Herbs and Lovers

Author: Lonely Writer 42

Summary: Hinata and Tadanobu hang out and Neji makes a surprise appearance between missions!

Disclaimer: Oh hi there. It is just this one; sitting in the corner crying over Neji feels. Please don't sue this one.

Hinata rubbed her hands together. Ever since getting over her cold she had devoted herself to taking inventory of her herb collection. The weeds had threatened to take over in the two weeks she had been out of commission.

The weeds weren't going to pull themselves and with a sigh Hinata pushed up her sleeves and started pulling up the intruding plants. After about ten minutes of this, another pair of hands appeared. She glanced up and smiled.

"Tadanobu, shouldn't you be with Arata-sensei?"

Tadanobu shook his head. "I got to go early today. Arata-sensei told us that we were done with missions today. Mostly we walked dogs and picked weeds," Tadanobu made a face as he pulled a clump of grass from the garden.

"Then you have plenty of practice to help me," Hinata gently teased. With Tadanobu's extra set of hands they made quick work of the weeds. She then showed him the different type of herbs that grew there and what their functions were. He seemed especially excited when she allowed him to harvest several different types and when she told him she would show him how to make a salve that would relieve muscle pain he excitedly started chattering about how one of his teammates had been complaining about it and he wanted to give them the salve.

Hinata had a bemused smile on her face the whole time; this was the most talking she had ever heard from Tadanobu. She genuinely liked her cousin and was a little sad that she had never spent much time with him before. His mother had tried to hide him away from the clan until Hiashi had decided he needed to go to the academy because he was turning out to be a soft and weak Hyūga. Hinata had not agreed with his decision but there was a reason he was Head and not she.

She took Tadanobu back to her rooms where she had set up her herb storage in her smaller second room. While Tadanobu played with Hinagiku and Kyo she set up her table with ingredients. As she watched the boy play a wave of longing for children she didn't know she possessed swept over her and she sighed wistfully. When Tadanobu looked up with a frown she shook her head and beckoned him over.

The salve they created was not quite the same quality she usually made but Tadanobu was grinning at the results in the end. He took the small jar and with a yelling promise to visit her tomorrow he ran off.

She chuckled softly to herself as she cleaned up, wondering if she had been like that as a child. She really didn't remember. Everything before Hanabi's birth was a blur in her memories. The only clear memory was her mother's smiling face. She sighed wistfully again and without thinking ran her hand over her flat stomach. She was old enough to have children but with the uncertainty of the world she didn't know if she wanted to bring a child into it.

She was so caught up in her musings that she didn't even realize that there was another person in the room until they cleared their throat. She spun and assumed the jūken stance before she registered who it was.

"You know," Neji said dryly as she crashed into him and wrapped her arms around his waist, "I could have knocked you out, drugged you, and had you half way across the village by now I've been standing here that long. You're losing your stealthy ninja senses."

"I was sick," Hinata mumbled into his chest. "Plus you would have to get past Eki-san, Juro-san, Miyabi-san, and Toru-kun to get me out of this part of the compound. They have been hanging around ever since I got sick."

"They better be," he grumbled as he tightened his arms around her. "I don't want to be a widower before I even get married."

Hinata giggled before having another thought and pushing away from him. "You haven't come to see me in two days now! Not since you got me that tea from the Nara! It's been too long for you to think that you can just waltz in here and have love and adoration flung at you." She stomped her foot for good measure as she crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him.

"I've been busy," he said offhandedly.

"To busy to visit me," she said dryly.

"I have to keep your dad on my good side or he might tell me that I cannot have you anymore and I would never want that to happen," Neji said softly as he reached out and gently caressed her cheek. "I can't imagine a world where I can't have you."

"I don't want to imagine that world either," she sighed, nuzzling his hand. He raised an eyebrow at her and she went back to his embrace. His clever fingers started rubbing circles on her back and she settled her head in the nape of his neck. They stood like that for several moments, enjoying the simple act of be in each other's presence. Then Neji started chuckling.

"What?" Hinata moaned, not liking that he was disrupting the embrace with laughter.

"I was just wondering what you were thinking about when I walked in here. It looked like you were about to get frisky with your stomach."

Hinata buried her face in his neck so he couldn't see her blush. "I was thinking about babies," she whispered. "Hoping they have your hair."

That got a real laugh from him. "My hair? It's not that special."

"I think it is," she muttered as she tugged gently on the ends. "It's much better than mine. I don't even look like a Hyūga. I look like the poor pity stepchild no one wants to acknowledge, shoved into a corner and ignored by everyone-"

"Are you trying to have a pity party?" He interrupted her.

"I'm trying to guilt-trip you into kissing me," she pouted.

"If you wanted me to kiss you all you had to do was ask," he murmured as he hooked his finger under her chin and raised her face. "Actually, you don't even have to ask. You could take initiative once and a while. I wouldn't mind."

She blushed and he laughed. Then, to prove she had initiative she raised her lips to his and cut off his laugh. The next several moments were spent not thinking as each fought for dominance with their mouths. Hinata tangled her hands in Neji's hair and Neji's hands became quite friendly with her bottom.

This would have continued for several moments more if Tadanobu's boyish voice called from the doorway, "Hinata-sama, do you have any," his voice was cut off and Hinata pushed away from Neji in time to see Tadanobu's retreating form.

Hinata groaned. "I don't want to explain that to him. He's only eight."

"And a ninja who has graduated the academy," Neji reminded her as he straightened her kimono. "I'm pretty sure he knows what kissing is."

She groaned again. "I'll explain it to him," Neji said softly. "Though it might be hard considering that massive crush he has on you. He may even fight me for your affection. What do you say? Two dashing young men fighting over you? It's every girl's erotic fantasy," he murmured into her ear as his lips slid down her neck to kiss the nape.

"You obviously have no idea about what women dream of," Hinata stated as she pushed him away. "I don't want boys fighting over me."

"I would," he said then a blush appeared on his cheeks as he realized what he said. Hinata started laughing.

"I'm sure I can arrange it," she giggled.

"That's not what I meant," he growled as he pulled her back against his body.

"Admit it, you want everyone fawning over you," she said airily, fanning herself mockingly.

"No, just one person," he said. "Luckily I already have her interest. Now, what were the names of our children?" He asked to distract her.

She blushed again and avoided his gaze. "I haven't thought of any yet."

"Meaning you haven't settled on one name yet. You have several picked out. C'mon. I want to know my offspring's names."

Hinata pressed her lips together. "Hiroki or Natsu for a boy and Hitomi for a girl."

"I like Natsu," Neji said as kissed the corner of her lip. "Will he be born in the spring?"

"For that to happen we would have to get married soon," Hinata muttered as she hooked her arms around his neck.

"We don't necessarily have to get married, no one's around. This is a secluded part of the compound. We could make a baby right here against your herb table. You'll never be able to look at it the same again."

Hinata giggled nervously. "As tempting as the offer is, I don't think it's a good idea. At least not today," she blushed.

"Tomorrow it is then," he teased her.