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- The only thing I own is a DVD at home...and it's broken…sorry.
"sup"- talking
sup- thinking
'sup'- Flashback
'sup'- Thoughts in a flashback
A.N. -- I'm tired.
What happened last time- 'She was covered in blood, sweat, and dirt and there was an aching pain in her heart that could never be matched by any physical wound, but she was still alive, which was more than she could say for her uncle. Tenten stared down at the body of the man who had put her through so many hardships. A smirk appeared on Tenten's face and she spat, blood mixing with saliva.
"I win," she hissed.'
Staying Alive
Chapter 9- Finding Peace
Tenten stood breathing heavily as she watched her uncle breath his last breath, the image of the man forever burned into her memory. Her mind was on such a single track way of thinking now that she didn't even see Neji crouched next to Shinji's dead body. Ayame.'The image of a young woman with black hair and innocent blue eyes flashed through Tenten's mind and she bolted like a frightened animal down the long corridor, her heart pounding in her chest. Tears pricked at Tenten's eyes as the memory of Shinji being so disrespectful to Ayame flashed through her mind and Tenten unconsciously quickened her pace. A fist tightened around her heart at the thought of what Shinji could have done to Ayame while she was gone. How much have you had to endure while I was gone? Tenten felt the guilt she had been carrying on her shoulders become stronger. She raced through the halls and up the stairs to her old room. Tenten threw open the door and rapidly scanned the area barley registering the fact that the room was in perfect condition despite the interior having been redone. She only realized that the room was devoid of the young woman she was searching for and she dashed away. As Tenten raced down the long corridor she flexed the still numb fingers of her left hand as the feeling slowly began to return. She took a sharp left and ran through the side door she had only been through one other time in her entire life.
Tenten's heart pounded as memories flashed through her mind and a sob worked its way up her throat as she burst through the door to the kitchen, crystal tears forming in her amber eyes. A maid stood at the sink across the room in a tattered and stain uniform washing the dishes and she whirled around as Tenten threw the door open a look of terror and utter surprise on her pale face. Tenten felt her heart break as she recognized the maid as Ayame. Ayame's blue eyes were filled with fear but it quickly faded to shock as she recognized Tenten.
The amber-eyed princess was on the verge of running as she crossed over to the maid and dropped to the floor, bowing to her. Ayame raised a trembling hand to her mouth as tears formed in her eyes.
"Please forgive me," Tenten whispered her voice choking and cracking as she spoke. Her voice was muffled but the aching emotion in her voice made Ayame's heart wrench.
It was at that moment that Neji stepped into the kitchen through the same door as Tenten entered through, but his presence went unnoticed by the two women and he slowly backed out of the room. Neji knew that what was happening was personal and he wanted to give Tenten some privacy.
Tears cascaded down Ayame's alabaster cheeks in crystal trails as she knelt down next to Tenten. She placed a quivering hand on Tenten's back and after a few terrifying moments she pulled Tenten up into a sitting position. Ayame studied Tenten's own tear streaked face even through Tenten felt unworthy to look Ayame strait in the eye. Ayame suddenly enveloped Tenten in a tight hug and Tenten immediately wrapped her own arms around the frail woman and sobbed into her shoulder. She clung tightly to the back of Ayame's uniform afraid to ever let go.
Ayame finally pulled away and rested a cool hand against Tenten's bruised and swollen cheek.
"Forgive you for what my dear?" Ayame's own voice cracked painfully when she spoke. Tenten still wouldn't look at Ayame and she kept her eyes downcast as she spoke.
"Forgive me for not returning sooner," she whispered as another tear slid down her sun kissed cheek. Ayame gave out a tear choked laugh and wrapped Tenten in another hug and the heiress buried her face in Ayame's already wet shoulder.
"Ayame I'm so sorry," she told the maid painfully. Tenten felt she would never be able to apologize to Ayame for not being brave enough to come back and face her uncle any sooner. Ayame rubbed Tenten's back and held her tighter.
"Sh…" Ayames soothing voice whispered in Tenten's ear. "Oh my dear. You have nothing to apologize for. If you had come back any sooner you may have been killed and then where would you be?" Ayame rocked Tenten back and forth and a small smile rose to her thin lips as memories of Tenten's short lived childhood danced through her head.
As the minutes slowly ticked by Tenten stopped crying but continued to hold Ayame tightly and take comfort in her warm embrace. After a moment Tenten pulled away and finally looked into Ayame's bright blue eyes.
"You look so different," Tenten said sadly as she brushed a stand of black hair away from the woman's face. She seems so much older than she really is, Tenten thought sadly.
"And you look so beautiful," Ayame responded. Tenten flushed and looked down at her lap, playing with her scarred fingers. "You have become everything your parents and I knew you would become." Tears began to fall from Tenten's eyes once again.
"Are you sure?" Tenten whispered and looked up at Ayame with sad eyes. Ayame smiled softly.
"I am very sure," she said gently as she brushed away the tears remaining in Tenten's cheeks. "You are everything and more," she whispered.
Silence fell over the two for a while before Ayame spoke again.
"I've kept these for you." Ayame reached into the pocket of her apron and pulled out two dark crimson hair ties. She handed them to Tenten who caressed them gently.
"There's a hairbrush in the bathroom over there," Ayame told her as she pointed to her right. Tenten stood on shaky legs and stared down at the hair bands for a moment before looking seriously down on her friend.
"I missed you Ayame."
Ayame nodded in response and Tenten turned to the bathroom. She entered the small room and quietly shut the door behind her.
(Insert Page Break)
So much has happened over the past five years, Ayame thought to herself as she fixed some tea. Who would have thought that Tenten could have become so skilled in the art of self defense? Especially since her parents knew nothing of it. She shook her head in light amusement. She always has been one to prove people wrong.
Ayame looked up as she heard the bathroom door open. Tenten emerged with her hair tied up into two panda buns that used to be so familiar. Ayame smiled lightly but there was a twinge of sadness behind the smile.
"Just as I remember them," Ayame said smiling. Tenten smiled as well for once actually happy. She walked over to the counter Ayame was standing next too.
"I haven't worn my hair like this since I left five years ago…" Tenten's voice faded out and her eyes became slightly distant. "It feels familiar but alien at the same time." She chuckled lightly and looked down at the wooden floor. "I'm not used to having the weight of my hair distributed like this."
Ayame smiled in understanding as she watched Tenten take a seat at the small island in the center of the kitchen. Ayame sat down across from her and handed Tenten a cup of Ginger tea.
"You look so tired," Tenten said worriedly as she noticed the dark circles beneath Ayame's eyes and the hollowness of her face. Ayame smiled.
"Oh, it's nothing a few weeks of sleep can't cure."
Tenten laughed softly but she was still worried.
"Now that's the sound I've missed the most."
Tenten looked up at Ayame a little confused.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Your laugh. It's been so quiet around here since the death of your parents. It used to be that your laugh would ring like a bell through out this place making a smile rise to the lips of everyone who heard you." Ayame smiled happily and Tenten blushed. "Your mother was so happy then…" Ayame's voice faded out and her smile slowly fell from her face and silence once again reigned in the small kitchen. Minutes passed as both women sat drinking their tea both wrapped up in their own whirling thoughts.
"I know someone else who missed you as well," Ayame whispered. Tenten looked up. That could be anyone, Tenten thought to herself.
"Oh? And just who might that be?" Tenten took a sip of her tea and nearly choked on it as Ayame spoke again.
"Hyuga Neji," she said. Tenten's eyes went wide and she placed her tea cup back down on the counter.
"What?" she whispered. Ayame nodded solemnly. He cried at your funeral, not loudly but silent tears fell down his cheeks." She looked sadly down into her tea cup before continuing. "Neji gave both of your parents a red rose but on your grave he laid a single white rose." Ayame's voice was twinged with sadness as she spoke reliving the moment that had brought her so much pain over the years. It had hurt to know that the Princess was alive but what hurt Ayame even more was that she was unable to tell anyone.
Tenten felt blood race to her cheeks as her mind twirled around the meaning of the flower. No…he couldn't have known what the rose meant. It was just a pretty flower. Tenten tried to convince her self that Neji hadn't meant anything by placing a red rose on her grave but a part of her desperately wished that he did know.
"His tears hurt the most. Each one burned, like a fire in my heart…I would have given anything to tell that boy that you were still alive, maybe it would have made a difference." Ayame's voice faded and she wouldn't meet Tenten's curious gaze. "I could only hope that one day you would return to heal the scars of his heart…and that it wouldn't be to late." More blood filled Tenten's face as Ayame spoke but she could feel the ache in her heart increase as well. Tenten hated it that she had caused everyone so much pain but what else could she have done? There was nothing and Tenten knew it but the revelation still hurt her more than she imagined it could have.
"Wait. Are you saying that Neji is still sad about what happened five years ago?" she asked curiously. It doesn't seem like Neji to still be troubled by something that happened so long ago… Ayame nodded sadly as she stirred her tea.
"I could see the pain in his eyes when Shinji had him brought to the castle to find you. He was so different, hardened, more guarded somehow…both mentally and physically. He closed his mind after you 'died'. It hurt to see him like that." Ayame dropped her gaze and so did Tenten. Both women stared sadly down into their tea. I knew there was something different about him but I never expected it to be because of me. Ayame looked back up at Tenten and Tenten raised her head as Ayame spoke.
"I suggest you go and find him. You two have a lot of catching up to do." Ayame handed Tenten another cup of tea to take to Neji.
"And a lot of explaining," Tenten said with a light laugh. A LOT of explaining… Ayame nodded with a smile as Tenten rose from her chair and walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs. I just hope that he will be able to accept what she will tell him, Ayame thought solemnly.
A.N- Alright, I knew you guys were ready so skin me alive so I got this typed up today, yay me, and got it put up just because I love you all. Right, anyway, this chapter has yet to be edited so bear with me. I figured you guys derserved an update with how long I've kept you waiting. I apologize for that. Hopefully I'll get the final chapter done soon but I still don't have a solid ending. I have an idea but it's going to make Neji a little OOC…but then again he's been OOC for the whole story. xP Whoops. Oh well, I hope you have enjoyed this chapter and have a very happy Valentines Day!! Tenten will have a happy ending yet!