Author's note: YaaaY! Ramadhan is close! Close! I'm happy but I must apologize... maybe I couldn't update... MAYBE. Except... ahum (blush)... anyway that's for me to know and for you to find out, okay, to the point. I didn't know myself but this chapter seemed fluffy to me... (since I'm in a jolly good mood when writing this...). Enjoy!
Announcement!
Main pairing: NejiNaru (Soo cuute! Well... that's clear already)
Side pairing: ShikaTema (Won't have much scenes... but again, it's all up to you!), KibaHina (don't know about this one too...) SasuGaa (maybe and maybe not, whaddya think? If you say no... then I won't make this pairing)
One-sided pairing: SasuNaru, NaruSaku (I HATE Sakura... sorry you guys... but I just plainly hate her!)
NARUTO'S FIRST DATE CHAPTER 11
"C'mon! Five laps to go!" Sasuke Uchiha tapped his foot impatiently on the ground.
Neji growled and leapt up to chase the rest of the team.
The previous days had gone so fast on Neji's point of view. This was the last day of the training, tomorrow, they'll go back to Konoha. Sasuke will spend the night, too. He silently wondered what kind of activity he did to make time flew so fast like that. Now, here they were, doing the training program Sasuke had scheduled. First, running twenty laps around the wood. Followed by the genjutsu training, then they must do the chakra training, after that some taijutsu training ("I'm going to beat you Neji-kun!" "Whatever."), then they will train their throwing abilities.
"I'm (pant) going (pant) to die... hosh hosh... (pant)..." Shikamaru managed to say between panting. He was on the edge of collapsing.
"Ganbatte! Pineapple boy!" Temari cheered for his boyfriend, waving her hand.
"(pant)... how... troublesome... (pant) (pant)..." Shikamaru choked out his words.
"He's going to die soon...(pant)" the running Kiba said to Neji, who ran beside him. He cast a pity glance towards Shikamaru.
"Probably..." Neji focused back to the training.
"But, seriously! This is (pant) torture! (pant) Like they did on that college on Indonesia... (pant) what did you call it?" Kiba asked.
"Not sure... STPDN or something like that..." said Neji, remembering the name.
"You guys! No chit-chat!" Sasuke shouted to them.
"Okay, okay! Geee(pant)eeeezz... If he's not the one who watched over our training, I'll chop his head for sure!" Fire blazed on Kiba's eyes as he formed his hand into a fist and smacked it onto his palm. Neji sweatdropped. Like you can...
A loud bam was heard, followed by a shout from Temari, indicating that Shikamaru collapsed already.
"One more down, four to go..." Kiba counted, Chouji was out a few minutes before Shikamaru. So that left Neji, Naruto, Lee, and himself to continue the training.
"Where's Naruto?" Neji asked, he glanced around him to find a flash of orange, or maybe the familiar shout the blonde used to emit, but he found none.
"Ahead, or maybe behind (pant) why?" Kiba said, trying to sound normal.
"Nah, nothing... I think he's been avoiding me, don't you think?" asked Neji.
"... I think I'll collapse soon too..." Kiba panted, ignoring Neji's last question.
"Suit yourself..." and with that, the brunette dashed forward, leaving the tired dog boy behind.
"HEY!"
Neji didn't hear Kiba's shouts, his mind replayed the scene he had with Naruto yesterday.
FlashbackNeji was walking into the living room, he was about to turn in the corner when the running Naruto appeared from it and crashed onto him.
BAM!
"OW!"
Neji, by reflex, caught Naruto's waist and pulled the smaller boy onto his chest, preventing him from falling down.
"Phew, that was close... you should be--" Neji sighed.
"S-sorry!" Naruto stuttered, cutting Neji's words.
One thing that went unnoticed by Neji was the blush that crept into Naruto's cheeks. Naruto quickly entangled himself from Neji's firm grip, and he quickly dashed away as if he burned his pillow and forgot to shut down the flame.
"Now that was weird..." Neji muttered.
End FlashbackNeji sighed. Not just that, there were countless events where Naruto seemed to run away every time he saw Neji. It looked like Naruto was avoiding him on purpose.
Why? Did he do something wrong?
Neji's train of thought was cut off when he realized he had completed the first session of the training.
"Way to go, Hyuuga!" Kankurou clapped his hands. Neji smiled slightly and decided to watch Kiba and Lee struggling for the finish line.
ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
"1"
"2"
"3"
"4"
"5"
"6"
"7"
"Yup, that's all..." Neji said to himself, amused and proud at how many kunai he embedded to the black spot in a random tree, all in one blow.
"He WON from me AGAIN!" Lee dropped to his knees, and started sobbing dramatically. "GAI-SENSEI! I PROMISE I WILL TRAIN HARDER!" tears streaming down his face, the sunset in the background (popped out from nowhere) completed the overly dramatic moment.
Neji quirked his brow at his teammate. Once again, amused that he managed to stay alive after hanging out with a freak like Lee for a long time.
"THERE'S NO TIME TO HAVE FUN! GET UP GET UP! THIS IS MY SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH!" Lee jumped around and shouted, mainly to himself.
Neji sighed. Some people will never change...
By the way, he hadn't see Naruto again for these past few hours. Neji started thinking where was that hyperactive blonde. But Lee's shout kept disturbing his mind. After all, he must concentrate on training first.
Yosh, next...
ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Later that afternoon, Neji was checking on his wound, he smiled, that nasty looking bruise was almost gone, it left a red scar on his pale skin that would probably disappear soon. He was putting his bandage aside when Temari walked in, her face seemed troubled.
"Ah, Hyuuga..." she noticed Neji and a smile formed on her lips.
Neji nodded in acknowledgment. "Something in particular?" he asked the blonde girl.
"Actually yes, as you can see, your team leader has successfully twisted his ankle." Temari snorted and gestured at Shikamaru, who laid on the couch.
"Ouw... ouw... ouw, am I gonna die?" Shikamaru groaned.
"Yes you are if you don't shut up!" Temari hissed, her grip on her fan tightening.
"Great! Then I don't need to do troublesome works again!" Shikamaru was delighted. His eyes were twinkling anime-style.
Everyone sweatdropped.
"Ouch! It's cold!" the shadow user groaned again when Kiba put ice cubes on his twisted ankle. Neji gave yet another sympathetic glance at the groaning Shikamaru.
"And I can't find medicine box anywhere. So, maybe you can gather some herbs? Please, Mr. Genius?" Temari asked, she gave Neji her best puppy eyes.
"Why me?"
"One, your chubby friend will mostly eat the herbs, because he's hungry... wait, take that back, he's always hungry. Two, I don't believe your dog boy friend, three, your friend who had that humongous eyebrows was busy talking to himself, four, your blonde friend was nowhere to be found, five, that Uchiha was busy making reports, he says, six, you know that my brother Kankurou is stupid—"
(not too far from there)
"ACHOOO!" Kankurou sneezed.
"Hadda cold?" Gaara asked his brother.
"Nah, maybe someone is talking about me..." Kankurou sniffed deeply.
"I wonder what kind of stupid person who bother to talk about you..." Gaara said in his customary monotone voice. Kankurou made a face.
"You're just jealous, bro."
"No shit."
(back to Temari and Neji)
"--seven, I told Gaara to watch over Shikamaru with me, eight, do you get it?"
"... I think," Neji stared at the blonde girl, amused at how she managed to say that long list of people without taking any breath.
"Then go, go, go!" Temari shooed him.
"If I refuse?" Neji asked, in a challenging tone.
"Oh, you wouldn't want to know what I'm gonna do to you... pretty boy," Temari smirked and opened her fan slightly.
"... where's the list?"
ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
"Okay... I think I'm lost." Naruto said in defeat. He looked around his surroundings. Trees, trees, rock, trees, another trees.
"AAAAAAAAHHH!" Naruto felt like pulling out his hair. He took the wrong turn at the training, that's for sure! And the worst part is: He couldn't trace his friends' chakra! Damn, they must be hiding it by habit.
How on earth will he find a way home?
"Maybe if I turn right..." Naruto looked at his right. There was a small path, leading to God-knows-where.
"Or left..." he turned his head to the left, bushes were blocking the path.
"Oh shit...!" he held his stomach who started to give low rumbling.
ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Neji walked slowly along the forest, his eyes casting down for the signs of herbs he's been searching. Her right hand was shoved into his pocket while his other hand was holding the small list of herbs Temari gave him.
This and that... Neji thought as he scanned the area around him.
He noticed a few herbs on his list and bent down to pick it up, he stuffed the items on his pouch and continued walking.
I've never really gone this far before... Neji thought as he examined his surroundings. Trees, trees, and trees. Fresh scent of pine filled his nose.
He inhaled and smiled, He loved the smell of the forest, it was relaxing and fresh, well, at least for him. He flipped his hair into his back and started walking again.
Better be hurry, it's getting dark...
ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Naruto dropped into his knees.
"Pheeeew! Goddammit! I'm LOST in here, ALONE?" he shouted. He hoped that his friends already noticed that he was gone and started searching for him.
"And it's cold too... damn," he cursed and rubbed both of his hands together and blew on it in an attempt to make his body a little bit warmer.
He continued walking, but he didn't see a sharp branch beside him.
"DAMMIT!" he shouted/hissing when pain shot through his nerve. He brought his wounded hand to the same eye-level. Great, a medium scratch on his finger, blood was dripping from it.
He looked like a fool, he reminded himself. Walking around without knowing the direction and made himself wounded. But that's not the point. The first thing of all, he must find a way back. Or maybe he'll die out of cold here.
"OOOOIII! ANYBODY OUT THEEEREE?"
"Naruto?"
Naruto quirked a brow, what was that? That wasn't his sound. That voice, that voice came from behind him... He turned and saw someone.
It was pretty dark but Naruto recognize the person. Long tresses of beautiful brownish black hair tied up in a customary loose ponytail, pale skin and pupil-less opalescent eyes. And a bandaged right arm and right leg. A concern looked crossed over his handsome face.
"NEJI!" he felt his worry washed over by a wave of relief.
"Naruto? What are you—" but Naruto launched himself to Neji's arms, without thinking twice. Enfolding the Hyuuga in a tight hug.
"THANK GOODNESS!" Naruto nearly shouted in relief. He buried his face deeper into Neji's chest and tightened his grip on Neji's back. Resulting a deep crimson on Neji's cheeks.
"Oi oi, Naruto..."
But Naruto was too relieved and couldn't register what he had done. Well, it was until his stomach started it rumbling again. Naruto realized that he was hugging Neji. NEJI. Oops, he must be too happy until he forgot what will happen if he hang around with this prodigy.
Yup, it happened. A deep blush crept to his cheeks and his heart started pounding two times faster.
"S-sorry!" he quickly released Neji, who blushed too.
"...hungry?" Neji changed the topic.
"... yeah, um... you know, I'm lost and I haven't eat anything since breakfast..." Naruto grinned sheepishly.
"Naruto, what's with your hand? It's bleeding..." Neji pointed to the new scratch on Naruto's finger.
"Huh? Oh, this... I'm just a little careless and wounded myself... but it's not much," Naruto laughed at his own stupidity.
"Yeah sure, but it still needs treatment... let's see..." Neji rummaged into his pouch, he frowned when he found nothing to wrapped Naruto's wound. Damn, I left it when I treated my own wound...
"Gee Neji, you don't need to—" Naruto stopped dead when Neji held his wounded finger gently and lifted it to his mouth.
"Sorry, Naruto... can't find tissues..." and after that, Neji put Naruto's finger in his mouth, sucking out the blood.
Gaara's hair will envy Naruto's face color right now, that's for sure.
After he finished, Neji carefully pulled Naruto's finger out, he ripped his own bandage and wrapped it beneath Naruto's wound, preventing the blood from dripping out again.
Naruto stayed silent through all the progress save for the slight wince he had due the pain. He was afraid if this was just a dream and if he moved a single bit, it will disappear.
"C'mon, let's go back... your wound needs treatment, it's dark already and it's cold..." Neji patted Naruto's shoulder and gestured to the road in front of them.
"Um..." Naruto nodded, happy.
ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Both of them walked in silence. Neji had his hands in his pocket, leading the way, Naruto was following behind him. Both of them couldn't see clearly due the dark.
Neji silently stole glances to Naruto every now and then, thinking. Is it a right time to confess? There were only them in here. He waited for four days now. But... what will Naruto think about him? Did that picture was real? Did Naruto really do that? What if Kiba just tricked him? Those thoughts swirled on his head.
Neji took a deep breath, just give it a shot, like Kiba said.
"N-Naruto—" Neji started, suddenly felt VERY nervous.
"Yeah?" Naruto responded, staring at the Hyuuga's back.
"I-I... um, well... uh, how's your progress with Sakura?" Neji asked. If Naruto still had feeling for that pink head...
"Sakura-chan?" Naruto suddenly had an urge to slap his own forehead. He totally forgot about that kunoichi!
"Uh... I... lost my interest..." Naruto said truthfully. It's okay if it's just this, right? Just don't let Neji find out his true feeling.
"Huh? Why?" Neji stopped and waited until the blonde catch up, then walked again in a same pace as Naruto.
"I—think she won't acknowledge my feeling... she likes that Sasuke too much..." Naruto lowered his head, what he had said was partly true.
"Oh... I'm sorry."
"No, fine... sorry for troubling you, Neji... beside—" Naruto discontinued his sentence.
"Beside?"
"I— nothing..." Naruto said, now staring into the Hyuuga's eyes.
"So... you've found another person?" Neji asked curiously.
Naruto stayed silent for a moment, he broke his eye contact with Neji and stared down to his feet. He remained like that for a moment, as if thinking, he looked at his wound with Neji's bandage on it, he smiled before he lifted his head to face Neji again and grinned his foxy grin.
"Yes." he nodded.
Neji's eyes widened slightly. He felt his heart started thumping a little faster. Could it be..?
"Who is it?" Neji said, part of him hoped that it was him but another part of him said it was impossible, and he believed the another part...
"Well—everyone can have secrets, can't they?" Naruto reasoned.
"Sure... I just wanna know," Neji shrugged, but felt disappointed. So it was not me after all...
"That's fine..." Naruto stared back to the road again.
"Naruto... I-I want you to know something..." Neji took a deep breath again, trying to compose himself.
"What?"
"Well, maybe this is weird, and maybe you won't like it... maybe you'll hate me..." Neji voiced out his mind.
Naruto lifted his head curiously. He met the Hyuuga's nervous face. "No I won't hate or mad or whatever. Spill it."
"You won't?"
"You have my words, Hyuuga."
Neji turned his head and faced the blonde he's been longing to. Naruto never lied, well, at least to him. Suddenly he felt that it's alright if Naruto reject him. Since it will happen after all...
"Naruto, I—"
"THERE THEY ARE!" Lee shouted and waved enthusiastically. "OOOIII! NEJI-KUUUN! NARUTO-KUUUN! HERE HERE OVER HERE! THE COTTAGE IS OVER HEEREEE!"
Naruto blinked. They reached the cottage already?
Neji shut his eyes closed and counted to ten. Lee, you bastard! Remind me to kill you later! Kussoooo... just a little bit more! $#: $$#)! a series of unsuitable words for children was forcing to storm out from his mouth. He gritted his teeth.
"Neji?" Naruto called. "What is it, Neji? Tell me..."
"..." Neji was confused either to say it right here and have Lee heard it or not. He bit his lower lip and shook his head slightly.
"Well, Naruto... maybe some other time..." he smiled at the Kyuubi's vessel.
"Huh? Why? Why why?" Naruto seemed disappointed, he pouted his lower lip and tugged on Neji's shirt.
"What is it?" Lee approached them, eyes darting to Neji and Naruto, who had a suspicious expression (in Lee's opinion).
"Nothing, Lee... really, nothing." Neji nodded at his teammate and walked past Lee and Naruto.
Lee stared at Naruto, clearly demanding an information about what had happened and pointed at Neji. Naruto shrugged and shook his head.
"I don't know, Thick Brows..."
"Stop calling me that, please!"
"Hey, how long are you going to stand in there?" Kiba shouted from the door, welcoming Neji who entered the cottage first.
"Sorry, coming!" Naruto shouted and ran to the front door, followed by Lee in a slower pace. There was one thing that filled Naruto's mind right now.
What thing does he want to tell me? Naruto thought as he stared into the Hyuuga prodigy, who walked away to find Temari. Even though it annoyed him, there was one thing that Naruto was glad for. Neji made himself realized. He won't run away from his feeling again. So what if he's gay? Maybe, like the thing Neji said very often, this was his fate.
Naruto smiled and watched as he saw Neji's figure disappeared to the kitchen, still seeking the blonde girl.
I love you, Hyuuga Neji...
-TBC-
Author's note: hmmmh... dunno, fluffy, isn't it? Anyway... Reviews please! And please write your opinion about the pairings I've listed above... I NEED your opinion! Mainly about the side-pairings! PLEAASEEE :puppy eyes:
REVIEW CORNER (it's been a long time...)
koku-kirin:... bangganya kamu, tapi thanks ya... (untuk kali ini gw berterima kasih padamu tou-chan MWAHAHAHA maksudnya apa lagi) Keep it up, onegai ; (ngomong-ngomong, foto-foto Infini team-nya mana! WHERE IS OROCHI-SAN?)
astarigituloh: Astari-chan! Kemaren pas event kamu itu yang mana sih? I couldn't recognize you! (Lho, off topic)... Maybe, next time we could meet... Thank you for reviewing!
Jen: Aww... but that makes the story more interesting :run away: Anyway... you'll see, I love NejiNaru too much to ruin things up... those two WILL be together, I promise :Nice Guy pose: Thanks for reviewing and please stick with us!
HieiJaganshi11: Ouch... censored words... sorry, hehehe... I must get rid of my habit of making cliff-hangers... anyway, glad that you like it, Thank you!
Chocobaby: I personally agree with you! There's not much NejiNaru and there's too much SasuNaru! Where's justice:mumble: Hey authors, please make more NejiNaru... hey, what am I talking about? Thanks for reviewing!
animelvr4evr: Thank you for reviewing! And thank you for waiting patiently... , I'm so glad that more people started reading this story :sniff:
KarmaDreamZ : Yeah! Gaara rocks! I love that insomniac, cute, cuddly panda-eyed! At first I didn't suspect that it will turn out like this but... anyway, glad you like it!
Princess Kitana: Yup, and first attempt: failed... sorry if it's disappointing... thank you for reviewing and I'm glad you're still here! Please keep reading!
silverfangedgoddess09: A new reviewer:jumps around: Yaaay! Thank you! I hope you're still reading this until the very end! And reviewing it too...:smacked by Yuki: Ouch...
Reader: A fellow NejiNaru lover! I'm so happy :sniff sniff:... glad that you like it, please keep on reading this!