Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishi-san.

Tenten's Dream

"Adults should act cool, Lee-kun," Gai grinned. Tenten swore she could see a sparkling light emanating from her sensei.

Team Gai was standing inside a wooden building. There were windows on two sides of the wall, green curtains framing them. They were dressed for travelling and their shoes were already dirty with mud, though she could not remember at the moment where they had come from. Lee and Gai were in their green vests, while she and the person beside her were clad in white suits. She could see now that it was Neji standing beside her—their arms were a few inches apart, but she could feel the warmth from his body. From outside the windows, she could hear the constant chatter of a large number of people. She knew then that they were in a building in the center of Konoha.

"That's right," Lee answered, looking unfazed. He winked at Gai, but it was not the wink that she had been so used to, full of vigour and "youth". It was more reserved. More—well, mature, if the word could ever be used to describe her enthusiastic teammates.

She smiled unsurely. The change was definitely a leap from their sunset escapades, but she somehow missed their loud antics. Still, the quiet was appreciated. She placed both her hands on her hips and smiled at the pair who was still busy discussing the benefits of living like an adult. "I don't have to comment anymore," she smirked.

"Are you sure that doesn't need a comment?"

His voice was low, laced with mirth and mockery It was the same voice she had listened to for years. It was the voice that had scolded her when they were young, the voice that comforted her when she was worried, and the voice that once whispered to her three words— in a time that seemed so long ago. It was unchanged, but she wondered why it brought a heaviness in her chest. It was as if she had not heard it for a long time.

Only then did she finally turn her head to look at him. He had his forehead protector on, covering the mark that he had showed them when they were still genin. His arms were at his side, and like her, he was busy watching their two teammates. Upon realizing that she was staring at him, however, he slowly turned his head to look at her. Her breath hitched when she met his lavender eyes. She felt an uncontrollable urge to wrap her arms around him and bury her face in his chest, but instead she watched him, transfixed.

He smiled at her expression, and for a moment, she dismissed the faint nagging feeling far in the back of her heart.

"Perhaps we should buy some more hair cream," Gai looked thoughtful, his hand in his chin.

"I think that it a marvellous idea," Lee answered, and went on to discuss a hairstyle that he had seen in a magazine.

Tenten chuckled. "Okay, maybe it does," she grinned at the pair.

"We should make haste and purchase more cream, Lee-kun! Or my eternal rival Kakashi, will surely consume them all!" Gai said with such intensity, and together, he and Lee hurried out the door.

"I suppose we have to go after them," Neji commented.

"We have to look after them," Tenten sighed.

Neji nodded and he moved forwards, leading towards the door. His retreating figure brought a sudden panic within her, and she reached out urgently. Her hands came in contact with his white sleeve, and he stopped in his tracks. She clenched his clothes, trying to pull him back. When he turned towards her, his eyes widened in surprise and worry. He quickly stepped back to her and held her hands in his. "What's wrong, Ten?"

"Don't leave me," she begged. Unbidden tears formed at the corner of her eyes. She wiped them in frustration, wondering why she was being so emotional.

His brows furrowed, and he frowned as he tore his hand away from hers. He placed one hand on her shoulder, while the other climbed to her face, wiping away another tear that managed to escape her eyes. Then he leaned down, kissing her forehead. His hair fell to her from the action, and she breathed in his scent. She did not know how many seconds they stayed like that, but she closed her eyes and her hands trailed his chest.

When he pulled away, the touch of his lips lingered. "You know I'll never do that. I'll always be with you," he whispered to her, before leaning down to give her another kiss, this time on the lips.

She sighed when he pulled away, and finally, gave him a smile. "I'm sorry."

He shook his head. "As long as you don't do it every day, I don't mind seeing you cry—it adds femininity," he smirked, and she glared at him. Before she could retort, a voice rang from outside of the building.

"Hey! Lovebirds! Are you coming or not?" It was Gai.

Tenten rolled her eyes, while Neji sighed. "We better go," he told her.

She nodded, and he took her hand.

They walked out of the building, their hands intertwined. She was laughing at a comment he whispered to her, and he was smiling contentedly. They paved a way through the crowd infested Konoha together with their teammates. They waved now and again at familiar friends, but they kept their hands locked together, never caring who saw them, knowing that it did not matter.

They finally found a shop that sold various hair products and Lee and Gai strode inside, beckoning them on. He nudged her shoulder playfully when they followed, and she smiled at him, holding tight to his hand in a world of sunlight and peace.

END.

A/N: This was inspired by Naruto Chapter 678. Nejiten forever dudes.

Please leave a review? :)

Love,

Vee