Chapter Nine

Neji had to admit the last couple of days had been both the worst and arguably the most interesting days of his life. Truthfully, he hadn't known what to expect this courtship to be like considering who was dating. He had expected extremes to extremely awkward to extremely quiet and he was happy to find out he was wrong.

Gaara was quiet, yes, but she wasn't mute. She held polite conversation effortlessly and they discussed topics ranging from new techniques to personal goals for the year to the quality of the restaurants they frequented. She never asked anything exceedingly personal or tried to pry when he gave vague answers. He couldn't help but compare her to the other few girls he had dated and was pleasantly disappointed when his experience turned out to be useless. He might have been having dinner with a member of his clan or Shino.

It was a bit disconcerting.

Gaara didn't flirt. Gaara didn't bat her eyes. Gaara didn't attempt to flatter him. Gaara didn't play footsie. She, especially, didn't make any attempts to make him jealous or imply he was inadequate in anyway, shape, or form. She merely observed him steadily with her steady blue green eyes in a quiet demand that he explain himself. Now.

Neji wasn't going to complain about her containment of emotions as he realized that it would be highly hypocritical but it would have been nice to be able to tell if she was enjoying herself. It wasn't often he came across a person who this difficult to read. He credited most of it to the sand armor since it only left him the mouth and eyes to read with any type of certainty since she did not fidget or move without purpose.

It made things interesting if nothing else, however, there were also challenges like on their first date . . .

"How long do dates usually last?" Gaara inquired as she took a sip from her tea.

Neji noticed several heads turn at the question and sighed internally. "They last as long as you want them to, longer if you are enjoying the others company and shorter if they are not to your taste."

Gaara nodded and was quiet as she mulled that over.

Several patrons were whispering heatedly as the realization spread that their dinner was more than just an escort mission.

"What if I wish to end the date but continue to enjoy your company less . . . publicly?"

"Then the date isn't over merely changing locations," he explained, pleased with her admission. He hadn't been sure whether she was just indulging him or actually finding his company to her taste.

It wasn't until they were exiting the restaurant and he spotted Ino Yamanaka on the way out that he realized his reputation as a whole was doomed.

Ino held the infamous title of Gossip Queen, though, to be fair she didn't spread any news that she hadn't confirmed herself down her information line. People at once were annoyed and grateful to the blonde busybody because, while they might have preferred their private information to remain private, at least the rumors were accurate and not grossly exaggerated. It was a matter of pride for the girl that people went to her personally to avoid the malicious misalignments of information and the fact that people swore by her.

Neji knew he really should have been paying more attention to his surroundings but he'd been a little bit more confused and distracted as his date more or less marched straight back to her suite.

"Gaara, I thought you wanted to change locations for our date and not end it," he couldn't help the confused note in his voice.

She turned to face him at the door, "Kiss me."

"What?" He blinked, surely this wasn't the reason why she ended their dinner-

"Kiss me, Neji Hyuuga," she ordered flatly.

He swallowed and gave a quick glance around, "We're not alone."

"You require privacy?" She turned and opened the door.

He frowned as he gazed out onto the street, he could have sworn he spotted a flash of yellow-

He grunted as he was unceremoniously yanked forward into her room and was a little alarmed when the door slammed shut behind him. She pushed him back until he was pressed against the door and seemed to study him intently before releasing her sand.

"Is this better, Neji Hyuuga?" She inquired, "Will you kiss me now?"

He glanced at the fisted hand in his robes before lifting his eyes to her more feminine face, "Release me and I will kiss you."

She dropped her hand and stepped into his personal space as she tilted her face up to him expectantly. She didn't purse her lips like most novices were wont to do, instead, she just let her eyelids drop to half-mast and waited as patiently as a statue.

He bent slightly at the waist, making sure their bodies did not touch in any way, and brushed his lips against hers softly before pulling back.

She blinked at him and raised a hand to touch her lips before turning confused eyes on him.

"What's wrong?"

She gave a dazed shake of head, "It's nothing, I was just expecting . . . Books are very misleading." Cool composure regained, she gave him a regal nod, "You may go."

"Wait, what do you mean? Misleading?" Neji stepped away from the door and frowned at the implication of having little to no effect on her.

"The book implied a surge of hormones, a tightness of the stomach, shortness of breath, and the breast becoming heavy," she frowned thoughtfully, "I experienced none of these things. I did feel a bit of a shock though I believe that's due to my inexperience with touching other people-"

He took a quick step and quickly angled his mouth over hers.

She went completely stiff with shock and he took advantage of her open mouth to introduce her to the art of kissing with tongue. He took her chin in his hand to lift her face just a bit more to deepen the kiss.

She made a sound deep in her throat and boldly responded by licking his palate.

He pulled back sharply and was pleased to note her eyes glazed over, "Still misleading?"

She exhaled short soft breaths, "No, everything the book described."

He smiled and if it was a bit arrogant then it was too bad. He was Neji Hyuuga and he would not let it be known that he couldn't kiss.

Her eyes were bright with curiosity, "Take off your clothes."

"What?"

"Your clothes," she reached for the buckles on her vest, "Take them off."

"Why?"

She paused and gave him an 'aren't you odd' look, "We are going to have sex."

"What?!" Neji was shocked.

"I'm curious," she slid her vest off, "Naruto sent me a book-"

"What book?"

She glanced at him and then turned to her dresser where she picked up a novel with a bright orange cover.

"He didn't," he groaned to himself, "He gave you-"

"Icha Icha Paradise," she confirmed and opened it, "He said it was very boring. I found it very informative-"

"Gaara, you can't take dating advise from . . . That!" Neji was going to kill Naruto. Dead. He was going to kill him dead.

She tilted her head, "Why not? It seems a very commonly accepted-"

"It's porn," he explained shortly, "Gaara, one might kiss after the first date but no one has sex after it-"

"Yes, they do," she interrupted, "Kankuro has had many such encounters."

"Okay, but does he ever go out with the same girl again?"

"Not to my knowledge," she acknowledged after careful thought.

"See, no one respectable has sex on the first date," he explained carefully, "It simply isn't proper."

"Why not?"

"Because girls who consent to have sex so soon are seen as loose, easy girls who will sleep with anybody," he licked his lips nervously, "Those type of girls are sought out for quick release and then never contacted again."

Gaara frowned, "There's a negative connotation on the females but none on the males?"

"I . . .suppose," he had never really thought about it before in much detail.

"Hn," she studied the book in her hands before setting it aside, "Then it's a good thing I am not known as female then and, thus, this encounter will not reflect negatively on me, instead, it will be seen as a male conquest, a positive connotation."

"Gaara," he blew out a breath of air, "I can't have sex with you."

Her eyes snapped to his, "Explain."

"I would be taking advantage of you-"

"No, the book was very clear," she cut him off sharply, "As long as both partners are willing-"

"Gaara," Neji placed his hands on her shoulders and spoke calmly, "You are inexperienced and sheltered from this area of your life. I understand you are curious and wish to experiment with this new freedom, however, I cannot step over the bounds of propriety. To do so would not only shame us but taint any relationship that we have emotionally."

"Emotionally?" She deadpanned.

"Yes, physical intimacy is very . . .well, intimate," he felt his cheeks burning, "It's something that must be built up to so the relationship has a steady foundation. Besides, while the world at large believes you to be male, I know otherwise and I will treat you accordingly."

She was quiet for a moment before meeting his eyes, "Can I at least see it?"

"It?" He frowned with confusion.

She nodded and deftly untied his sash before he could react. He snatched it from the air before it could hit the ground and took a hasty step back from the hands going for the hemline of his pants.

He eventually learned to dread the curiosity in her eyes.

"Neji," the command in her voice was unmistakable.

He clutched his sash to his chest like a startled woman in the bath would a towel, "I'm not going to . . .Gaara, this is hardly appropriate-"

"How many dates?" Her eyes narrowed, "For it to be appropriate?"

"I . . ." He felt the blood rush to his cheeks as well as to his groin and felt decidedly light headed, "Good night."

He fled out of her door before she had a chance to stop him.

Really, he should have been paying more attention to his surroundings as shocked blue eyes took in his disheveled escape roughly a half hour after he entered. He should have known better to get into any kind of situation with the Yamanaka within any radius.

Needless to say the whole village knew by the next morning and his summons to his Uncle's office was not wholly unexpected.

"Neji, I just want you to know I have received word from the Hokage about your relationship with the Kazekage and it's special circumstances. I just wish to impress upon you the seriousness of this relationship and that you know what you're getting yourself into."

"Yes, Uncle, I will consider the matter with the weight it deserves."

Hiashi studied his nephew for several minutes before finally intoning, "I understand that the Kazekage is . . . inexperienced."

Neji carefully held his blank expression, shit, had his uncle heard the rumor already?!

"We raised you to be a respectful young man, a gentleman, and I can only hope you conduct yourself as one in private as well as public."

"The Kazekage is . . .curious," he offered as an explanation as her blunt demands echoed in his head. He better not be blushing! "Though, I know my limits well and will always behave as a proper Hyuuga."

"Neji," amusement tinted his uncle's voice, "You're flushed."

Damn.

Neji met his uncle's eyes proudly despite the color on his cheeks and said nothing.

A knock sounded.

"Enter," Hiashi ordered though he didn't take his eyes off his nephew.

"Lord Hiashi," a branch member kneeled, "The Kazekage has arrived and has requested Neji's presence."

"You are both dismissed."

Neji and his fellow branch member bowed and moved to leave the office.

"Neji."

He paused and watched his distant cousin on his mother's side twice removed walk away to freedom.

"Try to keep private moments . . . private."

"Of course," Neji escaped only to come face to face with her siblings outside the office.

"I don't get it," Kankuro lounged against the wall insolently, "What's Gaara see in him?"

Temari shrugged, "Well, he is attractive and he did help rescue Gaara from the Akatsuki."

Kankuro snorted, "A lot of people were there to rescue Gaara. I could see Gaara with that Rock guy sooner then him."

Temari arched a brow, "Please, we'd never get you to stop complaining if Gaara did get with Lee."

"I'm just saying I would understand it better," Kankuro sneered, "Though, there's no accounting for taste."

"Yes, considering you have none," Temari rolled her eyes, "All right, Hyuuga, this way."

Neji was escorted to their little sister who was waiting in the garden and then promptly set off to find a café. They were apparently having a breakfast date.

Thankfully her siblings had left them to their own devices or maybe not so thankfully as the rumor had run it's course and the speculation had begun. He hadn't known he possessed so much self control and was thankful that he didn't really care what most people thought of him because if he had then the last few days might have broken him.

"I knew it!" Kiba crowed loudly, "I knew he was gay! I told you from the moment we met him that he was gay and you didn't believe me!"

"Kiba," Hinata gasped with dismay, "That's not very nice!"

Shino regarded him without movement.

"Come on, Hinata, it all makes sense now!" He grinned, "That's the real reason he was so hostile towards when you were younger! He was jealous because he wanted to be a girl!"

Neji silently seethed as he plotted the Inuzuka's death.

"Kiba, that's enough!" Hinata was the loudest anyone had ever heard her, "I will not tolerate such talk in my presence!"

"But Hinata-"

"No, Kiba," Hinata bowed to her startled cousin, "I apologize for my teammate, brother, you have my support should you need it. I will talk to father and make sure you will not come to harm."

Neji bowed lower in response, "I . . .thank you, Lady Hinata."

She beamed at him and lead her teammates to their practice.

He honestly wasn't quite sure how to feel about that particular encounter. The other ones however . . .

"So we're agreed," a jounin nodded over his drink, "The Hyuuga is definitely the bottom."

"Yeah, no contest," another snarked, "He's a branch member, probably knows all about being submissive."

Neji's eyebrow twitched at the loud conversation and he learned that this particular shade of Gaara's eyes that indicated amusement.

"Should we tell them that you will be on top when we have sex?" She asked between bites of her lunch, "Though, I wouldn't mind being on top."

"Gaara, this is not an appropriate topic of conversation," he was starting to hate his inability to control blood flow to his face.

"They're talking about it," she pointed out.

"Yes, and they're being extremely rude." Neji sent a cold glare in their direction, "Such things should only be talked about in private."

Gaara mulled that over, "You are very concerned with what's proper."

"Yes, I have been raised with all the rules of etiquette and the traditional upbringing of the Hyuuga clan."

"Hn." She sipped her drink.

Then there were the times that Gaara didn't help the situation at all.

Everyone couldn't help but notice when a sand bubble materialized in the middle of the park followed by the panicked shout of, "Hands! Hands!"

The bubble melted away to reveal Gaara staring blandly at a fuming blushing Hyuuga who was hastily retying his sash.

"Gaara, this is not proper behavior," he hissed, "Just because you create a sand barrier does not mean we are in private-"

"Be aware, Neji Hyuuga, that in Sand I am the Kazekage and I decide what is and what is not proper," she leaned in sharply though didn't bother to lower the tone of her voice that effortlessly carried through the crowd, "And if I decide that it is proper to have sex in the council room with all the council members present then we will have sex."

"How will you have sex in front of your council members without . . . revealing certain things?" Neji shot back, unnerved by the vague sexual threat. He was definitely not used to dealing with a sexually aggressive females.

"I believe that is what is referred to as an example," she turned sharply, ending the conversation leaving Neji and a shocked public in her wake.

He shouldn't have been surprised when rumors about him being frigid and an ice princess started to surface.

It was about then he realized that he was the girl in the relationship and might have had a mild panic attack.

He would die before he admitted anything.

It might have been bad fish.

He almost ended the relationship. He could handle people thinking he was homosexual, he could even tolerate them discussing his supposed preference of being the submissive, about him being a tease, a frigid ice princess, and he could even handle the thought that she was aggressive enough that it made him uncomfortable sexually.

Okay, maybe that last thing was a bit emasculating . . . Or maybe a lot . . . That and how he was the one insisting on having emotional ties while she was insisting on the physical . . .

He had a long night where he wasn't sure what he was going to do.

Then Gaara solved his mental dilemma without even seeming to realize he had one to begin with just by being herself.

"Neji," Gaara turned oddly vulnerable eyes on him.

Instantly concerned since he had never seen that particular expression before, "What is it?"

"Are you attracted to me at all?" Her eyes drifted down and to the side, "When I first approached you, I told you I would be fine with a marriage in name only and you were the one who said you would want to touch me but every time I try, you block me with protests-"

"Gaara," he took her chin to lead her face back to his, "It is because I'm very attracted to you that I must block you. My family is very traditional and it has been drummed into my head since I was in the cradle. You are a very beautiful, strong woman and any man would have to be a fool to not recognize it."

"I look like a woman?" She was mildly alarmed.

"No, you don't when you wear your disguise," he smiled, "But without it no one would mistake you for the exotic beauty you are."

Gaara didn't flush or duck her head away shyly instead she met his stare steadily revealing all her flashing emotions without reserve.

It was the most intimate thing Neji had ever experienced and she then promptly ruined it by filling his clothes with sand. Thankfully the sand flowed straight through leaving him feeling strangely violated where she then continued to freak him out by creating a sand clone that looked exactly like him complete with skin tone and without a scrap of clothing.

He dashed over and covered his replicas parts as best as he was able to before demanding an explanation.

"You're shy," she shrugged.

"Gaara, that doesn't give the right to make a double!" Neji seethed, "Swear to me that you'll never do this ever again or I won't kiss you anymore."

She agreed.

It had been a rough, interesting couple of days and as he sat with her in the ramen shop, she liked it, too, he was content with the thought that their relationship would only deepen with time. He only had to be patient-

"Gaara! Neji!"

Neji stopped breathing as he saw those blue green eyes light up and an actual smile, though still small, crossed her face.

"Naruto," she greeted with unmistakable fondness in her voice.

"It's been so long," the blond swung her up into a hug without a care, "How have you been?"

"Fine," she didn't demand to be let go, "What about you, Naruto?"

"Oh, I'm the same as always," he grinned and set her down but didn't stop touching her, "So are you guys on a date or what?"

Gaara glanced at Neji dismissively, "Yes, but it's over now."

"Really?" Naruto frowned as he glanced at their half eaten meals.

Neji cleared his throat, "Our date may be over but you are free to join us."

Gaara gave him an unreadable look.

"Sure," Naruto was all smiles once more, "A miso ramen, please."

"Of course," the ramen stand owner smiled at his favorite costumer, "Coming right up!"

"Sit down," Naruto nudged Gaara to her seat, "Finish eating but tell me everything."

Gaara nodded and took her seat.

Neji copied the motion but foreboding sat heavily in his abdomen. He had a feeling this wasn't going to end well.

End Chapter