[ Closed - In Progress | And I can see this unraveling ]
Who: Tenten and Neji
What: Tenten wants answers. Whether Neji gives them to her is up to him. But at least there's dinner~
When: The Wednesday after Naruto's... interesting party
Where: Neji's place
Warning(s): ...We'll see.
All evening, it had been an ongoing debate: to head home after her shift was over and clean up all the grime that came with school and work, or to simply head straight there. Because it had been days since the party and the fight that eventually broke out. And that had been plenty of time for Tenten to form a million and one questions since then. Naruto had said nothing to her as of yet. And she knew better than to ask. Because if the blond had not made an attempt to explain anything by then, he was not going to any time soon. If ever.
Tenten felt a little pang of... something -- what, she was not sure, but it was definitely unfavorable -- at the thought. After all that the two of them had been through. After everything they had faced. For him to keep anything from her, even if it was something trivial and unimportant... it hurt. Would hurt more if it actually was something profound.
And just as quickly as the thought formed, the young girl shook it away. There was no reason for her to think such a thing. After all, people fought over little matters every day. Naruto, it seemed, got into fights almost constantly since the day they had met. So it was nothing out of the ordinary... right?
"Only one way to find out," she muttered softly to herself as she turned the corner onto Neji's street. Ultimately, Tenten had settled on at least making herself presentable before taking the subway to the Hyuuga's neighborhood. He was offering her dinner after all. It was the least she could do. And with that thought, the familiar shape of Neji's door came into view. A door which she found herself standing in front of after only a few quick steps. And now faced with the moment of truth, Tenten paused for just a brief instance before lifting her hand to the wood.
Knock, knock.
As usual, the type to answer doors soon, especially when he was expecting someone, Neji was with her within few seconds. It prevented him from dwelling on the disconcerting feeling that upcoming confessions came with and he had already been dealing with while making dinner.
It wouldn't help him to wonder endlessly.
"Good evening," Was what force of habit had him stating without much thought. Not quite deeming the usual slight upwards quirk of his mouth appropriate for the situation, or perhaps merely because the movement reminded him of his still healing bottom lip, he neutrally inclined his head in greeting instead, almost instantaneously stepping aside to let her in.
There had been only enough time to let out a quiet breath before she heard the lock slide out of place and watched as the knob slowly turn from the other side. But for a brief moment while she was still cast in the shadows of the fading evening, Tenten could only hope that it had been nothing but a simple misunderstanding. That Naruto had only overstepped a unspoken line in his inebriation that could easily be fixed. Because they had a lot of history. Because they were all friends.
Because she could not bring herself to think what would become of them all if that changed.
Neji and Naruto always held their differences, after all. But they had only been in one other fight. A fight that, strangely enough, began their friendship. In the very school that held their second scuffle only days before. Surely...
But there was no time to finish that thought as she was bathed in light and the cool wave of the other's voice.
"Neji," she greeted in return, her voice light and her lips quirking in a small smile. And paused in entering his apartment to really get a good look at the damage that was done. "Wow. He definitely got in a good shot at you. Then again, I guess he was just returning the favor, huh?"
It was reflex that caused him to raise his chin lightly, although he couldn't decide whether it was to aid her in her inspection or turn away. Then again, he couldn't help grasping at the casualness with which she was treating the situation, and while he felt mildly disconcerted by talking so normally about himself engaging in physical violence, it was an alternative.
"It was nothing less than I expected him to do," He replied, perhaps a little evasively still, before closing the door behind her to lead her through the living room to the kitchen.
He'd made Kung Pao and sesame dumplings to the best of his ability, remembering somewhere in the back of his head that she'd claimed to like it -- maybe just a trick of his memory, but since he wasn't going to bring it up, he had no expectations to begin with. Although far more practiced in Japanese cuisine, he felt comfortable subjecting not only himself but a friend to the results, and at least the variety had taken part of his mind off of matters during preparation.
A moment passed where all Tenten wanted to do was take hold of Neji's chin and inspect the damage to its full extent. To bring it into better lighting so that she could see perfectly the discoloration and swollen tissue. But the Hyuuga had his pride as much as anyone else. And to mother him so as she had been known to do in the past was... beyond them. Beyond this. Although it still did not take away from the crinkled concern of her brows, both at his condition or his words.
"He does have a knack for getting in trouble," was her response, more so in a reminiscent sort of thought rather than a statement of fact as she passed through the familiar rooms of the apartment.
The smell hit her before she ever set sight on the food. And the scent of them brought on a bit of memory from home. It was not exactly quite the same as the original, but the similarities were close enough. And the sentiment behind them were clear as day. Kung Pao and sesame seed dumplings. Comfort food. Her favorites. Which only brought up a feeling of suspicion as to what would prompt him to do such a thing. Still, jumping to conclusions this late into the game would be pointless.
"Smells good as always," Tenten commented, letting her fondness for the man slip in to mask her concern, "You really know how to spoil a girl."
A wry smile passed his features as he enjoyed a seemingly private bit of irony, or perhaps sneered at it. If Neji had to be honest, he didn't take most of the credit he got for generous behavior; it was more often than not to redeem himself of a fault. Whether it was the little things like having to cancel a friendly outing, or one of his bigger mistakes, he wasn't hard-pressed to find a way to make up leeway.
He wondered where it would take him under these circumstances.
"I hope you're hungry," Was his only remark before he strode past her, ever-considerately inquiring, "What would you like to drink?"
"I am," came her easy and honest reply, "Haven't eaten since lunch."
Granted, with the exception of when he had helped to decorate for Naruto's party - that damn party - it had been a while since the two of them had the opportunity to simply sit down and talk. As friends. As colleagues. As something more than strangers simply reading about each other's lives. By no fault of their own, of course. Lives became busy and time was a luxury that came less and less frequent as the days ticked on. So the chance to spend an evening with Neji was a nice concept.
If only it had been under different circumstances.
"Lemonade if you have it?" she said to his inquiry, stepping up to one of two placements on the table. And with it came a genuine smile. No matter the reason, though, time with a friend was time with a friend. Whatever would come from the encounter, at the very least Tenten had been given that much. "Or water's fine too."
Lemonade he could provide, and although he usually did not keep the bottles around for himself, he made sure to have at least one of them cooled for visits of the expected and surprising kind. Retrieving a glass from the table on his way, he gestured to indicate for her to get seated.
"How have you been, otherwise?" He asked with considerable care as he poured their drinks - water for himself.
Considering the fight itself and the charged emotions surrounding Naruto and Neji, it was difficult to give a positive answer to that question. Because much of Tenten's own contentment resided in the happiness of her friends. And when two of them were battling it out against each other... well, it made for a very upset young woman. But Tenten was not ready to bring that topic up for discussion just yet. Not when it felt like it would bring the night to a crashing halt.
The food smelled wonderful. Neji finally had time to spare to focus on their friendship. Even if those reasons were under false pretenses. She would enjoy her evening with Neji for a little while longer.
"Good, for the most part, thank you for asking," was all she said, and promptly took a seat in the nearest placement setting. Her things had already been discarded at the couch. There would be no need of them during dinner. Having them with her would only tempt Tenten into fidgeting to still her anticipation. "And you? Did you have a lot of explaining to do with the agency?"
What: Tenten wants answers. Whether Neji gives them to her is up to him. But at least there's dinner~
When: The Wednesday after Naruto's... interesting party
Where: Neji's place
Warning(s): ...We'll see.
All evening, it had been an ongoing debate: to head home after her shift was over and clean up all the grime that came with school and work, or to simply head straight there. Because it had been days since the party and the fight that eventually broke out. And that had been plenty of time for Tenten to form a million and one questions since then. Naruto had said nothing to her as of yet. And she knew better than to ask. Because if the blond had not made an attempt to explain anything by then, he was not going to any time soon. If ever.
Tenten felt a little pang of... something -- what, she was not sure, but it was definitely unfavorable -- at the thought. After all that the two of them had been through. After everything they had faced. For him to keep anything from her, even if it was something trivial and unimportant... it hurt. Would hurt more if it actually was something profound.
And just as quickly as the thought formed, the young girl shook it away. There was no reason for her to think such a thing. After all, people fought over little matters every day. Naruto, it seemed, got into fights almost constantly since the day they had met. So it was nothing out of the ordinary... right?
"Only one way to find out," she muttered softly to herself as she turned the corner onto Neji's street. Ultimately, Tenten had settled on at least making herself presentable before taking the subway to the Hyuuga's neighborhood. He was offering her dinner after all. It was the least she could do. And with that thought, the familiar shape of Neji's door came into view. A door which she found herself standing in front of after only a few quick steps. And now faced with the moment of truth, Tenten paused for just a brief instance before lifting her hand to the wood.
Knock, knock.
As usual, the type to answer doors soon, especially when he was expecting someone, Neji was with her within few seconds. It prevented him from dwelling on the disconcerting feeling that upcoming confessions came with and he had already been dealing with while making dinner.
It wouldn't help him to wonder endlessly.
"Good evening," Was what force of habit had him stating without much thought. Not quite deeming the usual slight upwards quirk of his mouth appropriate for the situation, or perhaps merely because the movement reminded him of his still healing bottom lip, he neutrally inclined his head in greeting instead, almost instantaneously stepping aside to let her in.
There had been only enough time to let out a quiet breath before she heard the lock slide out of place and watched as the knob slowly turn from the other side. But for a brief moment while she was still cast in the shadows of the fading evening, Tenten could only hope that it had been nothing but a simple misunderstanding. That Naruto had only overstepped a unspoken line in his inebriation that could easily be fixed. Because they had a lot of history. Because they were all friends.
Because she could not bring herself to think what would become of them all if that changed.
Neji and Naruto always held their differences, after all. But they had only been in one other fight. A fight that, strangely enough, began their friendship. In the very school that held their second scuffle only days before. Surely...
But there was no time to finish that thought as she was bathed in light and the cool wave of the other's voice.
"Neji," she greeted in return, her voice light and her lips quirking in a small smile. And paused in entering his apartment to really get a good look at the damage that was done. "Wow. He definitely got in a good shot at you. Then again, I guess he was just returning the favor, huh?"
It was reflex that caused him to raise his chin lightly, although he couldn't decide whether it was to aid her in her inspection or turn away. Then again, he couldn't help grasping at the casualness with which she was treating the situation, and while he felt mildly disconcerted by talking so normally about himself engaging in physical violence, it was an alternative.
"It was nothing less than I expected him to do," He replied, perhaps a little evasively still, before closing the door behind her to lead her through the living room to the kitchen.
He'd made Kung Pao and sesame dumplings to the best of his ability, remembering somewhere in the back of his head that she'd claimed to like it -- maybe just a trick of his memory, but since he wasn't going to bring it up, he had no expectations to begin with. Although far more practiced in Japanese cuisine, he felt comfortable subjecting not only himself but a friend to the results, and at least the variety had taken part of his mind off of matters during preparation.
A moment passed where all Tenten wanted to do was take hold of Neji's chin and inspect the damage to its full extent. To bring it into better lighting so that she could see perfectly the discoloration and swollen tissue. But the Hyuuga had his pride as much as anyone else. And to mother him so as she had been known to do in the past was... beyond them. Beyond this. Although it still did not take away from the crinkled concern of her brows, both at his condition or his words.
"He does have a knack for getting in trouble," was her response, more so in a reminiscent sort of thought rather than a statement of fact as she passed through the familiar rooms of the apartment.
The smell hit her before she ever set sight on the food. And the scent of them brought on a bit of memory from home. It was not exactly quite the same as the original, but the similarities were close enough. And the sentiment behind them were clear as day. Kung Pao and sesame seed dumplings. Comfort food. Her favorites. Which only brought up a feeling of suspicion as to what would prompt him to do such a thing. Still, jumping to conclusions this late into the game would be pointless.
"Smells good as always," Tenten commented, letting her fondness for the man slip in to mask her concern, "You really know how to spoil a girl."
A wry smile passed his features as he enjoyed a seemingly private bit of irony, or perhaps sneered at it. If Neji had to be honest, he didn't take most of the credit he got for generous behavior; it was more often than not to redeem himself of a fault. Whether it was the little things like having to cancel a friendly outing, or one of his bigger mistakes, he wasn't hard-pressed to find a way to make up leeway.
He wondered where it would take him under these circumstances.
"I hope you're hungry," Was his only remark before he strode past her, ever-considerately inquiring, "What would you like to drink?"
"I am," came her easy and honest reply, "Haven't eaten since lunch."
Granted, with the exception of when he had helped to decorate for Naruto's party - that damn party - it had been a while since the two of them had the opportunity to simply sit down and talk. As friends. As colleagues. As something more than strangers simply reading about each other's lives. By no fault of their own, of course. Lives became busy and time was a luxury that came less and less frequent as the days ticked on. So the chance to spend an evening with Neji was a nice concept.
If only it had been under different circumstances.
"Lemonade if you have it?" she said to his inquiry, stepping up to one of two placements on the table. And with it came a genuine smile. No matter the reason, though, time with a friend was time with a friend. Whatever would come from the encounter, at the very least Tenten had been given that much. "Or water's fine too."
Lemonade he could provide, and although he usually did not keep the bottles around for himself, he made sure to have at least one of them cooled for visits of the expected and surprising kind. Retrieving a glass from the table on his way, he gestured to indicate for her to get seated.
"How have you been, otherwise?" He asked with considerable care as he poured their drinks - water for himself.
Considering the fight itself and the charged emotions surrounding Naruto and Neji, it was difficult to give a positive answer to that question. Because much of Tenten's own contentment resided in the happiness of her friends. And when two of them were battling it out against each other... well, it made for a very upset young woman. But Tenten was not ready to bring that topic up for discussion just yet. Not when it felt like it would bring the night to a crashing halt.
The food smelled wonderful. Neji finally had time to spare to focus on their friendship. Even if those reasons were under false pretenses. She would enjoy her evening with Neji for a little while longer.
"Good, for the most part, thank you for asking," was all she said, and promptly took a seat in the nearest placement setting. Her things had already been discarded at the couch. There would be no need of them during dinner. Having them with her would only tempt Tenten into fidgeting to still her anticipation. "And you? Did you have a lot of explaining to do with the agency?"