If I Never Knew You

Song Lyrics Key:

Neji – Hi!

Tenten – Hi!

Both –Hi!

Disclaimer: *opens birthday present* Awww… it's not Naruto. It's just a sweater. Thanks a lot Masashi Kishimoto! *glares*

We've been together, secretly, for over a year now, Neji and I. I had finally gotten him out of his 'destiny shell', gotten him to open up more. Or to me at least. He's done his best to make me happy. The only problem with our relationship is that we can't tell anyone about it. If Hiashi found out us, they would separate us forever. I don't know how I'd ever handle that. I'd be lost forever without him.

One night, Neji tapped on my window. Groggily, I opened the window and waited for him to come in. He never did, though. I looked at him, annoyance obvious on my face. He glanced behind him, as if looking for someone, before turning back to me, urgency displayed in his eyes. "Tenten, we don't have that much time. Pack up what you need, we're leaving."

I finally noticed the pack hanging off Neji's shoulder. I nodded and pulled out whatever I needed for a mission. While I was packing it all into a duffel bag – leaving a lot of extra room – Neji called out to me again. "Make sure you pack a lot of clothes. We won't be back for a long time."

I started thinking while throwing the rest of my belongings into the bag. Had Tsunade sent us on a long-term mission? Why else would we need so many provisions?

Finally, I finished and climbed out of my window. We took off into the night. I was still curious as to why Neji had pulled me out of sleep and told me to leave at – I checked my watch – 2:49 in the morning, so I asked him. "Hey Neji, where are we going? Do we have a mission?" He only shook his head. "Then what - " he cut me off. "I'll tell you as soon as we are a good distance away from Konoha." Still in the dark about things, I simply nodded and fell silent.

We continued in silence for a good hundred or so miles away from Konoha. I was dead tired from lack of sleep and running through trees at a breakneck pace for over seven or eight hours. Yes, we had run so long that the sun was already up. Finally, Neji stopped at a little cottage, just big enough for two people. "Come on. I know you are tired. Go and rest. I promise I will explai9n everything as soon as you wake up." Too tired to press the subject, I obliged.

Entering the little house, I was surprised that it was so well kept. Not a speck of dust was anywhere. Going into the bedroom, I tossed the duffel down onto the floor and collapsed on the bed, falling asleep almost immediately.

When I woke up, it was dark out. 'I slept through the entire day?' I thought. Getting up, I went into the kitchen and saw Neji was reading a letter. "Hey, Neji." I whispered into his ear, planting a kiss on his jaw. He smirked and pulled me out the back door.

I gasped at the sight before me. Behind the small house was a huge lake. There was a slight outcropping over the edge of the water, just high enough that our feet would be in the water if we sat down on the edge. So we did.

"So, Neji. Care to explain your actions this morning?" I asked smirking. His smile dropped a little, so now it looked almost…wistful. Suddenly, things started to click. Neji knocking on my window when I never lock the front door…leaving in the middle of the night…packing all I owned…refusing to explain until we were far from Konoha…it all made sense now.

"D-Don't tell me they found out about us, did they?" I always feared that this would happen. Neji would have been banished from the clan, and would have trouble supporting himself and, "should he get one", in Hiashi's words, a wife. "Neji…I-I'm sorry…" I shuddered, tears spilling from my eyes.

Neji pulled me into a hug. "Shhh. Don't cry. It wasn't your fault. Lady Tsunade already knows where we are, if she needs us, she will come herself to ask. She has agreed with our decision to leave." I didn't argue with the "our decision" comment, because I would have run away regardless. But that didn't ease my pain. "I caused this to happen. It would have been better for us if we never met."

Neji held me tighter. "Please," I heard him beg. "Please never say that again. I need you in my life, regardless of what anyone else will try to do to us." I sniffled, nodding into his chest. I was still shaking uncontrollably, though. Trying to comfort me, Neji started to sing.

If I never knew you,

If I never felt this love,

I would have no inkling of

How precious life could be

He started to rock me back and forth, calming me down. I stopped shaking, placated by the sound of his voice.

And if I never held you

I would never have a clue

How at last I'd find in you

The missing part of me.

In this world so full of fear

Full of rage and lies

I can see the truth co clear

In your eyes so dry your eyes

As he sang, his hand came from around me and wiped my tear-stained face, clearing it of the salty fluid.

And I'm so grateful to you

I'd have lived my whole life through

Lost forever, if I never knew you.

I smiled, thinking of all the ways I've helped him and he helped me. Finding my voice, I started the next verse.

If I never knew you,

I'd be safe, but half as real

Never knowing I could feel

A live so strong and true

I'm so grateful to you

I'd have lived my whole life through

Lost forever if I never knew you.

I looked up at the man I loved with all my heart, and saw him smiling down on me. Looking up at the stars, he continued to sing, still embracing me.

I thought our love would be so beautiful,

I sang the next line.

Somehow we'd make the whole world bright

I never knew that fear and hate could be so strong,

All they'd leave us were these whispers in the night.

But still my heart is saying we were right

I rested my head on Neji's shoulder and continued to sing, a little louder than before. Neji caught on and ad-libbed in the background.

Ohhhh….

If I never knew you. (There's no moment I regret)

If I never felt your love (Since the moment that we met)

I would have no inkling of (If our time has gone too fast)

How precious life can be… (I have lived at last…)

I started to cry again, thinking of how miserable I would be without Neji. Even if the Hyuuga elders got the entire village of Konoha (which is more than unlikely), Neji would stand by my side through it all.

I thought our love would be so beautiful,

Somehow we'd make the whole world bright.

I thought our love would be so beautiful,

We'd turn the darkness into light,

And still my heart is saying we were right.

And I realized, I would give anything, pay any price to save this bond we shared, yes, and even die for it.

We were right…

And if I never knew you (If I never knew you)

I'd have lived my whole life through… Empty as the sky

Never knowing why

Lost forever if I never knew you…

Yeah…

Ooooo…

Neji saw the tears on my face again, and leaned down to wipe them away. I didn't bother with the tears, just pulled him down to kiss me. He didn't respond right away, but when he realized what I had done, he did. And those few moments, however short they were, was heaven for me.

We broke the kiss, foreheads still touching, when Neji asked, "Still regretting meeting me?" I smiled at him and whispered a simple "no". He smiled back and pulled me in for another kiss, wrapping his arms around me. He picked me up and brought me inside the house, kissing me the entire way.

Nothing on earth could separate us, ever.

A/N: yay! 2nd fanfic done! I'm so happy. Review and tell me what you think. The song I used was "If I Never Knew You", sung by Jon Secada and Shanice. Just so you know, I happen to love the Pocahontas movie. Tell me what you think, and if you never watched it, go and watch it NOW! It's really good.