Adopted love Chapter 25: Neji's past, a naruto fanfic

Neji Hyuuga, 6"3 , lavendar eyes, dark brown hair, muscular body, amazing smile, sexy voice, broad shoulders, kissable lips, taunt stomach, strong legs, warm arms, gentle, funny, kind, considerate, strong, fast, agile, good-hearted and mine.

"What are you thinking about?" Neji asked gazing into my face

"Nothing" i said grinning at him

"It must have been an amazing nothing" Neji bit into his toast "Your grinning like a cheshire cat!"

Did i mention Good looking, sexy and funny?

I had woken up this morning to find a note by my head and a glass of orange juice on the desk with my name on it, Literally it had a little post it note on the side of the glass, the note read:

Morning sleepy head,

You do like to sleep don't you?, have you got another boyfriend in the land of nod? (haha)

If you wake up and im not there (which im guessing you have otherwise i would have screwed this note up and woken you in a much nicer way)

Don't panic, im in the shower, if you listen carefully you can probably hear my aweful singing -

...

I looked away from the note and strained to hear, yes i could hear him singing, how cute!.

... ..

...

Okay, you can stop perving on me in the shower now.

Be back soon!

Neji x

I listened to him singing in the shower a bit more when i noticed a bit of writing on the back of the note:

P.s. I said stop perving on me in the shower! x

I laughed, he knew me so well.

I started to look around for a brush, i found 8 paper clips, 3 socks and an old paperless notepad but not brush or comb. He needed to get his priorities straight!. I finally found the brush, on top of a notebook in his drawer.

Now im not a nosey person normally but for some reason i found it extremely hard to just close the drawer without having a peak inside the notebook, i managed to close the drawer and brush my hair but it kept niggling away at me before i wrenched it open and took out the book super quick. I flicked through a few pages keeping an ear out incase the shower turned off.

A page caught my eye and i returned to hit hastily, it was like a small scrapbook page, there were a few pictures cut into different shapes, just random heads stuck to the page, random words like in magazines and places of the world all stuck down in a collage form. I smiled as i saw trademark names, he had a picture of me laughing and a small purple heart next to it. Cute.

I turned the page and saw writing, a few lines dead in the centre of the page, i read through it and realised it was a poem.

The warmth that chills me

i do adore the

its you who thrills me

I cannot leave the

Those eyes that strike me

you cannot spike me

But do i love the?

I do adore the

Above all i know

If i were to let you go

Mountains would fall, hell would rise

The end is inevitable, Love is endless

I could feel tears prickling in my eyes, that poem had been so beautiful but the thing that had pushed me over the edge was the title at the top of the page:

Tenten- i think i love you

I heard the shower turn off and i closed the notebook and put it back in the drawer, i put the brush on top of it as i had found it and closed the drawer. My eyes were still sparkling with tears as he walked in, i looked down to hide it and pretended to be fiddling with my hair clip.

My boyfriend was a poet, a beautiful writer and he had written a poem dedicated to me!. I was the luckiest girl alive!.

"Hey, you got my note i see" he said grinning

"Yep, thanks for that" i said my voice a little thicker then usual due to the tears, i hoped he'd put it down to sleep.

"Are you okay?" Neji asked

I think it was brave of him after the phone conversation the day before. Considering last time he had asked i started blathering on about my period!. I assured him i was okay and even flashed him a smile. Fair enough it was a watery one, but better then no smile at all right?.

Neji nodded and opened his drawer to get his brush, he looked down at the drawer for a second and my heart pounded in my chest so loud i was sure he could hear it, he bent down and retrieved the brush and slowley closed the drawer after him. I let out a whoosh of air that i had been holding in without realisation. Why did i feel so guilty about seeing it, he wouldnt get mad at me, i was sure of it but there is just something about how personal it felt, how intimate it felt.

It was like he'd splashed his heart onto a page and titled it 'Tenten - i think i love you', It was amazing and i felt so proud to be the centre of someone's attention like that but there was no way i was going to admit to seeing it, if he wanted me to see it he would have shown it to me. Maybe he wasnt in that place yet where he was able to share all his emotions and feelings with me.

I would wait, and when he finally showed it to me, if ever he did, im sure i would feel comfortable and confident enough to take out relationship to the next level. That would be just the boost i needed, to know that he trusted me enough to pour his emotions into me, to lay all his cards on the table, to show me a chunk of him nobody else got to see.

I nodded to myself. That was what i'd do.

He was brushing through his long hair when Hinata had knocked on the door with a plate piled high with toast and 2 drinks, he had accepted thankfully and we were just begining to eat them. I couldn't stop thinking about Neji.

"Are you looking forward to the 'mission' then?" I asked through buttery toast

"If it means i get to spend 2 days, 1 night, in a hot spring with you then yes im looking forward to it" He grinned "However if it means you and Sakura get to hang out and im stuck with the hippies i will kill myself"

I laughed as he tried not to smile. It creeped up on him and he ended up grinning like a mad man, i watched the way his smile pulled at his cheeks and slightly slanted his eyes, it made me smile.

"What are you smiling at?" He asked suspiciously

"Im smiling because you are" I said smiling wider

My jaw was begining to ache but i couldnt stop it!.

"Thats the most barbaric thing i've ever heard!" Neji insisted

"Smiles are contagious!" i said looking at him directly with my grin

His lips twitched like he wanted to laugh, he pulled them into a tight line trying to prove me wrong, his chin began to wobble with the effort of it and after another 4 seconds of intense smouldering he gave in. He showed me his beautiful pearly whites, proving me correct!

"Told yoooou!" i sang

"You have a beautiful voice" Neji said suprising me

I blushed a shade of dark red, i could feel the hit burning my cheeks and the bridge of my nose, i looked down at my toast to conceale the glow i was giving off.

"Thanks" i mumbled embarrassedly

"Do you want to go to a karaoke tonight?" Neji asked

My eyes widened and i shook my head vemenantly, Neji looked put out. I took his hand over the table to reassure him that it wasnt him i didnt want to see, it was the karaoke i didnt want to go to.

"I don't like karaokes" i said softly "All those people screeching down mikes, thinking they can sing!"

"But you CAN sing!" Neji said squeezing my hand

"Not even that well" i said in denial

"You won Konoha's best in black competition with your singing" Neji reminded me

"Yeah and i was nervous as hell!" i said

"But you did it in the end didnt you" I considered this before i nodded slowley "And did you feel good about it?"

I nodded again

"So.. your going to come with me to the karaoke, i promise I wont laugh at you"

"Thanks for that" i said sarcastically

"So your going to come?" Neji asked again

"I don't really think i should..." i said shrugging

"But you going to right?" Neji asked smiling

"Nope"

"Okay we shall leave at 5"

I grinned at him across the table, he was such a cheeky little!

I finished my toast and put my hair up into my clip again. When i looked at the time i was shocked into gaping silence.

"Neji its 2pm!" i exclaimed "What will Gai think?"

Neji winked and i groaned into the table, i looked up again and he waggled his eyebrows. "Stop it!" i squealed

"Just preparing you for what you'll get from him" Neji said innocently

"Hey, its you who missed training! i wasnt even schedualed to be going" i said smiling sweetly

There was a creak from outside his door, Neji tensed and i glanced his way wondering what was wrong. The door slowley opened and Hiashi stood there looking pale and groggy.

"Why's the bitch back?" Hiashi asked in a slurred voice

He was stood a good 20 feet away but i could smell the stink of alcohol on him as strongly as if he had been sitting on top of me. I looked over at Neji, his eyes had hardened.

I felt like something bad was going to happen.

Don't you hate it when your right.

Hiashi sauntered into the room, the effect was lost as he hit into the door frame and his saunter turned into a drunken stumble. He reached for my face, Neji was holding himself very still. Creepily still.

"Hiashi, what are you doing?" Neji asked a steely edge to his voice

"Shut up boy" he mumbled still reaching

His cold sweaty hand touched my cheek and i recoiled, it felt disgusting. Hiashi's face twisted into a snarl as i leaned away from him, his hand rose, my mind was trying to piece together what was happening, there was no way Hiashi Hyuuga king of the Hyuuga royal family was going to hit me.. but what was he doing?

His hand swung down towards my face, i was in total shock, i couldnt move could only stare and wait for contact. Neji jumped up and grabbed Hiashi's arm before it could make contact with with me. He swung with such force Neji flew to the floor.

Hiashi grabbed the front of my shirt in his fist and yanked me off the bed.

"Stupid bitch, none of you women are any good" Hiashi spat

"Put her down" Neji rose glaring at Hiashi

Hiashi threw me onto the bed and turned to Neji and back handed him round the face, the noise echoed through the house loudly.

"I said shut up"

Hiashi staggered out of the room

I laid on the bed shocked. Neji slowley brought himself over to sit next to me, his head band was wonky, i was about to tell him when i noticed something on his forehead, i wasnt sure what it was.

"You have something on your forehead" i said staring not wanting to think about what happened

Neji ignored me, he was staring at the empty door, i was reminded of after Ino's party when he had behaved like this.

"Neji.."

"Im done.. Im not doing this anymore" Neji shook his head " I cant do this anymore"

"What are you talking about?" i asked bewildered

"No more training, no more missions, no more team Gai, no more ninja"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Its not who i am. Its not me!"

"B-but your Neji Hyuuga, strong and agile. Your an amazing ninja." i demanded

"No thats not who i am, thats my label.. Hyuuga, with the weird eyes, fast and powerful" He pulled at his head band to reveal a tatoo like mark on his forehead "Does this look powerful to you?"

He envoked his Byakugan and wrinkles appeared, veins popping out by his eyes. I stared at the simple tatoo confused.

"Im trapped, as long as im a ninja im not Me, im a Hyuuga, controlled by the family... Kept by the family"

My mind flashed to last night, me waiting for him, he had been with Hiashi. . . I felt sick.

"what was Hiashi talking to you about yesterday?" i asked in a whisper

Neji looked away ashamed "He told me i couldn't leave and find my own place, that it would be dangerous for me, he said people would come like they did for Hinata, like they did for my father"

"Neji thats not true!" i argued "Your not some dog Hiashi can keep"

"Tenten, im not free" He shook his head " I've been living this life thats been made for me, this whole thing its a facade!"

his words rang in my ears

I shook my head "Theres no way, you've done so many good things, enjoyed so much"

"I was in denial Tenten, all these years i've been known as the bastard child of the royal family, im stronger then anyone here but they can cripple me with one look know why?"

He pressed his finger to the tatoo on his forehead harshly.

"This is my curse" He brought his hand down "I live to serve the main family"

I went over and sat next to him, i'd never even realised. All these weeks i'd been thinking about myself Neji had been faling into a deep dark hole.

"Hiashi started calling me to his office 3 days ago... "

I thought back and remembered the creepy spaced out look Neji had shown that night when i needed to get my stitches re-done, the night of Ino's party. But he'd been fine before. . . he'd been having fun during the party.

I thought of his hostility when that jerk had spilt a drink over me, the way he paced in the kitchen, the anger i felt rolling off him in hot waves, that wasnt Neji. He was upset that night, i could see it now, he's good at hiding it but we all slip up sometimes.

"... He knew that i was planning something"

I rubbed his back soothingly as silent tears dripped down my face at Neji's distress.

"So i told him, i wanted to move out"

"And he refused" i whispered

Neji nodded slowley "at first he tried to scare me with stories of rogue ninja, revenge that sort of thing and when that didnt work" His lips twisted bitterly "He had another party trick up his sleeve"

"The curse mark" i said looking at it, it was like a tatoo, simple, one X and two Lines, one either side.

Neji nodded "I got it when i was 4 years old, the day Hinata turned 3, as a member of the branch family i was seen as inferior to the main family no matter how many times i tried to prove myself"

He shook

"My father protested, he said i was only a child and was already surpassing all of the main branch family members, Hiashi did not like this, and he used everything at his disposal to shut my father, and his twin brother up. The first time i'd ever seen the workings of the curse was a few days after my father Hizashi and Hiashi fought over me, i found my father crippled on the floor, his eyes buldged and throbbing, his jaw doslocated and his veins swollen"

Neji looked down into his lap

"It was all down to Hiashi, he had used the curse mark.I found out that day why it was so feared among my people, it killed the brain cells of those who wear it and dulls their powers"

Neji shook his head "My father never had a chance, it wasnt fair... this isnt fair"

I didnt know what to say, all this was so new to me it was hard to take it or not i had never seen this mark on him before, it was always covered with a hat, a band his forehead protecter or his hair.

"Neji im so sorry" i said awkwardly "I never realised"

"How could you have,,, when it comes to my personal life im a closed book" he shrugged

"Neji, you can't let this ruin you" i grabbed his hand in mine "You ARE amazing and talented, just because they can't see it doesnt mean others cant"

"I don't know if this is what i want..." He looked confused "I don't know whats real anymore and whats being controlled"

"Im real" i said softly

"How do i know your not doing this to trick me?, how do i know Hiashi hasnt put you up to this?" Neji asked crazily

I stayed silent, in shock.

He sighed and shook his head "Im sorry Tenten, i didnt mean to accuse you"

"Neji, im real, your team.. its real, our love for you is real and your talent is real" I took his hand and squeezed it "The only thing Hiashi cares about is making sure you don't try to take over"

Neji looked dizzy, he threw himself back onto the bed, his legs dangling down.

"Im over-reacting?" Neji asked quietly

"No, definitaly not, what he's doing to you is wrong. . but your doing exactly what he wants, he wants to eliminate the threat, he wants to break you" I leaned down and kissed him on the cheek "I know your stronger then that"

Neji nodded and wiped his eyes.

I took his hand and held it to my heart. It was beating double time at the thought of Neji not being in my team anymore, not being happy anymore.

"Neji, please re-consider"

"Your right, thats what he wants, he wants me to give up" Neji sat up looking strong "Thank you Tenten"

He pulled me into a hug and i smiled thankfully over his shoulder as i hugged him back. Peace was restored.

Too bad i had to ruin it again, now he had told me a little i needed all the facts.

Once Neji had calmed down a little i asked him if he would answer a few of my questions, he nodded looking around, i passed him his head band back and he gladly covered up his tatoo. He looked much more relaxed when it was covered.

"Why did you get the mark?" i asked

"Its been a rule in my clan for centuries, The main family or 'royal' family as they call themselves mark us branch family members with this curse seal to keep control over us, when i was born i was no threat to the family, i didn't get my tatoo until i was 4 years old, on Hinata's 3rd birthday. Because she was the heiress to the main family i was seen as a threat, i was stronger then she was and Hiashi didnt like it"

"So he gave you the tatoo?"

"Yes, all members of the branch family eventually get a tatoo, usually when the youngest of the royal family turns three"

"So what does it do exactly?"

Neji sat silently for a few seconds and i re-assured him that he didnt have to tell me if he didnt want to. He smiled at me and decided to carry on.

"All royal family members know a seal that activates these marks, they can dull our powers, make us weak, kill our brain cells, but the best thing about it in their eyes is that when we die the Byakugan dies with us, no-one can learn the secrets of our clans power"

"So you're stuck with that horrible mark until you die?" i asked shocked

"Yes, and at anytime it can be activated and i would be left vulnerable" Neji said "Thats what i worry about, somebody having that power over me, abusing that power"

I nodded, i understood what he meant, he didnt like having no control.

"I think its wrong" i said shaking my head "Why should they get this power when they're no better then you?"

Neji looked thoughtful for a second, a memory came to my head.

"But wait... if the royal family have this power over you then why didnt Hinata use it against you in the chunnin exams?" i asked confused

"Hinata isnt like the rest of them . . . she doesn't abuse the power she has over me, she treats me as an equal not a servant"

I started to like Hinata a whole lot more, i also had way more respect for her then i had before.

"She gets shit from her father all the time but she resists" Neji smiled

"Its good you have somebody thats there for you in the house" i said

Neji nodded "Hinata's nice but i just want to get away from it all"

"Well . . the mission.." i said grinning

Neji shook his head smiling, he held his hands up in surrender "Okay i'll go"

I gave him a quick peck on the cheek before standing up quickly. I looked at my watch: 3:55pm. Plenty of time.

"Get dressed and lets go" i headed to the door "I'l wait for you downstairs"

"Where are we going?" Neji asked confused

"The karaoke!" i said beaming

"But i thought you didnt want to go?" Neji asked standing up incertainly

"I changed my mind" I swung round the door and made my way to the door "Hurry up before i change it back" i called

I could hear Neji's laugh as i descended the dreary steps.

Being in the vast foyer alone was unerving especially when i feared Hiashi could appear at any moment, i sat with my back against the wall below eye level hoping he wouldn't see me if he did stumble out again.

Ten minutes had passed when Neji came down the stairs in brown cargo pants and a white tank top with a green button shirt over the top, he left the top hanging open, nice view.

"Okay, we'll go to mine, i'll get changed and then we can go" i smiled as i pulled on my shoes and coat

Neji handed me my bag "You always leave things"

i smiled taking it "An exscuse to come back"

Neji grinned and helped me into my second sleeve. I reached for the door handle and pulled open the door. The sun burnt my eyes.

"Wow its bright" i said as we left the house

Neji laughed and made a comment about moaning old women, i hit him on the arm and it was like nothing had happened. It was like Neji left the house and was fine, it must really get him down when he's at home.

"So your going to sing tonight?" Neji asked as we walked

I shrugged "Who knows"

I looked left and right before crossing the street, Neji took my hand as we stepped off the curb. "I think you should"

I glanced over at him "Would it make you happy?"

He laughed "Im happy if you are"

I nodded ahead of me as we turned left onto the street that lead to main, i peeked into Yamanaka flowers and saw Ino behind the counter, i sent her a smile as we walked by, she waved at me looking bored, her white plastic like apron shone as the sun hit it.

"So how long do you think you'll be getting ready?" Neji asked

"Not long" i said shrugging

"When girls say not long, they mean long" Neji said laughing

"Maybe.. 35 minutes" i said trying to think of what i had to do

"Oh...My...God." Neji shook his head "I thought you said NOT long"

"Its short for me"

We crossed over onto main and began the walk down the wide busy street. I checked my phone screen, it was 4:25, by the time i was ready it would be around 5, perfect timing or what?.

"What have you got to do?" he asked

"Just change, and do my hair, and make-up... and perfume.. and acessorise" I listed

"Is that all?" Neji said weakly

"Well if im getting up on stage i want to look my best" i said defensively

"They judge on personality and voice not outfit"

"But looking nice helps" i added

"If you think so.." Neji squeezed my hand

"I do"

We came to the end of main street and crossed the road onto my street, I knew Gai wouldn't be back until 6, he was working at the hospital today volunteering in the kitchen for the dinner shift.

"What are you going to sing then?"

I shook my head "I didnt say i'd sing!"

Neji bumped his shoulders into mine and i smiled up at him "Maybe i'll do a small song.."

Neji did a little fist pump and i laughed as i held the door open for him and walked to the stair well.

"You'll be fine" Neji said re-assurringly

I took out my door key and unlocked the door, as i walked into the apartment i had the feeling that someone was in there, i thought of Gai but i was absolutely sure he wouldnt be home yet. I looked around, i was straining all my senses, something didnt feel right. Anxiety strummed through me.

Neji fidgeted behind me and i realised i was blocking the doorway, i stepped aside and peeked into the kitchen, empty. Neji went and sat on the sofa leaning his head back, i turned the bathroom light on and checked it out. Empty.

I opened Gai's room door quickly and found it empty, i closed it with a sigh. Nobody was here. I went into my room, Not empty.

I let out a tiny shriek as someone grabbed my wrist and yanked, a hand smothered mine and a harsh SSSH followed. The door swung shut and i looked up at my attacker. Sakura.

"Oh my god! you scared the bejeebers outta me!" i sighed in relief

There was a knock at the door "Are you okay?" Neji called

"Yeah, sorry i gor freaked out over a.." Sakura made a hand guesture of something crawling up the wall "Mould spot!"

Sakura face palmed, I shrugged with a grin.

"I meant spider" she whispered

"Oh well!" i opened my wardrobe door and peeked inside looking for my dark skinny jeans.

"Going on a date?" Sakura asked in a hushed tone

"Going to the karaoke, not really a date.. he wants me to sing" i said pulling the jeans out

"Your an amazing singer" Sakura said smiling

"Thanks but - Wait a minute... why are you here?"

Sakura grinned heatedly "I wondered how long i would get before you asked"

I laughed trying to stay quiet, last thing i wanted was for Neji to hear me laughing and talking to myself.

"Kakashi asked me to sneak into Gai's apartment, Gai stole Kakashi's Icha Icha again" Sakura opened her bag and pulled out a book

"How much he paying you?"

"3,324.52 yen"

"He really likes them books" i said shaking my head

I pulled out a white strappy shirt that was corset like with straps to secure it, Sakura nodded at it. "Thats nice"

"Thanks"

I pulled off my dress and sprayed some deodrant on my body, Sakura handed me a perfume bottle from my shelf and i spritzed it.

"How did you get in?" i asked pulling on my jeans.

I wasnt self concious in front of Sakura, she'd seen me naked more times then i'd liked to comment when i was in the hospital, atleast now i had underwear on!. Anyway she always kept a cool demure which made me feel comfortable.

"Gai left his window open" Sakura said

"I keep telling him not to do that!" i said zipping up the jeans and doing up the button.

"It was easy enough for me to just crawl inside" Sakura said truthfully

"I'll tell him again tomorrow"

I put on the shirt and Sakura zipped me up at the back. "Thanks"

I started to brush my hair and then decided to put it up, i was going to put it in a ponytail, then i decided on a clip, followed by a head band. I fussed over it but it didnt look right.

"Here i have a cool knew hairstyle" Sakura said reaching for my hair

She did a french-braid that started at the top right of my head, followed the curve and ended by my ear on my left side, my fringe was left out and 2 little bang bits of hair. It was sophisticated but also playful. I loved it.

"You've got to show me how to do this!" i gushed looking at it

"You can also put your hair like that and if you leave it for 8 hours or sleep with it like that in the morning when you take it out you'll have nice loose curls" Sakura said

"Without curling irons?" i asked astonished

"Yep no need for any heat" Sakura said stroking her hair randomly

I pulled out my black heeled strappy shoes and put my blue coat back on, it was cold-ish outside and was likely to get worse as the night progressed.

"I have to go" i said looking at the clock in my room

"Okay, i'll just slip out after you've left" Sakura said

"Okey dokey"

I waved goodbye, grabbed my bag and left the room, Neji stood and smiled at me. In my heels i was just about the same height as him, it felt good.

"Nice hair" Neji said

"Thanks Sakura did it" i said laughing casually

"What?" Neji asked

"I mean Sakura taught me." I covered up

Neji nodded and we headed back out. Off to the Karaoke, but was i going to sing?.

Find out next time! Mwahaha

Hey guys,

Random ending i know but i have a whole chapter planned for next time! :D

Just wanted to say that french braid = curls thing is true, its really good for when you don't wanna use heat appliances!, also just to stop confusion 3,324.52 yen = around 25 pounds or roughly 40 dollars.

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!. Im gonna do shout outs again next time so if you want one you know the drill! ;D.

Till next time guys,

Much Love

Temari93 x