Seeking Guidance
Joint project of BullyKilla and neonate
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: There was a boy. A very strange, enchanted boy. They say he wandered very far. They lied. They totally lied. One magic day, when he passed our way, we kidnapped him, stole his Naruto, and wrote fanfics. Then he cried, "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is how to write a proper disclaimer!"
Damn him.
Chapter Three: Hiashi Throws A Party
One fine day, just before noon, the world found an expressionless shinobi perched on top of his house's rooftop. He had been sitting there for a good hour or so, trying to escape his inevitable demise. The morning earlier, he had been clumsy. He knocked another of his father's butterfly collection over, and now it was in shambles. Thankfully the explosive tag was a dud so that he didn't have to explain (again) why a part of the house blew up.
Shino didn't know what'd come over him; things had been gone horribly wrong lately. He could not concentrate on his training, he ignored Wendell (his nicely recovering bumblebee from last explosion), and he even refused another lucrative offer from Konoha Shinbun to write more articles about Konoha's latest sensation.
After taking pictures of Neji and Sakura in secret, and writing the insanely famous article on the Shinbun, Shino had retreated to early retirement. He forsook the path of easy money and instead gave the rest of his earnings to his mother.
Thinking about it, his clumsiness had started since Haruno Sakura'd chased after him, two weeks ago. He'd thought that she knew about his involvement in her sudden popularity, and an inexplicable emotion had crept inside his usually guarded heart. Shino had run away from the kunoichi, but then he realized he was actually running away from that nameless feeling.
Now he knew its name. Guilt.
Shino sighed. He needed to regain his senses soon. Trivial things like guilt should not affect him if he wanted to become a good shinobi. The bugs knew that he was troubled, he could sense their restlessness. He clutched the front of his shirt and took deep, long breaths.
But a cheery voice suddenly threw him off his balance. "Good morning, Shino-kun!"
The Aburame kid's eyes went wide underneath his glasses. He recognized that voice! For days he'd been haunted by her image and the thoughts of impending death that surely awaited him if her 'boyfriend' knew what Shino had done. Involuntarily, he gulped.
Relax, she may not know about it yet, he convinced himself.
Shino peered downwards and saw the pink-haired Haruno Sakura waving one slender arm towards him. She was smiling. He noticed that and released the breath he didn't know he was holding. That's good, he said inwardly. I'll live.
"Good morning, Sakura," he greeted her.
"Nice day, isn't it, Shino-kun? This summer we don't have much breeze like today's," she said.
"Yes," he agreed.
"Your mom is really nice," she began. "She invited me for some tea and sweets just now."
Shino frowned. What was Sakura trying to say with all these small talks?
"I saw some baby pictures of you."
Oh, shit.
"And you were such a cute baby! So I told her that I'd like to see more of your pictures. Guess what she showed me?"
No, no, no!
"What's the matter, Shino-kun? Bugs got your tongue?" Sakura asked.
Shino shook his head vigorously. He was sweating inside his shirt.
"Your mom showed me pictures taken by you."
At this point, Shino was ready to end his misery. The bugs inside him were alarmed at this new development and they were vehemently against Shino throwing himself off the roof. It's no good, Shino mentally said to them, I'll die anyway.
"You know what's strange, Shino-kun? I found a picture of Neji and I in your album."
Silence.
Quietly Shino made his way down from the roof and approached the sweet-looking kunoichi. He bowed his head, defeated. When he'd finally stood in front of her, Shino had the expression of one who knew his own end was near. (It didn't differ that much from his usual face, mind you).
Sakura smiled triumphantly. "Good," she said. "I don't have to force it out of your mouth, after all. Now then, that makes things much easier." As an afterthought, she added, "And less messy, if you get my drift."
Shino nodded.
"Of course you're wondering what I am doing here, don't you, Shino-kun?" she asked.
"I assume you want my soul now, Sakura?" he said, readying himself.
Chuckling, she replied, "Oh, no. Nothing that fatal, I assure you. I just want you to make another article like you did before," she told him. "Then I'll have your liver."
Shino couldn't believe his ears. She wanted him to do what?
Judging from Shino's almost non-existent expression, Sakura knew he was very, very confused.
"You heard me right, Shino-kun. I want you to write an article about my boyfriend and I," she said.
"Boyfriend?" he croaked.
"Yeah, the one who's capable of turning your intestines inside out and tied them as a bow on top of your head," Sakura said calmly, examining her fingernails.
This kunoichi is blackmailing me! Shino thought.
"Why?" he finally asked her.
"Let's just say that I need someone convinced," she said. Her thoughts drifted to Lee and her heart went out to him, but she couldn't back out now. His snooping had made her uneasy. Even without Neji telling her, she could sense that he felt guilty about the matter, which was totally ridiculous considering that Sakura also had her share in the complicated situation. She hoped that by having another article published Lee would take the hint and back off.
Shino thought for a while, and tried to bargain. "What's in it for me? I'll end up a bloody mess, anyway."
"If you follow my instructions, I'll guarantee your safety," Sakura promised.
He thought for a while before extending his hand towards her. "Deal."
She grinned. "Here's my plan."
- - - - - - - -
"Girls like flowers," Chouji suggested between sips of ramen soup. "And they are crazy about small gifts."
Seating next to him under Ichiraku's shade was the other half of Konoha's most popular pair. "I can get flowers," Neji said, thoughtful.
The chubby boy gave him a look. "Not from your uncle's garden, mind you."
"Oh." Neji paused, as if he just realized something. "It's a herbarium, not a garden."
"Sure, I bet Sakura will be ecstatic if you give her a mushroom," Chouji said, exuding poorly hidden sarcasm.
"Then what should I get her?"
"I don't know. What does she need?"
Neji wasted no time before replying. "A new set of kunai."
"Very clever, Hyuuga, if you want her to rip you a new one with those kunai."
"Explosive tags, then?"
Chouji glanced at his stoic friend's face and heaved a great despairing sigh. "You're beyond help."
- - - - - - - -
The busiest street in Konoha held a variety of shops and establishments. Neji, not accustomed to doing his own shopping, stood at its entrance, looking mildly confused and feeling out of place. He was there for a purpose, but he didn't know where to start. Honestly, what would a fourteen-year-old shinobi buy his lady friend? He knew that the lingerie shop was out of the question (even thinking of it made him blush) and buying something from the weapon shop was equal to putting their pretend relationship to an early grave, as Chouji had so kindly pointed.
But he wasn't called the Hyuuga prodigy for nothing. Surely the process of buying a gift couldn't be that hard, compared to his previous missions. Right?
Absolutely.
With laden steps, he marched into one little shop and lifted the doorway curtain. A loud, welcoming "Irasshai-mase!" and the sight of other customers stopped Neji on his tracks. Suddenly the boy felt self-conscious. He'd not expected anybody else besides him and the surrounding inanimate objects. And with his recent front page picture still fresh in everybody's mind…
"Oh, aren't you that young master Hyuuga?" cooed one matronly customer.
Neji stifled a groan.
He made a polite gesture and excused himself out of the place. There had to be a store where he could browse and purchase his gift safely out of random strangers' curious glances, Neji thought. Considering his options, he made a beeline to the brightly painted shop across the street. It seemed quite empty.
A bell tinkled when he opened the door and to his relief, Neji noticed that the only customer there was him. He started walking down the aisles, only to be confused by the selections of goods displayed.
Why are they all chopsticks?
- - - - - - -
Haruno Sakura combed her hair for the second time, feeling quite nervous. Her bright red kimono sleeve swished around, following the motion of her arm. In less than an hour, she, with her parents, would be going to the Hyuuga estate to attend dinner. The invitation had come in the form of a scowling Neji two days ago. He'd quickly told them the details of the event, echoing his uncle word for word. Hiashi-sama requested the audience of both Haruno-san and their lovely daughter (Neji almost choked at the word 'lovely') on a casual dinner occasion.
Of course her parents had gladly accepted the invitation. It was, after all, important to make a good connection with their future in-laws. Not wanting to burst their bubble, Sakura had left the matter alone.
She checked her appearance once again and couldn't help feeling satisfied on how well the color of her embroidered kimono complimented her complexion and hair.
Oh, yeah. Girl, you'll knock them out.
Sakura hoped so. She wanted to make a good first impression on Hyuuga Hiashi. She'd heard from Neji that Hiashi was a fair man, albeit a bit distant. Considering their positions in the Main and Branch House it was quite understandable. But why Hiashi suddenly wanted to meet his nephew's friends was beyond Sakura. Maybe he wanted to see the girl who had made such a disgrace of the Hyuuga boy. Then why the family dinner?
A clank on her window alerted the kunoichi on another's presence. She unlatched the window and let one sullen Aburame Shino in. He looked at her and nodded his approval.
"You look good."
"I have a mission tonight, but thanks," Sakura replied.
"I have the bug," he said.
"Wonderful. Show me where I should hide it," she said.
"Her."
"Pardon?"
"My bug's name is Edna," Shino said. Actually there was a very interesting history on how he'd come up with that name, but Shino didn't think that Sakura would appreciate the information at the moment.
Sakura blinked twice. "Sorry. Please show me where to put Edna."
He pointed at her pink tresses. "She can hide in your hair, if you'll just tie them up."
"Will she be able to her job, then?"
"No doubt," Shino said smugly behind his collar.
"Make sure you write a damn good article out of this," Sakura said, biting on a pretty green hairpin. Deftly she tied her hair into a knot and inserted the pin. "The cheesier, the better."
"Bend you head down a bit," Shino instructed. She obeyed and felt his fingers working on her hair. "If nobody notices it closely, Edna will look just like one of the beads on your pin."
"Perfect," Sakura said with a forced smile, fighting the urge to shudder.
I'll throw this hairpin after tonight.
- - - - - - - -
Outside the entrance to the Hyuuga estate, one boy was pacing back and forth from one end of the gate to the other. He was waiting for a group of people to come. It was his job to show them the way in, but he felt uneasy despite the simplicity of the task. Not even a fight to the death could shake Neji's countenance like this.
Deep in thought, he didn't pay special attention to the sudden shadow of one special Jounin behind him. Only when Neji felt the cold tip of kunai on his neck did he stop moving.
"What do you want, Kakashi-san?" he asked the older Jounin.
"Saa, you knew it was me all along. Why didn't you react?"
"Is there a need for that? Are you going to slice my throat now?" Neji huffed.
Kakashi removed and pocketed the kunai back. "From the look on your face, a quick slit may be a merciful thing to do."
If Neji was less respectful of his elders, he would have told Kakashi to shut it. Instead, he inquired what the Copy Nin was doing in front of the Hyuuga estate. He didn't expect the answer that came.
"Too see you," Kakashi said.
"Why?"
Kakashi's next answer came more brutally than the first one. The Jounin slammed the Hyuuga prodigy to the gate wall and with unmatched, lightning reflex he took a senbon and held it a hair-thin away from the boy's bare forehead.
"I don't care what the article said," Kakashi began, his breath eerily even, "but if you ever hurt her, or fail to protect her, you'll answer to me."
Neji nodded. He knew that the older man was serious. Too well he understood what Kakashi felt for Sakura, the last of his charge. Ninja come and go, dying like flies, but it still leaves a bitter aftertaste to those who had cared. He leaned forward, the senbon touching his forehead, and met Kakashi's uncovered right eye. Determined, Neji gripped Kakashi's pinning arm and shoved it away, ignoring the scratch the metal tip made on his skin and the droplets of blood coming out.
"I won't fail her."
"Good." Beneath his mask, Kakashi smiled, looking at the boy in front of him. He liked what he saw; a strong, reliable boy with stubbornness to match Sakura's.
But there was only one slight problem…
This boy might be a little bit too young. Oh, he'd need lots of help.
With a discreet gesture only a professional smut reader could do, Kakashi took out a small bright-colored book, shoved it into Neji's hand, and whispered conspiratorially.
"Boy, have you ever heard of Icha Icha Paradise?"
- - - - - - -
Sakura was impressed, really. She didn't know that such a large amount of alcohol could be consumed in such short amount of time. Her father and mother's sloshed faces were indication enough, but she was especially intrigued by Hyuuga Hiashi and the other Hyuuga adults' ruddy cheeks. Despite the presence of underage teenagers, the alcohol had been flowing freely and endlessly. Sakura knew better than tried her luck on one sip, while Neji seemed to have a horrible experience with booze.
The meal had been excellent and the company pleasant. Even Hinata and her sister had been present for the actual dinner before excusing themselves after the sake had been brought out. Unfortunately, Hiashi had insisted that Neji and Sakura stay.
"No, no. The two of you, we'll talk later," Hiashi'd said, followed by a loud bellow from Sakura's father.
"Hyuuga-san! Don't you see that they're trying to have some time alone?" Another laughter.
At that moment, Sakura had been ready to jam a nearby ikebana arrangement into her father's mouth, anything to silence him.
But Hiashi had a warped sense of humor.
"As long as they don't discover the empty room upstairs!"
Silence. Then laughter erupted all around the table. Sakura felt her face flaming, there was no doubt that she was as red as her kimono. The adults had tears flowing steadily down their cheeks, and some breathless ones fell down, thumping the floor, saying "That's good, that's good" over and over again. Hiashi winked at his nephew before gulping down another glass of sake. Only Neji's sheer resolve had prevented him from strangling his uncle.
Now, after enduring several more suggestive jokes and rowdy anecdotes, the adults were close to being defeated by liquor. Exchanging several glances, Neji and Sakura waited for the right moment to bolt from that hell hole. Hiashi, however, was as slick as ever.
"Nephew, you've been looking at Sakura-chan all the time this evening! What's the matter? Can't wait to be alone?"
The proclamation was met with another round of laughter, good-natured whistling and clapping, and a few knowing smiles. If it was possible, Sakura would like nothing better than to bury herself under the tatami floor, but she endured it because Neji had not said a thing.
On the other hand, Neji had had enough. He couldn't stand seeing Sakura so embarrassed, and if he wanted to be honest, his uncle had hit a mark with his statement. He did want to spend some time alone with Sakura. What was wrong with that?
You're pretending, Hyuuga. When you're pretending, you're not supposed to feel anything.
Not for the first time in many days, Neji ignored that little voice.
But his uncle wasn't satisfied with only his own nephew to tease.
"Aah, Sakura-chan. What's wrong with your face? Why are you so red?"
The kunoichi in question let out an inaudible squeak and hid her face in her sleeves.
That was it. It was the last straw for Neji.
He stood up and hauled his girlfriend out of the room, covering her ears so that she wouldn't have to hear the cheers that followed their departure. The last thing he heard was his uncle's triumphant voice.
"I told you that boy is smitten!"
- - - - - - - -
Hand in hand they made their way to the deserted garden of the Hyuuga estate. He could feel her hand burning, and thought how her face had looked back there. She had to be mortified, and he wouldn't blame her if she came to hate his family in general.
Stopping at one large boulder, he faced her and cupped her hot face with his cold fingers. She was startled, but relaxed when she understood what he was doing. Slowly, she felt the warm blood draining from her face, thanks to Neji's cool hands. They stood there, unmoving, just breathing.
"Thank you," she whispered after a while.
"They were too rude," Neji said. Even though he didn't say it out loud, she knew that he was really apologizing for his family's behavior. But how could she stay mad at them when this boy held her so tenderly?
The darkness had set in, the garden lanterns were lit, and the summer fireflies gathered around the small pond at the end of the garden. The small lights hung around the bush and trees, creating a contrast with the dim surrounding.
"My parents seem to like your uncle," she said. She was watching the scattering of lights at one tree.
"They make good drinking buddies, if nothing else," he scoffed.
"I didn't expect your uncle to be so…open," she said.
"Neither did I," he said. At this, they both shared a chuckle. A drunk Hyuuga Hiashi was indeed a funny image, provided one wasn't his favorite target of the moment.
"Neji?"
"Hm?"
"Thanks for getting me out of that room," she said.
He muttered something under his breath, and handed her a cloth-wrapped package. She accepted it, though confused, and untied the knot. Holding her breath, Sakura took the contents out.
And found out that she was holding a pair of chopsticks.
She paused a while before asking her supposed boyfriend, "What's this?"
He looked affronted. "Chopsticks, what else?"
"I know that. I mean, is this a gift for me?"
Neji gulped. "Yes."
"Oh," she said. Fondling the set on her palm, Sakura didn't know what to think. "Thank you."
"You don't like it," Neji said.
"No, of course I do," she said.
Neji shook his head. "I knew it was a bad idea. I shouldn't buy both sets."
"Don't say that, I—wait, you bought two sets?"
"Yes."
"Why?" Sakura asked.
He looked at her as if she'd said something incredibly stupid. "What am I going to use to eat?"
Sakura gaped at his answer. "You bought two identical sets for you and me?"
"Yes! Why are you asking me this?" Neji said, exasperated.
"Oh, Neji…."
What happened next was not in his plan. He'd predicted that she would either like or dislike the gift, and he would receive a simple thank you for his effort.
Oh, no, no. He wasn't prepared when she threw her arms around him and hugged him close. "Thank you, thank you," she whispered to his ear. He couldn't possibly know what his gesture had meant to her.
Her close presence wreaked havoc to his senses, and since he didn't know what to do, he let his arms sneak around her waist. When he pulled her closer, she didn't resist. He leaned his head on her shoulder and found that he liked it there. He also realized that he liked the scent of her hair, the shape of her earlobes, and the way she clung to him.
Neji's thought went back to Kakashi's threat and his own promise. This girl, now he understood, was his. And he would die before he failed her. His last thought before he kissed her forehead was how utterly helpless he was in front of her.
He sighed inwardly.
What a dangerous thing this romance business is.
To be continued
Message from us:
Hi all, sorry for the delay in update and thanks for your patience. :gives plushies: Got the worst case of writer's block, and RL's not helping. To make up for it, below is a deleted scene (you'll know why it's deleted after reading). You can skip it if you want.
Oh, if you are reading this straight from Seeking Comfort, take a break. Seriously. Rest your eyes for a while. All right, here's the deleted scene:
I
Neji felt a massive headache coming. It had been a terrible day for him. In the morning, he had witnessed his uncle's new hair color. It didn't sit well with his breakfast. Frankly, Neji had forgotten that he was the one who'd put the peroxide dye in Hiashi's new shampoo days ago. Needless to say that his uncle was less than thrilled. Platinum blond was so not his color. It made him look pale.
Neji couldn't agree more.
Then nearing noon, he'd overheard some servants talking to each other about an upcoming dinner party. Dinner party! Those two innocent words set alarms ringing in Neji's head. His survival instinct took hold. Neji dashed to his uncle's study and demanded an answer from the Hyuuga leader himself.
"Is it true that there will be a dinner party in this house?" Neji rasped.
Hiashi looked up to meet his breathless nephew's stare. Neji shuddered; that white-blond hair really didn't suit his uncle's features.
"Yes, Neji. A dinner party. We're inviting the Haruno family over."
"Why?"
Hiashi sighed. "It's tradition. When a Hyuuga male finds a partner, a dinner party to honor the union must be held."
"You just made that up."
"No," Hiashi said, shaking his head.
"There's nothing in our Code of Honor that demands a dinner party."
"Well, there wasn't. But there is now."
"You didn't—"
"I just exercised my position as the Hyuuga patriarch to add a line in our Code of Honor."
"Why?"
"You know how long I waited for a dinner party, nephew?"
Neji shook his head.
Hiashi roared, "Thirteen years!"
This is what we call out of character. Thus, it's gone. You never see it. Never, you hear me?
Moral: Don't write when you're dead drunk. Or if you absolutely must, don't type with your forehead. Nothing good ever comes out of that.