[CLOSED] No he can't read my poker face

[tenten_san]

Who: Tenten, Maito Gai, Uchiha Obito
Where: Konohagakure
When: AGS 1: September 9th
Notes: Gai's got a new boyfriend and Tenten is feeling fiercely protective. Because who cares that he's the Hokage...

With hardly a rustle of sound, the kunoichi dropped to the ground from her hiding spot in the trees, marking the end of the stand-off. Loose strands of hair fluttered in the wind, and there was a slight heave in each breath she took. But make no mistake of it, Tenten was energized. Even now, soaked in sweat and covered in dirt, she welcomed the cool caress of air against her heated skin as a trickle of sweat slowly made its way down the length of her face, starting at the temple and making a slow crawl to finally make a home at the curve of her clavicle.

It had been a good training session. And a much needed one, at that. Tenten could not remember the last time she had been able to spend this much time with her former instructor and squad leader. Likely just about as long since the entirety of the team had been gathered together for one. And even then, it had been weeks overdue.

But that was to be expected when separate promotions and concentration on different disciplines came into play. Neji was a Jounin now, and running on a different schedule than neither she nor Lee could follow. And especially in recent months, there seemed to be a number of other factors dividing his time, least of all his seemingly budding relationship with a certain Sand Witch from the desert village of Suna. That, however, was the least of her concerns.

Brushing a sleeve across her sweaty brow, she flashed the other an enthused smile. "I almost had you there, Sensei..."

The older they got, the more apparent it became that each member of Team Gai needed to learn to stand on their own for a little while and not rely so much on the effectiveness of them as a team. It was all well and good when they were Genin and still training on the fundamentals of how to function as a unit, watching each other's backs and making up for each other's weaknesses. To hold on to that, now, would be unfair and stifling. And that was the last thing Tenten wanted for her boys.

It was time to surpass her weaknesses. Only then could she stand proud as a pillar of strength for them. Only then could they all stand as equals. It did not, however, mean that the kunoichi could not miss her boys any less than she did.

Comments

[morningpeacock]

Gai rose out of his striking position as his student dropped from the trees, ending their bout. Though he tried his best not to show it, she had him a little winded. Dodging Tenten's excellent aim was always a challenge and had become even more so since Team Gai had largely struck out on their own. She was honing her craft and Gai was very proud of that, even if he didn't see her (or her teammates) all that much anymore. They would always be his precious students, even when the time came for them to adopt precious students of their own!!

"Almost!" He grinned, crossing the field and, as he did, picking up a few stray weapons from where they peppered the ground. The light in her eyes matched his own; there was nothing like sparring with one of your own students and getting a first hand appreciation for how far their skills had come. "Your practicing has paid off handsomely!"

He gave her a hug and slung an arm over her shoulders, pulling her in close to kiss the top of her messy hair. "You have never failed to impress me, my adorable Tenten. I am honored to be your sensei!" A bold thumbs up and a striking pose to accompany the statement. "Come! Let us pack up your tools and then I shall treat you to lunch!"