Soulcial Dreamers

Neji pulled his cellphone out of his pocket. He needed a lifeline and he hoped Tenten would help him 

Sakura’s friend came into town. And today is the only time she'll be able to see him. I haven't seen much of her lately due to her grueling work schedule. I didn't want to cancel tonight's plans. Would you be up for a double date? 

-N. 

Tenten is typing……

I don't know. 

Neji is typing…..

It's nothing extravagant. Just dinner, drinks and some games. 

Neji continues typing…..

I’ll owe you a favorite. Anything you want- within reason. What do you think?

Tenten is typing….

Deal. If this backfires. I won't ever let you live this down lover boy.  What time should I be there? 

Neji one last text message with the details before putting his phone away. 

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

Tenten arrived at Neji's lavish apartment around 8pm. Neji’s fiancee Sakura and her dark haired were already there. Tenten good see Sakura in the kitchen and her guest sitting in the living room. 

“I’m Tenten, and you are?” 

“Sasuke” he hesitantly accepted her hand. 

“How long have you known Sakura” 

“Since middle school” 

Tenten sat on the love seat across from him. He looked up from his phone and made eye contact. 

“What do you do for a living?”  He asked, and the message he received from Sakura made it clear that he should be personable.

“I'm a mechanic. I work on airplanes mostly but on occasion cars too. How about you?” 

“I’m an electrical engineer”

“So you're good looking and smart. Damn, you must be really popular back home” she leaned in a bit close. Realizing maybe she said too much based on the look she gave him in response.  She cleared her throat and pushed back the embarrassment.  Apparently something shifted in him. Now he looks interested. “At least I’m assuming”

“I suppose you're right” If the arched brow on her face was any indication. She hasn't expected an answer “If I can be a little honest too. When Hyuuga said he had a friend. I wasn’t expecting anyone like you either.  I was expecting more along the lines of a girl version of him” 

She laughed at that. Tenten and Neji got along so well because they were both pragmatic.  To some extent he was right in the ways that matter.  

“I guess I should take that as a compliment” 

“it was” Sasuke stood up and joined her on the love seat. “Can I ask you a personal question?” 

“Yes, but i can't promise i’ll answer though “ 

“What do you think of those two?” 

•°•°°•°•°°•°°°

“You think it's okay to leave them alone for so long” Neji asked, pulling the appetizers he heated up in the oven out.  

Sakura sat on the island in his kitchen. 

“They’ll be fine Neji. Is there anything I can help with?”  

“No, I got it” he looked through the kitchen window and saw them sitting together. He looked from them over to Sakura. 

She stood up to see what he was looking at. An amused smile landed on her face.

“They're getting along fine. I told you there's nothing to worry about” she affectionately rubbed him on his back. The tension in his body oozed off. 

“Let's just go have fun”  

Neji and Sakura grabbed some refreshments and brought them into the living room.  

“Tenten, can you get the ice cooler off the balcony for me? ”  

“Yeah, no problem” she stood up and walked over to the sliding door. She pulled the cooler through the door frame.  “You want me unpack the ice and load it too” 

“If you don't mind” 

Neji turned around and headed back into the kitchen to get the rest of the stuff. He saw Sasuke walking over to help her. They loaded the cooler together and moved it near the refreshment table.  He looked over at Sakura and she looked pleased.  He realized she sent him to do that. 

“Lee said he's not coming,” Tenten shouted across the room. “Too bad. He'd have  really liked to meet Sasuke. But… having.. to deal with all three of us at once” she looked at Sasuke “ count yourself lucky” 

“I don't doubt it”  

Sensing the hole she was slowly digging herself into. She shifted her attention to Sakura.  Who had been watching them the whole time. 

“So Sakura, how has the hospital been treating you?” 

“Busy, you have no idea. How about you? I haven't seen you since l our engagement party” 

“I've been traveling a lot for work.  I’m flying back out to Otogakure in a few days unfortunately. So let's have a good time” 

“Otogakure? That's where Sasuke lives” 

“Really?”

“Yeah, there was a job offer out there that I just couldn't turn down. But I come home a few times a year”  

Neji sat beside Sakura and pulled out a deck of hanafuda cards. “Higobana?” 

Neji shuffled the deck. And started dealing cards out. 

“Teams? If so, I got dibs on Neji”  

“Fine. Next round we'll switch” 

I also have a question, how did tenten and sasuke start getting along? or more likely what's the reason behind it

I'm not sure I have a good answer for your questions but I'll see if i can deliver. Thanks for picking my brain.

Jealous Neji Head canon: Hizashi's death changed Neji. He went from being a kind/happy kid into a bitter and angry one. Distrust for his family made him distanced. Before Team Gai, Neji didn't really have anybody. The bonds he has with them mean a lot more than he would like to admit. The potential of losing that scares him more than anything else. Including losing his own life. He's reactive when that happens. To point where he might not even realize he's doing it.

Tenten and Neji are best friends. He'd do almost anything for her. While their relationship is platonic, he also isn't turned off by the idea of it being more. Because they've been close for so long. Maybe the lines get crossed at times. And Tenten has to deal with a shift in attitude.

ell rang, front door to her shop swung open.

“We’re closed for renovations. You'll have to come back around time”

The brunette exited her back room and to her surprise she found Neji. 

“Oh, it's you. I thought l was gonna have to force someone out. What do I owe this visit” she brushes her hands on hand on a cloth that she pulled out of her back pocket. 

“I need a date for family gatherings. Would you accompany me?” 

“A pipe in the back room busted.  I'm kind of in over my head right now”’

Her stained uniform was all the experience she needed. 

“As my wife, you are expected to be there” Neji, catching the boxes of inventory she already started moving out.  Stacking all over the sales floor.  He rolled up his sleeves. “ How can I help?” 

Tenten ran her fingers through her hair. “I need to get the rest of the boxes off the floor. Getting they water for starters” Neji followed her passed the counter into the stock room.  There was water everywhere. Luckily it only came a lot passed his ankle.  

“We’ll move the boxes and then get the water up. Then you can accompany me” Neji bent over and started moving boxes. Tenten followed behind him. “ Help me make my rounds and then you can leave. I'll cover for you” 

“Is that going to be okay?” 

“No. But when I said I wouldn't impede on your life more than necessary. I meant it”:

“Are you sure?” She stacked more boxes.

Neji walked inside and returned with the last few boxes. He took what Tenten was carrying and stacks on top of the other boxes. 

“Yes”’ neji put his hands on her shoulder and squeezed it. “When is the plumber coming?” 

“He said tomorrow afternoon or evening” She handed him a towel before grabbing the mop and headed back into the back room.

 Neji leaned against the door frame and watched tenten drag the mop across the floor. 

“Did you clog up?” Neji flashes on his byyugan and scans the walls. “It's the wall behind you. I could knock it down and close it up. But that will have to wait until later “ 

Neji hunched over and tried to wipe the water up in the corner to help tenten finish.  They went upstairs and got ready for Hyuuga ceremony 

Tenten showered and changed into something more appropriate for a Hyuuga Event.  Her and Neji wore matching Kimono’s. The dining room was just as full as it was during their wedding.  

“What are we celebrating again?” Tenten asked, leaning forward into Neji so she was sure he heard her. 

“A Retirement party for cousin Kou“  Neji offered his arm.  “He was also Hinata’s bodyguard. I wonder what he will do now” 

Tenten nodded 

“Who is up first?” 

“Lord Hiashi “ 

Tenten looked up, just in time to see the older man walk over. 

“Neji, Tenten. It's lovely to see you”

Both of them bowed their heads respectfully. 

“Is there anything-?”

Hiashi stopped him right there. 

“if it is not an emergency. It can wait until tomorrow” he grabbed a flute of champagne as a server passed by “ Your grandfather is waiting for me. Enjoy the rest of your evening” 

If anyone understood Dual Loyalties it was Neji. Loyalty to his village, Loyalty to his clan. This loyalty manifests into his Team.  Before he even knew it, it became all about Tenten. 

As far as he knew. Her loyalty lies with them and her career. Much like it did for him. It switched for her.  Rather than it being a new weapon or a technique. Tenten went out and found another person. Sasuke Uchiha or maybe he found her. He wasn't quite sure. 

It took him some time to wrap his head around the last one. Ino Yamanaka, and her persistence to involve him. Even going as far to invite him in front Tenten.  Somehow she still had no idea.  He made peace with this because realistically he couldn't compete with a woman. But the Uchiha was different. 

Hey Neji. What’s taking you so long” 

Tenten called as the curtain to the makeshift dressing room opened. Neji stepped out. Fully dressed in edo period samurai clothing. 

“Come here” Tenten slings her camera over her shoulder. Neji walks over to where she's standing under the giant studio lights and backdrop. “I wanna swap your obi and haori” 

Neji watches as she walks over a rack full of outfits she brought.  She pulled off two. Swing one over her shoulder and another over her neck. Pulls of Haori and walks back over to Neji 

“Which obi do you like better” 

“That one” 

“The blue and silver one of is” 

“Why ask me if you're going to do the opposite anyway? 

Tenten smirked at him “You have good taste. Let’s me know I'm moving in the right direction”  she hands him a silver obi.  “Then swap out the Haori for me”  she swapped the one he took off for dark blue one with silver lining and silver trimming on the outside.

“How do I look?” 

“Damn.. Hyuuga. Hot as shit”  she started chucking at embarrassed look on Neji face. Catching him off guard was too easy. 

“Not funny Tenten” 

She returned the obi and haori to the rack and headed over the stage 

‘Well get some shots in this outfit. Then switch and then we can take your photos. If there's time. Maybe you can post some more for me pretty boy” 

Neji stepped under the lights and waited for Tenten to begin. The Samurai photos were a success. It took a little encouragement to get him going but he gave way more love to the camera then she ever suspected.

Outfit 2:  a Western spy. 

“For this one you're a spy. I need you to channel stealthy and attractive”

**Flash*** “flash**

“Stern, serious but remember you're not supposed to be caught” added the emphasis with her hands “Think not there” 

Neji scowled at her 

“That's it. Tilt your head back slightly” 

Tenten took a few more photos before wrapping up this set.  Neji went into the makeshift dressing room and changed into his own clothing. 

“These are for your website right” 

“Yes” Neji sat down on the chair she supplies. She pulled out a comb from her back pocket. And she began to fix his hair. 

“Ready?”  she pulled out her camera and started snapping when he gave her the okay. “I think we should take a few full bodies outside. Otherwise, I think I got some really good ones. Take a look”

She handed him the camera so he could take a look. “These seem more than efficient” 

“They are but you're helping people buy their dream home. A little personality wouldn't hurt. Just follow my lead on this one” 

“I do have personality” 

“Of a robot maybe”   

Neji mushed her playfully. 

“It's your face. You got pretty privileged whether you know it or not”

Neji scowled at her 

Tenten didn't realize she loved him until after he was gone. That was okay. She didn't fret over what they could have had. Or if he felt the same way about her because she knew. Neji treated her like she mattered and she found comfort in knowing she did the same. As far as first loves go, Tenten felt like she was dealt a proper one.  Even if she wasn't privy until it was over. 

She grieved Neji, not the war hero or village prodigy. But the boy, who never got to meet the man he would have grown to be.  Her best friend.  Who wouldn't get to experience the world past 18.  For her, that was the saddest part.  She lost a part of herself with him but she could live without it. Tenten was a lot stronger than people gave her credit for. That was one of things that helped her more than anything.

The years pass in a blink of the eye. Tenten and her group of Genin, c rank mission went sideways and they were ambushed. Somehow they all made it back. Tenten collapsed once they were all safe.  In Konoha care, they induced coma to help with recovery. 

“Tenten”  A deep and familiar voice called from the shadows. Before revealing himself. 

“N-neji” 

He looks exactly the same as the last time she saw him. Crisp jonin uniform, alliance head band on. 

“Am I dead?”  

“Not quite” Neji extended his hand out to her “we call it the waiting room. The place between the dead and living “

Tenten bypassed his hand and crashed into his chest for a hug. He squeezed her with the same intensity.

“Mind telling what your doing here” 

“ I was protecting my students”

“No, you were being careless”  

Neji grabbed her arm before she tried to slip away

“You used your body as a shield. What were you thinking?” 

Tenten shook him off and stared back at him defyingly. 

“Just like you did?” 

A look of surprise briefly shown in his face before it quickly switched back to neutral 

“Are you still angry with me after all this time?” 

She didn't need to answer what he already knew. 

“I did not consider how my decision would affect you. I just knew that I had to save my cousin and reacted.  I thought you would understand. It was not my intentions to hurt you” 

“I do understand. But just because I do doesn't mean I can't be angry with the circumstances. I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye“ 

“Tenten” 

She rolled her eyes and exhaled. 

“Don't look at me like that. I get it. This was the first decision that you felt like you got to make for yourself. You chose to protect someone important to you. That's admirable.  But when I do it, I'm punished for it” 

“This is different” 

“How is it different?” 

“You have people who care about you. ..i care about you” 

“And you think I didn't  care about you?” 

“We don't have much time. I don't want to waste it fighting. ” he grabbed onto her wrist again and pulled her in close. “I’m sorry. I misspoke.  I need to extend the same grace you gave me.  All I ask if, please don't follow my lead here too soon”

“ I’m sorry too” 

“Our time is up. Take care of yourself Tenten” 

“Will you come see me again”