literature

Precious Things: Ch 5

Deviation Actions

Nokito-chan's avatar
By
Published:
1.2K Views

Literature Text



Chapter 5


Tenten sighed blissfully as she lowered her aching body into the warm water. They'd been travelling non-stop for the last week – Neji had refused to stop for longer than a day in any one place. But, mere hours before, they'd reached a forgotten little village on the border of Fire Country, and Neji had finally decided that they were far enough away to risk an extended stay. He had managed to procure a small cottage on the outskirts of the village, and though Tenten knew that it was a far cry from the luxury of the Hyuuga compound, or even the relative comfort of her old apartment, he never complained.

She sighed again as she reached up to undo her hair. It doesn't matter how far away we run, they will find us eventually. How much longer is Hiashi going to make me wait? Every hour could make a difference for Neji and the twins. Her frustrated thoughts quickly evaporated in the steam from the hot water and Tenten decided that, for now, she would just not think. She just wanted a little normality – just a little time in which to enjoy herself.

Her thoughts turned to the children and she couldn't help the soft smile that lit her features. Neji had named them in the few short hours of their forced separation – the longest hours of her life – and she'd had to agree with his choices. Haru for their son, and Himiko for their daughter: Haru because the twins had been born in the spring, and Himiko because sunlight and spring fit together perfectly.

Suddenly Tenten wanted nothing more than to be with them all and she quickly began to wash her hair. Even though the twins were with Neji and she'd made sure that they were fed and changed before she'd gone to take a bath, she couldn't help but worry.

She hastily pulled on a robe, and yanked the bathroom door open, still rubbing a towel across her hair but she stopped dead in her tracks at the scene that greeted her. Neji was fast asleep on his back, his hair spread loosely across the pillows. Himiko rested on top of Neji - nestled into his chest, on her stomach with her thumb seated firmly in her small, pink mouth, while Haru was sleeping peacefully against his father's side, one small hand tangled in Neji's hair.

Smiling softly through the sentimental tears that gathered in the corners of her eyes, Tenten slowly made her way over to them and slipped quietly into the bed. She stared at the slumbering trio for a long time before exhaustion overwhelmed her and she finally slept too.


The weeks passed peacefully enough – routine was quickly established. In fact, Neji was dealing so well with the daily demands of small babies that Tenten couldn't help but wonder if he wasn't substituting his real self with a clone. They almost always fed the twins together and the new father was becoming quite adept at holding a bottle to the right angle for a small mouth.

If she was honest, she had to admit that she loved this side of Neji. To his children he was more open than she'd ever seen him before in her life but, she had to admit, it wasrather disconcerting to see Neji playing childish games– she was still trying to block the images from her mind. It was as if he couldn't quite believe that the twins were real, he spent so much time stationed beside their cribs, tickling them, talking to them – she'd even once walked in on him singing softly to them after she'd taken a bath. He adamantly refused to make the usual cooing noises, though, for which she would always be grateful – he maintained that his children were intelligent beings who did not deserve to be talked down to merely because they had not yet learned to speak. Their little family was beginning to be settled in its ways – and every moment that passed convinced Tenten more than ever that she'd been right in with-holding some information from Neji.

She watched as Neji brushed a gentle finger over each of the children's cheeks in turn and the strange expression in his eyes – one she couldn't really decipher – had a rush of fierce feeling welling up in her. If nothing else, at least they'd had this precious time together – short as it may be; the happiness that lurked deep in the pearly depths of Neji's eyes made up for a lot of things.

They'd just put the twins to bed– thankfully, the cottage had a small loft, as well as a bedroom, and she and Neji had decided to give the twins the bedroom, taking the loft for themselves. She pulled the bedroom door slightly ajar after them so the light wouldn't wake the babies and, when she turned, Tenten ran smack into Neji's chest. Her eyes lifted with surprise and she felt her knees buckle at the look in his. It was a look she knew well – one that said quite blatantly that he wanted her, now - and he would have her; would wait no longer.

For the umpteenth time in many years she wondered how on earth that worked – how she could find it so incredibly attractive to be dominated. She'd always prided herself on her skills and her femininity - she had yet to be outdone by any man – but Neji… oh, Kami, Neji was a different story altogether. She revelled in his dominance – enjoyed how he made her feel small and helpless.

His eyes blazed into hers – another mystery: how such light eyes could ever be anything but cold – and Neji reached out a hand, sliding his knuckles along her cheek, before his hand slipped under her hair to caress the nape of her neck, and Tenten found herself involuntarily leaning in. Their lips met, and the kiss spiraled out of control with all the violence and suddenness of a forest fire. It's been far too long, Tenten thought incoherently, and by the urgent way Neji ran his mouth and his hands over every inch of skin he could find, she knew he felt the same way.

Neji's hands slipped under her shirt, tracing along the contours of her body and, just as she was beginning to lose herself to the sensation of his hands on her bare skin, a small, gurgling noise from one of the babies joined the sounds of wet mouths, and panted breaths, and they both reacted instinctively. When Tenten gained her breath again, she and Neji were standing on opposite sides of the room, guiltily staring at the door, as if they were fifteen again, and an adult had walked in on their heated kiss.

Silence reigned and gradually they both relaxed. Moving toward Neji she couldn't help the low laugh that bubbled from her throat at their absurdity. He reached for her hand, and brushed his lips along her palm, "Maybe we should take this upstairs," he whispered, and Tenten could only nod her helpless agreement. Against Neji she had no defence.


Neji had long since fallen asleep, but Tenten was still wide awake. She slowly slid out of the bed and pulled on some clothes, using every skill in her arsenal to make sure that Neji remained obliviously asleep. She slipped down the stairs, and quickly peeked in on the twins but they were sleeping quietly and she didn't touch them, lest they made a noise and woke Neji up. He'd always been a light sleeper but since the addition of the twins to their little household, he had become even more sensitive to the slightest sound. Tenten had jokingly dubbed it his twin alarm – she woke instinctively but by the time she'd realized she was awake and that they needed her, Neji had usually already reached their cribs.

She eased the front door open as softly as possible and, once she was outside, she made her way to the stile at the end of the road swiftly. He wouldn't be there, just as he hadn't been there the last few nights, and she wanted to get back home as quickly as possible. She felt his chakra long before she saw his shadowy features as he stepped out from beneath the screening branches of an old tree, and she swore softly in one continuous stream. Tenten came to a halt in front of him, and Hiashi gave her a disapproving look.

"I sincerely hope you refrain from using such language in front of the children," was all he said by way of greeting, and Tenten shot him a dirty look.

Finally, she sighed and said, "I had begun to hope that you would never come."

Hiashi looked away, and even in the moonlight Tenten could see the regret that painted his features.

"You are prepared?" he asked at last, and Tenten nodded.

Hiashi inclined his head slightly, "Tenten, are you sure that you're able to perform the jutsu?" he asked again, sternly.

"Yes," Tenten responded, just a hint of impatience in her voice, and Hiashi breathed a sigh of relief.

"There's a reason it's forbidden and that's not just because of the nature of the technique," he reminded her, "if performed incorrectly it could cost you your life."

"I know," Tenten snapped back, "You don't have to remind me – and I've practiced it every chance I got, so please stop worrying – I know what is required of me, and the risks involved."

For a long time Hiashi merely looked at her before he spoke again, "I have stalled them as long as I can. They will be here within the next week."

Tenten closed her eyes, "So soon?" she whispered.

Hiashi's voice was laced with sympathy when he said, "It's not forever, Tenten – the plan will work, I promise you that. And it is a preferable alternative to being separated from Neji and your children."

She opened her eyes and nodded, "Yes, it's the only way – you're right, of course. And, if all goes according to plan, it shouldn't take much longer than a year, right?" She stared anxiously up at the Hyuuga clan head and he placed a deliberate hand on her shoulder.

"Tenten, it will work because I will make it work. Your family will be safe. Once this is all over, no one will be able to separate you ever again." He stared intently into her eyes, and Tenten couldn't help it – couldn't help trusting him, couldn't help but have faith in the confidence she saw in his eyes.

"I trust you," she whispered, at last, and Hiashi nodded. "I just hope that Neji will be able to forgive me once everything is said and done," she couldn't keep the slight quiver from her voice and Hiashi smiled slightly – a smirk so reminiscent of Neji's that Tenten felt her heart contract.

"You know, far better than I, that Neji does not trust or give his love easily, but when he does, the action has no reservation – and no limit. He will be angry – furious, murderous probably – but because it's you he will eventually come to forgiveness. But you will have to give him time for that – and, right now, that's still far in the future," he frowned, "For now, I need you to concentrate on the task at hand – you need to be ready – I judge they will make their move by the end of the week, and I can't promise that I'll be able to give you more warning than that."

Tenten took a shaky breath, "I'll be ready."

Hiashi stared searchingly into her eyes before he nodded, satisfied by the resolve he found in her steady gaze, and he turned to go. He'd only gone a few steps when Tenten called after him, "Hiashi-sama – why are you doing this? Why are you helping us? Helping me?" She stared at him curiously, not really expecting a reply, but to her surprise he turned slightly.

Staring up at the sky, Hiashi said softly, so softly she had to strain to hear, "He was my brother – and I couldn't save him. I will not let Hizashi's son suffer any more than he already has. Not for archaic clan ideals – not if I can do anything to change that."

She was still staring in shocked surprise when Hiashi made the hand signs. In a nearly silent breath of wind, he was gone. For a long time Tenten remained rooted to the spot – if she'd had any doubts about trusting Neji's uncle before this, his heartfelt admission would've convinced her that, in Hiashi-sama at least, they had an unshakeable ally.


One week later…

What exactly had woken him Neji could not say, but the cold feeling of fear that spread along his spine warned him that all was not as it should be. Instinctively he reached for Tenten but her side of the bed was empty, though the sheets still retained her warmth and so he knew she hadn't been gone long.

The creeping feeling that had the hairs on his arms rising wouldn't abate and Neji slowly swung his feet to the floor, and headed for the stairs, scooping up a shirt as he went and pulling it over his head. The house was quiet, dark – the pre-dawn unbroken by any sound – and abruptly Neji realized that something was definitely wrong since the birds weren't even singing. His stride lengthened and seconds later he stood in front of the children's door. He slowly pushed the door open, using it to screen his body.

There was nothing there – no one stood in front of the cots, and the babies were quiet, but Neji couldn't shake the feeling that all was not as it should be. He swiftly walked to the cots, and his hands clenched around the slats in fear when he saw Haru's empty bed. Had Tenten taken him?

Before Neji had even begun to gather his frantic thoughts – for once in his life he was utterly unable to settle on a course of action – a low voice spoke up from behind him, a voice that bore the cracks of age.

"He looks just like you did at this age."

Neji's hands tightened on the wooden rails, his Byakugan – forgotten in the panic of moments before - activating almost by instinct. He could feel the chakra pulsing through his veins, wanting to push out through his hands, but he miraculously managed to gain control over his reactions and turned around slowly.

An old man with long, gray hair sat on the rocking chair by the window; Haru cradled in his arms, the baby thankfully fast asleep. Neji tried to move as surreptiously as possible and slowly inched sideways so that his body screened Himiko from view. Intently, he watched the man's reaction, not missing the disapproval radiating from the elder Hyuuga.

"You've grown soft – you should have activated your Byakugan long before this," his voice radiated disdain, "so much for your vaunted genius. I should have come long before this; I can only hope that the damage isn't irreparable."

Neji couldn't help the grimace that spread over his face – since he'd been a small child this man had known exactly which buttons to push. It was like he enjoyed breaking Neji's characteristic stoicism. Taking a deep breath Neji forced his expression to blankness, and merely stared expectantly at the older man.

The old man raised his eyes again, the pupil-less gaze completely blank, and Neji felt his skin crawl with fear. He slowly raised his arms, and took a step toward them, "Give me my son," he said softly but the steel in his voice did not go unnoticed by the old man who smirked slightly.

Neji cleared his throat and tried to modify his tone, until he had Haru safely away from the old man he could not risk making him angry.

"Give Haru to me," Neji paused slightly, "please, Grandfather."

Precious Things: Ch 5

*Back by popular demand, revised and summary updated* The less Neji knows the safer he will be. But the cost of his safety turns out to be his love and Tenten finds it is the one price she isn't willing to pay. Naruto-verse AU. Established NejiTen. Note: Neji & Tenten are around 22 years old here!

Couples: NejiTen.

A/N: The plot thickens xD … Please let me know what you thought! I love hearing your thoughts and speculations ^^

If you like my work, please add to your :+fav:s! To be updated on the new chapters, please add me to your :+devwatch:.

:bulletred::bulletorange: Review on Fanfiction.Net :bulletorange::bulletred:

:pointl: Previous Chapter
:pointr: Next Chapter - Coming Soon!

~Nokito-chan :star:
© 2013 - 2024 Nokito-chan
Comments2
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
cas42's avatar
"If she was honest, she had to admit that she loved this side of Neji. To his children he was more open than she'd ever seen him before in her life but, she had to admit, it wasrather disconcerting to see Neji playing childish games– she was still trying to block the images from her mind. It was as if he couldn't quite believe that the twins were real, he spent so much time stationed beside their cribs, tickling them, talking to them – she'd even once walked in on him singing softly to them after she'd taken a bath. He adamantly refused to make the usual cooing noises, though, for which she would always be grateful – he maintained that his children were intelligent beings who did not deserve to be talked down to merely because they had not yet learned to speak."

You're doing a wonderful job of taking me back to raising my own twins... I also liked your allusion of Tenten wondering if Neji was making a clone do deal with the babies needs... There was many a time I wished I could do that... Especially at 3AM.

One thing I am little shaky on... Where in the vast array of plans, counter plans, and counter-counter plans are we? During my first read through I was wondering "Wait...Did Tenten do the mystery jutsu yet? Has she disappeared? Does Grandfather Hyuga think she is dead or does he know she is alive? Does Neji know she is about to do this mystery jutsu? Which plan is this?" I had to do a second read through to figure things out... I think I can tell that we are heading towards some sort of climax in which Tenten vanishes, At least I'm pretty sure... But I'm not going to be 100% positive until the next installment (And knowing your writing style I'm sure whatever it is, is going to be resolved wonderfully) Does that make sense? I'm feeling a little lost as to what is supposed to be happening next... It's just a hair distracting when the chapter ends.

I was being very VERY picky... I would respectfully suggest giving the reader a little moment in between Tenten's conversation with Hiashi and the 'one week later' time skip, where you do something like give us a 'calm before the storm' suspension building scene full of Tenten angst and Neji feeling concerned. That would really help with the set up.

Picky comments aside... Let me say that this chapter is yet another excellent example of your uncanny ability to create wonderfully realistic, naturally flawed, but extremely likeable characters. I love what you have done with Neji, Tenten and Hiashi. And grandfather... wow what an entrance for him! You gave him such an unassuming manner, that turns into such an aura of power.

Beautiful writing as always.

-Cas