Saving Us (NejiTen Fanfic)

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER TWELVE

"Is that really your father, Tenten?" Naruto asked once I sat down on our usual table for breakfast.

I ate out with Pein the night before and when I got back, Sakura and Hinata were already asleep. I looked up from my sandwich and stared at them. They were all waiting for my answer and I gave a laugh.

"Why is it so hard to accept?" I asked with a smirk.

They all gave me a look of 'are you serious?'. Yes. All of them. Even little Uchiha and the Hyūga. They all looked like they wouldn't accept any half-assed lies. Good thing Pein and I talked yesterday and decided to stick to the truth as much as possible without actually revealing who I am.

I sighed and put my sandwich down. "He's. . . not really my father,"

"I knew it!" Kiba exclaimed. "Are you being threatened?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Pein is a really good guy; despite his appearance," I rubbed the back of my neck as I hesitated. "He—uh. . . he adopted me,"

They all turned quiet and I refused to look into their eyes. My hesitation is definitely not an act. I wasn't really comfortable much with telling others my past. But I had to give these kids credits. They most likely see through my lie if I don't mix them with some truths.

"My parents abandoned me when I was five. And uh. . . Pein and the others picked me up off the streets and raised me as their own. So, I guess that really does make him my father," I finished with a smile and looked up at them.

I could see pity in their eyes and I gave a laugh to disperse the awkward air around us as I picked my sandwich back up. "But anyway, that's all in the past, right?"

The rest of the day passed by in a blur. As I was walking towards the cafeteria, I bumped into Hyūga in the hallway. We stopped on our tracks and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Yeah, keep rolling them you might find your brain in there," he stated.

I faked a gasp, putting my hands above my chest in mock hurt. "You wound me, oh great Hyūga. You're stealing my line,"

We continued to glare at each other. Not one of us willing to lose. But then, I felt a smile cracked my lips and I started laughing out loud. And for a moment there, I thought I heard him chuckled. But he shook his head and returned to his normal, irritating poker face.

We walked together towards the cafeteria. And as we round the corner, we heard Temari calling for us. We stopped and turned to see her dragging a half asleep Shikamaru behind her. I raised my hand and waved at her and she gave me a smile before she looked over her shoulder to tell her companion to hurry up.

And suddenly, there was a swish sound above me. Wide-eyed, I looked up to see one of the large chandeliers adoring the hallway falling towards me and Hyūga. My instinct kicked in and I jumped towards the unknowing boy beside me and tackled him to the ground just in time.

A loud crashing sound surrounded the hallway as screams filled the air. I quickly jumped to my feet and looked at the wreckage. The floor was full of shattered glasses but thankfully, no dead body. I looked down at the Hyūga who was still on the floor, staring wide-eye at what once to be such piece of art.

"You okay?" I asked.

He looked up at me and his eyes widened once more. "Never mind me, you're bleeding,"

"Oh," I asked in monotone as I raised my hand and wiped the blood off my cheek using the back of my palm. "It's just a scratch,"

"Are you two alright!?" Temari came running.

"Peachy," I replied as Hyūga stood on his feet.

More spectators came as well as the teachers. Shizune came running towards Hyūga and I to check us for injuries. But aside from the scratch in my cheek, we were both totally fine. But—to be safe, Tsunade ordered a thoroughly check and ushered us to the clinic.

"We're really fine though," I groaned.

Shizune gave me a small smile. "Just give us this piece of mind, Tenten,"

We followed all their orders to a tee and when we were released, everyone had already eaten dinner so I was forced to endure the meal with my very silent companion. With a sigh, I pushed my tray away from me.

What happened earlier was definitely not an accident. The sound I heard wasn't just the wind. But why? Hinata wasn't with me. No one knows my identity. Or could it be that the target was. . . this Hyūga with me?

With that thought in mind, I took a glance at him and saw that he was looking at me. I raised a brow at him and his blood rushed to his cheeks; turning them a pale shade of cherry. He cleared his throat and I turned completely to face him.

"Thank you," he started. "For earlier; you saved me,"

I gave him a smile. "No problem. I can't let you die before our fated match, you know?" I ended with a smirk and the Hyūga returned to his poker face.

"That's some fast reflex," he added. "I look forward to our duel. It seems to me you are more than you want us to know,"

I gave him a smirk. "Well, I like to surprise,"

After we ate dinner, Hyūga walked me to my room. As soon as I opened the door, Sakura jumped me. Hyūga thanked me one more time before leaving. I pulled Sakura back inside the room and saw Hinata pacing worriedly before she came to me as well.

"So, what did they say?" she asked; her voice shaking.

I gave them the thumbs up. "We're fine! Anyway, I really need to take a bath,"

As I relaxed in the tub, my thoughts came running back on the front line. Are the people after Hinata finally making their actions? But—if they were, why her cousin? Was it simply an accident that we were both there?

Things were getting complicated. For the duration since I've entered high school, nothing happened to Hinata Hyūga. Not even a little bit of bullying. And the first action I got was towards Neji Hyūga? Hell. So, I don't have to just keep an eye on one Hyūga but two?

I rolled my eyes at my fate.

"Great, just great," I muttered as I played with the ring on my necklace. "Thanks so much, Hiashi,"

Letting the ring go, I let it dangle between my breasts and reached for my phone over the edge to text the guys about what had happened. For sure, I'll be receiving a bunch of scolding for even letting a shard of glass pierce me.

I put it back on the edge after making my report and dunk my head into the tub. I have to enjoy this little peace before it all goes to hell.