Melody (Konoha School Of Arts)

11. Neji's concern and Tenten's secret

I missed two updates! I'm really sorry about that. In my defense, I've been really busy with uni stuff so yeah, I'm not going to be updating as frequent as before anymore. I'd try to update once a week but don't count on it. Thank you guys for reading my story! Enjoy this chapter...

***

Neji could tell from a single glance at his co-captain that she was hurt. Again. It bled through to her composure from the way she hunched her back in the subtlest way possible to the way she winced whenever she bent over the slightest bit. He deduced that she was hurt on her torso this time.

Why Neji was being this vigilant about her physical (and probably mental) health, he did not know. He didn't even know why he was this concerned about her. Whatever she got herself into was none of his business. She was just an ungrateful, rude hippie anyway.

An ungrateful, rude hippie that might really be facing something serious at home and was too... Proud? Ashamed?...to admit it. As much as he loved to think he detested Tenten he couldn't bring himself to be unconcerned about her health, snarky and rude as she might be.

He could somehow see beyond all that brave and apathetic exterior she always wore. Neji sighed. She would just snap at him if he pointed out that she was injured again so he went to Anko-sensei instead. He had noticed that the woman was trying to get to the root of Tenten's problems and could only hope that she was successful.

For all they knew and didn't know, Tenten could be dying silently on the inside. Neji found that he didn't want that. He very much preferred the version of Tenten that got on his nerves at every given moment to this aloof and snarky one.

-

Shizune-sensei finished wrapping the bandages around Tenten's stomach and gave her some pain killers to use. "Why didn't you say anything? Your injuries would have been worse!" The nurse scolded as she stood. Concern was etched deep into her furrowed eyebrows for the girl in front of her. This was the third time this month Anko brought her here with bruise covered skin.

"Tenten, I can not sit still and watch you getting injured this way. Please, you have to talk to me. Why are you so bruised?" Anko, who was sitting next to Tenten while Shizune worked, pleaded for the girl to talk but she was adamant on keeping her usual line.

"I told you, it was a stunt accident. There's nothing to be concerned about, Anko-sensei, Shizune-sensei."

"If that's the case, I'd have Kakashi-sensei withdraw you from the dance group-" Anko was shut down before even getting her words done.

"You can't!" Tenten yelled and winced immediately from the repercussion on her ribs. Still she continued talking. "I can't withdraw from the competition! You can't do this to me!"

"Yes I can and I will." Anko was resolute. "Dancing would only worsen your injuries." Her eyes softened at the angry tears that glistened Tenten's eyes. "It's only for a while until you get better. Until then no dancing, gym or any sport activities for you."

The moved to woman pat Tenten's head but was rejected at the dime minute. Tenten brushed the teacher's hand away as it was about to touch her head. "I'm not a kid, Anko-sensei." She grumbled drowsily. The medicine she used was already kicking in.

Anko only chuckled and reined in her hand. "Sleep well kiddo." And with that she left the infirmary.

When Tenten opened her eyes it was hours past closing hours. This she knew because the wall clock was just feet away from her. Groaning, Tenten pulled herself up and looked around for Shizune-sensei. The nurse was nowhere to be found.