Okay... wow finally made it to the end and let me just say I'm an emotional mess, lol. My mind is just absorbing all this. Firstly let me say I'm glad Hitomi is moving on and finding her own path and definitely glad she's okay. And like Tenten and so many others said-she's a force of nature. Definitely one of my favourite original characters for sure. Love her personality, demeanour, power and just her everything. She'd done so much for the others honestly. I'm gonna miss her.

Okay as for this epic epilogue Neji and Tenten are together and moved in together and I absolutely love that. The same type of comfort and familiarity there was in the previous chapter when she was "married" to Sasuke is present her but this feels more permanent. Her desk job but not really a desk job suits her perfectly. And I was so happy to see Sasuke when he arrived with Lee but then (and props for this) we get to see, just from how he looks, how much of a toll his mission had taken on him. And I felt so bad for him like he was so well off and happy previous chapter but now it's like he'd been completely hardened by his experience but nonetheless I'm glad he came home safely.

Tenten, Sasuke and Lee going out for drink was so refreshing. A nice chill after work time as if their were completely normal and as if they had normal jobs. I felt as relieved as Tenten when she explained it. And as for when Sasuke and Lee were leaving, their little goodbye just felt like something he needed to hear. And after reading it, the way he squeezed her hand and said thanks, it made me believe that no he'll be okay. He clearly went through a lot and is even talking to someone and having months off to get back into normalcy but, just after that brief moment of Tenten saying he can always call her to talk, I think he'll be okay. I just need him to be because he's such an amazing sweet person in this fic I can't have him not okay.

Then finally the reunion of all reunions. The one we'd been waiting for for basically the entire things started going south for NejiTen in this fic. Basically ch31 onwards lol. Anyways the two of them together are so wild. Neji was clearly thirsty from when he picked her up at the restaurant but it just continued haha. In fact even when she was messaging him at work but anyways when they were home thry did what they did best- tease each other. Tenten is amazing at this game and so is Neji of course but Tenten always has the advantage. Their reunion was hot and heavy and sexy as expected and as it should have been. And their moment together being a welcome home moment just as it had been when they slept together in ch30 but this is a more permanent way. And as for Neji's confession turned proposal it was beyond beautiful and romantic and Neji saying "I love you. I'm in love with you..." just melted my heart. And from there as well as him wanting forever I just knew he was proposing. It just slipped in so naturally after Tenten bringing up grocery shopping. He inserted it in a way that just flowed. And the last time he'd just thought these words "of course he was in love with her. How could he not be" but now he's saying it out loud to her in an intimate tender moment. And I was telling my friend whom I was read it this with and discussing that, it hurt so bad when Neji's confessions had been stolen from her courtesy of Dai and the Lucia they'd drugged Tenten with and things were uncomfortable for a while but it all came full circle. Now Neji basically gets to love her all over again and she gets to feel it all over again. So I now see and accept that the memory tampering wasn't all bad in hind sight. And Tenten's answer being "Yes the answer is always yes. Always will be." That hit me in the feels, it was powerful and it was a promise. And it was very true. Her answer was always yes to Neji even when things were weird or when she was hurt by their past, she was always going to go back to him. Her spirit in a way was drawn to him always, even with her memories gone and she was leaning towards and falling for Sasuke, she was definitely going to end up with Neji even if she didn't know it yet, something in her did.

Let me end this by saying thank you so much for the journey! I've enjoyed every bit, every word, every chapter. The way you've written all these characters with such depths and m feel and care so much about them and their struggles and stories and lives. I was a part of their world but naturally added. And this was definitely Tenten's story and seeing things through her eyes. I'd started reading this like 7 years ago and reading other Naruto fanfics after I'd caught up with Syndicate at the time, I always used the characters and personality traits of the Syndicate characters as a template in my head. When thinking about or even watching Naruto again I enjoyed thinking of your versions because of how well done and excellently in depth and three dimensional as well.

Okay maybe I'm not done after all lol. This started as ooh "Syndicate" let's give this story a try back in high school and became an intense beautiful journey that I wouldn't change that I've now finished as a young adult. I've grown along with this story. I can't believe I went on a years long journey but now I'm sad to let it go and move on. The story and characters of course live on in my head and memories and heart and will be remembered as my favourite Naruto fanfic I've ever read. You're a true author absolutely gifted and I could tell and feel that this was definitely a labour of love so much work and effort went into this and it shows.

Thank you so much once again and I wish you all the best moving forward in life. This was so iconic, so beautiful, a complete rollercoaster but completely worth it, please take care as well!

Sincerely, Ketsui Tasogare :-)

12 July 2020

Wow I honestly feel like crying after reading this. This chapter put me in my feels so hard I can't even describe it. At first I was panicking at Tenten's calm at the start of the chapter because of how grim events had unfolded in ch35 but, then it was explained that she and Sasuke were on a mission together and it was so beautiful to see what a married life between them could have been. It felt so natural and so comfortable and just so full of love especially for Sasuke. He was living his best life and he was so happy and I loved seeing him that way.

Then Tenten having to leave and that very enjoyable and sweet conversation between her and Hiro, I loved it so much. Tenten being able to unburden herself to him and us getting inside into his life.

Her conversation with Sasuke over the phone and eventually Neji when he arrives in the room. Sasuke saying he loved her like that, it just rang so true. Tenten says to Neji it's a codeword but it felt like more and after all they've been through together it absolutely felt like more.

And the most beautiful and painful part of the story, during the dance where she goes to see Sasuke on the balcony. I've got to say I agree with Tenten, Sasuke in suit is hella good looking and I love seeing it to- for him and Neji lol. But their talk and Sasuke knowing her well enough to know she was stepping out of active duty cuz of Neji and their farewell. It was difficult to read because Sasuke really had been her lifeline and she had been his as well. There's absolutely no denying how much these two deeply care about each other. And when he said "You...sometimes say his name in your sleep" oh my goodness I was hurt. "And the only reason you can be so comfortable with me..." i was glad he didnt finish that sentence. It's devastating cuz it felt like we've been dancing around this topic for the longest time- Sasuke was a buffer/shadow of Neji. The two of them personality and demeanour wise are so similar, it's just how it is. Things were very fun and very tender and genuine between her and Sasuke but she was always going to have to make a decision. And they both knew that it was Neji I suppose but just living in a different world for a while.

When it was time to say goodbye I felt my heart breaking for Sasuke. He wasn't just saying goodbye because of the mission he was about to embark on but also saying goodbye to her and respectfully stepping out of her life. Like it was written, there was no more confusion. Tenten knew her answer and her six months on the mission with Sasuke were a bliss for them and for me to read but reality was calling. Sasuke is such a sweet, wise beautiful person and he is definitely so happy for her because that's what he's always wanted for her but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt saying goodbye and thtas what I felt with their goodbye. I'm glad they shared one last kiss and he kissed her on the hand.

"Be happy"

"Come home safely, Sasuke"

These two lines hurt the most but I still enjoyed reading them.

And then she returns to the party and finds Neji. He knows that something in her changed and that she's made a choice. He asks her to dance and he's basically saying let's get back to what we were, or rather that's what I felt and she says I thought you'd never ask. It was so symbolic and beautiful. It's like another welcome home moment. And when it said it felt as easy as breathing, as it should be, it felt familiar like I'd read it before.

This was the SasuTen-est, beautiful chapter for them and I adored it. Put me through all the feels I needed to. And I'm happy Sasuke got to live the life he wanted with her even if only temporarily.

The reason my feels are so messed up is cuz Sasuke's departure and her reunion with Neji were basically side by side. So I'm obviously 100% glad we got our NejiTen but I' hurting for Sasuke. I just want the best for him, I guess.

I honestly must commend you for this chapter and this story. You've added so much depth to these characters and made me care so much about each their stories and struggles. I went on a journey with them and felt a lot of what they felt. Truly brilliant, truly amazing. Just perfect honestly

Okay but like no, seriously, you have absolutely no idea what this chapter put me through. I was reading it with my friend and we were texting as we were reading at the same and we came to the same conclusion. We were tense and on edge throughout this chapter. For goodness sake I have to applaud this, your writing the way everything was described, I was so engrossed and I was on edge from beginning till end.

Even in the calmer scenes I still felt this crushing heaviness and like no ways this was outstanding and I was taken on a rollercoaster trip and when we finished the chapter we were both reeling and minds just blank trying to take in and absorb all the info. It felt like three whole chapters in one because of all the action and all the location changes and the conversations- both personal and work related. There was never a moment of peace for me, well except the elevator conversation between Tenten and Sasuke, that was calming and intimate and I cannot stress enough how much I love wise and considerate Sasuke who's always wanting her think first and put herself first. But even in that calm the tension of the overall chapter and all we needed to accomplish was looking.

It felt like we were feeling what Neji was feeling almost as though he was narrating the chapter. And after discussing this chapter, we realised that we had no wins: Tenten felt hurt and betrayed by Daichi at the end of her interrogation. I felt that as well with her. There's enormous tension between her and Tenten. Her memories are disappearing more. They found Hitomi but her condition isn't properly confirmed. What did we gain? What did we win?

We didn't.

It just felt like we lost.

And even as I'm typing this my mind is still all over the place absorbing everything, lol. It's just beyond words, which is funny cuz I used a lot of words. The way you write, honestly speaking, is just motivating me to get better with my own fics.

Beyond brilliant and I can't stress that enough. I went to the edge and on a complete rollercoaster ride and I loved every second of it, every word!

I’m sad that this is the last chapter.

Dear me, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow! All that progress and development for Neji and Tenten just completely taken away. It's such a strange feeling, it's like we're dealing with an unfamiliar Tenten more fragile and vulnerable, obviously cuz of Lucia, but also in a different way. It's like this is the Tenten from the earlier chapters who's been transported to this chapter. Damn, Daichi really stole so much from her and from them.

Also I realised same time as her that this was really their first time being proper alone in the longest time. So when they started talking I felt this weight like this is such an important convo and it's like of course it is, this is their first time properly discussing everything they've been through and their feeling for each other and discussing Neji or at least as much as she could remember. Sasuke really through quite amazingly in explaining his feelings and what he wants with her and for her. I really enjoyed that, finally got a full picture like we know how much he cares about her but this was really good. And finally they could talk about I no and that scenario. Wow they really haven't been together since Shanghai and this was a lot of unpacking they needed to do especially since a lot of this she'd talked about with Neji during their mission.

And then there's their sex moment. Wild Tenten is such an interesting read because there's just nothing she won't do or say and Sasuke's reactions are quite funny before he responds with actions. When she was explaining that it was some thing she needed to do and that "she told me to do" my attention doubled cuz I knew this was Hitomi related. Then the heat increased and she heard Hitomi echoing in her head saying "this is the closest anyone can come to having my powers" I figured that she needed the sex to figure out where Hitomi was. It actually reminded me of when Neji and Tenten were in the apartment next Isaka Kengo's when he and Hitomi were getting drunk and sexual and Hitomi's energy overtook them since her necklace was removed. And the more Tenten indulged in her Shanghai memory of her and Sasuke while presently getting it on on her hospital bed, there was that same feeling for me as I read. When she noticed her consciousness was free and flying, I knew she was finding Hitomi. Finally the mysterious favour has been revealed, that time it was introduced in like chapter 18 or something and only paid off now, wow.

And as for my boy Neji, I feel so hurt for him, damn. We were there, finally back where they needed and wanted to be after they talked and decided to try again but now that's all been removed and it's like we have get there again but take the long way. They were each other's home and thjngs were comfortable and in sync and so warm once more. Their balance was back but now it's unfamiliar to her and Neji being vulnerable and just trying to take it all is just a lot. The openness he'd given her here with saying how he felt when Sasuke came in his slot and how his life changed cuz of her, I just loved reading that, like this is what we've been needing to hear for a long time, it's just a pity this convo isn't happening in her right state. She had made up her mind but Dai and his sinister ways just undid all that work. I'm seriously hurt for Neji having to consider losing her again but also not trying to influence her choice. Their small exchange at the end gave me a bit of comfort when he gave her the small smile and it made her feel like it always did, felt familiar like a this moment was with the Tenten who has her memories in tact. And when she thanked him for telling her all that and being honest with his feelings I felt grateful as well like we all needed to hear him say everything he said, listen to her and what she needs and wants and not just putting his weight on her cuz she was strong enough. I loved their convo, weighted as it was.

Greatness again can't to keep going.

I want to read more :( I hope you write more fanfics like this one

This was really good. I will probably reread it again

Lovely evening

What a beautiful surprise! What a wonderful ending to a wonderful story! Thank you for the ride, I hope to read you again soon (although I keep rereading stories from various authors. I'm hooked on Neji/Ten, I'll probably reread yours in the future too).

This was so beautiful and full of emotions. The entire thing was filled with suspense and I couldn't stop reading that I finished it in a day. I was just sucked it. The world you created felt so vivid and the characters felt real. The romance also felt true that I couldn't tell which of them to root for. The ending was great and I felt like everything was tied up nicely and in a very satisfying manner. Thank you.

I literally could not wait and just had to read the next chapter. Finally the truth of what happened after Tenten and Hitomi got captured and where Neji's been this whole time. They freaking tranquilized him, dammit that was smart! Now my mind can tick all these boxes. Tenten trying to piece together her memories and knowing there's a vital part mission, but what? Who? That just had my heart sink. The fact that he wasn't mentioned or on her mind meant something was off. And Daichi, damn oh damn... sadistic yet calm. Truly a creep, it was sickening the way he was just playing with her and just touching her however he wanted and then Kengo adding his two sense. I was beyond celebrating when Neji shut him down, called him out for the child he is. Like he said, pathetic.

Neji being restrained, bruised and beaten yet somehow still in control of the situation and had all the gall to mock and do what he did, calmly talking to them both, I really applauded that. Dai and Kengo not as in control as they thought. Also when Neji laughed I was like when have we ever heard, lol.

I really loved how there were no timestamps and locations this time. It was very in the moment, you're living through this with them in real time. It has me as panicked and scared as they were and, I was as concerned as Neji when she hadn't registered him and when we found out just how much they'd drugged her and tampered with her memories. It just made that the chapter with Tenten going out with Hitomi for lunch even more sinister. Living in a lie forced on her. And the longer it stayed the more she'd forget. I was surprised when Takeshi was revealed like we bringing him in this too!

Ah the guardian angel coming in at just the right time. The minute she said it I knew she meant Sasuke. It unsettled me the way everyone was avoiding talking to her and I was ready to shed tears and be in complete denial and just completely overreact if Sasuke had confirmed that Neji was dead. I was literally holding my breath reading that part. Like enough stalling, why y'all so quiet and is Neji alive or not.

I'm glad Tenten was at least able to piece together her timeline: warehouse mission, got captured, put back at Hitomi's etc... And I felt right about being suspicious as to why she felt the need to cover up when Hitomi walked in in the chapter they go out to lunch. It bugged me cuz they both went to bed clothed and didn't do anything. But now it all makes sense, her memory being as messy as it was, she could have thought it was the other night. I obviously didn't know her memory was messed with but I kept that moment at the back of my mind to remember later. This non linear storytelling is just so wonderful at building up the suspense and mystery and I just love it but now I'm uneasy not knowing Hitomi's fate and the chapter just ends like that with one hell of a cliffhanger "the silence was telling" you bet it is.

Wow I'm so close to the end, I want to finish but at the same time I've enjoyed this beautiful world and engrossing story so so much I'm reluctant to see it end. Another marvellous chapter.

This might turn out to be a long review but here goes:
Firstly the beginning of this chapter with Neji and Tenten waking up from their morning after, I just, I was blown away. The intimacy and vulnerability and the genuine connection and love and comfort, it was such a welcome new start. Something we needed and something we didn't know we were rooting for until it was gifted to us. I literally only realised when I started the next paragraph that I had been reading their whole exchange with a beaming smile on my face. They cate for each other, inexplicably so and tge way you wrote it carried so brilliantly. In fact it was so enjoyable I read it twice, it was just so beautiful. They went through so much since she first arrived and saw him and there were small moments of genuineness but this was the greatest, it's what they needed and what I wanted, lol. It definitely radiated "we're home" energy. They're back and it's amazing. In fact Tenten described it perfectly when she said for the first time she felt awake and in the present and I feel that way reading it as well. Like I journeyed with them. And when it was written "of course he was still in love with her", I really felt that, like he definitely still is absolutely in love with her, it's like I was saying it to him. And as for their exchange itself not the same as the heated passionate affair of the night before but rather more tender, slow loving and in a way that says we have all the time we need. Planting slow kisses and caressing each other, it's like a no need to rush, I'm not going anywhere type of atmosphere where we can breathe and finally be okay. This was a relaxing breath of fresh air.

And as for their mission, I've got to say I was beyond shocked when Hitomi explained that Isaka was in hospital and I low-key stopped breathing when Tenten realised that she was alone in the apartment with Dai, when his fists turned white from gripping the tote, I was like woah. My heart was racing with hers. Your suspense writing is top tier because when they were at the warehouse and Kengo arrived I was like no ways I can't take this. I was so on edge, lol, and then Neji got taken and I freaked out. For this entire chapter I became hyper aware of everyone's locations especially Neji's since in the previous when revealed Tenten's memory being tampered with and Neji being missing I was like okay I'm keeping my eyes open for him all chapter and then the reveal at the warehouse summing up what happened, just damn. And Dai, he'll smirk and speak so normally but you can tell his voice is just drowning in malice and ill-will, it's pretty chilling. And since he has such a strong hatred for Neji, well the Hyuuga in general but Neji specifically cuz of Tenten makes me fear even more for him since he got shot and I've been wracking my brain trying to get how the hell they gotbthr drop on him.

Another brilliant chapter and things just keep getting better!

Excellent ending
An emotional rollercoaster for sure but I couldn’t have imagined it better
So does tenten get all her memories back and is hitomi ok as well? And with shinji?
Love that love triangle you created best one ever

A wonderful ending from a wonderful author. As usual with this fic, you completed it not in a way that was straightforward or expected, but in such a way that it makes sense for the story you’re telling and the characters you’re filling in. I lament we never hear from Hitomi again—but I believe she’s doing well, despite everything. Thank you so much for finishing this story—I’m sure it was challenging and frustrating at times to work through when it’s gone on so long, but you did it. Well done and I wish you well!

I enjoyed reading this good story. I don't know how long it has been since I last had the pleasure of reading such a long, very good NejiTen fanfiction. I'm sorry I'm only reviewing the last chapter, must be annoying but I hope you can look past that.

I see what you tried to do there keeping us on our toes, not knowing for sure whether it was going to be Neji or Sasuke until the end, and while you really had me shocked at the beginning, thinking she married Sasuke for as second, I always knew that it was going to be Neji. To be frank, her ending up with Sasuke would have ruined the story for me, not only because I am a NejiTen fan but because the story was definitely made and set for Neji, not Sasuke. I totally got that Sasuke always knew that he didn't stand a chance against Neji when it came to Tenten.
I just wish that you'd added a little bit more where Neji knows that now Tenten was his again beside the change that he saw in her without knowing exactly what was going on. I wanted his reaction, but I can't say that I dislike the ending. It was a good point to stop.
Thank you for finishing the story and sharing it with us. :)