From a Tumblr prompt. It was supposed to be "write a summary of the story you would write using title prompt X." I never was good with directions...

–I Fell Down a Well–

There were stories about the archaic network of wells on the Hyūga lands - many of which had long been boarded up or cemented over.

"They are dangerous," his Uncle had warned sternly. "You and your cousins are never to go near them."

It seemed everyone knew of someone who knew of someone that had been unfortunate enough to stumble upon one of the old structures, with a wide array of dire consequences. Tales of broken limbs or necks or bodies never recovered were told aplenty, and Neji had heard them long enough relegate them to cautionary folklore and ignore them accordingly.

But the old woman in the village - the one with the clay pipe perpetually clamped between her teeth- told a different sort of story.

"Fools, the lot of 'em," she declared, jabbing the air with the stem of her pipe as the sweet smoke curled out of it to hang as lazy wisps in the air. "Plenty o'folk been too dim to mind their way 'round bits of old rock and deep holes. But that ain't the danger of the wells," her eyes danced. "That's just stupidity, plain and simple."

"And what is the danger of the wells?" Neji asked one day, bored from waiting too long for Hanabi to finish her lessons, and craning his neck to see if Natsu would appear, his impish cousin in tow.

"Not Danger," she corrected with a broad wink. "Magic."

"Nonsense," he snorted, but she took no offense.

"All the same, young Lord," her smile was slow. "Be wary 'round the wells. They can play queer tricks on an able-bodied young man like thysel'."

He thought no more of her words nor wells until nearly a fortnight later, when his Uncle called him to into his study.

"There have been …reports," his Uncle began, hands clasped behind his back, his face pinched into a displeased expression. "Some of the wells have become unstable. I have sent for an expert to inspect and repair them. You will serve as their escort and guide."

Neji frowned lightly. "Is the damage so extensive that our own masons and artisans cannot repair it?"

Neji was certain he imagined the blush creeping up his Uncle's neck, as Hyūgas never did something as undignified as blush (with the exception of his shy cousin Hinata who he deemed to be too gentle-hearted to be bounded by such strictures.)

"It is," he said with a tight finality that invited no question. "Access to the affected wells is currently forbidden. Only you and those under your supervision may pass."

"It shall be as you say," he nodded, even if the unfamiliar taste of curiosity lingered under his tongue. The taste grew into an appetite two days later, when Kō came to find him.

"You must hurry to your Uncle's study," he said, slightly out of breath. "The expert has come about the wells."

Neji did hurry, but the odd air in Kō's manner hadn't escaped him.

"Is Uncle not pleased with whomever they sent?"

"He was expecting them to send Kakashi," Kō hurried to explain. "But he was called away. There was an outbreak of sickness between his last assignment and here, so he asked that another be dispatched in his stead, lest he bring tainted air with him."

"Mm," Neji hummed. "I have often heard Uncle speak of Kakashi's skill. I can imagine there would be few replacements he would find acceptable."

Kō, just nodded, and rapped lightly on the door to the study, before opening it and letting Neji pass by him.

Hiashi was studying a roll of parchment intently, while a young woman – probably Neji's age – stood with a confident grace in front of his desk.

"Ah, Neji," Hiashi motioned him forward. "Come."

Neji moved silently to stand at his Uncle's elbow, who had gone back to reading. Neji was not rude enough to read over his shoulder, but he did happen to catch a few key phrases.

"with apologies… trust you will find her to be a most capable replacement… has been long and well trained by… send one with our protective ward to accompany…. "

He glanced up at the girl, whom he was surprised to find studying him openly. Her eyes danced with amusement behind her deferential mask, and she winked at him so quickly, he half fancied he imagined it (were he one prone to such flights of fancy.)

"Your credentials are most impressive, young lady," Hiashi placed the scroll on the desk. "But this is a most delicate assignment. I confess myself not wholly convinced that you – or any person who is not Kakashi - will be up to the task."

"That is fair," she shrugged. "We have not met before now, and Kakashi's reputation is longstanding with good reason. However, Kakashi asked specifically that I be sent, and our Master agreed. He asked me to be remembered to you and sent tea from his gardens."

"Master Sarutobi did?" Hiashi asked, his disbelief perhaps more tentative in the face of excellent tea.

"He did," she nodded, and Neji thought there was a tug of amusement at her lips as Kō produced the cannister and placed it on his desk. "He hoped that this might serve as a token of mutual respect and allay any fears regarding my assignment."

"Is that so…," he mused, drumming his fingers on the desk. He must have made his decision, as his next words were: "Very well, then. This is my nephew, Neji," he motioned to him. "He shall be your guide, and my eyes."

Neji felt himself stand straighter as she shifted her quick, and intelligent eyes to him with a sort of pert frankness that made his heart beat more quickly.

"Well met," she gave a polite nod of her head. "Shall we leave at once, Neji?"

There was a split second where Neji was certain he had forgotten how to speak, and certainly had no idea how to even pluck a sensical reply from his dizzied brain and shove it off of his tongue, but thankfully years of protocol were ingrained in his very being, for he heard himself answer:

"Should my Uncle wish it."

"Go," Hiashi waved a hand. "Ready your horse. Kō, see that this…" he peered at the document, "Tenten has what she needs, and then show her to the stables."

Neji and Kō chorused their consent, and Neji bowed, exiting before the others. The strange heat on his neck and twist of his gut had dulled by the time he had his horse ready, and Kō led Tenten's horse to join him. It took less than two minutes of riding for it to return.

Assured she could handle a slightly more rigorous pace, he urged his horse forward to the nearest of the wells.

Tenten dismounted and inspected the structure – this one had been boarded up, and she removed the dried wood with ease.

"Boarding up a well," she muttered under her breath. "As if that would help." She knelt and peered at the masonry, running her hand over the stone and removing old moss, all the while humming to herself.

"Ah," she breathed. "Here is the original seal… and the maintenance ones… My. Not much done to these wells for quite some time. Some…Twenty-six years or so?" She looked to Neji for confirmation.

"I could not say," he shrugged. "I have only seen five and twenty summers."

"As have I," she beamed. "And what lovely summers they have been." She turned her attention back to the well, and carefully placed several seals scrawled on paper. "There," she gave a satisfied nod. "That will stabilize things until I can move on to repairs. Better move to the next one."

"Is there a reason to delay the repairs?" Neji asked, his lips pulling into a frown.

"Several," she stood and brushed herself off. "At least until I can stabilize and secure the main well. I'd start there, but that might prove to be more trouble than it is worth."

"Why?" Neji asked. "How does the order of mending broken wells matter?"

Her laugh was light, and her smile was impish.

"You really don't know, do you?"

His frown deepened.

"Know what?"

But she shook her head and rode on. There was another well over the crest of a hill, and she looked at him expectantly. "Sense anything?"

Neji stilled on his mount's back and listened.

"Not from up there," she rolled her eyes. "From over here."

Neji slid off his horse with no prompting and stood by the well.

He listened intently, but no sounds outside of the wind in the trees and the alternate warmth of dappled sunlight and shadow caught his attention.

She knelt and inspected the stonework, taking a moment to whisper to the small flower growing from a crevice in the stone.

Neji watched her, unsure if she was mad, or if he was truly missing something. On impulse he reached a hand out, and his fingers brushed the well. An unexpected warmth bled under his fingertips, and something hummed in his ears. He snatched his hand back, but her eyes snapped onto his.

"It…it is warm," he ventured, reaching out again.

"Mm," she put a hand next to his on the stone. "So, it is." She studied him carefully for a moment, before narrowing her eyes at his neck.

"What do you wear?"

Neji reflexively pulled the amulet out of his shirt and held it in his palm. "It was my father's."

She studied it, and something secret twitched her smile. "That is a strong protection spell," she said calmly. "Keep it close."

"Spell," Neji scoffed, and quickly replaced the amulet under his shirt. "You and that old woman in town."

"Old women have a way of knowing things," she shrugged, and placed another seal on the well.

"They have a way of imagining things," Neji muttered.

"Like the warmth of stone, even though it sits in heavy shade?"

Neji stopped and reflexively looked at the well. The place he had brushed was completely shaded – and would have been for most of the day. He looked back to Tenten, but she had already crossed to her horse.

Another well, another warmth to the brick. He began to think he heard something like music far away, and the smell of honeysuckle hung in the air, even though it was hardly the season.

"I thought the wells were unsafe," he finally said.

"Oh, they are," she agreed. "Just not in the way you were probably expecting."

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"You're from a big clan, right?"

The change of subject caught him off guard, but he answered. "I am."

"Ever wonder how it got so big?"

Neji frowned.

"I don't follow."

"Alright," She rocked back on her heels. "When did the clan really get established?"

"Our numbers solidified about…fifty years ago?" he guessed.

"Judging from these seals, probably more like seventy," she motioned to the wells. "Looks like these have been sealed for about that long, give or take."

"And that is… significant?"

"It is if your Uncle doesn't want another massive generation to deal with," she snorted. "The estate would overflow. Speaking, of," she looked past him to a worn path. "I think the main well is down there. Better wait for me here; I won't be long."

"I have to escort you," he replied. "Those are my orders."

"Don't worry," she shrugged. "I won't tell your Uncle."

She began down the path, but he swung down from his horse to follow.

Tenten shook her head. "Suit yourself."

He followed behind her nimble footsteps, watching the worn path for any obstruction. He was surprised when it widened and opened into a clearing. He stopped at the edge.

"I have never been here," he admitted.

"It's sealed," she said dismissively. "You probably couldn't find it without me."

"This isn't just a well," he looked around, seeing the stone structures and the series of paved paths winding into the surrounding woods.

"No," Tenten agreed. "It isn't. It's a shrine. This would have been an entry point. Down there," she pointed to a path, "there is probably a hot spring. And there," she pointed to another, "gardens. Maybe a vineyard long ago."

"A shrine to what?" Neji asked.

"To the Goddess, of course," Tenten snorted.

"Goddess," Neji blinked. "Of what?"

"Love, prosperity and fertility. These lands were said to be hers, and she and her children dug and protected the wells. The had other jobs as well," she began to tick them off on her fingers. "One of her children was said to hunt down faithless lovers, another to pierce the hearts of those too cold to love. One watched over mothers and young children – it's a whole family affair. The way I hear it," she leaned back against the well, "your people came to this area and settled the land. They didn't listen to the old legends and drank from the old wells."

"Are they unsafe?"

"They won't kill you, if that is what you are asking," she laughed. "All of the wells we've seen, including this one, connect to the same source. That source is runs right through a forest of trees like mangroves. Their roots dye the water, and feed into it. Their fruit is an aphrodisiac, but so is the water. Your people drank the water, ate the fruit, and suddenly there were lots more of you, if you get my meaning."

Neji's flush affirmed that he did.

"So, your clan leaders called in my Master to seal the wells and remove the trees that weren't part of the sacred grove."

"But that isn't magic," Neji frowned. "That is botany."

"You wouldn't be saying that if you didn't have your amulet on," she grinned. "There was definitely a heaping dose of magic in all of that. The children of the goddess were quite persistent, and one in particular had a whole army of sprites willing to help. The Master's master taught him the seals, and how to make offerings to the wee folk. I would wager your Uncle keeps up the tradition in secret, or there'd be more Hyūgas than food around here."

"Ridiculous," Neji crossed his arms.

Tenten shrugged. "It's no matter. I laid the groundwork for the seals. It will take a couple of days to make sure they are all layered properly, but as long as your Uncle continues to leave the offerings, everything should be alright."

"Offerings," Neji narrowed his eyes.

"Naturally," Tenten blinked. "That is part of why this area is sealed. The offerings must not be disturbed."

"How convenient," Neji narrowed his eyes. "And who does your Master have collecting those offerings? Clever to send someone to us – or have you been around all along, harvesting goods and exploiting my family? And when did you decide to incorporate this," he pulled the amulet from his shirt, "into your story?"

"Neji," her eyes went wide, "Don't-"

"No, really, it was a stroke of genius – I admire the touch," his eyes sparked challenge. "But let's drop all manner of pretense, shall we?"

He took of the amulet and stared at her in triumph for a whole half of a second.

And then his world exploded.

There was light and music, and the air was heady with a perfume that seeped into his skin and roiled in his veins. He inhaled sharply, and warmth bloomed in his chest, and spread through his body, firing off every nerve in the process.

He met her eyes and felt the connection down to his soul.

"Neji?" she ventured carefully. "Are you alright?"

Neji was better than alright. He was euphoric.

"You are beautiful," he blurted out, and her eyes widened. "That is what I have been thinking since the moment I met you. I can't remember the last time I thought a person was beautiful."

"Mm-hm," she nodded. "Well, thank you, that is very kind. How about we put your amulet back on, and then we can -"

"No!" he jerked it behind his back. "No, not yet. I'm not done."

"Of course, you're not," she raked a hand down her face.

"I've dreamed of you," he continued. "Don't ask me how, but I have!"

"Naturally," she deadpanned, "seeing as we met literally hours ago."

"Your aim is perfect," he continued. "You work hard, and when that doesn't work, you work harder. You love your adopted brother, Lee. You don't know your parents, and that might be why you work so hard to earn a place. You know what it is like not to have one."

She blinked up at him.

"How could you know that?" she breathed.

"No idea," he reached for her hand and put it on his heart. "But I know it is true."

Tenten's face fell.

"The magic is too strong here," she said gently. "I should've made you wait by the horse, you-"

Neji – the perfect, proper, paragon of propriety – kissed her.

It was sudden, and as respectful as an ambush of that nature could be, but without explanation, Tenten found her eyes drifting closed as they melded together in a way she knew couldn't just be a side effect wrought by proximity to the well. Her protective amulet was still solidly in place (as well as several other wards, spells, sutras, and a tattoo) so she had no other explanation for her immediate and intense reaction. She also wasn't sure when she'd wrapped her legs around him, or when he'd propped her up on the sealed well.

His lips were at her jaw, neck and collarbone, even as he drew her closer.

"The amulet," he breathed against her skin and racing heart. "You have to- I won't be able to stop this, and-"

She allowed herself to silence him with a few more ferocious kisses before taking the amulet from him and draping it around his neck. They heaved in each other's air, foreheads pressed together, even as they tried to calm the storm between them.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, his hands still firm on her hips. "I've never… I don't know what…"

Her grin was slow. "I'm not."

She pressed her lips to his gently – tenderly – and he replied in kind. It was several long, long moments before she offered. "It really will take me several days to make sure the wells are secured, and the seals restored. Perhaps you should wait with the horses when I work."

"Not a chance," he pulled her closer. "I assure you my self-control can be exemplary."

She chuckled against his lips.

"So, I see."

How they got the work done, he would never really know – but it did get done. The Master sent word asking Tenten not to travel back for another week, as the sickness delaying Kakashi had spread to cross her route home.

Hiashi agreed, and Neji's heart soared. Neji served as Tenten's escort and helped her secure the rest of the wells and then navigate their town. One evening (after he had escorted Tenten to her assigned quarters, and then left before he could risk impropriety) he ran into his Uncle in the long halls. He froze as the other man reached out to pluck a small twig from his hair, and to look over him incredulously.

"I fell down a well," Neji blurted out.

"So, I see," Hiashi eyed him. "Do be careful, Nephew. By my calculations, that must be the third well this week."

He walked away, leaving his nephew's cheeks burning, even as he shook his head. "Just like your father," he muttered, hoping this young lass had done a better job repairing the wells than Neji's mother – another student of Master Sarutobi - had done, some twenty-six years ago.

Thanks to gracie-sketchy-cat for the prompt! xoxoxo!

With thanks,
- Giada