Day to Day

A Naruto Fan-fiction

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any bands mentioned, with the exception of Star Pirate Ship.

(A/N: The votes came in, and we had none for Shikamaru and Ino, two for Sakura and Sasuke, two for Naruto and Hinata, and a whopping five for Neji and Tenten! So, here we go!)

Chapter 15: Morning

Tenten woke up to a winter wonderland outside of her window. Fresh snow covered everything, icicles dangled from every ledge and edge, and ice covered everything that wasn't already warm. Snow still fell, and as she leaned close to the window, she could see the ones that fell near her window up close.

Smiling, she wondered what the day would bring her. Today she had no mission, and the free time almost seemed over whelming. What would she do?

Spinning on her socks on the wood floor, she faced her kitchen and small sitting room. All of the rooms in the ninja apartments were the same except the decorations and furniture, so her kitchen and sitting room were connected the same way everyone else's was.

Dressed in drawstring purple pajama pants with yellow stars and silver moons and a white tank top, she walked to her fridge and opened it. Tenten was never a girl for pink or fluffy things, so the pajamas were perfect for her. A sweeping glance told her that she had enough milk for one bowl of cereal, so she pulled out the jug of milk and sat it on the counter.

Keeping with her mornings-off tradition, she pressed a button on the radio sitting in her kitchen. The radio came to life with the voice of a man with a jolly, happy way about his voice.

"Well, morning-morning-morning folks! It's seven o'clock on this snowy morning, and we are playing the latest and greatest! So lets spin that new record, eh?"

"Good morning, Chuck." Tenten replied to the radio announcer, and smiled.

She took out a bowl, spoon and a box of Rice Krispies. She liked how it crackled when she poured milk on the manila-colored pieces.

Tenten was a morning person. She liked waking up to a fresh new day, brushing the morning's taste from her mouth, and moving around her kitchen to the radio.

On missions she was more conserved and serious, but she still beamed while her teammates groaned. To her, a morning was like a fresh new beginning, like coming up for air. It promised new days, new times, and new memories she could keep forever.

This strange mood swing that she experienced in the morning was one of the few things she kept with her after the death of her father. She used to like to be with the girls, and even had a doll her mother hand made her. That wasn't to say that her father's passing on made her a tomboy, but that it made her focus more on her strength than her hair. She began to realize that if she didn't become strong, she could be wiped out the same way. The thought scared her.

Then came Hyuuga Neji. Tall, strong, proud and gallant, he seemed to be invincible, a thing her father never obtained quick enough. She clung to him for years, praised him and saw him as the greatest ninja to live. Hyuuga Neji was, to her, an idol like Tsunade, who was barely inches above the amazing Hyuuga in her eyes. However, eventually, she began to realize that Neji was no more than a boy with a boost. He was just as confused about life and caught up in growing up as she, and just liked to hear her call him a genius. The thought was devastating at the time, but later she looked back and was thankful. Neji could never truly respect her and her abilities if she continually idolized him. These days, it was rare when he got a compliment from her.

A knock came to her door as she ate a spoonful of cereal. Setting her fork down on the counter, she walked over toward the door. Tenten stood on her toes and peered out of the peephole, and felt a smile cover her face again. Looking up through the warped hole was two clear eyes and an emotionless face.

She opened the door and he walked in as soon as it was wide enough for him to pass. Arms immediately encircled her ad she felt a face lean against hers. She stifled a yelp in surprise, but found herself placing her arms on top of his.

"Well, good morning to you too." Tenten replied sarcastically.

"I was afraid you had a mission today." He replied, ignoring the sarcastic comment.

"Well, you're in luck. Will you close my door?"

He kicked the door closed.

"The latch?"

He narrowed his eyes, and then took one hand and slid the latch closed behind him.

"Happy?"

She smiled. "Yes."

"So, is there a reason that you have decided to grace me with your presence?" she asked. Their old game of annoying each other hadn't died, and showed no signs of doing so.

He brushed his nose against hers. "You don't want me here?" he asked quietly, his mouth almost twitching into a smirk.

"Hyuuga, don't ask stupid questions." She replied, her tone just as sly.

He laughed softly and kissed her on the cheek.

It had been at least a week since they had last seen each other. As soon as he had come home, he had dropped off his things, changed and came to her apartment, praying that she was home. As soon as he heard the latch click, he felt an excitement bubble in his chest, and it had exploded free when the door swung open and she came into view.

The feelings confused him, and he spent every moment he could trying to figure it out for himself. What was this thing he was dealing with, and did she feel the exact same way? Would it go away? Was it really what she said it was that night? Was it love?

Even the idea of this thing he had for this one girl as the love that he had been told of was crazy, but maybe that was it. Maybe it was just a different kind of love, not the kind of love that girls dream of. Yet, he did most of the things that the girls said that were symptoms of love. He had awoke one night from a dream about her, he had rushed to see her as soon as he could, he had done small things for her, and he had never thought once about what he did around her unless it was strategic. Every action was pure impulse.

As for Tenten, she had been pleasantly surprised to find a note on the floor in front of the door to her apartment from him. He had slid it under the doorway and walked away. Before he left for his missions, he slipped notes under her door. When she walked approached the gates to Konoha to leave for her mission, a guard had approached her. With a stern face, the guard had said, "I have an urgent letter from a Hyuuga Neji." Then he handed another letter to her, and inside was three pressed flowers, probably from a place that he had ventured to where it was warm all year around. However, Neji was not a man of many words.

Every note said this:

"Everywhere I go I see you near me."

Neji was a true ninja in the fact that he always used hidden meanings. What he had meant by this simple saying is 'I think of you all the time'.

The last note, the one with the pressed flowers, and had said this:

"I see flowers fade, but you never fade from me. Everywhere I go, I see you near me."

What he had meant that time it that he wouldn't die away like flowers did with seasons, and that he still thought of her all the time.

Tenten leaned closer to his face, and whispered, "I see you near me too."

Despite his efforts, a slight blush came to the normally collected boy's face, and he swallowed.

"Thank you for your letters. They mean a lot to me." She said, and nestled her head against his neck. He looked down at her black hair, and closed his eyes a moment.

They stood there, relishing the moment and letting their thoughts halt. Calm seemed to settle in the air, giving both of them a sense of peace they could never achieve on a mission. On a mission they had to be alert and all times, and sometimes that alertness stayed with them because it was a habit. Now, it floated away, and Neji felt a sigh escape his lips.

"Are you hungry?" Tenten asked quietly, feeling her stomach grumble. Her breakfast still waited for her on the counter.

"Go eat." He replied, about to roll his eyes. He had heard the small grumble as well.

She pulled away from him and looked at him a moment, taking in his whole face. Still lightly tanned from being outside, still clear eyes, and black hair falling behind him. Other than the maturing of his face and body, Neji seemed the same. Of course, that was perfectly fine by her.

"Would you like something to eat, or do you want to watch me eat?" she asked, a taunting flick in her voice.

Neji knew that small little change in her tone, and he raised an eyebrow. "Are you challenging me not to eat?" he asked, annoyed and thinking, 'That's the stupidest one yet….'

"No. I'm asking you if you're hungry. Are you?"

His eyes narrowed.

" No."

"Okay." She said, and pulled out of his arms to go eat her cereal.

The truth was that Neji was hungry, but the idea of giving in to her, even over food, was ridiculous. Tenten knew as well, so, for kicks, she was picking on him.

Neji watched her talk over there. Her pajama pants dragged under her heels and made her steps quieter, and she stretched her arms and yawned as she walked. The tank top inched up her back when she stretched her arms upward, and he could see her knobby spine, the same spine that he rolled his fingers over.

As soon as she picked up her cereal and spoon, she turned toward him and gently slipped the spoonful in her mouth, chewing and watching him. Her dark eyes glinted like laughter, and she could hardly keep her lips straight.

Then she took another bite, watching him glare at her. She gulped, and then walked up to him, still holding he bowl of cereal and spoon.

"Neji-kun, are you sure you're not hungry?"

She was ready to burst out laughing, and he was ready to steal her breakfast and raid her kitchen. He hadn't eaten all morning or had dinner.

"Yes." He replied confidently. Suddenly, a plan formed in his genius mind.

"Besides," he added, "I don't like cereal."

Tenten cocked her head to the side. This was unexpected. What was he planning?

"You don't? And why is that?"

"It's disgusting." He replied bluntly. Inside his mind, he leered like shark ready to strike. To Tenten, his face was clear and truthful.

Her eyes narrowed, trying to decipher his plan. "Really? Why do you think it's disgusting?"

"Because it looks disgusting. It's a bunch of pieces of crud floating in milk."

Tenten took a step toward Neji, now intrigued. Okay, she'd take his bait, but only to see what he's planning. "Have you ever tried it?"

"Why would I want to?"

That's it!

Tenten rolled her eyes.

"Neji-kun, that was lame." She said, and laughed.

The whole time he had wanted a bite of her cereal! He was trying to coax her into letting him have a bite, making her think that she was going to prove him wrong, that cereal was good.

"But," she added, and walked toward him until stood almost nose-to-nose. "For your trouble, I'll happily fetch some pop tarts for you since I have no more milk."

Cocking an eyebrow, she asked, "You do like those, right?"

"Tenten, I just want food." He replied bluntly, and she shook her head and walked into the kitchen.

He followed, and took the pop tarts from her as soon as she produced them from a box in her cabinet.

"Hey! I need to toast those!"

Neji just ignored her and bit off half of one, chewing it and watching her with a smirk.

She just shook her head again and picked up her bowl and spoon.

Most would believe that Neji would've been angry, but both had enjoyed the little game they had. It was always more fun to deceive than to lay it out! Keeping with their old antics was one of the few things that made being with each other fun.

Once he inhaled his pop tarts, Neji came up behind Tenten and slipped his arm around her waist. She jumped a moment, but then relaxed before Neji's head lay on her neck. She had turned toward the counter so her back was to him while he was eating, and was reading and flipping through the newspaper. He now looked down at the newspaper, and kissed her neck.

The morning was passing, and soon people were leaving for lunch. As for the two old teammates, they stayed together, leaving the apartment for lunch, and then returning to do what ever they wanted. Neji had pulled out some scrolls he wanted Tenten to help him translate, and the two had sat on the ground, with Tenten leaning against his chest. Language notes litter the floor, and the scroll was unrolled and lying everywhere. Neji's arms had come around her, and he peered at the symbols and held them in front of her while she held and consulted books and notes. They had sparred with swords in the dark of night in the snow, and played a card game once they were done and tired in the comfort of her apartment.

The day had been well spent, and both enjoyed the other's company on one of the few days where they were off.

It was also one of the days that began to define how things would be between the two. After New Year's everything had gone upside down, but it was the few days like this one that made things come into perspective, and helped both squash fears of a heavy, confusing relationship. This was because they both had one thing they both wanted the most: to be with each other.

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Hey Ya'll!

I'm SO sorry I've been so late updating! Everything's been so hectic-I've hardly had time to study for classes and sleep my regular hours, much less write! The worst part is that things aren't going to get any easier, either. This month is writing month for English, so I'll be doing essay after essay, and it's also when I study World War Two. Although that isn't supposed to be a big deal, if you have my history teacher, it is. This is unit that he knows the most about, so he's going to give us ten times the amount of homework, quizzes, pop quizzes and a big monster of a test. This is also the month that I perform in Grease, our school play, so I won't be home until six-thirty on many days of the week. Plus I have after school orchestra rehearsals!

I swear, the two weeks before this one were the worst! I had rehearsals every day until six thirty of the same week that I had four exams, and then the next week I had two more exams and more rehearsals! Argh!

Thankfully, after March, it will all be over, and I'll get to relax. Until after March, don't expect a whole lot of updates like I used to put up. I'm trying, but trying to find the time is like pulling teeth!

In happier news, I GOT FIFTEEN REVIEWS FOR CHAPTER 14!

I LOVE YOU GUYS!

You guys are the reason that I still update, and try my hardest to give you a good story! This one was more to introduce Neji and Tenten as a couple, but I still hope you enjoyed it! It took me so long to plan and figure out how I wanted it! Seriously!

Thanks to my reviewers:

aNiMEangel- sorry I didn't update soon! I tried! I'm glad you like these stories!

kanashii-emi- I'm glad you like the Sakura and Sasuke chapters! I know that some of my stuff is "Americanized" but I don't know enough about Japanese culture to input a lot of it. What I do know, however, is that they have cereal! Remember when Kakashi entered Naruto's house, and he had stale milk and a bowl of cereal on the table?

Destination beautiful- Hey, is your screen name for the album by Mae? I love that album! Anyway, I'm glad you enjoy this, and like emo too! I hope you're enjoying the rest of these chapters. Also, um, I don't think I've ever heard Pedro the Lion. Are they a soft emo, like Mae, an acoustic like dc, or a more different sound like sc?

NEJI+TENTENLOVE4EVER – Love the screen name. Truly. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter! Maybe Sakura and Sasuke will win the most votes next time, eh?

Smiling-Fox – You're so sweet! Sakura and Sasuke didn't get it this time, but I hope you liked this one! And the ideas and style of it! I'm so glad you like my ideas and writing style! Sometimes I wonder if I become a real novelist that my way of writing won't cut it. Thank you!

i-dream-of-blue-eyes – I love your screen name! Anyway, I'm glad you liked the personal touches I put in. Thank you so much! I hope you enjoyed this installment!

AkiaBinZaid – Ah, one of my original reviewers! Hug! Thanks so much for your continuing support, and, not to mention, actually pointing out things! I tried to space them out this time! I hope it turns up that way on the site!

AnimEvivvErz – You got your Neji and Tenten! I hope you enjoyed it!

Warprince- darling, am I always cool? Am I not spectacular, or amazing? Alas, I love you, but your vocabulary must be widened! Lol-thanks for reviewing!

Desert's Gaara – I don't know about a sweet reunion, but hey, maybe some day in the future I'll pull that off. I'm glad you liked this! I never thought deeply about the teleportation thing. I just remembered how Kakashi would just appear out of nowhere all the time, and stole his technique for Shikamaru. Still, I hope you liked both of the chapters, the last one and this one!

Sephynarutocloud – hate to break to you, but I couldn't count yours as twenty. And I was asking if you were implying something gross because when I don't understand things, they're usually nasty. That's not to say you were being gross, just that I'm being my blonde little self again! Anyway, thanks for reviewing, and I hope you enjoyed this installment! Hey, maybe the next one will be Naruto and Hinata!

Julie7 – Very short and sweet! I hope you enjoyed your Neji and Tenten!

Rachel – I'm glad you were in such awe! Anyway, whenever I read the manga, I picture Ino with blue hair. I don't know why. I've never seen the anime, so I've never been able to see her with blonde hair. I'm just weird. I hope you liked this chapter!

Ayane Selznick – For some strange reason, when I read your reviews, I picture you playing a video game, eating a pint of Ben and Jerry's. Not to say that you're like fat or anything, but that you're comfortable game addict with a sweet tooth. Its quiet funny, actually! You're welcome to call me darling. Believe it or not, I call just about everyone darling. "Russell-darling!" and "Jordan-darling!" are only but two of the many people I call darling, and the same way too. I have read the manga (I'm currently anxiously awaiting the newest volume!), but when I wrote that, Neji hadn't even entered the picture yet. It was just another name from Naruto I just threw in to finish the sentence, and there fore finish the update, probably so I could go study. Anyway, I'm so glad you liked that chapter, despite my hair mix up! (I always picture her with blue hair….) I hope you liked this one as well! I met your challenge! HAH!

KrisitexxNguyen – I'm so glad you like my chapters! I hope you enjoyed this last installment!

Rachel – You weren't too late! I really hope you liked that Ino and Shikamaru!

Akira – I'm so glad you liked chapter three! Thanks for reviewing!

Bianca – Well, there's your Neji and Tenten! I hope you really liked it!

Thanks Everyone!

Review,

Vote,

Love,

-IHearVoices