Neji's Romance

What are friends for?

Kagame felt guilt arise in her as she looked at her friend. Hinata was one of those people who just oozed innocence. Only those who knew her well knew that the sweet soft spoken young woman could pack a severe punch, especially when protecting those she loved. The faint scars on her hands were living proof of this, since not that long ago, Hinata had been willing to give her life for the man she loved, and had paid dearly for such a sacrifice. If anyone knew about unrequited love, it was the slender, beautiful Hyuuga standing in front of her. Kagame took a deep breath, but changed her mind. "I am sorry, I just have not been feeling myself lately" she finished lamely.

"I know just how to fix that" came a rich voice from behind her. A tall blonde bombshell of a woman came around the corner, her voluptuous hips swaying seductively in their short purple skirt, her long smooth hair falling down to the small of her exposed back, as it was tied up in an envyingly beautiful ponytail. Everything about this woman shouted confidence, the sparkling blue eyes twinkling with playfulness as she approached.

"Ino!"Hinata called out "it is so good to see you!"

Ino had just returned from a mission and, as usual had the skill to look fabulous.

"So what do you girls say to a ladies night out?? Just us girls, some alcohol and a good time?"
"Sakura and Tenten will be coming as well"

Kagame hesitated. Aa much as she enjoyed their company, she just wanted to go to her room and sulk, something that had become somewhat of a routine.

After much needling and joking, Hinata and Ino won her over, and so here she was, seated between Ino and Sakura, at their favourite barbeque place, the pink haired Sakura laughing at a joke that the dark haired weapon's specialist Tenten had just told.

Tenten had been one of Neji's old teammates, before the war, and had known him for a long time. Often, she knew what Kagame was going through, so it was no surprise that, in a conversation lull, she turned to Kagame and asked.

"You and Neji have been taking on a lot of mission together lately, how are you handling him?"

The angry blush that crept up her neck was unstoppable, and she could not hide her discomfort, so she glared at her food.

"Its ok I guess, he can just be so rude at times!" the outburst came out of nowhere and she blinked in surprise. Ino leant over, a pink blush in her cheeks, thanks to the copious amounts of sake.

"Do I sense a different kind of frustration here?"

Damn Ino, she always picked things out in a heartbeat.

Flustered she replied, in a slightly higher pitched voice than usual "No! That's really it!!"

"Uh huh. Hinata? Is that really it?"
Hinata gave a mischievous smile; she had been expecting something like this.

"I knew it!" Ino's voice rang across the restaurant. "You two have been spending far too much time together for this not to happen. Well what are girlfriends for? We want all the details!"

Kagame looked around at four expectant pair of eyes, each a different colour of the spectrum, though a slight curve of unhappiness in Tenten's mouth did not escape her notice. With a loud sigh she gave in and told her friends everything.

Sakura sat back and blew out a breath. Her green eyes looked sad. She too knew about the troubles of the heart all too well. After a minute of silence, the girls bombarded her with suggestions, advice and sympathies.

Many rounds of sake, and other colourful drinks later, the girls left for home. Kagame and Hinata, walking together side by side, to their shared home.

"Maybe you should just go for it"

Kagame blinked, this sentence had come out rushed and breathless. Hinata looked at the floor, took a deep breath and looked up, making strong eye contact with her, the pale eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

"He needs to know how you feel. This... is the one thing I regret when it comes to Naruto. I did not tell him earlier and we lost so much time together just because I could not step forward and tell him how I feel."

Kagame stared at Hinata, "maybe I should" emboldened by the alcohol, the thought burned in her mind till they got back to the mansion.

Walking the rest of the way, engaging in casual conversation, enjoying the night air, which was cool, compared to the warmth of the day. A soft breeze caressing them, and making the surrounding trees sing their evening lullaby.

"Maybe I should just go for it..."