about a private booth on the second floor?"

Naruto visibly relaxed and reflexively slipped an arm around Tenten's waist, reassuring her with a smile and gentle squeeze. "You're the best, Choji, thanks."

The Akamichi offered the pair a warm, understanding smile. "Not at all."

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Once the two were settled, Naruto gave Choji their drink orders and he left the pair to peruse the menu choices.

Tenten didn't seem to have much of an appetite but Naruto ordered her a bowl of vegetable noodle soup anways, along with his order of Pork Ramen with a side of barbequed shrimp.

When Choji returned with their orders, Tenten attempted to pay him but Naruto waved her off, insisting it was his treat.

"I—really Naruto, you don't have to do this."

The blonde handed the tiny wad of cash to Choji and nodded his thanks. "Yeah, I do." He stated simply then he turned to the woman across from him and his expression softened. "I want to, Tenten."

For some reason, this sincere gesture of kindness had the weapons Mistress blushing furiously and she slumped down in her seat, avoiding his eyes and muttering a quiet 'thank you.'

He noticed the reddening of her cheeks and felt a little proud at making her blush; Tenten wasn't known for being easily flustered over anything.

"And I know you said you weren't hungry but…" He slid the bowl of soup over to her. "Please try and eat, Ten."

She glanced at the soup, then up to his blue eyes which were almost pleading and sighed in defeat. "You know you're pretty impossible to say 'no' to when you give that look?" She glared at him in annoyance but there was a glimmer of a smile in her eyes as she took a small spoonful and sipped it.

A satisfied grin spread across Naruto's face and he dug into his own meal.

For several moments, the two ate in silence but it wasn't an awkward in the least; it felt…nice.

At length however, Tenten couldn't ignore the constant lingering glances Naruto gave her and finally, she set down her spoon. "Okay, what?"

"Huh?"

"You keep…glancing at me, Naruto so just spit it out; do I got soup on my face? Maybe a bit of tomato in my teeth? What is it?"

Her bluntness always made him smile and now was no exception. "No I'm sorry it's just…your hair. I've never seen it down before so it's—it's just a new look on you that I'm not used to."

The brunette absently combed a few fingers through her hair, her eyes falling to the surface of the table. "Is—is it—a 'bad' look?" She didn't know why she cared.

For a moment, Naruto ceased eating and just looked at her—really looked at her.

After about ten seconds, the blonde shook his head. "No. No it's not a bad look at all…I actually think your hair's really beautiful, Ten. Why didn't you ever leave it down before?"

His compliment caught her off guard and the weapons mistress coughed a little, clearing her throat as she took a sip of her tea. "W-well I just—I never thought to; it would've been in my way anyway so I figured it wasn't the best idea to wear it down…only…only Neji saw it down. And that was…only one time."

The mood sobered at the mention of Neji and Tenten could feel tears stinging her eyes again as she stared at her hands in her lap.

"I bet he loved it." Was Naruto's simple reply and there was a warmth in his voice when he looked at her; he could easily understand Neji's attraction to this woman; after all, he hadn't been able to stop staring at her since the Lantern Ceremony ended.

Damn it. I'm in trouble.