"I can't believe he threw us out!" Naruto, the village's favorite hero complained. It had gotten quite dark in the village now and he and Sasuke Uchiha were walking away from the Hokage tower, Naruto with a sour look on his face, while the other male seemed neutral.

"Hn," Sasuke replied, not really listening to what his friend was saying.

"I mean, so what if we came over 'unannounced'?" the blonde huffed, his pout only thickening. "Bushy Brows practically lives with his sensei! Why can't we spend some time with our old one?"

"You did break his favorite lamp, dobe," Sasuke sighed, rolling his eyes at the other man. After finishing their meal, Naruto had started to boast about one of his battle stories. It was all fine until the idiot decided to show the Hokage how he had perfected his kick and accidentally knocked over one of the lamps in the room. Kakashi had practically pushed them out the door after that. To be honest though, Sasuke didn't think his old sensei was really all that mad about it. He probably just used it as an excuse to get the two of them out of his office.

"I offered to buy him a new one..." Naruto continued to sulk and Sasuke let out another sigh. The idiot may have grown up a bit, but he was still that same idiot he had been when they were twelve. Somethings never change.

The two walked in silence for a while, before getting to one of the crossroads. Sasuke didn't stop to say goodbye, instead just casually turning down one road. Naruto, though, still heading straight, noticed his turn and quickly jogged over to catch up with him.

"Oi!" Naruto called over, coming to walk beside the raven. "Where you going? I thought we were gonna head over to my house for some cards?"

Sasuke didn't spare him a look, as he continued his easy pace. "It's late dobe, I'm going home."

Naruto frowned at him, before jumping In front of him, forcing the Uchiha to a stand still. "Oh come on," he begged, ignoring the annoyed look he received. "What are you gonna do at home? Isn't Sakura still at work?"

"She's off today."

"Really? I didn't know that!" Naruto smiled excitedly. "Why don't we get her to come with, you know? Make it a team seven thing?"

Sasuke continued to stare annoyingly at Naruto, trying to keep his patience.

"Come on," Naruto grinned, showing off his teeth. "I've got ramen."

It was a wonder how the blonde still thought that that statement could change the Uchiha's mind. It never worked before and he very much doubted it ever would.

"Okay-okay," Naruto continued hurriedly when he got no response. "Then how about we head over there instead, huh?" he's grin returned full force. "We can hang out at your place."

Sasuke's teeth clenched at the new idea, and quickly spoke to shut it down. "No."

Naruto, to his dismay wasn't listening though, or more like ignoring, because he had already started to walk in the direction of the Uchiha's house. Sighing, Sasuke gave in and called out, "All right, we can go to your house." It was the better choice. If Naruto came to his house, he'd never get rid of the blonde, but at least if he went to Naruto's house, he could leave...eventually.

Naruto instantly turned around to smile cheekily to his friend and Sasuke lip twitched upwards for a second, before going back to it's neutral expression. The sneaky fox had tricked him. It actually kind of amused the Uchiha. Perhaps Naruto had changed more than he thought.

The two ninjas started to head back up the road, but they didn't get very far, when they heard someone screaming out to them.

"Naruto! Naruto!"

Both men stopped and looked out to see Choji running towards them.

"Choji?" Naruto said, confused as he and Sasuke watched the male ninja run up to them, before falling to his knees and wheezing.

"Choji!?" Naruto said surprised and leaned down to rest his hands on his friends shoulders. The man looked exhausted, but a quick once over and the blonde hero internally sighed in relieve at seeing that there were no wounds anywhere on his body. "Are you okay? What's going on?" Naruto continued to ask, as he watched the man try to catch his breath. "Is it Shikamaru or Ino?"

Choji shook his head, his breaths coming in quick huffs. "N-wheeze-No..the h-hospital. Y-you need to..huff."

Naruto furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. He looked up to give a questioning look to the Uchiha next to him, but Sasuke only raised an eyebrow. Turning back to the team ten member, Naruto's heart skipped a beat, before he asked fearfully. "I-is it Hinata?" He breathed out in relief when Choji shook his head again.

Choji's breath slowly seemed to ease and he was able to get some words out, looking up at the blonde urgently. "Y-you need to get to the hospital."

"Why?" Naruto frowned. "Choji, what's going on?"

Breathing out, Choji replied. "I was passing by the hospital, when I saw Tenten. She was carrying somebody over her back. She looked really panicked!"

"So?" Sasuke asked, folding his arms. Naruto sent a non-amused frown his way.

"It was just," he seemed to hesitate, before looking confusedly up at the blonde. "T-the guy she was carrying. He looked a lot like Neji..."

Tenten slumped against the hospital wall, her eyes unblinking as she voidly stared at the door in front of her. She was tired. Her legs hurt from running so fast with the added weight on her back, but she refused to sit down or go back home. Usually she could handle it, but her body was still in shock.

It was Neji.

Tenten's fist tightened at the memory of seeing the thought-to-be-dead Hyuga laying against a grave stone. She hadn't known what to do when she saw him. When he had looked back up at her with those confused eyes, she wanted to scream. He was dead. Neji was supposed to be dead! She, of all people, knew that, but when she saw him, there was no doubt in her mind that it was her teammate.

She hadn't had a chance to calm down enough to even say a word to him, before the Hyuga had fainted, his body sagging lifeless against the stone. It terrified her. Tenten had acted on reflex and carried the man to the hospital. A smart ninja would have examined him. Made sure he was the real thing or just some transformation jutsu, but not Tenten. Nothing else mattered or came to mind at that moment. All that mattered was that it was Neji and he was hurt.

It was Neji.

'Neji,' Tenten's thought's echoed. How was it possible? She had been to his funeral. His body was supposed to be underground. How?

"Tenten?"

The kunoichi reluctantly and slowly turned her head to the direction of the hesitant voice. Sakura stared back at her, her eyes seemed to mapping her out, trying to read her thoughts.

"Tenten..I heard-I…Is it true?" the pink-haired medic struggled to get her words out. She had stopped by the hospital to pick up some paperwork she'd forgotten about, when she saw some of the nurses running through the halls. That's when she heard them mention Neji's name. At first she had been confused, but it wasn't until after one of the other medics told her that Tenten had brought in a Hyuga male and had yelled that 'Neji needs help!'.

Tenten only stared blankly at Sakura and Sakura was worried if the other girl was even really looking at her or just looking through her. The medic noted the paleness of her skin, her eyes looked swollen, rimmed red, but Sakura was sure that Tenten hadn't been crying, only holding them back.

"Tenten, I-"

"Neji."

Sakura stopped short at the name leaving Tenten's lips. "Oh Tenten."

Tenten's eyes seemed far away, going back to when she saw the Hyuga in the graveyard. "It was Neji, Sakura," her lips agape after she let those words slip out. The kuniochi blinked and finally brought her wide-eyed focus on the medic. "Sakura, I found him." her words becoming rushed. "I found him, he was alive. Sakura he looked at me..I.."

Not waiting another second, Sakura ran over to the now shaking girl and pulled her into her arms. "It's okay," Sakura tried to calm the quivering girl in her arms, tightening her arms when she felt her friend's shoulders start to shake. "It's alright."

Tenten didn't fight the hug, but she didn't cry either, only her body reacted. As Sakura held her, Tenten's eyes drifted back towards the door.

"Sakura!" Naruto called as he ran around the corner, and saw his teammate, Sasuke behind him. Both men ran over to the medic who still held the shocked girl. When they were close enough, Naruto's eyes shot down to Tenten, who didn't even acknowledge them.

"Is it true?" Naruto whispered, his gaze soft on Tenten. When she didn't answer, he looked at Sakura.

Sakura looked looked back wordlessly and gave a small nod.

Naruto's eyes widened in shock, before looking at the door that Tenten was staring at. "Is...is he in there?"

"He's being treated, yes." Sakura answered carefully as she watched the girl in her arms.

"Have you seen him?" Sasuke's monotone asked, his eyes tuned on his fiance.

Sakura shook her head. She hadn't been on duty today and so wasn't permitted to see another medic's patients. She was as clueless as they were. She wasn't even sure how long Tenten had been here, waiting outside this door.

"How is it even possible?" Naruto asked, looking at the door, wishing he could see through it.

"Are we sure it's not some trick?"

"Sasuke!" Sakura hissed, to which she got a narrowed glare in return from the Uchiha.

"No, he's right," Naruto said, his hands clenching into fists. "I saw Neji die with my own eyes. I saw his being buried."

"We all did, Naruto," Sakura whispered, giving him a pleading look to stop talking. Yes, they had to make sure it wasn't an intruder. It was almost impossible for it not to be, but this, right now, was not the time for that kind of talk.

"Maybe it was just another Hyuga," Sasuke interjected. Didn't they all look similar?

"No," Tenten suddenly spoke, drawing all eyes to her. Slowly, she removed herself from the medic's embrace, before looking back at the Uchiha, her eyes determined and sure. "It's Neji, I saw him."

"Tenten.." Sakura voiced as Sasuke frowned at the small brunette.

"Are you sure, Tenten?" Naruto asked, his voice small and uncertain. When Tenten turned to look at him, she was surprised to see that look on his face. Naruto has always had a trait of being confident and reassuring, but in that moment, he didn't.

"I am," she whispered and Naruto's eye's widened. They stared at each other for a while and Tenten was sure that the blonde was trying to find some doubt in her eyes, but he didn't. She knew her teammate more then anyone else. If anybody could spot him, it was her.

"He's back," Naruto breathed and Tenten couldn't help the smile that spread out on her face. He believed her.

Naruto wasn't sure how long they had waited there in the hospital's hallway, just staring at that door. He, Tenten, Sasuke and Sakura hadn't left that same spot since they got there.

The blonde let out an exhausted sigh, before looking over to where Sakura and Sasuke were on his left side. Sasuke was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, eyes closed, but Naruto was sure that he was probably more aware of his surroundings then any of them. Naruto wasn't exactly sure why Sasuke was so intent of staying. He knew the Uchiha wasn't a bad person, but Sasuke never really knew Neji and he doubted he really cared whether the Hyuga was living or not, but maybe he was just interested in how someone who was supposed to be dead was now in that room, breathing.

It wouldn't be the first person they saw come back to life, but that didn't make it normal.

Moving his eyes down to Sakura, he saw the pink-haired girl sitting on the floor, her knees brought up close to her chest as she rested her arms around them. 'She's tired,' Naruto thought sympathetically. He was too. It must be the shock or the anticipation. A smile grassed the Blonde's lips at the sight of his female teammate. Of cause she would stay here too. She was friends with Neji too and he knew there was no way she would leave Tenten here by herself.

Sakura let out a small yawn, before tilting her head up and then leaning it against the leg of the Uchiha next to her. Naruto noticed how Sasuke's opened at the feeling and how he quickly looked down at his fiance, before closing his eyes again.

'Softy,' Naruto smiled, before looking back at the door in front of him. His mind still doubted that it was really Neji inside the room. He wanted to believe it and hearing how sure Tenten had been only made him want to believe it more. He half did, but he had to be smart. If it was an intruder, not only would this man be able to hurt the village, but also he would be violating the name of Neji.

Naruto wouldn't allow that. Not for a second.

His mind suddenly shifted to Hinata. He knew that he should go get her, let her know what was happening, but he couldn't, not yet. He was actually surprised that Sakura hadn't demanded for him to go to the Hyuga compound yet. Maybe she felt the same way he did. He just wanted to make sure. He didn't want Hinata to come here with false hope. Not after what she went through with her cousin all those years ago. He had even made Choji promise him that he wouldn't tell anybody else about it, at least not until they got some answers.

A shift of movement to his right, made Naruto look over at the only other person waiting with them. Tenten. She hardly moved or spoke again since Naruto came here. Her eyes were hollow, tired, but they stayed glued to the door. He wanted to ask her where or how she had found the Hyuga, but he decided it would be better to wait.

Reaching out, Naruto rested his hand on the weaponist's shoulder and offered a smile when she looked up at him. "You okay?" he couldn't help but ask. It was a stupid question, he knew that, but he didn't want her to be upset.

"I'm fine," Tenten softly smiled back and Naruto swore that if this guy was a fake, he would make him pay. His friends didn't need this kind of reminder of the grief they had to go through.

"Maybe we should get something to eat?" Sakura suggested from the floor, lifting her head off of her fiance's leg to stare up at the other two ninjas. "We'll probably be here for a while."

Naruto smiled down at her, nodding his head. "I could eat." They should take a break. Whoever was inside wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

With a tired smile, Sakura looked up Sasuke and reached up one of her hand to him. The Uchiha gave her a pointed look, but reached down to take her hand with his only one, easily and gently pulling her up to her feet, before turning to head down the hallway.

Naruto took a step to join them, but paused to look back at Tenten, who hadn't moved yet. "You coming?" he asked.

Tenten looked at him uncertainly, before looking back at the door, seeming unsure.

"Tenten? Naruto?" Sakura called, a little further down the hall when she noticed they weren't following them and started to jog back up to them, while Sasuke stayed put.

"Um," Tenten started, her eyes going back and forth between Naruto and Sakura, biting her lip nervously. "Actually...I think I'm just gonna hang back here."

"Aren't you hungry?" Naruto asked gently, his eyebrow raising.

Sakura pushed passed Naruto, earning a grunt, before carefully taking Tenten's hand. "You sure?" Leaning forward, Sakura whispered, "I'll make Sasuke pay," she smiled, hoping to get the other girl to come along. She wasn't sure if Tenten had even had anything to drink after their training session.

Tenten let out a small laugh, almost an amused huff, before gently squeezing Sakura's hand. "No, that's okay. I'm actually not that hungry...I just," her eyes moved back to the door.

Sakura's smile slowly vanished. "Tenten.."

Turning back to her, Tenten gave a strained smile, Sakura figured was for her own reassurement. "It's okay, really. Go get something to eat," Looking over at Naruto, she added, "I bet Naruto's starving."

Before Sakura could complain, Naruto placed his hand on the pink-haired ninja's shoulder, stopping any further argument. "Sure thing," the blonde grinned back at Tenten, his eyes glowing with compassion. "We'll bring you something back?"

Tenten nodded gratefully back. "Cool, thanks."

"But-" Sakura started.

"No problem," Naruto interjected, pulling the other girl along with him as he started to walk over to where Sasuke was still waiting. "Be back soon," he voiced over his shoulder, ignoring the annoyed look Sakura was shooting him. She was probably gonna let him have it when they were out of ear shot. Naruto instantly cringed at the thought, but he stood by his choice. Tenten needed some time along to clear her thoughts. He knew the feeling all too well with Jiraiya died. She needed to process what had happened and it wouldn't do her any good if they were standing there with her. No, Naruto decided. They would give her some time and be back in an hour or so to see Neji, that is if he was awake by then.

Tenten watched the three ninja's walk out of her view, Sakura still stealing glances back at her, before Naruto pulled her around the corner.

A breathy sigh left Tenten's lips when she was alone, grateful that Naruto had taken Sakura with him. She loved the medic, but she wasn't in the right state of mind for other people right now and she didn't want to leave this spot. She wanted to wait. She wanted to be the first to see Neji. A selfish thought, yes, but she had been the one to find him, the one that brought him here. She was also his teammate! Didn't that give her any right to see him first?

Shaking her head out of the childish nonsense, Tenten looked back at the damn door. The only thing keeping her away from the man inside, the man that she had thought she had been speaking to this whole time, every night, but she had been wrong. A million questions ran through her head. If Neji had survived, whose body had been buried? If this was the real Neji, how come he hadn't returned to the village years ago? Why did they only find him now and why did he look they way he did?

Tenten let out another shaky breath, when she realized how tense her body was, her hands forming tight fists. She was riling herself up and she needed to calm down. She would eventually get her answers, but for now..she had to be there for Neji.

It only took another few minutes when finally, the door opened and two nurses walked out. Tenten immediately straightened up, looking at both nurses expectantly, but they only gave her quick glances, before hurrying down the hallway.

"Hey wait!" Tenten called out to them, but they just ignored her. "Damn it-"

"Miss Tenten?"

Tenten quickly turned back towards the door, to see one of the other top medics in the hospital. He was no Sakura, but the man had a decent reputation. He was new to the village and Sakura had said he was a nice enough guy and that she admired his skills, but Tenten wasn't interested. Now didn't change anything.

"How is he?" Tenten asked strongly, looking directly into his eyes. Her neck ached to look a bit to the side, in hopes of seeing the sleeping Hyuga, but she was scared. She hated to admit it, but she was scared to see him laying on the bed, in fear of his dead body.

The medic blinked down at her rude tone, but seemed to let it go. "He'll be alright," he confirmed and Tenten felt a weight being lifted off her shoulders. Neji was alright. "He just needs some rest. Actually, he had no damage to his body."

Tenten's eyes widened at the news, looking confused and a little annoyed at the man. "Then...why were you guys in there for so long?"

"His chakra level was dangerously low," he explained, "We were trying to bring it back up, but his body seemed to reject it."

"Reject it?"

The medic nodded, seeming confused too. "Strange, but he's slowly recovering. I'm sure he'll wake up soon too," he said, looking down at her. "We checked for any other problems or injuries, but it all looks fine. He probably just over-exerted himself during training. You should try to keep him under control next time."

Tenten bit her tongue, her body tensing once more at the statement. Neji hasn't been here in forever, but the medic didn't know that, she couldn't snap at him for it.

Sensing her inner turmoil, the medic cleared his throat. "Uh-hem, uhh, would you like to see him?"

Tenten's eyes shot over to inside the room, going wide. She couldn't see anything, but a window.

"He's still asleep, but like I said, he should wake soon," he continued, eyeing her cautiously.

Swallowing, Tenten nodded, her eyes still on the room, barely hearing the doctor say that he would give her some privacy, before walking off. Steeling herself, Tenten stepped into the room.

It looked like any other hospital room in the hospital, small and clean. Tenten didn't bother wasting time on that though, her eyes landing instantly on the Hyuga. What she saw, made her freeze all over again. Neji was laying under the white blankets of the bed. His expression was soft, almost like he was dreaming something peaceful. Not something like a man that been been previously dead until about a few hours ago would look like.

Tenten slowly, if a bit fearfully, walked over to the side of his bed, her eyes never leaving the sleeping man. She watched the way his chest lifted and fell. He was breathing. Tenten swallowed the lump in her throat at the indication. Neji really was alive and he was right there in front of her.

Hesitantly, Tenten moved to sit on the bed, right next to her teammate, her body facing him. She didn't do much else but stare at him for a while. He didn't look at all like a man that had gone through death. He was just a bit pale, but other then that, he looked fine. Perfectly fine and Tenten found herself smiling. Not a forced or pained one, but a real one.

She suddenly needed to touch him. Just to feel that he really was here and that this wasn't a dream and that she wouldn't wake up to find him gone again.

A shaky hand moved up to let a finger graze his cheek and Tenten couldn't help the happy, watery gasp she let out at that moment. "Neji," she breathed out as she leaned closer to look at him. The Hyuga gave no response back, but it was enough to see him still breathing. It was wonderful.

Tenten shifted a bit closer up to the man and gently moved her hand to stroke through some of his hair. It was dirty and a bit greasy, but still as soft and beautiful as she remembered it. She kept going back to his eyes, hoping to see him staring back up at her or speak to her. She wanted to hear his voice again, even if it was just a stubborn remark she knew he would always give her. Tenten continued to play with his hair, gently moving it away from his face. That's when she saw it...or rather didn't see it. Her eyes widened at the sight of his bare forehead. "The marking..." Tenten breathed. His marking, the caged bird seal was gone.

Her fingers gently traced his forehead astonished, her eyes searching for the Hyuga seal. There really was no trace left of the mark. She didn't get to think to much on it though, because Neji took that moment to let out a tired grunt.

Tenten's hand instantly shot back from his forehead, but she remained seated on the bed, her eyes moving down to look at his face, her breath caught in her chest.

Neji's eyebrows furrowed, his eyes clenching tighter when he started to fully wake up. It was only when the Hyuga's unfocused eyes slowly opened that Tenten released the breath she didn't know she was holding. Neji was now staring back up at her, his eyes slowly coming into focus.

"Tenten?" his low voice whispered, a bit gruffly, but Tenten thought it was the most beautiful sound in the world.

"Neji," Tenten's voice cracked, her eyes starting to water.

Neji only looked more confused at his teammate's expression, his eyes blinking a couple times up at her. Why was she crying? "Tenten?" Neji tried again, this time a bit smoother, but he still sounded so tired and Tenten couldn't help but laugh through an escaped sob. She couldn't help it, it felt so good to hear his voice saying her name again.

Before she had the chance to stop herself, Tenten leaned down to hug the laying Hyuga, her arms going to lay against his chest, her hands gripping into his hospital clothes. She felt the man's body stiffen in shock at the action. She knew Neji was never the type for physical contact, but he would just have to find a way to deal with it for now. There was no way she could let go. Her head moved to rest next to his neck as she squeezed him into the hug.

"Tenten?" came Neji's surprised voice and Tenten smiled widely, her hold only tightening. It was only when she felt his cold, strong hands gently wrapping around her, that she realized she was crying. Her shoulders shacked along with her sobs and it felt good, so Tenten continued, letting her tears soak up into Neji's pillow.

'He's okay,' Tenten kept repeating in her head. Neji was okay. He was alive and he was right here with her.

He was here.

If only Neji was really still alive! :(

That's chapter two! Thanks for the reviews, please keep them coming if you enjoyed this chapter and want to see more.

Next chapter will be out soon, probably before Friday.