Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 6: She would always go to where the breeze blew, where the river ran, where the birds flew… Thinking that maybe, just maybe… He'd be there, too.

Dedication: This one's for formerlyanonymousinsanityisFUN, Under a Rain Cloud, Shubhs, Kazuya the Random Author, jcallie19,... thanks for all the reviews!

MAYBE HE'D BE THERE

She could her hear her heart beat in the silence. A repeating drone of ba's and bum's. Her long brown hair flew with the blowing wind. She couldn't bring herself to sleep again.

One thing—or one person, rather—disturbed her thoughts, banging on her mind until she couldn't even close her eyes. The usually bun haired kunoichi sighed as she carefully removed her sandals and ran her feet through the cool water. Neji. His name echoed through her mind as she gazed absentmindedly at the river running quietly. Her eyes softened at the thought of the shinobi she had long admired. Not only because of his looks and strength, but because of everything that made him Neji. His determination. His will power. Yes, even the cold exterior that he showed the world.

People often judged him readily, moving off from the ice of block that was Hyuga Neji. But if only people knew why… Maybe they wouldn't question him as much. The truth was… Neji was actually very caring. He just didn't know how to show it.

The weapons mistress slowly tucked a stray strand behind her ear. It was one of those rare times that she brought her hair down.

She smiled slowly as she looked around. Trees of various kinds surrounded her, their leaves falling down due to the strong gusts blowing around. An owl hooted loudly, quickly answered by another. Many different kinds of shrubs and flowers grew around her. And lastly, the river. The cool, flowing water completed the scenery she was in.

"It hasn't changed at all.." She whispered observing the glade she was in.

Everything… from the smallest leaf to the biggest tree seemed to be always the same. She smiled at every detail fondly.

It looked just as it did the moment they confided with each other in this same glade that she had seeked refuge in. It seemed never changing, just like the way they had never altered from the strong friendship that bonded them both.

She smiled at how it was then. She had dreamed of the genin squad she would one day have, years before she had been put in a very own team herself. And when the day finally came, she had felt so frustrated. She had thought of them two moronic green clad beasts and one cold, arrogant, selfish jerk. She had been depressed, the first days they were together. She had hoped for an ideal family, after all, one that had normal hairstyles and normal self esteems, not the sky level one that a certain pale eyed Hyuga had.

It didn't take her long to realize that she was blessed with a team so much better, however. She had indeed found a father and brother in Gai and Lee, and in neji, she had found a best friend, brother, and constant companion.

For years, the team had been together and now, like the eternal glade, nothing had changed between them. Well, she thought, maybe not everything. She couldn't deny that her feelings for him were more than she could ever bare to tell him.

And now, since she couldn't go to sleep, she went here, where she had saved one of her fondest memories: the day Neji had told her about the bloodline limit and the day they had agreed to be each other's support. She came here, to the place where the wind blew, where the birds flew and where the river ran… Thinking that maybe, just maybe… He'd be here, too.

"Tenten." A deep voice said from behind.

Tenten looked in surprise to see those pale, lavender eyes, staring curiously at her. "Neji!" she said in relief.

The Hyuga Prodigy smirked at her reaction. "If I were an enemy, you would already be dead."

"Hmp," Tenten shook her head at the knowing smirk that took his handsome features. She had been so succumbed in her own thoughts that she hadn't even noticed him approach her.

After a few moments of silence, he settled himself beside her. "Your hair's down," was all he commented.

"Oh… Well I was just about to sleep until I decided to come here so I didn't really have the time…" Tenten explained.

"Hn." Neji said, nodding. "What are you doing here in the first place? It's late."

"I should ask you the same question," Tenten said, smiling.

"I-" Neji hesitated, looking out into the river.

"It's okay if you don't want to tell me." Tenten cut his words, sensing the hesitation in his eyes. She turned to look at him, but he was still busy staring out to the river.

"I couldn't sleep too." He said, finally deciding to answer her question. "I couldn't get my thoughts out of somebody… So I came here…"

"Oh…" Tenten said, failing to hide the sadness in her voice.

"I was hoping that she'd be here… And I was right," he smiled, finally looking into her eyes.

END

A/N: I got nothing to say but…

PLEASE REVIEW!

Editted: 5.09.13 This time, I definitely had to remove the flashback, as it just chopped the story, in a bad way.

If anybody is interested, just PM me and I can send you the original version. Lol.