Tenten was in agony.
Somehow, during the planning stages of her escape, she had failed to think of one important aspect: her period.
Her cycle had started sometime in the night, and she had woken up to stabbing pains in her lower abdomen. Having nothing to help ease the pain, Tenten had ripped some of the sheets from her small cot to use, placed them inside her underwear, and then curled up into a ball to try and lessen some of the pain.
After tossing and turning for what seemed like hours, Tenten had finally fallen back to sleep, only to be woken by a knocking at her door.
"Miss? Are ye in there?" Konohamaru's voice floated in from outside, but Tenten was in too much pain to call out a reply. She watched light filter into the room as he slowly pushed his way inside, his features creased with worry. "Miss Tenten?"
"I'm here, Konohamaru."
Tenten managed to sit up and she ran her fingers through her chocolate locks, trying to make herself look somewhat presentable.
"I brought breakfast for ye, miss. Are ye unwell?"
Konohamaru placed the tray on its usual place at her desk before walking over to her, his hands clenched together in front of him. Tenten was touched by the worry she saw on his face and sent him a smile a reassuring smile.
"I'm afraid I'm feeling a little under the weather. Could you please tell the first mate that I won't be able to attend our training session today?"
"Aye, miss." He turned towards the open door but paused, looking back at her with a frown. "Yer not… too sick, are ye, miss? Do ye want me to fetch the doctor?"
Despite the pain she was in, Tenten didn't want anyone knowing of her condition. Her period was somewhat manageable back at home, where she had maids and other comforts to help her through the pain of the first few days, but she was currently the only lady on a ship full of pirates—there was no way Tenten was going to give the captain or his men more ammunition to use against her right to be here.
"No, I'm okay. Thank you though, Konohamaru. I will be fine in a day or two."
The young boy still had a crease along his brow, but he nodded before turning to leave once more. He closed the door behind him and Tenten was instantly plunged back into darkness. She should have asked him to light some candles while he was there, since she was in too much pain to get up and light them herself.
Tenten groaned as her cramps increased and she lay back down, curling up into a ball once more. As long as she wasn't disturbed for the next few days, she could get through this without anyone figuring out what was wrong.
.
.
She was late.
Neji had been with Shikamaru all morning, listening while his sailing master updated him on changes in the wind direction that might affect their travel time. From his position, Neji had a perfect view of the quarterdeck where his first mate and their guest normally trained, but she was yet to be seen. So too was his first mate, the man not even waiting for his trainee to arrive. The sight—or lack thereof—both worried and frustrated Neji. Where was she? Was she sulking because of his reprimand the previous day? And what was Lee doing, not reporting to him when she failed to arrive?
Really, why did it bother him so much? She was her own person; she could do what she wanted. It should not matter to him whether she came out to practice or not. And yet... Neji had to fight the desire to check and make sure she was okay.
By the afternoon, Neji still had not seen even a glimpse of her on deck. Tenten normally roamed his ship, pestering his men to see if she could help with anything despite his telling her not to. His worry increased with each passing hour he didn't see her, and by the time his first mate met him for a briefing late in the afternoon, Neji was almost in a full-blown panic.
"Lee, have you heard from our guest?" Neji asked, making sure his worry did not show in his tone. "I have not seen her today."
"Konohamaru told me this morning that she was not feeling well and wished to skip today's lesson."
Not feeling well? It was unlikely she would be seasick suddenly, and he did not think she had eaten anything bad—no one else was showing signs of illness. "Why did you not tell me at once after hearing the news?"
Lee frowned at Neji's words, and Neji had to force himself to look unbothered despite the increasing agitation he felt. "I did not think it to be that big of a deal. If her illness were bad, Tenten would have asked for assistance."
Neji did not like it. Was Tenten truly ill, or was it possible she was avoiding him? Despite their disagreements yesterday, they had both apologised, and Neji thought that would be the end of it. But perhaps she was still upset with him. Should he give her a visit, just to make sure everything was okay? As captain, it was his duty to make sure everyone on his ship was taken care of.
Neji dismissed his first mate and started making his way to Tenten's quarters. He would stop by, make sure she was fine, and then be on his way. He would not stay, would not linger, and he certainly would not be distracted by her beauty.
Neji knocked on the heavy oak door, paused for an answer, but pushed his way inside when he heard none. "Where have you been all day?" he asked, his tone sharper than he had intended. "Lee has been worried." He noted the darkened room around him. None of the lamps had been lit, and he had to wait while his eyes adjusted to the darkness. "Why is the room so dark?" When she didn't answer, his worry increased. Was something truly wrong with her? "Tenten, where are you?"
"Here," came the groaned reply from deeper in the darkness.
Neji headed towards the voice, stumbling over something in the blackness and kicking his shin against it. He gritted his teeth to hold back a curse, the pain only adding to his unease. "Why are you in the dark, Tenten? What is wrong?" He finally reached the bed, his eyes just making out the outline of his guest curled into a fetal position on the small cot.
"Sorry, I couldn't get up to light them."
Her pained voice, plus the fact that it looked as though she had not left the bed all day, had Neji's heart pounding, his worry skyrocketing instantly. "What is wrong? Are you hurt? I will get Shino." The man wasn't a proper doctor, but he was the best they had on board.
He turned to leave but her small "Wait" made him pause. "It's not something someone can help with," she added weakly.
"He can look at you if you are hurting. Do not be stubborn, Tenten. I will call for him."
"Captain, it's not like that." But Neji was already at the door, ready to lean out and shout for assistance. "Neji, stop."
His name on her lips gave him pause and he turned back to the prone figure curled up in bed. The sight of her, visible now through the crack in the door, sent a protective surge through him, and he had to stop himself from storming out of the room to retrieve Shino at seeing her so ill.
"I'm not dying, Neji. I'm… I'm on my monthly course." She said it almost hesitantly and it took Neji a few moments to realize what she meant.
"Oh." Paused with a foot halfway out the door, Neji was unsure of what to do. How was he supposed to help her with that? "Can I... Do you... need anything?"
She hesitated a moment before asking, "Could I please get some water and clean rags?"
Immediately, Neji stuck his head out the cabin door and yelled for Konohamaru, who came running across the deck a moment later.
"Yes, Cap'n?"
"Get some water and clean rags from the storage room. And be quick about it."
"Aye, Cap'n." The boy gave a sloppy salute before running off again to do his bidding.
Neji wasn't sure what to do now, and he was still half in and half out of the cabin, his mind whirring about what he should say. He did not often have to deal with a woman on her cycle, and his cousin did not usually react like this—she was a fierce, angry beast that scared even him during her monthly courses.
"Are you in much pain?" he asked, a little hesitantly, taking a step back inside the room.
"Just a little," she replied, her voice betraying her words.
"Konohamaru will not be long," Neji assured her. "Would you like something to dull the pain? The cook has a tea that he gives to men with injuries to help with their pain."
Tenten shifted on the bed and Neji longed to rush over and help her, to comfort her in any way he could. Instead, he left the door open and walked around the room, lighting lamps so that she could at least see what she was doing.
"I already feel like a burden; I don't want to be more of one. The pain will ease in a day or two."
Why did she insist she was a burden? Those words rankled him, and he did not know why. "You are no burden, Tenten," he told her, using his authoritative captain's voice so she would not argue. "You should have told me earlier that you were not well instead of suffering in the dark by yourself."
Neji knew that if he spent any more time alone with Tenten, his men would start talking. He should make his excuses and flee now, before he did anything he would regret. Instead of bidding her farewell, however, Neji found himself walking towards her once more. The bed she lay in was small, but she looked dwarfed by it, curled up in a ball as she was. Neji sat at the edge of the bed, his fingers reaching out to brush a lock of hair off her damp forehead.
"You should have told me, Tenten." His words were a whisper, his fingers featherlight on her skin, and he was pleased when she did not lean away from his touch.
"You are busy enough as it is, Captain." Her brown eyes were glazed with pain as she gazed up at him, and Neji's heart twisted at the sight. "Besides, I didn't think you would wish to know. This is not something usually spoken of among the sexes."
Neji sent her a glare, but it held no heat to it. It was impossible for him to be mad at her, when all he wanted to do was make her feel better. "I will always have time for you, Tenten. And I do not care if the subject is taboo; I do not want you keeping anything from me."
Her gaze softened and she opened her mouth to say something—though what, he would never know. Just as he was leaning down to hear her better, Konohamaru walked through the threshold of the room, supplies in hand.
"How is she, Cap'n?"
Neji stood up from the bed so fast he almost tripped over his own feet. He had been caught by one of his men in what could have looked like a compromising position. Neji had only been comforting his guest, but would his crew see it that way?
One look at the young boy's face, though, and Neji knew he had not noticed anything. Konohamaru was staring at Tenten, nibbling on his bottom lip, an anxious habit of his. Neji recalled how the boy had been drafted onto his ship and his heart swelled with sympathy for the lad. Naruto had found him in the streets one day, a child just shy of eight years old. His clothes were old, worn out, and had become too small for him, yet they still managed to hang off his too-thin frame. Naruto had immediately taken him home and helped nurse him back to health before asking Neji if he could become part of the crew. Konohamaru's mother had been bedbound with an illness for weeks before it finally took her life, and with no father to look after him, the poor lad had been forced to live on the streets. Neji was sure that if Naruto had not found him that day, Konohamaru would not have survived for much longer.
Neji placed a hand on Konohamaru's shoulder, a gesture he hoped was comforting for the lad. "Tenten will be fine. She just needs to rest for a couple of days. There is no need for you to worry."
Konohamaru nodded, his eyes finally leaving Tenten to look up at his captain. "Aye, that's good to hear." After placing the items for Tenten close to her, he gave her a small smile before leaving the room once more.
Neji shuffled where he stood, aware that he was once more alone in her room while she lay vulnerable in bed. "Call for Konohamaru whenever you need something," he told her. "I will make sure he is nearby for you."
"Thank you, Captain. I appreciate your kindness."
"Yes, well." Neji cleared his throat, not quite sure how to take the compliment. "I will get the cook to make you some tea."
With that, he shut the door behind him. He needed space from this maddening woman before his runaway heart convinced him to stay by her side for the rest of the afternoon. He longed to feel her hair through his fingers once more, to be of some comfort to her during her time of need.
Instead, he padded across the deck towards his own cabin. There was much work still to be done, and he could not let himself be distracted—no matter how much he wanted to turn around and go back to her.
.
.
After receiving the water, rags, and tea, Tenten began to feel better, and was even able to sit up and eat some of the food Konohamaru brought to her for the evening meal. Still, the memory of the captain coming into her cabin and finding her in such a state burned her cheeks. She had hoped no one would check on her despite her discomfort, but that hadn't worked out. And of course, it had to be the captain who visited. Why couldn't it have been Lee, or another deckhand? Having Neji know she was currently on her courses was humiliating. It wasn't something discussed between the sexes—it was barely even a topic discussed amongst women.
Despite her embarrassment, Tenten was glad he had come by. If he hadn't, she would still be in excruciating pain, and she wouldn't have anything to help with her flow. For the first time since being aboard the Crimson Night, Tenten longed for the comfort of her room, her maids, medicine, and the heat rags that usually helped ease her pain.
The next morning, she was still suffering, but thankfully less so. She left her bed and lit the lamps around the room, then washed up for the day, cleaning her face and changing the dirtied rags with clean ones. By the time she was finished, a knock sounded at the door and Tenten opened it to let Konohamaru inside with her breakfast.
"I brought some more water and rags for ye, miss," he said, placing her food tray on her desk before picking up said items from just outside the door. "I'm glad to see yer up and about today."
"Thank you, Konohamaru. I'm sorry I'm taking you away from your other duties to help me like this."
He shook his head, a boyish grin overtaking his features. "The Cap'n told me to take good care o' ye, and I'm happy to help. Besides," he added, a feint blush covering his cheeks. "I don't want nothing to happen to ye."
Tenten was touched that the boy was worried about her and she sent him a smile before replaying the first part of his sentence again. She felt her heart flutter at hearing the captain had specifically asked that she be taken care of, even though the knowledge confused her. At times he seemed so apathetic towards her, and yet there were other instances—like yesterday in her room—where she was certain he cared for her. Tenten wished she could understand what was going on in that head of his, so she knew where she stood with him.
"You will have to thank the captain for me, then," she said, walking over to the desk. Glancing down, Tenten noticed something new amongst the array of food normally on her tray. "What's this?"
Konohamaru glanced at the item she was pointing at before sending her another grin. "The cook said Cap'n ordered it to be made 'specially for ye. It's a sweet cake." He scuffed his shoe against the wooden floor and added, almost sheepishly, "I'm a little jealous. I never had a sweet cake before."
For the second time that morning, Tenten felt her heart flutter. She wondered how Neji knew women often craved sweet things during their cycle. The fact that he had such a thing made specifically for her warmed her heart.
She sat at the table and took the fork, using it to cut the sweet treat in half. "How about we share it, then?" she said to the young boy, whose eyes widened at her suggestion.
"Really, miss?"
He looked so excited. Tenten couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her lips. "Really. Here, you have this piece." He held out his grubby hands and she frowned. "Go wash up first. You shouldn't eat with dirty hands; it could make you sick."
Konohamaru ran to do her bidding, washing his hands in her water basin before racing back to her side. He presented her with freshly clean hands, and she placed the bigger half in them. He bit into the treat and groaned, a look of pure joy on his face.
Tenten nibbled on her half, impressed that the cook could come up such a treat despite being in the middle of the ocean. She would have to make a special trip to the kitchens to thank him personally for the treat.
After they had both finished eating the sweet cake, Konohamaru left her to get a start on his other duties. Tenten finished her breakfast in silence and sipped on the pain dulling tea, absently wondering just what ingredients were in it. She hoped it was nothing that could harm her body, but she wasn't worried enough not to drink it—her pain was worsening again, and she didn't want to spend another day confined to her bed.
Still, even after the pain began to subside, Tenten decided to stay indoors. She still had letters she needed to write, and she wanted them finished before they arrived at Kirigakure so she could mail them. Besides, she was still embarrassed about the captain knowing the reason behind her illness and she didn't quite know how to act if she were to run into him so soon.
.
.
Neji made his way across the deck, his leather boots barely making a sound on the wooden surface. He was nervous, which was ridiculous—he was the captain of a pirate ship who had overturned many vessels, both pirates and naval alike—so why did one woman make him so apprehensive?
His guest had been absent yesterday, but he was relieved to have seen her out and about today. She forewent her sword training, but he observed her and his first mate talking for quite a while during the morning.
It was evening now, and the moon was full tonight, the light allowing the crew member in the crow's nest to have a good view of the ocean around them. They would be docking at Kirigakure early tomorrow and Neji wanted to let his guest know, to make sure she was prepared for their departure. Many of his men had their own homes in Kirigakure, and those that didn't, would stay at the local hotel for the duration of their shore leave. Neji knew he should pay for Tenten to stay there as well, but he found he could not stomach the thought of not knowing how she was faring, while he was safe in his home with his family.
He knocked on her door, waiting until she let him into her quarters. Neji knew that the nerves rolling through him weren't just to do with seeing her. He was anxious about telling her she would be staying with him—with his family—during their visit. Neji wanted to make sure she was close, and, despite knowing he had other options he could—should—choose from, Neji knew he would not be at ease if she were anywhere but by his side.
The first glimpse of her, hair framing her face and those bright, chocolate eyes blinking up at him, stole his breath, and it took him a few moments to regain his sanity. She smiled at seeing him and opened the door, allowing him into her room.
Neji wondered if she knew that with each smile she offered him, his resolve to stay away from her cracked a little more. He was starting to wonder why he was doing that—why did he care what his crew thought? He was the captain. He could do anything he damn well wanted.
But still, Neji would never want to make Tenten feel uncomfortable, and so he hardened his resolve once more as he stepped into her quarters.
"For what do I owe this pleasure, Captain?" Tenten asked, her smile still brilliant on her face.
"We will be reaching Kirigakure tomorrow morning. Make sure you are prepared to go ashore."
"Oh?" The news seemed to excite her for a moment before she frowned, and Neji wondered what she was thinking to make such an expression mar her lovely face.
"Is something wrong?" Was she still thinking of staying in the village, despite his express command that she was not to do so? He had family in the village, yes, and much of his crew had family there, but they were under his protection, and he knew no one would dare touch them. Neji was aware that he could do something similar for the woman before him, but he did not want to. The thought of her staying in such a place, while he was off at sea, made him uneasy. Until he could make sure Kirigakure was safe—something he was currently trying to make possible—he did not want her living there. Even staying with his family for a long period of time was out of the question.
She had quickly gotten under his skin, despite his attempts to stop such a thing from happening, and Neji would only feel at ease if she were by his side, safe and cared for. Having no family of her own to take care of her, it was both his duty and his privilege to step up to the task. And Neji would not take that duty lightly.
"Captain, are you listening to me?"
Her voice penetrated his thoughts, and his eyes focused on her features again. How Neji longed for her to call him by name instead of his title. But again, he did not wish to make her uncomfortable, so he kept the request to himself. "My apologies. What did you say?"
"I asked if you knew where I will be staying?" She shuffled from foot to foot, an embarrassed flush infusing her cheeks. "I, uhm, won't be able to afford a hotel."
The desire to reach out and touch her pinkened cheeks was almost overwhelming, and Neji had to clasp his hands behind his back to stop himself from doing just that. "There is no need to worry about money. Everything is sorted."
Her eyes widened slightly at his words, but she nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. They lapsed into silence, Neji not able to bring himself to tell her just yet what he had in mind. An inquisitive expression came over her. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course." Why did that question make his heart race?
"I've been wondering this for a while, and I hope I don't sound rude asking. Why don't you sound like a pirate?"
Neji raised a surprised brow, not expecting that question. "Are you disappointed?"
"What? No, but I am curious. You sound like you had a good education, so I was wondering how and why you became a pirate."
He should have been expecting this—he had expected it—but it still caught him off-guard. Neji was not sure why the question made him anxious, since he was sure she would not judge him for the truth, but once again, he wasn't quite ready to tell her. At least for one more night, Neji wanted to enjoy Tenten's company like this; without the barriers that will inevitably come on the morrow.
Instead of answering her question, he replied with, "You will know soon enough."
She tilted her head slightly, her brows pulled together in an adorable frown. "Tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow," he agreed. He stepped backwards, towards the door. "We will be disembarking just after dawn. Be ready."
"Right. Thank you, Captain. I'll be ready."
Opening the door, he gave his guest one last glance, unable to stop his eyes from roving over her features. "Goodnight, Tenten."
"Goodnight, Captain."
Her soft, parting smile stayed with him, even after he fell asleep that evening, and he dreamed of nothing but her face the whole night.
It's always the chapters I'm most excited about that makes me the most anxious to upload, because I want ya'll to enjoy them. So, I really hope you liked this one with all it's Nejiten moments.
I wanted to add in the story that Tenten has Dysmenorrhea (very painful periods) but I wasn't sure if the term would have been used back then and I couldn't find the answer even after I googled it. So, for the sake of (trying) to keep the timeline accurate, I got rid of the word. But yeah, that is why she was in more pain than some of us may be in during our periods.