I'm back with chapter five of Hair Ties, and this time we're focusing on Tenten as she goes through a hard time and begins to doubt herself but Neji is always going to be there for her no matter what. But that's for you to read in teh story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto at all

Chapter 5: Stronger pt1

Team Guy had just returned from a mission but it had gone badly. Very badly. Tenten was injured and being treated in the hospital. Lee and Guy were standing on the other side of the room while Neji sat in the waiting area restlessly awaiting the news, any news about Tenten. It had been hours since they'd brought her in. She'd been unconscious since the battle ended. They were tasked with stopping a group of rogues from attacking neighbouring villages bordering the land of fire. When a confrontation broke out, Tenten had been struck with a poisoned kunai and within moments she fell over. Neji caught her before she hit the ground. He was supposed to be watching her back, he blamed himself for the whole thing. He'd never forgive himself if anything terrible happened or worse yet if she never woke up.

It was close to midnight when Sakura came out of Tenten's room, looking tired and removing her mask. The remaining members of Team Guy stood alert ready to hear the news.

"We got the poison out of her body so she's out of immediate danger but she's still unconscious. The antidote will be ready tomorrow."

"When do you think she'll wake up?" Guy asked

"She should wake up once the antidote has run its course through her body but I can't say for certain. You should all get some rest as well." Guy sensei agreed and suggested they all leave for the night, Lee gave one last look at Neji before following Guy out. Neji lingered on the spot a little while longer before Sakura came and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"She's going to be okay, Neji."

"I know, thanks Sakura."

But things didn't improve at all. It had been five days since Sakura had administered the antidote but still Tenten remained in an endless sleep. Neji was sitting in her hospital room holding her hand hoping with everything he had that she'd wake up and come back to life, come back to him. He'd been denying it for long but deep down he knew he was scared, terrified of losing her. His hands were trembling as he held hers against his cheek.

I need you to be okay, please Tenten.

The following morning Sakura came into the room to check on Tenten and saw Neji there as well.

"Were you here all night?" she asked checking Tenten's vitals. He didn't respond "Neji, when's the last time you slept?" she saw him shift uncomfortably and could see the bags under his eyes

"It doesn't make much difference if I'm here or at home, I can't sleep, not until she's okay."

Sakura could hear in his voice just how scared and desperate he was to have her back. He never left her side and he barely ever slept. Life could be so cruel, they hadn't been dating for very long, only about two months and now he had to watch her lying there endlessly still. Her heart broke for them. He needs you Tenten.

As if she heard Sakura's thoughts Tenten stirred. Both Neji and Sakura were alert as she tried to move but regretted it immediately. Her vision was still a bit blurry and tried to focus on the people in the room.

"Neji, Sakura, what happened?" her voice was horse

"Tenten you're in the hospital, how do you feel?" Sakura was examining her

"My body feels heavy and there's a sharp pain in my left side." Her hand instinctively went to her wound and gently rubbed over it. "Oh yeah the mission." She suddenly remembered and felt her heart sink. She looked to her side and saw Neji still holding her hand, the corners of his eyes filled with tears. She put her other hand over his and gave him a weak smile. Sakura silently left the room to give them some privacy. Tenten felt tears welling up in her own eyes and guilt filling her.

"Neji I'm sorry, the mission—

"No don't apologise. Nothing was your fault, forget it." He gently squeezed her hand

"Was I unconscious for long?"

"For a whole week."

"A week? That explains why I'm starving?" she tried to lighten the mood and stroked his cheek. She could see he hadn't been taking care of himself, the bags under his eyes clear as day.

"You look terrible." She chuckled

"I'm not the one in the hospital bed." They both laughed, relieved they were having this moment.

"You worry about me too much." She caressed his cheek

"With you, there's no such thing." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it

"You're so cheesy." She laughed but her tears escaped her eyes "Sorry I scared you. Now would you please kiss me already." She leaned in and he held her close and connected their lips. Her hand remained on his cheek as she kissed him back, she was glad he was here with her. She missed the feeling of his lips on hers, she missed his touch, his voice. She'd missed all of him and gladly let the sensation wash over her.

A week after she'd been discharged from the hospital Tenten was still at home resting, doctors' orders. Her body was healing up pretty well but her mind was still in disarray, memories from that mission played over and over in her head. Her carelessness that left her team vulnerable to attack and then when she thought she'd had the enemy cornered, he'd surprised her with a poisoned kunai stabbed deep in her left side. The pain was immediate, the poison felt like it was burning its way through her body. It was so excruciating that it was hard to breathe, she fell to her knees, everything around her was spinning. Neji and Lee both looked back and tried to get to her but the enemy wasn't making it easy. She couldn't hold on anymore, she felt her body falling forward, Neji made a break for it and caught her just before she hit the ground. Guy sensei finished off the last few guys then they bolted for home. They had to get Tenten to the hospital immediately.

Tenten was sitting in bed looking out the window, it was raining hard. The perfect weather to suit her tumultuous mood. She didn't want to see anyone and she hadn't been eating properly. Her confidence had taken a huge blow and she was doubting her skills. Her teammates tried to reassure her, tell her that she was just as strong as she'd always been but she didn't hear any of what they were saying. One thing was certain to her, she'd gotten herself into that mess, she'd caused the mission to go sideways and then she was the one who needed rescuing in the end. Neji had tried his best to be there for her but there was only so much he could do if she didn't believe in herself anymore.

One thing was crystal clear to her. She had to get stronger.

And thus ends part one of this saga, hope you enjoyed it, part two should be up pretty soon, just some final touches I'm adding then I'll upload it.

Well, that's it from me-

Until the next chapter:

Ketsui Tasogare :-)