Hello everyone! Here's chapter 10 of "What Life Gives You" back in Tenten's POV! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Like usual I don't own Naruto's characters nor the songs but I own Xia and the plot.
What Life Gives You
Chapter 10: Christmas eve in Tenten's head
I get change and I walk toward the intersection where they died. When I arrive, I put a single flower. I sadly smile but continue my way… to the cemetery…
I fight back the tears. I arrive to the cemetery and go directly to their grave. I collapse on the grave.
Mom… Dad…
The tears go freely on my cheeks. I sit on the cold floor, get out my guitar of his suitcase and start to play a melody. I don't know what it is but I just play something. I'm scared to open my mouth. I am sure my voice will broke.
"It's not healthy to stay alone like that." I recognize that voice.
"Neji, please, go away."
"You know, I tried to push people away but it didn't work. It's in human nature to want to be with other. You shouldn't do that to yourself."
"Shut up. You don't know anything."
"Well, tell me." He sits next to me.
"How did you know I was there?" I ask.
"I followed you."
"YOU FOLLOWED ME?" What a stalker!
"Yes. I wanted to know what was your plan on Christmas eve."
"That's none of your business."
"I'm curious."
"Curiosity killed the cat."
"But I'm still alive." I open my mouth but then close it.
"Shut up."
He smirks but says nothing more. He gets out his iPod (an iPhone, nothing less) and a piece of paper.
"Listen." He says, putting the earphones in my ears. He takes my guitar and put it back in my suitcase.
A song stars put I can say in what language. I continue to listen but I don't understand a word.
"What is this?" I ask as the song finish. I can help but think the person singing have a beautiful voice.
"It's a French song named "Chante" sang by a girl named "Marilou". The titled means "Sing"."
"French?"
"Yes. I was searching a song for you and I found this one."
"Wait. You understand French?"
"A little bit. But I found the translation of the song. This is my Christmas gift for you."
I look at the piece of paper, intrigued as Neji starts again the song. (AN: I translated the lyrics from French to English myself so it may not be perfect...)
You can fall from so high sometimes, from gold to dust, but never forgets that
You can grow up with cloths of silk and to cross war, but never lose that
This gift, this need, this fight
And sing, for everyone as for you, to take care of your wounds, to the joy of a friend
Sing, even without knowing why, some words that reassure or the pain of a cry
Sing, it's your life
You can live believing you have all, and lose essence, but never forgets that
You can doubt, fall on your knees, diverted from heaven, but never lose that
This force, this dash, this hope
And sing, for everyone as for you, to take care of your wounds, to the joy of a friend
Sing, even without knowing why, some words that reassure or the pain of a cry
Sing, it's your life
It is filled of fire, stones and tears, but so much of love too
Sing, for all or nothing, for thousands of people or the heart of a neighbor
Sing, if that makes you feel good, for the blue of a love or the gray of sorrow
Sing, for everyone as for you, to take care of your wounds, to the joy of a friend
Sing, even without knowing why, some words that reassure or the pain of a cry
Sing, it's your life… It's your life…
"Wow." I murmur as the song finish. When you understand what she's saying, the song gets more powerful…
"I hope you like it." He says as I sob.
"I… I promised myself to not sing after my parents death." I say softly. "They died on Christmas eve… in a car crash. A kid was running in the street and wanting to avoid him, my father turned and they crashed. They died on the impact." I feel Neji's arm snake around my shoulders but I let him. "They were in the car because I was singing with the choir. It was the first year I was helping the choir, being the "Nee-chan". It's after the show they came to tell my parents had died. After that, I promise to sing… to do anything only on Christmas eve, to remember them but… I like singing so much and playing guitar and weapons dancing and all… Being to do it, to help people, to have people who look at me and say: "She's good. I want to be like her", it's… it's…"
"You don't need to say it." Neji murmurs softly in my ears as I hide my face on his shoulder. "You know," he says after a moment, "if you want to sing, to dance, to play guitar, to weapon dance, anything you like, you can do it. Do it, you can even pursue a career in that. I know you could. And I'm sure your parents would be more happy if you were doing what you want instead of punishing yourself…"
"I don't know…" I say in a sigh. "I want to but… I don't know."
"Think about it."
I nod. I just realize that I'm in Neji's arms, and weirdly, I like it. Today, just today, I'll let him.
"Why you told me all this?" He finishes by ask.
"A thank you gift for your Christmas gift. You wanted to know and I told you"
Then I kiss him. Why? I don't know. I just feel attract by him and even usually it piss me off, today, just today, I want to succumb.
"And this is your Christmas gift." I say as I broke the kiss. I don't have the time to say anything more that he's kissing me again, more strongly.
It's weird who life is made. I am kissing, no, French kissing Hyuga Neji, on Christmas eve, on my parents' grave. I'm sure if dad is looking right now, he wants to rip Neji's head off his body.
I finally broke the kiss. His eyes are full of lust.
You know what? If I wasn't a virgin and I didn't want my first time to be full of love, I would have sleep with him without thinking. But I want my first time to be with someone I love.
"Neji, could you go for five minutes? I would like to talk with my parents…"
"Sure." He goes away and I turn to look at the graves.
"Hi mom. Hi dad. Sorry for the… little show. If you want to know, I don't really like him. I lust him but don't worry, I will not sleep with the first one to come. And please dad, don't go haunt him. I let him. If I didn't want him to come at me, I would have stopped him. I'm still mom's daughter!" I sigh then look at the stars. "I don't know if I should sing in public and all. I would like to do it but… If I hadn't sang that day, if I hadn't have a show… you guys would still be alive… So is it ok for me to sing, to dance and to do all the things I like?"
"Live fully your life and makes your dreams come true. Even if it doesn't work, at least you had tried!"
Mom's favorite phrase. I remember. I just feel like they are next to me. I close my eyes and I start sing the song "Angel" by Beverly Mitchell. I just replace "My best friend" by "My parents".
As I finish the song, I feel arms snaking around my waist.
"You sing well." He says in my ear.
"Thanks, Neji… for everything. But…" I get off his arms "We are not dating or anything. I kissed you because I needed to feel sometime. The next time we'll see, we'll do like nothing happen." Neji looks surprise but then comes back to his cool self.
"I'll drop you to your house." He says. I take my stuff and follow him. We arrive at his car and he drives to my apartment building.
"Will you go pick up the others?" I ask.
"Yeah."
"Ok. Bring safely Xia please."
"You protect her too much."
"I love her. And she's thinks everyone is nice… and she tries so much to make me happy that she forgets herself… I'm just worried."
"Don't worry that much or else you'll do like her and forget yourself." I sigh.
"Thanks for the lift." I say as I get out the car.
"Tenten." I turn to look at him. "You can pretend it never happen but you and I know that it happen. Also, Merry Christmas." I'm kind of diverted by what he says and his smile/smirk.
I don't respond and get in the building. I hear his car getting away.
I get to my apartment and see something on the table living room. It's gift for me from Xia.
Dear Tennie,
You are the best and I love you a lot! I still wish you would open more to me. We use to be best friend and all. I just wish you would tell me your problems and that you would smile more. Anyway, I still love you! 3
Your bff/cousin,
Xia the beautiful! –xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-
I open the gift and I see a drawing of her and I, smiling, in a pink and white picture frame. It's written on the frame "We shall rule the world!". Xia and her insanities.
I smile. I put the frame with the other pictures. I then go in my room to take the gift I had prepared for her. It's only a Hello Kitty kit with a shirt, a watch, some pen and pencil and some other goodies. She kept stealing mines so I decided to buy her some.
I go back to the living room and sit on the couch.
Live fully your life and makes your dreams come true. Even if it doesn't work, at least you had tried…
Yeah… maybe I should do that…
End of Chapter 10
Go listen to the songs (if you didn't yet)! Even if you don't understand French, go listen to the melody: "Chante" by Marilou! And the song "Angel" by Beverly Mitchell is such a great song! With all that, review!