For Two

NejiXTenten. A collection of holiday fics.

This fic will not be of the romance/humour genre all the time- though this one is. And I reserve the right to be late with the update O.O

Standard disclaimers apply.

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New Year: Weapons or Woks

It's the one or the other.

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January 1, 10:00AM

She made a final check of the ingredients that she bought for her planned cooking escapade that day. She had long thought of cooking for her teammates for the favors and the friendship and also, since it was somewhat expected of her- being the only female in the group. But her personality declared otherwise. She disliked domesticated tasks. It was probably the holidays or simply because she wanted to repay Neji's precious soba noodles that she decided to hit the kitchen. And as for her lack of experience, it had been said that the best ingredient in cooking is 'love'.

Gai had expressed his regret to miss such an eventful 'blooming of a bud to a beautiful flower'- whatever that means. He was suddenly given a mission to secure the safety of a daimyo who would be visiting a shrine for the first day of the New Year. She didn't really mind. She wasn't sure of how their sensei would react to the development between her and Neji. And she definitely didn't want to hear his laughter and congratulatory remarks loaded with about a hundred words of 'youth' in it.

The kunoichi had carefully studied the menu which would consist of prawns, kelp with fish, herring roe, daikon and carrot pickles, sweet mashed potatoes and chestnuts, and rice cake soup. She made it a point to pick up only fresh and quality ingredients, though the last minute shopping was hectic. She hadn't slept- not that she was complaining. She loved his warmth and his scent. She loved watching the sunrise with him. And she wasn't one who would turn down a good fortune when he asked her if she wanted to go out first thing in the morning.

That morning's visit to the shrine with Neji ensured her that the rest of her year would be just as perfect. She hadn't read the card that he gave her, afraid that her clumsy hands would ruin the envelope so beautifully decorated. They left the shrine at past nine. She told him to get changed since he had been complaining about the stiffness of his hakama. She needed the time to prepare lunch anyway. He promised to be at her doorstep at exactly twelve. Lee had already promised the same thing though he was disappointed that Gai wouldn't be there.

"Salmon on the kelp… then roll…" She muttered to herself as she took another cut of fish. "Oh I need to add sugar to my sweet potatoes."

She skimmed through several small bowls, picked up one and added the crystalline substance to the pan of boiled sweet potatoes. She was to go back to her salmon and kelp when she remembered the boiling mixture of vinegar, soup stock, sugar and sake. Also, she hadn't cut the daikon radishes and carrots yet. She grabbed the knife and started slicing the vegetables quickly- resulting in uneven pieces. She paused momentarily, just when she was about to add the vegetables to the vinegar mixture. Shrugging, she stirred the dish anyway.

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"Oh, you." She said.

"Tenten! I'm so excited! I can't wait to taste your cooking!" He said as he handed her a small box. "That's a present from Gai-sensei, I'm giving it to you on his behalf!"

"Thanks Lee, come in."

Lee sat down, apparently, not noticing her apathy. She had invited Lee too. She had prepared for him too. Neji wasn't her only guest but the events that happened recently cleared up some hazy emotions between them and the truth is- she wanted to be with him, only him. Poor Lee, I should at least put on a happy face, she thought.

"It's strange that I'm here before Neji-kun, don't you think?"

"I agree…" She sighed. "Can I open this-"

She raced for the door when she heard another knock. He arrived at last. He looked more casual, wearing a dark blue yukata. She preferred the yukata on him than what he wore before that. The very formal attire attracted attention and she never thought that she was actually capable of being so jealous.

Lee greeted Neji as she ushered him in and she could tell that Lee was picking up on things. She couldn't be anymore obvious with the way she held on to his arm. Neji was more discreet but because of his stoic nature, the slightest manifestation of affection was easily given away. Lee, however, reacted well with the situation- realizing that it was coming sooner or later for his teammates. She never knew that Lee was capable of being that mild-mannered. She appreciated it and she was sure that Neji did too.

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The dishes were packed in a jubako box for each one of them. She had arranged the table even before her teammates arrived. She sat down, taking the first step to lunch by opening her jubako. The two followed after her.

"What's this?" The boys asked.

"Osechi ryouri"

"Osechi… ryouri…?" They asked again.

"What? You're supposed to eat osechi ryouri for New Year's right?" She asked, somewhat intrigued that the two were thinking the same thing at the same time.

"Ah, yes, of course." Neji said.

"What's this?" Lee asked again.

"Prawns."

"What's this?" Neji asked.

"Mashed sweet potatoes."

"How about this?"

"Herring roe, Lee."

"And this?"

"Lee, it's a dressing, how can you not tell that?" Neji said, obviously out of politeness since she was becoming irritated with all the questions.

"Neji, that's rice cake soup."

"Exactly what I said. Did I say something else?"

"You said dressing."

Seriously though, she thought the soup turned out too thick.

"Sorry." He sighed.

"Anyway, it may not be aesthetically appealing but I'm sure it tastes good!" She smiled to lighten up the atmosphere. "Why don't you take a bite?"

"Very well, Itadakimasu." Neji said as he took his chopsticks.

"Itadakimasu." Lee said with a hint of worry on his face.

Neji tried the herring roe first. Her sight was fixed on him. He didn't seem to have any reaction. She couldn't help but ask when his eyebrows furrowed.

"How is it?"

"Tenten! Wonderful! This is awesome!"

"Is it?" She looked at Lee, smiling when she noticed that he was done with the first dish.

"Well done." Neji finally said.

"Told you!" She said proudly.

"Can I have another serving of this?" Lee asked, to her delight.

"Of cou…"

Neji's coughing stopped her halfway from giving Lee his second fish. She gave him a questioning look but Neji shook his head, assuring her that nothing was wrong.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

He nodded and smiled a little- his lips pressed together while his cheeks were fat with food.

"Here have some more!" She beamed.

Neji's smile grew and she felt accomplished. The boys ate everything she cooked. Neji insisted on leaving right after lunch- to give her some time to rest, he said. She thought he sounded like he was in a hurry. Lee was more vocal with his appreciation. Neji had always been the silent type so she assumed that he was just being his usual self, although when she walked them to her front door, his cold hand held her tighter than the usual. She didn't mind the gesture. To her glee though, she wasn't able to touch her food. She was tired from all the cooking but she saved her meal nonetheless- so she could have a taste of her wonderful osechi ryouri.

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"SAKURA-SAN!!"

Sakura, and the rest of the population present at the hospital, stared at the fast approaching shonobi in green. He was carrying another shinobi on his back- smoke coming off their trail.

"Lee-san, what's…"

"EMERGENCY ROOM! NEJI-KUN IS…"

"Here! Quick!" She said on instinct, leading the way to the emergency room. "What happened?"

"He collapsed on our way to their place!" Lee said as he propped Neji on the bed.

"Just collapsed? He isn't physically injured, is he? Did you train on the first day of the year? Or did he skip meals?" Sakura started the routine examination- good thing he was gaining consciousness.

"Not at all! We just came from Tenten's lunch treat!"

"Could it be the food?" She asked, noticing that her patient had been twitching from abdominal cramping. "Food poisoning, perhaps?"

"No, it can't be! Tenten wouldn't do such a thing!"

"To that, I agree… Besides, you had the same meal, didn't you?"

"Yes… but…" Lee paused, walking over to Neji and bending for a whisper. "You really finished all that?"

"You kept on asking for seconds!" Neji complained.

"Neji-kun, I can't believe I finally outsmarted you!" Lee grinned as he showed his teammate the doggie bag that he had with him all along.

Neji rolled his eyes. That was easy for Lee, yet impossible for him- Tenten was all attention on him the whole time.

"Come to think of it, this could be payback for stealing my letter for Sakura-san!"

"You just wait after I survive this." Neji muttered in between sharp breaths.

"What letter?" Sakura asked, raising an eyebrow.

Neji grunted in pain as he clutched on to his stomach. Sakura hastily donned her white coat- almost in panic. The Hyuuga Neji was actually squirming, it could be dangerous. Lee sighed as he watched Sakura go about her work. Of course he could tell- his teammate was making a bigger fuss than what was needed. Neji glared at him while Sakura was busy preparing a drug. He's that serious about keeping the letter a secret, Lee thought.

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Tenten happily washed the dishes, humming a tune. After which, she sat down with her own jubako. I should work on the appearance next time, she thought as she gave her mashed sweet potatoes a taste, coughing a little.

"What the…" She tasted the rice cake soup next, noting that Neji had a lot of it. "This tastes… oh my god…"

She was sent running off to the kitchen sink, her face turning green. Horrid, absolutely horrid, she thought as she rinsed her mouth with water. 'Love' didn't cut it, after all.

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January 1st is called Gantan. It's customary to visit a temple during the first three days of the New Year, just as preparing and eating osechi ryouri (special dishes artistically presented in a jubako box, each dish with a meaning- prawns for long life, kurikinton or mashed sweet potatoes and chestnuts for happiness, and so on and so forth) XD

This fic is going on hibernate mode for now and will be updated for Valentine's. In the mean time, please support my other fics lol.

Oh yea, I was on vacation for New Year's and now I'm back and I received feedback for some of my fics. You guys sure made my New Year happy (sniff, insert tears of joy here, sniff) Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu!