Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Hyuuga Swap ❯ Revelation Hits Like a Bitchsmack ( Chapter 3 )

The Hyuuga Swap

(Chapter 3)

 

Neji x Naruto

 

Naruto is in a brand-new relationship with Hinata. But when he meets her cousin Neji, he finds himself inexplicably preoccupied with the dark haired boy, despite his prickly personality. (AU yaoi)

 

______________

 

 

 

Neji berated himself for slipping up yet again. Had he no control over himself? For God's sake, he barely knew Naruto! Why did he always feel driven to take things farther? First it was a near kiss, and now it was an actual one…

 

But Naruto had fallen into it rather easily…

 

Was he really so naive?

 

Or did he feel the same draw that Neji did?

 

Regardless, he couldn't keep this up. Even though pushing the other boy away hadn't worked, Neji wasn't convinced befriending him would either. All he knew is that time with Naruto needed to be supervised, so he'd have no opportunity to jump him. Especially when Naruto dealt with his advances by practically melting under his fingertips.

 

Neji sighed and rubbed a hand over his face.

 

Who wouldn't have trouble not acting in the moment with a reaction like that? Naruto emanated `sex me up', and he had to try VERY hard to remember that the blonde wasn't available, and that giving in to him was not a good idea. Doubly so when the blonde's girlfriend, his cousin, could've walked in at any moment.

 

He used to have such iron control over himself. What the hell had happened?

 

Neji distracted himself with silence, for once leaving his audio system untouched, and took out a watercolor painting he'd started the other week. He studied it critically for several minutes, then picked up a brush.

 

---

 

“You know, Naruto,” Hinata said shyly as they waited for the bus that would take them to the fun park. “About Neji…it's good to see you're both getting along better.”

 

Naruto smiled nervously. “You think so?”

 

“I was a little worried at first,” she confessed. “I know he is rather complex, and hard to understand at times… but once you get to know him, he's actually really sweet.”

 

“Sweet?” Neji? Naruto snickered.

 

“I'm serious!” Hinata protested, a little flustered. “He just hides it under all that stoic nonsense.”

 

“I bet he'd love to hear you saying that.”

 

“Well don't tell him!” she gasped weakly. “He is a little touchy about certain things.”

 

Wasn't that the truth, he thought. “Yeah, I did notice that.”

 

She looked at him helplessly.

 

“I won't say anything.” He crossed his heart. “Promise.”

 

She looked relieved, but still anxious. “I don't want you to dislike him because of anything I say either…”

 

Naruto almost brought up the way she'd gushed over her cousin on their first date, and how that had been rather off putting all on its own, but figured a proper boyfriend wouldn't do such a thing. A proper boyfriend would…. reassure… and… compliment again?

 

“I like him just fine, Hinata,” he said earnestly. “I don't think I'd stop just because of something you said.”

 

She gave him a slightly strange look, but there was no time for anything else, as the bus had arrived.

 

They rode in relative silence, avoiding eye contact with some of the more unsavory characters utilizing the public transportation. Despite this, three people proposed to Hinata before the end, and some guy kept doing weird things with his exceptionally long tongue as he stared at Naruto. Naruto put an arm around her shoulders as she cringed back, thinking he should have taken the aisle seat himself to shield her from wackos.

 

The bus finally stopped at their destination, and Naruto jumped up quickly, practically dragging the dark-haired girl off the bus.

 

They breathed a bit easier, and made their way to the park entrance.

 

“Oi! Narutoooo!” A boy with wild, spiky brown hair and a wolfish grin flagged them down.

 

“Hey, that's Kiba,” Naruto said aloud for Hinata's benefit. They weaved through the throng of people.

 

“Sasuke's getting extra tickets for you,” Kiba said when they got close. His dark eyes lit up as he looked at Hinata. “Sooo, who's your friend, Naruto?”

 

“Girlfriend,” Naruto corrected. “Kiba, this is Hinata.”

 

“Girlfriend?” Kiba deflated a little. “Aw man, I wondered, but I thought for sure she was too cute for you.” He said the last with a grin and a wink at Hinata, which made her blush.

 

“Hey,” he said aside to her from behind his hand, “if you ever lose this piece of trash, give me a call.”

 

She blushed harder, and poked her index fingers together in a nervous gesture.

 

Naruto smacked him in the arm. “Who are you calling trash?”

 

“I calls `em how I sees `em,” Kiba laughed. His dark eyes moved over the crowd, and he seemed to have spotted something. “Oh, look. Sasuke's done. C'mon.”

 

They followed Kiba, the hood of his Pantera sweatshirt bobbing against his back with his long strides. In no time, they reached the dark-haired boy, who handed them each a ticket.

 

“Hinata, this is Sasuke,” Naruto introduced. “He's my roommate, and one of my best friends.”

 

“P-Pleased to m-meet you,” she said nervously.

 

Sasuke dipped his head. “Likewise.”

 

Ah, first meetings were always so awkward. “Where's Lee and Sakura? They were coming right?”

 

Sasuke lifted a finger to point at a spot way in the distance. Naruto could just make out a blob of pink, and the glint of sun off a ridiculously shiny bowl cut.

 

“Hinata,” Kiba said with a grin, dropping a hand on her shoulder. “You're about to see a prize specimen of the human species, and one of the BEST haircuts this side of town.” He leaned down so his face was alongside hers as they watched the couple approach. “Try not to let it make you faint of heart though,” he advised as he tried to notch down his amusement.

 

“NARUTO~!” Lee yelled out exuberantly, waving his arms. “SASUKE! KIBA! HELLO MY FRIENDS!”

 

Sasuke covered his face with a hand. “Why does he do that?”

 

Naruto grinned and waved back “LEE! SAKURA!”

 

Lee was wearing a subdued outfit, even for him - pale khakis that fit like they were custom made and a bright green turtleneck. He had a stylish leather jacket over that, which was probably Sakura's doing. She was definitely a good influence on him. Sakura herself was wearing one of those skort things, despite the cool weather, but made up for it with taupe knee-high lace up boots and a matching tailored jacket.

 

“Is it just me, or are you guys kind of overdressed?” Sasuke asked in way of greeting.

 

Sakura made a face at her old crush, “We're having dinner with Lee's parents after this. We won't have time to change.” Her green eyes shifted to Naruto and Hinata. “Oh, is this her, Naruto? Hinata, was it?” she extended her hand with a friendly smile.

 

“H-Hello.” Hinata shook her hand delicately.

 

“Naruto,” Sakura chided, “Why don't you give Hinata your jacket? I think she's a bit cold.”

 

Naruto looked at his friend blankly, then at Hinata. The dark haired girl hadn't mentioned being cold. Now that he thought about it, everyone else was dressed for the cool weather but her. But if she got cold, why would she wear a tank top outside like this? He did not look forward to freezing because the girl hadn't thought ahead, but he dutifully started to shrug off his jacket. He shivered when the air hit the tops of his bare arms.

 

“I got it, Naruto,” Kiba said, a hand up to stop him. “I can take the cold better than you anyway.” He pulled off his hoodie, and ran a hand through his hair to dispel the static electricity. He was wearing a tight long sleeved shirt underneath that showed his carefully cultivated muscles. “Besides,” he said jokingly, “we couldn't have her wearing that god awful thing, now could we?”

 

“There's nothing wrong with my jacket!”

 

“What? It's a horrible color.”

 

“I-I think it's fine,” Hinata said.

 

“This'll be warmer though,” Kiba said. “Here, put up your arms.” Hinata meekly did as requested, and he pulled the sweatshirt on over her head.

 

Sakura sidled over to Sasuke and whispered, “Keep an eye on him for Naruto. I think he likes her.”

 

Sasuke nodded.

 

“So, guys,” Sakura said brightly. “Why don't we head inside?”

 

“Let's go!” Lee cheered. It looked silly as he was dressed like someone ten years his senior. But most of them were used to him looking a little silly by now.

 

Sakura looked at him fondly and tried not to laugh.

 

“C'mon, Hinata, let's go,” Naruto said with excitement, grabbing her hand.

 

The six of them assembled into a rough group and waded their way through the crowd to the entrance and into the fun park.

 

 

---

 

Neji dialed the twin's number, and waited for the pickup, pacing restlessly. He wasn't sure this was the best plan of action, but ruminating excessively wasn't doing him any good. He needed an outside opinion. Maybe that would help him put things into perspective.

 

//click//

 

“Hello,” a flat voice said.

 

Gaara.

 

“Can you put your sister on?”

 

There was a long pause.

 

“No.”

 

//click//

 

Goddammit! The little bastard had hung up on him!

 

Neji grit his teeth, and called back. This is why the twins needed freaking cell phones. Or a leash for their brother.

 

//click//

 

The phone was picked up on the second ring.

 

“Please?” Neji asked, trying not to sound like he wanted to wring the kid's throat.

 

“…”

 

//click//

 

That's it.

 

He called back yet again.

 

//click//

 

“Gaara,” he let his voice drip with menace and resonate with absolute authority, “put your sister on the phone NOW.”

 

There was a brief silence before Gaara said, “Ok. Since you asked so nicely.”

 

Neji pinched the bridge of his nose. He hated it when Gaara picked up.

 

“Hello? Neji?” A low female tenor answered with surprise.

 

“Temari, why does he always do that?”

 

“I think it's because he li~kes you,” she teased.

 

Neji cringed. Wouldn't that be profoundly wretched?

 

There was suddenly the sounds of a scuffle. After a few harried sounding moments, he could hear Temari at a distance say, “OW! Jesus, kid, you don't have to gnaw my fingers off!”

 

Then came the sounds of running feet, a slamming door, and panting.

 

“You ok?” Neji asked.

 

“Y-Yeah,” she huffed. “I keep… forgetting… he can't take a joke.”

 

“I don't see how. He reminds you frequently.”

 

He got the impression that she shrugged.

 

“I wonder… if he does though,” she mused as she caught she breath.

 

“Does what?”

 

“Likes you. I swear he gets a kick out of tormenting you. I think he hangs up on you just so he can keep hearing your voice.”

 

“Because he likes to hear me get angry?”

 

“Maybe.”

 

Well, that made about as much sense as things associated with the redhead usually did. Was it a wonder he tried to avoid the kid? “I don't know what to do with that, so I'll just pretend you never said anything.”

 

“It was just a thought,” she said lightly. “So, anyway, why'd you call?”

 

Neji took a deep breath as he formulated his words. “I. Ah… You were right.”

 

“Of course,” she said smugly. “But what was it this time?”

 

“I think I like Hinata's boyfriend.” He paused, then added, “Possibly a lot.”

 

She made a sound partway between a gasp and a giggle, clapping her hands together. “I knew it!”

 

“Don't sound so excited.”

 

“Ok, ok. But why are you telling me this? There has to be a reason - you aren't into confessions.”

 

“I need advice.”

 

“Go for it,” she encouraged without hesitation. “Make your move. Seize the day and all that.”

 

He started second guessing asking the yaoi queen for advice. He suspected her opinions might be a bit biased “But Hinata… I can't do that to her. She was gushing about him just the other day, about how nice and sweet he is, and how he's such a gentleman.”

 

“Gentleman? Hmm…. does that mean they haven't even kissed yet?”

 

“I don't know!” he said with sharp indignation. “Why would she tell me something like that?”

 

“Down, boy,” She placated. “I was just thinking aloud.” She paused, probably tapping a finger to her bottom lip, as was her habit when deep in thought. “How does he act towards you? Any different than when he's with her?”

 

“Maybe,” he said evasively. Suddenly, he wanted to be doing anything else but having this conversation.

 

She gasped softly. “Neji, did something happen?”

 

“…”

 

“Oh, for god's sake, I'd smack you if I could,” she said impatiently. “Tell me what happened!”

 

“There was a kiss...” He sighed and resumed pacing, not sure when he'd stopped. “It was completely unintentional... I wasn't even thinking, it just happened. It's like there's this vibe or something…”

 

“So, he let you put the moves on him?”

 

“… I suppose so.”

 

“So, it's mutual.”

 

“It doesn't matter what it is. He's with Hinata. Besides, for all I know, he just takes action wherever he can get it - I don't need that.”

 

“Don't be so cynical,” she said sharply. “Not everyone is like that. And it doesn't sound like your boy - what was his name again?”

 

“Naruto.”

 

“Right. Naruto doesn't sound like that type. So stop trying to talk yourself out of it.”

 

“Did I mention I'm also mildly disturbed that he's a boy?”

 

“Sorry, babe,” she said sympathetically. “I know that first one can throw you for a loop, but it'll pass.”

 

“First? I was hoping this was a fluke.”

 

“It could be. But then again…”

 

“You're always so reassuring,” he said sarcastically.

 

“I do my best.” She paused. “I wonder if that's why those few guys of Hinata's were so persistent about you - maybe they sensed tendencies or something.”

 

“I never had tendencies,” he said resolutely. He heard her scoff at him. “And how could they be astute enough to sense anything when they were too stupid to realize that dating my cousin to get to me would probably piss me off?”

 

“Don't you dare slip into denial on me,” she threatened. “I hate wishy-washy attitudes.”

 

“I know.”

 

“Anyway, people do things like that when they are infatuated. It doesn't have to make logical sense.”

 

“So, what do I do with this mess?”

 

“Like I said, go for it. If Naruto clicks more with you than Hinata, it would be stupid to leave him to her when you already know it won't work out.”

 

“But I don't know anything for sure.”

 

“Then do what feels right, whether that's leaving it alone or not, and stop hemming and hawing over it.” Temari's tone was brusque, signaling the end of her abilities to reason with him.

 

---

 

 

“Bumper Boats!” Naruto cheered. He loved Bumper Boats. And even better than that was the industrial water gun that you could swivel on its post and aim at the boats' occupants as they busily tried to both ram and avoid each other.

 

“N-Naruto?” Hinata entreated as he aimed a deadly spray at the back of Lee's head. He and Sakura had split from them earlier and were currently on the lake.

 

“You wanna try?” he offered gallantly.

 

“Ah…well… it seems kind of mean…”

 

“Mean?” He pointed to Lee who had taken having a wet head in stride and was ramming other boats with gusto. “He doesn't seem to mind. It's all in fun, Hinata.”

 

She looked doubtful.

 

“Back me up, Sasuke,” Naruto appealed to the dark-haired boy next to him.

 

Sasuke shrugged.

 

“Traitor,” he grumbled.

 

“Maybe we could go watch the animal show?” Hinata ventured.

 

Oh, the animal show. The lame-ass animal show. Why did she want to do THE most boring thing in the entire place? All they had was a few snakes, a couple of birds, and a weary-looking banded marmoset.

 

“I'll take you, Hinata,” Kiba offered. “I was heading down there anyway.”

 

Naruto felt relief wash over him. Good old Kiba.

 

Naruto smiled at Hinata, and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. “Kiba hits that place up every time we come here. He'd be better company than me. Go ahead and go, and we'll meet back here for dinner, ok?”

 

“O-Ok.”

 

Kiba grinned, and caught the back of Hinata's elbow, gently steering her in the right direction.

 

“Oookaaay!” Naruto cracked his knuckles and turned back to the water gun with glee. “You'll do the boats with me next, right, Sasuke?”

 

Naruto stuck his tongue out of the corner of his mouth and aimed for pink. The girl's hair was flipped up in an undignified manner. She looked up and shook her fist at him while trying to smooth it down with her other hand. Lee, nearby, clutched his stomach and doubled over in what looked like gales of laughter.

 

“Sasuke, you should get a girlfriend, too. See how happy me and Lee are?”

 

“Hn. What about Kiba?”

 

“What about Kiba?”

 

“He seems to be taking yours.” Sasuke indicated the two with a tilt of his chin.

 

They weren't too terribly far away yet, just a third of the way around the lake. Apparently they'd stopped for ice cream cones. Kiba was grinning and pointing things out, talking animatedly, somehow not dropping his cone. Hinata was smiling shyly, holding hers in both hands.

 

Naruto waved off Sasuke's statement. “He's just being friendly.”

 

“Oh, is that what they call it?” Sasuke remarked dryly.

 

Naruto gave him a weird look. “Paranoid much?”

 

Sasuke shrugged.

 

“Hey look, they're switching out people on the boats already! Let's go!”

 

Sasuke followed Naruto a few steps, then stopped and turned to stare at something. “Hey look, isn't that Neji kissing a really hot girl?”

 

Naruto gasped and whipped around before he even finished speaking. “What?! Where?”

 

Sasuke shook his head. Dobe. “Ok. That confirms it,” he said resolutely. They both knew Sasuke didn't even know what Neji looked like.

 

“Confirms what?”

 

“That you have a problem.”

 

Naruto looked at him crossly. “What are you talking about?”

 

“You have a thing for Hinata's cousin.”

 

Naruto's cheeks flushed ever so slightly. “I do not.”

 

Sasuke sighed. “You pay Hinata minimal attention, yet I can merely say the name Neji and you focus on the spot like a trained bloodhound.”

 

“Sasuke…” Naruto put a hand on his shoulder, his eyes wide and soulful. “I don't know how to tell you this…”

 

A confession already? That was fast, Sasuke thought.

 

“…but I think you are delusional,” he finished.

 

Sasuke grabbed the hand on his shoulder in an iron grip, his temper flaring at Naruto's avoidance. “Have you kissed her yet?” he fired back. “Even once in the month or so you've been dating?” He'd be damned if he was going to let Naruto slip around this. He'd make the blonde see the truth if it killed him. It was for his own good.

 

Naruto turned red. “T-that's personal!”

 

“I'll take that as a no. Have you ever even thought about it?” He was being relentless. He had to be. Naruto could be incredibly dense at times.

 

Naruto tugged at his hand, trying to free it. “I'm not talking about my relationships with you, Sasuke, it's weird.”

 

“Have you thought about kissing Neji?”

 

Naruto stopped tugging and abruptly stopped breathing. The world seemed to cease its rotation and shatter on its axis. “No,” he denied.

 

“This is what I meant,” Sasuke continued as if he had said `yes'. “If you don't like Hinata that way, it's unfair to lead her on.”

 

“I'm not! I really do like her!”

 

“You like her as a friend,” he corrected bluntly.

 

“No - ” he yanked at his hand once more, confused and angry.

 

Sasuke let him pull his hand back, now that he'd said what needed to be said.

 

Naruto gave him a look like he'd just been stabbed in the back, then turned on his heel and walked away. The blonde set off around the lake, bumper boats long forgotten. Sasuke heaved a sigh, and followed him.

 

 

________________________

TBC