Disclaimer:I do not own Naruto or any of its respective characters. This fanfiction is for entertainment purposes only. (Mostly my amusement.) However, if I DID own Naruto, it would be called "Neji and Hinata: Byakugan Babies Galore!" That has a nice ring to it...
Author's Note:Warning: Hentai, Hentai! Gratuitous Lime Alert! Sexual Situations and Otherwise Frisky Behavior! You have officially been warned, people. There is a lot of citrus in this Gift. Some of you will probably hate me and call me a perv. That's okay. I am a hentai perv, and I will proudly admit to it. Now, back to the important part... This is Wake of Storm - Part One. Six weeks have passed since the events in the last installment. Part Two is over halfway complete, and I was originally going to post it all at one time, but once I got to 11,932 words... I decided to break the chapter up into two parts. That way, I can give you all a little something, while you wait for the rest. I must thank you all for bothering to read my fics. I know sometimes it takes a long time for an update, but the wait is worth it, right? I sure hope so, anyway. So, please enjoy this installment. I worked really hard, for long odd hours to get this written for you all, so don't forget that I need reviews. Encouragement is the key to a happy author, and when your author is happy, you'll get your fanfiction a lot faster! :grins:
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Wake of the Storm
Part One
Blasted window!
Hyuuga Neji slipped his fingers into the narrow space between the window and sill, then pulled up while bracing his hunched body on the ledge outside of Hinata-sama's bedchamber. Never did he imagine that he would stoop so low. But what was he supposed to do? He didn't have anywhere else to go.
After the long journey home from the Land of Waves, he'd been relishing the thought of sleeping on his own futon. While the B-ranked escort mission hadn't been particularly exciting, he was tired of sleeping on the forest floor, or a tree, or some dingy old mattress from some hole in the wall inn along the way. So, when he had arrived, he'd gone straight to his room on the first level of the Main House– only to find that it had been emptied, all of his belongings having been removed.
He bared his teeth as he strained to open the window. It was stuck, maybe even broken. He increased the force, and it jolted up with a thud, ruining the silence around him. Neji cringed, but not surprisingly, no one came rushing to his Heiress' aid. He peeked his head inside. In fact, the Heiress herself hadn't even awakened.
Neji slipped inside and dropped his shoulder pack onto the floor, then set to work lowering the window, locking the damn thing and drawing the curtain. When he finished, he inhaled a long breath– and sighed. He was safe. No one would even know he was here. He frowned. Hinata-sama should know. She should be laying in wait for him after all that noise. Instead, she was sprawled out on her oversized princess bed, with its gaudy wooden posts and lace drapery. Just what kind of kunoichi was she supposed to be, anyway?
However, his frown softened as he regarded her sleeping form. Perhaps he should just be thankful that he hadn't been caught. Soon, the remnants of his frown reshaped themselves into a broad smile. And, perhaps he should count his blessings. After all, Hinata-sama was half-naked and asleep, locked in her room with him. His mouth began to water. Oh, how many of his fantasies had begun in just this way!
Neji turned his head, burning his focus onto her dresser, and the useless trinkets she collected there. He could not allow his mind to wander off like that! Hinata-sama would hate him if he acted upon such urges. That was why he turned away; to stare at anything... anything but her– or her thin body, covered only in a flimsy satin slip... He swallowed. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that she would sleep in such a garment. He took a moment to quiet his breathing. She just looked so delicious...
He advanced toward the dresser, once again forcing his thoughts away from her, and was surprised to find that old marble tucked away with her mother's heirloom jewelry. His expression began to soften further, as he recalled the argument that had led to her possession of the toy. She always did say it was very valuable to her. He kept his eyes moving, resting them only when he spotted the kunai he'd given her. He knew it was his because of the red tape he'd covered the hilt with before leaving her with her Matron. Although, Hinata-sama had replaced it with red ribbon. His frown returned. She was supposed to keep it with her at all times. Obviously, she still didn't take her safety seriously.
Neji returned his gaze toward Hinata, as she shifted around on the bed. She looked a bit troubled in her sleep, perhaps even frightened. Her breath was short and erratic, and her mouth was parted, while her head moved slowly, back and forth. She brought a hand to rest lightly upon her clavicle and her fingertips brushed against the skin that was not covered by the thin slip.
"N-N-Niisan..." She squealed.
Neji's eyes grew wide and full, while he sucked a breath of air in through clentched teeth. The tension in her voice... So hypnotic...
He walked toward her, watching– staring as she writhed around on the sheet, having long discarded the heavy comforter. As she twisted around, her slip rode up in the most interesting places. The soft curve of her bottom. Her pale inner thigh. One strap hung loosely around her arm, threatening to reveal her most prized attribute. They were fantastic, of course; small and pert, and quite visible through the thin fabric covering them.
Neji released his held breath, slowly as he knelt down beside her. He planted his hands on the sheet just next to her, bunching it up in tight fists. What to do, what to do? His hands had ideas of their own, but he would not allow them to override his conscious mind. Hinata-sama was helpless and completely unaware. She would never forgive such a breach of trust, nor would he be able to forgive himself. He just had to stay in control.
He licked his lips. But... one little kiss wouldn't matter, would it?
He hovered over her, his face lingering so close to hers that he felt her sweet breath against his lips. Just one. Just one kiss, then he would wake her up to ask the question that had brought him here in the first place.
Neji moistened his lips one last time, before carefully pressing them onto hers. Her mouth was still parted, and as she breathed against him, he had to resist the urge to plunge his tongue inside her warm crevasse. He clamped his jaw shut, while shivers ran a course up and down his spine. He pressed against her harder, until her back arched and she gasped, then grazed her teeth against his lower lip.
She giggled. "Mmmm... Niisan..."
Neji couldn't take it anymore, and slid his hot organ into her mouth, writhing it around to tease and coax her own. She tasted like cool mint, crisp and refreshing. His breath became heavy, and his hands found their way to her slim shoulders, where he grasped the hand that she had earlier placed upon her clavicle. He moved it onto the cool sheet, while his other hand slid into the silken strands of indigo surrounding her nymphet face.
He drank her in, fully and completely, savoring every mewl, each gasp and squeak. She was his, even in her sleep. Then, her eyelids began to flutter, and he pulled away.
"Hinata-sama," he whispered, brushing her hair away from her eyes. He told himself he did it because he wanted her to see him clearly, not because he needed to touch her. He leaned over her again, trailing gentle fingertips from the palm of her hand, to her shoulder, throat, and finally to her exquisitely soft breast. He rubbed a thumb over her nipple, eliciting a long gasp. "Hinata-sama," he said again. "Wake up, hime."
Her face wrinkled, and her eyes fluttered as she was slowly roused from sleep. Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips, before a stream of warm breath washed over Neji's face. He shuddered, allowing his eyes to roam her porcelain skin, once again.
"Niisan..." She breathed. "What are you..." Her back arched slightly, and she giggled again.
Neji froze above her, watching her face shift from coy, to flushed, and finally, into mischief. Her mouth opened and she gasped, then sighed in a luxuriously languid way he hoped he'd get to see again.
Dear Gods! What was she dreaming of?
"Hinata-sama," he squeezed the back of her neck a bit, and her dreamy eyes cracked open a hair's width. "Wake up."
"Hmmm?" She snuggled into his touch. "Neji..." Then, her eyes widened, "Neji?" And that lovely blush began to fill her cheeks with color. "N– Neji-niisan? H-How did you get in my room?!" She sprang up on the bed, and her tiny breasts were positioned perfectly in his line of sight.
"I..." He stared for a moment before answering her question. "I snuck in through the window," he confessed, pointing toward the drawn curtains and forcing his eyes to meet her flustered gaze.
"Why?" She slipped the fallen strap back upon her shoulder. She was upset, and rightly so. However, Neji still needed answers. Then he would leave and they would never speak of this again-- and no one would ever know. But, the girl did something that he did not expect. She yawned.
Stretching out her limbs and arching toward him, Hinata-sama was the picture of nubile beauty. Neji closed his eyes, blocking out the image before him. Unfortunately, he could not block the images forming in his mind; images of his mouth clasped firmly over her...
"What time is it?" She asked, interrupting that blissful thought.
"I don't know. It's late," he answered. What was she doing? Did she even care that he was looking at her like this?
Hinata collapsed back onto the bed. "Well," she yawned again, "go away, and don't come back until a reasonable hour." She proceeded to pull her comforter over her petite frame, snuggling under it. "I'm going back to sleep..."
Neji's brows creased together. "You're not going to dismiss me that easily!" He ripped the blanket off, and she squealed. He did not come all this way just to watch her sleep, tempting though it was. Besides... His mouth curled into a smirk. She was just being a tease, anyway.
"Niisan! What do you want?" The Heiress sat up again, but couldn't look him in the eye this time.
"I want a lot of things, Hinata-sama..." He trailed off, finding it very difficult to focus on anything but her smooth, creamy skin.
"Well, what do you want right now? Why are you in my room?" She grasped a hold of her own wrist, fiddling with her shinobi bracelet.
The prodigy, however, found his focus dwelling on her deliciously creamy thighs, as she crossed one leg over the other. "I wanted... to ask... you... a question, so..." He wondered just what those thighs would feel like with him nestled between them...
Silence filled the seconds as they ticked by, awkwardly.
"So... what, niisan?" The Heiress demanded when he did not complete his sentence.
His eyes shot to hers, and he hated the heat spreading over his cheeks. "So, put some clothes on, Brat-sama!" He folded his arms and turned his back on her, fuming in what might be called embarrassment if he were anyone else. Why was she acting like this? He thought she wanted this behavior to stop, but she was doing everything she could to provoke him!
"Fine," Hinata slid off the bed, brushing past him on her way to the closet. His eyes were closed, so he didn't realize that he was facing the wrong way– until he opened them, catching an eyeful as she pulled the slip over her head, revealing the flawless skin of her back, and a pair of tiny ruffled panties with little strawberries all over them.
Neji made a strangled gasp, and she turned, ignoring her own state of undress. "What's wrong, niisan?" She started toward him.
What's wrong? Was she insane? Did she not realize that she was completely exposed? What was wrong with her? She could not possibly be that naive! He refused to believe it, but she kept coming... and he couldn't keep his eyes off her.
"Hinata-sama..." He felt that familiar heat streak through him, flooding his cheeks and– other places. "Please, Hinata-sama," he struggled to stay upright. "For your own good, don't come any closer..." Then, the prodigy's knees buckled, and Hinata grabbed hold of him, trying to steady him on his feet. But, his legs gave out anyway, and they fell.
The two Hyuugas landed gracelessly upon the bed, with Hinata pressed against Neji from above. "Niisan! What happened?!" Then she giggled, regarding his face. It was twisted in absolute shock, becoming redder and redder as the pressure built up in his sinuses. He pursed his lips together, while a thin stream of crimson leaked out of his nose.
By the Gods in Heaven...
"Get off me!" He struggled, pushing at her with one hand. That was a mistake of course, but he only realized that after her firm breast had filled his rough, calloused palm.
She sucked in a sharp breath, and his hand began to tremble. "N-N-Nii– Nii– " She couldn't say anything. She couldn't even move. Neji had rendered her speechless... But, registering her lack of complaint, he slowly wiped the blood from his nose with the back of his other hand, then took the liberty of squeezing her little mound. She gasped, but did not try to move off of him.
Neji smirked, resting his free hand on the curve of her hip. He slid the other one down her torso, to also rest upon her hips, where he squeezed them both, rocking her forward a little. Finally, her sense of modesty caught up with her, and her tiny hands shot up to conceal her pert femininity.
Now she turned red, then fell backward, onto the floor.
"Niiiiiisaaan!" She shrieked.
"I told you to put some clothes on!" He shouted back at her, as he sat up on the bed. This was just as much her fault as it was his. She could have stopped him.
"Just get me something!" She sobbed. "To cover myself with, niisan! Hurry! Anything! Please!"
"Brat-sama!" He leapt off the bed. She was such a helpless little twit. He stalked toward her bathroom door, and yanked her fuzzy, purple robe off the hook. Neji sauntered back to her, dropping it on her head. She scurried into the thing, wrapping herself up as though she were wearing a kimono. After she stood, freaking out with her back turned for about a minute and a half, she spun around to face him while twisting her hands together, bracelet jangling in nervous tension.
"I apologize," she blurted out. "I– I don't know what came over me." She was so red, like a candied apple. "I was as-s-sleep, and I was h-having this d-d-dream and... well... and then you were here, and then I was so exc-c-c-cited about you being h-home... and um-- well?" She stood, self-consciously awaiting his response. He gave none. "Niisan, say something!" He did not; only raised an eyebrow. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? I-- I don't know..." Her voice fell into the softest whisper he'd heard since he'd left on his last mission. "I don't know what happened," she lowered her head.
"I find that hard to believe," Neji rolled his eyes.
He watched as embarassment fled, leaving only indignation behind. "Well, what did you come here for, huh?" She accused, placing her hands upon her hips. "It sure seems like you came here to seduce me!"
"Seduce you!" The Hyuuga prodigy stomped over to his Heiress. He grabbed the hair at the base of her neck, yanking her into a position of complete submission. His other arm circled her waist, while her porcelain throat was presented to his soft, waiting lips "If I wanted to seduce you, you'd be a squealing, moaning heap on the floor. You couldn't resist me if you tried." Then, he teased her with his breath and a few gentle licks. "A wonderful reason it would have been, but that isn't why I came here." He sneered. "Of course, if you want me to seduce you, I'd be happy to oblige." Neji smirked, and her whole body trembled. "That is what you want, isn't it, Hinata-sama?"
"N-N-No!" She strained. "I j-just want you to s-stop hurting me!"
"Liar," he hissed into her ear. Then he licked her earlobe, long and slow.
Hinata melted in his grip, as his tongue roamed her throat. The Heiress arched into him, panting as he tore her robe open with his teeth. He kissed down the center of her chest, groping her bottom through the fuzzy material. Bunching the robe up in his fists, he hooked his middle fingers under her strawberry panties and pulled the garment up, then slipped his hands inside to firmly grasp her naked cheeks.
"Gods, Hinata-sama..." He grinded his hips against hers. "Will you let me do what I want to you?" Hinata began to struggle, thrusting her body in an attempt to free herself. Fortunately for him, his hold was absolute. "Do you really hate me so much?" He asked. "Won't you just let me love you?"
"I don't have to let you do anything! This is my room, and I want you to leave!"
"Why?!" He thrust her back toward the bed. "I've been gone for six weeks. What have you been up to in my absence?" She shoved at him, then he pinned her down on the matress. "Or better yet... Why were you wearing that flimsy wisp of cloth? Did you wear that under some cute dress that I've never seen? Did you wear it for Sasuke?" His tone was cutting.
"What kind of question is that?" Hinata pleaded.
"A perfectly legitimate one." He answered.
Hinata's lip quivered, and her eyes swelled with tears. "I haven't done anything wrong!" She sobbed.
"Then, answer the fucking question!" The prodigy snapped.
"Alright!" She finally wailed. "I w-went out with Sasuke! It was a p-party! At Ino's!"
"So, you snuck out of the compound. And what did you do at this party?" His moonlight gaze burned into her. "Did Sasuke touch you?"
Now, her eyes swelled with fear. "No," she assured him, most seriously. It was a practiced lie, one that she had worked hard to perfect during these last six weeks. Unfortunately for her, he could still read her like open book.
"Don't lie to me, Hinata-sama. It's written all over your face."
"Niiiiisssaaannn..." She attempted to plead for sympathy, spicing up her little act.
"That's not going to work tonight," he flashed a feral grin.
The Heiress' brows drew together in uncertainty and fear. "N-N-Neji-niisan?" She squeaked, sounding more weak and forlorn with each passing moment. Good. He had her just where he wanted her.
"Tell me what else has changed since I've been gone," the prodigy cooed. "Like my room." He dipped his head into the crook of her neck. "What happened, Hinata-sama?"
"Your r-room?" She squeaked again.
"Yes, Hinata-sama. My room," he nipped her neck and she gasped, before fluttering her eyelashes the way she always did when he took his teeth to her throat. "Where are my belongings, Hinata-sama? Where am I supposed to go?" He bared his teeth. "Back to the Branch House? Back to my mother's house?" He smothered his helpless cousin in a fierce kiss.
Suddenly, a new awareness dawned on the Heiress, and her eyes widened to the size of glorious full moons. Now, he was getting somewhere.
Neji released her lips. "They didn't tell you?" she gasped when the breath returned to her lungs. "Why didn't anyone tell you?" She drew out the words in a long, bratty whine that was only compounded by her ragged breath.
"Tell me what?" The prodigy sneered. If she didn't hurry up and come out with it, he was going to... Well, he didn't know what he'd do, but it wouldn't be nice, that was for sure!
Hinata squeezed her eyes shut to escape his brutal glare. "You've been m-moved!" She answered. "Now, l-let me g-go!"
Neji's eyes narrowed, and his face curled into a scowl. "That doesn't tell me anything, Hinata-sama." Then, the scowl was replaced by a vicious, searing smile. "If you don't have any useful information," he forced her wrists together, clutching them in one hand. He then slipped the other hand into her loosened robe, "I'll just take something else," he hissed. It would serve her right for playing games.
"Stop, niisaaa-- mmmmm..." He smothered her protest in a deep, passionate kiss. When he released her this time, she bit down, making her lip bleed. She looked so flustered, so pretty... and that color just looked so good on her...
"Hinata-sama," he licked his own lips, whispering into her neck as he positioned her in the middle of the bed. His eyelids hung low as he took in her nervous shivering. He chuckled. She couldn't possibly be cold with him stretched out on top of her. "I want to be your first," he whispered.
The fear in her eyes thrilled him to no end, and he grinned, flashing brilliant white teeth.
"They m-m-m-moved... y-y-you..." Her teeth began to chatter. She really was scared. Neji removed his hand from her robe, pressing it against her thigh instead. "Ahhh..." She gasped as his fingers explored the smooth flesh. He could feel the change coming over him again, but this time he didn't think he wanted to stop. Hinata-sama, however, had more willpower than he'd given her credit for.
The Heiress slipped her wrists free from his grasp, while the prodigy was frozen with distraction. "The elders dec-c-cided that room was n-no longer ap-p-propriate for you, niisan," she explained. "As my protector." She planted her palms against his chest. "So, they m-moved you..." She gulped. "Into the the suite n-next to m-mine..." Her voice fell to a soft whisper.
Neji's mouth fell open, as he stared at his little cousin worrying that swollen lip.
"They were supposed to tell you," Hinata repeated. "But, I guess you came home too early. Nobody was expecting you until tomorrow evening." She met his eyes, matching his shock with resolve. "If you get off me," she said, "I can give you the keys."
Keys? To Hinata-sama's room?
Neji slid off of her, looming next to the bed. He didn't say anything. What was there to say?
Hinata pulled the fuzzy robe closed, tying a knot so tight, he didn't think she'd be able to get herself out of it later. "I have them right here, Neji-niisan," she rushed over to her dresser. After pulling out her top drawer, (her underware drawer, he'd noticed), she rumaged through it for a while, finally emerging with a simple ring with two keys attached to it. "This key is for the lock on your own door into the hallway," she said, moving shyly toward him. "The other one..." She blushed. "The other one goes to this door." The Heiress pointed toward the door next to her closet.
Neji snatched the keys from her, then stalked toward the door ajoining her room with the previously empty suite next to it. He slid the appropriate key in, turned the lock, then opened the door into a room nearly as large as Hinata-sama's. All of his things had indeed been moved there, including his blessed futon.
"I see," he finally spoke. This was not what he had expected. Not at all.
"So..." Her eyes wandered the ceiling. "N-now that you know... would you mind l-leaving now?"
He swung his head around, giving her the fiercest glare he could manage. "So eager to be rid of me, Hinata-sama?"
"N-No!" She insisted. "It's just that... well, tomorrow is an... important day, and um..." She lowered her gaze to the floor.
Neji scowled. "Fine. Whatever, Hinata-sama. I'll see you in the morning," he scoffed, turning his back on her. He stalked back toward her window to retrieve his pack, before stepping over the threshold and into his new room, then slammed the door shut in his wake. He huffed, then turned around and activated his Byakugan. Neji saw Hinata relax and throw her head back in a long sigh. She walked back to her bed, pulling something from the pocket of her fuzzy purple robe.
The Heiress unfolded the large, square cloth, holding it up to her nose. She had a peaceful expression now, then slid the cloth down to her chest, where she held it there, close to her heart. Neji's eyes narrowed, as he focused his Byakugan onto the cloth-- and the Uchiha crest embroidered on it!
"Sasuke..." He hissed. Just what had his Heiress been up to while he was gone? "Hn." No matter. He was back now, and Uchiha Sasuke wasn't the one with a room right next to hers-- or a key to unlock the door...
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Hyuuga Hinata stood at her dresser after having bound her chest in impossibly tight bandages, as well as slipping on her favorite pair of polkadot panties. The rest of her clothes lay neatly across her bed, while she stared into the marble held within her delicate palm.
Neji...
She glanced back at her bed, and the handkerchief folded next to her fishnet undershirt.
Sasuke...
She shook her head. What was she going to do?
The Heiress rubbed her lips together in an attempt to avoid nibbling on the bottom one. The two yellow V-shapes within the marble taunted her with a clear vision of her future with Neji. She could not recall a time when she didn't hope to spend her days with him. But, now... Now, Neji was such a burden to be around; so clingy and possessive and mean. She took a hand to her throat, lightly stimulating the skin, while remembering Neji's none to gentle ministrations only hours earlier. She shuddered. She liked what he did to her, every bit of it. He knew she did, too, just as he knew she remembered the promise she'd made to him after Hizashi's death: to be his, and no one elses. However, that did not change the situation they found themselves in now. She was still betrothed to Sasuke, and somehow the Uchiha had convinced her to give him a chance.
She slunk toward the bed and reached for her pants, while pinching the marble between two fingers. She slipped her legs inside, pulling them up her thighs when a loud, obnoxious and utterly unwelcome thumping sounded from the room next door. She focused wide, white eyes on the door separating her room from Neji's. Was he trying to beat her door down?
"Hai, niisan! What do you want?" Hinata called.
"I can't hear you! I'm coming in, Hinata-sama!" Neji called back.
Hinata nearly jumped out of her skin when the lock clicked open and the knob turned. The Heiress tried to pull her pants up in one tug, but forgot that she was standing on the pants legs. She only succeded in tugging her feet out from under her.
"Owww!" She hit the floor. The door creaked open and Hinata was mortified. Her pants were around her knees, and she was splayed out on the floor in nothing other than kunoichi bandages and polkadot panties. All of that was quickly forgotten, when she realized that her marble had rolled into the dusty space beneath her dresser. "Oh, no!" She wailed.
"Hinata-sama?" Neji stepped into her room. "What are you doing?" He interrogated. "Are you ready yet?"
"Get out, niisan!" She shrieked, while stretching her arm to reach under the dresser, and tugging her pants up over her hips with the other.
Neji didn't say a word upon entering, only stared at her awkward position. Hinata was compelled to press her face as close to the cold wood floor as possible; anything to avoid his gaze.
She sneezed. She could just stay here. Maybe he would get the hint. Maybe he would leave.
The Hyuuga prodigy knelt down beside her, placing a firm hand upon her rear.
Maybe not...
Neji chuckled. "Hinata-sama..." He squeezed her, and she blushed crimson. "Do you need my assistance?" He inquired, gripping her pants and pulling them up and over her bottom.
"Th-Th-Thank you, niisan," she squeaked.
He wrapped an arm around her, lifting her up slightly. "Anything else I can do, Hinata-sama?" She finally gave in and sank her teeth into her lip again.
"S-Sure," she answered, desperately trying not to stare at his smirking mouth. "Y-You could... get my m-marble for me... please, niisan?"
"Hn." He reached under the dresser, easily retrieving the little sphere. If only she could have done that... "Is this satisfactory, Hinata-sama?" he held it up to her face.
"F-Fine, Neji-niisan..." Her eyes wandered around, while her arms circled her wrapped chest. "Um..."
"Not planning on going to school like this, are you, Hinata-sama?"
The Heiress sprang to her feet, followed immediately by Neji. "No!" She answered. "I-- I have to get dressed!" She gave a nervous laugh. "Would you please--"
"I have a gift for you," he interrupted, placing the marble back amongst her mother's jewelry, "from the Land of Waves."
Hinata backed up against the edge of the bed. She snatched up her undershirt and pulled it frantically over her head, before zipping and buttoning her pants properly. She still couldn't look at him. This was even more embarassing than last night...if that were possible.
"How thoughtful of you, niisan, but I don't really n-need anymore gifts."
"But, I picked them out especially for you." He stepped closer. "Don't you even want to see?"
Her brows creased together. Was it her imagination, or was Neji trying to be nice?
"I promise you will like it, Hinata-sama." He smiled. "Close your eyes." She didn't, but that didn't stop him.
Neji advanced on her, holding her captive within his arms before she even thought to breathe. He kissed her lightly upon the lips, then placed a previously unseen white box into her sweating palms. Stepping back now, he watched as she shakily peeled the top off.
Within the box, lay about a dozen gorgeous, irridescent shells. Some were the size of a mere nickel or quarter, while others were the size of her fist. Her mouth parted. He had thought of her while he was away. He had scoured the beach, searching for something beautiful to bring back to her. A small squeak escaped Hinata's lips. Niisan...
"Do you like?" He asked.
"Hai, niisan," she blushed again. "They are lovely," she admired her new prize.
"Not as lovely as you," he said. Hinata's heart could have lept from her chest at that moment. "But, there's one more thing," he insisted. Neji grasped one of her hands, then slipped a small object into it.
"What is it?" She asked. He only shrugged.
"Open your hand and find out," he said.
Hinata did as she was told, and found in the center of her palm, a small spiral-shaped pearlescent shell, that matched her eyes perfectly. The Heiress gasped upon noticing the tiny ring drilled into it. Neji lifted the shell from her hand, then attached it to her shinobi bracelet.
"For you, Hyuuga-hime, though it does you little justice."
The Hyuuga Heiress blushed a shade of red beyond anything she could recall. What was he doing? Was Neji really trying to woo her? He didn't seem too concerned that she'd been out with Sasuke the night before. Of course, Hinata was glad he didn't know the whole story, because she'd been out with Sasuke a lot more than once while he was away.
"Ahem," Neji cleared his throat. "Well, we really should be going now, Hinata-sama. You don't want to be late for class," he said in that familiar, early morning sternness. Then, he turned and left through the door from whence he'd come.
Hinata was dumbfounded. What was that about, anyway? And why was she more confused than ever?
She sat down on the bed, playing with her new charm. Soon, she glanced down at the folded handkerchief beside her. She swallowed a dry lump in her throat. The Uchiha crest was unmistakable. Could it be that Neji had not noticed? She frowned. No, he had noticed. They didn't call him a genius for nothing. But, why he decided not to broach the subject was the mystery she couldn't solve.
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"Hinata-chan?" Sasuke leaned toward her at the lunch table. "So, I hear your cousin has returned," he began. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, Sasuke," she answered in a monotone voice.
"Sasuke-kun," he corrected.
Hinata rolled her eyes. "Sasuke-kun," she repeated. The Hyuuga Heiress sighed, then gripped onto her braceleted wrist. "Just leave me alone, Uchiha," she said. "I have too much to think about right now."
"Care to share some of it with me?" He draped his arm across her shoulder. "Remember, if you need to cry, you always have a handkerchief," he reminded her of the gift he'd given her six weeks ago. Perhaps too much time had passed. He'd noticed the new spiral shell charm that had appeared after Hyuuga Neji had returned from the Land of Waves. He'd also noticed the two bird seal charms that had appeared right before he left. He was losing the race, and needed to secure her attention soon. It was easy enough when Neji wasn't around. Hinata-chan was still a girl, after all. But, now that he had returned... Well, Sasuke didn't think he'd be getting any more quality time with his girlfriend.
He smirked. Girlfriend. Yeah, that sounded about right.
"Come here," he pulled her flush against his chest. She didn't resist, even with all the eyes following them. She'd finally begun to relax at school, and for that he was hopeful. Although, she looked pretty relaxed last night. "Nervous about tonight?" He asked.
"A little," she answered in that quiet voice. That wasn't the whole story, he knew, but wouldn't be able to question her properly with everyone staring.
He took a moment to glare at his peers, most of whom immediately turned away. A few persistant hold-outs were soon distracted when Naruto jumped up on a table, dancing around like an idiot with a bag of barbeque chips held above his head. A narrow-eyed Akimichi Chouji soon joined the blonde freak atop the table, and the two battled for the chips like the idiots they were.
"Dobe..." Sasuke spat.
"What did you say?" Hinata stared up into his coal black eyes.
Finally...
"Nothing," he answered, smoothly. The Uchiha offered a small smile to the sad look in her glossy eyes. "You want to go for a walk?"
Hinata kept her pale orbs trained on him. "Hai," she whispered.
Sasuke stood, then helped his girlfriend step over the bench. They walked side by side through the oblivious crowd. It seemed Naruto and Chouji were most entertaining, as he and the Heiress managed to slip practically unnoticed out of the cafeteria.
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Hinata held loosely to Sasuke's hand as he led her across the Academy lawn. The day was half over, but truly had yet to begin for her. She was leaving early, any minute now really, because Neji was scheduled to escort her home to begin preparations for the dinner party. She looked toward Sasuke. It wasn't a real social event, just another way for their families to formaly recongnize eachother.
"You'll be fine, you know," Sasuke snapped her train of thought. "I can't wait to see you tonight," he said.
She answered with a groan. "Sasuke, I don't think this is going to--"
"What?" He pulled her to a halt. "Your cousin's been back for one day, and he already has you convinced that you belong to him?"
"No..." She fiddled with her bracelet. "It's just that... things are so--"
"Don't say it's complicated," he scoffed. "That's just a cop-out."
Her eyes widened, and her mouth hung open in shock. "Who do you think you are?" She snapped, after finally regaining her wits.
"Uchiha Sasuke," he smirked. "Your future husband, and father to your Sharingan babies."
Her frown deepened into a scowl, and she hissed: "I wouldn't have babies with you, if you were the last living Uchiha, married or not."
He stepped closer, looming over her with his slight height advantage. "What if Konoha needed the Sharingan? Would you do it then?"
She huffed, folding her arms and turning away. "This is a pointless conversation."
"Then, you would do it," he raked a hand through raven hair. "Always the loyal kunoichi," he chuckled.
Hinata glared briefly at him. "You really annoy me sometimes, Uchiha."
"And you're really cute," he countered.
Damn him... And damn that blasted blush!
"You're feeling better already," he grinned. "I see a smile in your future, Hinata-chan."
He was right. She couldn't help herself. The smile began tugging at her lips, and try as she might, she couldn't banish the wretched expression. It bloomed across her face like a beautiful flower, and she was rewarded by Sasuke's lips pressing softly upon her own. The Heiress relaxed against him, letting his mouth roam a bit more freely across her jaw and neck. This was wrong. She should not be allowing Sasuke to take such liberties, but it was hard to say no when he made her troubles feel so light...
"S-Sasuke-kun..."
Her suitor pulled back a bit, black eyes following something in the distance. Hinata turned her head-- and immediately regretted the action.
Neji. Neji was glaring at them from the gate. How long had he been there? How much had he seen? Dear Gods! He could have seen everything!
"N-Niisan!" She ripped herself from Sasuke's embrace. With hands twisting together, she kept her eyes lowered to the ground. Had she looked up, she would not have missed the lethal exchange of bloodline limits, brief though they were. "S-Sasuke, I-I'll see you later... okay?" She still wouldn't look at him, and recieved a mere grunt in response.
Hinata began walking toward Neji, who looked impatient, but otherwise stable. Perhaps there would not be a violent confrontation, after all...
End Part One
