Chapter 11
Jealousy
"Sakura, I think I'm in love!" Takara says.
"With Neji?" Sakura asks.
"Well, I think it's love, I'm not sure," Takara says.
"Well, let's test it," Sakura starts to say. "Imagine this: Neji went on a mission and he was gone for a month. How would you feel?"
"I would be very worried, and be dying to see him!" Takara says. "In there, I hugged Neji and it just felt so right. When he hugged me back, his hand went on the back of my head. I didn't want to let go but I knew I had to. When he came inside the building, he was so soft, so gentle, and so sweet! I loved seeing his sweet side. Ah, I just can't stop thinking about him, and when I think about him, I just feel so happy, you know? Like, I'm all giddy and stuff.. Seeing him smile at me, my heart melts!"
"Oh you are so in love with Neji," Sakura says.
Takara looks down shyly with her cheeks turning red. Sakura looks behind Takara to look at Neji. Neji is sitting next to Lee, dipping his feet in the water, staring right at Takara.
"Hey, don't freak out, but Neji is totally staring at you," Sakura says.
"Oh, really?" Takara says shyly.
"Yeah!" Sakura says and laughs.
Takara chuckles. "H- he asked me if I'd like to hang out with him sometime."
"Really? Oh that's so exciting!" Sakura says.
"I know!" Takara says with a huge smile.
"I'm so happy for you Tak!" Sakura says. Takara cringes. "What's wrong?"
"P- please don't call me Tak," Takara says. "My... my kidnappers, they... they called me Tak. When I hear that name, so many memories come back. Beatings, verbal abuse, n- nonconsensual stuff..."
"You don't have to continue, I understand," Sakura says.
"Thank you," Takara says.
Just then, Naruto playfully splashes Takara.
"Ah! Naruto!" Takara cries out. She looks down at Naruto in the pool with a small smile.
"Come on Taki! Get in the pool! The water feels great!" Naruto calls out.
"Taki? That's new," Takara says and laughs. Takara then smirks. "Hey... CANNONBALL!"
"YES!" Choji screams. "Cannonball! Cannonball! Cannonball!" Naruto and Kiba join Choji's chanting.
Takara runs back, and then she runs forward to get the best momentum. Takara runs to the pool and cannon ball jumps into the pool. The water splashes up so high and gets everyone nearby wet. Takara hits the bottom of the pool floor. Takara barely opens her eyes and her heart starts to beat much faster. She swims up quickly to get some air. Takara looks over to see she's right next to Sai.
"You okay? You swam up really fast," Sai asks.
"Yeah... one time one of my abusers held me underwater and nearly killed me and I felt like I was there again," Takara says. She then takes a deep breath.
"That won't happen again, you're safe with us," Sai says with a smile.
Takara smiles at Sai.
"Takara! You got me wet!" Tenten complains.
"But you're in a pool, you're already wet and will end up being more wet later," Takara says.
Tenten groans at Takara. Takara looks around awkwardly.
"I'm... sorry?" Takara says.
Tenten swims away to Neji and Lee. Takara looks up at Sakura and shrugs her shoulders.
Sakura sits on the ground and pushes herself into the pool. She swims up to Takara.
"Hi Neji," Tenten says.
"Hey," Neji says.
"Hey, so um... What did you and Takara talk about back there?" Tenten asks.
"It's none of your concern," Neji says.
"Come on, you can tell me. I'm your best friend, right?" Tenten says.
"I just helped her feel better about her stomach scar and thigh bruise. That's all," Neji says.
"By showing her your curse mark?" Tenten asks with an eyebrow cocked up.
"Yes, that's exactly what happened," Neji says.
Tenten gives Neji an annoyed look. She then starts to float on her back.
"I wish Neji was more open about his feelings. I've never seen his soft side, even after all these years. I know we're friends and all, but I can't help but have feelings for him. Between him and Lee, he's the sane one. I'm worried that he and that Uta girl had some kind of connection in there and that Neji now likes her," Tenten thinks to herself.
Tenten opens her eyes and looks over at Neji's direction. He is staring towards Takara's direction which makes Tenten angry.
"I need to make a move on Neji before Uta does!"