Soulcial Dreamers

As a shinobi Neji has been to hell and back more times then he could count. There weren't many things that actually scared him. But Tenten, more specifically the way she made him feel. He couldn't quite call it love in a romantic sense but it was special.  This relationship was built brick by brick. But eventually, either he’d be taken off the market, due to clan expectations or she’d find someone special. They were getting older, and things change- And that was okay. 

But he was prepared, one day out of the blue she asked him to officiate her wedding. According to her, it was something business related but she couldn’t get into details at the moment. But it needed to be fast, and discreet. This didn’t sit well with him but due to the look on her face. He couldn’t fight with her on this.  For her, he does it. 

“Am I allowed to ask whom?” 

“Yes, but it's not something I can talk about” 

“How soon? You can answer that surely” 

“Noon, a week from now at the hokage tower. I'll answer whatever questions to have later. Okay, but i have to go take care of something right now” 

The ceremony was small. Neji, Lady Tsunade and Shizune and Shikamaru as witnesses. The couple, Tenten and Kankuro of the sand. A sand sibling, this just gave him so many more questions.

“Kankuro of the sand, and Tenten of the leaf. I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bribe”

The kiss they shared burned into the back of his cranium. The way Kankuro hesitated, Tenten losing patience. Rather than wait, for him to awkwardly figure it out. She grabbed him by the collar and kissed him herself. 

As if, the universe couldn't miss a chance to taunt him. He's never seen her more radiant. He had to give her away. They're worked side by side with the Sand siblings a bunch of times. They had rapport with them.  He'd argue they were more than cordial. But body language was something else entirely.  The way Kankuro leaned into her personal space when she spoke.  The way tenten fingers brushed his fore arm to encourage him to talk.  They way both of their faces lit up when talking to each other. This whole thing was starting to feel too real.  

The went from the Tower to a meal at Tenten's house. At some point the other two siblings joined them.  The celebration stretched into more hours. Neji excused himself and stepped outside on her balcony. He learned that now it well past nightfall.

Three familiar silhouettes exited the building. Until that moment, he hadn't realized how quiet it had got on the insane. He was really drunk as shit. The balcony door behind him slid open.

“I was wondering where you went” shut the door behind her. “Thank you for today. Having you around is comforting, you know” 

“It was nothing,” he hesitated. “ would you mind filling me in now?” 

“Tsk tsk. So noisy”

The Hyuuga scowled 

“Can we maybe not right now? I'll fill you in tomorrow. I'm drunk if you haven't noticed. All i wanna do is sleep” 

Neji scowled deepens. “Tomorrow then” 

“ It's a promise” placed her hands in his shoulder. “I left blankets on the sofa. You're welcome to stay the night.  Its almost midnight. I'm going to bed” 

Neji watched her stumble inside. He was tired too, so he followed suit shortly after. 

Neji woke up, sleeping way past his normal wake up time. Stumbled into the bathroom and freshed up briefly. When I came out, I checked the time. It was a little past noon. 

He knocked on Tenten's bedroom door and waited for her to answer.  But he didn't hear anything.  She drank alot, he wanted to make sure she was safe. He activated his byukgan…too his dread she was gone 

Her room was ramstacked. Neji busted in room. Was met with an empty bed  and scorched bedsheets. With a rising Phoenix symbol etched into.

If you asked Tenten, out of her teammates who is most likely to fall in love first. She would have answered Lee. If you had asked Tenten, out of her teammates who was mostly likely to unknowingly catch feelings for a teammate. She would have argued- Neji. Never in a million years would she have guessed it would be her. 

It started as a slow thing.  Stolen glances.  Shared meals while on missions. Neji telling her things, she was sure he never told another.  In rare moments, while they trained, how he hovered near longer than what seemed necessary. She argued that it was only in her head but there was more to it.  They argued.  Lobby quip for quip.  The banter at times seemed almost flirtatious. But Tenten knew better. They weren't like that. She found that she needed to remind herself of that more and more these days.  But also more and more these days, Neji was doing the absolute most.  She hated him for it.  

She had loved him longer she'd like to admit. Though all the kind gestures and intimate moments they shared through the years. The thing that doomed her to this fate.  Was that he treated her as his equal. When he argued with her it was because she mattered.  He trusted her to pull her own weight and sang her praises.  That smirk he only ever delivered to her was the nail in the coffin. This truth was one she vowed to carry to her grave. Even so, the rest of her peers started families of their own. She was content just being in his atmosphere.  Until he admitted to liking someone in a round about way. 

Tenten didn't push for answers. Not because she didn't want to know but because she wanted to stay closer to him for a little longer. 

It started slowly, the wedge she put between them. The further she stepped away. The closer he seemed to get. Neither of them were subtle about it either.  

Uncle Hiashi had once again brought up the topic of Neji retiring from active duty. Coming to work within the clan full time. Balancing his career , alongside clan obligations, kept him busy, he just wasn't ready to give it up.  He loved being a Shinobi and the flexibility it afforded him. In terms of money but it also gave him free reign to come and go as he pleases.  But it also provides an excuse to be with the girl he loved. She had no idea. Even after, he outright told her. Neji had to make peace with her rejection. At least, that's what he told himself.  But watching her drift away was really hard.  She talked less, he asked more questions.  He requested her on missions, a situation where she couldn't ignore him. This started to take a toll on him. They sat back to back while on missions but emotionally this was the furthest they've ever been. The mere thought made him sick to his stomach. There was nothing he could do about it, that wouldn't make it worse.

After a bunch of probing, Neji shared some of his troubles with Lee. Never outright mentioning her name or anything that could really identify her. Lee somehow tricked him into agreeing to a date. A blind date. 

Rock was adamant about keeping it under wraps. He knew Neji well enough, to know how out of character this was of him. If he knew who Neji was trying to get over. Would he still be this gung ho about sending his heart away? Neji didn't think so.

But Lee did show him mercy. He scheduled a casual meet up at a local tea house. Which is comforting for Neji.  When Neji arrived, he was set up in a private little booth.  All that was left was for him to receive his date. 

Lee recommended buying flowers. Neji got  hydrangea. Lee said, don't wear his Shinobi uniform. Neji wore the most casual outfit he could manage. He still seemed a little over dressed for tea. Lastly, Lee demanded that he speak honestly and give this person a chance.  Neji agreed he'd be as personable as possible. 

The booth divider opened up and familiar buns popped into the view.  

“Hey Neji, what are you doing here? Lee didn't tell me you were coming” she sat down in the booth across from him. 

Neji lifted up the bouquet of flowers and handed them to her. 

Please Join Us for an Engagement Party honoring Ino and Sai on July 9th, 2026 at 6pm. 

Akimichi's 

3 Sejun Boulevard, Konohagakure Prefecture 

Neji sat at a table on the corners sipping on some non alcoholic drink they were serving. Today was supposed to be glorious day. Someone's who he cared about, was here to celebrate the next chapter of their life.   He was happy for Ino, he really was but reality of the situation left a bitter feeling in his stomach.  Leaving a slight burn in his chest. 

Out the corner of his eye. He watched as the happy couple posed for pictures.  The chitter chatter in the air around them.  There relationship  has been an on and off thing for decades. They split up,  go on with there lives but somehow they would always find there way back too each. Accept for this time Ino has found someone else.  They were really over, this was final nail on the coffin. 

Tenten has promised to accompany him so he wouldn't have to face his grief alone but her flight got pushed back several times this morning. He was pretty sure, that he'd be on this adventure solo. 

They group of people around Sai and Ino has finally scattered. He rose to feet, adjusted his suit jacket to center himself before going to address the couple.  He grabbed a flute of wine as the waitress walked. 

"Neji, I'm so glad you made. I thought I was going to have call and threaten you to make sure you came"  Ino as straight forward as ever.  "Neji, this is Sai. Sai meet Neji"

Both men exchanged pleasantries 

"I make a point to keep my promises"   

Looking around "Did you come alone?"  

"Unfortunately, my date cancelled last minute" 

" Neji-" ino was cut off by large man, with long brown hair asking her to come to the kitchen.  Too his relief Sai, excused him right after she left.  Neji drained down the wine flute.  

Before he could move. A pair of hands covered his eyes from behind him.

"This is not funny Ino" 

"Damn, I rent a car to drive all the way from Uziogakure. Just to find out my date is here thinking about another woman.  After all that devotion. This is how you treat me?" 

The scowled on his face, turn into Neji interpretation of a smirk.  Indicating that was both annoyed and amused at her presence.  

"How are you here? I thought your flight got cancelled" 

"It did.  But didn't you here me? I said I drove from Uziogakure. I got the feeling that you really needed me to be here. So here I am "  

Neji pulled Tenten closer.

"Its that bad huh. If you wanted, I could do something about it"  

Neji pulled her into back where he was sitting earlier. 

"Like what?" 

"I could  like set her business on fire. I know you wouldn't want that but its still on the table. Or I could like break them up for you" 

"TENTEN"

"You got woman olgging you all over this place. All you gotta do is just pick one"

"Tenten"

"OKAY OKAY. RELAX.  Its just a suggestion. I won't do anything you don't want.   So I take it, you've made your peace with all this.

Tenten was exhausted. She's been home for maybe 12 hours and she was tasked with another mission. Declining wasn't an option because her expertise was needed. According to the brief, there are three parts.

Objective one: Escort client and his small caravan back to there village.

Objective two: on arrival, appraisal of weapons and in preparation for exhibit being put together

Objective three: retrieve artifacts that are believed to be from Uziogakure and return home with them.

Simple enough, she's set to leave at dawn. At this point, she was just waiting for neji as she packed her bag.

Mission pack Check list:

1. First aid kit and meds

2. Rations

3. Trap wire

4. Seals

5. Clothes

Utility belt/ Pouch

1. Favorites Kunais

2. Seals

3. Sebons

4. Binoculars

5. Mini weapon scrolls (hanging off the belt)

The sound of her bedroom window sliding open. A flare of familiar chakra was pulsed out before Neji came climbing through her window.

"You got my shit"

He scowled at her. "It's nice to see you too. And of course, I have it. I got your message"

Neji handed her three scrolls.

"Ryu is as wild as ever. Are you sure he's really a ninken?"

"he just gets really excited when he sees you. He's not like that all the time'" she shoves the scrolls on her pack. "Do you think you can watch him for me until i get back? I shouldn't be gone very long" .

Neji crosses his arms pondering her question.

"I could always ask Sensei to watch him as last result. No telling what madness they'll get into together"

His exuberant Sensei and Tenten's wild ass puppy together unsupervised. Sounded like pure chaos.

"Just this one time. For the Mission"

Relief washed over her.

Day 7 : House warming

She said yes. Neji couldn't believe it. When he stumbled through her bedroom window a few months back. He hadn't intended to ask her, after the night he had, he just wanted to see her. But Tenten just had a way of pulling things out of him. 

He realized asking her to marry him was a big deal. Even if,  it was temporary.  So he gave her time. Everything after passed in blurr.  Neji was too wrapped in chaos too notice, but on the wedding night. After a conversation with Gai Sensei, Neji almost broke off the arrange. His mind playing back the conversation they had the night he had asked her.  

"One of these days. you're gonna walk in on something that you don't want to see" the brunette called from her bed" 

"You say that, as If I haven't seen most of you

<p>The brunette chucked one of her decorative pillows at him. But he caught it with ease.</p>

"It's not the same. Don't be an ass" she huffed. "What if I had someone over?"

Tenten had been talking to someone. Neji, hasn't the slightest clue who.  And when he asked, not, wanting to get in the way of something good for her.  Though deep down he knew he wanted this more then anything.  He'd do right by his best friend.   

One of things he remembered most about that night was how stunning she looked.  Her long eye lashes, to the rouge on her lips.   How tired she looked at the end of all of it. She did of that for him. This made neji love her even more. 

After all the fanfare,  they finally moved into there new house.  On the out shirts of the hyuuga compound.   

"Would you like to open our gifts? Or I could run you a bath?!" 

"Yeah, we could open them. Come sit"

Neji walked over, and flopped on sofa next to her.   Handed  her a nicely wrapped box with a gold ribbon wrapped around it. Tenten untied the bow slowly and unwrapped paper. She removed the box top. Then the tissue revealing matching cozy bathrobes. There was another box with matching bath slippers.

"Who was that from?" 

"Lee isn't the green a dead giveaway" 

He lightly laugh, when she playful bumped him. 

"i get to pick the next one"  she swapped the box, for an up opened on and set it on nejis lap.  It was his turn. 

He ripped the paper off and revealed a photo album.  On the cover in a familiar hand writing. 

To my precious students. May your spring time of you continue to burn brightly" neji flipped the cover open revealing a academy pictures of him and Tenten.  He flipped page and found more pictures.  Then it was them as genin and through our years. Up until the wedding service.

"If I didn't know any better.  I might think you actually liked me. You look so smitten."

Neii sided eye her. 

"Not to make things more awkward. I didn't think it was possible for you get even more pretty. Have you seen yourself?" She points to a blown up picture if him watch and smile at her.

The scowl that he gave her sent her into uncontrollable fit of laughter.  To the point of tears falling from her eyes.

"Just open the next present" 

Tenten picked up a basket. This one was Naruto and Hinata. It was filled with incense, body oils, palms, bath soaps and other items bathe and body products. 

"Here's the last one. You open its. Its from your uncle" tenten handed him a envelope. 

Neji opened the envelope.  Pulled out a note. 

""Congratulations on your wedding day.  Hizashi would be so proud. ""

Behind the card was intenary for a full spa vacation. 

Neji was at lost for words. With how arrogant he was at times. That was saying alot. But today gai sensei was on one. He, Lee and Tenten always bickered. At times, he even encouraged it. It wasn't lost on Neji , that during their genin days. They gave sensei hell. The wildest part about this whole things. Neji was now a grown ass man. A decorated war hero. Feared by many. But still, he knew not to play in Gai's face. Wheelchair or not. But Academy' duty was cruel.

As the giant rain drops pummeled over his head. He wonders between he and Tenten who was having the worst time. Him in his weapon collecting or tenten and her paperwork. Knowing Lee, he'd find enjoyment in whatever was in front of him. The green beast was most certainly having the time of his life.

"you know, that probably go a lot faster if you used your eyes"

"It would but Sensei would consider it cheating. And I've had enough of him today. Somehow he always knows"

Tenten couldn't help but smirk. He was right. Sensei could smell the truth a mile away. But that never stopped her from trying.

"So what if he finds out. We're shinobi. As long as the job gets done. The means doesn't really matter. Besides you can reason it's more efficient"

She circles around him plucking whatever weapons she can find. The look on his face said he'd pass

"how were you able finish up so fast"

"I didn't"

"Tenten"

"Don't give me that Hyuuga. I'm starving. Sensei woke me up at an ungodly hour and I haven't eaten since yesterday. So just a quick bite and I'll go finish up. Do you wanna go grab something with me. It'll be like old times"

She dropped more kunai in the bucket just as he did.

"One of us might be able to sneak under the radar but someone will notice if both of us go."

She rolled her eyes

"I left a clone. They're not going too" not liking the smug look he gave her. "Fine, I'll place an order at Warriors and just go pick it up. Do you want something? They got your favorite. This feels just like old times. "'

Sometimes past midnight, Tenten exits the Hokage Tower. To her surprised, she was greeted by Neji. She hasn't seen him in months. Mission after Mission, they moved around each other like a revolving door. If his pristine flak jacket was any indication, he may be on his way out again. Instead of heading home to shower and sleep. She found herself in Team Nine's favorite training ground,and before Neji asked her accompany him somewhere else.

He wrapped ribbon across her eyes and tugged her behind him. His body heat creeps through her hands and spreading through out her body. When she asked where she was going, even after getting no answer, she never faltered. The weapons mistress didn't have a habit of welding to anybody, but when it came to Neji Hyuuga, he was the exception. They shared scars, trenches, and saw far more of each other than was normal for teammates. If he shielded her, at at lowest, she experienced his mind at it barest. For most people, this seem like big deal, but for them, it was just regular.

If you asked Tenten, when was a time she felt closest to him. A moment that felt the most intimate. Her answer was simple. It was when he shared his onigiri. Tenten knew he was hungry but broke it in half and gave her some anyway. To this day, she never forgot it. To most people, maybe it wouldn't seem like a big deal, but to her, it meant everyhing.

After walking for what felt like forever. Neji pulls the cloth from her eyes and reveals a giant waterfall.

"Where are we?"

Neji folded his arms across his chest. A pleases smirk took over his features before answer.

" Inside a cave on the outskirts of town. I found it while looking for Hanabi a few weeks ago"

"My muscles are killing me. Wanna take a dip?"

Of course she does.

It's my 12 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

Amplify this. Can anyone help?