Tenten crept behind Neji who was sitting on top of the mountain where the Hokages' face portraits were carved in. Konoha looked normal as usual. The blinding lights of the village were brighter than ever with the most illuminating light popping out of the Hokage's office. Everything seemed normal. People were walking in out of the shops. The ninjas were doing their duty. Everything was normal except for the striking absence of Misa. Misa's absence was obvious yet almost forgotten by the villagers of Konoha. Her unique red hair was what made her so easy to spot her amidst the crowds and her not being here in Konoha, it was a striking blow to her close friends.
"I can't help but think that it's my fault she ended up being kidnapped. If only I hadn't pushed her away and acted like a child about her rejecting me, I-," Neji placed his palms over his face panicking over his pathetic behavior earlier, "We don't even know if she is alive or dead. Who knows if she was tortured or if she is begging for someone to save her?"
Tenten was a bit distraught upon seeing Neji's stressed attitude. She had never seen him lose his composure before. Neji in Tenten's eyes was always perfect, a perfect man born to be a leader but here he was showing that he was human too. He was always kind and the sweetest boy she knew even though Neji was sometimes arrogant. He was breaking down right in front of her and Tenten couldn't help but think how Misa would react in such situations. How would Misa calm Neji down and explain that it wasn't his fault? How? How could even Tenten compete with someone like Misa?
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No, Tenten didn't have to impersonate Misa or copy her mannerisms just to make Neji notice her. She just had to be herself just like Misa had countlessly pointed it out long time back. She didn't have to be a side character who tried to be Misa or who was simply silent all the time. She just had to speak her mind.
"Neji, it isn't just your fault. If you think it is, then that means that we, everyone close to her is to blame. I myself drove her into a corner," Tenten sat beside Neji sensing his quiet despair, "It's the fault of the one who kidnapped her. Uchiha Sasuke and his boisterous trainer, Orochimaru are the causes of the situation."
Strangely for Neji, he was a little taken back at how Tenten had spoken. Usually she was quiet as a mouse and didn't have many reactions. Frankly, he really thought that Tenten was very similar to him yet now she was showing a totally different side.
"I am still worried about her. Lady Tsunade is so busy trying to hold back Danzo and the elders. What if Misa actually dies during this period where everyone is busy trying to find a way to get to her?" A groan left the older boy's mouth with creases appearing on top of his forehead.
Tenten explained, "You and I both know that Sasuke wouldn't kidnap Misa if she wasn't of any use to him. He definitely took her with him for a particular reason and trust me, she won't die. She's Misa. She will survive."
