This was inspired by BoA's video Kimochi wa Tsutwaru and the song Meri Kuri (also by her).

Meri Kuri

Step. Step. Step. Splash.

Futari no kyori ga sugoku,

Chijimatta kimochi ga shita…

Damn those slush puddles, Tenten cursed. As if she already didn't have enough to worry about.

Other people get gifts on Christmas, she thought bitterly. I get bills. Merry Christmas, Tenten.

Shizen ni ude ga kumete

Mieta sora… Miageta toki ni

She continued her way walking down the street, seeing everything as if it was a slow-motion replay, from behind a veil of loneliness, rage and sadness. Lights twinkled in store windows, throwing a warm glow on the shoppers hurrying home in the late, chilly winter evening to get to their families. Toys in store displays and the hands of children beckoned to be cuddled. Christmas trees glittered all around her. Festive music played softly around her. The joy of the holidays seemed to reach out and touch everyone but her.

Konbini de ochaeraunde

Atari mae ni wake atte

Her sensitive ears picked up the words of a song playing. "Lonely on a Christmas Eve, dancing with myself…" Tears sprung to her eyes. Nobody knows, she raged, Nobody knows how that feels except for me! What do I have?

Nothing…

Kimi no mune ni

Kurumareteiru

Tenten sighed. Even today, Christmas Eve!, she had to be different. Her long brown hair was down and her face slightly touched with makeup. A cream-coloured wool sweater and stylish blue jeans clung to her body. Topping off the hip-but-casual look were furry boots and an open trench coat. Hands jammed deep into her pockets, she looked like a civilian- a normal girl with no worries, albeit a very pretty girl. But her ravaged heart and scars would not leave her alone for one moment.

Zutto Zutto

Soba ni ite

Turning her gaze away from the happy families, she could see many happy couples on the street. Laughing, talking….in love.

Neji...no…Neji will never be anything more than a teammate…a friend would be stretching it. She sighed inwardly. There's more proof that I have nothing.

Daisuki na kimi o

Mitsumeteitai

Tenten had abandoned the notion of her and Neji a long time ago. It was a weakness, something she couldn't afford. Without it, she and Neji grew even further apart. It's just something else I'll never have, she told herself firmly. So stop reaching for the stars and aim for something you can reach!

SNOW FLAKES Kimi to

Nukumori wa

Snow started falling, a light flurry which didn't obscure sight, but the kind that lightly coats everything and which Tenten thought had a kind of bittersweet look. To match my mood.

Fuyu no okurimono

Hora yuki dayo

She hurried home, eyes averted from everyone in order not to see how happy they all were. She reached her apartment building, throwing the door open to the deserted lobby. Trudging up the stairs, she began fumbling for her keys before looking up at her apartment door, upon which a very familiar figure was leaning against.

Dokoka de tsurai koto ya

Sabishisa ni butsukatte mo

"Neji," She said calmly. "What a surprise."

Kimi omou kono kimochi ni

Shoujiki de iru to chikauyo

The boy- no, the man shrugged, causing the shoulder of his black jacket to scrunch up. His white eyes swept over her in a look Tenten couldn't understand- it was nervous, embarrassed, desire?, but still nonchalant. He didn't wear his hitai-ate to cover up his cursed seal, instead using a plain black and white cloth band. Like most Konoha shinobi, he didn't wear his training outfit today, instead opting for civilian's clothing. He raised an eyebrow at her clothing and makeup.

She, too, shrugged. Two can play at that game, Neji. "So I felt like looking normal today." Changing the subject, she asked "Why are you here anyway?"

Megeru to kore kikeyo atte

Kashitekureta CD wa

Neji's eyebrow stayed where it was. "Hello and nice to see you too, Tenten. Thanks for the lovely greeting."

"If I did that to Lee, you wouldn't care less."

"…Do I look like Lee?"

Kimi ga kureta

Uta no LOVE LETTER

Tenten was about to retort when her cell phone rang.

Zutto Zutto

Itakute

"Moshi moshi, Tenten here!"

"Hora, Tenten."

"Sasuke!" yes, Tenten knew Sasuke. They were pretty good friends actually. Partially because they both loved weapons and partially because she was the only girl that didn't Hinata who didn't glomp him. She noticed Neji stiffening.

Tsuki auttekurete

Nee arigatou

"Sakura's inviting you over to my place for tea on Boxing Day."

"I'd love to come." How fitting, since it was her and Neji who had gotten them together. Well, Neji just did the threatening. Good times, good times…

"At 4:00, Neji can come too." She could hear the unasked question in his voice but she chose not to answer it. Her eyes flicked to Neji and she saw him staring down at her.

Motto Suki na hito tsuyoku

Dakishimenasai to

"Yeah, that's OK. Then I'll see you then." Tenten snapped shut her phone, about to pick up the conversation with Neji where they left off when she saw his expression. It must have sounded like a date…well Neji, I can be an insensitive, cold-hearted bastard if I want to.

Yuki wa furu yo

"That so was not a date," she informed him shortly as she unlocked her door.

"Sasuke…?" His voice dripped with sarcasm and skepticism.

Okurimono o sagashi nagara

Musubu hazu no nai kimochi ga

"None of your business," she replied coolly. "Unless- Mr. I-don't-need weakness is jealous?"

"I shouldn't have come tonight if that's how you feel." His blank eyes probed into hers. Instinctively, she pulled her coat around her.

Musubi aetta koto no fushigi

Kanjiteta

"No, goddamn it Neji, I don't know the fuck how I feel!" she burst out. "And it's all be-cause of you." She mumbled into her hands.

Neji didn't move for a few moments, but something about him changed, snapped. "Then it doesn't matter if I do this."

Zutto Zutto

Soba ni ite

Moving forward swiftly, his lips met hers in a brief, chaste kiss. Then he placed a box in her hand and paused. "I just want you to know, even if you don't love me, I'm not sorry that I got your first kiss." Then, he turned and walked down the hall.

Onaji yume sagasu

Tabi o shitai

She opened the box. Inside were a beautiful kunai, a set of two jeweled hair combs and a note. Unfolding the plain white paper, she read:

Tenten.

You should do something with your hair besides the buns.

Meri Kuri.

Neji.

She smiled to herself. That idiot took down Orochimaru's servant and he's scared of confessing to a girl. Translated, the letter meant I love you.

SNOW FLAKES

Sora ga machikado ni

Flying down the hall to where he was, she caught his wrist. He turned around, and she could see the unasked question in his normally blank eyes.

Shiroi iki o haku

Hora yuki da yo

"Meri Kuri, Neji."

He stared at her for a moment, looking slightly shocked. He pulled her into a hug, his arm wrapping around her waist possessively. "….Meri Kuri, Tenten."

The clock struck midnight.

The white, white snow's comin' tonight,

Make a wish upon your kiss.

Meri Kuri, anata…