A/N: Thank you so much to all the readers for your support! This chapter gave me quite a bit of difficulty, but I hope that you'll forgive me for it and try to enjoy it regardless ^^ This chapter sees mostly NejiTen moments (yay!) but there are a few plot hints in there if you look for them. So, I hope that you'll like it and please leave me a review! It keeps me motivated =D

Warnings: Hmm ... mostly lemon/lime in this one ... but for safety's sake: all the usual ones apply!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the characters used in this story and I make no profit from it.

Chapter 10

Neji's weight settled over her and Tenten felt the glow start at her toes and push up along her body until it warmed every part of her being. For the first time in months she felt … complete. His mouth moved over hers with precision, nipping and licking in exactly the right way until coherency was something Tenten couldn't even dream about. The kiss went on and on, and Tenten forgot about breathing until Neji wrenched his mouth away and she gasped for air.

For the longest time he stared at her, panting for breath, his eyes darkening. Her heart contracted as she read the unknown emotions there … wariness, want, uncertainty, maybe just a touch of fear? She didn't know, but she was helplessly caught in his gaze.

In tense silence they waited, for what neither could really say, as they regained their breath. As her breath returned so did her ability to think and Tenten waited anxiously for whatever Neji was about to say, trying to suppress the familiar frustration that she inevitably felt when with Neji. His body and his eyes said one thing while the words he spoke contradicted the subtle messages in the most hurtful way imaginable. Distantly she was aware that she was not supposed to be doing this, not supposed to be with Neji like this, she had come here for closure, not to muddy the already murky waters of their relationship – if it could even be classified as such – further. But, as always, she was unable to resist, couldn't deny herself whatever crumbs Neji felt like throwing her way – even if she knew that it would hurt twice as much when he withdrew again.

"You said you would do anything to be with me," Neji's hoarse whisper broke through the tension, and Tenten nearly flinched in instinctive reaction before registering what he'd said. Confusion spread over her features, and she licked her lips uncertainly, a little thrill travelling down her spine when his eyes followed the movement and darkened even more.

"I-I … yes, I did," she acknowledged with a little inclination of her head. Neji's eyes returned to hers, and she wished so much that she could understand what was going through his head that she nearly cried in frustration at being denied. For another long moment he stared intently into her eyes, and Tenten wanted nothing more than to look away, but found that she couldn't.

"Did you mean it?" he asked, at last, seeming almost indifferent, merely waiting for her answer in mild curiosity.

Tenten couldn't help it – her temper flared. She pushed at his shoulders, trying to get up, wanting nothing more than to leave. She hated the almost mocking undertones of his voice, hated how he only had to touch her, even once, for her to fall into his lap with no thought of resistance. And she was damned if she'd hang around only to get humiliated further.

Neji refused to give way, did not make any move to comply with her wishes and let her get up, instead he pushed back, forcing her to lie still beneath him. He smirked at her glare, and lifted one hand to brush a strand of hair away from her eyes. A slow, soft touch that made her breath catch in her throat.

"If you did mean it…" his low whisper trailed off as he lowered his head so their lips nearly touched again and Tenten could feel her entire body tensing up. She felt adrift in a sea of confusion – did Neji mean what she thought he meant? Surely not. He didn't want her, not in any kind of permanent way. He'd made that more than clear enough. Neji was still looking at her in silence and she was uncomfortably aware of her overly expressive features, she was sure he'd been able to read each and every frantic thought that had just passed through her hopelessly muddled head.

"I'm tired of fighting it. If that's what you want, then stay," Neji's whisper sounded torn from the deepest reaches of his soul as if, even as he said the words, he was still fighting against them. Tenten stared up at him, totally at a loss for anything to say. But Neji continued before she'd managed to get her thoughts in order anyway, and she decided that maybe this was a good time for her to simply keep quiet.

"Stay, if that will make you happy. But know that I'm not good for you – and you can't change who I am."

Another intent gaze, but this time Tenten knew he was reading her instinctive answer – she could feel the way he relaxed against her, the tautness of his muscles loosening to his usual fluid grace. And at last, Tenten understood some of what she'd read in his gaze – he'd been uncertain of how he would be received. The idea was so strange … that Neji would be afraid of rejection, that Tenten nearly wanted to laugh, and would have, if she hadn't felt much more like crying. Although she had no idea who she would be crying for: him or herself. Because deep down Tenten acknowledged that Neji was right: if she'd had any shred of self-preservation she would be getting up, leaving, and not looking back. Tenten opened her mouth, discovered that she had no control over her voice and settled for pulling his head down to hers in assent.

Just before their lips could touch Neji pulled back a little. Seriousness was imprinted on his usually impassive features and he stared at her as if willing her to say no. Defeat flashed through his eyes as Tenten tugged him impatiently forward and, finally, he gave in.

"I don't want to hurt you," he whispered against her mouth, "but so be it."

His mouth crashed down onto hers with barely suppressed violence. Tenten arched her back, trying to get as close as possible, her hands tangling in his hair, her legs wrapped around his hips, clinging to him as tightly as she could. Her last coherent thought for a long time was that maybe she was clinging so tightly because she could not really believe that this was real. He might be bad for her, might hurt her, but the pain of being without Neji was far worse.

Neji played with the ends of Tenten's hair absentmindedly as he watched her sleep. Her head rested on his chest, one hand next to her cheek, her legs still twined around his. As if, even in sleep, she couldn't bear to let go. He dropped the strands of silky chocolate hair to run his hand through his own, trying to tamp down on the flare of satisfaction the thought gave him. Self-loathing filled him as he fought against himself for the millionth time: if he truly cared about her at all then he would not be feeling satisfied by the mere thought that she didn't want to let go of him. No, that wasn't quite true: he did care about her – no use in denying that anymore – but still … if he had been a less selfish person then he would've sent her away. Would have stood strong against the temptation she presented and would have put her well-being before his own wants and needs.

Sadly, Neji knew that he was definitely not a selfless being. He'd spent far too long indulging his every whim – it was unreasonable to expect to suddenly develop the ability to deny himself – especially when it concerned Tenten. Sub-consciously he'd already admitted weeks ago that he'd never wanted anything as much as he wanted her. Not just her body, no matter how mind-blowing the sex was, no, he wanted her on a level he'd never even been aware of before.

He liked the way she made him feel: as if he meant something, as if he could accomplish anything. He liked the way she brought out the remnants of his old-self, the parts he'd thought long-lost. She made him believe that there might still be some good left in the world. She made him believe in himself. Made him want to change – made him want to become a better man. For her. Because she was good, and kind, and pure. She was light, and life, and he craved the purifying presence of her more than he'd ever craved any drug.

He hated it.

Hated it because he knew, inevitably, he would let her down. No matter how he tried he knew that he would hurt her. Eventually she would wake up and see him for what he really was. She would finally acknowledge the dissolute character he'd cultivated so carefully, and then she would leave. And, most of all, he hated how much it hurt to think of her leaving.

But, for now, she was here, in his arms, and the future was still far off. There was time enough to worry about what was still to come, for now, for once, he could allow himself to simply enjoy something that brought him some contentment. There was so much about him that she didn't know … things that would open her eyes to what he was really like … he knew that he could not put off telling her forever … but, selfishly, he'd already decided to delay that day as long as possible. Anything to keep her with him for just a little longer. Neji stared at her peaceful face, the slight rise and fall of her chest as she breathed, reveled in the brush of her breath against his skin, and closed his eyes, trying desperately to push away the dark thoughts.

It's unreasonable, so I won't ask it of you, but I don't want you to hate me when all is said and done.

Tenten woke to the slow but deliberate brush of hands across her skin. For a moment she felt disoriented but then she remembered … and she could not keep the smile from lighting up her face, even as she kept her eyes tightly closed. Just in case it really had been a dream. Light touches butterflied across her abdomen, over her hips, down to her knees, and she let the laughter escape when Neji's hands tickled softly across her ribs.

"Stop … that tickles," she laughed, squirming away from his hands but she'd no sooner turned her back to him, and buried her face in his pillow, before Neji's arms clamped vice-like around her and drew her back against his chest.

"You like it," he breathed as he pressed lingering kisses down her neck, and Tenten shivered, arching her neck to allow him better access. She let him continue for a while, but the urge to touch him, to have him shuddering in pleasure beneath her touch, was overwhelming, and Tenten turned abruptly in his hold so that she faced him again.

"I like this more," she whispered, tugging his bottom lip between her teeth and sucking lightly. Neji growled, low in his throat, his hands tightening on her hips and Tenten smiled as she deepened the kiss, getting lost in the taste of him on her tongue.

When she drew back for breath she quickly took control - before he turned her into a helpless puddle again - and allowed her hand to drift down the sculpted muscles of his stomach. She kept her eyes locked with his as her hand trailed steadily down, tracing patterns over his hips, enjoying the way Neji seemed to be holding his breath. She was teasing, she knew, but more importantly, she was giving him a chance to draw away, to take back control. One thing she'd learned about Neji was that he hated being out of control, and surprise made her heart flutter when he surrendered with a groan and closed his eyes when her hand closed around his aroused flesh.

Such an insignificant action, and yet Tenten knew the magnitude of surrender for Neji. Allowing her to do this, to take control, meant that he trusted her and she blinked away the stupid tears, trying to forget emotionality and focus on the moment.

Her hand tightened and Neji's breath caught again, the tension holding him perfectly still. Tenten leaned forward, trailing kisses down his neck, marking him as he'd marked her. In an unbroken movement, Tenten shifted onto her knees, pressing hot kisses against his chest, hand moving slowly in an unhurried rhythm.

Reaching her goal, Tenten didn't hesitate, she took him into her mouth, sucking deep, and shuddered when Neji's hands flew to her head, his fingers buried in her hair. A low moan shuddered through his body, his hips jerked reflexively and Tenten trailed her hands up and down his sides, hoping to make him emit more of those sounds.

She set a slow, steady rhythm, reveling in the way she made Neji shudder and the way he jerked his hips encouragingly, the way his hands tightened in her hair as he silently begged her to increase the pace. Stubbornly she ignored him, kept doing exactly what she'd been doing and paid the price for her stubbornness. Neji opened his eyes to glare reproachfully down at her, his hand snaking down her body to repay the favor.

Tenten moaned with the first thrust of his fingers, and stared in fascination at the way Neji threw his head back against the pillows as her voice vibrated around him. His eyes blazed into hers when he raised his head again, and suddenly it appeared that he'd had enough of her torture. One smooth motion landed Tenten on her back beneath him, and Neji couldn't hold back any longer. His hips thrust of their own accord and he pressed his forehead against her shoulder, her name leaving his lips in a breathless sound, as he pushed as deeply into her as he could go, wishing that he could disappear into her.

It was their first time all over again, Tenten realized in dazed pleasure. The touch of Neji's hands were reverent, his movements slow - meaningful somehow. And this time she was unfettered by fears and nervousness … this time she understood the language of his body; she heard the silent words, felt the emotion as Neji thrust into her over and over. She heard and understood, even as the words went unacknowledged in the rush of pleasure that claimed them both.

The Uchiha driveway seemed longer than Tenten remembered it being. After a day spent in such perfect bliss the last thing she wanted was to test her new-found self-control in the confines of the mansion. Weeks of therapy had started her on the slow road to recovery and deep down Tenten knew that she was not ready to brave the hazards of her old life again. Not even with Neji.

But that was part of the problem. Neji knew nothing about her breakdown, knew nothing about the last few weeks of her life. She hadn't wanted to test their fragile, new relationship by refusing to go with him when he'd informed her lazily that he needed to stop by the mansion for a few minutes later that night.

So, now she found herself nervously trailing in Neji's wake through the familiar hallway down to the basement. Tenten took a deep breath and firmly told herself to focus on anything but her surroundings. I can do this. I can do this. She repeated the mantra and resisted the urge to cling to Neji's hand like a frightened child. To be honest, she had no idea if hand-holding was allowed – in fact, she had no real idea of what this was. Were they a couple now? Did Neji want her to act all girlfriend-like? Tenten grimaced. Somehow she sincerely doubted that Neji would want her to act girlfriend-like even if they were in an official relationship now.

She was so caught up in her thoughts she barely noticed the sensation her arrival caused. It was only when Ino and Sakura threw themselves at her with loud squeals that she came back to the present with a little start. She laughed apprehensively and tried to disentangle herself from the two girls but they refused to let go and bombarded her with questions.

"Where have you been?"

"We missed you!"

"Thanks for returning our calls, by the way."

The last came from Ino, a little sourly now that she'd gotten over the initial excitement, and Tenten winced.

"I'm sorry, guys. I just had a lot on my plate the last few weeks," she said at last, aware of how lame the excuse sounded but at a loss for anything else to say. She looked over her shoulder, Ino and Sakura had drawn her a little away from Neji and suddenly she needed to make sure that he was there. Her eyes met Neji's and she was unaware of the pleading and badly hidden fear and desperation that shone in her clear gaze but Neji noticed and a slight frown drew his brows together.

He unceremoniously pushed between her and the others, drawing her away. He pressed a soft kiss against her lips – quick and devoid of any passion – but Tenten could feel the sense of security stealing over her and she smiled tremulously up at him.

"Go. I'm fine."

With another quick kiss she pushed past him to rejoin Ino and Sakura, praying that Neji would be quick with whatever he'd needed to do here tonight – she couldn't help but hope that he'd needed to come here to deal rather than to use.

Half-an-hour later found Tenten leaning wearily against the wall by the bar, half-hidden in shadow. Thankfully Ino and Sakura had left to dance and she tried to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, hoping against hope that everyone would just leave her alone.

Another shadow fell over her and Tenten's gaze rose to collide with Sasuke's dark one. He leaned casually against the bar, motioning for a drink. He raised his eyebrows when Tenten declined his silent offer with a shake of her head but said nothing, merely took his drink and turned to face her.

Tenten burned with the need to get away, but she knew better than to show Sasuke any weakness that he might exploit. She was still contemplating ways to get away without seeming as if she was trying to get away when Sasuke spoke, making her jump.

"So, you and Hyuuga."

His words were a statement that Tenten didn't have an answer for anyway so she simply looked at him.

"You know," Sasuke said musingly, taking a drink from the glass in his hand, "I seem to recall a plan to make Hyuuga beg. Instead, I find you following him around like a lost puppy."

With a sinking feeling in her stomach Tenten began to see where Sasuke was heading, but she remained silent, hoping that he'd let it go if he got no reaction from her.

"Now, I really don't care if you're with him or not … but I invested quite a bit of time and money in your hare-brained schemes. You promised to deliver something I was quite looking forward to – Hyuuga on his knees, that is – and failed to deliver. And, at this point, I doubt that you ever will deliver. So, the question becomes: how will you repay me?"

Sasuke pushed away from the bar and walked away without a backward glance, having got his point across. Tenten clenched her hands around the edge of the counter-top and prayed for the world to right itself before someone noticed that something was wrong with her. She'd been hoping, stupidly perhaps, but nonetheless, she'd been hoping, that Sasuke wouldn't call in the favors she owed him. How on earth was she going to explain this to Neji? There was no telling what the Uchiha would expect from her.

Fear rose – she couldn't lose Neji, not again, not after having just found him. During her depression she hadn't cared much what happened to her one way or the other, but now …

Now she had something to lose.

A/N: So, what did you think? *peeks at readers from between her fingers* I fully realize that the last two chapters were kinda sucky and I'm not really sure about this one either, so feel free to tell me how bad it was ^^ Still, I'd love to hear what you thought, good or bad, and I'm really interested to see what you made of the plot hints in the chapter =D Let me know - REVIEW!!!!