Memento Vivere
by layniebleargh
~ x ~
...to accept you...
~ x ~
He holds her tightly, as if she would disappear anytime soon. She shudders in his arms, and the tremors scare him more than anything else; but what has to be done should be done. There is no point in leading her on - dark confessions would hurt more when prolonged. No matter what, secrets do come out, and the sooner they are revealed the sooner false hopes and empty promises are crushed. Honesty and reality open wounds the harshest way - but it is the immense pain that clears a space for true, undaunted happiness.
He breaks the kiss.
"Tenten is the private secretary and consultant of Shikamaru Nara, the head of the research and development department of the country's leading drug company."
She stares at him motionlessly, still in shock.
"She was first admitted as a research scientist in the company, but Nara sees potential in beguiling business partners and important figures; groomed her to the status of assistant to the head, and started including her in transactions."
He stares back, wondering how far he should - could - push.
"Normally, it requires just a little charm and smart talk to deal with such... events. But Tenten seems to believe otherwise. She did many other things to please the clients - such as offering exclusive services - and relationships did not end within the conference rooms and meeting areas. For example, Shino Aburame, a prominent entomologist, was said to hold an attraction -"
"No..."
"- towards Nara's assistant, who took perfect advantage of the opportunity and secured an important research venture 'in private session' -"
"Stop..."
"- all unbeknownst to her boss, who was expecting her in his own house that very night -"
"Stop, please..."
He bites his lip, unable to go on. It was too much, really. The secret affairs, the unwritten contracts, the sneaking around, and lately, the addiction...
He clenches his hands, barely resisting the urge to shatter the wine glasses. She could have worked elsewhere, worked another job, could have been with men who would really care for her - she would have been happy now, as she should be.
"Just how low do you plan to sink, Tenten?"
"Neji please..."
"When I found out about you, and him, and them... about what happened to you... do you know what I felt like? I felt like shit, Tenten."
His fingers trace her lips, the lips that should have remained chaste. Damn, he should be blamed. He was the only one she got, and what did he do? He left her hanging in the air. And now, when he decides to just barge back into her life, the first thing he does is to break her world. Selfish bastard.
When Tenten slaps him hard across the face, leaving his skin red and smarting, he smiles.
"You have no idea what real shit is."
"I'm sorry."
"I hate you."
"Please do. But when you're through, let's live again, shall we?"
The anger in her eyes is the only thing he needs to see before pulling her out beneath the velvet sky...
The engine roars with life as she turns his key. She gears for full speed before delivering him the most tempting smirk, as if daring him to hang on the passenger's side. In a split second, with a loud screech of wheels, they flew. Yes - tonight, they would die.
