Disclaimer: Naruto does not and will never belong to me in any way. Too bad.

A/N: I've started watching the Naruto Shippuuden episodes, and I have to say I love them. The opening and ending themes are really cool (the ending is especially cute), but as I've been watching Naruto, I find myself thinking that the characters I write are way too girly (most of the time). Except for Gaara. Gaara, in this fic, is not girly in any way (though he might change…). Anyways, it's my Spring Break, and I've been sleeping a lot and writing too. I hope the next chapter will come out sooner than this one did…

Warning: ItachiNeji, though it'll be one-sided, and a cliffie.

Last Chapter: Orochimaru, Tensai, Kitai, and Itachi.

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Guardian of My Heart – Chapter 4

Itachi knocked on his brother's apartment door, hearing the scramble for clothing inside (most likely from Naruto, who was apt to trip and knock over a variety of things). Sasuke opened the door a second later, clad only in a pair of boxers. He narrowed his eyes at Itachi and asked, "What do you want?"

"Ah, Sasuke, you've grown up so quickly. I can still remember the time when you'd beg for my attention, and now you're telling me to go away!"

Sasuke snorted. "I repeat, what do you want? I have more pressing matters to get to right now."

Itachi smiled and decided to relieve Sasuke's misery. "Get dressed. You and your Naru-chan are getting married today."

Sasuke's eyes widened. "But I thought we were getting married next week!"

Itachi shrugged. "Neji moved it up to today. You would've known sooner if you two actually answered your cell phones. Since you didn't, I was sent to get you presentable." He held up two dry cleaning bags in his hands. "I took the liberty of picking up your suits, and if we can't find a pair of dress shoes that fit Naruto, we'll go out and buy some." Itachi squished past Sasuke and made his way into the apartment, setting down the suits on the couch. "Close the door and go change, otouto, you're getting married today!"

"WHAT?!?" This came from Naruto, who hadn't heard much of the previous conversation until now. "We're…getting m-m-married?"

Itachi gave him a bright smile. "Yep, today! And although I know the bride and groom aren't supposed to see each other on their wedding day, well, we'll just not pay attention to that little fact, hmm? Now get changed." He thrust a dry cleaning bag into both Naruto's and Sasuke's hands, and shooed them into separate rooms to get their suits on. While waiting, he ran through a mental list of all the things he needed to pull off Sasuke and Naruto's wedding.

Clothes, check. Itachi himself was wearing a freshly pressed black suit with a demure dark blue colored shirt underneath. He couldn't steal the spotlight away from the bride and groom, after all. Or groom and groom. Something like that.

Decorations, check. Itachi had seen where Neji performed weddings, a niche connected to his vaults, not too big, not too small. There were always freshly picked flowers lying within the room, and when you went in, you were content just to stand and breathe in the scent. Also, Neji let his hearts come out and watch during the weddings, acting as the lights within the room, and the luminescence they gave off made everything seem ethereal, because it really wasn't like any other source of light. So there wasn't any need for other decorations.

Food, check. The Akimichi restaurant near Neji's business was a favorite with Sasuke and Naruto, and besides, there was an Ichikaru ramen stand within walking distance, so that was taken care of.

Rings, check. The two rings Sasuke and Naruto had ordered a month ago, when Sasuke had first proposed, were in Itachi's shirt pocket. They were just simple gold rings, not flashy at all, and showed the simple bond of love that tied Naruto and Sasuke together.

Anything else? Itachi didn't think so, though he made a note to himself to talk to Neji after the wedding. Something had to have happened, he was sure, to have made Neji so impatient to get the wedding over with.

Sasuke came out now, looking crisp in his suit, though his tie wasn't quite straight. Itachi walked up to him and started to tie it again, whispering, "I'm happy for you, otouto. You're going to have a good life with Naruto by your side."

Sasuke gave him a smile, something he usually reserved to Naruto these days. "Thanks, aniki. I hope you find someone for yourself soon, now that you don't feel like you have to take care of me always. You deserve some love too, you know."

"I know. And I have found someone, as you well know." Itachi replied, thinking of a certain long-haired pale-eyed brunette.

Sasuke sighed. "You're still pining over Neji?"

"Well, I'm not exactly pining…"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Yes you are. You have been ever since you first met him, and Neji just doesn't want to see it, because then he'll have to reject you."

"Hey hey, I still have a chance. I don't have to be rejected."

"Fine, I'll wish you luck, but I don't think you'll get anywhere. Neji still believes in Loveless…"

"I may have found a solution for that, though."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Really? What would it be?" But before Itachi could answer, Naruto came out and Sasuke had eyes only for him.

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Neji had changed into a formal black suit and had let his healthy hearts come out and watch the wedding, as he waited for the participants to actually get here. They weren't too far away, since Itachi had just called him a few minutes ago to say they were on their way here.

He looked up as the vault doors opened, and watched as Shikamaru let Sasuke, Naruto, and Itachi come in. Right, he needed to incorporate Itachi into the vault system too, to let him be able to get in even if Shikamaru wasn't here and neither was he.

Neji smiled as Naruto waved enthusiastically and ran over, encasing the brunette in a tight hug.

"Neji!!" he yelled in joy. "You can't believe how happy I am!"

Sasuke looked on at this display of (friendly) affection with a sour look, before he heard a voice coming from below him. You have no need to be insecure, Sasuke. You know Naruto loves you and only you.

Sasuke looked down with a small smile and picked Tensai up from the floor and up to eye level. "And how have you been?"

Wonderful, though I have missed Kyuubi a bit. But besides that, Neji has taken care of me very well.

"Good. Now, let's get you reacquainted with Kyuubi, shall we?"

Wait. First I need to get reacquainted with you, Sasuke. And with no other warning Tensai jumped out of Sasuke's hands and disappeared into his chest, where he settled into what had been his home for most of Sasuke's life. Sasuke felt an immediate rush of love towards Naruto as Tensai became part of him again, and for a few moments he was utterly happy, before the onrush of feeling Tensai had created wore off into a sort of contentedness he had scarcely felt before in his life. It was like…knowing everything was going to be all right, no matter what happened in the future.

That's because we're connected again, and you're getting married. Tensai was back in Sasuke's hands, glowing with health and happiness. And after the marriage, I'll be always within Naruto, so you two will never be parted until death. It's a nice feeling, isn't it?

"Yeah, it is. Naruto will be my soulmate, just like Kyuubi is yours. Now, what do you say about seeing Kyuubi again?"

I'd love that.

Back where Neji and Naruto were, Neji had pushed Naruto off of him, whispering something about "jealous Uchihas", and Naruto had laughed, before asking, "So you've met Gaara?"

Neji nodded, wondering why Naruto was mentioning the redhead at such a time.

"So…what do you think of him?"

Neji's brow wrinkled at the way Naruto's happy blue eyes were focused on him. The blonde obviously wanted Neji to be friends with Gaara, especially considering the way Sasuke and Gaara somewhat hated each other. And Neji didn't want to put Naruto into another uncomfortable situation, having to choose between one friend or another. "He's…ok. I think Shukaku, his heart, is the cutest and most independent heart I've ever met, and though I don't exactly see the same qualities in Gaara, well, he's very defensive, you know?"

"Yeah, I know Gaara tries to block everybody out, but once you hang around him a little longer, he opens up." Neji had a somewhat queasy feeling in his stomach after this comment, wondering if Naruto was planning something with him and Gaara, but thankfully Sasuke came over at that moment and provided a distraction.

"Hey, dobe." Neji rolled his eyes at the first insufferable and then turned cute nickname. "Will you let Kyuubi out? Tensai's just about shaking with excitement."

Naruto gave the raven a brilliant smile before complying, Kyuubi materializing in his hands. The fox immediately stretched and yawned, shaking his tails out in a huge pantomime of being disturbed while he was sleeping. He stopped the pretense, however, when Neji chuckled.

What? He asked, quite annoyed. Kyuubi was quite the drama queen, and liked to be the center of attention even more than Naruto did. It's been a long time since I was allowed to be free!

Neji could not stifle his amusement, and he laughed once more, even as he picked Kyuubi up and cuddled the fox within his arms. "So long that you don't realize your soulmate is here? Tsk tsk, Kyuubi, you're getting just as absentminded as Naruto." Neji now turned his attention to Naruto and Sasuke as he said, "I'll give you two a moment to yourselves before we start the wedding, ok? Revel in your happiness or something as your two hearts get to know each other again." He caught the expression Sasuke was holding, and added, "And don't have sex. Save that until after the wedding."

After saying that, Neji scooped up Tensai from Sasuke's hand and walked over to Itachi, who had been inspecting the rest of the vaults and some of the broken hearts a moment before. He was softly petting an amethyst glowing heart in his hand; it seemed Kitai had already found him. Neji set down Kyuubi and Tensai (who were talking avidly with each other) on the floor before standing up and asking, "Are you happy for your brother?"

"Oh yes. Sasuke's happiness makes me happy, and he's found true love, so…" Itachi shrugged, knowing Neji knew this already. "It's been what I've wished for ever since our family died."

"What about a wish for yourself?"

Itachi scrutinized Neji with careful eyes. "What do you mean?"

Neji rolled his eyes. "You know exactly what I mean. I offered to set up Naruto with you first, not Sasuke, and I want to know why you turned him down. And don't give me that answer that you want Sasuke to be happy, which I know you do, but still, there was another reason, wasn't it?"

They stared at each other, neither backing down. "Let's go on with this wedding." Itachi suggested. "I'll tell you later."

Neji sighed, before saying, "Fine,". Picking up Tensai and Kyuubi once more, he made his way back to Sasuke and Naruto, and gave each their respective hearts. And as he did, he couldn't help but smile, seeing the happiness shared by the two lovers. They looked positively glowing. "Are you two ready?"

They both nodded and Neji and Itachi took their places, Neji before Sasuke and Naruto and Itachi beside his brother. Neji took a deep breath, and started.

"Today, we have come together in the presence of Love, to witness the marriage of Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke, and to share in their joy. Marriage is a sacred bond, between both humans and hearts, and it is not to be taken lightly, for it cannot be broken easily. Are you ready to form this bond, Uzumaki Naruto?" Naruto nodded. "And you, Uchiha Sasuke?" Sasuke nodded as well.

"And now," Neji turned to the crowd of hearts watching them, "does anyone in this room know a reason that these two should not be joined together in holy matrimony? Speak now, or forever hold your peace."

There was no reply from any of the hearts (and Neji was satisfied, since those hearts represented most, if not all of Sasuke and Naruto's friends), and Neji moved on. He turned to Naruto and said,

"Uzumaki Naruto, do you take Uchiha Sasuke to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love him, cherish him, honour and protect him, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Kyuubi sprang out of Naruto's arms at this second, settling down between Naruto and Sasuke in preparation for the part of the marriage that would include the hearts.

"And Uchiha Sasuke, do you take Uzumaki Naruto be your lawfully wedded husband? To love him, cherish him, honour and protect him, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Tensai dropped to the floor too, gliding up to Kyuubi, but still not touching the other. They watched as Neji took Naruto's and Sasuke's hands and brought them together, and listened as Naruto recited his vows.

"I, Uzumaki Naruto, take you, Uchiha Sasuke, to be my husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."

Kyuubi laughed a little as he disintegrated into a fine powder that drifted and sparkled on the air. He didn't quite know what was happening, but trusted Neji to keep him safe.

"I, Uchiha Sasuke, take you, Uzumaki Naruto, to be my husband. To have and to hold, from this day on; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."

Tensai drifted apart too, mixing with the particles that were Kyuubi until they were completely inseparable. Above them, Itachi had taken out the rings, giving one each to Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto took Sasuke's left hand carefully, and slid the ring up the Uchiha's slim ring finger.

"With this ring…I thee wed." A rush of sparkling powder flew into both Sasuke and the ring he had just received, cementing his bond to Naruto.

"And with this ring," Sasuke repeated, a bright smile adorning his features, "I thee wed." The rest of the powder hovering between Naruto and Sasuke flew into the blonde and the gold ring he now proudly wore on his left hand, completing the marriage. There was a moment of awed silence, fitting for this moment, before Neji blinked away his tears and whispered softly, "You may now kiss your partner to your hearts' content. Congratulations, you guys, you're now married."

Neji watched as two of his best friends came together and kissed in absolute joy, and couldn't stop his tears from spilling over once more. It was so beautiful…

When Sasuke and Naruto finally broke apart, their faces were flushed but happy. When the blonde saw the tears coming out of Neji's eyes, he stretched out a hand and wiped them away. "Thank you, Neji." he said. "Thank you for everything."

Neji tried to smile. "You're welcome. Now…you should go, ne? Go and enjoy your new marriage. I just need to talk with Itachi…"

Sasuke spared a look for his older brother, and reflexively caught something as Itachi threw that something towards him. He looked down and saw it was his brother's car keys. "Drive my car, Sasuke. Don't worry, I'll call a limo or something for myself later."

Sasuke nodded and then walked out with Naruto beside him, holding hands. Itachi waited until they were out of sight before walking up to Neji and encasing him in a warm hug. "I see them, you know." he said. "These aren't completely tears of joy. I can see tears of genuine sadness too."

Neji sniffled and attempted to stop crying. "It was so beautiful…"

"I know. Want a tissue?"

Neji shook his head no, and then grasped Itachi's hand, pulling him out of the vaults. Kitai was still pulsing in Itachi's suit pocket, bouncing up and down with each step. Haku looked up as they came out, but didn't comment as he watched them take the elevator up to Neji's apartment. "Come on, let's go talk." Neji said. "Would you like some tea?"

"Sure." Itachi sat down on the couch Neji directed him to, and waited for Neji to finish making the tea. The Hyuuga came a few minutes later, holding two teacups and a teapot of very hot tea. He set the cups on the table and poured for the both of them, before finally looking up at Itachi's face. Itachi noticed that his tears were gone. "So, Neji, what's this thing with Orochimaru?"

Neji shook his head stubbornly. "Let's talk about you first. I've waited a long time to ask you this, and I'm going to get an answer. Why didn't you accept Naruto? I thought he was perfect for you, and you two were my closest friends, so…"

"It seemed like a match made in heaven?"

Neji nodded. "I mean, Sasuke was almost perfect too, and I suppose they were closer in age, but still…I would've been so happy to see you and Naruto marry. So why did you refuse to even try the match?"

Itachi shrugged. "I've always looked out for my brother before me."

"But I know that couldn't have been the only reason! You refused the match even before you knew Sasuke would even like Naruto! You refused even before they had met!"

Itachi smiled thinly. "You seem so worried for my happiness, Neji. I can find my own happiness."

"I know…" Neji muttered quietly, almost too quiet to be heard by Itachi, "I just want to be sure your happiness doesn't take you away from me…"

Itachi smiled warmly at Neji's confession. "In fact, I think I have found my happiness."

Neji looked up, alarmed. "What? Who?!?" Then, realizing what he had done, he looked down again in shame. "I-I'm sorry, what I meant was that I'd like to meet your beloved sometime, 'tachi." I want to make sure they're good enough for you.

"You already know him, Neji." Neji's brow furrowed as he mentally went through a list of all his guy friends, wondering who Itachi was interested in. Itachi watched this with internal amusement, but decided to put Neji out of his misery.

He carefully grabbed Neji's tea cup and put it on the table beside his own before reaching over, cupping Neji's chin. Itachi leaned over the coffee table between them and slowly, gently, planted a kiss on Neji's lips. "I like you, Neji. I've liked you ever since the first day we met (1)."

Neji touched his lips, a little shocked, before stuttering out, "B-But It-tachi…"

Itachi smiled. "Let me finish, Neji. I think I've found a solution to Loveless. It's what you were going to bring up, weren't you?"

Neji nodded, uncertain about what to expect. What did Itachi mean by 'a solution to Loveless'?

Itachi sat back down on the couch and said, "You know I'm in the Akatsuki, right?" Neji nodded again. "Do you know what the Akatsuki does?"

"Doesn't…doesn't it consist of all geniuses like yourself who do research about hearts? I'm not sure about specifics, but…"

"You're right about what you know. And what I have been working on for the past couple of years is a surgery designed to transplant hearts." Neji gasped. "And I believe I have succeeded."

"But where would the transplant heart come from? And how would you sever the old heart without killing your patient? It would be impossible!"

"That's also what the rest of Akatsuki said when I first mentioned my project. But it's not impossible, Neji. I've figured it out."

Neji still looked skeptical, but he trusted Itachi's genius and didn't comment. Instead, he asked, "How?"

"It ties intrinsically with how my Mangekyo Sharingan transports people to the world of Tsukuyomi, which, as you know, is normally labeled the 'graveyard of hearts'. That's not exactly true, since hearts die with their respective people, but when someone's lover dies - let's say for example, if Naruto died, Sasuke's Tensai, the half that is locked in Naruto, would wander in the world of Tsukuyomi in an attempt to find his other half and Sasuke."

Neji nodded. "That's how Sasuke would know immediately if Naruto died, or was even severely hurt. Go on."

"Right. An ancestor of mine, I don't remember who, obtained Mangekyo Sharingan and saw these hearts, and then misnamed them as the 'Heartless'. It isn't entirely correct, as you know, but the name stuck." He paused, thinking. "And now I've gotten off-track.

"Anyways, a person who wants to undertake this transplant needs a volunteer to give them their new heart, and that is the hardest part, to find such a person with such a heart. The heart has to be given voluntarily, it cannot be taken by force, but after that the transplant itself is easy. I just transport me, the patient, and the volunteer (or just the heart) to the world of Tsukuyomi, where I sever the old heart and put in the new one. In Tsukuyomi, people without hearts can survive. I believe it has something to do with the Heartless, though I'm not sure what.

"And as for this surgery, I've actually tried it out with another patient, and it worked. Don't you realize the wonder of this, Neji? You can change your fate. You don't have to be Loveless anymore."

Neji frowned. "But…isn't it immoral? To take a heart from someone else and use it, even with their consent."

Itachi shook his head. "There are many people in the world who want to die, Neji. You yourself have seen many of them, whose hearts are broken beyond repair. They are like machines going through the motions of life without any purpose, and yet they want to do something when they die. Well, they can do this. In separating their hearts, I can give them a painless death, and then their hearts will go on to fulfill a worthy cause. It doesn't matter if the hearts are broken in their previous 'life'. They are wiped clean when separated from their person. And when they are transplanted, they give their new container a fresh start."

"I…I see." Neji was still hesitant, wondering whether this surgery was a miracle or a curse. "How do the other members of Akatsuki feel about this surgery?"

Itachi shrugged. "They view it as mad, most of them, but my partner, Kisame, knows that I'm doing it for you, and helped me to improve the procedure before that first attempt on a live patient. And he's brought up the fact that only Uchiha family members with Mangekyo Sharingan can even start this procedure, since only Mangekyo can transport people to Tsukuyomi."

"Then…" Neji interrupted. "Even if you transplant another heart into my body, we still wouldn't be able to be together, because you'd have to marry a girl to carry on the Uchiha lineage and the Sharingan. It at least gives a chance for more Uchihas to obtain the Mangekyo, and it'd be more important than any single relationship, even between us. And I'm not going to allow you to separate Sasuke and Naruto, so…"

Itachi closed his eyes for a moment as Neji trailed off, gathering his thoughts before opening them again. Then he reached over to stroke Neji's cheek, saying, "You're so unselfish, Neji. If we, the Akatsuki, don't figure out a way for non-Sharingan users to complete this transplant, I suppose I am obligated to marry and carry on the Uchiha line. But you'll still go through with the surgery, right? I'm not doing this all for myself. I…I want to see you happy with someone, even if that someone's not me."

"But I am happy!"

Itachi smiled at Neji's pronouncement. "But you're holding yourself back from loving anyone. You're so afraid of rejection that you only loosen up around hearts, and close friends like me, Sasuke, and Naruto. You don't give yourself a chance to find someone, Neji, and I just want to give you that chance. I just want to make sure that you can't blame anything on fate anymore, Neji."

"Then…I'll think about it, ok? I know you want me to be ecstatic, Itachi, and I thank you for doing this for me, but…I need to think about it."

"What's there to think about? All you need to do is find a new heart…"

"Yes, but I need to know if I'm ready to let go of Loveless." Neji smiled up at his best friend. "He's been a good heart, even with his heartname and his fate. And he's…part of me, you know? I don't want to let him go. Would you willingly give Kitai up?"

Itachi's eyes widened and he shook his head.

"There, you see? So let me think on this a bit, ok? But Itachi…" Neji leaned over the table and gave Itachi a hug. "If I didn't have Loveless, I really think that I'd love you as much as you love me. Thank you for doing this for me." Neji said this truthfully, though before he hadn't really labeled himself as gay. He had just went with the social norm and assumed that he was attracted to girls. And even now, he wasn't attracted to all guys or anything. It was just Itachi. Itachi was a special case, being one of his best friends and all.

And right now, best friend Itachi's cheeks had turned a little pink, making Neji smile. "You're welcome Neji." He allowed his arms to clasp his crush for a moment, before letting Neji pull back. "Now, Neji, you're going to answer my questions. What happened with Orochimaru? I know it has something to do with why you wanted to go through with Sasuke and Naruto's wedding so quickly."

Neji flinched. He had hoped that Itachi would have forgotten about the Orochimaru issue, but no such luck. "You see, Orochimaru came in this morning, and…" He stopped, then started again. "I got a new client yesterday, Sabaku Gaara. His heart, Shukaku, is-"

"Like Naruto's heart, yes. Kitai told me. But what does that have to do with Orochimaru?"

Neji could see his impatience, but he had to ask, "Well, if Kitai told you that, why doesn't he tell you the rest of it?" He was aware that he sounded like a child, but Neji knew what Itachi could do to people he didn't like. And this, he wanted to take care of by himself. There was no need to drag Itachi into this with him.

Because I wanted you to tell him, Neji.

Kitai had moved out of Itachi's pocket and onto the coffee table, and now nudged Neji's hands. Neji petted him and sighed, knowing Kitai's reasoning was right. "Hmm…so you know about Shukaku. Well, Orochimaru made an appointment with me this morning, and offered to buy my business again. And I refused, of course, but then he…I think he hypnotized me, and…" Neji shook his head. "Shukaku attacked him and stopped anything else from happening, but then Orochimaru threw Shukaku into the wall and threatened me again. And I did something stupid then, I let Orochimaru know that Shukaku was a heart, and not just an animal. He was…interested in the prospect of a physical heart, and I know he's scouring Konoha for one even now.

"So…I was worried for Naruto. And Tensai insisted that the marriage should be carried out today, so that Naruto and Kyuubi could be safe, and I obliged him. I'm still worried that Orochimaru will come after Shukaku, but…"

Neji paused and glanced up. Itachi's face was stony, eyes somewhat murderous, grave foreshadowing for what was going to come.

"Itachi…" Neji groaned. "Promise me you won't do anything."

"What do you mean?" Neji watched as Itachi struggled to maintain an innocent face.

"Oh, 'tachi, you know exactly what I mean. I can take care of this. In fact, I am taking care of it."

"Really?"

"Well…" Neji squirmed under Itachi's gaze, not wanting to lie. "I need some time to plan."

"Really?" This repeat was coupled with a smirk.

Neji squirmed even more. "Just don't do anything, ok? I don't want you to get in trouble…"

Itachi scoffed. "When would I ever get caught?" He saw the disapproving look on Neji's face. "Ok, ok, I'm joking. But you still have to admit that it's true."

"I shall do no such thing." Neji sighed. "I will do something about Orochimaru, though. I just don't want to keep relying on you."

"Fine. Call me if you need any help, ok?" Neji nodded. "Then I've got to go."

"You…do?" Neji didn't know it, but he looked pitifully stricken at that moment. "What for?"

Itachi resisted the urge to ruffle Neji's hair, even if the Hyuuga looked like a little kid at the moment. "Oh, there's a meeting I have to attend, with someone that I can't afford to provoke with my absence. I'm sorry Neji, did you want me to stay?"

"Oh…no, it's fine." Neji couldn't quite hide the disappointment. Usually when Itachi came over they'd at least talk a little more, catch up. They were both busy with their work, so they didn't see each other everyday like they used to in college. But Neji tried to smile. "You finally found someone that you couldn't piss off, hmm? I'd like to see you suck up to someone, Uchiha Itachi."

"You'd have to wait a long time, Neji. There's no way I'd suck up to anyone." Except you, Itachi added. "But I'm sorry for cutting this short…want to eat lunch with me tomorrow? Little Sicily's opening a branch here. The food should be good."

"Well, I wouldn't know, would I?" Neji was a bit happier now, and looking forward to tomorrow. "I've never eaten there. (2) But you should go, shouldn't you?"

"Hmm. See you tomorrow, Neji. Bye Kitai." He patted the two of them on the head before walking out of Neji's apartment and riding down the elevator. He walked out of the business with a wave to Haku and a nod to Zabuza, and stopped short in front of the building. There was a limo outside with his driver in it, who waved for him to get in.

"Sasuke-sama called me, so I came." His driver told him. Well, it seemed like Sasuke could be considerate after all.

"Thank you, Tezuki."

"And where would Uchiha-sama like to go?"

"To my office, please." Tezuki nodded and started driving.

Itachi didn't waste time looking at the scenery. He took out his phone and pressed a speed-dial number. "Hyuuga Shisui. (3)" The person answered.

"Hey Shisui, it's Itachi. I need a favor."

"Go on."

"You know Neji, right?"

"My distant relative and that person you've had a crush on for oh-so-long?" Itachi could hear the snickers from the other end of the line, and rolled his eyes. Apparently Sasuke had gotten to Shisui too.

"Yes, Shisui, that Neji. The one that gives you breakfast all the time when you stop in at his business."

The snickering stopped. "So it's serious?"

"Yes. Orochimaru's been hassling him again, and I'd feel better if there were ANBU guards posted around his apartment and business at all times."

"…This isn't a request, is it?"

"No, Shisui. It's not. But you don't have anything else to do, do you? And besides, you'll get good food. Just don't Neji know that you're guarding him. He won't like it."

"Ah. Ah."

"Don't you say anything…"

"I won't! But it's sweet how you're doing this." Itachi made no response, just hung up with a sigh. This affection for Neji was really going to ruin his reputation, wasn't it? No matter, he could always do something to get it back up again.

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Neji turned to the window. It was around eight o'clock now, but the sky was still light. He had been stuck in his office doing paperwork after Itachi left, since there was a lot to fill out for Sasuke and Naruto's marriage. It was how the Konoha government showed their disapproval for gay marriages, he supposed. They couldn't ban it altogether, since many of the important people in Konoha were gay or at least not entirely heterosexual, but they could certainly make it tedious. Neji stretched, glad to be finished with looking at very small print.

He gathered up all the papers, straightened them so they made a neat pile, and paper-clipped them together, scribbling a note for Haku, telling him to send it to City Hall tomorrow. Neji was too lazy to do it now. He got up and went outside, dropping the stack of papers onto Haku's desk. Normally his secretary would still be here, but today was Haku and Zabuza's anniversary, and Neji had let them out early.

"Oy, Shika! Are you there?" Neji looked around for the lazy genius and found him in front of the door that led to the vaults, lightly dozing. Neji then proceeded to poke him. It was the only thing that could wake him up, after all. There was a mumble, before Shikamaru woke enough to speak in complete sentences.

"Whas th' matt'r, Neji?"

Neji smiled. "Time to leave, Shika. Just drive back to your house and then you can continue sleeping, ok?"

Shikamaru struggled to stand, and Neji lent a hand to pull him up. "Seriously, I have no idea why you should want to sleep so much of the time. It's not as if you have someone to actually keep you up at night." Neji teased.

"Hmph. Why would I want someone anyways? It'd be too…" He yawned. "…troublesome."

"Someday, Shika, you'll find out that troublesome isn't always bad."

"Keep dreaming, Neji."

"Hmm." Neji agreed. "And I'll see you tomorrow, Shika." He clapped the other on his back, both as a friendly gesture and as a push toward the door. Without it, Shikamaru probably would have gone back to sleep.

After Shika closed the door, Neji was about to lock it when his cell phone rang. "Hyuuga Neji." he answered.

"Hey Nej', it's Kiba. Your raccoon Shukaku just woke up."

"Is he ok?"

"Oh yeah. He's thriving despite his broken ribs. He's very…uh, feisty, you know?"

"Yeah, I do. What did he do?" Neji asked, interested.

"He almost ripped up my hand when he first woke up. And my sister's thoroughly enchanted with him. She views feistiness as a virtue, you know."

"Uh huh. Should I come pick him up now?"

"Yeah, sure. He's just itching to see you too, you know. Just about ready to run out of here…" Neji grabbed his keys and ran out of his business after locking up behind him.

"I'm coming," he replied, and hung up. Neji sprinted the block that separated his business and Kiba's vet, running into the animal hospital with the same amount of force as this morning. Kiba apparently had anticipated this, since he was in the waiting room, holding Shukaku in his hands. His dog, Akamaru, was sitting on the ground beside him, looking somewhat…jealous. And Neji noted with some amusement the new bandages on Kiba's hands, undoubtedly from Shukaku's 'feistiness'.

Neji!!

Neji laughed at Shukaku's excitement and practically bounded to Kiba, who gladly relinquished the raccoon. Neji rained kisses down on Shukaku's body gingerly, careful not to squeeze the little body in his hands. There were bandages wrapped all around Shukaku, and Neji asked worriedly, "Are you all right?"

He sat down beside Kiba on a chair and let Shukaku sit on his legs. Yeah, I'm fine.

"What, really?"

Kiba coughed to make his presence be known again. "He began to make a miraculous recovery physically once he heard you were safe from Orochimaru. It really isn't natural within normal animals, so I'm assuming it's a heart thing?"

"I'm not sure, actually." Neji replied. "Nothing like this has happened before. But I suppose it is possible. So is he completely recovered?"

Kiba nodded. "I think so, though I kept the bandages and splints on just in case. Don't let him run or do anything very strenuous for a few days or so, and come back then. I'll take another x-ray, just to make sure of his health, and give him a check-up."

"Thanks, Kiba. I owe you one."

Kiba grinned. "No prob, Nej'. It was fun taking care of Shukaku anyways. Bring him back to see me sometime."

"Sure thing. Are you closing up now?"

"Eh, probably." Kiba stretched and yawned. "It's been a long day. I'll just turn off the lights, lock up and go to bed, I guess."

"Yeah, I think I will too. See ya later, Kiba."

Kiba waved a hand in goodbye as he flicked off the lights. "Bye Nej'."

Neji let the door swing shut behind him, hearing Kiba lock it behind him. He still held Shukaku in his arms, and now he walked slowly, enjoying the night air. The sun had completely set while he had been talking with Kiba, though the sky was still a deep blue or a deep violet, and the street lights weren't on yet. It was a beautiful summer night.

Neji felt Shukaku snuggle against him, and chuckled.

"Miss me?" he teased.

Dreadfully. The raccoon replied, also teasing. I ached for your presence throughout the day.

"Hmm…" Neji smiled and stopped in the middle of the sidewalk in the dim light to raise Shukaku up to his face. He kissed the raccoon again on the nose, and said, "I missed you too."

When he lowered the raccoon, Neji saw someone before him, a dark shape in the inky dusk. He felt disturbed, wondering who could have moved so quickly and yet so silently on a regular basis. Neji let his Byakugan flare into life, knowing it was probably just his paranoia. It probably wouldn't turn out to be anything, but he wanted to check anyways. What he saw made him frown.

Despite the fact that the person was still unmoving, his heart was definitely excited and tense. His emotions were running rampant, and there was definitely a streak of bloodlust within him. Neji took a step back, now wary, and at that moment, the person before him attacked.

Neji jumped back at the sudden movement, and his Byakugan stopped examining the person's intentions, instead returning to the outside surroundings so Neji could see into the darkness. The person before him was swathed in ominous black and…held a knife in his hands. Neji could also see a variety of other sharp things on his person, and assessed the situation quickly.

This was probably an assassin. And even though this seemed to be one of the numerous mercenary assassins throughout Konoha, whose services were bought easily with the right amount of money, Neji could make a good guess as to who the buyer was.

Orochimaru.

All this was thought in a second, and in the next moment Neji was distracted, for the assassin was making his move once again. He wasn't moving that quickly, probably thinking that Neji couldn't see into the dark and that the silence of his movements would be enough to shield him. He was wrong, and Neji used this to his advantage.

He stood still, looking to all eyes to be bewildered. Neji waited until the assassin was close enough (just how stupid was this mercenary? Orochimaru should have told him about the Byakugan and its properties), and then his leg snapped out silently, catching the assassin in the stomach. To his credit, the assassin just jumped back, now much more wary of his opponent. There didn't seem to be much damage done, but Neji was afraid to do more, especially with the weapons his opponent had. His greatest disadvantage was that he was holding Shukaku in his hands, and he didn't dare set the raccoon down, for if the assassin was from Orochimaru, his goal was probably to capture Shukaku along with to kill Neji.

And Neji couldn't let that happen. His first goal was to protect Shukaku.

I don't need protecting… Shukaku said, mirroring his statement from this morning. I can fend for myself.

"You cannot." Neji objected in a whisper. "And I will not endanger you. Just look at what happened this morning."

And they spoke no more as Neji's eyes picked out the assassin moving forward again. In a flash the assassin was before Neji, and Neji concentrated on the movement of the knife in his hands, worried, although he lashed out with his legs and elbows and whatever other body parts as well as he could while still dodging the sharp piece of metal. Neji had always been quick on his feet, a fact he was now thankful for as he moved around on the sidewalk, careful not to get backed into the wall or knocked onto the street.

Neji had scored a few strikes here and there when he decided that he should get this over quickly. Thinking quickly, he tossed Shukaku high up into the air. With those few precious seconds of having his hands free (he wanted to catch Shukaku in case the raccoon didn't land on his feet), Neji struck the assassin's neck hard with the edge of his hand, hard enough probably to break his neck if the assassin hadn't just moved that tiny little bit at the end (had he anticipated the attack or was he just lucky?). Still, the assassin fell unconscious, and Neji turned around in time to catch Shukaku in his arms, holding the raccoon to him.

"Are you ok?" he asked his little one.

I should be asking you the same thing! Shukaku screeched. Neji, do you realize there's blood on your face?!?

Neji touched his face hesitantly, and when his hand came back into his sight, there was indeed red on it. He winced. The knife must have nicked him (or gone a bit deeper) when he had taken out the assassin, but it was of no consequence now. The cut would heal, and Shukaku was safe…

But then Neji swayed on his feet. His mind scrambled for answers (he shouldn't be tired like this) but found none…unless, the knife!

Neji. Neji! Shukaku called, but got no answer as Neji tottered to the unconscious assassin. The brunette knelt down and looked around the assassin, finally finding the knife and holding it carefully by the handle. There was something coated on the metal, and it wasn't his blood…

Neji blinked once, blinked twice, and when his world cleared a little more, stared at the…bluish liquid on the knife. He sniffed it carefully and found it smelled of lemon and blood, though that could just be his own…

But still, that color, that smell! It…it couldn't be…

Neji! NEJI!!

-----

A/N: Wahahahahaha. Too many of my favorite authors have been doing this. And now I'm being a hypocrite with cliffhangers. -.- Whatever, I'll update sooner, because I want to write more. Anyways, that was my first fight scene, hopefully it didn't go too badly. I'm really insecure about this chapter…

No guns in this world. Just to clear that up. No guns. And just because I couldn't find a place in the actual fight to mention it, all of the businesses around Neji were closed, and besides, Neji didn't want the assassin to kill anyone else. That's why he didn't call for help or anything.

(1) Shameless advertising: I'm going to write a two-shot about Neji and Itachi's first meeting in college, hope you all read it. It's a bit of background for this. The first part should be out by now, if not in a few minutes.

(2) Hehe, more shameless advertising. There's sort of inside joke to this that you'll get after you read the background…

(3) Let's please pretend that this is right, since I just want to keep it at two Uchihas… (meaning, I'm too lazy to go back to change stuff, and before this I hadn't counted on Shisui actually showing up). So yes, I know Shisui is an Uchiha, but bear with me here.

Next Chapter: The answer to the cliffie, of course! Plus the start of GaaNeji, and no, this fic is not going to turn out to be an ItachiNeji. Though I really do like that pairing…

Let's see, what else do I have planned for the next chapter? Fluff. Demanding (and really cute) Shukaku. And no, I'm not killing off Neji this early.

Anyways, thanks for reading, hope you review, even if this poor author does not reply. I take all of it into consideration, though changes might come later. The email alerts say I've updated even when I'm just replacing a chapter, and I don't want to get all your hopes up and then smash them back down. And questions are welcomed too!

Love you all.