44: They are Busy

∆ (Konoha) ∆ - ¤ (2 months later) ¤ - Φ (Tenten) Φ

Neji and I are currently doing many things. I'm working on helping out Hinata with her child and helping Sakura as she goes through her first pregnancy, because she's really scared and stressed out all the time. I have a lot of time with Owen, and I'm glad.

Neji is now the head as he has been since the marriage and things are going quite well for us. The clan doesn't exactly accept him, but you can't expect them to since he was once a branch member but we can hope, right?

The only thing I'm thinking about right now is if it's time enough for Owen before we can travel with him to see my parents in Hoshigakure. I mean he's used became settled into our house at the Hyuuga Estate because that's what's going on.

"so should we go now?" I asked Neji.

"Ask him. Only he can decide for himself." Neji said. I sighed.

"Babies can't make decisions Neji. You should know that."

"Ask him." Neji said in ha a harsher tone that I got the message just to try it. I sighed; I hoped it worked.

I turned to the baby. "Do you want to go to Hoshigakure?" I asked him.

"Ye." He said.

"I'll take that as a yes, wouldn't you?" I asked Neji.

"I would."

"so we should begin packing up, right?" I asked Neji.

"I'll pack everything. You just get him ready, alright?" He asked me.

"Alright." I answered. He kissed my lips and went to our room to pack things as I got Owen's carrier to make traveling for me with him easier.

Owen was sleeping in his carrier as he rested up against my chest. Then Neji came down. "I have everything."

"Alright, so we're ready to go." I opened a scroll to store all our things in. I absolutely loved storage scrolls; you could carry everything in them with the weight of just a scroll. It was an amazing discovery.

"Yes we are." I stood up and we began carefully running through the forest toward Hoshigakure. We couldn't move fast, or Owen could get sick but we were moving at a fair pace. We expected to be gone for a week, 2 days travel, 5 days there. 1 day's travel both ways so we'd have a fair time to spend with them.

"Goe." Owen said when we stopped, hearing something.

"Who goes there?" A voice called.

I looked ahead to see a girl in the forest. "I'm warning you, I'm a ninja."

"Good for you and so are we." I yelled back. "We won't hurt you. What are you doing here?"

"You're the one in Bear Country."

"Mind you, my parents are the Hoshikage and his wife."

"Ha. Their daughter lives in Konohagakure."

"That would be me." I answered.

"Tenten, keep calm."

"I am Hyuuga Neji and this is my wife, Hyuuga Hoshi Tenten. Who are you?"

"Wait Hoshi?"

"Yes as I said, the Hoshikage and his wife are my parents and we're coming with our child to spend time with them."

"Aren't you a great distance away from Bear country?" Neji asked.

"So?" She asked.

"What are you doing here?" Neji asked.

"I'd recommend answering." I said while setting Owen down beside me, as I leaned against a tree. It was lunch time, which is why we were going to originally stop.

"My name is Hoshi Kae. I'm a ninja from Hoshigakure and I'm making sure no one enters our borders unwelcome. It's my job." Kae answered.

"But the border is a good distance away."

"Not really, not for a ninja."

"Shouldn't you be at the border guarding it?" I asked as I fed Owen his baby food.

"Yes but…"

"Kae, not again." A man called appearing in the trees.

"Who are you?" Neji asked.

"Furs Dill, the head guard of Hoshigakure."

"I was escaping him." Kae said.

"Sorry to bother you, who are you by the way?" Dill asked.

"We are traveling ninjas to visit the Hoshikage." Neji said.

"On orders?" Dill said.

"He's so cute." Kae said looking at Owen.

"What are you doing?" I asked as she collapsed in front of Owen.

"I love kids. They're so cute."

'Kae, not again."

"I'm sorry Dill but I get bored watching the forest and I want to explore."

"Your parents want you to stop being a disgrace and make something of yourself."

"Why can't I be a normal girl?" She asked.

"You can but you're the one who wanted to become a kunoichi."

"I'm not allowed on missions. I can't leave the city. I'm sooo a kunoichi." Kae said with much sarcasm.

"Our villiage doesn't do many large missions, you know that Kae. At least you have a position."

"Only because I'm the second cousin to the Hoshikage, or Tenten-chan's mom." Kae answered.

"Who?" He asked.

"Me." I said.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"My name is Hyuuga Hoshi Tenten, daughter of your Hoshikage." I explained.

"I'm Hyuuga Neji, her husband. That is our son."

"Your highness, I'm so sorry to have bothered you." Dill said bowing. "Kae, honor her."

"You don't mind if I don't honor you, right?" She asked.

"Nope, not at all. Dill-san, you don't have to bother either." I said.

"Tenten doesn't like being treated different." Neji added, sitting beside me and holding Owen.

"So you don't like being a kunoichi?"

"Not in Hoshigakure. Watch a forest. We never have visitors, ever!" Kae said. "No one attacks us either."

"Why not?" Neji asked.

"Like I know, they just don't." Kae answered.

"I don't care what you like or dislike, you have a job to do." Dill said.

"But I don't want to." She said complaining.

'Don't make her." I said. "Let's all be civil about this."

"I agree, we will all return to Hoshigakure, in good time, and then we will settle it there." Neji said.

"Exactly… now let's eat." I said with a smile.

"You will handle it?" Neji asked.

"Hey scroll-working is something I can always do. It's been 8 months Neji, I'm back to where I used to be as in skill wise."

"I'm glad, just asking." He answered.

"Clear the way everyone." I said.

I made sure the clearing was clear of anything. I stood there with two scrolls in hand and jump into the sky, pulling our food from the scrolls. "Wow that was amazing." Kae said.

"It's basic stuff." I said smiling. Kae and Dill watched as Neji and I picked things to eat. I looked at them. "You guys are welcome to eat."

"We couldn't impose." Dill said bowing.

"Unless you asked us to." Kae said with a smile.

"Well do." Neji said.

"Really? Thanks." Kae said helping herself to our food. "Your son is so cute."

"Thanks, though you said that already." I said.

"I know but he is. How old?" Kae asked.

"8 months." Neji answered.

"Really, so he's getting close to a year now." Kae said.

"I guess." I said laughing. "He still has 4 months but I guess that's considerably close."

"So how old are you guys?"

"20." I answered.

"Cool. I'm 15." Kae said smiling.

"I'm 17." Dill said.

"You ready to go?" Kae asked.

"Sure." I said tossing it all into the air and packing it into the scroll.

"If you don't mind can I carry your son?" Kae asked me.

"I guess, Neji?"

"She can, let her." He answered me.

We traveled all night and soon arrived at the entrance of Hoshigakure. "Kae and Dill we were wondering where you went off to. Who are these people?"

"The daughter and her husband of the Hoshikage." Dill said. "Kae, escort them directly."

"That sounds good. The most interesting thing I've ever done." Kae said.

We arrived at the complex and I walked in. "Tenten!" A girl yelled tackling me to the floor, then I hugged her back.

It was my best friend around here, Diana. She was also my family. Like Kae was. I wonder how Kae is closely related but doesn't look like me, weird. "Kae, aren't you supposed to be on guard duty?"

"I'm escorting my cousin around." Kae answered.

"You guys don't get along?" I asked.

"Of course they wouldn't." Neji answered.

"Why not?" I asked him.

"Family rivalry. Kae is part of the connected family line while Diana isn't."

"Exactly." Kae said. "She's a nobody; how could you know the heir."

"We're really close. She and I were super close like 3 years ago." I said hugging her.

"Has it really been 3 years?" Diana asked.

"And months." Neji said. "But you were at the wedding, but that's the last time."

"I guess it would have been. Neji's 17th birthday was almost a year before we got married. Now he just turned 20 so it would be about 2 years." I said.

"Man it doesn't seem so long." Diana said.

"Yeah it doesn't, what have you been up to?" I asked her.

"Don't mind me I just go married a few months ago. You're the one with a husband and child now a days. I know you've been busy."

"Diana." I said as we laughed. Neji was sitting by watching me.

Kae handed me Owen. "Bye." She said running out.

"Are you going to do something?" Neji asked looking at me.

"I don't understand this."

"Then I will." He disappeared.

I looked at Diana. "What happened?"

"We don't do many missions now a days, we aren't trained well. You can't expect us to do much. We do menial missions but nothing big. Everything has been destroyed actually, from Orochimaru's followers. But you guys stopped him and now peace is abundant." Diana said.

"But you have to be high in the family to attend the special ninja schools offered. Most aren't even trained here."

"Really?"

"Yes. Your dad sends those of high rank to other countries to be trained to best help the country. He refuses to take time for those who can't meet par." Diana said. "So I work here."

"Really? I figured you'd be allowed."

"Nah. Nevertheless, as you've seen even girls like Kae who are close in relations, at least a bit, have fights with the family. They still get stuck with menial tasks."

"Man, that must be hard."

"Not really. Being a ninja was hard, and difficult. I liked it though but it can't happen here."

"I'll take care of it for you, I promise." I told her.

"Don't worry, but if you want for other people, go ahead."

"I will. For everyone."

"Thanks. So who's this little guy?"

"Owen." I told her. "Hyuuga Neji Owen." She smiled.

"He's adorable. So how are things with you? Just keep talking." I smiled.

"Tell me when to stop."

"Yeah I will."

"Well we got married in June, as you know. Then I found out I was pregnant a month or so later. Then Owen was born in February, it was horrible, the cold, you know." She nodded. "Well then Neji's cousin Hinata had her child in June."

"About her."

"Her name is Uzumaki Kohana Hiroka. She's beautiful yet shy and quite just like her mother."

"That's nice."

"She's adorable and her dad is so overprotective of them both. Naruto, he's hokage. Neji, he is running the Hyuuga Clan now."

"And you?"

"I have Neji and Owen to take care of. I assist Neji in his duties. I'm trying to get myself back up to par as in my body and skills, the pregnancy did a bit of damage but nothing I haven't already gotten back after 8 months. I also have the pregnant girls to deal with. Ino didn't tell anyone that she was pregnant for a long time, opting to use a jutsu to cover it. She caused herself a lot of damage from that. So I'm doing nurse work for them both and then I have my family. It's nice."

"It sounds so fulfilling." She said smiling and dreamily.

"How's your hubby?" I asked her.

" Milo, he's happy and all. We get a long wonderfully. He doesn't like that I sometimes fight with the other members of the clan though."

"I agree with that." I said.

"Neji fought too."

"No, because he knew he would lose."

"But Neji… he's so strong."

"Well before, when he had his seal."

"He doesn't any more?"

"No, he's been freed. Hinata and I, by our efforts together, that's how it is now." I said with a smile.

"That's so wonderful for him!" She yelled waking up Owen.

A maid walked into the room. "Tenten-sama, it is late. I suggest you sleep. Diana-san, you have to work tomorrow."

"Give her the day off, on my words." I said.

"Yes mam." She said leaving.

"Why would you do that?"

"Well I'm going to need help with Owen tomorrow. I'll pay the difference."

"You don't have to. Milo and I make more than enough money. He's a Genin ninja. He's going to take the Chuunin Exam this year."

"Oh so that's why you're so not worried about anything."

"Yeah. So let me be. But thanks for the day off, I'd love to accompany you. I'll fetch Neji and escort you to your rooms."

"Thanks, but I can handle that myself. If you could find a crib, that would be useful."

"Of course." She said running off.

I knew Neji would find the way back to our old room so I took our crying child there and we were both quickly asleep when I started singing, it had been a long day and night.

¤ (Morning, 5 AM) ¤

I don't know why I was a child of the stars but I loved waking up with the sun. It made me happy, Neji was already up and training, he was a Hyuuga, one born of the stars. Our son was a child born of the sun and moon so he was special, and would be powerful.

I went out for training; Diana was there. Milo was being helped by Neji. I left Owen with Diana. "I want to go against Milo."

"What? But… you're so good."

"I'm also still coming back from my training. Not exactly at par but extremely close. I just want to test your skills. I'm not going head on against you. Then I want to fight Diana."

"What?"

"Then I want Milo while I'm fighting Diana to fetch Kae."

"Why?" Neji asked.

"Because… I want to check her skills as well."

"Are you sure that's smart?" Milo asked.

"Yeah I'm sure." I answered.

"Very well then, Tenten-sama."

"Cut of the -sama stuff and we'll go." We took our positions and I fought him. Not really, I let him come at me, pulling off tricks, stopping him and moving around again.

I fought Diana next as Milo went to get Kae. She arrived and I fought them both. They were now both exhausted. "How'd I do?" Kae asked.

"Me too." Diana asked breathing hardly.

"Honestly Neji, what did you think?"

"Diana did better."

"Huh?" Kae asked. "How?"

"The point is it doesn't matter how you train as much as who you train under and how your trained does." I answered. "I trained Diana so she was struggling more and she knew what to expect the same. She also learned a lot about stuff most other ninja don't, which she learned from me. Unfair but that's how it is." I said.

"Why did you bring me here for this? It's such a disgrace." Kae said, pouting.

"Such a personality change. When I met you, you wanted to be a kunoichi. You were free-spirited and just randomly walked at your own pace. Now you're completely different." I answered her.

"I want to be a good kunoichi. I want selection. I want to be a success, live and have adventures."

"You just don't want to be weak." Neji said simply. "You can't call yourself a ninja if you can only face opponents in the main branch. Because, that's not always where the best lies."

"How can you say that to my face? Who are you?"

"I'm Neji- Hyuuga. I'm a branch member that was given a chance to lead the Hyuuga Clan in the main branch thanks to the heir of my clan."

"Really?"

"Yes. I was the best but I couldn't reach my full potential because all I could do was what I was given permission to, that was not to challenge main members. I destroyed one because of only that, and it wasn't fair."

"Eh?" She was confused.

"He's saying that your place in society or otherwise has nothing to do with skill. You're a disgrace if you think that you're better than Diana if only because she's a lower level branch member. Birth has nothing to do with it."

"How can you say that, you're an heir?" She asked. I turned around.

"My husband is living proof of my words. I grew up being told I had no family and I fought against that with my heart and soul until I was 17 and learned they were alive. I didn't know I was an heir, I was a peasant acoording to everyone else. My parents left me, and so I was looked down upon but I made myself better than that. Go away." I said taking Owen and running off.

I jumped on the roof of the complex. Neji jumped beside me. "I'm going to talk to my parents soon. They've been busy but I have a lot to say."

"You should." He said. "Your family is crumbling, like the Hyuuga. You just happen to have the perfect seat to save it without a fight, different from me."

"I couldn't have done anything for them unless I had met you. But I'm doing this on my own."

"I know and you should. It's your clan. Just stand where you are."

"I have everything I need. Watch Owen please."

"Anytime." He said taking Owen in his arms. "If he needs you though, I will bring him to you."

"Yeah, if I need you. I'll go get you." I said.

"Don't. Be strong for yourself."

"Huh?"

"Sometimes you're stronger if you know that you have backup and you refuse to use it."

"Oh, I get it. I need to know I am strong enough by myself. Thanks Neji." I said meeting in a kiss. I then jumped off the roof and jumped into my bedroom. Switching into formal Hoshi robes.

I entered the Hoshikage office. Neji has become so strong while I digressed and had to return to where I was. Everything that he learned was just what he felt he knew, what he created was so much better and stronger.

"Tenten!" My mom said running to me. "Where is Neji?" She asked noticing he wasn't with me.

"He's on the roof with Owen." A smile on my face.

"Why? And Owen would be…" She said with a grin.

"Our first born son." I said. "Hyuuga Neji Owen."

"Oh Tenten, that's wonderful. Why didn't they come down?"

"Because first I need to speak to you as the rightful heir to the Hoshi Clan not as a married Hyuuga female." I said.

"Oh." She said. "Well then, let's go in and see your father." We went into the back office where he was working.

"Tenten, welcome back."

"Thanks Dad." I said hugging him as he walked across the room. "What are you here for?"

"Well mainly to share with you about my son." He smiled.

"Congrats, he and Neji are…?"

"Bonding on the roof, I'll call him when we're done."

"Done. With what?"

"I need to speak to you as the Hoshi heir. Not as Neji's wife."

"Ah, and this is about?" I sat down.

"The choices you've made for the country. You're hurting them and making a few pretty bad mistakes."

"Really?" He asked.

"Yes. Just agree with me. Find Ninja, good ninja to come here and train everyone, not just those who you believe are worthy. Let them go to the Chuunin Exam. Let them leave Hoshigakure. Give them a chance. Give them have adventure. Let them be ninja. Everyone."

"Tenten, we don't have time or money for that."

"I don't care. If you want success for this village that's the only way. For easy example, your second cousin Kae's skills are pale in comparison to your maid Diana's skills."

"Really?"

"Listen to me." I said. "That's all I'm going to say. Diplomacy is where I am now, so I know what's best and this isn't it."

"Alright, I'll change." I smiled.

"Good, now we can go and meet with Neji and Owen." We walked into the main living room. Neji was sitting there with Owen. Owen was crying. I sat beside Neji and Owen perked up.

"He missed you."

"Did you?"

"Who knows." Neji answered. I laughed.

"Mom, Dad, this is Owen and you know Neji." Neji nodded and we talked through the night about our family.

"He's so cute. How old?" Mom asked.

"8 months now." I said.

"What are you two up to now?" Dad asked.

"I'm running the Hyuuga Clan." Neji answered.

"That's amazing. I'm sure your father would be proud." My dad said to Neji.

"My dad." Neji said, looking at the ground. "I miss my father."

"I'm sure you do." My dad said to him. "But he's with you."

"Yeah, he's everywhere. I feel him around always."

"That's wonderful." My mother said. "He's also very happy for you and Tenten. He'll protect your family too you know."

"I know he will."

"I wish I would have gotten to meet him." I said.

"He was an amazing man. He was just like you Neji. He hated how he was forced to be a branch member but he accepted it, fighting against them with his words and feelings, hoping to get someone to change it though it didn't happen."

"Not in his lifetime." I said.

"I changed it. Not alone though."

"It doesn't matter Neji. I'm sure your father would be just as happy if you had done it by yourself as he is that you did it with the help of others. I'm sure it means the world to him that you're living beyond the boundaries of the rules that he was given." My mother said to him.

"Your father believed that he'd protect what he believed in, no matter what. He would fight for what he believed in as well. He was like you, but stupider yet smarter."

"What?" Neji said.

"Your father is like your friend Naruto. He didn't care what you did to him, as long as you didn't touch his family, they were the world to him. You were. And are. It's stupid in the way that he'd easily put himself in the way of danger for someone else, but also smart in that he protected and stood up for what he believed it."

"I understand." Neji said.

"I'm glad. Good-luck in everything you do. Now… let's eat. It's nearly noon and I'm surprised to hear you haven't eaten breakfast either yet."

"Owen did but neither Neji or I did, we've been quite busy." He nodded as we went and ate.