So Close
A/N – Oh my god it's been over a year since I've posted anything. I just sort of lost interest in writing and gave up and a week ago I looked at this story for the first time in a year and I was like, you know what? I'm gonna make another chapter just for the heck of it. So, here's chapter four guys. Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Naruto
Chapter Four
-X-
"I'm sorry."
Those two words paralysed Tenten's body completely. She was too dumbstruck to speak. Did Neji Hyuga – the Neji Hyuga – just apologise? To her? Tenten shook her head. She must've been imagining things. There was no way in the entire existence of the universe that Neji Hyuga would ever apologise. To anyone.
When Tenten did find the will to move, which seemed like an eternity, she slowly turned on her heel with an incredulous expression and just stared at Hyuga prodigy, standing five feet in front of her, who remained expressionless as ever.
"What…did you just say?" she managed to choke out softly.
Neji's features morphed into uncomfortable irritation.
"You of all people know I do not repeat myself, Tenten," he answered curtly folding his arms in a defiant sort of way, his eyes meeting hers challengingly as if daring her to repeat her question.
Tenten blinked trying to fight back a smile. He had apologised. She hadn't been imagining things. The famous, prestigious Neji Hyuga, who never apologised to anyone, had just apologised to her. This was such a new revelation for Neji that Tenten just couldn't believe it. But she had to. She had to remember this moment and make it last as long as possible. It wasn't every day that the Hyuga prodigy stood in front of her, unguarded and powerless. She was going to have a little fun and test how far she could push his pride now that she had the power over him.
She struggled to keep her expression straight as she answered, "yes, I know. But I wasn't sure if I heard you right."
Neji's eyes grew slightly colder and more stubborn, his arms tightening across his chest.
"That's unfortunate for you then, isn't it?" he replied coolly.
Tenten hesitated and mirrored his cold expression back at him before turning on her heel and stalking off.
"Fine then, bye."
She hadn't even made five paces when a cold, firm hand gripped her wrist and she turned around to face the scowling Hyuga. Even though he looked angry and dangerous, his features looked so beautiful and defined in the silvery moonlight. Like a statue carved out of marble. It almost made Tenten catch her breath.
"Yes?" the brunette asked sweetly. "Is there something you'd like to say, Neji?"
She tried her utmost best to keep the smile out of her voice. It was so much fun teasing Neji. No wonder he liked to be in power all the time.
The strain on his face was obvious. It almost looked like he was in physical pain as a tiny battle raged in his eyes. Neji drew a deep breath, his pride put aside for this one moment, and sighed.
"I said I was sorry, happy?"
Tenten shrugged, unable to keep the smile off of her face as she scrutinised the Hyuga's features but it appeared he had more to say.
"I wasn't angry at you, I was angry at myself. I was watching you. With my Byakugan." He admitted, his eyes intensely boring into hers but she couldn't find the will to look away. "I saw you dancing with him and I was suspicious so I kept an eye on you. In a moment of mental abstraction, my attention was diverted elsewhere but by that time you had already gone and I could not find you or him anywhere in the crowd. I panicked. I wondered where he had taken you. I saw the doors open to the garden and I followed and I could hear you struggling. I feared the worst. I thought I was too late."
With these words, Tenten's smile faded. Neji's expression was so sincere and full of anguish that she now felt guilty. He had cared about her. Even if it was a little bit. He had watched over her in concern and came to her aid when she most needed it.
She felt an uncomfortable lump form in the back of her throat but she managed to say, "Well, I'm glad you were there to help me."
There was a silence as Neji closed his eyes and drew another breath.
"Let's re-join the party, shall we? I need a distraction." Neji suggested with strained calmness.
"Sure," Tenten agreed quietly and they both walked in silence back to the hall where coloured strobe lights lit up the night sky and loud music pounded the air.
"Neji! Tenten! Where have you two been?!" Ino came rushing up to them, drink in hand, pink faced and beaming. "I've been looking all over for you."
She caught sight of Tenten and her bright smile vanished.
Tenten felt slightly confused for a few seconds before she realised she must've looked a right mess. Her hair was disarray, her dress was torn, makeup smudged and she had no shoes on.
Ino's head whipped back and forth from her Neji in complete horror and the realisation suddenly dawned on Tenten.
But before she could speak, she heard Neji's smooth voice say calmly, "It's not what you think. I'll tell you everything later. I'm going to escort Tenten home. She's been through enough for tonight."
Ino merely nodded grimly before disappearing into the swarming crowd.
"We can't have you walking around looking like this." Neji gestured to her dishevelled appearance. "It'll attract too many awkward questions. Besides, you're tired. It'll be better for you to go home and rest."
Tenten knew he was right. She was fighting to just keep her eyes open and her legs felt like they were about to collapse from under her. In an instant, she felt the ground being yanked out from under her feet as Neji swept her up in his arms and began moving at blinding speed.
All she could feel was the cool wind whipping her face and the warmth of the strong arms that encircled her. Tenten felt so content and comfortable that she sighed and buried her face deeper into Neji's arms. She hadn't even realised that she had been asleep until she felt the warmth his arms leave her and the sheets of her bed cover her body.
As Tenten felt Neji move to leave, she reached out and grabbed hold of his sleeve and opened her eyes ever so slightly.
"Don't go." She mumbled, almost incoherently but not so much that she saw Neji shake his head in the darkness of her room and tried to tug his sleeve out of her grip.
Her fingers tightened around the hem of his sleeve as she pleaded, "Please, stay."
She heard Neji sigh in slight exasperation.
"No, Tenten." He said softly but firmly.
She didn't want him to go. She wanted to bury her head in his chest again and breathe in nothing but the scent of Neji…Neji…Neji. She wanted to feel the warmth of his muscular body against hers, protecting her.
She forced him to look at her and he didn't try to look away.
"Please." She breathed one last time and she saw the defeat on the Hyuga's face and smiled.
He nodded and sat down on the cold floor, resting his head against the side of her bed.
Tenten felt a twinge of annoyance in her drowsiness but it didn't last long. He stayed and that was all that mattered. She snuggled deeper under her covers before sighing contently and drifting off into a dreamless sleep.
Tenten woke up extremely early that morning despite having such a late night. It was still dark outside but there was a tinge of orange on the horizon which meant dawn was breaking. It was mostly out of habit. She usually woke up this early to train with Neji.
Wait.
Neji…
Tenten sat bolt upright in her bed and looked wildly around her room.
She sighed happily when she found him still asleep in the same position on the floor with his head resting against the side of the mattress. She debated for a good minute or so on whether she should wake him up or not. He must've been exhausted so she decided against it. Also, Neji Hyuga was here. In her house, sleeping in her room just because she asked him to. This would have been a chance many girls would have died for. Might as well saviour the moment while she had it. Besides, he looked so content and so vulnerable while he slept. His features were softer and once again Tenten found herself staring at the prodigy marvelling at his gorgeousness.
She probably would have sat there gazing at him for the next hour until she heard her stomach grumble. Sighing exasperatedly, Tenten slid out from under the covers to realise she was still wearing the ripped up dress from the night before. Quietly as she could, Tenten tiptoed across to her wardrobe and pulled out her usual attire before leaving for the bathroom to have a well-deserved shower and change out of her clothes. That was one thing she didn't want Neji to see.
After freshening up she began to prepare breakfast for herself and for Neji when he woke. It was the least she could do for what he did for her last night. The kitchen was soon filled with scent of toast and sound of grating plates. Tenten hummed in an off tune key as she worked her way around the kitchen, washing dishes, setting the table, boiling rice –
"Tenten?" Neji's voice came from behind her.
The kunoichi spun around to see Hyuga at the entrance of the kitchen with an apprehensive expression plastered on his face. His hair was slightly dishevelled from leaning against the bed and his voice was slightly husky from weariness. Tenten's heart did a little relay race in her chest when she saw him. She didn't think she ever saw something as adorable as he looked right now.
"Hi, Neji," Tenten smiled widely placing a plate heaped with food on the table. "I thought you might be hungry. I didn't know what you liked so I gave you a little bit of everything."
When Neji didn't move or make a sound, Tenten's smile fell ever so slightly and she rushed to add, "I just thought I'd say thank you for last night, you know. I mean, this is the least I could do after what you did for me. But if you'd rather eat at the Hyuga Compound or somewhere else you can –"
"Tenten," Neji interrupted her rambling. "It's fine. Thank you."
Tenten smile returned and she nodded, pushing the plate of food over towards Neji where he placed himself at the very end of the table. She watched him carefully as he stared at the food on the plate like it was from another planet. Well, it was from like another planet to him. Neji probably had never had cheap, civilian food before. He was provided with five-star quality food for his whole life. Tenten began to worry that he wouldn't like it as he took his first bite. He chewed slowly before swallowing. Hesitated. And to Tenten's relief, he took another bite. He ate wordlessly and watched her as she cleaned. He was content with silence and for once, so was she. But it was soon interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell.
Tenten frowned as she made her way to the door; Neji following suit. Who on earth could possibly be visiting her at this hour in the morning?
Before she could even answer it, Neji leaned across her and opened the door first to reveal the three weary faces of Ino, Sakura and Hinata. Sakura and Hinata looked extremely surprised that a dishevelled Neji was answering the door and their eyes immediately darted towards Tenten's questioningly. Ino on the other hand raised an eyebrow and broke the stunned silence.
"Ok," She said, her tone demanding. "When I saw you two come back from the garden last night with Tenten's dress all ripped and her hair a mess I was thinking 'oh my god! You two were actually getting it on' and you told me –"she pointed at Neji – "that it wasn't what it seemed, that you'd tell me later and that you were taking Tenten home and I was like 'ok, I'll play'. And now I come over to Tenten's at 5 o'clock in the morning and find you still here answering the door, looking dishevelled as ever, so tell me once and for all: did you guys actually have sex?"
There was a long uncomfortable silence until Tenten broke the tension and burst out almost hysterically, "Ino, you've got to be kidding!"
"No I'm not." The blonde shook her head, staring determinedly at Neji who scowled at her.
Sakura and Hinata just looked at each other sceptically, obviously extremely confused.
"Ino. Nothing. Happened," Tenten stressed clearly. "I can assure you I'm still pure."
Ino rolled her eyes and threw her hands into the air.
"Well, can someone please explain to me what's happening then? Because I can't come to any other conclusion!"
"I think we'd all like to know what's going on." Sakura piped up as Hinata nodded looking petulantly at her cousin.
"Don't worry, Yamanaka." Neji sighed. "I'll explain everything."
-X-
A/N – So don't judge that it's not that great cause it's my first time writing in a year. Tell me what y'all think! Review!
