A/N: The work of a jounin is not always pretty. Rated for sexual themes, drug use and yaoi. Proceed with caution.

Pretty: Part I

Hyuga Neji was never one who gave much thought on his looks. If pressed to select one feature he was particularly proud of he would say it was his eyes for no other reason than the Byakugan being a formidable weapon in the field. But apparently, not everyone sees things the way Neji does and he realizes, with some humor but mainly annoyance that he is woefully naive when it comes to understanding this way of the world.

The Hokage explained the mission and he listened patiently, making note of the objective, target and the thinly veiled frustration in the Hokage's voice. She was running out of options, he surmised, and this was her last chance.

"I do not like issuing mission orders like this," she said gruffly, "but they are effective and the Byakugan would prove a valuable asset in this case." She studied him hard over her folded hands and he simply waited. "Typically, I expect a ninja to accept a mission without question but I always give the women a choice in this matter so I'm doing the same for you."

He found this odd because of who they were but he said nothing, waiting until he was properly addressed.

"You can say no, Neji."

But he wouldn't and he strongly suspected she knew that. Despite giving them the choice, he doubts there was ever a ninja of the Hidden Leaf that took the Hokage up on her offer. To do so would be a disgrace; far more disgraceful than what was being asked of them.

"I accept the mission, Lady Hokage."

0

They sent him to see Shiranui Genma to prep for the mission. Their first meeting was at the jounin's apartment because he was in the middle of completing reports and he didn't want to break his stride.

"Make yourself at home," he said casually as he let the young jounin inside. "I just need to find the report. Give me one second."

Out of habit, Neji observed his surroundings with detached tactical logic and found the place to be surprisingly personable for what he knew of the older man. Everything in the room was an invitation to touch.

"What can I say? I like my creature comforts," Genma explained simply upon catching the Hyuga's critical expression. He was holding a folder in his hand that was thick with papers and the ever present senbon hung crooked in his mouth like a burning, neglected cigarette. "What do you think?"

Neji frowned because what he thought about another person's home was irrelevant; unless it was related to a mission. "The hidden compartment behind the bar is a little obvious. It would be the first place a thief would think to look, second maybe to the safe behind that picture over there."

Genma shrugged his shoulders and gave a small laugh. "I suppose that's what I get for letting a Hyuga in my home. I was referring more to the décor but that doesn't matter now does it? Forget that I asked."

This made Neji frown. He felt as though he'd just failed an important test.

"But I can see why the Hokage wants the Byakugan in this case. You don't miss much, do you?" He tossed the folder on the table and plopped down in a chair tiredly. "But it'll take more than a pair of all-seeing eyes to complete a mission like this." Genma closed his eyes and chewed on the senbon thoughtfully.

"My understanding is the feudal lord in question is quite prominent in the drug smuggling trade," Neji said, becoming atypically impatient standing in the middle of the living area. "And that is why we're targeting him."

Genma nodded but his eyes remained close. "He's the lynch pin in the whole system. With him out of the picture, the entire enterprise would topple right along with him. At the very least, it'll be years before they become the problem they are now."

He opened his eyes and studied Neji intently, gauging his reaction. "He's extremely cautious. It's difficult to get close to him but over the years we've managed to gather enough intel to know this is probably our best bet and the Hokage wants this guy disposed of as quickly as possible."

Neji could understand why. It must get tiresome reading reports of teenagers overdosing on the latest street drug. Capturing the street dealers is hardly enough. They are replaced within a month's time. They'll have to go to the source if they wanted to see any significant change.

"You're certainly his type," Genma continued casually. "He likes a little androgyny in his bed partners."

The corners of Neji's mouth turned downwards slightly but otherwise he said nothing. He shifted his weight slightly with discomfort.

Genma looked at him squarely, leaning forward so his forearms rested on his knees. "You've ever had sex, Neji?"

This time he couldn't help his reaction. He blushed visibly and scowled with embarrassment. "Is that relevant?" he growled. 'How dare he…one does not…ask such questions!'

"It depends on the individual, honestly," Genma answered with a shrug, leaning back into his chair. "There are some that don't want their first time to be mission related. Others don't care or it's a nonissue altogether." The jounin raised his hands up in a dismissive manner. "Listen, I don't care who or what you do in your free time. I've been working on this case for quite some time now and it wouldn't do us any good if the guy I send in gets cold feet and gets himself killed. When I say we have one shot, this is it. I need to know you can do this."

"I can do this," Neji said defensively, not accustomed to having his competency questioned after all his field experience as a jounin. "I merely…" he looked away briefly, "I am not used to talking about…such things so openly."

Genma gave a cynical laugh as he reached for the report. "Well, get used to it," he said tossing the report to Neji who caught it deftly. "To put it bluntly, you are the most beautiful man I've ever seen and that's the strongest weapon we have against this guy."

Neji twisted his mouth with unease and tucked the report under his arm.

Genma nodded towards the report as he stood up. "That's everything we know about the drug lord so far. Study it and report back to me in the morning. We'll continue the briefing then. We have a few weeks time before the mission. That'll give us plenty of time to figure out your cover."

Neji nodded and started walking towards the door.

"And I'll let you get away with not answering my question this time," Genma added with a knowing look and Neji couldn't help but blush again as he stopped short. "But I'm going to expect you to be completely honest with me starting tomorrow. We can't afford any fuck ups."

"Understood," Neji said simply, walking quickly out the door.

~ TBC ~