Any beta readers interest (or interested) in checking grammar for this piece? My grammar skills should be shot dead...

I have decided to discontinue this story and move on! Bye!

…Just kidding. Don't worry, I wouldn't do that (I think), as long as the reviews keep my spirits up. Thanks for all the wonderful review… "UPDATE!" I got it.

I don't own any of the characters…besides the blue hair maid whose name is Kari and the plot.


Untitled Tale

Chapter 7: The Reasoning behind His Logic


"…Because I don't need a reason to protect others."

The air was thick, drowning all who breathed it. Neji felt his mouth dried and his stomach made weird growling, complaining the emptiness it was experiencing.

Eyes, pairs and rows of eyes stared at him with absent looks, mouths rumbling with uncertainness and shocks. Neji landed his pearl eyes on the brunette head who sat on the other end of the discussion hall, lightly observing her reactions.

She was still sitting on the black marbled and cushioned chair, however, she would have fell to the ground with shock if guards were not holding her down. It was not a startling reaction she presented, as he was also amazed after evaluating what he accidentally blurted out loud when his feet carelessly took him here.

"She isn't going anywhere!"

What was I thinking?

---

I was furious. My eyes, though cold as snow, were flamed with fire. What are the maids doing today? Why are they all slackening around, as if they were waiting for pay?

I had a rough day. In the morning, I was force to attend to a Hyuuga meeting, which boring subjects were discussed and evaluated. I was extremely uninterested at what was happening to the mansion: the grapes in the mansion were difficult to produce fine red wine because the fruits were rotting faster, the limestone that structured the great Hyuuga statue outside was changing from a silk white color to slimy green, heiress Hinata had tried to escape the mansion again but wouldn't admit to the facts…

Big Deal.

More or less, master Hiashi kept asking me questions, as if this was a family reunion meeting. What do you think, what do you think, what do you think…Do I really look like I care about all the garbage that happened in here? I, Neji Hyuuga, am only interest in ruling the family and the people. Until I get my position, I could drink water and screw the wine.

After the tiresome meeting, it was already past four. I had completely thrown off my regular schedule and missed my usual horse-riding training. Annoyed and troubled, I went back to my room, hoping for a nice dinner and a light shot of apple cider with strawberries chunks in it.

Was this too hard for a single maid to handle?

Instead of seeing a warm dinner with my special drink, the blue haired maid (I called her the dinner maid) gave me a slightly cooled dish with a honey drink. I purposely stated that I wanted apple cider with strawberry chunks in it, and what do I get? Some rubbish in return. What have I done to deserve this kind of respect?

Using my daily treatment for "misbehaved maids", I arbitrary picked up a coal shovel and started to beat the dinner maid up. However, I didn't get far with releasing my frustration by physical abuse.

Sakura had somehow slid in front of the dinner maid and blocked my severe attacks. Her emerald eyes showed nothing by distasted of my actions and coldness as she signaled the blue hair maid to dash to Gai and check for injures.

"Kari, go. Let me handle him."

"Sakura, get out of my way. She misbehaved and should be punished."

"No, screw you. Kari, get the HELL out of here already." Sakura hissed as she backed up lightly, coercing the maid behind her to start running.

"I repeat, Sakura, GET out of MY WAY." My eyes were burning in gold and crimson, just a split more second until I explode.

"I refused." She replied calmly, after she pushed Kari out of the doors harshly and locked the door, trapped herself inside my room. I smirked at her foolishness for doing so, didn't realize she did this on purpose to keep Kari from entering again.

"Well, since you are so kind and caring and foolish enough to offer your own flash, I assume that you are expecting for the beatings?"

"Hmpt, give me all you've got, lowlife. At least I have the means to take the beatings."

"Pardon?" I questioned, more like demanded for an answer.

She flashed out one of her smile that swirled with bitterness, "Because I don't need a reason to protect others."

I felt my limbs numbed, and the knuckle that had bunched up so tight released lightly. I was mildly confused at her remarks and reactions. What happened? And what's with that bitter face? Sakura you are confusing my brilliant Hyuuga mind!

"You wouldn't understand." She accused, her normal stubborn mask hung upon her face again. "Make this quick, I still have to go back to my regular duty and get your thousand dollars night grown dried and ready before you ice-cube touch the bed sheet."

She didn't realize strings of tears had poured out from her jade eyes. When she finally did figured that she was crying, she shoveled her face backwards to prevent me from being more curious than I already am.

I felt a tint of sorry hovered my face as I kneed next to her, releasing the shovel to the side. I sat down and waited for an answer instead of asking her, since I knew verbal skills wasn't that great anyway. Plus, knowing who Sakura is, she would probably tell me without my questioning.

This is the first time I felt bad for somebody who had no deeper relationship with me than maid and master. It felt awkward as we sat in a safe distance in silence.

"I…injured a team mate when I was assisting the famous hunter in this village, accidentally on a trip.

We just knew each other no more than three days, and we already hated each other. I hated her hard guts and the way she sorts things out—it was hard to get close to somebody who carp straight forwards with hurtful words.

Despite this horrific relationship, she still took me on to a hunting trip with her. Actually she didn't have a choice because her other teammate, a more matured genius girl who great knowledge of how the world works, was asked to visit a nearby village for a weather predictions. The hunter believed that hunting could only worked out if two people worked together, thus I was chosen to assist her in any way.

I hated the girl, and pledged to myself no matter how bad the situation went, I wasn't going to lend a hand. I actually pledged that to my sallow heart as we marched into the deadly forest.

On the way searching for a target, we crossed our path with a few assassinators in the forest, who were in progress of discarding a victim.

Assassinators, as hired killers who are suppose to finish their task secretly, had two quick decisions they could make when their identity were discovered—dash for life or murder us so nobody could find out. At first, they made an attempt to rush out of the scene, however quickly shelved that thought as they saw their speed were no match for us, so they turned to their second plan and shot us poison needles. My team mate had no problem dodging all of them—she even had time to return several attacks. On the other hand, I was not able to block any of the needles.

I admit was no genius in combat attacks, even if I was somewhat trained before I arrived to this village. The needles were far too fast for my movement and I knew I was going to meet grim in a matter of seconds.

But my hated team mate jumped in front of me and became a human-shield. When the last assassinator fell down in front of us because he was strike by her weapon, I immediately went next to her for check ups. I knew if I didn't clean up the poison, she would be dead in a matter of seconds.

'Sakura…You know I still hate you for your slightly supreme medical skills, right?' She coughed out blood as she spoke.

'…Why did you save me then? You don't have to.'

'You don't have to save me either. I don't mind dying in the damn icy forest, I actually love the nature.' She let out a small laugh (which resulted in more coughs of blood), 'I saved you for the same reason to why you are healing me now…Because I don't need a reason to protect others.'"

I don't remember whether I beat her up afterward (I highly doubted that), nor do I remember whether Gai crashed in with a medical box in his hands, amazed at the fact Sakura was still one piece.

Some of these memories were never recalled, except…

"…Because I don't need a reason to protect others."

Her quote, her friend's quote…whoever quote that belongs to, had somehow printed onto my heart…

Maybe that's where my logic laid? Curse you Sakura, you changed me too much…

---

"She isn't going anywhere!"

Tenten starred at Neji with some awe, surprised at the fact that he came and sided with her. However, she was uncertain to whether she could depend her life on Neji, since he was the main reason why she was here as oppose to her daily routine. She shifted uncomfortably on the chair that she was held onto, and sensed Neji gazing at her, taking sharp observations. She curiously raised her glance from the white marble floor to Neji's face.

Her earthy and his snowy pupils met, and for a brief moment, she thought she had read through Neji's mind through the look of his eyes.

I only want to protect your rights to exist. This warm expression seemed to have written over his gaze, and for some reason, Tenten felt that she knew this gaze from somewhere. Scratch that, this was the same message I gave to Sakura when we went to our first hunting trip.

Unfortunately Neji had turned his face as Tenten had dismissed this moment by twisting her head to opposite directions, her face somehow flushed with hue of pinkness. What is this warm feeling on my cheeks?

Hiashi's voice rose quickly and alerted her back to her situation. "Neji, I understand that you wish to… side with this young lady, however, she is an inimical being! She tried to murder you…"

"It was a misunderstanding." Neji interrupted without much emotion, but eyes glancing at Tenten again. "I…she was too tried when she came in, and I just caught her when I happened to bandage myself from some sort of injuries."

"May I ask where did the injuries came about?" Hiashi, now interested at this situation, gave sharp eye contacts to Neji, who didn't return any because he was distracted by his personal maid, whose attention remained scattered in the room.

"I walked too close to the fire place when the sparks had shot out and burnt me." Great job Neji, as if he would believe sparks can actually be 4 inches long.

"Is that so?" Hiashi eyed him suspiciously, "Your tale isn't that credible, Neji. How can I ascertain that the young maid didn't drug you up in the morning, or gave you spells that may cause you to react differently?" He then lowered his voice to a level only Neji could heard him, "Don't you recall that four months ago an assassinator/spy had attempted to murder you? She—your past personal maid—was a pair fortunate-teller's offspring, so she probably had the magic to cased a spell on you before she attacked, but failed…didn't you learn from your mistake?"

Neji filched at the mentioned of Sakura, however, remained steady and empty as before. "You need evident to prove that she stayed out all night, master?"

"As a matter of fact, I do…"

"No, father! She didn't do anything! I can prove this!"

Once again, everybody's attraction was dragged to the entrance of the discussion hall onto a young girl in dark violet dress, making her way to Hiashi's side. Tenten immediately recognize this voice and this face, the elegant voice that pleaded in the dark and the delicate face which contained a bright duo of pearls that belonged to the only heiress of this mansion—Hinata.

Oh great, like how the heck could she save me when she couldn't even save herself last night! Oh wait…she did escape last night…then how the hell did she sneak back in without being prosecuted? Unfair rankings decisions…

"Hinata? You have evident for this young lady?" Hiashi's face showed hint of annoyance, as he couldn't understand why everyone is siding with Tenten.

"Yes…father." Hinata's finger started to twirl with timid, but her voice remained strong. "I…saw her last night when I was sleep walking."

This isn't going to work. Even I wouldn't believe her! Tenten's hope was once again burnt to ashes.

"Last night, pa-past midnight, I had slept walk through…m-many places…I dreamt of somebody chased me down with a dragger (Tenten felt herself shot up with the mention of her favorite weapon in her luggage, and caused Neji to raise an eye brow at her reaction) and I was running for my life. I eventually smash into somebody, which caused me to slightly wake up from the nightmare—it was that maid who I smashed into.

I wasn't entirely awake, so I thought she just happened to be in my dream, thus I continued to dash. After a good while of time, I woke up and found myself in a corner of the book hall, and that was when the guards came and woke me to escort me back to my room.

I curiously looked around the halls as I was escorted back. As I pasted by Neji's hall, I saw Miss Tenten stood there tiredly.

Father, if she was in any attempt to murder Neji, why didn't she attack Neji before morning approached? Furthermore, if she did attack, she should have taken her chance to escape through the night instead of standing in front of his room, knowing that she was going to become a suspect sooner or later, am I correct?"

Hinata finished her address and realized everybody was watching her cautiously, thus she coughed lightly and bowed her head in embarrassment, waiting for her words to sink in Hiashi's mind.

Silence crept over the discussion hall, as everybody was interested in what Hiashi was thinking. After a dreadful amount of peace, Neji spoke up, which is an unusual scene since Neji had never cooperated with Hinata, after learning that she was the "weak" heiress of this mansion.

"I agree with her." He simply stated, "It wasn't the first time that Hinata heiress had her sleep-walking in midnight (Hinata blushed at this). Moreover, if she had any killing intention, she might have took her chance to…get rid of the heiress at night. Therefore this is a pure evident for proving that Miss Tenten had no attempt in harming me or any Hyuuga in this mansion." Neji almost smirked at his remarks, beat that old man.

"Hmm, Hinata you slept walk again?" Hiashi questioned, and received a quick nod from Hinata and the guards behind her, "…are you sure that you are not…"

"Father, I could throw my life away to prove that she didn't do it." Hinata interrupted Hiashi's speech with her firm belief, amusing Hiashi. As a father of Hinata, he had never seen his daughter with such determination. He chuckled to himself mentally.

"If both of you insist…

Miss Tenten, your punishment is discharged. You are to continue to serve your loyalty to Neji…" His eyes dimmed a bit, "However, if the next time…there better be none in future…you are caught with such position as a suspect of any wrong doing, you would not get anyway that easily. Meeting dismissed."

This is unbelievable, her evident of lameness actually got me freed.

But why did everybody believed that she actually sleep walk? Did she sleep walk yesterday? I was sure she didn't…then again, I can't really tell anything behind those silver eyes…

Gai hopped up to give Tenten a tight hug, as the guards backed away with Hiashi's departure. Neji quickly approached toward Tenten, however, Hinata got there before him.

"Neji…could I borrow your maid for a while? Please?" Hinata asked, as she helped Tenten up, which cause the maid to fumble with uneasiness. Neji's raised his eye brows again, but gave a quick nod and watched Hinata dragged Tenten out quickly, disappeared behind the garden of the Hyuugas.

---

Okay, where is she taking me?

Hinata and Tenten… more like Hinata pulled Tenten along with her to the deeper part of the forest. Tenten tried to predict what was on the heiress's mind, but nothing lighted her light bulb. After another few moments of silent dragging, the girls arrived to an area where an oaken cottage had stood under the layers of fiery autumn leaves. Hinata lightly swept some of the leaves off an area to reveal the words underneath it. It read, "Violet Mansion".

What irony. Tenten thought as she observed the small loft. Hinata grabbed a handle and yanked it open, allowing Tenten to enter. Inside the "mansion", there was a fireplace and two chairs. Tenten noticed that names were craved behind the chairs, however the letters was hard to discern. The heiress pulled a chair and sat down, signaling Tenten to do the same, and she did.

"Heiress…is there something that I can…do for your…highness?" Tenten picked out the words cautiously as she knew this girl about the same age held much more power than Neji.

"Oh, please don't address me as heiress, Miss Tenten!" Hinata said, lightly shook her head while smiling, "just called me Hinata…like friends."

She must be out of her mind…Or does she wish to see me murdered by Neji?

"But, Neji…sir would get furious at me if I addressed you with such common attitude…heiress."

"Really, huh…" Hinata said, her eyes drifting with semi-disappointment. I guess I would never be common enough for him

---

"Hinata dear…You are the heiress of the Hyuugas, and you must understand these rules even if you are still little…The basic rule of marriage in this home is that only people as high and as worthy as you are could marry you, unless he was a prince of this nation. You mustn't love or ask to love a lower rank human-being, as this blindness of love would only hurt you in the end…"

Mother…

"What if you did end up loving a different rank person?"

Mother smiled. But it was so light it seemed as if it was fading away.

"The lower ones would only break your heart because he would be intimidated to love you back… Hinata, loving a more worthy person means loving a strong person…You wouldn't want to marry a weak person now, would you?"

Years gone by, and Hinata's mother had past away due to an evil sickness. However, her mother's words still lingered in her mind whenever she approached her crush. She didn't find out why until she asked him about his occupation and position.

"Naruto… what is your job? Is the position as high as the heiress of the Hyuugas?"

"Hm? I guess I can say that I work for the prince…I am like his bodyguard. …But compared to the heiress of the Hyuugas, I am like a commoner in the village…Why do you ask?"

She knew she couldn't love him, even if he was her only source of light…

If only…I was more common when I was born to this world…

If only…somebody else would take the title "heiress" for me…

Then I would spoil myself in your embrace…Naruto…

---

"Heiress?"

"Oh, oh! I am sorry. I was in a lost of thoughts." Hinata woke up from her daydream, and found Tenten stood up in front of her wryly. She tried to brush her bitter smile away, but it didn't fade.

Tenten spotted the disappointment within Hinata with her supreme observations, but she knew she couldn't do anything to change it. Instead, she changed the topic. "Heiress, is there a reason why we are here instead of being in the mansion? I don't want to be rude…but you don't seem to enjoy your current position… are you not?"

Hinata lowered her gaze.

If only…I was more common when I was born to this world…

If only…somebody else would take the title heiress for me…

Then I would spoil myself in your embrace…Naruto…

"You are right, Miss Tenten, I don't like being in the mansion… It is too cold and isolated as compare to this 'mansion'…"

It's too cold…like winter had buried in it and slowly taking over her heart…


Grammar checking is always…dreadful and annoying. But for the love of readers and my work I decided to do it anyway. Argh.

But alas, I think I still failed miserably trying to search more grammar mistakes. Please notify me if you found any other mistakes.

If you haven't realized it, Kari reappeared! Indeed, she was the same person from 2nd chapter who quit and gave Tenten the job… recall? Ah well, nothing significant, just want to see whether people are paying attention in my fanfict.

I sincerely have no clue what Temari is good at…so I just jabbed some lines about how she is good with "weather predictions". Laugh at this bullcrap, mates! If you actually know what she is good at, by all means tell me!

Naruto appeared… twice, as a phase. Happy? And semi-fluff is developing between Tenten and Neji. Give them time, they will mature into sexual desired lovebirds in the future. (There is a reason why this story is rated T, kiddies).

Predictions, comments, just another shout out for update are all welcome. Although I allow anonymous review, it would make my life easier if you are logged in when reviewing, so I can reply to your review. Check my forum for anonymous review replies. Thank you.