Chapter Nine:
Kingdom Come
An all out war broke out between the surrounding villages and the rogue ninjas. Everything was destroyed, but people worked hard to piece everything back together. The rogue ninja were gone and the surrounding villages were coexisting in peace. While war was tearing the nations apart, Neji stared death in the face in battle with his comrades. Tenten, who had been under the teachings of Tsunade, was able to bring him back to the material plane. She loved him. And she would do anything in her power to see that he lived.
A year had passed before everything was relatively back to normal. Neji had made a full recovery and him and Tenten were still smitten the way they were when they were kids. Neji wanted to take their relationship to the next level, but didn't necessarily know where to start. He needed advice and needed it fast.
Neji decided to pay Shikamaru a visit. Shikamaru had become a really close friend over the years. He had recently become Hokage and newly married to Asami Koba. They sat on the roof of his office and stared at the carved faces that sat upon the mountain.
"Kinda cool to see my face up there." Shikamaru said with a smile. Neji smiled and nodded.
"I need advice," Neji finally said as he turned to him, "and you're the only person I can think about."
"Really now?" Shikamaru asked with a smile. Neji laughed at his sarcasm.
"It's about Tenten. I want to make the next move, but I don't know where to start. I mean, look at you. You're married, you guys are living together and well... we've been together about as long as you and Asami so." Shikamaru groaned.
"I remember those days," he said as he stretched.
"So, what do I do?" Neji asked.
Shikamaru scratched his chin. "Ask her to move in with you."
Neji looked at him. "Do you really think it'll be a good idea?" He asked.
"Who's the married guy here?" he asked with a smirk. Neji smirked at his best friend and patted him on the shoulder.
Neji met up with Tenten that evening. The two sat outside of Tenten's apartment and watched the sunset. "How's your living situation?" Neji asked her and he held her hand.
Tenten shrugged. "It's getting a little cramped. Why do you asked?"
"Well," Neji started, "my grandparents gave me their estate." He stopped.
"And?" Tenten asked with a taunting smile.
Neji looked at her and smiled. "Move in with me." He finally said. Tenten's face lit up like a Christmas tree and wrapped her arms around him tightly.