A/N: Nearly a month –wails- I'm sorry! But the festive season is over now and it's back to normal so the chapters should be quicker in coming. Thank you sososo much to everyone for reading/reviewing/alerting/favourite-ing – you make my day, really you do. Feedback from you guys is what makes me want to share what I've written – so please don't be shy and remember to review!

Warnings: A little smuttiness, a little language … nothing unusual

Disclaimer: It would really suck very much to get sued, so even though you're all well aware: I do not own Naruto or the characters used in this story.

Chapter 26

Tenten snuggled deeper into the soft pillows, an equally soft smile pulling at the corners of her mouth, but even through the bliss of sleep she was aware of the yawning coldness of the space at her back. The smile turned into a slight frown as she fought her way up through layers of sleep; trying to place the feeling of coldness. It shouldn't be cold … Neji was always so warm …

Her eyes flew open as the realization hit and for a moment she remained frozen in place as she registered the facts the coldness communicated to her: Neji was gone, had been for quite some time. Slowly the events of the night before filtered back into her conscious mind; how Neji had seemed closed off, reluctant, but at the same time yearning and desperate …

Why had it felt so much like goodbye?

Fear clawed at her insides and tears burned beneath her lids as she closed her eyes against the pain; she'd foolishly allowed herself to hope that everything would be alright when Neji's arms had closed around her. She'd allowed herself to forget all the problems, all the things that still stood between them, in the heat of the moment, and she'd hoped that Neji would do the same. Rationality tried to inject some sense into her pain-filled thoughts but it was useless – Neji would never leave her room without saying goodbye, the mere fact that he clearly had was proof enough that something was horribly wrong.

Slowly, Tenten turned onto her back, her head turning involuntarily and her eyes filling with tears as she stared at the empty space in the bed. The pillow was still indented where Neji's head had been, the sheets pushed back, the pale white of the envelope striking against the blue fabric …

Tenten blinked vigorously to keep the tears at bay as she slowly reached for the square of paper. It was blank, there was nothing threatening about it but her heart pounded in her chest. Painfully she pushed herself up against the headboard, still clutching the envelope tightly in one hand. The other rose to push her bangs out of her eyes and she took a deep breath before opening the flap and pulling the sheet of plain paper out of its casing.

Long moments passed as she stared disbelievingly at the words he'd written. Her hands shook and her fingers clenched tightly around the paper but she barely registered the protesting crackle. Anger began to stir, bubbled slowly, evaporating the tears before they'd formed until Tenten realized, distantly and with some surprise, that she was furious.

Smooth movements were fuelled by anger as she pushed the covers back and flew around the room. This time she would not stay silent and simply accept whatever happened.

This time she wanted answers.

And the Uchiha would damn well give them to her.

Sasuke sighed tiredly as he opened his locker door and took a couple of books from the pile stacked neatly inside. The night had been long, his talk with Itachi in the car this morning even longer. But it had been too late to regret going after the Hyuuga; he'd been expecting some kind of speech from his brother for the last week anyway, so he'd resigned himself to listening in silence. What he hadn't expected was for Itachi to coolly inform him that he would be attending a rehab program with a local psychologist from the next week.

Telling a stranger about the inner workings of his mind? Allowing someone to rummage through his memories, his actions, at will – let them judge him? Sasuke nearly groaned out loud. He'd go, of course he'd go, what choice did he have? But already he dreaded it. Part of him was grateful that Itachi had taken matters into his own hands so that Sasuke had been spared the humiliation of a confession. Itachi was his brother, he loved him, but Sasuke had no desire to bare his soul to his older brother. The elder Uchiha was too much like their father for Sasuke to easily show any weakness in his presence. But the other part, the part that was so used to doing exactly as he pleased, that part was not happy with the ultimatum Itachi had laid down at all. Oh, Itachi had phrased it as if Sasuke had a choice, but no choice had been involved really – he had no desire to be handed over to the courts as a misbehaving juvenile and sent to some government rehabilitation center; and Sasuke knew Itachi well enough to know that his brother could be exactly as bad as his word.

He was so caught up in his thoughts he never noticed the girl stalking towards him, murder in eyes and vengeance in her heart. He failed to notice the stares the other students gave Tenten as she marched up to him, failed to notice the wary looks he was getting. He had no warning; just Tenten's hand reaching for the locker door, slamming it shut right in front of him. Sasuke barely got his hands out of the way fast enough. For a moment disbelief held him in place, he stared straight ahead at the dull metal door but anger rushed in swiftly on its heels.

Who would dare…?

Slowly Sasuke turned to face whatever person had been foolish enough to fuck with him today of all days. The occasional jealous boyfriend would try to challenge him in some macho display but one glare was usually enough to send them quickly on their way. But today he was disinclined to be merciful; today whoever crossed his path would get exactly what they deserved … The glare faded, the red flames in the dark irises died down, when Sasuke turned fully and saw Tenten standing next to him, vibrating with fury.

They stared – glared – at each other in silence for a moment before Sasuke sighed almost imperceptibly and said wearily, "Tenten." Unfortunately this was one confrontation he couldn't avoid. Absurdly he wanted to laugh; only now it occurred to him that the Hyuuga had conveniently left him to do the explaining to the irate girl in front of him.

Typical.

"What the hell is this?" Tenten snarled, slamming a sheet of paper into his chest, uncaring of their avid audience.

Mildly interested Sasuke took the piece of paper from her, quickly scanned the words written there in the Hyuuga's elegant script.

I don't want to hurt you anymore than I already have. I hope you will move on to happier things. I go now with the hope that you will one day be able to forgive me for all the pain I've caused you.

Mirthlessly Sasuke smirked as he closed his eyes briefly, cursing the Hyuuga for leaving him with this mess.

"Ah … yes-″

Sasuke never got to finish his sentence as Tenten opened her mouth and beat him to it.

"Go? What does he mean go? Go where, exactly? What did you do to him?"

"Tenten-″

"What did you do?" her voice escalated to a scream, the sheen of tears obvious in her eyes, "we were fine. We were. And now he's suddenly got to go?" she stopped to take a deep breath, staring accusingly at the raven-haired boy in front of her.

"Tenten," Sasuke began, quietly, his hands going to her shoulders; he could feel her body trembling in his hold and his hands tightened as it became apparent that he had to get her out of the public eye and quickly; Tenten wasn't too far from her breaking point. But that was exactly the wrong thing to do, it seemed, as she twisted violently in his hold.

Glaring up at him she pushed, hands flat on his chest as she put all her strength behind the movement. Sasuke smirked – she'd have to do better than that - but Tenten repeated the motion, again and again, until he was forced to hold her shoulders tightly as he tried to keep her body away from his. Her palms slammed into him again and again, with increasing force as Sasuke stared in astonishment. Tears were streaming down her face, her eyes burned with rage.

"Stop that and calm the fuck down," he hissed at her, his own brows drawing together in a scowl as he fought against the girl who seemed intent on putting as many bruises as she could on him.

"What did you do? What did you say?" her voice escalated with every word and her hands balled into fists as she tried to slam them into every inch of him she could reach.

Recognizing the hysterical light burning in her eyes Sasuke acted as quickly as he could without hurting her. His grip tightened, slid down to capture her flailing wrists in a strong grasp as he quickly turned her around, and pressed her crossed wrists against her chest, holding her tightly against him to stop the frantic twisting of her body.

For a moment longer Tenten struggled against his hold before he body slumped and she allowed him to draw her quickly toward the first door he could see. The silence in the hallway was almost deafening but Sasuke ignored the onlookers as he released Tenten with a muttered order to stand still. He pushed her through before him and closed the door on the wide-eyed stares.

"He's gone to a rehab center," he stated emotionlessly into the space ahead of him, not paying any mind to Tenten who had sunk to the floor as soon as she'd drawn to a stumbling halt.

"What…?" she whispered, confusion coloring her voice as she shook her head slowly in denial.

"He left with his uncle early this morning, and the letter is his way of telling you not to wait for him."

Her shoulders began to shake and Sasuke carefully fixed his gaze on the opposite wall; he had no desire or talent to deal with her tears. But he'd made a promise and his mouth twisted into a grimace. Quietly he cleared his throat.

"He left for you, Tenten. Because he wants to change."

It was all Sasuke could manage – the full extent of emotion he had in him at the moment. He was suddenly absolutely exhausted, but as he turned back to the door he said quietly, "I saw Temari out there, I'll tell her you're here."

He quickly slipped out of the room, eyes searching for the blonde. He wanted to get the entire uncomfortable thing over with as quickly as possible. Temari was waiting just across the hall, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, a scowl firmly in place.

"What did you do to her?" she demanded, the moment he stopped in front of her.

"Nothing," Sasuke muttered running a tired hand over his face. "Look, Neji left this morning and she's upset. So go help her or something."

Temari stared warily at him, "Just stay away from her," her voice was a hiss at the end of the sentence and she reminded Sasuke of a cat; its fur standing on end. She pushed past him but stopped abruptly as Sasuke spoke quietly.

"I can't do that – I told Neji I'd check that she's okay."

The blond hair swung slowly as Temari shook her head, "I'm not even going to bother trying to understand, Uchiha. Just leave her alone."

And then she was gone and Sasuke sighed again. What had seemed like such an easy thing to promise at the time had quickly become more trouble than he ever would've believed.

Hours later Sasuke let himself tiredly into his house. He was so goddamned tired – what had compelled him to stay at school all day he really couldn't understand. But he had stayed. He'd even tried to take notes in a couple of classes. Now all he wanted was his bed. He dropped his bag in the entryway, kicked his shoes off at the foot of the stairs, and slowly began the ascent to his bedroom.

Despite the tiredness, despite being emotionally numbed, Sasuke couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride. For the first time in years he'd passed through a day he didn't regret. Of course, he could've been nicer to Tenten, his conscience twinged a bit, but he'd done the best he could and that would have to suffice.

The door to his bedroom swung open as he pushed it and the flash of pink he caught from the corner of his eye made his lifting spirits sink a bit. Sakura was sitting in the middle of his bed, staring at the TV on his wall, the sound off, but at his entry she hit the button on the remote and the screen went blank. For a moment Sasuke stared at the dark screen before he entered the room fully and closed the door behind him.

"So, this is where you were all day." The words were a statement; his tone flat.

Sakura nodded her affirmation, pink hair shining silkily in the rapidly fading light but Sasuke forced himself to ignore the way the light shone off the strands. She leaned back against the headboard waiting in silence as Sasuke pulled his shirt over his head and collapsed on his stomach on the bed. He couldn't help the groan that escaped as he finally allowed his tired body to relax.

The silence was blissful but at the back of his mind Sasuke was aware that it was too good to last. The soft sounds of Sakura's voice broke the stillness moments later and Sasuke nearly groaned again.

"So. Were you just waiting for Neji to be out of the picture before moving in on Tenten again or were you sharing her from the beginning in some kind of weird-ass mind-fuck arrangement?"

Her voice was calm but Sasuke could hear the undertones of anger lurking there; could pick up on the small signs of jealousy. He smirked into the pillow.

"What does it matter, Sakura?" he asked softly, shifting so he could lie on his back. He folded his arms behind his head and stared at the ceiling as he waited for her response.

"I was under the impression that I was doing this so that you would leave her alone," Sakura's voice had taken a distinctive turn towards sarcastic and Sasuke had to force himself not to react, "you were supposed to back off, Sasuke. I kept my side of the deal – you didn't."

A dismissive snort was the only reaction he allowed himself and he could feel the way tension vibrated through the girl next to him. A fluid movement he caught at the corners of his vision was the only warning he got and the next thing Sasuke knew Sakura was straddling his waist, hovering above him on her knees as she glared down at him.

"Tell me, Sasuke, what are you planning?" her eyes narrowed, became cat-like green slits as she stared down at him with a calculating expression on her face. Sasuke could almost hear the wheels turning in her head.

His hands settled instinctively, familiarly, on her hips and without warning Sasuke flipped her over. Sakura's eyes widened as she stared up at him and Sasuke allowed the smirk to pull the corners of his mouth up as he leaned forward and brushed his lips lightly against hers.

"Pass. But let me answer your other questions: why did you honor your side of the bargain when you should've expected that I wouldn't honor mine? You should know me better than that, Sakura. Next one, what was I doing with Tenten then if I was honoring my side of the deal? It involves the small matter of a promise made to her boyfriend. Where is said boyfriend? Rehab. And, finally … and this is the big one, why did you risk everything, your relationship with Sai included, to keep me away from the happy couple?"

His eyes were piercing as he drew back to look seriously down at her.

"You did it because you wanted to. Wanted me. You can deny it but it doesn't change the truth. You weren't just spreading your legs and thinking of your country, Sakura. You wanted it as much as I did." The last words were punctuated with a harsh kiss as he forced her mouth to open beneath his.

At first Sakura resisted the persuasiveness of his lips on hers; tried to ignore the insistent feel of his hands on her body but he nipped at her bottom lip and her mouth opened in a gasp and then she was lost. His tongue immediately swept out, tangled silkily with hers and she arched her back, pressing closer to him with a slight moan.

Sasuke marvelled at the fact that all the tiredness seemed to have disappeared from his body; all that mattered was Sakura, the way she felt, the way she tasted; her warmth as she wrapped her legs around his hips and ground sensuously into him. He traced the contours of her frame with gentle hands, pushing the fabric of her shirt up and over her head and wondered at the fact that the more things changed the more they stayed the same; even with their current arrangement in place, sex in exchange for silence, he still found himself worshipping every curve of her lithe body.

The flickering of fire quickly burned out of control and with a sharp thrust of his hips Sasuke slid into her, his eyes closing as hers flew open. He stayed perfectly still for a few moments, giving her time to adjust, but as they began to move something in the act seemed different. How many times had he been with Sakura like this? Buried so deeply inside her that he couldn't tell where she ended and he began … how often had he held her like this as she muffled her cries of pleasure against his skin? But this time, something had changed. Something inside him had torn loose from its moorings and now floated to the forefront of his mind. Those three little words pushed against his throat, begging to be uttered but they were blocked by the words already lodged there, words he'd resolved weeks ago to say, only to find that he couldn't. And now, finally, he understood why. Much as he wanted to think that Sakura had agreed to this because she wanted him he couldn't help the uncertainty that lurked in the back of his mind: what if she didn't? What if she really was doing this to help her friend? What if she closed her eyes and pretended that it was Sai's mouth on hers, Sai's hands trailing down her body …?

I'm sorry … for everything

Regret pounded through him with every frantic beat of his heart but still, Sasuke couldn't bring himself to say those words, much as he knew Sakura deserved to hear them.

She writhed beneath him, her mouth open in a silent moan, her hands sliding down his back, her nails digging into his skin …

I never stopped … loving you

They were there. So close. But Sasuke closed his eyes so he wouldn't have to see the way Sakura's face twisted in pleasure, so he wouldn't have to torture himself with the idea that she was seeing Sai's face behind her closed lids.

Here in the darkness of his own thoughts there was only the soft, wet, grasp of her body, the silkiness of her skin sliding against his, the urgency of her lips against his mouth. Here in the darkness he could lose himself to the ecstasy, could hold her close as the waves washed over them both and their bodies bowed into each other, clinging and locking as if they never meant to let go. Wildly, Sasuke couldn't help but wonder if the two of them would ever be able to let go … but Sakura screamed his name and his eyes opened despite himself, he forced the words he wanted so badly to say to the back of his mind, allowed only the groan of pleasure that accompanied his release to spill from his lips as he buried his face in the hollow of her throat and rode the last racking waves of completion to their end.

For a long time they remained like that, Sakura's hands trailing softly through his hair, over his back, as he struggled to regain his breath but the sweet lethargy that pervaded his being dissipated quickly when she spoke.

"You were right, Sasuke. I'm here with you because I want to be – because there's nowhere else I'd rather be. But don't try to tell me you don't feel it too. I'm not the girl I used to be – I'm not so naïve that I simply accept whatever you say or do without argument. I know the difference now, and this time I won't settle for what you feel like giving. I'm yours. If you want me. But you have to claim that right. I love you and I'm not afraid to admit it," her laugh was bitter and at her light push Sasuke rolled over onto his back, throwing an arm over his eyes so he wouldn't have to looking into those earnest emerald depths, "it doesn't do me any good to try to pretend I don't. But I won't go back to the way things were before, Sasuke. I can't be with you if you don't love me back."

Tenten stared at the moonlight that played softly over the walls of her bedroom. After Temari had dragged her from the classroom she'd fled. She just couldn't face school, couldn't face Sasuke, couldn't face Temari … all she wanted was Neji. She needed so badly to feel his arms close around her, his lips brushing the top of her head in a comforting gesture … but Neji was gone and no amount of wishing would bring him back.

Throughout the day, as the emotions raged out of control, Tenten had battled her anger at him. Unreasonable as it was she couldn't help but blame him, for leaving. Didn't he understand by now that nothing hurt as much as being without him? But after hours of thinking, thinking so much that she was numb from it, Tenten finally allowed the cool fingers of logic to spread soothingly over her tangled emotions.

Sasuke seemed to think that Neji had left for her – to change for her. But Neji's note very clearly told her to move on. With a sigh Tenten rolled onto her back and pushed her hands into her tangled hair. What if Neji thought she would abandon him eventually anyway and thus decided to make it easier for her by telling her that it was okay? No matter what Sasuke or the note said in her gut Tenten knew that Neji loved her. That knowledge was a part of her, it flowed in her veins with her blood, pumped with her heart, wove through the other thoughts in her brain …

Her mouth firmed as she sat up in bed, the covers falling off and pooling around her in dark shadows. She reached over and snapped the bedside lamp on, blinking against the brightness of the light, as she reached into the cabinet for a pen and paper. If he thought she'd let him go, let them go, that easily then Neji would have to think again…

She leaned back against the headboard and bit the end of the pen in thought before placing the ball-point against the paper and with a smooth motion began to write.

Dear Neji…

Neji woke slowly, disoriented, confusion pulling at his mind. This did not feel like his bed, he did not feel hung-over or as if on a crash, the warmth of Tenten was conspicuously absent and the emptiness that realization brought was almost too much to bear.

Slowly, his conscious mind began to piece it together: he was in the rehab center, had been for nearly a week. The worst of the withdrawal symptoms had long since passed but every day was a battle. He hadn't known how hard it would be without Tenten. The previous times he'd been inside places like these he'd never had anything he wanted as badly on the outside; there hadn't been anything he wanted more than the drugs. The problem was that as much as he was fighting to kick the drug habit, missing Tenten made him crave the highs more than ever and sometimes Neji wasn't sure if he was fighting his drug addiction or his Tenten addiction anymore.

He hated that he hadn't been able to say goodbye properly, hated that he'd taken the coward's way and left her a note … but he'd been so afraid. Afraid that one look from her would crumble his resolve because there was nowhere he'd rather be than with Tenten.

Every day in this place seemed like a century. He craved her. Her touch, her mouth, her voice, her laughter … and that was what spurred him on. Maybe, just maybe, he could get to hear her laugh again if he could make his time here count. So every day passed with Neji firmly reminding himself of his goals and his hopes.

He'd written her that damn note well aware that he had to let her move on but reluctant to do so. In the end he'd compromised, he'd told her to move on but added the hint that he hoped to be part of her future. The first few days he'd done nothing but pray that she'd caught on to that, that she didn't feel he'd abandoned her. And he'd cursed himself for the need to trust the Uchiha. Here, far away from her, he could do nothing but hope – hope that she loved him, hope that she waited for him, hope that the Uchiha would take care of her …

The previous morning had dawned like any other; he'd had breakfast and a solo session with his shrink. He's spent the rest of the morning working on school assignments - Hiashi had somehow arranged something with the school - and the day had seemed like any other. Routine became normal so quickly in these places…

But after the group session in the afternoon one of the nursing staff had handed him a thick envelope much to Neji's confusion. No one knew where he was, save for his family, and he doubted his uncle had that much to say to him after barely a week apart. He'd clutched the paper like a life-line nonetheless; it was a reminder that there was more to him than this place, more than a messed-up life and regret upon regret …

Alone in his room at last, Neji had opened the envelope with trembling fingers and unfolded the pages; he hadn't allowed himself to believe what the writing on the envelope suggested but it was only with the re-reading of the first few lines that he'd begun to believe …

Dear Neji

You're an idiot. And I'm so angry at you right now I could kill you. But I miss you too much for the anger to really take hold. Sasuke told me. About rehab. And I'm glad that you're getting your life on track, I really am. I just can't see why you thought you had to do that without me. You hope that I will 'move on to happier things' huh? Sasuke says it's your way of telling me to move on but I'm sorry, Neji, I can't do that. I will wait for you – for however long it takes. Because I love you and I always will. No pain can be greater than the pain of being without you. So I'll wait – whether you want me to or not. And when you come back I'm going to kick your ass for not saying goodbye properly. Learn to have a little faith in me while you're there, hmm…

He could almost imagine her wry smile as she wrote that and Neji found himself smirking involuntarily before he'd gone on to read the rest of her letter. It was filled with little stories, her thoughts, her ideas … an entire week's worth of snippets from her life.

Now Neji leaned over and pulled the letter from between the pages of a book where he'd stuck it before going to bed the night before. Carefully he turned to the last page, angled the paper so the moonlight that spilled through the window illuminated the last few lines of her letter.

…I miss you. I love you. Get better soon, I can't sleep properly if you're not here.

His eyes lingered on her signature for a long time.

Tenten.

A/N: Penultimate chapter … that alone makes me want to cry! Again, the wind-down of this story is just so emotion-filled … I'm really sorry that I'm having such a hard time reflecting that properly ^^" I hope you liked the chapter … and if you didn't … well, I totally understand! But I'd love to hear your thoughts on it so please review! ^^