The story is almost over...(sob)...I'm sooo sad...just two or three more chappies and then FINISH! Aaaaaand then the alternate endings...yes, for those who are wondering, there will be a SasuNaru lemon in the alternate ending as well...by the time I'm done with this story, there'll be about fifty sumthin chappies, but that's an exaggeration...guh...
Chapter 29: Tanabata
The Night of Tanabata
Naruto smiled as he walked down the familiar twists and turns of the mansion to his destination. Coming to a stop in front of a finely embossed wooden door, he knocked quietly and stood to the side, adjusting the sash of his yukata. He fluffed up his hair, making it poofier than normal, and shifted slightly, fiddling with the silk of his yukata.
"Come in." Neji's deep, honey-like baritone floated through the door. Grinning, Naruto let himself in, walking into the bedroom.
Neji was half-dressed beside the bed, several garments on the bed beside him. An utterly stunned look glassed over his features when he caught sight of the blond. Naruto was clad in an utterly astonishing blue-green yukata that seemed to fall off his body in the most perfect waves of satiny fabric. The material of the yukata was silken and filmy, floating like an ethereal substance around Naruto's body. A golden-red sequined dragon was finely embroidered into the back, and intricate designs danced over the front. The whole attire seemed to illuminate the blond, accentuate his beautiful ocean-blue eyes and shape his body in such a way that he looked like an otherworldy creature capable of profound beauty.
"Can't think of a single thing to wear?" Naruto asked, deliberately not noticing the way Neji was gawking so openly. The Hyuuga shook his head dazedly, absently fingering a strand of his hair, his jaw completely unhinged. The blond giggled softly.
"What?" Neji raised a slow, limber arm and pointed absentmindedly at Naruto.
"That…that….yukata…" Naruto smiled warmly.
"Do you like it?" Neji nodded slowly, willing himself not to start drooling all over his newly washed carpet.
"Thanks. I borrowed it from Shizune nee-chaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNMMMMMMMMPH!"
The next thing he knew was that he was being mashed into the fine mink carpeting of Neji's bedroom, pinned down to the rug by his wrists. Neji had just about dissolved his lips with his own, licking roughly at Naruto's lower lip as he fumbled with the sash on Naruto's yukata. The blond squeaked and wriggled underneath him which only served to further arouse the Hyuuga, who bit and nipped eagerly at his neck, continuing down to his chest. Naruto thrashed underneath him, features contorted in a frantic but playful wince.
"Aaah….ahh, not there, oh please not THERE….Neji….Neji get…" The Hyuuga paid no heed, continuing lower still, his tongue flicking over Naruto's rib cage.
"Neji, I'm WARNING you….AAAH! Not THERE! Neji, get off….Neji…." Somehow, Neji had mysteriously rendered himself deaf, and continued even lower still. Naruto struggled once, then executed a mighty buck, successfully throwing the Hyuuga off of him.
"Neji, get OFF!" The Hyuuga obeyed, his hair falling in front of his eyes, smirking playfully. Naruto dusted himself off and stood, eyes flashing angrily.
"Jeez, I could've died. You don't know when to get the message, do you?" He exclaimed. Neji smiled apologetically.
"It was a joke, Naruto." The blond scowled darkly.
"Didn't feel like a joke to me. You could've asked me first."
Every word was dripping with sharp, pointy, and extremely explosive objects that shot straight to the Hyuuga's heart. Sighing, he reached out for the blond and enveloped him in a comforting hug, but Naruto slipped out of his grasp, cerulean eyes darkening.
"Please, Naruto. I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?"
Naruto pressed his lips together, this time to keep from smiling. Every trace of anger evaporated immediately as he saw Neji's hangdog look, but he wasn't about to give the Hyuuga the satisfaction of softening him so easily. He turned and stalked across the room, pasting on a pout. He felt the Hyuuga come up behind him and start massaging his shoulders. Oh. Dammit. He'd forgotten that Neji had the particularly useful ability to hit nerves that soothed. He slightly relaxed in spite of himself, feeling the smile rolling off of Neji as the Hyuuga felt him loosen.
"Will you forgive me, Naruto?"
The blond immediately chomped on his lip as he felt Neji's tongue swirl around his neck. Goddammit, why did the Hyuuga have to know his soft spots so thoroughly? Why? Why? Naruto trembled from the effort it took to keep a straight face. Neji's hands roamed down to his waist and kneaded it gently, stroking his hips. Naruto stiffened some more, perspiring from the effort it took to keep up his role. Just when he couldn't stand it anymore, he felt the Hyuuga's lips descend upon his, completely snapping what was left of his restraint. Naruto gave in and leaned into the kiss, pulling Neji down on top of him.
"Very well, I forgive you." He giggled and pulled away.
"But no sex for three days as your punishment." Naruto smirked devilishly at the mortified look on Neji's face.
"W-what? Why?" Naruto tsked and shook his finger scoldingly in the Hyuuga's stunned face.
"Now now, I have my reputation to maintain, don't I? And letting you go scot-free won't teach you a lesson you'll remember about assaulting unwilling lovers." Neji looked crestfallen.
"But—"
"Any more complaints and I'll make it three weeks." The Hyuuga sighed, defeated.
"Very well." His eyes grew sultry.
"But we can do plenty of other things in the meantime, can we not?" Naruto thought about this.
"I suppose we could….but that means I can tempt you to the point of insanity in the three sexless days. You know," he flicked the yukata from his shoulders, undoing the sash until the whole yukata fell from his body like a luscious blue waterfall, pillowing in silken folds at his feet and revealing Naruto in all his naked glory. "Like this."
Neji inhaled sharply and ground his teeth until he could've sworn enamel had cracked. He slowly backed up as Naruto stepped forward, swaying his hips in a way that would make any gay male with a pulse and a thimbleful of testosterone positively itch from the desire to claim him. Neji was no exception. The Hyuuga clenched his fists together until his knuckles grew white, a terrified expression on his face. He felt his back collide with the wall and gasped slightly as Naruto pressed himself against him, a sensual, seductive look on his face. He reached up and lightly flicked his tongue across Neji's lips, reaching down and grinding his hips against the Hyuuga's. Neji shuddered, breathing in great gasps, willing himself not to snap and screw the boy right then and there.
"You're going to have to endure this for another three, long days, my dear." Neji trembled like a wind-tossed leaf.
"P-please, Naruto….don't do this." Naruto pressed himself closer as a reply, a slow, devilish smirk curling across his features.
"And why not? You haven't the power to stop me." Neji clamped his eyes shut and ground his teeth.
"Naruto…I-I don't want to hurt you….b-but I will if you force me too far." The blond seemed not the least threatened by the comment.
"Oh really? I've been hurt far worse than you would've ever experienced before, Hyuuga Neji, and I'm quite sure I can tolerate your little pressure point tricks."
Neji laid a finger on Naruto's neck as a response, pressing lightly on a nerve. Naruto showed no fear, only sheer defiance as he moulded himself closer to the Hyuuga. Neji continued to press, increasing the pressure until his nail was digging into Naruto's neck, but still the blond paid no heed, the only sign of the pain a little stiffness in his back. Neji had to give immense credit to the blond; fully grown men twice his size had cowered and shrieked as he fought them with his techniques. Naruto's smirk widened into a full-fledged grin.
"So you see? I'm impervious to your ministrations." Neji clenched his teeth in frustration.
"Why?" Naruto shrugged and slid his body off of the Hyuuga's.
"I really don't know. I guess I've built up a pain tolerance in the past years of my life." Neji smiled.
"Anyhow, all joking aside, we must get ready for Tanabata or we'll be late." Naruto grinned and bounced over to the bed, peering eagerly at the many yukatas spread out on the sheets. He pointed to a deep, almost black-hued blue kimono lavishly accented by ornate gold designs.
"How about this one?" Neji considered for a moment, then nodded.
"This will be fine." Naruto grinned rather lecherously as Neji started to slip off his clothes. The Hyuuga smirked.
"I highly doubt you will survive the three sexless days, much less than I."
"I have more self control than you would imagine." Naruto shot back, smiling playfully. Neji stripped the rest of the way and stepped into the yukata Naruto held out for him, feeling the heat of Naruto's gaze lingering slightly on his body.
"I do believe you." Neji sighed rather sarcastically. Naruto just grinned and helped the Hyuuga with his sash, tying it neatly behind his back before stepping back and surveying Neji with the air of an artist.
"Very nice. I can see why you're one of the most eligible bachelors in all of Japan." Neji smirked.
"No more a bachelor now, am I Naruto?" The blond grinned and deposited a light kiss on the Hyuuga's mouth.
"Unfortunately for the girls, I do believe you're not." He latched onto Neji's outstretched arm.
"Now let's get to the festival before Hiashi grows irritated."
At the Festival
The streets, normally dank and filled with people bustling to get to work, suddenly came alive with lights and sounds and bells and laughter. Tanabata bamboos were strung up and around the streets and booths, and the air was filled with joy and festivity. Actors and entertainers in extravagant costumes made from the most exotic of silks pranced and whirled merrily around the many twists and turns of the street, calling out to the enthusiastic croud. Dragons and phoenixes adorned the fray, dancing and twirling to the rhythm of the perpetual music. The stalls were set up and rare merchandise was displayed, shimmering and glittering in the festive lights of the celebration.
Naruto's eyes lit up with a glimmering sparkle, lighting up his features in a wild, eager stare. He gasped as he surveyed the many festive ornaments that adorned the streets, turning back and forth, his eyes reflecting the many lights of the festival. The blond turned around and around, an awestruck grin on his face, dazedly wandering back and forth around the streets. Neji smiled at his side. He would treasure the absolutely priceless look on the blond's finely-chiseled features until the end of his life. The way the blond looked in the flickering lights of the festival….Neji's insides promptly melted into a warm puddle of goo, pooling somewhere in his abdominal cavity.
"Wow…." Naruto's jaw hung open in dazed delight as he fervently took in every little detail of the festival. Turning to the Hyuuga, he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth.
"Thank you Neji…" Neji hurriedly hugged him back and disengaged himself from Naruto's arms; he'd mysteriously lost all the feeling in his legs due to an extreme case of the warm-and-fuzzies, and wasn't completely sure he could support the weight of the blond.
He lead Naruto through the many twists and turns of the streets, laughing softly as Naruto bobbed up and down with barely restrained energy. The blond flitted to and fro, trying his hand at several different activites, spending a few yen on food, and looking like he was having the time of his life. The Hyuuga just stepped to the side, content for just watching the blond, occasionally joining in himself when coaxed by Naruto. Together they made their way through the festivities, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Naruto smiled to himself as he walked alongside the Hyuuga. Neji looked quite handsome indeed, his striking silver eyes carrying a look of almost regality as he walked down the streets. The blond's smile widened as he observed the none-too-subtle looks the Hyuuga received from most of the female population around them. He giggled softly to himself as several women brushed up against Neji, shooting him clandestine looks suggesting many different meanings. Neji was full aware of the attention he was receiving, but otherwise took no notice, instead draping a protective arm around Naruto. The two continued to meander along the streets until Naruto's eyes lit up with a childish, eager sparkle.
"Ne, ne, can we go to that place?" Neji followed his gaze in the direction of Naruto's pointed finger.
"The ramen booth?" Naruto bobbed up and down on the balls of his feet.
"Please? Pretty please?" Neji sighed, ruffled the blond's golden locks, and steered Naruto towards the booth. Naruto squealed, enfolding the Hyuuga in a brief hug before sitting down on the revolving stool, swaying back and forth in anticipation.
"Two miso chashu, please." The chef nodded tartly and began preparing their meal. A few minutes later, he set down two steaming bowls of noodles across from Neji and Naruto. The blond yelped, and with a cry of "Itadakimasu!" quickly started inhaling his soup. Neji smiled slightly and ate at a more leisurely pace, smirking to himself as he witnessed flecks of broth being flung helter-skelter around the booth.
A man in a long brown cloak sat down beside the blond, quietly ordering a shrimp ramen for himself. Turning and smiling amusedly at Naruto's antics, he decided to engage in a friendly conversation.
"You must like ramen, young one." Naruto nodded and noisily slurped up his broth.
"Miso, is it?" Another nod. The man slid closer, his fingers fumbling with an object inside his jacket.
"I've quite forgotten my spectacles tonight—silly of me, I know it—so could I ask you to do me a quick favor?" Yet another nod, but still Naruto didn't look up.
"Could you please read to me the list of beverages? I really can't see them from here." Naruto complied and momentarily raised his head to the menu, taking his attention from his soup.
"Well, there's fresh coconut juice, water, and tea." He looked expectantly at the man.
For a moment, Naruto could've sworn he saw a flash of the cloak as the man shifted beside him, hurriedly withdrawing his arm. That was strange. Why had he uncovered his arm? The man fidgeted under Naruto's suspicious stare, but thanked the blond and went back to his ramen. Suddenly something seemed a little odd. Naruto cocked his head to the side, scrutinizing the man from the corner of his eye. He could've sworn he'd met the man before…but where? His stance and the way he held himself was so maddeningly familiar…Naruto shrugged it off and continued to sip from the rest of the soup.
As the last drops of broth trickled down his throat, the blond suddenly felt feverish, sick and dizzy. The man next to him jumped to his side, catching Naruto as he fell. A slight smirk crossed his hidden features, and the man quietly slid off the stool, melting effortlessly into the croud.
Neji felt a slight tap on his shoulder and turned to witness a man from beside him.
"Excuse me sir, but someone wants your presence over there." The man pointed cryptically towards the opposite booth. With a puzzled nod, the Hyuuga wandered over to the booth, looking around silently. Seeing no one, he quickly returned to his seat beside Naruto, then stopped, shocked.
Both the man and Naruto were nowhere to be found.
Oooooo, what happened to poor Naru-chan, mmm?