As we morn the death of a loved one we
Hide our face to cry,
We remember every event with then so vividly- like we are living it again,
We blame ourselves for no reason,
We stay together to reminisce about them,
We hate ourselves for nothing,
We feel so alone.
That's what Neji thought as he sat in the hospital waiting room.
Lee and Gai nerves next to him, crying, waiting.
She was trying to help me.
He tightened his fist and clenched his fist until blood drew in his palm.
She can die because I was weak!
He thought of her smiling face,
Her gleaming eyes, calling his name
Yet no sound.
His thoughts chatting and remembering was the only thing that made a clatter.
He didn't look up, even when the knuckle-headed ninja appeared in front of him, frowning.
Neji… Naruto said. I'm sorry. Neji looked up and smiled.
What for? he asked, Naruto closed his eyes and shook his head, taking the tears away.
F-F-For sending you both on the mission and… Neji frowned and looked down.
Naruto had risen to anbu captain at 17 and Neji and Tenten were sent on a mission.
A easy mission; obtain a scroll from the sound.
But they didn't know Kabuto would be there with so many sound ninja.
Kabuto had separated Tenten and himself with attacking sound ninja.
Kabuto had immobilized him from using the byakugan and moved to Tenten.
She was strong but Kabuto could easily kill a anbu.
Now, Neji thought, were here.
By now Naruto had tears running down his face and felt differently.
He felt sadder, if possible, and much more guilty. He thought of Tenten scolding him.
He caught himself underestimating Tenten he still had help but he knew what he had to do.
Neji smiled a normal smile. Naruto you couldn't have known.
Naruto wiped his tears. I should have though now Tenten…
Neji kept smiling thinking of Tenten. The hokage appeared in front of them.
Everything faded except Tsunade, Naruto and himself.
Her face held no hint of what happened, Naruto sniffled.
How is she? Tsunade frowned and Neji's eyes widened and felt no reason, to breath, to live.
Her lips raised to a victorious smile.
She'll make a full recovery! Thought she can't train for a while. She turned to Neji.
She has you to thank Neji. He raised an eyebrow, unable to speak.
Without you and your speed and love for Tenten she would have died. She gestured to the hospital room.
She's awake I think. Go see her. Neji smiled a truly happy smile as he entered the room
He sow her with her eyes slightly open with Shizune next to her.
When Shizune sow him she smiled and left them alone.
He sat in a solemn chair and held her hand, she looked at him and smiled.
She smiled the smile he loved, a happy, kind, innocent smile.
Neji. She said and he felt tears in his eyes, he smiled.
Save your breath Tenten-chan. You need to save your strength for recuperating.
I love you Neji.
She drifted off to a peaceful sleep.
The next day Neji went to the Yakinama flower shop and Ino gave him a bunch of flowers.
They were white and lavender roses, he thanked Ino and went to the hospital.
He went to Tenten's room to see a newly made bead without his lover.
Tsunade walked out of nowhere and put a hand on his shoulder. He realized what It meant.
He swatted her hand away. No. Tenten. He felt sad, crushed, alone, caged once again.
Neji…I'm sorry. She died after you left… He felt guilty now.
It could have happened to anyone and…Tsunade tried to explain.
No… After he left her.
She died trying to save her
When he thought it would be fine she died.
She died when he left her alone.
Alone in the darkness with a open wound.
No. He shouldn't have left her there.
It was his fault.
She died protecting the one she loved- no-loves…