#collabortion

☀️ ESP

Simmerianne93 amablemente me invitó a formar parte de esta colaboración junto con otros talentosos simmers: Endless Summer!

Estoy muy contenta y muy agradecida de poder participar en esta dinámica. Me emocioné tanto que cree mis propios accesorios y modifiqué algunos objetos del juego para lograr hacer las poses que quería. Así que, por favor, tengan en cuenta que es la primera vez que hago algo así e intenté que no hubiera errores, pero pueden llegar a ocurrir inevitablemente; sin embargo, confío en que todo salió bien y espero que les gusten estas poses familiares de un Campamento en el patio trasero.

Encontrarás los accesorios y los objetos, así como la guía de poses dentro del archivo descargable.

No olviden visitar el Tumblr y las redes de los integrantes de la colaboración ❤️ ¡Cada día un pack de poses nuevo!

☀️ ENG

Simmerianne93 kindly invited me to be part of this collaboration along with other talented simmers: Endless Summer!

I am very happy and very grateful to be able to participate in this dynamic. I got so excited that I created my own props and modified some in-game objects to get the poses I wanted. So please keep in mind that this is the first time I've done something like this and I tried to make sure there were no errors, but they can inevitably happen; however, I trust everything turned out well and I hope you like these family Backyard Camp poses.

You will find the props and objects as well as the posing guide inside the downloadable file..

Don't forget to visit the Tumblr and the networks of the members of the collaboration ❤️ Every day a new pose pack!

☀️ Tarjeta de poses / Poses Card

☀️ Descarga / Download:

Simfileshare

Incluye dos objetos modificados (Tienda de campaña / Bolsa para dormir) y dos accesorio (Libro infantil accesorio / Palito con malvaviscos accesorio)

Includes two modified objects (Tent / Sleeping bag) and two accessories (Children's book accessory / Marshmallow stick accessory)

☀️ Necesitas / You'll need:

Pose Player

Teleport Any Sim

☀️ Colaboradoras / Members:

1.- @herecirmsims 2.- @irislightsims 3.- @simmireen 4.- @whimsyalien 5.- @theserenadeofshadows 6.- @surely-sims 7.- @simmerianne93

☀️ Agradecimientos especiales / Special thanks:

Freepik

Kyra Starr

Rawpixel

Dung Tran *por las imágenes para mi libro infantil

☀️ Términos de uso / TOU:

• Español • No reclames mis animaciones o poses como tuyas. • No reclames o resubas mis accesorios u objetos originales como tuyos. • No resubas mis animaciones o poses en ningún otro sitio. • Te agradezco que me des créditos si usas mis animaciones o poses (no obligatorio, pero me ayuda).

Lee shrugged.

"Probably shopping, like everyone else."

"Don't they have servants for that?"

"Maybe he wanted some fresh air?"

Tenten crossed her arms.

"Do you always have to find the good in everyone?"

Lee shifted the basket of plums he was carrying from one arm to the other, weighing his thoughts before responding.

"There is good in everyone, Tenten."

Tenten looked over at the sweets stand and started walking. The stand was stuffed with cakes, dumplings, and every manner of pastry she knew. Her eyes fell on the skewers of candied fruits. Tenten stuck her hand in her pocket and counted the remaining coins.

"Should we split something?" she asked, pointing towards the fruit.

Lee nodded, before continuing on the lecture that he'd, no doubt, memorized from their father's ramblings.

"You need to take a closer look at people to find the good!"

Tenten paid, grabbed her sweet, and chewed on the first piece of fruit before passing it to Lee.

They took their time walking down the street, enjoying each bite when Neji walked past again. Lee elbowed her, and she looked up.

"What do you see?"

Tenten chewed, considering her answer while she took in every detail of him.

"I see a stuck up rich kid," she finally said, swallowing her snack.

Lee frowned.

"I think he looks sad."

Tenten rolled her eyes, sticking the empty skewer into her basket.

"What could he possibly have to be sad about?"

"I'm not sure," said Lee, "but there's good hidden under it."

Three years later, as Tenten sat across from Neji in their sitting room, she still thought he looked like a stuck up rich kid. It had been a month since the last inspection, and, much to everyone's relief, Tenten had stayed home without putting up a fight.

She crossed her arms and legs, bouncing her foot impatiently while the older Hyuuga instructed Neji as they ran down their checklist.

Gai had set a tea tray down on the table in front of them. Lee had eagerly joined him in pouring and handing out cups.

"How are you enjoying your new accommodations?" Neji asked, looking up from his notebook.

"They are lovely," said Gai, "we still have a lot of work to do, but with the general's permission, I would like to have the school ready to go by spring."

Neji nodded and added to his notes, pausing only for a drink of tea.

Tenten ran her thumbnail over the chip in her cup, feeling frustrated.

"Will our people be allowed to train here?"

Neji met her gaze and shrugged as if she'd asked him about the weather.

"It's unlikely."

"So, we're just supposed to train the enemy?"

"Tenten," Gai warned.

Neji put his tea down and turned his full attention to her. His back was straight, and his eyes narrowed.

"Yes, you are expected to train members of my family. And you will do so gladly."

Tenten clenched the arm of her chair with her free hand, trying to keep her mouth shut.

"You will do this," continued Neji, "and will cease to refer to my family as the enemy. That type of language is prohibited."

Tenten put down her cup and stood up.

"You and your family are my enemies," she spat.

Neji sighed, setting his tea down too. He moved to stand. Tenten turned her back to him and stormed out of the room.

She could hear Neji's voice, soft, casual, privileged.

"Maito Gai, where are her rooms?"

Tenten stopped dead in her tracks. Her stomach sank as she waited for Gai's answer.

"In the upper quarter, on the east side. Lee will show you."

"Thank you."

Tenten remained frozen in place as Lee guided Neji and Hoheto towards the back of the compound. As he passed, Tenten heard Neji whisper to her.

"Learn your place." And then they were gone. She felt Gai behind her as she fought back angry tears.

"Why would you do that, baba?"

"You left me no choice, Tenten."

"But my room?"

"Your room has been searched before, Tenten, and it will be searched again. Hoheto rarely ever checks as he trusts us. Neji does not yet trust us and, and you are making it more difficult."

"Why should he trust us? And why do you trust them?"

"What choice do we have, Tenten?" She felt the weight of his arm on her shoulder. "This is what our lives look like now."

"I hate it."

"I know, but we need to make the best of this situation. If you want me to train more than just Hyuuga children, we need to form a positive relationship with Neji. If we are seen as an asset instead of a threat, then presenting that idea will be met with less resistance."

Both were quiet for a moment before Gai continued.

"I know you're hurting. We're all hurting, sweetheart, but in order to heal, you will need to learn to let go of your anger. What happened to us was not Neji's doing."

"If he is complacent, then how is he any better?"

"Because he and Hoheto are doing what they need to survive. And surviving is much easier if we are all amicable towards each other."

Tenten turned around, still unable to meet Gai's eyes, and buried her face into his chest, hugging him around the waist. He stroked her back and hair whispering soothing words.

"I'm sorry, Tenten. I know you feel like your space is being violated, but it will be over soon."

She wept silently into his shirt while, across the compound, her room was turned over.

--

Neji sat at his desk, looking down at his scant notes about the Maito family.

The search of Tenten's room had turned up nothing unusual. Even the journal she'd tucked under her mattress lacked anything substantial. It would barely be worth mentioning, except that Hoheto pointed out that her behavior would have to be noted this time.

Neji sighed. There were plenty of families in town that were much more suspicious but still provided less resistance than Tenten.

She'd written about him in her journal. It was nothing unexpected, just a recounting of their first meeting (she'd called him a few choice words) and the dread of having to see him again.

Initially, Neji wanted to write down every detail of her behavior and confiscate her journal, but Hoheto had advised against it.

"She is hurting very deeply," Hoheto cautioned, "it would be best if you two could learn not to challenge each other."

"She needs to learn to respect me," Neji had retorted.

"Ah, but Neji, respect must be earned."

And so, when Neji wrote his notes, he carefully stated that the Maito family was amicable and looking forward to training the Hyuuga. He briefly mentioned that Tenten had been upset about the prospect, but a search of her room showed nothing suspicious.

She is likely struggling with her new station and curious as to why we have chosen to work with her father.

Neji wrote down a few more notes before setting down his brush. He stretched out his back and waited for the ink to dry.

Neji wondered what his father might have done in his place. He thought a lot about the advice his father might have been able to give, had he still been alive.

But having lost him at such a young age, the advice of Hyuuga Hizashi was sparse, and often Neji thought it was a miracle he could remember his face.

He would probably say the same things as Hoheto, Neji thought. But he also liked to imagine that Hizashi wouldn't be as complacent as Hoheto. That being the brother of a general, he would speak up when Hiashi overstepped his boundaries. There was a faint memory of a tattoo under a headband, marring the skin of his father's forehead. Neji never knew why it was there, only that his father was ashamed of it. He knew it was a punishment, just not for what, and so as a child he'd imagined it was for acting righteously.

Someday he would find out if that was the truth.

There was a knock at the door.

"Yes?"

The door popped open, revealing Hoheto.

"Have you finished preparing your report?"

Neji nodded and stood up, grabbing the notebook. He handed it to Hoheto, who checked it over.

"Good. This is well done, especially the part about Maito Tenten."

"Why do we go through such lengths to protect them?"

"You should know, Neji, a happy village is a peaceful village. If we toss people into jail cells for every outburst, we'll have another rebellion on our hands before we know it."

"So that's our job? Not just to seek out any plots, but to discourage them from happening at all?"

"Now, you are beginning to understand. This is why you must make Tenten earn your respect. People talk. She has a fiery personality. It won't be long before people learn about your argument and subsequent search of her room. She may have been in the wrong, but her people will always side with her."

Hoheto handed Neji back the notebook, with a slight bow.

"Now, if you are ready, your uncle is prepared to hear your report."

--

Tenten laid back in the sand, relishing in the heat from the sun. She'd waited for Neji to leave the compound before shutting herself in her room to make sure nothing was out of place. But she could still imagine him in her space, pawing through drawers and her closet, seeking out anything that he could label as suspicious. Tenten stood in the center of her room and looked around. He could have trashed it if he'd wanted to, but nothing was out of place. It made her feel sick. If he'd come through in a blind rage and knocked things over and emptied drawers, she would have had something concrete against him. She would have been able to look at Gai and say, "See? This is what happens!"

But her room was exactly as she'd left it.

Tenten grabbed her bag and left, needing distance from Neji. She stocked up with snacks and allowed herself to be seen by Gai as she left.

She spent the rest of the day there, only returning home after it was dark, and she was cold.

When she fell into bed, Tenten was too weary to give much thought to the earlier search, and for that, she was grateful.

--

When Neji arrived for the next inspection, Gai met them at the gate.

"If I may be so bold, Hyuuga Neji, Hyuuga Hoheto," he said with a bow, "Tenten has promised me today she will behave. I ask only that you recognize she has a tendency to challenge authority. We have been working on that with her daily prayers and meditations."

It was a warning, a plea. Please don't antagonize her.

"I am glad to hear she finds herself in better spirits today," said Neji, "I expect things will go much smoother."

I will do my best. Neji hoped Gai understood his assurance.

They strolled through the first courtyard as Gai explained how he wanted to use the space for training his students. Neji nodded and commented on the improvement.

"You must have been working hard. Last month the garden was overgrown and full of weeds."

"Ah, well, as you know, the Yamanaka family are avid botanists. I had some assistance cleaning up."

"How does the Yamanaka family feel about your new station?"

Hoheto met Neji's eyes and gave him an approving nod. They would make sure to question the Yamanaka family about the visit.

"They are pleased to see us rise," said Gai, "and are eager to get their hands dirty with the sweet earth that nourishes life."

When they arrived in the sitting room, Neji was surprised to see Tenten with a tray of tea, waiting for them.

She set it down on the table and began pouring as everyone took their seats.

Tenten offered Hoheto the first cup and Neji the second, meeting his gaze as she spoke.

"It's chrysanthemum today. I hope you don't mind."

Neji could see the strain at the corners of her mouth. She was trying to be pleasant, not to lash out.

"Thank you," he said, and she seemed to relax just a little. His cup today bore no chips. She'd taken care to make sure they had the best ones. Neji took a sip. "Did you brew this, or was it your father?"

Tenten pursed her lips, preparing a retort if Neji chose to mock the tea. She took a breath and straightened her back.

"I prepared it."

"It's good."

She quirked an eyebrow at him.

"What? No comment about it being weak or poisoned?"

Neji smirked at her and took another sip.

"Not today."

--

The inspections slowly grew less formal. Tenten had taken over the role of preparing tea, as it gave her something to do the morning of the inspection. She would try a new blend every month. Tenten had made tea every month for six months when she realized, with a sinking feeling, that she was starting to look forward to the visits.

She was at the market, looking at the various tea blends when it hit her. Tenten looked up at the older man minding the stall. He spoke, but she didn't hear him. Was she really looking forward to making tea for him? After everything she'd been through and the way, he'd first treated her?

"Miss!"

Tenten returned from her thoughts, and the man's face fell into focus.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I didn't catch that."

"I asked what type of tea you would like today, miss."

"Jasmine," and even as she went through the motions of paying and accepting the package, Tenten's mind was gone again.

Her walk home felt surreal. Tenten felt separate from her body, watching from above as it wound through familiar streets. She looked guilty as if a packet of jasmine tea labeled her a traitor. Pleasant visits with Neji and Hoheto, were supposed to be a front, a facade, but she liked them. Was she betraying the memory of her parents? Of everyone else who had died in the rebellion?

Tenten thought she heard whispers about her and Gai, how their tea gave them away as traitors.

She shook her head.

Everyone loves baba; no one would say that.

She stopped at the familiar fork in the road. If she kept going straight, she would find her way home. If she turned right, she could walk the shoreline for a while.

While she struggled to decide, Naruto appeared at her side.

"Tenten! What are you up to?"

"Oh, hi, Naruto," she flashed him a brief smile, "I was just about to head home."

"Did you get anything good in town?"

"Just some tea. Our inspection is tomorrow, and baba insists we show them our hospitali-tea," she rolled her eyes as she placed the emphases into Gai's pun.

"Ugh, I hate inspection day. And the new kid, Neji? He's got a stick pretty far up his ass, huh?"

Tenten wanted to defend Neji but stopped herself. She wasn't supposed to want that.

"Yeah. I wish we could do something about them."

"Now that you mention it," Naruto leaned in close and lowered his voice.

"I head Kakashi talking last time Yamoto came over. There are people making plans."

"Plans?"

"Yeah. To get rid of them."

"The Hyuu—"

"Shhh!" Naruto pressed his finger to her lips, "There's meetings, I guess. I'm going to try and find out more about them."

Tenten felt something stir in her, a sensation she hadn't felt in years: hope. She took a deep breath and felt lighter.

She detested many things about living under colonial rule, but the monthly inspections were the worst.

The inspection schedule rotated, but someone was always able to determine who’s turn it was for inspection, and on what date. The time of day was a bit more complicated. The inspectors showed up whenever they wanted. Tenten thought the process was humiliating. She had complied with them initially until their little family had proven to be no threat. Once they were well known, she’d been conveniently absent each month.

Lee had been upset, hurt, that she chose not to stand by Gai’s side after all he’d done for them. Gai did not offer much of his opinion, and while Tenten could see the disappointment in his eyes, he never stopped her from leaving.

The loss of their independence had wounded them deeply, and they grieved the loss of their loved ones and their freedom in their way.

The first steps onto the sand always sent a jolt through her. Shoes in one hand and a fist-full of skirt in the other, Tenten began her trek across the sand. The beach was peppered with rocks, especially when the tide pulled back into the ocean.

Tenten moved with purpose to her favorite group of rocks. She liked to pull up her skirts and let the waves rush over her feet, pulling them down into the sand, beckoning her with the promise of a life that was her own, not owed to an invading nation and their condescending inspectors.

Sometimes the day passed quickly, especially when she let the even crash of waves lull her to sleep. Sometimes the hours dragged by slowly, and she debated going back home early. She never did, waiting until the sun began to sink into the sea before moving from her perch.

Today felt like a long day. The temperature was just a bit too cold for her liking, but the icy water was refreshing. But just as she’d accepted the slow pace of her day, her name rang out. The wind had practically slapped her across the face with it.

Lee.

He’d learned not to bother her on inspection day unless it was necessary.

“Tenten!”

He was running. Tenten grit her teeth. Running on the beach was for escaping, not for luring her back to the town, back to hell.

He stopped abruptly in front of her and straightened his shirt, opening his mouth to speak.

Tenten held her hand up to him.

“No.”

“But Tenten—“

“I won’t, Lee.”

“You don’t even know what I’m going to ask you!” He gasped, exasperated from both his sprint and her attitude.

“You want me to come home.”

“There’s a new inspector though, he insists on meeting you.”

“They all insist on meeting me. You think these inspectors would all share notes.”

“This one is different, though.”

“How?”

“It’s the general’s nephew.”

Tenten rolled her eyes.

“Is that supposed to impress or intimidate me?”

“Please, Tenten. He’s not taking ‘no’ for an answer.”

She clenched her skirt in her fists, biting back her anger for the stuck up boy she’d occasionally seen in the market. Lee didn’t deserve it. She clenched her jaw. If she spoke, she would erupt.

Lee knew this, and he also knew just what to say to make her give in.

“What about father? What if they arrest him?”

Tenten looked up at Lee.

“Did he threaten that?”

“It… it was heavily implied.” Tenten stood up and snatched her shoes and bag with a flash of anger and stomped back towards town. She heard Lee behind her but didn’t slow down. He would catch up. And then he would remind her to check her temper, but she would still throw her shoes on the ground when she got home.

The only thing worse than an inspector was an arrogant inspector.

--

Neji dragged his fingernail over the chip in his cup. The thin porcelain teacup had been well-loved over the years but still chipped at the rim. Back home, they would have fixed it, repaired it with gold, making it its own unique piece.

No one did that here. They either lacked the resources or the desire. At least the tea was good. His teacher sat beside him along with another chipped cup of tea. And across from them sat the owner of the home they’d entered.

Maito Gai’s hair was oddly cropped, as if he’d placed a bowl over his head and used it as a guide. His eyebrows were bold and weighted down his expression, deepening every emotion that flashed across his face. His Zhifu was rough spun silk dyed deep emerald green.

Gai had insisted on preparing them his favorite blend of oolong.

Neji had declined, insisting only on seeing his daughter.

“Her presence is required for the inspection.”

“She causes no trouble, and—“ Neji cut off his instructor.

“And her presence is required for the inspection. You have been too lenient, Hoheto, it’s no wonder my uncle has requested I step in.”

Hoheto was quiet after that. Neji tried not to feel guilty for dressing down the older man, but if he was to be overseeing inspections, then he needed command of the situation. And if that meant having Maito Gai’s daughter dragged back from wherever she’d hidden on this godforsaken island, he would demand it—and he had.

So now they waited with chipped cups and awkward, patchy conversation.

Neji cleared his throat.

“Your tea is excellent, but there is no need to try and flatter me. As long as things are in order, we will have no issues.”

“I offer nothing more than my hospitality,” Gai replied with a smile, “isn’t that right, Hoheto?”

“It’s true, Neji, Gai is always welcoming. You will come to enjoy his company.”

“With all due respect,” said Neji, imparting none, “this is an official inspection, not a social call.”

Hoheto opened his mouth but had no reply. Gai spoke for him.

“Ah, but there are times when it can be each. You’ll learn.”

Neji frowned.

“Are you implying I do not know how to do my job?”

“Not at all,” Gai smiled, unafraid of Neji’s tone or power, “just that there are many interesting people to meet. Forgive me, but you are still young.”

Before Neji could argue, the massive ornate door to the receiving hall in the next room slammed. Neji winced, ears ringing.

“Ah! Speaking of which! It seems Lee has returned with my daughter.”

Tenten came into the room like a raging storm. Wisps of windswept hair escaped her buns, the hem of her hanfu was wet, and she had tracked damp sand into the sitting room.

Neji sat up straight, arms crossed.

“So kind of you to join us, Maito Tenten.”

She glared at him, but said nothing, dropping gracelessly into the armchair across from him.

“Tenten,” Gai said carefully, as Lee took a seat at her side, “you know the general’s nephew, Hyuuga Neji?”

“Of course. Everyone knows the general and his family,” she adjusted in her seat, eyes never breaking contact, “I suppose that makes you think you’re important, doesn’t it?”

Neji grit his teeth.

“Tenten!” said Gai, “I know I taught you to respect guests.”

“He is not a guest; he is an invader.”

Neji suspected he knew why no previous inspectors pressured Gai to present Tenten.

“Regardless of what pathetic insults you choose to cast my way, I am here to inspect your home, and you are here to be inspected.”

“And if I refuse?”

“There is no refusal; you know that.”

Neji caught himself before he said more. He didn’t like his new role, but he would comply. Just as the villagers would have to report to him, so he would report to his uncle.

And there was no refusal. Noncompliance meant there was something to hide, and anyone who refused inspection was arrested, at which point, their property would be searched. Inspections were guaranteed.

Neji changed the subject.

“Where were you?”

“None of your business.”

Neji pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to quell the flames of anger that she prodded at.

“It is my business. Besides, where you were is obvious, you were down at the beach. Your father and brother seemed to know that. My question is, why?”

“My answer remains the same.”

“Stubbornness is suspicious, Maito Gai.”

Tenten cut Gai off before he could respond, standing up.

“I’d rather be stubborn and stand for something than be an unsuffering ass like you.”

Neji stood up too, setting his cup on the table with more force than necessary.

“What’s your problem?” he asked, coolly, anger barely masked.

“Your family invaded my island, slaughtered my people, and claimed what is ours for yourselves, threaten to arrest my family and me, and you have the gall to ask me what my problem is?”

She turned on her heel and left the room, just as much a storm as when she had entered.

When he was confident, she was out of earshot Neji snapped.

“I want her at every future inspection.”

Lee spoke up.

“But they’re rando—“

“—I know you can figure out the schedule, she certainly has. It’s not complicated. I want her here. End of discussion.”

Neji turned to leave but paused to offer a stiff bow towards Gai.

“I thank you for the tea; it was delicious.”

And then he left, Hoheto scrambling to follow him.

--

Untamed emotions swirled through Tenten. She walked with purpose and frustration through the overgrown courtyard towards her room.

It was times like this that she would have left for the beach. But he had tainted it, at least for today. Instead, she closed herself in her room and threw herself on her bed.

The bed was ornate, the frame built with rosewood. It hardly felt like hers, not yet at least. She hated it and what it represented.

The whole house had been a gift from the Hyuuga to reward Gai’s loyalty. Tenten hadn’t known the family who’d lived here before, and no one had to tell her why the property had been abandoned. The people before them, the owner of this bed, they had not been loyal.

Alone, with her face buried in her pillow, Tenten allowed her frustration to overflow. Gai would check on her soon. She wouldn’t let him see her cry, not let him see how much Hyuuga Neji had gotten to her.

She cried herself to sleep, waking only when the bed dipped under Gai’s weight. His hand was on her shoulder, and Tenten felt tired, despite her nap. She shifted a little, her back still to him.

“Tenten, my sweet lotus--”

She closed her eyes; she was going to cry.

“Please don’t make me,” she whispered.

“Many men have been lenient with you, including me, but you have to face this reality eventually.”

“But--”

“Tenten, there is only so much tea I can pour before someone starts asking questions.”

Tears slipped out, and she tried to quell the tremble in her body. The way he covered for her, protected her, facing reality so that Tenten could avoid it overwhelmed her with tenderness and guilt.

“Why him, though? Who does he think he is?”

“A much more powerful member of the Hyuuga than Hoheto.”

“So that gives him the reason to be such a jerk?”

“He has just as many eyes on him as we do, Tenten. You are all so young, too young for any of this. But we all have our roles to play.”

“You always talk about how nice Hoheto is. Why can’t he be nice?”

Gai was quiet, taking his time to respond.

“I’m not sure. Perhaps he thinks too highly of himself,” Tenten tried to hold back a small satisfied grin, but then Gai continued, “Perhaps he too is hurting.”

Tenten scoffed.

“How could any Hyuuga be hurting?”

“Suffering does not discriminate. It permeates through the lives of the rich and the poor, the sick and the healthy, the hero and the villain.” He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Remind us both, Tenten, what is the first noble truth?”

Tenten pushed up onto her elbows and turned over to sit, pulling her knees to her chest.

“The truth of suffering,” she mumbled.

“What about suffering?”

Tenten didn’t want to discuss philosophy and religion, but she couldn’t argue.

“All life is suffering.”

Gai nodded, happy with her answer.

“Yes,” he said, “all life. Even that of your enemy.”

Tenten frowned. The embers of her anger still glowed. Even if everyone was suffering, surely someone like Hyuuga Neji wouldn’t be suffering nearly as much as someone like her.

“I know what you’re thinking. Don’t try and quantify your problems over his. You don’t know what they are and this isn’t a competition. You will meditate on this during your prayers.”

“Yes, father.” She looked down, no longer able to meet his gaze. She hated disappointing him.

“But that is neither here nor now. Let’s find Lee and have something to eat. Perhaps dumplings?”

A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

--

Neji sank in his chair and sighed. He pushed his hair back with his fingers, glaring at the notebook in front of him. For the most part, his first round of inspections had gone well. At least until they visited the Maito residence.

Hiashi would expect his report soon. Neji flipped open the notebook to the page marked with Gai’s name.

In his initial anger, Neji had littered the page with words like “difficult” and “uncomplying” but now his writing seemed too harsh. Gai had been kind and gentle. Should he have to face the very real and serious consequences of the words of two moody teenagers?

No.

Not this time, at least.

If Tenten failed to appear for the next inspection, then Neji would have to rethink. He opened a drawer, pulled out a small knife, and carefully cut out the page on Maito Gai. When he was done, it was as if the page was never there. Neji picked up his brush and started over.  

--