A/N: This a rewrite of a really old story I had sitting in my folder. Also, I recently celebrated my three-year anniversary on FF! Thank you guys so much for being so amazing and supportive! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
…..
Tenten can feel the heat getting to her. Twice she has nearly chopped off her own thumb in place of a tomato. The cutting board doubles and shifts in front of her, and fingers trembling, she drops the knife. Closing her eyes to still her swimming vision, she removes her glove to wipe the perspiration building on her forehead. The straps of her apron are tugging uncomfortably at her neck, the fabric thick and itchy. She curses at her stupid chef jacket, long-sleeved top, and full-length pants; for once in her life, she wouldn't mind wearing the waitress skirt.
"Tenten? Did you finish chopping the tomatoes?" a male voice calls from behind her. A moment later Neji enters the kitchen with a crate of fresh zucchini. His clothes are a mess and his hair is disheveled. He is watching her with a somewhat tired expression that speaks of immense irritation -Lee is testing his patience again. Tenten, not in the mood for another one of his rants, nods quickly. His expression lightens in severity at her answer, but his forehead is still creased in agitation.
"Huge crowd tonight," Tenten comments, taking the crate from his hands. Neji nods, rubbing his temples.
"Lee is not helping matters. He has already mixed up two orders!" Tenten grunts noncommittally as she rinses off her chopping board, not really wanting to encourage the oncoming rant. She, Neji, and Lee had opened the small Japanese restaurant in Chicago about two years ago. They had gotten decent business, but after a recent favorable review by a top critic, the amount of patrons they receive nightly has nearly doubled. Tenten enjoys working with the two, but sometimes, especially on nights like these, she cannot stand their bickering. Another lurch jolts her out of her reverie and she clutches the counter to keep from falling. She can feel Neji's narrowed eyes on her back.
"Are you alright?" he asks, setting down the list of orders and striding across the kitchen to reach her side. She nods stiffly as dark spots dance across her vision and she feels her knees buckle beneath her. Neji's strong arms are around her waist in an instant and he helps her into a chair. He presses the back of his hand to her forehead, frowning when he feels her skin burn. "You feel really warm. Take a break. I have a short-sleeved shirt in my bag that you can wear for now," he tells her as he begins to unbutton her jacket. Tenten silently thinks Neji can be really sweet when he wants to be, but she refrains from telling him so lest she pukes all over him the second she opens her mouth.
She also decides she likes the idea of him undressing her.
Tenten's eyes widen at the thought. Oh my. She nods dumbly when Neji says he'll be right back and closes her eyes when she feels sweat roll down the side of her face. Oh yeah. That's attractive.
Though she has admitted aloud that she is in love with Neji only once in her life, and that to the walls of her apartment when she was drunk as hell all alone, the undeniable fact is always nagging her in the back of her mind. She reminds herself that Neji is an asshole, that he is moody and callous, and that he probably has some childish vendetta against Lee, but it is to no avail. She knows he isn't good for her, but she wants him anyway.
"Tenten! Pay attention!" Neji is squatting in front of her again pressing the extra shirt into her hands. She stares at it as if he has just handed her a grenade. His frown deepens as he watches her. Lilac eyes drift to the clock and with a huff, he grasps the hem of her shirt and begins to lift.
Smack his hand. Make him stop. Oh my god.
Neji's fingers ghost along her sides as he pushes her shirt up and over her head. His complexion seems to redden for a moment and he looks away. "Here. I hope you are capable of doing the rest."
Doing the rest? Like taking everything off and jumping you right now. Sure. Tenten smacks herself on the inside. She takes the shirt and is about to slip it over her head when Lee bursts through the kitchen door.
"Neji! One of our customers seems to be having an allergic reaction and-" Lee widens at the sight before him. Tenten all sweaty in her bra then Neji's flushed face and haggard appearance. A flicker of understanding flashes across his features. He bows quickly in apology. "I am sorry to interrupt your youthful lovemaking!"
"Lee! We were not!"
"Lee you idiot!" But Lee is already gone.
Neji sends Tenten an incredibly annoyed look as he stands. "Next time you're about to pass out, I will gladly leave you on the floor. And can you please put your shirt on!"
"Why? You seem to be enjoying the view." Oh my god. Shut up! What is wrong with you?
Neji's face is red enough to rival the tomatoes she had chopped earlier. He mutters something unintelligible. Then a bloodcurdling scream erupts from the dining area. The Hyuuga's eyes lock with hers, and an ominous feeling creeps up their spines.
"What was Lee saying about an allergic reaction?"
…..
A/N: Yeah that escalated rather quickly. XD I'm sorry for any OOCness on Tenten's part.
Thank you for reading and please review!
~M.I.