I do not own Naruto.
I am very sorry! I hope you guys are still with me. This chapter will be a short one. :)
Sorry in advance for any mistakes.
Please enjoy!
~O~
Two Worlds
Chapter 4 –There is no middle ground.
~O~
I. Endless tears.
The room fell into silence as I tried to process what Neji told me. I can tell he's patiently waiting for my reaction.
How should I react?
Right now I felt like screaming my heart out. My breathing is strained from the ache in my chest. It's like my lungs couldn't take enough air. I felt Neji's grip on my hand and the sound of his pearls as he leaned closer staring deep into my eyes. He squeezed my hand urging me to speak.
What?
What?
Neji reached up to my face.
"What?" I whispered. Then I felt his thumb on my cheek. My vision became blurry with the tears I'm not even aware of.
I'm confused. Why is it affecting me this much? I can't breathe. What else don't I know about mommy?
"Neji." I called. "You will not disappear, right? You will not leave like, mommy Cara… right?"
Just then, his eyes grew wide and he inched back.
He shook his head. "I don't belong here, TenTen." His voice gentle, his eyes in pain.
"Neji I –"
"Ani is waiting for me."
I was taken aback. It's like someone is fisting my heart hard. It took me a whole minute to feel myself again.
"Who's Ani?" I asked, cursing inwardly at how my voice trembled.
Neji didn't reply. He only gripped the pearls hanging around his neck.
I've never experienced too much pain.
I stood up and ran in an attempt to get out of the room as fast as I could.
I slammed the door shut. The entire house was dark and I couldn't see clearly with my tears. I know I was overreacting. But how should I handle this?
Flopping down in my room, I couldn't make it to my bed.
Have I reached bottom?
I sat there for a minute then just sprawled on the floor.
"Mommy…" I croaked and sobbed more.
~O~
I woke up to a blood curling scream. "TenTen!"
It's my mama.
"Are you okay?"
I felt her shook my body. "TenTen, what happened?"
I cracked my eyes open and saw my mama's panicked form. Well who could blame her? Her daughter is lying on the floor practically looking like death itself.
"I'm fine, mama."
"Are you sure? You don't look fine to me."
She looked through my body for any wound.
"I'm fine." I repeated, wincing as I stood up.
"Well what happened then?" she yelled, "Did you faint?"
I recalled whatever happened last night and Neji's exact words played through my head. I can't seriously tell mama the truth, well part of it at least.
"I missed mommy Cara so much. I was just sitting here, gazing out my window and fell asleep."
"I see." Mama's eyes softened as she cupped my face with both hands. "You feeling okay now?"
"Not yet."
She held me in a tight embrace which actually turned out to be comforting enough.
~O~
II. Meaningful stares.
It's been three days now and I don't think I feel any better. I'm not even sure why I'm this paranoid over the turn of events.
How long will I be like this?
I've been dying to see Neji, but I just can't. I want to organize my thoughts and emotions first.
This scene in my window that seems to always enchant me looks dead now. It no longer holds that beauty I so deeply admire and dreamed I could feel.
Perhaps I'm going crazy. Who knows?
I jumped when a loud slam cut my thoughts. The next sounds I heard were papa's very angry tone mixed with mama's distressed one.
I slowly made my way down to listen.
.
.
.
"Why did you even bring that god damned creature here?" There were tears in mama's eyes.
"It's none of your business!"
"Have you seen what happened to your boat?"
Papa dragged a hand down his face in exasperation and his frown deepened.
"Things like that happens everyday."
My heart pounded at an unexplainable rate. Something's wrong. I can feel it.
Mama lunged forward at him, her hands clenched in front of her face as if she's trying so hard to prove a point. She looked like she wanted to raise and lower her voice at the same time.
"The water swallowed your boat. Your men were in it, and for hours now they're still missing—"
"Shut up."
"Listen to me." Mama cried and papa continued to play dumb. But I'm very positive he's shaken as well.
I quietly went to the indoor pool, knowing I might get answers from Neji. At least now I have an excuse to see him.
~O~
Neji was sitting on the edge of the pool, looking outside the window.
"Neji."
He didn't move an inch.
"Neji." I yelled again, my voice echoing through the room.
He slowly turned around. The look on his face sent another stab on my chest.
"What happened?" I asked as I went to where he was and sat next to him. "My papa's boat… What's that about?"
Neji looked away. "I'm sorry."
"You did it?" I gasped.
"I…" Then he closed his eyes and shook his head, as if it's better if he won't tell.
"Please." I begged and hugged him. His skin is cold.
"I can't stay here." He whispered. "I have to go, TenTen."
"No."
Tears flowed from my eyes. I felt him grip my arms, pushing me away. I clung to him more.
"Stop it." He said, "Let go." And so I did… painfully.
I sniffed and wiped my tears in shame. "We'll always be friends, right?" I asked, my voice cracking,
Neji smiled and slowly leaned in. I got goose bumps when his lips brushed my ear. "Close your eyes." He whispered.
I nodded. Although I was already closing it before he even spoke.
"Don't open them until I tell you to."
I nodded again, "Okay."
It was quiet and I can only hear our breathing. Mine is heavier than usual. Anticipation ran through my bones. I frowned when I felt something cold touched my neck, it's slightly heavy as well.
"Make a wish." Neji said.
A tear fell down my left cheek and I replied, "To be with you..."
The next thing I knew was the feeling of his soft lips on mine.
I wrapped my arms around him as he pulled me close. Those kisses I fantasized about were nowhere near this. His kiss felt like it's promising me endless happiness. He deepened the kiss, his arms on my waist. It was bliss. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Neji's mouth moved to my cheek and he gently trailed kisses down my throat. I felt like I'm about to burst. The unfamiliar sound that escaped my lips made me hold onto Neji even tighter.
He pulled away. Taking my hand in his, he moved it close to his lips and kissed my palm.
I felt him smile in my hand.
"Open them."
I opened my eyes and looked down, noticing a string of whites hanging from my neck, shimmering as the sun hits its shiny surface.
Then it dawned on me.
"Neji." I gasped. "Wha— I don't understand."
Neji bit his lip and squeezed my hand. Nothing else matters, even time. The present that I am in right now is just wonderful.
"I love y—"
Bam!
"TenTen." I heard papa's scary voice. "Get away from him."
"Papa!"
A number of familiar faces entered the room as well. Two were carrying an inflatable pool and one was carrying an air pump. There were a total of five of them.
We held each other's hand tightly and I could feel myself shaking.
"Papa, what are you doing?"
He stared at me with an anger that I couldn't fathom.
"Take her away from here." He commanded and I could feel two of them grasping my arms in an instant.
"Please, papa…"
I looked at Neji and he was already facing down, looking away with his fists clenched. Those men are starting to tie a rope around his arms and tail.
"You've turned mute again, monster?!" Papa yelled. I hate how he treated him like a piece of trash.
"Let go of me." I said, struggling to get away from the men, but they are stronger.
Neji looked up to meet my eyes as if he meant to say something. Then he sighed and smiled sadly just in time for the doors to close.
~O~
I. Knowing ones place.
Say something TenTen.
Please.
Tell me I have not made a mistake.
She just sat there. I could have assumed she was just spacing out, but the tears streaming down her face proved me wrong. She was hurt. And here I thought I would help her feel better, if anything, I only made it worse.
I squeezed her hand trying to bring her back. All she did was look at me blankly, much to my disappointment. I may have opened a bigger wound.
I reached up to her face wanting to stop her tears, but new sets would flow right after the ones I tried to wipe.
"What?" She let out in a small voice.
Perhaps it is better if she knows less.
"Neji. You will not disappear, right? You will not leave like, mommy Cara… right?"
I froze. TenTen is making me promise things to her that I know I can not keep. This is greatly unfair to my part. I want her in my world too, but I know better. To dream may be a blessing, but reality will always be a curse. I could tell from my experiences.
The king would always say; if it is an act so painful to do, then surely it is the right thing to be done…
"I don't belong here, TenTen."
"Neji I –"
If you have doubts, then stab yourself in the heart instead.
"Ani is waiting for me."
Time seemed to stop with every breath I took.
"Who's Ani?"
She is no one important.
I can no longer form words, but I need to drive TenTen away. So I did the very action that I always find myself doing whenever I think about being forced to marry Ani. I gripped my pearls.
The happenings flew by so fast. It was only with the loud slam on the door that I realized I succeeded.
~O~
This uneasy feeling, this heavy cloud on my chest, it is something I once knew. It is when my father died. Since then I have conditioned myself to never drown in the same emotions. I only felt more helpless.
The door flung open. I was surprised. I thought it was TenTen. It was certainly not.
"Yes, that's it. Suffer."
It was the man who so cruelly imprisoned me here. TenTen's father. Up until now, I never knew of his motives. And I got distracted the whole time I am here because Cassandra and TenTen would always keep me occupied.
He looked down at me with disgust in his eyes.
"I just got home from an interesting meeting with my clients. And we have come to an agreement to get you to the lab." He crouched down, smiling almost wickedly.
Lab? What is that? I have a feeling I should be worried.
"Don't be scared." He said, his expression changed to something calm. "Since you are good as dead to your family down there; we might as well cut that lovely tail of yours."
I glared at him, tears threatening to fall from my eyes.
"It's for experimental purposes. It won't hurt…" He chuckled, "…much."
He then turned to leave, looking fully satisfied.
"You will pay for this."
He stopped. "You can talk, huh?" he laughed angrily, "You even dare threaten me?"
"No." I countered, "You even dare threaten me?"
"Listen here, animal!" He said, making his way back to me, crouching down to level with my face, "In three days time, I will divide you in half."
"Human, on the sunset two days from now you will loose that thing you used to catch and bring me here." I smirked, "If you are on it, the better."
He laughed, standing up to make his way to the door. "Enjoy the water; I'll dry you up soon."
We'll see.
~O~
II. A merman's kiss.
It's been three days. And I'm getting weaker. Fresh water and starvation is never a good thing for us mer –people. It was Cassandra who would bring me something to eat. I must say it is an acquired taste.
I heard the door open and sucked in a generous amount of air. This may be it.
"Neji."
It's TenTen.
"Neji."
I am glad she is here, but what should I do? I have been feeling lost for days now.
She asked me about her father's boat.
They are still at it, I see. I am impressed; this is exactly what I wanted to happen.
I turned to hide my smile, "I'm sorry."
"You did it?" The horror in her tone is unmistakable.
"I…" I stopped. She will never get it anyway. And I am never going to destroy the image she had of her father.
"Please…" She said as she hugged me.
"I can't stay here. I have to go, TenTen."
"No." And she started crying again.
What is it that my mother always tells me? Ah… be happy. I know I could never fight the odds, but I deserve even the slightest freedom and happiness as well.
I pushed her away, my mind fixed.
"We'll always be friends, right?" She asked, voice full of emotions.
We will forever be connected. It may not be the way you thought it would be, but we will always be.
I leaned in to her, "Close your eyes. Don't open it until I tell you to."
"Okay."
I removed my pearls off of my neck and gently placed it around hers. It looks beautiful.
"Make a wish."
"To be with you…"
I smiled and gently pressed my lips to hers. My hand was on her hip, while the other cradled her head. Both of her arms were around me, trying to pull me closer. I kissed her cheek and down to her neck. I want more, but she is too precious. And we are highly different.
I took her hand and hid my smile in her palm. Was I just thinking about mating seconds ago? I want to laugh.
"Open them."
She blinked and looked down on the pearls she is now wearing.
"Neji. Wha— I don't understand." She stammered a slight color rising to her cheeks.
I gave her hand a light squeeze. She smiled and we stayed like there for a while.
"I love y—"
Bam!
"TenTen. Get away from him."
It's him. And he looks angrier than ever as his eyes traveled down to our linked hands.
"Papa!"
More people entered the room. They brought the same materials they used when taking me here. I grimaced at the plastic –like object. They are going to place me in that thing again?
"Papa what are you doing?"
He looked like he wanted to hit her. How detestable!
"Take her away from here."
They literally dragged TenTen harshly. I tried to hold on to her, but I could not exert enough force. I can not even stand.
I looked away.
Legs are indeed superior.
"You've turned mute again, monster?!" I glared at him and smirked. He must be scared to the bones, seeing as what happened to his beloved boat and servants.
I heard TenTen exclaim and I shifted my gaze to her. There are still things we ought to tell each other…
But let it be for now.
~O~
Thank you for reading! :)
Btw, any one of you wants to kill me for updating this long?