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Sorry for the extra long hiatus. Posts will be more frequent for the rest of summer.

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Chapter 8-The Star: White, Part 3


Tenten left the Hyuga's apartment early in the morning when it was still dark. She and Hinata laughed and gossiped the entire night until they were both exhausted.

"Sakura and Sasuke have set a wedding date," Hinata told her over wine and rice cakes. "Sakura told me that Sasuke would rather marry quietly, without all the fanfare."

"Of course he would," Tenten replied. "This is Sasuke we're talking about."

"I swear I think Naruto is more excited about their wedding than he was about ours," Hinata giggled. Tenten laughed with her and teased, "You aren't jealous?"

"Don't be silly! I'm only saying I won't be surprised if Naruto cries more than Sakura." Hinata paused to take a swallow of wine before saying, "I'm so glad you're here, Tenten. I thought I'd be so bored."

"Why did you come? You should've stayed home with Naruto," Tenten replied.

"I had to come. It's all about the politics in my family right now," she explained.

"Politics?"

"Yes," Hinata whispered and leaned close to Tenten. "As you know, after the war my father made Neji head of the Branch house." Tenten nodded her understanding. "Well, he also expressed a lot of regret about how he treated me when I was younger, so he offered me a small, arbitrary position of power as well, to keep until Hanabi's old enough to led on her own. It's a division of power: my father leads the Main house, Neji leads the branch house and I represent all non-shinobi. In time, Hanabi will do both mine and my father's responsibilities. That's why the three of us need to be seen together. It shows that we have solidarity."

"Sounds unnecessarily complicated," Tenten said with a yawn. "Story of my life," Hinata replied with a laugh.

By the time Tenten decided she should leave, Takara, Kaito and Haru had already left the party, so Tenten traveled back to her inn across from the theater alone. As she undressed and pulled the pins and comb from her hair, she thought deeply about Neji.

He wants to start over, she thought. He missed me as much as I missed him.

She vividly remembered how warm and rough his hands were, his lips, with their delicate pecks, light as butterflies and firm kisses, strong as they were passionate. She remembered his eyes, usually reminiscent of the cold white of snow, burning bright like gleaming stars.

She imagined what it would be like to feel his hands and lips and look into his eyes everyday and it made her stomach flutter. She wanted to be that close with him; deep in her heart, she knew she always wanted him this way, but never thought that her feelings would be reciprocated.

"I thought about you often," he had said. "I missed you... I thought you felt the same way..."

Tenten found herself hugging a pillow close to her, giddy, and that was how she fell asleep.

"Tenten! Wake up, my sweet daughter. We have much to talk about."

Tenten rolled on her side and cracked an eye open. Takara really had a knack for ruining Tenten's sleep. She often felt the need to rush in her dressing room or suite for the most frivolous of reasons.

At hearing Takara's piercing voice, Tenten groaned and climbed from the bed. She quickly straightened the covers on her bed and went to the door.

Takara stood on the other side, dressed in a bright pink gown, looking neat and refreshed, while Tenten fought grogginess. She sneered at Tenten's unkempt appearance before letting herself in.

"Aren't you glad you went to the party with us last night?" Takara asked sitting in an easy chair. Tenten smiled and started brushing her hair. "Yes. Thank you for forcing me into it," she said sarcastically.

"Kaito and I had a lovely time. That family is very refined," Takara said staring at her nails. "You should have told me that the host's older daughter was a friend of yours."

"Hinata?" Tenten mumbled, parting her hair and twisting one section into a bun. "It never came up, I guess. What would you have done if you knew?"

"I just would have liked to know," Takara sighed feigning innocence. Tenten rolled her eyes and finished pinning her hair firmly into place. "Well, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself other wise," she replied.

Takara smiled felinely. "Did you happen to come across your noble suitor? How did you handle him?"

Tenten shrugged, determined to stay as casual as possible. "I did. We talked and sorted things out."

"Talked?" Takara frowned with a scoff. "I asked how you handled him, not how you had diplomatic negotiations. You should have made him sweat."

"Look, I had no intention of hashing things out with him at first, but honestly, everything was a huge misunderstanding," Tenten explained. "There's no need to play stupid games."

"So, I made you look gorgeous yesterday for nothing," Takara groaned. Tenten laughed. "It wasn't for nothing, I'm very grateful."

"Well," Takara muttered slowly, "I'm glad that you made up, I suppose. We're starting the opera earlier today, you know. Be onstage at five, not seven. Afterward, the entire cast and crew is invited to enjoy the gala."

"Sounds like fun," Tenten replied halfheartedly.

Later, Tenten finished her make-up routine before going onstage with fluttering in her stomach. She'd only felt nervous during her first night's performance, but knowing that Neji and Hinata would be watching her filled her with unease.

Eventually, she walked onto the stage gracefully; it was the scene in which King Yama swore loyalty and love to Uzume instead of Kaminari. Tenten didn't have to perform any steps, just react to Takara and Haru's duet with sadness and jealousy. Once they glided from the stage, Tenten walked to the center and performed a small, furious blade dance. Other dancers, dressed in blue, joined her after a while and danced along side her. Destruction was portrayed by other dancers and Tenten left the stage, still evoking rage and anger.

Takara then performed her longest, most beautiful routine. Tenten watched her with admiration; she truly had a gift for pulling emotions out of her audience through her precise movements. Her blue eyes seemed to connect with each onlooker individually, as she guided them through hope and happiness. She managed to fill the theater with joy; a necessity, as Tenten would close the show on a somber note.

When Takara was finished, Tenten walked on the stage for her final blade dance. The music was slow and bleak and Tenten danced the steps she'd learned perfectly, with sadness in each flow of her arm. Each spin transformed her character into a vulnerable, remorseful entity. She looked up to the rafters and held her gilded blade above her head.

It twinkled in the light prettily and seemed to glow as Tenten pointed it toward the audience. She sank to her knees slowly and brought the dull blade to the center of her throat; and for the first time since performing this routine, she heard someone in the audience gasp loudly.

Tenten slowly brought the blade across her neck as the stage lights glowed red and applause roared throughout the theater. That's new, Tenten thought, her body limp against the stage and eyes closed gently. She listened to the music swell and build until it faded and the stage darkened quickly.

She used the darkness of the stage to stand and return backstage for their curtain call.

Light returned to the stage and the dancers dressed in blue walked on stage, followed by the dancers in pink. Haru then walked on stage slowly, with confidence and purpose. Tenten let him have his moment, then followed him and gave a modest bow before turning to address Takara, who glided to center stage glamorously.

She bowed multiple times then addressed the musicians, lighting crew and Kaito, who always sat in the front row. She then, for the first time, took Tenten by the hand and walked with her to the edge of the stage and bowed with her. Tenten looked at Takara with surprise and Takara smiled proudly. Tenten blushed and gave her a meek smile. I wonder what's gotten into her...


Again, Tenten, Takara, Haru and Kaito stood in the lobby and spoke pleasantries with each of the guests attending the performance.

"You performed wonderfully tonight," Kaito whispered to her between handshakes. "Thanks," Tenten replied with a sudden bashfulness. "I really wish you would have done your last routine this well weeks ago," Haru commented dryly.

"As long as you continue to dance as you did tonight, we will finish the season strong," Takara said with a wide smile. She leaned close to Tenten and whispered slyly, "I think you have extra inspiration this week, don't you? Someone you're wanting to impress?"

Tenten gave her a coy grin. "I just did my best, as always." Takara turned her attention to a short, aged noble woman and Tenten craned her neck to see Hinata and Hanabi walking toward her quickly.

"So, how'd you like it?" Tenten asked with a smile. She noticed that Hinata's eyes were glazed over and slightly pink. "This show was incredible, I'm so glad I'm here," Hanabi said excitedly. "The ending was so unexpected," Hinata murmured, her cheeks flushed.

"You made her cry, you know," Hanabi told Tenten with a light giggle. "I was not prepared for the ending, that's all. It was beautifully done," Hinata sighed. "Well I'm glad you enjoyed it," Tenten replied. "And happy birthday, Hanabi. This is quite a gift."

Hanabi smiled. "Thank you. I'm really grateful that Father was able to make this happen for me."

At that moment, Hiashi and Neji walked over them, Hiashi not sparing Tenten a word and leading his younger daughter away to meet some young, foreign nobleman. In desperation, Hanabi pulled Hinata along with them, leaving Neji and Tenten alone.

"So, what did you-"

"How are you-"

They both chuckled sheepishly and Tenten blushed, suddenly self-conscious. Neji was standing stiffly, the disquiet spread equally between them.

"I hope you liked the show," Tenten finally managed. Neji's eyes were watchful but far away. "I did," he replied, looking at her as if he was shaken out of a reverie. "I wasn't sure if I would, but I found the characters and music dynamic. You should be very proud."

Tenten smiled amiably. "Thanks."

"So, is this how you'll lead your life now?" Neji asked. "Travelling and performing odori?"

Tenten chuckled. "I don't know. But if being here has taught me anything, it's that I shouldn't plan out my life so meticulously. I never imagined I'd be here, yet here I am."

Neji nodded, his eyes watching her intently, though he did not reply to her. "I've decided that when our season is over I'm going to come back to the village," Tenten told him offhandedly.

"I'm glad to hear that," Neji murmured, then remembered himself and said, "Many of us will be glad to see you again."

Tenten, unable to help herself, giggled softly. "I'm sure they will." She noticed people shifting towards the tables and food that had been set in the lobby. "Look, I'm really not one for these galas, so I think I'm going to leave before anyone notices that I'm gone."

Neji scoffed dryly. "You think I want to stay here? I think there's been more acting in our apartment this weekend than your entire run on stage." Tenten laughed, probably too loudly, and lightly touched Neji's arm. "Well, you're welcome to join me if you want. I'm not sure what I'm going to do but–"

"You don't have to convince me; where can we go to leave without attracting any attention?" he asked quietly. Tenten glanced over his shoulder; no one seemed to be looking in their direction. She quickly took is hand and whispered, "Follow me."

She led him down an empty hall toward the stairs leading to the dressing rooms. Many off the dancers had already changed and gathered in the lobby, so Tenten didn't worry about running into any of them. They climbed two steep stories and walked briskly to Tenten's room.

"We can leave through the stage door in the back. No one's used it since the set was being built," Tenten explained closing the door behind them. "Make yourself comfortable. I'm going to get out of this make up and change. Then we can go."

Tenten sat in front of here mirror while Neji occupied a small corner beside her door. She began with pulling pins and other adornments from her hair.

"How long does it usually take you to get ready?" Neji asked after a moment.

"A little more than an hour I think," Tenten replied. "I think doing the make up is the hardest part of this entire experience."

"If I didn't have my byakugan, I don't think I would have recognized you," he told her, his voice a near whisper.

Tenten smiled thinly. "I know what you mean. When I first started, all I saw in the mirror was my character."

She felt her mind travelling, propelling her to a place between waking and sleeping. A place where she never felt the need to guard her words or her emotions. A place that, as a shinobi, she had to destroy else risking the mission, her life or the lives of her comrades. Now that she was just a woman, she had nothing to hide.

"I wanted to be her," she heard herself say. "Ever since I was a kid I wanted to be a warrior like Kaminari. But when I couldn't do that anymore, I was lost."

"Peacetime displaced many shinobi, Tenten. You're not alone in your feelings," Neji said softly, coming to stand closer to her.

"I know that now," she replied. "I learned a lot in the past few months. Like I said, I'm not going to plan out every detail of my life anymore. My mom did it; nothing mattered to her outside of her goals on stage, not even me. I don't want to be like that, Neji. When my life changes in ways I'm not expecting, I want to be able to make the right decision and adapt."

"You need to give yourself more credit," Neji said. "Not knowing what to do after the war doesn't make you a monster."

"I know, but–"

Neji took her shoulders and made her face him. His eyes flashed, not with anger, but warm intensity. "Listen to me, please, because you need to understand this; You have nothing to be ashamed of."

Tenten took a breath. "Okay, fine. I'm over it. I won't bring it up again," she said with a smile. He was watching her, she noticed, deep in one of his thoughtful silences.

Neji abruptly released her shoulders and glanced around her dressing room. "I should go," he muttered, almost to himself.

Tenten shot him a shocked stare. "Why? What's wrong?"

"I just think I should leave," he replied, desperately trying not to look at her.

"I don't understand." Tenten stood and gently touched his arm.

Neji forced himself to meet her gaze. "You told me that you needed time to think about us and I said I would wait. And I will, but being near you with uncertainty is difficult."

He made steps away from her toward the door. Tenten, swallowing guilt, mild despair and dread, took his arm again.

"Neji." He did not look at her. "Please," he whispered. "I don't want you to leave," she said.

Before she could register the sensation, his hands were cupping both sides of her face and his lips were pressed against her own. Gently enough that she could easily pull away, but forceful enough to convey words he didn't speak.

She felt warmth spread throughout her body and heard a single word humming through her mind. Home.

She didn't want to be away from him, ever. Any apprehension she felt around him faded like the breaking dawn. What did she need to think about now, in this moment? Nothing. She wanted him; in her heart and mind she knew it. The uncertainty she felt the day prior only caused unneeded barriers keeping her from feeling happy and alive.

When he pulled away, he searched her eyes once more and any reservations he may have seen before must have vanished because he gave her the smallest of smiles.

"I can't seem to control myself around you," Neji murmured.

With a gentle chuckle, Tenten replied, "I don't want you to."

He didn't and neither did she. Control, strategy, proficiency; it had no place in their time together. In fact, the addition of exploration and curiosity amplified the whirlwind of sensation between them. She managed to find a place between his shoulder blades that made him shudder as she wrapped her arms around him. At the same time, he made her gasp out loud when he ran his finger tips under her thighs.

Her eyes seemed to be closed for most of their time together. When she finally opened them, she noticed that the paint she was wearing rubbed off on his skin. White and indigo paint blended on his chest and arms, giving him the color of a winter sky. His lips were smeared and dark like her own. Pairing all that with the paleness of his eyes, he vaguely resembled a water spirit she'd seen in a painting once.

Breathless, she was perfectly content. He had her in a tight embrace, the back of her head resting against his chest. Their bodies were pressed closely together and he slowly, as if he had an eternity with her, moved inside her.

Tenten inhaled sharply, her hands groping his arms for support. "Open your eyes," he breathed, his voice hoarse and heavy.

Confused, Tenten obliged and stared curiously into her mirror. She felt heat rise to her cheeks, yet couldn't bring herself to look away. She didn't recognize herself. She'd never seen herself so candidly, so exposed. She found his eyes in the reflection and wondered, absurdly, if this moment existed in reality.

"You're beautiful," he whispered. She pressed her lips together, stifling something between a moan and a sob. Is this what he felt when he looked at her? The emotions she felt at the realization were overwhelming. "I–" she cried, but pleasure overtook her and left her speechless. I love you, she thought. There was time to tell him later, in an hour or a day or a year, when the moment was right.


"Your lips are blue," Tenten giggled straightening a plain kimono on her shoulders. Neji's smirk faded when he glanced into her mirror. "I don't know how you wear this," he grumbled smoothing out his clothes.

Tenten laughed and quickly pinned her hair into a simple bun. "You can use the shower in my room at the inn, if you want. I'd let you use the one in here, but it never runs hot water."

"I think you're just trying to get me alone in your room," he teased with a smile. Despite herself, Tenten blushed. "Shut up," she murmured and blushed darker when he laughed at her.

A few minutes later, they discretely left the theater and were in Tenten's room a short time later. After an equally pleasurable shower for the both of them, each of them almost forgetting to remove the paint smeared on them.

Later, they were curled together on her bed, softly talking about everything and nothing. They reminisced about times that should have been forgotten, traded secrets they'd told no one, made light confessions and joked amiably.

It was hours before Tenten drifted to sleep, her fingers gently interlocked in Neji's hair, his arm tight around her waist.

Months and months of sadness and despair seemed to fade from her memories, each negative one being replaced by this night and the nights to come. She was smiling before dreaming and felt that, finally, her life was moving down a path she didn't fear, but awaited like an old friend.

In her dreams, she saw herself still in Neji's arms, her hair white, her skin soft, laugh lines at the corners of her eyes and mouth. Her fingers still threaded through his fine hair and she was still smiling.