A/N: I love NejiTen so much. It's one of the few ships I mourned wasn't canon at the end of Naruto.
"Thank you again for sticking at my side concerning my wife and child," Neji mentioned again as Hanabi slid in next to him at the table for lunch the next day.
"I adore Big Sis Tenten, why wouldn't I? Your family is my family," she answered. "Besides, I know Big Sis Hinata would absolutely haunt me if I did anything to cause her harm. Part of it is… kinda honoring her memory, I guess."
He nodded, the mood growing more somber with the mention.
"Anyways! I'm glad they'll at least be open to it," she cheerfully continued. "That honestly went a lot better than I thought it would - I was terrified that Father would completely shut me down! Now all we have to do is get the majority of the council on our side and we'll be a part of the rebellion."
"So it's true, then? Shikamaru and Lee are in on something?" Tenten mentioned as she brought the steaming pot to the table. "Huh. I was wondering why he was keeping secrets from me."
"Apparently a spy from the palace found out about Mimei's agents and killed one to take his place," Hanabi reported. "He and Lee found the body the day after the ambush when they went to go train, and ever since they've been trying to get the royal family to search for the culprit. But… if the person really was from here, I doubt anything will be done."
"Yeah," Tenten heaved a sigh. "Well, anyways. We'll have to get in touch with Shikamaru first. I know Lee will be happy to see him again."
"Why can't you see that you're being tricked?!" Mikoto shouted as she threw her arms up out of exasperation. "I'm telling you, Fugaku, that man will bring us nothing but ruin! He's already traumatized our son and nephew enough as it is!"
"I can't simply tell him that I won't be dealing with his antics anymore, and you of all people would know that!" He argued. "If we split from him he would really bring us to ruin!"
"That's why you take the boys and we elope somewhere else, far far away!" Mikoto coaxed, her voice dropping in volume and tone as she tried to persuade him. She gingerly cupped his cheek. "We can leave Shisui's family in charge; that way the clan will still have control and you and I and our family can go somewhere safe!"
"And then what, be hunted down without our guards to protect us? Or worse, that he catches up to us and kills the boys out of retribution?" Fugaku sighed, raising a trembling hand to cup his wife's. "I want to, Miko, I really do. But I can't risk our boys over it. I can't risk my son."
"Then what the hell do you propose we do? Because clearly what we're doing now isn't going to do anything good!" Her voice became more distressed as he brought her into an embrace. "The protests from the people are growing, Fugaku. They're becoming restless. I hate seeing them so upset, but there's nothing we can do that he won't veto!"
"I'm trying," he replied tiredly. "I'll rein in the police even more. Though it won't erase years of brutality, I hope that it'll at least appease them some."
"It better," she sniffed. "For our boys."
The two stood there in silence for a few moments. Fugaku's heart beat unsteadily against her ear, a testament to his mounting stress.
Then she mentioned, "That girl… Hayashi Shien, I believe. She can help us. She can help with Sasuke."
"You've felt it too?"
"Clear as the daylight." She nodded firmly. "Something's different. Happy. Calming. I've never felt another chakra presence besides our family's that felt so soothing. Like mint."
"Indeed," he agreed wistfully. "Although it feels so familiar somehow. Where have we felt it before…?"
"Perhaps she's been into the capital before," Mikoto offered. "If her mother is a traveler much like how we've already known her, it's likely we've met here. Perhaps the girl has gotten more control over her chakra."
"A water-type," he mused. "But… no, it feels different. Much, much different."
"... why does it remind me of someone dear, someone so long forgotten?"
A/N: Please tell me what you thought!