Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 2- Destiny?
"Again," she panted.
Neji stood still, hesitating whether or not to attack.
"Again!" Ten-ten demanded.
This was Ten-ten's idea. She had insisted that Neji help her with her taijutsu. They had been at it since 6 a.m , it was now 5 p.m. Neji had suggested a break several times with Ten-ten completely ignoring him. She would not say anything to him but "again".
This time he had said they should stop for the day. She was glaring at him.
We don't stop until I say we stop. I will impress you Neji. You will be amazed!
"AGAIN, NEJI!"
She was in a defensive stance awaiting the attack. Even Neji, who was very skilled with taijutsu due to his divinity skills, was exhausted. He didn't understand where her perseverance was coming from. This was her first- taijutsu only- training session and it had lasted for 11 hours, without breaks.
She should be exhausted, something's not right…why is she doing this…why wouldn't she take a break, why won't she quit?
"NEJI HYUUGA!?!" What are you doing? ATTACK!"
He shook his head.
"No, Ten-ten. We are done for today."
"I just want to get better…to be as good as you and Lee. You have your byukagan and Lee has his taijutsu. I have nothing but weapons. Yeah, I have amazing aim, but many ninja's can easily counter shurikens and kunai. Just help me practice."
"Tomorrow, I will. We'll meet here again. 6 a.m." He turned to leave.
"Neji…"
The tone in her voice had changed from demanding to pleading.
"…Ne…ji…," she whispered. Her breathing had dramatically slowed down, her voice was fading.
He turned back to see Ten-ten standing with her head down, back slouched and her arms hanging loosely by her side. She was about to pass out. Neji immediately appeared right in front of her. Her legs let go from underneath her but Neji caught her before her knees hit the ground. He gently laid her down on the grass his hand behind her hand for support.
"Byukagan!" he shouted activating the bloodline ability in his eyes to see chakra. Ten-ten had a dangerously low amount of chakra left.
What happened to her chakra? This was basic training…I wasn't using my chakra!
"Why did you make me do this to you? You should have stopped!" Neji yelled.
"I'm sorry Neji…I just wanted you to notice me like I notice you. I like you," Ten-ten whispered her eyes feeling heavy.
"Why…how were you using chakra?" but it was too late she was unconscious. He wrapped his arms around and picked her up.
"I notice you Ten-ten!" he looked at her beautiful face. She looked like a child, so innocent. He bent down and lightly kissed her forehead.
I like you too, foolish girl. I've never liked anyone before. It has never been my destiny to be with anyone. I'm sorry Ten-ten but my destiny is to be alone.
A few hours later at Konoha Hospital…
"So let me get this straight," Ino began, "…you beat up Ten-ten?
"No."
"So what happened then?" Ino asserted.
"I've already explained it to you and you are lucky to have gotten the first explanation," Neji hissed.
"I don't understand why she would overexert herself like that…your story seems suspicious to me, Neji. You should have stopped her long before she ended up in the hospital," Ino replied deprecatingly.
Ino was annoying the hell out of Neji. He gritted his teeth.
You don't think I would have stopped her if I'd had known that she was using her chakra? I can sense chakra but not feeling any foreign chakra I didn't notice the lack of Ten-ten's. I'm tired from training, worried about Ten-ten and confused as to why she would do this to herself. The last thing I need is the incompetent Ino nagging me.
He was about to reply something cleverly rude about how she would never amount to anything, because that was her destiny when Shikamaru interrupted.
"Ino! Who's hurt now?" Shikamaru sighed.
I've been looking for her all day and the last place I look I find her…how troublesome.
Ino was, as usual, getting nervous just being around him. She was fighting the urge to run again.
For God's sake Ino pull yourself together and say something! You are much too beautiful to be intimidated by Shikamaru! Say something! Umm…umm…
"Neji beat up Ten-Ten!" Ino blurted out immediately turning pink.
"Shutup, Ino," Neji commanded. He figured he'd better explain the situation to Shikamaru so he didn't think Neji was crazy. He looked at Shikamaru and discontentedly explained the situation again, but this time to Shikamaru.
Shikamaru shrugged, "She made you."
"WHAT?" Ino roared. She knew he was right, like always, but she wanted him to agree with her.
I know Neji didn't beat up Ten-ten, I didn't mean to say that… I just wanted to say…ANYTHING! Next time I'll just keep my big mouth shut.
Shikamaru twitched nervously.
She's worse than my mom when she's mad…
Suddenly Ten-ten walked into the waiting room. They all stared at her.
"Don't look at me like that, I'm fine. I've been released with orders to rest, that's all," Ten-ten smiled.
"Thank goodness you're alright, Ten-ten! I've been worried sick about you! Now that I know your okay I should get back to the shop. Call me later," Ino left. She was running away from Shikamaru again. She knew it and she hated it, but she couldn't stop herself.
"I should go too. See you later!" Shikamaru began to pursue.
Neji was sitting slouched over his knees with his elbows resting on his legs.
Ten-ten looked at him and thought: I never wanted to go this far but, during training, he just kept suggesting a break like I couldn't handle myself, I had to prove to him that I could.
"I'm sorry, Neji, it's all my…"
"It's fine," Neji interrupted, "lets get you home."
They walked through the corridor when suddenly Ten-ten pulled him into an empty room and closed the door.
"Talk," Ten-ten commanded.
Usually Neji only spoke when it was necessary. However he was uncharacteristically exhausted and frustrated.
"You think your going to get stronger by exhausting yourself and your chakra? Why did you ask me to help you train?" although he was frustrated he spoke calmly.
Ten-ten was surprised he was actually replying. Even though she had told him to talk, Neji was actually acting involved in the conversation… in their conversation?
"I…you just…" Ten-ten stammered.
"Did you think it was a game? I don't understand what you were thinking."
She had found her tongue, "I was thinking I wanted to improve. I'm tired of being useless on missions and being seen as the weak link!"
"You're the only one who sees yourself that way. You have strengths just like everybody else."
"Don't lie! Yes, maybe I have precise aim and I'm quick with weapons… but those are weapons! Any ninja with half a brain can dodge or deflect kunai and shuriken. I just wanted you to see me…I like you so much. Why don't you see me?" tears were filling her eyes.
"I'm looking at you now and I see someone who is destined to be with someone else."
"I don't want to be with someone else! I want to be with you!"
"I know."
"And you don't have any feelings for me at all?" she bit her quivering lip.
"My destiny is to be alone. My fate is to protect the Hyuga Main Family. I'm part of the Branch Family so my life is forfeit to anyone in the Main House who wishes to use it. As much as I despise the Main Branch, I cannot ignore my duty."
"I know about the Main Family, and I understand. Your always talking about fate Neji, haven't you ever thought that your destiny is to be happy with someone? What if the Main Branch never needs you? Are you going to waste your life in solitude, waiting for a day that may never even come? All because of that stupid mark on your head?" Ten-ten inquired.
"Yes."
"Why?!? Your destiny is not to be alone Neji! I want to be with you and if you say no then you decide my fate as well. I don't want be alone!" Ten-ten cried.
"You won't be alone. It's not your destiny, its mine." Neji was stone-faced.
"Screw destiny!"
She grabbed his face and pulled herself up to meet his lips. She kissed him softly a few times. He wasn't kissing her back. Neji pulled away.
"I'm sorry Ten-ten…"he said
He didn't kiss me back, all these feelings… all these thoughts of what our first kiss would be like. They were all dreams, all pointless. He has no feelings for me…he doesn't care.
"No, I'm sorry. I should have never thought that you were human like the rest of us. It must be nice to have your whole life planned for you, I hope you enjoy it.
"Ten-ten…"
"I'm not done! I'm sure you will enjoy you life just fine because you will never have to endure heart break. Then again you'll never have love either and what kind of life is that? It's the life you chose Neji! No one else chose it for you. So when your lonely trying to comfort yourself with thoughts of destiny and logic, you remember I tried and you did this to yourself!" she shouted angrily.
He didn't have much time to think, she had already turned towards the door. He appeared right in front of her and caught her in a hug.
"Don't touch me!" she hissed pulling herself away.
It happened in a flash. He caught her wrist and spun her around. He had stepped into her as he turned her around. He had his one hand still grasping her wrist; with his free hand he grabbed her lower back, fiercely pulling her close. He found her warm, moist lips and passionately kissed them. He gently nipped her bottom lip, and Ten-ten gasped and kissed him more intensely. The butterflies were dancing in her stomach and she was in some sort of daze. All she knew was Neji and all she wanted was Neji's lips.
He abruptly pulled back. She pouted slightly; she didn't want him to stop.
"It's late Ten-ten, lets get you home to rest."
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A/N- Any critisim would be appreciated. This is my first fanfic and i would like to improve.
