OPrincess ShinigamiO here! With what? A new chapter of course! Yeah, it's been like a month again since I've last updated. But I'm glad to see that there are still several people who enjoyed reading this fic! For that I'm extremely grateful! The reason why I've been gone from FF for a while was because I kinda lost interest in fanfics for quite some time, mostly because my story alerts take a very long time to update which kinda drains me. And then I was recently into the Guilty Crown and Fate/Zero series, which is a really great pair of series! (If you haven't watched them yet, I suggest you do. Though if you're going to watch Fate/Zero, you sort of have to watch or learn about Fate/Stay Night too, since Zero is its prequel. But I have to say that Zero is MUCH much better than Stay Night. The animation is totally top-knotch, and the story and characters are riveting! And the songs... pure epicness!)

*ahem* Enough of my anime-advertising! For this chapter, as I've said before, this will focus on our favorite anti-SasuHina, NEJI HYUUGA! Not exactly part of the Friends' Point of View, since it isn't really anything deep. But this will settle matters between Neji and Sasuke, our beloved genius prodigies! Well... sort of. ;)

Of course, I can't go on without thanking my reviewers! I can no longer count the ones who reviewed for last chapter or the chapters before, which I apologize for for the umpteenth time. But know that I'll always appreciate and feel grateful for the reviews you all took the time for to write for my fic! Your reviews and positive feedbacks motivate me, and in return, I try my best to create entertaining chapters for you to like! So thank you once again! Stay with us, coz we're already halfway through with the fic! ;D

Disclamer: Of course I don't own. Would you rather I claim to be Masashi Kishimoto in disguise of a little girl like how (*spoilers*Obito pretended to be Madara*spoilers*)?

N- News

…

"What the hell is he doing here?"

"Yes, Hinata-sama, why the hell is this barbarian sitting right in front of me?"

"Barbarian huh? Like hell I'd like to sit in the same table with a girly cross-dresser."

"At least no one suspected that I was gay."

"S-Sasuke-kun, N-Neji-nii, p-please just cooperate. We're in public."

"Hmph."

"Hn."

It was a beautiful winter morning (well, it was supposed to be) when Hinata invited Sasuke to a lunch date in one of Konoha's most expensive family restaurants. Of course, the latter didn't know that her cousin, who also happened to be his number one nemesis when it comes to his relationship with Hinata, was also part of her plans for a lunch date.

Imagine the surprise of both men when the couple arrived at their reserved table only to find Neji already waiting for them. And almost immediately did things get awkward when their lunch date turned into a long-running glaring match.

And as expected, Hinata's plans for making them get along with each other ended up in a failure.

The timid Hyuuga began poking her fork at the suddenly unappetizing platter of steak, giving a few glances here and there between the two men she's closest with. The genius prodigies, however, were ignoring the mouth-watering (and very expensive) dishes in front of them and were practically itching to throw their knives at each other's faces. It was a silent war between the Sharingan and the Byakugan.

Hinata sighed, searching in her mind of a topic to start a conversation.

"U-um, s-so, how's the f-food, Neji-nii?"

Neji, for one second, turned his eyes away from the Uchiha and gave his cousin a smile.

"It's delicious, Hinata-sama. But for some strange reason," Neji turned back to his glaring competition with Sasuke, "I can't seem to enjoy it like I usually would."

Sasuke snorted and gave a smug smirk to his rival.

"Glad to know that I'm such a wanted presence here."

"If my being here makes your spine chill, Uchiha, then I'm also glad to be of your service."

Hinata sighed and shook her head dejectedly as the two men began staring each other off again.

"This isn't going well." Hinata thought to herself.

"Pardon my asking, Hinata-sama. But just what is your purpose for making me eat on the same table with the Uchiha." Neji asked, turning questionably to his cousin, "If you're thinking that we are going to get along this way, then I'm afraid that you've made a terrible assumption. It'll be a waste of my time to try and get along with this barbarian."

"Oh, so it's name-calling again huh cross-dresser?"

"Are you asking for a fight, Uchiha?"

"The question is: are you asking for a fight, Hyuuga?"

"SASUKE-KUN! NEJI-NII! PLEASE SPARE ME!"

Both geniuses jumped in surprise as the former heiress's fists made contact with the table. The customers around them began glancing at their table in curiosity after the heiress's sudden outburst.

Hinata, on the other hand, was staring hard at the ground, her thick bangs shadowing her bright lavender-white eyes that threatened to spill some tears and her fists shaking in anger and embarrassment.

Taking a deep shaky breath, Hinata forced her tears to subside and glared at both men, who were both looking worriedly at her.

"H-Hinata?"

"L-look you two," Hinata began, crossing her arms together and forcing herself not to break off their eye contact, "I'm tired of having to play the mediator here. F-for so long, I kept wishing for you two to try to get along with each other. God knows how long I've tried to not make it just a wishful thinking. But whenever I tried to do something about it, you two would always end up beating each other up, verbally and physically."

Hinata paused, turning to focus on her wide-eyed cousin.

"Neji-nii, I know that you despise Sasuke-kun partly because he betrayed Konoha in the past and partly because he acts like, pardon me Sasuke-kun, a cold jerk. And because of that you're afraid that he would hurt me. Well, I'll have you know that I'm old enough to make my own decisions now. I'm not the weak little girl you used to bully in the past. So please, Neji-nii. I know that you're better than this, so please be your usual mature self and act like a grown-up."

Neji was completely rendered speechless. But his face held a little guilt of remembering the way he treated her in the past. Slowly, he nodded his head in defeat.

Slightly satisfied by his response, Hinata then turned to Sasuke, who still had his jaw dropped at the surprising action of his girlfriend.

"Sasuke-kun. I know it's hard to get Neji-nii's approval. But that doesn't mean that you have to taunt him all the same. You're just making matters worse, even I won't blame Neji-nii for disrespecting you. It might take up your pride, Sasuke-kun, but if you really care about me, then I suggest you stop this nonsensical behavior of yours and start thinking of how to really get Neji-nii's approval. If you want to act like a real man, then swallow your pride and stop being rude to Neji-nii."

Of course, Sasuke was beyond stumped when Hinata scolded him. He knew that ever since she took care of him, Hinata has become braver and more confident with her opinions. But he's rarely experienced a sudden outburst from her. Heck, she even reminded him of his own mother when he accidentally brought mud to her beloved kitchen. And that was one memory he didn't want to relive.

Hinata huffed and took in deep breaths after her long scolding. Realizing her actions, her face turned beet red in embarrassment. The people around them were staring at her, though she didn't realize that it was actually in admiration for her bravery to stand up for herself.

Hinata began stuttering, poking her fingers together and shaking in embarrassment.

"U-u-um. I-I-I'd b-better g-go ch-check myself… w-with th-the m-mirror a-and all… t-to s-s-see i-if I n-need t-to, um, p-powder my n-nose?"

Quickly, Hinata ran away from the scene and headed for the girls' comfort room.

The two prodigies, however, were left alone to ponder over Hinata's sudden outburst.

"… So."

"… Yeah."

"…."

"…."

Neji coughed lightly, annoyed at the suddenly heavy atmosphere that somehow felt different to when he and the Uchiha tried killing each other.

"As awkward as this feels, Hinata-sama is right. I've acted immature and did not put to mind her feelings of the matter. I acted on my own personal impulse and for that, I sincerely apologize for all the trouble I've caused you two."

"Wow, the famous almighty Hyuuga genius is apologizing to a barbarian like me? That's really something." Sasuke said sarcastically. Neji, in turn gave him a warning glare.

"If you're not going to do your share, Uchiha-"

"Simmer down, Hyuuga. I was just joking."

"As usual, your jokes are all in bad taste."

Sasuke rolled his eyes and raised a hand up to stop Neji from retorting.

"Whatever, Hyuuga. Look, I apologize too. I admit I kind of did go overboard either. But I'm not going to take back the words I said. I meant every single damn thing. The only reason why I'm apologizing is because Hinata wants me to, and because she won't really be satisfied until you truly allow us to be together without any retorts. If us… getting along is what she really wants, then I'm not going to deny her that as long as she's happy."

Neji raised a delicate eyebrow, but smirked in turn at the Uchiha's "apology".

"Well, for once, we both have something to agree on, Uchiha. We both want Hinata-sama's happiness, so I suppose dealing with you in a less violent manner would be worth it." Neji paused, dipping his eyebrows down. "But I'm warning you, Uchiha. One single tear from Hinata-sama because of you, and I'll have your head on my trophy shelf."

Sasuke smirked. "I guess that's your approval then?"

"Not exactly. But I'm no longer getting in you and Hinata-sama's way anymore. She's had enough drama to deal with for the past year." Neji said as he sipped his tea.

"That I could deal with." Sasuke replied before taking a sip from his own tea.

Right after Hinata got her calm back, the former heiress was surprised at the suddenly calm atmosphere when she returned to their table. She found both men sipping their tea and eating their respective dishes peacefully. It was slightly awkward to be honest, but both men no longer gave off a threatening aura.

At least, it lessened a great number.

…

A few hours later, Neji arrived back home just to receive a phone call from Tenten.

"Hey, hon. How'd lunch with Hinata go? Heard from a reliable source that Sasuke was there too." Tenten greeted her boyfriend. Neji could practically hear the sharpening of her blades from the other line.

"I'll have to guess that that reliable source would be either Ino or Sakura. It went rather… amusing." Neji replied.

"Sakura. She was at the restaurant with her parents. And how in the world was it amusing?"

Neji smirked. "Let's just say that you won't be hearing any banters between the Uchiha and I for some time."

Tenten sighed from the other line. The blade sharpening stopped.

"That could mean a few weeks though. Maybe even days when all your goody-goody attitude melts down."

"Give us some credit, Tenten. We'll hold out." Neji's expression softened. "How's she doing?"

"Oh, her?" Tenten grinned and patted her slightly bulged stomach. "She's doing really well! For some reason, her cravings for chocolate suddenly transferred into strawberry cheesecakes. By the way, hon, pick up a dozen boxes of cheesecakes when you come by later okay?"

Neji sighed and rubbed his head as he heard Tenten's blades rubbing against each other. If he were smart, he would hold out from forcing her to stop playing with her kunais. But he supposed that that's what he gets for falling in love with the weapon mistress.

"I should really tell Hiashi-sama about our marriage plans now."

"Oh, speaking of which!" Tenten exclaimed. "Have you heard that Sasuke's going to propose to Hinata some time soon? I'm surprised you haven't mentioned it! Did he ask for your blessing or something?"

A pause. Blades sharpening. Crickets chirping. Blades clinking. Silence.

"… WHAT?!"

…

Hah! Did anyone even suspect about Tenten's pregnancy? I actually gave a very subtle hint during chapter L! (remember when Juugo visited?) XD

Anyway, reviews are once again ALWAYS welcome! Critiques, praises, suggestions, questions, anything will do! ;) Next chapter is quite... different. Why? Because we're going to tackle SasuHina's Road To Ninja personas! ;D