Frequency: Chapter 1 snippet
"Tenten…" Neji cooed softly. "It's over, now. We're here with you."
The bun head didn't stop sobbing. She brought her up and covered her face with the casts. For the first time in her life, she felt utterly powerless and alone to the point where not even Neji's presence was comforting. She felt like a discarded kunai; rusty, dull, and rough.
"Do…you want us to leave?" Gai asked after a while.
Tenten sniffed and looked down at her lap. She didn't want them to leave her here by herself. She didn't want to be alone. The bunhead shook her head. Taking a chance, Neji reached his hand out to her. The weapon's mistress looked between him and his hand; deciding whether or not she should take it. Lifting a trembling hand, she laid hers on his. Through the cast, she could tell his palms were warm and comforting. The Hyuga watched as Tenten went in and out of focus.
"Tenten…" he whispered, leaning over her.
She couldn't see his eyes. She was too ashamed to and she was so mad at herself for feeling this way. Tenten was Konoha's weapons mistress! She was fearless, cunning, and head strong…but that all seemed to not matter now. Her body refused to listen to her and her mind was acting as a bubble; restricting her control over her emotions. Another tear fell from her eye; she hated crying in front of them. She was weak and could no longer do anything to think otherwise. Her confidence was stuck down, her motivation was shot…she was a mess and she knew it. But, that's what made her so angry at the same time. Tenten jumped when she felt Lee's fingers wipe away her tears. A bit taken aback, the taijustu specialist retreated to his sensei's side, his eyes wide at the reaction…but Neji didn't let go of her hand.
"If you two wish to leave, go ahead." The Hyuga looked at them. “It is obvious she is not in the right mental state. There may be too many of us here right now.”
"And yourself?" Rock Lee asked, stepping forward.
"I will stay here until she is ready to leave."
Rock Lee was about to object to leaving but he was silenced by Gai's hand on his shoulder. There was nothing they could really do. It was clear to Gai that Neji had full intention of taking care of his partner until she was fully recovered and of sound mind, which meant Neji would be not taking any missions until he is satisfied with Tenten’s condition. Gai was also aware of the affection Neji held for Tenten; their romance was kept a secret for a few years until after the war. Love, as they learned as chunnin, was dangerous for a shinobi; however Neji had made it a point to find a balance of prioritizing his duty as a ninja and lover for Tenten. The couple understood the risks, and managed to make it work. When their cell became ANBU, it was evident that they had to push down their feelings even more; Neji’s actions during the last mission would have cost them more if he had acted on protective impulse.Gai motioned for Lee; The two taijutsu specialists left the room. Tenten licked her lips; a notion that had not gone unnoticed. On the side table there was a bundle of towels and a few water bottles. Reaching for one, Neji held the opening to her lips.
"I can do it myself…" Tenten murmured darkly.
Drowning the whole bottle, the bun head licked her lips and laid back down. She was drained both physically and mentally. Neji stood and closed the window blinds to lock the sun's rays from creeping into the room. Sitting back down, the Hyuga took her hand once more.
"Did you sleep when we got back?" Tenten asked not to look at him.
"No." The ANBU Captain admitted.
Her screams were still clear as day whenever he closed his eyes. He tried so hard to meditate once he returned to his apartment; alas he was unable to calm his mind from the mission. The Hyuga was still a bit shaken to the point that he struggled to keep her attached to him when the medical ninja tried to carry her off to the hospital, he didn’t want them touching her at all. Sakura was trying her best to reason with the Hyuga, stating she was safe now, but he still refused. It took Gai and Lee to hold him as Sakura helped her staff bring Tenten inside to be cared for. His eyes wouldn't close…not even his mother's tea helped. Tenten hummed in response. Tsunade had knocked her out with medication, but she still woke up three hours after arriving at the hospital.
"Where…is my scroll?" Tenten asked suddenly.
"Gai sensei brought it in for you. Your mother is home…I don't think she got the news yet. All she knows is that you were injured in some way."
The bunhead sighed. Her mother would be crawling all over the room in a matter of minutes if she was told already.
"Try to rest," Neji stroked her exposed fingers with his thumb. "I'm not going anywhere."
Nodding, the bun head took a deep breath and attempted to take in the stillness that she was fortunate enough to return to.
Read the rest here(FFdotnet) and here (AO3)
Read the Prequel here (FFdotNet) and here (AO3) Warning: Rated M for applied r*pe scene.
