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Summer Love
Chapter 3-Frustration, regret and surprise!

I thought this place was big on the outside but by god was I in for a surprise when Hinata took me round on an inside tour. Downstairs, the house had:
Two living rooms, which included 60-inch plasma Tv’s, a stereo, about 3 couches and a few ornaments and pictures in both of the rooms.
A super huge kitchen (not that I’ll be cooking…I’m banned from the kitchen at home unless if I’m making a salad, doing myself some cereal or popping a mircowaveable meal in the microwave as that’s the only type of technology in the kitchen I’m allowed to use, so my cutlery skills only go so far as milk and a few leaves)
A dining room, big enough to seat 25 people (I counted the seats)
A garden room (which at first I thought was a room full of plants but it’s just a room over looking the garden…ahwell)
Two bathrooms (they have awesome smelling soap!)
An indoor swimming pool…I didn’t know the exact length or depth of it but an indoor swimming pool is an indoor fricken swimming pool. They even have the floats which I thought was kinda cool, and they have shower blocks too, so I didn’t have to worry about leaving a puddle on the carpet after a swim.
The upstairs of the house had:
6 spacious bedrooms (we’ll talk about my room later), which each included your own bathroom suite and a walk-in closet.
Two extra bathrooms (just in case I’m guessing)
And finally, this weird closet which is locked (I checked).
The tour took around two hours and it was nearing 7PM. It was weird to think that just 24 hours ago, I had only just heard about the holiday.
My stomach interrupted my thoughts. It howled, obviously starving from me being too excited to eat lunch. I sweatdropped when I noticed Hinata staring at my feeble condition.
“Ah, forgive me Tenten-chan. I haven’t offered you any food!” Hinata suddenly sprung into distress mode, mentally punishing herself for not feeding me.
“H-hinata, calm down. I’m fine, my stomach always makes a fuss this time of night” That wasn’t entirely a lie, it did tend to start a riot at this time, it was my little alarm to remind me that I should get started on the microwaveable dishes I call dinner.
“But still…it’s rude of me…I know! I’ll order a pizza, as a treat. And it’ll be here quicker than if I cooked something”
Now, I liked the sound of that as my inner me started to drool, thinking of all that melted cheese. (Yeah…I like melted cheese…bite me)
“Tenten-chan, could you go find Neji-nii-san and ask him what he wants to order while I find the take-away number?” My happy face dropped. I had to face that blockhead again? I could feel Hinata’s innocent eyes on me
“Tenten-chan, I know he can be…distant, but he’s staying here aswell remember. If you don’t talk to him today, it’ll be tomorrow. Might aswell try to get to know the guy…right?” Even though I so wanted to disagree with her, it was hard not to see that she was indeed right. I’d just have to put on my happy face and maybe, this nitwit would have a softer side. Besides, even if he did call me dense, he still caught me…I guess I needed to thank him for that.
“Your right…I’ll go find him” Hinata smiled at me, thanking me silently. I turned and walked out of the room, praying that maybe, for Hinata’s sake, we could get along.

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I’d trudged through the whole freaking house and there was no sign of Neji anywhere! I’d even tried the locked closet (not that I could get in it, but I did knock on the door, looking like a complete freak talking to a door), but nothing! Not a sign of where he’d gone. I was about to give up and tell Hinata to just order an extra cheese pizza when I realised; he could’ve gone outside. I surveyed the light, it was getting dark, but it was twilight, not bright but not dark either, if he was outside, he wouldn’t have gone far. Slapping myself mentally for being so dumb, I jogged to the back door, opened it and walked outside, where I was met with a small but warm breeze. I scanned the area, not knowing where to start, when I saw a path leading to another part of the garden. The wind suddenly gave me a push towards the path with a mighty gush. It strangely allured me, so I followed it, not knowing exactly why or where I was going.

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The path had taken me to a secluded part of the garden, as I suspected. I didn’t know how, but it seemed to be more peaceful here than at the house, which I thought was impossible to accomplish. This place had certainly been taken care of as I admired the pruned flowers on the side of the path as I walked. I smiled, but remembered the task at hand, snapping myself back onto earth. Because I was in my little world, I didn’t realise that the path was nearly at an end, it had led me to a charming little pond.
I stopped in my tracks, about to turn back, cursing myself for listening to my head (I had a stupid mind) when I spotted the person I had been looking for all this time.
He was sitting on a bench, reading what seemed to be one hefty book. He hadn’t noticed me, and I didn’t want to seem idiotic, so I walked down to him, walking round the pond as I did so. He must’ve heard me approach as his head shot up, one eyebrow hitched when he saw it was me. I stopped infront of him, his eyes questioning my movements.
“Hinata is ordering pizza, she would like to know what you want to order” I declared, pleased with myself as it took all my will power not to lash out at him for calling me dense and worse, a fangirl.
“Is she now? What’s the occasion?” I didn’t know whether he was actually trying to make conversation, but I decided to go along with it.
“No occasion, it’s her treat, and she felt she was being rude as she hadn’t offered me any food” He chuckled
“Sounds like Hinata, she hasn’t changed since I last saw her” I nodded, she’d always been so kind and thoughtful of others. “But…she has grown more confident…is this your doing?” I looked at him, wondering what he was planning.
“I…I guess it is…I’ve known her for a very long time” He nodded.
“It would make sense…look, I didn’t get the chance to properly introduce myself. I’m Neji Hyuuga…just call me your saviour if you want” I guessed he was referring to him saving me from my fall…I guess I did owe him some recognition.
“Yeah, thanks for that…I should’ve said that earlier”
“Well, it was your dream come true wasn’t it? I mean, the fangirl inside of you must’ve been screaming with delight” ooh, he did not just go there!
“I.am.not.a.Fangirl, you moron!” He just smirked at my anger. Instead of arguing more, I turned and walked away.
“Cheese and pepperoni” I stopped, turned back to him and looked at him unknowingly what he meant.
“The pizza…I want to order a cheese and pepperoni pizza…if you can remember that ofcourse”. Oh, how I wanted to smack that smirk right off his face, but I kept my dignity and walked back to the path, not turning back, knowing he was laughing under his god forsaken breath.

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I stormed back into the house, my face still fuming from what the idiot had said a little while ago. I breathed heavily, trying to calm down so I can face Hinata, hoping she’d thought that me and Neji had had a normal, adult conversation and had somehow, made friends. How wrong she was, but I was a pretty good actress, so I knew how to play it cool.
My heavy breathing helped as I felt most of the heat evaporating. I was almost ready to face Hinata when she happened to walk into the same room I was in.
“Ah, Tenten-chan, I was getting worried. I found the number for the delivery service. What did Neji-nii-san say he wanted?” Atleast she was oblivious to my still red-with-fury face. I smiled at her, putting on my act as a charming women.
“He wants a cheese and pepperoni” I said truthfully. She nodded
“What about you, Tenten-chan?” In my angry state, I’d completely forgotten that I had to order something aswell…there were so many choices…but there was always just one that took my fancy tonight.
“Margarita please Hinata” Ah, all that cheese…just yummy perfection! Hinata just smiled at my daydream face.
“Either I’m physic or I know you too well Tenten-chan, but I knew you’d chose that pizza” I smiled, proud that for once, I was being uniquely common.” Say, Tenten-chan, do you fancy a swim before dinner?”
“Sure! I’ve wanted to try out the pool since I got here!” I eagerly announced.
“Great, I’ll just go order the pizzas. I’ll meet you down there ok?”
I agreed and we both went in opposite directions, Hinata, to the nearest phone, me to my bedroom to collect my stuff.

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I lowered myself gently into the pool, feeling the cooing sensation dance around my legs, then my waist and then my arms. It was colder than I thought but I welcomed the sudden change of temperature gratefully, knowing that I would in time, get used to it. Knowing Hinata could take a lifetime to change, I decided to do a few lengths before she got here, just to warm myself up.

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Meanwhile, in the Kitchen
(Hinata’s point of view)

I thanked the man on the other end of the line for taking my order and placed the phone gently on the nearest counter to me. The pizzas, the man said, would take up to 45 minutes to deliver, so Tenten-chan and I had plenty of time to swim before they actually arrived. I exited the kitchen and went straight up to my bedroom, knowing that Tenten-chan was probably waiting for me already and I could take forever to change. Opening the door, I closed it behind me for some privacy and raced to my wardrobe to collect my stuff. It was when I noticed my laptop lying on my bed I decided to check my e-mail just for a moment.
I pulled up the screen, the device lighting up straight away, welcoming me in its technical language. Finding my account, I scanned through my e-mails, checking to see who had e-mailed me while I had been away. It was just the usual, an e-mail from my father (which I would open later), an e-mail from Hanabi-chan, just asking where her I-pod was (she was always losing her things and she thought I had a crystal ball or something), I just told her to check under the couch cushions again and finally, a few Spam e-mails which I just deleted on the spot.
Logging off, I was just about to grab my swimming costume to change when suddenly, my phone started to ring. The ringtone immediately told me it was Sakura-chan (her ringtone being Colours by Crossfade as it reminded me of Sakura-chan’s radiant pink hair). I’d been expecting a call from her earlier but this was Sakura-chan, anything could’ve caught her up. Grabbing my phone, I flicked it up and answered.
“Hello Sakura-chan, how’s the hotel? Are you and Ino-chan getting along?”
“Hi Hinata, look I’m sorry, but I’m in a major crises and need your professional help!”
“S-Sakura-chan, what’s wrong?”
“Hinata, this my take a while to explain and conclude…do you have time?”
I really didn’t…but I couldn’t leave a friend in this state…I just couldn’t. I would just tell Tenten-chan I couldn’t join her, but I feared if this was a serious issue, I wouldn’t have time to tell her myself. But how was I going to be-able to tell her I couldn’t join her?
Suddenly, from the corner of my eye, I saw a glimpse of someone walking past, it might’ve been Tenten-chan! I turned back to the phone.
“Ofcourse I do, Sakura-chan. Just hang on for one second, I’ll be back I swear”. Placing the phone on the bed, I ran into the hall, finding a figure about to make its way downstairs.
“Tenten-chan, is that you?” The figure I first thought was Tenten was infact, Neji-nii-san. He turned before I could shut my mouth.
“Hinata-sama…is something wrong?” Then it hit me; I could ask Neji to tell Tenten-chan that I wouldn’t be-able to make it!
“N-no, nothing is wrong…but I was wondering if you could tell Tenten-chan that I’m really sorry but I won’t be-able to join her for our swimming session?” I begged him, sensing he was on his way downstairs anyways…I just hoped it wouldn’t bother him too much. He did pause for a brief moment before he spoke though, I guess he was wondering whether to accept the request or not.
“I can do that…” It caught me by surprise actually…but I was grateful none-the-less.
“Arigato, Neji-nii-san!” He had already started making his way downstairs…for a second, I thought I saw a smirk creeping onto his face…but it must’ve been my imagination. I ran back into my room and picked up the phone once again.
“Sorry about that Sakura-chan. What’s wrong?”
“Hinata, there’s this really cute guy next door to our apartment!” I sweatdropped…well, I’d accepted that I’d help her…so I guess I was now stuck.

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(Back with Tenten)

I did wonder what was keeping Hinata…I was contemplating getting out of the water…but then what if she was just on her way, the it would be a wasted trip. No, I would just be patient, we still had half an hour until the pizzas arrived and I was really enjoying the peace and quiet. Just the sound of my body making its way through the water, it made me feel at ease, like nothing could disturb me.
“Tenten”
Ofcourse I’d be wrong. I knew the voice well enough to not be startled by it anymore, so instead, I just sighed under my breath and turned to face him. Only, I didn’t have to worry about the voice scaring me when the guy was topless and only in swimming shorts. His chest seemed extremely tight under that six pack of his, his biceps were intensely toned (why hadn’t I noticed that when he caught me earlier?!) and that devilish smirk on his face almost finished the perfectedness. There was just one thing missing…
He turned round to out his towel on the bench and…ah yes, a firm little touché, now it was perfectedness. Wait, what on earth am I saying?! I hate this guy! Be strong Tenten, be strong!
“What are you doing here” I really tried to sound mean. I really did but it came out in a little squeak. An epic fail on my strong female part. He heard me anyways and turned to face me again. Thankfully, I concealed a blush over will power.
“Hinata-sama can’t make it unfortunately, she has some business to attend to”
“Business? Well…atleast I know why she hasn’t come down yet” He just stood there, what was he planning?
“I came down to keep give you the message. But I fancied a swim myself…may I?” He was requesting that he join me in the pool. I guess I had to accept, I mean, I couldn’t say no to him entering his own pool now could I? And, I asked myself, if I had the choice, would I even say no? I just nodded at his request and he walked upto the side of the pool. His calm lips suddenly stretched into a smirk when he leaped off the side and dived right next to me. I got a mouthful of water and started to cough it up, gasping for breath. When he resurfaced, with that smug smile of his, sensing he had succeeded in splashing me, I couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“Oi! Now look here Mr egotistic, I don’t know who the HELL you think you are, but hear this. My name is Tenten and I am NOT your average girl who lets hot boys do whatever they please to them. I WILL stand up for myself, I WILL have my say and I WILL certainty make it clear to you right now, don’t you ever, EVER, act like your Mr bigshot just because you don’t know me. And I swear if you call me a fangirl again, I will rip that smirk right off your face and shove it where the sun don’t shine. You got that?”
Ok, maybe I went a little overboard but I did feel so much better getting all of that out of my system! But now, I knew I had to face the guy again. I looked up steadily… but…what was this? He didn’t seem the least bit mad and neither did he seem happy with himself…he seemed almost…ashamed of himself. That smirk I had left before the rant was now left hanging ever so lightly, as though almost in shock at my outburst, his calm eyes were now wider and more alarmed and he had tensed dramatically, his muscles clenching fiercely. The fact he was ashamed of himself made me ashamed of myself…the only thing I could do was run. Under my breath, I whispered my sudden excuse to leave and fled to the side of the pool, lifting myself up and rapidly but carefully as though not to slip, collected my things. I ran through the shower block doors and closed it behind me…and whispered…
"Gomenasai"

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The pizzas had arrived but I made the excuse I had an e-mail to reply to, making it possible to eat upstairs alone, not wanting to face him again, not now. Hinata looked worried, she knew something was up, but she trusted me, knowing I would tell in time. Rushing upstairs, galloping into my room and slamming the door shut, I stayed there for a couple of seconds, just listening to my heartbeat ringing in my ears. I placed the plate I carried in my hands full of pizza on the side of the desk, knowing I was no longer hungry now that I was full with regret.
Falling onto my bed, so my head hit the pillow face down, I buried deep into the soft touch as I reached for my I-pod, which I was sure I had left on the bedside table. Feeling the sudden cold strike through my hand, I knew I was right. I grabbed the device, switched it onto the first song, not bothered by which song it was, and plonked the earphones so my head was literally full of music. This was the only efficient way, I’ve found, to drown out a persons’ thoughts.

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I didn’t know how long I’d been lying there but I found myself suddenly being disturbed by a distant tapping. I opened my eyes, suddenly realising I had fallen asleep as I felt the sleep overtake the rim of my eyelids. I raised myself off the bed and took out the earphones that were still blasting out some random piece I wasn’t quite sure of what it exactly was due to my dazed head. I switched on a light that the bedside lamp gave off and it startled my eyes. I had to rub them to regain my sight.
Again, the tapping sounded, more loudly this time. Checking the time, I saw it was round about 2:30 AM. Whoever this was had to speak with me urgently.
I guessed it was Hinata, wondering what was wrong with me earlier.
The anguish was still running through my veins as the past came hurling through my mind. I sighed and wandered towards the door. Twisting the doorknob, I opened the door, knowing that I probably looked a wreck but Hinata had seen me in worse conditions.
“Tenten” The masculine voice stabbed my stomach that almost made me hurl (I didn’t though, thankfully, having nothing to actually hurl up now that I hadn’t had any dinner).
“Oh…” Was all I could muster and even that was not even counted as a whisper.
“Look…what you said earlier…I didn’t know I’d upset you so much by my meaningless words…” I could tell his eyes were on mine, even though I wouldn’t/couldn’t look at him right now. “And…I was out of order by treating you so badly. So, I was thinking maybe, we could start again…if you want…if not, I won’t bother you any longer-“
“No…I mean…. I’d also like to start over…I mean, I kinda introduced myself as a bit of a stuck up git anyways…”
“Very well then” He bowed suddenly, a really respectful bow at that. “I am Neji Hyuuga, welcome to the Hyuuga summer house. I do hope you enjoy your stay”
I raised an eyebrow
“Is this the real you, or are you just being polite?” He rose his body, meeting my gaze.
“Well…I’m introducing a guest the family home…I will act my usual self later, you’ll see. Now your turn” I nodded, I also bowed but not too low as my top was kinda showing cleverage.
“I am Tenten, just Tenten…it’s nice to meet you Neji” I stuck out a hand, for a simple handshake, you know, just to close the deal in a way. But he must’ve taken it the wrong way as instead of shaking it, he leaned in and kissed it. My cheeks suddenly flushed, even though I couldn’t see myself, I probably looked like a ripe tomato by now.
He raised his head, taking his hand away from mine a few seconds after that very warm welcome and smiled, a genuine smile, none of that cocky crap.
“Gomenasai for disturbing you Tenten. I bid you a good night’s rest” And with that, he walked down the hall and into his room, giving me a quick glance just as he was about to enter his room, and shut the door behind him.
I swear I stood there in complete awe of what just happened for about 10 minutes afterwards. When I felt my cheeks finally cool down, I slowly traced back into my room, closing the door infront of me.
‘Well’, I thought to myself, ‘that was…. Interestingly pleasant…god I’m bloody starving though….