A/N: Yay, chapter 8 update! Sry, I didn't give a lot of detail on how Neji and Tenten successfully escape because I am not a very good writer in writing 'fighting scenes', so I left it. Thnx for the readers and reviewers again! I hope you guys will continue to review! Now….on with chappie 8!
[The Easy Escape
The moon showed its bright beams down at the couples. Matsuri looked up at the eerie sky with its stars twinkling and smiling back at her. It was starting to get cold and the wind had an icy tinge on her fair skin. Embracing herself to keep warmth, Matsuri hugged her knees to her chest, and pressed a side of her cheeks to them. Her bodyguard was still standing there, observing closely for Tenten and Neji to come. Once in awhile he'd turn to take a tiny glance at his mistress, and would smile to himself, wishing he would stop thinking about her. Gaara would make excuses about why he had to keep an eye on the girl; he'd tell himself that it was because he was Matsuri's bodyguard, it was his job to protect her. But is it really just that?
"I have to tell him about my feelings!" Matsuri thought more determined than ever, "This is the perfect time. I will tell him." She straightened herself and stood up. Gaara stared at her oddly and so did she.
"Gaara-kun, I have to say something." Matsuri hadn't notice that she was stammering. The red head cocked an eyebrow and waited for her to say it. "Don't you want to know why I don't want to get married?" He gave a cool shrug and the girl went on. "Well, I…like….love I mean…love…"
"Just say it." He urged her. Matsuri felt a huge lump in her throat, she couldn't go on. This was too embarrassing, maybe she shouldn't have said it in the first place.
She cleared her throat uncomfortably, feeling a blush creeping across her face, "Gaara-kun, I really love…." Suddenly heavy footsteps cut her speech and two figures appeared out of the woods. Urg, now they come. Matsuri sighed.
Tenten panted behind Neji, leaning onto him for support. The Hyuga nodded a 'hi' to the other two and Gaara scolded him with an angry gape.
"Where were you?" The red head snapped and crossed his arms in a rude way. Tenten nodded and muttered an apology.
"Sorry." Neji said, "We were held back by one of the guards." He explained and went on, "Tenten and I might not be able to follow you two. Kiba knew about us exiting the compound, he might send people to go after us if we don't show up." He continued and slowed his speech now, "Since we aren't far from the compound, they will find us sooner. That will be too dangerous; I'm not risking our lives on this." Neji concluded and gave the girl beside her a light squeeze on the hand. Matsuri and Gaara exchanged glances.
"Then wouldn't Hiashi still find out about us leaving? Wouldn't he interrogate you for information?" Matsuri inquired worriedly, "You will be in trouble."
"Tenten and I will still leave, just not tonight." The Hyuga briefly explained, "Maybe tomorrow. For now, I think you two should just leave. They will
notice your disappearance soon . Hurry, leave" Neji advised in a serious manner. Gaara nodded his head and gathered all the sack for carrying, while Matsuri gave Tenten a light hand shake.
"Thank you, Tenten," The mistress said gladly and turned around to face Neji with sparkling eyes, "and Neji-san too. I will miss you, and I will never forget your help." Tenten hugged her friendly and Matsuri returned it with happiness. Then, Tenten walked over to Gaara.
"It was nice meeting you," She smiled, "and I hope your journey goes well." She cleared her throat, "Please protect Matsuri for us." Tenten emphasized those words, while Gaara gave a light 'hn', and that ended their short conversation. Finally, Matsuri and Gaara had left.
"This seems more successful than I thought." Tenten commented, waving at Matsuri and Gaara as they walked further and further away. Neji didn't respond, and she frowned.
"Just wait till tomorrow, Tenten." Neji stated with a deep voice, "Then we'll see if this was successful or not."
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The next morning awoke Tenten with anxiety and apprehension. The arrogant and loud voice of Hiashi could be heard a mile away. Panicky footsteps would cover the whole Hyuga complex. This was bad.
"Where are they?" The clan leader boomed, as Hinata and Neji knelt in front of him. "How did they escape?" Kiba and Naruto were standing beside Hinata with fear.
"Father, I really really don't know!" The heiress convinced with uneasiness. Her father pounded the table as hard as he could. Even Neji flinched.
"Perhaps, she didn't approve the arranged marriage." Neji suggested, and tried to make himself sound calm and steady. "Her bodyguard isn't at all bad; he has incredible speed. He can take Matsuri out and pass our guards with ease." Hiashi frowned and hit the table again.
"I'm going to send people after them!" Hiashi cried with rage, "I'm sending all of my guards! This is an outrage! I'm telling her father right away!" Then without another word, the clan leader stomped away, leaving the frightened Hinata and a relieved Neji behind. At least Hiashi-sama didn't suspect Tenten and I yet…Neji thought, and heaved a sigh. Still on her knees, Hinata turned around to her cousin.
"Neji nii-san, I need to talk to you and Tenten," She said in a timid voice, and Neji cocked an eyebrow, "It's about Matsuri-san." He gave an uneasy nod as he noticed Kiba saying something quietly to the heiress. Hinata then stood up, still a little shaky from her father, she motioned Neji to follow her.
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Hinata sat down, as her two bodyguards stood by her side. Neji and Tenten took a seat opposite of her and Hinata poured them some tea. The heiress closed her lavender eyes and opened them again. She gulped.
"Please don't tell me you two were the ones that helped Matsuri-san escape." Hinata stared into Tenten's eyes with discomfort and waited for her to respond. The brown haired girl looked at Neji and dropped her worried gaze. Kiba and Naruto exchanged looks.
"Well…" She started, but Neji cut in.
"Yes, we did help them." He stated bluntly. Naruto's eyes widened and Kiba shook his head in disappointment. "Tenten and I were going to run away with them."
The cup of warm tea which was once in Hinata's grasp, dropped on the table with a loud 'cling' and the tea splattered everywhere. "Don't! Father will kill you if he finds out, and I'm not kidding!" Neji felt himself clenching his fist.
"I've made my decision, I'm not going anywhere without Tenten." He boomed and the girl beside him gave a contented smile. "And we're leaving tonight."
"Oh, Neji nii-san, don't!" Hinata gasped in surprise and cried, "I…I…" She felt herself trying to hold back the tears in her pale eyes, and eventually a few droplets fell. Tenten frowned and calmed her friend.
"If you would only help us," Neji said, looking at Naruto and Kiba, "After Tenten and I leave the compound, if someone finds out, can you spread a rumour about us heading south east?" The two bodyguards exchanged uneasy glances. Sooner or later, they agreed and nodded their heads.
"Hinata-sama, thanks for always helping me." Tenten said softly and sniffed, feeling herself wanting to cry. "We will surely meet again." The heiress quickly hugged her friend tightly and Tenten returned it. Then, Neji straightened his gray robe and stood up. He gave a light sigh and smiled at Hinata.
"We'll see you." Grabbing Tenten's wrist, Neji pushed past the door and waved a last goodbye.
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"The guards are way too easy to go through." Thought Neji. He was still holding onto Tenten securely, as if she'd get lost if he really let go. The two has escaped with success, since most of the guards were heading north east, searching for Matsuri and Gaara. They were too occupied to realize that Neji and Tenten went missing. The two were running as fast as they could now, and suddenly the girl pulled back. Neji turned around to find Tenten leaning down, panting and puffing for air. She waved her hand at him as if to say 'lets stop running for a few minutes'. Neji gave a tiny grin and nodded his head in response.
"Sit here." He motioned Tenten to sit next to him under a tree. Then, he took out a map of the area. Feeling better, Tenten looked at it with curiosity. Where exactly were they going? The brown haired girl wondered. She saw Neji moving his index finger around on the map, searching for a certain place. Finally, she noticed a relieved smile on his face and he positioned his finger on this vague area.
"Is that where we're going?" Tenten questioned.
"Yes, one of the places at least." He responded in a much softer voice, "We'll be safe in there, even if the guards want to find us." Tenten felt more relieved.
"Where is it?" She asked again, looking closer at the map, "Nara…Park..." She read the tiny neat words on it and Neji gave a nod.
"That is my friend's property," He told her in a low voice, "His full name is Nara Shikamaru; he is one of the Jonins that I worked with, and we've been friends ever since."
"Does he know that we're coming?" Tenten inquired and Neji shook his head.
"I think he'll let us stay in his house for a few days," He supposed. Somehow, Tenten felt that that was a little unreliable. What if Nara Shikamaru pushed them away? What if he wasn't a nice person? There were way too many 'what ifs' in her pounding head right now. Standing up, Neji took his wrinkled map and folded it neatly into his robe. He then pulled Tenten up gently by the arm and she thanked him.
"Let's go," Neji continue holding onto Tenten's hand tightly and she gave herself a light smile at his reactions, "Shikamaru's house isn't far from here."
His house was indeed not far-off from his resting area and the couple reached it in a very short amount of time. Tenten stared at the house in awe when she saw how big and beautiful it had looked. His 'park' was mainly at the west side of his mansion, and unexpectedly, there were a lot deers running around in it. Strange….she thought.
"Well, here we are." Swiftly, Neji pulled Tenten into his arms and carried her in a bridal style, leaping over the fences around the area. She felt a little awkward in Neji's arms like this, but she also loved it. His grasp feels so secure and cozy.