Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Save Your Last Dance For Me ❯ Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Best Friends make better Boyfriends

 

Tenten rushed all the way to Sakura's house to tell her what happened. It was the nearest house she could come to and well, the nearest and best adviser she could access. She was panting so hard when she entered Sakura's house. “What happened, Tenten? Is there an emergency? You seem so tense. Where have you been? And Neji?” Sakura's questions all came hurriedly because of her curiosity. She offered Tenten a drink of water to calm her down.

 

When Tenten finally settled, she explained to Sakura briefly about what had just happened a while ago. Sakura couldn't believe it but at the same time, she was happy for her friend. “Really? I can't believe Neji would do that. I mean, you're his best friend and everything and it's really unexpected from him to feel that way. Besides, Neji's almost like Sasuke who's not interested in girls. But… I'm happy for you guys.” Sakura said. Tenten drank some more.

 

“Happy for us? How come, Sakura? It's hard. I don't know what to do now. I mean, I completely freaked out awhile ago and it's so embarrassing. I don't know why I just reacted that way. I mean, a boy just confessed his feelings yet I already freaked out.” Tenten said. “It's alright, Tenten. I think you're not just used to boys confessing their feelings.” Sakura comforted. “Yeah, I'm not used to it. No one ever confessed his feelings to me. Neji's the first one and he's even my best friend… I was just so shocked about it. I did not know what to say.” Sakura patted Tenten on the shoulder.

 

“Hey Tenten, let me ask you one thing.” Sakura said. Tenten looked at Sakura. “Are you mad at Neji for confessing his feelings to you?” Tenten gave Sakura a puzzled look. “Why would I get angry? There's nothing wrong about being true to yourself.” Tenten said. “But Tenten, the usual reactions in situations of this kind is being angry. In other way or two, one party feels like she's betrayed by her best friend. They're best friends and they're not supposed to go more than that. I'm glad you're not mad at Neji. I guess you two really knew each other.” Sakura said. Tenten nodded in agreement.

 

“Sakura… What am I going to do now??!!! I can't face Neji whichever way. I'm so ashamed of myself of freaking out that way. I just want to hide under the blankets forever and not show up. I wish the ground will gobble me up so I would not be going to school the next day. I wish I'd get sick and have to stay at home.” Tenten said worriedly. Sakura threw her friend a sympathetic look and an understanding smile. “Don't speak that way, Tenten. I understand. Things will pass soon.” Sakura assured. They both fell quiet.

 

“I want to know something, Tenten. Be honest with yourself. Do you like Neji too in that certain special way?” Sakura asked. This was the key to open Tenten's heart. Sakura did not know a boy Tenten loved in her life. Maybe she knew that Tenten once had a crush on Sasuke and even Neji but that was long ago even before the chuunin exams and crush was not so deep like love. Sakura's question made Tenten think. Sure, she always thought how blessed she was for being so near and having a heartthrob for a best friend but are her feelings enough to satisfy Neji's? Did she simply want Neji as a friend and as a schoolgirl crush but not more than that? Tenten pondered about these things. She did not want to hurt Neji and she wanted to be true to herself. She did not want to tell Neji that she liked him back without even knowing what she really felt. Tenten looked worriedly at Sakura. “Sakura… I don't know. I'm confused. I don't know what to do. All I know is I have to be true to myself. I do not want to hurt him.” Tenten said. “It's okay, Tenten. Think about how you feel. Tonight, ponder about these things. Decide if you really like Neji more than a friend or not and if you are ready for your relationship to go deeper.” Sakura advised. “I'll follow your advice, Sakura. But I'd like to ask one favor. Could I go with you to school?” Tenten asked. “Oh, okay I remembered that Neji fetches you from around the corner. Of course, you can come with me but I usually go with Naruto, Ino and Sasuke to school. But I'll have to inform Neji first. Is that okay?” Sakura asked. Tenten nodded.

 

-the next morning-

 

Sakura went to the Hyuuga mansion early the next morning before she would go and fetch Tenten to inform Neji about it. A maid opened the gates for her and she entered the house, finding Hinata, her father and Neji eating breakfast. They were the earliest in the Hyuuga clan to eat breakfast. “Good morning, Hinata. Good morning, Master Hyuuga. Uh… hello Neji.” Sakura greeted cheerfully. “Good morning, Miss Haruno Sakura.” Hinata's father greeted back. “Hello, Sakura. Why have you come so early?” Hinata greeted. Neji simply smiled. Sakura eyed Neji carefully.

 

“I have come to say that… uh… Tenten wouldn't be joining you guys today… She'll be a little later because… uh… because…” Sakura couldn't think of a better reason. Neji's head went down. “Because she doesn't want to see me. Because she's mad at me.” Neji continued sadly. “No, Neji. It's not that. She's… she's… um, she needed to run an errand today… yes, that's it…” Sakura said, trying to make them believe. “You don't have to make an excuse for her. I know you already knew what happened, Sakura. She's mad at me, isn't it? Tell her I'm sorry. Tell her I'm so so sorry and I did not mean it. Tell her… it's all a joke.” Neji said. “But Neji… It's true, right? I think Tenten's not mad at you. Just give her some time and space to think. It's like you don't know Tenten.” Hinata said. Sakura nodded at Hinata in agreement. “I still don't know.” Neji mumbled, with his head hanging low. “Oh well, you guys. I've got to go now. See you in school. Goodbye, Master Hyuuga.” Sakura said, leaving and going to where Tenten was waiting for her.

 

-at the study hall when Naruto and Sasuke arrived-

 

“Hey! What's up today?” Naruto asked everyone in the study hall. He had been more cheerful ever since Hinata and him became `you-know-what'. Everyone was huddled around Neji listening to what seems to be his problems. His hair was surprisingly not tied (and he was so cute!). But he looked a little down.

 

“It's Tenten, isn't it?” Sasuke guessed as he sat beside Neji. Sasuke has heard what Sakura, Ino and Tenten were talking about on the way to school. Neji glared at Sasuke and nodded. “What are you planning now?” Kiba asked, who had been listening from Neji's story since he started it. Neji shrugged. “I don't know.”

 

“You better talk to her, Neji.” Sasuke advised. “But she's mad at me for confessing my feelings - for breaking our friendship. It's my entire fault, Sasuke.” Neji muttered with disappointment. “How sure are you that Tenten's mad at you? You hadn't even asked her or knew her feelings. You guys haven't even talked and you're already presuming. You know from what I've heard, she's even worried that you're mad at her because she freaked out yesterday. She was also embarrassed and did not know how to face you right now.” Naruto, the loudmouth said. Sasuke gave Naruto a really evil look. “Naruto, you dobe. Don't tell me you listened to the girls' conversation awhile ago!” Sasuke exclaimed. “You heard that from Tenten herself?” Neji asked curiously. Naruto nodded with a big shrug. Suddenly, Sakura came to the boys' table.

 

“Hello Sakura, my love! You need me? Need me to do something for you?” Lee greeted, showing his shiny smile (*sparkles*). “Uh hello, Lee. Hello everyone… Uh, Neji… Tenten wants to talk to you after school near her locker… if you have time.” Sakura almost announced. Neji swallowed hard at what Sakura had said. “Really? She wants to talk to me? Tell me I'll see her after school.” Neji said. Sakura nodded and went away. “Good luck, Neji. Good luck.” Sasuke said.

 

-after school-

 

Tenten went straight to her locker after classes. She first arranged all her books in her neat locker. Pictures of Neji and her were posted across the locker and she glanced at it sadly - Neji and she would not be best friends anymore. When she closed her locker, she rubbed her hands together and walked back and forth. She was going to tell Neji no matter what. She was sure about her decision and confirmed her feelings that night. Her hands were sweating and she was getting nervous minute by minute. Finally, Neji arrived. Tenten's cheeks turned completely red and she managed a small forced out of place smile. When she glanced at Neji, she just realized how much he looked good especially with his hair not tied (haha! She always thought that he was cute that way).

Tenten couldn't look straight in his eyes. She just hoped she was not going to be sorry about her decision.

 

“Uh hello, Neji.” Tenten greeted in the most awkward way, still without looking straight at Neji's eyes. Neji neared her a little and looked at her, full of love in his eyes. Tenten closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I-I don't know what to say… I-I can't say it…” Tenten mumbled, with tears forming in her eyes already. Tenten did not cry in a couple of years and that moment was another miracle that caused her to cry. Neji took her hands and held them gently. “You don't have to say it, Tenten. I understand if you'd hate me and if you'd be completely mad at me. I shouldn't have said it in the first place.” Neji said with understanding. Everything became so quiet. Tenten opened her eyes again, still holding Neji's hands.

 

“It's not that, Neji. I'm not mad at you. It's just that… I don't want to be your best friend anymore.” Tenten had finally said it. Neji was so shocked with her decision. He expected her to be mad but not to the point of declining to be her best friend. He never expected that it would be this deep. “W-why, Tenten? Did it hurt you so much?” Neji asked, trying to maintain his firm and serious voice. Tenten shook her head. “I don't want to be just your best friend, Neji… I want to be more than that. I like you too, more than just a friend - just the way you did for me.” Tenten managed to say. Her presentation of words had been effective, somehow.

 

Neji couldn't believe what she had just heard. Tenten liked her too - and maybe, even loved. “Really? Tenten? You're not mad at me?” Neji exclaimed. “Of course I'm not. Why would I? You're being true to yourself and you gave me that chance to be true to myself too. I like you, Neji - a lot and I really do.” Tenten mumbled. “Oh Tenten… I love you.” Neji mumbled back. They hugged each other so tightly. When they have recovered, they started speaking again.

 

“Well, Tenten. I'm sorry if shocked you last night. I think I just didn't know the right way to say it.” Neji apologized. “It's alright, Neji. I'm also sorry if I freaked out completely. I just didn't know what to do. Now let's forget it.” Tenten said. “You'd go with me to the dance, wouldn't you?” “Of course, Neji. I'd love to go with you… Thanks for asking me. By the way, you look so cute without your hair tied.” Neji blushed at Tenten's comment. “I do? Oh… uh thanks. And you look so beautiful without your hair in pigtails.” Tenten smiled. Imagine Tenten without her pigtails!