A/N: Another chapter finally!
I own nothing of Naruto or it's characters. I am not making money from this. This is purely for entertainment purposes.
I tried to fix all the typos, but some of them may have escaped me.
Warnings: Some language, homosexuality.
"Have you spoken with him?" Neji demanded to know, breaking the silence before it had a chance to stretch out and become uncomfortable.
Sasuke's eyes darted to the door, ensuring that it was closed before speaking. "You're referring to Lee, I assume?"
"Of course I am!" Neji snapped.
"Careful, Neji. Your uncle and cousins could return at any time. What would they think if they heard you asking about him?"
"Screw my uncle! It's all his fault that things are like this anyway!"
Sasuke's frown deepened. "Neji?"
Long hair whipped back and forth. "Nothing. Forget it. Just...have you?"
"Aren't you staying there?"
"I am, but I haven't seen him." Neji sighed as he recounted the events of the past few days. "Saturday evening when I returned from the mansion, Lee had locked himself in his room, claiming that he was tired. On Sunday, Hinata took me to get my car, and we ended up spending the day together so we could play catch up. Monday, he was gone before I woke up, saying he had early appointments, and he didn't come home until late, swearing that he'd missed the bus and had to jog home. What appointments? I don't even know what he does for a living." Neji flung his hands up in exasperation. "And this morning, he was gone again." Neji's eyebrows drew together. "Do you think he's avoiding me for some reason?"
The Uchiha male dropped his heavy pen on the desk and laced his fingers together. He could not imagine what events could possible have transpired to unnerve the Hyuuga heir sitting across from him. Neji had always been the epitome of haughty genius and careful, highly selective breeding. His manners were impeccable, and his intelligence unrivaled.
"He's a physical therapist," Sasuke answered the unasked question. "Neji.." He was interrupted by the blooping sound that signaled an incoming, interoffice call. Sending an apologetic glance to his friend, he lifted the receiver and barked a greeting.
"Mr. Hiashi Hyuuga has returned," Karin informed her boss.
"I see. Send him in." Sasuke dropped the phone. "Hiashi's back. Look alive."
Grumbling, Neji got to his feet and swiftly crossed the spacious office that covered almost a quarter of the top floor of Uchiha Tower. He opened the door and bowed low at the waist to acknowledge his uncle's return.
The elder Hyuuga nodded at his brother's son as he stepped through the door. Without waiting for Neji to straighten and join him, Hiashi moved through the room and dropped into one of the four chairs arranged in a soft semi-circle around the front of young Uchiha's desk.
"Ah, Sasuke," Hiashi spoke. "Hinata and Hanabi apologize for cutting today's meeting short. Hanabi seems to have forgotten about an exam she needed to take at school. I don't know why Hinata volunteered to drive her; her place is here." The older man sighed. "At least Neji is capable, or will be, once we get him married."
Neji froze in the act of easing into a chair. "Married, uncle? So soon after my return?"
"After that stunt you pulled four years ago, you ought to be grateful that certain families are willing to offer their daughters to you!" Hiashi thundered. "Honestly, boy, leaving a duke's daughter at the altar." Hiashi scoffed. "You can't explain that away."
Sasuke cleared his throat, drawing the attention of both Hyuugas. "Forgive me, Hiashi, but this is supposed to be a business meeting, correct? You want to sell part of your holdings to me, if I understand correctly."
Hiashi nodded. "Indeed, that is my intention. Unless I can interest you in marrying one of my daughters and merging our companies completely?" he asked slyly. "I know Hinata isn't much, but Hanabi has untapped potential."
"Uncle Hiashi!" Neji snapped. "Now is not the time!"
"Agreed," Sasuke interjected dryly. "While both Hinata and Hanabi are very lovely women, there is the little problem that they are women."
"Well, of course they are!" Hiashi said, puzzled. "Who else would you marry?"
"There is always Naruto, my boyfriend," Sasuke hissed through his teeth.
Hiashi waved his statement away. "Youthful indiscretions are fine, but both of you need need to face the reality. You need heirs, which mean you need wives."
"Uncle-"
"Hiashi," Sasuke stood and addressed the elder Hyuuga. "My personal life has nothing to do with the way I run Sharingan. You came here because you need something from me. Your company is bleeding money and to staunch the flow of cash, you need a backer. Your daughters are not part of the deal."
"Well, fine," Hiashi sighed. "Perhaps if you like men so much, you can take Neji, then?"
"UNCLE!" Neji balled his hands into fists and jumped to his feet.
"Hyuuga," Sasuke ground out. "Stop trying to makes whores out of your heirs. And, unless I'm mistaken, Neji already has a partner." He cursed himself as the news slipped out, but kept his mask in place. Quickly, he glanced toward his friend, only to see Neji nod slowly.
"That is correct, Uncle," Neji said.
"Oh? Who is this young woman?"
"His name is Lee Rock, Uncle."
"Lee Rock? Lee ROCK? That muscle-brained moron that followed you around in high school?" Hiashi got to his feet as well. "I forbade it then, and I forbid it now!"
"It's not up to you, Uncle," Neji spoke softly, his shoulders sagging. "I lov-"
"Don't you dare!" Hiashi hissed. "You will find a suitable woman to marry or you will no longer be a Hyuuga."
"My father wouldn't make me do this!"
"My brother is dead! What he would do no longer matters. I am the head of this family, and my word is law." Softening, he reached toward his nephew. "Neji, please."
Neji slapped his uncle's hand away, shocking everyone in the room. "Then I won't be a Hyuuga. Uchiha, I'll call you later." He turned on his heel and fled, unbuttoning his suit jacket as he went.
Sasuke stared daggers at the older man. "Hiashi, I suggest you leave before I lose my patience."
Hiashi's attention snapped toward the young Uchiha. "And our deal?"
"I'll think about it." He sank into the giant, cushiony, leather chair that Naruto convinced him to buy. He stabbed the button that opened speaker function on his phone, and dialed Karin's extension.
"Yes, Mr. Uchiha?"
"Mr. Hyuuga is leaving. Please call him a cab and send someone to escort him outside."
"Certainly, sir."
"Sasuke," Hiashi tried.
"Get out before you anger me."
Knowing that he had lost, Hiashi bowed lightly, stuffed his hands in his jacket pockets, and exited the office.
Sasuke sat at his desk, dazed. The pieces of the puzzle of what happened after graduation were beginning to fall into place, and he decided that he did not like the picture they were making.
"Dammit, Neji. What did you do?"
"Come on, my friend," Lee coaxed the boy in front of him. "Just five more steps and we're done!"
"I can't do it," Inari whimpered. "It hurts!"
"The pain is proof that you're still alive," Lee counted. "Come on. Walk to me. Use the bars. Left foot, right foot, left foot. Show me the spirit of your youth!"
Grunting, the boy followed Lee's instructions, sweat pouring down his face and soaking his thin shirt. His body shook from exhaustion; despite the agony his muscles were in, Inari was excited. Just a few more steps, and he would have walked the entire length of the walkway on his own. Well, almost on his own. He was using the handrails, but he did not count those. The rails were only there to make sure he didn't fall flat on his face and injure himself further.
The sound of applause and whoops of joy made him look up in shock. He glanced down at his feet, looked to Lee, his physical therapist, and his grandfather. He did it. He walked the entire length of the walkway. Tears sprang to his eyes as his grandfather enveloped him in a hug.
"Thank you, Lee," the old man cried as he squeezed his grandson tightly.
Inari had fallen off a bridge while playing with his friends over a year ago. His small body landed hard on the paved riverbank, and his back was broken in several places. No thought he would be able to walk again, but with Lee's help, the boy had proved them all wrong.
"It is my pleasure," Lee said through his tears. He was remembering his own recovery and the path that lead him to become a physical therapist.
His hands tightened into fists. He could not think about those things right now. Not in front of his clients. Maybe when he got home from work that night, except..Neji was there, in his home. Lee sucked in a breath. He knew he would have to talk to his friend sooner or later, but he had really, really hoped that it would be later. Much later. Like never.
Wiping away tears, Lee congratulated the family on their success, and reminded them to make their next appointment at the desk. He declined the offer of celebratory ice cream, but promised that when Inari was more comfortable on his feet that they would spend a day jogging around the park.
Once his client was gone, Lee set to cleaning the room he claimed as his office at the clinic. He racked weights, stacked mats, and attacked the surfaces of everything with disposable towels and disinfectant. He vacuumed the carpet, mopped the tiles, and even changed a few light bulbs that were beginning to look dim, all the while staring at the clock, dreading returning home.
Neji.
With a groan, Lee knew that he could not put it off any longer. He shrugged into his favorite green windbreaker and zipped it up to his chin. He grabbed his bag from his desk drawer, and slung it over his shoulder. Turning off the lights, he pulled his keys from his pocket. He locked the door to his office, walked through the darkened clinic, and locked the front door behind him. Once outside, he breathed in the chilly air, reminding himself that fall was rapidly turning to winter. He squinted at his watch, then at the bus schedule, then at the sky, and sighed. It looked like he would be walking home again, though it was his own fault for staying so late when he didn't have to. With his hands in his pockets and his shoulders hunched against the wind, he started toward the part of town where he lived.
Barely a block later, his route was cut off by that silver sedan that screeched to a halt in front of him. Throwing a curious glance toward the car, he attempted to maneuver around the vehicle, but a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Lee," Neji called. "Get in the car."
"Oh, but it is a wonderful night to walk and breathe in the refreshing air, my friend," Lee said. A strong gust of wind made him shiver and push himself deeper into his thin jacket, exposing his words as lies. He silently swore, wishing he had taken the time to change into the jeans and sweater he kept in his office inside of running out in his scrubs.
"Lee." Neji's tone carried the warmth of concern and the chill of warning. "Get in the car. We have to talk."
"At my usual pace, it will take me approximately one hour and twenty-seven minutes to walk home. I shall see you there," Lee stated, backing away from the expensive vehicle.
"Goddammit, Lee, get in the car!" Neji snarled.
"No."
"Then I'll leave it here and walk with you." Neji opened his door and stepped out onto the street. "Maybe it will get stolen," he mused half to himself.
"Do not be ridiculous, Neji. Of course it will be stolen, and that would be such a waste of resources. Drive your car."
"Only if you ride in it with me."
Lee crumbled. "Of course, my friend," he said shyly.
Neji waited for the other man to open the door and settle in the passenger seat before returning to his own spot behind the wheel. Gesturing for Lee to buckle his seat belt, he fastened his own, and made an illegal u-turn. Hands clenching the wheel, he sent tight, worried glances toward the other male. Lee, for his part, stared out of the window, watching the scenery fly past. The silence between them was painful, and hated pain. Before he could speak, Lee did.
"Thank you for retrieving me this evening, dear Neji. I was so caught up in work that I hardly realized that I missed the last bus." He turned his head to bow awkwardly, and flinched when he made eye contact with an angry, icy, gray gaze.
"Why are you avoiding me, Lee?"
"Why, whatever do you mean, my friend?" Lee cried. "I am wounded by this accusation of-"
"Lee, dammit!" Angrily, Neji wrenched the car off of the street and pulled into the parking lot of a long closed, boarded up building. He threw the vehicle into park and shut off the engine. He yanked the keys from the ignition, threw open his door, and slammed it shut behind him. Stomping around the car, he yanked open the passenger door, clawed the seat belt loose, and grabbed Lee by his jacket, pulling the man from the car. He dumped Lee on the ground and kicked; he narrowly missed Lee's head, and instead dented the frame just above the tire.
"You seem angry, Neji," Lee stated blandly. He stood, wondering if he would have to fight his friend and rival. He had not been to his martial arts class in months, not since the clinic had asked him to take on the cases of some of the younger patients. Having only been practicing the art for a mere three years - three years after learning how to walk all over again - Lee did not have the confidence to defeat Neji in hand to hand combat. He considered running, but to where? Neji wasstaying in his apartment, after all.
"Do you know how it feels to come and know nothing about my best friend?" Neji asked quietly instead of attacking.
"Do you know how it feels when your best friend leaves you with no explanation, no warning, and saunters back into your life, demanding that you pretend to be his lover to help him escape his responsibilities?" Lee spat bitterly. "Do you know how I felt when you left? How Hinata had to tell me that you asked her not to tell me where you were? Do you know how I felt, having to read about your string of love affairs in the newspaper? You were my best friend, Neji."
The Hyuuga male shook his head. "No, I wasn't. I wasn't any kind of friend to you."
Shocked, Lee interrupted. "Yes, you were. You are! We are companions of the heart-"
"Stop kidding yourself, Lee!" Neji roared into the night. "I used you. I know I did. And I'm sorry. I should have told you. I'm sorry. My damn uncle, I hate him! I hate being a Hyuuga! And after today, I might not be one anymore, so I guess it doesn't matter."
"Wha-" Lee froze, his composure unraveling at the sight of tears shining in Neji's eyes. "Neji, what in the world happened?"
"I told my uncle you were my lover, and he threatened me. I told him that I wouldn't be a Hyuuga anymore if I had to follow his law."
"So tell him that it is just a lie."
"What if I don't want it to be a lie, Lee?"
Lee stammered, "Wha-what?" His heart pounded in his chest. It couldn't be. It couldn't be!
"I'm saying I don't want to pretend. Let's make it so it's not a lie."
"You can not possibly mean this, dear Neji. I am certain that the events of today has rattled you. I am sure that after a meal, perhaps some curry, a long shower, and a good night's sleep will have you back to normal in no time." Lee's nerves were fraying, and he did not know where to look. He took a tentative step toward the other man while considering that getting closer might not be the best idea. "So let us return to your vehicle and make our way-"
"I can't deny it anymore, Lee. I remember that night, and I know you do, too."
Lee swallowed hard. "Neji, please, don't do this to me." He tried to back away; his feet remained rooted to the spot even as his body tried to execute the command to move. He slammed into the car and gasped, his breath coming in pants and gulps. He closed his eyes, willing away the memories
-lips on his, cold hands stroking his back-
that threatened to overwhelm him.
"Neji-"
"Lee, I told my uncle. I told him I lov-"
"St-stop. Stop!" Lee shook his head violently from side to side, unwilling to hear any more of Neji's lies. "Don't!"
"He can disown me if he wants! I have my own money, I don't need them! I didn't leave because I wanted to, Lee. Listen, please? Lee, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I love-"
"NO!"
"-you. I love you."
Lee's brain turned to mush when Neji's lips clamped down on his. The other man's taste was foreign and familiar. Lee lifted his hands, and dug them into soft, long tresses. He wound his fingers in the strands, and pulled.
Neji's head snapped back. "That hurts! Lee, let go."
"I hate you," Lee said. He forced Neji's head down as his own knee went up. A sharp cry of pain notified Lee that his knee had made contact with the Hyuuga heir's face. He released his hold on the other man's hair, allowing him to drop to his knees and nurse his bleeding nose. As he walked away, he called over his shoulder, "Find somewhere else to sleep tonight, my friend."