A/N: Thank you so much for all of the lovely reviews! A word of warning: this chapter turned out to be quite long …

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Chapter 6

Shikamaru entered his apartment softly, trying not to wake Temari. She'd arrived in Konoha earlier that day, for an unexpected visit, but he'd been unable to get away until now. If he hadn't been sure that the Hokage knew nothing about him and Temari, he would've sworn that the man had taken a sadistic pleasure in keeping him late. It had been sheer torture, having to pretend an interest in the political ramifications of any given strategy, all the while knowing that Temari was waiting for him. Taking off his shoes, he swiftly made his way into the bedroom. For a minute he simply stared at her, marveling at the way the moonlight bathed her skin in a silvery sheen.

Sighing, he lay down beside her, softly brushing his fingertips down her arm. The last months had been the worst and the best of his life. He'd taken to avoiding everyone, even Chouji and Tenten. Especially Chouji and Tenten. They knew him far too well, he'd never be able to hide this from them. He was aware that everyone knew that something was going on but, aside from his mother, they'd all chalked it up to depression about the split with Tenten and no one had probed too deeply. Of course, he didn't like having to hide, hated having to lie, and he absolutely loathed having to let Temari go back, but in moments like this he knew that he would do it all again, given the choice.

It had been nearly a month since they'd last seen each other. Lately, no matter how carefully they tried to plan it, problems kept cropping up at the last minute, keeping them apart. That's what you get for having an affair with a married woman, Shikamaru thought, trying to swallow his frustration with the entire mess. Affair, Shikamaru grimaced. He had come to hate that word. He'd never thought he would be capable of hate, such intense emotions were just too troublesome, but, then, no one but Temari had ever been able to motivate him, the fact that she was also the only one he could ever have intense emotions about wasn't really surprising. All I ever wanted was a simple, easy life. Normal family, days spent watching the clouds … but no, I had to go and fall for the most troublesome woman in the world. Shikamaru had barely completed the thought before Temari began to stir, smiling in her sleep. His heart leapt as it always did when she was in his vicinity and silently he admitted that troublesome as she may be, he wouldn't have her any other way.

Pushing all the thoughts away, he gently shook her shoulder. Her eyes fluttered, opened, and she smiled softly up at him. "Hey," she said sleepily, stretching her body against his, "what took you so long?"

"Damn Hokage wanted to discuss each and every little aspect of any given plan twenty thousand times," Shikamaru smiled back at her, amazed at how one little twitch of her lips had the power to lift his spirits.

"Hmm, damn Hokage. I missed you …" Temari sighed as she pulled his head down for a kiss.

Much later, they lay tangled with each other and the sheets, Temari's head resting on his shoulder, one of his hands buried in her hair, the other tracing random patterns on her bare back. Secretly, Shikamaru couldn't help but bask the gloating satisfaction that, married or not, he was still seeing her as she was now – naked and vulnerable, and soft and sexy as hell. He didn't particularly care for that side of himself, undiscovered until he'd had to share Temari with someone else. He didn't dare let her see the possessive, jealous side of his nature – she would not take kindly to being viewed in such a light and he was quite attached to all his body parts.

Lazily trailing a hand down her side, he said, "Not that I'm complaining, but to what do we owe this unexpected honor? You weren't due back in Konoha until next month."
"Something came up and who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth?" Temari grinned at him mischievously.

"What's going on? Did Gaara–sama have a message for the Hokage?" Shikamaru asked, more out of wanting to hear the lilting cadences of her voice than out of any real interest.
Temari sobered and sighed. Avoiding his gaze she replied, "No, not really. I have to go away for a while. So, of course, I needed to come here to make sure that everything was running smoothly before I left."

It took Shikamaru a moment before he registered the implications of her words. "What? You're going away?"

Temari sighed again, "Jiku has to make a progress of sorts through the countryside. You know, showing himself to the public, meeting with the rural leaders and all that. So, of course, his wife has to be present. It's only for a couple of months."
Shikamaru sat up, his back rigid as he turned away from her. "Do you have to go?"
"Yes, I have to. Shika, don't be like that, please," Temari sat up, winding the sheet around her body, as Shikamaru swung his legs off the bed. Barely pausing to pull on his pants, he headed to the door. With his back still turned, he said, "I know, just … give me a minute."

He headed outside, still fighting against that possessive side of himself - the part that was considering simply forbidding her from going anywhere with anyone but himself, the part that roared at him to tie her up to stop her if it came to that. Clenching his hands around the balcony railings, he took a deep breath, allowing the cool air to calm him down. He stiffened again as he felt Temari's presence behind him.

"Shika, you promised. You promised to me that you wouldn't be jealous." He turned to meet her gaze, her eyes narrowed slightly as she stared at him. Forcing a smile that was more of a baring of his teeth, he turned his back again. Don't lose it. Don't lose it. Don't lose it, he chanted to himself. Feeling her soft hand on his back, he was unable to keep the mental pictures at bay any longer. Temari wrapped in only a sheet, stroking her hand down her lover's back in a comforting gesture - a lover that wasn't him.

He lost it. He couldn't stop the jealousy that raged through him. Slamming one hand forward onto the railings, he felt her move back in shock, didn't care. "Damnit, Temari. Do you have any idea what you're asking of me? In all this time, have I ever been jealous? Have I ever asked any questions? You show up and blithely inform me that you're going to be spending the next couple of months with Jiku, and you expect me to just be okay with that? Do you have any idea how it feels? To think of him touching you, kissing you, making love to you?"

"It's not like that. You know it's not like that. I told you before. I married him for state reasons. Not for love. With me and him … it's not like with you and me. He doesn't … we don't … I mean …" Temari's voice trailed away as she shrugged helplessly.

"You expect me to believe that? What kind of idiot do you take me for? What possible reason could you have for keeping him from your bed?" Shikamaru snarled at her and he was gratified to see the flush of color along her cheeks.

"Yes, I do expect you to believe that - because it's the truth. Jiku has never been in my bed, he's never touched me and the only kiss we've ever shared was at our wedding. I've only ever slept with one man – you! But thanks so much for the faith you have in me," Temari smiled, a bitter twisting of her lips, "When I said marriage of state, I meant it, Shikamaru. Jiku wanted to marry me for my connections, for the power I would bring him. Not for my body, or my mind, or anything that matters."

Shikamaru felt his anger draining away as he watched the play of emotions on her face. Sighing, he closed his eyes, struggled to soften his voice, "I'm sorry. I want to believe that. So badly. But I just can't imagine anyone not wanting you."

Temari stared at him, her face an expressionless mask. "If you can't believe that, then believe that I don't want him."

"Why did you marry him, Temari? I admit that maybe back then I wasn't exactly ready for that kind of commitment, but couldn't you have waited a couple of years for me to be ready, if you wanted to get married that badly?" Shikamaru listened to his voice as if from a distance. Where the hell had that come from?

Temari stiffened as if he's slapped her, then her voice trembling, she said, "It wasn't like that. What part of that is so impossible to understand? I didn't want to marry him. I had to. For my village and for my brother - I had to sacrifice you for them. Can you understand that?"

"Did Gaara force you into it? Is that what you're saying?" Shikamaru arched a skeptical eyebrow at her. Temari turned away from him, walking back into the living room, shaking her head in confusion. "No, Gaara wouldn't do that. I-I … please can we just drop this?"

Grabbing her arm to stop her, Shikamaru said, "Temari, what the hell? Just tell me what's going on." He stared at her, trying to read the truth in her expression. Temari jerked her arm out of his hold and almost spat the words at him, "Fine. I fail to see how it matters, but if you must know, Gaara's lost a lot of influence in recent years. In the past the elders and the feudal authorities feared him and that gave him a hold over the council, but since it came out that Shukaku had been removed, they've challenged him more and more."

Shikamaru stared at her quizzically, he rarely had to have any situation explained to him but with Temari he'd learned that things were rarely as they seemed – he'd never really been able to figure her out, to predict her actions. Temari sighed and elaborated with an air of having to explain two plus two equaling four to a child. "Suddenly his youth is a huge drawback, they've conveniently forgotten that he managed perfectly in the past and they steadily chipped away at his hold over the village. Jiku, as the feudal lord, managed to get some of the Suna clans on his side, lobbying for Gaara's removal. He somehow convinced the clans to institute a vote of no confidence against Gaara. It got to a point where Gaara had to try to get Jiku on his side or risk being impeached as Kazekage, if that's even possible. A marriage proposal was put on the table, to create ties and through that an alliance. Or so Gaara hoped. Jiku accepted - as long as it was me. I think he figured that there was no way Gaara would do that to his own sister. And he was right. Gaara scratched the idea there and then, but what other option did we have? So I went to Jiku myself and accepted and then it was done and there was nothing Gaara could do about it. It got Jiku on his side, and through him Gaara regained the support of the powerful clans of Suna, which is what matters. With powerful allies Gaara had the leverage to go up against the council again."

Shikamaru exhaled and said, "Let me get this straight. You married Wind country's feudal lord so that your brother could stay Kazekage?"

"Yes, and then again no. It's not so much the position. Being Kazekage means, to Gaara, that he belongs, that he's accepted. It means everything to him, he proved himself, and he was rewarded for all his efforts and there was no way I was going to allow that to be taken away from him," Temari looked pleadingly at him.

"You have no idea what it was like growing up with Gaara. No matter who he was or what he did, he's still my brother. Having watched him try so hard to be accepted, to be a part of everything … I couldn't just sit back and watch as he lost it all. Not if there was something I could do to prevent it."

Shikamaru stared at her in astonishment. He'd always known she was fiercely loyal where her brothers and her village were concerned, but she'd never really talked about it and until this moment, he'd never realized how much her family meant to her. He was still struggling to find words when there was a knock on his door. Temari immediately turned to move back into the bedroom.

"Wait. Ignore it," Shikamaru commanded softly and she paused in the hallway. They stood frozen for a while, staring at each other but the knocking did not stop, if anything the person outside was now positively pounding on his door.

"Go," Temari whispered, "It's obviously an emergency." It had better be, Shikamaru thought in irritation as he stalked to the door. Wrenching it open, he snarled, "What?", only to find himself staring into Ino's bright blue eyes, currently filled with worry.

"I'm sorry to bother you but … I didn't know who else … I mean, it's just … " she stammered, out of breath, as if she had run to his apartment.

"Spit it out, Ino," he tried to keep the irritation from his voice.

"I was going home from Chouji's and passed by Tenten's, obviously, we're practically neighbors …" she gasped for breath.

"Get to the point, Ino. I don't have all night."
"I, well, it's just … there was a lot of noise, screaming and things breaking. Tenten sounded kind of hysterical, and I thought … well, I didn't know who else to go to. I don't think there was anyone else with her and you're the only one she's still close to, since Neji …" Ino took a breath, holding a stitch in her side.

"Go. Get help. There should be a few chuunin, at least, on guard at the Hokage's tower," Shikamaru snapped, immediately moving into action.

"Yes," Ino nodded, "What are you going-?"

"I'm going over there now, but I might need back-up if anything's really wrong. Now go." Ino was already turning to go when he shut the door. Moving into his bedroom, his eyes met Temari's, willing her, begging her, to understand. She walked up to him and handed him his shirt. "Go," she said softly, kissing him quickly. "I'll see you later." Nodding, he pulled the shirt over his head, his eyes meeting hers gratefully. "I love you," he said, pressing a hard kiss to her forehead before turning and rushing out. Temari sank back onto the bed as she heard the front door close, "I love you, too."

*****

Tenten made her way into her bedroom, lighting a bedside lamp along the way. Bending to pick up her hairbrush, movement caught her peripheral vision. Wait. Someone's out there? She turned slowly to the terrace doors, her heart thundering with a strange sense of déjà vu.

She recognized his silhouette immediately. Even after all this time. As if in a dream, she walked slowly forward. Opened the door. Stood back to let him in. Already half-feeling his hands pulling her through, but this time he stepped quickly inside, having been granted entrance. This is it. I've finally cracked. Lost it. Completely. I am having an actual hallucination, she wondered at the sense of unreality. It's not so bad. She'd always thought that hallucinations would feel more … real.The thoughts seemed to come from far away, were barely acknowledged. She was far too busy trying to make sense of what she was seeing. The long, dark hair, the eyes, his mouth …. Then he spoke, a single word, her name drawn on a sigh filled with so much longing that she felt the tears gathering in her eyes. "Tenten."

"Neji?" her whisper echoed with the disbelief that was curling through her body and for the first time in her life Tenten fainted.

Neji hadn't intended to talk to her tonight. He'd had a vague idea of speaking to Hiashi first. Surely the Hyuuga clan had enough power to get him a temporary pardon or something so he could at least move freely around the village. So he could see Tenten in the sunlight. He was so incredibly sick of skulking in the shadows. But he had to see her first. Make sure she was all right. And then he'd been unable to tear himself away.

She'd opened the door and he stepped through, instantly forgetting everything else as he drank in her features. She was a little pale but seemed to be handling the shock of his unexpected appearance well. She never spoke, only stared at him. Hesitantly he opened his mouth. To try to explain? To beg for forgiveness? He didn't know and all that emerged was her name. He tried to convey all of the things he was feeling with that one whispered word. She stared at him uncomprehendingly and made to reach out a hand, breathing his name in disbelief.

Then she fainted.

Neji moved quickly, catching her before she hit the ground, and laid her carefully on the bed. He stroked her hair off her face and whispered her name, willing her to wake up. "Ten. Tenten. Wake up. Come back to me."

His fingertips traced the shadows under her eyes, the line of her nose, the fullness of her mouth. He leaned forward and softly pressed his lips against hers. "Tenten," he called again. Unable to resist, he leaned forward to kiss her once more.

She stirred in his arms, her lashes fluttering open. For a long moment they simply stared into each other's eyes. Then she shook her head slightly, looked away and looked back again. "Neji?" she questioned.

"Yes, it's me. I'm really here," he confirmed softy, trying not to startle her again.

"Huh," she huffed. Neji stared at her blankly for a moment and then burst into laughter, rolling over to come to rest beside her.

"God, I missed you."

The sense of unreality started to fade once his laughter filled the room. Tenten stared at him unabashedly, still not really sure she wasn't hallucinating. She carefully considered the matter. His laughter had died away and he was now staring at her with such intensity that she could feel the blood heating her cheeks. She rolled over onto her side, and without really considering the action, she poked him in the chest. Hard. Yip. Definitely real. Neji grunted but made no other protest.

Suddenly, she was fully aware of all her surroundings - the stark reality of it. He really was here, in her room, after years of silence. Rolling off the bed, she stood staring at him, fighting against the unholy rage that filled her.

"Is there something the matter?" he asked finally, worried by her silence. He stood up and started towards her. Tenten closed her eyes and gave herself over to the rage. Reaching over to the dresser she grabbed the first thing her hand touched and threw it at his head with enough force to crack the plaster of the wall when he ducked.

"Ah, now, just give me a chance to explain." Neji held his hands up in surrender, backing away into the hallway, hoping that she wouldn't start throwing weapons. He really didn't want to destroy her hallway by using Kaiten. It would only make her angrier.

"You disappear. For years. No explanation. Then you decide to turn up and I have to let you explain?" Her voice gravitated steadily towards that hysterical pitch that he knew from experience would lead to physical pain. Lots of it. For him. At least she wasn't aiming for his blind spot. Yet. Got to head her off before she hits that point. I was unprepared last time. "Tenten! Just breathe. There's no need for violence! I don't want to hurt you," he didn't raise his voice, he'd never needed to before.

Tenten's eyes narrowed as she glared up at him, she opened her mouth again and Neji braced himself for the next barrage of sound but when she spoke her voice was low, calm. "You smug, arrogant, self-righteous …," her voice trailed off and he had to strain to hear the next words, "….how dare you … get out. Just get out. Go back to wherever the hell you came from." Her chest was heaving with emotion, her eyes bright. Neji stared at her. Not how he pictured it at all. "Ten. You don't mean that-"

"I didn't know where you were! Didn't know if you were okay! I thought you were dead." Her voice rose again but instead of anger, pain rang through the words. She sank to the ground, as if her legs had given out. The tears flowing freely down her cheeks, she stared up at him. "Dead, Neji. Oh god, I thought you were dead, too." She buried her face in her hands, the sobs tearing from someplace deep inside her.

Too? Filing the thought away for later, Neji dropped to his knees beside her and pulled her into his arms.

"I'm so sorry. So sorry. You have no idea." He whispered the words into her hair, hoping that she could hear him, it was impossible to speak any louder past the lump in his throat.

They were so caught up in their own private world, that neither of them noticed the approaching chakra signature, never felt the chakra being molded. Then the front door flew open with a resounding crash. Without thought Neji leapt into action, straightening up, he placed his body between Tenten and the door, automatically moving into a fighting stance and activating his Byakugan. Only then did he finally focus on whoever had kicked the door down.

One moment she'd been on the floor in Neji's arms, the next there was a loud crash and she found herself staring at Neji's legs as he placed himself between her and the source of the noise. Still feeling disoriented by the sudden changes, Tenten felt her blood run cold as she finally registered the presence of another person. No. Neji, damnit, run, I'll be fine, she tried to will him to do just that. She could not lose him again, not after she'd only just gotten him back.

Shikamaru stared in disbelief, letting go of his jutsu before he'd even begun. Of all the things he'd expected to find here, of all the scenarios he'd prepared for on his way over, this was not one he'd ever even contemplated.

"Neji?"

A/N: I took a lot of liberties with the political situation between a country and its hidden village, but it fit the story, so hopefully no one minds too much! I tried something new with the last bit, shifting from one POV to another rapidly, not sure if it worked out, though. I purposely kept the NejiTen reunion short, maybe that was a mistake … Also, I'm not sure if Neji was in character here. If you hadn't noticed, I'm a bit unsure about this chapter, lol, but anyway, let me know what you think!