Eternal Shadow Goddess: [excited] Okay! New chapter. Thank you all those who review/alerted!

Neji: [turns to her] Welcome back.

Shadow: [smiles at him] Thanks, Neji.

Neji: [gazes at her before smiling softly] I take it you are feeling better.

Shadow: [grins brightly] Yup! I was mad at something but I am over it. I learned something and I won't forget. Besides, I feel like I neglected my duties!

Neji: [suspicious] Why?

Shadow: [grins] I haven't updated in forever so I wanted to put this one up.

Neji: [shakes his head] Glad to see you're happier than before.

Shadow: [still grinning] Me too. Now, let's get this chapter started!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Loveless. I am just a fan-girl who currently likes both.


Chapter 7: Arrival

Hiashi sighed as he rubbed his eyes tiredly. His father had insisted on taking on the issue about Neji into his own hands. He didn't even seem to care that Hiashi preferred to let Neji do as he pleased. After all, Hinata seemed to be doing well enough on her own. But Hiashi's father wouldn't even hear of his eldest granddaughter's improvement. Hiashi, on the hand, continued to watch over his nephew and daughter. Both Hinata and Neji were precious to him. He would try and prevent his father from ruining them both….he had ruined Hanabi enough as it was. Hiashi clenched his teeth angrily. He would be damned if his father ruined his second daughter, much less the last memento that his brother left him as well. Neji smiled softly after Ritsuka and Soubi as they left. "Did you enjoy yourself?" Itachi asked Neji.

"Yes. It was peaceful, which is good considering our first spell battle was only hours before," Neji said. He turned to go back inside until a shrill ringing pierced both his ears and Itachi's ears. Itachi narrowed his eyes. The phone began to ring and Neji cursed.

"They're coming here," Itachi said softly. Neji went inside swiftly, picking up the phone.

"Hello?" Neji said calmly. Itachi's gaze flickered back at him, patiently waiting for him to hang up.

"Neji," Taki said, relieved. "Good. Listen. I've got good news and bad news."

"Now?" Neji asked. "Can it wait for a moment?"

"No. Shikamaru and Temari should already be there," Taki said urgently. Neji frowned in confusion.

"Why should Shikamaru and Temari already be here?" Neji asked patiently. Itachi glanced over, curious as to what was taking his Sacrifice so long.

"Fugaku sent the same Soulless pair after you, Neji," Taki explained. "We figured you might need help so Temari and Shikamaru were sent. We also sent Hinata and Naruto. But they won't be there until at least another day." Neji frowned.

"Do you mean Juugo and Kimimaro?" Neji asked.

"Yes," Taki said. Neji glanced at Itachi. He was well aware of Itachi's connection to this particular pair. He was also aware of their connection to Kisame.

"He's getting desperate then?" Neji asked calmly. Taki sighed.

"Yeah," Taki answered before muttering, "Maybe it was a bad idea….making you fearless." Neji's lips twitched upwards.

"I take it Rin-sensei is scared?" Neji mused.

"Of course. You would be too if you could be. Itachi and Rin will have to be scared enough for you I guess," Taki muttered. The shrill ringing grew louder and Itachi stepped out of the house. Neji pulled the phone away from his ear.

"Itachi. It might be Shikamaru and Temari," Neji called. Itachi glanced back curiously but his gaze or the tension didn't ease. He waited until Shikamaru and Temari came into sight, allowing the shrill ringing to dull and fade. Temari smirked.

"What's up, Itachi?" Temari asked. Shikamaru yawned but simply nodded his greeting, as if simply speaking was a chore or a burden he hadn't wanted to deal with. Still, Itachi was guarded as he regarded them.

"I'm just wondering why you two are here," Itachi said. Temari frowned.

"I guess no one warned you," Temari said softly.

"About what?" Itachi asked softly. Temari opened her mouth but Shikamaru spoke first.

"Better if Neji tells you," Shikamaru interrupted smoothly. Neji sighed.

"Just worry about Rin-sensei," Neji said. "We'll be fine."

"You'll let us know when Shikamaru and Temari arrive?" Taki asked urgently.

"They just came. Itachi is outside with them," Neji explained calmly.

"I see. Good luck. And be careful," Taki said darkly before hanging up. Neji sighed as he hung up. He turned as Itachi, Temari, and Shikamaru walked into the living room. Itachi watched Neji patiently, waiting for an explanation. He wasn't disappointed. Taki sighed as he leaned against the wall after hanging up the phone. Things were going to get ugly soon.

"Worried, Taki?" a voice practically purred. Taki stiffened and glared at the owner of the voice.

"Ritsu," Taki said guardedly. "What do you want?" Ritsu merely gazed at him indifferently.

"I came to check on you and your Sacrifice," Ritsu said causally. "Considering it is because of you two that my two pupils have to head out." Taki shot an irritated glare in Ritsu's direction.

"What's this?" Taki asked dryly. "Ritsu can show concern? Alert the media." Ritsu walked over to him, never failing to notice how tense Taki became or how his gaze filled with slight panic.

"Don't try my patience, boy," Ritsu warned softly as he stopped in front of Taki. Taki was slightly shorter than Ritsu so he had to glare up at him. "I took those students as a favor to you." Taki paled but continued to glare at Ritsu. Ritsu's hand moved swiftly, grabbing Taki's chin. "Just as I allowed Shadow to keep you." Taki swallowed, hard but wisely remained silent, this time. "I see you aren't feeling so talkative now. Good." Ritsu released his chin and turned, beginning to walk away.

"Wait," Taki called. "It's because of the Uchiha." Ritsu's stride never faltered.

"So you have mentioned," Ritsu said calmly. Narrowing his eyes, Taki stalked after him.

"So will they be all right?" Taki asked flatly.

"Against Soulless? They will survive," Ritsu responded. He should have left it at that. Taki knew that he should have allowed the conversation to end with that. But, against his better judgment, Taki continued it with another question.

"If you hear anything…." Taki began.

"You will be one of the first to know," Ritsu said calmly. "You should hurry back to your Sacrifice. You know how she worries." Taki hesitated.

"This doesn't change anything," Taki said darkly before changing direction, heading for Rin.

"No, I suppose not," Ritsu mused. Neither of them looked back as they walked away from each other. On a bus headed towards town, a young boy looked out of the window before turning to his companion. His companion had his eyes closed, as if he were sleeping. However he knew his companion wasn't.

"Kimimaro," he said softly. His companion, Kimimaro, opened his eyes and looked at him.

"Yes, Juugo?" he asked. Juugo met Kimimaro's gaze steadily.

"Our target," Juugo began. "Neji Hyuuga. Is this truly all right?" Kimimaro sighed and turned his gaze towards the window.

"Juugo, it is Father's will," Kimimaro said patiently. "Whatever he asks of us, we will carry out." Juugo nodded solemnly.

"The Hyuuga will be furious. This will violate the agreement," Juugo stated softly. Kimimaro nodded, not denying the truth of the statement.

"Will you leave me?" Kimimaro asked quietly. Juugo instantly grabbed Kimimaro's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze as he caught Kimimaro's gaze steadily.

"Never," he vowed.


Eternal Shadow Goddess: Okay. That was sorta difficult.

Neji: [raises an eyebrow] How so?

Shadow: [glanced over] Well, it felt forced, I guess.

Neji: [shakes his head] You haven't updated in a year.

Shadow: [sulks] What's your point?

Neji: My point is that naturally that it would feel a bit forced, considering it's you.

Shadow: [thoughtful] I guess you have a point…hey, just what do you mean by that?

Neji: [smirking] If you can't figure it out then there is no point in explaining.

Shadow: [fuming] Of all the…why I oughta…..

Neji: [smirks at readers] As one of the main characters, I will ask this one time and one time only. Please review and on behalf of Eternal Shadow Goddess, thank you once again for reading for this insanity.

Shadow: [stunned] Did you just…Neji….are you…. [Faints]

Neji: [smirks, pleased with himself]