18: He Wants to Learn More
(VP: Neji) Well it's been a few months and I guess I'm remembering things better. She says the old me didn't pay attention to things of non-importance so she can't tell if I forget parts of some events or I didn't see it important to remember them. I know that I pay attention to everything, every bit and detail of everything she does to better understand.
That's the number one thing on my mind, to know her as well as she knows me, which I think could be impossible since it seems she's always known me better then me. I guess that's good but I need to understand her.
After the first time I told her that we wouldn't be getting married soon in the next few months, she never said anything but 'alright' which worried me, that I was hurting her. I was my old self was still here. I wish I could ask him questions, or maybe anyone could help me.
"Tenten, you mind if I walk around the village myself today?"
"If you promise to take a map and all the pictures and notes; just in case." I read her eyes. She was worried.
"Okay," I walked over to her took the papers kissed her and walked off. "I'll be careful. I promise." I told her.
"Then I'll try not to worry." She said as I left her she sat on the couch and looked behind her with her eyes focused on me.
I walked around. I need to find someone who knows about my relationship with Tenten, from the very beginning. I took out the pictures and looked through all the notes. Naruto, no. Hinata, maybe. Ino, no. Shikamaru, no. Sakura, no. Sasuke, not here. Hinabi, huh, I don't remember her. Hiashi, possibly. Lee that would be it. Then Gai-sensei.
I went to the directions on the map that Tenten gave me to Lee's house marked on the map. I knocked on the door. "Hello Lee, are you lost."
"No, I need to talk."
"Sure my teammate, how are you?" He asked.
"Better then yesterday," I answered.
"I'm glad, I sure Tenten is happy about that."
"Yeah, if I wasn't she most likely wouldn't have let me out of the house." I said.
"She's always been protective of you. She knew there were only two weaknesses in you, and she never took advantage of them when you practiced and she was always aware of how you were doing."
"Two weaknesses?" I asked.
"The 10 degrees of the Byakugan's 360 degree vision that they are blind to when activated, and the seal. She made it her job to make sure no one even she took advantage of you and that if needed, she could defend you until she died."
I scribbled little notes about Tenten's behavior toward me on the paper I had brought with me. "And?" I asked.
"You had a question, what was it?"
"I need to know as much as you can tell me about my relationship with Tenten." I said straight forward.
"She has always admired you, complimented you, and loved you, cared for you. She'd die for you if need be. She gave all her time to training with you no matter how long you needed her and how hard you were. She felt honored that you would be with her when you could train with anyone. You were the most important thing in her life. She was devastated when you lost your mind. We told her if she didn't eat she'd die before her work came to play in."
"I caused her to suffer?"
"More than you know over the years, Neji." Lee said. "If you got to look over her body I'm sure there would be so many marks that you've caused to her they would be as numerous as stars in the sky."
"I hurt her?" I asked concerned.
"Yeah but don't worry about it, everyone gets hurt in training. Even looking at yourself you can notice marks her kunai and shuriken have done to your skin." Lee comforted me.
"Did I ever, apologize?"
"You weren't always the genius that Tenten claimed you to be. You were blind to many things that your all seeing eyes that she loves and admires so much couldn't see."
"Like what?"
"She loved you. The pain you caused her. Her feelings all together, and so much more."
"I need you to tell me and share with me everything Lee. I don't thing Tenten would tell me." Lee laughed.
"Of course not, it's like Tenten dying and someone who is her twin asked you all about her. She can't have that same person back so she doesn't want you to feel obligated to be him." He said.
"So how did I realize it?"
"That you loved her?" He asked.
"Hai," I answered.
"It was a long night, a night that people met the people for their engaged marriages arrangements. You were sympathetic to her."
"Really?"
"Of course, she was about to be married to some complete stranger and she was crying in your arms, what were you supposed to do?"
"I guess that's what I'd do." I said.
"Good, even if Tenten knows you more then you do, you're returning to your old self more and more but remember the things that you learn."
"Like?"
"Caring for her, loving her, how much pain it is to lose someone." He said.
"Okay, can you tell me the story of the engagement dinners?" I asked.
"Of course, I was there."
"You were?"
"Yeah, everyone was, spying." I shrugged.
"Whatever." I said.
"That's where you and old Neji differ; he would beat us to a pulp for spying on him when he was with Tenten."
"Don't change my mind." I warned.
"Alright, well."
Ж (Flashback) Ж
You walked to the meeting spot and there in front of you was Tenten but of course, since she was dressed up and had her hair done you couldn't tell it was she. Then we you came over there to comfort her she jumped into a tree.
"Miss, are you alright up there?" This time the Tenten sort of recognized the voice, she turned around.
"Neji?" She asked from high in the trees.
"Tenten." She jumped down from the trees and landed perfectly flat on her feet as she had done in many spars and practices.
Then you two talked for awhile about how your dating thing was going on and how you felt about it and how worried she was and you sort of comforted her and kept her under control. She was really uncomfortable about dressing fancily in front of people but you liked it and well…
"You look even more beautiful than normal Tenten." You said causing her to blush and she was quite flustered. She was playing with the edge of her translucent sleeves that she was wearing. "You should calm down; your body is stressed beyond normal point."
"Well of course it is I've never been on a date where I had to dress up and…" She was stopped my Neji smirking.
"Stop worrying, okay. And why'd you jump into the tree?" He asked.
"Because Sakura and Ino took all my weapons," She said pouting. This caused you to laugh; she smiled at the seeing you laugh. She was acting like a little girl whose mom took away her toys, except she was a different person when she could defend herself then when she couldn't, as anyone would be. "I was scared and upon realizing that I didn't have a weapon to defend myself I ran away, like some child."
"It's okay; I understand that you were scared."
"Yes, now what?" she asked.
"How about I take you out to dinner as a real date at some fancy place since you are so greatly dressed for the occasion?" She smiled as you had asked her out.
"Thanks."
"And no you're not invited, and no, you can't come." You said.
"Who are you talking to?"
"Out there are all our spies, Ino, Sakura, Hinata, Naruto, and Kiba with Akamaru if I'm correct." She looked around still not seeing what the young you were seeing threw your Byakugan Eyes.
Ж (Flashback Over) Ж
"That's a weird meeting, and way to get engaged." I said.
"Yeah but it was romantic, I guess. You always had a twisted way of romance."
"What?"
"It's nothing, just something Tenten said." Lee said.
"So she's already been waiting a while for this marriage." Lee nodded. I wrote that down. "I thought she didn't want to. I remember that in there somewhere, right?"
"Yeah but now that she knows she can spend the rest of her life with the one she truly loves she's happy and excited. Tenten isn't one to wait for anything, it bothers her."
"I understand. I'm tired of waiting for myself to be whole. It's like waiting for you to know yourself. Everyone, especially Tenten knows more about me then I do. I remember that night a lot but there are certain things, I've seen that like a clip in a movie but I can't piece together what's going on. I remember that night."
"We'll I'm glad you are remembering but all I can tell you is that you love each other and you both wanted to be married as soon as you could, but it wasn't possible now."
"I feel so horrible for all the mistakes I made that messed up her." I said staring at the ground.
"It's alright Neji, Tenten forgives you. She understands but she really wants to be with you. Maybe, hopefully you can marry next year, right?"
"If I learn this much in one day, then I should be able to."
"Then you can marry with all the others." Lee said.
"Others?" I asked.
"For sure we are hearing great rumors of the people who will be married next year. They expect Sakura to be going to find Sasuke with Naruto soon. Naruto has to some extent fallen for your cousin."
"Hinata, right?" He nodded.
"And well they say Ino and her teammate Shikamaru will fall in love and that's it. It's a rumor but I happen to believe that it's going to happen." Lee said.
"So you think that would make Tenten happy if I told her that if things go well as planned that we can get married next year?"
"I think that would make her very happy Neji." Lee said.
"Enjoy your life and Tenten, Neji."
"I will." I said walking off. I stopped. "One more thing?"
"Have I always loved her?"
"No one knows better than you, as long as you love her know and know with all you heart that you will forever does it matter if you use to?"
"No,"
"Then it shouldn't matter, I know that for the last 2 or 3 years, you've changed how much you care about her, it's changed. You fell for her, but were too blind to call it love. So for a good percentage of your life."
"Thanks,"
"Of course, bye, you're welcome." I walked outside and thought over everything he had said. I honestly didn't want to feel this way again. I needed to find someone who has known me from the beginning helped me with my feelings for Tenten since the beginning. However, who? Tenten wouldn't know. I'm sure she wouldn't remember someone who I went to my whole life for advice, especially advice on her.
I ended up unconsciously walking into the Hyuuga Compound. "Brother!" I girl said. I looked at her and held her arms length away from me and smiled.
"Hinata?" I asked.
"Yeah, you're remembering even if it took you a while." Hinata said too happily.
"Hinata, do you know if there was anyone here that I went to a lot to talk about how my life was going, and questioned things about." She nodded happily.
"Alex-nii-san, he is a fellow lower branch member like you and you went to him much when you were younger." She said.
"Thanks Hinata," I said walking off.
"Of course Nii-san." She said.
I tried to let my mind guide me, I didn't know where I was going but I hoped I could find my way. "If it isn't my old brother, Neji-nii-san."
"Alex?" I asked.
"Wow you remember me now?" He asked.
"No, Hinata told me that I came to you a lot. I let my mind guide me and I ended up here. I was hoping it was you." I said.
"Well, let's go in my room and talk if you need answers."
"Yeah, thanks." I said.
"So, what do you want to know?" He asked.
"I talked to you about a girl, who was my teammate, right?" I asked.
"Yeah, her name was Tenten, right?" I nodded.
"Well now she's my fiancée but I lost my memory and I need to know if I have always loved her." I said.
"Deep, well little bro, I don't think I called it love at that youthful state 4 years ago but of course, I sensed a relationship would start between you two. I used my Byakugan when I'd turn around to read you. You seemed to be confused as to how you felt; you admired how she could be on equal level with you, a Hyuuga prodigy. You like how she admired you so much. You enjoyed spending time with her. I knew that something would start, I had only a clue it would get so far."
"So I had feelings for her since I met her, right?"
"In a sense, yeah." He said.
"Good, I needed to make sure."
"I understand ya Neji, you wanted to make sure you didn't decide to love her for the wrong reasons when you came back and you wanted to make sure she wasn't tricking you into loving her but no, you're really in love, and I'm sure."
"Thanks," I said.
Attention Hyuuga Branch House Members, please meet in the meeting room now for a statement from the head branch.
"We've got to go, Neji." He said.
"Me, why?" He poked my head.
"The seal on your head, it isn't a decoration, it means you're branch house, let's go." I nodded and followed him.
When we got to the room, we were all seated in chairs waiting for someone, probably Hiashi or Hinata to come out but I felt a weird chakra entering, it was the same one from the day. I need to stop this. I need, Tenten! That's all I remember, and then blank. I think I only got one chance, and I blew it. Cause I left her.
"Sorry I left you for the second time, Tenten." I said before I died.
I felt warmer and more comfortable wherever I was now. I felt something warm next to me and pulled it next to me. "Uh, Neji, can you let go of me?" someone asked. I opened my eyes but my head hurt and there was a blind fold on my head.
"What's going on?"
"Sh, calm down Neji, it's alright." A familiar voice said. It was Tenten. I was holding her to me.
"You really should let her go." Another voice said. Who was it?
"That's Alex, you remember him." Alex? Alex. He's my tutor like guy, right?
"Yeah, I was talking to him earlier, what happened?" I asked blind folded.
"Tenten saved your butt again!" Alex said laughing.
"Hey I saved hundreds of people, including you!" Tenten said.
"What happened, I remember… that guy's chakra level."
"Marline Hyuuga, she can tell the future. She wants to get rid of the Branch house, kill them all. She wanted to start with you and then them all since you couldn't do anything to stop her but you did." Tenten said sarcastically.
"I did?" I asked.
"No! You almost got yourself killed, again!" She said crying. I pulled her into my chest with I could only barely sense where it was I was in so much pain. I couldn't tell if she was angry or sad, most likely both.
"What I do?" I asked.
"When you felt the chakra you jumped on stage and then she was about to activate the ultimate killing seal but I stopped her in time to beat you to a pulp on the floor and stop her.
"So I'm in the hospital because of you?"
"Yeah, you deserve it. I was so worried." She said crying to me.
It wasn't the best situation to be seen in, that one. I was sitting with my legs spread around the bed to keep from falling off and Tenten was sitting in the space between my legs and hugging me and I was holding her back. I guess it was my fault in the first place.
"It's alright. I'm sort of okay because of you. I could be in less pain." I said to her.
"I hurt you didn't I?" She asked crying looking at me.
"Only a little don't worry, I'm fine. What'd you do anyway?" I asked.
Alex laughed. "She pushed you off the stage and into me and almost knocked out half of the people in the Branch Family."
"I said I was sorry to them." Tenten said looking at Alex.
"They thanked you for saving them too, they said almost falling over is more then a fair trade for the safety of 55 of their clan and the protection and care of their number one ninja."
"They thanked her for saving me? Why?" I asked.
"You're the one who they think will become the leader of the clan. You're a genius and a prodigy Neji, you're the strongest among them, and of course, they want you safe. They also said they couldn't have felt safer leaving their fates in their soon to be Leader, Lord Neji's fiancée's hands." Tenten smiled and blushed at this statement.
"I'm glad my clan likes you so much. I like you too." She smiled and nodded and crawled on my other side and rested on my side.
"Neji!" She said.
"Cool it and go to sleep." She nodded and I she rested on my side and curled up to sleep.
"I'll be leaving." Alex said, feeling a little… uh… uncomfortable watching his cousin sleeping with his newfound friend.
"Thanks, bye." I said. "Tenten thanks again."
"Of course, who else would I live for if I let you die? What would I do with my life if I lost you? I'd rather die than have you die and leave me with no purpose. I was so scared and worried, you have no clue."
"I don't have a clue what it feels like to have someone so close to be endangered and almost lose them once. I know that I would be scared too and I'd probably never let you go anywhere on your own, ever again."
"That's why… I followed you." I smiled.
"I figured that's why I'm not dead and everyone was safe and I felt a familiar warm strong chakra signal nearby. I unconsciously needed you to be with me, and I pulled you toward me. So will you stay here with me forever?" I asked.
She smiled and looked into my eyes. "I couldn't think of a better place I'd rather be. She rested her head down on top of my chest she smiled. "You're alive and breathing alright. Want to know something?"
"What?"
"That's the closest thing to actually asking me to marry you you've ever asked. I can't even remember when you asked me the first time, it wasn't extremely romantic like this or I'd remember." I smiled.
"Then I guess it's good we rebuilt our relationship huh, it only cost me my memory of a lot of things, but not of you. I always seemed to remember you. It was familiar but not constantly acknowledgeable about you."
"So why'd you leave?" She asked.
"To make sure of a few things?"
"Like what?"
"How long I've loved you, how I use to treat you, how long I've known you and the kind of person you were before and during the time I knew you." She smiled.
"How nice but next time, just ask me, alright?" She said.
"I'm not letting you leave the immediate area I'm in."
"I love you Neji."
"I love you too Tenten." I said too her. I turned around to face her and she smiled.
The Reason Why… He Wants to Learn More.
· to know her
· to equalize their knowledge of the other
· to understand her
· to stop using maps, pictures and notes for everything
· to stop her watching him everywhere
· to let her relax, stop protecting me so crazily
· to find his own two weaknesses
· to know when you're being taken advantage of
· to be aware of how you're doing
· to understand why he caused her to suffer
· to see why he hurt her
· to see why he didn't apologize
· to understand his past
· to know why he was blind
· to understand why she's sad
· to see why he can't be the same person
· to stop being obligated to be him
· to stop her crying
· to stop her worrying
· to understand why she blushes and smiles
· why he loves her
· why he treated her like he use to
· to know how long I've been that person
· what kind of person she was
· To understand why she loves him.
