CHAPTER 4
Neji pouted. Inwardly, of course. He wanted, craved more attention from Naruto. Positive attention, mind you. But every time he called or visited him, it ended the same: a door in the face or irritating beeps in the dynamic of his cell. It had been three weeks and still no slightest progress. A thought of giving up never even crossed his mind. There was just no way he'd lose someone so precious. He truly believed that hard work and persistence would help him reach his goal. Though what knocked down his confidence from time to time was the fact that Naruto didn't even want to try to get to know Neji better.
He also learned that the Uchiha was a taboo topic. No, he won't back down! Not when he got the taste of Naruto's personality. It was so different from his. The blond was one of those people who could see him for the person he was, not just a successful businessman, but a human with flaws and feelings. Sure, at the moment Uzumaki saw him as nothing more but a spoiled conceited rich man that only cared for himself. Neji wouldn't deny it - the most people of such positions were just like that. But the Uchiha made everything much more worse. That mother-fucker made the blond believe that none of high-class people could be justified. But Hyuuga's resolve wouldn't be bent. He was ready to work hard for Naruto.
...
On a saturday noon the bell in Naruto's apartment rang. Sighing heavily, Uzumaki dragged his feet to open the door, though he pretty much guessed whom he'd find on the other side. Yup, he was right. Hyuuga was standing right in front of him, for once dressed a bit more casually: soft brown loafers, cream-colored slacks, pale violet long sleeved shirt and a dark brown leather jacked on top. Long dark silky tresses were tucked away in a loose pony-tail, just a few bangs framing pale face. Naruto thought that he could see a slight shimmer of hope and admiration in those almost colorless eyes. If he wasn't hallucinating that is.
The blond leaned on the door frame and sighed once more.
"Why are you here again, Hyuuga?
"Good afternoon, Naruto. I wondered if you would like to join me for a walk."
Uzumaki eyed the other man skeptically.
"Why do I get a feeling that you won't leave me alone until I agree?"
"Because I won't leave you alone before I get a positive response."
Neji was ready for another onslaught of insults and a slam of the door. His visits always ended up like that anyway, so he knew what to await. But hope dies last, as they say. As silence stretched, the brunette mused at how his schedule and behavior changed during these last few weeks. Seriously, if people in the office knew that THE Hyuuga was reduced to a love-sick puppy, they would think that the world was coming to an end. However, Neji hid his obsession with the blond perfectly. Only Ino and his secretary knew. He wasn't ready for that. Not yet. Not until he got Uzumaki's explicit attention. When he get to this point, then he wouldn't hide it anymore. Hyuuga didn't need his competitors think that he had gone soft and use Naruto to their advantage. Only when he was certain that the blond Adonis felt secure with him, would he reveal his feelings in public. After a long pause Naruto finally spoke.
"Well, guess there's no harm in going for a walk."
"Huh?"
The Hyuuga was so sure that he'd get a negative response once again that the reply took him by surprise. He blankly blinked a few times. Meanwhile, Naruto seeing the brunette's reaction, scowled.
"I take my words back. Go and take your ass for a walk."
"No! Sorry Naruto! Please, come with me!"
THe blond gave the man in front of him a blank look and shrugged.
"You're one strange fella, Hyuuga. Wait outside the building, I'll be ready in a few."
With that the door was shut in Neji's face yet again, although lacking the usual ear-bleeding slam. The young businessman was ready to do a happy dance. Finally, after three weeks of pursuing 'the one', he got a chance. If one would look at the brunette while he was on his way to the exit, they would see a little bounce in the usually stoic man's step.
Five minutes later found Neji trying not to gape at his companion for the day. The blond was dressed in light blue ripped jeans, tucked carelessly in white-black-orange high sneakers; white belt held pants low on slender hips; orange tank-top hugged lean torso tightly and unzipped red with black square designs hoodie hung loosely on the tanned shoulders. Dark shaded sunglasses were placed atop of the bright head, to keep the shorter bangs from falling into azure orbs. One particular stretch on bronze skin between jeans and top held Neji's gaze captive. He almost drooled at the sight of V-cut pelvic muscles. Neji honestly couldn't decide which Naruto was more sexy: business-like, leather-clad or casual. A sigh caught the brunette's attention. Pale orbs lifted up to meet with a scowling face.
"Hyuuga, I would appreciate if you stop fucking staring. We're not at an exhibition, you know. Lead the way, princess."
"Alright. Why princess?"
"Well, you look and behave like one."
The two started unhurriedly walking towards the park nearby.
"Oh? Do elaborate, please."
"First of all, you have girly hair: all perfect and shiny. I'm pretty sure that you use at least an hour every day to make them look like this. Then there is also the way your carry yourself - like you're a member of a royal family or some shit. Oh your speech adds to that image too: all polite, careful and respectful. You look like you're above us lowly mortals. Maybe you should think 'bout removing this pole that resides in the depths of your pale ass and loosen up a notch."
That short speech was unexpected, to say the least. Never in his 26 years of life had anyone criticized Neji so much. There was only one person to do that - his uncle. Bot those comments were always based on business matters. Posture, excellent manners, sharp mind, good looks - were the factors that characterized a genuine Hyuuga. And this one man wanted him to throw it all away? Well, not completely, but partly.
"Are my manners a problem?"
"Yes, they are. You're so stiff, it pains to even look at you. When was the last time you did anything non-business-related?"
"I am not entirely sure."
The blond heaved a sigh. The man was troublesome. He could be smart, attentive to those he cared about and blah blah blah, but to Naruto he seemed more like a walking stick.
"You know, I'm surprised that despite the fact that you're Ino's childhood friend, you still turned out like this. As far as I know, none of those who came into close contact with that, as Shika calls her, 'troublesome woman' ever stayed the same."
"I cannot do anything about it. I was raised like this. It is expected of me."
Bright blue disbelieving orbs bored into pale lilac ones.
"Expected? The hell are you talking about? Why would you want to please a bunch of morons that you barely know?"
"This, as you so eloquently put it, 'bunch of morons' is my partners and competitors. I must live up to my clan's expectations in order to carry on our pride and the Hyuuga name."
"Haven't you ever wanted to live your own life? To make your own decisions? To stop pleasing strangers and your family and just do what
you want? Sure, they gave you birth, took care of you, raised you and so on. But why let them make decisions for you? Do you think it's going to make you happy?"
"I live according to my family's traditions. It is only fair that treat them with utmost respect and fulfill their wishes."
"Well, I can say only one thing - you're an idiot."
Neji abruptly stopped in his tracks and turned to his companion.
"Pardon me?"
"I said, you're an idiot. You're pleasing your family, people who are important for business, but you completely ignore yourself. You're being insincere. Why should you care about what they expect of you? You're not a dog to follow every command of your master. It's your life and no one has the right to dictate you what to do."
"Hm. Then you are a hypocrite."
"Oh? How come?"
"I did not want to bring this name up in the conversation, but since we are discussing this topic...On all those business gatherings, were you not hiding your personality behind a formal suit? Were you not faking your smile? Were you not being insincere? Were you not living up to expectations Uchiha Sasuke had of you?"
Two pairs of orbs clashed: one trying to get the other to understand; the other
trying but not succeeding. The blond finally chuckled.
"You don't have any idea, do you? I wasn't doing it to please those fat geezers or to get a pat on the back and some dog shit like 'good boy' or 'well done'. I could have easily tell Sasuke off. I did all that fucking shit because I wanted the bastard to be happy, to smile, to fell needed and loved, to know that I'll be there for him when he needed my support. I was honest to him and myself. He knew I didn't want to go, but did it to make
him happy. I did it because I wanted to. Because I cared for him. Because
I loved him. If I find someone to love, I'll do it all over again. Not for myself, but for the person I care about the most. No, I wouldn't abandon my wants and needs, but I would try to help the one that chose me to be happy. Sure, I have no idea what it is like to have a family. But when I was in the orphanage, it was expected of all us, kids, to behave in order to be adopted. I didn't bend to anyone even when I was so young. I wanted people to see me for who I really am. If they'd love me the way I was, then great. But I wouldn't let anyone control my life. That's how it is."
Neji stared long and hard at Naruto. Those words touched something deep inside of him. He surely chose an intriguing man. Uzumaki gave the brunette a small smile.
"Have you ever wanted anything for
yourself, eh, Hyuuga?"
"Yes, and I still want it."
"Care to tell? If it's not a secret, of course."
"I want you. I wanted for a long time."
Naruto contemplated his answer for a few moments, never taking his eyes off of the Hyuuga.
"Let's make a deal."
A dark brow rose up.
"What could it be?"
"Since you admitted, a plenty of times actually, that you have feelings for me, I'll give you a chance to get to know each other better and make me fall in love with you. I'll stop ignoring you and chasing you away. In exchange, you have to shorten your amount of working hours. In your spare time you have to be more open with everyone; express your opinion and stop following orders. If you don't like something - say it. If you don't want to do something - then don't. Be yourself. You can say it's a part of getting in my good graces. Because the way you are now - so closed off, stiff and painfully obedient - you don't have any fucking chance. When I see that you're not fulfilling your part of the deal, I'll just cancel the whole shit and report you to the police as a stalker."
Neji froze in shock. Naruto was giving him a chance! And for that person he'd do anything: fuck the pride and his greedy uncle.
"Why are you doing this, Naruto?"
The blond just shrugged.
"Dunno. Maybe I just want to see the real deal, not that carefully sculptured facade. Who knows...perhaps you're a nice guy. So just loosen up and be yourself, Hyuuga. I'm not your business partner or anything of the sort...Besides, I hate stuck up bastards."
Neji gave a slight smile and felt like all the pressure was gone from his mind. He really acted like a love-sick puppy...ah, what to do, what to do? Well duh, continue wooing Naruto, of course!
"Then I will ask you to address me by my given name."
"Ok, Neji. But you know, we have to do something with that speech of yours. It's too...formal and business-like."
"I will try."
"You better. Or I'll just cut off your pretty shiny hair and sell it."
"Hn." Neji smirked. Finally they were starting to feel comfortable with each other. At the response Naruto let out an exaggerated sigh.
"What's wrong with you, Hyuugas, and Uchihas? You both speak the same 'bastard-ese' language. Though as far as I'm concerned, 'hn' is not even a word. I wonder if you're the genius people claim you to be."
"Oi oi! Don't compare me to the Uchiha! And I'm not a bastard, thank you very much."
Naruto grinned mischievously. 'Found a sore spot mwahahaha!'
"You finally relaxed! Good boy!"
Neji smiled a bit more broadly this time, that is until his brain caught up with the meaning.
"Naruto, I'm not a dog!"
"Whatever floats your boat, Neji."
For the first time in many years the young businessman felt happy. That was really a nice feeling.
