As soon as Konohamaru shut the door, Neji returned to Tenten's side. He could not keep his eyes off her, so glad he was to see her awake and well. He had been terrified when she collapsed in his arms during their escape, her breathing laboured and sweat shining on her forehead. Neji had rushed back to the ship as quickly as possible and ordered Shino to attend to her as soon as she was comfortable in his bed.

Her clothes had to be removed so she could be assessed, and although Neji did not like the thought of another man looking at her naked body, he knew Shino was professional in his assessment. The sight of her bruised and abraded skin had sent white hot anger surging through him, and Neji wanted to kill Danzo all over again for what he had put Tenten through. The only thought that calmed him was knowing she would never be abused like that again.

Neji had dressed her in one of his spare shirts after Shino was finished looking her over, and had stayed by her side for the next two days, looking after her and whispering words of comfort and love. Now that she was finally awake, all Neji wanted to do was spend time with her, just the two of them. Lee could handle responsibilities on the ship for one more day.

"How are you feeling, Tenten?" Neji sat beside her on the bed and wrapped his arms around her, drawing her into his chest. He wanted to make completely sure that she was okay and touching her helped soothe the constant worry he had faced for the past few days.

She shifted in his arms, and Neji felt a stirring of something other than concern but he pushed it down. Now was not the time. "My body still aches, but I'm feeling much better." A yawn escaped and she added, "I'm still very tired, though."

Neji was content sitting with her in his arms, but he knew she needed her rest. And he could do with some too, having spent most of her unconscious hours watching over her. He scooted them down the bed before pulling her to lie down beside him. "We shall have a nap, then."

"Are you sure? We have a lot to catch up on." She lifted her head to give him a searching look and Neji's heart squeezed once more, hardly believing that she was here with him.

"Your health is my first priority, Tenten. We can talk later." He pulled her closer to him and kissed the top of her head. "We will have plenty of time to talk, since I do not plan on letting you out of my sight for a very long time."

They fell silent for a while, and Neji thought she had fallen asleep until he felt her begin fidgeting in his arms. Something was on her mind, but he did not want to pressure her into talking if she did not want to, so he remained silent, patiently waiting for her to tell him her worries.

"Neji?" she said, her tired voice laced with concern.

How he loved hearing her say his name. His lips tipped up in a smile but he kept his eyes closed, enjoying the feel of her finally back in his arms. "Hm?"

"Maybe I should go back to my room."

Neji's eyes popped open at her question. "Why? You are fine where you are."

She squirmed again in his arms and he tightened his hold on her, drawing her closer to him. "This isn't exactly appropriate. What will your men think?"

"Sod what the men think." There was no way Neji was letting her leave now. Not after he had spent so long getting her back. "We are not doing anything inappropriate, merely sleeping." He paused, wondering if she was uncomfortable. "Do you... want to leave?" He did not want her to, but if it was what she wanted, he would reluctantly let her go.

Tenten turned in his arms to face him, a smile on her face. "No. I'm more than happy right where I am." She emphasized her point by hugging him tight. "I just don't want your men to think less of you or get angry because of me being in here with you."

"Do not worry, my love. My men will behave themselves." Neji would not tolerate any disrespect toward his woman. Besides, his men had seen how desperate Neji was to get her back, and it had not bothered them that they were travelling to her rescue.

He planted a kiss to her lips, lingering long enough to hear the contented sigh that left her at the contact. He watched as she closed her eyes, her breathing evening out as she fell asleep. Unable to help himself, he kissed her once more before he too succumbed to sleep.

.

.

Warm, strong arms held Tenten around the waist and it took her a moment to remember where she was. She had slept wonderfully, not waking even once during the night, and she felt good. Well rested. Even her aches had lessened.

Tenten opened her eyes to see a sleeping Neji facing her, his mouth opened slightly as soft snores escaped his lips. She smiled, her heart warming at the sight. She had dreamed of him regularly during her captivity, but at the time she had thought she would ever see him again. She hadn't known he was alive and looking for her, didn't know she would soon be back with him. Her days in the brig and locked in her room had been hell, and the only thing that had gotten her through that hardship had been her dreams of him.

Now that she was reunited with him, Tenten was at ease. Content. She didn't know what his plans were going forward, but as long as he allowed her to stay by his side, she didn't care. She would spend the rest of her life at sea without ever seeing land again if it meant she could be with him.

When Neji opened his bleary eyes, tears were already shining in hers. His smile turned to worry as he noted the tears, but Tenten only huffed out a laugh and leaned in to kiss him.

"I love you," she told him, tears spilling down her cheeks. She felt giddy with happiness and she didn't know how to contain her emotions. She didn't want to contain her emotions, not when they came to this man. "I love you, Neji."

She wasn't afraid to say the words. Wasn't worried if he would say them back or not. Tenten had spent weeks believing he was dead, and she would not hold back her feelings now that she was with him. Her heart was overflowing with joy and love, and she wanted him to know it. To know how much he meant to her.

Neji's reaction was instant, the biggest smile she had ever seen crossing his face a moment before he crushed his lips to hers. The kiss wasn't soft, but it was full of tenderness, and he cradled her face in his hands as he continued to kiss her.

"I love you, Tenten," he whispered in between kisses. "So much." He peppered kisses to her forehead, nose, cheeks, eyelids. Everywhere he could reach. His lips trailed down her neck and Tenten held onto the back of his head, a sigh escaping her at the sensations. She held onto him as he rolled them so she was lying beneath him, Neji looking down at her with eyes full of passion and affection.

For a long moment they just stared at each other, gazes locked and breath mingling together. Tenten shivered at the look in his eyes, unable and unwilling to look away. She never wanted this moment to end, this feeling of pure and unadulterated happiness that flowed through her for the first time in her life. Tenten was in the arms of the man she loved, and he loved her in return.

"Marry me," Neji whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. Hands touched her cheeks tenderly, and Tenen swore she felt them shake a little.

She hadn't expected such a question, and shock prevented her from replying. She just stared at him in open mouthed astonishment for long moments.

A mix of worry and amusement lit his face and he leaned down to plant a kiss to her open mouth. "Tenten?"

"Are you sure?" Her voice sounded choked. Tenten didn't want to cry again, but she felt the tears well in her eyes.

"I have never wanted anything more in my life. Marry me, Tenten."

"But... you're an earl, and I'm not a lady anymore." Tenten worried her lip. She would never want to put Neji in an uncomfortable position.

He stroked her cheek, his eyes soft. "You are my lady. Besides, when have I ever cared about status?" he asked. "I love you and I want you by my side at all times." Neji frowned, and Tenten detected his sudden hesitancy. "Do you not wish to marry me?"

She could think of nothing she wanted more. Tenten reached out to smooth the worry lines on his forehead. "I would love to marry you, Neji. As long as you're happy with me."

"My love, marrying you would make me the happiest man in the world."

.

.

Truer words had never been spoken. Just the thought of her becoming his wife filled Neji with a sense of contentment he had never before experienced. It had taken him far too long to realize his true feelings for Tenten and now that he finally had her back, he did not want to wait even a moment longer to call her his own.

Sadly, though, he had to wait. Hinata would kill him if she found out they had been wed without her knowledge. And Gai would constantly express his disappointment at having missed out, which would make Neji feel guilty. So, despite wanting to marry her right here on the Crimson Night, he would exercise patience and wait until they reached Kirigakure. Besides, he wanted Tenten to feel beautiful, and he doubted she would feel as such on a ship full of men in the middle of the ocean.

He leaned down to kiss her again, unable to stop himself. He did not think he would ever stop kissing her, now that she was in his arms again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he pressed his body closer to hers while still being careful of her bruised ribs. He reveled in the feel of them being so close. Tenten made a soft sound, halfway between a moan and a sigh, and her hands buried further into his hair as he continued to kiss her sweet, sweet lips.

"Neji," Tenten's soft whisper caressed his chest when he tucked her close once more.

He pulled back to stare into her eyes, so dark and beautiful and his. "What is it, my love?"

"Are we not going to...?" Her cheeks pinkened and she was unable to finish her sentence, but Neji knew what she meant. Amusement tugged at his lips at her shyness, a quality she rarely showed, even to him.

Shaking his head, Neji planted a kiss to her nose. "No. You are still recovering, and I do not want to hurt you."

"Oh, okay." She teased her bottom lip with her teeth, her cheeks darkening. "I wouldn't mind kissing for a bit longer, though, if you want to."

A smile came unbidden to his face at her request. God, he loved her. Rolling once more so that he was hovering over her body, Neji touched his lips to her forehead. "I will not stop until you ask me to," he breathed, lips hovering close to her skin.

Arms circled around his neck and she tugged him closer to her. He felt her lips curl up into a cheeky, teasing smile. "Then I fear we will be kissing for quite some time."

"That is fine with me." Neji grinned, pressing his lips against hers again. And again.

And again.

.

.

The couple stayed in bed for a long time, cocooned and happy as they were together there. Tenten was still having a hard time believing that she was engaged—this time of her own volition—to the man she loved. So many questions swirled through her mind regarding their future; most of them centering around where they would live once they married. Tenten didn't mind staying aboard the Crimson Night if that was what Neji wished to do, but she was thinking long-term, and Tenten couldn't imagine a pirate ship would be the best place to raise any future children they might have together.

A blush heated her cheeks at the thought of having children with Neji. She knew it was too early to be pondering such things, but she couldn't help it. That was the way of things in life—after marriage came children—and it would be impudent on her part if she did not consider their future living arrangements. But of course, children did not have to come directly after marriage, and if Neji wanted to continue being a pirate for the foreseeable future then Tenten would willingly go along with him.

The pair finally left the cozy bed behind to start getting ready for the day. Tenten relished cleaning her body of the grime that had built up over the past few days she had been unconscious, and for a moment she was embarrassed to have been in such a state in front of Neji. But he hadn't seemed to mind, and Tenten didn't let it bother her for long.

A knock sounded on the door after they had both washed and dressed, Neji having given her his back so she could have privacy. Neji opened the door and Konohamaru walked in holding two breakfast trays.

"Mornin' Cap'n. Miss." The boy ducked his head in greeting as he shuffled into the room and placed the trays on Neji's desk.

"Good morning, Konohamaru," Tenten replied with a smile. "Thank you for the food."

When the boy didn't vacate the room straight away, Neji sent him a stern look. "You may leave."

"But ye said I could stay with miss Tenten today," Konohamaru whined, his lip jutting out in an adorable pout.

Neji obviously didn't think the pout was cute, because his glare heightened, daring the boy to argue. "I will be speaking to Tenten over breakfast. When we are finished, I will retrieve you."

Konohamaru didn't look happy with the idea, but he nodded his assent. Giving a small wave to Tenten, which she returned with a grin, he left the room, feet dragging across the wooden floor.

Pulling out the chair at his desk, Neji indicated for Tenten to sit. She did so and he arranged her tray in front of her, making sure she was settled before pulling up a crate beside her, balancing his own meal on his knees. "You do not mind waiting until we arrive at Kirigakure to marry?"

"Of course not. I hadn't expected I would be getting married on a ship." That was a lie, since she had thought about it. Marrying Neji on the open sea, with nothing surrounding them but open water—it was a romantic notion. "Besides, your cousin would wish to be in attendance, I am sure."

A smile graced Neji's lips, looking pleased with her. "Yes. As much as I want to marry you here and now, I do not want Hinata or the members of my staff to miss out."

Tenten nodded her head and nibbled at her food, the thought of where to live once again entering her mind. "After we get married," she started, a blush covering her cheeks at the words, "will we stay aboard the Crimson Night?"

Neji reached out his hands for her and she grabbed hold of them. He shook his head. "No. We will stay on Kirigakure after we are wed. I do not want you to be in unnecessary danger aboard a ship; I do not think my heart could handle the stress." He gave her hands a squeeze, searching her dark eyes with his pale ones. "I promise that you will be safe there, my love. You will have my protection and I will not let any harm come to you. You will never have to face the likes of your father or his men again."

Tears sprang to her eyes at his sweet words, but she blinked them away. She had already cried plenty last night; she did not want to do so again. She brought his hands to her lips and placed a tender kiss to each of them. "Thank you, Neji. But I don't want to keep you away from your ship. What about the village? They still need supplies and monetary assistance, do they not?"

"I have already spoken to Lee on the matter. The Crimson Night will sail as usual, with him as the captain. I trust him and the men he will choose to continue to help our town. But I have decided that it is time I settle back into my role as earl full-time, and not just because I will soon have a wife to care for and cherish. The duke has pressured my people for long enough, and it is time to put a stop to his tyranny."

Tenten's ears perked up at his declaration. "How do you plan on putting a stop to him? Technically, he is of a higher rank than you." She wondered if Neji would allow her to help in his plans. She had been useless for long enough—it was about time she did something to help others.

"No man that abuses his power deserves to keep it, and Orochimaru has been abusing his power as duke for far too long. I thought that assisting the people with coin and supplies was enough, but news has reached me that he has taken his abuse of power one step further. I can no longer stand aside and watch him use the people my family and I care about." Neji squeezed her hands again. "Now I have even more reason to rid our town of his tyranny. I want you to see our town as it once was; vibrant, thriving, and full of life. And I want our future children to grow up in a town that is safe and kind."

Tenten blushed fiercely at his casual comment of kids, but his words pleased her. "So, no more sea adventures?" It wasn't that Tenten was disappointed, because where he was, she wanted to be, but she had to admit she would miss the thrill of the ocean.

Neji's smirk told her he knew exactly what she was thinking. "I promise to take you out again when everything is resolved." Extracting one of his hands from hers, he reached up and gripped the back of her neck, pulling her close. "Does that please you?"

They were so close, almost nose to nose. His fingers were kneading the skin at the back of her neck, making her feel drowsy and languid. "Yes," she whispered, unable to speak any louder. The mood had changed from casual to intimate, and she didn't want to ruin it.

"Good." Lowering his head, Neji brushed his lips across hers in the lightest of touches. A soft groan emanated from him and his kiss became harder, firmer. Without lifting his mouth from hers, he pulled her from her chair to sit on his lap, burying his hands in her dark hair.

"The food will get cold," Tenten murmured when he started trailing kisses down her neck.

He tugged on her hair softly to tilt it to one side, giving him better access to her neck. Tenten fisted her hands in his shirt, a gasp escaping when he nipped at her pulse point below her ear.

"Let it," he replied, mouth once again on hers. He kissed her hungrily, as though he couldn't get enough of her lips, her taste.

"You're needed on deck, Neji."

Neji nibbled on her bottom lip and Tenten squirmed in his hold. "They can wait. I am busy right now."

Despite the heat coursing through her at his ministrations, Tenten laughed. She lifted her head from his intoxicating kisses, a smile on her lips. "Konohamaru is waiting to spend the day with me, and you have work to do." She tried to glare at him, but he pouted, and the look reminded her so much of the young boy earlier that she laughed again. "Don't give me that look, Captain."

"It has been so long since I have been able to hold you in my arms, Tenten," he complained. "Can you blame me for not wanting to let you go?"

She touched his cheek tenderly, eyes softening at his words. "There is nothing I want more than to stay here with you as well, but you have duties to attend to. You're still the captain." She leaned forward to give him a sweet kiss. "I love you, and I won't ever leave you again, even if you get sick of me."

"Never, my love. You are mine, Tenten, as I am yours. Forever."

She grinned, leaning in for one more kiss. "Forever? I like the sound of that."

"Good, because I am never letting you go."

Tenten melted as they kissed once more, her arms holding him close. She couldn't wait to spend her forever with him.

The End!

Nah, not quite. There is a short Epilogue coming up next, so stay tuned for that. I'll try to post it in the next couple of days, so you don't have to wait too long. I'll see you soon for the final chapter. I'll keep all my comments to then, since I have so much I want to say. Apologies in advance. XD