Hello! I'm back with a new chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Chapter Twelve: Trouble on the road

Screeches of the tires were heard as Tenten slammed the brake when a car skidded in front. Air bags shoot out before she slam her head on the wheels. She forgot to wear seatbelts and she silently thank God for the air bags even though her right arm felt like being stabbed. She was breathing erratically and her body was shaking as she tried to calm herself.

"Oh Gods," she muttered as her breathing was back to normal. She pushed the airbag out ignoring the pain on her arm and went out of the car to see a man in his late twenties and was panicking as he got out of the car too.

"Are you all right?! I am so sorry! I was in a rush and my wife is delivering our baby right now!" he said while looking at her in concern. She suddenly felt sorry for the man and she was about to say something when he cut her off. "I really am sorry, miss. H-here's my calling card. I really have to go." He said as he shoved his calling card to her and dashed back to his car and speed away.

She sighed and put away the calling card without even glancing at it; she winced when she moved her right arm. She checked herself for more injuries before closing her eyes and leaned back to her car.

It's been a rough night to her and she suddenly felt tired. I'll just apologize to Neji. What I said to him was harsh. Her subconscious mind said.

But he said bad things to you too. Her evil mind said. She rolled her eyes at no one. Yes, he said something that hurt her but he's still her boyfriend. She glanced at her wristwatch and saw that it was 11:46 pm. She looked around and saw that she was too far from the Hyuga Mansion and from the City.

"It's late, I wonder if he's still awake." She muttered to herself then her phone buzzed making her jump in surprised. She grabbed her phone using her good arm from her jeans and pressed "Accept" without glancing at the name of the caller.

Holy! God! Tenten, where are you? Neji. Her heart thumped very fast as usual at the sound of his voice.

"Outskirt of town, I think." She replied and sighed as she looked around. "I'll be back in 30 minutes. Don't worry."

Outskirt of town?! Hey, watch it, Uchiha!

I need to talk to my sister, Hyuga. Give me the phone.

Why don't you just ask? She rolled her eyes again as she waited for them to stop bickering.

Tenten, what the fuck are you doing there? It's almost midnight and your stalker might be lurking around!

"God, stop cursing, nii-san. I'm fine, I just need some fresh air. I'll be back after 30 minutes." She said in an exasperated tone. "Will you give it back to Neji, please. Thank you." She heard him grumble before giving it back to her boyfriend.

Tenten, I've been trying to call you but you were out of reach. Are you sure you're okay?

"Yeah, I'm fine. U-Uhh, Neji…"

Yeah?

"I'm sorry for what I've said. I shouldn't have said those things."

…

"…"

I'm sorry too, Tenten. It's just that I was hurt by what you said.

"Yeah, I'm really, really sorry. Neji, believe me, I love you more than Luke."

…. I know. I can feel it.

"I'll hang up now, I'll drive back."

I'll meet you at the entrance of the town, alright? She couldn't help but smile.

"Okay, I'll meet you there."

I love you

"I love you" and with that they both hung up. She was about to get inside the car when she heard a soft rustle behind her and a deep voice echoed through the night.

"Hello, Tenten." a wary and familiar voice said behind her that made Tenten go stiff. It's very familiar that she held her breath. The voice that's been hunting her for years.

She turned around, silently praying her assumptions were wrong, to see a man in a hood; she couldn't see his face clearly because of the lack of light. She gulped and backed away slowly. She lifted her guard up as she readied herself for self defense ignoring the pain in her arm.

Her breath hitches when the man pulled his hood back. Her brown eyes was met by a blue ones. Those eyes that was so familiar to her and dreamed of waking one morning to gaze at those intimidating but soft eyes, those eyes that she used to loved, those eyes that's been hunting her in her nightmares and those eyes that she learned to hate and fear.

His face was so familiar that tears started swelling up her eyes but she blinked them away before he could see them. She gathered all the will power she could muster and tried not to hugged and cry in front of him. God, she missed him!

"Luke." She said coldly and glared at him. "What are you doing here?" the man in front of her shifted uncomfortably and tried to step forward but stopped when he saw her frightened face.

"Tenten, how are you?" he said with his crack voice; as if he's been crying. She scowled at him as he cocks his head to the side as if teasing her. Anger swelled up her chest as she lifted her fist and connect it to his jaws.

"You jerk! After what you did to me, you're asking me that? You must be some special kind of stupid!" she spat angrily at him. She saw a flicker of pain crossed his eyes as he clutched his jaws.

"Let me explain, Tenten, please. I want to tell you what really happened that night. What made me do that to you." Luke said and gazed at her warily. She laughed without humor.

"What is there to talk about anyway, huh, Luke? Nothing. You treated me like a pig that night and I will never forgive you. Hope you and those fucking bastards will burn to hell." She said and tried to shove herself on the car when he caught her wrist. She shrugged it away but winced silently when she realized that it was her bad arm. "Don't touch me!" She said through gritted teeth.

"Y-You're hurt." He said in a concern voice. She scowled at him and snorted.

"As if you care. Now, back off, Sullivan or I'm calling the cops." She threatened but knowing Luke, he won't back down easily. Just like her, he's also stubborn.

"I do care, Tenten. I never stopped caring so please let me see that arm." Luke said in a stern voice making Tenten wish for a moment that they were back to normal but she stopped herself.

Before she could react, Luke has her arm and was checking it. She struggled but he has a firm grip. All she could do was stare at him.

"It's not broken though you need to go to the hospital." He said and Tenten absentmindedly nodded. They stared at each other for a moment before she looked away.

"I'll go then. Good bye." She said coldly as she tried to open her car door but Luke blocked her way.

"Tenten, please. I need your help and I want you to listen to me. Please!" he begged as tears started cascading down his handsome face. "I am begging you, Tenten please listen to me. Just this once." She glared at him coldly.

"Did you listen to me that night?" she asked venomously as she narrowed her doe eyes at him. "I begged you that night to let me go and what did you do? You slapped my face so hard that I thought I passed out. Now, you're asking me to listen to you?" she spat but deep inside her heart she wanted to know what Luke wanted to say but whenever she think of Neji waiting for her at the entrance, she held herself.

"Just listen to me, Tenten and after this I won't bother you ever again. I'll even surrender myself to the police, just listen to me." Luke keep on begging that her cold heart is starting to melt. She closed her eyes to keep her tears in bay but when she opened them tears started pouring down as she gazed at the man she once loved.

She can't believe it but she's made a decision.

"Okay, you've got 3 minutes, that's all I'm giving you." She said coldly as she crossed her arms on her chest.

"3 minutes? But…"

"Time is ticking, Mr. Sullivan. Start now."

"Okay, okay!" He said quickly. He sighed and runs his hand through his messy dirty blonde hair which Tenten loved so much. Tenten momentarily froze at the sight of him, it's like everything was back to the way it was. "First of all that night was the worst night of my life." He said as he gazed at her warily. Tenten scowled at him.

"What?! Because I was a virgin?!" She asked incredulously. My gods! She can't believe this guy!

"What?! NO! What I meant is because I've hurt you."

"Liar."

"Let me finish, please."

"Whatever."

"That night, I had no other choices." Tenten's eyebrow perked up at the sentence. She raised her eyebrow. No other choices?

"W-What do you mean no other choices?" she murmured.

"I've never told you before but I have a sister, Tenten. She's 12 now." Luke said as he sighed. Tenten gasped and clamped her mouth. She suddenly realized he never mentioned his family when they were together before. He doesn't like to talk about them and she respect his privacy.

"Y-You have a sister?" Luke nodded. "And you never told me?" He bowed his head in shame.

"Yes, I have a sister and I didn't tell you because that time we have family issues. I don't want you involve in my messy life, Tenten. You deserve better." Luke said sincerely as he cups her cheek but she slowly and gently shrugged it away. Regret was embed in his handsome face that Tenten suddenly had an urge to caress it away but she held herself.

"My sister has a leukemia, Tenten and you know that I'm not rich." He said. "I've done drug dealings and lot of other illegal stuff just to pay her hospital bills, her medicine and our other expenses but it isn't enough and I don't know what to do." He said helplessly.

"One night, my sister's disease attacked again. The doctors said that she needs to undergo serious operation and it will take a lot of money and I don't have much time." Luke said in his crack voice as he tried not to cry in front of her but failed. His voice was full of remorse and pain.

Tenten's tears started streaming down too and she couldn't help it but touch Luke's cheeks and rubbed his tears away gently. Luke leaned on her touched as he closed his eyes.

"That night, you came unexpectedly to my apartment and unfortunately, I have an unpleasant guests; they saw you and offered me money in exchange for you." His gaze darken at the memory. "I don't know what I was thinking that night. I was so drunk and I've taken many drugs that I didn't know what I was doing. All I was thinking was that I need money for my sister but when my subconscious mind returned it was too late." Luke pulled away from her and gazed down in shame. She looked away as she rubbed her tears. That is when she remembered something:

I'm not the prince you were looking for, Tenten. I'm a scum and you don't know how much I hate myself for doing this. Please forgive me.

Those words came from his mouth before she passed out. She thought it was just a dream and her mind was playing tricks on her. He really didn't mean what happened to her!

"Why didn't you tell me this? I could have give you money." She whispered. Luke's face harden.

"Tenten, I know that your parents doesn't approve of me. They think lowly of me, so does your brothers. They won't give you money if they learned that you were going to give it to me and I don't have much time." Luke said in a cold voice.

"Are you the one following me around?" She asked coldly too. She saw Luke nodded and clenched her teeth. She brought her hand up to slap him. "You scared the shit out of me and my friends!"

"I'm so sorry! I have to follow so I can talk to you privately!" He defended. Tenten lowered her head and tried not to sobbed loudly.

"Luke." She whispered. Luke glanced at her anxiously. Her hands were shaking and she felt cold. Luke must've noticed because he took off his coat and gave it to her which she hesitantly accept.

"Yeah?" he asked as his face soften.

"T-The video…" she whispered and suddenly Luke grabbed her arms. She glanced at him and saw his eyes were full of anger, shame and pain.

"I didn't upload it, Tenten. I thought that they were just joking around with the camera. When I learned and saw the video, I went up to them and…" his voice trailed off as he gazed at her with horror.

"A-and what?" She asked anxiously. Luke suddenly broke down and cried. Tenten couldn't help it but hug him to her chest.

"I killed one of them." He said; Tenten gasped and slightly pushed him away to see his face.

"What did you say?"

"I'm a killer, Tenten. I killed one of them! I didn't mean to. I was so angry that all I can think of is to kill them." He growled. Tenten stared at him in disbelief. Soon, silence was followed. They just sat there staring at each other. This man killed someone for her and Tenten couldn't take it all in at once. "Don't look at me like that, please." She turned away and gaze at the ground. Soon, she found the courage again to look up to him and ask the question that's been bugging her.

"D-Did you l-loved me?" she asked but didn't look into his eyes. Luke was taken surprised but regained his composure and grabbed her hand.

"Tenten, I love you so much. I never stopped loving you and I don't plan on stopping." He said sincerely as he grasped her chin and turned it to him. "You will always be in my heart no matter what happen." Tenten burst into tears as he hugged her close.

"God, Luke!" she sobbed in his chest while he whispered comforting words. Her whole body was shaking and she was crying so hard that she felt dizzy. After a minute or so, her crying ceased. He rubbed her back and touched her hair.

"Now that you know, I need to ask you a huge favor, Tenten."

Tenten pulled away from him and raised her eyebrow. She wiped her tears away with her hand.

"W-What is it?" she asked anxiously. She still doesn't trust him fully.

"Please look after my sister. She has nowhere else to go." He whispered. Tenten stared at him in surprised. "She only have me as a family but since I'm locked up, I can't look after her. A trusted friend of mine is watching over her."

"Luke." He's asking really huge favor. "I can't promise you that. I'm too young to look after her. I don't even know if she will agree to come with me."

"Please, Tenten. I will owe you my whole life. Just watch over her; she lives at my old apartment and my neighbor always gave her food but it's not enough. I don't want something bad to happen to her. Please, I'll surrender myself to the police tomorrow just do this favor." He plead. No one else to take care of his sister? How can that girl live? She felt pity to the girl and to Luke. She glanced up at him and nodded.

"O-Okay. I'll do it." She whispered. Luke gaped at her then suddenly gave her a tight hug.

"Thank you, Tenten! Thank you!" he whispered in her ears and she couldn't help but smile slightly.

When they pulled away, she saw him smiling. His boyish smile that caught her eyes. Tenten couldn't help it but cry for their lost love. She can't help it but feel regretful. If only she knew what was going on. She should have opened her eyes and knew that something was bothering Luke.

"Tenten, please don't cry. I'm sorry for hurting you, for giving you this huge pain and huge burden." Luke whispered in her ear. She shook her head and hugged him instead. He hugged back as he put his chin on her head.

Tenten suddenly felt secure in his arms as she nuzzled on his chest. It was like the world didn't matter anymore, just the two of them exist. But the weird thing is that she doesn't feel the same way towards him anymore. It's like it changed. Love is still there but with a different level. Like a brotherly or friendly love.

All these years, she's been clouded by anger and fear towards him that she had forgotten the bond that they shared. But right now, hugging him like this felt different. It's like hugging your own friend. She realized that she had forgiven him and all the anger and pain from her chest was lifted away.

"Get the fuck away from my girlfriend you bastard!" Tenten suddenly pushed Luke away from her and glanced at the intruder. To her horror, it was her boyfriend and their friends staring at her in shock and at Luke with anger.

"Tenten?" Sasuke said before he turned his head on Luke. His eyes widened and anger was placed on his face. "You!" he lunged at Luke and gave his face a punch. Tenten screamed. "You have the guts to show your face to my sister?! After what you've done to her! You son-of-a-bitch! I never got the chance to beat you into pulp!" he said as he continuously throw him a punch.

Tenten put herself between her brother and Luke just as Sasuke throw a punch on Luke. The boys held Sasuke's hand before it landed on her face. Neji glanced at Tenten but she didn't glance back. She was afraid to look into his eyes and to see his expression.

"Stop, Nii-san! Stop!" Tenten screamed. She put a protective arm around Luke. She groaned in pain when she pushed her bad arm too much. Luke held and caressed it to soothe the pain.

"W-Who is that, Sasuke?" Sakura asked as she gazed at Luke. She put a hand on Sasuke's shoulder.

"Well, that son-of-a-bitch is Luke!" Sasuke spat and gasped were heard towards the group.

She paid no attention to them either and turned to Luke. "Are you okay?" she asked as she caressed his bleeding face. Luke nodded and winced.

"Y-Your bleeding…" she whispered; Luke ruffled her hair before smiling which made him winced in pain again.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Tenten?! He's the one who hurt you! Get away from him!" Sasuke shouted and turned to Sakura. "Call the police, now!" With her hands shaking, Sakura picked up her phone and dialed the police.

Tenten suddenly panicked and nudge Luke on the side. "Luke, run." She ordered.

She heard him sighed and put a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, Tenten. I planned to go to the police anyway." She turned slightly at him and she saw him smiling which made her heart ache.

"Luke." She whispered as tears started pooling on her eyes. He ruffled her hair again and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead.

"Be brave, Lil' Lady." She gasped slightly at the name. It was an endearment he always used for her and she always love it when he called her that. It made her feel somewhat special.

He turned towards the group and bravely talked. "I regretted what I've done to Tenten that night. I love her and I still do. She was the light to my dark world." She glanced at him and her heart ached at the brave and pained expression on his face. "And for the first time in my life, I felt a surge of hope burst through me. I love her and I would never love another girl as much as I love Tenten. If killing myself was enough to pay my sins to her, I would do it right away."

Tenten bowed her head as she quietly cried. She hugged herself when she heard him continue.

"You see, Sasuke-san, I love your sister very much. That night I was drunk and had taken too much drug that I didn't know what I was doing to her."

"Stop it, Luke, please." She begged through her clenched teeth. Her shoulders started to shake. She felt his arms slide on her shoulders and gently tugged her to him. She glanced up to him and saw him smiling but obviously close to tears.

He gazed at her lovingly and sighed. "I regretted that night so much that I thought of killing myself to pay for all the sins that I've made. I really am sorry, Tenten." Her gazed soften as she sighed. She closed her eyes and when she opened them again, she glanced away from him and scowl at no one.

Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. She glanced around and her eyes stopped to a particular Hyuga and her heart ached more when she saw the pain expression that only she can see it. She loves Neji so much and he love her back. She's being unfair to him. He'd been so nice and understanding to her despite the time they fight and he doesn't deserve the pain she was seeing right now.

How can she be so stupid? Neji must've waited for her at the entrance of the town and when she didn't show up for half an hour, he decided to find her. He's the perfect boyfriend she was looking for and after this, he might not want her back anymore.

She glanced at Luke and tried to study her feelings. She felt nothing but tenderness to this man. The one that you would feel towards a long, lost friend. Her feelings for Neji was stronger than this but having the thought of Neji not wanting her back scared her to death.

"Stop saying sorry, Luke. I am starting to hate that word." She said and took a step back away from him. "I am glad though from what you've said. I still don't know whether to believe you or not." Luke nodded his head slowly.

"If I could only turn back time…" he said but she cut him off.

"No. Don't say that. I am happy now and if it weren't for that incident, I wouldn't have transferred to KU and meet my new friends." She said and glanced at them. Her eyes landed at Neji's. Screw the fear! "I wouldn't have met that one person that would heal my heart and put it back to pieces." He glanced up at her in surprise. She smiled slightly at him and he returned it hesitantly. She turned back to Luke and saw her staring at Neji with a look of envy and respect. "I'm happy, Luke. I'm happy with him and I love him."

She saw a flicker of pain again his eyes but it was gone for it was placed by a gentle smile.

"I'm glad that he made you whole again." He whispered. Tenten nodded slowly. She turned away from him and took off his coat. She gave it back to him as she heard the siren of the approaching police cars. She closed her eyes until the police grabbed Luke and dragged him to the police car. She opened them and saw him staring at her. He was smiling at her and Tenten couldn't help but cry.

"This will be last time that you will see me, Tenten." He said sadly. "But please look after her."

She nodded. "I will and don't promise that this will be the last time. I might see you again." She smiled at him. "Until next time, Luke."

"Yes, until next time, Tenten. Bye for now, my Lil' Lady." He said and entered the car. Police started asking them question but she remained quiet and stared at the car where Luke is at. She nodded and shook her head when she answered.

She stared at the police car until it drove away with the boy who held a special part of her heart. She rubbed her cheeks but the tears keep on running down freely until it turns into a sobbed. She clutched her chest as she gasped for air. Oh how she wished she was home and was in the arms of her mother. Listening to her comforting words until she fall asleep.

She felt an arm draped around her shoulder. When she turned she saw Neji who was gazing at the retreating police car with a grim face. God knows how guilty she's feeling right now.

She glanced at her brother and saw him looking at her in concern. "Nii-san, I want to go home, please." She said then glanced at Neji who was now looking at her. "I want to sleep and I w-want you beside me." She whispered. Neji was taken by surprised.

"Are you sure you want me beside you?" he asked anxiously. She nodded and leaned back to him.

Her friends decided to stay at the Uchiha's for the night since they are all too tired to drive back to their homes. Tenten stayed silent and it worried the others. She was currently sipping a tea Sakura made as she stared at nothing.

She sighed as she remembered Luke's last request from her. I didn't even got the chance to ask him the name of his sister, she thought as she took a sipped from her tea not caring if the others were staring at her in concern. Hey! Wake up now! Everyone is worried about you and you don't give a damn! You could at least tell them that you're okay or something! Speak up! Her subconscious mind yelled at her making her wince and flung back to reality.

She blinked a couple of times as if realizing what just happened. She turned towards the others as she rubbed her temple.

"Fuck." She muttered. "I'm sorry, guys." She murmured. The others sighed in relief. Maybe because she finally spoke up.

"It's okay, Tenten though we want to know what Luke told you." Temari said carefully. At the mention of Luke's name, ache formed in her heart. Not the ache you get of heartbreak from your boyfriends. It's the ache of losing a friend and never seeing him again.

She gulped slowly before filling them in with what Luke told her. When she was finished, she was dead tired and just wanted to sleep.

"So, you're saying that Luke never meant to hurt you back then?" Ino asked and Tenten nodded slowly.

"Yeah," she muttered.

"And he asked you to take care of his sister?" Sakura asked and again Tenten nodded.

"That would be correct." She glanced at the clock and saw that it was 2:36 a.m. She yawned and stood up pulling Neji with her. She awkwardly gave him a smile which he did not return but his eyes soften. He stood up too and they walked towards the direction of her bedroom.

"We'll be going to sleep now. I know you guys are tired too, go occupy any of the vacant room we have." She said and with that they entered her room.

When they closed the door, there was an awkward silence in the air. Tenten's back was turned to Neji as she tried not to cry out of guilt. God knows how guilty she was!

"I thought you're sleepy?" Neji said in a low voice. She flinched slightly but didn't turn around.

"I am." She whispered. Neji sighed behind her and slowly walked towards her. He snaked his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck. He felt her stiffen but then relaxed.

"You're guilty." It was a statement and not a question. Tenten closed her eyes as she nodded. There was a lump in her throat as she tried not to cry again. "You don't have to."

She couldn't contain it anymore that she sobbed. She heard Neji hushed on her neck. "If you're angry, just yell at me, Neji! You don't have to act nicely around me! I've hurt you too much! I'm going you a chance to leave, Neji. If you want to go, go!" She tried not to yell as she sobbed.

Neji's arms around her waist loosen and grabbed her shoulder. He spun her around to face her and saw how badly she was crying. He grabbed her face and wiped her tears away.

"Believe me or not, I'm not angry. I admit that I got a little jealous when I saw Luke and how you protected him from your brother but I know you, Tenten." He said softly. "I know how much you love me and me to you. When you stared one last time at Luke, I saw that you saw him as a friend not an enemy but a friend. I saw it in your eyes, Tenten and I will respect that." He pressed his forehead to hers.

Tenten stared at him with bewilderment. He understand her! She raised her hand and touched his face.

"You're not going to leave me?" She asked anxiously. Neji brushed his lips to her lightly.

"I'll leave you when the shape of the moon turns to square, when the crow turns white and the dove turns black, when your brother admits he's gay and loves Naruto more than Sakura, when Sakura stops watching CSI, when Kiba hate dogs and becomes a cat lover, when Ino hates Louis Vuiton and throws out all her Vogue Magazine collection, when Shikamaru stop being lazy, when Temari stops yelling at Shikamaru and when Naruto becomes the quiet one and Hinata the loud one, otherwise, It's impossible for me to leave you." He said and he heard Tenten laughed. Oh how he loves her laugh. If only she knew that her laugh could light up his world just like what it did to Luke's life.

"Promise me that, then." She commanded. Neji smirked as he brushed her cheek.

"I swear to the Gods above that I will never leave you. I promise you that. And if it happens that we get separated, I will do everything in my power to find you and drag you back to my life." He said sincerely. Her heart was hammering on her chest as he made those promises. Those sweet promises.

"Then, I swear to all the Gods who are watching us right now that I will never leave your side too, Hyuga Neji. And if it happens that we get separated too, I will find you and when I do find you, I'll drag you by tip of your hair and bring you back to my life. I promise you that, Neji. I'm serious so you better not leave me if you don't want to be dragged back by your hair." She threatened. Neji flinched slightly then smirked.

"If that's the case then I would not leave you not even thinking of leaving you." Neji said and they both laughed.

"I-I love you…" she whispered as he inched forward. She silently prayed that he wouldn't hear the rapid beating of her heart.

"I love you." He said before pressing his lips to hers. Her heart was beating erratically as she respond to his kisses. This is the man she love and she can't imagine a day without him in her life.

AN: I'm sorry if I didn't update quickly. We've been busy sending reliefs to the Yolanda victims. What happened to them was no joke. It's terrible. But God has plans for them! Matibay ang Pinoy! :D