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A person's life is just a drop in a bucket
A tick of a clock
A timed beating of the heart
A grain of sand in the hourglass.

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Hourglass: Prologue

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He watched as she maneuvered around him in her room, seemingly preoccupied with packing her belongings and what she could still manage to fit inside her very stuffed bag. She was so busy trying to ignore him— or more accurately, his sympathies— that she didn't notice she was trying to stuff a pillow inside the side pocket of her bulging backpack.

He stepped closer to her spot on the floor and noticed that her knees were red from crawling from corner to corner of her room. Her back faced him in the silence. "Tenten," he called softly.

She ignored him.

"Tenten… are you crying?"

She was.

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It seemed like everyone was trying to defend Neji Hyuuga these days. First Lee, then Gai-sensei, Hinata, Sakura, Ino, Shikamaru, Naruto… even the Lady Hokage herself. At first they told her that it was the promotion. Of course it would change everything, they told her, but be proud of how much your boyfriend has accomplished!

And she was proud, at first. She did everything she could to support him and show how happy she was for him. She allowed him to train with her longer, even if she was clearly exhausted, and at night she snuck over to his place to privately congratulate him whenever she could. But then they started to see less and less of each other. Days would fly without his return. Pretty soon the days elongated to weeks, and the weeks stretched on for months.

Tenten was not a worrywart, but it was agonizing having someone so close to you, someone who you loved so much, out there— in great danger and mortal peril— gone for months and months and months. It was enough to drive anyone crazy.

But there were other changes than their time apart. It had been really abrupt; one night he told her to go home and refused to share his bed. She was hurt, but she figured that it was probably just due to fatigue, and she told herself that he must've been very tired. She remembered the lonely trek back home, and how confused and hurt she felt as she lay down on her own bed, feeling the loneliest she had ever been in a very long time. She came back the night after and he told her, more firmly this time, that he didn't think it would be wise for her to keep sneaking into his room at night. She laughed at first, thinking that he was joking. After all, it couldn't be that big of a secret— Tenten was sure most of the Hyuugas in the compound already knew about their nighttime trysts— as it had been practically established as a routine in the past year. But he had glowered at her and told her to leave, that he was sorry, and that he'd see her in the morning at their usual training grounds. He practically had to force her out of the window to get her to leave. She didn't speak to him the next day, but he hardly noticed.

Neji became more and more distant as time passed. He never smiled at her anymore or looked at her fondly as he often did. He stopped teasing and joking with her. He began to flinch away from her touches when before he would have been the one to take her hand in his and kiss her until she was breathless, away from the prying eyes of their green-clad teammate and sensei.

But the day he told her he wanted to stop training with her had been her breaking point. Tenten blew up in his face, screaming and crying and, "Oh my God, why are you doing this to me?"

There was no sympathy in his eyes as he averted his gaze away from her trembling body. But even he, it seemed, could not bear to see the sight of the person he was mercilessly ripping apart in heart and soul. The person who loved him with her every being.

No one had been sympathetic. In the end, they all defended him.

"Tenten, Neji loves you very much! And although he is doing some very unyouthful things, I am sure that he will soon come back to his senses!"

"Tenten… understand him. Being ANBU is mentally, not just physically, exhausting. Neji has probably seen a lot of terrible things… He's probably just in shock from it all."

"T-Tenten-san… Please excuse Neji-niisan. Please… I-I know that deep down he still cares about you."

"Oh, Tenten, life of an ANBU is busy, you know. You can't expect to have the same of Neji going around like before. Kakashi-sensei said that ANBU experiences can be really traumatizing… Want to go shopping?"

"Maybe he's just playing a little hard-to-get? You know guys— I bet you Neji's just faking it. And PUH-LEAZE, the guy is head over heels for you. He confessed to you first! Why would he ever dump you?"

"It's troublesome, but I can't really say that Neji's not being a complete ass right now. Maybe you should just wait this one out a little bit longer and see what happens. He might still be adjusting."

"Cheer up Tenten! Neji's not that kind of guy! Want me to go smack some sense into him?"

And the least helpful by far had been spoken to her just yesterday…

It was "a simple C-rank mission, perhaps a B," according to Tsunade, and "it's not exactly a solo-mission, though you can look at it that way if you want."

Their new closest ally, Sunagakure, had sent word to the Hokage that they were short on ninjas stationed for border patrol. As soon as Tenten heard this, she had to fight hard not to roll her eyes and groan. If there was one thing Tenten hated the most, it was to be stuck inside a watch-tower day in and day out on guard duty. Every ninja had to do it and there wasn't any other day that Tenten dreaded more than having her name pulled out of the lottery and being called out for guard duty.

Tenten bit her tongue from making a complaint and forced herself to listen to the rest of the mission's briefing. "I am not at liberty to divulge to you the reason as to why Suna's ninjas are so preoccupied, and I doubt that the Kazekage will say anything more regarding the matter…" Tsunade seemed to be stalling a little bit, but then she sighed, seeming to grow weary of her own charade. "Unfortunately, the squad closest to coming back won't reach the village for about a month."

At this, Tenten's mouth fell and she couldn't hold her tongue any longer. "You mean, I have to stay in Sunagakure for a month… on guard duty?" It was all she could do to keep from outright shouting at the blonde woman.

Tsunade's liquid brown gaze was piercing. "Yes. You'll set off tomorrow at dawn."

Inwardly, Tenten was screaming her lungs out in agony and frustration. Why was her life so miserable lately? Outwardly, she kept her features controlled as she sensed Tsunade watching her carefully. The woman obviously knew that Tenten was not thrilled. After all, guard duty seemed to be the bane of every ninja's existence, with the exception of the few lazy ones— silver and spiky black hair flashed briefly through her mind as her attention struggled to return to the situation at hand.

Tenten licked her lips anxiously in an effort to control herself. She could see an obvious defect in the mission that the Hokage had not yet addressed. "But even so, why am I the only one going? Didn't Suna say that they were missing quite a few ninjas, not just one?"

Tsunade heaved another heavy sigh. "Unfortunately, we also do not have many to spare at the moment. I'm sure you've noticed that Teams Seven and Ten have been gone for quite a while now."

It was true, Tenten had noticed. She had been wondering about their whereabouts for quite some time. She missed having her loud friends, Naruto, Sakura, and Ino around to distract her from her thoughts. The village seemed so much smaller and quieter without them running around the streets. She missed Shikamaru's gentle and silent company as well as Choji's comfortable presence… Heck, she even missed Sai.

"And I have plans to send Team Eight out as soon as Team Ten gets back," Tsunade continued, interrupting Tenten from her thoughts. "If all went according to plan, then they should be here in two weeks."

Tenten grew bitter at the thought of missing her friends' return, but kept her mouth shut. Tsunade wasn't done.

"Of course, we also need some teams to stay here for border patrol… But the point is, there is something going on— though I cannot say— and I am confident that you will suffice for the job."

Tsunade's light brown eyes met Tenten's darker ones and she saw the question in them, although the younger girl seemed reluctant to voice it. Why, they were asking, why me?

Tsunade offered the girl a rare smile. "Who better than Konoha's own infamous 'Weapon's Mistress'?" Tsunade said, referring to Tenten's wide-spread nickname. "Your long-range attacks of weapons can cover three posts."

A compliment coming from the Godaime was unusual, and Tenten knew it. She couldn't help but be proud of herself, if only a little bit. She lowered her gaze and allowed a slight smile on her face.

The rest of the conversation blurred itself in Tenten's mind, and she couldn't quite remember the words Tsunade had said nor could she remember her own. The only thing she could remember about the painful ordeal was the very end; what Tsunade told her burned a hole in her memory.

"It's quite normal for new ANBU members," the Lady Hokage said, shifting through stacks of paperwork. She had just asked Tenten if there was something troubling her mind, and the young girl had all but spilled her guts to the Godaime. "I can't guarantee that he'll ever be the same way, but I'm sure Neji knew that before he decided to try out for ANBU… Look, if you really love him, maybe you should try to give him some space."

She must have been somewhat harsher-than-usual when she said that, because Shizune shot a glare to Tsunade before ushering Tenten out of the office and apologizing profusely on behalf of the Hokage. "Tenten, don't take this the wrong way, but this is why ninjas don't fall in love."

Ninjas don't fall in love.

Sakura used to love Sasuke. Lee used to love Sakura. Hinata is still in love with Naruto. And just look at Kurenai-sensei! What about them? Tenten wanted to scream.

Instead she nodded at the older woman and forced a tight smile on her lips. Shizune smiled back. "Oh Tenten, just don't worry so much. Maybe you guys just need some time apart. Think of this mission as a sort of mental vacation. I'm sure that Neji will see just how much he's taking you for granted sometime during the month you're gone."

At this Tenten's mood had brightened, if only slightly. She thanked Shizune, bowing a little, and excused herself to prepare for her mission.

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"Are you crying?"

At his words, Tenten let out a strangled sob.

Yes, Lee, she wanted to tell him, but the heavy flow of her tears seemed to prevent her voice from functioning. I'm crying. Don't you see?

It was five in the morning and Tenten was ready to leave. It had been more than twelve hours since her meeting with the Lady Hokage, but it had only been nine since Neji had officially broken off their relationship. She hadn't slept at all.

Why had she even gone to him in the first place?

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The sun was setting, and Tenten felt her feet taking her to the Hyuuga compound as if by instinct. She had already told Lee and Gai about her mission. She wondered how Neji was going to take the news of her being gone for a month.

His reaction was not one she could have ever foreseen in a million years.

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She felt Lee's comforting hand on her shaking shoulders, but she didn't dare turn around to face him. Tenten never cried; and if she did, it was from physical pain rather than emotions. Instead, she gave up on packing the pillow and buried her face into it, letting out all of the accumulated pain of the past year into her growing sobs. Lee rubbed her back soothingly, but even he couldn't find any words to say.

They stayed like that for a while until Tenten lapsed into an eerie silence. He waited for her to recollect herself and in the meantime busied himself with repacking her belongings. He was in the process of removing three pairs of scarves and a flower vase from inside the depths of her bag when she lifted her head up to look at him.

"Oh Lee, why did this happen?" she whispered softly, rubbing at her puffy, swollen eyes. "Is it because of me?"

"What? No! Tenten," Lee turned his attention swiftly to her, his eyes uncharacteristically serious, "It is not you! Don't ever believe that it is! I do not know what is making Neji act like this, but you must not believe that it is your fault!"

She sniffed. "Then why…?" she asked brokenly.

Lee looked suddenly very angry but Tenten knew it wasn't directed at her. "Tenten, please, Neji—"

And Tenten braced herself for his next words. She was sure that he would defend Neji again, as he had previously done so, like everyone had. Why is everyone trying so hard to keep me in love with Neji? she thought miserably, though her heart kept breaking at the thought of not being in love with him.

But she didn't expect the words that Lee spoke next.

"—Neji has hurt you so much. I cannot stand to watch this any longer or I may do something to him. Tenten, can't you just forget about him?"

She stared at him in frozen shock. She couldn't believe what Lee was saying anymore than she could believe it was Lee behind those spoken words. This was the Lee who was both Neji and Tenten's best friend, the Lee who respected the former and treasured the latter, the Lee who helped Neji confess to Tenten, the Lee who loved seeing his teammates together as a couple.

His words pierced her heart. Can't you just forget about him?

Suddenly the memories of the past twelve months replayed itself in Tenten's mind. All her pain, sorrow, and hurt seemed to double as her realization grew— how long had she been in denial? How long had she told herself that her relationship with Neji would someday return to how it was before?

And as she looked into Lee's somber eyes, Tenten realized that it was the same gaze her friends had been looking at her with, that it was the same gaze Tsunade had given to her when she spoke that bit about Neji, and it was the same gaze Shizune wore when she told her why ninjas don't fall in love.

They weren't defending Neji— they were trying to tell her something without outright saying it, trying to cheer her up in their own ways. She now realized that her friends had not believed a word they were telling her. How long had they known that the relationship wouldn't last? Tenten saw Tsunade and Shizune's faces in her mind's eye. No one had been trying to be mean or inconsiderate of her feelings. They had been warning her of something she refused to be warned about.

Just how long had she been in denial?

Tenten couldn't meet Lee's eyes as new tears sprung forth.

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"Tenten, let's break up." It had been an out-of-the-blue sentence uttered by the Hyuuga prodigy. He didn't seem to be aware that he had just cut her off from mid-re-telling her mission.

Tenten froze for only a second, her heart quivering. She couldn't believe her ears. It had to be a mistake. It had to be!

She ignored him, refusing to believe he ever said anything, and plowed on.

"N-Neji…" she was surprised to hear her voice trembling so much. So his words did affect her… meaning she hadn't imagined it. But it just couldn't be true… right? Tenten took a deep breath, but her attempt at controlling her voice was futile. "W-Will you come and see me off tomorrow?"

He took her gently by the wrist and led her out of his room. Tenten seemed barely aware of her surroundings until the cold night air stung her skin. She blinked and she was standing outside the closed iron gates of the Hyuuga manor. Neji stared at her from the other side.

His gaze was hard and stony, not a trace of emotion was visible in his pale, white eyes. For a moment, Tenten got the impression that he didn't remember her, didn't recognize her face, didn't know who she was and what role she had played in his life.

"I'm sorry, Tenten."

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Lee gathered up the newly-sobbing girl in his arms. He felt her pain and it was hurting him to see her so broken. He wished he could help her somehow. He wished he could see her bright smile again, one that he hadn't seen in ages. He wished he could knock some sense into Neji Hyuuga and beat him to a pulp for treating their one favorite kunoichi this way.

Tenten recovered faster this time. She wiped her tears away harshly and stood. Just a little over a year ago, Tenten would have never dreamt of crying her eyes out over a man. But then again, just a little over a year ago she and Neji had been a happy couple.

She grabbed her backpack and zipped it shut, angry that she couldn't seem to get the Hyuuga-jerk out of her mind. She was running late.

She turned to face Lee who was giving her a very concerned look. "I'm okay now," she told him, her voice hoarse. He didn't seem convinced in the slightest but said nothing, which Tenten appreciated. They left her apartment and walked through the deserted village streets. Konoha seemed to be slowly waking up; here and there were sounds of vendors getting their shops ready for the day's business behind closed doors. Babies began to wake and cry. Dogs set about to barking for their breakfast.

Why they reached the village gate, Tenten turned to Lee and gave him a watery smile. He was truly the best friend anyone could ask for. Tenten was grateful for Lee, even though at times he could be a little too much. He had become to her like the brother she never had. Lee returned her smile half-heartedly. It was evident he was still worried about her emotional state.

"I'll be fine," she assured him. When he continued to look concerned, she added, "It's just guard-duty… and the road to Suna isn't all that dangerous. What, don't you have any faith in me?"

Lee's eyes widened comically. He was too innocent for words. "No, of course I have full faith in your abilities Tenten!" he nearly shouted, shocked. Tenten almost felt bad for teasing him. Almost.

She gave him a tight hug. She would miss Lee in her month in Suna. He returned her embrace gently, as if afraid his brute strength would crush her. "Be safe Tenten," he said when they broke apart.

"I will, thanks Lee," she said. Then her eyes softened. "Thanks for seeing me off."

They shared one more smile with each other before Tenten leapt up into the canopy of the forest, both trying hard to ignore the evident absence of a certain missing teammate. She needed to close her heart if she wanted to do this mission properly.

Alright, Neji. Let's break up.

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But every drop of water leaves ripples
And every second is an unchangeable moment in time
Even as the heartbeat measures your life
Like each grain of sand in the hourglass
"Ashes to ashes, Dust to Dust"

You will be reborn.

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End Prologue.