Chapter 30: The Engagement
"Hurry, hurry!" Regina rushed her sister, Rebecca.
"Alright, alright..." Rebecca hushed.
"We need to get this on tape so that we're able to laugh at him for the rest of our life!"
"This feels so evil." Rebecca smiled sheepishly.
Meanwhile, on the side of the headquarters
"Damn, how am I going to do this right?" Jonathan murmured to himself.
He kept Hinata busy in the kitchen while he thinks to himself how he was going to surprise Hinata, provided he spoke the right words at the right time. Something he has not done for a long, long time.
"Okay, that's it." Jonathan finally thought of something. "I'll do just that!"
Jonathan went down to the kitchen to carry out the very first thing of his plan.
"Hinata, could you meet me by the lake? The one we always go to." Jonathan called out to Hinata.
Hinata looked over at Jonathan with a confused expression but still nod her head.
"Packed a few sandwhiches, sushi or onigiri if you want to." Jonathan added.
"We won't be eating with the others?" Hinata enquired.
"No, I don't think we will be."
"Then are we going together or do you want to meet there instead?"
"We'll meet there."
"Alright, see you then." Hinata smiled and got to start with the preparations of the food.
Jonathan left the kitchen and went to prepare himself for later. It's a special day for them and he cannot stand any blunder.
"Did you get that on the recorder?" Rebecca whispered to Regina.
"Yes, you bet I sure did." Regina whispered while keeping the video camera and went to prepare to sneak out before Hinata and Jonathan to secure a good spot to get everything down on film. Providing they have to be concealed so as to not let them realise that they're being spied on.
By the lakeside
Hinata was already there when Jonathan came. She was standing by the lakeside and the mat was already spread out with food she prepared on it.
"Hinata," Jonathan called out to her.
Hinata turned around and faced him. She had a smile on her face.
"Is today a special day? Why did you ask me out on such a short notice?" Hinata asked.
"Yeah, it is a special day."
"Really? What day is it today? Your birthday isn't here yet. Neither is it-"
"Hinata, will you marry me?" Jonathan kneeled to the ground and pulled out a stalk of flower from behind. There was a bear on the flower and it was holding a ring.
The ring sparkled in the sunlight and it was one of the brightest things Hinata had ever seen. She was so shocked that she could not say a single word.
"Do you not like the ring? The way I proposed? I can change. How do you want it done?" Jonathan panicked as Hinata has yet to give him a reply.
"No, no. It's perfect. I'm just so shocked and overwhelmed by happiness." Hinata cupped her hands over her mouth. "Oh Jonathan, yes, yes I'll marry you!" Hinata threw her arms over Jonathan in happiness.
Jonathan beamed in happiness upon hearing Hinata's response.
"Good thing you brought food here. I would like to have a little private time with you at a time like this." Jonathan grinned.
They sat on the mat and enjoyed the food that Hinata had specially prepared for them while overlooking to the lake and basked in the happiness that was surrounding their very being.
"But Jonathan, I think it's too early for us to get married." Hinata said.
"Then we'll get engage first and we'll get married at a later age about five years later." Jonathan replied.
"Got that on the recorder? This is so very interesting!" Rebecca squealed.
"Hush, or they'll find out that we're here!" Regina hissed and continued videoing.
"I can't wait to have a look at their expressions when they see this video."
"Same here."
"When are we going to play the video for the rest? Or let them know about the existence of the video?"
"On the day of their marriage."
"That'll be a long way to go!"
"All the more there'll be a surprise. Let's send a copy to Neji."
"Now?"
"Yeah, and we have to make it a play-once-and-self-destruct video." Regina suggested.
"You'll be in charge of making the destructive video then, you're better than me at electronics anyway." Rebecca said.
"What is this about?" Neji shouted in the household at a time of one a.m. when the video exploded after the video finish playing.
He was fuming mad when he rushed out of Konoha in search for the Akatsuki hideout.
Somehow, Neji found the headquarters and barged in.
"Jonathan! Get out here!" Neji shouted into the headquarters.
Everyone woke up in a shock and rushed to the door.
"Jonathan, I know you're in there. Get out here now!" Neji shouted once more.
"What's the matter?" Jonathan came out with Hinata by his side before the rest of the members.
"What's the meaning of the video sent to me?"
"Huh? What video?"
"The video! The one about your engagement!"
"What are you talking about? Are you sure you're not sleep-walking?"
"Stop with all the nonsense. Just tell me, are you and Hinata getting engaged?"
"No."
"That's a relief."
"We're already engaged and not getting engaged."
Neji swayed when he heard that. Hinata immediately rushed to his side to hold him up before he fell.
"How could you?" Neji looked at Hinata.
"Er... I'm sorry for not telling you earlier. I mean, I was just engaged earlier today, so... There wasn't enough time." Hinata apologised.
"... Are you sure this is what you want and not what he forced you into?"
"Yes, Neji, I'm sure this is what I want. I hope you give us your blessings."
"But he's with the Akatsuki!"
"They're not as bad as you think they are actually. You just have to spend more time with them and get to know them better."
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but what is going on?" _ interrupted.
"What is it about the engagement?" Kisame asked.
"Er, we forgot to announce, we're engaged." Jonathan answered all their questioning looks.
"Oh, right, so this ruckus at this time of the night is because of the news of your engagement?"
"I suppose so..."
"How does Neji gets to know it before us anyway?" Pein questioned.
"I've no idea as well."
"So is it over yet? I really want to get back to bed." Hidan complained.
"I'm getting tired; I'm going back to bed now." Kakuzu headed back to the headquarters followed by the other members.
"So where is the so-called video you're talking about?" Konan asked Neji."
"It exploded once the video ended." Neji replied.
"So that means you can't produce any evidence and had just wasted a few minutes of my beauty sleep." Konan fumed.
"I swear there is a video and I am not lying!"
"Stop it and just head back to where you should be or I'll make you regret it!"
Without any definite proof, Neji knew that he could never win with just him alone even if Hinata stands by him.
"I'll leave for today but don't think that I'll leave it just like that!" Neji promised and left after saying goodbye to Hinata and wish her all the best.
"Don't worry about me Neji, I'll be fine. I promise you." Hinata reassured Neji.
"If he or anybody else bullies you, tell me straight away and I'll be here for you." Neji gave his word and left.