A/N: Not much to say today! Enjoy!

Dedication; Toshro-Hitsugayalover this ones for you!

Chapter 16

"Strangers Face"

4 DAYS LATER…

Neji eyed Naruto with the coldest, most menacing glare he could make. The blond idiot, unaware of the death glare being thrown at him, continued to laugh obscurely in the food court of their gym. The long haired prodigy sighed and rubbed at his temple when the man at the vending machine gave them a strange look before walking away while checking behind his back at least twice.

That morning, Neji had found himself with nothing to do (Oh the joy of completing school!) His uncle was on a business trip, and he had left no paper work for him to occupy himself with. Normally, this wouldn't have been a problem, since his new girlfriend was usually the only thing that seemed to be taking up his time.

But now, he hardly got to see Tenten enough to even remember her smile, let alone spend time with her. The only times he's seen her is at school while he was waiting for Hinata or when he picked her up from work. Even then, she was always very far from his reach, wanting nothing but to go back home to her apartment and be alone.

Sasuke….was well, still being Sasuke. They hadn't talked again since that scene four days ago with Tenten and Sakura, but based on the small conversation that they started, all was well between them and they have both decided to continue being friends regardless of their girlfriends' relationship status. Sasuke was now trying to spend more time with Sakura in order to make up for the birthday incident, according to the last talk on the phone they had. Hence, the reason he wasn't at the gym now.

And on some levels Neji was a bit (Kami how he hated to admit this!) jealous of the man for getting to spend so much time with his girlfriend. Why was Sakura taking her break up with Tenten so well that she was able to act normally with her boyfriend, but, when it came to Tenten she could barley look at him without looking away?

Neji was trying his best to be considerate, since Sakura did in fact mean a lot to Tenten as a best friend and she was part of the reason they got together, but… Each day became harder to allow her to torment herself in that way, to put herself in such meaningless pain, and what bothered him most is the fact that she didn't want company, or for someone to share the pain with her, she preferred to go through it all…alone. And there was nothing he could do to change her mind.

Shikamaru wiped the towel on his face and muttered one word, "Troublesome."

Kiba and Naruto were now openly and disgustingly checking out the women in tight shirts and sweat pants at the gym. A tall and lean blond with a red t-shirt and short shorts glared at Naruto's ogling at her ass and threw an inflatable ball at his head.

Kiba hooted wildly at the treatment Naruto was receiving for being such a pervert and he loved how he never got caught but how Naruto was always the first to suffer for their ways.

"She didn't have to hit me!" Naruto complained as he got up from the floor to sit upright on his seat. "I mean how come Kiba never gets caught and I'm always the one getting slapped or something?"

Kiba scoffed and stated, "That's because your too obvious, idiot!"

Neji chose to remain silent from the conversation that now suddenly turned to checking women out. He wasn't the kind of man to lower himself in such a way as to look at women inappropriately without being open about his attraction to her first. Plus, he didn't want to look at anyone else that wasn't his girlfriend.

He placed down his bottle of water as his phone started to vibrate in his pants. Shikamaru gave him a strange look as the Hyuga searched for the cell in his pocket, while Kiba and Naruto continued intensely in their "How to check out a girl with out getting caught" conversation.

Neji sighed at the alarm that went off to remind him that he had 30 minutes before he had to pick Tenten up from work. The task always brought his spirits down, and he hated driving her straight back home after having picked her up, with absolutely no way of spending time with her. He inhaled deeply before standing up and grabbing his water bottle from the table.

"I have to go home and change so I can go pick Tenten up from work." He simply said while grabbing his duffle. All three of them stopped to look as he got ready to leave.

Shikamaru stood as well and started to pack his things. "Yeah, I need to leave too. Temari wants to have some kind of meeting with her family about something and I need to go back home tonight since my mom's been nagging me about coming back every now and then ever since Temari and I moved in together. "

Neji nodded. "We'll head out together."

Kiba wrapped his towel around his neck and announced, "I think I'll stay here for another hour to work on my weight lifting."

Naruto nodded in response. "Yeah, I'll stay behind for a while too."

Shikamaru shook his head and mumbled, "What a drag," before taking the lead and walking to the exit.

Neji glared at the two goofballs staring innocently back at him. "Try not to break down the gym while were gone."

"How do you break down a Gym?"

"Come on Neji man, have some faith in us!"

The gray eyed man rolled his pupil-less orbs and stalked out of the building. He easily fell in step with the lazy genius and together the two walked silently to the parking lot.

Upon reaching his Mustang Infiniti Hummer Neji unlocked the doors and placed his things in the back.

He nodded to Shikamaru once, before hopping in his vehicle, backing up, and driving quickly away.

Tenten was confused.

She sat silently, like she always did in the passenger seat of Neji's car after work, this time debating. He had arrived at the exact same time that she was off her shift and ready to leave. The man never failed to amaze her at his punctuality.

From the distant greeting and the small kiss that she had received on the cheek, Tenten knew things were starting to get bad between them. She now knew what she had to do, but was at a lost over how to approach the situation.

She was still sad about many things, depressed even about life itself. But on her break today at work, Tenten realized that she was the one that was fueling her pain. Not willingly of course, but gradually she had separated and pulled herself away from all that was important and good in her life over these past four days, and it needed to end.

She peaked at Neji's form from the corner of her eye and eyed his muscles as they moved beneath his dark blue t-shirt. She smiled sadly at his beauty, and rejoiced and took in all the small details about him that she had allowed herself to forget.

Before she fueled more fire to her resolve, Tenten thought back to the scene at her job.

Tenten sat in one of the couches near the east side at "Caily's" with a novel in her lap. Her break was finished 10 minutes ago, but Tenten couldn't even make herself get up.

The book was open, and she was looking down at it, but none of the words seemed to make since. They all appeared to be jumbled and tiny, crushed together like peaces of a puzzle.

The brunette sighed and slammed the book shut before tucking her legs under her. She stared unseeingly at the blank wall a few feet away from her while thinking on the past few days.

Lately Neji's been the one driving her to work.

And then, he'd drive her home to her lonely and vacant apartment with nothing to do. She didn't want to go back to the lonely place she called home, at least not without him to come and be company. But she didn't know how. She didn't know how to ask him, she didn't have enough strength to ask him. Pathetic? Yes, very much so.

She just felt so tired and drained, so sucked dry and worthless that she wanted to lock her-self away and sleep for a long time before waking up again.

"Tenten?"

Sakura wasn't the only reason of her misery; Neji was part of it too. He was unhappy and unsatisfied with her, and she could see that. There was just the small things about him that were there before, that were no longer there now. And she knew she was the cause of it. Tenten was surprised he hadn't broken up with her already, most guys would have been tossed her aside and called her insignificant.

"Tenten!"

The so called women jumped from her thoughts and slowly floated back into reality. She looked up to see Amy glaring back at her with her hands on her waist. "I was trying to call you honey, what's the matter?"

Tenten made space for her boss by carefully sliding over and placing her hands together. "Nothing much, just…thinking." She said, hoping to the Gods that her tone hadn't betrayed her emotions.

Amy stared at her employer/ friend in concern. She was hiding something, something that was bothering her, the older women could tell that much at least. Amy took Tenten's soft hands into her own before smiling at her. "Whatever's bothering you must be serious huh?"

Tenten stayed silent at the 30 year old's comment.

"Let me tell you a little secret," Amy began. "My late mother use to tell me many wise things about life and such, but my favorite one of all was this: 'Life brings many struggles and pain, but with an obstacle can also come regret. When a platter of misfortune is handed to you, don't attempt to eat the whole plate alone, whether you choose to believe it or not, there's someone out there that wants to share that burden with you, so don't do it alone. Loneliness is the world's biggest pain.'"

"When I was much younger, I use to think my mother crazy for saying such things, but then I grew up and reality set in." Amy looked at Tenten sincerely, "I don't know what's bothering you, but whatever it is seems to have you in a web. I'm sure I'm not the only one that notices it, so talk to someone, and if not talk to them, then spend time with them. I know you feel like you can't and its all so confusing in your head but the truth is you feel lonely. You feel like your facing your troubles alone, and I can guarantee you that that's not the case. It doesn't have to be that way."

She stood up and brushed the wrinkles from her apron. "There will always be someone there for you that wants' to share your same platter." Amy grinned. "I learned that the hard way."

Tenten watched as Amy walked away, thinking hard on what the older women just told her. Was she really making this harder on herself? And if she was, why wasn't she asking anyone for help? Yes, she knew she was stubborn, but even with great pride like hers she still knew when to call for help.

So…?

Then it hit her. She was afraid; the only person she had ever truly shared her troubles with was…Sakura…

She took in a shaky breath and admitted it. She…was…terrified.

Before she knew it, Neji was parking under her window, and they were no longer zooming through the streets. He was looking at her expectantly waiting for her to run off and leave like she always did. Tenten balled her fists. She wasn't running away anymore.

'Life brings many struggles and pain, but with an obstacle can also come regret. When a platter of misfortune is handed to you, don't attempt to eat the whole plate alone, whether you choose to believe it or not, there's someone out there that wants to share that burden with you, so don't do it alone. Loneliness is the world's biggest pain.'

Whether it was too late now, and she had pushed him to the point of no return. Even if she got rejected, and he didn't want to ever go anywhere with her again; At least she tried.

"Would you…" She swallowed hard and cleared her throat. "Do you want to go on a date with me? The students in class yesterday were talking about a movie called 'Scarlet' and it…sounded cool." She shrugged to add emphasis.

Neji stared at her like she was speaking alien. "What? You can't be serious!"

Her heart banged against her ribs a bit too hard for her liking and she suddenly lost her voice. Her confidence had faded, it was just as she thought and he no longer desired her.

"No," He quickly chuckled. "I didn't mean in that since. I would love to go on a date with you. I'm just…happy."

She felt a great load lift from heart. "You mean it?"

He smirked sincerely for the first time in a long time and Tenten mentally melted inside at his sexiness. "Definitely."

She smiled gratefully and jumped into the warmth of his chest, hugging him. It felt nice, to be in his arms again and Neji rejoiced in seeing a bit of his girlfriend once more. This told him that there was hope and that if he was patient and considerate enough Tenten just might return to her old self in no time. The air around them was suddenly lighter and it was like the last couple of days never happened.

She had done it. It wasn't easy but regardless, she had done it! There was no turning back now.

Neji didn't understand. He didn't know why but, as he sat across from her at the diner closes to the movie theaters; a thought suddenly crossed his mind. Did he love her?

After she told him about the reasons for her pushing him away, and all the hell she had been secretly facing all this time, Neji just had to ask himself. Did he love her?

Why was he thinking about this now? Of all times, why did the thought suddenly appear now? Neji was sure he liked her enough, and he wasn't familiar with love at all. Were you supposed to have a fluttery feeling in your chest every time your partner looked at you? Were you suppose to want to protect them, want to be near them, think of them so often that it was interfering with your life and how you lived it?

If so then, he probably was falling for her; if he wasn't already in love with her. But Neji knew nothing would change their relationship. Whether he liked her or loved her Tenten meant enough to him, and to Neji that's all that really mattered.

"Thank you," She said blushing. "I didn't expect you to listen to me like this."

She was so cute like that. 'Loving her wouldn't be a bad thing either' he mentally guessed. So he would just let it happen, when it happened and if it were meant to happen. (Uh….confusing anyone?)

"You're fun to listen to." He admitted honestly.

"Shut up!" She groaned before laughing. "How can I possibly be fun to listen to? You horrible liar!"

Neji smirked at her childish antics and started to laugh when her face heated up as she drank her soda. It looked like she was trying so hard not to chock, and he just couldn't resist the moment so…he laughed.

Tenten had to do a double take when she heard him laugh. It was such a deep an honest expressed amusement. The kind that came from deep within the body, and Tenten beamed when she realized she was the cause of it.

"Come here."

Her eyes widened at his command.

"W-what?"

"I don't like it when you're sitting across from me, so sit beside me." His tone was suddenly serious and if you hadn't just seen him laugh you would have never guessed that it had just happened.

Tenten hesitated at first but she got up anyway and walked to his side of the booth. Neji grabbed her and sat her on his lap without warning and Tenten turned beet red. "What are you doing?" She whispered to Neji when he buried his face in her hair and the few people around started to stare.

"I missed you, Tenten. These past few days were the worst for me."

Tenten sadly lowered her eyes at his confession. "Yeah, they sucked for me too. I-I didn't mean to push you away but, it was just my way of getting over the shock about Sakura and everything."

"I know. I'm just glad you invited me to the movies tonight. Getting to finally take you on a date was immense, I had a good time." He lifted his eyes to hers and held the gaze for as long as he could. "I'd like to do it again."

"Go to the movies again? Or take me out on another date?" She lightly teased.

"Both." He smirked, playing along.

She kissed him and smiled before she laid her head on his shoulder. "Thank you. You are admittedly, the best boyfriend in the world."

They both laughed at the joke just because it felt amazing to be together again. And both tried their best to make the moment last, and to remember and imprint the memory of the day to a part in their minds where they can constantly revisit and go back in time.

Total bliss…

"Tenten? Tenten Kurosaki is that you?"

Her head immediately jumped from its place on Neji's shoulders. She gazed up at the tall lean figure that had called her name. That face, that grin, it was all familiar and impossible to forget; the man who stole her first kiss.

She jumped up to give him a hug. "Matt!"

A/N; Don't you just LOVE me right now? Who is he? What first kiss? Is he going to come between Tenten and Neji? *Laughs evilly*

I love you all! Thanks so much for all the feedback! There's nothing better than to hear what you guys think of all the chapters.

I can't believe were almost to the finish line. Four more chapters left and were through! Oh wow, I still can't believe it's almost over lol.

Um, one thing I want to say today is that I need your help. I've been looking for a beta reader for a while now, and I'm still unsuccessful in finding one. If you guys know anyone, or if you are a beta reader yourself please help me out. I am really desperate and in need of your help.

Besides that there's nothing left to say. Enjoy the rest of your day guys…or night. (lol)

(Please help me out with the beta thing!)

You made it this far to read the authors note, think you can spare a few minutes to review?

~Animehostess~