Happy NejiTen Month! Haha, all of these posts for NejiTen month has me inspired lately. I've been reworking As It Should Be and I wanted to practice creating Tenten's Voice. I used the scene after the Naruto Shippuden arc where they revived Gaara. I've been studying that arc a lot for AISB. And this is the result! I hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the rights to these characters. All these characters belong to Kishimoto and the Naruto Franchise. (I almost for got to make this!)

Long Time Rivals and Competitions

By Mewmewmemint

"Sensei!" Tenten called back to her sensei. He was grumpily shouldering his life long rival. "You two are too slow!"

She saw her sensei's scowl deepen. His frustration was bright as day across his face. Tenten had to turn around to hide a giggle.

"You shouldn't tease him like that," Neji lectured. Tenten looked up at him with a grin.

"Why?" She asked. The question said with a tone of false innocence. She watched her teammate give her a look. He eyed the twinkle in her eye and her smile widened.

"If you keep doing it, Gai-sensei is going to come up with some sort of ridiculous challenge or something." He replied. "He'll drag us in it, somehow. I know it."

"But come on, look at him!" Tenten pointed back with her thumb. "I've never seen Gai-sensei like this! It's a once in a lifetime chance. I mean, when will be the next time I can do this again?" Tenten asked.

Tenten noted the small upturn of his lips Neji tried to hide. He turned his head forwards.

His only reply was a head shake accompanied by a small sigh. Tenten let out a full laugh.

The suddenness of her laugh caused Lee to look back at them. His eyes looked between his rival and his female teammate.

"My friends, what is so funny?" His question earned attention from Naruto and Sakura.

"Tenten's just causing trouble again," Neji said. Tenten tried hard to smoother back a louder laugh with one hand. Her other lightly clutched her stomach.

"Trouble?" Lee asked. Tenten saw his face scrunched in concern.

She quickly waved her hand to dismiss his worry. Then her laughter faded to light giggles.

"Don't worry, Lee. I'm just laughing at Gai-sensei's face," She glanced back to emphasis her point.

"What's wrong with Gai-sensei's face?" His concern doubled instead of fading.

"Just look how miserable he is. His 'youthful' students walking ahead of him while he must slow down for his long time rival! This must be pure torture for him!" She grinned. This earned her a chuckle from the pink hair kunoichi and blonde shinobi.

"And look at Kakashi-sensei," Naruto pointed blatantly. "He looks like he's going to pass out from embarrassment."

Tenten glanced back again. Her laughing fit returned tenfold. She nearly suffocated herself in order to hide her laughter. Neji gave her another look. Telling her she needed to calm down. Tenten worked hard to gather her composure. She caught a subtle eye roll from him.

She took a final calming breath before she turned to the senseis.

"Sensei!" She sang out. "Hurry!"

And there it was. Her teacher's patience snapped and a sharp glint past through his eyes. The next thing she saw was Kakashi's body being thrown high into the air. Then he was swiftly placed on Gai's back. They formed into an awkward piggyback.

The corner of Tenten's smile twitched downwards into a frown.

The group stopped to take in the unfortunate scene. Gai gave the group a bright grin.

"I see!" Lee said a sparkle grew into his eye. Tenten saw the excitement spread across his face. "You're training, right?"

Grinning even wider, Gai sparkled brightly.

"Now, with this," He emphasized. "I'll be quicker this way!"

A motivated shout grew as her sensei ran towards them with only the power she could ever define as Gai's renowned 'Youth'. Tenten and the group scrambled to part and let him pass as he shouted for them to move. Dust erupted behind his quick feet. She coughed roughly to expel the dust shoved up her sinuses. The others being forced to cough as well.

As the dirt quickly settled they were left with Gai's fading form ahead of them. He challenged floated back to the group.

"Can you guys keep up with me?!"

Tenten could instantly feel the legendary Hyuga glare on the back of her head.

Lee crouched towards the pair expectantly.

"Neji," Lee commanded.

"Hell no," Neji refused.

Once again Tenten felt the Hyuga glare. It intensified as she refused to look at him. Her fingers drifted up and awkwardly fluffed her bags.

"But Neji-" Lee tried again. This time is voice whined.

"Never," Neji grumped. His glare never leaving Tenten.

Feeling guilty, Tenten stopped Lee before his next protest came. She glanced around to the others' dissatisfied looks.

"Lee if you really want a challenge why don't we all give you our bags?" She hoped this would earn back her good grace. "I mean, I have quite a few weapons almost as heavy as Gai and Kakashi combined!"

It was likely a lie. Sure her scroll was weighed down by quite a few of her heavier sealed weapons but it might have been a stretch to suggest it was as heavy as either jonin. She did try to pack light?

Lee turned to her sparkling. His arms outstretched for her stuff. She didn't hesitate to hand over her scroll and bag. She watched as he quickly gathered everyone's stuff and raced off.

"We only have you to blame for this one, Tenten," Neji said. Though Sakura and Naruto seemed to forgive her and rush off after Lee, Neji was a different case.

She kicked a toe to the ground.

"Sorry," She said. "At least we don't have to carry our stuff?"

She looked up hopeful. But Neji's crossed arms showed her it wasn't enough.

"Fine! If you win I'll treat you to whatever food you want for a week, no, for two weeks! Okay?" She bargained.

His eyes narrowed but then closed in resignation.

"Fine," Neji sighed.

Tenten immediately perked up. She walked next to the jonin. They both faced the direction home.

"Alright," She said. "On your mark, get set-"

But before Tenten said 'Go', she rushed off, cheating for a head start. She couldn't help it. She knew she was going to need any advantage she could afford to defeat Neji. And so, she rushed off laughing, leaving Neji momentarily stunned.

...

By the time the pair had made it a third of the way back. They both easily passed Kakashi's team as they raced home. They ran evenly match to one another. It was only as Konoha came into view. Tenten watched as Neji gave extra effort and pulled on ahead, making it across the gates just seconds before her. Naruto and Sakura pulled up to them a whole 30 seconds later. The last two hunched over to catch their breath.

In front of them, Gai and Lee caused a scene. Tenten felt sorry at this point as her sensei flung Kakashi around on his back.

"Sensei gave me another important lesson, I feel it!" Lee shouted and cried. He took note of his sensei's words.

Tenten felt Neji's bad mood return.

"As always, I don't understand why they have to be like this," His eyes narrowed at the two green men. But Tenten knew better.

"But you still kind of got into the race, didn't you," Tenten placed a hand on her hip and gave him a knowingly smug look. He looked away.

"Don't be ridiculous!"

Gai then stated they needed to hurry to the Hokage next. But with reasoning, Sakura convinced him that they needed to get Kakashi to the hospital first. Sakura and Naruto jogged after a fast move Gai.

"Tenten and I will report to Lady Tsunade," Neji called after. Sakura gave a quick wave of acknowledgment before they disappeared towards the hospital. Neji turned to Tenten. He crossed his arms at her and said, "Afterwords, we're going to get some soba. Your treat."

Tenten gave him an awkward smile. But he made his way to the Hokage's office. Tenten quickly caught up and walked next to him happily.

I hope you liked it! I don't often write Oneshots but I might have to do it more. It was fun and I really need to work on developing a character's voice.

Let me know what you think through your Reviews!

Until Next Time!