A/N: Thank you so so very much for all the reviews/alerts/favorites! And thanks for waiting patiently for the update! I'm so sorry it took so long – I was having some trouble with this chapter, even rewrote it a few times! I'm still not really happy with it, but I hope that you enjoy it^^
I feel the need to warn you (again) that this chapter does contain a hell of a lot of OOC behavior! LOL
As always, PLEASE REVIEW!! =D

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter 14

Dinner was an uncomfortable affair that night. Both Hinata and Hanabi ate with their eyes downcast, and Neji simply pushed his food around his plate, not even pretending to eat. He was far too aware of the conversation that was looming.

At last, Hiashi set down his glass and pushed his plate away. "I will take coffee in my study," he announced, standing and walking to the door, "Neji, I expect you will join me?"

Though his uncle was making it sound like a request, Neji recognized it for the order it was, and he swallowed slightly. He'd been dreading this all day. When they'd arrived home last night, his uncle had simply let him drag his exhausted body off to bed, and, this morning, he'd already left by the time Neji had gotten up. But he'd known that his uncle expected him to sort the problems out during the course of the day and report back that night, and Neji had no idea what to say.

He was relieved, obviously, that Tenten was not pregnant, but he couldn't help the twisting of nerves in his gut: if he told Hiashi that it had been a false alarm, would he be sent away again? He'd spent most of the afternoon, after Tenten had left – asking him to leave Sasuke and Temari to her – deep in thought, but he still wasn't really sure what he wanted his uncle to know. Everything else aside, Tenten and Hinata were friends too, and Neji did not want his uncle to think badly of her.

At last he merely nodded, and stood to follow Hiashi, who had already disappeared through the door at Neji's nod of acknowledgement. He passed Hinata's chair but jerked to a surprised stop when her hand shot out, taking a firm hold of his wrist. "Neji, please," she whispered, "just try to control your temper – if you can give him logical reasons why you should stay, then he'll be much more receptive to the idea." Neji stared at his cousin in surprise but she merely dropped his wrist and started gathering the dirty dishes together.

He entered the study almost hesitantly, and then gave himself a firm mental shake – he was not about to run away again. This time he'd be damned if he'd go down without a fight. His mouth firmed with resolve, and Neji was so intent on his thoughts he barely even noticed the entrance of their housekeeper with the coffee just behind him. She exited the room again and Hiashi indicated for Neji to take the chair in front of the desk with a wave of his hand. "Well?" his uncle asked, once Neji was seated.

Neji took a deep breath, "False alarm," he said shortly, and then quickly launched into what he wanted to say before his uncle had a chance to respond, "But that doesn't mean that I want to go back to Cambridge. I never wanted to go in the first place. You said that I'm like your son – did you really mean that? Because a father should take his son's wishes into account…" his voice trailed away again, and he firmly met his uncle's gaze.

"Well, I'm very relieved that I'm not about to become a grandfather before my time. Does that answer your question about my regard for you?" Hiashi said, almost absently twirling a pen between his fingers. He dropped it with a clatter and stared at Neji, "I don't understand you at all, Neji. You don't want to go to Cambridge – with all your talent, with all your potential… it seems to me as if you're intent on wasting them. I know that you are angry at me for forcing you to go, but I honestly believe that you have a chance at a brilliant future if you attend a prestigious school. "

Silence reigned while Neji tried his utmost to find the words to explain, "I want a brilliant future – and I want to make you proud, too. But we've never even discussed what I might see as a brilliant future. Everything happened so fast – I'd barely begun to get used to the idea, before you were bundling me onto a plane! But, if you're willing, then I would like to discuss my plans with you now." He stared hesitantly at Hiashi, who nodded slowly after a thoughtful pause.

"I want to take over the family business one day. My father … he didn't want any part of the family, but I do. I want to be a part of something bigger than me; I want to leave something behind that will remain standing for many generations to come. There's a perfectly good business course at the university outside town – I can study there and start learning from you," sudden uncertainty tainted Neji's voice, he'd never meant to disclose everything he'd always planned on, "That is, if you think I'm good enough – if you think I can make a meaningful contribution," he finished awkwardly.

His eyes dropped to his lap, and he waited in tense silence for his uncle to respond, "Neji, the company can always use fresh talent – of course you would be welcomed, but are you sure that's what you want? Somehow, I always thought you would aim higher than that." Hiashi's voice was low, devoid of rancor, and Neji smirked slightly, "Never said I wouldn't run for president some day."

Hiashi shook his head, and sighed, "If this is what you want, then I think we'll have to give it a try. You can start tomorrow, as a mailroom clerk, and I expect you to have full details of the courses as well as the admissions procedures on my desk by the end of the week." He took a slow sip of his coffee, and eyed Neji speculatively, "This sudden urge to stay close to home wouldn't happen to have anything to do with the would-be mother of your children, would it? Who is she? Have I met her?"

Neji swallowed, and fought down the threatening blush. Here it was – the part he'd been dreading. Damnit, thought he'd be deflected by the 'plans for the future' talk. Neji cursed inwardly, as he leveled an emotionless stare at his uncle, "No, you don't – she's just some girl – I made a mistake with her but that won't happen again. But there is someone else," he gave in to the inevitable and decided to just go with it and get it all out of the way. "And, yes, she is a part of why I want to stay here. But so are the rest of my friends – and my family."

His uncle nodded slowly, "Neji, I really don't think I need to remind you of how careless your actions were. I sincerely hope that in future you will utilize your intellect before simply embarking on a course of action – no matter how good it feels." Neji nearly choked, but thankfully his uncle seemed to feel that there was no point in giving him The Talk, and he breathed out in silent relief when Hiashi glanced down at the computer keyboard, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I do have some work to take care of."

It was with heartfelt relief that Neji stood to leave. His hand was on the doorknob when the sound of his uncle clearing his throat caught his attention and he turned around questioningly, "I know you will do our name proud," Hiashi said, not looking at Neji.

For a moment, Neji was completely floored – he couldn't believe this was his uncle - but then he smirked slightly, "Yes, sir. And thanks," he added on impulse before he quickly pulled the door open and swiftly made his way to his bedroom.

Tenten didn't bother knocking on Sasuke's front door. She simply reached for the spare key and unlocked the door herself – the more surprised he was the more likely she'd be to get the answers she wanted. She followed the sounds of voices to the kitchen, and found Sasuke and Sakura seated at the table.

Awkwardly, she cleared her throat – sometimes it was still strange to feel this way – as if she didn't have any right to Sasuke's time, but it was gradually getting better and she was too angry at the moment to really care if she'd interrupted or not. She glared at Sasuke, "Sakura, do you mind giving us a minute?"

Sakura nodded slowly, and shot Sasuke a hesitant look but he was returning Tenten's gaze unwaveringly and so she quickly headed into the living room and turned the TV on. Still, curiosity got the better of her and she kept the volume low, so she could make out what they were saying if she really strained her hearing.

"Who told you?" Tenten demanded, staring at Sasuke accusingly, "And why on earth would you tell Neji that I was pregnant?!"

Sasuke looked at her for a moment before he answered, his voice heavy, "God. So it's true. You are pregnant?"

Tenten looked confused then outraged, "No! I'm not! That's the point – everyone seems to think I am, and I want to know how that happened!"

For a moment Sasuke seemed confused then he deflected her question with one of his own, "Have you spoken to Neji? I assume that's how you knew that I told him?"

She nodded slowly and then sank down into the nearest chair, "I don't know what exactly you told him – but it really seemed to get to him – he was talking about getting married!" Tenten shook her head incredulously.

"He proposed over the phone?" Sasuke asked, one eyebrow arching in eloquent disdain. Tenten gave him an exasperated look, "Of course not. He's home. I've just come from talking to him – that's how I figured out that Temari must've told you and then you told Neji. What I can't understand is why?"

He wondered what he was supposed to say now, clearly she wasn't about to be put off, and so Sasuke finally decided to tell her as much of the story as he dared – they'd all simply had her best interests at heart and he didn't think it would be fair if he transferred her wrath onto anyone else, "Temari never told me, as such. I deduced. I pay attention, remember?" he gave her a crooked smirk, anything was fair in love and war, and she'd never been able to resist the expression. To his relief he saw the dangerous flicker in her eyes die down somewhat and he judged it safe to continue, "Anyway, you were really unhappy, and I heard Hinata say that Hyuuga was refusing to talk to anyone, and so I decided that maybe a good shock was exactly what he needed. So I left him a voice message," Sasuke shrugged, as if he considered it no big thing, and Tenten gritted her teeth.

"Look, I get that you were just concerned – all of you. But you had no right to do that! If I had wanted help I would've asked for it!" Tenten wished she didn't sound so dangerously close to tears but the events of the day were beginning to catch up with her and she wasn't even really sure how she felt about anything anymore.

"Would you? I mean, really? What if you had been pregnant and unable to reach Hyuuga?" Sasuke gave her a searching look, "Somehow I don't think you would've asked anyone for anything."

Tenten shook her head, confused by the tack he was taking, "What does that have to do with anything?"

Sasuke sighed, "We were all worried! And, as your friends, it really sucks to think that you'd rather suffer in silence than tell us what was going on," he glanced back and forth as if debating with himself, "You want to know what I said to Hyuuga that got him so riled up? I'll tell you – I asked if he didn't care that his child would be raised an Uchiha."

Tenten gasped, "Wh-what?"

His gaze finally collided with hers again, "It got him home, didn't it?"

After a long silence, Sasuke finally spoke again, "Look, I just want you to know that, whatever happened in the past, I am your friend and I do care about you. And no matter what predicament you find yourself in you can always come to me for help. So, if you don't want stuff like this to happen, then talk to me - to all of us."

Tenten lowered her head, no matter how ill-advised their actions she could acknowledge that they'd meant well. Finally, she reached over and lightly squeezed Sasuke's hand, "Thank you," she said sincerely, albeit unwillingly – she was still a bit angry - and stood to go.

For a long time Sakura remained where she was – she'd heard Tenten leave, but she didn't know if she could quite face Sasuke just yet. Nothing he'd said could be interpreted as hurtful and yet she couldn't help but wonder … he'd seemed so willing to just step in and fill Neji's shoes in Tenten's life …

She jumped when he dropped down on the couch next to her – she'd been so caught up in her melancholic thoughts that she'd not noticed him entering the room. "What's wrong?" Sasuke asked after a moment spent scrutinizing her face.

Sakura shook her head, then, abruptly, opened her mouth, "Did you really mean that? What you said to Neji? Would you really have helped Tenten raise his child if she was pregnant?" she held her breath as she waited for his response.

Finally, Sasuke sighed, "I don't know – probably not in the sense you mean, but I would've helped Tenten out if she'd been in such a position. After all, I'm the only one who won't ever have to worry about parental disapproval," he smiled bitterly, and Sakura felt her heart twist.

Sasuke leaned back, dark hair spreading along the couch, and stared up at Sakura through hooded eyes, "Why the sudden jealousy?"

She jumped, "I'm not jealous – or at least not in the way you mean. The entire situation just made me wonder how you would've reacted if it had been me and you in that situation," she shook her head slightly, "I mean, our relationship – or whatever – isn't really any more resolved than Neji and Tenten's is."

He stared at her searchingly – she could feel it, "Sakura," he whispered finally, reaching out to tilt her chin so he could look into her eyes, "I would never let anyone raise our child except for us – and if I absolutely have to be an unexpected father, then there's no one I'd rather do that with than you," he leaned back again, and let her go, a slight smile on his lips, "Does that answer your questions?"

Slowly Sakura slid down until she was resting against his side, her head on his shoulder, "I love you, too," she whispered softly, and then both of them simply allowed the peaceful silence to descend, the kind of silence that only comes from being with someone you love.

Tenten's heart pounded almost painfully in her chest as she waited for Neji to come. She'd received the text message a few minutes ago, and, though it was long past midnight, she also needed to be with him – needed to make sure he wasn't some figment of her imagination, that he was really here.

Her bedroom window slid open quietly, and she wanted to stand, but remained where she was, reclining on the bed, as she watched Neji carefully lower his body through. They were both silent until he'd stretched out next to her on the bed, reached over to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, "Hi," Tenten whispered at last – wanting so badly to ask the burning questions but afraid of the answers she might receive.

Neji's eyes were completely unreadable, his stoic expression firmly in place and she couldn't begin to guess what he was thinking - couldn't find any clues on his features that might shed some light on their immediate future.

Almost hesitantly Neji angled his head and lowered his lips to hers, softly licking at her mouth until she gave in and kissed back. Strangely Tenten felt nothing but joy in the kiss – slow, soft, unbearably sweet – and finally she pushed him away gasping for breath. She couldn't take it anymore.

"So, what did he say?" she demanded in an anxious whisper. Her heart felt like it would burst, but slowly a smirk spread across Neji's features, "I'm starting work as a mailroom clerk for the company tomorrow, and come fall, I'll be enrolling for business classes at the campus just outside of town. "

Instinctively Tenten threw her arms around Neji's neck, suppressing the sounds of happiness against his skin. But soon the implications of his words really sank in and she drew back to stare at him seriously, "But, Neji, what about Cambridge? It's a really good school…" her words trailed off uncertainly, but Neji firmly shook his head.

"Good school or not, that's never what I wanted, and you know that," he took her hand and tangled their fingers together, and finally Tenten smiled happily at him again.

"Besides," he whispered as he leaned toward her again, "why would I want to be in a place that doesn't have you?"

Epilogue:

A year later…

Neji watched with barely concealed impatience as graduate after graduate came forward to accept their diplomas. He'd been living for this day for months. Tenten would graduate and next year she would join him at the university, and they would finally be able to start building their own lives. No more sneaking into her room in the middle of the night, having to rein themselves in so that her parents didn't hear. No more having to leave her in the early hours of the dawn. They wouldn't have to be apart. Ever.

He watched as Sasuke left the stage, and stepped into Sakura's arms, twirling her around before kissing her, and he couldn't help the grudging thankfulness that rose inside him. Much as he hated to admit it, he really did owe the Uchiha rather a lot – so many things would've been different if it hadn't been for Sasuke. Naruto waved the two over and they joined the rest of the group as they waited for the last one – Tenten – to receive her diploma and handshake before they could all leave. A round of parties had already been scheduled and vaguely Neji felt the regret that he hadn't had this – his graduation had been so rushed, he'd missed out on all the fun parts. But he couldn't bring himself to regret the decisions that had brought him here.

He couldn't help but smile when Tenten turned at the edge of the stage and sent a sparkling smile into the audience before walking up to the podium to accept her tightly furled paper, and Neji stood as quietly as he could to leave the seating area. He had no reason to watch the last few people walk across a stage. Then Tenten's turn was over and she left the stage to join the rest of their friends.

Neji made his way over to the rest of the group, and by the time he'd reached them, Tenten had already shed her cap and gown. Throwing the garments haphazardly into Temari's arms, she whirled around and flew into Neji's arms.

"Congratulations, graduate," he whispered when she drew back a little to allow him to breathe. Tenten smiled happily at him, her arms winding around his neck, and she drew his head down, "Now our story can finally begin," she whispered against his mouth.

Neji smiled into the kiss - if anyone had told him two years ago that they were a perfect match, he would've laughed - but, now, he buried his hand in the back of her hair, and simply allowed himself to believe.

The End

A/N: Thank you so much for reading, and for your support throughout this (silly ^^) story – it's been a lot of fun ^^ I hope that everything worked out the way you wanted it to. Don't forget to let me know what you thought!