Neji hadn't wanted to go to work today, but unfortunately this meeting couldn't be held over the phone. He had left Tenten reluctantly after they'd eaten breakfast and she was set up for the morning in the living area with her Lego and a Disney movie on in the background.

He had also talked to Yagusa Sahito's lawyer and they had set up a meeting between themselves and their clients for the following week. Neji had wanted to do it sooner, but he knew this would give him more time to set up their argument. He refused to fail her on this.

Neji was determined to take the bastard down.

Letting out a relieved breath at being home, Neji unlocked the front door and stepped inside. He had missed his girl terribly, and all he wanted to do was spend some time with her snuggled on the couch before they had to talk business. Neji knew she was stressing about the lawsuit, and he wanted her as relaxed as possible before their discussion.

Instead of finding his Little girl playing with her Lego or jewellery set like he had expected, he walked into a darkened room with her bundled on the edge of the couch, knees to her chest, as she watched what looked like...

Was that a dead body?

"What is going on in here?" he asked, his voice booming loudly.

Tenten screeched, turning around with a pillow held protectively in front of her. "Neji, don't do that!" she scolded. "You scared me."

His eyes were hard as he held her gaze. "And just what did you think you were doing watching this kind of show?"

"I like it. Murder mysteries are the best."

Neji flinched when what he guessed was a serial killer found his next victim. Tenten turned to the screen raptly, but he didn't miss the way she cringed when the serial killer produced a knife.

"Right, that is enough." Neji stormed his way to the television and turned it off, causing Tenten to cry out in indignation. "Stop," he told her in a low, commanding voice. "What made you think this was a suitable show for Little girls?"

"Neji, turn it back on!" she yelled, glaring at him. If looks could kill, he'd be in cinders by now.

But he just crossed his arms and stared at her, his eyes showing his displeasure. "No. You are not allowed to watch those sorts of shows anymore."

"What? That's no fair!"

"You are terrified, Tenten. That show is too gruesome for Little girls."

"I'm not terrified! And I'm not always Little." She stood up, making her way to the television, but he stopped her before she could turn it on. "Neji!"

He raised a brow at her. "You want to watch your tone right now, Tenten," he warned softly.

"You can't just come home and ruin my fun! I was watching that!"

"And I said no more. Listen to Daddy, Poppet, before you get in trouble."

"Ugh! You are so frustrating!" She cried, stomping her foot in anger. She looked shocked at the action, looking down at the offending appendage like it had a mind of its own.

His eyebrows rose at her show of anger. "I think my baby needs a timeout for that tantrum."

"I think you need to let me finish my show."

"Last chance, Tenten." His tone brokered no argument.

Unfortunately, said tone seemed to fall on deaf ears. Tenten's glare heightened, and she once more tried to turn the television on. When he stopped her, she stomped her foot again. "Stop being such a dick!"

That wouldn't do at all. Neji's eyes darkened and he saw the exact moment she knew she'd gone too far. Tenten took a step back, opening her mouth to say something, but Neji swiped a hand in the air between them. "No. You are getting a timeout and a spanking for your temper tantrum and for speaking back disrespectfully."

"But-"

His look stopped her words dead. "I can add to your punishment if you want to continue arguing with me, Tenten." When she didn't reply he gave a short nod. "Good. Now, pants and panties off, little girl. I want you in the corner with your nose to the wall, bottom out. You will stay there until I collect you."

Her shoulders slumped but she didn't try to argue. Pouting, she pulled down her pants then her panties, her cheeks going pink when Neji didn't give her any privacy. She turned and started shuffling her way to the corner, pants and panties down by her ankles, but Neji stopped her.

"Hands on my shoulders, baby," he said and knelt in front of her. "Foot up. And the other one. Good girl." He drew them off so she wouldn't trip over them. He stood and gave her ass a quick slap. "Off to the corner. No talking unless it is your safeword, understand?"

"Yes, Daddy," she replied in a small voice. But he still detected a hint of defiance in her tone.

Ah well. That would be spanked out of her soon enough. His little girl had to learn that tantrums weren't okay. Neither was calling him bad names.

He watched as she made her way slowly to the corner. "Nose to the wall," he called out. "And stick that bottom out."

She obeyed after only a moment's hesitation, and he felt satisfaction fill him. He loved looking after Tenten. In all ways, even if it meant punishing her when she was naughty. Neji didn't want it to end after she was able to go home.

Truthfully, he didn't want her to go home at all.

With a quiet sigh, he turned towards the kitchen. He'd make some lunch while she was in timeout, then after her spanking they could eat.

.

Tenten hated corner time. It was boring and stupid and unnecessary.

"No fidgeting, little girl, or your time restarts," Neji called from his position in the kitchen. She couldn't see him, but she felt his eyes on her every now and again.

She wanted to make a biting retort back but held her tongue. She was already in trouble, and she didn't want to make it worse. But, God, it felt like she'd been here forever. Surely, she could come out of the corner soon?

Her mind wandered to the television show she had been watching when Neji had come home. She had a love-hate relationship with murder mysteries and true crime shows. She enjoyed learning what made serial killers tick, and she loved seeing how law enforcement caught them. But sometimes the shows scared her. Some of the serial killers did disturbing things to their victims, and there had been many sleepless nights in the past from staying up late watching them then being too scared to turn any lights off for bed.

But Neji didn't need to know any of that. He couldn't forbid her from watching programs she enjoyed. Could he?

"Alright, baby girl, come here."

Tenten turned to see Neji sitting on the couch, arm outstretched towards her. She pouted as she walked over and was surprised when he drew her into his lap instead of bending her across his knee straight away. He nuzzled his nose against hers before drawing back and looking her in the eye.

"Do you know why you had a timeout, Tenten? And why you are about to get a spanking?" he asked, watching her carefully.

"Because you're a meanie," she grumbled in reply, crossing her arms over her chest.

"You want to try that again?" he warned in a low voice.

She gulped at the look in his eyes. She would do well not make things worse for herself, though she had never been very good at curbing her tongue. But she lowered her gaze as she said, "Because I yelled at you."

He nodded. "Partly. Because you had a tantrum and called me a bad name when I warned you to stop."

Aw man, now she felt bad. "Sorry, Daddy."

"I do not like seeing my little girl watching something so gruesome," he told her. "It will give you nightmares."

"But I like them, Daddy," she replied in a pleading tone. "They don't give me nightmares." Much.

"That is another five for lying, little girl," he growled. "I could tell from your reaction when I got home that the show scares you."

"But I like it," she said again, her voice small.

"And Daddy does not want his baby girl scared or frightened."

"But I can watch it when I'm not Little, can't I?"

He gave her a look and she fought not to squirm on his lap. "The show scares you, Tenten, whether you are in Little headspace or not."

Tears sprang to her eyes, making her feel silly. They were just shows, even if it was one of the few genres she enjoyed. She would get over it, wouldn't she?

Neji tipped her head up with a finger to her chin and studied her closely. With a sigh, he asked, "You really want to keep watching those shows?" Her lip wobbled as she nodded. "Fine, I will concede. But you are only allowed to watch them on three conditions."

Three conditions? That was three too many, as far as Tenten was concerned, but she held her tongue.

"Put that away," Neji commented, tapping her bottom lip that was sticking out. "First, you are not allowed to watch them while in Little headspace." Right, she could agree to that—she never did anyway. "Second, you are no longer allowed to watch them while it is dark. Which means no closing the curtains and no watching them during the evening."

No fair! Everyone knew it was better to watch those sorts of shows when it was dark.

"Thirdly," Neji continued, "You are only allowed to watch those shows with me from now on. And if you have nightmares from them then I will cut you off. Understand me?"

"I understand, Daddy." She didn't like it, but she understood.

"Good girl. Next time, instead of a tantrum, I want you to speak calmly with me. If something is that important to you, then I am willing to compromise. Unless it affects your health and safety."

"I'm sorry, Daddy. I didn't handle that very well."

"You are forgiven, baby girl." His gaze warmed and he brushed his fingers across her cheek before pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Does that mean I don't need a spanking anymore?" she asked hopefully.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "You definitely need a spanking, little girl. To remind you that it is not okay to be disrespectful to Daddy." He helped her stand then laid her over his lap, so she was hanging off with her bottom right in the firing zone. He hummed in apparent appreciation, taking his time as he rubbed her bottom cheeks. "We need to start plugging you, baby girl."

The image those words conjured up made Tenten flush with arousal and she clenched her cheeks together.

Neji tutted. "Relax, baby. Not today. Soon, though. I am quite looking forward to playing with this pretty bottom of yours."

Oh Lord, the things he said.

"Right, baby girl. It is a count of twenty."

He didn't give her a chance to protest the ludicrous number. The first contact of his palm to her bottom stung like a bitch, and she bit her lip from crying out. It wouldn't do to fall apart straight away. She was made of stronger stuff than that.

She thought he might ease a little the more he spanked her, but each smack was hard, and he left no part of her bottom uncovered. She squirmed, trying to get away, but he just looped a leg around both of hers, holding her still.

A cry fell from her lips when he struck her upper thigh and by the time he spanked the same spot on her other side she was sobbing.

"I'm sorry, Daddy! No more!" she pleaded from her vulnerable position.

"Five more," Neji reminded her in a calm voice. But he paused in his punishment to rub the burn in, and she relaxed a little. The sting was still there but it lessened immediately after he stopped. "You okay, baby girl?"

"No!" she cried. "My bottom is sore!"

"That is the whole point, Poppet," he replied with a chuckle. "Next time you do not agree with one of my rules, what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to talk to you respectfully."

"Good girl. Ready for your last five?"

No. "Yes, Daddy."

He didn't make her wait, landing one on each check then her upper thighs before spanking right in the middle of her bottom. Tears stung her eyes, but they didn't fall. Still, she clutched at him when he righted her and drew her in for a hug, holding him tight.

"You were such a good girl for me, baby. It is all over now." He rubbed her back and Tenten felt herself slump against him.

She had never thought of herself as the sort of person to enjoy being comforted when she was upset. But she loved being held by Neji. He made her feel safe. Cherished. And those were things she had never felt before. It was scary, but also exciting.

Lifting her head from his shoulder, she told him, "I'm sorry for throwing a tantrum, Daddy. And for calling you a dick. You're not a dick."

She swore his lips twitched in amusement, but he recovered quickly, flattening them into a straight line. "Apology accepted, Poppet. And no swearing. I do not like hearing such filthy words coming out of my baby's mouth."

"But what am I supposed to call your...?" She left the question open, indicating his crotch with her hand. She grinned. "Maybe I can think of a name for it. Like, Mr. Snake or Neji Jr."

"You are not naming my cock either of those things, little girl," Neji replied, a little indignantly.

"Hm, you're right. I guess I have to look at him before I name him."

"Brat, you will not be naming him anything." He rubbed a hand over his mouth before saying, "You may say cock or dick when speaking of-"

"Neji Jr!" she supplied before he was able to finish his sentence.

"My penis," he finished, sending her a mock glare. "But that is it. No swearing at any other time."

"That's no fun," she murmured with a pout. "What if he wants a nickname?"

"I assure you, baby girl, that he does not." He helped her up then stood himself. "Lunch is in the kitchen. Do you want to eat it in here or at the table?"

Considering the table had hard chairs, she would rather steer clear with her hot bottom. "Here please, Daddy."

He grabbed their sandwiches from the kitchen then sat her on his lap so he could feed her. It was a little weird to be fed by him, but she decided that she liked it. They ate in companionable silence, with Neji's free hand holding her around her waist, his hand rubbing her thigh.

After they finished, he sat her down on the couch and cleaned up, then sat next to her. He reached for her hands. "Right, baby girl, we need to have a chat about this lawsuit of yours," Neji told her kindly. Her heart started racing and he squeezed her hands reassuringly, giving her a supportive smile. "Try not to stress, Poppet. I am going to look after you."

Right, yes. Neji was a successful lawyer, and he was on her side. He wouldn't let her down.

.

"We have a meeting with Yagusa and his lawyer next Tuesday afternoon. Would you rather do it as a video conference, or are you happy to meet them in person?"

Neji didn't want her to do anything she was uncomfortable with, so even if the lawyer protested, he would have the meeting via video if that was what she wanted. But she shook her head at the suggestion. "I'll meet them. I'm not afraid of seeing him; it's not like he can hurt me. Besides, he's just an asshole. I've dealt with him before."

He'd suspected she would say something like that. Tenten was strong and brave, and by the sounds of things, she'd dealt with a lot of crap in her life. She was the type of person to face things head-on without cowering. Which made him proud as punch, even if he would prefer her to hide behind him so he could protect her. But he could still protect her—he would just do it by her side.

"His lawyer is going to have a strong defence for him. He no doubt took photos of the damage to his face, and since there were no cameras in the area it happened, they will claim you attacked him unprovoked."

Her face fell. "So, there's nothing we can do? I don't have a solid defence for myself?"

"I did not say that, Tenten." He gave her hands another squeeze. "I have been busy behind the scenes these past few days. Made some calls to his workplace and even paid it a visit yesterday. Turns out, he has quite a few sexual harassment complaints from the women he works with, but nothing has been done to him because he is the only one in the company with his skillset and it would cost a lot of time and money for them to get someone else in and train them."

"So, the company has just allowed him to harass these women?" she asked incredulously.

He reached over to smooth the angry frown lines from her forehead. "Yes, but not for long. I have evidence and some of the women are willing to testify in court if it comes to that. But I intend on settling this out of court." Next week at the meeting, preferably, but he wouldn't tell her that. He didn't want to get her hopes up in case it didn't work out the way he planned. But if everything went his way, this mess would be behind his girl by Tuesday afternoon.

The next half hour was spent with Neji preparing her for what would happen at the meeting. He advised her to let him do the talking unless he gives her the okay to say something. Afterwards, he put her down for a nap and worked in the office until she woke up. If she decided to stay with him permanently, he would have to get a baby monitor installed, so he could see when she woke up. Since she was always so disorientated after waking, he worried she might fall and hurt herself, and he didn't want that. It was his job as her Daddy to prevent her from getting hurt—both physically and emotionally. And he wouldn't let her down on either account.

They spent the evening with her in Little space. He fed her dinner, then curled up on the couch with her in his arms while they watched an animated movie before he gave her a bath. She was in bed by nine-thirty, and despite her grumbling that it was too early, she fell asleep almost immediately while snuggled up to him.

And it didn't take him long before he followed her.


Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed the chapter. :3 If you have any questions about the dynamic, feel free to shoot me a DM. Or just Google it, I suppose. XD