Well, hello, friends.
:)
MetroCon was supreme awesomeness. Really. You all should go next year. I don't care where you live. Start saving now. :D If you wish to read more, I refer you to my author's page where there's a link to dA and livejournal. . . . Go.
Mk, this was written way, way, WAY back in November, and I was like, Hey, Vicissitude, needs a new one-shot, let's search around in the music notebook (that I only write in when ideas strike me and I'm nowhere near my computer)! And also, I was writing ANOTHER one-shot in there, and I came across this, so I decided to finally finish it.
:)
There you are.
TWO magical Charlie-ness updates for you tonight, dears. Rejoice in glee. I dare you.
StrawberrySmoothie99: Thanks! :D
TR: Dude, where the heck is the latest chapter of FS? XD Bittersweet. . . Hm. Good adjective. :D
C.A.M.E.O.1: Thank you!
e1nav57: Hehe. That's okay. :D Eh . . . they deal with it alright. Let's put it this way: It's pure awesomeness when they see each other again. :) Yes! I did. . . Well, sort of. I skipped two or three chapters, but I watched the final episode where he dies. . . I almost started crying. IT WAS SO EPIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But sad. :( Lelouch is amazing. :D What did you think?
:D
This chapter is . . . different.
Read it.
Disclaimer: Kishie, I shall read thy newest chapter after I post!!! I sweareth it!!!! :D
Heartbreak.
"Neji, come on. Just tell me," I requested, catching his wrist.
He stared at me and pried my hand off his wrist.
"Hyugas don't fall in love, TenTen," he murmured seriously.
I snorted.
"I guess you missed that cut off, huh?"
He glared.
"Don't think for a second that I'm in love with you," he told me sharply, eyes burning in anger.
"You're a bad liar," I replied, closing the space between us.
Neji's eyes were tight, furious.
"Stop acting like you know everything!" Neji shouted, pushing my shoulders so I would stumble.
I gritted my teeth.
"If you hate me so much, Neji, then just tell me for Kami's sakes!"
Neji shook his head; he wouldn't do any such thing.
I swallowed, disappointed.
His lack of cooperation frustrated me, but not as much as his indifference and emotionlessness.
But, then again, shinobi weren't supposed to get their hopes up; to only expect change. I had been a fool to let my heart get broken so easily.
Growing desperate, I launched myself at Neji, threw my arms around his neck, and kissed him.
Neji pushed me away once more.
I bit my tongue hard to avoid the tears coming to my eyes.
"I don't want you," Neji told me coldly.
I slapped him across the face. . . Something to do to keep from crying.
I pounded on his chest and blacked his eye and kicked his legs.
But from all my inflicting violence, Neji didn't retract his words.
I lost it.
My tears broke through, sliding down my cheeks uncontrollably.
I wanted to hurt him, the same way he had hurt me. Could he feel the same pain I did?
"I'm in love with you!" I screamed, my voice hoarse and thick as it echoed into the empty air.
Neji remained silent.
"You should leave," he said a few seconds later. "You're drunk."
I slapped him again and my hand stung.
Not a moment later, I was pressed up against the wall of a building.
Neji did not look at me as he placed his mouth on mine.
His kiss was fierce, driving breath from my mouth. I thought I felt his tongue slip past my lips and into my mouth, but it was so quick it could've been less than a dream.
And then I was alone against the building wall, Neji already walking down the street.
I slid to the ground, holding my face in my hands. My eyes were dry, burning in protest from the salt my tears had produced.
I undid my forehead protector and stared at it before casting the thing aside.
If I wasn't a shinobi anymore, I didn't deserve to wear that honored piece of metal.
I stood and went to the Hokage's Tower.
Lady Tsunade and Shizune were still up, playing cards.
"TenTen," said the Fifth Hokage in surprise, "what are you doing here? What's wrong?"
I stole a shallow breath.
"I request that you withdraw me from Team Guy and take away my shinobi title."
Tsunade peered at me, noticing the redness of my face and eyes.
"No," she decided firmly.
"Then I will leave the village, just as Sasuke Uchiha."
"Why?!" demanded Tsunade.
I met her eyes apathetically.
"Please, Hokage-sama. Strip me of my title and let me live peacefully, without all of this stress and difficulty."
Tsunade stared at me for a long time before releasing her answer.
"Is there any other reason, TenTen? A disagreement, maybe?"
"Even if it were, what does it matter?"
Tsunade took a careful glance.
"I do not want you to make a rash decision on emotions and regret it later. Why don't you sleep on it?"
"No!"
My voice rang loudly in the big room.
Shizune jumped.
"You will give what I want. Now!"
Tsunade flinched ever so slightly.
Finally, after several long moments, her head dipped into a low nod.
I moved forward wordlessly and gingerly placed my hitai-ate on her desk.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama," I whispered and turned, leaving the room.
I packed the things I wanted to take with me and gave away the rest of put it up for sale.
I departed the next day, paying the last of my rent before I left Konoha forever.
I did not say goodbyes. If I did, I knew my friends would try and sway my choice.
I did not wish to speak with Neji either.
If he ever wanted to talk to me, he would find me, wherever I was.
And so, with the early light of day, I parted from Konoha, my feet slowly pounding against the dirt of the road as the memories of myself slowly faded away.
I was pleased with the ending, even though it took me a bit to get it out.
:)
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