Title: Never Alone
Author: Hitachiin Hikaru
Fandom: Naruto
Rating: "T" for language
Genre: Romance/Tragedy
Disclaimer: I don't own any part of Naruto, including characters, cities, towns, scenarios, titles, or anything else about it you can think of. I just want to express my creative intent with this fic.
Summary: On a second Sasuke-rescue attempt, Shikamaru takes his team with him once again, but this time directly into Oto to obtain the Uchiha. And, sometimes, in the life of a ninja, a sacrifice is needed. NejiTen R&R PleaseFor Violet Marx
A/N: This is dedicated wholly and totally to Violet Marx, for all her love. Thanks for being a fan, you totally rock!
Chapter 1: Loved
"So, why the sudden date, Neji?" Tenten questioned lightly to her teammate, who looked vaguely uncomfortable sitting in front of his ramen bowl. It was almost ten o'clock at night, about the time when Ichiraku's closed, though Ayame said something to her father about keeping it open a little bit longer. Something about true love and all that, though Tenten was kind of confused. She was wearing her long sleeved white shirt with the blue hems and blue pants, her hair a frizzy mess from training all day.
Though she was sloppy at the moment, the Hyuuga was practically perfect, like usual. His white robes had absolutely no spots on it, and his hair was set perfectly. He turned away from his untouched ramen, and watched his brunette friend's smiling face. He didn't look very happy, though Tenten could tell it went deeper than that. She's been around him much to long to not know that. After a moment of contemplated silence, the Jyuuken user told her, "I'm leaving for another mission soon."
She chuckled, and he cocked an eyebrow. "So? You have missions all the time Neji! Though I wouldn't mind going on a date before each one." She was trying to lighten the mood, and he appreciated her efforts, though this wasn't something he wanted to joke about. After she quieted down he sighed, poking dejectedly at his ramen with his chopsticks.
"Tenten, I…" he started, his lids partially closed as he let go of the chopsticks. There was a light clunk as the wood hit the ceramic of the bowl. "I'm going with Shikamaru, to try and get Sasuke back again." Her reaction was exactly as he had expected: the slight widening of the eyes, her face paling, but not freaking out. Tenten was known for being calm in stressful situations, and now was one of those times. No matter who was on the line.
She choked out, trying to keep her voice from sounding strained, "Do you have to go, Neji?" He instantly regretted telling her what the mission was, because he was now guilty of wiping the happy smile from her face. The Hyuuga let out a very soft sigh and raked a hand through his deep brown hair, trying to find something, anything that would make this okay. Easier for her to understand, and easier for him to say.
"Yes. He's gathering the team he had during the previous attempt a few years ago, because if we don't get him back now, Orochimaru will have his container, and we'll never see the real Sasuke again." The bun-wearing girl nodded, her hands cupping her elbows as she rested her arms on her knees. His eyes wandered to her saddened profile, ogling for a moment, and he turned away, not wanting to look anymore. Something like that would give him incentive to give up the mission, and stay, just to see her smile.
Tenten glanced up to him and nodded, a false smile on her face that didn't reach her eyes. "I see. That's your duty I suppose, isn't it Neji? Good luck, and make sure you get Sasuke back, okay?" She stood up and walked out of the interior of the shop, and he watched her go until he couldn't see her in his normal vision anymore. He paid for the two bowls of untouched ramen, and left the shop, heading in the opposite direction to the Hyuuga complex, going to get as much sleep as he could before the missions tomorrow.
…:oOo:…
Five Jounin stood before the gates of Konoha, getting ready to depart for their upcoming mission. A large group of people stood with them, ready to bid them goodbye when they were ready to leave. Shikamaru, Kiba, Naruto, Neji, and Chouji were packed and ready to go, and were going to leave if not for one problem. "She'll be here," Neji assured Shikamaru, who was getting impatient with him.
"Neji, we have to get going soon, otherwise we'll be too late," he informed the Hyuuga, who was still searching the surrounding crowd for the girl. She'll be here, he thought desperately, glancing over the heads of the surrounding people to find her. I know she will. Shikamaru placed a hand on his arm, and motioned his head for them to leave. Ino squeezed the genius in a hug goodbye, and he sighed, mumbling something about troublesome women. Sighing, Neji turned to leave, but something stopped him in his tracks.
"Hey," a very familiar voice called to him. "Sorry I'm late, I slept in on accident." Neji turned around to see a brunette running towards him, a slight smile on her face, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Tenten slowed to a stop and grinned, placing her hands on her hips. Her hair was down, and she wore a pair of old pajamas that were baggy on her lithe form. "You're still going with Shikamaru's team, ne?" He nodded and she seemed rather sad, kicking at the dirt with the toe of her sandal, the smile sliding from her lips. "Well, promise me something will you?"
The pearl-eyed boy furrowed his brow. "What?"
"Swear to me… you'll get back here alive. Please?" She intertwined her fingers together and watched the ground, her eyes tracing the shoe patterns in the dirt that had been left behind by the other shinobi. He sighed and stepped up to her, wrapping his arms tightly around her small frame. A blush coated her cheeks and she gulped, slightly surprised.
He whispered to her, "As long as I know you're here waiting for me, I promise to come back."
She laughed, tears filling her chocolate eyes. "Whoever said it was me, Neji?" He chuckled softly and pressed a kiss to her cheek before letting her go.
"I'm good at reading people," was all he replied as he turned to follow Kiba and Chouji for the front gates. "Goodbye, Tenten." She didn't know why, but that goodbye seemed more realistic then one to someone he'd see again in a few months. As Shikamaru walked away from a choked up Ino, and Naruto waved to a teary Hinata, the bun wearing girl grabbed the future Hokage's arm. He looked surprised, but glanced to the kunoichi like he wasn't.
Tenten threatened lightly, "Naruto, if he doesn't come back in one piece, I'm holding you directly responsible you hear? You're the next Hokage after all." He laughed and patted her shoulder reassuringly.
"Don't worry Tenten, we'll all be fine, and Sasuke-teme will be back too! 'Cuz I promised Sakura-chan I'd bring him home, and I will." He shot her a boyish grin and jabbed one fist into his hip and threw the other out into a peace sign. "I promise I'll bring Neji back to you, too!" Tenten smiled softly and thanked him, watching as the five of them started on their way to Otogakure. She stayed long after everyone else had gone, willing the tears that wanted to fall to stay put lest that Hyuuga and his 'one thousand leagues of sight' decided to look back on her. But, finally, a single one dripped down her nose into the grass and said man watched as she wiped the water from her cheeks and mouthed his name sadly.
