Hi. Here's an epilogue I didn't plan on writing. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

~ epilogue ~

"Are you sure we're ready for this next step?"

Neji looked up from where he was crouching, treating Tenten to a panicked look. "Are you seriously questioning this? Now?"

Tenten shrugged, biting her lip. "I don't want anything to change between us. This could be a lot."

Neji stared and Tenten waited, watching as a series of emotions played out over his features. After a moment, he straightened, opening his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a producer. "Neji Hyuga?"

Neji and Tenten looked over at the squat, twenty-something. His headset sat a little too far back on his head. "You're up," the producer said, gesturing behind him to the start line.

Neji nodded and glanced at Tenten. She grinned and punched him lightly on the shoulder. "Well," she said cheerfully, "I guess we'll never know. It's too late to back out now."

Neji sighed loudly in frustration and pulled her to him, kissing her squarely on the mouth. "Eat my dust," he whispered, pulling away as he headed towards the beginning of the course.

Tenten smiled and snuck to the side where she could see the course laid out before her. Neji was stooped low as he waited for the starting buzzer, tensed and ready.

When Tenten had divulged she and Neji's obsessive watching of the popular television obstacle course show to her brother, she'd never expected anything from it. However, when Rocky had called a few months ago, saying he'd met one of the producers from the show, Tenten had jumped at the chance.

She and Neji had been drafted as walk-ons, a selection of contestants that filled in gaps for airtime. The timing had been near perfect—filming for the show was taking place the same week of Rocky's movie premiere. Tenten and Neji had arrived in LA only a couple of days before and had spent most of their time getting in some last-minute workouts and adjusting to jet lag.

The buzzer blared and Neji raced forward. He quickly set a steady pace, hopping across beams and scaling walls. Tenten chewed on the edge of her thumbnail nervously as Neji hesitated before a section of plexiglass wall, analyzing it from below.

Tenten glanced at the big red clock that was recording Neji's time. "Come on, Hyuga!" Tenten called out.

Neji bounced on the trampoline for a few seconds, before launching himself up, his legs spread across the four-foot distance between the walls. He'd misjudged the height a little and had settled towards the bottom of the wall, leaving him little space for error. Tenten watched as Neji struggled to make it to the end of the plexiglass wall, his feet starting to lose traction on the wall. Finally, not far from where Neji could safely jump down, he slipped, splashing into the pool below.

"Dammit," Tenten muttered, watching Neji re-emerge from the water. She cheered along with the rest of the crowd for Neji but was soon approached by another producer.

"Tenten Li? Your turn."

Tenten felt her stomach turn to knots, adrenaline flooding her veins. She walked up to the starting line, her eyes searching for her father and Rocky. They'd come down from the stands and were yelling their heads off, jumping up and down in enthusiasm. She saw Neji join them, dripping wet, a towel thrown over his shoulders. He flashed her a smirk and waved.

The buzzer sounded.

Tenten took a deep breath and set off, flying easily past steps and scaling up the forest of rope swings. She had a close call as she attempted to cross a section of swinging balance beams, but pushed herself forward, not pausing long enough to rest. She swiftly reached the next section of course, an obstacle that involved clinging to a ring and moving it up and down pegs to traverse the distance to the next segment.

Tenten took a deep breath, hearing the distinct yells of her father and brother's encouragement. She smiled and launched herself up, grasping the ring. She swung for a moment, gaining momentum, before pushing up, moving the ring from the first peg to the second.

There were roars of cheers from the assembled crowd.

"GO, TENNIE!" Rocky screamed from below.

Tenten tried to push away the thought that Rocky had called her by her embarrassing nickname on national television. She swung her body again and moved to the third peg, letting out a relieved breath.

As she swung for the fourth and highest rung, Tenten swallowed and readjusted her grip, her hands slippery on the metal ring. She moved upward and felt the ring hit the peg, but it didn't catch. She cursed as she fell the several feet into the pool. Tenten rushed up to the surface and sucked in a big breath, a grin on her face. As she stepped out of the pool, producers ushered her off the course, throwing her a towel.

Her father, Rocky, and Neji met her behind the stage.

"Tennie, you did so well!" Rocky exclaimed, beaming.

"Your renewed Shaolin training has definitely paid off," her father agreed as he pulled her into a tight hug.

"Baba, this isn't from Shaolin," Tenten protested. "Neji and I have been training for this for weeks."

Her father released her, and she looked to Neji, grinning. "Fun, right? And you didn't want to try it," she commented.

Neji rolled his eyes. "You lost the bet, you know. I made it farther than you did, and in less time," Neji said, clearly pleased with himself.

Tenten swatted at him, only slightly annoyed. "Yeah, yeah. I hope you realize everyone saw you hesitate at that jump."

Neji scoffed. "I was coming up with a strategy," he said.

Tenten grinned. "Some strategy."

Neji opened his mouth to let out a retort, but Rocky threw his arms around both their shoulders, leading them towards the contestant tent. "You two argue over everything," Rocky said, shaking his head. "Let's go eat. Mine and Baba's treat."

They ended up in LA's Chinatown, choosing a Chinese restaurant that was open late. As they'd walked into the restaurant, Neji had spotted a billboard featuring Rocky's movie premiere and pointed it out to Tenten.

"And you said that my family was the wealthy one," he'd muttered to her.

"That's completely different. Rocky just plays a villainous billionaire," Tenten retorted, giving his hand a squeeze.

Neji shrugged, following her father and brother to a table.

Since Rocky's movie had wrapped, he'd begun receiving other offers to audition. While the fame had yet to go to his head, Tenten couldn't help noting her brother's confidence in his acting ability had skyrocketed—a bit amusing, seeing as he had something around twenty lines in his first movie role. Tenten had been teasing him about it incessantly.

"What should we get?" Maito mused aloud, consulting the menu.

"Everything," Tenten chimed. "I'm starving."

"You're always hungry," Rocky muttered dismissively, glancing over the noodle options.

"Rock, I've spent the last four months eating almost nothing but kale," Tenten said sharply, her eyes dancing to Neji's.

He stared back openly, his smirk ever-present. "What will you give me, since I beat you on the course?" he asked, his tone low.

Tenten pursed her lips, trying not to smile. "We can discuss terms later," she whispered.

Oblivious to their conversation—or perhaps, they were attempting to respect their privacy—Maito and Rocky launched into ordering from the waiter in Mandarin. Tenten half-listened, her eyes slyly flitting back to Neji.

"I'm so happy you guys are here for the premiere," Rocky said as they finished ordering, turning to Neji and Tenten. "It means a lot to me."

"Rock, we wouldn't miss it for the world. When else will I get to mock you in front of all of your actor friends?" Tenten posed.

Rocky treated his sister to a stern look. "Tennie, please don't embarrass me. This will be a big night for me."

"You two have mocked me my whole life!" Tenten proclaimed, glancing at her brother and father. "It's time for payback."

Rocky exhaled loudly and considered Neji. "Neji, please don't let her embarrass me."

Neji shook his head. "What makes you think I can stop her? She practically bullied me into appearing on the show tonight."

Rocky sighed happily, looking between them. "Neji, you must really love her to go through such a challenge."

Neji's mouth formed a small smile. His eyes lifted to Tenten's, softening. "I do," he answered simply.

Tenten smiled back, a happy flush creeping onto her cheeks. Heart swelling in her chest, she said, "The feeling's mutual."

A/N: If you're familiar with the obstacle course show Sasuke or American Ninja Warrior perhaps these courses will seem familiar.

Thanks for indulging me one more time with this! - KNO