Author's Note: The last thing I want is for my readers to be confused. But, as I said, I tried to make the last chapter as clear as possible. So if you are perplexed in the slightest way, well, sorry. But I'll be nice, so if you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask. Enjoy chapter four… hopefully. (I tired my best to catch spelling and grammar errors!)
P.S. Here's where the OC pairings come in. Also, a tiny hint of SasukexSakura.
WARNING!: Terrible at tongue kissing scenes (I've never done it!), brief nudity (indicated), and a twelve-year-old's interrogation!
Lost Love Returned
Chapter 04: Family Conversations
"Then, make a final decision. End the conflict now."
Without sparing another word, Tenten removed her delicate chin from his hand, pressing her lips tenderly against his own. The action made clear of the woman's decision.
Slowly and gently, as if not to startle the woman, he slid his tongue into her mouth. She accepted it, massaging his with her own. Her arms wrapped around his neck, as she allowed herself to melt into him. Hungrily, she sucked on his tongue more greedily, feeling sadness at a lack of air.
Pulling away, Neji wasn't the least bit surprised seeing a faint pink blush on her cheeks. It seemed as though she hadn't changed at all. The tiniest of smirks crossed his features as the feeling of nostalgia rushed through him. "I love you."
Her brown eyes twinkled with girlish delight as she squealed inwardly. "You already know…" Standing on her toes, her lips found his once more. Before she knew it, he began backing her into a recognized location, where she stopped and pulled away.
"W-what are you doing?" Staring into his eyes, her mouth fell agape. "Oh god… Neji you've got that perverted gleam in your eyes… no…" She hissed almost inaudibly when she realized his motive. "You're crazy. My—Our daughter is in the other room. That'd be just… immoral."
"I'm a muted person."
"That's actually… convincing."
Much to Tenten's surprise, Neji flashed her a charming half smile, revealing a portion of his pearly whites. "I assumed so."
Sparing not another word, Neji backed her into the bedroom to… reacquaint himself.
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'I've never seen such strong emotion in Okaa-san's eyes before. Happiness mixed with anger… it differs greatly from her usual lamenting.'
Sighing, Kiyumi continued staring up at the darkness of her room. The thought of brightening the living space crossed her mind, but her mind was too fogged with her mother's behavior.
'Why doesn't she tell me anything anymore?'
Her pondering complete, she stood from her bed and headed for the door. She walked to her mother's room and when she prepared herself to knock on the door, her eye twitched. 'Sh-she wouldn't!'
It twitched again. 'No! Okaa-san wouldn't!'
Before she could release a repulsive yell at such suggestive sounds, the girl slapped hands over her mouth. Kiyumi darted back into her room, opening a window.
It was time to flee.
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"Hiro," Kiyumi began, sitting on her teammate's bed. "Grapes are healthy yes, but too much of a good thing is always a bad thing."
"My name is Youji, first off." The boy corrected, obsidian eyes glaring at the girl. His back was arched against the wall in a very intimidating manner, long legs stretched across the bed. Underneath smooth skin, the boy seemed to have the exact same bone structure. Also, he had a very familiar cowlick…
"'Hiro,' as you so persistently use, is my middle name. My first name, birth given, is 'Youji'."He stressed.
He only seemed to be thrown further off the edge when she continued with, "Yes, I know. But… Hiro is absolutely adorable!" She smiled. "Seriously though, I believe you should give the grapes a rest. And this time, completely. Don't go running off to scarf down yuzus."(1)
Face set and impassive, she could really only wonder how he enjoyed the fruit so. Youji shifted the large bowl atop his lap. "Just be ecstatic that it's something healthy. And who are you to criticize my diet anyway? Mrs. 'Everything-With Fat-And-Oils-Will-Kill-Me'?"
When he received no response, Youji slowly inserted a green fruit into his mouth. "Exactly."
'…And when he dies, I will not attend his funeral. Grape poisoning is just so… odd.'
"Anyways, what do you need? What was so urgent that you needed to see me? Do you really love me so?" (I'm sorry, I just love that line!) He asked, chewing on the watery berries.
She blushed, but kept her eyes on him nonetheless. "Well, earlier this afternoon, a man… arrived at our doorstep. It's no question that he is a member of the Hyuuga clan, but everyone seems to know him except me… Okaa-san appeared to be fond of him…"
"Kiyumi, that man could very well be your father. You've never actually met your biological father, so it may be him. Expect the unexpected, Kiyumi. Expect the unexpected…" More fruit made it to his tongue.
"Even if he is my father," she began softly. "Okaa-san is engaging in wild, coffee-like educed sexual intercourse with a man I hardly know," the young girl said in disgust. She stared straight forward in a stoic manner -- she was scarred for life. Afterwards her head fell on his chest. "It was terrible! I'm giving myself mental pictures just talking about it!"
The boy enjoyed this close proximity, and decided that maybe just this once he could give the grapes a rest. His hand went to her back, "Eh, it's not that big a deal. My parents do it all the time."
She gave him a look of disgust. "You're just fine with that?"
"Yes -- it's natural. Besides, it's not all that tragic; one day we'll do it too when we're married." This comment earned the miniature Sasuke a slap.
"You're just like the rest of them! Men like you who only want— "
He neared their faces. "Want what?"
As her face went unmistakably pink, Youji veered toward his window. "Father," He began scornfully, "Does privacy mean nothing to you, old man? What do you want?"
"Nothing," came the baritone outside the window. Steadying himself on the branch he crouched on, he narrowed obsidian eyes at the boy. "You know, you failed to mention you would have a guest over."
"Sasuke-nii-san!" She nervously backed away from her teammate.
"Yes, a pleasure to see you, too…" The older man turned to his son. "Youji, don't you think Sakura would flip, seeing as though there is a female in your room?"
"Tou-san, what Kaa-san doesn't know won't hurt her… Or me."
"Hn, well, it's not my business. Just… no grandkids." Before any of them knew it, he had disappeared.
"H-Hiro, I think it's time for me to go."
He sighed. "Guess so."
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Blissfully, peacefully she slept. The night was clam and gentle, much as she remembered him to be. If she could sleep forever, to live in this moment for eternity, she would. It was nostalgia at its finest… only much better.
A balmy sensation tickling her velvety skin, she stretched her arms over the sheets, moaning lightly. Dark lashes fluttered open, and the vague image at the foot of the bed came into focus. She smiled softly and sat up, holding the sheets to her chest.
"Morning you."
Just as he finished buttoning his pants, he turned to face her. "Good morning, Tenten."
Even now, the sound of her voice was enough for her to blush -- he smirked.
In the midst of this nostalgia, Tenten's smile slowly waned. She loved him, she always would. But the truth had to come out, why he'd gone for so long. Even if the answer wasn't adequate, she would still love him. "Neji?"
"Hm?" His interest had been piqued.
"W-well…" She fiddled with her fingers nervously, refusing to look him in the eye. "You still haven't told me… why you left. I know it's really early, but I don't fell comfortable being in the dark about the situation. And you can be brutally honest if you want… I promise I won't get upset. I won't get sad anymore…"
He predicted it would be long until her never-failing curiosity got the best of her. "Hiashi wasn't as approving as he seemed." The male hated the subject, and stared out of a vivid window to calm himself if possible.
She allowed brown eyes to roam to his face. "What do you mean?"
"He thought lowly of both you and I when he realized you were to born, and believed that if the pregnancy was kept under wraps, he would not sully the name of the clan. He told- ordered me to leave, to break all ties I had with you." His voice softened. "I was in no power to refuse."
She bit her lip. "Is that… the only reason?"
Neji turned to her. "The absolute only. You still have the necklace, don't you?"
Her lips managed to tug into a smile as her fingers traced the smooth silver dangling form her neck. "Yeah… I've never once taken it off. Hard to believe that after twelve years it didn't rust. It just goes to show that it's real…"
"Exactly."
The silence that befell them was great, mainly because neither wished to. Neji stared at her, and Kami it made her nervous. Even if she wanted to say something, she would most likely stutter something akin to nonsense.
Smirking, he picked his shirt from the ground, replacing it over his head.
"Um," she began a bit hesitantly. "Where are you going?"
"I haven't been in this village for so long, there are things I need to do— "
She was quick to interrupt. "Like w— "
"Some of which I cannot say."
Tenten scowled. "Yeah, whatever. It's always silence with you, seriously. But I suppose I can't stop you anyways."
"No, you can't." He teased, straight faced, one might add.
(Nudity detected, read at your own risk!)
"Yes, well, the very least I could do is see you to the door." The roman removed the sheets atop her, ignoring her complete lack of clothing. Toes pressing into the plush carpet, she headed to her closet, most likely to find a peignoir.
Tenten could practically feel the pair of eyes which bore into her backside, and didn't bother to stop them. Smiling in self-satisfaction, she turned to stare at him. "Hyuuga Neji," he suddenly looked up. "Do you see anything that belongs to you?"
Reluctantly, he turned away. "Yes, as a matter a fact, I do," he muttered to himself.
The woman couldn't suppress a giggle as she turned back into the closet.
"Well, let's go, you perverted fool."
Neji peeked through the corned of his eye at her. She was fully robed, and he sighed. To clear his mind of all other morally incorrect thoughts, he left the room, knowing full and well she was following.
(No Future Nudity Detected!)
The walk to the front door seemed to take an eternity. A second ago things were fine, but he air between them only tensed once more. As Neji's slender fingers went for the knob, he paused. "You are feeling doubtful, as to whether I plan to show my face again or not, right?"
"I mean, it was a long time…" She stared at his back, as if predicting his next move. Slowly, and very aware, she spoke again. "One can only expect the unexpected... the worst even, after going through what I did."
He spun on his heels, allowing himself to look at the woman. When Neji began to digest the sea of emotions her brown eyes contained, his jaw tightened -- he seemed to be at a loss for words. "I'm…" he paused. "I will come back. All you have to do is trust me again."
Reluctantly she nodded. "I… believe you." It was intended to sound definite, but came out as more of a question than a statement; she would always have her doubts. It was just a broken woman's premonition.
Surprisingly, the corners of Hyuuga's lips tugged upward. As he leaned down to capture Tenten's lips, he quickly thought against it. After last nights events, both their lips were unpleasantly tender. It may have had something to do with his impatience…
Grunting incoherently, he instead concluded that leaving a chaste kiss on her forehead would be best for now. For now…
Tenten blushed, "Then I guess… I'll see you later?" She bit her lip in anticipation.
"You will." Kissing her forehead again, he disappeared behind the front door with a minor click.
Tenten sighed as she leaned her back against the door. "Now to the important matters at hand." Walking through the house, the woman found her daughter's door. She knocked, "Kiyumi?"
"Come in!" Her voice was muffled by the closed door. The woman opened the door, leaning on the side of the open cavity.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Okaa-san." The genin said back. Her room was incandescent, due to the curtains being drawn. She sat before her nightstand, folding and placing clothes in the drawers they belonged.
"Ohayo gozaimasu. Kiyumi… I, uh missed you last night." She said softly.
"Odd…" Kiyumi set the clothes in her hands down, and looked up to her mother. "One would assume that a man could give a woman all the company in the world. He obviously wasn't doing something right in that bedroom, if you had time to miss me." She shrugged. "He must be a very good housewife."
"Kiyumi," her mother's tone was deathly. "I have no idea where you picked up on such sarcasm, but I suggest you lose it now."
"Gomen nasai Kaa-san… I-I lost my head for a bit. It… It was rude of me. I should learn to keep my nose out of adults' business. Gomen."
"Kiyumi," Tenten sighed wearily. "I do admit, I lost my head as well yesterday. I shouldn't have… you know… with someone you didn't feel comfortable around. Not that you'd be present!" She added quickly. "But I didn't even tell you who he was and he slept here…"
Kiyumi pushed the drawer in. "He's my father, right?"
She eyed her child sympathetically -- she had not been the only one suffering for years. "Yes… yes he is your father."
"Kaa-san, if your happy I am. I hardly ever see you smile, so… every one counts." Kiyumi grinned and the older female did the same.
"Wait a second, where were you last night? That's not a subject to be easily forgotten, you know."
"I just needed to get away. I went to see Hi- uh, Sakura-nee-san." She added quickly. Telling her mother she went to visit a boy unsupervised wasn't exactly the best course of action.
"Right, right." Her suspicion slipped away.
"Kaa-san, I'm a bit curious… Can I talk to the man? A family meeting of sorts. Would that be alright?"
Tenten wanted to oppose it openly. After all, Kiyumi could be rather intimidating and aggressive at times. Hopefully Neji could withstand such a thing. "Kiyumi, it'd be
absolutely okay."
She forced herself to smile.
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Later that day, Neji returned, only to be told his daughter wished to have a 'family meeting'. He though nothing of it, and replied with an, 'It's the least I could do.'
Now, they were gathered in the family. Neji sat on the couch patiently, awaiting… he didn't know what. Tenten was at his side, her feet swung to her side casually, gripping his hand innocently.
He gave a gentle squeeze, and she giggled.
Meanwhile, Kiyumi paced the area before the two, as if pondering a speech. When she stopped suddenly and peered at him, Neji paid close attention.
"You are aware of our situation, ne?" She raised an eyebrow.
The man humored his daughter. "Yes, fully aware."
"Good. In the past twenty-four hours, I've come to realize that you are indeed my biological father. Knowing this, I believe we require a formal meeting." She cleared her throat and placed both hands behind her back. "My name is Kiyumi Yume Hyuuga,(1) age: twelve, current rank: genin, code number: 3821598. My nickname is 'Yume the silent killer.'" She paused. "Are you following?"
Neji spared the woman to his right a skeptical glance. She shrugged in response. "I am," was his answer.
"Very well. Recently, I have begun training under Konohamaru-sensei. I am a valued member of team 8 which consists of: Youji Hiro Uchiha(2) -- the son of Sakura-nee-san and Sasuke-nii-san; and Hanaka Iku Nara(3) -- the daughter of Ino-nee-san and Shikamaru-nii-san. That person claims to be of the female gender, but I fail to see the truthfulness in it. Any questions yet?"
Neji remained impassive, staring at the girl whom he expected to interrogate him later on. "No, I have no questions."
The genin spared her mother a quick glance, and turned back to the man. "Yes, being a kunoichi of the Leaf is very… interesting. But back to business. Your future son-in-law is Youji Hiro Uchiha; afore mentioned. He's a brooding male… but I think he'll satisfy your tastes. However, he has an odd fetish with grapes…" A finger went to the girls chin as she thought about it.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, back up." Tenten sat up straight in the couch, releasing the male's hand to rub her temples. "'Future son-in-law'? W-when did you decide this? And why didn't you tell me? Kiyumi, kami, your only twelve; there will be much more time to consider marriage."
"Don't worry Okaa-san, I have it all planned out." She sighed. "And unlike you I can hold onto my man." The girl finished under her breath, and it went unbeknownst to her mother.
The comment did not go unheard to the Hyuuga. A feeling of mirth and melancholy rushed down his spine. "I have to meet him one day."
"Neji!" Tenten gawked in disbelief. He shrugged and spared her a glance.
"Oh, so your name is Neji? Quite dull if I might say so myself. What does it mean -- screw?" Kiyumi chuckled at her cleverness.
In a professional manner, she pulled a desk chair before the coffee table. Sophisticatedly, she crossed her legs, glaring at her -she wished not to say it aloud- father. "Tell me about yourself… Hyuuga Neji."
"Kiyumi watch yourself," Tenten cut in.
"It's fine," his voice was icy as he spoke. "She owes no respect toward me, and I'll answer any questions she may have."
The woman sighed and calmed herself at his grimness. "Fine. But can you at least try to be a bit nicer? Kami knows I raised you better."
"Blame that on Ino-nee-san. She's taught me a lot."
"Like what?"
"Nothing," and that was where the subject ended.
Tenten sighed once more.
"State your name," she ordered.
"Neji Hyuuga," spoken like a true aristocrat.
"Age."
"Twenty-nine."
"Current rank."
"Absent Jounin."
"Alright, you seem to have a level head on your shoulders… So, what's your favorite food as of now?"
"Rice."
"With what?"
"Plain rice."
"Favorite hobby?"
"Training -- not as a hobby, but as a duty."
The brunette snickered before standing. "Kaa-san, I admire your taste in men. He sure is quite a catch." She stated sarcastically. "Anywho, I've got what I needed to know. You two go ahead and reacquaint yourselves. But, after last nights escapades, that's not very well possible, now is it?" Before leaving the family room haughtily, she pointed a finger. "You'll have to earn the title of Tou-san, you shirker."
Neji slowly turned to stare at Tenten. "Is this your doing? What have you been teaching her?"
"Pfft," the woman rolled her eyes. "She's your daughter."
To Be Continued
Authoress' Note: I'm not exactly sure why, but I lightened the mood in this chapter. Seriously, even though this is labeled angst, I can't have it all dark and gloomy all the time. So, even if you didn't find this chapter funny, I actually did enjoy writing it. Strange, huh? I finally liked my chapter. It was more of a filler, and gettin' in the mood of Kiyumi's behavior and such. Blame the pointlessness on my ditzy mind.
P.S.: The next chapter is serious. After the next, I believe it will be the last chapter, if it is not.
More Neji and Tenten in the next chapter I promise. (Just an after note. I'm not sure… but was there fluff in here? I'm not really good at deciphering the stuff. I just write it… really.)
yuzu:
a Japanese citrus fruit about the size of a mandarin, with a rough skin and very sour flesh, mainly used for its peel
ohayo gozaimasu:
A respectful way of saying "Good morning"