The heavens had clothed in darkness as if they were aware of the mourning that was happening bellow. Rain, loud winds, and thundering had woken up Neji from his sleep, and though he could have easily returned to his slumbering, he decided to stare at his ceiling instead. He did not know how long he stared before decided enough time had passed and he ought to get ready for the burials today.

Neji couldn't shake how strange it felt to wonder if the weather had been like this the day he had been buried in dirt. Maybe it was sunny. He sure liked to think it was. Had they been able to hold a wake for him, have an open casket so people could gaze at him one last time? He had never asked, but he didn't think so. The war hadn't been even half finished when he died. He was pretty sure they held a short service the same day they buried him with the others.

Surprising enough, he didn't go to a lot of funerals before this one though his life as a shinobi was riddled with death, so the process of dressing in black clothes and gathering at the cemetery still felt novel to him. It never failed to remind him of when he had to do it for his father's funeral, though. The ache in his heart a familiar bitter aftertaste, his missing presence something he could feel in his bones. That feeling always managed to slow the process down, making him take his time getting ready. He only headed out when Lord Hiashi and Lady Hanabi did as well, bringing an umbrella with him in case it rained again.

At the cemetery they ran into Naruto and Lady Hinata, both giving the impression that they had been the first to arrive at the place with their halfhearted tired greeting. With a quick scan, Neji caught sight of Boruto standing under a tree. Sensing his stare, his nephew regarded him with an indifferent nod before turning away. He was probably still pouting about Sarada staying behind and helping aid Tenten despite agreeing to follow Neji's orders to go home. Himawari, on the other hand, yelped at the sight of him before throwing herself in his arms. Although she was too old for such things, when his niece wanted to be cooed and cuddled, she tended to act younger. As was the case in that moment.

Himawari clung to Neji for a few minutes, fussing over him (not that he minded at all) until Lord Hiashi somehow jealously hinted that he was being ignored. Then she left him alone to be with her grandfather, who gushed over her with no regard for how embarrassing it looked. Around that time, more people were slowly filling in the wide empty space. Among them, his old team. Well, just Might Guy, Lee and his son, Metal.

A not so subtle wave from Guy sensei had Neji walking up to them just so he would stop drawing everyone's attention. They were in a cemetery for goodness sake, couldn't they have some sense of respect?

"How are you, Neji? I haven't seen you in so long!" Guy greeted with his cheeky smile. He didn't give Neji time to respond before his eyes got watery and he all but braced for impact. "I heard you and Tenten single handedly stopped the people who bombed the Red House. Yosh! You have made your ol' sensei so proud!"

Neji didn't know what to say. Usually Tenten was the one who handled this sort of situation while he glared from the sidelines, but she wasn't there yet. He settled for a safe answer. "Yes."

"That is amazing, Neji," Lee patted Neji in the shoulder. "Team Gai is still as youthful as ever, is it not, Guy sensei?"

"Sure is, Lee," Guy agreed, giving them a thumbs up. "And its legacy is bright."

At that Metal smiled, blushing under their scrutiny. Neji still couldn't believe he thought this was Lee and Tenten's son. He felt shame for feeling so reproachful towards a child he barely knew, perhaps that was why he felt compelled to say, "I have no doubt."

"How is our youthful flower doing?" Guy addressed him again. "We have not seen her since we headed off to the war."

Neji tried to control the slight frustration he felt at his last comment. He still couldn't believe Naruto had let Might Guy join the war and not him. His former sensei still moved around in a wheelchair, albeit he used crutches sometimes. How useful could Guy be compared to him? He had no doubt he would still make a considerable amount of damage, yet he still felt too sour over his bruised ego.

"Tenten is doing considerably well," he said honestly, instinctively searching for her amidst the gathering crowd. Still no sign of her.

"That is good news!" Guy chippered. "We must go visit her soon, Lee, and show her our support."

"Of course, Guy sensei!" Lee joyfully agreed and Neji winced, noting how at odds their cheerful personalities were with their surroundings.

"Let's be mindful with the tone of our voices," Neji told them, a warning in his eyes.

Thankfully, they nodded and seemed to keep themselves in check then. Neji sighed, wondering how Tenten managed to do it all on her own.

The sun had moved higher in the sky, dark clouds shrouding their powerful beams, making the atmosphere humid when Naruto started talking. He was standing in front of thirty empty graves, the pictures of fallen kunoichi and shinobi in front of closed caskets. Of people Neji didn't know.

Neji was half listening to him recite words from a piece of paper, his eyes combing the faces of the people around him, frowning impulsively.

"She will probably arrive later," Lee whispered to Neji, "She doesn't like these sorts of things. She did the same thing for yours."

At Lee's remark Neji looked at his feet, feeling like he had been caught doing something that he shouldn't have. He nodded, trying to focus on Naruto's words. It seemed like he was about to finish.

"All of these fallen men and women will be remembered," Naruto concluded, folding the piece of paper he had in his hands and putting it away. "Their sacrifice will not be forgotten. To them we owe our future."

Were similar words spoken in his burial? Neji wondered as he watched how they lowered thirty caskets into their graves and covered them in dirt. The atmosphere was heavy as it all unfolded, the grief and mourning of the people tangible. He too felt sadness, though he didn't know these people personally.

Thunder rumbled the sky, making Neji look up. He could tell that rain would follow soon. Perhaps he was too distracted by this to notice Lee approaching. Before he could put some distance between them, the Green Beast wrapped his arms around his shoulders, his body shaking.

"I am so glad you are here with us again, my old rival," Lee wept, his grip tightening. "Team Gai was never the same without you!"

Instead of using his rotation on his former teammate, Neji tried to be sympathetic (also, he did not deem it appropriate to do something like that in such a solemn place). He patted Lee's back awkwardly, both in reassurance and in indication that he should gather himself and step back.

It did not help, it only made Lee cry out louder. "Neji!"

Neji felt utter humiliation as he saw the people surrounding them turn and stare at them. He looked to Might Guy, his gaze pleading. To his horror, his former sensei was staring at them with unshed tears in his eyes, his chin wobbling in an effort to contain his own outburst.

"That's enough, Lee," Neji said low, so no one else could hear the death threat in his voice. He gripped Lee's shoulders and started pushing but it was no use. Lee's hold only fortified.

"Neji!" Lee screamed.

"That's it," Neji mumbled, preparing to use Gentle Fist.

"Lee," came Tenten's stern voice from behind him. "That's enough."

This seemed to get through to Lee, who lessened his grip and sniffed, turning towards her.

"I know, I know," Lee sighed as he pulled away and wiped his face with his lower arm.

Neji turned and shot Tenten a grateful look, never feeling so relieved to see her.

"I am glad you made it, Tenten," Guy regarded her with a small salute. "Yosh! Now Team Gai is finally complete!"

"Yeah," Tenten said, ruffling Metal's hair. She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.

When Might Guy offered to treat them to some ramen at Ichiraku's and reunite the old team, no one seemed to object. Well, not after it started pouring and the air chilled, when something hot didn't seem like a bad idea.

Currently, they were waiting for their food, Might Guy and Lee going on and on about their battles in the war. Truth be told, Neji had stopped hearing them when they got too riled up and started shouting each other's names. He was more interested in Metal and Tenten's interaction. She had asked the young green spandex wearing boy how he was dealing with anxiety and he was telling her about his progress.

Neji hadn't meant to eavesdrop, he was never to keen about that. Yet, he felt his intrigue peek as Metal explained how he tried using different sorts of trinkets to calm his anxiety and he how he failed miserably with each and every one.

"It's okay. Don't stress over it, Metal," Tenten reassured. "We all have things we need to work on. Who knows? These setbacks might point you to where you need to go. For example, I remember how distraught I was when I wanted to undertake medical ninjutsu and my lack of chakra control prevented me from accomplishing that. I felt like everyone in my team had something that set them apart. Lee had taijutsu and Neji had his Byakugan and family's techniques, but I had nothing."

Neji watched as Metal listened with rapt attention, his eyes only on Tenten. In fact, he wasn't the only one. Guy and Lee had stopped their incessant blabbering to listen to what she was saying as well.

"I felt very discouraged, I can't deny that, but I didn't let it stop me. Thanks to Guy sensei and my team, I was able to find something that interested me more and that I was very good at," Tenten said, smiling as she ruffled Metal's hair. "I might not be in the same tier as Lady Tsunade or Sakura, but I have made a name for myself. You will too."

"Yosh!" Might Guy shouted, making everyone in the restaurant turn towards them. "You are formidable kunoichi, Tenten! You represent what a youthful spirt should be all about! I am so proud to have been your teacher."

Said kunoichi looked at her former teacher like he was blowing things a tad out of proportion. As if it were a challenge, Lee perked in his seat, fiery determination in his eyes. He slammed his palm on the table, startling everyone sitting there. Except, maybe, Might Guy.

"Tenten," Lee began, his voice pitched but steady, "did you not wield the Bashōsen and destroyed Kakuzu's lightning-element mask? I do consider that to be of the highest legendary caliber. Is it not?"

"It is!" Metal agreed, eyes twinkling in admiration.

Tenten waved it off, already flustered with all their attention. "Yeah, well, I don't consider collapsing afterwards something to fuss about."

Neji crossed his arms and looked at her, a bemused twitch in his mouth. "Don't be so modest, Tenten. Just accept the compliment."

His remark only seemed to frustrate Tenten even more. "Ugh, you guys are so annoying. Let's just drop the subject."

Tenten's comment seemed to fuel Lee and Might Guy somehow—they began chanting Tenten's name and bagging their fists on the table, making everyone turn to their group once again. Even Metal joined in their antics as he clapped his hands and cheered her name, albeit in a timid manner.

Tenten sank into her chair, covering her face with her hands as if she could hide from their ceaseless shouting. She turned to Neji, eyes imploring. "Do something!"

Neji tried to seem unaffected by their shrill voices and loud banging, even as one of his eyes began to twitch. "What can I do?" He shrugged, feign coolness. "Maybe if you actually took the compliment, they would stop."

Tenten scowled at him, something he could easily distinguish despite her slender fingers being in the way. He bit his tongue just to keep from snorting. "I can't believe you, Neji. After I pulled Lee away from you. You owe me."

Neji raised one of his eyebrows. "You didn't pull him away, he did that out of his own accord. You merely said his name."

Tenten rolled her eyes at him before she sighed and sat up straight. She lowered the hands covering her face, raising them in a way that let Lee and Might Guy know they should keep quiet. They did, gazing at her with expectation now. Neji and Metal were too.

"Alright then." Tenten dusted herself, before squaring her shoulders. "In my own given right, I am a legendary kunoichi!"

"That's right!" Might Guy said encouragingly, winking as he offered a thumps up. "Don't you forget it, Tenten!"

"Yes," Lee agreed rather enthusiastically, nodding his head a few times. "You will always be that to us regardless of what you think of yourself."

Neji nodded, slowly letting the smirk he was holding grace his face.

"I will follow your advice," Metal said, eyes shinning in awe and resolve. "I promise I won't let you down, aunt Tenten."

Tenten's face was serious as she took the four of them in, choking on a mix between laughter and crying an instant later. "You guys are idiots."

Their food was brought to them in that precise moment, just as Neji noticed how she subtly wiped away at a tear, brown marble eyes glassy. Tenten took that opportunity to excuse herself and go to the bathroom, mumbling something he couldn't quiet understand. He followed her with this gaze until she disappeared around a corner, feeling her rapid heartbeat and clenched stomach echo in his body as he stared at his ramen. He felt like he just lost his appetite.

"She is doing quite well I reckon," Guy commented as he slurped on his noodles.

"Yes," Lee nodded as he took a sip from his bowl after blowing on it. "I agree, Guy sensei."

Neji tsked sarcastically. "She is clearly upset."

"Well." Lee took a few noodles in his chopsticks and swallowed them. "Compared to what happened to her after your burial…" He trailed off as he realized he was talking about something that was clearly not meant to be discussed. He swallowed and tried again. "I do think Guy sensei is right. She is doing quite well when you put everything into perspective."

Neji had yet to touch his food. Now he felt less compelled to do so. He did not want to pry, not when he could ask Tenten himself and not feel like he was talking behind her back, but he found himself doing it anyway. "What happened?"

Might Guy and Lee shared a look, a silent conversation going on between them. Even Metal stayed quiet as he ate his food, though Neji didn't understand why.

Guy turned away from his stare down with Lee, relenting first. He sighed and he said, "Your death was very devastating for our team, Neji. Believe it or not. It affected us all differently and we coped with it in our own ways. Although Tenten put on a brave face, it was clear she was crushed with your passing. More so than us. She just hadn't realized it yet."

Neji waited for Might Guy to continue, as he put his chopsticks down and ran a hand over his mouth and jaw.

"I had thought that taking the remainder of team Gai to eat after…everything was finished, would, uh, be beneficial. It would show that we were still a family. I thought it would be a sign of solidarity. I just…" Again, Might Guy run a hand over his mouth, scratching as his face. "I hadn't expected them to mix up the orders. Mistake or not, I haven't forgiven Ichiraku for that."

Neji's eyebrows furrowed. "I am not following."

"Old habits die hard, I guess," Guy murmured. "I suppose they were used to brining herring soba for us from time to time when, ah, you were…here so they just assumed..."

Neji was starting to understand now. He impulsively turned to the corner where Tenten had disappeared into, wondering what was taking her so long. He slowly moved his gaze to his pale hands on the table.

"Neji," Lee began gently—strange for him to do so—and it only irritated him more. It was like they were walking around eggshells with him. "There is a reason Tenten doesn't like frequenting Ichiraku's."

Guy chuckled but there was no humor in it. He crossed his arms, eyes closed in a pained expression. "She is too prideful, says she is still embarrassed about it, but I tell her it's normal to cry. I mean, Lee and I do it all the time and we are men. It's fine if she needs to cry or shout or curse. You know, it's normal. Specially when a precious member of your team, well…You know."

"At least, she is more open in showing her emotions now," Lee remarked. "She used to tell me that only weaklings cried. It took me a long time to convince her that even the strongest among us cry. That it's okay."

Neji didn't know why he thought—no, he was sure—Rock Lee convincing Tenten of this took place when they had their…thing. He couldn't shake the certainty with which he knew this. He could almost picture his stubby fingers tracing the tears in her face, reassuring her that it was okay, that it was normal. Neji couldn't bring himself to imagine more. He swallowed. At least she had not been alone.

"She did it all out of respect for you," Might Guy said in a low voice, as it were a secret. He picked up his chopsticks. "She would say you would like us to be strong."

Neji smirked, though he felt like he was being strangled. Of course she would think such a thing. He closed his eyes, needing a moment to himself. "I see. What a fool."

He had been too caught up in his own head, too wrapped up in his own confusion, to notice her return, startled when she said with her usual perkiness, "Man. I am starving."

Tenten looked at him amused as she chuckled and took her seat. "Relax, it's just me."

Neji tried to determine if the smile she had on her face was staged or not before he took his chopsticks and began forcing the food down his throat, feign normalcy. Guy and Lee did the same, not missing a beat. Metal was the only one who, along with Tenten, stared at all of this in mystification.

"What has gotten into them?" Tenten asked Metal as she began eating her food.

Metal's eyes got wide as he mumbled, "Beats me."

Like they had not discussed one of their members, the rest of Team Gai fell into easy conversation like nothing was amiss. Surrounded by their familiarity, Neji pretended that he had not died and that he had not just come from a funeral, that everything was right with the world. It worked for the hour and a half they were there, eating and talking, Lee and Guy bursting in their overly energized boasting from time to time.

Neji snapped back to reality when he and Tenten were the only ones standing outside of Ichiraku after Lee, Guy and Metal said goodbye, fussing over needing to return to their training despite the weather. He wondered how he got there. Were the side effects of the scroll fuzzing over his mind again?

"Did you see Lady Tsunade today at the cemetery?" Tenten asked as she looked up at him from under her own umbrella, the rain pelting down hard.

He nodded absentmindedly, vaguely remembering seeing flashes of the Godaime's blond hair moving between the crowd. He had not approached her, though.

"I talked to her. She told me to pass by the hospital at six. She'll have everything ready then."

"Oh."

Her eyes darted down, looked at her shoes. "So, um, I guess we can meet in my house and head there together. Just knock and come in. Okay."

"Hn."

The grip on the handle was tight as he walked over to Tenten's house after visiting his father's grave, after making his decision, the strong winds seeming to want to blow him away.

Neji's body was chilled by the time he reached the familiar house, arriving an hour before they were to meet with Tsunade. He stood outside her door, the shuddering in his body slowly releasing him, and a different cold seeping into his heart. He tried to ignore it as he closed his umbrella and propelled it against the wall. He exhaled as he looked at the darkened skies before he knocked, waiting for a beat or two before he opened the door.

Neji's bare cold feet on the wooden floor were light as he walked over, seeing Tenten sitting with her knees to her chest in the living room carpet. He plopped next to her, surprising himself when he laid head in the scratchy worn material, looking like she had many days ago. The mere act spoke volumes.

They sat in silence, somehow both knowing that they needed some time to think and process everything. Neji was aware they had a deadline, but he didn't feel that much pressure. Tenten had told him that if he wanted to leave, he could. He was sure of her words, and though the decision would be painful, the Hyuga clan would respect his decision too. It was Lee and Guy who he was worried about. They were capable of bringing him back just to ask why he didn't tell them he was leaving in the first place.

After twenty minutes of utter silence, Tenten was the first to speak up.

"I've always liked your hair," Tenten said her eyes trained on the object of her fixation. "It's so beautiful. It's not fair that you have better hair than me…or most girls."

Neji wanted to tell her that he liked her hair too, that he thought she should wear it down more often, but something stopped him. He knew those weren't the words he wanted to say. Besides, it wasn't like she would actually listen to him.

Without saying a word, Tenten leaned forward and started running her fingers through his hair. It was so casual, so mundane. Like she has done it all her life. A wave of sleep fell over him, making his mind groggy. Neji felt irritated about it, but only because it meant his guard was down.

Then Tenten laid next to him and his sleep was forgotten. They just stared at each other as if it were the last time. Perhaps it was.

"You can leave us, you know," Tenten began her chocolate eyes glistening the slightest bit, "and all of us would be okay with it. You don't have to feel guilty about it."

"Hn," Neji answered in understanding, in a final way, but regretted it. He didn't want to end the conversation. "I am worried about Himawari."

Tenten chuckled, trying to make light of his worry, but it came out as hollow. "She'll be fine. She's a strong girl."

Neji everted his eyes before voicing his other concern. "I am also worried about you."

Tenten exhaled tiredly, which caught his attention. Her eyes had glazed over. "I'll be fine too. I will be this time around."

Things grew quiet again and Neji sensed Tenten drifting. He knew he would she keep true to her words. No other sadness in the world would do, she had assured him that night as if she somehow knew she would lose him again. It seemed she learned to live out of this feeling. Fourteen years and Tenten still hadn't built a life or a family outside of her carrier. Why? Could be that she was not interested. After all, Lady Tsunade was her idol and role model. Maybe she was trying to emanate her. But then again…

"Tenten," he began quietly, nervous at what he was about to do.

"Hmm," she said still distracted with her thoughts.

"In the palace when we were under the jutsu, you said you loved me…" Neji couldn't bring himself to finish, he felt so silly. Still, he pushed down his embarrassment. "Did you mean it?"

Tenten gaped at Neji, her face flushing. For a moment he thought she would deny it. "You know I did." Tenten eyes looked down, inhaling as in preparation. "I do."

Neji dragged himself towards her, until they were mere inches away. He observed her intently and in turn she did as well. He thought about what he wanted to say, drawing courage from way down deep.

"I know it might have come out that way in the beginning, but you know what I don't hold any ill will against you. When I was brought back, I felt like my choice had been taken away from and I had no say in my life, but know I see that it was destiny."

Tenten's nose wrinkled in confusion. "Didn't you stopped believing in destiny?"

Neji couldn't help smiling it her, seeming to surprise her with the fact. "I did, then I didn't, and now I do."

Now she just looked intrigued. "What makes you think it's destiny? It could just be that the decisions and actions that I took brought you here, not fate or the universe."

Neji laughed genuinely, which seemed to surprise her even more. "Didn't you tell me to call you destiny way back when?"

Tenten's eyes flicker in understanding. "Or choices," Tenten whispered still in awe, remembering their past brawl. "Which ever rolls off your tongue."

"Ever so bothersome," Neji murmured. He was pretty sure conveying anything but annoyance.

They looked at each other for a moment, a thousand things being said without the need for words. Maybe Neji should voice them, utter them once and for all, not let them linger in the air like half-finished ruminations.

"The fact remains, I am here." Neji could see a spark of hope ignite behind Tenten's eyes, but she was being cautious about it, choosing to not indulge in it. "I chose to believe that my fate was sealed at birth and that it was intertwined with others, and though death got in the way briefly, by luck or chance, I am here again, even when I wasn't supposed to be."

"What are you trying to say?" Tenten was quiet now, her chin trembling and her eyes watering.

Neji drew closer, as if they were not already. He placed a hand on her check tenderly. This was it. He shouldn't be scared, he should be facing his fate gladly. "I am saying am choosing to stay, I am choosing not to fight with destiny anymore."

Tenten laughed honestly this time, placing a hand on the one caressing her face, tears freely falling now. Neji didn't know when they started dragging themselves towards each other some more, but here they were.

Tenten bit her lips nervously and he tried not to let that get him fretful about their proximity, especially when his sole focus was on them in that moment. Honing in on them like some sort of target. Neji didn't hesitate when he kissed her, wrapping his hands around her waist and pulling her towards him, letting himself open like chasm, fearing nothing as he lost himself to her.

If she was afraid, he couldn't tell. Tenten's hands didn't hesitate as they rested on his chest before they slowly lingered to his neck, her nails digging into his nape. Too quickly, Neji's mind was adrift, their breathing and their hands the only thing he could focus on. Everything else was a blur. The world could have ended right then and there, and he would have not known.

Neji wasn't aware Tenten was laying on top of him until she broke from their kiss long enough for him to notice, her head tilted, an amuse twinkle in her eyes. "Does this mean you don't hate me after all?"

For the life of him, Neji didn't understand Tenten's fascination with the idea of him loathing her. Though, yes, she was being sarcastic this time, the other times she had inquired about it she had been honest. Fearful. Was this not evidence enough that he held no animosity against her?

Neji rolled, making Tenten lay underneath him. He pressed his forehead against her, willing himself to gather some self-control. How much time had passed?

"No," he breathed, though he did not mean to pant like a smitten fool.

Tenten's eyes darkened, getting serious all of a sudden. Neji felt her legs wrapping around his, trapping him. He swallowed as her hands sneaked up and into his shirt and rested on his chest, on his scar, on his erratic heart.

One of Tenten's eyebrows tilted up a centimeter, barely enough to be noticeable, but it was enough for him to know what she was asking. No?

Neji could see his dignity crumple as gravity pulled his lips to hers once again, not getting enough of them, of her and everything, it was all he could do as the words slipped through his gritted teeth, "Quite the contrary."

Neji heard her satisfied snickers between breaths, and he might have been annoyed by it if what he said hadn't been completely true. He didn't hold any contempt towards Tenten. No. He couldn't. When it came to her, he only held fanciful thoughts that made his toes curl and his knees give, far too immoral to fall into the besotted category, things far too nonsensical for him to voice out loud.

But…maybe later in the future he would.

The rain didn't seem to give. It was about to be four thirty in the afternoon, but it looked like it was nighttime. Neji took all of this in as he walked over to his father's grave. Earlier, he had not drifted to his tombstone because he liked having his time and privacy. Now that the place was empty, he felt it was an opportune moment to do so.

Since being back, he had tried to come frequently. Keep things tidy. Talk to his father, even if he felt foolish doing so. Once he was gone, who would look after it? Who would talk about the weather and his niece and nephew with him? He was sure Lord Hiashi would keep with the work, but it would not be the same. Neji had seen it with his own eyes.

The same ache of that morning returned, weighting down on his heart. Would he be able to see his father this second time around or would he wander in complete nothingness again? Would he find rest or was the notion unattainable?

Neji would have dropped his umbrella, would have let the rain cascade over him, let the raindrops mix with his own tears, pretend he wasn't crying if it were not for the fact that he would meet with Tenten later and he didn't want to soak her floor. Or explain himself. He could go to the Hyuga compound and change, sure, but he knew he wanted to stay there, with his father, for a while. Aside from that, he wanted to avoid the member's curious gazes and questions too.

So, Neji settled for weeping under his umbrella as silently as he could, glad he was the only person around. Glad neither Rock Lee nor Might Guy were there, encouraging him to sob, to scream, to curse.

After letting his emotions get the best of him, Neji gathered himself, steading his hitched breathing. He focused on his legs, on the grounding sensation they brought him. He sighed evenly.

"I know, father." Neji's voice came out horse, so he cleared it. "My mind and perspective of things have changed so much since I was young and arrogant. I thought I had a clear sight of things and I was proven wrong. I thought I had been set free back then, at that time. I was and I wasn't, I think."

Neji shakily breathed in, touched his bare forehead free of the curse mark. "I could be wrong again, but I think I am actually free this time. It's strange that it all came to be this way, with my death. I guess you were right about that. Death his freeing…but so is living." He felt a lump in his throat again, his eyes blurring. "I don't think I am afraid of living anymore."

Neji shook his head as if he could shake everything bothering him at that moment too. He did feel slightly lighter. He bowed deep. "I hope I do not disappoint you, father."

A/N: And Tsunade waited for them for hours and hours…jk, she probably knew they weren't coming by the time it was 6:01 and headed to the nearest bar. I was planning on updating on Sunday but since there is a storm coming to Puerto Rico, I decided to upload now in case my power goes way. I hope you didn't think Neji was actually leaving or dying again. Hehe. I am going to change the status of the story to complete so other people might be encouraged to read the it knowing it's done, but that does not mean it's over. Keep in mind, I am planning on uploading an epilogue where Neji…eventually voices all the things he said we would one day…you know, in their wedding day, for in their wedding vows ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°).

I want you guys to give me suggestions for…he-he baby names. I know that one of the names I want to use is Neji's father's name (in case it's a boy) but I want your guys suggestions on both girl and boy…it's for the epilogue ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°).

To answer Kmy068question regarding the previous chapter, to undo the jutsu Tenten has to release it but at the cost of her own life. Tsunade told her that she can keep her stabilized so she can do the whole thing without dying, but it will take a long time for her to psychically recover from it. Obviously, releasing means Neji goes back to being dead, so it's not like she and him will sever the tether and be like normal. Yes, I did not intend to go through all that trouble for Neji to die all over again. I want all the happiness in the world for my OTP! Now, regarding their kiss when they were being hunted—I did not wanted address it for a couple of reasons but mainly because Tenten had always given Neji the space and liberty to be vocal or not vocal about how he is feeling (much like in the chapter The Return when she expressed how she felt when she was being held captive and told him that he didn't need to respond to what she just expressed). Another reason I did it was because Neji thought about that event as him losing control of himself, not that he had feelings for her (which he does! Well, for the sake of this story he does *so much*), that's why he didn't feel like addressing it. Also, he was embarrassed. The other reason, plot. I wanted him staying and opening himself to her both emotionally and physically to be the climax, and though addressing the kiss would have been nice, I wanted it to be this way. That's why I chose to address her saying I love you instead.

To two Guests that commented, thank you so much! Your comments about the story always make my day and the experience writing much fun.

I have tried addressing and tying loose ends as much as I can. I will try to keep doing it in the epilogue as well. Please let me know what you thought about the story as a whole—it would be great feedback for me and in case there are somethings I did not write accordingly. Share with friends too! This is my take on what I think should have happened to our OTP with the course that Kishi took with the series—though killing Neji was the first mistake.

I look forward to writing the epilogue and hearing what you guys have to say about it. Until then!