A/N: Explicit sex scene ahead.
-xiv-
The next few hours passed in a slow, chaotic haze. Neji and Hinata broke the news to Hanabi, Naruto, and the rest of the gathered family. They all sat in shock for a while. But it was not long before the questions began: Who was responsible for the company? What were the contents of Hiashi's will? Who would notify the board members, the shareholders, the public?
Neji ignored the curious look Hinata threw him. In silence, he held out the phone number of Hiashi's lawyer to a relative.
Hinata snatched the phone number from their grasp, her expression angrier than Neji had ever seen it. "Must we do this now? My father just died. Wait until the morning."
Wisely, no one pointed out to her that morning had already come; a bleary, wintry gray one.
Neji closed his eyes, but sleep did not come. Moments later, Hinata got him onto his feet, already beginning to discuss funeral arrangements. Neji nodded through the entire conversation, barely listening, submitting to his cousin's wishes. Hanabi gazed at her elder sister, a lost look in her eyes.
Finally, as the morning stretched on and the hospital became busier, Hinata submitted to moving their planning to the Hyuga home. Neji rode in the backseat of Hinata's car, trying to tune out Naruto's even tone as he comforted his fiancé.
"I'll understand, Hina," Naruto was saying. "It's your decision."
Neji sensed the tired disappointment in his cousin's voice as she answered, "It's a shame, really. All this work—and now the person I respected the most won't get to share it."
Neji pressed his forehead to the window and blearily watched the buildings pass by. By the time they parked in the driveway, cars already lining the block, Hinata and Naruto had decided to postpone their wedding.
With a sigh, Neji followed his cousins and Naruto inside, his eyes burning from lack of sleep.
Someone had called the lawyer on the way to the house—he awaited them in the dining room, a briefcase clutched in his hands.
"My condolences," he began when everyone of importance was assembled. "I will read the will in its entirety, and then answer questions." He unfolded the paper and commenced reciting the will's contents.
The first few paragraphs dealt with small chunks of land that Hiashi had gifted to various nephews and nieces, as well as personal possessions he deemed important, which he'd given to his daughters. In particular, he had awarded Hinata and Hanabi an equal portion of his shares in the company, as well as provisions for their future children, should they ever have any. Hanabi and Hinata's trusts remained, free to access whenever they chose.
As the lawyer neared the end of the page, he glanced up, capturing every eye. "I will now read Hiashi Hyuga's decision concerning the future of Hyuga Development Company."
The room held its breath. Neji looked down, studying his palms in detachment.
"Hiashi Hyuga has chosen Neji Hyuga to be executor of his last will and testament. This position gives him the right to make fiduciary decisions on behalf of the deceased, as well as manage the distribution of the will's contents." The lawyer glanced at Neji, studying him for a moment before ending, "Hiashi Hyuga has given the position of CEO of Hyuga Development Company and its subsidiaries to Neji Hyuga. This decision is effective immediately."
Neji blinked, unable to summon enough surprise to lift his head to make eye contact with anyone. Next to him, Hinata whispered under her breath, "I knew it."
-x-
Hours later, Neji finally untangled himself enough from his family and their questions and their judgmental stares to return home. He slipped in quietly, stiffly removing his shoes. Tian appeared, sticking her head out from the kitchen. She approached him, her features flooding with relief.
Tenten grasped his shoulder, eyes searching his face. "Are you alright?"
Neji smiled tightly, his lips pressed together in a thin line—in a way that Tenten immediately knew he wasn't well. She drew him into her arms. "You look like you haven't slept at all," she murmured, tightening her grip.
"Not a lot of time for that," he said softly, sighing into her neck.
Tenten was alarmed at the tension in his shoulders. She wound a hand into his hair at the base of his neck, massaging it with her fingers. Neji emitted a small sound at the pressure, then relaxed slightly, some of his stiffness loosing.
"What happened?" Tenten whispered, unable to tame her curiosity any longer.
"We were in a conference room discussing the company's reputation, since the break-in," Neji began faintly. "And then he got to his feet, holding his chest. An ambulance took him to the hospital, and he seemed fine. . . And then he wasn't." Neji paused, his breathing irregular. "It was like watching my father die all over again."
Tenten let her hand fall from Neji's neck, pulling back so she could see his face. His expression broke her heart; he looked so lost. What do I do? she asked herself.
Neji moved away from her, walking sluggishly to his couch. Feeling the need to busy her hands, Tenten started making tea, something she used to do long ago when she was stressed, before she took up the occasional cigarette to relieve her anxiety. She fixed the tea hurriedly and brought it over to Neji, holding it out like an offering.
Neji accepted the mug but didn't drink, his eyes unfocused as he stared blankly at the wall. Tenten sank down next to him, watching him for a sign. After a few moments, she plucked the mug from his hands and set it on the coffee table, pulling him into an embrace. "I've got you," she whispered, barely audible in the quiet apartment. She held him in the dark, silent, until daybreak.
-x-
The funeral came together quickly. Tenten hardly saw Neji over the course of the following days; he was too busy making arrangements with his family. She ignored all of Konan's calls.
The wake came and went, and the funeral proceeded the next day, as was customary. Tenten made herself scarce during the cremation, looking at the lines of her palms in the funeral parlor's sitting room as she waited for Neji. She couldn't discern anything of interest; when Neji appeared, he grasped her hand and pulled her to her feet.
They stopped by a convenience store on the way back, grabbing something small to eat. Tenten watched Neji mechanically select a package of soba noodles, his favorite.
-x-
He was silent the entire way back home. Tian tried to elicit some response, but Neji either gave a noncommittal jerk of his head or no answer at all. When they reached his apartment, Tenten moved to the kitchen, feeling the need to do something.
"Are you hungry?" she asked Neji softly, reaching for their convenience store bag.
Neji shook his head and walked out of her sight, headed towards his bedroom. After hesitating for a moment, she followed him.
Neji was sitting on the edge of his bed, his eyes unfocused as they stared out the window. Tenten hung in the doorway, unsure if she should enter. She ached with helplessness, debating with herself about leaving, wondering if he wanted space. But she didn't want to leave him alone.
Tenten knew little about comforting people. She'd never been coddled, never had a mom and dad to kiss her hurts or hold her hair back from sick or hug her when she cried. Working for Akatsuki had taught her to never let her emotions out, to stay in control at all costs, to keep moving.
That wasn't what Neji needed—hell, she didn't even know where to start with this. But she knew what she would want, if she were in the same situation.
Slowly, she walked over to him, lifting his head with her hands. He met her eyes, and Tenten's heart panged with the disoriented look he gave her. She bent down and kissed him, gently, lazily, savoring the feel of his mouth against hers.
A switch flipped. Neji pulled her down onto the bed, throwing her on her back. He reached for the zipper of her dress, heatedly kissing her mouth, her neck, earlobe. Tenten helped him take off her dress, and Neji cast it onto the floor carelessly, already undoing her bra.
Tenten scrambled to undo the buttons on Neji's shirt, but he pushed her hands away, pinning her arms above her head as his mouth ghosted over her nipples. Tenten's skin erupted with a shiver, and she shuddered, panting, as Neji moved to press the growing warmth between her legs.
"Neji," she sighed, struggling against his hold, wanting to push her hands into his hair, drag her nails down his back. He kept going until she cried out, begging. He shed his pants and determinedly pulled her to him, leaning down as he moved inside her.
Tenten pried open her eyes to watch him, head buzzing with the rush. Neji stared back, his eyes determined and serious. He held her gaze until he released, fisting his hands in the bedsheets.
He twisted onto his back, arm thrown over his face as his chest rose and fell quickly from the exertion. Tenten swallowed, her skin prickling with desire. Tentatively, she spread her hand over his chest, leaning over to place feverish, breathy kisses along his sweat-salty skin. Neji sighed and pushed his hand into her hair, bringing her face to his.
"Thank you," he whispered. Placing a chaste kiss on her mouth, he turned his head and instantly fell asleep.
-x-
Tenten spent the night curled against Neji's side. In the morning, she woke with the sun on her face, streaming through the window. She turned to see Neji next to her, still asleep.
Smiling to herself, Tenten shifted closer to him, reaching up to lightly trace his features with her fingertips. She leaned down and softly pressed her lips along his throat and jaw. He stirred, his hand coming up to shield the sun from his face.
Tenten draped herself over him, relishing the feeling of his warm skin. Still, half-asleep, Neji grasped her hips, guiding her body onto his.
Halfway through her climax, Neji opened his eyes and watched her, heavy-lidded. Tenten slowed as the surge of pleasure ebbed, breathing deeply. She kissed him until he was fully awake, wrapping herself around him as he pushed her onto her back.
They passed the morning with lazy kisses, fingers trailing over rippling skin. Finally, Tenten whispered, "Are you okay?" She stared down at him, brushing her hand over his cheek.
"Just overwhelmed," he replied, closing his eyes as he wound a hand into her hair. He paused, then said in a mystified tone, "He made me CEO. Before he died."
Tenten stilled, staring hard at him as her breath caught in her chest. She swallowed quickly, pushing aside her unease. "He did?" she said, wincing at the sound of her voice.
Neji let his hand move from her hair to trace her spine with his fingertips. Tenten shivered from his touch. "He did," Neji confirmed.
Tenten exhaled and leaned down to place a kiss on his nose. "What do you think you're going to do?" she asked.
Neji opened his eyes slowly, an amused smile touching his lips. "There isn't a choice for me to make. He put it in his will."
Tenten studied him for a moment before saying, "You always have a choice, Neji."
A shadow of sadness crossed his face. He pressed his face into her shoulder, slipping an arm around her waist. Tenten wound her arms around his neck and held him close, nestling her face into his neck. For the moment, she pushed away her racing thoughts and relaxed into his arms.
-x-
"How did the funeral go?"
Tenten sighed and sank down onto her futon, fidgeting with her bangs. She'd only just gotten back from Neji's. Outside, the moon hung low in the sky. "As good as can be expected," she answered.
Konan was quiet for a moment, clearly waiting for Tenten to elaborate. When she didn't, Konan said, "You went back to his apartment after the funeral yesterday. And you left an hour ago."
Tenten winced. Damn hallway cameras. She knew what Konan wanted, of course—details of Hiashi Hyuga's will, the fate of the company.
Tenten thought of Neji, in her arms only hours before, and felt sick to her stomach. With some trepidation, she murmured, "He made Neji CEO before he died."
Konan let out a breath. In a rush of delight, she said, "He did? Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
"This is wonderful news," Konan said, sounding pleased. "When will it be announced?"
Tenten closed her eyes, trying to recall the feel of Neji beside her, his fingers making lazy circles on her skin. "He didn't say."
Konan didn't seem to mind Tenten's lack of details. "I'll speak with you soon for further instructions." She hung up without another word.
Tenten lowered the phone from her ear and stared at it for a long time, trying to put away the deep-seated guilt she felt in her heart. Struggling with her thoughts, she wandered into her mold-infested bathroom and looked at her reflection in the cracked mirror.
Her hair was mussed, half falling out of her hair ties. Her mouth was a deep red, swollen from kissing. She thought she could detect the ghost of a hickey on the underside of her jaw. Tenten swallowed carefully, studying her wild, flushed face. She still felt the thrill of being with him underneath her skin. All she wanted to do was to rush down to the nearest train station and go back to him. All she wanted was to hear his voice for another moment, feel his fingers on her skin, relax into his presence. To forget everything that came before.
Tenten gripped the cheap laminate of her bathroom countertop. "I love him," she whispered to her reflection, her breath catching in her chest. "I'm in love with Neji Hyuga." The fear in her eyes made her shudder.