In My Dark World

6

Ichiraku ramen shop was busy today but Tenten couldn't hide her excitement much as she tried. Ayame and Teuchi had taken to her quickly and she had become a family member of the sorts in just a span of two weeks. Tenten's giddiness was adorable to look upon, the thought that she was going to meet her boyfriend (not my boyfriend!- Tenten would tell while being a flustered mess) after work. It was a routine by now. Tenten would clock off work and run off to meet her handsome gentleman. Sometimes they would drop by at the shop and most times they were out somewhere enjoying themselves.

Ayame had her concerns about the possible relationship between the two though she let her thoughts remain just that. She meant no offense to Neji and she had nothing against him but Tenten was just picking up pieces of her life back again, it would be hard to pick up after a blind man along with it. Closing hours came soon enough and Tenten was immediately out the door, throwing a goodbye off her shoulder as she left. There were times like these when Ayame considered never voicing out her concerns, because Tenten was being such a school girl in love. She didn't want to break her bubble with a reality check and besides, Tenten was a fully grown adult. She could take care of herself.

"She's whipped." Teuchi commented with a closed eye smile from behind her. Ayame turned to her father with a soft laugh.

"Yes she is."

Meanwhile Tenten skipped to the bus stop where Neji was sure to be waiting for her. Sure enough he was there looking as handsome as ever. He made a beautiful art standing under the green shade of the bus stop, back ramrod straight and white cane firmly in his hand. That or Tenten's sense of art was biased.

"Hey." She announced her arrival and watched Neji's serious face morph into a smile at the sound of her voice.

"Hey you." He said pleasantly. "How was work today?"

"Busy but I scaled through. How was yours?" Tenten asked back not just because she was polite but because she also wanted to know how well Neji's work went.

"Not as eventful as yours but I managed a new piece today." The man informed her.

"I'd like to see it!" Tenten was always excited for any time he completed a painting. It remained fascinating how he always managed to pull it off despite the state of his eyes.

Neji's face took on a bashful flush at that. All of a sudden he was shy. "You will. Actually..." He paused, reconsidering.

"Actually what?" Tenten urged gently.

"Could you...go to the grocery store with me? I..ran out." Tenten sensed that that wasn't what Neji really had in mind to say but the man was looking so red and shy right now, she decided to indulge him.

"Okay!" Tenten linked their arms together and they fell in steps to the grocery store a few distances away from the bus stop.

Shopping was fun with Neji. He had to rely on his sense of smell, texture and ultimately his guts to pick out the best groceries but having Tenten around made it a lot easier to choose. He ended up buying a lot of stuff and pushing a few groceries into Tenten's hands, having known of the woman's tendencies to live off convenient store rice cakes and instant noodles. They caused a scene pushing the bags between themselves but ultimately Neji won and Tenten could eat good food for once.

When they were leaving the grocery store Neji's slipped into a shy demeanor again. It roused Tenten's curiosity so she asked him what was on his mind. "I was thinking..." Neji drew in a breath. "I was thinking of inviting you over at my place tonight. For dinner." He rushed out. Tenten's face also became red because this would be her first time getting invited for a dinner date. "Haha I'm moving too fast aren't I? Ah it's just to eat though!- I won't do anything you're uncomfortable with. A-and maybe we can watch movies afterwards o-or play games...if you don't want to it's fine-!" Neji just continued rambling nervously until Tenten stopped him by placing her hand in his and squeezing it tightly.

"I'd love to have dinner at yours Neji. It's just...I don't have any clothes to wear or make up or anything like that. I'm afraid I'll just look shabby." Tenten expressed her fears. Neji's heart warmed as he looked over to where Tenten's voice sounded from. If only his eyes could just focus...

"Hey it's just me and my house." Neji:s soft voice broke through Tenten's insecurities. "And besides I think you look beautiful in anything. I don't need to have eyes to know you'd be perfect tonight." Neji squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"You flatterer." Tenten chuckled wetly. "Alright, I'd love to have dinner with you then." She accepted Neji's invitation with a smile.

"Great!" The relief was clear in Neji's voice. "I'd order a ride for you. You stay at Ichiraku's right?"

"A ride?!" Rather than answering his question Tenten chose to get ready to refuse the offer. "I can just come over! You'd tell me your address and I'd take the bus-"

"Tenten.' Neji interrupted her with an amused smile. "I want to do this for you. That aside, Kaguya Av is a tricky place to get into. I wouldn't want you going through all that trouble." Tricky was a light way to put Kaguya Av. It was a place for the wealthy and so it had restricted access and heavy security. Not anybody could wander into the territory like they did other places.

Fortunately for Neji Tenten conceded and allowed herself to be picked up from home. They part ways after that, Neji's heart beating wildly in his chest. The person he admires- loves if he was being bold, was coming over at his place this evening! He had to clean and make everywhere presentable before getting started on dinner. Neji couldn't wait! He hoped Tenten liked his food.

Meanwhile as soon as she got to her single room apartment at Ichiraku Tenten broke down in a fit. Even though Neji assured her that he didn't care what she wore she wanted to make sure she didn't look like she wasn't supposed to be at Neji's side if people saw them together. She wanted to look as good as he did– she wanted to look good beside him.

Looking at the four shabby pieces of clothing that stared back at her from her makeshift wardrobe had Tenten's hope of looking good crumbling into pieces. She was doomed. Doomed!

"Tenten are you alright in there?" A knock broke through her thoughts. It was Ayame. Tenten perked up at the thought of the older woman. Maybe she'd have a solution to her problem. And so Tenten opened the door and told Ayame about her predicament. "Why didn't you say so earlier?!" Ayame asked. "I'd gladly help you!"

"You will?" The relief Tenten felt was spiritual. "Thank you Ayame-san!"

Ayame waved her hand dismissively. "Hai hai let's get started before your ride arrives. First you we to do something about that mop on your head."

Tenten chuckled nervously. She hadn't washed her hair all day so it was greasy. That and she didn't have all those fancy hair products that made the hair glossy and smell nice. Thinking that she let people see her with Neji like this brought an embarrassed flush to her face. Mah whatever. She'd stun Neji with a total 360° change tonight.

***
I think Tenten is forgetting a tiny little detail about Neji...

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-Star.