Chapter 2: Dealing with It
'But you were violated Tenten. Raped. Some ninja captured you and repeatedly raped you after hitting you with a blunt object on the battlefield' came the response.
'WHAT!?' she screamed, her heart slowly breaking as she heard the news. That's why no one could meet her eyes. She felt like damaged goods now. 'Neji…' she thought, as the pain ripped through her heart. Looking at Shizune's face, she felt inclined to ask 'That's not all is it…'.
'I was raped…' she whispered to her self, shaking her head in disbelief.
Sakura tearfully gave a nod of confirmation before she added 'And you're pregnant as well. The Hokage gives permission to terminate or go through with the pregnancy…'
A look of horror passed across the 17 year old's face, as her world suddenly went black yet again as she succumbed to her shock and pain.
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Two days have passed since, yet time has stood still in her mind.
'How many days has it been' she thought while brushing her bobbed hair in slow, deliberated motions, away from her face in frustration. She used the time in deep contemplation, looking at the pounding rain while it beat against the glass window.
'What will I do' she thought with a defeated sigh. Pregnancy, especially under these circumstances was especially troubling to the orphaned Kunoichi. She had grown up virtually alone, except her circle of close friends, in her small apartment in the outskirts of the Konoha Village for as long as she could remember. She had so many dreams to achieve before her retirement, the most important being joining the ANBU, becoming the leader in one of these elite squads and most importantly, marrying Hyuuga Neji. How ironic was it that when these dreams seemed to be at possible reach for the young Kunoichi, they could be dashed at a moments notice, because of one failed mission at Kikyo Pass.
'Hyuuga Neji' she whispered, as she sunk deeper into the bed. She allowed no visitors since she had been admitted to this dreary hospital, and requested some time alone to come to a good decision.
'No matter what choice I make, my life with Neji is going to be affected' she noted, vividly remembering her last conversation with the Hokage, Tsunade sama.
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'Tenten' came a cool authoritarian voice from the doorway. Tearing her eyes away from the scene playing before her in the hospital garden at full bloom, she immediately diverted her eyes to the speaker.
Tsunade walked into her bedroom followed by an entourage of Sakura and Shizune who all took seats nearby. Tears no longer washed this conversation, as the time for that was now over. Instead, a piercing silence sliced through the night. Five minutes passed.
With a defeated sigh, Tsunade finally decided to break the silence. 'Tenten. I have come to speak to you about what occurred two days ago during the mission at Kikyo pass'
With this the girl's eyes fell, failed ringing constantly through her thoughts constantly.' But never mind that. I'm here to speak about you' she quickly corrected, noting the girl's changing expression.
'You have one of three options. Termination, which is not usually allowed, especially by shinobi, but an exception was made in your case' Tenten shot up with a jolt. 'Abortion?' she thought 'Could I really kill this child? Though if I do, half my problems would be solved".
'What other choices do I have Hokage-sama? I would like to be well aware of my choices' replied the young Kunoichi with a firm resolve. Though she normally would not support abortion, this baby would inevitably keep her from realizing many of her goals, especially concerning the Hyuuga clan.
'The second is birth and adoption. With this option, you will leave Konoha for a full year and reside in the Suna under the care of Temari-san as a school mistress in the new Suna Ninja Academy for a full year. You will then nurse the child for three months, get back into shape and you both will return to Konoha separately by next December , and the child will be raised by the state like you were, or given foster parents' the Hokage finished firmly, hazel eyes boring into the Kunoichi's very soul.
She flinched and again descended into a deep mode of thought 'This seems to be a good choice. I leave Konoha for a year, and return like nothing ever happened. But, how do I leave, my friends and home behind for an entire year, and Neji…'
She buried her head into her slightly calloused hands shaking her head indecisively; 'Third choice' was the muffled reply.
'Third choice is again birth, and motherhood. You keep the child and receive financial aid from the state by merits of your ordeal while on a mission for us'. With no response, Tsunade gradually shifted her eyes to her two subordinates, seeing their worried glances at the distressed Kunoichi before them.
'We will give you some time alone to think and return in five days for your decision. Think hard Tenten for there is no turning back in some of these options. Please, don't be rash…' Shizune offered before leaving with Tsunade in tow. Once again, deathly silence filled the room, but Tenten could feel another presence in the room. Raising her head from her palms, brown eyes met green.
'Neji came to visit you today. He looked worried and asked to see you' whispered the medic softly. Tenten's eyes fell dejectedly.
'So what happened next' asked Tenten half afraid to ask, scared of what the response might be and desperately wanting to know.
A deep sigh was her only reply.
'Sakura…' was the increasingly urgent call.
'I didn't tell him about the 'situation'. I just said you were injured and weren't able to see anyone yet. You need to tell him Tenten…' she said guilty eyes downcast, suddenly interested in the pristine white floor beneath her sandal clad feet..
Though she was upset with Sakura for turning Neji away, she found herself oddly relieved at the fact that he didn't know about 'that' yet and could not see her this broken. He hated weaklings and failures and she had strove for many long years to fit his requirements. Even now, she was surprised at her recent behavior and frequent display of 'weak' emotion. It was hard not to especially when the fate of more than one life was at the mercy of her pending decision. Her friend was repeatedly scuffing her feet against the cold tiles, marring its polished beauty in a child like manner; either she was extremely ashamed or had a lot on her mind.
'Sakura I'm so sorry…'
'Tenten, I have something to say…'
Both girls stopped realizing what had happened. Looking at each other, a soft giggle burst from their lips, the first in a long time for the both of them. In moments like these, Tenten felt truly happy that she was alive and momentarily forgot her sorrows in the mirth of Sakura's high pitched laughter.
It is not the child's fault. Like it or not I am a mother. But If I decide to keep this child, my life with Neji is over. However, motherhood cannot be that bad, I will finally have family of my own. The Kunoichi contemplated, sipping a glass of orange juice. The days in the hospital were boring and she was stuck watching reruns of cheesy soap operas and 'Shinobi Idol'. Heck, she even missed Lee and Gai-sensei and never thought she would ever miss green so much, and talks about youth and springtime. Her rookie nine friend's stupidity was also missed and Naruto whom she had become a big sister to, and also her Neji.
The wedding is scheduled to take place in only 14 days and she had not arrived at a decision yet, nor had she even seen him since she got back into Konoha nearly a week ago. It had taken the Hyuuga clan a long enough time to approve of the marriage between the prodigy of the clan and the girl with no family or special ability. She didn't know how Neji had convinced them to give their approval, but she had long given hope before the surprised engagement.
'If only I didn't take that mission..' she thought, filled with dread and regret. Four days before she departed for her ill-fated mission, Ino barged into her home accompanied by the delighted and energetic duo, Naruto and Lee and an irritated Shikamaru, their hands filled with a multitude of packages. Ino had already nominated herself Wedding Planner extraordinaire and had urged Tenten not to accept a mission so close to her wedding date.
Looking up from her various samples of cloth, flower and cakes which she had been brought, Tenten closed the magazine she had been studying intently with a thud.
'Don't worry' she laughed 'What are you worried about anyway? Its an ordinary B ranked mission, and I'm a qualified jonin. I can handle it. What's the worst that can happen?'
'WHAT'S THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN!?' shrieked Ino, leaping up from the couch where she had previously been seated. All fingers in the room sought to protect their ears from this attack. 'You should rest before the wedding to be adequately prepared for the glorious wedding night! You don't want to look like a dried up hussy in your pictures! I mean, Tenten' she huffed turning her back angrily away from her friend.
'I'm leaving in four days, so you could ask Neji any questions you may have, okay? I'm sorry Ino, but it's my duty and I'll try not to get anything makeup can't fix.' Replied Tenten as she settled back into her work, gearing up to taste her third sample cake.
'Chocolate Peach Truffle-sounds delicious!' salivating at the thought, she frantically searched for her goodies. 'Where's the cake!' she screamed, mowing through mountains of samples and catalogues. Whipping her head around, she saw faint accusing smudges on the faces of Naruto and Lee.
'Did you eat my cake?' she asked menacingly, advancing on her soon to be victims with a kunai in hand.
'No?' replied Lee meekly, as he slowly inched away from her, looking his scared blonde counterpart for support.
'Run' the chocolate starved Kunoichi commanded in a dangerously soft voice, before the trio scampered out the door and into the streets.
'When will that girl ever listen?' began Ino angrily, cleaning up the mess slowly caking the apartment floor. 'When she sees the wedding pictures, she'll wish she'd listened to me'
' I wish I did' Tenten thought aloud. The girl had been floating in a sea of depression lately, filled with regrets and what ifs, and unconsciously spent several hours on end in there. Somewhere deep inside her, she knew there would be no wedding in fourteen days. She had already made her decision and as much as she hated to do this, even more than the injuries inflicted on her body, she beckoned to her nurse to get her an envelope, paper and pen.
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Sakura came to visit Tenten later that day, dressed in her white medic outfit, with Ino following closely behind. The pair brought all kinds of goodies; an entire box of chocolate chip cookies, muffins and 12 donuts, not forgetting a colorful get well soon card and a bright bouquet of Tenten's favorite flowers.
Their patient was sleeping soundly, and stopped Ino just before she decided to shake the girl awake as she looked so beautiful and peaceful there, rather than she was while awake. Setting the items on the bedside table, Ino noticed a brown envelope lying there with the words 'Hyuuga Neji' written on its face. Picking it up with a subtle hand movement, fully intending to read it, she was intercepted with a slap to the hand. 'Ino are so nosy. Can't you ever keep your hands to yourself?' Sakura whispered angrily, trying not to awaken the sleeping girl.
'Nope. And several ninja can attest to that' said the Kunoichi with a proud smirk. 'Speaking of which, I have an appointment with Shiranui-san right now' she finished before leaving the room in a proud glide.
'Even Genma too? Lord Ino I swear, after that thing with you and Shikamaru…'she answered in disbelief, eyes threatening to pop out of her head at any second. Ino heard a rumor that Shikamaru and Temari were dating, and her teammate neither denied nor confirmed them. She had since fallen into a depression filled with one night stands and flirtatious exploits, though Choji had tried to convince her that those rumors were false. The damage was already done, and her friend was caught in a desperate search for love in all the wrong places, and couldn't see what was right in front of her, but that was not the point.
'The letter, Ino' she reminded gently.
' No sweat Sakura. I won't read it, I'll deliver it. What do you want a pinkie promise or something?' muttered the blonde, rolling her eyes in response.
'As long as you're sure..' replied the pink haired medic doubtfully.
'I am' Ino responded absently, helping herself to four chocolate covered donuts before she left.
'That girl has a serious problem…' mumbled Sakura, shaking her head at her best friend's departing figure.
'Who's got a serious problem' came an amused voice from the previously peaceful bed.
'Tenten!' exclaimed the medic 'You scared me. I thought you were asleep'
'I was. I thought I heard Ino' commented the Kunoichi while stuffing pillows behind her back to prop her up.
'Yes she was. But she had a date with Genma and you know what' to this Tenten nodded knowingly.
'And we brought you stuff. Ino had some first, but she still sends her love' she said smiling, watching her friend dig savagely into the chocolate cookies, muffins and donuts with gusto. 'We made a card too!' she continued, holding out a blindingly coloured neon home made card with pastel strips decorating it. On the front was painted 'Get Well Soon, Tenten! Fight with the Power of youth!'
'
'Classic Lee!' thought Tenten with a chuckle. She ceased her binge fest to look over her card reminding her of closest friends, filled with love and inspirational messages to keep up hope. One name was missing though.
'Where is…'
'Neji?' supplied Sakura 'Well you see what happened was that ummm….'. The pink haired girl was desperately looking to get away from giving her friend an answer she would not like, and wanted to save for later. Tenten stared intently at the fumbling Kunoichi before her, who was sweating bullets as if she was trying desperately to hide something from her.
'I couldn't find him?' she finished meekly. The skeptical Kunoichi decided not to press on further even if she knew she was lying, because she was too tired and was engrossed in her presents.
With a forced cough, Sakura went on a completely different tangent to avoid further trouble, ' I am also here on official business from Tsunade-sama. She says and I quote, 'The five days have now expired and requires an answer'".
'I am hanging between options 1 and 2' she replied with a dismissive wave.
Sakura stared in disbelief and then stood up with a start 'WHAT! You are actually considering killing this child in your womb? Its already been developing for a full month!' screamed the pink haired medic in barely concealed anger.
'Don't get all hot with me, Sakura! You don't know what I'm going through! I was raped and now I have to deal with a potential single parenthood and Failed dreams! I cannot support this baby! You as a perfect medic nin and Konoha's sweetheart cannot possibly understand my plight!' Tenten retorted angrily at her friend.
The deadly glare passed between the two was frightening as neither of the two would relent to the other. The nurse carrying Tenten's dinner did a complete revolution on her heels when faced with this silent war before her.
'You honestly think my life is perfect Tenten?' Sakura whispered in a voice of deadly calm. "I might not have been raped but I'm in exactly the same situation you are now.' Tenten's eyes widen with shock, realization hitting her like a ton of bricks. 'Yes Tenten, I am pregnant. I found out three days ago and how do I feel? Just fucking chipper' she finished angrily, grabbing her things to make the world's most heated exit.
Deciding to apologize, she urgently grabbed the visibly annoyed girl's hand. Sakura wait. I'm sorry. Don't know what cam over me'. In a much calmer voice, Sakura began to recount the details of her surprise pregnancy.
'You know the father. I found him after searching so long by accident while I was on my last mission. I lured him away trying to convince him to return home to Konoha, and to me. One thing led to another and here I am now. It was my first time, though.'
'Sasuke-kun' her companion stated. It was obvious, wasn't it?
Only a nod of affirmation came, before the pink haired girl broke into tears.
'Even after we did it, I told him that I loved him. He never answered me, and only said g-go home Sakura' and that was it'. Suddenly ashamed, Tenten pulled her heartbroken friend to her bosom, where she let out all her troubles and frustrations in tears.
'My parents don't know, Naruto doesn't, and no one but you does. I can't tell Ino, because I always go off on her about pregnancy and one night stands, now I look like a total hypocrite' and the girl's sobs intensified.
'Don't beat yourself up, It's only a silly mistake Sakura-chan' consoled her friend awkwardly, because she didn't know what else to.
'No it's not. I really love him, and I see him off and on since that day. And I'm having this child, not just for him, but for me too. I love it already, and you should love yours too. It's a part of you, don't you feel it?' pleaded Sakura in reply. Her words hit home.
With a quick glance at her friend's misty eyes, she felt the girl's pain and sorrow. She apparently still secretly saw a guy who could not tell her the three words she desperately wanted to hear, and yet she still offered her body to the cause of the Uchiha Restoration project. She could no longer bring herself to terminate the pregnancy, and instead planned to go through with it, even if she ended up giving her child up for adoption. After all, she did have three months after birth to consider her possibilities. She was leaving the hospital in a week, and the courage of the young girl who's head was now buried in her lap had inspired her to face her fears and speak to Neji. Though, she did not know what trouble which lay ahead for her, this moment was a peaceful one and decided not to ruin it.
'Sakura..' she finally said, before the pink head lifted in response. 'I have an answer now'.
Author's notes:
Things start to heat up by next chapter find out
More on the Sasuke/Sakura issue
How a visitor comes to pay a visit to Tenten bringing bad news. What does it have to do with the current events?
What happens when Tenten leaves the hospital and goes back into life in Konoha?
Until Next Time in Chapter Three "Moving On".