When Past Meets Present
Chapter 9: Fear Can Harbor Love
Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Naruto
A/N: Sorry if I didn't update for a long time, it didn't feel that long to me…well lately I've been really, really busy so I haven't found time to update, or I simply didn't feel inspired so yeah, that's pretty much it. Where did I leave off? Oh yeah Ren just kissed Shikamaru.
Eri watched Ren kiss yet another guy that she had a crush on and she opened her bottle of Evian water and dumped it over Ren's head, and Ren promptly broke the kiss and smiled at Eri and waved goodbye to Shikamaru coyly and walked over to the bathroom to dry off. Shikamaru was in shock at what Ren had done, he never expected her to kiss him in front of so many people, and he also couldn't help but get butterflies. Even though he rationalized that Ren's kiss was probably just for revenge and show, he couldn't chase away the glimmer of hope that maybe she actually had feelings for him. He snapped out of his thoughts and saw the smirking face of Neji.
Shikamaru: What are you smirking about?
Neji: Nothing, the expression on your face is priceless. So much concentration.
Shikamaru: How troublesome. Troublesome, girls are so confusing, even my high IQ can't figure out what goes on in girls' minds.
Shikamaru shoved his hands in the pockets of the hundred dollar jeans that Ren had bought for him and walked off, probably in search of a tree to sit under.
Usagi: How odd…they kiss then they go in their separate ways…
Neji: Well just because they shared one kiss doesn't mean that they are a couple.
Usagi: I guess not…
In the midst of all this commotion, Usagi almost forgot that Eri and Stacey were still there pointing and jeering.
Usagi: What's so funny girls? Did you finally see your reflections?
Stacey: Oh nothing's funny…(giggle)
Usagi: Whatever…I'm not going to stand here while you guys giggle like little bitches.
Stacey: Fine, you can go…but no need to drag Neji-Kun away…
Usagi: Who said that I'm dragging him around? He can do whatever he wants, is it my fault that he likes to hang out with me instead of you…
Stacey: Well maybe he just pities you…
Usagi: So? I know that he isn't, and I don't really care if you disagree, and oh yeah, if he really did like you, then he'd be with you no matter what I wanted FYI…
Usagi turned to walk away, but instead she felt an arm wrap around her waist, she looked down and saw the Rolex watch that she had bought for Neji and looked up at his serious face, he gently led her away, she knew that he was doing that to make the point, but deep down she felt the spark of optimism, the slight hope that he felt about her in the way she felt about him, which even she wasn't sure of.
So the rest of the day went by in the same boring fashion, Ren and Shikamaru turned in their project and judging from the teacher's subtle hints, they probably aced it. And no girls were giving Ren any trouble, though Ren had to deal with the guy that she randomly kissed on the lips all day. Which in itself was not extremely unpleasant despite the fact that if their heads would bump or hands would accidentally touch, instead of being able to laugh it off, they would instead be forced turn away, in vain attempts to hide their blushing faces. Ren actually kind of liked that, she hadn't been with a guy who could give her butterflies and make her blush in so long, being with Shikamaru felt like pure, cute, fluffy, bliss. While Shikamaru was feeling unusually dazed, but still content. Meanwhile Usagi was feeling agony. She couldn't stand thinking about whether or not Neji's feelings were for real, or if they were just another optimistic mirage that her mind conjured up, so Usagi struggled to concentrate on her schoolwork, and it didn't help that Neji was sitting right next to her, not doing much but still looking unbearably cute. As if she needed another distraction. She felt herself growing listless and she found that she had been reading the same sentence in her textbook seven times, and with much effort she devoted her attention to her work. While this was going on Neji had absolutely no clue the effect that he was having on Usagi, he was simply glad to be able to be close to her, he didn't want to think about whether or not she felt the same way, he was just happy that she was close to him. The school day ended with nothing much happening. Usagi felt tired because she had to keep on pushing herself to concentrate. Meanwhile Ren was in a dreamy state, her eyes were clouded and sparkling as if she was off in some beautiful dream world, and she walked not really paying attention where she was going. She finally was able to snap out of her state when she spotted Usagi and Neji walking to her and Shikamaru. She waved and hailed a taxi. Once all four of them had climbed in, Shikamaru yawned and put his arm around Ren (Me: You know, the yawn then reach out your arms ect.), and to Usagi's surprise Ren didn't reach up and move his arm away.
Usagi: (Nudges Neji) Looks like we have here a love connection…
Ren: Whatever!
Usagi: (Sings Softly) Ren and Neji sittin' in a tree…
Ren: Shuddup!
Neji: You shouldn't talk like that Ren…
Ren: Sorry…I didn't mean to diss your lover (Not in the pervert way!)
Usagi: What? I'm not—
Ren: (Puts fingers in ears) La, la don't tell me, it'll break my heart, because I've already got it set on going to your wedding…
Shikamaru: Troublesome…
Ren: I heard that…
Usagi: Haha.
They joked and laughed around, when the taxi had to stop at a light, there were huge traffic, because once again the weather was being unpredictable, and the sunny skies were turning into gray rain clouds.
Taxi Driver: Hey kids, you might just want to walk home, this traffic isn't going to budge for a long time, and I've got the clock running as well, so to save money maybe you kids should walk…
Ren: Thanks for the tip…but we can't walk…it's really far…
Taxi Driver: Well there is somewhere you can stay…but it's not exactly the most welcoming place…
Usagi: What is it?
Taxi Driver: It's the old Fujimoto house…
Usagi: Isn't it deserted?
Taxi Driver: No, it has caretakers who are willing to rent out rooms for the night.
Ren: What she means is, isn't it haunted?
Taxi Driver: Don't worry about it sweetheart, I'm sure your boyfriend can protect you…
Ren: …
Usagi: Nice one…
Shikamaru: How troublesome, a lightning storm is brewing…
Usagi: Let's go…what could happen?
So they walked the rather short distance to the Fujimoto house, when they knocked on the door a short old woman opened the door.
Old Woman: Yes?
Neji: We need a room for tonight…
Old Woman: Two rooms, queen size bed…
Neji: Sounds perfect…
Old Woman: Come in…
The old woman stood aside and let them all in, the house was well cleaned but had a cold, icy quality that send chills up their spines. The walls were covered with musty dark purple wallpaper that had the oddest design, it was of barbed wire entwined with vines, the floor was covered with black marble that was cracked in some areas and though everything was clean, there was a stale condition that made everything seem dirty. The old woman kindly motioned for them to follow her upstairs.
Old Woman: So you are only going to stay for tonight am I correct?
Ren: Yes.
Old Woman: You will pay in the morning when you leave. You know that you are the only guests we have had in a long time…
Usagi: Hehe, yeah…
Old Woman: This house has a rich history you know…this room here belonged to Master Fujimoto and his wife, she was beautiful and so kind, pity what happened to her…this will be your room
The old woman motioned for Usagi to put her stuff down, and then led Ren to her room
Old Woman: This room belonged to the master's nanny, she was a very seductive, sultry woman, she had a good heart, pity…pity…
Ren: Um thanks…
The old woman left leaving them extremely worried about what was a 'pity'.
Shikamaru: So Ren are you going to spend the night with Usagi?
Ren: Um, no, that is unless you want to share a bed with Neji…
Shikamaru: Does this mean…?
Ren: Yes, whatever, I'm going to spend the night with you…happy?
Shikamaru: I must admit, yes.
Neji: So Usagi are you ok with spending the night with me?
Usagi: Yes! Yes! Yeah…after all little miss Ren wants to spend the night with Shikamaru.
Ren: Hey I like you and all, but I need to be protected.
Shikamaru: Come on, let's get settled…
So Usagi went into her room and Ren went into her room with Neji and Shikamaru following behind.
Usagi's room was painted a blood red—I mean burgundy color. The bed was spread with a red satin and it looked like it could be Dracula's lair.
Usagi: Ok, so I'm going to go take a shower—oh damn, I don't have my clothes with me…
Neji: I think the woman said that there are clothes in the dresser…
Usagi opened the closet and saw that there were clothes; the problem was these clothes were very old Victorian styled and kind of musty. Usagi finally picked out a loose flowing black dress that was loose enough to sleep in. She changed into it and blushed slightly at the way Neji looked at her.
Usagi: Ok I'm done with my shower, did you find any clothes to sleep in?
Neji: No, I'll just wear the clothes I'm wearing now. Heh, Usagi looks nice in that black dress.
Meanwhile Ren and Shikamaru were lying on the bed and staring at the ceiling, both of them knew that they should be taking a shower, but they were just too lazy.
Ren: Hey Shikamaru, do you want to take a shower first?
Shikamaru: Maybe later, why don't you?
Ren: I don't feel like it, I don't even have any clothes…
Shikamaru: There are some in the dresser…
Ren: Ok…
Ren looked in the dresser and grimaced at all the old fashioned clothing, she finally picked out a white nightgown to sleep in. She changed into it and sneered at Shikamaru's smirking.
Ren: What's so funny?
Shikamaru: It's not every day when I get to see a girl in a white nightgown…
Ren: Well I don't see you having to wear some ancient clothing…
Shikamaru: I have no problem wearing back my clothes.
Ren: Fine…
So Shikamaru and Neji finished with their showers, and came back out to see the girls reading what appeared to be a diary.
(Usagi's Room)
Neji: What are you reading?
Usagi: Mrs. Fujimoto's diary, there is a lot of scary stuff in here…
Neji: Like what?
(Diary Entry)
Dear Diary, I am starting to have suspicions that my husband and the nanny are having an affair, we pay her for spending the night, when the children can already sleep soundly through the night with no problems that I can't handle. At dinner she kept on smiling at him, and I'm fearful that I'll end up having to dispose of her in some way, what is she offering that I'm not?
(Ren's Room)
Shikamaru: Where did you get that book?
Ren: I found it, and it's really scary, it's the nanny's diary…
(Diary Entry)
Hello again diary, today was a scary day, I almost got caught with the master, and missus (You say it like Mrs.) is starting to suspect something is going on, how I pray that she will never learn the truth, for if she does I will be subject to her rage, a rage so strong that even her husband fears her. I feel dirty, I am having an affair with a married man, but I can't help it. I love him. But he'll never leave his wife, even though he tells me that someday, when the moment is right, he'll leave, but I know that's not true…
(Mrs. Fujimoto's Diary)
Dear Diary, I've never been more angry in my life! My suspicions have been confirmed. Today I caught the nanny in bed with my husband; they were fornicating in MY bed. I've never felt so insulted or dishonored; I vow that by midnight tonight, I will get my revenge. No matter how low I have to stoop, I will get my revenge on both of them. This I swear.
(Nanny's Diary)
Dearest Diary, you are the only one that I can confide in. Missus caught me with Master today, we were in her bed and neither of us expected her to come home so early, right now I'm hiding under the stairs, I fear the wrath of Missus, the glint in her eye when she caught me was like being looked over by the devil, I fear for my life as well as the master's…
(Mrs. Fujimoto's Diary)
Dear Diary, I've just committed an unforgivable sin, I killed my husband, and I killed my nanny, and in front of my children's eyes. I feel terrible and foul, this will send me to hell, but there is no hell worse than the torment of my troubled mind and impure soul. So, tonight I will end my earthly suffering and send myself to my destiny, so I will commit my final sin, and as I am writing this I am putting the rough rope around my neck and I bid this world goodbye…
So all four of them finished reading the passages and they were all silent…that's when Ren got the idea to look it up on her cell phone. In bold print read: THE FUJIMOTO MASSACRE. Ren furrowed her brow as she read the ways the Nanny and Master were brutally murdered. The article read:
The wealthy oil mogul, Hideo Fujimoto and his nanny Kyoko Hiro, were brutally murdered by Mae Fujimoto. Evidence states that Kyoko was hiding underneath the staircase when she was discovered by Mae, who then stabbed her in her right lung, and she ran to her bed room leaving behind a trail of blood leading up into her room, where she was stabbed once again by Mae, and her body was found in the middle of her bedroom floor. Hideo was currently taking a bath in the master bedroom's bath while this was going on, Mae found him and threw an electrical device into the water shocking Mr. Fujimoto to death, and lastly Mae was found hung in her bedroom.
Ren: Shikamaru…I'm scared…
Shikamaru: Of what?
Ren: She died right in the middle of our floor!
Shikamaru: What problem would she have with you?
Ren: I don't know…but I think we should tell Neji and Usagi…
Ren ran into Neji and Usagi's room, and apparently they knew about it as well, judging from their horrified expressions…
Ren: You know don't you?
Usagi: Oh yeah, we know a lot more then we'd like.
Ren: I'm really scared, the nanny was killed in my room…
Usagi: Well the Master was killed in my bathroom, and missus died in the middle of my room.
Ren: I'm so scared…
Shikamaru: Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you…
Ren: You better not…
Shikamaru: Let's go back and try to get some rest…
Ren: Bye…don't die!
Usagi: Same to you!
So Ren and Shikamaru went back to their room, Ren set up a bed for Shikamaru on the ground, while she settled on the bed. After all even though she liked him, she wasn't ready to share a bed with him. Usagi and Neji decided to stay on the bed, but they agreed to stay as isolated from each other as possible.
(Ren's Room)
Ren was lying in bed, trying to get thoughts of murder and blood out of her head but she just couldn't, that's when their light started to flicker on and off, even though she knew that Shikamaru had flipped the light off a long time ago. She sat up straight in bed and looked around the room, there didn't appear to be anything so she laid back down cautiously, when she heard the moans of a woman in anguish.
Ren: Shikamaru…
Shikamaru: Are you ok?
Ren: Yes, but I'm really scared…do you think you could climb up on the bed for a while…?
Shikamaru: I thought you'd never ask…
Shikamaru climbed on the bed and burrowed down into the covers. Ren was still sitting up, rigid as a board. Shikamaru reached up and found her hand and tried to get her to lie down, after a while she did, but she was tense as she lay in bed.
Shikamaru: What's wrong?
Ren: Someone was killed in this room…
Shikamaru: Shh, just sleep, I'll stay awake and look out for you if you want…
Ren: No, it's ok…
Shikamaru: Look at me.
Ren flipped over so that she lay face to face with Shikamaru.
Shikamaru: I'll protect you, trust me.
Ren: Ok…
Ren closed her eyes and felt truly indebted to Shikamaru, so she put her hands on the back of his neck and pulled him into yet another kiss.
Ren: Thank you…
Ren was finally able to relax and go to sleep and shortly after Shikamaru fell asleep as well.
(Usagi's Room)
Usagi was hearing a lot of sounds, sounds that kept her awake. There was a weird noise like small patters, not rain, but something else, that's when Usagi figured it out, the patters were the footsteps of spiders, big hairy fat ones. Usagi imagined them crawling over her face with their hairy legs, and shook Neji awake.
Usagi: Neji, are you asleep?
Neji: No.
Usagi: Do you hear the spiders?
Neji: Yes.
Usagi: And you're not going to do anything about it?
Neji: Even I don't have the power to kill that many spiders.
Usagi: What if they crawl on my face?
Neji: It wouldn't make you look any less beautiful…
Usagi: What?
Neji: Nothing, if your scared then go under the covers…
Usagi went under the covers but she still felt really scared, that's when Neji clasped her hand and held it tight and Usagi heard him murmur.
Neji: Usagi, there is no reason to be scared while I'm here.
Usagi immediately felt calm. And she was able to get over her initial fear. She was about to fall asleep when she swore she could feel Neji's eyes upon her face. She opened her eyes and saw that his face was really close to hers, he looked perfect in the moonlight, and Usagi couldn't resist, she leaned in and gave him a tender kiss on the lips.
A/N: So I'm done! And I really tried to make this one extra special, I'm not sure if it is, but I tried, also send your thanks to Linkin Park, I'm serious their music makes me write better, and I'm pretty sure that this is my longest chapter yet…so yeah.