E2: And… how much can happen in a single night? Er… lots.
Chapter Fifteen: The Engagement Party
Neji opened his eyes and started, feeling suddenly quite empty and cold without Tenten's warmth by his side. Then, a wave of guiltiness hit him. Emi had probably been expecting him to get home last night- it was now ten o'clock in the morning.
"Damn it…" Neji swore, and left the room without a second glance, not noticing that Tenten's presence had vanished from the house. He quickly walked through the house, and to the front door, which he opened and walked out of, and was about to shut behind him when he heard a voice.
"Neji-nii-san… is that you?"
The Hyuuga looked around quickly. It was Hinata, and she was on a walk with her son, Daiki.
"Hinata-sama," Neji bowed, and remembered where he was standing- on Tenten's front door, the door still open behind him, at ten o'clock in the morning, his clothes incredibly wrinkled, and his hair mussed from sleep- if such a thing were possible.
"Why are you on Tenten-nee-chan's doorstep?" Daiki asked, loudly. He had obviously inherited his father's volubility and curiosity.
Neji hastily closed the door with a snap and left the lovingly tended garden, the iron-wrought gate locking as it swung shut behind him.
"And why are your clothes all wrinkled?" the young Uzumaki continued, much to everyone's chagrin.
Hinata gave Neji a look that spoke volumes on what he had done, and what it could then spark.
"Well," Neji cleared his throat. "Last night, the Hokage had instructed me to go check on Tenten to make sure that she was okay. She wasn't, so I stayed to make sure she would be," he explained, suddenly realizing that it sounded unbelievable.
"Then… why didn't you say good-bye to her? Why didn't she shut the door?" the young blonde inquired.
"She… was busy with something else. So what are you two doing down here?" Neji said, quickly shifting the conversation to another topic.
"We were going to the park- I wanted to see the ducks!" Daiki said enthusiastically and Hinata smiled serenely.
"Okay- enjoy your walk, Hinata-sama, Daiki-sama," Neji bowed hastily and jumped onto the rooftops, navigating his way back to what had once been both his and Tenten's apartment. He reveled in the cool, crisp air against his skin, and felt suddenly more awake than he had for the past three years. Tenten had healed his mind last night, he realized as he landed on the balcony. Who had Tenten become? Was the change for the better… or for worse?
He slid the glass door open and stepped into the bedroom. The maid inside glanced up from making the bed, and shook her head.
"Good morning, Neji," Utada said crisply. "You're home late, I see."
"Morning, Utada… Is Emi here?" Neji replied, ignoring her comment.
"No- she said she had gone out to find you."
"I see…" Neji replied suddenly uneasy.
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Did she say where she was going?"
"The Hyuuga Compound, to see Hinata-sama."
Neji handed her a few notes and left the house via the balcony once again, but this time, he was headed towards the Hyuuga estate- towards Emi.
---x---
Tenten woke groggily, her head pounding, her heart aching and nausea still numbed all of her senses. It was like waking up sick, with the worst hangover in the world. What was worse was that it had happened beyond ten times by now.
"Good morning, Tenten," said a deep male voice that did not belong to Neji- whom was pretty sure he'd collapsed because of slight repercussions after she had healed his mind.
"Hiroshi!" Tenten shot up, her mind finally catching up, and she then absorbed her surroundings.
It was a misty forest, very much like the dream she had shared with Neji.
"But, you see, this isn't a dream," Hiroshi said, coming up beside her out of the fog. "This is real."
"So… you're really here, and I'm here in real life?" Tenten said, reflexively tensing.
"Yes," Hiroshi answered. "You're here because I called you here, but I have decided to take a few security measures to ensure you have no power over me."
"Don't you trust me yet?" Tenten simpered. "I was sleeping- I'm completely unarmed."
"I highly doubt that- you did receive training from both me and Neji, I see," Hiroshi retorted dryly, and Tenten shrugged.
"I'm just me," she said, smiling.
"You and I both know that you're not that innocent," Hiroshi answered and began to walk.
"Why did you bring me here?"
"I brought you here," Hiroshi began," because I wanted to test you."
"What on?" Tenten tread on the lush grass carefully, the dew turning her feet numb.
"I have already seen the result- you are now tied to me," Hiroshi turned, and smiled, obviously smug.
Tenten felt a tingling sensation in her body- she was walking towards Hiroshi in swift, smooth strides, and she was suddenly in his arms, held fast by his vice like grip.
"And now… that kiss that I had so wanted from you…" Hiroshi said, leaning in closer.
At the last moment, Tenten turned her face so his lips only touched her cheek, and Hiroshi leered.
"Oh… A chaste kiss, shared by sisters, friends… and maybe… lovers."
Tenten shivered, and tried to exert her will the earth, searching for traces of metal. There was nothing. Fire flared in her hands, and Hiroshi dispelled it, blocking off her will with his mind. Tenten felt nothing but fear in her system.
Tenten was alone save for her own sanity, with the man who had lied to her for the past three years and now controlled every cell and fiber of her body.
The kunoichi felt her head turn against her will, and her determination vanished into thin air. Her lips parted, as if in passionate expectation, and a sob escaped her, regardless of Hiroshi's control over her body.
"I was patient," he was saying. "I helped you… and you never… ever… said thank you…" His voice shook with some unidentifiable emotion, but it somehow shocked her to her core. She was incredibly afraid.
"And now, I will claim my rightful reward," Hiroshi's blue eyes loomed ever close to hers, and she could only think of one thing. Or person.
Neji.
And, just like that, Hiroshi's appearance changed.
"Or would you rather I am the one you love?" he said in Neji's voice, Neji's smirk upon his face.
Tenten shut her eyes, the tears still flowing, and then he kissed her lips- and there was nothing that she could do. Neji would never do this to her. He would have protected her from this monster... whom she knew, on instinct, and through the guidance of her subconscious, she would have to fool and tame enough to teach her everything she needed to know. But even that thought was no consolation to the fact that Hiroshi was here, now, and all too real...
---x---
Tenten sighed as she stood in front of her mirror, fiddling around with the numerous bobby pins, and the folds of fabric of her dress. She turned around to get a better look at herself in the mirror when Hiroshi appeared at her side. Tenten sighed, the same empty feeling wash over her as Hiroshi touched her arm gently, kissing the nape of her neck. In the sanctuary of her mind, Tenten hated the fact that he had become a part of her life. She hated the fact that she always had to obey him, and had no control over him- even if he was not as powerful as her, he was still so much more experienced and conniving with his kekkei genkai. He broke away and smiled, just like he was the perfect husband- as he had been pretending to himself for the past six months.
"Here, let me help you," he said quietly.
He gently removed the pins of her hair and separated small strands of hair, twisting them and heating them so they curled gently, and then pinned two strands behind her head, shortening the other lengths beside her face to frame her cheeks subtly.
Tenten sighed as he smoothed out the crinkles in her dress with heated hands and she spun mechanically.
"Perfect," he whispered. With another kiss, he handed her the matching emerald green clutch and vanished. Tenten sighed and pressed her forehead against the wood of her bedroom door before taking a deep breath. Tonight was important- she had to be happy, for Neji… and for everyone else.
Neji hadn't seen Tenten for exactly five months, three weeks, two days, twelve hours, fifty-eight minutes and twenty six seconds. Seeing her again at his engagement party, Neji tried to divert his thoughts and concentrate on other things. The Rookie Nine had been invited, along with Team Gai, Aimi, and other influential people in the various countries- the marriage of the most prominent of Hyuuga males for three generations was quite an auspicious event.
Yet when Tenten entered the room, his breath caught once again and his heart still fluttered at the sight of her. Emi was unfazed by the presence of the kunoichi, and she continued to be the gracious hostess of the party, greeting members of Neji's family, and finally, Tenten.
She was instantly the centre of every man's attention in the room with her glossy, thick and shiny hair, its length easily exceeding Emi's, flowing in a gently waving, silken river down past her hip, her slim, lithe, lean and muscular body, her pale, smooth, unblemished skin…
"Congratulations," Tenten said, planting feathery air-kisses on Emi's cheeks. "On your engagement- I'm sure you and Neji will be happy together."
Neji stared at her chestnut coloured hair, glistening like her emerald green dress. She had not said a word to him, walking away to talk to the other guests whom she did know and felt comfortable talking with.
"Tenten!" Temari greeted warmly, and they embraced like sisters. "You look amazing."
"The same goes for you!" Tenten replied, admiring the feminine turquoise coloured dress that was sleeveless and contour hugging, but past the hips, it hung loosely down to her knees, swishing as she walked. A necklace with a turquoise crystal pendant shone benignly, and the kunoichi's hair was styled in an elaborate knot.
Tenten's smile did not falter as a man appeared at Temari's side.
"Oh, right. Tenten, this is my husband, Isamu. Isamu, this is Tenten, the best weapons specialist anyone can find on the continent."
Tenten rolled her eyes. "I think that's a bit of an overstatement, Temari. It's a pleasure to meet you, Isamu," she bowed, crossing her right arm over her left shoulder to prevent any indecent exposure, and he bowed in return, his brown eyes sparkling good naturedly. It was a fitting name for the man- one had to be brave to deal with Temari. She could be a challenge and quite a handful.
"Well, I don't think that's an overstatement, Tenten. I mean, I'd go to you any day to have a weapon made, but I think you'd just make it and not want to turn it over to me," the gruff, familiar voice was tinged with humour.
Tenten turned around, wrapping herself in Kiba's arms. It felt good to be seeing him once again. No one really had the time to see each other anymore, Tenten thought sadly. The same thought seemed to be running through his mind.
"You make terrible jokes, as always, Kiba," Tenten smiled, and Kiba shrugged. A slender woman appeared at his side- she had light grey eyes, short, deep red hair- so deep it was almost black, and wore a silvery, slinky dress with thin straps.
"You must be Tenten. Hi, I'm Gina. I'm Kiba's girlfriend," she introduced in a melodious voice, and Tenten smiled.
"It's great to meet you," Tenten smiled, and they exchanged the same feathery light kisses on the cheeks.
"Is it really Tenten, engaging in social activities?"
Tenten sighed dramatically, without turning.
"Is it really Shikamaru, in a tuxedo?"
The kunoichi turned around, laughing lightly. She and Shikamaru made eye contact.
"Unfortunately, yes," Shikamaru replied, shoving his hands into his pockets and slouching. "It's the one thing I don't like about these things. Why can't we all just meet over coffee or something?"
"Because, silly, there wouldn't be anything special about getting engaged at all!" Ino replied. Her hair was unbound, but curled, and she wore an indigo dress that had gathering on the side, so one side of the hem of the layered chiffon skirt was higher than the other.
"Hey, Nara Ino," Tenten smiled, and hugged Ino like she had hugged Temari. They had grown very close over the past six months, and Tenten had enjoyed Ino's light hearted company that was different to Hinata's proper and polite manners, Temari's bluntness (albeit the fact that she had talked to her briefly but the other woman had neglected to state that she was married) and Sakura's tactful words.
"How are you?" she asked both Shikamaru and his wife.
"Great," Ino replied breezily, but from the look of utter relief on Shikamaru's face, it was obvious that he was glad to be out of the house- for the first time in a while without his one year old son, and inquisitive three year old daughter. Tenten smiled warmly, and Ino and Shikamaru drifted off somewhere else, engaging in other social pleasantries.
"Well, well- look who's the social butterfly!" Sakura squealed by Tenten's ear, and Tenten beamed at the pink haired woman, who was now pregnant with her second child.
"Good evening, Tenten," Sasuke said, his posture perfect but he was obviously relaxed and at ease, although the kunoichi could sense that he was ready to jump into action at any moment.
"Sakura-chan, Sasuke-kun- it's a pleasure to see you here," Tenten said with stiff formality, bows and all, her coy smile adding to the effect. "How are you both?"
"Well… we're doing fine," The mother-to-be smiled happily, clasping her hands over the folds of her dress over her stomach. It was a peachy colour that reminded Tenten of the dusk sky, sprinkled with stars.
"Have you decided on a name yet?"
"Um… well…" Sakura looked up at Sasuke.
"Not really," he answered for her. "We still have five months, after all. But we are thinking, still."
Tenten smiled and nodded, and turned around, accidentally bumping into someone.
"Hinata-chan… Naruto-kun!" Tenten smiled and bowed to both of her friends. Hinata was looking resplendent in a simple and traditional irotomesode with hints of lilac, violet and indigo in the shifting weave of the obi and the lining of the sleeves.
"Tenten-nee-chan!" Naruto enveloped Tenten in an almost sibling-like hug, and Tenten fondly returned the gesture- the blonde was like a younger brother anyway.
"Tenten-chan, thank you for coming," Hinata whispered as she hugged the kunoichi. For some reason, tears gathered in the corners of her eyes, and Tenten determinedly blinked them away. This night, she thought fiercely, was for Neji and she would have to show her support.
"Tenten! You made it!"
"Why would I miss Neji's engagement, Lee? I have to be here to make sure I can tease him about any slip ups he makes… even though it is unlikely, regrettably," Tenten shrugged light heartedly, and chatted with Lee and his girlfriend Aiko for a few minutes about social pleasantries, as well as Shino and Chouji. Shino was also engaged- he and his fiancée Arisu were going to be married in nine months, and Chouji was also married to a woman by the name of Sora.
----x----
Neji was only half paying attention as people came up to both him and Emi, offering their congratulations. He did not see Emi, in her delicate hand spun golden silk dress that accentuated the beauty of her hair and creaminess of her skin.
He had only eyes for Tenten, in her beautiful, entrancing emerald green dress. She unknowingly drew the stares of everyone around her, whether it be for the effortless grace with which she moved or the natural beauty that emanated from her radiant, flawless skin. The striking colour and design of her dress made her stand out from every other woman in the room; her distinct perfume was light and not over cloying. The simple style of her hair set her apart from everyone else with their hair tied into uncomfortable knots and the sweet lilt of her voice carried to his ears. The exquisite features of her face were accentuated by the tastefully applied and chosen makeup- everything about her fascinated and mesmerized him, and as she moved, time slowed down and everything muted and darkened around Neji until the only thing he could see or hear was Tenten.
"Right, Neji-kun?" Emi asked.
Neji, who had been absent-mindedly keeping track of the conversation, nodded politely.
"Yes, and I wish your daughters, Kaede and Kasumi, every success in their Chuunin examination next week, Junko-san," Neji said, bowing.
Junko was apparently satisfied with Neji's answer, moved away, and Emi dragged Neji on to meet yet another person.
Neji watched as Kiba hugged Tenten, seeing the pure delight on her face as she hugged the Inuzuka back fondly, and laughing and talking with an animation that contrasted to when he had last seen her, in real life and in his dreams. He wished that he had been the one to put that cheeky spark back in her eyes, and that loving, happy smile the back on her face.
Putting those thoughts aside, Neji focused on something else, but his eyes were drawn to the plunging neckline of her dress that ended in a sharp V, the fabric gathering from that central point. The emerald green fabric clung to her body around her waist and hips then fell in graceful folds down to the floor.
Tenten's hair was styled in a manner that would normally require hours in a salon and a million and a half different hairstyling products, resulting in, most likely, a hair do that was incredibly elegant but caused much discomfort and fell into shambles by the end of the night.
She turned around and met Neji's eyes for a split second, and for him, she moved in slower motion than she had before.
Her lips were shaded in a rouge tint that reminded the Hyuuga of a rose. She blinked, and her sooty eyelashes were accentuated by black mascara. The lightly applied eyeliner was white and opened up her eyes, and the eye shadow was also a natural and warmed shade of brown. Her cheeks were lit with a rosy glow that was also helped with a light dusting of blush that was the finishing touch to her look- subtle, natural and completely and utterly alluring.
---x---
After half an hour, everyone was seated at their tables of around fourteen. Tenten sat with Kiba, Gina, Shino, Arisu, Chouji, Sora, Shikamaru, Ino, Lee, Ayame, Temari, Isamu and Kankuro. As Hinata was already married to Naruto, and close family with Neji, she sat at the head table with Neji, Emi and her sister Aimi, Hanabi (dressed in a beautiful red furisode), Sakura and Sasuke (as another noble clan of Konoha), Gaara, the feudal lord of the fire country, and a few other people Tenten did not know.
Light food was consumed, along with champagne. Tenten was staring off into the distance, the vague direction of her gaze aimed at the main table. All she could see in her head was the golden swirling liquid inside Emi's champagne flute.
"Tenten, are you listening?" Temari demanded.
Tenten whirled around.
"Sure- you were talking about the growth of the economic market in the sand village," she smiled, and Temari snorted lightly.
"What happened?" Tenten asked.
"Emi… I think she's a bit tipsy. The champagne glass tipped onto her."
"Well, it's not like it'll stain. Her dress is even that colour, for goodness' sakes."
The champagne glass had snapped, the drink spilling onto her dress, and the glass fragments snagged on the silk, causing threads to come loose. The cause was entirely unknown, and Tenten always maintained the fact that she'd had nothing to do with it after that night.
Then, to draw everyone's attention away from the young woman's accident, the lights dimmed, and the band on the stage began to play music. Everyone drifted onto the dance floor, and Emi hurried into the bathroom with her sister, Aimi. Soon, only Tenten, Neji, Kankuro and Gaara remained seated, and Tenten stood up and walked to the bathroom to wash her hands.
Emi and Aimi were inside, trying to clean the stain away, and make the small loose threads look unobvious.
"It's not coming out!" Emi squealed, and Tenten quickly washed her hands and tried to leave without being spoken to.
Aimi, however, with her sharp eyes, knew who it was.
"Tenten," she said imperiously, and a perfectly mirrored flash of contempt swept fleetingly through the kunoichi's eyes.
"Yes?"
"I've noticed…" she said calmly. "That Neji… seems to be fascinated by you."
"Well… I haven't seen him for six months, and before that one time, three years ago- but we had a relationship, before he met Emi," Tenten explained.
"Right," Aimi drawled. "Well, keep it that way. Oh, and by the way- your dress… it's so… tacky. You might want to consider wearing something less… sluttish at the wedding."
"Follow your own advice," Tenten smiled sarcastically and left the bathroom with someone else who had witnessed the exchange. She shot Tenten an apologetic glance, and Tenten shrugged good-naturedly. As the other woman left the room, Tenten put a small seal on the door that would lock it completely for a few minutes once someone tried to leave, activating the seal.
She opened the second door, and Neji was standing beside her in an instant.
"Dance with me?" he whispered in her ear.
"Um…" Tenten said, a shiver caused by déjà vu shooting down her spine.
Without waiting for another answer, he took her by the hand, and led her out onto the dance floor.
Neji put Tenten's hands on his neck, and put his hands firmly on her waist, and they began to sway slowly like everyone else around them.
"Thanks for coming," he said softly in her ear.
"Congratulations," she smiled.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome," they said quickly, like they had rehearsed it perfectly.
"You didn't say anything before, so…" Neji trailed off.
"I know."
"That thing with Emi was… strange," Neji said, for lack of finding a better word.
"I've changed."
"I know," Neji said sharply.
They both did not meet each others eyes, but somehow ended up standing very close together.
"You look… absolutely beautiful," Neji said softly by Tenten's ear. He gently caressed the ends of her hair with his fingers from where they lay comfortably on her hips. He could smell her perfume on her neck, and felt the heat radiating from her smooth, sheer skin.
She licked her lips nervously.
"Why… why do you do this to me, Neji? Why do you do this to yourself? It's your engagement party and we can't be seen together… not like this."
"I know. But I had to. You… in that dress… I couldn't help but just…"
In the dim lighting, Neji heard her sharp intake of breath, and moved back slightly, gently taking her chin in his thumb forefinger and stared down into her eyes, and she looked up, tentatively into his. Suddenly, all of the electricity in the building flickered out, and some people screamed.
None of it mattered to Neji, who just bent his head… and kissed Tenten on her lips, and they were transported to a world that had existed… seven years ago. The image of that photo that Lee had taken of them when they were nineteen, young, and carefree, at a stupid bonding camp disco flashed in their minds, and they broke apart, panting slightly, Tenten's head resting on his chest, and his head resting on top of hers, their hands laced together, while the chaotic mayhem continued around them.
Suddenly, all of the warmth left Neji's body as Tenten fled, quickly helping someone else on the other side of the room with incredible speed. The lights turned back on, and everyone stopped screaming. Emi had left the bathroom looking flustered and furious, her eyes wildly searching for the reason of her rage- Tenten, but she was nowhere near Neji, who was standing in the middle of the dance floor, apologizing and aiding people in standing. Tenten was sitting in her chair, her face set in a bemused expression as she watched everyone else. She must have planned it, Emi thought finally.
----x----
She hadn't meant for any of it to happen. The glass was purely an accident. She'd had nothing to do with it, but the seal had been a bit childish of her, and the dancing… and kissing… it had been partly her fault. If she had pushed Neji away before any of it had happened… especially with the blackout…
Tenten sighed as she walked down her street past midnight. Someone had offered to walk her home, but she'd declined saying, firmly, that she could handle herself. Her shoes dangled from her fingers, her clutch in her other hand and she sighed wistfully as she looked up at the sky. There was no moon tonight.
"Quite impressive, Tenten. You've grown so much stronger…" Hiroshi said, looking down at her from a rooftop.
There was no need to seal her mind- Hiroshi only pried into her thoughts anyway. The only thing she could do was remain calm.
"You were there?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I was," Hiroshi smirked as he jumped down to her level. They walked at a measured pace, back to her house, and Tenten knew what was coming next.
The gate swung shut silently, locking behind them, as did the front door. Tenten shivered as they walked up the stairs, his footsteps echoing in the narrow hallway as he walked behind her. They arrived in her bedroom, and the fury radiated from Hiroshi's body.
"What were you thinking, kissing him?" he asked jealously.
"He kissed me." Tenten replied softly, defiantly, not flinching as Hiroshi took her chin roughly between his thumb and forefinger; a mockery of the gesture that Neji had just shown her. It was almost hard enough to bruise her skin, but Hiroshi was careful to never leave bruises where people would notice.
"If you… ever touch or go near him again, I will kill the both of you, got it?" Hiroshi growled, and pushed her face away.
Tenten grit her teeth and said nothing. She'd learned from experience that his threats were mostly empty, that is, until it involved another man. But she felt like just shouting out that together, she and Neji could kill him. She knew that she had powers to exceed his- they both knew that. Hiroshi feared her, but he only just barely kept her under his control under his better understanding and manipulation of his power.
But Tenten didn't care.
It was only a matter of time before she would break free.