The sounds of baby animals filled the air in amongst the echoes of grunts and curses from the training grounds. Small creatures ran from the sound of fighting, trying to escape the deadly weapons that found their way into the foliage. Birds clucked in agitation, the feeding of their young interrupted by the battle going on around them.

Neji was used to being the best of the best, but there was one opponent he always enjoyed training with to improve his already impressive skills. Tenten's mastery of weapons was the perfect complement for him, especially while he was trying to master a new technique. Neji's Rotation was a thing of beauty, as Tenten once stated, but it was still not perfected to a point he was happy with. He wasn't satisfied with his almost 360-degree vision, having once been struck in that small opening where his blind spot was. So, in order to make his defence impenetrable, Neji had decided to train until he had learned and mastered this new move.

"I still don't see how else you can improve your rotation, Neji," Tenten called from a distance, where she had flopped onto the ground, panting. They had been training for a good few hours without rest, and even Neji was starting to feel tired. Still, he knew he was close, and he didn't want to go home until it was perfect.

"We can rest a while if you are too tired to continue," he replied after he had made his way closer to her. He sat next to her, so that their knees and shoulders were touching, and Tenten shot him a grateful smile before resting her head against his shoulder. He didn't usually show such outward intimacy with her in public, but they were currently alone in the field and he wasn't too proud to admit he wanted to feel her close to him.

"I would love a break, thank you."

They sat in silence for a while, content with listening to the wildlife chattering around them. Spring was upon them, and with it, new life. He didn't often stop to watch the young creatures as they learned about their new world, but Tenten was teaching him how to stop and enjoy the little things in life. Neji especially enjoyed seeing fledgling birds leave their nest for the first time, finding their wings with clumsy attempts, their parents often watching from a short distance. He had always had a soft spot for birds, no matter the species, and he normally found himself smiling softly when he witnessed a fledgling's first successful flight.

The sound of Lee's over-enthusiastic voice was heard before he and Gai appeared, and Neji was too slow to shift away from Tenten. Gai saw how close they were sitting, and his eyes lit up with glee as a huge grin split his face.

"Spring is here, Lee!" he cried. "The power of youth is a beautiful thing!"

"Yes, Gai sensei!" Lee ran up to his two teammates, unconcealed joy on his face. "I am so happy for you both, my beloved friends! Enjoy your springtime of youth!"

Tenten laughed awkwardly. Neji himself felt uncomfortable, the two of them only having recently started to get closer acquainted. They were still finding their feet as a couple instead of mere teammates, and they weren't yet used to Gai and Lee's enthusiasm about their newfound love.

Not that Neji could fault them. Even he had to admit that it was nice to be able to spend time with Tenten in a capacity closer than comrades. He may not be completely used to it yet, but the feeling of spring—that light, airy joy—filled even him when he was with her. Of course, he kept a tight leash on his feelings, but that didn't mean he did not have them.

"We were just taking a break before continuing training," Tenten told the two newcomers, standing up when Neji did. "Neji wants to perfect his rotation before the end of the day."

"Excellent work ethic, Neji!" Gai bellowed.

"We were about to have lunch and we wanted to see if you would like to join us?" Lee told them, looking from Neji to Tenten expectantly.

Neji turned to Tenten, silently asking her opinion. If she would rather they eat alone, he would be more than happy to oblige. But she nodded her assent, and Neji turned back to his teammates to agree.

The four comrades walked away from the training grounds, the two bushy browed companions chattering happily while Neji and Tenten walked silently behind them. Neji didn't reach out to hold her hand, not with people around, but he rested his hand lightly on the small of her back for a moment, and she turned to smile at him.

Neji had to admit that Spring was a beautiful time of year, made even more beautiful with the woman by his side.

Days 2-8 of Nejiten month have the category of "The Past", and I will be writing each prompt as an ongoing series, so I hope you look forward to them.