A/N: As requested, here is a Neji/Tenten drabble for your enjoyment! At least...I hope you enjoy it... o.o Anyhoo, sorry if this is too corny. I couldn't think of a good idea.

Dislcaimer: I DON'T OWN IT! I JUST DON'T! (Bursts into tears)

Odds and Ends

Chapter Six: Buns

Pairings: Neji/Tenten

Tenten was not an impatient person. She understood the importance of patience, and that sometimes waiting was all you could do. But even the most patient of people are allowed to feel a little impatient from time to time, right?

In this case, Tenten was feeling impatient about a certain Hyuuga boy and whether or not he would ever show any sign of returning her feelings. She knew perfectly well that he wasn't the most emotional of people, and he required his personal space. Tenten respected that, but it didn't stop her from loving him. And because she loved him, she knew she would never be at peace if she didn't know how he felt towards her, whether it be feelings of love or simply friendship.

Tenten confided in her in her female friends, confessing her worries that Neji might never feel for her the same way she felt for him. Hinata patted her on the back comfortingly, and Sakura offered her words of encouragement, telling her to never give up. Ino, on the other hand, made an interesting suggestion.

"Try doing something to get his attention!" she said enthusiastically, "For instance, you could try wearing your hair down for once. You always wear it in those boring buns. Show Neji that you can be strong and beautiful!"

Tenten was surprised by this proposal. She has always wore her hair in buns, ever since she was a little girl. She had always found them to be practical and easy to manage, especially in battle, when she couldn't afford to be distracted by her hair. Even as a young girl, she had always been rational, and in many ways a tomboy, never caring much about beauty and appearances. She liked to think that she was the kind of person who looked past physical appearances. But maybe a change in appearance was just what she needed to get the stoic Hyuuga's attention.

The next day, Tenten wore her hair down.

When she met her teammates for training, Lee immediately praised her, telling her she looked lovely with her hair down like that. Tenten thanked him appreciatively before looking nervously at Neji, eager to see his reaction. The boy said nothing, silently turning and walking to the training course. Tenten felt her stomach sink. He didn't seem impressed at all. Dejected, she followed her two teammates.

Tenten decided she hated wearing her hair down.

All throughout their training se kept getting distracted by the strands of hair falling in front of her eyes, blocking her vision, and the hairs sticking to the back of her sweaty neck, making it itchy and uncomfortable. She hated the feeling of hair tickling her cheeks as she tried to concentrate on forming a jutsu, or how hairs would get caught in her mouth while she spun around fast, and she would have to spit them out.

By the end of their training session, Tenten felt thoroughly frustrated. As she huffily mopped at her sweaty neck, cursing her hair and concluding that she would be better off bald, Neji walked up to her.

He looked at her levelly.

'Do you like wearing your hair like hat?" he asked pointedly.

Tenten remained silent, mopping at her neck, avoiding her comrade's gaze.

Neji turned to leave the training course. However, before he left, he took a look over his shoulder at Tenten.

"You should wear was make you feel good," he said. Tenten watched him leave, a light blush tinting her cheeks, a small smile playing on her lips.

The next day, Tenten wore her hair in her two trademark buns.

She had never felt more beautiful.