Four weddings and a funeral – Chapter 2
Sakura and Sasuke's Wedding
Six months later
"Is my tie ok?" The onyx-eyed man asked, unusually nervous.
It was not every day that you married the love of your life.
Neji sighed, turning his friend around, wondering for the thousandth time why he said yes to being his best man. Well, it was going to be either him or Naruto, but with Hinata and him moving out and their kid on the way, bachelor and overworked Neji seemed a better choice.
Neji rearranged the groom's tie, all the while thinking about how in less than half a year, he'll become an uncle. Goodness, he was not ready for that.
But Hinata expecting a baby did come with the opportunity of seeing Tenten a couple of times at Hyuga Mansion, either talking things out with Hinata about how she would be the kid's future godmother or with Hiashi, planning the perfect baby shower.
To be honest, Neji felt he saw Tenten everywhere he went and not just at home. A random employee in his office building, the barista down the street, a woman grocery shopping, one running down the avenue of his condo building. Every time the woman he'd mistake her with turned around, his heart would crash. None had her allure, her elegance, her effortless charisma that had obsessed his mind since the first time he saw this vixen lady smile like she owned the world, walked like she owned the place, looked at him like she held his heart in the palms of her hands.
Which, Neji would begrudgingly admit, was probably accurate.
Damn, she was a sight to behold. He spent too many times in the last six months dreaming of her. How by some unknown miracle she would find her way in his bed, crawling above him and rolling her hips over his... only to wake up, utterly disappointed, drenched in sweaty desire and with an urgent need to relieve himself.
And the little smiles she sent his way in the two or three times when he had caught her glance while she was at their living room coffee table discussing party plans with his uncle did nothing to calm his fixation on her.
Her existence that he was simply not aware of six months ago now seemed to be all he could think of. Her name was ever-present either in his mind or from his surroundings, suddenly hyper-aware of those simple two syllables.
Tenten here, Tenten there.
Never had he been that attentive to the millions of stories Hinata told him daily. Now that she was on obligatory bed rest because of her risk of pre-eclampsia, she spent her time calling him. And because he could not refuse a thing to his two younger cousins, he put her on speakerphone practically everywhere he went except during his meetings: when he ran at the gym, when he cooked, during his breakfast coffee, while he went through files at his office, while he did his laundry.
Even though much of his patience with Hinata's incessant phone calls were out of affection for her, there was still this part of him that wanted to glean as much information as possible on Tenten's whereabouts.
So far, he had learned she graduated with a Ph.D. in anthropology and a specialization in antique weaponry. And when she was not busy with researching old-era weapons, trips around the world to identify rare weapons or giving conferences for other like-minded scientists, she held a high-end weaponry boutique downtown. A shop where she catered to the expensive needs of the rich and the famous who decided they absolutely needed a heavily priced katana that once belong to a fearsome warlord.
He had also discovered she hadn't been in a serious relationship for at least a year. Hinata had tried to pair her with their cousin Ko, but Tenten had refused.
"Cousin Ko?" Neji had asked dubiously and immediately regretted it.
"Yes, why do you care, nii-san?" She asked innocently.
Emotionally overrun pregnant Hinata had one pleasure and one pleasure only - aside from her strange addiction of pickles dipped in mustard- and it was to be as invested in his love life, or lack thereof, as possible.
He knew she probably must have seen his exchange with her best friend at her wedding. His cousin also did notice his unusual active listening when she talked about a particular brown-haired friend of hers. But so far, she has kept quiet, which only meant for Neji that his cousin was probably waiting to pop her kid out before putting a plan together.
He had also learned she was also a close friend of Sakura and Ino and would also be one of Sakura's bridesmaids today. This was probably the highlight of this wedding as far as Neji was concerned.
"Do try and keep it in your pants this time, Hyuga," Sasuke smirked at him as if reading his mind while the long-haired boy finished arranging the groom's tie. "You weren't very successful last time, were you?"
Neji threw him a somewhat threatening, somewhat dumbfounded stare.
"What did you expect?" Sasuke snorted. "Girls tell each other everything. First time I slept with Sakura? Ino kept giving me wicked smiles all week." He shuddered. "And Hinata kept blushing every time she saw me for months. Trust me, they give each other a pervasive report."
Neji's eyebrows raised. "I have so many things to ask right now. But first and foremost, whatever did you do to Sakura that made them react like that?"
Sasuke's smirk deepened. "Something I cannot wait to redo tonight once the wedding is over." He adjusted his watch. "But, the real question is, what did you do to Tenten that kept the girls buzzing so long in our living room? Trust me, that girl is never impressed with anything sex-related. She wild, wild."
Neji's brows furrowed even more to Sasuke's Cheshire grin. God, teasing his favourite Hyuga asshole was his favourite pastime outside of making Naruto's life a living hell and kissing Sakura.
"How do you know that?" Neji finally asked.
Sasuke shrugged. "Heard the girls talking." He repeated.
Neji raised a brow.
"All I can say is that they were definitely surprised that you packed one so big."
The Hyuga was undoubtedly mortified that they had such a conversation, his cousin involved no less, in Sakura and Sasuke's living room. But he couldn't deny that there was a part of him that took it as a win. If she liked being with him as much as he did with her, maybe tonight would be the second round of that.
Alas, so far, there were no second round in the foreseeable future.
He had seen her dance with almost all the groomsmen. He did so with clenched teeth and a whiskey glass in hand that he almost broke from his firm grip.
Sakura had laughed in delight as she cut down the cake with Sasuke's hand on top of hers, and afterwards, Neji gave his best man speech like a pro, half the room tearing up and the other half laughing.
He tried to not glance too much at her while she leaned next to another guy who had been whispering things in her ear. He recognized him as Sasuke's older brother's friend, a blond guy with black nail polish. Deidara his name was if he recalled correctly.
Later during the party, while he was sitting down with some of the boys, his second glass of whiskey in hand, he saw Tenten sitting down with both his uncle and father. Whatever they talked about, Neji would never know.
Was it annoyance? Incredulity? God forbids, jealousy? When he saw his father ask Tenten for a dance and she accepted gladly, taking his extended hand. She was laughing, then blushing furiously at something his dad said.
She wild, wild.
Sasuke's words echoed in his head. How wild? Wild enough to go for his dad after they had sex? No, impossible. His thoughts were becoming too crazy for his own good.
On her side, Tenten wondered what was taking that stupid man so long to come and talk to her. Mostly when his uncle and father came to join her on the empty table she had seated herself in.
She had chosen this empty table not only because it made her excessively accessible but also because it was right in Neji's eyes' trajectory. She had specially picked this table, hoping to encourage him to get up his ass and come talk to her.
Did she misjudge his interest in her?
"You look way too pretty to be sitting here by yourself, Tenten," Hiashi spoke, sitting down with his brother.
"Tell that to your stupid nephew," Tenten grumbled.
"Ah, Neji." Hiashi tsked. "A peculiar man and a tough shell to crack, but I believe in your charms, my dear."
Tenten smiled at the man.
"I don't think we have ever met Tenten-san," Hizashi spoke gently.
Tenten turned her smile to him. "No, we have not," she replied. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise." The younger twin gave a curt nod. "As for my son, maybe I could help a little?" He said, standing up and giving her his hand.
She took it laughing. Really, was she genuinely trying to make the man of her interests jealous with his dad? Well, yes.
Sincerely, who could blame her? Neji was indeed a tough shell to crack.
"So, I would make a fine sugar daddy, I gather?" Hizashi asked a few steps in the rumba that started playing. It was no secret that Sasuke and Sakura had a particular love for latinx music that had been the starting point of their relationship.
Tenten blushed furiously, utterly embarrassed that her joke had made its way to him, before bursting in nervous laughter.
"H-how-?" She asked.
"Do I know?" The older man completed. "Oh well, you told Hinata, who told Hanabi, who told us over brunch."
"Hanabi," Tenten growled at the twenty years old girl.
"She always talks about you." Hizashi chuckled. "She doesn't like many people you know."
Tenten smiled. "Oh, I know. An honour to be accepted by Hanabi."
"Indeed, it is." The older man smiled back. "As for your offer, I must believe I have to decline."
"My offer?" She asked, dumbfounded.
"I cannot be your sugar daddy, at last." He gave her a mocking apologetic smile before twirling her in the hands of his brother.
Before she could express an offended gasp at the mockery, she was already spinning in the arms of Hiashi Hyuga.
"I would totally be your sugar daddy, Tenten," Hiashi comforted her.
Tenten laughed. "Why do I have the feeling our dates would consist of rewatching Hamilton and The Greatest Showman for the hundredth time?"
"And Wicked, don't you dare forget about Wicked." Hiashi cautioned her.
"I could never." Tenten shook her head vehemently. "So…" She trailed, a gleam in her eyes. "Is this your special party trick?"
Hiashi raised a brow.
"The twin party trick where you switch the girl from one twin to another?" She further explained.
Hiashi grinned. "It was our special power move during our college days. He'd charm the girl for a song or two, then leave her wanting for more, twirling her in my arms. Then I'd spent the next songs hinting at how much of a stud my twin brother was. I was a great wingman."
Tenten puffed in delight at this unthinkable nugget concerning the stoic Hyugas' past. "And did it work?"
"Look for yourself." He gave her a satisfied smile.
The older Hyuga twirled her so she could get a glimpse of Neji's grim face.
"Mmh," The brunette pondered. "He does look annoyed, but with his stone-cold face, it's hard to tell."
"Oh," Hiashi smirked. "Trust me, I know my nephew. He is assuredly seething."
"At seeing me dance with his gay uncle?" Tenten raised a skeptical brow.
"His stylish gay uncle, please." He corrected.
"My apologies." She conceded.
"Just please catch my nephew in your clutches and make him your man so you can, at last, be my daughter-in-law," Hiashi said, heavy exasperation and anticipation tinting his voice. "You know you're my favourite out of Hinata's friends. You're already like a daughter to me."
"I know, I know." She admitted a smile in her voice. "Sakura and Ino keep saying you play favourites, and I keep taking your defence."
"Well, Sakura is a genius in her own right and damn that Ino, she does have impeccable style." The older man appraised the woman in front of him. "But you, my love, you're the total package of wit, charm and a dry sense of humour."
"And I guess my shared love for musicals helps?" She suggested.
"Yes, absolutely. So please. Please." He shut his eyes in annoyance. "Please take him. Or else I might have to endure him settling down with one of those bimbos he keeps meeting. And not the fun ones but the incredibly daft ones."
Tenten laughed. "I am surprised Neji has a dating life. He seems so cold."
"Well, he does attract quite a handful of women." Hiashi shrugged. "I guess from time to time, he feels like giving it a go." He paused, locking his eyes on hazelnut ones. "But you, darling, you've enthralled him. Totally bewitched him."
"So Hinata says," Tenten countered. "But I have yet to see him asking me for a dance."
"Well, wait no longer," Hiashi said with a smile, twirling her for one last time in the arms of the last Hyuga she'd dance with this evening.
"Neji," She breathed out when she landed in his arms.
Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see Hiashi joining his twin and discretely high-fiving him, both looking like they had proudly managed their mischief while looking at the couple dancing.
Bringing her gaze back to the stoic Hyuga in front of her, she could see he was a bit flustered.
"Took you long enough." She taunted, false reproach in her voice.
The Hyuga shrugged. "You were quite popular today."
"Hm, was I? I haven't noticed." She tilted her head on the side in a thoughtful manner.
"Saw you talking with quite a handful of interested men." He continued, trying to not sound jealous but failing miserably.
Tenten shook her head. "Alas, you have nothing to worry about your dad since he has refused my offer to be his sugar baby."
When she felt his hand tighten around her hip Tenten immediately followed up with: "Relax, Hyuga. It was a joke." But her grin didn't seem to ease up the tension.
"I meant before you danced with my uncle and father." The pearl-eyed man mentioned.
"Well, some drunken men did accost me." She admitted.
"One longer than the other," Neji grumbled. "He is still staring at you, you know." He nodded his head subtly towards the blonde man sitting down at a table with all of Itachi's friends, who kept his intense displeased stare on the young brunette woman.
And how could he not? Neji would think.
She looked smoking hot in her bodycon satin red dress. Not only did it showcase perfectly the ambitious curvature of her hips, but her breasts in that dress were simply…
"Oh, Deidara?" Tenten cut through his train of thoughts with a dismissive wave of hands. "Pff, never making the mistake of dating that guy again."
Neji raised a brow. "You dated Deidara?" Now, if he thought she was above Kiba's level, he definitely thought she was way higher than what Deidara should aim for.
Actually, if he took a minute to really think about it, Neji thought the only man she should be with was him. But it was way too early in the night to succumb to such primitive possessive thoughts.
"Yeah." She groaned. "The worst experience of all my undergraduate mistakes. He was quite good in bed, though. And an outstanding artist at that. Modelled for him once."
"What kind of modelling?" He asked, wariness in his voice.
"Oh, you know, he paints, and he sculpts. Actually, I believe his nude of me is going for an auction soon."
"A nude?" Neji asked, trying to control the shock and maybe the slight anger in his voice.
"Yeah," She shrugged her shoulders. "It was quite a pretty painting if I remember correctly. But thank God we don't see my face on it."
Neji nodded numbly, his mind abuzz.
She wild, wild.
"Hey," She grinned slyly at him. "Want to go out for a smoke?" She said while subtly taking a small Ziploc bag out of her bra that contained two rolled joints.
Neji threw a look at Naruto and Hinata departing forms, Kiba half passed out drunk on the table, Sasuke and Sakura slow-dancing in the dimly lit ballroom and Ino dragging Sai to do the same thing.
"Yes, please." He finally said, impatiently. Anything better than third-wheeling, being reminded he would soon be an uncle or enduring drunk Kiba.
And here he was, at five am, on the stairs outside the Royal Carlton where Sasuke and Sakura's wedding was slowly coming to an end. He smoked his second joint with the girl that had haunted his mind for the past six months. Again, he was unveiling all of his life and disclosing his deepest secrets. Only this time, he blamed the cannabis, and the hilarity and relaxed state is induced.
Tenten was howling from laughter. "I cannot believe it." She stopped to get her bearings together. "I cannot believe it," She repeated, wiping a tear from her eye. "You really did that?"
Neji nodded solemnly through his fading laughter, inwardly cursing the drug for making it so easier for him to indulge in the merriness.
Or maybe it was not the drug, he would think while gazing at her porcelain face whose skin reflected the reddish and blueish hues of nearby red lights and street lights.
"So, she made you wear a pink frilly dress for tea time with her plushies?" Tenten recapitulated, incredulous.
Neji shrugged. "One simply cannot refuse something to her Majesty, Queen Hanabi Hyuga, 1st of Her Name, Regent of candies and Conqueror of Unicorn Land."
Tenten burst out laughing again. "Is this how she forced you to call her?"
Neji nodded again, taking the rolled cannabis from her fingers.
"Wow," The brunette breathed out, spent from laughing so much. "Talk about childhood trauma."
Neji exhaled the smoke he had just inhaled. "You have no idea."
"Please," Tenten leaned in and her face a centimetre from his. "Tell me there is a picture of this somewhere."
"Maybe," He replied enigmatically, his eyes trailing a tad too long on her lips before lustily dragging themselves upwards to meet her half-closed ones. "What would you be willing to give to see it?" He challenged, his husky whisper falling on her lips as she inhaled sensually his next exhale of smoke.
She turned her head to the side to blow out the smoke.
"Everything." She whispered, her lips half a centimetre away from his.
And finally, the moment he had craved for the past six months. The feel of her soft rosy lips on his felt even more intense than he remembered. He pulled her in closer, a hand urgently searching for the dip just above her hip so he could press her further into him, his mind about to explode from all the things it wanted to do.
She pushed him away and, to his great astonishment, straddle him, here in public, on the stairs of a very-well lit luxury hotel. He quickly glanced around, and at this hour, there were no people other than the doorman who decided to head in after her rather explicit move.
Neji was about to protest because it had happened a few times in his life that the Hyuga heir had made page six of the Konoha Daily's gossip column. But as he was about to say something, she pressed her hips further in his bulging need, and he lost it all there. He could be plastered all over social media under an NSFW trending hashtag for all he cared. He needed to have more of her right now.
She ground her hips more into him, and he instinctively grabbed her ass, taking control of the thrusting rhythm.
She wild, wild.
Well, he was dry-humping her publicly, wasn't he?
"You know it's really a shame." She almost moaned out when his mouth slid down her neck.
"What?" He mumbled, too transfixed by the collarbone he was kissing and licking.
"That I have to leave now."
She smiled her most malicious grin when she pushed him away, relishing in his bewildered and highly aroused state.
"Leave?" He repeated dumbly.
"Mm-hm," She nodded, retucking her hair in her twin-buns.
"Guess next time you'll come around earlier?" She taunted him, readjusting her dress over her legs.
And before he could say anything, she was already running away from him, calling out a taxi barefoot, her heels dangling in her hands.
"You really fucked this one up, son." The baritone voice of his father came from behind him.
"What?" Neji turned around, startled to see his father and uncle, coat in hands, ready to leave, their stare fixed on the running brunette who had just caught a taxi in time.
"You had all evening," Hiashi simply explained. "And decided to move your ass at 2 AM?"
Now, Neji wasn't sure what shocked him most, the unusual swearing in his father and uncle's language or the fact they became so suddenly invested in his love life.
"You don't simply meet girls like that every century." His father said as if answering his inner confusion.
"Yes," Hiashi agreed. "And I want Tenten as my daughter-in-law." He added in a grumble. "At this point, either she marries you or Hanabi."
"What?" Neji exclaimed, taken aback by his uncle's unusual meddling. "Isn't Hanabi practically engaged to Konohamaru...you know, her five years boyfriend?"
His uncle slowly lowered his disapproving gaze on him. "Well, now you see how this leaves us no choice but you."
Neji's brows furrowed as he followed his father and uncle's gaze back to Tenten, who had just entered her cab.
"If you screw this up," His uncle whispered against his ear. "I'll disown you."
Neji smirked. "Love you too, uncle."
"Your uncle is very serious," Hizashi warned, amusement in his voice.
"I am." His brother confirmed dryly.
"When did I ever disappoint?" Neji asked, still fixing the departing cab just like the other men.
Both older Hyuga clapped a hand on each of his shoulders.
"Then don't start now." They said simultaneously
