weapons mistress

i am seven

and my reply is

pink

because i am a girl

and pink

is a princess color.

i am asked about my favorite color.

i am ten

and i like

green

because a boy told me that pink

is lame and girly.

i am asked about my favorite color.

i am thirteen

and i tell them

purple

it is unique and spunky

like i want to be.

i am asked about my favorite color.

i am seventeen

and i just say

red

i do not say

it is bright and angry at the world

as i am

i cannot form the words to express

all of my frustrations

so i paint my lips with

rage.

i am asked about my favorite color.

i am twenty

and it’s pink

i remember the joy

of being a child

i reclaim the freedom

of femininity

because i cannot remember

what my shoulders felt like

before the depression

hung from them.

i am asked about my favorite color.

i am twenty-six

and my answer is

brown

it confuses most people

they don’t see it

they may think of dirt

and dust

and dead things

but it is coffee with friends

and the chocolate chip cookies

my mom used to make.

it is my hair

and my eyes

amber and gold

in the sun

and i love myself

Tenten watched their surroundings with interest and satisfied curiousity. She had always wondered how Neji’s home looked like, how it’d feel to get a more intimate perspective of his being, of who he was as a person. So far, both outsides — his and his house’s — were a perfect mirror.

Not a single hair was out of place.

It made her feel — for a brief moment — self-conscious of her own living space. She had always been a little more chaotic, to say the least. “But going to bed is no fun if you don’t join me, Neji.” she teased as she walked past him, stopping just short of stepping foot inside so, they could face other.

If he planned on making her days boring, she’d find some way to make them interesting. Childish of her, perhaps, but she clearly remembered him doing the same thing while stuck in a similar ‘injured patient’ position.

“Now that you mentioned lunch…” Tenten trailed off after her stomach chose to betray her. “I wouldn’t be opposed to sesame dumplings.” It was her favorite food, after all. Neji was an amazing cook and not just out of necessity, either. Or a desire to please and impress her.

She was already impressed, anyhow.

“I can rest with you once you’ve settled in” he answered, not letting her teasing get to him.  She was injured; there would be no intimate activities, unless one counted allowing her to snuggle close as she slept.  There was far too much a risk of hurting her and he wouldn’t risk it.  He fully anticipated being the recipient of some pouting, but that was alright.  He would endure her behavior.

Leaning down, he gave her the smallest of kisses.  Then you may have dumplings.  I should have the ingredients still.”  Gently touching her cheek, he looked down into her eyes.  “Allow me to settle you into bed and then I will cook for you,” he assured her before withdrawing his hand.  Even if the doctors said she would be perfectly fine with rest, he still felt uneasy and would not be calm until she was safe in bed, if only to protect her from her own exertion.

There was little he wouldn't do for her, she knew. The failed mission had probably scared him...

After following Neji's lead, Tenten took in the sight of his bedroom. Everything was put together, no surprise there. The soft blue colour, however, caused an eyebrow to raise in quiet contemplation. She briefly wondered how would he look like, wearing said shade. The bun-haired kunoichi stored that thought away for later before turning around to face him.

Sweets were tempting, they really were. Neji was spoiling her...or bribing her. Knowing him, probably both.

"And if I were to misbehave..." she trailed off, one hand on his chest. "...what would you do then? No more mochi for me?"

These may have been edited for clarity or length or to better apply for roleplaying.

❛ For crying out loud, what you still doing in bed? ❜

❛ You’re gonna miss breakfast. ❜

❛ You’re making me nervous. ❜

❛ Where are you going? ❜

❛ I seem to have caught a cold. ❜

❛ Are you sure you wanna do this? ❜

❛ Is something wrong? ❜

❛ It’s foolish to run the risk of going mad for vanity’s sake. ❜

❛ Anger’s a potent spice. A pinch wakes you up. Too much dulls your senses. ❜

❛ I’m sorry. ❜

❛ Is that whiskey? ❜

❛ The strongest person is the person who isn’t scared to be alone. ❜

❛ Before you know it you’re pouring your life out in search of something other people told you to go look for. ❜

❛ You need to figure out how to take care of yourself. ❜

❛ I wanted to give condolences. ❜

❛ You think I’m a prima donna, don’t you? ❜

❛ You’re stubborn, so you get mad. When that happens, you can only see what’s in front of you. ❜

❛ I have taught you everything I know. ❜

❛ Be careful. ❜

❛ I felt like a fool. ❜

❛ Are you trying to psych me out? ❜

❛ You always drink this much? ❜

❛ If you keep doing this, you’re gonna end up washed up by the time you’re 21. ❜

❛ I like your hair. ❜

❛ Are you serious? ❜

❛ I should probably sleep. ❜

❛ You make me sick. ❜

❛ You are very beautiful. ❜

❛ Have you ever been in love? ❜

❛ I need to be alone. ❜

❛ You shouldn’t be by yourself. You know what happens. ❜

❛ I don’t know what I’m doing. ❜

❛ Pathetic, well… I’m looking at pathetic. ❜

❛ How are you? ❜

❛ Are you okay? ❜

❛ I’m worried about you. ❜

❛ Well, what are you doing here? ❜

❛ I told you to leave me alone! ❜

❛ Who the hell are you? ❜

❛ If you weren’t here, I’d probably have a bottle of wine now. ❜

❛ You’ve been the best at what you do for so long, you don’t even know what it’s like for the rest of us. ❜

❛ You are out of your fucking mind. ❜

❛ You’re like my guardian angel. ❜

❛ I’m not here to save you. Hell, I can barely save me. ❜

❛ I’m here because you need me to be here. ❜

“You do not have to thank me.  I’ve brought you here out of my selfish desire to save you from yourself,” he assured her, keeping their stopping overly brief.  As comfortable with her as he was, she didn’t belong and would stick out like a sore thumb if she lingered.  It was best t keep her inside where she’d be comfortable with only him around.

He brought her down the long winding baths of the compound’s grounds, passed the training area and other houses, to a less populous area with only few buildings.  They were on the edge of the compound as his little house came into sight near a grove of trees and a bond which held some swimming ducks.  “I moved in here not long before the war.  It is isolated and quiet,” he explained as they approached.  

He led her around the front of the building and through the front door, his home small yet every bit as immaculate as the rest of the compound.  The entryway was sparsely decorated, the same neutral tones and minimalist energy which permeated Neji’s appearance, but it was home.   He felt comfortable here in his quiet world, away from all that could force him into the rigid position of the rest of his life.  He could let his guard down, but now she was here, invading his space, though he’d allowed it.  Part of him wondered if he’d made a mistake.  

Not a single hair was out of place.

It made her feel — for a brief moment — self-conscious of her own living space. She had always been a little more chaotic, to say the least. "But going to bed is no fun if you don't join me, Neji." she teased as she walked past him, stopping just short of stepping foot inside so, they could face other.

If he planned on making her days boring, she'd find some way to make them interesting. Childish of her, perhaps, but she clearly remembered him doing the same thing while stuck in a similar 'injured patient' position.

"Now that you mentioned lunch..." Tenten trailed off after her stomach chose to betray her. "I wouldn't be opposed to sesame dumplings." It was her favorite food, after all. Neji was an amazing cook and not just out of necessity, either. Or a desire to please and impress her.

hurt      /      comfort      prompts                       |              accepting @dragonheartedx​         said         : “   you  always  meant  the  world  to  me .   i’m  sorry  i  let  you  forget  that .   ” (hello ^^)

lee  forgot  many  things  over  the  past  three  months  .         it  almost  seemed  like  a  different  life  now  .            abuse         &&         neglect  clouded  his  eyes  ;     he  didn’t  see  her  .             she  wasn’t  like  neji  ,  was  she      ??          neji  left  from  the  first  glance  laid  upon  matatabi  sealed  in  him  .                                 this    monster    will    kill    us    all                          ,  how  the  hyuga  looked  at  HIM  when  he  said  that  .     how  it  felt  like  a  row  of  knives  to  his  back  .

lee  didn’t  want  to  feel  that  pain  again  ,  all  these  hateful  stares  rendered  his  trust  crippled         &&         broken  .      his  heart  bruised  ;  BLEEDING  .            and  suddenly  he  didn’t  remember  the  fun  time  they  had  ,  only  the  belittling  .         every  time  she  told  him  to  GIVE  UP  ,  to  not  challenge  neji  anymore  because  it  was  useless  .        and  all  these  well  intentions  .       she  still  spat  in  his  face  .       a  mental  slap  for  himself  ,  how  dare  he  think  of  her  like  that  .       that  was  TENTEN  ,  the  closest  thing  to  an  elder  sister  he  had  .             just  what  kind  of  person  was  he  .           what  obscure  version  of  himself  had  he  become  .                                                                       you    are    a    good    person    ,    who    was    befallen    by    pain    .                                                      he  heard  matatabi’s  motherly  voice  within  his  being  .          her  words  seemed  so  warm         &&         true  .        yet  lee  found  himself  unable  to  believe  them  .        a  part  of  him  was  not  convinced  .            and  onyx  eyes  lowered  ,  he  tried  his  best  to  smile  for  her  .                                                                ❛             it    is    okay    .   .   .                may    i    be    alone    for    a    moment    ??             ❜

lee wasn't like her or neji. he didn't get better by himself. no. by himself, he shrank, got lost and ran the risk of becoming something less than what she silently admired him for.

"i left when you needed me most, lee." she spoke, voice tinged with deep regret. "it's not okay, you hear me?" tenten grasped his shoulder so, he'd face her. "it's not. it wasn't then and it's not okay now. don't pretend that it is." she spoke firmly but with a gentle edge.

she hoped he could see just how sorry she was. but apologizes were, of course, not enough.

"i thought it best to give you some time to adjust, to process everything when in fact, all you needed were your friends, your teammates close." neji was much too prideful to come forward and do what she was doing.

tenten had no such reservations and a tad more humility, however.

Lately, Tenten had found herself thinking about the past more than usual and before she knew it, her feet had carried her to one particularly important place:

The Ninja Academy.

While cramped inside a classroom, surrounded by young, naive children whose dreams mirrored her own, becoming a ninja had felt like some sort of very distant future; a prize. Something to hope for and live for, something to be earned. Something Tenten would get only if she deserved it, only if she worked hard enough, only if she wanted it with her entire being.

Those days were long behind her now, but she did miss them. Things used to be easier back then and though she had grown-up an orphan, seeing the ugliest parts of the world while very young…

It still felt as though she had lost something. As though she had to trade becoming a shinobi for some equally treasurable belonging.

“You don’t need to call me ‘senpai’, Sakura.” Tenten shook her head. She wasn’t a big fan of honorifics, not unless the person in question deserved them. “We are both chunin, ne?”

What did it matter if she was one year older? She had met plenty of men twice her age who she wouldn’t even trust with a sword, much less with her life.

Tenten’s lips twitched upwards. “You were busy admiring Sasuke and I was busy admiring Neji. We had just discovered that boys could be more than walking headaches.” she gave her a meaningful look. “In a few years or so, it will be the other way around. Just you wait.” she winked.

She knew how much the former’s absence hurt the pinkette. Hopefully, her words helped cheer her up a little.

Sometimes, she couldn’t help but feel a little… privileged compared to her peers. Unlike them, neither of her parents pushed back or for any choice she made, choosing to support her by wide margins–such as when they supported her when she wanted to become a kunoichi.

In school, this place summoning so many memories, Sakura had excelled at the basics. She took tests easily, could memorize the myriad shinobi rules, master all of the basic ninjutsu they were taught to learn… but she’d floundered after that.

Once they’d graduated and had been placed into teams, it was apparent to Sakura just how outclassed she really was when compared to other shinobi. But, like the day she’d shown tremendous grit against Team Dozu despite those shortcomings, she’d sensed something change in herself. That she wasn’t so useless, that she could protect her comrades enough that they could one day see her back. 

It was nice knowing she’d been able to get where she was without having to belong to any one clan, or have some innate gift or kekkei genkai like Naruto and Sasuke had. 

At the mention of him. Sakura’s visage softened visibly. “Hm, alright then. So, Tenten-chan it is?” Sakura simpered with a hopeful smile, glad to have surmounted past formalities. She wondered if Tenten felt the same about being referred to by them as Sakura sometimes did. 

“Sasuke-kun, he…” Sakura started, though the words died on her tongue. How could she talk about what she’d seen years ago?

She didn't know much about Sasuke or specifically cared for his return. But alas, Sakura and Naruto needed him like they needed a third limb. And Tenten could understand that.

"No need to say sorry, Saku-chan. Talk if it makes you feel better." she pushed away a rebellious strand of brown hair from falling into her eye before brown hues widened a fraction.

She, she was incredible?

More like the other way around.

Tenten laughed nervously, scratching the back of her neck. "Thank you, but I pale in comparison to your strength and healing abilities, Sakura-chan. I envy you a little, truth be told." she admitted and leaned her back against a nearby tree.

Hearing Kakashi vouch for Gai-sensei’s positive state of mind helped lull some of her anxieties to sleep. She didn’t know much about the silver-haired man in front of her; half mystery, half legend, but she could tell he truly meant what he had said.

The war had robbed many people off their loved ones, had even robbed them off things they used to take for granted, such as body parts or, in Lord Rokudaime’s case, the Sharingan he was so well known for.

She wondered whether he missed having it, but was sensible enough not to pry.

“Gai-sensei holds you in high regard, though you must already be aware of that.” Tenten paused, lips twitching upwards into a small, grateful smile. “Thank you.”

Sensing the sudden change in atmosphere, one that she personally blamed herself for, the bun-haired kunoichi decided to change the subject. It was as though a light bulb had just been switched on when she recalled the book Konoha’s leader was carrying with him.

“I am an avid reader myself.” Tenten informed him proudly. “Though I never gave that one a try.” she paused, suddenly very curious. “What is it about?”

She wanted to know whether the Icha Icha series was just porn without plot or something more. Granted, perhaps it wasn’t the best change of subject that she could have come up with, but she’d be killing two birds with one stone.

If that book was the reason behind Kakashi’s cheerful mode, surely talking about it would help bring it back.

Right?

Knowing that Gai wanted to seem strong, almost impossibly strong, for his students, no matter how adult they were now, Kakashi didn’t want to reveal too much about his friend’s daily struggles and trials. Besides, it wasn’t useful to be negative about Gai’s prospect, especially when Gai himself didn’t remain that way. It was good to be hopeful, and it was good to help Tenten be hopeful, too. Kakashi certain could empathize with the people who had lost something during the war, though Gai had lost something much greater than he had.

Truthfully, sometimes he wondered whether he was fit to be Hokage, knowing he wasn’t as strong as he would be were he still in possession of the Sharingan. Knowing his students had surpassed him and could defend the village much better than he could. But–he took comfort in knowing he could still defend the village quite well (and also Naruto wasn’t really ready, at this point). That, and, as was true for him as well as for Gai, there would always be obstacles to overcome, some were just… a little bit harder than others.

He gave Tenten a slight incline of the head at the compliment, about her sensei holding him in high regard. “Thank you,” he said, a slight smile on his lips.

An eyebrow raised, though, when she abruptly changed the subject. “Oh?” he said. “What do you like to read?”

Because of course…. once he started talking about Jiraiya’s books….

“This is a collector’s edition of Icha Icha Paradise…!  Which of course I have memorized, but it’s a collector’s edition! Look–” He held it out to her, showing her the leather-bound cover, with an embossed script on its spine and on the front, and a glossy image depicting the classic man chasing a woman… but fancier. 

“It’s about a man and a woman dating, finding love, and exploring what’s it’s like to find happiness in the arms of another,” he said, taking the book back after she had looked at it, opening it and flipping through the pages. “I–” He stopped short, suddenly a little solemn.

When Lord Rokudaime started gushing about the Icha Icha series, Tenten's eyes widened a bit but surprise soon gave way to interest, mentally panting herself on the back for managing to return his cheerful mood. She observed the cover, taken by the intricate details on it.

The air shifted again, however and the silence which followed Kakashi's words, silence she understood the meaning of and dared not to disturb, was respectful. An unspoken agreement between them, to honour one of Konoha's best shinobi. But to the masked Hokage, Tenten knew Jirayia-sama meant more than 'legend' and 'fellow soldier.'

She wondered, privately, if carrying around and reading said book was more habit than anything else. A way of feeling closer to the past.

"When I was little..." Tenten began gently. "I liked to think deceased authors could feel whenever their books were being read. That the book itself allowed for such a connection."

When Lee received an invitation to Sakura’s wedding, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Not that he doubted that a beautiful young woman like Sakura could get married, but he hoped that Sakura would marry him. Yes, she didn’t agree to go on dates with him, but Lee was stubborn. But … that’s it.

Lee hugged Ten-Ten back, feeling completely upset. Why Uchiha? After all that happened many years ago, Sakura should have realized that Sasuke Uchiha is not the best candidate for a woman dreaming of a family. And Lee had never seen Sasuke take an interest in her as a woman. Since he left Konoha, he has very rarely returned. Was that okay with Sakura? Is this the type of relationship she likes? If so, Lee had to come to terms with it.

He deserved more, really. And as for Sakura and Sasuke...

Only time could tell what kind of marriage the two of them would shape and build together. Tenten wished them happiness. She closed the two matching envelopes, hers and Lee, before tucking them into one of her scrolls. "That's the spirit!" she exclaimed with a bright, encouraging smile.

Relief flooded her, now certain Lee wouldn't pine and wait for Sakura.

A long suffering sigh escaped her.

“There is no convincing you of the opposite, is there?” it was, of course, a rethorical question. She knew she didn’t have much say in the matter. They had like an unspoken agreement of sorts. Whenever one of them suffered injures, regardless of their severity, the other took it upon themselves to care for them…with or without the injured one’s approval.

Tenten couldn’t fault Neji for something she herself was responsible of doing.

She blushed before deciding to return the favour and tease him in return.

“You know what? I think you are right. I can’t wait to read all the love letters you must have hidden somewhere and…” she joked lightly. “…try your bed.” the bun-haired kunoichi gave her boyfriend a meaningful look, drawing small circles with her fingertips on top of his hand before looking up to meet his eyes.

“Can you kiss me again?”

It was a side effect of the calming drug. Or perhaps the reality of her almost death had finally kicked in. Whatever it was, Tenten felt oddly vulnerable and she didn’t like it, not one bit. She also didn’t want to fall asleep, knowing she had plenty of food for nightmares now.

And suddenly, the two of them sharing space for awhile didn’t sound like such a bad idea anymore.

“No, I have already decided,” he agreed with a little nod.  Though he was quiet, Neji was just as stubborn as the rest of his team.  There was no changing his mind once he had decided, particularly when it came to her well being.  But he did feel for her in his distress and resolved to make her comfortable when she was staying with him.

Hearing the mention of finding his hidden letters, he averted his eyes.  “I would not call them love letters, exactly,” he responded quietly.  Not having guests over often, the letters in question were sitting out in a little box on top of his desk in his study.  He’d have to make sure to remove them before she managed to poke around and read the ones written to her or even others.  It was a can of worms the Hyuuga didn’t want to open just yet, though she’d likely find out some day.  “But you may rest in my bed as much as you like.  My study also has a futon that you may find comfortable to lounge on during the day.  I like to do my reading in there.”

Fighting enemy-nin was easier than facing Neji's prick of an uncle, however. Tenten had seen the resemblance between the two, small as it might have been. Her boyfriend had that same intimidating aura about him. The only difference was that she had gotten used to Neji's over the years.

Okay, maybe it still affected her when he got that intense look in his eye and gazed at her after a particularly challenging training session or just before he planned on charming the pants off her, literally.

Anyway, their exchange with Hiashi was brief and smooth—thank Kami—yet she still felt nervous about the entire situation. Tenten was only half uncomfortable, the other half was busy being excited and taking in their surroundings. She had suspected the Hyuuga clan campound to be huge. She just didn't think it'd stretch to such an extent.

Everything and everyone looked put together. The bun-haired kunoichi was certain even dust stuck itself to the ceiling like glue, out of fear and respect for the people inhabiting this place. No wonder Neji always behaved like a proper aristrocrat. His disdain for...improper conduct, emotional outbursts and anything straying from 'composed' wasn't that surprising, either.

Tenten placed a hand on his shoulder once they had stopped walking, the barest sign of affection that she could get away with while being outside, where his clan members could see them.

"Thank you." she broke the silence, looking up to meet his eyes in order to let him know that suddenly, she understood.

She understood what this was, what it meant. That letting her stay with him was so much more than just looking out for her injured self. He was allowing free passage into his soul. Neji trusted her with his past, with his traumatic childhood, with all that came with being a Hyuuga, good and bad.

3月9日/ Tenten生日快乐

艺术家：面瘫奶奶

“We try to give each other privacy.  No one peeks into another’s property without good reason.  It’s something we are taught from a young age. Now, you will not  harm anyone and I will not get in trouble.  As I said, I will handle my family.  I will tell them that I’m merely caring for you medically as you are unable to care for yourself.  Believe me, my actions are not heavily monitored.  Uncle reserves that honor for his daughters,” he reassured her.  He wouldn’t be insisting if he wasn’t sure it would be alright.  His little home was off in a far corner of the compound, nowhere near the main house.  After he initially brought her in, everyone would surely forget her presence.  

He allowed her to take his hand, silently agreeing that it wouldn’t be strange for her to hold it.  “Do you not wish to see my bedroom?  I seem to recall you finding the mystery of my home life fascinating when we were younger.  You will finally see all of my secrets,” he teased gently, trying to incite her curiosity and distract her mind.  He’d noticed that she seemed less distressed when discussing spending time with him, a small blessing considering how upset she’d been when the medics had visited earlier, or so he’d been told.   

"There is no convincing you of the opposite, is there?" it was, of course, a rethorical question. She knew she didn't have much say in the matter. They had like an unspoken agreement of sorts. Whenever one of them suffered injures, regardless of their severity, the other took it upon themselves to care for them...with or without the injured one's approval.

Tenten couldn't fault Neji for something she herself was responsible of doing.

She blushed before deciding to return the favour and tease him in return.

"You know what? I think you are right. I can't wait to read all the love letters you must have hidden somewhere and..." she joked lightly. "...try your bed." the bun-haired kunoichi gave her boyfriend a meaningful look, drawing small circles with her fingertips on top of his hand before looking up to meet his eyes.

"Can you kiss me again?"

It was a side effect of the calming drug. Or perhaps the reality of her almost death had finally kicked in. Whatever it was, Tenten felt oddly vulnerable and she didn't like it, not one bit. She also didn't want to fall asleep, knowing she had plenty of food for nightmares now.

“Hm? Oh, Tenten-senpai, I didn’t think I’d find you here.”

Already it had been over a year since Naruto and Sasuke had left the village for different reasons, and in the time since, she and nearly every other person in the unofficially named ‘Konoha 11′ had become Chuunin. Well… sans Naruto after he’d left for training, but Sakura couldn’t help but feel so drastically different from the year before when she’d still been that bud really blooming in earnest. And of those people, that they’d done it in the brutality of the Land of Wind had been something else, in Sunagakure considering their tense history from just a year before. The heat had ripened to a robust summer, the sun beating powerfully upon them in the verdant, humid air that seemed hotter by the hour. Not that Sakura minded much, even though part of her wondered after the brunette. Hell, she couldn’t remember if they’d spoken much before. 

The Ninja Academy.

While cramped inside a classroom, surrounded by young, naive children whose dreams mirrored her own, becoming a ninja had felt like some sort of very distant future; a prize. Something to hope for and live for, something to be earned. Something Tenten would get only if she deserved it, only if she worked hard enough, only if she wanted it with her entire being.

Those days were long behind her now, but she did miss them. Things used to be easier back then and though she had grown-up an orphan, seeing the ugliest parts of the world while very young...

It still felt as though she had lost something. As though she had to trade becoming a shinobi for some equally treasurable belonging.

"You don't need to call me 'senpai', Sakura." Tenten shook her head. She wasn't a big fan of honorifics, not unless the person in question deserved them. "We are both chunin, ne?"

What did it matter if she was one year older? She had met plenty of men twice her age who she wouldn't even trust with a sword, much less with her life.

Tenten's lips twitched upwards. "You were busy admiring Sasuke and I was busy admiring Neji. We had just discovered that boys could be more than walking headaches." she gave her a meaningful look. "In a few years or so, it will be the other way around. Just you wait." she winked.

She knew how much the former's absence hurt the pinkette. Hopefully, her words helped cheer her up a little.

She was still busy looking at what seemed to be the newest edition of Konoha’s leader choice of reading material when he answered her. Lord Hokage’s cheerful tone was successful in making her shift focus elsewhere.

Tenten had a sneaking suspicion that was exactly his intention.

“Gai-sensei surely doesn’t waste any time, does he?” she murmured, one half of her embarrassed, the other half fond. She wasn’t bad at reading people, but even she knew Konoha’s most youthful taijutsu user had a nearly perfect social mask. Gai-sensei never let her or Lee see just how badly the loss of his legs and by extension of what he prided himself with, had affected him.

In that sense, Kakashi Hatake’s analytical self and years of shared friendship, of rivarly…weighed heavier than any input she, or anyone else really, could give on the matter.

And maybe, Tenten didn’t give Gai-sensei enough credit. Maybe she worried too much.

Surprised by the question, dark brown eyes widened slightly before replying:

“Something like that.” a pause. “Please don’t tell him I said so.” she added for good meassure.

Tenten would never be able to live it down. Gai-sensei’s enthusiasm was hard enough to subdue as it was. Also, perhaps more surprising than Lord Sixth striking up conversation with her…was the sight of his smile.

Privately, she thought he should smile more often…and then she mentally cursed her blush for deepening.

“How is he, really?” Tenten rushed to ask, both because she wanted to know and as a way to shift the attention away from herself.

Kakashi could see her eyes focused on the book in his hand, and he thought maybe it was making her uncomfortable. Which was why his cheerful voice tried to shift her attention to his questions. He chuckled lightly at her mention of Gai not wasting any time. “That he does not,” he remarked.

Though battle with Madara had had resulted in the loss of his leg, Kakashi knew his eternal rival–and closest friend–was still a capable shinobi. And Kakashi was confident that if anyone could become stronger and more youthful, it was his friend. And the copy ninja certainly wasn’t going to count Gai out now, nor turn down his challenges.

He laughed outright though, as Tenten asked him not to tell Gai that she was trying to, in a way, be more like him. And Kakashi understood, because he knew exactly what would happen if he did. The enthusiastic shouting, the gesturing, the presentation of a green jumpsuit made especially for Tenten….

She was blushing, which he didn’t quite understand, except possibly she was still distracted by the book or the thoughts of her sensei offering her the atrocious green jumpsuit. He took a moment to try to figure this out, so he was somewhat confused who they were talking about when she asked how he was–especially because, wouldn’t Tenten know?

Then again, this was Gai they were talking about; though he had a mask of youth and cheer, behind it was, well, the pain of having part of your life’s work and purpose taken away.

The war had robbed many people off their loved ones, had even robbed them off things they used to take for granted, such as body parts or, in Lord Rokudaime's case, the Sharingan he was so well known for.

She wondered whether he missed having it, but was sensible enough not to pry.

"Gai-sensei holds you in high regard, though you must already be aware of that." Tenten paused, lips twitching upwards into a small, grateful smile. "Thank you."

Sensing the sudden change in atmosphere, one that she personally blamed herself for, the bun-haired kunoichi decided to change the subject. It was as though a light bulb had just been switched on when she recalled the book Konoha's leader was carrying with him.

"I am an avid reader myself." Tenten informed him proudly. "Though I never gave that one a try." she paused, suddenly very curious. "What is it about?"

She wanted to know whether the Icha Icha series was just porn without plot or something more. Granted, perhaps it wasn't the best change of subject that she could have come up with, but she'd be killing two birds with one stone.

If that book was the reason behind Kakashi's cheerful mode, surely talking about it would help bring it back.

Right?