Rating and warnings in first chapter
Author's note: yet again, un-betaed. If my English is really that bad tell me and I will get someone else to beta it for me!

Chapter 04

"I don't mean any harm but as it is my nephew you so openly wooed and are now dating, I do feel the need to ask you." Hiashi explained.

He then paused for a second to take a sip from the cup of tea standing in front of him on the table.

Meanwhile Neji sat silently next to his uncle. He had to refrain himself from calling out embarrassed that he wasn't a girl, thus didn't wish to be treated as one.

But he also understood Hiashi's intentions for this conversation. He would just have to remember that he also needed to tell that to Shikamaru in the near future.

Shikamaru on the other hand was convincing himself that he needn't be nervous. He loved Neji and didn't have any ill intentions towards the Hyuuga family. Thus, he thought, he had nothing to fear of.

And when Hiashi asked him what his intentions with Neji were, he answered truthfully. "I love Neji, I want to make him happy." He said with a small blush and smiled as Neji looked away from him, looking down at the table embarrassedly with a small smile etching his lips.

But Shikamaru's feelings of joy and confidence were struck down as Hiashi, instead of expressing joy that his nephew was being loved and cared about, asked: "And how do you plan on making him happy?"

For a few seconds all Shikamaru could do was wonder what kind of question that was. How could you ask such a thing when the person in front of you was still young and had only an hour ago established the relationship?

Looking for help, he turned to look at Neji who refused to look at him. Shikamaru frowned at that. Was Neji doing this on purpose or had he been told by Hiashi not to help Shikamaru out? Either way, the Nara didn't like it.

Looking at Hiashi, Shikamaru could only hope that his answer would be good enough for the man. "Honestly, I haven't thought of that. But I do plan on being by his side whenever he needs me and support him in whatever decision he makes."

Hiashi had to resist a smile from forming on his lips as he heard Shikamaru speak so honest and loving about Neji. He was very glad that Neji had met such a wonderful young man and couldn't be happier when he had seen the two of them kiss uncomfortably yet loving.

Not that he was a pervert watching his nephew and his boyfriend, he was merely happy that their relationship was progressing.

And Hiashi realized that this conversation would make him look like a bad guy. In fact, he was still ready to storm out of the room and just forget about the entire conversation. But he couldn't do that. He needed to do this and he was grateful that Neji understood that and stayed silent.

All he could hope now was that Neji could explain his boyfriend why this conversation had to take place and wouldn't be too disappointed in Neji for not informing him about the situation.

Hiashi looked at Shikamaru and, although with reluctance, asked: "And when your relationship is put to the test, when people criticize the two of you being together, what will you do?"

Shikamaru frowned. "Whatever I need to do to keep our relationship from falling apart. But I have yet to see someone criticize our relationship." He answered, looking Hiashi in the eyes nervously.

Although defying Hiashi Hyuuga seemed like a very bad idea, Shikamaru thought that that would perhaps show the man he was indeed very serious about dating Neji. He didn't understand where this conversation was going anyway.

Because had he not already shown Hiashi that he wouldn't hurt Neji intentionally? Were his words, letters and actions not enough proof to the Hyuuga? And why was Neji sitting so obediently silent next to his uncle? It wasn't like the brown-haired boy at all.

Of course Shikamaru knew that Neji thought his family important, especially his uncle and nieces. But to not help his boyfriend out while he was almost being interrogated seemed ridiculous in Shikamaru's eyes.

No, something was going on here and Neji knew the details about it but wasn't telling him, probably for his uncle's sake. Shikamaru lowered his eyes, 'that hurts,' he thought to himself.

But, when Hiashi sighed, the boy immediately looked up again, almost frightened at what the older man would tell him this time.

"Unknown to you, there certainly are people who criticize a relationship between two man." Hiashi stated calmly and his eyes showed that he knew perfectly well of what he was speaking. Even Neji fumbled with his fingers in what seemed a nervous gesture at his uncle's words.

With a raised eyebrow and a quivering voice he asked: "Are you one of those people?"

Hiashi, his lips in a thin line and his eyebrows drawn together, answered: "You have guts for asking me that, boy. And I am not. But I can assure you, most of Neji's other family is against the relationship the two of you formed. They expect Neji to have children, you can't give him children." He stated, his voice on the border of anger. Although even Shikamaru understood that the anger was not directed towards him.

At this bit of information Shikamaru gritted his teeth. "And what if Neji doesn't want children?" He asked, knowing Neji would never allow a child to be branded the same way he was. He had heard the other speak of it once and hoped now Neji would finally speak up.

But Hiashi spoke before Neji got the chance to open his mouth. "That is not of importance right now, Shikamaru. I am only interested in knowing if you will be by my nephew's side when he is told to find a suitable woman."

Shikamaru shot Neji a look and caught the other's eyes. He bit his lip softly before saying: "If Neji chooses to stay with me I will. I will not stand by his side if he chooses to find himself a suitable woman, I will not be a dirty secret." Shikamaru finished in a whisper.

His anger towards Neji faded a bit though as he saw him smile a small smile. The only indication so far that Neji would also stay by his side if he was told to break up with Shikamaru.

Hiashi, now smiling slightly, nodded his head. "A careful choice of words and a wise decision." He told Shikamaru and the boy nodded his head gratefully, understanding that now their conversation was finished since he successfully convinced the man he would stay by Neji's side.

When Shikamaru and Neji exited the dining room they were immediately bombed with questions by Hanabi.

The young girl didn't notice Shikamaru's somewhat pained and annoyed expression as she impatiently tugged Neji's sleeve in an attempt to get him to answer.

Neji, wanting to talk to his boyfriend to explain everything, scowled as Hanabi kept asking him personal questions. "Hanabi, not now." He sternly told the girl.

He looked up again, his eyes searching for Shikamaru, only to find the other walking down the hallway. "Shikamaru," he called out.

The brown-haired boy turned around with a faint smile. "Your family is important Neji. I'll meet you in your room." He answered Neji's call and continued walking towards the direction of Neji's bedroom.

Hanabi squealed softly at Shikamaru's words, thinking they were very cute.

But Neji frowned for a short moment. To him the words stung.

He could understand that Shikamaru was slightly upset but he hadn't anticipated his boyfriend to be almost angry with him.

"Hanabi?" Hinata suddenly called out softly.

Hanabi looked at her older sister with a frown. "Yes?"

"Don't you have to practice your aiming skills? I know you promised father."

Hanabi stuck out her tongue and scowled. "Why do you always ruin my fun?" She demanded.

Hinata crossed her arms. "Because your fun could perhaps be hurtful to others. You should think first and then act, not the other way around."

Hinata wasn't the kind of person to scold her sister like this normally. So Hanabi was quite shocked yet very confused.

She turned to Neji, wanting to ask him what Hinata was talking about. Only Neji wasn't paying attention to Hinata and her it seemed.

He looked a little sad, standing still in the middle of the hallway, still looking at the place where Shikamaru had stood.

He sighed softly as he felt his little cousin's gaze on him and smiled somewhat sadly as he looked at her. "Why don't I tell you about it later?" He asked, sounding almost hopeful that she would give up.

Hanabi, picking up on the tone Neji used, instantly felt guilty.

When it came to Neji, she could never help but be excited to know about the things he did and felt. Neji was, in Hanabi's eyes, the older brother whom she loved and respected a lot.

She knew that Neji had a soft spot for her and was never ashamed to use it to her advantage. But sometimes Neji got annoyed with her and normally he told her when he was annoyed with her.

But being hurt and being annoyed was always a big difference with Neji though. Being annoyed meant that, after scolding Hanabi, he would always explain what she wanted to. Being hurt was a bit different with Neji though.

Neji didn't freely talk about his feelings and being hurt wasn't a thing he liked to show people.

And suddenly Hanabi understood what was going on and looked down with shame and guilt written over her face.

Yes, Neji was hurt. But he also knew that Hanabi looked up to him. So, in his own way, no matter how silly it may be, he tried not to show her that he was hurt since perhaps that could ruin her image of her cousin.

If she were honest Hanabi would admit she felt very flattered and honored by that. She also thought it very cute of Neji, not minding that there was a big chance he was doing it unconsciously.

But that didn't take away the guilty feeling that almost seemed to have settled down in her. Because she should've noticed that Neji was reluctant to answer her stream of questions.

From now on she was going to pay attention first and then ask questions, she decided.

"It's all right Neji." She said softly and continued with a small blush on her cheeks as both Neji and Hinata now looked at her. "You don't need to tell me. I'm sorry for asking so boldly." She finished with a small bow.

"It's all right, Hanabi." Neji replied in earnest. He wasn't smiling but Hanabi didn't care.

She simply smiled herself and run off to practice her aiming skills as Hinata had told her to.

When Hanabi was out of sight, Hinata softly asked: "Will the two of you be all right?"

Neji knew she wasn't referring to Hanabi and him and sighed. "If he loves me as much as he says, we will."

"Shikamaru is smart. I'm sure he will understand this talk with father was necessary sooner or later." Hinata offered with a small smile.

But Neji hung his head. "Rather sooner than later because I know someone who'd be happy enough to comfort him."

Hinata, not used to her cousin's dramatic behavior and thinking he was overreacting anyway, rolled her eyes. "Then go talk to him before he gets the chance to flee the property."

TBC.

Author's note:
Well, a short chapter, I know. But this ending seemed best in my opinion. So, does anyone have some feedback for me? I'd love to know what you guys like or dislike about the fic!