The Twelve Days of Christmas
The Eighth Day of Christmas: January 1st

x
XX
X X
X X
X X
XX
llllllllllllllllllllll
llllllllllllllllllllll
*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*
*.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *

*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*.*.*
*.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *
*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*
*.*.*On the Eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: eight maids a-milking *.*. *
*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*
*.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*
*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*. *.*

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
*.*.*.*
*.*
*


The usual suspects were assembled for the New Year's brunch, with a few additions.

Itachi and Shisui had come by both to speak with Neji and Hanabi, as well as to touch base with Tenten.

"I am listing you on this case," Itachi informed her, "not as an assignment, but granting you access to the information. Now that Mizuki thinks that you have a relationship with Neji, he might expect to see you occasionally, and you should be kept abreast of all of our findings. I suggest not mentioning where you work."

"To that end," Shisui handed her a folder. "Here is documentation showing that you are a certified personal trainer. Your sense of community spirit leads you to teach at the Y, while your business sense allows you to take on private clients. You can also meet private clients in one of our training facilities that doubles as a private gym. I especially recommend this if Mizuki does approach you."

Tenten flipped through the folder. "You don't think this guy is going to try and have a training session, do you?"

"I think he is going to do whatever he can to find out as much as he can about Neji," Shisui reached for his orange juice. "He's already figured out he can't get around Hanabi – if he wants to pull off anything, he'll have to go through Neji."

"Good luck with that," Naruto chortled.

Tenten narrowed her eyes at Neji. "Anyone ever tell you that as far as fake fiancés go, you are awfully high maintenance?"

"Strangely, that hasn't come up," he smiled into his coffee. "Tell me more about who you think he is trying to contact," Neji motioned to the file. "Maybe that will help us narrow down his possible objectives."

Tenten listened, soaking in all of the information. Both men soon took their leave, reminding her she didn't need to report to work until January fourth for the debriefing prior to their flight to Suna on the fifth.

Tenten left Neji and Hanabi to discuss matters, and joined the others. Naruto and Konohamaru were engaged in an epic gaming battle and the kids were cheering them on. Sasuke was throwing out commentary (mostly calling them both idiots) and Hinata and Sakura were enjoying sitting down for once.

"Join us," Hinata made room on the love seat. "I was just telling Sakura what Itachi told us."

Tenten sank into the comfortable seat. "You mean not acting surprised if people think Neji and I are engaged?"

Hinata's smile was sympathetic. "Considering others might be under the same impression, it is best that we not contradict it."

"I just hope I don't run into any of those people from last night," Tenten shivered.

"Well, at least you gave them something to talk about for the rest of the night," Sakura blew across the top of her mug. "If it's any consolation, I feel your pain – The first time some of those moms realized I was there with Sasuke, I thought someone was going to poison me."

"One did try to serve you shell fish," Sasuke noted, perching on the arm of her double chair. "Thankfully your allergy is mild."

"Thankfully I'm not actually allergic," Sakura snorted. "I just can't stand it, so I tell people I am when I go to events like that – otherwise it seems to always find its way on my plate," she shuddered.

"I'd come clean," Tenten sighed. "But I can't leave his blindspot open like that."

"Well, the good thing is that you won't have to see any of them for a while," Sakura offered. "By the time next year rolls around, you can have a solid story in place."

Neji and Hanabi walked in on that, and Tenten shot him a smile.

"I guess that gives Neji a year to come up with a cover story for the next year when he is down one fiancée. Who knows?" she shrugged "By then, and providing my reenlistment goes through, you might even be able to say you drove me to run off and join the army. It'll be original, if nothing else."

"True," the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. "When I am asked, I'll be sure to highlight that it was my callous disregard of your feelings that ultimately drove us apart."

"Oo," Naruto chimed in over his shoulder. "Real tug-at-the-heartstrings sorta stuff. And I bet they'd believe you to be enough of a bastard to chase a girl all the way into enlisting."

"Now, now," Tenten wagged her finger. "I won't have you talking about my fake fiancé like that, Naruto – at least not until he unceremoniously dumps me; then I'll be the best bitter ex anyone could ask for. Those mothers won't want you in the same county as their daughter."

"Unless you are planning on bankrupting him, too, that ain't gonna happen," Konohamaru snorted.

"I just might," she said airily. "For all you know, I could have incredibly expensive tastes."

"As evidenced by your selection of cars?" Neji baited her.

"No, as evidenced by my weapons collection," her grin was wicked. "It's in Suna right now – but trust me. I can spend some serious cash when motivated."

Neji looked her over.

"I can't tell if I should feel gratified or threatened."

"Which one will convince you to make me a cup of tea?" she asked hopefully.

"Neither," he put his hands in his pockets. "But I'll make you one just the same. The usual?"

"That'd be great," she grinned.

Neji looked to Hinata and Sakura who held up their full cups. With a nod, he slipped away to the kitchen.

Neither he nor Tenten noticed Hanabi and Sakura exchanging a look, or the surprise in the arch of Sasuke's eyebrow.

Hinata hid her smile behind her cup of tea, and thought that perhaps the year was off to a good – if not unconventional – start.


When Tenten mentioned she was going to call Lee, Naruto got an idea.

"Hey, does Lee have Skype?"

Tenten shrugged and Neji said "Yes."

She turned to look at him. "How do you know?"

"Yūgao told me. She didn't want him to only 'see' the condo at Jōnin, so she used it to help him tour a couple of other places."

"But he still picked Jōnin, right?" Naruto's eyes darted between them.

"He did," Neji nodded once (and Tenten sighed a tiny sigh of relief).

Naruto's grin was broad and his excitement contagious.

"So can we skype him?" he grabbed the controller and started going through menus on his TV. "We've got it set up in here, and then we can all say hello!"

"I can ask," Tenten said, hesitantly. "He said that he is largely on light duty as he is transferring, so I guess it is possible."

Neji held up his phone. "He says he'd love to, and to just give him ten minutes."

"Perfect!" Naruto grinned. "What's his username?"

"GreenBeast1127."

"Of course it is," Naruto chuckled.

"Don't know that you have room to talk," Tenten squinted at the screen, "Ramen4Life."

Hinata quietly slipped into the kitchen while Naruto made sure there was room enough on the couch and chairs for them all to see the screen and be seen by Lee.

"We've done this a bunch of times with out-of-town friends, or when my parents travel," Naruto explained. "Good thing the kids are in bed," he grinned. "They go nuts when we do this."

Hinata returned with hot chocolate (cinnamon in Tenten's and Neji's; an unexpected thing they had in common) and was just taking her seat when Lee's call came in.

The large flatscreen soon filled with the image of Lee sitting at his desk in a small office.

"Good morning, friends!" he beamed. "What a wonderful surprise!"

"Hey, Lee!" Naruto waved. "Long time no see!"

"It has been too long," Lee agreed, "but it won't be much longer! Hi, almost-neighbor!"

"Hi, Lee," Tenten giggled, her smile genuine and bright. "Can't wait for you to get here."

"Same here! Hinata, Neji, you are both looking well!"

"So are you, Lee," Hinata curled into Naruto's side on the couch.

"So when are you getting here?" Naruto put an arm around Hinata. "It can't be long now, right?"

"I am waiting to hear which day my flight will be," Lee looked down at the planner on his desk, "but I have to be in Konoha before the fifteenth."

"I'll be back from Suna by then," Tenten picked up her hot chocolate. "Maybe I can pick you up from the airport."

"I'll let you know as soon as I know," Lee promised. "So," he looked over to Tenten and Neji. "Tell me about last night."

"Yeah, Neji," Naruto's whole being radiated amusement. "Tell Lee all about it!"

The full explanation was shared between Neji and Tenten (with, of course, commentary by Naruto who was making up for Hanabi not being there), and had Lee gasping with astonishment at every turn.

"So how long do you intend to let this Mizuki keep his employment?" Lee drummed his fingers on his desk.

"We need to have solid grounds for firing him," Neji reached for his mug. "I suspect that we have that already, but Hanabi and I agree that we need to also consider his outside sources. Terminating him before we discover his objectives or if he is working alone could be counterproductive."

"I wish I could help."

"Not really anything anyone can do, Lee," Tenten shrugged. "If we give him enough time, he'll probably take care of it for us."

"Well, my friends," Lee checked his watch. "It is now 10AM here, and I am leading a training exercise at 1100 hours. I have to go, but it has been great to see you all!"

They chorused their agreement, and after promises of being in touch with Tenten later, Lee signed off.

Hinata collected the empty glasses and took them to the kitchen, with Naruto close behind (probably on his way to raid the fridge)

Tenten stretched out on the couch with a yawn. "It feels later than 9:00."

"Agreed," Neji tried not to yawn. "But given our last few days, that isn't surprising."

Tenten turned to drape her crossed arms over the arm of the couch. "So how is this going to work, really? The whole 'other people think we are engaged' thing."

"Luckily for you, I am known to be a bit of a recluse."

"But you aren't now," she rested her chin on her arms. "You'll be downtown at work every day."

Neji shrugged. "I am rarely visible outside of work; no one will be expecting us to show up places together."

"Not to disagree with you? But I think that is exactly what people will be expecting."

Tenten's phone buzzed in her pocket.

"Hey, Karui. What's up?"

Tenten listened for a few minutes. "Oh, so they came by to see you, huh? Uh-huh. Well, that's true. Sure, I don't have anything going on in the morning, really. Okay. I'll come with a schedule. Yeah, usual time. Thanks, Karui."

She hung up and started tapping out a text.

"Sorry about that," she tucked her phone away. "That was Karui. Itachi and Shisui dropped in to see her, and gave her my 'personal trainer' certification. She's okay with it because in her opinion I more than qualify. The good thing is that it opens up more classes and things for me to teach, so she asked me to come by tomorrow so we can sort out a few things. I sent Itachi a text to keep him posted, and to see if he can give me a better sense of schedule."

"What time will you meet?"

"I was planning on being at the gym by five anyway," she yawned. "That will give us a chance to speak before her six o'clock client. What about you?" she turned and rested her chin on her arms again.

"I have some business to take care of in the morning, and Hanabi and I are meeting for lunch. Other than that, I don't have much planned."

"Hey, Neji," Naruto called into the room. "You going to the game tomorrow?"

Tenten quirked an eyebrow. "Game?"

"I had forgotten," Neji said honestly. "What time is it again?"

"Same as usual. Pregame starts at six; puck drops at seven."

Neji flicked to his schedule on his phone. "I don't have any appointments." He glanced over to Tenten. "Would you like to go?"

Tenten's lips quirked into a smile. "Do you have extra tickets to everything in Konoha?"

"Not usually," he flicked her an amused glance before going back to his phone. "But in this case, the family business has season tickets."

"Yeah, Club-Level season tickets," Naruto clarified. "Great security, food, no lines for the bathroom – it is amazing!"

"And yet you still managed to find a way to get in a fight?"

"Oh, that was on the way out to the parking lot," Naruto waved it away. "You should totally come! It's a really good time!"

"I do love a good game," Tenten looked between them.

"Awesome!" Naruto held out his fist, and she bumped it. "You're gonna love it."

"Been ages since I went to a hockey game," she said, thoughtfully. "It's the Konoha Fire, right? With that fox mascot?"

"Yeah – the nine-tails is part of Konoha legend. The mascot's name is Kurama."

"Which Naruto should know intimately, as he was the mascot in college."

Tenten's eyes went wide. "No way!"

"Yeah," he rubbed the back of his neck. "Kinda fell into the gig at the end of highschool, and it ended up being a great way to make extra cash. I fill in now and then for charity things – like if their normal guy can't make it – but not very often."

"I can see you being awesome at that," Tenten laughed. "In fact, I think I'd pay to see you be awesome at that."

She hid a large yawn behind her laugh, and Neji looked her over. "You'd better get some sleep if you're planning on such an early morning and going to the game."

Tenten nodded behind her hand

"Oh, Naruto – before I forget? Do you think you could help me go by the storage place tomorrow?"

"Sure – what do you need?"

"I just got word from Yūgao – the seller is taking the offer as a rental agreement, and they approved my bringing some things over. She's going to meet me to let me in. That way I can close out the storage unit. If I wait until I get back from Suna I'd owe another month."

"Yeah, I can do that," he gave her a thumbs up. "It's not like you have much in there to begin with."

"Should only be one trip using your truck," she agreed.

"Do you have the essentials?" Neji asked. "Linens, dishes, and the like?"

"I have the things we had at our apartment," she shrugged. "More than enough to get me by while I settle in. I won't buy anything else until I know for sure how the agreement is going down."

"You know if you need anything, we've got you covered, right?" Naruto's eyes were serious. "I know you're going to take your time getting stuff once you're all moved in and figured out what you need, but until then, I'm sure one of us has whatever you're looking for."

"Thanks, Naruto," she stood and folded the blanket she'd had over her legs. "I really appreciate it. I think I'm going to set my stuff out for tomorrow, and get to sleep. Karui will probably talk me into taking her class, and that isn't something you can do half awake."

"No doubt," Naruto laughed. "And your new place is in Jōnin, right? What number?" he started typing in his phone."

"8962," she stretched. "One of the last units built. Near the running trails."

Naruto nodded at his screen. "Got it in the GPS."

"Great," she smiled lazily. "I'm going to turn in." She held her hand out for Neji's empty cup. "See you tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow," he stood, allowing his fingers to brush hers as he took her cup instead. "I'll bring these in. Go to bed."

"Okay," she yawned. "Night, Neji. Night, Naruto," she padded into the kitchen to say good night to Hinata, and was soon on her way upstairs.

Neji joined his cousin in the kitchen, and Naruto trailed behind, studying his phone.

Naruto looked Neji over.

"Did you realize where Tenten and Lee's apartments are in Jōnin?"

"I saw," he began washing his mug. "Definitely one of the nicer locations."

"Yeah," Naruto looked at his phone and then tucked it away. "I'd say so."

"It will be nice for her to be so close to Lee," Hinata took the mug to dry it. "It is important to be close to your friends."

"Hope the rest of her neighbors are nice," Naruto leaned his hip against the counter. "Hate to hear that she had to kick anyone's ass."

"I'm sure her neighbors will be kind," Hinata took the second mug.

She darted Neji a look, and he nodded.

"I am sure they will."

With that, he left to collect his things, leaving his cousin and her husband to stare after him, curiously.