CHAPTER 11
Naruto was immensely glad that the sex scene was over and done with. It took them nearly two days, mainly due to the blonde shouting and kicking Sai when he thought the other was being too perverted. Thankfully they all managed to overcome Naruto's aggressive temper and calm him down enough - Tsunade's threats were not meant to be taken lightly - to finish the part they had left for last.
Neji, for his part, insisted on supervising the intimate scene, wanting to be sure that Sai didn't go overboard. The blonde was somewhat surprised that Tsunade agreed to that right away. Though when he caught her eye he saw a sadistic gleam she tried hard to suppress. Well, no matter how hard she tried, the busty woman did a poor job at it. That fully convinced Naruto that the woman was a sadistic bitch of a highest degree. Not to mention perverted. Sai on the other hand, had been all too happy to have the Hyuuga there and draw out his reactions, which could have been priceless if the man hadn't kept his face perfectly blank the whole time. Correction, almost the whole time.
FLASHBACK Naruto lay on the bed nearly naked, only with a pair of skin-matching underwear covering his privates, Sai hovering above him. A pale hand caressed the tanned torso and slid lower to grip the firm ass. Lips descended on the bared neck, kissing and nibbling the unmarred skin, forcing a moan out of the blonde. One hand kneaded the butt gently, while lips moved back up engage in a passionate kiss. Sai pushed his hips down on Naruto's, earning another moan from the blonde. Tanned hands wound themselves around the pale neck and slid upwards, tangling in silky black hair. Both men moaned in the kiss.
"Stop it! That's too intimate!"
"CUT!"
Sai and Naruto stopped and turned to look at Tsunade and Neji who were glaring at each other. It was the end of the first day of shooting the scene and the blonde felt irritated to be interrupted. He didn't want to spend more time so close to Sai than necessary. Tsunade managed to stop him resisting just an hour or so ago and now they would have to start anew.
"What do you mean 'too intimate'? It's sex we're filming!"
"I know! It's still too close to having actual sex!"
"Brat, don't try my patience! If I need I'll have them fucking like rabbits for real!"
"What? Like hell you will!"
"Tch, you want me to throw your jealous ass out of the building? Believe me, I've done that before."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Oh? Listen here, boy, I don't give a flying fuck if you're Hyuuga or not. You want to get your ass kicked? Be my guest and continue your bitching then."
"Tsunade, you are overstepping your boundaries."
"I am not. In this building I'm your mother, father and all the holy deities. Here I decide whether you live, masturbate, fart or breathe. Do I make it clear?"
"Tch."
"Good. Now, we start from the beginning. Sai, do as you did before - I liked it!"
"ACTION!"
END FLASHBACK The blonde still remembered Neji's face when he entered Naruto's dressing room only to find Sai trying to grope the tanned body. It was a miracle that the co-actor managed to get out unscathed, for the Hyuuga nearly breathed fire at the sight. And if the Uzumaki hadn't been there to stop the raging handsome brunette, Sai most definitely wouldn't have lived to see the premiere. Or the next morning, to be more precise. Right after Sai hurried out of the dressing room, the blonde glomped Neji and kissed him. That action left the President of the Byakugan Corp. a bit stunned, which soon enough turned to smugness and he grabbed Naruto to kiss him thoroughly, leaving the blonde slightly light-headed.
Naruto often pondered on what exactly made him accept the long-haired man. It wasn't looks, no. He had enough of that with Sasuke. The more time he spent with the Hyuuga, the better he understood that the brunette was a complex of different things. Kindness, loyalty, determination, pride, diligence, tolerance and even well hidden signs of bad-ass-ness - not that such a word existed, but still - the mix of those qualities made the man someone Naruto started trusting completely. Not that Neji needed to know that yet.
Also the blonde suspected that the Hyuuga happened to be one possessive man. Not that it was displayed openly, but the signes were there. Whenever someone checked Naruto out or kept their eyes on him longer than necessary, Neji would put his hand on the blonde's waist and draw him closer. Such actions made the Uzumaki feel warm on the inside, like he was needed and cherished.
Currently, both of them were sitting in a cafe - and no, not the 'Blooming Shuriken' - comfortably talking to each other, when Naruto decided it to be the time to actually breach the subject of their relationship. Despite Neji's displays of affection, he felt a bit nervous.
"Neji, it's been quite some time since I agreed to let you woo me. Are you sure you still want me?"
The Hyuuga smiled slightly at the blonde man across from him. He had been waiting for his beloved to come to a decision.
"Of course I still want you and I am sure that fact will never change. The question is: do YOU want to be with me?"
The blonde kept silent for a bit and took a deep breath.
"I can't say I hold the same affections towards you that you have for me. But I have come to like you. Perhaps, one day, I will fall in love with you. The chances that it'll happen are high. So if you want a relationship with me, then..."
Neji reached his hand to hold Naruto's on the table. He had never been happier in his life. The blonde had finally accepted his advances and even wanted for them to be together.
"Do you want to be my lover?"
Brightest blue eyes bore into pale lilac with determination and affection shining through.
"Yes."
The smile on the pale face broadened and nearly blinded Naruto. The blonde couldn't take his eyes off that happy face. Hope, love, joy, complete devotion and so many other emotions found their place there, that he wanted to cry. And that smile...that honest happy smile made Neji so much more handsome, it bordered on ethereal. No one had ever been so happy because of him. That simple fact made Naruto's heart beat faster and louder, almost deafening him. And for some unexplainable reason it felt that falling in love with Neji wouldn't take too much time after all. Just this one smile made him want to keep the Hyuuga happy at any cost.
Naruto chuckled inwardly. He really was fucked up. The blonde could only hope that this relationship wouldn't end up like the previous one. Of course, Neji was different from Sasuke, but one never knew what was hidden in a person's mind. However, life was full of risks and if you didn't take the chance you'd never know how your life could turn out.
Neji lifted a tanned hand towards his lips and tenderly kissed it. That simple show of affection brought blush to the blonde's cheeks. Sasuke had never been so tender and affectionate with him. It felt like he was a blushing virgin all over again. And, strangely enough, Naruto didn't mind one bit.
"Naruto, now that you decided to be my lover I want to ask you something."
"Hm?"
"We have a business banquette in two days, on Friday evening. I won't force you, since I know how much you don't like it. Will you join me? But only if you want to."
The Uzumaki didn't need to think about it. If he cared for someone then he did it wholeheartedly. And Neji already proved that he was totally different from the bastard.
"Yeah, I'll go."
"Not only my uncle will be there, but the Uchiha too. Are you sure?"
"Neji, sweetheart, if you and Hiashi are there then I don't need to worry about anything. Besides I can stand up for myself. I'm not a helpless child. I won't let that bastard ruin my life anymore."
"Alright. Then I'll pick you up at eight. I'll probably be busy tomorrow for I have to catch up a bit on paperwork."
"No worries. I'll survive."
...
"Inoooo, what should I do?"
The blonde young woman behind the counter snapped her head in Naruto's direction so fast, it felt like it would continue to spin like a yo-yo. Or at least there was a possibility of her eyeballs rolling in circles for a minute or two. Finally getting her visuals back to normal Ino accessed the distressed expression on the tanned face.
"Huh?"
"I need a new suit."
"What for?"
Naruto scratched the back of his head. He hadn't told Ino the news about him and Neji yet.
"Well, Neji and I got together an-..."
"As a couple?"
"Yeah..."
"YES! FINALLY! HA! Now Shikamaru owes me a date."
"What? You made bets on us?"
Ino hugged the male blonde tightly.
"I'm sorry, but I just wanted to prove that lazy genius wrong for once." She let go of the man. "No hard feelings ok?"
"Whatever. SO. Now that we're dating Neji invited me to a business party of sorts and I need a suit."
"But you have, like, ten of them."
"I threw them out yesterday."
Yamanaka blinked at her friend. Why would he get rid of such expensive suits? Seeing a puzzled look on the woman's face, Naruto elaborated.
"It felt like if I wear them I'll get contaminated or something. They were the ones the bastard bought me and I don't want to have anything to do with him anymore, you know."
"Ah I see. But you remember that you need a good, expensive one, right?"
"I wish I didn't. That's another problem - I'll get the money for the acting later, after the premiere."
Ino took a minute to think. She wanted Naruto to go with Neji, because it would be their first official appearance in public as a couple.
"I can lend you some. I know it'll cost a lot, but I have some savings."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I am! I'm your friend! Don't friends help each other?"
Naruto smiled. Ino had a kind heart and was always there for him, never judging but speaking her mind. Though she could be too much sometimes, especially these last few weeks when she was trying to play a matchmaker. It was her second nature: the want or need to bring people together. That side of her - as Shikamaru liked to say - was troublesome.
"Thanks, I owe you."
"Yes, you owe me tickets to the premiere now! Hahahahaha everyone owes the awesome me!"
The Uzumaki grumbled while his friend laughed with an evil glint in her eyes. He should have known.
...
On Friday Naruto was running like mad around his apartment, trying to look decent. It had been quite some time since he last visited any type of formal gathering. During such times he felt like a girl, especially after spending half an hour attempting to straighten his hair a little. He didn't want to look like a complete mess at his first official outing with Neji. He even got a loan from Ino to buy a new suit. Wearing something that Sasuke bought him just seemed wrong, as if he was cheating on Hyuuga. The moment he realized it, he threw out everything the bastard ever sponsored for him. That considerably emptied his wardrobe.
In the end he wore a dark blue suit with a cream-colored dress-shirt underneath, the crystal necklace in place, as always. As the blonde stood in his bedroom, the mirror grinned back at him.
"Well, you look presentable enough, handosme."
A knock on the door wiped out his smile and had him nervously greeting his lover.
Naruto honestly thought that Neji was far more handsome than all the men he had met in his life put together: charcoal-grey suit, white shirt and a steel grey tie with thin, barely visible, lilac stripes that brought out his unnaturally pale, captivating eyes.
For a minute both just stood in the doorway, taking each other in, until Naruto beamed.
"I'm ready to go."
"Good."
Neji gave his blonde a soft kiss on the lips and the men left the apartment.
After a comfortably silent drive to the restaurant Naruto was overwhelmed with the sheer number of people present. He had nearly forgotten how stuck up and unforgiving they were. But having Neji by his side made him feel safe. He didn't need to fake his smiles or politeness. The Hyuuga's calm and confident demeanor affected him in a pleasant way so much that all the glares and harsh whispers bounced off of him. It didn't mean, however, that Naruto was oblivious to the people calling him a slut, money-grabbing trash, scum and many different highly unpleasant names. They just didn't linger in his mind.
But all of them could go kiss his ass for all he cared. He had a lover, the job he always dreamed of and beginnings of a family - Hiashi's words rang clearly in his head - so it was time to build a new life and be himself, ignoring the blind morons that couldn't be bothered enough to step down a notch to get to know him personally.
Neji and Naruto approached Hiashi, who held a conversation with Sabaku Gaara, the man the blonde had seen only once. The older Hyuuga noticing them, gave a polite nod.
"It is nice to see you both. I heard from Neji that you two became a couple recently. Welcome into the family, Naruto."
"Thank you. And it's nice to see you too."
"Naruto, I'd like you to meet Sabaku Gaara, one of our best clients. Gaara, meet Uzumaki Naruto, my lover."
As the blonde shook hands with Gaara he took in the man's appearance: shocking red hair; dark rings - obviously from the lack of sleep - around sea-green eyes; a tattoo on the pale forehead; and a lithe tall build. The man stood straight, not even a glimpse of emotion visible on a stoic face. All in all the man was gorgeous, though most probably emotionally repressed.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Gaara."
"Likewise. I have heard rumors about you, but knowing the Uchiha I doubt their truthfulness. I always judge a person after meeting them personally and you don't strike as a man that would stoop so low as to commit infidelity. And congratulations on entering a new relationship. Neji is a good, highly respected, smart man. I wish you all the best."
Both Hyuugas looked stunned at the red-heads long speech. The man hardly ever talked, especially when it concerned something non-business related.
Naruto gave Gaara a brilliant smile.
"Thank you. That means a lot to me. It's like a gulp of fresh air to meet someone as nice as you among all the stuck up men. If you ever want to hang out or just talk ask Neji for my number and I'll be happy to meet up with you."
The blonde saw it: a small widening of the eyes and a barely noticeable smile. He didn't even need to guess to know that most were afraid of the red-head and kept their distance form him. So, naturally, the man was surprised by the offer.
"Thank you. I think I will take you up on your offer sometime in the future. But I have to join my siblings now. Enjoy your evening."
"You too."
Neji and Hiashi watched as Gaara walked off, a small smile still decorating the pale face.
"It is above my understanding how you managed to make Gaara talk so much."
Naruto smiled at Hiashi.
"He's just a good man, that's all."
The older man smiled a little and shook his head in amazement.
"I will see both of you later. Oh, and Naruto, don't forget that you are always welcome in the mansion."
Neji thought he went blind, Naruto's smile was so bright.
"I'll remember that!"
Finally the two of them were left alone to enjoy each others company. At least as much as it was possible in such a crowded place. Neji sneaked his hand around Naruto's waist and sighed contently.
"You know, you're like a magnet, catching everyone's attention at all times."
Blue sparkling eyes peered at the taller man.
"Is it a good or a bad thing?"
"That depends...but sometimes it makes me jealous that so many people are looking at you."
"Aw poor little Neji afraid someone is going to steal me."
The brunette chuckled.
"Of course I'm afraid. You're too beautiful."
"Hn. Care to elaborate, which part of him is beautiful?"
Two heads snapped to look in front of them, only to see a smirking Sasuke with Sakura hanging off his arm, glaring daggers at the blonde.
'Well', Naruto mused, 'I knew I'll see him, but couldn't he wait until later? The ass.'
"What do you want Sasuke?"
"I just came to see how the slut is doing."
Naruto jabbed his lover into the ribs, before the pale-eyed man could utter a word. The Uchiha was his problem and he didn't need help. For now.
"Oh then you didn't need to go so far, since she's clinging to your arm."
Sakura's face became crimson in anger but she, for once, decided wisely to keep her mouth shut. She didn't want to say anything in front of the Hyuuga because the last time they met the man hadn't been nice to her, to say the least.
"You became awfully bold, Naruto. I guess I don't need to be surprised. You're a heartless cheater after all. And I see you went for another thick wallet, huh?"
"Hm? You said something? It's just that your arrogance stunned me here for a second, so I couldn't hear you properly."
Sasuke started boiling on the inside. It looked like the blonde gained more confidence and built a high solid wall between the two of them.
"Aren't you getting in over your head, loser? Found a rich guy to fuck and feeling invincible?"
"I'm sorry, Sasuke, I don't speak bastard-ese. Could you leave us alone, please?"
"You fucking little whore..."
"Uchiha, stop harassing my lover and go back where you came from. Otherwise I will have to get a restraining order. I believe Gaara is not adverse to the idea of being a witness."
Only then did Sasuke feel a looming presence behind his back. He turned his head slightly and met freezing sea-green eyes. The red-head regarded him for a moment.
"Yes, Neji. I have heard enough. Call me when you need my testimony."
With one last dark glare the Sabaku left them alone.
The raven-haired man almost trembled with rage, while the pinkette tried to understand what had just transpired. Finally the Uchiha got his emotions under control and before leaving threw one last phrase over his shoulder
"It's not over, Na-ru-to."
When the couple was gone, the blonde let out a relieved sigh. That confrontation was just too stressing. He felt the arm around him tighten and a pair of lips kiss his golden hair.
"Don't worry Naruto. We'll handle him. You're not alone. Hiashi, Gaara and I are with you."
"Yeah, I know."
He did know and it made him feel better. But as Sasuke said, it wasn't over. Not yet. What did he have to do to get rid of the nosy Uchiha?
