WARNING! If you do not like male/male relationships or do not approve of this pair (NejixKiba/KibaxNeji) please move on! This story is NOT for you! Thank you.
DISCLAIMER: I own neither the character or the series. :D And I don't get paid for writing this.
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Chapter 1: It Started With A Favor
"When Hinata-san gets married, what do you plan to do?" Was asked into the silence that had fallen over the room as the speaker took a drink from his water glass, opting not to drink like his friend was since he wasn't a very agreeable drunk and he had no doubt his betrothed would kick his ass if she found out he had caused trouble in such a stupid manner.
The one in question arched a curious eyebrow at his friend before bringing his own glass of rice fermented wine to his lips, taking a drink. "Whatever do you mean, Lee?"
"Well, you're like her bodyguard aren't you? It's your duty to protect Hinata-san and all… but when she gets married that will fall to her husband, right?" The young man questioned as he leaned over to refill his childhood friend's now empty glass.
Tomorrow his friend's charge would set off with some reliable attendants to go and retrieve her future husband, leaving the young man with some free time so Lee had decided to get his friend drunk and let him cut loose for once. The other young man had objected at first but gave in when he began his, what the other called, mind numbing preaching of youthful fire and all that other nonsense.
The other nodded his head in thanks and brought his refilled glass to his lips, taking a deep drink. "When Hinata-sama is married… I'll probably be next."
Lee watched his quiet friend, noting that this news did not appear to be to the other's liking. "Oh? And… that's bad?"
He received a half-hearted shrug as a reply before the other man took a thoughtful sip of his rice wine. "Maybe not… but Hiashi-sama is thinking of arranging a marriage with Tenten."
There was a throaty 'mmn' of understanding from the other before he took a sip of water. Sometimes coming from a notable family was more unlucky than being from a poor one like his, he supposed. Being ever the optimist, however, Lee tried to infect his friend with some. "You know… Tenten wouldn't be that bad of a catch. She's easy on the eyes… and kind… very loyal, and she's not the meek kind of girl you always have to worry over."
"I agree… but she's like a sister to us, too. And I love her like one. It'd be awkward. Besides, I don't know if I want a—" The other paused in his sentence, listening hard. Lee frowned and listened too. He heard it… the sound of someone approaching followed by short knocks.
Lee watched his friend get to his feet as the door slid open, one of the young man's cousin's attendants entering looking panicked. "Neji-san! Hinata-sama has fallen ill! She calls for you—"
Neji pushed past the young woman, making his way quickly toward Hinata's room while his heart raced somewhat painfully in his chest. Hinata-sama has fallen ill… Damnit! He shouldn't have let his eyes leave her until she had left the safety of the Hyuuga house tomorrow morning! Shoving the sliding door aside, he entered her room, not caring at the moment if he broke it. All of his attention was on his cousin. She was sitting up right, sweaty and trembling lightly. Her pale skin had a twinge of red to it.
"Hinata-sama!" He rushed to her side, kneeling beside her futon before slipping one hand to her shoulder and pulling her close while the other tangled in her violet locks. Without hesitation he leaned in and kissed her lips softly, brushing the tip of his tongue over them and tasting her bottom lip before moving to press his lips against her forehead. "What ails you, Hinata-sama?"
His mind quickly analyzed. He could taste no trace of a poison or drug and while her skin was a bit clammy to the touch, she had no discernable fever. So why…?
"Leave us." Hinata said lightly to her attendants as she pulled away from her older cousin.
"Yes, miss." They offered a small bow before leaving.
"Neji nii-san… forgive me." Hinata said even more lightly as she startled him when she rested her head in his lap, one hand clinging to his knee.
"Hinata-sama?" He questioned lightly, bringing a hand to pet her hair gently before he really gave thought to the action.
"I'm sorry for making you worry, Neji nii-san." She replied before turning to look at him. "It's only a façade."
"Hinata-sama?" Neji frowned, his mind easing somewhat at this news as he pulled her to sit up and face him. So… it was only an act?
"It's only medicines and powders. I'm fine, really." She explained softly, not looking him in the eye.
"But why? You leave tomorrow to—" He frowned more when she turned their family's trade-mark pupil less eyes toward him, hers a more unique soft lilac compared to his light silver color.
"Neji nii-san, help me! Please!" She pleaded in a whisper, eyes shining with tears. "I cannot marry Inuzuka-san! Not while I love Naruto-kun as much as I do!"
Neji watched his cousin with surprise at these words. He really hadn't expected something that that. This shy, quiet girl… planned something so…? "Wait. Uzumaki? But—"
Hinata shook her head sadly, not wanting to hear it. "Neji nii-san! Please… I love him. So much. I need more time! And Inuzuka-san! He… deserves a wife who loves only him! Right…? Don't you believe that too? …Please."
Neji looked away from her pleading eyes as he felt his heart ache for her. She wanted to marry for love… but her family name demanded more from a marriage. He knew Hiashi was being pressured to marry Hinata off to someone respectable as much as she was… which made the whole situation worse. Poor Hinata… but for once… she was trying to fight! He exhaled slowly, keeping his gaze averted from hers. "What would you have me do?"
"Neji!" She cried happily as she hugged him tightly, placing a chaste kiss on his lips. "Nothing much, I promise. Just… make me undesirable to him. Find out what he wants in a wife… convince him that a marriage to me won't provide him with that or something… anything! But Inuzuka-san must be the one to end it… to spare my father as well."
Neji nodded his understanding, using the sleeves of his robes to dry the tears from her eyes. He was sure he could do this for her… and keep her good name and his family's. He had to.
"I'm sorry… but I'm sure father will send you in my place. Neji nii-san—" She was silenced when he placed his fingertips to her lips.
"Hinata-sama… please don't worry about it." He offered a small smile, not wanting her to be sad anymore.
"Neji-san!" The two cousins turned to Hinata's door at the call. "Neji-san, Hiashi-sama wishes to see you."
He looked to Hinata, whose eyes watered again as she looked back at him. As the door slipped open to reveal the messenger, Neji leaned in toward his cousin as if to kiss her cheek and whispered into her ear. "Really, don't worry about it… just… 'get well soon', faker."
He got to his feet and made his way over to the door, pausing at it to turn and smirk at Hinata as more tears spilled from her apologetic eyes. Turning away he then made his way toward the garden where he knew his uncle would be since he had probably been at the family's dojo before all of this.
Stepping into the sea of greens and flowers he spotted his uncle standing by the ancient sakura tree. Making his way to the older man he dropped to his knees before him and bowed respectfully. "Hiashi-sama."
"How is she?" The older man asked, trying to sound only mildly curious but, and Neji smiled inwardly, he could also hear the barely hidden concern.
"She is fine when it comes to anything life threatening. I think, perhaps, the excitement and anxiety of it all finally got to her." Neji replied simply, lying for her loyally as he got to his feet, looking at his uncle.
"Contagious?" Hiashi asked, making Neji bite back a laugh.
"I should think not, Hiashi-sama. Only a fever and hives, by the look of it." He answered politely, knowing now his uncle would probably go and visit his daughter since he didn't have to worry about falling ill as well.
"Good." Hiashi replied simply, staring at the petals of the cherry blossoms. After some thought he tapped his walking stick on the ground, which Neji now associated it as a demand for attention, and turned to his nephew. "Neji, there is something I must ask of you."
The young man smirked mentally, thinking of Hinata and her correct assumptions before nodding for his uncle to continue.
"I would like you to go in Hinata's place. Inform them of what has happened so Hinata doesn't lose favor. Protect the man like you would my child and bring him safely here." Hiashi said with the tone of the head of the family asking something of his servants.
It made Neji a little nervous that he was about to turn on his uncle's wishes to help his cousin. Swallowing the small lump in his throat he nodded slowly. "Of course, Hiashi-sama."
"Listen well, Neji—The groom is Inuzuka Kiba. From what has been said he will be accompanied by two traveling partners. Your entourage will consist of three: Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, and Tenten." Hiashi explained as he began slowly pacing.
Neji felt his eyebrows furrow at the mention of Tenten. He really didn't know if he'd feel comfortable… not with talks of their possible engagement. Swallowing again, he exhaled slowly. "Hiashi-sama? Might I make a request of my own?"
Hiashi turned to his nephew, looking him over thoughtfully before giving him a short nod. "Ask."
"On this journey… I ask to replace Tenten-san with Rock Lee." Neji stared his uncle in the eyes, keeping his uneasiness at bay. He knew such a request could be considered an insult to his uncle, which could put the already stressed man in a sour mood.
Hiashi's pale silver eyes narrowed in on him, eyebrows furrowing as a frown spread across his lips. "Why do you ask that?"
"I mean no disrespect, Hiashi-sama!" Neji quickly apologized with a deep bow. "It's just… at this moment in time, for this journey… I feel more comfortable traveling with Lee."
Hiashi continued to watch his nephew, slowly understanding that the younger man's unease lied with Tenten. Ever since he had confided his wish to possibly wed the two, Neji had become quite withdrawn from the girl he had practically grown up with. Releasing a quick sigh, he rapped his walking stick on the ground once more, Neji jumping to rapt attention.
"Given I place this as top priority and do not wish you to be distracted by anything, I will release Tenten and speak to Gai-san and Lee about the young man accompanying you instead." He said firmly, noting Neji's obvious relief.
"Thank you, Hiashi-sama." Neji bowed once more.
"Please return to Hinata and inform her I will be there later this evening after I finish Hanabi's lesson." Hiashi said, turning from his nephew to look at the cherry blossoms again. "Then retire early. You'll leave first thing in the morning."
"Yes, Hiashi-sama." Neji nodded his head before turning to make his way out of the garden.
"And Neji…" Hiashi called suddenly, bringing him to a halt. Neji turned to see the older man was still facing the tree. "…Have a safe trip, nephew."
Neji felt his eyes widen in shock and was happy his uncle wasn't facing him. Neji stared at the man that was a reflection of his dead father and felt a small stab of loneliness before smiling.
"Thank you… uncle." Neji turned and left the garden. What was that? Was his uncle worried? Usually they kept their relationship formal, much to Neji's relief. He wasn't quite ready to accept a family relationship with his uncle yet… not with the memory of his father still so painful. He really did have to let go.
When he reached Hinata's room he had to leave a message with her attendants of her father's words since she was already asleep. Deciding to visit her before he left in the morning he went to his room to retire for the night like his uncle had suggested.
As he finished undressing and was about to get into bed, he was distracted by a soft bird's cry coming from his open window. Frowning and wondering what he wanted now, Neji went to his window. "What is it, Lee?"
He was unsurprised to see the young man crouching on a nearby tree branch like an overly large squirrel, smiling at him.
"You tell me, Neji. Why has your uncle requested to see Gai-san and myself?"
Neji smirked as he watched his friend. "Wanna go on a trip?"
"I don't know… where to?" Lee asked with a smile as bright as the odd man's that had taken him in as a son after the poor kid's parents had died.
"To get a fiancée." Neji replied, liking Lee's expression when he realized he had been called here to accompany Neji.
"Oh, I don't know. I don't think Sakura-san would much appreciate my looking for a fiancée when I already have such a lovely one waiting for me." Lee laughed, being silly like usual. Neji smiled, knowing the other would go.
"I bet she wouldn't… you'll go?" He asked to hear his friend agree as he brushed his long hair out of his face.
"Sure. Since you can't seem to do anything without me!" Lee beamed, saluting his friend.
Neji rolled his eyes and withdrew back into his room. "One day Lee… one day I might laugh at your sad joke attempts."
Lee stuck his tongue out before jumping from the branch to the ground eight feet below. He really was an oddball sometimes… not counting his appearance of a bowl-cut hairstyle and thick eyebrows. "Yeah, whatever! Good night!"
"Night… weirdo." Neji smiled and turned to climb into bed.
The Inuzuka family, huh? He had heard a little about them. The one in question… Kiba… was said to be wild and rough around the edges. Maybe fulfilling Hinata's request wouldn't be too hard… and if Kiba was as unruly as said… Hiashi would be happy his daughter hadn't married him, right? Even if he did come from a respectable family. Every tree had a rotten fruit, wasn't that the saying?
Neji let those thoughts ease him to sleep… of course, his few glasses of wine helped too. In the end he would just have to wait and see how to take his plan of action. Hopefully it wouldn't be too difficult.
-Chapter 1 End-