Author's Notes: Meaningless Neji/Tenten/Lee friendship.

Underlying Dynamics

Theirs was a team born of hard work and loyalty and the acceptance of certain, undeniable facts. Lee would always seek to defeat Neji. Neji would always train only with Tenten, and as for herself, she would always be the balancing mechanism between the two. Despite these underlying dynamics, their cell was a well-oiled machine, each of them enhancing and restraining the others. They had been together so long that there was no need for words. Their nightly rituals during missions were an example of this.

Neji was always the one to choose their camping spot. As their unspoken leader and an inheritor of the Byakugan, it was natural for him to do so, his gaze finding the crevices in the land without effort. Once he had chosen, it was up to Tenten to set traps while Lee gathered wood for a fire if it was safe to have light. Neji might go fishing if they were low on supplies, or he might watch Tenten flit in and out of shadow if they were not. It didn't take her long to secure their camp, stringing wires and kunai with graceful ease. When she returned she would most often find Lee tending a small blaze of dead tree limbs and Neji meditating nearby, resting tired eyes.

After a brief meal in which they would analyze their situation and make plans for the next day, Tenten and Lee would head towards the nearest stream or river, Lee staying on the shore with his back turned as she engaged in the only "girly" habit she allowed herself, a short bath. She and Lee would talk during this time, sometimes about the mission, sometimes not. Lately Lee had been telling her about the girl he had his eyes on, Sakura. Tenten would lsiten, amused, and would tease him as a sister might. Lee always took it with a sheepish smile, knowing everything she said was true.

When they returned to the fire, Neji was usually stretched out and ready to sleep as Tenten had the first watch. Lee would settle down to rest as well and she would kneel between her teammates and watch them struggle to find dreams behind closed eyelids. She really did love her boys. She was proud to be on the same team as them and knew with confidence that they were one of the strongest cells out there.

Reaching out to touch both of their shoulders lightly, a wish pressed between her fingers, she would launch upwards into the trees, picking out a suitable limb on which to keep watch. When her shift was over, she would drop down to the campsite soundlessly. If she was lucky, Neji would already be awake, ready to start his shift. If not she would say his name quietly and watch his translucent gray eyes focus on her.

He would tarry a few minutes on the edge of the dying fire light as she sat and unwound her hair for sleep, letting it cascade down her back in waves. She didn't know why but he would never leave her until she was curled up and comfortable on the ground, her long hair her only blanket. Tenten would whisper to him and he would disappear.

"Good night."

And they would wake in the morning and carry on like it was any other day, the same movements, the same rituals, the same cohesion that pulled them all together and keep them strong. For others such a bond might be a weakness.

For them it was a strength.

The End.