Chapter 04

Deliquesce

Neji woke up and felt a sense of peace that he didn't feel for a long time. His quiet feeling was bothered when shikamaru suddenly appeared and patted him.

"wake up kid! you're going up against Asano!"

How could he forget? He's been preparing all week for today's practice day. It was his turn to be assessed by Asano. The man looked kind but he was deadly strong, all the assassins in here is unique- what more could their master be like?

He fixed himself and ate his breakfast. the battle begun.

"Are you ready to die?"

Asano asked him with a smile.

"Are you?"

"WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

"GO KIDDO!!"

The assassins stood as an audience and shouted. Tenten's hands were ice cold. She knew that Asano was strong just by looking at him.

"Jyuuken!"

Neji didn't took his chances and used his ace, but before he knew it..Asano was nowhere.

"Find me.. If you can!"

The sound resounded and before he knew it, liquid encapsulated him.

"Deliquesce"

Asano hissed and the water teared in Neji's flesh.

Neji couldn't believe this man's power, he panted and all he could see was his blood. he tried to use his byakugan but it couldn't see anymore than plain water.

"Release your hate kid!!"

The voice boomed again..

"I know your weakness!"

The liquid came again and Neji almost escaped it. He was trapped inside and suddenly, air was coming out. He was suffocating.

"STOP! Please stop Asano-Sama!!"

Tenten pushed the people out of the way and shouted.

"I beg you.. "

She cried and knelt down. She knew that it was wrong to get in a fight of two ninjas but she couldn't witness anyone die before her eyes anymore. Just to see him panting for breath was torture for her.

"As you wish my fair lady,"

Asano came back to his true form and smiled at her.

"I was not going to kill your friend Tenten, "

He took her hand and led her away from Neji.

"You okay kid?"

Shikamaru and Shiba came to his aid and helped him up. His whole body was sore but he didn't feel any weaker. He wanted to practise and get stronger till he defeats Asano. His thoughts wandered off to that stupid girl,.. why did she have to get in the way? Who does she think she is? It pissed him off. He didn't need anyone to help him in a fight.

The night crept by and Tenten waited for Neji to come out and seat down in the hall but he never did. 2 days passed and he didn't even show up. She started to worry and desperately wanted to open his room and see his condition, but she couldn't.

"Tenten, what's wrong?" Ayame handed her a glass of water.

"Nothing- I'm just tired. "

"It's Neji right?"

"Haiii. I've been waiting for him to come out of his room but he didn't! I'm cooped up in this kitchen- working all day long and couldn't concentrate because my stupid mind keeps on wandering off to him!!"

"Take it easy. "

"I can't! I'm not even sure that he'll be happy to see me! I got in the way of his fight with Asano- He'll surely be mad at me!!"

"Tenten, breathe! calm down.. "

Tenten took her advice and felt her body lighten.

"I'm sorry, Ayame. I didn't mean to burden you."

"That's okay, why don't you bring this to the dining hall, he might already be up. "

The dining hall was chaotic. They were having a celebration because they received a big bonus from a client. Everyone seemed pretty drunk and jolly so she decided to avoid them.

"Hey Tenten!! are you alright? you look so glum!"

Asano exclaimed and everyone turned to look at her.

"I know why!"

A drunk man on the corner suggested.

"Me too!"

Akira placed her arms around Tenten who didn't know what they were talking about.

"She's thinking about Mr.Attitude- Neji!!"

"WHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"

The hall burst with laughter and cheers. Tenten suddenly turned beet red. Was she that obvious? She bowed her head and wanted to run away.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Shiba shouted and before she knew it. She was being carried by three men.

"HEY! HEY Put me down!!"

She desperately wanted to kick them but they were too strong.

"Don't worry, we're not going to hurt you. "

She was being carried to Neji's Room! People started to cheer louder and they opened the door and threw her in.

THUD!

Tenten got to her feet and banged at the door.

"Will you just share a brain and realize that this is not a good idea?!!!"

She continued to bang the door and scream.

"Akira! Do you hear anything?!!" Shikamura exclaimed loudly.

"What? I don't here anything! hahahaha! ENJOY! Don't even bother opening it up, I used a sealing technique!"

Tenten knew they were teasing her.

"Grow up! Let me out!!"

Her fist was hurting but she continued to pound the door but a hand touched hers and closed her mouth with his hands. She turned and saw Neji.

"Be quiet. "

he whispered.

"and stop banging the door- look at your hands,"

She looked and saw that it had a few bruises.

"you cannot destroy that door if that's what you're thinking. It's made of metal.

She touched her hands and looked at him. He looked good as new. He proceeded to his seat and was writing something. She decided to sit in the corner floor.

"You can sit on my bed."

He spoke.

So he's a gentleman after all?

She sat down and stared at him. He was doing calligraphy.

"You're great!" Tenten said and looked at his writing.

"As I sai, it a matter of opinion. "

"Don't be too humble Neji- you're really good!"

Over the next hour, Tenten just stared at him and he continued on his work. She suddenly felt a strange happiness on the situation. Some may think that she's a pathetic girl but she didn't care. She felt like she can stay that way forever. She looked in the clock and it was already 15 minutes before midnight.

"I guess they won't be opening the door till tomorrow.. " Neji stood up and fixed the papers.

"Yeah, I bet they're so drunk they can't even stand up!" Tenten said and lied down.

It took her seconds to realize that she was in Neji's bed! Neji has not fully recovered yet, he needs some rest- so she stood up.

"Uh- here- I'm not really sleepy at all!"

Neji looked questioningly at her.

"You're eyes look really weak, Don't lie to me. "

"But you need to rest."

"I can sleep on the floor and you just stay there."

Something in his voice told her that she wasn't allowed to protest. She smiled and hugged the pillow to close to her. She closed her eyes and her heart felt this will be the very first time she slept peacefully. It was a perfect night.

Or is it?