Once they left the Hyuuga grounds, Kagome's attitude changed completely. He watched as she submissively walked two steps behind him, her face holding little to no emotion, and her eyes never straying towards anything that might seem of interest to her at all.

In fact, the only thing that seemed to hold her interest was him.

"Kagome-san?" He asked and she smiled softly.

"Yes, Koi-sama?" She asked in a soft, docile voice, and he almost sighed.

"This is not like you." He said and she nodded, walking closer to him, but staying just behind him, to the left.

"I can not go against my training, Koi-sama." She whispered and looked up at him. "I was born and raised to become a wife to wed into one of the prominent clans. As such, you are my only concern while we are out. I am here to support you in all ways, in any way you wish."

"Then it is my wish for you to walk beside me, and enjoy yourself, Kagome-san." He murmured and she quickly came to fall in step next to him, matching his strides with her own. He smiled and held out his hand for hers, she paused, causing him to stop.

"You...wish to hold my hand?" She asked and he nodded.

She looked at her hand and wasn't sure what to do. Somewhere inside her she was screaming to stop this nonsense, it would only end up hurting her in the end. Somewhere else, she was happy he wanted to hold her hand, and even made it out to be what he would want from her in public, as his future bride. She slowly gave it to him, and watched as his warm hand wrapped around hers.

"Now, this date was your idea, do you still want fish?" He asked, and she nodded, though she wasn't blushing, she felt unable to speak.

This was strange, she didn't like it.

It was awkward. Almost embarrassing, holding his hand like this.

She wondered what she was suppose to do in this situation. She was to be a wife, not the mistress whom he could be so free with. Was this how he wanted things to be? For her to do things like that was...strange.

He stopped and looked down at Kagome, taking in the slightly uncomfortable and confused look on her face. Gently he pulled her closer, linking their fingers. "Your training is not who you are, Kagome." He said softly and she looked up at him with wide eyes. "I want you to have fun, not feel like it's your duty to be with me."

Kagome smiled softly. "You do not understand, Koi-sama." She looked at her feet and sighed before looking up at him. "I was born to be a bride. It is all that my mother left after my first betrothal broke apart." Her eyes closed and her smile was warm as she tilted her head rather adorably. "I want to be the best bride you could possibly have."

Neji turned completely towards her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Fate is strange, and cruel." Neji said, holding her tight for a moment. "To bring you to me, yet find a way to make things difficult." He released her and turned away. "One day, Kagome, I'll make sure you are perfectly happy being yourself."

With that he continued on, holding her hand as she followed his steps with a very light blush.

Had anyone truly wanted her to be happy before?

She glanced at him.

Stop it, Kagome, you're going to get hurt. He'll take a mistress and you'll be alone again.

She lifted her head, eyes focusing on nothing and everything at the same time as she walked beside him. Graceful. Delicate. Beautiful. Intelligent. Deadly. Supportive. Quiet. She would be all of these things. She would be the perfect wife, willing and able to please.

And away, so that he can be happy with his mistress of choosing.

Because, he, of all people, deserved to be happy.