In this story: Naruto - 23
Sasuke, Ino, Shika - 25 (all those that are Rookie 9 - 25, team Gai - 26; none of these include Naruto, who is, as stated above, 2 years younger)
Neji - 26
'thoughts'
"speech"
CHAPTER 2
Uzumaki Naruto was getting ready for Ino's party. It had been a rather tense week. The blond was overflowing with conflicting emotions after the break up. What made it even harder and more bitter, was to see Uchiha's face on every corner: TV, newspapers, magazines, banners etc. It looked like the whole city revolved around the bastard. What did the media think they were doing? Setting up an example how to become a complete asshole? The whiskered man grumbled. Yeah, that arrogant twit could most definitely write a 1000-page manual how to become one.
The ending of their relationship was also published everywhere. Naruto's hands itched to break that pale stuck up nose. Could you imagine? Uchiha said that they broke up due to Uzumaki being unfaithful during all four years! When the blond first heard it on the news, Ino had to restrain him, physically, from going to Mangekyo Inc and spilling some noble blood. The young woman even had to close the cafe for an hour to calm down her friend. Most probably the loud profanities in Uchiha's address were heard down the street the place was situated at.
Like that wasn't bad enough, people around either glared at him or pitied. Due to his former relationship with Sasuke his face sometimes appeared in the media. Of course everyone wanted to know who was so damn lucky to be escorted by their idol. Tch, insolent fools. They had no idea what happened behind closed doors.
Now there was also Hyuuga who came every morning and sometimes in the evenings to the 'Blooming Shuriken'. After the first visit Naruto finally remembered why the handsome pale face seemed familiar. He saw the older man at a few business gatherings. He was also the person Sasuke grumbled often about, the president of Byakugan Corp. The only conclusion Uzumaki came to was that the two companies, their leaders included, were rivals. The brown haired man was not as cold and stuck up as the Uchiha, but still he had that air of superiority around him at all times. Not that he cared. They barely spoke to each other: nothing other than greetings and orders. Naruto didn't even remember the Hyuuga's given name - he was so far in his musings when Ino introduced them to each other. Well, Uzumaki didn't bother with such crap. He had to sort out his life first, not remember pricks' names.
Naruto glared at his reflection.
"Like I need more ass-wipes in my life! Those fucking imbeciles think only with their dicks! Like hell I'm gonna get involved again with one of those pretty I-can-buy-everything-I-want money bags! ARGH!"
Blazing blue eyes glared back at him from the full-height mirror. He needed to forget the ass-hat as soon as possible and move on with his life. Naruto took inn his appearance: after four years of restrictions on the bastard's behalf, he'd go and paint the town red. Thankfully, the duck-butt's secretary was kind enough to send his things back to him from the previously shared apartment, instead of throwing them out like she, most probably, was ordered to do. That was the reason Naruto wore tight black leather pants with steel clips along his left leg, red leather cord clutched by the steel. Torso was covered by a white long-sleeved cotton shirt with v-cut neck to the middle of the chest. On the exposed expanse of skin hung a middle thick leather cord with three blue crystals. His golden hair was sleeked back with wax.
'Damn, I look good. Can't even remember the last time I wore something like this.'
True enough, Sasuke always forbade him wearing anything remotely tight and eye-catching. The blond couldn't even recall the last time he went out just for fun. With Uchiha it was always business related. Trying not to dwell on the past any longer, Naruto took keys, wallet and left for the party.
...
The place was by no means huge, but just a rather spacey 3-room apartment. Ino and Shikamaru moved in together 2 years into their relationship. The couple balanced each other out: one lazy bum, the other an Energizer. Despite the two having completely different personalities, the had been together for over three years already. Naruto met Shikamaru, aka Shika, through Ino a couple of years back. Both guys soon realized that they were brothers in despair due to being constantly dragged on the woman's shopping sprees.
Uzumaki came a little after the party started, so there were already some intoxicated guests. For example Inuzuka Kiba, who crawled on all 4, barking and all, playing charades with himself. The blond wondered if the young man was showing his favorite dog Akamaru or just any random pooch. Shika was lying on a carpet, attempting to ignore all the noise except for babbling Akimichi Chouji. There were also 6 or 7 other guests running all over the place. Sighing Naruto just picked a can of light beer and moved to the balcony, planning on relaxing there a bit, while enjoying the still warm autumn air.
When he opened the door to the desired destination, he saw a figure sitting there already, sipping a glass of wine. Well, perhaps the guy wouldn't mind much if he joined. Besides, he'd be silent, for Naruto was in no mood to talk at the moment. Somehow all the thoughts of painting the town red and drinking his ass off seemed pretty stupid and troublesome. Shaking his blond head, Uzumaki, stepped out on the balcony, but remained to the side, not wanting to disturb the person. A few minutes passed in silence, until a rich voice called out his name.
"Uzumaki Naruto?"
Blue eyes turned to the speaker and recognition softened the tanned face. Taking another sip from the green can, Naruto eyed the man. What would this rich kid want from him? Laugh at his expense? Or something crueler?
"Yeah. Hyuuga, right?"
"Yes, Hyuuga Neji."
"So, Neji, what did you want?"
The pale-eyed man raised a brow at this. Ino warned him about Naruto: he was a straightforward man that didn't understand subtleties. He also heard from his childhood friend, that this blond Adonis wouldn't bow to anyone not bothered by well-known, powerful names or standings in the society. As Ino described him, Uzumaki was a wild animal.
Well, if the straight course of action was the best with the blond, then he'd do just it. Answer right into his face.
"I want to you to give me a chance to get to know you better."
There, it left his lunges and mouth. Now everything was in Naruto's hands. It was the moment when the blond turned fully to Neji. The brunette could only swallow...hard. The tight clothes clang to second skin, showing off developed muscles. Thankfully, the blond wasn't bulky, more lean even. He had rather broad shoulders, chest, what-looked-like rock hard abs, narrow waist and hips. The whole body was perfectly balanced in terms of proportions. Hyuuga also noticed that he was broader, taller and bigger than the Uzumaki. Not that there was a too big difference, but it was still easy to see. All of this didn't do anything to keep the brunette from staring, and internally drooling, at the blond.
Anyone who thought Naruto wasn't picking up subtle hints even if his life depended on it, was a moron. That, the blond bitterly thought, included everyone he knew. People just believed him to be dense. How wrong they were. It was Naruto's conviction that if a person liked you, they should show it more direct, otherwise there would be only mind- and seducing-games. And that was a waste of time, in the Uzumaki's book anyway. How did people think he survived four years with Sasuke? If he couldn't pick up the barely noticeable signs, they would had never become friends. The bastard was way too subtle and moody. If Naruto was as dense as people thought him to be, then Sasuke and him would had killed each other a long time ago. That was why he noticed the look in the Hyuuga's pale orbs, which, by the way, were freaking him out a bit.
"Hmmm? Why?"
'Play cool, Naruto. Don't let him get to you. Keep calm, don't punch the creep.' - that was a mental mantra in the blond head. Seriously, that unreadable expression in the pale eyes was grating on his nerves. Why unreadable? Maybe because the orbs were actually paper pale lilac? They were so pale, that no emotions reflected in them. That didn't sit well with Uzumaki. But he knew for sure, that those who wouldn't want to have anything to do with you, wouldn't stare like that as if there was no tomorrow.
"Because I find myself interested in you as a person."
"And I find myself not giving a flying fuck, Neji. You may be a Hyuuga 'n all, but you wouldn't be getting anything from me even if you kiss my ass."
Hyuuga stared for different reason now. Naruto seemed completely different from what he had seen on the gatherings. There he was polite, kind, warm, tactful...he was almost the same at the cafe. But here he was, standing before Neji not in the least bit concerned that he didn't remember his full name and responding in a rude and nonchalant manner, like he was talking to some sort of street rabble. That was not what he expected. Also, he was rejected without a second thought. On one hand, it was disappointing; bit on the other - exciting. It was something he hadn't felt for a long time. Naruto was so raw in the bluntness of his feelings and thoughts. It seemed to Neji that he finally saw the true nature that was restrained behind all those smiles and kind remarks. Hyuuga nearly shivered at the brutally honest disregarding look he was given. That was the person he needed in his life: someone opposite of him that drew out feelings and emotions out of his noble self.
"All I am asking for, is one date, Naruto. I am not the Uchiha."
"Feeling high and mighty, aren't we? I'll tell you one thing: both you, Hyuuga, and Uchiha can go and fuck each other like rabbits. You two snot-nosed shit bags need to make X-ray just to check if these poles up your asses are damaging your miniscule brain."
Neji stared and stared...and stared. Never in his whole life had he met a person that was so disrespectful to him. The man also insulted him and...and suggested...eeeew...sex with Uchiha Sasuke...just no. NO! Now the pale-eyed man was almost ready to vomit...
"Have I ever done anything to you, Naruto to despise me that much?"
The blond chuckled. Like hell he was going to let that male-Barbie-doll get into his pants! Been there, done that. He just needed to stop this guy from ruining his life even more, besides he wasn't in the mood for exchanging pleasantries anyway.
"Listen here, Hyuuga. You, Uchiha and others of the kind, are all proud pansies. I was unfortunate enough to be dragged to a rather big number of your so called 'parties' and I have seen and heard all I needed to make up my own opinion. Only because I behaved nicely there doesn't mean I can actually tolerate all this business bullshit. I'm not interested in your empty ideas, absent morals, schooled mannerism, social standing. Almost everyone I met there was a heartless greedy scum-bag. I don't want such fuckers in my life. That leads to a conclusion, that you and your pretty face can go home, crawl under the bed and cry, because some ill-mannered jerk denied you."
"..."
Naruto grinned nastily: it was so nice to be in control over the situation and be able to speak freely, using any words he wished. It was something he was deprived of for four years. Slowly, an understanding started forming in the blond's mind. Sasuke kept him locked during their time together. But now...now he had freedom. Neji, on the other hand, was completely smitten with Naruto. It was the first time ever, a person talked to him so freely, honestly, openly opposing him, unafraid of possible consequences. He couldn't find words to describe this incredible feeling. Meanwhile, Uzumaki was already on his way to the room, leaving the brunette alone. Right before exiting the small balcony, he threw a few words over his shoulder.
"Do me a favor Neji, will you? Don't come near me again. Have fun!"
With that Hyuuga Neji, a genius businessman of 26, was left alone on the balcony excited beyond belief and deeply in love with one Uzumaki Naruto.
...
NEXT DAY
A phone conversation between Neji and Ino.
-
"So, Neji, tell your best-est friend what the hell happened yesterday? When Naruto left the party, he had a face of a satisfied serial killer after having dealt with his next victim! You don't even know how rare that happens!" - "There is nothing to tell actually. We had a short conversation."
- "Huh? That's it?" - "Yes. I assure you."
- " 'I assure you' my ass! I know you're lying! I know Naruto to some extent and I can say, that something happened!" - "Ino, I told you already, it was nothing."
- "Humph...you better tell me, or else!..." - "What 'or else'?"
- "Kukuku...or else I'll come to your apartment in the middle of the night with Lee and Gai...they will be so happy to see you again! I can already see the tears of happiness and hear the speeches about youth...ah, nostalgic..." - "You wouldn't!"
- "Oh, I would...I may actually get Lee drunk at first..." - "Ino!"
- "It's your choice Neji. But you should also know that I know someone to pick up all your locks...drunk Lee and Gai...think about it..." - "Alright already! I'll tell you!"
So Neji re-told young Yamanaka the whole conversation with Naruto. It made the pale blond get serious.
- "Hmmm...that's Naruto alright." - "Excuse me?"
- "Okay, so when the guys got involved with each other, everything was great the first two years. Later, though, that mother-fucker started disappearing at nights. Long story short, our blondie found out that his lover cheated on him. That wasn't pretty I tell you. So in total they were together for four years. Naruto never liked business subjects, he found it utterly boring and useless. But after getting into that cursed relationship, Sasuke forced him to attend those gatherings. Well, at first, Naruto had no problems visiting those 'parties', 'cos he was deeply in love and everything seemed perfect back then. You know, pink glasses and stuff. Until the time, the last week, when they broke up, our little Uzumaki knew all 'bout the cheating. He actually saw a few times that trash of a boyfriend with one of his lovers. And still, every time there was a party that had to do anything with business, the shitty Uchiha dragged Naruto together with him. As I understand, Naruto for him was like a core of his social network, 'cos he could become friends with anyone in a matter of a few minutes. So in order to do just that, Naruto played the part. Each time you saw him, the guy was acting." - "Why would he do that?"
-
"For Sasuke of course. He loved the bastard and tried to save their relationship. But I know it was hard for him. Naruto is an forward person, he likes to be honest in what he says, as far as I know. There, he had to lie. He also told me that he could see those people say one thing but think something completely different. Add to that, that there were rather many men and women after his ass. I think that now you see why he doesn't want to have anything to do with business world again." - "Hm...I see where that hostility came from..."
- "Say, Neji, are you going to give up on him?" - "Don't say stupid things, Ino. Of course not."
- "Heh...good! Now, my dearest friend, do you need Uzumaki Naruto's cell phone and address for continuation of your magnificent affection assault?" - "*chuckle* That would be of great help."
