AN: Yeah...I suck. Took me two days shy of a year to update. I am so sorry. I'll try to update faster but given my track record and the way my calendar is shaping up, I'm doomed. Doomed, I tell you. Anyway, here you go. Hope you like. Reviews are always encouraging and always get me to write faster. Happy Halloween, everyone!
"I don't get it. Why do I get to play his wife?" Tenten jerked a thumb in Neji's direction.
The tall shinobi's eyes narrowed.
"You can't play a vamp to save your ass." Ino answered flatly. "Deal with it."
Ino took out a deep emerald green cheongsam from the bag on the floor. She fished out the sky high stilettos that came with the dress as well as the pouch of accessories to go with the outfit. The rest of the contents, a matching kimono and yukata set, she handed over to Neji.
"You're not even Chinese!" Tenten protested.
"Ten," Ino turned to face the other girl, "no offense, but playing a bad girl out for a wild time is so not in your repertoire. Back me up here." she shot a look at Neji.
"Hmmn. I don't know." Neji murmured. He let his eyes wander over Tenten. "She might be able to pull it off."
"Oh give me that!" Cheeks flaming, Tenten snatched the kimono from Neji's hands. "Fine. Let's just get this over with."
The three of them were standing in a secluded clearing two kilometers outside of the city of Noba. They've been given an undercover mission by the Godaime to investigate the suspected illegal activities in the clubs inside the city. The intel they had told of a drug ring that preyed on unsuspecting young girls that entered their clubs who are then abducted and sold to their richer clientele with a more depraved bent.
Ino motioned for Neji to turn around. With no more than a raised eyebrow, he turned his back to the two girls and started to undress.
For a second both Ino and Tenten stood transfixed appreciating the muscles rippling on Neji's pale back.
"Uhmm. Shouldn't you be changing as well?" Neji paused with the top of the yukata halfway over his head.
"Right!" Both of them snapped around guiltily and hurriedly started changing.
o00o
"Ok. What's our story?" Ino asked.
"We just got married and are on our honeymoon." Neji placed an arm over Tenten's shoulders. "We left our luggage by the port to be brought in to the Shibuku Inn where we are checked in. Now, we're on our way out to the hottest club in town, The Red Lantern."
Ino noted that Tenten tensed up as soon as she felt Neji place his hand on her shoulder. "And I've just received news that I've inherited a small fortune from a favored aunt, quit my apprenticeship at the village and traveled to the city to seek a better future. I'm currently renting a flat at Blossom St. Now, I'm headed to the Red Lantern to celebrate my new found freedom."
Tenten nodded stiffly.
"We go in for recon until 3am. Meet up at 4am here."
"Got it."
The three flash-jumped away and reappeared inside the city limits. They were there only for a few days, their covers already set in place by the shinobi team who did the intel for them. Their mission involved tracking the drug trail up to the heads of the cartel. Take them down and rescue the girls. In particular, Aya Miyakuzi, great grand niece of the daimo of a neighboring city to Konoha.
Inside the club the music was pulsing. Noba was a premier city set on a country outside the influence of Konoha. Which probably was why the drug cartel snatched up Aya Miyakuzi so carelessly. They didn't know her ancestral line or her political connections and the crap storm those facts were soon going to bring in on their city.
Ino made her way to the bar. "A shot of your strongest drink." She yelled at the bartender. The gruff man nodded and took a bottle off the top shelf with yellow gold liquid and poured her drink in a tiny glass. Ino downed it in one gulp, smacked the shot glass back down on the bar and yelled out at the bartender, "Another!"
The bartender threw her a small grin and poured another shot. Ino threw her head back, her blonde hair shining gold, and swallowed the burning liquid in one go.
The skin tight cheongsam with the oval cutout right at the center of her chest and neck drew stares as her throat worked on getting the alcohol down. The sleek waterfall of golden hair curling sensuously at the end of her back combined with the shamelessly short skirt of the dress and the spiky heels made clear just what kind of night she was bent on having.
Pretty soon she was surrounded by a bevy of men vying for her attention. The intel they got said to look for a guy named Yuri Makoto. Tall, lean, with green eyes, brown hair and a dusky complexion. He was the right hand man of the owner of the club.
Ino continued to carelessly eye the room, laughing along with the joke the guy to her right said. Two of the other guys around her gave a frown to the first and started to chat her up. She listened with half an ear, her concentration still on scoping the perimeter.
"Can I buy you a drink?" a voice whisper/shouted in her ear. Ino twisted to look into a pair of glittering green eyes. The man was at least a foot taller than her and had wavy ash brown hair. He had smoothly elbowed his way between the men around her and gave them a look that made them back away.
She leaned in close and cupped a hand over his ear. "Your eyes match my dress."
The guy let out a low laugh. "So they do. What's your name?"
"Mia. You?" She leaned back in her seat giving the guy an unrestricted view of her front where the oval cutout nicely framed her cleavage.
The man's eyes immediately fell on that area. "Yuri." His lips curved into a smile. "How about that drink?"
Finally. She bent her head and hid a triumphant smile. She quickly grabbed the bar list and scanned through it. She spotted a cocktail that sounded interesting. Sake, vodka, green tea liqueur and salted cherry blossom. "Let's try the Shungyo."
o00o
"If you continue to be this rigid, no one will believe we are on our honeymoon."
Tenten stiffened further in Neji's embrace. The club was packed. The crush of people meant Neji had to stay really close to Tenten, invading her personal space. Each time she inhaled carried the warm scent of his skin, his hair brushing tantalizingly against her cheek. It was getting difficult driving away the heat that was suffusing her face.
She chose to ignore his words. After all, with the pounding sound and the babble of voices, it was easy to pretend she didn't hear him. She deftly moved out of his arm and started to squeeze through the press of people in front of her.
"I see a table free. Come on!" She yelled over her shoulder.
A tightening of the lips was all the emotion the Hyuga showed. He strode after her, the people in his way parting hurriedly after a quick glance at his expression.
As soon as they reached the table, Tenten waved at one of the roving waiters. When she saw the waiter nod at her and beginning to make his way to them, she turned to Neji and half-shouted, "What are you having?"
"A glass of shochu. Neat." he replied.
"Alright."
The waiter appeared at her elbow. Tenten turned and smiled at him.
"Welcome to Red Lantern! What are you guys having?" yelled the waiter smilingly.
"A glass of shochu. Neat. A bottle of sake and an order of mixed sushi. Thanks!" Tenten answered, raising her hand against her mouth to be better heard.
"Be back in 10." The waiter nodded and left.
It was strange to be in the middle of a loud, crowded party and be so discomfited at the same time. She tried to relax and look around her. Ino should be arriving soon. Tenten thought. She tried to ignore the penetrating stare that was practically burning a hole through her skin. She snuck a glance Neji and found him blatantly staring at her.
"What?" Tenten hunched her shoulders.
Neji leaned closer and murmured against her ear. "We are not convincing anybody about our recent nuptial happiness. We can discuss what's bothering you at a later time. Now is not it. "
He gave her a look that spoke volumes.
"Forgive me if I find it hard to play the besotted bride to your smitten groom." She scoffed sarcastically.
She hated this undercover assignment. So what if I'd make a clumsy party girl? Better that than being trapped playing a role that was too close to the reality she hungered for. She quickly tamped down those insidious thoughts before they made her anymore maudlin. Self-pity is not an emotion she wanted to become familiar with.
Neji just continued to look at her.
"Oh, hell. Fine. I'll try to act all sweet and sugary." she said crossly. "Mind you, try, is the operative word."
The corners of his lips lifted slightly. "I don't think it would be too hard an act to play."
Tenten's gaze shot up to him. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. What the hell does he mean?
"Looks like our order is here…Princess." Neji murmured. His hand stole around her and rested possessively against her waist.
She swallowed the yelp that nearly escaped her and faced their server with a smile.
"Here are your drinks; shochu and a bottle of sake. And one order of mixed sushi." After placing their food and drinks on the small table, the tidy-looking man gave them a smile and asked. "Would you be ordering anything else?"
Before Tenten could respond, Neji answered smoothly, "Yes, we've heard of your city's fame for your fugu speciality. We'd like to order fugu sashimi to celebrate our honeymoon."
At this announcement, their server gave them a brilliant smile and was gushing congratulations at them. His eyes widened after Neji handed him a small heavy pouch laden with money.
"That should cover our bill for the night." Neji turned his gaze to Tenten. He touched her jaw, his hand warm against her cheek. "I want my wife to have the best night of her life." he said softly.
Tenten couldn't help the involuntary shiver that coursed through her at those words. She could almost believe what he was saying to be true. She gave a weak smile at the retreating waiter, grabbed the glass of shochu and took a big gulp.
Which she immediately choked on and nearly spewed all over their luscious sushi.
A strange sound quickly muffled from right behind her made her pull away from the tall shinobi. She kept an arm out against Neji's chest.
"Did you just laugh?" She asked in surprise.
Neji took hold of the hand on his chest and brought it to his lips, his eyes never leaving her face. "You should stick to sake…Princess. Shochu is a bit too strong for you."
Tenten eyed him uncertainly. What was going on? She was experiencing a severe shock at the complete turn around in personality from the normally icy Hyuga.
Neji took a step closer, pulling her arm over his shoulder and placing his other hand lightly over her hip. He bent his head, his face hidden against the arch of her neck. "Play along, wife."
She took a deep breath, her nose buried in his glossy hair, her eyes closing. Why not? One night, two, for however long this mission will take I can be free with him.
She tipped her head back until she could look at him. For a moment they just gazed at each other, immune to the deafening music, letting the beat wash over them.
The arrival of their fugu sashimi broke the spell. But, that long moment in each other's embrace staring exclusively at one another convinced whomever was looking their way that they were indeed the honeymoon couple they pretended to be.
o00o
Ino was dancing with abandon. Her hips moving sinuously to the music with her arms held high. Her head beat from left to right, the cascade of blonde hair curling and tangling in a sexy mess.
She felt Yuri's hands grasp hold of her hips. He was practically grinding against her, his breath warm against her neck.
She didn't care anymore if Yuri was a bad guy and one of the names in this mission's list of targets. For one song she was going to forget the past miserable weeks and just dance it off.
Yuri whipped her around to face him. Startled, her arms smacked clumsily against his chest. Yuri's arms tightened around her back pulling her uncomfortable close. He lowered his head to the kunoichi.
Ino let out a coy laugh and turned her face away. "Whoa. Slow down, sweetie."
"How about you get me a drink to wash this thirst away?" She tapped a her forefinger lightly against his jaw, smiling playfully. She felt his jaw clench and relax imperceptibly.
He smiled languidly, "Whatever you want, beautiful."
Yuri pulled away and moved towards the bar, "Be back in a few."
Ino gave another throaty laugh, spun slowly and started dancing again. When she saw Yuri get out of sight, she stopped dancing and made her way to the exit. She had no intention of ending the night in whatever fantasy Yuri pictured her in. She got the information she needed from him and it was better to leave him wanting for the mysterious blonde and keep her on the top of his mind. It would come in handy for their next plan.
She carefully eyed the club, watchful for a glimpse of Yuri or her two teammates. It was nearly 3AM. She had a little over an hour to get back to their team's meeting place to regroup.
So focused was she in making her exit cleanly she didn't notice a pair of dark eyes with a crimson glint observing her progress. The shadowy figure moved deeper into the gloom of a corner of the club. The wave of people flowed over the vacated space not even noticing the dark presence previously standing there.
"Ino Yamanaka." The barest whisper escaped the shadow. "A fortuitous opportunity this."
o00o
The trio regrouped at the outskirts of town and shared intel. They kept it short mindful of the risk of being seen at so late an hour.
Ino looked at Neji. "Aya Miyakuzi is probably held inside the kabuki theater. There's going to be a charity party held at the theater in three days time. I've already secured an invitation from Yuri for said party."
Neji looked at her sharply. "From what intel gave us, these parties are fronts for the gathering of the rich patrons that will actually be bidding on the abducted girls."
Ino nodded. "Exactly."
"How do we know that the target is really held in the theater?" Tenten asked.
"There is no other scheduled gala in the next few weeks." Ino answered. "Intel said a big caravan carrying the last of the visiting big wigs attending the charity gala will be arriving tomorrow. The timescale fits."
"Tomorrow we'll head to the theater and secure our invitations as well." Neji looked at Tenten.
"That's why you ordered the fugu! Our very expensive dinner would already alert the people involved in the actual charity that a wealthy couple is in town." Tenten said slowly. "It would look strange to turn us down if we make it appear we'd like to make a donation."
"Precisely." Neji agreed, smiling thinly.
Their plan outlined for the next day, they quickly wrapped up their meeting and flash-jumped away.
o00o
Neji slid open the door to their hotel room. He abruptly halted and silently surveyed the mammoth object in front of him. He felt Tenten poke him on the back.
"Can you move it? You're blocking the way."
He moved further into the room already predicting an outburst from the nin behind him.
"Hey, have you seen-WHAT IS THAT?!" Tenten shrieked.
She stared aghast at the gigantic bed dominating the entire area. It was epic. Elevated on a platform , the mattress at least spanned two meters on each side. It was strangely shaped, roundish instead of the typical rectangular with a dip in in the center. King-size plump pillows placed side by side with another plump bolster nestled in the middle. The entire bed was covered in a shimmery blush colored fabric that looked like a cross between suede and raw silk. Scattered on the bed were exotic blooms in varying shades of red. Lush sashes of fabric draped from the ceiling framed the mattress.
It looked for all the world like a giant vagina.
Tenten slowly approached the bed, her eyes riveted. As she got closer she noticed a glint of light from above the mattress. Looking up she emitted another shriek. A mirror hung suspended above the bed reflecting the glow of the lamp on the bedside table.
She whirled and faced the tall shinobi. "I am NOT staying here."
Neji raised an eyebrow.
"You can't want to stay here with this-this…!" Incoherent with outrage, she threw an arm out towards the bed.
"It's just a bed, Tenten," Neji glanced around the room. "and this is the honeymoon suite."
She stomped towards the door, "I am getting our rooms changed this instant."
"And risk breaking our cover?"
Tenten wanted to grab her hair. "No one can expect us to stay here! It's gross!"
"Even if we are supposed to be a couple on their honeymoon, we can still be expected to want normal accommodations!" she ranted.
She spied a strange looking figurine on an end table. Coming closer, she let out another outraged squeak. The figurine depicted a half naked man and woman coupling. Wheeling around she saw that the entire room was decorated similarly with erotic little statues and paintings and suggestive shapes in the the light fixtures, even down to the pattern on the freaking wall paper.
Breathing heavily, she prepared to launch into another tirade.
"Enough, Tenten." Neji broke in before she could even open her mouth. "It is late and we'll need our rest for tomorrow's operation."
She watched him walk over to a set of trunks that had been placed near the door. The porter had apparently already deposited their luggage before their arrival. Neji opened one of the trunks and drew out a change of clothing. He straightened and walked towards her.
He held out the clothes to Tenten. "You better change."
Wordlessly, she grabbed the nightclothes and stomped through the archway leading to the en suite bathroom. Oh what I'd give for a door I can slam right now!
After a quick shower, she dried herself with a towel and hastily pulled on the nightclothes Neji gave her. She went up to the vanity mirror and started finger combing her wet hair. It was only then that she saw what she was wearing.
Her eyes widened and her mouth drop open. What were they thinking?! She thought furiously about tracking down the advance team and pinning down for a good beating whoever was in charge of preparing their supposed wardrobe.
What she had thought was a standard tank top and shorts was actually a stretchy diaphanous material that clung to the curve of her breast and clearly showed the shadow of her nipples. The fabric was cinched at the center and fell to drape over her taut abdomen. The shorts were cut high and tight with lace trimming displaying a generous amount of thigh and the cheeks of her bottom. Who wears this?!
Horrified at the idea that Neji might see her in such a get up she gave a quick inspection of the bathroom for anything to cover her.
"Tenten, are you done yet? I need to shower as well."
"In a minute!" she called out. She grabbed her wet towel and wrapped it around her, tying the ends to hold it in place.
When she stepped out, Neji had already stripped down to the waist, seated on the bed and was occupied with removing his shoes.
She swiftly sidled against the wall, keeping away from Neji, heading to the trunks. Surely, there's something else I can wear.
"What are you doing?" Neji had his arms propped on his thighs and was looking at her quizzically.
Caught in the ridiculous position of creeping around him with her back flat against the wall, she cleared her throat and moved away from the corner. "Nothing."
She swore she saw amusement lighting his eyes. She shrugged her shoulders coolly and tried hard to keep her gaze from going below his chin. "So I guess I'll take the floor."
Neji stared at her. "There's a perfectly good bed right here."
"Yeah well, I'm fine with sleeping on the floor."
The look he gave her made it clear he was't taking any of her excuses. He stood up, the loose hakama low on his waist. He padded on bare feet to the bathroom.
"Use the bed, Tenten. I'll take the floor." Neji disappeared into the bathroom.
Now she felt like crap. After all, they both needed rest and sleeping on the hard floor definitely wasn't going to give that. She exhaled. Unknotting the wet towel, she slung it over a chair and climbed the bed. She sat cross legged and plucked at her now damp camisole.
Now that she was alone, she began to feel on edge. Acting out the moony newlywed was easier to play in public. Alone with him and all the uncertainty rushed back. Her mind flashed back to what happened in the club. Her face got hot, remembering. Princess.
Who'd have thought the icy Hyuga can act like that? One touch from him was already too big of a provocation for her. She shook off the shiver that thought brought on. She gave a gusty sigh and flopped back against the pillows. She made a face at her expression reflected on the mirror above the bed, her dark hair fanning out on the pillow. The cool air coming through the window caused her skin to pimple. She grabbed hold of the thick, fluffy blanket with her toes and kicked them upwards. The covers flew in the air and fell lightly on her, cocooning her figure with only her head and shoulders visible.
After a while, she felt more than saw Neji exit the bathroom and cross the bedroom.
"You should share the bed." she muttered. "Like you said. We both need our rest."
Neji stilled. He resumed walking but this time heading to the other side of the bed. He switched the lights off on the way. In the sudden gloom, she felt the mattress dip with his weight and kept still as he got under the covers, waiting for him to get settled.
The way the bed was built with the dip in the middle caused any body on it to slide towards the center.
Ooomphf!
Tenten braced her hands against the hard chest inches from her face. A bare chest. "You're naked!"
Scrambling backwards or at least attempting to and failing miserably as she slid back to the center, she hissed, "Why are you naked?!"
She felt a gust of air on her forehead as Neji exhaled. "I have pajama pants on."
"Well, where's the top?!"
"I prefer to sleep without it." She felt him move away. "If you are bothered I can still take the floor."
"No! It's fine! It's fine!" She was glad the darkness hid her flaming cheeks. Her hands were back to bracing against his chest. She didn't want him to think her a prude. "It's just—eew. You're Neji." Pretend disgust colored her voice.
She swore the slight vibration she felt was him muffling a laugh. "Am I so repulsive then?"
"Oh, shut up and go to sleep!"
"How do you propose to do that?" He took hold of her wrists and pulled her hands away from him. She immediately rolled closer until her body collided with his.
"See?"
Tenten pulled one of the king sized pillow out from behind his head and squeezed it between their bodies. She handed him the small bolster pillow. "Use this instead."
Her vision was adjusting in the dark and she could just make out his face in the weak moonlight. He was propped on his elbow, his long hair a silky curtain draped on his lean shoulders.
She turned her back on him with the pillow flush against her back. "Good night."
She felt the bed dip again as he lied back down. The effects of their tiring day soon pulled at her body and and she felt her eyes close.
After a long moment she thought she heard him say, "Good night, Princess."
o00o
Fugu sashimi: Raw blowfish. Extremely poisonous. Can be fatal. Horribly expensive and said to be an aphrodisiac.
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