The Hyuuga and I part 3
Neji spent the next few weeks recovering with all the help he could get from Tenten. The young ninja had donated every second of her spare time to helping the Hyuuga prodigy get back on his feet. This down time had also provided a chance for Tenten and Neji to kindle their relationship. They would spend entire days together in the park, at the movies, in restaurants, and generally all around Konohagakure. In the meanwhile, Gai, Lee, Sakura, and Naruto set out to find Neji's attackers.
In all this time, Tenten found she knew nothing about herself aside from being a ninja in the Hidden Leaf village. She had no history, no family to speak of. All her life in the village she had just known living perfectly well on her own and being on Team Gai. Filled with new wonder, Tenten began to research and find more about herself, where she came from, and the true reason Neji had fallen for her.
Her parents, Nana and Jun Taihou were separated since Tenten was five. At the time of their separation, neither of her parents had the ability to take care of her, and Nana, Tenten's mother, used a special ninjutsu to cause Tenten to be able to enjoy life and care for herself even though she was alone. It was a secret survival technique normally reserved for exiled ninja who just wouldn't stay away from their former village. Tenten had wandered into the Leaf Village after stowing away in a boat from her homeland, whose name has been lost to history for years. She came when she was six, and one day the Third Hokage took notice of her. Recognizing the special ninjutsu that had been placed on her, the Third gave Tenten a home and left an amount of money for her every month. He had her enrolled in the academy, where she put the hunting skills the special ninjutsu gave her to use. She always hit her target when throwing weapons and her skill in taijutsu immediately landed her a place on Team Gai, where she quickly befriended Rock Lee and Neji Hyuuga.
Neji, on the other hand, had noticed Tenten ever since she came to the village. He enjoyed her determination and ability to perform under pressure. In fact, it was Neji who suggested the idea of Tenten sealing multitudes of weapons inside scrolls, as she would often overload her back full of kunai and shuriken. The kunoichi's looks also contributed to Neji's admiration for her. When they were put on the same team together, he was ecstatic. The real reason Neji would ask Tenten to train her was not to perfect the Byakugan and Gentle Fist arts, but to see her move. Neji's favorite thing in the world was to watch Tenten fight, run, and throw weapons. It was like a show to him, and he would cover his gazes of pure bliss by evaluating Tenten, telling her to move this, and improve that. It wasn't until now that they had really socialized as a couple.
"So that's why…" said Tenten.
"Yes," replied Neji, "and in the end there is only one more thing I need to say to you, Tenten." Tenten looked up at him.
"What is it?" she asked. That's when Neji dropped his crutches, took Tenten in his arms, held her close, and delivered a long, passionate kiss, and Tenten knew she was home.
"I love you, Tenten." said Neji softly. Tenten buried her head in the Hyuuga's chest.
"I love you, too, Neji." she said. There, under the moonlight, the two ninja found themselves, and each other.
"Hey, Neji." said Tenten, her face of soft admiration turning to one of mischievous allure. Of course Neji was confused.
"W-What is it?" he stuttered.
"Now that we're like this, I think the time has come for me to teach you a new… technique." Tenten smiled slyly.
"What do you mean, is it some sort of ninjutsu?"
"Come with me to my room," Tenten took Neji's hand, "I'll show you~"