Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 15: There were only four times that she had put on a dress. And oddly enough, he was always there. AU.

A/N: I got this idea when we were shopping for a gown for prom. It's a week from now. Oh, I'm hyped!

Thank you all for the reviews!

Enjoy.

Warning: Character Death.

ALWAYS THERE

The cold wind billowed, blowing the strands of her brown, faded hair. She clenched her umbrella tightly, so tight that she could even feel the pain in her hand. She looked around her. All she could see was black. Except for the cold, colorless rain pelting down. A sad smile crept across her face. It was like the weather wanted to portray all the pain she was feeling. The despair.

The sadness.

As she looked up to the gray clouds, her mind suddenly flashed to all the moments in her life. It was then that an odd thought sparked in her mind. Four times. Only four times in her life had she wore a dress. And oddly enough, he was always there.

The first time was 42 years ago.

She was only seven then, same as he. She frowned angrily as she sat at the backseat of their pickup truck. She had told her mother that she was better off with some jeans and a plain shirt, but her mother insisted on the white frilly dress her pale eyed- best friend had given her for her birthday. The dress she was now wearing.

"Mom it's cold!" She complained, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Then use your jacket Tenten. Stop complaining," her father said, firmly.

The little girl cringed in fear. She knew that tone meant for her to stop, but she just couldn't take wearing a dress. Her legs felt cold and exposed. Tenten tugged desperately, pulling the dress down.

"We're here, dear," her mother said, as the car stopped.

Tenten nodded as she looked out of the tinted window. Although she had been invited to go there many times, she still couldn't help but feel amazed at the grandeur of their house. But what else could she expect from one of the richest families in Japan?

She stepped out of the old truck awkwardly, almost tripping on her dress.

"Be careful, Tenten-chan," her mother warned, holding her hand. "Here, I think it's best if you give it to her," she said, passing to her a small present.

"Okay," Tenten agreed, as she received the small gift she had wrapped so carefully that night. "B-but okaa-san! Aren't you coming?" She asked, realizing that her mother was walking back to the car.

Her mother smiled, looking to her daughter's eyes. "I wouldn't want to disturb your fun time," she said, smiling. "Besides, they'll look after you here, and you're big enough to take care of yourself. We'll come back for you later," she said, kissing Tenten's forehead.

Tenten nodded her head nervously, before waving goodbye as the truck drove away. She turned around to face the enormous house, before walking toward it, clutching her gift anxiously. It took her about twenty steps to reach the great door, towering above her. After gazing at it admiringly, she brought her knuckles to the wooden exterior and knocked.

She waited for a few seconds, before the door opened. She half-expected to see her best friend, blushing and smiling at her, but was proven wrong when the door opened wide.

A young boy, just her age, stood before her. He eyes were pale, almost like Hinata's, but only with a tint of lavender in it. But it wasn't his eyes that made her step back; it was his gaze on her—intent, almost angry, and his facial expression was blank.

She had never seen anybody looking so impassive.

"What do you want?" He snapped, eyeing her.

"I-I—!"

"Neji-nii-san!" A familiar, timid voice called from behind him.

"Hinata?" He exclaimed, looking behind him.

"H-hai," the speaker whispered, stepping out the door, standing between the two. "She-she's here for my birthday," she explained, gesturing towards her best friend, who was holding a package in her hand.

The bun haired girl nodded, as the boy turned to look at her, with a softer expression this time. Without his stern look, Tenten noticed that he actually looked good.

"M-my name's Tenten," she started.

He nodded. "Neji," was all he muttered, before walking away.

Tenten couldn't help but sigh in relief as he left.

"I'm glad you came, tenten-chan!" Hinata said, gleefully.

She nodded happily. "Me too. Happy Birthday Hinata-chan!" she shouted, handing her the present.

"Arigato!" The young Hyuga exclaimed, blushing. Then her eyes turned to Tenten's dress. "I'm glad you wore it."

All Tenten could do was smile, as she hugged her timid friend. Tenten could hear Hinata whispering something, but it was like the words were muffled by a bubble surrounding her.

She was too focused on the young boy walking away.

It was the first time they met, and also the 1st time she wore a dress.

The second time was 9 years later.

Tenten's slim fingers found their way to her powdered face. "It's like the make-up's too thick," she whispered urgently to the blonde haired girl beside her.

Ino chuckled, before bringing out the pocket mirror from her pouch. "Stop panicking. It looks great."

Tenten raised the mirror, once again gasping at her reflection. Surprised that she could come close to looking good.

"See? It looks good," Ino said, smiling.

"Yeah…I guess it's alright," the brown haired girl answered, watching her reflection. Her hair was ponytailed at the side of her head, making her brown locks fall on her shoulder, and to the front of her dress. Make-up filled her face, though it wasn't as thick as the other girls'. It was just enough to bring out the color of her eyes. Looking down to her body, she again tugged uncomfortably at the peach colored dress wrapping her body.

"Don't worry," a baritone voice said quietly.

"Neji!" she exclaimed, looking to her right. She hadn't even noticed that Ino had gone, and that Neji had replaced her.

He smirked, as he glanced towards his cousin's best friend.

"I just want my pants back," Tenten complained, uncomfortably.

He chuckled lightly, before standing up. "I told you, you don't have to worry," Neji repeated extending his hand to her. "Care to dance?"

Tenten nodded, hoping that the make-up was enough to cover the blush that was now creeping to her cheeks.

Neji smiled as their hands met, and he led her to the dance floor.

"Oh, and Tenten… You look beautiful."

Tenten smiled as the scene seemed to replay in her head, playing as if she was watching everything on a wide screen TV. It was the night that changed everything between them… It was the night that they weren't considered as friends anymore.

She looked to her side, noticing the green grass all around her. As she stared, her mind again drifted… To the thir time she wore a dress. It was the happiest day of her life.

"You look gorgeous!" Sakura exclaimed as she entered the dressing room.

Tenten turned around to face her. "Thank you Sakura…" she whispered, not believing that it was really happening.

Sakura stepped closer to her, and placed her hand gently on her shoulder. "I told you the dress would look great," she whispered.

Tenten nodded, gratefully. This time, she didn't tug the dress down, since it fell to the floor, covering her entire lower body. The white dress was filled with pearls and beads. And this time, nothing held her hair up, causing it to fall to her back, reaching just above her waist.

"Tenten," a sturdy voice said, from the door.

Tenten turned to look and saw her father waiting for her. He was also wearing a white tuxedo, just as Sakura was wearing a white dress.

"It's time," he said, smiling proudly at her, but she could see the tears forming at the corner of his eyes.

"Hai," she said, nodding, and then hugged Sakura one last time before finally stepping out of the room.

The cold snow filled the ground that day, but she felt nothing but happiness as she strode slowly down the aisle, clutching her father's hand.

She smiled as she saw her soon-to-be husband waiting at the end, staring lovingly at her with his pale, lavender eyes.

"Mom…" A voice said quietly behind her. Tenten didn't have to look. She already knew who it was. "Mom.. I think it's… it's time to go home now," continued the voice.

Tenten nodded sadly, knowing her daughter was right. She had been standing, out in the rain, for hours now. She didn't even notice that she was the only one left… Standing and staring at the grave in front of her…The grave of her husband.

Tears fell from her eyes; she knew that nothing she could do would bring him back. Back still… Even once was enough. Holding his hand in hers just one last time would satisfy her. But she knew… she knew it was impossible. She knew it was time to go on with her life, which was what he would have wanted. "Just wait for me…" She whispered to the tomb, wishing that he could really hear her words.

She turned around. "Hiro…" She said, gazing at her daughter. Her hair and other features were exactly like hers. Except for her eyes… Her pale, lavender eyes.

"It's alright mom…" Hiroyuki whispered, as her mother reached her. "Dad's in a better place now," she whispered, as she walked her mother to the gray Porsche waiting for them in the highway.

"Yes," Tenten answered, looking straight to her daughter's eyes. How it reminded her of him… Tenten looked back one last time at the white tomb lying on the ground above them, and just then, another cold gust of wind blew, ruffling the trees.

As the breeze swayed around her, she heard his voice, whispering to her. Although she knew that nobody else but she could hear, something deep inside her told her she wasn't just imagining things. The voice continued on, whispering in words only she could understand. It was deep, and very peaceful, reminding her that everything was alright. She smiled one last time, before completely turning back, and stepping onto the car.

This time, her dress was pure black. Although she loved dark colors, it broke her heart to wear it in this occasion. Because wearing it really did confirm that he had gone ahead somewhere that someday, she would also go to. But now was not the time. And although she couldn't see him, it didn't mean he was completely gone. She knew that he was there, watching her… guiding her.

She knew… He was always there.

END

A/N: Not really one of my best, but I really wanted to write this… I might rewrite it, sometime in the future… But for now, this is good enough:D. But if there are any errors, please ignore them... I've got no time to recheck..:D.

Thanks for reading!

Review please.

=)

Post note: Haha! I promised to rewrite this, but haven't yet. The promise is still on though. Just need to get my bones feeling up to it. 05.15.13