Two years. That was all it took. It could have been sooner, but Neji had decided to wait. There was no particular reason for doing so, just for the sake of time and nothing else. After all, the Hyuga's prided themselves in being calculated and patient, for never rushing into any particular situation (though, truth be told, he would have thrown himself head first if it were not for the scrap of self-control holding him back). So that he did. He patiently waited until the right moment presented itself, until he was sure asking for her hand would not seem like a silly idea she could easily brush off.
In that lapse of time he came to understand that the right moment did not exist, such a thing was impossible to determine or fabricate, even more so with Tenten. Her sharp mind wouldn't allow it. They weren't young either. They knew each other fairly well (too well), so there wasn't a need to impress one another. Such a thing would have to unfold naturally and inconsequently, much like them coming together.
Neji had not told anyone what he was planning (well, aside from his uncle and the elders knowing). He was sure that if he did, things would get out of hand. He didn't want to worry about his family (particularly Himawari) or his old team butting in when he was baring his heart and soul to Tenten. He could only juggle so many things at the same time and proposing to his long-time friend was a whole universe.
Neji was sure Tenten would figure something was amiss the moment he invited her to the manor for a dinner with his clan (after all, it was the first time he had done so with the pretext of her knowing people). It was an introduction of sorts one could say. Neji had already spoken to his uncle and the elders of his intentions, of marrying someone that wasn't a direct descent of their namesake. They had been opposed to it from the get-go, Hiashi the only member defending Neji and his right to choose the three hours the council had met. Of course, the lack of a curse mark meant that, although they were adamant about their oldest prodigy not properly securing a successor with their bloodline, they couldn't make him do one thing or the other. They could only swallow their pride and watch it all happen.
They did agree to meet her, though, see who this stubborn side branch boy was marrying into, have a sense of who she was before everything was official and news to everyone broke. The only thing was, Tenten didn't know this. Neji had only told her that there was going to be an event, a dinner, with important members of the Hyuga clan and he wanted her to be there to keep him company.
Never missing anything, Tenten had squinted her eyes in suspicion and asked, "Why?"
"So, I might not get bored, these things are very tedious," he had brushed off, like it wasn't as important as he made it out to be. Yet, he had told her to look her best, that the occasion demanded a formal dress code.
She had only squinted some more, seeming to see right through him. "I see. Don't worry. I won't embarrass you."
"You could never do that," Neji had reassured, a little too nervous of being found out. "It would be a different story if I asked Lee or Guy of this, though."
Tenten had jokingly shoved his shoulder but did not press the issue further.
And now, after two years, it was about to happen.
The events leading to were strange and nothing at like he had planned—though there wasn't much planning, so maybe that was why. First of all, Neji did not arrive with Tenten. She had convinced him that she would arrive with the Uzumaki's since his niece insisted on helping her get ready in her house. Since he did not want her to grow suspicious (more so), he had not argued about the issue, though it did look bad on his part. Neji could already see the distasteful whispering of the elders and main branch ("how unbecoming", "how tacky", "if it were a Hyuga, it wouldn't have happened").
Neji had tried not to get frustrated with the growing unrest from the members, though it was a hard task, especially since they hadn't started their dinner yet. Everyone was waiting for Naruto and Lady Hinata, their kids… and in extension Tenten. It looked bad.
His uncle had gone to Neji twice, seeming to see his pacing and impatient grumbling from a mile away, letting him know that it was normal for his son-in-law and daughter to arrive late to such events. It helped somewhat, but as the time ticked by, Neji found his resolve chipping away.
In the end, they arrived an hour late, an apology from Naruto the only greeting as he bowed to everyone. In turn everyone bowed back, the unrest and irritation from before dissolving into nothing. He was the Hokage of course, they waved off, so such things were expected, they were just happy that they were graced with his presence. Neji tried not to wince at their slight hypocrisy. He didn't know why it always surprised him. Aside from being patient and calculated, the Hyuga's were suck-ups.
Yet, all of these frustrating thoughts were washed away when he saw Tenten step in behind them. She was dressed in an intricate white and lavender kimono, her hair half pinned up by a delicate violet kanzashi while the other half fell in waves around her. There was barley any hint of make-up, just a pink tint in her checks and a red, almost sheer, color on her lips. Gold drop earrings dangled as she bowed to everyone in the room.
Once everyone was acquainted, Tenten walked over to him, a teasing glint in her eyes. She looped her arms around his and leaned close enough for him to smell the fragrance and her scent mixed in—vanilla and steel.
"Sorry I am late, I didn't know they were going to take so long," she whispered conspiratorially, then she squeezed his arm. "You clean up nice, Hyuga."
It was these sorts of comments that always caught Neji off-guard. It didn't matter how long they have known each other, he always found himself flushed at her straight forwardness. Specially when he thought he did nothing to warrant such remarks—he was just wearing a black kimono and a gray hakama, a haori with the Huyga crest over it. His hair was slick back, without it's usual hair tie.
Neji leaned in and whispered to her ear, "As do you."
In a matter of minutes, they were all seated, their food already waiting for them for the past hour. The elders didn't seem to hesitate as they began drilling Tenten with questions, trying to do it as subtly as they could (which Neji considered not to be subtle at all). They asked after her family, her bloodline, her surname, her career, her accomplishments, what she was doing in the present and what she planned on doing in the future. Occasionally Neji would contribute to the conversation, proudly talking about Tenten's expertise in space-time ninjutsu and mastery in weapons, her ninja tool designs and creations and her shop. At other times, Hiashi would recall tells of the war and praise her skills and intelligence, something he could go full in detail about because they had been assigned to the same division during the war. When understanding dawned on Naruto, something he must have recognized as he also went through the same process when he got engaged with Lady Hinata, even he took turns raving about what a great asset and teammate Tenten had been during their missions together.
It did not take a genius to comprehend what was going on. Neji could sense Lady Hinata and Himawari giving him knowing glances once they too figured out what was happening, which he pointedly ignored. He was just glad Tenten seemed to not have figured it out. Not yet at least. No, she was too focused keeping her composure and unwavering air about her as the elders kept their constant questioning. She would answer each and every one firmly, with a finality to them. And every time she did, Neji couldn't help sitting a little straighter in his seat, his chest puffing with pride.
Once they were satisfied, the elders turned their focus on the Hokage, their questions turning political. Beside him, Neji could see Tenten slumping in relief as she took the cup of water in the table and drank. He made sure no one was looking at them before he grabbed her hand and gave it a firm squish, letting her know she did fine.
Tenten smiled weakly as she squished back, returning to her food.
When it was all over, Neji approached Tenten and asked if she wanted to see the koi pond Lord Hiashi had built for Himawari a month ago—a splurge that came out of his uncle's own pocket in hopes of making his grandchildren visit often. Though she seemed tired, he could feel it in his own body too, she agreed. As they walked out together, he avoided meeting the knowing eyes following them out. Tenten didn't seem to notice as she yawned and rubbed her eyes, unconsciously leaning into him. Comfortable silence enveloped them as they headed there and Neji tried to gather strength from it.
Under the cover of the full moon and stars they made their way to a bench near the pond and watched the white and orange fish swim to the surface. When a breeze picked up and Tenten shivered, Neji removed his haori and firmly placed it on her shoulders. He felt his heart beat faster as she passed her arms through the sleeves, wrapping the garment tighter around herself. When she touched the Hyuga crest in a contemplative manner, Neji began doubting himself for the first time. What if this isn't the life she wants for herself? What if I am assuming too much?
"What is your impression of the Hyuga clan after interacting with them for the first time?" He asked casually, trying to focus his attention on the fish and not his nervousness.
"Well," Tenten began, stifling another yawn behind one of her hands, "They seemed kind of rigid and stuck-up, honestly. They kept asking so many questions. It was sort of meddlesome if you ask me. No wonder you said it was tedious."
Neji tried not to deflate at her words. He was hoping for a better first impression. "Hn."
Tenten leaned on his shoulder, seeking the warmth of his side. Seeing this, he wrapped one of his arms around her and felt her body melt into his. She sighed, like she was remembering something. "You were like that at first, you know, and I liked you way back then, so…" Another yawn. "I guess they can warm their way into my heart too."
Neji rubbed his hand on her shoulder as he tried to think of what to do next. In his mind, he had expected the transition to be way smoother. He cleared his throat. "So, you wouldn't be opposed to representing rigid stuck-up people?"
The implications seemed to fly over Tenten's head as she said, "Depends by what you mean with representing. I mean, if you convinced me, I could probably be a Hyuga ambassador in Kumogakure. I would need a lot of persuading, though."
Neji chuckled but not because it was particularly funny. He was thinking that he should have planned things out more. "No, that wasn't what I meant."
When Neji didn't explain himself further, words escaping him as his mind went blank, Tenten pushed herself away, looking into his eyes. He could tell she was suspicious. "Ah. What did you mean then?"
Neji looked at the fish one more time, then at the stary night and the heavens beyond before closing his eyes. Okay. This was it. "I meant to say… You wouldn't be completely opposed to having Hyuga as your surname and wearing the family crest, no? You wouldn't mind being associated with rigid stuck up people, would you?"
At her silence, Neji braced himself and opened his eyes, facing her. Tenten's sleep seemed to be forgotten now, her eyes wide and awake, tears threatening to spill over. Her mouth was a perfect O. "You want me to be your wife?"
Neji nodded, trying to convey seriousness, his stomach twisting and turning. "If that is what you wish."
Neji noticed how she unconsciously rubbed her thumb over the Hyuga crest again. "It would be my greatest wish, Neji."
Neji didn't know what came over him then. Usually he was very mindful when it came to displaying his emotions in public. He liked their moments to be behind closed doors, were only they could share them with each other. He was never really comfortable with other people watching. Even less so when he knew his clansmen and family members were around. But he was so overwhelmed with relief that he couldn't help but take her in his arms and kiss her deep and deliberately.
When they broke away, Tenten giggled as she rubbed her thumb over his lips, wiping her lipstick off. "Wouldn't want them to think your fiancé is making you lose your etiquette, now would we?"
Neji grabbed both of her hands and brought them to his mouth, planting a gentle kiss on each. "That wouldn't be so bad, I think."
The night was quiet as Neji laid in his bed. He could only stare at the ceiling as he heard his steady breathing and the slumbering around him. He knew he would be tossing and turning until morning, until their marriage was officiated. Then they would move to a house far from the noise and unrest of the town—yet, not too far from Tenten's shop and the Hyuga compound—somewhere they could mind their own business.
Currently everyone (quite literally) was staying under the same roof—the Hyuga's, the Uzumaki's, Guy, Lee, Metal, Tenten. It was all for the practicality of it they had told him. Of being good hosts. And he understood their reasoning. The wedding would take place in the compound, in their quaint Shinto shrine. Frankly, Neji didn't want it any other way.
So, yes, he understood having the Uzumaki's over—they were family and permanent members of the clan. Tenten too—she would be his wife in less than 12 hours and getting ready here would be time efficient (and of course, he would want her as close as possible). Even Metal, in a way, made sense. But Might Guy and Lee? No. That was a bad idea. Though they have yet to do anything cringe worthy, the night was somewhat young. And if tonight they weren't disturbed with their outrageous shenanigans, tomorrow would be the day, Neji was sure. And that would be very unfortunate.
When there was a knock on his door, Neji was half expecting for it to be them. He was certain his thoughts had somehow invoked them. Instead of feeling dreadful, he felt relieved. Better it happens now than tomorrow.
Neji had been so certain, in fact, that he had even prepared a retort to whatever proposition Might Guy and Lee had for him that evening. The last thing he had expected was for Tenten to stand there, wearing a long pink nightgown, hair down, hands gripping a piece of paper like her life depended on it.
He gaped for a moment, recovering from his confusion in a matter of seconds. "Tenten?"
Tenten put a finger to her mouth, indicating that he should keep quiet. Then she gripped his wrist and lead him to the meditation room in silence, making sure there was no one inside before stepping in. She let go of his wrist swiftly, opening a window and lighting a candle so they could see each other better (or at least, so she could). After doing all of this, Tenten sat on the wooden floor, patting the space in front of her, letting him know that he should follow suit.
Neji looked at her curiously for a second before relenting and sitting down. When seconds ticked by, Tenten biting her lips nervously and twisting the paper in her hands without offering any explanation, Neji placed a hand on her knee, making her lift her gaze to his.
"What is it?" He tried to hide the concern tone from his voice. He wasn't sure how he would handle Tenten telling him she wanted to call off their wedding. Quite frankly, he didn't know why that was the first thing that came to mind when he tried to think of an explanation for this.
Tenten placed a hand over the one on her knee, wrapping her fingers with his. "I think it's unfair that only the groom gets to read the vows in the wedding. What if the bride had things she wants to say too, hm?"
Now Neji was starting to understand. He felt himself sag in alleviation as he asked, "Is that why you have brought me here?"
Instead of giving him a straight-forward answer, she said, "I want to read you something."
Rather than persisting with his questions, Neji nodded, eyes zeroing on her and her mysterious piece of paper. Was she about to read her vows to him… or was it something else?
They were never particularly romantic, not in the traditional sense. They didn't need to woe each other, less so feel inclined to enamor one another with acts of love. They knew what they meant and what each of them felt without the need for words. Him asking her to be his wife was a clear sign of his intentions. For a split second, he wondered if she ever wanted him to take the traditional route, at least once. It sure felt like that at that moment.
As Tenten unfolded the piece of paper, Neji marveled at the contrast her scared rough hands were compared to the clean flourish of her handwriting. He was ashamed that he only noticed this now. Perhaps if they had exchanged love letters (like Himawari had suggested so many times), he would be used to her penmanship.
Her clearing her throat, brought his attention to her face, at the flush on her cheeks. He wondered at it for a moment.
"You are aware of my views concerning gender and gender roles, just like you have a deep understanding of what I feel about men and women and their ability to do and achieve the same things, so you must have a sense of how profoundly upset I was when I realized that only the groom read the vows in the wedding as per tradition—and you know what I feel about traditions. At least, I can only assume that you did," Tenten read, the fingers gripping the piece of paper clenched tight, though he didn't understand what could make her so rigid. In turn, his stomach twisted and turned in anticipation.
She looked at him briefly, offering a small smile, before continuing. "It's a shame, I will admit. I had prepared a long speech, one that would make everyone in the room tear up. Even you, stoic Neji Hyuga. I would have probably started with a joke, tell them how annoying you were when I first meet you. How I contemplated stabbing you with a kunai more than once. Everyone would agree that you were an arrogant jerk with their stifled chuckles and suppressed laughter. Yes, I can see it."
Tenten bit her lip again, cheeks turning red. The paper crinkled as the hold tightened even more. "But then, I would tell them how kind you were, even when you were insufferable. How observant and caring you could be. I would go on about how I held you in high regards and found myself talking about you every chance someone would listen to me. They would feel sorry for me. Even more when, in front of everyone, I would proceed to confess how in love with you I was, at such a young age and despite me trying to repress it."
Although he was somewhat aware of her feelings when they were younger, Neji still felt shocked at her declaration, like he was thirteen again and he was seeing her blush at him for the first time. Like it was all news to him. Had he always been so blind?
Tenten grew serious then, her eyes filling with tears—some of them splattering on the paper, making the black ink run. Neji wasn't sure how she was still able to read, surly she was just seeing blurs by now. He rubbed a thumb over their interwind fingers, showing his support, letting her know she could stop if she wanted to (really, she needn't to do this). This only made her voice wobble as she continued reading.
"And how, even…after your death, I still loved you. How I could never love anyone else the same way I loved you. They would cry when they would see me cry." Tenten laughed at that sentence. She looked at him, tears never seizing their falling, though he could tell her mood wasn't as mournful.
"Yes, I can see it." She looked down at the paper, smiling as she sniffled. "I would have struggled, choked on my words. There is no doubt about that. But I wouldn't be crying out of sadness. No, I would be bursting with joy, they would be happy tears, because I would be marrying my best friend." She gripped his hand tight. "Because despite loving and losing you, grieving you… we were here, in front of everyone, tying our lives together. Like it was meant to happen all along, like it wasn't a strange sight to see at all. I would end by saying how lucky I was that such things like fate and choices existed. Maybe these and other forces were the ones at play, the ones responsible for making you cry then as, in front of everyone, I'd tell you how I would love you until death took us both. I wouldn't be afraid in the end, I would be glad we were leaving together. Just like it was meant to be."
Neji hadn't realized his own eyes were brimming with tears until she placed a gentle hand on his cheek and wiped at one of them.
"Yes, I can see it," she whispered, her words undoing something in him.
Neji cleared his throat, trying to gather himself. He rubbed at both of his eyes quickly before quietly requesting, "May I see the letter?"
Tenten's eyes wrinkled in the corners, yet the smile didn't reach her mouth. He could tell she was gloating at having had obtained such an emotional reaction from him but was trying not to seem too obvious about it. She handed him the piece of paper and watched him as he went over her words silently.
Neji read them once, twice. Again, marveling at her neat handwriting, sad that some of her tears had smudged a few of the words. He knew what he planned on saying tomorrow, rehearsed them over in his mind too many times to count. Still, compared to what she just expressed, his were inferior. Not at all as opened and vulnerable as hers. They were to the point and not at all as emotionally loaded. Though he felt a tingling in his chest by this outburst of affection, he felt dreadful and disappointed in himself. He did not deserve this, not when he had not put as much effort.
"You won't mind if I keep it?" Neji asked as he folded it and looked up at Tenten.
She brought a strand of her hair behind her ear, looking shy. She shrugged, smiled. "What's mine is yours."
Neji nodded as he stored the piece of paper deep in his pocket, ignoring how her words stuck him across the face like physical blow. They always felt like a single unit to him, even when they were younger, before he was so self-aware of his feelings. They were efficient and were always considered a pair. Yet, he found himself wondering how much that was true. At least, what was hers was his, but what of the other way around?
"Let's head back," Tenten offered, already getting ready to stand on her feet. "Before we run into one of your family members or Lee and Guy."
Before she could properly stand, Neji grabbed her wrist (much like she did earlier) and pulled her down gently. Now she was the one looking at him curiously as she took her previous position. "What is it?"
Neji felt his jaw working, the words he wanted to saw lodged in his throat. "I want to express something," he trailed off, failing at his intention. "I am just trying to find the right words."
Tenten chuckled, a laugh he recognized as lighthearted. One she used when she wanted to brush things off. "Don't feel like you have to. I just needed to get that off my chest."
Neji shook his head. "I don't feel like I have to. I want to."
"Oh," Tenten said. There was a beat of silence as she processed what he just told her. "Um, well, take your time then."
Neji nodded as he looked at his hands resting on his knees. He could clearly distinct the piece of paper in his pants pocket, it was like it was searing his skin. He closed his eyes and breathed in, trying to think about his life, about their time together. What he felt, what it meant to him. He didn't know how long he was there, eyes closed, but when he opened them again, the candle had burned hallway through and Tenten was fiddling with the hem of her nightgown, clearly distracted.
Neji exhaled, bring her attention to him. He instantly felt a lump in his throat, so he cleared it. He was starting to understand why Tenten was so nervous—this was harder than it seemed. He tasted the words before he began tentatively. "I was young and therefore I was arrogant and proud. I felt superior to everyone. I looked down at everyone. I believed no one could ever equal to my skill. I thought my bloodline meant many great things, things that the average person wouldn't be able to amount to. One of those things was being able to see everything, all the time, better than anyone. There was nothing my eyes couldn't see."
Neji could see Tenten pursing her lips, clearly confused with the direction he was taking. The hands on his knees clenched. "Yet, when I put things in retrospect, I ponder on how I was the foolish one. The blind one. And though, yes, I was fairly humbled, I was still too haughty for my own good. For in all my seeing, I missed the most important thing. Ironically." His eyes zeroed in on her, screaming you, it was you! "I missed how you gave hours of your day to train with me, to be my sparring partner. To delay your own progress to help me with mine. I missed how you put your life on the line to protect my blind spot, my constant partner in missions. I never asked about your parents or your lack of surname. I only knew that you watched my back, so I watched yours. For that I am sorry. I should have been a better…friend."
Neji took a sharp intake of breath before bowing deep, until his forehead touched the wooden panels of the floor, his hands on his sides supporting him, centering him. He closed his eyes tightly, hoping this would bring him the courage he needed. "But I promise that I will make it up to you, I will for the rest of the years we have together. My… everything is yours. I offer you my family name and all the things that come with it. You will never be orphaned again." Neji closed his eyes shut, tried to keep his voice from shaking when he added, "My mind, body and heart are yours to do whatever you please. I am eternally indebted to you, and though it will never be enough, I offer you my everlasting love."
Neji exhaled slowly, opening his eyes at the silence around them, before returning to his sitting position. At first, he tried to avoid her gaze, tried to gather himself (again), but he was unable to. He couldn't help but look at her, gauge her reaction. Tenten's eyes were brimming with unshed tears and he tried not to let her emotional state make his next statement sound hoarse. "I wish I could blame it all on youth and arrogance, but even as a man I was too blinded by my vanity. It is humiliating how many years it took me to realize that I had, very early in my time and unbeknownst to me, found my partner in life. It was right under my nose. I just couldn't see it."
Tenten wiped at her tears quickly and crawled towards him. She wrapped one of her hands around his neck and the other on his jaw, her thumb running smoothing circles on his skin. Her eyes twinkled, her toothy smile white like pearls. Blinding. Neji was only aware of the burning sensation her touch had and the franticness of his heartbeat.
"I love you," she whispered like it was a secrete they both shared. Though it was not the first time they have said the words, they felt adherently different. Perhaps it was the quiet of the night and the intimate nature of darkness.
Neji shortened the distance even more, hovering over her lips, wondering if this was the right place for such things. What if anyone from the clan were to walk in? What would they say? But then again, soon he would be married, moved on to some part of the village, far away from their whispers and wanderings gazes. He smiled too, though more subdued. His arms snaked around her back and waist.
"As do I."
The wedding was a small affair. Only close family members attended, and everything was over and done with in a matter of hours. It was uneventful, just another day in the calendar. Tenten was sure many weren't unaware they were getting married today, like she was sure many assumed they were married already. It felt strange to her that everything seemed to progress in a normal fashion, so common it was. Like it wasn't the grandest thing in the universe, the pinnacle of her entire existence. Even more when she considered how she always thought she would never do this. At moments, when they helped her get ready in the stillness of the morning, she had wondered if Neji was experiencing the same thing.
Tenten knew that if she were to look back on the day, she would remember it in feeling. Not necessarily in a film reel sort of way, where everything would playout scene for scene. No. Not like they had told her she would.
Rather, she knew she would remember the weight of the white wataboshi in her head and the tightness of the obi around her ribs, like she couldn't breathe. Like she was gulping fresh air for the first time.
Yes, she would remember the nervousness in the pit of her stomach as Himawari fussed over her when she was getting ready. Her heart hammering every time the young girl would mutter in a ceaseless loop, "Tenten Hyuga."
She would remember the blush heating her face as Ino did her hair and detailed how she spent her wedding night many years ago. The flustering feeling she had when Hinata (though she had the decency to look embarrassed) and Sakura waited for her to answer Ino's question about how she planned to spend hers.
She would remember the burning in her eyes as Guy saw her for the first time and told her how honored he was to be standing in as her father. The hot watery sensation as tears ran down her face when he told her he had always seen her as a daughter.
She would remember how her cheeks hurt as she smiled at Lee and Metal while they gushed over her. The bittersweet sensation when Lee uttered in complete seriousness, "I suppose Guy sensei was right. Youthful love prevailed after all."
She was sure she would remember the slow burning in her chest as she beheld Neji for the first time, the thought of him being hers forever sending a shot of euphoria to her head. When they were walking next to each other in the procession and she offered a delighted smile, his lavender eyes told her that he felt the same way, told her so many other things.
She would remember the small walk to the Shinto shrine and how her legs tensed up, obsessing over not tripping in her own wedding. How embarrassed she felt when she did trip as she was stepping into the shrine and how Neji had to steady her.
She would remember the bitter taste of sake in her tongue as she drank it three times, how grateful she was at the strong smell because it grounded her. How she still felt like she was dreaming despite of.
Most of all, Tenten would remember holding the sobs in as she heard Neji speak his vows in a room full of witnesses. Even when everything was said and done, when they retired to their house with the giant wisteria tree, the words replayed in her head like a haunting lullaby, reminding her that this was real. Not the white reception after, when she draped herself in the Hyuga clan colors and everyone took turns talking about her and Neji. Not how Lee went berserk when he had a gulp of wine and how Guy felt compelled to turn it into a competition. Not Neji's whispered promises to her ear the entire night, something she knew the wine being served had no influence over. No, everything after was small.
Tenten knew their wedding would be a miniscule memory compared to the long life that awaited them together, what happened today would be a blur of feeling. And though she would not remember her wedding in detail, she could picture herself old and crippling, asking her husband to repeat the words that sealed their fate together after so many years.
It would take him a moment to conjure the words, but he would answer much like he had done every year and decade they shared in each other's company.
"It is fitting, in a way, that my death had brought us so close. If it were not for it, I wouldn't be here again. It is fitting too, the words responsible for this impossibility. So, I shall utter them again, but this time like an indubitable promise. My life will be everlastingly tied to yours. Much like my purpose will only make sense when it is joined with yours. Next time I leave, we will leave together. Death will only be a door, not something that will do us apart. I have finally found my rest."
BONUS/DELETED SCENE
The bathhouse was humid and warm, a contrast to the cold chill of the November chilled air. It was a good thing too, considering they were exhausted and worn from traveling. Albeit the trek from the Leaf to the Country of Hot Water wasn't that treacherous.
Tenten could already feel her muscles sighing as she slowly got in, letting a small moan in the process. She tried to get comfortable, letting the warmth from the water seep into her bones. It was difficult though. She was glad it was hot enough for her to blame her flush face to the steam permeating the small room assign to them.
This was Guy and Lee's wedding present for them, to, as the card read, 'start off the passionate youthful forever.' At first, Neji was reluctant to go, seeing it was a gift from their former teacher and teammate. Nothing good could come from that. Tenten had argued her point, though—they hadn't planned a gateway for after their wedding like normal couples did. This could function as a sort of makeshift honeymoon. If guilting him didn't convince him, she made sure to add that she loved bathhouses, so she was going to go either way. With or without him.
Though Neji was still unwilling to budge, a little persuasion one night had them traveling to these famous bathhouses in the Country of Hot Water where people from all around came for. Yet, as she let herself sink deep in the water and wait for Neji, she felt embarrassed. They were quite (very) acquainted with each other—they were married for goodness sake! —but they had never done anything like this. Certainly not bathe together in a single room assigned just for themselves.
"You have to keep things interesting if you know what I mean," Ino had told her, a wicked sparkle shining behind her blue eyes the day the Konoha 11 girls got together before her wedding. After eating and drinking, everyone had taken turns chipping in their advice to their long-lasting marriages. Sakura's had been patience and Hinata's had been understanding. Ino's had been this.
When everyone in the table gave her a withering look, Ino had shrugged. "What? We aren't young anymore, ladies. We have to keep things lively. I know I do."
Tenten closed her eyes, trying to remember what Ino told her in the flower shop hours before she left with Neji for their 'honeymoon'. She had tried to ignore the blond satisfied grin when she had asked her to give her some advice, especially when she started to relay all the things that kept her husband on his tiptoes. But now, as she watched Neji's silhouette approach, she felt herself sink deeper.
She kept her eyes close, pretending she was relaxing underneath the warm water. When she heard a satisfied sigh, she risked opening her eyes. His eyes were closed, hair atop his head in a ponytail. She observed the curve of his neck and shoulder, his sharp jaw and flawless skin.
Tenten swallowed before moving to him. He opened his eyes a fraction when he felt her near, a question in his gaze. She stood taller, trying not to hide beneath the water, and bit her lip. "Mind if I keep you company?"
Neji's eyes opened and looked around, then at her. "Well, we are the only ones here."
Tenten tried not to pout at his response. Instead, she bit her lip a second time. "Yeah. I meant, mind if I'm close?"
Neji shook his head and closed his eyes, sighing again.
Tenten felt herself sink as she settled beside Neji, trying to figure out what else she could do. After a minute or two, she broke the silence with, "Hey, honey." ("Use sweet nicknames," Ino had said, "It keeps things fresh.")
This made Neji snap his eyes open, looking at her quizzically, eyes narrowing at the way she kept gawking at her bottom lip. She never used nicknames like honey or sweetheart when it came to him. Neither did he. Of course, he would be suspicious. Tenten cursed herself. He could see right through her.
"Can you rub my back? It's killing me." Before he could refuse, Tenten gave her back to him and waited.
Neji's hands were gentle as he moved up and down her back. "I don't feel any pain," he muttered (and she cursed for not thinking that he would feel it too). "Don't see anything, either".
"There," Tenten moaned, trying to deflect his words. He was right. Her back wasn't killing her, she just needed him to touch her ("Get him to touch you without it being so blunt," Ino had said, "that's how you start.").
After a few minutes, Neji stopped and asked, "Are you feeling better now?"
Tenten turned to him and bit her lip a fourth time ("Biting your lip will draw attention to your mouth," Ino had said). "Thank you."
Neji leveled his gaze, pinching her lips. "Why do you keep biting your lips? You're going to make our lips split. Stop."
"I am?" Tenten asked confused, batting her eyes ("When all else fails, bat your eyes. That one's old reliable," Ino had said).
Neji frowned. "You are doing it again."
"What?" She feigned innocence but felt the heat in her cheeks.
"You have been behaving strangely since we arrived. What is it?" Neji questioned, arms crossed.
Tenten considered continuing the farce, perhaps persisting was the way to go. But then, he would only get more suspicious. As it was, Neji didn't seem that interested. She slumped, giving up. "I was trying to be…sexy," she mumbled, feeling shame color her face.
Neji tsked sarcastically, a small smirk painting his features. "You're not sexy, Tenten."
Tenten's jaw hung open, the brunt of his words like a punch to the face. "What am I then?" she demanded.
Neji winced, seeming to realize what he just said and implied. "You're—you're Tenten. You're my wife. I could use other words to better describe you. Lethal, accurate, reliable, dependable."
"But not sexy?" Tenten corrected, crossing her arms.
Neji was nothing if not honest—which was something she loved about him (and hated in that moment). He sighed, this time tired. "Can we try to relax? Enjoy the bathhouse and all its… youthfulness."
He was trying to be funny (which did not come naturally to him) for her, Tenten could see. Just like she knew he did not try to hurt her pride or ego. This was their honeymoon too! So, she relented and nodded. Closed her eyes, resigned.
After a while, she opened them again and saw Neji practically dozing off, a content expression in his face. Despite not wanting to, she got angry. Now the humidity and warmth were uncomfortable. She felt like she was suffocating. Her skin was too hot and the buns in her hair too tight.
Tenten started cursing as she tried to free herself from them, her wet hair tangling in her fingers. After a few seconds of this Neji was there, helping her, making her irritation escalate. When it was clear she was not facilitating the process, she dropped her hands and let Neji work on it himself.
Once they were free, he ran his fingers through her hair, placing his hands on her shoulders once he was done. He looked her dead in the eyes, searching for something. "Is this all because I said you weren't sexy, Tenten?"
Tenten felt shame again, so she swallowed, determined. She was not going to get angry this time. No, she had other things in mind. Instead of answering his question, she grabbed the hair tie on top of his head and pulled his hair free. She ran her fingers through it like he did to her mere moments ago. She knew Neji liked that.
"I had a dream once," she began as she lightly massaged his scalp before running her hands through, "you asked me if I believed in destiny."
"You did?" he asked half tranced, half interested—recognition lighting behind his eyes, like he heard this story before, but she was sure he hadn't.
"Yeah," she said steadily, slowly drawing close, rubbing his scalp, "but that's besides the point. You were blindfolded, you know." She gave him a knowing smirk. "And I…I started kissing you." She planted a light kiss, teasing his bottom lip. She looked into his eyes intently, inviting him. She tried not to smile at what she saw there.
"You started kissing me back," she continued, quietly, looking at his mouth with intense focus, then his face. Leisurely Neji leaned down, understanding what she wanted, and graced his lips with her. She pressed her naked form against his, pushing him against the rim, feeling his hands drift around her body.
After indulging him for a moment, she broke away, laughing at how easily he fell under her spell, a sound so wicked even to her own ears. Not that Neji noticed, he just clung to her like she was a godly apparition. She dug her fingers round his shoulder blades, mouth over his ear.
"You were making these sounds," she whispered, like a mother cooing a child, "I was kind of afraid the neighbors would hear. You sounded like a pained animal." Tenten bit the inside of cheek as he felt Neji's grip around her fortified, his breathing hitched.
"You said some things too," she told him like it were a secret, pulling away to look at him. Neji's face was flushed, his lavender eyes lustful, yearning to know more, to do more.
"I did?" His question was almost inaudible, wanderlust.
Tenten frowned, holding his face like she was inspecting a priceless artifact. She nodded.
She felt his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed. "What did I say?"
Tenten kissed him one more time, deeply. Hands rummaging everywhere and everything, like she was looking for her spear keys inside her purse and couldn't find them. She did until she coaxed the same sounds of that dream from him, until they were loud enough for the people next door to hear, until her hands rested in his chest, until he pressed his forehead against hers twenty minutes later, panting. She smiled, satisfied. Seeing the goofy grin on his face was so uncharacteristic, it made the whole thing more gratifying.
Tenten leaned forward, close to his ear. "You said," she waited, feeling how he pressed to her urgently. She shouted the next words with faux pleasure, "'Oh, Tenten, you are so lethal, accurate, reliable and dependable.'"
Tenten didn't gawk his reaction until she walked over to the other side of the bathhouse and stared at Neji's shocked expression with glee. "To answer your previous question, no. This isn't because you said I wasn't sexy." She winked at him. "Although, honey, I think we should try to relax. Or at least let the people next door try to. With all that groaning and moaning you did, I doubt they could."
Neji's face turned crimson red as he sank low beneath. Her laugh sounded like ringing bells, both venomous and sickly sweet.
"You know," Tenten said, looking at him with amusement, "You're cute when you're flustered, Neji."
Neji frowned, composing himself as he emerged from the water slightly. "I can't believe you did that."
Tenten pretended to be surprised. "I can't believe you made those noises, so that makes two of us."
Neji sighed heavily and closed his eyes, sinking back into the water. Tenten noted that his face had grown red again. After a while, when there was only silence and the swooshing of the water, she drifted to him. She ran a hand through his hair, then trailed the outline of his face. His expression was passive.
"Would you believe me if I said I didn't mean it?" she asked innocently.
Neji bat his eyes opened, assessing her. He sarcastically grunted, "Hn", which loosely translated to, "Yeah right."
"You're right," Tenten admitted, "I can't even say it with a straight face. It's your fault, though. You should have just said I was sexy."
Neji stared at her, unimpressed.
Tenten sulked, grabbing his hands and placing them in the small of her back. She rested her face in his scarred chest and wrapped her arms around his bare waist. She sighed, content with the slow beating of his heart.
When she was halfway floating asleep, Tenten felt the hands she placed in the small of her back hardened.
"Did you really have that dream?" Neji asked quietly.
Tenten pulled back to have a better look at him. Under his scrutiny, she felt herself blush. "Yeah."
Neji contemplated her, his lavender eyes roaming her face. He tucked a hair under her ear and let his hand linger there. "What did you answer?" When Tenten stared at him blankly, he added, "To the question."
"Oh." Tenten looked up, as if searching her memory. She gave him a loving smile. "I said, 'I think that some things are just meant to be.'"
Neji offered a small smile. "I feel like I had a similar dream."
Tenten grinned mischievously. "Were you blindfolded too?"
Neji seemed to meditate over her answer. "I remember I couldn't see, so maybe I was. Though, surly, if I was blindfolded, I could have seen through it."
"Maybe you were blind."
"Perhaps."
Tenten seized Neji up, unsure if he got over his pouting. Tentatively she brushed a light kiss on his lips, knowing her next words were cringe-inducing, "Can I be your springtime lover?"
Neji's breath hovered over her lips. He whispered, satisfied with his cleverness, "We are in the middle of winter."
Tenten raised an eyebrow. "Do I take that as a no?"
Neji kissed her long and methodically. Tenten was unaware of how much time had passed, but when he pulled away, she noted that both were flushed and out of breath. He was gripping both sides of her face, contemplating her. "I still stand by my belief... you are lethal."
"And the other three things too."
"Yes, very much so."
A/N: Hey, guys. Long time no see. I know, I know. I did say I was going to be busy—I am still very busy. I have been writing this on my spare time. If you hadn't been on my profile (which you should, I do my update there), I posted that I was going to divide the epilogue in two parts. There is a lot of things I want to cover, and my time restraint is not going to permit me to get it all out soon. So, I thought I divide it in two, that way you can read some of the things I have written so far. The last part I had debated on adding or not. I felt like it was so out of place with the feel of the fic and what I had going on, but since it was short (for my standards) I decided to add it. I also wanted to refer back to the dream because it had been Tenten who had it. I also wanted to have a honeymoon scene. Also, I always wanted to write about a bathhouse. So many reasons. I thought, "What the hell? I will add it, even if it's kinda cracky." Anyway, next update (though I don't know when that will me. Again, try to look into my profile for those) I will tackle the family and babies. Thank you, Snowflak3-t3ars, Kmy068 , Guest and Tenten-weapon, your reviews fill my heart and remind me that I have people waiting on the epilogues. I will try to update as soon as I can! See you then!
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