A Lone Star
"Kai!" the shrill command rang through the still night air. Around a very disheveled weapon mistress, dozens of sharp metal objects fell to the ground like silver rain, glistening in the light of the lone star that hung low in the onyx sky. Their now weapon littered training ground had been transformed into what looked like the playground of a demon child—courtesy of one weapon dispensing machine and an out-of-control spinning top that was Tenten and Neji. Whole trees had been uprooted and tufts of grass, branches and twigs lay scattered haphazardly over the expanse of grass. And in the heart of it all, was a 5 foot deep crater that could have been created by a shooting star in its collision with earth.
"Hn, had enough for one day?" a rich baritone taunted. And though only half of his face was visible, she could tell the corners of his lips were curled into that ubiquitous smirk of his. It annoyed her to no end. With a tired grunt, the coconut haired girl settled down beside him, the heat from her exhausted body seeping into the moist grass beneath. A signal that she had, indeed, had enough. In a languid motion, the ivory eyed boy followed suit. Soon the two bodies lay side by side, motionless and as still as the night. Honey colored eyes scanned the night sky. It was a deep cobalt blue with occasional splotches of black and smudged with traces of amber—a promise of the sun's arrival tomorrow. The copper coin was gone from its usual spot in the center of the canvas sheet, only to be replaces by a single twinkling jewel.
"It's… so lonely." His voice was low, as if afraid to disrupt the silence that had enveloped them.
"But it's beautiful nonetheless," her voice tinkled in the soft breeze like chimes.
"How so?"
"It guides." A raised eyebrow. "The light it gives in the night, it guides and gives hope to the lost. Just like how you guided us through the forest of death with your byakugan!" He could hear the smile in her voice, though all he saw was her silhouette
But he shook his head slowly, "Nobody sees it, they've got the sun by day."
"The sun's a kind of star too!"
He was facing her now, conflicting emotions playing in his pearl-like eyes. "Yet fate positioned it so much further from Earth! Fate made the sun out shine it! And fate has left it all alone now!" He was suddenly aware of the smaller hand clasped over his. He felt his anger dissipate.
"Neji," he'd never admit it, but he loved the way his name sounded on her lips. "If you look, you'll see," he cast his eyes skyward where another star had emerged from behind a dark cloud. Chocolate brown met silver, and she gave his hand a small squeeze, "that it's really not alone."
And he squeezed back.
A/N: Just in case you didn't quite get the imagery I used here, the sun represents the main branch while the lone star is, of course, Neji. He says fate left him all alone because in his mind, fate killed his father. The other star represents Tenten of course. And well, you know the rest. Please, please review!