Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Hyuuga Swap ❯ Last Ditch Effort ( Chapter 7 )

 

The Hyuuga Swap

(Chapter 7)

Neji x Naruto

 

A/N: Apologies for the late update. It's an ordeal lately to get near the computer.

(Thank you reviewers - You are made of awesome!) 

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Naruto knocked on Hinata's closed door.

 

It was normal to feel anxious when breaking up with your girlfriend, after just having slept with her cousin, wasn't it? It was perfectly normal to feel like running away and never coming back when faced so directly with a transgression you never meant to have happen. Normal to feel like a moron and an ass, and 'oh god, I just want to get this over with'.

 

"Come in."

 

Naruto took a deep breath and opened the door.

 

The room was dim, and appeared to be all in tones of reddened magenta, smoky purples and dark wood. His initial impression made him uneasy. There was a cloying scent in the air that was a perfume of some kind. He hesitated.

 

"Come sit here next to me," she said, patting the thick grey-purple comforter that covered the white, lace-trimmed sheets of her bed. "And close the door behind you."

 

"Um- sure."

 

He shut the door, closing off the faint sounds of running water from the shower. He really wished that they could have come to her about this together, but Neji insisted that he shouldn't get in the way. That this was something Naruto had to resolve on his own. He was probably right, but that didn't make it any easier.

 

He gingerly sat next to her, mulling over how he could possibly bring up the topic, and with what words.

 

"I recognize that shirt," she said, as her eyes moved over him. "It looks good on you."

 

"Thanks," he said uncomfortably, picking up a weird vibe from her. A sort of focused intent.

 

"Where's Neji?" she asked serenely.

 

"Er - in the shower or something I think."

 

"So, I guess you two have made up, since you're trading clothes with each other," she said suggestively as she leaned close to him.

 

"Yeah, I guess you could say that," he said with difficulty.

 

"Behind closed doors..." her hand trailed up his chest.

 

Was she implying she knew something? "Well, I was changing -"

 

"And who was going to see you except me or him? Yet he was in there with you."

 

"We're both guys," he said lamely.

 

"And I'm your girlfriend," she said imploringly. "Why are you so afraid to be close to me?"

 

She kissed him and he didn't know what to do. His hands were out to the sides, half raised uselessly. He sort of kissed back out of reflex, but it had no affect on him. She eventually pulled back.

 

"Did you kiss him, Naruto?"

 

Naruto's brain went white, and he couldn't think of anything to say.

 

"Did you like it? Is he so much better than me?"

 

"I..." Naruto was too stunned by her words to respond.

 

"Is that all you did, or would I be a fool to think so?"

 

She was getting really worked up now. Anger and tears filling her eyes. She hardly resembled the girl he'd come to know. Gone was the quiet shyness. Or maybe that had been just a part of her, the only part she let others see. Was repression a family trait?

"Hinata," he implored, "you aren't acting like yourself... have you been drinking?"

 

"So what if I have?!" she snapped, getting to her feet. "I think I have reason." She started to pace slowly. "Every time I really like someone, they fall for Neji. It's my curse."

 

"What are you talking about?" Naruto asked, feeling sick.

 

"I don't completely blame them... he is wonderful after all, but I don't think I can take it anymore." She turned to him.  "Do you know why he hasn't been with anyone for almost four years now?"

 

He shook his head.

 

"He's seen this happen again and again. Me losing my boyfriend's affections to him, me getting duped by guys who just wanted to get closer to him.  He pities me, and he's disgusted by them. He lost faith in people and wanted nothing more to do with any it. But they don't seem to care how much he ignores them - how distant or aloof or disparaging he gets, they just come back for more. More enthralled than ever. And there's nothing either of us can do."

 

Naruto blinked, shell-shocked. No wonder Neji tried so hard to keep him at a distance.

 

"It's not his f-fault, but I hate it so much sometimes... When will it be my t-turn? When w-will - will I be someone's goal, n-not just a stepping stone?"

 

She slumped down on the floor and started to cry.

 

Naruto hesitated, then moved down next to her, putting his arms around her awkwardly. She turned into him and threw her arms around him, sobbing.

 

Naruto looked up at the ceiling with a pained expression, wondering how he got himself into these situations. "I'm sorry," he said.

 

"I like you s-so m-much," she sniffed, her stuttering starting to emerge as the tears overwhelmed the alcohol. "But I could s-see it happening. I t-tried to ignore it, b-but the signs were there."

 

"I didn't plan for any of this to happen," he said quietly, resting a hand on her head.

 

"I k-know... But I could s-see the effect you had on each other. And h-how h-hard you both tried to fight it, for me. I - "  Tears chased down her cheeks. "I knew it was s-selfish to want to hang on to you. So, I w-wanted to do something selfless, like he's done s-so many times for me, .... but it's still so h-h-hard."

 

"So, today...?"

 

"I left you alone on p-purpose... to give you b-both a chance to figure things out, w-without getting in your w-way..."

 

She looked up at him, her lip wobbling.

 

"B-But I couldn't even do t-that right... I was secretly h-h-hoping n-nothing would come of it... and I feel s-so angry at both of you." She punctuated the word by striking her limp fist against his chest. "N-Neji has n-never shown interest in boys before, so why n-now? Why you?"

 

Good question. "I honestly, have no idea."

 

"Then... maybe it will pass? Maybe it's j-just one of those things?"

 

Her voice suddenly sounded so hopeful that Naruto found he couldn't shoot her words down so quickly. He desperately wanted her to stop crying, which his silence was accomplishing at this very moment and yet he knew that as soon as he opened his mouth, she was bound to start again. But also, he got to thinking. Was there any chance that his fledgling romance was just 'one of those things'? Was it bound to flicker out just as fast as it started? Oh, the twist of pain he felt in his chest at the thought.

 

"That's right," she said, wiping the tear trails from her face. "Neji's been with other people for short amounts of time... maybe this is the same."

 

Naruto was debating making her cry again if only to make her stop talking. Why must she somehow know the very things to set his insecurity up like dominoes? A few more words and she might set his confidence to an epic collapse.

"I don't think it's like that," he ventured.

"But don't you see? It all makes sense! He probably just got curious, having only dated girls. It's natural to want to experiment. And you have such a cute face..."

Cute?? If he wasn't mistaken, that was a term to be reserved for describing girls only. "I'm not -"

"... it's almost girlish, really," she continued.

Her face had garnered a small smile, but he was not moved. Rattled was perhaps a better term for how he felt right now. First he'd suffered guilt and awkwardness over her being upset, but know that she'd regained her footing, he seemed to have lost his. Hinata had to be wrong. Neji did not see him as a girl-replacement, OR a fling, did he?  He didn't act like it, but then Naruto had seen first-hand how good the other boy was at acting...

"Naruto, it just won't end well," she was saying, as his mind was humming distractedly. "And you like me, don't you?"

"Well, yeah, but -"

 

"So forget about him. It's not too late."

 

Naruto had the sudden feeling that the world was tilting. Due in part, he discovered, to the fact that Hinata had leaned into him, upsetting his balance. He hit his head on the floor with a solid thud though the plush carpet absorbed any real impact. Getting air into his lungs was starting to prove difficult as Hinata was on him like a wet blanket, not to mention that she was kissing him like she could locate his tonsils with her tongue.

 

"Mmpf," he said, trying to gently pry her off.

 

She blithely ignored him, and clung like a persistent burr. He couldn't dislodge her without gripping her small shoulders very hard. "Mmpf!" he said more emphatically, trying to win her over to reason. Now that he was given a long opportunity to notice, he could taste the alcohol she'd apparently hit like a sailor does a good bottle of rum. Though he wasn't sure if rum was what she was drunk off her ass on, he didn't particularly care to find out. He pushed against her shoulders, determined to give a mighty shove, if it was the only way to -

 

The door opened.

 

"Everything ok? I heard..." A blank-faced Neji looked down at them, hand still on the door, his sentence trailing off into nothingness. Apparently the sound of Naruto's head hitting the floor was audible. Or maybe it was something else, though Naruto would never know.

 

Naruto waited for the accusations, the anger, the ceasing of his existence.

 

"Get out," Hinata said, finally ceasing her molestation of him to look up at Neji.

 

Naruto cringed. This wasn't going to go well. No, not at all.

 

A muscle in Neji's jaw twitched as he regarded the girl who used to act like his cousin. He did not look at Naruto. Instead, he walked over, grabbed her by the arm and hauled her to her feet. "What is wrong with you?" he snapped. She wobbled on her feet.

 

"Nothing," she said petulantly. "Leave me alone, Neji."

 

"No, we're talking about this," he said caustically. "What the hell were you thinking?"

 

Naruto sat up and tried to quell the urge to scoot unnoticed from the room. He had a feeling that would only bring attention to himself. Yeah. For now, he would just stay quiet, undetected, and ready to jump in if this exploded into potential bodily harm. 

 

Hinata turned her head to the side angrily. She had a look on her face that mirrored the one Neji was capable of when annoyed to his limits.

 

"You're drunk."

 

"I am not."

 

He ignored her. "You know you can't drink like that because of your heart medication!"

 

Naruto gaped. Neji was pissed because she'd been drinking?

 

"I KNOW that," she spat, listing like a drunkard, "and I'm telling you I'm not drunk!"

 

"You only get like this WHEN you're drunk!" he snapped back.

 

Naruto watched as they argued. Apparently 'Bitch' was a Hyuuga family trait. Even if it was more deeply buried in some individuals than others.

 

Hinata yanked her arm out of Neji's grip, perhaps to make her exit. The momentum spun her around, and Neji catching her arm again spun her a bit more. She turned a little green, wobbled unsteadily on her feet, and gave Neji a piteous look right before she threw up on him.

 

 

---

 

"Naruto," Neji addressed him for the first time in the utter stillness of the room.

 

"Y-Yes?" Naruto answered, horrified.

 

"Can you get me a towel?" he said evenly, his long hair still very wet from the shower he'd just taken and that he was about to repeat.

 

"S-Sure," Naruto stammered.

 

Neji closed his eyes with a pained expression, intent on blocking out the mess that had befallen him. "Thank you."

 

---

 

An hour later found them in the living room, all with damp hair. A subdued, and more-or-less normal, if not sick, Hinata was curled up on the edge of the couch wrapped in a blanket. Her head resting woefully on the arm. Neji lightly rubbed her back with one hand, looking exhausted.

By now, they'd raised the water bill a considerable amount what with all the showering, and running the washing machine with all the towels they'd needed to clean up with as Hinata was sick several times on the way to the bathroom. Water loss and depleted energy. Violent hangovers just had that kind of impact.

Neji looked down at his cousin's tortured face. Not only was she suffering epic and inescapable nausea, but mortification on several fronts as well. He felt bad for her. He did.  "I'll be  back," he said to her. "I need to talk to Naruto." She nodded miserably. He got up, and nodded to the blonde to follow him down the hall.

Naruto jumped up jerkily, and fidgeted as he followed Neji.

Neji didn't bother to turn the hall light on, merely led the way out of earshot.

Naruto, despite having been tired mere moments before, was filled with nervous energy and anxiety.  Now that the emergency was over... their teamwork disbanded... what was Neji going to say about what had happened earlier? What was he thinking?

"Naruto..." Neji said solemnly, turning to face him.

Naruto jumped, his heart hammering at Neji's tone of voice. Bad. It sounded bad. Ill omens. Misfortune. The plague. An ender. Interrupt him, stupid! he thought at himself.

"Neji, look. I didn't mean for any of that to happen. I'm sorry. It was just - "

"Shhh," Neji hushed, leaning against him wearily. Naruto blinked. "Don't apologize for that. It wasn't your fault."

"You can't tell me you aren't mad..."

"Well, I did wonder why you were letting her kiss you," he said, annoyance creeping into his voice. "But, I realized you were probably in shock."

"Just like that?"

"What?"

"You aren't going to assume all sorts of crazy things... you're just going to shrug it off, just like that?"

"I trust you."

Naruto craned back to give him an astounded look.

"Besides, you weren't exactly the poster-child for sexual interest when I walked in," Neji added with a half-hearted laugh. "You looked like you'd have been happier chewing nails."

"Maybe so," Naruto mused.

 

"What I wanted to say, is that I'm sorry you had to see that." Neji sighed. "I had no idea she'd been drinking - and she always gets like that... I never would have sent you in to go talk to her."

 

"Gets like what? Crazy, loud and gropey?"

 

"I think she suppresses a lot."

 

"I've heard of sad, angry or affectionate drunks... but Hinata is a scary drunk."

 

"Indeed," Neji murmured tiredly, his voice muffled against Naruto's neck. "I don't know where she went to go drink like that, but I'm glad she made it home ok and that it's wearing off." Between the culmination of the sexual tension that'd been developing between them the last several weeks, the sudden but awe-inspiring relieving of said tension and the drama and mess of drunken Hinata, Neji was about dead on his feet. He let his eyes drift shut as he leaned against Naruto, his head resting on his shoulder. The blonde was an amazing human pillow. He should be cloned and marketed to insomniacs. They'd make millions.

 

"Hey, Neji?"

 

"Yeah?"

 

"What are we going to tell her... about us?"

 

"The truth, I suppose." Hinata was a tricky subject now. Bugger.

 

"Can she handle the truth?"

 

"You sound like a bad movie, Naruto."

 

Naruto secretly agreed - he'd always wanted to say a line like that, and go him! he'd finally done it. Overshadowing that small victory was the thrill he got just hearing his name roll off Neji's tongue. "But can she?" His name almost sounded exotic when Neji said it. Like something succulent. Like water running over river rock. Like - Oh man, he must be exhausted to be thinking like this.

 

Neji sighed, worry creases forming between his eyes. "Guess she'll have to," Neji said. Breakups were hard. Having distance between both people afterwards was usually rather helpful - especially when one person still harbored feelings for the other... but how was that supposed to happen if Naruto came over to see Neji? How was she supposed to handle seeing them together if she knew they'd -

 

"So. Um..." Naruto started and stopped akwardly before plunging on uncertainly. "Where exactly does that leave us?"

Neji opened his eyes, regarding the blonde, but otherwise didn't move. He was too damn tired. "Where do you want it to leave us?"

"Well - I - um... sorta wasn't sure if this," he gestured at himself and Neji, "was a temporary arrangement, or not?"

Neji closed his eyes again, amused at the way Naruto's heart started beating faster as he got nervous. It was adorable, really. Naruto had so much going for him, but he didn't seem to have a clue. He listened to a dozen or so beats, before Naruto prompted him for a response.

"Um.. Neji?"

"Why would I bother with something that was only temporary?" he yawned. "Those better-to-have-loved-and-lost people are full of shit."

Neji roused himself from Naruto's increasingly comfortable shoulder and regarded the other boy with a slow smile. Naruto's cheeks colored slightly and he looked down, as if trying to suppress the happy expression starting to blossom on his face.

Neji caught Naruto's chin and tilted his face up gently. "I want to be with you, for as long as you'll have me."

Naruto's look of surprise was precious. His blue eyes were wide and his mouth hung open just the barest amount, a testament to his disbelief which had already begun to fade around the edges. Neji leaned in and gently brushed his lips against Naruto's. Just a whisper of touch, but it coalesced into something deeper - A thrumming of energy coming to life in the heavy air. Blue eyes dilated widely, and Naruto pulled Neji against him, kissing him deeply and without reservation.

Neji felt heat pool in his stomach and he was amazed that there was still so much sexual tension between them - he could easily be swayed to thoughts of beds, locked doors, and the countless ways they could exhaust themselves if only they could remain uninterrupted.

Naruto felt so good, it was hard to reign his thoughts in to focus on what they should be doing as opposed to what they could be doing. It was late and Naruto should be getting back to his own place. It was late, they were tired, and Naruto could just stay the night here; Though Neji should be seeing Naruto out after they had that talk with Hinata, so she could recover her broken heart, composure, or whatever it was she needed to piece together. But he was having a hard time thinking that was a good idea when he could feel the desire stirring between them and the blonde's hips pressed insistently against his.

Naruto's mouth devoured his and warm hands were smoothing up his back. Brain... malfunctioning...

Soft lips... hard -

"Neji... maybe we can tell her tomorrow?" Naruto whispered, his voice breathy. "She uh- doesn't feel well right now - it would be hard for her to take in..."

Naruto would have been more believably concerned for his cousin's welfare if he wasn't also rubbing tanned hands up his chest while looking at him like that. No, it wasn't believable at all; But it was extremely convincing. "Agreed."

"Well, that was easier than I thought."

"But you shouldn't stay here," Neji said, "You should probably go -" Naruto's fingertips grazed his nipples and he had to bite back a noise at the feeling that shot through him at the touch. "H-Home."

"If I go home, I'm taking you with me."

"I can't go, and you can't stay." Neji tried to sound like he spoke with authority, one last rally before he caved.

"Hmmn." Naruto's body was molding to his, and his mouth was hot on Neji's neck.

God love him, the boy was stubborn. And so very hard to say no to. 

"Fine, fine," Neji breathed before reclaiming the blonde's mouth in earnest. He'd called on his self control too many times in the past few weeks. It didn't seem to be functional anymore.

Neji promised himself that they'd check on Hinata before taking this further - to make sure she wasn't still up, waiting for them to come back. If fate smiled upon them, she'd already have fallen asleep.


---

Naruto turned over, taking most of the sheets with him, mumbling in his sleep. It was cold, and he was unconsciously wrapping himself up like a cocoon. He'd slept over 5 hours, and would likely sleep another 10 if left to his own devices. He had no compunctions doing that - even if the bed he was in wasn't his.

Neji watched him sleep for a time, still tired himself but wide awake nonetheless. He couldn't see much more than the curve of one tanned, flushed cheek and a shock of bright, blonde hair sticking out of the blankets.  He reached out and softly ruffled the tousled yellow spikes, amused at how completely dead to the world Naruto was when he was asleep.

Neji had ended up sleeping on the wall side of the bed, so he had to either exit via the foot of the bed, or by climbing over Naruto. He decided against the latter. There was no need to test the endurance of Naruto's ability to stay unconscious. Though at some point he probably would - just for curiosity's sake.

He got dressed, opting for a fitted white shirt and olive-grey cargos. He wove his hair into a loose plait so it would be out of his way, his mind on the reason he was already awake. What had occurred to his lust-addled and sleep-deprived brain last night, that had been summarily dismissed in lieu of other things, was that they had yet to break the news to Hinata. In the light of day he could easily recognize how keeping this from her for an extra night was NOT a good idea.  Unfortunately, last night he had not been at his most cognizant.

He slipped out of his room, shutting the door quietly behind him and made his way down the hall into the living room.

Hinata was still on the couch - out cold. She looked a lot better than last night, color had returned to her face. Neji went to the kitchen for a glass of water. When he returned, he lightly shook her shoulder. Hinata's eyes opened and she blinked blearily at him. There were dark smudges under her eyes, and a crease in her cheek from the couch cushion, but other than that she looked like she was recovering. He held the glass up to her and she took it with a put-upon expression.

"You'll just feel worse later if you don't," he said, mostly just to break the silence.

"I know," she sighed and dutifully took a sip. Her voice was faint. "I just hate the taste of water so early in the morning."

"Maybe you should remember that next time you go on a drinking binge."

She looked down. "R-Right." Her face said she had suddenly begun to remember the reason why she'd wanted to get drunk.

Neji went back to the kitchen to make some coffee, and leave her with her thoughts and give himself some breathing room. He knew they needed to talk about this, but everything about the situation was just uncomfortable.  Bad timing, more bad timing, etc, etc.  Everyone had been so concerned about everyone else's feelings, yet in the end, good intentions only go so far. Neji didn't want to get into this without Naruto, the blonde needed to be here. But wouldn't that be harder on his cousin? To have to face them both - the newly forged couple...
 
Ok, coffee first. Caffeine first. Hard decisions could come next.

Yum, coffee.

My, look how interesting our kitchen wall is...

"N-Neji?"

Hinata's voice was wavery. Damn.

He stopped his faux inspection of the blank, white kitchen wall and went to sit in his favorite sling-back leather chair right next to the couch, coffee mug held securely in both hands. For having had his guilt go missing yesterday, it sure had come on full force in the last 10 minutes. "Yes? What is it?"

"I don't r-really r-remember a lot of what h-happened yesterday..."

"And?" He resisted the urge to tap his fingers against the mug. It was a nervous habit. She'd spot it in a second.

"W-Well... I'm not sure... Was - was Naruto here last night when... when I got back?"

"Yes," he assented guardedly.

"I think I remember t-talking to him in my room... and that I was r-really upset."

Neji nodded. Last night, she'd pretty much understood that there was something going on between himself and Naruto - At least, that's what he'd gathered from the blonde's retelling of their conversation. This morning though, she didn't seem to recall that part clearly. Selective memory hard at work. This could be gruesome.

"Neji...?" Hinata looked at him helplessly as understanding started to flood her eyes. She'd apparently figured out a reason she might have been upset while talking to the blonde, even if she had no recollection. "D-Did N-Naruto break up with... me?"

Oh hell, he didn't want to field this one.


"Hey, do I smell coffee?" a voice unwittingly interrupted.

Both Hyuugas turned to see a topless, sleep-ruffled Naruto trudge out into the living room, eyes sliding closed as a giant yawn forced it's way out of his mouth. His bed-head managed to look sexy, and the pants he'd borrowed to sleep in hung off his hips as if a mere gust of wind could urge them to fall. He vaguely resembled a beach bum with his light hair, tanned skin, and lazy manner. He looked perfect. And perfectly out of place with the heavy words being exchanged by the other 2/3 of his love triangle.

Neji felt a sharp pang of dread which communicated itself to Naruto the second their eyes met. The blonde instantly looked more awake, and also awkward as his gaze fell upon Hinata, who had turned red at his entrance.

Naruto tried to laugh it off. Instead, all that came out was a weak "Good morning."

"I d-didn't know he s-stayed over," Hinata stuttered, looking as if she was on the edge of a painful realization, but grasping at disbelief. She wasn't looking at Naruto.

"He - Yes, he did."

Hinata's look sharpened at Neji's verbal fumble.

Naruto felt tension gathering like a storm cloud. Hurt, angry. Hinata was teetering between the two. Although 'hurt' and 'angry' didn't quite capture the feeling behind it. Perhaps 'betrayed' and  'spitting mad' would  be more accurate. Coming from the usually quiet and timid Hinata, the effect was rather brutal.

"Uh - Hinata..." Naruto wasn't really sure what to say, but he couldn't let Neji get the brunt of that look. Her eyes swiveled to him. Ouch.

"So, you are breaking up with me?" Gone was the stutter. Apparently strong emotion or libations ironed that right out.

Her pale eyes were intimidating. Just now - you could totally see the Hyuuga family resemblance.

"Well..." Naruto floundered.

Now Neji's intense eyes were on him too, saying, Why are you hesitating??

Naruto glared back. I'm not! I'm just trying to make this as easy as possible for her!

"So, it's over?"

Naruto rallied his flagging courage. "...yes. I'm sorry, Hinata. I think - I think we just weren't meant for each other. I'm really sorry." Again, he glanced at Neji to see how he was doing. Neji's eyes flicked to Hinata, who had followed this exchange as well.

"I..." she said slowly, turning to face Naruto squarely. "I suppose you and Neji were meant to be together then?" Her tone was challenging. Naruto wasn't sure what to make of it - like drunken Hinata, it was like dealing with a different person.

"Er -" he floundered again, thinking, Is this is one of those times girls are asking for the truth when they reeeally don't want to hear it?

"And then you spent the night..."

"It was late and - "

"Did you sleep together?"

Naruto's brain was flailing at her directness. He panicked and said the first thing that popped into his head. "T-Today?" he stammered.

Neji covered his face with his hand and slid deeper into the chair as if he could hide that way.

Hinata's eyes instantly brimmed with tears. Even as she tried to hold her head high, her chin wibbled and she launched herself off the couch and fled the room.

"Good one, Naruto," Neji said in a pale voice.

"Shit," the blonde returned despondently.

---

Sasuke took a moment to wonder why his life seemed run by these stupid models he kept building. In all reasonability, he should be doing something, anything else. He hated the smell of the model paint that was necessary to detail these things. He hated how the super glue was anything but - it only held when it wanted to, and with excessive coercion on his part. And, he hated how once he started one, he was compelled to keep at it until it was completed umpteen hours later - rarely taking a break even for food or anything else. He was living his life at the damn kitchen table, and it had to stop.

He held two pieces together, and waited for the fast-dry super glue to do something other than stay wet, not bind the pieces together, or get on his fingers and adhere them together in a flash.

He'd branched out this time. This time, he was building a mecha. The multicolored beast of a machine would prove a challenge in the detailing stage, much more so than the standard military aircraft he'd done in the past. He'd be breathing in those lovely paint fumes for days. Why, why did he do this to himself? And why was psychological profiling so easy to do on other people, and so bunk when you tried to use it on yourself?

Sasuke was roused from his thoughts when he heard the sound of a key being shoved in the door and deadbolt sliding back. Naruto? He craned his head from where he sat and could see around the corner to the apartment's entryway. The front door opened partway and paused. A conversation could be faintly heard on the other side. It should be Naruto. Who else would have a key? But who was he talking to? And why didn't the blonde come home last night? Not that Sasuke was waiting up for him - he'd actually been in the thick of construction on an F-15 class aircraft, and he just couldn't sleep, knowing that if he only pressed on for a few more hours he'd have it completed. And what did he do after staying up all night finishing it? He'd started something ELSE. Was that neurotic? It was, wasn't it? Maybe he should get on some medication.

The door opened a little more, and Sasuke could see part of Naruto, and that it was the blonde who held the door partially closed almost like an afterthought. Beyond him was someone with long, dark brown hair - so dark it was closer to black.  White shirt. He couldn't see their face, Naruto's shoulder was in the way.

Sasuke was puzzled. Who did they know with long, dark hair? Unless...

Naruto moved, and Sasuke got a clearer shot of his companion. His mouth dropped. Talking with Naruto was one of the most gorgeous guys he'd ever seen. Not that he was so inclined, but he could tell hot when saw it.  He caught a glimpse of pale blue eyes, and realization struck. THAT was Neji??

---

"Do you think she'll be okay?" Naruto was saying. "I mean - of all the things I could've said..."

"We'll work it out." Neji was trying to focus on the conversation, but he was insatiably curious about where Naruto lived. You could tell a lot about someone by their living space, or even just what they chose to do in their spare time. "I think we should lay low for a few days to let her calm down." Neji surreptitiously glanced through the sliver of doorway.

Naruto nodded sullenly. "Think it'll take that long?"

"Perhaps." Was that orange shag carpet? Atrocious. He wondered if Naruto liked it.

Naruto heaved a sigh. Neji looked back at him just as he looked up. "Does this mean I won't get to see you at all in the next few days?"

Awww. He was pouting. Neji cupped the blonde's cheek and bestowed a gentle kiss upon his soft, full lips with an amused smile. "Hardly."  Once he'd kissed Naruto, it was hard to stop. His mouth was so sweet. "I'll come see you, now that I know where you live." Speaking of which, he was dying to see Naruto's place and it was right there...

Naruto's face brightened.  

I wonder if that Sasuke guy is inside...

"Hey Neji, I had a thought."

"Yes?" I'd really like to see for myself what he's like... Their whole 'best friends for life' thing doesn't sit right with me. Are they really platonic?

"I have this friend... Kiba. He um, really took a liking to Hinata when he met her before... I was thinking maybe if we could get the two of them together..."

"I have no problem with that. But the question would be how you get them to talk or see each other if you are the go between."

"Damn it, you're right."

"It's my curse."

Naruto snorted. "Listen, I'd invite you inside - " But I just had a vision of you and Sasuke meeting and killing each other. You may be too similar to get along.

"No, I should be getting back." Damn. Guess I'll have to wait until next time. "Call me later."

"Okay."  

---

The front door swung inward, and Naruto stepped into the apartment.

Sasuke didn't even bother looking busy. He tilted his chair back onto its hind legs and gave Naruto a politely expectant look.

Sasuke was still reeling from the discovery that the Neji Naruto had been mooning over and talking to him about in such detail, the Neji that Sasuke hadn't quite thought of as a real person yet, was so... so... He tried to think of another word, but hot outstripped any others, so he settled on it. It wasn't that he was surprised that Naruto had good taste - well, ok, maybe a little. Afterall, the blonde liked the horrible mouldered pumpkin colored carpet that came in their apartment, and his attire often made Sasuke wonder if Naruto's closet hadn't just thrown up on him. No, he was just flabbergasted that Neji was this attractive. No wonder Naruto had problems staying true to Hinata. Who wouldn't?

Naruto locked the door and jumped when he turned around and saw a pair of dark, inquisitive and amused eyes boring holes into him. "Jeezus, Sasuke, don't do that!"

"Do what, dobe?"

"You... with the laser eyes... and the... fuckit. Why the hell are you so amused?"

"Nothing," he said innocently.

"Judging by the tilt of your smirk, I'd say it's something at my expense."

"Naruto, I'm hurt," Sasuke feigned hurt, but he knew his eyes were giving him away.  Ahhaha.

"No, you're a jackass."

"A hurt jackass," He amended with grace and a suppressed snicker. "Why didn't you introduce me?"

Naruto put his hands on his hips and resisted the urge to topple the delicate balance of Sasuke's chair. "With you acting like this? Nuh-uh. I don't need you to scare him off."

Sasuke laughed outright. "Pfft. As if I could do anything to scare him off if you didn't already manage to do yourself." 

"Don't make me beat you."

"Ha. You're welcome to try." Naruto took a step forward, ready to start one of their not so infrequent scuffles. He looked the slightest bit out of sorts. Disheveled. Sasuke suspected that he and Neji had been doing more than talking just now, and maybe a lot more before they made the trek over here. "But maybe you should save that energy for Neji," he teased. As he expected, Naruto's face turned bright red in half a second. Also expected, was the snarl as Naruto leapt at him, in a desperate attempt to thwart the impugning of his honor. Unexpected was that instead of tackling Sasuke, Naruto's trajectory was aimed for his project, laying vulnerable and half dried on the table.

"Nooo!" Sasuke, with his lightning-fast reflexes, snagged Naruto's arm, pulling him off-course. Naruto had anticipated this, and threw his weight into Sasuke, knocking him out of the chair. They landed in a heap. Sasuke was at the bottom with a distinct lack of air in his lungs and an elbow in his ribcage. It could have been worse, he thought as he was crushed by the blonde, at least their fall was cushioned by the ever-present shag carpeting. 

The battle wasn't over. Sasuke realized this as his arm was twisted up behind his back and he got to examine individual strands of the yarn-like shag in microscopic detail. It was a feat just to keep his head tilted back enough so that he didn't feel them on his face. He swung his leg backward, on the entrapped arm's side, and hooked one of Naruto's. Twisting his body, he managed to leverage himself an opening, torquing Naruto's leg so that he had no choice but to loosen his grip enough for Sasuke to escape. Triumphant, Sasuke turned on a surprised Naruto, pinning him with a forearm to the throat.

"Dammit," Naruto whined after finding himself rendered almost completely immobile. "Why do I always loooose?" He struggled against the hold Sasuke had on him, but to no avail.

"You have evil in your heart."

"Sasukeeee, I wasn't really going to trash your thingy you were building, come on." Naruto kicked his feet, still determined to get the upper hand.

"You could have fooled me," was the dry response.

"Besides," Naruto began as he tried to wiggle out of Sasuke's grasp, "how exactly do I have evil in my heart that always makes me lose?"

"You ambush me as a way to start these things. Every time."

"What, am I supposed to tap you on the shoulder and politely request a go? That isn't evil, it's proactive battle planning."

"Same difference. And don't you get wordy with me, it won't be a sufficient distraction. I know you're smarter than you let on, you're just uncouth."

"RRRaarggh, bastard! I'll show you uncouth!" Naruto renewed his efforts, causing Sasuke to tighten his grip to try to hold the blonde in check.



---

The Hyuuga apartment was silent for days.

Not the kind of quiet that falls upon an empty residence, but the sort that blankets the surrounding area like smog. Thick, bitter, and unrelenting. The quality of silence that can only befall a space in the aftermath of a fight.

Hinata had holed herself up in her room, and wouldn't come out. Her only verbal responses consisted of things like: "I'm fine", "Please leave me alone", "No I'm not hungry", and "I told you, I'm asleep."

It was an ordeal.

At the end of the third full day of this, Neji couldn't take anymore. He was trying to do what he could, and he understood that she was upset, but this was just... annoying. He was worried, too, but at this very second in time? He was annoyed. He hadn't left the house in all this time, not sure of Hinata's frame of mind, wanting to be there in case she needed anything. He'd doggedly kept offering her food when he cooked, hoping that she would just relent and come out of her room already. It was lucky that she had a bathroom off of her room - at least she wasn't going to die of dehydration.

He carried the plate of food back into the kitchen, mostly just rankled that she had responded with an immediate, and quite articulate, "I'm asleep." Followed by: "I don't want any. I told you, I'm asleep!"

He pitched the food, plate and all, into the garbage can. It thunked dully in the bottom. To hell with it, he thought. Who needs an extra ceramic plate? I don't even care anymore. I need out of this apartment. I need to see or talk to another human being.

He picked up the phone.

And I miss Naruto...

"Hello?" said the guarded voice of Gaara.

"Temari, now," Neji barked out.

The phone went silent, but instead of the expected dialtone following after, Temari came on the line. This had to be a first.

"Hello?"

"It's me."

"Neji? But that's odd, Gaara handed the phone right over..."

"I didn't try civility first. I'm out of patience."

"Oh." She paused. "You know, I can hear it in your voice."

"I'm at my wit's end." He gave her a rundown on the events of the past several days, mostly to explain why his cousin was upset and why he felt she needed watching.

"You're dating Naruto?!" she squealed. "And you slept together???"

"Shhh!" He knew she could get loud when she got worked up, but he didn't care to have the other siblings in on this quite yet. Kankuro, he'd tell soon enough. He just wanted to avoid a prolonged stint on the phone.

"Sorry, sorry," She half whispered. "It's just that I'm so excited you actually made your move!"

"...it wasn't intentional." Though he had intentionally jumped Naruto at the end, he'd never thought it would get to that point. He'd never expected the blonde would be able to destroy every single shred of self-control he had while he never even knew what hit him.

"I know, sweetie, you didn't want to hurt Hinata but you did the best you could," she soothed. She quickly added, "Now, when do I get to meet him?"

"Later. Right now I need your help."

_______________________

TBC

 

Ah… and I really do have ch8 written though I can't recall whether it is partial or complete. I have been away from the computer for a damn long time. If it IS complete, or nearly so, then this should be finished by ch9. And…. I'm saying useless rambly stuff….. Man. Why am I up before 4am again?