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Anthropology from a Pragmatic Point of View
Chapter Eleven: Small Beauty
““Look closely. The beautiful may be small.”
― Immanuel Kant
Neji had believed Tenten when she said she was the only one confident enough to use the “big ladder” at Konoha East, he just hadn’t been prepared for how big the ladder was, or how unstable it looked.
“It is fine, Neji,” she waved away his concern with a light laugh. “It is way stronger than it looks.” Before he could say anything else, she climbed nimbly up the ladder, and he scrambled to hold it at its base.
She was hanging decorations from the ceiling of all things, and he was just a bit terrified. She carefully placed the long strings of snowflakes until it looked like a decorative snowstorm winked and danced from the ceiling.
“Whoa,” Naruto blinked as he walked in. “This looks like something straight out of Hogwarts.” He joined Neji at the bottom of the ladder. “Y’good, Ten?”
“Fine,” she called back down as she adjusted the last of her decorations. With a satisfied nod, she came down the ladder, and turned to face her friends.
“Thanks for looking out for me, guys,” she smiled.
“No problem. You need this moved anywhere,” Naruto jerked his thumb at the ladder.
Tenten looked around and considered.
“Maybe the mantle,” she studied the giant fireplace. “I have the garlands I can hang, and then Ino can come down and tell me where she wants the other decorations.”
“Did I hear my name?” Ino came in, clipboard in hand.
Naruto’s eyes widened. “Oh, no,” he groaned. “Not the clipboard!”
Neji glanced to Tenten who just shrugged. “Girl’s got a vision.”
“This look great,” Ino indicated the ceiling. “Even better than I imagined!”
“What about the mantle,” Tenten nodded to the massive structure. “Do you know what you want done there?”
“I do,” she grinned, handing her a piece of paper. “With Naruto and Neji to help, we can get it done in no time!”
Neji looked over Tenten’s shoulder at the detailed diagram. “Do we have more than one ladder?”
“Don’t need one,” Tenten shook her head. “If one of you steadies the ladder and the other helps hand me things, we can knock this out pretty quickly.”
“Once everything is in place I can adjust as needed,” Ino added.
“Trust me,” Tenten grinned at her friend. “It is much easier to have Ino directing from the floor than from the ladder.”
“She’s not wrong,” Ino consulted her clipboard. “Let’s go, you two,” she nodded to Naruto and Neji. “Help Tenten get the ladder where she wants it, and get this thing over and done with.”
Neji hadn’t thought he would be more nervous over Tenten decorating the mantle than the ceiling. That was until he had to help hand her things that were clumsy to maneuver and required her to lean at what could only be unsafe angles to adjust everything to Ino’s specifications.
“One of these days you have to let Kankurō install that rolling ladder,” Naruto looked up at Tenten. “You know – like in the library in Beauty and the Beast?”
“And you know how Dr. Senju feels about certain modifications to the house,” Tenten reached down for another decoration before going back up the ladder.
“I think if she saw this, she’d agree,” Neji muttered, eying the process skeptically.
“A little to the left,” Ino instructed. “Perfect! Just a few more of those bigger pieces and then we can get the smaller details in.”
Neji glanced warily between the mantle and Tenten. He had to admit, it was moving quicker than he thought, and the mantle was slowly matching the design in Ino’s hands. When Tenten had to climb higher on the ladder, Neji climbed few steps below her to hand her what she needed as Naruto steadied the base.
“Thanks,” she glanced down before taking another step higher. When she leaned over, he instinctively braced a hand against the back of her calf, with a muttered:
“Careful!”
Tenten let out a breath of laughter, flicking a smile down at him before turning her attention back to the mantle. “How’s that, Ino?” she adjusted the large decoration.
“Mm,” Ino hummed. “A smidge to the right?”
Tenten leaned, and Neji held tight.
“That will do,” Ino nodded. Come down and let’s take a look.”
Making sure she was steady, Neji came down the ladder, and stepped back to let Tenten descend. Once they were both down, Naruto stepped from around the ladder as well.
“Looks like everything is in order,” Ino tapped the end of her pencil against her chin. “I can start filling in the smaller decorations.”
“You won’t need the big ladder for that,” Tenten studied the mantle. “I think we can work with two of the shorter ones, since we can work in smaller sections.”
Neji looked at Naruto. “There are smaller ladders?”
Naruto shrugged. “I’m just here to follow directions and keep people from falling.”
“Let’s put that one to the side, Naruto,” Tenten was still studying the decorations. “I don’t want to put it away until we are absolutely sure we don’t need it. I’ll get the smaller ones,” she tapped Ino’s shoulder. “Be back in a sec.”
“Wait for me,” Neji put a hand on her shoulder. “Naruto and I can move this monstrosity, and then I’ll help you carry back the other ladders.”
Naruto and Neji had the ladder folded and secured in a corner before he followed Tenten to a maintenance closet farther down the hall. The ladders were of a reassuringly standard height, much to Neji’s relief, and easy enough for them to carry one each. Ino instructed them where to put the ladders, and assigned Neji to Tenten and Naruto to herself.
“I can hand you things,” Tenten perched a box against the top step of her ladder.
“Alright,” Ino scaled her own ladder, her clipboard resting on the top step. She began arranging the decorations and pushing them into the foam pieces she’d had Tenten set up around the larger, heavier elements. They worked well together, Ino moving with assured intent, and Tenten handing her what she needed. When they finished one area, the boys moved the ladders, and they’d start again with a new box of decorations. It wasn’t very long before Ino declared she was done, and gathered up the boxes to be put away until they were needed again.
While Tenten and Naruto put the ladders and cart back into storage, Ino sidled up to Neji.
“Here,” she handed him a folded slip of paper. “You earned this.”
He unfolded it, and raised an eyebrow at the marked schematic drawing of Konoha East. “What is this?”
“A copy of my decorating plans,” she shrugged.” I thought you might find some of the information helpful when navigating the winter party.”
She gave him a pat on the shoulder before heading off to check on the other items on her clipboard.
Several days later, he walked into Konoha East and was greeted at the door by Hinata. She was beaming at him as he draped his coat over his arm and handed her a gift bag. “Let’s go put these in my room,” she wrapped her arm in his. “Wait until you see everything!”
Neji followed, amused at her excitement. “I’m glad you are early,” she chatted as they walked. “We haven’t turned the lights and everything on yet!” Clearly Ino had quite a few considerations listed in her clipboard, as everywhere he turned there were tasteful decorations for the season. Hinata had him put his coat on her bed, where he sat while she opened her gift.
“It’s nothing much,” he folded his hands on his knees. “Just few things you can enjoy and share if you like.”
Hinata smiled at the assortment of teas, hot chocolate, and mild liquors that went well with the hot chocolate. The box of chocolates was one of her favorite, and the bottle of cinnamon was from a local market at home where she loved to shop.
“Thank you, Neji,” she carefully put the bag on her desk. “Hanabi is coming by later with Konohamaru. They took Mirai out today so Kurenai could get some gift shopping done.”
“Oh?” he arched an eyebrow.
“They seem to get along pretty well,” Hinata grinned. “Also, Kurenai told me she had a chat with him, and that he knows to behave.”
“I might appreciate that more if it was Asuma.”
“Not if you really knew Kurenai,” she giggled.
There was a knock at her door, and Naruto came in. “There you are,” he smiled at Hinata. “Chōji has the food set up, and I figured we could get a bite before it gets too crowded. I know you like your space.” He glanced at Neji. “You, too.”
“Thank you,” Hinata took his hand and kissed his cheek. “That was really thoughtful.”
“H-Happy to do it,” Naruto blushed and rubbed the back of his neck.
Neji almost rolled his eyes.
He was sitting with Naruto and Hinata when Kiba joined them. “Just brought over the rest of the firewood,” he announced as he sat down with a steaming mug of something. “It is going to snow soon.”
Hinata frowned. “Badly?”
“Nah,” Kiba waved away any concern. “Just enough to be pretty, and cold enough not to get gross.”
“I’m going to check in with Ino,” Hinata said, carefully clearing her place.
“I’ll go with you,” Naruto stood. “Catch up with you two later!”
Kiba watched them go before turning to Neji. “Thought I’d give you a head up about a couple of things.”
“Ok?”
“We keep overnight stuff in the Room of Requirement this time of year, in case anyone gets caught with snow, car trouble, etc. You get first dibs, but we wanted you to be aware. Also, Ino changes the decorations a bit every year, and hides where the mistletoe is put. There are always a couple of people that try to take advantage of that, so keep that in mind. There is always one by the mantle, though – that one is obvious. This party is a bit more sedate than others, so I think you will enjoy it.”
“I appreciate the information,” Neji nodded, clearing his own place and standing. “Do you need my help with anything?”
“I think we are good,” Kiba stood, “but I’ll let you know.”
“Neji!” Hinata hurried over. “Come see!”
As soon as he’d disposed of his trash, Neji followed Hinata to the main area. He paused, surprised by the sight that met him. The snowflakes suspended to the ceiling were on glittering fairy lights, not fishing line as he had thought. There were small lights and flameless candles everywhere, including the mantle, and the thick bannisters of the massive staircase. The fireplace held a crackling fire, and instrumental music drifted from somewhere, audible without being overpowering.
“This is incredible,” he looked appreciatively around the room. “Tenten wasn’t kidding when she said Ino had a vision.”
Even as more and more people arrived, the height of the ceiling made it feel less crowded than it actually was. People spilled into all of the common areas, including the decorated cafeteria and the stone porch with outdoor heaters. Hinata brought him more into the room where several of their friends were standing. Shikamaru and Kankurō were discussing something while gesturing to the lights while Naruto smiled up at Hinata and Sakura waved them forward.
“Here,” Naruto pressed a mug of hot chocolate into Hinata’s hands. “Hear from Hanabi yet?”
“Not yet,” she took the mug gratefully. “I’m sure they will be here soon, though.” As if summoned, Hinata’s, Neji’s, and Naruto’s phones buzzed with the same message.
“Be there in ten,” Naruto read.
“Where is everyone else?” Neji looked around.
Sakura began to tick off on her fingers. “Chōji and Ino are serving refreshments, Shino and Kiba just left to make sure the walkways are still salted, and Tenten…” she paused. “Where is Tenten?”
Sakura looked at Naruto. “Beats me,” he shrugged. “Maybe Ino sent her on a last-minute errand.”
“That doesn’t seem right,” Sakura frowned and pulled out her phone. “I’m checking in on her.” While Sakura stepped away to make a call, Hanabi and Konohamaru arrived.
“You made it,” Hinata smiled, taking her sister’s hands.
“Wouldn’t have missed it,” Hanabi laughed. “Wait until we tell you about what Mirai got into!”
“Come put your things in my room and we’ll talk over refreshments,” Hinata motioned for them to follow. “Meet you by the hot cocoa?” she asked Naruto.
“Be right there,” he smiled as they walked away.
Kiba came over shortly after and walked up to Kankurō. “I need you to come check some of the lights with me,” he said without preamble. “Won’t take long.”
Kankurō shrugged and followed, leaving Shino – who they hadn’t noticed – to approach Shikamaru. He said something quietly that made the Nara’s eyes go wide, and he motioned Neji to follow.
At Neji’s questioning look, Shikamaru glanced to Shino.
“He says Tenten needs help with something and to keep it quiet.”
“And I am coming because…?”
“Because you know how to be quiet and signal the others if we need to. You are the least likely to annoy her if you do.”
Neji wasn’t sure about that, but he followed just the same.
They followed Shino to the outdoor fireplace on the back stone porch where almost no one had bothered to gather. Tenten was standing near the fireplace, hands extended toward the heat. Shino nodded Shikamaru forward, but put a quiet hand on Neji’s shoulder.
“She’s fine,” he said quietly. “Just watch.”
Neji watched Tenten’s profile in the firelight – she waved Shikamaru over and showed him something on her phone that he leaned forward to see. She directed him to a small alcove on the side of the fireplace, and showed him another picture that had him stand up straight and look around. When he looked back to Tenten, her smile was slow, and she stood out of the way. Whoever or whatever was behind her inspired the Nara to move past her with surprising speed, and just beyond the flicker of firelight, making Neji’s eyebrows raise, and Shino give a small hmph of satisfaction.
Tenten strode over to them.
“Nothing to see here, boys,” she linked her arms in theirs as she led them back to the house.
“And what aren’t we seeing, exactly?” Neji glanced between her and Shino.
“Shikamaru has a friend that decided to surprise him,” Tenten shrugged. “I’ll introduce you if they make it back into the party.”
“And if they don’t?”
“Then at least Shino will get to meet them at breakfast. Thanks a bunch, by the way,” she smiled up at Shino. “I knew I could count on you.”
“Naturally. Why? That is because I am particularly good at keeping secrets.”
“You are the very best at keeping secrets,” Tenten squeezed his arm. “And I suppose I can count on you, right Neji?”
“Considering I still have no idea what is going on, you can be assured of my silence.”
“I’ll fill you in later,” she laughed, leading them back into the house, still arm-in-arm.
Tenten stopped them just short of the main room with an impish grin. “Mistletoe at ten o’clock,” she nodded to several party-goers idling around one of the more conspicuous sprigs of mistletoe with hope in their smiles. She pressed a quick kiss to Shino’s cheek. “Proceed with caution.”
He ruffled the top of her head affectionately before making his way into the crowd.
Neji glanced between them.
“Are… are you and Shino…?”
“No,” she chuckled. “My housemates get special dispensation. I’m not sure who started it, really,” she shrugged. “But it stuck.”
“Not much of a mistletoe person?”
“Not much of a PDA person,” she corrected. “At least outside of family.” He glanced down to their interlocked arms, and she quickly released his arm. “Sorry,” she smiled crookedly.
He considered her, stepping closer. “I do have a key to the Room of Requirement,” he offered. “I suppose I am an honorary housemate of sorts.”
She looked up to him with a slow smile. “I suppose you are.”
He looked up, and she followed his gaze.
“Huh,” she blinked at the small cluster of white berries hidden in the decorations. “That’s a new location.”
Neji studied her face.
“Shall I step back?”
Her eyes lingered on the mistletoe for a few seconds longer before meeting his. They were closer than she realized, and curiously alone and out of sight. He made no move toward her; whatever choice was made would be hers. The seconds ticked by, and he wondered if he had pressured her. He started to step back, an apology, or some kind of teasing comment prepared to drop from his lips, when her hand caught his.
He could feel his pulse in his ears as the anticipation lingered in the air between them, his gaze never leaving hers. Carefully, he put gentle pressure on her hand – an assurance, and almost didn’t register when her fingers slid in between his own. She rested her other hand on his upper arm, and his instinctively rested on her waist.
With a small smile, she leaned upward, not to his cheek as he presumed, but to brush a careful and gentle kiss against his lips.
At first, he was too stunned to respond, but soon he’d wrapped both arms around her waist, and her hands slid behind his neck. The kiss was something more – a little more sure, a fraction more intentional, and far more wonderful than Neji had thought something so simple could be.
When he rested his forehead against hers, there was only one thought that snuck past his sense of perfect contentment.
“I will have to thank Ino for the map of the mistletoe.”