A/N: Tamotsu means to protect.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Hands
Tamotsu cannot sleep. He stares at the bedroom ceiling, brows furrowed and body tense with worry. The war is coming and there is so much to do, not only at the orders the Hyuga clan, but also for the protection of his own family. His daughter's betrothal has lifted a great weight from his chest, but now he fears for himself and his wife. What if the war reaches the village? What will become of their home? Will they survive?
He remains in bed until his anxiety reaches a crescendo, and he can no longer remain still. He moves to sit, careful not to disturb his wife, and draws back the curtains just enough to peer out the window without letting in light. It is not yet dawn, and the moon is still faintly visible against the darkened sky. Tamotsu does not usually go out this early in the morning, but today he needs fresh air to think. He rises from the bed and changes into a warm robe, and quietly pads past his daughter's room. He pauses at the back door to slip on his sandals and then starts down the path to the smithy. He is halfway down the path when he spies Hiashi Hyuga's nephew headed towards him from the direction of the forest, Tenten cradled in his arms, her face twisted in pain.
When they are within speaking distance, Tamotsu forgoes a proper greeting and demands to know what has happened to his daughter. Neji receives his anger patiently, and calmly explains that he and Tenten had gone for a walk, and that she had fallen and hurt her ankle. "I'm fine, Father," Tenten grits, a warning in her eyes for him to soften his tone.
The three of them head back to the house together in tense silence. Once inside, Tamotsu guides Neji to Tenten's room and supervises as he places her on the bed. Despite his anger, Tamotsu pauses in wonder at how tenderly Neji handles his daughter. Neji kneels to gently lower her onto the futon, and gingerly removes her sandals, stilling when Tenten winces, his movements full of care and concern. "I will make arrangements for the doctor," Neji tells him once Tenten has been settled comfortably. He is gone for a few minutes to speak with his escort.
"Why is he here?" Tamotsu asks once he hears the front door close.
"We often go on walks together," Tenten answers coolly, crossing her arms, her gaze defiant. Tamotsu is silent. As her father, he has a duty to protect her, and in matters of marriage, he does not believe his daughter's preferences matter as long as her safety and her future are secure. But of everything he had expected to come from the betrothal, he never thought Tenten's fiancé would actually bother to court her. He is so stunned by this development that he has yet to formulate a response when Neji returns. A messenger has been sent to the village, Neji informs him, before sitting on the floor at Tenten's side.
His wife, Mirai, had been awakened by all the commotion, and she hurries into the room, a barrage of questions firing from her lips. Once she is convinced her daughter has not been gravely injured, she excuses herself from the room to make tea for everyone.
Dr. Haruno arrives within an hour. As Neji explains how Tenten had fallen, Tamotsu's eyes narrow when he notices the doctor's gaze repeatedly flit in confusion between Neji and his daughter. Hiashi had advised Tamotsu to keep the betrothal a secret, and panic flares in Tamotsu as he worries what the doctor would do if he knew. The war is coming and people are desperate. Abductions for ransom are not uncommon during periods of unrest, and Tenten's impending marriage into nobility will make her a prime target.
The doctor's expression remains smooth as he listens to Neji's explanation, and any questions he has about their relationship remain unvoiced as he examines Tenten's ankle and takes out a role of bandages from his bag. But Dr. Haruno is a sharp man, and as he works his features quickly shift from confusion to understanding. Tamotsu's lips press into a thin line, a feeling of unease washing over him. Tenten remains impassive, but Tamotsu has faith in her perceptiveness.
From the way Neji moves closer to Tenten, his hand coming to rest beside hers on the futon, Tamotsu knows that Neji too has sensed a change in the doctor's manner. Tamotsu studies his son-in-law whilst keeping a watchful eye on Dr. Haruno. Neji is quiet and respectful, but keenly observant, and there is an alertness to him that Tamotsu guesses comes from his military training. Perhaps, Tamotsu considers, he has been too harsh with him.
"Your ankle is sprained. Keep it wrapped properly and avoid putting pressure on it for at least two weeks," Dr. Haruno advises as he finishes tying the bandages, and rises from his place on the floor. He turns to Tamotsu, his gaze suspicious though his lips pull into a friendly smile. Tamotsu's own smile is guarded as he tells Mirai to bring the doctor's fee, but Dr. Haruno stops him.
"There is no need," his gaze flickers to Neji. He wordlessly gathers his things, nodding once at Tamotsu before Mirai escorts him to the door.
After the doctor has left, Neji announces he too must return home. "But before I go, may I speak with you for a moment?" he asks Tamotsu. Tamotsu nods warily and steps into the hall.
"It is about the doctor," Neji begins, his expression thoughtful as he assures Tamotsu not to worry about Dr. Haruno's behavior. "Dr. Haruno is as prideful as he is knowledgeable. To see that Tenten will be married before his own daughter…He is merely jealous. But," he bows to Tamotsu, "I apologize for my carelessness. I will not allow any harm to come to your daughter."
"I know."
Tamotsu's tone is hard, though Neji's display of protectiveness has refined his opinion of the man.
In the evening a messenger arrives with a package for Tenten. Tamotsu and Mirai hover over their daughter's shoulder as she undoes the wrapping. Inside is a beautifully illustrated tome on weapons used during the last Great War. Tenten's eyes are positively gleeful, all her grumpiness at being bed ridden quickly dissipating as she pages through the thick volume. There is also a note from her fiancé written in elegant script, explaining that the book is from the Hyuga's private library, and that she is welcome to request as many books as she wishes while she recovers. He bids her to rest, and promises that he will visit her again in a few days.
Mirai is over the moon. "Isn't he so romantic?" she fawns, and Tenten is too excited to even roll her eyes at the statement. Tamotsu says nothing, but he is pleased at the gesture.
As Tamotsu lies in bed that night, he feels strangely at peace. He recognizes that even if he and Mirai do not survive the war, their daughter, who possesses the best of each of them, will live on in good hands.
A/N: Thank you for reading and please review!
~M.I.
