It was the night of the fireworks festival that Tenten looked forward to so eagerly. The sundial read six in the evening and the event was supposed at seven so everyone in the Uzumaki palace hurried to get ready.
The palace maids dressed the royalties while Tenten assisted Neji in putting on his kimono. The fabric was a soft black colour designed with pink flowers and blue birds, much like hers. They both had blue obis tied around their waists. The woman flushed as she realized that she and Neji wore matching clothes.
Hinata's kimono was lavender in colour with intricate orange designs with an obi of the same colour as the patterns. Her midnight hair was packed into a bun and adorned with a hairpin which was gifted to her by Kushina, her soon to be mother in law. Her fiancé's kimono was orange with purple designs to match with hers. His golden hair was in a mess as usual but the vibrant locks could not be tamed with mundane things such as pomade, it always sprung back up.
Hanabi wore an amber and wine Korean hanbok, leaving her rich brown hair in a low ponytail. The young one wasted no time in looking for the one she developed a sudden infatuation with, Konohamaru, and tried to get some alone time with him but things never went the princess's way. The boy's friends, Moegi and Udon decided to tag along with them so all hopes of a romantic getaway was lost.
Shikamaru wore a grey yukata and wandered off somewhere that nobody knew of. It would be no surprise if the lazy man was found sleeping in the field next to the palace.
Tenten and Neji set off without the guards that usually followed the Prince around to enjoy the night in solitude. Lanterns decorated and lit up the streets of the village and music filled the air. Tenten's face lit up at the many carnival games that arrayed the place and didn't realize that she had grabbed Neji's hand until she did. The jolts of electricity that traveled up their hands did not go unnoticed by either but both were reluctant to let go. And so they stayed.
Neji smiled down at Tenten, one of his rare and absolutely beautiful ones, and intertwined their fingers which made the maid blush pink. "Which of these games do you wish to play?" Neji asked. Like that, Tenten's initial bashfulness vanished like it was never there in the first place and she brightened to rival the lights from the lanterns around them.
"Let's see that one, Neji-sama!" Tenten chirped and dragged him to a stand. The game was about trying to capture a goldfish with paper nets. Neji paid for three nets and handed them to Tenten. The woman squatted and chased the swimming fish with her eyes before lunging at the poor fish with the net. The paper broke when the fish bounced in the net, enabling the small creature to plop back into the tub of water.
"Mada mada[1]!" Tenten yelled as she dipped another net into the water only to have it break again. The fish swam back and forth as if to mock her, eliciting a growl from our heroine. "Listen fishy, I shall get you this time and show your mocking ass!" She yelled angrily.
A smile tugged at Neji's lips as a laugh threatened to drop at Tenten's antics. Aye so short tempered was she but he loved that she was easily riled up, he could tease her better that way. The man at the stand crossed glances with Neji as if asking for her mental health and looked back at the woman with the fish.
"Yata[2]! Neji-sama, did you see?! I caught it!" Tenten squealed in triumph as the fish seemed to be deflated at its loss.
"Congratulations, you have won the fish!" The man at the stand said.
"Do we eat it? I don't suppose that small of a creature would appease any appetite." As if to respond to Neji's horrific words, the fish flopped up and down on the net and it broke. The creature was gratified to feel the water again which was identified by its erratic swimming.
Tenten had pulled Neji away before the man could say anything and dragged him to another game stand where they had to knock down bottles to win a prize. The game came easy for Tenten who was well versed with targets and throwing weapons. After dragging them through series of games (some of which Neji performed miserably), Tenten stopped at the square.
"Oh God no." Neji complained and was about to run away when Tenten's surprisingly strong hold pulled him back, by his hair no less. The man turned around and gave his maid a harsh glare which was soon lost to the innocent look the girl was giving him. "You could have pulled my brain out of my skull, imbecile." His voice didn't have any bite to it.
"Sumimaseun[3, I shall give you a scalp massage so let's do that one!" Tenten pleaded as she pointed at the village square where several men and women were dancing and playing catch the apple. After series of coaxing and adorable pouts, Neji succumbed and allowed Tenten to drag him to the village square.
The girl with two buns signed them up for the game of the night where an apple was tied like bait on a fishing hook and suspended mid air. The goal was for couples to catch the apples with their mouths which only ended in a lot of head bumping and kissing. Neji decided he had enough when his delicate head collided with Tenten's thick skull and led the woman by the hand away from the town into a clearing.
"That was absolutely thrilling!" Tenten yelled and released series of giggles which Neji found to be beautiful. The place they were at was silent save for the distant chattering and music coming from the village. The wind blew through the soft tresses of Neji's hair as well as through the grass that surrounded them, causing a soft rustle to fill the air.
It was peaceful until a bang resounded and the sky brightened up with various lights. Tenten clapped her hands in child-like mirth as the fireworks display lit up the dark sky and her face. At this, Neji was enthralled. Her chocolate brown eyes danced with red, blue and green lights as she gazed intently at the fireworks.
The beauty of the night could not be compared to the beauty of the woman before him. Her spontaneity drew him towards her in many ways than one so it took him by no surprise when he found himself pressing his lips against hers. Her lips were soft and velvety, merging perfectly with his as if they were made for each other.
Tenten tensed when Neji's lips embraced hers in a soft kiss but relaxed into his hold as his lips caressed hers in a rhythmic movement. She found her own lips dancing along with his which immediately exploded into surges of electrical tingles coursing through her body. His hot tongue parted her lips and she gave him the access into her warm orifice. He wasted no time in exploring her cavern, tasting the snacks they had at the festival earlier in them. Heat pooled in their stomachs and spread through their bodies as they held each other.
Alas, every good thing must come to an end for Tenten realized herself and pushed against his chest. Neji broke apart and looked quizzically at her flush panting face. "We can't." Tenten uttered whilst panting.
"What do you mean?" Neji asked despite knowing fully well what she meant. The relationship between royalty and low blood was something that could not only hurt them but others around them as well. But Neji could not bring himself to care about the laws, he had spent nights trying to dismiss his growing feelings but it never worked. Tenten was the woman for him.
"Not only would I get hurt but you would." Tenten's voice cracked as she stepped away from him.
"We shall work something out, Tenten-"
"Neji-sama!"
Neji stopped talking. His heart felt heavy with grief at his rejection. It hurt.
"You are the crown Prince and I am just a maid, our relationship would be frowned at and you shall be mocked by the other kingdoms. I do not want that for you."
"But what about my happiness? Our happiness? My heart has fallen deep for you, Tenten and it is only you that I want." Neji argued but Tenten was stepping further away.
"I am sorry, your Highness." The girl whispered, trying hard to fight her tears, and turned around in preparation to leave. Her movements were stopped by Neji's proclamation.
"I shall have you, Tenten. I do not know what happens in the future but the bridge shall be crossed when we get there. Keep in mind that I would not stop pursuing you, I shall be persistent and constantly ask for your heart." Neji was not the kind to say such words but Tenten drew out a part of him he never knew he had. He would not allow his happiness drift away from his fingers, not when she was so close.
Let the denials begin! Hi, how was your day?
[1] Mada mada: again
[2] Yata: I did it!
[3] Sumimaseun: Excuse me.