Chapter 5

The Assassin spent most of his time in his room. A week had passed by and he spent his time eating in his own chambers, meditating, reading books that he requested to be fetched by the maids (since he personally was not allowed in the library without a certain princess) and…conditioning. Since his arrival, he has not had much interaction with any one else but Itachi and his younger brother Sasuke, who would check on his occasionally. Currently, the assassin was found on the floor of his chambers, face beat red, shirtless, and sweaty. Apparently, the Hyuga had lost track of time; there was a banquet to attend to formally introduce all the applicants. Itachi had arrived to the assassin's room to escort him to said dinner. Itachi stood by the door way, a shocked look on his face as he observed Neji preform his push-ups. The Hyuga took a deep breath in and exhaled carefully and controlled. His arms were stable, fingers spread across the carpet, but each breath caused his arms to shake and it did not go unnoticed by the Uchiha guard.

"How many have you done?"

"Twenty-seven." Neji grunted as he planked and he bright himself to a standing position.

"You have an hour to get ready for the feast. You need a bath."

With a roll of his eyes, Neji swiftly pranced to the bathing rom and took a quick wash. He refused any help from the maids stating that he, unlike the prince, is fully capable of dressing himself. The maids gave giggles of amusement before swiftly bowing and leaving the room. The assassin pulled on a light blue top and grey pants. He pulled his long hair back into a pony-tail and gave himself a once over in the mirror. He was still a bit malnourished, so his muscle tone was still frail. However, he was seeing his face round out again and he appeared less tired. A week of quality time with himself was something he missed; especially with the option of luxurious amenities.

"There are some things I need to run by you before we go, Hyuga." Itachi stated as he stood by the doorway. "You cannot make eye contact with any of the councilmen, the Queen, or the priest. It is seen as impolite and can start rumors."

"The Queen?" Neji cocked an eyebrow.

"His majesty can be protective, for one. But there is also the issue of status; you are still technically a high born, and as we know, nobles must act accordingly while in the presence of royalty. No eye-contact with the Queen."

The Hyuga nodded. This was a rule he was taught from childhood. Etiquette was heavily reinforced when interacting with the royals; it was more like if the royals interacted with him. The assassin had no plans on being very social anyway. He was to scope out his competition and focus on his goal to get the contract for his eventual freedom. The pair began to walk down the halls, passing more maids and nobles making their way to the dining hall.

"And the princess?" Neji asked.

Itachi shook his head. "As long as she does not have any tantrums, you may interact as you wish."

"Her tantrums are-"

"Troublesome."

The duo turned around. A young man who looked to be around Neji's age trekked up behind them. His black hair was pulled up into a ponytail as well and he looked to be accompanied by his parents and an Uchiha guard. The teen nodded at Itachi and glanced curiously at the Hyuga.

"I am Shikamaru Nara," He introduced himself with a nod. "Heir to the Nara house and all that noise."

Itachi offered a half smile.

"And you, are Neji Hyuga." Shikamaru stated.

Neji eyed him suspiciously. His laidback mannerisms do not hide the face that there is a brilliant mind behind those dark eyes of his. His gaze was steady, but Neji could tell he was analyzing every inch of his face, trying to read him. The Hyuga nodded swiftly, but offered no response.

"Intriguing to meet you assassin. You have quite the reputation." Shikamaru's father said.

Neji nodded slightly to him a swell; he might as well be polite since they have not shown any threat to him yet. This would not be the time to offer any alteration of how other perceived him. He had a reputation to uphold as an assassin, but also as a noble-born. Shikamaru's mother said nothing as she stood next to her husband. She offered a small smile and looked at her son, reminding him of his manners before they walked into the banquet hall. Shikamaru rolled his eyes, but gave a grunt of acknowledgement.

"Come," Itachi began to pivot. "Let us dine with our king."

Tables were set around the room. The royals sat in the center, the nobles and councilmen to the left, and the competitors to the right. As they approached the table, the Hyuga did not even glance at them. He took his seat and glanced at the arrangement of plates and various utensils. Eyes began to shift towards him as he remained silent and unmoving. He could feel a shift in the area round him…his opponents purposefully giving off magical sparks to feel him out. Neji chest began to swell, trying to hold a mental shield of some kind to not let his instincts react.

The King gave a small speech and they were served. At this time, Neji did look up from his tableware and let his eyes give a quick sweep of who he was in the presence of. A familiar face sat not too far from him. He was older then the Hyuga, perhaps somewhere in his early twenties. His face was soft, round and his lashes were long. Such feminine features could cause one to think they were with a woman at a quick glance. He was from the Kiri Guild, Neji remembered. They have collaborated before on some contracts, as well as crossed paths casually outside of their prospective territories. He was very skilled, Neji remembered. He wondered who his sponsor was since he was quite a far way from home. The other assassin did not look up at him, or give nay indication that he was away of the Hyuga's position at the table; Neji guessed he was probably prompted to keep a low profile. There was a feeing of being watched, tentatively. He brought his cup to his lips, to use it as an excuse to glance towards the councilmen and noble table. Indeed, he was being watched. One of the councilmen was watching him, as if in surprise. Neji did not recognize this man, nor did he make any moves to show that he noticed the stare. Next to him, was Lady Tsunade who paid the table no mind as she ate. The Hyuga glanced at the table where the royals sat. The prince's golden eyes were on him as well. To him, Neji locked eyes with. Shin-Ten flicked his chin upwards slightly as if to scowl at him for looking about the room in such a way. Chatter could be heard from the other tables as well as whispers. The royals chatted with each other as they watched the room. The applicant's table was silent, however. As the tables were cleared of the dinner ware and replaced with fresh utensils for dessert, a man wearing a mask with silver hair stood and asked for the applicants to stand with their sponsors in the center of the room. Neji guessed that this man was the King's advisor.

"Sponsors, stand beside your applicants, as this majesty would like to observe."

Neji stood from his seat and stood in line with the other competitors and their sponsors. The prince made no move to stand. The King eyed his son for a moment, then sighed and shook his head. Surely Shin did not want to cause a scene…however the fact that Neji was standing in this very room was already a cause for commotion. Perhaps the nobles and councilmen had no idea that the crowned prince would participate as well. The Hyuga's eyes met with another pair of brown ones, only these eyes had a golden glimmer to them. Tenten was seated on the other side of her mother at the table. She held a neutral expression, not giving anything for the nosey company to whisper about. Slightly, she tilted her head as she held his gaze as if trying to tell him something. Something…some force caused his chest to tightened. It was not magic, nor was it his own body…it was a force beyond that and judging by the Kiri assassin's shift in posture; he felt it too.

"Please state your name, origin, and occupation, please." The Queen announced.

A boy with round glasses and silver hair stepped forward. He was accompanied by a man with long dark hair and piercing yellow eyes. His name was Kabuto, he was native to the Golden Kingdom, and he was a medic currently under study with his sponsor and master, Lord Orochimaru. The Lord offered a casual smirk and bow to the royals. Neji watched as Tenten's face stiffened a bit; she knew them…however to what degree was unknown. The King and Queen nodded at them as they returned to the line. Next was a boy with short dark hair and an empty smile plastered on his face. He was accompanied by and older noble who was scarred and standing on a limp. His name was Sai, and he was an artist as well as a skilled fighter. He claimed to have no knowledge of his origins; however, his sponsor was a man named Danzo. The Kiri assassin stepped forward at last.

"I…come from the Kiri Guild, in the Grey Kingdom of Mist." He announced. "I am an assassin."

Tenten's eyes sparked with curiosity. Two assassins she thought. "What is your name?"

"Haku…your highness."

Haku was accompanied by a noble, who looked unfamiliar to Neji. Then, all eyes turned to him. The whispers began to rise again as the attention shifted. The Hyuga stood with one hand in his pocket and casted his gaze to the king.

"If you'd please," The Queen asked softly.

Neji quickly looked at the queen, before locking eyes with Tenten, who was smirking in amusement.

"My colorful resume has made my name very well known around the realm…I am a native of the Golden Kingdom as well. I am Neji Hyuga. And my sponsor seems to remain seated instead of deeming me worth enough to stand next to… I hold the title of Legendary Assassin, and my sponsor had the idiotic idea to drag me from my comforting prison cell."

The Princess let out a snort. The councilmen and nobles looked about each other, trying to see who would stand to claim ownership of their applicant. From the table, Shikamaru crossed his arms over his chest as he sat back, listening to the hushed comments of 'who would dare?' and 'who released him?'.

"What and idiot…" the Nara kid mused. "Shin-Ten has stirred the court immensely…"

The princess' head snapped to her father who stilled with his eyes wide. His lips slightly ajar to the attitude he had just witness in front if the court. The Hyuga held a hefty smirk on his face as the room was silent, awaiting the reaction of the King. The Queen seemed unfazed, probably expecting this from the conversation from the Hyuga's first arrival to the palace. Tenten and Shin-Ten exchanged glances as well while their father just sat stunned.

"Come on, Shin." Tenten grinned. "You did leave him hanging here."

Shin-Ten chuckled and pushed his chair back. Standing, he walked to the center of the room, his golden crown present on top his head. The councilmen and nobles gasped as he took his spot next to the Hyuga assassin. Shikamaru gave a whistle, causing Neji to look in his direction. The Nara gestured his chin towards the councilmen and gave a smirk. The Hyuga decided to break etiquette, and face the councilmen. Another round of gasps as he made ye contact with each one of them.

"My sponsor…is Prince Shin-Ten Hua. Your son." Neji announced to the room turning back to the King and Queen.

The King frowned. Shin stood casually next to the assassin, giving his father a hard gaze, awaiting him to say something. Just as King Fei-Ten was about to speak, Queen Xiao-Lin put a hand on his shoulder and looked to their advisor. The silence was heavy in the room and the tension caused the sponsors to eye the crowned prince in awe and suspicion. Neji hummed; they probably thought that Shin was a filler piece for the king, to give some message that he will not allow for any false-play in this application process. Little did they know (minus some nobles who Shin and Tenten interact with constantly), the prince was acting on his own.

"Lord Hatake," the Queen spoke. "Let us commence with the free conversing for the evening."

The lord bowed slightly and called for the music to begin and the dessert to be served. The applicants had the chance to approach the princess as she moved to the far end of her table, closer to the nobles. Shikamaru had moved himself closer to her, along with a blonde-haired boy and a few of the Princess' ladies. Tenten waved her hand for her brother to come over to the group.

"Shin, you need to get your head out of the clouds. The court is quite a mess right now…you're being an idiot bringing the Hyuga into this." She said softly enough for his ears only.

"I am no idiot, Tenten." Shin glared at her. "We both get something out of this, if he wins."

Before the princess could as what he meant, her brother stepped aside and the competitors lined up to speak with her.

"Tell me…Sai right?" she asked sweetly.

"Yes, your majesty." The artist replied.

"If you were to be my guard, how would you intend to keep me safe as well as run errands for my father?" the princess asked.

Sai spoke softly as he answered; his art abilities translated into his fighting. He can use his enchanted scroll to make his pictures come to life. Animals, people, weapons…he would be able to get creative with this. The princess shrugged as she listened. It was not a straight answer, but it was an answer. Shikamaru cleared his throat.

"Danzo is your sponsor. Where did he find you?"

"Assuming you mean, how Lord Danzo and I met…I was doing a little magic trick for some children in the village. Most artists stay in one place; however, I prefer to seek enlightenment in multiple places. Anyway, he saw me and asked me to a dual. I lost, but he invited me back to this kingdom to become an applicant."

Shikamaru eyed him. Sai was not lying, but there was something about the artist that made the Nara unsteady. He held a clearly fake smile that did not reach the rest of his face. Sai bowed to the princess before stepping back to his sponsor.

"Kabuto," the Nara yawned. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Kabuto gave a smirk and a slight shrug as he pushed up his glasses. "We all know Lord Orochimaru loves to meddle in things such as this. Think of me as the familiar face of the bunch."

Tenten cut to casual discussion about his recent research on using musical wave lengths to alter the mind. After that, he too stepped down. The Kiri assassin swiftly stepped forward. The group eyed him curiously. His soft features were calm as he approached them, hands folded being his back. Standing being him as the Hyuga, who was curious about the Kiri assassin himself.

"Haku, how old are you?' Tenten asked.

"…Eighteen, your majesty." He replied.

Neji's ears perked up. Haku was three years older than himself. He resisted the urge to make a face, even though it was obvious that he was ease dropping. The blonde-haired boy beside Shikamaru gawked at the assassin. The princess' ladies whispered and giggled to each other, probably talking about his looks. Tenten asked him a series of questions that Haku answered a bit open-endedly. He was an assassin after all, and could not give too many details or descriptions of certain things. He walked back to his sponsor and the group looked amusingly at the Hyuga as he stepped up. Neji was beginning to tried of all this nonsense. He really wanted to go back to his room and sleep.

"Did you like the dessert?' Tenten asked casually.

"I am more of a vanilla person." He responded flatly.

"Oh, see that won't do. Chocolate is my favorite."

Neji sucked his teeth as the princess played with some strands of her hair.

"What questions do you have for me? I would like to return to my chambers and not be here all night."

Tenten rolled her eyes.

The blonde-haired by bared his teeth at the assassin. "You need to show some respect-"

"I have none for the kin of the family that killed my father. Nor did I want to deal with these atrocious circumstances that I am currently applying for."

"You should've thought about that before being captured." Tenten shot back rubbing one of her eyes.

Neji was about to reply when he felt the prince's gaze upon him. A warning to watch his words.

"Well, this is troublesome," Shikamaru groaned. "You two match in attitude."

The princess sucked her teeth. As if, she thought.

"Look, the princess is a big girl. She has magic and frankly she can handle herself. I'm here for the reward of eventual freedom." Neji pinched the bridge of his nose.

It was an honest answer. Shikamaru could give some flash of respect for that. Tenten blinked at him. It was charming for him to be so up front about his intentions. Surely, the other sponsors hoped to gain some kind of divine glory from this whole contract. Neji seemed to just want a chance to be alone after the contract ends; no strings attached. Neji nodded at the group and as he turned his back, he paused.

"Cousin." Was all he said before walking off.

Hinata's eyebrows were now high on her forehead. He had just acknowledged her. The group sat quietly for a second, shifting through their own thoughts and opinions about the applicants. Tenten glanced back over to where the Hyuga had sat himself, his back towards her now. Something in her chest shifted as if something was pulling her in his direction. Sure, he was attractive physically, but so was Haku. The Hyuga's honesty had shed some light on the situation at hand; all he wanted was to be left alone.