A/N: Alrighty. Here's chapter two! Make sure you check out my coauthor's version of this story called "Inopig: You're so Annoying". You can still understand and make sense of this by just reading one version, but it's more interesting and gives you more information if you read both. Anyway, both versions will be underneath the characters Neji and Ino. Since we'll try to upload at the same time, our stories should be right next to each other. Well. Happy reading!
I'm out eating, and it's not barbeque! I just couldn't get over that. Whenever we went out as a team (Asuma-sensei, Shikamaru, Chouji, and I) we always ate barbeque. Whenever I mentioned or complained that we went there all the time, they would tell me that it was tradition.
Needless to say, it was nice to eat something different for a change, and even the fact that Neji didn't talk to me at all during the whole meal couldn't bring down my joyful mood. At first I chattered non-stop in excitement, but eventually I grew tired of trying to talk to him. Talking to Neji was like talking to a brick wall, he was that unresponsive. It was like he was in a different place or something. I thought Shikamaru was bad, but at least he responded and pretended like he was listening to me.
The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. We went home, slept on the far opposite sides of the same bed, and I tried to fall asleep. It was so different from my home, where I could stretch across my bed. But I'm trying the whole "Make Neji like me thing," and I think hogging the bed would make Neji like me even less than he does now.
That morning I woke up before the sun had even risen. I don't usually wake up at such an early hour, and I wasn't sure what woke me up, but I couldn't get back to sleep. I turned over on my side and noticed that Neji was still asleep. Well, any sane person would still be asleep.
After a few minutes of trying to go back to sleep, unsuccessfully, I decided to go take a bath. I climbed out of bed slowly, careful not to wake my husband up. Neji, my husband, now that sounded weird. Hyuuga Ino, that was even weirder.
Once in the bathroom, I examined myself in the mirror while I waited for the tub to fill. My hair was a little messy, but not even close to how bad it was yesterday morning. I guess since I didn't have the whole bed, I didn't really toss and turn like I usually do at night. Turning away from the mirror, I headed over to the bath.
I stuck one foot in slowly, easing it into the hot water. Then I added the other foot and sat down. It was very soothing and relaxing. I'd never need to go to the hot springs again. I had my own little personal spa right here. As I leaned against the wall of the tub, I once again thought about my new name and life. It was funny how I'd always expected to be Uchiha Ino.
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Flashback
"Tsunade-sama will see you now," Shizune said. I stood up and stormed into the office.
"HOKAGE-SAMA, HOW COULD YOU!" Ino raged, slamming a hand on her desk and pointing an accusing finger at her.
"How could I what?" Tsunade asked calmly.
"You know what I'm talking about! How could you agree to my marriage to Neji!" I said, anger still in my voice.
"Your Father made some very good points, and I agree that it's a good arrangement for you, Ino," She answered.
"It's not the best for me! You don't know who the best person for me is!" I yelled, making a slashing motion with my arm.
"Who do you think is the best choice for you, then?" The Hokage asked, her voice was still annoyingly calm. That stunned me for a second, and I paused, not sure how to answer. Of course I liked Sasuke, but it was different with him being gone. I couldn't rely on him, because I didn't know if he'd ever come back. I went through everybody in my head.
Shikamaru? No, we were friends and it'd be weird if we got married. The same with Chouji. Shino was too quiet and I didn't really want to declare that he was my best choice. Kiba was just as mouthy and loud as me, and I think our personalities would clash too much. Lee was a hard worker and I admired him, but I couldn't see myself with him. I also thought of Kankuro and Gaara, even though they lived in a different village. Kankuro wore face paint, which I didn't like, and I found his puppet jutsu very disturbing and creepy. Also, he had a big mouth similar to Kiba's. And Gaara? Well, frankly he scared me and he was younger than me.
I crossed my arms in anger, not able to think of a suitable person to pick as my best choice. I hadn't realized that I had always counted on Sasuke picking me over Sakura.
"Sasuke would be the best choice for me," I said, refusing to give up and still hoping that Sasuke would return and confess his love for me. Tsunade sighed.
"Ino, I think it would be best for you to get over Sasuke and move on. Don't plan your whole future on him, especially if he isn't here. What would you do if he never came back? What would happen then, Ino?" Tsunade said.
"Tsunade-sama, I don't want to get married to Neji, I don't even know him! What if we never love each other, and I spend the rest of my life in a loveless marriage?!" I said, getting desperate now. I didn't want to admit it, but I was scared.
"Ino, sometimes you have to go through with things. Even if it's scary now, maybe later on you'll be glad that you went along with this," Tsunade said, some how sensing my fear, and trying to sooth me.
"But what if I don't, what if I regret it? Tsunade-sama, I don't think I can go through with this. It's too hard. I'd rather live by myself for the rest of my life than marry someone and never love him," I said, holding back the tears with all my will.
"Ino, you have to be strong! Stop whining and suck it up!" Tsunade said, tersely. I was shocked, she had gone from soothing, to telling me to suck it up.
"Ok, Hokage-sama," I said, finally submitting.
"I'm sorry, Ino, I really am. But it's already decided, and I still think it's the best for you," She said. I just nodded, and walked out of her office. I was stuck, whether I wanted to or not. I was going to marry Neji.
End Flashback
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Huh. Back then I didn't even consider Naruto. He's too...different for me anyways.
Then I pulled the drain out and climbed out of the bath. After I dressed and brushed my hair I walked back to the bedroom. I stopped beside the bed and looked down at the sleeping Neji. He looked so peaceful in his sleep and it was very endearing. I thought back on how scared I was to marry him, but it wasn't as bad as I had imagined it. Still, Neji didn't love me. Hopefully, that would change soon.
It was dawn, and the sun's first rays were shining in through the bedroom window. The light fell across his face, and his pale skin seemed to shine. Wow, I wonder if I looked as peaceful and angelic as I slept. Reluctantly I put my hand on his shoulder and shook him to wake him up.
"Neji-kun, wake up, it's dawn," I said softly. He stirred and his eyes fluttered open. I smiled down at him and felt that nagging feeling of insecurity, the feeling you get when you want someone to think highly of you, but you weren't sure if they did.
"Good morning, I'm heading down to the kitchen," I said, trying to keep my voice down. I thought he would appreciate it more if I was a little bit quieter. Neji had a surprised look on his face, and I think it was because he hadn't expected me to wake up before him. I hadn't even expected to wake up before him. I headed out the door, closing it almost all the way to give him some privacy, and walked down to the kitchen.
Of course, Neji had promised me he'd hire a maid last night, so we didn't have one yet. I didn't want to miss breakfast like I had the previous day, so I rummaged through the cupboards until I found something relatively quick and easy to make.
By the time Neji came into the kitchen, I was humming and just finishing making breakfast. I felt his chakra presence and turned to him with a smile.
"I thought you couldn't cook," Neji commented.
"Everyone can make this," I said, handing him a plate of toast, along with some butter and jelly. I wondered if I was making him happy, acting like a wife should. We both sat down at the table and I struggled with the silence.
"You sure are quiet today," I said, trying to make small talk.
"Hm," He said, taking a bite of his toast. We were both quiet for a few minutes.
"Did I do ok?" I asked, breaking the silence again.
"Yes," He said. He was being very formal, and I started thinking he was gonna start answering me with, "affirmative" or something. I glared at him, feeling anger swell up in me. Wasn't I acting like a good wife? Can't he be at least a little bit more casual at home? I mean we're just eating breakfast!
"Neji! I've been working hard to act like a good wife for you, and you can't even talk to me? If this is what I get for trying then maybe I shouldn't even try!" I said, frustrated with Neji and his coldness. I felt tears welling up with my eyes, but I blinked furiously. I had already cried in front of him once, and I didn't want to be even more pathetic and cry again, especially the very next day. I stood up from the table and carried my plate to the sink. Without looking at him, I started to leave the room.
"Where are you going?"
I stopped and turned to face him.
"To train with my team. I do train sometimes, you know!" I said, finding myself unable to control the volume of my voice as it rose. He didn't say anything in return. I guess he did think I never train!
I was still fuming when I arrived for training.
"What's the matter?" Chouji asked, sensing my bad mood. He was the only person there, and I figured that Shikamaru and Asuma would be there soon.
"That stupid Neji and the stupid marriage, and the stupid…" I said trailing off, muttering under my breath. Chouji nodded and resumed eating his chips, while I continued to complain about Neji.
"Having problems with Neji?" Shikamaru asked, plopping down beside Chouji and me.
"No matter how hard I try, he still doesn't like me," I whined to my teammates and best friends.
"That's because you're troublesome," Shikamaru answered, looking bored.
"But you always say that about everyone," I pointed out.
"Yeah, but you're probably annoying Neji by being whiney and taking everything personally. Also, you talk too much," Shikamaru said. I looked away, focusing on a training post. I didn't want to admit it, but that hurt, especially coming from one of my closest friends.
"I didn't realize that I was such a horrible person," I said, still looking away. I heard Shikamaru sigh.
"See? You take everything to heart. Tch, too troublesome," Shikamaru said.
"Alright, let's get to work," Asuma said, coming up at just the perfect time. I hadn't really known what to say back to that.
"Ino, you're not a horrible person," Chouji said, as we all stood up.
"Thanks," I said, though I was still miffed.
We trained for a while, working on our teamwork and reviewing basic skills. Towards the end we sparred, I was paired up with Shikamaru and Chouji was paired up with Asuma.
Still feeling the hurt from his words from earlier, I gave it my all, punching and kicking Shikamaru harder than necessary. In the end, though, Shikamaru won. He nearly always did, planning each move out carefully and quickly. He really was a genius, too bad he didn't apply himself more. I was just happy to see him rubbing his arm and wincing with pain as we headed (to my extreme displeasure) to the barbeque restaurant.
I played with my lunch absentmindedly while thinking about my Neji problem. I had made a promise to make him love me, but so far I wasn't doing too well. I hadn't meant to, but this morning I had blown up. I guess I could try to be less annoying, and try not to force conversation as often. The only problem was, that I didn't want to change myself and live the rest of my life in an endless charade.
"Ino," Shikamaru said. I looked up and saw my team looking at me with worried faces.
"What?" I asked.
"Whenever you get stressed or you're forced to change, your personality gets unbearable because you become more whiney and it's easier to hurt your feelings. Just try to calm down and act more like your normal self," Shikamaru said.
I took in what he was saying. Now that I thought of it, I did feel more like crying lately than normal. Of course, getting married was a big change and was extremely stressful. What made it even more stressful, was that I was forced into it. I nodded.
"Thanks," I said, forgiving him for his earlier words and feeling guilty for punching and kicking him so hard.
When we finished our barbecue I headed back to my new home to see if Neji was finished with his training yet. When I arrived he wasn't home yet, but Hinata greeted me soon after I came inside.
"Hello Ino-chan."
"Hi, Hinata," I said, waiting to see if she wanted to ask me something. It was unusual for Hinata to be very talkative or social.
"Well, I've been playing with my little sister, but when I finish, I was wondering if you would like me to help you learn to cook."
I was surprised at her answer, and I figured Neji had been talking to her.
"Did Neji tell you to do that?" I asked defensively, angry that Neji would still be trying to get me to cook.
"Actually, no. I, I overheard you talking about it, and I-I just wondered i-if you wanted some h-help."
My expression softened when I saw that she was nervous, and I couldn't help but accept her offer.
"Okay, Hinata. You can help me learn to cook."
She offered me a small smile, and said she would meet me in the kitchen around four o'clock.
My heart jumped as I realized that maybe tonight I would have dinner for Neji.
Yes! I thought. Score one for Ino-chan! I will be the perfect wife Neji, and then you will love me. Just you wait and see.
A/N: Rae-chan here! Melanie's coauthor. I wroted the last coupla paragraphs, and I thought an author's note from me would be deserving. - I was given this chapter unfinished, and I guess I figured out what kind of icing the cake needed to be finished off. Mel-chan and I have been bffs for a while now, and it's so fun to coauthor a story for you guys! Anyway, have an amazingly awesome -pauses for thought- ...um...oh yeah, it's Tuesday!
