Staying Alive

A Neji x Tenten Story

Summary- AU fic. Doesn't really have a set time. NxT When Neji is hired to capture a criminal he doesn't expect what he finds. Can the thief reach her life long goals of killing the one man she utterly loathes or will her Uncle get in the way of things? More twisted than it sounds.

Disclaimer- My invisibility serum failed so I haven't been able to steal the contract for Naruto from Kishi-dono. Sorry.

"sup"- talking

sup- thinking

'sup'- Flashback

A.N.- Enjoy!! It's up.

What happened last time- 'There had to be something else, something that only the king knew. The villagers he had talked to didn't seem that bothered that some of their things would suddenly come up missing, there was always something there to replace it, usually of equal value or more. She didn't seem to be that much of pest among the villagers so why arrest her? It didn't make sense and things that didn't make sense annoyed Neji.'

Staying Alive

Chapter 5- Travelling Through Danger

The day passed slowly and Tenten nearly passed out from the heat, not that anyone noticed. She was grateful for her exposure today. She was drenched in sweat and the cool summer breeze felt good on her sun kissed skin. Mostly the day consisted of Neji or Tora asking her random questions, some of which she answered but most of which she didn't. By the end of the day the only things Neji had learned about her was that she was eighteen, had no parents, she had a severe dislike towards the king and she liked to beat around the bush. Not to mention that she had perfect aim. All other questions she refused to answer. Tenten was relieved when the sun finally set. She was exhausted and ready to sleep no matter what nightmares she may have.

As the sun slowly sank beyond the horizon Tenten sighed in relief with half closed eyelids. Her skin felt tight where the rays of the sun had burned it. The temperature had started to drop a little and for this Tenten was extremely grateful. Tenten could smell the pine extract radiating from her overheated body and she took comfort in the cool scent.

Neji lay next to the fire watching the jumping flames. As he slowly fell asleep thoughts of a young twelve year old girl drifted through his mind, tomorrow they would head to the castle. As night fell over the land, each member of the small group slowly drifted into the darkness of their own worlds.

Tenten's head snapped up. She opened her mouth but no words came out. It was late at night and the full moon was the only source of light. Her eyes were wide with fear as her body began to shake. Tenten pulled against the ropes that bound her wrists only half aware of the pain that lashed across her sweaty hands as the rope sliced deeply into her wrists. The dull scent of blood and sweat filled the air around her as the wound on her arm ripped open again from her struggling and her wrists bled. Tenten's breathing quickened and came in deep, ragged gasps, she needed help. She was having another anxiety attack brought on by her nightmares. Tenten needed to get to her bag or who knew what would happen.

Sweat covered her body and her skin glistened in the moonlight. As the minutes ticked by her shaking got worse, soon Tenten's muscles would begin to lock up. Her eyes became distant as thoughts and memories washed over her. …help… she thought weekly as she struggled to breath against the tightening muscles in her throat. Tenten could feel the tension in her throat work its way upwards and soon her jaw locked.

Neji quickly sat up grabbing a kunai from the pouch on his thigh. Something was wrong. He turned his head sharply as he heard a cough, and what sounded like someone struggling to breathe. He swathe thief, she was shaking violently and her tanned skin glistened to the moonlight. Damb it. He stood and quickly moved towards the young woman. She was very pale. Neji heard Tora wake up behind him.

"What are you doing!?" Her voice was harsh in the still night. Neji quickly severed the leather straps binding the thief's hands together.

"She's having an anxiety attack." Neji informed Tora. She just snorted.

"Leave her alone she's probably faking it." Even after Neji had cut the bonds Tenten's body remained rigid against the pole. Moving around to her side Neji gently lay her out along the ground and placed one hand next to her head to keep his balance as he leaned across her. He placed a second hand in the grass along Tenten's side and stared into her face. Her muscles were twitching and her eyes had a glassy look in them mixed with fear. Her body shook with tremors and her jaw was locked. Neji rotated her arms outward and quickly pressed some pressure points to relax her taunt muscles. He did the same to her neck and legs stopping the tremors. Slowly her muscles started to relax and her mouth snapped open as she gasped for air. Tendrils of wavy chocolate hair clung to her sweat covered forehead and neck.

Tenten stared up at Neji as she slowly began to come out of her dream world. A soft, tired, smile played at her lips. She slowly reached up and delicately touched Neji's cheek almost as if making sure he wasn't a part of her dreams. She smiled weekly at him before letting her bloodied hand fall back to the ground as she caught her breath. Tenten panted quietly as she blinked the sweat from her eyes. That was close.

Tenten's jaw ached and her muscles were sore. She swallowed trying to ease the burning feeling in her throat and lungs. Her heart was still racing but it had calmed some. Tenten could feel the heavy pulsing in her chest. I need to calm down, she told herself. …my bag. Tenten slowly turned her head searching for her leather bag which still carried a small pouch of the herb she had slowly become dependent on over the years. Her bag now lay at Tora's feet. Tenten slowly moved her aching hand towards the bag. In one swift motion Tora stepped down on Tenten's damaged wrist causing Tenten's jaw to tighten but she refused to cry out even in her weary state. Tenten swallowed and flexed her fingers. Tora added more pressure to her wrist and this time Tenten flinched as a heated pain raced up her arm adding it's self to the sharp pain in her arm where she had been hit with the kunai the day before.

"I don't think so." Tora looked down on Tenten with disgust and anger burning in her eyes. Neji stood and walked over to the bag.

"What do you think your doing!?" She hissed as Neji crouched down to retrieve the sack.

"Tora, we've already removed anything that could be used as a weapon and she couldn't escape even if she wanted to." He seemed slightly bored and irritated at Tora's naïveté. Neji walked back over to Tenten and helped her sit up resting her exhausted form against the log for support. Her body could barely hold it's self up. Neji handed her the bag and Tenten took it gratefully digging through the miscellaneous contents it held. Tenten pulled out a small pouch of the herb she needed to calm her heart and make sleeping easier.

"Neji! It's probably poison!" Tenten stopped moving at Tora's outburst and looked up at Neji with curious eyes wondering what he was going to do. She dumped some of the plant out into her hand and showed it to Neji.

"It's only a herb to call her down Tora, chill." Neji didn't take his lavender eyes from Tenten's hazel ones as he spoke. The corner of Tenten's mouth twitched into a small barley visible smile. She has a lot to learn, Tenten thought tiredly. Neji scrutinized the thief's eyes curiosity pricking at the back of his mind, there was something familiar about her but he just couldn't put his finger on it. She almost seemed like someone he had met before, but that wasn't possible…was it?

Tenten swallowed the herb quickly and replaced it in her bag tying it shut. Tenten shifted a little setting the bag beside her and watched Neji with an expectant look. He stood and moved behind her and out of her range of vision. Pulling out some rope Neji rebound her hands. Tenten ground her teeth as the rope was pressed against her raw hands but she held her tired head high, her pride the only thing keeping her from passing out. This time the rope was considerable looser and not digging into her wrists but it was still tight enough that she wouldn't be able to slip out. Thanks Neji. The added space against her sore hands would give them time to heal. Maybe one day she would be able to tell him who she really was, but that day had yet to come. She smiled sadly as the Valerian Root made its way through her system. The drug mixed with her already exhausted state quickly put Tenten to sleep and she leaned her head back against the wooden post. For once in five years…someone had been there to help her.

Tenten slowly lifted her weary head. Another day had come and she was another day closer to her goal. The thing she had dreamt about and had agonized over was nearly here. Blinking Tenten looked around. The fire had been reduced to glowing embers in the night and now lay a lightly glowing mass next to a sleeping Neji. Tenten allowed a delicate smile to grace her lips as she watched him sleep. It had been so different having someone with her last night to help her through the anxiety attack. Normally she would have been left alone to deal with it by herself; she had been very blessed that Neji woke up last night. Maybe someone was watching over her.

As memories of her attack from last night filled Tenten's head a frown came over her face. That one was really bad. Tenten began to wonder what would have happened had no one woken up last night. She pushed the thoughts from her mind and turned her gaze to Tora who lay across the fire from Neji. An evil grin appeared on Tenten's face as the watched the sleeping woman. Oh you are so dead, you have no idea who I am or who Neji is. Tenten flexed her numb fingers feeling the newly formed scabs on her wrists stretch. Tenten glared at Tora an idea slowly forming in her mind. Taking a deep breath she shouted as loud as she could

"Good morniiiing campeeeeerrrrrs!" Tora bolted up right in her bed eyes wide.

"Today will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain, our high will be about seventy-five with a possible low of sixty-three, have a nice day." Oh yeah, Tenten's ditz personality was really being to get the better of her. Tora glared at Tenten who just blinked innocently. Growling Tora flopped down on her blanket again rubbing her sleepy eyes. Neji merely opened one of his eyes and glanced at her.

"So…" Tenten glanced from one to the other. "…ready to go?" Tora groaned in response.

"I can't wait till you're gone," she mumbled. Tenten pretended to look hurt.

"Ohh…I'll miss you too Tora," she cooed. Tora just ignored her. Neji slowly rose and stretched. Tenten knew that her early wake up call didn't affect Neji, he was a light sleeper and always got up early. But what if he's not the same person you knew as a kid? The thought hit Tenten suddenly and she froze. After all it's been five years since you last saw him, he doesn't even recognize you. By now she was staring blankly at the fire. He doesn't even recognize you… The phrase echoed over and over again in Tenten's head. She mentally scoffed trying to stay positive; she didn't want to think about the possibility that Neji wouldn't remember her. I don't look that different, she tried to convince herself. Tenten looked down at herself. Maybe, maybe not. Besides as of five years ago, according to everyone else, you died.' Tenten had never thought of that before. She was in shock. Well…I guess things really do change… A look of sadness crossed Tenten's face as she stared into the dying embers of the fire.

A sudden release of tension brought Tenten's hands forward snapping her out of her thoughts. She looked behind her and saw Neji with a kunai in his hand. Tenten rubbed her aching wrists which were red and puffy around the scabs. She flexed her fingers and frowned at the burning pain in her hands. Tenten pushed herself to her feet using the log for support as she tried to balance on wobbly legs. Tenten looked up and managed to catch a bag that had been launched directly at her head.

"Get dressed," Tora snapped.

"Yes you majesty," she whispered irritably under her breath. We must be ready to leave already. That's what I get for drifting off into my own little world. Tenten pulled her clothes from her bag and dropped them all to the ground except for a lightweight sleeveless shirt. She pulled at the sides releasing the ties that crisscrossed up the side of her shirt allowing her to more easily get into it. She pulled the shirt on; the soft deer hide was warm against her skin as Tenten re-laced the shirt so that it clung to her body. She then pulled on the tight pants unlacing the open part at the hips making the pants easier to slide into. Her sweaty skin make the clothing suffocating but she didn't complain. Tenten pulled on her lace up boots over the pants tightening them to fit comfortably. Picking up her leather hair tie Tenten put it in her mouth as she quickly re-braided her hair pulling it up into a braided bun. She tied the braid of with the strip of leather tightly. She then tied a strip of cloth across her forehead to keep her bangs out of her face and bound it at the base of her neck.

"I think we're ready to go," Tora said walking over to them.

"You might want to check the saddles again though," she said to Neji. He simply nodded and walked past the two towards the horses. Tora proceeded to rebind Tenten's hands behind her back one over the other. She tied an extra length of rope around Tenten's waist and through her hands to ensure that she wouldn't be able to get her hands around in front of her. She also tied a piece of rope between Tenten's legs tying her ankles closer together so that it would be harder for her to run away. Yeah like that's a possibility with how stiff and sore I am, she thought sarcastically. She glanced up as Neji walked back towards them. Tenten held her head high.

"Bound and ready for travel captain." Her voice was chipper and happy. Neji simply raised and eyebrow and her happy disposition.

"What exactly are you so happy about?" Tora glared at the thief irritably. Tenten turned to look at her a blank expression on her face.

"Sometimes the only thing you can do to keep from falling apart is to smile and pretend you can handle it. I'm just trying to keep a positive outlook on my life," she whispered. Tora rolled her eyes.

"Great, now she's a philosopher." Tora walked past Tenten to the horses. Tenten watched her go following her retreating figure with solemn eyes. She turned her gaze to Neji.

"So…shall we?" Tenten took a careful step foreword testing the new length between her steps. After a few paces Tenten got used to walking with a shorter stride and she took her eyes from the ground to look straight ahead.

Neji watched the thief go, a memory playing oven and over again in his mind like a broken record.

Flash back

Neji was eight years old and he was sitting beneath a tree pouting. He had gotten into an argument with his father and lost. An eight year old Tenten came and sat next to him with a big smile on her face.

"Hello Neji!" She looked at his scowling face and her smile faltered slightly.

"Neji what's wrong?" A worried expression now crossed her face. Neji looked away.

"I got into an argument with my father." Tenten looked at his upset face and sat down beside him.

"Oh." Her voice was quiet. She knew that Hizashi was hard on Neji. Neji swiveled his head around to look Tenten full in the face.

"Tenten how can you be so happy all of the time?" Tenten blushed and looked away.

"I'm not…it's just that…" Tenten faded out and twiddled with the grass beneath her feet. She sighed and began again. "Sometimes the only thing you can do to keep from falling apart is to smile and pretend that you can handle it…"

End Flashback

The memory slowly faded. It couldn't be her…could it? But who else could it be? Tenten Takahashi was the only one whom he had ever heard say that. Neji was lost in his own thoughts as he made his way to where both Tora and the thief were now standing. Tenten had been securely tied to Tora's saddle and stood waiting patiently. The sun had risen even higher into the sky, the colors changing from pink and purple to a bright golden yellow. Neji took the reigns of his black horse and slowly led the group away from the forest and towards the grey castle looming in the distance. The three would walk for now.

If it really is her why has she been living in the forest for all these years?...To evade the assault on her home, who ever it was must have wanted her dead as well as her parents. Neji's thoughts fell silent as he started to connect the invisible dots in his mind. Could it be that Lord Shinji is the one what attacked her home five years ago and that's why he's been searching for her ever since? She would be the only one who could prove that he was a liar and a murderer. Neji's stomach churned at the thought and his gaze drifted to the thief walking slowly behind him. She blinked calmly under his gaze before averting her gaze to watch the road in front of her. Why wasn't I told she was alive? A dark feeling settled in the pit of Neji's stomach. If Tenten was able to get away she probably had help. One of the servants must have helped her. Neji ground on this thought for a while. All of those who knew about the escape were probably killed or threatened into silence and now are waiting patiently for her return. Everything was falling into place. That would explain Tenten's mixed emotions at returning to the castle, she probably wants revenge for the death of her family, but that's only if it really is her. The cold feeling in the pit of his stomach slowly began to dissolve. It has to be her nothing else makes sense. A whisper of a smile played across Neji's thin lips. I can't believe I didn't see it before.

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A.N- I appologize if all of my page breaks are gone, and sorry for not updating in a while. I actually forgot to. --; Yeah you can hit me. XD It's up now so be happy.