Paranoia

.By: Panda-chan.

-

Summary: "I said, if you would like to be my wife, Tenten." Such paranoia was never needed in the end, she mused.

-Standard Disclaimer Applies-

-

Hope,
is a waking dream.
-2-

-

"Shit, I'm late." She sighed out. Tenten reached her destination in a few steps and took a deep breath, knowing what would come next. She just hoped it wouldn't be so harsh. She opened the door and smiled sheepishly at the professor that sent her a menacing glare.

"Miss Takara, might you explain to us why you are tardy?" His voice was sharp and refined. It took all of Tenten's will power not to flinch and bow her head.

She smiled uneasily, "I got held back in my last classroom, Ibiki-sensei. It won't happen again..." She left off. Ibiki glared, his scarred face sending involuntary shivers up her spine. She wondered why Anko would even date someone as ferocious and horrifying as he.

But this is Anko we're talking about... now she's betting her luck on Kakashi-sensei, jeez that woman... Tenten wove around several desks' before reaching her own at the top, left corner. She smiled at Sakura and Ino, who looked at her anxiously.

"What happened?" Ino mouthed, careful about not letting her eyes stray too far from Ibiki. Sakura on the other hand gave her a curious glance before going back to jotting down her notes in her pink spiral notebook.

Tenten shook her head, picking at her bag's cloth handle. She took out her own notebook and started taking down every single word Ibiki said absently.

What was wrong with her, honestly? She didn't know what was wrong with her... was he going to dump her? Did her get bored with her already...? Tenten anxiously racked her brain for answers, getting none in the end.

Did Neji Hyuuga, her boyfriend of six years, already grow tired of having her around? She hoped not. On the opposite side, she also hoped that maybe, just maybe, he would convert her into something more. Oh, she didn't know... maybe somewhere along the lines of fiancée or maybe even wife?

She blushed and shook her head of those absurd thoughts, continuing to write her notes. No, he would never love her that way... would he? Did he even love her anymore? Was it even love they both shared? Or was it something else...?

A gloomy atmosphere became apparent to Tenten as she slowed her writing and stared at the half-full sheet of paper with realization.

Did he... like someone else now? For the past several months, Neji had been acting rather strange. Always cancelling dates and frequently leaving for some meeting she had no idea of until that very moment.

Was he being unfaithful to her and seeing someone else? Dread spilled through her and she droned out Ibiki's strict voice. Tenten put her pencil down, shifting her eyes to see Sakura intently focused on her task.

Could she trust Sakura with her doubting thoughts? No... she would confine it with Ino and then it wouldn't be a secret anymore...

Tenten ground her teeth, feeling suddenly nauseous. She swallowed the thickness in her throat as her mind continued to fill with more and more doubting thoughts on her and Neji's relationship. Hehad been avoiding her for some time...

She marked it off as being busy. But busy with what? What could be so busy and stressful that whenever they were together he would get nervous and end up leaving after about an hour of awkward silence, with a stupid excuse that even a three year old wouldn't believe.

Tenten drew in her perfectly defined brows and looked down at herself. It couldn't be the way she looked, right? For all she knew, she had a pretty good body. Not too big, not too small. Full and curvy and basically normal; maybe with a bit more muscle build up than a regular woman from working out.

If it wasn't her, then what was it?! These questions almost drove Tenten to the brink of insanity on the spot. She grew so agitated that when her name was called, she jumped and gave her own petty impersonation of a startled bunny.

"Miss Takara... are you alright?" Ibiki asked with a raised brow. Thinking fast, Tenten smiled crookedly yet it held a painful edge.

"Ahh, no actually," She informed softly. "My stomach hurts a bit and it's becoming bothersome... may I please go to the nurse?"

Ibiki stared hard at her. She only squirmed under his intense gaze. This time, she really did feel sick to the stomach. The sudden green that filled her face must've convinced him. "Very well then. It will be your responsibility to copy the notes off another student, is that understood? The homework is on the board. Read pages fifty six through eighty two. Chapters 1 through 4. We will have a discussion on this, Friday."

"Yes, sir..." She mumbled, stuffing her belongings into her bag. She walked briskly towards the door, throwing a weak smile towards Sakura and Ino's dumbfounded faces.

Tenten exited the class silently, letting the door swing shut behind her. Taking deep breath to ease her raging nerves, she walked down the hall and to the nurses office.

Stopping short, she sighed and turned back, going towards the exit instead. "I need air..." She pushed through the double doors and walked into the bright sunshine. With the light shining exuberantly on her porcelain skin, Tenten made her way out of the University and down the lonesome sidewalk.

How painful... now I have to walk a mile to the bus stop. Then take another bus to get to the Shibuya District. There, I can at least get something to eat and clear my mind... Tenten sighed. She looked up, shocked to see the new bus stop they had installed.

A slight joy filled her at the sight of the new bus stop.

"Oh... awesome! Now I don't have to walk a mile!" She grinned happily, sitting on the shadowed bench. Her joy wasn't long-lived. As she waited for the bus to come, she let her mind wonder once more.

What was to become of their relationship? Tenten knew if he left her... her life would be torn to smithereens. Broken into itty-bitty, tiny little pieces that she will never ever be able to put back together in her lifetime or the next. She vaguely wondered what he would do if she left him...

Would he, too, be broken? Would he insist for her to come back to him? Would he keep his promise and do everything in his power to get her back into his arms?

As she created question after question, she paid the bus fair and sat in the elongated seat in the back. Not noticing the vacant seats all around her. After all, school was not over yet. It was only noon. Little passed one, perhaps.

The bus bumped and lurched every few of seconds. Tenten made sure to sit in a secure position, least she falls and made a fool out of herself. She gazed downwards to her lap, fiddling with her jeans as a static and empty voice told the next stop.

Without thinking, her hand shot up, pulling on the blue string above her. The bus came to a slow halt, and, again, without thinking, she secured her bag and hopped off the bus, watching it leave as she stood in the scorching sun.

"What the hell did I just do?" She asked herself with ironic laughter. "Why did I just get off the bus...? Oh crap..." She glanced around, seeing nothing the least bit familiar.

I'm lost...

"Excuse me, miss...?" Tenten turned, coming face to face with a small, petite woman with a mop of white hair. Her once blue eyes had faded into a hazy gray. Tenten wondered if she was blind, the pupil in her eye on it's way to being pure white.

"Yes ma'am, how may I help you...?" Tenten asked politely. The senior woman smiled, pointing towards the road rushing with cars.

"Yes... may you please be a darling and help me cross the street? You see, I can't see all that well and... well, I'm afraid I might just get run over!" She laughed. Tenten smiled and nodded, taking her by the shoulder and leading her towards the street light.

It's the least I can do... maybe I'll see something familiar... Or not.

Pausing, Tenten glanced upward, seeing it was safe to cross before she led the old woman down the road, ignoring the stares and honks she got from the cars stopped to her left. Getting her over the curb, Tenten exhaled with satisfaction.

"There! All safe and sound!" The woman smiled, her false teeth superbly white. "I thank you for doing this rather stupid favor for an old hag like myself!"

Tenten shook her head, smiling. "Old hag!? What are you—sixty or something...?"

The woman laughed again. Waving a hand at her, flattered. "Heavens no! I am going to be eighty soon enough, dear!"

Tenten felt her eyes widen. She honestly didn't look so old, save for the fact that her eyes were severely damaged and her hair was blindingly white and stringy. "Oh wow! You—don't look so old actually... Fooled me!"

The woman laughed again, coughing a bit. Tenten became instantly alert. Her cough sounded... sick. "Well, I better not waste your time now. I must get back to my Chii."

Tenten stared, puzzled. "Chii...?"

The old woman shifted her weight and smiled, her eyes crinkling at the sides and with a dreamy sigh, she said,"Yes, Chii. He is my lovely husband...!"

Tenten nodded in slow comprehension. "I-I see... you must love him a lot, huh?"

"Yes... I do. We've been together for," She paused, thinking. "well, ever since childhood! He was my sweetheart during my childhood years, and then during all High school. Yes, we've had our difficulties; fights, but it's all worth it in the end, deary."

Tenten pondered about this. Since childhood? That was almost similar to her and Neji. They had been together since they were toddlers! Then getting separated from the ages of five through ten and being reunited when they were, roughly, twelve or thirteen.

Then, a few days after being declared Freshman, Neji asked her out. And slowly, Tenten fell into the clutches of love. She knew she was in love with him the day he got admitted into the hospital for a severe injury regarding his head. A concussion.

She was so scared. Frightened for his health, his life. She had burst out into tears more than five times, her friends comforting words doing no good to her distress. When the Doctor had come with the final analysis, Tenten had practically bombard him with incoherent questions.

Turned out he was fine. A simple, minor, concussion. Nothing too severe, but still grave.

Tenten was just relieved he was going to be fine.

"I see.. well, oh, I shouldn't be wasting your time!" Tenten sputtered, smiling sheepishly, "Take care!" Tenten ran down the street, lucky to catch the light going red. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the woman wave with shaky hands.

What a nice lady... I hope I can see her again sometime, probably not but it's good to think I will, She thought as she jogged down the sidewalk.

She slowed, she turned to see a wide park. The luscious silky green grass looked inviting, and the clouds overhead perfect to gaze at. The tree's swayed with the gentle winter breeze, the leaves dancing on the dirt trail.

"Should I go...? Oh, what the hell!" Tenten ran through the park entrance, going deep inside the parks everlasting grass and age-old trees. She came to a spot just a few feet from the large hill. She plopped down, letting herself fall back onto the soft grass with a sigh.

"This is so stupid. Why would he leave me...?" She asked bitterly. Maybe it was because she was so needy. Always needing him to hug her, hold her hand, or even kiss her. Maybe it was because she asked for too much and returned very little. Maybe it was because she was such a bitch and he needed someone better than her...

And maybe... all of those reasons were correct. She was needy. She was selfish. She was a bitch. She was everything he didn't need. The sad reality made her chest clench in objection. Her vision blurred with tears and she bit her lip, knowing it was all true.

"If it's all true.. then why didn't he leave me?!" Her voice grew several octaves. "Why, huh?! Why is he still with me!? Does he want revenge or something? Does he have something against me...?" Her voice shrunk into a fragile whisper.

"And—why the fuck does this always happen to me...?" She and Neji had had their hardships. They had broken up more than once. Once because she was blaming him for something he didn't do, second because he was neglecting her pointedly, because of his job at the Hyuuga Corp.

Maybe... this time it's gonna be for real. She thought with dreary eyes. She wiped her arm across her eyes, removing any visible tears and left it there. Maybe this time... we won't get back together... and he'll find someone else, and I'll find someone else.. and slowly... I'll... begin to... to...

And she was asleep.

-

Her eyes snapped open. She sat upright, a raw sense of fear and excitement bubbling inside of her. Her thoughts rushed to her in a flash, jumbled a first, then in proper order. The bus. The old woman. The park. The reminiscing...

"Oh my God! What time is it!?" She looked up. It was dark. Hazy. The inky sky filled with the sparkling wonders of the universe. The moon shone brightly up ahead, it's milky rays beaming down at her. "Oh my lord! Is it that late?! How the—why did I—Oohh!"

She stood and grunted at the large, wet, spot that spread through out her back and bottom. "Ooh, Neji's going to be so mad! No, pissed!" She ran up the hill, squeaking when her foot bent wrong and she plummeted to the ground. With her legs stretched at awkward positions, Tenten groaned and stumbled down the hill and towards the dirt trial.

Neji was her ride home. They had decided to live together in order to cut down the payments each had to pay. Like the water, gas and electricity. She cooked for him, cleaned the house and all the other duties, while he went to work at the Hyuuga Corps, paid some bills and partially supported her. After all, Tenten didn't like to be spoiled. But, in the end, Tenten paid the water bill and Neji paid the electric bill, a small truce they had made in order to keep everything balanced. And it helped that they were sweethearts. It made everything fit as if they were married.

"Come on, come on, come on!" Tenten opened her phone, almost dropping it in her haste. Yes. Twenty missed phone calls. Five from Hinata. Two from Sakura. Three from Ino and the rest from Neji. She was in deep trouble now. "Oohh! Why does this always happen to me?!" She whined to the Heavens as she waited for the bus. It was the Thursday. The buses ran later than during the weekend, but it was already ten. She just prayed the last bus hadn't passed.

Luckily, it hadn't and she quickly got inside, biting her lip at what punishment awaited her. Her lucky streak was short-lived. "Oh! Come on you fuck—damn!" Tenten yelled, stomping her foot. Traffic. An accident up ahead. This was going to take a while.

An hour had passed, and just barely was she getting home. She checked her watch. Eleven. If she was screwed before, she was fucked now. She got off the bus and ran down the vacant neighborhood, her breaths coming in pants as she skidded around a corner.

Shadows stretched and the silence was deafening. With the wispy shudders of the trees and the muffled hisses of street cats, Tenten bit down a whimper. She sprinted down the sidewalk, stopping to take a rest from her ridiculously racing heart. She knew that it wasn't from the run she'd just done.

It was because she didn't like being yelled at; by no one. If someone scowled at her, yelled at her, screamed at her, she got emotional, and she would cry. And she would feel horrible. And she will feel guilty.

And overall, she would feel like shit.

Tenten ran up the door, knocking on it til her hand ached. Nothing. She ran towards the window; it was dark. Silent. She swore and struck her fist into the rough wall of her two story house. "This—fuck..."

She sat down on the step and sighed, rubbing her tired eyes. Jutting out her lip, she scooted back, leaning on the door with her hands crossed over her chest. Trembling. It was cold; freezing. The stale winter air seemed to wrap around her; cold, still and numbing. Winter was definitely on it's way.

Her eyes shut briefly and let her head roll down, her chin resting on her chest. She didn't know how long she sat there, still with cold and sleepiness. Until she heard a car park near by. Then she heard several voices; sounding rushed, excited. Then she felt a warm hand press on her cheek, forehead, and shoulder. Then she felt herself being picked up. The door clicked open and she felt a rush of heat engulf her.

It's so warm... She didn't dare open her eyes. She just listened. Being startled awake by the flood of thoughts that rushed into her mind.

"Where could she have been!? God Tenten... why would she do that!? She said she was going to go to the nurse... I didn't think she'd ditch!" Ino, Tenten thought, that was Ino.

"Well... all we can do is wait til she wakes up... Neji, can I borrow your phone? I need to call Sasuke and tell him we found her." Sakura.

Why were they so scared for her? All she did was sleep for a few hours...

"Yes. Go ahead and use it... I'll lay Tenten on her bed." Neji. Tenten felt a trickle of fear. He sounded more relieved than angry. That eased her paranoia.

She felt the soft mattress beneath her sink with her body weight, then she heard a relieved sigh. "Where did you go...?"

She remained unresponsive. The door creaked open and she heard Ino sigh her name out in relief. "Honestly, girl... I didn't think you'd actually take it that far!"

Take what far? She thought, curious. She was only gone for a few hours. Deciding it's best to 'wake up' now, she slowly opened her eyes, squinting them at the dim yet bright lighting of the lamps beside her.

It didn't take long for Ino to notice she was awake.

"Oh! Tennie!!" Ino lunged to hug her tightly, sniffling out a, "Don't do that to me ever again you dum-dum!" Sakura stood by the door with a warm smile.

"Do what?" She said, muffled by Ino's embrace.

"Leave for practically one whole day and don't come back til tomorrow night." Tenten glanced with shock at Sakura, who no longer wore a warm smile, but a serious scowl.

"One... whole day?" She choked out.

"Y-Yeah! Where—Where the hell have you been, Tennie!?" Ino cried, sniffing. Tenten looked down and shook her head with a puzzled laugh.

"B-But.. I didn't leave for one whole day... what day is it?!"

"Friday night." Neji pipped, his voice guarded. Tenten looked at him for a moment, wincing at his stone face.

"Oohh..." She frowned and touched her head lightly. "I-I thought it was just a few hours. It was midday when I left the school... and now it's Friday night?" She spoke to herself, trying to make sense of the information given.

An eerie silence ensued, and Tenten felt the strange, prickling sensation that the worst was yet to come.

"How many hours of sleep have you gotten?" Sakura asked, breaking the silence.

"Uhh, apparently more than twelve considering it's the next day..." She smiled weakly, averting her eyes from Sakura's intense gaze.

"Tenten..."

"Alright... umm, less than ten."

Her eyes widened. "In five days!?"

She grinned sheepishly "In one week."

Sakura and Ino stared at her with their mouths agape. Tenten shifted back uncomfortably, trying not to laugh nervously at their suddenly severe and glaring faces. "Umm, that's bad isn't it?"

"You have to ask?!" Ino bellowed, standing and shaking her head. "Oh my God Tennie, what are we going to do with you?"

"What the hell were you doing all day and night!" Sakura demanded. From the corner of her eye, she could see Neji's face relieved of any emotion. That was a bad sign. A very bad sign.

"Well..." She rubbed the back of her head. "I was—busy!"

"With what!?" They both yelled.

"Studying! Researching and writing my essays and doing my projects! Then I have to prepare myself for the exams I'll have in my after-school classes and—Oh God I didn't turn in the paper for Asuma's!" She could her face pale at the sight of his disappointed eyes.

"... I turned them in for you." Neji said solemnly. "They were on your computer and I turned them in, considering you would get... like this... if I didn't."

She sighed in relief, "Oh, Thank you Neji!"

But the two girls glower didn't waver, it increased, along with their incredulity.

"Neji..." Ino said evenly, "You have got to take some time to talk to her. I mean, she has so many classes she has to do, it's not... I don't think anyone in the school has as many extra classes as she does!" Ino looked pointedly at Neji, who sighed.

"I suppose it's rational..."

"Rational!? How the hell is that rational!?" Sakura cried.

Neji sighed and looked down, avoiding Tenten's gaze. "I have to work at the Hyuuga Corp from five in the morning til eleven at night in order to take care of what I need. She comes back from school at two, which is my break. Then I head directly to work right after I drop her off... I suppose she needs something to do while I'm gone..." The guilt in his voice was distinguishable. But the the girls did not pay any attention to his repentant tone.

"I don't give a shit if you have to work all day and all night!" Ino barked. "You guys are a couple! When was the last time you two kissed!?"

Tenten looked down for a moment and then said, "I—don't know. Last year?" She shrugged, smiling nervously at Ino's blazing eyes.

"Neji... I know that you can get a new schedule! I mean, how do you know this girl right here isn't cheatin' on you!?" Ino challenged. Neji's eyes shifted to Tenten's smoldering ones, who were focused on the beds sheets. "Think about it! The only time you and her are together are during holidays and when your damned uncle says so! She gets lonely! Just like any other girl! I bets she found comfort in that Kankuro guy..."

Tenten frowned, "I have better taste than that Ino. Stop insulting me..."

Neji seemed relived by the retort.

Ino didn't give up. "Ooh? So if it's not Kank, then who is it, hmm?"

Tenten stayed quiet, her eyes boring into Ino's with irritation. "No one. It's stupid if you cheat on someone. I mean, If I didn't like Neji enough, I would have dumped him ages ago, don't you think? Hurting him by being with someone else is idiotic... and only causes problems."

Ino huffed, her answer stumping her. "Fine—whatever! But remember Neji! Considering Tennie here is so blunt, " Tenten shot her a look. "she might just dump you."

Tenten snorted and leaned back on the headboard, quiet while Ino glared her silent. "Come on Sak, let's—Sakura?" Ino blinked and looked around the room, groaning as she ran out screaming, "Saki! Don't you dare leave me, you hoe!"

Tenten slumped on the headboard, crookedly smiling as she yawned, fighting sleep again. She slid her hand to her eye, rubbing it lazily. Before she could roll over and sleep like always, since Neji would probably go and finish work without so much as a 'Goodnight', a hand slid under her waist.

She felt Neji bury his face in the hollow of her neck, sitting on her thigh so he could lean over properly. Tenten stayed still, not knowing what to do. He'd never done that before. Well, he had just not in the last passed years...

"N-Neji...?" She asked in a whisper. He didn't say anything, only tightened his embrace. She wrapped her hand around his built upper arm, leaning her head in so their heads bumped. She felt him shift and say something incoherent to her ears.

"Hmm? What was that?" She furrowed her brows. "Mind repeating it once more? Your voice is muffled." She gasped when he abruptly backed away, running his lips up the side of her chin and to her ear.

"I missed you..." She blushed but smiled, a familiar emotion filling the usual bleakness of her heart. He'd been gone for so long... she could hardly remember the time they had spent together. If they did, he wasn't paying attention because of his work. And now, they had all night to talk and just be... a couple.

"I did too..." He smiled lightly and brought her down with him as he leaned forward. He smirked when she protested, screaming out he was going to crush her if he didn't stop. He simply rolled to the side and hugged her to his torso, snickering at her childish grumbling.

She stopped struggling and just sank into his warm embrace, smiling contently.

"Ino was right." He started in a low voice. "It's been months since we've been alone... I'm always at work and you're always at school, working extra." She sensed the guilt in his voice and titled her head so she could catch a glimpse of his angular face.

"But I like school..." She said innocently. "I'm a full-blown nerd, Neji." She paused, synchronizing his amused face. "I blame you." And she ducked again.

"Hn. You're the one who didn't go get a part time job..."

"I did. That one's from six to ten-thirty, when I get home, so do you." She retorted smartly. Neji blinked and looked down at her overly-innocent expression.

"... You never told me that."

"Shows how much you pay attention to me!" She huffed.

Neji rolled his eyes and replied with a, "Honestly. What is your part time job?"

"Oh, that," She grinned nonchalantly, a thought popping up in her mind. "I'm a stripper."

A deadly silence followed soon after and she felt Neji stiffen profoundly next to her. She couldn't hold it much longer, she burst out into a fit of giggles.

Neji glared. "Tenten..."

"I-I'm kidding! Jeez! Why would I be a stripper anyways!? I don't think I can pull it off and that's a form of prostitution." She finished airily. Neji tightened his arms around her and growled out:

"Good, 'cause you're mine!"

Tenten laughed and leaned back into Neji, pressing herself onto his hard chest. "Hmm..." She hummed, happy for a change.

"I have something to ask you." Neji said after a short lapse of time. "It's actually more of a request, I suppose."

Her happy mood dwindled a fraction. She could feel the once joyful and playful atmosphere morph into something tense and uncomfortable. She rolled on her back and looked at him, her eyes troubled.

"What is it...?"

"Nothing bad." Neji said quickly, taking one look into her eyes and knowing what she was thinking. "Just something I've been... meaning to ask for a while now." He took a breath, smiling wryly.

"Ooh? Well then... what—is it?" She couldn't help but to feel nostalgic. Just a day ago, she presumed, she was going mad over her and Neji's relationship. And right now, the feeling returned. With friends, she mused as her stomach knotted.

He stared at her for a moment, before chuckling and walking out of the room. Tenten blinked, Is this a Hyuuga's way of breaking up? She thought with twisted amusement. If it is, they must be geniuses, I'm feeling horrible already...

She rubbed her lips inward, trying to fight the tears that threatened to spill. She sniffed and looked up, blinking the tears back inside her eyes. Calm down, calm down! You promised not to let a man see you cry! Even if that man happened to be the meaning of your... l-life.

"Shit." She stood up and walked towards the bathroom, fighting the tears along the way. Just as she closed the bathroom door, Neji walked inside the room with a sincere face. Tenten took a deep breath, she had to face him sooner or later.

She wiped the tears off and stepped out of the bathroom with hesitant motions. "Okay... what—is it you want to talk... about." She cursed herself for sounding so insecure and fearful. This wasn't like her at all.

Neji seemed to notice too for he narrowed his eyes a fraction. "Are you okay?"

She decided to go with something she would usually say, "Fine as pie, Neji."

It seemed to work. His anxiousness went down to a simmer. "Good... could you please come here? I have to ask you something..."

Tenten felt as if her feet were bolted to the ground beneath her. They wouldn't move. Her hands, stiff by her sides and her face tense and unsure.

Neji sighed and walked to her. With every step he took, Tenten wanted to turn and run away so she wouldn't have to hear those dreaded words that she had never even dreamed of hearing.

She swallowed, her throat thick with emotion. "U-Uhh..."

Neji stood in-front of her, his brows drawn in. "Tenten... are you alright?" He put a comforting hand on her shoulder, "You look like you are about to cry... is something wrong? Should I go and call Ino and Sakura again...?" He offered with a worried smile.

At least he cares. Because once he dumps me I'm going to need all the care I can get. "N-No... it's just.. what were you gonna ask me?" She changed the subject, smiling gloomily.

He stayed silent, and Tenten knew that the stoic look on his face meant he was thinking about something very seriously. She stood straighter and frowned, "You okay? Is something the matter...?"

He looked at her, "No, why do you ask?"

For a second, she looked taken aback. He usually never responded to her worried questions. "Oh! No reason, just... when you look all stoic, you're usually thinking about something very gravely."

He smiled and suddenly said, "I am. I'm thinking about whether or not I should ask your hand in marriage."

Tenten felt her heart come to complete stop, before exploding into a race that she could only describe as exhilaration. She felt her breaths come quick as she tried to sort out all of her wild thoughts, "Excuse me?"

Neji smiled one of his rare, specially-made-for-you smiles that made her melt and said, "I said, if you would like to be my wife, Tenten."

She felt herself be consumed by such a happiness she almost fell on her knees and sobbed. Instead, she just dropped her head in her hands and bit her lip to stop the humongous grin from appearing. She felt his hand grip her shoulder.

"Tenten...? Come on, you're hurting my pride."

She inwardly groaned at her stupidity. The response! How the hell could she forget that in her euphoria...? "You should know already!" She squeaked, voice muffled by her hands.

"... Is that a no?" He taunted, smiling lightly.

She growled and slapped her hand on his shoulder, "It's a yes, stupid!" He smirked and dove down to grab her, ignoring her shrill objection while he carried her over his shoulder and to the living room. He dropped her onto the couch before collapsing on her and adjusting himself so he didn't crush her.

Tenten stared at the ceiling with annoyance which soon melted to playfulness when he rested his face on her soft bosom. He nestled his face in her chest. "What would your friends think if they saw you rubbing your face in my chest?"

Neji looked up from her chest, "They'd just be jealous I can do this without getting slapped." And he returned to digging his face deeper into her chest to prove his point.

Tenten patted his head and smiled to herself, such paranoia was never needed. Dumping her? Why would he ever dump her, now that she thought about it. For as long as she can remember, Neji had never once mentioned he was bored with her, nor had he ever willingly left her side. There was always a reason. Always.

And now she was Tenten Hyuuga. The name fit so well that it could only be a match made in Heaven, which made her all the more joyful.

".. Hey Neji."

"Hn?"

She grinned coyly. "You do know that in the family, the sacred rule is to have at least three children or else I'll be disowned, right?"

Neji seemed shocked at first, before it turned into arrogance. "I bet I can give you four."

"Wanna find out?" She asked with her cute crooked smile, tugging on his collared shirt suggestively.

"Sure..." He responded, and captured her lips with his.

-x-

Tch, for some reason, I noticed that writing these fluffy cliché stories makes me giggle uncontrollably and react in girly ways. But in the end, it's so worth it. Even though this Gothic chic is seriously ruining her reputation by writing this... but it's all for you guys so—appreciate it!

R&R My Peeps! It keeps me going and maybe, just maybe I'll do a 100 One-Shot Story. Maybe, ai'ight?

And, can you believe I uploaded this onto FanFiction about 2 weeks ago? Yeah, sorry, I forgot....

Panda.

Beta: Sheiryy.