It was a little over a week into May when anything eventful happened to Tenten again. She was 7 months pregnant now and felt as big as a house. She was sitting on the porch again, one of her favorite spots, staring up at the fluffy clouds as they sped by. As she watched, the clouds slowly grew greyer and plumper and started to move a little faster as the wind picked up. There was going to be a storm that evening, she could feel it. A small gust made Tenten shiver violently. She hadn't liked rainstorms for a long time now- it was too easy to think about bad topics while the wind rattled the walls and lightning flashed overhead. She was too alone with her thoughts in those times, especially at night.

As another, stronger gust blew, tugging at her sleeves and the buns in her hair, she stood up with a sigh and went indoors, just as the rain came sheeting down behind her. Since it was late afternoon now, it would probably rain like this all night, and maybe into the next day. She didn't look forward to trying to sleep tonight.

After the evening meal, Tenten retired to her room and stayed up for hours by the light of a lamp reading stories. She really didn't want to fall asleep, so she was determined that when she did, she would be tired enough that she wouldn't have any bad dreams. She lay in bed with her book held up in front of her and her elbows resting ever-so-lightly on her massive stomach. The baby would occasionally kick near one or the other of her elbows as if playing, but mostly it slept. Finally, feeling her eyes getting too heavy, Tenten set the book aside and put the lamp out, laying back and shutting her eyes.

Her precautions had been useless. Seemingly as soon as she had shut her eyes she found herself in a blank white space, standing on and surrounded by nothing but diffuse white light. How odd. But at least it wasn't so bad- it was just empty.

'There you are.'

At the sound of his voice, Tenten spun around in shock, stopping herself from taking a defensive stance. She couldn't help but smile a little. 'yes, I'm here,' she murmured, holding out her arms in invitation.

He accepted, pulling her into a momentary embrace. Then he held her at arm's length, looking at her belly with a fond smile. 'it won't be too long now, will it?' he asked, laying a hand gently on it and letting out a surprised laugh as the baby kicked.

'I wish you could be there for them,' Tenten said, tears welling in her eyes. 'I know why you did it, I understand, but it isn't fair how it all turned out!'

Neji gave a small, bittersweet smile and used his thumb to wipe away her tears before they could fall. 'what's done is done, and we can't change that now,' he told her gently. 'there's no use crying over things like this.'

'I-I will cry over whatever I very well please,' Tenten sniffled. 'you should be glad I don't punch you- you're solid enough right now.' Neji just gave a small huff of amusement, looking away for a moment so she wouldn't see how amusing he found the thought of her trying to hit him.

'would that make you happier?' he asked after a moment, letting her go and taking a step back, holding his arms out wide in invitation. 'go ahead- I won't stop you. I probably deserve it, don't I?'

Tenten's eyes widened in shock. He really means it, doesn't he? But before she could tell him that wasn't really what she wanted, that she was just angry with him for no fair reason, he suddenly shifted, clutching at his chest as if in pain. Wincing, he put two fingers in his mouth and drew them out again covered in crimson. A sudden, pained cough covered the rest of his palm in blood. There was terror in his silver-white eyes as he met Tenten's frightened gaze.

'Neji, what's happening?' she asked, catching hold of him as he stumbled, taking a step back. 'you're gone already- you can't die again! Don't do this to me!' she wailed.

Something in Neji's gaze suddenly softened, as if he realised what was happening. 'don't worry, Tenten. I'll see you soon, all right?' he said, voice going raspy and bubbly with blood, some of it leaking from the corner of his mouth as it had that day…Neji suddenly flew backwards into a point of blackness, clearly not under his own power but for some reason looking serene…

'NEJIIII!' Tenten's fearful scream rang out in the early hours of the morning as she sat bolt upright in bed, shaking with horror and fear. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed outside the screened window as she sat panting, staring seemingly through the wall across the room from her.

Within seconds the door to her room was slid quickly open and one of her volunteer bodyguards hurried in, kunai in hand and byakugan activated, though they quickly relaxed when they realised it was only Tenten having a bad dream. 'Tenten-Sama, are you all right?'

Tenten took a very deep breath to settle herself, then turned to the woman, nodding a little. 'yes, I'm fine. I'm sorry to wake you and frighten you.'

The woman put the kunai away and nodded in return. 'would you like to talk? I find that sometimes helps with bad dreams.'

Tenten sighed. 'no, thank you. I would rather just sleep if I can.' She knew she wouldn't, but her guard didn't need to know that, or to worry about her. I'll see you soon, all right? Neji had said before disappearing. I'll hold you to that.