A Rose With Thorns Still Smells Sweet

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the characters from Naruto

Summary: AU NejiTen Neji discovers that not all of the ladies at court are the same, and that not all changes in custom are bad.

Chapter 4

After a thorough grooming, the sure footed Fuu’s mane was as glossy as ever and Neji had to keep himself from grumbling when he noticed Tenten slipping the horse treats in the form of sugar cubes. Whilst he did concede that Fuu probably did deserve them he still wasn’t very keen on the idea of spoiling her.

Returning Fuu to her stall, Neji and Tenten stepped out of the stables in a comfortable silence.

Tenten seemed to be about to speak, when Neji swiftly cut her off.
“To make this fair for us both, I suggest we both use bows from the palace supplies. We should also both check the equipment and will both agree on a suitable target.”
He glanced sideways to confirm her reaction – she didn’t seem to know what to think.
If Neji’s deduction was true, it was likely that when competing against males in the past, and whilst they insisted on inspecting all of her equipment for signs of duplicity – some even trying to point out ‘advantages’ she could have that did not exist. And of course none had had the courtesy (or decency) to extend the offer to her as well.

Finally a small smile made its way onto her face and she spoke:
“Ever chivalrous, Sir Neji.” Her tone was light and teasing but her eyes filled with respect and gratitude.
Neji responded with a mock bow and held the door to the armoury open for her, as if demonstrating just that.
Nudging the door shut behind them Neji heard a small gasp from his companion. Turning towards her he saw wide bright eyes; her lips had parted slightly as she took in the sight before her.
Neji had to consciously suppress a chuckle.
Tenten seemed to be trying her hardest not to salivate over the large expanse of weapons on show – most other ladies at court drooled freely over men.
It was another one of her quirks and Neji found it quite amusing to say the least.

After a not-so-brief argument over which bows would serve best for their purpose they settled on utilising longbows, and after thoroughly inspecting each others arrows each took a full quiver.

Tenten seemed to be unwilling to tear her eyes away from the ‘beautiful metalwork’; Neji had to remind her of the reason for which they had entered the armoury to begin with. Remembering their contest, Tenten reluctantly pulled herself away.
“When you join the Royal Ladies you will be authorised to come and go from here as you please,” Neji remarked as they made their way to the practice courts.
Neji took it for granted that she would succeed in her goal. The implication was not lost on Tenten. Neji saw her glance up at him through the corner of his eye. Her lips parted, as if to speak, but then closed again as though thinking better of it.

x X x

Still in awe of the majesty that was the armoury, Tenten did not notice immediately when they reached the archery practice courts. They were completely empty save for a punished page who seemed to have the responsibility of collecting (and mending when necessary) arrows.

A barrier had been assembled about thirds of the way down the field. Beyond it, targets were lined up, each bearing three rings; the largest had a diameter of 30cm and the smallest at 10cm.

Taking three measured paces from the barrier, Neji set the first distance from which they would shoot. Joining him opposite the next target along, Tenten took an arrow from her quiver and strung her bow.
Glancing through the corner of her eye, she saw Neji do the same.
”Together?”
”Together,” he confirmed.
Swinging up their bows, and settling an arrow in place each they took aim.
“One.”
Tenten shifted her foot slightly, giving her a wider but more grounded stance.
“Two.”
She drew the string back to her ear and steadied the arrow.
“Three.”

With soft ‘thunk’s both arrows had become embedded in the very centre of their respective targets.
Chancing a glance at her opponent she noted that he still had the same calm expression adorning his features as before. As if he felt her eyes on him he turned a little to give an approving nod before taking four more paces back, setting the second distance.

Again the ritual started as they counted together and prepared for the next shot. Loosing their arrows simultaneously once more, they both landed within the central ring of the target; whilst Neji’s teetered on the very edge of the small circle, Tenten’s arrow had found its place right next to her first one.

Taking five more strides back to establish the final distance, they each positioned their bows for the last time. Letting go of the string, their arrows were propelled forwards. This time Tenten’s neared the edge of the smallest circle (whilst still remaining inside it). Neji’s hit the borderline between rings.

As Neji called the page over to retrieve the arrows, Tenten observed the targets. It would certainly be close; both targets had a small cluster of arrows in the central ring with none straying beyond its edge.
When Neji joined her again, they approached the targets together, stopping just short of the barrier.
“It was extremely close.” His tone was as neutral as it had been all day; there was no way of telling what he was thinking. His steady gaze gave away none of his musings. “Co-”
“My Lord!”
Turning to the page who had cut him off, Neji raised a brow in a silent demand for an explanation.
“Pardon my interruption My Lord, My Lady, but these arrows are buried too deep. I can’t seem to get them free…”

As they stepped around the barrier and approached the targets, Tenten saw that whilst two of Neji’s arrows had been successfully removed, all of her own plus one of his remained rooted in the wood. She watched as Neji tugged at them, testing just how deeply they went before saying in his colourless tone, “If the arrows are to be salvaged then they must be cut free from the board. I will notify someone so it will not fall to you to do this.”
“As you wish, My Lord.” Bowing to each of them and looking at them both with a little awe the page went back to his corner and continued to mend arrows.

“It seems that you have earned the right to learn to wield the lance.”
Tenten turned and blinked.
“I have a clan meeting tomorrow evening, but perhaps we could begin your ‘training’ the evening after?”
Still slightly stunned by his lack of protest in his defeat, Tenten could only nod, forgetting that it may seem rude to do so.
Neji smirked at her. “I’ll assume that you do not ride side saddle, but I must warn you to be prepared for much…pain.”

Careful not to forget herself entirely, Tenten merely raised a brow as if to say “Oh really?”. Her response, however, was “I assure you, Sir Neji, that I am not so delicate to be deterred by a little pain.”
At this his smirk only widened in a silent “We’ll see”. Taking their equipment, he gave her a nod of farewell and made his way out of the training ground.

As Tenten followed him out a few moments later, she made a mental note to stop by the royal infirmary and stock up on healing balms.

-Hollyrose-

A/N: Sorry about the lackof update for last month; my Aunt passed away so I haven't had much time to write/upload anything.

Neeta Fai: Parmatma Ae Atmane Shanti Sachi Aapjo

Anyway, I know that this chapter is shorter than usual, but I thought that it would be best to end it here. I'll try to have the nest chapter done quicker to make up for the lateness and shrtness of this one (though I can't guarentee anything).

Reviews are loved and Concrit is appreciated!
Thanks for reading :)