Life has a way of backfiring on you. I know that all too well. And I should - thanks to you.

It's always been you. They say it's love at first sight. I felt nothing of the sort. Actually, truth be told, I hated you. Hated your personality, your looks, hated everything about you. I hated most guys back then - I was still at the 'ewww, guys have cooties' stage, but I hate you more than every single other boy. You were an arrogant arsehole (and you still are most of the time right now).

I have no idea when my hate for you turned into a crush. And even when it was a crush, it was still more of a kind of love-hate crush. At times I liked you. At times I hated you.

I do know when that crush became full-fledged devotion though. I was ten and stupid, full of dreams and hopes for a near impossible future.

Two years later, we were sorted into the same team. I was happy, but I never showed it. Devoted or not, I didn't want you to know. God knew you had more than enough worshippers and admirers - fangirls - already.

But I digress. This is all completely beside the point.

Thing is, I loved you. Still do, as a matter of fact.

Not that it matters to you. You certainly don't love me. You used me, and you couldn't care less.

And now you're engaged. To Hinata. I can't say that doesn't disgust me. You're cousins. Cousins. But I suppose the twisted politics of the Hyuuga clan mean that it's inevitable. And I really don't think Hinata's all to happy with the engagement either - she's still in love with Naruto, but fate rules over everything, like you say, and I suppose Naruto and Hinata together isn't fate.

But we're stuck together because of a mission, and life is a nightmare right now.

You're dying. Chakra burnout. Goddamnit, didn't I tell you not to overuse the Byakugan? Didn't I?

"Seals. Come on; remember! Sakura taught this to me. Tiger. Sheep. Ox. Hare. Remember!" Tenten whispered.

I gave you my love, my heart. And now I'm giving you my life.

Dog. Tiger. Dragon. Rat. Sheep.

Things have to happen this way, and I know that. We're all just part of the game, the show, and the show must go on. We don't have a choice. Like you used to say, destiny rules over us all, and we cannot defy it without backlash.

Eyelids open, two emotionless white eyes blink. But the emotionless void changes to horror, or shock - Tenten isn't sure which.

I'll still love you, even in death. Who knows, maybe we'll meet again someday. But in this life, I'm not going to get a happy ending. I've accepted that. It's life and life must go on.

"I love you…" the words hang in the air, suspended in the cold silence.

You don't need to reply. Ever. I already know what your reply would have been.

"Tenten… TENTEN! Don't… die…"

It doesn't matter, not now. Not ever. My death will not matter. I don't matter, not to you.

"Destiny, Neji, destiny. I can't stuff destiny and live. Destiny meant for you to die. I figured that I'd given you my heart already, so giving you my life wouldn't matter."

Your eyes are strangely shiny. Are you crying? Or are you just lying - again? You're not crying, are you? You can't. You're Hyuuga Neji. You don't cry. You don't care. About anyone.

Eyes flicker shut with one last gasping breath.

It's always been you, but none of that matters now. Not anymore. But when I say always, I mean always. For the rest of forever.

It's simple enough.

A/N: Written during school, during my history class, when we were supposed to be watching Braveheart. Well, I was listening to it, but not watching. Anyways, I like this story - only story I've written that I actually like. This version is slightly different from the original, but I like this edited version better, so ..