"Gai-sensei, have you heard anything from Neji's team," Tenten asked hopefully, looking up at the black-haired man. His usual spunk was absent now. The weather had grown colder lately and it had been weeks since she had heard any news about Neji. It was true that she had been on missions of her own again and that had occupied some of her time, but even so. By the time she completed her third mission since sick leave after Neji left, she had begun to worry.

"No. Ken's and Doku's teams came back about a week ago, but none of them know anything about the fate of the other two teams," said Gai.

"Was Neji okay when they left him?" Tenten asked. She couldn't help but feel anxious.

"When they left them, Ken said that Neji was with his son, Tai. They both appeared to be fine. Their fate since then, however, is not known," said Gai.

"What about their teams? How many died?" Tenten asked, not really sure if she wanted to know the answer.

Kakashi walked up alongside Tenten, looking strained. His eyes traveled through the crowd, "Your talking about the group that went to Akatsuki? One died. Doku's second in leadership, Daiki Katsu. Itachi's partner killed him. Ironic since Itachi was killed by Sasuke."

"So, Itachi is dead then?" Tenten said, frowning.

"Yes, it would seem so. I suppose Sasuke finally got his revenge. Though I wonder what he has to live for now that its done," said Kakashi.

"Give it up, Kakashi. He's not coming back…" said Gai.

Kakashi gave him a sharp look, "I'm aware of that. I also would like you to know that I no longer wish him to come back. However, that doesn't change the fact that I still wonder how he's getting along. If you remember, he was almost like a son."

Tenten had never heard Kakashi speak so openly before. Was this how he and Gai always spoke when no one was watching?

Gai caught sight of a dazed look on Tenten's face, "You shouldn't worry. Neji's too stubborn to die."

Tenten couldn't help but laugh. Gai was right. In all the years she had known him, even when death was certain, Neji somehow survived. Somehow, someway, he always came back to her. Her throat tightened unexpectedly.

"How about I save our first kiss for after my next mission…"

He hadn't told her then that he would be gone this long. She desperately missed him. She wanted to hold him. She wanted to hear him speak…for him to smile when she spoke.

"But speaking of people that are like sons, how is Lee?" Kakashi asked.

"He's doing well. He might surpass me soon at the rate he's training. I always told him…if he tried hard enough, he'd make it and here he is. Although, he's been spending a lot of time with Miss Haruno lately."

"Only makes sense. They're together right?" Kakashi said.

"JUST IMAGINE IF MY LEE GOT MARRIED!" Gai glowed with the thought.

Somehow Tenten couldn't see Lee settling down with anyone any time soon, but maybe she was wrong. After all, just like Naruto, Lee had matured a lot in the last few years.

"Yes…poor Sakura…" said Kakashi.

"What was that, Kakashi?"

"I merely said that Naruto and Hinata seem to be heading that direction themselves. Although, I think it was a shock to the entire village when he stopped spiking his hair. Poor Hinata's face turned so red…Naruto said he was afraid she would faint on him again."

Kakashi chuckled, Gai let out a loud laugh and Tenten just stared at the two, listening to their casual conversation. Tenten remembered her own reaction when Neji stopped tying his hair back. It was a mix of mild astonishment and utter joy.

"I keep telling Lee to grow his hair back out, but he won't," Gai said.

"Because you haven't done it first," Kakashi said. And this was true. Lee rarely did anything that Gai hadn't already done first.

"I think its better now than it was when it was long," Tenten said quietly.

"There you go. A woman's opinion," said Kakashi.

"Why do you guys care so much about that kind of stuff anyway, its not as if you two are seeing anyone, is it?"

Kakashi shrugged, "I have not need to. I have all the family I'll ever need."

Tenten frowned. What was that supposed to mean?

"How do you know?" Gai asked, frowning back at her.

"It would just be odd to see you with anyone, that's all," said Tenten.

"And what about you and Neji?" Kakashi asked. His voice was surprisingly serious.

Tenten blushed, "We…uh…we got together not too long ago."

"REALLY!!!? THAT'S GREAT!" Gai erupted.

Kakashi merely gave her a sympathetic look as she blushed an even darker red.

"Good for both of you," Kakashi said.

Tenten stopped in mid-stride. There at the gate was a group of black-cloaked shinobi. They were hastily putting their masks away, trying to balance injured comrades on their backs and shoulders. Almost half of the group appeared to be carrying someone. She desperately searched the faces coming towards her for Neji, but she could not find him. Gai was already walking at their side when Tenten finally started walking towards them.

"What happened?" Gai asked.

Kakashi had walked over to the other ANBU to try and help with carrying the bodies. Tenten could see Takai's flaming red hair as he walked past Kouji with someone strapped to his back and an empty expression on his face.

"We managed to kill Karin and Jugo, but Sasuke and Suigetsu survived. We lost so many lives in that battle and we only have three that aren't sporting some injury…"

Looking closer, Tenten could see a potent bruise on Takai's forehead. She looked around again, but Neji was nowhere to be found. She had to know…

"Takai…" she said, stepping in front of him so that he had to stop.

In response, Kouji took whoever it was off of Takai's back. Takai gave a vague nod of thanks and looked back at Tenten with the same empty expression.

"Takai, where is Neji?"

The other ANBU walked past, paying the two of them little attention.

"Neji…died…"

Takai felt his throat close around the word and he swallowed hard, his eyebrows knitting together. Tenten stared back at him blankly for a moment.

"But…that can't be… Is his body here? I need to see his body!" Tenten demanded. She felt herself panic with disbelief. She felt numb.

"I saw him fall over the side of the cliff…our chakra was already so depleted…he couldn't pull himself to the side of the cliff wall and I didn't have enough to rescue him…even if I could've reached him in time."

Tenten stared at him, tears welling up in her eyes, "But then he could still be alive, right?"

Takai stared at her sympathetically. He knew her pain. He had felt it too. In fact, to some degree he still did.

"No," he said sadly. "He fell over four hundred feet…and I saw him…he was unconscious on the way down. No one could survive a fall like that. Not even him…"

"Its not true!" Tenten shouted. Tears began to spill down her cheeks now. Her fists were beating furiously against Takai's chest, but he made no attempt to stop her. He felt guilty about it all. He had not been able to save Neji…just as he could not comfort Tenten now. He felt more dirty that he had ever felt in his entire life. To be alive when Neji was not.

Tenten's hands flattened against his cloak and she started to sink to her knees. Takai followed her movement and kneeled in front of her, pulling her shaking, sobbing body into his arms. As he did, he felt tears run down his own face. He had done his best to hold in his emotions of the situation over the last several days, but now, he found that he could do so no longer.

They remained like that for a long time, completely unaware and unconcerned with the world around them. Right then and there, Tenten's world seemed to end. She could only remember small details of things that took place after that. Takai walked her to her home and after he left she changed into her sleeping robe. She couldn't sleep, however. She could only lay there and cry. Hours slowly ticked by. She wanted nothing to do with the world. It was over…Neji was gone…she had nothing left. Just like that, it all didn't matter anymore. Just like that, she had no one left to save her. Just like that…the life she knew was over.

Somewhere far away, silver eyes opened to see the rocky inside of a cave. Light shown from a few corners, illuminating the large cavernous space. The black-haired man that was Neji could hear rain hitting the rock heavily from the outside, but the cave itself showed no sign of leaking. He looked over to see a red-eyed man with shoulder-length black hair. Though he only wore straight black now, his black coat, covered with red clouds, shown vividly…even in the dim light.

"You're awake. Finally…" said the man. There was no excitement in his voice. No hint of enthusiasm at all. It was merely a statement.

"You're…Itachi…" Neji said, unable to make himself speak louder than a meaningful whisper.

"That I am."

"I thought you were dead…unless…I'm dead…"

"No. You and I are both still very much among the living."

Neji closed his eyes as a sharp pain surged through his side.

"I wouldn't move too much if I were you. My little brother's blade penetrated one of your muscles. You also have a few broken ribs and a broken collar bone."

"But why am I here? And with you?" Neji asked, very confused. Part of him was afraid, but another part of him somehow knew that he was not in danger. It was a feeling he couldn't explain.

"You fell from the cliff and nearly killed yourself on a tree below. I just happened to be passing by and saw the fight. Any enemy of Sasuke is an ally of mine. No matter how short the alliance lasts."

Neji stared at him for a moment. Was that why Itachi had saved him?

"But they said you were dead," said Neji.

"No. My little brother cannot defeat me so easily. Still, I figured it was well past time to extend my talents elsewhere."

"So you left Akatsuki?"

Itachi nodded, "Yes."

"You're much different that Naruto described you."

"Perhaps. But then…that boy never knew me. In fact…the only person who ever really understood me is dead."

Neji couldn't help but think that Itachi was a very strange person indeed. Even stranger than himself.

"What are you planning to do?" Neji asked.

"With you?" Itachi asked carefully eyeing Neji.

"Yes."

"Nothing. You'll be on your way as soon as your well enough. I can't pick up extra travelers for long. There's too much that must be done," said Itachi, looking out of the cave space at a sheet of falling rain just in front of the entrance.

"And you want nothing in return?" Neji found this too good to be true.

"There's nothing you can do for me that I can't already do myself," Itachi answered.

"I don't understand. You expect me to believe that you rescued me out of the kindness of your heart?"

"Believe whatever you want, but I have no heart left. Saving you this time had purely to do with our common goal of ridding the earth of my brother. He's become too powerful for my taste. However, if we should ever meet again when Sasuke is not involved…you will be my enemy too."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yay, almost done….one or two more chapters left! Anyway, I guess I'll see you next chapter! Bye all!