Deep Feelings

Author's note: Kiba and Neji hang out. Sasuke invites Neji out to dinner to thank him for helping him in the last chapter.

Side note: I've never liked Sasuke as a character for exactly as Neji says. BUT, I am trying to redeem him in this because frankly, Sakura deserves better. How am I going to redeem the Uchiha? With Neji of course. ;)

Rated M for sexy times between (male) characters, swearing, drinking, and gore.

Again: don't own. Just borrowing.

Neji huffed and tried not to mope though it was difficult. The morning had started wonderfully with bright skies and warm weather. He had helped form a couple and gotten his mind of his situation. Noon had come and the weather went from wonderful to shit in ten minutes.

Now the skies were gray and full of dark clouds that cried. People ran with their bags covering their heads and splashing through puddles. The comfortable summer weather had gone cool and it left people shivering in their light clothes. Most stuck to the awnings where they could escape the rain but Neji strode down the middle of the street.

His hair was dripping wet and plastered to his head from the downpour. The longer bangs stuck to the sides of his face and neck, dripping down his mesh shirt and making little rivers down his chest. The mesh stuck to him as were his leather vest and cotton pants. His toes were cold from stepping in puddles but at least he did not have to worry about running into anyone trying to get to their appointments in the crappy weather.

People did give him odd looks as he strode by. He walked at a steady pace, back straight, head slightly up, and thumbs hooked through his belt loops as if it wasn't raining. A few people stopped to stare and blink in wonder before slinking off in embarrassment at the fact the rain detoured them.

In reality Neji wanted nothing more than to huddle under an awning. His body was cold, he was soaked through to his skin, and it took an effort not to shiver from the cool water covering his frame. The weather matched his current mood so Neji decided to soak it in. Literally.

He continued his walk, not caring about how he looked like a drowned rat. Fewer people were running as they reached their destinations and soon the streets were virtually empty. Neji smelled food on the wind but it made his stomach coil and him want to retch. Neji heard someone running near him but did not bother to incline his head. If the person could not veer around Neji in the middle of an empty street there was a problem.

Neji blinked when the rain stopped pounding on his head and looked up. An umbrella, navy blue, was above his head. Neji followed the metal pole to a hand he recognized then up the leather-clad arm to Kiba's smiling face.

"Not that this'll help much since you're soaked right through but it's something, right?" Kiba asked.

Neji blinked then nodded. He said nothing when Kiba got in close to him so they could share the umbrella. Neji tilted his head to look up at his former lover and simply stared. Kiba's dark eyes were glowing, his skin soft-looking, and tan. The smell of damp dog, musk, and grass clung to Kiba and Neji realized he missed the smell.

Neji swallowed down tears but it didn't help. Kiba let out a little yelp of surprise when Neji fell into him, resting his head on Kiba's broad, strong shoulder, and wrapping his arms around Kiba's muscled chest. Neji kept his sobs quiet but knew Kiba could feel his tears. Kiba's free hand came up and rested on Neji's middle back, warm, powerful, but at the same time gentle and comforting.

Kiba said nothing, simply holding him under the umbrella in the rain as Neji clung desperately to Kiba and cried. Kiba did lean in a bit to pull Neji in close and Neji kept inhaling Kiba's scent over and over. Kiba's body was spreading warmth into Neji's cool one and Neji shivered when he realized how cold he had become.

They stood in the rain, hugging until Neji managed to get a hold of his tears and pulled back. Kiba kissed the top of his head and Neji got a weak chuckle out. He wiped his eyes with both hands and sniffled.

"C'mon, let's go back to my place and get you warmed up," Kiba said.

Neji nodded in thanks and said nothing when Kiba shifted so he could wrap an arm around Neji's waist and guide him towards Kiba's home. Kiba's hand rested high on Neji's hip but Neji was still tucked tightly into Kiba's body.

"Tamaki won't mind?" Neji questioned.

"Huh? No," Kiba answered with a little laugh.

Neji frowned and decided it didn't matter. He wrapped his arm around Kiba's waist so they could be closer and leaned his head against Kiba's shoulder. His other hand rested on Kiba's and he sighed. Akamaru trailed along behind them, soaked, but the large nin-dog did not mind. Akamaru jumped into the puddles behind them as they walked.

They made it to Kiba's apartment complex in the Inuzuka area of town quickly enough. The complex itself was a single story, built wide, similar to the Hyuuga compound but modernized. They entered room five and Neji felt bad about dripping all over Kiba's hardwood floors until Akamaru shook off in the entrance way.

"Oi, Akamaru, stop that," Kiba demanded.

Akamaru woofed in response then trotted down the small hallway into the rest of the apartment. Kiba huffed and shoved his umbrella into a stand before taking off his shoes. Neji repeated the motions but stayed in the entrance hall. Kiba blinked then smirked.

"It's all hardwood and water can be mopped up. C'mon," Kiba said.

Neji flushed but followed Kiba down the hallway. The living area was spacious, all hard wood with black leather furniture, golden colored walls and medium brown curtains. The furniture was dark wood as well and Neji instantly felt warm, safe, and comfortable. There was no wall separating the kitchen with its light brown cupboards, tan marble countertops and black appliances from the living room.

A small hallway also painted tan led to what Neji had to assume was the bathroom and bedroom. Akamaru sprawled out in front of a television and rolled on his back a few times. Neji shivered where he stood then jolted when Kiba took a hand in his and guided Neji down the hallway.

Neji gulped when Kiba lead him into the bedroom. The bed was king sized with brown bedding, dark furniture, and golden walls. The curtains were medium brown and surprisingly the room was not a mess. Kiba stood Neji in front of the bed before leaving the room. Neji rubbed his cold arms and blinked when Kiba came back with two huge, light brown, fluffy towels.

Kiba tossed the towels onto the bed and sighed at Neji, a little smile coming to his face. Neji said nothing as Kiba reached out and undid the single button holding Neji's vest it place. Neji shivered as Kiba pushed the vest off. Kiba put it over the oddly empty laundry hamper before coming back and pulling Neji's mesh shirt over his head.

Neji stayed perfectly still as Kiba removed Neji's headband, gloves, and arm bands. These were draped over the laundry hamper as well. Kiba came back and took off the hitai-ate and bandages, putting them onto the long dresser against one wall before coming back and undoing Neji's pants.

"You've lost weight," Kiba remarked.

Neji said nothing as Kiba pulled the cotton pants down. Neji looked down when Kiba got to Neji's feet. Kiba lightly tapped Neji's right leg and Neji lifted it then the left so his pants were away from his body completely. The pants were draped in the last empty space of the laundry hamper and Kiba easily pulled Neji's thong off.

This was left on the dresser. Neji said nothing as Kiba walked around Neji to stand at his back before placing one of the towels around Neji's shoulders. Neji pulled the towel close as the second towel went over his head and blinded him for a moment. Kiba began rubbing his hands over the towel, drying Neji's hair as best he could before wrapping the mass of Neji's hair in the towel atop his head.

Neji clung to the other towel until Kiba gently pulled it from his grip. Neji stayed still as Kiba rubbed the towel over him, drying him off with confident, welcoming hands. Kiba did not touch Neji's groin or ass and Neji did not know if this was a good or bad sign.

When Kiba finished drying Neji, Kiba went to the dresser and pulled a plain white cotton shirt out. Neji remained quiet as Kiba pulled the shirt over Neji's head and pulled Neji's arms through the holes. Their difference in height, four inches, was evident. Kiba chuckled as he stepped back and looked at Neji.

Neji looked at himself and noticed their difference in broadness did nothing to help Neji either. The collar of Kiba's tee shirt hung off one of his shoulders. It flowed around him like a sort of dress. Kiba's chest and stomach were long, his legs shorter while Neji had a compact chest and stomach area with longer legs. This and the four inch height difference made the hem of Kiba's shirt hover around Neji's mid-thighs.

"Do you want pants?" Kiba asked.

Neji shrugged. It did not matter. Kiba sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He shook his head to clear it then took Neji's hand in his again before leading him back to the couch. Neji settled in one corner as Kiba walked away again. Kiba came back with a big blanket in dark blue. Neji took the offered blanket then shifted so he had his feet up on the couch and curled into the arm rest, the blanket covering him from foot to neck.

The position change had made the towel fall out of his hair but Neji moved so his hair fell over the arm rest with the towel under it and his head. Kiba came back with a mug of tea and Neji stared at it as Kiba sat it on the coffee table.

Neji said nothing when Kiba sat beside Neji's feet. Kiba did not touch him but did rest one arm on the back of the couch as if to cradle Neji from above. His other hand rested on his leg, tapping a pattern out on his leather pants.

"Kankuro?" Kiba questioned.

Neji sighed and nodded. He cuddled into the couch, pulling the blanket close. His body was regaining the heat it had lost from his walk in the rain. He felt comfortable enough to close his eyes and sleep. Neji had a feeling Kiba wouldn't mind. It was odd the Inuzuka wasn't touching him though. Kiba was normally a touchy person.

Maybe Kiba thought Neji did not want the contact because of Kankuro. Neji frowned. He did not want to get intimate with Kiba but being cuddled into Kiba's chest would be nice. Neji shifted and brought the blanket with him. Kiba gaped as Neji straddled him then laid his head on Kiba's shoulder. Neji was instantly comfortable and sighed into Kiba's body. He closed his eyes and cuddled into Kiba's frame.

"Uh, what are you doing?" Kiba asked.

"I just want a hug," Neji answered.

"Oh," Kiba muttered.

Kiba's well built arms wrapped around Neji's body and pulled him closer. Neji kept his hands on Kiba's chest, feeling Kiba's heart under his hands. As Neji suspected it was warmer atop of Kiba. Neji found his body relaxing and sleep began to over take him. Kiba sighed but said nothing. Neji let his body fall into slumber in Kiba's arms. God he had missed this.

"Is he okay?"

"Dunno,"

"How long has he been asleep?"

"About an hour and a half. I really have to pee and I think my ass has gone numb but I don't wanna wake him up,"

Neji half opened his eyes to see an extreme close up of Kiba's shoulder. He lifted his head and heard a feminine yelp. Neji blinked and half turned to see Tamaki staring at him with a little smile and a blush on her cheeks. Kiba groaned and Neji blinked as he was dislodged and the Inuzuka hobbled towards the bathroom.

Neji covered his exposed legs and other important bits with the blanket. His hair was mostly dry, tangled as all hell but not dripping everywhere. The towel was no longer draped over the arm rest and the mug of tea had disappeared.

"I can make you a cup of tea if you like?" Tamaki offered.

Neji let out a breath and felt the headache coming back all ready. He inclined his head in the positive with a small thanks. Tamaki left his side and headed towards the kitchen. Neji heard water running a moment later and shifted so he sat more comfortably on the couch with the blanket wrapped around his body.

Kiba came striding back into the room with a relieved little smile on his face. He detoured to the kitchen, kissed Tamaki on the cheek then came back and fell into the couch beside Neji with a grin. Neji pulled his legs closer to his chest under the blankets, letting his arches stay on the edge of the couch instead of his heels.

"Feel a bit better?" Kiba asked.

Neji let out a breath. He did feel marginally better. He was not as physically cold but his heart still ached. His head throbbed and his stomach felt like a solid stone. He nodded when Kiba looked at him.

"Want a brush?" Kiba questioned.

He smirked. Neji snorted and managed to get a little smile on his face. He watched as Kiba got to his feet and strode away again. Tamaki came back with tea and sat beside Neji on the couch, offering him the tea cup. Neji took it between his hands and sipped as she re-adjusted the blankets he had moved.

The tea was hot but not the green tea he liked. It was still good and he sunk into the couch with a little breath as he sipped the plain tea. Kiba came back with a brush but Neji kept quiet as Kiba began brushing his hair, sitting oddly close on his other side. Tamaki did not seem to mind the closeness and Neji decided not to ask about it.

Kiba had to gather Neji's hair into a tail and let it hang down Neji's left side, the side Kiba sat on, to brush it properly but Neji did not mind. He sipped his tea as Kiba brushed out his hair, gently removing tangles, and smoothing down the messy brown locks.

"It stopped raining by the way," Tamaki mentioned.

"Good, I hate the rain," Kiba muttered.

Tamaki chuckled.

"Muffles your nose, huh?" Tamaki asked.

Kiba huffed but nodded. Neji smirked into his tea but kept quiet. Soon Kiba was done with Neji's hair but kept brushing, likely for fun. Neji had no problem with this. Between Kiba's ministrations, the warmth of the blanket, and the tea, Neji's headache had started to fade from an angry pulsing to a dull throb.

"So, if you want I can go to Suna and kick Kankuro's ass," Kiba said.

Neji grinned but shook his head.

"I would rather do that myself when I get a chance," Neji said.

"No problem," Kiba told him.

Kiba kept playing with Neji's hair but Neji said nothing about this nor did Tamaki. Neji finished his tea and leaned forward to put the cup on the table. He stood and wrapped the blanket around him.

"Your clothes aren't fully dry yet," Kiba said.

"It's fine. Thank you, both of you, for everything," Neji said.

Kiba nodded and Tamaki smiled. Neji left them on the couch and strode into Kiba's bedroom. He folded the blanket and placed it on the edge of Kiba's bed before tugging off the white tee-shirt and tugging on his thong.

Even his thong was still damp. Neji sighed but pulled his soggy pants over his legs. The mesh shirt was dry but his vest was wet. Neji tugged on his clammy bandana, gloves, and arm wraps before tying down his moist hitai-ate and bandages. Now he felt chilled again. Neji ran a hand through his hair and sighed before leaving Kiba's room.

He thanked Kiba and Tamaki again before striding into the hallway and pulling on his shoes. Kiba joined him after a moment and Neji looked up at the other shinobi. Kiba rubbed the back of his head with a little smile on his face.

"If you need anything," Kiba offered.

Neji gave him a smile.

"I'll let you know," Neji finished.

Kiba grinned, nodding, and Neji slipped out of Kiba's apartment. The rain had left puddles and a bit of moistness in the air. Clouds were still predominate in the gray-blue sky and Neji sighed. He began his walk back to the compound where he could pick at dinner and go to bed early with the excuse of meeting with his students at an early hour.

The walk did not take long and Neji entered the main gates of the Hyuuga compound at an appropriate time. He strode into the main meal room where he took his seat as everyone else came into the room. Neji said nothing to his silent relatives but did catch Hiashi-sama give him a worried look.

Hinata-sama bit her lip when she saw him, white eyes darting to meet his down the line. Hanabi-sama frowned and Neji shook his head at both. Hinata-sama nodded with a little sigh. Hanabi-sama scowled for an instant before going back to a neutral expression.

Neji picked at his grilled mackerel and most of it ended up in little pieces around the white ceramic plate instead of in his mouth. He sipped at his miso soup but left half of it. Neji poked at the cucumber salad and rearranged it in the white ceramic bowl but a good portion of it stayed in the bowl. The meat and potato stew got nudged in its bowl, pushed to and fro but a few choice morsels hit his pallet, the rest staying in the bowl to get cold. The brown rice got jabbed at and Neji did not bother tasting it.

No one spoke higher than a soft whisper as was traditional in the Hyuuga clan. Even the children at their table ate quietly, minding proper etiquette under the older Hyuuga watching them with narrowed white eyes. Neji's headache began to pound and he let out a little breath. He put another piece of mackerel in his mouth and chewed slowly.

No paid much attention to how little he ate as he sat with the branch members, higher up in the proverbial totem pole, but still with branch. Neji knew from experience most of the branch members ate little at dinner than went out for less traditional meals with friends. The Main House did not have the freedom to do so.

Neji shoved more mackerel around his plate with the tips of his chopsticks. He put a hole in one of the cucumbers in his salad and idly played with it for a few moments before it slipped off the chopstick and back into the main bowl. He pushed his chopsticks through a potato but did not eat it, slipping it back off wordlessly. Neji dug a little hole in the middle of his rice and finally someone from the Main House left.

Neji waited another two minutes before getting to his feet, bowing to the Main House, and striding out of the room. No one said a word about his early departure and Neji made it to his room unmolested. He stripped, put his clothing into the hamper to be washed then made up a warm bath.

Neji soaked until the water got cool, willing his headache away but it did not obey. Finally he gave up, dried off, brushed his hair, and got into bed. Sakura's bear was a comfort to snuggle with and Neji sighed into the plush fur. Neji closed his eyes against the tears but they came anyway.

Neji kept his sobs quiet and muffled the louder cries with the bear. He curled onto his side in a fetal position, holding the bear close, and pulling the blankets up over his head. Neji was not sure what time he fell asleep but it did not matter. The next day would be the same as any other and the waiting would continue. Neji wanted the wait to be over one way or another and hoped tomorrow might bring some form of news.

Neji said nothing to Sakura when she came to pick up Tora the next day. Sakura did have a smile on her face and a faint blush to her cheeks when she came though. Sasuke had also been watching her from afar. He actually came to join Neji, Kuma, and Akino once Sakura left and Neji scowled.

"Can I help you?" Neji asked.

He did not care how annoyed his voice sounded or about the fact he was glaring outright at the Uchiha. Kuma gaped and took half a step back from Neji's heated look and Akino tensed. Neji crossed his arms over his chest and kept watching Sasuke.

Sasuke blew some bangs out of his face and met Neji's eyes. Neji put the weight onto his right foot and Sasuke watched the position change, one eyebrow coming up in curiosity. Neji raised his eyebrows and waited.

"I wanted to thank you for yesterday," Sasuke said.

Neji blinked. He did not relax his body but he did lower the intensity of his glare. Sasuke shifted a bit on his feet but did not lower his eyes. Neji noticed Kuma had taken a step forward to stand to Neji's right. Akino took Neji's left. Both were frowning but Akino looked more intimidating.

"You are welcome," Neji said.

"Hn, proper social etiquette says I bring you to lunch or something," Sasuke muttered.

Neji let out a breath. He wanted to laugh but could not make the sounds. Neji lowered his arms, hooking his left thumb through his belt loop and running his right hand through his hair. He noticed Sasuke watched Neji's hair flutter around his head and back into place but Neji said nothing.

"Do not worry about proper social etiquette with me. In case you had not noticed I do not consider you a friend and my feelings towards you are lukewarm at best. Having lunch with you would not be my idea of an enjoyable time," Neji said.

Sasuke's frown deepened. Kuma fell into a fighting stance and Akino's shoulders tensed up, his eyes narrowing, eyebrows furrowing, and a scowl coming over his face. Neji wanted to ask his students how the hell they thought they would take on Uchiha but was glad for their thoughtfulness in backing him up.

"I want to change that," Sasuke said.

Neji raised an eyebrow. Sasuke sighed and let out a breath. He did not give a nervous tick but the shifting of his weight from foot to foot, slight as it was, let Neji know Sasuke was uncomfortable.

"You're Sakura's good friend, maybe closer to her than Ino though Sakura would never admit it and neither would you. Sakura and I are together now and I don't want to be on bad terms with her friends," Sasuke said.

Neji blinked. Damn, that had been quick. Neji let out a breath and kept both his thumbs hooked through his belt loops. He relaxed his posture and saw Akino and Kuma do the same. Sasuke's dark eyes flicked over Neji's genin but Sasuke did not remark.

"It will be a while before I consider us to be on tolerable terms, Uchiha," Neji said.

Sasuke scowled. He let out a little breath and half lifted a hand as if to run it through his hair. The hand lowered before getting close to his skull and Neji waited.

"I assume it's because of those scars on your back?" Sasuke asked.

Neji snorted. Kuma and Akino looked at him. Kuma had to look up but Akino simply turned his head. Both frowned then glared at Sasuke. Sasuke eyes flicked over the two genin again but he kept his mouth shut.

"That is a good way to sum it up, yes," Neji said.

Sasuke huffed. He shifted on his feet again and Neji saw one of Sasuke's hands closing into a fist. Akino noticed it was well and his eyes narrowed again.

"Kuma, Akino, go spar," Neji said.

They stared at him, eyes wide and lips parted. Kuma started to open her mouth further to protest but Neji beat her to it.

"I want you two using all our time together well. I'll be there to observe in a moment," Neji said.

Kuma and Akino nodded. Akino cracked his knuckles at Sasuke before turning on his heel and striding off. Kuma gave Sasuke a final glare before charging away. Sasuke raised an eyebrow at the departing genin. His eyes widened when Neji took a step forward and activated Byakugan, widening his eyes for the full effect.

"Let us get one concept straight, Uchiha," Neji began. "I do not like you, I never have, and I likely never will. I was an arrogant little prick as a genin but took Naruto's beating to heart and made changes to myself to become a bit less arrogant. I've made friends with the other Konoha 11, my teammates, and other shinobi in this village. I've fixed my burned bridges.

"You on the other hand simply sauntered back into Konoha with that ego of yours oozing superiority you are not worthy of. You look down on people I consider friends and watch others with contempt. You think you are the best person in Konoha, deserving of taking whatever you want and frankly, you are so far from the truth it's laughable.

"None of the jonin respect you. Half of them do not belief you've been completely reformed. The only reason you haven't been killed in your sleep is because of Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi. Everyone in this village has too much respect for them to hurt you.

"No matter how many friendly lunches, dinners, or any other meal you take me on, how many conversations you try to civilly hold with me, or whatever social etiquette behavior you try on me it will not change my feelings towards you. Respect is earned Sasuke, not bought. And you have a long way to go before I will have anything remotely close to respect for you."

Neji had kept his voice low and not bothered to hide the growling tones in it. He had even stepped further into Sasuke's personal space and allowed some chakra to leak out of his body to show Sasuke how much business he meant.

Sasuke had not stepped back but he did flinch. He had raised his hands to block any kind of attack and lowered them now that Neji was backing off and deactivating his Byakugan. Neji turned on his heel and strode away from the Uchiha, seeing Kuma and Akino had gone into sparring without another word from him. Both were distracted though but Neji would never chide them on it.

"Neji,"

Neji turned to face the sole Uchiha. Sasuke frowned and took a step towards him. Neji waited.

"I want to try repairing those bridges," Sasuke said. "Can I meet you for dinner?"

Neji sighed. He could at least give the prick some form of chance. Neji inclined his head. Sasuke offered a small smile.

"The Amber Blossom at eighteen hundred hours?" Sasuke offered.

Neji nodded. The Amber Blossom was a middle class restaurant, not exceptionally expensive but far from fast food. Sasuke looked relieved. Neji had never thought he would see the day.

"Thank you," Sasuke said.

He turned and walked off. Neji watched him go then turned his attention back to his students. At least dinner with the Uchiha would help get his mind off Kankuro's lack of response.

The Amber Blossom was made up of honey-hardwood tiles, golden walls with sakura tree motifs in pale gray, and dark oak furniture highlighted with gold table clothes. It looked exceptionally elegant but the menu was priced moderately and had a good choice of food. People dressed casually but clean.

Neji had not bothered to change from training and thus was still in his mock leather pants, sleeveless mesh shirt that rode high above his pierced navel, and black leather vest with the single button. The vest had slender sleeves and fanned out as typical to cover most of his ass down to his mid-thighs. He kept his arm wraps, gloves, and bandana. His sandals were mid-calf length with chains. A few people gave him an odd look as he entered but Neji knew he had no dirt on his person and his hair fell nicely down his back.

He spotted Uchiha at a table and strode towards the man. Sasuke wore dark pants to his ankles under a white shirt that had short sleeves. Sasuke nodded to him as Neji took the seat across from the Uchiha. All ready on the table were two glasses of ice water and a pot of tea. Neji reached for the tea but Sasuke poured him a cup. Neji frowned but said nothing.

"Your maki roll platter," the waitress said.

Sasuke nodded to her and Neji raised an eyebrow. The platter was huge and Neji let out a little breath as he gave thanks. He separated his chopsticks and picked a few rolls off the platter. Sasuke did the same but took many more rolls. The silence between their bites was stifling and Neji did not bother to hide the fact he barely had an appetite.

"Sakura tells me one of your students, Tora, will become an exceptional med-nin," Sasuke said.

Neji inclined his head and nibbled on a mango roll.

"She has excellent chakra control. I got to meet her this afternoon," Sasuke said.

Neji put the half-eaten mango roll down. He frowned. Sasuke was waiting for him to comment.

"And?" Neji asked.

"I agree with Sakura's assessment. Tora did not seem too keen on having me observe though," Sasuke said.

Neji shrugged.

"Tora is shy with showing off and a bit embarrassed at the fact she is not at the skill level taijustu wise as Kuma and Akino," Neji said.

Sasuke hummed and devoured what looked like a chicken roll. Neji jabbed at his half-eaten mango roll but did not pick it back up.

"I didn't recognize the stance Kuma used today," Sasuke said.

Neji smirked but did not keep it on his face long. Sasuke kept to a safe topic as to not piss Neji off or say the wrong thing. Neji congratulated the Uchiha inwardly on his foresight.

"No, I am helping her develop a taijustu exclusively used by her," Neji said.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at this, looking impressed. Neji knocked over the dragon roll on his plate and began rolling it back and forth.

"What kind of taijustu?" Sasuke questioned.

"It focuses on kicks, throwing weapons, speed, balance, flexibility, and agility, all of which Kuma has in spades. She defeated Hanabi-sama many, many times with it," Neji answered.

Sasuke sat back a little and his lips parted slightly. His dark eyes widened and Neji kept the little smile on his face this time.

"Hanabi-sama was the top of the class this year in taijustu. Kuma must be impressive to watch," Sasuke said.

Neji inclined his head and prodded his salmon roll. He noted Sasuke's eyes had gone to Neji's plate but Sasuke wisely kept his mouth shut.

"She will be a difficult opponent to beat for anyone. She is able to keep up with me," Neji said.

Sasuke nodded, still impressed. Neji nudged his house roll, pushing it around his plate in disinterest. Sasuke took another mango roll from their platter. He had eaten a dozen rolls of the forty-eight. Neji had devoured three and a half. Neji hoped Sasuke was hungry.

"And Akino?" Sasuke asked.

"Pure power, as strong as Sakura without adding chakra to his punches," Neji replied.

Sasuke hummed and inclined his head. He watched Neji push his rolls around on the plate and frowned.

"You can order something else if the maki rolls are not to your liking," Sasuke said.

Neji chuckled but shook his head. He finished the mango roll and put the dragon roll back on its bottom. The other half of the mango roll did not sit well in his stomach and Neji inwardly sighed.

"Miso soup perhaps?" Sasuke suggested.

Neji met his eyes and frowned. Sasuke actually looked worried. If Sasuke was anyone else, Neji would have felt bad. But this was Sasuke. Instead Neji felt like thrusting his chopsticks (perhaps soaked in curry) into Sasuke's eyes.

"I do not want anything else, honestly. I am not exactly hungry, that is all," Neji said.

Sasuke kept the frown on his face but accepted Neji's response. Neji ate half a dragon roll and put the rest back on his plate before knocking over his salmon roll and fiddling with the house roll. The silence had gone back to being oppressive. Neji wondered if it would be bad manners to leave now.

"So," Sasuke muttered.

Neji met his eyes again. Sasuke was trying. Neji had to give him this. It came at a bad time but at least the Uchiha had decided to try.

"How is Hinata?" Sasuke tried.

Neji almost started laughing. He kept it back though and finished the remaining tea in his cup before pouring in more. It kept steaming and Neji was glad for the steam. Perhaps if he drank enough tea the cold feeling in his heart would go away.

"Fine," Neji said.

"And Hanabi?"

"Well,"

"Hiashi-sama?"

"The same,"

Neji sipped his tea. Sasuke had run out of safe Hyuuga he could talk about. Sasuke took a spicy roll and ate it in one bite as he had been doing. Neji raised an eyebrow as the Uchiha coughed. Sasuke got the roll down and took a swig of water, exhaling after. Neji held back his chuckle.

"That is one thing we have in common," Neji said.

Sasuke blinked at him. Neji thought the Uchiha looked painfully confused. Neji smirked.

"Low tolerance for spicy food," Neji said. "My students used curry powder to beat me in the test I gave them the first day."

Sasuke smiled softly at this but did not laugh.

"That would do it for me too," Sasuke said.

"It should be considered a restricted weapon," Neji joked.

Sasuke chuckled but nodded. They paused and stared at each other, both unbelieving they had bonded over something so mundane. Neji let out a breath and sipped his tea.

"What's your favorite food?" Sasuke asked.

Neji raised an eyebrow but decided to go along with it.

"Herring soba, you?"

"Omusubi with okaka and tomato. Least favorite?"

"Pumpkin, you?"

"Natto and sweets,"

He made a little disgusted face and Neji chuckled.

"Natto is an acquired taste," Neji said.

Sasuke hummed and shook his head.

"It's like eating candle wax," Sasuke said.

Neji smirked. Sasuke shoved the rest of the spicy rolls to one side before taking a dragon roll.

"How would you know what candle wax tastes like?" Neji asked.

"Older brother," Sasuke said.

Neji chuckled and shook his head. Sasuke gave him a little grin. Neji put down his tea cup to jab at the house roll and salmon roll. Sasuke made no remark on this.

"So, why don't you like sweets?" Neji questioned.

Sasuke shrugged. He was apparently getting full. Hell he had eaten about two dozen rolls by now. Shinobi or not it was a lot of food.

"I never had them growing up and when I did taste them for the first time they were too, well, sweet," Sasuke said.

Neji chuckled. Sasuke did laugh along with him. Neji shook his head at the Uchiha and put his salmon roll back on its bottom.

"There still are not many sweets allowed in the Hyuuga clan but I manage. It's a kind of rebellion for the lot of us," Neji said.

Sasuke scowled for a moment but wiped the expression off his face. Neji did not care he had jabbed at the Uchiha's pride in talking about clans and rebellions. Neji squished his house roll. Sasuke watched.

"So, why the nail polish?" Sasuke asked.

Neji shrugged. He did not really know himself why he wore it. Perhaps this too was a sort of rebellion like his tattoos and all black attire.

"I like the color," Neji said.

Sasuke hummed at him. Sasuke picked at a dragon roll as Neji continued to squash down the house roll. The thought of eating anything else made bile rise in his throat. Oddly enough he wanted Chocolate Fudge ice cream. Apparently sweets were all he had a taste for.

Neji said nothing as Sasuke ate the dragon roll. Neji had made a fine mess out of the house roll and moved on to the salmon roll. It made a satisfying smushing sound as he quashed it into the plate.

"Do you ever get the feeling people find you intimidating?" Sasuke questioned.

Neji met the Uchiha's eyes to see the man was as serious as ever. Neji snorted and begin mixing what was left of the two rolls together on his plate. Sasuke watched him but did not ask Neji to hurry up in the answer.

"I asked Sakura if I was intimidating the other day. To her I am not because she knows me, likely more intimately than I wish to admit. But even to her when I am being solemn I become intimidating. Something about the eyes which I understand. It's another thing we have in common: intimidating dojutsu," Neji said.

Sasuke nodded. He began fiddling with a spicy roll, not eating it but squishing it on his plate. Neji wanted to laugh but simply did not feel like it.

"How do we stop?" Sasuke asked.

Neji shrugged. He put his chopsticks down at the side of his plate and went back to sipping tea. His stomach was getting tired of seeing the mess of the rolls anyway.

"I do not know," Neji said. "Even if I had Naruto's personality my eyes would throw people off. I try to keep them not so wide when talking to people and not meeting other's eyes for long and it seems to help. At least you can shut yours off."

Sasuke hummed in agreement. Neji pushed his plate away and poured more tea into his cup. Sasuke frowned at him.

"You should likely eat more," Sasuke said.

Neji snorted at him.

"You are nowhere near close being a good enough friend to comment about my lack of appetite," Neji said.

Sasuke scowled. Neji did not bother to finish his tea. He stood, ignoring the dizzy spell and lightly bowed to Sasuke.

"Thank you for the meal," Neji said.

"Such as it was," Sasuke muttered.

Neji huffed and turned on his heel. He left the restaurant within moments and sighed at the chill in the air. In a week it would be his birthday. It should be much warmer than this. Neji let out a breath and began the walk back to the Hyuuga compound. At least there he did not have to put up with stupid Uchiha.

About the depression thing, in case anyone's wondering: Let's think about this. Neji saw the person he had a crush on with another person. Went to talk to that person and got his heart crushed. Put his newly healed heart on the line with someone he's starting to like and hasn't gotten a response of any kind. Yes, he's going to be obsessing over it. Yes he's going to stop eating and feeling sick.

A bit over-dramatic? Maybe. But this is the guy who almost killed his cousin because of his feelings towards his clan.

About the weight loss: The guy trains from 5AM to 4:30PM. Sure, he gets a break and yeah sometimes he's just standing there but let's figure he works out hard for six hours a day and eats less than a quarter of what he normally does. Yeah, he's going to lose a lot of weight.

Anyway: Reviews welcome, next chapter coming soon.