I don't have anything to say. But thank you for coming by and I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Chapter 6
Neji stopped dead in his tracks. Did Tenten just say… she needed him? Neji turned his head around stared at the young women sprawled on the floor below him; clenching to the bottom of his jacket for dear life. He gently removed her hand from his jacket and couched down to face her. He lifted her chin so they could make eye contact. But she refused to open her eyes.
"I'll stay for a while longer" spoke Neji
Neji was having a hard time believing how quickly he ditched his plans. He was really getting soft. He'd probably do anything she ask of him right. And that though scare him slightly. Maybe he was more intoxicated than he realized. He grabbed both of her hands and pulled her up as he stood. She leaned forward resting her forehead on his chest. Neji wrapped his arm across her shoulder allowing her to continue leaning on him. Walking slowly back into Tenten living room where they previously occupied.
Neji guided the young woman back on the couch where he left her only minutes ago. He flopped down right next to her and leaned his head in frustration. He waited for her speak up and then they could deal with whatever was tormenting his best friend. It could be a number of things Neji realized; from her ambush to woman problems. The clock that hung on the wall above their heads continued to tick away, loudly. The silence that they normally found comforted in was to put simply nerve-wracking. They echo from the clock that replaced the silence was not much better. Seeing how Tenten wouldn't play her role as she normally would. Neji would have to step forward if this was going to happen. So, he spoke up.
"Tenten" called Neji
"Hmm" she cooed
"The other necklace, where did you get it?" asked Neji, trying to break the ice.
"Sasuke" admitted Tenten
"Uchiha" repeated Neji, not sure how to response to this newly discovered information
"Yeah, he said it was a birthday slash recovery gift. Something like that" replied Tenten
"You and he are very close. I take it" states Neji rather than asking.
Tenten sat up out of shock.
"Yes I suppose we are" pondered Tenten
"Then I'll try to be more civil towards him in the future" said Neji
Tenten stared at Neji. Mouth wide open and eyes glazed over in disbelief.
"But now, that I have your attention. Mind telling me what's bothering you?" finished Neji
"Nothing, I'm just aaa little tipsy? Is all" answered Tenten.
"Your mouth is saying one thing but your eyes are saying another." corrected Neji.
Tenten looked away from him and let go of the fake smile she was so accustomed to sharing.
"I'm probably the last person you would come to for help. You're probably angry with me and I understand why? But you shouldn't have to deal with this alone." Confessed Neji
"Are you still upset about the incident?" asked Tenten
She said nothing.
"I imagine you may still but a bit embarrassed but I sense that's not the issue"
"Is it his fault your like this?" asked Neji
Tenten's pride could easily rival Neji's and even the Uchiha Avenger. And hear he was, the king of asshole-ish behavior now playing her potential savior. The irony was too real. A smirk and light giggle creep from the drunken weapons expert mouth. She couldn't help herself. She genuinely found this situation funny. She knew Neji could see through this allusion. So was it even worth denying what they both knew was there?
"Tenten, did he take advantage of you?" Asked Neji, clenching his fist
"Wait what?" questioned Tenten, beyond confused.
"Whatever it is you can tell me" responded Neji
"Look I'm just angry. Okay" Tenten said
She realized that denying this is pointless. She'd tell Neji what he wanted to hear.
"Do you know what it's like to invest so much time into something and then it falls through? I couldn't help myself but I knew better Neji. I knew it would end badly." She spoke, her eyes welling up with tears.
He wipes the tears from her eyes.
"No man is worthy of your tears." Informed Neji
"Especially, if what Lee said is true"
"Lee told you, what exactly?" questioned Tenten. Sniffing
"About your relationship with the Young Lord" revealed Neji
"Me and the Young Lord" repeated Tenten
"Yes, your ex" stated Neji,
"My mission was to play act as his fiancé body double. And take out any treats if deemed necessary. So, our relationship was fixed. Though I indulged myself a little more than I should have" She admitted.
"Indulged meaning, you let your guard down and fell for him?" asked Neji
"No, he was simply a cop out …" admitted Tenten
"Continue" replied Neji
Tenten glared at Neji and let out a long sigh.
"Seriously Neji, you can't expect to spill everything" asked Tenten
"I want you to confide in me because you feel comfortable. And if lending you an extra set of ears is all I can do. Then this is what I must do"
Tenten stared at her friend in totally awe. At that moment, she wanted to tell him everything. The on the other hand, she couldn't tell him. Not because she was afraid appearing weak but because emotionally; She did not want to deal with it.
"We can continue this tomorrow if you prefer" pondered Neji
"I don't see why this line of questioning is even necessary" responded Tenten
"Because I'm worried about you and this maybe all I can do for you" revealed Neji
"You're seriously worried about me?" asked Tenten, she was in disbelief once again
"Yes, you know me better than that. Don't you" asked Neji
"That came out wrong. And I'm sorry" cooed Tenten
"Since it wasn't the Young Lord. Who was it?" asked Neji
"Kankuro" confessed Tenten
"How long were you two together?" asked Neji
"We were never officially together." She admitted
"So what happen?" He asked
"We got into an argument previously. I bumped into him while on my way to meet you. And we got into it again"
"Why did you keep this from us?" asked Neji
"Lee jumped to his own conclusion. I just never corrected him and you never asked so"
"I remember one time, He said to me and I quote. A path through Hell will bring me to Heaven. And, if I were lucky I could be his heaven." Conveyed Tenten
"And eventually, I started to like the prick." said Tenten, wiping the tears out of her eyes.
"Sometimes, you can't help who you like." reassured Neji, pushing a few strands out her face
"Once you forgive him, you'll feel a lot better" finished Neji
Neji pulled her into a unexpected embrace; in which he felt was his only option at this point. Her strength was something Neji always admired. A trait that he found annoying but at the same time extremely sexy. The young Kunoichi was slowly reaching her breaking point and Neji could tell. By the way she clung to his shirt, the slight trembling of her usually composed form and the odd sounds he was were sniffles. She dealt with her current situation a lot better than Neji though she would. She was emotional and to very drunk to boot. The level of control she displayed was admirable. But what do you say to someone in this predicament? He reached deep down and let his instinct take over. He gently caressed her back. Let her squeeze the crap out of him with little protest. His shirt was drenched and this bothered the Hyuuga to no end. But he'd bites his tongue just this once.
Tenten's search for comforted lead her Neji's lap; unconsciously I might add. The closeness she seemed to achieve with this new spots brought some ease to her being. Her arms wrapped around his neck while she burrowed her face into his neck. Without realizing it her lips brushed against Neji's collar bone. His heart skipped in response to the new sensation. An unusually aura pooled into every inch of his being; Urging him to kiss just as she previously did. It wasn't lustful as one might think; he simply wanted to ease her torment. You know kiss her pain away.
What the hell was wrong with him? This was his best friend. She deserves to be treated with respect. She wasn't some random female he could use to relief his drunken discretions. Maybe his need wasn't as innocent as he wanted to believe. He genuinely wanted to take her pain away but he would not act on it. No matter, how compelling her touch was? How lips felt against his bare skin. Or the way she molded into his arms. He wondered had she noticed any of these things? A humming pulled Neji out of his chain of though. He looked at Tenten and let out a light chuckle. Here he was berating himself and she was sound asleep. This was so like Tenten.
ooOoo
Neji rose to his feet taking in his surroundings. He was still at Tenten's apartment. So where was she? Stretched out on the sofa he previously occupied. She finally stopped crying, and regained some of the serenity she normally held. And this bothered him.
Instead of waking her up like she would prefer, he picked her up bridal style. Bracing her against his strong chest; he carried her slowly towards the back of the house. He nudged her bedroom door open with his foot; flicking on her bedroom lights. He scanned the room before entering out of habit. The coast was clear. He placed her gently on her bed, covering her up before he left.
"Good night Ten" chooed Neji, watching her intensely.
He boldly planted kiss on her forehead. And to his surprise, she stirred lightly in response. He pushed the loose strains out her face. And she stirred once again. Neji opted out on trying to wake her and headed for the door.
"Hey, I figured you'd be gone by now" called Tenten, with a groggy smile.
"You asked me to stay. But how do you feel?" replied Neji
"Okay, I suppose" she answered, as Neji approached her bed once again
"I was worried" admitted Neji, taking his place on the edge of her bed.
"No need to be. I'm fine silly" assured Tenten
"Give me your hand" commanded Neji, Tenten did as she was told
He turned her hand around placing a kiss on her palm. And flipped her hand over again and kissed the top surface.
"Uh Neji, what are you doing?" asked a confused Tenten.
The confusion on her face was unmistakable. She pulled her hand away hiding it behind her back. She continued to stare at him as adamantly as before. Neji scooted closer and reached behind her back. This time he placed it in her lap in attempts to ease her discomfort. He stared into her eye as if asking for permission. For what, he was not quite sure. Normally, they could communicate without words but he felt like silence wouldn't quite be enough this time.
Her hands were delicate. And almost harmless but Neji knew better. Those same hands inflicted pain and were deadly beyond belief. Yet he couldn't resist. He reached for her hand once again and kissed the surface as gently as he possibly could. She pulled her hand away and distanced herself from Neji. She turned away to compose herself before facing Neji once again.
"Why are you molesting my hand?" She question showing her obvious discomfort.
"I want to help you feel better"
"Huh" spilled Tenten
"Doesn't it feel good. If not I'll stop" asked Neji
"No, I mean yes. Look Neji, me and you. You're my best friend this isn't right." said Tenten.
"Why not?" he asked
He took the opportunity to try and capture her lips. She used her hand to stop him.
"Is the idea of being with me that appalling?" responded Neji
"No" she corrected
"I know you care about me. So I'll ask again. Why not?" professed Neji
"It's not you. It's me" admitted Tenten
"We're best friend as you just made clear. I'm at least entitled a proper answer"
"I do have a reason but... "Answered Tenten.
"Please Tenten" pleased the prodigy.
"Please Neji; don't make me say anymore." Finished Tenten
"Tenten, I can handle it" assured Neji
"I can't" said Tenten moving away from his touch
"Tenten, I need to know. Do this for me?" pleaded Neji
"Is there someone else?" asked Neji
"There is…something.. else" revealed Tenten.
"Who?" questioned
"….."
"Kankuro?" suggested Neji
"No, it's…. Sasuke" confessed Tenten
What did you think? Let me know via comments or PM. Sasuke will re-appear very soon. If you're interested in seeing where I'm going with this; feel free to follow me or the story. Anyways once again, thank you for stopping by and reading my mess of a fic. Til' Next!
S. Hollyhood 04/04/2015