Family Engagement Ch.7
"Hinata, are you okay with that?" Shino asked.
"You don't have to worry about me; Neji is kind and just as awkward as me."
"You're right he is...that's why he's agreed to this engagement." Tenten said coolly before turning on her heel and disappearing into the forest around the training grounds.
"Tenten..."
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*sigh* I hope Tenten wasn't serious...but what if she was? I don't know what I can do about it; I mean it isn't like I set up this union. I guess I could have been more opposed to it, but I-
"Hinata, is something wrong?" Neji asked interrupting Hinata's panicked thought pattern.
"No, I'm just fine..." Hinata said smiling.
"I see..." Neji said, "So, do you want to train?"
"Sure." Hinata said absentmindedly as she got up from the step, that she had been sitting on. She walked into the middle of the Hyuga courtyard and activated her Byakugan. Neji did likewise.
They spared for a while, and then Neji broke off, deactivated his byakugan and sat down on the steps up to the porch of the Hyuga compound. Hinata followed suit tentatively.
"Tired?" Hinata asked.
"Not really..." He answered.
"Well then-" Hinata started.
"Hinata, what's been bothering you?"
"Nothing" Hinata said while giving everything away with her facial expression.
"Hinata." Neji said softly looking directly into Hinata's eyes.
"It's just something Tenten said the other day..." Hinata said sheepishly, "but she didn't mean any harm by, at least I don't think she did..."
"Hinata what did she say?" Neji asked sounding worried, "Please tell me, I want to know how Tenten feels and how she may have hurt you."
"She said the only reason you agreed to this union is because you are kind and just as awkward about this as I am." Hinata answered him somewhat reluctantly, "Neji I'm sure something's bothering her and-"
"Wait, why would Tenten tell you that?" Neji interrupted suspiciously, "...Gomen Hinata I have to go."
"Neji wait, I don't-" But before Hinata could finish Neji disappeared through the archway entrance to the Hyuga grounds.
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"Lee I think it's time to take a break." Tenten said sounding rather exhausted.
"Yeah alright." Lee replied slightly disgruntled. They both sat down on a log that was lying near their training grounds. Lee closed his eyes only to hear a rather annoyed sounding Neji, "Tenten."
"Neji-kun..? What are you doing here; I mean there isn't any official training today." Tenten replied looking confused.
"Yeah, I'm not here to train."
"Oh so then why did you come."
"Hinata told me what you said to her."
"Oh right..." Tenten started looking straight up at him, "Neji listen, I didn't mean to scare or worry her, I just didn't know what to do, I just felt she didn't understand exactly what this marriage would mean, I..."
"Tenten" Lee said softly. He knew how she felt about Neji, but he didn't realize just how much this engagement effected and bothered her. Lee stood up and walked towards the forest, leaving Neji and Tenten alone, which Tenten privately thanked him for. Tenten I can see it in his eyes, his heart has changed, and his mind is set...he's falling for her.
"Tenten I understand, but-"
"I you understand then how come don't you see what this is doing to me." Tenten said slightly exasperated.
"Tenten...."
"You shouldn't be happy; this wasn't your choice!" Tenten cried, "But you are."
"Tenten we don't even know if this union is final. I could-"
"Neji, do you love her?"
Neji didn't know what to say, he simply stood there not knowing what to do. What was worse, neither of them seemed to sense the presence of one Hinata Hyuga as she hid behind a tree, concealing her Chakra signature. You see she had followed Neji as he left the Hyuga compound because she was worried that something might happen. She had not expected this.
"You do, don't you Neji." Tenten said sounding defeated.
With that Tenten turned and walked away slowly as if she wanted Neji to stop her. Neji on the other hand hadn't moved, he was still standing staring at the ground thinking Do I?
