"What about Suigetsu?" He said, for a moment there, I could've seen how mad he was. I didn't bother explain it to him. I didn't want to. He was holding too tight, I couldn't get out of it. His face was also so close to mine. I couldn't think of how he'll suddenly kiss me again. The guy's kissed me twice now, I don't want that to keep happening. Please, Neji.

Xxx

I looked at how small she was. I always thought she was tall and strong but seeing her like this, wounded and sad, it made me want to hold on to her. I never knew how vulnerable she actually looked like. When I leaned in, she bowed so quickly. Does she really hate me that much?

For a minute I could've sworn I've heard her squeak. My sleeves were suddenly wet too. I wanted to look at her face but she didn't let me to. She was struggling more and more to get away from me. I couldn't help but feel annoyed by it. I couldn't say that to her either.

"Do you really hate me that much?"

Oh shit. I said it.

Xx

My eyes were widening when I heard him say such a thing. Should I answer yes or no? It's not because I hate him, well, I do hate him. But I wouldn't dare say that to his face. Maybe it was because he noticed I was crying? I don't want to be seen by him. I immediately push him, enough time to cover my face. The next thing I knew was that I had my back against him, but I couldn't walk away. My feet wouldn't let me. I kept wiping the tears, but they just keep on going out of my eyes.

Neji didn't bother to say anything too. My mind was so filled with such useless thoughts that I couldn't move, talk or think straight. Then I heard footsteps, it was sounding clearer and clearer until I felt Neji's hand on my shoulder. Yes, it would be Neji's. Nobody has that kind of a big hand. He pulled me, like I was so light. I was back in his arms, but this time I didn't struggle or move. I kept quiet, burying my face in my hands.

"Hey Tenten." He began, as he kept pulling me out of the school.

I couldn't answer; I was too tired and weak to.

"I'm sorry."

And then it all came to me, as my mind went blank.

My Beautiful Target

Chapter 9; I can't believe it

I was there standing, I could see a familiar back. I couldn't distinguish the man. I couldn't see his face or hair. I suddenly came walking up to him and tapping his back. I didn't know why, but I had the urge to find out who he was. And at the same time my heart was skipping so fast. He unexpectedly turned, slowly. I could see his eyes, hair and everything. Silver hair, canine teeth, and that smile—Suigetsu. That was weird, I was supposed to be happy, right? But why was I expecting someone more… I don't know. Someone who had white eyes, pale skin and long black hair? But that was… Neji.

I open my eyes, sitting straight up. I was in bed all of a sudden. So it was a dream. What bugged me was that I was in some big and fancy room. It was wide; the bed was so big and fluffy. It looked like a princess' bedroom. A princess, huh? To think that I longed to be a princess when I was six, but I left that dream after realizing that I couldn't even attract guys. I couldn't be pretty or cute. Damn.

"Are you awake?" Neji's voice. He was standing by the door, arms crossed and eyes locked up on me. I couldn't feel the pain anymore; I could see my body covered in bandages. It really didn't hurt anymore. I wanted to thank him but as soon as my mouth opened, the words were different.

"Why are you being so kind to me now?"

It wasn't 'thank you for everything'. I felt cold all of a sudden too. It was like I did something wrong. Neji came walking up to me, still had that stoic and indifferent look. One of the reasons why I couldn't tell what he was feeling. He put his hand against my cheek, looking straight at my eyes. For a minute my heart was skipping, it was about to burst out of my chest as I could feel myself turn red.

I was thinking he'd kiss me again but he pulled himself away from me, as Hinata came in. I immediately look at Neji. It made me smile a little; he was covering his face as it turned really red. I couldn't control it anymore though; I was already laughing so much. Hinata was happy seeing me too, as she came to me with a tray of cookies and tea. "Hey Tenten." She whispered, hoping for Neji not to hear.

"I think he likes you." She said softly with a smile.

That one sentence… that one sentence that made me stop laughing and made my whole skin shiver. I was quiet now, the whole atmosphere around us became weird now too.

And so, after everything that happened, I didn't stay anymore. I didn't want to face Neji and I didn't want to talk to Hinata about Neji. Damn, I just went straight home without even thanking the guy. And to think too, that I've stayed almost three hours at their house. And as usual, as soon as I get home, I was scolded. Mika-oneechan and Tsubasa-oneechan were still thinking that I actually have a boyfriend and stuff like that. Then there's Yuki-oneechan, who doesn't seem to think that at all. Though she was really mad because I came home really late, it was all okay. My sisters aren't that strict after all and I couldn't help it, I wasn't in control of my actions lately.

I couldn't get to sleep that night either. I turned, rolled and did everything. Hinata's words and Neji's face always entered my mind.

What happened next? I didn't get any sleep at all but still went to school. My wounds were barely there so I doubt anybody would notice them. It all started out normal, with Sakura telling me about her newly-learned gossips and stuff. We went with Hinata and Ino for lunch, Hinata makes the best cookies I could tell you that. This is how everyday used to be, before I met Neji, that is.

"Hey Tenten, I've been meaning to ask you." Ino began, smiling and tugging at my arm.

"How's it going with Neji? Are you guys doing well at his house?"

She asked, wait…

How does she know that I've been to his house?

I turned my attention to Hinata who didn't know anything at all. She shook her head and looked troubled. There must have been somebody who saw me, somebody who saw me come in and out of his house. I stood, unable to put on the kind of expression I want to. "Where did you hear that? H-how did you know?" I quickly asked. I stuttered too. Damn. Ino looked surprised. I'm not the type to jump and ask right away but this… this is a serious matter!

She sat back, scratched her head and looked directly at me.

"Some girls told me." Oh my God. If that's the case then the whole school would find out. I can't let that happen. No, no, no. I was about to run and go see Neji, but the thought of meeting some girls from other classes in the hallway suddenly made my legs grow weak. So I had no other choice but to sit down and act normal. I could feel Hinata look worried at me but I couldn't look at her back. We continued conversing, talking about clothes and stuff, the usual girl's talk. "Look at her, she's the one who actually had the nerve to go to Hyuuga Neji's house." I overheard. Sakura and the others must've heard as well, they all looked at me with troubled eyes. Hinata was holding my hand, like she wanted to go to Neji's as well. I wanted to go with her but… "That's the girl who's going to Neji-kun's house? Are they going out or something?"

"She's not even pretty."

That's it.

"Oh Shut Up. Like you girls are even better than me. You're not pretty yourselves."

I did it again.

I was standing, with my fist all clenched up and ready to hit the ones who've been talking behind my back. Sakura and Ino seemed okay, they're used to me being like this anyway. Hinata wasn't scared, she wasn't worried anymore. The look on her face looked more like she was stunned than afraid. The girls stepped back, suddenly looking scared. From afar though, I could hear a small laugh. I turn to see Uzumaki Naruto, laughing at some corner. Hinata noticed him too.

He walked towards us, smiling. "You really are something." He said. I wasn't happy to hear that. Instead, the words suddenly came out of my mouth…

"Where's Neji?"

By the time I said those, Naruto ended up leading me and Hinata to where Neji was. I kept my cool, even with the multiple stares I was receiving. I could even tell Ishikawa's going to beat me up again. We both stepped in the Meeting Room, with Hinata shyly following me from behind. Neji shot a quick glance as I went towards him. I felt weird but then I didn't want to talk to him in front of the other student council members so I did what I could.

"We need to talk." I said, but he didn't say anything, he just looked at me. He didn't move either so I had to grab his shirt and drag him some place we can be alone. It all suddenly came to me that I actually left Hinata with Naruto. We were at the other room by now. Neji seemed annoyed, the fact that I crippled his shirt because I was busy pulling unto it to drag him here. I wanted to get things straight too.

"I said I didn't want to be your maid anymore. I won't be coming to your house anymore, okay?"

"What are you talking about; you've only been there like, two times."

"That's not the point! People are getting the wrong idea just because some saw me going in and out of your house. It's creepy you know, knowing that the whole school just loves you."

"What the hell's with that sarcastic tone?"

"Look, I just want things to go back way before I met you!"

"Do you hate me that much?"

"Yes, I mean, N-no! It's just… weird."

"What's weird? The fact that people are staring at you just because you actually get along with me and they're just jealous?"

"No! Don't you get it? I was already beaten up yesterday because of you! That's why! I didn't want any trouble! So please."

"You… got beaten up yesterday because of me?"

Oh no.

What the hell did I just say?

Xx

Hinata's :

I couldn't believe I didn't follow Neji-niisan and Tenten-chan. Now I'm in such an awkward and weird situation. I sat there quietly, waiting for the two to return. Naruto sat beside me, he was quiet as well. It was my first time coming here, I don't even know if they know me as Neji's cousin. All of them were so quiet and serious that it made it look so scary.

"Hey, you're Hinata, right?" Naruto-kun began. He wasn't really looking at me, he was avoiding eye contact. I didn't know he was this shy. I smile and bow, nodding.

"Have you heard of uhm…" he went on, I could tell what he was mumbling about, something about a movie or something. He couldn't say so though. I could feel him look at me while I let out a small laugh, he looked so cute. I never knew there was someone like him in the Student Council. Neji-niisan was always so serious about things and every one of them looked like that too, but then again, Naruto-kun's different. I could see him smile at me and it made me feel welcomed. He wasn't shy anymore all of a sudden and I could tell we were suddenly conversing normally.

"Say, uhm, are you doing anything this weekend?" he asked, getting all red. I was happy, I didn't know why. I know what he was going to say next but I didn't bother rejecting. I nodded.

"Do you think we could, I don't know, go out and watch a movie?" He asked. I knew it. Guys are always like this, having this kind of approach. I don't normally go out because Neji-niisan doesn't let me and because of the fact that I didn't like men that much. But seeing Naruto get flustered about asking something like that made me think he was so cute. Plus he wasn't the kind to brag and go out with girls. I couldn't just bear the fact of rejecting or saying no to him.

So I nodded followed by a gentle 'yes'.

I swear I could see his smile get wider. I was happy all of a sudden too, like I couldn't wait 'till the weekend to come. I guess this could be a start.

A start of something new, that is.

Xx

Back to Tenten's

Things aren't looking too well. Neji wasn't looking stoic anymore. In fact, he looked mad and worried at the same time. I wanted to take back everything I just said. I was already trembling in fear. Will he hit me? Shout at me? I don't know.

"Tenten." He began, quite soft too.

"I want to ask you something." He continued. I lifted my head high, ready for what he has to say.

"But before that I have to say I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry for what happened."

What? Does he mean the fact that I got beaten up because of him? Hyuuga Neji apologizing? It wasn't new to me but it still felt weird. Before it could get any weirder, he suddenly asks the names of those who had beaten me up. I haven't seen him this worried or interested in other people's business. I couldn't get the names out of my mouth though so I uttered, "It doesn't matter." I could feel my heart beat so loudly again, dang it.

"About the thing I wanted to ask." He said.

I was slowly fading from reality. I didn't know what to do now.

"Tenten…"

Neji's voice. I felt like I was being touched by him. How weird.

"I want you to go out with me."

My mind finally went back to reality.

"That wasn't a question! It was more like a demand!" I yelled.

Neji looked at me with those eyes. I still fell in love with those eyes of his. It was also the first time someone said something like that to me. It felt strange. I felt happy but confused at the same time.

"You don't need to answer."

"Huh?"

"I'll give you three hours. Tell me by the end of school."

"W-what?"

"See ya."

Three hours? Only that? How am I supposed to answer him within three hours? I have to think about it, no, I need to think thoroughly! This is Hyuuga Neji we're talking about! My life is on the line here.

I ran towards the door, getting back to the classroom. I was still in shock. Then I happened to see naruto and Hinata together, walking down the hallway. Wait, the two of them together?

"H-hinata? Naruto?"

"Tenten! How did things go with Neji?" Hinata asked.

"I… need to tell you something." I said.

"But before that, Naruto! What kind of guy is Neji?" I turn to the guy, suddenly getting surprised over the question. "Well, what do you mean?" He asked back. I couldn't tell them that we're… Oh never mind, here goes nothing. "Neji asked me out." I whisper, hoping no one else could hear.

"NO WAY."

"What?"

"He hasn't asked any girl out. He hasn't even had a girlfriend before." Naruto said.

Then why me? Hyuuga Neji, why me?

xx

I'm sorry if I haven't been posting that fast anymore. I've been running out of ideas and been lazy lately. Sorry. ;_; Anyways, R&R! :D