Neji was caught by complete surprise. In front of him was a cushion, a few candles and some incense.

At first, Neji didn't know what to do with it, until he found a note attached to one of the candles. As he read it, he smiled.

All it really said was Happy birthday. Sasuke. But it was more then enough to Neji.

It was his birthday after all, and even though he never once mentioned it to Sasuke, he must have caught it from somewhere.

Neji hadn't expected to get anything, nor did he particularly want it. But now that Sasuke had put some effort in it, even going so far as to pick out things for Neji to meditate with, he was happy.

He hadn't thought Sasuke was the gift giving type. Apparantly he was.

As Neji put the note back down and proceeded to enter the living room, he saw Sasuke sitting on the couch lazily, drinking tea while reading a scroll. Neji inwardly laughed.

The Uchiha was good at pretending nothing was going on.

But as Neji sat down next to him, Sasuke pushed another cup of tea his way and Neji knew he had made it just for him.

"Thank you Sasuke." Neji said, taking a sip of his tea. It was actually quite good.

Sasuke simply shrugged and continued to read his scroll.

Neji silently drank his tea, until he was finished. He then spoke up again.

"I'll be meditating today, with the articles you got me."

Sasuke finally decided to look at Neji and he returned the look.

"Did you have anything else in mind?" Neji asked as Sasuke returned to his scroll once more.

It was silent for a little while, until Sasuke put his scroll away and got up.

He walked over to Neji, pulled him up by his arm and dragged him to the bedroom. It wasn't much of a surprise.

It was very welcome though.

As Neji was gently pushed onto the bed, enjoying the kisses he received to his neck, he wondered.

If Sasuke hadn't been there, would he ever have done this with anyone else?

His life would have been so different. Maybe he'd be with a girl at some point.

He'd marry her, because he had to and then had children.

With Sasuke in his life, he realised things could go so different.

His faith, as he would have called it some years ago, had changed.

He would probably not marry Sasuke, since it wasn't legal or anything. Marriage was for a man and a woman.

He would definitely not have children with Sasuke either. They might find a way to raise a child, but it would never be theirs together.

But Neji knew, in all honesty, chances of them staying together for that long were slim anyway.

The Hyuuga frowned upon these types of relationships. Neji did not want to think of what could happen would his family find out.

Then even if they managed to get through that, they might break up for a number of reasons.

Not every couple would survive. And with them both being ninja, there was a high possibility their relationship would die, when one of them passed on.

With all the fighting ninja did, they were both at risk of dying young. Neji had experienced that first hand when his life had been hanging by a thread.

He knew Sasuke had been there too.

However, even with all the risks their relationship brought and the chances of it failing being so great, Neji wouldn't give it up.

He genuinely wanted this to last. He genuinely wanted Sasuke and him to make it through any hardship that would most likely be thrown their way.

No matter how stupid it may sound, Neji would never say it out loud, he wanted them to be together.

For a long time to come.

Because in the last few weeks, Neji had realised something else.

Something far more impressing then any of those ideas that came before it, regarding their relationship.

He loved the younger boy.

So he would let him do whatever he wanted, enjoyed whatever Sasuke did to him.

Because he loved Sasuke and wanted him to be happy.

And honestly, it didn't really matter what the other did, Neji always liked it.

As Sasuke pulled away slightly from Neji, looking at him with those eyes that said I want you, in any way possible, the Uchiha spoke.

"Happy birthday Neji."

And Neji smiled, for it was spoken so soft and genuine, Neji could hear it in his voice.

He was not the only one.

-.-.-