46
On The Way
Neji woke up in the middle of the night. He felt a slight worry in his chest. The conversation with Lee and their sensei was still persisting in his head. He was analysing it. But what was the most significant memory was Shikamaru's snorting…
He sat in his blanket and looked distractingly at the cracking fire. It seemed like Gai-sensei had just stepped in on duty, because Lee was still sleeping and Tsunade-sama was just spreading her blanket so she could go to sleep. She turned to Neji and closed in:
"What's up?" she asked softly.
"It is nothing, Godaime-sama." he replied, raising his pale eyes to her.
The woman wasn't born yesterday. Her life path had given her enough experience in all areas of life. She had suspicions of what was going on in this particular shinobi's head…
"You seem a bit…out of focus…" she tried again.
He shook his head.
"If you need to share something, I am a good listener."
"Arrigatto, Godaime-sama. I have nothing to share." his eyes had been returned to the fire.
The blond woman narrowed her eyes kindly. She had heard the conversation about Tenten around the fire. Of course she didn't have any particular observations on the younger versions of her shinobis and their relations. But Shikamaru's snorting and Guy's subtle hints were enough for her. But there was also something else that impressed her - Kankuro was looking at her kunoichi with unhidden sympathy and sometimes even longing. As responsible Hokage, she wouldn't want to just let one of her best kunoichis out of the village. Even if she needed to use some manipulation…
"Well, I can, of course, only guess what's wrong-" she started sitting near the pale-eyed man, "-but in case I am right… Well, let's say that if you keep waiting a bit more, it may become too late. If it is not already too late…"
Neji took a sharp breath. Was it possible she really had noticed anything? But… how? He never showed an emotion, it was a rule, a law!
Godaime patted his shoulder and got up:
"But as I said - what I am thinking about may be far away from the truth." she shrugged innocently.
He didn't say anything. He was aware whatever his reply would be, it would most probably increase her suspicions. It was way easier to communicate with Lee, who barely noticed anything that wasn't flying to his face in the shape of a fist. Tenten was delicate. She didn't meddle, wasn't trying to take out his feelings on a display, she was just leaving him alone. And Gai-sensei, well… He wasn't really an issue in the feelings aspect. He may have been insightful, but he was never sticking his nose in what was not his business.
Godaime went to sleep, leaving Neji alone with his thoughts. And they didn't come late… He really thought about it… If Tenten was really starting to get attached and see Kankuro as a potential partner, that changed things. Neji couldn't wait for her to come back to Konoha since it may be really late at this point, she may even not return at all. He had to talk with her like…right now. Well, when it was convenient… It would be really hard to share his relatively warm feelings towards her, but…
Then there was the other thing - he was expected to agree to an arranged marriage, probably with some far related cousin. Was he ready to say no to his father? He was not sure yet, but he was aware, the decision must be taken better sooner than later.
…
Tenten shifted, her legs beginning to ache at the weight on her lap. She really didn't want to wake the man up, but the rest was going to be impossible at this point. So she shook his shoulder.
"What's going on?" he opened his eyes right away, pushed himself up and looked around.
"Everything's fine," she said. "My legs though are starting to hurt…"
He sat, freeing her legs completely off his weight. The man stretched and was ready to get up. Then he looked at the moon:
"There should be around 2 more hours."
"Yeah, about that much," nodded Tenten and slid down to lie on the blanket. Then she pulled up the other one, so she could wrap herself in it and turned her back to the man. "I intend to use them on purpose."
"Well, I am also going to use them as they are intended to," he agreed.
He didn't really hesitate when he laid down behind Tenten and lightly pulled the blanket. The girl mumbled, not letting it go.
"All right, then…" he sighed and for her surprise, pulled her to him, pressing her body tightly to his.
"What are you doing?" she flinched.
"I'm getting a blanket," he simply replied. "Relax. I want to sleep so I am not…doing any advances on you."
Tenten nodded without looking over her shoulder. He lifted her head slightly and slid his right arm under it. Then he fitted his body according to hers and relaxed. His left hand landed carefully on her body, but as he had said, he simply put it to rest there without causing her any discomfort. She sighed and tried to relax as well. With her back she felt his strong heartbeats. His breath periodically moved her hair like a breeze. Her hip was resting perfectly to his and she wasn't entirely sure, but he didn't seem indifferent to her so close presence…
She wasn't sure she would be able to fall asleep at all. But on the other hand it was really nice to be held like that, his warmth was relaxing her muscles and his scent soothed her senses.
His hand was resting next to her body. She looked at it - it was a big, man's arm. The blisters and rough skin spots from the hard training were clearly visible. There were a few small scars on the top of his hand she hadn't noticed before. Without fully realising what she was doing, she caressed the largest scar, wanting to feel its surface. Kankuro didn't react with the hand but instead sighed and whispered in her ear, causing her shiver.
"I promised I won't do anything to you, but I would suggest to not tempt me, anyway."
She pulled her hand right away and put it near her chest, blushing.
"I am sorry, I didn't fully realise what I was doing." she apologised.
"Go to sleep," he said and rested his head on the ground again.
Tenten closed her eyes and in contrary to her expectations, she fell asleep almost immediately.
Kankuro on the other hand knew it would be hard for him to go to sleep. He had confessed to himself he wanted her, from the moment she hesitantly responded to his kiss. Though he knew she was not going to sleep with him, since she hadn't done it with someone else up until now. Maybe if she shared with him the real reasons why she didn't do it, he could realistically assess the situation. His urge could be easily satisfied by one of his girlfriends in Suna. But it would be extremely selfish to use Tenten to satisfy his primary needs, given that this act was clearly important to her. He decided he would try to get more information on the matter, anyway that was not going to happen now…
…
"Wake up!" Lee shouted.
Godaime turned to the other side. Gai opened his eyes and his smile appeared right away. Neji rubbed his eyes as he sat down in the sleeping bag. Shikamaru landed from somewhere above with a boredom written all over his face:
"Is it really necessary to shout like that?" he asked Lee and yawned.
"Yes, don't yell. You're keeping me from sleeping." Tsunade's angry voice came from under her blanket. But anyway she unwrapped herself and sat. After she blinked a few times and yawned, she looked around. "Someone go to gather the two doves… Neji, you go, please."
He nodded and got up. Then stretched and headed down the place Tenten and Kankuro should be. When he approached enough to see their outlines, a nasty feeling troubled his chest - she was peacefully sleeping in the Puppet-master's arms.
Neji intentionally stepped on a little dry branch that cracked quietly. Kankuro opened his eyes and fixed them directly in Neji's, he tensed, ready to jump and fight if must to.
Tenten sleepily opened her eyes:
"Good morning, Neji," she said. In the next second she remembered where she was and whose body she was pressed to so intimately. She pulled away as she was scalded, causing a slight smile on Kankuro's face.
"Tsunade-sama is calling for you." he said expressionless.
The sand shinobi carefully looked at Neji's face and suddenly he was able to find some signs of his affection for Tenten. The question he was interested in was if this affection was shared or not…
"We are coming." he said and got up on his feet.
The girl's face was flushed. She avoided looking up to her teammate. She felt so stupid. He shouldn't have seen her like that - in the arms of another man. What would he think of her to be so lightheaded… Her head was going to explode…
"All right," nodded Nеji and turned, heading to the camp.
She stood like that, in a place, looking after him. Self-pity flooded her, and she could barely swallow her need to cry.
Kankuro, on the other hand, deftly folded the two blankets. He put away his in the backpack and placed hers in her hands, passing her.
"Maybe you would like to get this in your bag?"
She shook her head and mechanically attempted to pick up the item.
…
Tenten was walking next to Lee and Neji, who were currently talking about a new idea of tactical training. She didn't really listen to them.
Shikamaru, together with Gai-sensei were up on duty and were walking last. The younger shinobu used the occasion to stay silent.
Godayme eloquently shared life's wisdom with Kankuro. She was surprised to find out that she actually liked the sand shinobi. She started to understand why Tenten had started to give in to his charm. There was something really charismatic about him - maybe the fact he could keep up two pole behaviour - something boyish and mischievous in his demeanour, while still mature and responsible.
But Tenten didn't feel like talking, she wanted to be alone with herself. She didn't understand her own behaviour. Her feelings towards Neji were deep, time and change-resistant love. She knew him very well, she knew his qualities and flaws. But he didn't seem to show any interest in her, at least not different from her being his teammate. And now there was the question - was it worth it to hope and wait for him, or should she give in to the new sensations?
Kankuro on the other hand was something new and different. He didn't mind showing her she is liked. He also hinted he wants her or at least she understood him that way. At the same time he didn't really insist, giving her space. But was there any chance she could develop deep feelings towards him as well? Would he be able to share deep feelings? Wouldn't she be terribly disappointed if she chose to try a real relationship with him? And what really terrified her - what if Kankuro's behaviour was entirely subordinate to the mission and had nothing to do with his feelings? She just couldn't trust him enough in order to relax… At least not yet.
She glanced at Neji - he was thinner, more lithe. His face was paler, his facial features were much softer and delicate. His eyes were bigger, but it was way harder to read an emotion in them. He was smart, but emotionally he was distant and kind of robbed. Anyway she could trust him with her life - she knew she wouldn't be more safe.
So the girl was still confused…
Tenten glanced at Kankuro - he was laughing at a joke Tsunade had just told him. His whole face was so expressive even through the painted layers. It was lighting up when he was smiling or laughing. She felt a slight tremble in her chest and stomach…
She shut her eyes for a second and focused on the conversation her teammates were having…
