I walked into my house, Shikamaru's hand on my shoulder, guiding me to the couch. He sat me down before walking into the other room and called for our mother. She walked in slowly, her weight making it harder for her. Shikamaru was be her side, whispering to her, probably telling her the situation. At one point, her eyes widened in horror, and she tried to push herself faster to get to me.
Of course, I've never told anyone about my previous experience except for my brother, who has kept it a secret. So, my mother still thinks I'm an innocent virgin. I must be, to keep our Clan's reputation clean. I'm the pure, first, and only, daughter of the Nara Clan. We are a wealthier, wiser Clan that the rest of the village looks to for solutions. Of course, like Shikamaru, we are also looked at as the lazier, simpler people. I'm the most outspoken of us. Though, when put on the pedestal of being the perfect, pretty, little girl, I don't speak out as often.
My mother sat down, weighing down the couch, which startled me out of thought. She looked at me for a long time, before speaking, "Arisa..."
I quickly interrupted her, not wanting her to think I was taken, "No, mother, I'm fine... I... it didn't... I wasn't--"
"Oh, good. I wanted to make sure you wouldn't be this traumatized for when we go to dinner at the Hyuuga's in an hour. I was worried we'd have to cancel... You need to be my daughter, not a victim. But, since you say so, I'll fetch Naori-san to get you ready."She stood up, smiling contently, and rang the bell on the side table.
Oh yes, Hyuuga Neji. My boyfriend. Or, my half-arranged boyfriend. No, my parents aren't so cruel as to force me to date that man, but they did plan for us to meet, having in mind that we'd get together. Which we did. Mother made it clear that I did not have to continue the relationship, but that it'd help the family if I did. Though Neji isn't part of the Main House, he is still a Hyuuga, so it'd help us both to date. And by"both", I mean "both Clans". Not that I don't like him, I really like him. He's just... distant.
Naori ran into the room, grabbing me by my arm and dragging my to my room. She sat me in my chair in front of my vanity. She asked me a lot of questions as she combed the large knots out of my thin, messy, black hair. She's not nosy, she just tries to do her best as a maid."--You looked like you been attacked by the Akatsuki, my goodness..." Fear overflowed my face again as I stared into the glass mirror. She glanced up from my hair and saw my expression, "Arisa-sama, what's wrong? Did I say something? W-what did I say to offend you?! I'm sorry!" She dropped her brush as her hands flew to her cheeks, freaking out.
"Naori-san, no, you didn't do anything. I'm sorry for frightening you. Please, continue. I cannot be late again." She calmed down, nodded, and finished brushing my hair. Then, she motioned for me to turn my head to face her. She painted my face with white powder and deep blush. She coloured my eyes with heavy eyeliner and piled red lipstick on my lips, and I can confidently say I looked like a geisha. She didn't seem to realize, she never has before.
I stood up as she took my clothes off, replacing it with a light blue, Victorian-looking dress with lace cuffs and a puffy skirt. She also gave me my "show-off" bra. My bra that accentuates my chest. After I was dressed, I slipped on my blue high heels and put on my small, silver, hoop earrings.
Since my parents are so concerned that I'll look bored, Naori-san has been told to tell me to keep my posture and instruct me on ho to do so. My mother is the only one who doubts me. Shikamaru is always there for when I do fail, even in ninja training.
I was given a fan to keep in front on my face as Naori-san pushed me downstairs. I reached the front door, seeing my parents waiting outside, and Shikamaru by my side. I looked to him and sighed, like saying, "Here we go again." His smile turned to shock as he quickly took off my nose ring before we left. I can't seem rebellious.
After walking 5 minutes or so, we reached the Hyuuga Estate. Hyuuga Hanabi opened the door and smiled when she saw Shikamaru. She let us inside and gave my brother a hug, followed by a blush. He simply shrugged off her affection like he always has. Some would say he likes her, though she is a good 5 years younger than him, but I know him better.
We all sat on one couch, as Hanabi joined her Main House family on the other, including Neji. Hinata and Hanabi's father, Hiashi, spoke to my parents about Neji and I for a while, neither of us paying any attention. This was the only kind of meeting I saw Shikamaru involved in. He would interrupt Mother whenever the conversation would go off into the "marriage" topic.
After a good hour, Father sent Neji and I into the other room to speak alone. I sat on Neji's bed, and he sat a little close to me. A minute of awkward silence went by before he spoke, "Our parents should be leaving to lunch any moment, if they haven't already." We didn't look at each other. We never really have. Suddenly, kissed my cheek. "Do you think we are fated to be together?" I glance at him before my eyes returned to the floor. I hadn't really thought about it. I had only had one relationship before this: Kiba. After 4 months of secretly dating, we decided we were on different paths of life. Neji and I are on the same path, but it wasn't our choice. I really had to have some help convincing my parents to let me become a ninja. The only reason they let me was because they knew Shikamaru would keep me protected. Now, only a couple weeks away from me becoming a Jounin, my mother has been pulling me from training for these kinds of meetings with the Hyuugas. I would've been a Jounin 4 years ago if they didn't keep me from my shinobi work all the time.
I finally answered his question, "No." He nodded in understanding, stood up, and offered me his hand. I took it, and he pulled me up.
"Then what's the point of this? You should fulfill your destiny, not waste time with someone you're not meant to be with." He kissed my lips one final time before we embraced in a long hug. When we parted, we said our goodbyes and good lucks and "hope we see each other again someday"s.
I walked to the front door to find Shikamaru on the couch, sprawled out, with his hands behind his head, "Well, that was a long break-up." I chuckled as he stood up.
I grinned at him, "I just ended an arranged relationship... I feel badass." He smirked as we walked out the door to go home.
