literature

Wind and Dragon ch. 2

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DONGZHI
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Tenten cheerfully walked through the dark streets of Konoha, quickly making her way towards her team’s training grounds in the early morning hours. Though it was relatively cold and still quite dark, despite the hour that it was, Tenten had an extra bounce in her step. It was a very important day after all; her favorite day of the whole year.

“GOOD MORNING, OH YOUTHFUL FLOWER!” Gai-sensei welcomed, as Tenten approached the trio that was already waiting for her.

“Good morning Gai-sensei, Good morning Lee, Good Morning Neji.” Tenten politely bowed. It wasn’t her usual greeting, but today was special. “Happy Dongzhi!” she cheerfully exclaimed.

“Do-ng-zh-i?” Lee attempted to repeat.

“…” Neji remained unmoved, but he too wondered what it was that Tenten had just said.

“PLEASE EXPLAIN; WHAT IS THIS DONGZHI MY YOUTHFUL STUDENT?” Gai asked.

“Oh, that’s right.” Tenten suddenly remembered that Dongzhi was a tradition from her mother’s side of the family. It was no surprise then, that someone from Konoha would be unaware of the festivities. “Dongzhi is a special celebration that commemorates the coming winter.” she explained.

“A Celebration? YOSH!” Lee enthusiastically responded.

“That’s right.” Tenten nodded, “Every year, on this, the first day of winter, in my mother’s homeland, they celebrate the Winter Solstice; that is, the shortest day, and longest night.”

“Shortest day and longest night of what?” Lee asked confused.

“Of the year Lee.” Neji responded for Tenten.

“That’s right Neji.” Tenten smiled happily. “It’s the time of year when families gather together in celebration and make pink and white Tangyuan, which are rice dumplings that symbolize unity and prosperity. Then later we eat them, along with a large banquet, before opening presents and singing songs, and telling stories. It’s the best day of the whole year!” (2)

“YOSH! That sounds so youthful Tenten-san.” Lee happily cheered.

“THAT DOES SOUND VERY YOUTHFUL TENTEN-CHAN.” Gai agreed.

“So does that mean you have lots of family over to celebrate with you?” Lee asked.

“No.” Tenten replied sadly, “unfortunately, because my mother’s homeland is very far away, her family isn’t able to celebrate Dongzhi in Konoha with us.” she informed them, “but it doesn’t matter, we still have a great time every year, and even father enjoys it.”

“Well it does sound like a lot of fun!” Lee replied, attempting to lift Tenten’s spirits back to what they were before he brought up the family issue.

“Actually…” Tenten began, “I was wondering…” she paused, biting her bottom lip nervously as her three teammates waited patiently for her to continue, “Would the three of you like to join us this year?”

“We would be honored to, isn’t that right Lee? Neji?” Gai turned to face the boys, smiling brightly, then turned back to the kunoichi a gave her one of her good guy poses, ping and all, confirming that they would be there.

“Hai!” Lee beamed happily. “And we shall participate in all of the festivities. What time should come to start making dumplings?” Lee asked.

“That’s not necessary Lee, just show up to celebrate, that will be enough. I think 6 would be an appropriate time.” Tenten replied.

“THAT IS SO THOUGHTFUL OF YOU MY DEAR LEE.” Gai beamed proudly at his student’s nobleness.

“GAI-SENSEI” Lee explained as rivers of tears ran down his face.

“LEE” Gai replied, waterfall tears also streaming down his face.

“GAI-SENSEI”

“LEE”

As the love-fest continued, student and master drifted off into the sunset (before sunrise no less) and ran off to prepare themselves for the days festivities.

“Ano… Neji.” Tenten addressed her silent teammate, “Do you think you can make it?” she asked.

“I’ll be there.” Neji replied before proceeding to walk back to the Hyuga compound.

“I guess practice is cancelled today.” Tenten shrugged, before making her way back in the direction she had just arrived from. This was definitely no ordinary day.

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“Tennie-chan” Xiu-Juan greeted the girl with a somewhat surprised look.

“Good morning Tenten-chan.” Ryoku welcomed his daughter as she approached the kitchen table.

“Good morning, and Happy Dongzhi.” Tenten smiled.

“Happy Dongzhi.” they both replied.

“Tennie-chan…” Xiu-Juan began, “Aren’t you a little early from training today?”

“Actually training was cancelled.” Tenten informed them, “I hope you don’t mind, but I invited my teammates to come join us today.”

“Oh not at all.” Xiu-Juan smiled, relived to know why her daughter was home so early.

Xiu-Juan had been afraid that perhaps something had happened between her and the Hyuga boy. The two teammates had been spending a lot more time together than usual, and considering how much time they used to spend with one another, that was saying a lot. So to see Tenten home so early made Xiu-Juan worry that perhaps they had gotten into a fight; she was happy to know her assumptions were mistaken.

“Will that Hyuga boy be coming as well?” Ryoku asked from his seat in front of a newspaper. (3)

“Yes father, Neji’s on my team.” Tenten replied.

“And Lee-san and Gai-san will also be joining us?” Xiu-Juan inquired, a hint of worry in her voice.

“Yeah.” Tenten smiled wryly. “And they offered to come join us for to make the dumplings, but I told them not to worry. They’ll probably show up around 6.”

“Well, I guess we will have to start getting ready.” Xiu-Juan replied, “We should set everything, finish putting the main dish in the oven, and then decorations. Oh, and don’t forget your new kimono Tennie-chan.”

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Six o’clock arrived soon enough, and all the preparation were ready. At exactly the last chime of the clock, a gentle yet strong knock at the door was heard.

“That must be Neji-kun.” Xiu-Juan said as she rose from her seat on the floor, where she had been arranging the gifts.

“What makes you think it’s him Xiu-Juan, and not Tenten’s other teammates?” Ryoku asked as he followed her towards the door.

“You’ll know when you meet them.” Xiu-Juan ominously replied, before reaching to open the door.

“Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Furi-iki.” Neji politely bowed. (4)

He was dressed in an elegant dark blue Kimono with small white birds embroidered onto the collar and sleeves.(5). Behind him stood the other two members of Team Gai, both slightly tussled up, seemingly having just been in some kind of altercation, but neither looked badly injured, just a little worst for wear in their matching green Kimonos. They too greeted Tenten’s parent’s, while keeping a weary eye on the Hyuga Prodigy; a fact that did not go unnoticed by Ryoku. (6)

“hha” a gasp from behind Xiu-Juan and Ryoku caught everyone’s attention. “Lee, Gai-sensei, what happened?” Tenten ran to the side of her two teammates.

“Tenten.” Neji spoke her name in is an astonished whisper, clearly taken aback by the girl's appearance, but he quickly looked away, upon seeing the sharp look from Ryoku.

Her two other teammates also stared at the girl in wide-eyed astonishment. The kunoichi before them was not the same girl they were accustomed to seeing. Gone were the twin buns that always adorned her head, as her long wavy hair flowed freely. The usual, baggy tom-boyish outfit, discarded for a more form fitting red and gold kimono with embroidered patterns of flowers.

“YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL TENTEN-SAN!” Lee exclaimed, once more regaining his lively enthusiasm.

“YES, QUITE YOUTHFUL, PRECIOUS FLOWER.” Gai added.

“Thank you.” Tenten blushed at the complements.

Behind her, Xiu-Juan smiled cheerfully, while Ryoku stood wondering what was wrong with the two shinobi dressed in green.

“DON’T YOU AGREE NEJI-KUN?” Lee asked, turning everyone’s attention onto the white-eyed genius, who attempted not to shrink before the intimidating man glaring at him.

“Hai.” Neji replied as passively as possible, so as not to attract any negative attention towards himself.

“Oh!” Tenten shouted, “I almost forgot.” she turned to her father, “Father, these are Rock Lee and Gai-sensei. And you remember Neji.”

“Nice to see you again Hyuga.” Ryoku replied, a hint of amusement in his eyes upon seeing the young man slightly twitch at the stern tone in his voice. Ryoku always did enjoy seeing the poor boy tremble before him. “And a pleasure to meet the two of you.” he added, as he addressed the other two; though, in all honesty, he wasn’t quite certain that was actually true.

“Please, come in.” Xiu-Juan motioned for everyone to move into the living room.

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As the night wore on, the group ate the delicious meal prepared by Xiu-Juan and Tenten, then proceeded to move into the family room where Gai and Lee suggested they should sing, recalling that Tenten had mentioned that tradition earlier at their training grounds. Ryoku and Neji watched in silence, as the other members of their group cheerfully belted out song after song, until it was time to open the gifts.

“Here Tenten-san!” Lee handed the girl a crudely wrapped green package.

“You didn’t have to Lee.” Tenten replied.

Though she had gotten each of her teammate’s presents gifts, she had not expected any of them to bring gifts for the occasion, since she had only just told them about the party earlier that morning. So she was rather surprised to see that each member of her team had brought something with them. Lee had brought little boxes for each of them, while Gai had brought a festive basket filled with fruits, nuts, teas and sweets. Neji had brought a bottle of Sake as a hospitality gift, which didn’t surprise Tenten since Hyuga’s were well known for their proper etiquette.

Tenten opened the green box Lee handed her, to find a new summoning scroll; one which was light weight and compact, prefect for her to carry around in a small pocket. From her mother, she received a new kimono, and from her father, a Chinese butterfly sword; a weapon he had picked up on one of his more distant missions.

Once she finished opening her gifts, Tenten handed out the small boxes she had carefully wrapped in festive colors. She had taken a lot of time choosing the perfect gift for each person, and was happy to see that they had enjoyed the small tokens she had found for each.

After the gifts were exchanged, Gai suggested telling stories, having remembered Tenten mentioning that tradition earlier as well. As Gai enthusiastically recounted the first mission team Gai had ever gone on outside of the village, Tenten moved to pick up the discarded wrapping paper and take it outside to the trash bin in the back yard.

“Tenten.” a deep voice called out behind her as she closed the top of the trash bin.

“Yes Neji?” she turned to face him, not at all surprised to see him there, having felt his chakra presence behind her the moment she stepped outside.

“You look quite lovely tonight.” Neji complimented. Thankfully Tenten had forgotten to turn the light on, and the waning moon provided minimal lighting, otherwise Neji would have been able to see the bright blush creeping up the kunoichi’s cheeks.

“Thank you.” she shyly replied.

“I have something for you.” Neji said as he stepped forward and handed her a small white package.

“You really didn’t have to Neji.” Tenten replied, “but thank you.” she added, as she took the package in her hands.

She tentatively examined the box before carefully peeling back the tape and opening it. Inside where the most beautiful pair of silver hair clips, shaped in the form of dragons.

“Neji… This is…” Tenten was at a loss for words, “Thank you.” she repeated again.

Neji moved his hand towards the box and pulled out one of the clips. He stepped forward and traced the outline of Tenten’s face, tucking a lock of her hair behind her left ear, and then proceeded to pin the hair back with the clip.

“You should wear your hair down more often.” He smiled. “It looks good this way.” he added, before tracing his finger back down her face and along her jaw line before cupping her chin and tilting her head to face him.

“Neji.” Tenten whispered, staring deeply into his pearly white eyes.

Before she realized it, Neji leaned down and pressed his warm lips against hers. Just as Tenten was beginning to think that this was definitely the best Dongzhi ever, the lights she had forgotten to turn on earlier suddenly turned on, blinding the pair, and causing them to quickly part and turn toward the door, where Ryoku’s wide figure cast a large shadow upon the pair.

“Your mother is serving the layered cake and hot chocolate. The two of you should come in now.” He called out, glaring fiercely at the young prodigy as the pair walked past him to join the rest of their group.

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TBC...
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Disclaimer:I don’t own Naruto

This is one of my older one shots for Fanfiction.net. If you like this one, check out the other ones (which are so much better in my opinion)... and I update more frequently there... [link]

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(1) For anyone who forgot, Ryoku and Xiu-Juan would be Tenten’s parents back from chapter 12 I believe. From the “Do You?” fanfic. Oh, and just as a little side note, I don’t know if anyone actually realized this, but I did after rereading all my stories, I realized I’d already used the name Ryoku in my Soraoi story, and as the bad guy no less… oh well, it’s a good name.

(2) I kind of mixed Christmas traditions in there as well, simply because I wanted more to it… but I don’t know, for all I know it might actually be true (or not).

(3) Don’t even know if Konoha has a newspaper, but I would imagine it must. And I really couldn’t imagine Ryoku reading Icha-Icha, or some other book, he seems more the newspaper type… you know, typical dad.

(4) Tenten’s last name (that I made up)… remember Furi- means Free, Iki- means Spirit… I noticed I actually misspelled it last time, put in an extra I and K… that’s okay though.

(5) Yes, men’s clothes are also called Kimono’s just in case you didn’t know.

(6) Neji beat them up. Guess he didn’t want them to make a bad impression on Ryoku or something.
© 2008 - 2024 SerenEvy
Comments16
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MysticalFG's avatar
Haha, poor Neji, the boy must've been scared shitless (even though he probably tried to look normal on the outside :lmao:)
Tenten's dad is awesome xD
This story is so awesome :iconimhappyplz: