FANFICTION!! And a question...

[linkandluigi.livejournal.com]

This is the first time I've ever posted a fanfiction in this community! Or any community for that matter.

Well, I'm posting a fanfiction AND posing a question at the same time.

Here is the question:
As far as I know, Tenten/Neji is the most popular heterosexual pairing in Naruto. Maybe I'm just blind but could someone please explain to me the basis behind that pairing? This is not meant to patronize anyone or be mean, I'm actually GENUINELY curious.

With that being said, here is the fanfiction:
But She Didn't Kill Him...
Summary: Tenten confesses her love to Neji, but doesn't get quite the reaction she had expected.
Rating: PG

(The fanfiction, however...IS kind of to be mean.)

Comments

[badfeeling.livejournal.com]

“Do you think that…in another time… in another reality…” Tenten said. “Our love could have prevailed?”

“No.” said Neji. “Not now, not ever. Not in another reality, not in another time, not in another place.”

It's official. I love you. I've always thought the same thing about this pairing. In the anime maybe there was one time he did something cool. And TenTen was like "That was cool." And that was it. I might have dreamed that too.

:D You rock.

[linkandluigi.livejournal.com]

Aww...I lurve you too. But in a totally platonic way! Yeah, I think she thinks he's a good fighter and may stalk him and stuff. Heck! SHE might like HIM but in my opinion, Neji is either asexual or gay.

[linkandluigi.livejournal.com]

I believe the biggest reason for Neji/Tenten is that Tenten is a girl. And Lee and Neji are on her team and...well... Neji is more attractive. So he gets the girl!

Then again, if you think about it, NO pairing in Naruto is canon! NONE of them have OFFICIALLY happened yet.

[superheroine]

Well. I wouldn't say they're completely imcompatible. We don't know enough about their relationship as a team - hell, we don't know enough about Tenten as a character - to really make that assumption. There is no "real way" the Tenten/Neji relationship is supposed to work.

That we know of in their relationship...

Neji very rarely argues with Tenten, or even disagrees with her. They're close as friends, or, indeed, Tenten is closer than almost anyone else to Neji, with the exception of perhaps Hinata. They never seem to be training without the other, and they certainly don't dislike each others company. And, on a personal judge of Neji's character, he wouldn't train with just anyone, for anyone he didn't consider a worthy opponent. Also, there's the basis that, yes, because they are on the same team, they will be spending a lot of time together, and may eventually become close friends.

Also, was I not the only one catching the slight vibes on how whenever something happened to Neji or Tenten in the chuunin exams, they would scope to the other to catch their reaction? Again, possibly a teammate thing, but still a factor.

Another factor is definately the Mary Sue/Self Insert option. Tenten is a very open character - Neji is a very attractive, liked character. You get female authors who are Neji fans and love him dearly? You can see the immediate result.

Also, there's a major impact of the "we're on the same team" factor. I'm comfortable in saying that if they weren't on the same team, there would be a huge lack of NejiTen, and it would be a rare pairing. Likewise with other duos, such as KibaHina, or ShikaIno, or any such thing.

It's an eligible pairing, very open to interpretation. Very, very few people pull it off well, in my eyes, and mostly it is floundered with badfic and silly things. From what we know of Tenten, she's a strong, devoted girl, who wants to be the strongest kunoichi and can get a bit hot headed at times. Otherwise? Entirely fan interpretation.

Well, that was fun ^_^

Your fic was amusing - not how I see Tenten as a character at all, but amusing nevertheless. I wouldn't be as arrogant to say that that's how their relationship really is, but... well. you never know. One day the pairing may see true or false from Kishimoto himself (unlikely, but possible) and we'll all see.

[superheroine]

And I do believe my default icon can show what I appreciate. Regardless, it depends on how its written. Just because I like NejiTen, doesn't mean any old NejiTen is good. It's gotta have flair and uniqueness.

I didn't intentionally use the icon, either >_>

[angels-requiem.livejournal.com]

With all do respect, you could make the argument for or against any pairing in Naruto. Kishimoto probably isn't setting up ANY pairings [except, MAYBE, Sasuke/Sakura and Shikamaru/Temari], as is the norm for shounen manga/anime. In fact, the only canon pairing in Naruto is SHIKAMARU'S MOM and SHIKAMARU'S DAD, and their relationship is pretty messed up as it is.

Pairings result from personal preferences of the reader. When I first read Naruto, I was all about the Shikamaru/Ino, which really has no basis in canon either. Writing or justifying a pairing depends on how well the writer can analyze the personalities of the two characters and put them together in a believable manner based on such analysis. Or you can just think two people look cute togther. Or you could just think two people have a lot of chemistry and would have fabulous sex.

I happen to like Neji/Tenten, though I totally agree with you in the way the fandom portrays the pairing. [The fic, by the way, was hilarious.] Neji/Tenten is interesting to me because of team dynamics, the potential of Tenten as a character (meaning, she has none) and Neji's possible redemption.

So, sure. How you portrayed Neji and Tenten in your fic is true. But truthfully, there isn't any canon basis for most pairings in Naruto. (I can think of Sakura --> Sasuke, Naruto --> Sakura, Hinata ---> Naruto, Lee ---> Sakura -- and none of those are reciprocated.) Pairings are the basis of personal preference and SQUEEEE, THOSE TWO ARE SO CUTE.

XD

[dramaticpirate.livejournal.com]

What about Sasuke's mom & Sasuke's dad? Definetely happened..

[linkandluigi.livejournal.com]

I agree with everything you say! I think you have the world figured out! (Well, the world in terms of me.)

[coyul.livejournal.com]

LOL That's....so....PERFECT. I really don't see where people get NejiTen. Honestly, they're teammates. Why is it that people tend to put teammates together romantically. I'd have them more like family if anything.

And I'm ranting. XD

[linkandluigi.livejournal.com]

People come up with strange reasons.

I mean, I saw a post on this community a while back asking what Tenten has done in the series so far and I guess SOME of them made sense...

[number18.livejournal.com]

I don't get NejiTen either. Neji is a total secluded ice cube, and it's weird, to me, that he would invest in a romantic relationship with his teammate. That's my main reason for not really understanding most NejiTen. Neji is all I AM CAGED BIRD AND IT SUCKS. He is angry youth! And...how Tenten could fit into his angst is beyond me. I really like Team Gai though, and I like their dynamic a lot.

I also can't imagine Tenten like...secretly falling in love with Neji. In my head, she's pretty spartan and not "like a typical girl her age", as Sakura is described. But I mean, where I get these ideas I have no clue. She's awesome with weapons, Gai trains her, Lee and Neji are her insane teammates. I like to imagine she is pretty ready to rock and not girl feigning over pretty boy.

I am also lame.

[negi-ramen.livejournal.com]

You write such awesome parodies! I heart you :D

I never liked NejiTen, I just don't feel the love. In fact, I hope Kishimoto doesn't pair up ANYONE by the end of the series. That is, if it'll ever end .___.

[coyul.livejournal.com]

Omg. Your username. Full Moon! <3 (at least I think that's where you got it. if not, ignore me XD) I made an RO character named Meroko one time. ^_^

[sinises.livejournal.com]

i agree with you all the way man!

but your icon. . .uchiha sasuke. . .(Ò_Ó) (sorry, i glare at any sasuke pic i come across. this pissy wuss deserves a beating.)

[kookie315.livejournal.com]

There's just something about a strong tomboy and a heartless bastard. Now put them together... whew! Haha, seriously, I dunno what it is with them, but I like them too. They are awesome.

[linkandluigi.livejournal.com]

Since when is Tenten a tomboy? As far as I know, she's a feminist but not a tomboy.
Hahaha...oh well. That's irrelevant.

GOD SPEED WITH YOUR PAIRING!!

[almostsurprised.livejournal.com]

As far as I know, Tenten/Neji is the most popular heterosexual pairing in Naruto.

When I saw that, I did a double-take. While I do tolerate NejiTen, it's a stretch to say that they're the most popular hetero Naruto pairing. I say that SasuSaku is the most popular. With Naruto/Hinata up there. I know for sure that Sakura/other males in Naruto are far more popular.

[superheroine]

Definitely true. NejiTen isn't the most popular. I'd definately pitch SasuSaku and NaruHina for that, and perhaps ShikaTem.

[belmoon.livejournal.com]

Everything you just said...every word...was my exact opinion, ever since the beginning. Best. Coincidence. Ever. \TT^TT/ It shocked me how exact our opinions are on Team Gai!

[belmoon.livejournal.com]

That's it. I'm in love. If you're not busy marrying all of your fl, would you marry me? HMMM?

Thank you for writing this. People need to be hit in the face with the brick of truth everyonce in a while, and who better to write it than Link&luigi? :DDDD

[alucards-death.livejournal.com]

lol that is the greatest icon ever

[linkandluigi.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I didn't make it so stealing MUST be okay.

[raineyz.livejournal.com]

Come to think of it...WHY NejiTen?

I don't get NejiHina either.

All I get is NejiNaru, sadly enough.

[lunaneko.livejournal.com]

Oh my, I get NejiNaru too - a LOT. ^_^;;

[lunaneko.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to tell you that I LOVE your stuff - Reading all your Naruto ficcies - is a blast - I read it, then think of random moments and laugh: at work, at home, in the shower, in the middle of the night. Bravo! Keep up the good work!
Naruto Primer and Naruto lost chapters Primer was PURE GOLD.

[linkandluigi.livejournal.com]

Aw...thanks a lot! It's always nice to hear that kind of thing and always appreciated!

[dbnext.livejournal.com]

Okay, First of all I ADORE all your writing. I must have read almost all of your fics allready because any of your fics is always a guaranteed laugh and that's a great talent you have XD

Buuut with that being said since you asked for opinons on the pro-NejiTen view here's my two cents.

I'd have to personally agree with what gunneryunagirl said above. Really when you think of either Neji or Tenten the other is close behind. She's the only one Neji does tolerate when he was a complete jerk, and the two would often train together even though he suposedly was closed off to everyone during that time. Aside from that their methods of fighting make them great partners combat-wise.

I really don't see her as someone who was intending on 'melting his icy heart', actually I only think I saw her see him in admiration at best. It took Naruto's beat down to make him see things in a new light. And only then did I start to think of NejiTen as possible.

I mean, we all know Tenten has admiration for him. And she'd often call him a genius. When Neji was at near death after beating Kidoumaru he says something that I think directly relates to this

"I fight for those who call me a genius"

Or at least that's how I interpreted that scene.

I'll admit I am a Neji fan so I may be a little biased. But it does annoy me when people don't see the growth and change in Neji's character. That's part of what makes Naruto a great series, the change and development the characters go through.

I personally don't see Tenten as a Fangirl, she may admire Neji but she's different from say Ino or Sakura who actively pursue Sasuke at any given chance. She even said herself that they're both too soft which definately says something about the way she thinks. Neji finds strength admirable and Tenten is definately not lacking in that.
I don't really know how to explain the appeal but I would say that Trust and Partnership is a main basis of the NejiTen as a pairing idea. Tenten's there and she's always been there. But then you could easilly pass that off as frienship too, so it depends on fan interpretation I think.

Well that's the viewpoint I have anyway.

As for the fic, it was funny and I did find myself laughing but in my honest opinion... they were both kinda OOC. Actually the way they were acting reminded me of early SasuSaku. But well it was a parody fic and I'm sure it's all in good fun so okay XD

And completely off topic, I drew a sketch based on one of the "Butterfly Effect" chapters awhile ago so I might as well show you huh :B http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/dbnext/ButterflyEffect_FicPic.jpg

[splintered-soul.livejournal.com]

Don't get me started. NejiTenten and I don't mix too well.

[tentenchan.livejournal.com]

I AM SO LATE.

...but you can just IM me on AIM and I would explain it to you. I have two different views of it. Yes, they could only remain teammates and I am fine with that. But it would be interesting if something did happen and there are actually alot of hints. -shrugs-

You know I love the Aoba/Tenten though.