Loss and regain of love Chapter 2, a naruto fanfic

Sasuten 2.

Chapter 2. Concerns.

Tenten walked alone through the streets of Konoha. Everywhere she seemed to notice that she was the only unhappy person.

Unhappy was an understatement. She had been positively numb lately. Her eighteenth birthday had passed and she hadn't noticed until Rock Lee had said something about it.

She had been too busy drowning in her own sorrow. Five months had passed since her dear teammate's death. She still noticed that all her so called 'friends' walked on eggshells around her. But it made sense, she wasn't herself anymore. She was a wondering wraith, only a fraction of the person she had used to be.

Her hair was loosely tied at the nape of her neck; she couldn't stand her customary buns anymore. They reminded her of Neji too much. He'd always loved when she wore her hair like that.

Tenten was walking to visit the hokage. She was going to ask for the most dangerous mission available.

Tenten was not after glory. She was after a suicide mission. She had lost the will to live and decided to die. But a small portion of her old self would not allow her to commit her own death, so she was searching for someone else to do the deed. She figured that it was the only way to continue; the only way for her to be reunited with Neji.

Tsunade was sitting behind a great stack of papers. She looked up and smiled at Tenten.

"It's good to see you. It's been a while, Tenten." Tsunade said. "To what do I owe the honor of this visit?"

Tenten looked impassive. "I came to request an S-ranked suicide mission." She said simply. "I think you know why."

Tsunade frowned. "Could it be because of your deceased teammate?" Tsunade asked.

"Yes." Tenten said.

Tsunade covered her eyes and sighed. "I knew you would be coming to ask for one. Kurenai did as well, after Asuma's death." Tsunade said. "But I told her the same thing I'm going to tell you."

"And what would that be?" Tenten asked.

"Look at yourself. Go on, take a good look. You're skin and bones. There are large dark circles under your eyes. Your arms are like sticks under those sleeves. You're in no condition to be on an S-ranked mission, or any kind of mission for the matter." Tsunade said. "I would happily send you on a mission, but you need to have at least a chance at success. And right now, you do not. I would feel terribly guilty at sending you on a death mission, when you are already at death's door." Tsunade stated. "I'll keep paying you, because I know how the grieving process sucks. But I will not be sending you on any missions until you are well."

Tenten turned away. She tried to hold back the tears. "Then I shall get healthy again." Tenten said. "Because I cannot live without him."

"You remind me of myself." Tsunade said thoughtfully. "I was very much like you once Jiraiya died. I promise, it will get better."

Tenten shook her head and left the office. Tears were already running down her face.

What Tenten didn't know was that Sasuke Uchiha had listened to the whole interaction.

Sasuke POV

Sasuke was returning from a rather rigorous mission with Shikamaru. He wasn't allowed to go on missions alone, as he used to be a traitor. But all had been forgiven, and he was able to have a sort of normal life again.

Although he didn't know how normal his life could be with his best friend engaged to the woman who had always loved him.

Yes, Sasuke was happy for Naruto and Sakura, but it was rather strange. And part of him wondered if Sakura was secretly trying to make the last Uchiha jealous. But Sasuke had never loved Sakura, and now never would.

Sasuke's heart went out to the woman who had always loved Naruto. Hinata Hyuuga, she would be hurting the most at this engagement.

Shikamaru handed Sasuke the mission report. The lazy genius had a smile on his face, "Could you deliver this? I want to go see Ino first." Shikamaru asked.

"Yeah." Sasuke said. He took the scroll and went to Tsunade's office.

When he showed up he heard Tsunade talking to someone. He patiently waited outside but he could hear the whole conversation.

"To what do I owe honor of this visit?" Tsunade was asking.

"I came to request an S-ranked suicide mission." A female voice said. "I think you know why."

Sasuke frowned. No one ever requested suicide missions, they were a curse. Who was this woman, asking to die?

"I knew you would be coming to ask for one. Kurenai did as well, after Asuma's death." Tsunade said. "But I told her the same thing I'm going to tell you." Tsunade said.

"And what would that be?" The woman asked.

Sasuke listened patiently to everything Tsunade said. Then he walked away from the office. He didn't want to hear anymore. This must be Hinata Hyuuga, she was suicidal after Naruto had proposed to Sakura. He wanted to give the heiress some privacy.

After more time had passed the woman left Tsunade's office. Sasuke was shocked to see who it was.

It was not Hinata Hyuuga, as he had thought.

It was Tenten, the sole female on team Gai. The Chinese girl who had always been obsessed with weapons.

Why was she in such a state? Why would she not want to live anymore? Sasuke wondered. He hid in a shadow and watched her pass by. Tears were falling from her eyes. And indeed, her eyes were surrounded by dark circles. She looked like death itself.

What is wrong with me? Sasuke wondered. How could this person be suffering all alone, while I have been living a perfect life? Why does someone as good as her have to suffer so? And Sasuke knew she had always been a good person. He had never heard of any scandal involving her.

Sasuke watched her form retreat. He would have to find out why she was in such a state.

Tenten POV

Tenten collapsed in a random alley she found. Tears fell from her eyes and dotted the ground. She held her head in hey hands and sobbed.

Everything Tsunade had said was true. She hadn't had a good night's sleep in several months. She hadn't been eating more than one meal per day.

She was wasting away, she'd known it all along, but hadn't even thought that other people could notice.

Now she was stuck with nothing to do, no teammate, no sparring partner, and no missions for a while.

Tenten looked up into the sky and wondered why all these bad things had to happen to her.

Sasuke POV

Sasuke sat at the Ichiraku counter with Naruto. The blonde ninja was gulping down copious amounts of ramen, but he was nervous about his future with Sakura, so Sasuke made no comment.

"What do you know about Tenten?" Sasuke asked after much silence.

Naruto froze, he had one spoonful of ramen poised to pass through his lips. "Why do you want to know?" Naruto asked turning to look at his raven haired friend.

Sasuke frowned. "I overheard her talking to Tsunade. And she sounded rather upset. I was wondering if you could tell me why." Sasuke said.

"It's her teammate, Neji Hyuuga." Naruto said. The blonde's mood had instantly darkened and he pushed the ramen away. "He sacrificed his life so that I could live on."

Sasuke looked at Naruto. "Was she in a relationship with the Hyuuga?" Sasuke asked.

"Hinata said that Neji had been planning to propose to Tenten after the war." Naruto said. "Neji loved her more than anything."

"I never knew any of that." Sasuke said.

"You were with Orochimaru." Naruto said. "Now every day I am filled with guilt when I see her."

Sasuke stood up. He laid some money on the counter. "Sorry, but I have to go." Sasuke said. "This money should cover the bill."

Sasuke left Naruto alone in Ichirakus. He just had to get out of there, because he couldn't stop thinking about Tenten. For someone he had never spoken to he felt an immense connection.

Tenten POV

Tenten sat alone on a park bench. She was staring gloomily at the park before her. There were no children playing because night had fallen. She couldn't go home because it was too painful. How could she return when she was forever reminded of Neji there?

Tenten looked up, once again at the stars. She seemed to be doing this a lot lately. Her brown orbs scanned the heavens; looking for a sign that all would soon be better.

Tenten heard the crunching of feet and turned to defend herself from an attacker. Only bad people would wander a park at night.

Shockingly, the Uchiha avenger stood before Tenten in all his masculine glory. Why is he here? Tenten wondered.

She had never really known much about Sasuke Uchiha, but from the little she did know, he was not to be trusted. He had betrayed the village. Before that he had been the biggest brat in her graduating class. Why, because of him Neji had been hurt! After all, it had been on the Sasuke retrieval mission that Neji had sustained almost life threatening injuries.

"What are you doing here, Sasuke Uchiha?" Tenten asked.

Sasuke didn't speak, but he walked over and sat next to her on the bench. "I saw a lone female figure in the park." He said. "I just wanted to make sure no one attacked you. There are bad men out at this time of night." Sasuke's voice was deep.

Tenten noticed that he had matured rather nicely physically since the last time she had seen him. He was taller than her and very muscular.

"That was very thoughtful of you." Tenten said coldly. "Very different than the brat I remember."

Sasuke frowned t her. "I don't think I was ever a brat." He said.

"You were, and then my teammate Rock Lee flattened you. I remember because the look on your face was simply hilarious." Tenten said.

Sasuke changed the subject. "Why are you out here?" He asked. "Why aren't you in your home?" He asked.

This time Tenten's face changed. She looked up into the stars again. "I don't spend much time there these days." She said. "It is too painful."

Sasuke's eyes remained on her face as she looked up. "Naruto told me what happened." Sasuke said. "I am very sorry for your loss."

Tenten turned her head to look at the Uchiha. "Everyone has told me that already. Why did you wait until now? His funeral was months ago."

"I have only been in Konoha for two months now." Sasuke said. "I was unable to attend his funeral."

Tenten shook her head. "Did you really come out to this park because you saw a lone figure, or did you want to gloat about how your team is full?" Tenten asked.

Sasuke glared at her. "I wouldn't do that to you. You have loyally served Konoha all your life. I know; I had a glimpse of your file. You have been one of the most devoted ninjas. You didn't deserve this tragedy. No one deserves a happy life more than you. At least, that is my opinion." Sasuke said.

Tenten didn't believe him. "Thank you for your kind words. It was nice speaking with you, I'm going to head home now." She said as she stood up.

Sasuke stood too. "May I walk you? It is dangerous at night." He asked.

Tenten simply looked at him. "All right. You may, but only tonight."

A/N- Is Sasuke in character? I have no clue. But I hope you like the story.