I couldn't lie.
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Neji sat up in bed and blinked. He was having trouble sleeping again. His thoughts kept on replaying that scene in his head; the look on her face when he pulled away, her lips puckered and pink. Those large golden brown eyes were dazed as she looked at him. No, not at him; through him. But when the light returned she had taken a step back and stopped whatever conversation she was having on her phone. He didn't know what to make of that. She stood silent for a moment, biting her lower lip. When she finally collected her thoughts, she was about to say something, but he was quick to bring her into his arms and kiss her again. The second time was for validation. And she did kiss him back. It shocked him actually, her response. Although it was not verbal, there was the feeling of acceptance. So, they stood there for a good moment, just looking at each other. He was going to speak, but then her bedroom door opened to her daughter dragging her half asleep self to the bathroom. That was when they stepped back. She had given him a small smile with pink cheeks before following her daughter to the bathroom to check on her. So, Neji stood there awkwardly. It took a lot of thinking that day to convince himself to do what he was too scared to do in high school. And now he wished that he had done it back then.
It would have been different, he guessed. She would have been his prom date, slow dancing with him while he showed her off to everyone. He would have written to her in University, every day. He would have gone to visit during holidays and her birthday to be with her. And, he shuddered a bit, she would not have had a child and still be in University. But that is not how it all worked out. But fate had a funny way of pushing them back together, he noticed. It was complete coincidence that Suta was watched by Shikamaru and Temari while Tenten worked. She worked and worked and worked. Barely taking into account her own health. He would have never guessed that she would be living in that tiny apartment, only a twenty minute drive from his own condo. Oh yes, he thought. Fate was really fucking with him now. Maybe she'd just smiled at him because she didn't have anything to say. But they did sit down on her couch with tea…in silence. There was nothing really to say. Wait, he huffed. That was a lie. He had plenty to say, years' worth of words that he had kept to himself. He was not the kind of man to get emotional and openly talk about his feelings. But, then again, his mother had a good way of getting them out of him.
Tenten had put a hand on his when they sat on the couch. He wasn't sure what that meant either, but her hand was soft and warm. Even though she had bags under her eyes, she looked just as she did in high school; except her body had changed ever so slightly due to the pregnancy. That's when he hugged her. Full on, chest to chest hug. They still hadn't said anything, but she did wrap his arms around his neck and hug him back. That's when they almost came out; his emotions. She knew him, he thought as he ran a hand through his hair. She knew he wasn't going to say anything until she did.
That's probably why she didn't, though.
If they would have started to talk, Neji would have spoken things that he had kept to himself for years. Along with things that could potentially make him look weak (as if that situation hadn't already, he snorted). And for that he was fearful. So he didn't speak. When he walked back to the door, he had turned around and kissed her goodbye. A few weeks had passed after that without them saying anything to each other. It was killing him, really. He was returning to how he was his freshmen year of university; aloof. And that was all because she wasn't there. But, then held the question, why didn't she text him recently? Surely she had gotten over the shock. The Hyuga rested his cheek in his palm. Or could it be something else? There was something she wasn't telling him. Tenten was the complete opposite of him when it came to her social life. She always said what was on her mind, what she was feeling…all that. She was always talking. Something, he clenched his jaw, she wasn't telling him…
However, that soon changed when she did call him one day, asking to watch Suta while she cleaned the house. He agreed to and did just that. When he had gone to go pick up the little girl, he noticed that color had drained from her face and bags beginning to form under her eyes. The doctor guessed it was from lack of sleep and not eating properly. When he offered to take her out to lunch or to make her food, she declined. So, he spent the day with Suta at his condo instead. This went on for a while; Shikamaru was needed more at the University he taught at since the summer session was preparing for finals. Temari was running back and forth between home and her brother's job for assistance. Lee had tournaments back to back…so that left him. But Neji never complained. His relationship with Tenten's daughter had grown significantly. Suta had even slept over his condo a few times due to the amount of over time Tenten had to conduct in order to pay some bills. This worried him a bit; all the over time she was doing.
One specific day nearly mad his heart stop. He had picked up Tenten from her new afternoon job at a mechanic shop when she began to fall asleep in the car. However she fought to stay awake. He asked her if he should bring her home to rest, but she declined, stating that she had to get Suta from Shikamaru's. As she was about to exit the car, something in her shut down and caused her to hit the floor. Neji had rushed to her and picked her up. He settled her into the back seat and quickly drove off to the hospital. The doctors and nurses knew who he was, but were quick to take Tenten out of his arms. One of the nurses asked him what caused her to faint. He replied that something shut down due to over-exertion of energy. In other words; she desperately needed rest. He contacted Shikamaru and filled him in on the situation. The Lazy professor would watch Suta for the night, and Neji would pick her up in the morning.
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"Where are we going?" Suta asked as Neji buckled her in the car.
"We're going to go see your mother." He replied.
"Is she not at home?"
Neji sat in the driver's seat and sighed. He tried to explain to the little girl her mother's situation. Suta's face became tense, he noticed, but she didn't show any out-word signs of her displeasure. As Neji parked, the little girl pointed out a flower stand in front of the hospital. Flowers made everything better, she told him. When they walked up to the stand, Suta's eyebrows went south.
"What's the matter?" Neji asked.
"I can't remember mommy's favorite flower…" she mused looking at the different kinds on display.
The Hyuga chuckled.
"I wonder if they have them…" he said.
His ivory eyes scanned the display. Tenten loved big flowers. She had told him once that the big flowers she liked were elegant, but the petals were strong. Then…he found them.
"I'll have a dozen White Lilies please."
Suta looked up at him unsure.
"Mmmmm…." She groaned.
"What is it?" he asked paying for the bundle.
"I think…those are it…I'm not sure…" the raven haired girl tried to think.
"How about we bring these up and see if she liked them."
Suta gave up thinking and nodded. She held the bundle in one hand, and held Neji's hand in the other. They checked in at the desk, the nurse recognized him immediately and brought him to the sixth floor. She was moved from ICU, the nurse explained. She was heavily lacking in nutrients and had to be put under observation for a while. But, her body took well to the custom IV drip and was able to be put in regular care that night she had arrived. Neji nodded, absorbing the information. Suta just grunted; a five year Old's mind unable to comprehend "Doctor Language". Upon arriving at her room, the nurse informed them that she was still asleep. She was woken up early to do some testing before being injected with a muscle relaxer. The Hyuga nodded before telling Suta that her mother was still asleep and they needed to be quiet.
"I see you have flowers," the nurse said. "I'll be back with a vase."
Neji nodded before entering the hospital room. There were a few wires still attached to her, but she was sleeping soundly. Suta sat herself at the edge of her mother's bed and looked at her. Neji peered at the monitors before looking at her chart. Her muscles were very tense, it caused pain. Her diet wasn't enough to sustain her for work, and on top of that, she had been experiencing some anxiety. He guessed that she was probably checked out by a Psychologist as well. The door opened and the nurse held a vase full of water in her hands. She helped Suta put the Lillies in the vase and moved it on top of the dresser.
"It will be the first thing she sees when she wakes up." The nurse told her.
"When?"
"That's a little hard to say, dear…your mother's body is trying to…uh…" the nurse tried to explain.
"Suta," Neji spoke up. "Your mother is very tired. She has been working a lot and not taking care of herself. She hasn't been eating a lot, which makes someone very very tired. But, she didn't listen to her tummy when it was time to eat. So, when you do not eat, you cannot stay awake to work. Now, your mother is resting."
The nurse shot him a grateful glance. Suta nodded.
"Those tubes with the clear liquid are food…but it's a special kind of food that the doctors give you when you are so tired you can't wake up to eat real food." He continued to explain.
"Why is there so much of it?" she asked.
"To make sure that she gets all the food she needs. When she doesn't need any more, the doctor will take out the tubes and she'll be back to normal." The Hyuga replied.
Suta sat back at the edge of her mother's bed and began to swing her feet. During their visit, Neji talked to the medical assistant that was taking care of her as well as the Psychologist that had checked her out as well. The little raven head watched television from her spot quietly, sometimes glancing at her mother to see if she would move, or wake up. But she didn't, Neji had been able to get permission to until past nine thirty. The little ravenette got bored over time, though. Luckily, the nurse had a brought in a few toys from the pediatric center for her to play with (including a movie player with a bunch of Disney movies). The Hyuga stayed in the seat near her bed, observing her and the monitors. The Nurse had gotten him a coffee in the meantime. After she left, someone else had come to visit.
"Oh, now I see what all the fuss was about."
Neji snapped his head in the direction of the voice. He stood immediately when he realized who it was; Tsunade, the best surgeon in the city. She was also a double major in chemistry and has created many tunics and potions, customized for the patient. She was brilliant, and she was in the same room as him. Her blonde hair trailed behind her as she closed the door behind her and held up a small tub with little bottles.
"Hyuga Neji; the rookie genius that doubled in Chemistry and Medicine. On top of that, you are in the pediatric field and have your own little clinic about twenty minutes from here." Tsunade said as she took out an array of potions. "Such brilliance, and you did it all so young."
"Excuse me…but, how do you know of me?" he asked a little shocked that she knew that.
"Well, once I found out a Hyuga got into the same University I graduated from, I had to do a little digging. Curiosity is no sin, unless there is something to be lost from it."
Neji didn't know how to reply. The blonde glanced over at the corner of the room. Suta was giving her movie full attention.
"Is that your daughter?" she asked.
"No… she's her daughter…but I think of her as my own." Neji gestured to the bun head asleep in the bed.
Tsunade cocked an eyebrow and picked up her chart.
"Hua, Tenten; Passed out yesterday from malnourishment and dehydration. Muscles are on a relaxer due to over stimulation and fatigue. And her age is…" the Surgeon blinked twice before glancing back at the little girl at the corner of the room.
"Is it really that shocking?" Neji asked flatly.
Tsunade looked at him. He looked pale and distressed, not a good state for a doctor to be in.
"She's very young…I assume you have a relationship with her." Tsunade said as she popped the cap to a potion.
Neji eyed her as she poured it into Tenten's I.V. The blue liquid spread throughout the bag and soon dissolved into a clear color; as if it was never there.
"And you want me to explain it to you?"
Tsunade tilted her head to the side.
"From one doctor to another, Hyuga, you are in distress. A state which could cause your own health to faulted; in which you will unable to perform your duties until you have recovered." The blonde said pouring in another potion.
Neji stayed quiet.
"It's basic psychology, which I know you have taken many levels of…anyway, what I mean is, if you speak you'll feel better."
Neji's eye twitched. This woman knew a lot about his education standards. But, he knew she was right so he started from the beginning.
"Well, I met her in high school. We were best friends back then. I had introduced her to my used to be best friend. Also known as to our little group of friends," he pointed to Suta. "Her father; or simply, 'him', he has no significance at the moment, so moving on; Tenten and I reunited earlier this year, since I had settled into my career. We began to hang out again, but it wasn't a lot until early summer. I usually paid for everything since her money situation is a bit…tight. But she insisted on paying her own bills and for transportation when I am fully capable of driving her myself.
She has three part time jobs. One is a gardening job that is on and off based on seasons. Another is working for her friend who is a designer. And the last job is at a Cabaret. Honestly, I have no idea what she does there, but she normally doesn't get home until three in the morning on Monday, just to wake up hours later to pick up her daughter form her godfather's house after school. She's too hard headed to allow herself to rest. And now this happened. I tried to tell her to take time off and let me handle the bills, but naturally she declined and brushed me off."
Tsunade nodded as she wrote down observation of the monitors on the chart.
"You said "were" when referring to your friendship status with her. I'm guessing it changed."
"Recently, I suppose. It did… but, I've been so busy that we couldn't fully talk about it. Now, I stand in between that best friend…"
"And the lover." Tsunade finished.
The Hyuga clenched his jaw. The blonde sighed as she shook her head. Not at the fact that he was in between his relationship tags, but by the fact that she knew this all too well. So she elaborated; her current husband was a mutual friend of her childhood friend (who was currently a writer of adult novels). He had liked her, but she had fallen in love with his best friend when they were introduced. Currently, they have one child who is married and has a baby. To this day she probably would have never known how her husband felt if he hadn't told her. But, she had to thank her other friend for introducing them.
"But what you explained to me, it seems as though you and her have a better bond than her last relationship. And for your profession, work does come first, which she seems to understand."
"I suppose. I just wish she'd let me take care of her…"
Tsunade let out a chuckle. That'll never happen, she explained. The most he could do is watch and support her. When she needed him, she'll call him.
"It's interesting," the blonde nurse said after a moment.
"Hn?" Neji sipped his coffee.
"I never thought I'd have something in common with you. I've heard so much about this stoic, head headed genius who never took no for an answer. I guess the interesting thing is that you and I have a lot in common personally. Well, granted I am much older than you and have a lot more experience dealing with certain things…but I can tell you that it does get better. For the most part anyway," she picked up the empty bottles turned to the door.
"I will see you two tomorrow then. It was nice to finally meet you, Hyuga Neji."
The doctor blinked. She was a soft hearted woman with a brain of steel. Maybe having a good standing with her would benefit his career, he thought. Nghhh. His ivory eyes snapped to the bed. Tenten had shifted over to her side. Releasing a breath he didn't know he was holding, he reached over and pulled the covers over her more. He tucked her in and walked over to Suta. She was falling asleep in the arm chair, but looked up when he walked over.
"Let's head home." He said.
Suta turned off the device. She snaked her arms around the Hyuga's neck as he lifted her up and walked out of the room. They said good bye to the nurse and walked out of the hospital. Suta had fallen asleep on his shoulder as he walked to the car, so he gently buckled her into the back seat and drove to his apartment. Granted, he got a few looks as he entered, holding the five year old in his arms.
"How is she, Neji?" the security person asked.
"She's alive, thank god. Everything looks like it'll get better soon. But for now I have this little one to look after until she gets back." Neji replied handing over his apartment key.
The security guard scanned it and nodded.
"Well, that's good news I suppose." He said handing it back to him.
"Yeah. Have a good night, Kiba."
"You too." Was the reply.
Neji adjusted the little girl in his arms as he punched in the elevator button. Man, she was getting big, he thought. But then again, he usually didn't hold her like this. Tenten must have that motherly strength to hold her for hours on end. The elevator opened and he swiped his key into the lock, thus opening the door. Something was odd, he noted as she stepped in. There was shuffling in the kitchen.
"Hello…?" he called.
A female voice replied.
"Ah, dear! I was wondering when you'd be back."
Neji sweat dropped. It was usual for his mother to drop in unexpected sometimes. She approached him and looked down at the girl in his arms.
"Oh, right. Mother, this is Suta. Tenten's daughter." He said quietly.
"I'll be taking care of her until Tenten returns from the hospital." He added as he walked to his room.
His mother followed, watching as he placed the little girl onto his bed and tucked her in. He moved to the closet and pulled out some clothing for himself. He had two guest rooms and luckily his mother didn't take up a lot of space in the first guest room. Leaving the door open a crack, he walked to the bathroom to change. His mother pressed a cup of tea into his hands and sat with him on the couch.
"Where's father?"
"He's overseas with the company. I think he's in Denmark currently. Next week he should be back."
"Ah…."
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Tenten took a breath in and squeezed her lips together. She heard shuffling outside her door which meant she'd have to talk to the Psychologist again, and get another test done. So, she slowly sat up and opened her eyes. While her vision focused, she noticed a vase with flowers. It's been that way for the past few days. The nurse told her that her daughter and the Hyuga came to visit her since she had been admitted. That brought a small smile to her face.
"Oh my up and about already?"
Tenten whirled around from the window and looked at the blonde doctor. She had her potions in her hands. Wheeling over to her bed, Tenten moved to get up, but Tsunade stopped her.
"If you stay In bed all day you'll get restless. Stay up."
Tenten nodded. But she couldn't stop staring at Tsunade. She was gorgeous for her age and was brilliant. She sighed as the doctor put the potions into the IV bag. She missed them, she thought. They came when she was asleep. But today she'll try to stay awake. Hopefully she'd see them today.
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Neji and Suta strolled into the hospital with a new bundle of lilies. This time, though, they were Tiger Lilies. The little ravenette had finally remembered the name of the flowers that her mother liked. She made Neji drive around the city looking for them at flower stands. They had finally found a flower stand that sold them after a good hour. The nurse escorts them to the room, where they find Tenten sitting up and watching T.V. Suta runs over and jumps into her mother's lap, hugging her and kissing her. The bun head smiled and held her child close. The Hyuga doctor walked in with the flowers and added them to the vase with the white lilies.
"Thank you." She said.
"Anything for you." Neji replied.
Tenten moved to stand, only to have Neji push her back down.
"I'm fine," she said.
"You said that last time, now look where we are." he shot back.
Tenten rolled her eyes and stretched her arms over her head. She felt heavy from resting so much. But she needed it. Neji leaned over and planted a kiss on her cheek.
"You had me worried, you know." he said softly.
Tenten wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.
"How sweet."
The two snapped their heads toward door. Suta shot up from her spot, her eyes wide. She soon broke into the brightest smile and ran to the door. There stood a young man, tall, but not taller than Neji. He wore nice jeans and a dark blue button down shirt. He held yellow roses in his hands and had a pleasant look on his face. Suta hugged his legs and was beaming. Reaching down, he scooped her up in his arms and hugged her. Tenten blinked.
"Hello, Tenten." he said smoothly.
"Hello….Sasuke."
