A/N – Chapter two is finally here! My god, this took so long to write and get out. But I'm pretty pleased with my world and character building for this story so far. I've got so many ideas I want to put into this story. For those who are still waiting for my chapter update for The Laws of Logic, I promise it's coming! In the meantime, please enjoy and I hope you like it.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Naruto.
-X-
"I'm getting married."
It was hard to keep a straight face.
She didn't respond immediately – at least not verbally.
Tenten was never really one for subtlety. Expressing her emotions was like an automatic reflex – she was the sort of girl who laughed out loud and smiling was second nature to her. Her father used to always say she was like an open book; you could always tell how she was feeling, what she was thinking, just by the look on her face. She rarely repressed it. But when she did, she was adept at it.
Today was one of those seldom occasions where Hyuga Neji found himself sitting across from his bun-haired teammate as he attempted to unravel her expression.
Had he not trained himself from an early age to decipher the most minute alterations in facial features and body language, he may have missed the way one of her delicately sculpted eyebrows arched beneath her bangs, or the disparaging glint that briefly flashed in the depths of her eyes, or the way her mouth curled ever so slightly as she sipped her tea through her cherry tinted lips.
It was subtle, but it was there. He could see it.
He leaned over his own drink and sighed, a hint of annoyance in his tone as he breathed, "Tenten…"
He watched her eyes flash again and the corners of her lips twitch before she pursed them into a thin line. She carefully placed her cup on the wooden table and replied, "I'm sorry."
She wasn't.
It felt almost uncommon that, for once, she was trying not to laugh at his expense.
Neji always prided himself on his meticulously-built, stoic composure and so naturally the weapons mistress found it most entertaining to tease and prod him about it every available chance she got. This meant he was often at the mercy of her twittering jibes and snarky remarks and she never missed the opportunity to try and get under his skin.
He noticed she'd picked up a spoon and had begun twirling it in between her fingers; the same way she'd fiddle with a kunai or senbon whenever she was bored.
After a moment of spinning the spoon around in her palm she glanced up at him and asked "So…who's the lucky girl?"
There it was.
It was an innocent enough question but Neji didn't miss the underlying taunt in her tone. It was almost painful watching her try to restrain the explosive grin that threatened to grace her features.
He knew in the end it would be futile.
He closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair before sighing, "you might as well get it over and done with."
"I have no idea what you're on about," Tenten replied with a small shrug, however her eyes shined brighter than ever.
He glared at her hoping she would somewhat retreat at his famous Hyuga scowl, however after five years of being on the same team it seemed to have the complete opposite effect. Instead, she erupted into laughter which echoed throughout the tiny tea shop earning her several deprecating glances from the other customers.
She clutched at her sides and he could see moisture forming in the corners of her eyes which she brushed away with her fingers. She was swaying from side to side so much that Neji thought she might topple over.
"I'm sorry Neji, but pouting really does become you," Tenten managed between gasps of air.
"I wasn't pouting," he stated flatly. "I also fail to see what you find so humorous about my situation."
Thankfully her laughter began to subside and instead she let out a low chuckle before picking up her cup from the table and downing its entire contents in one go. Her smile was still present, this time more playful and curious.
"You didn't honestly expect me to react any differently, did you?"
"Not really. However, I'll admit I found it amusing watching you try to contain yourself for once."
"I was trying to be considerate."
"I appreciate the effort."
Neji watched as Tenten leaned across the table to acquire the teapot to refill her cup whilst he took a sip of his own.
"I can't believe you're getting married," she mused thoughtfully as she gripped her mug between both hands savouring it's warmth. "I mean you're barely eighteen."
He shrugged as nonchalantly as he could and replied, "It was going to happen eventually."
"And you're ok with it?"
Was he ok with it?
No. Not really.
Of all the things he would put at the top of his priority list, marriage was definitely not one of them – especially marriage to a complete and utter stranger, no less.
"I don't really get much of a say in the matter," Neji answered trying his best not to sound despondent. He glanced at the dregs in his cup and swirled them around before continuing, "Hiashi-sama and the clan elders are lining up potential candidates as we speak."
"I didn't realise the Hyuga clan still practiced arranged marriages – isn't it a very outdated kind of tradition?"
"Yes…" he paused and then added as if it was almost a somewhat pleasant afterthought, "…But at the very least with the elders choosing a suitor for me I'm able to cut the hassle of having to court someone myself."
Tenten could feel her eyes roll painfully slowly as she responded, "God forbid one would have to attempt a little romance in order to find a life-long partner. That would be just way too much effort."
He raised an eyebrow at her sarcastic tone before replying, "The less work I have to do the better."
She sighed. "I've never known you to be so lazy. To be fair, you've never really been the romantic type. It's probably a good thing your clan has arranged this marriage for you – I'd hate to see what your attempt of trying to woo a girl would look like."
"I know how to hit on a woman, Tenten."
She grinned at his response which was uttered probably a bit too hastily and indignantly than he wanted it to come across. He attempted to brush her off indifferently but the look in her eyes told him she wasn't about to let his remark slide so easily.
"You sound a little defensive there, Neji."
"I do not."
Her grin grew wider. "You're pouting again."
"I don't pout, Tenten."
She laughed at him for the second time that evening. It was very rare to see Neji displaying his emotions so freely. Unlike Tenten, he wasn't one to openly express how he was feeling and no matter how much effort she put into pushing his buttons, he always managed to keep his composure.
Yet, today seemed to be an exception because right now it was absolutely comical at how hard Neji was trying not to look like a petulant child.
"I'm just joking around, Neji," the brunette said winking playfully at his scowl. "It doesn't really matter whether you know how to hit on a woman or not. You've always had every girl in the village chasing after you. You could pick and choose whoever you wanted and they'd marry you in a heartbeat."
"They don't interest me," he answered almost automatically, resting his chin on the palm of his hand.
"Well, at least you have members of the opposite sex who are actually interested in you. Not everyone is as lucky as you are in that department," Tenten told him before gesturing to herself, "I mean, look at me; I'm eighteen and I've never been kissed or asked out before. I guess there's just something about me that guys don't like."
"I thought you were always more focused on achieving your goals rather than trying to attract the opposite sex."
"I mean, I've never really cared about it too much before," she said, her cheeks colouring slightly. "But all of my girlfriends are now in serious relationships and I've never even received any romantic attention from a man in my life."
"Put it into perspective; there's a reason why you're a Jounin and they're not."
She smiled at him. Neji wasn't the most compassionate person in the world, yet he always knew exactly what to say to reassure her.
And he was right to an extent – had she spent all those years trying to pursue a relationship instead of training and pushing herself to be better, she definitely wouldn't be where she was right now. However, there was a part of Tenten that felt as though she had missed out on experiencing what it was like to just be a normal hormonal teenager, going out on dates and establishing a genuine connection with someone.
"I know," she responded thoughtfully before sipping from her cup. "I just feel like I've gotten to the point where it's embarrassing to not have even gone on my first date yet. I mean, hell – even you're getting married!"
"Don't remind me," he said grumbled as he ran a hand through his hair. "Although, if it makes you feel any better, I've never been on a date before either."
"I appreciate the sentiment but that wasn't because you didn't have a choice," Tenten reminded him before leaning back in her seat and folding her arms.
"Well, at least you're not being forced to marry a complete stranger."
She offered him a sympathetic smile. "That's true."
The bun-haired girl leant her head back and gazed at the contours of ceiling thoughtfully and after several moments a low chuckle escaped the back of her throat.
"What is it?"
"I was just wondering what it'd be like if my dad arranged a marriage for me," she answered looking back at Neji grinning. "I don't think he ever would, but he does keep going on about wanting grandkids before he gets too old and decrepit to play with them."
The corners of Neji's lips curved ever so slightly as he replied, "'Old and decrepit' are two words I don't think I'd ever be able to associate with your father."
"He'd be happy to hear you say that," she smirked before downing the rest of her drink and standing up from the table. "Talking about Dad, I should probably get going – I promised I'd help him out with the forge today."
"That's fine," Neji said following her lead and flagging down one of the waitstaff. "I have a meeting with Hiashi-sama and the Elders in an hour anyway. No doubt to discuss the tedious arrangements of my inevitable betrothal."
"Well, keep me updated," Tenten told him as a young man appeared and began clearing away their table.
"If anything happens, you'll be the first to know," the Hyuga prodigy promised.
"Are you going to tell Lee and Gai sensei?"
"I'd rather not have to deal with them blubbering everywhere and shouting 'youthful' phrases at me at this point in time," Neji answered calmly as the waiter handed him the bill to pay.
"Wait – this is for my share," she piped up as she began to pull money from her bag.
"I've got it, Tenten."
"But Neji –l"
"I'll pay for it."
"It's tea. I can –"
"Just leave it."
"But you always pay."
"And we always have the same conversation."
She frowned as he disregarded the money in her outstretched hand, instead pulling out a wad of cash from his own pocket and giving it to the waiter who bowed and muttered his thanks before scurrying off to serve the next table.
Tenten glared at him as she stowed her money away, but inwardly she couldn't help but smile.
Over the past few years it had become a tradition, much like their daily training, that no matter the occasion, or where they went, or how much was spent, Neji always insisted on paying for her – even if they were in a group.
At first, Tenten hated it. No matter how hard she tried, he refused to take a single cent from her. When she asked him why he did it, he just shrugged and walked away. So, she went to Hinata to try and find some answers.
She expressed her frustrations and when she was done venting the Hyuga heiress smiled and simply replied, "I think it's his way of making up for being such a pain in the past – it's his way of showing he cares."
After that singular conversation, Tenten didn't mind as much whenever Neji payed for her meal. She would still always offer as a courtesy, but she wouldn't put up as much of a fight as she used to. It was a sweet gesture and something that always made her feel a little special.
"You know," she spoke up trying to sound as indignant as possible. "One of these days you're going to have to let me pay for my own meal."
He shouldered his bag and responded, "I may be callous in most other aspects of my life but I was still brought up to be a gentleman."
"Thanks, Neji," she expressed as sincerely as she could.
"I'll see you tomorrow morning for training."
Tenten nodded and turned around to leave before hesitating – she craned her neck to look over her shoulder and murmured, "you know, whoever you end up marrying will be a very lucky girl indeed."
She didn't wait for his reply as she waved goodbye and exited the tea shop and as Neji watched her retreating figure he couldn't help but smile.
-X-
Tenten loved working the forge; the sweltering heat, the scent of metal, oil and dust and the constant clanging noise – she loved it all. What she loved most was the quality time she was able to spend with her father while they worked together.
Since her promotion to Jounin, she spent most of her time outside of the village than in it, leaving her father on his own. It was rare for her to have a day off, but she made it a point to always help out and spend time with the older man when she did. Of course, this meant catching him up on all the juicy gossip.
"So, he's getting married?"
"Yeah," Tenten replied to her father as she sharpened a pair of kunai, "not sure who the lucky candidate is yet, but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough."
"I'm surprised he's getting married so late," he intoned with narrowed eyes as he worked on restoring the broken blade of a flaming katana.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, normally most members from the Hyuga clan get married at sixteen. I was prepared to hear about his betrothal two years ago but it never happened. I wonder why they've left it so long."
"I've never heard about that before," the bun haired girl murmured as she scraped the edge of the blade with her sharpening stone. "Neji's never mentioned it."
Her father shrugged as he wiped a sweaty brow with the back of his hand. "He's always been a private person, Tennie."
"I suppose."
"How'd he take the news?"
Tenten looked up at the older man and smiled as she reminisced back to the earlier events of the morning. "Pretty well, actually. He doesn't seem too bothered by it at the current moment. He has a clan meeting about it right now as we speak."
"And what about you? How do you feel about it?"
Tenten was slightly taken aback by his question. She wasn't expecting him to ask her that.
"I haven't really thought about it much," she answered earnestly as she moved onto repairing the handle of a battle axe. "I only found out the news this morning so I don't think I've had much time to process it."
He hammered away at the blade in his hand and didn't look up at her as he asked, "Do you know if he's going to stay a part of your team?"
Tenten's eyebrows furrowed in confusion and she pursed her lips into a thin line and probed, "Why would you ask that?"
He hesitated before responding a little too impassively, "It's nothing."
"Dad," she pressed him.
"Don't worry about it, Tenten."
"Well, you have me worried. What did you mean by that?"
His hammering stopped.
He stood up straight and looked her squarely in the eye, heaving a big sigh and began, "I know how much your team means to you. It's just with Neji getting married he's going to have a lot more responsibility – not just to his new wife, but to the clan as well. Neji's a strong and skilled fighter but he also has a brilliant mind and the natural ability to lead. The Hyuga are one of the most wealthy and political families in the village. There's a reason why they still practice arranged marriages. My guess is that he will be sent more on diplomatic missions rather than the duties shinobi normally carry out."
"You're saying they'll force him to leave Team Gai," the bun haired girl muttered, eyes downcast.
"I'm not too sure," he replied truthfully. "The Hyuga clan have come a long way over the past few years, but they are still very deeply rooted in tradition and that will take some time to overcome."
It took a long moment for Tenten to process her father's words. The axe in her hand suddenly felt very heavy and an unpleasant feeling began to tighten in her stomach. She tried to swallow but her mouth was as dry as sand.
When Neji had relayed the news he was getting married, she was happy for him, or at least she tried to be. It was difficult to be thrilled about the situation when she knew he wasn't. And honestly, who could blame him?
She knew, deep down, he viewed it as the Main household still trying to maintain control over his life and his future. Ever since he divulged the dark secrets of his past to her all those years ago, Tenten couldn't help the anger and resentment she felt towards the Head family. However, she quickly learned that her angry words were unproductive and it only seemed to worsen Neji's despair whenever she would rant and rave about them.
Over the years, she realised what Neji needed most was normalcy. He needed the chaotic stability of Team Gai to escape the rigid uncertainty that was the Hyuga clan. And what better way for Tenten to help than to mock and tease him like she always did.
For so long it had just been the four of them; Lee, Gai-sensei, herself and Neji – she liked to call them her little, dysfunctional family. No doubt they all had their own issues (some more than others), but their dynamic was so unique and ludicrous that despite the many times she wanted to throttle Lee and Gai whenever they tried to include her in their insane, youth-filled absurdity, or kick Neji's ass whenever he was being a stuck-up prick, they somehow just…worked.
Tenten couldn't even begin to fathom what it would be like if Neji was no longer a part of it. Yet, all at once, the reality that Team Gai could break apart suddenly felt very, very real.
"I wouldn't stress about it too much, honey," her father spoke up and she felt his comforting hand on her shoulder. "I was only stating a possibility – I didn't mean to make you worry."
She looked up at his weathered face, his wrinkled eyes smiling down at her.
"It's ok, Dad," she told him as chirpily as she could before resuming her work. "You're right, there's no point in me stressing over it. No matter what, Neji is always going to be part of Team Gai even if the heads of his clan try to separate him from us."
"That's the spirit, kiddo," he patted her on the back with a small chuckle.
Before he could continue, the sound of the bell at the front of the forge rang, indicating a customer had arrived.
"I'll go see who it is," the older man said before wiping his greasy hands on his apron and striding outside.
Tenten nodded and fell back into deep concentration as she whittled away at the piece of wood in her hand. However, her ears pricked up when she heard a familiar voice conversing with her father's outside and she felt a grin begin to tug at the corners of her lips.
Before she could get up from the table to see who it was, her father popped his head inside and said with a mischievous glint, "There's someone here to see you, Tennie."
As she stood up from her work bench, a man entered the shop and her eyes shone when he waved at her.
"Hiro!" she cried, hopping off of her stool.
"Hey, Tenten," he greeted her with a lopsided grin as she hurried towards him.
Of the many years Tenten had spent helping her father run the forge, she had encountered many regular customers but her favourite, by far, was Hiro Komatsu. He was only a year or two older than she was but he was a Jounin; part of a special forces unit that travelled to different lands in search of rogue ninja. On his travels, he would find the most exotic weapons – most of them needing repairing – and Tenten was always eager to see him and the many exciting things he brought home.
"I thought I heard that annoying voice of yours," she said gleefully as she planted herself in front of him. "It's been a while since you've come to see me – where did they send you off to this time?"
"Miss me, did you?" he winked at her and she rolled her eyes at him.
He was taller than she was with a strong-built frame. His hair was sandy-blonde and unkept and his eyes were a most magnificent shade of green. He was what one would call conventionally attractive – only a long scar that marked the left side of his face, running from his eye all the way down to his jaw, seemed to mar his otherwise perfect features.
"Only a little," Tenten replied nonchalantly with a shrug.
He laughed softly as he slung a black bag from his shoulders and rested it on the nearest table. "Is this really the kind of welcome I get coming back from a life endangering mission?"
"Stop your whining."
"You'd be whining too if you had to go through what I had to. Besides, I bet my missions are way more dangerous than yours."
"You wish," she nudged him playfully in his ribs and he rubbed the spot where she had made contact. "Come along with us on our next mission – you won't even be able to keep up."
"In your dreams," Hiro responded by jabbing at her side which she dodged gracefully. "Besides, with all the missions that I go on – well, I wouldn't want to make you guys look bad."
"You talk a big game, Hiro. How about next time we put it to the test?"
"Now kids, play nice," she heard her father chide them, but his tone was light as he made his way back to his workbench.
"You're on," Hiro accepted her offer with a grin before turning around to rummage through his bag. "But in the meantime, I thought this might keep you entertained."
He pulled out a long object wrapped in a white cloth. It made a dull thud as he placed it on the wooden table and Tenten watched as he began unravelling the ties and pulling back the folded material.
Her breath hitched at the sight of it.
It was a kazetachi; a type of longsword that preceded the katana. The blade itself was made from carbon steel, however it had been fractured into several sharp pieces. The hilt and scabbard of the sword, although now slightly rusted, were still perfectly intact, wrapped in leather and gilded with gold and sparkling jewels that glittered under the light.
It looked like a weapon that once belonged to a nobleman and it was definitely not meant to be used for battle, but rather for decorative purposes. It was a very rare find and Tenten automatically reached her hand out to it and traced the gold markings with her finger.
"It's beautiful," she breathed, her eyes shining with admiration as she felt the cool metal under her skin. "Where on earth did you find it?"
"I found it in a Kumogakure market," Hiro answered as he peered over her shoulder to get a better look. "I was told it was a family heirloom by the old man who was selling it. He said if he couldn't get rid of it to someone, he was going to throw it away. I couldn't bear to see it get tossed out, so I thought you and your dad might be up to the challenge of restoring it to its former glory."
"Well, we've definitely got our work cut out with this one," her father whistled as he glanced at the weapon, his eyes gleaming in a rare display of excited anticipation.
"Take as long as you need, I'm in no rush," Hiro waved a hand at him before folding his arms. "Besides, I'm sure Tenten will want to take her time with this one before she has to give it back. Last time I had to almost wrestle her to the ground to get back those explosive kunai I found."
He chuckled as she made an unpleasant face at him before rolling the sword back up into the cloth and handing it to her. It felt surprisingly light.
"I can count on you, yeah?" he murmured with a soft smile, his hand lingering on hers and she beamed back at him.
"Of course, don't you worry about a single thing! I'll have it restored in no time," Tenten promised before putting it on the 'to repair' shelf.
"You're the best," the blonde said as he zipped up his bag and slung it back over his shoulder. "I'll leave it in your capable hands then. I gotta get going."
"Wait, you're leaving already?" Tenten spoke up trying to keep the slight disappointment out of her tone.
"I only just got back to the village," Hiro said wearily, the tiredness evident in the dark circles under his eyes. "As much as I'd love to stay and catch up, I'm pretty beat and I'd like to go home, have a nice, relaxing shower and go to sleep."
"You're such an old geezer," she huffed with a smirk. "It's ok, I didn't want to hear about your boring misadventures anyway."
"Hey, remember that you're only a year younger than I am. If I'm an old geezer, then that makes you a grandma. I think I'm starting to see some wrinkles."
He teasingly pressed a finger to her face and laughed wholeheartedly when she slapped his hand away.
"Go on, get out of here," Tenten laughed with him as she forcibly turned him around to leave.
"I'll come visit again soon," Hiro promised as she bustled him towards the entrance.
He gave a low bow towards the older man and flashed a blinding smile at Tenten as he waved goodbye and then he was gone.
Hiro's little visit had definitely brightened her day. She very much enjoyed their friendship, their shared passion for weaponry and their playful banter. After being on a team with two hyperactive, youth-obsessed beasts and a very non-hyperverbal Hyuga, he was a nice change of pace.
"He's a good man," her father spoke up after a moment of silence.
"Yeah, he's a lot of fun," Tenten agreed, her smile still etched on her face.
"You know, I couldn't help but notice how happy you are whenever he's around," he said and Tenten suddenly felt her cheeks grow warm.
"Please, Dad – don't start this again," she groaned leaning against the drywall next to her.
"Why not? He's a good looking man with good intentions, and if I'm not mistaken, I'm pretty sure he's single."
"Because I don't like him like that and he doesn't see me that way either," she said hotly trying her best to not sound too snappish.
"Yet, he's always coming here to see you and you're always so happy to see him –"
"He's a friend, Dad. End of story."
Her father held up his hands in surrender, shaking his head as he tried to muffle his laughter. "Whatever you say, Tenten."
She walked back over to her table, making sure her strides came across as disgruntled as possible, but before she could even begin to resume her work she heard her father speak from across the room, "Besides you and Hiro, I always thought you and Neji would get together."
Tenten felt her face grow bright red and her whole body clenched as she exclaimed in embarrassment, "Dad! Can you not?"
"What?" he queried as he innocently looked up at her. "Am I not allowed to voice my opinion?"
"From this moment onwards, no, you are not."
"I thought you used to like him."
"Used to," Tenten emphasised as heavily as she could. "As in past tense."
"What changed?"
"I am not having this conversation with you right now," she snapped, crossing her arms defiantly as she turned her body away from him.
His laughter boomed throughout the workshop which did nothing but intensify the glare Tenten was throwing in his direction. The scowl that now adorned her features would've made even Neji proud, but inwardly she was smiling. It warmed her heart knowing that she had inherited her light-hearted, teasing nature from her father even though it meant suffering through thorough embarrassment during situations like this one.
"Why are you so interested in my private life all of a sudden? I thought by the time I turned eighteen you'd just leave alone to my own devices," she grumbled as she stabbed the kunai in her hand, point down, into the table.
"It's going to get much worse," he promised with a chuckle. "Besides, it's not like I'm getting any younger here. I want to see you happy with someone, Tennie. I'm upset you still haven't brought home a nice man to introduce to your old man."
"Well, I'm sorry to have disappointed you," Tenten rolled her eyes. "But I'm rather preoccupied with more important things."
"More important than providing little grand-children for your dear old dad?"
"Hey, you were the one who introduced me to the shinobi life, if anyone is to blame for my lack of romantic prospects, it's you."
"I only encouraged you to become a shinobi because I thought you'd have a better chance at meeting boys. Unless I have it all wrong and maybe it's not men that you're into. Which is completely fine, I just –"
"Ok, that's it. End of discussion," Tenten cut across him as she stood up abruptly.
Without another word and her face now tomato red, she stormed past him indignantly and made her way to the front door.
"Where do you think you're going?" the older man queried as he watched her stomp across the room.
"To have some solitude," she hissed at him before opening the door and slamming it behind her.
Her father could only chuckle as he continued on with his work. He couldn't help the wide smile that plastered his face as he muttered to himself, "whoever ends up with her, may Kami have mercy on his soul."
-X-
"I refuse."
There was collective disgruntlement and surprise around the room at the words that were just uttered from the young Hyuga prodigy's lips. And while many of the elders were shaking their heads, narrowing their eyes or raising their eyebrows in dissatisfaction, Hiashi Hyuga simply stared at his nephew who seemed to remain impassive as ever.
"What did you just say, boy?" one of the elders spoke up, his voice dangerously low.
"I refuse," Neji repeated, seemingly unfazed by the elders' expression.
"You refuse?"
"I really don't enjoy repeating myself."
"I'd watch that attitude of yours," another elder cautioned. "Remember who you are speaking to."
Neji turned his head to his cautioner and was unsurprised to see it was Hideki.
Out of all the elders in the clan, Hideki was the one that Neji respected the least.
The Hyuga clan was in the midst of progressive change thanks to Hinata and Hiashi and while the majority of the clan welcomed the change with open arms, there were those, like Hideki, who believed the Hyuga could only thrive through their archaic methods and deeply-rooted traditions.
Neji accepted early on that there were certain things within the clan that weren't going to change overnight. Instead, he kept hope that one day future generations would be free of the meticulously, imprisoning control that the heads of the clan currently imposed on him.
And it was only because of this hope and his impeccable patience that Neji managed to look Hideki squarely in the eye and say as calmly as possible, "I apologise for my bluntness. I did not mean to disrespect you."
"You disrespect us by refusing the order we have given you," Hideki expressed as he eyed Neji with disdain. "You may be a prodigy but you are still of the side branch of clan and under our jurisdiction."
"I'm well aware of the control that you wield over my life," Neji stated flatly.
"Then you do well to remember it."
"That is enough," Hiashi interjected with a weary sigh before turning to his nephew.
Had he known Neji was going to put up a fuss, he wouldn't have called for a meeting so early in the morning. "Neji, I understand your resistance and frustration, but this has been a carefully deliberated decision and we believe that it's the next best step towards the bright future that lies ahead of you."
"I'm sorry, but I don't see how resigning me from my team is what's best for my future," he retorted, his composed demeanour beginning to crack.
"It doesn't matter whether you understand it or not – a decision has been made," another elder spoke up and the rest nodded and grumbled in agreement.
"No," Hiashi spoke holding his hand up to silence the room. "He deserves the right to understand."
"No, I understand," Neji intervened as he tried to supress the urge to clench his teeth. "I understand perfectly what it is you expect from me and I refuse. I am a fighter and I belong with my team. I'm no diplomat. Find someone else."
"You know there is no one else," Hiashi told him as earnestly as he could, however that didn't stop Neji from throwing daggers in his direction as he continued, "You're an intelligent man and while, yes, you are the most exceptional fighter to ever emerge from our clan, an intelligence like yours only comes about once in a generation."
"Besides, those teammates of yours will only be a hindrance to you," Hideki added with a derisive scoff and in that moment, Neji wanted nothing more than to Juuken the smug look off of his shrunken face. "Why would you want to continue surrounding yourself with those who are far beneath you? You are being given a most generous opportunity to associate yourself with the most affluent and powerful people in the world and you're behaving like a child."
For the first time in a long time, Neji could feel his blood boiling beneath his skin at the way Hideki so casually disparaged his teammates.
His hands tightened into fists and he could feel his jaw clench in supressed anger as he retaliated softly, "I do not see myself superior to my teammates. It is thanks to them I'm where I am today. You call me a child, yet as soon as I disagree with your ridiculous ruling, you boil over and try to obtain what you want by any means necessary."
"You dare –"
"I know my position and what it means to the clan. I have already accepted the marriage proposal that you've invoked on me, I have done every single thing you've ever asked of me without complaint. I have given up my freedom for the sake of this family. All I ask is that you reconsider this decision."
He didn't wait to hear their response or see their reactions. He didn't want to. Because deep down he knew that they weren't going to change their minds no matter how much he tried. So, instead he picked himself up from the cold floor and left the room without another word.
A moment of silence passed before Hiashi decided to break the tension and sighed, "That went well."
"It's entirely your fault," Hideki growled pointedly at the head of the clan. "You are far too lenient with him."
"Well, he's always had a rebellious streak, just like his father," Hiashi murmured as he restrained the small smile that tugged at his lips.
"That boy is out of control," Hideki condemned looking around at the other elders for support. "If you hadn't insisted on waiting until he was eighteen then none of this would be happening now."
"He just needs to time to deal with it on his own."
"We don't have time, Hiashi," an elder beside him spoke up. "You've already given him an extra two years; we can't afford to sit around anymore. He needs to be reminded where his place is and that his duties are to the clan, however unpleasant as they may seem. If he doesn't comply then we will be forced to use the seal."
An uncomfortable feeling began to settle in Hiashi's stomach. He rubbed his temples to reign in his thoughts. Even though he was the head of the Hyuga clan, there was only so much he could do to help protect his nephew from the tumultuous rule of the elders. He had hoped that by giving Neji an extra two years to find himself a bride that it would help the young prodigy find the freedom he was so longing. But now time really did seem to be running out and Hiashi was coming to the slow realisation that there wasn't much more he could do.
"Let me speak with him alone," Hiashi conceded as he stood, dusting himself off. "We will not resort to using the seal if I can help it."
He gave an authoritative stare around the room which earned low murmurs of consent from many displeased elders before bowing lowly before exiting the room. He began making his way down the corridor, keeping his footsteps as light as possible and after a few minutes he had reached Neji's room and tapped on the hard wood in a polite knock.
"Come in."
The reply shocked him slightly. He had fully expected to be ignored or turned away – assuming Neji was still angry – but, nevertheless, he twisted the doorknob and entered the room.
He raised an eyebrow as he watched his nephew conspicuously place an object on the dresser behind him before turning around to face him, his body shielding it from view.
"What do you want from me, Hiashi-sama?" Neji asked as the older man closed the door.
Hiashi offered him a wry smile as he folded his arms regally. "I know you're angry. I don't blame you."
"Is that all?"
"I want to help you, Neji."
"If you want to help me then make them reconsider."
A brief chuckle escaped the back of Hiashi's throat as he walked over to sit on the bed. Instead of answering he gazed around the room. It didn't escape his notice how all the floorboards were swept and mopped, the furniture dusted and polished, clothes freshly pressed and folded, scrolls and weapons neatly displayed, even the bed sheets were crisp and washed. Everything about the room was meticulous – perfect, like Neji.
He looked over at the white-eyed prodigy and managed to glimpse what Neji had been looking at earlier. It was a picture frame and within the confines of the glass and timber was an early photo of Team Gai. It made him smile.
"I have to ask you, Neji," Hiashi spoke up, catching the younger mans attention. "When the elders decreed you to be married to a complete stranger, you put up no resistance to the notion at all, but rather accepted it willingly. But when they try to remove you from your team help pave the way for your future, you protest it. Why is that?"
Neji folded his arms and let out an audible sigh. He strode over to his window and gazed outside into the garden in silence as he gripped the edge of the windowsill. "I'm not sure."
And in all honesty, he wasn't sure.
Even in his own head it didn't make sense as to why he was more upset at the thought of leaving Team Gai than he was about having to spend the rest of his life married to someone he did not love. Perhaps it was just due to the fact that it was all happening so quickly and he wasn't used to so much change in such a short span of time, or perhaps it was because he knew, eventually, that he was going to be forced into an arranged marriage and had adequate time to mentally prepare for it, whereas leaving his team had never even occurred to him at all.
"Refusing the elders is very unlike you," Hiashi cut through his thoughts, the mattress creaking beneath him as he shifted his weight.
Neji couldn't disagree with him on that one. Even he had to admit that his reaction to the elders decision was very uncharacteristic. Neji always regarded himself as a person of logic, preferring critical thought over explosive emotion. Yet, his refusal came out almost like an involuntary reflex.
"I know," Neji acknowledged.
"Your team must mean a lot to you."
A few years ago, Neji would have flinched at those words. It wasn't that he disliked his teammates, but rather he didn't quite understand the complexities of human connection and relationships at that point in time. Back then, he was solely focused on one thing and that was to be strong and everyday was like a photocopy of the other; he didn't like it, but he didn't mind it either. It was a wall he had built for himself to keep the darkness at bay.
However, what he hadn't anticipated was the raw tenacity and passion that his team demonstrated that was so…unlike his own.
At first, he berated Lee and Gai for their exuberant behaviour and he scoffed at Tenten for her painful mediocrity. And it took a long time for him to realise that they represented everything that he wanted but always denied himself.
He came to acknowledge and respect the strength and perseverance that Lee and Guy both exhibited on their day to day basis, the way they lived their lives so unapologetically, albeit their energy and deranged eccentricity.
And Tenten – there was so much more to her than just the sweet facade she presented to everyone. She wasn't rich nor affluent, but he admired how fiercely she fought to be respected despite her lack of a prestigious family name. But what he appreciated about her even more was the way she viewed the world and all of its wonderful possibilities. Her energy and mindset was so contrasting to his own; she found so much happiness and freedom in the smallest things and treasured every moment like it was a gift.
And while everyone else in the village only saw him as the pride of the Hyuga clan and his family saw him as nothing but a servant, Tenten was the first one to see him for who he really was; a human being like everyone else, suffering and desperately crying out for help.
She became his first true friend and she supported and in believed in him – they all did. With Team Gai, every day was something to look forward to; something different and exciting. And although he still occasionally rolled his eyes at Lee and Gai's antics and sighed at Tenten's persistent playfulness, it was a welcome relief from the strictness of the Hyuga clan.
Neji turned around and glimpsed the photo-frame on his dresser one more time. It was their first team photo; Lee on the left striking an extravagant pose, Tenten in the middle with a wide grin, himself on the right as indifferent as ever, and Gai standing behind the three of them with a hand on his and Lee's shoulder with the proudest smile a sensei could have.
He gazed at it tenderly and it was in that moment he realised that Team Gai had become more of a family to him than his blood relatives (minus Hinata and Hiashi) ever could. In them, he had found a shred of freedom and happiness he thought he had lost so long ago and he'd be damned if the Hyuga clan tried to take that away from him.
Eventually, Neji looked over at Hiashi, a soft smile gracing his noble features, however, his smile didn't quite reach the sadness in his eyes as he waited for Neji's response.
"They…mean a lot to me," the young prodigy responded, trying to keep his voice steady. "I don't want to abandon my team after everything they have done for me."
"Your entire team? Or is there someone specific on your team that you refuse to abandon?" Hiashi enquired as delicately as possible.
Neji narrowed his eyes at his uncles strange inquisition. "What do you mean?"
"Well, I only wondering if, perhaps, a certain female kunoichi with a peculiar fascination for weapons might have anything to do with your reluctance to leave the squad," the older man said before turning his head to watch the younger prodigy's expression.
As much as Neji tried to hide it, it was clear to Hiashi that he had definitely touched on a forbidden subject. It was only the slight twitch of his left eyebrow and the miniscule, downward curve of the corners of his lips, but the older man could definitely tell it was something Neji very much did not want to discuss.
Truthfully, Hiashi had no idea at all whether his nephew harboured any sort of romantic feelings towards his female teammate. In fact, Neji hadn't displayed any sort of romantic feelings towards any female that he was aware of. However, it didn't escape his notice that Neji spent most of his waking moments with the weapons mistress, much more than he did his male comrades (even though he couldn't blame him for not wanting to spend a heap of time around those two nut-jobs). He always spoke of her in high regard whenever she was brought up in conversation and he always appeared to be very relaxed in her presence.
To those on the outside, it probably looked like nothing more than two teammates and friends going about their usual routine, but Hiashi Hyuga was a very perceptive man. He knew Neji struggled with acknowledging and accepting his feelings and he definitely wasn't one to discuss them aloud. If one wanted to discover the truth behind Neji's feelings, you had to probe and watch carefully for his reaction.
The older man subdued the smile that threatened to emerge and carefully laced his fingers together as he waited for Neji's response.
"You are mistaken," he finally answered, tone indifferent. "Tenten is a good friend and nothing more."
Not wanting to push the young Hyuga any further, Hiashi nodded and responded as solemnly as he could, "Forgive me for speculating – I was merely curious."
Neji raised a sceptical eyebrow at his uncle before turning his head away, indicating the end of that particular conversation. Hiashi wanted to laugh at his nephews reaction but refrained from doing so. Instead, he cleared his throat and voiced, "I'll speak to the elders about reconsidering their position on the matter."
Neji looked back at him. "You will?"
"I can't guarantee that I'll be able to change their minds."
"No," Neji shook his head, the obvious tension releasing from his shoulders. "Even just the effort of trying to persuade them is enough. Thank you, Hiashi-sama."
He sank into a low bow and Hiashi felt a surge of sympathy as he patted him on the shoulder. He reminded him so much of his brother, Hizashi. He was so helpless back then; he couldn't help free his brother from the tyranny of the main family. And now looking down at his nephew, it made Hiashi all the more determined to try and keep Neji from meeting the same fate.
As Neji rose from his bow, Hiashi strode past him, making his way to the bedroom door. He rested his hand on the doorknob before turning back to the Hyuga prodigy and saying, "Before I forget, there is something I must inform you of. It is the real reason why we called the meeting this morning."
"What is it?"
"Your fiancé has been chosen," he told him. "Her name is Leiko Miyazaki and she will be arriving at the estate the day after tomorrow. Make sure you are presentable and ready to meet her at the gates."
"I see," Neji murmured, his features void of any emotion. "I will be there. Thank you for informing me, Hiashi-sama."
The older man hesitated before casting his nephew one last woeful glance before saying, "I hope she will make you happy."
And then he closed the door behind him.
-X-
A/N – Ok, I hope this was a good chapter. I know there wasn't a heap of NejiTen fluffiness but I have plans for this to be a long story so there's plenty of time to make up for it. Let me know what you think and I'm so excited to start the next chapter! Fav, follow, review my sweeties 3