I wasn't expecting to update this so soon. . . Hm.
Thanks for the support, guys! :)
neji's goddess: Wait no more. :D
channy: Technically, they already are together. . . Just under very complicated circumstances.
FallenAngel92: Hahaha. Yep, she's the harlot. ;) I would feel sorry for the wife. It's a terrible situation. . .
xXanime-mistressXx: Here you are. :D
StrawberrySmoothie99: Of course I'll continue! You know how I am with unfinished story lines. . . XD ;)
Disclaimer: Kishie owns. . . O.o
2.
TenTen sighed pleasantly and turned her head to look at Neji.
He had successfully pulled on his trousers and was currently sliding on his shoes.
At the sound of her moving, Neji glanced at her over his bare shoulder.
The slow grin he reserved for just her spread over his mouth.
He leaned down, chastely kissing her.
"So, what are the triad accomplishing today?" he asked her, bending back over his knees to fix his shoes.
"The Bell Test. Which I'm suspecting they'll fail miserably at."
Neji shot her a cynical look, murmuring, "Have more faith in them."
"I would, but that Hayato. . . He's something else."
TenTen shifted herself into a sitting position, leaning back into the headboard.
"And Kohaku? He's doing well?"
TenTen nodded.
"Just like you. . . Except he's less serious. He actually laughs."
"I laugh," Neji assured, insulted as he stood from the bed.
"Sometimes. If you've had a few drinks," TenTen commented, watching his face carefully for a reaction.
Neji frowned, fastening his shirt.
TenTen carefully studied him dress, taking in the way the fabric clung to the contours of his body.
Neji noticed, staring back at her.
"What?" he asked.
"You're old," TenTen stated.
Neji snorted.
"Says she who's older than I am."
Threateningly, TenTen threw a pillow at Neji's face, which he easily deflected.
Neji sighed, carefully leaning down once more to kiss her.
"I love you," he muttered, eyes closing as he pecked her cheek.
TenTen nodded in response, moving her fingers across his smooth face.
"Are you coming back tonight?" she asked him as he moved to the door.
Neji shrugged.
"Maybe."
TenTen nodded, disappointed.
Neji gave her another smile before leaving, the front door shutting with a thud only a few seconds later.
TenTen grumpily rolled over on her stomach, hiding her face in the sheets.
—
"Hayato! What did I say about cheating?!" TenTen shouted.
Hayato's young face blanched, embarrassed.
"Sorry, Sensei," he rattled, wiping his face with his hand.
TenTen sighed, shaking her head at the ground.
"How about we just . . . start again after lunch," she muttered.
Her three students nodded, exhausted.
TenTen left without another word, intent on making her appointment with Sakura.
The restaurant was surprisingly not crowded when TenTen reached it; the lunch rush must've already come and gone.
Sakura was at a back booth, sipping some of her drink.
She held up a hand in greeting, her green eyes flitting over her friend in a darting motion.
"So," she began once TenTen had sat on the seat across from her, "how goes the students?"
TenTen snorted tiredly, grabbing the sake bottle a waitress offered her.
"Terrible. They can't even complete as simple an exercise like the Bell Test. I swear . . . I don't know how I'm going to deal with them yet."
Sakura sniffed.
"Have you encouraged them any?"
TenTen frowned in confusion.
"I told them to work together, if that's what you're referring to."
Sakura shook her head at her friend.
"No. If you don't have faith and trust in them, they won't have faith in themselves, TenTen. You have to encourage them. . . Have a bonding day or something."
TenTen raised her eyebrows, intrigued.
"'Bonding day'?" she chuckled, snorting as she drank some sake.
"Shut up. It's just an idea."
"Yeah, a terrible one."
Sakura glared at her.
"How's baby?" crooned TenTen as she peered at Sakura's bulging stomach, easily changing the subject.
Sakura's expression softened.
"Fine. He should be out in a few weeks, thank Kami. I feel like a bloated whale."
TenTen snickered and patted Sakura's stomach thoughtfully.
"And have you and Naruto decided on a name yet?"
Sakura grimaced.
"He's being difficult, the asshole. Won't give me a straight answer about anything anymore. I guess he's just stressed out with all of the never-ending work. He comes home so late sometimes. . ."
TenTen sipped her alcohol, starting to feel the buzz in her fingers and brain.
"I'm sure that's what it is," reassured TenTen. "It's a hard job, being the Hokage."
Sakura smiled half-heartedly, absently grasping her drink.
"How's Neji?" she asked, her green eyes slowly meeting TenTen's brown ones.
The younger kunoichi received a splintering glare.
"What?" snapped Sakura, offended.
TenTen sighed, shaking her head as she glanced around the small restaurant.
"Sakura, we've discussed this."
"Well, if you're going to have an affair with a married man, I do think I have a right to know what's going on," Sakura hissed, her tone dark and low.
"Sakura, it's Neji," TenTen explained, saying it like it was an excuse.
"And Neji's married," Sakura commented, sipping her drink.
TenTen closed her eyes and kneaded her head where a headache was insistently brewing.
"Fine, fine," Sakura released, letting breath flow heavily from her mouth. "How's Kohaku?"
"He's . . . all right. He's not like Neji; he's more relaxed than when Neji was twelve. He doesn't show off or boast. He's a good kid," TenTen answered, gesturing loftily with her hands.
"Well, that's a good thing," assured Sakura.
"I guess. . . You know what he asked me the other day?"
"What?"
"He asked me why I'd never gotten married."
Sakura's forehead wrinkled in careful thought.
"Why would he ask you something like that?"
TenTen shrugged.
"Curious? I don't know."
Sakura appeared concerned, biting her lip.
"Well. . . has there been any indication that he knows about you and Neji?"
"I sincerely doubt it. This has been going on for years now. . . Why would Kohaku want to know now if he already knew beforehand?"
"Or better yet, why is he asking at all? Seems kind of . . . suspicious."
"Sakura. He's twelve."
"I know, but, he is a Hyuga. They're naturally perceptive!" Sakura defended, protecting her theory.
TenTen did not respond, cautiously downing more sake.
"TenTen," began Sakura in a careful voice, "have you ever considered . . . dating someone? I mean, everyone our age has either someone they're dating or married to or having kids with! It just—I don't want you to be left out of it."
"Don't want me to be left out of what?" snapped TenTen.
"Out of a life! With a husband and kids!" hissed Sakura, livid.
"Well, unlike you, I don't need a husband and kids to be happy!" TenTen retorted, just as angry.
She downed the rest of her sake and stood, casting some cash onto the table.
"I have to go; I can't leave them by themselves for too long or Hayato will run off and commit a crime."
Sakura cradled her head, nausea lurching in her gut.
"Dammit," she murmured before standing up, finding her way to the bathroom.
—
"I mean, what does she expect from me?!" TenTen furiously ranted, yanking bobby pins and hair ties out of her brown, tangled hair.
Neji listened silently, watching her move about the house.
TenTen flitted out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, using it as a shortcut to the kitchen.
"And besides, it's not like I'm the only unmarried person in the entire city! Lee's never gotten married or Shino or. . ."
Neji heard TenTen's bare feet padding back toward him.
She stopped in the doorway, her expression disbelieving.
"Oh, my God," she murmured, stunned.
Neji gazed at her sternly.
"Don't compare yourself with them, alright? You're different. You have me," he said, unwavering.
TenTen appeared unconvinced, but she came closer anyway, stopping just short of running into him.
Neji tilted his head up to focus on her face and TenTen profoundly ran a hand through his long hair, staring at the wall in thought.
Neji captured her attention, slowly sliding his hands along the length of her torso and legs.
She started, watching his eyes evenly before leaning down to kiss him.
Neji sighed and laid down on his back, pulling TenTen along with him.
She smiled against his mouth and chuckled.
"You always get what you want," she muttered, only a breath's width apart.
"If you have a problem with it, maybe you should learn to say no once in a while," Neji replied, shifting under her.
TenTen perched an eyebrow and rolled off of him, stumbling back into the bathroom.
Neji sighed grumpily and waited impatiently for her tantalizingly slow return.
Hahaha.
:)
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