Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto and am simply writing this for fun, not profit. Though I do profit from your reviews :P

-The Pianist-

Hyuuga Neji sat in the comfy leather chair as he stared at the black piano in front of him. His friends had dragged him to out tonight under the preface that he needed to get out more. It had been two years since his last relationship and since then he had buried himself in his work.

So he had gotten dressed up, a light grey button up shirt and a pair of khaki pants, and let his friends drag him to this new piano bar. It had only opened a week ago and already it was a place were all of New York’s socialites met to discuss the goings on in the large metropolis.

He sipped his drink as he waited for the night’s entertainment to begin. It was seven thirty two exactly when the lights around the grand piano in the corner lit up. A woman wearing a simple white summer dress walked up to the piano and sat down on the small bench provided for her. She began moving her fingers over keys, pressing none.

She was trying to memorize the notes to the song, as well as warming up her fingers. Neji was captivated. This wouldn’t be the first time he had seen someone play the piano, in fact he had played occasionally. There was just something about the way the woman moved her fingers that entranced him.

She finished her warm up and relaxed her back a little. Another woman walked onto the stage. She was wearing a black pant suit with a metallic pink shirt underneath. She tapped the edge of her wine glass a little to gather the audience’s wayward attention.

“Without further delay, I bring you tonight’s entertainment,” was all she said before retreating to her seat near the front. The woman in white stood, took a bow before sitting back down on the piano. She stretched her fingers once again and then began to play.

It was a simple melody, but as Neji watched her hands, he realised playing it was a whole different story. Her fingers expertly struck the keys of the piano as her body swayed slightly with the music.

For Neji, the song ended too soon. She had struck up another melody before the effects of the last had completely dissipated. He was once again drawn in by her slender finger’s movements across the ivory and ebony keys.

The music continued to flow through the room for another half an hour, captivating ever single person in the room. Finally, the last note of the song faded away and the spell the pianist had cast on the crowd faded. The woman stood once more, bowed and then left the stage.

Once the piano was once again left empty, the crowd went back to what they had originally been doing. Neji however, followed the young woman with his eyes, seeing that she came to rest at a table with a few other people.

He stood, making up some excuse for his sudden movements, and headed to the bar at the back of the restaurant. He took the seat closest to the table and ordered a gin and tonic from the young bartender. Before long, he was joined by the pianist.

She sat a few stools away, ordering a strawberry martini, and casual talking with the bartender. Neji felt a strange feeling come over him and he moved closer to the pianist. She noticed this and turned to look in his direction.

For the first time since she had walked on stage that night, Neji looked at her face instead of her hands. She had deep chocolate eyes and matching brown hair that was tied in a single bun atop her head. She smiled at him, and her face lit up.

“I’m Tenten. Did you like the show?” she asked.

“Neji, and yes, it was wonderful,” he replied as he brought his glass up to his lips and downed the alcoholic beverage.

“Thanks,” she said as she smiled again. He loved her smile.

--

A month had passed since Neji had first entered the piano bar. In that month, he had visited it every day he knew it was her performing. After every performance they would sit at the bar at the back of the room and chat about anything and everything.

It was in this month, that Neji had found his life enjoyable, for the first time in many years. He smile, so warm and inviting, was always present on her lips, even though her past was one of sorrow. That had been what their latest conversation had revolved around, pasts.

She had told him that her father was an alcoholic, that he enjoyed beating on her mother. She said that her mother had put up with it for years, saying that her father wouldn’t hurt her unless she deserved it. Tenten had escaped this past by playing. Music was her way to get away from it all.

Finally one day her mother had found the strength to leave, but that was after staying for fourteen years. The damage was done and couldn’t be erased. Tenten wasn't bitter. “If it hadn’t been for my past,” she said, “I would never have found music.”

He, too, had confided in her. He told her of his troubled past, told her more than any he had to any of his friends or co-workers. He had opened up so much to her and he felt completely comfortable doing it.

He was going to take another step forward tonight. So when her show finished, and she made her way to the bar, he followed, taking up his usual spot beside her.

“I was wondering,” he began in what he hoped was a causal manor, “if you weren’t busy on Saturday night, if you wanted to join me for a bite to eat. I know of this really great restaurant.” She smiled; how he loved her smile.

It was in that instant that Neji realized that if the world were to turn upside down, he’d be able to get by with just her smile. It emanated, warmth, a comfort that he had only known from his parents. He realised that he was just as captivated by her pianist’s hands as her smile, and he hoped that he would get to spend a lot more time with her.

"Sure!" she responded as she lifted her drink up to her lips, "Pick me up at seven."

--

A/N – There you have it… another Nejiten oneshot :P I hope you like it! I needed something to write so I don’t feel so bad about not updating my other stories. I am working on them, don’t fret. They’re just coming along at a snails pace.

-TTFN kitty

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