Saving Us (NejiTen Fanfic)

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY

In the end, the kids settled for an in-between decision. We were going out for the weekend. But the boys, whom Ino wanted to leave behind, was going to come with. 

The noisy blonde protested at first. But one glare from little Uchiha shut her up. The kid probably thought no one noticed his feelings for Sakura but it was so obvious. Well. . . Aside from Sakura who remained clueless despite little Uchiha's failed attempt at being nonchalant.

I mean! If looks could kill Ino would be dead ten times over with the way he glared at her. The Uchiha glare was something that could kill even your soul. I learned that the hard way from Itachi.

I shuddered at the thought of Itachi's eyes glinting in anger. The boy sitting next to me mistook my fear to just being cold. And unbecoming of his icy nature, he took off his uniform coat and wrapped it around my shoulder. Wide-eyed, I turned to look at him in shock.

Neji Hyuga refused to meet my eyes. His expression a typical poker face but the tip of his ears was the color of crimson. I couldn't help but laugh under my breathe at the sweet gesture. Even though I really don't need it.

I felt something stabbing my senses. So I turned and saw Deidara beckoning me from the corner of the hallway. I rolled my eyes at him and sighed.

I turned back to Hyuga.

"Hey," I called in a whisper. "As much as I like to stay and tease you for turning red at every little thing, I need to go for a few,"

His head snapped to me so fast I wonder why he never broke his neck. He looked to be quite offended. "I don't turn red," he growled under his breath.

"Yeahhh~~" I hummed. "Keep telling yourself that,"

He rolled his eyes at me but hadn't made another attempt to deny my words. Laughing at him, I stood up and excused myself from the gang. They all nodded at me but looked curious nonetheless.

As I met with Deidara, I could still feel all their eyes on me. Dei was not exactly the type to lay low. But since we already told everyone he was a childhood friend of mine, getting seen with him would not be too strange.

Right?

I stared at Deidara. There was a shadow in his eyes. I frowned at him. He wasn't happy with something. But I was too damn sleepy to care. Though, I knew if I don't at least try to ask him, the man would bug me until I dig myself six feet under.

So with a sigh, I asked; "What got you in a bad mood?"

His hand shot out and I jumped to avoid him. He glared at me when he hit the air and I returned it tenfold.

Deidara's scream echoed through the hallways, gathering more attention than I wanted or needed. He dropped to the ground, his soul leaving from his mouth. I clicked my tongue at him as I shook my head at his stupidity.

"You're ten years too early to be karate-chopping me,"

Deidara, still on the floor, raised a finger to signal for me to wait. I tapped my foot impatiently as I waited for him to recover. A random passerby walked towards us carefully, as if afraid I'll bite.

"Is... He okay?" She asked, worried pasted on her face.

I turned to her and glanced at Deidara. "Oh, he's fine. He's just being dramatic,"

"Dramatic?" He exclaimed, making the girl beside me jump in fright. Deidara was up on his feet and getting into my face. "I'll have you know you're karate chop is deadly! Deadly!" He repeated as if once wasn't enough.

Rolling my eyes at him, I turned to the girl who was staring at us wide-eyed. "He's fine, see? Thanks for your concern," I stated with a smile.

The girl, who looked only confused, nodded and left. I crossed my arms over my chest and gave Deidara my own version of Uchicha's death glare. The man visibly shook as he started biting his fingers. He was slowly stepping away from me.

"What do you want, Dei?" I growled. "Out with it,"

As sudden as everything with him, Deidara turned serious as he stared at me.

"I've been listening...," he started.

"Pervert," I cut him off.

He rolled his eyes at me. "I'll have you know, it's not like I wanted to listen to you kids but a certain someone seems to be forgetting her mission here,"

I glowered at him. Was he insinuating what I think he was insinuating? I stalked towards him, my whole body radiating anger. But Deidara held his stance.

"What are you saying exactly?" I asked slowly, my voice dripping with rage.

He shrugged. Then he flicked the extra coat that Hyuga put on my shoulder. "Oh, I don't know, Tenten. Maybe you're actually developing feelings for your charge,"

"We're pretending to be together, remember?" I snapped back.

Deidara rolled his eyes at me.

"Keep rolling them you might find your brain in there," I couldn't help but be sarcastic.

The blond man in front of me sighed in frustration. "Fine. You're not in love," he conceded. "But you're turning stupid. Why did you agree to a day out? And on a weekend for Pete's sake!"

"I could find a needle in a haystack, Dei. How hard can protecting someone outside be?" I confidently replied. "Well, if it was you he'll be dead as soon as your charge stepped outside though. So, I understand your worry,"

He growled at me, looking like he lost.  Which he did. He sighed once more before turning on his heels and leaving me alone. He went away muttering to himself about me being an idiot.

I stared at Dei's leaving figure as his words echoed in my mind. 

"Maybe you're actually developing feelings for your charge," 

It can't be.

Right?

I mean, it was fun teasing the usually aloof Hyuga. But was enjoying that meant I was falling for him. I felt the weight of his coat on top of my shoulders. I gripped at it as I thought to myself. 

Of course, it not. It just can't be.

I was probably just enjoying spending time with friends. After all, despite the Akatsuki being there for me, they were not my age. So, there were plenty of things we argue about and things I could not experience.

I spun on my heels and walked back towards the place where the gang were still waiting for me. As I turned the corner, as if he heard me coming, Hyuga looked up and gave me a smile.

My heart jumped a mile.

Oh, shit.