Fade into the Background

By: Jaylonni Love

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

At first he wasn't going to go. He didn't want to see her in the arms of another man. But then he realized that if he didn't go after she had personally invited him, it would break her heart. In the many months he had been reconnected with her after their run in at the music store, she had told him on many occasions that even though she no longer held romantic feelings for him, she still considered Neji to be one of her closest friends.

So he swallowed his pride and went to the wedding.

It was a beautiful wedding.

TenTen's dress, so beautiful and white, was the first thing that drew his attention. She looked absolutely amazing.

The vows, personally written by TenTen and her groom, spoken with the utmost undying love he had ever heard before were heart wrenching and made him wonder why he had come. But then he remembered, he had come as a friend to give his support to the woman of the hour.

The reception, as lovely as the wedding itself, was held in the courtyard of the church she had gotten married in.

Neji had to compliment the groom. He had outdone himself.

It wasn't until well into the reception that TenTen and Neji caught eyes. He smiled at her, albeit forced but a smile nonetheless, before they both turned away again.

Placing the glass of François de Rozay he held to his lips, he took a sip before returning the glass to the table. He had screwed up royally but he would just have to face it and move on with his life.

Once the reception had ended, Neji was on his way to heading home when he felt a soft hand touch his shoulder.

He turned, surprised to see TenTen standing there with her husband by her side.

"Thank you for coming Neji," she said, a soft smile fleeting across her lips. "It means a lot to me."

"Thank you for inviting me," Neji returned, trying his hardest to give a happy smile to the bride and groom. "Congratulations on your marriage. I wish you both the best."

Then he left, completely missing the saddened look that darkened his past lover's features before it was gone just as quickly as it came.

Song: Fade into the Background

Artist: Ne-Yo

Album: Year of the Gentleman

All done. Short, I know. With little dialogue but this one kind of works without all the talking. Hopefully you enjoyed. Lemme know in a review. (This actually isn't where it ends. I kinda planned for another part to this mini series.)