Planning
Author's notes: Weird chapter breaks are weird. I'd originally started writing this all in one file so the only breaks were for scene changes and yeah. Never did that again.
Rated M for sexy scenes between characters, swearing, drinking, and gore.
Don't own, borrowing.
Warning: nothing really. Just planning a party and how to get stop the Hyuuga elders.
"Let's break for lunch,"
Neji wiped sweat from his brow after his pronouncement and let out a breath. Tora got up from her position on the ground and followed after him. Akino strode away from Kuma's final kick but she easily landed and began cart wheeling towards the posts.
Kankuro had decided to hang out around the Hokage tower to see when Hiashi-sama, Tsunade-sama, and Hanabi-sama would be back. Neji let out a breath at the butterflies in his stomach and tried not to linger long on it. He also owed Sakura a sleep over this week and had to make time to see Ino as Hatomi so the blond didn't get restless. It would be a busy week.
Neji settled at his pole with Kuma beside him, Tora, and Akino in front of him. Akino looked exhausted but Kuma kept grinning. Neji smiled at the two.
"Man, I forgot how fast you are," Akino muttered.
"Slowpoke," Kuma told him and poked his shoulder.
He grunted but said nothing more. They had run laps, done yoga, practiced elemental release (Kuma's Grand Fireball had gotten larger, Akino almost perfected Water Pillar, and Tora had made strides with her Wind Slash), did balance drills, strength training, then sparred.
The August weather had come with a vengeance and the humidity could be seen in the air. Neji could feel sweat leaking down his back and tried not to linger too long on it. All three had pink cheeks from the heat and Neji had a feeling they would not be training as long tonight. The weather was too oppressive.
He said nothing as his students dug into their food and drank to their hearts content. Kuma shifted uncomfortably then looked to Neji. He nodded to her and she took off running towards the forests as pink came to her cheeks. Akino said nothing but Tora tilted her head to a side then flushed. She went back to her lunch without a word.
"Kuma's birthday is on Saturday and there will be a party at her house," Neji said.
Both looked up at him and noticed he had Byakugan activated. He wasn't looking at Kuma but did have his eyes focused on the tree line for when she came running out. Akino and Tora waited for him to keep speaking.
"I assume you two will be coming?" Neji asked.
"Of course," Tora said with a smile.
"Sure," Akino replied with a nod.
Neji smiled and gave them Kuma's address. Tora wrote it down in her notebook. Akino yawned but said he knew where Kuma lived.
"I will be asking Tenten and Lee if they will be in attendance as well," Neji said.
Tora perked up and clasped her hands in front of her heart.
"What about Sakura-sensei and Kankuro-sensei?" Tora questioned.
"Kankuro is coming for sure and you can ask Sakura when she gets here," Neji replied.
She clapped her hands in excitement and grinned.
"Guy-sensei?" Akino asked.
Ah right, Akino had trained with Guy for a time. The mention of Lee had likely jogged his memory.
"We can ask. I also plan to ask Hanabi-sama if she and her team would like to come as they did train with us for a while," Neji said.
Both nodded. Tora picked up her chopsticks but tapped them against her mouth instead of eating with them.
"What do we get her?" Tora questioned.
"More weapons," Akino answered.
Neji chuckled but nodded. Kuma was like Tenten when it came to weapons: the more the better. Neji shook his head and de-activated Byakugan when the duo began to discuss what kind of weapon. Both went back to their lunches as if no conversation had taken place and Kuma came running back towards them.
Kuma settled in her spot and huffed. Akino yelped when she punched him in the shoulder and he rubbed the sore spot. Neji raised an eyebrow and Kuma went back to eating as if she hadn't punched her teammate.
"What was that for?" Akino asked.
"Being a boy," Kuma said.
Akino stared. He muttered his word and ignored Kuma. Kuma said nothing but Tora did giggle. Neji rolled his eyes and they finished lunch. The weather had not cooled and Neji let out a little breath at the heat.
He spotted someone coming towards them and gulped down a bit of water too hard. Pink was in the distance and Neji relaxed somewhat. Kuma got to her feet and began doing handstand push-ups but Neji didn't bother to reprimand her. Sakura finally came towards them and smiled.
"Friday and Saturday good for you?" Sakura asked him.
"Friday yes and I'll use one of my get out of sleep over cards to cover the other," Neji replied.
Sakura blinked but nodded. Tora got to her feet and the duo strode off. Neji saw Akino shaking his head but said nothing to him. Neji did get to his feet and Akino sighed as he got up.
"Let's do a triple spar," Neji said.
Kuma grinned. Akino adjusted his gloves. Neji walked with his students to another area of the field then activated Byakugan. Sparring with both Akino and Kuma would keep his mind off the arrival of his family and Tsunade-sama at least for a little while.
Neji arrived at Kankuro's hotel room with take out at seventeen hundred hours, ignoring the aching feeling in his body. Sparring with Akino and Kuma had been damned well challenging. Kuma had tried to keep knocking him into Akino's hits which worked more times than Neji wanted to count. He smirked at their teamwork and ran a hand through his hair.
He knocked but received no response. Neji frowned and shifted so he could lean against the wall beside Kankuro's door. He would wait for Kankuro to show up. The food might get cold but Neji did not mind. He did not have to wait as long as he thought.
Neji looked up when he heard voices coming from the stairwell. Kankuro came into view but the smile Neji had begun to put in place for his lover froze before it could come into existence fully. Hiashi-sama, Tsunade-sama, and Gaara-sama were with Kankuro.
"Told you he would be here," Kankuro said.
They definitely would not be eating food off each other tonight. Neji straightened as the four approached him and noticed Kankuro and Gaara-sama also carried take-out bags. Tsunade-sama carried a rather large bottle of sake. Neji decided it best not to mention it.
Tsunade-sama's anger vein was all ready visible on her forehead and her teeth were clenched. She had minute wrinkles around her eyes from being tired and she looked two seconds away from throwing something out a window.
Hiashi-sama had a calm expression on his face but his lips were set in a thin line and he stood too stiffly, even for him. The bags under Gaara-sama's eyes were bigger and his eyes were narrowed. Neji let out a breath and followed Kankuro into the hotel room.
Neji said nothing but did help Kankuro gather more pillows to put around the living room table. The kitchen table could hold two barely comfortably where the living room table would easily accommodate all of them. Neji helped set the table and place food on it within everyone's reach.
He took a seat beside Kankuro at one side of the table. Tsunade-sama and Gaara-sama had taken the shorter sides, the head of the table as such, and Hiashi-sama sat directly across from Kankuro and Neji. Neji felt his stomach turn into an immense knot and let out a breath.
"We will meet with the Elders Wednesday night," Hiashi-sama said.
"In the compound," Gaara-sama added.
Tsunade-sama drank her sake straight from the bottle. Neji felt Kankuro's hand on his under the table and held it hard. Neji waited, trying to ignore how quickly his heart had begun to pound in his chest.
"I want to know how serious you are about my brother before anything happens," Gaara-sama said.
Neji looked to him and blinked. Gaara-sama said nothing but did level him with a heated look. Neji swallowed hard and licked his dry lips.
"I do not plan to ever leave your brother's side for anyone else," Neji said.
Gaara-sama hummed but nodded. Tsunade-sama snorted but drank more sake. Neji wanted to fiddle with something but ran his thumb over Kankuro's hand instead. Kankuro rubbed back.
"Gaara-sama has come with us as the Elders will be difficult to convince," Hiashi-sama said.
"On the off chance they completely deny the proposition of you two being together you will both be moved to Suna permanently," Tsunade-sama said.
Neji had no voice to speak with. He wanted to ask about his genin, his friends, his belongings, but it all sounded pathetic in his head.
"Understood," Neji said.
All three looked at him. Hiashi-sama's eyebrows came up slightly, Gaara's eyes widened and his lips parted, and Tsunade-sama almost dropped her sake. Kankuro squeezed his hand a bit tighter and Neji squeezed back.
"You do understand it means leaving Konoha forever, right?" Tsunade-sama asked.
Neji sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He looked at the uneaten and unmoved food on the table for a moment but nodded.
"I do," Neji said. "But if the Elders will not accept I want to be with Kankuro then they will do everything in their power to kill either me or him and make it look accidental. If I have to move permanently to Suna to stop them then so be it."
Tsunade-sama smiled. Gaara nodded. Hiashi-sama sighed and shook his head.
"We are hoping it does not come to that, of course," Hiashi-sama said.
"We plan to proposition the Elders into believing a match between you two would make the bonds between our two lands stronger," Gaara-sama said.
"To do that, if the Elders agree then you two will be living together and married by this time next year," Tsunade-sama said.
Neji felt his heart skip a couple beats but kept the neutral expression on his face. He and Kankuro would be married in less than a year. Neji wanted to do a happy dance but at the same time wanted to run out of the room and never look back. Kankuro coughed and Neji looked to him to see Kankuro's eyes had widened marginally and he looked ready to fall over.
"A marriage units our families and our countries even if you two cannot bear children," Hiashi-sama said.
Neji inclined his head. He saw Kankuro take a breath and let it out slowly. Kankuro frowned.
"Two things," Kankuro said.
All three looked at him, Hiashi-sama with his eyebrows raised, Gaara-sama with a tilt to his head, and Tsunade-sama with a smirk.
"One: I want to still be able to propose in the traditional sense and have control over the wedding with Neji of course," Kankuro said.
Tsunade-sama nodded as did Hiashi-sama. Gaara-sama smirked but agreed.
"Second: I want to live off the Hyuuga compound," Kankuro said.
Tsunade-sama almost choked on her sake. Gaara-sama hid a laugh behind his cough. Hiashi-sama deadpanned then rubbed his temples. A moment later Gaara-sama blinked and frowned.
"You mean you would move here?" Gaara-sama asked.
Kankuro shook his head. This made them all look at him in wonder.
"I don't think it's fair to anyone in either country me or Neji has to move permanently to the other country," Kankuro said.
They nodded.
"I don't mind traveling back and forth, even if we are married, and I'm pretty sure Neji wouldn't mind either."
Neji inclined his head in the positive. Kankuro kissed his cheek. Neji managed to keep his cheeks from heating.
"I don't mind staying in the Kazekage tower in Suna but I don't want to live in the Hyuuga compound in Konoha. Besides, there really wouldn't be a need for us to as we can't have kids anyway and therefore we wouldn't be having anyone that needed to be trained. I wouldn't be opposed to living close to the compound but not in it."
Gaara-sama nodded. Tsunade-sama took a deep drink from her bottle. Hiashi-sama sighed and shook his head.
"That may become complicated," Hiashi-sama said.
Kankuro snorted and banged a fist in the table.
"Then you tell your damned clan they can't activate the curse seal because of our relationship and make sure they do it," Kankuro said with a growl.
Hiashi-sama gaped. Neji wished he had a camera. Tsunade-sama raised an eyebrow and Gaara-sama scowled.
"Pardon?" Hiashi-sama said.
Kankuro let out an angry puff of air and held Neji's hand tighter. Neji winced so Kankuro kissed his cheek before loosening his grip.
"Neji had to change out some clothes the other night and as we were leaving, two of his distant, Main House cousins stopped us at the door, spouting how you couldn't protect him from the Elders anymore. They said I couldn't do anything to them, I said they couldn't do anything to me, and they said they could do something to Neji. One activated the curse seal. If Hinata hadn't been about to walk in the door that instant it could've been a lot worse. She'll tell you what two. I forgot the brats' names," Kankuro said.
Hiashi-sama's jaw tightened again and he scowled.
"I apologize for that discretion. I will punish both once I return to the compound and speak to Hinata," Hiashi-sama said.
Kankuro nodded.
"But we cannot tell the Elders you plan to take Neji off the compound on Wednesday. Allow them to come to terms with Neji marrying you first then we will discuss living arrangements," Hiashi-sama said.
"One problem at a time," Tsunade-sama remarked.
"Done," Kankuro said.
They all jolted when a knock came to the door. Kankuro stood to answer it and stepped aside to allow Hinata-sama and Hanabi-sama into the room. Hanabi-sama stomped, hands in fists at her sides, and her jaw tight, eyes wide to show her anger.
"If this is about our family activating Neji's curse seal without me being there Kankuro all ready told me," Hiashi-sama said to Hanabi-sama as she opened her mouth.
Hanabi-sama swayed for a moment where she stood she had been so de-railed. She frowned, huffed, crossed her arms over her chest then promptly pouted.
"Do you know who they are?" Hanabi-sama asked.
"No," Hiashi-sama said.
"I forgot their names," Kankuro added.
"Hibiki-sama and Hiroto-sama," Neji said.
Hiashi-sama looked to Hinata-sama for confirmation and she nodded. Hiashi-sama returned the gesture. Hinata-sama settled on the couch behind Neji while Hanabi-sama settled beside her father who shifted over to give her more room. Hanabi-sama instantly started taking food (as well as her father's plate) to begin to eat. Hiashi-sama raised an eyebrow at her but she said nothing.
"So, we're good then?" Kankuro asked. "I mean, we'll be talking to the Elders Wednesday night and go from there."
Nods from all around. Neji let out a breath and took food. Kankuro stood to get Hiashi-sama a new plate and Hiashi-sama thanked him when Kankuro returned. The tension left the room and Neji let out a little breath.
"On a happier note: Kuma's birthday is Saturday," Neji said. "Hanabi-sama, would you and your team be willing to come?"
Hanabi-sama had her chopsticks in her mouth from depositing food. Hiashi-sama gave a small grin but said nothing to his daughter. Neji did hear Hinata-sama giggle behind him. Tsunade-sama smirked and Gaara-sama chuckled.
"We'll be there," Hanabi-sama said.
"I will as well," Gaara-sama said.
Neji almost choked on his tea.
"As will Temari," Gaara-sama added.
Neji had not expected Gaara-sama and Temari to show up. Temari. She was in Konoha then.
"And depending how her conversation goes with Nara, he may be there as well," Gaara-sama finished.
Well Hell. At least Kuma would have a big party. Neji inclined his head to Gaara-sama who smirked. Kankuro muttered something Neji did not catch under his breath.
"Hinata-neechan can come too, right?" Hanabi-sama asked.
"Of course," Neji replied.
"Ah, Naruto-kun will probably come too then," Hinata-sama said softly.
"The more the merrier," Kankuro said.
This got a laugh from everyone. Neji grinned but nodded. The meal progressed well and soon there was nothing left of the take out. Tsunade-sama had gone back to her sake but used a cup now.
"So, it's going to be a surprise for her right?" Kankuro questioned.
"I would assume so," Neji said. "We have to talk to her mother about it. Why?"
Kankuro grinned.
"Because the easiest way to distract her would be you training her that day," Kankuro said.
Neji opened his mouth then started laughing. He nodded. Hanabi-sama began asking about decorations but Neji had no idea what to tell her. She huffed.
"Then Hinata-neechan and I will go talk to her mom. Who else will be there?" Hanabi-sama enquired.
"Likely Lee and Tenten, possibly Guy-sensei, obviously Tora and Akino," Neji said.
Hanabi-sama nodded. She tapped her index finger against her lip in thought.
"So about twenty in total," Hanabi-sama said.
Neji hadn't realized there would be so many people. He did nod. Hanabi-sama grinned.
"This will be fun," she said.
Neji chuckled but agreed. They all toasted to it with their tea, water, and Tsunade-sama her sake. Kuma would be surprised no matter what they did. Neji smiled. It would be a good surprise for her and Neji would make sure nothing ruined Kuma's day.
Tuesday came and went quickly. Neji got confirmation from Guy, Lee, Doi, Sakura, Sasuke, Tenten, and Naruto they would be at Kuma's party for Saturday. He let the group know to talk to Hinata-sama or Hanabi-sama for exact times. Hinata-sama had told him that night she and Hanabi-sama had talked to Kuma's mother and confirmed it to be a surprise party. Neji would distract Kuma with training until sixteen hundred hours then walk her home.
Other than this, Neji had no idea what the party would entail. He did know Akino and Tora planned to buy Kuma more senbon as she favored the razor sharp needles. Neji had found her a book about an ancient martial art which focused on kicking. He had been disappointed as he thought they had invented the style themselves but pushed it aside.
Kankuro didn't say what his gift would be but grinned at him when Neji asked. Neji decided to let Kankuro keep his secrets. Tuesday night he stayed with Kankuro at the hotel as per normal and when the morning came, Kankuro grunted at Neji's alarm.
"Babe, it's three-fucking-thirty," Kankuro said.
"Mm, I am aware of the time as I set the alarm," Neji said.
He smacked the offending device and yawned hugely. Kankuro grunted from behind him and Neji grinned when he felt Kankuro's interest despite his complaint on the time. Kankuro spooned Neji from behind, their legs entangled with Kankuro's right arm over Neji's body to hold onto Neji's left hand, Kankuro's left arm under Neji's body to hold onto Neji's right hand. Neji closed his eyes and let out a breath. He did not want to get out of bed.
"You have a whole hour and a half before you have to meet the kids," Kankuro groused into Neji's hair.
"Hn, but it's going to take me at least fifteen minutes to get out of bed," Neji said.
"Hm?"
"I'm too comfortable,"
Neji chuckled when Kankuro kissed the top of his head and pulled him in close. Neji yawned again and half opened his eyes to stare at his alarm clock. He had thirteen minutes to lay in bed with Kankuro before he had to take a quick shower, get dressed, leave, and grab something to eat on the way.
"See, now I'm waking up," Kankuro muttered.
"So sorry," Neji said.
"Ya best be,"
Kankuro kissed the top of his head again and squeezed Neji's hands in his. Neji yawned again and burrowed deeper into the mused sheets and against his naked boyfriend.
"I'll find out today how last night's talk with the Nara went and let Kuma's mom know if he's coming Saturday," Kankuro said.
"Mm,"
"Don't forget you gotta leave the field early to clean up cuz we're meeting with the Elders for dinner at seventeen hundred hours,"
"Urg,"
Neji frowned. The reminder helped to wake him up and suddenly the bed was not so comfortable. Neji sighed.
"Sorry, sorry," Kankuro said.
"It's fine," Neji told him.
He shifted out of Kankuro's grip but Kankuro let him go. Neji was in the bathroom a moment later and finished his morning routine in twenty minutes. He stood in front of the mirror, hair still damp but brushed out to hang around his shoulders and leaned on the vanity to look into his eyes.
Tonight, one dinner, would determine how the rest of his life would go. Either he would be abandoning his friends, students, village, and few family members he did like to go live with Kankuro in Suna or he would remain here. Neji sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
He strode nude back into the bedroom and notice Kankuro had fallen back asleep. Neji chuckled at his sleeping man and got dressed quickly. He made sure he had what he needed in his bag before leaning over the bed and kissing Kankuro gently on the cheek.
"Love you," Kankuro muttered.
"Yellow tulips," Neji said softly.
Kankuro grinned but didn't open his eyes. Neji pulled back and left the hotel room. Walking through Konoha in the pre-dawn always calmed him and today turned out no different. No one strode the streets at four in the morning. Few shops were open and Neji swung by a restaurant and got breakfast to go. He picked up a bento box for lunch as well, not knowing if Kankuro would be coming to the fields later.
Neji decided to take the long way to the field as it was barely 4:30 and ambled along the streets. He passed Yamanaka Flowers and saw Ino sweeping the threshold of the door. Neji almost whacked himself in the forehead when he remembered Ino had asked him to talk to Hatomi. Well, the conversation would have been easy enough.
"Ino," Neji greeted when he got closer to her.
"Neji, jeez, I was wondering when you'd get back to me," Ino said.
"Ah, sorry, it's been a busy week," Neji said.
Ino smirked.
"I bet,"
"Hatomi is feeling well and is free tomorrow night. She said she will come and meet you here at eighteen hundred hours if that is fine with you,"
Neji let out a little breath of relief as Ino nodded. He apologized again and wished her a good day but she stopped him with a hand on his arm. Neji blinked at her and she smiled.
"I just want to say you're awesome for getting people together to throw Kuma a birthday party. Hanabi and Hinata came in here to get some fiery flower arrangements for Saturday," Ino said.
Neji smiled.
"Thank you for that. She is my student. Ah, I will be doing something similar with Akino and Tora once I find out when their birthdays are," Neji said.
Ino giggled.
"I'm a step ahead of you, Hyuuga. Tora's is on September 14th, Akino's is October 11. When I heard you were doing this for Kuma, I checked their files," Ino said.
Neji chuckled and inclined his head in thanks. It saved an embarrassing conversation with his students later.
"Good luck tonight," Ino said.
Neji let out a breath and thanked her. She gave him a little smile.
"Hinata told me the Elders are meeting with you, Kankuro, Gaara, Tsunade-sama, her and Hanabi about you and Kankuro being together. I feel really bad about making the Elders hear about it so, well, let me buy you a cake or something," Ino said.
Neji snorted and shook his head.
"Chocolate caramel," Neji told her.
Ino rolled her eyes and swatted him in the shin with the straw part of her broom. He smirked at her.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Bye Neji," Ino said.
"Good bye Ino," Neji said.
He left her to sweep the shop and returned to his original path. The day would be long and Neji hoped it would end well. If not he would be heading towards Suna during the night like some kind of thief and Ino might figure out who Hatomi really had been. Neji let out a breath and hoped fate didn't decide to screw with him.
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