"It's not too late!" Tenten yells dramatically, one hand bunched into a tight fist and held in front of her chest. Her wide honey eyes do the shiny-thing at him.
Neji stares in reply, his pale eyes just a little wider than normal.
"…Pardon?" He says, standing with knees slightly bent, as if preparing for attack.
"It's not too late!" She repeats, her voice full of urgency. "You can make this right again!"
He narrows his eyes slightly, his eyebrows coming closer together in an appraising look. What was she on about now?"What?" He tightens the grip of his right hand.
Her eyes widen as he does so, and she looks down at the brown bundle he holds.
"Neji!"
"No, Tenten." He gives her his dirtiest glare, trying to improve his chances at winning their petty argument.
"Why do you insist on being this way?" She asks. "Well? Huh?"He doesn't answer this, lips pursed as he turns to leave before she makes the decision to use her secret weapon- But it is too late, and her hand has gently entwined itself with his. When did she get so quick?
He looks back to her, silenced by the sight of a quiet plea in her eyes.
"…Neji?" She murmurs, raising her eyebrows in an expression somewhere between hurt and anger that made his stomach silently churn with guilt. She squeezes his hand softly, her thumb slowly rubbing his wrist, entreating him to listen. Damn.
Moments pass as he keeps from squeezing back, and she lets her lips fall slightly in a manipulative pout, mastered through weeks of practice.Shit. He was done for.
He flicks his head dramatically to the right, the motion causing a shower of his hair to mercifully hide the blush on his face.
"…You need to get over this environtmental bullshit." He mumbles, releasing his grip on the ears of a small bunny in his right hand.The baby rodent falls with a squeak to the ground before shooting off into the underbrush, along with Team Gai's hopes at dinner. Tenten's eyes light up and she grins. "Thanks, Neji." She says, the pleased tone in her voice making him go rigid. She surveys him with an expression of success, and he can't help feeling played.
"…Now what are we going to eat?" He asks lowly, intent on remaining grumpy.
"Well… how's your fishing? There's a bog nearby."
His eyes widen
momentarily, and she laughs, latching herself onto his side.
After a moment, he
shakes his head with a smirk and snakes an arm around her waist,
silently continuing their return to camp.