Chapter Two:
Breaking the Habit
The missions that Team Gai had were more difficult than the average Genin should have to face. The majority of the Teams sent their squads on D-Rank missions. However, Team Gai normally had B or C-Ranked missions. They were exhausted after every mission, but they knew that each task would make them stronger in the process. Neji and Rock Lee often butted heads and Tenten acted as the big sister. However, as they got closer, they knew that they would become stronger as a whole and the best of friends.
The Chunin exams were coming, but Gai withheld the exams from his team. "The Chunin exams are a life or death task," their sensei informed, "only the strongest make it. Which is why I want to train you further. So for next year, you will not only survive, but you will have a greater chance of becoming Chunin." Neji was enraged that he had to wait, but he didn't want his anger to emerge in front of his teammates. Neji got up from the team meeting and headed for the door. "Neji, where are you going?" his sensei asked. Neji stopped and turned around. "I just need to be alone." Gai saw the anger and pain in his translucent eyes and let him leave.
To put it lightly, Neji was pissed. He went into the woods where he trained and practiced until he caused collateral damage to his body. His arm, leg and hands were covered in deep cuts, blood and gashes. He gritted his teeth and fought through the pain until he couldn't bare it anymore. He slumped under a tree and stared at his hands. He began to shake and started to tear up. He felt as if he failed his father. He buried his face into his knees and cried.
He heard a rustle in the bushes and he looked up. He saw no one. "Byakugan." he whispered to himself. Tenten was spotted immediately. He saw her and slowly stopped his jutsu. Tenten emerged from behind a bush and walked over to him. "Neji," she asked, "are you okay?" Neji didn't say a word. She sat down in front of him. "What happened to you?" she asked. Neji wiped his eyes and a little blood smudged onto his cheek. Tenten frowned and opened her pack. Multiple vials of medicine and rolls of bandages rested in her pack ready to be used. She began to clean and stitch up his wounds. The pain was unbearable, but at the same time he was glad she came to his aid.
Tenten was ready to wrap up his body in bandages. "I need you to take off your shirt." She said assertively as she blushed. Neji's face turned pink as he took off his shirt. She wrapped his arms, chest and legs in clean bandages. After she finished, he quickly put his shirt back on. "Thank you." He said still blushing. "Yeah.. No problem." She said as she blushed. The two stood there silently for awhile. "Why did you leave the meeting?" She finally asked. No, not this question, he thought, anything but this. Neji sat down and Tenten followed. "I feel like I failed my father." Tenten looked at him. "Why? I'm sure if you told him why he would-"
"My father's dead." he interrupted. The two sat there silently for awhile. Neji regained his composure and told her the story of his family, the caged bird and of his father's death. Tenten sat there dumbfounded. "I-I'm so sorry." She stuttered. Neji shook his head. "It's fine. Just... Just don't tell anyone, okay?" he asked. Tenten nodded and helped him up. Tenten looked down and then hugged him tightly. Neji hesitated and wrapped his arms around her waist. He buried his face into her shoulder and hugged her tighter. They eventually let go of each other. Tenten wrapped her pinky around his. "I promise." She said with a smile. Neji gave her a small smile. "Thank you," he said, "I've never told anyone." Tenten smiled. "You are a man of few words, Neji Hyuga." Neji smirked and stared at her for awhile. "What?" she asked confused. "Nothing." he said as he looked away.