Authors note: Just finished writing this and I am dying inside. Can't wait for you guys to read too. All Characters should be true to their personalities, really hate occ as you'll find in all my fics. If you like Neji-TenTen fics check out Land Of Pretend. ...though saying that, Hanabi might be a little bit mean...I don't know enough about her so that's my excuse. This should be about ten chapters, with an ending twist-evil laugh! hahahaha

Warning: Sexual Content! Mature audiences

Freedom in the Shadows

Chapter 1

It was nearing two in the morning. The crescent moon shined just enough to lighten his path but it was repetition that assisted in his travel. Years of walking the same path home. Once he arrived at Konoha walls, Neji turned to the left away from the gate entrance and continued north along with outer perimeter just on the outside of the guards' view. It took an extra thirty minutes but he made it to the north west gate and it was here he entered. The guard here knew him and nodded in greeting. He slipped him a coin to keep him quiet about his arrival until morning. He slipped it in his pocket and resumed his watch of the gate.

Neji lifted the hood of his cloak over his head, keeping his head down. Not that there was any eyes watching the streets at this time but there was a reason his secrets had remained secret for so long. He was careful and consistent.

He kept to the darkside of the streets but it was becoming harder to do that as this part of town became more technologically advanced. Street lights were strung up nearly everywhere now and buildings had bright neon signs for advertisement. Condos and apartment buildings stretched high and made of glass, random lights still shined despite the hour.

In one random alley, he pushed aside a large garbage dumpster and opened a vent in the wall. He pulled out a suitcase and laid it on the ground. Popping it open, he kept watch of his surroundings as he ripped off his ninja clothes and replaced it with a suit. Black pants, a white button up long sleeve shirt and a tailored jacket. He slipped on polished shoes as well before putting all of his other items inside. He stood, holding the suitcase and placed two fingers before his face and with a practice skill, placed a genjutsu over his features.

Neji walked around the building and the doors automatically opened.

"Goto-sama, welcome home." The man behind the desk greeted. He held up a bunch of paper. "You're mail, Goto-sama. How was your business in the Land of Earth?"

Neji reached for it and bowed his head politely, "Prosperous."

He laughed, "Indeed. Rest well."

The elevators opened and Neji stepped inside. He kept the genjutsu up as he eyed the camera in the corner. He instead went through his mail, though he had no interest in any of it. When the elevator dinged and the doors opened, he pulled his suitcase behind him and journeyed down the hallway. He placed his hand against the pad and the door swooshed open.

Only the light over the oven was on. He kept the lights off considering the hour and he removed his shoes, placing them next to another pair of sandals. He tossed the papers on the marble kitchen table next to a pack of kunais. A cat jumped up on the table meowing. He smirked, touching it briefly behind the ears. He began unbuttoning his shirt and moved to the bedroom. He flicked on the bathroom light, leaving the door open and the cat followed behind mewing and circling his legs. He was mindless of it.

The shower steamed and he welcomed it. Two months of a solo mission. Bathing had been far and few between. Despite the consigue talking about the Land of Earth, he had been in the Land of Lightning, probing for any acts of treason. The Fourth Shinobi War had brought peace between the countries but it only took one rock to create a landslide. It was preemptive to keep an eye on the surroundings countries to make sure there were no rebellions despite how well the Kages seem to get along. Naruto was smart enough to heed Shikamaru's advice in this aspect. Though there was still plenty the Hokage tended to ignore much to Neji's disinclination.

He wasn't going to worry about it right now however. Right now he wasn't technically here. His payment to the guard at the gate gave him until ten in the morning to report to the Hokage and until that time, he was still out on his mission.

Right now, he was his faux personality: Goto Atsuji, a wealthy investor with expensive taste.

Neji shut off the shower and dried himself off. The mirror was musty but he wiped it clean. All the dirt and grime left him fresh. His clan's cursed seal glowed teal and he took a black cloth off the wall and wrapped it around to cover it. He hadn't washed his hair. It was too long, nearly down to his waist and it took an hour to dry. He did not like the feeling of wet hair when sleeping. He had managed to wash it a few days ago and wasn't worried. He'll go to a hotspring tomorrow and have a servant wash it for him.

There were a few scratches on his arms but they were minor and would heal. It was from his hasty return back to Konoha. It was the only way he had these few hours to enjoy.

At twenty-four, he didn't look much different. He had perhaps a bit more muscle than he used too. His chest had taken shape, curving out his pectorals. He was taller, a bit over six foot and weighed a hundred and seventy pounds. He was sure his hair added to some of that weight.

And though he may not look much different from when he was younger, he certainly thought different. Life itself had taken a different twist then what he thought it would and left him in the current position he now found himself.

During the Fourth Shinobi War, Neji had stepped in front of Hinata to save her from an assault that would have killed her. It nearly killed him. His fingers traced over the large round scars. Four of them. One near his heart, the other on his right shoulder and two more down on his abdomen. He shouldn't have survived. He wouldn't have survived if it hadn't been for Sakura. Her medical jutsu kept him alive long enough to get back to Konoha to get him the treatment he needed.

His uncle, Hiashi had been grateful and adopted him as his own son. And perhaps that's where things began to untangle. Hinata decided to leave the clan to marry Naruto and though technically the clan should be passed on to Hanibi, her sister and next in line, Hiashi was now considering Neji as a potential candidate to rule the Hyuuga clan. Neji had never thought a thing like that would ever be possible, it was now within his grasp. He could end branding. He could end the separation between the Main and Branch families. He could reunite a clan that needed to be brought into the 21st century.

But it would also require sacrifice.

However there were somethings he was not yet ready to give up.

Neji flicked the light off and grabbed a pair of boxers out of the drawer, slipping them on before he eased as gently as he could into bed, lifting the blanket around him. He slid his hands around the warm body sleeping and pulled her into his chest.

He knew TenTen wasn't sleeping but she played it and he decided to test how long she'd go on ignoring him. He nuzzled her neck, kissing the spot behind her ear. She smelled of vanilla and grass. He smirked as she shifted, her walls slowly breaking. A hand on her back dipped lower, slipping into her shorts to trace the outline of her butt before he pushed the pants down to her thighs to get them out of his way. He gripped her around the waist and pulled her into his hips.

He would have been fine going to sleep just like that. He stopped all ministrations, holding her around her midsection and relaxing.

It was TenTen however that slipped her fingers over his hand, pushing it up over her breast, making him squeeze the fat tissue. Her hips began to circulate, tempting, and waking up a part of him she desired.

Putting space between them, his hand went back to rubbing the tight skin of her ass cheeks. He squeezed it, pulling on it, before dipping his hand down her thighs, stroking each sensitive leg, making her moan with anticipation as he circled like a shark the center of her pleasure. Waiting just for the right moment before she was about growl in aggravation, he grazed her entrance and she bucked in surprise. His fingers found her nub easily and he played with it while rubbing between her lips. When the right amount of juices began to flow, he pushed two fingers in, and her breath hitched, her body arched and he pinched her nipple knowing she liked just a bit of pain at the right moments.

He listened closely, the way her moans increased and decreased until he found the spot he knew was there. And the moment his fingers hit it, he kept up the hard tempo and her whole body responded. Her knees attempted to separate but her shorts were blocking her. She reached down to keep him there, whispering words of encouragement but he didn't want her to come just yet. He pulled out, smiling at her adorable moan of protest. Keeping her on her side with her back facing him, he positioned himself behind her.

TenTen pushed her shorts off her leg to open them fully and he grabbed the back of her knee and with slow care, pushed just the tip inside. Her mouth opened wide and he squeezed his eyes shut as a moan escaped. It had been too long since they've been intimate and it was nearly too much already. He wanted more though and with every inch, took another minute to accommodate.

"Go." She demanded.

He pushed all the way in and was already backing out wanting only to feel it again. He stayed in the second time, feeling every muscle of her tight walls contract around him. She was whispering his name in delirium. He began a slow motion, already feeling the exertion of this position with just a few simple minutes. But he knew this was her favorite. The way she moaned assured him of that. Every push was a pleasure he enjoyed giving.

He grabbed the back of her neck, squeezing, adding a taste of dominance to their love making and her body bucked. Her hand came around and pushed against his stomach, a mild attempt to fight back and he shoved into harder, daring her. Her nails dug into his chest and he knew she was coming. It didn't stop him, instead he gripped her hair, and it drove her over. Her moans ceased and her breathing caught in her throat while her mouth hung open.

He pulled himself out to stop himself from coming.

She curled into a ball and he waited laying on his back for her to recover.

Seconds later, TenTen rolled over and sat up on his waist. He sat up as well, if only to meet her lips. Their tongues meeting in the middle. One hand mixed in her hair while the other pressed against her back, pressing her breasts against his chest. She reached between them and grabbed him, as she slide back down on his member, breaking from his lips to gasp in delight. TenTen pushed him down on the bed, grabbed his hands and held them above his head. She took back the control, dominating, and she had a smirk on her lips. He yanked one hand out of her hold if only to grab a bouncing breast to bring it to his mouth. She slowed enough so he could suck her nipple. Her mouth hung open in pleasure as she watched. She pushed him away and rested her hands back on his knees. He enjoyed observing her, gripping her hips as she began to slow out of exhaustion. He assisted her and felt her once again begin to contract. She curled against him, her arms encircling his shoulders and panting heavy into his ear. He slowed her for a moment and she whispered, "Not yet. I'm almost there." She moved her hips quickly and her breath hitched as she hit it. His dull nails dug into her hips as he came as well.

She rested against his chest, simply breathing. "You're tired." She whispered.

She was right. He was near a point of exhaustion where of every muscle in his body wanted to give out but he didn't want to stop. "I can go again." He told her boldly, wrapping his arms around her back and holding her head to his neck before rolling them over, staying deep inside her.

She giggled, gripping with her legs and squeezing with her fingertips as he began a steady rhythm, but she could hear the tiredness in his pants against his ear. "Neji." She murmured. "You need to rest."

He quieted her with a kiss, meeting her tongue with his own. She decided then if he really wanted to continue she would give her best as well. She shoved her hips up to meet his and it broke their lips as he sucked in a breath. He shoved back against her harder, renewing his fervor. She pushed against his chest, fighting, if only to bring out that sense of dominance he loved. He snatched her hand, pinning it to the side and drived in. When he heard her whisper, "Faster" He complied, fastening his thrusts with vigor.

He held her thick thigh against his hip, keeping himself buried inside her, feeling every muscle contract. All her moaning ceased when she came and he couldn't stop following her despite wanting to continuing for hours. He felt every ounce of strength leave him and he barely was capable of keeping his knees in his place to stop from squishing her. He rested his forehead on her shoulder and her fingers slide up and down his back, soothing.

It was quiet for a long time before she whispered in his ear. "You shouldn't stress so much. We'll see each other again."

He didn't respond for a moment. He opened his eyes, if only to view the parts of her body in his view. Her cheek, her jawline, her collarbone, the distant slope of her breast. "When?"

"We've been together six years. We are away from each other sixty percent of the time. Just think of it as a mission."

"It's different now."

Her fingers danced over to his cheek, brushing his hair off his shoulder. "Don't think about that. Not when you're with me."

He nodded and with a breath of hidden strength he reached to the nightstand and grabbed a towel from the drawer. He sat back on his knees, pulling himself out and cleaned himself off while she rolled off the bed and headed into the bathroom. He collapsed on his back and stared up at the ceiling. He must have dozed off for a moment because when TenTen hit the bed, he bolted awake. She smiled softly holding up a bottle of water. He thankfully took it, swallowing the cold liquid. She had dressed in her pajamas and grabbed the blanket to place over his legs and cover his nakedness. She curled into pillows, staring at him.

He set the bottle down on the nightstand and turned to look at her. His eyes however were drifting closed.

"How are you?" He murmured.

She smiled warmly. "I'm fine."

"Anything happen while I've been gone?"

"No."

"You received my letters?"

She pointed to the pile on the nightstand.

"The shop?"

"It's doing really good."

He nodded.

The cat hopped up on the bed and meowed, coming between them. "Blade missed you."

"I see." He rubbed the cat terribly hard and it pulled back upset, swiping at him.

TenTen giggled. Neji moved his hand to her cheek, his fingers gracing her skin gently. She closed her eyes and grabbed his hand, kissing his fingers. "Did you?" He wondered tiredly.

Her own hand rested against his face. She leaned over and kissed his lips chastely. "Go to sleep."

"Be here when I wake."

"Is that an order?"

"If it will make you stay."

She was silent as she watched him close his eyes. "I'll stay." She whispered but she was sure he was already asleep. Her fingers fell to his chest, dancing over the scars from five years ago. They were malformed and terrible to touch, his smooth and solid skin ripped by these four circled wounds that would never fade with time. She wondered what their life would have been like if he had never risked his life for Hinata. Somehow being a hidden secret in her own village hadn't been one of her ideals for her future and yet here she was. On a path she didn't like and where the future was unpredictable.

As she laid there and watched him, she was unsure if she would have changed anything if given the chance. If any future was without him, she didn't want it. This is what she wanted. This is where love had brought her. She had to believe that it would all work out as long as she continued to hope. As long as she continued to believe he was doing what he thought was right. He loved her, he had proven that time and time again as the years went on. Now she had to simply wait until all the pieces fit into place. Sometimes it wasn't pleasant. Sometimes it was downright difficult to stay. But she was a fighter. And fighters don't walk away from a battle.

Neji woke the next morning to an empty bed but he was quick to hear her bustling in the kitchen. The smell of food is what woke him in the first place. He glanced at the clock. 910 blinked back at him. He rolled to his feet and grabbed his robe off the back of the door before journeying out. TenTen beamed at him with a brilliant smile. "Good Morning." She approached with a mug of hot tea in her hand and kissed him.

She was happy and he could only imagine why. He said nothing taking a seat at the breakfast bar as he watched her cook. She wore pajama shorts and a tank top with no bra and he found himself staring more than was appropriate. He pulled the newspaper toward him to give himself something to look at.

"Do you want to do lunch or dinner today?"

He contemplated his day. "I should return to the compound soon."

She didn't turn around as she stayed at the stove poking eggs.

"We can do lunch."

TenTen twisted with a smile, "I'll call Lee and Gai. Maybe they can meet up with us."

A nod was all he gave. He read nothing off the paper as he was slowly beginning to realize he was no longer on a mission. He could no longer ignore the problems at home. And soon, he wouldn't be able to hide behind he fake persona. He would have to enter the village as Hyuuga Neji and that person he was coming to despise.

She placed a plate down in front of him in the shape of a smiley face and his misery was rightly displaced as he withheld a smile. She giggled, telling by the light of his eyes he enjoyed her silly antics. Then she noticed however his eyes darken as he looked past her and over her shoulder. She began to eat, hoping he wouldn't start anything.

Neji took a bite of his meal, "TenTen."

She depressed. "Yes."

"I thought we came to an agreement about decorating the apartment."

She hung her head. "We did."

"Then what's that?"

He didn't even point, reading his newspaper in a nonchalant manner. She knew what he was talking about. TenTen went to the doorway of their bedroom and pointed to the brand new kunai that hung beside it, "This is special." She began. "This was used in the war between Water and Sound. It is an unknown war, not told in any history books. But I-"

"Hn."

She narrowed her eyes, "It's real. I have it's authenticy paper right here." She hurried to provide it, slapping it in front of him. "I'm going to get it framed today."

He said nothing further on the subject despite how much she fought its legitimacy. Moving to a different apartment hadn't been much out of necessity at it had been to rid him of the weapons that had completely overgrown the walls. Every time he came back to the apartment since they moved into it six months ago, he found another sword, or scroll, or chain slinking its way along the blank canvases.

After breakfast, he dressed in his typical garb, a black kimono with the Hyuga symbol on the back. Since he joined the Main branch as Hiashi's adopted son, he had been given the clothes that Hiashi normally wears. He took his sandals out of the closet before heading toward the window and pushing it open. TenTen came to his side. He kissed deeply her, not knowing how many weeks or months it will be until the next time. Then he stepped out and headed for the Hokage's office.

Neji dropped in front of the Hokage's temple and took his time arriving at the door. He was attempting to control his temper. Dealing with Naruto was not as easy as it had once been.

Naruto became Hokage a year ago and not because there were a lack of better shinobi. Himself included in that list. He outranked Naruto in every way included brains and yet there was one thing that Naruto had that Neji didn't. Ownership of the beasts. All the countries feared the beasts so it seemed only wise to a bunch of old, heretic, men to promote a man of no clan, of no relative skill, to a position as high as Hokage.

Yes, Neji agreed Naruto was strong. But that's why he should be used as a weapon. Not as a leader. He has no other qualifications to be Hokage and if Shikamaru wasn't in his ear at every chance he got, this village would be in turmoil because of Naruto's incapability to govern.

If Neji had become Hokage, his clan would have no dictatorship of who he consorts. TenTen would be his wife and he might have even had a child by now. But because he got past over, he still had to live in secret with her and treat her as some common whore.

None of this was Naruto's fault. Neji knew this and attempted not to hate the man due to these facts. But it still burned in his stomach.

Neji pushed the door open and was greeted by the blue eyed ninja. "Hey, you made it."

He bowed, "Hokage-sama."

Naruto looked around on his desk, "I received your details." He picked up one scroll then another, "Somewhere."

"The mission was a success. I found no treasonous acts occurring."

"I knew there wouldn't be." He got up. "Hey, come over tonight for dinner. Hinata misses you. Boruto wants to see you."

Neji bowed at the waist, "I must decline. I have yet been home."

He looked down at him. "You look like you've been home."

He hadn't expected Naruto to be observant. Neji cleared his throat. "Tomorrow, perhaps."

"Alright. I think I have a mission coming up soon so rest up. TenTen still does missions right?"

Neji's brows widened in wonder, "Not that I know of."

"I might need her for this. Both of you. Talk to her. I don't know who else would be good." He looked for the scroll and smiled when he found it. He tossed it to Neji who caught it a bit off guard. He never expected a Hokage to 'throw' him a mission. He bowed before he left.

The amount of un-professionalism raked his nerves and he fumed down the hall.

TenTen sat beside him in the restaurant currently reading the scroll. Lee sat across from them with Metal in a booster seat. He watched the child with mild interest as he fingered ketchup off the table before sticking it in mouth. Metal smiled happily before digging into again.

"He loves ketchup." Lee announced proudly.

Neji shifted uneasily, "Are they aware you have this child?"

"I adopted him, Neji." Lee grinned, "It's approved."

He nodded though still unsure who would give Lee, a single male, a child. "And what about a mother?" He wondered, taking a sip of his water.

"I can be both. I am very nurturing."

Neji choked and cleared his throat swallowing. He nodded and decided to change the subject.

TenTen rolled up the scroll with a bright smile, "This sounds awesome. There's a guy in Sand that is as gifted with weapons as I am. I can't wait to meet him." She whispered with excitement.

Neji knit his brows, "You mean bring him in."

She nodded, sticking a piece of sushi in her mouth, "Yeah. Yeah."

Lee seemed surprised, "You haven't been on a mission in two years. What about your shop?"

"I can close it."

"Nonsense. I can watch it for you."

"What about Metal?"

"He has daycare during the day."

She mushed her lips together, glancing at Neji. She silently asked him what he thought and he shrugged his shoulders, agreeing it wasn't a bad idea. She nodded, "Alright. Come by tomorrow, I'll teach you how to open and everything." TenTen sat up, "I'm so excited!"

Neji hid his smirk behind his drink. Aside from the fact that it was her first mission in a long while, he wondered if he she was more happy about the fact that they would have a week alone together. Just as he was. After more than two months away from her and then the horribleness that happened before he left, he needed time to make up for it. He doubted his letters fixed all that had transpired. And though they hadn't talked about it yet, it didn't erase it. He wondered when it would all come crashing in their faces.

His uncle Hiashi and another member named Fumio approached the table. Neji felt the bubble burst.

He stood instantly and bowed at the waist in greeting. "Oji-sama, Fumio-sama. Good Afternoon." He motioned back to his teammates, "Lee and TenTen are my genin teammates. We are having lunch and then I was heading to the compound."

"I had heard you returned in the middle of the night."

Neji's shoulders stiffened. "Your information is misled. I have just arrived."

Hiashi looked down at his outfit. "You travel heavy."

It was an insinuation that he must bring clothes with him on a mission. No ninja does this. His uncle was trying to catch him in a lie. But Neji gave no answer. He didn't need to give one.

Fumio leaned forward, "Perhaps it is wise to cut lunch short and return to the compound. You have a wife that missed your absence and a clan that desires your presence."

Neji glared boldly, "If I had asked for you council, Fumio-sama, I do not recall it."

Hiashi put up a hand, stopping Fumio's retort. "It was bold. He is new to the idea that you are my son and need no reminder to your duties. We are happy you have returned safe and wait for you at the compound to inform you of the recent events inside the clan. Good day, Lee-san, TenTen-san."

Neji waited until they returned to their table, far on the other side of restaurant before sitting down. He did not eat again, glaring at the plate in front of him. His hands fisted in his lap. Fumio dared to tell him what to do. The audacity of that old man. He had half the right to challenge him to open battle. He could take on the entire Main Family without breaking a sweat.

TenTen shifted, moving to stand and he snatched her wrist, forcing her back into her seat. It broke him out of his rage. He released her and took up his chopsticks. She however was far from it, fuming in the seat beside him. She took out a knife and currently clenched it in her hand.

Lee cleared his throat. He handed Metal a french fry, "How is the clan, Neji?"

"Bothersome."

He uneasily continued glancing between them. "I haven't met Asumi yet. You married so fast. You should bring her out with us one time."

Neji nodded offhandedly, "Perhaps."

Unable to ignore the way TenTen rolled her eyes and sloughed in her chair, Lee asked tentatively. "TenTen, are you alright?"

"She's fine." Neji replied briskly.

Her knife hit the wood hard. Neji snatched it and put it inside his kimono.

Lee sensed he should give them a minute. "I have to change Metal's diaper." He picked up the little boy and journeyed to the bathroom.

"Enough." He bit taking a sip of his drink.

"I'm fine."

"Then act like it."

She took a deep breath and blew it out. Then she turned to him with the biggest fake smile he had ever seen. "Better?"

He smirked and his hand moved under the table to touch hers. "No."

Alright guys, let me know what you think!