Wedding
The sun in the skies of Konoha promised a beautiful day, a day of new beginnings and a promise of a brighter tomorrow.
A package wrapped in beautiful paper sat on top of a table. The sun rays from the window gave it a spotlight inside the quaint little apartment. Everyone in the village were all in a buzz with excitement and spring in their steps.
A pair of ruby earrings shone as the sun hit them. Delicate hands carefully picked them as she put them on her ear. Her hair cascaded down her back with her dress still unzipped. There was a faint knock on her door, she didn't mind answering it. She could hear the door opening and she finished putting the other earring.
Tenten turned around and saw Neji standing by her door, just looking at her. His pearly white eyes held intense emotions that she was already so familiar with. He smiled at her and approached. There were no words exchanged between the two, the chatters from outside died down as they stood together.
They were in front of Tenten's mirror. Neji's eyes were focusing on her, she could feel the intensity of his gaze that she could feel hairs rise. His hands rested on her shoulders and went down to her arm. Neji's caress was soft, it always has been. The palms that could take down opponents in a swift hit was gentle on her skin. The palms that memorized each curvature of her body. The palms, she knew would always be there to hold her hands.
Neji planted a kiss on her hair. Then to her cheeks. Tenten turned around a bit to face him. Then, he kissed her lips. It was short and chaste. Neji pulled first and looked at her back in the mirror.
"Beautiful, you look so beautiful, Tenten" he whispered.
A yellow Chinese dress hugged her body nicely. It was adorned with flowers and red lace. Her dress complimented her body. Still, no matter what she wore, in Neji's eyes she was always beautiful.
Tenten pulled her hair towards her. Without a word Neji's hand reached for the zipper.
"Other way around Neji" Tenten said with a smile.
Neji laughed a little and zipped Tenten's dress close. His hands went to her hair, and he slowly collected a part he would braid.
"So, how are you feeling?" Tenten asked as she started to bun the upper side of her hair. She knew too well how Neji saw Hinata as his younger sister. The man was very protective of her and wants nothing but her happiness.
"I'm fine, why'd you ask?" he answered, his focus still on her hair.
Tenten smiled and playfully rolled her eyes. She turned around to face Neji and look at him in the eyes. She raised her eyebrow at him and placed her hands on her hips. He looked at her, acting clueless, but soon gave up. He released a breath and shook his head.
"Well, I feel happy and emotional" Neji confessed, "I have witnessed how she adored Naruto from afar and now they're getting married" he continued.
Neji licked his lip and took a deep breathe.
"After this day, Lady Hinata won't be carrying the Hyuuga name anymore" Neji looked at Tenten's eyes. He reached for her hand and held onto it.
"Uncle Hiashi approached me. Apparently, him and Hanabi have been thinking about the future of the clan"
Tenten's heart began to race. She didn't know what to expect. It felt like she was panicking.
"Hanabi has no intention of taking Hinata's place of being the clan leader" Neji said as he stared directly on Tenten's eyes. Her hand began to clench on his hold, she tried calming herself. Tenten already knew what was going to happen next.
"They've asked me to become the next clan leader" Neji finished, his eyes never leaving hers. Tenten was happy of course! She knew that if anyone was qualified to lead the Hyuuga it was Neji. There was also fear. Fear of letting Neji go. She knew that the Hyuuga's have changed ever since but still! They were an old and traditional clan in the village. There are values and rules they had to upheld and Tenten was aware of how much they valued purity above all else. Her mind was so full of questions, but her mouth could not process on how to say it.
Then she felt Neji's gentle grip. Her attention went back to him. There was a serene expression on his face. That alone calmed Tenten, Neji was enough to ground her back. Tenten smiled at him and pulled her hand from his to hug him.
"Congratulations" she whispered on his ear, and she hugged him tightly. She could feel Neji tightening his hug on her. She bit her lip and controlled the tears threatening to fall from her eyes.
"Tenten" Neji called out. She clung to the hug. Tenten was afraid that if she let go now, Neji would be gone. His hands rubbed her back to comfort her.
"Tenten, If you're thinking that I might leave you because of this then you're wrong" Neji gently said. Tenten quickly let go of her hold and pushed Neji to look at him. There was a playful smile on his face. He wiped away the tears that were already falling from her face.
"The reason I'm telling you this is because I was about to ask you if you're ok with it" Neji said. Tenten looked at him confused. The feeling of her heart sinking and her stomach doing backflips went away.
"Why are you asking me that? I mean it's your decision and I know that you're capable of leading a clan and that you're the most deserving. Also-" before Tenten could finish she was cut off as Neji spoke.
"Tenten, I'm asking you if you're ok with this lifestyle. There is no other woman I want to spend the rest of my life with except you. I want that life to be a life where both you and I are happy. That's why I want to ask you if you're ok with it" Neji said seriously.
Tenten stared blankly at him. The clogs in her brain felt like it stopped to process the things Neji has said. As the things started to make sense, Neji's entire body felt like being boiled. She covered her mouth with her hand as her breathing started to get labored. Her body was shaking, and her eyes searched for his. Looking for signs if this was serious or not.
"Are you proposing to me, right now?" Tenten asked as she lowered her shaking hands. Neji scratched the back of his and shyly nodded his head.
"I just want to make things clear, this isn't the actual proposal since it's Naruto and Hinata's wedding and that would be disrespectful. This is more like me asking your permission if you're ok with it and-" Neji was not able to finish what he was saying as Tenten's lips crashed into his.
Tenten pulled away from the kiss and looked at his eyes with her own glistening ones.
"Neji, whatever you're decision is, I will always, always, always support you" Tenten said with a smile. Neji reflected her emotions and hugged her tightly.
"Thank you, Tenten" Neji said as he planted a kiss on her forehead.
"Let's head on to the reception before we get late" Tenten said as she grabbed their gift. Neji offered his hand to her to which she happily took.
Tenten's heart was beating hard as the two headed to where the bride and groom were. Neji did not tell her that she'd be meeting Hiashi today and that she would accompany Neji as they lead Hinata to the altar together with Naruto.
They haven't met their other friends since the two maneuvered their way out of the crowd's eyes heading to the building. Neji just asked one of their clan members to bring the gift at where the gifts would be placed.
Tenten calmed herself and held unto Neji's hands. She focused her attention to the things that surrounded her. She has been so preoccupied earlier that she was just starting to notice Neji's dress.
He was wearing a dress that mixed traditional and modern style. His coat was a black kimono style that was closed. His inner shirt matched the yellow of her dress although lighter. His hair was worn with his usual style while a black bandana covered his forehead's mark.
"You look amazing" Tenten commented as the two entered a room. Neji looked at her and smiled.
"Just noticed it huh" he comments.
"I was preoccupied from the events earlier" Tenten apologized as she raised one hand and gestured an apology. Neji simply smiled and the door opened revealing Hiashi and Hanabi.
Tenten immediately bowed in respect as the Hyuuga clan leader entered. Despite the old age, Hiashi still had the presence of power and nobility. Tenten could feel her heart race again.
"Big brother Neji!" Hanabi greeted as she approached Neji. Tenten stood up and looked at Neji and Hanabi.
"You must be his girlfriend! Hi, I'm Hanabi Hyuuga! Thank you for putting up with Brother Neji." Hanabi greeted and she bowed at Tenten. She bowed back and smiled shyly at Hanabi.
"I'm Tenten. Don't worry he isn't that much to deal with" She commented. Her and Hanabi snickered, and she could notice Neji's glare at the younger girl.
Tenten bought back her attention to Hiashi and bowed at him and introduced herself.
"Good morning, Sir Hiashi, My name is Tenten. I am pleased to meet you sir" Tenten said and looked at Hiashi. She could notice the similarities the man in front of her and the one beside her. Tenten controlled her shaking hands, she was so nervous meeting Hiashi in a setting like this. Until the older man smiled warmly at her and bowed.
"Pleased to meet you too Tenten. Thank you for making my nephew happy" Hiashi said that caught Tenten off guard. She lowered down her head and nodded.
"I've heard a lot of things about you Tenten. I appreciate you being by Neji's side all these years. I suppose he has already told you about him being the next Hyuuga clan leader, hasn't he?" Hiashi was so casual and was emitting warm energy.
"Yes sir" Tenten said. Hiashi smiled at her and looked at Neji and nodded.
"That's good to hear" he commented as he started to walk forward. Without thinking Tenten's hand found Neji's. He gave her a firm grip and smiled at her direction before following Hiashi and Hanabi.
Tenten's heart felt light, and she couldn't help but smile. She could finally breathe properly, and all her worries seemed to be blown away by the wind. As they entered the door, she could see Naruto and Hinata's back.
The moment the two turned around, Tenten couldn't help but snicker at Naruto's reaction. While Hinata looked happy, Tenten had the feeling that Hinata already knew but just let it be.
"How long have the two of you been together?!" Naruto asked surprised. Tenten just laughed as she saw Neji shook his head.
"Eh?! The two of you two?!" Ino screamed as she saw Tenten and Neji's hands intertwined. She had just commented about Shikamaru and Temari and now she's seeing this.
Tenten couldn't help but laugh at Ino. Neji just shooked his head and sighed.
"This day is just full of surprises" Ino said as she happily looked at the two.
"Tenten, the kunai you made was amazing. I loved it. Thank you" Sai said as he appeared and took Ino's hand. Tenten could notice the blush on her friend's face and how her face brightened.
"Thank you Tenten! You are the best!" Ino said with a huge smile on her face.
"I'm glad you liked it!" Tenten said. Neji nudged her hand to grab her attention. The two turned around and saw Gai, together with Lee.
"Gai-sensei!" Tenten called out as she waved her hand to his direction. The two approached their teacher and peer. As soon as Gai noticed their hands holding each other, he wasted no time to shed his tears.
"Look at the both of you! At your springtime of youth!" Gai dramatically sad as he suddenly stood up. The two quickly catched him before he could fall. Gai hugged the two as she cried.
"Gai-sensei!" Lee joined in and hugged the three. Neji rolled his eyes but smiled and hugged them back. Tenten was snickering while comforting their teacher and teammate who was crying.
"I'm glad that I'm able to hug the three of you here in this peaceful time we live in" Gai said as she hugged them tighter. Somehow, Tenten could feel her eyes stinging now too. She burried her face on Gai's shoulder to stop the tears from falling.
"Yosh! In celebration to this wonderous moment we shall do hand stands right now!" Gai said as he flipped himself and began to stand on his hands.
"Yes! Gai-sensei!" Lee responded and began to do the same.
"Come on Neji!" Lee invited Neji.
"No way" Neji rejected and Tenten just laughed at her team's antics. She looked around and saw Sakura.
"I'll be back" Tenten told Neji before heading to Sakura. She was carrying a letter and looked happy.
"Sakura" Tenten called out. Sakura turned to her and approached her. Tenten could notice her blush under the sunlight.
"I'm guessing it's about Sasuke isn't it?" Tenten said as she wiggled her eyebrows. Sakura's face reddened and she instantly hid the letter. Tenten chuckled and was soon followed by Sakura.
The two women hang out together and went on to meet with their friends to take some photos. Ino pulled them together and took pictures. Tenten was sure this was one of the happiest in day in her life. Everything was ok and all her friends were happy.
"So how long have the two of you been together?" Ino interrogated. Sakura smiled teasingly at Tenten's direction. She just shook her head at Ino's antics and smiled.
"Ever since… after the war ended" Tenten answered and laughed at Ino's reaction.
"After the war?! That long and we didn't even know?!" Ino said and smaked her forehead. Tenten and Sakura laughed at Ino's antics.
"Why are you laughing forehead? Aren't you shocked?" Ino asked as she glared at Sakura.
"Well, I've always had a hunch these two had something between them" Sakura answered and winked at Tenten.
"I can't believe I didn't notice it" Ino said and smiled at Tenten. "Congratulations Tenten, you've managed to thaw that Hyuuga's heart" Ino teased.
"By the way, what gift did you give them?" Sakura asked. This got Ino's attention and the two women were now watching Tenten.
"A lamp" Tenten answered. Ino and Sakura looked confused. They were about to ask more questions when Tenten noticed Neji waving at her from across. Tenten waved goodbye at the two and headed to Neji.
The store they found on that village was a lamp store. It was special since they specialized in making and customizing it. Not only that but they worked fast. They got Naruto and Hinata that had the same light from that passage to the moon.
Hinata mentioned about it when the girls were hanging out together. The shop did not have some special that could emit a similar light that Hinata described. Tenten and Neji went back to the shop with jewels and found a crystal that could pass of. They then went back to the lamp store and gave it to the craftsman.
After that, they already had their perfect gift for the couple.
Neji's hand took Tenten's and the two stood together as Naruto and Hinata were about to come out and greet the guests.
"I hope they'll like our gift" Tenten commented as their eyes were on the stage. Kakashi was giving a speech about the two.
"I'm sure they'll like it" Neji reassured as he gave a firm squeeze on her hand. Tenten was now content with her life. Everything she had was enough and made her happy. She could never ask for more.
A/N
This is probably the last chapter for this lol. This was never intended to become a multi chapter but someone at tumblr reblogged and told me to continue so here! Although I plan on making an extra chapter just focusing on Neji's POV, so what do you think? I'll wait for a response and if someone wants to then I'll gladly write it! Also, I made a twitter account, you can follow me ykks_a and if you want to follow me on tumblr, my user is also ykks!
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it!