Chapter 2

Hello everyone! This is chapter 2 and hope you enjoy. And review!


TenTen returned in utter exhaustion. There was very little time to have problems when faced against the grueling training regiments of Lee and Gai' sensei. She wondered how the two gathered enough energy to follow every ridiculous method of training that popped into their sensei's head.

She opened her door taking quick notice of the two ANBU members still tailing her. Their espionage skills were top in the country, but she'd been training with various current and exANBU members in hopes to take a place in their ranks. She'd learned all she could about them, their methods and teachings, so picking them out in a forest she knew well was child's play.

She slammed the door behind her with a sigh.

"I'm home." She sighed out not expecting any response from the empty house.

"Welcome back." A voice came from beside her. She jumped almost completely forgetting about Neji and everything that had lead to him living with her. She sighed again rubbing at her temples.

"I trust you did as I said and remained in the house?" She asked walking past him to her kitchen. The curtains on all the windows had been drawn as she'd told him and sat at her table sluggishly. She could really use some tea and a bath right now.

"Here. You seem tired. I'll prepare a bath for you." She heard behind her. Neji laid a hot cup of Oolong tea in front of her, walking off to set the bath as he had said.

She gazed at him for a moment before offering a smile. Neji had always been quite courteous, and over the years had become quite caring, but she could honestly say this was an all new Neji.

He returned with a soft smile. "The bath is prepared. Would you like anything else?" He asked as she tottered past him.

She smiled in return.

"No, that is quite alright. You may want to wash your clothing, I don't know how long we'll wait before Hinata can bring any." She offered. Neji nodded wandering out of the room as well.

She sunk into the bath nearly moaning in appreciation at the warmth that engulfed her sore body. Training with Konoha's 'Green and Blue beasts' was no easy feat. After a well needed soak, lathering and another rinse she left the bath and returned to Neji who was waiting for her in her room.

Unfortunately, he stood leaning against the wall completely naked with only a towel between her and a nose bleed.

"Neji!? Why are you naked?!" She yelled suddenly. He chuckled.

"I cannot wash my clothing without taking them off. And As I recall a certain generous woman washed all my clothing but forgot my undergarments." He said smirking at her. She blushed.

"How could I strip you naked so easily!" She yelled out again marching away to hide her blushing face. She rummaged through her clothing to change and Neji slipped into the bath.

He was going to take some time to get used to, what with his memory and character so different. He returned shortly after his bath still fully naked but sprinkled with droplets of water with his hair stuck to his back, the occasional strand stuck to his chest.

Strike that, alot of time to get used to. He slipped his now clean underwear on and turned to her passively.

"Where shall I sleep?" He asked suddenly. TenTen froze. She lived alone there was no real need for any other bedrooms, as such she only had one. She hadn't much need for futons either as no one really came out to her far away, deep forest home. She sighed and turned to him trying to keep her blush as unnoticeable as possible.

"There." She said pointing at her bed nonchalantly and turning quickly. He gave no reply and crawled into the bed she'd pointed to. She stared at his body in her bed glad she'd sprung for the larger bed when she'd moved. How was she supposed to just slip in next to him after he had crawled in so easily. She continued to stare until he turned suddenly to stare at her.

"Is everything alright? Judging by the fact that this is the only bed here, I'm assuming you will be joining me. Was I incorrect?" He asked. She shook her head nervously and slid under the covers beside him. She could feel warmth radiate off him from his shower and couldn't help but clutch at her racing heart.

She froze thinking back to all the times she and Neji and Lee had slept together in the same bed, tent, futon, hotel room, how many times they'd infiltrated areas as a married couple or lovers. This was absolutely no different.

She shrugged the strange feeling off and closed her eyes to fall asleep.


The next few days passed as uneventful as the first, TenTen would set out to train with Lee and Gai-sensei, or occasionally to enjoy some down time with fellow shinobi, Neji remained at home, blinds closed up and wandered aimlessly through the house in an attempt to entertain himself. TenTen would return they would converse, he'd prepare some tea and a bath, then their day ended in TenTen's shared queen bed.

"Neji-kun." TenTen asked stiffling a yawn as she stretched in the dull rays of light penetrating her drapes.

He turned to her waiting for her to speak.

"Under these circumstances I know you must be bored. Perhaps using one of your perfect henges we can venture outside for a while. I'm sure with your skills it would be next to impossible to catch you against your will anyway." She said playing with the bedsheets.

"Henge?" He asked slowly. TenTen's jaw nearly hit the ground.

Gulping nervously. TenTen took a pillow off her bed and chucked it at the back of Neji's head. It hit lightly and fell to the floor. Neji turned a slight confused and just slightly irritated look on his face.

"What was that for?" He asked pulling his hair from his pony tail for a bath.

"Neji...Wh-What is wrong? Why didn't you dodge it?" TenTen asked.

"Dodge it? I'm not sure how or why I'd be able to."

TenTen froze. His memory loss was becoming a problem. He didn't remember her, he didn't remember his friends, his jutsus, his basic ninja skills, Nothing!

"Do you even remember how to use your Byuakugan?!" She nearly yelled he jumped slightly almost hesitant to answer.

"What exactly is that?" He asked again. This could not be happening. The prodigy of the entire Hyuuga clan is before her now undoubtedly the most vulnerable he would ever be.

Her breathing nervous and shaky she turns to the window biting at her finger in thought.

"I have to get Hinata. Now."


TenTen rushed through the streets of Konoha searching desperately for Hinata. The first place to look for any Hyuuga was obviously their estate. She skidded to a stop right before the massive gates surrounding the estate.

"Hinata!" TenTen shouted from the gates. She nearly slapped herself. Had she suddenly turned into Naruto? She entered the gates and knocked swiftly at the door to the grand estate.

"Can I help you Mistress." Someone called opening the door.

"I need to see Hinata now!" She rushed out. The man shook his head.

"Sadly today is the day of Neji-sama's wake and funeral. He was just reported K.I.A in his reconnaissance mission in Kumogakure." The man said sadly. TenTen found her words stuck in her throat.

"K-K.I.A?" She whispered. The man nodded and TenTen turned from the door, not waiting for anything else from the man nor bidding him any farewells after abruptly ending their conversation.

Tsunade had declared him dead? She'd known nothing at all about his condition! She didn't know where he was and lifted not one finger to search for him! How dare she simply declare him dead? What was she supposed to do now when he returned in full health? How would he return? How would she explain his return?

She turned on her heal relieved to find the door shut and the man gone. Her feet moved one after the other determined and gaining speed before she was sprinting full speed towards Hinata's home. She didn't know where she was going but she was sure as hell going to find Hinata.

Several hours of searching left her exhausted, keeping undiscovered from Hyuuga members was an S-ranked ANBU level mission of it's own disregarding navigation of their pointlessly large and empty residence. Finally a soft cascade of navy hair caught her eye and Hinata tottered through her face nervous, sad yet, somehow suspiciously certain of something.

Thay something was: Her cousin was definately alive, albeit not the man they knew, yet just the thought of his death did bring heart wrenching sadness to her heart.

Her eyes flickered to TenTen widening in shock and horror. She snapped her gaze back in place and TenTen understood.

She waited for a moment for all speech to brought to an end before the guests and family members could roam free. Hinata walked over to her gracefully giving TenTen a smile.

"Why have you come TenTen? He has not lived up to his rumors I pray?" She asked quietly. TenTen shook her head. Her eyes were still slightly wider than usual in shock and she grabbed Hinata by the arms tightly.

"Neji has forgotten it. His entire essence as a Hyuuga man. He's lost his Byuakugan, his basic instinct. He's lost everything. What the hell is going on Hinata?!" TenTen begged her friend. Hinata's eyes widened beyond any lady like manner.

"Fo-forgo.." Hinata whispered off. TenTen began to sob openly.

"I'm distraught about his death, I came to give my condolences but I couldn't contain it as well as I had hoped, cart me off to console me." TenTen whispered in between sobs. Hinata nodded tottering off to her father and repeating what TenTen had said, then huddling close to the sobbing girl she escorted her out.

The two sped towards Neji back in TenTen's home.

"Now that the Hokage has labeled him K.I.A what is supposed to happen once his memory returns and he wishes to return to his friends and family?" TenTen asked quietly. The women slowed down stopping before a patch of forest.

"Silence TenTen, even trees have ears." Hinata said running off ahead. TenTen changed directions headed towards her home pulled open the door and rushed to let Hinata inside.

Neji greeted her hesitantly seeing her rampage earlier as she flew out of the house. She glanced at him and turned away in despair.

"Hinata-chan, are you inside yet?" TenTen asked hurriedly. A soft clatter gave her all the answer she needed and she left Neji momentarilly to drag Hinata into the room. She pushed Neji onto the bed and the examination began.

"Neji-nii-san, how are you faring?" Hinata asked kindly a sweet smile on her face.

"Quite well Hinata-sama." He replied. Confusion spread across his face.

"Ne, Neji, we should go training today, or maybe even tomorrow. Hinata could come along with us too." TenTen tried.

"I wouldn't mind at all, but what exactly will we train for?" He asked. Hinata nearly fell over.

"This continued memory loss is beyond my expectations. If we don't fix the, neji-nii-san may be reduced to an infants state of mind!" Hinata whispered out in horror.

Neji looked silently between the two girls, their faces pale.

"Perhaps these lost memories could be jolted after engaging in activities that can trigger de-ja-vu." Neji offered. Hinata and TenTen stared at him considering the idea.

"I suppose there isn't much way his suggestion will make the situation worse so I guess this is our plan for now. Perhaps the others can lend a hand?" TenTen responded with a sigh. Hinata shook her head.

"The chances of this situation getting out of hand and reaching my father is much higher." Hinata replied quickly. "Today is not the best day to start either. The whole town has been made aware of Neji-nii-san's 'death during a mission.' There isn't much way to get him around. Let the news die down and then we can take him to remote parts of the forest and begin." Hinata said with a sad sigh.

"By then I'll have prepared some clothing and other needs for Neji-nii-san. I will take my leave now." She said sadly returning to TenTen's underground passageway.

TenTen and Neji sat quietly long after Hinata had left the house. Not a word was spoken till the two were fed, bathed, and tucked tightly into the sheets of their temporarily shared bed.

TenTen lay awake staring at Neji's bare back. His clothing was in the laundry again. She saw his back often in her lifetime with him, when he rushed forward into close combat with enemies, when he performed his revolving sphere to protect them from a bombardment. The situation seemed so hopeless, that for once, she found herself wanting to reach out for that back, just to be sure she wasn't having some nightmare.

"You know..." TenTen heard suddenly from in the darkness. She jumped answering immediately.

"I can feel you." Neji said, turning to face her. She looked into the deep pearl pools of his eyes. Feel her? How? Had she actually touched him during her strange little urge session?

"I can feel that you were important to me. More so than anyone else I can remember. I don't know how or why you were important, but it certainly hurts to think that I cannot remember what I once felt for you." He whispered. TenTen's face lit up.

"Neji.." His hand creeped over to her face sliding against it softly. Her heart began to pound loudly

"It feels as though my mind is at ease beside you, My existence is safe at your side. My mind and body just cannot agree." He continued. TenTen grabbed his hand softly and her nails dug lightly into this skin as her grip firmed.

"Neji!" She whispered slightly louder this time. He pushed himself from his lying position and hovered over her. How the hell did his mind not remember a woman who looked quite so delicious without even trying? He knew he'd probably lay beside her in the past, as doing so felt natural and safe. But something about breaking her personal barrier felt new and exciting.

Perhaps he hadn't the chance to indulge in his past self's feelings? He couldn't really think about all that at the moment. His head slowly lowered to hers and her breathing had all but stopped in anticipation. His lips, a hairsbreadth away sealed the distance gliding against hers softly.

TenTen breathed in sharply. His tongue slid across her lower lip pushing their way into her mouth. She hands twitched in excited confusion. Where was she supposed to be putting them in this situation? They shot up desperately clinging to the skin of his arms.

Their breathing equally erratic, He pulled away and TenTen's eyes, shut some time in between, shot open and she pushed him back to the bed gently.

"I keep telling you we were just teammates, Neji-kun." TenTen whispered out. She turned away from him slipping under the blankets again and muttering one last thing before falling into silence.

"Just get some rest ok?"


There's chapter 2 :) Review