::A/N:: Well, I see it has been a while...way a while, and I am so sorry. School and my financial issues are to blame. Blame them! Anyways, I've had this written for a while, but didn't want to post it until I had another chapter written. Since today is my last day of class and then spring break, I hope to occupy my time writing this. I hope you like this chapter, since it's so late. Hopefully it won't happen again!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. If I did, I would have my own place by now and doing well. But I don't.
The Reaction
"Thank you for walking me home. You really didn't have to do it."
Neji just smirked. Tenten had been saying that the whole way back to her place. It didn't bother him at all. He liked spending time with her and enjoyed the small talk they shared. They came close to his house and she demanded him to go home, but he refused to let her walk the rest of the way home alone. He usually accompanied her home after training anyway. Why was this so much of a shock to her?
"It's quite alright. I guess you can say it's a habit," he told her as she unlocked her door. "I will see you at training tomorrow."
She turned to him and laughed. "Of course. Thank you again for all of this. It's something I won't forget."
He nodded. Success. He would go home and write down details he remembered, knowing that if the Elders didn't believe him, she would back his story up. He turned away with a smile on his face. Task number one was complete.
"I will see you in the morning." With that said, Neji walked away.
"Good night, Neji," Tenten whispered as she shut the door. She was still getting over the events of the day. Surely Neji just needed her for that one day to prove to someone…something. Her heart fell when she thought of the idea of him using her. He told her he wouldn't, that he wouldn't hurt her again. But Neji would never ask her on a date, and he did. He would never take her somewhere fancy like that, but he did. He had to have done it for a reason; she just couldn't imagine him doing it out of the kindness of his own heart.
Or maybe he was? He hadn't seen him act like that before, but there were things he said and did that proved he hadn't changed. He still walked her home, and they shared a few words, just like all the other times he walked her home. He could have ditched her when they were close enough to his house, but he didn't. Perhaps there was something there.
She almost laughed. There couldn't be anything there. They were just friends. Friends could go eat somewhere together. He usually walked her home, so that wasn't anything new and surprising. Maybe it would change over time, for better or worse. She just hoped that he wouldn't do anything to jeopardize their friendship. He almost made that mistake once, and he seemed determined not to do it again.
She sat down and sighed. She would just see what happened the next day. For now, she was just happy for the day he gave her.
-----
Neji fell on his bed the minute he was home. He wanted to train, but he didn't want to walk all the way back to Tenten's place just to ask her. She would probably tell him no anyway, and he didn't want to anger her after the day they had.
He shot up after thinking things over. Now that he was through with task one, he could find out what was in store for him tomorrow. He reached under his pillow and grabbed the book that Hiashi gave him. Grabbing something to write with from the table next to him, he opened up to task one and looked at the information to fill in.
He wrote in the time, place and a few more details like what they ate and even how much it cost. He also added in walking her home afterwards. Maybe he would get bonus points for small things like that.
Once he was satisfied with his information, he turned the page and braced himself for an embarrassing situation. He sighed when it was something small.
Task two: buy her something.
Maybe he had the Elders wrong. Or were they making him think that he could succeed and the last few would be worse than anything? He was tempted to look through the book to see what they had in mind so he could talk to Hiashi to have them changed. Then he smirked. He was Neji Hyuuga. He could do anything anyone threw at him. He would show the Elders what he was made of.
Suddenly, there was a knock on his door that made him jump to attention. Regaining his composure, he spoke up. "Come in."
As he thought, or as he hoped, Hiashi came into his room and shut the door behind him. "So, how did day one go for you?"
Hiashi sat in a chair near his bed while Neji leaned back against the wall. "It went well. We went to that restaurant you take Hinata and myself to every now and then."
He was amazed that Neji would offer to take her there on their first date. "Did she like it?"
"I think she did. She was nervous going into that area. She's not used to our way of living."
Hiashi smiled. "I suggest that you show her around more often if she'll soon be part of this way of living."
Neji shot a look at Hiashi. "What are you saying? She's a friend."
"Ah, but an important friend I believe you feel something for."
He turned away, thankful for the shadow of the room to hide his reaction. "She's a friend," he re-stated with more emphasis than before.
Hiashi just smiled. "Well, I am glad that so far, things are going good for you." Neji was quiet. If he said anything now, he might embarrass himself even more. Why did he think that they were so close after one successful day? Was Hiashi shocked that he gotten this far?
"Do you believe I can succeed? You seem rather surprised I got this far."
His uncle merely shook his head. "Come now, Neji. I truly believe you can do this. I am just eager to see why you agreed to this ordeal."
He had his attention. "What do you mean?"
Hiashi continued. "What I am trying to express is you seemed quite anxious to accept this offer. It was like you had someone in mind to marry instead of whomever we chose for you. Or someone whom you would upset if you were taken."
Neji looked away. In all honesty, he couldn't picture another girl in his life, but at the same time, he couldn't imagine being married to anyone. He also had a feeling that if he did get married, Tenten would be upset. Not that he could see her in any other way than a friend, but he saw the hurt in her eyes when she thought he was dating Sakura. He didn't want to see her like that again.
However, the reason he accepted wasn't about marriage; it was about escaping his supposed fate. He didn't want to have someone chosen for him when he was able to do so for himself. He worked so hard to change his view on life, so he refused to be pulled back into it.
"Was she the one you had in mind?"
Neji almost laughed. "Absolutely not. She is my friend, and she is nothing more."
Hiashi crossed his arms and frowned. "So, you are just using her to complete this challenge?"
Neji's voice caught in his throat. It was partially true; he knew she would help him prosper. However, he knew if she found out he was using her like he told her he wouldn't, he would be in way over his head. He just had to keep that from her, and all would be okay.
"That is not true. I very much enjoyed spending time with her today and I look forward to spending more time with her this week."
Hiashi sighed and stood up, a look of unease on his face. "Understand this Neji. I see a bright future for you. However, it will not be so bright if you do not value those who will remain in your life. Perhaps you are right when you claim you two are friends and nothing more. I only ask that you do not overlook the possibility. People are placed in your life for a reason."
Neji smirked. "I do not believe in fate anymore."
Hiashi looked back over his shoulder. "Fate has nothing to do with this, Neji. Do not be so blind as to believe that there is nothing there when it is all that you ever had." Neji was silent. He had rarely heard his uncle speak to him like that. What was he trying to tell him?
Seeing the confusion on Neji's face, Hiashi turned to the young man. "Answer me this, Neji. Where would you be without them?"
Neji looked down and thought about his question. Where would he be without Tenten, without Lee, without the few Hyuuga's he could rely on?
But when he looked up to answer, Hiashi was gone.
-----
Tenten woke up to the loud and obnoxious beeping of the alarm. She threw her head under a pillow, but it failed to block out the irritating noise. Throwing the pillow aside, she slammed her hand down on her alarm clock, but was too tired to remove it. Why did they have to train so early? Why could she not fall asleep last night? Why was she thinking of Neji last night?
Slowly, she forced herself to get out of bed and get ready for the day ahead of her. She wondered if Neji would do something today. Would he yell at her, do something to make her regret ever going to eat with him yesterday? Would he surprise her and take her somewhere else, or do something else with her? She hoped for the latter, but told herself not to be shocked if he didn't do anything.
When she was ready to go, she grabbed her scrolls sitting by the door and walked into the chilly morning. She hated training so early in the morning because not only was it so early, but cold. Then again, by the time the sun was high in the sky, she wished for that cold weather again.
"Hn. I was wondering if you were coming at all."
Tenten jumped, startled to hear someone beside her. She turned her head and got another shock.
"Neji?! What are you doing here?! I'm not running that late!"
He turned to her with a smirk on his face. "I am quite aware of the time. I just wanted to meet you before training so Lee and Gai wouldn't interfere."
Interfere? What was running through that mind of his? He stepped closer to her and she took a step back, a little worried with what he was going to do. When her back hit the door, she held her hands in front of her, telling him to keep his distance.
"What exactly do you want, Neji? You're starting to creep me out."
His smirk grew into a smile as he reached into his pocket. "Sorry. I just came to give you this. Call it a late birthday present."
Now she was confused. "Neji, you gave me a present. You don't have to give me another now."
He reached out his other hand and grabbed hers, then turned it over and placed the small box in her palm. "Take it anyway. Call it…the present I didn't get for you on your birthday."
Then she frowned and put a hand on her hip. "What is up with you, Neji? First you act like you hate me and want nothing to do with me. Now, you keep giving me things? Why?"
He never let go of her hand. "You're my friend. I think it's about time you deserve something like this…from me." His voice faded, and she had to strain to hear him. His eyes were averted away from hers. What was he so nervous about?
She sighed, bringing his eyes back up to hers. "I'm glad that we're friends, Neji, but you don't have to do anything to prove that. Now it's making me wonder what you're going to do."
Neji's hands flew up in defense. "That's not what I am doing. I promise. I don't want to hurt you."
She looked deep into his eyes. "Then tell me why you are acting so…unlike yourself?"
He looked away. "I suppose you do not like this change?"
They were quiet for a few seconds. Tenten reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, causing him to jump slightly at her action.
"In all honesty, you're just acting like the Neji I've never seen. I wish you could be like this more often, so open and seemingly enjoying yourself. I'm just so used to seeing you hide behind yourself and bottle everything up. I just wasn't ready for this, I guess."
He turned his head to look back at her. "I'll walk you to training."
She smiled as he faced her and extended his hand. However, she held the hand holding her present in front of his face. "I want to know what it is."
"Don't. I want you to wait and open it after training."
She sighed, but followed his order and put the small box into her pouch. "Fine. Can I at least ask why you want me to wait? Isn't that why you came to me this morning?"
He reached out and took her hand as he turned to walk towards their training ground. "Some things in life are worth waiting for."
My biggest fear is that Neji was way OOC here. I tried to make him seem himself and talk like himself, but then I got carried away. Who doesn't? Anyways, thanks for reading and bearing with me. Thanks to all my reviewers who have given me the kick I needed to get my act together! You guys are awesome!!
Kratos Wilder
Next Chapter: The Humiliation: "I have to say what?!!"
