My Belated Apology - Hyuga Neji x OC Fanfiction

Chapter 2

Shiyuki's POV

Why does Hyuga Neji hate me like poison?

We have done some simple missons for now. A cat scratched me, Neji-kun censured me. A spider freaked me out, Neji-kun criticized me. Why? Why must you shatter my heart like that? Guess that I won't talk to him anymore. This is too much. I'd better stay away from him.

Today Guy-sensei gathers us at the training ground.

"Okay my students, there's no mission today, so we'll train. Shiyuki, I noticed that you're not good at taijutsu, especially reflexing. Just focus on your rivals' movements and think about what they gonna do next, right?"

"Yes sir!" Wow, Guy-sensei is such an enthusiastic teacher. I will get stronger thanks to him!

"Now I will devide you into two pairs. Neji and Lee, Shiyuki and Tenten. Shiyuki and Tenten first, spar! Now!"

"Yes sir!"

"Remember that we are practising, so don't go easy with each other, but don't go too hard either."

"Okay."

Quickly, Tenten and I fight each other. I follow Guy-sensei's earlier instruction, so I can dodge Tenten's attacks. But I still get a punch on the face. Oops.

"Are you ok, Shiyuki?! I'm sorry!"

"Don't mind, it's fine." I rub my cheek, thinking that I have to practise harder.

"Hmph. Pathetic. You can't dodge that ridiculous punch, seriously?" Neji-kun speaks up. You are condemning me again?! I can't hold it anymore!

"I know that you are a genius, and I'm weak, but can you stop criticizing me?! Why don't you just shut up and help me like Guy-sensei?!" I shout my feeling out.

"Help you? It's no use. Pathetic is pathetic. You can't change it. It's your destiny."

"Stop calling me pathetic!"

"You are TRUELY pathetic. Your performance at academy was disastrous. You can't do a simple technic like Clone easily. What ninja is always stroking hair? What ninja wears a red bow? What ninja always gives themselves fine air? Give up being a ninja, you can never do it."

Now he insults my dream and even my mother's gift? I feel my eyes getting wet.

"I... I... I really... really HATE you!"

I run away crying, not care about my other teammates scream my name.

***

When I was small, my mother used to comb my hair everday. How I love her touches... Every single time I miss her, I stroke my own hair. My father passed away when I was born, so she was everything to me. She used to wear this red bow. She died of a severe disease. She gave me this bow as a goodbye present, then made a careful recommendation to me. That I have to be strong. That I should be happy with the man I love. That I should be a great ninja. Mom, the boy I love detests me heartily. He said that I can't become a ninja, and I will never be strong...

I cry my eyes out, not notice someone is knocking at my door. A concerned Tenten pops in.

"Why are you crying? Are his words that important?" She takes a seat beside me. I don't answer her question.

"Don't care about what he says. Keep your chin up! He can't decide whether you are weak or strong. He is a genius, yeah, but he is too arrogant! He forbids a girl from loving her own hair? What the hell? Hey, stop crying Shiyuki."

"Thank you... But I can't wipe his words out of my head... I just can't stop thinking about him... I don't even know why..."

Tenten looks at me in shock for a while.

"So you love him. And he doesn't respect you. I will tell him about this, and he has to pay at least some respect to you."

"No, no! Please don't." I hold her arm back. "He will hate me even more..."

"O-Okay... But don't care too much about his criticism, okay? Just practise to be stronger, and he will regret it."

"Thank you for comforting me..."