Chapter 10 - Hyuuga Secrets
Neji finds Shisui in the streets surrounding the Uchiha complex most days. She's sunbathing by the wall or prowling upon birds or moles in the little field in the back. Sometimes, he finds her scratching at the collar with one of her back legs, and that makes Neji run his own hand over his neck, recalling the tightness, the disdain he feels when he's in that cat body, collared — and by the Uchiha, no less.
A cool, October morning, Neji sits next to Shisui in the yellowing grass and sighs into the blue sky, not immediately transforming into that sneaky cat form — though, well, he will have to, eventually. A big event is coming up.
Sasuke will be having dinner with the Hyuuga tonight.
His first dinner.
Neji does not doubt he'll act the part of a proper guest. Like the Hyuuga, the Uchiha valued etiquette and proper manners, Neji knows. It's all still in there, in Sasuke — properly tattooed to his mind since early childhood. Neji does not fear he will not know how to act while at the Hyuuga. That is not the issue.
His fears lie more in Hyuuga Hanabi, who (upon hearing of Sasuke's agreeing to come for dinner just two days ago) had the most devilish grin on her face. Neji swears — if he went through all this trouble, only for Sasuke to back out last minute due to the actions of that imp —
Well, it's not that he expects such an outcome.
He doubts, with all he's been signing recently, that he can back out.
That, and . . . well, to say Neji hasn't noticed a noticeable attraction between the Uchiha and his sweet cousin would be a lie. The Hyuuga could demand that Sasuke change the Uchiha fan to an exaggerated, rainbow lollipop, and the fool would just nod and agree if it meant he still got to marry Hinata.
Hell, he's gotten into the habit of calling her his wife, already — a habit Neji is unsure how to feel about.
No, Uchiha Sasuke will not be backing out of this arranged marriage because of the Hyuuga (or their imp of a heiress-to-be).
Nonetheless, strangely, Neji feels unsettled about the possible outcomes of tonight.
It's easier to handle one Uchiha and one Hyuuga at a time, and not all of his clan is as kind and patient as Hinata.
Warmth touches his hand, and he looks down and sees Shisui rubbing her head against the side of his hand. The tag on her collar jingles, and he pinches it between his fingers and reads the name carved into the silver.
"Look at that," he muses, "you're nearly a part of the family."
. . . Family?
Since when has he started to consider this strange dynamic between Uchiha and Hyuuga a family?
Shaking his head, Neji connects his chakra with Shisui, and he stretches in his cat form before hopping over the wall and landing inside the Uchiha estate. The stench of something else immediately hits his nose before the chicken Sasuke sets on the engawa does, and he feels his body stiffen.
Sasuke stares at him. He's gotten better at reading cat body language. The Uchiha sits slowly, legs folding beneath him, like he's sitting in front of the Hyuuga elders. His back is straight, and his chin is firm.
"Oh. You've already noticed."
Neji jumps onto the engawa, noticing the second bowl of chicken that sits at the corner. His senses expand, and that's when he understands.
Another cat.
And a very feline thought comes to his head — He's cheating on me!
But that doesn't sound right at all. Really, it hurts Neji's pride more than anything, and he gives Sasuke an accusatory look.
Sasuke sighs and places his hand on the back of his neck. "Stop. You're being dramatic again. What, you think I'll just throw you to the streets after spending all that money on that collar and tag?"
That doesn't calm Neji's nerves, and he sits straight, tail curled tightly to his body. He listens and hears the intruder slowly come into view, out from under the engawa.
Frankly, Neji is revolted.
It's a hairless cat, made completely out of wrinkles. He looks like a Hyuuga elder, and Neji is not impressed at all.
"Be nice," Sasuke murmurs.
The hairless cat has bright, golden eyes are stare at him from the ground. Neji growls before eating his chicken.
"I came up with a name." Sasuke sounds rather proud of himself, strangely. "It came to me the second I saw the guy."
Neji's shoulders hunch when the hairless cat leaps into Sasuke's lap. Sasuke runs his fingers along those ribbons of wrinkles. Neji eats his chicken quicker, before the other cat can steal any.
"Neji."
He jumps at his name. For a second, he's on the verge of panicking, thinking that he let something slip that made Sasuke figure out his identity.
But then —
"That's his name." Sasuke has a grand, pompous smirk on his face — something akin to what Hanabi would often get. "Doesn't it fit him well?"
Neji stares at the ugliest cat in the world, and his rage bubbles up.
Excuse me! He spits. I've sacrificed so much time and effort on you, and THIS is how you thank me!?
Neji (the real one — the handsome one) kicks his bowl of chicken off the engawa, then swipes at Sasuke, his claws catching the hem of his sleeve and leaving a slight hole. Afterwards, he hops off and trots away, utterly offended.
Maybe it would be best if he backed out, he thinks to himself. Hinata deserves better than that moron!
*** Hyuuga Neji - Cat Man (Literally This Time) ***
Hanabi is walking laps around the Hyuuga complex, an arm draped with different kimonos, asking everyone she sees, "Well, which one? Which one should I wear tonight?"
Hinata, following her, trying to be a good sister, says, "Well, I think you always look good in the yellow one, Hanabi."
Neji, who is still rather spiteful after learning that a certain Uchiha brat has named the ugliest cat in the world after him, mutters, "Who cares? It's not like that brat has any sense or good judgment."
Hinata stares at him, shocked, but Hanabi gives an overbearing groan before she can say anything.
"Not the yellow, Sister. It won't look good with the robes, and of course I have to wear them at the meal tonight. He can't think I'm just a kid sister-in-law. That would be a crime!" Hanabi throws the kimono over her shoulder, and Hinata catches it, movements lagging just slightly. She's still surprised by his sudden aggression towards the Uchiha. He's sure she'd understand if she knew what he did to his pride earlier that day. "What about the white — oh, but that's boring. And — ah, wait. What did you just say about my dearest brother-in-law, Cousin?"
"I mean the guy is blind."
"Neji." Hinata's tone is that sort of motherly kind — sweet and gentle, but firm. "What has Sasuke done to earn such a response from you?"
Hanabi giggles and pokes her sister's arm. "Why, he's stealing you from us, Dear Sister."
"I don't care about that," Neji drones.
"I'm not being stolen," Hinata explains. "I'm willing. You can't be angry if I'm willing."
Hanabi looks at her collection of kimonos and throws another one in Hinata's arms. "Don't downplay the spite of a Hyuuga, Sister."
"I said I don't care about that." Irritation pulling at his nerves, Neji huffs. "Really, once you're willingly taken to live in the Uchiha estate, I won't have to see you walking around with that look on your face any more. It will be a sweet blessing."
"Look?" Hinata's face turns red. "I don't know what you mean, Cousin."
"It's oooobvious," Hanabi sings. "You go around looking like a girl in love. It's sickening, really."
"Revolting," Neji agrees, smirking as Hinata's blush creeps down her neck.
"Make up your minds," Hinata tells them both. "Do you want me to be happily married to him, or not? Do you want me to be stolen, or go on my own terms?"
Hanabi holds a pink kimono with a fading, blossom pattern on the sleeves in front of her, judging it.
"Honestly, Hianata," she coos, "I want to be the aunt of many, many children."
Hinata gasps, nearly dropping all the kimonos in her arms.
"Or the opposite," Neji interjects. "There's something artful about a husband and wife sleeping in separate rooms — on opposite ends of the complex."
"Oh Lord!" Hanabi cries. "If you ever get married, Neji, my sympathies go to your poor, neglected wife."
Hinata snorts, trying to hold back an onslaught of giggles, as Neji frowns. "I —"
"Or husband," Hanabi muses. "Who am I to tell?"
Neji shakes his head as the sisters laugh with one another. Hinata hums about the pink kimono Hanabi is considering, and Hanabi wonders out loud about how she'll do her hair for the evening.
...
When the sky turns dark, the spitting fire of Uchiha chakra comes to the front gate.
The Hyuuga guards let him in, and Hyuuga line the walkway, greeting him with bowed heads — mostly to hide their excited smiles and curious gazes. Sasuke is escorted to the hallway outside of the room where he will be sharing a meal with an entire clan, where he waits.
Inside the room, standing by his spot at the table, Neji must activate his Byakugan to watch the Uchiha outside that sliding door. He's dressed well — cloaked in a dark yukata that displays his fan for all to see. His hair is kept, and his hands relax in the long sleeves as he waits.
He has that perfect, cool, Uchiha face — but it's temporarily wiped clean from his face when Hinata finds him, greeting him in the hallway. Neji only sees their mouths move, not hearing a word of what they say — but whatever it is, it eases Sasuke slightly, and his shoulders are less square when he enters the room with her.
They all wait to sit until Hiashi enters, and they sit with him. Hanabi is to his immediate right, and Hinata is to his left. With how they're sat, Neji is next to Hanabi and right across from Sasuke — and it's awfully hard to keep a pleasant expression on his face with the memory of that ugly cat with his name still in his head.
They do not eat immediately.
First, Hiashi lowers his chin politely, and says, "Uchiha Sasuke — allow me to introduce you to my daughter and future Head of the Hyuuga, Hyuuga Hanabi. It is upon her request that you have been invited to dine with us this evening."
Sasuke keeps his gaze even on the table as he, too, bows his chin. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to connect with my fiancee's family, Lady Hyuuga."
Neji turns cold before Hanabi can say a word — and his fears are only confirmed when a rather harsh snort comes from her.
"Lady Hyuuga," she says. "Lady Hyuuga is for my clansmen. You, of course, can refer to me sweetly as Sister."
By how she leans her chin in her palm and practically purrs to him, Neji is quite sure his imp of a cousin is quite approving of her sister's husband-to-be.
Sasuke, of course, is caught off guard. His head snaps up, staring at her. Hinata's frowning, and Hiashi looks tired.
"I apologize, Uchiha Sasuke," he says. "If I may be honest, that is perhaps the best response we could have hoped for from this child."
"Sister," Hanabi coos, "switch with me. I'd like to get to know Brother Sasuke a little more."
...
To the horror of mostly everyone, they switch.
Hinata sits next to Neji, watching her sister closely.
Sasuke is trying very hard not to fumble around as Hanabi seems to scooch closer and closer.
Hiashi, surprisingly enough, seems rather pleased with this change in the sitting arrangement. A glow of amusement is caught in his gaze every time Hanabi causes a little trouble for the Uchiha.
Throughout the meal, the imp acts exactly as such.
"Brother, here, try this." She puts extra ohitashi on his plate. "You look thin. You know, Hinata is not very fond of thin men. I don't think any Hyuuga is — we like the meaty kind, you see."
Sasuke tries hard to not choke on his food.
Hinata tries hard to not choke her sister.
"Brother, how do you like my kimono?" Hanabi holds her arms out, displaying the intricate blossom pattern on the sleeves. "I picked it out with you in mind. Did I choose correctly?"
Hiashi hides his smirk behind his chopsticks as Sasuke looks down at Hanabi blankly, unsure if he should really answer that question or not.
"Brother, don't you think my sister is just wonderful?"
"Hanabi," Hinata pipes for the first time. "We're at the table. Be quiet and eat."
"Maaah. Brother, can you believe how she treats me? I'm going to be the heiress soon, you know."
"Is that so?" Sasuke murmurs. "I can hardly believe it."
His eyes meet Hinata's across the table, and he offers a secret smile upon her giant grin.
Neji rolls his eyes. You two don't have much shame, either.
...
At the other end of the table sits the elders, and they all have noticeable scowls on their faces as Hanabi continues to talk on and on about this or that. She hardly gives anyone else any time to speak at the table, and for a short while, Neji thinks she's just thrown her manners in the wind to tease her brother-in-law and sister.
But then, upon a harsh clearing of an elder's throat, he understands.
She's doing this on purpose.
And he knows why.
"Hanabi," one of the elders says, "allow us to cut in for a moment to discuss something with Uchiha Sasuke while he's still with us."
Hanabi's mouth tips almost nervously. "Oh, I'm sure it's nothing too important. I'm still in the middle of telling him about —"
"Uchiha Sasuke." The name is powerful and demanding, and the table falls deadly quiet. Hinata's hands shake in her lap. Sasuke straightens his spine. "Due to the approaching date of Hyuuga Hinata's birthday, and thus the wedding ceremony, we understand that it would be wise to discuss certain obligations that must be completed before said date."
"The sharing of wealth between clans, as example," an elderly woman says.
Another elder nods his head. "As well as the date of her sealment."
At that, Sasuke stares at Hinata. His eyes are wide and searching, but she offers no answer. She looks back, ashamed, then looks away.
"I've heard nothing about a seal," Sasuke says.
The elders frown at Hinata. "Hm. Of course not."
"This is a dreary conversation," Hanabi mumbles. "Can't we discuss this at a later date?"
"We suggest the sooner the sealment, the better. Three weeks will be needed for the healing process, though it's not rare for this period of time to stretch into a month. We've already received confirmation that Hyuuga Hinata will be given no missions in the first three weeks of November. Of course, this is the most opportune time for her sealment."
Sasuke's made of stone. He hardly moves. He hardly breathes.
"Why am I hearing this?" he asks. "I doubt I have any say in the matter."
The Hyuuga elders share a look. "No. You don't."
Neji can smell the fire within Sasuke, begging to be let out, to burn the entire place down.
He stays composed. He keeps eating, and the table stays quiet.
...
Hinata follows him when he leaves the Hyuuga estate, and Neji follows her.
He masks his chakra and hides in the branches of a tree, watching as she catches up to him, calling his name.
"Sasuke, wait."
"You're being sealed." He stops suddenly, and Hinata jumps, not expecting a sudden change in pace. He turns and stares down at her. His eye is crimson, and her face glows in that startling light. "When was I going to be told of this information?"
"I —"
"Before or after you get sealed, Hinata? Was it going to be a fun, little surprise for me one day?"
Her own chakra snaps. "Sasuke, who's getting the seal — you or me?"
Crimson turns dull, then cold as it fades into the evening darkness. Sasuke has a face of pure anguish, and he steps back, grimacing.
"You're telling me I'm not obliged to know because I'm not the one getting sealed."
"What I mean is —"
"Naruto didn't fuck me over," he hisses, "but you still told me. You told me, Hinata."
Veins begin to pulse around Hinata's eyes, but she pushes her chakra down.
"Wait. Wait." She turns away, takes in a deep breath, and tries to calm her pulse. They're standing in silence for a moment, until she's calmed down — then she turns back to him. "You're right. I should have told you. I'm sorry."
Sasuke blinks, like he's astounded he's given an apology so easily. He shifts awkwardly from one leg to the other.
"No, Hinata. Don't apologize." He squints down at the ground. "I was preparing myself for anything that could happen tonight — but this was not something I was expecting to hear."
"I didn't know how to tell you," she explains softly. "It never felt like the right time."
He shakes his head. "I shouldn't demand to know. It's Hyuuga business I'm not privy to."
"O-Of course you should know, Sasuke. You're my husband."
She looks him in the eye, not backing down bashfully. Sasuke's eyes flash with pride, and he hums into the night.
"There's no way to stop it?" he asks.
Hinata shakes her head. "If there was, I'd be doing it."
"Bullshit."
Despite the dour conversation, Hinata laughs. "Yes, it is."
Sasuke rests his hand on her head. He cannot come up with words of comfort, but this is all Hinata needs. She smiles, resting her own hand on his, feeling the life beat beneath his skin.
Neji, momentarily, regrets ever hating this Uchiha.
...
He shows up as Hyuuga Neji later that evening. He knows how Sasuke is. After this kind of information is thrown in his face, the guy won't be able to sleep for the rest of the night — so Neji waits patiently at his gate until he opens it, bags under his eyes, scowling.
"Oh. You."
Neji doesn't let the comment affect him — much. "I'm here to state the obvious to you — we want the same thing. Actually, most of the Hyuuga do not want to see Hinata sealed."
Sasuke leans against one of the gate's doors, giving his full attention. "That's good to hear."
"I'm not sure if there's any way to avoid the sealment," Neji continues, "but if I happen to somehow come across a solution, you may find instructions at your door."
Sasuke muses silently to himself, then nods, accepting any responsibility given to him.
Satisfied, Neji moves to leave, but he's stopped by the strange twist to Sasuke's mouth. It's almost a smile. Almost.
"I was right."
Neji glares at him. "Excuse me?"
"Naming that cat after you was a good decision." Sasuke taps a finger against his own face. "You look thirty years older when you think hard. It's a strange thing to see."
That hairless cat's image flashes through his mind, and Neji frowns.
"Hinata's mad for you."
Sasuke, obviously, was not expecting this response. That cocky expression flashes away, and he's totally off guard.
"Desperately in love — whatever you want to call it. Which is a shame." Neji smirks. "I hear most Uchihas bald when they hit thirty."
The poor Uchiha brat is stuck between complete awe at the revelation of Hinata's feelings and the complete and utter insult Neji was shoving right into his face. He looked sheepish, excited, and pissed all at once!
"Leave."
"If you want, I can research jutsus that help prevent balding — for Hinata's sake, of course."
"Fuck off!"
Neji Body Flickers away, pleased.
That's what you get for comparing me to that beast.
Chapter 10 - End