Hokkaido Holiday

NejiXTenten. Solemn wedding- check. Grand reception- check. Honeymoon- in progress.

Sequel to Possibly Perfect.

The italicized part is the other end of a two-way phone conversation.

I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 4

The hotel was apologetic over the 'miscommunication'- offering several perks, discounts and freebies, including a breakfast specially prepared by their master chef at the pool area. Aiba had been hands on with all the preparations though he preferred discussing things with Tenten and kept his distance from Neji.

Breakfast was good. Neji invited Ino to show gratitude. Hanabi, Hinata, and of course, Tenten were all present. Hinata told him that three of his staffs were also in the same hotel but he ignored the information. Tenten laughed it off while Ino declared that he was still bitter about having to work in the kitchen.

Sakura was on her cell phone, making some final check on the chartered flight back to Tokyo. Shikamaru called her attention- Neji was walking across the lobby and beside him, hand by hand, was Tenten. They were approaching the reception desk where the three had been waiting.

"Good morning!" Naruto greeted with a grin.

"So, who's behind this?" He asked point blank.

Sakura pointed at Shikamaru. Shikamaru pointed at Naruto. Naruto pointed at Sakura. Neji remained stoic though Tenten felt his hand twitch before he continued walking past the three. Tenten smiled at them though she was practically being dragged away- thanks to Neji's hurried steps. Naruto and Sakura went after the couple on Shikamaru's cue.

"We still have the entire day, right? Why don't we go to an onsen?" Naruto suggested- still with that bright grin on his face. "Hokkaido is popular for that and besides… Hinata-chan mentioned yesterday that she would love to go, ne Hinata-chan?"

Hanabi and Hinata had joined them by that time. Hinata smiled at the invitation- glad that Naruto remembered their conversation the previous night.

"Don't involve Hinata here." Neji said in his chilly voice that could send shivers down anybody's spine.

Hinata swallowed her 'yes'- though of course she wanted to go, especially because it was quite rare for everyone to be together. Sakura understood the situation perfectly well. They planned on luring their boss in some activity that he would enjoy. 'Project Atonement' as Shikamaru called it when he was explaining. Naruto failed and it was her turn.

"How about buying some souvenirs?" Sakura asked.

There was no reply. Naruto gave her thumbs down.

"Shiroi Koibito." Tenten and Hanabi said in chorus.

Neji stopped to look at the two alternately- almost wide eyed. Hanabi folded her arms across her chest and looked to her side to avoid eye contact.

"It's unusual that we're in synch with each other…" Tenten laughed a little.

"I guess it's alright then." Neji said, remembering his promise to buy gifts for his staff- those three not included. "Let's get some souvenirs."

Sakura stuck her tongue out at Naruto. Shikamaru sighed, relieved that Neji took the bait.

"Well, how much do we owe you?" He asked, taking out a checkbook for Ino's payment.

"Interest at 10%, finance charge of…"

"Give me a break! You're worse than a lending firm! Worse than a loan shark!"

"Neji said he'll pay the interest and whatever charges, I'm a professional, you know."

"Professional extortionist…" He muttered.

"And that there might be a job waiting for me in his office."

He scratched the back of his head- well aware that Neji was threatening to fire at least one of them.

"Here you go." He said as he handed her a blank check. It was always too tiring to discuss things with Ino. "I will know if you put something ridiculous there."

"You're doubting me? We're all business partners here, aren't we?"

"I'm warning you. You saw that guy's face?" He said, referring to Neji's expression the whole morning.

"You'll get lots of that if we find anything dubious in that account."

"This is why you don't have a girlfriend, cheapskate."

He went after the rest, ignoring Ino's statement. Thank goodness that she was staying with her friends and he didn't have to endure her presence all day.

"It was all done in good spirit…" The hotel manager said, obviously with a chuckle in her voice. "I hope you're not really as mad as you look."

Sakurai was an acquaintance of Neji's from high school, Tenten learned. They were rivals for three years and that explained the familiarity between the two.

"I was way over our feud. It was just fun to play with you."

"There was no feud to begin with." He responded with a glassy stare. "And did you just say 'play'? What are you? A toddler?"

"Oh, fine, you're holding a grudge over this?" She sighed. "Anyway, we're planning to setup a booking office in Tokyo and I'm going to oversee the progress of that project so I might drop by your place for a friendly visit."

By that time, a white luxury sedan parked in front of them. The chauffeur quicky stepped out and opened the door- Tenten hopped in.

"Don't even think about it." He said as he followed after her.

"You are holding a grudge." Sakurai smiled uncomfortably.

"Not really, but I might just decide to 'play' if you drop by."

The uncomfortable smile on her face turned into a nervous one. Tenten had the same look on her.

"Are we ready to go?" Shikamaru asked, breaking the tension.

"What do you think?" Neji asked back before the car's tinted window closed on him.

Shikamaru sighed when the first car went off. Naruto, who was in the second car, called his attention.

"At least he's joking now so I suppose he's not angry anymore…" He gave the manager a pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it."

"That's Hyuuga Neji alright."

"In any case, everything's been settled." He said before he went to the second car. "We should get going too before our company mascot gets even more impatient."

Naruto was yelling for him to hurry while Sakura looked annoyed at the noise. Sakurai bowed down to thank them for their business as they drove off.

The souvenir shopping was quick as Shikamaru predicted. The girls- and Naruto- hoarded as much of the chocolate cookies as they could. He had the chance to talk with Neji while he picked a generic gift for everyone- gift sets of Hokkaido's local treats. He was right- he wasn't really angry anymore. Neji wasn't the type who would lurk in depression over things like- working in the kitchen. He asked about his cancelled appointments instead.

Shikamaru mentioned the meeting for Monday. It was an appointment previously rescheduled and Sakura had vehemently reminded him to inform Neji about it. She didn't want to deal with the difficult Matsumoto-san but didn't want to discuss it with a pissed off Neji either. And you call me lazy, he told her. He repeated the reminder before they parted ways, apologizing for bringing up the topic when it was only a Sunday and he was supposed to be still in his honeymoon. Neji replied with a nod and a 'thanks'.

Tenten's lips curved to a faint smile as she watched Neji's sleeping face- completely unaware of the alarm that just sounded off. Her smile grew even more upon observing his slighty parted lips, bruised to some extent. It was only when morning came that she realized that she wasn't the only one in pain. Her fingers traced the marks on his collarbone, causing him to move and finally, open his eyes.

"Good morning." He said, almost a whisper.

She leaned closer and lightly kissed his lips.

"We ended up doing it at home..." She teased.

"I'm not complaining."

She laughed a little, cuddling beside him. He welcomed the gesture by wrapping an arm over her shoulders, breathing in the scent of her hair.

"Neji..."

"Hm?"

She had thought of keeping it a secret because he seemed to have forgotten. But she didn't want that to be the reason for an argument. She recalled just how ticked he was when she failed to wake him up back then. She thought that it was better to tell him straight up.

"Don't go to work today..."

He quickly turned to look at the clock but she pinned him down on the bed. Neji liked kissing- she learned that last night and she was determined to use it to her advantage.

"Please...?" She asked as she went for another kiss on the lips- repetitive, soft, alluring.

She repeated the request during intervals while he smiled at the childlike actions that he found to be too adorable.

"Okay, okay..." He gave in. "I'll call Sakura…"

She immediately picked up the phone from the table by the bedside and handed it to him.

"Just today." He said, looking at her.

She smiled and gave a committed nod. He began dialing and she went to his side, giving him a quick smack on his cheek- perhaps a reward for losing. He took her hand, grazing his lips on her ring finger that was adorned by their wedding band.

"Sakura, Good morning." He said.

"G-good morning..." The voice on the other line almost trembled.

She had her doubts that their boss wouldn't be in his office that Monday- not after a disastrous honeymoon. She was happy that Shikamaru was able to convince him. But Naruto warned them about being too carefree and naive. She dismissed his ideas because it was Naruto after all. But that early morning call revived her fears- could it be that he was right? Damn, I'm short this month, she thought.

"I can't go to work today."

"Really? I mean... well..." She didn't know what to say. Should she ask for a reason? Was she even entitled to say anything else except for a yes? This was her boss for goodness' sake.

And screw it, Naruto was spot on.

"Sorry, something happened."

"I see..." At least he was nice enough to give an explanation- no matter how absurd it was or if it can actually be called an explanation.

"I'll be back tomorrow though."

Sakura was surprised when Shikamaru snatched the phone from her, signaling her that he would handle the situation.

"Neji, you can't be absent today."

"What's going on?"

"Matsumoto-san is the man you're supposed to meet today and you know just how tedious it is dealing with him."

Neji sat up straight, listening attentively.

"He wasn't pleased when we had to reschedule." Shikamaru continued. "Imagine his reaction when Sakura calls him and tells him that we need to reschedule yet again."

"He can't get another business partner though. Our offer was the best and I don't think another company is ready to give a better one."

"But if we annoy him any further, he might settle for the second company. Let me remind you that this is a mutually beneficial deal. We don't want to lose this one, just as much as Matsumoto-san."

Sakura was clapping to herself. Shikamaru could be brilliant if he wanted to.

Neji was siitting on the edge of the bed by that time. Tenten had a hunch that the phone was probably passed on to Shikamaru and that meant she would have to try harder.

"I understand..."

"You have to be here." He emphasized.

Shikamaru was overworking himself. Sakura was convinced that she wasn't the only one who's out of cash.

Tenten wrapped her arms around his midriff, breathing softly to his ear. He glanced at her and mouthed a 'sorry'. She wasn't planning to give up just like that though. Damn Shikamaru, she thought, I'm going to show him genius doesn't always win.

"We'll be waiting, alright?"

But Neji wasn't there to give a reply- aside from a soft huff of laughter.

"Neji?"

Tenten snuggled closer then resumed with the playful kisses that worked so well just earlier, taking the phone with her.

"Shikamaru?" She said. "He's not coming, thank you."

Neji tried to protest but Tenten was anticipating that- their lips locked and the phone was tossed somewhere that the next thing Shikamaru heard was a thud.

"Well…?" Sakura asked, curious about Shikamaru's nonplussed expression.

"Something happened."

"Huh?"

"I tried my best..." He sighed returning the phone to Sakura.

"But...?" She asked.

"Wife wins."

"YES!" Naruto exclaimed. "That's 5,000 yen each!"

Sakura reached for her bag while Shikamaru took out his wallet.

"So, do you want a boy or a girl?" She asked as she laid her head on his shoulder.

He lovingly caressed her cheek, smiling as he looked into her eyes.

"I want twins."

Shiroi Koibito are chocolate cookies produced locally in Hokkaido- and they're really, really good :) Literally though, shiroi koibito means 'white lover'. In Japan, a town's local product is rarely available (if not entirely unavailable) in other locations.

Well, that's it for this fic. Thanks for reading and reviewing. Until my next story, take care everyone xo