A/N: Yay! I finally finished writing this chapter! Although this chappie is shorter than most of mine, I personally think that this chapter seemed a little more interesting. Or maybe it isn't. You tell me. Thnx for the readers who reviewed! I love you guys! I love all of you that read my story too! MWAH (big kiss on cheek)!
[Having to love thee
After Hiashi ordered Tenten and Gaara to leave the room, Neji and Matsuri hadn't really talked. The room was only filled with sounds of Matsuri nervously tapping her fingers on the table and the continuous noises of clinking china. She felt really uncomfortable and edgy; it was either because the Hyuga in front of her doesn't seem really friendly, or either because she just didn't want an arrange marriage. She believed that girls should have their own desires these days and not always controlled by their father. But that was how things are. All of a sudden, the boy opposite of her dropped his cup and stood up. Matsuri shot a confused look at him and he straightened his robe.
"I'm sorry for being so rude," She apologized, "Please don't go." Neji gave her a lopsided grin. The mistress knew if this marriage was unsuccessful, her father will scorn her for sure. She better act more politely.
"I know that you don't want this." Neji told her in the most definite way and Matsuri could only gaze at him in surprise. The boy had read her mind. Those dark brown eyes of hers continued to stare at Neji until he spoke again.
"You have someone that you already care about." The obvious occurrences before had already revealed this to him, but Matsuri just denied.
"No, I don't like anyone!" The girl shook her head in refusal instantly. Matsuri hadn't even noticed that she was clutching onto her delicate attire so hard that it was sure to end in wrinkles. Neji heaved a heavy sigh and crossed his arms.
"I don't care if you like your guard, you know?" He reassured her.
"You don't?" Matsuri inquired. Her tone was less tensed, and more relieved. She exhaled in relaxation, but her eyes didn't leave the Hyuga. Neji shook his head.
"But my family, especially my father, wants me to marry you." Her sad brown eyes dropped. "Its not that I don't like you…." Her distant voice trailed off into the thin air and Neji gradually walked towards the door. "But I've already have found my perfect husband."
A stream of memories flashed past Matsuri's mind. It was all of a certain 'red head'. Yes, the two were very different. One was a cold, unemotional bodyguard and the other was a heartwarming and gentle mistress. Who would've thought that it was possible for them to be together? Yet, the girl had already chosen. It was going to be him.
"I am very sorry, Neji-kun." said Matsuri hesistated, "I…" Neji pushed opened the door and cut off her speech. His voice came clear, with a hint of firmness. Matsuri smiled in the most relieved way when she had heard:
"I too, have my undying love for another." He stated, and without anymore delay, Neji left.
Gaara was standing, crossing his arms and closing his eyes, while Tenten was sitting patiently, waiting for Neji to come out. His faint footsteps made the brown haired girl jump up in surprise, but the red head was still remaining in his position.
"So…." Was all Tenten had managed to say. Neji didn't respond. She frowned this time and grabbed onto his arm, pushing him gently and asked, "What about the marriage?"
She noticed that Neji swallowed hard and Tenten gradually let go of him, she herself gulped, and dropped her gaze. "So, you're going to marry her after all." The tone of her once joyous voice changed into plain disappointment.
Tenten turned away in fear of the truth and was about to walk, or run away, but Neji clutched onto her arm tightly. By now, Gaara had opened those pale eyes of his and was paying attention to the whole situation. On the outside he didn't show any emotions and acted as if he didn't care if Matsuri would be married or not, but really, he longed for her to stay.
"I'm not going to marry her." Neji reassured, breathing warmly in her ear. A flow of comfort and warmth wiped across Tenten and she quickly spun around, those gentle brown orbs sparkling with content.
"Really?" She smiled happily and Neji returned it, yet he looked troubled right after. "But then, what about Hiashi?" She asked in concern and her mind flooded with horrible thoughts. She started to panic inside, thinking of how this problem could be solved. The Hyuga held onto her more steadily then and Tenten finally calmed down a little.
"I don't know either, Tenten." Neji stated, and slowly he turned around to look at Gaara. The bodyguard returned Neji equally cool stare, yet they didn't say a single word. This continued for several more minutes.
"Well?" The red head sounded a bit annoyed, "What about it?" Tenten's eyes darted from one to the other as Neji and Gaara's tension grew to a great extent. Then….
"I haven't thought about it yet," The Hyuga stated, "But all I know is that the best solution… is to…run away." Neji hinted the words 'run away' quite boldly. Gaara went pensive for a moment. Then making a decision, he uncrossed his arms and walked forward. A gentle gust of wind wafted across the three, the silence lengthened.
"Meet Matsuri-sama and I at the hills tonight," Gaara's eyes locked onto Neji's gravely, and his tone sounded deeper, "We'll pack all our stuff, and discuss there." He pushed past the Hyuga and Neji nodded. Tonight will be the time of their choice, their final decision. There will be no turning back and any second chances. That will be the end, whether it will be in a good way or whether to end in death.
"Tenten, let's go." Neji said in a low voice. He was keeping an eye outside of Tenten's room. Just in case someone sees, again. Grabbing onto him a little nervously, the brown haired girl followed Neji outside the complex.
A small smile crept across the young girl's face as it seemed like meeting the other two in the hills will be successful, but her happiness ended as soon as it had started, someone was behind Neji and her. Light footsteps were heard. Then Neji turned around quickly, swinging Tenten behind him in a protective behaviour. The footsteps quickly disappeared. The Hyuga observed more closely and within a few seconds, a wash of relief swept over him.
"Oh, it's just you." Neji said while a black figure escaped the shadows. His dog was right behind him. The brown haired girl came out behind Neji and smiled.
"Why are you guys out here in this time of night?" Kiba asked curiously. Akamaru barked in an interrogational way.
"Please, we don't have time to explain." Tenten said hurriedly, and Kiba gave a lopsided grin.
"Why not?" The boy asked again, "You guys aren't planning to elope, right?" Kiba's tone changed into a caring voice and walked towards the couple. "I heard about your engagement, Neji-sama, but running away will just make it worst."
"We are not running away." Neji finally budged into the conversation, "Tenten and I are just taking a walk out. Do I need to ask for your permission?" Neji glared at him crossly. Akamaru gave a soft moan and Kiba sighed in an annoyed way.
"Well," The Inuzuka began and stared into Neji's angry eyes. Finally, he answered, "Nothing then. Have fun. I guess." He turned around to leave with his dog companion, and as fast as the couple could run, they left the quiet grounds.
WITH MATSURI AND HER BODYGUARD….
"Where are they?" She paced about impatiently, and thought about all of the possible ways that Tenten and Neji would be caught in by Hiashi. Sweat beaded on her forehead and she felt herself getting warmer and warmer. Anxiety was soon to take over her. Gaara stood next to his mistress and observed carefully for the other two to arrive. There were no foreign sounds heard, except for the uncomfortable noises of owl hooting and little creatures scurrying around. Yet, he wasn't as nervous.
"Why don't you take a break." He suggested. Matsuri halted her continuous pacing and sat onto a blanket that Gaara laid out for her. He wanted to keep her robe unflawed, or at least Gaara thought she might want her dress 'dirt-less'. Then there was that awkward silence that always fall between them; Matsuri wanted to break it so badly.
She relaxed a little and glanced timidly at her bodyguard. He was so perfect, she thought. She remembered her friends being so jealousy of her for having such a 'cute' bodyguard. Matsuri giggled at that thought, but the red head didn't notice it. Then a question popped into the mistress's mind, how come Gaara didn't ask her about their excape?
"Doesn't he want to know why I didn't want to get married?" She thought as her eyes irresistibly look at her bodyguard, "Does he care about who I really have feelings for?" Those gentle eyes of hers dropped down on the ground with a little disappointment.
"Maybe this is just a one-sided love."