(AN: None of them are mine. Any of this rediculous situation is mine though--and the smut that will ensue is mine. Little Stars like this seen throughout the writing denote a cultural item that will be explained at the bottom of the chapter. Please review--flame if you feel asif my writing is terriblebecause it isn't too good but not because you object to the pairings, because that's really irrelevant.. With that out of the way: Enjoy)

1. "Just when you think you're in control--just when you get on a roll..."-Ok Go

It was a quiet summer night along the outskirts of konoha. Crickets chirped and the grass whispered in the breeze--the windows of a small flat aglow from within. Inside it's walls, the flat housed comfortably the three members of "team eight"; childhood friends and comrades now young Jounin, had figured there was no sense breaking up the group just for the sake of time.

A somewhat domestic scene played out within; Hinata Hyuuga sat quietly at the kitchen table in a pale blue cotton nightgown, her legs tucked neatly beneath her, making rice balls with umeboshi and toasted seeds; molding the little white balls carefully between her pale hands. Every so often she'd bring the back of her hand to her forehead and wipe the sweat from her brow, a sweet little sigh escaping her lips. Kiba watched her intently, thinking of how only Hinata could make perspiration so delicate--as he absently scratched behind Akamaru's ears. On the opposite side of the room, beneath an open window Shino dozed, a book on foreign philosophy in his lap.

Kiba continued to watch Hinata with interest. He studied the way that the grains of rice stuck to her long thin fingers, and how the thin cotton straps of her nightgown showed the slightest hint of lilac bra straps. He swallowed hard, as she tossed her hair over her shoulder. Akamaru whined with impatience. Kiba, momentarily paralyzed by admiration, had stopped tending to his companion. Hearing the sound, Hinata turned her eyes to him.

"What is it Kiba-kun?" Hinata smiled gently.

"Dinner just looks good is all." Kiba chuckled, feeling his face and ears heat up.

"Thank you." Hinata blushed slightly.

Shino smiled to himself. Ever since Naruto had gone off to chase that wretched Uchiha, Kiba had been able to get closer to Hinata in his stead. This was plain to Shino from their time as Genins. It was obvious that Hinata's affections (with very few exceptions) were for Uzumaki. But with him gone, it appeared that the loyal Kiba might stand a chance after all.

"Dinner's almost ready." Hinata announced, signifying the boys to get up and set the table.

"Looks delicious as always." Shino complimented, bringing a carafe of sake and three matching cups.

"Yeah, we're lucky to have you as our cook Hina-chan." Kiba Beamed. Realizing how his words sounded, Kiba blushed and quickly tried to edit his speech.

"I mean, what I mean is--not what I said, but more like--"

"I think she got you Kiba." Shino interjected, in order to save his friend from further embarrassment.

"Mmhm!" Hinata giggled as they all sat down at the small dark wood table.

Kiba began splitting the rice balls amongst the tree of them, while Shino poured the sake. When he got to Hinata's cup, she quickly reached forward and turned it upside-down on the table. Shino raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Ah! I don't know if sake is the best thing for me…" Hinata explained.

"Why not?" Kiba snorted. "A little won't kill you Hina-chan."

"He's right, it might help you relax." Shino agreed.

"Well, I don't have to train my genins tomorrow…" Hinata's voice trailed off.

"You can't be as bad as Lee-San." Kiba added.

The three shared a laugh before Shino poured her a cup of sake.

"Kampai!" Kiba toasted. The three drank, and began dinner.

Several glasses of sake , and three dirty dishes later-- the three sat with red cheeks and broad smiles. Kiba had gotten to his feet and started dancing--and was about to pull Hinata to her feet to join him when there was an unexpected chime at the door.

"Ah! Coming!" Hinata shouted, sake cup still in hand, teetering to her feet and weaving across the floor to the door.

"She's had quite a bit." Shino snickered, watching Hinata round the corner unsteadily

"Yeah, I think I've heard her talk more during this meal--then the whole time we were Genin." Kiba mused. "I like it."

"Hell--Oh!"

SHATTER.

Kiba and Shino stiffened upon hearing a gasp, and the shrill shattering of ceramic on the hardwood floor. The two quickly rose from their seats and moved quickly ,and sloppily to the doorway. Kiba's heart sank upon seeing the two figures in the doorway

"Neji Nii-san!" Hinata cried with surprise, hanging her head slightly in respect.

"Hey Hina-chan!" a loud, familiar voice sounded--it's owner popping out from behind his traveling companion in a flurry of blonde and orange.

"Naruto!" Hinata gasped, a deep purple flushing over her already blushing cheekbones.

Neji said nothing, just directed a pair of milky white eyes with a hard unfriendly glare back toward Kiba and Shino. When he had gotten word from Sakura about Hinata's living situation-- he had been less than pleased. Needless to say--now his dear Hinata was at the door in little more than a skimpy piece of cloth.

"What in the world are you wearing?" Neji hissed, turning his gaze to Hinata's spare powder blue nightgown.

"Uhm, well I was just, Hiccup!" Hinata squeaked.

"Hinata, have you been drinking?" Naruto cocked an eyebrow--oblivious to the fact he was only making the situation infinitely worse.

"Well I…" Hinata's voice shook.

"Just wonderful." Neji sighed with exasperation, pushing through the doorframe past Hinata.

Just as I was worried about. Neji thought to himself. These boys aren't the only things to have done some growing… their 'appetites' for young women like Hinata have grown as well.

"Put on a robe for goodness sake Hinata," Neji called, making his way to the kitchen.

What a shame to cover her up. Naruto and Kiba thought simultaneously.

" Uhm, you c-can come in Naruto." Hinata offered timidly.

"Oh, thanks." Naruto smiled, scratching the back of his head slightly.

"Nice place Hina-chan, so what do you--"

"I have to go put on a robe." Hinata blurted out, hurriedly moving away from Naruto toward her bedroom.

Just wonderful. Kiba thought to himself. Of all the people in the world, they had to come to our home. He stopped and thought carefully about the word in his head. Home. It was true--this was his home. Shino, Akamaru, Hinata…they were his family. This flat was a dwelling on its on, but with them here---anywhere with them was home. And now--the only two people who could threaten his precious family were here. Not enemy ninja, not assassins--but Uzimaki Naruto and Hyuuga Neji; two infinitely more dangerous individuals.

Hinata emerged from her bedroom in a soft, silvery satin robe with deep indigo and violet birds embroidered on the sleeves. The four boys, who had been quiet for the most part in her absence, became double silenced upon the return of her presence.

"Hinata," Neji began, directing his gaze not at her, but rather at Kiba and Naruto who were shamelessly gawking at her.

"Where did you get that robe?" he asked coolly.

"Er, Kiba gave it to me last holiday." Hinata smiled hopefully.

"Mhm!" Kiba beamed.

"Oh?" Nartuo twitched.

That's right Uzumaki. A few things have changed. Kiba thought triumphantly.

"What an inappropriate gift." Neji sighed.

These perverts, do they have no shame? Hinata has no idea--they're taking advantage of her innocence! Neji curled his fingers in frustration. They probably shower her in compliments in order to make her feel safe..

"It makes you look tawdry." He added coldly.

"I think it makes you look great!" Naruto chimed in.

"Actually, I think you make it look great--even if it's cheap Hina-chan." Naruto grinned.

"That's enough." Neji cautioned. "Don't talk about Hinata in such a lewd manner Uzumaki." Neji sneered.

For several minutes there was an uncomfortable silence. Shino thought for sure that Naruto would explode from sitting so quiet and so still for that much time; but to his surprise it was Neji who broke the silence with an uncomfortably forced effort.

"Put on some tea wont' you Hinata?" he grumbled. "You're a terrible hostess. "

"A-actually Neji-nii-san," Hinata's small voice wavered. "I was about to offer you some Ocha-zuke."

Kiba and Shino stiffened at the un-characteristic boldness of Hinata's move.

Naruto, the uncultured twit will probably accept and screw us. Kiba thought. Otherwise this is perfect! There's no way 'honorable' Neji could accept such an offer..

"Hmph!" Neji Scoffed with a smug smile. Nice move Hina-chan. Neji thought to himself. Very clever, but don't overestimate my sensibilities.

"Actually, Naruto and I need a place to stay a few days." Neji explained nonchalantly.

"I would have written, but as you know, I've hardly had the time."

"Oh." Hinata sighed defeated. "I won't fix any then."

"Oh no, yes do fix it Hinata--hot soup would be perfect right around now." Neji smirked. "You've got to manage to do something right this evening--even if I have to prod you to get it done."

After the Ocha-zuke was finished, Kiba and Shino collected up all the dishes and headed for the water pump in the back yard.

"So she has anbu doing dishes for her now? Hah." Neji smirked. "So housebroken for deadly warriors."

Even Naruto understood that this joke was not funny.

Why is Neji being so standoffish? Naruto wondered. It must be Hinata. He hasn't seen her in a while--maybe it's finally hit him that she isn't a little girl anymore. But as he watched Hinata, her pale eyes were shallow and sad. She looked that way a lot when they were younger. She hadn't looked that way in a long time. At least, not until the last time he left to follow Sasuke.

Shino scowled, keeping a close eye on Kiba who was gritting his teeth audibly now.

"I heard Shikamaru, that fool, has a wife who's already expecting a child." He chuckled. "I figured, being the brilliant strategist he was--he'd avoid women for much longer than the rest of us." He mused aloud--to himself more than anyone else.

Hinata hung her head , her hands in tiny fists at her side.

"Hinata don't--"

"Neji!" Kiba barked. "Don't forget you are a guest in our house!"

Hinata smiled gently.

"Yeah!" Naruto called, pushing back from the table--not to be outdone by Kiba. "Don't be so hard on Hinata either!" he added, his face looking clownishly stern.

"Thank you Naruto." Hinata almost squealed, eyes alight.

Neji didn't need to use his byakyugan to see what was transpiring here. He only smirked and offered a surrender of "whatever" before letting his eyes wander from Hinata, to Naruto, to Kiba. Tough luck for them I guess. He thought to himself, allowing himself a small smile.

Ocha-zuke is a soup offered to guests by a host who is politely telling them that it's getting late,and they are bordering on outstaying their welcome. Once it is offered, the guest immeadiately refuse, and leave as soon as possible.