Kavya: Thank you so much. I'm really happy you like it. Also two more stories are about to come. I'm already writing on one.
Chewie Cookies: Thanks, I wasnt sure if Hiashi's reaction was realisitc.
Redsox31: That's exactly what he wants. Also why I didn't bring him up for so long, because he didn't do anything to make everyone forget the treath he poses. Glad to know it worked, thanks.
Arymed: Thank you, I hope I won't dissapoint, but that's what I'm most afraid of to mess up.
For the four of you who read the story, Chapter 7.
I don't own Naruto.
-7-
"Kankuro, could you stop that." A vein popped on Sakura's forehead as she shoved him away for the millionth time that day.
"Come on, don't be mean. Why won't you share?"
"That's because Hanabi made them for me and for me only. Ask her yourself if you want some."
"I would but for reasons unknown, my irresistible charms won't work on her. And she said that unless I would 'Stop being an idiot and man up already' I would no longer receive any of her baking." The tall man whined. "And I have no idea what she means by that."
"Can't you ask one of your bimbos to bake you something?" Sakura asked annoyed.
"Are you crazy?" He exclaimed her in shock. "I am not in a relationship with any of them. If I would ask them to do something like that they would get the wrong impression of where this if going!"
Sakura really tried to ignore the happy little flutter in her chest. It was actually quite pathetic of her just to be happy from simply hearing him say what she already knew. He didn't care about those women. Even more pathetic was that she was jealous of them, despite knowing that. Out of the corner of his eyes she looked at him. He wasn't scheduled on a mission, which was why is handsome face was bare of his hideous face paint. She hated how good-looking he was, his charming smile that made her knees weak and especially that stupid glint in his eyes whenever he saw an attractive woman. The last one was worst of course because these devilishly attractive looks were never directed at her.
Had she not been so busy staring at his sculpted chest, she might have seen the desire she longed for in his eyes as he looked at her.
"Come on, please. I want just one!" Kankuro begged.
"Fine I will give you one, but…" Sakura turned to him defiant. "I wonder what will I get in return?"
Kankuro's eyebrow rose and he leaned over the table she was sitting at. "Oh… what would you want?"
Sakura gulped at the closeness of his face. He smelled good, really good. Usually it was hard to tell, since the stench of perfume from various women was always following him. A thing that seemed to happen less frequently. She was absolutely unable to form even a word. He was way to close. His large form hovered over her sitting figure.
Kankuro's brown eyes sparkled as he leaned in a little closer to her and to his delight he saw how her green eyes dilated and her breath hitched in her throat. His eyes darted to her pink lips, so damn inviting and so damn close. All he had to do was to bypass the short gap between her lips and his.
In a sudden panic she shifted her chair back and enlarged the distance between them. "You know what I'm not hungry anymore. You can have them."
Sakura turned and fled leaving a disappointed and confused Kankuro behind.
…
"I don't like that, Hinata!" Naruto complained.
During the entire walk home he had strongly expressed his displeasure about Hinata leaving the village without him.
"I know, Naruto, but I would have needed to leave anyway. I won't be gone for too long." Hinata turned around in his arms to face him. "It'll only take like one or two months."
"Are you crazy? Only? I can't be that long without you."
Her face sported a scarlet blush and she buried her face in his chest. "I'll miss you too."
"Hinata I'm serious. What if something happens to you?" He looked at her, his eyes filled with concern.
"Naruto, this is just a diplomatic mission. There's nothing that can happen. And with Kiba and Kankuro there are two Jounin there in case something goes wrong. And even then my sister and I are anything but defenseless."
"I know that, but…" I want to make sure you're safe. "I'm just worried."
He leaned his forehead against hers, staring in the deeps of her lavender tinted orbs. "Why can't I come with you?"
"Because you are the Hokage, you can't just go along on a mission. Not only because your girlfriend goes."
"But this mission is like super important. Besides I wouldn't go. I'd sent a shadow clone and if something happens he would dispel and with this nice accessory I'll be there in no time." He softly kissed the spot behind her ear where he had marked her with a Hiraishin seal. "And of course I'd leave a clone in Konoha if something should happen."
"Naruto." She smiled softly at her blonde boyfriend. "I know you wouldn't endanger anyone, but still. It sends the wrong message if the Hokage takes along. Besides it would raise suspicion as to how this is so important. That is precisely what we want to avoid."
He growled at that. He was not pleased. If it was up to him, he would have either never let her leave the village or be there with her personally.
"I'm sorry." She looked at him bashfully. Her eyes darted down uncertainly.
He buried his face in her hair and took a deep breath. "Just please be careful."
"It's just a diplomatic mission. Nothing will happen." Her dainty fingers caressed his skull and dragged her fingers down to his neck. He groaned at the contact and pressed his head against her fingers. "And you're not allowed to just use the seal to drop by to check on me, ok?"
"But what if I feel really lonely?" His voice was coarse and it sent a jolt of pleasure through her body. His mouth had found her neck while his fingers played with the hem of her dress. His searching hands had ridded it up all the way to the middle of her tights.
Her head fell back and she allowed him access to every part of her throat. "Then you'll just have to go to one of your many, many friends and think about how I will back very shortly. I'll miss you too, very much." She whispered breathlessly.
"Yeah, 'Nata that won't do." He crushed her slender figure against his body.
"B-but…," She tried to protest.
"It's so cute when you stutter." His hot breath made her shudder.
She gasped when she felt his lips trailing down her throat to find her pulse point. The kitchen counter poked her back as he caged her in with his arms on either side of her.
"I won't see you for weeks. I think you have a lot to make up for."
Hinata had trouble speaking since her mind was still occupied with all the pleasure cursing through her body. "I haven't even left yet."
"We'll call this credit, then."
…
"Neji, what are you doing here?" Surprised Shikamaru invited the Hyuga head inside his house.
"Good afternoon, Shikamaru. I hope I do not disturb you."
"Nah, not really. I mean I was about to take a nap, but I could to that later – I guess."
Neji nodded. "Temari is working, I assume."
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "Yes, do you need to talk to her or something?"
"No I need to talk to you. And it would be preferable if Temari would not know about this."
"Well, that sounds troublesome. Sit down. You want something?"
"No thank you."
Shikamaru joined Neji at the couch and when the brunette Hyuga did not talk, he cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Do you plan to marry Temari?" Neji looked Shikamaru square in the eyes.
Taken of guard, Shikamaru could do nothing but to stare at Neji. That guy sure got to the point fast.
"I am not sure how this is any of your business Neji. Why would you care?"
The man did not answer, but his pupil-less eyes nailed Shikamaru.
"Troublesome. Yes, I guess I have been thinking about it. Especially since Lee pulled this crap and got the entire female population of Konoha thinking of marriage and babies and stuff. But it won't be easy. She's from another village. While we are only dating there are no strings attached yet, but once we're engaged it's gonna be a pain."
Neji nodded in understanding. "Exactly."
The Nara Clan head mustered his counterpart of the most influential Clan in Konoha. "Why the sudden interest?"
"Recently Hinata has come up with a proposal to solve the problem of relationships like yours. She asked me to rely the message to you. And acquire the information necessary. Therefore Shikamaru, I am here to ask you, what you think of it and where you would see room for possible adjustments." He pulled out a copy of the contract to present it to Shikamaru.
"You know that is a lot to read. These are like fifty pages… oh great, back and front."
"Basically it proposes the idea to open the possibility for cross-border marriages."
Something was not right and Shikamaru had no idea what it was. "This makes no sense Neji. Why are you here? If this was indeed Hinata's idea then why isn't she here. As far as I know the Hyuga Clan should have nothing to do with cross-border relationships."
"I am simply here because you have experience. You may can help distinguish flaws in the contract and Hinata sent me because she is busy."
"Now, you see, Neji. This sounds logical, yet I don't think Hinata would put off something important like that."
Neji sighed, he should have known Shikamaru would figure out something was up. He could either make up another lie or let Shikamaru know about Hanabi's relationship. "Listen what I'm about to tell you cannot leave this room under no circumstances. You can't tell Temari about this either."
"This sounds like I rather not know. It's a pain, isn't it?"
"That is one way to put it." Neji agreed. "It seems that Hanabi and the Kazekage are an item."
Shikamaru blinked a few times. "Wait a second. Are you telling me that your little cousin is dating the brother of my girlfriend?"
He groaned when he saw Neji's pointed look. "I shouldn't have asked. This is a lot more troublesome than I would have guessed."
"I guess you see the position this puts us in."
"Basically you're saying that you will help everyone with a cross border relationship in exchange for letting someone with the doujutus of the Hyuga Clan marry outside the village."
"That would be putting it a little too simple."
"Damn, now I understand what you want here. You wouldn't need the Clan council's agreement on this contract, but if a Kekkai Genkai is about to leave the village… Especially since the Hyuga Clan is already way too influential. The other Clans won't just leave this be. Crap, Neji do you have any idea what position you are putting me in?"
"I understand the complexity of this situation very well, and as you can tell this matter has to be handled very delicately." The Hyuga head shot a pointed glance at the Nara.
"Listen Neji, I'm grateful for this contract but considering the position of the Hyuga Clan it will be hard for me to explain to my Clan why I wouldn't oppose such a union. Trust me, though it would be even harder to explain to Temari why I deprive her brother of a woman he is willing to commit to. So you better give me a damn good reason to support that relationship."
Neji smirked and raised from his seat. "Like I said, the relationships won't be an issue. Once the contract is approved everyone independent of their Clan heritage can marry outside of Konoha…"
"But the Clans would want to know who is involved and once Hanabi's name comes up, their less likely to agree. I get that, but why are you even telling me this? Wouldn't it be easier to leave their relationship out of it and pretend like they only gotten together after the approval of the contract. And secondly that contract is village matter, the Clan council shouldn't have a say in it."
Neji nodded and took a few steps to look out the window. "I agree. Unfortunately Hinata isn't willing to lie and I agree with her. A scam will always see the day of light and when it comes out the chorus of outrage will be great. Not only will the Hyuga Clan look like they have only been thinking of their personal gain, but also Naruto's position will be put in jeopardy. No one will believe he didn't know about Hanabi and Gaara. Basically the risk not to tell is higher than the risk of having the contract not approved. As for your second concern again Hinata insist on asking the Clans, she thinks it's vital for Konoha's inner peace that the Clans are asked in this matter."
"I understand." Shikamaru viewed him thoughtfully. "But that doesn't solve my problem. I still need to make my Clan agree and I'm not entirely sure my relationship with Temari will be enough."
"You honestly think they'd let the opportunity slip to marry into the Kazekage's family?"
Shikamaru sighed. "I don't know. I might be the Clan head, but if the majority of my Clan thinks the risk of having a super powerful Hyuga is bigger than the loss of an outside relationship, there won't be anything I can do."
"Shikamaru, the Hyuga Clan is not only the oldest of the Clans in Konoha but also the most loyal. I don't think I have to remind you of the sacrifices my Clan has shouldered in order to ensure Konoha's safety. Very personal sacrifices." His eyes, intense like a rainy day cloud bore into Shikamaru's dark ones.
"So you're saying that Konoha owns this to the Hyuga Clan?"
"What I am saying is that maybe you should consider, that the Hyuga Clan has never attempted to use their position or power for anything else than Konoha's sake and we have no reason to change it." The Hyuga head frowned. "And you should also realize how much the Clan has accomplished since Hinata took over the diplomat position. Broadening our friendship with other villages will ultimately only favor the Leaf."
Shikamaru face still spoke of uncertainty.
"But maybe if you are looking for a more practical reason to justify you're support on that matter…then your Clan might want to take into account that if you are to marry Temari and the relationship between my cousin and you're wife's brother should last…"
"We would ultimately be related to the mightiest Clan in Konoha." Shikamaru smiled broadly. "Now we're talking, Neji. I think I can sell that. And I won't have to tell Temari it was my fault her brother will die old and alone."
"That is indeed very fortunate." Neji was satisfied with this development. "That leaves me with only one more matter left to discuss. As you understand this is also an international matter and Hinata has decided to take this into her hand. She will travel to Suna first to pick up Hanabi with Kiba and most likely Kankuro. They will travel to Kumo and Iwa and then to Kiri. But someone should take over the office in Suna and lead the negotiations with the Suna council together with the Kazekage."
"And of course I would be perfect for that. Considering that the relationship between your cousin and Gaara will only become relevant after this contract has been approved off in the respective countries." Shikamaru rubbed his temple. "Don't worry I won't leak the information."
Questioning Neji raised an eyebrow. His earlier question was left unanswered. "I understand that your duty's a Clan head…"
"No, don't worry about that, my mom loves to boss everyone around. She'll do fine as my replacement for my absence. It's troublesome but I'll do it. Naruto is in on this?" The Nara Clan head sighed.
"You know it." Neji smirked.
"Would you like something to drink now?"
"I guess one drink wouldn't hurt. Just make it cold, Shikamaru."
…
Lee rang the doorbell and waited impatiently for Neji to open the door. To his surprise it was not his former male teammate that opened the door, but rather the female member of his team.
"Ah Tenten, how splendid to see you! Is Neji available?"
"I'm afraid he is out, but he should be back any minute now. Come on in, you can wait inside." Tenten left the door open for him.
"I heard the ceremony for Neji was beautiful. It is really a shame only Clan members are allowed to participate."
"It was. Neji and Hinata had to talk the elders into it for a week to let me at least observe the ceremony. But it was very Hyuga like, you know? Formal and stiff and you know just very, very formal. But it was great nonetheless. Kind of moving how secretly emotional it was." The brunette put a glass of juice on the table in front of Lee.
"Thank you very much. Tell me, how have you been? It feels like I haven't seen you in forever."
Tenten smiled at her former teammate, since they dissipated their old teams they had not talked as much as they did before. When Lee started to date Karin, Tenten basically only saw him when they were trained together, something they still regularly did.
Their little catch-up talk got interrupted with the opening and closing of the door.
"Ah, that should be Neji. I'll leave you guys to it. I'm supposed to meet Temari in a bit anyway." Tenten got up and went to meet Neji on his way in.
"Hello Lee." Neji entered the living room after biding his goodbye to his girlfriend, who had told him to step by her place later.
"Good afternoon Neji. I came here with an important request."
"Go ahead, what is it?"
"I was hoping you would agree to be my best man."
Neji lifted an eyebrow. "Lee thank you very much for considering me. It will be an honor for me to witness your wedding."
His conversation partner beamed at him. Neji saw the hug coming but he was unable to avoid it, no matter how desperate he tried to escape the inevitable.
"Karin will be thrilled."
Neji shifted uncomfortable in the hug, thinking that this lasted way to long. He stood there stiff just waiting for it to be over. Besides the mention of Lee's fiancé made him always a little edgy. It might have to do with her saving his life, which, in his book, meant that he owned her his life. And stuff like that was bound to make a proud man like Neji a little uncomfortable.
…
Hinata's eyes darted around in panic as she searched the battle field with her Byakugan. They had successfully defeated Obito and put Madara back in the ground where he belonged.
When her eyes stopped at a familiar figure she mustered up her last strength and ran toward her father.
"Where…?" Hinata didn't need to finish her sentence because her father was thinking the same thing.
"Neji?" His pale eyes met hers with equal worry. He activated his Byakugan and stretched their extent to his maximum. "Let's go. I have located him.
She was exhausted and her legs felt like jelly, but at the prospect of seeing Neji, all that seemed forgotten. Her throat restricted, her father hadn't said anything about his condition. She had heard that Lee had brought him away to get healed, but last she had seen Neji it hadn't looked good. Tears swelled up in her eyes and she did her best to ignore that sting in her eyes by blinking it away frantically. Her feet blindly followed her father, she wanted to activate her bloodline limit, but she had to retain her urge to see if her cousin was nearby and if his chakra flared up, in favor of saving her last power to reach him.
They finally reached a clearing and her eyes immediately fixated on the body of her brother figure on the ground. Hinata stumbled the last few steps and fell down next to Neji. By now tears stained her face and she was shaking in fear.
"N-Neji?" Barely above a whisper with a voice hoarse and weak, she chanted his name like a mantra over and over again. "Please be alright. Please wake up." She begged, there was blood, it was just everywhere. Staining the soil and sticking to his hair and hers as well as she clutched his body.
The blood on her hands made her panic even more. Hinata was unable to suppress the trembling of her hands. Her whole body shock and she clenched his shirt to cry in his chest. Strong hands preyed her away from him and Hinata found herself crying into a man's chest, who she had given up some time ago. Her father's hands stroke her head soothingly as he tried to keep his posture when he looked down at the body of his beloved brother's son.
"I think he's going to be ok." A soft voice made them look up. "He's just tired and needs to sleep. I know his chakra is weak right now, but all it really takes is time." Karin was tired, healing Tsunade and then Neji had used up a lot of a chakra, but somehow seeing the relief in those people's eyes made her smile.
The red head staggered in exhaustion but instead of meeting the ground in a rather unpleasant way she felt two strong arms holding her up. She blinked only to stare into two deep black eyes full of gratitude for her. She remembered those eyes, they belonged to the young man, who had raced to her at an amazing pace with the Hyuga member slung over his shoulder and begged her to save him. Tiredly Karin smiled up at him.
"You know I really like your eyes." And right then the darkness to over and she let the fatigue claim her.
…
Hinata hadn't moved from her spot next to her cousin's bed since they had transferred him to one of the medic camps.
It had almost been two days and the only thing that made her keep hope was the constant peeping sound that indicated Neji was still alive That and the regular movement of his chest.
"I really wish you would wake up already, Neji." She bit back her tears. "I know that things between us have not always been easy, but I miss you. I was such a nuisance and it wasn't always easy… And I know th-that training me was probably the hardest thing you ever had to do, but I appreciated it so much. And I … I valued our training over everything. You've been really patient and I know that must have been hard, s-since I really suck at the gentle fist, but you didn't give up training me."
She whipped away her tears angrily.
"I really love you. I know you don't think like that, but for me you have always been my brother."
"I appreciate it."
Her head shot up at lightning speed. "Neji!"
She wrapped her arms around him and cried into his chest.
"I love you too, sister."
She turned to face him and smiled brightly. "Thanks, brother."
"If you tell someone I will deny it to the bitter end."
Hinata couldn't help it, despite of her tears she laughed.
Well just let me know what you think.