The Hyuuga Elders and Chunin Exams
Author's notes: A bit more insight to the Neji being pissed at Ino situation, the Hyuuga Elders, and Neji's reasons behind not letting his team go into the chunin exams.
Rated M for sexy scenes between two males, swearing, drinking, and gore.
Don't own, just borrowing.
Neji tried not to fiddle with anything on his person as he waited in the lobby at Starlight. The restaurant was decorated with dark blue walls that had paintings of the constellations. The floor was pale gray marble, the tables were dark wood, and the lights coming from the chandeliers kept dim to make the place seem mystical and relaxing. Neji wanted to pace but stood at his spot a little bit away from the hostess to wait.
Hiashi-sama stood beside him dressed in traditional white Hyuuga robes. He had forgone the dark green overcoat he normally wore. Neji had dressed in what had become his traditional attire as well but forwent the arm wraps, gloves, bandages, and hitai-ate. He had put the little dragon pendant Sasuke had given him through the button on his shirt and caught himself fidgeting with it. Neji let out a breath and hooked his thumbs back through his belt loops to stop from running a hand through his hair.
He had not found Ino today. He had checked the flower shop and the hospital but she was nowhere to be found. Neji had been tempted to use Byakugan to find her but he would resort to this when he was a bit more desperate.
He had trained with his genin for most of the day, only able to look for Ino two hours in the morning and an hour before meeting here at Starlight. No one would have a problem avoiding him with the schedule he kept. Neji had his hand half-way to his head to run a hand through his hair and stopped it, pretending to tuck some loose strands behind his ear.
Kuma, Tora, and Akino had trained as normal but they were not smiling. Kuma did not greet him with her typical hug and when he sparred with her she had become more vicious. She hadn't landed a hit but damn he had bruises forming on his arms from blocking her kicks. Neji knew he students were upset about not participating in the chunin exams if he did not think they were ready in two months.
Then there was the issue in front of him now. Not to mention he would be spending Friday and Saturday night at Sakura's to make up for his punishment. Tomorrow was the first night of said punishment so even if tonight went well he could not spend time with Kankuro until Sunday. Neji realized he had run a hand through his hair and huffed.
Hiashi-sama did not look perturbed in any way. He simply stood beside Neji, face blank and hands in the sleeves of his robes. His back was straight, his shoulders squared but not tense and his body relaxed. Damn everyone. Neji tried not to pout and glanced towards the doors.
Kankuro would be late in five minutes. It would not make a good impression on Hiashi-sama. Then again Kankuro had made an amazing impression when he first asked Neji out. Neji bit his tongue to keep from nibbling on his lip and clutched his belt loops hard in his thumbs. He would implode before the night finished.
"Nephew," Hiashi-sama said.
Neji jolted then face Hiashi-sama's side-long look. There was a slight tilt to Hiashi-sama's lips, like he was trying not to smile or laugh. Neji stared.
"Breathe, relax, I all ready know about the two of you being in a relationship," Hiashi-sama said.
Neji let out a breath and kept his hands at his waist. Before he could say a word, Kankuro came into the lobby. Neji gulped. Kankuro had worn the fitted black pants and a black button-down silk shirt opened at the collar. He had gotten war paint from somewhere and had applied it as normal. The hood he normally wore did not grace his head but the hitai-ate had been wrapped around his left leg where Neji normally wore his.
"Hiashi, Neji, sorry for running a bit late," Kankuro said.
Neji saw Hiashi-sama's lips shift into a barely-there smirk. Hiashi-sama's eyes narrowed a bit and his shoulders tensed marginally. Neji bit his tongue again. Kankuro had a smile on his face but the fact he had not used the honorific with Hiashi-sama's name meant business.
"It is no concern," Hiashi-sama said.
Neji almost fell over when Kankuro's eyes met his. Neji hardly managed to keep the blush from gracing his cheeks when Kankuro gave him red and yellow tulips surrounding a single calla lily. He did see Hiashi-sama raise an eyebrow and Neji gulped when Kankuro wrapped an arm around Neji's waist and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
"Shall we?" Kankuro asked.
"Yes," Hiashi-sama replied.
Neji followed along as Hiashi-sama requested a table for three. They were seated immediately and Neji lost the battle with the heating of his cheeks when Kankuro pulled Neji's chair out so Neji could sit. Kankuro even went so far as to help Neji push in the chair. Neji put his flowers to the empty side of their table and tried not to meet Hiashi-sama's eyes.
Hiashi-sama had taken the seat directly across from Neji which left Kankuro on Neji's right. Neji held back his groan when Kankuro placed his hand over the hand Neji had left on the table. Kankuro enclosed Neji's hand in his and Neji saw Hiashi-sama's eyes flick to their clasped hands. The smirk on his face grew.
"No need to posture, Kankuro," Hiashi-sama said. "I know you are dating my nephew and despite being disappointed Neji has no interest in carrying on the Hyuuga genes I want for him to be happy. If his happiness means being with you then so be it."
Kankuro blinked then stared at Hiashi-sama who had gone to look over his menu in interest. Neji let out a breath of relief and opened his menu one handed. Kankuro didn't let his right hand go but Neji found he did not mind. He did notice Kankuro's hand was a bit damp. He was nervous.
"That's good to know," Kankuro said.
Hiashi-sama nodded then met Kankuro's eyes. Neji squeezed Kankuro's hand when the puppet master put extra pressure on Neji.
"The Hyuuga Elders will be an entirely different story. This is not so much a meeting of your intentions with my nephew but a battle-meeting if you will on how we will deal with the Elders of our clan," Hiashi-sama said.
The waitress stopped any of them from speaking. Hiashi-sama ordered water and green tea for all of them. The waitress nodded before scurrying off. Hiashi-sama's eyes met Kankuro's again and Neji rubbed his thumb over Kankuro's hand to comfort him. Kankuro's tense shoulders relaxed a bit.
"I have been looking back into our history," Hiashi-sama said.
He sighed and sat back a bit in his seat. Neji saw the weariness in his uncle's features and frowned. He had never meant for this to be so complicated.
"I have been looking back into our history since it came to my attention Neji does not enjoy the company of women," Hiashi-sama said.
Neji hid his blush by lowering his head. He did see Kankuro smirk. Hiashi-sama had a little smile on his face, fond almost, and Neji met his uncle's eyes.
"As you both know, the Hyuuga name goes hand in hand with traditional views."
Another pause as the waitress delivered their drinks. She asked if they were ready for appetizers but Hiashi-sama told her they would indicate when they were ready to order and if she could leave them alone until then it would be appreciated. She left with a short bow. Hiashi-sama looked at both of them in turn as he poured his tea.
"Members of the clan are to inter-marry to keep our dojutsu strong, second cousins to second cousins, and powerful Branch House members to weak Main House members and so forth. There are exceptionally few instances where a male or female for that matter has declined marrying to be with one of the same sex," Hiashi-sama said.
Neji thanked him softly when Hiashi-sama poured a cup of tea for him. Kankuro took a glass of water from the pitcher, still holding Neji's hand all the while. Hiashi-sama did not remark but did lift his lips in a smile.
"What happened to those who refused to marry?" Kankuro questioned.
Hiashi-sama let out a little breath and frowned.
"Two were Main House members, a male and a female. Both disappeared from the records shortly after they went on record saying they would not marry a relative and wished to marry someone outside the clan of the same gender."
This did not sound promising. Neji sipped his tea so he could prevent another lip bite. Kankuro scowled.
"There were four male Branch House members who refused. Two "died" on a mission while the other two married distant female cousins. There were two female Branch House members who refused as well. Both "died" on missions. The missions they all died on were missions which should have been easy for them to complete. The records of the teammates of those Branch House members have also disappeared and the files tampered with."
Neji gulped. He squeezed Kankuro's hand and Kankuro squeezed back. Hiashi-sama met Neji's eyes and Neji kept the gaze.
"But, none of those Main or Branch members have the advantage you do, Neji."
Neji tilted his head to a side then glanced to Kankuro who grinned. Neji allowed a little smile to grace his lips.
"Your lover is the brother and right-hand man of the Kazekage, the youngest Kazekage in a long while and one who has exceptionally strong ties to Konoha, one who many people do not recommend to annoy. In Suna, Kankuro is considered a prince: the master of the theatre where puppet masters employ their techniques, the Leader of the Counter Terrorism Division, and one of the most powerful of the Suna shinobi."
Kankuro smiled. Hiashi-sama nodded to him and Neji tried not to laugh. He succeeded.
"The Hokage respects both Gaara and Kankuro as does the Hyuuga clan. It would not be in our best interests to force a wedge between the two of you as it would put tension on the relationship between Suna and Konoha. In fact, if we allow you two to continue on whatever path you choose with each other then it could strengthen the bond between Suna and Konoha, more specifically the Hyuuga. Agreed?"
"Agreed," Kankuro said.
He had relaxed completely now and had a smile on his face. Neji let out a little breath and both looked to him.
"Will the Elders allow it though, even with all of that?" Neji asked.
Hiashi-sama frowned and shook his head. Kankuro huffed. Hiashi-sama saw the narrowing of Kankuro's eyes and shrugged.
"Neji's is the most powerful Byakugan we have seen in over a century. The Elders have been demanding I marry him into the Main House since he became a jonin. They will not take Neji's resilience to marrying and passing on his genes lightly even with you as a lover," Hiashi-sama said.
Neji opened his mouth then closed it. He had not realized Hiashi-sama had been fending off the elders for five years. Neji owed his uncle so much and felt horrible he had no idea what to do for the man. He watched Kankuro scowl and shake his head.
"The other issue which arises is what if you two are to break up after everything is said and done? Then we would all look like fools," Hiashi-sama said.
Neji held Kankuro's hand a bit tighter when the puppet master's jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. The scowl turned into a snarl but Hiashi-sama did not flinch.
"I don't plan to ever and I mean ever let go of your nephew," Kankuro said.
Neji looked to the table to hide the reddening of his cheeks. Damn it he was turning into Hinata-sama.
"If we break up it would be because Neji wanted to, not me," Kankuro said.
Neji heard Hiashi-sama chuckle and looked up. Kankuro had relaxed and Hiashi-sama had a tiny smile on his face. The determined look in Kankuro's eyes never left. Neji sipped his tea and waited.
"Neji, what is your though on my question?" Hiashi-sama enquired.
Neji swallowed his tea a bit more forcefully than needed. Kankuro's eyes met his as did Hiashi-sama's. Neji put down his tea cup and let out a breath.
"As it stands now I have no plans of leaving Kankuro," Neji replied.
Kankuro grinned. Hiashi-sama nodded but Neji knew the man was not finished.
"And in six months from now? A year? Two years? What about then? Will you still want to remain by Kankuro's side?"
Neji bit the inside of his lip and felt Kankuro give his hand a squeeze. Neji squeezed back but did not know what to say. He had just found out Kankuro had been crushing on him for over a year. They had been official for a little over a week and most of this time Neji had been on a mission. Neji looked to the flowers and felt a smile come to his face.
"I will remain by Kankuro's side for as long as I am allowed to," Neji said.
Hiashi-sama inclined his head. Kankuro smiled as if he had won a prize. Neji said nothing but did grin when Kankuro leaned in and kissed his cheek. Neji returned the kiss before Kankuro pulled away. Neji wiped his face when Hiashi-sama motioned Neji had war paint on his cheek. Kankuro coughed and rubbed the back of his head, cheeks turning pink.
"Good," Hiashi-sama said. "I will be taking a trip to Suna to discuss this with Gaara-sama. Tsunade-sama might be coming as well. Of course, Hanabi will have to come as my heir. Kankuro, you may remain here until we return. I assume once we do you two will be able to come out as an official couple, not that people do not all ready know thanks to a certain flower shop owner."
Hiashi-sama scowled and Neji knew he meant Ino. She had spoken too much which was the sole reason they had met for dinner tonight. Still. Neji should apologize for his harshness yesterday.
"So, when will you be leaving?" Kankuro asked.
Hiashi-sama shrugged.
"I will have to discuss this with Tsunade-sama and we will go from there," Hiashi-sama said.
Kankuro grinned and nodded. Neji said nothing as they went about looking at the menus. The awkwardness of the meal evaporated and Neji found he had a pleasant time. He had to take his hand back from Kankuro who pouted. Hiashi-sama chuckled softly and Neji could not help but smile.
Dinner came to an end and Hiashi-sama left Kankuro and Neji standing outside the restaurant holding hands. Neji had his flowers in his other hand and watched as his uncle disappeared from sight, headed towards the Hokage Tower.
"That went better than expected. It's good to know your Uncle is on our side," Kankuro said.
"Yes, thank God. I have a feeling the Hyuuga clan will be going through major changes in the coming years," Neji said.
Kankuro met his eyes and raised an eyebrow.
"Oh yeah?"
Neji nodded.
"I'll be with you and Hinata-sama will likely marry Naruto, two concepts which would normally never be allowed. Perhaps the distinction between Main and Branch will be obliterated as well."
Neji smiled when Kankuro pulled him into a tighter hug than turned him away from the restaurant. They strode along the streets of Konoha, Neji held tightly against Kankuro's side. Neji did not mind in the slightest though he was disappointed Kankuro lead Neji towards the Hyuuga compound when the sun set.
"You're going to be up early tomorrow to train," Kankuro said.
"Yes but we won't see each other tomorrow night or the night after," Neji told him.
Kankuro chuckled. Neji tilted his head in confusion then grinned when Kankuro kissed his lips gently.
"Don't worry, I plan to hang around most of the training day tomorrow," Kankuro said.
Neji kissed Kankuro's cheek and they hugged tightly for several moments. Kankuro gave him a final kiss, this time on his forehead before turning to head away from the front doors of the Hyuuga compound. Neji watched him go until Kankuro's all black attire blended into the night sky then strode into his home. Tomorrow he would take care of his team and hopefully apologize to Ino.
Neji watched as Kuma beat the pole to the right. Tora flung senbon, shuriken, and kunai at the pole to the left, missing the dead center by mere inches each time. Hell, even Akino was here at fifteen minutes before five and working on his speed training. Neji gave them all credit for their dedication.
He cleared his throat and all three turned. Kuma gave the pole a final kick before taking the four steps to close the distance between them. She did not smile nor did she hug him. A frown graced her features and she crossed her arms over her chest.
Tora stood beside her, adjusting her glasses with the first two fingers of her right hand. She too had her lips turned down when she met his eyes. Hell, Akino scowled and narrowed his eyes, tucking his hands into his pockets. Neji let out a breath but did not shift from his position.
He stood with his legs shoulder width apart and his thumbs hooked into his belt loops. He made sure to keep his muscles loose and a blank look on his face. Neji did keep his eyes open naturally which for most people was a bit wider than normal. Neji could not help his clan had rather large eyes and a creepy iris color.
"I know you are upset with me for not recommending you for the chunin exams especially when everyone keeps saying you three should be there in a little less than two months," Neji said.
Kuma pouted. Tora nodded. Akino muttered his word and ran a hand through his hair.
"I also know you three know the reasons I do not want you in the chunin exams," Neji went on.
"I need to work on chakra control," Kuma said. "But I'm doing way better! I can show you."
She went to do so but Neji lifted a hand to stop her. She stopped with a scroll in one hand and her other hand raised to her mouth, ready to bite her finger so she could summon.
"You also need to work on incorporating jutsu into your basic fighting techniques. Do not get me wrong, it is great you can kick ass the way you do but if you do get hit you need to be able to do a replacement jutsu or something to stop from getting killed," Neji told her.
Kuma blinked then scowled. She did put her scroll away though. He met Akino's eyes as Tora was busy studying the grass at her feet and fiddling with her shirt hem.
"I'm not fast enough," Akino said. "I get that but what do you consider fast enough?"
Neji sighed. He ran a hand through his hair.
"I do not expect you to keep up with Kuma or me. Tora is a bit quicker than a typical genin and you cannot keep up to her. That is a major problem Akino. All those senbon and punches you took during your fight could have been avoided if you could move faster. You'll be slaughtered in the chunin exams as you are," Neji said.
Akino huffed and kicked at the grass at his feet. Neji looked at the top of Tora's head and finally she raised it and met his eyes. She adjusted her glasses again.
"I suck at taijustu and aim," Tora said.
She did not make an argument for her case but Kuma and Akino started to. Neji raised his hand and they all stopped talking. Neji met their eyes: Kuma's determined, Tora's damp, and Akino's stubborn.
"Since you and everyone else feels I'm being too harsh I will give you a chance to prove yourselves," Neji said.
He wanted to laugh when they all stared at him with the same expression of shock.
"Every Friday until the chunin exam recommendation period ends the week before the exams, we will start training differently. You will each spar with me one-on-one. I will not hold back on attack or defense. If you can land a blow on me or I believe you are strong enough and I mean all of you then I will recommend you for the chunin exams. If not, well, you will be waiting until next year. Deal?" Neji questioned.
"Deal," Kuma said.
She had barely paused. Tora nodded. Akino grinned.
"Deal," Akino said.
Neji inclined his head then met Kuma's eyes. She smiled.
"Kuma, we'll start," Neji said.
She happily followed him beyond the poles where Tora and Akino stayed to watch. Neji activated his Byakugan and got into a fighting stance. Kuma dropped into her fighting stance with a grin.
"Begin," Tora shouted out.
Neji lashed out and led with charka-laced hands. Kuma flipped backwards to dodge but Neji followed her, shifting away from her kicks as she tried to smack him in the chin with her feet as she back-flipped. She shifted to one hand and her other went behind her back but Neji sunk low and kicked out her supporting wrist.
Kuma's eyes went wide and her lips parted as she began to fall sideways. Neji did not allow her to catch her balance on her opposite hand and took a light breath. He hated to do this but Kuma needed to be shown she was not ready yet, not when Naruto and Uchiha would be in the chunin exams with her. Not when at least six other people were at Neji's level or a little below.
"Eight Trigrams Sixty-four Palms: Two strikes!"
He blocked two tenketsu in her left arm, the one he had kicked out, and she winced as the tiny bruises formed. She was still falling.
"Four strikes!"
All four hit her side and she gasped.
"Eight strikes!"
Left leg. Kuma bit her lip and finally caught herself on her opposite hand. Her elbow collapsed under her weight as she had landed at a horrible angle and she tried to shift her feet to flip away.
"Sixteen strikes!"
Stomach, chest, right arm, and right leg. Kuma's right leg went out from under her but she rolled along the ground to get away, her left leg coming up to kick him in the head. He knocked her leg aside.
"Thirty-two strikes!"
Left leg, more on the right leg, more across her arms. Kuma gasped for breath and realized she could no longer summon or move at the speed she was used to.
"Sixty-four strikes!"
Neji blocked half her tenketsu points, one-hundred and twenty-six in total. He took two steps away from Kuma's panting form and fell back into his fighting stance. Kuma turned onto her stomach and got to her hands and knees.
Her limbs were trembling and she kept panting. She met his eyes and Neji saw tears there. Neji blinked to keep his tears back but Kuma stood, shaking, and fell into her fighting stance.
"You know I used a quarter of my attack power on you so I would not seriously injure or kill you, correct?" Neji asked.
Kuma stared. A tear rolled down her right cheek and she let her body fall until she landed on her butt, her legs bent back so her feet touched her posterior. Her arms went limp at her sides and she looked up at him. Neji shifted out of his fighting stance and let out a breath before running a hand through his hair.
"Naruto beat me in my first chunin exams and will likely be able to kick my ass even today. He will be in the exams in two months. Yes, I beat Sasuke in five minutes but you do not have the Byakugan or the ability to cut off the tenketsu to Sasuke's eyes. He too will be in the exams. I checked who else is registered and at least six other people going into this year's exams will be at my level or slightly under. If you cannot last against me then you will fail the chunin exams without question," Neji said.
Wind blew through the area and Neji let it shift his hair to his right as he regarded Kuma with a soft expression. She sniffled, swiped a hand across her eyes then nodded. Neji knelt in front of her on the grass and saw Akino and Tora approaching.
Tora had tears running down her cheeks and Akino had a pout on his face. Both sat next to him and Kuma once they got close enough. Neji de-activated Byakugan and placed his hands on Kuma's shoulders. She met his gaze and he offered a little smile. She returned it.
"Do not think this makes you weak, any of you," Neji said. "You all have a ways to go before being at a place where you can go into the chunin exams. Remember, once you become a chunin you will be allowed to lead a team of genin on missions and there will be a chance you will not be placed on the same team as me or your teammates."
Kuma's eyes went wide and she shook her head. Tora frowned then placed a hand on one of his still on Kuma's shoulder. Akino put a hand on Neji's shoulder.
"Then we'll wait," Kuma said.
"Yeah," Akino added.
"We don't want to break up the team so soon," Tora finished.
Neji grinned and laughed when Kuma shifted to hug him. Akino was pulled in by Tora and Neji spent a moment hugging his team close. He tried not to remember Guy-sensei doing something similar with him, Lee, and Tenten but failed.
At least Neji had all three of his students hugging him. Guy-sensei had managed to snag Tenten and Lee went on his own but Neji had jumped back and glowered. Neji chuckled at his thoughts and got his team up. It would be a good year.
Kuma's able to kick other people's butts because they're genin and not expecting her to fight the way she does, not right off. She can't land a hit on Neji because he's trained her so he knows exactly what to expect from her. Plus hey, he's Neji. ;)
Also: the Hyuuga Elders were okay with Neji being with Kiba and Shikamaru because they knew it was a fling so they figured he'd eventually grow out of it and be able to marry him into the Main House for his eye strength. Ino's been telling everyone who asks about Neji and Kankuro the two are together, together and Neji's no longer looking for anyone else which to the Elders means he doesn't intend to marry into the Main House.
Hiashi's been telling the Elders to back off because he wants to give Neji a chance to be happy. How has Hiashi been doing this? By telling the Elders to let Neji sow his oats (so to speak) and make a name for himself as a powerful member of the clan. He's also mentioned Neji isn't sleeping with females so there's no reason for them to worry about any bastard children.
Note on how long this story will be: I don't know. Like it says in the description I'm taking it to Kuma, Tora, and Akino becoming chunin. As they just said they'll wait till next year, well, we're in this for the long haul.
Reviews welcome, next chapter coming soon. It'll be about Neji finally being able to talk to Ino.