A/N: So, I decided to work on another idea that came into my head (like most ideas of mine) during Algebra. Now, Ino x Kiba is still my favorite couple, but really, I think all Ino x anybody couples are super cute. Probably because Ino is my favorite character that is female (of course Kiba is my favorite character of all time). Don't worry, I won't forget about my other story. I'll still update it, and this one. So anyway, enough babbling for now.
Dedication: To Rae-chan, my bestest friend. Even though she doesn't like Ino x Neji. Lol.
Disclaimer: Hm, I think the whole Naruto shizzam would be a wonderful Christmas present. (I don't own Naruto. Duh.)
"Uhhhhh, five more minutes dad," I mumbled and tried to turn over. A firm hand grabbed my shoulder and stopped me from turning over and burying into the blankets and pillows.
"Wake up," An annoyed voice said, nudging me. My eyes shot open as I heard the unfamiliar voice that wasn't my father. Leaning above me was Neji.
"Ugh, we were out late last night," I whined, and tried to turn over again.
"Wake up," Neji repeated. I frowned up at him.
"Just because you're my husband doesn't mean I'm your slave," I said, making one last attempt to turn back over.
"Sleeping in is improper, wives should be up early preparing meals," Neji said. I snorted.
"Preparing meals? Have you tasted my cooking?" I said. Neji's eyes narrowed. I sighed. How had I ended up married to this person I barely knew?
---
Flashback
"But Daddy!" I whined. My father, Inoichi, frowned, he was obviously annoyed. I could see why, I'd been whining constantly for about a week.
"No buts! You're getting married and that's it! No further arguments," He said. I frowned and crossed my arms across my chest.
"Why does it have to be Neji!?" I whined some more.
"Neji's clan is very wealthy and important to this village. Besides, Neji's a good person and a fine shinobi," Her father said.
"But I don't even know Neji, Daddyyyyyy," I whined, drawing out the last letter.
"Well, I guess now you can get to know him," He said, "You're the age to get married, and you haven't shown any interest in any of the other boys."
"Sasuke…" I mumbled.
"You know he left," My father said.
"So, I could marry him when he comes back!" I said, stubbornly.
"I doubt he'll come back, and if he does, you'll probably be an old lady," He said.
"I'm not marrying Neji!" I said defiantly. Inochi sighed.
"Yes you are, it's already been decided and the hokage accepted it," He said. I am definitely having a talk with Tsunade-sama.
End Flashback
---
"Neji, don't look at me like you hate me," I said, feeling uncomfortable under his intense glare.
"You're not joking that you can't cook?" Neji asked.
"I'm not joking, I really can't cook," I said in my most sincere voice possible.
"It's really not proper for girls not to cook the meals, so you should try any way," It was worded as a suggestion but the way he said it made it an order.
"I don't really care what is proper and what isn't," I said stubbornly. Stubborn was my middle name.
"You should," He said in a cold, even voice.
"You shouldn't," I shot back, trying to make mimic his icy tone.
"Come on," He said, standing up. Curious, I stood up and followed him. We walked down a hallway that I barely remembered coming down last night. The wedding ceremony had drug on for hours and it was in the wee hours of the night when we had made it home.
The hallway was long, and we passed several doors. The carpet beneath my feet was very spongy and soft, not to mention it's pretty purple color. After what seemed to be forever, we made it to the end of the hallway, where it ended in a door. Neji pushed the door open and continued leading me down the stairs. About half way down, I lost sight of him and when I came to the landing, I looked around unable to find Neji.
"Ino, this way," I heard him call from my right. So I turned right and found myself in a brightly lit room. "This is the kitchen," He said and I crossed my arms.
"I told you, I don't know how to cook," I had thought that he was going to show me something better than the stupid kitchen.
"You can try," He said.
"I have tried. And it never works out!" I said, stubbornly of course. He sighed and I could tell that I was annoying him.
"I'm leaving, I'll be back later tonight, so you'll have plenty of time to work on a meal for supper. I suggest you start working on one now if your cooking skills are as bad as you make them sound."
"Wait, where are you going?!" I demanded. He couldn't just leave me all alone! He ignored me and left the room. I ran after him and grabbed his arm so he would stop. Neji turned to look at me, and I let go quickly. "Don't just leave me here all by myself," I said, cringing at how pathetic I sounded.
"Hn. I'm just going to go train," Neji said.
"You're going to train all day?" I asked, skeptical.
"I train a lot," He said. I must have looked miserable because he added, "You don't have to stay here all day. You can come and go as you please, I'm just expecting dinner when I get home."
"I can't cook," I whined. Bad choice. Neji sighed and left me alone in the kitchen/stairway area. "Neji?" I asked. I didn't hear any response, he was gone. I groaned and ran my hand through my hair. It was stiff, messy, and falling out of my wedding up do.
"Ugh, where's the bathroom?" I asked aloud, feeling lost in the humongous house that was now partly mine. I wandered up the stairs, and looked down the hallway. One of these doors had to lead to a bathroom.
Opening doors down the hallway, I found several empty rooms. In fact, the only rooms in the hallway that weren't empty were the bathroom and bedroom.
The bathroom, like the rest of the house, was huge. The décor in the room was rich and elaborate, and I felt like I was a princess. My dad hadn't been kidding when he said that the Hyuga Clan was important and rich.
After admiring the room I stepped in front of the mirror. Looking back at me was a horrifying sight. The girl in the mirror had crazy, blonde hair that was falling out of her ponytail. Her face looked weirdly pale, and her make up was smeared because she had slept with it on. I groaned. I had looked like this in front of Neji?
There had to be a bathtub or shower around here somewhere. I looked around and spotted a huge, ornate bathtub in the corner. It slightly resembled the Konoha hot springs, though not that big. I glanced back in the mirror, and the girl looking back was smiling dreamily. Obviously there were some upsides to being married to Neji.
Twisting the facets, the water began pouring in and over my legs. I couldn't help but sigh with relief as the water level rose up to my chin in the deep bathtub.
For most of the day, I wandered around my house, (and I particularly like being able to call it my house) and discovered that we had a nicely furnished sitting room and our bedroom was just lovely.
Then when the light coming in through the window began to falter and grow dim, I groaned, remembering that I had to make supper for Neji and myself. My stomach growled as I walked into the kitchen and explored the cabinets. I had forgotten all about lunch in my excitement and wonder.
About two hours later, Neji came home.
"Ino?" Neji called.
"In the kitchen!" I called back, staring sadly at my attempt at making a meal. Neji's nose wrinkled as he entered the room.
"Did you follow the recipe?" He asked in a quiet voice, injuring my pride in the process.
"Yes," I said upset that he asked.
"What is it?" Neji asked bluntly. I tried to hold them back, seriously, but I couldn't-and they came streaming down my face. Tears that is. I could see Neji's blurry face through my tears and I swear that his eyes were the size of saucers. "Why are you crying?" Neji asked, his voice still unemotional. Mine was the opposite.
"I-I-I can't c-c-c-c-cook to save m-m-m-my life!" I said, stuttering through my sobs.
"We could go out to eat tonight, and I could hire a maid," Neji said, and I was sure he would have said anything to make me stop crying. Well, it did work, a little. I wiped my eyes with my sleeve and sniffed.
"You would?" I asked, sniffing again.
"Sure," Neji answered.
"Where are we going to eat at?" I asked.
"Wherever you'd like," He answered.
"So we don't have to go eat barbeque?" I asked, almost unbelieving.
"Not if you don't want to," Neji said, not seeing the significance of my question.
"Ok," I agreed. I jumped up and hugged him, glad that I didn't have to try and make any more meals. Cooking was hard work and I usually ended up frustrated. I let my arms fall to the side when I felt him stiffen under my embrace. I quickly let him go and took several quick steps back, letting my arms drop to my sides. "I'm sorry," I said, avoiding his eyes.
"Hn," He replied. There was an awkward silence before Neji began to walk towards the door. "Let's go, then," He said. I nodded and followed him out.
As we walked through the Hyuga Compound, I kept thinking back on how Neji reacted whenever I touched him. He always acted like he was surprised (which he shouldn't, I'm his wife after all) and he would stiffen or glare at me. It was obvious that he didn't love me. He didn't even seem to like me.
I will make him love me, if it's the last thing I do. After all, it's only proper for a husband to love his wife.
A/N: Uhm, it's hard to keep Neji in character. Lol, especially for someone who's overly emotional like me.