GAL1425HinaTenFan...This chap's dedicated to you as you got the answer right. :)

As for all other questions:

luv4labs: Yes, Neji was a tad bit jealous of the messenger. Not to mention he was curious to his reason for being there and needing to talk to his sparring partner. Don't you just love a little of the little green monster, however overused and cliche'd? Lol...

A/N:

Sorry for the length between updates! No apologies could truly be enough. However if any of you are still reading this...thanks for supporting me; you guys are amazing! :) I appreciate you all! I won't repeat the disclaimer. You guys know that by now my fics contain adult situations and definitely language and violence! So without further ado...

Sacrifices

Chapter 2: Dance With The Devil

"Neji?"

Hinata entered his room and closed the door quietly. Head held confidently high, pale eyes sad. "Is this what you want? Will she make you truly happy?"

She sat down beside him on the end of his bed, her weight barely moving the mattress.

He said nothing, only staring straight ahead, hands clasped firmly together and resting atop his thighs.

Sighing, Hinata frowned. "Neji?"

"It has to be", he answered. His light eyes staring straight ahead he sighed, "I have to believe she can make me so."

Patiently she took a breath. "Why does it have to be so, Neji?"

Once again, her question was met with silence, making her think he was either avoiding it or refusing to address the issue. Frankly, Hinata was worried about the whole situation, and her cousin, and Tenten, too. It could only end in pain, hearts in broken pieces, and she swore to be there for them when it happened, and it was bound to happen. Sooner rather than later.

Bowing, her violet hair falling forward, forming a curtain around her face, she prodded him by repeating his name. There was so much tension in him, in the air. He could only take so much before expending an unpleasant release. Hinata prayed he indulged it in privacy and that herself or Tenten wouldn't be involved, as it was sure to be ugly.

"Neji-niisan?"

"Our lives are about privildge, Hinata." He threw his arms open, gesturing in a wide arc. "When has this ever been about what we wanted?" Eyes flashing angrily he continued. "Hasn't it always been about the clan: what's best for the clan, who's best for the clan, what matches benefit the clan to further their strength? Hasn't it," he barked harshly, his chest rising and falling rapidly, unleashing a massive amount of emotion usually kept buried.

This was unlike Neji. He was usually calm, the center of a storm, at all times, rarely showing any emotion aside from indifference.

She was right in assuming that he'd been bottling his emotions and that he was on his way to bursting. There wasn't much she could say that he wouldn't or couldn't repudiate. Neither was there really anything she could say to smooth the situation, his opinion. Perhaps, for now, she could assuage his emotions, appeal to his pride and calm him in whatever way possible.

"We are born to wealth and privilege, Neji," she began. " We've always known that with it accompanies a multitude of obligations, no matter whether we want them or not. The wealthy suffer in ways the poor will never know, just as they'll suffer in ways we never will."

Hands fidgeting, eyes tearing, her gaze met his. "I feel as you do, Neji nii-san! Neither of us are allowed the reason for our heartbeat, the reason for what joy we feel in our lives. It's unfair, but I've come to see that's how life is, no matter how we struggle...the harder we do so, the worse it becomes."

A gentle, knowing smile crossed her face, illuminating her face in peace. "Yet, that doesn't mean we surrender. We should cling to that which makes us happy and never let go. Come what may...it's all we have," she whispered sagely, rising as she grasped his hands.

Calming himself, Neji glanced at Hinata. "Just for once I'd like to do something completely selfish, something completely unbeneficial to the clan. Just once," his voice dropped away.

Still smiling, she whispered, "Whatever happens in the future, Neji, follow your heart. Promise?"

He nodded and she quickly left the room leaving him in better spirits. His cousin was wise. In her quiet, typical manner, she reminded him of the things worthy of fighting for, and she gave him a concept to hold on to: hope. A thin rope, indeed, but it was there for the grasping.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Yumi?"

A tall young woman resembling Hinata slightly turned from her window. "Yes?"

"It's time," Hanabi informed her.

They quickly exited the room to join Hinata, her father, the elders and Neji in the main room. It seemed they'd be greeting her and Neji's new bodyguard before attending the final blood sealing ceremony of said bodyguard. She wasn't sure what it entailed but it sounded interesting, as she'd never attended one previously.

Maybe, just maybe she'd learn something new. Maybe this new guard would be something of a male treasure to be indulged in while her future husband was away. The possibilities were endless. Her thoughts meandered back to her parents marriage, unhappy and miserable to the last. She refused to be trapped in the same. She'd do better. She deserved better!

She ran her hands nervously over her red kimono, smoothing away invisible wrinkles, almost as if her movements would smooth away her anxieties as well. Features looking serene, she knelt with her family, next to Neji, awaiting the last of their party.

A servant cleared their throat. "The new guard's here, sir." His tone rang out resonant and clear.

"Admit them," ordered Hiashi.

"Yes, sir!"

With those words the level of apprehension increased, the added heaviness in the atmosphere an unwelcome entity.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Tenten found herself outside the mansion, pacing, waiting for the guard to retrieve her. She glanced down at her simple white, fitted shirt, dark brown capri pants and dark brown shoes. She was completely under-dressed for the occasion, she knew. Anxiety pounded every inch of her skin, the heaviness in her stomach swirling, the beginnings of a migraine stirred in her head. What she was about to do...Neji would probably never forgive her. In fact, he'd probably hate her for the rest of her life! But at least she'd be able to see him, be near him. Because of her choice...at least his clan wouldn't interfere with them, their sparring, or just being together. They wouldn't interfere unless she meddled with their plans.

"Come," a voice urged. "Follow me."

Swallowing hard, she exhaled harshly, her stomach churning, hands shaking, she tried to walk confidently through the halls, as they quickly made their way to the ceremonial room.

The guard slid the door open and gestured for her to enter before closing the door behind them.

Hiashi and Hinata smiled slightly in welcome, while the elders stared somberly, their eyes boring into her, cold and piercing.

Neji's breath caught in his throat the moment she entered the room.

No, it couldn't be, he thought vehemently, his heart and mind protesting her presence and what it meant. Why didn't she mention this earlier? Realization struck him. That's why the Hyuuga messenger came for her today. He came bearing a message from his uncle. Her dishonesty and lack of trust angered him. Were all the years they spent together, developing trust amidst missions, useless? Did they mean nothing at all? If so, that would give credence to her secrecy, her lack of trust. This fact cut him, just as much as her standing before them now, preparing to surrender herself voluntarily to be caged, to join him in a life that was inescapable. How could she do this?

Tenten's gaze turned to Neji and his affianced, and it seemed he was greatly displeased; the tic in his jaw, the fury radiating from those pale, icy eyes, the tenseness in his posture spoke volumes. In other words...Neji was absolutely pissed!

His bride-to-be, however, appeared amused, a gentle smile on her lips. She looked like an older version of Hinata with subtle facial differences, but her build, her eyes, were essentially the same. With any luck she'd be somewhat kind, not hateful nor filled with bitterness and spite.

"Neji-sama, Yumi-sama," an elder began, "This is Tenten...your protector. Will you accept her as she has the both of you?"

"I will accept her, her protection, and if she would deem me worthy...her friendship as well."

Tenten stared at Yumi in shock. She'd been prepared for antagonism, hate, not acceptance, and she hadn't prepared herself for the latter that the older girl offered. Maybe this wouldn't be completely excruciating after all. It would be difficult to hate someone who wanted you as their friend, not just a protector. Even more difficult as said girl was going to marry the love of her life. She'd live through this if it killed her. Whatever doesn't kill you...she mused.

"No, I will not accept her."

A spear of pain shot through her. This eventuality was one she'd prepared for. This is what she'd expected of Neji. "Why?"

The younger woman asked, wanting to know in all honestly why he was denying her.

"Your not ready," he replied coldly. "And tell me, why should I trust you with my life when you couldn't trust me to tell me of your new vocation?"

"You'd be angry," she whispered, her head lowered, eyes scouring the floor at her feet, wanting to look anywhere but his angered gaze.

"Why?" He repeated his question.

"Look at me, Tenten," he ordered. "I won't ask you again." His voice firm, a bite of ice prominent in its tone. "Are you afraid," he taunted, knowing it'd set her temper off. She hated to be teased about her courage or her talents

Finding the strength and fire she needed within his words, her head rose sharply, her eyes burning with unspoken passion. "No, I'm not afraid. As for my not divulging my job...my reason was my own and none of your concern. Trusting me, however...you've trusted me since our genin years. If you have a problem with it now it's your problem, not mine.

To say Neji was furious was putting it mildly. His mood black, he wanted to hurt something, break something. One of the few people he'd held as a precious person was standing here, preparing to enslave herself, selling herself to his clan for their own loathsome purposes. Now there was nothing he could do to stop this; instinctively he knew this. How could she do this to him, to herself, to them, cognizant of every dark deed perpetrated against him and others.

"Fine," he hissed. "I accept."

Hinata said a quick, fervent prayer, knowing what was to come next. She knew her father wasn't eagerly anticipating it either, but it had to be done, if only to force the elders to rescind their aggressive behavior. This was the only way, and they'd all agreed, however reluctantly.

"Father..."

Hiashi glanced down at his older daughter with pride. She knew what had to be done and was willing to carry through, regardless of her emotions. She would make a fine leader some day. Of that, he was certain.

Clapping his hands together once, the sound echoing loudly like thunder, Hiashi ordered everyone not participating in the ritual to leave.

"Tenten, if you please," Hiashi gestured for her to kneel at their feet. Glancing at his daughter, they simultaneously performed a series of complicated hand signs, a green glow emitting from underneath her black leather band.

A burning sensation stretched across her forehead, the pain increasing to excruciating levels, her eyes closed tight in pain. Sweat dotted the skin on her face, her head, her arms and hands as she fought back the pain sweeping over her. She clenched her jaw tight, unwilling to cry out, unwilling to let Neji see her pain. She was stronger than this; she had to be. She'd prove herself worthy. She'd prove her strength if it was the last thing she ever did.

Neji watched his teammate writhe in agony, fighting to keep her dignity. She'd never know what this gesture cost her, what it cost him. To see her in such pain, knowing he must remain impassive, unable to save her from her foolishness, no matter the reason she'd chosen this...she must endure, and he must sit observing her pain and perpetuate the agony she suffered in silence.

Suddenly, a green light traced a pattern along the smooth, formerly unblemished flesh of her forehead, leaving behind the etching containing her final imprisonment, the metaphorical and literal door of her cage, closed and sealed tight.

Her heart clenching tightly, Yumi frowned. How could the girl bear this without screaming? It appeared beyond painful, yet not once had she cried out. Had she, herself, known that the ceremony contained something this brutal, she'd never had allowed it to take place, not actively participating anyway.

She reached over to touch Neji's arm, lending her support, suddenly understanding why he hadn't wanted this to occur. She remembered all the stories recounted about his teammate, Tenten, told by Hinata and rarely by Neji, himself.

He cared for her. It wasn't in the things he said, for he was stoic and rarely mentioned her, but it was in what he didn't say. It showed in the slight softening in his eyes, the minute smirk on his lips as he recalled something humorous she said or did, and the way his voice would change, losing its chill, sounding warm and seductive. All just for her.

Yumi gasped as a trickle of blood ran from Tenten's lips, her skin growing increasingly pale, unable to hold back the tremors racking her thin frame, a name slipped uninvited past her lips...

Tenten couldn't bare the tremendous pain anymore. Blood escaped from her lips, flowing down her chin and running down her neck, staining her white shirt, reminiscent of drops of blood atop a freshly fallen snow, corrupting its pristine color.

She whispered his name and her body pitched forward, fallen into a dark sleep. "Ne...ji."

"Neji, carry her to the room beside yours, where she may recover."

Neji nodded his assent and glared at his uncle. Rising, he gathered his unconscious former team mate in his arms and left, worry predominantly in his mind, in his eyes.

"Father, how long will it take her to recover?"

"It should take a couple of days, Hinata."

"But why was hers so violent? Neji's wasn't that bad!"

Hiashi sighed and nodded. "I know, but Neji was a very small boy when he was sealed, not an adult. I'm not certain how her body will handle the final seal, but we'll have to keep careful watch over her. She must survive if my plans are to remain intact."

"What plans, father?" Hinata's curiosity had woken. What could her father be planning that would involve her friend and fellow kunoichi?

"I can't say at this time, Hinata, but be certain when the time comes...you will know all", he replied mysteriously with a hint of a smile.

A/N: Okay...this is it for now. Next chapter will be centered mainly around Neji's reaction after Tenten awakes. Next chapter: Realization...Tenten will begin to see what her choice means in terms of consequences. Hope everyone had a great holiday! Until next time...