A/N: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 5
Neji was fully awake. He had stayed quiet. It was better for him to be unconscious and let Tenten heal him then be awake. His pride would have taken a harsh beating. He never expected Tenten to open his robes. One part of his mind wanted to reach out and yell at Tenten for invasion of privacy, and another part actually enjoyed it. Until Tenten put the disinfectant on.
He hated the disinfectant, although it was nothing compared to the situations he had gotten himself into in the past. He just wanted to relax and let Tenten touch him, he didn't want to be in pain.
He stayed quiet to see what Tenten was doing. No, he wasn't. He already knew what she was doing, but he wanted to know what she was feeling at the moment. He looked at her face. She didn't show many signs of affection.
She wasn't really blushing much. She had been blushing so much earlier, Neji had noticed even though Tenten thought he didn't. Neji liked it when he made Tenten blush. Partly because he loved her, but partly because it made him feel superior.
Neji was too prideful to show any signs of weakness. He always avoided that, and he avoided making himself feel inferior. He hated when someone seemed better than he was. Neji would probably rather die.
He had not been prepared to wake up finding that Tenten had taken off his robes. He never expected her to do this. He knew Tenten was pretty shy. She used to grin like mad when she even got near him, and now here she was touching his body and not even blushing.
Well, she thought he was unconcious, which made a huge difference. Tenten would never touch him if she knew he was awake. Partly because she was too shy and didn't want to make him feel awkward, and partly because she feared the consequences.
Neji had a flashback.
Neji remembered when he was young and his dad was still alive. Neji wasn't a bitter and cold kid at the time. He was happy and talked a lot more.
Neji, in many ways, had a background very similar to Sasuke's. They both had one or both parents dead, and that caused them to become hard and bitter towards the world.
Sasuke was worse because both his parents died. For Neji, it was bad, but not like Sasuke, only Neji's father had died, but him and his mom weren't that close anymore.
Neji was an adorable 6-year-old Hyuuga. He had gotten home from school and he got a huge cut on his leg. Neji claimed that a rabbit did it. His parents gave him a funny look. Neji just smiled back at them innocently.
Neji's mom told him she would have to heal it.
"Ok," Neji said.
"But I'll use some disinfectant," his mom warned.
Neji had always seen the bottle, but he didn't know that it would cause stinging.
"Ok," Neji repeated.
Neji's mom put some disinfectant on her finger and traced Neji's cut. Neji winced. It burned, and he wasn't as tough when he was 6 as he is now. Neji decided from that day on that he would never let anyone treat his wounds like that again. He was pretty naïve back then. But then again…Hinata was even more naïve…
His eyes still closed, Neji's heart was racing.
He could feel it beat fast at a steady rate. What was he supposed to do in a situation like this? He didn't have the answer. All he really knew was that he could've stayed in this situation for a while.
Tenten continued to work. She wondered what he would do to her if he woke up. Why do I keep asking myself this? I know for a fact already that he would kill me. But if he spared me, he would never talk to me again.
Tenten giggled inside her mind. She could imagine Neji yelling at her. It wasn't exactly a funny situation, but Tenten found some humor in seeing Neji flip out because she had taken off his robes.
Why am I laughing? I wouldn't be laughing if he really woke up. I'd be close to CRYING! But still Tenten couldn't resist. She was too satisfied when she was with Neji, even if he was about to kill her.
Neji could see a smile form on Tenten's lips through his slightly opened eyes. Neji wondered, could she find pleasure in working on my naked body? Neji thought Tenten was cute when she smiled.
Why the hell am I acting like a lovelorn idiot?
Neji often found himself in these situations when he was younger. When he always caught himself off guard, he realized he was staring at Tenten and thinking about how pretty Tenten was, or how slender she was, or how nice her figure was, you get the picture.
But there was no reason not to. Tenten was a fairly attractive female for a kunoichi. Now, Tenten was no Ino, but Tenten had nice features or traits that Ino lacked. For example, an obvious thing is that Tenten's not as slutty as Ino.
Not that Tenten had anything against Ino, Ino was her friend. But it was true that one of Ino's main focus was getting a good husband. Tenten remembered her mom telling her to be more like Ino to get a better husband.
Tenten snickered, dream on Mom. Changing into Ino for her mom was the last thing to do on her list. She'd rather eat 5 servings of escargot. And she hated snails, they were so slimy and disgusting.
Neji kept watching her. For some reason she was smiling. What's so funny? Neji didn't understand what was going on in her mind. Little did he know, Tenten was imagining what would happen if Neji tried to kill her.
Then he felt Tenten get even closer, her arms around his waist. Of course, she was wrapping bandages around his stomach... but her arms were a centimeter away from his bare skin. Her soft arms occasionally grazed his skin, sending chills up his spine. He felt so... exposed... and he liked it.
He had never even dreamed that Tenten would put her arms around his waist. He never even imagined doing that to her! He wondered how great it would be if they were going out like Sakura and Sasuke.
He always imagined that happening, but he never expressed interest in her openly. Remember Neji, love is a sign of weakness. In fact, any emotion is a sign of weakness, and Hyuugas aren't weak.
That was his excuse for not fessing up to ask Tenten out. He kept himself close minded and anti social. Even Sasuke didn't know that Neji had feelings for Tenten. That's how closed up he was.
He was like a turtle that never came out of his shell…an extremely skilled turtle.
I don't like Tenten.
No way would he ever confess his love to anyone. His pride would just curl up and die.
Tenten sat back down just as Neji was awakening. Tenten's mind was racing.
What am I supposed to say? 'Yeah I opened your robes to put bandages on... you have nice abs'? Good gods...
Neji sat up, "You... put bandages on me?"
"Well... Neji-kun..." Tenten started. "With that big scar it could attract bacteria and then..."
Neji grabbed her wrist. Tenten gasped. She stared into his grayish-white eyes.
"Don't. Help. Me." He said in a low voice.
Tenten struggled out of his grasp, "Who do you think I am? Of course I have to help you. I guess you're still a cold bastard."
Tenten stood up, picked up her pack, and jumped into the trees. She knew Neji saw the hurt in her face, the pain in her eyes.
He's so cruel.
Tenten threw her pack on the floor and fled up the stairs. She looked at the clock.
Just enough time to get ready...
She saw that it was already decorated downstairs. She walked into her closet, pulling out the red kimono. She stepped into the showers, letting the water drown away her emotions.
I'll... be happy without him... I've survived this long.
She walked downstairs in her red kimono just as the bell rang.
The party soon got started, mostly with people just talking. Tenten was talking with Gai (who got her the feminine green Spandex outfit... again) and Lee(who got her book titled, 'Youthful Springtime'), when she spotted Neji walk in, a present in his hands.
This... is not good.
"Gai-sensei! Lee! Look there's a youthful squirrel by the window!" Tenten said as Lee and Gai ran to the window, sticking their faces against the glass.
"Where?" Lee said.
"Keep looking!"
"I will keep looking, and if I do not find it, I will eat seven bowls of ramen!" Lee and Gai yelled together.
"Ramen gone," Naruto said belching and walking in. Tenten was looking for somewhere to hide.
Behind Akamaru!
Tenten dashed over to Akamaru and bent down petting him.
Damn... forgot he has Byakugan... can't hide... so I might as well avoid!
Tenten was skilled in the art of avoiding; she perfected it every week when Lee and Gai-sensei wanted to talk about youth and springtime to her. Tenten felt Neji find her with his Byakugan, and then she headed to the kitchen, picked up a teapot and walked back out. Quickly she poured tea in different people's cups, feeling Neji follow her. She did this many times, then Neji stopped following her. Unfortunately Tenten's teapot was empty. She dashed to the kitchen.
As she suspected, Neji was standing there. Alone.
"Neji-kun," Tenten said automatically.
"Happy birthday," Neji pushed a wrapped gift over.
"Arigatou, Neji-kun."
There was an awkward silence.
"I should be heading back out..." Tenten said quickly turning, so he couldn't see her red face.
Why am I acting so weird? He hurt me before... just forget it happened... yes that works.
Tenten turned around and beamed, "Arigatou for coming!"
Then she dashed out. She sighed when she was out and walked back to Lee and Gai who were still stuck to the window.
"Oops... my eyesight might have failed right there."
"Try my new recipe!" Gai beamed, his teeth glistening. He pulled out a huge dish of dango (A/N: hmmm from where I wonder?) and brought it closer to Tenten.
"Er... no thanks," Tenten smiled nervously. She had tried Gai's concoctions before; she faintly remembered the taste before she choked and fainted. "Did you know Neji-kun's back?"
"Neji-kun!" Gai said. "Yes... he's been back for a while."
"Oh really?" Tenten said, her eye twitching slightly.
Lee nodded, "Neji-san's been back for a month I think..."
That liar... he lied through his teeth.
"What about me?" a voice said behind them. Tenten jumped.
"Neji-san! You've decided to show up!" Lee jumped to hug him. Neji put a hand out to Lee's forehead and easily stopped him. Tenten smiled.
"The old team is back..." Gai's eyes got watery.
"Tenten-san, may I talk to you alone?" Neji said calmly.
Gai stopped skipping down memory lane to listen to Neji. Tenten slowly nodded.
Dammit.
Tenten stood awkwardly in the kitchen. Neji was leaning against the wall.
"Um... Neji-kun, why did you want to talk..."
"Neji-kun? You've never called me that..." Neji looked amused. Tenten shrugged, "We are mature adults now."
Tenten glanced at him. He was at a loss of words. That's a first for the Hyuuga, brave, calm, and better than the rest.
"Gomen..." Neji blurted out. Tenten stared at him shocked, and then her lips split into a grin. This was a huge blow to this Hyuuga's pride.
"What?"
Neji's eye twitched. Tenten couldn't help but smile. She bit her bottom lip. "Gomen, I didn't hear you."
"I said..." Neji started then he turned around to the door. "Go away Lee! Gai!"
There were scampering of feet. Neji turned around and said smoothly, "Gomen."
Tenten smiled, "That's what I thought."
This was yet again another huge blow to Neji's pride. Tenten decided to torment Neji a little longer, "Why are you sorry Neji-kun?" she said innocently.
It was like a remake of Neji's pride being beaten again and again by the loudmouth slacker Naruto.
"For... earlier... in the forest..."
"What about the forest?" Tenten bit her lower lip so she wouldn't break out into giggles.
Here it comes... who knew Neji had it in him to say he was sorry?
Only... it wasn't what Tenten expected.
"I love you."
Tenten stared shocked. Neji looked away, a hint of red on his usually pale face.
"What?"
"I'm not repeating it!" Neji growled, wiping his hands on his robes.
Hyuuga Neji was not being calm. Tenten resisted the urge to yell, "What have you done to Neji?" but the words sunk in. Neji loved her. He didn't hate her, he loved her. It didn't make sense, but Tenten felt she was going to implode. Her dream since she was 13 had finally come true. Neji had returned to Konoha... for her.
She turned a deep shade of red. She shyly stepped closer to Neji.
"Neji-kun... arigatou."
Neji glanced at her and looked away. Tenten smiled softly, "I've always wanted this to happen..."
She stood on her tiptoes and lightly kissed him on the lips. His lips were cold, but they instantly warmed and Neji wrapped his arms around her. He deepened the kiss, and then stopped. He reached over and slammed the door, as it was creaking open. They heard the shrill squeak of Lee when he saw a faint glance of Tenten kissing Neji. Tenten laid her head on Neji's chest.
"I love you too."
A/N: Please comment/review, thanks!
