Disclaimer: I neither created nor do I own Naruto. That's a sad thought...cuz I'd really have some fun with it. :) I do own my poem, 'Feel'. That's all tho.
A/N: I haven't really written a story centered mainly on Ten-Ten/Neji, so I thought I'd give it a go...This is gonna have a side pairing of Kak/Saku...just to warn those of you who don't like the second pairing.
Also I dedicate this story to Aphy or Apherion as some of you might know her. Love ya, Aphy:)
Changes
Sakura had just finished a long, trying day in her job as a medic nin. The fact that her body told her of it's exhaustion was a good thing. It meant that she accomplished much during her shift and that she wasn't in the least slacking like a few others she could name. Sighing, she walked into the locker room coming to a halt in front of her personal storage unit. Wearily, she lifted her small hand opening it's door and pulling out her change of clothes. Funny thing, she was no longer a young girl, but she could still wear the black spandex shorts with the red tunic. She'd worked hard to keep herself in shape since she mostly stayed in the hospital. Rarely did she travel outside it's boundaries on a mission.
Sliding off her uniform, she carefully hung it up where it belonged in her locker. Pulling on her pants, she slid her tunic over her body, letting it fall into place. Before she closed the door to her locker, she glanced at the picture taped on the inside of the door. Her husband and son were smiling michieviously for the camera. Like father, like son. Two of a kind.
Thinking of her family gave her another reason to smile. She'd just found out today, Tsunade confirming it, of course, that she was pregnant. Her husband would be elated. He'd been asking her when she thought it was time for another baby to join their ranks. Their son was five years old now and neither parent wanted too much space between siblings. They'd rather have them close in age. Now, he'd no longer ask her the question regarding another child. He or she would be here in about seven months.
Closing the door, she wearily exited the locker room; slowly padded her way down the hall to the front entrance. Pushing open the glass doors, she was surprised to see Ten-Ten leaning casually against the wall. "Ten-Ten! What are you doing here? Are you visiting someone? Or are you waiting on someone?"
Cocking her head to the side, buns still in place despite the fact both kunoichi's were now twenty-five years old, she smiled. "Actually, I was waiting on you. I need to speak with you and you're pretty much the only female around here that I really trust."
"You don't trust Ino?" Sakura bit down on her lip and waited Ten's scathing reply. Neither girl, at the moment, were civil towards each other, but that was due to Ino's ability to be the nosiest busybody Konoha had. That and the buxom blond had flirted shamelessly with Neji while drunk and went so far as to kiss him in Ten-Ten's presence. Ouch! Talk about a cruel reality check.
Of course Ten retaliated by punching Ino square in the nose and thus the birth of a kunoichi bar room brawl. The men had loved it, but it'd taken Sakura, Kakashi, Genma and Neji to drag the two females apart. Unfortunately, the Hokage had gotten wind of the fight and punished them severely for a month. Not only did they have to pay for damages, but she made them volunteer to teach and train the younger genins at the academy.
"What? Are you crazy?! I wouldn't ask Ino for shit! Besides she doesn't know how to do subtle and for my problem...I need passive advice. She'd tell me to get him drunk and jump his bones. Problem solved. But it's not as easy as that."
A sudden knowing look entered Sakura's green eyes. "So...this is about Neji, huh?"
The weapon's mistress nodded her head. "I have to do something and soon, Sakura. He's driving me nuts!"
"It couldn't be worse than having to constantly listen to speeches passionately discussing the flowers of youth and such, now could it?"
Ten-Ten snorted at the reference to her former sensei, Gai. "I know he was a dweeb, but he helped us a lot. Trust me. He kept Lee off my back and he allowed Neji and I to train on our own since we'd already been doing that for several years anyway. He knew when to get out of the way and when to step forward. That's all we needed." Nervously, Ten-Ten stared pleadingly at Sakura. "Please. Come with me and talk.. Or just listen. I know you're tired, and if it wasn't important I wouldn't ask. You know me, Sakura. I'm not that kind."
Closing her eyes, the pink haired medic nin wished she could just run home to a nice, warm bed, muscular male body with a pair of strong arms to hold her. But she couldn't turn away a friend in need. Sakura was all about family and friends because without them...she felt like she'd be nothing.
"Okay. I'll do it. But only for an hour. I've worked twenty-four hours straight and I need some rest. I'm off tomorrow so we can continue where we leave off then."
Shaking her brunette head, Ten-Ten easily agreed. She'd take whatever she could get at this point in time. She felt somewhat desperate, and before now she'd never been the desperate kind. So what all had happened to make these feelings surface; making so emotionally confused.
"Sakura, what about going to the bar close to your house. That way you won't have much further to walk when we're done."
"You mean Aphy's?" Sakura shouldn't have been surprised that her friend had been there before. It was a rather popular bar and the owner wasn't someone you crossed and lived to tell about it. She was a fiery red head who took shit from no one!
Snapping her fingers, she exclaimed, "Yeah! That's the one! I couldn't remember because the only time I've been there...I was drunker than hell."
"Alright, Ten. Let's head there now because I really would like to get home and see my family before I collapse into sleep."
Using their chakra control, they molded the energy at the bottoms of their feet, hurrying with all possible speed. Moments later they were staring up at the sign that so clearly, but plainly, "Aphy's".
The two women entered the establishment and immediately noticed the petite red head minding the bar. Aphy had waist long, curly, red hair and she was about the same size as Sakura. Her gray-green eyes lit up when they'd entered. Seeing her friends, she lifted her hand in recognition and called out, "Sakura! Ten-Ten! The usual?"
Strolling up to the bar, Sakura replied, "Well, not the usual for me, thanks. I just found out that I'm expecting so no alcohol for me for a long time."
Smiling brightly, Aphy leaned across the bar hugging her pink headed friend. "Congrats! First round on me, girls! So what would you both like?"
Ten-Ten automatically said, "Sake for me."
"Milk for me." Sakura loved milk, but sometimes there were occasions she loved her sake too. And of course one of the times she'd really love a drink...she couldn't. Oh well. She'd sacrifice all that for a healthy baby.
"Aphy, is our usual table available?" Sakura intentionally sent an unspoken message to their bar tending friend.
"Sure. Behind the curtain in the back. No one's back there. Just checked it about a couple of minutes before you guys arrived.
Aphy handed the requested beverages to the women and then turned to grab something else. "Here, Ten", she handed the bun wearing woman a bottle, "a bottle of sake just for you. I thought you might need it after the other night."
"Yeah. Don't remind me."
Ten turned away from the bar, followed by Sakura, they made their way into the private room Aphy had spoken of in their conversation. Pushing the curtain aside, they walked in and quickly sat down in one of the booths.
Taking the first leap, Sakura questioned, "Okay, Ten. What's going on? I'm assuming it has something to do with the Hyuuga's favorite prodigy, Neji?"
Lowering her head, the slight shimmer of tears filling her eyes, she nodded. "Yes. Sakura it all started the night I came here and got piss drunk! That night began the first of many changes between Neji and I. I want to take that night back! I want our old camaraderie back! Nothings been the same since that night and it's eating me up inside. I don't know what's going on anymore!" Grabbing her mug of sake, she tipped it back, draining it in one, long gulp.
Green eyes widened. There was a much bigger problem here than what her friend had alluded to. Not good. She'd had a similar problem with her husband, but she finally got him to see the light and stop being an ignorant ass. But then again, they'd had help from several close friends.
Reaching across the table, Sakura took hold of Ten-Ten's hand. "Tell me. Just get it out or you'll never be free of it. You'll feel better if you purge it from your system. Trust me."
Sullenly, Ten-Ten poured another mug of sake and slung it back. "That night was the first time I'd ever reacted to him in a more than friends manner. In fact, I told him I loved him. And I think that's one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made. It's cost me the friendship of the man I care for the most over all others. He barely acknowledges me and won't really say much to me. Sakura, he won't even train with me anymore! He's being such an ass! Like I said, so many changes already and we didn't sleep together to boot! If we'd done that, then at least I could understand his actions, but now, I'm so confused, hurt and angry."
The exhausted medic nin's inner self was fired up! Inner Sakura was making mental promises to visit one Hyuuga, Neji and give him a physical he'd never forget. She'd even like to include a rather painful castration procedure. For what he was putting her friend through it was the least he deserved!
"Why don't you go ahead and tell me what happened that night?" Speaking softly, she hoped this would pry the information out of her. She'd probably be here until closing if she didn't start talking soon. Taking a sip of her milk, she tried to give off the impression that she was patiently waiting when she impatiently wished her friend would hurry the hell up! She did have a family to go home to after all. With Ten's problems it made her grateful that she had someone to go home too and who treated her like gold.
Ten briefly let her mind drift back to the ending of that night. Inhaling deeply, the weapon's mistress began telling Sakura of the fateful night where her life took a turn for the worse.
Flashback...
She'd been so falling down drunk, first time in her life for that, and Neji volunteered to take her home. His excuse was that he couldn't allow anything to happen to her especially in her currently inebriated state.
Neji had never said a word while his sparring partner clung tightly to him; stopping a couple of times to relieve her stomach of it's nauseating contents. He'd actually glanced at her several times with pity written clearly across his face. Which that was pretty strange for Neji rarely felt pity for anyone. He believed that emotion better left reserved for the weak or weak hearted.
That statement had made her angry, obviously, but as she was completely toasted, she got over it just as fast. Trouble with drinking or being drunk one always tended to say things that either caused trouble or some rather uncomfortable moments. The words that followed his comments were completely off the subject.
"Neji?" Her usually peppy voice slurred by the alcohol had dropped to a sexy purr.
He felt a strange stirring in his chest and gut. Her voice called out to the inner male in him. Neji had never considered her as sexy, but he'd never divulge that information or she'd most likely unleash her scroll on him. He'd never experienced these reactions around her before. What the hell was going on? Deciding to ignore those feelings, Neji believed that would be the best course of action. "Yes, Ten?"
"You're my best friend. You know that right?" Her eyes shown brightly under the light of the full moon. Emotions and hormones a bad combination and they were fixing to smack a good one down on the unsuspecting Hyuuga.
"Yes. I know."
"I love you, Neji."
Bam! Smack down! The beginning of inner chaos unleashed. The black haired heir stared in astonishment. Just where had that come from?
He repeated to himself, what the hell was going on with her? She'd been a little buzzed prior to this occasion, but she never spoke to him like this. His favorite weapon's mistress was going to be really embarrassed in the morning should she remember this conversation. Instead of replying he stayed silent. The usually stoic Hyuuga couldn't say anything. He didn't know where to begin.
As he was lost in thoughts his companion suddenly tripped over a rock or some other object in the street; sending her flying hard into his muscular chest.
"Oomph!" Ten-Ten felt her face smack something solid and the jarring motion did nothing to help ease or quell the churning in her stomach. Giggling wildly, she looked upwards at Neji's confused face.
"Are you alright, Ten?" The Byakugan user was so close to hauling her to the hospital and make them perform a physical and ensure that his friend was truly okay. She definitely wasn't herself. His Ten-Ten would never act like this or say the things this female was saying.
"Couldn't be better." The reply fired back at him. Sensing that Neji was teetering a fine line between concerned friend/partner and potential unknowing lover, she chuckled lowly. Adding to his questions, before he could react, Ten-Ten reached up jerking his head down towards hers and their lips met in a slightly awkward kiss.
The kiss grew into a passion so heated that the weapon's mistress swore he was going to burn her into ashes. Both of them responded to the other's mouths, exploring the possibilities, hands roamed, groping blindly in the heat of the moment.
Abruptly, a throat cleared. "Who'd have thought I'd leave the bar to get a free show? Nice!"
The couple sprang apart causing her to lose her balance and hit the ground. "Shit! Neji did you have to let me fall?"
Ignoring her complaint, he speared the newcomer with a glance that would back down many of the seasoned Jounin, but this one refused to budge an inch. "What do you want, Shuranui?"
Senbon dangling from his smirking lips, lazily, he drawled, "Oh, nothing. Just enjoying the scene between you and one of Konoha's finest kunoichi."
The white eyed stare of Neji's grew to an alarmingly intense glare. "You can see everything's fine so just leave." Teeth clenched tightly together, he thought they'd snap under the pressure.
Genma walked over to where Ten-Ten lay on the ground unable to get up. Wrapping his arms around her he helped her to her feet and flashed a taunting smile at they Hyuuga staring at him in anger. "Neji, let me give you a little tip, my friend. If a lady falls, be a gentleman and help her up. Don't just leave her in the street. And people say I have no manners. Damn!"
In her alcoholic daze, she leaned up to whisper in his ear. Her words must've been funny for Genma released a full throated laugh.
Neji's eyes narrowed in suspicion. What were those two up to? Being left out of the conversation was truly pissing him off!
Nodding at the beautiful girl in his arms, Genma said, "Yes, Ten. I'll take you home or if you want, you can crash with me." His low voice held the promise of a night she wouldn't forget if they took they route.
Furious, Neji grabbed her arm and snarled, "The hell she will! Your woman eating reputation precedes you and if you think I'm about to let my best friend walk away with you...you've obviously deluded yourself!"
"Who do you think you're talking to?" Shaking her head angrily, Ten jerked her arm out of Neji's tight grasp. "You're hurting me! Besides what do you care?" Letting out a fake, high pitched giggled, she said, "Oh! That's right! You don't care! What was I thinking? Oops, my mistake!"
Shoving Neji away from her shorter, smaller frame, she gave Genma a sincere smile. "Let's walk on, Genma. I need a change of scenery and I'm bored."
"And tired and drunk off your ass!" Neji growled.
"Piss off, Nej!"
She pulled Genma in the opposite direction leaving behind a very infuriated, seething Neji. At the moment, she didn't really care. He'd hurt her feelings by refusing to answer her confession with his own. So apparently, she didn't mean that much to him.
Calling out over her shoulder, she yelled, "And you can find your own damn sparring partner from now on! I don't need an emotionally, frozen loser like you!"
He tightly clenched his fist and listened as her giggles echoed back down the street to haunt him. Swiftly, he turned on his heel to go home and train. He needed a hard work out after this.
End flashback...
"So, basically, he thinks you've slept with Genma?"
"Not just that Sakura. I can't prove I didn't. I was drunk. Remember? And it's not just that issue. It's about what was said and wasn't said. I made a fool out of myself over someone who doesn't feel the same. Or at least he doesn't act like it. What do I do ,Sakura?"
Concentrating on the leftover milk in her cup, she sighed. "Let me think on it. I'll meet you back here tomorrow night. And Ten, if you need someone to talk to...you know where I am."
She nodded.
"Now, I've got to go home and get things settled before I go to sleep. Will you be okay here?"
Concerned jade eyes met turbulent brown ones. What Sakura was really saying was, 'You're not going to do anything stupid, are you?' Her medic nin training came in handy with letting the unspoken be heard as if it was a verbal statement.
"I won't. I promise you. Before I do anything I'll talk to you first."
"Good." Sakura stood and gave her fellow kunoichi a hug. "Don't forget. Tomorrow night, let's say...oh, eight pm?"
"Sure. Eight it is."
Ten-Ten watched as Sakura lifted the curtain and left her alone in the back. Taking the last swig of sake resting at the bottom of the bottle, she wistfully wished that her best friend, or former best friend, could be here with her now. She missed him terribly. And it'd only been a couple of days. A couple of days without speaking to him, training with him, or just being around him and it was pure hell for her.
Rising from her seat, Ten raised the curtain and waved at Aphy before making her exit.
Once again, she molded chakra to the bottom of her feet and headed out to their old training grounds. A place that was familiar and would maybe allow her a moment of peace without Neji.
Arriving on the grassy field, she sat down and looked up admiring the brightly shining stars on such a clear night. They certainly weren't directing her path, currently speaking. Confusion reigned supreme in her mind and she dropped her head into her trembling hands.
She wished above all else that Neji could feel what she was feeling this very moment. It was a foolish wish though. He'd never feel what she felt. Her love would never be returned and it broke her heart to know the best friend she'd ever had was gone forever. The pain wracked her body, her heart and throat constricted tightly, almost to the point of pain. Thinking to help relieve them, she began singing a little song she'd put together herself. "Wherever you are, Neji, this is for you."
Can you feel me,
reaching out for you?
I'm right here,
waiting for you.
Standing alone,
solitary in the dark.
Falling as the sunset,
with the oncoming night.
Only you,
calm my fears,
Rising with the tide.
I'm here in front of you.
Yet my voice can't be heard.
Something inside breaks,
shards of shattered illusions.
Crying out, my heart,my tears,
Desperately calling to you,
Can you feel,
my lingering sadness.
Can you feel me,
reaching out for you?
I'm right here,
waiting for you.
Ending the song, tears fell one by one wetting the grass with her depression. Maybe he could hear what her heart had sung. After all, it was just for him. She'd do anything for him. Anything. Right now, though, she couldn't do anything because he didn't want her. Didn't want her to. Ain't love a bitch!
Crying herself into oblivion, she never noticed the shadow that stood so silent, so still, watching over her as she purged her system as Sakura suggested. Soon, her spent emotions took their toll and she went to sleep on the soft grass.
The shadow approached her, lifted her gently into his strong arms and headed back to the village.
A/N: That's it for now...if you guys want more...than just r/r and let me know... thanx! I hope you all liked it... :) Btw, Aphy is a dear person to me...she's my lil sis and I love her dearly.