Creating Love: Reason Enough
In a world where hearts are being broken,
One finds a reason enough to love.
Chapter 10
"That was hilarous, Neji-nii! Baby Metal pooped while he was being carried by father! I love your baby already!" Hanabi commented while laughing as she follows Neji and Tenten in their bedroom.
Neji chuckled and glances at his younger cousin, "Who's baby?"
Hanabi raised an eyebrow, "Who's baby?" She repeated with such confusion.
"I have two babies." He said, glancing at his mommy baby and Metal.
Tenten felt her cheeks burn at his response but covered her blush by rolling her eyes to Neji, as if his words didn't affect her. At all.
"Oh, Neji, shut up." She said as she immediately understood Neji's response.
"Two? You have another baby?" Hanabi confusedly asked, before glancing at Tenten with seriousness, "Are you pregnant, Nee-chan?"
Tenten immediately laugh at the younger Hyuga's response, "Neji, see how lame your joke is? Hanabi can't even understand it." She said and patted his shoulder.
Neji sigh, and immediately change the topic, "Uncle's lucky." He responded from their previous tooic of conversation, remembering the day when Metal's poop leaked from his diaper and to his formal suit. That day was really a mess, and Neji will never ever forget that. It was the first time that someone ever pooped on him. And he knows, there will be more first time experiences coming for him..
Hanabi's attention diverted to their previous topic again to Neji's delight, "Why? Did this little man made worst?"
Tenten look back a Hanabi, "Yes, he pooped and peed on his suit." She responded, smiling.
Hanabi's laugh echoed through the hallway, and Neji opened their bedroom door. Of course, Tenten entered first with Metal on her arms.
Neji and Tenten's gaze met, "Can you get me a diaper and wipes?" She said.
Neji nodded and went to the bathroom while Hanabi stayed beside her, still laughing.
"Really? I can't imagine that, nee-chan! I wonder how he tolerated it."
"He nearly faint. If only he wasn't holding Metal, I'm sure he'd rush to the shower in an instant."
Hanabi laugh again, but stopped when she remembered Neji's "words" earlier, "So, Nee-chan, are you having another baby?"
Tenten laugh nervously, "Oh no, Hanabi, no." she said while placing Metal on top of a soaker pad to clean him up.
"But Neji-nii said he's got two babies! Tell me, are you pregnant? I won't tell our families."
Tenten shook her head, with blush creeping on her face "I'm not pregnant."
"But... Who's the other baby he's talking about then?"
Tenten sigh, "That's... That's me." she admitted while furiously blushing.
Tenten didn't hear any response from Hanabi, and so she glances at her and found the younger Hyuga frozen on her track while looking at her with obvious shock and cheeks tinted in pink. Hanabi then burst out laughing.
"What are you laughing?" Neji curiously asked when he gets back again, handing out the diaper and wet wipes to Tenten.
He noticed Tenten's reddened face as well, "What happened?" He asked, curiously.
Tenten shrugged in response and started cleaning up Metal.
"Oh my, Neji-nii! I didn't know you have some hidden sweetness in your bone!" Hanabi said, laughing, while looking at her older brother.
There's a bulb lightening up on top of his head, finally understanding what Hanabi meant by that. Neji hide his smile.
Tenten shook her head and thought, 'You don't have a single idea how sweet your older brother is, Hanabi. Behind his serious expression from other people, hides a very soft, warm and fluffy Neji."
Tenten realized 'somehow' how lucky she is to be able to see that side of Neji.
But she started wondering as well, why of all people, is Neji showing that kind of side to her?
Or maybe she's just overthinking his actions? He's just natural gentleman and kind, that those actions, she sometimes assume as being sweet and all?
After changing his diaper, Tenten nuzzled on Metal's chest and the baby giggled softly. Tenten thought how Metal smells so good, just the typical baby fragrance. She repeated her action and Metal softly giggles again. Neji and Hanabi turned to look at them and Neji watches his wife and son intently with soft eyes.
Hanabi snatches Metal to Tenten, running away from them while carrying the baby and laughing, "Time's up! Aunt Hanabi will play with baby Metal..."
The couple shared glances and both of them shook their heads, resigning with Hanabi's playful personality, before going outside their bedroom and joining their family in the living room.
Itachi and Sasuke went home first, followed by Tenten's father and brother- telling her that Kagami needs to drink his night time medications. Lastly, the Hyuga's. But before Hiashi leave their home, he had a small talk with both Neji and Tenten- vocalizing his desire to have a Hyuga baby from his one and only nephew.
"I'll be expecting another grandchild from the two of you in the next months..." He said, before leaving their penthouse.
"I'll be happy to have another nephew, Neji-nii, Tenten nee-chan! But a niece will be great!" Hanabi added, agreeing to his father's statement, while Hinata slowly nodded on the background.
Tenten scratches her temporal, and her nervous smile twitching from the words she's hearing while eyeing Neji with certain gaze- gesturing him to respond to his own Uncle and cousin.
Neji nodded, nervous with the gazes he's receiving from his wife and Uncle, "We will work on that, Uncle. Right, Tenten?"
Tenten tried hard not to roll her eyes in front of Neji's family, "Yes, of course. For sure." She resign.
"That's good to hear, Tenten, Neji. We'll go then. Please tell me if you need anything." Hiashi said, smiling.
"Thank you for visiting, Uncle, Hinata and Hanabi. Please take care." Tenten bid.
As soon as the Hyuga left their home, Tenten and Neji finally breathe with such ease. Tenten slouch against Neji's side and look up to him.
"Uncle Hiashi seriously want a Hyuga baby as soon as possible." She said.
Neji put an arm around her shoulder and pulls her inside, "He'll only stop once we give him another grandchild."
"Are you implying that we should do that thing?"
Neji shrugged his shoulder, "Just don't mind Uncle, Ten."
The two of them went towards their bedroom where Metal is peacefully sleeping on his crib. They checked Metal first before cleaning up their selves. After changing pajamas, Tenten placed a goodnight kiss on Metal and lays down on their bed. Neji followed her after and laid down beside her.
"Good night, Neji." Tenten said softly, unconsciously wrapping an arm around his body.
Neji caresses her hair and kissed the top of her head. Not long enough, because of exhaustion, the two of them fell asleep.
Loud soft cries woke up both Neji and Tenten in the middle of the night. Neji nuzzled on Tenten's neck, ignoring the soft cries he's hearing as he tries to go back to sleep. Tenten moves and push him slightly away from her.
"Neji, Metal's crying." Tenten said sleepily.
"Hmm..."
Tenten rubs her sleepy eyes and sat up on the bed, before standing up and checking Metal's diaper. Neji stood up from bed and went on her side. When they had confirmed that the baby's diaper is wet, Neji grabbed a new diaper while Tenten cleans up the baby. Neji handed her a new diaper and prepared a milk for Metal.
Tenten sat back on the bed, her back leaning against the headboard. Neji gave the milk to her afterwards and she started feeding Metal while the baby is settled on her arms.
"You can go back to sleep, Neji. I'll handle Metal." Tenten said, glancing at him and then goes back watching Metal drinking his milk.
"Okay. Wake me up if you need anything." Neji said before lying down to bed, his head resting on her right hip with his arm embracing her and Metal.
Short enough Tenten heard Neji's breathing evens out and his arm falling out from holding her and Metal– but before it fell on her lap, she unconsciously catches his arm and hold it in place. She rubs his hand lightly using her thumb.
Once Metal was done drinking his milk and fell back to sleep again, she slowly gets up and places him back to his crib. As much as she wanted to put the baby in between hers and Neji, it's not a safe practice. They might squeeze him and hurt him or worst thing can happen. Maybe once Metal is old enough, he can sleep with them on their bed. While she, lies down beside Neji and made herself comfortable on his side, hugging his left arm.
Metal woke up again crying around 2 and 5 in the morning– Neji took care of him during those time. Feeding him milk, changing his diaper, and putting him back to sleep. (Tenten woke up as well during those times, but Neji told her to go back to sleep and that he'd take care of Metal those times.)
But Neji didn't go back to sleep after taking care of Metal around 5. It was his usual waking up time. Since both Tenten and Metal are sleeping, he used that time to meditate and cook breakfast for them.
Around 6:30 in the morning when he went back to their room to check his two babies when he found them still fast asleep. He closed the door gently, and went back to the kitchen to drink a cup of tea while waiting for Tenten to wake up.
A gentle light presses against her cheek wakes Tenten up from her deep sleep. A crib immediately seen in her line of sight as she wakes up.
Crib. Metal?!
She immediately got up from bed as soon as she thought of Metal and found the baby still sleeping peacefully on his crib. She heaves a sigh and looks at the bedside clock, it's 15 past 7 in the morning. Neji's already up based from his unoccupied side of bed.
Tenten grabbed his night robe and went to the bathroom and washed her face before searching for Neji. She found him sitting on the dinning table with a newspaper on hands and a cup of tea in front of him.
"Good Morning." She greeted, yawning, as she entered the kitchen.
Neji looks up to her with a warm smile, "Good Morning. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes. How about you? You didn't go back to bed after that 3rd time Metal woke up?"
"Yes, it was around 5 so I can't go back to sleep. I meditated and cooked breakfast instead. You want some tea?"
"Coffee. But I'll make it myself. Just stay there, I won't take long." She said and brew her own coffee.
But Neji still stood up from his seat and reheated their food in the microwave.
She occupied the chair next to Neji afterwards, and the two of them started eating.
"It wasn't that bad right? Metal's first night with us?" Tenten strucked a conversation.
"Yes, he's pretty quiet throughout the night. Just except when he was hungry and needed a diaper change."
"And he gets back to sleep easily."
Neji nodded in agreement.
Metal woke up around past 8, and Tenten immediately nurse him– feed and bathe him with Neji on her side, assisting her. Metal cried hard as he was being bathe, and trembled in cold afterwards. Neji immediately put a onesie on him and warm him up against his chest, while Tenten cleans the bathroom.
She joins the two after, sitting beside Neji and started playing with Metal with a light up rattle toy, one of Hinata's presents for Metal.
The following days were pretty much the same in terms of routines: Neji and Tenten alternately take care of Metal whenever the baby would wake up in the middle of the night. But commonly, Neji would take care of Metal during twilight until sunrise, then cook breakfast for him and Tenten. During daytime, Tenten likely to take care of Metal especially when Neji had important calls to take or whenever he mediates but Neji is always there beside her, just in case she needed help. During afternoon, the three of them would take naps together until Metal wakes up around 5 in the afternoon for milk and diaper change.
Neji and Tenten were off to work for 1 week after they got Metal. The couple tried to see how it would be like with Metal in adding to their daily routines. A week for transition– from being just the two of them then having Metal. So far, everything is good. Metal loves to sleep and not the type of baby who cries a lot– he would only cry when he's hungry, wet or during bathing time (he hates water). But other than that, Metal is a cheerful baby. That's why in terms of sleep, both Neji and Tenten can still have a good night sleep.
After a week off, Neji came back to work (he has a lot of work to do and paper works to sign according to Genma), while Tenten works home based (Thanks to her boss (Shisui) for allowing her to work at home). With that, she can look after Metal while working, and Metal is pretty quiet especially when his attention is on his toys or when crawling on the floor around her, but of course Tenten didn't forget to play with him in between working hours. And Neji would often call her from time to time to check on both of them.
Just like today. Neji just finished his meeting and he immediately called her to ask how are they doing.
"Metal's busy playing on his crib." Tenten told him while looking at the crib on the living room. She's currently in the kitchen preparing a milk for Metal. It's time for his daytime nap.
"Hmm, what are you doing?" Neji asked in a low voice.
"I'm making Metal a milk. I have to put him on his daytime nap."
"Right, it's time for his nap." Neji responded, realizing that it's 10 in the morning.
They made a routine for Metal to have a nap in the morning around 10, and 3 in the afternoon.
"I'll put you in speaker." Tenten informed, before pressing the speaker button on her phone screen.
"Okay." Neji voice boomed loudly from the speaker, and Tenten had to adjust the volume.
Tenten brings the bottle of milk and her phone in the living room where Metal is, and settled it on the table before getting Metal out of his crib and carries him on her arm. Metal is sucking his thumb, and Tenten couldn't help smiling at the cute sight of the baby.
"Metal, your Papa is on the line. Say Hi, baby." Tenten told Metal, as she lifted him up.
Metal smiled and made baby sounds, Neji hearing the cute sounds Metal made, chuckled.
"How's my little man doing?" Neji said from the other line.
"Oh! Who's voice is that, Metal? Right, that's Papa!" Tenten baby talked, and Metal giggled.
There's a long pause from Neji, and Tenten didn't noticed his sudden silence. She reached for Metal's bottle and started feeding him when she finally noticed Neji's silence.
"Are you still there?" Tenten asked.
Neji coughs fakely, "Hn, yes, I'm still here. Are you feeding him now?"
"Yes. Hmm, well, what time are you going home?"
"Around 5."
"Okay. I'll see you later then. Bye Neji." Tenten said before ending the call.
The following days, Neji informed Tenten about Hanabi's nearing flight going to US. And his Uncle's wish to accompany the younger Hyuga in her flight.
"Your uncle wants you to accompany Hanabi?" Tenten repeated, putting down her utensils on her plate and all her attention focused on Neji.
"Yes, he also wants me to check our New York branch."
"I see." She simply responded before resuming eating.
Tenten couldn't understand herself all of a sudden. Why is she disappointed after knowing that Neji had to go to US? For his job and cousin duty for that matter?
"It's supposed to be Ko." Neji suddenly said, and Tenten glance up to him in confusion, she found that Neji's intently watching her expression.
"Huh?"
"Ko should be the one traveling with Hanabi and checking our hotel but he's got an important matter to attend that day with Hinata. That's why Uncle asked me to do his job instead." Neji explained.
Tenten smiled and nodded, "I understand. So, how long will you be there?"
"1 to 2 weeks, depending on the condition of our hotel branch, and of course Hanabi."
"Ahh, it won't be long then."
"Will you be okay then?" Neji asked with concern.
She nodded, "Of course, I will. You don't have to worry, I can take care of Metal."
"I asked Hinata to stay with you while I'm gone. She'll stay here with you."
Tenten's eyes turned wide, "What? Oh, she don't have to. I'll be fine, Neji."
Neji put his right hand on top of Tenten's left hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, "I know you'll be okay alone, but Hinata here staying with you will give me a peace of mind."
Tenten pouted, "So you're telling me that you don't trust me, Neji?"
Neji shook his head immediately and lifted Tenten's left hand to his lips and gave it a kiss, "No, that's not what I meant. But Hinata can be a helping hand."
Tenten sigh, "Fine, for your peace of mind, Neji."
"Thank you."
When Hanabi and Neji's date of flight arrive, Hinata went to their pent very early. Neji and Tenten also decided that Tenten doesn't have to accompany him to the airport because of Metal. That's why Tenten only ushered Neji to the front door while Hinata's with Metal in the living room.
"I'll call you once we arrive in JFK." He said, and pulled Tenten in a tight embrace.
"Okay. Have a safe flight..." She answered and let her arm circled around Neji's waist.
"I'm going to miss you." Neji whispered.
Tenten chuckled, ignoring the sudden pain drawing on her chest.
"It's just 2 weeks Neji."
But that 2 weeks can be forever, she thought.
"I'll see you in 2 weeks, Ten." Neji said before placing a kiss on top of her head and leave their unit.
Hinata is temporarily staying in Metal's unmade room. Good thing, Neji has an airbed that Tenten can lend for Hinata while the latter will be staying with her. Hinata left her hours after Neji left their unit, because of her important errand with Ko. But before dinner, Hinata arrived back.
The first night without Neji is fine, Metal's wake up routine is still the same as before. But on the second night, Metal's cry became frequent and with unknown reason– even during the day time. At first, Tenten thought it was because he's hungry but when she feeds him, Metal would reject the milk. And when she checked his diaper, it's not even that wet. So Tenten realized that his crying is not because of hunger or wet pads and he cries most of the time now. Which worries her a lot.
"Maybe Metal is missing Neji nii-san." Hinata told her.
"What do you mean, Hinata?" Tenten asked in confusion.
"Hmm, well... Babies can recognize their own mother and father against a stranger face, and so if they didn't see, smell or feel their mother and father's presence they become anxious. Like separation anxiety, fearing that their parents won't return. I guess Metal is anxious that he don't see niisan right now."
Hearing Hinata's explanation, Tenten couldn't help but feel sad for Metal. She didn't know that Metal's feeling that way. Her heart aches for Metal's fear of separation.
"What should I do?' She asked.
"Hm, let's get one of Neji niisan's shirt and wrapped it to Metal so he can smell his scent. Then let's call niisan as well."
Tenten nodded and immediately went into their bedroom and looked for Neji's shirt– she saw the white v neck shirt Neji wore before his flight, and thought that maybe it could help since his scent still lingers in that shirt and he only wore that in sleep, it's not so dirty. She went back in the living room and Hinata folded Neji's shirt before placing it in Tenten's shoulder, where Metal's face is resting as the baby cries. Hinata called his older cousin in a videocall.
"He's probably sleeping." Tenten commented while Neji isn't answering the call yet.
Konoha is 11 hours ahead New York.
Before the call ended, Neji answered Hinata's call.
"Hinata." Neji said sleepily as he rubs his eyes.
"Hi, Neji-niisan." Hinata greeted.
Tenten heard movements from Neji, and saw that Neji's trying to sit up from the screen.
"Is something wrong? Where's Tenten?"
"Ahh, she's here beside me, niisan." Hinata answered and moved the phone in front of her, facing the screen where Neji's face is seen.
"Hey," She greeted.
Neji's lips curved into a small smile after seeing her face, "Ten, are you okay?"
"I'm fine Neji, but Metal isn't."
"What's wrong?" He asked with obvious concern.
"Metal misses you. He kept on crying when you left. Hinata placed the shirt your wore on my shoulder so while I'm carrying Metal, he can smell your scent. His cry lessen but he's still crying." Tenten explain and positioned Metal on her lap where the baby can see Neji's face on screen.
"Metal, look who's on the phone. Is that Papa? Do you miss Papa?" Tenten baby talked.
Metal's lips trembled while looking at the phone with tears visible on his eyes.
"Hi Metal. Why is my boy crying?" Neji talked.
Metal's tears fell from his eyes, but his eyes are focused on Neji's face on the screen. Tenten immediately wipe his tears and let Neji talked to Metal until he finally calmed down and slept. Neji had to talk for 2 hours before he finally put Metal to sleep.
After Tenten settled Metal to his crib with Neji's shirt with him, she went to the kitchen with Hinata's phone with her.
"Sorry for disturbing your sleep, Neji." Tenten apolgized, waking up Neji at 3 in the morning and had to talked to Metal for 2 hours.
"Don't worry about it. I'll try to finish my work as soon as possible so I can go home early."
"No, Neji, it's fine. I mean, you don't have to overwork yourself. We'll be fine now. It's just... I didn't know what to do earlier. I... I didn't know that babies feel separation anxiety. If it wasn't because of Hinata, I wouldn't figure it out myself."
Neji sigh, "Me either. But you did your best, Tenten."
"I certainly needs to read books about babies from now on. So I can understand Metal."
"I know you're feeling bad, but you're a first time mother, Tenten. It's fine if you don't know much about babies, we'll figure that out together. We've got time to learn. Okay? Please, don't feel bad."
Tentem sigh and nodded, "Just... come home immediately Neji." Tenten said shyly, her cheeks tainted in bright red.
Neji chuckled, "Is my other baby misses me as well?" He teased.
"You wish!" Tenten retorted, making Neji laugh even more.
Hinata entered the kitchen and got shocked hearing her older cousin laugh loudly. She couldn't help but smile upon witnessing that moment between him and Tenten.
"I'll give the phone back to Hinata." Tenten said, looking anywhere except from the phone screen.
"Baby, are you avoiding my question?" Neji teased, (Hinata secretly smiled widely at them).
Tenten immediately glances at Hinata, making sure if the latter heard Neji's endearment to her. But she can't see because Hinata's back is facing her.
"I'm not avoiding your question, Neji. Hinata's here so I'll give–" Tentem didn't finish her sentence when Hinata cut her off.
"Oh, no! I don't need my phone. You can continue talking to Neji niisan!" She immediately said, making both Tenten and Neji speechless.
Tenten sigh, while Neji smirked.
"I'll call you later, Neji." Tenten said.
"Sure. I'll see you soon." Neji responded.
"I told you, you don't have to overwork yourself. Take your time."
"But you told me earlier to come home immediately." He teased again.
"I changed my mind, Neji. Bye." Tenten said, ending the call.
She handed back the phone to Hinata who's obviously enjoying hearing their conversation.
Note: Hi! I'm back with an update. Here's chapter 10 for you guys!
I've read all your reviews and my heart swell in happiness. Thank you for appreciating my writing and for your kind words 3 I'm also very thankful to the readers who supported/read my first work (Road to Tenten: Defying Fate) and are still reading this second story. Thank you for staying with me and continuing reading my work and for your patience.
To those new readers, welcome to my haven (where Neji is alive and NejiTen is canon). Thank you for coming at this story. I'm hoping that I could satisfy your NejiTen heart with my AUs. I also hope to see you in the next chapters.
My updates will still be the same, like after 1 week or so. Slow, I know. Very unlikely to my previous one (comparing to RTT:DF fast update) but I'm not going to stop writing this one. So we'll still see each other in the next weeks or months :)
Have a good day! Take care!