(SAKURA)
Moving in became part of the deal I signed up for with this three-year marriage contract. Now, as I sat in the living room, I can practically hear the roar of unyielding Hyuuga pride echoing around me. I felt like a world-class diplomat—though one who definitely preferred comfy pajamas over formal attire.
"Okay, let's get this over with." Neji wasted no time—just like all great negotiators before me. No small talk, no warm welcome. We dove straight into the terms and conditions of our new living situation. By 'adjustments,' he meant house rules and boundaries—lots of them, apparently imperative for our 'mutual respect' and 'comfortable cohabitation.' This wasn't just his home anymore; it was ours for the next three years.
First on the agenda? His bedroom and den on the third floor were off-limits—strictly his domain unless I had explicit permission. Of course, a stoic person like Hyuuga Neji would have ironclad boundaries.
"You'll need to keep some of your things in the master bedroom," my fake husband, Hyuuga Neji, said with that all-business tone of his—neutral yet commanding. "I'll leave a few items of mine in the guest room for appearances. Staff or any visitors who report back to the clan might notice."
I rolled my eyes. "Chill, Hyuuga. Why so protective?" He didn't bite on that jab, which only fueled my curiosity further. "Tell me, are you secretly gay? Or just terrified of what I might do?"
That caught his attention. "You should focus less on my preferences and more on whether I'll demand you fulfill your wifely duties."
I nearly choked at that comment. "E-Excuse me?" My mouth was agape as heat rose to my face. "I have no interest in you!"
His smirk widened just enough to get under my skin. "For the record, I'm straight—absolutely. So do yourself a favor and stay out of my bedroom."
"Oh, please! If anyone needs to stay away from anyone, it's definitely you from me!"
His smirk lingered just long enough to make me wonder if he was actually enjoying this banter. Regretting my decision to provoke him, I suddenly wondered what if he had some bizarre kink? Ugh! Why was that even crossing my mind?
Sensing my discomfort or maybe just delighting in it, he added coolly, "Relax. You're not my type anyway."
"That's supposed to make me feel better? What if I'm your type? Ever thought about that? This is going to be a nightmare."
Neji held my gaze steady for a moment before breaking into an almost imperceptible smile—a victory smile? Seriously? He was insufferable!
"You really think you'd survive being married to me?" he asked casually.
"I'm pretty tough!" I shot back defiantly.
He raised an eyebrow at me—dammit! Did he always have that look ready?
"Alright then," he replied finally, "Let's see how tough you are living under my roof."
Now, here's the million-dollar question—what exactly is his type? I pushed that thought aside as he launched into the next segment of his seemingly endless list of house rules.
Apparently, Mr. Serious had some pretty high standards when it came to cleanliness in our shared space. Noise levels? Super low, please. Late-night work sessions and peaceful mornings for meditation were his jam, which meant interruptions were only okay for emergencies—and meals? Those had to happen right on schedule when he was available. And don't even think about messing with the decor; it might as well have been a signed contract.
"And about guests," he added nonchalantly, "let me know before bringing anyone over."
"Relax, I'm not exactly a social butterfly," I shot back, irritation creeping in. "Should I pencil in some time to breathe too?"
He totally ignored my jab, but I swear I saw his almost twitched into a smile before he slipped back into his lecture mode. No way was I going to let him dictate everything without putting up a fight—especially about the little things like having my stuff in shared spaces. A scroll on the coffee table or a blanket draped over the couch would show we were living together comfortably, right? After some back and forth, I finally managed to win that one.
"You can add your own conditions," he said with an air of reluctant authority.
I wasn't going to waste this opportunity. First off, I claimed the guest room as my own little sanctuary—off-limits unless absolutely necessary—and decorated it however I liked. Neji frowned at that one but didn't push back too hard. Next up was full access to the garden and his medicine workshop whenever I wanted—whether it was for hobbies or just to chill out away from his brooding energy. Another frown from him, but begrudgingly accepting. Finally came practical matters: splitting bills and groceries seemed fair enough.
"Don't think just because we're sharing this space means we're in any way close," he said flatly, his signature deadpan expression firmly in place.
"I get it," I shot back, my usual sass slipping into the conversation. "And just to be clear—I want to stay out of all your Hyuuga politics unless absolutely necessary—especially your romantic entanglements."
"You don't want to get involved?" he asked, his voice tinged with mild irritation at my conditions. "You do realize this isn't going to be simple?"
"Well, neither is faking a marriage!" I countered, crossing my arms defiantly. "And one more thing—you need to be upfront with me about anything that could affect our arrangement. Treat me like an equal, not just some accessory."
"You make that sound unnecessarily complicate," he said dryly, as if my conditions were a weight on his shoulders. "I have no intention of disrespecting you."
"Great!" I exclaimed, nodding enthusiastically. "Let's discuss our public appearances in a bit more detail, shall we?"
I really needed to revisit this topic after my impulsive marriage proposal in my office. Time to lay some groundwork with my new pretend husband. I glanced over at Neji, his white eyes were fixed on mine, unwavering as always. His classic deadpan look during the ceremony had me worried. If we were going to pull off this charade, he needed to step up his game on the expressiveness front. A simple smile for me or a feigned look of interest could work wonders for our charade—at least in public!
After some playful banter and a few eye-rolls from him, he finally agreed. We decided that adding a touch of physical affection would help sell our story—maybe a handhold here or even a kiss if the moment called for it. My mind flashed back to that awkward wedding kiss… ugh, definitely not looking forward to repeating that anytime soon!
"I don't need you to change completely," I reassured him. "Just tone down the stoicism a bit! If people start doubting us, it's all on you."
"You really think this will work?"
"Absolutely," I replied, smirking like I had all the confidence in the world. Inside, though? Total chaos. "I mean, look at us! We're practically a match made in… somewhere far from heaven."
His frown deepened as he glared at me with those piercing eyes. "You do realize that this isn't exactly a marriage of love and romance?"
"Thanks for the reminder! I thought we were going for the 'loving couple' look." The last thing I needed was any unnecessary heart fluttering—complications were not welcome.
"Don't push it," he warned with an air of finality.
"Trust me, partner. We'll keep things strictly business! I'll play the doting wife convincingly enough. Just watch me charm them."
"We'll see how charming you are when we have to uphold this married image." He shook his head slightly but couldn't hide his smirk anymore.
"Same goes for you! I reserve the right to complain about your lack of enthusiasm." I swear his brows furrowed deeper at that request.
"What about our exit strategy? You know we can't stay married forever, Neji asked.
The exit strategy was the backbone of our unconventional arrangement—a plan that hinged on the fact that it wouldn't last beyond three years. Once I wrapped up whatever brought me back in time, I'd zip back to my original timeline with zero baggage, no messy goodbyes, and no lingering emotions. I letting the idea settle before suggesting casually, "We could always pretend we're having marital issues and stage a breakup."
"Just a clean exit," Neji echoed, his brows slightly raised as if he were already calculating logistics.
"Exactly! Amicably parting ways like well-behaved adults," I affirmed with a nod. Not that I would be sobbing like a fool when he walked away from me—that wasn't in the contract.
Just as I settled into my thoughts, Neji broke the moment of silence with a bemused look. "By the way, my cousin and a group of kunoichi are hiding in the bushes outside."
I blinked, letting that sink in. "Great. Just what we need—an audience for our supposed 'contract marriage.' Can't they just mind their own business for once?"
"It's kind of in their nature," he said dryly.
"You know, we could just send them a picture to throw them off—maybe one of us all snuggled up in your bed as practice for what we've discussed."
He shot me a look that was equal parts amused and annoyed. "My bedroom is strictly off-limits, remember?"
"Yeah, but desperate times call for desperate measures," I countered. "Besides, if they keep snooping—"
"They won't find anything," he interrupted firmly. "The chalet is protected by a barrier jutsu tied to my chakra. Even a Hyuuga wouldn't be able to see through it."
I had to admit—I was dying to sneak a peek at his bedroom since our tour. If he could keep the entire Hyuuga clan from spying on us, he'd certainly catch me red-handed if I tried. "Fine," I sighed in defeat. "And Hinata's out there too?" The ridiculousness of it finally hit me.
"Yeah… it surprised me that Hinata-sama would engage in such antics."
"Guess family loyalty runs deep—even into stalking." Neji never knew how much Hinata had been crying over him since his death in my timeline. "You know she really like you as her loyal cousin."
Neji's expression didn't change, but there was something unreadable flickering in his gaze—a hint that maybe he wasn't entirely unaffected by her attention.
Tonight marked the beginning of this unconventional partnership. A slip of paper with the security code and the set of keys on the nightstand were small but significant tokens of this intricate masquerade I found myself in.
The guestroom, my assigned refuge was quiet, too quiet. The space was tidy for now; I'd added a few personal touches—my favorite posters, scattered books, and some plants by the window. Yet, it still felt temporary, not quite mine. Maybe a splash of color would help make it feel less alien. I could almost hear Neji judging me for every item I'd clutter this space with in the days to come.
The bed was ridiculously soft, its freshly laundered fabric far more luxurious than anything I was used to. But comfort was the last thing on my mind as I stared up at the ceiling. Married to Hyuuga Neji. Not truly, of course—just on paper. For better or worse, this house and this room were now home.
To distract myself from the weight of it all, I pulled out my communicator, needing something to tether me to my real timeline. A quick message to Naruto would suffice—a small reminder of who I was and why I was here.
Me: "Mission update. Married Neji. Don't overreact."
His reply was instant.
Naruto: "MARRIED? Like... Hyuuga Neji?! For real?!"
Me: "Long story. Contract marriage. Three years max."
Naruto: "You're doing this for me, aren't you?"
I paused, fingers hovering over the screen. He was right, of course. Everything about this mission was for him—for the future he had fought so hard to protect, and for the people who had given everything for him, like Neji.
Me: "Yeah. Who else would I do this for?"
Naruto: "Sakura. You're amazing. You have no idea what this means to me. Neji—he... he gave his life for me back then. Knowing you're there to fix things... it means the world. To me. To him."
Me: "Stop being sappy."
Naruto: "I can't help it. Seriously. Best friend ever."
Me: "I know."
Naruto: "Take care of Neji, okay? Don't let him drive you crazy. And take care of yourself too."
Me: "I've got it handled. Stop worrying."
Naruto: "I'll try."
Me: "Now let me sleep."
Naruto: "Fine. But if you need backup, call. I'll portal-jump in a heartbeat."
Naruto's gratitude was unwavering, and his overprotective nature was both endearing and annoying in the best way. The warmth of his words lingering even after the communicator dimmed. Even from afar, he had a way of making everything feel a little lighter, a little more bearable. His trust steadied me, and for now, that was enough.
The room fell quiet again as I shut my eyes, hoping exhaustion would pull me under. Rest didn't come easily that first night despite the perfect mattress. My restless thoughts refused to yield. By the third night, though, exhaustion and familiarity found me, and I finally slept deeply for the first time, cradled by the gentle comfort his house provided.
By Monday, nearly a week into my stay at Neji's house, I had somewhat adjusted to the rhythm of his life and his rules. It wasn't my world, but I was determined to make it work. The house itself had a certain charm that grew on me. The air was filled with the faint, comforting aroma of sandalwood and green tea, and I could hear the occasional chirping of birds from the garden. It felt peaceful—almost enough to make me forget about my mission. Almost. That was until the owner's brooding demeanor reappeared to shatter the calm. Honestly, he had a knack for killing the mood.
Neji had mentioned having staff, but I thought he was exaggerating—until they started showing up. Apparently, all higher-ranking Hyuuga have their own attendant and retainer, and my husband was no exception.
Risa, his retainer, was a delightful older woman from the Hyuuga compound. With her warm smile and effortless grace, she made everything easier. Each morning, she would breeze in and tidy up as if it were second nature. From gardening to laundry, she had it all handled, and I found myself appreciating her help more than I expected. Breakfast? Totally her domain—she made it look so easy! But when it came to lunch and dinner? Well, that was on 'us'. No pressure, right? Risa mentioned that Neji preferred handling those meals himself, which meant I had to sharpen my kitchen skills. I seriously doubted my pretend husband would whip up anything for me. Despite that, I started looking forward to our daily interactions; she made this whole contract marriage thing feel a lot less intimidating.
Then there was Shin, Neji's attendant from the Hyuuga branch house. He looked like he could be around the same age as Neji's late father, with a serious, stone-faced demeanor that made him seem even older. Totally dedicated to tradition and his duties, watching him interact with his young master was surprisingly refreshing. Neji had this casual ease with him. Their friendship felt genuine—more like family than master and servant.
But with me? Not so much. Shin didn't visit often, but when he did, I could feel my blood pressure rise just from his presence. This guy inspected everything like he was solving a crime scene! He had a mountain of judgment about my 'wifely duties.' One morning, he handed me an ornate tea set and said, "A proper lady of the house should know how to serve tea." I smiled sweetly at him while imagining dumping the whole pot on him.
He definitely had some opinions about my life as a kunoichi, subtly suggesting that being married should mean less 'shinobi running around'. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his outdated views. I replied politely, biting my tongue to keep from calling out his condescension. If there were a medal for arrogance, he'd take gold. Was this a common Hyuuga trait? If Shin was this obnoxious, I could only imagine how Hizashi must be—though I figured it might make my pretend husband seem much more manageable in comparison.
Neji himself was an enigma wrapped in a perfectly pressed Hyuuga robe. It still felt surreal to think of him as my husband—even if it was just a contract, strictly mission-related kind of arrangement. Unsurprisingly, he was just as elusive at home as he was during those high-stakes missions. When he wasn't out doing his thing, he moved through our chalet with the quiet grace of a feline, offering nothing more than a brief nod in my direction. Sometimes he'd choose to sleep in his bedroom; other times, he'd retreat to his den on the third floor, disappearing for hours. We felt more like distant roommates than a couple united by circumstance.
For the sake of appearances, we made a habit of having breakfast together when the staff were around. He'd sit close enough to sell the illusion of marital bliss, while I filled the silence with light chatter about the weather, my training, or anything that didn't require his input. It worked well enough—for now.
But in those moments when it was just the two of us—like when I'd find him tucked away in his library or meditating in the garden while I worked out—the silence felt oddly companionable. We didn't talk much, not out of animosity, but because there simply wasn't much to say. When he did speak, it was sparse and transactional.
Still, I reminded myself that I wasn't here to argue about gender roles or become the clan's ideal daughter-in-law. I had bigger priorities than playing house; my mission loomed larger than any domesticity. My focus was unshakable—at least until the piercing ring of the mission call broke the silence.
Next Chapter… First Joint Mission
End Note: Favorite/follow for an update! And don't forget to leave a comment, thanks so much.