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“Are we gonna get some rest or what? It’s not like Lady Tsunade needs us back immediately after our mission…” TenTen protested as she carried Neji by the shoulder, following Rock Lee, who lead through the forest.
“Exactly. There is no rush to go back to the village, Lee. I overused my byakugan and now I am basically blind! Please, let us take it slow.” Neji concurred, rubbing his eyes with his open arm. Rock Lee stopped and turned to face them, unconvinced by their statement. Neji was injured and in need of medical treatment as soon as possible.
“But that is the very reason we must hurry back to the village! Neji, you are clearly in pain, anyone is able to see that!” Lee retorted. “Furthermore, I do not think we have any medical knowledge. TenTen, do you know any remedies we can do for him?”
“Well, I do know he needs rest but this idiot is in complete denial of his current condition!” TenTen replied.
“Very well then. We need to find a place for him to rest, and I know just the location!” Lee exclaimed before tying his bangs up with a hair band.
Neji and TenTen exchanged looks.
TenTen struggled to keep up with Lee accompanied by Neji on her back, resulting her to give up entirely.
“How come he gave in so easily?” TenTen whispered.
“I don’t know, but let’s not give him any ideas.” Neji murmured back urgently, praying for no lecture about pointless stuff that he already knows from Lee. At least the two of them didn’t have to worry about Guy because he would’ve accidentally made the situation more unbearable than it already was.
“As long as he’s in my range of sight, I can just walk at my own speed… right?” She contemplated, oblivious that Lee was already more than 20 steps away from her and Neji.
“Lee, slow down!” She called out, glancing at Neji. His face was etched in clear discomfort as he struggled to keep consciousness. Disheveled, ebony strands of hair laid on top of his ivory clothing, some swaying in the gentle wind.
“You know that you can just sleep now-“
“I am fine. There is nothing to be concerned about. I can rest when we get to whatever place we are going to.” Neji interrupted, denying the fact that he was in a very vulnerable state. TenTen wished she could’ve helped him, her mind intoxicated with regret. She could have been more helpful to the team, but decided to stick to her strong-suit of summoning weapons. Lost in thought, Neji gave her a gentle nudge to keep moving.
“Neji, do you think I’m a burden to this team?”
“Of course not, why would you ask that?”
“W-well, It just seems that you and Lee are so much stronger now, and I-I’ve been stuck on the same level for so long!” She admitted, her throat tightening.
“Even if we don’t say it much, both Lee and I think you are a wonderful ninja.” He looked at her sincerely, forcing a feeble smile.
“Do you... do you think you could teach me? I want to learn how to be better, to be stronger…” TenTen stammered, stumbling over her words. Neji gazed into what looked like her eyes were filled with tiny beads of tears, cascading down her cheeks.
“If you can’t, it’s completely fine.. I’ll find someone who can give me a purpose, some reason for me to even be a ninja!” She yelled, wiping her tears vigorously as she started to walk faster; her fit of rage caused her to lose control of her composure.
“Please, calm down!” Neji pleaded, voice weary and strained.
“If you are that upset with your progress, I am positive Guy sensei, Lee and I will be happy to help you… even if we don’t get you stronger, we can still find you a sensei!” She grabbed a few locks of his hair before pulling it as he grunted in pain.
“Well what do YOU think about me? You act like you and Lee have the same exact feelings!! I want to hear what you, alone, have to say about me.”
“Fine, I will tell you how I feel about you. Just let go of my hair!!” Neji winced. TenTen let go of his hair, intrigued to hear what he had to say.
“Go on then! What do you think?”
“I think you are the most independent kunoichi I have ever met. I cannot believe I’m saying this, but I am deeply fond of you, TenTen, I love you so much… I may seem cold, distant and rude to everyone including you, but deep down, I don’t see a world without you. Every time we were separated from each other in missions, I could not fathom how much time I would have to wait before seeing you again… you were one of the few people who made me feel seen, not just for my talents as a ninja, but as a person. Everyone always has high expectations of me, but you made me feel whole… just being there for me. I feel so stupid because I always forced myself away from your affection. I felt like I did not deserve it.” He confessed as umber tresses covered the left side of his blushing yet saddened face. The silence of the area was impenetrable, so much that Neji could hear both of their heartbeats, his fluctuating rapidly and hers slightly increase every few seconds. She slowed down, walking at a more steady pace.
“Y-you really feel this way?” TenTen’s cheeks flushed pink, brushing her bangs with her fingers. Moving the hair covering Neji, she clipped it behind his ear. His white eyes darted away from meeting her gaze. Despite being blinded, he didn’t dare keep eye contact with her; he was afraid of what she was going to say.
“I-I love you too, Neji. I’m so sorry for taking my anger out on you.”
“You… like me back?” Neji mumbled. TenTen moved him up onto his feet in front of her, embracing a kiss on his lips. He returned it impulsively, their minds stopping for a brief moment. After, his legs gave out from weakness as TenTen fortunately caught him in time before he stumbled to his knees.
“Wow, you sure are sensitive.” She teased, repositioning Neji on her shoulder again.
“I am injured and weak, TenTen! L-Let’s just find Lee.” His voice trembled in embarrassment. Looking down, he noticed a trail of footprints.
“Look, there are footprints along this path. It must belong to Lee.”
“Thank God for that! if this place didnt have a sandy floor, I don’t know what I would’ve done. Plus, it’s not like you can use your byakugan anymore.” TenTen followed the trail of footprints left by Lee for a few minutes until it stopped at a grassy area nearby a lagoon.
“Okay, he must be here somewhere! But for now, you need to rest, Neji.” She put his body on top of a smooth slab of stone beside the lake, resting his head on her lap. Quietly, she began brushing Neji’s tangled hair with her fingers, letting the sounds of the trickling water and wind soothe him to sleep.