The Path of Destruction

Chapter 8

By: Aireonna

Disclaimer: I do not own. We all know the drill.

A/N: So I can't seem to stop myself from writing more in this fic. Which I know, fans of my other fics are hating me right now for even writing this one at all, but that's alright. I will finish all of my fics…just in a matter of time. But please enjoy this one!

I gasped loudly, my heart thumping abnormally against my rib cage.

My brain didn't even have time to process what my eyes were seeing before my guardians rushed to my side. Oji-san kneeled before me and lifted Neji over his shoulder with an ease that shouldn't be possible.

Oba-san stood before me, her eyes searching mine.

"Tenten-chan, can you hear me?"

I wanted to scoff and laugh at her all together, but for some reason I found it hard to do anything at all. My body was in a coma like state and I found it hard to even move.

The taste within my mouth was still pulsating within my blood; I could feel my insides begging for more, groaning in agony at its absence.

She nodded her head at me, obviously picking up something from my silence, more than I could that is.

I had no idea what was going on. I felt like an onlooker in my body, watching intently wondering what was going to happen next.

I felt her arms around me and my body lurched in response, a hiss releasing itself from my mouth against my will.

"Tenten-chan, I mean you no harm." Her words were demanding and I felt a wave of power wash over me.

My gut instinct told me to cower away, to back down against the power before me. But the rest of me would not have such a thing. I didn't know what this feeling was; I've never felt anything in comparison. It was an odd sensation, almost tainted.

I felt power. And along with that was a hunger that I didn't know if I would ever truly be able to satisfy.

At that moment, my body decided to relinquish all movement back to my subconscious. It felt like I was falling to meet an untimely death and just when it seemed as if it would never end, I slammed to a halt against my own skin.

I released a high pitch wail, my hands covering my ears in a sad attempt to block out all the current noises that were taunting my sensitive hearing. My mouth felt on fire, my tongue becoming numb at all the tastes it was experiencing. My skin crawled, throbbing against the caress of the night air.

All of my senses were on a sort of hyper drive and it was exhausting.

"It will be alright."

That's the last thing I heard before I managed to make out a blur dash before me. With that blur my mind surrendered unwillingly into a complete darkness.

"How could you let this happen?"

My subconscious mind absently listened in as my body fought to catch up with the moment. I don't know how long I had been out, but I could faintly feel my body lying against something soft and warm.

My head was pounding dimly to the drum of my heart and it felt as if everything around me was moving at light speed while I remained still.

"We should have been more careful! She should have been watched more!"

I could easily register the two voices as my guardians.

"She doesn't even have a clue what has taken place on this night."

That was a voice I knew I did not want to hear tonight. My mentor wasn't someone I wanted to see, especially since everything that was going on had to do with Neji.

"Tsunade-sama, we chose to keep everything from her until the time was right."

"Shush, her breathing is returning to normal. She can hear us." Tsunade spoke softly. I could feel her gaze upon me like hot daggers touched from a fresh flame.

My mind was racing, trying to piece together everything that had taken place before I had blacked out. I remember something coming towards me and then it was quiet.

Their words didn't make any sense to me at the moment, so I found myself trying to forget whatever was being said and focus more on what the hell I had done.

Groaning softly, I tried to lift my arms to sit upright. Nothing happened. I could feel something holding me in place.

My eyes went against my will and refused to open.

"Tenten, I know you can hear me. You need to listen carefully." Oba-san's voice was tender as she spoke to me. Like she was afraid to hurt me.

"Are we seriously doing this?" Oji-san spoke. His voice sounded hurt, like he was scared.

"It's our only choice."

I felt hands upon my forehead; they were cool and yet hot at the same time. My body felt instantly wrong. It felt almost like something was being torn away from me. I wanted to run away from the intrusion, but something kept me in place.

I saw nothing but white flash behind my eyes and I could feel myself spiraling downwards.

I jolted upright with a wail. My body jittered in the after shock. My mind felt hazy and lost.

I blinked the white haze away, my eyes adjusting to the dim lighting.

"Tenten-chan? Are you alright?" I found my Oba-san standing before me, a worried look upon her face.

I couldn't think of a reply. My mind felt distant and unable to comprehend anything that had happened. I tried to remember coming to bed, noticing that was where I was currently, and I couldn't recall ever doing so.

The last thing I remember was the feel of Neji's lips upon my own, and then nothing.

The latter brought a blush to my cheeks and I couldn't help but turn my gaze away from my Oba-san.

Clearing my throat I nodded my head to appease her and smiled.

"Sorry, must have been a bad dream." She only smiled in response and turned back away from my room.

My body tingled and felt unlike my own. My skin crawled and itched like an irritated bug bite. My throat raw, my eyes burning, I still could not place the events that led to me being safe in my own bed.

I could only pray that I didn't make a complete and utter fool of myself.

Releasing a sigh of anger, I threw myself backward to lie upon my bed and welcome sleep once more. Even with the strangeness of the situation gnawing away at my subconscious I still managed to fall asleep easily.

"Tenten! Breakfast!"

Shooting upward from my bed, I gasped deeply for breath, the yelling rudely jump- starting my subconscious.

My eyes burned and my throat felt raw. Blinking a few times, I swallowed hard to try and moisten my esophagus, hoping to sooth the ache.

My stomach grumbled loudly and I couldn't help but laugh as it too made me jump. Why was I suddenly so jumpy?

I noticed the curtains in my room covering the window, blocking out any sunlight. What a relief to not be blinded in the morning.

Taking a few deep breaths, I closed my eyes and allowed my nerves to calm and my heartbeat to return to normal.

I felt dizzy for some reason and disoriented. Forcing myself to remember last night, flashes of Neji's lips upon mine raced through my mind. My cheeks flushed instantly and I nervously glanced around to make sure that I was alone.

Sighing, I pushed myself from my bed and began making my way towards our kitchen.

My legs felt like jello, like they hadn't been used in awhile. Stumbling down the hallway, I managed to make it to the entry of the kitchen before I fell forward into my Oji-san's arms.

"Whoa now, take it easy there." His firm grasp held me upwards and I couldn't help but smile at him.

"Ari-arigato..." I muttered softly, my mind racing trying to place why exactly I felt so out of place.

Oba-san laughed and pulled out a place setting for me to eat. I bowed to both of them before kneeling down to consume my meal.

I didn't get too far before noticing something strange, out of place. My eyes darted around the room taking in everything around me, searching for the object of my unease.

"Is the food alright?" Oba-san's eyes searched my face, waiting for my response.

I blinked and bowed my head once more.

"Hai! Gomen…it's fine." I smiled a fake smile before I finally realized what was so strange.

My eyes fell upon the open window as the breeze blew its way towards us brushing across my bare flesh.

The sun. There was no sunlight.

My eyes widened and I shook my head in disbelief.

"Is it night?" I managed to make out in shock. I remember distinctly that my encounter, or what you may call it, with Neji happened at nighttime. There was no way that it was still the same day.

Oba-san and Oji-san laughed at my awkwardness. Both of them smiled at me and nodded their heads.

"You were so peaceful that we didn't bother waking you. You must have been exhausted sleeping as long as you did."

I blinked, glancing back and forth between the two not fully comprehending what they were saying. Why did I suddenly feel like a stranger in my own body? Like I couldn't completely use …well, me. I felt like an intruder. Out of place. What was going on?

Swallowing a lump in my throat, I wet my lips before speaking.

"How long was I out?"

"Two days." This voice didn't belong to either my aunt or uncle. My heartbeat quickened and my eyes darted to meet my mentor leaning against the doorway of our hallway.

"Tsunade-sama…"

Was it just me or was this place getting smaller by the minute?

I felt the air grow thicker and Tsunade's eyes staring intently, watching my every move. I didn't know what to say or do. Gulping, I bowed my head and forced my gaze away from her.

"Shizune. Gai. Leave us."

Her voice was soft yet harsh. Both my aunt and uncle glanced from me to her and shook their head.

"Gomen, but we can't leave our poor Tenten. Not at a time like this." Shizune, always the backbone of the family.

Oji-san nodded, "Gomen, Tsunade-sama, but this is something that we can't walk away from. She is our responsibility." Gai, never grew a backbone but relies on Oba-san for it.

I could feel her anger grow at my adoptive parents unwanted bravery.

"I told you to stay away from the boy. You dare go against my word, not heed my warning. What were you thinking?"

Tsunade spoke sternly, stepping towards me. And with each step I could feel her words digging deeper into my heart.

The image of Neji's face flashed before my eyes and I suddenly felt angry. How dare she try and take away something I cared about. How dare she forbid me from what is mine.

My blood boiled and I began to see red.

Standing, I growled lowly in my throat.

Shaking my head, I slowly rethought my last line. What was mine? When did Neji become mine?

I felt lost and confused. The room grew smaller with all gazes upon me. My sudden surge of bravery melted into nothing and I bit the inside of my lip trying to keep myself from speaking.

"Tenten, listen to me closely. You live within my village, under my guidance. You will follow as I say. And I say that the Hyuuga is to be no more. You are to stay away from him. It is dangerous."

I broke. I couldn't sit here and listen to this. What was she talking about? How was it dangerous? What could be dangerous? If anything, Neji could protect me! And above it all, why did I care so much?

I clenched my fist at my sides and closed my eyes tightly.

"Do you hear me, the Hyuuga is not to be around you. You are to stay away from the boy, far away. If I hear of another encounter with you two…"

That was it. I couldn't listen to another word. Grabbing my plate of food, I tossed it aside, the platter hitting the wall hard. Glass shattered and the noise echoed within our small room. Tsunade bit her tongue and stopped mid sentence.

"I do not care what you say. I will not follow such orders. I am not one of your servants or people you can boss around. I look up to you and follow you of my own free will. Such absurdities are outrageous. Do you hear yourself? You speak of dangers that are non-existent. What could be dangerous about me speaking to a Guardian? Did you not train them to protect us?" Breathing hard, I found the words unable to keep vomiting forward. My tongue stopped any further movement and my heart broke at such thoughts.

I never thought I'd see the day where I would have to stand up to someone I looked up to, idolized even. Never thought that everything I saw in her became nothing, shattering before my very eyes. How could I want to be like someone who forbids a person to even breathe the same air as another?

"Tenten! Remember to which whom you speak to." I could faintly hear the scolding of my adoptive guardians and yet it meant nothing. The damage was already done. I fought back tears that tried to force themselves free.

"Gomen."

I managed the final word before turning and running from the house of damnation.

I ran.

Ran with no meaning. Not knowing where. No destination. I just let my legs take me away. If I could fly, I would. I don't know why I felt so hurt. Don't know why the pain broke my heart that dared to break free of its captivity at any given moment. These questions that had no answer. I just felt. Felt everything.

The streets were bare. And yet I didn't notice. My eyes were too obscured from seeing anything. Tears streaming down my face and blocking any hope of sight.

Before I knew it, I could feel branches tearing at my sleeping yukata. I had made it as far as the forest already. And yet oddly I remember none of it. It was as if I was moving at the speed of light.

Images of Neji played over and over within my head. Why did I fight everything I've ever known for someone I just met?

And before I even had a chance to answer my own question, I slammed into a brick wall. At least that's what it felt like. Before I could meet the ground and allow the two to battle out which was a harder surface, arms encircled my waist and brought me towards a warmth I have grown used to.

My head bounced around and my eyes clammed shut. My mouth ohed at the pain of teeth grazing the inside of my cheek. Such luck I've been turning out to be having. And so much for heeding such warnings.

Bringing my gaze up to take in the beauty of this so-called wall, I inwardly laughed at the irony of my life. Before me stood the very object of my torment. The subject in which my life now crumbled for.

Neji Hyuuga.

I think some where above the gods were laughing at me and taking bets for just how messed up they could make my life. The winner getting to choose which obstacle to throw at me next. Glancing upwards I cursed the sky.

"Tenten. We have to stop this." I could faintly hear the hint of a smile upon my young guardians lips. Great, even he laughed at the irony of my life.

Throwing my arms upwards, I screamed loudly.

Stepping away from my knight and shining armor, I turned away from him. This was not happening right now. At a time like this, all I could manage to see was the images of his lips upon mine. The way his face glowed in the moonlight so close to me. The warmth of his breathe across my flushed cheeks.

"Is everything alright?" He sounded concerned and I could feel him moving closer to me from behind.

I jumped at the closing of space and turned to try and face my obstacle head on. Take this almighty tormentors.

Clearing my throat I nodded a little too roughly. My buns bounced up and down with my head and the stray strands of hair stuck to the side of my face. I could feel my eyes half swollen closed from my crying. I probably looked a way that I would never want to appear before a Hyuuga. Let alone Neji.

"Look…" How in the world did you talk about situations such as these. Especially when everything it going against you and might I add every body.

"About the other night…" I stuttered, not being able to find the correct approach once again. He was going to start taking me for a babbling idiot, which I am anything but. I'm not one to be nervous. I take things head on and yet with something like this, I find myself inexperienced and unable to steer through without plummeting to an untimely death.

I gained enough courage to allow my eyes to travel up to meet his. Which by the way, horrible mistake. Moonlight orbs meet mine and I found any thought I currently had wiped clean from my mind.

Huh. Why did that last statement sound oddly familiar?

"The other night?"

Neji Hyuuga. A voice of the gods. When they made this man, they didn't hold back.

Enough drooling and back to work Tenten. If you're going to burn in hell for going against your reason of living, your teachers own hurtful words, then you mine as well go out with a bang.

"I wanted to apologize…" Wait what? Why did I want to apologize? I thought kissing was a good thing.

My cheeks flushed at the thoughts. God I needed to stop talking to myself before he really starts to think I'm stranger than he already does. Standing here staring at him while I have an inward battle of wits probably doesn't look the greatest.

"Apologize? For what? It is clear that your talent exceeds that of which I could even hope for by far."

I halted my movement and words. My talent? Did he really just put it in words such as those? I can't even remember what happened after the spark of lip contact. I'm sure it wasn't something to call talent considering I most likely blacked out.

"Talent? Is that what you call it?" I scoffed at myself and smiled. He was being nice. That had to be it. Not wanting to hurt a fragile girls feelings.

"Well of course. I have never experienced someone who could over power me. Someone of my heritage, its almost impossible."

My eyes almost bulged from my skull. Was he joking? This was being taken way too seriously. Talk about confidence and cockiness.

This was not something I needed right now. Grinding my teeth, I clenched and unclenched my fists to keep from saying something I would regret. I have already gone out of line once tonight, Neji would not be someone I would want to make a second with.

"I wouldn't really call it much experience on the situation…"

I studied his reaction to my words and it began to look like he no longer followed what I was saying.

"What are you talking about? The way you handle weapons is unheard of."

My heart ceased its erratic banter. My breath caught in my throat. Weapons? All this time he was speaking of the festival contest? Irony can take a dagger to the head for all I cared at the moment.

"Weapons." I coughed. Sure of course, why would he ever want to discuss something I probably totally and completely failed at. I'm not experienced with boys let alone someone like Neji Hyuuga. He probably had girls falling at his feet ready to give anything and everything to be with him and then you have me. Ms. Orphan who can't even manage to get the boy to remember their first kiss.

What was happening to me? Everything felt odd and jumbled.

My world suddenly began spinning and I found my throat parched even more than before. Is this what heartache felt like? If so, then I would like to return the gift.

"Tenten. You don't look too good. Would you like me to return you to your quarters once more? I'm pretty sure I remember the way after the first two times." His smirk was enough to make me want to do it all over again. Neji seemed like the type to never allow such a weakness to be witnessed and yet here I was.

I smiled at him and nodded.

"Don't worry about it." Apparently I just managed to dream up something I wouldn't even of dreamed of before this dream. If that made any sense at all.

In all things holy, why was I losing my mind?

"Besides, it's a little late for a lady such as you to be out here. I believe I have warned you once if not twice before the dangers of being out here. We are not always safe."

I calmed my inward storm and nodded my head.

"But isn't that what you are here for? To protect." Why did battles with him come so easily? Why did I feel like I had to prove myself to him over and over again?

Neji reached forward, his hand grazing my shoulder. The touch of his warm fingertips upon my almond flesh sent electric currents racing through my body. A feeling that I know I have felt more than once. A feeling that I know has been intensified before.

Two nights ago was not a dream. It had to have happened. My whole being screamed at me telling me it was real. I could still feel the touch of his lips brushing against mine. The taste of him. The wanting and uncontrollable surge of adrenaline that coursed through my veins at the nourishment of everything Neji. His very life force intertwined with mine.

"I will protect you with my life." Neji searched my eyes, exploring the real me. Hunting for something I knew not of. The look on his face sent chills down my spine and set my core ablaze.

"I don't know how or why Tenten, but everything I have ever been taught tells me to go on my instinct. To listen to the voice within. And everything within tells me that you are something I cannot let go. Something I must protect even when it goes against my very being. Someone very important to me."

My chest clenched at his words. His confusion and his confession all at once. I know not why the reason for what is happening. I don't know why he doesn't remember and I do. But I do know one thing, I cannot let this continue without fully understanding.

Bringing my finger to his soft lips, I hushed him and closed my eyes.

"Don't say anymore."

My senses skyrocketed to over drive and I could feel the air grow thick once again. My heartbeat pounded against my ears and it pulsated with the night. The sounds around us began to time themselves with my very breathing, dancing in the moonlight in waves that were clear in my mind. Forming themselves around my knight and I, they released a glow that I could feel.

Neji stepped forward once more and allowed his arms to circle my waist, his eyes remaining on mine.

My stomach churned, jumping in anticipation. Knowing what was coming next. Hoping that it would come faster. I felt something creeping up from within my very core, calling my name, beckoning me to answer. Take what is mine.

It was as if my body was sending out a signal that was reaching out to Neji and making him answer.

"What is this feeling Tenten?" His voice sounded dim and almost like he was in some sort of trance.

"You don't know how to listen do you?"

Before I could understand what was happening, Neji had me pushed behind him, using his body to shield me from whatever dare interrupt us at such a vulnerable state.

It was a voice alright. Not one of my core. But one of my worst nightmare.

A/N: So I apologize for the lack of updating. But I swear I will update sooner. Full time job and school kinda makes it a little harder than normal. Thanks for reading!