Chapter Three:
Fly Away
Fall had ended and winter began rather quickly. Gai postponed their training until the spring had arrived. "Make sure you guys train while you have this break," he said, "you don't want to be out of shape for the spring!" he said as he flashed his cheesy smile. They huddled in his actual home (he lived in the tent during the spring and summer) until the meeting was over.
The three of the new friends walked to Tenten's spacious home to get tea and coffee and to watch the snow fall. They all had become close friends, almost like siblings. They loved and fought each other like siblings and protected each other. Lee's appearance had done a complete 180. He was now Gai sensei's mini me. "Lee," Neji said as he sipped his tea. Lee looked up at him, expecting a criticism. "Yes?" he asked. "Remember when I said you were a failure when we were first a group?" Lee frowned at the memory. "Yes, what about it?" he asked. Neji sighed. "Well, I'm sorry. You aren't a failure. You are stronger than ever before." Lee grinned at Neji's approval and continued to eat the rice Tenten had prepared.
Lee left to go home some hours later and Tenten and Neji left to take a walk. As the sun began to set, Neji stared up at the sky. There are no more birds, he thought to himself. Tenten stopped walked and looked over at him. "Is something wrong?" she asked. Neji stopped looking at the sky and looked over at Tenten. "No," he said quietly, "everything's fine." Secretly, Neji wished he could be free like the birds. To come and go as they pleased and to just be... well... free. However, he did feel free with Tenten. Her presence was so liberating and breath taking. He liked her. He liked her a lot and didn't know how he was able to control his emotions around her. He kept his cool, collective and somewhat boring demeanor in order to keep his friendship and secret admiration for the beautiful brunette.
The two continued to walk until they stopped to sit in front of a frozen pond. Tenten shivered and Neji wrapped his cloak around her. Tenten smiled and curled up closer to him. Neji felt his face burn. His heart began to race and he couldn't get rid of the butterflies in his stomach. He wanted to kiss her. Tenten looked up at him. "Are you sure you're alright?" she asked. "Y-Yeah I'm fine." Tenten placed her hand on his forehead. "You feel warm." Neji's face turned bright red. "No, no I'm fine don't worry." Tenten smiled at him and rested her head on his shoulder. Neji let out a sigh of relief.
The moon was up in the sky and Neji didn't notice that Tenten had fallen asleep. Neji picked her up and carried her back to her house. He pulled back the heavy quilt on her bed and tucked her in. He couldn't help but look at her sleeping. She was effortlessly beautiful even when she slept. Neji bent over and kissed her on the forehead. Trying not to seem like a stalker, he left and locked the door for her. He stared up at the dark sky as the snow fell from the sky. It looked like diamonds falling from a velvet sky. It was beautiful. He remembered him and his father going out into the fields at night to watch the stars in the summer and then the snow falling in the winter. He began to tear up at the memory. He wiped his eyes and made his way home.
The next morning Neji woke up to see his uncle sitting in the chair close to his bed. Neji loathed his uncle and his cousin Hinata. "We've been wondering where you've been lately." Neji got up and tried to make his way to the door. "You've been with that Tenten girl, haven't you?" Neji stopped in his tracks and turned around. "How on Earth did you know?" His uncle shrugged. "You remind me of your father. He was always-"
Neji punched the wall and cut him off, "YOU'RE THE LAST DAMN PERSON TO TALK ABOUT MY FATHER. YOU'RE THE ONE WHO KILLED HIM." His uncle sighed and didn't get up. "I know," he said softly, "and I regret it every day." Neji felt himself go limp.
"Your father wasn't only my brother, but he was my best friend. I know we both had different destinies. He hated his destiny with a burning passion. Sometimes I wish you and your father weren't subjected to it. Maybe he would still be alive. I feel so much guilt because of what I did. You remind me so much of your father and when I see you I regret my actions every day."
Neji rested his head against the wall and started to cry. His uncle got up and patted his shoulder and made his way out of the room. He was left alone to cry until he couldn't produce anymore tears. He didn't want to talk to anyone, just Tenten. He got dressed and left the house without saying a word to his uncle or his cousins. He made his way to Tenten's house and knocked on the door. He heard stumbling and a sleepy Tenten opened the door. She was still wearing the close from yesterday and her hair was a mess. "Oh gosh, Neji! I look ridiculous. I wasn't expecting anyone." Neji smirked and continued to look down. Tenten looked at him. "Is something wrong?" she asked. Neji shrugged. "Can I talk to you about something?" he asked. Tenten took out the bessy buns in her hair. "Of course! Come in, come in!"
Neji entered the house as Tenten brushed her hair and gave him a cup of coffee. Neji confided in her about what happened that morning. Tenten decided to cheer him up by putting in one of her favorite movies. They sat on the floor of her home and enjoyed themselves.