The Girl With Two Buns. A NejiTen Fanfic

26

"You found Tsunade-hime?" Neji asked just to make sure he didn't hear wrongly.

"Hai. The gate guards gave me the reports a few days ago and I was thankfully able to persuade her to stay here only after giving full access to my wine house. We were going to send a messenger hawk to you but the news came that you dropped your title as crown prince so I asked the guards to be on the look out for you." Gaara explained.

"I appreciate your help, Gaara-sama." Neji thanked his friend. They discussed a little bit and talked about things which eventually led to the talk about Tenten. Neji explained that he was on the search for his lover and Gaara agreed to help him search for her.

A copy of Sai's poster was made and a reward was added to it to make the search faster. While they waited for results, Neji went to visit Tsunade-hime for a medical check up. If there was anybody that knew what was wrong with him and could cure it, it was Tsunade.

Tsunade ran a couple of tests and checked his pulse for a diagnosis. As expected from the legendary doctor, she came up with a diagnosis within days and called Neji to break the news down to him.

"Well brat, listen to what I am about to say carefully." The sannin started but Neji knew what she was about to say. A serene smile came upon his face as he guessed what the woman wanted to say.

"It is beyond you, is it not?"

Tsunade was astounded by how easily he was taking the news. "It seems you have come to accept your fate." Tsunade smiled at him and stood up. "I would not give in so easily if I were you." She said as she withdrew something from one of the boxes in the room. "Now I am not giving you hope, brat, but I am admonishing you to live to the fullest."

The blond woman took a seat and placed the sake bottle that she had withdrawn from the boxes in front of Neji. The lavender eyed man raised a brow at her actions which caused her to give a small laugh.

"Oh dear." She spoke between laughs. "I assure you that it is elixir inside this bottle." Tsunade swore. Neji skeptically took the bottle and sniffed its contents. He was pleased to see that it was indeed medicine and not alcohol.

"Thank you, Tsunade-sama."

"A spoon two times a day should suffice. While there is no known cure for this rare disease, there are ways to slow its advancements. I do wish I could have done more for you."

Whether she was saying it out of sympathy or true concern, Neji knew not but he thanked her anyway. "You have done more than enough, your ladyship. If you will hear my request, Tsunade-sama, I do have a favour to beseech of you."

"A favour? Speak for I am listening."

Neji exited Tsunade-hime's guest quarters with a sombre expression on his face. He had known for a long time that his fate was sealed but to hear the results aloud made his heart ache.

~ x ~

"

Your majesty." A servant bowed to the king as he spoke. "The woman whom you search for has been found."

"Is that so? Report the news to Neji-sama and bring the woman here." Gaara instructed.

"Hai." The servant left in a rush. Few moments later, Tenten was led in by some palace guards along with a man that was presumably the one who found her.

"Your majesty."

"Well done." Gaara commended the man who found her. "It is indeed she. You shall be rewarded as promised. Please, Kankuro, deal with him for I want to speak with her alone."