Day to Day
A Naruto Fan-fiction
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any bands mentioned, with the exception of Star Pirate Ship.
(A/N: YAY! The votes came in (this was about two days after I updated) and they were: Ino and Shikamaru with one, Naruto and Hinata with two, Sakura and Sasuke with three, and Neji and Tenten won with a whopping six! So, here's my grand idea…and, um, incase it doesn't work out as well, sorry….)
Chapter 18: Side-stepped
Sometimes, we find ourselves faced with truth beyond what we imagined. We create a world in our minds, either based on or the close to the one we live in.
Growing up, our world consists of those we love, our memories, and our home.
As we grow, they expand.
We walk through life, often completely blown away when we are faced with the large things such as, "I'm alive" and "This is my life, my only time to make my mark". The information seemed too great to ever take on.
Yet, often times, as we venture through our lives, we see others, and create their worlds in our mind.
Sometimes, their world is not as beautiful as we imagined it was.
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Hyuuga Neji stared out the window, his face emotionless as usual. His blank, open eyes took in the green, flat, grass landscape that eventually faded into tall, old trees of assorted species. He counted them; oak, maple….
Being a very impeccable young man, Neji held his hands behind his back, his chin high, and carried an air of deep thoughts and great wisdom. The front portions were held together by white pieces of round cloth and laid over his shoulders today, while the rest of it fell back in a black sheet. Everything from his sandals to his shirt was clean. Before this year, Neji would've dressed in the formal kimono. Lately, he had felt that his uncle was not worth the trouble, nor the rest of his clan. This was his home-he would be clean, not dressy.
However, being in this large, book-fenced room wasn't without purpose. Nor was his tree counting.
"Neji, you're not listening."
Hisashi was a patient man, but only for a time.
Neji continued to stare forward, only shifted the grip on his wrist for a moment.
'That makes four maples….'
"Neji."
'Five….'
"Neji! Listen to me!"
Neji's eyebrow jerked upward in a motion of slight surprise. The shout had not only jolted him from his thoughts, but he had lost count of the maples! Annoyed, he turned his waist and narrowed his eyes at his uncle. The man was wise, but Neji had a much larger brawn. Part of him wanted to chuck his uncle out the window just for that one interruption!
"Yes, Hisashi-san." He replied quietly. A hiss seemed to fade from his words as he glared at the older man.
"You know your duty as my successor."
"Yes."
'Power, relaxation, pride enough to fill the seas. That's all it ever is….' Neji thought bitterly.
"Then you know you must start your public appearances. You are, after all, nearing an age to find a woman." His uncle continued.
He stirred his tea carefully, looking back into Neji's eyes with his identical clear ones. Unlike Neji, he always wore a traditional kimono, and today was white with blue swipes.
Neji scowled. "I don't need a woman."
'I have one.'
The thought was shaming. Tenten would be angry if she was here now. Of course, he hadn't told his family! Being with a girl of lower class was…well; quiet plainly, treason against his clan. Every man and woman married the highest of class, greatest of skill, and although he could protest that Tenten was the greatest weapon's ninja he'd ever come across, her class was enough to upset the Hyuugas.
"We've been over this, Neji. You can't lead the clan without assurance of a successor yourself." Hisashi snapped at the boy, "I can't ask Hinata to lead. She's not ready, and she has no guarantee of a successor. I won't have this clan falling into my cousin's hands."
Ah, Hisashi's cousin. Neji never even knew his name-just the fact that he was Hisashi's only other alternative, and he was the damned of the clan.
Neji stalked over to his uncle's desk, slamming his fist into it so the wood splintered. His eyes narrowed and he leaned in close to his relative's face.
"Well, then I guess you're got yourself a problem."
"No, you do." Hisashi replied, now glaring at the boy. "You'll make the best leader this clan has seen, and you know it. If this is how you're going to run away from it, then you're weaker than I thought you were."
Neji's lip twitched.
"You can't tell me that there is no girl who wants you." Hisashi continued, contempt seeping into his voice with each word. "I've seen them. You're a god to them. Now, all I'm asking you is to pick up one and take her to the Krystall."
A plan formed in Neji's head.
Neji leaned back, and shoved papers off of his uncle's desk, now putting on an act for his uncle.
"No. Those girls are stupid. I won't stand for some nit-wit hooked onto my arm."
"Neji, all I'm asking is for you to pick one, show up, and show all of the other clans how the Hyuuga clan will always be a force to be reckoned with."
"Oh, so a man looks more powerful with a play toy on his arm?"
"It depends who you're speaking with." Hisashi replied quickly, "In many places, not being able to find your own woman seems weak."
"You make it sound like a hunt."
"In a way, it is." He said, and lay back, closing his eyes. "I say that not to demean women, but to tell you that it is not an easy feat to find a woman to your caliber, and certainly not in the few days before Krystall."
Neji felt a pride fill him. He had found a girl perfect for him, and here his uncle preached on the hardship it is to find one! But Tenten wasn't a trophy-she was a friend and a teammate before she was ever anything else.
"Now go." Hisashi abruptly said, and with a wave of his hand, the door flew open.
Neji scowled one last time at his uncle, and then stalked out of the door.
It flew closed behind him, and a sudden smile filled his face.
Everything was according to plan.
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Tenten breathed slowly, her eyes closed. Lashes lay over her bronze cheeks, spreading like black angel's wings. She lay against her counterpart, one hand open as he stroked her palm gently. Her fingers would loosely cover his own as he moved the rough tips of his fingers across her palm. He leaned his head against her's, with his own eyes half-lidded. They sat the white wall on top of Tenten's bed, which had a soft, light purple comforter on top. The room was completely white, with the exception of purple sliding closet doors, a green rug, a green nightstand beside the bed, and three books that lay on the floor. The windows were open, letting the light and gentle wind sweep in. Sunshine lit the room and pour over the two.
He sat so that one of his legs was on its side and bent on one side of her, and the other leg was up on the other side of her. One of his arms was around her waist. Tenten just leaned against him, content and relaxed. The wind blew in and ruffled her short black hair and his long black hair. When one piece of her hair began to dance across her cheek, he lifted his free hand and tucked it gently behind her ear.
Yet, in this contented moment, his mind raced.
Would the plan upset her? Of course it would. He had kept her a secret. Would she understand? Possibly. Would she pose as the girl he wanted her to? Probably not.
He looked at her now, taking in the small swipe of red paint on the bridge of her nose, the round, slightly parted lips, closed eyes, lightly flushed cheeks. She adorned drawstring light blue shorts and a loose-fitting white short-sleeved shirt that had folded up above the rim of her shorts, showing just a bit of light skin.
She was so imperfect, so normal. But who wasn't?
Could she be what his clan expected his wife to be? No, not wife! He was too young, they were too young, that was so far away…could she even pass to be an option for him?
He wouldn't know a thing until he asked her.
"Tenten."
"Mm…yes?" Tenten stretched her legs a moment, but not cat-like like Sakura always did; more clumsy, boyish.
"I need to…talk to you."
Tenten opened her eyes and looked at him. He looked back, and somehow this sent an emergency message to Tenten. She sat up quickly, holding herself up by her hand on the bed.
"About what? What happened?"
Neji paused. Was this really a good idea? He could just leave his clan with her, gone into the sunset, no more restrictions and orders…. No. He couldn't.
"I need you to do something for me."
"Like what?"
Tenten's mind raced with ideas. What could be going on?
"I need you to be my date, for Krystall. But not serious, just like…I picked you up off the street."
Tenten's head jerked to the side. "What? Why? What's Krystall?"
Neji sighed quietly. Answer the easiest question first.
"Krystall is a yearly meeting, or, ball or something, where all of the most powerful clans across the continent meet. Its sort of like a time to evaluate who is the most powerful clan."
"Okay, so why do you need a date?"
"Hisashi's forcing me."
"Why didn't you just tell him we were together, and flat-out take me?"
Neji stopped. Oh shit. Here it comes.
"Because…they don't know about you, except that you were my genin teammate."
Tenten was pissed.
She got up off the bed and walked out of her own bedroom, leaving Neji on her purple bed. Neji's eyes widened a moment as he watched the girl disappear through the doorway in a huff.
"Ah-Tenten!"
He got up off the bed and walked around the bed and out of the door. His eyes looked around for her until they landed on their target. There she was, arms crossed, chewing on a cheese stick. Everything from the waist down was hidden, but Neji knew she'd have the bottom of one foot against the cabinets and the other would be firmly planted on the floor.
Her eyes were trained on the floor, and a flush was in her cheeks. Unlike Sakura and Ino, she fumed silently. She gulped and then jerked another hunk off of the cheese stick with her teeth.
Neji sighed quietly. Tenten had a notorious habit of eating when she was angry or sad-she could eat five helpings of everything at meals if you irked her enough! He hated it when she ate like that. It was like crying for her, and he hated seeing her that upset.
His feet were almost silent as he approached her, but she didn't look up, but just bit off more cheese stick and chewed harder.
When Neji was a few paces away from her, she spoke.
"Stop."
Her voice was low, and dangerous.
Neji stopped, knowing that she would explain herself in a moment. He had never thought she'd get so angry-upset, yes, but not so angry that she already had food in her mouth!
Her eyes cut at the empty cheese stick wrapper, and then she turned and opened a cabinet. Neji watched as she pulled out a pack of pop tarts and ripped open the bag. Her face became even more flushed as she took a large bite of a pop tart.
After she gulped, a small sigh escaped her lips.
"Neji," she began, "I was afraid from day one that this relationship wasn't serious, and you just proved it. Now get out."
Neji's eyes narrowed. Did she really distrust him like that?
"Just because my family doesn't know doesn't mean this isn't serious, and if you think eating yourself into some fricking hole is going to help-"
"If this is a serious relationship, how come you haven't gone public?" Tenten demanded, glaring at him. "We never go anywhere, and then I hear that you've not even told you family? God, Neji, what the hell is all of this?"
Attack the easy statement first.
"I thought you didn't want to go anywhere." He replied, his voice much calmer than hers. "I thought you liked doing what we always do."
Tenten's brows furrowed. "Neji, I do, I just-wait. Don't get off subject!"
She took a furious bite off of the pop tart, shoved the food to the side of her mouth, and then added, "Don't you try and deviate me from my argument! Why doesn't your family know?"
"Because they wouldn't understand."
"And why the hell not?"
"Because, dammit, Tenten, my family is the Hyuuga clan-powerful, rich, and upper-classed. You're low-class to them, dirt! If they ever found us together, we would both catch hell!"
"Yea, especially you, right? This is all to save your butt right?" Tenten challenged.
Neji was shocked. Of course, all he did was glare.
"I risked everything, every time I wrote you, and every time I came to your house."
"For what, Neji? Did you just expect to keep me and you secret from the world until I'm suddenly a princess?" she asked, her tone desperate. "Don't you see how stupid this is? I want us to feel like this is real, not just some game."
She looked at the floor, and put the half-eaten pop tart on the counter.
Neji started the wooden floor as well, silent as stone.
"I just want to feel like this is real." She murmured. She rubbed the back of her neck with her palm, sighing.
"What if I could make your entrance…like a princess?" Neji asked, and looked at her. She looked back up at him, into his clear eyes, her curiosity aroused.
"You promise to tell them?"
He nodded.
She bit her lip and looked at the floor.
"All right…on one condition."
Neji raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"
Tenten flashed a smile, and then went to her refrigerator. When she opened the door cold air spilled out, and she emerged from behind the door with a tub of ice cream.
She smiled and looked at him, a laugh glinting in her eye.
"You have to eat a whole tub of chocolate and strawberry ice cream with me."
Neji relaxed, and let out a breath. He looked up and then at her, with a glint of his own in his eye.
"As long as you don't eat all of the frozen strawberries yourself."
Then he removed two spoons from a drawer and walked over to her. With a cocky smirk, he pulled the lid off of the tub in her hands and dipped his spoon in and put it in his mouth.
Tenten laughed and took a spoon herself, dipping into the chocolate side.
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Thoughts and worries plagued Hyuuga Neji as he sat in his chair, facing the large wooden hall. He had spent five minutes placing the long, large tables against the wall, so now the huge Hyuuga mansion-dining hall was empty. He even once wondered if his own heartbeat might echo.
Of course, old Japanese and English paintings and portraits still covered the walls, but the long and wide expanse of polished wood floor was bare even of dust, making it seem like the wall across from him was miles away. Maybe it was.
He sat in a chair against the door, a good three feet from the door to the hall closest to the front door to the mansion. His arms were crossed, his eyes half-closed, and his head cocked to the side. She wasn't late yet, but she was coming up on it.
The truth was that his plan had a more percentage of failure than of success. Krystall was the night where the women primped, dressed and always impressed. He had never seen Tenten in a dress or skirt, in make-up, or wearing any type of high heel. She wore tank tops, t-shirts, jeans, baggy pants and shirts, sandals and boots. She walked out of her house yesterday (it was fairly warm then) dressed in a blue tank top that exposed her stomach on occasion, cropped black pants and black sandals. In his household, girls were not allowed to wear shirts that exposed a stomach or dress like boys. If Neji wore colors such as blue, he could've very well have worn the exact same thing.
This wasn't to say that Tenten was any less of a girl or less appealing to him, she was just frumpier. She had pink and yellow clothes and always looked cute-she just didn't primp or wear flowers or patterns.
Plus, she didn't know how to dance properly or act properly around powerful officials, mostly because she had never been around them in such an atmosphere.
Despite odds, though, he was determined to show his uncle just what an amazing woman he kept on his arm. He hoped that her class would be forgotten, and approval given.
Neji cocked his head to the other side, the first movement in several minutes. He could sit for hours in the same position, after all. Today he had pulled on a black shirt and black pants, making him look almost gothic. However, being Neji, he'd rather just place a kunai in your forehead than care about what you say.
His plan, although rickety, was in its first phase today. Tenten was to meet him here, in this large dining room, at exactly nine o'clock. No one would be in the mansion from then until lunchtime. He had spied and checked around to make sure the humongous estate would be cleared, and found himself overly lucky to find such a large amount of time when it was.
Suddenly, a click resounded in the room, and Neji's head turned to his right.
Exactly as he had planned, there was Tenten, peering through the doorway. Her jagged hair swooped down from the side of her face when she saw him, and then she smiled. He stood and watched silently as she walked fully into the room and closed the door behind her with another small click.
Then she smiled at him, and walked the three feet to him.
"So," she began, "what're we doing in here?" Her voice echoed, and she looked around. This certainly wasn't fit for training!
Neji smirked, anticipating her answer. He had never told her what today was for, after all.
"Dancing lessons."
Tenten's head spun with amazing agility to face him, and her mouth fell open.
"What?"
Neji's smirk became larger. "Take off your sandals."
"Why do I need to learn how to dance?"
"You're going to Krystall, right?"
"Right. But aren't they just going to accept the fact that I can't ball room dance or whatever?"
"No. Now take off your sandals."
Tenten blinked, and then took of her sandals. 'Why the hell not, right? Right?'
As soon as Tenten stood back up, Neji grasped her hand. His eyes narrowed deviously, loving the opportunity to know everything and have her not know a thing.
Without warning, he slipped his hand around her waist and moved her across the polished floor gracefully, a laughing glint in his eyes growing as she stumbled and slipped. Tenten's eyes were wide, and her right hand grasped his hand tightly while the other tried to grip the collar of his shirt.
Although Tenten had no coordination and had no idea what she was doing, Neji's own perfect movements pulled her with ease-it was like she was dancing just as gracefully as he.
"Dancing is an art of grace and precision. If you don't have grace and you don't do every move precisely-"
He leaned forward, making her fall over his arm, inches from the floor.
"You'll look stupid."
Then he stood back up, pulling her up with him. Tenten almost felt like she was on a roller coaster! Neji danced with a kind of air that was very, well, rich. Like he was this dashing prince and she the maid. Every turn was with ease, and Tenten hardly noticed, through all of the light, quick, and slow, easy spins and side steps, that they were now right next to the opposite wall.
He stopped so suddenly, and Tenten sighed with relief, letting air fill her cheeks and then blowing it all out again. Neji just watched her exasperated look.
In a way, it was strange to think that Neji would dance. She didn't suspect that this was a hobby, but he seemed so natural, so good at it-it could've been. Yet, in all of her years, she had never thought of Neji knowing how to dance!
"Are you ready to learn?"
Tenten nodded, and then blew and piece of black hair behind her ear. Neji didn't show any kind of emotion, just shifted his grip on her hand.
"First of all," he began, "Relax you hand on my shoulder."
"Oh!" Tenten had been gripping his shirt this whole time! Obediently, she loosened her grip and laid it lightly on his shoulder, like the princesses in storybooks did. Neji nodded in approval.
"I'm going to teach you a slower step first." He continued, "It's easier to start off with. All you have to do is mirror my movements, but in a delicate way. When I drop you over my arm, flow with it. Don't fight me; dance with me."
Tenten nodded, and suddenly, she felt Neji shift his body to the side. She followed suit. Neji crossed one of his legs over the other, and she followed. His grip around her waist was light, like snow on the tip of you nose, and his left hand gripped hers above with an equally weightless, easy feel. Tenten watched him as they moved, copying his movements.
They stopped in the middle of the floor.
"Now." He said, "Try the next phase of this dance." A glint flashed in his eyes faster than she could read it, and suddenly Neji had pulled her closer to him, and she realized for the first time that Neji's eyes were barely above her own. His face moved in with his body, and Tenten could feel his nose against hers.
Without thinking about it, her eyes half closed, caught up in this slow movement. He seemed to make them both move, and she no longer even though about it.
He was so close she could hear him breathe, feel a tremble in his face. Her cheeks filled with red, and her whole world zeroed in on this moment in the huge hall.
A glint came in Neji's eyes, and a twitch on the end of his lips. In a sudden, fluid movement of pure instinct, a demand of the atmosphere, he closed his eyes and pressed his lips against hers. Her head jerked back a moment at the movement, and then she leaned forward, feeling the rush of that first brush of his lips. His mouth opened, and he kissed her again. A red rushed to his cheeks like never before. His hair rubbed against her collarbone when he moved his head, she stifled her laugh for another kiss.
Nothing else existed. Their feet moved, with him guiding her across the floor. Nothing else existed, but this open, polished hall. Nothing else could be as wonderful.
"Awww…this has got to be the sweetest thing I've ever seen!"
Neji's eyes opened in a flash, and Tenten was alarmed by the voice and his sudden stop. He looked up and to the side. The two were barely a foot from the door, and standing at the door were three of his cousins-Hana, Hoshi, and Kita.
All three carried shopping bags, and Hana's sunglasses had slipped from the top of her head back onto the bridge of her nose in her astonishment. Kita was smiling and had that oh-my-gosh-how-sweet-it's-just-like-a-fairytale look on her face. Hoshi, however, had her mouth open and eyes bugged.
Tenten looked from Neji to the three girls and back again, over and over. Her grip on Neji's shirt and hand tightened in her alarm and uncertainty. Her eyes pleaded.
"Neji-kun, who's she?" Kita asked, hovering closer to the couple. "I never knew you to go out with a tomboy, but you know, you kind of both go together!"
Then she spotted the headband around Tenten's waist.
"Oh my gosh! You're a ninja to!" she added. Her fists some how made it up to her face and she let out this little squeal, which reminded both Tenten and Neji of some kind of wounded animal.
"Girls!" Kita exclaimed, walking over to her cousins, "This is love! Ninja love!"
Hoshi, the one wearing her own headband, rolled her eyes, while Hana nodded and smiled.
"Neji darling," Kita continued, "why didn't you tell us before that you had a girlfriend?"
Neji was ready to burst. One moment he had the perfect moment to kiss Tenten, and now he has ninja love and his preppy cousin interrogating him. God, why couldn't the world be slower?
When Kita turned, Tenten was surprised to see her own headband, wrapped around the strap of her duffel bag. She had had it hidden behind her arm before.
Each of the girls was beautiful, with silky black hair, sparkling clear white eyes, pretty make-up, cute, bright clothes and glossy lips. Hana was obviously the oldest, and had long black hair that looked like it was from a shampoo commercial.
Neji had let Tenten's hand go, but he kept his arm protectively around her, giving her assurance. All this time he had warned her about his family, and here they were, exposed to the most gossiping ones of the bunch!
Hana walked toward them, inspecting Tenten. Today, Tenten had decided to wear a green t-shirt and kaki shorts, and neither one seemed as great as the other girl's outfits.
Hana was skeptical; the look in her eyes told that to Neji. Hana was barely two years older than him, and used to babysit him as a child. Unlike the other two girls, Hana was slightly over-protective of Neji, maybe even more than his own mother.
She looked over Tenten like a potential enemy, prowling like a pending predator.
Tenten could sense it as well. Neji felt her grip tighten.
"Relax, Tenten." He told her softly, "These are only my cousins."
"Didn't you tell me…."
"I know. Just relax."
Tenten's grip loosened some.
Then, all of the sudden, Hana smirked. She walked straight up to Neji and demanded, inches from his face, "If you can say this one thing in front of Kita, Hoshi, her and me, then I'll know you're not messing around and neither is she."
Neji raised an eyebrow; Tenten's hands began to sweat. Kita, knowing her older sister all too well, covered her mouth with her hand and began to giggle loudly. Hoshi looked at Kita like she was a green alien.
Hana, being a dramatic girl, placed her hands on her hips and raised her head up; as if she thought she cold actually intimidate Neji!
Tenten let out a silent gasp of air she didn't know she was holding, and Neji cocked his eyebrow higher.
"Neji kun…say you love her."
Neji rolled his eyes. Oh God. It figures. Was that all he had to do-
Then he looked at Kita and Hoshi. Kita was pink and Hoshi was almost purple. Both were trying desperately not to laugh. Hyuuga Neji, their cousin, saying he loved someone? That was like plunging a kunai in his pride and gashing it open! It admitted he had a weakness, a flaw in his perfection as a warrior, because, of course, only fairy tale warriors can be attached to another human being.
Tenten was now looking at Neji. He had paused. What the hell was he doing? All he had to do was say it and they would be out of this mess!
Neji's head spun until he hit an idea.
'Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit…Wait. No shit. Good idea.'
He returned Hana's smirk with one of his own.
"Hana, if I keep my end of the bargain, you have to help me."
As much as it killed him, he needed help, and a lot of it.
"Help?" Hana's smirk curved into an evil, glossy grin. "Neji-nii needs help? Oh goodness."
"Answer the damn question, Hana."
Hana tilted her head upward again. "If you can admit your feelings, sure."
Neji gulped. His good idea was turning sour…but then again, no pain, no gain, right?
He sucked in a breath of air, Kita burst out laughing, and Hoshi was biting her lips together.
"I, love, Tenten."
Tenten sighed. Thank God.
Neji's eyes flickered, but there was no other change.
From then on, Hana, Hoshi and Kita were their accomplices.
Tenten was nervous as hell.
She wanted to pace, but there was no room. It was only two hours before Krystall! Women and girls dashed everywhere in this wing of the mansion like zooming cars on a busy highway. There was a flash of long, shiny back curls, and then a flash of a bright pink dress. It was hard to believe there were only fifteen of them, counting Tenten!
"Where's the curling iron?"
"Hoshi! I need Hoshi!"
"Where's the lotion!"
"What happened to Hinata?"
"OH MY GOD! MY HAIR!"
"What happened?"
"Whose hair?"
"Where's Hoshi!"
It was like an emergency waiting room! Tenten sat in a chair off to the side, watching all of these beautiful black-haired, clear-eyed girls running around, carrying or wearing beautiful dresses, tools such as curling irons, make-up, and jewelry. She had no idea the Hyuuga clan was so large!
The Hyuuga mansion had four wings, and the two wings on the ends were used to get dressed. The girls had the largest room, while the men were on the other side. She doubted that the men really even needed a wing to get dressed, much less rush like this!
Suddenly, Kita was in front of her. Her black hair that fell around her shoulders was up in intricate twists that lead to a bun with a Chinese flower pin in it. Her make-up was very exotic, with all kinds of smooth purples and blues. Yet, she still wore blue shorts and a black shirt.
"Make-up time!" she exclaimed, smiling.
Over the few days before this night, Kita had taught her manners. Although the girl was hyper and very cutesy, she knew her table manners. Hoshi taught her dancing steps, and Hana was the one who taught the odds and ends, such as how she should act around Neji or with him. To think, that Tenten usually just ran up to Neji, but here he needed to approach her! Many of the other women had helped out, and they all even went out and picked out a dress for her, which was the most nerve wracking part of everything for Tenten, because they haven't let her see it yet!
What amazed Tenten the most about this family was how united the women were. This whole week they had all known about Tenten, but none of their brothers or husbands did. They took care of each other and helped one another like a loose team! When Tenten had mentioned this to Hana and Kita's mother, she had said, "Darling, the man is the head of the house, and the woman is the neck. But the neck can turn the head anyway she wants." In essence, it was really the women who ran most of the house.
Kita guided Tenten to one of the open vanities and shoved her down. For a bone-skinny girl, Kita had some real strength!
The vanity was covered in all kinds of powders, blushes-even fake eyelashes!
Kita picked up a container of pink blush and held it up against Tenten's skin, then nodded and began to apply.
Ten minutes later, Hana rushed off Tenten to another room.
This room was large, and there were many other women in it, doing a million different things. Suddenly, Hoshi was behind her, grabbing the ends of her shirt.
"Put your hands up!"
"What're you doing?" Tenten demanded.
"I'm dressing you. Now put your arms up cooperate!"
Tenten obeyed, and blushed furiously as Hoshi dressed her down to her underpants and handed her a corset.
Then, to Tenten's astonishment, a beautiful, fit woman with long black hair walked into the room in only her bra and underwear! She walked over to Hana and tapped her on the shoulder, and Hana spoke to her like it was normal!
Hoshi saw Tenten's mouth drop, and rolled her eyes.
"Our family's a bit weird since we're so large, Tenten." She explained over the noise, "Now, you're going to have to take off your bra to put in the corset. I'll tie it for you."
"Take off my-I have to wear a corset!"
Hoshi rolled her eyes again, and unhooked Tenten's bra with the flick of her wrist. Tenten quickly caught it in her arms and hugged it against her chest.
Unlike Hana and Kita, Hoshi was the kind of girl that wasn't very modest, and had this get-over it attitude.
Hoshi then slipped the corset under her bra and pulled it tightly around her. Tenten's mouth fell open and she looked behind her as she felt Hoshi push her foot against her back and pull the strings of the corset.
"That's TOO TIGHT!"
Hoshi ignored her, and pulled harder. Then, when Tenten was positive she could no longer breathe, Hoshi tied the corset and patted her bare shoulder.
"You're not supposed to be able to breathe." She said close to Tenten's ear, and then walked off.
Hoshi disappeared, and the reappeared again, holding a dress.
Tenten gasped.
It was beautiful!
Neji wanted to pace, but there was no room, and this wasn't the place. He stood behind the door of the dining hall, looking extremely clam and content. This entrance could be everything, and the other Hyuuga men were quiet and visibly nervous. Hisashi stood tall, his head erect, and motioned for all twenty males to look at him. The men were a wide range of ages-from nine to in their thirties. All of those under nine had stayed in another wing for the night while the rest of them attended Krystall, because a crying child would be an embarrassment.
Neji touched the red knot that held his thin red tie, and pulled at it a bit. He dressed formally, but with a kind of mystique that was expected of a future leader. His hands were gloved, his black pants, white undershirt and black coat pressed and spotless. His coat had long coat tails that were like two jagged teeth at the back.
All of the men looked at Hisashi, and he nodded. It was time.
Hisashi was the first to push open the door and walk into the huge room; the same one Neji and Tenten had danced in. Now, the floors sparkled and the long, low-set Japanese style tables were in place with pads on either side to kneel on. At each place was a set of food and a drink, all elaborately laid out. The room was already filled with the other clans. Miyazawa, the fire clan, sat on the table across from the Hyuuga table. They filled up half of one of the large tables, which could seat almost seventy-five. Each member had some kind of red paint on his or her face; the women's paint was wispy, while the men's were fierce. There was the sand Hokage's clan there as well, and each of them wore a small, black mark on their face. The Hyuuga trademark were the clear eyes, long black hair, and black attire.
The Hyuuga men took their places on their mats, and as they sat, the clans recognized the spots that they left unfilled. Hisashi had one spot on one side of him and three on the other, and so on. Each spot was left for the women to come and fill in; Hisashi had three daughters and a wife. Nobody took note of this; it was customary. Until, Hyuuga Neji took his place, leaving a spot open on his right side!
Hisashi's eyes cut at the spot, and he wondered if Neji had done what he had told him to. In truth, he was surprised. Neji never did listen to him-why had he started now?
A woman from Miyazawa noticed as well. Neji was the future leader of the Hyuuga clan-who couldn't notice? She whispered to her husband, the brother of the leader of her clan, and he nodded knowingly.
Neji having a woman next to him other than his mother was a big deal. It meant his future was more sealed, and that Hyuuga would never be leaderless and vulnerable.
Contrary to the look on his face and his posture, Neji was worried. His cousins hadn't let him in on what they had taught her-he had no idea if Tenten truly knew what she should, or if Hana had betrayed him! A small part of him even feared her entrance. Tenten was so relaxed-how could she wear the dresses the girls wore, much less move in them without offending anyone? Everything was on the line!
Just as he began to regret his decision to bring her to Krystall, the doors opened again.
Out stepped Hisashi's wife, tall and beautiful. She had an air of not only grace, but also confidence and beauty. With a step like walking on clouds, she walked toward her husband and took her seat. Her dress was black and dark purple, the colors of her husband, and had intricate patterns across it in neat, flawless stitching.
After her came Neji's cousins, and he counted them as they came out. Five girls later, there was Hana, in an antique Victorian black dress, then Kita, in a blue dress, and then two girls later, there was Hoshi, in a green dress that trailed after her.
The other women from the other clans inspected the Hyuuga women with beady eyes, trying to find if they were more stunning than they.
Neji felt a part of his façade fall as he counted fourteen. There were fifteen in all, including Tenten! Where was Tenten?
When he was about to give up all hope and all eyes had turned from the door, he saw a bit of white come from behind the doorway.
A girl stepped out, the same age as Tenten. She had short black hair that shined, and was twisted back in intricate designs. Her skin was perfect, her eyes open and bright. On her dainty hands were black gloves, lightly pinching a section of her dress on either side, so she wouldn't trip. The dress had no straps, but just began like a tube top. It curved to delicately with her perfect waist, and it was folded over delicately in an almost unnoticeably pattern, like a hidden detail. The top part of the dress ended low on the girl's waist. The bottom of it swooped out in layers of pure white, which all came down from a point on the right side of the girl's waist with a dainty tie. You couldn't even see her feet because of the length of the dress!
The girl bit her lip and moment, and looked around. Her eyes landed on Neji, and a smile filled her face.
Neji was taken aback. Was this Tenten?
All eyes were on this girl who almost even topped Hisashi's wife, the one who was to be the most beautiful always. She began to walk toward Neji, her sparkling eyes rested on him.
Eyebrows were raised. What clan is she from? She has no clear eyes, and such short hair!
Without realizing it, Neji's eyes had stayed with this beautiful girl who walked toward him. He still wondered if this was still Tenten, and hoped to God that if it were, she wouldn't trip!
She made it to the table and sat down silently, placing her hands in her lap.
"Hi, Neji." She whispered, and he blinked.
Hisashi looked forward, clearly happy. Neji must've made a good choice-she was beautiful!
Hana elbowed Kita, her younger sister. "I told you that dress would be perfect."
Kita pouted. "I still think she'd be so cute in a silky purple."
The girls' mother glared at them, and the girls sighed and looked forward.
For the rest of the night, Neji truly wondered if this was Tenten, the Tenten that wrestled in mud, climbed trees and liked to paint. He wondered if this was just another Tenten, and the real one would come back when her dress was gone.
It was not until near the end of the night that he realized a wonderful thing.
Despite her sudden change that night, she was still Tenten. She had this homey feel about her, like she was so real. Despite all of the products and tricks his cousins had put on and done to Tenten, she was still so natural. She didn't try to be anyone but herself, even when the daughter of the leader of the Miyazawa clan made small talk with her.
Neji enjoyed being close to Tenten. They stayed side by side the rest of the night, and her hand was always in his.
Best of all was when Hisashi had approached him after the night was over. Neji waited outside of the main door to the wing the women used to get dressed, and Hisashi came up to him.
"Where did you find her?"
"We found each other."
Hisashi was about to ask another question, when Neji smirked and continued.
"Oh, and-" he walked over to Hisashi so they stood eye to eye- "she's low class. And I'm in love with her."
Hisashi's mouth fell open.
"Like hell-"
"Neji!"
Both men turned to see Tenten step out. Hisashi almost didn't recognize her!
She wore black-cropped pants, a white tank top and black sandals. Her make-up was gone, and her hair was jagged, wet, and hanging around her face again.
She looked ragged!
"Ready to go?" she asked, smiling. She didn't even noticed Hisashi!
Neji nodded, and slipped his hand into hers.
Then, when they were about to turn down another hallway and out of sight, Neji looked back at Hisashi and smirked. That laughing glint came into his eyes, mocking his uncle.
Hisashi growled and walked away, down another hallway.
Hey ya'll!
Oh my gosh, I looked at the last time I updated and I felt awful! I just really wanted this idea out, and my schedule got ten times worse this week, and then the idea turned out to be so freaking long! Its kind funny though, and has some really cute scenes. Hate to tell you guys, but I tried on this one, and if it's not so much up to par, oh well. I tried and rewrote it more times than you know. So, now, I'm open to all suggestions! Preferably a couple I haven't written about in awhile, but mostly a couple you guys want! So vote!
My schedule will be completely normal after March 16, so expect more updates then!
Guess what! Yes! It's my birthday on Saturday, March 12! So if I don't update this weekend, oh well. It's my birthday!
I GOT 17 REVIEWS! YAY!
Thanks to my reviewers:
KristiexxNguyen (I'm so glad you liked chapter 17! Let me know your comments on this one, and vote! Who knows, maybe Ino and Shikamaru will take the stage next time?)
KuMi-iZ-Miii (What's tchau? Anyway, maybe Sasuke and Sakura will make it next time! I hope you liked this installment, though!)
Aikuchi Shikaku (I know the romance scene in the last one was short, but I think I might've been nervous then. It makes me kind of on the edge when I write scenes like that and people are in the room with me, or if it skirts certain subjects like the last one did. I think the one this time is much longer! Let me know what you think of this chapter!)
Sin Cross (I didn't update soon, but I hope you enjoyed it still! Let me know what you think!)
Dexo23 (Thank you so much! It really means a lot to me that you would consider my story one of the better ones! I hope you enjoyed this update!)
sephynarutocloud (Sorry there was no kissing…I just don't consider physical contact really natural there, I guess. Let me know what you think of this installment!)
warprince2000 (It was FUNNY? Wow, such a vocabulary, such detail…I'm impressed. But which was funny, me picking on you, or the last installment? I hope this one was cool too! Lol)
Akia Bin Zaid (You are too good to me! I'll have to tell you, though, that a lot of these ideas come from over analyzing and daydreaming, which I don't normally get rewarded for! Thanks so much for your honest comments. Its great to have those few reviewers who give me honest, clear opinions in good grammar, lol.
Well, I got to do my Neji and Tenten idea, but I'll have to say, my standards were two inches from being met, although I think that's just because it seemed draggish to me. My chapters are usually so much shorter! In any case, I look forward to your comments!)
animEvivvErz (I'm glad you liked the last chapter! Maybe Ino and Shikamaru will make it next time, so vote! Let me know what you think of this chapter too!)
mezzaluna (Hi! I hope you liked the Neji and Tenten chapter! Let me know your comments on it!)
babykitty2070 (Okay, so it wasn't Sakura and Sasuke, but it was awesome, right? Thanks for reviewing, and let me know what you think of this chapter!)
Rachel (Thanks for voting for Neji Tenten! It's nice to get such a huge idea off my chest! This time, vote for your favorite! Thanks!)
kanashii-emi (Doesn't kanashii mean cute in Japanese? Anyway, I'm so glad that you liked the gate idea! I thought it was kind of weird when I first thought of it, to tell you the truth. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!)
angelmich (Thanks for taking the time to review; it means a lot to me! I almost totally agree with you on the Sakura and Sasuke comment, but that's another story. Let me know what you think of this chapter!)
Bianca (THANK YOU! You're so sweet! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! And, thank you for reviewing! It makes me feel so great when you guys review!)
Danny (Hey! Thanks for taking so much time to read and review! It must've taken a lot of coffee and patience to read so much in so little time! I'm glad you liked the Naruto and Hinata chapter! Hopefully, you had the same sentiments on this one! Sorry about the hair ordeal…I seem to have some problems with colors when writing this story. I only read the manga, and since that's black and white, I kind of give my colors up to my imagination, which is why I think Hinata has black hair and that Ino has blue-but in any case, thank you! I'll make sure to not make those mistakes in the future!)
i-dream-of-blue-eyes (You got your Neji and Tenten! Make sure to vote and tell me what you think of it! I'm glad I made Naruto and Hinata to enjoyable for you in the last update!)
Review,
Vote,
Love,
-IHearVoices