In My Dark World

3

It was cold.

The air was filled with laughter, music and the smell of newly blossoming flowers but Neji couldn't feel the wonderful lure of spring no matter how much he tried. Not when he just got out of a doctor's appointment with the most saddening news he had ever heard.

Neji thought he'd gained some resistance to the sudden downside his life was going through but it appeared that fate had more tricks up her sleeves and wasn't allowing him to go scot-free with the things he had done in the past.

Trembling from the cold and unshed tears, Neji made his way aimlessly through the busy streets of Konoha with his white cane. There was nothing on his mind as he walked, he just wished to tire himself out as much as possible and fall into a deep everlasting sleep.

Neji had no idea how long he had been walking for and he wasn't planning on stopping any time soon but he had to. Something was blocking his path. He used his cane to feel it and was surprised to find that it was a person albeit unresponsive to his prodding.

He was about to say something when an unmistakable sound reached his ears. It was a sigh. A sigh that meant that the person in front of him was in the same boat as he. Neji wasn't sure what caused it but he felt a gravitational pull towards the person.

Without even thinking about it, he found himself reaching out to the person. "Excuse me." He called. There was no answer. Instead of giving up though, he tried again. "Excuse me."

Just then, Neji felt the person's eyes on him. It was a curious gaze but he sensed no hostility from the person. Rather, he felt...warm.

"Uhm, hello? How can I help you?" It was a woman. Now Neji was quite sure he'd heard a lot of women's voices in his lifetime but this woman's voice was very beautiful and unique. Though not as chirpy as he suspected it would've been were she in a better mood, her voice was melodious and tiny, like a canary.

Before his mind strayed too far Neji remembered that she asked a question. He smiled and outstretched his hand towards her general direction. "Could you..?" He didn't get to ask his request though, because the woman beside him suddenly started apologizing frantically. It startled Neji a bit.

"Ah! I'm so sorry but I don't have any money on me. I would surely give you if I did...I'm sorry..." Ah, she must've misunderstood his outstretched hand. "That's right! I should have some change in my in my pocket somewhere..." He tried to stop her but she was too far gone to hear him out. As a last resort he raised his voice.

"Ma'am it's really okay, I don't need money." That seemed to finally get his point across because the woman went quiet.

"You...don't?" She asked hesitantly.

He smiled. "I just need help getting to the bus station across the street." That wasn't what he initially had in his mind to say but he would go with that for now.

"Oh." The woman said in embarrassment. "O-okay. J-just grab my hand, okay?"

Neji knew she was extending her hand and made to search for it when he heard her groan at her own forgetfulness. She then held his searching hands in hers and brought it to her side.

Neji smiled, his first real smile since his doctor's appointment. Her hand was very warm...and firm. It was not what he expected from a person who sounded as adorable as the one beside him. He had assumed her hands would be soft like a princess's. That didn't mean he didn't like the feel of it though.

She squeezed his hand after a while reassuringly. "Let's go now."

Neji followed the woman's leading to the bus stop and got in the line disabled people. "Which bus are you getting on?" She asked.

"The bus to Kaguya Avenue." Neji sensed her surprise even she didn't verbally voice it. It was understandable. Kaguya Av was in the wealthy section of Konohagakure, a place she must not have been expecting him to live at. The bus arrived in a few minutes the woman released his hand gently. She had been holding it the entire time. Neji found himself missing her touch.

"The bus is here." She announced softly.

"Thank you so much for helping me out." He bowed in appreciation to her.

"Oh it's no problem, really! I'm just very glad I got to help somebody today. Maybe I would also get help." That last sentence was muttered to herself but the blind man heard it.

"Everyone would be willing to help a woman as kind as you are." Truly she was very kind. She clearly had her own problems to deal with and yet she helped him out. "I'll be taking my leave now. Thanks again for today."

"Don't mention it."

On the bus Neji softly clenched the hand the woman held into a fist. What was that about? He had felt a gravitational force towards her and had instantly been pulled into her charms. He sighed. It didn't matter anyway because he probably wouldn't meet her again.

Neji would allow himself one thing though; her voice was very beautiful.

-

Neji, to his pleasant surprise, did meet her again the next day on his way to the grocery store he was a regular at. Her sudden appearance gave him a scare much to his embarrassment though but she was quick to hold him and reassure him.

He continued his journey to the store while the woman followed. They talked all the way and Neji surprised himself with how well he got along with this woman. She was fun and easy to talk to and she didn't seem to mind his condition one bit. He could freely be himself around her. Before Neji knew it, he was becoming attached.

The woman laughed at a joke he said and Neji couldn't help but melt at the wonderful sound. "You're unexpectedly funny." She sighed after her laughing bout ceased. He immediately missed the sound.

"And you have a beautiful laugh." Neji heard her sharp intake of air and immediately wondered if he shouldn't have blurted that out. He was only being honest but it could have made her uncomfortable. Ugh, he was so stupid!

Before he could open his mouth to apologize though, a very shy thank you reached his ears coupled with a stuttered announcement that they were at the grocery store already and that she had to resume work. Then woman promptly ran off with her scooter.

That was... cute.

They met again the next day at the bus stop. This time Neji found out that her name was Tenten. Such a beautiful name for someone who sounded as heavenly as she did. Unfortunately they couldn't talk for long because Neji had to go. He was saddened by the thought.

Somewhere along the line they had held hands, and now it was too difficult to let go. With her hand was so warm against his how could he want to ever let go? They said their goodbyes without really letting go of each other. Their finger tips still touched even when Neji had climbed into the bus.

"Would I meet you tomorrow?" An almost desperate question. Tomorrow was Sunday and she was probably going to spend the day resting or with friends and family but he really didn't want to be alone.

Fortunately for him she agreed. "I'd take you to the ramen shop I work at. They're so good."

"I look forward to it then." Neji's smile never left his face even when the bus conductor was being snappy. Tenten's responding giggle was a very beautiful sound.

"Me too."

Neji was excited about tomorrow's date, well he wasn't sure it was a date but as long as he was going to spend the day with Tenten he was very happy.

Neji didn't think he would ever be happy again after the bad news he received three days ago but here he was, giddy about a date with a woman he just met. It might be too soon to say but Neji really liked Tenten. Hopefully, whatever was growing between them would last for a very long time.

***

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

-Star.