Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
A/N: First off, I have to apologize for the lateness of this update (is lateness even a word?... well Microsoft word recognizes it as one, so I guess so…). Second, I'll apologize now that this is actually going to be relatively short, and not much to it… it'll likely be more of a "filler" chapter, but if I don't get this stupid DINNER out of the way, I think I'll be stuck here forever!!
'Sigh' I'm cursed… any time I try to start a chapter story, I doom myself to writers block! And then I can't move on to continue the story... This story was going so well until I moved it out of 1S:NxT… Worst part is, the plotline I had worked out in my head for this story (and on which the title was based on, no less), doesn't seem like it's going to work out after all (I discovered some inconsistencies that would make it rather implausible…) so… it took me a while, but I think I've got a different plot that would be workable with what I've already set up… just in case, if there's some things that seem a little odd… bear with me… well, lets see how it goes. XD
THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS!!
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THE DINNER
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Breath. Tenten inhaled deeply, attempting to remind herself that she needed to relax.
She had been really nervous about today; even though she had been invited to the Hyuga manor many times in the past, for some reason she just couldn't contain her anxiety this time.
"Don't stand so stiffly." Ryoku sternly spoke from behind her, as they approached the looming gates of the compound
"Eh?" Tenten turned up to face her father. "It's just…" she stammered.
"It'll be fine Tennie-chan." Xiu-Juan cheerfully encouraged.
"Ok." Tenten inhaled deeply, grounding herself a bit. "Just, please…" she looked up pleadingly at her father.
"I know." Ryoku huffed.
"Don't worry Tennie-chan." Xiu-Juan reassured her, "We won't get offended, and we'll play along." She turned her face toward her husband, "Right?" the petite woman asked firmly.
"Ffh." Ryoku scoffed; raising his large fist to knock on the doors before them.
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'This is good.' Tenten inwardly sighed.
The family had been escorted into the main dinning hall where Neji and his uncle and cousins where already awaiting them. The meal had progressed smoothly; not nearly as terrifying as she had imaged it would be. Even the line of questioning that was customary during these types of marriage arrangement dinners didn't seem as harsh or invasive as Tenten had initially feared. They had asked the typical questions one would expect; mostly her background, her academic and mission records, family health and history, her future career goals, and other questions of similar importance. Over all, it had been a rather easy and pleasant atmosphere. Tenten reasoned this was perhaps due to the fact that a majority of the elders had been unexpectedly absent from the dinner.
While eating dinner, Neji had quietly informed her, that it was due to an emergency meeting the Hokage had issued earlier in the day. Since the Hyuga's where Konoha's most powerful clan, the head of the clan and his elite advisory counsel where often summoned to important meetings concerning the village's welfare.
It seemed that some urgent information had arrived through Suna, which required immediate attention. Neji had overheard Hiashi being called in for the meeting as well, but had declined to go because of the dinner. This knowledge had profoundly touched Tenten; it really showed that Hiashi cared for Neji, if he were willing to forego his duties as clan leader for their engagement dinner. Of course, it hadn't really surprised Tenten that Ryoku, who had also been summoned to the meeting, had done the same. When the ANBU member had arrived at their house, Tenten had feared her father would not be able to attend the dinner, which would inevitably be seen as an insult by the Hyuag's. To her relief, he had declined to go, stating that he had more pressing matters to attend to.
Observing both men, Tenten realized just how similar their personalities were. It was her hope that, perhaps, this was a sign the two strong willed men might become good friends.
"Tenten." Neji whispered softly form beside her.
"Yes?" Tenten loudly replied, without thinking, as she shook herself out of her trance.
"And how many would that be?" the elder sitting directly in front of Tenten asked her.
'Oi'. Tenten mentally slapped herself on the forehead. 'I really should have been paying attention'. Everyone was eagerly anticipating her response. 'Gotta think fast!'
Looking around the room at all the faces staring back at her, Tenten tried to figure out what the elder's question may have been pertaining to. Years of training to perfect her aim had given Tenten amazing observational skills; additionally, being one of the top academic students during her years in the academy (second only to Neji), she was quite skilled when it came to analytical deductions. Nonetheless, the expressions of all those sitting at the table were so varied that it appeared difficult to figure out exactly what it was the question had been about.
Deciding it was best to look to her parent's reaction first, since theirs' were most likely to be the easiest expressions to read, Tenten turned toward her right. Her mother seemed rather delighted with whatever the question had been; while her father, who was sitting between the two women, seemed slightly less pleased with whatever it was Tenten had responded to.
'Great! That's no help at all!' Tenten inwardly scowled. 'Neji!'
Turning to her left, she noticed Neji's usually expressionless face had a slight tint of pink to it. She wasn't really sure what to make of it, but it seemed rather cute to see him like that. It was rare to see any color on the stoic prodigy's face.
'Well, except after eating the curry of life' she snickered at the memory. It was amusing to see him in a new light.
'Agh. That wasn't any help either!' Tenten groaned. 'But he does look cute!' She cheerfully mused. 'No, gotta get an answer!' She reminded herself, hesitantly removing her eyes from the man next to her.
Moving her eyes down the table, she scanned everyone seated at the table. Further to her right, Hanabi and Hinata, sat quietly on her side, while Hiashi took his place at the head of the table. The four elders who had attended the dinner were on the opposite side of the table; all eagerly awaiting her reply. Certain that she would get little from the elders, since Hyuga's were naturally known for having unreadable expressions, and the older ones seemed to be even more skilled at hiding their emotions than the younger ones, Tenten decided it would be useless to waste her time with them.
'Years of practice I'm sure'. Tenten reasoned, as she turned her attention toward Hiashi, Hanabi and Hinata.
Figuring that she'd likely not get much out of the clan leader's expression either, she barely glanced in his direction. Oddly enough, he seemed to have an amused look on his face, but why, Tenten couldn't figure out. Next to him, Hanabi also wore an amused, though much more teasingly so, expression on her angelic face.
'Wonder what mischief she's got planned'. Tenten inwardly smirked, knowing that, unlike her older sister, the youngest head family member was a little devil behind her doll like façade. 'Hinata!'
Hinata was the least skilled among the Hyuga's when it came to hiding her emotions. Unlike the rest of her clan, who seemed almost incapable of displaying any emotions, Hinata was an endless array of expression; Tenten was sure that she would be the one who could help her figure out what the elder had just asked. Directing her eyes toward the shy heiress, Tenten noticed that Hinata seemed rather flush. It wasn't uncommon for Hinata to be blushing, but considering Naruto was nowhere to be found, it seemed a little out of place for the blue haired kunoichi to be blushing so profusely. (1)
'Hopeless!' Tenten cursed herself for having allowed her mind to wander while she had been in the middle of the elder's questioning. 'Well, I guess all I can do now…'
"err... Ten?" the bun-haired guessed. It was her favorite number, after all. Not only because it was repeated in her name, but also because it was generally what one considered a perfect score; something she was well known for. If the elders needed a quantity, which the question had suggested, then she'd go with her lucky number.
"TEN!" the booming voices of Ryoku, Hiashi, and Neji sounded out in unison.
Turning toward the others, Tenten noticed that Hanabi looked like she was about to die of laughter, while Hinata appeared ready to pass out from the blood rushing to her head. Meanwhile, Xiu-Juan giggled quietly, while Neji struggled to breathe beside her.
"Excellent." A different elder exclaimed, after an awkward silence had briefly passed among those assembled. "The Hyuga clan could certainly use more shinobi of Neji-san's caliber."
"Agreed." Another one of the elders added, "We approve of this union."
"You may step outside" the last elder indicated toward the younger shinobi, "While the guardian's discuss the terms of this arrangement; in the mean time, take this opportunity to get to know each other better." he added, though it seemed rather pointless to Tenten that they suggest such a thing since they already knew everything anyone could possibly know about each other.
"Yeah," Hanabi smirked as she loudly whispered. "Though, if it's going to be ten, maybe you two should get started right now."
"Let's go!" Hinata rose quickly from her seat, before Neji or the enraged looking Ryoku could harm her precious little sister.
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"Umm…" Tenten began, as she and Neji walked the Hyuga gardens alone; Hinata and Hanabi having excused them selves shortly after the four left the dinning hall. "What exactly did that elder ask me in there?" she asked.
"So I was right," Neji smirked, "You really weren't listening."
"…" Tenten shook her head in response, as she looked into the prodigy's pale eyes.
"He asked you how many children you intended for bear me." Neji calmly replied, before turning to continue walking; leaving a stunned Tenten behind.
"WHAT?!" (2)
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TBC...
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(1) You all know I LOVE KibaHina, but I threw the NaruHina people a bone with that one… don't get used to it though XP
(2) Hehehe… so how many of you saw that one coming? XP I certainly hope so because I tried hinting at it with everyone's expressions… lol.
A/N: Ok, well that didn't really go in the direction I had intended it to go when I wrote out the first scene… it was going to be more about the questioning, but I couldn't figure out what to ask, so I decided to make it funny instead of serious since the next ones might be getting a bit more serious
Well… it wasn't very long, and it was so cheesy… and I'm sorry for the late update… but I've been UBER busy with school so I haven't had a chance to update anything since I got back from spring break. But I'll try to update sooner… hopefully… anyway…
PLEASE!! I have a general idea of where I'm going to be going with this story now, but… undoubtedly I will hit another writer's block on this one… so ANYTIME you have some IDEA, SUGGESTION, DESIRE, whatever… anything you want to see happen or feel should happen… please let me know… If I can make it work, I will add it…
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR STICKING WITH ME… sorry again for the late update. And the crummy chapter... At least it was a little cutesy funniness for you all. XP
Remember to REVIEW, Please and thank you. (AND SEND IN SUGGESTIONS/IDEAS)
Last time's game:
There's no game to this one, I'm keeping the "GAMES" to 1S:NxT… but just in case anyone's still interested in knowing the answer to last chapter.
What Ryoku wanted to know, in the former chapter 12 (Chapter 2: DO YOU?) was whether Neji liked Tenten. In that chapter, he did NOT get his answer because Tenten interrupted them before Neji could answer, but in the last chapter (Chapter 9: BLESSING) he definitely did get his answer.
NEXT UP: I warn you now; it's going to be flashback of Ryoku and Xiu-Juan's history which is what's going to play into the drama that's to come. XD
OTHER STORIES: I'm hoping to update 1S:NxT by Saturday, and I have a mostly written drabble-ish short (i.e. about 500-800 words) for Hanabi's b-day (which I missed) that's got NejiTen hinting, which should be up by hopefully tomorrow in 1S: HB. I'm also hoping to update on the Ipod shuffle story, but who knows…