Chapter 3 – Hands off! (Ten-Ten)
"Dearie, could you get me a glass of water?" an old woman creaked.
"Of course, ma'am, coming right up."
"Oh, and later could you get me a package of prunes? They're my favorite, you know."
"Yes, of course."
"And maybe a little later you could give me a back rub? I'd appreciate it a lot."
"Anything to please you," Ten-ten forced a small smile.
"Oh, what a sweetheart you are! You wouldn't mind massaging my feet too, would you?"
"No problem at all, ma'am."
SHEESUS. What is up with these old people! They're so demanding. Like slave drivers or something. Do this, do that! Get me this, get me that! Gosh, what am I, a slave? And I thought this was going to be easy. Boy was I wrong.
Ten-ten wiped the sticky sweat dripping from her forehead. Never had the word "tyrant" been so clear to her. But she had to admit that all this running of errands was a good workout. And a good workout meant a good figure. And a good figure meant that Neji would notice her. She hoped.
Her mind wandered to the white-eyed genin. Ever since the first time she had met Neji, she had admired him. There was this thing about him. It wasn't just that he was good-looking. Though he was pretty dang good-looking. No, it was much more than that. It was just the thing about Neji that made him…well, Neji.
Even if he was slightly stuck-up. But of course, that didn't matter. As soon as she got him twisted around her little finger, she could easily fix that attitude problem. Before she knew it, Neji would be drooling all over her, like an obedient little Chihuahua. It was only a matter of time.
"Ten-ten," he would say in that oh-so-fine voice of his. He would be wearing a tux, of course. "Will you go out with—"
"Deeeearieeeeeeeeeeeee! HURRY UP WITH THE WATER, WOULD YOU! My skin is starting to flake!"
Ten-ten's head snapped to attention.
"Yes ma'am I'm on it!" She stumbled down the hall to the vending machine, quickly banishing any lingering thoughts of Neji. Fumbling, she pushed the button which read,
"Taste the fruity-ness of our Deluxe Prune-Water!"
Nothing happened.
She pushed it again.
Nothing.
She pushed it again.
And again.
And again.
And again.
Still nothing.
"COME ON, DANGIT!" Using all the strength she had gained from years of training from Gai, she kicked the machine as hard as she could. There was a satisfying boom.
She coughed at the smoke that the machine belched out.
Maybe that was just a little too hard…?
She panicked as the outer shell collapsed onto the floor with a loud thud.
Shoot. Now what am I supposed to do!
Ten-ten fretted and wrung her hands as she heard the sounds of footsteps approaching. Where to hide? Thinking fast, she dove behind what remained of the vending machine and prayed that the person was mentally challenged.
"What the heck?" she heard a familiar voice mutter. "Who did this?"
Please don't look behind the vending machine…please…
"Byakugen!"
NONNONNONONOONO! Ten-ten scrunched herself into a ball, hoping that Neji's Byakugen would overlook her.
Fat chance.
"You can come out now."
Ten-ten crept timidly out of her hiding place, her hands clenched at her sides.
"Ten-ten, what are you doing here?" Neji asked evenly. His eyes bored holes into her.
"I—uh—well…I CAN EXPLAIN!"
"Please do."
Dang it. Why did it have to be Neji?
"Uh…well you see…" Ten-ten rubbed her arm nervously. Suddenly she found the lint on her clothes engrossing. "I…um…the machine….wasn't working…and I uh…"
"I don't have all day to waste waiting for your explanation," Neji said coldly. "The old lady wanted me to get her something to drink pronto." Ten-ten thought she saw Neji shudder slightly at the mention of the old lady.
"Well….IBROKETHEMACHINEBECAUSEITWASBEINGSTUPIDANDWOULDN'TGIVEMEANYSTINKINGPRUNEWATER!"
….
"Come again?"