Never Lost

NejiXTenten. She knows of his abilities. She knows of his aspirations. And she wants him to soar. Even without her.

Again, serious T for the last part.

Naruto is Kishimoto Masashi's.

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Chapter Four

She rummaged through Shikamaru's files, searching for a document that they need for the scheduled project the following day. They've been at Sunagakure for five months and somehow she's gotten used to the lifestyle there. She even managed to make friends with Temari and the crew that Gaara, the Kazekage, has assigned to work with the rest of the delegation from Konoha. She sighed as she closed the third file cabinet.

"Where did he keep it?" She asked aloud, a little upset at the tedious task.

She pulled the first folder from the fourth cabinet and she froze, staring at the file on her hands. She immediately inserted it back amongst the other folders but just after a few seconds, she pulled it out again and went through the contents. The folder contains a few pages and she fixed her sight at the picture attached on the first page.

"Hyuuga Hiromi…" A voice from behind her spoke.

"Shikamaru! Ah… well, I can't find the document… are you sure you kept it here?" She blurted as she turned around, trying to hide the folder behind her.

"She's two years older than you and she's from the Hyuuga main house. During her time at the academy, she was thought to be a very promising kunoichi with her advanced level Byakugan. After passing the Chuunin exams, her team was given an A rank mission. One of her team mates died there. They failed and she retired as soon as they got back."

"Tragic… I guess you can't blame her." She uttered in a soft voice.

"But if you dig a bit further, apparently, they were more than team mates."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Don't underestimate me…"

"You're spaced out most of the time… you're not functioning to the best of your abilities. I know there's not a single minute that you got him out of your system. It's troublesome to be saying all these to you but we're here to do serious work." He continued.

It's quite annoying that even Shikamaru is lecturing her. He's their leader but it's not in his personality to be strict. She couldn't help but smile though. It seems her attempts to forget and move on were in vain. All that he said were facts. She left Neji behind and yet she always carried him in her heart. She sighed in resignation.

"When you said you want to be a part of this mission, I thought it was weird for you to leave Konoha… to leave Neji. And so I did some research. It was really problematic. Damn, that clan is so secretive. But that's what I came up with."

"I broke up with him. I want to start anew."

"So you came here thinking distance and time will do you a favour…"

She nodded as she returned the folder back to the file cabinet.

"I thought that might work… but I saw you staring at that picture like you're hypnotized or something. It's yours to keep. You don't have to return it." He said.

Besides torturing herself, what else is the point of knowing the facts about Neji's soon to be wife? She looks nice though, she thought. Her dark coloured locks are characteristic of their clan. Just that hers is wavy, reaching well past her shoulders. And it brings a certain aura of romance in her appearance. She seems to be the type who easily gets along with everyone.

"Girls are so troublesome!" Shikamaru declared, interrupting her thoughts.

"I'm sorry for the trouble. I will work harder from here on."

"That's fine. I better go and check on the others…"

She watched him blankly as he left the office. At least Hyuuga Hiromi doesn't look evil or something, she thought. At least Neji will find her pleasant. At least they make a charming couple. He's difficult to deal with and that will be problem. Not all girls will have the same patience as she has. But there's a chance they might get along well, at least.

"Tenten…"

He earned her attention. And she wished he wouldn't turn around.

"Absence also makes the heart grow fonder. I guess you've heard that line before." Shikamaru said before finally disappearing from her sight.

She wiped the teardrops that trickled down her cheeks.

"Neji… I have wavy hair too, did you notice?" She whispered.

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He crawled to bed. Training twice as much and as hard as he used to, it's the only way for him to knock himself to a deep sleep. He closed his eyes and slowly, he drifted to unconsciousness. But the sudden stinging sensation on his arm woke him up.

"What are you doing?" He asked as he quickly sat up.

"This is my duty."

"I can take care of myself. You may leave now." He said, taking the medicine kit from the soft spoken girl sitting beside his bed.

"I will change your bed sheets tomorrow." She said as she stood up.

He glanced at the blood stains on his blanket. He's too tired and uncaring to treat the wounds caused by his daily intensive and extensive training. Those were just minor injuries, he thought. It's better to just sleep and let his immune system do the job. He can't stay awake and let his mind go idle because it takes him to places that he didn't want to go back to.

"Hiashi-sama is getting weaker… maybe you should see him…"

"You like taking care of people, don't you?"

"It's my only worth."

"You will bear our child, the next head of this clan after me. That's your worth."

"I've been told that you are cold."

"It's the hard truth."

She smiled faintly. At first, it was a difficult decision for her. The clan has pressured her into an arranged marriage. He declined but eventually, he accepted and she had no choice but to agree as well. She has disappointed her family since she gave up being a kunoichi. And this is the only way for her to atone. When she met him, she realized that they make a good pair. She couldn't bring herself to love again. He has his own issues. Whatever that is, because he kept it all to himself, the chain around his neck is the proof that he is just as broken as she is.

"Two people were chosen, based on their Byakugan's inherent superiority over that possessed by the rest of this clan. They will be married so they can have a baby with the highest level of the advanced bloodline. I have accepted my destiny." She said, expounding on the hard truth.

"Good for you. Well, I can't see Hiashi-sama tomorrow. My hands are full." He said coldly.

"Our wedding has been postponed because of his illness… you can at least thank him for that." Sarcasm was in her tone.

"That was my decision. He was against it."

"Hiromi-san, it's late and if you don't mind… I want to get some rest now." He continued.

He was somewhat startled when she sat before him, tracing the silver chain around his neck.

"Maybe we should help each other… forget…" She whispered.

Her lips met his and he went rigid. He wanted to resist her but what for? This will happen soon enough anyway. Or is he still expecting a twist in the all ready twisted story? He despised the answer. And he rebelled against it. He welcomed the kiss- soft and lingering, long, too long. Air, he thought. He needed air. They fell back to his bed. She was skilfully undoing his yukata and her hands trailed to his chest, to his stomach. But he didn't mind. His head was too busy with memories he wanted to erase, too busy with asking questions. When was the last time he desperately sought air? When was the last time someone else undid his clothes? When was the last time he touched her?

A small word escaped from his throat as he gasped for air. And with that she stopped and pulled away from him. His breathing was erratic, so were his thoughts. She left his room without saying a word. He closed his eyes tight and pulled the blanket over his head.

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I can't believe I made him kiss again! And with a freaking oc! (who is not my alter ego by the way) Now I'm jealous all over! Maybe I should write another fanfic where I can shave her head lol.

Anyways, I appreciate your taking time to read (and review). I hope this chapter turned out just fine. I feel like I have grammar errors all over... and oh yea, take a guess at what that 'small word' is XD