Chapter Four:
Butterflies
The town of Konoha had thawed and everything was in full bloom. Team Gai were last of the Genin left from the previous year. The other teams had either become Chunin or didn't make it past the Chunin exams. The new group of teams had just been initiated and split up in order to train for the Chunin exams. This meant that Team Gai would show the other rookie teams how strong they had become. Neji hadn't been more excited for anything in his life. Him and Tenten trained day in and day out for the upcoming exams.
After a long day of training, the two napped in the sun. Neji sat up after awhile, still sore from the day before. He looked over at Tenten who was still sound asleep. He couldn't but stare at her while she slept. He remembered that night in the winter and he thought she was as beautiful as she was when she was awake. She eventually woke up and rolled over until she felt like sitting up. "Oh God, I'm so sore." She groaned. Neji silently stood up and helped her up on the way. "You want to go get something to each and relax?" he asked her. She blushed as her stomach began to growl. "I thought you'd never ask."
The two made their way to Ichiraku Ramen and ate with Naruto Uzumaki. Although Neji found him exceedingly annoying, there was something interesting about him that he wanted to get to know him better. The only thing he really knew about him was that he harbored the Nine Tailed Fox within him. Other than that, there was an element of loneliness that he could relate to.
After they ate, the two took a walk through the relatively busy town. "I've always loved this time of year," Tenten said, "it's so beautiful, romantic, carefree..." Neji smiled at her and nodded. Romantic. That word replayed in his mind while they walked and admired the springtime. The two sat under a cherry tree that was teaming with blooming flowers. Butterflies fluttered around the two and they admired the beautiful spectacle. "Do you think we'll make it this year," she asked, "I mean, not just surviving, but becoming Chunin." Neji looked at her. "I think there's a strong possibility." A white butterfly landed on Neji's nose. He didn't swat it away, just stared at it. Tenten laughed. "Looks like you have a friend." Neji smirked and let the butterfly crawl onto his finger. He carefully moved his finger and the butterfly crawled onto Tenten's nose. Tenten laughed and watched the butterfly crawl until it flew away. Neji smiled a genuine smile. Tenten grinned, "you know how to smile!" She said excitedly. Neji closed his eyes, still smiling. "Humph." he muttered. Tenten playfully nudged him.
The two went their separate ways and prepared for the Chunin exams, which began the next day. Neji sat in his room and stared out the window. The half moon sat in the sky and petals from the blooming trees danced in the air as the wind blew. The word still replayed in his mind throughout the night. Romantic.
The next morning Tenten, Neji and Lee walked together into the crowded classroom for the beginning of the exam. Neji looked over at Tenten. "You ready for this?" Tenten asked him. Neji smirked. "Let's do this."