Sorry for another late update. School has been…well school. And I feel like my mind is slush, and working on my fanfics wouldn't have been a good idea. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this last installment of Some Kind of Wonderful, and I really appreciate all the support I've gotten for it. All my readers and reviewers, you mean so much to me! I love you all!
I own nothing…
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Sakura and Neji move through the dark museum. Moonlight shines through the skylights, and security light occasionally caste patterns of light on the wooden floors and plaster walls. The whole building is massive, silent and forbidden.
"Have you ever been here before?" Neji asks
"In grade school." Sakura replies.
"I come all the time. But I've never been here at night. Do you like it?" he asks
"It feels pretty good being somewhere I'm not supposed to be." Sakura says
"Or being with someone you're not supposed to be with?" he asks
Sakura smiles, and looks around the gallery. Painting are dimly lit, some more so then the others. Something catches her eye and she looks closer. She turns to Neji quickly, startled. He smiles a sly smile back at her. Sakura looks back at the painting.
It's the painting Neji has been working on at school, now complete and hanging on the museum wall. Her eyes are wide as she stares, and Neji continues to smile. Sakura is shocked, flattered, stunned.
Sakura sits on the stone bench. She pulls a leg up to her chest and stares at the painting. Neji sits next to her, and she looks at him, then at the painting.
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Tenten and Shikamaru are sitting in the Jaguar. Her hands grip the steering wheel tightly, and their spot in the lot which was once straight is now crooked and taking up two spaces. He has a hand tightly fastened to the bar above his head, and his other hands nearly digging into the seat at his side. Both of them are breathing hard, smiles on their lips.
"Well, how that for wasting time?" Tenten says, looking over at Shikamaru and giving him a toothy grin.
"Not really what I had in mind, but it will suffice. You don't think we wrecked the tires too much, do you?" He says as he brings his hand down from the bar and smoothes out the hair on top of his head leading to the spiky ponytail.
Tenten stretches her legs out, and lets them fall on the dashboard. Shikamaru looks over at her and sees that she is lost in a deep sadness.
She pulls at the pants on one of her knees, looks at her thighs, looks at her jacket. She feels so foolish for the way she's dressed. She feels foolish that she's tried to be a girl and in her mind, failed. Her eyes fill with tears, which she tried to hold back. A tears spills, and she wipes it away with the back of her hand. More tears fall and she can't wipe them away. She bows her head and succumbs to her feeling.
Shikamaru watches, and although he is said to be a genius, has no idea what to do. His hands twitch in his lap as his brain desperately searches fro a way to help Tenten. Then his finds his hands moving on their own accord, and fall on her shoulder. He feels her shaking, and sees when she wipes at her face furiously before turning to him.
"What? I have allergies!" she says, her voice cracking.
"You're so troublesome, Tenten." He says
"Yeah, yeah I know." She wipes away more tears.
He pats her awkwardly on the back again, and she can't help but laugh a bit.
"Thanks Shikamaru."
"For what? I don't know how to comfort a crying women."
"Cause it's too troublesome, right?"
"Yeah, troublesome."
"Alright! How 'bout a few more times around, and then I give you a lift home?" she runs her hand under her eyes one last time, and rights herself in the seat.
"Alright. But stay and look at the stars with me for a while when we get then, okay?"
"Yeah, okay. Girly." She laughs
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They're outside now, in the middle of the museum's mock concert hall. Neji's legs are hanging over the edge of the stage and Sakura is facing him with her knees under her chin. Tenten is high p in the seats. She's lying on her back, staring up at the stars. The two are oblivious to her presence.
"What do you see in me?" Sakura asks "Be honest."
"What do you see in me?"
"Okay, me first?" she says
"Yeah," Neji replies
"Okay," she thinks for a moment. "I see a way out of where I am."
Neji looks at her. He thinks he understands. He's pleased at where the conversation is going.
"Where are you?" he asks
"I'm locked in a small, petty world. I never had any idea who you were other then somebody who was different then everybody else."
"You mean strange?" Neji asks
"Yeah, sort of."
"And now?" Neji asks
"I don't think anybody ever thought of anything of me other then I looked good next to them. And I went because I'd rather be next to someone for the wrong reasons then be alone for the right reasons." She says
"I'd rather be right." Neji says unequivocally
"You can stand being alone?" she asks
"Nobody can stand being alone. If you stop think there's someone out for you somewhere, it's over. Isn't it?" he says
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Tenten sits up and looks down at Sakura and Neji on the stage. She can hardly hear them, but knows what Neji said. She disagrees. When you stop looking, that's when what you're looking for comes out.
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He turns to face Sakura.
"I've been waiting a long time. And I still don't have it. But I will." He says
"I don't know what you mean." Sakura replies
"Yeah, you do." Neji says
"I don't. I swear."
"This is all a joke. I was set up. I was used. Right?" he says
"You think I used you?" She asks
"Didn't you?"
Sakura holds a long look on him. There's no way out of it.
"In a way." She answers
"There's only one way to use somebody, Sakura. You do, or you don't"
Neji's noble stance snaps Sakura. She turns on him. The anger she's been holding in pours out.
"And you didn't use me? You hypocrite! What's hanging in the museum? My soul? It's my face! I look just as good next to you as I do next to Sasuke or any other guy, right? Are you in love with me?" she screams
"I think I might be." Neji says
"You're not. This isn't love and affection. This is revenge. You're using me to pay back every guy with more money and more friends and more power then you. Paint it any color you want, it's you using me ."
There's a long pause as Neji see the truth behind her attack.
"You're right. I did use you. I used you. For all those reasons."
Sakura appreciates his honesty. It deserves reconciliation.
"And I used you. It's true." She says "It wasn't deliberate. It just happened. You were the right thing at the wrong time. If I'd thought about it, I never would have done it. All I was thinking about was getting away from Sasuke."
"And I used you to stand up for myself."
"Maybe we should call it even?" she says
"Maybe." He says
Neji reaches into his pocket and takes out a jewelry box.
"This is for you."
"What is it?" she asks
"My future. In this box is my future."
Sakura looks at the box.
"And I'm giving it to you. Every dime I have to my name. It's yours." He says
He hands her the box. She takes it with hesitation. She opens it. The contents startle her. Two diamond studs. She looks at Neji with concern.
"I can't take these." She says
Neji nods. "You have to."
Sakura shakes her head and closes the box. "No,"
"You deserve them. I'm giving them to you. I know you like them. I saw you wearing Ino's, remember?" he says
Sakura nods.
"It's insane. This makes no sense, Neji."
"They're yours. For good. You don't have to borrow from anybody anymore. You're too good to do that again." Neji replies
"I never heard of anybody doing anything like this."
"I'm sure it happens every day. Not to everybody, but to the ones who believe in themselves, and don't need anyone to unlock their cage."
Sakura bows her head. The tears start, and she can't help herself. Every negative thought she's had about herself surfaces. Neji's purity, the scope of his sacrifice overwhelms her.
"Why are you crying?"
"I feel so terrible for what I did. I hated the pressure, I hated feeling ashamed." She says "I hated where I was from. I hated that all my friends got everything their hearts desired. I gave into my hatred, and I turned on what I believed in. I didn't have to. You didn't."
"So, you won't do it again. You don't have to. Ever."
Sakura leans forward and kisses Neji. She puts her arms around his neck and pulls him to her.
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Tenten watches. But she has to look away, it's too painful. It's over and she gets up to leave. She feels so heavy and so light at the same time. Tenten feels like there is a hole in the middle of her chest, and if you looked, you could see right through. Through that hole you could see the two people on the stage, engulfed in each others arms. Two people, one speck on the stage.
Slowly she makes her way up the stairs and back to the parking lot. Once she reaches the car, she climbs up onto the hood and leans against the windshield. Tenten stares up at the sky, and watches as stars pass over her head. She sighs as she hears the footsteps and turns to look.
Neji and Sakura approach the car. He has his arm around her. Tenten tried her best not to look hurt. All she can manage is a grim smile. Neji and Sakura reach the car and Tenten swings her legs over the side.
"Now what?" she asks
"Sasuke's house." Neji replies
Sakura is alarmed. All she can feel is guilt and fear. She looks at Tenten, who is equally shocked.
"Neji? Have you forgotten something? Sasuke wants to beat the crap out of you." Tenten says, crossing her arms.
"It's for real, Neji." Sakura adds
"I know," is all his says
"If you want to do that, you can drive yourself." Tenten says
"I have to face him sooner or later." Neji says as he opens the door for Sakura
"It's not just Sasuke, it's his friends too."
"I can handle it. Come on."
Sakura gives him one last look and gets in. Neji closes the door.
"Don't go overboard, studly." Tenten says
"I know what I'm doing."
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It's loud and crowded. Not particularly rowdy. It's an older crowd who've partied together many times before. Sasuke is in the living room, sitting on the couch with his arm around some girl with red hair and glasses. He's not having a great time. He's on the wait.
The Jaguar pulls up in the front. Neji gets out and helps Sakura out. Tenten gets out on her side. Neji looks up at the house.
"You don't have to do this." Tenten says
"Yeah, I do."
"Okay. I'll be here." Tenten smiles lightly and gives him the 'thumbs up'.
Neji puts his arm around Sakura and they start their way to the front door.
It opens and people are milling about. Someone spots Neji and Sakura and points them out to another. Word quickly spreads. The two exchange looks. Neji squeezes her hand and smiles down at her.
Tenten closes the doors of the car and leans against the hood. She rests her chin on her hands and watches the house.
Word has reaches Sasuke that he ahs a visitor. He quickly gets up off the couch and crosses to the foyer.
"Welcome." He says
Neji and Sakura step into the marble foyer. The crowd backs away to give them an inescapable feeling of isolation. Sasuke is as calm and charming as ever.
"I'm glad you could come by. I was worried you were gonna disappoint us."
Karin (the girl on the couch) pushes through the crowd and slips her arm around Sasuke's waist. He kisses her forehead.
"Have a good time?" Sasuke says to Neji
Sakura knows the display with the girl is only an attempt to humiliate her. She tries not to let any emotion show.
With a wicked glint in his eyes, Sasuke addresses Neji.
"She deceptively innocent, isn't she? So clean and nice on the outside."
Neji: Sharp internal reaction.
Sakura: She'd like to tear Sasuke's throat out.
Sasuke: A slick smile.
"She do you?" he asks.
Both Neji and Sakura narrow their eyes.
"The one thing I'm happy about is you get her used." Sasuke finishes
He's had enough. Neji lunges at Sasuke. He drives Sasuke against the wall. Sasuke's friends jump in and pull Neji away. Sasuke straightens up.
"That wasn't very smart friend." He rubs his neck and clears his throat. "I was letting you off. I don't care about you."
He glares at Sakura.
"She's the trash, Neji. You're just a fool. Take him outside and kick the shit out of him."
Sasuke's guests stare at him. No response. No movement. Sasuke is annoyed, he doesn't understand their hesitation.
"I said take him outside." He gets the same reaction "Is there a problem?"
Neji steps forward "Why don't you take me outside?"
Slowly the whole room starts to empty. Everyone is walking out the door.
"What are you doing? If you leave, you don't ever come back. You really want to do this? I'm serious. Anybody who walks through that door is finished with me. Got it? Naruto! What are you doing?"
Neji steps forward as the room empties. The last stranger leaves, and it's only Sasuke, Sakura and Neji.
"You want the truth? The plain truth? You're over." Neji says
He raises a hand in farewell. Sakura looks at him. Her anger hasn't subsided.
"You're gonna walk?" she asks
"There isn't anything I can do to him that he hasn't already done to himself."
"I wish I could live with that." Sakura says
She turns back to Sasuke. He stands alone and stunned in the foyer. She draws back and slaps him clean across the face. A sharp smack. She steps back, takes Neji's hand and they exit. Sasuke stands alone, rubbing his stinging cheek.
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Tenten smiles. She is on the lawn and has watched the whole thing from outside.
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Neji and Sakura come out the door. Sakura is shaking her hand and smiling. Neji looks across the lawn. Tenten is waiting for them. She's jingling the car keys.
He's momentarily forgotten about her. In the tension of the confrontation and anticipation of it, Tenten had vanished from his thoughts. It occurs to him that his victory is as much her doing as his.
Tenten manages a smile.
Sakura's eyes shift to Neji and the smile dissipates.
Neji and Sakura step down off the porch and cross the lawn. Tenten comes forward from the car to meet them.
"Nice move. I saw it from out here." She says
Sakura smiles and Neji tries to. There's an uncomfortable pause. The kind that always accompanies a painful farewell.
Tenten speak, trying her hardest not to break. "So…why don't you guys go on. I'm gonna walk." She forces a smile "My butt's asleep from sitting all night."
She offers a hand to Sakura, who takes it. Tenten shakes it hard and sincere.
"Sorry if I misjudged you." Tenten says
She can barely hold back the tears. Tenten backs away.
"The keys are in the car."
She holds up her hand in farewell, turns and heads down the street.
The two watch her go. Sakura looks at Neji watching Tenten.
He's thinking. Forgetting everything. She's the only thing on his mind. Sakura reaches to her ears and removes the diamond earrings. Neji turns to see her take out the second one. She takes his hand and places the jewelry in his palm. She curls his fingers closed around them.
"I think you want to give these to someone else." She says
Neji is startled that she knows what he is thinking. She kisses his cheek. Neji doesn't know what to say to her.
"Go,"
Neji can't wait to take off. He kisses her cheek, turns and walks away.
"Neji?"
He stops and turns.
"I'll never forget you." She says
"I'll never forget you, either."
He turns and takes off. Sakura watches him with a proud smile. Ino approaches from behind.
Are you okay, forehead?"
"Yeah."
Ino puts her arm around Sakura.
"I think you won." She says
"I think I did." Sakura says back
"Come one I'll give you a ride home."
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Tenten is marching down the middle of the street. Tears are running down her cheeks, staining her collar.
Neji is coming up behind her. He stops and calls out to her.
"Tenten!"
She stops cold. Bewildered. She turns.
She sees him running down the street, and her face can't help but show that she is anticipating the best.
Finally they meet.
"I love you." Neji says
Tenten bursts into tears. Neji sweeps her off the ground, spins her around and crushes her in his arms. She clutches his shirt, nearly tearing it off him. They kiss. She gasps and presses her head to his chest and squeezes him once the kiss is broken.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know." Neji says
"You're stupid. I always knew you were stupid." Tenten puts in.
"You never told me." Neji says, referring back to his previous statement.
"You never asked."
He pulls her away from him. He opens her hand and put the earring in her palm. She looks up at him with a huge smile.
"I wanted these. I really wanted them." She whispers
"They're yours."
Tenten immediately starts to put them on. Neji notices that, for the first time, she is not wearing a multitude of earrings. Tenten smiles, and Neji laughs.
"You knew! You knew you would get them." He is shocked. So is she from the sound coming from his mouth.
"I didn't know. I just hoped." She says, still smiling.
"You knew."
Tenten finishes and her smile widens.
"I had a feeling. Just a feeling. They look okay?" she asks
Neji nods. "You look good wearing my future."
"These babies go back in the morning. You're going to art school."
"We'll keep one and make it a ring." Neji says
"You don't want to think about that one. Do you?"
Neji shakes his head, no. There's no doubt in his mind. She draws him to her and gently presses her lips to his. He folds her into his arms. They break the embrace and start down the street.
"I had this feeling when you kissed me that something was happening." Neji says
"Why didn't you say something?" Tenten asks
"I feared for my life."
"You know, that was the first time I kissed anybody." Tenten confesses.
"I know." Neji says
"How did you know?"
"Because you did it wrong." He replies
"I did not!" Tenten retorts
"Yeah you did."
"How do you know I did it wrong?" she asks
Tenten stops and takes his collar, pulling him in for one more kiss.
The End
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And that's the end. I really hope you liked it. Please leave a review. I know it's the last chapter, but a review would still be really great. It doesn't even take that much time.
And those who have reviewed, I want to thank you again. You're all the best and this story was made just for you!