×Neji's POV×

I felt someone poking my shoulder....what could someone possibly want in the middle of the night?...

I lazily opened up my eyes and looked at my side...--"Tenten...she must've had a nightmare again..."--

~•Flashback•~
{First time Tenten went to Neji's house because of a nightmare}

It was late... really late, I was out in the training grounds of the Hyūga compound.

--"That shuriken needs to land on the bull's eye....and I haven't been able to hit it..."-- I stated panting, I was tired, I spent all afternoon perfecting my aim just to have no results come out of it.

--"It's late, I'll come back tomorrow."-- I thought as I started picking up the kunai's and shuriken's I had used.

I made it home. Can I really call this place...home? I sighed as I walked in, my uncle was walking by the same hallway as I was. --"Great...I don't feel like being interrogated about my location this afternoon. I missed the Hyūga sparring event. I was supposed to sparr with Hinata...but at my eyes she's too weak. It would've been a waste of time."-- I thought to myself while not making eye contact with Hiashi.

We passed eachother by a long shot but just when I relaxed myself I heard my name being called out.

--"Neji, when you finish your dinner come to my office."-- I heard him say. I'm in so much trouble...

Minutes passed and it was nine thirty p.m, I had already finished my dinner and walked up to my uncle's office. Taking a deep breath in before knocking on his door.

As I knocked I heard him say --"The door is open."-- as I slid the door to the side and stepped in he told me to shut the door behind me.

--"Sit down."-- he ordered.
I did as I was told and sat on the chair in front of his desk.

--"Hinata missed a day of training because of you."-- he started off, with an emotionless expression as he leaned on to the back of his seat.

--"So? She's not my problem..."-- I mumbled looking at the floor with the corner of my eye's. I painfully regretted saying such words since I didn't know where they would get me...

My uncle weaved signs and for the first time, I felt the curse marks power. It was like if someone started to drill out a hole onto your skull, or a million blades stabbing your forehead.

I gripped the thin fabric covering the curse mark which was placed on my forehead and grunted in pain.

--"Ahh..."--

--"You'll learn how to obey orders one way or another."-- he said, not caring about the suffering he put me through.

--"G-go to hell"-- I managed to say as I couple of shouts of pain escaped my mouth.

I felt like gouging my eyes out.
It would be better than too go through this pain.

He stood up in front of me, showing a hand sign that was making the seals pain get worse by the second.

--"Say something else and you'll wish you were dead."-- he said narrowing his eyes onto me.

--"You know what....I already wish I were dead than to be burdened with this miserable life!"-- I got the courage to punch his stomach and run away to my room.

The curse mark seal can't be activated if the user isn't near. Something I learned from the side branch members as myself.

I started to breath heavily as I sat on my bed. Laying there... thinking if I should end my life and leave the burden of being a locked bird in a cage as my father...

--"Father...why did you have to sacrifice yourself...I can't deal with this pain alone..."-- I then heard my door slide open, I quickly sat up, hoping it wasn't my uncle. And to my luck it wasn't.

--"Tenten?"-- I asked, looking at the trembling slim figure in front of me. She was....crying.

--"I'm sorry... I....I had a nightmare...and I didn't want to be alone...I tried going over to Hinata's room so I wouldn't bother you but there were guards outside..."-- she said with a cracked voice clutching her shirt as she wiped the tears she had on her face.

My eyes softened as I looked at her....
--"She's my reason. I'm not planning on leaving her alone."--

I went up to her and took her hand while wiping her face with my hand cloth. --"It's ok, don't cry. You're not alone."-- I said. She looked up to me and gave me a tight hug. --"Thanks Neji..."-- I barely heard her say.

I was surprised by the hug, so I decided to rub her back for a while so she would calm down.

After a few minutes she finally stopped sobbing, and fell asleep in my arms. I carried her up to my bed as I sat on the floor...just thinking...

When I fell asleep and woke up the next morning, I found a note placed on top of my pillow.

~∆~∆~∆~

I didn't want to cause any trouble so I left this morning, thanks for the comfort, I really appreciated your company.

--Tenten

~∆~∆~∆~

And since that day, anytime she's got a nightmare, she comes over night.

~•End of flashback•~

--"Let me guess. Nightmare?"-- I asked her knowing I'd be correct on my assumptions.

She silently nodded. I took her wrist and pulled her up.

--"Come here, you'll be fine."-- I told her.

{Time skipped to the next day}

--"She's not here yet..."-- I thought as I looked at my classmates. Classroom 3B... such immature kids.

I sighed as I took a seat... minutes passed and the bell had already rung...

Iruka Sensei introduced himself and was about to start class until the classrooms door slid open.

--"She made it..."-- I smirked internally. I told her not to oversleep. Ohh well, she never does as I suggest anyways.

Iruka Sensei and Tenten had an argument. We started classes and she got to sit next to me. As time passed Iruka Sensei had to leave to take care of an errand. Leaving us free for the last period.

I remembered I had training with Hinata...and I wasn't about to get punished because of not being there for her to get better at combat...which was pathetic to watch..yet I had no other choice than to sparr with her.

Tenten was laying on the desk...she was just about to literally drool all over the desk....it was unhygienic...but....she still looked adorable so I can't complain.

I reminded Tenten not to be late and then made my way down the stairs but a certain boy happened to run into me.

--"You're that Hyūga! I challenge you to a fight!"-- he said taking a battle stance and giving me a challenging glare.

--"Guess he knows who I am..."-- I thought while clenching my fists as a small vain of irritation popped on my forehead.

--"Get lost."-- I told him making my way.

But the boy blocked the door. --"Is it true? You're the Hyūga prodigy? If so, take me on, here and now!"-- he demanded.

I had enough of this stupidity, I activated my Byakugan and hit one of his chakra points. --"Tch.. that's for not leaving when you had the chance."-- I thought as I was about to hit another of his chakra points until I heard a familiar voice paralyze my movements.

--"Neji! Stop it!"-- Tenten yelled with a horrid expression...she...she looked scared of me...what I least want her to be, is scared of me.

My eye's instantly softened as I saw her confused expression. I deactivated my Byakugan and walked away. I wasn't able to say nor do anything else after that so I went home to do what I had to do. And that's how my day ended at school.

~×~×~×~

Another chapter✨ hope you enjoyed it, see ya in the next one.

Bye💞