I couldn't imagine someone would actually like this so much as I'm enjoying writing it… I'm so happy!o. HimeHikari, Tgal, little wolf blossom, Phox VS Frawg (glomps back), sasukekun's girl16, Iridescentbutterflie and Winter skier, thank you all!
Here we go again!
The next day, Shikamaru, Kiba (and Akamaru), Lee and Shino were waiting in a square.
-Who was going to think Tenten would make the first step.-Kiba commented, looking for something in his pockets
-Well, Neji doesn't seem the determined one.-Shikamaru answered
-I told you-Lee said, extending a hand to Kiba.
Kiba took some coins and one note, handing them grumpily to Lee.
-It's a pleasure to have business with you- he smiled
-But that's not fair-Kiba crossed his arms- you know them far better than me.
-Nobody obliged you to bet- Shino intervened wisely, gaining a glare from Kiba.
-Ok, enough. Here comes the reinforcement- Shikamaru advanced a few steps.
The reinforcement was a lonely approaching figure. She wasn't very tall, yet not short, was slender and moved with some grace. Her long blond hair, tied in a high ponytail, swung with every step. Yamanaka Ino was smiling and with a glint in her blue eyes. When she reached the group, made "V" with her fingers and smiled wider.
-Did you succeed?-Shikamaru asked.
-Of course! How could you doubt it?- she put her hands on her hips- But she's so stubborn! It took me an eternity to convince her! At the end she didn't wear a dress as I wanted, but Tenten in a dress is not Tenten at all -she commented.
-But is she beautiful?- Kiba enquired
-Yes, she was going to wear her normal outfit but without the forehead protector. I told her that wasn't appropriate and after some discussion I convinced her to put something nice and change her hair, at least. -she sighed- Anyway, she's beautiful in her own style, and I didn't want to change that.
-Well, you know the next task is tougher, don't you? - Lee asked.
-Don't worry. One time I managed to dress HIM up-she pointed to Shikamaru- he was going to meet Temari to take dinner and he wanted to go with his normal outfit, too- she rolled her eyes and shook her head- At the end he looked great.
-That's why I called you -he replied- If you could make me dress up, you'll be able to make Neji for sure.
-Ok. So let's go! – Ino raised her fist with energy.
They started walking towards Hyuuga manor with decision. When they arrived, Ino said:
-Errm, I have a question…How are we going to enter there?
-Don't worry- Shikamaru replied- We have our connections.
While he was saying this, Kiba approached and knocked gently the door. A maid opened and bowed, Kiba bowed back and he spoke with an education that nobody knew he had:
- May I speak with Hinata-sama, please?
- Wait a moment please, Kiba-san.
The maid disappeared inside the house. After some moments, Hinata appeared dressed with a nice kimono.
-Hello, Kiba-kun- she said with her soft voice. Then she spotted the rest of the group- Oh, nice to see you all. Please, come in.
Everybody left their shoes on the entrance and followed Kiba and Hinata through the enormous manor. She leaded them to a cosy tearoom, were they seated on the floor. A gentle knock was heard in that moment, and after receiving Hinata's permission, two maids entered carrying plates with a teapot, cups and traditional Japanese candies as accompaniment. Hinata spoke again quietly:
- I don't want to sound rude, but why are you all here?
- I'll tell you the truth, Hinata- Shikamaru answered
Immediately afterwards, he related her all their plans to get Neji and Tenten together, all the strategies they had in mind and he told her they wanted to make Neji dress up for the important date. She listened with attention and smiled:
-I'll guide you gladly to Neji-niisan's chamber, but I'm afraid I won't be able to be a more active part of the plan. I wouldn't dare to interfere in my cousin's business.
- Don't worry, Hinata -Kiba replied- I'll stay here with you taking tea while they dress Neji, and I'll inform you later about everything.
- Thank you, Kiba-kun. You know Akamaru-kun and you are always welcome here -she patted Akamaru on the head and stood up- I'll take you to Neji-niisan's room now. It's early, but I think it'll take you time to convince him.
Everyone stood up and followed Hinata again through the Hyuuga state. Everywhere there were interior Japanese gardens or training rooms. Maids and members of the family were often seen passing by, all of them bowing lightly their heads to Hinata when they passed her. Most of them looked coldly at her, but she didn't seem to realize because Kiba centred her attention making jokes and telling anecdotes, making her laugh shyly behind her kimono's sleeve. At last they arrived to Neji's room. At that moment, Kiba and Hinata wished them good luck and started their journey back to the tea room, followed by Akamaru.
Shikamaru knocked gently on the door as he had seen the maids do.
-Come in- Neji's low voice said from inside.
Shikamaru opened quickly the door and motioned them. Everyone else entered hurriedly and he silently closed the door again. They were now in a white room. There were a black futon in the middle with the hakama from his ninja outfit on it, a bedside table with a clock, a lamp and a photo frame featuring Neji, Lee, Tenten and Gai on it, a table near the window with scrolls and a shelf in the wall with books. Behind a screen and near the cupboard, they could guess Neji's silhouette putting a pair of trousers on.
-Please, leave whatever you brought on the bed, I'll place it later, thank you- Neji ordered, still believing they were maids.
They looked each other, not knowing what to do, and Shikamaru walked to the bed, motioned as if he was putting something on it and walked to the door again. He opened it, stepped in his spot without go out from the room and slid the door closed again. When Neji heard the door closing again he emerged from the screen. He was barefoot and was wearing only a pair of black trousers that reached barely his calves, as usual in ninjas. In his forehead they could see the "bird in the cage" seal, while his damp hair hung loose down to nearly his waist. In a matter of seconds he spotted them and they waved smiling at him. He opened his eyes astonished, frowning deeply shortly afterwards.
-You know you're just like cockroaches, don't you? -he growled.
-Yeah, in fact, it's not the first time you tell us- Shikamaru replied lazily.
- So, what are you doing here?- he asked tiredly while walking to his bed and looking for his hakama- Where is my…?
-Looking for this? -Ino held the hakama in front of him, but when he motioned to take it, she moved away.
-Ino, I'm not in the mood –Neji was starting to get angry
-Why not? It's your great day! –she commented- Anyway, you're not going to wear this.
-Why?
- 'Cause you're going on a DATE and you can't dress as a normal day! –she stated
-But…-Neji opened his mouth but was interrupted
-Do you want to make her feel special? –she asked with her hands on her waist
-Yes, but…
-Do you want this day to be a special day? –she interrupted again
-Of course, but…
-Do you want that meeting to be something special? –she continued
-Yes…
-Then you can't dress as a normal day! –she concluded- That means no hakama, no forehead protector and no weapons or scrolls. This is not a mission!
-I see... –Neji sighed, giving up at last.
-That was the speech that convinced me too –Shikamaru commented smirking. He sat on the bed, Lee sat on the floor and Shino leaned against the wall.
-Ok, so let's see what you have got here –Ino opened the cupboard and looked inside it- This is not bad…Shikamaru's was far worse than yours. You can keep those trousers on, they're fine –she said revolving the clothes- Whoa, you have a lot of formal kimonos here.
-Every year we have to dress very formal and in the traditional way to celebrate Hinata-sama's birthday –he told them
-I see –she continued searching in his cupboard and discarding clothes until she grabbed a white t-shirt, with a black line on its side –This one! It's very simple, but it doesn't change your style –she said happily –Put it on!
Neji took the t-shirt tiredly and put it on. Time had passed since the last time he wore it, so it wasn't as loose as he remembered, but it still fitted comfortably. He extended his arms and raised the eyebrows asking for opinions. Lee made his nice-guy pose, Shikamaru raised a thumb and Shino nodded. Ino told him to sit down and grabbed a comb.
-What are you going to do? –Neji asked
-I'm going to fix your hair –she answered
-I don't want my hair fixed
-At least you could tie it in a less loose ponytail.
-Why?
-It's more attractive
Everyone else was looking from one to another, as in a tennis match. Neji touched his forehead, counting to restrain his patience –Ino… -he was interrupted again
-And it's more comfortable now in summer… –she added.
-Fine, I'll make that damn ponytail –he took his hair and made a low but tight ponytail, leaving a few shorter locks that didn't reach the band flanking his face –Happy now?
-Yes –she smiled widely.
He went to his bedside table and took his forehead protector from a drawer. When he was going to put it on, he saw Ino cross-armed and looking at him angrily.
-I told you, no forehead protectors –she said
-I won't go out with this seal on my forehead –he responded pointing it
-What do you wear when you have to dress formal? –she asked
-I put a plain black strap –he replied casually
Ino raised her eyebrows and Neji rolled his eyes. He opened his drawer again, put in the forehead protector and took a black strap. He put it on and crossed his arms. Ino clapped her hands and smiled again.
-You look great! –she said
-Hn… - Neji looked at his clock and started walking to the door.
He opened it and motioned them to go out from the room. The way back to the entrance was very different from before. No one bowed to Neji, but sometimes the other Hyuuga family members seemed to look at him with envy. It wasn't as good as it seems being a genius in a respectful clan…
They arrived to the tea room where they had been with Hinata, and Shikamaru knocked twice while passing the door. It opened revealing Kiba and Hinata, both smiling widely and strangely. Kiba waved her bye and jogged with Akamaru to reach the still walking group. Neji stopped a moment to whisper something to a maid, who nodded and walked fast through another corridor. They finally arrived to the front gate, and while they were putting on their shoes again, the maid reappeared handing a Japanese sweet box to Neji.
They went out of the manor and Neji confronted them. He frowned when he saw Kiba, since he didn't remember seeing him earlier.
-Well, here I leave you, but before I set out I want to make something clear. –He looked at each one- I appreciate and thank your help, but for your own sake…-he frowned harder- I don't want to see you near Tenten's house this afternoon –he activated his Byakugan to inspire more respect- Did I make myself clear?
Everyone nodded, and after looking them one more time, he disappeared.
-Ok, let's go -Shikamaru commented casually.
-But, didn't you hear what he said? –Ino asked
-Of course, he doesn't want to SEE us –Shino replied
-Then, we'll be careful and he won't SEE us… –Kiba grinned and Akamaru barked.
Ok, this is it by now. This chapter was late because I had to fix my Word and I couldn't write, sorry! Explanations:
1-The hakama is the higher part of Neji's ninja outfit (in this fanfic). Since Hyuugas seem so traditional, I made him wear a typical Japanese cloth.
2-Yeah, something happened between Kiba and Hinata in the tea room, but this is a Neji-Tenten fanfic, so I'll make a one-shot relating that scene for the Kiba-Hinata's fans. (I like that couple a lot too).
As always: comments, corrections and suggestions made in a friendly way are more than welcome. See you:)
