Naruto was quiet, eerily quiet, as he leaves the Hyuuga compound. Once out of the borders of the manor he shakes his head and screams.

How could they do this to him? Did he do something wrong in this life? Did he do something wrong in a past life? Was this a sick and evil way of getting back at him for containing the Kyuubi? It's just not fair!

With every step, Naruto's mood became more…well, he wasn't depressed. He honestly couldn't say he was really that angry either. Betrayed? Maybe a little. Confused? Definitely.

What in the name of Amaterasu had just happened?

How could he be engaged? Why to Hinata? Who wanted this to really happen? Why did it have to be him? Why did this have to come up now? The questions swirled around in his head as he walks.

Outwardly, the blond shinobi keeps his smile, masking his confusion in exuberance and energy. Most everyone would be fooled by the act, but then it would work because that was what people were expecting.

The talk of love was another confusing point to him. Did no Hyuuga really ever fall in love? Or was Neji talking about the empty words and lustful actions that could easily be confused for love? If that was true…GAH! Every time he had to talk with the Hyuuga family lately it ended up with a hell of a lot of thinking and more questions raised than answered. He needed to clear his mind, relax and come back with an answer, but what could he do?

Slowly, his mouth curves in a grin, yep…that definitely looked promising and he'd have a full 4 hours before he had to see Tsunade-obaachan to pull it off.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

As Naruto looks at the finishing touches to his prank; he could feel the approval of Kyuubi. Yes, this would definitely make him feel better. Pranks always seemed to appease the two of them for some reason and it was one thing that he'd never ask questions about.

Part of him knew that he needed to talk to Hinata about the entire situation.

Still, he wasn't really ready to chat and especially not about something serious with someone…well…okay he didn't mind the thought of marrying Hinata how that he'd been thinking about it for four hours. To be truthful, it would be nice to know that one of his best friends would always be there for him. Things didn't really have to change that much.

No, what he hated was the fact that the decision had been made for him without even consulting him or Hinata. What if they had really hated the idea? Would they have still been forced to go through with being married? True the Hyuuga family had been known to take mistresses on occasion and it was considered perfectly acceptable, but still, he didn't want that for Hinata or himself!

He checks the trap one more time. Ok, perfectly hidden. It had taken a while to know that Hiashi was supposed to visit Tsunade an hour before him. With this prank, he was sure Tsunade would understand his disapproval of her methods. That and he was sure Hiashi would know as well, but that was just a perk.

Now finished with the preparations, Naruto heads for the window and exits the Hokage's office to head for the training grounds. Today was his last day off before the talks started once more and he was expected to be there. He needed to collect his thoughts and finish one more prank.

He would have thanked Neji for this second prank, but to be honest it was mostly to get back at him for the entire situation…and the charka reserve joke at breakfast. Yes this one was just a hair more elaborate, but he was certain it would catch the attentive Neji. After all, Neji had a tendency to be very confident and he wanted to make sure to cover for that. With both traps ready, there was only one thing left to do…hide.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Tsunade frowns as Hiashi tells her of the meeting Naruto and Neji had that morning. Naruto had been too calm, possibly too shocked to even show it. That wasn't good at all. As she gets to the door, she pulls a note off and motions Hiashi into the room while reading.

Tsunade-obaasan,

Now that I know what you wanted to talk to be about I have a few choice words for you. No! Nu-uh! Not a chance! No way! Not going to happen! What gives you the power to do this? It's not fair! Did you even think about what our reaction would be? Did you expect me to roll over and just accept it?

You want to turn my world upside down. Then I'll turn over yours…

This message will self destruct right about now.

As Tsunade finishes reading, the entire piece of paper explodes and fills the room with smoke. As the smoke clears, the entire room has been flipped upside down, with Hiashi and Tsunade now standing on the ceiling.

Hiashi kneels on the ceiling, "A genjutsu…I honestly wasn't expecting that. I told you he wouldn't take it well."

Very choice words are the only reply that the head of the Hyuuga clan receives in return.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Something was off. Neji could just feel it as he enters the training area that he and his team practiced in. At the moment it was just him and Lee however. Tenten was a bit…indisposed at the moment. Still something was really off and it was quite distracting.

As he looks at the ground, he can see just a bit of tampering had been done. Neji shakes his head, "Naruto…"

He steps around the trap, which in return set off a different one. Quickly he tucks and rolls as explosive tags go off around him. There was something about this that seemed slightly familiar. Whatever was attached to the explosive tags contained water. A fine mist filled the air, nothing too bad. As what seemed to be the final tag goes off, a flame jutsu ignites, not aimed at Neji, but rather for the sole purpose at heating the humid air.

With that final bit finished, the steamed Neji was left to contemplate perhaps letting Naruto down easy the next time he had news…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

THERE! I feel much better now! The first part of the chapter was good, but it was definitely missing this part. Everyone feels a bit overwhelmed at times, which I truly feel that Naruto would have been at that particular point in time, but nothing said he couldn't voice his opinion later. This would definitely be what the first part of the chapter was missing. Sorry about that everyone.

Edric Loto