Couldn't lie

Sasuke bounced the little ravenette in his lap as he had settled himself in a chair on the other side of the room. Suta giggled and grinned. She was so happy to see her father after so long. Tenten watched them, a bit on alert, Neji had noticed. That motherly instinct was kicking in and a bit amusing to witness. The Hyuga placed a hand over her's and squeezed it assumingly. Sasuke cooed over his child as if she were a treasure. The little girl was half of him (scientifically speaking), so the attraction was inevitable.

"She's quite the 'daddy's girl'," Neji commented.

Tenten shrugged.

"Whenever she would speak to him on the phone, they would sometimes chat for a good hour or so before she would go to bed."

Neji watched her face. There was no hint of jealousy or hurt; more of indifference, which as odd to see since she always had an opinion. He kissed her knuckles and sighed. The tension had lifted only slightly, which became a bit more comfortable for the group since Tenten had stopped staring at them.

"So, who told you I was in the hospital?"

Sasuke looked up from his daughter and pursed his lips together. He admitted he went to Shikamaru's house, only to encounter the professor who told him. Tenten rolled her eyes. Of course….

"I know I wasn't supposed to be around until later this week, but I couldn't really help myself…" Sasuke admitted sheepishly.

Neji blinked. He reverted back to his high school mentality, he thought.

"That's…alright, I guess." Tenten swung her legs over the bed. "Suta, can you run to the store with Neji?"

Suta hopped off her father's lap and ran over to the Hyuga. Sasuke cocked an eyebrow when Suta told Neji to catch her as she jumped into his arms. Tenten leaned in and spoke in a low tone.

"Give us fifteen minutes or so until I text you…" the bun head had whispered.

When Suta asked why they were sent away, the doctor replied saying that they were going to do some grown up talk. The little girl just shrugged her shoulders and found interest in the Hyuga's long hair, which was loose today. They went to the café a few blocks down to go eat. As Suta finished her sandwich, Neji sipped at his cappuccino and glanced out the window. It kind of bothered him, he had to admit…. seeing his former high school best friend after all these years and all. The Uchiha was still slim, and had that pretty boy model frame. He looked like he did in high school, which is a bit unhealthy considering his condition. The muscle tone on him was barely there, although there was no fat to counteract that. Now that he thought about it…what did she see in him anyway? Well, it was he who introduced them, yes, but a scrawny kid who wasn't even in their grade who was fawned over by girls didn't seem like her type. Was it because he was this mysterious kid who was as arrogant as he was? Shaking his head, Neji sipped more of his caffeinated drink. He wasn't that bad. At least he thought so. He's heard from his own cousin that his arrogance level was pretty high, as well as his ego being the size of Jupiter.

But that's all nothing, really.

Besides, whenever the group would all hang out, it was he who Tenten stayed by, not that Uchiha. Well, that was before they were actually in a relationship. Even when it came to prom, it was Tenten who had convinced him to go, even if he didn't go with anyone. Lee and himself were in the same boat. He stood there watching as Tenten danced with him in her royal blue dress. She had told him that she wanted something that looked good on both of them. But he hated that style on her; it was too conservative. She liked to wear clothes that were airy and comfortable, even if it meant showing a little more skin then she had to. The dress didn't compliment her at all, in his opinion. He didn't have the heart to tell her though when she asked him. Her face was bright though, he remembered. She enjoyed dancing with him, the little dancing that they did. Mostly, she'd drift over to him and Lee, dragging them both to the dance floor to dance with her.

"Mr. Hyuga?"

Neji snapped out of his vivid memory and looked over at Suta. She had finished her sandwich and had a spatter of mustard on her face. Picking up the napkin he wiped it off, a task he had become accustom to while watching the young girl for the past week. That flash of his conversation with Surgeon Tsunade made him purse his lips together. He has been more of a father to Suta than Sasuke has. And yet she waddles to him as if he has been around her whole life. However, Neji has taken a countless number of child development and psychology classes to know that that is how it works. Whether it be nature or nurture, she worshiped him. These past few months had changed something, he noticed. Ever since he popped back onto the scene she's been different. Tenten's been different. He would speak to Shikamaru sometimes (and sometimes even Lee), and they agreed. They couldn't tell what it was, but his presence had changed her…he wasn't too sure if it was a bad thing.

"Do you want something sweet, Suta?" Neji asked.

Suta nodded.

"I want that chocolate ice cream with the strawberry on top."

The doctor let out a chuckle and got her what she wanted. Such a small girl…and yet she can devour pints of ice cream in minutes…reminds me of someone I know…except with ramen… Suta let out a content sigh, having wiped the bowl clean. Neji peered over then looked at her.

"You didn't eat the strawberry." He commented.

The ravenette pushed the bowl over to him.

"It's for you." She smiled.

The Hyuga blinked before returning the smile hand eating the strawberry. How sweet, he thought. After paying, Neji checked his phone. Tenten had texted him five minutes ago, so they headed back to the hospital. Upon entering the room, Neji noticed that Sasuke had relocated himself to Tenten's bedside. His eyebrows went south. How dare he. Making it very obvious that they were now in the room, Neji pulled his chair closer to Tenten's bedside. Noticing the gesture, Tenten looked at him for a moment before turning to Sasuke.

"Well, give Itachi my regards." She said laying back.

"I was wondering," Sasuke said bouncing Suta on his lap.

"What?" she asked.

"How about I watch Suta for a few days?"

Both adults looked at him.

"Itachi will be there, of course, and it would be nice to spend time with my baby girl."

Tenten looked over to Neji, who shrugged.

"Fine. A few days. Until I'm back home." She said.

Suta cheered and hugged her father. Sasuke smiled and promised that they'd have fun together. Tenten watched as Suta took her father by the hand and left the hospital. After a moment, the woman sighed and ran a hand through her hair.

"How odd."

She looked at Neji.

"I wouldn't have thought you would've allowed that."

Tenten shrugged, she wasn't in the mood to argue or resist. There was a moment of silence.

"You know," she smirked a bit, "that was a nasty look you gave him when you came back from lunch."

Neji rolled his eyes.

"I did not like how he didn't stay in his little corner."

Tenten giggled and reached over to touch his arm. How protective, she thought. He's always been like that. Whenever he gets close with someone, he turns into that wall that must be broken down in order to get through; however, he is not easily broken. Neji rested his hand on her cheek and caressed it. Her skin was so soft, just like always. That exotic tan was returning to her face, which meant recovery. Leaning down he gently placed a kiss on her bottom lip and let out a small sigh of content. He's wanted to kiss her again since that night. Tenten's cheeks turned pink which caused him to kiss her again, and again, and again. Each time softly and full of emotion that was foreign to him. Before he could go in for another, she spoke.

"Too bad we're in a hospital."

"Hn." He replied.

"We could've gone a round if it wasn't for that."

Neji's lavender orbs widened. He looked at her for a moment, before feeling his own cheeks heat up a bit. Snapping up right, his palm found his forehead.

"You're unbelievable, you know that?" He sighed. "I can't with you…"

Tenten laughed.

"I'm just kidding! Obviously we'd never do it in a hospital!" her face went serious. "But seriously though."

"Tenten…" Neji shook his head and sweat dropped. This girl is too much…but I guess I can live with that.