Neji refused to meet the boy. After he got out of bed the following night, he stuck to the strict routine he had before he met the boy. He would only deal with work matters and nothing else. This was how it should have been from the start.
After three or four days, a nervous servant reported to him about the boy. "He has eaten very little and does not leave his room," the servant told him.
To say he did not feel concerned was a lie, but he shoved those feelings down deep, and only replied, "If he doesn't want to eat, that is his choice. I will not pay attention to him just because he is throwing a tantrum."
He didn't mean his words, but he could not go to him as he had before. Could not entice him to eat. That was not his job. It was Haru's. He would leave it for Haru to handle.
A few days after that, he received another report. He had stayed up all night finishing his work, the sun peeking over the mountains when Sasuke came to report to him. He was the guard he least wished to see, forced to have him back thanks to Shisui's constant thinly veiled threats and pressure. He had made it clear he did not wish to see him. "Do you not know how to follow orders?" He asked, not looking at him. "I do not wish to see or hear you until I say."
Rather than apologize as he should, he spoke as if Neji had said nothing. "Your mate just climbed the wall and left the manor. Should we go retrieve him?"
He left? Neji stopped writing, staring off into space. He had never tried to escape before. But what right did he have to stop him? Wouldn't it be better if he left? And yet he felt nauseous. "If he wants to leave, then let him. He is not a prisoner here."
Sasuke rudely stared at him. He was becoming too arrogant; however, Neji did not reprimand him, too tired and lacking the energy to do so. He did not want to anger Shisui so soon. It was annoying to deal with. "If that is what my master wishes." He bowed, ready to finally leave him alone.
"Keep an eye on him… so that he does not encounter any trouble," he said quietly.
Sasuke glanced at him, before confirming his order, "Yes, my lord."
A part of his mind was on the boy that day, wondering if he would be returning and if he was safe. He forced himself not to ask for an update, only to be informed if he returned. The boy returned the morning of the next day safe and sound. Still, he did not go to see him in person, hoping that the boy's affection for him would go away.
But he knew this could not go on forever. They could not live in the same house and never meet. Something would have to be done, even if it meant sending him away for a while.
He sighed heavily, drawing Sugo's eye, pausing in his writing. Neji had been dictating a list of things for Sugo to do on his behalf. The sigh was out of character for him and Sugo looked at him with concern. "Did I tell you to stop?" Neji asked sharply.
Sugo immediately continued writing.
Shisui entered the room, not waiting to be announced or let in. That was the last straw. Neji was not going to let this man keep taking advantage of his status when he worked for him.
He opened his mouth to say a biting remark; instead, the slightly disheveled Shisui had Neji leaning forward hands on his desk ready to get on his feet. "What has happened?"
"Foreign emissaries wish to meet you. They are making demands to meet your mate. They say they have come from Ejipto." He responded somberly.
Neji's jaw clenched. "Who found them?"
"Tobi-kun. He was helping to find a way to get the young master back home as you requested, and he found them."
That Chinese servant found them, the one who had tried to sell Gaara in the first place? Can he even be trusted? What if these people had ulterior motives? He couldn't expose Gaara to such vile people. He had to vet them first. Make sure they were safe and get rid of them if they weren't. He couldn't allow Gaara to meet them. Just in case.
"I will meet with them, gather some guards, Kakashi-san, and Nara-san as well. We cannot be too careful."
"Yes, my lord." Shisui left, and Neji was up, going to his room to change into more formal clothing and taking his sword.
"Master, is there anything I should do?" Natsu asked, carefully doing Neji's hair.
"Keep Gaara-san away, unless I call for him." He did not want to send him to someone who might be trying to take advantage of him. He had thought of this before, but Gaara was a trained warrior. He could not imagine him being easily taken by Chinese merchants to be sold when he dispatched his kidnappers after days of no food and water. It was likely someone Gaara had trusted was involved.
He went to the receiving hall, seeing Kakashi, four visible guards, and feeling the presence of six guards somewhere nearby. Nara and Uchiha were his only present advisors as his other three were away on business. At least it was the smartest two. His guests were being kept outside. Rude, but it was under the guise that they were seeking permission and preparing to receive them. It was not a small group. From the report, there were 10 of them. Though Neji insisted to keep most of them outside the gate, the foreigners insisted they were needed. Not wanting to draw local attention, he conceded; however, the foreigners would be escorted in by additional guards, all vampires, as a precaution.
Neji sat down, preparing himself for what may come. He glanced at his advisors who were also ready to receive these guests. He inhaled slowly, his hands on his legs gripping the fabric of his clothing. "Let them in."
Half a stick of incense later and the doors opened. They were people Neji had never seen before. Their skin was dark as if tanned under the sun for a long time. Their build was bulkier. 8 of the 10 guests were guards. They wore long white tunics with brown sashes around their waist. On their heads were white cloths twisted into what appeared to function as a hat. On their shoulders rested a black cloak. They carried swords, but also rifles, causing Neji to frown at seeing them.
The other two seemed to be of higher status, particularly the one who walked slightly ahead of the other. He had a handsome face, his skin slightly lighter than the others. He had a beard, but the hair was short and well-groomed, thick eyebrows that made his dark eyes seem lackluster, and a long straight nose. He wore a long black tunic as well the front decorated with elaborate golden thread design around the neck and trailing down towards the naval. The material had a slight shine to it, making Neji think that perhaps it was silk and it had a matching black cloth on top of his head twisted into a hat, the excess cloth trailing down to the side with two golden tassels hanging from it. He also had a sword at his hip, the weapon sharing similarities to Gaara's.
This man walked past the others to the front, put his hand over his heart, and said, "As-salaam 'alaykum," his voice was deep, but had a freezing edge to his words as if he was suppressing his dislike for Neji.
Tobi, who Neji had not noticed at first because his form had been hidden by one of the guards, walked forward as well. "He says peace be upon you. He offers his greeting to you, Hyuuga-sama."
That servant could speak this strange language too? He glanced at his two advisors to see if they recognized the language, but neither made a move. They did not know either. They would have to rely on this person to communicate, something that did not sit well with him. He knew little about Tobi other than he was the servant of the people who took Gaara captive. Now they had to rely on him to communicate. They were at a large disadvantage in this situation.
"State who you are and your purpose here," Neji ordered. These people did not bow to him upon entering, causing most people in the room to develop hostile feelings towards their "guests".
Tobi translated almost flawlessly, stumbling only once. How did this slave know so many languages? The supposed leader responded. His tone made it appear he did not have much respect for the people before them. Neji may have been imagining it, but it felt like the foreigner was harboring hatred towards him.
"He says that he heard that someone from his country was abducted and they came to retrieve him to send him home, my lord."
Neji's eyes narrowed. "How did you find out about this person, and how did you come into this country when no foreigners are allowed within the borders."
"He says that it was a request, and they have been trying to find him for a long time. They waited to get permission from the Shogunate before landing, promising to trade something in return."
"What did they trade?" Neji pressed.
Tobi looked at the leader who only gave him a look. "It is a state secret."
"You expect us to trust you? What reason do I have to believe your intentions are good when you do not even introduce yourself before making demands? And what reason do I have to give this person to you when he was gifted to me."
Tobi was silent, prompting the foreigner to talk to him first. Tobi exchanged a few more words with him, hesitantly. The foreigner bristled, his eyes darkening and showing more hostility. He said something else.
Tobi sighed. "They are willing to pay for him and compensate you for your loss, my lord, but they do insist on taking him back."
"And if I say no?" Neji glared. Why should he give Gaara to them? They have been nothing but rude and that foreigner's eyes that held hate and contempt towards him rubbed him the wrong way. It was better for Gaara to remain here where he could guarantee his safety and find another way to send him home.
Tobi translated his response and the second foreigner who Neji assumed was not a guard. An old man wearing a brightly colored tunic interrupted, appearing to appeal to the foreigner in black angrily. Tobi responded, seemingly trying to placate him. The foreigner in black's eyes never left him, his eyes narrowing. That man wanted to kill him.
The foreigner in black responded in a calm voice. Tobi bowed to Neji, "He says that if you bring him here, he can verify their identities."
No, he did not want to. These rude creatures did not deserve to see Gaara. If they had good intentions, why would they bring so many guards and weapons and insist on it?
"Hyuuga-sama, it may be best if the young master were to verify their identities. It would be the quickest way," Shisui said.
"I agree," Nara added. "If they are to be lying or have ill intentions, we can just kill them."
Neji did not want to. Every part of him screamed that he should not let them see him, but he had promised to try to send him back. Could he possibly pass on this chance to send him back safely if they were here to help?
"Bring him." He had to force the words out and his hands gripped the fabric tighter as he heard a servant go retrieve him.
The tension in the room rose with each passing second, neither side speaking. When the door reopened, and Gaara stepped through, Neji felt his heart in his throat. He had not seen Gaara since that day, but seeing him, the need to be by his side reared its ugly head. There was dark circles under his eyes, and Neji was certain Gaara had lost some weight.
"Gaara?" The foreigner in black spoke up.
Gaara's eyes, which had been staring at the ground since entering looked up. In a split second, his expression changed to shock as he said in a disbelieving voice, "Kankuro?"
"Gaara!" the foreigner's expression changed into one of relief as he approached Gaara.
Neji's guards drew their swords in warning to stop the approach, but Gaara went to them, a large smile on his face. "Kankuro!"
The foreigner and Gaara held their right hands together, as the foreigner's left hand touched Gaara's back affectionately. If that contact was not enough to shock every Japanese person in the room, the two men kissed both of each other's cheeks twice then brought their faces together. It was incredibly intimate and while it made everyone very uncomfortable, Neji was not only uncomfortable at the display but quietly fuming. How could he be so intimate with another man? Did he not have self-respect? At least with Neji, he was his mate. Who was that man?
"As-salaam 'alaykum, Gaara."
"Wa 'alaykum as-salaam, Kankuro."
The affection they shared was clear as they spoke to each other gently and familiarly. The hostility the foreigner had carried was completely gone as he regarded Gaara warmly. Was this man his lover from before? They still had not let each other go, still touching. Even Neji had not touched Gaara so familiarly. Who was this man?
The old man spoke, his voice shaking with emotion as he took Gaara's hands next, falling to his knees and bringing Gaara's hands to his forehead sobbing. Gaara addressed the man, not as warm as he had to the foreigner in black, but still with a level of affection. There was no doubt he knew these people.
The foreigner in black addressed the guards who all bowed towards Gaara, shouting, "Şehzade Sultan Gaara." The level of respect they showed Gaara, he was someone important.
"What did they say," Nara asked, curiosity in his voice.
Tobi responded, "They greeted the imperial blood of the Sultan. It seems he is one of their country's princes."
"Is that so," he said with surprise.
Neji wasn't listening. Not completely. Though he heard the conversation and would contemplate it later, he could not tear his eyes away from the touching. How much longer were they going to be like this? "Gaara-san, who is this person?" he asked through tight lips, trying to reign in this growing anger that was proportionate to how long Gaara kept touching this unknown person.
Gaara looked at him then quickly away, the joy on his face draining in a second and replaced with a more neutral if not downcast expression. "He is my older brother, Kankuro."
The tone of his voice caught his brother's attention, his own expression becoming more severe as he spoke to Gaara. Gaara shook his head no to whatever the man was asking, responding in kind, his smile returning but more reserved.
Neji let out a breath he was holding. That man was just a brother. Skinship between relatives was to be expected, though maybe not to the degree they were displaying in front of Neji's staff. As long as that man was not a lover.
Wait, wasn't that worse? He could deny Gaara from leaving with an old lover, but not his family. Why did he even want to stop him from leaving? Is this not what he wanted and hoped for?
"This reunion is a blessing and a joy that should be celebrated," Neji spoke. His words should have been more jovial, showing his happiness that Gaara had found his family, but rather it was said with no feeling. "Let us prepare food for our guests and give us time to prepare rooms for them."
Tobi translated then responded on their behave, "They are grateful for your hospitality."
A sudden dinner was not on his list of things to do. If Neji was in his right mind, he would already be making accounting notes as they would have to buy additional food to compensate for the additional guest, perhaps even sending someone into town tonight to buy essentials if it was needed. However, Neji was concentrated on Gaara as the servants brought trays to serve them tea and talk as they waited for the food to be prepared.
Gaara should have been sitting next to him. He was his mate, and yet he sat next to his brother conversing with him. Neji could only sit quietly, watching Gaara.
Gaara drank the tea while his brother made a face at the cup. It appeared the drink was not to their liking. "Is there an issue with the tea?" he asked Tobi, unable to hide the bitter tone.
Tobi was sitting to his right in between Neji and the foreigners. He did not trust Tobi, but from what he could tell, he was translating well enough. "They are asking about something called coffee?" he said uncertainly, pausing to listen to the conversation. "They are referring to the tea as leaf water."
"Coffee?" Neji looked at his advisors but neither of them had an idea of what they spoke of. "Then provide them with sake."
The sake went slightly better, but Kankuro did not touch his. Something about alcohol was a gateway to sin and bad behavior. Gaara did not touch the alcohol either. The way Gaara sat, the mannerisms that he had picked up while in Japan reverted back to when he first arrived. The way he sat, the way he drank, his expressions, they were different than his usual self. It was like he did not know Gaara at all.
"It is quite remarkable. Hyuuga-sama's mate is a prince," Shisui said, drinking from his sake cup. "Only the best for Hyuuga-sama."
Neji was only listening with half an ear, but even he inwardly scoffed at the statement. His cousin was the lover of a god. He was just mocking him.
"Yes, it is a bit surprising," Nara glanced over at Neji, hiding the bottom half of his mouth with his fan. "Did the young master never mention this to you before, my lord?"
No, he hadn't, and Neji did not want to admit that to them. In hindsight, it did make sense. Gaara was obviously a noble. He had figured that out on his own as Gaara had been well educated, but no matter how often Neji and others tried to make him speak formally, explaining the hierarchy of the language, Gaara would never use it. In reality, Gaara was the one using it correctly, and Neji was the one being too informal. It was not like Neji was speaking casually, just not as formally as he should have been like he was with Seiryu.
Why didn't Gaara tell him he was royalty? He could understand why not at first, but after spending all this time together, it should have come up.
Or maybe it was impossible from the start. He listened to Gaara's stories about his homeland, but he never asked questions. He never asked about Gaara's family or personal life. If Gaara never offered, Neji never thought to ask. Though he thought Gaara may have been a noble, he never tried to confirm it. He never asked anything.
It wasn't completely his fault. It was rude to pry about personal information, but he could have asked something, even if it was asking about his favorite foods or about his homeland.
Dinner came, and it was almost a relief to see Gaara using chopsticks like there was something that had changed about him and stuck. Throughout the meal, their guests kept to themselves, not trying to engage with their hosts. At times, the man named Kankuro would look over to Neji, but his gaze still held animosity.
There was only so much rude behavior Neji could take. He was barely restraining his anger, barely keeping himself from ripping Gaara away from that man's side, but that was Gaara's brother which in turn, made him Neji's brother. He should be showing some respect towards his brother-in-law but being so much older than these children across from him, he could not help but grow annoyed at the blatant disrespect.
He should leave before he did something he would regret. "I apologize for leaving, but there is still some unfinished business I must attend to as I was not expecting guests. Please enjoy your meal. Rooms shall be prepared for you to rest in."
Neji didn't bother to bow. He was grinding his teeth, seeing Gaara be the one to translate what he said to the foreigners. He could not keep watching this, so he left.
He sat in his office, finishing up the rest of the work and placing orders they would need to take care of their guests for the next couple of days; however, his mind was hardly on his work. His behavior tonight was unseemly. Ever since he met Gaara, his behavior had become more and more erratic. Originally, at most he would feel a mild annoyance at any inconvenience or problem, now his temper could barely be controlled, and he was no longer thinking rationally.
He tried not to think of Gaara, but his mind kept drifting to him. What was he going to do? Was he going to go with them? Or would he stay?
He rubbed the back of his neck, leaning over his desk. It had been a while since he had a headache.
Deciding fresh air would do him so good and calm his emotions and clear his head. He wanted to stop thinking.
But Gaara was there, standing in the gardens, looking up at the moon, the soft light illuminating his face. He was lost in thought, his eyes glazed over in thought. He was alluring, like a spirit one would see when lost in the woods, an unearthly being that seemed lost to lure you in, only to spirit you away.
As if beckoning him, Neji was drawn to him. "Why are you not with the foreigners?"
He had not meant to ask out loud. Gaara turned around, at first startled. He quickly schooled his expression, sealing off his emotions. Casually he looked away. "My brother is having a hard time here. He is taking a break."
His tone was monotoned, yet it felt biting, leaving Neji with a weak, "I see," in response.
They stood in a thick silence, the tension building. Neji should walk away. He had spent these past nights putting space between them, but every thought of leaving flitted away. He had to stay. He had to know. "Will you leave with them?"
"Why ask? It that not what Hyuuga-san want." San? There was definitely sharpness to his words, a tone Gaara had never used with him before, but using an honorific and last name after all this time? Previously, he had tried to get Gaara to call him that early on before just letting it go, so why did it hurt so much to hear that from Gaara's lips now?
"Before, you said you wished to stay here rather than return home. Is that not true?"
Gaara's eyes shot away. "This is what you wanted. You look for them. You found them. I understand now. I will leave with Kankuro. I will trouble you no longer."
"You did not trouble me," Neji was quick to say. The idea of Gaara leaving was causing him to panic, and he could not understand why. It was as Gaara said, he had been trying to send him back. This was what he wanted, so why was he trying to stop it? "You need to better understand your own heart. What you did, what you feel, you do not feel for me in that way. I helped you, so you feel gratitude. You are confusing your admiration for something more."
"You think… what I feel is…." His lips twitched. "You think I am stupid? That I do not know my own heart?"
"You are still a child, and I have spoiled you too much. You do not understand the gravity of what you did."
"I don't understand the gravity…" he repeated. Suddenly, he looked at Neji, and Neji's heart froze at the sight. Gaara was angry. More than angry. His eyes conveyed a look that did not compare to the one when Gaara thought Neji had bought him. It was a look that may have rivaled Seiryu's anger, a chilling gaze that would make someone cower. "You call me a child but act younger than I. I will leave. Return the things given to me. And pay for your care. This child will trouble you no more." Gaara turned sharply, walking quickly away.
"Gaara-san." He could not let him walk away. He grabbed his wrist to stop his retreat. "I have not finished speaking."
Gaara heel turned, and Neji was met with a fist to his face. The impact was just below Neji's left eye, hitting and breaking the cheekbone. He had known Gaara was strong, but Neji never thought Gaara would turn and use it on him. "I am a prince. How long you speak informally to me?"
Neji stunned, let Gaara go. "My… my apologies."
Gaara's jaw clenched. "When we leave, do not send us off. If you do, this childish prince may cause you trouble."
Gaara lingered for a few more seconds then walked away in a hurry. Neji watched him, still in a mild state of shock. His face finished healing, but he continued to stare at the place Gaara stood moments before. His shadow guard had not stepped in even though they undoubtedly saw what happened. He supposed that was a good thing. He would have killed anyone who harmed Gaara.
His fists clenched so hard; his nails dug into his flesh, causing them to bleed. The look Gaara gave him. Why did it upset him so much? Nothing Neji said was wrong. He wasn't wrong. When Gaara grew older and experienced more of the world, he would understand. He was doing this for him so Gaara would not suffer like he had and repeat Neji's mistakes.
He felt something wet travel down his cheek. Was this really the last thing they would say to one another?
"Master, may I speak with you?"
Distracted by Gaara's presence, he had not noticed Haru nearby, though he should have guessed. Haru was always nearby Gaara. "No," he said reflexively, wiping his face. He did not want to deal with anyone else tonight.
Uncharacteristically, Haru pushed. "It is about Gaara-sama. I wish to travel with him and ensure that he leaves safely."
Of course, Haru wanted to leave with him. Haru had been more loyal to Gaara lately than him after all. Sugo's words crept into his mind. And his anger and frustration turned onto Haru. "You are so attentive to him. If people did not know the truth, they would think you were his mate rather than me."
Haru's expression turned defiant briefly, inhaling sharply and thinning his lips. Just give him an excuse, Neji thought. Just say something so he could lash out at him.
"Is there a reason why you would think so, master? I would never touch what is yours. I am loyal to you."
"Did you think I would not hear how you spend your nights in his room? That you clean his soiled sheets. You speak on his behalf, always clinging to him, and you say you are loyal to me? Did you tell him to kiss me as well so he would fall out of my favor?"
Haru did not rise to the accusations, merely looking at his master with pity. "I apologize, Master. I have lied to you, hoping to help you. I understand now it was an error to do so and wish to correct it. lied when I said I believed Gaara-sama was struggling based on feeling alone. In truth, I witnessed it personally. When master brought home a woman and brought her to your bed, Gaara-sama could hear it. Every night, the young master had to endure. His heart cried, but he still refused to embarrass Master and tell you the truth. The young master has held Master in his heart since you brought the woman to your tent on the way to the military camp. He is very pitiful to allow himself to be hurt by master's words and blame himself for caring too much. In truth, his pain reminded me of Master's."
He bowed deeply, "I have carried your orders in my heart. I was tasked to care for the young master as I would with you. I only wish for Master to be happy, so I also wish for the young master to be happy as well. I was mistaken to believe that the way to achieve this was to help him approach you. I will see him off safely and receive any punishment you give me."
Neji's brain had stuttered and stopped at "Gaara could hear it". He could not think of a response to give, and he hurriedly told Haru to leave and that his punishment would be decided later. He felt shame. He did nothing wrong. He was not married, and this was his house. What did it matter if Gaara heard him? He did nothing worth shame under scrutiny.
So why did he feel terrible? As if life was mocking him, he received one last visitor, as if the gods would not allow him to breath.
"Hyuuga-sama," Sugo approached him from behind.
"Speak," he ordered, though his mind was elsewhere. He just wanted to get this over with.
"There has been news. The man you were searching for, someone by his description has been spotted on Mt. Hiei. We are confirming his identity."
The timing could not have been worse. Or was it perfect? He should stay to see Gaara off, but Gaara had said he did not want to see Neji as he left.
He had waited to hear news of his brother, and yet, hearing the first clue in over 300 years, it felt lacking. Almost as if he did not care. His entire existence revolved on finding and killing his brother, and yet he was debating on delaying the follow-up over something so small and insignificant.
"Surround and move in on that location. I will leave soon." He lacked any emotion, feeling hollow. There was no excitement that he was making progress, anger and hatred that would normally swell in his chest at the mention of his brother, or even motivation to follow through. What was wrong with him?
"Yes, my lord, I will convey your orders."
Neji's eyes wandered to Gaara's room, seeing the silhouette of two people inside even at the distance. "And prepare my horse."
Sugo smiled, bowing deeply. "Yes, my lord."