Crimson Love
Wow… this was a pathetically quick update… sigh… But I love y'all!
Plus I had this chapter (and the next one) written out for some time, now.
Kyuubi: Yeah like, three weeks.
Ouchies… I have blisters on my ankles… Note to self: Never go out of the house without socks.
Kyuubi: They didn't need to know that.
Chapter Thirteen: Neji vs. Shizuka
(Sakura's diary)
Dear Diary,
That's so weird; I haven't written "Dear Diary" in ages. Oh well. I decided to start a diary, since this has got to be one of the most exciting school years of my life. When I told Ukon I was going to be keeping one, he said it was a good idea, and I said maybe he should, too, but he said "Guys don't keep diaries" so I said to just keep a journal, and he said ok. I don't really believe him (I think he just said it to pacify me) but oh well.
I just got back from another date with him; he took me to see Downfall, a movie about Hitler. He offered to take me to see something else, but I could tell he wanted to see Downfall, since it was a German movie. It wasn't so bad, actually. Afterwards, we went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner; I got Tangerine chicken and Wonton soup, and he got pork Lo Mein and Sweet-and-sour soup. He let me try some of his, and it was a lot better then mine, so I might get that next time (mental note).
We hardly ever talk on the ride home; either we're tired, or we just sit quietly, with my head on his shoulder and his arm around me. Sometimes, one of us will say something, but the rest of the time, it's just comfy silence. This time, though, he asked about when I was little, and I realized I hadn't told him anything about myself when we were talking at the ice rink a few weeks ago, so I told him, and I was really proud of myself, since I didn't cry once when I told him about my dad. I'm still kind of getting used to the fact that he died, even though it happened when I was seven, and I told Ukon, and he understood, and gave me a nice, big, hug and I felt better.
Ukon just called. He wanted to know about the sleepover we're planning at Hinata's house on Friday. I told him not to worry about Shizuka, since Tayuya was invited, as well, and he seemed pretty relieved. He told me he's burning me another CD, since he didn't get too many good songs on the last one, apparently. (I think it's just an excuse to give me another mushy song –Insert smiley face-) He ended the conversation with "Love you" instead of "Bye" like he always does, and I panicked for a split second before I said "Love you, too" and hung up.
Insert twenty minutes of silence while I think about that (seriously), and I decided it was true: I do love him. At first I just said it so he wouldn't get offended, but it was true.
YAY! UKON SAID HE LOVED ME!
Ukon loves me, Ukon loves me, Ukon Loves me!
Dear Diary,
UKON KISSED ME!
WEEEEEEEEE!
It was so awesome! Ino and I talked about kissing once when we were little, and we thought it was kind of gross and never talked about it again, but it's not gross at all! He was walking me up to the door when he was dropping me off after school, and as I was saying good bye, he just put his arm around me, leaned down, and kissed me! Then he smiled at me, said good bye, kissed my forehead, and left.
When I went inside, I must have looked really surprised, because Mom asked me what was wrong, and I said 'nothing' and ran upstairs and got my diary.
Oh my gosh I have to call Ino and tell her! She's going to be so proud of me!
Dear Diary,
Kimimaro's upset he can't come to the sleepover. He's spent most of the past two days when we were planning it in a state of total despair. I pointed out that it was a girl's sleepover, and he wouldn't have any fun, anyway, and he gave me this look. Then I asked if he wanted to come so he could see Ino in her pajamas and his entire face nearly exploded from blushing so much. Then Shizuka said Kimimaro could sleep in her room, if he wanted, while she was gone, and this only served to make him even more depressed. When I asked why, she said it was probably because he still sleeps in her room sometimes when he gets lonely.
Neji's head nearly exploded.
Speaking of Neji, he and Gaara seem to have developed a kind of friendship. Apparently, Gaara wants to try out for the soccer team, so Neji is teaching him some stuff, and acting like he's on cloud 9 while he is. That boy is just too in love with soccer. Oh well. Wonder how he knew Gaara wanted to try out…
Ino, Hinata and I were talking on three-way calling the other day, after we started planning the sleepover, and we all agreed on something: Neither Shizuka or Neji are walking away from this thing single.
HELL, NO, THEY ARE NOT!
(End Sakura's Diary)
(Ukon's Journal)
November 23, 2004, 3:02 A.M.
I can't fuckin' sleep, dammit. I had another nightmare, and I started to call Sakura so I could talk about it, but she's probably asleep, so I went to talk to Sakkon, just to talk about shit, but he's asleep too. So I went to check on Shizuka and Kimimaro, in case one of them were awake, but they were both sleep in Shizuka's bed; it was actually kind of cute, in a weird, sibling kind of way.
But then, I got in a bad mood, since everyone was asleep the one time I actually wanted to talk to them, so I went and made myself something to eat then went back to my room and got my journal out. Sakura told me I should keep one, but I don't really see the point.
Wow. I can make really good grilled cheese sandwiches.
Anyway, I asked her why I should, and she told me "Just because," and I asked her if she wanted to read it, or something, after I was finished, and she went a little pink and said No, since "diaries are private". I pointed out that I wasn't keeping a diary, but that seemed to be beside the point.
Right at the moment, though, I'm out of things to write about, so I'm going to go work on Sakura's CD. I found a new song to put in there, and the lyrics are kind of cool, so I'm putting a copy in here. (And not 'cool' like, 'death sentence' cool; 'cool' like, 'Holy shit, this is how I feel')
Actually, looking at this CD, I found a bunch of songs I like for her, so I'm copying all the ones I like down.
"Be"
If the tears
Should ever cloud your eyes
If the rain
Should ever darken
The skies above you
You'll be alright
'Cause I'm here, I'm here
And I'll turn your
Grey skies back to blue
'Cause there's nothing
I won't do for you
(Chorus)
Just a whisper away
I'm closer to you
Than the air that you breathe
Believe me it's true
I will never leave
I promise to you
Forever, forever we will be
If tomorrow
Feels like a lonely room
Without someone
There holding you
Know you'll be alright
I'll be at your side
At your side
Hold on tight
You know I'll never be too far
'Cause I wrote this promise
On your heart
(Chorus)
Whenever you're
Stranded in the cold
Remember my love's an overcoat
I'm here to keep you
Safe in my arms
Where you belong
(Chorus)
Whenever you're afraid
I'll be your hiding place
I won't be late for you
(Chorus)
"You"
Me,
It was always all about me
My job, my plans, my time
That's all I cared about
Myself, I only need myself
To get me through my life
But suddenly I found... That...
(Chorus)
I want, I need
I crave, I breathe
I feel, I hold
I dream, I know
I trust, I love
You
Life, I'm just discovering life
How magical it is
Because of all you are
These days,
I wake up and I'm amazed
How much I want to give
Since you touched my heart
(Chorus)
(Bridge)
It wasn't luck
It wasn't fate (No it wasn't fate)
There's just one reason my world's changed
(One reason my world's changed it was you)
(Chorus)
Speaking of Sakura… the other day, she called me, and she seemed, like, really upset, and she told me her mom was going steady with this guy, and I asked if she didn't like the guy or something, and she said that wasn't it, and I asked "Well, what is it, then?" and she said she thought her mom was trying to replace her dad, and then she started crying, and I felt really bad, since it was over the phone, and there's only so much you can do to comfort someone over the phone, but after a while, she seemed to have cheered up, just from having talked about it. But I think I'll go out tomorrow morning and get her something, and I'm putting this song in, to make her feel better.
"Calling Down An Angel"
You're afraid, it's all come down
To this place where dreams have fallen to the ground
Just look up, you'll make it through
'Cause there's a heavenly being
That's watching over you
(Chorus)
Calling down an angel who will
help you believe
Sending out a prayer, I'm down on my knees
Reaching up to heaven knowing you will someday see
There's hope beyond the struggle
Just hold on
I'm calling down an angel
It's not too late, it's almost over
If you'll just wait you'll feel it lifting off your shoulders
So keep believing, the sun always
promises a new day
It'll stop the rain, break the chains
And chase the pain away
(Chorus)
You've been trying to be so strong
You've been waiting for so long
Will your miracle ever come
Heaven's holding every single tear you cry
And if you start to feel alone just know that I am
(Chorus)
Hopefully that wasn't too mushy… Oh, man, I'm not going to live this down if Sakkon reads this… I should hide it somewhere…
(End Ukon's journal)
(Next Morning: Friday)
There was no school, for some reason, but no one was complaining, since it was an excuse to sleep in late.
Well… it was an excuse to sleep in late unless you were Ukon, who got up around 7 A.M., took a shower and all that clean stuff, drank several cups of java, left a note for Sakkon, and a note for Orochimaru, then got in his truck and drove over to the Yamanaka Flower shop, which, for some ungodly reason, was open at that unholy hour.
"Hey, Ino," he said, going in the shop.
"Ohayo," she said through a huge yawn. Recovering a bit, she asked, "The usual?"
He nodded. "Yeah. But make it a bouquet this time."
Ino raised a sly eyebrow, giving him a card to fill out while she selected twelve choice pink carnations. "Sucking up a bit?"
He shook his head, getting a pen and writing a quick note in the card. "Nope. She's upset."
"Ohh… about her dad?" Ino nodded knowingly.
He nodded. "Yeah. Hey, can you put some of those striped ones in?" He gestured to some pink-striped carnations.
"Sure." She completed the bouquet and wrapped clear plastic around them to keep them safe. Threading the card on a length of pink ribbon through the small whole in the corner, she tied it together and gave it to him. "What're you going to do when carnations go out of season?" she asked, ringing up his order.
He shrugged. "Roses go all year, don't they?"
She shrugged, taking his money. "I suppose. My mother showed me a pretty way to arrange pink and white roses if you're interested."
Again, he shrugged. "Maybe next time," he said, taking his change. "See you later," he called, waving over his shoulder as he left with the bouquet.
Lucky Sakura, Ino thought, going back into her comatose state. Getting the perfect boyfriend… She paused, looking at the clock, then at the phone. I suppose I could, she mused, getting out her mini address book and looking up a certain phone number.
(Shizuka's House)
Kimimaro groaned, woken up by the evil sound of the phone ringing. He reached towards the nightstand, trying to find the mechanism without having to open his eyes, but failed miserably and tumbled off the bed.
Finally finding the phone, he answered it. "…'Lo?"
"Kimimaro?"
Kimimaro sat bolt-upright. "INO?" He instantly cursed silently, since his voice had come out all high and squeaky, instead of deep and sexy like it normally was.
"Yep. Sorry for calling so early."
"That's ok." Holy shit, she's actually calling me! "W-What's up?"
"Nothing. Just felt like talking."
"Um… ok… a-are you going to Sakura's sleepover?"
"Yep. I'm helping her plan it. Are you going?"
"No." Depression.
"Aw… There, there. Maybe you can come hang out with all of us tomorrow morning. You could have Ukon or someone drive you."
"A-A-Are you i-inviting me…?"
"Sure!" BEAM!
"J-Just a second."
"Ok."
Kimimaro took the phone away from his ear and smacked himself.
"…That didn't hurt." He sighed in depression, falling backwards.
Thud. He hit his head on the corner of the nightstand.
"…That hurt… a little…" HOLY FUCK I'M NOT DREAMING!
He picked up the phone again. "Are you still there?"
"Yep."
"U-U-U-U-Um… W-W-W-Well, I-I-I-I-I'll—"
"See you there?" she finished.
"Y-Y-Yeah."
"Ok, see you then." Ino hung up the phone, pleased to have known she just made someone's day. Not Sasuke-kun, she mused, glancing at the arrangement of white gardenias and yellow zinnias on the counter next to her that had "mysteriously appeared" in her locker the day before. But maybe just a little bit better…
Especially since the bouquet meant 'sweet love and refinement' and 'daily remembrance'.
(Haruno residence)
"Hi, Ms. Haruno," Ukon said, getting out of his truck and noticing Sakura's mom exiting the house.
"Oh, hi, honey." Ms. Haruno smiled at him. "My, what a pretty bouquet! For Sakura?"
He nodded, deciding he didn't want to discuss the reason with her.
"Alright, she's inside, I'll leave the door open. Bye, now, honey."
"'Bye," he said, going in the house.
He found Sakura in the living room, reading a book he recognized as something she had to read for Language Arts. He cleared his throat lightly to let her know he was there, and as soon as she saw him, she smiled, scooting over on the couch to make room for him. He sat down, offering the bouquet.
She looked a little flustered. "For me?"
He rolled his eyes. "No, the other Sakura sitting right next to you," he said, quoting her. He nearly fell over when she actually looked. "Yeah, it's for you."
"What's the occasion/reason?" she asked, taking the flowers and sniffing them.
"I need an occasion/reason?" he asked with a raised eyebrow, putting an arm around her shoulder and giving her a light kiss on her lips.
She blushed the color of the carnations as he pulled away. "No…"
"Ok, then," he said with a smile, leaning down for another kiss.
(Shizuka's House, later in the day)
Shizuka raised an eyebrow at Kimimaro over her manga. "Ino asked if you wanted to hang out with us tomorrow?"
Kimimaro nodded vigorously.
"Are you sure you weren't dreaming?" Kidoumaru asked, sitting on the floor in front of the TV, playing a game.
Shizuka frowned, throwing her book at him. "That's great, Kimi-kun," she said with a smile at her brother.
"What about you and Neji?" Tayuya asked casually, kicking Kidoumaru's ass on the game.
Shizuka's frown deepened. "What about me and Neji?"
Tayuya shrugged. "If I have to ask, I guess it's nothing."
"Because there is nothing!" Shizuka snapped. "We're just friends! Kind of like you and Kidoumaru are just friends!"
Kidoumaru and Tayuya looked at each other. For a split second, they shared the freaky connection that comes when two people spend too much time together (SNG and H-R have them all the time) as they briefly shared a thought: We're not 'friends' who happen to be crushing on each other.
However, on the outside, they just shrugged and went back to their game. "Whatever, Shizuka-sama."
(Hyuuga estate)
Neji grumbled darkly, swindling on his computer chair, wondering what kind of idiot planned a sleep over at his house, especially a sleepover to which he was not invited.
Why wasn't he invited?
It was a girl sleepover.
Sakura and Hinata had, in all their "sweet innocence", planned the sleepover a week ago, and had invited nearly all the girls in their little "social group", including Ino, TenTen, Temari, Haku ("WTF?" said Neji), Tayuya, and, of course, Shizuka (There needs to be more girls… there's only, like, what, five originals?). Their excuse for having the sleepover at the Hyuuga house was that they had the biggest living room, but Neji was not stupid. For "some reason unbeknownst to mankind", he'd only found out about the sleepover that afternoon, and he was not at all happy about it.
Why?
Flashback
"You're fuckin' WHAT?" Neji shouted, starring at Sakura and Hinata.
"We're having a sleepover at your house," Sakura chirped, "and you're not invited!"
"You're fuckin' WHAT?"
"So you can't come downstairs after nine o'clock." Sakura had a huge grin on her face.
"You're fuckin' WHAT?"
"But Shizuka's coming," Sakura continued, the grin Neji had grown to fear appearing. "So this is your chance!"
"You're fuckin'—what?" he ended in a different tone.
Sakura smiled brightly.
Hinata blushed brightly.
Neji's jaw dropped. "Oh, no!" He put his hands up as if to ward off evil. "No! No more of your stupid attempts to get us together! Absolutely not! I refuse!"
Sakura looked at him blankly. "You don't have a choice this time."
"…Why?" Neji felt fear crawling down his spine.
"Because everyone's in on it, even Tayuya."
He starred.
"Well, everyone except Shizuka, obviously," Sakura mused out loud, "but she's thick as a brick so it won't matter. But that's not important! What's important is, you're not getting out of it!"
"And how do you plan on achieving this?" Neji crossed his arms, looking down at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Couch, floor, bedroom, hot tub, who cares?" Sakura waved off the unimportant question as Neji turned beet red at the words 'hot tub'. "The point is, you're going to hook up with Shizuka tonight, whether you want to, or not! Practically everyone at school is waiting for you guys to get together, and we're all really sick of you just letting Itachi stalk her!"
"So?" he snapped, blushing furiously.
"So, compared to him, you are totally the better guy for her!" Sakura winked.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU—" Sakura's words sunk in. "You mean it?"
She nodded, smiling brightly.
Neji did a brief happy dance, forgetting for a moment that the two girls were still there. Realizing they were, he quickly recovered and muttered, "Whatever."
"So anyway, we're gonna send Shizuka upstairs around ten to borrow something from you," Sakura filled him in. "We're not sure what it is yet, but she'll come get it, ok? You just do your thing." She winked.
End flashback
Neji frowned when he heard the doorbell ring. Hinata was in the shower, Hanabi was grounded to her room for burning a bush down, Hiashi was at work, his mom was asleep, and Hinata's mom was out buying snacks.
Neji hated opening the door.
But he had to, or that infernal 'ding dong' would be forever burned into his memory. So, it was a disgruntled Neji that dragged himself downstairs, and it was a disgruntled Neji who opened the door.
"Hi!" Ino chirped.
"…"
SLAM.
….Ding-dong.
Ding-dong.
Ding-dong.
"OPEN THE DOOR, DAMMIT!"
"Why don't you come in here and make me?" he shouted, standing a few feet away from said door.
He heard the sounds of talking outside, but didn't bother to listen in and he headed towards the kitchen.
Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock. Ding-dong. Knock-knock.
Neji stormed over to the door, slamming it open. "WHAT?" he shouted, a vein popping out in his forehead.
"Dickhead," Shizuka said coldly, walking past him, followed shortly by Tayuya and Ino.
Neji sighed unhappily. It was going to be a long night.
(Later)
It was now only 8:15. All the girls (and Haku) had arrived an hour ago, and he hadn't heard from them since, but he'd never been happier to have the advantage of a lock on his door.
However, even Hyuuga Neji gets hungry sometimes.
(Downstairs)
"Hey, Neji!" all the girls (and Haku) chorused when Neji came downstairs, clad in plaid pajama pants and a faded black T-shirt.
"Hey." He paused on his way to the kitchen to look at them. "Twister?" he said, raising an eyebrow.
"Yep." Ino grinned at him; she was in charge of the spinner. "Wanna play?"
"I'll pass," he said coolly before going into the kitchen. "Hey, mom."
"Oh, hi, Neji honey," his mom said from where she was sitting at the kitchen island, sipping coffee and reading a book. "How are you, boo-boo?" she crooned, ruffling his hair.
Shizuka stopped in the doorway to the kitchen; she'd disentangled herself so she could come get a drink, but, upon seeing this, she promptly turned on her heel and went back out the door.
Neji's jaw dropped and he turned on his mom. "Mom!"
"Now, you know, hun, if being in a house full of girls is bothering you, I can drive you over to Lee's house," his mom pointed out.
"No, I'm fine," he muttered, going over to the fridge and hunting for something edible. Sakura would never let me live if I just left before ten o'clock…
"Alright, well, you just let me know if they're bothering you and I'll… ah… what's that word you kids use today? 'Bitchslap' them?"
Neji whirled around, a carton of Chinese take-out in one hand. "Mom!"
"Did I phrase that correctly?"
Unfortunately, yes, he thought, grabbing a pair of chopsticks and a bottle of water and exiting the kitchen before she could mortify him anymore. When he walked past the living room again, he was just in time to see all the girls (and Haku) topple over. Surprisingly, Tayuya was the last one up, and she seemed rather surprised at that fact, herself, until Shizuka pulled her arm out from under her.
Once he was safely up in his room, Neji got online, and logged into a chat room Sakkon had made for Neji, Shizuka, Kimimaro, and everyone else in their social group, to chat in privately. Kimimaro was there, by himself, so Neji decided to talk to him, noting the fact that Kimimaro was probably the sanest person he knew right now.
FateK!ller: Hey, Kimimaro.
BrainWanted: Hello.
BrainWanted: Is Shizuka having fun?
FateK!ller: Yeah, she just made Tayuya loose at Twister.
BrainWanted: Is everyone else having fun?
FateK!ller: I guess so. I didn't really take a poll, or anything.
BrainWanted: Is Ino-chan having fun?
FateK!ller: Since when was it "Ino-CHAN"?
(There was a long silence)
BrainWanted: Lee-san said he would get online tonight, but I haven't seen him.
FateK!ller: Oh, no, you don't! No changing the subject!
(FlareOfYouth has joined the conversation)
FateK!ller: Why do you call her "Ino-chan"?
FlareOfYouth: HELLO, NEJI AND KIMIMARO! HOW ARE YOU?
FlareOfYouth: Who the what in… I'm confused, what did I walk into?
FateK!ller: I'm fine, Lee.
BrainWanted: Hello, Lee.
FateK!ller: Kimimaro just called Ino "Ino-chan" and I'm interrogating him.
BrainWanted: Why do you hate me so much, Neji? T.T
FlareOfYouth: AH! YOUNG LOVE IS SUCH A WONDERFUL THING! CONGRATULATIONS, KIMIMARO, ON FINDING YOURS!
BrainWanted: Please die…
FateK!ller: Ok, changing subject…
FlareOfYouth: How is the girls' sleepover going?
(AlphaGoesWooga has joined the conversation)
FateK!ller: Torture. They're sending Shizuka upstairs at ten so I can
FateK!ller: Er… Hi, Ukon.
AlphaGoesWooga: What was that, Neji? 'Sending Shizuka upstairs so I can' what?
FateK!ller: Y'all are on separate computers, aren't you?
BrainWanted: No changing the subject, Neji, remember?
BrainWanted: AND NO SHAGGING MY SISTER, EITHER, DAMMIT!
AlphaGoesWooga: O.o
FateK!ller: !
AlphaGoesWooga: Oh, hell, no, you are NOT, Mr. Hyuuga!
AlphaGoesWooga: I will fill you full of lead if you lay one perverted finger on Shizuka-sama!
FateK!ller: I didn't say I was going to!
(KabukiPookie has joined the conversation)
AlphaGoesWooga: Then what was she going upstairs for? Fashion advice?
AlphaGoesWooga: Hey, Kankurou… what's with the s/n?
KabukiPookie: Shut up. Temari made it for me.
AlphaGoesWooga: Lol, whatever.
KabukiPookie: Anyway… anyone mind telling me what genius put super glue in Yamiko's lip gloss?
AlphaGoesWooga: LMAO!
FateK!ller: Wtf?
BrainWanted: I think it was Sakura… she's still giving that stuff to her?
KabukiPookie: Remind me to thank her. This is the first time in years that Yamiko has shut up.
AlphaGoesWooga: FOMCL!
(AvengingLife has joined the conversation)
FateK!ller: Holy shit that girl has an evil little mind…
AlphaGoesWooga: Yep
FateK!ller: Go away, Sasuke, no one likes you.
AvengingLife: Shut the fuck up, Hyuuga.
AlphaGoesWooga: No, seriously, Uchiha, no one in this room likes you.
FateK!ller: Lol.
AlphaGoesWooga: Go join your fan-chat room, or something.
KabukiPookie: LMFAO!
AvengingLife: Fuck you.
(AvengingLife has left the conversation)
FateK!ller: He has a fan chat?
AlphaGoesWooga: Yeah.
AlphaGoesWooga: Sakura told me about it
AlphaGoesWooga: I think Ino made it.
BrainWanted: …
BrainWanted: T.T
FateK!ller: I hear shouting…
(Meanwhile, downstairs)
"Tell us!"
"No!"
"We told you who we liked!"
"So?"
"So, by law of nature, you have to tell us who you like!"
(Upstairs)
FateK!ller: Ino and Sakura are interrogating Temari about who she likes.
KabukiPookie: (bounces up and down) I know who she likes!
AlphaGoesWooga: Who?
BrainWanted: Who?
FateK!ller: …Do I need to ask?
FlareOfYouth: SEND MY GREETINGS TO ALL THE LOVELY LADIES!
KabukiPookie: She's had a huge crush on Sakkon since she was seven.
AlphaGoesWooga: O.O
AlphaGoesWooga: WHAT?
Neji turned away from the computer and shouted in the general direction of the stairs, "KANKUROU SAYS TEMARI LIKES SAKKON, AND LEE SAYS HI!"
Neji heard the sound of a body falling; Temari must have fainted.
"HI, LEE!" they chorused.
FateK!ller: They say hi. Temari fainted.
AlphaGoesWooga: That's just weird… Sakkon? You sure it's Sakkon?
AlphaGoesWooga: Oh, tell Sakura I said hi and glomp.
FateK!ller: Ok.
"UKON SAYS HI AND GLOMP, SAKURA!"
"HI AND GLOMP, UKON!"
FateK!ller: She says Hi and Glomp, too.
AlphaGoesWooga: : )
"HE SAYS 'SMILEY FACE'."
BrainWanted: How did you not know Temari likes Sakkon?
BrainWanted: I've known for, like, five years.
AlphaGoesWooga: Well, I don't hang out with chicks all the time, so I don't get gossip as fast.
BrainWanted: Hey!
AlphaGoesWooga: Sorry.
KabukiPookie: I'm bored.
BrainWanted: Go get a Gameboy.
FateK!ller: Not everyone thinks their whole future happiness lies in a piece of machinery, Kimimaro.
AlphaGoesWooga: Says you.
FateK!ller: …I'm not even going to ask.
KabukiPookie: I just realized
AlphaGoesWooga: What?
KabukiPookie: Temari's going to kill me…
FateK!ller: Ha ha.
AlphaGoesWooga: Sucks to be you, man
FateK!ller: Hey, Lee, you alive over there?
KabukiPookie: Is it too late to change continents?
AlphaGoesWooga: Yep.
KabukiPookie: Dammit!
FlareOfYouth: YES I AM VERY MUCH ALIVE, NEJI, FOR I AM DOING MY MATHEMATICS HOMEWORK AND EATING A KLONDYKE BAR!
AlphaGoesWooga: Lol, Kankurou
BrainWanted: Mmm… Klondyke bars…
FlareOfYouth: MOREOVER, IT IS A SUGAR-FREE KLONDYKE BAR!
FateK!ller: Good for you, Lee… Healthy yet not quite, yeah?
AlphaGoesWooga: Why don't you just eat what you want and call it a day?
FateK!ller: I will as soon as the soccer season is over.
FateK!ller: As soon as it is, though, I'm going straight over to the nearest store and getting as much junk food as I can eat.
AlphaGoesWooga: …
AlphaGoesWooga: That's a cheerleader diet, man.
FateK!ller: No it's not
FateK!ller: I eat a lot, just not unhealthy stuff.
BrainWanted: Some people can't eat whatever they want and still weigh in at 150, Ukon.
AlphaGoesWooga: Lol
FateK!ller: I'll ignore that comment…
(Downstairs)
"Ok, blonde jokes" Sakura said, twisting the cap on the pink nail polish she'd been painting Hinata's toenails with.
"No!" Temari and Ino said at once.
"Shizuka-sama knows the best ones," Tayuya said, flipping through a magazine. She was bored out of her mind; she'd only agreed to come because she wanted a pillow fight.
Shizuka rolled her eyes where she was braiding Haku's hair.
"Come on, tell one," Sakura pleaded.
"Ok, fine." Shizuka sighed. "A redhead, a brunette and a blonde escaped from prison, and they hid in an old abandoned house. The cops surrounded the house and said 'Come out with your hands up!' So, the brunette came out and pointed and said 'Look, that man's stealing that old lady's purse!' and all the cops turned to look and the brunette got away. Then, the cops said again 'Come out with your hands up!' so the redhead came out and pointed and said 'Look, a sniper!' and the cops all turned and looked and the redhead got away. Then, the cops said again 'Come out with your hands up!' so the blonde came out and pointed and said 'Fire!' and they all shot her."
Everyone but Ino laughed at this; Ino, meanwhile, sat in silence, the little hamster wheels in her head working into overdrive, before, finally, two minutes later, after the joke was over and done with, she cried "I GOT IT!"
The girls all looked at her.
(Upstairs)
AlphaGoesWooga: I'm so bored…
AlphaGoesWooga: There's hardly anything to do without Shizuka or Tayuya to pick on.
Veggie-Must-Die: Have some ramen!
AlphaGoesWooga: …No, Naruto.
KabukiPookie: If I changed continents, do you think my parents would know?
FateK!ller: Yeah
BrainWanted: Yep.
KabukiPookie: Fuck.
FateK!ller: I'm gonna go, guys, it's almost ten.
AlphaGoesWooga: I'm giving you a very dirty look
FateK!ller: I'm not going to do anything to her! I swear!
Veggie-Must-Die: Huh? Why?
Veggie-Must-Die: What're you guys talking about?
AlphaGoesWooga: You better not.
BrainWanted: No sex!
AlphaGoesWooga: None at all.
KabukiPookie: I'm confused, what?
AlphaGoesWooga: Neji and Shizuka-sama are going to hook up tonight.
Veggie-Must-Die: REALLY?
FateK!ller: !
Veggie-Must-Die: YOU GO, NEJI!
KabukiPookie: 'Bout time.
FateK!ller: Good BYE!
Neji signed off before they could ridicule and annoy him anymore. God damn them, he thought angrily, taking a long drink of his water.
(A few minutes later)
It was now 10:18.
Neji hated waiting. He'd cleaned his room twice. And messed it up again twice. He didn't want Shizuka to think he'd been waiting for her. That would make her suspicious.
But, seriously, hadn't they said "around ten"?
(Meanwhile)
"I don't see why I have to go get it!" Shizuka cried offensively for the fifteenth time.
"You know him best," Sakura pointed out, unrelenting.
"He's Hinata's cousin!"
"He's scary," Hinata mumbled, like Sakura had instructed her to, should that argument come up.
"He's TenTen's friend!"
"Hmph," was all TenTen said. She was still rather bitter to Shizuka, and had only come to the sleepover because Sakura had asked her to. If TenTen had had her way, she would have never come into contact with Shizuka (or Neji, for that matter) ever again.
"I still don't see why I have to go get it! All of you are totally capable of asking him!"
"Just do it!" Sakura snapped, at her wits' end. "You guys are friends, it's not like he's gonna bite you!" (Unless he's animalistic, Inner-Sakura pondered.)
Shizuka glared. "Fine. I'll go ask him for it." She got up and stalked out of the room and up the stairs.
The girls (and Haku) all looked at each other, then scurried over to the door of the living room. Neji's door was right above the top of the stairs, the foot of which was right next to the door to the living room, so they could hear or see everything that went on.
(Meanwhile)
Of course, it was highly probable that Shizuka had denied the request the girls had made, Neji reasoned with himself. Shizuka was a very stubborn girl; she'd probably refused as soon as they asked her to go up to his room. But then—
Knock-knock. "Neji?"
"AHH!" Neji fell over backwards off his computer chair. Shit. "Um… Yeah?" he called, trying not to sound like he'd just gotten the shock of his life.
"Open the damn door!"
"Oh… ok." It's Shizuka! Neji disentangled himself from his chair and went and opened the door.
Neji resisted the urge to stare. Shizuka's pajamas, if they could be called pajamas, consisted of red cotton shorts and a white tank top, leaving quite a lot of skin to be seen. On the front of the tank top was a cartoon panda with bubble-letters under it that said "Huggles". So... cutesy…
Shizuka looked like she'd rather run around school naked then stand where she was now. "Can we borrow a hairbrush?"
"…A what?" Neji tore his eyes off the panda.
"A hairbrush," she enunciated, hands on her hips.
"Oh. Yeah." Neji stepped back to let her in while he looked for his hairbrush. Well, that was unexpected, he thought, going over to his dresser while Shizuka peered around curiously.
Neji's room was rather interesting (and clean, Shizuka noticed). In one corner was a queen-sized bed with navy blue covers, tucked up neatly. Next to the bed was a desk with a computer, a few school books, a CD player and an alarm clock on it. Across the room from the bed was a bookcase, which bore more framed soccer team photos then books. Next to the bookcase was a dresser with a few odds and ends on its top surface, where Neji was looking for the hairbrush. And, of course, scattered over the walls were posters of famous soccer teams.
"Damn," she said plainly.
"What?" he asked, now looking in his dresser drawers. Where'd I put the stupid thing?
She shrugged, sitting carefully on the edge of his bed. "Nothing. I just thought your room would be more of a jock's room."
"You're calling me a jock?" he asked in mock anger.
"Maybe." She bounced a little on the mattress, testing the "sproinginess."
Damn. He turned. "Sorry, I'll—what're you doing?"
She grinned hugely at him from where she was curled up into a ball in the nest of pillows and blankets she'd made in the middle of his bed. "Your bed… is so comfy!"
He rolled his eyes, going to look in his desk drawers. "And now it's all messed up, thanks to you."
"Feh." She rolled her eyes, wrapping her arms around one of the pillows and huggling it. Hm? She pulled a small, weathered picture from underneath the pillow. She frowned, making sure Neji was preoccupied, before taking a closer look.
The picture showed a tall man with long black hair and pale blue eyes. Neji? No… that's Neji. She glanced at the small, dark-haired boy the man was holding, remembering the photo album Neji had shown her as he eyes took in the soccer ball the boy was holding. Then this must be… Neji's dad…
Flashback
"See, when Neji was four or so, his dad just sort of disappeared, and no one knows where he went. There were a lot of search parties and everything, but nothing turned up. I guess it's kind of a soft spot for him."
End flashback
"Aha!" Neji extracted a hairbrush out of his desk. "Found it." He turned to give it to her, but stopped when he saw the picture in her hand. "What are you doing?"
"Eep!" Shizuka jumped, dropping the picture. "Um… I was, um…" She sought for an explanation while he starred at her. "Is that your dad?" she ended lamely.
He nodded mutely.
"Where is he?" she asked quietly, even though she already knew the answer.
"I don't know," he answered in a dead voice.
"Um… oh." She looked down at the picture again. Little Neji was looking up at his father with utmost worship, a huge grin on his face. I've never seen that look on Neji's face… "I'm sorry."
Neji said nothing as he went over to the bed and plucked up the picture, stuffing it in his pocket.
"Uh…" Shizuka sought for something to fill the silence; she hated silences. "…You… were a cute kid…"
"Hn."
A temper vein twitched on her forehead. "I'm sorry I invaded your privacy, and I know the whole dad thing had to have hurt a lot, but don't be such a complete dickhead about it! I'm trying to make nice!"
"Hmph." He glared at her. "What do you know?"
"I know you seriously need to grow up!"
"See?" Neji snapped. "You don't know anything! You still have a dad!"
"And you still have a mom, so we're even."
"Wha… huh?" Neji starred.
"My mom died when I was born," Shizuka said plainly. "She was young, and labor was too much for her."
His eyes widened. Even if his mom got on his nerves a lot, he couldn't imagine living without her. "I'm… I'm sorry…"
"Don't be." She waved it off. "I'm over it. Unlike some people, I can let go of my angst."
Neji's look of sympathy and sadness turned into a glare again. "Why do you always do that?"
She looked blank. "Do what?"
"Always turn everything into an insult!" he shouted. "You make it impossible for me to tell you that I like you!"
"Really?" she snapped. "Because I have absolutely no problem saying that I like you!"
Dragonman180: (hands over Ms. Haruno cookie) I don't think Neji could handle anymore abuse after that, but don't worry, lol. He's not getting out of this in one piece. The mental picture of Atatsuki Itachi tied up is so hilarious! (falls off chair)
xl-twisted-lx: (hands over Ms. Haruno cookie) I updated majorly soon, dude. Are you proud of me? (Kenshin grin) I'll send you the art as soon as I get the chance… most of it's just altered pix, tho… lemme know what you want.
DreamAnimeKitten: (hands over Ms. Haruno cookie) I ran out of ideas for the quiz… I was going to do something like I did in G.I.L., but I changed my mind. Lol, sorry. Maybe one day, I'll think of the entire test and post it.
Kie-san: (hands over Ms. Haruno cookie) It took me forever to figure out who you were, I was looking thru my reviews and I was like WHY DIDN'T KIE-SAN REVIEW? But then I took a good look and I was like …oh. HELL, YESH, UCHIHAS SHOT DOWN! HAIL SAKURA! No real fuzzy in this chappie… sorry… WHY HAVENT YOU BEEN GETTING ONLINE, WOMAN?
RLN and IHN: (hands over Ms. Haruno cookie) Hail Neji Torture! Lol. (glomp Neji-plushie)
Meg Haze: (hands over Ms. Haruno cookie) …O.o Oro… Just… Oro. Oh yeah, and I did mention in earlier chapters that Neji is living with Hinata's family with his mom… Pay attention, no da.
