CHAPTER 09

Ino watched from across the room as one of the other Hyuuga clan members approached Neji. Their conversation was brief, but it was enough to pull his attention away. She breathed a quiet sigh of relief as he left with the other Hyuuga, disappearing into the crowd. The weight on her chest, the tension she didn't realize had built up, finally lifted.

She forced herself to laugh at something one of the men beside her had said, but it felt hollow. Her fingers tightened around the glass in her hand as she absentmindedly took a sip. With a forced smile, she excused herself from the conversation. She needed to clear her head, to find her friends and focus on something else to get her mind off the man with pearl-like eyes that seemed to hunt her even in her dreams. But as she moved through the crowded hall, something started to feel off. A wave of dizziness rolled over her, and she blinked rapidly, trying to shake it off.

Great, she thought, panic rising in her chest. I'm an idiot. Was I drugged? Her focus had been entirely on Neji, her mind consumed with him, and now she had failed to notice the subtle signs that something wasn't quite right. She had been so distracted, so wrapped up in the chaos inside her head, that she hadn't even paid attention to the drink she'd been given. She had been reckless. She could feel it now, her vision was starting to blur, and her steps felt unsteady.

She kept moving, her feet carrying her through the crowd as she tried to maintain her composure. She had to find a quieter place, a corner where she could catch her breath and let the effects subside. As a medic, she knew it wasn't a poison meant to kill, but something designed to incapacitate or cloud her senses. I could handle this, she told herself, though her legs felt heavier with each step, and her vision blurred further.

Then a voice cut through the haze.

"Are you okay?"

She looked up to see a man standing before her, concern on his face as he reached out to steady her. She shook her head slightly, trying to push the dizziness away. "I'm fine," she said, forcing the words out even though they felt weak in her mouth.

But the man insisted, stepping closer to her. "No, you don't look fine. You should sit down—"

Before he could say more, a familiar voice interrupted, cutting through the crowd with unmistakable authority.

"She's fine. Leave her alone."

Her heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. She turned her head slowly, her blurry vision barely making out the figure that had just spoken. It was him. Neji Hyuuga.

How ironic, she thought bitterly, though her thoughts were muddled. The very man she had been trying to avoid, the one who had been on her mind for days, was standing here, intervening in her moment of weakness. She couldn't stop the wave of frustration and disbelief that washed over her, mixing with the dizziness.

Neji's gaze was sharp, calculating, as his eyes swept over her. There was no anger, no obvious sign of concern on his face—just that same composed, unreadable expression. But she couldn't help but feel his presence like a physical force, one she couldn't escape.

She opened her mouth to protest, to tell him that she didn't need his help, but the words didn't come. She felt too lightheaded to argue, and the reality of the situation was sinking in far too quickly. He was standing right there, and he could see the state she was in.

"Do you need help getting somewhere?" His voice was calm, but it carried a sense of authority that made her want to snap at him, to tell him to mind his own business. But she didn't have the energy.

"No. I'm fine." She shook her head again, hoping to clear the fog in her mind, but it only made her vision swirl more. She felt a wave of nausea rise up in her stomach, and for a moment, she thought she might collapse.

Neji stepped closer, his gaze still fixed on her. "You're not fine," he said simply, his tone still unreadable. "I'm not leaving you like this."

She wanted to protest, to tell him to leave her alone, but she couldn't. There was something about his voice that made her hesitate. And when he reached out, offering his arm to support her, she found herself taking it without thinking. It wasn't because she wanted his help, it was simply because she had no other choice.

He led her to a quiet, open space outside, away from the hustle and bustle of the gathering. The cool evening breeze brushed against her skin, offering a small sense of relief. She closed her eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply, trying to steady herself as the dizziness slowly faded. But her head still felt heavy, and her thoughts were scrambled. She barely registered where they were; she just needed to breathe.

"I'm fine," she insisted again, though her voice was far less convincing this time. "I just need to go home."

He didn't seem to buy it. He crossed his arms, his gaze unwavering. "You're clearly not fine, and I'll take you home."

Her irritation spiked. Why does he act like he cares? She thought, frustration building in her chest. Wasn't he avoiding me for weeks? What's his deal now?

"I said I'm fine," she repeated, though her tone now held a hint of sharpness. "I'm not helpless, and you must have forgotten that I'm a shinobi too."

He didn't falter, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Then why are you in this state?"

Her breath caught in her throat. He really was getting on her nerves. Fuck him, fuck this, she thought, clenching her fists at her sides. But despite her anger, her frustration only deepened when she realized how damn good his voice sounded even while criticizing her. His calm, authoritative tone sent a strange flutter through her chest, something she both resented and couldn't seem to escape.

I must be a masochist, Ino thought bitterly, a harsh laugh bubbling up from deep inside her.

She looked at him now, irritation building like a storm cloud. There were so many men who couldn't resist her—yet, here she was, falling for the one man who might as well have been made of stone. When she was younger, she liked Sasuke, who wouldn't even give her so much as a glance. And now, I'm an adult, and this... this insufferable man is the one who catches my attention. What the hell is wrong with me?

Her laugh came out more bitter than amused, and she turned away, not wanting him to see the frustration in her expression. "I hate this," she muttered under her breath, but of course, Neji heard.

He didn't react.

Her eyes flickered to him briefly before looking away, her fingers curling into fists by her sides. She hated how he made her feel—conflicted, exposed, and completely off balance. She didn't want to admit it, but the frustration she felt towards him only seemed to amplify the attraction she couldn't deny.

"I hate this," she repeated, more firmly this time, her words like a quiet declaration. She clenched her jaw, forcing herself not to let him see the cracks in her resolve. "This situation, this feeling, this... whatever this is."

He didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on her. He could see the way she was trying to control her emotions, but he also saw the vulnerability she couldn't fully hide. For a moment, he considered saying something to cut through the tension. But the words didn't come. Instead, he simply sighed, and the sound was more a sigh of resignation than anything else.

"You're stubborn," he said, his voice low and steady. "And you're not the only one who's frustrated."

Her head snapped up, blue eyes meeting pearl-like eyes. Her breath caught in her throat, but she refused to back down. "You don't get it, do you?" She stepped closer to him, ignoring the wave of dizziness she felt. "I don't need your pity, and I don't need you acting like you care just because I'm in a little trouble. I'm not some damsel."

He met her gaze without flinching, his expression unreadable. "I never thought you were," he replied softly. "But I still can't leave you like this."

She blinked, the heat in her chest suddenly feeling like something else entirely—a shift from anger to something she couldn't quite name. His words were simple, yet they had the weight of something more. She was caught in the pull of something she didn't want to admit.

He gently placed a hand on her arm. "Let me help you," he said quietly. There was no pressure in his words, but the offer hung there between them like a fragile thread.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared at his hand, the warmth of it seeming to seep into her skin. She didn't know what to say, didn't know what she was supposed to feel. All she knew was that every part of her wanted to pull away, but another part wanted to lean into him, to let him take care of her. It was maddening.

Finally, she swallowed hard and nodded. Her vision started to get blurry again. "Fine," she whispered. "Take me home."

Ino woke with a heavy weight on her stomach. She slowly opened her eyes, groggy and confused, and glanced around her apartment. A faint headache throbbed at the back of her skull, but there was something else she noticed, a warm arm draped over her waist. Her heart skipped a beat as her eyes widened. She froze, trying to make sense of what was happening.

She looked down, her body stiff with panic. The arm around her was undeniably a man's, but for a moment, she couldn't place who it was. Then, her eyes darted around the room. She was in her own bed, but how had she ended up here? Wasn't she talking with Neji last night? What happened after that?

Did she sleep with someone? Did she sleep with him? Panic began to creep in, but she quickly pushed the thoughts aside, refusing to jump to conclusions.

She slowly reached down to feel herself, checking for any signs of something… wrong. But everything seemed normal. She was still fully clothed in the same outfit she wore last night. Aside from the dull ache in her head, she didn't feel anything weird. So, what had happened?

She carefully tried to move the arm off her, but as soon as she touched it, the arm tightened around her, pulling her closer. She tensed, frustration building in her chest.

"Ugh, this is so frustrating," she muttered to herself. She smacked the arm lightly, but it still didn't budge. Growing more desperate, she used more force, pushing it off her and sitting up abruptly. She glanced down at the figure lying next to her, and her breath caught in her throat.

Neji.

He was lying there, still asleep, his face relaxed but undeniably handsome. His white shirt clung to his well-toned body, and his jacket was discarded somewhere on the floor. He looked so peaceful, so calm, and yet it was impossible to ignore the feeling of unease settling in her chest. She had no memory of this—of him sleeping beside her.

His eyes began to flutter open, his hand dragging across his face as he groggily mumbled, "What now? I'm tired, Ino," and without waiting for a response, he shifted to roll on his stomach and go back to sleep.

Her mind raced. What the hell is going on? Why was he here? Why was he in her bed? Did something happen last night that made him think it was okay to sleep here? She tried to wrack her brain, but no matter how hard she thought, the details were fuzzy. She remembered him insisting on taking her home, but everything after that was a blur.

Frustration built in her chest as she tried to make sense of the situation. Why was Neji here? She debated whether to wake him up again or let him sleep.

She sighed deeply, deciding it was better not to overthink things. Whatever happened, happened, and right now, she needed to focus on something else. She stood up and made her way to the bathroom, taking a quick shower to shake off the lingering exhaustion. The cool water helped clear her mind a little, but the confusion over last night still buzzed in the back of her head.

Neji was still sleeping by the time she was done. She paused briefly, observing him. He's surprisingly a heavy sleeper. He'll be dead and won't even have a clue, she thought. And for some reason, she had expected him to be an early riser. Clearly, he wasn't. She scoffed.

She then moved about the kitchen to make herself some breakfast. The familiar motions of preparing food began to calm her down. Eggs, toast, and a pot of coffee—nothing fancy, but it was enough to help her start the day.

As she was finishing up, she heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching. Neji appeared in the doorway, his hair still slightly messy, and his eyes half-lidded from sleep. He stood there for a moment, scanning the room, before his gaze landed on her.

"Morning," he muttered, his voice still rough from sleep, but his tone surprisingly calm.

She placed the last of the eggs on the plate and turned to find him standing in the doorway. Without skipping a beat, she crossed her arms and gave him a pointed look.

"Sit," she ordered, motioning to the chair at the table.

He raised an eyebrow, but obeyed, taking a seat without a word. She didn't waste any time. She was done with the confusion that had lingered over her for the past few hours.

"Tell me everything that happened last night," she demanded, her tone firm.

He shrugged nonchalantly. "You passed out," he replied, sounding as if it was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

She frowned, her arms tightening across her chest. "How did you get inside?" she asked, still trying to piece things together.

He glanced at her as if the question was ridiculous. "Key," he said simply, as though it was obvious.

She couldn't help the frustration building inside her. "Then why were you sleeping in my bed?" she pressed, her voice sharper now.

He tilted his head, his expression playful. "It was you who wouldn't let me leave," he said, almost teasingly.

She narrowed her eyes, not buying his answer for a second. "Did something happen between us?" she asked, her voice cool, but with a tinge of suspicion. "Did you take advantage of me?"

His lips twitched in a sly smirk as he casually reached for a piece of toast from her plate. "You wouldn't be standing there if something did happen," he said, biting into the toast with satisfaction, his gaze never leaving hers.

Her face flushed a deep red. The implication of his words hit her all at once, and she felt heat rush to her cheeks. She opened her mouth to retort, but all she could manage was a sputtered response. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she tried to steady herself, though the teasing tone in his voice made her feel flustered. How dare he make light of it?

Neji seemed to enjoy the effect his words had on her, his smirk only deepening as he watched her struggle to stay composed. The look in his eyes, that mix of knowing and amusement, irritated her more than she cared to admit.

How she wanted to wipe that smirk off his face. He thinks he's so great, doesn't he? Always in control, always acting like he had the upper hand. She hated it. She hated how he could just sit there, watching her, and somehow make her feel both frustrated and... something else.

She crossed her arms again, fixing him with a pointed glare. "So much for gentlemanly conduct, sleeping on a woman's bed when you're not even dating her," she said, her voice laced with mock indignation.

He didn't miss a beat. Leaning slightly back in his chair, he gave her a cool look. "Should we date then?" he asked, his tone calm but with a mischievous edge that made her heart skip a beat.

She froze, caught completely off guard. Her breath hitched, and she blinked at him, trying to process what he just said. Was he serious? Or was he playing with her? She felt a flicker of heat rise to her cheeks again, but she quickly composed herself. Breathe in, breathe out, she reminded herself.

This was an outright challenge. And she was never one to back down.

A slow, practiced smile spread across her lips—the kind of smile that had disarmed countless men before him. If he wanted to play, then fine. She'd play along. "I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to handle me, Hyuuga," she said, her voice smooth and confident, every word dripping with charm.

He leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on the table as his piercing gaze locked onto hers. "Try me," he said, his tone low and unwavering.

Her breath hitched. Damn him and that voice of his! She leaned on the counter, trying to appear unaffected, though her pulse was racing. "You really think you can handle someone like me?" she said, raising an eyebrow, determined to regain the upper hand. "Dating me isn't exactly a walk in the park."

His lips twitched, the faintest hint of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "I've survived the Hyuuga clan's training since I was a child," he said evenly, his gaze steady. "How hard could it be?"

She let out a short laugh, though her pulse quickened at his confidence. "You're seriously comparing me to Hyuuga training? Oh, Neji, you have no idea what you're signing up for." She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a soft, almost playful whisper. "I'm unpredictable, demanding, and I expect nothing less than complete devotion."

He arched an eyebrow, unruffled. "Unpredictable, maybe. Demanding? I can handle that." He met her gaze head-on, his voice calm yet firm. "Complete devotion? That's a given."

She felt like her heart might burst at his words, her practiced composure wavering for just a moment. Was he actually serious? She hadn't expected him to engage so directly. She straightened, brushing off her momentary lapse with a playful grin. "Big words, Hyuuga. But talk is cheap." She moved to pour herself a glass of water, her back to him as she steadied her thoughts. "What makes you think you'd even survive a week with me?"

Neji stood, his presence behind her sending a ripple of awareness down her spine. She could feel the weight of his gaze even without turning around. "You'd be surprised at what I can endure," he said, his tone carrying a teasing edge, laced with confidence. Then, with a faint smirk, he added, "But what makes you think you'd survive a week with me?"

She blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected challenge. Her grip on the glass tightened, a rush of warmth spreading through her. She wasn't used to being on the receiving end of such boldness. Most men would crumble under her teasing or retreat with a laugh, but Neji wasn't like most men. That much she knew.

Recovering quickly, she tilted her head and flashed him an alluring grin, determined not to lose the upper hand. "Survive you?" she said, her voice light and playful, though her pulse raced. "Oh, please. I'm pretty sure I could handle anything you throw my way."

His smirk deepened as he leaned slightly closer, the distance between them shrinking just enough to make her breath hitch. "We'll see about that," he said, his tone soft but charged with meaning.

Her smile faltered for just a second before she straightened, brushing off the sudden shift in atmosphere. "Well, if you're trying to scare me, you'll have to try harder," she said, her tone deliberately breezy as she took a sip of her water.

Neji casually snatched the glass from her hand, took a long sip, and grabbed another piece of toast from her plate. Without warning, he leaned in and gave her a quick, teasing peck on the lips. "Thanks for breakfast," he said smoothly, his tone calm yet playful, as if nothing unusual had happened between them. "I'll see you later."

Before she could even process his actions, he turned on his heel and walked toward the door, completely unbothered, as though he owned the place.

She stood there, flabbergasted, her mind struggling to catch up. What does he mean by 'later'? she thought, gripping the counter for support, her head still spinning from the kiss and his easy departure.

"Wait a minute!" she called after him, but by the time she reached the door, he was already gone, leaving her standing there in a haze of frustration, confusion, and... something else entirely.

Her fingers lightly brushed her lips, still warm from his unexpected kiss, and she couldn't help but let out a frustrated breath. Damn that Hyuuga. Why does he always have to have the last word?