Author's Note: Hello, everyone! This chapter is about Neji's life after Tenten's death. For all the poeple who reviewed me... THANKS A LOT!!! LUV U ALL!!!

Disclaimer: Yo, yo! If I own Naruto... if I own Naruto... urm... dunno. Coz I don't own it! Hahahahaha!!! (?) Ignore this psycho.

Chapter 14

"Don't go there, Hyouji! Wait!!"

The blonde boy ran away, grinning a fox-like grin that similar to his father's. He ran and ran. His lavender eyes didn't look ahead, so it's obvious if he…

BUMP!!

The boy landed harshly on the wooden floor after that impact. The man he ran into bent down towards him and said, "Are you Ok, Hyouji-sama?"

The boy looked up and a second later he threw his brightest smile. He yelled gleefully, "Neji-ojii-san!!!!"

"Not ojii-san1, Hyouji-sama, it's oji-san2," Hyuuga Neji gave out a sigh. He took the five years old boy to his arms, held him high above the ground.

"Hyouji! Didn't Mom tell you to wait? You… Oh, Neji-nii-san."

Hinata appeared from the corner, looking surprise when she found Neji. She smiled warmly nevertheless.

"I'm sorry if Hyouji did any trouble to you, Neji-nii-san," She took the squealing Hyouji from Neji's arms gently. Neji shook his head and answered, "Not at all. Don't worry about it."

Hinata smiled. Hyouji wriggled in her arms, shouting, "Lemme down!! Lemme down!!"

"Where's Naruto?" asked Neji, his eyes scanned the surrounding. Hinata let out a sigh and answered, "Amegakure's army is approaching from the north, but the fight with Iwagakure still hasn't finished yet. He's assigned to the second squad against the invading Amegakure Shinobi to halt them and give our first squad some time to annihilate Iwagakure's force."

Neji's eyes narrowed slightly. He was just come back from the six month long mission in the battlefield himself and that news quite disturbed him. Hinata examined his body carefully and then said, "Don't push yourself, Neji-nii-san. You're exhausted and your body is wounded. Take a rest for a while. You're just coming back from a very long trip, take it easy. Urm… I… I can cure you now if you want to… or maybe you want to take a bath first? The servant will prepare it for you."

"A… Thank you, Hinata-sama," Neji smiled and nodded. "I think I'll take a bath first."

He patted Hyouji's head warmly and walked towards his room. His Hyuuga robe was torn in some places and bruises colored his body. A nice hot bath will do wonder to him. He slided his room's door open, stepped inside. The sunshine light the rooms since the window was left wide open by the maid. Neji slowly put his pack on the wooden floor beside his futon and took off his traveling cape. His eyes flew to the cabinet, wiped the photo frames that standing neatly on top of it. His gaze landed on the photo that he treasured dearly.

"I'm home, Tenten," he said softly and took off his glove which he only used on his right hand to cover the dragon seal. He carefully placed the sacred sword beside her photo. His eyes softened. Whenever he looked at that picture, no matter how many years has it passed since her death, he still felt that same feeling in his heart…

"What are you doing here, Neji?" The thirteen years old Tenten folded her arms. "You're dozing in this kind of time!! Wake your ass up!!"

"Oh, GEEZ!!! You're always like that!" Fourteen years old Tenten raised her eyebrow. "Loosen up a bit, will ya? We're not living twice!"

"HEEEEYYY!!!" The sixteen years old Tenten jumped from tree limb to tree limb. "I SAID YOU GUYS ARE GOING TOO FAST!!!"

The eighteen years old Tenten looked at him with her soft brown eyes. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips were swollen from his kiss. With a warm smile on her lips, she softly said, "I love you too… Neji."

Tenten… Neji opened his eyes from the sudden flashback. He smiled. You're doing good up there, aren't you? I'm OK here… although I miss you like mad at some occasion. Still, I can't believe… that it's already six years since you're gone…

Yes, it was six years since her death and many things happened during the gap. Naruto and Hinata got married three months after her funeral. They had a son that they named Hyouji and Hinata was pregnant again now. Shikamaru court Temari three years ago and now living in Suna, creating a stronger bond with her brothers. Ino and Chouji get enganged—The former usually groaned about how unfortunate she is, caught in an arrange marriage yet she couldn't help but smiling happily when the wedding is announced. Kiba became a greater veterinarian than his sister and now living happily with his wife, a beautiful kunoichi from the Hidden Waterfall Village. Aburame Shino congrats him at his marriage, only to reveal his own up-coming marriage with Fire daimyo's daughter. Sasuke and Sakura had their own family of four but Sasuke still wanted more children—He meant it when he say he wants to rebuild the Uchiha Clan. Amazingly, THE Rock Lee also found his match—a wedding singer that he met at Naruto's wedding ceremony. Talk about fate.

Unfortunately, not all things were good. Konoha's unstable relationship with Iwagakure and Amegakure finally broke into the Fourth Ninja War. To make thing worse, the two hidden village made their alliance with Kumo just two days ago. The war's condition didn't seem so bright. Thankfully, Konoha always had a pack of powerful shinobi in its arsenal and its relationship with Suna was unbreakable—remember: the Kazekage's sister was Shikamaru's wife and The Kazekage himself was a close friend of Naruto… Suna offered their army for Konoha's back up without a second thought. Nonetheles, a war is a war. A lot of casualties fell for the last two years and most of them are youngster. It was something that everyone regret, but inevitable.

Neji took off his Hyuuga robes and plunged himself into the bathtub. The warm water absorbed all of his fatigue. He was all worn-out but he knew everything was far from over. The war was still raging outside and it endangered Konoha. There's only one thing that he should do.

Neji lifted his right hand and looked at the Kanji writing of 'dragon' on his palm. He then clenched his fist and said, "I will protect Konoha, Tenten. With all my life… I'll protect our family."

X

When he walked to the living room, all servants bowed down to him with full respect. Although he's a Bunke, it was clear that he was a respected member of this clan. No one has pride that surpasses him and no one has a talent that conquers him. No one will interfere his decision once he made up his mind. Not even Hiashi-sama that waiting for him at the living room. There was a time when Hiashi set up an arrange marriage for him but he stood on his decision. No woman will marry him except Tenten and that's final. It took years for Hiashi to finally admit his failure of getting him a bride. But now they turned out just fine.

"Good afternoon, Hiashi-sama," Neji bowed down politely the moment he stepped in. Hiashi nodded his head and replied, "Good afternoon, Neji. I see that you just arrived. How was your mission doing?"

"It was fine," Neji took a seat in a sofa at the opposite of Hiashi's. At the corner of his eyes he could see Hinata nursing Hyouji patiently. "Although I think the war itself doesn't."

Hiashi exhaled soundly and nodded his head.

"Yes…" his voice sounded tired. "You're right. The outcome of this war is unpredictable for everyone. Konoha… or Iwa and Rain… The Godaime has it hard at times like this… I wish she already chosen the next Hokage to help her. No matter how young she looks… she still needs some rest."

Neji closed his eyes. The last time he saw The Godaime was six months ago when he received his mission. She looked tired and depressed. Maybe choosing another Hokage was a good choice. She wasn't young anymore, after all.

"Neji-ojii-san!!!!"

Now, am I old myself? Neji could only sigh when Hyouji yelled his name with the wrong suffix and jumped to his lap. The little boy then began to tug his hair and shouting his name (still ojii-san) over and over again. Hinata smiled and said, "Hyouji misses you so much, Neji-nii-san. Please excuse him."

"It's fine… right, Hyouji-sama?" Neji released his hair from the boy's finger and sat him on his lap properly. Hyouji grinned from ear to ear and shouted, "Neji-ojii-san… came back flom wall, lite? But Neji-ojii-san still can play with Hyouji, lite?"

"Ah, I wonder if I can, Hyouji-sama… I'm a little busy these days," said Neji gently. The boy furrowed his eyebrow started to pound him with all his might, shouting, "Neji-ojii-san is cluel! Neji-ojii-san is an enyemy! Enyemy!! Hyouji hate Neji-ojii-san! Jii-san is cruel!!!"

Ah, shit. Now you completely call me ojii-san. Really, do I look that old? I'm still twenty eight, for heaven's sake!

Hiashi laughed wholeheartedly and said, "Now, now! Hyouji-kun! I'm your Ojii-san, ne? Stop pounding your ji-san! Ojii-san is different with oji-san, Dear Boy! Ojii-san is here! Come here, Boy! Come to your Grandfather!"

Hyouji shook his head and quickly hugged Neji tightly and shouted, "Iieee!! Jii-san!! Hyouji wants Neji-ojii-san! Hyouji miss Neji-ojii-san, Jii-san!"

Despite himself, Neji could feel his eyes softened. Well, it's fine then, as far as this boy is happy. Ojii-san or Oji-san just doesn't matter.

"Good afternoon, Hiashi-sama, Neji-sama, Hinata-sama," Chiro appeared by the doorway, bowed down deeply towards the three adults in the living room. "My deepest apology to intervere in this kind of time but there's a sudden call from Hokage-sama for Neji-sama."

Neji arched his eyebrow. He just got back and now another mission call him. The war has worsened, I guess. No helping it. He slowly got up, tidying his Hyuuga robe.

"You haven't even taken a single break, Neji-nii-san," Hinata took the squealing Hyouji from his lap, looking concern. "Is it okay with you?"

"Hn."

For Konoha, I'm always okay.

X

Fifteen children in front of him all look nervous. Neji folded his arms and arched his eyebrow.

"All of them for the wall patrol?" he asked monotonously. Sasuke nodded. "What are their ranks?"

"Chuunins," Sasuke sighed. His onyx eyes showed disapproval when he said that. The kids in front of him were between ten to thirteen years old. Chuunins? He graduated from the Academy at the age of twelve and all of the ninjas in front him were Chuunins?! For crying out loud, they can't even do Chidori like the GENIN him! Hah! Neji caught his expression and understood straight away. He couldn't help but smirked.

"Our Jounins and other Chuunins were out in the war so our defense now is kind of thin," Sakura explained the situation slowly. She sighed. "Since… the three of us are here, Tsunade-sama gives the job to us. We have to lead them throughout the patrol."

"Three squads, then five each," Neji closed his eyes. "How long is each shift? And where does each team assign to?"

"Since there are only three squads, we're doing it all day," Another sighs from Sakura. "Anyway, when this day is over, other Jounins must've get back from the battlefield already so we could have a rest all day long as a payback. Gosh, all of us just get back from the S-Rank mission and now we have to keep guard all day… I'm totally exhausted… and the kids back home worried me… and I miss them… and…"

"So let's get things down already," Sasuke cut off his wife's scowling. He, too, looked tired and annoyed. "Let's split. I'll take south as a base. I guess Sakura will take north and you'll take west, Hyuuga. I don't care whomever we're with. We'll rotate constantly till nightfalls when we'll guard our side only… This is annoying. Spread."

X

The sky was bright and everything else seemed fine. Neji narrowed his eyes slightly as he jumped from tree limb to tree limb, followed by five young chuunins. He applied chakra on his feet and stomped them on Konoha's wall. He deftly jumped to the top of the wall and stood calmly, watching the woods in the outskirt of Konoha. His five companions finally made it to the top and stood beside him, slightly panting in their effort to keep with his pace.

"Hyuuga-sama, anything wrong?" said one of them, a brown eyed blonde girl. "You stopped so suddenly…"

Neji didn't answer at all. He was so sure there's something behind the west wall. His vein at the side of his eyes began to react unconsciously, ready to form the Byakugan. A moment later he finally released it, scanned his surrounding thoroughly. Nothing was wrong… or there was? He looked at the Chuunins, eyeing them carefully. After a while he closed his eyes. Maybe he just over suspicious… He had to admit that whenever he's with any child, he became very alert to the tiniest thing… ever since her death.

"Hyuuga-sama?"

"Nothing," Neji replied. His eyes turned to the setting sun. They were in the west wall of Konoha—rotating with the other two groups as scheduled. It seemed like their time was perfect: in the same time as when the sun slowly disappeared into the horizon…

"Do you see that, Neji?" Tenten raised her hand and pointed to the faint star not so far from the setting sun. Neji replied, "Hn."

"Beautiful isn't it?" She smiled longingly. Her brown orbs reflected the setting sun. "Venus always fascinated everyone… at night it is the brightest of them all. When the sun sets, it's the first one that everyone sees… But then, it's not even a star. It just a coward that mimicking the others, cheating, and shining to charm everyone… desperately. Still, no matter how it shines, it's still not a star."

"I know," muttered Neji, didn't put a single interest. "It's a planet. It just borrows the light of the sun."

Tenten laughed heartedly. She touched his cheek gently. Her eyes were soft and affectionate. But somehow, Neji didn't want to see another emotion that dwelled in those lovable orbs. He didn't understand it, but he didn't like it at all…

"Neji… do I borrow yours?"

The pale lavender eyes still gazed silently to the sun. The emotionless gaze hid the storm of feeling inside his heart. His fists tighten without him knowing it.

"Hyuuga-sama?"

That made Neji snapped back to reality. All five Chuunins behind him eyeing him carefully. They looked very anxious. A boy with blonde hair asked, "Enemies?"

"No," answered Neji slowly. He closed his eyes. "It's save."

All of his subordinate didn't look satisfied. But they decided not to say anything though. Nobody dared. Neji turned around against the beautiful scenery and said, "Let's go."

X

The moon was high on the sky, shining behind the clouds. The fire crackling in front of him, radiating lights around the small camp near the west wall. His translucent eyes traced the smooth carved on his sword's sheath. So beautiful and powerful… just like herself.

"Hyuuga-sama?"

"Hn," Neji closed his eyes, turned off his Byakugan. A black haired boy with a scar at the edge of his right eye anxiously walked to him. His four other comrade already deep in slumber, curling comfortably in their sleeping bag. He rubbed his neck shyly and said, "Urm… you… better rest. I heard that you just came back from a long mission in the battlefield so… so… let me switch place with you. I can stay awake, Sir. Not to worry!"

Neji glanced at the boy quietly.

"Sit beside me."

The boy blinked.

"Sir?"

"Sit beside me," Neji repeated, reverted his gaze at the sword. After convincing himself the Hyuuga Genius won't scold him, the boy finally sat beside him. For a long thirty minutes both of them were silent. The boy was too afraid to ask anything and Neji… well, silent was his part after all.

"What's your name, Kid?"

The boy almost jumped from his feet. He quickly turned his head towards Neji and nervously said, "S-S-Shin, Sir! Shin!"

"Shin?" The white eyes slowly turned to look at him. "What about your surname?"

"Aa… I have none, Hyuuga-sama!" Shin grinned, his hand messed up his own hair. Neji's eyes flickered at the statement. "I… I'm an orphan, Sir."

"An orphan…" Neji slowly reverted his gaze at his sword. His eyes showed a painful distant look. "Fate… sure know how to mess someone's heart…"

Shin stopped his hand. He looked at Neji, puzzled. Slowly he said, "Anything wrong, Sir? I… I apologize if…"

"No, not at all," Neji smiled. Shin went flabbergasted for a while. He never knows that Hyuuga Neji can smile. "It's just that…" The prodigy lifted his sword. "The creator of this sword… was also an orphan."

Shin's eyes widen. He then smiled and said, "That sword is wonderful. Even the sheath is beautiful…"

"Right… just like herself," mumbled Neji, low but loud enough for Shin to hear. The boy arched his eyebrow and said, "A woman?"

Neji nodded slowly and threw another smile. He glanced at the sky.

"Yes, a wonderful woman… very wonderful…"

Shin could hear the faint sadness in his leader's voice. He slowly asked, "Where is she now?"

Neji chuckled a little. He closed his eyes and said, "If the stars really are the deceased people we loved… then there she is, amongst them. Shining in the darkness…"

"Aa…" Shin quickly averted his gaze elsewhere. "I… I'm sorry."

Another silence filled the air. The two of them drowned in their own mind, didn't say a word. They stayed like that maybe for hours, but none of them bothered. It seemed like they understood each other, just by being silent. It was odd, but somehow Shin found it relaxing and comfy. Although Hyuuga Neji looked like a very cold person, it turned out that he was a warm man inside. If only one could touch it in his heart by understanding him a little.

"It's lonely, is it… by having no one," Neji threw a branch to the crackling fire. Shin looked at him and smiled warmly.

"Ah… if we think about it that way, then that's what we feel!" he put his hands at the back of his head. "Ma, I never feel that way! I have everyone here in Konoha! All of them are so nice to me… so why should I feel lonely? I have everyone here as my family! Instead of thinking about how I lonely I am since birth… isn't it better to just open ourself? That's what I feel. We have each other anyway…"

Neji's translucent eyes softened. He smiled sincerely and closed his eyes.

"That's good… you really are like her," his voice was warm. Shin turned to look at him, a little puzzled. "Why do you become a ninja? What's your nindo, Shin?"

"My nindo?" Shin raised his eyebrow. He glanced at the sky. "Well… I never really think about it. All I want is… a job. I want to have a job so I can live. But… urm… I never really think about my nindo…"

"Then you still lack of the pride of Konoha," Neji suddenly turned his head and looked at the boy before him. Shin's eyes widen once more. "Nindo… is the purpose of your life. Nindo is what makes a ninja exist… that's what I believe. You are yet to become a true ninja. You have your techniques and everything but without a purpose? I guess… it's all become a waste, then."

"Ah… I…" Shin opened his mouth absently. "I…"

"It's alright if you are yet to find your nindo," Neji slowly stood up. He strapped his sword back to its place—horizontally behind him, just like how Kakashi placed his white blade. "Everyone takes a very long time to acquire one, to finally realize what he or she wants to hold. It's a matter of heart, really…"

Shin looked at the ground for a while. He then looked at the standing Hyuuga prodigy.

"What's your nindo, Sir, if I may ask?"

A smile crept up The Byakugan Master's face. He touched the sword behind him.

"My nindo… is her nindo," he said slowly. His eyes grew warmer. "To protect the most important thing for her… ah, no, for both of us."

"What is it, Hyuuga-sama?"

Neji looked at Shin once again and said, "You know… being alone was the worst thing that could happen to people. I'm sure you understand that… We're only protecting those who help us to get away from it, give us the light to go on until now—the spirit of fire inside everyone. Without it we'll be alone… and neglected… then died inside. My nindo is to protect Konoha with everything I have, even my life."

Shin smiled warmly. He closed his eyes, recalling every single thing that happened to him in his life. He grinned and said, "Hyuuga-sama… I think… I just acquire my nindo."

Neji's eyes softened. He smiled and said, "Then hold it dearly, Shin. A ninja's life is determined by their nindo. Without it, they are nothing. People said… a shinobi's true meaning is a weapon and nothing more. But even a weapon needs a purpose. Is it for attacking or protecting? That's what shaped a weapon to what it is, Shin. That's what shaped a ninja. There's nothing more honourable than to die protecting your nindo."

Shin nodded vigorously. Hyuuga Neji really wasn't as cold as everyone said. It was partly right, though. Since her death, Neji merged himself with the memory of his beloved. He now played two roles in his life, to be himself and partly Tenten. That was how he had her alive in his heart, showing her part in his life.

"Hyuuga-sama, I…"

"Silence," Neji suddenly made his stance. He made his one-hand seal. "Wake everyone up. Byakugan!"

His Byakugan scanned thoroughly until one kilometer more and found a shocking discovery… an assault. A big one… And they approaching without being noticed until it's only one kilometer left to Konoha! To make things worse, they approached rapidly… and now already…

"Everyone, head back to the village, now! Evacuate!" shouted Neji quickly, glanced towards his five subordinates. "There's an assault, very big! Save as many life as you…"

"Suiton: Bakusui Shouha3!"

"NOW!!!"

X

1 Old Man, Grandfather

2 Uncle

3 Water Release: Exploding Water Shockwave

Author's Note: AAARRRRGGGHHHH!!! My hands are itcy! I want to type some action! I guess... desire are unstoppable, eh? You're expecting some peace, ne? Me too, but my mind went another way. Hehehehehe... It's time to reveal the sword's power!!!! HAHAHAHAHA!! Wait for the next chapter!