Silent love

Chapter 3- Thank you.

                        The air was thick almost as if it could be sliced with a knife.  My nails dug into the chair that was holding me up.  My heart beat frantically while my father began to utter those words.  "I do not want you to participate in the Chunin Exams."  His face so calm and collected stared at me with so many emotions.  Anger, pride, love, disappointment. 

    I looked to my mother her face set in stone.  I knew she didn't agree but after all what could she do?  He would run the family how he saw fit.  My brother's face was the easiest to read.  Anger, confusion, and a lack of understanding.  He didn't know why father was doing this.

   I didn't need to know.  I risked everything so far for these Exams and I will do them.  Suddenly with a new found determination I stood up and looked my father straight in the eyes.  "I will participate in these Exams father.  I'm sorry if that disappoints you but I'm not the girl you want me to be." 

   His face became red with held in fury.  He stood and began to scream incoherent words but I just turned and walked slowly to my bedroom.  The first part of the Exam would be tomorrow.  I needed my rest.

             My eyes fluttered open and I sighed while grabbing my clothes and changing into them.  I pushed my hair into a pony-tail and walked downstairs.  My mother sat on the chair in almost a rigid position.  My brother, his face contorted with anger and sadness.  Then my father, his face set into a calm facade.

   "If you go to those Exams, when you come home, I want you out of this house."  I nodded my head and walked out of the house.  There was no way I would be giving up now.  I would worry about this later.

    I walked outside and immediately began walking towards the Exam station.  The breeze danced around me and I felt an almost calming sensation.  Like someone was watching over me.

   I walked in and noticed my team mates.  TenTen and Lee were talking but as soon as I walked in they greeted me.  However HE glowered while walking towards me.  "Woah, Suzuki! Who hit you?"  Neji's eye flashed dangerously and I looked down.  "Just a bit of rough training with dad.  No harm done."  They seemed to accept that as they turned and began talking to others, leaving me with Neji. 

   "You shouldn't be here."  I didn't say anything and he gripped my wrist.  "L-Let go."  "Leave."  I glared at him and he twisted it a bit harder.  A small whimper left my lips and he smirked.

  I then felt a presence behind me and heard his alluring voice, "Get off her...or I'll kill you."  Neji glared at me and said,"He can't always protect you."  Gaara took that time to stand in front of me, "Yes, I will." 

   Neji walked away but nobody seemed to notice the confrontation between the two boys.  I turned towards him, "Thank you."

   His eyes showed shock when he looked at me.  His hand reached up and touched my bruise lightly, "Did he?"  I nodded my head but gripped his arm tightly.  If looks could kill, I'm sure Neji would have been killed 100 different time in 100 different ways.

"Please just let it go."  He nodded and he led us to our seats.  However I knew he wasn't going to let it go that easily.