Title: Who You Must Protect
Author: Matahari
Rating: T (just in case)
Pairing: Neji/Tenten (may include other minor pairings in the future)
Disclaimer: I don't own the Naruto anime, manga, plotlines, or any of the characters therein (translate to Japanese please). :)

Chapter Upload Date: 7/14/2007

Author's Note: Some of you mentioned the last time that Neji's father's death is a little out of sync in terms of the time. This is true and was intentionally done with creative license for the plot I had in mind. I thought it would be interesting for Neji and Tenten to have met before this tragic event to see how he would change from the nice and caring boy you've seen in the past chapters to the fate-obsessed Neji from pre-chunnin exams. Hope you enjoy!

Recap from Last Chapter...

Beauty was combined with function in the numerous training areas that were located throughout the compound. Birds twittered happily next to sparkling clear fountains and the interior design of the building was traditional and clean with occasional vases of flowers on tables and pictures of landscapes. The perfection of the place only seemed to be marred by a single nagging thought – there seemed to be nobody around.

Chapter 11: An Embrace Without Words

In the Hyuuga Compound...

Neji led her a kitchen, which turned out to be one of the many rooms that the Hyuugas had multiple copies of throughout the compound. The modern style of the kitchen contrasted with the general traditional look of the other rooms. The cabinets were made of a dark cherry wood with carved filigree for accents. Stainless steel appliances were spread on the large marble countertops which were a slightly darker shade from the floor beneath them. Cut flowers, probably from the many gardens outside were placed decoratively on counters bring some color to the normally neutral room. As Neji started to place out food, Tenten considered asking Neji why everything was so quiet. The only thing stopping her was the fact that she didn't want to insult him. He was also quiet... maybe it was genetic. Or, they could be mind readers and not even have to speak to each other. Not to mention, she was afraid that if she spoke, armed shinobi guards would come rushing at her and place her in a dungeon for daring to break the silence that identified the Hyuuga compound. That is, if they had a dungeon. But, based on what she'd seen, they probably had at least five of them!

As Tenten's eyes darted suspiciously around her trying to find the guards she had convinced herself were there while at the same time concentrating on keeping her mouth shut in a tight line lest give them an excuse to attack, Neji surveyed her curiously thinking the girl had gone crazy from either hunger or the effects of his Jyuuken. Grabbing her jaw lightly and forcing her lips apart, he placed a small piece of onigiri into her now open mouth to handle the first case. Forced to chew the bit of rice, salmon, and seaweed, she almost choked and was about to yell/knock Neji on the head when she was struck with the thought that those very same guards might put her into solitary confinement for doing such a thing - he was their prodigy after all.

Neji had been bracing himself for some sort of verbal or physical retaliation and was surprised when the normally vivacious girl simply folded her hands tightly in her lap and didn't say a word. "Tenten," he asked softly. She raised an eyebrow at him. 'Is something wrong?"

Taking out the pen and using the back of Neji's "information" sheet, she wrote, "Am I allowed to talk?" and slid the paper towards him.

Neji gave her a weird look and said, "Of course."

Tenten, wanting additional clarification, went closer to him and whispered in his ear. "No guards are going to come out of nowhere and throw me in a dungeon if a talk a little loudly or smack you on the head?"

"No..."

"Good." THWACK! The side of Tenten's hand met the back of Neji's head. "That's for almost choking me to death!"

"I was only trying to help! I thought you were acting a little strangely because you hadn't eaten." Neji argued defensively holding her wrists so that she couldn't hit him any more. "By the way, why were being so weird? What's this about guards? And dungeons?"

Sheepishly, Tenten moved one of her newly released arms behind her neck. "Hehehe... nevermind. I was just wondering why it was so quiet over here."

Neji looked contemplative for awhile. "Byakugan! Hmm... It seems like most of the members of the clan are in a meeting room. Wait. Something seems strange. One person is lying on the ground and the others are surrounding him." His range extended to where his father's room was. It was empty. Neji's heart started racing in his chest as a cold chill spread throughout the rest of his body. He suddenly bolted out of the chair he was sitting in and sprinted towards the meeting room, a confused Tenten at his heels.

The doors to the room flew open and he stood stock still ingesting the scene before him. His father... his father was dead and laying unceremoniously on a stretcher as if they meant to dispose of him. Hiashi stood over him with the other clan elders and when he met the young boy's eyes, Neji could see the guilt in Hiashi's gaze. The silence was broken as one of the clan elders directed a comment at Neji empty of emotion and sympathy. "You should be proud of your father. His death allowed the head of the clan to live and has preserved the purity and sanctity of the main branch as was his duty."

By this time, Tenten had caught up with him and also absorbed the situation in front of her. There was a spark of recognition from both Hiashi and Tenten, but it went unnoticed as Neji attempted to calm his raging emotions before his killing intent became obvious. Accusations floated in his mind blaming the clan elders, the main branch, and most of all Hiashi himself. Why should he live while his father died? How could they be this way, when a member of their own clan... a member of their own family... was dead? All he knew right now was that he wanted to be as far away from them as possible. Giving one last sorrowful glance at his father's body knowing it was likely the last time he would ever see him again, he took Tenten's hand in his and started running.

Tenten followed without question as they exited the compound at breakneck speed into their training ground for the second time that day. She stood back as Neji used his Jyuuken on a tree until it was battered, his hands were bleeding, and he collapsed on the ground from exhaustion. Only then, when he was physically spent, did he start to emotionally break down. Slight tremors coursed through his body which was curled up in a fetal position. Meanwhile, cool tears began to drop uncontrollably from his face.

Tenten did not know what the dead Hyuuga meant to Neji - just that he must have been very important to have affected him so. She too remembered that loneliest of lonely nights when she had first learned of her mother's death and the comfort that the now dead man (her mother's partner) had given her. The normally stoic boy now needed the same compassion. So, she embraced him. One small arm wrapping around his side, while the other moved to stroke his hair. His head fell instinctively towards the crook of her neck to bury himself into her warmth. They stayed that way for a long time not exchanging a word until the tears dried on his face, his breathing resumed its even pace, and the welcome world of dreams made him forget the current harsh reality.

Note to Readers: Thanks to all of the readers who have been supporting the story (favorites/alerts/reviews). I love you all! Special thanks to reviewers Chigiri Sasaki, Shikyo Yaiba, Alusy, Ashley, EshtarWind, Aoiro Kuma, DysphoricxKun0ichix, Sika'sheart, writingkage231, tarzi-kins, Wise Angel192, Titania400, nejitenfangirl, and B.Q. Sorry if I missed anyone! ☺