A/N: Okay, so last night I was pretty bored and tired, so I wrote this little story in my notebook. This was my first attempt at an angst, short story. I personally think it turned out epic fail. xDD And I might delete it. But it's up to y'all. ^^
Tenten dropped to her knees in the dirt, her vision blurrying the tombstone in front of her.
Rainclouds drifted across the sky, darkening the already-stormy atmosphere. It matched the warfare in her heart as her eardrums pounded with the rhythm of a shattered soul.
Only one word found its way past her trembling lips: "Mom.."
Movement from the shadows caught her eye and she stood abruptly, dabbing at stray tears. Tenten regained her composure in record time, putting on a stable bravado for whoever had intruded upon her moment of solitude with the grave that forever haunted her.
Neji stepped into the clearing, wearing his typical stoic expression. But the lines of his mouth were drawn into a straight, knowing line. His brows were furrowed in the slightest hint of concern. Even the guard over his eyes dropped briefly to gaze into her eyes..her soul.
TenTen's stance relaxed when she saw it was only her best friend. If anyone, she could at least drop her guard a little with Neji. She gazed back at the words engraved into the tombstone, not even offering up a greeting Neji's way. Her shoulders slumped in exhaustion, feeling defeated after the long, grueling day.
Neji had been at her side during the funeral and respectfully keeping his distance when necessary. Now she felt the comfort of his hand on her shoulder. She felt his nearness and drew strength from it.
Lightning piercing the silence, rain fell in pattering drops through the humid air.
"You don't have to be strong for my sake." Neji's voice was soft.
A clap of thunder struck the air and tears mingled with the rain on her face. Choking on a sob, TenTen threw herself into his arms, chest heaving as she fingered his neck. "Just hold me, Neji," she whispered between heartbreaking sobs. "Just hold me."
Neji's startled demeanor melted to one of sympathetic graveness. He held Tenten tightly against him and rubbed her back in soothing circles, merely offering his presence as a comfort. He continued holding her long into the stormy night and the ones to come, as she freely gave into tears.
TenTen was safe in Neji's arms.
A/N: Soo? What'd y'all think? Idk if Tenten even had parents or whatever, just a random idea that popped into my head. I wrote this in like ten minutes. So that explains why it's not that good. xDD Review!