The Chain

Jealousy

An hour before...

Neo absently smoothed the front of her dress, feeling nervous as she neared the temple.  She still couldn't believe how fast things had spiraled between Sarah and Kakashi.  As hot and bothered as he had been in her office, she had not expected him to be pleased when he found out it was Sarah who had written that book.  Yet after what Melissa had said, apparently because it was her, he had been more than pleased.  She shook her head, trying to imagine what transpired prior to the scene Melissa had walked up on.  Neo would have turned around and let them have at it knowing how much her friend had longed for the man.  Leave it to Melissa to raise hell and break them apart.  Although... it had led to her getting married when he stepped in to protect her and Phoenix.

She checked her time and hurried a little faster.  She had spent a little more time than necessary getting ready.  She was wearing a form fitting green dress that reached to mid-thigh and hugged her hips and emphasized her breasts.  The color made her eyes seem even brighter, which she had masterfully made up to give the overall effect stunning.  She knew she looked good as she hurried to the temple.  She knew Orion would be there and she wanted every bit of confidence she could get to set him on his ear.  She didn't know who the lucky guy would be tonight, but she was going to put on a good show for Orion to emphasize she wanted nothing to do with him.  Then, maybe, he'd call off his insane challenge.

If he thought for one minute she was going to succumb to his charms and become some kind of docile woman, he had definitely lost his mind.  Why was it even any of his concern that she wasn't the mascot for the village women?  Gag.  She had always felt disgust at how meek and mild most of the women were, going along with whatever their man had in mind and having no real goals for themselves other than pleasing a partner.  She meant what she said to him, how could a man even know if she was satisfied truly?  She made a face.  As if they cared, so long as their own pleasure was met.

Neo didn't date often for that reason.  Men couldn't handle her.  The minute they tried to force her into a box they would catch her hands... or rather her eyes.  She would wipe their brain and send them off to forget about her.  She had long ago given up on having any kind of meaningful relationship.  She was just too much for the average man and being able to manipulate them with her eyes made her want them even less.  Who wanted a man that you could literally make do anything you wanted?

You can't do that with Orion, her inner voice taunted her.

That's Sarah's son, she thought back forcefully.

So? Who better than Sarah to have as a mother-in-law?

Ugh, he's a typical Shinobi male.  I don't need that kind of hassle in my life, she fired back.

He's awful handsome, though, the voice taunted. And don't tell me you didn't enjoy that kiss a lot.  I'm you after all.

Neo almost came to a full stop.  Was she seriously arguing with herself?  She groaned inwardly, damn man.  As if thinking about the devil, he appeared suddenly at her side as she turned up the lane towards the temple.  His hazel eyes sweeping down her frame and seemed to almost turn darker while his lips curled up.  He took her elbow in hand, as if he was going to escort her.

She yanked her arm out of his grasp and glared at him, "Don't go touching what isn't yours."

"Darlin', you and I both it's only a matter of time," he smirked.

Neo gasped at the audacity and stopped just outside the doors to poke him in the chest.  "You just get that thought out of your head right now, Orion Soto-"

"Uchiha," he growled at her.

"Orion Uchiha," she emphasized before poking him again, "you and I aren't happening and if you think for even one second you're going to change who I am, you will be sorely mistaken."