Hey guys! After nearly 2 years I am back to work on my stories again! I lost the original plan i had for this story but no worries I'm sure that I'll think something up. Please enjoy and dont forget to R&R

Quick recap of the last chapter:

'You know the father. I found him after searching so long by accident while I was on my last mission. I lured him away trying to convince him to return home to Konoha, and to me. One thing led to another and here I am now. It was my first time, though.'

'Sasuke-kun' her companion stated. It was obvious, wasn't it?

Only a nod of affirmation came, before the pink haired girl broke into tears.

'Even after we did it, I told him that I loved him. He never answered me, and only said g-go home Sakura' and that was it'. Suddenly ashamed, Tenten pulled her heartbroken friend to her bosom, where she let out all her troubles and frustrations in tears.

'My parents don't know, Naruto doesn't, and no one but you does. I can't tell Ino, because I always go off on her about pregnancy and one night stands, now I look like a total hypocrite' and the girl's sobs intensified.

'Don't beat yourself up, It's only a silly mistake Sakura-chan' consoled her friend awkwardly, because she didn't know what else to.

'No it's not. I really love him, and I see him off and on since that day. And I'm having this child, not just for him, but for me too. I love it already, and you should love yours too. It's a part of you, don't you feel it?' pleaded Sakura in reply. Her words hit home.

With a quick glance at her friend's misty eyes, she felt the girl's pain and sorrow. She apparently still secretly saw a guy who could not tell her the three words she desperately wanted to hear, and yet she still offered her body to the cause of the Uchiha Restoration project. She could no longer bring herself to terminate the pregnancy, and instead planned to go through with it, even if she ended up giving her child up for adoption. After all, she did have three months after birth to consider her possibilities. She was leaving the hospital in a week, and the courage of the young girl who's head was now buried in her lap had inspired her to face her fears and speak to Neji. Though, she did not know what trouble which lay ahead for her, this moment was a peaceful one and decided not to ruin it.

'Sakura..' she finally said, before the pink head lifted in response. 'I have an answer now'.

It was uncharacteristically rainy that August, rainy and dreary to suit the bun-haired Kunoichi's mood. Ever since she had gotten the earth shattering news of her surprise pregnancy she had unceremoniously avoided her fiancée. How in the world could she tell the man that she loved that she was expecting another man's child? She decided it would be best maybe if she avoided Neji until she at least decided what she would do about this…situation…and until then save them both the unwanted pain and embarrassment.

Tenten grew bored in confinement, with nothing to do and virtually any visitors, save for Sakura whom she regarded as a kindred spirit. Being around her always made Tenten feel better since their situations were comparable; how on earth will Konoha take the news that their sweetheart had been impregnated by "the traitor" public enemy number one Sasuke Uchiha. It was likely to be tough going for the pink haired kunoichi. A distinct shout from the south-west corner of the hospital, far away from her secluded, private room, awoke her from her reverie.

"I could spot that voice a mile away. What a dork" she thought while small smile unwillingly spread across her face. It was her first in over a month. She could distinctly hear Sakura pleading with him to give up his antics, which was currently an annoyance to everyone within a ten mile radius.

"LEE! I have said a thousand times already…No VISITORS! She is sick and the Hokage has requested that she have some time alone! "

"But Sakura my darling…I haven't seen my youthful teammate in over a month! Is she okay…does she need anything! Oh my I fear her dead…my poor poor Tenten .How could this happen!"

At this, the said person sat up with a jolt. "Wait…does Lee know? Oh my gosh….". she thought terror stricken, pacing the room at a frightening pace. Her thoughts raced a million miles a second "If Lee knows then there is a possibility that it might be common knowledge in the village…that's the only other place he would have gotten it. Then they all know…they all know…and Neji…"

She sank to the bed with a sigh, as depression set in yet again. At that moment the door creaked open announcing Ino's arrival. For once she was happy to see the blonde haired kunoichi whose gossip and drama provided ample entertainment for the young teen.

"Hey Ten" the blonde greeted, seating herself at the edge of her friends' bed. Grabbing one of the chocolate covered donuts she had brought her friend she began her daily rant "The oddest thing happened today! When I was having ramen at Ichiraku today…on a date with the same guy mind you, the one from Tuesday? Remember him? Ugh, what a jerk, but anyway Ayame-chan told me that Kiba told her that the girl who works at the supermarket who always wears too much makeup and always flirts with Shikamaru told…"

Ino stopped. She realized that Tenten had not uttered a word since she began her daily hot topic. She turned to face the weapons mistress with annoyance, ready to go on a full blown rant until she took notice of her friend's posture. The girl look defeated, eyes facing downward and back slumped very un-gracefully in a un-Tenten like manner. Ino also made a mental note of the silent teardrops which hit the ground at a slow pace, in succession.

The mind possession jutsu user got up and sat closer to her friend embracing her in a tight hug. The grief counsellor explained that Tenten would be on an emotional rollercoaster before she began to get better, and that normalcy could be quickly followed by bouts of depression. It was normal. She had to be there for her friend.

"Ten-chan…what's wrong sweetie? Something happen? How bout we talk about it huh?" she cooed while rubbing the said girl's back encouragingly.

"Here have a donut. Chocolate works wonders" she continued, placing the box gently in the brown haired girl's hand. An uncomfortable silence followed. Ino decided to wait until her friend was ready to talk before proceeding further.

Five minutes passed and there was only a heavy silence in the room. Just when Ino was about to give up a muffled croak came from the bowed head. "Ino. H-have you seen Lee for today?"

The blonde gave a visible sigh of relief, and instantly relaxed. Was that it? She had already braced herself for the conversation topic to be about either a stoic Hyuga or the unplanned pregnancy. "Um yeah I think so. Last I saw he was down the hall and Sakura was kicking his green leotard ass into oblivion. Lee is so crazy sometimes, man you are so lucky that kind of influence didn't make you as youth obsessed as the other two" she joked, half hoping that Tenten would at least return a chuckle or crack a smile.

She did neither.

"Ino. Please be truthful with me. Who knows about my, my, my…situation? Is word out yet" whispered the expecting mother.

The blonde kunoichi felt hurt. Did Tenten honestly think that she would spread her intimate, most private business across the town? She knew about Konoha's favourite pastime more than anyone of the other girls . After all she was currently being called various flattering and not so flattering synonyms for promiscuous. Taking a deep breath, she told herself that it was not her friend speaking, just the depression, and that her friend would never knowingly insult her.

"Well honestly Tenten, I don't think anyone knows so far. Only four people do, Sakura, Tsunade-sama and Shizune-san and myself, and frankly I don't think any of us would do something like that"

Silence.

"I'm sorry Ino. It's just that I heard Lee saying something, almost hinting like he knew something about my problem"

"Nah, you know Lee's just speaking in general and he tends to get over-dramatic sometimes. It's all in the' essence' of youth I should say. That airtight green spandex must be killing off brain cells by the second! You of all people should know that Tenten"

To this the crestfallen kunoichi gave a slight chuckle and Ino's heart swelled with pride. She had made a breakthrough. Sensing that the mood had lightened up a bit, she decided to crack another joke to make her friend feel better. "Paranoid much, Tenten? Seriously you're starting to act as weird as Shino so uptight all the time."

The girls giggled and cracked jokes for the remainder of the afternoon, while binging on chocolate covered donuts and chocolate cookies. It was only in moments like these that Tenten could forget her sorrows and be transported to another place, a happier and more carefree one, albeit momentarily.

Later that night while Tenten lay in her bed reading her book , Sakura sauntered into the room for a visit. The pink haired girl unceremoniously plopped on the bed beside her, with a huge sigh.

"Hey Ten, Lee and Hinata came looking for you today, separately though. Lee caused such a ruckus that the nurses had to throw him out and Hinata brought you some pastries. I think she might be feeling hurt that she can't come see you like Ino and I are doing"

A wave of guilt rushed over Tenten at the mention of Hinata. Of course the pale eyed girl would feel left out. She had been chosen to serve as a bridesmaid at the so called "Hyuga wedding of the decade" for both her cousin and her friend which was supposed to occur later that year. Now the very friend denied her and all their other friends the opportunity to visit her at the hospital or even know what was wrong with her. It wasn't that she had anything against Hinata personally, but she believed that if she saw these pearly eyes she would be reminded of her love, and that the future which they had once seemed to be at the palm of her hand, had vanished forever. She just could not do it.

A nagging thought tugged at her heartstrings as her mind wandered "She does not deserve it. They all need to know. He..needs to know as well"

Sensing that Sakura was giving her a funny look again, she forced a smile on her face. "She can come visit sometime later then, when things get better. Be sure to give her my love though"

"Yeah sure. I will. Oh by the way Tsunade-sama will be visiting you in the morning around 10. She says its something very important. Remember Ten, no pressure, just relax"

The weapons mistress visibly stiffened. She knew what the visit would be about and she was dreading every single minute leading up to it. The question of whether or not she would be keeping her baby. The question she still did not know the answer to.

She scooted up on the bed to allow the half asleep medic nin more room to relax on her small hospital bed. Turning to face her friend, she struggled with phrasing the question she had been dying to ask, without offending her friend in any way.

"Hey Sakura. How do you feel about your baby? Y-You never told me what you were gonna do about your pregnancy"

Her only response was a sigh. A deep sigh laced with pain and agony. The kunoichi knew what they underlying question was, what her bedmate was really asking.

"Tenten. I love my baby, no doubt. And I also love the father as well. This baby is a part of me, and its mine. I already love him or her despite what anyone says, not even Sasuke-kun. I knew the implications of what I was doing and did it anyway, as do I know the cost of keeping it. I will be keeping it no matter what"

Tenten was impressed by the Kunoichi's resolve. The baby's father was a notorious traitor who would probably grow up to be scorned by Konoha ; ninja and civilian alive, and most likely, the mother would raise this child on her own. She secretly believed that even Sakura knew that not even an Uchiha heir would bring the boy back to his hometown…or to her. His case was just too far gone.

"So Ten, all I'm gonna say is no one can make this decision for you. It's one you make on your own. You're gonna be the one raising this child and dealing with that for at least eighteen years. Remember if you do decide to keep your baby, we are all here to help you and guide you. We will not judge. I don't believe that any of us will…not even Neji"

At this the bun haired kunoichi flinched. This was not the name she wanted to hear right now, not when she had let him down by being weak.

flashback

"You are mine now Tenten. Mine and only mine. Nobody gets to see the real you but me." The pearl eyed shinobi whispered in his newly engaged girlfriend's ear. She blushed many shades of red at his statements.

''Hmmm, now what exactly do you consider to be 'the real me'?" she teased

"All of you Tenten. Body and soul. You share that with no one else but me" he curtly replied.

The woman in his arms giggled and stared down at her brand new engagement ring. She could not believe her girlhood dream had finally come true. In a matter of months she would be the wife of the famous jonin Neji Hyuga whom she had loved from childhood. Even in his curt response, she could sense the gentleness, the love.

"My, my are we jealous" she continued teasing with a smirk, gently pulling him in for a chaste kiss. "Don't worry my love, I promise. Till death and nothing else"

He probably wouldn't even want her anymore. She had broken her promise, the one thing Neji had ever asked of her, a very simple thing, and she had failed miserably. She then thought about what Sakura had said concerning her baby, and realized that she had a point. The baby did not deserve death, because of what its father had done. She was slightly less confused than she had been before , but felt like some vital questions had been answered, before easing herself into a dreamless sleep beside her pink haired friend.

Tenten woke at the break of dawn next morning to the sound of birds chirping in the nearby trees. Already today had begun way better than yesterday and she hoped that the good luck would extend throughout the day. Noting the cold bed beside her, she concluded that it was time to prepare for her meeting with the hokage which would occur in less than an hour. There was no stalling the issue, it was now or never.

The Hokage arrived in Tenten's room shortly after 10 that morning with Shizune and Sakura, all wearing grim expressions. It filled the bun haired kunoichi's heart filled with dread. They all took a seat and a thick silence permeated the room, until the sannin spoke.

"Tenten. I sincerely hope that you have arrived at a decision. I know there is no easy answer to it. However as per the options given in our last meeting, the offers still stand. You are free to pick any option you may like without any fear of reproach"

The girl nodded her head slowly, taking in all the Hokage had said. She had finally come to a decision.

"You will receive medical and financial support for whatever choice you eventually opt for. The state will bear the costs as you were on an official mission at the time"

Then it was settled. There was no doubt about what the ultimate fate of her baby would be. She was going to….

A crashing noise and a scuffle down the hall wrenched her from her thoughts. It sounded like people trying to restrain someone, or something. Tsunade breathed a deep sigh, and grabbed her worried assistant, both women departed in a hurry .

"Shizune, I thought your men had taken care of this. It could be troublesome if we allow him to proceed any further" she heard the slug princess mutter under her breath. Tenten prayed it wasn't Lee or Gai sensei causing havoc again, as caring as the gesture was she would never be able to live it down .She couldn't be more wrong, as the voices drew closer to the door of her private chamber, one voice stood out among the rest.

"Neji…"