~*~*~*~*Dance Partners*~*~*~*~

A NejiTen fanfic

Neji's P.O.V.

Boredly, I traced my fingers along the headboard. I couldn't believe Tenten. She had the nerve to come inside my house and confront me. Who the hell does she think she is? I really honestly didn't know because she's not given up on me yet. Most girls do. But not her. And that annoys me...immensely.

Trying to comprehend her mind was way difficult. One minute she'll be on a rant, and the next her eyes get soft and she has sympathy for me. I really didn't know what to do. She's way too complicated. I don't even know why I bother trying to understand.

Sighing, I slowly rose from my behind and sauntered to the other side of the room. I wasn't being lazy really. Just bored.

I yanked open the drawer on my desk and looked at the mess inside. Secretly, I kept it messy there, even though everyone thought I was a total neat freak and I wasn't.

My eyes narrowed, when my hands that were digging through there, touched a cold metal. I knew what it was. It was the only picture frame that existed in my room. Feeling my stomach churn, I picked through the pile and pulled it out carefully, finally staring at the image.

It was my father and I.

My heart swelled up. It was as if I could feel it being compressed.

Hizashi was grinning widely, one hand clasped on my shoulder. My weak four year old shoulder.

I also smiled at the camera man sweetly. So innocent. Not knowing what lay ahead in the future.

There was another pain in my chest, as I bowed my head forward, squeezing my eyes shut. I couldn't do it anymore. This stupid picture was ruling my life. Everytime I look at my father it felt as if it were my fault. But yet again the main branches fault. It was all so confusing.

I dropped the picture abruptly when there was a knock at the door.

"N-Neji?" I knew that stuttering from anywhere. Hinata.

Though she was a member of the main branch, I've learned to accept that it is not her fault and she cannot change which side she was born into.

I shuffled to the door and opening it slowly.

"Yes, Hinata-sama," I answered, it came out coldly but I had not meant it to be that harsh.

"Um, can I come in?" the small girl asked.

I shut my eyes. Might as well. What harm can she do?

"Yes," I stepped aside and let her into my room, then took a seat on my bed. It was a natural habit that I did whenever a guest would come into my room.

"I-I would like to t-talk to you about something," Hinata stammered, shifting uncomfortably.

"And that would be?" I asked her, trying not to sound uninterested.

"Tenten," she remarked, almost guiltily.

I pierced my lips into a fine line. She just had to come into the conversation.

"What about her?" I inquired, trying as hard as possible to not lose my temper.

"She's very upset," Hinata replied, looking downward.

"I suppose so," I answered, taking another breath. This conversation was really getting on my nerves. I hated talking about Tenten. It reminded me of her ability to resist. Most of my dance partners have given up on me. Not that I wanted Tenten to, leaving me without a partner, but it makes me feel that she was trying harder than I was.

"She just doesn't understand you," Hinata explained, her eyes drifting everywhere around the room except on Neji.

"Are you asking me to forgive her?" I demanded questioningly.

"N-No, of course not," Hinata immediately replied.

I gritted my teeth.

"Then what are you proposing?" I interrogated.

"Th-that you apologize," Hinata corrected herself.

My eyes narrowed. Apologize? To her? Absolutely absurd. Never. Why should I? She's the one who barged into my house. There's no reason. She got herself into this. Tenten could've just stayed home, but she came here, on her own decision.

"Why should I?" I grumbled.

Hinata smiled sheepishly. "You kind of ran her into a wall,"

I raised an eyebrow. How does she know about that?

"And you know that how?" I asked icily.

Hinata blushed. "I followed her out the house and heard her ranting o-on,"

I scoffed. "Typical,"

Hinata fumbled with her thumbs. "Please?" She asked.

I sighed. "What do you suppose it would do?"

Hinata smiled innocently. "It will improve your relationship,"

I snarled. "I don't care about my relationship with her,"

Hinata cringed. She narrowed her eyes.

"How can you not?" She demanded softly. "You saved her life,"

I rolled my eyes. "If I didn't who else would I dance with?" I made the question sound obvious.

Hinata gasped. "You wouldn't care if she died?"

Hmm. Do I really need to ponder over this.

"Well not-" I was cut off by my cousin, which took me by surprise. Normally she was polite and patient.

"Did you ever think other people cared outside this family when Hizashi died?" She inquired, but covered her mouth.

Alright. She just pushed it. How could she say something so disgraceful.

"How dare you," I hissed. "Do you even know what you're saying,"

Hinata's knees were knobbly. "Wh-what I'm trying to say is that other people will care if Tenten dies," she squeaked.

Yeah I know that. The question remains. Do I? Honestly I didn't know the answer. I hadn't really taken that much of a liking to Tenten, but she's the only girl who doesn't drool all over me besides anyone in my family (A.K.A. Hinata). That's a plus. But she's stubborn. Just like most woman. She doesn't like to admit she's wrong. She can't let anyone touch her that she doesn't trust (partly I don't blame her considering she's a girl) But I'm her dance partner. She shouldn't be so foolish.

I didn't answer Hinata.

"Please," the girl begged.

I sighed. "Why would you like me to?" I asked.

"B-because she's my friend and you hurt her," Hinata remarked. "And not just physically but emotionally,"

I scoffed. "She's too thin skinned,"

Hinata's eyes softened. "She's also a girl Neji,"

I didn't know that.

"And?"

Hinata blushed. "Estrogen,"

"I know what the girl hormone is," I snapped.

Hinata looked up bravely. "Then you should know that she's not happy,"

Really?

"So you would like me to apologize?" I questioned.

Hinata nodded.

I shut my eyes, thinking deeply. "Will you leave me alone if I do?"

"Y-yes," Hinata answered.

"Whatever," I retorted. "Tell Hiashi I'm going out,"

"Where?" Hinata asked.

"Where do you think?" I snapped, furiously.

"Oh," Hinata replied.


Reluctantly, I shuffled down the streets, hands stuffed into my pockets.

Great. I couldn't believe I was doing this. Really, I think I'm insane. I seriously am. It's one thing to apologize it's another to apologize to Tenten. God this wasn't going to have a good outcome. When she answers the door she's probably going to be throwing things at me. How troublesome.

I tried to ignore the annoying people who stared at me with awe.

"Hey...Neji-kun,"

I tried to shut out Ami's irritating face, but she just continued.

"Where are you going?" Her voice was extremely shrill making it almost unbearable.

I gritted my teeth. "Go away," I growled

"But Neji-"

"Leave," I grunted. "You're annoying,"

Ami sniffled. "You're no fun,"

"Good," I growled.

"NEJI!" She called annoyingly as I left her in the middle of the street.

Hopefully she gets run over.

Yeah. She is annoying.

What do you want?!

Jeez. Everyone hates inners.

...I wonder why.

Well it's simply-

Don't bother explaining you pest.

God you're stubborn.

Leave.

Hm. You're going to Tenten's.

What of it?

Planning on hooking up?

Never. I don't believe in boyfriend and girlfriend. Pointless things relationships are. They only distract you of your true goals.

Man are you deep,

Thanks for the compliment.

No problem.

You really don't know what sarcasm is do you?

Yeah I do.

Then why do-

I like to bother you.

I've noticed that.

So what're are you gonna say to Tenten.

Haven't figured that out yet.

Do you even like her.

No.

Not even as a friend.

Put it this way. I don't not like her. Even if she is really annoying.

What do you have against her?

Nothing in particular.

You're confusing.

So are you.

Yeah but I understand myself.

Hn.

Hn.

Go Away.

Fine.

Tenten's house came into full view. If you're asking how I know where she lives, I had to get Hinata remember? Yeah that took forever. I had to knock on everyone's doors asking if there was a Tenten there. Thank god someone knew her and eventually pointed me int the right direction (it took them forever to convince them I wasn't a rapist).

Sighing, I walked up the porch steps and stopped at the girls door.

Prepare yourself for flying things.

Quiet.

Just saying.

I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath.

Then I knocked.


Tenten's P.O.V.

I sat on my bed, clutching my stomach. It was aching terribly and I had no idea why.

I didn't need to go to the bathroom, I didn't have my period, and I haven't been kicked there. So what the hell was wrong?!

Suddenly I felt a liquid rise up in the back of my throat.

CRAP! SHIT! NO!

Springing up from my bed, I darted into the bathroom, ignoring the repeating knocking on the door.

My eyes wide, I leaned over the toilet, hurling my stomach out.

Tears started to form, not because I was crying though. Because the pressure of my self pushing.

I gasped trying breath but more fluid rose up, not allowing me. Soon the taste of puke has engulfed mouth while I threw up my guts.

Suddenly there was a warm hand rubbing the bare part of my back.

I clutched the toilet in surprised, but didn't stop puking.

Who was it? My mother and father weren't home.

Still trying to breath, I shut my mouth, but it unpried as I spit out the last of my guts.

The hand slowly left my back and I shakily grabbed a piece of toilet paper, wiping my mouth clean.

Breathing heavily, I glanced over my shoulder and gaped. Neji stood staring at me, arms crossed.

"H-How did you get in?" I asked.

Neji raised an eyebrow. "The door was unlocked,"

"You just came in?" I demanded furiously.

"I was following the disturbing sounds," Neji remarked, still keeping his eyebrow arched.

"Oh," I replied embarrassed. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Hinata told me to apologize," Neji informed me.

"Well I don't accept," I interrupted. "Hinata had to tell you,"

Neji shrugged. "Whatever,"

Anger boiled and I stood up furiously. "Know what? What's wrong with you? You don't care about anything. You don't believe in trust, you didn't care if I was saved or not, you can't-"

Neji cut off my new rant. "I don't regret saving you," he said coldly.

"Should I be overwhelmed?' I questioned breathlessly.

"I don't know," Neji tapped his fingers. "Should you?"

I sighed. "I don't know,"

"So do you accept the apology?' Neji asked boredly.

I pondered over this. "I'll think about it," I finally decided.

"Whatever," Neji retorted, leaving me in the bathroom. "You'll be fine alone?'

My heart swelled. Did Neji care? Did he? Did he just ask if I'll be okay alone?

"Y-Yeah,"

"Hn," Neji remarked. "Are you sick?" One hand was on the door and he was already out of sight, but still in the hallway.

"I don't know," I answered.

"Don't kill yourself,"

"Yeah thanks," I replied.

Hmph. What makes him think that I would kill myself.

Sitting back down by the toilet, I sat in deep thought.

Did Neji care? Did his heart feel? He's stone. No. But he's still human. So...did he care?

A/N I know I updated kind of late but I'm at my dads and he had me working on softball today and yesterday. Sorry peeps. And I have to got to sleep because I must get adjusted to going to bed earlier cause school is gonna start like...tomorrow. Yeah. It's twelve you technically it starts tomorrow. And normally I don't go to sleep this late on a school night so...you get it. Thanks reading and please review:)