Neji stood, stiff shoulders, head high, eyes focused sharply at nothing in particular in front of him, the bus in his vision. Hinata was at his side, her fingers were fiddling with the edges of her sleeves which seemed to have her undivided attention. The softest of smiles threatened Neji's lips, the words of his uncle still rung in his ears. There was no way he would have let him go on this stupid school thing if Hinata hadn't stepped in. The second she, if hesitantly, murmured some interest in going on the trip obviously she'd get to go, and Neji had to go to look after her. They hadn't said anything to each other after that but it was obvious she'd done it for him.

They had gotten there early, as was the Hyuuga way. Neji now got to wait for Shikamaru to show up. Not that he cared. Or showed his impatience. Apart from the slightest shift of his foot every now and then he was picture perfect normal. But his mind kept going over their last encounter. His heart was beating just slightly off the usual rhythm.

From what limited ideas he had of romance it was meant to start out with hidden glances, whispered then missed confessions and, most importantly, bad timing. But he and Shikamaru had none of those things. As soon as they had noticed each other they'd had encounters, or perhaps it was the other way around. There was not a single thing Neji could do that Shikamaru missed, or vice versa, they were both way too perceptive for that. As for timing, they both knew everything around them well enough to plan in the time they had. Nothing was missed. Put all of that together and it was easy to assume that it was too planned and he shouldn't be nervous. Shouldn't even be considering that this might be a thing, rather that it was just a way to relieve their boredom or something. But the second Shikamaru stepped into view he still had to concentrate on not staring.

Shikamaru walked in with Choji on one side and Naruto and Kiba on the other. They were all talking animatedly, Choji speaking through handfuls of chips and Naruto trailed off as he stared around, but still always talking. Shikamaru walked in silence with them, hands shoved in pockets, adding a lazy correction every now and then. He paused briefly to look at Neji, his eyes running slowly up and down him before he moved on, though he gave away nothing of what he thought. From where Neji was he could hear snippets of the conversation and barely resisted rolling his eyes. Honestly, how could an idiot like that have gotten his attention?

Shikamaru was as worried as usual about Neji, but it would be a good chance to see what was happening with Naruto too. He was talking to them and he seemed happy enough, but the words were tumbling easily out of his mouth with not even Naruto's level of thought. His attention was half on them and half on something else until Sasuke arrived and they lost him completely. Shikamaru waited for everyone else to arrive, anxious to get on the bus. Actually excited to see what would happen over the week away, not just for himself either. It seemed like a fair amount of Sasuke's attention was on the poor little blonde.

――――

Itachi paced the room, hands in pockets as he stared at the time. They'd still be on the bus. He didn't have to worry about it then but after that he'd need to be there. He'd need to watch and make sure Naruto didn't try anything. But maybe if he waited just a little longer… Maybe if he gave them the chance to do something-

"You're beginning to hesitate." Deidara walked into the room, stopping Itachi in his tracks. "Like what happened last time you were told to take care of Sasuke… I was thinking it might be time to put someone else on it?"

"I said I was taking care of it." Itachi growled defensively, his piercing red eyes glaring him down.

"You misunderstand. I'm not bringing this up to rub it in your face. I'm bringing it up because." He paused, glancing across at Itachi then looked away again. "I don't want to see you fail."

"I won't."

Deidara sighed softly, looking up at the clock. "Or maybe I do want to see it. Poor Sasuke… I'd say we've put him through enough."

Itachi's fingers rolled into fists, his hands quivering at his sides. "I know quite well what he's been through."

"And you're still willing to do this to him?"

"If you don't like what I'm doing then why don't you just leave?" He growled dangerously.

"I'd never leave you. I'll follow you anywhere. Doesn't mean I have to fucking like it. And damn well doesn't mean I won't complain." Deidara watched him for a moment, but Itachi stayed still, refusing to respond before Deidara walked out of the room. Only then did he slump against the wall, staring at the clock.

"I'm following orders…" He muttered lamely to himself.

Leaning against the wall in the hall just outside the room Deidara heard him but resisted all the lines he wanted to throw back. 'It's not just orders!' or 'You're just doing it to please him.' But at the moment he wanted Itachi to trust him. Not to start another fight. Throwing Itachi's manipulative lover in his face or admitting his own crush would do no good. In the long run waiting was better. But he could hardly wait to see the explosion when it all came out.