Author's Note: So the Cliffhanger Demon get the feedback. Yo, yo. This one is angsty and full of emotion. For all Tenten and Neji fans... I'm sorry for the OOCness... and everything.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor The 'Memorial Address' lyric by Ayumi Hamasaki which translated by Haruka in animelyrics. I choose the song because of the meaning, but the song itself doesn't fit in even though it's very good. Anyway... ENJOY!

Chapter 13

A strong smell of medicine filled the enclosed room. There was no window there and the light that shone was from the lamps on the ceiling. Dozens of strange device filled the room but Shizune already tidied them so there's enough space for everyone: For Neji, Naruto, Hinata, Sasuke, Sakura, Ino, Lee, Kiba, and Shikamaru. In the end of the room was a bed, covered by plain white sheet. On top of the bed was Tenten, barely breathing but still alive. For this time.

"Tenten," Neji found himself speaking with a hoarse voice, to his surprise. Something caught in his throath, aching in the same way as his heart now. His eyes observed her fragile body, examining every inch of her. Oh, how he tried his best not to cry when his eyes fell to the look of her calm and soft cocoa brown orbs.

"Neji," She replied softly, her voice was weak but steady. Neji smiled and sit on the side of her bed. He reached for her hand, shocked when he realized that it was his hand that trembled, not hers. "Neji… I'm sorry."

That's it. His defense crumbled. He fell to her stomach and cried, shifting all his body weight to his elbow consciously so that he won't push her wound. He didn't care whether the others will call him crybaby and laughed at him. He didn't care if his so-called 'cool prodigy' title was destroyed with these tears. It was about her… about him… about the two of them. He waited for her all day long, preparing for everything. Now… everything shattered to pieces so suddenly, so unexpectedly. It was supposed to be a good day. It was supposed to be an ordinary day. But why did it… turn like this?

Tenten closed her eyes briefly. She smiled and said, "Kiba… I'm sorry… I've… I've caused you trouble…"

"Fool! Ya caused nothin' on me!" Kiba shouted, pretending to be cheerful but he failed. He couldn't refuse the tears to flow nor the cracking in his voice. "Ya… Ya never caused any trouble, Nee-chan… It's me who had to say sorry… If I just…"

"Thank you," cut Tenten gently. She looked at Kiba tenderly. "Thank you… for being such a nice brother for me… You're a strong and good man, Kiba… Realized that… And don't drowned yourself in your regrets… You have a strong will… now used it… and be stronger… Isn't that… what you want to be?"

Kiba nodded slowly. He used his left hand to cover his eyes. His tears won't stop flowing.

"Shikamaru…" sighed Tenten, turned her gaze to the man. Shikamaru's body stiffened at her call. He, too, couldn't hold his tears much longer, especially when she called him in such a way that he knew he would miss her so much. "Thank you… for everything that you've done to me for all this years… and I'm sorry… I make you wounded again…"

"You really are such a fool," Shikamaru sniffled. "You didn't wound me, dumbass… You cured me…"

Tenten smiled. Her eyes softened.

"You always… a bitter but good guy… and you always have it hard… You, too… shouldn't blame yourself on everything… And… and sometimes… you have to ignore your laziness… Not all people are acceptance to it… And not all condition could be handle half-heartedly… You… You have a good leadership, Shikamaru… and… If you just… worked a little… I'm sure… you could do things perfectly… Because you can, Shikamaru."

"Fuck…" Shikamaru pushed his left palm to his left eyes. Tears flowed freely from his eyes. "You… You don't have to say it… damn… these tears…"

"Sakura… I'm sorry…" Tenten now turned to face Sakura. The pink-haired woman shook her head and said, "No… You shouldn't say that…"

"I… I owe you again… without even paying it back… I'm such… a fool…"

"If you keep saying sorry, then you really are a fool," Sakura smiled faintly, didn't even bother to stop her tears. "I thank you, Tenten… for being such a nice friend… and sister. And… And stop giving speeches on me. I know what you will say. For crying out loud, how long do you think we've been together?"

Tenten chuckled a little. She didn't mind when the wound on her stomach opened again. In fact, she couldn't feel anything now…

"Sasuke…"

"Hn."

Tenten grinned when she heard the reply. Sasuke… was always an ice-block.

"Take care of Sakura… She's soft… and gentle… So… just like a fragile glass… handle with care, Ok? I know you could…"

"You know you can trust that to me," Sasuke nodded. He closed his eyes. "And thank you, Tenten. Thank you…"

A simple look was enough for both of them. Tenten coughed and slowly said, "And… Ino…"

"Don't call me like that!" Ino cried, kneeled down beside her bed and touched her cheek gently. "Oh, come on, Tenten! Stop it already! Snap out of it! Don't talk like you're going to die! I can't bear it! Damn it!"

Tenten smiled faintly and said, "Emotional as usual, Ino… That's how I will remind you…"

"Reckless, airhead, dumb!!" shouted Ino furiously towards Tenten. "But gentle… loving… protective… and strong… that's how… I will remind you, Tenten… Fuck it already! You're my sister! How could I forget you? Doing such a dramatic good bye… you're… you're such an airhead! This is not a soap opera! So stop making me cry like a baby! I curse you! I curse you so bad!!"

Tenten patted her affectionately on her head. Ino closed her eyes and touched Tenten's face gently. She smiled and said, "I can't… keep you here, right? You can't even lift you hand high… You can't even... hug me, eh? Do the best that you know… I won't hold you back."

"Thank you… Ino," Tenten smiled warmly. She then looked at Naruto tenderly. "And now… Naruto…"

Naruto looked back at her and said slowly, "Nee-chan… I'm sor…"

"No, Naruto…" Tenten cut off his sentence. "No. Come here, will you? Come closer… Let me touch you."

Naruto puzzled a little but he stepped closer, kneeled beside Ino. Tenten rubbed his blonde hair lovingly and said, "You… saved me… Naruto. Thank you… Thanks to you… the last two days… was the brightest day of my life. I never… felt this free before. Thank you."

"Nee-chan…" Naruto could only looked at her. "Nee-chan… I'm the one who had to thank you. I…"

"Naruto," Her voice gently cut Naruto's sentence. She smiled. "Have someone told you… how precious you are? Now… let me tell you once again, Naruto… There are two things in my life… that you greatly influenced. One… is Neji. Thank you, Naruto… for releasing him from his darkness… And two… is my heart. I… I can't thank you big enough for what you've done to me in the last two days… I… I waited for such a long time… and then… I feel it again, Naruto… in the last two days… I'm… alive… Fully alive…"

Tenten reached her weapon pouch and slowly handed it down to Naruto. Her hand shook from the pouch's weight. Her power slowly fading away… and she knew her limit was close.

"I don't have anything else… so I'll give it to you," said Tenten slowly. "It was supposed to be Shizuo-kun's… and I made it myself… It's old, but strong… but… accept it, will you? I… I have nothing else… to give… cough!"

Blood was spilled to the white sheet. Sakura closed her eyes. She clutched her left chest and sobbed quietly. Her limit was close… She'll be gone… in a minute…

"Hinata… take care of Naruto…" Her voice cracked. She rubbed Naruto's hair for the last time. "You're timid and shy… but you have your inner strength… And… Be confident, Hinata… You're strong… and all you need is believe."

Hinata timidly nodded her head. She touched Tenten's hand softly and sent her chakra to keep her a little longer. She smiled and said, "I will, Tenten-san."

"And… now… Lee…"

Lee cried furiously when she called his name. He looked at her brown eyes and said, "Tenten… I… I… I'm sorry…"

"What for, Lee?" Tenten smiled gently. "You did nothing wrong… You're a perfect teammate… and you're my… brother… You helped Neji and me in the mission… but you helped us more out of it. You're… indeed… in your springtime of youth… so don't wither… Lee… And… Lee… Tell Gai-Sensei… I… I'm happy… and thankful… That I'm assigned to his team… And know you… and Neji… Tell him… He was the best sensei… he was… the best father…"

Lee nodded vigorously. He sobbed and said, "Thank you, Tenten… I… I was a loner… but you and Neji-kun… You and Neji-kun… We… We are a team, right? We will always be…"

"Yes… always be…" Tenten softly replied. She now looked at her stomach, to the figure of her lover… He was still crouched on her stomach but his tears had dried… "Neji…"

"Tenten… you're not going to die, right?" Neji's voice was hoarse once again. His lavender eyes slowly lifted to meet hers. "Tell me it's all just a trick… Tell me… Please, Tenten… Stop this already… It's not funny…"

Tenten's eyes softened. She touched his wet cheek and softly said, "I'm sorry, Neji… I hurt you again…"

"You released me…" Neji now lifted her to his lap gently. His eyes were filled with tears again. "How could you wound me? But… just… don't go, Tenten… Stay here with me… Please… I… I have a lot of things that I want to do with you… Together…"

"If I said I don't want to stay… then I'll be lying, Neji…" Tenten cupped his face gently. Her breath shallowed in even second passing by and her grip slowly weakened. "But… I… We… we can't stop the time… now, can't we? And… I… I… I won't regret things that I've done… I… I…"

"I know," Neji kissed her gently. He closed his eyes. "You… You've done what you had to do… But still, Tenten… I… I can't… I… won't let you go… I won't! Don't leave me, Tenten… Don't leave me… You'll leave me alone again… Don't, Tenten… I… I love you…"

"I know… cause I do too," Tenten smiled, her soft brown eyes now filled with tears themselves. "I… Neji… looked at me, Honey… Look at me…"

Neji slowly lifted his eyes and looked at her orbs. He was shock to know that they talked… that way. Simply by staring at each other… And… and how it hurt him. His tears flowed freely now and he didn't know why it wouldn't stop. He held her closer when he felt her blood dripped to his hand… When he realized her chakra was fading away…

"Your eyes… don't let them filled with anger and hatred again, Neji…" said Tenten softly. She kissed him briefly and coughed, spilled more blood than the last cough. "Your eyes is the most powerful part of you… Don't let it drowned again, Neji… You're free now… so… don't… caged yourself, ok? Don't hate anyone, Neji… Promise… me…"

She coughed again and nausea caught her. She closed her eyes. Her time… Neji kissed her trembling lips and said, "I promise… Tenten… I promise… I love you…"

"Neji… how I… I thank you for everything… yet there's nothing I could give…" Tenten slowly lifted Neji's right sleeve, her fingers traced his strong arm longingly. "This is… the least that I could give you… Neji… But again, I…"

She shivered when her wounds opened again, blood rushed out like a river. Neji painfully closed his eyes. He couldn't bear it… Her body was weakening, and the fact is killing him. He opened his eyes again when he felt her hand on his right arm, writing something with her blood. It was long and written in old letters. She slowly lifted his right hand and wrote something on his palm. She pressed her hand firmly with his and said, "Fuuin."

Pain shot his nerves when the writing shrunk to the kanji on his palm. Tenten coughed again, her hand still on his palm and she delivered her remaining chakra to the seal. Her free hand cupped Neji's cheek. She smiled and said softly, "The first cabinet of my smithy, Neji… The seals to open it… are… snake… rooster… horse… dog… rabbit… and rooster… That's all that I… could give you… I'm… sorry…"

"Don't say it, Tenten… Don't…" Neji kissed her. He held her closer, feeling her random heartbeat and shallow breathing. It's her time… "Don't say anything…"

"And… Neji…" Now all of her wounds were wide open and she was soaked in her own blood. She was crying, but she smiled… a warm smile… "This… is… my final… will… Neji… Please… Honey… Please…" Her body shook violently. Her blood spurred out of her mouth, dripping to Neji's arm. Her eyes still looked as gentle as ever, affectionately returning the warm gaze of his lavender eyes… "Use… your strength… to protect, Neji… Please… with my present… and your talent… please, Neji… please… protect… my family…"

And she coughed for the last time, sending her last breath to evaporate into the air. For the time that feels like an eternity, her eyes were closed… And she will never open it again. She was gone, forever…

X

I fell asleep that night, my heart full of unease

I remember dreaming a sad, sad dream

That morning, the telephone's ring broke the silence

My premonition had become real

Leaving the scars that will never disappear from my heart

You vanished alone to become a star

It was a cloudy day in summer. Cloudy, just like the ambiance of Konoha that day. Everyone was gathering in front of the town's tombstone. An opened coffin lied in front of them; the body inside it was cold and lifeless. A big photo was placed on the tombstone, the photo of the woman everyone knew.

So this is goodbye - you've gone to a place where I'll never see you again

I still can't even accept the chill of parting forever

I wanted you to tell me, I didn't care if it was a lie

That you definitely loved me

Just once is all I ask

Neji's eyes were empty, gazed blankly towards the body of his girl. His hand was on his trouser's pocket, gripping on something. Beside him was Lee and Gai-Sensei, amazingly silent as they, too, gazed inside the coffin. Naruto stood not so far away, his eyes showed sorrow and grief. Beside him was the crying Hinata, unable to steady herself. Sasuke stood at Naruto's other side, cold and motionless. Somehow his usually emotionless eyes now shone in sorrow and lost. His hand was entwined with Sakura's. The girl's eyes were wet but she wasn't crying. She looked at the coffin too and mumbled a few words that were too faint to be heard. Ino stood beside her along with her team. She was crying on Chouji's shoulder, soaking the man's shirt with her tears. Chouji himself looked sadly towards the coffin. Shikamaru beside him was emotionless, stiff and stoic. On the right side, far away from everyone's sight, were Kiba and Akamaru. They crouched in the shadow but everyone knew they were drowned in their own sadness but not willing to express it widely. Other Jounins and Chuunins were there too, along with several ANBU. Kakashi-sensei was there, along with Asuma-sensei and Kurenai-sensei. And in front of everyone was Tsunade-sama, looking older than usual and her face was wet from crying. She looked inside the coffin sorrowfully, recognizing very well the face inside it.

The sadness that probably will never end closes the curtain

The cold of the changing season penetrates my body like a knife, but

"On this day… we are here to mourn over the lost of a friend, a lover, a strong fighter, and most importantly… a family member known as Tenten," The Godaime paused to take her breath. When she continued again, her voice was cracked and hoarse. "She was… a very kind and cheerful woman. She was there to aid everyone… and was reliable in every situation. She could handle her problems brilliantly, yet she accepts whatever assistance we give her. She was an excellent kunoichi… and also an excellent friend. Although she was an orphan, she has showed us the true meaning of being a family. She has showed us the true meaning of being a Leaf Shinobi… of being the wielder of the spirit of fire… May her soul rest in eternal peace and her memory reside in our hearts."

That was a summer day that I will never forget

The sky kept crying, because I couldn't

After all, it was so much like the dream I had

Even now, I still can't manage to let the tears out

The Godaime gave her final respect. Behind her was Hyuuga Hiashi and followed by Neji. On his turn, Neji froze for quiet a long time. After a good long while, he took something out from his pocket, a little box.

So this is goodbye - even your final words cannot reach me

Making me feel how much parting forever hurts

I wanted you to tell me, I didn't care if it was a lie

That you never regretted the days we spent together

Just once is all I ask

"Tenten… it's ironic, isn't it?" he said faintly, opening the box with his thumb. Inside it was a pair of ring, beautiful and well made. "When I thought I could propose you… Here you are, Tenten… in your deep slumber… your perpetual slumber…"

Please tell me why, until the very end

All you left behind for me was memories

Neji leaned in slowly. He took her cold hand and slid the ring to her finger. It fitted her. He smiled sadly and said, "No matter what happen to you, Tenten… I love you… and there will be no other woman than you. So… although you're gone… this ring will only belong to you. No one else, sweetheart… No one else… Forever it will be…"

So this is goodbye - you've gone to a place where I'll never see you again

I still can't even accept the chill of parting forever

I wanted you to tell me, I didn't care if it was a lie

That you definitely loved me

Just once is all I ask

Strangely, the sky suddenly sends drops of tears to the earth. One of them fell on top of Tenten's cheek, flowed gently to her chin like tears. Neji's eyes softened when he saw it. A painful smile crept up his face. So the heaven… becoming the part of your name… is not for nothing, right? Thank you… I love you…

This is all a bad dream,

And I have yet to wake - please, tell me so

X

The rain was heavy but Neji walked slowly down the sidewalk, ignoring his wet outfit. The town was surprisingly silent and empty, probably because of the rain. When Neji finally arrived at the garden, his lavender eyes softened. Dozens of memories flooded his mind, reflecting like a movie. He turned his gaze to the path towards the training ground. He felt a tug on the side of his lips almost immediately. The training ground was their sacred place, their haven… They grew there together…

"What is it, Naruto?"

Naruto inhaled deeply when Neji greeted him coldly. He rubbed his neck and without looking at the glassy orbs, he said, "I'm sorry, Neji… I can't save her… I can't move that time… and… and she received the impact for me… I'm sorry… I'm really… really sorry…"

Neji closed his eyes and let out his infamous snort. He looked at the crying sky and smiled.

"I know you are… but you don't need to apologize to me," he said slowly. Naruto lifted his head. "She died… in the way she wants to. You are… the resemblance of her previous brother. She can't let you die. If you're in trouble… then she'll come for you. No one could prevent her to do that. In the beginning, she's a hot-blooded woman. She won't surrender to others if she wants to do something… That's why don't blame yourself. She wanted to save you that time and no one could stop her. She died from protecting you, her brother. Maybe… that's the best that could happen to her in the end of her life. She doesn't regret it… so I hope you won't too."

Naruto looked at him for a while and said slowly, "Are you… mad at me?"

Neji glanced at Naruto and said, "If I said I don't… I'll be lying. But if I said yes, then I'm lying too. I… I guess I'm not mad at you… well, not fully at you. I'm mad at fate. Yes, mad at fate… hate this fucking fate. This uchangeable fate always hit me at times like this… The first one was my father… and now Tenten. Sucks, ne? But life goes on… and I have promised her I won't fill my day with hatred anymore. Anyway… being mad at you won't change anything. She won't be alive anymore and moreover, if I kill you, maybe I'll get kicked in the heaven. So… it's alright, Naruto. I slowly find my solace when I remembered her."

Neji continued his walk, leaving Naruto behind. The blonde haired boy watched his back and suddenly shouted, "Where are you going?"

"Her place," answered Neji without stopping. The rain soaked into his outfit, but he knew it wasn't the reason why his body felt really heavy all of a sudden. "I have things to take care of."

X

Somehow, the room still smelled like a rose. The white eyes wiped his surrounding, memorizing every single inch of it in his head. She lived here… but now no one will go home to this house anymore. Neji walked to the side door, smoothly slide it open. The lawn was muddy because of the still falling rain and her herbs almost drowned. Neji smirked. He remembered how she exploded in fury when Lee accidentally stepped on her herbs. She then began a very long speech about how beneficial those herbs were—the length of the speech beat his own speech of fate. Neji walked down the pathway to the small bulding at the back of her house, her smithy. He touched the door's handle and gently pushed it to step into the room.

The room was pitch black because the forge was out. No smell of molten coil and no sound of hammer smashing a red burning metal. Neji's eyes landed on a cabinet under an opened scroll with 'sharpen your blade and sharpen yourself' writing written on it. He walked slowly to it, examining every inch of the smithy. Many scrolls hanged open on the wall, their colour blurred because of the smoke of the forge. Neji finally stood in front of the cabinet and clasped his hands in front of his chest.

Snake… rooster… horse… dog… rabbit… rooster…

Click.

The cabinet opened itself and a long slender box slid out of it smoothly. Neji caught it, amazed when he realized the box was quite heavy. He placed it on top of the cabinet, looking at the lid carefully. His fingers traced the soft carving, admiring the beauty of it. He saw the kanji written on it and understood right away. It said 'dragon'. He made the dragon seal and the lid slid itself open. The time he saw what's inside, he inhaled sharply.

It was a magnificent sword. It was blue in color and the carving of a dragon figure along the blade emphasized its beauty and glory. The handle was covered by silk and the hilt shaped like a dragon head. It's a double-sided razor sword and how it shines in the dark. The wooden sheath was carefully placed underneath the sword—the beauty of the carved wood almost equal with that of the sword. Neji traced his hand on the blade, letting the cold sensation flowed through his fingertips. A strong aura emanated from the sword. It was indeed her creation. No other blacksmith could make something this beautiful and powerful. She was always a skillful one.

And there he saw it, a piece of paper stuck in the very corner of the box. Neji took it slowly and opened it to reveal her messy handwriting.

Yoooo!! Neji!!

How is it?! Is it good? Is it bad? If you say the latter, I'll kill you! It's my masterpiece, damn it! It took years of processing to make it! I really give my all to this baby. Just watch out if you don't like it!!

Neji smirked. He could imagine the way she shouted all the words there if she was still alive.

Ah well, ANYWAY! This sword is my present for our fifth anniversary to express my gratitude to you! This baby is a powerful one because it's no ordinary sword. It reacts to my seal and it works with your chakra. Well, you better practice with it soon to master it since I know you're not the man for swordmanship. But hey, what else can I give you?

Being here with me… is the best present. If only… Neji closed his eyes for a while and continued his reading.

Oh yeah, don't overuse it, Neji. I know how you always push yourself to the limit but this baby is not a toy! You could die from exhaustion if you push yourself while using it. Hey… I'm not going to be around you everytime to guard you now, aren't I? So be careful, Neji. The more detail about the sword is at the back of this letter. So READ and ENJOY!!

Ps: Don't use it to show off your arrogance, Neji! I make this baby not for that purpose! You'll know the purpose later on.

I know it already, Tenten… I know it already…

Neji took the sword with his right hand, lifted it to the air. A sudden surge of power blasted from the sword, wrapped his hand in bluish aura. The seal that Tenten created before her death reacted, growing like the seal of Orochimaru slowly to his upper arm. His left hand took the wooden sheath, gripped it tightly until it hurts. He sheathed the sword carefully, eyeing how the aura slowly disappeared.

"Use… your strength… to protect, Neji… Please… with my present… and your talent… please, Neji… please… protect… my family…"

He was always been a guardian. He was the guardian of The Hyuuga Main Family. He was the guardian of The Byakugan. He was the guardian of his clan's glory. It was his purpose of living, to guard and to protect. And now she added another purpose in his life. He will guard not only The Hyuuga, not only the Byakugan…

I'll protect your family, Tenten… No, OUR family. With my strength and your sword… In the name of your grave and my life, I'll protect Konoha. I promise.

X

Author's note: If you think it's over, then you are wrong! Don't you want to know about the sword? About Neji's life after this? About his angst? His feelings? About... Ah well, if you don't want to then it's fine. Just send me review to stop then I'll stop here. If you review to continue, then I'll continue. (although there's a BIG possibility I'll keep continuing this fic. But... if you insist so much... but... HEHEHEHE!! ANYWAY!!W!) All up to you all! So review, alright? JANE!