It's a bit short, sorry about that. ~POG
True friends stab you in the front- Oscar Wilde
Sleepless Night VII-2
Sasuke yelped as his older brother threw a package at his face. He had ordered a new PlayStation controller in red and had it shipped to Itachi's office. The older Uchiha sighed as he watched Sasuke open the box hastily. Really, he thought. He never thought his little brother would waste money on a controller simply because it was red. How foolish…
"Thanks, Itachi." Sasuke said as he plugged it into his PS4.
"Sasuke I don't want you staying up too late. First the Xbox… now you got a PS4… are you getting any work done?" Itachi asked leaning against the door frame.
"Yeah, don't worry about it." Sasuke murmured as he turned on his tv.
Shaking his head, Itachi left the room. The younger Uchiha turned on his PlayStation and sat against the frame of his bed. Perhaps he was wasting money on useless systems, but it's not like he was failing his classes or anything. Even if he was, he'd still get the damn thing and use his own money. Tugging on the joystick, he checked to see who was online. Neji was online, he noticed but he was on Netflix. Earlier he was playing kingdom hearts. He's into that kind of game? Sasuke hummed as he looked through his captains trophies. Apparently he is… huh. Naruto was on as well, no surprise there. Then… ah-Shikamaru was online. Digging his headset from a drawer, Sasuke started a party chat.
"Yo." Shikamaru's voice sounded from the other line.
"Oh shit, we lit now." And there's Naruto…
"What's up Sasuke?" That's Kiba.
Sasuke hummed sat back.
"Down for some Overwatch?" Naruto asked.
"Sure, why not? I got some questions for Shikamaru though." The Uchiha announced promptly.
Kiba and Naruto gave an amused grunt from their lines. The Nara already knew he was going to ask about his date (since everyone else already had). So, he just gave them a basic synopsis; He picked her up with flowers, they went to the pier, ate hot pot, talked a bit and he drove her back. It was a simple date, he told them.
"Nothing happened." Shikamaru murmured firmly.
"Nothing?" Kiba asked a bit disappointed. "Not even a kiss?"
Shikamaru hummed in a low tone. Naruto gasped and Kiba whistled.
"Oh, Shikamaru. Look at you, sucking face with a cheerleader." Kiba teased. "Especially a cheerleader who's best friends with our Captain."
An annoyed groan was heard.
"No, you ass. She kissed me on the cheek. It was nothing."
"I'm sure it was nothing," Kiba chirped. "I bet you wish it was something thought~"
"Ugh, whatever you troublesome idiot." The philosophy major groaned. "She was just being nice to me."
"She looked great. I rarely see Tenten dress up." Naruto commented casually. "Right, Sasuke?"
Sasuke hummed in agreement. She did look good and he knew that it had attracted someone else's attention since Shikamaru decided to post a picture on social media. Of course, they all saw it. It spread quickly between their group of friends and posed a lot of questions. Sasuke and Ino were rather pleased with how well the date turned out.
"So, would you take her out again?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah, I think I will." The Nara mused.
"Wait… you said you will?" Sasuke squinted at his screen.
"Why not? I highly doubt Neji has said anything to her of meaning regarding his own feelings. I might as well indulge myself a bit more."
Sasuke's eyes shot to his forehead. He...Shikamaru was serious. There was no humor in his voice when he said that. Kiba gave a small chuckle and told him to beware of the wrath of their team captain.
"Honestly, he isn't going to do anything." Shikamaru sighed. "If Tenten is enjoying herself and returns in one piece and in high spirits he won't do jack shit."
"That's… true, I guess." Kiba murmured with a shrug. "The princess is happy, therefore so is he."
"That's a bit disappointing, to be honest." Naruto hummed sadly.
"Wait," Sasuke put his controller down. "You...like her like that now."
There was a slight pause. None of the boys said a word until Shikamaru responded to that-not question, but a firm-statement.
"Perhaps," Shikamaru offered. " I may have been eyeing her for a while myself."
The Uchiha grabbed his phone. Scrolling through his contacts, he found Ino's name. Sending her a quick text, he frowned. This wasn't part of the plan, they had chosen Shikamaru because he didn't seem to have any affection towards her and he was closer to her than the rest of them were. Ino hasn't replied back within a few minutes, but that didn't stop Naruto and Kiba from asking questions. Shikamaru dodged most of them with such precision, you would've thought they were in a whole other conversation.
"I am not dumb, though," the Nara yawned. "She has no interest in me like that. And besides, if I take her from our captain, I'll have to throw hands to get her out of his grip."
"That's for sure… Sasuke got out alive somehow." Naruto laughed.
"Shut up, idiot!" The Uchiha snapped.
"Wait… what do you mean?" Kiba asked now inturiged. "What did you do mean he got out alive?"
Sasuke sucked his teeth. They knew he hooked up with her, but they didn't know he had sex with her. He was certain that the only other person who knew that they slept together was Neji himself… but even then it was Tenten who told him. So, Sasuke confided in Naruto with the situation. And this idiot just implied the topic.
"You… slept with her, huh?" He could practically hear Shikamaru's eyebrow lifting on his face.
Yes, he admitted. They got really drunk at a party and did the dirty when no one was paying attention. It was an in the moment thing and they decided not to talk about it and move on. The other boys in the party chat shared gasps and sighs.
"Shikamaru-" a groan escaped his lips.
"It's fine. I won't interfere." He stated. "I know my place, Sasuke."
"Good...Goddamn…" Sasuke grumbled. "Naruto, you are so dead."
Naruto gave a nervous laugh and apologized.
"Your meddling isn't working though." The Nara stated. "Tenten shouldn't be the only one you focus on."
"Have you spoken to Neji at all?" Kiba asked.
No, Sasuke shook his head at his tv. And he wasn't going to. It was bad enough that he is on Neji's not so friendly side because he slept with Tenten. He didn't want to make things worse by poking his nose into the Hyuga's emotions...or whatever emotions he even had (that stoic bastard). He enlisted Ino for help who went to Shikamaru and know here they were.
"You're talking to the wrong people, man." Kiba murmured.
"Oh?" Sasuke cocked an eyebrow.
"To get to Neji, you need to go to the one person who gets him almost as well as Tenten."
"And whose that?" The Uchiha asked.
"Hinata, you fool." Naruto chirped.
Ah...yes, Sasuke thought. Hinata Hyuga, of course… he hasn't thought about that before. He's never really interacted with her unless she was around her boyfriend. And even then Naruto did all of the talking. Hinata was the next best person who was so close to the Captain that she practically knew what he was feeling even when his face was stone. Did he have her number? He doubted it. This looks like a job for Naruto. The blonde grinned as Sasuke gave him the task of talking to Hinata. He wanted Hinata to dig a bit into his brain and try to get him to stop being a wuss and admit to himself out loud that he liked the cheerleader.
"Yes...this will work." Sasuke hummed.
"Why are you so hell bent on this?" Shikamaru asked suddenly.
"To be quite honest, I'm a bit tired of seeing Neji fawn over her and not doing anything. It's quite annoying when it's so obvious and yet he's so afraid of his own feelings...it's infuriating."
"Hmm…what a drag."
Hinata blinked as she got a text message from Naruto. His name with a fish cake emoji popped up with a greeting, as well as asking for a favor. She was in the middle of detangling her long raven hair so, she decided to call instead of text him. The phone rang twice before he greeted her with a cheesy pick up line that made her laugh.
"Hey, babe. I got a favor." Naruto said.
"A favor?" She hummed as she gently ran the comb through her locks. "What is it?"
Naruto began his tale about how Sasuke and Tenten hooked up and how Shikamaru went on a date with her and that they were tired of Neji having a stick up his ass about his feelings, along with the fact that they asked Ino for help-which is how Shikamaru got involved in the first place- and now, they were stumped on what to do next since apparently they haven't heard from their captain yet. The Hyuga woman blinked at her phone as she processed the information. Ah, she hummed. They came to her for help. But what could she possibly do? Sure she was Neji's younger cousin and they were like siblings, but Neji never opened up to her about certain topics. With Tenten, he was very selective as to what they spoke about and never gave too much information.
"I'm sure you'll think of something. It's just painfully obvious and it's killing us." Naruto groaned.
Hinata clicked her tongue. "I'll give it a shot… but no promises."
"Thanks, babe! You're the best!" Naruto chirped before hanging up.
Hinata tilted her head to the side as she began to braid her hair. A sigh escaped her lips as her pale eyes scanned the now dark screen of her phone. She hoped she wasn't getting into anything crazy when it comes to them. The last thing she wanted was her cousin to be mad at her for asking too many questions. Suddenly, a lightbulb went off. Maybe she didn't have to….
"A party?" Tenten asked over the phone.
"Yes, my parents are gone for the week. So, why not?" Hinata explained. "Plus Hanabi is back from boarding school and she'd like to hang out before she goes back."
"Hmmm… I dunno. I'd have to sleep over since you Hyuga's party until the next afternoon." The bunhead chuckled "I don't see why not, though. I could use a break."
"Great! I'll go shopping on Friday and have everyone over… oh!" Hinata paused.
"What's up?"
"I'm sure you wouldn't mind sharing a room with Neji right?" Hinata asked sweetly. "There's only one spare bedroom available right now since we're doing renovations to the estate."
Tenten hummed.
"Hey Neji, do you care if we share a room for Hinata's shindig?" She heard Tenten ask.
They were together right now, Hinata's ears perked up. Yes, this was perfect. There was silence before Tenten returned her attention to her phone.
"He doesn't care." The Chinese woman informed her. "I'm down for whatever."
"Good! I'll let you know more as the day gets closer!" The Education Major smiled. "One more thing…"
"Hm?"
"It's going to be a pool party."
Tenten blinked. A pool party? She knew that they had their own indoor and outdoor pool with a hot tub (must be nice to have money, the bunhead snorted) along with entertainment rooms. Did she have anything that still fit that was appropriate? Over the summer she worked at a day camp as a lifeguard and gymnastics instructor, so she had to dress kid friendly when it came to water days. She had to have something that was more casual… a bikini maybe? Did that red one still fit from five years ago? Maybe not, so she'd have to go shopping for one. She glanced over at Neji. He was still straight faced from what he said to her earlier that night. His lips were in a tight pale line and his brow cause his forehead to crease. What a guilty conscience-Tenten sighed and turned back to her phone.
"Lit, I'm down for whatever. I'll have to get a new bathing suit though."
That's when Neji's ears perked up and he side glanced at her. Bathing suit… this meant a pool party, he thought. His cousin was throwing a pool party? Hinata rarely threw parties, or attended them unless Naruto or the whole group of girls were going. This was rather interesting of her to do. Or was it Hanabi who had pushed her to do it? He wouldn't be surprised, his youngest cousin was more of an outgoing party person than her older sister.
"Alright cool, I'll catch you later." Tenten said before hanging up.
Neji turned his eyes back to the screen.
"Party, huh?" He murmured.
"Yep. Hinata is throwing a pool party and we-" Tenten nudged his side. "-are gonna go and have a good time."
The Hyuga rolled his eyes. He stood after a moment before offering his hand to her; he was ready for bed. The bunhead took his hand and stood, the blanket still around her body. He led her to her room before letting go of her hand and wishing her goodnight. The track team Captain waited until she was inside the room before walking to his own. Sitting on his bed, he looked at the ceiling. A pool party… he hummed. He hasn't been to a party in a while. He was sure Hinata incited the rest of the track team as well. Which meant that Uchiha and Nara would be present. His lip twitched at the thought. No, he was going to keep it cool and just do what he always did; watch from afar, since Hinata was kind enough to offer a room, he guessed that Tenten was planning on getting sloshed. Which means, he sighed, he'd be the one to be sober. After all, that's how they worked.