A Sorta Fairytale
A/N: Hey everyone! Thank you for all the reviews! hugs Actually, as I've realized, I don't really type that slowly! But updates might be slower now that school is starting. Still, I'll try my best, and most of my free time is spent on the computer anyway. BTW, how did you guys find my story? I can't search myself or my title. It's weird. . .
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Chapter Three: Confessions and Broken Hearts
Before she could change her mind, TenTen blurted out, "I'm engaged."
Neji was cut off by TenTen's sudden confession. He just turned to look at her. His face portrayed no emotions, however, he felt like his heart was crumbling. 'It's really my fault, anyway,' he thought to himself. 'Did you really think she was going to wait? Maybe if I'd told her before. . .' Remembering that he and TenTen were having a conversation, he asked, "Really? To who?"
"Sabaku no Gaara (Gaara of the Sands)," she replied softly.
"The Kazekage?" Neji exclaimed.
"Yes, Neji-kun. As hard as it may be for you to believe, I am capable of finding a husband, you know."
"I know that," said Neji, annoyed. "But why him?"
"Because," TenTen replied, "he asked. And this marriage will be a good way to form an alliance with the Country of Wind."
After a long pause, Neji finally asked, "Well, do you love him?"
"I like him well enough. This is mostly for Konoha anyway. Besides," she looked Neji in the eye, "the truth is, I don't think I would've had many other offers."
At this, Neji was silent. He couldn't believe that she couldn't see it; the way he had acted before he left, the way he waited before seeing her. He loved her; he had just been waiting for the right time to tell her. And now that time had been lost. Forever. He knew he couldn't tell her now, besides, it would be too selfish. Realizing that TenTen had been staring at him, waiting for his response, he asked, "When's the wedding?"
"In three months," she said, smiling. "I'm so excited! Gaara-kun was just here yesterday; that's when he asked me! Isn't this great, Neji?"
"Mmm. Yeah, great." Neji's mind was already whirring. Yesterday? That meant that he could have asked her first! Great. Why did fate hate him so much? If only he hadn't waited… Well, it was too late now. "I'm happy for you," he said in a voice that didn't sound very happy at all.
"Thanks, Neji. Your support really means a lot to me. I wonder where that old man is to take our orders." (A/N: They're at Ichiraku, remember?) As if on cue, the old man appeared and asked them what they wanted. "Not to be rude, but what took so long? What happened?" asked TenTen politely.
The old man sighed. "Naruto happened. He ate all of our ramen! We just got more ingredients."
"Oh, um, okay then. I'll have beef ramen. What about you, Neji?"
"I'm not hungry."
"Just a moment," said the old man. "Coming right up."
6:00 PM (Gaara and TenTen)
TenTen and Gaara had just finished a meal in a restaurant in Sunagakure and were walking around when Gaara finally broke the silence. "I have heard that Hyuga Neji has finally returned from his mission. You must have been delighted to see him."
"I was," said TenTen. "He's my best friend."
"Now that you know he's alive," said Gaara, "are you sure you still want to get married?"
"Of course I do! I don't like Neji-kun in that way anymore." (A/N: TenTen calls him "Neji-kun because they've known each other for many, many years and are best friends.)
"Yes you do. I've seen the way you look at him, TenTen-chan."
"Trust me, Gaara-kun," said TenTen firmly. "I am not in love with Hyuga Neji."
"Fine," said Gaara, giving up. "Whatever you say."
"Right," TenTen repeated. "I don't love Neji-kun." She really didn't love him. Right?
A/N: Okay, sorry for the late update, I was really trying to keep Neji in character! Let me know if he was too OOC, okay? Thanks for staying with me and my story!
One more thing. . . (By now you should know what's coming!)
Fate had decided. You will review this story. You can't change your destiny. Review.
