Author Note: Just a heads up, I really didn't like this chapter at all. I don't know why, I guess it's just all authors. Whenever they write something, they usually end up disliking it In the end. But that's your decision.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. However, I own Tennie's sadness.

Lost Love Returned

Chapter 03: Love so Bittersweet

"I question it, Hinata, if my return was beneficial for her. Why return to a place where you are not wanted?" Neji asked, voice icy as he stared blankly at raindrops falling on the other side of the window. Every breath taken stained the frosted glass as condensation.

The female sitting idly on the couch stared at his back - she could only image what he must have been through. "She… she does want you, I'm sure. But bear with her - a woman's heart is all too fragile. We—"

He was quick to interrupt, having heard the speech long ago. "I know." He suddenly narrowed his eyes. "How is she?"

"She's fine," Hinata silently complied with his wish to end the conversation. "I guess she's been a bit stressed lately, what with Kiyumi becoming a genin, and their training up to that point. Then there was her missions and financing… I don't think she had much time for sleep."

After the woman had lost consciences, all three shinobi in the house were thrown into a state of panic. All with the exception of Neji, -he hid it well- rooting his feet in the ground, pale eyes widening as her body made a fierce impact with the floor.

Hinata had somehow managed to appease Kiyumi slightly, she ordered Neji to carry her into the bedroom, and for her to gather a few warm towels.

"I don't think we can call anyone to look at her," the woman suddenly spoke, breaking Neji from his memories. "It may have been that, but there's no way to know for sure. The weather is bad so—oh, no." The female stood abruptly and gathered her items.

"I have somewhere to be." Heading to the door, she called out, "Kiyumi-chan!"

The twelve year old soon came into the room. "Yes, Oba-san? Are you going?"

"Yes - I'd forgotten, but I have a place to be. I wish I could stay and look after your mother, but…"

"Wait," The younger female walked hastily to the older. "You can't leave yet - not until Okaa-san wakes. I don't feel safe with that strange man around. He cou—"

"I'm anything but a stranger to you…" Neji trailed of, the simple topic seeming to burn his tongue to no end. "I've known you, even before you were able to open your eyes and see the world. And you should know, that the very thought of harming you would drive me to suicide."

Kiyumi digested the cryptic words of the male before turning back to Hinata.

"Oba-san…" Her eyes seemed to plead.

"You'll be fine. He won't touch you, I promise. Look, if at any time things seem to be a bit off, just call me, and I'll be back over in a flash."

"Hinata," Neji turned to face her. "I'm not a pedophile." The sound of the word may have appeared comical, but he found not one hilarious thing about it.

"I have to go. Send my regards to your mother." Hinata opened the door, but glanced back at Neji whose emotionless stare remained. "Are you…"

He gave a brief nod confirming his stay, and with that, she entered the rainy afternoon.

With her aunt gone, Kiyumi couldn't help but feel nervous around the man. A man whom she hardly knew, how was she to act around him? 'Why did she leave me with him…? Does she hold a trust in this man?'

Kiyumi narrowed pale eyes vigilantly; should the need arise, a kunai was easily accessible from the pouch strapped on her thigh. "Excuse me stran—" Shestopped herself. "Sir, if you don't mind me asking, who are you?"

Neji caught himself before he divulged any information. He couldn't convince himself that this was the time to reveal his identity to… his own daughter. Instead, he graced her with yet another cryptic response, "A man of a severe incorrect decision."

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The voice soothed her distorted and sleeping mind, "A man of a severe incorrect decision."

It was mysterious, holding a hidden truth. Tenten had no idea why, but her conscious loved the voice - she yearned for it. She hadn't an idea who it belonged to, or why she had heard it, but it filled her with happiness - something she did not already possess.

Alas, all good dreams come to an end - she woke abruptly. The damp cloth that rest on her ivory forehead fell to the bed sheet covering her lap as she sat up. 'What was… what did that just mean…?'

The brunette gathered herself and stood straight on the floor. "I remember… he's here…" Her breath soon quickened in anxiety. 'H-He's here…!'

As she headed for the door, she stopped herself, excitement faltering. 'That's right, that deserting bastard is back. Accepting him will only give him satisfaction… and myself as well…'

The woman cursed herself for feeling this way. She hated him, she had to. She was no longer naïve, and learned from her mistakes. She refused to set herself up for another tragedy.

On the other hand, she loved him. She always would. There was no denying it. Neji would forever hold her heart in his hands, without ever knowing it.

Before she knew it, her legs led her to the family room. Where he was.

Tenten took a deep breath when both Neji and Kiyumi's stares fell upon her.

"Okaa-san—"

"Kiyumi," Tenten spoke suddenly, chillingly. "Excuse yourself." Now, she was a woman on a mission.

"R-right. It was nice meeting you." She bowed quickly and removed her presence.

"Tenten—"

"No, you had time to explain yourself, so now, you listen. I've spent twelve good years of my life crying over you so you had better have a damn good explanation in store. What force on this earth could have possibly driven you away from the woman you love?" She paused. "That is, if it wasn't feigned."

'What was I, just a good fuck?'

"Tenten—"

"Don't Neji, not yet; I'm not done." She pursed her lips absentmindedly, fingertips brushing the couch as she slowly stalked toward him. "Frankly, you're indebted to me, so don't expect me to accept you with open arms."

"Tenten, I'm sorry…" The apology was simple and sincere, coming from a man who desperately sought forgiveness. Years ago, he would have never allowed those words to touch his tongue. But now, he had nothing left to lose.

"Dammit…" The brunette felt the tears welling in her eyes. She knew from the very beginning that when he spoke, she would break down. She despised how vulnerable she was to the tiniest things.

"You can't be sorry, because you don't know how I feel: to love someone, but hate them all the same. Words can't describe it, all the emotions rushing through my head… I can't deal with all this… with you."

"Tenten, I'm sorry… It wasn't my desire to leave you." Finally gathering courage to speak, he inched toward her.

"Then why did you?! I just don't get it! No, s-stay back…" As the distance between them decreased, Tenten expanded it, swiftly wiping the tears away. "I can't permit myself to trust anything you say… Id be foolish to allow the same thing to happen again."

Neji stopped, squinting weary eyes at the woman before him. "Do you feel it would be in your best interest if I go?"

"Yes… you left for years so why come back now? What could you possibly want now that you didn't want then?"

"Are you sure…? I only wish for your happiness - with or without me." It didn't matter his reason for leaving, because now, it was all up to her.

The next time the kunoichi looked up, Neji stood before her. "Answer honestly; banish all thoughts harbored of what you should do."

'Answer honestly…' The female allowed a disconsolate smile to grace her lips as she cleared her mind completely. "Fine, I'll 'answer honestly'," she spoke softly.

When the female met his eyes, tears cascaded beautifully down her cheeks. "There isn't anything you could ever do to dismiss my adoration of you…" Tenten bit her lip and sighed. "I still love you…"

She wrapped her arms tightly around his abdomen and sobbed, "Even when I know I shouldn't, I can't bring myself to stop."

The dark man once again narrowed his eyes, returning the woman's embrace. 'How difficult it must have been…'

(You are being foolish.) Her conscious spoke for the first time she could remember. (You are setting yourself up for another disaster.)

She tightened her grip. 'I believe him…'

'I love him…'

'"Let go." She breathed into his chest.

He knitted his brows. "What?"

Reluctantly, the female pushed him away. What was she to do? To hate, or to love?(Good, now live your life without him.)

"What do I do…?" She asked quietly. "I don't want to go through this: my heart tells me one thing but my head another."

"Then," Neji cupped her chin in his hand, forcing her to face him. "Make a final decision. End the conflict now."

To Be Continued

Author's Note: I am so sorry for the sucky ending, don't give me grief! I had to end the chapter there, because I felt if I continued it would soon become repetitive. Ah, I just hate this chapter! I kept racking my brain to get the message out in the clearet way possible, but I don't think I did. Well, review this horrid chapter if you like. And I'm not being modest!

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