A week after the wedding, Neji and Mira returned from their honeymoon, with Neji seeming more bitter than ever. Since losing Tenten completely, he saw no reason to be happy anymore. Not even the announcemnt made at the reception had heightened his spirits.

Wedding Reception - One week earlier

*clink clink clink*

The music stopped, the dancing stilled and silence filled the room. The bored groom's eye slowly lifted from the cup of sake before them and focused on the figure in the center of the room. Hiashi Hyuga stood there, commanding attention, a spoon and glass cup in hand. He waited until all eyes were on him before opening his mouth to speak.

"Welcome friends, family, and all honored guests. It is a pleasure to have you all here to celebrate with us the marriage of our two young members, Neji and Mira Hyuga." He paused as scattered applause sounded in the room. When it had subsided, he continued.

"Now as you all know, the Hyuga clan has been separated into two houses, or sides, the Main and the Branch for many many years. For decades, that line separating us has been sacred, never blurred, never crossed. However, for the first time in the history of the clan, this sacred line, this holy tradition has been broken." He stopped again as murmurs went through the room. Hiashi held up a hand, halting the disruption, and went on.

"Today that line was crossed when a branch member married into the Min House. So I say to you Neji, my nephew, my dear late brother's son, welcome to the Main House and may the both of you have a joyous and fruitful marriage. THank you." Applause erupted through the room as Hiashi beamed at Neji before stepping down. Neji himself sat in shock for the remainder of the evening.

One Week Later - Present Time

Though he was now a member of the Main House, Neji still found little joy in day to day life. Things were just not the same. Now that he knew Tenten did not resent him, and still loved him, it was harder to move on. He sighed heavily. He had not been out of that room since they returned, and he figured a day at the training grounds would do him well. It wasn't until he tried to rise from the bed that he felt the weight on his chest. He looked down and could feel the blood rushing to his cheeks. Mira's head rested on his bare chest, he arm draped over his torso. She was sleeping peacefully, her bangs pushed back on her forehead.

When we fell asleep, she was on the other side of the bed, so she must have rolled over, he thought. though when I fell asleep I'm sure I had on a shirt. Neji then remembered waking in cold sweat from nightmare. He had stripped himself of his soaked shirt, then fell asleep again. Damn he cursed himself. Why hadn't he put another shirt on? Sure they were married now, but Neji did not want to start getting closer to Mira. He slowly pried himself himself from under his wife's body, careful not to wake her. He went to bathroom and showered, the color of his face returning to normal. Afterwards, he dressed and left for the training grounds, leaving Mira sleeping in their bed.

At the training grounds, Neji was greeted by his team.

We had begun to think you were never coming back!" Lee cried, tear streaming down his face. The green clad men enveloped their comrade in a tearful embrace. Tenten hung back, looking at them while rubbing her arm nervously. Neji broke free of the tight, leaving the two men to hug each other. He walked over to Tenten and stopped.

"Hello Tenten." He said, his face as calm and expressionless as usual. Inside, his heart and conscious fought furiously against each other. He wanted to embrace her tightly, to run his fingers through her hair and tell her everything was going to be okay. But his mind kept him at bay, telling him it was a bad idea.

"Hey Nej, what's up?" She greeted him. He smiled slightly. Nej was the name she had taken to calling him when they were younger. After she called him that for the first time, anyone else who dared say it ended up in the hospital with a blocked chakra network. Likewise, he had a nickname for her too, him being the only one allowed to call her Tenny. To him, it represented the bond he had with her, and he wouldn't allow anyone to intrude on it.

"How about a spar? I could use some loosening up." He said. Tenten nodded eagerly. It seemed like it had been forever since Neji had sparred with her, and she was glad he back.

"Get ready, 'cause I'm gonna win this time." She called as she walked to the other side of the field.

"Is that so? We'll see about that." He called back with a smirk.

"Our dear lotus flower has been training nonstop during your absence my eternal rival!" Lee yelled from the side. He and Gai had stopped their over emotional embrace in favor of watching the match.

"Go Tenten! Demonstrate to Neji that your most youthful training has improved your skills!" Lee cheered while their sensei struck his Nice Guy pose. Neji turned his eyes to Tenten, raising a brow. Tenten shrugged her shoulders as the blood rushed to her face. She pilled out a scroll as Neji slid into his stance. They circled each other cautiously. Their black sandals crushing the grass beneath them, the tree leaves rustling in the wind were the the only sounds heard as they watched the other closely. Suddenly, Tenten stood still.

"How about we change things up a little bit." She said as she tucked her scroll away. Neji cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes, straightening.

"How?" He asked.

"I won't use weapons." She said. "It will be strictly taijutsu." Neji chuckled, a bt surprised.

"Are you sure you want to try that? It involves close range combat, and don't take this the wrong way, but that is not exactly your strong suit." He pointed out.

"I know, but I still want to try." Tenten insisted. He looked at her hard for a few seconds before sliding back into her stance.

"Very well, nut don't say I didn't warn you." He said, activating his byakugan. "And don't think I'll be going easy on you either." He added. She smiled.

"Perfect" She said. She dropped into a defensive stance, taking a deep breath. Neji lunged first and the two teammates began trading blows. Tenten matched Neji blow for blow, and neither were able to land a strike when they jumped back to take a breath.

She really has improved. He thought. He exhaled one last time before dropping back into his stance again. This time, Tenten attacked first, with a flurry of kicks and jabs. As Neji and Tenten combated evenly, Mira arrived at the grounds and was greeted by Lee.

"What's going on?" She asked, her eyes fixed on the match.

"Neji and Tenten are sparring so that Neji can loosen up." Lee explained. Mira squinted at the two fighting teammates.

"Isn't Tenten a long range combatant?" She asked tersely.

"Yes, but she has decided to test her taijutsu." Lee replied. "Go Tenten! You are most youthful!" He hollered. Mira bit her lip. It's just a training session, that's the only reason they are close, she thought to herself. She could not guarantee her suspicion that Neji had feelings for one of them, but she hoped it would be her. She was his wife after all wasn't she? Mira nervously toyed with her hair. She wasn't entirely sure she was even a candidate for his love, but there were certain things he did that made her wonder. The previous night had not been the first night she had slept that close to him. Since the wedding, Neji had nightmares every night, and every night would go the same. Neji would wake up from horror with his shirt soaked. He'd take it off and fall back asleep. SHortly after, Mira would awaken upon hearing his whimpers as he endured another nightmare. She'd scoot closer to him and lay her head on his chest. Her fingers would trace his skin softly, spelling out her name as they went. Every night she would do this, and every night his whimpers ceased. And every morning, she awoke before him and moved away. Every morning except that morning. Neji woke up earlier than usual before I could move back to my side, she pondered, But he didn't wake me up angrily like I thought he would. Does that mean anything? she wondered.

"Eight trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!" Neji's strong voice brought Mira out of her thoughts.

"Two palms! Four palms! Eight palms! Sixteen palms!" Is he really using this technique on Tenten? Mira watched in amazement.

"Thirty-two palms! Sixty-four palms!" Neji landed his last and Tenten slid backwards. Mira noticed a look of concern quickly appear on Neji's face and turned to see the same look on Lee and Gai's faces.

"What's happening?" she demanded as her followed Neji rushing to Tenten's side, with Lee and Gai following closely behind. She followed them.

"What's happening?" she asked again.

"Tenten is not usually affected this badly by that, she's gotten so used to it, I don't understand. Neji said, his eyes furrowed with concern. "I'll take her to the hospital." he said, taking Tenten into his arms. Mira was left alone with Lee and Gai looking on worriedly.

After four hours at home with no sign of or word from Njei, Mira headed to the hospital. After learning Tenten's room number, she started down the hall. Arriving at the door, she met Lee and Gai leaving.

"How is she?" Mira asked quietly, so not to disturb Tenten.

"SHe's going to be fine." Gai said. "Turns out she was still too drained from all that training, and the match just topped the cake." he explained.

"Neji said he would stay the night with her. We are going to eat, would you like to join us Mira?" Lee asked. Mira shook her head and thanked him and the two men departed. AFter they left, Mira knocked softly on the door. When no one answered, she pushed the door open slowly. and stepped inside. She saw Neji sitting on the bed next to Tenten, his eyes glued to her sleeping face.

"Neji?" she called out, but he didn't seem to hear her. Studying her eyes, Mira found a look that ripped her heart from her chest. Love. Neji was in love with Tenten. She choked back tears that threatened to pour out her eyes. Neji was her husband, we wasn't supposed to be in love with another girl. She sniffled and Neji snapped to attention, his eyes landing on her. She wiped her eyes furiously, brushing away the few tears that had managed to escape to her cheeks. When she moved her hands away, Neji's eyes were back on Tenten, though she knew he was still aware of her.

"You love her, don't you?" she asked quietly. Neji was quiet a few moments before he answered.

"And if I am? Why do you care?" He replied coldly. His bitter eyes turned toward her, standing out in the dark hospital room.

"I'm your wife, i think I have a right to care if you love someone else." she spat back, her eyes just as cold as his.

"I believe you gave up that right when you entered this marriage knowing not to expect love from me."

Mira's eyes stung with tears. She turned her back to Neji so that he could not see the effect hos words had on her.

"Besides," his voice turned soft again as his eyes shifted back to Tenten. "I can't help who I love." Nji whispered. Mira stood still for a moment as she tried to regain her composure. Neither can I she thought. Straightening her shoulders and holding her head p high, Mira told him

"You'd do well to let her go. You'll only hurt her more by continuing to love her." and left the room. Neji took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"I think I'll end up getting hurt worse than anyone."