Chapter Five:
Hiashi had shrugged off Ren's departure and agreed that Neji should make sure she got home alright. By the time Neji left the party he couldn't find Ren anywhere. Neji scoffed as he walked through the streets of Konoha. He had checked her house, TenTen's, and even Lee's. He had no idea where she would even go. He'd been a jerk to her simply because he was jealous, the party was stressful, and she had worded her question so wrong. He rubbed the seal on his forehead in frustration. This woman was more elusive than he cared to admit. He had no way to find her aside from his byakugan and that was off limits at this late hour. It wasn't life or death so he wouldn't resort to using it. He suddenly felt like he should've grabbed Kiba or Shino to track her down but that would not be good for the Hyuga reputation.
Neji was about to give up and head home when he saw a small streak of white from the corner of his eye. He leapt into a nearby tree and made his way closer. Sure enough Ren was standing there with her face in her hands. Her sobs were so loud now that he was right above her that his heart clinched. He was about to jump down, it was ridiculous to be in this tree wearing his ceremonial kimono, but then he saw a dark figure approaching so he remained where he was. It was so dark that the only light was that of the half-moon above the world. It cast strange shadows and made it difficult to tell who it was, clearly a male with short dark hair and black clothing.
"Are you okay, Ren," the male asked in a stoic voice. There was no hint of emotion within his tone but it was still slightly soft.
"What are you doing here, Sai," Ren asked as she wiped her face with the back of her hands. She looked up to Sai and Neji could see her forcing a smile. Neji quietly adjusted himself to get a better look at Sai as well. The man wore his usual fake smile and his dark eyes were closed to add to his false 'happy' expression.
"Oh I was just out walking and thought I heard someone crying," Sai said nonchalantly. Neji noticed his eyes shifted away from Ren's. He was lying but why would he lie about that?
"Oh I see. I'm fine, Sai. Thank you for your concern," Ren told him through a whimper and Neji watched her wipe her eyes again.
"Did Neji do something to upset you," Sai asked as he stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder for comfort. She didn't pull away from his gentle touch. Neji was furious. Why would Sai believe he had done anything? Of course he was the reason she was crying, but that wasn't the point.
"I don't really feel like talking about it right now," Ren admitted weakly. She sounded so defeated that Neji felt another pang of guilt. He had expected her to lie but didn't blame her for not doing so. At least she hadn't spilled her guts to Sai. That would have been unbearable for the Hyuga genius. He was feeling enough anger and guilt; he didn't need any more added to it by Ren or Sai.
"Oh I see. That's alright. I was actually about to go grab a cup of tea, would you like to join me," Sai asked kindly with his smile never fading.
"I would but I don't look presentable. When I was running I tore my kimono and my makeup is ruined," Ren said with a forced laugh.
Sai didn't miss a beat. "Well my apartment isn't far from here so you're welcome to come with me and clean up." Neji nearly growled. How dare Sai suggest such a thing? He should have sent her home.
"Oh," was all Ren said for a moment. "U-um," She stuttered, "I-I still d-don't h-have a-anything a-appropriate t-to wear." Neji wasn't overly pleased with her response but he knew she was trying to get out of it.
Sai removed his hand from Ren's shoulder and shifted his weight as he held up a bag with his other hand. "I actually may have clothes that will fit you. A friend gave me an outfit that should fit you perfectly. I don't usually like to be so pushy but I cannot allow you to be upset and alone, that wouldn't make me a very good friend." When did Ren and Sai ever do anything together that would make them considered friends? Which friend gave him clothes for Ren and why? What was going on? Neji just didn't understand it. Sai really was being pushy, to the point he was overstepping his boundaries.
"A-alright," Ren muttered in defeat. It was clear she knew she couldn't fight him on it.
Her head drooped down and Sai carefully wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Come on then. My mission is now to make you happy and do what I can to help you," Sai told her as he led her away from the tree. Neji swallowed hard. She was really going with Sai. What did that mean anyway? His mission? Neji wanted to follow but knew he couldn't, not without being caught.
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Neji had no luck when it came to talking to Ren about her tea with Sai. He knew that it would give him away, he was technically spying, but it had really bothered him. He was called away for a mission the next morning and had to leave a note with her sister telling her he would be away for about a week on a mission. The mission had been difficult with his mind elsewhere but it was completed without much incident. He came home with mild injuries: Cuts, bruises, and a first-degree burn, that's it. The medics at the hospital had taken care of his wounds easily. Seeing the Hyuga district brought a smile to his heart even if it didn't do the same to his face. This was home, through good and bad, and it was always a welcome sight. The hokage informed him he needed to head to Hiashi's office right away so that was his first destination. He was dirty, tired, and anxious but he could not keep the Hyuga head waiting. He was nervous about it. The last time he was called straight to Hiashi after a mission he gained a fiancée. He had no idea what else the Hyuga clan leader could throw at him but he doubted it would be good. His gut told him it wouldn't be good.
Neji passed by several Hyuga's as he walked through the compound. They all seemed happy to see him, judging by their smiles and waves. It was a nice feeling that he appreciated greatly. They helped ebb away some of his anxieties. He returned their smiles and waved back each time. He received the same warmth when he approached the main house but it stopped within its walls. He was allowed to enter into Hiashi's office right away, in fact one of the guards had escorted him there directly. The door was open, something rare to happen three times in a row, so he stepped in and bowed.
Hiashi sat behind his desk and nodded to his nephew. "Welcome home, Neji," he told him stoically, "I know that you wish to get home to rest but I have an urgent matter to attend to." Neji nodded and stepped forward to take his seat. He then noticed Ren was sitting with her head down staring at her bare feet. She looked as exhausted as he felt. There were dark circles under her eyes, this was becoming a common sight, and her skin was paler than usual, also a reoccurring event. Would a baby right away save her from this? They were a lot of work but surely that would be better than this. He was seriously considering it more and more each time he saw her. Neji sat down and waited for Hiashi to continue. "I would like to know what this is," Hiashi asked as he placed a stack of papers on his desk in front of them.
Ren looked up and Neji picked them up. The papers were all different colors and sizes. Some looked more worn than others. The top one was from Darui, the man in the running to be the Fifth Raikage of the Hidden Cloud Village. He was requesting Ren as a bride. Neji frowned and paled. He handed that letter to Ren then moved on to the next. Omoi, also from Kumogakure, requesting the same thing. It was followed by proposals from Gaara, the fifth Kazekage, Chojuro the future Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village, and too many from Konohagakure: Kakashi Hatake, Iruka Umino, Aoba Yamashiro, Kiba Inuzuka, Genma Shiranui, Izumo Kamizuki, Yamato/Tenzo, Shino Aburame, Choji Akamichi, Sai, and Iwashi Tatami. There were so many possible suitors and with each name he saw Neji felt sicker and sicker.
Neji handed the last paper to Ren and noticed that she looked like she was on the verge of tears. "Well," Hiashi demanded, "I want an explanation."
Neji didn't have one. "Perhaps the clans from the party found her a fitting bride and decided they desired her for themselves," Neji suggested. It was a long shot. You usually didn't try to claim what someone else already had. That also didn't explain the Hokage, Kazekage, future Mizukage, and future Raikage's proposals. Something wasn't adding up.
Ren was stiff but laughed hysterically. Both men in the room blanched. It was hardly a time to laugh and they certainly had not been expecting it. "Sorry," Ren said as she covered her mouth. She took a deep breath with her eyes closed to collect herself. "I'm sorry, it's just so laughable. I have the feeling that I know how this happened but I cannot give you an answer other than that my friends are concerned for me. He told me I had other options but I didn't take him seriously or think about it further."
Neji was dumbfounded. Who would do such a thing and what did they do exactly? Hiashi was growing angry. "This is not a joke. This is serious. I have never heard of such a thing happening. I had to do research to find out who some of these men were. Some of them are over eight years your senior! What could you possibly hope to accomplish with this?"
Ren placed the papers neatly onto Hiashi's desk and held her head high with her expression completely blank. The mirthless humor was gone from her features. "I didn't want any of this, Hiashi-sama. I did not ask anyone to marry me or even consider doing so. I have accepted my fate and have not thought once of marrying anyone other than Neji. I do not know half of these men myself."
"And what of these then," Hiashi asked as he handed another, smaller stack to Ren.
She stared down at the papers and frowned. They were women asking to take Neji as a husband. The only person who stood out was Kurotsuchi from The Hidden Stone Village. She was believed to be next in line for the Tsuchikage seat, being the granddaughter of the third. Ren's heart clinched and she fought the urge to wad up the papers. She handed them to Neji weakly and couldn't bear to look at his face.
"I have a decision to make," Hiashi stated coldly after he had given Neji enough time to look through the papers, "I'll be meeting with the council to discuss this with them. With proposals from such powerful people brought to light I cannot take them lightly. You're both dismissed."
Neji returned the papers to Hiashi. He felt hollow and when he glanced at Ren he could tell she was feeling the same. They were supposed to be married and he had hated the idea. The women that had asked to marry him were practically strangers to him. The two of them stood, bowed, and exited the main house in silence. "Is this what you want," Ren asked so quietly he had almost missed it.
"Is what what I want," He asked coolly. He was not in a good mood and he didn't feel like playing games with her. Clearly this was all her doing. He should have been happy to have a way out of their marriage but he was feeling everything but. He was angry, disappointed, and... Hurt.
"To marry someone else," She replied. She didn't look back at him and continued walking towards her home.
"Yes," Neji told himself but even inside his mind it didn't feel honest. He knew that he had accepted her to the point that no one else would do. "I am uncertain," Neji stated flatly. He couldn't bring himself to tell her that he didn't want to be with anyone else. He had closed himself off for far too long to allow one woman to knock it down so easily. He would deny the extent of his feelings. Feelings were a weakness he couldn't afford. He had been injured on his last mission because of them.
"We aren't good together though are we? I annoy you and you make me feel worthless sometimes. I know I am but I had really hoped you wouldn't see me that way," her voice cracked, "I guess maybe it's a good thing Sai did this. You'll get your chance to be with someone who will make you happy; happier than I ever could," He could hear the tears in her voice. She was crying. It registered with him that she had mentioned Sai. He didn't have a chance to react before she was running away quickly.
"Damn it," Neji cursed under his breath as he took off after her. He hadn't even thought about it. His legs moved on their own accord. He wasn't sure he even wanted to chase after her. He didn't know if he wanted to marry her. He certainly didn't want her to be running off every single time he upset her. He clearly was doing a lot of that. This time it was different though. He knew he hadn't given her the reassurance she desperately wanted and he had shattered her heart. Maybe it would be for the better if they did not marry each other. Even with those thoughts in his mind he ran as hard as he could to catch her. They were out of the Hyuga compound and into the forest before he finally got the chance to leap at her. He tackled her to the ground and they tumbled into the soil. Ren groaned in pain but he wouldn't let her get away. This was important. He knew what he wanted now, mostly. He turned her over to face him but kept her locked in his hold.
She had tears streaming down her now muddy face and he had managed to cause her to scrape up her cheek. She opened her mouth to speak but he placed his index finger up to her lips to silence her. "Stop, just stop," He panted. He slung his bag from off his shoulder and onto the ground beside them. Neji sat up but kept her legs locked between his and rummaged through the bag. "I'm not sure that I want to marry someone else. It's all a lot to take in and we don't get along," Neji said as he hunted, "but damn it woman if you would talk to me and tell me what I'm doing wrong instead of running away we wouldn't be on the forest floor right now. We could be at home talking things out like adults." Neji pulled a small box out of his bag and held it out to her. "Here. I got this for you while I was on my mission. I don't know why I decided to but I had hoped that it would make you happy." The look on her face had told him his indifferent mask had cracked and his distress was written all over his face and within his words.
Ren took the box with shaky hands and opened it. Inside was a gold ring with a tiny sapphire mounted in the center. Her heart rate quickened and she stared at the ring with new tears forming in her eyes. "N-Neji, I…"
"You don't have to keep it. I was planning to give it to you tomorrow when we had dinner," Neji said with a mirthless chuckle. This was it then. Engagement possibly over. Why did he feel so empty? He stared down into her eyes but she wasn't looking at him. Her eyes were locked on the ring. He had bought it because the color reminded him of her room. He didn't have an engagement ring to give her and wanted to remedy that. He suddenly felt like his heart was being crushed. Why wasn't she saying anything?
"Please don't make me marry someone else," She whimpered suddenly, "I don't want to be married to anyone else."
Neji felt like the wind was knocked out of him. He couldn't imagine being married to anyone else no matter how hard he tried. He had hated her so much for so long that it should have been easy. "I'll request that Hiashi does not break our engagement," Neji stated quietly. He realized seconds before uttering those words that he didn't want to marry anyone else either. They argued and didn't always see eye to eye but she wanted to make him happy. He wanted to make her happy. They were both young and would have to work together to learn to get along but they could do it, he knew they could. He knew he hated her, she was a reminder of everything he disliked about the Hyuga clan, but he also realized he loved her. It really was a love-hate thing for the two of them. He didn't know when she had worked her way into his heart, probably when they were both so young, but she had done it. He felt like he was on an emotional rollercoaster and he wanted off this ride but then he looked down at her and he saw the hope burning in her eyes.
Ren was sitting up in a hurry and threw her arms around his torso. He blinked and wrapped his arms around her shoulders as she buried her face into his chest. "Thank you," she whispered softly. Her whole body was shaking and he realized just how stressful this was on her. He took a moment to rub her back to calm her down and collect his thoughts. He wasn't ready to admit he was in love out loud yet.
"I'm doing it for me," he told her calmly, "I can't really picture being married to the future Tsuchikage and find that I do not want you married to the Kazekage, Hokage, Mizukage, or Raikage. I want to be the one to make you laugh and cry. I'm truly being quite selfish." Ren looked up at him and smiled through her tears. He knew they were both dirty but he didn't care. He kissed her deeply like there was no tomorrow and she returned the kiss with as much devotion. The kiss left them breathless and their bodies felt like static was flowing through them. When they finally parted for air Neji took the box from her hand and moved to sit beside her. He pulled the ring free and then slipped it onto Ren's left hand. "I do not plan to ever let you go."
"I promise to stop running away and actually express myself better," Ren whispered.
"And I promise to choose my words more carefully. I'll also try not to get jealous over losers like Shikamaru," Neji stated before kissing her dirty forehead. He didn't care. She was his and he was going to keep her that way, no matter how dirty she was.
"I don't know why you are jealous of him. It's a silly school girl crush. I didn't even think about it when I spoke to him at the party. I just saw my friend and comrade." Ren exhaled a breath of air that may have been a hidden laugh. "You see it's not him who invades my dreams now."
"Who is it," Neji asked. He had a suspicion but wanted her to confirm it.
"Oh, he's tall, fair, and very handsome. Everyone says he's a prodigy and he's set the bar pretty high for other members of his clan. His hair is long and beautiful. He can be so kind and charming, but he rarely lets that side of himself show anymore. He sometimes can be a little cold but it comes from his upbringing. You know how Hyuga men are," Ren said with a small smirk.
"I invade your dreams," he asked skeptically. He had been hoping for her to say that but he wasn't expecting it. She nodded after seeming to contemplate how to respond. He was glad she didn't use it as a chance to try to get under his skin. He was on cloud nine. He was who she dreamt of. He smirked back at her then kissed her again. He didn't plan to stop kissing her until one of them died. In reality he knew he couldn't but they enjoyed their time together.
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Hiashi sat at his desk in his study. The man rarely met with people anywhere else. He was always so busy with paperwork that his office was the most convenient place for the Hyuga head. Neji sat before him with his face blank. It wasn't every day that Neji made a request to meet with Hiashi so he was being taken very seriously. "Hiashi-sama," Neji began after they had been quiet for a while, "I wish to request that you reject all marriage proposals for Ren and myself."
Hiashi's eyes flickered with amusement before he quickly returned to his stoic self. "And why would I do that," Hiashi asked flatly.
"We do not wish to marry the others. Ren and I have decided that, of the options, we are the best match for the Hyuga clan. If either of us married a foreign kage then the byakugan would belong to other villages. Ren has several proposals from men within the village but the only ones worth looking considering are the Hokage, Inuzuka, and Aburame. The byakugan must stay within the Hyuga clan," Neji answered firmly. He hoped this answer would please his uncle far more than the real reason; he had realized he loved Ren Hyuga.
"This has nothing to do with your own personal feelings for her? Or her feelings for you," Hiashi asked curiously. He was fighting a grin that would split his face in two. If he hadn't been an emotionless husk for more years than Neji had been alive, his lips may have at least twitched.
Neji swallowed and averted his gaze from Hiashi. He didn't want to admit that he had come to like the marriage Hiashi had arranged for him. It was a matter of pride. He also could not allow Hiashi to believe that he wasn't thinking about the clan. That was almost all Neji ever did. "No, it has nothing to do with either of our feelings. We entered this for the good of the clan and believe it should remain that way."
"Hm," Hiashi hummed out as he stroked his chin with his hand. He was silent for several minutes before stating, "You have a good point, Neji. I suppose it is a good thing that the council has already rejected all proposals. Your father wanted you to marry Ren for love though. I had hoped it would develop. You two used to be so close."
Neji allowed the Hyuga head's words to fill his mind. His father had wanted him to love Ren, he knew that already. The council had already rejected the other proposals. He had come in here, built his case, and discovered a new piece of information about Hizashi Hyuga that he hadn't known… for nothing. He would have been angry if he wasn't so relieved. "Thank you, Hiashi-sama. We are working on the love part."
Hiashi nodded and continued to rub his chin. He could see changes in his nephew. The mask he wore over his emotions was cracked ever so slightly and revealed that Neji did feel something for Ren. Hiashi was quite proud of himself for allowing his nephew to be with someone for love, even if the prodigy would not admit it yet. Hiashi thought back to his late wife. They had an arranged marriage but it had developed into love. Hinata was the spitting image of her mother while Hanabi took after him. He missed his dear, deceased wife more than anything. Bringing his nephew happiness was more than he could have ever expected. He hoped Hinata would find happiness with the Uchiha traitor too. Hanabi would be the next marriage to tackle and he had time. "You're dismissed," Hiashi stated coldly. He was pleased with himself but his own emotional mask was very much intact.
"Thank you Hiashi-sama," Neji said as he stood. He bowed to the Hyuga head and left the office. He needed to find his fiancée to tell her the good news.
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Neji found Ren with TenTen and Lee. They were sitting in a café eating dango and drinking green tea. He had almost walked past them but Lee had saw them, dismissed himself from his female companions, and ran out the door. "Neji! You must come celebrate your youth with us! Ren is here and it can be like a double date! We will celebrate your engagement!" Lee's voice had caused everyone out on the street to turn and look at them in curiosity.
The vein on Neji's right temple began to throb and his eyes narrowed at his loud friend. "You don't have to shout," Neji stated as he bit his tongue to hold back his anger. He could feel everyone around them staring. He really didn't want this attention. His engagement was already known throughout most of the village but he didn't feel like his green-clad teammate needed to shout about it loud enough for all of Konoha to hear. "Let's go then," Neji grunted out before Lee could apologize, cry, or react in any other obnoxious way.
He entered the shop and looked around. TenTen and Ren were sitting across from each other giggling like school girls. It was a strange sight. TenTen was such a tomboy he could never have imagined her laughing like that. She looked truly happy and more feminine. Lee was trailing right behind him and brushed past him to rejoin the women. "Look who I found," Lee stated as he grinned from ear to ear. Ren and TenTen both turned to see Neji standing there.
He waved awkwardly and approached the table. Lee sat next to TenTen and so Neji was stuck next to Ren. He didn't mind but how was he supposed to greet her? He took a deep breath and pulled the chair out while he smiled at her. As soon as he was sat down Ren leaned over and kissed his cheek. He would have been horrified at the public display of affection but he found he liked it. "Hello TenTen and Ren," he said as he looked from one female to the other. He allowed his hand to wander under the table to find Ren's and laced his fingers with hers. He was sitting on her left and almost smirked when his digits brushed against the ring on her finger. He hadn't expect her to be wearing it but knew right away he should have realized she would.
"Hey there Neji," TenTen said cheerfully. "How's it going," She asked in curiosity. Ren had been telling Lee and TenTen about the countless proposals she and Neji had received. The calm, content look Neji was sporting led her to believe that his meeting with the head of the Hyuga clan had went well.
"Fine," Neji stated blankly. Ren squeezed his hand and he noticed she was biting her lip. "I almost forgot what I was going to tell her," Neji thought as his eyes drifted to the miniature Gai in front of him, "Damn you Lee for distracting me." Neji cleared his throat and turned his attention back to Ren. "Hiashi-sama has agreed that our marriage is the best choice for the clan. In a month and a half we will be getting married as originally planned."
Ren smiled shyly and caressed her thumb against the top of his hand. It was her way of saying 'I'm glad' without actually stating it in front of their audience.
"That's great to hear. The youth of your love will continue to burn brightly," Lee exclaimed as he shot to his feet, almost taking the table with him.
"Quiet down Lee," TenTen scolded him as she put her hands on his shoulders to push him back down before he had stood up completely. "We're very happy for you," She said when Lee was back in his seat.
"Yosh!" Lee grinned at his friends.
"Thank you, TenTen and Lee," Ren said quietly.
"Yes, thank you. We would like for you two to be there. We can only invite two of our friends and would like it if you two attended," Neji told them. He would leave out that Hinata and Hanabi would be there as love and support as well. They were Hyuga so they were expected to be there.
"We plan to have a big party for the reception, even invite the rookie nine, but the ceremony is supposed to be a very intimate affair," Ren explained when Lee and TenTen looked at them confused.
TenTen was now the one to house a face-splitting grin. "We would love to, right Lee?"
"Yosh. It would be the greatest honor! We will be there to witness your love blossom! Oh how the world has smiled upon us, TenTen."
Ren and Neji looked at each other. Their friends were crazy but they loved them. Things would work out just fine.
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Neji and Lee sat on the ground after a rigorous sparring match. Neji was sure he had never sweat so much in his life, no small feat seeing as Gai was his genin sensei. His white shirt stuck to his torso, his long hair was drenched with perspiration, and he couldn't get enough to drink. He studied his comrade and felt pitiful. Lee had been soaked in sweat as well but his jumpsuit didn't cling to him any different than it ever had, his hair remained mostly the same, and, while he was panting, he did not drink enough water to fill a fish tank. Neji wondered if he hadn't went too hard during their mock battle. He was frustrated and needed the distraction. He had wanted to work until his muscled ached and his body was numb. He wanted to be so tired that he would pass out into a dreamless sleep. He was sure that he had accomplished that, he felt like he would pass out at any moment, but he didn't feel any better. "Sorry about this, Lee," Neji told his teammate after he finished another bottle of water.
"Think nothing of it, my youthful friend. You have challenged me once again and we will walk away stronger today than we were yesterday. If you do not mind my asking though, Neji, what is wrong? You do not usually come to me for a spar like this unless something is troubling you," Lee told him calmly. It was a rare sight for the Handsome Devil of the Leaf to be anything but rambunctious. Lee was really growing up though, controlling his vocal cords and enthusiasm a little better. He would never lose his enthusiasm but he was able to realize when it was appropriate and when it wasn't now. Neji hadn't ever stopped to think about it before now.
"I don't really feel like explaining it to you," Neji told him weakly. He didn't want to. Lee couldn't make him. Lee frowned and placed his hands on his hips. He looked so sad. Lee couldn't make Neji do it. He couldn't. Neji scowled and removed his forehead protector to wipe the sweat from his brow. "Fine," Neji grunted out. He couldn't believe that Lee could get him to share something so personal without even uttering a single word. What was happening to the Hyuga prodigy? Ren was what was happening to him. "I needed to be able to ignore my body for a while."
Lee tilted his head to the side and his bushy brows furrowed in confusion. "But why Neji? I do not understand. You should never ignore your body. It tells you exactly what you need to do," Lee reasoned. He was unsure what could possibly have his best friend wishing to abuse his own body in such a way. Neji had never shown so much enthusiasm for improving, at least not in this way.
Neji wanted to scream. He knew that he wasn't being the bluntest person in the world but did he really have to sit down and spell it out for Lee? Why did Lee have to be so innocent and oblivious? "I am trying to disregard desires, Lee. The more time I spend with Ren the more difficulty I have in remaining calm and collected. She makes my blood boil and haunts my dreams like a succubus. We will be getting married in a week but I'm not sure how much longer I can last before I kill over. Propriety is overrated," Neji grumbled.
Lee blinked once. Then twice. Then three times. "Oh I see. You have desires to make love to your fiancée and because you can't you're trying to use training as a distraction. I too have done similar but it does not work. The only thing you can do, my friend, is take cold showers and wait until she is ready. I fear I will be waiting for a very long time. I do love TenTen enough that the wait will not kill me. It will just mean that when the time comes it will be a passionate display of youth and love."
Neji wanted to hit him. He may have if his muscles weren't screaming at him. He really hoped that when he and Ren did finally do more than just grind against each other and make out it would be well worth it. He hated his hormones lately. He knew the importance of waiting until marriage but she just made it so hard. His logical mind was battling his irrational body and his mind was losing. "You're right," Neji admitted.
Lee grinned and gave Neji a thumbs up, standing in his 'nice guy' pose. "Yosh! I am so glad that you spied on Ren that first night you two became engaged. I believe that was very beneficial to your current relationship."
Neji rubbed his eyes with his hands. Lee just had to bring that up. Neji wasn't looking at Lee so he couldn't see that his green-clad comrade had lost his smile and how pale his skin was. "Lee, I can agree that it was beneficial but the second time I spied on her with TenTen had opened my eyes a lot more. I could have done without seeing her with Sai though."
Neji heard someone clear their throat behind him and he dropped his hands from his face. He looked at Lee. The guy looked like he had seen a ghost. Neji was suddenly very afraid to turn around. He did so reluctantly and found that he wasn't surprised to see Ren standing there with her arms crossed under her breasts glaring at him. "You spied on me? How many times? Clearly at least three times," Ren snapped.
"I'm going to go find TenTen, see you later Neji. Goodbye Ren," Lee said before making a hasty retreat.
"Lucky bastard," Neji thought as he stared up at his bride-to-be. She was tapping her foot on the ground and looked completely pissed. He swallowed hard. "It was only three times and with good reason. The first time was when Hiashi told us we were getting married and I was worried about you so I followed you. The second time was after TenTen had talked to Lee who told her what I wanted him to. I didn't want him giving you bad advice," Neji stated. He could see Ren's anger slipping away by the way her scowl (which reminded him too much of his own) began to fade. He figured he should just blurt out the last time too. "And the last time was when you left the party angry with me and ran into Sai. I wanted to pound him into the ground. What happened that night anyway?"
Ren sighed. All of her anger was gone. She knew Neji had meant well. "You shouldn't spy on people," she murmured as she uncrossed her arms and sat down beside him. She inhaled through her nose. He was really sweaty but she found she didn't mind too much. He smelled very masculine and like green tea. She was a goner. She loved him too much to stay mad at him at all. When had that happened? Probably the moment she was born. She felt like she was created to love Neji. With a sigh she scooted closer and laid her head on his shoulder. He stiffened for a moment but then relaxed and pulled her closer. "Thank you for caring enough to risk being skewered by TenTen though. As for what happened with Sai…"
Ren walked with Sai down the street in silence. She wasn't sure about this at all. It was really bizarre. She had never really spoken to the former Root agent before now and certainly never alone. They had never been sent on missions together and her ranking in ANBU didn't present opportunity to see him much. He was a nice enough guy, always smiling even if it was fake. She had had to hold her kimono closed awkwardly too. She had ripped it beyond belief and would die if she gave Sai a show. She normally didn't mind showing a little skin, it always seemed to get Neji's attention, but this was beyond a little skin. She would be showing her assets off to the world. She glanced at Sai who was still smiling and watching her out of the corner of his eye.
He stopped in front of some cement stairs and turned his head to look at her. She swallowed hard under his gaze. Had he been Neji she would've felt bold and let go of her kimono but he wasn't Neji and she didn't want to show Sai her goods. She didn't care if he was interested in her or not. He wasn't who she was going to marry. She had almost forgotten how bad she looked until he spoke. "My apartment is up here. Come on and you can use my shower if you'd like," he told her kindly.
She nodded, afraid of what her voice would sound like if she actually spoke. He led her up the stairs and into his apartment. It was clean but cluttered. "It must be an artist thing," Ren mused to herself. She bit her lip as he showed her the bathroom and then handed her the bag he had been carrying. She thanked him quietly and peeked into the bag. Right on top were black lace panties and a white bra with a little bow that would rest between her breasts. She suddenly knew exactly who had sent Sai after her. "Kakashi," Ren whispered. The bag also contained white shorts, a white long sleeve shirt, and a green tunic. She had worn that style of outfit countless times. She found herself smiling before reminding herself why she was in Sai's bathroom. She showered quickly, choosing to leave her hair ornaments and kimono in Sai's bathroom.
When she was clean Sai offered her tea. He told her he decided that he would rather have tea there where they could talk more privately. He had asked her what was wrong and she spilled her guts to him, shamefully. She had cried on his shoulder and let him run his fingers through her dark hair. (Ren left that part out for Neji) He told her that she had options and that she deserved to be happy. He promised her that he would make sure she was.
Looking back Ren realized how dumb that was. She should have known something big was going to happen. Kakashi had made sure she was taken care of and Sai would take his mission very seriously. She had complained about Neji so much that it sounded like she didn't want to marry him. Sai had assumed the most logical conclusion and set about trying to figure out how to save her. She glanced at Neji and sighed. "That's what happened. I had tea with him, cried, and he ended up making sure we both had marriage proposals from all over the shinobi world.
Neji wasn't sure what to think. He had been so sure that Sai did something more despicable than that. It didn't matter, Ren was his and no one else could have her. He looked down at her and she smiled up at him. "I love you," he told her. It was seemingly random but he had mulled the words over countless times within his mind. He was sure of how he felt and needed to tell her. He didn't want her to think that he was upset about Sai or their tea talk.
Ren bit her lip and stared up at him. He loved her. He said he loved her. She smiled at him and whispered, "I love you too." She did. She loved him with all her heart and soul. Her thoughts were interrupted when he pressed his lips to hers and she melted into him. His lips tasted salty from his sweat but she found she couldn't get enough. She practically purred when he licked her bottom lip in a way of asking her to allow his tongue to penetrate her mouth. She hoped the rest of her life would be filled with kisses like this.
Ren Note: So... this is the last chapter. Epilogue will be uploaded soon... Probably later tonight. I didn't run through this one with a fine-tooth comb like I usually do. I've been reading and rereading a lot so hopefully it's without errors... If I'm wrong, please let me know so I can fix it. It's not y'all's job to do that but I appreciate concrit. I really do. I'd like to thank those of you who follow, favorite, and review. You guys are totally awesome! This chapter was for you. I hope I don't disappoint. Love you all!