Disclaimer: I still don't own it.

My hair is getting really long. Should I get a trim?

I looked at my reflection and grimaced.

Things have been going out of hand these couple of months and I have finally realized how my intentions were always misunderstood.

I sauntered back to my study and reached for a photo in my bureau.

I want to tear it in half. How I have it, I can't quite remember.

I have a problem with authority as much as I have a problem with disobedience. I have given all my life to protect the people dear to me. By simply being strict is my way of showing I care.

These kids have grown too fast that I wasn't able to compose myself well enough for it.

I am getting old, what I find important may not matter greatly to them. People see things in different perspectives. My children see fear in things I do for them while my nephew see subjection.

It's a shame for me to project guardianship that way.

I went back to the mirror and stared at my reflection again.

Determined to produce a smile, I searched for a significant memory. I failed.

Shaking my head, I went out of my study and headed for Neji's room.

Surely 7 months is not too late to correct things, right?

He answered after the third knock.

Before he even got the chance to say a word I revealed the picture to him.

Neji frowned. "May I know what you need?"

A man should not be ashamed to own his lapses.

"I need you to be happy."

He shook his head, gaze avoiding the image in front of him.

"I threatened her."

Still not a word from him, but his confusion is clear to me.

"It was either she leaves you or her family will suffer."

He's breathing heavily this time. I can tell the rage building inside him.

"It's been months already."

"Neji, in a magnified perspective, does it matter?"

Does it matter?

It's been two weeks since then, but the words kept on replaying on Neji's mind. The truth is, it did matter. It's not about the time that worried him most; it's about how she had probably moved on. Clearly things did not affect her as much as it did him.

Worrying too much and over thinking makes him less of a man. Neji couldn't just face the reality of it.

Neji went to the place where he heard Tenten was working, hoping he could still catch her there.

Peering through the looking glass, Neji took note of the employees present.

He knew how things work with Tenten. She forced herself into his life and disappeared just like how she promised.

Maybe she didn't work here anymore.

"Mr. Hyuuga?" Neji tensed at the oddly familiar voice that called him.

It belonged to a girl wearing the exact uniform like the staff inside the restaurant, her hair is loose and a bit lighter.

"Tenten." Neji acknowledged.

"Uhh, how have you been?"

"Good."

"Aha, that's good." Tenten gripped her shoulder bag and looked across the street.

An awkward chance meeting is never something Neji wished for, but he was thankful it did happen.

"How have you been?" Neji wanted to ask so much more, but he felt more nervous than he thought he would.

"I've been alright." She bit her lip and shifted her weight to her other feet.

"You look great." If he could punch himself right at that moment, then he would. Couldn't he think of a better question?

"With my uniform? Err… thanks." She laughed quietly and smiled. "You look handsome as ever."

Neji felt the blood rising to his cheeks. Now she's making fun of him. "Thank you."

A frown graced Tenten's features. "You don't look like yourself though."

"Too much work."

"Aah, I see."

They were just standing there for a while, letting the sun beat down on them. Tenten glanced at her watch and Neji began to panic. She's going.

Neji heaved a sigh and looked up at the vast sky. "This is crazy…" He murmured.

He smiled at her sadly for the last time and turned on his heels. Things will never work out. Who is he kidding?

He heard footsteps running after him and he stopped walking.

"Since you talked to me again and came all the way here… does this mean I'm already forgiven?" Tenten's tone was light and playful… and the same line as always. The one she kept using on him when she was still desperate to catch his attention.

Just when he's trying so hard to hold back, "That's not gonna happen."

Tenten walked in front of him with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh yeah?" She crossed her arms.

Neji nodded. If she'll pry on further then he'll never hold back anymore.

Tenten walked closer to him with a challenging smirk. "Why?" She then flipped her hair to the side, acting as if it's just one of those days they spent together, "Dazzle me."

"Because you're not mine yet."

He's no longer up for insincere conversations.

I need you to be happy...

"I want to be happy… you make me happy… I just…" He can't even express it in words. And here he thought he was a smart man.

"Neji…"

"Yes?"

Tenten reached for his hand and grinned.

"You can breathe now. I'm not going anywhere."

Neji gave her hand a light squeeze and pulled her close to him.

"You better not be."

This is the last chapter. I want to go on a vacation. :DD

Thanks for spending your time for a little of my work. Peace and love!