~G r a v i t y~
NejiTen FanFic
Chapter 11: Sometime Around Midnight
"You couldn't possibly stoop any lower," Neji informed me, as I laid on the ground, collapsing after a long training session.
Rebelliously, I jumped up.
"Oh yeah?" I challenged. "Well you just watch me!"
"Hn," Neji turned his gaze away from me. "I'd like to see you try."
And that's how it started.
For the next two weeks I did nothing but train. Not necessarily with Neji the whole time, but longer that anyone in the circus. After everyone had gone home, I spent extra hours at the dome practicing the trapeze. I came early in the morning too. And I watched zero anime ... though I still dreamed about it.
One particular morning though, exactly eleven days after my little spat with Neji, I was surprised.
Just as I was about to throw my knife, my knee slipped and fell, but caught myself on one of the lower swings.
"Why did that happen?" I muttered to myself.
"Your foot wasn't pointed," a cold, but calm voice stated simply, from below.
"Shit!" It scared the living daylights out of me and I came crashing down into the net. I never though anyone would be here at six AM.
My head spinning, I turned and faced Neji.
"What did I say about scaring me like that?" I demanded, clutching the net in dizziness.
Neji shrugged.
"I only answered your question." he replied, monotone.
"How long have you been watching?" I interrogated, finally getting a grasp of what was around me, Neji's cold appearance coming into clear view.
"Ten minutes," he remarked, raising an eyebrow. "Does that bother you?"
My eyebrow twitched as I sat up.
"Yes it does bother me, Hyuuga!" I grumbled. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"I was amused, and slightly disgusted," Neji answered honestly.
"Amused and disgusted..." I murmured, repeating his words.
What the hell does that mean?
"Why?" I asked him.
He smirked.
"Because only an idiot like you would master the hard tricks, but forget fundamental basics such as pointing your foot," he said.
My jaw dropped. He called me an idiot again! Why that jerk...
"How can you say that?" I cried, angrily.
"Hn," Neji narrowed his eyes. "It's only the truth. You really are a fool,"
I raised my fist.
"NANI?"
I lunged forward but of course he had to slickly move away, allowing me to run face first into the floor.
Damn that Hyuuga!
"You really love the ground don't you?" Neji asked me from up above.
"Hyuuga Neji!" I screeched. "YOU'RE SO DEAD!" Of course he really wasn't because I wasn't fast enough to catch him.
Finally Neji grabbed my wrist and rammed me into a wall. Ow. Stupid Neji that really hurt ... and you'd think the walls of the dome would be soft.
"If I were you I would train," he advised.
I shoved past him.
"You have no control over my actions," I told him, icily. "I've been training the past two weeks longer than anyone here so don't give me that shit."
Neji didn't answer so I left him with that.
Ha. Stupid bastard. He doesn't realize that was the key to my training. I'd mastered all the difficult tricks but there was always something missing...something that was basic. And now I knew it. Everytime I failed a stunt, I checked for the basics, fixed it easily, and master the trapeze.
"Holy...shit," Tsunade mumbled. "Since when did Tenten get so good at the trapeze?"
"TENTEN YOU ARE AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL!" I heard Lee cry from all the way above.
"Sugoi," Sakura murmured. "Even better than me,"
Ino chuckled. "Anyone's better than you, Forehead," She joked.
"She's better than you also, Pig!" Sakura countered.
"Forhead!"
"Pig!"
.
.
.
I took a long drink of water and Tsunade addressed me.
"That was amazing," She told me. "How the hell did you get so good?"
I smirked.
"Practice,"
Tsunade nodded.
"I'm not joking," She replied. "You're almost as good as Neji,"
I shrugged. "It's kinda easy,"
Tsunade shook her head.
"No, really, it's like you were born to do this," She remarked. "I'm not kidding,"
I rubbed the back of my neck, slightly embarrassed. This was definitely a table turner.
Suddenly Tsunade's cell rang.
"GAH? WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT?" She cried as she answered.
I could here faint piping noises from the other end, but couldn't make out any words.
"Fine," Tsunade grumbled. She snapped her cellphone shut and looked at me. "I'm wanted at work,"
She groaned.
I chuckled.
"Typically,"
Tsunade nodded in agreement.
"Yeah it sucks," she admitted. "Anyways, train on. I'll see you tomorrow!"
I watched her disappear from the dome and sighed contently.
"Don't flatter yourself," I knew Neji's voice from anywhere. So cold and precise.
"Heh?" I turned my head.
"You've mastered one skill," Neji stated coldly. "Out of many that are needed in the circus,"
I placed my hands on my hips, but not replying.
"Besides," he added. "You're not as good as me. Not as long as you have one component missing."
"Oh yeah?" I asked. "What's that?"
Neji scoffed. "Strength," He answered, spinning on his heel and walking away.
"Oh so I'm weak then?" I called loudly after him.
Neji clicked his tongue in annoyance, and didn't turn around to respond.
"Exactly," he answered, his back still facing me.
Why the nerve that kid had!
"So you are practicing,"
"EEK NEJI!" And I fell.
"What did I say about doing that?" I cried, springing up immediately.
Neji shrugged.
"Only an idiot would fall like that," He informed me, crossing his arms.
"You know I'm gonna count the times you call me idiot," I mumbled, sweat dropping.
"Hn,"
"Why are you here anyways?" I asked him.
Neji glanced at me.
"To teach you a knew trick," he replied.
"Eh?"
"On the high trapeze," he added.
I gulped, staring at the highest swings. There were two of them and I'd never been on them before. Yes, they did intimidate me. I'll admit it, I was a bit scared.
"All the way up there?" I questioned.
"Where else?" He muttered.
"I-"
"Technically you haven't mastered everything if you can't do the highest swing..." Neji said persuasively.
I nodded sharply.
"Yeah watch me!"
He sighed.
"Don't screw up, idiot,"
Maybe I should count.
"Neji this is really high!" I cried, his one knee sustain both of our weight.
"Get over it," he mumbled.
Geez. Neji. Thanks.
Hey.
What is it?
You two are like bonding!
Sure. This is bonding.
Oi! He stayed late to help you.
Yeah and I'm sure he did it for me.
Huh. Good point.
Yeah you see? He's mean!
Maybe he's just trying to hide his true feelings...?
Um. No. It's way too obvious he hates me.
Fine. But your relationship is getting stronger!
I don't think our relationship is what you would call healthy exactly.
Oh sure it is.
You know that's not true.
Well maybe it isn't, but didn't he save you a couple weeks ago.
Don't remind me. He was rude about it.
Well, you didn't thank him properly anyways!
Why should I? He shoved me out like I was the problem.
Maybe he was just protecting you!
Um. No. If he was he should've said, "Quick get out of here before my uncle hurts you!"
Well maybe if you stuck around-
Yeah when he told me to leave!
Huh. Another good point. BUT STILL!
...Still what?
Oh I don't know. You should like him.
"Tenten," Neji growled. "Are you listening to one word I'm saying,"
I sighed. "No, my ears are open now, what?"
"You need to-"
"Aw how cute!"
Drop.
Neji and I crashed downward. He shoved me out of the way so he didn't land on me.
"Ow..." I moaned, looking up at a Tsunade.
"I see you two are getting along nicely," She commented.
Neji sighed, rolling off the net.
"She really is an idiot,"
I scoffed. He had the nerve to call me that again!
Don't ask me why. Don't ask me how. But Neji and I were walking alone together at midnight.
I sighed.
"What's your problem, Neji?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," He responded.
"Hm," I answered. "Why are you so mean to me?"
He didn't reply.
"Is there something particularly wrong with me that makes you hate me?" I questioned.
"I don't hate anything," Neji remarked, maturely.
"Oh yeah?" I asked. "Really?
"It's stupid to hate things..." Neji said with a sigh. "Stupid like you,"
My eyebrows twitched. Now he really had nerve.
"What about your uncle?" I suggested, glancing over at him in the darkness. "You hate him don't you?"
With the look that Neji gave me I seriously thought he would slap me but he repeated, "I don't hate anything,"
"Hmph," I mumbled. "Trying to act all mature,"
"It is mature," Neji agreed. "Unlike you,"
"Hyuuga Neji!" I cried. "What's your problem?"
Neji raised an eyebrow.
"I have no problem," He corrected. "You're the idiot amateur,"
I was close to tears. Come one seriously. Neji was a huge jerk. I didn't know how anyone put up with him but he was especially jerkish to me! It wasn't fair! It really wasn't fair! I don't even know what the hell I did to that kid!
"Well I got a lot better at the trapeze!" I countered his statement. "I'm not so amateur at that!"
"Yes," Neji admitted. "But you easily get distracted, which proves you're an idiot."
Anger boiled through my veins. I wasn't an idiot! I always got straight A's for my grades and my tests! I learned how to fend for myself because of my stupid parents! They were the idiots not me!
"You have no idea what you're talking about!" I cried, dangerously mad now.
Oi! Calm down! Neji could seriously beat you up!
I don't give a shit! He probably doesn't have the guts anyways!
But what about building your relationship with him?
WHO GIVES A SHIT?
"I can't believe you Neji," I informed him.
"Hn, suit yourself, baka,"
"You're such a jerk!" I insulted. "How can you live with yourself?"
Neji crossed his arms.
"I have no problems with it actually..."
"I CAN'T STAND IT!" I shouted. "YOU'RE LIKE A WALKING ICE-CUBE!"
"Hn,"
"WHO LIKES TO SAY HN WAY TO MUCH!" I bellowed.
"Stop yelling and don't be so immature." He calmly stated.
"NO! I CAN'T STAND YOU! I'LL SHOUT AS MUCH AS I WANT!" I screamed.
Neji sighed.
"Idiot,"
So I took off running away from him once more. This was my solution to my problems. Run away, but I'll come back for tomorrow when I have a strategy. A strategy to beat that jerk!
Um, where are you going?
Home!
You don't even know how to get there in the dark.
I'll figure it out eventually.
Great. Eventually.
Tch. Besides. Who wants to walk with that bastard?
Whatever. Suit yoursel-
Don't say that! It reminds me of him!
Fine.
And So I ran all the way home.
Neji's POV:
Dammit Tenten. She really pissed me off at times. What the hell was her problem? She was so annoying and persistent and loud. I've never had to deal with a girl like her. Keiko was similar but she was completely a different story. When it came to her, I would much rather prefer the amateur Tenten as a partner.
But Tenten was so stubborn and annoying. She could never admit when she was wrong, her skin was way too thin because she took insults too harshly, and she had no control over her stupid emotions. She acted really strong when she was really weak especially against Hiashi. She gets herself into foolish situations such as serving at the party. I swear to God she the attitude of a boy but in a girls weak body. She had a mouth with nothing to back it up.
It really pissed me off!
I didn't even know why I saved her earlier from Hiashi. She really deserved to be slapped but my body moved automatically, as if I had no say. There was some tug in my gut and that just fucked with my brain afterwords. I couldn't get over the fact that I actually saved that stupid idiot.
So once again. She really pisses me off!
So do you like her?
I don't even know if I like that baka as a friend.
Tch. Like you have any.
Shut up. It's not like I need bonds anyways. They're pointless and only end up in disappointment and hatred.
Like what happened with your father?
Shut up, stupid inner.
And I thought you said you didn't hate anything...
I don't! Such strong emotions are pointless.
Then why do you dislike Tenten so much? Those definitely seem to be strong feelings that are negative.
She's annoying.
Or is it because she talks back to you?
What?
She's the only girl who has the nerve to yell at you. Surely you've noticed that.
It's probably another reason she pisses me off.
Because she's different? You don't like people who are different?
Shut up. I don't know why you're arguing with me.
Technically you're arguing with yourself. This is you debating.
Well. I must be insane for debating whether I should like Tenten or not.
Who said anything about liking?
You did.
True but I didn't think you took it seriously.
Maybe I didn't.
But-
Just go away. You're bothering me almost more than Tenten.
Let's hope you regret being mean to her.
In your dreams.
...I hope not.
A/N: Yay! I updated! *cheers* I decided to finish the chapter from Neji's point of view to give you a little insider of is complicated Hyuuga head XD I was inspired to write because I finished the book, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" in two hours. OMG! So sad! It just makes me want to hate Hitler even more! Poor Bruno and Shmuel. Very sad book. Anyways, yesh, I updated because I know you guys love it. Decently long chapter. Not very though. I had trouble coming up with a theme, so it's just a bunch of randomness put together. Insanity in a bottle. Lolz. I came up with that and now I love saying it. Sooo...please review my awesome-like reviewers~!
