Caged

Caged

Persepolis130

Notes: Yes, reviewing does make me write faster! I've just been playing way too much Naruto Gamecube to do much writing... but come on, I had to unlock Gai-sensei! It's a totally valid reason! And I have a special request, good reviewers: please, no more hitting Neji with blenders! It's for your own safety-- if you leave a mark, Neji fans everywhere will unite and beat you to a bloody pulp! Such violence! lol

Clothing note: a kimono will fit a variety of different shapes and sizes, due to the fact that it can be adjusted under the obi (belt). Unless its size is grossly misestimated, it would be impossible for one not to fit.

XXXXX CHAPTER 12 XXXXX

Neji was in no way unkind to his cousin that night.

This being said, he wasn’t particularly compassionate either.

He could best describe it as perfunctory. The absolute basics, with the smallest amount of enjoyment as possible. Why she chose to do it in the first place, spoiling herself at the hands of her own cousin, someone for whom she held no affection, was completely beyond him. But at least this way he’d satisfy her curiosity, and she'd decide she wanted no part of it from now on.

Even his first time, as appallingly inept as he'd been, he’d given some amount of pleasure. Admittedly, it was mostly by accident, but the effort hadn't been a total failure. With Hinata though, he purposefully avoided anything that would give her even the slightest gratification. No kisses, no caresses, no foreplay, just lying her down on her back, spreading some salve, and pushing in.

Of course he healed her as he’d done with Tenten, but he gave her no reassurances, no kind words of any sort. In fact, he said nothing at all. And when he came, as silently as he'd ever managed, he was sure to close his eyes and turn his head so she couldn’t see.

Braced over her the way he was, trying his best to avoid any extraneous contact, he couldn’t help collapsing on top of her after; it would have been nearly impossible not to. Shifting his weight off Hinata and gently lowering her knees, he wanted to be still for awhile, give her some semblance of comfort from the affair. Maybe run his fingers through her soft, pretty hair.

However, he soon found this to be unworkable. After a few minutes of lying against her warm, smooth skin, his body betrayed him, instinctively craved more, and he was forced to pull away.

“You should go now,” he murmured, turning to face the wall, “Someone might catch you.”

He felt rather than saw her get up from his bed, heard her pick her clothes off the floor and re-dress, his door sliding quietly shut afterwards.

Not wanting to think about what he’d done, what a horrible person he'd become, Neji closed his eyes.

When he awoke, the early morning light spreading a soft glow through his room, Neji reassured himself that what he’d done, no matter how unfair to her it was, had been for the best. In a few years, when it was time for her to think about marrying, she’ll have forgotten that she didn’t really like sex, or be pleasantly surprised on her wedding night. But that was that. It was over and no longer his problem.

That is, until he saw the blood.

It had been fairly dark last night, so he hadn’t noticed, especially when he was trying his best not to look at her. He'd had to pull back after the first try to find better leverage before he managed to penetrate her, and even after that she'd felt incredibly tight around him, but she hadn’t protested. And besides, the healing jutsu should have taken care of it.

But there it was, smeared across his skin like frenzied calligraphy. He rubbed his palms on his thighs and pulled himself out of bed to find that his bottom sheet had been ruined, a small, dried pool of crimson beneath where Hinata had been lying when he took her.

He was horrified.

Not thinking about what he was doing, he grabbed his clothes, throwing them on as he dashed from his room. Hurrying through the maze of corridors that made up the Hyuuga complex, he prayed Hinata hadn't left for training already. The only thing he could think was that this was all wrong and he HAD to see her.

But turning a corner at the end of a long hall at a speed better suited for intense combat, Neji's journey was cut suddenly short as he slammed into something solid, sending him sprawling on the floor. He looked up in shock to see his uncle staring down at him, a highly offended look on his face.

Oh shit.

"What are you doing?" Hiashi demanded.

Neji swallowed. What WAS he doing, anyway? Sprinting dangerously through the house in desperate search of his cousin because he'd seen a little blood? How ridiculous! She was a ninja-- she'd doubtless been injured dozens of times much worse than this!

No logical explanation to be found, Neji climbed slowly up off the floor, hanging his head in shame. Small children ran blindly through their homes; men did not.

"Come see me tonight," Hiashi said.

Neji raised his head, hoping he didn't look as uneasy as he felt.

"And please wear it. It was your father's." The man didn't seem angry. He should have.

Neji didn't like it.

Lowering his eyes, Neji bowed respectfully, turning back to the Bunke side of the estate. Hinata would have to deal with things herself; he had his own problems.

When he reached his room, he sat down on his bed and gently unwrapped the box Hinata had brought him, sliding the lavish silk bow off the end to keep it intact. Drawing back the carefully folded tissue paper inside revealed to Neji an extraordinary formal kimono of the most brilliant cobalt blue. The exquisite silk slid delicately against his calloused fingers as he pulled it out of the box, gently so as not to catch it on his rough skin. The fabric shone like fine satin in the light, turning a darker shade, almost black, in shadow. The Hyuuga family symbol adorned the back, embroidered in intricate black silk stitches.

Neji hated it.

Its color, while beautiful, was too feminine, its sheen too eye-catching, its cut too sinuously flowing. It was too much-- too bright, to flashy, too extravagant. No self-respecting man would be caught dead in such a garment.

Tossing the kimono back in its box, Neji headed to the toilet to relieve himself and wash away the rest of his cousin's blood before training. Stalking out of the house some minutes later, he swore to himself that he would never wear that kimono, no matter who gave it to him, who asked him to, whether his father had worn it or not.

XXXXX

The kimono looked even worse on than it had in the box.

In the fading light of evening, Neji scowled down at his lantern-lit image in the small reflecting pond. All he needed to be a suitable woman now was a bit of makeup and some hairpins. Even the orange and white koi as they ate the food he threw seemed to be laughing at him.

But what excuse could he give his uncle for not wearing it? That it didn't fit? That it looked bad on him? It was impossible. Hiashi would certainly be angry if he showed up in something else, and that was the last thing Neji wanted.

"It suits you," he heard, and Neji looked up to see Hiashi standing at his side, hands folded calmly before him. He was smiling.

"It was a very kind gift," Neji replied, scowling at the fish as he threw in the rest of the feed. It was too much, but what did he care if they died?

"You bear your burden well, as always," Hiashi said. Though it was a warm evening, Neji shivered as he felt the man's fingers slide gently across his neck.

"Why do poorly when one has another option?" he asked, stiffening beneath his uncle's touch.

"Why, indeed?" Neji gasped as he was suddenly pulled forward into Hiashi's arms, trembling as his instincts told him to fight but his rational mind told him to be still. If his uncle wanted him, fighting it like before would only make things worse

After several minutes though, it became clear that Hiashi's intent, at least for the moment, was different than the last time; the man seemed content just holding him close, running his fingers softly across the back of Neji's neck, breath puffing gently against his cheek.

Forcing himself to breathe evenly, Neji turned his eyes away. It was then that he remembered where they were: in an open courtyard where any member of his family casually passing by could see them. Though much worse things might happen in private, for the sake of Neji's honor, this simply wouldn't do.

Swallowing, Neji said in what he hoped was a convincingly steady voice, "Unless there's something else, I need to speak with your daughter now." It wasn't true; he didn't think he could face his cousin right now. He thought the mention of Hinata might bring Hiashi back to his senses, though. Doubtless, the man already knew what had happened last night.

But as Hiashi pulled away, Neji was shocked to see a sorrowful expression on his uncle's face, his shining white eyes filled with tears. Neji gaped in utter shock at the man as he ran soft fingers over his cheek.

"You were so beautiful, my caged bird," he said, voice low. "So beautiful."

Neji could only stare up at his uncle in dazed, uncomprehending silence. He was beautiful? And since when had his uncle ever referred to him using that expression, speaking so openly of his curse?

"It had been too long since we touched. You understand, don't you, my divine nightingale? I only wanted things to be like they were," Hiashi said, "if only for one night."

He leaned in to press his lips against Neji's, but Neji turned his head, understanding suddenly dawning on him. And he wished with every fiber of his being that it hadn't. He flushed in shame as he looked down at his kimono, now recognizing its design as the feathers of a brightly-plumed bird.

"Hiashi-sama," Neji murmured, "That could never happen. My father is dead."

His uncle's lips formed a bittersweet smile, and as he turned away, Neji saw him raise a hand to his own cheek. His voice was rough as he spoke, face turned away. "You have pleased me, Neji. I give you your leave."

Neji let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding as he bowed, walking away with quick, measured steps. He didn't stop until he was safely in his room, at which point he all but tore the kimono from his body, throwing it on the ground as he was sure his father must once have done. Glaring down in disgust at the offensive garment, Neji felt his chest tighten, as though the bars of his cage were crushing against him, pressing the air from his lungs.

He was about to scream, force his anger and frustration into one solid, cathartic roar, when he heard a gasp. Suddenly realizing that he was naked save his bandages and utterly unaware of his surroundings, Neji fell immediately into a defensive position.

But it was only Hinata sitting on his bed, arms tight around her waist, eyes squeezed shut. Even in the dim light, he could tell she was trying her hardest not to cry.

Ashamed on so many different levels, Neji grabbed the kimono off the floor and carried it to his cousin, wrapping it around her shoulders as he sat and pulled her into his arms. He heard her sob as he rubbed her back, resting his cheek against her soft hair.

"Hinata-sama," he said softly, "It's not worth your tears."

"But Neji-niisan," she wept, forehead against his chest, "It's all my fault!"

XXXXX Chapter 13 XXXXX

"This is fate, that's all," Neji said, pulling the sobbing Hinata tighter against him. This whole situation made no sense. Why would she think she was to blame for any of this?

His cousin had always been sensitive, but he'd never seen her express her emotions so openly, and it disturbed him to see the tears streaming down her cheeks, her body wracked with sobs. Neji wanted to do something to calm her, but he found himself at a loss, not exactly being the "shoulder to cry on" type. In the end, he decided to simply hold her, hoping she'd calm down on her own.

It took some time, but she did eventually still, her sobs subsiding into little hiccups, and then fading out entirely. Finally, she pulled away from Neji, shaky fingers drawing the hateful blue kimono he'd covered her with tighter around her as if it were protection against harm, instead of the hideously immoral invitation it really was.

"I shouldn't have brought it home," she murmured. Neji could tell she was feeling better from the flush that began to spread across her cheeks as she remembered he wasn't wearing anything.

"What are you saying?" he asked, leaning back on his bed. "Brought what?" He didn't know why the nudity bothered her after what they'd done last night.

Hinata pulled the kimono to her mouth nervously. "I... I was just curious... since I saw Kiba-kun..."

"Hinata-sama, you're not making any sense," Neji said, his voice sounding a bit more harsh than he intended. But why was she making this so difficult? It would be easier if she just said it.

"Mmm..." Hinata started, "Shino-kun bought it for me, after..."

Neji sighed, feeling a headache coming on as he coaxed out her answer. "Yes, bought what?"

"Ah..." she fidgeted with the edges of the kimono, finally taking a deep breath and coming out with, "Kiba-kun sometimes gets naked."

Neji blinked.

"It's just... natural. Like when we're born. That's what he says. And... Shino-kun said ninjas need to know... that sort of thing... but then mother saw the book," she whispered the last part, blush coloring her cheeks.

Neji rubbed his throbbing forehead, pulling his forehead protector off for better access. So the Inuzuka was an exhibitionist and the Aburame bought girls' sex guides. It seemed Hinata's team was even more dysfunctional than his own... who would have guessed it was possible? "But what does that have to do with anything? This didn't happen because of some dirty book."

Hinata winced, rubbing at her eyes. "If father hadn't found out, then he wouldn't have made you do it!"

Neji shook his head. "That's not true, Hinata-sama. It's because you've come of age. He would've done it no matter what."

Hinata looked as if she was about to cry again.

"I'm not upset, if that's what you think. Really, it wasn't that bad," he told her. He wasn't sure if it was true or not, but he thought it might make her feel better. "You know, a lot of men... pay for that sort of thing, so...it's nothing to trouble yourself over."

Hinata didn't look convinced, her chin tucked against her chest and bottom lip working in and out as she stayed off the tears.

"And you didn't have to do it. It was only in case you needed it, to protect your reputation. You know that, right?" he asked, resisting the urge to brush her bangs aside so that he could see her eyes. "It was your choice."

At this, Hinata let out a strange, girlish yelp, gripping the kimono so tightly that her knuckles turned white, and burst into tears.

At a total loss, Neji sat up and pulled her back into his arms, sighing again and wondering what he'd done to deserve this. Oh, that's right. He was born.

"I couldn't... let him... he said..." Neji heard her manage between sobs.

"I can't understand you. You have to calm down," he ordered her. But thinking his voice sounded harsh, he added, "Just tell me," in a softer tone. As she quieted, he thought she felt small in his arms, nothing like the strong ninja he knew she was becoming. What could have upset her so much?

"He said if I didn't..." she said, sniffing, but this was as far as she got before she hid her face in the makeshift blanket, cheeks on fire.

"Who? Your father? What did he tell you?" Neji asked, angry at the mention of his uncle's name. When she didn't answer, he eased her chin up with his thumb.

"...he said... he might... if I didn't... you had to... for anyone..."

"Oh, Hinata-sama, that's not true," he said, lie rolling easily off his tongue as he felt tears spring to his eyes. Blinking them away, he told her, "He was just angry that I wouldn't tell you, that I'd sent you to him. That's all."

Hinata cried even harder. "But he said--"

"That would never happen. I swear it," he assured her falsely. So that was why she'd done it, not because she'd wanted to, but because she thought it would save him from her father. Hinata had sacrificed herself for his sake, for his dignity and well-being. And thinking he understood her reasons, he'd treated her so coldly in return, feeling so justified, so self-righteous. Now he just felt ill.

Hinata sniffed. "...are you sure?"

She knew nothing about what happened before, which was the way he would keep it. Was this the reason Hiashi had let him go tonight, untouched?

Neji kissed her forehead, feeling unbelievably indebted to her. "Well, I suppose it doesn't matter now, does it? Was that what you meant about your Nindo?"

Hinata giggled uneasily, wiping away the last of her tears. "It must have sounded so strange... but it's not like I wouldn't have done it some day anyway..."

He nodded sadly in response, suddenly struck by the severity of the disservice he'd done her. How did she think of sex now, after he'd treated her the way he had, so coldly? And then he remembered the blood.

"Was it very painful?" he asked, looking into her eyes.

"Ah, it..." she turned her head aside, "it wasn't so bad..."

You're a horrible liar, he thought. "It's because you're too good for lies," he murmured.

Hinata looked at him questioningly, and he knew what he had to do as clearly as he knew his own name. "You trust me, don't you Hinata-sama? You know that I'm here to serve you, to protect you and the Main House from harm?"

Hinata regarded him questioningly. "Of course I do. I know it's been hard on you, but you've always done your best."

Neji shook his head. "I haven't, but now I'm going to make it right. Do you believe me?"

She nodded, and Neji could see that although she didn't understand, she wasn't afraid.

"Good," he said, pulling the kimono gently from her grasp and leaning in to press his lips against hers. "Then I'll show you what it's really like."

XXXXX

Neji drowsed contentedly, Hinata's silky hair against his cheek, her soft breasts pressed to his chest and legs entangled with his. With his arm draped over her, he ran his fingers softly across her back, the feel of her skin soothing him. His cousin's breathing was deep and even, and through his half-lidded eyes, Neji saw her delicate face, tranquil in sleep, one small hand curled up beside her mouth.

He pressed his cheek against hers, kissing her as he welcomed the approaching sleep, feeling he'd made right of his earlier mistake with her. Of her not liking what he'd done tonight, there was absolutely no possibility; he'd made sure of it.

He wasn't sure how long it had been before he felt Hinata move. He only knew that he'd had a thorough, deep rest. Aware that she had to leave before morning came when the servants began their duties, Neji pulled away his arm, which was still wrapped around her, so that she could go. Half-asleep, he mumbled something to her and rolled onto his side.

Instead of her leaving though, he felt warm hands tracing the lines of his chest, fingers gently fitting themselves into the muscled grooves of his abdomen. He opened his eyes to see Hinata propped beside him, running her hands across his body. In the moonlight, her skin had the soft, unmarred sheen of fine porcelain, and she looked pale and beautiful as new-fallen snow.

Neji sighed heavily at the sight, his drowsy body reacting slowly but surely, not wanting to miss out on what experience had shown would come next. Sleepily, he caught one of Hinata's hands and brought it to his lips. "You're going to have to leave soon," he whispered. Frowning slightly, he added, "I hope you liked it better this time."

Hinata didn't look up, and for a moment, Neji thought she was going to cry again. He frowned in concern but blinked hazily as he realized where her eyes were focused. His breath hitched as the fingers of her right hand, trembling slightly, skimmed across the head of his penis and then slid, feather-soft, down his length. He gasped at the shock, at how incredible her slight, hesitant touch felt

"Neji-niisan," she whispered, looking up as she gently took hold of him. Her shimmering silver eyes were wide in wonder as they met his. "I want to do it again..."

Neji felt a shock run through his body like a surge of electricity as he heard the words, his heart speeding and breath catching. The room spinning around him, stomach clenching, it took a moment before he could manage, "Anything you want, Hinata-sama."

As he moved to take her in his arms, her lips pressing to his and her hands in his hair, he was distressed that he enjoyed her this much. This was supposed to have been for Hinata, to comfort his cousin, encourage her, to repay her for the kind deed she'd done him, the wrong he'd done her. It wasn't supposed to be for him at all. For him, it should have felt empty like it always did before.

But hadn't turned out that way.

And Neji decided, as their bodies slid together, a soft moan escaping Hinata's lips, that he didn't care anymore that he'd been forced into it, that she was his cousin, or even that his honor had been sullied because of it.

Because in that instant, it occurred to Neji that maybe caged birds sang for a reason.

XXXXX CHAPTER 14 XXXXX

He dreamed of her.

That night and the night after, and the night after.

Neji wasn't sure when exactly the dreams spilled over from sleep to waking thought, but one day, some months later, he realized it had been happening for some time, so much so that she was nearly always on his mind.

She'd insisted they keep it up for Neji's sake, because she wouldn't be able to bear it if anyone ever hurt him because of her. He'd insisted that it wasn't her responsibility, that he could take care of himself, that she shouldn't do something she didn't really want to do.

Admittedly, he could have protested more firmly. But he thought she might like her new role as protector, and since no one would ever know his purity was being safeguarded by his little cousin, he figured it was alright. Besides, what man in his right mind would intentionally turn down the commitment-free sex?

They weren't together often, or at least not as often as he would have liked, so it seemed that his mind made up for his body's lack. He'd picture her as she'd been, the way her head tossed and hips rose, or how he'd like her to be, the things he could do next time to make her tremble. He had enough ideas built up that he was sure he wouldn't get tired of it any time soon. That one drawing he'd seen in the guidebook with the girl upside down, balancing on her palms, had recently taken on a renewed fascination for him, and he was glad he'd been such an excellent student.

But no matter what he came up with, real or imagined, dirty or sweet, the one scenario he always seemed to be revisiting was the time in the bathtub.

He'd been back from a mission one morning about a month ago with a sore ankle and an aching back and decided to take a few hours off before going to the training ground. After washing his hair, he'd trimmed off the dead ends and put an intensive conditioner in it, soaking in the bath with a twist of creamy hair piled atop his head; preserving family tradition wasn't easy.

He didn't recall exactly when or why she came in; it was as if his memory skipped over that part. It might have something to do with the shock of seeing her standing before him nude, her clothes pooled at her feet.

Being a traditional bath, the sides of the basin were high, and she had to brace herself as she slipped her feet in one at a time, sending gentle ripples through the steamy water. Sitting up, he took her hand to help her, and she giggled amiably, though he heard something more beneath the laughter. He watched with an admiration bordering on awe at her body above him as the water slowly enveloped her, inching up her pale legs past the soft swell of hips and the dark shadow between her thighs as she crouched, settling her knees at his waist.

"It's warm," she said softly, fingers splayed against his skin.

Neji smiled and pushed her hair behind her ear, his wet fingers smoothing it, and he leaned forward to kiss her. As their lips pressed together, she pulled her body tight to his, her breasts pressing against his chest.

He'd never imagined breasts like hers, firm but heavy and supple, distinctly out of proportion with her petite, delicate-looking body. Just thinking about them sent a little thrill through him, and touching them was sometimes almost enough to send him over the edge. That day, with the water amplifying the sensation of her body against him, soft and hard at the same time, Neji's breath caught, his face flushing.

As her lips parted and he pressed his tongue inside, she ran her hands across his back, cool in comparison with the warm bath water and her even warmer kiss, and Neji shivered beneath her touch. His own hands moving to the curve of her waist and then sweeping down to her nicely-rounded backside, he drew her into a position that made him tremble with barely restrained desire.

Her arms over his shoulders now and pressing in beside his neck, she raised herself, gasping for breath as she broke their kiss, her lips red and swollen. Eyes closed and head tilted back to bear her smooth white throat to him, the tips of her breasts trailed up, hard against the flushed skin of his chest, until they were close enough for Neji to taste. When he dipped his head toward one, flicking his tongue against it, he felt her shutter.

He would like to say he could've stayed like that all day, his hands against the smooth contours of her back, mouth sucking startling red patches across the magnificently pale skin of her chest. But soon, body shaking, he could feel his control slipping, hips bucking up toward her as he felt himself teeter on the edge of ecstasy. He might've lost control then, on account of the water's unintended caresses, but Hinata knew-- she always knew-- and she soon pulled away, sliding back down his body, positioning herself against him.

As he looked at her face then through half-lidded eyes, he saw the most angelic expression cross her features. It was the sort of look that made him feel as if nothing existed beyond the two of them, that nothing else mattered but Hinata, her shining silver eyes and tight feminine heat. He might have laughed when she slid herself down onto him, out of sheer bliss or overexcited responsiveness, as her lips parted and she said--

"NEJI! Gai-sensei is trying to impart his vast wisdom upon you! Why are you refusing his efforts?!"

Neji blinked at a highly perturbed Lee, swearing inwardly. Damn, he'd done it again! "I just didn't feel like answering," he said as a cover.

Gai shook his head, making some random pronouncement about the Spirit of Youth as Lee nodded vigorously. When he finished, he asked Neji, "So what is your opinion of the plan?"

Neji swallowed, frowning intensely at his sensei. He certainly couldn't admit that he hadn't been paying attention. Genius ninja didn't daydream about sex! How humiliating! "Does it really matter that much?" he asked, acting putout.

Lee's jaw dropped and Gai looked as if he was about to have a heart attack. Neji could sense the incoming drama and held up a hand, shaking his head. "I understand," he told them solemnly. Of course he didn't, but at least they stopped.

"Then what do you think, Neji?" Lee asked, a little too enthusiastic for Neji's taste, even where Lee was concerned. "We should do it, right?"

Neji felt the eyes of both his sensei and teammate regarding him expectantly, making his palms sweat. "Whatever you think would..." he began, but Lee looked far too excited, so Neji cleared his throat.

"I mean, whatever..." He sought desperately a response that would make it seem as if he'd been listening but avoid humiliation and/or emotional scarring. His best option seemed to be to draw attention away from himself, as one did in battle for a quick escape. "Whatever... Tenten thinks... is fine."

The girl blinked, forgotten until now, all three of her companions' eyes suddenly on her. "Please, Tenten!" Lee implored, eyebrows scrunched and lips pursed.

It made Neji nervous putting the decision in her hands, but the girl had always been sensible, often his only respite from a world of green spandex misery. He could trust Tenten not to mistreat or embarrass him... right?

The girl in question looked back and forth from Neji to Lee to Gai uneasily. Finally, she sighed and muttered, "Ah... alright..."

"YES!!" shouted Lee, fists clenched and eyes full of fire, "This is fantastic! I'll never forget it!!"

"It's sure to be a highlight of your youthful lives!" declared Gai with painfully bright smile.

Oh god, thought Neji, this can't be good...

XXXXX

Neji scowled at his chopsticks as Kiba's raucous laughter echoed through his ears, Lee's elbow jammed into his shoulder, Choji shoved yet another slice of barbeque pork into his overfilled mouth, and Shino sat in inexplicable and creepily quiet contemplation of his plate, all while three girls swapped fashion tips.

Needless to say, Neji was NOT amused.

Gai-sensei's "highlight-of-your-youthful-lives" plan turned out to be a "good-luck" banquet for all of their genin friends before the upcoming Chuunin exams. Neji, of course, had no friends, but Lee made up for it, apparently inviting anyone he could think of. There were currently twelve genin along with Neji, including a few he could swear he'd never seen before in his life. The only thing that made it bearable was the presence of his cousin, who sat nearby between her two teammates. She smiled and blushed whenever he caught her eye, which he made sure to do as frequently as possible.

However, despite the massive and boisterous turnout, one person was conspicuously absent.

"It's too bad Tenten couldn't make it..." Lee noted.

Neji frowned, wishing he'd thought of not showing up as well. But where was she? After all, she was the one who'd agreed to the idea, and now she'd skipped out on him. "Yes. Awful," he replied. And he meant it.

"Hey, I mean, she's probably out... you know!" hollered Kiba with a smirk as he shoved a large chunk of chicken into his mouth with his fingers. "I heard she's like that!"

"Shut up, Kiba!" cried a duo of feminine voices. Neji turned to see the pink-haired girl and the purple-clad blonde throwing Kiba murderous glares.

"Like what?" asked Lee, turning his attention away from his crush for the first time this evening. "What's she like?"

Swallowing a half-chewed bite, Kiba laughed rowdily as Akamaru snuck up on the table to share his meal. "Like... this!" And he slid two greasy, sauce-covered fingers into his mouth, sucking them in and out with loud, wet noised as he tilted his head back and moaned.

Squeals of disgust came from the girls' end of the table as Lee's face turned a startling crimson and Neji's jaw dropped in horror.

"Never. Do that. Again." Shino said.

"Hey, I didn't make it up!" Kiba protested, looking unreasonably proud of himself. "It's true! I was just demonstrating!"

"Kiba-kun..." Hinata started, looking like she wanted to hide under the table. "Maybe you should..."

"Yeah, I heard it, too," said Choji nonchalantly, cheek full of meat. "I thought she seemed like a nice girl, but it turns out she's a-- ow! Ino!!"

"She is NOT!" shouted his teammate, whacking his shoulder. "What's wrong with you?!"

"I heard she was," said a brown-haired boy Neji didn't recognize. "And I don't even know who she is."

"But that can't be!" shouted Lee, looking confused. "Our Tenten is a sweet and chaste girl with high ideals and moral standards!"

"Yeah, that's what you think! Looks like you don't know your teammate very well!" Kiba grinned, licking his fingers.

Neji felt his anger rising, cheeks reddening and hand shifting to squeeze tightly around his teacup. How dare Kiba talk like that! Neji didn't know what this was about or whether there was any truth to it or not, but he sure as hell wasn't going to listen to his own teammate be insulted by some filthy dog boy!

"Niisan," he heard his cousin say, voice anxious. "Kiba-kun doesn't mean--"

"Hey, I'm just telling the truth, Hinata!" Kiba interrupted, not catching the hint. "She's a total whore! She does anything you want her to, anywhere you want! I heard she even likes it up the--"

And suddenly Kiba was flying over backwards, clutching his face, blood pouring from his nose. "FUCK!!" he screeched.

Neji's right hand was still raised, wet with the tea he'd spilled as he'd thrown his cup, sending the thick porcelain vessel crashing into Kiba's nose.

"Man, what the FUCK did you do THAT for?!" Kiba demanded, snarling as he pulled himself up, Akamaru yipping. Neji wasn't fooled though; there were tears in the younger boy's eyes.

Fists clenched, Neji stood, looking down his nose at Kiba from across the table. "You don't know anything about her, so shut your damn mouth. Lee and I have known Tenten for years, and she's NOT that kind of girl. Why don't you pretend to be a decent ninja and investigate something before blurting out such disgusting nonsense and embarrassing everyone, yourself included!"

"But... everybody's talking about it," a small voice said. Neji turned to see Hinata standing beside her teammate, pretty pale eyes downcast.

Neji had a bad feeling about what she said, that sensation of Fate again, and he prayed he was right, that Kiba was an idiot and Tenten was innocent. He didn't know why so many people would say things like that about her, but if they were right, he would NOT be pleased with the humiliation he'd suffer because of it.

Shaking his head to will the uncomfortable thoughts away, he turned once more to Kiba, whose nose was now swelling and quite obviously broken. "Stop spreading lies about my teammate," Neji told him, throwing as threatening a look as he could muster. "And keep your clothes on around my cousin. Or I swear I'll kill you."

"Neji-niisan..."

"Tenten's probably training instead of wasting time here," he declared. Everyone at the table was silent and regarding him with varying levels of caution, incredulity, and fear. "Which is where I should be. Good luck with the exam. Don't shame our village with an overly quick death."

And with that he left, ignoring Hinata's voice calling after him, determined to track down Tenten and find out just what the hell was going on here.

.