Dinner with the Takenakas

Author's notes: I never realized how hard it would be to get back into this story after leaving it for so long. Totally worth it though.

Rated M for sexy scenes between characters, swearing, drinking, and gore.

Don't own, borrowing.

Warning: Neji and Kankuro attempt shower sex. It doesn't go well but still, nude males. Oh and there's some upstart Main House Hyuuga in this one.

Neji realized a critical fact when he and Kankuro woke up Saturday morning, two critical facts actually. The first was ice cream dried sticky if one didn't get it all off. This made him wince as he got up off the floor, never mind the fact they had fallen asleep on the floor (again) in the first place. They had to stop getting kinky with food products.

The second fact was Neji had no idea where Kuma lived now even though he and Kankuro were to meet Sako and their mother for dinner tonight at half past sixteen hundred hours. Neji sighed and shook his head from his sitting up position beside Kankuro on the floor.

Kankuro hadn't woken up yet and still had his arms wrapped around Neji's waist despite the fact Neji had sat up. The light coming through the window and the clock on the wall told Neji if he didn't start moving soon he would be late meeting Akino and Tora at the field for 9:30.

Neji ran a hand through his hair and cringed when a noodle came away when he drew his hand out of his hair. A piece of rice had remained stuck on one of his nipples and he felt sticky from collarbone to inner thighs from the ice cream, miso soup, and various other bits of food Kankuro had eaten off him.

Neji tried to stand but Kankuro did not let him go. Neji sighed and looked down to his lover to se Kankuro had opened one eye half way and had a pout on his face. Neji smiled softly.

"Stop moving," Kankuro said.

"I'm sticky everywhere and just pulled this out of my hair,"

Neji held up the offending noodle. Kankuro blinked and made a face.

"Ew,"

"Yeah, ew, hence why I want to move to take a shower before meeting the team. It would be awkward to explain if another noodle flew out of my hair during training,"

Neji smirked when Kankuro snickered. Neji rolled his eyes when Kankuro shifted then lifted Neji up into the air. Neji grunted when his stomach landed on Kankuro's shoulder but grinned when he got a view of Kankuro's ass. He laughed.

"Yeah, see when my boyfriend is looking at my ass and laughs, it's probably not a good thing," Kankuro said.

"You have a noodle stuck on your ass cheek,"

"Ew! Okay, we're totally not doing the eating the food off each other thing with actual food,"

"Agreed,"

Neji plucked off the stray noodle and tossed it to the floor as Kankuro walked him into the bathroom. Neji chuckled when Kankuro placed him in the shower then joined him a moment later. Kankuro turned on the water, warm but Neji tilted his head to a side and flicked some rice off Kankuro's back.

"More food?"

"Rice,"

Neji grinned when Kankuro shook his head. Kankuro turned back to him with a scowl and ran a hand through his hair.

"God damn,"

Neji laughed. His laughter cut off with a gasp when Kankuro ran his hands through Neji's hair then blinked and revealed another noodle. Kankuro flicked the noodle and it hit the wall with a splat. Neji smirked. Kankuro rolled his eyes then kissed him.

Neji moaned as he was shoved against the cool tile of the shower. Kankuro's hands ran up and down his sides leisurely and Neji pushed into him. He felt a sensation of falling but Kankuro caught them. Kankuro sighed and gave Neji a look. Neji pursed his lips to keep from laughing. Kankuro grinned at him.

"Shower sex, babe, you have to either wrap your legs around my waist or lean back. Don't push me forward or we'll both go down,"

"I don't mind going down on you,"

"Ah, well, I don't either but not while we're standing then suddenly go into a horizontal position on tile,"

"Mm, that would be uncomfortable,"

Neji chuckled into the kiss, noting Kankuro had rolled his eyes. Neji took option "A" of wrapping his legs around Kankuro's waist and heard no complaints. Kankuro's hand skimmed against the tile, hit the cubby, and he cursed when the cubby buckled.

Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bar soap, razors, a loofa, and the lube Kankuro had been going for, spilled onto the bottom of the stall. They both looked down at the mess of bottles at their feet.

"You dropped the soap. Does that mean I get to do you?" Neji asked.

Kankuro raised an eyebrow at him and Neji snickered. Kankuro kissed his forehead and shifted ever so carefully to pick up the lube. He dropped it between their bodies and Neji helped him open it. The bottle squirted out of their hands and clattered to the floor again, near the drain and they looked at it.

"Why does shower sex have to be so complicated?" Kankuro questioned.

"We haven't had our morning drinks yet and are still half asleep," Neji answered.

Kankuro snorted and shifted to reach for the bottle, getting hit by the spray of water in the process. Neji yelped as Kankuro slipped and to stop them both from falling, slammed Neji into the wall. Kankuro sighed.

"Some shinobi I am. Can't even keep my balance on wet tile," Kankuro said.

"There should be a class on balancing on wet tile in the Academy. They could title it "How to Have Shower Sex" or something."

Neji raised an eyebrow when Kankuro sighed and shook his head.

"Babe?"

"Yes?"

"Leave the jokes to the professionals,"

"Noted,"

Neji kept his laugh back when Kankuro employed a chakra string to grab the lube. It fell out of their grasps again and Kankuro sighed. Neji said nothing as he got back onto his feet, grabbed the shampoo and took Kankuro's right hand in his. He squeezed a dollop of shampoo into Kankuro's hand then put Kankuro's hand onto his head.

"So we're showering?" Kankuro asked.

Neji inclined his head. Kankuro sighed but began rubbing his hands through Neji's hair to get the shampoo to foam. Neji closed his eyes at the scalp message and Kankuro chuckled. Neji turned into the spray and let Kankuro wash out the shampoo. Neji grinned when Kankuro went for conditioner.

The grin turned into a yelp when Kankuro again lost balance and this time didn't catch it. They both tumbled, Neji barely managing to stop them by smacking his hands against the wall to catch their fall. He had to lean his entire chest against the wall as Kankuro finished falling. Kankuro ended up grabbing Neji's hair to stop from landing on his ass and Neji huffed.

"Yeah, I'll let you finish up," Kankuro said.

"Hn,"

Neji rubbed his sore scalp as Kankuro managed to get out of the shower without knocking either of them around. Neji showered quickly, shaving his underarms and legs as they needed it and was standing in front of the mirror to wash his face, brush his teeth, and moisturize within ten minutes.

Kankuro had been waiting by the vanity and strode into the shower as Neji finished up. Kankuro came out in time to brush Neji's damp hair and Neji grinned. Kankuro smiled as he brushed Neji's hair until it hung tangle free down his back. Kankuro put the brush down then picked up the length of Neji's hair to softly inhale. Neji laughed.

Kankuro hugged him from behind and kissed his cheek. Neji tilted his head and returned the kiss but to the mouth and hummed when Kankuro rubbed the back of his neck. They both jolted when someone knocked on the door.

"Okay, that can only be Tora," Kankuro said.

"Or Sakura,"

Neji smirked when Kankuro winced.

"Ino,"

Kankuro snickered when Neji grimaced.

The knocking came again and Neji activated Byakugan, ignoring Kankuro's chuckle. Neji huffed and pulled out of Kankuro's embrace to head to the sitting room where his bag sat. Kankuro followed and they both tugged on pants (Neji his thong and Kankuro nothing, much to Neji's joy) before Neji pulled open the door.

Ino grinned at them. Kankuro snorted.

"At least I did something right this morning," Kankuro said.

Ino opened her mouth but decided against whatever she was about to ask. Neji de-activated his Byakugan and strode away from the door to tug on the rest of his clothes. He would be late in ten minutes.

"What do you want, blondie?" Kankuro asked.

"I'm about to head over to the hospital for my shift," Ino said. "And I figured one of you would be going to see Kuma today so I was kind of hoping I could convince whoever is to come now."

Neji raised an eyebrow at Ino who had walked past Kankuro and into the sitting area. She now blinked at the mess of empty take-out containers, the ice cream tub, and some leftover food on the floor.

"Wow," Ino said.

"Hey, you ain't doing it right if it's clean after," Kankuro said.

Ino's lips parted then she grinned. A flush came to her cheeks but she started laughing.

"Wow, anyway, so, who's is visiting Kuma?" Ino questioned.

"I am but I'm not leaving until I eat breakfast," Kankuro said.

Ino frowned. Neji found the bag of Kick Girl comics and sat them on the little table by the door. Kankuro smiled at him.

"Do ask Kuma where she lives when you see her," Neji said.

Kankuro nodded as Neji tied his bandana. He picked up his bag and looked at Ino who had a pout on her face.

"Why do you want Kankuro to go with you?" Neji enquired.

Ino huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I'm doing rounds on floor four today and she drives me nuts. The other day she followed me around until her family came to visit her and kept asking me all these questions or poked at things she wasn't supposed to touch. And she doesn't walk normally. She's either got to be skipping or doing these kind of leg extension walks so she's on her toes. She tried walking on her hands and I had to yell at her because it is training then she cart wheeled down a set of stairs! I swear to God that kid is worse than Lee!"

Neji wished he could keep his laugh back but Kankuro started laughing. Ino glared at both of them then gulped when Neji returned the favor.

"This is why we bought her comic books. I'll be there around ten," Kankuro said.

"Thank you," Ino said.

She sounded like she would hug him. Neji looked at the clock and frowned.

"Remember, find out where she lives," Neji told Kankuro. "I'll dismiss Tora and Akino at thirteen hundred hours and we'll meet here. We should get them some kind of dinner gift on the way."

Kankuro nodded and ignored Ino who grinned at them when Neji kissed Kankuro's cheek before heading to the door. She followed him and they waved to Kankuro as they left.

"So you guys are meeting her mom and sister for dinner?" Ino questioned.

"Yes, her mother invited us to thank me for everything I've done for the family," Neji answered.

Ino giggled but he said nothing as they began heading down the stairs. He was about to teleport but Ino put a hand on his arm.

"Bring them a strawberry vanilla cake," Ino said.

Neji blinked then tilted his head to a side. Ino rolled her eyes.

"Kuma's a non-stop chatter box and went on how her sister and mom love strawberry vanilla but she likes marble cake," Ino said.

Neji opened his mouth then closed it. He gave Ino a nod and a smile but she didn't let go of his arm. She did start blushing and he raised an eyebrow at her.

"Speaking of cake," Ino said. "What kind does Hatomi like?"

Neji stared. Ino waved her free hand through the air.

"I'm probably the reason she's been having a bad spell and I wanted to get her a small cake to apologize. I know you like chocolate caramel and Hinata likes marble and strawberry, so?"

Neji sighed and shook his head. Of course Ino wanted to get Hatomi a cake. He couldn't even say his favorite kind or she might get suspicious again.

"The Hyuuga don't get a lot of sweets so to be honest, I have no idea. She's never gotten out much so probably wouldn't be able to tell you," Neji said.

Ino frowned.

"That's really sad," Ino said.

Neji shrugged and let out a little breath. He was going to be late, teleportation or not.

"I know. Listen, I'll let her know tonight you want to treat her to cake and set some kind of tentative date. There's this cafe she told me about in the village, she said it looks like a doll-house and they serve sweets there. Maybe you can take her there," Neji said.

Ino gaped at him and he grunted when she hugged him. He patted her back twice with a roll of his eyes and she pulled back with a grin.

"That's great! Thanks! I've got ten to four shifts at the hospital and I'm off Thursday and Saturday night from the shop," Ino said.

Neji inclined his head.

"I'll let her know," Neji said.

Ino giggled happily and they finally parted ways. Neji teleported to the field to see Tora throwing projectiles at her post and Akino doing speed drills across the field. They both looked at him with frowns and he sighed. This would be a long week.

Neji tried not to laugh when Kankuro led him towards the Takenaka residence that night. Kankuro had spent the entire day with Kuma reading the Kick Girl comics with her, following her in laps around the hospital gardens, and watching her as she did some light training. Sakura did not want to release her until she gave Kuma a full physical tomorrow morning.

"Sakura almost punched her cuz Kuma kept asking why, it was freaking hilarious," Kankuro said.

Neji inclined his head and kept the smile on his face. It seemed Kankuro had bonded with Kuma but hadn't realized it yet. Neji wouldn't clue him in.

"Then she pouted and started doing handstand push ups. Sakura shook her head and left. Oh, she says she's going to kick your butt for that comment about scratching up Uchiha's back when she sees you next,"

"Which is why I've been avoiding her all day which is difficult when she shows up at the training field to work with one of your students,"

"What'd you do?"

"I told Akino we were doing a speed drill and took off running. She came after me till the edge of the field where Tora stopped her and asked what was going on,"

Neji grinned when Kankuro laughed. They turned down a street and Neji smiled at the fact the homes and apartment buildings were nice here. Nothing looked run down or dirty and Neji knew they were in the middle class section of Konoha.

"You've got no choice but to see her tomorrow,"

"I know but it will be in a public setting or at least in her office so it won't be so bad,"

"Uh-huh, wait till she gives you your next physical,"

Kankuro laughed at Neji's wince. Neji spotted the proper apartment complex and pulled Kankuro towards it. Kankuro hummed and kept the smile on his face. Neji kept his grip on the strawberry vanilla cake he had bought as they strode up the outer stairs to the second level and found apartment six. Kankuro knocked.

Neji heard Sako saying she had it and grinned when the door opened to reveal the miniature Kuma but for the eye color. Sako smiled up at them and Neji had an urge to muse her hair but kept it down thanks to holding Kankuro's hand and the bag with the cake box in it.

"Come on in, Neji-sama, Kankuro-sama," Sako said.

Neji thanked her and strode into the front hallway. He and Kankuro took off their shoes and Neji noticed the walls were pale gray while the floors were dark hardwood. They were lead into the main area of the home with its open concept sitting area and kitchen.

The sitting area had dark hardwood floors with gold walls and white furniture. Pictures of the girls growing up hung on the walls and Neji smiled. The kitchen had gray tile floors, white cupboards, and gold accents. A hallway opened between both and Neji could see two open doors on the right and left walls with a storage closet at the end of the hallway.

Ms. Takenaka cooked in the kitchen but did give them a grin as she turned to greet them. Whatever she cooked smelled delicious. Neji noted there were plants in the corners of the sitting room, a good sized television on the wall and all the furniture looked new, not exceptionally expensive but in good condition.

"We brought dessert," Kankuro said.

"Oh you didn't have to do that," Ms. Takenaka told them.

"Hyuuga and Suna higher up decorum coming out," Kankuro said.

Sako giggled but took the bag from Neji with a thank you.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable. Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes," Ms. Takenaka said.

"Thank you," Neji said.

He and Kankuro settled on the couch. A moment later Sako appeared with a tray set with tea cups, a steaming tea pot, spoons, and condiments. She poured tea for both of them and Neji noticed it was green tea. He kept his smile to himself and thanked her when she was finished pouring.

"We couldn't find Kuma today," Sako said.

"Ah, that was my fault, sorry," Kankuro said.

"It's okay," Sako said. "We cleaned up the Kick Girl comics."

Neji chuckled.

"Ah, again, me," Kankuro said.

Neji rolled his eyes.

"I guess Neji-sama's the neat one in the relationship," Sako said with a giggle.

"Pft, you should see how messy his workshop is in Suna," Neji said.

Kankuro flushed and gave him a poke in the ribs. Neji chuckled.

"Hey, it's organized," Kankuro protested.

"More like organized chaos," Neji said.

"Like Kuma," Sako said.

"That's probably why they get along decently," Neji said.

Kankuro opened his mouth to protest but stopped. Realization dawned over his face and Neji almost spat tea out of his mouth to start laughing. He did manage to swallow and began snickering at Kankuro. He shook his head.

"Holy sh-uh, wow, she is a lot like me," Kankuro said.

Neji snorted at the save. Sako rolled her eyes.

"Anyway, she's getting out after Sakura gives her a physical tomorrow," Neji said.

"And she'll probably want to train all day with you," Sako said.

Neji grinned but nodded.

"Likely," Neji said.

Sako giggled and shook her head.

"She'd train on her birthday," Sako said.

Neji realized he had no idea when Kuma's birthday was. It hit him he didn't know when Akino or Tora's birthdays were either. Hell, he didn't even know when Kankuro's birthday was.

"Ah, when?" Neji asked and ignored the flush on his cheeks.

"August fifteenth," Sako said with a smile.

"That's this coming Saturday," Kankuro said.

Sako nodded and her face split into a bigger grin.

"We can actually have a party for her this year with cake and everything!"

She giggled. Neji smiled.

"You are both invited of course," Ms. Takenaka called from the kitchen.

"Thank you, we will definitely be here," Neji said.

"Yeah, I'll stick around for the pipsqueak's birthday," Kankuro said.

Neji chuckled. Sako went into the plans and Neji confirmed he would make sure Tora and Akino came. He had a feeling Tenten and possibly even Hanabi-sama's team would come. Lee would if Neji asked. Neji mentioned this and Sako gaped then nodded enthusiastically. Apparently neither girl had been able to have a big party before.

Kankuro frowned at this knowledge and Neji saw his shoulders tense. Neji had told Kankuro at some point what had happened with Kuma in detail and Kankuro had fumed. They were called for dinner and Neji took the place Ms. Takenaka had laid out for him. She had made fried rice, natto, cucumber salad, broiled salmon, and chicken udon.

"This looks wonderful, thank you," Neji said.

Ms. Takenaka flushed and patted his shoulder lightly before taking her seat. Their positions at the table for four put Neji and Kankuro across from each other. Sako was on Neji's left and Kankuro's right. They all gave thanks and dug in. Neji noticed how tense Ms. Takenaka was on his right but did not lie when he said the udon tasted wonderful.

Kankuro paid the woman compliments as well and she happily relaxed, flushing a bit as the meal progressed. Neji noted Ms. Takenaka had trouble holding her chopsticks steady at some points but said nothing. Her hands had gained most of their mobility back besides still being lined in scars and being two shades darker than the rest of her.

"So, would all those people really come?" Ms. Takenaka asked.

"I can confirm Tora and Akino for sure as well as Lee and Tenten. I'm not sure about Hanabi-sama and her team though," Neji said.

"Hanabi and Kuma have a weird relationship," Kankuro said.

"Eternal rivals," Neji said.

Kankuro deadpanned. Neji rubbed his forehead and coughed.

"I can't believe you just said that," Kankuro said.

Neji shook his head but decided it best not to explain to the confused looking women. Kuma would if either asked about it.

"Anyway, they spar a lot together and Hanabi-sama is annoyed Kuma can beat her since Hanabi-sama has always been considered a prodigy after me. They have a friendly rivalry going on," Neji said.

Ms. Takenaka nodded. Kankuro smirked.

"I'm so telling Lee you used eternal rival in every day conversation," Kankuro said.

Neji huffed at him.

"Then I'll be going home tonight," Neji said.

Sako and Ms. Takenaka giggled as Kankuro sagged and pouted.

"It will be six for sure: myself, Kankuro, Tora, Akino, Lee, and Tenten," Neji said.

Ms. Takenaka nodded. A piece of fish she had managed to pick up fell out of her grip but no one said a word about it. Neji didn't linger.

"We'll know more through the week and I'll make sure the guest list is fully worked out by Wednesday. I'm no good with cooking but I can help decorate," Neji said.

"I can help with any kind of cooking," Kankuro offered.

Tears welled up in Ms. Takenaka's violet eyes but she smiled.

"Thank you both so much," she said.

"It's not a problem," Neji said. "She's my, well, more than student but there's not really a word for it."

Kankuro snorted at him but grinned.

"Student is more than word enough. You're her mentor, friend, guide, and whatever else she needs," Kankuro said.

Sako and Ms. Takenaka grinned as Neji flushed. Kankuro had a good point. Student encompassed a lot for shinobi. All one had to do was look at the jonin in charge who had watched over any high class shinobi now.

Kurenai, Kiba, Hinata-sama, and Shino still met every week when they could and chatter. If Asuma had lived, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji would see him as often as possible. Hell, Lee and Tenten still trained with Guy as had Neji until he had been assigned his genin. Naruto and Sakura still spoke with Kakashi regularly as well and Neji supposed Sasuke did too.

They continued planning the party and Sako helped her mother in cutting the cake. They both thanked him for their favorite treat and Neji admitted Ino had helped. Ms. Takenaka chuckled and shook her head.

"She talks a lot that one but she's been less gossipy recently," Ms. Takenaka said.

Neji grinned. He chuckled when Kankuro helped the women with the dishes then was pulled in himself. Neji was put on drying duty and winced whenever he almost dropped something. He still managed to (just) catch anything he dropped.

"Jeez," Kankuro said.

"I can't help it. I've never done this before," Neji said.

Everyone stopped and stared at him. Neji flushed and gently put down the plate he had been drying. He ran a hand through his hair and not-pouted.

"What?" Kankuro asked.

"I've never washed dishes before," Neji repeated.

Kankuro blinked. Ms. Takenaka and Sako stared, lips parted and eyes wide.

"Why?" Kankuro questioned, sounding confused.

Neji sighed.

"I come from the Hyuuga clan and developed Byakugan. Any Hyuuga, Branch or Main House who can activate the Byakugan never does chores because of training. Those who can't manifest Byakugan by their tenth birthday will never activate it so they do the chores," Neji said.

Kankuro's eyes went wide and he let the cup in his hand slip into the sink he had been so stunned. Sako, the other dryer, dropped her towel. Ms. Takenaka had to put down a plate.

"Seriously?" Kankuro asked.

Neji nodded. Kankuro shook his head.

"So you've never done laundry?" Kankuro questioned.

Neji shook his head.

"Changed your sheets?" Sako asked.

Another head shake.

"Mopped?" Ms. Takenaka enquired.

Neji flushed but shook his head.

"Swept?" Kankuro went on.

Neji rolled his eyes but shook his head again.

"I can tidy a bed or area but as for actual cleaning: no, nothing. One of my aunts and a few distant cousins take care of the Branch Wing as they are Branch members. There are two in the Main House who never developed Byakugan so they were given the curse seal and help," Neji said.

Kankuro blinked a few times in awe.

"Why would they have the curse seal if they can't activate Byakugan?" Kankuro asked.

Neji frowned and twined his fingers into his belt loops so he wouldn't run a hand through his hair.

"For one it destroys the tenketsu around the eyes when the person with it dies. Even without being able to activate it, someone would be able to study a Hyuuga member's eyes and figure out the Byakugan. For two, well, if they ever get out of line,"

Neji left it at this and shrugged. Kankuro scowled. Ms. Takenaka and Sako looked confused.

"And I thought my family was messed up. That's just cruel," Kankuro said.

Neji shrugged again.

"I don't understand," Ms. Takenaka said.

Kankuro sighed and flicked a wet hand before turning off the taps. They all dried off their hands and settled at the table with more tea. Neji fiddled with his spoon even though he hadn't used it.

"The Hyuuga clan is split into two factions: Main House and Branch House," Kankuro said. "The Main is considered the cream of the crop so to speak while the Branch lives to protect and serve them. Branch have the curse sealed placed on them so the Main can essentially fry their brains if they ever get out of line. That's what's on Neji's forehead."

Ms. Takenaka and Sako's eyes went to Neji's forehead and the both gasped. Neji inclined his head before either could ask. He told the story of his father and both teared up.

"That's horrible! Why hasn't the Hokage done something about it?" Ms. Takenaka asked.

"Because it has worked for all this time," Neji said. "Half the clan is kept in line by the other half and that other half is kept in line by the Hokage. It's a kind of failsafe so what happened to the Uchiha will not happen to the Hyuuga."

"What happened to the Uchiha?" Sako questioned.

Kankuro took this explanation, including the bits about Itachi going through with everything because it had been dictated by the Hokage as the Uchiha had become too strong. Sako gaped in wonder.

"So the curse seal prevents the Hyuuga from becoming too strong overall which in turn stops them from becoming a threat," Ms. Takenaka said.

Neji nodded. Kankuro scowled but inclined his head.

"It is why there are dozens of Hyuuga and only one Uchiha despite the fact the Uchiha came from the Hyuuga line," Neji said.

Both Takenakas shook their heads. They got back to the dishes quietly but Neji stayed at the table. No one complained. When they were finished, Kankuro explained why the Hokage had been gone for so long and both women listed in wonder.

"That's so mean though," Sako said. "I mean, arranging marriages and forcing people to be with someone they might never want."

"It is the Hyuuga way," Neji said.

"No offense intended Neji-sama, but I'm glad I never married into a predominate clan," Ms. Takenaka said.

Neji chuckled but nodded to her.

"The other clans are not like the Hyuuga as I'm sure you saw with the Inuzuka clan," Neji said.

She nodded. They moved onto a discussion of other shinobi clans and Neji had never considered non-shinobi would be so interested. The hour became late sooner than he expected and they said their good-byes. He strode with Kankuro down the dark streets at twenty-three hundred hours and let out a breath.

"You clan is seriously messed up," Kankuro said.

"I know," Neji told him.

"Having what, a dozen people taking care of all the cleaning and cooking in that place? That's unfair and insane,"

"We do employ outside servants but not many,"

"Even so, what happens if you have to clean?"

"It is expected I will remain in the compound my entire life,"

"Right,"

Kankuro ran a hand through his hair. Neji leaned into him and sighed.

"No one's ever left the compound?"

Neji shook his head.

"So you're all caged birds,"

Neji chuckled but nodded. They stopped at an intersection of sorts. Going right would lead to the Hyuuga compound but going left would bring them back to Kankuro's. Neji met Kankuro's eyes in the dark and Kankuro kissed his nose.

"Do you need to switch stuff out?" Kankuro asked.

Neji flushed then nodded. The walk to the compound was brisk and the guards smiled when Neji walked by with Kankuro. Thankfully the hour was late. No one would be wandering the hallways and Neji easily brought Kankuro into the Branch section of the compound.

They made it to Neji's room without incident and Neji quickly discarded his dirty clothing and packed a few sets tightly into his bag. Kankuro said nothing but did look through Neji's bookshelf as Neji packed. Neji did take some spare toiletries as his had started to get low and kept Sakura's bear in the bag.

"Ready?" Kankuro asked.

Neji hummed and noticed Kankuro had a book in his hands. Neji smiled but said nothing as they left Neji's room. Neji realized he hadn't slept in his bed for almost a month. He did not remark on it but led Kankuro back towards the exit. They turned the corner to head into the front area and Neji blinked.

"Hibiki-sama, Hiroto-sama," Neji said.

He bowed to both Main House cousins, younger than him by five years and eight years respectively, distant cousins both. He felt Kankuro's grip tighten on his hand as the two did not move from Neji's path.

"My father says that what you're doing is a disgrace to the clan and the Elders will take care of you," Hibiki-sama said. "Hiashi-sama won't be able to protect you."

"Whatever, kid, move it," Kankuro told him.

Hibiki-sama puffed out his chest but it did not help. No Hyuuga were built to be intimidating. Kankuro snorted at the display.

"You're in the Hyuuga Compound," Hiroto-sama said. "You can't do anything to us."

Kankuro smirked.

"And my brother is the Kazekage. You can't do anything to me without risking all of Suna's wrath in your compound or not," Kankuro said.

Both scowled. Neji let out a little breath and heard someone entering the building from the other doors. A light speaker but someone who paused to talk to the guards, it could only be Hinata-sama.

"But we can do something to him,"

Neji was not sure which said it because before the words fully registered in his head, pain burst across his frontal lobe and he went to his knees with a shout. Neji slammed his eyes shut and put his hands to the sides of his head as if it would help but nothing could stop the searing needles jabbing into his brain.

The agony retreated as quickly as it had hit him and Neji blinked. He opened his eyes slowly and spotted the floor. He felt someone's hand on his back, broad, strong, had to be Kankuro and risked looking up.

Hibiki-sama and Hiroto-sama were on the ground, sitting on their asses looking up at Hinata-sama. Her Byakugan was activated and the scowl on her face reminded Neji of one of his own. She had hit them with the Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists.

"The curse seal is not meant to be used on Branch members unless it is by the clan head, the Elders, or the Heirs and unless the Branch member in question has been given Fair Trail in front of the Elders," Hinata-sama said without a single stutter.

Both boys gulped at the Lion Head chakra around her hands. They nodded and shakily got to their feet. The two guards at the door gaped at the scene inside and Neji would laugh if it wouldn't have hurt his head.

"I will let my father and sister know about this the moment they return and they will dictate your punishment for the illegal use of the curse seal which neither of you should even know," Hinata-sama went on.

Both paled. She let the chakra fade out from her hands and both boys yelped when she pulled them close to her face. Her eyes were wide, lips in a snarl, and Neji wished this Hinata-sama made an appearance more often.

"If you ever hurt Neji-niisan again I will personally make sure you both have to suffer training with him for an entire day," Hinata-sama said.

Both gulped and stumbled when she let them go. They bowed to her and she jerked her head to Neji. Both looked aghast but apologized and bowed when chakra flared around Hinata-sama's hands again. This done, they took off. Hinata-sama let out a breath and her Byakugan de-activated.

Neji said nothing when she came to kneel in front of Neji. She wordlessly put a hand to his damp forehead and Neji let out a breath at the cool sensation of healing chakra. The two guards shut the door on the scene but Neji didn't care.

"Okay, tell me again why you're not the heiress?" Kankuro asked.

Neji smirked when Hinata-sama flushed.

"Hanabi-neechan is stronger," Hinata-sama replied, stutter coming back.

Kankuro snorted but said nothing. After a few moments Neji could stand on his own power and bowed low, thanking Hinata-sama. She went a deeper shade of red and said it had not been a problem.

"If you need another change of clothes before father and Hanabi-neechan come back I can bring them to you," Hinata-sama said, still fumbling over her words.

"They will return either tomorrow or Monday and I packed enough for three days. I should be fine but thank you Hinata-sama," Neji said.

Hinata-sama nodded and they exchanged pleasantries. Kankuro took Neji's hand as they left the compound and Neji let out a breath. Pure luck had saved him tonight. Hinata-sama had likely been out with one of the girls or her old team. Kiba, Shino, and the girls would have walked her as far as the main doors outside while Naruto would have walked her all the way in to the secondary set of doors.

"That was pure luck," Kankuro said.

"Hn, I think this was the night she had planned to meet up with Kiba, Shino, and Kurenai-sama. They normally come as far as the outer doors," Neji said.

Kankuro nodded. Neji noticed Kankuro's body was still tense and leaned into him, shifting to kiss his cheek.

"God, I saw you go down, and the scream you gave out. I couldn't do anything. My heart just stopped and I couldn't even think. You were trembling all over, clutching your head, and gritting your teeth and I knew nothing I said or did could help you. Then Hinata came in and walloped those two in the back of the head. God damn,"

Neji hummed and kissed him again. Hell Kankuro was still pale under his naturally tanned skin. Neji blinked when they stopped in the middle of the street and Kankuro pulled him into a powerful embrace. Neji hugged him back, leaning his head into Kankuro's shoulder and closing his eyes.

"No matter what happens with the Elders, I'm getting you out of there. I don't care if I have to rip apart the entire fucking compound. I can't stand to think of that, that, thing being activated against you because of some stupid kid's ideas," Kankuro said.

Neji did not know what to say to it. He did not doubt Kankuro would follow through with the idea though. Neji smiled and nodded into Kankuro's shoulder. Kankuro pulled back and Neji saw tears in his puppet master's eyes. Neji kissed him on the lips and Kankuro held his head in place.

Neji had not thought of how much the seeing the curse seal being activated would affect Kankuro. They pulled back after a moment and Kankuro leaned his forehead against Neji's. Neji met his eyes but said nothing.

"I mean it," Kankuro said.

"I know," Neji told him.

"I don't ever want to see you in that kind of pain again. I love you and oh,"

Neji's eyes went wide and he gaped. Kankuro turned bright red and drew back with a cough, rubbing the back of his head. Neji stared at Kankuro and knew he had to say something. Sending flowers which talked about love had been one thing. Saying the actual words...

"I, I," Neji tried.

The words wouldn't come out. Damn it! Kankuro chuckled and hugged him again. Neji still couldn't speak as Kankuro chuckled in his ear.

"You don't have to say it back. I've been in love with you for way longer than you with me so I don't expect it back," Kankuro said.

"Red and yellow tulips," Neji finally got out.

Kankuro laughed.

"Good enough,"

Neji flushed. They pulled apart again and Neji grinned as they began heading back to Kankuro's hotel room. Kankuro's cheeks did not go back to the regular color for a block but Neji didn't mind. He leaned into his puppet master with a smile. Screw the clan. He had love.

Go Kankuro. Poor Neji in not being able to say it back and you know, the whole curse seal being activated thing.

Reviews welcome.