I felt like typing this one, but I also don't want to since it's almost over. I know it's weird, but I hate when I have to type the end and I just finished one of my other stories on my other site. But we have a couple more chapters, maybe four to six depending on how I go about this. But enjoy. And as always I love to hear what you think.
~Trisana
It's two in the morning and we have finally got back from the mission. I was glad I wasn't the one stuck with all of the paperwork and I could just collapse on the bed when I get up to the room. Neji and I were both wiped and since neither one of really had any weapons on us we curl up on the bed without bothering to get dressed or even get under the covers.
"We still have the engagement party tomorrow," I grumble into his back as I curl up next to him.
"Don't remind me," he grumbles just as upset as I was.
The first half of the mission was bad and the worst of it, but a slightly smaller group of even better trained ninjas attacked us on our way back earlier today. Everyone pulled out all the stops and thankfully since we don't have to worry about protecting Yoti it was somewhat easier for us. It didn't make any of us any more willing to get up or do anything tomorrow. Even Lee and Guy were drained after today and I never thought I'd be able to say that.
"What time is the party?"
"Six at night." I sigh at his answer. "But-"
"There's always a but," I sigh again as what little joy just came from that vanished.
"We need to get up at eight to help prepare for the party and get ready.
"That means less than six hours because I'm hungry now which means I'm going to need breakfast to get through the day."
"Then get some sleep," he says holding my arm that's wrapped around him.
Beep, Beep Be-
"Shut up," I grumble turning off the annoying alarm. I hate alarm clocks they're so annoying and just make people annoyed first thing in the morning.
Neji hadn't woken up from the alarm going off so I curl up into him. He was lying on his back his arm wrapped around me with my head on his chest. It eased me a bit everyday when I curled up next to him. I'll admit that my time with Neji over these past few weeks I've grown feelings for him and Neji knows it and I'm guessing that both our squads know it as well. I'm not over Sasuke and I'm not sure if I ever will, but I'm sure that I will grow to love Neji just as much as I have learned to love Sasuke over our years spent with each other. I don't know how long it will take me to love Neji, though after the other night when we were talking to each other I know that Neji still loves me from when we were little kids and that he never did stop.
.::Flashback::.
"What was I like back then," I ask chuckling at the comment he just made about me still having a bad habit of chewing on straws when I was thinking about things.
"Free spirited, you were always determined and hated being told you couldn't do something. You even told me you could do the exact same thing my Byakugan can." We both laugh and I can see Neji getting this far off distant stare in his eyes. He was being open with me right now and it was making him think of all those times we used to share. A couple of them were slowly coming back hazily, but a couple of our memories of growing up were better than still having all of them blocked from me.
"You always said you'd become the best ninja growing up. You didn't want to be Hokage, but you wanted to be the best ninja ever. You were set on it and said nothing was ever going to stop you from doing it." He smiles to himself then pulls his head back to the present.
"You really did love me back then," I ask as I look at him closely.
"I still do."
.::End of Flashback::.
"Hiroko," Neji says shaking my shoulder.
"Mh," I ask opening my eyes.
"It's seven forty."
"Ok," I say as it takes me a moment for my brain to process what he was saying. "Ok," I say more certain this time as to what that meant.
I get up and grab my clothes for the day that I would be wearing throughout the day, but not during the party. Neji and I have fallen into a daily routine of him waking me up, I take the first shower, then he takes his, and then we head downstairs.
"I swear you do this every time because you know it bugs me and that I'll dry it for you," I say not really annoyed at him right now but giving him a hard time with a slight smile. I grab his towel and brush and untie Neji's hair to begin drying his hair for him. I then begin running his brush through his hair as we sit down next to each other. His hair was so soft and silky. A couple of times I've thought of running my fingers through it after brushing it.
"You should just start drying it for me if it bugs you."
"Is that your master plan," I ask looking over his shoulders and at him.
"Maybe," he says teasing me.
"I guess I'll just have to stop drying it for you," I say leaving his hair only half way brushed.
"I don't care," he says standing up.
"Wait, I'm not done," I call chasing after him with the brush in my hand.
"Those two are cute," Hiashi chuckles to Hinata as I chase after Neji who quickened his pace after I started to chase after him.
"They def-defiantly make a go-good co-couple."
"You're enjoying this," I say as I catch up with him. He just smirks at me then kisses me on the forehead.
"You're still just a little girl that frets over anything that bothers you," he says handing me my breakfast bar and taking the brush.
Ever since Neji stopped being hot and cold towards me he's decided on picking on me while still being kind. He made me feel five sometimes like now. It was a completely different side than anything I've ever seen or expect from him. I liked it still. He's agreed to be my new training buddy and with that we could be serous and still he could show me that side of him were we seemed childish and like little kids. I think in a way it was like both our little kid side that we grew up knowing were merging with our grown up now selves.
"Seven forty in the morning and all they wanted us to do was set up for this party that isn't until two more hours and we're done with it." I sigh and sit in one of the chairs, but then look at Neji.
"Want to grab a quick bite then train since we couldn't earlier today?" Neji nods his head and we both head out.
On the way over to the forest we both get a dango to go. Sparing only lasted for maybe twenty minutes before we both agreed we were too tired to be sparing so hard. Instead we spent the rest of our time lying next to each other on the ground gazing at the sky.
"I haven't done this in four months when I was on the roof with Shika. It's nice to just relax."
"Neji," I asked after a bit of silence.
"Hm," he asks still looking at the sky.
"You don't feel as if I'm just using you to replace Sasuke do you?"
"No, I know that I won't be able to replace him and that you'll always love him." I turn and look at him feeling bad suddenly. I know that I will always love him, but I didn't think that Neji would realize that as well. In fact I was hoping he never did so he wouldn't be hurt by that.
"I-" I begin about to say whatever I can to make it not seem so bad but he stops me.
"It doesn't matter to me. All it means is that I'm going to have to make you love me as well and keep you as happy as I'm capable of." I felt like shit. I've always said that Neji doesn't deserve a girl like me and this here makes it just that much clearer of how much I really don't deserve to be with him.
To have a woman that doesn't love you as much as you love them and for her heart to be torn between two men, no man deserves that especially one that wants you knowing that you may never love them like they love you and that your heart doesn't belong only to them. This makes Neji that shining star of a boyfriend or in my case soon to be husband and me worse than a pile of poo.
"You deserve better," I tell him standing up and heading back to the house to get ready and dressed in my formal black and purple kimono for the party tonight.
"Hiroko," Neji says as he comes downstairs dressed in his formal purple kimono.
"You ready," I ask as I offer him my hand so we can head to where they were holding the party. He looks at me for a bit then nods his head and takes my hand.
Slow classical music was playing as Neji and I were sitting in front of everyone with Hiashi and Hinata beside us. According to Neji most of their engagement parties aren't this fancy, but because Neji has been taken in as part of the Head family, or Main Branch as they refer to it as, and that this is to be a peace settling between two clans it's over the top.
About half way through dinner I had a glass of the sake they were serving and from that point on I don't remember what happened at that party. I remember me and Neji dancing to a good beat or two, but everything else is pretty much a blur. I don't think I did anything too stupid. I hope.
