Growing Up
Author's Note: Again, time skipping cuz I can. I'm not sure how long I'll give baby growing chapters or how long I'll be writing this thing but it's become really fun.
WARNING: Exploration of a submissive (Neji) and dominate (Tenten) bondage relationship. If this bothers you then turn back now.
I don't own the Naruto-verse. I'm just borrowing for the Hell of it. Again, post-war and Neji lives. They're in their 20s in this more plot less kinky sex story.
As previously stated: chapter a day till Nov. 1 where I'll be taking a break from posting and writing fanfiction to write my original fiction for NaNoWriMo.
"Dada?"
Tenten sighed at Hatomi who stood in front of the door with her hands flat on the door itself as she looked up at the handle. Hizashi played with their toys, stacking blocks into towers, spinning various spinning toys, making sense of big puzzles, and a variety of other things. Hatomi though, she missed her father.
Tenten missed Neji too. He had been on a mission for a week while Tenten took care of both kids. At first, Hatomi had assumed Neji would be back that night to tuck her in. She bawled when he did not walk through the nursery door. The second day she kept looking up at Tenten with confusion written all over her little face.
Nine months old and Hatomi could understand her daddy was gone and she didn't like it. Nine months old and Hatomi could stand on her own so long as she was leaning against something or used furniture to pull herself up. Nine months old and Hatomi seemed to understand much more than any child her age should.
Hizashi understood different things. Where Hatomi got the meaning behind words and concepts, Hizashi realized how physical items went together as well as cause and effect. He realized the effect of gravity on items and could figure out structural integrity. He saw how shapes fit into each other and puzzled out how objects related.
Hatomi comprehended these concepts as well but not to the extent of her brother. She learned through sound and watching like her father while Hizashi learned through doing, like Tenten. The idea of daddy not being home didn't hit Hizashi until the second day while Hatomi had been moping since the night Neji left.
For the past four days Hatomi had wanted to stick by the door for when Neji came home. Tenten left her daughter where she was since the moment Tenten tried to move her was the moment Hatomi would burst into tears and not stop crying until she was placed back in front of the door. She would sleep there if Tenten didn't pick her up and put her in her crib.
"He'll be home soon," Tenten said.
She sat near Hizashi but turned so she could keep an eye on Hatomi and Hizashi at the same time. Thankfully they didn't have a wall separating their hallway from their sitting room. All Tenten had to do was make sure she was scooted back enough to see around the shelves which held their movies.
"Dada?" Hatomi asked, looking over her shoulder.
"Yeah, dada will be home soon," Tenten said.
"Soon?" Hatomi questioned.
"Yeah, dada soon," Tenten replied with a smile.
"Dada soon," Hatomi said with a pout.
Tenten smiled at her daughter as Hatomi went back to looking at the door. Talk about separation anxiety. Tenten had a feeling Hizashi wouldn't be so upset if Tenten went missing for a week. Hizashi had Tenten's independent streak along with her personality. Hatomi was more like Neji despite her want to talk early.
Hatomi kept staring at the door and Tenten watched her. Hatomi kept her hands up high, palms flat against the door with her head tilted up to where Neji's face would be when Neji opened the door. Tenten had put her in a pair of black stretchy pants and a white sweater. Her socks were white as well and Tenten had pulled up her hair into two pigtails.
Tenten couldn't see her face all that well but knew Hatomi would be okay. Hatomi knew enough to move when the handle moved. Tenten watched as Hizashi made a tower out of his blocks that kind of resembled the Hokage tower. He had made one big rounded area with another round area atop. He was working on the smaller rounded buildings set back from the main tower.
Okay, so yeah, she took the kids on walks as often as they could go provided it wasn't snowing or too cold. Neji had usually been with her all those times except of course this week. And sure, they walked to the Hokage Tower since it wasn't that far, really, and yeah, Hizashi had probably seen the Tower at least a hundred times but the fact he could replicate it...
"Dada!"
Tenten looked up to see Hatomi trying to reach the door handle. Tenten frowned and got to her feet. She stopped a few steps from her daughter when Hatomi turned and couldn't help but stare at her little girl.
"Dada!"
Hatomi had the biggest smile on her face but Tenten wasn't looking at Hatomi's beaming grin. No, Tenten was focused on the veins which had started from the sides of Hatomi's face to go up to her eyes. Tenten couldn't help but gaze at Hatomi's eyes, light gold with little slashes of deeper gold in a circle to make up a sort of pupil.
Hatomi could see her father coming because Hatomi, little genius she was, had activated her Byakugan. Tenten didn't know what to do so she simply gaped at her daughter as Hatomi started slapping her open palms against the door and calling out for Neji.
The handle flicked and Hatomi fell backwards onto her butt, scooting back as the door opened to reveal Neji. Tenten couldn't speak even when Neji met her eyes. One elegant brow raised and a frown came onto his face.
Neji's shoulders had snow on them and his pants were wet with it. His hair was damp, hanging down his back in loose curls. Tenten didn't say a word as Neji looked down to Hatomi who had grabbed Neji's pants and pulled herself against his legs.
"Dada home," Hatomi said.
"Yes, I'm home," Neji said softly.
A smile came to his face and Tenten could do nothing but watch as Neji easily lifted Hatomi into his arms. Normally he would step deeper into the house while nuzzling Hatomi's face and shutting the door but he stopped when he looked at Hatomi's eyes.
Tenten kept her eyes on Neji as his lips parted and white eyes went wide. Neji's brows raised and his shoulders stiffened. Actually, his entire body tensed as he took in his daughter's pale gold eyes with their Byakugan veins.
"Byakugan," Neji muttered.
"Dada,"
Hatomi wrapped her arms around Neji's neck and buried her head in his hair. Neji put a hand on her back, his opposite arm supporting her butt to keep her against him, high on his chest. Neji pushed the door closed with his foot.
"When did she?" Neji asked.
"Just before you got in," Tenten replied.
"Hn,"
His worried sound. Tenten made her body move and she embraced Neji, putting her head in his opposite shoulder and wrapping her arms around his body. He was chilled from the weather outside, his clothes damp, but Tenten didn't care. He smelled like woods, snow, and Neji.
"The Elders promised they would not seal them," Neji said.
"Yeah, but that was before they were born and before Hatomi decided to be a genius and activate her Byakugan at nine months," Tenten said.
"Hn,"
Another concerned sound. His arm came down and wrapped around Tenten's waist. He kept the arm supporting Hatomi's butt where it was as Hatomi had wrapped her tiny hand in Neji's flank vest to keep her tight against him.
"Miss dada," Hatomi said.
"I missed you too, Princess," Neji told her absently.
Tenten knew, like her, Neji was thinking of the Elders. A deep pit had opened in her stomach and her heart was slamming against her sternum. Tears stung her eyes but she wouldn't dare let them fall. She could feel Neji shivering against her but not from the cold he had escaped from. He was as scared as she was.
It had been fun to think Hatomi and Hizashi would have Byakugan, especially when they hadn't opened their eyes after nine days. Even so, they hadn't told the Elders their twins hadn't opened their eyes right away. Hiashi and Hanabi didn't even know as they had been too busy to visit until day fifteen. Both had looked at the twins' eyes in wonder though.
Now that Hatomi had activated Byakugan though...
Tenten trembled. She let out a breath before turning her head to see what Hizashi was doing. Hizashi was doing his butt shuffle to get to them and Tenten smiled at her son. When he got close enough, he hoisted himself onto his feet by Tenten's pants.
"Umm," Hizashi said.
He couldn't say 'p' but Tenten knew this meant her normally independent boy wanted to be picked up. He had sensed something. Tenten shifted out of Neji's arm and lifted Hizashi into one arm before wrapping the other around Neji. Hizashi grabbed his father's flank vest, hovering on the opposite shoulder as Hatomi. Neji's arm came around them both and he sighed.
"We will not be able to keep this a secret for long," Neji said gently.
"I know," Tenten said.
"But it is winter," Neji said. "Hiashi-sama and Hanabi-sama will be taking this time to catch up on any work they could not do through the summer. It will be a while before they visit again. Hinata-sama is pregnant so she will not want to risk taking the walk when the snow is coming down."
"So, we might have until what, the end of February? That's a little over a month," Tenten said.
Neji let out another breath. Tenten noticed Hizashi sucked on one thumb, something her son hadn't done for weeks now. Even Hatomi seemed to have picked up on the seriousness of the mood as she had lifted her head from Neji's head to stare at both of them.
"I do not know what the Elders would do. All I know is they did verbally promise in front of many clan members and the clan head that they would not brand my children," Neji said.
"Yeah but there wasn't any formal discussion about the circumstances," Tenten said.
She hated to remind him of that little point. Neji scowled and his eyes widened to get the full effect of the creepy whiteness. It didn't bother Tenten as much as it used to.
"The circumstances were either they let me marry you, let us live outside the Compound, and not brand our children or I give my eyes to Orochimaru," Neji said.
Tenten frowned.
"You know as well as I do Orochimaru isn't a viable threat anymore. He's agreed to work with Konoha now and isn't a Missing Nin. That means he won't be allowed to accept your proposition."
Neji let out a puff of air which breezed over her face.
"Then I will go to someone else."
"And leave us behind? Hatomi plopped in front of that door four days ago and didn't move from it unless I moved her to bed or for food. And what will you do when they leave you blind? You think they're going to be nice enough to escort you back home? And if they do, how in the Hell are you supposed to watch your children grow up without eyes?"
Tenten hadn't raised her voice but she did see both Hizashi and Hatomi cower, golden eyes going damp. She had her angry voice going. Neji let out a breath and his jaw went tense.
"So what do you suggest? Should we allow our children to be branded with the same seal as I?" Neji questioned.
His voice rarely raised but the raging tones were there. Hatomi sniffled. Tenten took a deep breath, counted to ten, then let out her breath. Neji did the same. They parted. Neji got his boots off one handed as Tenten carried Hizashi to the couch.
Tenten heard the thud of Neji's supply bag hitting the floor by the door. He would tend to it once he had a shower and got dressed. Of course they still had to continue their talk.
She tried to put Hizashi down once she was on the couch but he clung to her collar. Tenten let out a breath and let him sit in her lap, snuggling tight to her body. She wrapped her arms around his tiny body and kissed the thick dark hair on his head.
Neji sat beside her with Hatomi equally attached. She had buried her face into Neji's neck and clutched his flank vest so hard her little knuckles had gone white. Neji held her close, rocking her slightly.
"So, what do we do?" Neji questioned softly.
Tenten sighed. She had no idea. Sure, the Elders had said they wouldn't brand her and Neji's kids but Neji's threat was gone. The Elders had probably all assumed Neji's kids would never have Byakugan since to them, she was a poppet. In their eyes her genes mixing with Neji's would weaken the Hyuuga. Well she had certainly shown them.
"We have a month to figure it out," Tenten said. "Until then, well, we keep them close."
"Hn,"
Agreement but he was still worried. Tenten smiled when Neji leaned over and kissed her cheek. He made to put Hatomi on the floor but she wouldn't go. Her Byakugan had deactivated at least. Tenten grinned.
"Daddy wants to take a shower and change," Neji told her.
"No go dada," Hatomi said with a trembling lower lip.
Neji smiled softly as his daughter and Tenten felt her heart melting. The love in those white eyes when he looked at Hatomi, Hizashi, and her was too damn sweet.
"You're going to have to take her with you," Tenten said.
"Hn,"
Amused but tired. Neji got up regardless and carried Hatomi to the bathroom. Tenten followed and watched with a smile as Neji sat on the edge of the tub. Hatomi understood Neji's intentions and squirmed until he put her down. Neji took off his flank vest first and managed to toss it in the hamper. Tenten smiled as he peeled off his damp shirt then his wet pants. He wore nothing underneath.
Tenten licked her lips at Neji's naked body as he took off his hitai-ate. Kami, they hadn't touched for ten months. They had been too damn tired. How Naruto managed to get Hinata pregnant was beyond her but the couple did have only one child to deal with.
"Me?" Hatomi said.
Neji chuckled at her but nodded. He did plug up the bathtub before turning on the water. Tenten smiled as he pulled off Hatomi's clothes and diaper. He took the pigtails out of her hair then pulled her into his lap. Tenten tried not to be jealous of her daughter but she couldn't help it.
"Would you like to join, mommy? There is enough room in here," Neji said.
Tenten gulped. There was enough room in their tub. They had tested the theory. Neji smiled at her, one eyebrow raised and Tenten grinned back. She entered the bathroom before settling Hizashi on the floor. She stripped her giggling boy, tickling his bare belly a bit, before pulling off her clothes.
Neji filled the tub half way before stopping the water. He tested it then nodded. Tenten couldn't help but watch as he swung his legs around so his feet and lower legs hit the water. He lowered himself into the tub, keeping one arm around Hatomi while the other arm supported him from falling. Neji went to the back of the tub and winked.
Tenten grinned before picking up Hizashi and stepping into the tub with him. He started splashing instantly and Tenten laughed. Neji chuckled along with her before shifting Hatomi to rest on his upper thigh.
"Bubs?" Hizashi asked.
"No, no bubbles," Neji said.
He had reached up to grab the shampoo. Tenten smiled when he spread his legs so she could kneel between them. She balanced Hizashi in front of Hatomi and the two began to splash each other. Tenten helped Neji get shampoo into his long hair then helped him wash it. He sighed happily as Tenten massaged his scalp.
She did notice him getting hard and felt wetness inside her but not from the warm bathwater. She helped him put his hair into a shampoo filled bun at the top of his head then moved up so she could grab the liquid soap. It put her breasts in Neji's face. She shivered when he licked her right breast, running his tongue over her nipple.
"Pash," Hizashi said with a giggle.
Tenten bit her lip and felt her cheeks heat as she lowered her body. Neji had a flush on his cheeks as well and was looking at their two children splashing the water near them while they sat on his left thigh. Tenten let out a breath to calm her throbbing pussy but it didn't help much. Neji was hard and turning pink. She could see the lust in his eyes as if it had been tattooed there.
They had their kids in the water with them.
Tenten popped the top on the liquid soap then squeezed some onto a wash cloth. She got some good foam going before plopping the wash cloth onto Neji's chest and starting to scrub. Hatomi noticed the motion and giggled. Tenten smiled at Neji as he held their children still on his thigh while she ran the wash cloth and her bare hand over his chest and abs.
"Tenten,"
His voice was light and breathy. Tenten smiled as she skimmed his pubic hair before going to his arms. Neji let out a long breath, leaning back so his head rested on the wall as Tenten washed his arms and their kids. Hizashi and Hatomi chuckled merrily as she tickled them and blew raspberries at them.
She rinsed them quickly and they kept laughing as Neji helped. Tenten winked at him before washing his kid-free thigh. He gasped when she brushed the back of her hand against his still hard cock. Hizashi and Hatomi had gone back to splashing in the water, unconcerned about what Tenten was doing to Neji.
Tenten washed Neji's legs before skimming the wash cloth over his groin. Neji bit his lip and shifted towards her hand. His white eyes landed on their children but both were distracted by the bubbles the soap had created. Tenten wrapped the wash cloth around Neji's cock and started pumping.
Neji shuddered under her hand, closed his eyes, and leaned his head back. He bit his lip to keep from groaning as she fisted him. He came less than a minute later with a little sigh. Tenten gave him a wink when he looked at her. Hatomi and Hizashi hadn't noticed a thing.
"We're going to Hell," Neji said.
"Eh, it'll be warm," Tenten told him.
Neji chuckled at her as she rinsed out the wash cloth. She moved until she could sit at the edge of the tub. Hatomi and Hizashi looked at her with pouts when she unplugged the tub to let the water drain. She smiled at them before taking down the shower head and making sure the water was a decent temperature before rinsing soap off everyone.
"Okay you two, we should let daddy finish up in here," Tenten said.
Hatomi pouted. Tenten kissed Hatomi's forehead before getting out of the tub and wrapping Hizashi in a big puffy towel. She sat him on the floor and got Hatomi. Neji stood then winked before pulling the shower curtain closed. Tenten watched his shadow as he put the shower head back in place before turning to rinse out his hair.
Tenten donned her robe before lifting Hizashi under one arm and Hatomi in the other. They giggled as she brought them into the nursery and began drying them off on the soft, clean area rug. She tickled their tummies and ruffled their damp hair as they kept laughing happily. Neji joined them after a few minutes, just as she got them both back into diapers.
"Dada," Hatomi said.
Tenten smiled at Neji who wore nothing but a towel around his waist and one in a turban on his head. He dressed Hatomi in pair of white stretchy pants and a blue dress with short sleeves. She happily sat in his lap as he brushed her hair.
Hizashi sat still for long enough for her to pull him into gray pants and a blue shirt. He was squirming when she tried to brush his hair but she didn't mind. She could finger comb it and Hizashi's hair would sit neatly against his head. He started scooting away from her on his butt and she laughed at him.
"Hn, if we put a wash cloth under him then he can clean the floors," Neji said.
Tenten nodded but stood as Hizashi scooted out of the nursery. He got tired of scooting a foot outside the nursery and shifted to actually crawling the rest of the way to the living room. He got to the couch then pulled himself to his feet before cruising towards his blocks. Tenten stayed in the living room with Hizashi until Neji came into the room, fully dressed with Hatomi in his arms.
He had tied his hair into a damp pony tail and wore a towel like a cape over his shoulders. Hatomi had one hand curled into his plain tee shirt and the other hiding behind his neck as Neji held her one armed high on his chest. Neji settled onto the couch beside Tenten and kissed her cheek.
"I cleaned up in the bathroom," Neji said.
"Aw, good man," Tenten told him.
"I try," Neji said.
She left him with their children so she could get dressed. It didn't take her long to pull on clean clothes and put her robe away. When she came back she saw Neji with his eyes half closed on the couch. Hizashi was banging his blocks together lightly as he thought about where to put the blocks on his replica Hokage Tower.
Hatomi had leaned fully against Neji, her head on his shoulder while she curled up in his lap watching her brother out of the corner of her eyes. Tenten sat beside Neji on the couch and pulled his head towards her so he leaned on her shoulder.
"Hn,"
His "thanks" sound. Tenten grinned before running her hand over his damp hair. Tenten enjoyed the peaceful moment with her family: Neji snuggled against her shoulder, Hatomi cuddled against his chest, and Hizashi happily playing with his blocks.
No one would take this away from her. Tenten would fill anyone who tried full of senbon even if it was the stupid Hyuuga Elders wanted to brand her kids. Tenten licked her lips. Yeah, that was a good plan.
"I can't believe they're a year all ready,"
Tenten couldn't believe it either and she lived with her kids. Ino shook her head after her remark and smiled at Hatomi and Hizashi. The Konoha Eleven had come over to her and Neji's house to celebrate Hatomi and Hizashi's first birthday.
It meant Boruto, Shikadai, Metal, Chocho, Sarada, and Inojin were playing with her and Neji's twins. Boruto ran around the yard while Shikadai lay in the middle of the yard watching the clouds. Metal wobbled around the yard, not walking well yet, but Hatomi and Hizashi were able to chase after Boruto.
Chocho wobbled fairly well but Sarada was still crawling as was Inojin. Hinata had started showing again, five months pregnant now and due in August. No one else was pregnant but not for lack of trying. For Sakura it was more lack of her husband coming back.
"And they're like, months ahead," Sakura said.
"Yeah, it's scary cuz they're into coloring, they try to move heavy stuff, and they love peek-a-boo," Tenten said.
"That's more of thirteen months," Temari said.
"That's insane," Kiba muttered.
"These are Neji and Tenten's kids," Shikamaru said.
This got a laugh out of everyone, even Hiashi. They watched as Boruto kept out of Hizashi and Hatomi's reach but neither gave up. Boruto went down because of his own feet. Hizashi cackled madly before jumping a top the slightly older boy. Hatomi tried to stop but tripped and face planted, skidding along the grass a few inches.
"Uh-oh," Tenten said.
"Hn," Neji muttered.
He was on his feet a moment later. Hatomi rolled onto her back and sat up. Tears were welling up in her eyes and Tenten saw a huge grass stain across Hatomi's pink dress. Hatomi spotted the grass stain then burst into tears.
"Aw," Ino cooed.
"Wait for it," Tenten said.
She tried not to laugh while Neji casually stepped off the porch and into the grass.
"Daddy," Hatomi called out.
She raised her hands in a classic "pick me up" position as she sobbed. Boruto and Hizashi had stopped rolling around in the grass to gape at her in wonder.
"Oh Kami that's too cute," Temari said between chuckles.
Tenten grinned as her friends laughed. Neji swooped Hatomi into his arms and instantly she buried her head into his shoulder, crying against his neck and clinging to his shirt and hair. Neji rubbed her back as he carried her back towards the porch.
Neji said nothing as he strode by their laughing friends and into the house through their open sliding doors. Her friends calmed down enough and Tenten noticed Boruto and Hizashi still half-wrapped in each other's arms to wrestle on the grass but looking stunned.
Tenten giggled when the boys figured everything was okay and went back to rolling over the grass and each other. Metal had caught up and threw himself to the ground with a thunk. Lee and Yusa winced but Metal rolled around with the two other boys while laughing happily.
"I swear he's made of metal," Yusa muttered.
"Yosh, it's youth," Guy-sensei said.
"Yeah, youth and whatever the Hell you two are feeding him," Naruto said. "He's almost as tall as Boruto and he's three months younger."
Lee gave a "Nice Guy" pose. Naruto rolled his eyes. They talked about whatever came to mind but conversation stopped when Neji came back onto the porch with Hatomi still in his arms. She wore a different pink dress with the same white knee high socks, pink shoes, and white hair band. Neji tried to set her on the ground but she tugged his hair.
"Ow, Princess that hurt," Neji said with a huff.
She pouted at him. A few snickers as he hummed then sat on the end of their half-enclosed porch, his back leaning against the huge door frame leading to their lawn. Their porch took up the entire windowed side of their house and had a roof. Fencing went to waist high while the rest to the roof was windows which could be opened. The doors of their porch lined up with the sliding doors but were twice as big.
In one corner was a wooden swinging bench and the other was the outdoor couches and chairs with the table. More chairs had been added, simple folding ones they kept in the shed to the far corner of their backyard, for today's event.
Tenten watched as Neji extended his long, muscular legs out in front of him, crossing them at the ankle. Hatomi moved until she straddled him, rubbing her face into his chest and clutching his hair in one hand, his shirt in the other. Neji sighed and rubbed her back.
"Such a daddy's girl," Kiba said with a laugh.
"She's like a little barnacle," Tenten said.
"Hn," Neji muttered.
Tenten grinned at him. She watched as Hizashi, Boruto, and Metal rolled across the lawn eventually being forced to stop lest they roll over Sarada and Chocho who played with stuffed animals on the lawn. Inojin flicked a stuffed bear back and forth but didn't look entirely enthused to be stuck playing with the two girls. Tenten was pretty sure Shikadai had fallen asleep in the grass.
Boruto got to his feet and Hizashi got up after him. Metal struggled then fell backwards on his ass. Yusa and Lee winced but Metal simply tried again while Hizashi and Boruto half ran, half walked towards the porch. Metal fell on his face this time.
"Jeez," Ino muttered.
"Tell me about it," Karui said.
"He's fine, surprisingly," Yusa said.
"He gets it from me," Lee proclaimed with a grin.
"No sh-uh, yeah, no, yeah," Kiba said.
Chuckles. Everyone watched as Boruto and Hizashi stood beside Neji, covered in grass stains and grass with their hair a mess and their clothes rumpled.
"Play?" Boruto asked.
He extended a hand to Hatomi. This got coos from all the women in attendance and snickers from the guys. Tenten grinned. Hatomi blinked at Boruto then shook her head. Boruto stared at her, head tilted to a side and a painfully confused look on his face.
"Play?" Boruto questioned again.
Hatomi sniffled then buried her face into Neji's shoulder. Neji hummed.
"She wants to rest right now," Neji said to Boruto.
Boruto frowned. Hizashi started walking away to Metal who had finally managed to stand without tipping over.
"Bad," Boruto said and pointed to Hatomi.
"She's not bad," Naruto told his son.
Boruto huffed. He bopped Hatomi on the head with a flat palm. Silence for a few seconds then Hatomi sniffled. Neji's Byakugan activated and he sat up from his lounging position. Boruto gasped and fell onto his ass.
"Boruto, apologize to Hatomi this instant," Hinata said.
Boruto gulped. Tenten sighed as Neji kept glaring at Boruto. She did hear Hanabi chuckle and saw Hizashi was coming over with a little frown on his face.
"No," Boruto said.
Naruto got to his feet as Boruto stuck his tongue out at Hatomi. Before anyone could process the affront completely, Hatomi got out of Neji's arms. Tenten mentally cursed when the veins appeared around her daughter's eyes. She saw Hiashi's eyes widened and his lips part. Hanabi spat water out of her mouth. Hinata gasped and covered her mouth.
Neji reached out for his daughter but she kicked Boruto in the shin before he could grab her as he too had been stunned by seeing her Byakugan activate for the second time. Hatomi yelped in shock but her Byakugan stayed active. She struggled against Neji but he was up and forcing her head into his chest, covering her eyes with his hand.
Boruto gaped in awe as Neji took off into the living room with a sobbing Hatomi. Tenten winced when Hizashi whacked Boruto over the head with a block.
"Bad," Hizashi said.
"Damn it," Naruto muttered.
Tenten reacted first, picking up her son before he could do any more damage with his block while Boruto burst into tears. She noticed when she turned that Hiashi was missing from their group. Everyone else had been too stunned to see the older Hyuuga move.
Tenten found him standing in front of Neji who stood in the kitchen, back against the counter as he kept Hatomi's head in his chest, covering her face with one hand. Tenten tucked a squirming Hizashi under one arm as she approached.
Neji had his Byakugan activated but so did Hiashi. Tenten sensed others and half turned to see Hanabi and Hinata come into the living room. Hinata shut the door behind her and everyone watched. No one tried to follow.
"When did she manifest it?" Hiashi asked.
"Manifest what?" Neji returned.
Tenten sat Hizashi on the kitchen table then clamped a hand over his mouth.
"No hitting, that's bad," Tenten told him.
It was hard to keep her eyes on her son when Hiashi glared at Neji, gritting his teeth. Hizashi did have tears in his eyes at least. Tenten noticed Hanabi and Hinata had come to stand in the kitchen, Hanabi close to her father and Hinata kind of in between Neji and Hiashi.
"I know you wanted to protect your sister but that was mean," Tenten said to Hizashi.
He sniffled. Tenten didn't know if he fully understood but set him on the ground. She placed him in the time out corner and he sat there with his head down. Now she could take care of the bigger problem.
"Neji, I can see the charka around her eyes. Do not take me for a fool," Hiashi said.
"She manifested it three months ago the day Neji came back from that week long mission," Tenten said.
She glared at Neji's angry, betrayed look.
"Right, cuz he would totally believe he was seeing things. They would find out eventually," Tenten said.
Neji sighed and as he did, his body relaxed marginally. At least he lowered his hand so Hatomi could pop her head out of her father's chest and blink. She still had Byakugan activated. Tenten tensed as Hiashi lifted one hand and gently turned Hatomi's face to his.
She blinked at him, light gold eyes wide and lips parted. Hiashi frowned. Tenten noticed Hanabi had crossed her arms under her bust and had a scowl on her face. Hinata was nibbling on her lower lip.
"Orochimaru is no longer something you can threaten the Elders with," Hiashi said softly.
"I am aware of that," Neji said.
"If any Hyuuga tries to take Hatomi away to put that seal on her then I'll kill them," Tenten said.
She stood her ground when Hiashi turned to face her, one eyebrow raised. He did let go of Hatomi at least. Hatomi decided hiding in daddy's neck was the safest move but Tenten didn't blame her daughter.
"Will you now?" Hiashi asked.
"You bet your ass I will," Tenten said. "I've all ready put enough traps in place over their window even Neji wouldn't be able to sneak through and every one of those traps aims to take out eyes. You know I'm a strong enough kunoichi I will wake up to the slightest bit of unfamiliar charka in my home. You know how I react to chakra I don't recognize."
To emphasis this point she summoned a senbon. It was airborne before Hiashi realized she summoned it. He winced when it flew past his right eye, close enough it took out some hair then embedded itself in a cupboard behind Hiashi's head.
"And you know I intentionally missed just now,"
Hiashi nodded. He touched the tip of his right ear and his hand came away with blood on it. Hanabi winced. Hinata let out a little breath. Neji smiled for a moment before putting his face back to neutral. Hiashi snorted softly but shook his head.
"We will not be able to keep this a secret," Hiashi said. "There are too many witnesses, some of which are children who will not know any better. I did have the Elders sign a contract outlining Neji's requests before you two were wed. Even so, Neji and you no longer have anything to bargain or threaten the Hyuuga with besides obvious physical harm. I do not know how the Elders will react to this news but I doubt it will be with kindness."
Tenten gritted her teeth. Hanabi huffed as Hinata scowled. Neji kept holding Hatomi close, rubbing her back and humming a light tune under his breath. At least they had all ready done the present and cake thing. The birthday wasn't an entire bust.
"We all know Neji is part of the Branch House and we know any child he bears is Branch which means under Hyuuga Law they are to be sealed. I do not want to put that seal on Hatomi or Hizashi but I am not the only one who knows how to do it. I will try my best to control my family and I will hold no ill regard to you if you happen to take someone's eyes out protecting your children. I cannot say the same about the Elders," Hiashi said.
It didn't sound promising. If she did take out a Hyuuga's eyes she would probably have to face a trial and until that trail be put in a cell. It wouldn't matter if she did it to protect her kids. The Hyuuga clan was too damned powerful and they would demand blood. Okay. So she would aim for less vital areas.
"Thanks," Tenten said.
Hiashi nodded. He gave Hatomi a final look before bowing to Neji. Neji inclined his head but kept the frown on his face.
"I will take my leave now," Hiashi said.
Tenten didn't move which forced him to walk around her. He left without another word. Hanabi sighed.
"Stupid clan rules. I'll try too, niisan, don't you worry," Hanabi said.
"Thank you," Neji said.
She nodded to him and followed her father out. Tenten turned when the living room doors slipped open and her friends began piling into the living room. Naruto was holding Boruto under an arm while the little blond sniffled.
Metal stood between his parents, both arms raised and hands being held by them. Sakura carried Sarada, Choji held Chocho, Sai held Inojin, and Temari held Shikadai.
"Uh, so?" Kiba asked.
"The Elders will be informed," Hinata said. "But father and neesan will try their best to hold back the clan. Neji-niisan and Tenten-neechan no longer have Orochimaru as a threat."
"Well crap," Kiba muttered.
"But I've got traps and sharp pointy objects. No one is getting to my kids," Tenten said.
"If I must keep my Byakugan activated every night then I will," Neji said.
Naruto huffed.
"Man, if I was hokage all ready I could force the Hyuuga to abolish the curse seal," Naruto said.
"It will not be so simple," Shino said.
Tenten frowned as did everyone else.
"You are talking about changing the ancient customs of the largest, richest, and most powerful clan in Konoha. If you insult them they might revolt which would be worse than any potential revolt the Uchiha had planned," Shino said.
"Not necessarily," Hinata said. "Half of the Main House wants to be rid of the curse seal, especially the younger generation. The entire Branch House would be happy to see it gone as well."
"Yeah but those half from the Main House can force the Branch to fight or kill them if they don't," Shikamaru said.
He sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"Troublesome, but I'll see what I can dig up and work out," Shikamaru said. "Think of it as my birthday present to those two since Temari bought our present."
Tenten grinned and saw Neji relax.
"Thank you," Neji said.
Shikamaru shrugged. Everyone began to filter out then as the party had been effectively ruined by Hyuuga clan politics. Neji put Hatomi down for a nap and Tenten allowed Hizashi out of his time out corner. She put him down for a nap and made sure the traps on their window were set.
She joined Neji in cleaning up their patio and yard, noticing he had not deactivated Byakugan. When they had finished cleaning, they woke up their twins. Hizashi was happy to play with his toys but Hatomi didn't want Neji to put her down.
Somehow, someway, on some innate level, Hatomi knew. Tenten hated it but there was nothing she could do but try to protect her daughter. Tenten let the swell of motherly protective instincts wash over her. No one would hurt her kids. No one.
Go momma Tenten. And no, I have no idea where I'm going with this or when Neji and Tenten will go back to the kinky sex. I'm oddly fine with how this is turning out. :)
As always: reviews welcome.