Reunited

After ten minutes of preparation, Naruto, Hinata, and Tenten were ready to escape the very place that ruined their lives. Thanks to Sasuke's mother, Uchiha Mikoto, they had the weapons they needed to pass the guards surrounding the gates. Tenten thought all Uchiha's were cruel and heartless; apparently you can't judge a book by its cover.

"Good luck, dear." Mikoto said. "I'll try to hold up Itachi and Sasuke while you escape."

"Arigatou, Uchiha-san." Hinata said, then smiled and bowed to Mikoto.

Mikoto smiled back. "I'm glad to help."

"Come on. We better go." Naruto said. They were in a rush. It was still the second day---the second chance that Sasuke gave Hinata to change her mind about not marrying him. They had to leave before anyone else suspected anything.

"Please tell Sasuke to get better." Everybody in the room was shocked, especially Mikoto. She knew her son was a very wicked character and nobody could forgive such a person for such horrible things. Sasuke hurt her, yet Hinata still forgave him. Mikoto promised Hinata with a nod.

"Okay let's go."

"Right, goodbye." Then they were off.

Naruto and Tenten still didn't understand why Hinata would have good wishes for a jerk like Sasuke. "Hey Hinata, why did you say something nice about Sasuke?"

"Because I know he was a lot nicer when he was younger. His mind is controlled by greediness. It happens to many people in wealthy families." Naruto understood. Kind of. Sasuke still hurt her and he would never forgive him for that. And neither would Tenten. They promised to never let that happen to Hinata again.

After a few minutes of voyaging through the halls, they were almost out of the Uchiha compound. Then Naruto suddenly froze.

"What's wrong Naruto-kun? Why'd you stop?" Hinata asked.

"Yeah, we still have a long ways to go." Tenten stated.

"...Oh, right. Gomen. Let's keep going." They continued their journey, but Tenten and Hinata were still worried. Now all they had to do was pass the guards. Luckily for them, there was only one.

"I have a jutsu that will help us get out of here." Naruto performed the Kage Bushin no Jutsu then another Naruto appeared. "He'll distract the guard while we make a run for it." The two girls nodded. The Naruto clone ran towards the guard and started making faces at him. The guard chased after the clone while the other three made a run for it.

It didn't take long before the guard noticed that he was chasing a clone. He went back to his station and saw the three runaways. "Hey! Get back here!"

"Uh oh, we've got company!" Naruto got in front of Tenten and Hinata, and positioned his kunai to defend hinself and the two girls. The guard threw several kunais then Naruto used one of his kunais to deflect to attack. The guard could tell he was inexperienced in fighting, so he took this advantage to throw several more kunai. Naruto couldn't dodge them all in time. Tenten saw Hinata run in front of Naruto.

"Wait, Hinata!"

It was too late. Hinata was covered in kunais, laying in a puddle of her own blood. "Hinata-chan!" Naruto exclaimed, before running to her side.

Tenten knew Naruto couldn't fight while protecting Hinata. She was the only thing that mattered right now. Now was the perfect time for Tenten to show off her skills, but Hinata needed to get to safety first. "Naruto, take Hinata to a hospital, fast!"

"But Tenten---"

"Now! You're not the only one who can fight!" Tenten winked at Naruto. Knowing he could trust her, Naruto ran off to the nearest hospital to get Hinata some medical help.

Tenten faced the man and smirked. "Now it's my turn."

Neji was almost at his main destination. Once he reached the Uchiha compound, nothing would stop him from taking his Tenten back. After suffering almost two months of agony, grief, and Hanabi, he couldn't wait to see her. Even if he couldn't get her back, he at least wanted to see her one more time.

He was glad that Hanabi kept Hiashi from knowing that he left. It was oddly suspicious that she would help him. They didn't like each other, yet she was willing to help him get Tenten back. Maybe she didn't want to marry him, either.

Once Neji got to the gates of the Uchiha compound he couldn't believe his eyes. Right there, in the middle of the courtyard, was his beloved Tenten. Neji noticed that she was fighting against a guard. It wouldn't be long until more guards showed up. He needed to get her out of there before more came.

Tenten had a few cuts and bruises, but could still stand against the guard. The guard lounged more kunais at Tenten, but she wasn't able to hold him up for long. "Just give up. You're not going to make it out of here alive." Dozens of shuriken flew at Tenten but she couldn't move fast enough to dodge all of them. Tenten closed her eyes and got ready for the pain. But there was no pain. Tenten opened her eyes and saw---

"N-neji-kun? Is... is it really you?" The said boy nodded. Tears of joy fell down Tenten's eyes. The person she only love was there beside her. "Neji!" Tenten put her arms around Neji and he returned the embrace. "You don't know how long I've been waiting for this day to come."

"I think I do." Neji wiped Tenten's tears away. "I missed you so much." Neji's head started to lower to Tenten's

"Me too," Tenten's lips were reaching Neji, until their lips meet in a deep, passionate kiss. "Don't ever leave me, Neji. I was so afraid. I didn't get married at all."

"Nani?" Neji knew the whole was a sham; not really. But he knew something wasn't right. "What happened?" he asked sternly.

"I'll explain later. Right now," Tenten noticed they were on a tree branch. "I think we should go---" Tenten winced when she tried to move.

"You need to see a doctor." Neji took Tenten in her arms bridal style and took her to the nearest hospital.

"Tenten, where are you taking me?" Neji asked. They arrived at the hospital moments ago. One of the doctors quickly helped the couple, and put bandages where there were cuts and bruises on Tenten's body. Then Tenten remembered Naruto and Hinata were in the hospital. She asked the person at the front desk where they were and the clerk gave her the room number. Tenten quickly paced through the halls, leaving Neji quizzical. "Where are you going?"

"I want you to meet my new friends. They helped me escape." As soon as they got there Tenten opened the door and saw a very concerned Naruto.

"Tenten, what happened?" Naruto noticed the boy standing next to her. He had the same lavender eyes Hinata had, but he had dark brown hair.

"How's Hinata?" Tenten asked as she went over to the bed with the pale girl.

Neji stiffened when he heard that name. That's the name of my long lost cousin.

"I can't tell if she's doing any better. By the way, who's that?" Naruto pointed to the cautious boy.

"Oh that's Neji. Remember the story I told you about?"

"Oh yeah. Your cousin was kidnapped, ne?"

"Yes," Neji answered. "Her name was Hinata, but that's all I could remember."

Everybody looked back at Hinata. Her face was still pale. Naruto was afraid she wouldn't get better. But then she was starting to wake up. "...ah." She put a hand over her head.

"Hinata-chan! Are you okay?" Naruto asked.

"I think so. Where am I?"

"We're in the hospital."

Hinata looked around to see her environment. Then she saw Neji. "Have we met?" Neji didn't answer. "I swear, I've seen you before." Neji was hoping she would remember. He just wanted his long lost cousin back; the heiress to the Hyuuga clan.

"Excuse me, do you remember anything about when you were younger?"

"Ano... I do remember a boy; he had a green marking on his forehead."

Could it be...? Neji removed his forehead protector, revealing a green marking. "You mean this?"

"Yeah. That's the marking."

Neji's face was filled with joy. He was finally reunited with his beloved cousin. "Hinata-sama, I finally found you!"

Hinata stared him confused. "Gomen, but I think you may be mistaking me for someone else."

"Hinata-chan, you have to be Neji's cousin! Tenten told me the story Neji told her. She even showed me a picture. Look!" Naruto handed her the picture. Hinata was still uncertain.

"I'm still not sure."

"Please come back with me, Hinata-sama. Hiashi-sama has been waiting years for your return." Hinata saw how hopeful Neji was. He seemed like an honest guy.

"Okay, I trust you." Tenten saw the joy that Neji held. She was glad to see Neji's happiness grow twice that day.

Neji suddenly remembered that Hanabi was still preventing Hiashi from knowing his absence. "I have to go back now. Hiashi is probably wondering where I am."

"I'll come with you." Tenten insisted. "I'll see you guys later." Hinata and Naruto waved goodbye. As soon as they were in the hallway, Neji put his hand around Tenten's waist.

"You still have some explaining to do, Tenten."

"I know. But can we talk about it tomorrow? I'm tired."

"Sure." Neji saw how drowsy Tenten was, and decided to carry her.

"No, Neji, I can walk."

"No. Just rest. You had a long day, and you're still injured." Tenten laid her head on Neji's chest.

"Goodnight, Neji-kun. I love you..."

"I love you, too." They were both finally in complete bliss.

Tenten told Neji everything. Entering the Uchiha mansion, becoming a slave, up to the point when she escaped. Neji was furious when she told him that she became one of Sasuke's servants. He told her that he never wants her going near that place; he didn't need to tell her twice.

Everyone in the Hyuuga family was both shocked and relieved that Tenten returned. Once Hiashi saw Neji's happiness, he decided to call off the wedding. Tenten was frustrated when she heard that Neji was going to get married to Hanabi because she knew how much of a terrible person she was. She was thankful that Hiashi called it off. Tenten explained to Hiashi about the incident that happened when she left, so he let Tenten stay in Neji's room, but made her sleep on the floor with some sheets and a pillow since they weren't married. Tenten also asked Hiashi not to tell her father about her whereabouts. She could never forgive him for what he did. Hiashi disagreed with her decision, but kept his promise.

During the past week, Neji told Hinata about the Hyuuga's. Naruto never left her side. One week later, Hinata was checked out of the hospital and everybody was on their way to the Hyuuga Manor. Tenten saw how excited both Hinata and Neji were and how nervous Naruto was. She wondered how the other Hyuuga's will react once they see the return of their future leader.

Neji took Hinata into Hiashi's office, while Tenten and Naruto waited in the hall. "My girl is back!" Hiashi chanted and hugged Hinata. Hinata remembered what Neji said about her family.

"F-father?" Hiashi nodded with tears in his eyes. "Father!" Tears started to fall down her eyes as well. Neji left the room so they could have their moment and let Naruto enter the room.

Neji saw Tenten leaning against the wall trying to listen to their conversation. "It's not nice to eavesdrop, Tenten."

"Oh come on, Neji!" Tenten playfully punched Neji's chest. "But isn't it great? You got your cousin back!"

"I know. But if I've known she was there, I would've gotten her out of there a long time ago and I would've prevented you from ever going there." Neji bent his head down.

"It's not your fault, Neji." Tenten kissed Neji to try to comfort him. "I'm just glad you were there for me. I would've never gotten out of there without you, Naruto, and Hinata."

Neji smiled. "I promise I'll never let anything happen to you or Hinata ever again."

"I know you won't." The two started to kiss deeply in the hallway. Anonymously, several Hyuuga's watched the couple's romantic scene in awe. Even though Tenten wasn't, Neji was aware that they were watching them, but he didn't care. As long as he had Tenten, he would always be happy.

That's the end! Not really. I hope you liked that chapter. You're in for something special next chapter, peoples! R&R!