Note: Hi, I'm back again! This is my second NejiTen story, please bear with me again. This is written in Modern AU.
Please beware that this is Rated M for violence. Thank you!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Creating Love: Reason Enough
In a world where hearts are being broken,
One finds a reason enough to love.
Chapter 1
"Ahh! Please stop! Please, Teng Fei" Mei Lien pleaded to her husband, Teng Fei.
"Teng... please... it hurts." Mei Lien cried, raising both of her forearm to shield her face.
But Teng Fei didn't seem to hear her as he keep on throwing punches all over her body- from her face down to her arms, stomach and even legs- while she was sitting on the floor.
Few hours ago, Mei Lien was doing just fine. She arrived home from work and quietly started preparing foods for her family until her husband came home drunk and immediately grabbed her arms before throwing punches all over her body while muttering "bitch", "slut" and other cursing words.
"You bitch! You f*cking deserve to beat up!" He told her before throwing a strong punch on her face causing her head to hit the hard floor.
"You think I didn't know your doings, huh? You bitch seducing all your male co-workers!" He said with wrath before giving Mei Lien a hard slap on her face.
She winced in pain, "What are you talking about, Teng? I didn't seduce anyone." Mei Lien answered, crying.
"Oh yeah? And what about what my friend saw couple of days ago? You went out on a date with your co-worker!" He said,ounching her sides again.
"Please, stop punching me, Teng. I-It hurts..."
Mei Lien was confused with what her husband was talking about. She was never interested in boys after she and Teng became boyfriend and girlfriend, more so- after they got married. She was very loyal to him- that even if he was hurting her, whenever he was drunk or insecure- she stayed beside him and didn't leave him.
"Just admit it, whore!"
"No. I didn't go on a date!" Mei Lien admitted.
Mei Lien suddenly remembered when she and Kaito, her co-worker, were sent on a lunch meeting with an investor.
"Who are you kidding? My friend told me everything he saw!"
"You believed your friend rather than me? Teng, you know I won't do that. I am loyal to you and our family!"
"No! You're a liar! You're always surrounded with men and screwing with them!"
Mei Lien cried harder as her husband kept on punching her. No, he will never listen to her whenever he's drunk- and even when he's sober. Teng was just like than. He was too narrow-minded and insecure.
She silently prayed to God, to help her and stop this miserable state she was in.
Suddenly, the door of their daughter's room swung open. Revealing their 6-year old daughter, Tenten, looking at them with horror on her face while hugging her panda stuffed toy tightly.
"T-Teng... p-please stop, Tenten is here. She can see you..." Mei Lien pleaded worriedly for her daughter's emotional well-being.
Teng Fei glanced at Tenten's direction and instantly, Tenten's panda toy slipped from her arms after seeing her father's eyes on her. Tenten began trembling in fear- seeing her father's wrathful eyes and mother's bloody state.
"M-Ma... P-Pa..." she cried silently.
"Let your daughter see how bitch her mother is." Teng Fei commented before resuming punching her like a punching bag.
Mei Lien winced and looked at her daughter, Tenten before muttering to close the door and never leave her bedroom. But Tenten didn't listen to her as she strode towards them.
Mei Lien shook her head while looking at Tenten, silently muttering to never get close to them or else Teng Fei's might hurt her as well.
"Papa... stop..." Tenten cried, grabbing her father's arm to stop him from punching her mother, but Teng Fei was much more stronger than her as he easily push her across the room.
"Get back in your room, Tenten, or I'll punch you as well!" Teng Fei threatened her.
"Please, Tenten... Listen to your father..."
"M-Mama..."
"Tenten! Please get back in your room." Her mom's sweet voice sounded scary.
Tenten didn't have a choice but to get inside her bedroom, while hearing her mother's cry in the other side of their house as her father kept on hurting her.
After an hour or two, Tenten couldn't hear her father and mother's voice anymore. She was nervous as she quietly open her bedroom door to have a peek.
On the same position, she saw her mother lying on the floor unconscious and her father gone on the scene. She immediately went up to her and noticed how badly beaten her mother was. She tried to wake her up before getting a basin with warm water and face cloth.
Mei Lien woke up and saw her daughter's face as soon as she opened her eyes. She saw her daughter's hands moving on her body as she felt warm cloth wiping her bloody body.
"Mama..." Tenten cried and hugged her.
Mei Lien wanted to hug her but she was in too much pain that she couldn't even lift an arm.
"Where is your father?" Mei Lien asked,
"In his room, Mama."
Mei Lien nodded and looked sadly at her, "I'm sorry, Tenten... You had to see that."
"Mama, let's move out... Papa is scary..."
Mei Lien immediately covered Tenten's mouth, "Shh, don't say that Tenten. Your father might hear you and hurt you as well."
"But Mama-"
"Enough, Tenten... I love your father. I can't leave him alone."
"Love? What's that?"
"You wouldn't understand for now but when you get older, you'll know what I mean, Tenten."
Tenten didn't know what love was yet, but this was Tenten's first heart break. A failed relationship of her mother and father.
It wasn't the first time Tenten had seen her father beating up her mother. Everytime Teng Fei would arrived home drunk, he would beat Mei Lien badly- or when he got jealous with Mei Lien's male co-workers and even with her male friends- she rarely talked with. And sometimes, when Teng Fei had a bad day from his work, he would beat her up as well.
It almost turned like a normal thing in their household, but Tenten couldn't get used to it. Everytime she saw her mother being beating up, her heart hurts because she couldn't save her. She always had to hide in her bedroom until her father would left the house and her mother's crying would stop.
Tenten was around 9 when she first tried to rescue her mother in the hands of her father. But because she was still young and not strong enough, she got beaten up as well by her father. She got blacked eye on her right eye, had bruises and terrible pain all over her small body. But her mother's state was more severe than her. When her father left them alone later that day, the two of them tended each other's wounds and bruises.
"I told you to just stay in your room. Look what happened to you, Tenten." Mei Lien cried while cleaning Tenten's bruises on her arms.
"Mama, I can't stand it anymore seeing you got beaten up. Look at you, you've been his punching bag for years... Papa is getting worst, even when he's not drunk he's hitting you. Mama, let's get out of here." Tenten begged.
"We... can't, Tenten. We are your father's only family. We can't leave him alone."
"Father don't even think us as his family."
"Tenten, don't say that. Your father treasure and love us."
Tenten shook her head. "Treasure us? Love us? If he really do, he wouldn't hurt you, us, Mama."
"Your father had just a bad day, please understand him Tenten."
"Is this what you said love was, Mama?" Tenten suddenly asked.
"Huh?"
"Being blinded by emotions, allowing a person to hurt because you love him and they have the power to control you because you just simply love that person?"
"Tenten..."
"I hate love and I do not want it." Tenten admitted to her mother, as she doesn't want to be in a relationship like that.
If love means being able to hurt the person who loves you dearly, then she will never want it. She would gladly be alone all her live.
Tenten's second heart break was when she was 10 and her mother died due to severe injuries she obtained from her husband's beating. Mei Lien died a week after that beating- where Tenten was in school.
Her father was sent in jail after the incident- deep inside Tenten, she was happy because finally she and her mom would be finally free in her father's violence... but it was still too late, Mei Lien already died.
Being orphan at 10, she didn't know how real life works. She didn't have the means to give her mother a proper funeral- but God must still be kind to her, as her mother's company helped her with the funeral and burial bills.
After the burial, Tenten was left alone to live in their house all by herself- as she don't have any family aside from her parents- as both Teng Fei and Mei Lien were immigrants in Konoha City from China. Tenten never heard any of ther parents family back in China.
Tenten met Kurenai Yuhi, a social worker, the same exact day her mother's burial and take her in their custody for the mean time- because she was still too young to live with her own.
From that time until she turned 13 years of age, she had lived with the The Leaf Orphanage where she met Rock Lee and Naruto, her closest friends- who also somehow changed her mind to trust male population. But Naruto got adopted a year ago which left Lee and her in the orphanage.
The day after she turned 13, a wealthy man visited the orphanage looking for her. He introduced himself as Kagami Uchiha, her mother's bestfriend.
"Your mother and I were good friends as we both attended the university of the Land of Fire back in the old days. I met you when you were still an infant, Tenten, but surely you didn't know that. I was in America in the last 10 years and so I lost communication with your Mama." Kagami Uchiha said with kind voice.
"I just arrived a month ago, and I immediately looked for Mei Lien but instead I received a very sad news about her death. I'm very sorry that I wasn't here to help you." He added.
"It's fine, Mr. Uchiha. It wasn't your responsibility anyway."
"Mei Lien is like a little sister to me, Tenten. You are no different from me. Your father... disliked me, he never liked it whenever your Mama were surrounded by males. He felt very threatened and very jealous, eventhough there was no threat and it was very obvious that Mei Lien loved him deeply."
"I know about that. I tried pursuading her to leave him when he started hitting her but she never listen to me. But look where love brought her? It killed her."
"I'm sorry, Tenten." Kagami said, sincerely.
Tenten stayed silent and looked away. She didn't know what to say anymore. And she didn't understand why he was very sorry.
"Tenten... If you will agree, I would like to adopt you." Kagami suddenly said that grabbed Tenten's attention.
She shot him a glare, "And why would you do that?" Her voice laced with acid.
"I already told you, you are no different from me. Your Mama is like a family- a little sister to me, and you being her only daughter... you're like my niece."
"Family? We don't share the same blood, Mr. Uchiha."
"So... we need to have the same bloodline and ancestry... before you can call me a family, Tenten? Is that what a family mean to you?" Kagami suddenly asked that caught Tenten off guard.
"What is a family then, Mr. Uchiha?" Tenten suddenly asked.
Kagami gave her a kind smile.
"But you are right, Tenten, that what family is. But it can goes beyond bloodlines and last names. A family is anybody who loves you, cares for you and support you unconditionally- and you do the same way for them." He answered her without any second thought.
"I know you don't trust me right now, Tenten. My sudden appearance in your life must have surprised you. But I just want to let you know that I really care for you and I will never harm you. It might sound like an empty promise coming from a complete stranger like me but I really meant it. All I want is the best for you."
"What will happen to me when I agree with you?"
"I will raise you as my daughter. I'll give you my name if you will agree. And I'll take you to America and we'll live there until you wish."
"How about my r-real father...?"
"I'll make sure justice is served to your mother's death, Tenten. He'll pay for it in a legal way."
"W-Will you promise me that he will never get close to me?"
"I'll promise you that I will do my best to keep you safe and away from him. Even if it will cost my life."
For the first time after her mother's death, Tenten finally smiled- not a fake one like she used to show everyone, but a real smile. As someone finally assured her that everything will be okay from now on.
"Then please adopt me, Mr. Uchiha."
Kagami smiled softly, "Then you can stop calling me Mr. Uchiha. How about... Dad?"
Tenten's face turned crimson red and looked away from Kagami Uchiha in embarrassment.
One week after meeting Kagami Uchiha, her adoption paper finally signed and legalized.
Tenten said goodbye to Lee, her bestfriend, and promised him that they'll communicate regularly- and she will never forget him- Lee promised the same too. And two weeks after she got adopted by Kagami Uchiha, the two of them flew to America.
To her new beginning.
As Tenten Uchiha.
Arriving in America, Tenten met Kagami's only son, Shisui, who was 7 years older than her and his two nephews- Itachi (4 years older than her) and Sasuke (almost a year younger than her).
"What's her name?" Sasuke curiously asked while eyeing Tenten with his snobby expression.
"Her name is Tenten. From now onwards, she will be your cousins... and your sister, Shisui."
Shisui walked closer to her and crouched her back to level her and smiled, then offered a hand to Tenten.
"Hi, Tenten. My name is Shisui, your brother." Shisui introduced while smiling sincerely.
Tenten looked at him with second thoughts before she decided to accept his hand, and he gently shook their hands.
The first 2 months living in America, Tenten was haunted by her life in Konoha- she always had nightmares about her father even back in the orphanage.
And always, there were Kagami and Shisui to wake her up from her nightmares.
"Do you always have nightmares, Tenten?" Kagami asked worriedly one time.
"Yes." She answered after a long pause.
Kagami didn't speak and just handed her a glass of water. After that night, Kagami and Tenten went to a counseling to help her with her traumatic experiences. It was never easy especially at the beginning, to bring out all her ghosts but Kagami was there to give support.
The Uchihas were kind people despite their snobby look. Kagami also rnrolled her to where Sasuke was studying so she know someone. Surprisingly, Sasuke and her clicked and became her closest cousin. Shisui was also a great older brother for her- as well as Itachi. The 3 young Uchihas treated her like their own sister. And Kagami- the greatest Dad she could ever asked. He treated her like his own daughter- that her own father failed to do so.
Tenten felt something tickling her nose one morning and when she opened her eyes, 3 pairs of onyx eyes greeted her with wide smiles.
"Happy birthday, Tenten!" Shisui, Itachi and Sasuke greeted her as soon as se woke up from her slumber.
Shisui holding a cake, while Sasuke holding a bird's feather he used to tickle her nose. Tenten sat up on her bed and the 3 young Uchihas and Kagami started seeing happy birthday to her.
Tenten couldn't suppress her tears. It was the first time after her mother died somebody sang her a happy birthday song. She remembered during her birthdays when Mei Lien was still alive, she would bought her a cake and wake her up and sang her happy birthday but before the day ends, Teng Fei would arrived home drunk and their life would be mess again. She never really experience a peaceful birthday- not until now.
Sasuke laughed after seeing her cry, "Tenten our voices aren't that bad! Why are you crying?" he teased, brightening up the mood.
"Sasuke is right! We even practice singing so our voices would work well." Shisui added, jokingly
Tenten laughed with their joke, but sobbed after awhile.
Itachi being the softest boy among the three handed out Tenten a tissue. Shisui then asked her to make a wish and to blow her candles.
Tenten closes eyes and formulate a wish, but nothing came because for the first time, she felt contended.
"How's your new family, Tenten?" Lee asked from the other line.
It was their first call after 5 months and Tenten was very happy to finally hear Lee's voice.
"They're nice. The man that adopted me-"
"You mean your Dad? Come on, Tenten... Are you still shy to call Mr. Uchiha your Dad?"
"Let's stop talking about me. How about we talk about you, Lee?"
"Oh nothing really interesting happened in the past months. Things were still pretty the same here."
"Oh, I see."
"Though I heard the Uchihas will help finance the orphanage."
"Really? I never heard about that."
"I heard from Kurenai that it was their gratitude for keeping you for the past years. Are you that important to them?"
"I don't think so. But my mother was a good friend of Kagami."
"I wish we would grew up like them Tenten."
"No way, Lee. Not the way like my mom died and he had to adopt me. I don't like it."
Lee laugh, "Silly, what I meant is their friendship, Tenten. I wish I could count on you if I needed help in the future."
"Of course, Lee. Of course you can count on me."
Years had passed and Tenten grew up very beautiful. At 18, her beauty is beyond compare- and she got the air of an Uchiha- strong, powerful and still- gentleness.
Boys flock to her- seeking her attention. But only one man caught her eyes- a guy named Sagi Owashi. Tenten is attracted to him- he's cute and has a soft facial features- and what captivates her the most is his smile. Whenever he smile, she couldn't help but smile as well. And for the first time, she tried to open up herself and give him her heart, taking a risk on love.
Fortunately, Sagi likes her as well- which it didn't took long enough before the two of them became officially dating. Tenten thought love isn't that bad after all. And she likes the feeling of being loved- it is euphoric.
"This is my girlfriend, Tenten, these are my friends Sora and Idate." Sagi introduced her to his friends, when they met in a restaurant one night.
"Hi, Tenten. I heard alot about you." Idate said in friendly voice.
"Wow. You're more beautiful up close." Sora commented, smirking at her.
"Nice to meet you, Idate and Sora."
Sagi is a sweet and nice guy- or what Tenten thought. But months of dating Sagi, she learned his true color- behind his kind face hides a dark attitude- an asshole who he thinks highly of himself and craves for popularity, he was too vain and loves to decorate himself with people who have riches and popularity- like her.
"You have to come with me in my friend's party this saturday, Tenten." Sagi told her while he's busy tapping his phone screen.
"I can't. I have a family matter to attend to." Tenten answered.
Saturday and sundays are family days of the Uchihas. It's their tradition.
Sagi threw her a curious glare, "Your father and uncles will be there?"
"Of course."
Sagi grins, "Then maybe I should join you? What do you think? My father is developing a project, maybe your father and uncles will be interested to invest in my father's company?"
Tenten took a long sigh. That 's what she meant about Sagi. He always find a moment to insert about his family's business. He's been talking about it to Tenten since the start of their relationship. He wanted the Uchihas to invest in their shipping company. But the thing is, Uchihas aren't interested in their company as it is in the brink of bankcruptcy and most of their dealings are in black market, which the Uchihas don't do dealings like that. The Uchihas are honorable people.
"It's a family matter, Sagi."
"But maybe I can be an exception since..." Sagi trailed off, grinning at her.
"I'm sorry, Sagi. I don't think it's a good idea." Tenten answered.
Sagi gave her a deadly look before focusing his sight on his phone- ignoring her until Tenten left him to go home.
Days after Tenten refused to bring Sagi at her family bonding, he's starting to get cold with her. He barely talk to her and even ignored her messages and calls- which frustrates Tenten even more. It felt like it was her fault eventhough it was not.
Weeks passed and Sagi's still with his cold treatment towards her. Tenten couldn't help but cry every night. She even apologize to Sagi and promised to bring him on the next family outing of the Uchihas but he's still not talking to her.
Until the day came when Sasuke went to her to talk about Sagi. Tenten couldn't help but noticed how dark Sasuke's aura was that certain day.
"Where's your f*cking boyfriend, Tenten?"
"I don't know. Why'd you ask?"
"I'm gonna kill that shit."
"What?" She asked perplexed.
Sasuke handed out his phone to her, giving her the permission to look at his phone. And there, she saw a picture of Sagi making out with a red hair woman in a party- that left her speechless. Tenten's heart began to beat rapidly because of nervousness and anger.
"That f*cking assh*le how dare he to cheat on you." Sasuke said, voice laced with acid.
"Calm down, Sasuke. I'll take care of this." Tenten answered before leaving Sasuke and went to where Sagi is.
Tenten tried to calm herself as she isn't used to feel extreme anger- but she can't.
Just let it go for once. She told herself.
When she finally saw Sagi laughing with Idate and Sora- Tenten couldn't contain her anger. She immediately walk towards him and her hand flew immediately across cheek.
"That's for cheating on me." Tenten said.
Another slap came to his face, "And this is for the cold treatment I didn't deserve."
Sagi looked at her in surprised but immediately, he smirked.
"You're no use for me anymore, Tenten. You wanna break up with me? I don't care."
"You ass-"
"I never like you anyway. I just dated you because you're an Uchiha. I won't even glance your way if you weren't an Uchiha. You're too plain, and uninteresting. Too independent and too strong for a girl-"
Tenten didn't let him finish what he's about to say, she used her taekwondo skills as she send a front kick aiming his upper torso, pushing him backwards resulting him to fall from his seat.
"And that's for being an assh*le, Sagi."
"Don't worry about the hospital bill, I'll take care of it." She said before leaving him.
As soon as she left Sagi's place, Sasuke's waiting for her outside.
"Wow. You used your taekwondo skills on him? I'm so proud of you, Tenten." Sasuke proudly said, as he put an arm around her shoulder.
"Shut up, Sasuke." Tenten said weakly.
Sasuke pulled her to his front while eyeing her intently. He then grabbed both of her shoulder and gave her a tight hug.
"I'm sorry, Tenten." He softly whisper against her ear.
Tears brimming to fall from her eyes.
"I will never give my heart away." Tenten said, promising to herself while her fist tighly formed on her both sides.
Tenten remembered her father and her mother's fate.
Love ain't good.