Title:Two Beds And A Coffee Machine
Author: Schmie
Summary: [A high school fanfic mainly focused on Neji x Tenten]
Legend:"Talking"
'Thinking'
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Cinderella
Chapter Three
After beating the crap out of Naruto with his crutch, Neji lead Tenten into the kitchen. Adrenaline plus anger sure was a bad combination and the blonde had to learn it the hard way. He ended up with sore limbs but who was to blame when he was up against a Hyuuga who was well trained in swordsmanship – well in this case crutchmanship.
"Nice friends." Tenten said as she gave out a small laugh.
"He's lucky I'm in no condition to fight him properly." Neji was still frowning at the damage his crutch took from beating Naruto.
"So… What are we making?" Tenten asked, trying to start things up.
"Well seeing as they ate everything I guess we'd go for simple cookies. At least they had enough decency to leave the flour alone." Neji limped over to one of the white cupboards that were rimmed with intricate carvings. He wanted to take out the basic kitchen wares that they were going to need but he only had one free hand. Tenten quickly noticed this and walked over to help him.
"Take that bowl." Neji tried instructing her as to which ones he'd want to use.
"This one?" "No the other one. Left. No no more left." "What? Can't we just use any of them? I mean like they all look the same." Tenten was mentally laughing at Neji's obsessive and compulsive behavior and this seemed to show as she failed to suppress a couple of laughs.
"No." Neji glared. "This bowl is made of finer china as compared to the other ones and –"
"Okay okay I get it." Tenten said as she chuckled but nevertheless took the bowl Neji wanted. Pleased, Neji proceeded to instruct her as to which utensils he preferred and which ingredients he wanted. This went on for quite some time until they got everything ready. When everything was set on the table, he started teaching her.
"We mix the sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla and butter first."
"Okay."
"No no not too much butter."
"Ahaha I'm sorry."
"You're making it too sweet."
"Oh I thought we needed 3/4cup of sugar."
"We only need two eggs why are you adding another one?"
"Waaah I'm sorry. Do I throw this away now?"
"No it's okay we'll just make more."
"Okay."
"Don't mix it like that, you have to tilt the bowl to the side a bit. "
"Like this?"
"Add in the vanilla."
"Woah, it smells good."
"Don't drink it."
"I'm not trying to drink it I'm smelling i-
"Add in the salt and baking soda."
"Okay."
"No not too much or you'll make it stiff."
"Waah did I put in too much?"
"You know I wouldn't be surprised if the cookies come out rock-hard."
"Thanks that's soooo encouraging." Tenten rolled her eyes at the smirking Hyuuga.
The night went on as the white-eyed boy continued teaching the brunette. The latter would often spill ingredients or put in too much while the Hyuuga only laughed or sighed. He wasn't really the patient type of person but when you're having fun, you tend to forget the things that bother you. After the kitchen has been put into complete disorder, Tenten's first cookies were finally baked.
"Waaah they're finally ready! I wonder what they'd taste like." Tenten said as she wiped away flour from her face.
"Probably not what cookies are supposed to taste like."
"You ass." Neji smirked at her annoyed face. She opened the oven and took the tray out with her mitten-covered hands. A bright smile made its way up her face and Neji couldn't help but stare. She probably felt this as she turned her head to face the Hyuuga.
"What?" She asked innocently.
"Hn. Butter on your forehead." Neji smirked and limped away to get brown paper bags. She pouted but set the tray down to wipe the butter away. Neji came back with the bags and set it beside the tray.
"Wait for it to cool before transferring it to the bags." "Okay." Neji pressed the bell button beneath the kitchen counter twice and a maid came in.
"Prepare tea." He said as he signaled Tenten to follow him.
"Yes, young master." Neji lead her to the garden just outside the kitchen. There were glass garden tables and white metal wire chairs. A few meters away from the tables was a fountain illuminated by lights.
It was already passed ten and the stars were out to light the sky. The moon hid behind clouds but nevertheless, the night was beautiful. They sat on one of the chairs and a maid came to serve them tea. After a few seconds, the whole garden was drowned in yellow light as lanterns that scattered over the place were lit.
"Waah so pretty." Tenten said in awe. Neji was also in awe – but not with the lights.
The light of the lanterns reflected in Tenten's eyes and it made it seem as if her eyes were glowing. The strands of hair that fell from her buns danced in the night wind and her skin glowed of golden amber. Evening crickets were the only music and the sound of gushing water from the fountains filled the place. Though she was dirty of flour and her hair was in utter disarray, Neji found that he had never seen anyone else look so serene.
"The tea is good." Tenten said as she brought the cup to her face to smell the steam.
"It's just plain green tea." Neji looked away as he rested his head on one clenched fist.
"Still good though. I often drink ginseng and it gets boring in a while." Tenten replied.
"Chinese ginseng?"
"Mhm. I'm Chinese."
"I see. So why are you here in Japan?"
"My dad has his business based here and he was often away from Beijing when I was young. I complained so he brought me here to Tokyo when I turned eight."
"I see. So –
"Hey Nejiji we're going home okay?" Naruto shouted from the sliding glass door that lead to the kitchen. [Neji + jiji = Nejiji. Naruto is trying to imply that Neji is an old man. It's like how Allen calls Kanda Bakanda. Baka + Kanda = Bakanda meaning stupid Kanda.]
"Go away." Neji replied still bitter from the incident a while ago.
"Hmp. So mean." Naruto pouted.
"Oi Let's go dobe. Iruka-sensei will scold me again for taking you home so late." Sasuke shouted from the background with his hands in his pockets.
"Seeya Neji!"
"Bye Neji."
"SEE YOU TOMORROW NEJI-KUN!"
"Thanks again for the –munch munch- chips –munch munch-."
The rest of the group waved good bye and left the manor. They went home in a convoy of two cars – Shika's car and Sasuke's car. Naruto, Kiba and Lee road on Sasuke's car while Chouji and Shino road on Shika's car.
"Not fair why do I get all the psychos with me?!" Sasuke complained while Shika only laughed.
"Ne Sasuke teme, who was that girl Neji was with?" Naruto asked.
"THAT'S TENTEN!" Lee replied with a grin.
"Who's Tenten?" Kiba asked.
"I believe she's the soccer varsity captain. We've had a match with her before back when we had the boys vs. girls match on June last year." Sasuke replied.
"Eh? How come I don't remember?" Naruto asked dumbfounded.
"You never remember anything baka!" Kiba playfully punched Naruto's head.
"AHO!"
"You weren't there Naruto. You and Neji were on the seminar held in Osaka." Sasuke tried refreshing his memory.
"Oh. I see. Was she good?" Naruto asked.
"TENTEN IS VERY GOOD!" Lee replied with enthusiasm.
"You know her Lee?" Kiba asked.
"WE GREW UP TOGETHER!"
"I see."
"She was the one who had five goals against our reserves." Sasuke stated.
"Woah five goals???" Naruto asked in disbelief.
"Oh I remember now! She only managed to get two passed us though. I blame Shino for not doing a better job at being keeper." Kiba grinned.
"It's not Shino's fault. She was really good." Sasuke corrected him.
"So what's Neji doing with the soccer varsity captain?" Naruto asked again.
Back in the manor, Neji and Tenten were transferring the cookies into the bags.
"Here. You can have this bag." Tenten offered with a smile.
"Hn." He took it but left it on the kitchen counter.
"I should go home as well. It's getting late." Tenten said as she looked over the wall clock that read quarter passed eleven.
"I'll walk you home." Tenten blinked twice at Neji.
"What?" Neji asked. Suddenly, he remembered his legs. He frowned.
"I can still walk." Neji said refusing to accept his weak state. Tenten chuckled and nodded.
"If you insist." With that, they both left the manor.
As they were walking on the streets, Neji's butler was a few meters behind. He was near enough that once his master needed him he would be able to respond, but far enough that he wouldn't be able to hear their conversations.
"Will you be coming to school again tomorrow?" Tenten asked.
"I've been away for too long. I refuse to repeat the year all over again."
"Oh."
"Why'd you ask?"
"I was planning on taking the main entrance to get to class tomorrow since it's faster. But seeing as you're going, it'll probably be crowded by your fan club again."
Neji stopped walking and frowned at her. She stopped as well and looked at him.
"What?"
"You're talking as if I were a plague." Tenten chuckled and apologized and they started walking again.
"You're on the same class as I am, aren't you?" Neji asked.
"I've been in the same class with you ever since we were nine." Tenten replied, her voice fading softer as each word escaped her lips. Not really knowing what to say, Neji opted not to reply. The rest of the trip was silent and nobody dared start a conversation.
"We're here." Tenten said as they stopped in front of a mansion. The street lights glowed upon both of them and their breath fogged up at the cold air. She gave him a bright smile before thanking him.
"Thanks again. I'll see you in school tomorrow."
As the guards of the gates ushered her in, Neji felt as if his dream was ending. His wrist watched rang in alarm and he looked at it by instinct. Twelve midnight was what it read. He laughed at the irony and turned around to leave when his foot hit something. He looked down and saw a mini low-cut Converse sneaker keychain on the floor. He called for his butler to pick it up for him. As he was handed the keychain, he stared at it with a smile and started leaving for his manor.
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'At twelve midnight, Cinderella left the palace and left only a single shoe for the prince to remember her.'
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Preview:
"What are you doing with that girl?! You're not… in a relationship with her… are you? It's all lies isn't it?! Answer me!!" She asked as tears flowed down the side of her face.
"So what if I am?" He replied with a poker face.
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Authors Notes:
Atatatatatatatatata I know I know. I took too long to make the freaking third chapter. I got really bored so lol. Anyway I hope you guys liked this third chapter. And uh thanks to all those who reviewed!
Read and Review please~
