Interlude: between the stars
The stars elongated into whirling lines as Tenten spun on her back, her eyes fixed on the sky. Two pale moons slowly spiraled into view, the surprise in their pale luminescence rapidly shifting into a wan amusement.
"Help me up," she growled.
"Are you sure?" Neji smirked down at her, "You look like you're doing well."
"Why you..." Tenten snarled. She struggled valiantly to raise herself, but managed only to flail about a bit on the ice before falling unceremoniously onto her rump. It stung and small tears sprang involuntarily to her eyes, but she would sooner die than let the arrogant man above her know that.
"Remind me again of why you're doing this," said man intoned, interrupting her mental tirade
"We're going to Water Country and it's winter, Neji. I want to be able to ice skate," Tenten explained happily. Neji thought her expression positively radiant, even more so when framed by the black sheen of the frozen lake. He smiled in spite of himself, and by the sparkle in her eyes – was it amusement or was it the stars? – she caught his slip.
"I was under the impression that that was done on your feet, not your back," he covered hastily.
Tenten's good cheer gave way to a dark scowl.
"If you're not going to help, why don't you just go home, Neji Hyuuga?" she snapped, looking rather put out.
This time, Neji was unable to restrain his soft chuckle and he crouched on the slick surface, offering Tenten a hand. She took it gratefully and managed – after a great deal of pinwheeling arms and close calls – to lever herself to her feet with Neji's help. He hid a smile at the way her fingers trembled uncertainly in his as she was caught precariously between prideful independence and embarrassed dependence.
"Here," he instructed, resolving her dilemma, taking her free hand in his as well, "Set your feet apart at shoulder width and focus on me."
Tenten gulped apprehensively, but tore her regard away from her wobbling feet to focus on Neji's gaze. He offered her a reassuring smile, one she returned shakily, but wholeheartedly, as she dutifully followed his directives. Slowly, he guided her around him, watching her hesitance turn to delight as they skated.
The remainder of the night was spent on that lake. So enraptured were they by each other's eyes that they did not notice the reflected fairy lights beneath their feet from the celestial sprites above as they glided together between the stars.
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