Author's Note: A big 'Thank you' to all reviewers! They are very well appreciated, and very useful to me. Thanks!

P.S.: I will apologize in advance for all OOCness. But then again, it's been a while, so after twelve years personalities are bound to be different.

Lost Love Returned

Chapter 02: Silent Reminisces

Today was gloomy, raining rather harshly throughout the village. The house was dark and notably silent. Kiyumi's feet clad in white socks thudded softly on the wooden floor as she approached her mother's room.

When she entered the dim gray room, her mother was once again staring out of the window. If the need arose, she would always be able to find her mother here.

"…It's raining out…Ojoo-san…" Tenten began, staring at crystal raindrops falling on the limpid window. Her legs were on the inside today, instead of hanging beautifully outside. "…I can't sit outside like I usually do…"

"I'm sorry, but it has to rain some days…" The young girl was soft-spoken, her voice able to ease any ailed person. She took a seat on the foot of her mother's bed. "If not, then you can look toward no sunshine."

"But is it true…? Because you go through gloomy days, does that guarantee a sunshine?"

"I don't know, but I do believe there is happiness to be sought out in everyone's lives… even our own."

The older female smiled and faced her. The happiness in her face was feigned, and it only managed to sadden her daughter further. "Spoken like a true poet."

After moments of staring and silence, Kiyumi inquired, "How was he?"

"Oh," Tenten veered toward the smaller girl, a new-found, rare happiness in her eyes. "He was fine as far as health went. He wasn't exactly known for doing anything that compromised his physical health when unnecessary."

She found it a shame that her mother knew too fondly who 'he' was. "No, I mean, personality-wise."

"He wasn't too different from you. Only that, he seemed afraid to smile, and I myself have only seen it a couple of times. And sometimes, I couldn't understand a word he said with all his 'destiny' and 'fate' talk. Over the years, he changed, and it was a bit comforting to consider that the cause of it was me." She chuckled ever-so-slightly.

Kiyumi realized the topic gave her mother a slight happiness, even after twelve years, and decided to continue it. "How did he look?"

"He was… literally beautiful; he had perfectly aligned cheekbones… and skin even softer than mine. It was amazing… a dream-come-true."

"Until he left…" The twelve-year-old spoke chillingly. At the woman's crestfallen look, she quickly caught herself. "I'm sorry, I didn't me—"

"No, no, don't apologize…" Tenten fumbled with her fingers as she felt herself sink back into endless sorrow. "Besides… it is true. He did leave… without… without telling me why."

"You loved him… did you not?"

The woman turned back quickly eyes widened before—

—a bell came to the door.

"Don't trouble yourself; I'll get it, Okaa-san." She padded through the dark house in thick white socks. When she finally reached the front door and opened it, her face was met with tiny drops of moisture.

Kiyumi examined the guest, intent on the purpose for coming. Her face was perfectly impassive in the beginning, but as her arms went out, she smiled. "Oba-san!"(1)

The woman in her early thirties smiled widely in response, and took the girl in her arms.

"Kiyumi-san, nice to see you again."

She pulled away and grinned up at the woman. "You too! And I told you, it's okay to drop the -san, really! If not, then -chan is fine!"

"I'll keep that in mind." She smiled sunnily in response.

"Oh! Where are my manners? Come in, out of the rain!"

Hinata stepped in and shut the door behind her. "Whoo." She rubbed her hands together, creating a heated friction. "It's absolutely chilling out there!" The female Jounin took a seat on the edge of the couch. "Where's your mother?"

"She's in her ro—" She was interrupted as the brunette emerged not a minute later.

Finding the darkness of the afternoon inappropriate for a guest, she flipped the switch. "Glad to have you Hina. Why have you pleasured us with such an unexpected visit?"

"I haven't been by in so long. I had to stop in and see how you two were."

Tenten headed to sit in the couch across from her guest. "Kiyumi…" She raised an eyebrow at her.

"Oh!" She who had been simply standing there rushed beside her aunt. "Would you like anything to drink?'

She quickly objected. "No, no, I'm fine."

"Are you positive? We have plenty other drinks than lemonade."

"I didn't say—"

"Coming up!" She rushed into the kitchen.

She sweat dropped, but suddenly remembering her friend's protracted depression, she turned to her. "Tenten, have you been doing better?" Hinata asked, an empathetic tone in her voice.

"A bit…" The brunette stared brown eyes down sadly. "…it's still sad… no matter how much I try to forget."

"I've told you: you need to try dating again. You can never move on if you don't—" The female Hyuuga was cut short at Tented hissing retort.

"I've tried! But every time I try I only end up comparing every guy to Neji."It seemed as though she was on the verge of a tear shed. "And no man could ever surpass him."

The other woman sighed and leaned back in the couch. "I don't know what to tell you. It's been a long while… and you need to…" Hinata took a deep breath; she could only imagine how her words would hurt. "… let go."

"No, I can't." She buried her face in her hands. "I can't. He is the only person I will ever love. I made that decision when I started to."

"If you don't let go, you'll tear yourself apart Tennie."

"I know. And in the end all it will cause me is grief, and it'll break me down into a shell of a woman, but I can't let go. I love him - I will eternally love him. And what hurts most… I don't know where he is or why he left or if he's evens still alive." She was shaking, sobbing, at what she presumed gone forever.

If only she could tell her that he'd left against his will, that he was banned because Hiashi had to 'preserve the name of the clan'. "I'm sure he's alive… and that he left with… good reasoning." She finished under her breath.

"I want to believe that…" She sniffed and stood, heading out of the living room. "E-excuse me."

"Okay."

Finally, Kiyumi returned with a glass containing yellow liquid. "Here you are Oba-san. Uh, where has Okaa-san gone to?"

"She—" Hinata took the glass "Thanks— She needed to use the bathroom."

There was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it." Kiyumi offered and made way toward it.

Feeling suddenly odd and anxious, Hinata set the glass down, sat back in the couch, and shut her lids tightly. Maybe it was her strange premonition at work, because at that moment, she felt as though her life would never be the same. When she felt cold air, everything was at ease with her body.

Opening the door, the twelve year old stared in awe at the man of her mother's description, to which she was blissfully oblivious. "You have… the same eyes as me - though I've never seen you before. Are you part of the Hyuuga clan?"

Hinata's eyes shot open and she veered toward the door. Pale eyes widened in amazement. "Neji!" She shot out of the couch and in an instant was at the door. "I can't believe it! I thought you were—" She stooped before she said anything rash. '—dead for sure…'

It seemed as though he hadn't changed over the years. Because even now, he remained impassive. He was distant, as if he feared his future…or that someone would no longer accept him. "Yes," Same clipped voice. "It's me."

His eyes drifted to the twelve-year-old examining him. Neji never once pondered her appearance, but seeing her, she looked like something to be proud of. She had shoulder-length brown hair, pale eyes, and although skinny, firm looking arms. It was a shame, she loved to train as much as he.

Kiyumi merely stepped back at the man's intimidating stare and presumed her aunt would reveal the identity of this mysterious man.

The woman embraced him tightly. "I can't believe it…" Pulling away, she stared up at him. "Why did you decide to come back? I thought they said they would remove you immediately if you ever did."

"Yes, but I couldn't keep myself away." He spoke simply, refusing to divulge the countless other times he attempted to return to his village.

"It's amazing! We were just…" Realization dawned upon her. "I don't know what her reaction will be…" 'Whether accepting or rejecting…'

And so, dull footsteps came, before the teary brunette reveled herself, head bowed.

"Okaa-san," Kiyumi began. "Do you recognize this odd fellow?"

Looking up, there was silence.

Silence.

Silence.

In mere seconds, they silently reminisced their past together. Tenten remembered everything, as if it had only been yesterday.

"… I promise to do what I can to support you, Tenten."

She choked a sob. 'But you didn't support me… you left.'

"A symbol of undying love. As long as you hold on to it, guarantee my love is there."

A quivering hand went upon her chest as she sniffed. 'I have it… so do you still love me? You do because you said…'

The feeling of happiness was short-lived as the last thought came.

"It's none of your concern."

'Right. Leaving me was none of my concern. And supporting me… and this necklace… It all meant nothing to you in the end.'

The sight of her assortment of movements was a story in itself in the eyes of Neji. She cried, smiled, frowned, and now anger was the most fluent in her eyes. He expected nothing less.

"Fate…" She choked, one hand desperately attempting to stifle the weep. "You said we would face it head-on together because that was what it brought us to… so why is it…" Another sniff. "…why is it that you decide to outright defy it?!"

Kiyumi and Hinata were taken aback at her sudden scream.

Neji was silenced, gritting his jaw nervously.

"Well?!" The woman yelled, tears falling from her eyes. "After a whole decade it's still the same thing! Silence! This was the problem… you didn't talk to me! We could've done something if you would've said what was wrong… why didn't you?"

Silence.

A crack of thunder illuminated the windows momentarily.

"And still you refuse. Just… get out of my sight. You make me sick." She spoke icily, as she felt a sore throat emerging.

"…" Silence.

He didn't move. And he was determined not to until she accepted him, or told him that she'd be happier with him gone.

"All you are is a cold-hearted, self-centered Hyuuga… and that's what you are now. And it's a shame…" She forced herself to lie, as she knew he no longer deserved her. "It's a shame that I ever did love you." She took a deep breath as she went lightheaded and dizzy.

Kiyumi and Hinata were shocked by such words.

Needles through his heart those words were, and he flinched slightly. But there was a chance, Neji knew, that she had made herself say such things.

Wasting not another word, she turned and began to make way out of the living room. 'I have to hate you… it was unforgivable.' Her legs suddenly went heavy. 'I do love you… but I'll stop. I'll force myself to stop… I have to… And my woe, it was for nothing. I wasted twelve yeas of my life…' She threw her hand down on a desk to steady herself as she stumbled.

"Okaa-san!" "Tennie!" Came the concerned yelps. Neji was worried, but silent none-the-less.'…twelve years…' The room was suddenly blurry. '…of my… m-my…'

Tenten stopped, but then fell backward.

Neji widened his eyes and finally spoke, "Tenten!"

To Be Continued

(1) Not exactly sure, but a few have told me it means aunt. Sorry if it's incorrect.

Author's Note: And so, our dear Neji makes his return, only to find that Tenten 'banished' him from her thoughts. When in reality, for a decade and two years, all she could wish for was him. After this chapter, I can't bring myself to type anything humorous. Sorry. Review.

Next Chapter: Love So Bittersweet