Moving right along! Back to Tuesday Updates! - GL
Underneath the Underneath
Chapter Two
Neji discretely looked at the clock.
The routine clan meeting was running longer than usual, and duller than ever. A loquacious elder finally had his turn to address the family council on the petty matter that he deemed to be of the utmost importance, and he was not about to surrender the floor any time soon. Neji swallowed a sigh, and shifted his weight to get comfortable.
"Forgive me," Hinata interrupted politely, "but Neji, and I are expected at the Hokage's office shortly, and I would very much like to bring our completed council report with us. I'd hate to have any delay in bringing this matter to the attention of the right people," she added.
Prodded by the assurance that the Hokage would read his concerns in the report in less than an hour, the elder immediately concluded his soliloquy. The clan member transcribing the meeting shot Hinata a grateful look, and wrapped up his work.
As the meeting dismissed, Hiashi (who had no more interest in sitting in a boring meeting than any of his heirs) wished Neji and Hinata well on their next meeting, and told Hanabi they would be training outside of the compound this afternoon. Hanabi gave a docile nod, but mischief danced in her eyes. Neji had long suspected that Hanabi had convinced her father to 'train' off site after meetings, and that locations included, but were not limited to, her favorite restaurant, the market district, or Tenten's weaponry shop.
"Thank you for the exit," Neji said once they were safely in the bright light of a beautiful day and well on their way to the Hokage tower. "I've never met a group of people so fond of hearing everything they have to say – that one in particular."
"I'm sure he means well," Hinata hid a smile.
"I'm not," Neji scoffed. "And I have about six months' worth of meetings to reinforce my opinion."
"They know that you aren't likely to be in Konoha much longer," Hinata offered. "They want to include you while they can."
"Let's hope it's not for much longer," he muttered, holding open the door for her as they entered the Hokage's building.
"You are anxious to return to active duty?"
"I'm beginning to look back on my time in the Land of Iron with fondness," he said flatly. "What does that tell you?"
"And what about Tenten?" Hinata asked as they climbed the stairs. "I can't imagine she was pleased to be restricted from leaving the village."
"Far from it," Neji agreed. "It hasn't helped that Lee has been in and out of the village, and I have been so busy with the clan. Luckily, Kakashi has kept her busy, as has your teammate."
"Kiba?"
"No," Neji slid a glance to her. "Shino. With work at the academy. Why did you think I meant Kiba?"
"Oh, no reason," she waved the idea away, but the pinking of her cheeks caught his eye. "It was nice to see her at dinner the other night," she hurried on. "I haven't seen much of her since you both returned to Konoha. That's been about six months now, hasn't it?"
Six months, five days, four hours, thirty-one minutes, and twelve seconds, but he wasn't about to reveal he had been keeping such a careful record.
"Just over," he said noncommittally.
"So, you could be reassigned any day now," Hinata reasoned.
It was what he had been hoping for each time he was summoned to speak with Kakashi, but he had yet to hear any concrete dates for his next mission.
"Mm."
"They will miss Tenten at the academy. Shino tells me that she has been doing very well."
Neji had heard the same thing; he only wished he had more time to discuss it with his partner.
Since their return to Konoha, their schedules were at constant odds with each other. In the six months, five days, four hours, thirty-three minutes, and seventeen seconds since they had returned, they had been alone together perhaps five times, and never for very long. All other meetings were in the company of others, and it agitated Neji on the cellular level.
As if his clan duties and her academy duties weren't enough, Kakashi had assigned her to catalogue a secret arsenal discovered in an abandoned city, not far from the village. Neji suspected that Tenten had been going stir-crazy, and Kakashi had relented with this mission. His initial concerns upon hearing about the mission were allayed when he learned she traveled with a small task force headed up by none other than Morino Ibiki. It had taken surprisingly more of her time than anticipated, though, and that did not sit well with him.
The truth was, he missed her.
They had been reassigned from Takayuki's to the General's citadel as soon as Sakura had cleared them for travel. Once there, they worked around the clock with Mifune, Shikamaru, Temari, and others to break down what had happened and to try and project where Tatsuo might have gone. In addition to those meetings, Tenten had spent considerable time with Lady Takeko. Despite their days being full, they always made time for their evening cup of tea, and spent the nights in each other's arms.
It was hardly an ideal courtship, and both were too well aware of their mission status to dedicate much time, but every moment counted and had since been recounted in his memory.
He had assumed they would travel back to Konoha as a mission pair, and that they might have some more time then. Unfortunately, he had to agree when Shikamaru informed him that they would be tent mates instead.
"You're both targets," he shrugged. "It can't be helped."
The four of them spent as much time together as they could before Tenten and Temari retired to their own tent, leaving him and Shikamaru to their own devices. The men used their time together wisely, and Neji even enjoyed the other man's company… but it wasn't the same.
Now, as he and Hinata were admitted to Kakashi's office, he could only hope that some word had come about the next step of their mission.
They stood politely behind the group that was finishing up ahead of them. The team of genin were excused, and Kakashi waved them forward.
He looked between them
"And what does the Hyūga council have to say this month?" he asked with a note of amusement in his voice.
Neji and Hinata handed over the report and gave a succinct account of the clan meeting. As soon as it was polite to do so, Neji asked "Any word from General Mifune?"
Kakashi gave a single nod. "Just this morning. As soon as I go through it with Shikamaru, I shall let you know where we stand."
"I almost forgot," Hinata said, reaching into the bag at her side. "Here are the scrolls you asked me for, Lord Sixth."
Kakashi held out his hand and calmly took the scroll. He opened it and perused it lazily.
"Thank you; this is just what I was looking for. Do you have a moment to go over it with me?"
"Yes, Lord Sixth."
"Excellent. Neji, you are dismissed. I shall send word before the end of the day."
"Understood," he bowed, and exited the office.
Buoyed by the prospect of returning to active status – even if it meant returning to the Land of Iron – and finding himself with time to spare, Neji strode out of the Hokage building and went in search of Tenten.
She would definitely want to hear the good news.
It was one of those rare, beautiful days that simply could not be wasted indoors, and Shino declared the class would extend their time working on shurikenjutsu as he felt they were progressing. Tenten half suspected the abundant sunshine had as much to do with Shino's decision as their progress, and when she shot him an amused glance, he merely gave her the slightest of nods, the sun dancing off his dark glasses.
"Looks like we can run that last drill again," she announced to the students. "Get to your marks, and concentrate on your form and control."
The students dutifully lined up and went through the exercise again. Tenten took time to interact with each of them – to praise them for their work, to adjust their stances, to encourage them to keep working at getting better.
When their time together was over, they bowed and thanked her as a class, still waving and tossing smiles at her even as they lined up and followed another teacher back into the building.
Shino and Tenten remained to discuss the students and their performance, and how to better help them next time she worked with them. Unfortunately for Shino, he was interrupted as a large white dog came bounding around the corner. Akamaru raced up to Tenten and skidded to a sit at her feet, thumping his large head against her legs. She laughed and scratched his ears fondly.
Kiba came around the corner shortly thereafter, his posture easy.
"Hey," he waved to them both. "Guess Akamaru got ahead of me."
"That's okay," Tenten laughed and scratched be hind the large dog's ear. "I don't mind."
"So…" Kiba rocked back on his heels, his hands jammed in his pockets. "I might've taken your advice from earlier…"
"Oh?" Tenten's eyes danced wickedly. "And?"
"And… well… we will have to go to lunch tomorrow, so I can tell you about my date tonight."
Tenten let out a whoop of excitement, as Shino just raised his eyebrows in mild surprise.
"See!" she tagged his arm. "I knew you had it in you,"
"Yeah, I guess" he rubbed his arm. "And ouch, by the way."
Tenten ignored his complaint, pressing him for details, which he summarily refused to share.
"You'll just have to wait until tomorrow," he said loftily, and Tenten laughed.
"Fine, fine, even if that's hardly fair."
"What is hardly fair?"
Tenten turned with a large smile. "Neji! I thought you had clan meetings all day?"
"I did. I do. But something more pressing came up."
"Hm," she hummed. "I think that's my cue, boys," she gathered a backpack from the ground. "Thanks, Shino - and you," she turned on Kiba. "I look forward to hearing all of the details." She waved goodbye, and left to walk with Neji. She considered him, tipping her head to the side while scanning him for any hints of trouble.
"Is everything alright?"
"It will be once we finish our mission."
"Which is?"
"To do something – anything – more pressing than a clan meeting."
Tenten (who had very little patience for the meetings that ate away so much of his time) gave a hearty scoff. "I'm sure we can think of something. Isn't there paint drying somewhere?"
Neji's wry grin always sped up her heart. "I'm not sure I can take that much excitement after meetings."
"Well, come back to the shop," she looped her arm in his. "We'll check your weapons inventory over some tea. After all," her eyes glinted. "We might get called out on a mission any day now!"
"Sound reasoning," he allowed.
The market was on the way to her shop, and the air was full of mouthwatering smells and familiar sounds. Tenten's eyes grew wide and she halted him with a hand to his chest.
"Tenten, what are you-?"
"Elders, two o'clock!" she said quietly. She grabbed his hand and tugged him into the small tea shop, securing them a table toward the back. She flicked a light cloak out of one of her scrolls and draped it across his shoulders. "Henge," she urged him quickly, pulling up the hood. "Alter your chakra flow." With a quick squeeze of his shoulders, she stepped between him and the door just in time to see two of the elders – one being Neji's grandfather – walk into the tea shop.
With less than a thought, Neji copied the likeness and chakra signature of a civilian and willed himself into invisibility.
"Elder Hyūga," she said politely. "Long time no see."
"Tenten," he nodded, eyes dancing around the room. "Have you seen my nephew?"
"Sorry," she shook her head. "I don't know what his schedule is today. If I see him, is there a message?"
"Yes," the older man said imperiously. "Let him know that this evening we are having a meeting to discuss several clan matters."
Tenten blinked. "I thought the large clan meeting was this morning?" she asked.
"It was," he sniffed. "But several of the family feel we really must revisit the issues of-"
"Grandfather," Hanabi's voice was bright as she entered the tea shop. "I've been looking all over for you!"
"Hanabi?" he was clearly perplexed. "Whatever for?"
"It's the other elders," she whispered conspiratorially. "They are back at the compound talking about reevaluating the entire scroll study schedule."
"What?" the old man looked horrified. "We just settled that this morning!"
"I know," she shook her head. "but I think they are up to something – they have even started to move the shogi tables in the gardens."
"Preposterous! This will absolutely not do!" He whirled on Tenten. "If you see my nephew, the meeting is off; I have other matters to deal with."
With that, he stormed out of the tea house.
"By the time you finish your tea, I'll have him back at the compound," Hanabi smirked, looking over at Tenten. "You're welcome, Nii-san," Hanabi sing-songed before waving then skipping after her grandfather.
Tenten sat down to the table, as Neji undid his henge, and removed the cloak.
"Guess we might as well have some tea here," she chuckled, motioning to the woman in the back.
"Do they serve dinner?" he grumbled.
"I have a better idea. A mission, if you will."
"Oh?"
"Mm," she nodded, smiling at the woman who brought the tea. Tenten poured Neji's tea before pouring her own, and waited until they were alone again to speak.
"Help me in the market. I'll make us dinner tonight, and we'll go over your weapons."
"That," he breathed, "sounds wonderful."
Once Neji was certain his elder was back at the compound and no longer a problem, Tenten led him to the market, where she unsealed a basket, and began gathering ingredients and supplies as she chatted easily with the different vendors. Neji was content to walk with her, largely staying quiet as she made her way from stall to stall.
When she finished, he took the large basket from her and carried it the few blocks to her shop.
The bell above the door rang pleasantly and they were greeted with a cheerful voice.
"Welcome! Oh, it's you!"
"Hey, Moegi," Tenten said easily. "Everything alright?"
"Yeah, everything is fine," she grinned. "Udon is just finishing up in the back."
"Team Ebisu?" Neji quirked an eyebrow at her.
"We don't have many missions right now," Moegi explained. "So, we signed up for a summer job."
"Where's the troublemaker?" Neji asked, looking around suspiciously.
"Konohamaru is with Shikamaru and Mirai," Udon answered, pushing his glasses up his nose.
"It's not his day to work," Tenten reached into her pocket. "You two can go home early; I'm going to close the shop to prepare some supplies."
"We got that last order all put away," Moegi grinned. "Udon has the inventory all up to date."
"Great," she handed over some money to each of them. "Get something to eat. My treat."
"Thanks, Tenten-sensei!" they chirped, and flew out of the door.
"Tenten-sensei?" Neji quirked an eyebrow.
"I don't make them do laps," she said drolly, flipping the sign to 'closed' and locking the door before leading the way to her apartment above the shop. She kicked off her shoes and took the basket from Neji, heading to the kitchen. "I still have your weapons scrolls," she called over her shoulder.
"So Hanabi remembered to bring them after all?"
"Yeah – she brought them by last week."
"How was your mission?"
"Good," she smiled, washing her hands and then getting out of his way so he could do the same. "It was a very nice change to get out of the village," she admitted. "I'm starting to go a bit stir crazy."
"I believe I can empathize," he flicked the water off, accepting the towel she held out to him.
"I take it the clan matters are still as entertaining as ever," she chuckled, fishing through the shopping basket and separating the food.
"I've never seen people spend so much time talking about nothing," he grumbled. "Uncle, Hinata, Hanabi, and I get more done over tea than those meetings accomplish in a month."
"But you are still getting things done," she looked up at him fondly before bumping him with her hip. "I'm proud of you, Neji."
"Thank you," he rolled up his sleeves and took the produce to the sink. "I hear they are fond of you at the academy."
"I bring thousands of sharp objects for children to play with," she shrugged. "What's not to love?"
"I think my respect and sympathy for Shino has just escalated," he started piling the washed fruits and vegetables in the strainer she put on the dish mat.
"You should see Lee," she took out her paring knife – she never used a peeler – and began working on the vegetables. "He is actually really good with the kids, and their taijutsu is improving rapidly."
"Unsurprising," Neji put a large bowl to the side for her to pile her work into. "Lee understands the value of training, but he also understands what it means to start from nowhere and make a place."
"True," she scooped up a handful of chopped vegetables and put it into the bowl.
"So do you," he continued. "Although you did always have a strong affinity for anything sharp."
"Must be why I liked you."
"Oh?"
"Sure," she reached for the carrots. "I mean – not the way Sakura and Ino liked Sasuke, but I always admired your skill and control. I was really excited to be on a team with you and Lee. Lord Third was all about balance – and I knew you were the best in our class, and Lee struggled with ninjutsu… so I knew that I had to fall somewhere in the middle."
"Interesting," he considered her.
"It is good to know where you fit," she shrugged. "Although at the time I admit I thought that must mean I was a better shinobi than Lee – but he proved me wrong."
"Did he?"
"No one out-works Rock Lee," Tenten laughed, "and hard work makes for good shinobis. Lee is always going to out-do me there."
"Maybe if you tried wearing the spandex…?"
"No," she grimaced. "I'll take mediocrity any day… but you did look rather smashing in it."
Neji narrowed his eyes at her.
"I'm still trying to work out how you cheated on that bet."
Tenten laughed.
"Let me know when you work it out."
She put the last of the vegetables into the bowl and washed her hands again.
Neji handed her a towel, and she dried her hands, looking up to find him staring at her.
"What?"
Neji took the towel and tossed it to the side before wrapping her close to himself.
"Neji?"
He tightened his arms around her, and she understood.
"I was never worried, you know," she murmured into the nape of his neck. "I knew you would find me."
"I almost wasn't in time," he whispered. "This – all of his – could have been taken away before it even started."
"But it wasn't," she pulled back to rest her forehead against his. "And we have now."
Neji took a deep breath
"We have now," he repeated, brushing his nose against hers. He waited a heartbeat for permission before meeting her lips with his own.
It had been too long, and Tenten smiled against his lips. She knew better than to try and rush Neji when he was determined to savor their time together.
Still… it had been a while, and patience had never been her strong suit, and-.
"I don't suppose," he cleared his throat, "that stir-fry could wait?"
Tenten's grin was slow. "I thought you'd never ask."
I imagine that these two are fans of behind closed doors. Thanks for reading, and see you next Tuesday! - GL