To the White Bird

More frustrated then angered, Neji made his way back toward the Hyuuga manor feeling useless. Memories of that night he found her laying there unmoved against the tree were still vivid in his mind. Blood everywhere, yet only a few bodies were seen to produce it. Only fragments of what used to be a human were found scattered all over, most of them Konoha ANBU ninjas. Their white masks dyed in red blood. It had been an hour since word got to Konoha that the mission was a failure and that many were dead before a search mission was able to be sent out to retrieve anyone who was still alive, the chance of that was very slim from what the report has said. Tsunade had gotten word of Kabuto haven been spotted in that area and an ANBU squad was sent to quickly check it out, Tenten was part of that squad. When the rescuers were sent, Neji rose up and demanded to go and there was little Tsunade could do to stop him so she allowed it.

Apart of him now wished he'd have stayed back so save himself from the sight. Death was something every shinobi got used to over time, but not if it is someone that you have cared for. There's not enough time in the world that could make the lose of a loved one's life not affect you in some way or another. But there she was, just laying there against the tree motionless. This was one of those times that he was thankful for his Byakugan. The sight was something that caused him to just stand there unable to move if his head hadn't knocked himself out of the trance and quickly rushed over to check her pulse. When he found a pulse, relief rushed into him but still there was no time for joyous cheer. She had to get to the hospital, stat. Neji gently picked Tenten's motionless body up and quickly jumped up into the trees and toward Konoha as fast as he could.

It had nearly taken three days after Tsunade's treatments before Tenten awoke in the hospital bed with Neji sitting in a chair beside the hospital bed. Neji had stayed there throughout the time she was placed there, not even budging from the same spot her sat in. If it wasn't for the visits from Sakura, Naruto and Hinata, he most likely wouldn't have eaten either. Sakura assured him that Tenten would be fine, but being the stubborn Hyuuga that he was, he had to stay to be the first one she would see when she'd awake. Naruto even encouraged him to train with him but he declined. Missions that Tsunade called for him to carry out were also refused, much to Tsunade's dislike. He couldn't explain the bust of relief that filled him when her eyes stuttered open and said his name softy.

Now there he was, standing in front of the Hyuuga manor now. He knew that Tenten was still in the room where he last left her and decided it was best for his sake if he had some time alone. Right now he just need to easy out his mind before he could see her again. Walking to the back of the manor to a passage that lead to the training grounds that could be seen through his room's window, he walked and moved to just seat himself against the tree for some rest. Strange how missing one night's rest could cause him to be so tired. Before his eyes could close and sleep could consume him, the white bird that Tenten saw landed on top of his index finger that was resting on his bent knee.

"To" Neji said calling the bird as it stayed silent to its name. (Just to let you know the way you pronounce "To" sounds more like "Tou" like in Otou-san. It has like a Japanese accent in it. Ri is pronounced "Ree")

Neji moved his right free hand to lightly brush To's white feathers. Ri, the brown bird that Tenten had whispered flew down and landed next To watching attention as well. Neji was only happy to oblige. Somehow unknown to him though Tenten was still looking out the window as the birds flew down form the tree branch to Neji. This was something that she had never seen before, this gentleness; it seemed even foreign to her. Something inside her made her want to move in closer, this secure feeling, or maybe even curiosity if it was really the Hyuuga teammate that she knew. (Just a note, her thoughts are at the moment caught between past and forgotten past so keep that in mind)

She made her way through the maze like manor until she found a door that lead to the garden. Neji seemed to be lost in though since he hadn't made any actions of acknowledging her presence. He continued to pet the small brown bird as Tenten slowly moved in closer. It took him until she was merely a foot away and crouched down beside him before he looked away from the two small birds perched on his hand. She reach out to pet To who moved in closer to allow her the privilege. Something about it was so familiar; it was only until the white bird jumped over to land on Tenten's hand, the one that held the ring finger with the silver band around it did something in her sparked.

Trapped in the cage, he stood there. Unaffected by the outside world as people passed by. It seemed somewhat sad. It was all Tenten could do as she watched from afar at the lone golden cage that hung at the window of the small shop. It was true that the Hidden Mist Village was regaining economically, but in some parts there was still much poverty. The mission to scout out for spies said to have hidden themselves in the Hidden Mist Village was proven as a fraud. It was just two imposters boosting about their plans to attack Konoha as a secrete mission. She had to get back to Konoha now to give in the report to Tsunade; however she wanted to stock up on some supplies before leaving and stumbles across this shop. Walking closer she watched the bird not even glance at her but when she went into the small shop, she could have swore those eyes were placed in her direction.

"Excuse me; I was wonder if you would tell me why you placed that white bird all by itself? Also if you wouldn't mind I would like to buy it." Tenten asked an old man who stood there behind a small counter. The old man walked out from behind the counter and looked at Tenten before looking at the bird.

"That bird…is not for sale. So lonesome. People in this village, they think that a white bird is bad luck so they don't even try to appreciate how precious it actually is." The old man said before moving over to take the bird cage off of the hook that held it to the window. He then walked back over to Tenten and handed her the cage. She was confused at this action.

"Wait you just said this bird isn't for sale." Tenten said but the old man answered before she could ask anything.

"It isn't for sale. It's a gift. Oh and his name is To." With that the old man walked back passed the counter to a room in the back. Tenten really did not know what to do, so she said thank you, even though the old man was not in the room and heading out to get back to Konoha. Before she left the village though she bout some small seeds that the bird would probably eat and some water.

Half way back to Konoha, Tenten made a stop to regain some energy and a quick snack. She placed the bird cage down next to her and unwrapped a lunch box filled with rice balls. Before she eats however, she took out the seeds she bought for the bird and decided to feed the bird before herself. Opening the cage door the white bird just watched as her hand slowly crept in. As if awaiting for the right moment. Once her hand was close enough the white bird bent down really quick and pecked her on the hand that hand a few seeds in the palm. Pulling away from the quick jolt of pain the bird jumped out and took to the skies. All Tenten could do was watch as it flew away.

"Damn it." Tenten muttered holding the hand that the white bird pecked. "Now what do I do, I was going to bring that bird back for Neji."

Sighing at her incompetence, she decided there was no use crying over spilled milk, or in this sense being outwitted by a bird. She sat down by her lunch and started eating. As she was eating, she got the feeling that something was watching her again, like she could feel the presence of the bird. Tenten looked up to see the white bird perched on a branch watching her eat. She ignored it and continues eating.

"Humph, no use in coming back." Tenten said as the bird flew off the branch to land next to her and hopped a little closer to place itself atop Tenten's crossed leg. It stayed there as if it was obedient and innocent, like it was not the one to have pecked her just a few minutes ago. From what Tenten saw, it was as though it was apologizing to her. She couldn't help but smile, the bird was similar to Neji in so many ways. Whenever Neji knew that he had hurt Tenten in anyways, he would also apologize, but not in words, more in actions. Such as he would ask to train with her and he seemed more accepting when she tried other moves to improver her skills more then his.

"Do you remember To?" Neji asked silently.

"Yes." Tenten replies just as softly. But her attention was taken off the bird when she saw the ring on her ring finger. "Neji, I have something to ask you."

Neji just looked toward her and that was enough to tell her that he was listening.

"Who are you to me?"