Disclaimer: Naruto's not mine and the song is from Ronan Keating's album: Bring You Home with the same title.
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Written out of randomness, dedicated to my brother who is an amazing basketball player.
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Bring You Home
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Tsunade's face turned dark as she heard the news from Genma and Randou. "Are you sure?" She asked them. When they nodded, she immediately said, "Bring Tenten here."
The two ninjas disappeared in puffs of smoke.
Tsunade twisted her chair uneasily, on her face a very deep sadness.
Minutes later, the weapon kunoichi entered the room after knocking twice. Tsunade examined her face – she looked young at the age of twenty-two. Young, innocent, but mature enough to be an ANBU member. She had seen Tenten practicing with a certain Hyuuga boy, and she acknowledged her skills in weapons. However, now was not the time to think about that.
"Tenten, your parents are found dead in the northwest forest of Otogakure." Tsunade stood up, watching the expression on Tenten's face. "Seems like they're being ambushed, and they didn't have a chance to battle." She paused and forced a very sad smile, "I am sorry for the loss, child. Are you okay?"
"…" Tenten took a deep breath and restrained herself. No crying. Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry. Damn it. I refuse to cry. "I'm fine." She replied at last. "May… May I see them?"
"No." Tsunade replied. "You wouldn't know them if you see them."
Tenten lowered her head, slowly stifling her sadness deep down her throat. "… I understand, Hokage-sama."
"You're dismissed from missions for the rest of this week," Tsunade continued softly as she gave Tenten an encouraging embrace, "Don't be sad, my child. When there's life there's death too."
The weapon mistress' eyes were calm as ever. She turned to her Hokage and gave her a curtsy nod, "Please don't." She said quietly, "I am ready to take whatever missions I need to take."
"Tenten… are you sure?"
"I am, Hokage-sama."
Tsunade breathed. Probably it's best to just let the girl do whatever she wants. "Okay, then." She agreed, "But Tenten… don't push yourself too much."
Her usually warm eyes darkened. "I will not." She said firmly, "May I ask for a favor, please?" There's nothing in her voice but emptiness.
Tsunade looked at her, "Anything, Tenten."
"Don't tell anybody about this." I don't want to be pitied.
The Godaime looked a bit taken aback, but she noticed the determined expression on the kunoichi's face. "Hyuuga Neji already knows about this. He was the first… to find out." She explained sadly, "I won't tell anybody else."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." I won't cry.
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When you're lost and there's no where to go
And your heart bears a heavy load
Don't give up 'cause you are not alone
'Cause I am always here to bring you home
Tenten sprung from trees to trees, alone. Her ANBU mask was hard on her face. She stopped after seeing sprains of blood on the trees. She located the place with her radio – yes, this was the northwest forest of Otogakure.
She leaped down from the trees and walked, following the bloodstains. She stopped when she saw two bodies lying there.
Her parents.
I will not cry.
You took a chance
You crossed the thin red line
And how every word can seem so unkind
Don't believe you'll ever lose it all
'Cause I am always here to bring you home
She leaned back against a tree. Her parents. Crunched into pieces. She buried her head down to her knees.
There will be no chance to say, "I'm home." Anymore.
There will be no chance to say, "I love you." Anymore.
There will be no chance to smile at them… to love them… to spend quality times with them…
There will be no chance to even see them again.
I will not cry.
But tears had already streamed down her eyes.
You'll make mistakes
And hearts will break
And tears will always fall
The world is turning and you are learning
What matters most of all
That you are not alone
"… Hey." A soft voice said from her behind. She whirled back and saw Neji. Tenten quickly wiped off her tears. "… Hey." She whispered back.
There was an expression on his face she couldn't understand. A tension in his low voice she couldn't muster.
I… will… not cry.
He sat down next to her, pulling her to his arms and let her cry on his chest.
Now's your time, so go on be free
Don't hold back, be all that you can be
And if you fall, you don't fall alone
'Cause I am always here to bring you home
"Tenten…"
"I'm… fine, Neji. I will be fine." She said softly between sobs. "I just need to cope with it for a while. I'm fine. I'm fine…"
I will not cry. Crying is for the weak. Crying is for the weak. I will not cry.
She buried her head deeper into his chest and managed a bitter laugh. Now I'm alone. "So-sorry…" She stuttered, tears still streaming down her face as Neji wiped some of them with his thumb.
You'll make mistakes
And hearts will break
And tears will always fall
The world is turning and you are learning
What matters most of all
That you are not alone
"It's fine." His reply came soft and gentle. "… It's fine to cry."
She looked up. "Crying is for the weak."
"No, it isn't, Tenten." He said softly, "It's okay… it's fine."
She smiled a very weak smile. "Thank you… Neji. You're always beside me."
"Don't worry, Tenten." Neji said again, caressing her hair softly, "You're not alone and never will be."
A silence.
"I'm always with you."
When you're lost and there's no where to go
And your heart bears a heavy load
Don't give up 'cause you are not alone
'Cause I am always here to bring you home
She dried her tears.
Crying is okay.
Neji smiled and stood up.
"Let's go home."
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Authoress NotesSeriously written of randomness... I'm just listening to the song while watching some sad movie in my computer and… zap! There you go.
My very first songfic… It's not my thing, though. Oh, and if you haven't listened to the song, I highly recommend you to… It's a very nice song. Bring You Home, by Ronan Keating.
Anyway, I would like suggestive comments and constructive critisism… (hints).
Thanks!