Beasts of Souls Chapter 21: Extra Chap2: Falcon View, a naruto fanfic

Author's note: As I promised, this will be of Neji's past… There will be an incredible amount of NejiTen inside so please, bear with me for a while. ;p NejiTen is my OTP after all… I guess you all know that very well, eh? XD Unyahahahaha! The pairing is the inevitable part of me. SPREAD THE NEJITEN LOVE BY ANY MEANS!!! –evil laughter-

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto anime or Neji or Tenten… and I also do not own the translation displayed here in this fic. They are of their respective owners… although I personally wanna own some so badly… :'((

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

Extra Chapter 2
Falcon View

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

I've been pretending to be a free spirit, hating to belong to anyone
But I was afraid to die
Without anyone's arm to grip
I was afraid to be alone

Amano Tsukiko: Stone

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

The corridor was all that he could see… and she was all that he could think about. Everything was swaying before his eyes, blur images that slipped from his translucent orbs. He couldn't think… not… at all…

Partner…

And what the Eagle could do was to watch him walking away; to a place where his feet took him… a place where he always wanted to stay…

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

Neji's Past

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

It was an old tradition in the Hyuuga household that if there was a child born out of the Branch Family, that child must be sworn to protect the members of the Main Family. Neji, being one of them, once he was in his father's arms—still red and crying—had his uncle already whispered to him the Hyuuga Sworn. He had been owned the very moment he was born… and he never knew what it felt like being free.

He didn't understand that though… He was raised by his father since his disabled mother could no longer move out of the bed ever since his birth. It was such a pity since he almost couldn't remember his mother at all. Just three years after his birth, his mother passed away. All he could remember from her was when she held him and sang to him a Hyuuga traditional song that send him drifting to his dream. But that was all, since he could no longer remember her face or anything else than the song, the feelings, and her soft voice.

All that he could remember clearly from his childhood was rigorous training and strict rules made by the Main Family, also the ceremony when he was officially became the new Branch members. The only thing resembling affection that he could possibly get was from his father but it was only mere saying, he never really felt how love really was. Even so, it turned out the love his mother gave him through her song was the only thing he held so dearly. For someone who grew in a cold, emotionless life of a Hyuuga, memories and minor connections helped him stand.

"Nii-san…"

"Hinata-sama."

Hyuuga Hinata was one of those persons that used to watch him train. He didn't say he hated her… but he loathed the fact that he was there, training like mad under the supervision of King Hiashi, while she was on the throne along with Hanabi, watching him doing his training for the sake of the nation. It was unfair. So unfair. The rank that he could possibly get in the nation was only Generals… that, too, if King Hiashi allowed a Branch Member to reach it. While in the contrary, Hinata had stood in the rank of Princess and Heiress—merely by being born to the world. It was his duty to protect her. He was not a soldier, he was not those who holds their spear and stood by the side of the gate. He slept in the compound, he lived in the compound, yet he was ordered around. He was just another lower part of the Hyuuga Clan. He was just another shield… but a very strong and sturdy shield.

No one in the Hyuuga household dared to mess with him. Ever since he was little, he showed a great talent in both martial arts and intelligence. No one could beat him in battle and he had long since known for his vast knowledge about the world. He was a great asset. No wonder King Hiashi made him sworn in front of the whole nation… that he was the High Guardian of Hyuuga Hinata.

The whole nation watched him sworn, watched him kneeled in front of the princess that only watched from the throne. He had been owned… another chain was added to his soul. He was owned not only by the King, but by the Princess as well.

He never complained before… being a High Guardian was honorable. But everyone knew that being a High Guardian meant that you couldn't be Commander. A High Guardian couldn't move from his position at all. They were trapped in their grade. They could not grow… nor could they shrivel. It was a law, a swear. Something that the whole nation knew they must abide. He was fine with it for a while. He was stoic as he watched over the Princess, as he stood before her and protected her from any kind of interference. But now everyone only knew him as a loyal pawn for the royal family. His name was not that of him anymore… he had completely been owned.

But it was fine with him… It was fine… until one day…

"I am Inuzuka Kiba. I hereby sworn myself to protect the royal family as the High Guardian of Hyuuga Hinata and be under completely loyalty to King Hyuuga Hiashi-sama of White Sky Country."

Another High Guardian was appointed. He was moved from his former position but that was not the case. Kiba was a nice person and Neji knew him—simply by being with Hinata meant he would also be with Kiba, who always followed Hinata around and helped her in whatever things she did. It was almost obvious for Kiba to be appointed as a High Guardian and it was really not a surprising fact… but soon… Neji knew what exactly the meaning of the appointment of the new High Guardian was… And it was more than Kiba's capability or any of those sentimental feelings.

"The Idion army is fast approaching. We cannot hold out longer if they were to reach the border in two days," said Aburame Shibi, an advisor of the royal family. "We must know this, Hiashi-sama, our sources has been depleting recently, caused by the constant attack by the Idion army. If this continues, it will only take some time until we surrender. The only way that we could do now is by delaying his army, beginning from the weakest by the East that comes from the Land of Lightning. That's the only advice that I could give to you, My Honor."

That was it. At first it had nothing to do with the Branch Family. At first.

"Hizashi, command your army and move to the East Region. We will try to protect Buranko from the assaulting army. Neji, you will accompany your father in a rank of Commander. We have huge expectation from you."

Neji rose from his seat beside Hinata and bowed down. He then cast a look at the Princess he had been guarding all this time.

"But… what about Hinata-sama?"

Hiashi watched the boy in front of him and said rather emotionlessly, "She has Kiba. You are in no obligation to look after her anymore."

Neji raised his eyebrows and when he was about to open his mouth, Hiashi said stoically, "Your job is to protect the nation as a High Guardian. Being in the battlefield is also part of the task. I am sure you understand that, Neji."

That closed off all arguments. He was going to the battlefield along with his father, leaving Hane and everything behind.

His father was the one who smelled the suspicion… and he watched as his son took part in this drama as well. He might not be someone who talked loudly about his emotions—something that clearly passed down to his son—but that night was an exception.

"I really wish… I could bear you in the Main Family, My Son."

Neji who was tidying his futon stopped and looked at his father, a little confused about the sudden conversation. They were in the barrack at the city of Nauru, getting ready for tomorrow. The camp of Orochimaru's army was stopping just two hills from where they were now and the battle would surely take place in the Plain of Nauru. It would be a hard fight, Neji knew… since he had heard of how fierce and cruel Idion's army could be, almost inhuman. His father now looked at him from his place, white eyes shimmering with something that Neji couldn't understand. He never saw that expression before and he didn't like it either.

"Father?"

"If you were born… within the Main Family… the situation wouldn't be like this… right, Son?"

He put a hand on his head.

"All I want is for you… to live, My Son. Live… as you are, not as a Branch Family like now."

Neji's eyes widened. But before he could say a word, his father shook his head and leaved him alone without a sound, as if what he said had never existed.

The next day, they were standing on the top of the hill, looking down at the Plain of Unaru before them where Orochimaru already had his army. A young General with glasses was on the front, ready to make a proper battle. Hizashi Hyuuga watched the situation and then he looked at his army. The battle was going to commence… and his son…

His white eyes landed on Neji, who was at the same time looking into his eyes. He smiled, but the young boy couldn't decipher what was the meaning behind it at all. It was… almost… painful.

"CHARGE!"

And the battle commenced. The White Sky army flooded towards the plain, storming at the army of the young General. The Idion army stayed by their place, wanting to have their battle on level ground rather than had to challenge the White Sky army that was storming from the upper ground. The White Sky crossed the plain towards the Idion army, marching in steady pace just like a wave that finally crashed with the sturdy wall of Idion Army. Neji fought alongside his father, young but strong as they brought down countless men to their knees. It was as though they were winning… when suddenly two armies appeared on the hills by their right and left… bringing the flag of Idion.

"Father! Reinforcement!" Neji shouted as his father beside him. "We cannot win! We have to pull back!"

His father didn't hear him and continued to fight… He didn't even look at the two armies that were now marching towards them.

"Father!!!! We have to pull back!!!!"

The armies were now surrounding them… and attacking them.

"FATHER! We have to…"

"FIGHT!!!!"

"FATHER!!!!"

He didn't hear him. Or perhaps… he tried not to? But their army was surrounded… their army had lost but…

"Do not let yourself stop fighting until you die!!!" shouted his father to the army. Neji froze. "Fight until you can't breathe anymore! FIGHT!"

"But, Father, we must…"

"CHARRRRGGGEEEE!!!"

"FATHER!"

Neji caught hold of his father's arms. He tugged the man harshly, forcing him to look into his eyes.

"We have to pull back! We have no chance if we are to stay here!"

His father looked into his eyes. Blood was staining his face and leather armor… but the pure white eyes were always as pure as they always were.

"Stopping the Idion army means… fighting as long as we can. The Main Family didn't give us the option of pulling back, Neji."

The boy froze.

No option of pulling back…

"The only way that we could do now is by delaying his army, beginning from the weakest by the East that comes from the Land of Lightning. That's the only advice that I could give to you, My Honor."

Since the very first time, the reason why they were there was to delay. The Main Family knew perfectly well that they could not win at all and they tried to buy some time. And the best way to buy some time was to let them fight till they die. They were not there to fight… they were there to die.

"ELIMINATE THEM ALL!!!"

The armies were drawing closer… and Neji's heart almost stopped when he saw who was leading the left army. Orochimaru.

"Father! We must…"

There's no option to pull back…

Their army was wiped out in an instant. By every second, countless lives were lost. The white eyes watched as people dropped down to the ground, unable to continue their breath anymore. But they kept fighting, his father kept fighting… although their move had no hope anymore, no spirit anymore…

No…

Blood splattered all over his face as someone tried to cover him from a flying spear. He realized, people were covering him. Why…?

No…

"All I want is for you… to live, My Son."

No… no…

NO!

PERISH!

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!"

Wings sprouted from his back rapidly and wind swirled violently around him. Power was exploding inside of him and he just… couldn't control anything that was him. All he wanted was to eliminate everything back to zero, every men, every soldier… everything… everything… EVERYTHING!

DIE!

"RESIDE! SEAL!!!"

BLAAAASSSSTTT!!!! The power was released from her body the moment his father had his hand on his forehead. He caught his son, trembling with fear over something that he didn't know. Neji's body was so tired and restless, trembling with lack of power. He lifted his head to see his father's eyes… but what he saw was only fear.

"Fa… ther?"

"How impressive."

The cold and sly voice behind him froze his whole system. Neji winced as he tried to move… but his father hugged him close, so close that he could feel how his father trembled. Neji struggled to move, to see… He just… wanted to see… and what he saw…

The whole land was filled with slaughtered men. Not only the army of Orochimaru, but also the army of Idion… and in front of his father and him stood the Dark Lord Orochimaru along with the General Kabuto—looking down upon them as if looking at two rabbits that would soon turn into their supper.

Orochimaru smirked.

"Which one… is that, Kabuto-kun?"

His voice slithered along Neji's spine. The cruelty and ignorance that emanated from the Dark Lord was something that made him almost throw up by anxiety.

"This one, Sir? It's… The Eagle, Sir. The Wind Bearer."

Hizashi's hug tightened around Neji.

"I see…" Orochimaru's smirk grew even wider. He lifted one of his hands which started to shimmer in dark light. "That's… interesting, indeed… Now, Kabuto-kun, how about if we try our latest invention? Hmmm…?"

"Run, Neji…"

Hizashi's words came as a whisper and he slowly released Neji, covering the boy with his body. Orochimaru took another step towards them.

"Father, I—"

"Run…"

His father took a step behind as Orochimaru slowly getting closer. He then realized…

"Be MINE, EAGLE!"

"RUN, NEJI!"

His father pushed him hard, horror filled his mind. No… NOT NEJI!

"Run, no matter what will happen, you have to run!" His father pushed him harder as their movement now turned faster—away from Orochimaru whose steps were chasing them. "Now RUN, NEJI! RUN! LIVE!"

Neji just couldn't leave his father but being raised as a soldier, he couldn't object orders either. His trembling legs which were lack of power were forced to move, away from Orochimaru… but then his father stopped running. He turned around, facing the Dark Lord himself.

"FATHER!"

"JUST RUN, NEJI!" Hizashi made his stance, white eyes flashing to the Dark Lord. "I won't let you have my son! FACE ME!"

"Father. NO!" Neji stopped, turning around to see his father battling the Dark Lord. "FATHERRR!!!"

"Run, Neji!" Hizashi fought, didn't turn back to see his son at all. "RUN!! You have to... Urgh!"

CRASH!

Blood splattered all over the grass as Hizashi suddenly lost his power. A trident had pierced him deep into his heart, emerging from his back. Orochimaru flicked the trident outward, cutting the body of Hyuuga Hizashi. Fresh blood covered his body as he fell, as his life leaved him… as he breathed his last breath…

"NO! FATHER!!!!"

Neji ran to his father's place, not caring how Orochimaru still stood by his body. The boy shook his father's shoulder, feeling the tears he had never shed dripped to his dirty cheeks.

"ANSWER ME, FATHER!"

He just wouldn't wake up anymore… Not anymore…

No… Father is… Father IS… FATHER IS…

He gritted his teeth… and the white eyes blazed as he looked straight at the Dark Lord.

"I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!"

Neji plunged himself forward without a second thought.

Obliterate.

The burn that he previously felt flared again in his heart, bigger… bigger… enveloping him like a blanket and the brown feathers slowly sprouted from his back, wanting to be free again…

"SEAL!"

BLAST! Power evaporated from his body just by a sentence from Orochimaru. The boy fell to his knees… and Orochimaru firmly caught his neck. He smiled, cold and cunning… as he put his hand on top of Neji's head.

"Now, Dear Boy…" The Dark Lord smirked. "This is my gift to you… for being such a strong kid…"

"LET ME GO!" Neji struggled but his body refused to do like he wanted to. "Let me go! LET ME—"

Immense pain raffled his whole nerves. Dark light filled his vision as the sign carved itself on his skin, digging into his head… dripping blood to his face…

Build your hatred. Hate me.

But he could see… the cunning smile of the Dark Lord…

"Be happy, My Boy. With this… we could be friends."

"AaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAARRRRRGGHHHHH!!!!"

His scream was the only thing that remained in that field. Orochimaru and Kabuto left him alone, disappearing with the wind as he trembled in pain, clutching his head and feeling the pain that shocked his brain. Something inside of him shrieked along with his scream, struggling within his body. The Beast went wild in his heart and the feathers were fluttering around him with wind swirling his whole body. It was hurt, painful… the burn… the pain… the agony…

"STOOOOOOOOP!!!"

What happened next was something that he couldn't remember anymore. His power exploded, engulfing everything within five meters radius… and he fell to the ground, completely unconscious anymore. Alone, between the corpses of all the soldiers that had been sacrificed around him.

The moment he opened his eyes, what he saw was the stone ceiling of Hyuuga Castle. His eyes roamed the whole room. The pain in his forehead had disappeared but he knew it was only for temporary. More over… why did they bring him here again? Why he was here once again? What was they wanted from him? Wasn't he sent to his death?

"You finally awake, Neji."

Hiashi's voice made him turned his eyes. A sudden emotion flared in his heart, almost bursting out of his mouth and body.

"Why…?"

His voice was croaked and hoarse. Hiashi's eyes were emotionless as he looked down upon him.

"You are saved, now. But… unfortunately, your father…"

"Just like your plan, isn't it?"

Hiashi paused abruptly, staring at the wounded boy.

"What do you mean, Neji?"

The boy gritted his teeth, clenching his broken fists.

"You sent us to our death! You've calculated everything, haven't you?! You sacrificed father and the whole army! And why do you even care to take me back?! Do you even…"

"You are tired," Hiashi turned away, cutting off his shouts. He didn't even try to look behind. "Rest. You have gone through so many things lately."

"WAIT! YOU—"

But the door was already closed, and Neji knew there was no chance Hiashi would ever come back to that room again.

Neji spent another two weeks in that same room, meeting other people only to receive food and treatment. None of the medics wanted to talk to him and he didn't want either. It was futile, he knew. Everything was going on according to Hiashi's plan… and he knew all along… that the Branch was nothing more than a mere tool for the Main to survive. HE was a tool for their survival. Why… he was strong, wasn't he? So strong… that now they wanted to use him…

"You have recovered, I see… Neji."

Hiashi was on the throne that time and Hinata and Hanabi were beside him, accompanied by their respective guardian. Neji didn't bother to bow now. He stood rigid in front of his Lord, wearing his High Guardian outfit that once he treasured… but now he despised.

"You have proven that you are a very strong and honorable fighter of the Hyuuga Clan, so I will hereby…"

"And you have proven that you're nothing more than someone who uses us."

Hiashi's eyes turned hard. Hinata who sat beside him widened her lavender orbs. Hiashi coughed and said, "I deeply regretted your father's—I mean, my brother's death. But under such circumstances…"

"You never have any intentions to save us!" Neji clenched his fists. His eyes blazed. "You never… EVER think about saving us from the battlefield! All you think about is your own safety by delaying them! We're nothing more than sacrifices!"

"Understand this, Neji!" Hiashi's voice turned high. His knuckled turned white as he grabbed the arm of his throne. "Sacrifices are needed in this war!"

"Even if it's your brother's life?! Your nephew's life?!" Neji took one step forward, swinging his fist. The armies around him looked hesitant, unsure of what to do. "Ah… No… No… we're not your relatives… We're the BRANCH family! And YOU used us as a shield! You sent us to our death! What are you going to do now that my father's dead?! Regret won't bring my father back!"

"SILENCE!"

Hiashi suddenly stood from his throne. Neji clashed his blazing eyes with Hiashi's intense ones, breathing hard and audible. Hiashi lowered his tone but still held his superiority nevertheless.

"Protect the heiress, Neji. That's your purpose of life… It's in your blood since you were born… even before you are. Remember that."

Another lie, eh?

A smirk formed itself on Neji's face. He hushed his next sentence into merely a whisper.

"Using me again? Once you have learned that I am strong… you intended to use me once again for your comfort?"

Hiashi's body turned rigid but his eyes still locked on him.

"You are destined to protect this country. You are born to protect this country. It is an absolute fate that has been written to you ever since your birth! REMEMBER THAT!"

"YOU THINK YOU OWN ME?!" Neji suddenly swung his hand. "You think you have me as a whole?! WHO ARE YOU TO DICTATE MY LIFE?!"

"YOU LIVE TO PROTECT THE ROYAL FAMILY!" bellowed Hiashi. "You have no authority to go against any of our rules. You are born to SERVE!"

"What's the point of me living… if it's only for other person's life?! I never live myself! I never have the purpose for myself!"

"YOU—"

"I HAVE ENOUGH OF THIS!"

The boy turned around swiftly. Hiashi quickly shouted, "Neji, GET BACK HERE!"

The boy laughed cynically. He threw his High Guardian robe to the floor.

"Now that you knew I have the Eagle… you want me? You want me to protect you? You want me to give my life for you?"

"Neji, you don't understand."

"I do! That's why I'm here to tell you… I have my life to live! Stop strangling me with these traditions! It killed my father! It almost got me! You sent me to an uneven war! You sent me and Father to die!"

"I sent you to PROTECT!"

"LIAR!"

Neji stopped, heaving a deep and audible breath. He looked at the man right into his eyes.

"If I were to protect someone… then it's because my own will, not because of my blood. I have my own path and I will follow it."

The boy now ran away, bustling through all guards around him and disappearing from the sight of the King and his family. He had no emotion left in him. He took long steps away from the castle… away from Hane. The burning feelings in his heart wouldn't reside.

But people were hunting him down—those people from White Sky and from Idion. For some reasons, he was hunted for his strength.

He ran through Lands, trying to find somewhere where he could collect his mind and self. But there was no such place. He was tired, so tired of everything that the Beast inside him could almost freely controlling his mind just from some simple emotional drives. Nightmares haunted him in his every night and he just couldn't take it anymore… He just couldn't take everything anymore…

"YOU… DEMON!!!"

Blood splattered the grass without him doing anything. Rain drenched his body but his white eyes were blank and hollow. The wings that sprouted from his back turned to dust, and so was his whole power. He fell to the puddle, the copper smell of steel blood covering him. Why… Why did he live? What for? Was there even… any meaning in living?

Light footsteps came to him slowly from afar. He didn't move at all, since there was no meaning to. His Beast would go berserk again… but ah, who cares for now? He was nothing… He had no meaning anymore…

And the steps… stopped right before him.

"You have it too, don't you?"

His eyes fluttered open. That voice…

"The Beast."

He lifted his head and saw a girl before him, reaching out her hand to him. But what made him stopped was not her presence… but her eyes. Those eyes… those eyes… the same as what he had now…

"People hate everything that is different." Somehow, her calm voice rose above the sound of the rain. For him… that pure high pitched voice was the only thing he could hear. "And they just don't realize that that difference is what makes the world move."

Her hand stretched out for him. A sign of friendship.

"You have no where to go, right?"

A smile came to her lips. Something he thought he didn't have anymore had risen inside of him.

"Come with me."

The rain still fell as she waited with her outstretched hand...

"I'll take you home."

He didn't know why, but he let that little girl took him. Perhaps he was just tired… or perhaps he just wanted for someone, someone to be trusted. He was too tired of everything already… so tired…

He didn't remember being brought to a room. He didn't even remember the time when she undid his clothes and gently mended his entire wounds. She moved so gently that he fell asleep almost right away. And that sleep was dreamless sleeps that he had always been waiting for ever since he got his Beast.

The next morning, he found her sleeping by his bedside. Neji's eyes slowly moved to see her, but he couldn't do anything since he didn't even have any power left in him. She was sleeping so peacefully… and soon something struck him.

Who was this girl before him? Was it true that she was a Beast Container just like him? Why was she helping him? Why did she bother to even take him home?

There were so many questions running in his head that he couldn't spill a single one of them… not even when the girl murmured… and finally opened her eyes.

He froze. He was looking at her eyes the whole time and when she opened her eyes… the look they showed made his whole body stopped. Her eyes were so full of agony and emptiness… loneliness and suffering… and he could even sense that… disappointment they had disappointment for being awake again in this world. She blinked a few times, brushing something below her eyes. It took a while until she suddenly turned to look at him, a little surprised to see him awake already.

The look in her eyes disappeared and she flashed a bright smile.

"You've awaken!" she said cheerfully, her voice was as pure as a brook. "You fell asleep last night and I didn't want to wake you up. I've tended some of your wounds but it'll take time to heal so… bear with it, alright?"

He didn't say anything in reply of her cheerfulness. She grinned and said vibrantly, "Well! I guess you need some meal, huh? I'll make your breakfast downstairs and bring it for you! How's that sound?"

Again, he didn't say a thing. She smiled nevertheless and said, "So! Off I go! Wait for a while, alright? It won't be that long."

She took a few stuffs then after flashing him her smile, disappeared behind the door.

Neji watched the wooden door in front of him. Who… was she? Why was she that… that nice to him? What if there was something in the meal? What was her true intention…? But then… what was that look in her eyes the moment she woke up?

The sound of her cooking something downstairs was heard even to his place. Just a while later, she was back with a tray filled with breakfast for that day. She put it on the low table then took a seat beside his bed. She gently removed the wet cloth on top of his forehead and offered him the sandwich she had made.

"Here! Eat this! You'll feel better!"

He didn't move. She smiled and offered him again.

"Come on, it's not poisonous! Just eat! You haven't eaten anything for a while, have you?"

He still didn't move. He didn't say anything either. She looked at her sandwich and smiled again.

"Trust me, it's not that bad! Really!"

But he still didn't want to move. After other attempts to make him eat, she finally gave up and put down the sandwich on the tray again. Her eyes were as brown and gentle as always… and she suddenly smiled at him.

"If… I make you something better, would you eat?"

Her voice was warm but he didn't answer. She continued with a softer voice.

"Well… I… I'll try something out. But… eat, will you? You won't get any better if you don't eat…" She smiled. "So you must—"

"Leave me alone."

His voice suddenly rose. She blinked.

"Eh?"

"I said, leave me… alone!"

She didn't say anything. She merely closed her mouth… and smiled.

"Ah… I… see…" She said softly, smiling. She stood up and took the tray. "Well… I… I'll see if I can make some porridge for your lunch. I'm sorry you can't eat for breakfast. Well… then… I'll bring your lunch upstairs. Rest, alright?"

She flashed him another one of her smile and hastily went out of the room.

Neji watched the wooden door with blank eyes. He just… didn't know what to think. He also didn't know why he told her to leave. Perhaps he felt that… that flick of danger. He was scared. Yes, scared. She was just too nice… too good… and he was not in the capacity to trust anyone. He didn't want to trust anyone. Trust cost too much. Trust would hurt too much…

He turned to look outside the window, to the lawn that he had missed yesterday. It was a neat and beautiful lawn, with patches of flower and vegetables. An apple tree stood steadily by the edge of the fence… and a swing was build there. It was lonely though… and it didn't seem like it was used so often…

And there she came, walking out of the house. She tended the patches herself, working in silence. Neji didn't know why, but he kept watching her as she worked… then a question came to his head. Was she living here all by herself? Alone?

His Byakugan reacted as he thought. He never knew why, but he could see things from afar ever since he discovered that he had the Eagle. He watched as she tended her lawn… and he saw her standing and finally approached the swing slowly. She paused there for a while, looking at the swing as if looking at something in her past. She touched the rope… and finally sat on it.

There was actually nothing special about her and the swing but the way she swayed slowly, almost agonizingly, made something inside of him ached. She didn't seem happy at all as she swayed. Instead, her every movement reflected something distant and painful. She was swinging in her past.

He didn't know why that notion came into his head but he quickly banished the thought. Why was he thinking of her? He wouldn't be here too long after all. As soon as he was able to move, he would return to his wandering… Yes, he would return to that life… That life where he hunt and being hunted. It was enough. Rather than… Rather than risking his life once again in the hand of trust. He would try to run as soon as he was able to. Meanwhile, he wouldn't let himself getting too comfortable in this house. He wouldn't let that girl get a hold of his trust.

"Lunch is ready!"

Her cheerful voice snapped him back to reality. She opened the door awkwardly while carrying a tray with a bowl of porridge and a cup of milk. Beside the bowl was an aid-kit. She noticed how his eyes landed on the white box and answered immediately.

"It's time to change your bandages," She smiled. "Your wounds are healing fast, but I still must change your bandages for hygiene. Don't worry, it wouldn't take that long!"

He didn't say anything, again. She put the tray on the low table then took the porridge. She grinned.

"Now… open your mouth! You still cannot use your hand yet so I…"

He didn't react. She tried once again but he still didn't want to eat. After trying a few more times, she finally put the bowl on the tray again. Her brown eyes examined him… and suddenly the light in her eyes disappeared.

"I won't… force you to…"

Her voice drifted slowly. She averted her eyes to the window.

"But… if you don't eat, you won't be able to heal," she continued. Her brown eyes slowly turned to his lavender orbs. "Even a Beast Container needs meal, you know. Your Beast cannot heal you if you don't heal yourself."

His eyes hardened.

"Who… are you?"

She stopped for a while then eventually smiled.

"My name is Tenten, the last descendant of the Tenkai Clan and a Beast Container, just like you," She said lightly. Her eyes turned brighter as she grinned. "That's the first time I've ever heard your voice. It's deeper than I thought! Ah… yeah. Yoroshiku ne!"

She bowed down slightly to him. He clenched his fists. The last descendant… of the Tenkai?

"… I guess it's still won't do, eh?"

He quickly looked at her. She was examining him with distant eyes. The look then disappeared when she gave him a broken smile.

"If you… still don't want to trust me, then it's fine… but please let me change your bandages. I won't take too long to do it, I promise."

He finally let her touched him. She deftly undid the bandages in his body, didn't say anything as she touched his bruises and cuts. She patiently rubbed the salves on his body in silence. He didn't say anything and neither did her. There was nothing to talk about. They were not even acquaintances…

"Am I… a hassle for you?"

Those eyes were wounded. She lowered her hands that previously mended his wounds.

"I… I won't ask for anything else," She gripped the towel in her hand and suddenly he found tears in her voice. "It's… It's alright… if you don't want to talk to me… It's fine… You don't need to reply… I… I won't ask you to… But just… just… will you… will you regard me…as more… than a burden? Would you… would you… regard me as more than a girl you just met? I won't ask for anything else, really! I just want… a little…"

She let her voice trail… and he remained silence. She closed her eyes as she took a breath; a slow, painful breath.

"Daddy… said…" She tried to smile at him… And he finally realized that she was wounded by her own smile. "That… that no one is completely alone…"

But she didn't believe her words… and she couldn't take the lie anymore.

"If that's true…" Her body suddenly shook and her voice turned unsteady. "Then… Then… why… Why…"

She let her voice trailed once again and looked down to the floor, trying to recollect her emotions again. They were silent for a while until she finally reached out and continued the bandaging. She moved more gently now, slowly but surely.

Her eyes shimmered as she looked at him.

"You're a Hyuuga… aren't you?"

His eyes widened and his body stiffened. She smiled at his silent response.

"Only Hyuugas have that kind of eyes," she continued, gently rubbing his arm. She could feel how his body slightly relaxed. "I love them. They're… pure and beautiful."

He didn't say anything but she smiled.

"The Tenkais control the weather," she said slowly to him. "Or so my father told me."

He said nothing as she rubbed the salve on of his wounds. She looked at him for quite some time and finally said, "The Hyuuga ruled the sky with their wings… And I always believe what my father says to me."

He didn't have the words to answer as the girl smiled gently and continued to treat his body.

The treatment finished eventually. She helped him buttoning the shirt he wore while saying, "These clothes are Daddy's. But you can use it anytime."

He didn't want to break his aloofness but he just couldn't help but to ask.

"Where is he?"

She looked at him and smiled again. She pointed upward.

"The Heaven. He's no longer in this so-called world."

He paused. She grinned at him then said softly, "It's nice… to have someone at home rather than being all alone."

He was just about to say something when she stood up and took the tray. She grinned again and said, "I… I'll make something better for dinner… and I hope you'll eat it. You'll heal faster if you do, believe me! Ma… Jya ne."

She went out of the room once again.

Neji watched the low table beside him then the bandages covering his arms. So she was indeed… living all by herself. But then… was all she said earlier true? Was she truly… a Beast Container? The last descendant of Tenkai? Who was she, still? And… why did she help him? Why? What did she want from him?

What did… she want from him?

"YOU LIVE TO PROTECT THE ROYAL FAMILY!" bellowed Hiashi. "You have no authority to go against any of our rules. You are born to SERVE!"

Neji clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. No… he could not be owned anymore… NOT anymore!

The sound of the front door closing made him turned his eyes. He looked out side the window and found her walked away from the house. She looked like she was counting something but then closed the small purse she was holding and walking out of the garden. She looked like she wanted to go somewhere… and he wondered where she wanted to go.

Neji spent the rest of the day collecting his thought. The Beast inside of him didn't go on a rampage or even emerging inside his thought anymore. In this house he managed to control his emotion and mind, thus regaining his former self was not a hard task anymore. He placed his plans pieces by pieces, recollecting everything while planning for the future. He wouldn't stay long here. No matter what she said, he would go and do his plan. He would get the best he could afford to from this house then leave once he was satisfied and strong enough. It sounded so selfish… but at that time, he didn't even think about trusting anyone ever again.

The white gate suddenly creaked open. Neji turned his eyes at the garden again to see her walking home. She was holding a paper bag filled with vegetables and other ingredients… but blood was staining her face, shirt, and the paper bag. Neji narrowed his eyes upon seeing the red liquid, wondering what had happened to her or what she had done. It turned out that she was not as innocent as she pictured herself to him.

The sound of her cooking was heard just a moment later and he was a little surprised when he found himself wondering of what she would cook. He banished the thought immediately and reminded himself that she could not be trusted. The sound downstairs was not heard anymore… and he found himself staring at the door, waiting for her to come in…

"Dinner is ready!"

The door flung open. She walked awkwardly with the tray and grinned at him. The food on the tray was so marvelous that he was… literary amazed. How could she manage to…

"I… went to the town nearby and bought some ingredients!" She put the tray on the low table and grinned. "You wouldn't eat your breakfast and lunch… so I must do something with your dinner! I tried my best for this… so… eat, alright? It's better than your lunch and breakfast, I promise!"

He didn't reply anything to her cheerfulness. His eyes noticed the bruises coloring her face and some of them even visible at the back of her hands. Some even had cuts over the blue bruises and it was clear that she hastily cleaned them, since the blood dried by the side of the wound. She found his eyes in no time and smiled.

"Ah, they're… nothing!" She waved her hand and touched her face, wincing when she touched the wounds. "I… I was careless, that's all! It was a misunderstanding! I-I'll help you with your dinner! Not to worry!"

He didn't react. She took the plate filled with salmon and offered him a spoonful of salmon meat.

"Here! It's the most delicious among the others!"

He didn't open his mouth, again. She grinned and tried again.

"Come on! Don't wound my pride as a chef! I can really cook, you know! It's not that bad, really! It's not poisoned either!"

Not poisoned… heh.

She tried to persuade him, again and again… but he didn't want to eat, even the most marvelous meal. After a few more attempts… she gave up once again, placing the plates back to the tray. She suddenly turned silent and her brown eyes swept the food contemplatively. Her brown eyes wavered… and she spoke again.

"Should I… cook something else for you?"

Eh? He quickly looked into her eyes, which were still staring at the meal. She blinked a few times then flashed her smile at him again.

"I… I'll try to cook something better, so you must eat, alright?" She said brightly. But he could definitely hear her slight trembling voice. "It'll be better than these, I promise! That time, you must eat, alright? You won't get better if you don't eat… I… I'll go back to town! Perhaps… Perhaps I could still find some more ingredients for your dinner!"

She beamed at him again and tidied the bowls and plates. She winced when her move hurt her wounds… and he noticed clearly how her wounds healed themselves slowly as time passed by. She smiled at him for the last time and said lightly, "I'll cook something else for you! If there was anything you want, my room is right beside you. Or… Or you want to eat tonight? If so, I will…"

"Why?"

She stopped. He looked slowly into her eyes and repeated, demandingly.

"Why… are you doing this much for me? What do you want from me?"

Her eyes suddenly changed. She flashed him a broken smile and said softly.

"Do I even need anything?"

His eyes widened. She looked at him in the eyes… but the eyes she showed was not the one she had just a minute ago. Her smile vanished… and the distant eyes wavered as they gazed at the floor.

"I have nothing left now… why do I need… anything else in this world?"

Silence greeted them. She was about to say something else but she stopped in the middle of the way. Her eyes averted his gaze. The painful look she had this morning flashed but then disappeared as fast as it came.

"It'll be nice… to have someone with me in this house."

With that, she disappeared behind the door. Neji found himself still staring at the wooden door even minutes after her departure. Until now… he just couldn't comprehend anything at all.

The next morning… right when he opened his eyes, what greeted him was another marvelous meal.

And she got another wounds on her body. She didn't even bother though and all she did was beaming brightly as she used to do and said, "Breakfast is ready!! I woke you up, didn't I? I'm so sorry… I just thought perhaps leaving the breakfast here would be nice, since you have such a deep sleep, I couldn't bring my self to wake you up!"

He stared at the breakfast for a while then turned to see her. She followed his eyes and smiled at him.

"I promise I'll give you something better," she said softly, taking a spoonful of porridge. "Come on! It won't be that bad!"

He narrowed his eyes and asked, "You went to town?"

She froze… then grinned.

"Ahahahahaha… I did," She said lightly, wincing when her wounds ached. "It shows, eh?"

He stayed silent over her cheerfulness and instead asked, "Why must you get hurt?"

She stopped grinning. Her eyes turned soft and she smiled at him again.

"They just… don't understand."

Her smile turned gentler.

"They will, eventually. I believe… it's the same with your case. We're not monsters nor are our Beasts. We just… happened to acknowledge our Heart, that's all."

He clenched his fists.

"But why must you go… if only to buy more ingredients?"

She beamed at his question almost immediately.

"I've promised you, haven't I?" She said lightly. "Daddy always said we must not forget our promises! Anyway, I want to make you eat. You won't recover if you don't… and I see that you haven't control your Beast fully yet. You cannot attain its full recovery ability if you still haven't control it."

He narrowed his eyes at her sentence. She smiled at him again, putting down her porridge.

"Do you want me to teach you Beast Control?"

He froze. She smiled again at his reaction.

"I already have this Beast since I was nine," she said gently. Her eyes softened… with pain lurking, hidden but now visible for him. "I can control it very well. Or perhaps… It let me control it. My Beast is a very friendly one. I believe yours has its own character once it has let go of its overflowing murderous intent and merge with your soul."

She grinned and raised the spoon in her hand to his lips.

"Here, it won't be that bad."

She then continued with a smile.

"I've promised you, haven't I?"

He didn't open his mouth. Instead, he gave her a hard look.

"Is there any reason for me to trust you?"

She blinked a few times… then smiled yet again.

"No," she said lightly. But then she grinned. "Trust… doesn't need a reason. You have every right not to trust me. It is your decision. All along, trust is something you feel in your heart. I cannot make you feel it no matter how hard I try if you refuse it yourself."

He was silent for a while. She made the spoon touched his lower lips gently and smiled gently again, "I won't ask you to trust me… but please just eat. This is the only thing I want you to do."

After a while, he finally opened his mouth and ate what she offered.

It took two days for him to recover and be able to walk but she took care of him patiently along the way. After he was able to walk, slowly and painfully, she showed him her house, carefully leading him to take every step. She showed him the picture of her father, the armory, the smithy, and every part of her simple and small house. When he was able to walk better, she took him outside to the field. It was a sunny day and the breeze was blowing gently. She showed him the flower field that stretched right out side of the lawn… and the golden lake that was shining from afar.

"This land… was the Tianlong Town, of the Tenkai."

She said softly to him. He nodded. Her eyes turned to see the field again, and the distant gaze returned once again.

"The whole village… didn't give anything nice for me to remember. But it still hurt a lot when everything disappeared…"

She closed her eyes.

"When you are alone, and realizing that there's nothing more that you want to achieve… the only thing you have left that makes you keep moving… are memories."

She laughed quietly and smiled again. He gulped inwardly as he saw the tears in her feature.

"But… it's painful, you know… to realize that you live for your past. You do not even exist in the present and there's no power left to carve the future. And the world left you behind, with only memories to hold on to."

She took a deep breath and threw a look at the field again.

"I wish… I never have been born in this world at all. Perhaps it's better than living this way."

And she told him her story. She talked about it slowly, clearly… and he watched as she unfolded her painful past little by little. Her eyes were those eyes when she woke up in the morning, softening with distant affection whenever she said anything about her father. He finally understood why she had those wounds whenever she went to the nearby town, why she lived all alone in this house by the peak of an empty hill and perhaps… he finally understood why she had helped him in the first place. If that was why…

"Nee… Hyuuga-san."

Neji turned to see her when she called. She took a step forward then turned around and gave him her smile.

"Do you love this world?"

He was stunned for a while then averted his gaze elsewhere.

"I don't know."

Her smile softened.

"I don't."

His eyes widened. Her eyes darkened… and the pain and agony and everything she had been through overflowed in her gaze.

"I hate this world so much… So much that I hope I could just erase it, destroy it, and let it be nothing, not even a memory."

She closed her eyes and smiled.

"But… this is not my world."

He froze at the sound of her voice.

"This is… Daddy's world… the Uchiha's world… Hyuuga-san's world… everyone else is living in this world… And everyday I see people who love this world, living their lives in happiness in the world that gives me endless pain every time I open my eyes."

She opened her eyes, soft and gentle.

"Do you have a family, Hyuuga-san?"

Neji averted his gaze.

"Sort of."

She smiled.

"That's good," she said softly. "Protect them, no matter how much they've hurt you… since it's a remembrance that you exist. It's painful… being the only one left, without any chance to protect any. It's nice, you see… to have a family."

"It's not," Neji tightened his jaw. "If they don't even recognize you as one of them. If they only use you… only use you as a machine, as something nothing more than tools to help them with."

She closed her eyes and a faint smile curved up her lips.

"I see…" She said softly. "You and I… are, indeed, different."

He narrowed his eyes. She looked into his eyes and smiled. She didn't pretend anymore and he could see how tired she was. She was so tired of this world; she had seen too many things and suffered for too long.

"I live… without anyone to be with, dying to be with someone," She began slowly. Her eyes turned to see his. "But you… you spent your previous life with people, with families, but now you're trying not meet anyone. You're afraid of being hurt, sick of being used, tired of being someone that people want you to be without any chance of achieving what you really desire."

His body stiffened. She laughed and took a deep breath. Her eyes slowly opened themselves and the look they showed… was so painful that the boy froze almost instantly.

"The path that I choose differed with yours. I choose to find people, but you choose to run. I want to achieve something, but you choose to cast away everything. Now then, Hyuuga-san… I want to ask you this one thing… What do you want to achieve by being alone?"

Neji answered her gaze.

"I'll find Orochimaru. I'll give him a punishment equaled with what he had taken from me."

Tenten watched him calmly and asked again, softer.

"What do you have left after that?"

He clenched his jaw… but didn't have anything else to reply. She chuckled, closing her eyes.

"Revenge will not finish anything, that's what I believe… and that's something that Daddy always told me. I will not ask you to stop, since I have no right to ask anything to you. But I just want to warn you, Hyuuga-san…"

She gave him a dark stare.

"There will be nothing you achieve in the end, if you choose that path. Killing him won't give you any happiness… You will only approaching your own doom, created by your own desire to find a way to live."

She smiled.

"No matter how much you despise everyone else beside yourself… Humans… cannot live alone. No human can live alone, Hyuuga-san… since the reason why you live is the lives that revolves around you."

Her eyes turned softer when she saw his skeptic eyes.

"You are… a good man, Hyuuga-san," She said gently. His eyes widened slightly. "Yes, a good man… Since what you despise is your own family, but deep down in your heart, you still have a piece of you that kept them as an important piece. That is why you didn't attack them, right? If you have lost everything, I am sure what you would've done was demolishing your entire clan. But you didn't. It'll be too bad… if you end up as an empty shell that's only chasing revenge. This world… is more than just revenge. Just like how it is more than just you and me."

He didn't have the words to object her… nor did he have any to comfort her. Somehow… a flick of him had risen deep down, something that had long forgotten but he wasn't sure what it was. Perhaps it was her… that reminded him of things he had forgotten.

He spent another days to recover… until he was strong enough even to stand by himself and lifting heavy stuff. That day he was even able to bring her the log she needed for the smithy. She watched him with eyes that he didn't understand… but that time he was too preoccupied with his own satisfaction for being able to move again. He would soon leave that place… He would finally go back to his plan…

"I'm going to the nearby town," He said to her one day. "I want to check out for things."

"I see…"

She moved her gaze elsewhere, biting her bottom lips. After a while she suddenly lifted her head.

"W-What about if we have dinner together tonight?"

He blinked. She blushed and looked away.

"I-I mean… we… we never eat on the same table at the same time… like people used to do. Since… Since… I always bring your food upstairs because of your wounds… Not that it means I mind, but… But will you… have dinner at home with me tonight? It'll be nice if you want to."

He looked at her for a while. She only stuttered when she wanted to really ask him something, and what she asked were always bizarre. She only asked for things like going out to the field together, sitting by the garden, and other trivial things that he really didn't care about. He always rejected and she always replied with the same smile and said, "I-I see… it's silly, isn't it?" But now…

"Fine, then."

The simple statement seemed like the most wonderful gift he could have ever given to her.

He went away right after he said the promise. He went to search for town and soon found the two nearest towns, the small town of Daien then to the town of Koumen. These people were not too friendly with strangers. They were full of secret and more or less harsh. Even so, Neji tried to gather more information about the Idion Kingdom and it was not that hard, truly. He soon found out how far the Kingdom had progressed and everything else. Rumors were important so he spent his day until late at night at the inn, looking for other things he could acquire, anything…

"It's so late already, Young Man, shouldn't you head home?" the inn keeper, tidying his place. He turned to look at the window outside. "You see, if your home is across the hill, you better be hurry. They said, the monster will come and get you."

Neji narrowed his eyes.

"Monster?"

"Yes," The inn keeper nodded. "Don't you know? That monster already took the Village by the lake, you see? If you come home late, it'll be easier for the monster to get you!"

The white eyes flashed.

"Is that monster… a girl?"

The inn keeper laughed suddenly. He snorted.

"HAH! That girl? That brunette?! She's a nutty! Telling us that she's from that legendary Tenkai Clan? She's such a big liar! But then, she IS living by the hill and we all know that she's being possessed by that monster, more or less! How could she survive if she is not possessed? Man, you better get away from her! We only trade with her stuff because their quality are nice, and she's won't bother with money, that's all! You better stay away from her house, boy! If you wanna live, that is!"

After the conversation Neji bade him goodbye. He walked up the hill in silence. Orochimaru had broadened his territory, and the White Sky was cornered. Idion perhaps would turn their objective to the Land of Water and after that…

He opened the door… then froze…

A soft smell of dinner was floating to his nose… and he found the Tenkai girl by the sofa, sleeping…

The old cuckoo clock showed 11 A.M… He had completely forgotten his promise…

His eyes flew to the dining table at the dining room that was right beside the living room. It was filled with delicious but now cold food. They were marvelous… and he could see that she had once again put her best efforts in making those foods. He clenched his fist then turned to see the girl who was now sleeping by the couch.

She was sleeping… and he noticed the traces of bruise and cuts coloring her body. She went to one of the two nearest towns again… and bought the ingredients for their meal. He didn't saw her though then it meant she went to the town after or before he was there. Why didn't he remember? He was such… a fool…

He chided himself inside his heart. He had promised her to have dinner… but he just had his meal by the inn and he was now…

"Mmm…"

He heard her murmured in her sleep. His white eyes turned to gaze at her, watching as she curled herself for warmth. Her expression while she was asleep didn't look peace though… perhaps she was having a bad dream…

He narrowed his eyes when he saw something; something that sparkle by the side of her face…

And there he saw her crying. He had never seen her cry… but now he did. She never shed any tears… but she did when she was asleep. Pain found its way to his heart when he realized that only in her sleep she could be honest. Only in her sleep she could shed the tears she had never been able to let out.

"Humans cannot live alone."

But no one around her ever thought of her as human. In fact, she had no one to begin with.

"I wish… I never have been born in this world at all. Perhaps it's better than living this way."

"I promised Daddy… that I will never cry…" She said between her stories. She smiled at him slightly. "I never do that, right? At least I will keep that last promise I made with him… He would sure know how hard I try, wouldn't he?"

Too hard, perhaps… Too… hard… He recalled her story bit by bit. If she was just faking… would she cry while she was asleep? Would she have those eyes that she showed him? Would she… would she even think… of…

She murmured… and her eyes fluttered open. Neji watched her as she regained herself and he saw those eyes again; the same eyes she had when she woke up the very first morning he was there… She brushed the area below her eyes, apparently brushing the tears away. She looked at her hands though… looking at the tears that previously flowed on her cheeks…

"Ah! Hyuuga-san!" She finally noticed him. He stiffened. "You've come home!! Okaeri!"

"A… aa…" He replied. She laughed lightly and rubbed her neck.

"I'm so sorry!! I fell asleep while waiting for your return! Ah, silly me… silly me! I… I 've made the meal already while waiting for you and… ah!!! 11 O'clock already?! The meal!!!"

She quickly turned to see the dinner, realizing very well that they were cold. She stopped for a while then turned to look at him, who was just about to say something.

"Well, I…"

"I'm so sorry…" She cut him off, smiling apologetically. She rubbed her neck, averting her eyes from him. "The food… they're… They're cold already. I promised you we'll have a nice meal… but… gomen, ne?? Ah, I… I'll cook again! How about that? Would that work out for you?"

He gaped for words. She… wasn't angry at him?

'B-but I…"

"But ah, of course!" She once again cut him off. She didn't look into his eyes like she used to though, but he could suddenly heard her trembling voice. "Of course, I was so idiotic! Y-You have eaten outside, haven't you? My… I… I should've thought about it sooner! G-Gomen, ne?? I shouldn't have cooked the meal that early! I… ah… I…"

She turned around, moving awkwardly like hiding something. He just didn't know what to do. What was she saying? She…

She suddenly turned around and flashed him a smile again.

"I am sure you're exhausted!" She said cheerfully… or pretending to be. "Well… it's better if you rest upstairs then, Hyuuga-san! I will tidy everything up by myself! Hahaha… silly me! You need your power tomorrow, right? Rest well, Hyuuga-san! O-Oyasumi!"

He opened his mouth again but closed it again as he saw her collecting the two plates which were meant to be their plates for dinner. She would… put it back again like there was no promise between them for the night?

And Neji suddenly moved and took the plate before she put them back. She was surprised when he did so, and was even surprised when she saw him sitting by the dining table. His white eyes stabbed over hers and he said, "Do you want to have dinner or not?"

Her eyes widened. She wanted to say something but there was nothing that was heard. She then took a deep breath and grinned.

"Of course!"

Then they were having dinner, just the two of them. She beamed the whole evening and he ate quietly, silently cursing the fact that he was full already… He didn't know why he did that. He didn't know why suddenly he sat by the dining table like an idiotic fool and asked her the dinner… Perhaps it was because of the meal, or perhaps it was purely because of her. It seemed like she had been waiting this kind of chance for so long… It would be too cruel for him to take that chance away from her.

After the meal he was more than full but he didn't give any sign. He bowed down slightly as a form of goodnight then walked upstairs. She watched him taking the stairs as she tidied the dining room… then suddenly called.

"Hyuuga-san!"

Neji stopped, glancing at her with silent response.

He then froze when he saw her smiling so brightly with a beam of gratitude. She bowed down deeply and shouted,

"Thank you very much!"

He only snorted and continued his steps. Even so, it was enough for her to smile brightly the whole evening… and he was surprised to find that he actually felt… content.

He was still wondering about her reaction when he turned the knob to the room he had occupied since the first day he was there. When he walked in, he stopped.

The room was unusually tidy… and on top of the bed laid a beautiful kodachi. The sheath was grand… and he couldn't help but to be amazed by its grace and strength. Just by looking at the kodachi, he could almost feel the pride and the power it held… It was simply magnificent. He took it carefully then opened the sheath.

For he who carve the road of Fate
and he who find the path Truth

The sentences by the blade made him stopped. She made it just for him… Had she known his intention from the very first start? Was that why she asked him to have dinner with him? The last dinner they could possibly have? The only person with her?

Neji just didn't know what to think.

He didn't sleep so well that night, swaying between leaving and that girl who saved him. He woke up the next morning, collecting his belonging—which were not that many—then closed the door of the room. He would find her today and told her that he was leaving. This was not his place after all. He opened the door leading to the garden and when he took a step forward, he stopped for the nth time since he was there.

She was sitting by the front terrace, watching the field stretching outside of her garden. The flowers were blooming and the sunrise was peeking from between the hill. Her eyes were those distant eyes he saw whenever she opened her eyes after her sleep… and he could see the dreams playing in her brown orbs… She was looking at her past again, imagining things to live in the future…

Imagining things… Just imagining…

He closed his eyes.

"Tenten."

She was almost shocked when she heard him called her. Her eyes quickly snapped back to reality and she found him beside her. It had been a long time since someone called her name… perhaps she even forgot how it felt like to be called.

"H-Hyuuga-san…?"

He opened his eyes and met hers… and without even thinking,

"It seems like I need to learn Beast Control. I guess I need to be here for quiet a while… Would you teach me that?"

She was stunned.

"It'll be nice… to have someone with me in this house."

She smiled brightly and answered, "Sure, Hyuuga-san!"

He smirked.

"My name is Neji. Call me with my forename… We're not strangers."

The last sentence made her almost cry. She beamed… and he didn't know why, but somehow… he loved the way she smiled honestly…

"Certainly!"

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

He lived with her ever since that day. He didn't know why… but the years when he lived together with the Weapon Mistress were the happiest years of his life. He never felt that free before and never did he realize how being with someone could feel that enjoyable. It was without any sign at all… but perhaps somewhere along the way, he had grown not only to like her, but to love her.

She was the only one he could trust with his life, with his heart, with everything left in him.

When they part after Neji decided to build Asura, it was the hardest day for him. Being with her was what makes him felt at home. She was his home. She was the place for him to return to… And now after they met…

The white eyes swept the corridor before him. He had never thought about hurting her this much… He had been so selfish all this time… So selfish that she had always needed to sacrifice herself for him… Since the very first time, he had never given her anything while she gave him everything she could. He was such a fool… an idiotic fool… If only… If only…

Partner… you…

But now it had been too late for him to even regret. All he wanted now was to be with her… All he wanted now was to see those brown eyes again and tell her how much he needed her, how much he loathed himself for burdening everything on her shoulder… Why, it was this hard… so hard…

He just wanted to say sorry.

And as he strolled along the path to her place, that was the only thing that occupied his mind.

Tenten… please forgive me…

Just gave him one chance… another chance… for him to make her happy…

I love you…

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

END

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

Author's note: Sorry, that was less emotional than Tenten. But that's Neji, right? I cannot make him too emotional since it's so not him. Everything painful comes from Tenten! Bwahahahahaha! I had a TON of Nejiten ideas here for this story and the ones that were displayed in this section are only a minuscule of the real story between Neji and Tenten in the past. While Neji was recovering, Tenten talked to him about many things… and I'll try to type those many things in the flashback whenever I have the chance. LOL.

Thank you for reading. I'm sorry it's not satisfying…

Bye, everyone! This week has been a hard week for me, so sorry… I'm so sorry…

JYA NE!