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Don't worry, folks... this story is still alive...

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Also, apologies for the shortness of this chapter, but I wanted to save the next part for later instead of making this one big run-on.

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Could've Been, Might've Been

By: Kikushi

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Lee and Naruto bid him goodnight and Gaara watched as they were escorted out of his office by one of his personal attendants. They would be staying in one of the guest rooms of the building for the night and had told him that they planned on leaving early the next morning.

Gaara's blue-green eyes found the sleeping form of Tenten, curled up on the armchair. Her legs were tucked under her, and her arms folded on the right armrest to make a cradle for her head. Gaara simply stared at her for a moment in deep-thought, trying to envision how the scene would be different if Tenten was his wife. The glow of the fire struck the sleeping beauty with ethereal light. There was something so innocent about her… so precious. Her face was half-obscured by hair that had fallen out from her buns during her sleep and Gaara ached to push them away.

He stood abruptly and kneeled slowly in front of her, leveling his face with hers. Gently, he brushed a stray lock of chocolate-brown hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. He had gotten to know a lot about Tenten over the past few days. It seemed that she had a habit of rambling about her life whenever she got nervous or distracted.

She sighed in her sleep, breaking the Kazekage's vague flow of thoughts. He wondered for a second what it was she was dreaming about, when his eyes were drawn to her pink, slightly-parted lips. He had been close to tasting them, and Gaara felt a brief pang of loss and annoyance for the white-eyed Hyuuga as he thought back to the events of a distant yesterday. Although he resented the prodigy as competition for Tenten, he held no ill-will toward the Hyuuga's low blow. In fact, he had seen it coming; he just assumed his sand shield would immediately activate, as it always did. He puzzled over as to why it left him defenseless in the face of danger when Tenten sighed once more, effectively distracting him again.

In the back of Gaara's mind, he remembered telling Lee and Naruto just before they retired that he would wake Tenten and personally escort her to her own room. But now, looking at the peacefully sleeping girl before him, Gaara felt no inclination to do such a thing. Instead, he rose slowly to his feet and with much patience and care, gathered Tenten into his arms, letting her head rest upon his right shoulder. He ignored the soreness coming from his abdomen and proceeded out of his office into the dimly lit hallway. He savored the warmth of her body in such close proximity to his own and was pleased when she unconsciously snuggled closer to him. The comfortable walk was over far too quickly, in Gaara's opinion. He soon found himself slowly lowering Tenten onto her bed and pulling up the covers over her body. He was about to leave when a sudden thought occurred to him.

For the way he handled recent events, didn't he at least deserve a prize?

He leaned over Tenten hesitantly, watching for signs of waking. When she continued to sleep peacefully, Gaara let a rare, genuine smile form on his lips. He had to admit, he had grown fond of the little kunoichi.

Without another thought, he ducked his head and pressed his lips upon hers firmly, praying to whatever gods that she would someday choose to belong to him.

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It was both very late in the night and very early the next day. Tenten rubbed her eyes and found herself peering into the darkness of her guest bedroom.

How did I get here again? she thought, rubbing her eyes and struggling to sit up.

She'd been with Naruto and Lee in Gaara's office, talking about their past missions together and recent accomplishments… She'd been thinking about Team Ten, how they had gone after Neji…

Tenten gasped, suddenly wide awake. Did I fall asleep in the middle of the conversation? But then, who…?

Even as Tenten wondered, she immediately imagined red hair and strong arms cradling her against a hard chest. The scent of sand and sun and something just uniquely Gaara still lingered about her. Tenten blushed.

Pulling the covers off of her body, she got out of bed and stretched, noticing that she still had— thankfully— her normal attire on. She knew that sleep would not come easily now that she was awake. Straggling over to the window, Tenten peered up at the dark sky, trying to spot the stars. It was a calm and still night. Perhaps a little walk would soothe her.

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Neji Hyuuga blinked, his eyes straining to see in the darkness. He fought the urge to activate his Byakugan as his eyes focused intently on the lone figure wandering the streets.

He had just returned to Suna with Team Ten, and the three had exhaustedly collapsed in their rented bedrooms at the local inn. After much indecision and pacing about, Shikamaru had suggested that they return to the village despite the lateness of the night, much to the relief of the Hyuuga. They deserved to rest after putting up with him so much. Neji, however, just could not find the desire to sleep and opted instead to wander around the Sand village in hopes of clearing away his muddied thoughts. If he had to guess at the time, he figured it was probably around three in the morning. And yet…

Could it really be her? There was only one way to find out.

Ducking out from the shadows of the alleyway he had been hiding in— his instinctual response upon feeling the presence of another person— Neji stepped out into the moonlight and cleared his throat softly. "Tenten?"

The figure whirled around and gasped at the sound of his voice. He watched as she braved a step towards him, trying to find his face in the darkness.

"Neji? Is that you?"

Neji was filled with mixed emotions at the sound of her voice. He hadn't been wrong after all; it was her… He immediately felt doubt and anxiety creeping through him as he extended a hand to her. It was now or never, he thought nervously. But what if she refused him still? What if she was still angry enough to not want to talk to him?

Tenten hesitated slightly, looking down at the hand he was extending to her. What did it mean? She hadn't forgotten their little fallout from earlier and she briefly debated the meaning of the gesture. Was Neji silently asking her to come back home with him again? She silently bristled at the thought of this— the nerve of him! But then perhaps he was just offering her a handshake as a peace offering? She looked up to meet his eyes, but she couldn't see his face enough in the darkness to gauge his expression. Biting her lip, Tenten brought up her hand slowly and placed it gently in his palm.

As though the contact had been a trigger, Neji's hand tightened like steel around her own and Tenten gasped as she was pulled forward roughly, falling into a hard chest. Her heartbeat accelerated and she tensed when she felt his arms go around her, binding her body tightly to his.

"N-Neji..!"

"Tenten," he whispered into her hair, his voice sounding strained, "I'm sorry…"

She whipped up her head to look at him, her eyes wide with confusion, her spirits soaring with something like hope. "Neji… I don't und—"

She gasped in mid-sentence as he brought down his head swiftly, crashing his lips into her own. Tenten froze, stunned with disbelief and confusion. She felt Neji's mouth moving desperately against her lips, his warm breath sending her heart into a frenzy. Her eyes fluttered closed against her will as emotions overpowered all logic and she relaxed, bringing up her hands to rest upon his chest. Neji felt her melting against him and held her closer, his mouth opening slightly, trying to coax a response. The moment she kissed him back, Neji's tongue darted between her unsuspecting lips, successfully opening her mouth to him. Tenten moaned and tilted her head back further. It was the kind of kiss she had always dreamed about with Neji. She felt his hands loosening its grip on her waist as it travelled upwards her body, sending shivers up her spine, until he was cupping her face between his large palms. He was positively devouring her. Tenten trembled as he flicked his tongue against her own and moaned into his mouth. Her mind was screaming for air, but she didn't dare break the moment.

Eventually, even the Hyuuga needed to breathe and it was with great reluctance that he pulled away from her. His arms immediately wrapped around her waist, as if afraid she'd leave him. Tenten, however, could barely move from her spot. She could feel his quick heartbeat under her hands as they stood there, trying to reclaim their breaths. Tenten's mind was spinning a mile a minute. She was slightly dizzy from the effects of their kissing, but she struggled to bring words to her mouth. "What… what are we doing, Neji?"

She looked up at him with wide eyes, hope brimming in every inch of her being. Neji's eyes travelled downwards from her over-bright liquid chocolate orbs to her kiss-swollen lips. His only response was to lower his head once more to taste them.

"M-mou! Neji!" Tenten tried to speak against his lips, blushing furiously. She was trying her hardest not to melt into a gooey lovestruck puddle before him, but it was proving to be very difficult as he insisted on trying to make out with her in the open streets of Suna… and during the middle of the night, no less.

Tenten brought up her hands to cup his face and Neji stiffened as she pulled him gently away from her. "Please…" she whispered to him, her chocolate brown eyes pleading desperately, "…please tell me what this is…"

He stepped away from her, suddenly looking somber. "What do you think it is, Tenten?" he asked softly, his gaze measured.

Tenten bit her lip, her heart clenching in her chest painfully. She had a good guess as to what it was, but she was afraid… Afraid to assume, afraid to hope… She needed to hear him say it with her own ears. Why couldn't he just tell her straight out, dammit!

"I-I… I'm not sure…" she stuttered, focusing her gaze on the ground beneath her feet. "Do you… do you not want me to marry Gaara, then?"

She had meant to ask, Do you like me? but something in her had morphed her words differently. She was too damn scared, Tenten realized. What if it wasn't as she thought it was? What if Neji laughed at her? She had to remind herself that Neji Hyuuga had not shown any interest in her whatsoever in all the many years she had known him. It just seemed way too good to be true! In truth, she hadn't even been thinking about marriage recently. Tenten prayed that Neji would understand the real hidden meaning behind her strangely-phrased question.

"No, I don't," said Neji flatly, his face turning dark. Tenten's heart fluttered crazily.

"Then—?" she began hopefully, but Neji wasn't finished. It seemed that the mere name of the Kazekage was enough to ignite a deep rage within the white-eyed prodigy. All traces of softness had gone from him eyes, and there now resided an unrestrained fury.

"Tenten, if you really wanted to get married, why didn't you tell me?" he asked through gritted teeth. Taken aback, Tenten could do no more than stare at him, open-mouthed. The magic of the moment had gone.

"What are you—?" she tried to ask, hurt. She couldn't understand why he was suddenly so angry.

"I'd marry you, Tenten… so— so stop seeing that bastard!" Neji seethed, his naturally expressionless face etched in uncharacteristic anger. Tenten stumbled backwards, a hand flying to her mouth in shock.

"Neji," she breathed, " Are you proposing to me?" Her voice was unnaturally high, and her head was swimming dizzyingly with a thousand thoughts. She knew that if he said anymore, it was likely that she might faint. "B-but… but why? Neji, why so suddenly?"

She needed to hear it, no matter what. Tenten watched as the love of her life struggled with himself while she tried to compose her rapid heartbeat. Just those three words… She knew that if he said them to her now, she would be his. Forever.

"Because… I..."

Tenten held her breath. I can't believe it, she thought, clenching her hands tightly in nervous anticipation, He's finally going to say it to me…

"I…"

Neji closed his eyes painfully. Why couldn't he say it? Why was it so hard?

"Because… I've known you longer."

Tenten froze. What?

Her happiness burst into a million fragments; never to be seen again. She began to feel hollow and numb… she didn't want to hear this… she didn't want to hear anything...

But Neji plowed on with his speech, "Wouldn't it be better to marry me instead, Tenten? We've know each other longer, and you barely know that guy!"

He was silently tearing her apart without knowing, and Tenten could feel herself reverting back into the cool facade she wore whenever she was deeply hurt. Better to be angry than vulnerable; it was the code she lived by.

"And exactly why should you even care if we've just met, Hyuga?" Tenten spat back frostily, taking the guy before her by surprise.

Neji's heart fell when he saw Tenten's guarded expression and he immediately knew that he blew it. He could still fix this… He just had to tell her, dammit…

"Because…" he began, trying not to panic as the words still refused to come out. "Because you're my best friend and teammate, Tenten. I'm just trying to do what's best for you."

As soon as he said it, Neji inwardly cringed. He was the biggest idiot in the world, and judging by Tenten's face, she thought so too.

"Doing what's best for me?" she scoffed, crossing her arms. She tried desperately to hold on to her steely charade, but she knew that she had to get away soon because if she stayed any longer, the tears would start falling from her eyes.

"Neji Hyuga, you don't know what's best for me so don't try to act like you do!"

"Oh? So you'd rather marry that bastard instead of me?" he retorted, his temper flaring inexplicably. Why couldn't she just accept the facts as they were?

"Well I wouldn't want you to force yourself, seeing as you're only doing your duty as a friend and teammate!"

So that's it, Neji thought, softening. He tried a different approach. "Tenten, you're the girl I'm most familiar with. It wouldn't be a burden to marry you."

Tenten's mouth fell open as she gaped at him in open disbelief. "It wouldn't be a burden?" she shrieked, offended one time too many. As soon as she'd repeated his words back to him, Neji realized that what he'd said had probably not been the best choice of words.

"Tenten, I didn't mean—" he started, but Tenten cut him off.

Her voice was soft and weary as she spoke."You know what Neji? Maybe you guys should just go back to Konoha."

Neji stilled, his heart clenching painfully. "Tenten—"

She shook her head and turned her back to him, her shoulders sagging as though their little spat had left her thoroughly exhausted. "I'm supposed to be spending my time off with Gaara."

He couldn't believe his ears. His temper was rapidly increasing again, and he was ready to say another scathing remark about her darling Gaara, but her tired voice stopped him.

"After all, I really should be getting to know the guy I'm marrying a little better."

The night suddenly became too cold… too silent…. too still….

But Tenten had decided. She couldn't let Neji keep playing her like this. She wasn't some kind of toy that could be broken and fixed over and over again. If she kept letting Neji hurt her this way, Tenten knew that she'd eventually shatter beyond repair.

Neither moved nor spoke for a long, long time. It may have been hours later, for all she knew, but Tenten forced herself to choke out her next words.

"Neji… will you come to the wedding?"

There was no answer.

Tenten allowed herself to turn around, her eyes meeting only empty space. She hadn't heard him leave; she was alone in the night.

Letting out a shaky sigh, Tenten finally let the tears fall from her eyes.

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He watched silently as she straggled inside her dark room, sobbing silently like a spirit defeated. She closed the door soundlessly behind her, only detecting his presence when she was standing a mere foot away from her bed. Startled, Tenten drew away, trying to identify the figure sitting on the mattress in the darkness.

"Who's th— G-Gaara?"

He stood quietly and stepped closer to her. He had heard her leave the building hours ago, as he still could not familiarize himself with the idea of sleep. He had watched her petite form from his window, a lost soul wandering the streets. She had ultimately vanished around a corner where his eyes could follow her no more, and he had been waiting all the while for her return. He guessed that she would be back from her walk within an hour, but when the hours passed by without the weapon's mistress reappearance, he'd become increasingly worried.

But now she was back, safe and unharmed, yet bawling her eyes out.

Gaara shrewdly suspected that it was the doing of one of her… friends. The white-eyed one, to be specific.

Tenten quickly rubbed her red eyes free of tears, coughing to relieve her hoarse throat. "Um… what are you doing here?"

Instead of answering, he reached up and brushed away a teardrop still trailing on her cheeks. He cupped her face gently, and felt her tense.

"W-what are you doing?" she whispered frantically. She could only take so much in one night...

A pair of strong, wiry arms suddenly encased her, pulling her forward into a warm, comforting chest. It was an unfamiliar feeling, holding a girl so close in such a manner. Gaara had only a second to revel in her softness before Tenten tried pushing him away. She did not want anymore hugs tonight!

Uncharacteristically, Gaara only tightened his hold on her. He lowered his mouth to her ear, "I can make you happy…"

His words made Tenten go limp in his arms. She looked up at him, trying to read his expression without success. How did he know? Had he been watching?

Gaara's face was its usual stoic mask, but his eyes spoke volumes. "You can be happy here, in Suna…" he said softly.

Tenten fought off the urge to begin crying again. She knew it too— she could be happy in Suna, she could be happy sharing her life with Gaara…

But she also knew how she could've been, might've been so much happier…

With Neji.

But he had broken her heart for the last time.

"Gaara," she said, trying to control her trembling voice. She was determined to go through with this.

She'll put Neji behind her once and for all!

"I've been thinking a lot about it… and I… I've decided."

He held her closer, as if subconsciously sensing what conclusion she had come to.

"I've decided… to marry you."

Gaara's eyes widened fractionally in surprise, but let his face relax into its usual expression almost immediately. He said nothing for a moment— just gazed down at her, as though trying to read the cause of her sudden decision. Tenten squirmed uncomfortably under his close scrutiny, but stilled when his face began to lower. She felt his lips fall upon hers and forced herself not to pull away.

She kissed him back gently, convincing herself that it was for the best…

It's right… It's right… It's right...

Those two words would become her mantra for the week that followed.

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-/-/-/-

. End Chapter 10.

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