It had been two strange weeks trying to figure out what they were now. Tenten found it hard to fathom that just a few weeks ago Neji had been dead for 14 years. It was like he never left in the first place. If it were not for the strained and rigid way they interacted with each other, she would have had a problem figuring out anything had changed at all.

So far everything that Sakura had told them had been proven true. They were linked to some extent. They had done other tests on their own, trying to determine what their reach and limitations were. They 'trained' (if it could be call that), leaving their guard down on purpose to feel and see the extend of their tether. They would watch in amazement how their wounds would mirror each other in their bodies.

"Disturbing," Neji had murmured, visibly put off.

Sakura had said that she had barely understood the principles behind the jutsu and what was inside the scroll. That there were other aspects she wanted to look into, like the emotional and psychological parts, as well as other physiological things she barely glossed over when they were at the hospital. But so far, she hadn't sent out for them. Tenten hadn't brought it up either, not since she told them this. Personally, she was a little freaked out about all of it. She suspected Neji was too, since he had kept quiet about it as well.

Tenten and Neji usually compared notes in their 'training' sessions early in the morning. Their testing was usually short and their discussion of their finding shorter still. After all, Himawari didn't want her training to be put on a stand still because Tenten decided to bring Neji back and had to deal with the consequences (although, if it were not for it, she wouldn't even be training with him—but she was not going to tell that to the young girl), so a lot of things were left up in the air.

One of those things happened one morning.

It was still dark out. The birds were hardly chippering. Tenten had woke up suddenly, gasping, clutching her chest. She felt like she was dying, but she didn't know why. She was laying in her bed, alone. No, it wasn't her. It was Neji. Tenten was trying to get out of bed, but it was almost impossible. Her body seemed to have harden like stone, breaking into cold sweat.

Then it dawned on her. Neji must be in trouble. Maybe he was ambushed or something. Someone was trying to kill him. Her heart was keeping a fast pace inside her ribcage. How was she to help him if she was so incapacitated? Tenten hoped someone would go help, that someone would notice something was amiss. If not, they would both die soon.

Meanwhile, Tenten tried to control her breathing and her heartrate, trying to calm her organism. "It's okay, you're not dying. Neji is smart. He will figure something out. Or at least someone will go help him. Breathe, breath."

As time progressed, Tenten felt herself slump, her heart and breathing slowing down. She sighed, relieved and tired. Whatever must have happened was under control now.

Tenten tried to stand but couldn't. Her body felt similar to a twig. She wondered if she should go see Neji, see if he was alright, but this—whatever this was—had left her drained, her mind foggy. Too quickly she fell unconscious with exhaustion.

Tenten had woken up merely hours later. She tossed and turned for a while, but she found that she couldn't sleep after that, her mind consumed with what could have happened to Neji last night and if he was alright. She had decided to reach the training grounds a little bit earlier and wait for him there.

While she walked over there, Tenten realized that when she was dressing this morning, she hadn't seen any bruises or cuts in her body. Usually, she would admit that Neji was good at what he did, she had seen Neji battle dozens before without getting a scratch on him, but what she experienced last night felt like dying. Seeing no evidence of last night's struggle was off putting.

By the time she reached the grounds and found a tree to sit under, Tenten was exhausted again. She figured she wouldn't train today, she wouldn't be able to keep up with Neji anyway. She closed her eyes and tried to meditate and clear her head. It was impossible.

One of the things Sakura told them came to mind. I don't know how strong or fragile this tether is and if can dissolve easily. What if their connection was severed? What if the jutsu was being undone? What if they were both dying? What if—

"What are you doing here so early?" Neji said. Tenten jumped, annoyed that she hadn't heard him coming.

One look at Neji and Tenten confirmed that something must have happened. What had happened?

"I would ask you that."

Neji rubbed his eyes, accentuating the dark bags under his eyes. He was clearly irritated or tired, she couldn't identify which. "What happened and why are you blaming me for it?"

Tenten exhaled, getting up in the process. "Well. I woke up early this morning because I felt like I was dying. I thought someone was killing you. What happened? Was the Hyuga manor attacked?"

Neji stopped rubbing at his eyes and looked at her, visibly ashen. Speechless, it seemed too.

"What? Wasn't that what happened?"

Neji sighed, somehow defeated. He walked over and decided to sit where Tenten was a few seconds ago. He ran a hand through his hair. Tenten could tell this was serious, so she figured she would sit next to him and wait for him to tell her what was going on.

"The Hyuga manor wasn't attacked last night. I just had a nightmare."

Tenten almost felt the need to make fun of him for it, just because of the sheer ridiculousness out of it all. She felt like she was being killed—like he was being killed. But it wasn't that at all. Rather, it had all just been a nightmare. Tenten didn't understand how such a thing could merit the reaction that he had.

"I felt like I was going to die," Tenten said quietly, staring at her hands. She could tell that telling him this made him uncomfortable.

"It usually feels like that." He was looking at something in the distance, resigned.

"It has happened before?" Tenten blurted before she could silence herself. "Since when?"

Neji turned and looked at her, his expression hard to read. "Since I came back. I dream about the day I died, it's like I am stuck in that moment. It's surreal, I feel like I am living it all over again."

Tenten was shocked for more than one reason. "Why am I feeling all of it now? Wouldn't I have felt it before?"

Neji shrugged, looking away. "Maybe the tether is growing stronger. I don't know. I still don't understand the sorts of implications involved."

They sat in silence and Tenten tried to think about all of the things he told her. He might be right. She had felt a difference since they started doing their test-training. It was like she was more attuned to her body and his. This was a good thing, it meant they weren't dying. Well, not anytime soon. Although she was relieved, she knew it was different for Neji.

Tenten could feel a hollowness in herself as she thought about what Neji told her. He was reliving his death over and over. She felt horrible this morning, unlike she has ever before. This was what he was experiencing for weeks now. She had brought this on him.

"I am sor—" Tenten began, but Neji held up a hand, stopping her.

"Stop apologizing. You are constantly saying you're sorry, it's annoying. Just stop. Let's just focus on figuring this out."

Tenten noticed that he didn't say he forgave her. She felt that hollowness feeling grow. Despite how he acted towards her, she understood. And even if she didn't, she would make herself understand. None of this wouldn't be if not for her.

Tenten nodded. Before she could talk herself out of it, she took his still upheld hand in hers, making him snap his head towards her, apprehensive.

She said quietly, unsure, "I know this sounds cliché and as I am saying it I am aware of how stupid it is but," Tenten hesitated, taking a quick breath before she continued, "when you died, I felt like I had died too. I had felt like they killed me right alongside you. I felt like they buried me with you, I was never the same…but I was wrong. What I felt this morning, that was dying. It was horrible. I know I might be the last person you would want to talk to about this, but I am here for you. If you need to talk about this or anything else, I am here to listen. You might not consider me your friend anymore, but you will always be mine."

Neji's expression was astonished as she said all she needed to say. When she gave his hand a firm squish and let go, he seemed to gather himself. He looked away and closed his eyes (like he always did when he wanted to escape a situation) and gave a tight nod in understanding.

After a beat or two of silence, Neji sighed. Tired. "I think we should skip training today. I am drained, it's better if we just rest. I will tell Himawari to do the same."

Tenten nodded as she stood up. She was kind of glad he had offered to have the day off. She needed to gather her strength.

Tenten was surprise that Neji stood too, was surprised that they walked away from the grounds together (albeit, in silence) until they each went their separate ways. She felt déjà vu all over again, but she was afraid to even mention it for fear of ruining what was going on. Neji was not being outwardly mean to her and that weirded her out. Maybe he was learning to tolerate her.

Tenten was in ramen shop with Lee, meeting every Sunday in the afternoon like they have done countless times. This was their tradition, something that they have started doing ten years ago. This was how they kept up with each other, without letting life get in the way. The place was not that packed. It usually wasn't on a Sunday. They were sitting in a table in the center of the room (their usual spot) as they let their ramen cool down for a bit. Lee was going on and on about a mission he had just gotten back from.

"I was alone," Lee said. "I told Guy Sensei to get help. There were like a dozen ninja surrounding me and I knew I had to—"

Suddenly the door chimed, announcing another costumer. Tenten was momentary distracted by Neji walking in. Why was Neji here?

"Neji?"

Lee perked up and turned around. He waved at Neji over, animated. "We are here, my old friend!"

The few people sitting in tables turned to look at them. Tenten felt herself blush in embarrassment and she tried to cover her face. Then something clicked. Tenten place a hand on the one laying in the table. She gripped it tight. "Don't tell me you invited him over."

Lee turned towards Tenten, looking at her hand and smiling widely at her. "Yes, of course. I thought it would be nice to get the team back together. Or at least on good graces. It took me a while, but I convinced Neji to come."

Then Lee whistled to the waiter indicating the arrival of their other guest. The waiter just nodded and came over with another bowl of ramen. Tenten gaped. The little weasel planned everything. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Lee looked amused. "Well, if I did, would you have come?"

"Lee, you—Hi, Neji. How strange seeing you here?"

Neji stopped at the table, looking at Tenten's hand still laying on top of Lee's then at her. His face was hard stone. "Lee invited me."

Self aware, Tenten removed her hand and placed both of them under the table. "I am surprised you agreed to come."

Neji sat down, sighed. "He told me he would stop pestering me if I would come."

Hmm. That made sense. Tenten snapped her eyes at Lee but he pretended to not notice the awkwardness, seeming unbothered.

"I am glad you decided to come. I was just telling Tenten of a mission I came back from a few days ago. The Hokage had sent Guy Sensei and me to a village. There were reports of rogue ninja's patronizing the villagers, destroying their harvest and stealing their crops. So, I—"

Tenten stopped listening after that. She was just staring at how her old team interacted. It was like an animation without sound, like an old movie. She felt nostalgic. This is how it used to be when they would get back from a mission. This was all she ever wanted for 14 years.

Tenten hadn't realized she was being emotional until Lee looked at her, his expression concerned. He put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright, Tenten?"

Now Neji started at her too, a question in his face. Tenten felt like she was being scrutinized all the sudden. She whipped at her tears quickly, clearing her throat. She patted Lee's hand away, looking at him as she placed a tentative touch on his lower arm, squishing, trying to reassure him. She always found that this was the only way to convince Lee of things. "I am fine. Trust me."

She tried to convey the same thing to Neji when she turned to him, but his face still looked like stone, impenetrable. She was well aware that he was staring at her hand, the one resting on Lee's arm, as if trying to piece a puzzle together.

Tenten cleared her throat again, feeling uncomfortable. "Where were you in your story, Lee?"

"Um," Lee hummed as he tried to think. She could tell he felt uncomfortable too.

Uncharacteristically Neji cut in, "He was just saying how he defeated a dozen ninja on his own."

"Oh," Tenten said, trying to sound amazed.

"Yes, I did do that."

Then there was silence as they unceremoniously started eating their food. Tenten tried to pretend that she didn't notice Neji dissecting each and every move she and Lee made.

"The food is so good," Tenten commented.

"Hmm. It is. Like always," Lee chippered in, as he inhaled his ramen.

Neji seemed to have barely touched his food. "When did you two stopped going to Ichiraku's?"

Tenten and Lee looked at each other, prompting the other to answer.

"Well," said Lee, giving in. "We haven't stopped. This is just the place we decided to come to on Sundays."

"Hm," said Neji with a disapproving tone. "Compared to Ichiraku's, this tastes awfully bland."

Tenten didn't know why but Neji's attitude was getting on her nerves. "Ichiraku holds too many painful memories, that's why we don't go that often anymore. Or at least, I don't."

This seemed to silence Neji, who picked up his chopsticks again and started eating. Or forcing himself to eat. They all were quiet as they did so.

Lee got up, making his chair screech. "Excuse me. I have to go to the bathroom."

"Okay," Tenten said, wishing she could leave for a moment too.

It was only Neji and Tenten now. She watched as Neji made a distaste face and put his chopsticks away.

Tenten didn't know why but this irritated her. "What is your problem?"

Neji wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Well. The food is awful."

Tenten felt like she was personally attacked somehow. And to think the other day she felt like they were getting along. "I think it's delicious."

"Of course, you do. It doesn't surprise me." He put his napkin down and looked at her like he looked at the ramen.

"What!" she tried to control the tone of her voice.

"I am surprised I didn't see it sooner," Neji said stoically, detaching himself like he always does. Tenten just stared at him, pressing him to say whatever it is he wanted to say. "You and Lee have a thing. I don't know what it is, but it is certainly something. I don't want to interrupt whatever that is, especially if I have to watch it while I eat horrible tasteless ramen. It all makes for an appalling experience. I don't know what Lee planned with this, I don't know why I agreed to come either, but I will be leaving."

Tenten just stared at Neji, trying to hold her jaw close. She felt her face heat up and she tried to control her embarrassment. "Lee and I have nothing going on."

Now Neji looked amused. "It certainly didn't look like it. He stares at you like he used to stare at Sakura."

"I-I-" Tenten was speechless.

Neji appeared satisfied and annoyed with her response. As if this proved something. "That is all I needed to hear."

He started getting up and Tenten just stared, shocked. Then, she just felt rage. She slammed her hands on the table, making everyone turn towards them. "You didn't use to be so petty-minded. Did being dead make you become this way?"

Now it was Neji's turned to stare her down, furious. "I refuse to be the chaperon on your guy's date. I am sure that hardly counts as petty and more as self-respect."

"I am not on a date, damn it!" Tenten felt her pulse starting to pick up with her anger and she could tell it was also affecting Neji, he looked aggravated as well.

"What is going on?" asked Lee a short distance away from where they were. She was surprised she hadn't seen it coming.

Tenten tried to normalize her breathing. "Neji said he was leaving."

"Why?" Lee asked wearily.

Neji just pinched his nose, visibly flustered with all of this.

Tenten was about to open her mouth when someone burst in. It was a young kunoichi she had known to work for the Hokage. Usually, the young man would send out for people when they were needed on a mission. Why would he be here?

Everyone in the restaurant seemed to stare at the young kunoichi as he approached Neji, Lee and Tenten. "The Hokage requested the presence of you three regarding a mission. Please report yourselves to him immediately."

A/N: Another update so soon? And wait, is it more than a thousand words? Who even is this? Man, I really poured myself into this one. What happened in the restaurant? Why do you think the Hokage sent for team Guy? Tell me your thoughts in the review section! Thanks to Kmy068 and hannahzerofive for their reviews on the last chapter. See you in the next update.