Her Fairytales
a/n: Ah, another NejiTen. I'm really growing to love this couple. I don't think this is some of my best work, but it's ok. It's the fault of those evil plot bunnies! They force me to do a load of oneshots, and they never let me update my other ficcys. CURSE THOSE PLOT BUNNIES!
Anyway, read. Review. Most of all, enjoy. No, wait, the most important thing to do is review… remember that! If I get enough reviews I just might continue this. MIGHT.
You can view this as a companion to So Simple, another of my stories, as it kind of is. But it stands alone, too.
Tenten tapped the glass of the clock. She gave it a dirty look.
Nine-o-clock. And he still wasn't here.
The waiter walked by, gave her a pitiful look. Tenten tried to ignore him.
An hour late! She mentally fumed, an HOUR!
She turned her eyes from the clock (because she'd acquired an intense urge to whip out one of her hidden kunai and break it) and instead focused on the flickering little candle in the center of the table.
Now she let out a sigh, a long, much-needed sigh.
He isn't coming, is he? She thought to herself. At this, her stress seemed to unwind and she became more relaxed. There it was, the cold truth.
He'd stood her up twice this month, and he was always late. It was not in his nature to be late, or forgetful. He apoligzed profusely each time. But yet he still came late, and he still forgot.
It's because he doesn't really, truly love you, the voice in her mind told her.
Was that true? They'd been friends for years, she'd always harbored a crush on him. For the past three years, ever since Tenten had turned eighteen, they'd been dating.
She thought that maybe, just maybe, he was her One.
It was like her fairytales when she was a little girl. Ever since she first met Neji, she'd imagined their wedding – how handsome he would look, how beautiful they would say she was… her hair would be down for once… everyone would be smiling… there would be the fragrance of flowers, roses, everywhere…
The waiter cleared his throat. Tenten looked up.
"Is he coming?" he asked sympathetically. He did not know Tenten personally, but her situation was a familiar one: girl comes to restaurant. Guy never shows.
"No," she whispered, a lump in her throat making her voice scratchy. "I honestly doubt it."
Reluctantly, Tenten slipped her coat back on and picked up her purse.
She exited the warm, bright resturaunt.
The street was silent. Her high-heels tapped against the concrete, echoing in the quiet, as she quickly walked down the road.
It was so quiet, so still, that one could even hear her sharp intakes of breath, as though she was trying very hard not to cry.
She huddled over, trying to keep warm. Each breath sent a cloud of frozen water vapor into the air.
Finally she paused, under a gaslight.
She looked up at the sky. The stars were bright tonight, just like the night he'd told her he loved her. Despite the tears in her eyes, Tenten smiled at this. That qualified as one of the best nights of her life.
"Tenten?" She recognized his voice automatically.
She whipped around. "Guess what? I hate you," she spat, not meaning it, but saying it anyway.
He frowned, obviously perturbed. "Tenten… I'm sorry. I know I was wrong, but-"
"It was wrong! You know what?"
He didn't give a reply. She didn't need one.
"I have been patient. I don't think I'm out of line to expect you to make our dates. I don't think I'm out of line to want more than the cold attitude I've been getting lately. I think it's reasonable for me to expect a boyfriend who doesn't leave me to myself all the time, who acts as if I don't exist. Lately, Neji, you act like I'm not there. You know what?"
Finally, she answered her own question.
"We're over," she hissed. "
She stood there, taking in deep breathes to stabilize herself.
A slight, knowing smile came onto his face.
"Are you done?"
"What do you mean?"
"Are you done? Ranting?"
She replied with a glare.
"Because I have something important to tell you."
"Then say it," she challenged.
"You know how many missions I've been on lately-"
"You stood me up twice… in the past month! You didn't even tell me you were on missions until afterward! I was worried sick!" she protested.
"-and you know how much work I've been doing for the Hyuugas-"
"Who would rather do paperwork than go out with their girlfriend?" she demanded.
"Tenten, I'll get to the point: I've finally advanced to a stable enough position. I've finally gotten the Hyuugas approval."
He paused and walked toward her. They were inches away from one another. He bit his lip, then kneeled. Suddenly, she knew what was happening. Her eyes widened, though they were lined with smeared, running mascara.
He held out a box.
He flipped it open.
A ring.
It was somewhat plain, but it was perfect. Perfect because it came from him.
"Tenten," he whispered, his voice holding a hint of nervousness, "will you marry me?"
It was just like her fairytales.