A/n: Where the hell have I been xD? Seriously, I had a very hard time getting this down on paper … and I hope you'll all be somewhat satisfied with the result ^^" Thank you so very much for the amazing response on the final chapter! That being said, I'd like to dedicate this chapter to all the people in Japan after their recent tragedy, with the hope that happier times will come for them soon.
Warnings: do I really have to say it?
Disclaimer: Disclaimed
Epilogue
Tenten loved days like this. Days when the sun shone in a crystal blue sky; when only a slight breeze ruffled the leaves high overhead and the air seemed to caress her skin, days that stretched lazily ahead of her. But today was special.
Neji waited at the end of it.
She couldn't help the smile lifting the corners of her mouth as she danced lightly over the tiles and into her bathroom. The forced separation of the last few years had been sheer torture at times. College had not turned out to be anything at all like the movies; instead of parties she'd spent most of her time at the library. The few parties she had attended had been spent missing Neji, and though she loved that their relationship had remained as strong as ever despite attending different colleges, part of her couldn't help but wonder occasionally if she'd made a mistake in not changing her course so she could have gone with Neji. But every vacation, as soon as Neji's arms had folded around her and she'd breathed that secret sigh of relief at finally having the near-constant ache of loss assuaged, she'd realized anew that perhaps attending separate colleges had been the best thing they could've done. The biggest surprise had been how secure she'd felt; never once doubting his loyalty or his resolve, never questioning discreetly to find out if old habits had died hard in the end. But the truth was that the time for doubts had been long past. The moment he'd shown up on her doorstep all those years ago, the haggard shadows cause by the rehabilitation center still haunting his pearly eyes, she'd known. In her heart, she'd known that nothing would ever be able to keep them apart again.
The bath water was running smoothly by this time, the temperature just right, but Tenten was too lost in her thoughts to pay it much mind. Her previous anticipation of a long, relaxing soak had become subsumed by memories and she didn't even notice the wry twist to her lips as she watched the past unfold.
Her parents had been harder to win around; Hyuuga Hiashi even more so. The fact remained that, to parental vision, they appeared to have done each other far more harm than good. Still, in the end, they'd simply gritted their teeth and pushed through it and in time, when it became apparent that neither Neji nor Tenten had any intention of ending their relationship, their parents had backed down and accepted the status quo.
She absentmindedly turned off the taps, trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. Today was about beginnings; it would be the first time she'd see Neji since getting home the day before (he wouldn't arrive until the afternoon); the first time they'd see each other after graduating. Despite everything they'd been through, despite the knowledge that Neji loved her, some part of Tenten – the young girl lost in darkness – couldn't help but wonder anxiously what the future would bring. Her mouth firmed as she pressed it into a thin line and, shaking her head defiantly, Tenten lowered herself into the scented water with a sigh of pure bliss.
It didn't bear thinking about.
Whatever the future brought they would face it together and that was all there was to it.
The silk of the dress felt wonderful against her skin. Tenten twirled once more in front of the full-length mirror admiring the way the skirt flared out around her knees. The ice-blue color suited her, the length and the neckline were situated so she felt comfortable; the skirt ended just at her knees and the neckline showed only a hint of cleavage. She still felt like crawling under a rock when she recalled the barely-there skirts and dresses Sasuke had dressed her in years before. But this … this was stylish, classy – and most importantly it was Tenten.
With a sigh she turned away from the mirror, searching for the matching silver sandals on her floor, she didn't know why she was so worried about her appearance. No matter what she wore Neji had a standard compliment and tonight would be no different. She shook her head, a dry chuckle falling from her lips, as she bent to gather her wrap and clutch bag. She'd never admit it to him but the fact that he always said she looked beautiful no matter what she wore soothed her. It was such a fixture that it made her feel safe.
The doorbell rang and Tenten quickly patted her hair, making sure that all the bothersome curls were where they should be; either piled on her head or cascading down her shoulders, and quickly headed for the door with one last glance sweeping the room to make sure nothing had been forgotten. The walk down the stairs seemed interminable; it was the oddest thing … every time they saw each other after a separation the moments before she opened the door were the hardest to bear. As if all the months of loneliness came crashing down on her all at once and she couldn't get close to him quick enough.
But then he was there, and he was beautiful … he was Neji.
And that was all she would ever want.
The party was a success as far as Tenten could tell. The flower arrangements had been beautiful, the food delicious, and the delicate decorations spoke of Hinata's equally delicate touch. Tenten didn't envy her friend the lime-light at occasions like this – but Hinata was a Hyuuga and they seemed to take the necessity for ridiculously fancy graduation parties in stride; Neji had certainly appeared unfazed.
She sighed happily – more a deep breath than anything else – as she leaned back into her chair (a surprisingly comfortable piece of furniture considering all the polished wood involved) and allowed her gaze to sweep around the large room. Hinata stood at the edge of the terrace, drink in hand, blushing prettily as Naruto flirted outrageously. Sasuke looked like he'd rather be anywhere else than watching his best friend make a fool of himself over a pretty girl and Tenten filed the information away to tease him about later.
Sakura and Ino were just returning from the bathroom and the warm glow in the pit of Tenten's stomach seemed to expand when she saw the way the Uchiha's eyes lingered on her pink-haired friend. The knowledge that the storms had been weathered and that they'd all emerged, if not unscathed, then certainly stronger, made pride burn in her heart and for a moment Tenten was fiercely thankful that she had all these people in her life. After everything that had happened they all knew the others' worst secrets, the darkest parts of their souls … and yet they were all still here.
"Hey, dreamer."
Temari's voice snapped Tenten out of her reverie and she sent an embarrassed grin in her friend's direction. More than anything she was thankful for Temari's support – at times it had been the only thing that had gotten her out of bed in the mornings. That, and the knowledge that the blonde was quite capable of yanking her out the door and to class wearing her pyjamas if Tenten failed to show up for their ritual cup of coffee before classes started for the day.
"How does it feel to be a college graduate?" Tenten asked, teasingly, trying to mask the sudden wave of melancholy.
Her friend shrugged dismissively, "Exactly the same as being a college student. Shika still drives me crazy because he's too lazy to put his dirty laundry in the hamper, the paper's still giving me the most ridiculous fluff pieces to write …" her voice trailed off and her eyes narrowed as she stared intently at Tenten before a softer smile lit her features and she reached over to tug one of the curls laying over the dark-haired girl's shoulder, "and you're still in Neji-dreamland most of the time."
The smile took the sting out of the words and Tenten returned it, grateful that Temari occasionally had the good sense to not comment on something.
"Speaking of…" Temari jerked her head at something behind Tenten.
The words had barely fallen from Temari's lips when Tenten felt the familiar tingle at the nape of her neck signalling Neji's approach. She smiled at her friend who shoo'ed her out of her seat and then Neji was waiting for her, a strangely intent light in his eyes. But Tenten blinked a few times, more to still the uneasy fluttering in her stomach than because she had something in her eye, but then it was gone and she firmly told herself that she was imagining things.
He waited patiently for her, as she wound her way through groups of people, and when she was close enough held out his hand in silent question. Without hesitation Tenten placed her hand in his, a slight shiver chasing down her spine when his warm, tapered fingers enveloped her smaller hand.
Their stride was unhurried, as they made their way outside. Tenten stopping to offer greetings here and there while Neji nodded his acknowledgement. The moon was high in the sky when they finally reached the quiet gardens. Outdoor lanterns and torches were lit; some trees wound with small, white lights and Tenten followed unresistingly after Neji as he pulled her deeper into the garden. They stepped onto the pebbled path and Neji immediately let go of her right hand, his palm coming to rest on the small of her back as he guided her over the rougher spots.
The stars were bright, easily visible, and Tenten craned her neck back to stare at their distant sparkle, allowing Neji to guide the placement of her feet as the buttery, yellow light from the party faded along with the voices from the guests. They didn't speak, they didn't need to, and Tenten enjoyed the silence along with the peace of the night.
Her left hand brushed against a twig, gaining her a brand-new scratch and Tenten jumped slightly at the sting. Neji immediately stopped and reached for her hand though she tried to push him away. After a minute of silent, stubborn fighting on Tenten's part and equally quiet glaring on Neji's he had her hand in his and Tenten sighed as she gave up the fight and allowed him to examine her skin by the light of the moon. A rustling caught her gaze and Tenten stared in rapt fascination as a nightingale lighted onto a nearby branch. She opened her mouth to point it out to Neji but before his name could emerge the touch of cold metal on her ring-finger froze her into place. Slowly she stared at Neji's mostly shadow-shrouded form but then he was gone, walking ahead slowly as if nothing had happened and Tenten shook her head in confusion.
She took a deep, trembling breath and glanced down at her left-hand, sure she was dreaming, but the light of the moon and the stars caught the cold sparkle of the diamond and suddenly its light seemed to blaze brighter than the sun, nevermind the moon. Shocked disbelief kept her frozen to the spot, staring at her hand, but it wasn't the deep kind of icy shock that numbed down to the soul. This was more of an anticipatory shock … the kind that was already giving way to spreading warmth, deep, deep thankfulness and an overwhelming surge of emotion.
Slowly, Tenten raised her head, stared ahead of her to where Neji had come to a halt a few meters away. Even in the moonlight she could make out the intent light from earlier in his eyes and sudden tears welled up in hers when she noted the tenseness of his stance, the rigidity of his muscles. Expressing emotions in words had never been easy for him; even now Neji rarely told her he loved her, making the words all the more precious to hear.
Without words, because it was easier for Neji that way, she walked up to him, stood on tip-toe and pressed a kiss to his lips.
"Yes," Tenten whispered against his mouth, nearly laughing at the way he relaxed against her allowing his hands to come to rest on her hips. That he would doubt her after all this time …
She stepped back and slipped her hand back into his, drawing him along deeper into the grove of trees with a light laugh.
A/N: For the final time … review? Pretty please?
Thank you to all and good night! ^^
