(Author's note: I'm not sure if I've made it clear, but its set after the war, Neji didn't die but everything else goes along with the manga. Execpt Naruto doesn't marry Hinata... Hope you enjoy reading the story anyway.)
Sasuke watched as Neji silently drummed his fingers, avoiding his gaze as he looked off towards the kitchen's exit. With a moments hesitations he got to his feet and began to pace about the room, his feet echoing softly with every deliberated footfall. He sighed and muttered, nervously pulling at the hem of his jumper as he continued to walk around in tight circles, his eyes flicking back and forth between Sasuke and his own clenched hands. Finally he stopped, wresting his hands besides the kitchen sink as if he feared he would suddenly become nauseous.
"Neji…" Sasuke whispered, feeling foolish and somewhat saddened by his partner's morose response but otherwise hoping to coax him out of his forlorn state. He rose from his seat, pushing the chair back gently to avoid hearing that harsh grate of metal against tile before stepping gingerly towards Neji who remained with his back to the Uchiha. Not knowing what to say or how to ease the tension he had so obviously caused Sasuke placed his hand at the Hyuga's shoulder, surprised to find that his breath had become exaggerated as if he were in a great deal of pain or experiencing severe frustration. But thankfully Sasuke felt his hand reach for his, clasping gently around his fingers as he stood, straightening his back as he continued to stare beyond the window and out into the night. His eyes appeared distant, more so than usual. The lilac tint of his irises seemed to cloud over with concern, a frown forming at his brow the deeper he reseeded into his private thoughts. Then he turned to face the sullen Uchiha, taking his arms to his waist to pull him into a tender embrace, resting his chin atop his shoulder before breathing in the smell of his shampoo to comfort himself. Sasuke allowed him time to compose himself but was more than happy to remain locked within Neji's powerful, delicate grip, feeling his hot breath soft against the nape of his exposed neck. Languid seconds passed between the two as they stood together, cast of towards the rear of the miniature kitchen until after a series of mutters and soft swaying motions Neji drew back to stare Sasuke deep in the face, his own expression a sad smile.
"What future would any child of mine have?" He asked despondently, still wearing a weary smile as he waited for Sasuke's reply. He felt trapped, as if those protective arms were now a cage to keep him from running away; he wished he had never asked as the intensity of Neji's passionate gaze ebbed into a look of defeat. Realising that Sasuke had sunk into himself and was unwilling to respond Neji released him and leant back against the counter, sighing heavily before lifting his gaze to the dull yellow light at the heart of the ceiling, hoping to find some answers tucked away in the cracks just starting to appear.
"I would love nothing more," he beamed softly, placing an idle hand into the crux of his elbow to warm his numb fingers, "than to have a child with you – by any means – but,"
"I know." Sasuke quickly interrupted, silencing the progressively morbid Hyuga as he reminisced about his past, the furrowed creases in his flawless brow caving in deeper with every bitter recollection. Then suddenly his features shifted, his scowl peeling to reveal a serene expression Sasuke feared he would never see again; his eyes glowed with content like the lasts rays of sunlight had set them alight as his mouth slipped into its evening smile that rendered Sasuke weak and light headed. Once again he took the timid Uchiha in his arms and embraced him, his lips stroking the rim of Sasuke's ear as he spoke.
The words he spoke, swathed with endearment and gratitude, echoed about Sasuke's mind, chasing away any remaining apprehensions. He allowed himself to be held for a few moments more, happy to feel Neji's long strands of hair fall at his shoulder, enabling Sasuke to inhale the sweet fragrance that clung to the river of cascading brunette. As usual Neji began to sway, leaning from either side as if to cradle the dark haired man he held fast to his chest, his own eyes closing, giving the impression that he had fallen into a deep sleep. Then he whispered three simple words that caused Sasuke to giggle rather girlishly, however the Hyuga did not care; he was cliché and predictable but Sasuke always saw the converse, believing him to be romantic and wonderful.
After the brief interlude the two resumed their domestic pattern; Sasuke began to clear the table, handing the items of cutlery to Neji as he cleaned them. He listened to the slow but constant running of the tap and the gentle splashes caused by Neji's hands as the water hit his soft skin. It was times like these, the mundane, domestic periods in his life where he found himself the most peaceful, yet there was always a numbness that he quietly associated with this style of living; he had previously been an infamous outsider of the village, an enemy. He wondered if he truly missed that life, the freedoms that came with it. Soon he believed that he and the rest of the world would forget that they had once been skilled warriors, shinobi that mastered the art of substation and stealth. Thinking back after several comfortable years the idea seemed ridiculous. Yet Sasuke could still fear the fire that burnt in his chest, remember the stinging pain as it burnt his cheeks and the wave of pride that had captured his heart when he finally succeeded in his first jutsu. Had an entire generation been wasted now that peace had finally been acquired? Fortunately he knew he wasn't the only one unnerved by the sudden tranquillity and the debilitating effect it had upon his now primal skills; spending so many hours with Neji allowed him to analyse certain quirks and irritations the Hyuga felt and remaining idle was one of them. Having arduously trained his body in an art he had been denied, surly now he felt as if he had been cheated of a time where he could have been of more use?
With Naruto ascending to the position of Hokage the village had been met with a new era of understanding amongst the nations, yet it robbed each villager of a sense of themselves and a purpose they so desperately believed. He missed being a ninja, but he had also come to accept this new lifestyle that seemed to suit him just fine, though there was still a need to complain. A part of his being had, in the space of a few years, become obsolete and maybe this is why he believed he wanted to have a child in the first place; to give him a new purpose to replace the one he had lost.
He contemplated about asking his partner, whom had finished with his chores and had begun to absentmindedly pace about the living room with a pen between his tightly pursed lips, whether or not he really felt the same as Sasuke did.
"You're doing it again." Sasuke muttered with very little humour; Neji's pacing had been much too frequent for his liking, an activity he only practiced whenever he was hiding something from the Uchiha. The question nonetheless caused the pale faced Hyuga to stop in his tracks as his mouth slackened to release the biro he had been gnawing against in frustration. He merely apologised and took the seat opposite Sasuke's position, twirling the small writing instrument between his slender fingers as he stared down at his feet.
"What would we name them?" He purred, a chuckle following closely after when he realised a blush forming across Sasuke's cheeks. In honesty, Sasuke had never considered the name of their future child after ardently believing that Neji would have refused the offer of becoming a father, thus he was somewhat perplexed and slow in his response.
"Susumu, perhaps?" He took a seat next to Neji and leant against his shoulder, embracing the warmth that flowed into him through their innocent touch. Neji thought long and hard about the name, reflecting on the fact that it was a name given to a boy and its supposed meaning. He couldn't help but laugh, warping his arm around Sasuke's waist as he thanked him with a gentle kiss which he planted against the smooth of his forehead.
"I want our child's name to mean something." Sasuke quickly murmured, feeling embarrassed for putting such thought into naming the child. When he thought of the youth they would raise together he wanted a name that would enable people to recognise them as their child, a name that would help define who they were as an individual. People may scoff at him, considering that he was just trying to be intellectual, but he wanted his family to be connected; the name would act as a verbal representation of their bond.
"But why that name," Neji began, looking Sasuke delicately in the eye, "doesn't it mean 'progressing'?" Sasuke nodded before beginning to twiddle his thumbs, attempting to distract himself so that he would not meet the lilac gaze that stared longingly after him.
"It means a lot to me… and to you… 'Progressing'." He repeated the phrase, thinking back to his training as a child, how he sought to better himself and how Neji had met many difficulties in his own life, experiencing more than his own mental barriers but preventions by other individuals. Yet now, such a word and its sentimental meaning, the world they had both lived in was slowly fading; with peace and now war, with no resentment between nations there was no need to train a new generation. In doing so would show doubt and may be perceived as an early stage of betrayal. He did not understand the diplomatic issues involved with the training of ninja's, yet the world was simply becoming less concerned and more focused with domestic issues. Regretfully Neji had become a part of the new era; the Hyuga had expelled themselves to deal with the villages economy, thus his white eyed lover had been reduced to pushing about papers and dealing with finance. This, he was convinced, was not how a once great Hyuga should spend his days. Despite how he felt Neji had spent much of his life in the service of others, hence why he held little qualms when given the position within the new Hyuga business.
Feeling that deliberating on such thoughts would only sour his mood he took Neji's hands in his and smiled, noticing the tired bags under his eyes. Lifting the weary Hyuga to his feet Sasuke continued to lead him to their room, leading him like a child up the small flight of stairs. Soon Neji was thankful to be in his bed, even more so as Sasuke snuggled deep into his side, sharing the warmth of his body to sooth the tensions that had plagued his lover's thoughts that evening.
Sakura didn't know how to start so she simply sat and watched as Naruto ate, the ramen noodles from his bowl disappearing quickly into his open mouth. She didn't mind him eating his preferred meal of choice so long as it was once every two weeks, however Yuudai had also begun to show a penchant for the dish, preferring the noodle based snack over the vegetables she desperately wished for him to eat.
Their son had already ventured off to bed before the two had sat down to eat and eventually talk, yet Sakura found she had some difficulties in finding the right words. She was proud that she had offered to be Sasuke and Neji's surrogate, yet the idea seemed rather embarrassing when it came to talking with her childish husband. Hopefully he wouldn't understand and merely agree upon realising that it would make his two friends happy. He had been more than content to appear at their wedding, having been Sasuke's best man it seemed as if the blonde would burst with pride. As she remembered that wonderful day she couldn't help but picture how handsome Naruto had looked in his tailored suit, stood tall and dignified next to the flushed Uchiha as Neji delivered his vows, his tone elevated and melodic with joy. She felt a lump in her throat form at the reverie which she quickly swallowed before addressing her husband who had now finished and was wiping the sauce from the corner of his smiling mouth.
"Naruto, I've offered to be Sasuke's surrogate." She declared with no hint of hesitation, showing Naruto that was serious as to deter any form of objection. However, the blonde took the comment in his stride and nodded, his smile widening to reveal a row of pearl white teeth. As he sat before her, giddy with excitement, he couldn't help but laugh, probably at some obscene private joke.
"Wow," He exclaimed, leaning back in his chair, "Sasuke and Neji actually want kids." He was more surprised, she believed, with Neji's approval, which she herself had yet to hear though she held no doubts. Naruto then folded his arms and looked towards Sakura with a clouded gaze, signifying a growing worry or mild fear she did not understand.
"If the child is Neji's," his voice was deep and weighed with concern, "then-" She didn't allow him to continue, having quickly raised her hand upon realising the cause for his concern and smiled brightly, the happiness she felt reflected in her green eyes.
"The child will be both Sasuke's and Neji's." She giggled, marvelling at herself for her ingenious plan.
"But if you're the surrogate, wouldn't that mean you'd be the biological mother?" He couldn't quite see things from her angle, perplexed by her words and her hidden thought process. Biology was never his strong point but he knew how children were made, a subject that still irked him to a degree, so how could either Sasuke or Neji be the 'mother'. Surely the child would belong to either one and Sakura? Feeling that she had some obscure motive that he would not understand he allowed that area of discussion to ebb from the conversation, instead focusing more on his two companions.
"Wonder what kind of parent's they will be." He mused, thinking to how stubborn Sasuke could be and Neji's prominent ego and lack of humour. There were however, qualities in both the Uchiha and Hyuga that he admired, some that he envied them for, though he kept such thoughts to himself.
"I'm sure they will be wonderful." Sakura's face beamed with excitement as she contemplated the joy she would bring the two. She ardently believed that if anyone were to be happy in this strange, confusing world, then it was them. Despite her growing delight a burden had been placed against her heart as she considered her seemingly well thought out plan. If the child takes after Neji, she thought, biting her lower lip, then things are going to be complicated.