Love at the ... Pool - NejiTen

Love at the ….. Pool – Neji-Ten <3

Neji was pretty tired… and that wasn’t something that happened very often. Himself, Lee, Naruto, and Sasuke had all agreed to go to the pool that afternoon, to get away from training for a bit, and have a bit of ‘fun’. Did the Hyuuga prodigy even know the meaning of the word? Heh, he didn’t know. He was brought up to be stern, and face things head on. He was all for working and getting stronger, he doubted he was even capable of fun. Nevertheless, he agreed to go along anyway, and he was glad he did.
At first he was pretty bored. They walked to the pool, and Naruto was blabbering on to Sasuke about something to do with Ramen, and Lee was strangely talking in silence – which the Hyuuga prodigy was not going to disrupt. Once they got there, they paid and went into the changing rooms, each taking a small single cubicle. Once Neji locked himself in him, he realised why he hadn’t come in so long. He had to take his bandage off his head, and people stared when he did. It was rather rude. But he told himself to get over it, and at least look like he wanted to have fun. He stripped off, and put on his black swimming three-quarters which had a single red line down the sides. He put his clothes, including his bandages, in his bag, and held his towel, putting his bag in a locker and leaving his towel on the railing not to far off by the pool. He waited for the other three, regretting it once he did. Naruto cannon-balled into the pool creating a big splash, also some attention. Lee yelled “FOR THE GREATNESS OF YOUTHFULLNESS!” Before doing the same. Neji looked at Sasuke, almost daring him to do the same. Sasuke raised his eyebrows, apparently he was just as embarrassed as Neji was. People were staring by now. Neji shrugged it off, and dived gracefully into the pool, breast-stroking to where Naruto and Lee were ‘playing’. Neji brought his body back up for air, and it was at that moment that he decided not to regret going to the pool with the three... Well two maniacs. A small yet strong frame glided through the water more graceful than any sea animal he had ever seen. His eyes were entranced on the way her hands broke the surface of the water, the way her head turned when she broke for air, the way the waves danced around her body. She was … beautiful. He blinked as she did a somersault, and pushed off the wall before beginning again. She was well and truly entrancing. His eyes didn’t leave her; it was only when Sasuke put his hand on his shoulder that he realised he had been staring. Far too much.
“Sorry, what?” Neji asked, turning to face the raven haired teen.
“Nothing, I just thought you’d hurt your eyes if you looked at her any longer” Sasuke grinned. Neji did the same before turning fully back to the two maniacs, who were trying to out-do each other by doing lengths. “Wanna’ try?” Sasuke offered.
“Sure, why not” Neji set his feet on the wall and prepared himself before pushing off and racing Sasuke to the other side. They drew, which wasn’t much of a surprise. The afternoon went by pretty fast, and Neji almost forgot about the young girl he found so fascinating.
Every week for a fair few months, Neji, Sasuke, Naruto and Lee always went to the pool after training. Sasuke had suggested that they get a membership so it wouldn’t cost so much, so they had done that. Every time Neji went, he always saw the same girl, gliding through the waves perfectly. Soon, he didn’t go because the others made him go, but so he could see her. She was his reason for going, and although he never talked to her, her whole attitude was enough to make him crazy and obsessed. She was always there when he was. Always wearing that determined face, forcing herself to do whatever aim she had in mind, and she always left the pool with a satisfied look on her face. It was a Friday afternoon, and all had changed and were waiting to get into the pool. Neji looked around for the girl, but she wasn’t there. His heart raced. How could she not be there? She was always there. Always. Apparently not always… He thought. Frowning, he waited for the pool to be released to the next session, and swam with complete boredom. She wasn’t there the day after either, or the day after that. A whole week passed, and the girl hadn’t shown up. Neji was thinking of not going any more, if she wasn’t there, then what was the point? It wasn’t as if he needed the exercise, he was physically fit and rearing to go, but he still wanted to see her. It was a Monday night, and he still hadn’t seen the girl.
“Maybe she moved” A voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked towards the voice.
“Maybe Sasuke...”
“You’re a big believer in destiny right? If you were destined to be friends or what-not, then maybe she’ll come back”
“Is it that bloody obvious” Neji grinned.
“You look around the pool every time we get here. It’s the first thing you do” Sasuke laughed a little before standing up and diving in. “Come on, unless you don’t know the meaning of the word fun?” Neji frowned and dove in perfectly, hitting Sasuke playfully with a large foamy stick. That was the last time Neji went to the pool. He’d given up, and technically, if he wanted to swim – he could do it at the mansion, it was big enough. Sasuke was disappointed that he wouldn’t have anyone ‘sane’ to talk to, but that wasn’t enough to make Neji go back.
The sun was setting, outlining a perfect silhouette throwing kunai at some targets. Neji was training in the Hyuuga gardens, not missing a single target. To be honest he was bored and would rather read a book, but he said he’d train to the amount of time he would usually spend swimming – although he had just been training before the others went to the pool. He activated his Byakugan and noticed a certain raven haired coming his way.
“Gotta’ minute?” He asked politely. Neji stopped his attacks on the wooden pole, and turned to face Sasuke.
“Sure, I guess”
“Hn. I thought I should tell you you’re little friend was at swimming this afternoon” Neji’s heart skipped a beat, and he tried to hide his excitement. “Just thought you should know… you know, in case you wanted to come swimming with us tomorrow and … I don’t know… stare at her some more” Neji remained calm and collected, although his heart was beating faster. Tomorrow was too late – he wanted to see her now! Now not later!
“I don’t stare at her… I admire her”
“Sure” Sasuke laughed before placing his hands lazily behind his head. “She came up to us and asked where you were”
“Liar” Neji wished it to be true … but it seemed to good to be real.
“Nope, she came up to Naruto and asked where you were”
“Hn” Neji’s heart back flipped. “So… same time tomorrow at the pool?” Neji grinned.
“Yeah, see you there” Sasuke waved and left, stuffing both his hands in his pockets. Neji grinned whilst he packed away his training gear. He’d have to wait for tomorrow, but that was okay… it gave him some time to think up on a conversation. Oh yes, tomorrow, he was going to talk to her.
Tomorrow came, and it went really slow. School was crap, the day was crap, the weather was crap, hell, even training was crap. Maybe swimming would be the same. He doubted going, but once he got there, got changed, and waited by the pool for it to open up fully, he didn’t regret it so much. The girl was stood not to far away from him, in her black bikini, staring at the glistening water. He glanced at Sasuke, who gave him a reassuring wink, and nodding over to the girl, indicating he should do and talk to her. Neji was proud. He wouldn’t be made a fool of. He was perfect at everything. His grades were perfect, his training, his fitness was perfect, although when he came to girls… he was pretty much clueless. Never-the-less, he took a deep breath of the chlorine smelling air around him, and walked over to her.
“Hi” He gave a smile. Something he rarely did around anyone who wasn’t in his little circle of friends.
“Hey, I didn’t see you last night”
“I didn’t see you for the past week” They both laughed. It was then he realised how intoxicating her laugh was. He wanted to make her do it again. And again. She could laugh forever and he wouldn’t get sick of it.
“Sorry, I got caught up with some stuff. Plus, my boyfriend didn’t particularly like me going places alone, although I can take care of myself” The word ‘boyfriend’ made Neji’s heart sink and disintegrate. She had a boyfriend? She was off limits then. ’Daaarrrrrnnn iiiitt!!!! His mind screamed. “But it’s over now. I think he wanted me to be this perfect little doll, who always did what he wanted and needed a protector all the time. I want going to be a doll; I can take perfectly good care of myself without him. And so, it’s finished” Neji’s heart miraculously re-integrated (AN: Is that even a word lmao) and rose. Wait, was she hinting at something or was he just too obsessed with her? Gahhh!! Emotions sucked! “So, why didn’t you go last night?” She paused and looked at him. “Sorry, am I being nosey?” What was he supposed to say? Yes you are, bogg off? Hell no! She wasn’t being nosey, and he would never say that… but he often wondered what he should say if a girl was being nosey to him.
“No, you’re not being nosey. I guess I didn’t come because I thought you’d stopped coming… sounds daft”
“No, not really” She laughed and looked at the pool. “Come on, its open. Want to do some lengths with, like a race or something?”
“Why don’t you do some with me, and my friends of course” She laughed and nodded.
“Sure… why not” She linked her arm in his, and walked with him to the pool. Neji realised something there and then. He was this close to losing her, but he didn’t. He would say destiny made this happen, but the truth was, Sasuke made it happen really. Oh yes, he had good friends. The couple joined the two idiots and Sasuke, and started a full on race. Neji always came swimming after that. The two hours passed quickly, and they all got out reluctantly. Naruto and Lee went off arguing about who was the strongest, and Sasuke walked off on his own, winking at Neji as he did so. He and the girl separated and went to get changed. He realised something as he put on his jacket. He didn’t know her name. Did she know his? His eyes were abit of a give-away, but he hadn’t seen her at school. Did she go to the public high school? Neji went to a private one… so that may be why. He slung his bag over his shoulder and walked out of the changing room, waiting by the main doors for Naruto, Sasuke and Lee. He was stood boredly by the doorframe, waiting. He hated waiting, and as you do when you’re bored – you find something to look at. Neji found a girl to look at, which unbeknownst to him was his new friend. He only realised when she turned around from getting whatever she wanted out of the vending machine, and smiling at him. Her hair was unusual, but…unique. Two brown buns placed high on either side of her head. She walked over to him and smiled.
“You swim fast” She complimented.
“You too…” He was entranced by her hair, by her body, her face… everything! Why was she to entrancing! She patted her buns self-consciously, making Neji snap out of his staring phase.
“Sorry!” He apologised. “They’re just very…”
“Weird?” A red blush appeared on her cheeks.
“Unique. Entrancing” He finished off his own sentence, smiling. She laughed. He smiled. “How come I haven’t seen you around?”
“I don’t know. Depends if you’re one of them rich snobs that go to the private school. Cause if you are, then that’s why, if you’re not, then you probably just blank me out at school”
“I’m a rich snob eh?” She laughed and bit her lip.
“Not that all rich people are snobs. I just think there are a lot of poor kids out there who don’t get the chance to do anything because their money is short. And the rich people tend to just buy things they don’t really need when they could be using it to help-” Neji held her chin and kissed her soft lips. She smelt of cherries, maybe it was the shampoo. He didn’t know, he didn’t care. He wanted her, all of her. He blinked, and quickly pulled away. They’d only known each other for not even a day and he was making a move like that!! Gahh!! He’d kill himself later. He watched as her lips formed a smile.
“Sorry…”
“Its okay Mr. Rich snob” She interlocked her fingers in his. “Sounds … silly but… I think I sort of fell in love with you when I saw you” She blushed again. She was so damn cute!
“Really? I thought there was no such thing as love at first sight” He smiled and squeezed her hands lightly.
“What do you think about it now?”
“I think it’s possible Miss Public High” She laughed and poked him playfully.
“There’s nothing wrong with going to a public school”
“Nor going to a rich snobby private school” They both laughed. “I’m Neji” He introduced himself properly with a hand held out. She took it and they shook.
“I’m Tenten”
“Is that a ten for each of your buns?” He joked. She hit him again on the chest and he laughed. “Sorry”
“Its fine” They stood in silence for a few minutes. “So…where are your friends?”
“Im beginning to think they’ve left me”
“Hmm… want to walk home with me?” Neji smiled.
“Sure” His phone buzzed in his pocket. He took it out and read the text. N. Thought we’d leave ya’ wid her. U luk cute 2gether : ) Don’t walk home alone *hint hint* Bye! Sasuke. “Yeah, they left me” He laughed, pocketed his phone and looped her arm through his. “Ready?”
“Yeah” They nodded and walked off, asking eachother random questions about eachother, and getting to know each other better. From then on, they always went swimming together, Neji didn’t leave the others out of course, but he always paid special attention to Tenten’s body as she swam through the waves. Oh yes he was a lucky chap, because that girl who was always at the pool, his entire reason for going after the first time he went, was now, after a week of their fortunate meeting, his girlfriend.