Family Engagment Ch.8

Family Engagement Ch.8

“Neji, do you love her?”

Neji didn’t know what to say, he simply stood there not knowing what to do. What was worse, neither of them sensed the presence of one Hinata Hyuga as she hid behind a tree, concealing her Chakra signature.  You see she had followed Neji as he left the Hyuga compound because she was worried that something might happen. She had not expected this.

“You do, don’t you Neji.” Tenten said sounding defeated.

With that Tenten turned and walked away slowly as if she wanted Neji to stop her. Neji on the other hand hadn’t moved, he was still standing staring at the ground thinking Do I?
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Hinata didn’t know what to do either, because she was still hiding behind the tree and she didn’t think she could leave without Neji noticing her, though she was surprised that Neji hadn’t noticed her yet. She knew she had concealed her signature, but Neji was usually good at finding people despite that.
Wait what will Neji think if he finds me? What will he answer? Will he answer? Hinata didn’t know what to think, and she was more confused still when Neji abruptly turned and disappeared in the opposite direction.

“Neji?” Hinata whispered under her breath. She then darted out from behind her tree and followed him.
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I don’t know what Tenten is thinking; she’s wrong. Neji thought to himself as he hurried towards his destination. Same with Hinata...I mean I didn’t expect her to be listening. I also didn’t expect that she would be so good at hiding herself.

Neji was nearly where he was going when Sakura interrupted him.

“Neji, Tsunade-sama wants to see you.” Sakura informed him as he stopped to see what she wanted.

“Hai” and with that Neji was off to the Hokage tower.

“Tsunade-sama, you wished to see me?” Neji inquired.

“Yes, I have a mission for you.” Tsunade said while sitting at her desk, “Here are the mission information and your team members.” Tsunade handed Neji the papers and told him to find his temporary teammates and leave immediately.
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Why did he suddenly go off with Sakura-san? Hinata was at least 10 meters behind him when Sakura came to send to Tsunade, and she didn’t know where or why he had gone.

Hinata went up to Konoha’s Hospital in hopes of finding Sakura to ask her what happened, though much to her dismay she wasn’t there. Hinata soon returned to the Hyuga compound. There she was informed by a side branch Hyuga that “Neji-san has gone away on a mission”.

What do I do now...*sigh* I guess I’ll have to wait until he gets back to figure it all out.

“Hinata-chan!”

“Kiba-kun, what are you doing here?”

“I think there’s something you should know...” Kiba lead her to the steps up to the main house and sat her down.

“What is it Kiba-kun? Is something wrong?” Hinata asked, now looking worried.

“It’s about Naruto.”

“Did something happen to him?”

“Sort of...I mean he and Sasuke just announced their first anniversary,” Kiba said hesitantly, “I’m sorry Hinata-chan.”

“Do you mean wedding anniversary, or...?” Hinata trailed off; too busy processing her own, surprising, thought pattern.

I’m happy for them, and I don’t feel hurt anymore. I want Naruto to be happy, and if Sasuke makes him happy, which I’m pretty sure he does because they have been together for a year, then I’m happy. Hinata smiled. I think I’m finally over him...

“Hinata are you alright, I mean-”

“I’m fine Kiba-kun.” Or at least I will be.

“Hinata...”

“I’m really happy for them” Hinata smiled again and thanked Kiba for telling her, “Besides I already knew that Sasuke and Naruto were going out, though I didn’t know they have been for a year.”

“You did, but-!”

“I was upset, but they’re happy, and besides I had Neji to help me through it.” Hinata explained rather frankly, though she didn’t really know why she said that last part; it just kind of slipped out.

“Hinata I never really thought you could truly let go of Naruto, but it seems you have, and I’m happy for you.” Kiba said softly, “I just thought that I would be there with you when you finally did.”

With that Kiba left the courtyard, and Hinata watched him go with confusion and concern written on her face.

“Kiba-kun, what did I do...why are you sad.”
-----

Hinata was lying in bed with back towards the window. It’s only been a few days...I hope Neji gets back before I have to leave on a mission.

“Hinata,” a quiet voice said from behind her, “You awake?”

“Neji, you’re back.” Hinata sat up gently as Neji got in to bed beside her, “How was the mission?”

“Pretty uneventful,” Neji said rolling over so he was facing her, “though I did think a lot about what Tenten said.”

“W-what would that be?” Hinata said somewhat sheepishly.

“Hinata you don’t have to do that, I know you were there.”

“Wait, really? Then why didn’t you say something sooner.”

“Well, I was a little preoccupied with Tenten’s question, and then of course I went on my mission almost immediately after.” Neji said in explanation.

“I know... I was just so worried that you’d catch me eavesdropping.”

“It’s alright Hinata.” Neji said smiling slightly, “What did you think of the question then?”

“What, what do you mean?”

“Nothing, I guess I just have been thinking a lot about what she said and you know, I think...”

“Neji, do you love her?”

“...”

“You do, don’t you Neji.”

“I....don’t know.” Do I love you Hinata? Do you love me? Should we call everything off? Should I just accept this engagement, I mean you are almost 19.

I wonder what Neji is thinking? Is he thinking about Tenten? I kind of hope he isn’t...wait why does that matter. Hinata sighed. Oh man, who am I kidding...I love him, don’t I. He’s nearly 20 and a half now, isn’t he...

“Goodnight Hinata...”

“Neji I’m really glad you’re well.”

“Hinata, Arigatou.” Neji opened his eyes and looked at Hinata with a slightly confused expression on his face. “Hinata,”

“Yeah”

“Did you hear about Naruto and Sasuke?”

“I did, but how did you find out?” Hinata said confused, “I mean haven’t you been on a mission?”

“Well they’ve been together for a while, and I kind of noticed. I also saw it in the way you acted towards Sasuke.”

“Oh well, wait what do you mean?”

“I could tell you were acting differently around Sasuke, because he was with Naruto.”

“I...guess I might have been.” Hinata didn’t quite know what else to say to that. Why would Neji notice? Is he unhappy about the fact? Why won’t he tell me?!

“The look on your face was so forlorn, I couldn’t stand it...”

“Neji...”

“Though I think that recently, you’ve changed.”

“I think I have too...” Hinata quietly admitted, “I think I am finally over Naruto-kun.”
“Hinata...” Neji smiled, “I’m happy for you. I was afraid that their being together would be painful for you.”

“It was.” Hinata sighed, “But I’m happy now. I think I’m in love again.” Oh no! I didn’t mean to say that. What if-

“You do?” Neji said in a curious manner.

Hinata’s face started heating up. She quickly hid her face in her pillow so Neji wouldn’t see her blush.

“Are you alright Hinata?” Neji asked softly

“Yeah, just a bit t-tired.”

Neji smiled and brought his hand up to Hinata’s face. “It’s alright if you don’t love me.”

Hinata’s eyes widened at Neji’s words and expression. He looks happy and worried...does he love me too?

“Hinata...”
“How did you know...I loved you?”

Neji’s smile grew and his eyes warmed at her answer. “I didn’t know, but I noticed that you were stuttering,” Neji answered smoothly “You only used to stutter around Naruto.”

“D-did I?”

“Hinata I love you; I’m glad you have gotten over Naruto, I’m happy that you love me too, and I’m defiantly fine with being engaged to you...even if it was our families idea.”

“Neji,” Hinata said moving closer to him while still facing away the opposite wall, “I love you.”

Neji wrapped his arms around her. She relaxed in his arms, and they were both soon asleep.
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“Hiashi-sama, I have been having my doubts about this engagement.” A Hyuga council member rambled at Hiashi’s shoulder as they walked down one of the main houses many halls, “I wasn’t very sure of this engagement from the beginning. Hinata-sama is in love with that Uzumaki character and Neji-san isn’t a very suitable match for Hinata-sama, I mean first of all he is from the branch family-”

Hiashi interrupted him at this point. “They are engaged, and if you didn’t like it than you should have raised your ‘arguments’ at an earlier time.” Hiashi calmly explained, “As for Uzumaki Naruto he is currently in a relationship with none other than Uchiha Sasuke, and I believe that her feeling for Naruto-kun have changed-”

“Wait he’s with Uchiha!? As in Sasuke Uchiha, the Uchiha heir?”

“Yes, I-”

“Didn’t see that one coming...”

“It is unexpected, but none the less, that is hardly the point.” Hiashi said irritated, “And another thing; stop interrupting me.”

“Hai...Hiashi-sama.” The Hyuga said sheepishly.

“Now as I was saying, I believe they will work out alright, even if it takes time and I also think that this is best for the clan.”
“Hiashi-sama I can understand that but-wait where are we going?”

“Someone has to wake up Hinata for training. I’m surprised she’s still asleep.” Hiashi explained.

“Is Neji-san still asleep? I mean if he is, there’s no need to wake him...”

“Neji isn’t that intimidating, believe me.”

“Easy for you to say, you’re the Hyuga head.” The council member Hyuga said under his breath. “Hiashi-sama, what is it?”

Hiashi opened the door to his daughter’s bedroom and smiled.

“I told you everything would work out alright. It didn’t even take very long.”

“Hiashi-sama, what are you-?” He looked over Hiashi’s shoulder to see what he meant and saw Hinata in Neji’s arms, and both with calm and content expressions on their faces.
“I guess your right...Neji-san isn’t that bad.”