Tenten couldn't will her legs to move. Even her breath was five seconds from stopping, merely out of pure terror.

Neji looked up at Yoru and said, "I don't have too long. He's still barely conscious. And I want him to see everything." His voice was menacing; it almost pained Tenten to hear him.
Yoru shrugged before glancing down at Tenten and saying, "Your precious Neji is just about gone, dear. And guess what? You're next."

Tenten looked at what used to be Neji and said, "No... He's not gone... I know he's not." Neji laughed and said, "You're amazing. If you were a little less of a cry baby, I might actually like you. Too bad our fates have collided like this." Tenten shook her head moments before yelping as Yoru lifted her to her feet.

"Come on now," Yoru said, "We haven't got all night."

Tenten looked at Yoru in confusion. Yoru rolled her eyes and said, "We're giving you a time limit to run and find your team. They're nearby; we can smell them. And we know they're looking for the both of you now."

"So, that means that you need to start running, my dear," Neji added in, standing up and glaring down at her.

Tenten's knees were all but water, and she was barely able to keep herself upright. Yoru shook her head and started counting down from a minute.

They were playing a game with her; a game that she would lose.

And Tenten didn't have any choice but to run, or die.

Painfully holding her arm, Tenten did her best to run out of the cave, when all she was really doing was limp-walking to the entrance.

Even as she exited the cave, she could still hear Yoru's malicious countdown, and knew that if she didn't find help, Neji would have her in his grasps.

'No,' she thought as she fought back tears, 'It's not Neji anymore. He's really...' Tenten's legs moved as fast as they could, but she knew it wouldn't be enough to escape from him.

And as that minute ran out, she could barely hear the faint footsteps of her demise closing in on her.

"You know, I couldn't ever understand why he was into you so much," Neji said softly, his lips suddenly inches from her ears.

She gasped as he pushed her over and stood over her as she painfully tried to get back up.

He chuckled and said, "You were always annoying, Tenten. I don't know what delusions he created for himself to ignore that part of you." Tenten could barely contain a sob as she got up and tried to run away.

Neji simply watched her and waited to chase her until she was almost out of sight.

Just when Tenten thought she might've lost him, he'd be all over her once more. Tenten almost cried out when Neji sunk his claws into her shoulder.

"Just look at you," he cooed, shoving her up against a tree, "You couldn't defeat Temari, you could never defeat me or Lee; you can't even defend yourself." Tenten cried and begged, "Neji, please stop."

Neji retracted his claws before shoving Tenten down once more.

She managed to roll downhill and land in a squatting position, finding him almost hovering above her; his eyes red and full of glee.

"You are so pitiful, you know that? I guess I can understand that, since I was the same."

"You're not Neji!!" she cried out, pulling a kunai out and aiming for his leg, but he backed up just in time and grabbed her wrist.

Tenten practically screamed as Neji pulled on her sliced arm.

"Come on now," Neji said loud and clear, "Fight back! Take me down, Tenten! I believe in you!"

He laughed and let her go, standing and watching as Tenten tried her best to get back up.

He could sense that deep inside, the real Neji was fading fast. He tilted his head and inhaled the scents around him, His sharp canines showing as he smiled wide.

It was time.

He opened his eyes and started walking, following Tenten's scent the whole time. All the while Tenten herself was desperately trying to find a way to hide from the one shinobi she trusted the most.

Neji hadn't realized that it started raining until the drops hit his face.

He frowned slightly as Tenten's scent slowly faded away. He knew where she was, but her scent was gone, and that could cause a problem.

'Oh well,' he thought, 'If I need to, I'll activate Byakugan.'

As Neji continued to walk, the storm rained down upon the trees and ground, making it more difficult to track her.

However, a sudden yelp alerted him of her location, and he simply strolled in the direction.

All the while, Tenten had hoped he had heard her. Her eyes leaked tears of relief as she laid eyes upon the very item they had searched for the day before.

She had found the cure Neji needed to become himself once more.

She wrapped her arm up with cloth as tight as she could moments before standing up. She had to get him to where she stood, no matter what.

As she opened her mouth to yelp once more, Neji clicked his tongue behind her. She turned to face him with slightly wide eyes.

Neji glanced behind her before laughing and saying, "Those flowers won't work on me anyone, Tenten. It's too late to save your Neji. And if I were you, I would've focused on finding safety."

He made little haste in pinning her down, just feet from the flowers. Her only hope was mocking her as she was held down by what would be the cause of her death.

She sobbed softly as Neji caressed her cheek, and he shushed her. "Don't cry," he said in a mock-soft tone, "I'll drink you slowly, and I'll make sure you feel my teeth sink into your skin. It'll be a beautiful death aside from falling off a building."

Tenten locked eyes with him moments before he sunk his teeth into her exposed neck.

However, his action did not last long, as Tenten slightly lifted her first two fingers as close to her mouth as she could get them.

Before he realized it, she muttered something quickly. Not a second later, and the flowers exploded, sending pollen flying everywhere.

~

The blast almost reached them, but Tenten had set the paper bombs in the right area, away from the rain of course. Tenten looked up to find Neji hovering over her once more, but this time, his eyes were almost normal again.

Afraid that Neji was merely toying with her, she closed her eyes and tilted her head.

"Just get it over with," she said softly, "Please... I can't take it anymore..."

She held her breath and waited for him to continue drinking from her. However, he didn't, and cupped her cheek instead, almost losing his composure as he finally and truly became conscious.

The rain poured down hard on both of them, washing the blood off of Neji and Tenten. Neji was unable to say anything to her, let alone "It's me." Tenten hesitated before opening her eyes.

Moments after she did so, she gasped. Neji exhaled at her response before leaning down and whispering, "I'm sorry, Tenten..."

Tears were already rushing down the side of her head as relief overwhelmed her. It was over.

She had Neji back, now and forever.

Neji kissed her forehead, cheeks, chin, and elsewhere as she gently wrapped her arms around him. He was really cold, but she felt his heartbeat.

She felt his lungs working, and him taking deep, heavy breaths. When they finally locked eyes once more, Tenten smiled wide, knowing that the nightmare was over for good.

She carefully raised her hands and placed them up against his cheeks, pulling him close for a kiss. Neji assisted her, and gently but deeply locked lips with her. He immersed himself in the kiss, doing his best to remember her taste, her touch; everything about her.

Because he knew, oh yes, he knew that the kiss wouldn't last long.

Neji placed his forehead on hers, finally managing to part lips moments before sitting the both of them up.

'Just a little longer,' he thought, rocking Tenten gently as his chest tightened up, 'Please, Kami, just make it last. I'm begging you.'

He could sense his mother getting closer, and knew that if he didn't act, Tenten would once again be in grave danger.

"Tenten," He said softly, catching her attention.

"What is it?"

Neji raised Tenten's injured arm and kissed her wound, letting out a gasp as he strained to maintain his emotions.

Tenten noticed and felt a lump grow in her throat.

"Neji... Please, you're scaring me. Tell me what's wrong."

He shut his eyes tight as he said, "I have to go."

He got silence as a response, but it didn't last long. Tenten said, "Neji, what are you talking about? You don't have to go anywhere. You're not a threat anymore."

"No," he replied, "but Yoru still is."

Tenten reached for Neji's cheek, but he stopped her. "Neji," Tenten said, feeling the tears building up again, "you don't have to leave. If we just stay near family and friends, then we can-" "Tenten, stop," Neji demanded, trembling as he held her.

She started crying softly and pressed her head up against his chest. "Neji," she pleaded, "Don't leave me again. Please... Please don't leave me alone..."

She couldn't talk anymore; her sobs leaving her body shaking.

Neji kissed Tenten's forehead gently and whispered, "I'm so sorry, Tenten... But I have to. More than anything, I want you safe. Even if it means never seeing you again."

Tenten clung to Neji, her sobs becoming louder by the minute. Neji held her, knowing that his time with her was up. "Tenten, I need you to listen to me," he said quietly, "and listen close."

Tenten nodded, knowing that she couldn't change his mind. It was happening whether she liked it or not. She was going to lose Neji for good, with the possibility of never seeing him again. The thought alone tore her apart.

Neji did his best to breathe easy as he said, "Don't ever stop trying to become a great kunoichi. Don't ever forget that you aren't weak. If you cry at night, hold the bear I bought you tight. Work and fight your tears. Please look out for Sensei and Lee for me. And Tell Hinata... Tell her that I love her. And that I'm sorry."

Tenten was an emotional mess, unable to contain her crying as she clung to him.

Neji held back tears and continued, "And don't forget Tenten. I love you. I'm going to miss you so much. But I need you to move on. Please. For me..."

"I can't, Neji!! I can't do this without you!! Please, I don't want to move on without you!"

Neji gripped her hard and whispered, "Yes, yes you can. I know you can, Tenten."

She sobbed hard, her hands trembling and turning white as she gripped Neji's shirt hard. Neji let a few tears stream down his face, but that was all he could risk. 

Neji tipped Tenten's head back and looked into her eyes.

She looked into his and said, "I love you, Neji. I love you so much... Please..."

Neji leaned down and kissed her neck where he bit her before saying, "I love you too, Tenten. Don't ever forget that."

Before she could reply, Neji bit down into her neck, drinking her blood once more. He didn't stop until she became limp in his arms.

Her heartbeat was faint, but still there. It was enough to keep her alive.

And knowing Hiashi, he would find her soon.

Neji took a deep breath before laying her down, making sure it seemed like she was dead.

Not too long after he stood up, his mother was soon by his side.

She glanced down at a limp, seemingly-lifeless Tenten, before smiling wide. Neji looked up at her in a blank-like state before returning the smile.

"Shall we go, mom?"

Yoru kissed his forehead before saying, "I've been waiting for you to say that the day I met you."

Neji reached up and discarded his forehead protector, tossing it down next to Tenten's pale, limp body.

He only hesitated a moment before turning his back from her.

"Lead the way, mother."

~
~
~

AAAAAAAND THAT'S A WRAP!!

*Gives everyone kisses and hugs* Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU so MUCH for reading up this point! Despite all the trials I've had while making this, I've finally managed to write this to the bitter end! But is it the end? Of course it isn't; that would be terrible if I stopped now. And I won't. We're over 2,000 views, which amazes me. I'm glad that you guys really like my writing, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.

Also, how do you like the writing format? I kind of like it a little more than the huge paragraphs. I plan on making the other chapters like this so that others can enjoy it and read easier. But it'll be done slowly, because I don't have all the time in the world. I made the picture myself because why the hell not? And look out for the prologue. It's not much, but it kind of brings a close to this part of the story.

Speaking of story, I went on a writing rampage and will soon be posting a different story on my favorite duo. It has little relation to this though, so don't get your hopes up. Either way, I hope when you see it, you enjoy it to some extent. Once again, thank you for all the views, comments, and votes.

Until then!~

~ Nimo

#IFanonNotCanon #FeelsInYourFace #HashtaggingIsFun

Edit(8/20/15): Format is fixed (FINALLY!!!)