Neji lied in bed looking out his window at the trees swaying back and forth. He had listened to the forecast that morning, so he knew a storm was coming. He would give anything to be able to walk in the rain. He would give anything just to walk again. His inability to do simple things he used to do like walk and get out of bed by himself rendered him depressed. He was 19 years old and in the prime of his life. He did not understand how the universe could be so cruel as to do this to him. The hospital had been the only thing he knew for the past month. Day after day of the same thing was getting on his nerves. The only positive thing to come out of this torturous hospital stay was that he had grown extremely close to his female teammate.
He heard a familiar rhythm knocked on the door.
"Come in Tenten." He called
The door opened to reveal his best friend. She was soaked from head to toe. Neji looked outside and was met with dark clouds and rain. He must have missed the start of the storm while he was wrapped up in his thoughts.
"Come here." Neji said
She did as she was told and moved to his bedside, "Yes?"
Neji lifted himself up as much as he could to meet her face to face and planted a small kiss on her cheek. Caught off guard, Tenten stumbled a little and her face became bright red.
"Thank you," Neji said
"F-For what?" She replied
"For being there for me. I know it's kind of a burden coming to check on me every day. I wanted to thank you for simply being there for me, not just for my injury, but for everything. You care so much about everyone around you and I admire that." He confessed
Tenten could not believe what she was witnessing. Neji had never thanked anyone for anything. He certainly has not kissed anyone on the cheek doing so. This made her wonder if he knew how she felt about him.
"It's nothing really. I know you would do the same for me. The truth is...I-" she was cut off
Neji pressed his lips on hers in a passionate kiss. He couldn't hold it in any longer. She was absolutely beautiful. He loved how she came to see him even when it was raining. He loved how strong she had been for both of them. He loved how genuine she was.
When he finally broke the kiss, he saw the effects it had on her. Her face was deep red. She was touching her lips as though she missed his.
"Neji..." She said breathlessly
He took her hands, "When my uncle came over about a month ago, he told me that if I proved myself, I would succeed him as the head of the clan. He said I needed a wife in order for that to happen. I'm not asking you to marry me, but I would like for you to give me a chance to show you how I feel about you. It might take months maybe even years for us to decide on marriage. Maybe this won't work out at all, but will you give us a chance?"
She started crying softly, but had a smile across her face. She let out a chuckle, "Why am I crying Neji?"
He made room for her on his hospital bed and motioned for her to lay next to him. She gladly took the offer and kissed him. He gave her a genuine smile as a reply.
"Did you know I had feelings for you Neji?" She asked
"No, not really. I was just hoping." He said with a slight chuckle
"Really? I thought you had found out a while ago. I've had a crush on you for years. When you ended up in here, I wanted more than anything for you to allow me to help you. I know it's a little foolish to say this, but I love you Neji. I've had all these emotions building inside of me for years. I never wanted you or anyone else to know." She confessed
He brought his body as close as he could to her and kissed her with everything he had. He had been waiting for those three words to come out of her mouth for years now.
"Tenten, I love you too. I love you. My only wish is for you to be happy. Are you sure you can be happy with a man like me?" He asked
"What do you mean?" She asked him
"You would have to take care of me as if I was a child. You would need to do everything for me. I can't-" he was cut off
"No, you can. You can do anything you want. I know you don't feel useful right now, but you are. I've already told you I will help you with whatever you need whenever you need me to. I also know you've been feeling depressed ever since it happened. The Neji Hyuga I know would never beat himself up. You can still do a lot without your legs, and whatever you can't do, I will be there to help you." She bargained
He smiled, "Thank you Tenten," He paused for a moment, "Can you- never mind"
"No, what is it." She asked
A blush crept onto his cheeks, "I don't know how to ask you this," he sighed, "Just forget it. I'll wait until my nurse comes back in."
"Neji, when you get out of here I will need to know how to take care of you. Just tell me what you need and show me what to do." She said in a caring tone
He avoided her gaze at all costs, "All I need you to do is help me get to the bathroom. It's just behind that door." He said pointing in front of him
"All right, come on." She said while getting off of the bed
She gave him her hand so that he could get out of bed to reach his crutches. After he had placed the crutches in a comfortable spot, he made his way to the bathroom.
"Do you need any help with anything in there?" She asked from the outside
"No, I can handle it, but just to let you know this takes a while." He said embarrassed
"It's fine. Take as long as you need." She replied
About 45 minutes later Neji called for her, "Tenten, I'm finished. I need a little help getting up."
Tenten opened the door and went in, "What is it Neji?"
He closed his eyes not wanting to see her to save him his dignity, "I need help getting up."
Tenten carefully pulled him up and let him hold onto her shoulders while she grabbed his crutches. She made sure that his balance was ok before she opened the door to his room. He sat on the side of his bed before Tenten lifted his legs to put them at the end of the bed. She then sat in the chair next to his bed.
"Thank you Tenten. I really do appreciate what you do for me." He said
"It's honestly the least I can do. You've helped me out more than you think. Always know that Neji." She said while stroking his hand
He smiled, "I am so lucky. I'm lucky that my accident didn't kill me. I am so lucky to have you, my best friend, by my side through all of this. I have finally reached the peace I need to accept what has happened to me." Neji said speaking mostly to Tenten, but also reassuring himself how he felt.
Tenten couldn't stop smiling. This was the same man that had thrown a vase across the floor because he felt like he couldn't do anything with his life anymore. He had been stoic, resentful, and angry his entire life. Now he's found peace. That's all she ever wanted for him. She knows that he deserves it.
"Neji, you deserve every ounce of happiness that comes your way. You have gone through so much struggle in your lifetime. I know it was hard, but I want to be with you and share your burdens." She said
He brought her hand to his lips and gave it a small peck. He couldn't find any words to properly tell her all he needed to say.
"What would make you the happiest you have ever been?" She asked out of curiosity
He thought for a minute, "Umm, it would have to be- no I can't tell you."
"Why not?" She asked half joking
"It's to sappy. You know I'm not a fan of that kind of thing." He replied
"Oh, come on Neji. I won't laugh, promise." She said
He looked her strait in the eye, "Promise?"
She sighed, "Yes, yes, now tell me."
He paused, "The thing that would make me the happiest? It would be to be a father and have my child love me. If he or she doesn't love me, that would be the worst thing that could possibly happen I think. I don't know why that would make me so happy. Maybe because of how I was raised. I never really got to know my father. I'm sorry Tenten. I'm rambling."
She got up from her chair and kissed him. Her hands held each side of his face to deepen the kiss. She broke the kiss after a moment and looked into his confused eyes.
"That's not sappy Neji. That's the sweetest thing I've ever heard you say. The only thing I want, when and if we get this far, is to mother your children and be the happiest family in the village." She said almost in tears
He wiped her eyes, "Come on Tenten, you don't need to get emotional."
She chuckled, "Sorry, I have just never seen you as open as you are today. I'm not used to you confiding in me these types of things. I never want you to stop talking."
He placed a soft kiss on her forehead, "I love you Tenten. The only person I could possibly love more than you is our child I'm sure we are bound to have."
She gave another chuckle, "I think it's a little funny that we are already making plans to have children when we have never been on a date."
He smiled, "I guess it is a little strange. Then again, we are strange people."