An Indecent Affair
folder
Naruto AU/AR › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
35
Views:
2,349
Reviews:
150
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Naruto AU/AR › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
35
Views:
2,349
Reviews:
150
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
-~-~-~-~-
He was glad to be home, more or less. He'd never considered this place a 'home', per se but it was a haven of sorts.
The apartment was fully-furnished when he rented it so it eliminated the need for him to have to furnish it which was quite a financial convenience but even if he'd found the need to purchase anything there'd be no room to put it. The tiny apartment was cramped enough already and he really didn't need the extra clutter.
He'd considered hanging a few pictures here and there, just to brighten the drab place a bit and create a more tolerable environment suitable to his tastes but the walls were already so paper thin and he was concerned about damaging the walls since his landlord was pretty anal about these kinds of things and Neji was sure he'd keep the security deposit even though the wall-paper was already stained and peeling from years of wear and tear much like the upholstery and most of the appliances.
The fridge was retro and looked like something straight out of the set of 'I Love Lucy' but time and its past tenants hadn't been kind to it and the freezer compartment worked sporadically causing the ice to melt whenever the temperature dropped. The stove was fairly new and had definitely seen better days but at least it was electric, the toaster was caked with rust and was the only appliance Neji didn't dare use and he didn't mind since he wasn't the kind of person that had to have toast with his breakfast. Soft bread was good enough for him.
The kettle was another hand-me-down appliance that he was also a bit skeptical of since there was decades worth of lime calcified at the bottom but he'd heard from someone that it wasn't hazardous to the health so he chanced it.
The water came to a rolling boil and the high-pitched whistle alerted him he could finish making his cup of tea. Neji draped the towel he'd been drying his hair with across his shoulders and rescued the stainless-steel appliance from the hot plate and prepared a steaming mug of Nestle chocolate with marshmallows. It was one of his favorite comfort foods and Neji loved the particular brand but since it was a tad bit more expensive than regular teas it was an indulgence he was forced to limit but after these past few days he really needed this and had stopped at the nearby Seven-Eleven on the way home.
He took a deep whiff of the rich, chocolaty aroma and sighed heavily before sinking into his sofa but his downtime was interrupted by a soft knock at the door. Neji paused half sip and his body tensed, not sure if he'd just imagined it but the sound came again and he slowly rose to his feet and made his way towards the door.
"Who is it?" he called out to the anonymous person on the other side, his voice low and slightly unsteady.
"It's me, Ten-Ten," was the muffled response.
Neji released the lock and pried open the door to let her in. She smiled up at him from the doorway but the second her eyes met his she noticed that he appeared surprised to see her, not pleasantly surprised, just surprised, and it unsettled her.
"Baby, you okay?" she asked and raised a small hand to his forehead that was still a little clammy from the bath-water that had seeped out of his damp hair. He wasn't running a fever, much to her relief but she assumed his cold had worsened significantly.
"Yeah," he whispered and flashed her a weak smile but his eyes reflected his despondency and Ten-Ten saw it clearly within their pale depths. She furrowed her brow before taking him by the hand and leading him inside his apartment to make him sit in the sofa he had occupied earlier.
Neji made a sound of protest but she silenced him with a finger against his lips before returning to the door so she could close it and when she stepped into the little nook that was his kitchen, Neji got up to follow her.
"Ten-Ten, don't," he pleaded when he saw her rummaging around within the refrigerator and cupboards to gather ingredients and various utensils.
"I don't want to hear it, Neji," she snapped and dismissed him with an up-raised palm. "You're always like that," she murmured angrily as she grabbed a large pot in one hand and a wooden spoon in the other. "You never want me to do things for you and you're always trying to act as if everything's fine."
Ten-Ten turned her back to him so she could turn on the stove then filled the pot half-way with tap water from the kitchen sink. Neji flinched when she slammed the pot onto the hot-plate causing it to rattle noisily from the force.
He could tell she was upset and she had every right to be.
Neji always treated her like some dainty, little princess and acted as if he was her knight-in-shining-armor sworn to protect her with his very life. He never allowed her to lift a finger if he could help it even though she was quite capable of doing things, and taking care of, herself. She'd found it cute at first but now it annoyed her to no end and she knew he was only doing it out of his doubt and insecurity that he didn't deserve her. Something he always said.
Ten-Ten knew she could do much better, something her parents never let her forget but even if there was someone out there who was more 'suitable' for her, she didn't want him. She wanted Neji.
He was the only person that saw beyond her affluent background and treated her like a regular girl and not just the 'daughter of a wealthy diplomat'. The first time they'd met on campus he was extremely friendly with her and she suspected he was only being nice because of her prestige, just like everyone else, but when he found out who her parents were, yet continued to treat her the same way, she realized that his courtesy was sincere.
When they started dating he always kept it simple. Ten-Ten knew he couldn't afford to wine her and dine her like her old boyfriends could but even then he never tried to impress her by pretending he was loaded. He was always himself, honest, understanding and always willing to sacrifice his happiness for hers.
She'd volunteered to let him live with her in her apartment, against her parent's wishes, but he refused to co-habitate or even have sex with her until they were married, out of respect for her parents. He was a true gentleman and that was what she loved so much about him.
The girl sighed and her shoulders sagged as she hung her head low. "Neji," she whispered. "We're going to be married soon and when we become husband and wife my problems will become your problems and your problems will become my problems." She turned just in time to catch the apprehension on his face and she knew he was uneasy about worrying her with his troubles.
Idiot! Why was he so selfish?
She approached him to cup his face with one hand and her soft brown eyes became warm with emotion and she saw his misgivings towards what the future held. She smiled up at him then, if only to calm his concerns and stifle his inhibitions for the moment. "Let me help, Neji. Let me do my part, please. I want to take care of you too."
He furrowed his brow and leaned closer so he could press his forehead against hers. Sometimes he was so busy playing the role of her protector that he kept forgetting that he was stifling her. "I'm sorry, Ten-Ten," he said quietly and reached up so he could stroke one of her cheeks as well. "I really don't de-"
"-serve me. Yeah, yeah! I know," she interrupted with a wry grin and a playful roll of her eyes. "You really need to stop saying that or one day I'll believe you." She'd hoped that her jest would have at least made him chuckle but he remained just as somber as when he'd first greeted her at the door.
Ten-Ten escorted him back to the couch and made him lie down while she resumed making the pot of soup she had boiling in the kitchen and by the time she'd brought Neji a steaming bowl he had already finished his cup of tea and was still drying his hair with the already damp towel. He thanked her and took the proffered bowl and Ten-Ten took a seat next to him and watched as he blew against the hot liquid in his spoon and gingerly sipped from it.
She liked to watch him enjoy her cooking and Neji was never one who was devoid of compliments but tonight all she received was an approving nod of the head and although she knew her fiancee was grateful she didn't feel satisfied.
Ten-Ten knew something was bothering him, she could tell by the way he appeared listless as opposed to his usually cheerful and complaisant demeanor, could see it in his round face which was haggard and gaunt and of a much paler hue but especially in his eyes which were completely devoid of that charming sparkle she'd grown so accustomed to and seemed so vacant and hollow as if he'd somehow lost his soul.
"Feeling better?" she asked, after taking the empty dish from his hands and resting it on the coffee-table nearby and when he nodded and flashed her a fake smile she knew that his dismal disposition had nothing to do with his cold. "Neji, what's wrong?" probed the girl but he shook his head and assured her it was nothing.
She wasn't fooled for a minute. "Did my baby have a bad day at work?" and the second those words left her mouth he stiffened visibly and the same sentence replayed in his mind from the lips of one, smug Sasuke Uchiha.
Ten-Ten saw him wince and she cooed then reached out to give him a comforting hug. "It's okay, we all have our bad days, why just today, Tayuya, that girl I keep telling you about, didn't send me the memo about the staff meeting this evening so when I showed up, unprepared, my boss was livid, but when I told him I never got a memo she had the audacity to say that she handed it to me personally and that I probably didn't read it or misplaced it. I've never been so angry or embarrassed in my entire life." She frowned when her anecdote didn't cheer him up but what she didn't understand was that Neji couldn't relate to it. He did sympathize with her, however, since he knew from experience how vindictive people in the workplace could be but she would never be subjected to what he had to endure within these past two days and Neji envied her.
Sharing her trying experience only seemed to make him more depressed and her frown deepened. "Neji, what happened?"
He just shook his head sadly.
"Come on, Neji. You can tell me...please."
He looked into her face, so full of innocence; eager and willing to help but he'd have to disappoint her once again because this was one problem he had to solve on his own.
The girl sighed heavily when she realized he wasn't going to say anything. "If you ever want to talk about it, you know I'm here for you," she said and Neji nodded in response. She stroked his cheek with thin fingers and leaned closer to give him a tender kiss. Her lips grazed lightly against his and her tongue darted out to glaze his lips with its moisture.
Neji stiffened and held his breath the entire time she kissed him. It wasn't unpleasant, it was the exact same way she kissed him all the time but for some reason, he didn't enjoy it this time. He closed his eyes and tried hard to concentrate on her warm mouth against his, her moist breath caressing his skin but the second he felt that tiny muscle lap against his skin his eyes flew open and he saw his face where his beloved's should have been.
Neji panicked and roughly shoved her away and she gasped in surprise then fell to the floor, yelping in pain as she landed ungracefully on her behind. "Neji, what's wrong with you?" she yelled more out of concern than out of anger.
He came to his senses when he recognized her face and he was immediately washed with guilt. "I-I'm sorry Ten-Ten," he stammered his apology and helped her to her feet. "I...I just didn't want you to catch my cold."
It was a lame excuse but she seemed to buy it and muttered an 'It's okay' while she dusted herself off. "You know, Neji you worry about the silliest things," she chirped, in an attempt to make light of the situation and reached up to put her hands on his shoulders but he flinched as if her touch burned him and he clasped her wrists in his hands and placed them at her sides.
"Neji...?" she was perturbed by his reclusive behavior and tried to lean closer to him but he kept her at a distance.
"I...I'm sorry Ten-Ten, I'm not much company tonight but I'm just really tired."
She looked up at him for a pregnant moment but he didn't meet her gaze and instead chose to keep his eyes glued to the floor and he missed when she nodded in understanding.
"Yeah, a good night's sleep might do you good," she admitted in a soft voice. He could hear the despondency in her tone and he wanted to assure her that the problem lay with him and it wasn't her but he didn't know what to say and all he could do was release her.
She reached out to cup his face again and she saw him shy away from her touch. He heard her sigh and saw her turn towards the door from the corner of his eye and he looked up to watch her retreating back but she stopped, and as if suddenly remembering something she turned to face him once again and the disheartened expression on her face masked behind that forced smile made him want to rip his heart out.
"There's more soup on the stove, if you get hungry," she instructed and Neji thanked her once again for the dinner she'd prepared for him. "It's no problem," she assured with a dismissive wave of one hand. "Just...get some rest, okay. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Okay," he replied, the word forced through the tightness in his throat.
"Sweet dreams, baby. I love you!"
"I love you too."
She blew him a kiss and wiggled her fingers in his direction and Neji raised one hand in farewell just before she left and closed the door quietly behind her. He sighed loudly then collapsed into the sofa and threw an arm over his eyes.
Why did he see that man's face?
Neji cringed when he recalled those lean features and piercing yellow eyes and he wondered how he had managed to confuse his repulsive and demanding kisses with the compassion and gentleness of Ten-Ten's. Was this something that was going to happen everytime the two of them were intimate? Was his face always going to over-ride hers whenever they kissed? He didn't think it was possible but if this continued would it get so bad that he wouldn't be able to differentiate between them?
He didn't want to think about it but he knew that he didn't want that. If he wanted to have a future with her then he couldn't, in all awareness, have a meaningful relationship with her if he kept seeing that man whenever they touched, kissed or made love.
If he was no longer a part of his life then maybe, as time passed, his perception would return to normal but if he remained a constant in his everyday life then how long would it take before that line between the woman he loved and the man he hated start to blur?
Neji worried his lip and shifted his arm so he could look up at the cracks in his ceiling.
He couldn't risk it? He'd never be able to live with himself if he allowed this to continue, but what could he do?
He suddenly remembered that he did have one life-line but it was a risk just a great or even more so than remaining Orochimaru's pet.
He didn't want to do it but this was the only hope he had left and his rationality urged him to take it. Neji sat up and reached out for his phone and after dialing a number he recalled from his photographic memory he prayed that this decision didn't turn out to be the biggest regret he'd ever make.
-~-~-~-~-
dragonslayer1 2007-02-18 OH MY GOD THIS IS TURNING OUT GREAT PLEASE CONTIUNE THIS IS SOOO PROMISING! but on other note. I totally understand the feeling. I guess I rather wait weeks and get a good chapter than wait a day or two and get a crapy one. So no rush, but know that I"m eagerly waiting the next chapter ^_^
ClaireBear: Thanks, I agree with you wholeheartedly about the whole waiting for a good chapter thing. There are a few stories on this site that I just adore and I'm always eagerly awaiting an update and when it comes it's always worth the wait.
Yersi Fanel 2007-02-18 Thank you very much for continue!
So, Neji got the guts to fight and in the end found himself in a death end, too bad but that only makes things more interesting (Yes, I love to see Neji suffer in a good plot, so what? lol)
Orochimaru is such a evil physco and you write him so cool! the way he thinks of Neji and how he wants to control it, it's just very good, since you write it so cool it makes the story even more interesting (something well done is more cool to read)
Now I get why Sasuke was upset with Neji, in the end he was kind of wanting to help him but Neji's impresion of the Uchihas is not good so the good bey to the card and lest just wait and see for more of this so cool story.
Now, about the comments on the first part. I know how you feel, I often had to write and re-write chapter until I like them and I also have so many ideas on my head and I want to write them all! I hope you find you way to write all you want and more important, enjoy doing it!
Take care!
PS: I like the comic you made
ClaireBear: Yeah, I hate having to re-write chapters too it makes me feel like pulling my hair out whenever I decide to make changes over and over and over again. Right now I have a chapter that I've gone over maybe more than six times but it's finally satisfactory enough. *phew*
I also have lots of ideas too but I had to put them on hold so I could concentrate on the stories I've already got posted.
Glad you liked the comic.
Tyra 2007-02-18 Yay! You updated (obviously..) !
Good chappie! More raping and Sasukeeee!
Ah, Orochimaru is such a creepy guy. I like it. xD
Good that Sasuke and Neji actually talked to each other in this chapter. Interesting, indeed.
Maah! Update soon. I wanna know what happens next. Will Sasuke be in the next chapter? If he is, is he going to be with Neji..? OMG WHAT HAPPENS??! UPDATE SOOOOON !
ClaireBear: Lol! Gotta love your enthusiasm. Unfortunately Sasuke is not in this chapter but he should be in the next one, and Sasuke and Neji don't get 'jiggy' until much later, sorry.
random_reader 2007-02-19 This story gets better and better! Hope you'll update soon :3 oh and who's the corps Oro was having 'fun' with before Neji? o.O (are you even planning to reveal that xD? *curious curious*) and I still don't quite get why Sasuke is so interested in Neji (yeah yeah it's an SasukexNeji fic but there's gotta be a reason right o.o; *feels dumb ._.*) nya~ waiting for the next chapter x3
ClaireBear: Yeah, I'll reveal who the corpse is, err was... and also why Sasuke has taken an interest in Neji and don't worry it's not just for his hot body *drools*.
-~-~-~-~-
He was glad to be home, more or less. He'd never considered this place a 'home', per se but it was a haven of sorts.
The apartment was fully-furnished when he rented it so it eliminated the need for him to have to furnish it which was quite a financial convenience but even if he'd found the need to purchase anything there'd be no room to put it. The tiny apartment was cramped enough already and he really didn't need the extra clutter.
He'd considered hanging a few pictures here and there, just to brighten the drab place a bit and create a more tolerable environment suitable to his tastes but the walls were already so paper thin and he was concerned about damaging the walls since his landlord was pretty anal about these kinds of things and Neji was sure he'd keep the security deposit even though the wall-paper was already stained and peeling from years of wear and tear much like the upholstery and most of the appliances.
The fridge was retro and looked like something straight out of the set of 'I Love Lucy' but time and its past tenants hadn't been kind to it and the freezer compartment worked sporadically causing the ice to melt whenever the temperature dropped. The stove was fairly new and had definitely seen better days but at least it was electric, the toaster was caked with rust and was the only appliance Neji didn't dare use and he didn't mind since he wasn't the kind of person that had to have toast with his breakfast. Soft bread was good enough for him.
The kettle was another hand-me-down appliance that he was also a bit skeptical of since there was decades worth of lime calcified at the bottom but he'd heard from someone that it wasn't hazardous to the health so he chanced it.
The water came to a rolling boil and the high-pitched whistle alerted him he could finish making his cup of tea. Neji draped the towel he'd been drying his hair with across his shoulders and rescued the stainless-steel appliance from the hot plate and prepared a steaming mug of Nestle chocolate with marshmallows. It was one of his favorite comfort foods and Neji loved the particular brand but since it was a tad bit more expensive than regular teas it was an indulgence he was forced to limit but after these past few days he really needed this and had stopped at the nearby Seven-Eleven on the way home.
He took a deep whiff of the rich, chocolaty aroma and sighed heavily before sinking into his sofa but his downtime was interrupted by a soft knock at the door. Neji paused half sip and his body tensed, not sure if he'd just imagined it but the sound came again and he slowly rose to his feet and made his way towards the door.
"Who is it?" he called out to the anonymous person on the other side, his voice low and slightly unsteady.
"It's me, Ten-Ten," was the muffled response.
Neji released the lock and pried open the door to let her in. She smiled up at him from the doorway but the second her eyes met his she noticed that he appeared surprised to see her, not pleasantly surprised, just surprised, and it unsettled her.
"Baby, you okay?" she asked and raised a small hand to his forehead that was still a little clammy from the bath-water that had seeped out of his damp hair. He wasn't running a fever, much to her relief but she assumed his cold had worsened significantly.
"Yeah," he whispered and flashed her a weak smile but his eyes reflected his despondency and Ten-Ten saw it clearly within their pale depths. She furrowed her brow before taking him by the hand and leading him inside his apartment to make him sit in the sofa he had occupied earlier.
Neji made a sound of protest but she silenced him with a finger against his lips before returning to the door so she could close it and when she stepped into the little nook that was his kitchen, Neji got up to follow her.
"Ten-Ten, don't," he pleaded when he saw her rummaging around within the refrigerator and cupboards to gather ingredients and various utensils.
"I don't want to hear it, Neji," she snapped and dismissed him with an up-raised palm. "You're always like that," she murmured angrily as she grabbed a large pot in one hand and a wooden spoon in the other. "You never want me to do things for you and you're always trying to act as if everything's fine."
Ten-Ten turned her back to him so she could turn on the stove then filled the pot half-way with tap water from the kitchen sink. Neji flinched when she slammed the pot onto the hot-plate causing it to rattle noisily from the force.
He could tell she was upset and she had every right to be.
Neji always treated her like some dainty, little princess and acted as if he was her knight-in-shining-armor sworn to protect her with his very life. He never allowed her to lift a finger if he could help it even though she was quite capable of doing things, and taking care of, herself. She'd found it cute at first but now it annoyed her to no end and she knew he was only doing it out of his doubt and insecurity that he didn't deserve her. Something he always said.
Ten-Ten knew she could do much better, something her parents never let her forget but even if there was someone out there who was more 'suitable' for her, she didn't want him. She wanted Neji.
He was the only person that saw beyond her affluent background and treated her like a regular girl and not just the 'daughter of a wealthy diplomat'. The first time they'd met on campus he was extremely friendly with her and she suspected he was only being nice because of her prestige, just like everyone else, but when he found out who her parents were, yet continued to treat her the same way, she realized that his courtesy was sincere.
When they started dating he always kept it simple. Ten-Ten knew he couldn't afford to wine her and dine her like her old boyfriends could but even then he never tried to impress her by pretending he was loaded. He was always himself, honest, understanding and always willing to sacrifice his happiness for hers.
She'd volunteered to let him live with her in her apartment, against her parent's wishes, but he refused to co-habitate or even have sex with her until they were married, out of respect for her parents. He was a true gentleman and that was what she loved so much about him.
The girl sighed and her shoulders sagged as she hung her head low. "Neji," she whispered. "We're going to be married soon and when we become husband and wife my problems will become your problems and your problems will become my problems." She turned just in time to catch the apprehension on his face and she knew he was uneasy about worrying her with his troubles.
Idiot! Why was he so selfish?
She approached him to cup his face with one hand and her soft brown eyes became warm with emotion and she saw his misgivings towards what the future held. She smiled up at him then, if only to calm his concerns and stifle his inhibitions for the moment. "Let me help, Neji. Let me do my part, please. I want to take care of you too."
He furrowed his brow and leaned closer so he could press his forehead against hers. Sometimes he was so busy playing the role of her protector that he kept forgetting that he was stifling her. "I'm sorry, Ten-Ten," he said quietly and reached up so he could stroke one of her cheeks as well. "I really don't de-"
"-serve me. Yeah, yeah! I know," she interrupted with a wry grin and a playful roll of her eyes. "You really need to stop saying that or one day I'll believe you." She'd hoped that her jest would have at least made him chuckle but he remained just as somber as when he'd first greeted her at the door.
Ten-Ten escorted him back to the couch and made him lie down while she resumed making the pot of soup she had boiling in the kitchen and by the time she'd brought Neji a steaming bowl he had already finished his cup of tea and was still drying his hair with the already damp towel. He thanked her and took the proffered bowl and Ten-Ten took a seat next to him and watched as he blew against the hot liquid in his spoon and gingerly sipped from it.
She liked to watch him enjoy her cooking and Neji was never one who was devoid of compliments but tonight all she received was an approving nod of the head and although she knew her fiancee was grateful she didn't feel satisfied.
Ten-Ten knew something was bothering him, she could tell by the way he appeared listless as opposed to his usually cheerful and complaisant demeanor, could see it in his round face which was haggard and gaunt and of a much paler hue but especially in his eyes which were completely devoid of that charming sparkle she'd grown so accustomed to and seemed so vacant and hollow as if he'd somehow lost his soul.
"Feeling better?" she asked, after taking the empty dish from his hands and resting it on the coffee-table nearby and when he nodded and flashed her a fake smile she knew that his dismal disposition had nothing to do with his cold. "Neji, what's wrong?" probed the girl but he shook his head and assured her it was nothing.
She wasn't fooled for a minute. "Did my baby have a bad day at work?" and the second those words left her mouth he stiffened visibly and the same sentence replayed in his mind from the lips of one, smug Sasuke Uchiha.
Ten-Ten saw him wince and she cooed then reached out to give him a comforting hug. "It's okay, we all have our bad days, why just today, Tayuya, that girl I keep telling you about, didn't send me the memo about the staff meeting this evening so when I showed up, unprepared, my boss was livid, but when I told him I never got a memo she had the audacity to say that she handed it to me personally and that I probably didn't read it or misplaced it. I've never been so angry or embarrassed in my entire life." She frowned when her anecdote didn't cheer him up but what she didn't understand was that Neji couldn't relate to it. He did sympathize with her, however, since he knew from experience how vindictive people in the workplace could be but she would never be subjected to what he had to endure within these past two days and Neji envied her.
Sharing her trying experience only seemed to make him more depressed and her frown deepened. "Neji, what happened?"
He just shook his head sadly.
"Come on, Neji. You can tell me...please."
He looked into her face, so full of innocence; eager and willing to help but he'd have to disappoint her once again because this was one problem he had to solve on his own.
The girl sighed heavily when she realized he wasn't going to say anything. "If you ever want to talk about it, you know I'm here for you," she said and Neji nodded in response. She stroked his cheek with thin fingers and leaned closer to give him a tender kiss. Her lips grazed lightly against his and her tongue darted out to glaze his lips with its moisture.
Neji stiffened and held his breath the entire time she kissed him. It wasn't unpleasant, it was the exact same way she kissed him all the time but for some reason, he didn't enjoy it this time. He closed his eyes and tried hard to concentrate on her warm mouth against his, her moist breath caressing his skin but the second he felt that tiny muscle lap against his skin his eyes flew open and he saw his face where his beloved's should have been.
Neji panicked and roughly shoved her away and she gasped in surprise then fell to the floor, yelping in pain as she landed ungracefully on her behind. "Neji, what's wrong with you?" she yelled more out of concern than out of anger.
He came to his senses when he recognized her face and he was immediately washed with guilt. "I-I'm sorry Ten-Ten," he stammered his apology and helped her to her feet. "I...I just didn't want you to catch my cold."
It was a lame excuse but she seemed to buy it and muttered an 'It's okay' while she dusted herself off. "You know, Neji you worry about the silliest things," she chirped, in an attempt to make light of the situation and reached up to put her hands on his shoulders but he flinched as if her touch burned him and he clasped her wrists in his hands and placed them at her sides.
"Neji...?" she was perturbed by his reclusive behavior and tried to lean closer to him but he kept her at a distance.
"I...I'm sorry Ten-Ten, I'm not much company tonight but I'm just really tired."
She looked up at him for a pregnant moment but he didn't meet her gaze and instead chose to keep his eyes glued to the floor and he missed when she nodded in understanding.
"Yeah, a good night's sleep might do you good," she admitted in a soft voice. He could hear the despondency in her tone and he wanted to assure her that the problem lay with him and it wasn't her but he didn't know what to say and all he could do was release her.
She reached out to cup his face again and she saw him shy away from her touch. He heard her sigh and saw her turn towards the door from the corner of his eye and he looked up to watch her retreating back but she stopped, and as if suddenly remembering something she turned to face him once again and the disheartened expression on her face masked behind that forced smile made him want to rip his heart out.
"There's more soup on the stove, if you get hungry," she instructed and Neji thanked her once again for the dinner she'd prepared for him. "It's no problem," she assured with a dismissive wave of one hand. "Just...get some rest, okay. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Okay," he replied, the word forced through the tightness in his throat.
"Sweet dreams, baby. I love you!"
"I love you too."
She blew him a kiss and wiggled her fingers in his direction and Neji raised one hand in farewell just before she left and closed the door quietly behind her. He sighed loudly then collapsed into the sofa and threw an arm over his eyes.
Why did he see that man's face?
Neji cringed when he recalled those lean features and piercing yellow eyes and he wondered how he had managed to confuse his repulsive and demanding kisses with the compassion and gentleness of Ten-Ten's. Was this something that was going to happen everytime the two of them were intimate? Was his face always going to over-ride hers whenever they kissed? He didn't think it was possible but if this continued would it get so bad that he wouldn't be able to differentiate between them?
He didn't want to think about it but he knew that he didn't want that. If he wanted to have a future with her then he couldn't, in all awareness, have a meaningful relationship with her if he kept seeing that man whenever they touched, kissed or made love.
If he was no longer a part of his life then maybe, as time passed, his perception would return to normal but if he remained a constant in his everyday life then how long would it take before that line between the woman he loved and the man he hated start to blur?
Neji worried his lip and shifted his arm so he could look up at the cracks in his ceiling.
He couldn't risk it? He'd never be able to live with himself if he allowed this to continue, but what could he do?
He suddenly remembered that he did have one life-line but it was a risk just a great or even more so than remaining Orochimaru's pet.
He didn't want to do it but this was the only hope he had left and his rationality urged him to take it. Neji sat up and reached out for his phone and after dialing a number he recalled from his photographic memory he prayed that this decision didn't turn out to be the biggest regret he'd ever make.
-~-~-~-~-
dragonslayer1 2007-02-18 OH MY GOD THIS IS TURNING OUT GREAT PLEASE CONTIUNE THIS IS SOOO PROMISING! but on other note. I totally understand the feeling. I guess I rather wait weeks and get a good chapter than wait a day or two and get a crapy one. So no rush, but know that I"m eagerly waiting the next chapter ^_^
ClaireBear: Thanks, I agree with you wholeheartedly about the whole waiting for a good chapter thing. There are a few stories on this site that I just adore and I'm always eagerly awaiting an update and when it comes it's always worth the wait.
Yersi Fanel 2007-02-18 Thank you very much for continue!
So, Neji got the guts to fight and in the end found himself in a death end, too bad but that only makes things more interesting (Yes, I love to see Neji suffer in a good plot, so what? lol)
Orochimaru is such a evil physco and you write him so cool! the way he thinks of Neji and how he wants to control it, it's just very good, since you write it so cool it makes the story even more interesting (something well done is more cool to read)
Now I get why Sasuke was upset with Neji, in the end he was kind of wanting to help him but Neji's impresion of the Uchihas is not good so the good bey to the card and lest just wait and see for more of this so cool story.
Now, about the comments on the first part. I know how you feel, I often had to write and re-write chapter until I like them and I also have so many ideas on my head and I want to write them all! I hope you find you way to write all you want and more important, enjoy doing it!
Take care!
PS: I like the comic you made
ClaireBear: Yeah, I hate having to re-write chapters too it makes me feel like pulling my hair out whenever I decide to make changes over and over and over again. Right now I have a chapter that I've gone over maybe more than six times but it's finally satisfactory enough. *phew*
I also have lots of ideas too but I had to put them on hold so I could concentrate on the stories I've already got posted.
Glad you liked the comic.
Tyra 2007-02-18 Yay! You updated (obviously..) !
Good chappie! More raping and Sasukeeee!
Ah, Orochimaru is such a creepy guy. I like it. xD
Good that Sasuke and Neji actually talked to each other in this chapter. Interesting, indeed.
Maah! Update soon. I wanna know what happens next. Will Sasuke be in the next chapter? If he is, is he going to be with Neji..? OMG WHAT HAPPENS??! UPDATE SOOOOON !
ClaireBear: Lol! Gotta love your enthusiasm. Unfortunately Sasuke is not in this chapter but he should be in the next one, and Sasuke and Neji don't get 'jiggy' until much later, sorry.
random_reader 2007-02-19 This story gets better and better! Hope you'll update soon :3 oh and who's the corps Oro was having 'fun' with before Neji? o.O (are you even planning to reveal that xD? *curious curious*) and I still don't quite get why Sasuke is so interested in Neji (yeah yeah it's an SasukexNeji fic but there's gotta be a reason right o.o; *feels dumb ._.*) nya~ waiting for the next chapter x3
ClaireBear: Yeah, I'll reveal who the corpse is, err was... and also why Sasuke has taken an interest in Neji and don't worry it's not just for his hot body *drools*.