A Gift
(In an event where Neji did not die)
(Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto)
They'd known each other since genin days.
They were each other's shelter from their peers' overbearing personalities. She would have his back and he'd make sure she was able to make use of her weapons greatly. They were each other's stronghold when things get rough.
Tenten was in her weapon's store, fixing some things before heading home. She took a kunai and checked if it was still sharp. She tapped her index finger on the point and gently ran her hand to its edge. Once satisfied, she smiled to herself and placed it back. It's been a long day and Tenten decided it was time to head home.
She pulled the cover to her store and locked the door. Tenten stretched her arms above her head. The sky was casting a beautiful orange tinge as the sun was setting. She could almost smell the smoke from the yakiniku store not far from where she was. Tenten pondered for a moment, whether to eat some yakiniku or just head home.
"Tenten!" a woman's voice called her. Tenten turned around and saw Ino with Sai approaching her. She gave them a smile and waved in their direction. Ino jugged in her direction with Sai just walking behind her.
"How's the kunai I ordered going?" Ino whispered to her while subtly looking at Sai. Tenten just chuckled and gave her a thumbs up. Ino was planning to give Sai some customized kunai on his birthday. They'd been going out for a while now and occasionally, she could see the both of them strolling around the village.
"Thank you, Tenten! We'll see you later, bye!" Ino said as she took Sai's hand and walked. Tenten just waved at the couple and started walking to her apartment.
The village was bustling with people. It's been completely repaired, and people were moving on. Thanks to Captain Yamato rebuilding the village went faster. Naruto and Hinata's wedding were also fast approaching. Tenten chuckled as she thought of the two.
It took Naruto years to notice Hinata's feelings for him. She was amazed that Hinata endured that long. She could still remember how Neji would rant to her about how oblivious Naruto was. Neji was so frustrated and complained about how Hinata really set her heart to the most oblivious shinobi in Konoha.
Speaking of Neji, Tenten noticed a stall selling some herring soba. She walked towards it and bought some to bring home. She also bought some sesame dumplings to eat later. The sky was starting to get dark and Tenten fished her keys from her pants to unlock her door.
She flicked on the lights and headed straight to the kitchen. Her home was simple and was littered with ninja weapons and some tarot cards. She placed her stuff on her counter and grabbed some containers. Her place was now bigger than what she had before. Another perk of winning the war was the incentive. It was enough to help Tenten get a bigger apartment and open her store.
After preparing her meal, she covered it first. It's been a long day and it would be nice to have a bath before eating her meal. Tenten entered her room and took some change of clothes before heading to her bath.
"Ahh, that's nice" Tenten commented as she soaked herself in her bath. Every tension in her body relaxed and she could feel herself melting in the tub. She closed her eyes and relaxed her body. Today was a busy day, after some morning training she went straight to the academy to deliver some supplies. Then she had to work on the Kunai Ino commissioned. After that, she had to look for a gift for Hinata and Naruto's wedding.
She was about to doze off when she felt someone enter her apartment. As soon as she heard the familiar footsteps she relaxed again and close her eyes. Just a few minutes and she'll head out soon.
Tenten still wanted to stay on the water when she smelled stir-fried Chinese food. She took in the scent and chuckled to herself.
"That guy" she comments before heading out of the water and grabbing her towel.
Tenten tied her hair in a low bun and headed to where the scent was coming from. She was wearing a shirt that was large for her size. She could hear the water boiling from the kitchen and went there first.
"You really know how to get me off my bath time, don't you" Tenten commented as she looked at Neji's back. She could hear a light scoff at him. He turned off the stove and threw two cups at Tenten. She caught the cups with ease and smirked at him. Neji took the kettle and the two headed to the living room.
The two sat down and gave their thanks before digging in. Neji poured some tea and gave it to Tenten. She inhaled the aroma first before taking a sip. Neji's tea was always great, especially after taking a soak.
"I reheated the soba and bought you some stir-fried noodles," Neji said as he handed her the noodles. Tenten thanked him and the two started eating. The two talked about their day and one of them would occasionally chuckle or comment on one's story.
"Hinata-sama has been agitated as the wedding is approaching" Neji commented after he sipped his tea.
"So, how are you coping with it?" Tenten asked as she took a bite from her sesame dumpling.
"Well, it's not me who she's going to these days. Hanabi-sama's been teasing her and at the same time helping her" Neji said as he leaned back and breathed. Tenten couldn't help but smile. Neji rarely lets his guard down and seeing him being at ease was always nice.
Neji's hand absentmindedly touched his abdomen. During the war, they almost lost Neji. He jumped in front of Hinata and Naruto to save them from an upcoming spike from the juubi. It impaled Neji from his back and straight to his abdomen. She could still remember how Hinata told her Neji was willing to die there.
Tenten bit her lip and stood up to clean the dishes they used. That was a dark memory for her. Neji almost left them, left her. If it ever happened, Tenten would never forgive Neji. The thought of losing him was one of her greatest fears. As shinobis, she knows it was part of the job description and she could even imagine herself dying in this but not Neji. She would fight nails and teeth to protect his back. She always has his back and she'd be damned if she let him die.
The water was running and Tenten was absentmindedly washing the dishes when a hand suddenly slipped on her waist. This snapped her off her reverie. She smiled and touched his hands.
"I apologize" Neji whispered as his chin rested on her head. Tenten could feel his heart beating. No sound could ever calm her down at this moment other than that. Feeling his heartbeat and warmth near her was enough to get her thoughts away from what happened at the war.
"What are you apologizing for?" Tenten asked as she turned around to face him. She could see Neji's face get tinted with subtle red, his ear was noticeably looking like a tomato. He turned his head away to not meet her eyes.
"I'm just apologizing, I feel like I've hurt you, but I didn't know," Neji said before dropping his head and looking at her. Tenten couldn't help but smile at him. This man was one of the most intelligent shinobi she's ever known. He was almost on par with Shikamaru! He was the strategist of their group but here he was clueless about what he'd done.
Tenten held his hand and looked into his eyes. Neji's pearly eyes have always fascinated her. Hyuuga's had pupils, the only thing is that you could only see it when you stand near them. Tenten was shocked the first time she noticed it. She asked Neji about it once and Neji told her that Hyuuga's did have pupils, it just wasn't noticeable.
She was about to say something when a piece of loud music interrupted her. Her neighbor was once again playing their music as if they did not have any neighbors. Tenten closed her eyes in frustration and gripped Neji's hands.
"I swear, they're just doing this on purpose now" Tenten gritted her teeth trying to calm herself. Then she heard Neji laugh. Tenten opened her eyes and glared at him. This just made Neji laugh even more. He took one of his hands and covered his mouth.
"You really find this funny?" Tenten asked as she crossed her arms. Neji calmed himself and took Tenten's hand back.
"I'm sorry, you just look adorable earlier," Neji said. Tenten rolled her eyes and was about to continue washing the dishes when she thought of something. Her eyes shined and she smirked at Neji. His brow raised and looked at her for answers.
Tenten started to bop her head to match the music. She then swayed her body and swayed her hands that were holding Neji. She smiled cheekily at him and urge him to join her. Neji exasperated and joined Tenten in her little dance.
The two danced around the kitchen using Tenten's neighbor's music. Neji would occasionally take Tenten's arm and twirl. She would then take Neji's hand and swing it. The two bopped their bodies with the music and laughed.
The two felt tired and leaned on the countertop. Tenten's bun loosened, and she was about to fix it when Neji tucked a stray hair behind her ear. She turned around a bit and Neji took out her bun. He then gathered her hair and made sure no stray hair was sticking out before tying it in a bun.
Neji was good at making Tenten's hair. How wouldn't he? He's been doing this since they were genin. It was a cute thing they did. Tenten would sometimes tie his hair, he even let her braid it. Neji would then tie hers.
"You're a good dancer Neji" Tenten teased. Neji playfully glared at her before closing his eyes.
"If I hear anyone say that to me, I will really make you pay Tenten" Neji commented. Tenten couldn't help but laugh. How would their friends react to seeing Neji dance and act what he did earlier? He could already see their faces! It would be priceless.
"Tenten, I'm serious," Neji said again now looking at her.
"I'm not going to tell anyone, why would say that Neji?" Tenten said acted hurt. Neji just scoffed at her and took a glass of water.
"Your face is already telling me what you're thinking" Neji commented as he offered Tenten some water. Tenten just laughed and took the water to drink it.
"Have you already thought of what gift you're going to bring to their wedding?" Tenten asked as she finished washing the dishes she left. Neji was quiet and she could sense him looking at her. After Tenten placed the last dish, she turned around and looked at him.
"I was thinking" Neji started, he then stood properly and faced her, "we should give them one gift that's from the both of us" he finished.
Tenten stared at him for a moment, and she could feel her heart racing. She could feel the heat on her face. She was sure she was now resembling a cherry tomato. Tenten could feel her stomach buzz. She fiddled with her fingers and looked at Neji.
"That would be nice" she whispered and look away to drink some water. From the corner of her eye, she could notice Neji smiling.
"Is it ok if we look for a gift tomorrow?" Neji asked. Tenten pursed her lips and controlled herself from smiling too much. She nodded her head and looked at him.
"Also, I want you to meet someone" Neji added and held her hand. Tenten could feel the beating of her heart from her hands to her body to her legs. She was unsure if Neji could hear how loud her heart was banging right now.
"Tenten" Neji called out to her. It was always nice hearing him say her name. She never really paid heed to her name but whenever Neji says it, it sounded nice. The way his tongue perfectly rolled with each letter.
"Neji?" Tenten replied. She could notice how red his ears were now. Neji gripped her hand and caressed it gently with his thumb.
"Thank you" he whispered and cupped her cheeks. Neji then kissed her forehead and hand. As Neji's lips touched her forehead Tenten closed her eyes and held his hand tighter. His other hand was still on her cheeks.
"I will always have your back, Neji" Tenten replied and tiptoed to kiss his lips. It was just the two of them in her little apartment. With no prying eyes, no expectations, and no pressure from anyone. If they could continue like this, it would have been nice. But life had other plans. A loud one on Tenten's door could be heard and Lee's voice was loud.
"I'll go get it," Tenten said but Neji wouldn't let go of her hand. He just smiled and walked beside her to the door. Tenten's eyes looked at Neji and shooked her head as a huge smile appeared on her face.
"Hey there Lee" Tenten greeted their friend as she opened the door. Lee's eyes instantly went to Neji's and followed his hand which was holding Tenten's. His eyes started to water and Neji and Tenten knew what was about to happen next.
"CONGRATULATIONS YOU TWO!" The whole building heard it and there was a huge clang as Lee jumped to both.
A/N
I'll probably live the rest of my life rejecting the fact that Neji's dead. So I've turned to a coping mechanism. I hope you enjoyed this and thanks for reading!