Sorry again for the late update! But I'm happy to say that I've got around 3 and a half weeks before chaos in terms of exam WEEK for the first time comes. And I'm happy to say that my Deutsch orals are OVER! And I screwed up a little, I'm sure, but hopefully I won't get a B...I swear I'll kill myself if I do worse on my real GCSE than on my mocks, lol. Anyway, I'll shutup now!
Disclaimer: Duh.
On with the story!
xxx
H-Hiashi.
Fucking Hiashi.
Why the hell did it have to be HIM of all people to come at such an unfitting time?! I'd even prefer Sasuke to THIS!!
I mean what a bad impression I would make! I've never even met THE best lawyer in Hong Kong, and yet, when I DO, I'm his freaking nephew's GIRLFRIEND! Such a great impression, right?!
AND on top of that, I'm WORKING for Neji!! It looks soo effing unprofessional for fuck's sake!
Ah well, at least I'm better off than Naruto...he's sweating bullets. What the hell happened to the boisterous, daredevil bitch I once knew?!
Now that I mention sweating, look at Hinata...I mean she's dying. I've never met her before, but I can tell immediately that Neji's related to her. No duh. And I already feel for her. Ha, judging by the way she's standing behind her father, he's obviously strict, so this news will be a shocker for him.
I mean, Naruto, unruly blond-haired freak of nature, rich through owning ramen shops all over Japan and CEO of a record company called Rasengan (which founded the band Akatsuki)...but a pure idiot, compared to Hinata,
probably a smart, cute, polite, well-mannered with good etiquette, prim and proper, shy...That's a helluva lot of difference.
Oh shite. If Hiashi's strict, I'm SCREWED. I mean, NEJIED.
Neji coughs beside me, squeezing my arm, basically warning me to shut the fuck up because he'll handle it.
"Erm, Hiashi-sama...This is Ms. Tenten. She is my latest employee, and she is one of the best lawyers in her field."
I can feel Neji's sweaty palm. Normally, I would think EW GET AWAY straightaway, but right now...you get the picture.
And normally, I would also feel honoured for being called Ms. Tenten, but right now...
Everyone has tensed up. They're all panicking. How the heck does Hiashi, an old grandpa with no sense of humour and totally blank facial expression, if not hard, do that?!
"Neji. I have trained you to answer questions properly," he replied in a dark voice.
Hinata went paler, if that's even possible.
"Ahem, yeah, erm right, of course, Hiashi-sama."
Holy...did Neji just stammer? Hiashi must be one freaky person in person to be able to do such a magical thing...
OKAY! I GIVE UP! I'll stop acting CALM!!
I'M FUCKING SCARED, ALRIGHT?!
"Ms. Tenten and I are...as you say...courting. I hope to gain your consent on this matter, Hiashi-sama."
What fancy terminology. What person in 2008 uses the word courting? I thought that it was only used in medieval times...AH the joyful medieval times, filled with violence, stink, disease, betrayal, religious warfare...Bliss...
WHAT AM I THINKING AT SUCH AN UNFITTING TIME?!
Naruto gives Neji a pleading look to shut the fuck up, but Neji pays it no heed. He just continues, but sugar coats the truth.
Shit. Hiashi looks very unimpressed at me.
"Erm, we all just...found out...that...umm, Mr. Uzumaki here, head of Rasengan Corporation and Ichiraku Ramen, is currently, um, seeing..."
Neji trails off. His nails are digging into my hand. OW. But I'll say something later. Right now is NOT the right time!!
"Yes, Neji?" Hiashi said, his brow furrowed, his voice icy. Shiver. It almost sounded like he hissed the "Yessssss."
Hinata looks like she's about to puke. Shi-it, she's cowering and she looks like she's about to faint. I quickly glance over, and Naruto's also noticed. He looks worried. It seems like he's deciding to avoid Hiashi's wrath (possibly future father-in-law's) and let Hinata fall, or...save Hinata.
"Hinata-sama," Neji said in a quiet voice. Now his hand his trembling a little, and yet his face looks totally collected and calm.
"WHAT is the MEANING of this?!"
And there blows the fuse. Hinata half-fainted, Naruto ran forward and caught her before she hit the ground (probably boyfriend reflexes), Neji's nails dug into my palm drawing blood (I swear, if I'm still alive after Hiashi's temper tantrum, I'ma fucking castrate him), All our other friend's gasped and held their breaths.
"YOU insolent fiend! How dare you touch my daughter?!" Hiashi yelled (somehow dignifiedly) at Naruto.
Oh god, Hiashi's a bitch. HA, if only he had arrived two seconds previously, then he would have heard what Naruto said about DEFILING, let alone merely touching, his daughter.
"F-father, p-please be n-nicer to Naruto," Hinata stuttered, standing up.
Hmm, I guess I was right about her being shy.
All I can think right now is THANK YOU, Naruto, you have officially saved my ass by distracting Hiashi with his problem with you and Hinata. It's now a chance for Neji and I to sneak away.
"Neji," I whisper. God, I realize it's the first time I've said anything since Hiashi came.
Can you believe that not one person in our group has left since Hiashi arrived? I guess I was right about Neji's stick up his ass of an uncle.
"Not now, Tenten," he says barely audibly through gritted teeth. I can feel his pure discomfort.
"We can escape..." I mutter.
He turns to look at me as if I'm nuts.
I'll take that as a no...
"Hinata, how dare you not only court someone of such unruly nature, LET ALONE do this VILE DEED WITHOUT my consent?!" Hiashi spat elegantly. His face looks calm but I can see veins protruding in his forehead.
Fuck. He's screwed. WE'RE ALL SCREWED!
Hinata's stood up by now, and she's glaring at her dad now. WAY TO GO HINATA! I don't know you but I admire you!!
"Father, s-stop insulting my boyfriend! I n-never told you b-because firstly I hardly had t-the opportunity because of y-your ever b-busy n-no time f-for your family schedule, a-and secondly, I-I knew y-you w-would disapprove!
Y-you disapprove of a-all people i-in our lives anyway! A-and y-you should know that e-even though Naruto has h-had a tough life, h-he's still made it in b-business!"
Wow. So much for shy. Sure she stutters, but won't anyone (even Neji) stutter in the face of Hiashi??
Okay, maybe it's unusual of her to be so outward. I mean, for one, Neji looks gobsmacked. All the people she knew from her school are staring at her in awe, jaws dropped.
"Hinata," Hiashi says in a deep, cold voice, "I am appalled by your apparent lack of manner and etiquette. I swear, you are a despicable child, daring to speak against your father. You-"
"I'm sorry for interrupting, Sir Hiashi," Naruto said going with Neji's name for him, "But as you should know as a father, and as I have seen, Hinata is absolutely NOT a, as you say, despicable child, but in fact a strong willed girl who hates being told what to do all the time! The reason she stutters is because of your harsh tutelage and strictness in her earlier years!"
WHOO! GOO NARUTO!!
I've never heard him sound so serious and caring before! And he did it so professionally too! His voice even got louder near the end.
Heh, who would have thought that both of us would end up going for both Hyuugas?
And just so you're totally sure, I've officially demolished all my previous admiration of Hiashi. I mean, sure, I still respect, GRUDGINGLY, that he's the best lawyer in Hong Kong, but I mean what kind of shitty attitude towards life is THAT?
I mean, I used to think of Neji that way. But now, that I've seen Hiashi, I've decided that Neji is one of the nicest people on earth.
Neji looks frightened. I cannot believe Naruto just stood up to Hiashi.
"Father, we'll be going now," Hinata calmly and coldly stated, and dragged Naruto off with her.
Naruto grinned at me behind Hiashi's back (because Hiashi seemed to livid to even look at the pair) and stuck his thumbs up.
Hiashi's face was still seemingly blank, but I could SEE his jaw visibly clenching and unclenching.
Neji dared not say a word, nor did anyone else.
"As for you, Neji, I cannot believe you. Of course, judging by the fact that you have hired her, hopefully not for personal reasons, she must be at least somewhat productive."
I ABHOR the patronizing way he said "her" when referring to ME!
"Of course, Sir Hiashi. I promise that it was not for personal reason that Ms. Tenten here was hired." At least Neji has the decency to regard me with proper politeness.
What a fucking bastard, HIASHI! I SWEAR!
"Sir Hi-" I started, but Neji silenced me with a look.
Hiashi still looks unimpressed and stern.
"Forgive me, Hiashi-sama, but we must be going," Neji said, barely keeping the shake out of his voice, I can tell. I've been with him long enough.
Great save, Neji! And before Hiashitty (new nickname for him) can say anything, he's dragging me off.
As I pass Temari and Ino and all the other people and friends, they whisper byes and good lucks and all that nice stuff.
Wish it would cheer me up.
"What a bastard," I mutter to Neji as we walk down the grand staircase into the lobby, and then out the door.
"Don't say anything loud while we're outside," he warned. "I guarantee that Hiashi'll be watching from the balcony..."
"Serious?"
Woah.
Just as we went outside and fresh and cool summer night air hit us, the noise of the party was heard, but more muted. We could hear talking and laughter.
And just as we walked onto the sidewalk near one of the windows to the party and presumably near a balcony judging by a large oval shaped shadow next to me, Neji kissed me, full on the lips.
At first I am shocked, but then I go along with it. He draws me in closer as he shuts his eyes.
Somehow, I feel this is an act.
He pulls away, and as he does so he glances upwards hurriedly and smiles at me.
Huh, I was right...when I look up, I see Hiashi at the balcony staring at the view. I bet he did that to check on us...
Damn I feel like crying again. I feel used...but I know Neji's only doing it to show his uncle.
"Come on Tenten," Neji whispers as he pulls me towards a cab stand.
"Huh?"
"Hiashi is obviously expecting me to get into the cab with you. I'm afraid you're going to have to stay at my place tonight," he explained.
What?!
"Can't you just drop me home using the same cab?!" I whisper.
"It will seem suspicious because the route to your place is in the opposite direction."
"I see."
Damn, slightly awkward silence.
He opens the cab door for me and I climb inside, scooting to the right side window. He gets in after me and shuts the door.
"Shan Ding, Barker Dou," Neji says in Cantonese.
Huh, should've known he lives on the Peak. Shan Ding is "Peak" in Cantonese. Best locality in Hong Kong. "Dou" means road. Barker road is one of the nice roads there.
Silence.
"Hey, Tenten, sorry I couldn't get the limo. The driver's off duty..."
"It doesn't matter, Neji."
Silence, again...
How long can we keep this up, damnit? And why is the ride to the peak taking soo long?!
"Tenten, don't lean on the window, it's dangerous," he mutters.
"Whatever," I reply groggily. I'm tired dangit!
Sighing, he wraps his arm around me and drags me towards him and forces me to rest my head on his shoulder. I look up, confused, but he's looking blankly out the window.
Haha, better take the opportunity while it lasts!
And I was so tired I barely registered Neji paying the taxi driver, him half dragging, half carrying me out the cab door, him carrying me into his apartment, and quickly into one of the bedrooms barely letting me catch a glimpse of the awesome view of the brightly lit Hong Kong side buildings and harbour and Kowloon further in the distance.
And as soon as I recall hitting the soft, soft, really delicious smelling sheets, I think I fell asleep.
xxx
"What time is it..." I mutter sleepily stretching.
Huh? White sheets...white walls...white bookshelves...white desk...white laptop...white ceiling...white floor.
WHERE THE FUCK AM I?!
IS THIS MODERNIZED HEAVEN OR SOMETHING?!
I scream.
And two seconds later, in rushes a dripping wet Neji with water going down in rivulets down his glistening pale bare chest, face and arms, his hair sticking to his forehead.
He's got a towel wrapped around his waist, no shit.
"What?!" he asks, irritated.
"Where am I?" I ask, still not remembering anything.
"My bedroom," he says simply.
I gasp, he starts smirking. As I'm about to exclaim, I remember, and all I can say is a weak, "Oh."
"Hn. It's about time you got up, it's 7:00 a.m."
What the heck? ABOUT TIME I got up?? Oh right, we're lawyers. Seven in the morning is considered sleeping in. I suppose my body was telling me to get up automatically.
But wait a minute, WHY am I in a nice smelling shirt that's way too baggy to be mine?
And then I see my dress hung neatly in the corner. And the first thing I think is SHIT. But then I realize my underwear is still on...so that couldn't have happened...
He's still smirking watching me think.
"Neji," I say slowly, "Why am I in your shirt?"
He chuckles. "You think I'd let you sleep in that dress? You'd wake up, pulling on my hair screaming from discomfort."
He's almost grinning now.
"Freaking perv!!"
"Hey, it's not like I had a choice. My hair is precious."
I'm completely flabbergasted. He's invaded my every privacy, except for that...but all he cares about is his stupid wonderful HAIR?!
"Fine then, why couldn't you just dump me in a guest room?"
"Tenten, why do you care so much?" he asks, indicating the fact that he's still dripping wet in only a towel.
"It's because all the other doors were closed and do you know how heavy you are and how much my left arm would hurt if I momentarily used my right hand to open the door knob? Not to mention the fact that I could drop you."
"The couch, genius?"
I mean, everyone has a couch, right?
"I'll keep that in mind. Next time, I'll make sure that you'll be as uncomfortable as you want, Tenten," he says smirking.
Wait, WHAT?!
"Hey!"
He chuckles and then walks out obviously to change.
Hey wait a minute, he was implying something, wasn't he?
Oh GOD! What does he MEAN, next time?!
I scream again. This time, I don't give Neji a chance to come in, irritated.
I jump out of bed, not caring that I've got barely any cover apart from a mid thigh length baggy, messy crisp long sleeved shirt and run to the bathroom which I have no idea how I found.
I slam the door open, and yell, "NEJI, what the heck do you mean by NEXT TIME?!"
And that was before I realized he hadn't changed yet and had just worn a shirt and was halfway through slipping his boxers up.
"Shit," I mutter, staring, mortified.
"Ahem," he says, unfazed, pulling up his silky black boxers.
"Right."
I turn around and walk rigidly out the door, shutting it quietly. That has got to be the most embarrassing thing EVER!
And how could he be unfazed?!
And, um...just so you know, it's...simply put...big.
To keep myself occupied, I give myself a tour of his apartment...and I realize it's on the top floor of this enormous apartment building. It's a penthouse judging by the size. It's the size of two apartments, both 3000 square feet on the lower floors...Crap it's big.
Ino and I used to SHARE a 2700 square feet apartment...It was a few years ago when we were fresh out of college and we met each other by chance...but I suppose it's irrelevant now cos we have our own...
Then again, he's Hyuuga Neji, one of the richest bachelors in Hong Kong. And I'm in his apartment. Multimillion dollar, at least 6000 squarefeet one-floored penthouse apartment. With nothing to do.
SQUEE!!
Sigh, what can I do?
Hmm, I'll just cook something in the kitchen. And now I wish I'd paid more attention to my boring grandma when she was teaching me how to cook. She was just soo goddamn irritating...she got on my nerves, told me to do this...do that...ARGH, it makes me sick REMEMBERING. And she's STILL only 78 or 79. Either one...I don't know. Okay that's mean, I don't want her to die or anything...
I know how to make eggs...and...erm toast, but I don't like touching egg whites because they smell like shit and I doubt Neji trusts me with the toaster...since that...let's call it an incident.
AND WHY is everything so freaking WHITE in his house?! It is my dream to have an apartment like this with high tech, modern white stuff, but it's so unfair! I have brown wooden floors to start off with, haha. He has white Italian marble.
Fine, I'll just make coffee.
It's boiling in the pot now. Gosh, I just realized that the coffee first of all totally contrasts with the floor, and it also happens to match Neji's hair!
It's done now, so I pour it into two WHITE mugs I found in the white cabinet with metal handles, waiting for mine to cool done. Duh, I took the mug that didn't have Neji printed on it in neat writing.
As I'm stirring sugar and milk into my cup, I feel someone wrap his arms around my waist and drag me into his chest, placing his chin on my head (no fair!). Immediately I'm hit with the wonderful aroma of expensive cologne.
"Eep!" I can't help but exclaim.
No duh it's Neji.
"Neji!"
"Hn, Tenten," he says, breathing in. It feels like he's inhaling my hair...or shampoo. "Thanks for making coffee."
"Whatever," I mumble, forcing down the stupid blush.
I take mine, and get away from his grip as he picks up his mug. I head over to the couch in the living room and curl up on it, letting the sunlight warm me because the mornings can be quite cool. I sip my coffee casually as Neji joins me on the sofa.
"You know, Neji, your uncle is one egotistical bastard."
"Hn," he replies, smiling a little.
"You know I'm screwed if he's back at work on Monday, right? I mean so much for looking professional. Great first impression I've given him..."
"Hmm..."
I place the mug on the glass coffee table in front of me (and I realize that there's this huge LCD T.V. in front of me) and it makes a slight clink. Subconsciously I wince as the mug handle drags across one of last night's cuts as I'm letting go of it.
Neji notices this.
Suddenly, he drags me by my left arm across the sofa to where he was, making me lay flat out, my head on his lap. I try to get up but he doesn't let me.
He picks up my left hand gently and inspects it, frowning at the cuts. There are five in total. I wonder why.
"Tenten, your hand is cut," he says softly, looking down at my face.
"I know. And?"
"Why didn't you tell me before?"
"Hello, Hiashi was there...don't you think I had bigger problems than minor cuts?"
It's true! I mean I've suffered way worse—it's what you get while training at double brown (basically black) belt level karate.
"Hn. How did you get the cuts?"
"Dude! Do you know the way your fingers were digging into my palm last night?! I mean I've never seen you so...nervous before!" I exclaim, grinning.
He doesn't seem to find it amusing.
"Tenten, I'm sorry, come with me," he mumbles and drags me to a different toilet. I wonder why in the morning he didn't use the master bedroom toilet.
He takes out a first aid kit and runs the tap with warm water. He shoves my hand under to drain away any traces of dry blood, and tells me to keep it under. As I'm doing so, he takes out a small bottle and a cotton swab and pours a bit of the solution on it. With a jolt I realize it's alcohol.
"Neji, is that alcohol?" I ask cautiously.
It hurts like crap.
"Hmm..."
He turns off the tap and takes the cotton swab and dabs it slightly roughly along the cuts. I bite my lip in pain. I'm sure he knows my discomfort.
Once he's finally done, he wraps one strip of surgical tape around my hand once, covering all five cuts, after having placed a little gauze over them. He didn't bother with a bandage because obviously it would be inconvenient on the palm of my hand.
"There, it's finished."
"Thanks, Neji..." I mumbled, and smile gratefully at him.
"Hn," he replies, and kisses my forehead, dragging me back to the couch.
What the heck is going on??
xxx
How do you like it? Nejiten fluff in this one...not that humorous in my opinion.
Anyway, REVIEW PLEASE!
Till next time! XD
Ja ne, Shikyo no Amatsu Shinsei X)
