Chapter Five

Hyuga's Persepective.

Sometimes I wonder how I manage to get myself in so many situations like this one.

So this is what's been going on. It's been seven days since the "agreement" we had with Principal Tsunade. And let me tell you, I have been through a lot. I'VE BEEN THROUGH HELL, to be exact. You see, the last week was all about "increasing the team manager's productivity" as Captain Hyuga puts it.

As stated in Principal Tsunade's memo, I was supposed to be responsible for preparing the team's uniforms, maintenance of the gym's equipment, and distribution of refreshments and other needs. But surprisingly, according to the *great* team captain, there have been some additions. The team manager was now responsible for cleaning up the court after practices, as well as locking up. At first, I wanted to punch right on the gut, but then, that may result to not being able to participate in the upcoming Taekwondo tournament. Oh, and that would be against what I made up my mind to do, which is to show Neji who he's messing with. That I'm not an ordinary girl, who'd just give up like that.

For the past seven days, I have done everything he has asked me to do, laundry, mopping up the gym, everything. And yet, he hasn't said anything to me directly. He always gets one of the team members to deliver his orders.

Don't get me wrong, I tried my hardest during the past week. It's just that at the end of the day, it's as if my arms and legs were so close to detaching from my joints. I'm tired. I'm tired as hell. Honestly, I want to quit right now. I want to hand over that resignation letter. Yes, I could participate in the tournament, but what chances will I have in winning when I'm so darn worn out all the time. I haven't even gotten the chance to train the past week because of all this extra work. And the fact that he hasn't said a word to me adds to the drama. How on earth will I get into Captain Hyuga's good side at this rate?

It was the first day of my second week. Before going into the gym, I went off to the cafeteria to pick up some refreshments like I had done before. And no, this isn't my money. Apparently, the team manager gets some cash from the school to be used in buying other miscellaneous stuff needed, and of course, everything has to be written down for accounting.

Anyway, when I entered the gym, the team was divided in to two other teams, playing a practice game. Well, except Captain Hyuga who sat on the bench nearest the gym's steel door. He was all sweaty at that time. Probably got himself worked up earlier considering how addicted he is to this game. And for some unknown reason, he was staring at me with those pale eyes again. At that moment, I saw the "something" in his eyes again. That "something" I haven't seen in a while. That same "something" I saw when he stared at me back during the locker room incident. Oh God, no. Don't look at me like that.

So before I let his stares get to me again, I turned away and then set the plastic bag of drinks down the other side of the room. I'm not scared of him. I'm not scared. Right? Just when I thought that he would just ignore me and get on with practices, he called me out.

"Get me one of those.", he said in a serious tone as he gestured to the bottles to my right, still looking at me with those annoying pale eyes of his. Of course, I had to follow. Technically, I was his subordinate. I took a bottle from the bag and tossed it onto him, and as expected, he caught it with ease. He then shifted his view and started watching the game going on. After twisting the cap and gulping half the bottle's content, he turned to me again. It's crazy how I was watching him the whole time. I don't understand it either. I just couldn't keep my eyes away from him. Maybe this is because I'm so worried about when he'll get up and confront me. It's like a horror movie, you know?

Without warning he tossed the open bottle towards me. The lime colored liquid spilled on to the hardwood floor while the bottle landed on my lap, still with a little amount of the liquid inside. "Thanks.", he said with a smirk and then turned to the game once again. Ugh. That's just great. Another mess for me to clean up. "Clean that up later before you lock up.", he said.

So then, practice went on as usual.

After an hour or two, they were done and Captain Hyuga dismissed them formally. I went to the locker room to get the mop so that I could start cleaning up the gym, plus the mess HE made. When I came out of the locker room, everyone was gone, except the Captain. He was facing the basket on the east side of the gym with a ball in hand. How on earth am I supposed to clean up when he's around?

His long hair was not tied this time and it swayed a little bit because of the wind passing through the high windows. Then he started dribbling. And then he flew. It was almost magical. The way he moved. He then dunked the ball into the basket. The sight of him made me speechless.

He landed on both feet, still facing the basket. And then, he turned to me again with those eyes of his.

"Start cleaning up.", then he started making his was to the locker room behind me.

He was amazing alright. He was so amazing.

But I had to leave this dream world of mine for I have a whole gym to clean up. I started mopping at the area near the basket, then I'll work my way to the other end of the court.

It's kind of funny how I'm working so hard like this. I have no idea what has gotten in to me.

Though I tried so hard in the past to change this image of mine, everyone still thinks of me as the kid who always manages to mess up at some point. Like I'm not one to be relied on.

Maybe that's the reason why I'm working this hard. I want to be of help to the team. I want to prove that I could be useful to somebody too. Maybe this would be enough to change the way everyone sees me. Maybe-

Oh what am I thinking.

"Everyone'll still see me as irresponsible and unreliable no matter how hard I may work for it.", I hadn't realized that I said that out loud. Good thing Hyuga was in the locker room. He probably didn't hea-

"Not everyone thinks of you like that.", I heard a voice from behind me. Of course I knew who it was, heck, we were the only people in the gym.. But still, I can't believe that he was actually talking to me.

I turned around and saw Captain Hyuga, fully clothed, leaning against the door frame. "I don't think that.", he added. And that was when my brain started to malfunction. Wh-what was happening now?

Then he walked towards me, staring at me with those eyes of his. We were about a foot apart when he stopped. He leaned down then placed his hand on my shoulder. I couldn't help it but look into his eyes as well. And for the first time, I heard him speak slowly in what seemed to be a gentle tone. "You are responsible and reliable."

He removed his hand instantly then started walking towards the gym's doors. "Lock up when you're done, Tenten."