Yes, I am alive.
And yes, I'm really, really, super mondo sorry for not updating.
To be honest, I got discouraged with this Fic, and by the time I got over the discouragement, I didn't know what to write anymore. So . . . I kind of just abandoned it and hoped it went to die in a corner.
. . . Except it didn't.
And then the rest is history, since this is obviously an update. ;)
So yeah. Immense apologies and all of that to you all for keeping you waiting.
Cee Head: Cee Head, I am SO sorry I suck at gathering information. Really. I read your review and almost shot myself in the foot in embarrassment. XD But all I can ask of you is to bear with me. I'm not perfect, as this project clearly proves. Unfortunately, writing in non-paragraphs IS my style. It's depressing; I only write in paragraphs when I write essays and stuff for school. And I'm glad to hear you like it, despite my failure at true facts. :) Thanks for the review and critiques.
Twilight Raver: :D Yeah. . . Except she slapped him. ;)
StrawberrySmoothie99: I give more of an explanation this chapter. :) Senior year for me equals last year of high school. It's going swimmingly, other than the fact I hate it. ;D
neji's goddess: :) Thank you.
eternalsmiles: Not true at all! TenTen just hates being forced into things. . .
beckylovesgigs: You are lucky! :P Where do I go where? :/ Hahah. Of course she is, she just doesn't know it yet!
Youkai Koneko: Hahaha. She slapped him with her palm, dear. It hurts worse. ;D Cantonese is another language that some Chinese people can speak. It is the second-most learned language in China, besides Mandarin, of course. Hahahahahaha. Vin Diesel? :D
Toph43: No worries, I explain it more in this chapter.
SnowCharms: You have successfully called my bluff. I suck at research. XD The way I imagined it, Neji arranged for the flower before the season was over. But I'll say nothing else for fear of screwing with Mother Nature herself.
An Act of Seven Ages: I am human, therefore I make mistakes. XD And I have a nasty habit of not proofreading before I post. Forgive me? Wild Swans sounds very interesting!!! I'll check for it in the school library. :) You know me too well. Sigh. When I receive ideas for stories, it's in snatches. Pieces of conversations, thoughts, etc. If it bothers me enough, I build a story off it. From there, it's up to me. Again, I'm sorry for my lack of planning and vagueness. When I write, things come out and I run with it, without much regard to details. But I'm sure you were aware of that. ;) I appreciate your reviews so much! They put me in my place and call me out on what's awful and what I need to work on. Thanks. :)
Disclaimer: Kishimoto owns and I make nothing off writing this crap.
Juusan.
Neji was in a foul mood throughout dinner.
His cheek was still coal ember red from TenTen's hand, and if he touched it, it stung, swollen.
After enduring a dinner filled with Jiraiya's bad jokes, Shikamaru's bored and flat expression, and his cousin's sharp glances, Neji finally trudged up to his room.
His things were sorted neatly at the foot of his bed, and he had only just begun to unpack them when his door was pushed open.
Neji glanced over his shoulder.
It was TenTen, holding a tightly wrapped cloth.
She held it up.
"For your face," she brusquely murmured, walking to hand it to him.
The cloth was cold, which would relieve some of the swelling.
"Thank you," Neji replied.
TenTen stared up at him, her brown eyes thoughtful.
"I'm sorry for hitting you. I could have at least saved it for a more insulting offense."
Neji shook his head, dismayed at her odd apology.
His eyes floated over her features.
"I missed you."
TenTen's jaw clenched and she crossed her arms.
"I don't see why you bothered," she ultimately replied.
Neji sighed irritably; they were back to square one, with evasive answers and more questions than before.
He considered her.
"I hate the snow."
Neji frowned within himself, displeased with his random statements.
TenTen, not noticing, snorted.
"I'll just have to drag you out in it, then."
Conversation fell through again, giving way to silence.
Finally, TenTen revealed to him the observation she'd noticed during dinner.
"Your cousin seems to find me appalling. Why didn't you warn her of my outspokenness?"
Neji shrugged.
"I doubt if I had told her beforehand it would have softened the blow. You have a strong affect on people."
TenTen's eyebrows raised suspiciously.
"Is that an insult or a compliment?"
Neji smirked.
"You tell me."
TenTen huffed.
"I'll be frank, I didn't miss your insufferable attitude while you were gone."
The corners of Neji's mouth twitched.
"And you missed me for none of my other redeeming qualities?"
TenTen chuckled aloud.
Neji swallowed; he liked to hear her laugh.
"Cousin?" came a high soprano from the door.
Both Neji and TenTen turned at the sound.
Hinata was standing in the entryway, eyes guarded.
Her gaze flicked harshly to TenTen.
"TenTen-chan," Hinata murmured quietly, bowing.
TenTen obliged and did the same.
She straightened and cast Neji a mischievous glance before leaving, brushing past Hinata without another word.
Neji paused, waiting for TenTen to leave his sight fully before looking at his cousin.
When he did, he realized she had come further into the room, her grimace obviously displaying her displeasure.
"Have you honestly been here long enough to forget your manners? She is a woman and she was in your rooms. Where is your chaperone?"
Neji regarded his cousin with stressed patience.
"Hinata, it is different here. And we are grown adults. We do not require chaperones. Besides, neither of us had . . . immoral intentions."
Hinata raised a dark eyebrow.
"I don't see how you know what she is thinking."
Neji sighed, impatient.
"I have known her a bit longer than you, if you'll forgive my boldness."
Hinata stared, eyes portraying that she would do no such thing.
Neji cleared his throat.
"Is there something you needed, Hinata-sama?"
Hinata pursed her lips.
"Yes. I wanted to discuss our strategy for this visit. Am I able to attend the treaty meetings?"
"I don't see why not," Neji murmured tentatively. "Both Jiraiya and Shikamaru must attend."
"Very well then. I will see you in the morning, cousin." She turned, only looking back as she grasped the door. She added, without meaning, "Sleep well."
Neji nodded, realizing he would do no such thing.
~ . ~
The next morning, TenTen hummed to herself as she went to round up the Japanese visitors for breakfast. She didn't know why she was humming; she wasn't in a particularly good mood, considering she'd woken up freezing and the cold had still not left her, despite the warm clothes she was wearing.
She reached Neji's room first, and he answered after the second knock.
His peculiar eyes were tired and had dark half-moons under his eyes.
TenTen stared up at him, curious.
"What's wrong? You look like death," she commented, noting his waxen face.
Neji leaned back against his closed door, sighing.
"I didn't get much sleep last night." He shook his head.
TenTen stepped closer to him and gripped his jaw, turning his head to the side.
"The swelling's gone down," TenTen murmured, referring to the cheek she'd slapped. "But it looks like a bruise now."
TenTen caught Neji's eye and released his jaw, rocking back on her heels.
"I really didn't mean to hit you that hard." TenTen paused. "Wait. Yes, I did. But I was angry with you at the time."
TenTen folded her arms tightly across her chest, gazing up at him.
"I'm sorry, Ambassador. I hope you can forgive me."
Neji noted the tone in her voice and realized she was truly contrite.
He cleared his throat to speak.
"I do forgive you. Though I wish you would tell me why you grew so upset when I gave you the sakura blossom."
Against her nature, TenTen flushed a deep crimson.
Neji couldn't recall her ever seeming embarrassed before.
Despite her emotions, TenTen stared up at Neji unflinchingly.
"I don't understand why you gave me such a gift. The way I viewed it—it was like you were stealing a piece of nature and showing no regard for its roots. You can't expect something to grow in a harsh environment where it has no chance of surviving."(1)
"I meant it as a kind gesture."
"I'm sure you did," TenTen responded, "but perhaps you should give deeper thought to these things in the future and not act so hastily."
The two stared at each other.
TenTen was the first to break the gaze.
"Come on. I have to walk you all to breakfast."
They went by, collecting the remaining three Japanese.
Hinata, Neji, and Shikamaru hung back as Jiraiya conversed with TenTen in Cantonese; he appeared intrigued by the twenty-three year old Chinese woman.
Neji resolved to keep a sharp eye on Jiraiya to ensure he would behave himself, a far-fetched habit when he was around women.
Breakfast was pleasant enough, if not a bit quiet.
After everyone was finished, Sakura finally spoke up.
"I took the liberty of arranging some entertainment for all of us this evening, if the Ambassadors and Miss Hyuga please," Sakura murmured delicately, gesturing for TenTen to retrieve the tickets.
Jiraiya looked politely interested and Shikamaru retained his normal bored expression, though he said, "What entertainment are you suggesting, Empress?"
"I retrieved tickets for the Beijing Opera tonight. They are performing The Ruse of the Empty City."
Neji had no knowledge of the title, but Jiraiya concurred with a pleased noise at the back of his throat.
Neji glanced at his companions.
"We would be honored to attend, Empress," murmured Neji softly.
Sakura smiled.
"Wonderful. TenTen?"
TenTen reappeared from the kitchen, expression passive.
"Yes, Empress?"
"Our guests have decided they want to see the opera. Do you mind making the appropriate preparations?"
TenTen nodded and quickly strode from the room.
When she did not return for lunch, Neji went to find her himself.
She was in her room, her penmanship flowing quickly across the page.
"Yes?" TenTen prompted when Neji entered her room.
Neji smirked; she had not looked away from her writing.
"Did you relax any while I was gone?"
TenTen's hand paused before continuing.
"The Empress threatened me with a vacation, but I talked her down from it. I have too many things to take care of to just abandon it to take a trip. Besides, I'd probably be thinking about work the whole time I was away."
Neji shook his head; she hadn't changed at all.
"You think too much of work."
"You think too much of bothering me when I'm working," TenTen retorted.
Neji smiled again.
"Will you be joining us at the opera tonight?" he inquired.
TenTen shook her bowed head.
"No. I have work to take care of."
Neji frowned.
"Can't you forget work for a few hours? I want you to go."
TenTen set down her quill and turned to him in her chair.
"You want to bother me further, and in public I think you'll enjoy it more."
Neji's eyebrows drew together, his frown deepening.
"I couldn't disagree with you more. You're the only one I can tolerate, other than Shikamaru, and he complains too much."
TenTen stared up at Neji.
"My final answer is no, and that's that."
She turned her back to him and began to write once more.
Neji took it as a dismissal.
~ . ~
It was an hour before the five left for the opera that Sakura informed TenTen she would be going along with them.
When TenTen protested loudly, Sakura gifted her with an explanation.
"Ambassador Hyuga complained, TenTen; did you expect me to refuse him? Besides, Ambassador Jiraiya has made it clear he enjoys your company. You will entertain both of them. Now go get changed into something nice."
TenTen grudgingly decided on a dull gold qipao, the sleeves halting an inch above her wrists.
Thoroughly irritated, TenTen stomped down to the Inner Court's entrance.
The Japanese and Sakura had already gathered at the entrance.
TenTen attempted inconspicuousness, but Sakura saw her first.
"Hurry along, TenTen. We're going to be late as it is," Sakura called across the hall.
The five turned to stare at her.
"Damn," TenTen cursed under her breath as she quickened her pace to meet them.
When TenTen got within polite distance, she murmured, "Forgive my lateness. I'll attempt to not make it a habit."
Jiraiya caught her eye and smiled, good natured.
"Be sure you don't, my dear. Nobles don't take to it to kindly."
TenTen did not hide her grin.
"Well, let's go then."
The sky was dark outside and clear. They took an open carriage, despite the chill. Sakura and Hinata were bound warmly in coats and furs. TenTen wore only an outer cloak; she preferred the cold.
Jiraiya, sitting across from her, said, "Miss Yue, do you find the cold refreshing?"
TenTen smiled vaguely.
Neji shot Jiraiya a contempt look, which he promptly ignored.
"Very much so. It's better than heat."
"You would like Sri Lanka, then."
TenTen's eyebrows perched high.
"Sri Lanka? Is it nice there?"
"Dreadfully cold!" guffawed Jiraiya. "But pristine and lovely, like the Empress here."
Despite her hate of over-sweet niceties, Sakura smiled lightly.
"You flatter me, Ambassador Jiraiya."
"Of course I do!" Jiraiya boasted, as if this were a thought to be had rather than shy away from. "It is a man's responsibility to flatter beautiful women."
TenTen smirked. He was too bold, even for a nobleman.
"Perhaps," Sakura conceded cautiously, "but wouldn't it be better to pay compliments to the man's wife, instead of young unmarried girls?"
"Ah," Jiraiya exclaimed, leaning forward, "but that takes the fun out of it, doesn't it, Your Highness?"
Neji shifted against TenTen as Jiraiya and Sakura went back and forth, their banter growing increasingly excessive.
TenTen swivelled her head to him, inquiring.
Neji returned her gaze, his white eyes revealing nothing.
"Are you excited for the opera, Ambassador?" TenTen asked, low enough for only Neji to hear.
"I'm not sure what to expect."
"It's very interesting," TenTen assured. "I've been to one before. The costumes are brilliant, vivid things. The actors sing and dance and perform acrobatics. . . It's a wonderful thing, the opera."
"I'm sure I'll enjoy it then, if your opinion of it is so high," Neji replied.
TenTen laughed softly.
"I remember when you would not be so keen to accept my opinion on anything. Have you changed that much in only a few weeks?"
Neji thought over her question for a moment.
"I think it is not I that has changed, just my impression of you."
TenTen frowned slightly.
"You cannot change your impressions of people, Ambassador. They are there from the second you meet someone."
"Fine. Then my feelings for you have changed."
TenTen sharply looked at him.
"And what feelings are those?"
Neji studied her face, thoughtful.
"I no longer see you as an irritable girl." Neji shook his head slightly. "If anything, I consider you a friend."
This was not what TenTen had expected to hear.
Nonetheless, she maintained her composure and primly retorted, "You should step carefully on that front, Ambassador. I have a tendency to disappoint people."
Neji exhaled and glanced at the lights of Beijing.
"We will see."
(1) Hint, hint; nudge, nudge? Get it now?
:)
Ah, it feels good to be back. ;D
Review.