Melted Steel

by FenixPhoenix

When Tenten finds out about her past, she ends up traveling down a path of nightmares and mysteries. As she tumbles in the dark, will Neji be able to keep her from straying too far? ::Tenten x Neji:: ::slight one-sided Sauke x Tenten:: R&R please. Final chapter is up!

20. Melted Steel

Revised: 1/15/2015

Thanks to my awesome reviewers: Anthropomorphichybrid, Dokuritsu17, Steenta112, DarkAnonymous324, Sayori Hollyhood, Kenzinator, Nina, SwammyPenguinDinosaur and Just Lovely.

Author's notes: Apologies for the long wait. The final chapter is here ~Enjoy!

Typos pointed out by: anthropomorphichybrid and Just Lovely.

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"Each betrayal contains a perfect moment, a coin stamped heads or tails with salvation on the other side..."

~ Barbara Kingsolver ~

"Melted Steel"

By: FenixPhoenix (Giselle González)

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Chapter 20: "Melted Steel"

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Hyuga Neji exchanged a look with Tenten before he was taken away. He tried not to feel guilty about the distressed look on her face. Had he done the right thing? In trying to help her, had he doomed her to failure? He knew that fighting for her father's life had been heavy enough on her mind and now he'd added his own life to the equation. Yet, there was a part of him –one that was selfish and morbid—that was happy at her reaction because he'd seen her eyes fill with grief and fear and, maybe, even love…?

His escort halted. They were standing before the old, worn door that led to the compound's basement. He flinched when one of his guards pushed the door open and proceeded inside. Squaring his shoulders, he followed down the stairs, knowing full well who awaited them. Images of what had transpired the day before paraded through his mind. His instincts had gotten the best out of him and he'd touched Tenten intimately in front of her own father!

This is going to be fun, he thought sardonically, resenting his lack of control. The descent felt eternal. By the time they reached the basement, his heartbeat was throbbing in his temples. He tugged at the collar of his shirt, feeling oppressing warmth threatening to choke him.

The guard behind him pushed him forward, a silent order to keep moving. Resigned, he stepped into the darkness, reminding himself to breathe. When they reached the place where Ryuu was sitting, Neji was forced to his knees; his neck was soon encased into a bronze collar that had a leash made of thick chain. The end of it was hooked and locked to the wall, allowing him just enough reach to give perhaps five to six steps from the wall but no more.

The head of the guards stared at the other prisoner and, half-turning to one of his companions, he ordered, "Get the Rat down here with some water, a knife and a new set of clothes for the Dragon."

If Ryuu was surprised, he gave no indication. In fact, it was hard to read him given that the shadows were doing a magnificent job of veiling his features. Neji fought the temptation to use his byakugan and closed his eyes as if bored.

Sometime later, a wiry man of average height materialized from the shadows, awkwardly holding two buckets filled with steaming water and a large bag strapped to his left shoulder. The man struggled forward with an accentuated limp, trying not to spill too much water with little success.

Neji studied him with half-lidded eyes. He didn't know what to make of him. He didn't look very old and yet he carried himself like an old man, as though a heavy burden had made a hump out of his back. His long, brown hair was tied in a messy ponytail that hinted to being unwashed for more than a couple of days and there seemed to be permanent half-moons under his eyes. He wasn't clothed in rags but his entire appearance looked worn and faded. No matter how he looked at him, the picture he presented seemed wrong. Was he some kind of lowly servant? One that was often mistreated, perhaps? His mangled hands, his limp and the scar that went from temple to ear, were they not an indication of his rank –or lack thereof?

Beside him, Ryuu, who had yet to move a muscle, tensed when the stranger unpacked the things nearby. The guards did not detect his change; either that or they didn't care, their eyes trained on the newcomer.

"Make him presentable for tomorrow," the head guard ordered harshly, towering over the bent man. "And don't do anything funny, you hear? Or the next time we meet, might not be as pleasant as this."

The man called Rat lowered his head in either submission or acceptance, Neji was not sure, but said nothing. The guard pushed him roughly aside, making him tumble onto hands and knees as he passed him by. The rest of the guards followed, leaving in their wake palpable tension. It permeated the air, becoming heavier as the silence stretched.

Neji had never been one to dislike silence but this was different. He felt the ridiculous need to say something but didn't know what. He cursed his lack of skills at small talk, even when knowing that asking Ryuu how he'd been might be taken as mockery.

Rat, meanwhile, struggled to his feet, breaking the silence in the process. He limped towards his pack and procured a small stool from it. Slowly, with measured movements, he set it near Ryuu almost as if in offering. Rat's head lowered even more and Neji noticed that he was doing his best to avoid looking Ryuu directly in the eye.

Neji read fear in Rat; in the way he was trying to make himself as little as possible, as if afraid he would be attacked otherwise. It was ironic, given that Neji and Ryuu were both securely tied with no weapons at hand. But when Neji caught a flash of shame crossing Rat's face, he reconsidered his initial judgment. Neji suspected there was some kind of history between the two men. As curious as he was, he kept silent, knowing it wasn't his place to ask.

Stretching his muscles casually, Ryuu stood up. He was taller than he looked, a good five inches taller than Neji himself. Impassively, he began peeling his rags away in layers. Neji zeroed on the countless marks on his body left by one too many blades. The scars crisscrossed into obvious patterns through skin and muscles. He'd been in enough missions to be able to differentiate when a wound was made in battle and when it was not. Ryuu's body sported a sadistic testament of years of torture.

Neji met Ryuu's stoic gaze and blushed at having been caught. He hadn't meant to be rude. Belatedly did he realize that he should have given him privacy by looking away and mentally kicked himself for his lack of manners. This was not the start he'd been looking for…

"You were here with my daughter only yesterday and now you're here with me," Ryuu pointed out, sitting on the stool completely naked and not the least bit embarrassed.

Neji was at a loss as to what to say. He hadn't phrased it as a question, so he wasn't sure if an answer, even if obvious, was expected. Even so, he nodded his head but couldn't look back at those hazel eyes, afraid of what he might find there. Accusation? Anger? Neji's eyes trailed towards Rat, watching as he pulled a hard sponge out of one of the buckets. He noticed his hand trembling slightly as the sponge rubbed against the skin of Testua Ryuu, turning the spot a raw shade of pink.

"So tell me, Hyuga, what am I being prepped for?" For some reason Ryuu's business-like tone unnerved him. Neji had always prided himself in his ability to hide behind a mask, but Ryuu was just as much a master.

"They found out she's your daughter," Neji answered, thinking that if it were him, he would appreciate curt honesty more than beating around the bush.

Ryuu's shoulders hunched but beside that, there was no indication that the news affected him. "Tell me everything... from the beginning."

"It'll be a long story."

It startled him when Ryuu's lips parted into an amused smile, "I've got nowhere else to be for the time being. Do you?"

Neji shook his head but jutted his chin in Rat's direction. Ryuu's eyes moved to Rat, making the man squirm under his scrutiny, again not with fright but with overwhelming shame. Neji's curiosity doubled when he noted that Ryuu face displayed not disgust or anger but sympathy.

"It's alright, isn't it, kinsman?"

Neji's eyebrows rose. Had he heard correctly? Kinsman…? If that was true, then Tenten and her dad where not the only ones left! But if so, then who was this man? The Black Widow's journal had never spoken of a third Tetsua being alive. Yet much as he wanted to know, Neji kept the question to himself. In time, perhaps, he would learn more, but this was not his time to get answers.

It was as if the question had broken a dam. A strange sob ripped out of Rat's throat and tears followed soon after. Rat wept; muffled sobs shaking his frame. Ryuu did not extend a hand in comfort, but when he took the sponge from Rat's limp hands, he did so tenderly. Slowly, he started cleaning himself while Rat lay on his knees, with his head on the floor, crying as silently as he could.

It was hard to ignore how shocking the event was, but Neji forced himself to do it when Ryuu spoke, "So tell me, Hyuga-"

"Neji."

Ryuu amended, "Neji, why did my daughter come back and why are you sharing a prison cell with me?"

Neji resigned himself to a long and complex explanation. He began his tale with the mission Tsunade had given them before Tenten had discovered who she really was. To his credit, Ryuu did not hurry him or interrupt. It was awkward to talk while he bathed, but Neji kept his eyes on the ground and trusted that if any question aroused, Ryuu would simply ask them.

Eventually, he finished bathing and Rat, now composed, began to help him dress so that Neji was able to look him in the face when he reached the part of finding the Black Widow's journal. He continued speaking, explaining how Tenten had gone to Sasuke to help with her memories, while Rat took out a shaving knife from his pack.

The man seemed to struggle for a second, barely able to hold the knife in his twisted fingers. Neji tensed a little when he approached Ryuu, but the man sat on the dried stool and tilted his head back, allowing his kinsman to slowly –so very slowly cut and shave his long beard.

By the time Neji finished, Ryuu had been thoroughly groomed. He was wearing a kimono of fine dark silk with a dragon embroidered on the back in golden thread. His hair was washed and Rat had cut it into a Mohawk with a long, thin ponytail coming out his nape and reaching down his back. Cleaned and dressed as he was, Ryuu looked even more formidable than before and Neji couldn't help but compare him to Tenten. He was her father, alright, the similarities were striking!

"You have not asked me anything," Neji pointed out, more for the sake of breaking the silence than anything else. Tenten would laugh if she ever found out that he thirsted for conversation with her father. Or was it that he was hoping for acceptance?

Ryuu adjusted the belt of the kimono before sitting down on his original spot. Thanks to their proximity, Neji noticed the strained lines on his face. Though he hadn't said anything, the news Neji had given him had affected him.

"I did not mean to imply disinterest by my silence. I've become unused to voicing my thoughts as of late. You have to understand, I don't get that many visitors and the ones I did get…," his lips quirked into a bitter smile, "well, they were merely figments of my imaginations and would hardly sustain a rational conversation with me." Neji didn't know what to say to that. To his relief, Ryuu continued, "You care for my daughter?"

"I do."

A pause followed by the dreaded question, "Are you her… partner?"

Neji fought the unusual need to squirm. He wondered if Ryuu was thinking about the way he'd kissed his daughter the day before. His tongue darted out to lick dry lips. He wasn't sure what he and Tenten were, but he knew what he wanted them to be. So he settled for disclosing that rather than stammer something that might be a lie.

"I am her friend but, I won't lie to you, sir," he turned to look at the man beside him. If he couldn't tell him, then how would he ever tell Tenten? "I want to be more than that. I love your daughter. I love her so much, I didn't hesitate to put my life on the line for the possibility of providing her a happy ending."

Ryuu didn't say anything for a while. Neji didn't know whether to be relieved or disappointed. Truth was, even if this man had been a stranger a month ago, he wasn't anymore. He was Tenten's father. If everything went according to plan, he would be part of her life and, eventually, if Tenten allowed it, his as well. As absurd as it sounded, Neji wanted –no, he craved his approval just as much as he wished for his blessing.

"If you love her as much as you claim, then why did you allow this? Why did you not stop her from coming back?" It was an accusation more than a question. Neji regarded the harshness of Ryuu's tone for what it meant; it was his last defense against the fear of losing his daughter. In the corner, near the shadows, Rat gave a small whine, as though he too was to blame for the decision.

Neji mulled over how to phrase his answer. He'd asked himself this same question over and over. Only the night before, he'd lain in bed with Tenten, coming up with the what-ifs. What if he had stopped her from coming back? What if he'd asked Tsunade to put her under ANBU surveillance? But he also knew that if he'd done things differently, he might have lost her.

"In her journal, your wife often said Tenten took after you, sir," Neji started, glad that his voice was calm and composed. "So I think you might not find it strange that there were only two options for me. One was to try and stop her. But if I'd done that, Tenten would have found a way to slip past me and would have tried to rescue you on her own. That is who she is… Once her mind is set, there's not changing it." Neji saw a small, sad smile grace Ryuu's face. "So I chose the only other option available. I chose to trust her and follow her and do everything in my power to make sure she succeeded in her enterprise."

"And yet she may die," Ryuu pointed out, bitterness heavy in his tone. "And you have left her side."

Neji shook his head. "She won't. She's…," he struggled for words, but his frustration was rising quickly, veiling his mind. Never in his life had he felt so tongue-tied, "She…she won't fail." What happened? Why had his conviction deserted him all of a sudden? Where had it gone? "She has to make it." Had he really failed her?

A hand on his shoulder stopped his wayward thoughts. Neji's throat closed up, his words dying unspoken. He looked back at the solemn man beside him, expecting to see anger. He was surprised when he found understanding instead. There was more power in Ryuu that met the eye and Neji felt strangely reassured. Ivory met hazel and there was an immediate bond born from an unvoiced promise.

"If the time comes, Hyuga Neji, we'll make sure no harm comes to her, won't we?" he said.

"Yes," the word came out of his lips as if in a trance. He was glad of the conviction behind it. He knew Ryuu had stored chakra in his body, enough to maybe help Tenten out if needed be.

Ryuu's attention switched to the figure who'd stepped out of the shadows and was now kneeling, forehead pressed to the dirty ground not in shame, but in respect.

"And you, kinsman…cousin, won't you help us fix this wrong?" he asked, with equal hints of steel and gentleness lacing his tone.

Rat straightened and looked Ryuu in the eye for the first time, hazel eyes shining with unshed tears. Determination was written in his face and he nodded once, not saying a word. Neji couldn't help looking down at the man's hands. His fingers were a mess, as though they'd been broken and had healed wrong. Neji had witnessed him barely able to hold the knife that had shaved Ryuu, which did nothing to reassure him. He didn't know how helpful the man could be in a fight, but he also knew that it was not his place to question Ryuu or to turn away help.

"Then go now, before they wonder why prepping me has taken you so long," Ryuu advised and Rat gained his feet, grabbed his stuff and limped his way into the darkness and up the stairs.

"He's a silent one, isn't he?" Neji pointed out, his natural distrust wondering at the reason for not verbally committing to the vow.

Ryuu shook his head, "It's only natural to be silent when your ability to talk has been taken away." Neji turned to him with a frown, not quite understanding. "His tongue was ripped out."

Neji's eyebrows rose all the way to his hairline and he suppress a shudder at the mental image. "Why?"

"For betraying his Clan."

Neji looked back at the shadows, suddenly appalled as realization drew in. 'We were betrayed' he recalled the line scribbled with anger in the Black Widow's journal. "That man…?"

Ryuu nodded, almost as if he'd heard his thoughts. "He was the one who told the Oschiros of our plan to leave the village."

Neji tried to make sense of that piece of information. If Rat was the one who'd betrayed the Tetsuas, then was his task to make Ryuu presentable an insult to both men? If the Oschiros had meant it that way, then they would be gravely disappointed. Not once had Ryuu shown anger towards Rat or even looked at him with disgust. Quite the contrary, he had confided in him and spoken to him civilly. What's more, he'd even called him kinsman! How could this man be so forgiving?

Ryuu must have read this on Neji's face because he smiled sadly and said, "Nothing is what it seems. In life, when is anything just black or white?"

Neji frowned at the cryptic words but said nothing more. What could he say?

"Will you tell me about her?" Ryu asked, smoothly changing the subject.

Neji could deny the man nothing, especially not this. He spoke promptly, recalling each and every memory that he'd shared with Tenten. He was surprised to find that no matter how much time had passed, his memories were vivid in their detail. The more Neji talked the less he wanted to stop. He'd never talked to anyone about Tenten like this. The sensation of opening a box inside his heart and letting the contents out to take a breath was refreshing. The more he shared the more he understood how much Tenten had changed his life and how much she'd come to mean to him.

But the knowledge was bittersweet. It not only confirmed his love and devotion for her, but it also reaffirmed his growing fear that he may lose her on the morrow. He fisted his hands when they began to tremble. It was embarrassing and yet he couldn't leash his emotions, let alone hide them! And in that moment of great need and vulnerability, he found solace in an unlikely place with an unlikely man.

Ryuu placed a hand on his shoulder, fingers squeezing and, before he knew it, before he could stop it, Neji did something he had never done in front of anyone. Hyuga Neji cried.

-o0o-

Tetsua Tenten took a deep breath, sat on the floor, folded her legs and closed her eyes. She couldn't freak out. She had to keep calm. Neji had often preached that meditation was a way to clear the mind and Tenten hoped he hadn't been lying. Because she needed this. She needed to believe that she could forget what happened, if only to keep sane.

Tenten focused on the image of a meditating Hyuga and set about copying his pose. Neji had the tendency to mediate for at least an hour before and after every training session and mission. He'd more than once tried to coax Tenten into doing the same, but she was stupid. And being a stupid person she did stupid things. Like ignoring his efforts and blaming it on her lack of patience, which she'd argued was so ingrained in her veins that she could not learn it even if she tried.

But could anyone blame her disinterest? She found it extremely hard to stay still and do what looked like nothing! So while Neji had meditated, she'd always entertained herself by polishing her blades or taking inventory of her weapons. Not once had it occurred to her that one day Neji would not be there and she would have a wish to share his hobby.

Tenten wished she'd listened more attentively to Neji's explanations. She'd always assumed that all you had to do was sit and not think of anything. Yet, that was much easier said than done. How was she supposed to toss everything out of her mind to begin with? How was she expected to keep calm when the lives of the two most important people in the world were on the line? How was she supposed to find that place of calm and soothing nothingness when so many emotions and thoughts kept racing through her head, making her dizzy?

Reluctantly, Tenten desisted in her attempt to ignore the mess she had unintentionally gotten Neji into. She sat there for a while, feeling forsaken by kami-sama, destiny or whatever the force toying with her went by these days. She pulled her mother's repaired sword out of the scroll she'd tucked it in, desperately hoping that it would provide some comfort. Small as the possibility might be, it beat doing nothing. So she pulled her cleaning kit from her bag and automatically began to polish the steel. She relied on pure muscle memory. She didn't have to think about it, she just did it. As the cloth moved up and down the blade, Tenten momentarily forgot her fear and anger.

Her eyes soften as they took in the glint of cold steel. The more she touched the blade, the calmer she felt. Eventually, she heard the hum of the steel singing its appreciation. Tenten could still detect the anger in the sword, but there was also a sense of peace blossoming in its core. It was as if the imprint left by her mother knew that Tenten hadn't broken her promise, that she'd come back and had prepared everything for a chance at justice.

She didn't know how long she kept caressing the blade. Time seemed superfluous. It was a weird sensation, like leaving your body behind and floating in peaceful nothingness. She was starting to slip deeper into that comforting peace, when there was a knock on the door. Tenten cursed when the illusion she'd constructed broke, allowing stress to claw its way back into the back of her neck. She was about to deny entrance to the intruder, when the door slid open to admit Rock Lee. His expression was one of worry and it was that which gave Tenten pause. Though he tried to hide it, Tenten could still make out how tightly he was clenching his jaw and how he kept flexing his fingers, as though they were itching to hit something or someone. A wave of guilt slapped her. How egocentric of her to think that she was the only one affected by the unexpected turn of events.

"You should try to get some sleep," he advised, his tone lacking his usual exuberance.

With a sigh, she placed the blade back inside its scroll and reclined her head on the wall. "Even if I try, I don't think I'll be able to."

Lee answered with a sigh of his own and went to sit by her. "I know. I just thought it was worth a try."

Tenten nodded, grateful to be spared unnecessary discussion about the subject which had sullen them both. The moment of silence they were sharing seemed fitting and she wasn't ready to break it anytime soon. That did not mean, however, that she resented having the company of the man sitting by her side.

She turned to Lee with a smile when he grabbed her hand and squeezed. She hadn't noticed that she'd placed it in the space between them, almost as if in offering. Perhaps she'd done it unconsciously, because she knew that she'd needed this. Tenten squeezed back and, moving closer to him, rested her head on the shoulder of the man that was like a little brother to her. He had always supported her, pushing her to excel, never believing that there were limits to what she could accomplish. She wished he could make her believe that again, right now.

"I can picture it now," he said after a while.

"What's that?" she asked, closing her eyes and concentrating on his soft voice. It was calm and soothing, like a gentle river.

"Gai-sensei, us three and your father sitting in your little garden, eating a delicious meal and rising our cups to more moments filled with magic rainbows."

Tenten chuckled at his words and the peaceful image they painted. It was weird… but she could picture it too.

"Gai-sensei and I will get your father back in top shape in no time, Tenten. Then, he'll teach you all the youthful techniques that you have always wanted to know. I can picture it, you know?" He met her eyes, certainty clear in their dark depths, "I can picture your happy ending."

Unbidden and inevitable, tears streamed down her cheeks. Lee placed his arms around her and hugged her tightly, cradling her to his chest. Despite all the secrets she'd kept from him, Lee still trusted her, cared for her and loved her in his own awkward way.

"You'll make it, Tenten. I believe in you."

Never had Tenten disappointed Lee and she hoped, with all her heart, that she would not start now. At some point, without realizing, she slipped into a dreamless slumber. She didn't know how long she was out, but when she woke, she felt her muscles sore and tense. It took her a moment to orient herself. She was surprised to find that despite her tumultuous feelings the day before, she'd actually fallen asleep in Lee's arms.

"See, it was worth a try, wasn't it?" Lee flashed a lazy smile, rubbing the back of his neck.

Tenten smiled, stretching her limbs and arching her back until it cracked. "Should have chosen the bed, I feel like I've been mowed by a pack of bulls."

Lee shook his head, stretching his body as well, "Not even close. I've done that during a mission and it was not as fun as you'd think."

Tenten chuckled, relieved that they could both joke around today of all days. She took a moment to groom herself, making a mental inventory of all the weapons she'd brought, separating the ones that she would use from the ones that would encumber her.

A knock on the door pulled her out of her thoughts. "Come in," she said, giving herself a last apprising look before focusing on her visitors.

The door opened to reveal Sasuke, Akamaru and Naruto, the latter holding a tray filled with food. They stepped inside, both more solemn than usual and even Akamaru's trot lacked its bound.

"Oshiro Shin came by to provide the time and place where the duel is to take place," Sasuke informed. Tenten crouched down to give Akamaru a scratch behind the ears.

"Where?" she asked, not meeting their gazes, preparing herself to take the news in stride.

Sasuke crossed his arms and deadpanned, "The Tetsua graveyard at noon."

Tenten smiled sardonically. She should have known! In the information Tsunade had provided, emphasis had been made in Nobu's profile about his usage of any psychological advantage he could exploit to reach his goal. Somewhere inside, Tenten had known there was no place more fitting for this battle.

"Good. It'll be my tribute to the ghosts of my people. I'll have my kinsmen witness my justice from a front row seat," she decided, her hands closing into fists, adrenaline already pumping through her veins.

A pause followed. Tenten rubbed the back of her neck, wishing they could do a better job to hide their distress. She was about throw a witty remark, when Naruto spoke.

"Breakfast anyone?" he offered, placing the tray atop the nearby table in emphasis.

Tenten was grateful for the shift in attention but declined with a, "I'm not hungry." She placed a hand on her stomach, wishing it didn't feel as knotted as it was. It should have been obvious that nervousness would pay her a visit sooner or later.

Lee's warm hand settled on her shoulder, "You should give it a try, Tenten." He moved towards the table and tilted his head wonderingly. His eyes moved through the food, searching for something specific. He turned, "Think fast!"

Tenten caught the object and smiled as she looked down at a red, fresh-looking apple.

"Your favorite!" Lee cheered. "See! This youthful day has started in our favor!"

Tenten took a big bite out of the apple, idly appraising the taste. It tasted nostalgic, as if it had come directly from the home she'd lost. "Might as well dig in," she concluded, grabbing a piece of soft bread and feeding it to Akamaru.

As they broke their fast, Tenten made it a point to move around the room, exchanging banal musings with each member of her team. She grabbed Lee's hand, patted Naruto's back, scratched Akamaru's head and squeezed Sasuke's shoulder, hoping that the action would let them know how much she appreciated all their patience and their trust.

When she finished eating, though, she decided to voice some of her feelings. "Guys, whatever happens, I am honored to have had you with me."

"Don't speak like that," Lee chided sternly. He tried to add a smile, but it was weak and seemed on the verge of dissolving into a grimace.

"Lee…" she sighed. She knew that more than the words, it was the finality with which she'd spoken that had elicited his reaction. She wanted to fake confidence, but she'd lied enough already and she didn't think she could do it today even if she tried.

Naruto cleared his throat. "Well, I think that after we get back to Konoha, you'll owe us a reward," he said with a mischievous smile.

Tenten quirked an eyebrow, both interested and amused. The rest of her team focused on him, none sure of what he was planning.

Naruto made it a point to frown hard as if he was thinking of a suitable reward. He scratched his chin thoughtfully and, after a moment, punched his opened palm, "Pancakes!"

"Pancakes…?" Tenten was officially confused.

Lee smiled, already in tune with Naruto, "Youthful pancakes! What an excellent choice!"

Even the brooding Uchiha agreed, "Indeed, I've heard much about them but I've never actually tried them."

Tenten laughed, feeling a little less tense, "An odd choice, but pancakes it shall be!"

They talked about it for a bit more. Naruto and Lee kept tossing suggestions at her of what the pancakes should look like, what they should taste like, how many should be given to each. Akamaru waggled his tail and barked whenever he agreed with someone, growling when something wasn't to his taste.

A knock on the door rendered them silent. In contrast with the ones before, this was timid, barely audible and Tenten knew exactly to whom it belonged. She stopped Naruto and went to answer. Sure enough, Reina was outside.

"Has the time been changed?" Tenten asked, unsure as to what would have brought her here without the presence of at least her brother.

Reina's hands fisted on her dress, "N-no. I…," she let go of a breath she'd been holding and finally met Tenten's gaze. "Would you come with me for a bit?"

An image of a much younger Reina flashed through her mind. She had always been frail, beautiful and painfully honest. Tenten felt ashamed that she would conceal herself from this girl while Reina wore her emotions on her sleeve. The idea that this might be some kind of trap didn't even cross her mind. Reina was not the kind of person to play dirty and, even if Tenten had changed in the years they'd spent apart, she had the feeling that Reina hadn't.

"Alright," Tenten accepted, moving back into the room to procure her coat and the scroll with her mother's sword.

"Do you want us to follow at a distance?" Sasuke asked in a whisper as she was passing him by. She nodded, thankful that he had thought of it. Right now she was making an emotional decision. She wanted to believe that Reina was still that little girl that used to follow her around, clinging to her shirt whenever something scared her –which was almost everything back in the day. Yet, Tenten had changed and it was ridiculous not to expect that she might have as well.

So Tenten fell into step beside Reina and noticed -with a glance thrown casually over her shoulder- that a nurse and two guards were close by. Like with her team, they followed at a reasonable distance, ensuring their conversation would stay private. Tenten decided to ignore them for now but kept her guard up.

They walked in awkward silence down the hall and past rooms filled with people. Tenten noticed how conversations seemed to hush whenever she walked by, but was glad that nobody offered insult or tried to attack. Eventually, they came out through a door Tenten had not seen the day she'd toured the place. She blinked as she took in what laid at the back of the compound. She was standing in a beautiful, well-cared for garden. Beyond that, atop a small hill, was a grand tree that somehow seemed the most majestic piece of all.

Reina breached the silence, "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Tenten nodded, not sure what to say or were to even begin a conversation. Too many things had changed…

"It's my father's personal garden," Reina continued unfazed. She smiled, this time sadly and added, "We can't be how we used to be, huh?"

Tenten shook her head, her heart heavy, "We aren't the people we used to be."

Reina swallowed and her voice trembled, "I know but..."

Tenten felt truly uncomfortable for the first time. Oh, Reina, so open in your emotions. Did your father teach you nothing about hiding behind masks? How have you made it all this time? Yet, despite her thoughts, Tenten knew that Ryota and Shintaro would have her remain like this, innocent and beautiful and not touched by the dirt of politics and power play.

"I'm sorry, Tenny," she whispered, tears welling at the corners of her eyes. "I wasn't feeling well the week before the attack. My father and Shintaro left the village to get me to a doctor in the Capital. We didn't hear about my uncle's orders until it was too late. By the time we were back… I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!"

Tenten wanted to hug her but there was a barrier between them. A barrier that their feud had erected and it seemed unbreakable. "It wasn't your fault," Tenten was glad that she herself believed the words. If there was anyone to blame it was Nobu and Tetsua Kioji, the man who'd betrayed them.

Reina brushed her tears away furiously, her cheeks and nose a shade of red that contrasted sharply with her pale, white skin. Tenten wondered if it was a good idea for her to be standing below the harsh sun knowing how frail she was.

"Come, Reina," she said, offering her an arm to hold on to. She was already swaying and Tenten was afraid she would pass out. The last she needed would be an upset Ryota blaming her for his daughter's health if something were to happen to her.

Reina didn't even hesitate to grab the arm offered and Tenten's guilt intensified. If it was up to Reina, she knew that they would be friends. But for Tenten it just seemed impossible, absurd even because of the way their lives had diverged. Completely at ease, Reina leaned on Tenten as they moved up the small hill towards the grand tree on its crown. Tenten was surprised at how light she was. If she wanted, she knew that she could break that one arm without much effort and almost laughed at the irony of having one so weak be second heir to a Clan that boasted strength above all.

Tenten could almost hear the barrier cracking. A part of her was quick to defend the girl's frailty against the accusations thrown about by the Black Widow. This girl had been like a little sister to her and Tenten could guarantee that, even if they never saw each other again, nobody would be able to take her place in Tenten's heart.

She stopped abruptly when they reached the oak tree. It towered over them, tall and majestic, shedding brown leaves like rain with every whip from the wind. Something in its trunk caught her eye and she zeroed in on that detail that was so out of place. Her jaw hung open, her eyes widened, her skin prickled and the next inhale she took came sharply. The mask she'd forged and fought to maintained throughout the last couple of days, slipped off her face completely and cracked on the floor. Her heart hammered inside a chest that seemed to contract, ribs tightening around her organs painfully. The next breaths came labored, as if her lungs could no longer hold air.

Reina's looped arm slipped from hers slowly and she gave a tiny step away. Whatever she saw on Tenten's face had her eyes shimmering with tears. "This is what I wanted to show you," she whispered, pointing at the wooden, colorless face carved on the trunk of the oak.

Tenten knew that this face was not real, yet the carving was exquisite! If she was ignorant, she would have believed that it was really her, encased in the tree, peacefully slumbering for the day. It pained Tenten to know that if she touched that face, if she called her name… the eyes wouldn't open, the mouth wouldn't talk and her hopes would be shattered…

"Tenny," Reina's voice was tender and it shook with emotions. "Despite the amount of trouble it got him, my father would not have her body disrespected. When we came back, she was lying on the ground, a group of my kinsmen dead around her. He ordered everyone away and knelt before her, holding her hand and asking her forgiveness until she gave her last breath."

Tenten's strength deserted and she fell to her knees with her hands covering her mouth, trying to fight the tears and muffle the sobs lodged on her throat. She was trembling and she didn't know how to defend against the onslaught of emotions. How could she? Before her laid not a simple tree, but a grave that was a carefully crafted altar that breathed life into a special part of her past. This woman… she'd been so important to Tenten! This woman… she'd promised to always be with her, yet here stood Tenten, alone and deserted.

"My father loved her as his own mother, and for me she was a grandmamma too… I'm sorry, Tenten…" Reina hovered for a while longer. Tenten could tell she was struggling not to extend her arms in comfort. But Tenten made no move to acknowledge her and, after a while, she left without word.

Glad to have no audience to witness her pain, Tenten moved on hands and knees towards that tree and hugged its wide trunk. She clung to it and cried against it and whispered all the things she would have said to the woman if she'd been there. And when at last she managed to look at the carved face straight, she pretended that those lips were smiling and that those closed eyes had softened. She pretended that it had nothing to do with the play of the light as it was filtered through the dying, falling leaves. She pretended that the whoosh of the wind was Mama Bear telling her 'I love you'. She pretended that her grandmamma was watching and that, without a doubt, she was proud.

-o0o-

Hyuga Neji rubbed at his eyes when the guards led them out the compound. The basement had been so dark that the harsh sunlight made his eyes sting and fill with tears. He found Ryuu equally uncomfortable, the white of his eyes tainted red, giving testament to many sleepless nights.

"Keep moving," one of the guards barked, pushing Neji forward insistently.

Neji sighed and marched down the street with their escort of six. Oblivious civilians poked their heads out windows and doors, curiosity evident in quirked brows. Bolder people moved to stand on either side of the dirt road, careful not to stand in their way, yet lingering close enough for Neji to see the excitement on their faces. He wanted to glare daggers at them, but Ryuu caught his eye and his intention and chastised him with a shake of the head.

Neji clenched his jaw and kept his eyes on the back of the guard walking in front of him to lessen –he doubted it could be removed- the temptation to kill someone. They found the doors of the graveyard wide open when they arrived and Neji was grateful to be away from the unwelcomed audience.

Ryuu must have visited the mock compound before because he continued on without losing a stride. They moved slowly through the erected crosses and Neji felt the shackles on his wrists and neck tightening their hold. He knew it was a trick of the mind, but couldn't help pulling at the chains, hoping that this time they would break. A guard gave him a warning look and Neji desisted. The chains were too thick to break with just one pull. He wondered if they thought him strong enough to destroy iron with his bare hands and was tempted to flash them a cocky grin and try again.

Before he could do that, however, Ryuu halted and, in reaction, the guards did as well. Neji saw them exchange looks and realized, for the first time, that the guards were either uncomfortable or unwilling to pull, push or order Ryuu around as they did Neji. Even after all this time being their prisoner, Ryuu still commanded their awe, respect and maybe even their fear. Neji turned to see what had given Ryuu pause. In the middle of the clearing where the silver statue of Tenten's uncle was, a bowl-shaped cage made of thick iron had been raised. There were two doors, partially open, that led inside. Everything else, however, was shut tight in a grill fashion. Neji clenched his fists, fear gnawing at him because he understood that soon, Tenten would be caged inside with a giant of a man.

Ryuu shook himself out of wherever his mind had taken him, he squared his shoulders and resumed walking. Relief washed some of the guards' tension and Neji wondered if Ryuu had taken note of the power he held over them. Could they use this in their favor?

The guards led them up some stairs they'd fabricated out of wood. The steps were wide and steep and Neji knew they were the best they could do to provide seating for the crowd. The guards stopped one step short of the last and made them kneel, hooking their chains to the steps. Unable to stop himself, Neji gave the chain another pull once the guards left.

"Calm down," Ryuu advised, inspecting their surroundings.

Neji grunted but settled down, "I don't like this."

"Nor do I," Ryuu admitted. He jutted his jaw in the direction of the guards that were relaxing nearby. "Let's not give them any reason to have their eyes on us. If we don't look like we'll give them trouble, the fight will distract them and it'll be easier to catch them off guard."

"You have a way to get these off, then?" Neji raised his bound wrists in emphasis. Kami, once they left this place, he would never want to lay eyes on chains or anything made of iron! The metal heated like crazy and already his skin was getting irritated.

Ryuu said nothing but didn't seem awfully concerned. With no other option, Neji resigned himself to trust him and wait things out.

-o0o-

Tetsua Tenten lost track of time. She would've stayed there, leaning against Mama Bear's grave for a while longer if Lee hadn't come. He cleared his throat, eyeing her worriedly. Had he seen her breaking from a distance? Had he struggled to leave her alone with her pain? Would she have done the same if their places had been reversed?

"Are you alright?"

"Yes," she lied, "Is it time?"

Lee nodded and seemed like he wanted to say something else, but Tenten shook her head, stood up and hugged him.

"Whatever it is, tell me when I emerge victorious," she told him, adding a smile more for his sake than hers. "No matter what, I'll be the one planting a blade in his heart, Lee. I promise."

"Yosh!" Lee gave her thumbs-up and a strained smile. It broke her heart. "You go kick some un-youthful ass!"

Tenten nodded and patted him on the back as she passed him by. She made her way downhill. Naruto and Sasuke were waiting by the door that led out of the compound. Akamaru wasn't there. Tenten assumed that they'd sent him back to Shikamaru to relay the latest. She hoped that they weren't planning anything that might put them at risk. She didn't want to cause more unnecessary death.

"Whatever happens, do not interfere, you guys understand?" She told them sternly, waiting for them to nod their confirmation. They did so rather sullenly.

Tenten made her way out the compound and down the street towards the graveyard. She ignored the people lining the streets and concentrated on keeping her breathing steady. At some point, she felt the prickling sensation of eyes digging into the side of her face and turned to find a face standing out from the crowd. She frowned but continued onwards without stopping and as she passed him by, his face stayed in her mind, vivid and strongly familiar. She shook the odd sensation off, reminding herself to keep it together.

When they arrived at the designated field, her eyes swept the gathered crowd, searching for the two people whose life rested on her hands. She found them sitting close to Ryota, Reina and Shintaro. Tenten squinted when Neji moved and something in his neck shimmered, reflecting the sunlight. Shackles! They had shackled them both! Tenten felt anger swelling in her breast, making her hands fist. She wanted to cut the metal in half and force it down Nobu's throat.

Rather than ignore it, she embraced her anger, but was careful to keep it under control. Hot anger would get her killed, but cool anger… that she could work with. She took a deep breath and knelt on the ground. She grabbed the scroll that had been tied to the small of her back and unrolled it, displaying the inky words inside. She bit her thumb hard enough to draw blood and smeared it across the paper. Smoke began to rise, as if the scroll had caught on fire, and from within it, Tenten pulled out her mother's sword. She stood up and moved the sword in a side-way arc, waking its ghost up.

"This way, Tetsua Tenten," a man said, bowing to her, his expression neutral. He directed her towards the side of the dome, where a gate laid open in invitation. Tenten pulled her coat off and handed it to Lee before turning around to face the music. She stepped in and noticed, for the first time, that the statue of her uncle was inside. They'd been either unable to move it or unwilling. Whatever the cause, Tenten wouldn't complain. Having him there made her feel safer and she wasn't about to spur any advantage.

She saw Nobu walking towards the door at the opposite end. He had to slip in sideways, his frame too big to fit through. The sound of the gates simultaneously closing and locking behind them doubled Tenten's nervousness. Nobu seemed to have grown in size and muscle as soon as he'd stepped inside. It was a ridiculous notion, but she couldn't shake it off.

I've grown too, she told herself, tightening her hold on the sword. The man started moving sideways, and she did the same, following his slower pace. Round and round they went, studying each other, taunting each other and waiting to see who would open the battle. I'm not a victim, I'm an avenger! He's not the serpent of my dreams anymore! He's a monster, but he's mortal! He'll bleed just like me… he'll die just like them! She remembered the crosses with bones hanging from their rotten wood. The image extinguished most of her fear, enough to suppress the urge to run away.

"I'm gonna enjoy this." The leer on his grin made the sword in her hand scream.

"We'll see about that," she said drily, brandishing her sword, allowing the steel to feel the chakra of her enemy. The sword was itching to lash out, but Tenten was careful to keep its bloodthirst at bay. Nobu was bigger and definitely stronger. Tenten had to be smart about her attacks. Her best choice would be to fight guerrilla style; close-in, attack and move back, using her superior speed to keep out of range of his weapon.

Nobu's hand hovered above his whip and Tenten held her breath. Her strategy would not work if he used it. For some reason, Nobu changed his mind and unhooked the axe that had been hanging from his belt instead. Tenten was careful to keep the relief from showing in her face.

He slashed the air a couple of times threateningly. "You can't imagine how long I've waited. I've hoped and craved for the day when I would be able to properly thank you for this," he stroked the scar that had disfigured his face.

Tenten matched the sadism of his smile, "Don't thank me just yet. That work of art is only half-done." Anger flashed in his eyes, widening her smile, "But I promise you this, when I'm done with you, you'll be truly unrecognizable."

That did it. Nobu charged at her like a bull. Tenten barely managed to parry and move to the side. The partial clash of steel against steel left her arm shaking and palms tingling. Her heart raced, pumping adrenaline into her veins, fueling the next couple of moves as she tried to waltz the giant. Tenten's prediction turned out to be dead-on when she tried to duel him properly only to hit the grill of the dome with a grunt when he swatted her like a fly. She pushed herself off of the wall and put some distance between them, a second before Nobu's axe could split open her skull. Damn! There was no way in hell she could fight him like this; not if she wanted to keep her limbs intact.

She fell into a sword stance she'd learnt from her mom; feet separated, knees bent, back straight, torso at a forty degree angle with her sword high, pointing at him, blade maintained just about eye-level. She measured the distance and waited for Nobu to come at her. He did so at a slower pace, allowing her enough time to study his pose, searching for weaknesses. Before she could be in reach of his weapon, she slipped into action. She moved towards him at top speed, zigzagging to keep him disoriented. He swung his axe at her, but she avoided it and landed a quick slash on his exposed side. Nobu was quick to counterattack and Tenten barely managed to pull her sword up to parry the blow. She backed away quickly, circled and tried to flank him.

Nobu spun to face her with his axe held low, but she was no longer there. She'd jumped, twisted on the air and landed just behind him. She hacked his back, the steel tainted red, the blade humming gleefully as it bit deeper into his skin. But Nobu was truly a monster because, not registering pain, he turned around and punched her straight in the face.

Tenten backed away, automatically throwing a couple of kunais in Nobu's general direction. She stopped for a moment and shook her head, trying to clear away the blackness blocking her view. A blink and he was close enough for her to smell the foulness of his breath. She threw herself on the ground and rolled away, gaining her feet and hurling herself at him like an arrow. Her blade slid against his axe and, taking a risk, she took a hand away from the handle and pulled out a kunai from the folds of her yukata. Nobu pressed her back but Tenten stepped sideways, causing him to topple forward with the momentum. This was it! Tenten took advantage of the opening and half of the blade of her kunai disappeared inside his left bicep.

Nobu recovered unnaturally fast, catching her off guard. His right hand connected with the side of her head, sending her flying across the field. She rolled on the ground but came off kneeling. There was loud ringing in her ears and she felt disoriented, her eyes unfocused, her mind spinning. She spit out a mouthful of blood, but the taste of iron persisted. She moved her tongue around only to find a mean cut in the inside of her cheek.

Tenten grunted and was just standing up when she felt something like thick, coarse leather wound around her neck. Her eyes widened in horrified realization but it was too late. Nobu pulled his whip and the leather tightened around her neck, sending her flying in a high arch towards him. His fist connected with her stomach and sent her back across the field. She crashed against something that had sharp angles which dug into her muscles painfully. She tumbled to the ground and shook her head, fighting for breath as her hand frantically searched the ground. Where was her blade?

"Not as fun as your mother, after all," Nobu sounded close… too damn close.

Tenten's eyes widened when a shadow fell on her. She pushed away from the ground, trying to land a kick on his stomach. The movement must have been predictable, because Nobu caught her foot and dangled her like a rag doll. This can't be happening, she thought, eyes prickling. She wasn't sure if the tears came from fear, anger or pain, but she would be stupid to shed them in front of him!

Nobu chuckled and then her body was slamming against the floor, hard. She would have tried rolling away, but the blow stunned her. Nobu's hand came to rest on her throat and with little effort, he picked her up so that he could look her in the eye. One step forward and her back connected against that sharp, pointy something again. Whatever the thing was, it heated up enough to burn into her skin; her clothes offering little protection against it.

"I think your smile needs some help," Nobu threatened. The kunai she'd planted in his bicep was now in his hand, red with his blood.

"Fu… y…u," she slurred, air barely traveling through her sore throat, making her lightheaded.

"What's that?" He tilted his head mockingly, bringing his ear closer to her swollen lips. Tenten glared and tried to bite him, causing him to chuckle. "Oh, don't thank me just yet! Now, stay still, you don't want to end up like a monster, do you?" He brought the blade close, and stopped an inch away from her skin. She could tell he was enjoying this too much to end it quickly. "Now where should I begin my design? Got any suggestions, lil' spider?"

Panic sharpened her senses and… what was that? There was a hum behind her. She closed her eyes and focused on that sound. Steel. She could feel it caressing her, she could hear it whispering in her head. It sang to her and called her with the sweet voice of her uncle.

I'm here, he said. I'm here, sweetheart. Take me. Tenten had never heard the voice of the steel so clear. She was tempted to accept it right away, but knew what would happen if she opened herself to this power unprepared. She'd seen her father doing it once, to demonstrate the Tetsuas' secret weapon.

Resonance. It was a double edged sword, one that could kill her if not handled properly. But Tenten was already dangling an inch away from a torturous death anyways! So what was the harm? Her choices were limited and, because of that, she shrugged off all of her concerns and plunged into the feeling headfirst. The solid steel became malleable and she felt it move towards her, embracing her from behind. Nobu lost his footing as the statue of her uncle melted. The steel moved across her skin like water, encasing her in a silver suite. Nobu pulled his hand away in time to avoid the melted steel. Tenten landed on her feet, the ground cracking under her increased weight.

She heard some oohs and ahhs and then silence, oppressive and tensed. Slowly but excitedly, she flexed her hands, fisting and un-fisting. The steel was heavy and felt cumbersome, but she knew that if she wanted, she could move with the same speed she'd used before. She felt her chakra mixing with the steel, helping to keep it from caging her, and her energy storage started to deplete more rapidly than before.

"No… you shouldn't be able!" Nobu shook his head and gave a step back. For the first time he seemed unsure; a shadow of fear passing through his eyes.

Tenten tried to say something, but she couldn't open her mouth. The only places that the steel hadn't touched were her eyes, ears and her nostrils. She was a moving statue, her whole body an indestructible, deadly weapon.

Be quick, Tenten, she thought she heard her uncle whisper in her ear. As insane as it was, she paid heed to the warning. Resonance consumed chakra like crazy, giving her only a small window of time for her to finish this fight and shed the silver from her. Tenten moved her arms in circles, testing how much chakra the steel consumed with the simple action. It felt strange… yet, right in an odd kind of way. It came natural to her to control the Resonance, even though this was her first time doing it. It was as if the steel had always been a part of her, a second skin even!

Hazel eyes scanned the floor, detecting her mother's sword. She concentrated on it, reaching for it with her chakra. The steel hummed and came awake, making the sword snap onto her open hand as if she'd become a magnet. The sword roared; anger still intense, mission unattained.

Nobu's forehead was beading with sweat, but he must have swallowed his fear, because he came at her, whip replaced by his huge axe. Tenten parried the blow, concentrating most of her chakra on her arms, so that the steel around them was thicker and sturdier, just in case he landed a blow. It was easier to parry now. She managed to fully stop his axe more than six times and landed blows that disoriented him and made him back away in uncertain feet. Tenten focused all her strength into her right fist and, when he came at her for the twentieth time, she punched him square in the face in retaliation from the blows before. She heard a sickening crunch which signaled she's broken something. She was hoping for his mouth.

Nobu stepped back, shook his head and brushed the blood that came out his nose. He spit some out, half his face covered in running crimson. A broken nose worked for her too. "You'll die the same death your uncle did," he seethed, grinding his teeth as he resumed his unrelenting attacks.

She was heavier now, though. Probably as heavy, if not heavier than him and so Tenten didn't have to run for dear life anymore. She stood her ground, her eyes glinting with amusement and met his charge. Her blade intercepted every blow with ease. The clash of steel against steel became a symphony for her. How could it not? She could feel even the steel of his axe calling to her, craving her touch, betraying its future movements to her in whispers. Midway through one of his attacks, Tenten answered the call. She put her hand out and, inches before the axe could slam against it, she absorbed the steel, leaving only the leather handle on Nobu's hand.

Tenten wanted to speak. She wanted to laugh at him, to tell him that what she would do next would be for all her Clan. But she couldn't control the steel enough to push it away from her face. So she glared at him before charging, her chakra fueling her speed. She surprised him with her boldness so that he was too slow to avoid her. He was tired and they both knew it. Pounding into steel had been hard work. He'd probably assumed that she wouldn't be able to hold the Resonance for so long and had hoped to kill her as she shed the steel.

Whatever the case, Tenten proved him wrong as her sword slashed him across his broad chest. Without missing a beat, she spun on her heels and slashed again, painting a big, red x on his torso. The steel tightened around her arms, reminding her of her uncle's warning. She had to finish him quickly. She wasn't sure how much time she had left! Tenten's sword slashed, cut and pierced through skin and muscles, sometimes all the way to bones. The ground eventually turned red, blood pooling and glistering under them, prompting her mother's blade to relish in the taste!

At some point, her body began to decelerate, causing her arms to move sluggishly. She was covered in blood by then, red beads rolling down her silver armor like tears. She had little chakra left and Tenten knew that the ticking of the clock had started a while back. She had to end this. She had to end him. And she had to do it fast.

Her next breath came ragged and panic began to build in the pit of her stomach. A voice shattered the silence, reminding her of the audience all around. "Break it, Tenten!" It was her father screaming. She tried to let go of the silver, but failed. She tried twice more, but her armor remained. She fought the urge to look at her father then, afraid that he would see the rising panic in her eyes. Her father's voice rose again, repeating his command, but this time another voice joined him.

It was a spell -it had to be!- because suddenly her surroundings started to transform, much like they'd done countless times in her dreams and she was no longer standing in the middle of the Tetsuas' graveyard.

She was in a forest, surrounded by hostile ninjas. She tried to move but couldn't and knew that she was no longer Tenten. She was a passenger looking through the eyes of her uncle, incapable of action, a silent audience to her family's last stand.

The battle seemed to have come to a standstill. Yaemon was surrounded, but his enemies were motionless, distracted by something happening behind him. Tenten could hear Yaemon's thoughts and feel his emotions as though they were her own. He was tired but knew that, if he wanted, he could take advantage of the Oschiro's distraction and make a run for it. He would probably make it… but that would mean leaving Ryuu behind and he couldn't do it.

Yaemon's eyes widened. His brother! He was… behind him! He took the risk to turn around and, as he'd feared, he found his brother struggling to keep the Resonance under control. Nobu was close by, enjoying the sight of the ground cracking below Ryuu's feet, threatening to swallow him whole. Ryuu gave a step towards the Serpent, his foot tearing a hole in the torso of a lifeless body nearby. A dozen more bodies stood on his way, riddled with so many blades that they might as well have been porcupines.

A chocking noise came past Ryu's throat and Nobu chuckled, signaling his buddies to stay put and watch the show with him. Yaemon's mind raced with a hundred thoughts and his heart clenched with overwhelming fear.

"Break it!" he screamed, overcoming his initial shock and making his way past his enemies. He encountered no resistance. Everyone was too engrossed on Ryuu's predicament to care for Yaemon. He could see it in their faces. Morbid curiosity. They ached to see what a victim of Resonance would look like, but Yaemon would be damned if he allowed his brother to perish in such a fashion!

Ryuu must have sensed him approaching, because he turned to look him straight in the eyes. His face was a cold, silver mask and what he could not speak with his mouth he tried to say with his eyes. Stay away, was the command, followed by a 'leave', 'escape', 'live'!

"I can't," Yaemon snarled, Tenten's cheerful face on the forefront of his mind. She would always choose Ryuu over him, and that was as it should be. Yaemon had lost his wife and child already, he had more to gain by dying than Ryuu did! "I promised her I would keep you safe!"

Ryuu's hand moved up, palm outstretched towards him, not in offering but in rejection. His body relayed his feelings clearly, but Yaemon could not give him what he wanted. He'd sworn to Tenten that he would keep her father safe! How would he ever look her in the eye if he were to fail? No! Yaemon couldn't watch him die, not when he still had so much to live for! He'd seen them get away. His family was still at large, probably waiting for him. Yaemon's eyes filled with tears, strengthening his determination. He would give his brother a chance at happiness, bleak as it might seem. That would have to be enough…

"I will not break my promise!" he vowed, reaching out to touch that outstretched palm that could no longer move. His fingers touched, grabbed, held onto Ryuu! The silver wasn't humming, it was screeching, demanding chakra and blood and life. Yaemon reached deep down inside him and answered by opening himself up for a last, desperate Resonance.

The silver encasing his brother became liquid and moved towards him in a deadly wave. It embraced him, holding onto him like a leech. There was no better way to explain the sentiment. It was as if a thousand leeches were clinging to him, absorbing the last of his chakra and with it his life. The steel became cold as a grave and then… pain. So strong and piercing that he would have screamed himself hoarse if he'd been capable. But the silver was covering his mouth and the scream stayed in his head. He felt his bones cracking and his chest tightening as the steel began to crush him.

The last thing he saw was Ryuu on his knees, still holding onto his hand with a silver limb, tears streaming down his face, anger and grief flashing through his eyes in equal amounts. Yaemon tried to absorb the silver still encasing his arm too, but the pain made his concentration slip. Ryuu would always wear a silver glove, but at least he would live.

His last thought was for her. 'I did not break my promise, little Princess,' he whispered, before the pain drove him for a second completely insane.

Tenten was thrown back into reality. There were tears on her eyes, pain in her chest. If steel could trap a part of the soul of the person it came in contact with last, could it be that this was her uncle's doing? Could it be that, in his own way, he was trying to tell her something…You didn't break your promise, uncle.

"Tenten, snap out of it!" Neji's frustrated voice shattered her thoughts, pulling her back into the present.

A shadow fell over her and Tenten's body moved automatically. Her arm moved up, guarding her vulnerable eyes. Nobu's whip coiled around her forearm, but Tenten could barely feel it. It hit her then and there, a daunting idea. Nobu must have seen her intention, because his eyes widened and he tried to pull the whip away, but Tenten's hand tightened around it. Concentrating her chakra, she pulled him towards her with all the strength she could muster. She raised her mother's blade and allowed momentum to do the rest. The sword screamed in victory as its blade plunged into Nobu's stomach, coming out of his back like a red tooth of some demon.

I will let you know what he felt, she thought, wishing she could tell him that. There was no need, however, for he would know soon enough. That on her mind, Tenten concentrated and pushed the silver away from her and onto him, using the blade as a conductor. He saw the doom that awaited him because his features twisted, displaying naked fear. It would not be the cut that would kill him, she'd make sure of that by avoiding damage to his organs!

Nobu gave a step back, trying to get away, but there was no way he could match the speed of chakra-infused steel. Tenten fell to her knees as the steel released her, moving through the blade and onto Nobu, caging him in melted steel. It was over in less than a minute; Nobu's scream dying midway through his throat but leaving behind the sound of bones breaking. Tenten was panting with exhaustion and barely noticed the tension sweeping the crowd. Where they not expecting her to win?

"Tenten, watch out!" Lee yelled hoarsely. Her eyes sought him out, and found him running towards the entrance, with Naruto and Sasuke close by. Confused, she watched them try to pull the door open with no success.

"What are you doing?" she whispered, wheezing out the words. Kami, her throat felt swollen and was hurting like hell.

"Damn it, Tenten! Look behind you!" Sasuke cursed, pointing at something while he began circling the dome, trying to reach the other side.

The words registered and, frowning, she turned to the other entrance only to see Hiro charging, his sword held high, anger distorting his futures. She tried to push herself off the ground, but her legs were uncooperative as was her damn body. Kami, she was tired…so very tired…

Her lids dropped and, despite her imminent death, her body swayed. Nothing else to do, she resigned herself to the cruelness of her faith. Yet, death never kissed her. Confused, her eyes opened to find Hiro standing with two swords piercing him from behind, a string of blood coming out from the corner of his mouth. His expression mirrored hers, only his was starting to twist into horrifying realization.

As if on cue, the blades were roughly pulled out of him and the man fell to his knees, his eyes glazed before he hit the floor. Towering his body was none other than the man whose face had popped out of that crowd. He was so odd… and so freakishly familiar… Her eyes dropped to his hands. He wasn't holding the blades, it would have been impossible due to his twisted fingers. Instead, the blades were coming out of silver bands he'd strapped to his forearms. She should thank him, shouldn't she? His lips moved but she heard nothing.

"I can't hear you," she told him and then proceeded to slip into unconsciousness.

-o0o-

Hyuga Neji sat beside Ryuu, who had yet to let go of his daughter as he settled her on his lap, cradling her to him gently but firmly. Neji rubbed his wrists absently, wishing he could hold Tenten for a little bit. He'd been scared to death when he'd seen her battling Nobu and was both relieved and proud when she'd come out victorious.

"It'll take some getting used to," Ryuu mused, rubbing his own wrists.

Neji smirked, "You'll have plenty of time to do so."

"Where's the long haired man and the creepy-smiley one?" Ryuu asked, looking around the makeshift camp. After some consideration, they'd opted to light a small fire, which Lee and Naruto were tending. Sasuke and Kiba where spread about, keeping guard just in case the Oschiros changed their mind and came to finish them off.

"We've sent Shikamaru and Sai ahead of us to inform the Hokage of our success. Since they were both well rested, I they should able to cover more ground today."

"This Hokage of yours is not the same person I made a deal with all that time ago, is it?" Ryuu's concern was evident in the look he shared with his cousin, who'd also been invited to tag along. After the man had saved Tenten, nobody had offered any complaints.

"No, but our Hokage is an honorable woman. She will keep the deal, you have my word," Neji assured. Tsunade had, after all, learned of the deal through the Black Widow's journal and she'd sent them to rescue Ryuu and bring him back. She would not betray the Tetsuas, who'd already lost so much to begin with.

Ryuu sighed, combing Tenten's hair absently. The way he was holding her spoke volumes about how much he'd missed her. She stirred and Ryuu stopped his ministrations. Neji didn't know he was holding his breath until her eyes opened and he let it go. She blinked, sat up and looked around trying to make sense of things. After scanning the camp and probably making sure they were not in danger, her eyes focused on her father. Her face split into a radiant smile that took Neji's breath away, even if it hadn't been directed at him. And then, just like that, she hugged him tightly and cried her heart out.

"You did it," Ryuu whispered, chuckling when she pecked his gaunt cheek.

"You look handsome," she admitted after recovering her composure. Embarrassed, she brushed her tears away furiously. Her eyes jumped to Neji for the first time and she graced him with a wide smile, making his heart sing happily.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, fighting the urge to caress her cheek and kiss those beautiful lips of hers.

She smiled and crawled away from her father's lap, sitting between Ryuu and him. "I'm fine. A little sore here and there, but nothing to worry about." She touched her head. "What happened?"

Neji proceeded to explain all of what had transpired after she'd fallen unconscious.

It was chaos. People were talking at the same time, making more noise than conversation. Some were on their feet, ready to sprint into action. But against who? That seemed to be the question in everyone's lips. Rat was still inside the cage, kneeling close to Tenten with his weapons ready to defend her if needed be. Neji was relieved when Lee, Sasuke and Naruto joined him, crowding around her protectively.

If Ryuu was nervous, he hid it well. Neji schooled his face to display nothing of what he was feeling. But that was all it was, a mask. Truth was, Neji was afraid Ryota would go back on his word and execute them all then and there. But the leader of the Oschiros proved him wrong. He stood up and, with a few well versed phrases, resolved the issue with outstanding grace and solemnity. He declared Tenten the winner and excused Rat's involvement in the fight, given that Hiro had violated the rules of combat first.

"Release them," he ordered a nearby guard. "Tetsua Tenten has earned their freedom."

Ryuu rubbed his wrists once the shackles had been taken off and gained his feet. Neji followed, but was unsure about what to do next. Ryota offered them rooms to rest before their trip, but Ryuu was quick to decline the invitation just as cordially. Neji could have been wrong, but he detected something akin to relief cross Ryota's face. He had been trying to keep appearances, but they all knew that staying longer than necessary would only invite trouble.

"Come on," Ryuu whispered, making his way down the stairs and towards the dome. They met with the blade team just outside the cage. Lee was carrying Tenten bridal-style, worry evident in every line of his face. Neji took charge of the situation. He asked them to gather their stuff and to meet at the gates of the village. He was about to get Tenten, but Ryuu beat him to it.

"We'll move ahead," Neji suggested, signaling Lee to stay with them just in case they were attacked. In tensed silence, their small band marched down the packed streets of the village. The people followed them, keeping their distance, curiosity evident in every face. Neji ignored them as best he could.

Before they reached the gates, Sasuke and Naruto joined them. Outside, they met Akamaru, who promptly lead them to Shikamaru and his team. Reunited, they made quick introductions and reported what happened, before it was unanimously decided to try to cover as much ground as possible before sundown.

"And here we are," Neji finished; bracing himself for the question he knew was coming, for Tenten had noticed the new acquisition to their team. Her father's cousin was kneeling nearby and seemed to be growing uncomfortable under Tenten's scrutiny.

"You were there in the dome," she frowned. "Why do you look so bloody familiar? Who… who are you?"

She knew. Even if she wasn't saying it, Neji could see she'd connected the dots. Her body was coiled, ready to attack at any second. It was a tricky situation and Neji did not envy Ryuu's position.

"He's your kinsman… Tetsua Kioji," Ryuu answered, straight to the point.

Tenten's eyes widened. Her expression twisted from shock to scorn in a blink. She turned to her father, completely appalled. "What is he doing here?" her voice sounded strained and she was shaking. Neji wanted to hold her, but opted to keep out of the way for the time being.

"Tenten, listen-"

"No!" She shook her head stubbornly. "What is he doing here? Dad, he betrayed you! He betrayed us!" She lashed out, standing up and pointing at the silent man. Her face turned a shade of crimson and fire danced in her eyes, "Everyone is dead because of him, including mom! Or have you forgotten?"

Ryuu flinched at the last but kept his cool. "You know not enough to judge, Tenten. Walk off your anger and come back when you're ready to listen."

Tenten seemed to want to say something else, but chose differently. She clenched her jaw and stormed away, huffing and cursing under her breath. Neji followed her with his eyes, wishing there was something he could do or say to make things better. He hated watching Tenten suffer and he'd seen plenty of that lately.

"She needs a friend," Ryuu advice, smiling tiredly at him. Tenten's words had hurt him more than he'd allowed her to see. Perhaps he too needed a moment to compose himself? Since it wasn't his place to pry, Neji nodded his understanding and followed her footprints. He found her sitting on the ground just outside the outskirts of their camps, hidden by the darkness. If it wasn't for his byakugan, he might've missed her.

"Tenten," he called softly, sitting beside her, close enough so that their shoulders were touching.

"I don't get it, Neji! What the hell does he mean I don't know enough! I know enough about Kioji to hate his guts!" She seethed, frustrated and utterly baffled. Neji took her clenched hand, pried her fingers open and kissed her palm softly. That seemed to distract her enough to end her tirade.

"He must have his reasons," he said thoughtfully. "Your father more than anyone should hate him, but he doesn't, Tenten… that should mean something, shouldn't it?" A long pause followed, but the silence wasn't tensed and uncomfortable. It was their silence, companionable and familiar.

"I'm sorry, Neji," she whispered, entwining her fingers with his. She brought his hand to her lips and it was she who kissed him this time. Kami, Neji had needed this so much! He'd needed confirmation that her feelings hadn't changed! It was petty of him, but there it was. He was human, after all. "I'm sorry for everything… including putting your life in danger."

"My life is yours to do with it as you please," he admitted in a whisper.

She chuckled softly, probably thinking he was teasing her. If only he could make her believe that he'd spoken nothing but the truth. His life was hers and he was fine with it. But this was not the time for that.

"So you'll listen to what he has to say?" he breached the subject pointedly, putting an arm around her and pulling her close.

She laid her head on his shoulder, molding to his body. "Yeah," she sighed. "He's my father. I will always listen to him."

Neji kissed her temple, "As you should. He's a good man."

Tenten chuckled, "I gather you bonded with him in the Oschiro's basement?"

"Something like that," he admitted with a smile.

"I'm jealous," she said and before he could ask her to elaborate, she twisted in his arms and pressed her soft lips to his. He closed his eyes and answered eagerly, deepening the kiss. He kissed her for a long time, wanting to make up for their time apart. He was glad Tenten seemed to relish the moment as much as him, so that when they finally parted they were breathless.

"Would you…" she stopped, unsure.

"What is it?" he prompted, trying to figure out if he'd done something wrong.

"Would you hold my hand?" She asked and laughed nervously right after that. "Kami, listen to me! I'm acting like a little girl. Forget I asked, it was nothing!"

She stood up and was about to leave, but Neji had yet to let go of her hand. He pulled and she spun around to face him. He didn't need to see her face to know she was blushing. It had been a moment of weakness that had prompted her to ask, and he'd relished her trust. But now she was shutting down, probably thinking he was disgusted by her vulnerability when the truth was, he was charmed by it!

"Tenten," he called, pressing his forehead to hers, "Would it be terribly selfish of me if I asked you not to let go of my hand?"

"Are you making fun of me?"

Neji shook his head, "No, are you making fun of me?"

She chuckled softly and pecked his lips. "Thank you," she whispered before pulling at his hand in signal that they should return. He activated his byakugan and guided them back into camp. Ryuu's eyes strayed to their linked hands but he said nothing, nor did he gave any indication that the gesture bothered him.

They sat opposite Ryuu and a still kneeling Kioji. Naruto and Lee were nearby, trying to hide the fact that they were just as interested in what was happening as Neji was. Ryuu smiled, probably pleased by Tenten's civility. After gathering his thoughts, he finally confessed a hidden tragedy in the story of the Tetsua's fall.

"Around the time Sayomi's –your mother's cover was blown, there was a man who was struggling to ask his soul mate to marry him. I didn't know this at the time… Truth was, part of me didn't want to know. Your mother's situation had made me selfish in my needs and I was unwilling to open my eyes to what the rest of the Clan was going through."

Ryuu rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed by the confession. "A distant cousin of mine, a man that was usually quiet and kept to himself, had fallen madly in love with a girl from the Oschiro Clan. Her name was Wei. And the man who'd fallen for her was Tetsua Kioji.

"I don't expect you to remember it with as much detail as I do, Tenten, you were just a little girl. But after Nobu attacked your mother, there was utter chaos within the Clan. Your mother confessed her crimes and I was emotionally compromised. I should have given temporary leadership to Yaemon, but I was afraid he would have Sayomi executed for her crimes. And so I concealed my fear and faked objectivity.

"Then the visitors came, the copy-nin and the beast. They came with an offer from the Leaf and it was as if my prayers had been answered. I listened to them intently, negotiating the deal. I wanted to say yes right then and there," Ryuu chuckled drily. "But I wasn't so far gone to ignore the duties to my Clan.

"So I gathered all the Tetsuas into the main hall and introduced our guests. The beast, Maito Gai, addressed us, explaining in detail the offer to move our Clan to their hidden village. The war was over, but I was afraid some would still see this as an act of betrayal. When it was time to vote if the Tetsuas should leave the Earth Country, Kioji's was the only hand that wasn't raised. I saw this and yet, I ignored him. I didn't want to hear your reasons, cousin," he told a silent Kioji apologetically, "because what if your reasons swayed the rest of the Clan? What if your reasons swung the blade that would kill my wife?"

He shook his head and seemed to struggle for a bit on how to phrase the rest of the story. Eventually, he found his voice. "Kioji was angry and felt betrayed, and rightly so," he acknowledged, glancing at the now frozen man. Kioji was tensed as a bow, barely even breathing as he listened intently. "It was for the love I bore your mother that I convinced the Clan to leave and it was for the love that he bore Wei that he could not follow. Who, then, is in the wrong, Tenten? Can you answer that without a shadow of doubt? How can I judge a man who put it all on the line for love when I had done just that! Who, then, was the true betrayer in this tragic tale?"

Tenten shook her head, tears welling in her eyes, "I didn't know."

Ryuu smiled sadly, "Neither did I. Not until much later, when a disheveled Wei came into my prison and explained what happened. She blamed herself for the destruction of our Clan and begged my forgiveness with tears in her eyes. I told her the same thing you just said, that I hadn't known. But she was crying and could barely hear me. Frantically, she asked me to forgive Kioji for what he'd done. Words failed me and I remained silent." His eyes moved to Kioji. "I was just… so shocked by the truth, so humbled by her words… Tenten, this girl opened my eyes…," Ryuu's voice trembled, "and then pulled a knife out and took her own life."

Kioji hid his face behind his hands, but his sobs were loud enough to be heard by all. Had he known? Neji thought he didn't. Nobody could fake the raw pain that Kioji was displaying. It was fresh… it was new… and it was cruel.

"You thought she left you, but she didn't," Ryuu informed him, reaching out to his cousin, squeezing his shoulder with affection. "But you must understand one thing. She did not kill herself because she was ashamed of what you did, cousin. She killed herself so that her death could wipe your slate clean."

Kioji's body shook and the wail that came past his lips was almost inhuman and, because of that, heartbreaking. Tenten let go of Neji and gained her feet. Slowly, almost uncertainty, she approached the hurting man and then… she hugged him, tightly, lovingly, honestly. This was why Neji couldn't help but love her. She was a gentle creature, incapable of not being moved by the pain of others. She was a fighter and a dancer… but she was also a healer in her own special way.

"I'm sorry… I didn't know," her voice cracked, her eyes shining with tears. "Kioji… let's go home and start over." His mangled arms came to circle her and he clung to her like a drowning man. Beside them, Ryuu barely managed to keep his tears at bay, but more than sadness, pride glinted in his eyes.

It was in that moment that Neji understood that no matter what fate had in store for her, Tenten would make it. She would continue onwards with her head held high. If there was no road leading her to a happily ever after, she would make one and Neji would help her as best he could. Always.

Fate, behold, you have no more power over us. This is the beginning of our happily ever after.

~FIN~

Story Written by: Giselle González

© Naruto (and the characters therein) is property of Masashi Kishimoto.

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AN: So this is officially finished, but I'll be adding an epilogue. For those craving more romantic scenes and lightheartedness –of if you are just curious about what happened to the Tetsuas- there will plenty of that next update! Thank you for all the support and apologies for how long to took to finish this!

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:…:Other Naruto Stories:…:

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…SharpBladed Spirit…

Knowing she has no other choice, Tenten accepts an S-Rank mission that entails her to get captured and tortured. But what happens when Neji finds out? Will he be able to reach her before it's too late? ::Tenten x Neji::

…Burning Winter…

Forced to stay in a cabin and wait for a snowstorm to pass, Neji and Tenten discover how to keep each other warm. ::NejixTenten:: One-shot.

…The Epiphany…

Sometimes it is only on the verge of death when we discover how dumb we've been to those we truly treasure. Will Neji be able to show Tenten how he truly feels, or will his epiphany remain something to forever wonder about? ::NejixTenten:: One-shot.

…Remembering my Heart…

Shino has helped in saving the world just to have that same world turn on him. As his life is slipping away, could someone save him? Could he find that which he has lost and live with purpose again? One-shot. AU. ::Shino x Tenten:: One-shot.