Chapter 7: Seventh day

* Saturday

I wasn't shivering, i wasn't scared. I wasn't sweating nor breathing hard and, the most important, I was far from having the guilt's agony in my heart.

I woke up because i wanted to and not because of some nightmare or torturing memory. I had had enough sleep, a clean and good sleep.

That wasn't my room, that wasn't my bed, the tranquilizing smell on the pillow wasn't mine.

" Time to rest, Weapons Mistress."

Weapons Mistress. These words about me sounded incredibly good to my ears. It was amazing to listen to this from his mouth, in his voice. So it sounded fair, right. And I had had enough rest, for sure.

I tried to get up fast and that wasn't a good idea. I got dizzy and my body was hurting. I could say that even my hair was hurting. I went back to bed, to organize my body, sketching to get used to my next moves. I contract the legs and felt a funny pain. I was really out of shape.

The second try was better and I could get up. But I got a bit confused when realized I was clean and my hair was down. I wasn't like this when I finished last training.

Neji? No, that would be too much. I smiled with my thoughts.

And my mind would travel a thousand miles making up many theories about my state if I didn't have stopped to look around to the place I was in. In that room, it wasn't only his smell. Everything, Neji was in every thing and, Dear God, that was so good.

The day was beautiful outside. The sun was shining more than usually, coming inside just a bit because of the thin fabric in front of the window. How much time had I slept?

I went to the door, walking cautiously. The house seemed to be empty and the only sound i could hear was my bared feet touching the wood floor.

The door I knew very well was totally open- differently from some other time I had seen it – making the sun light come stronger that in the room. I closed my eyes a bit because of that and let my feet drive me to the only place the only person I wanted to see should be.

As usual, Neji was annoyingly perfect, sitting on that chair with a closed book in hands. It was expected that he was facing any spot ahead.

I walked in his direction, in silence, taking a sit in the opposite side on the chair, following the routine of one year. I took a long breath, letting it go making a loud sound. I knew I didn't need to be that stupid to call his attention. I bet he knew I was there in the moment i got close to the door.

" You slept a lot." – he said, still facing a random spot ahead.

" How long? " – I asked him.

" Since yesterday morning."

" Yesterday?" – i repeated, embarrassed for had slept so much like that.

" Yesterday." – gosh, that was too much.

" My clothes?" – if he could see, would make fun of me because of the blush in my face.

Before giving me an answer, he drew a mischievous smile on his lips. The blush in my cheeks were stronger, and I felt my face burning until the bones. I had never thought there would be a day I'd be thankful for Neji's blindness.

"Don't worry, Nakomi took care of everything. Including you." – Nakomi was a chubby old lady who took care of almost everything for Neji.

" Did you…"

" I didn't see anything. I blocked my eyes, don't worry. " – okay, now I was purple by embarrassment and thinking about killing Neji. He could stop the jokes and wash that naughty smile away from his lips.

" It was not what I meant, Neji." – I said, pretending to be offended. But actually i meant exactly what I meant. – "I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you."

It was silent now, until his smile slowly disappear, giving space to his usual expression.

" I didn't do anything you wouldn't do for me."

" Don't ignore what you've done for me. It's amazing. From the very start you've done a lot, since the mission… " - I let my voice die in the end.

No matter how good things were going, I couldn't remember that day without cursing myself.

" And from the very start I had already told you: for you, I'd do everything again and again". – even if Neji couldn't see me, I felt his eyes on me.

" And one more time i was watching his sleep, from the door of his room. Since they told me about his situation I had been afraid to face him awake. I took my hand close to his face, wanting to touch him, but I didn't. I took my hand back to my chest and turned around to leave.

'Will you runaway again?' – his voice stopped me and without my permission, tears ran through my face.

'Forgive me!' – I didn't look at him, I was trying to hold the sobs that came with the tears.

'There's no need of this, Tenten. For you, I'd do it again and again…'"

The images ran fast and clear through my mind. I spent so much time judging myself, that I had forgotten Neji had never done it. He had never said it was my fault and I could live my life in peace.

"I had never judged you as guilty and I'll never do it. What happened was my responsibility and all mine. I wanted to do what I did."

Something inside of me was working differently. I wanted to jump over him, in his arms and hug him tight, show him how thankful I was.

"Here." – I didn't think to do what I did. I got closer to Neji, taking one of his hands and putting it on my chest. – "Can you feel it?" – I let him feel the rhythm of my heart, which was beating fast, frenetic. – "It's beating because of you. No matter what, while it exists I'll be forever thankful, Neji. Even if you don't want this gratitude. "

The smile I saw on his lips was a new one. It wasn't ironic or naughty, it wasn't coming with scorn. It was just a smile. A simple and true smile.

This story is not about a man and a woman, it's not a romance or a moral lesson. It's simply a story that had to be lived in one year, to be told in one week… in seven days.

Owari

Before updating this chapter, i confess i thought of changing the final. To make different from the one I did on AS. But, the guys there liked this and… I can't see any other way to finish this fic if this is exactly how I wish it to end.

I hope I hadn't disappointed you \o/