CHAPTER 5
The next day Naruto and Neji met again. Though it was more like Hyuuga coming to the blond's place without invitation and dragging him to a cafe. Not that Uzumaki complained. According to his last analysis, Neji was a rather decent guy. The brunette wasn't an epitome of awesomeness in the blond's books, but he was a rather nice company, despite the stuck-up-ness. Naruto deducted that Hyuuga had never thought about his own happiness or whatnot...his was more like a sacrificial lamb. Also according to the same Uzumaki, Neji damn well was being a masochist, silently enjoying being emo. Expectations Naruto's ass. That pale-eyed idiot was just getting some sick pleasure in being miserable! The blond also noted that the Hyuuga was forgetting his overly polite self only when he was being provoked. Sure, it was too early for the man to open up and leave behind that facade that was carefully crafted by his family during his 26 years of life, but honestly...was it so damn difficult to speak his mind with his own words? Not those that the clan carefully put in his mouth!
Now the pair was on their way from the cafe to Naruto's place. Well, more like Neji courting the blond home. Then happened something that irritated the blond to no end. The two were not ten minutes from Naruto's apartment, when a group of 5 thugs confronted them. Three of them held baseball bats, while the other two had knives. Ah, not a pleasurable experience. Thug #1 who was, obviously, the leader took a few steps towards their current 'victims'.
"Well, what do we have here...a couple of fags on a date, eh?"
"Tch, look how pretty they are boss, especially the blond one. Looks delicious to me."
Naruto glared at the, what he numbered in his mind, thug #2 and was ready to launch an attack and beat the lacking brains out of the moron, when Neji intervened. He moved the blond behind him.
"What could you possible want from us?"
All five laughed, apparently amused.
"Oh lookie, a high class fag protects his pretty lil uke! That's so sweet...I think I'm gonna throw up now."
The boss of the group smirked at Neji.
"You see, pretty boy, we thought that you'd like to sponsor out day. So hand over you wallet and then, maybe, we won't touch the cutie you like to fuck so much."
"NO FUC-..."
"Alright."
The Hyuuga reached for the wallet to pass it to the thugs, with his agreement interrupting Naruto. The blond stared wide-eyed at his companion and after two seconds of pondering on what in the world was wrong with the guy, he smacked him up the head. Neji looked bewildered at Naruto.
"What was that for?"
The blond shoved him to the side and faced the thugs.
"Tch, you fucking idiot. After I'm finished with them, you're next."
"Ooooh, a brave lil uke. How nice! Then we get to play with him after all!"
"Naruto! What do you think you are doing?"
"Just shut up and watch, dumbass."
The blond calmly regarded the five guys before him and then sneered.
"So, who's the first one to get his ass kicked, eh, pansies?"
"Pfft, arrogant fag...guys, get him."
Two with the bats, rushed at the blond from two sides. Naruto stepped closer to one of them, grabbed his hand and literally threw him on thug #3, both of them falling in a heap a few meters to the side. The blond turned in time to grab an outstretched arm that held a knife and brought his elbow into opponent's nose. With the current arm in his possession, Uzumaki twisted it back until a loud breaking sound and a scream erupted from the thug. When the body slumped, Naruto looked pleased at his handiwork.
"Alright, three down, two to go."
"You motherfucker! I'll break your neck!"
"Yeah yeah, dream on."
Naruto grabbed the bat that was aimed at his face, and lifted his leg in a split to break the guy's jaw. The man wailed, while blood poured from his mouth. Uzumaki collected the bat from the ground and turned to the leader of the gang.
"Sooo, who's the lil uke here? Such losers as you wouldn't even be able to turn me on. I'm not even speaking of satisfying me."
Naruto avoided a big knife that was thrust in his direction, and dashed to the man, all the while bringing the bat back. Once in a desired position, the 'weapon' was brought down on the man's hip. Hard. It was pretty obvious that the hipbone broke under the power behind the swing. With a little lighter punch, Naruto knocked the thug out and threw the bat away.
"Fucking wimps. I'm not even tired. Just a waste of my time."
Neji, who was observing the whole thing from the sidelines, was in state of deep shock. Was his beloved really that aggressive? He didn't have any qualms breaking someone's bones. He just fought without hesitation. And those perverted, albeit sarcastic, jokes. Did he really know Naruto? Suddenly he found two breathtaking orbs piercing him to the bone.
"Neji..."
"Yes?"
"Can you fight?"
"Of course. Why?"
The Hyuuga was confused. Why would the blond ask such a question. The majority of the kids from rich families were taught different fighting styles, in case their bodyguard wasn't present. Big money were wasted to drill self-defense into their young brain. Neji noted how the bright blue turned darker. Was Naruto angry? With him?
"Then why the fuck didn't you? I know you have fucking mountains of money. It would perhaps be enough for a few generations to come, but fuck! You are a man! Protect your pride, you asshole! To hell with Hyuuga name, but not your pride as a fucking man!"
"But-..."
"If you thought about protecting me, then I don't fucking need it! I can take care of my self! Even though I prefer bottoming in bed, it doesn't make me a fucking woman! Just grow some balls, Hyuuga, will you!"
Still furious, the blond took out his cell and dialed.
"Kakashi, get your ass to the park! I think you'll need an ambulance too. Here are five homophobes that were in search of easy money." A pause. "Yeah yeah, I'll wait here, you old pervert."
Meanwhile Neji was still in the depths of his mind, trying to figure out what just took place. It was apparent that Naruto was used to such scuffles. Neji had some experience in relationships. He was in a few after al, although they were rather fleeting. But all his partners were more...um..feminine and weak. It felt almost like dating a woman: courting, flowers, clothes, accessories, etc. They were all more...fragile. Naruto, on the other hand, seemed independent, not needing anything of the kind from him. For the first time Neji was truly lost. He had no idea what to do and besides that, he felt that he didn't know Naruto at all.
While the Hyuuga was pondering on what he had learned about the blond, the police arrived.
"Naruto, Naruto, still the same troublemaker."
"Hey! They were the first to start. If they went on their merry way I wouldn't have bothered."
"Hmmm I see."
Kakashi cast a glance towards Neji who stood a bit further from them, and turned back to Naruto.
"Who's that? New love interest?"
Uzumaki glared at the police officer. Both knew each other for a long time. Ever since the blond moved to this district, troubles always followed him like they had nothing better to do. Hatake Kakashi was the one responsible for the piece in the place, thus the two met each other rather often. With time the relationship started to develop from purely officer-victim one to friendship, despite the age difference.
"Shut it, Kakashi. I'm not going to talk about it now."
"OK, ok. I was just asking, no need to bite my head off. You know, you can always call me if you need to talk."
"And get some perverted comments? Thanks, but no thanks."
"Aww, you hurt my feelings!"
Naruto chuckled. This man was insufferable!
"The only feelings you have are bellow the belt."
"Ah, you know me so well. But we have to go. See you later, Naruto."
"Ciao, pervert."
When the police left, Naruto found Neji still deep in thought. He sighed. The man was too uptight. Why couldn't he just do what his heart felt like doing?
"Neji."
The young Hyuuga was brought down to earth by the blond's voice very near to him. He noticed with relief that Naruto was no longer angry with him, just mildly annoyed. Seriously, the blue-eyed man was like a walking bomb. One never knew when it would explode with his mood swings. Or maybe, he just didn't understand the blond yet, thus all the confusion and anger.
"Yeah?"
"Listen, I know I screamed at you an so on, but I meant what I said. You wanted to know me better? You got the chance to see more of me. If you like it or not, it's up to you, since I don't particularly care. If you want to protect someone - fight for them. With losers like these no words will help. They would have started a fight eventually, so there was nothing to lose, only your manly pride. I'll remind you once again: I'm no woman, Neji. I can fight for my self and those I care for."
Suddenly, the blond snickered. A fine brown brow rose up in question.
"Hahaha I just remembered how the bastard was pissed when I beat him. Thinking back on it now, a purple face suited him rather nicely. What a pity it was only temporary."
With these words the Hyuuga finally relaxed and smiled.
"I'm sure it was very fitting. And painful."
Uzumaki laughed out loud.
"You have no idea. If you want, I can show you."
"Uh, no thanks, I'll pass."
Getting to know Uzumaki Naruto was difficult, tiresome, confusing and troublesome. But no matter how you look at it, being together with the blond miracle was worth it. In Neji's eyes at least. Besides he learned a very important fact this day: Naruto like to bottom. That was good news indeed.
...
"Ino, your friend Hyuuga is a fucking pussy."
These were the first words that greeted the young Yamanaka upon entering her cafe. She looked wide-eyed at the blond handsome man behind the counter.
"Wha?"
With a heavy sigh Naruto told her the whole story of what had happened the day prior. But what amazed her the most was the fact that Naruto decided to give Neji a chance. It was a good sign. A very good one. A pity though that she wouldn't have to use her awesome matchmaking skills, but oh well, she'd find another prey some time later.
Everything went well and the day wasn't as stressful as it could have been, until, right before closing, the jingle on the door notified of a new customer. Both heads turned to the door, with smiled plastered on their faces. Naruto was the first to greet.
"Welcome to the 'Blooming Shuriken'! How may...I...help...you?..."
"Naruto?"
"Sakura?"
"You two know each other?"
Three pairs of wide eyes darted from person to person, silently accessing the situation.
"Naruto, how do you know Sakura?"
"We went to high school together."
"And you never told me?"
"How was I supposed to know?"
"Oh well. So Sakura, how are you?"
While the two girls were conversing, Naruto stood stiff behind the counter. He couldn't believe that his best friend knew that whore! When he told Ino how he saw Sasuke cheating on him, he ever mentioned the pink-haired's name. Now that he thought of it, he should have. Maybe it was unfair to Ino, by ruining the friendship she had with the slut, but he was not going to suffer any more than he had already. The sole presence of Haruno girl was making his blood boil. Trough ringing in his ears he heard young women discussing someone.
"...he's so HOT! Well, we don't see each other often, since he's a busy man. But I just
know he loves me! We are
perfect together!"
"You never told me his name by the way."
"Oh, Ino, haven't you guessed already?"
Both women turned to Naruto after his comment that was dripping with acid.
"Huh? You know?"
Uzumaki smiled deceptively sweetly at Sakura, though his bright blue eyes were burning with hate.
"Of course! The only man worth her attention is Uchiha Sasuke! Isn't it right, Haruno whore?"
Ino opened her mouth to reply, but no sound came. He repeated the action a few times, but all she got was an image of a gold fish. Meanwhile Sakura was glaring at Naruto.
"Who the hell do you think you are to call me like this?"
The blond sneered.
"What? Don't like it? Besides, I said only truth. You were the one whoring yourself to him while we two were in a relationship."
"Hm. That's only because you couldn't satisfy him! He didn't love you!"
"Oh really? Then why, pray tell me, he came to
me after
I broke up with
him? He begged me on his knees to take him back, you know."
"Stop lying, you idiot. We all know, Sasuke would never do that!"
"Well, it's only for
me to know, isn't it? And if you think he loves you... hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but he fucks half the city. You're not the only one."
"You...you!...liar!"
"HE WAS CHEATING ON YOU WITH SAKURA?"
"Oh no, not only with her...there were dozens, if I remember correctly. The bitch was just one of them."
Just when the discussion was nearly turning into a fist fight, the door opened once again, drawing all the eyes to the newcomer. Naruto smiled.
"Hi, Neji!"
The brunette nodded his head in greeting to his friend, pinkie and beloved one.
"Naruto, are you ready to go?"
"Yeah, I'm good. So, where are we going?"
"It is up to you to decide."
The blond growled lightly at his companion. Neji sighed.
"Ok, sorry. I thought you'd like bowling?"
"Yah, it'd be great. Just a second."
In the mean time Sakura stopped gaping and her eyes narrowed in a glare.
"And you call me a whore, Naruto. Look at yourself, you fucking loser."
What no one expected to hear, was a low cold voice that promised centuries of pain.
"Haruno, I would highly recommend you to shut the fuck up and lay off of Naruto, if you value your life. Don't come near him ever again. Understood?"
"Y-yes."
"Good." Next words were said in a completely different, warm and caring tone. The change astounded even Naruto, though not to the point of speechlessness. The two young women however stood frozen. Sakura, being Ino's best friend ( though it was a rather questionable status now) met Neji a few times, some years before he took over the reigns of the Byakugan Corp. Even then she was in love with Uchiha Sasuke, though if she could have laid her hands on the Hyuuga, she would gladly do it. Who could withstand such men?
...
When Naruto hopped into Neji's fancy car, his tanned face lit up with a bright sincere grin, directed towards the brunette.
"Neji, you can be a fucking manly man when you want it! I have to admit, you caught me unawares."
The handsome Hyuuga gave his beloved a self-satisfied smirk.
"You told me to be myself and I did it."
Naruto smiled warmly at the man. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but the tint of possessiveness in that cold voice, along with cussing made his internals stir and a strange but pleasant feeling spread through his body. The blond swore under his breath. If under the well-mannered Hyuuga facade was hidden a bad ass, then the chances of Naruto being able to dismiss the man were lowering themselves.
'Great. Just fucking peachy!...'
