NejiTen - One Last Chance (Completed 2015)

Ch.3 - Humor Over Sadness

The brown-haired kunoichi sat cross-legged, picking at her hand out of nervousness. She had made sure to sleep extra early this time in hopes of having Neji with her longer. She felt that she was being selfish, but she continued to remember again and again that he decided to visit her. She also forced herself to believe that she was feeling happier with his visits.

She didn't want to admit it to herself, but Neji was indeed helping her get by the day. The answers to her questions made her feel more at ease with daily life, and she was actually able to enjoy the time she spent with friends. But what worried her more than anything else, was that she was falling for a ghost; a man who would never walk on her plane of existence.

Tenten didn't know how long she had with him until he disappeared...forever. Her thoughts were taking a turn south when Neji materialized before her. She looked up at him, unsure of how to react. Neji smiled down at her and said, "I'm glad to see you again."

She smiled in relief and said, "Likewise. Did you enjoy your rest?"

Neji's smile fell a little. "Aha, not as much as I did last time."

"Oh," Tenten replied.

Before she could think anything negative, he said, "It's not your fault. It's my own. You believe me, right?"

Tenten nodded and said, "Yeah, I guess so." After an awkward, quiet moment, Tenten asked, "Sit with me?"

He nodded and sat next to her, leaning up against her. It didn't take him long to realize that there was a blanket next to her.

"Are you cold?" he asked, smiling softly.

Tenten blushed and shook her head. "No, actually," she said, shifting uncomfortably, "It was... Something I made last minute. I... I figured you might not like it, and it's a cruel joke to be honest."

Neji chuckled softly and said, "How about I close my eyes, and do tell me when to open them. Come on, I won't bite."

Tenten hesitated before nodding and saying, "Close your eyes... Please."

He smiled and did so, seemingly looking patient. Tenten sighed softly before picking up the cloth and placing it over her head. The only holes that were there were two for her eyes, and two for her buns. The ends of the drapes stopped at her waist. She then turned towards Neji and hesitated.

After a moment or two of adjusting, she said, "Okay, I'm ready."

Neji did so, finding her to look like a ghost. The dumbfounded expression on his face upset Tenten, but she tried to push past it and held her hands up to her neck. The only thing she could come up with saying was, "Uh... Boo."

Neji's eyes showed an emotion she didn't understand, but it wasn't long after that he started laughing wholeheartedly. Tenten smiled wide and blushed as she watched him. He placed his hand on top of her hand and said, "Tenten, it's perfect! You look so adorable."

Tenten blushed harder and said, "T-Thank you.." His laughter calmed down and he smiled softly at her.

Blushing hard enough to cover her face, she asked, "M-May I ask my questions now?"

He nodded softly and said, "Of course."

Tenten closed her eyes in thought before asking, "What's the one regret you have altogether?"

Neji smiled and asked, "Isn't this kind of like the one mistake I wish I could undo?"

"Sort of," Tenten replied, "But it's a little different. This is... Well, I'm asking what that one regret was pertaining to saving Hinata's life."

Neji frowned slightly before saying, "Well... I knew I wouldn't be around to see my comrades grow. I knew that I wouldn't see the day where Naruto completely realizes that Hinata loves him. Just... I knew I wouldn't be around to see a lot of things."

Tenten mutely nodded, averting her eyes from his. It was quiet, and Tenten could feel pain building up in her chest. She wanted to embrace him, to hug and kiss him until she had nothing left to kiss. Neji lifted her head and asked, "What's the next question?"

Tenten blushed hard before she asked softly, "W-Well... Had you ever thought about settling down with someone?"

Neji blushed softly at her question and said, "I never thought about it, to be honest. I was too focused on trying to do my part as a shinobi. And to be honest, I didn't think that anyone would want to date a heartless creature like me."

Tenten giggled at the cruel nickname she gave and said, "Don't forget about 'Fate Preaching Hyuga'. That name was terrible."

Neji chuckled and said, "Yeah. I guess I was right to think of myself as cold, wasn't I?"

Tenten's smile dropped, but he couldn't see it. Neji's smile fell only slightly as he said, "I guess it's best to never say things out loud for a long period of time. Sometimes, they come true."

Tenten nodded and sighed softly. Neji said, "Hey now, don't be sad. We were just smiling and laughing."

Tenten giggled a little before saying, "Sorry..."

Neji tilted his head up against hers with a content smile on his face. Tenten sighed happily and relaxed a moment before asking the last question. "Why can't you stay forever?" Tenten could feel Neji tense up with the question.

After at least five minutes of silence, he finally spoke up. "Because, if I stayed, you'd never move on, and neither would I. We both eventually need to have some type of peace, right?" Tenten gulped and nodded, looking down at her hands. Her eyes watered at the thought of never seeing him again. Neji turned to her and lifted the drape just as she started to cry.

Neji sighed and smiled sadly, rubbing her cheek. "Please don't cry Tenten."

"You're always telling me not to," she choked out, "but it's really hard."

"I know," he replied, turning her to him and kissing her lips softly. Tenten was partially surprised by his move, but didn't reject it. However, it wasn't long until he parted lips. She knew that he would be leaving soon.

Smiling faintly, Tenten held back fear and caressed Neji's cheek. He closed his eyes and whispered, 'How I wish I had more time...' Tenten smiled softly and said, "I agree. Sleep well, Neji."

Neji opened his eyes and looked at her with a smile so bright; it all but broke her heart. He then slowly faded, like the times before, leaving her alone. Tenten smiled to herself as she faded from their personal dream world.

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Chapter Revised