When they left the Hokage Monument the moon had risen to the center of the sky bathing the empty streets in a pale light. They arrived at the gates of the Hyuga compound at a quarter before midnight. Hotan and Ko, two Hyuga guards that Neji recognized well for their willingness to speak their opinions, stood outside. They looked decidedly relieved that the quartet of teens had returned unscathed.
"Lord Neji, Lady Hinata, I'm afraid Lord Hiashi is waiting for you to return in his meeting room. He is decidedly unhappy," Hotan, the guard on the left said.
"That's fine, thank you for the warning," Neji said. From the corner of his eye, Neji noticed Sakura take a deep breath and roll back her shoulders. Was she bracing herself to take the full wrath of Hiashi Hyuga? Neji reached for Sakura's hand and pulled her alongside him, her jade eyes widened as he pulled her forcibly along. "We'll take care of this," he said to Hinata.
"I'll escort Lady Hinata and Lord Naruto to their respective quarters," Ko, the guard on the right, volunteered. He was one of the branch family members that frequently defended Hinata to Lord Hiashi. Neji trusted him more than most of the others in his clan. Ko was one of the few that had the courage to reason with Hiashi when the clan leader was being unreasonable and stubborn.
"This is my responsibility," Naruto argued. "I'm the one Lord Hiashi told to be back by ten."
"Let me take care of it," Neji requested.
"Fine," Naruto said, his brow furrowed in worry. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. "But I don't like this. I can fight my own battles."
"Not everything needs to be a battle," Sakura said to him.
"Be careful," Hotan said casting Neji an anxious look.
"I always am," Neji said quietly as he dragged Sakura along. He moved at a sedate pace and studiously ignored the questioning glances Sakura directed towards him. "Follow my lead," Neji said.
"You seem to have a plan," Sakura conceded. "Does it involve bruising my wrist?"
Neji glanced down at where he was gripping her arm and sure enough her pale flesh was bright red. The diamond marking on Sakura's forehead glowed green for a moment and the bruise on her wrist vanished. "Sorry about that," he apologized stiffly. He relaxed his grip, but didn't let go.
They reached the meeting room where Hiashi waited. He sipped tea and watched them as they entered. "You are late. Where are Hinata and Naruto?"
"They are being escorted to their rooms by Ko," Neji explained. "The fault of our tardiness rests upon Sakura and myself."
"How so? I believe I was clear with Naruto that he was to return here with the rest of you by ten," Hiashi said setting aside his tea cup.
"I do not believe you want to alienate your possible future son-in-law," Neji said. "He is not used to the strict rules of a clan such as the Hyugas. He has had to take care of himself his whole life and hardly needs someone telling him what to do now. Hinata is a capable kunoichi and wasn't in any danger in his company. Is there anyone that can best Naruto in battle?"
"So now that you're my heir you've decided to start making clan decisions?" Hiashi asked, his voice rising in thinly controlled anger.
Neji didn't answer that question directly. He hoped to change the clan politics, but he would have to tread lightly. Naruto was right and his antagonistic behavior wasn't helping. He lifted Sakura's hand and softly pressed his lips to the back of it. He met Sakura's gaze and she played it cool aside from a slight narrowing of her eyes. "I thought your goal in this charade was to encourage two courtships between your heirs and the Heroes of Konoha," Neji said.
"Are you asking to court Sakura Haruno?" Hiashi asked rising to his feet. He glanced between Neji and Sakura suspiciously.
"I am asking permission," Neji said coolly. "We lost track of time and hurried back home once we realized how late it had become. Naruto had requested we head back directly from dinner, but we were having a very pleasant evening."
"I see," Hiashi said. "I suppose this time I will let it slide. Do not make a habit of disobeying me, son."
The muscle in Neji's jaw twitched at being called son, but otherwise he didn't react. Hiashi killed his real father. He could feel Sakura squeeze his hand in reassurance or maybe to remind him that she was there. It helped ground him. Without the constant reminder of the curse mark on his forehead, he felt his temper constantly in turmoil. It was hard to restrain himself from acting knowing the lack of consequences now that he was the Hyuga heir.
"Generally, the permission for courtship is granted through the parents of the girl involved," Hiashi said.
"Sir, I am legally autonomous of my parents and have been since I was sixteen," Sakura said.
Neji glanced at her briefly. Was that true? He had no idea that Sakura was a legal adult. As far as he knew, she still lived at home with her parents when she wasn't off on a mission.
"The Hokage did entrust you to my care," Hiashi said thoughtfully rubbing his chin. "Very well, if you two would like to court I will allow it. Now, be gone. It's late and I wish to go to bed. Keep in mind, Neji, that your birthday is in a few weeks." He waved them out of his room and they quickly made their escape.
"What was that about?" Sakura hissed pulling her hand out of his grip – she was much stronger than him. "You're not courting me."
"Are you really an autonomous adult?" Neji asked avoiding the question. His uncle's easy acceptance of their excuse only proved to him that a pair of courtships was Hiashi's goal. The reminder of his upcoming birthday made him nervous. Would they have to make an announcement at that time?
She poked his chest. "You're not another Zetsu clone are you?"
"Another Zetsu clone? What are you talking about?"
"During the war there was a Zetsu clone in my medical corp camp assassinating jounin level medic ninjas. He was masquerading as you. I'm the one that identified him. He was cunning and take-charge like you, but he was way too sympathetic and of course he didn't realize Tonton was a pig," Sakura rambled. "Besides, I doubt if you would ever seek medical attention willingly."
Neji reached up and brushed aside her finger from his chest. "I don't know what you're talking about, Sakura." What did she mean he wasn't sympathetic? He had chosen to wait an extra year before participating in the Chunin Promotion Exam when he was a rookie genin because he was sympathetic to Lee's cause. He was sympathetic to Hinata and trained her as best he could when she asked. He was a very sympathetic individual! And well, maybe she was right about him refusing to seek medical attention willingly.
Sakura sighed and ran her hands through her pastel pink hair in agitation. "I suppose you wouldn't. It hardly matters. To answer your question, I had my own apartment until it was destroyed during Pain's attack," Sakura said. "I moved back with my parents after that. Why would the future clan heir want to court me? I'm no one special. My family has no weight in shinobi society. Shouldn't you marry some princess somewhere now that you're the heir?"
"Sakura, you are most likely the most sought after kunoichi in the entire village. You may be young, but you're an acceptable age, especially if you're autonomous. The only reason you haven't noticed the interest in you is because no one wants to upset Naruto or Sasuke," Neji said. "And a noble clan has more use for the inclusion of talented new blood, not a pampered princess with no redeeming qualities aside from how she can pour tea. The Hyugas focus on strength. If Hiashi can upset the last Uchiha in the process it's a win-win for him."
"Oh? So you're suddenly interested in me too?" Sakura demanded, whirling on him. She placed her hands on his shoulders to make him look at her directly. "And why is everyone so intent on making Sasuke suffer more?"
Neji glanced at her hands; she could crush his rotator cuffs if he said the wrong thing. Surely, she'd heal it afterwards, but it would be a painful experience. "You saved my life, Sakura. Unfortunately, that makes you responsible for it. Being made clan heir was never something I anticipated. I need to buy some time or else I'll be forced into some arranged marriage on my next birthday — which is the first week of July. Or are you just biding your time until you can return to your precious Sasuke? Do you care nothing that by agreeing to this you might help me? I thought I was your friend too."
Sakura released his shoulders and stepped back from him and hugged her arms across her chest as if to ward off a chill. "Sasuke scares me," she said quietly. "And you are my friend," she said averting her eyes to the side.
"Then let's agree to play the part. A courtship doesn't mean a marriage. It will also protect us both from unwanted offers." Neji extended his hand towards Sakura.
She took a deep breath and then shook his hand in agreement. "Fine. I'll play along."
"Let me escort you back to your room," Neji said releasing her hand. He clasped his hands together behind his back and started in the direction of Hinata's room knowing that Sakura's room was near to it.
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OoO
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Hinata had enjoyed spending the evening in Naruto, Neji, and Sakura's company. They were her favorite people, aside from her teammates. However, Naruto's careless words earlier hurt her deeply. She laid in bed, staring at the ceiling. A tear slipped out of her eye and she vowed that Naruto would never mistake her for weak again. She would see that he recognized her worth.
She could hear as Neji and Sakura arrived next door, their quiet shuffling feet disturbing the stillness of the night.
"Good night, Sakura," Neji said.
"Take care, Neji," Sakura said, followed by the sound of her door opening and closing.
Hinata could hear the sound of Neji's retreating steps as he made his way towards his and Naruto's quarters at the other end of the building. She could hear Sakura's door open again and then there was a soft knock on Hinata's door.
"Hinata, are you still awake?" Sakura's voice called on the other side.
Hinata pushed back her covers and made her way to the door and opened it. "Hard to sleep with all that noise," she joked.
Sakura's cheeks grew red and Hinata was surprised to see the confident kunoichi blush.
"Can I talk with you for a moment?" Sakura asked.
"Of course," Hinata said holding her arm in invitation for Sakura to enter her room. Sakura moved to Hinata's desk chair and Hinata sat on the edge of her bed.
"I wanted to talk to you about Naruto's comment earlier. You know he respects your strength. We all do! He's just a little upset that he feels left behind again since he's still technically a genin," Sakura explained.
"I know," Hinata said. Did Sakura really think that she was the only one that understood Naruto?
"I know, you know, but I wanted to remind you," Sakura said with an encouraging smile. "Did your father forbid you from interacting with Kiba and Shino, like he did Neji from Lee and Tenten?"
"I'm not the heir, so father doesn't mind," Hinata said. "Or maybe he thinks I can protect myself," she said with a soft smile.
"I'm sure it's more of the latter," Sakura said reassuringly. "You're obviously fine. I just wanted to check on you," she said rising to her feet.
"What happened with father?" Hinata asked, stopping Sakura before she opened the door.
"Neji convinced him that he and I wanted a courtship," Sakura said with an amused smile. "Can you imagine?"
Hinata could imagine very well, but she doubted if either her big brother or Sakura could really see the possibility. "That threw him for a loop," she guessed.
"Indeed it did," Sakura agreed. "Then he started talking about Neji's upcoming birthday for some reason. I'll see you in the morning, Hinata. Naruto says stupid things all the time, but we both know he's got the best heart."
Hinata watched as Sakura left and retreated to her own room. She laid back and stared at her ceiling once more. Sakura's encouraging words helped to steel her own resolve. However, now she was more worried about what her father had in mind for Neji's birthday.
She reached for her nightstand and grabbed the book she'd been reading. When Hanabi was named heir, Hinata had more time to focus on what she wanted to do. She chose increasing her fighting prowess under Neji's tutelage and studying as many books as possible.
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OoO
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Naruto grinned as he read over the scroll that one of Sai's ink birds had just delivered to him. Apparently, while they were enjoying the nice summer weather outside by the Hokage Monument, Sai and Sasuke had engaged in a game of shogi.
Dear Dickless,
I had guard duty over Bastard. Beautiful came by and upset him with a confession of devotion. He seemed displeased by her feelings. I entered later and we played that game that Lazy enjoys playing. He is in a better mood, but your absence and that of Hag are creating a depression in him. Also, ask Hag what 'that time of month' means. Bastard says that was the reason for Beautiful's behavior. I am confused by what he means. I will report later.
Sai
Naruto watched as the ink began to melt away into a puddle of black liquid destroying all evidence of the message. He didn't understand why Sai insisted on using codenames for everyone and yet signing his own name at the end. He'd have to talk to Sakura about the message. He wouldn't ask what Sai had suggested, but perhaps they could find a way to sneak out of the Hyuga compound and check on their teammate.
He took a rag he had for cleaning the room's floor from any debris he might accidentally track inside and wetted it in the cleaning basin on his dresser. He scrubbed up the ink stain on the floor and then wadded up the rag and tossed it on top of the pile of dirty laundry in the corner of the room. One nice perk about the Hyuga compound was that he didn't have to do his own laundry. He couldn't wait to rub that little tidbit into Sasuke's face.