Series: Sensei
Tenten's Status
Ino and Tenten came out of the kitchen carrying bowls they had prepared for everyone interrupting a very private scene between Sakura and Hinata. Hinata was holding Sakura in her arms while she wept unrestrained. Neither knew what it was all about, well, Ino could guess. In true Ino fashion, she decided to interrupt the sob fest.
"Okay, okay, that's enough of that. Let's save all the tears for after we've had copious amounts of alcohol."
Sakura let out a watery laugh and brushed the tears away from her face. Hinata gave Ino a look silently scolding her, but Ino merely rolled her eyes and started passing out the bowls that she brought into the room. Temari followed them out shortly afterward carrying her own bowl and a bottle of wine and sat down. She didn't have any glasses which made Ino roll her eyes again and head into the kitchen to get some for everyone.
She had no idea how much her actions surprised everyone. In fact, she didn't even realize she was doing it. Life with the Subaku brothers had changed her in a lot of ways. She wouldn't necessarily say it was for the better, but she was definitely happier. When she came back out with the glasses she had the joy of seeing everyone scarfing down her food. It made her feel proud inside to know that she had created something that her friends enjoyed. So with a smug grin she sat down, picked up her bowl and partook of the goodies.
"Okay," Ino began, "So who's first. Who wants to spill all the sordid details of their life?" Everyone turned and looked at Ino, but she didn't care. They needed each other. They needed to get it all out in the open. They needed to do it now. No more secrets. No more lies. No more bullshit.
Tenten said, "I'll go first." Ino inwardly laughed.
Of course she would.
:::
Tenten ignored the sardonic look on Ino's face and started telling her best friends all of her business.
"Some of you may know that with the help of Itachi Uchiha I straightened out my life and let go of Neji. I told him we wouldn't be together."
She noted that while Sakura didn't look surprised, which she shouldn't because she already knew about this, Temari, Ino, and even Hinata were dumbstruck. She guessed they never thought she could let go of the love she carried for Neji for so long. She also supposed that they didn't think she truly loved Gai. For some reason that hurt her. Maybe that was because they thought she was flaky. Maybe it hurt because she felt that if her best friends didn't think her feelings for Gai had any basis, it was no wonder that the man himself felt the same.
"I see it in your faces." Tenten said, "None of you thought that I would do it."
They could hear the bitterness in her voice and Hinata reassured her.
"No, Tenten. It's not that we didn't think you loved Gai. We just didn't think you could let go of Neji." Tenten felt a spark of outrage that Hinata quelled. "Wait. Now before you get angry. Think about what I just said. We didn't think you'd be able to let go of Neji. He has always been a large part of your life and a large part of your heart. And when someone is that important to you it is not easy letting them go. Do you think for a second, that if things didn't work out between Naruto and I that I'd be able to get over it easily and quickly? I'm not doubting the depth of your feelings for Neji, before you say that, I know you loved him, but I also know now, with your words, that you love Gai more. We believe you Tenten and we respect you for having the balls to say it."
Tenten felt her eyes grow large at Hinata's use of the word 'balls'. Temari took that moment to open the wine and start pouring everyone a glass. Tenten was glad. She had a feeling the liquid courage would be needed.
"So what are you going to do next?" Sakura asked, "It's one thing to accept the fact that you love Gai and want him in your life, but have you made any progress moving on with him in your relationship?"
This was the part that Tenten didn't want to talk about, but she knew she had to. "No. I haven't made any progress. Gai has made himself scarce."
Temari interjected, "And do you think that is because he realized he doesn't love you or that he's bothered by the fact that you're a much younger woman?"
"I don't know." Tenten replied. "I can't truly say. I wish I could. I wish I could talk to him so I can know where I stand and know how he feels so that we can end this or begin it like I want to. But right now I'm kind of stuck in limbo. I can't find him."
"Is he on a mission?" Ino asked.
"He typically tells us when he's leaving on a solo mission. He doesn't leave us out of the loop like that."
"Or maybe he only left you out of the loop." Sakura offered and Tenten felt a stab in her heart at the thought. "Maybe he couldn't face you. Maybe you should talk to Lee and see if he knows anything just to be certain."
"But I don't understand why he wouldn't—"
Temari interrupted her would-be statement. "The second any of us understand men is the same second the world ends."
They all laughed and Tenten couldn't help but smile as well.
"Okay. I guess I'll start with that tomorrow. I'll talk to Lee and see what he knows. I don't know. I'll figure something out."
Tenten took a sip of her wine and said, "That's pretty much my story for right now. Who's next?"
