Another Naruto chapter, which seems to predispose it as not all that great (at least in my point of view). Naruto doesn't even have a wonderful original plan or anything either, which really bothered me. Still, there are amusing little things in this chapter which I enjoy.

Heyah & kawaii kitsune-kun – Yeah, I was beginning to notice the paragraph thing too. It really bugs me, because it looks fine on MS Word, but when I put it onto it totally warps the format and I get these long wiiide paragraphs in tiny tiny font, and my tabs are gone. I'll do my best to try to break up my paragraphs to ease reading. If there are any other formatting things that totally get destroyed that you would like to point out, just let me know.

kawaii kitsune-kun – Eeeee…….I know what you mean. I love Sasuneji so so so much. I don't know how things are going to play out in this, so I'll just have to wait and see. The story is really taking some unexpected twists for me. I promise you though that if this does not turn out into a Sasuneji, then I'll work on another fic that does. Because that pairing is just too yummy… And in all fairness, Sasuke can be an ass as well, but that's expected so it's forgivable. ;)

Jem – Ok, I guess it's not fair for me to withhold chapters, especially when they're building up so quickly. I'll continue to submit them, I'll just have to be really careful when rereading to make sure I catch any errors.

Chapter 7: The Counter-attack

He would be back. Naruto watched Neji leave, satisfied in knowing this. Hyuuga wouldn't risk being a target of one of Naruto's famous pranks. Now that he had his means of counter-attacking Sasuke, he just needed the plan to go with it. Well, the jealousy thing had worked wonderfully in Sasuke's favour. The blonde was extremely jealous and angered that Sasuke had actually gone through with his threat and had given Neji special attention. He was not to be allowed to use that attack again.

Naruto ordered up yet another bowl of ramen to aid in his thinking processes. He could always ask Shikamaru for help; after all, the nin owed him for helping with the girl prank. Still, getting outside help would lessen the effectiveness of Naruto's counter-attack, and Naruto didn't want Sasuke making smart-ass comments about how he couldn't do anything right on his own. Could he technically use Sasuke's means of attack as his counter? That would effectively take away Sasuke's ammunition and hopefully spark some jealousy in his dark-haired koibito.

It was a little redundant, but until Naruto could scheme up something better, it was all he had to work with. So how would he go about it? Sexy no jitsu? After all, who could possibly resist that? Naruto scowled. Sasuke could. That had been one of Naruto's first tactics to end their fight. But even locked in a small confined space with a dozen sexy female Narutos didn't faze the boy one bit. They were both so stubborn. Still, Neji wasn't Sasuke, so could it possibly work?

Naruto wasn't really interested in getting involved with Neji. Sure the nin was good-looking, but he always had that aloof better-than-you attitude that drove Naruto nuts. Oh well, sacrifices would have to be made in order to anger Sasuke enough to give in and apologize for being an ass. Who knew? Maybe Naruto would get to like Neji better once he got to know him. A bit of his cold distant exterior seemed to be cracked this morning after his night with Sasuke. Naruto didn't bother leaving the ramen bar, and instead waited for Neji to return. The said nin returned exactly two hours later.

"Punctual," Naruto noted aloud.

Neji nodded. "I try to be." Naruto could hear him mutter under his breath, "Even if I don't want to be…"

Naruto hopped down from the stool. "So shall we get started?"

The nin looked confused. "Started with what? Do I even want to know?"

"Probably not," admitted Naruto, "but sacrifices must be made in order to piss Sasuke off enough."

Naruto watched as Neji glanced back the way he had come. No doubt he wanted to get out of becoming part of this sacrifice, especially if it was only to anger Sasuke.

"Now I need you to break into Sasuke's house—," began Naruto. By the look on Neji's face, he really didn't want to get involved past the start of that sentence. Naruto continued on. "And I need you to take something that is really important to Sasuke, something that he'd miss."

"Why don't you just do it yourself?" Neji said, already backing away.

"Because I'm crap at sneaking into his house. I've already proved that once before," Naruto countered.

"How do you know I'm any better?" Neji shot back.

"You're a ninja."

"So are you!"

"Exactly. So that's why you should go break into Sasuke's house and get what I say. You wont even get blamed for it. Look, I'll leave a note." Naruto displayed a scrawled message on a ramen napkin.

Neji had to squint and tilt his head to the side to make it out. "I've borrowed this for a while. I'll give it back soon. Signed Naruto," Hyuuga read out. He looked up. "I still don't get it. What is it you want to take?" Neji was still not willing to get involved. He would. Naruto had dirt on everyone in the village, and he was sure that someone with an ego as large as Neji's would be easily swayed.

"His pendant. With his family symbol."

"What! Naruto, that's all he has left since…well, you know. He'll flip!"

"That's why you'll do a good job not to get caught, right? Once you get it and bring it back to me, leave the rest to me."

"This is crazy!" Neji exclaimed. "I wont be a part of this."

Naruto grinned. "Oh I think you will…"

Ten minutes later, Naruto watched from the bushes and Neji slid into Sasuke's open window, carrying the note Naruto had written on the napkin. Three minutes later, he was out, and without a rabid Sasuke on his tail. Naruto smirked. He knew Neji could do it, if motivated. Neji quickly ran to the bushes and shoved the necklace in Naruto's hand.

"There you go. Now deal with it from this point on. I'm getting out of here."

Naruto grabbed his wrist. "Not so fast. You've got to come back with me now."

Neji gave him an exasperated look. "What? Look, I've done your little prank or revenge or whatever for you, and now I'm leaving. I'm done with this. You handle the rest."

"But this isn't my complete revenge!" pouted Naruto. "I still need you to come back with me."

Neji scoffed. "To hell with that. I'm going home."

Naruto folded his arms. "So you're going to be difficult? Remember our discussion back at the restaurant?"

Neji nodded, a scowl growing on his face.

"Well?"

"I hate you," Neji spat out, but followed Naruto as he headed back to his home.

Naruto's home was what one could call flatteringly a complete mess. Neji made a face as he made his way through the mass of unorganized things that scattered the floor, many of them decomposing food items. The Hyuuga was very particular on being incredibly neat, and this disorder bothered him. Naruto cleaned up a little, that is to say he shoved most of the junk against the far wall, and showed Neji to the now-visible couch. The pale-eyed nin remained standing. Naruto stared at him.

"I cleaned up. It's not like the couch is going to bite you or anything."

With a reluctant sigh, Neji took a seat. "So what's this grand plan that you so unfairly dragged me into?"

Naruto smirked. "You'll see."

By the look on Neji's face, it was apparent that he didn't want to see anything that was to come in the future once Sasuke found out his treasured item had been stolen.

"Relax," said Naruto reassuringly. "Just play along and you'll be fine."

Neji raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. They sat there for a good half hour, and Naruto was running out of ways to keep his reluctant guest amused. Neji couldn't leave or it would ruin everything. What could possibly be taking Sasuke so long? Naruto would've thought he would have found out by now, and would be storming in. Almost as if on cue, the blonde heard a pounding on the door.

"NARUTO! OPEN THIS GODDAMN DOOR RIGHT NOW BEFORE I RIP OUT YOUR SPLEEN!"

Neji's eyes widened and he was about to stand up, but Naruto blocked him, putting a finger to his lips. They both watched the door anxiously.

"NARUTO!" Sasuke sounded really really pissed. Naruto gave himself a mental pat on the back. "IF YOU DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR THIS INSTANT I'M GOING TO BREAK IT DOWN AND KILL YOU WITH IT!" The entire village must have been able to hear, with the way Sasuke was shouting.

'Wait for it…' Naruto thought, tightening his grip on Neji's arm, who looked like he was about to bolt at the slightest opening. The door handle began to rattle violently, and the pounding became fiercer. Naruto smirked. It was all going according to plan. Now the hinges were beginning to weaken. Any second now, a Sasuke blinded with rage would burst through and witness the conclusion of Naruto's plan. The blonde smirked at Neji. "Shall we get started then?"

Neji's eyes darted to the weakening door, completely distracted. "Start what?" He was still so very tense.

"This," whispered Naruto, pulling Neji into a kiss right when the Hyuuga least expected it. Neji was in complete shock and didn't even have a chance to respond when he was pushed down on the couch as the door splintered open. Naruto shut his eyes and let his hands wander up under Neji's shirt, making sure to do a good job of it without breaking the kiss.

Nothing sharp and pointy stabbed him in the back, so he cracked one eye open and looked into Sasuke's shocked and enraged face. Naruto could hardly hold back his smugness. Without removing his hands he gave the angered nin an innocent look. "Oh, I'm sorry, I was so caught up in the moment I didn't hear you knock."

Sasuke strode up, fists shaking by his sides. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Naruto kept up his innocent act. "So he's yours? Well that's too bad, because he's mine now." He smirked as Sasuke's eyes flashed in anger.

"You really think that's going to work?"

"I know it does," Naruto stated back confidently. "Why, is there a chance you may dislike my hands roaming on someone else?" The blonde acted out his words, pulling Neji close and taking his ponytail between his teeth.

"You're not serious." Sasuke's look could kill. So he could be jealous…

"Leave us for tonight and find out in the morning." Naruto winked and threw Sasuke the necklace he stole. "I believe this is yours. And this," he said, wrapping his arms around Neji, "is mine."

Sasuke sneered. "You'd like to think so, wouldn't you?"

Naruto sneered back. "Unless you're here to apologize, there is the door. I think I've found myself an adequate replacement."

"You can't replace me so easily," growled Sasuke. "I know the game you're playing."

"Nice to get a taste of your own medicine, isn't it?" snapped Naruto.

Neji tried to squirm away and get out of this fight, but Naruto had a firm grip on him. The blonde still stared his boyfriend down. "You got what you wanted," the fox-child continued, "and I have what I want. Now get out, and don't lay a finger on Neji again."

"You're one to talk," growled Sasuke. "Your plan's useless as always. Neji is mine to do as I please."

"Is he?" Naruto turned back to Neji. "Do you want to go back with Sasuke?"

Neji cringed and shook his head. The nails digging into his side retracted. Neji did not need the prompting. He did not want to go back with Sasuke, but at the same time, he didn't want to stay here either. He had little say in the matter as Sasuke glared at him and stomped out through the splintered wood that used to be the front door. "It's going to be a little drafty tonight with your door gone. You'll come crying for me soon enough Naruto."

Naruto smirked. "Dream on, Uchiha. Try not to get too lonely."

Sasuke snorted and left. Well, Naruto had succeeded in angering his koi and sparking a bit of jealousy, which was all he was really shooting for. Sasuke did not like to share, and disliked the thought of Naruto touching Neji and Neji touching Naruto. Either way, he lost. The blonde knew this wasn't nearly enough to claim victory in the dispute, since he just copied Sasuke's tactic.

It would serve well, however, in biding his time until Naruto could think of a really good plan to use against Sasuke and bring him to his knees. Winning out over Sasuke had really become an obsession for him. In some ways, it was all to prove himself to Sasuke and show that he could hold his own.

Naruto released his hold on Neji, and the nin quickly got up and walked out. The fox-child let him go. Hyuuga had done a more than adequate job regarding Naruto's plan, and there really was no more purpose in him staying. Naruto could call upon him later, if the need arose.

The next day, Naruto walked to school only to find Sasuke had beaten him to Neji first. Class had not started yet, and Sasuke was having some sort of conversation with the Hyuuga, blatantly ignoring Sakura fawning at his heels. Neji was just staring at the top of the desk, and it was hard to tell if he was even listening. Naruto walked up and stared at him.

Sasuke smirked back. "You can talk the talk, but not walk the walk, hm?"

Naruto scowled. "What are you talking about?"

Sasuke folded his arms. "You let Neji leave right after I left. I should've known you wouldn't go through with anything."

Naruto growled. "What, like you? You know, that technically counts as cheating."

Sasuke shrugged. "I need someone while I wait around for you to smarten up."

Naruto gritted his teeth and was about to say something when the bell rang. He settled for glaring at Sasuke and headed off to his desk. He was not going to allow Sasuke to be with Neji alone.

He continued to glare continually at an unfazed Sasuke throughout the rest of the class, even as the sensei was introducing the new exchange students from the sand village. Naruto was going to get to Sasuke through Neji, or at least prevent Sasuke from getting to the blonde in the same way. The battle for dominance continued to rage, with no clear winner in sight.

Poor Neji is caught in the middle. Frankly, I think Naruto and Sasuke should make up their minds and end this fight, or at least break up. sigh They're both so stubborn. And Naruto doesn't appear to be interested in any way with Neji like Sasuke sort of is, which also irritates me. At least Sasuke didn't fake it when he brought Neji home. folds arms Lol, just a random author rant with regards to my little peeves with the way the characters are acting, but it makes nice plot so I guess I should just leave them to it.