Tenten stood silently on the high branch, one hand lightly touching the trunk for support.
…One year…I've been gone…it's time to come back…back to the way it was…
She focused her eyes on a small gray headstone protruding from the ground in the nearby graveyard, reading the words carved delicately into its hard surface. Tenten, age 17, Konoha weapons mistress…She will live on in our hearts… Tenten smirked a bit. Only the Hokage knows…My ANBU days are over…I think I'll teach a genin squad…or just return to being a special jounin…yes…a normal ninja…That sounds nice. She smiled to herself. Something she has not done in a long time. She ducked low in the foliage of the tree upon hearing some footsteps up the road, heading her way. It's the anniversary of my death today…Funny…now that I'm 'dead', I'm discovering that I had more friends that I realized. Wonder how they react when they find out that I'm alive and kickin! She observed the figure walking down the path solemnly, his white eyes filled with sadness. Neji! It's Neji-kun! I haven't seen him since I joined ANBU! She watched him silently as he approached her grave, dropping a single white rose onto the headstone. She listened intently to his words, her black cloak that she had adopted swirling behind her a little.
She had adopted less vibrant clothes in order to spy. She wore a more fitting black Chinese style shirt, the same pants, and her sandals and the strap of her forehead protector were now jet-black. Her signature buns were still intact, and her body had matured into that of a woman's since she last saw Neji. She was a bit late in that department, but who cares? All that mattered now was letting the town know that she was as alive as any of them.
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Neji approached the grave, old feelings stirred inside of him. It wasn't the same without her. He dropped the rose onto her grave and crouched in front of it. "Hey…" He said." I decided to visit today. You probably can't hear me, but if you can…" He stopped for a moment. "I miss you. A lot. I've never missed someone this much. Not even my father. Amazing, huh? When you joined the ANBU, I wished you the best. I still got to see you sometimes. It wasn't so bad. Then, I got the news…last year, on this very day. And I scolded myself, for not telling you sooner." He sighed miserably, obviously holding back tears. " It may sound stupid to say this to a headstone, but…I loved you. More than anything. And I had so many chances. Now…I have nothing. I figure…better late than never…ne? I believe that." Tenten's heart sunk. How could I have been so stupid! I never saw…I never said anything! Well, at least I'm alive to tell him…She soundlessly leapt off the branch, masking her chakra. Without making a single noise, she crept up behind him, putting her hands on his shoulders. "Hey…I'm back."
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Neji stiffened at the sudden contact. A familiar voice rang in his ears. A voice that he hasn't heard since…last year. He whirled around, wrapping his arms around her waist. The tears he had been keeping for so long finally fell. She leaned into him, a silent message passed between them. I love you "Better late than never…" she mumbled.
Neji smiled. "Better late than never…" They stood for an eternity, until Neji kissed her tenderly…in a graveyard…by her headstone. A kiss she'd been waiting for for too long. But…better late than never. Who would've thought?
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I am going to die over excessive fluff. I hate that saying now. XD A fleeting idea…should I write a chapter two about her announcement to the village or some crap like that, or is it over and done with? I don't know…