A/N: Hello everyone! Yes, I'm finally updating this story again. I apologize that it's taken so long (damned writer's block). I only hope you'll like this chapter. If not, I'm open to ideas and so forth. Without further ado...
Torn: Chapter 4
Complications
Tenten glanced at the handsome male at her side, laughing as he recounted various stories of Naruto's mischief, of their competitiveness, and of the many times Sakura stepped in, angrily knocking some sense into them.
She couldn't remember laughing this hard for some time. She was grateful he was here, alleviating the loneliness weighing heavily in her heart. She still felt the pain, the loss of Neji, only it was a little less as time passed. If it hadn't been for Sasuke...she would've missed out on a new friendship. A special one, at that.
His hand reached for her own, their fingers instinctively entwining, searching. Their eyes met. Tenten blushed and glanced away until his fingers slightly touched her chin and gently redirected her attention to him.
"Don't," he whispered, his dark eyes pleading, hoping.
Smiling, she reached up lightly caressing his angular face, running her fingertips over his soft lips, and he released a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
"May I?" His question hung in the air, awaiting her reply.
She didn't answer right away. The building anticipation putting them on edge; Sasuke sat still, wondering if she was afraid of him-of what could happen between them. He wondered if they could take that step. So much would change- irreversibly- for the better or for the worse. They'd already endured quite the heartbreak. What would happen if the big "if" became a certain fact, an irrefutable reality? Would Sakura and Neji hate them? Not that it really mattered. It was none of their business anymore anyway.
"Tenten?"
A small smile adorned her beautiful face as she swallowed nervously and said, "You may."
Both of his hands carefully touched her face, his thumbs lightly tracing her lips, moving closer to gently press his lips to hers. The moment he felt her adjust to his movements, her uncertainty gone, he kissed her with a heat, with reckless abandon, praying he wouldn't frighten her with his need, his want.
Breathless, she slowly withdrew, heart pounding, tingles dancing along her nerve endings, confused excitement in her eyes. Her heart screamed traitor, her mind wanted more, yet her subconscious, her wild heart hurt, reminded her of her unrequited attachment to an extremely gorgeous Byakugan user. "Sasuke?"
Head down, eyes closed, a man in the grips of lost control, fighting to get it back.
Reaching out tentatively, she lightly caressed his forehead, slowly sliding her fingertips down his face, his neck to rest her small hand on his sculpted chest. He was heaving for breath, fighting for the control for which he was famous.
"Sasuke, it's ok."
Obsidian eyes observed eyes warm as melted chocolate. Did she truly mean it? Did she realize what she was saying? "Are you certain?" He sighed deeply and slowly. "Once we do this we can't go back. Are you prepared for the changes this- we- will invoke?" He asked her, needing to be sure, knowing other than Sakura, she was the first to hold his heart and soul in her hands.
The knowledge and assent glowing in her eyes gave him the permission and consent needed to move onward. Leaning closer to her slight frame he gently and slowly flicked his tongue across her lips asking for entrance, for her to surrender the first of many steps.
Tenten felt herself melting into him, falling. His kiss masterful, seductive- a beautiful thing, sweeping her away like a river untamed or an ocean's gently churning waters prior to a storm. Her senses one by one were clouding over, everything hazy under his touch; his smile so charming and dangerous. Her lips moved against his own in a dance all their own, smooth, filled with heat, want, need and desperation.
"Are you ready for this," he breathed, as his lips feathered small, light kisses, his tongue sliding slowly up her cheek and down her neck. An arrogant smile crossed his lips as she shivered, her form shaking slightly. "Cold?"
"No", she admitted equally breathless. It was so hard to attempt a line of thought as his fingers, lips and tongue wreaked havoc on our revved-up senses, nerve endings so alive, so sensitive; every touch, every gentle kiss left her trembling, excited and nervous with these newly discovered feelings, for him.
He placed her gingerly in his arms and stood and walked quickly to Tenten's room. He kicked the door shut with his foot and laid her down before quickly joining her.
No words were spoken; they weren't needed or required. Emotions, palpable and beautiful flowed, the physical love expressed feelings deep inside, which neither one were quite prepared to break down that final wall.
Tenten felt herself sinking into a dark, bliss-filled oblivion, complete with heat, a warm body and a need to sleep. Sneaking a glance at her new lover she whispered sweetly, "Thank you, Sasuke." Then she fell into the arms of peaceful sleep, surrounded by a gorgeous man, his affection, his strong arms carrying her into the welcome world of dreams
-X-
Several Weeks Later...
What?
Medics and patients alike paused in the hallway, startled and slightly frightened by the shocked shout that rang out from one of the examination rooms. After a few moments, everyone returned to their activities, shrugging off the awkward yell.
"Sakura, you've got to be kidding me!" Tenten pleaded with her friend. "Please, tell me you're joking," she cried, a sheen of tears in her eyes. "Please, please, tell me this isn't real," she whispered heartbroken.
"I'm sorry, Ten. I can't lie to you again. I crossed a line with Neji and I can't do it to you a second time. Besides, this is too important." The medic crossed the room and gave the distraught brunette a small hug.
"Does he know?" She asked, concern evident in her expression; worry in her pale green eyes.
"Does who know?"
"Neji."
Tenten scoffed and then began laughing hysterically.
Sakura arched an eyebrow and began her what-the-hell's-going-on-with-you speech. "Tenten, what's so funny? I didn't realize I said something hilarious."
She sobered up quickly and met Sakura's worried eyes. She didn't know how else to say it, and if anything she knew she needed help. Especially if the outcome meets her prediction.
"There's more than one. I don't know which one it is."
Tenten almost fell in the floor laughing at Sakura's expression.
Sakura stood there, stone still, jaw open, eyes wider still, her complexion paler than usual.
"Who," she asked, curiosity in her voice, somehow feeling a sense of dread in the air and in the way her heart beat with a heaviness.
"Sasuke," she whispered, mixed emotions in her lowered voice.
Sakura swallowed hard, took a deep breath and blew it out. It hurt, but the two of them were no longer together, nor had she the right to be jealous when it made two people she cared for happy.
"Okay, Ten, we've got a lot to do." Sad eyes met uncertain. "Promise me that you'll take care of him. He doesn't have anyone else in the world but Naruto, Kakashi and myself- and you. So please watch over him for me."
Tenten nodded, her lips pressed together and agreeing solemnly.
Both of them smiled genuinely at the other, the worst over with for the moment.
"Ok, Ten," Sakura exhaled, "let's get down to the rest of your exam," slipping on a pair of gloves.
-X-
Tenten sat pensively on her couch staring straight ahead, pondering her options and the best approach to them. She wasn't aware of how long she'd been there when the front door opened and closed, footsteps quickly approaching.
"Ten, what's going on?"
Tenten absorbed the worried look in his dark eyes, his skin tone paler than usual. Apprehension apparent in every nuance of his body.
"Sasuke. Sit down, please. I really have to talk to you."
He did as she instructed and listened intently as she told him everything. He couldn't help but grin. In his hands, the chance to drive Hyuuga crazy with jealousy and anger. How could he pass it by? He did care for Tenten, though, and didn't want her hurt in whatever occurred between him and Neji. She never asked for it; she didn't deserve it.
After she finished, he began to divulge his idea. "Are you willing to participate?"
Nibbling softly on her bottom lip, thinking carefully on her choices, she replied, "I want to, but..."
"No buts, Tenten. This will show him exactly what he's losing out on; what he's wanted subconsciously for so long, what he's been deprived of most of his life. A family. And it makes me so angry that he and Sakura, both, thought so little of us that they never spoke a word of this engagement! Even if the Hyuuga elders forbid it...why didn't they still reveal it to us, at least? We wouldn't have told a soul!"
His words struck a chord deep within. She agreed with every word he said. Amazing how they felt the same about the whole screwed up situation. Exhaling sharply she replied, "Okay. I'm in."
He wrapped an arm around her small shoulders. "So I'm to be a father, am I?" He grinned mischievously. "I'm looking forward to this experience with you," he admitted honestly. His obsidian eyes emitted a glow she'd not seen for sometime. Could it be that he was happy? With her?
"Yes, I'm happy with you." He laughed at her expression. "Don't be shocked. I'm not a mind reader. You're just an open book, that's all."
She silenced any further speech by pressing her lips to his suddenly and firmly, erasing all thoughts but one from his mind.
He stood up and tugged her to her feet. "Let's go spread the word, shall we?"
Still possessed by their kiss, she could only nod.
"Feel like ramen?"
"Sure."
"You're not feeling any nauseated, are you?"
She smiled at the concern in his eyes. "Not right now, I'm not. Let's go before my stomach changes its mind." She laughed and placed her arm around his thin, muscular waist.
-X-
At Ichiraku's...
The mood was already in a celebratory swing when Sasuke and Tenten arrived . Seemed like a few of the teams had extraordinarily good luck while out on their most recent missions and Tsunade had already named her replacement for the next Hokage- Naruto.
"So, the dobe will really achieve his dream, after all." He fell back into a moment of reminiscence, when he was reminded of all the times that Naruto brazenly stated he would be Hokage one day and no one would stop him. Seems his day was coming and soon.
Also, it seemed that Sakura was to be named Head Medic. Shizune and Tsunade had decided to retire and just relax. Shizune, however, had decided to act as a consultant, if needed. She and Genma had decided to marry and settle down. Of course, whoever thought that the resident man-whore would marry, much less settle down?
Sake flowed freely, as did gossip. It'd be easy to start this fire and burn it out of control, Sasuke thought. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, relieved when she agreed. He ordered up a sake and water and stood on the bar with his cup. "May I have everyone's attention please," he bellowed.
The bar immediately stilled.
"I have more good news to add to all of yours."He looked down at the Weapons Mistress that already meant the world to him and smiled. "Tenten and I are having a baby and will be getting married."
A loud ruckus erupted, cheers and congratulations flew fast and furious through the happy atmosphere.
Naruto came from out of nowhere and hugged his best friend. "Congrats, Sasuke!" His beautiful blue eyes adopted a serious expression, "I hope you're not doing this to get back at Sakura and Neji."
"Naruto, I'll talk to you about it later. I don't want to hurt Sakura, but Neji, I couldn't give a damn!" Sasuke tipped back his cup and grinned. "Everything will be ok, Naruto. Don't worry." He lightly pushed his friend away to head back to his girlfriend.
Sasuke joined Tenten at their table, surprised that she'd already ordered for them. "Well, phase one completed." He grabbed his chop sticks and began eating, taking the time to savor the food and the upcoming victory.
"Huh?"
"Phase one. Where we spill the beans and let gossip-mongering handle the rest. Neji and Sakura will know before the afternoon's done."
"Sasuke, you're forgetting one thing," she patiently reminded him. "Sakura knows I'm pregnant. She's the medic who examined me. She also knows that I'm not sure which of you impregnated me."
"Easy. We'll say you went back, counted everything up and that I could sense Uchiha blood within you."
Shocked, her eating utensils fell from her hand and she whispered, "You can do that?" Yet another thing she didn't know about her lover.
"I can," he stated smugly. "Same as Hyuuga. He can see chakra patterns, and he can distinguish distinct chakra patterns from others. So, the older and bigger the baby grows, if it really is his, he'll know."
"Damn," she muttered.
"Tell me about it," Sasuke agreed. "So, we only have three to four months, maybe, at best, to determine which of us really is the father."
Tenten appeared lost in thought, nibbling on her lip again. Sasuke took her hand. "Ten, if the baby isn't mine what will you do?"
"I plan on staying with you," she said without missing a beat. "Neji and Sakura made their beds, we made ours. Besides, you make me happy whether you realize it or not. So, if the baby's Neji's we'll have to find a way of raising a Hyuuga child without them knowing." Her eyes began to tear, "If they were to discover I'm pregnant with one of their own...they'd take my baby from me and I'd probably never see them again. He or she would grow up thinking their mother abandoned them and never cared about them. I can't let that happen!"
Quickly brushing away her tears, she apologized. "Damned hormones."
"Don't worry about it," he smiled as he touched her hand, reassuring her that whatever happened they'd be fine.
The couple was oblivious as one of the patrons watched them, jealousy, envy burning him to his core. Their news a knife in the heart. It killed him to see Uchiha with his Tenten. To see him touch her, kiss her, as he wished he could. And the fact that she was pregnant, made him burn like nothing else. She was supposed to have his child, marry him. How would they ever find their way out of this horrendous mess?
Sneaking another glance at the seemingly happy couple he stormed out, the sounds of celebration following him, already contemplating ways to end his current situation and get his partner back.
A/N:
Poll time: Should the baby be Hyuuga or Uchiha? I'd love to hear from all of you. :)
OK...chapter finally update and done. Hopefully I didn't let you guys down to much. I tried to give you Sas/Ten fans a little something. It's hard for me to write that since I'm a diehard Neji/Ten fan...
Thanks for the following reviewers who help me continue onwards.
Eternalsmiles
Jing Mei
Midnight Insomniac
weapon-angel
naash
sora-chan18
mizily
DarkAnonymous324- You're extra kick in the pants was helpful.
Thank you all for taking the time to read and review! :) I'll do my best not to take as long to update on the next chapter. :)
