Author's note: Thanks to all my lovely reviewers. Enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Then there was you

Summary: Neji and Tenten are the Romeo and Juliet of the Business world.
Childhood friends with rival fathers, they meet years later, to find themselves in the middle of a corporate face-off with one another.

Rated: PG

Chapter 5

Hyuga Neji paced impatiently in the hospital waiting room with worry, waiting for the doctor to come with news about his uncle who just suffered a massive stroke all of a sudden during one of their countless dailly meetings.

'"What could be taking them so long?' thought Neji.

'It's been hours since I brought him in and I haven't even seen the doctor since.' He glowered, his eyes seemingly getting darker as the clock struck another hour.

Finally, the doors burst open and a tired looking doctor emerged, removing her surgical mask and cap. Upon seeing her, Neji stopped his pacing stood up, afraid of what the doctor would have to say.

"Dr. Anderson, how is he?" asked Neji, his voice filled with worry.

"He is stable now. Mr. Hyuga, as you may have already guessed, had a stroke. It's not clear at the moment how much his neurological and motor faculties have been damaged, if at all, but I would highly recommend getting a physical therapist to help him with his day-to-day functions," replied Dr. Anderson.

"That's all you have to say to me? You don't know how badly damaged my uncle is after being with him for five hours? Now you want to pass your job off to a physical therapist?" cried Neji incredulously

"Unfortunately Mr. Hyuga, your uncle was unconscious at the time I was in surgery with him, so I could not be sure what else was wrong with him. I only suggest having a physical therapist to help him get back to his normal routine." Dr. Anderson explained wearily.

"Can I visit him now?" Neji asked. The doctor pointed to a room down the hallway and Neji made his way there cautiously. He opened the door quietly and saw his uncle, pale-faced and looking extremely haggard.

"Neji, my boy. Before you start worrying, I'm fine now. I would be able to get out and go to that important meeting next week."

"What? No you can't! You cant go to New York!"

"Of course I can. I'm feeling so great now. Listen Neji, this meeting is really important. It concerns the future of the Hyuga business. I'm not going to miss that just because I just have a stroke."

"You don't look that fine to me, uncle. Please, don't go. I don't want anything to happen to you. You need to stay here for therapy. I cant let anything happen to you, you're the only family I ever have." replied Neji.

Hyuga Hiashi heaved a deep sigh

"True, he can't let anything happen to himself. Neji is only 21, he's still so young. I have to watch over him and the business for a couple more years until he is ready and confident." He thought.After debating what to do for a few minutes, he finally spoke.

"Neji, I want you to go for this meeting for me in New York."

"What? But I…"

"You can do it Neji, I trust you. I'm sure you wont let me down." asserted Hiashi.

"Ok, uncle, I promise to do my best. And you promise to do your best too and get well soon."

"Alright boy, I promise."

A week later, Neji was on the plane, on the way to the big apple!

In the meantime, at New York City…

Tenten was a happy girl. She was in her favourite city and doing something she loved her whole life. Sure, she missed her friends and family, but talking on the phone with her best friends everyday eased her loneliness. Besides, in just a couple of weeks here, she made a great bunch of good friends. She had just heard from Ino that Hyuga Neji had a stroke and Neji had to replace him in some important meeting somewhere. She silently hopped that she would not meet him here. She wasn't ready to face him, or ready for a relationship of any sort with him. More thoughts clouded her mind as she walked along the cold, deserted street towards her apartment. She thought of Itachi who never stopped trying. During the past year, he sent her gifts, flowers, cards and everything that could be sent, in the hope of getting her to be his girlfriend. She admitted that she was touched when he proposes his love for her, and waited for her after classes so that he could send her home. But what she didn't know was her feelings towards him. Was is just platonic or was it love. Tenten didn't want to rush into anything. She didn't want to hurt anyone, especially a nice guy like Itachi. She sighed and continued walking alone and shivered at the coldness. Finally, as she was nearing her apartment, her eyes caught sight of a tall shadow lurking under the moonlight. Tenten was immediately alert and walked cautiously towards the shadow. Suddenly, before she knew it, the shadow disappeared and someone popped right in front of her. She screamed and lost her balance. She was about to hit the cold, hard floor when the stranger caught hold of her and pulled her towards him.

"Let GO of ME!" Tenten exclaimed in fear.

"Tenten, its me!"

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Tenten stopped struggling and looked at the guy.

"Itachi! What are you doing in New York?" Tenten asked incredulously.

"Oh god, he looked so damn sexy under the moonlight. His dark eyes are so enchanting." She thought.

Itachi pulled her into a hug and whispered into her ears, "I missed you so much."

Tenten was shocked. She was touched. She was happy and she was confused. Shocked because Itachi came all the way here just because he missed her! Touched because of his persistent tries for love. Happy because someone cared for her so much and confused because she didn't know how to react. They stayed in that position for a long time. Finally Itachi broke the hug and cupped her face.

"Tenten, I really missed you a lot the last few weeks when you were gone. I think about you everyday and I had to see you. You're the first girl who has ever made me feel this way. I love you so much. Would you please accept me, Tenten?"

Tenten was speechless and she softened at his words. They were so sweet, the sweetest thing that anyone could have said to her. She didn't know what got over her that night and she felt warm tears trickling down her face. Her face lit up into a bright smile and she said YES…

On Neji's side…

Neji was feeling extremely nervous about the coming meeting that afternoon. He was pacing in his hotel room since six o'clock in the morning. He couldn't sleep; the only thing he could think of was if he made a single mistake, the Huyaga business would be ruin in his own hands.

"I should go get a coffee to calm my nerves." He thought and he dashed out of the hotel to the nearby streets.

Finally, he chose this quaint, little café at the corner of the street and settled down for his coffee. "This is a nice place, it's calm and relaxing here." He thought. While he was busy sipping his coffee, the bell at the entrance tinkled and someone else walked in. The couple seated themselves on the right of Neji. Suddenly, Neji heard a chuckle. A very familiar one indeed. The ones he used to hear when he was a boy. The ones only made by his dear friend."

He was startled and started to look up and scanned the café. His eyes rested on a couple on his right. The girl was chatting and laughing merrily. Her eyes twinkled when she spoke and she looked so beautiful when her brown locks sparkled in the mid afternoon sunrays. Every word she spoke was like music to his ears. She looked so familiar. He had seen her before somewhere. But where?

"What a lucky guy." He thought as he looked at Itachi.

When he was about to turn back his attention on his coffee, something glaring caught his eye. He looked at the direction of the sparkling glare and he took asharp intake of breathe when he saw what it was. It was the locket. The locket he gave his beloved Tenten before he left her. Then it hit him as fast as a speeding bullet. That girl right in front of his very eyeswas the girl he always wanted to see again. The girl he missed so much all these years. He stood up and started to stroll towards her. She looked even more perfect as he edged nearer to her. All of a sudden, she looked at him and he could hear her gasp.

Neji found his way right in front of her and a word which Tenten feared rolled out of his mouth.

"Tenten!" was what he said…….

Thanks for reading guys! I really appreciate it! Sorry for this ultra short chapter! I'll leave you here for now. See ya in chapter 6!