"What?" Neji bellowed after what his father, Hizashi, told him. Neji was just in the middle of reading Invisible man by Ralph Ellison and was on chapter 10 of the great book. Hizashi let out a long exasperated breath as he prepared to explain his reasoning to Neji.
"I asked Shizune-sempai in her hand in marriage, Neji. I know this may be shocking at first, but I ask that you respect my decision and your future step-mother." Hizashi said without looking his son in the eyes. Neji couldn't believe what he was hearing. His father didn't even know this woman a year or two and he's asking for her hand in marriage? Neji put his book on the slick glass top coffee table in front of him and motioned for his frustrated father to look at him.
"Father, why would you make such a commitment after mother…" Neji trailed off not wanting to remember a forbidden memory. He could feel chills trickle down his spine as the memory tried to seethe its way into his mind. His father stopped Neji from remembering as he tried to explain.
"Neji, I know how you feel about your late mother and you know I feel the same way. But I feel that I must move on with my life and stop being as miserable as I once was before I met Shizune. Don't you see? We will feel so much better with the presence of a loving mother and brother. Neji, this could be—" Neji cut him off with the raise of his hand. You knew Neji was angered when his pulsating vein was visible.
"Brother? You didn't mention that Shizune had a son! When would I be informed about having a sibling to annoy me? To take up room? To be in my way? Where is he going to sleep, huh? Have you thought this over? This isn't something you come up with over night, father!" Neji shouted. Neji didn't grasp the concept of his father's actions and wasn't sure if he wanted to.
"Neji! I understand how you feel. You feel angered, betrayed, hurt, and frustrated right now and believe me when I say that I felt the same way when I came to a conclusion that I loved Shizune. We could be so happy, besides, there is plenty of room for Sai and Shizune. Sai will get the guest room, that way he won't interfere with your studies and other activities."
'Sai Mitsoyu?' Neji thought angrily as he knew the boy of which his father spoke of. Neji couldn't take it any longer. He grabbed his book from off of the coffee table as he got up from the ash grey love seat and walked towards the steps up to his room. His father watched his son as he walked away then sighed when he was out of sight.
"Neji" Hizashi mumbled "what am I to do?" he continued as he rested his head in the palm of his hands.
Neji finally made it to his room slamming his door behind him. With an irritated sigh he flopped on his twin sized bed and pulled his royal blue comforter over his head. As Neji was underneath his comforter, he slowly drifted off to sleep. Neji is a junior at Konoha High School with an A average. He has a normal life so far, a girlfriend, a best friend, and is well known for his academic success. But now his life would be utter hell if he had to live with Sai Mitsoyu. Sai is also a junior at Konoha High School and has a C/D average. His life is sloppy, always dating girl after girl, had a low class so-called best friend, and is well known for his mischevious behavior. If he got caught being around Sai his whole reputation would be ruined. His father couldn't do this to him, especially when graduation to being a senior was so close. Neji was on the edge of a deep sleep until his HTC Smartphone started to ring. The loud chorus of "Neutron Star Collision" by Muse played repeatedly until Neji finally swung his hand to the phone and answered it.
"Speak" he said with a raspy voice.
"Hey baby" the light and airy voice said. It took a minute for Neji to realize who it was.
"Temari?"
"You know it" she replied.
"Oh hey, what's up?"
"I miss you and can't stop thinking about you, that's what's up"
"Haha, you're always on my mind. So what's going on? Why'd you call?"
"Well, prom and graduation is coming up and I wanted to discuss our attire. I don't want to look cheap and mismatched when those days come around" You could feel the pout in her voice. Neji rolled his eyes at his girlfriend's antics to look 'perfect'.
"Baby, we've been through this already. Now we'll discuss this on Saturday, okay?"
"Mmm, fine, but I'm picking the color and you have to get the limo"
"Temari, it's only junior prom. We'll have the same thing next year, why don't we go crazy for senior prom?" he said obviously getting frustrated.
"Because I want to go to both of my proms. You know that's my dream!"
"Yes, yes I know, but I don't understand why" he said as he shifted to a more comfortable position on his bed. When Temari started her drawn out explanation to why going to both proms is her dream, Neji heard the quiet footsteps of his father on the hardwood floor coming towards his room.
"… And then in 8th grade, I swore—" Temari continued, but was cut off by Neji.
"Baby, I have to go, but I'll see you tomorrow" he said placing his thumb on the 'End' button. His father knocked on his door and entered.
"Okay, I love you"
"Okay, bye ba—"
"No! Say I love you back"
"Temari, do we have to do this now?" Neji said staring at his father. He didn't want to embarrass himself in front of him.
"Neji"
He didn't answer, just looked at his father.
"Neji!"
"Okay! I love you" he mumbled and quickly hung up the phone. He tossed the phone on his charcoal black desk and turned towards his father. His father took his matching charcoal swivel chair and sat down facing Neji.
"Neji, I'm sorry about what happened downstairs. I didn't want it to come to this. If you just give Shizune a chance I know you'll love her just like I do!" Hizashi said. Neji couldn't believe what he was hearing.
'Does this bastard actually think that I'll seriously give a fuck whether or not she's a lovable person? She could never replace mother! How dare he ask for her hand in marriage without talking to me about it!' Neji thought. Neji threw back his comforter and sat on the edge of his bed.
"Fine. If you want me to give her a chance father, I will. No matter how much this pains me. If it'll get you to stop moping around and lecturing me about this ridiculous topic, then I'll sacrifice. Are you happy?" he said. Neji then got up and walked towards his closet to grab his pajama's and a towel. Hizashi stood up and stood in front of his son's way.
"I'm going to the bathroom" Neji said. Hizashi looked down at his son with a sympathetic look and embraced him. Neji didn't respond right away, he couldn't respond. His father rarely showed affection towards him and now he's hugging him? A few seconds into the hug, Neji started to respond towards it. He embraced his father and cried. He cried like he did when his mother died.
"Neji, I never wanted anything so bad in my life. I loved your mother and still do, but I have to move on. Your mother wants me to or I would have never fallen for Shizune like I have. Please understand. That's all I ask." Hizashi said with his eyes closed.
"Okay father, I will try." Neji said as he broke out of the embrace and wiped his eyes. He started towards his door and went to the bathroom. As he opened the door he flicked the light switch. He turned on the shower and started to undress. When he got into the shower he tried to think of life with a new mother and brother.
"Hell no!" Sai said with an irritated look. Sai was baffled at the news he's just received from his mother, Shizune. Sai was just playing Call Of Duty 4 on his Xbox360 and, to his knowledge, winning the game! As he put his controller down he stared at his mother irritably. Shizune sighed and walked closer to Sai away from the wall she was leaning on.
"Look Sai, you don't run my love life and you aren't going to start now" she said as she started to sit down in a nearby chair. She stopped in mid-motion when she saw Sai getting up. Sai then stopped and turned to face his angered mother.
"I don't care what you say, mom. There is no way I'm letting some low-life near you!" Sai said, but quickly wished he hadn't for he did not consider his mother's feelings. Seeming un-phased by the comment Sai made, Shizune took a deep breath and quietly, but steadily explained her reasoning to him.
"Look, I am in love with Hizashi and I'm going to marry him. I'm not going to let you decide who I should love. So suck it up and get over it" She said satisfied with her statement. Sai looked angry and uneasy, but had a calm response.
"Fine, where is 'Hizashi' staying then? There isn't enough room for him in this household."
"Oh, we're moving in his house with his son Neji" she said heading towards the kitchen. Sai's eyes widened at this statement.
'Whoa, what? Neji Hyuuga? Is this woman out of what's left of her goddamn mind? I'm not living in that prissy bitch's house! If I ever get caught hanging around that 'thing' then what would happen to MY reputation…' Sai thought. Sai followed his mother into the kitchen. Shizune sat in a dining chair staring at Sai's every movement. Sai walked over to the refrigerator and grabbed a Red Bull.
"Why are you so quiet all of a sudden?" Shizune asked. Sai looked at her while tossing the energy drink in the air and catching it with his right hand. He then rolled his eyes and took a deep breath.
"No"
"What? Sai this isn't your deci—"
"Did you ever think about how I felt? Huh?" Sai yelled. Shizune turned her head and kept quiet. "I guess not. Well, I'm not exactly peachy keen about this. In fact I'd rather eat my own dick." he sighs "but if you really care about him… I guess I'll sacrifice." After hearing this, Shizune's eyes lit up like the stars in the midnight sky.
"You really mean it?" She said hopeful.
"Yeah, I don't care mom." He said looking away from his ecstatic mother. Shizune got up from her chair to kiss Sai on his forehead then ran into the living room to call Hizashi.
'Damn…' Sai thought 'What did I get myself into'
