Chapter 3 Very sorry for the long wait.

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Ino was led to her new "home" outside by the Hyuga heroine, Hinata. Although they both kept quiet due to Ino's sudden surprise announcement and Hinata's self consciousness. But Hinata summoned up some courage and finally said something to break the silence.

"So…um…I'm very glad to have you as a member of the clan, Ino"

Relieved that Hinata was able to say something to break the mute, Ino was able to say something too.

"Thank you for kind words, Hinata. But I really don't think…I'm able to fit in"

She mumbled the last words faintly after she thanked Hinata.

"Oh! Please don't worry about that"

But she doubted that; her high ego she had the years before vanished so she wouldn't come out like an "arrogant bitch" [as they usually said when she was older.

Finally they arrived at a house, almost as big as the other one and farther away from the others. There waited Neji, who stood at the side of the open door.

"I'll take it from here, Lady Hinata. Thank you."

With that, Hinata nodded and left.

"Dinner's prepared at the table", he said already walking away from the door.

Ino scowled and walked inside, closing the door behind her and following Neji.

'I guess he really hasn't changed'

The inside of the house was simply beautiful. Laminate wooden floors with Fallow colored wallpaper. Adding it all up with a spiral staircase with a straight top to the second floor to the side.

'The Hyugas must be a rich clan'

Ino followed Neji to the right and entered the kitchen. It looked the same just like when you entered the house.

Neji sat across Ino from the dining table and waited for her to sit down until he stared eating. It felt so awkward for Ino due to Neji's silence. She slowly and cautiously ate, making sure she didn't finish before him. Also doing her best to ignore the Hyuga's flawless face, it would make her flush in front of him.

"I'll wash the dishes after your done", was all he managed to say.

Ino couldn't stand Neji's silence; he was a very hard person to read, next to Shino Aburame. She badly wanted to bring something up, but she remembered what her mother taught her that a woman she let the man entertain first during a date. But this wasn't a date; it was far from a date.

She was finally was finished eating. She wanted to brush her teeth and probably take a bath before going to bed. But all of the sudden something struck her mind.

"Um, Neji", she tried to ask. "How am I gonna stay-er- with you tonight if I don't have any of my stuff with me"?

He chewed while looking at her in disbelief.

"Your father brought all your stuff here while we were at the meeting room"

Ino made a took a small breath in relief, and thought about how quick her father was and the reason why he didn't come in with her back there.

"Do you know where the bathroom is", she asked again.

Neji swallowed, "Theres one upstairs next to our bedroom and one downstairs, you can't miss it"

She decided to use the one near "their" bedroom. Assuming the bath tub and toothbrush was up there waiting for her.

"Excuse me", with that she got up and left the table.

She went upstairs and then to the bedroom. It was also beautiful; it had a carpet floor and the same wallpaper. There was also a king-size bed with two night tables each on the side.

Ino saw another door on the side and assumed it was the bathroom Neji was talking about. So she went inside and got the water ready while she quickly tooth brushed. Then she got in the nice round tub.

She tried to relax her mind on Neji and the marriage thing.

'This all going too fast, Neji doesn't seem to care about me anyway', she thought.

After she finished her taking a bath, she quickly slipped on her pajamas and walked over to the bed. She lied down, unaware if she should wait for Neji. But she didn't feel sleepy for some reason; it must have been the curiosity of "what's-gonna-happen-next".

After a few minutes, Neji briefly walked in the room. He was aware that Ino was still awake.

"Aren't you tired?" he asked suddenly sounding concerned.

"No I was waiting for…you"

"…why", he asked raising his eye brow.

Ino shrugged, not knowing what to say. Neji went to the bathroom to brush his teeth before he went to bed, as Ino leaned against the headboard with handful of questions to ask her "husband".

When Neji finished he entered the bedroom again now wearing pajamas. Ino didn't really notice. But as he walked over to the bed, he swiftly lied in without saying a word or any expression at all. His back facing her. It really bugged Ino the fact that the former Hyuga wouldn't bother to talk to her.

"Alright, in case you haven't noticed, you've haven't said a word to me! Is something wrong? Why would you choose me as your wife if it seems like your not even interested?! This makes no sense!"

All her words were blurted out with no warning at all. But as a few seconds pasted by, Neji managed to say something.

"I didn't choose you, all I know was Lord Hiashi and your father were discussing plans for you and me recently with now warning"

His words struck venom in her.

'He doesn't want me then', she sadly thought.

Tired from all the confusion in one crazy day, she closed the lantern beside her and fell asleep. Hoping that it was all a dream.

After Neji felt that Ino was finally asleep, he faced her. Having silent regrets on how he would have imagined Ino to be.

'She has changed. More behaved than I thought she would be…..And she's grown quite….beautiful too'

His thoughts made him blush slightly on his perfect pale face. But then unexpectedly Ino suddenly turn to Neji, still asleep. She found the other way more comfortable. The thing was, her face was only a few inches away from Neji and her hand brushed against his.

Slowly but gently, both their hands held each other. Ino may have been asleep but she felt it. And she could have guessed whose hand it was. And for once, Neji didn't have a problem with Ino touching him.

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Sorry if it didn't go well.