Seven years ago news had spread in the village that the Hyuuga prodigy, Neji and the weapon mistress Tenten, were to be engaged. The people were overjoyed. It had been obvious for years that the two had chemistry and were well suited for one another. And although sixteen, they were mature about the engagement brought upon by Hiashi-sama. They didn't argue about the marriage in fact they wanted it, they loved each other. A year later excitement filled the village once again when word of Tenten's pregnancy arose. Some people believed they were too young, but others seemed to support it saying 'Those two are practically adults'.

However they weren't.

They were still young and sometimes became uneasy at the thought of caring for another life. Young adults who still had much of their own lives to live now had to care for the one they created. It scared them and caused them to often bicker with each other. It was after a mission to the Lightning Country that people started to notice a complete difference in their behavior and attitude towards one another. No one knew what had exactly happened and no one asked.

They were both heartbroken and no one knew…

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Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or anything associated with it.

Summary: He thought it was best to let her live her life before but now he knows that they need each other to live. Even if others don't want them to.

Had the time to read? Give the time to review.

This first chapter might be a little choppish but give me time to adjust to the mind set, thanks.

Please note characters in the fic are mature that is the mind set of their society to try to think about it before being critical.

Rein.

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….Back then when it happened

The bright morning sun beamed into his eyes despite them being closed. He drifted awake and twisted his head away from the glare tuning onto his side. A moment passed and suddenly his eyes snapped open as his hand came into contact with the warmth of bare skin. Neji shot up and realized that he was in an unfamiliar room, clothing clearly thrown on the floor, his clothing and the clothing of a woman.

…Had I realized what I had done?

He stared at the bed in utter horror, and in a swift moment tore the sheets off the figure that had been lying beside him. She wrinkled her nose at the sunlight and slowly sat up. She stretched her arms forward and gave him a warm smile. Who the hell was the woman who had so comfortably slept beside him? Neji's eyes were wide as he struggled to find words to even question the predicament. His mouth opened testing to see if his voice still functioned despite the situation. He opened his mouth testing to see if his voice still functioned,

"Neji?" He froze,

The voice clearly didn't belong to him, nor to the women seated on the bed. It belonged to his beloved. His head spun towards the source, something inside him bust in pain. Neji watched her as she turned her head to the side, biting her lip as tears threaten to spill. She turned her back to him and began to walk away, he chased her,

"Tenten!" he yelled "Tenten!"

She left me…forever …

…Neji shook the memory out of his head, angered that not even through meditating could he obtain peace. He could hear Hinata and Naruto laughing in the gardens. He began walking over to the sounds with no objective in mind. Turning a corner he saw them playing with the children of the household, running around foolishly. Watching them, smiling at each other as a young boy tried to jump onto Naruto's back. His mind drifted off in thought once more.

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Hiashi observed his nephew staring out into gardens. Naruto and Hinata were playing with a few of the Hyuuga children. The young man stood there watching the children with an empty gaze. Neji looked at the scroll in his hand and back at the children, he seemed troubled. Apparently bored with watching them he turned. Seeing his elder he bowed politely. Hiashi placed his hand on Neji's shoulder,

"Yes Hiashi-sama?" he asked. Hiashi studied the young mans face.

The cold demeanor Neji had once lost was growing once more; it was evident in his gaze, in his voice. Hiashi sighed and answered,

"You seemed troubled. Tell me is it the task Tsunade-sama gave you?" Neji stared at his uncle, then at the scroll. He clutched it tightly.

"It's an A-rank assassination mission," Hiashi lifted his head slightly as if to ponder 'what else?' Neji answered "Tenten's one of the three assigned to my squad. We will be gone for a least a three or four weeks." Both men stood there neither one looking at each other. Hiashi could feel Neji's tension, the young man had let his wife live outside the compound to make her happy. He had left her alone to live her life without him; because he believes he causes her pain. The older man turned around breathing in deeply before giving his reply,

"Kaizen will stay here during the duration of your mission I will not allow my grandson anywhere else. Go and tell her that." With that he left his nephew.

'Kaizen' he thought 'It must be a luxury to detest ones father. That is, if you consider me one' He remembered going up to his son one day trying to congratulate him in getting into the academy. The boy had slapped his hand away saying he had no right to congratulate him. He wasn't acknowledged by the boy. The child, that could not have possibly been more like his father, disregards him.

Neji laughed inwardly. A bitter laugh.

He smirked at the thought of going insane because of the boy and his mind games. He took a minute to think over what his uncle had told him, while behind him a presence grew nearer. It was obvious who the presence belonged to,

"What is it Hanabi?" he asked not sparing her a single glance as he began walking through the halls. She strolled alongside him, her arms swinging excessively.

She had grown into a beautiful young woman with dark hair that reached the small of her back and a figure of a now mature woman. She remained as childish as ever with the exception of showing a greater interest in the opposite sex. Neji watched her flick back a strand of hair,

"I was told to remind you that some guest will be arriving for Naruto and Hinata's wedding, today and I believe tomorrow" she said eyeing her older cousin for any response. He quirked an eyebrow,

"Guests already? The wedding takes place in two months"

"Yea I know but there are some relatives that live far away. And since they don't visit often they thought this was a good excuse to come here early, you know to enjoy the families company. It's either that or to compete with father in shougi, either one" she let out a chuckle. He stopped and looked down at her "Father also wanted me to remind you that during this time Tenten-san, and Kaizen-nii-san will be required to reside within the compound" She twirled a strand of her dark hair,

"Thank you for the reminder Hanabi"

"No problem Neji-ni-san!" she waved as she ran back down the hall. He stared at the main gates,

"Tenten" he paused and watched a small bird fly above him.

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Another kunai whizzed past his head into the tree he lay against, he looked up and watched his mother. A smile grazed her lips as she flicked another kunai at him. He felt the small wisp of wind as blade barely missed his check. Tenten picked up another kunai from the ground and threw it once more, the blade landing slightly higher than the last. The boy went back to his studies, the bangs that were tucked behind his ears fell forward framing his face. His dark brown hair was braided down to his shoulder blades and tied off with a small white band. However his bangs, which came below the chin, weren't long enough to be held back by a band.

"Mother will I be visiting grandfather today?" the boy asked eyes glued to the scroll he was reading. She ran her fingers through her short hair,

"You know you have a duty to your clan Kaizen" he nodded and she smile and looked down the hill they were on. The town seemed to be filling with people as the morning proceeded "I think you should be more worried about getting to class on time"

He jumped to his feet and ran inside the home which was just down the small hill. She heard a door slam and the running of water. Another smile made its way on her lips, he was comical in ways.

Tenten walked over to the targeted tree and took out her knives on by one dropping then into a basket by her feet. She seemed too preoccupied to notice the approaching presence. She reached for another and stopped before grabbing it, and with a swift motion took it and aimed it at whoever was behind her. The tall man had caught it and tossed it in the pile with the others,

"Is there something you need Neji?" she said turning back to the task she had been doing before.

Neji watched her in silence. Tenten had cut her hair short, so short in fact that it didn't come near her shoulders. It was swept across her fore head and combed elegantly to show off her mature face. A few strands occasionally fell over her eyes; he resisted the urge to push them back. There was a clack of the last kunai falling into the basket, she turned to face him. He only stared, "Neji?" she touched his shoulder, he responded,

"Tenten, Hiashi has ordered that you move into the compound immediatly" she passed a hand through her hair,

"I guessing it's the wedding? Isn't it a little early though?"

"There are some guests arriving earlier than expected."

"Oh" Tenten shifted her gaze uncomfortably and then meet his again; she hadn't noticed that she was leaning against the impaled tree. His eyes were weighing her down so much she felt like she was being crushed.

'His eyes' she thought 'Why can't I look away?'

She didn't notice that she was slowly sliding down the tree. He shot his arm out to keep her from falling completely. Her eyes widened at the action and she immediately stood straight. His hand still lay against the bark beside her; she noticed and peeled it from the tree keeping it in hers. She gazed at his hand,

"Will it ever mend?" Neji leaned in forward to hear her whispered message. His eyes narrowed,

"I need your forgiveness" he stated simply. His breath heated her skin,

"I have already forgiven you Neji" She could feel herself lean into him more wanting to rest on his neck,

"No Tenten I don't want your pity. I want you to despise me for what I did to you and then through repent will I gain your forgiveness" She stared at him in anger dropping his hand rather forcefully,

"You're still a childish fool"

snap

They both then turned to the sound of a twig breaking, Kaizen stood watching his parents. His features mimicked that of his mother. Tenten pushed Neji enough to walk past him. He only stood watching his son stare at him angrily. Tenten neared the boy but he took off running. She sighed and over her shoulder said,

"I'll be there this afternoon" with that she continued down towards his home.

Neji could feel pain engulf his heart as he watched, what mattered most to him in life, walk away. He didn't belong with them, he ruined everything for them. Unfortunately they were bound to the Hyuuga and would never be away from him. How could he be a husband for her? How could he be a father to him? Those were the constant thoughts that ran through his mind. How would he manage to teach his son to be a man? He wasn't a man himself.

What he had done, conscious or not, was unforgivable.

But even so, being so close to her would light a torch in his darkened soul. Tenten. Every time he thought of her he would need her. Yet he wouldn't allow himself.

'No' he thought 'I don't deserve anything'.

Neji ignored his minds command to go down to her; instead he headed in the opposite direction. He began to walk away, when it hit him,

"Hn, I forgot to inform her of the mission" He took a quick glance back and left.

To be continued...

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This fic will most likely be updated once a week but please remember to provide you with a good chapter I will need time so please keep any anger to a minimum. I will not post any less than five pages so it's worth the wait.

Reviews are appreciated

Echo then Rein