A/N-Ok I lied. I was bored tonight so I updated. But I can guarantee there won't be one till next Saturday at the very least after this. Thanks to WhiteStarburst, Kyiri Makrono, ReiKai101, Duckichan87 and Loku for reviewing the last chapter. Again this Chapter is for Loku for her birthday. Read and Review!
Disclaimer-I don't own Naruto
Chapter 32
Michelle wandered down the sakura-shrouded flagstone path that Kumiko had showed her earlier, lost in her thoughts obsidian eyes trained on an indeterminate point further down the path. It was a beautiful area…
A quiet area… she needed to think. She had managed to slip away from the party after everyone, it seemed, had thanked her and were immersed in talking, eating and dancing.
After all that had happened…she didn't feel like partying that night.
She discovered a path that lead off of the main one and she followed it, having no real goal in mind. She came across a beautiful, obviously created but exquisite nonetheless, garden. Trellises formed a sort of fence around the clearing, each covered in blooming roses, more than she could count. On the ground were various species of wildflowers mixed with a carpet of dried rose petals. It was on this carpet she sank, emotionally exhausted.
This love thing was too hard. Every time she tried to think about Neji and how she felt about him…she was assaulted by memories. Memories of being beaten for trusting…emotional scars that just wouldn't heal…feelings of betrayal…and his face. Finally, after her third try, she clutched at her head, a fistful of black hair in her hand, while she cursed. "Why can't I just let go of what happened." She said softly.
Her fingers, while she thought were unconsciously digging through the rose petals, looking for nothing and anything. She finally came up with a rock that had been buried under the cushiony layer. After turning it over and over in her hands, she finally put some chakra into it and chucked it into a random tree, waiting to hear the 'thunk' of the rock against the tree.
She was rewarded with an 'Ow.'
Her breathing and pulse quickened unconsciously. "Go away Neji." He dropped to the ground behind her, muffled by the roses.
"Please…I want to kill you…but I don't…these memories…" she raised a hand to her head and covered her eyes.
"'Chelle…tell me what's going on…tell me what I did, why this…these memories and that nervous breakdown… is happening. And you need to hear me out too." Michelle was still shaking slightly. "Maybe if I tell you it'll get it off my chest and I'll be able to let it go." She mused. "Fine. I will…but this is the last time I'm reliving this. If Mika and Seyann want to know…they can ask you, not me." She smirked bitterly. "I sensed them there from about halfway through our confrontation." She breathed deeply before launching into the explanation. "You remember the ninja we fought? Well…the one that the ANBU and I fought?" Yes…I do."
"That was him…remember how I said that he had left me for dead? That was only after he tricked me into loving him…no I fell in love with his other image…not even the strongest genjutsu can make someone fall in love with someone else. When he finally revealed his identity to me, I was so caught off guard that it was almost like I let him beat me to pieces."
Neji finally comprehended. "And when I did the two images to you, it was like he was back from the dead." Michelle nodded. "I couldn't take it and I panicked. As you saw."
Michelle opened her eyes and stared at the ground, shaking like a leaf. Neji took a cautious step towards the girl, and laid his hands on her arms. "Do you want to know the difference between him and I?" he said in a calming voice. Michelle nodded her head once, in a jerking motion. "I would prefer to die before I ever hurt you, mentally or physically." Slowly her shaking stopped as she looked up into his pearly violet eyes. "Now that I know why you were so shaken up may I apologize?" Michelle nodded and said "You don't have to…you didn't know. It's my fault for holding onto memories for so long."
"You know…when the ANBU told you he loved you…I meant every word." He said softly. Sensing that she still needed time to think it over, he released her upper arms and was gone in an instant before she could say anything to stop him.
Michelle walked back to the party in a bit of a daze. Kumiko picked up on her mood almost right away and went over to her. "He…was here." Kumiko's eyes widened and she wrapped an arm around Michelle. "Are you okay? Did anything happen?" Michelle shook her head, black hair gleaming in the soft torchlight that helped set the mood for the party.
"He…merely heard me out. And he said only one thing…and it calmed me…he said he'd never hurt me." She suddenly smiled.
"And he said he loved me."
As soon as Neji had returned to Konoha he had been summoned in front of the Hyuuga clan head…as he knelt before his cousin, he dreaded to think about what this was about.
This was the first time that Hinata had been forced to use her power as the leader of the Hyuuga clan. Gone was the stuttering girl who rarely looked anyone in the face. Gone was the loving mother. In her place was a cold tyrant, who had to focus on making decisions for the good of the clan.
"Hyuuga Neji. You, in your actions, have shamed the entire Hyuuga clan." Her iron hard voice softened a touch. "And you caused personal hardship and emotional trauma to someone who is a close friend of mine." Neji flinched under the accusations of his cousin. "Forgive me milady." Her voice hardened again as she spoke to him. "Therefore, to prevent…further possible mishaps…I forbid you from ever seeing her, or speaking to her again. Do I make myself clear?"
Neji's eyes widened and he looked up at his cousin. "No…" he breathed. "Silence. Yes, or no. Do you understand?"
He lowered his eyes to the ground and said, almost sullenly "I understand." She nodded satisfactorily. "Good. Now, stay away from her."
Michelle walked the streets of Konoha happily, looking for Neji, wishing to tell him that she forgave him; it wasn't his fault and that she meant it too…she wanted him…loved him.
She suddenly caught sight of him, walking with his cousin and Naruto, in the bazaar, looking at various things. She called his name and waved but…he looked at her once, slid a glance at Hinata and turned back to what he was doing. When Hinata wasn't looking he looked her straight in the eye, jerked his head towards his cousin and shook his head slightly.
She comprehended. Hinata had said something to him, and, as a branch clan member he would have to obey.
Their makeup would remain a secret.
Later that night, Michelle was out in the woods when someone almost caught her offguard by wrapping his arms around her from behind. She would've freaked…if she hadn't been expecting him.
"You don't have to say anything…I understand what Hinata did." She said softly. "She thinks I hurt you." "You did." She reminded her secret boyfriend with a gentle laugh.
He turned her around and said "But you know I meant none of it…" "Yes Neji. I know. I was joking…surely you've heard of that practice." "I don't care what Hinata says you know…I'll keep coming…if you want."
"Well since you're hear I understand that you don't care what Hinata says. And…" she .leaned her forehead against his own. "I want."
Letting out a rare smile at his girlfriend's wit, he leaned in and gently kissed her.
A/N-There you go. Enjoy. NOW begins the weeklong Hiatus.
But when I get back I'll probably have a one-shot or two up my sleeve...
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