Ten paced back and forth in the white empty area. It was the same day of every week; the fifth one now. 'Why isn't he here?' she thought, feeling nervous and unstable. However, it wasn't long until she felt Neji wrapping his arms around Tenten's waist.

She gasped in shock and almost attacked him until he said, "Sorry it took me so long. It's hard to materialize in your head when you're bothered." Tenten blushed, unable to admit that she had indeed been bothered. Not only had Neji not showing up worried her, but her friends noticed that she had bags under her eyes.

Tenten bit her lower lip before saying, "Sorry, Neji. My mind has been this way and that."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Neji replied, kissing the back of her head. She turned around and ended up pressed up against him.

Neji blushed slightly before asking, "How was your week? Are you tending to your mental health?"

Tenten smiled a little and said, "Yeah, a little. It's... Still hard... Knowing you're not there."

Neji tried to smile, but he couldn't. For the first time since he and she talked in her head, he saw true pain shine through her eyes. Of course he saw it the first two times, but that was when Tenten thought he was just a nightmare, haunting her and making her life a living hell. Neji caressed her cheek and said, "I see... Well, for now, you have me. And you have a chance to ask more questions. Of course, that's only if you want to."

Tenten managed to widen her smile. "Okay. But first I want to tell you about what happened yesterday."

Neji raised his eyebrow and said, "Enlighten me."
Tenten grinned before saying, "Hinata had talked to me and said she was feeling a lot better than she had before. It's amazing to be honest, that she would heal in such a short time. I guess we have Naruto and Hinata's team to thank."

Neji nodded and said, "I guess so. I'm happy she's feeling better. And what of Hanabi?"

"Hanabi is also feeling a lot better. I've caught her feeling down from time to time, but Hinata has helped pull her through."

"That's wonderful," Neji replied, hugging Tenten to him. She felt content as she relaxed in his arms until he asked, "And what of you, Tenten?" She tensed up slightly and looked up at Neji, who was staring intensely at her. Tenten bit her lower lip and said nothing. Neji sighed and tilted her head up. "You've been having sleepless nights," he said softly, "and something pertaining to me is definitely disturbing your mind. I won't press for an answer, however, until you're ready."

Tenten nodded softly and said, "Okay... Well, my next question is why can you only visit once a week?"

Neji looked up thoughtfully before looking at her and saying, "I'm not sure. Perhaps it's because the one who allowed me to come back down only allows it once a week. And when I'm not here, I'm just asleep. I'm resting."

"Oh," was all Tenten could say.

"It's like having the best rest in the world." He hesitated before caressing her cheek. Tenten impulsively tilted her head up against his hand, almost surprising him. When she noticed he was staring at her, she cleared her throat and raised her head. "I have something else to ask."

Neji nodded and waited for her to speak. Tenten asked, "What's the one mistake you wish you could take back?"

Neji closed his eyes in thought. He then opened them and said, "I wish I could take back all the times I hurt you and the other comrades, Hinata including."

Tenten nodded softly and said, "You do know that even before you died, we forgave you right? Every insult you threw at me until your passing didn't hurt me. Well, for the most part."

Neji nodded and gently pressed his forehead up against hers, unable to hold back from giving her the affection she truly deserved.

Tenten blushed and asked, "M-my last question is if you could tell Hinata and your team anything, what it would be?"

Neji sighed softly, and although he couldn't feel it, he knew that guilt would weigh heavy on his chest. "I'd tell them.... I'd tell them...." Neji tried to answer the question, but he just couldn't.

Tenten gently placed her hand on top of his chest and watched him carefully. Neji sighed softly and gently grabbed her hand, lowering it away from his chest and simply holding it softly. He said, "I'd tell them to always stay strong. That no matter what happens, to always keep moving forward past the pain. Remember me, but do not mourn for me, as I am at peace. And I truly am at peace, Tenten. But..."

"But?" Tenten repeated, looking in his eyes.

Neji sighed and smiled. "Nothing, Tenten," he replied. Neji leaned down and kissed her forehead, but Tenten arched her head and he made contact with her lips instead. Neji's eyes widened at Tenten's bold move, but he didn't protest.

Instead, he simply closed his eyes, deepening the kiss and holding her close. After a moment, Tenten parted lips with him and gasped, taking a guilty step back. Neji grabbed onto her arm, halting her movement. She looked up at him as tears built up in her eyes. "N-Neji, I'm sorry, I... I don't know what's wrong with me."

Neji didn't say anything, just simply pulled Tenten back to him. She choked back a sob and buried her head in his chest. They were so close, but she knew just how far apart they were. Tenten didn't like the idea, and did her best to think about something else instead. But in the end, her thoughts won her over, and she ended up crying softly in his arms.

Neji held Tenten to her, shushing her ever so softly. Eventually, she calmed down but started to panic as Neji became untouchable. She looked up at him with trembling lips, and he smiled down at her, saying, 'Don't cry, Tenten. It'll be alright. I'm still here. I'm always here. You'll see me again.'

Tenten gripped onto Neji's shirt and said, "I know... I know... Sleep well..." Neji placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head, even though at that point, she couldn't feel it. She couldn't even feel his shirt. Before she could look up at Neji again, he disappeared. Tenten trembled and hugged herself as she fell into an empty despair.

-

Chapter Revised (8/14/20)