Mshinata: -sighs- I love brotherly love…especially Hikaru-kun and Kaoru-kun's in Ouran High Host Club. –Sparkly eyes-
Sasuke: You know what's weird…you're like…obsessed with them.
Mshinata: Eh? Because they're cute! –Squeals- You and Itachi-sama should be more like them.
Itachi and Sasuke: No.
Mshinata: You two are no fun. –Pouts- I made Sasuke mysterious on purpose. I wanted him to have as many random intentions as possible…
Sasuke: What the fuck does that mean?
Mshinata: I don't know…Actually, everyone should read the Naruto Manga. In the latest chapters, Kishimoto-sensei has revealed that Itachi-sama is actually caring for Sasuke.
Sasuke: Ew.
Mshinata: Aww…Pretty Cities, thank you! That review was really nice of you. –Smiles- And again…SAI-KUN IS THE BEST!
Sai: Mshinata-chan does not own Naruto. If she did, she wouldn't have made Itachi…well…yeah.
Team Lee (Kankuro and Temari) actually did not make any mistakes…even Neji was intimidated. After remembering the damned Uchiha's words, he started to get nervous…which was unlikely of him.
"Neji-niisan…" Hinata whispered. Neji snapped out of his thoughts. "Are you okay?" She looked worriedly at him. He nodded a little. They were both behind the curtains again, listening to the other team play.
"Please…don't worry about me." Neji said with a faint smile. Hinata nodded slowly. Neji's clenched his fists. "Hinata-sama..." Neji suddenly said.
"Nani, Neji-niisan?" Hinata blinked.
"…we should…forfeit." Neji said. Hinata's eyes widened.
"Nani?! You want to forfeit?! But why?!" Hinata said in a loud whisper.
"It's for your own good." Neji said coldly. Hinata's heart fell.
"Did you just imply…" Hinata started. "…that…that I'm not good enough to play with you?" Neji's eyes widened but then returned back to his serious expression.
"…yes." Neji said. Tears started to form in her eyes.
"Neji-niisan…" Hinata said in a shaky voice. "I…I never knew you were this way…yes…you were always better…but I never knew that…I was such a nuisance."
"Yes…you were…annoying." Neji said. Hinata twitched.
Stop.
Hinata's body moved on her own and she ran out of backstage and into the school grounds.
I don't want you to be disappointed in me…Hinata-sama. Neji sighed. Team Lee's song was almost over…
oO0Oo
Baka…baka…baka! Hinata chanted in her mind. Neji-niisan's a jerk…and I'm an idiot…
Hinata kept running and crying at the same time. She didn't care where she went. She just wanted to stay away from Neji's ambitions and goals.
"Hinata-chan?" A voice stopped her. She slowed down and stopped, not even wanting to look back at the person who called her.
"Hinata-chan…what's wrong? Why aren't you at the competition?" The person grabbed her and she pulled away from the person.
"Just leave me alone! I don't need your sympathy!" Hinata yelled and then turned to face the person who was confronting her.
"Gomen…Hinata-chan." Sai said and turned his back to her.
"S-Sai-kun…" Hinata covered her mouth with her hand. "Gomenasai! I was just…I…"
"Hinata-chan…" Sai turned back to face her. "You know you can count on me whenever you're down…"
"I…Neji-niisan is…" Hinata was speechless. She just felt too confused and frustrated to be comforted by such a kind person.
"Neji-kun…" Sai muttered. "Whatever he said…forget it." Hinata was shocked. "He's too insensitive and doesn't know what a normal person feels like…that's why…you shouldn't be rivals with such a guy. I won't allow it."
"It…doesn't matter…he already implied that he was too good for me." Hinata said and looked down at her feet. Sai snapped.
"Nani?!" He grabbed her shoulders. "How can he fucking say that when you always work your ass off?! He's such an ass hole! Why can't he at least care for his own cousin?!" Sai yelled. He panted. Hinata was frightened but…was confused by his words. His panting lessened and then he calmed down. He let go of her shoulders and turned his back to face her again. "Gomen…Hinata-chan…that you had to see my ugly side."
"Sai-kun…" Hinata muttered. She clasped her hands together.
"Hinata-chan," Sai faced her again, "Neji-kun…go to him." Hinata blinked away her tears. "Yes…he might or might not know what he's saying but…you should go back." Sai sighed. "I hate seeing you this way…all upset because of him. He needs you anyway. Without a partner, he's useless." He weakly smiled.
"Hai…arigato, Sai-kun!" Hinata said with a shaky voice and hugged him. He hugged back.
"Now, now…make me proud!" Sai returned to his usual cheery self and Hinata ran off. "Hinata-chan…your suffering…your happiness…because of…him?" Sai looked at the sky.
What did he have to do for her?
oO0Oo
"Neji-senpai!" Sakura whispered from backstage.
"Nani, Haruno?" Neji turned around because he was still watching Team Lee play their song.
"You're on in like…less than two minutes!" Sakura scolded. "Where's my Hinata-chan?!"
"…somewhere around school…possibly home by now…" Neji looked up at the ceiling.
"And you're calm about this?!" Sakura whispered angrily. "Ugh…!" She sighed with frustration. "You better fix this. We are NOT about to make the Musical Club look bad!"
"It's my not damn fault, now is it?!" Neji lost his temper.
"Technically, it is! She's your cousin! Gosh…you can't even keep track of the people precious to you…what would your family say?" Sakura crossed her arms and glared at him.
"They would say I'm a horrible person and that I need to be punished…severely." Neji added coldly.
"Ah…" Sakura felt guilty. "I…didn't mean to say…"
"Shut up. I don't care what you think." Neji said darkly. "Just stay out of my way." Neji closed his eyes. I don't want to disappoint Hinata-sama…
"Neji-niisan!" Hinata called as she ran towards him.
"Hinata-chan?!" Sakura practically threw herself at Hinata. "We were worried about you!"
"Neji-niisan…" Hinata muttered with a worried expression on her face. Neji's expression went from a shocked one to his usual expressionless one.
"What?" He snapped.
"…I…I might be a burden," Hinata started. Neji twitched, "but please let me help you!" She bowed.
That was never permitted in the Hyuuga household.
Neji's head started throbbing and his hands grabbed his head. The memories were too hurtful.
"Stop…" Neji muttered. Hinata slowly stood up straight. "Just…do whatever…just…don't do that again." Neji said, slowly removing his hands from his head. Hinata worriedly nodded.
"Neji-niisan…I really admire you." Hinata said confidently. Neji had a tinge of blush across his face. "So please…let's try our best!" She smiled.
"I got to get on stage, guys. Good luck!" Sakura winked at Hinata and ran on the stage. "Well, wasn't that an awesome performance everyone?!" Everyone cheered while the fan girls demanded to see their precious Neji. "Alright, alright…now…you Neji fan girls ready to squeal?!" Sakura announced. The fan girls all screamed in response.
"…she's…an idiot." Neji sweat dropped. Hinata laughed nervously.
"Okay! Come on out! Neji and Hinata Hyuuga!" Sakura pointed to the two as they got on stage. All the fan girls squealed.
"We love you Neji-sama!"
"Neji-kun, look this way!"
"Please let me take a picture of you!"
"Let me bear your babies!"
Neji twitched at the last comment.
"Have anything to say before we start, you guys?" Sakura asked the two with her microphone. Hinata shook her head.
"Actually," Neji took the microphone from Sakura, "I do." The audience looked at each other with questioning looks to why Neji wanted to say something. "Hinata-sama…even if…we lose…or win, please remember…you tried your best." Neji gave her a reassuring smile and put his hand on her shoulder. "You can't play with emotion…" Neji remembered Sasuke's words and his grip on her shoulder tightened.
"What are you saying, nii-san?" Hinata smiled. "Of course we'll win! This is actually the first time I've seen you doubtful!" Hinata said. Neji removed his hand from his shoulder.
"You're so weird…Hinata…" Neji smiled warmly with an aura that he was really happy. Hinata blushed from embarrassment. This was the first time he had ever said her name without the suffix. She would have never imagined it to be so…magnificent.
"C'mon guys…let's start." Sakura rolled her eyes. Neji was embarrassed and gave the microphone back to Sakura.
Neji sat down on the left side of the bench while Hinata sat on the right side. Hinata took a deep breath. Neji was unfazed. This was the first time they'd actually play through the whole song. It didn't matter how many mistakes they made…they just had to play their heart out.
"Emotion."
Damn you…Uchiha…Neji thought to himself as Hinata started her part. Why must you always aggravate me?! Hinata hit her cue note and Neji started playing.
As some parts of the introduction went by, Neji glanced at Hinata. She was happy and smiling…no matter what the outcome was. This morning, Hinata really wanted to win. But for some reason, she didn't care about that anymore. She seemed as if all she wanted was to play with him.
No. Neji thought to himself. You're wrong, Uchiha. There's also one thing you don't know…Neji started to play more with ease and passion than before. Hinata snapped out of her thoughts and turned her attention to Neji's fingers. They were playing more gracefully than usual. She smiled. She continued to play her part.
Because…I finally know why I don't play with emotion. Neji thought to himself. It's because…it's…always against Hinata-sama…never WITH her.
"Neji-niisan," Hinata pointed at him, "I…I won't hesitate to defeat you!"
"Do you look down on me?" Hinata shakily said.
"Why are you always…alone?" Hinata worriedly asked her hands clasped together.
Hinata-sama…Neji played with more passion than he played ever before. And before you knew it, they ended the song in soft chords.
There was a sudden burst of clapping as the audience also cheered. Neji and Hinata stood up. Hinata smiled and bowed several times. Neji stood as a statue. He looked down at his hands.
Did these hands…-
"Neji-niisan," Hinata snapped him out of his thoughts, "wasn't that fun?" She smiled. Neji looked surprised and then warmly smiled back.
"Yeah…" He said. Sakura ran on stage again and laughed.
"I think we know who the winners are!" Sakura announced. The cheers only got louder.
oO0Oo
Hinata sighed as she walked down the halls. It was just a few days after the competition that she and Neji had won and she was still tired. She yawned.
"Hey Hinata-chan," Ino threw her arm around Hinata's shoulder, "so what's today's schedule?" Hinata shrugged her shoulders.
"Neji-niisan said that there was something important that he had to tell me…" Hinata said. Ino had a sly smirk on her face.
"Finally, eh?" Ino said, removing her arm from Hinata's shoulder. Hinata blinked.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Hinata asked.
"Oh nothing…nothing." Ino said innocently. She and Hinata entered into the club room and found the other Hyuuga in there…reading his book again.
"Ah Hinata-sama," Neji stood up.
"Neji-niisan…d-do you need me for something?" Hinata asked.
"Yes…actually, Yamanaka…it would be best if you would leave." Neji said seriously. "I don't want anybody to find out about this…" Ino smirked her widest smirk.
"Alright…take your time…" Ino said slyly and slammed the door shut.
"What's up with her?" Neji asked. Hinata laughed nervously. "So anyways…about that thing…" Hinata suddenly felt nervous.
Why is nii-san so nervous? Is he…alright? Her heart pounded against her chest.
"Ah…this is hard to say…" Neji said as he ran a hand through his long brown hair.
"Neji-niisan…" Hinata said, clasping her hands together. "What's…troubling you…?"
"You promise not to freak out?" Neji blurted out. Hinata blushed. She nodded.
Just spit it out already! Hinata thought anxiously.
"It's…" He gulped. "…your father…" Hinata's heart suddenly stopped.
"Eh?" Hinata said quietly.
"Okay…don't freak out!" Neji said worriedly. "Um…the Uchiha family…they…invited us to go to this party…" Hinata sighed of relief.
"Haha…is that it? Gosh…I really thought it was something serious." Hinata laughed.
"It is." Neji said, returning to his serious self. "The Uchiha family invited us, so we can meet with your father again…so he can…take us in again." Hinata twitched.
"Iie…I…I can't do that." Hinata said shakily.
"Hold on a second…" Neji said defensively, "I know we both dislike your father but…hold on…look." Neji took out a letter and gave it to Hinata. Hinata looked at Neji and then looked at the letter.
"What…" Hinata trailed off.
"It's a letter from your father…it's directed…to both of us…personally." Neji said. Hinata hesitantly took the letter. Her hands were trembling and she opened the letter. Her eyes widened.
Dear Neji and Hinata,
Are you two doing well? I hope so. The two geniuses in the family…who would have thought that you two would just…break away from one of the most prestigious families? This was…shocking to me. I couldn't believe my ears or my eyes. Seeing you two leave made me feel very…guilty. You are attending the school that the Uchiha boy attends, yes? Well…I'm very proud of you two for passing the exams instead of paying tuition. This letter is not only to show my gratitude but to also invite you to the upcoming party. I would like to meet you two again. The Uchiha family also agrees that we must be united again.
Hinata dropped the letter. It lightly floated to the ground.
"I was thinking…we shouldn't go." Neji said flatly. "This sounds like a trap. I've never heard Hiashi-sama sound so…grateful for our birth." Neji said rudely.
"Let's go." Hinata mumbled.
"Eh?! Are you crazy, Hinata-sama?! Think of all the times that he hurt us…no…hurt you!" Neji grabbed her shoulders and shook her. He removed the bangs that were covering her eyes. She was slightly crying.
"I have to…end this…" Hinata said. "If you were my rival, you would…you would agree with me."
"Hinata-sama…" Neji gently let go of her shoulders, "I don't…I don't want to hurt you." Hinata shook away the tears.
"The only one who's been hurting me is…Otou-san." Hinata gently said. "Will you…will you go to the party with me...? As my…date?" Neji's eyes widened. She took his hand and held it, the tears still glimmering in her eyes. "After this…everything will be the same. We'll still be rivals." Hinata said reassuringly.
"Fine." Neji said. "I'll do whatever you want…Hinata-sama."
oO0Oo
"Really?" Itachi asked, taking a bite out of his apple.
"Yeah…" Sasuke replied.
"Interesting…that's why the name "Hyuuga" was so familiar." Itachi said. Sasuke scoffed.
"You probably knew from the beginning all about what happened to Hinata and Neji Hyuuga since you're going to succeed the Uchiha Company." Sasuke said coldly.
"Ah…" Itachi responded. "Are you worried about those two? You always did when we were kids…"
"Tch. So you do remember. I guess you're not an idiot after all." Sasuke crossed his arms. Itachi took another bite out of his apple. They were standing outside at the Uchiha gates. Sasuke had just come home and happened to see Itachi outside.
"I wonder what will happen at the party…" Itachi mumbled to himself.
"Hn." Sasuke responded and walked past his brother into his house.
Personally, Sasuke did not think the idea of reuniting the two Hyuuga geniuses with Hinata's father was a good idea. It would be best if they just continued their peaceful lives.
"Welcome home, Sasuke-sama." A maid bowed. He walked past her up to his room. He was thinking too much.
The Hyuuga family was a strict family, after all. A stricter family than the Uchiha family indeed. Sasuke remembered that Hinata and Neji always had to go through tests and obstacles to please Hiashi. It actually sickened Sasuke.
He walked into his room and dropped his bag by the door. Sasuke lay down on his bed while his arms were crossed under his head.
Sasuke sighed. The two Hyuuga prodigies also won their challenge just a few days ago. (Damn, Sasuke lost the bet against Naruto.) He would have never thought Neji would have pulled it off though. He rolled on his side.
Maybe it would be…best if Hinata came as my date. Hm…Sasuke's finger was tapping on his bed. It would be best to keep the two apart…especially with Hiashi there…
oO0Oo
"Eh? A party?" Ino asked.
"SHHH!" Hinata said, covering Ino's mouth.
"Ugh," Ino removed Hinata's hand from her mouth, "yeah, so?"
"My…Otou-san's going to be there." Hinata looked down, her bangs covering her expression.
"No way!" Ino exclaimed.
"SHH!" Hinata scolded. Ino sweat dropped.
"Gomen…" Ino said. Ino came over to Hinata's apartment to help her cook dinner. Neji decided to actually help out with the paperwork that Sai never did finish. "So you're going?" Ino said, setting two plates down on the table. Hinata nodded.
"I have to…" Hinata said. Ino sighed.
"You know? You're one of the bravest girls I have ever seen." Ino smiled. Hinata weakly smiled back.
"Onegai, don't tell Sakura-san…" Hinata said.
"No worries!" Ino pounded her chest with her fist. "You can trust me!"
oO0Oo
"Hey Hyuuga…" Sasuke caught Neji's attention. They were both sitting at a table, filling out paperwork. Sai had some "business" (painting/drawing) out in the school yard.
"Nani?" Neji snapped.
"You wouldn't mind if I took Hinata as my date…would you?" Sasuke asked, not even looking up. Neji swiftly turned his head to Sasuke and glared at him.
"…why?" Neji asked cautiously.
"Just wondering…" Sasuke said.
"Will you…will you go to the party with me...? As my…date?"
Her eyes were so…filled with hurt. Neji thought to himself. He tightly gripped the pen.
"Hiashi…I mean…Hyuuga-sama's going to be there, right?" Sasuke said, trying to ease up the tension. Neji didn't reply.
"What are you getting at, Uchiha?" Neji snapped. Sasuke finally looked up from his paper work.
"I don't want you to hurt Hinata. You remember what happened when we were kids, don't you? Then…do us all a favor…no…do Hinata a favor." Sasuke stood up. "Do not, by all means, associate with her anymore."
To be continued…
Mshinata: Awww, Sasuke you meanie.
Sasuke: Hey! You're the writer.
Mshinata: True, but you do the actions. Actions speak louder than words.
Neji: Owned.
Sasuke: Why must you outsmart me?
Mshinata: I don't know…BUT ANYWAYS….I told you guys that I had a writing competition, ne? (Sasuke: -cough- no.) Well…I thought I did. Anyways, I went to state just recently. I don't know how I did. So…hopefully I did well. –Prays-
Sai: If you were chosen to go to state, doesn't that already mean you're a talented writer? (My parents said this…Lol.)
Mshinata: -sparkly eyes- I LOVE YOU SAI! xD –hugs Sai-
Sasuke: Sai, you whore.
Sai: Sasuke, you man whore.
Sasuke: Touché…
Neji: Give the writer lovely reviews. She had the decency to update.
Mshinata: SHUT UP NEJI! –Sad-