A/N: Thank you so much for all the reviews/alerts/favorites! I try to respond to each one. Those that review anonymously - unfortunately I can only thank you here and hope that the chapter answers your questions! As promised, this chapter is longer than the last (doesn't take much) and I hope that it lives up to your expectations – I've gotten a lot of feedback about Neji; it seems as if most readers are actually favoring Sasuke at this point (how did I manage to make him likeable ???) Neji hasn't been a very nice person in this story, has he? I hope that this develops his character a bit more. Let me know what you thought! Reviews equal faster updates ^^ Happy reading and don't forget: REVIEW!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Chapter 13
Neji stared at the phone lying at his feet in disbelief. Maybe he was still drunk – or dreaming – because there was no way that the message he'd just listened to could be real. Slowly he bent down to pick up the small object and hesitantly hit the button to listen to the message again.
"Hyuuga … pick up your goddamn phone … or don't you care that your child will be raised an Uchiha?"
No, that was very definitely Sasuke's voice, and he was definitely talking about a child … Neji sank down onto the bed, his elbows on his knees, and his hands buried in his hair. Tenten's pregnant? That just couldn't be right. The images he'd been so unsuccessful at repressing flashed in front of his mind's eye again – Tenten writhing beneath him … the feel of her surrounding him – and Neji groaned. He'd never given protection any thought – he'd been far too lost in the way she felt and responded, but now he was, rather forcibly, reminded of his irresponsible actions.
He ran shaking hands through his hair, frantically trying to wrap his mind around the idea … but found that he just couldn't. He wasn't ready to be a father – had the suspicion that he'd be horrible at it anyway – but at the moment all he could really focus on was the fear. If he was feeling like this he could just imagine the state Tenten must be in and … Tenten. The image of Tenten with a child – his child – wouldn't fade, and Neji swore softly when the mental picture was ruined by the appearance of Sasuke in the scene – a happy little family.
Neji reached for his phone again, pressed the appropriate buttons for a return call, and firmly put all else from his mind. He was damned if he'd allow Sasuke to take what was his! The line connected, rang a couple of times, and went over to voicemail. Neji quickly glanced at the clock, and realized that it was the middle of the night for them. The tone beeped and Neji took a deep breath, "Stay away from Tenten."
Hours later Neji firmly took a hold of his frantic thoughts and emotions, before dialing his uncle's number. He hadn't been able to see any way past this – he was going to have to swallow his pride … the line connected and his uncle's voice barked "Hyuuga."
"I need your help," Neji admitted through gritted teeth. On the other end of the line Hiashi's tone changed to one of surprise, "Neji? What's going on? Don't tell me they arrested you for underage drinking again!"
"No," Neji cut in quickly, "this is really serious. And I need you to come and get me since I can't get to you without a passport."
Hiashi seemed to catch on to the seriousness of Neji's tone and his voice was low when he finally answered, "I'll be on the next plane."
The line disconnected, and Neji breathed a sigh of relief: stage one complete. He threw his phone onto the bedside table and began to gather up all of his scattered belongings – though he knew that it could take his uncle days to arrive he wanted to be ready, and there was no time like the present to start cleaning up his act.
The door flew open before Hiashi had a chance to knock, and Neji motioned his uncle into the now clean apartment. Since he'd received the phone call announcing his uncle's arrival at the airport he'd been on edge waiting for him to arrive.
Wordlessly his uncle sat down and accepted the cup of tea Neji proffered. After he'd taken a sip, he sat back and rubbed a hand over his eyes before he spoke, "Care to tell me why I've been travelling for the last few days, dropping everything else, when you don't seem to be on the verge of death or prison?"
"I have to come home," Neji sat down across from his uncle and stared him straight in the eye. Hiashi sat up again, looking irate, "Neji, we've had this conversation-"
"No, you don't understand," Neji cut in, "I have to come home because … because there's a good chance that I'm going to be a father." Against his will, his eyes dropped and his voice wavered at the last words, and he waited in the suddenly charged silence for his uncle to respond. Finally he couldn't take it anymore and raised his eyes to his uncle's again, his voice defensive, "I'm not lying – it's not a trick-"
"You are many things, Neji – and some of them may border on delinquency – but you're not a liar," his uncle's quiet tone and shell-shocked expression silenced him again, and wordlessly he waited for the rest. At last Hiashi sighed, "How could this have happened?"
"Um…" an uncharacteristic blush spread on Neji's cheeks and Hiashi sighed again before saying dryly, "That was a rhetorical question, not a request for a diagram." Neji could feel even more blood rushing to his cheeks, and he dropped his eyes again. He could hear his uncle shifting in his seat, could hear the liquid in the cup sloshing, and still he couldn't think of what to say. Suddenly, the main thing he felt was … shame.
"When you came to take me from that foster home they'd put me in after my father died … I was truly thankful, and I promised myself that I would make you and my father proud, but I've ruined that – before this even – and I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry. I'm not asking for handouts or anything else than just help in getting home – I swear I'll repay every penny as soon as I've gotten a job…" Neji's voice trailed off uncertainly – he'd never expected to feel this way again – had promised himself that his fate would never again rest in the hands of others.
Hiashi sighed, "Neji, don't be ridiculous – of course, I'm disappointed in you, not to mention angry at you, but I'm not going to disown you," he glared at his nephew until Neji dropped his eyes to the floor again, "How could you have been so irresponsible!" Hiashi stood and began to pace the length of the small apartment, "What do you want to do – if it is true? I assume you have considered the possibility that this girl, whoever she may be, could just be looking for a meal-ticket – you're sure you're the father?"
Neji nodded, "It's not like that – and, trust me, if it's true … if she is … pregnant," Neji took a deep breath – just saying the word filled him with terror, "I'm definitely responsible – I- I was … the first." Neji winced, but Hiashi had already reached for his cell phone. Neji eyed his uncle apprehensively but then fell back against the couch cushions in relief when it became apparent that Hiashi was ordering his assistants to arrange for another seat on the return flight.
Hiashi ended the call and turned back to Neji, his face grave, "For your sake, I hope you're wrong about this – and right now the important thing is establishing the truth of the matter – but, as soon as things are a bit more settled, you and I are going to have a serious talk."
Neji bit back the groan and nodded – grateful that his uncle was willing to help somewhat – and got to his feet. "I'll just get my stuff together." Then he fled before his uncle could ask anymore questions.
Tenten reached for her phone to switch it off – whoever kept calling just couldn't take the hint apparently. She squinted at the small screen, and nearly fell off her bed when she saw the name on the caller ID. Quickly she pressed the button but then her movements turned hesitant as she raised the phone to her ear and whispered an uncertain hello.
"Thank god!" Neji sighed when her voice finally came on the line, "Ten, look I can't really talk now, but I'm at the airport and on my way home, so I'll see you soon – we really need to talk." Tenten nodded, too shocked to be able to talk, before she remembered that he couldn't see her, and she cleared her throat before replying, "O-okay-"
Before she had a chance to say more Neji interrupted, "They're calling for me to board, I've got to go." And then he was gone. For a long time Tenten simply stared at the phone in her hand in complete disbelief, wondering if she'd dreamt the entire call, but eventually it sank in that Neji was coming back to her and for the first time since he'd left she could see the silver lining to the dark cloud.
Neji opened the door the moment Tenten knocked, and for a moment they simply stared at each other, both at a loss for what to say, but then Neji reached out and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against him, and it was as if the time apart simply melted away.
He drew her inside without letting go of her hand, and led her through to the living room. Tenten glanced around curiously, but Neji shook his head, "We're alone."
Tenten started and stared up at him in surprise, but Neji started pacing around the room a frown of concentration marring his features. She took a deep breath, "Neji, why-"
He stopped and held up a hand, "No, please, let me just get this out first." Tenten nodded, still mystified but for the moment she was content to just listen to his words, to watch him move.
Neji abruptly stopped his pacing and sat down on the edge of the coffee table in front of her, taking her hands, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for everything. For the way I treated you, for all the hurtful things I've said – and I don't blame you for thinking that I only used you whenever it suited me." He raised his eyes to hers, "I don't have any excuse for my behavior, and I won't insult you by pretending that I do. The truth is – I was so sure of my own greatness, I let my arrogance get the better of me, and then I was just jealous. I lashed out at you because I was hurt that you would choose Sasuke and I wanted to hurt you back. Again, I have no excuse."
He took another deep breath, "But most of all I'm sorry for my selfishness. The night we spent together … I-I took what I wanted with no thought for you – of how it would affect you, and I'm so sorry for that. I never meant to hurt you…"
Neji's voice trailed away as he searched for words and Tenten took the opportunity to interrupt, "Neji, you don't have to apologize – you didn't do anything that I didn't want you to," her voice was gentle but Neji still grimaced and shook his head.
"That doesn't make it right, Tenten. But I can't change that for you, no matter how much I wish I could, and I know you must hate me – I don't blame you for that," his hands tightened around hers and Tenten stared at Neji in confusion. His eyes were filled with resolve, and Tenten couldn't shake the feeling that there was clearly something she was missing.
"I want you to know that I will always be there for you. Whatever you want or need – it's yours. And I will understand if you don't want me to be a part of your life, but if you'll have me, I swear I'll spend the rest of my life making up for ruining yours." Neji took a shuddering breath, and Tenten quickly took the chance to interrupt again. "Neji, you haven't ruined my life-"
Before she got any further Neji started to speak again, "Tenten, I love you. More than anything. Please give me a chance to prove that to you. Though, god knows, my past behavior doesn't exactly give you any incentive to do that. But I've changed. I want to be better. For you," Neji sat up straight and looked her firmly in the eye, "I'm begging you, please let me be a part of this – let me be a part of your life," and not Uchiha, he added to himself but thought better of bringing that into the conversation just yet.
Tenten stared at her hands, confused beyond belief, but one thing she was sure of was that Neji was telling her that he loved her, that he was sorry, and that he wanted to change for her. She sighed, "Neji. You idiot. Did it escape your notice that I loved you even when you were at your worst? When you were proud, cold, insensitive and sarcastic? I love you the way you are – because I know you. I know that's not all there is to you – you don't give your love easily, or your trust, but when you do, you give completely, and forever, and that makes all the rest endurable," she grinned at him to show the last comment wasn't really serious, and was relieved when he smiled back slightly, hesitantly, but then he sobered again.
"Does that mean that you'll let me … that you want to be with me?" he asked seriously, and again, Tenten felt as if there was something she was missing. Slowly she nodded, "Yes, Neji. I want to be with you."
With a sigh of heartfelt relief Neji flopped down beside her, drew her into his arms and kissed the top of her head, "Thank you. For having faith in me. I don't know if I'll be any good at it, but I promise I'll try to be everything a husband and father should be…"
Tenten flew upright, struggled out of his arms, and turned to stare at him with wide eyes, "What?!" Neji stared back in confusion, but elaborated patiently, "We'll get married, of course, what did you think I would do? Just let you deal with being a single parent?"
She shook her head vigorously, "Neji – I … think I'm confused. You think I'm pregnant?" Neji looked as bewildered as she felt, "You're not?" he asked.
"No! I mean, I thought I was for a while there, because I was a bit late - but turned out it was a false alarm – and how did you know about that anyway? I never told anyone I was worried."
Neji sat forward, cupped her face in his hands, and said seriously, "I need to really hear you say it. You're not pregnant? Seriously not pregnant?" Tenten stared into his eyes before firmly replying, "Neji. I'm not pregnant."
He let go of her and fell back against the pillows, hands over his face, "Thank god." He dropped his hands and added hastily, "Not that I don't want you to be the mother of my children … but, someday, you know? Not right now – when I'm not in any position to take care of you." Suddenly his face split in a wide grin, and he buried a hand in her hair, pulling her closer, and kissed her passionately. Tenten pushed him away, shaking her head, "Wait. Wait. Does this mean that you still meant what you said before? About wanting to be with me?" she stared at him warily.
"I was talking about us the whole time, Ten," he answered gently, "With or without children, that's how I feel about you. And I know it took me a long time and a lot of mistakes before I reached that point, but I know what I want now and that will never change."
He reached for her again, and this time Tenten let him pull her closer, allowed his lips to move gently over hers, opened her mouth when his tongue stroked along the seam of her lips, and simply gave herself over to the kiss. He'd never kissed her this way before – softly, sweetly - a kiss that confirmed all that he'd said. He drew away and Tenten realized that she needed to breathe as she slowly opened her eyes.
Neji barely gave her a chance to catch her breath before he gathered her closer for another kiss, that melted into yet another and then another. Their breathing became harsh and Neji's hands were roaming all over her body, but Tenten found that wasn't nearly enough so she pressed closer to him, wishing she could just melt into him and then they would never have to be apart again…
Abruptly Neji pushed her back, got to his feet, and walked to the other side of the room, still panting slightly. He gave her a crooked grin when she stared after him in confusion, and adjusted his clothes back to their original position, "Until we've gotten some form of birth-control, I think maybe we should keep some distance between us."
Tenten laughed, "Good idea," she said ruefully, pushing a hand through her disheveled hair and straightened her clothes. When she looked up again, Neji was frowning, his arms crossed as he stared out the window. "What is it?" Tenten asked softly and he turned abstractedly before replying, "I was just thinking – Uchiha sounded like he knew for a fact that you were pregnant."
She gasped, "Sasuke told you? But how could he have? I didn't tell anyone except … Temari!" Neji glanced at her in surprise when the last word became nearly a shriek. She leapt to her feet and started pacing, "Neji, don't you see? We've been set up! Temari must've told Sasuke, if not all, then some of the details, and he told you. But why? Why would they do that?"
Neji's eyes narrowed as he contemplated her words, "Maybe it's time we paid our dear friends a little visit," he said in a low voice.
A/N: Is Neji a bit more likeable? I don't want him to change too much – he's still Neji and he still has that side to him, but I wanted to examine how, when it comes to Tenten, he's capable of being different – and a good, sharp shock was necessary to make him see the error of his ways ^^ I don't know if I really succeeded in that *frowns* the muse hasn't been kind with this chapter, but let me know what you thought anyway!