Tenten felt a little resentful and regretful. She still really liked the feeling of being with Neji.
Neji was very gentle with her, and he made her feel at ease.
But they had less and less time like this now.
Neji turned to look at Tenten. The last time the Sky Ninja had attacked Konoha, Tenten had said something similar.
That meant Tenten cared a great deal about this.
Neji thought about it for a little too long, and Tenten noticed something was off with him.
She gave an awkward laugh. "I was just joking."
Neji picked up a towel and wiped the sweat from Tenten's face. "Then after this fight, let's do a mission together."
Seeing Neji's face so close to hers, Tenten's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
She hid it by taking the towel and wiping her gradually reddening face.
"Sure. Just don't think I'll hold you back."
Neji turned away and stopped staring at Tenten. "I won't."
Tenten took out her water bottle and drank a couple of mouthfuls, then naturally handed it to Neji.
Neji's gaze paused, but he took it and drank a couple of mouthfuls as well.
Then he softly asked, "Have you rested enough?"
Tenten jumped down from the chair. "Yep. Let's keep going."
Neji rose as well, but suddenly turned around.
Two figures had stepped out from the shadows.
"Fourth Hokage, Lord Shamu."
Neji was somewhat surprised, because he could sense that they had been there for a while.
They had only revealed their presence when they moved.
Shamu greeted him calmly.
"Little Neji has grown up. You've become handsome now."
Yet from the corner of his eye, he glanced at Tenten's water bottle, then at the one by Neji's feet.
Shamu's teasing left Neji at a loss. Lord Shamu had always