Hey all, Updated 1/8/2019

God, I feel like such an ass. He thought to himself

It had been almost a week since they had returned from their mission and he was avoiding her like the plague. It wasn't that he didn't want to see her, actually the quite the opposite, he wanted to see her so bad. He just didn't trust himself, it was like in that moment of touch on their last mission he threw all ambition out the window and wanted to engulf his being with hers.

He didn't know where these feelings were coming, I am Neji fucking Hyuga! Girls to do not phase me! Let alone, my teammate! Goddamit!

With these thoughts, it also is a constant reminder that my life is not my own. Even if I were to act on these urges, the clan would never approve.

He knew from the begging he would have a life a servitude, to the village and to the clan, and a wife would be arranged for him just like about every other Hyuga in existence. He always thought this as convenient, never having to look for a potential wife to run his home. It would be quite simple to have someone selected for him and to take care of their living quarters within the compound. But something inside had always tugged at him, what if he had a choice?

XXXXXX

Neji awoke from his sleep, still in Gai sensei's house, since he had just woken up from the coma the day before, the sun was shining through the blinds. He glanced down at his exposed chest, large tender scares littered his abdomen and stretched down his legs. He felt so weak and fragile, but according to his teammates he had been out for a little over three weeks, so it made sense he was sore from sitting for so long. Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed he began to stand but almost lost his balance, but his sensei was right there to catch him.

"Neji-san, I must insist you remain in bed, your youthfulness has not yet recovered!"

Giving him an irritated look, he nodded once in agreement and swung his legs back over onto the bed.

Guy continued to speak, "Our little flower Tenten went out to get some more supplies and some food for us."

At the sound of her name, Neji's ears perked up.

"You know that wonderful girl hasn't left your side for longer than a few minutes at a time. Do you remember anything at all that happened?"

He was surprised at what he said, Gai sensei could be serious when he needed too, but it was still strange all the same.

He took the question and pondered it for a moment, the last thing he truly remembered was jumping in front of the spikes to save Hinata and Naruto. After that, it was all a blur until he woke up yesterday to a crying Tenten.

He simply answered, "No." always thinking deeply, but simple answers on the surface was the way of this Hyuga.

Gai met his eyes, "After you were… impaled, she grabbed you and ran for cover. All the other medic were busy so she began treatment on you."

Neji sat in the silence listening to what his sensei had just said. He knew Tenten had basic medical ninjutsu, but from how bad his body hurt and the size of the scares he knew that she couldn't have fixed all of that.

"She completely removed the one your thigh." He pointed to the left side of his body. His eyes widen in amazement, careful to not let Gai see the emotion creeping slowly across his face. "She was just finishing reattaching the muscles and closing that one when Sakura-chan came and took over for her to do the ones that went through your organs. She never left your side, as soon as Sakura-chan was done, she monitored over your wellbeing for the rest of the battle, and when we returned here, she insisted that she would take you to her place to keep watch over you until you woke up since the hospital was overrun with other patients and the Hygua compound was just the same." Gai took a pause to take a breath and sat on the edge of the bed. "I suggested that we take you here because I didn't want either of you to have to deal with accusations from your clan's elders."

Neji nodded in an agreement to that being a correct call on his part, dealing with the elders was always such a pain. He would have never wanted Tenten to be in that situation, and it was a bonus that he didn't have to deal with it either.

"Like I just said though, she never left your side. When your elders came to check on your wellbeing I told them I had been tending to you, again for each of your sakes. In all honesty, she has done it all. You will have to think of a proper thank you for her."

"I suppose I will, thank you for telling me." Neji replied.

Thinking back to that day, he felt so many things for her, but he never thought it was anything more than gratitude for a teammate that saved his life. He wouldn't lie to himself, after the incident, they had for sure gotten closer, he could honestly say that she knew more about him than anyone else. How he was acting towards her now was not acceptable by any standard. He would have to face her eventually and make amends for his break in focus.

XXXX

Tenten arrived at the training grounds at 7:30, 15 minutes before their normal training time. Not that she expected him to show but she was hoping he would be there so she could give him a piece of her mind. What reason did he have to avoid her like this? That ass! Her temper was not nearly as bad as Sakura's, but a few people knew how to push her buttons and apparently, Neji has just become one of them.

That's when she saw him, sitting there like he would have been just a few weeks ago waiting for her to arrive. She kept her approach slow and steady, she thought maybe today he wouldn't play that little hide and seek game he loved so much. Much to her disappointment, she was wrong, in an instant, he was gone and was somewhere amongst the trees.

With a sigh of annoyance, she summed her Bo from the scroll on her back. Taking her battle stance she searched the trees with all of her senses to try and pick out his hiding spot. He was being much more carefree with his chakra masking than usual, making it much easier for her to find him.

She finally sensed him, 15 feet back and 20 to the left. Without hesitation, she sprinted and swung her Bo in the direction that she sensed him. In an instant, her Bo came to a halt with a large thud. He had used his wrist wearing an arm guard to break the impact of the blow. To counter, her leg shot up towards his chest, but he was too quick and retreated back to a safe distance.

With her breathing slightly accelerated Tenten quickly closed the gap and said, "So you avoid me for a whole week and think it's the best to just continue a session like nothing is wrong?"

Another attack blocked by his wrist, but he didn't respond.

She summoned three shuriken in her fist and threw them all together. Using the air palm technique, he discarded all the projectiles to the side.

Their eyes locked on one another, Tenten had a death glare. She was surprised to see the small smirk on his face, he never showed any emotion, not even that little, in a sparring match.

"Well suit yourself, I'm going to throw everything I have at you Hyuga!"

Suddenly ninja tools of all shapes and sizes were zipping through the air.

"Eight Trigrams: Palm Rotation!" She heard through the sound of the weapons. A large dome of wind surrounded him while he spun successfully deflecting all of the weapons. Before he could get his surroundings accounted for, she ran at him again with kunai in hand. Just like before her attack was deflected, she took one of his open fists straight into her chest and flew back into the nearby tree. She dropped her kunai when the impact of the tree hit her from behind. It wasn't awfully painful, but it sure did take the wind out of you.

Suddenly, she found herself in the same position of that mission just a week ago, Neji's hand was wrapped around her waist but instead of a hand over her mouth, the other hand held her dropped kunai to her throat. She tried to struggle but to no avail.

His whole body was pressed against the back of hers. When he leaned in, his long hair, which was not tied back today, came over her shoulder. A shiver was sent down her spine, she could feel his breath on the back of her neck creeping to her ear.

"You get reckless when you're angry." He whispered in her ear in almost a taunting manner. The kunai he had been holding dropped to the ground, the hand joined his other around her waist. He engulfed her in a large, but sincere hug from behind.

She took in a sharp breath, she couldn't help but wonder what he is doing? Is this some sort of new tactic to throw her off guard?

No, this can't be Neji, maybe this is someone else using a transformation jutsu? That thought was quickly pushed to the side, you can look like someone with the transformation, but you cannot copy justu. That would mean this has to be a Hyuga, the only two Hyuga she would talk to in a given day would be Neji and Hinata, but why would Hinata be doing this?

The words final spat out. "Ne-Neji, what are y-." Before she could finish, he had her turned around and his lips came crashing to hers.

Out of shock, her eyes widened, to see his face so focused on the task at hand. She held her breath not knowing what to do, waiting for him to pull away, but he wasn't. He looked as if all of his walls had come crashing down at that moment.

Okay now, this is seriously freaking me out, her inner thoughts said

As if against her own will, her eyes closed and she slipped her arms around his neck and finally returned the kiss. He had one hand on the base of her back pulling her closer with other one placed on the back of her head fingers playing with her hair.

His lips were pressed every-so lightly to hers as if she could break if he pushed any harder.

She was enjoying the kiss, but her thoughts would not stop racing, but to make matters worse in her own head, his demeanor started to charge. The kiss became harsher, almost a rushed lustful approach.

He backed her into the tree that she had just hit moments before. His tongue came to the edge of her lips asking for admission, she agreed by meeting his at the entrance. They then slipped into each other's mouths, discovering all the hidden corners they didn't know their own teammate could possess.

She let out a moan in pleasure, Neji smirked through the kiss and pants of heavy breathing. He moved each of his hands to her waist, then began simultaneously brushing his fingers along the outside of her pant-covered thigh. Initially, her body tensed at the touch but relaxed only after a few brief seconds.

Tugging on the back of her legs, he hoisted both of them around his waist with her back still resting on the trunk of the tree. She moved her hands to flatten on top of his well-sculpted chest. Though his thin shirt, she could feel the scars as she moved her hands gently up and down his abdomen.

He slightly staggered his breathing when she caressed the largest scar on his chest opposite his heart.

Finally, he pulled away, she found herself trying to follow his mouth to extend the moment. He pressed his forehead covered with his protector and the mark of the leaf to hers with his eyes still closed. For a moment all you could hear was the panted breaths of each trying to recover from what had just occurred.

He broke the silence. "I'm sorry I've been avoiding you all week." He let out with a huff and took a deep breath. "As you see I have been fighting something internally, and you see… I've seemed to let myself slip."

A smile spread across his face, not just a smirk or another other negative emotion, but a true smile. Before she could respond his lips brushed hers again and then trailed the edge of her jaw line to her neck and the grip of his hands on her thighs slightly tightened. She let out another moan of approval, but this time she had to speak. "Neji, you never let yourself slip."

"Ah this is true, but it seems I underestimated you."

He took a deep breath, "I am sorry for…attacking you like this, I should have asked for your approval first. All though, you know I am a man of few words"

She looked into his eyes, he had the most sincere look in his pale, yet deep eyes. She responded, "I've always hoped for something like this, maybe not straight to this but, Neji..." Her voice trailed off and her eyes dropped to the ground with a sad look on her face. "What about your clan? They would punish you if they ever saw…. This."

He answered her with another kiss. Then he replied with words. "I will figure something out, but for now, can you keep a secret?" Tenten giggled like a little girl. "I mean it, from Temari too, I don't want you to have to deal with any of the elders, please leave that to burden to me."

Realizing the seriousness of his voice she nodded in agreement.

He placed his mouth next to her ear again, "Since you reciprocated, I assume we are on the same page, but for now, the other two are coming, leave a window open in your apartment tonight and I'll stop by later to discuss this further." He dropped her to the ground but holding on to her for a few seconds so she could get her feet under her, then created a friendly distance between them.

Realizing he said window and not door she was puzzled, but then again if they are to be a secret, whatever this is that they had both agreed to through touch, not words. Slipping seamlessly through the window was better than standing outside her door knocking for the whole world to see.

The two green beasts appeared from the trees.

"There are my two lovely young students! Early morning training on this day of glorious youth?" Gai said excitedly.

Tenten began to respond but realized she was still so stunned that words wouldn't form in her mouth, a blush still covered her face. She was worried that Gai would notice her slip up, but Neji interjected for her.

"We were just finishing our training session for today, I have clan duties to attend to." Taking a bow, he headed for the gates of the village.

Of course, she thought to herself, the Hyuga can easily hide emotions and act all cool in front of others, but me? I'm ready to pass out! That dick!

"Will you stay and train with us Tenten our lovely flower!?" Lee exclaimed.

Snapping herself out of a trance, she looked up at the two.

"Lee, I would like to but I am not feeling well today, so that sort spar was plenty, so I am just going to head home." She hoped that they didn't pick up the nervousness in her voice.

In an immediate response Guy states, "Our youthful flower is not feeling well today? Lee, we must accompany Tenten home and help her return to her blossoming self!"

"Yes Gai-sensei!" the younger of the two yelled in agreeance.

Tenten's eyes widened, no this is not what she wanted. She wanted some alone time to clear her head after what had just transpired, not bringing home her two loud teammates.

"That's not necessary, I just have a headache and would like to sleep."

"But Tenten-chan! We are your teammates and would like to assist you!"

"Really guys I'll be okay. Enjoy your training session."

Following the same path as she came, she headed back to the village, her head still in a daze.

XXXX

Knock, knock, knock

Tenten's heart fluttered with anticipation who would be at her door, taking a deep breath she opened the door. Though, when she opened it, a head full of blonde hair was in her doorway. The excitement quickly disappeared from her face.

"Are you going to invite me in? Or just let me stand here?" Temari said in a playful tone.

"Of course."

Tenten opened the door wider gesturing for her best friend to enter her tiny apartment. She went straight to the kitchen, almost skipping and began to boil water for tea.

"Well I was going to ask how this morning went, but you seem to be on cloud nine. I've only seen you in a mood like this when there are new weapon shipments."

Tenten tried to hold back a blush, "Why do you say that?"

"For one, your normally dirty apartment is spotless and your face is still borderline Hinata red. So for my lack of imagination, spit it out, what happened."

Tenten sat a cup for each of them on the coffee table while she took a place next to Temari on the couch. She let out a sigh but quickly tried to cover it.

"Nothing happened, he apologized for his behavior and we spared, that's it." The brunet said twiddling her thumbs. Hoping her friend wouldn't notice the nervous fidgeting.

"Right, whatever you say, I won't pester you about it. I came here for other reasons as well."

"Oh really?" Tenten said with a smirk

"Yes, I was just letting you know that you are going to have to keep me sane the next six weeks until this is all over. The countries are blowing this way out of proportion." Their eyes connected. "As you could have guessed, my brothers will be coming. The Daimyō of Wind thinks it is his duty to attend as well." Rolling her eyes. "I obviously can't tell him, no, so then the Daimyō of Fire has taken it upon himself to attend. They both believe that this is a political marriage of the sister of the Kazekage and an advisor of the Leaf."

"Well, that sounds like it could ruin a girls day." Tenten said with a chuckle.

"So you can see how having two feudal lords and two kage's in attendance can stress a girl out. Hell, I'm the bride and I'll be outdone by all of them!"

She smiled shaking her head at her friend who looked like she was about to have a nervous breakdown. "This is your day, no this is your and Shikamaru's day. The day you both will remember forever, don't let details like that slow you down. I bet Hokage-sama will have everything about that under control and you will just have to show up!"

Temari let a smile lit her face. "There is just another reason why you're my best friend." The blonde then pulled her in for a hug.

"By the way, why is it so cold in here? Did you leave a window open?"

Tenten's face lit up with guilt at the reminder that she had just lied to her best friend about everything that had happened today.

The two chitchatted for a while, sipping on their tea. At around nine in the evening, the blonde finally took her leave.

Grabbing a blanket from her bed, she returned to the couch where the two girls had been sitting. She turned on the TV and began to watch some housewife show about murder and betrayal, though she wasn't really watching.

Her attention was elsewhere in her mind.

Every 30 or so seconds she would glace over at the open window, but no figure appeared. She was disgusted with herself about how she was acting.

What had happened today?

She had gone to the training session with fire in her eyes, ready to give that Hyuga a piece of her mind and had left a love-struck puppy. Never in her whole life could she have guessed what would have happened this afternoon.

Where was he?

Was it all just a joke?

He had mentioned he had, 'let himself slip.' Maybe now he could think straight and decided not to come over and it was all a big mistake.

She let out a deep sigh. Glancing again at the clock it was approaching midnight.

That's it. I'm a fool. How did I ever think he was serious?

Her eyelids began to flutter and soon drifted off to sleep on her couch, TV on and the window still open.

But no Neji.