Neji and TenTen reached the Hyuuga estate and went directly to Hinata's room. Luckily they didn't run into any servants. Or Hiashi. Neji really didn't want to deal with Hiashi.

If what Hinata and Naruto said is true Hiashi will not be happy if he finds me trying to help them. TenTen crossed into his line of sight. A horrible thought crossed his mind.

Would he… No he can't be that unstable that he would hurt TenTen. But she isn't part of the Hyuuga clan…

"Neji," whispered TenTen sharply, "Snap out of it. We have to get this stuff fast before anyone catches us."

Neji pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind. He didn't want to think about how Hiashi would react if he found someone not of the Hyuuga clan trying to help Hinata. They worked quickly and quietly. They were down to the closet when TenTen accidently knocked some hangers on the floor. They both froze, holding their breath that no one heard.

The sound of footsteps reached their ears.

Neji quickly activated his Byakugan to see who it was.

"Damn," he cursed.

"What is it?" whispered TenTen.

"It's Hiashi-sama," replied Neji. Scene after scene of Hiashi attacking both him and TenTen crossed his mind. He turned to her. "Listen to me. Stay in the back of the closet. Don't come out no matter what. Hiashi shouldn't see you because it's considered rude to use Byakugan in someone's room or to look into their room."

"Why?" She wasn't asking about the Hyuuga traditions.

"Just do it TenTen." TenTen was taken aback by the desperation in Neji's voice.

"I don't know how unstable Hiashi is and I don't want you to get hurt."

TenTen gave a tiny gasp.

He doesn't want me getting hurt?

"Quick!" hissed Neji. "Swear you won't make a noise or come out."

TenTen nodded, she didn't trust her voice, and crawled into the back of the closet. Her mind still raced at what Neji had admitted.

Neji closed the door as Hiashi walked into the room.

"Neji."

TenTen shivered when she heard his voice. It was different than when she had heard him talk before. It scared her.

"What are you doing in my daughter's room? Are you helping her move in with the demon brat?"

"I don't know about a demon brat Hiashi-sama but Hinata did ask me to gather her clothes so she could live with Naruto. Is there a problem?" asked Neji evenly.

Why is he talking to Hiashi like that? He's asking for trouble, thought TenTen worriedly.

Hiashi's eyes narrowed.

"You would be wise not to sass me or continue what you are doing."

"Why is that?" asked Neji.

"Because, member of the branch family-"

TenTen jumped.

Does Hiashi mean to…

"My clan will not be disgraced by my heir living with that."

"Funny. You never thought of Hinata as your heir before," observed Neji.

"I warned you," hissed Hiashi, making hand signs.

Neji felt the curse mark on his head flare to life. He grimaced and braced one hand on the wall and the other on the handle of the closet, effectively holding it shut.

He's not going to get TenTen.

"Do you still plan on helping them?"

"Yes," replied Neji, then screamed as the pain doubled.

Neji!!

TenTen jumped up and tried to open the door. It wouldn't budge.

What's going on? Is he holding the door shut? Why? Neji!!

"First my daughter, now my nephew," murmured Hiashi.

Neji screamed again, louder this time.

TenTen clapped her hands over her ears, tears streaming down her face.

I can't stand to hear Neji like this. Make it stop!

"At least I have some control over you," hissed Hiashi.

Neji fell to the floor grabbing his head, still screaming.

"I warn you Neji. If I find you help them, this is only a taste of what will happen to you."

Neji screamed again as the pain tripled, quadrupled.

"Stop it. Stop it. Stop it," whispered TenTen over and over again, eyes wide in shock, tears still streaming down her face.

Hiashi scoffed at the boy writhing in pain at his feet.

"Think well on my words," he said and walked out of the room. Neji lay panting on the floor. TenTen cautiously took her hands off her ears. After she was positive Neji wasn't screaming anymore she listened to make sure she couldn't hear footsteps anymore. The second she was sure she flew out of the closet.

"Neji, Neji! Are you ok?" she whispered pulling the hair from his face. He looked up at her. He could still see the tear tracks on her cheeks. He stored the image away.

I'll have to ask her why she was crying.

"We need to get this stuff and go," grimaced Neji trying to stand.

"It's not worth it Neji. I can't stand to see you in pain like that," her voice cracked. "Why do you still want to help them?" asked TenTen as she helped Neji to his feet.

"I'll explain later…" he paused to catch his breath. "Let's get this stuff to their place before…"

TenTen nodded as they gathered Hinata's stuff and left quickly.

Hinata and Naruto were cleaning up after lunch when they heard a frantic knocking at the door.

"Hmm, who could that be?" wondered Hinata as she went to get the door. She opened it to see Neji leaning heavily on TenTen. She gasped. "Naru-kun!"

"Hinata, we brought your stuff," mumbled Neji. Naruto came running.

"What is it?" He stopped short. "What the hell?"

"Hiashi…" mumbled Neji before fainting. TenTen stumbled a little under his weight.

"A little help please," she said. Naruto rushed to grab Neji while Hinata grabbed the bags of her stuff. Naruto and TenTen carried Neji over to the sofa and laid him down. Hinata dropped the bags right inside the door and ran to get some cold water and washcloths. When Hinata got back, TenTen grabbed a cloth and wiped away the sweat on Neji's forehead. She rinsed the cloth before laying it on his forehead.

"He forced himself to get here without passing out," she said softly.

"Hiashi did this?" asked Naruto in a subdued tone. TenTen nodded.

"It was my fault. I dropped some hangers and Hiashi must have heard it. Neji forced me in the closet because he was afraid Hiashi might hurt me."

Hinata started and looked at Naruto. They had talked about TenTen's feelings for her cousin when she was still in the hospital. Even Naruto knew TenTen liked Neji, but Hinata never knew Neji might have feelings back.

"Hiashi… used the… curse seal on Neji."

Hinata gasped and Naruto cursed. TenTen didn't notice.

"At first I tried to get out of the closet to help him but he held the door shut. Then… he just kept screaming and screaming…" Her hands shook as she raised them to her ears like she had in the closet as fresh tears fell down her face.

Naruto and Hinata exchanged a glance. A hand reached out and wiped away her tears.

It was Neji's.

"Don't cry. I'm ok," he comforted.

"Neji-kun, I'm so sorry. I didn't-"started Hinata.

"It's ok Hinata. I would gladly do it again."

"He'll probably have to," said TenTen bitterly.

"What do you mean?" asked Naruto.

"Hiashi threatened that if he finds out Neji helps you at all that…"

"TenTen we already went over this."

"I don't want to see you in pain like that ever again!"

"You have to understand. I owe Hinata and Naruto this. They helped set me free from the hate I had for the head family. You can't deny that I've changed since the chuunin exams."

It's true, thought TenTen. He's happier, I see him smile now. He talks to me more.

Naruto stood suddenly and left the room. Hinata looked at him worried.

"I'm sorry Neji-kun. This was not our intent. Excuse me," she said before chasing after Naruto.

"Do you understand now TenTen?"

"Yes. But Hiashi's going to find out and-"

"So? I'll just deal with it."

"But…"

"TenTen why do you worry about me so much?"

TenTen blushed.

"You're… my friend and teammate," she stammered.

"Is that why you were crying for me here and back at the estate?"

No. I was crying for you because I think I love you.

"Of course. Why else?"

Neji shrugged.

"Just wondering. Thanks for your concern. Just don't get caught by Hiashi if you still want to help. If he would do that to me… I don't want anything happening to you."

"Why do you care so much?" asked TenTen, throwing his question back at him.

That stopped him for a minute.

Why do I care so much? Since when have I worried about her getting hurt? Ever since the chuunin exams I noticed her more and more. She was always helping me. Could it be? For being a genius, I can be really stupid sometimes. She's always been there. Does she like me? Maybe…

"You're my friend and teammate," he replied. TenTen visibly deflated. Neji noticed.

He doesn't like me after all. I'm just a friend to him. Just a friend. A friend, she thought.

She does like me. I owe Naruto and Hinata double now. If not for this favor I wouldn't have realized.

"Hey TenTen?"

"Yeah? Does something hurt?"

"No. You remember how I said I had changed after the chuunin exams?"

TenTen nodded confused.

"Why?"

"Well I noticed this girl more and more. I think she likes me and I think I may like her back."

TenTen was crushed. He likes someone else.

"Who's the lucky girl?" she asked. Neji could hear the tears in her voice.

She hasn't realized yet. This is gonna be tricky. He tried to sit up.

"What are you doing?" panicked TenTen. "You shouldn't be-"

She was cut off as Neji pulled her into a hug.

"Sorry for not noticing earlier TenTen," he whispered in her ear.

The tears fell now. TenTen smiled into his chest and hugged him back.

"It's about time," she whispered back.

AN: Here be the new chapter. I warn you guys now. It may be a while until I update again. I haven't tried writing again since fall break so I'm still stuck. I may try to write today some but no guarentees. Hope you like it. Thanks for reading!