Next chapter is here, folks :D
ミ コ ト • Mikoto
Chapter 14: Happy Birthday
Previously:
Tenten hugged Neji's arm. "He's going on a date with ME tomorrow!"
I've been trying to avoid Neji-Nii San…but now I have to talk to him.
"Well then…I guess I'll go first then." Neji exhaled. "What do you think of my…engagement?"
"If that's the case, then if I asked you to be with me, would you?" his face went closer to hers.
Tenten then leaned in, and kissed him on the cheek. "Goodnight."
Hinata blinked, and quickly went back the way she came. So that's it…Tenten-San likes Neji-Nii San…!
"The date I went on today…I'd rather have gone on one with you." He whispered.
"It's nothing." I wish it was you who was with me. Not Tenten, or Hanabi.
•
The temperature had definitely dropped since winter started. It even snowed every now and then, and Hinata & Neji would still train, despite the cold weather.
"Hinata-Sama, that's the end of training for today." Neji smiled at her.
She panted, and the young Hyuuga could see her own breath. "Arigato…Neji-Nii San."
The two cousins had restored their friendship, but Neji was still trying to pluck himself out of this strange engagement with her younger sister, Hanabi.
Hinata let out a small gasp. "It's…It's snowing!" she turned, and smiled at Neji. "Neji-Nii San, look!"
He looked up at the sky, and his lips curved into a soft smile. "You're right, it is…"
Delicate snow and snowflakes floated down, and landed gently onto the white blanket. Hinata held out her hand, and saw a snowflake melt before her eyes. "Waah…Kirei!"
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, Hinata-Sama. I never knew you liked snow so much." Neji stood next to her.
"I like snow a lot, however it's quite cold…"
Neji picked up a clump of snow, and threw it at Hinata's back. "Count this as training."
"Neji-Nii San!" she also picked up a pile of snow, and threw it at him. "Take that!"
He dodged. "Missed!"
And the Hyuuga Neji VS Hyuuga Hinata snow fight began.
•
"Hiashi-Sama has returned!" Ko Hyuuga announced, as he arranged for everyone to get into position at the Hyuuga gates to welcome the head of the clan.
The elders against Hiashi's choice of Neji being with Hinata panicked. "Oh no! If Hiashi's back, that means our plans are foiled!"
"Yes, and that darn Neji kept avoiding everyone in the Hyuuga, so he wouldn't have to attend to the engagement ceremony!" complained another.
"What should we do then…?" questioned one.
Everyone then heard footsteps coming closer, and the Hyuugas all immediately scurried into their designated place. "Okaerinasai, Hiashi-Sama!"
Hinata's powerful father walked through the gates, and simply nodded. "Thank you." He then proceeded to his room. "Hinata, tea please. Ko, run the hot water. And Neji, come see me when you're free. I hear you've got urgent news you wish to tell me."
"Hai, of course." Neji nodded, but kept his head low into the bow.
An elder started, "But, Hiashi-Sama, we also need to-"
Hiashi raised one hand. "First come, first serve."
Everyone then departed, and did their own things; while Hinata prepared the tea for her father, Ko got the hot water up and running for Hiashi's bath, and Neji fast-walked to Hiashi's room, then knocked on his door.
"Lord Hiashi? It's Neji."
"I was expecting you. Come in." Hiashi instructed. "Now, what is it you wish to speak to me about?"
"Well, you see…"
Neji explained about the whole engagement thing with him, Hanabi, and the Elders. He also filled Hiashi in with a status report of Hinata's progress in training.
Hiashi froze. "The Elders…made a decision without my approval?"
Neji nodded. "Afraid so."
"This is outrageous!"
"Indeed it is, Hiashi-Sama." agreed Neji.
There was a light knock on the door. "Excuse me, I've brought the tea." Hinata then walked in, and placed the tea tray next to her father. She was about to leave, when Hiashi said, "Hinata, my daughter…stop."
"What is it, Father?" she looked at him.
"I'd like you to hear this as well."
Hinata sat down, next to Neji, and listened.
"I'm going to cancel this absurd engagement which involved Neji and Hanabi, but no doubt, the elders will again talk to me about engagements again, and what other suitable fiancé from the Hyuuga, but Neji?"
"…I'm not quite sure what you're getting at." Neji's eyebrows furrowed.
"Me too…Otou-Sama, please explain it to us." Hinata asked, shyly.
Hiashi lowered his voice. "I'm asking for you two to get engaged together instead."
"Nani?!" The two were taken aback.
Hiashi sighed. "You see, your father, Neji, Hizashi and I were planning from the start that we wanted Main & Branch families to come together as one. However, there have been many things happening, and there were quite a lot of objections to this, which is why it has been postponed for so long. But now, with you two, if you two are to marry, then the main and branch can come together as one."
"N-Neji-Nii San…and me?!" Hinata blushed so hard, she thought she was going to faint.
Neji just blinked a couple times. I can't believe my ears… He then remembered one of his thoughts. 'If Hinata-Sama and I were ever to be engaged…then I would definitely take the chance to make her mine.' Neji hid a smile behind his 'shocked' face. Could this be…destiny?
"What do you two say?" Hiashi looked at his daughter and nephew.
Neji was about to state that he agrees, but then Hinata spoke up, "I-I'm deeply sorry, Father, but I don't think I'm ready yet…!"
Hiashi laughed, and drank some tea. "I never said it had to be real. Think of it as a façade. All you two need to do is pretend you're engaged to each other, when you're actually not."
Neji folded his arms. "Well, if that's the case, then I accept."
Hinata's face was still red, but she agreed to help her father out anyways.
Hinata was then dismissed, and Neji continued to explain Hinata's improvement to Hiashi. Hiashi seemed to be impressed enough. "My, that sounds greats. It brings me happiness when I see her improvement."
"Yes, it does make you happy, doesn't it…" Neji was mainly thinking about himself.
"Well, thank you, Neji. You're dismissed."
Neji bowed, then left the room. He walked back to his own room, going around, and turning corners to reach his room. Neji flopped out onto the bed, and sighed, "Why does it have to be a fake relationship? ...I'd rather it be real with Hinata-Sama."
•
Hinata arose in the morning, smiling as she watched the falling snow from outside her window. "Today…it's the 27th of December."
She tilted her head to the side. I wonder if anyone remembers…?
The Hyuuga heiress then heard a knock on her door, and she opened it. "Yes?"
"Tanjoubi omedetou, Hinata-Sama!" A bouquet of white lilies was presented to her.
She blinked, and took the bouquet. "You remembered, Neji-Nii San?"
Neji smiled at her warmly. "Of course."
Hinata then paused, and looked at the time. "Oh my gosh! Is this about me waking up late for the training session?!"
He laughed. "No. You don't have a training session today, because it's your birthday."
"Eh?! Wouldn't that be called 'slacking off'?!" she gasped.
"Not at all. It's called a reward. Or, a break, if you must." He smiled. "Now, come with me." He grabbed her hand, and started to walk down the Hyuuga corridors.
"Demo, Neji-Nii San, I'm still in my sleepwear!"
He just threw a blanket on top of her, and dragged her out of the Hyuuga gates. "Quickly, we're in a rush."
"?"
They continued to walk through Konohagakure, and even through the forest.
"Neji-Nii San, where are you taking me?"
"You'll see when you get there."
•
~Before~
"Neji-Nii Sama, are those flowers for me?" Hanabi tugged onto his sleeve.
"No, they're not for you." Replied Neji, coldly.
"Then who? I should be the one to receive them, because I'm your fiancée!" Hanabi pouted.
"They're for your sister."
"Hinata!?" Hanabi blinked.
"You don't know what day it is, do you…?" he sighed.
"Hm? Nani?"
"It's your older sister's birthday today." He groaned.
"Oh! Of course I knew that! I was just pretending I didn't know, to test you!" Hanabi replied.
"Riiight. Anyways, I must go." He ditched the little Hyuuga, and made his way to Hinata's room.
•
~After~
"Did you see that?" an Elder shook the other Elder's shoulder.
"…I hope that was just a daydream." mumbled the second Elder.
"Yes…"
"No, it was reality." smiled Hiashi.
"What?" The two Elders glanced at Hiashi, shocked.
"Oh, didn't I tell you?" Hiashi smirked. "Neji and Hinata are engaged as fiancé and fiancée."
"But Hiashi-Sama, what about Hanabi?!" the first asked.
"Ah, yes…I leave it to you two to inform her about the changes then." Hiashi walked away, secretly thinking, It sucks to be you.
•
Hinata thought she was dreaming. "This is…it's…it's amazing!"
Neji laughed. "I'm glad you like it. It took me a while to do."
The two were looking at a display of ice statues, shaped into a lot of different things. It was glistening in the light, however since the sun was out high, the ice started to melt.
"Neji-Nii San, you did all of this…for me?" Hinata looked at him.
"Of course. It's your birthday after all." Neji had a soft look on his face.
She felt a tear slide down her cheek, and she hugged him. "Arigato, Neji-Nii San!"
This is the best day of my life…!
Neji was a tad shocked at the sudden gesture, but slowly hugged back. "Douitashimashite…" As long as I see your smile, I'll do anything for you.
-End Of Chapter 13-
Japanese Translations:
Arigato-Thank you
Kirei-Beautiful
Okaerinasai-Welcome back
Hai-Yes
Nani-What
Tanjoubi omedetou-Happy Birthday
Demo-But
Douitashimashite-You're welcome
•
14th chapter finished :)
ミ コ ト • Mikoto
•
See that little button down there that says 'Review'? Much appreciated if you click it! ^_^