Left. Right. Turn. Kick. Kick. Jab. Kick. Duck.

"Again."

Left. Right. Turn. Kick. Kick. Jab. Kick. Duck.

Left. Right. Turn. Kick. Kick. Jab—

There was a loud curse as the young ninja slammed to the ground.

Tenten growled to herself.

"I'm sorry."

"You got to practice your stance before your kick. You have no balance."

Neji replied from the other side of the training ring.

The two had been training since dawn on the training fields while Lee trained with Guy and had been working on a technique that Neji had help Tenten develop.

"I have balance."

She snapped from her spot on the ground.

"I just… need to get my footing."

As she stood she heard him scoff at her and shot him a death stare. While she was wiped out, sweating and tired, Neji remained calm and cool as if he had merely taken a walk.

"Try again."

He ordered, bracing himself as they went at it. Tenten managed the kick but once again, Neji wasn't satisfied.

"Again."

"Wait. I want to catch my breath."

"Might as well just stop all together. Give up."

He replied coldly, plopping on a log not far from where she sat on the ground again.

"Look, not everyone is into self-punishment like you are, okay?! I need to breathe."

"Then shut up and breathe."

He snapped back.

Tenten bit her tongue, breaking the skin. We've been working all morning so of course she expected someone to have a temper but for him to speak like that hurt her. She stood, throwing on her scrolls at his feet, making him look up at her. Her eyes burned.

"You can be such an ass sometimes!"

It was out and she stepped back to turn and stare down at tree opposite of him, cooling her temper.

Neji only stared at her blankly. A mask of emotions as always. He stood quietly picking up the scroll, flipping it in his hands before standing it up gently against the tree and walking up to her.

"Come on."

"Eh?!"

One hand pulled her shoulder while the other was on her hip as he turned and pulled her to the middle of the ring.

"I said, come on. I'll help your footing."

He replied and stood behind her, moving her arms in the correct position and using his legs to correct her legs.

"See, you aren't folding this foot right."

He muttered, leaning down to move her foot.

"That feels so awkward though."

"You'll get use to it. Now, try."

He stepped back and Tenten kicked outward perfectly, not stumbling or faltering. She spun around with a goofy grin of excitement plastered on her face.

"I did it! I got it!"

He offered up a small smirk but nodded.

"Again."

And she did excitedly. Over and over and over and—

"Eek!"

Her ankle twisted and went to hit the ground if Neji didn't step in, catching her in his arms with a light chuckle.

"You really are hopeless."

Ready to fight, Tenten was caught off guard by his laughter and playful smile. She only let it control her for a moment before pushing away from him.

"Oh, shut up and let me go."

"Fine,"

He muttered, standing her up and letting her go but as soon as he released her, she yelped out in pain and fell into him. Catching her quickly, he shot her a concerned look.

"What?"

"My ankle."

She whimpered, a single tear slipping down her cheek.

"Dammit."

"I'll take you home."

Neji offered but she stubbornly shook her head and tried to get him to release her.

"No, no. I can do it myself."

He tried but she fought her way out of his grasp and took a step forward before crumpling to the dirt, clutching her ankle.

Neji rolled his eyes and leaned over her causing her to jump slightly.

"W-what are you doing?!"

He only shot her a look and then scooped her up in his arms easily.

"What do you think I'm doing? You need to stay off your ankle. I'm taking you home."

As sweet as it was, Tenten wouldn't go anywhere without a fight.

"No! I don't need to go. I'll just rest a bit. I'll be better in a moment. Put. Me. Down!"

She growled, kicking but he ignored her, keeping a cool expression as he purposely walked through town on a busy street just to piss her off and cause her to blush like crazy.

She tucked her head into the nook of his neck, glancing shyly over his shoulder.

"Oh god…"

"Yes?"

"Shut up! You're an ass! I did this on purpose!"

"Of course, I did. Why wouldn't I?"

He said smiling.

No matter how cute it was, Tenten was too pissed to actually pay close attention to it.

"I can't believe you…"

"Look, just relax. It's either your house or I take you to the hospital."

Tenten looked at him exasperated.

"You wouldn't!"

"Wouldn't I?"

He asked, a dangerous look glinted in his eyes and Tenten stared back at him, giving up… this time.

They reached the house and he stopped at the door.

"What?"

Tenten asked.

"Well, I can't unlock it with my mind. At least, not yet."

She rolled her eyes and pulled out her key, stabbing in it and turning as the door flew open to an empty apartment.

"You really live here?"

Neji muttered, eyeing the pile of junk she had embarrassingly forgotten.

Blushing, she kicked in his arms.

"Look, I've been busy. Can we just get this over with?!"

"Your bedroom?"

Once again, she blushed, taking the words to places a young mind shouldn't wander to and when he didn't receive a response, he glanced down at her.

A large laughter ruptured from deep in him, rattling her.

"Oh, wow. Never pegged you to be like Naruto!"

He laughed until tears appeared in the corner of his eyes.

Tenten just hung er head, now beet red, and pointed to the second door on the left.

As they entered the room, he placed her down gently as possible and backed away to her bathroom, returning with a cold rag. He laid it on her ankle and stepped back.

"You rest. I'll come check on you a little…"

His eyes trailed over to the corner of her room that was filled with training equipment, all worn down. But, amidst the pile of work out stuff, a damaged stuffed toy. Neji calmly walked to it and picked up a ripped and beaten cat and turned it inhis hands a few times before giving her a curious look.

Tenten shrugged.

"Neko-chan. He kinda got beaten up with I practiced."

She replied, scratching behind er ear. He actually got caught in one of the bigger equipment and when she tried to pull him out, it toppled over and he ripped. It was sad since her mother had given it to her a long time ago.

Neji set the toy onto the window sill and walked out.

"I'll check up on you in a little bit. Get some rest."

"O-okay."

As the sun set and melted behind the line of houses, Tenten rolled over, mindful of her throbbing ankle and nearly drifted to sleep when she looked out the window and blinked. Neko-chan was gone. He must have fell over…

Knock. Knock.

The door creaked and a moment later Neji walked in.

"How is the ankle?"

"Better. Hey, have you seen Neko-chan?"

She asked, pointing to the window.

"He didn't fall out, did he?"

"Not exactly. He was taken out."

At that, Tenten shot up, sucking in a breath as pain shot up her leg.

"Wh-what?!"

"I took him."

"Why would you do that?! Give him back!"

With that, he tossed out a bag into her lap.

"Uh…"

She hesitated, opening it carefully. Inside, the cat ears stuck out and she squealed at the fixed up toy.

"Oh, wow! He's fixed! Aww."

She nuzzled him and smiled at Neji.

"How'd you do this?"

Neji cast his eyes to the side, reminded of the trouble it was. His fingers were still sore from the times the needle struck him because of his carelessness. Unusual for himself.

"It was nothing. Do you like it?"

"I love it!"

She chirped excitedly and went to crumble the bag but it still had more. She reached inside.

"A… box of candy?"

"It is Valentines' Day, after all."

He muttered with a shrug and Tenten smile softened and stared at him.

"Hey, Neji…"

"Hm?"

"Come here."

"I'm right here."

He replied, raising an eyebrow and she shook her head.

"No, closer, silly."

He confusedly can to her bed side and she held the toy to his face.

"What?"

"Take him. You can take care of him for now."

"Huh? But I just fixed him for you."

"Well, I have nothing for you and it's not like you'll keep him forever. Just until I find the perfect gift for you."

He took the toy carefully and stared at her.

"Heh. Okay. Although, it'll have to be a pretty good gift."

"Why?"

She blinked and he leaned down, kissing her full on the lips, carefully and gently. It wasn't a long kiss but it was just enough to jumble her every thought even after he moved away.

"Because that was your… third gift, I believe. Top that."

"Ah…"

He tossed a bottle of pain killers next to her and walked to the door with the toy in hand.

"Take your medicine and I'll see you in the morning."

"Ah…"

Was all she could make out at this point and he laughed.

"Good night, Tenten."

"Ah…" Pause. "Ah! G-good night, N-Neji!"

And nothing light laugh and her front door opened and closed.

In her room, she stared out the window until a playful grin worked into her features and she raised her fingertips to her lips. A low giggle fluttered out and she laid down contently thinking of ways to repay Neji. The thoughts were endless now that he had opened that door.

On the street, Neji stood beneath her window, glancing up then looking down at the toy with a small smile and short laugh.

"Neko-chan, huh? I suppose I won't be keeping you for long."

He mumbled with another laugh. Tucking it carefully into his pockets, he walked home, excited, for once, for the new day.

Authors' note: I know! I know! It's late but our internet was out. *sobs* Happy belated V-day. =3. Since this is a February affair, I may be updating more stories until the month is over. If you have couple requests, say who and it'll be up. Thank you for reading!!