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When I'm Gone	By : tragic.violinist Category: Naruto AU/AR > Het - Male/Female Views: 2134 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: NARUTO and its respective characters were created and are owned by Masashi Kishimoto. No copyright infringement intended. I make no money from this story.

Chapter List
- 11
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- 13
Chapter 12. Once upon a December
A/N: This will be my last chapter for a few weeks, because my government sucks and they are with holding one of my cheques so my computer will have to visit the pawn shop for a few months until I can buy it back :( I’m going to lose my mind without my precious computer
Hikari stretched and groaned, couldn't someone turn off the sun, it was hurting her eyes and head. She climbed out of bed, the sound of her feet padding across the floor woke Neji. He kept his eyes closed, he could hear her getting sick in the bathroom, afterwards he heard the water running for a few minutes before she exited the bathroom. She stopped to draw the curtains, she climbed back into bed, her back to him.
He reached over to embrace her, "you okay?"
"I didn't mean to wake you, sorry," she answered quietly as she relaxed into his touch.
"That doesn't answer my question," he nuzzled her neck.
"I'm fine, just had to pray to the porcelain god." He gave her a confused look, "you know, on your knees, head in the toilet. I'm never drinking again," she groaned.
He chuckled, "I get the feeling this is not the first time you've said that."
"It's not funny, how are you not hungover right now?" He shrugged, "I'm going back to sleep." She pulled the blankets over her head.
"You are aware it's almost noon." He informed her.
She groaned again, "don't care, just want to sleep."
He kissed her temple, "suit yourself," he told her and climbed out of bed.
She poked her head out at him, "where are you going?"
"I'm going to get something to eat, you want anything?"
"Something greasy," she told him.
"Greasy?"
"It's good for hangovers," she explained, Neji just shook his head as he left the room.
As he went the down the stairs, he could smell something cooking. He rounded the corner to find Naruto there in nothing but his boxers, standing over the stove assembling a large breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast.
"'Morning Neji, where's Hikari?"
"Still in bed, she's hungover and wants something greasy."
"Coming right up," Naruto said brightly.
"Can't you keep your voice down dobe, I swear you only have two levels; loud and ear splitting," Sasuke grumbled as he entered the room.
"I'm inclined to agree with Sasuke this time around," Hikari piped in. They both made their way over to the coffee maker before taking a seat at the table.
"Good morning Hikari, how'd you sleep?"
"Shh, no talking until after coffee."
Neji smirked, "don't take it personally, she's always like this in the morning," he told Naruto.
Naruto nodded, "don't I know it, do you have any idea how many times she showed up for training like that? Sasuke's no better."
Sasuke glowered at him, "are you deaf? You heard her, coffee now, talking later."
"You see what I have to put up with?" Naruto told Neji.
"Naruto..." She shot him a warning glare.
"Shut up," she and Sasuke said in tandem.
Neji snickered as he placed a plate of food in front of her. She picked up a piece of bacon with her fingers and nibbled on it. "Okay I take back everything I said. This is really good, where'd you learn to cook?" Naruto just shrugged as he joined them at the table.
After their late breakfast Hikari helped Naruto clean up the kitchen while Sasuke was nursing his second cup of coffee of the day, and Neji sat at the table with him.
"How's the work coming on the house," Sasuke inquired.
"So eager to get rid of us?" She asked with mock hurt. "It should be ready for us in a week or two, just before Christmas. Speaking of which you two have to join us for dinner on Christmas eve. Aunt Tsunade and Uncle Jiraiya will be there too," she looked at Neji, "we should ask Hinata and Hanabi to come as well," he nodded his agreement.
"I have to pass," Naruto said sadly, "I already told Iruka-sensei I would join him for dinner that night, we always spend Christmas eve together, it's kind of our tradition."
Hikari brushed it off, "no worries, you'll just have to come over for New Years then," she said offhandedly. "Sasuke, you'll come though right?" He grunted noncommittally.
"Have you finished all your shopping then?" Naruto asked.
Hikari blushed, "I haven't even started yet. In fact I should probably go shopping today, see if I get any ideas."
"I'll come with you," Neji told her.
The next few days were spent perusing the market for gift ideas. Being a ninja village, the weapon shop quickly sold out of their more popular items. Hikari knew she could always write to her uncle for help but thought it would look odd for so many weapons to be arriving for her. She found a set of beautiful butterfly hair clips that she knew Ino would love and shogi set for Shikamaru made of real gold and silver. Hikari looked at a few catalogues but more than likely her purchases wouldn't arrive in time.
Finally she found a store that was selling weapons pouches, they were made of a special material that made them waterproof, making them ideal for carrying scrolls and incendiary powder. She purchased ones for Sasuke, Naruto, and Neji. She still had to find gifts for her aunt and uncles, and she wanted to get something else for Neji as well but she had no idea what.
Neji hated this kind of thing, he was never good at finding gifts for people, and as he had never really had anyone to shop for before, he had little to no experience. He had found her that ring, which had seemed like a good idea at the time only for him to almost mess up when it came to presentation. Add to the fact that they were together a lot of the time so it was hard to pick something out and not have her see.
Hikari was also trying to figure out how to ditch Neji nicely, she had finally settled on a gift for him but had yet to find an opportunity to not only purchase it but to hide it somewhere he wouldn't find it. She came to the conclusion that the best way to go about it would be to just tell him to get lost for a few hours.
"Neji, I need you to leave for a bit."
"What? Why?"
"I need to get something for you and I'm not doing it if you're anywhere close by, you might peek."
Neji sighed in relief, thank the Gods, he had been looking for a way to pop into a store and escape her notice but she was always paying attention, this would be a perfect time. "Alright, I'll meet you back at the house in a couple of hours."
"It's going to take me a bit longer than that to do what needs to be done, I'll see you tonight okay?"
Neji nodded but looked confused none the less, what on earth could take all day, he wondered. Still he should use the time he had.
The weeks passed by quickly until Christmas eve was upon them. Hikari had done what she could to keep Neji out of their new house, citing construction delays and anything else she could think of. She didn't want him to see it until that night. So on Christmas eve she sent him out to pick up some fried chicken, they hadn't ordered in advance so she knew he would be stuck in line for most of the day, giving her time to set everything up. Sasuke was giving her a hand, albeit reluctantly. Neji still hadn't returned when the first guests arrived. Hinata and Hanabi, shortly followed by Tsunade.
When Neji returned he noticed that Sasuke's house was dark, showing no sign of life, however the house next door, their house, had all the windows aglow. He smiled to himself, leave it to Hikari to want to celebrate in their new home.
She must have seen him coming because she opened the door smiling brightly. “You're back, come inside, everyone is already here.” She relieved him of his load and took it into the kitchen so she could put it on a serving tray.
She directed him towards the family room where everyone was gathered around the fire place. He saw Hinata and Hanabi sitting together conversing with Tsunade and Jiraiya, Sasuke was off to one side brooding, and there was another person there as well, A pretty older woman with long black hair. He had never seen her before and he briefly wondered if she was Hikari's mother, though he wasn't sure, they didn't really get along so it was unlikely, but it was Christmas so they may have agreed to put their differences aside for the holiday.
“Ah there he is,” Jiraiya announced as he set his sights on Neji, “This is Akiko, my date for the night,” he explained, introducing the woman with him.
“It's a pleasure to meet you Neji-san, I have heard a lot about you,” She said politely. He couldn't help but notice the Hokage bristle at the introduction.
“It is nice to meet you as well Akiko-san, but I'm afraid Jiraiya-sama has not mentioned you,” he stated fixing his gaze upon the older man.
Jiraiya simply laughed it off, “No need to worry, I'm sure you will come to know each other well over time.”
“Oh Jiraiya,” the woman crooned, as she rested her head on his shoulder.
“I need a drink,” Tsunade suddenly announced, “Do you have anything in this house?”
Neji shook his head, “I'm afraid I'm not sure Tsunade-sama, Hikari has kept me out of here until tonight. I'm not sure what she has all prepared.”
“I'm going to find her,” Tsunade left in search of her niece, she had already had her fill of the obnoxious displays of affection between the other Sanin and his date.
Neji excused himself and approached Sasuke who also seemed to be glaring at the woman. “I don't like that woman, I don't know why she just rubs me the wrong way,” Sasuke told him.
“I don't know she seems nice enough,” Hinata said coming over with her sister to join them.
“I don't know Hinata-sama I agree with Sasuke, she seems a little off.”
“You guys are just saying that because they seem to be trying to annoy Tsunade-sama,” Hanabi observed. “It would seem our Hokage wishes for closer relationship with her old team mate.”
“Be that as it may, perhaps Jiraiya should have chosen a more appropriate time to introduce her, Hikari wanted this to be for family and close friends. She didn't even invite Shikamaru or Ino,” Neji explained, but Hanabi's explanation made sense, he would just push suspicions to the back of his mind for now. He wanted this night to go well, it would be their first night in their new house, their first Christmas together, and it didn't want anything to ruin it. “Let's just agree to except it for tonight, we don't want to ruin the night.”
They all agreed and tried to include her into their conversation, except for Sasuke who was more than happy to sit back and let everyone else talk.
“Hikari, please tell me you have some Sake in this house,” Tsunade demanded as she entered the kitchen.
“I'm sorry I don't, well not Sake at least, I do have some wine, as well as rum to go with the eggnog I made. Is something wrong?”
“It's that woman he brought, why on earth would he bring a date, it makes no sense,” she fumed.
Hikari frowned, she hadn't been impressed when her uncle had showed up with a date either, mainly because she knew that her aunt and Uncle Jiraiya secretly harbored feelings for one another, though neither would ever admit it. “I know Aunt Tsunade but it's Christmas, can't you just let it go for one night?”
   Tsunade sighed, “For you Hikari, only for you. Now get me some of that eggnog.”
   Dinner was a colorful affair, Hanabi actually had some very fond memories of her childhood that featured Neji in an amusing light. She told them of a time when he had been training with his Byakugan trying to spot birds, only to have one poop on him. Of course Neji had his fair share of stories about the young Hyuuga as well. He had been stuck caring for her quite often as an infant and toddler so he had all sorts of humorous stories to tell, such as the time when she was only four years old and had gotten her hands on a pair of scissors and had decided it would be a nice time to give her sister a hair cut.
   Tsunade and Jiraiya had their own stories to tell not only of their genin days, but of Hikari as a child as well. Hikari grew redder and redder as they tried to outdo each other with the embarrassing tales of her childhood.
   “Oh what about that time you told me about?” Akiko suggested, “The time she got stuck in that wagon?”
   Jiraiya scratched his head for a moment in thought, “Oh yes, so there was this old wooden wagon her father had fixed up and used it as something for Hikari to play in. She was about three at the time and there was this small itty bitty space between the main body of the wagon and the back bumper. Well she manages to slip in this space and her big head won't go through and we can't get her shoulders back out. We tried greasing her up and everything and she just wouldn't come out, finally we had to remove the whole bumper to rescue her. The whole time she's just bawling her eyes out while Hiroshi and Aika, her parents, are laughing their asses off.”
   “To be fair I had been slipping through that space all day and had never gotten stuck before,” Hikari told them indignantly.
(A/N: True story by the way, only it was a wooden truck that I got stuck in, a neighbor called the fire department to remove the bumper while my mom sat back and laughed)
   Around ten o'clock Hinata and Hanabi decided to call it a night, Hikari saw them out and everyone that was left gathered in the family room once again. “Okay time for presents,” Hikari announced excitedly and ran upstairs to get the presents.
   “Now you guys know I suck at this kind of thing so I expect you all to accept the gifts gracefully and not complain, and I shall do the same for you,” Hikari explained and handed them out, before sitting back to watch everyone open them. On top of the weapons pouches she had picked up for Sasuke and Neji, she had baked Christmas cakes and cookies for everyone, but she had also picked up a meteor hammer for Neji.
   Hikari began to open her gifts, Tsunade had given her a beautiful little bracelet with butterfly charms on it, she struggled not to roll her eyes at the gift knowing she would never wear it. Jiraiya had gotten her a guitar strap. She loved the hand crafted violin she had received from Neji.
   “I've noticed a lot of the stuff you listen to features violins I thought you would like it,” He explained, she kissed him.
   “I love it.”
   Akiko handed her a small gift wrapped package, “I'm sorry, I didn't get you something as well.” Aikiko waved off her apology and watched as she unwrapped the gift. Inside was a small, very familiar, flute. Her eyes welled up with tears, as she made the connection. She tackled the woman right off of Jiraiya's lap, “You fiend!” she yelled as she embraced the woman...or should she say man. “What the hell, why didn't you tell me you were coming?”
   Akiko chuckled, her voice changed as she spoke dropping an octave, “I thought you might like it as a memento. I couldn't very well announce to everyone earlier that I was here.”
   Sasuke paled at the voice, Tsunade was fuming, Jiraiya was laughing and Neji just looked very confused. Akiko left the room, returning a moment later looking very different and very male, shocking Neji into silence as the realization dawned on him, Orochimaru.
   Hikari embraced him again, “Uncle Orochi, I'm so glad you came, Christmas just wouldn't have been the same without you. Thank you for the flute I will cherish it always. I'm sure your gift will be waiting for you when you get home, I sent it in the mail a few days ago.”
   “I'm glad you like your gift, I know she would have wanted you to have it.” Hikari refused to let him go, she could hardly believe it, Tayuya's flute, she had thought it lost after the battle.
   She settled between Jiraiya and Orochimaru on the couch as Neji opened a present from Jiraiya.
   Neji looked up at him in confusion, “It's a book, but...”
   Jiraiya cut him off, “Don't open it here.”
   “But...”
   “Later trust me, that's for both you and Hikari.”
   The implications hit everyone at once, Sasuke paled even further, if that was even possible. Both Hikari and Neji blushed brightly, suddenly finding the new carpet very interesting. Jiraiya was forced to dodge a blow aimed at him by Tsunade, but the second blow aimed at him by Orochimaru connected with his head, hard.
   “What the hell were you thinking giving them a gift like that?” he demanded.
   Tsunade glared daggers, “You had better start running, because if I catch you I will kill you.”
   Jiraiya's eyes darted around the room looking for assistance, from someone anyone, “Hikari,” he said pleadingly.
   She looked at him with the same fire her aunts eyes held, she grabbed up the gift out of the box and whipped it at him, catching him right in the nose. It fell open on the floor to a page displaying some very graphic images.
   “Perhaps it's time I took my leave,” Jiraiya said and made a hasty retreat, Tsunade following closely, murder on her mind. Hikari and Orochimaru had a good laugh over it after that.
   “Hikari why don't you try out your violin and grace us with a song?” Orochimaru suggested in an attempt to relieve some of the tension in the room.
   Hikari was more than happy to oblige, as she masterfully tuned the new instrument and began to play.
Dancing bears, painted wings

Things I almost remember

And a song someone sings

Once upon a December

Someone holds me safe and warm

Horses prance through a silver storm

Figures dancing gracefully

Across my memory

Someone holds me safe and warm

Horses prance through a silver storm

Figures dancing gracefully

Across my memory

Far away, long ago

Glowing dim as an ember

Things my heart used to know

Things it yearns to remember

And a song someone sings

Once upon a December
   The song seemed to have soothed even Sasuke as he listened to her voice. She placed the violin lovingly back in its case before returning to her seat on the couch next to Orochimaru, she motioned for Neji to join her, he took the spot previously occupied by Jiraiya. She chatted for awhile with Orochimaru while Neji and Sasuke watched on in silence before excusing herself to use the washroom.
"So Neji, I assume from your lack of reaction at my presence that Hikari has spoken of me?"
"Yes Orochimaru-sama," he said respectfully.
"And what is your opinion of the matter? Please speak frankly."
"I trust her judgment, if she feels you can be trusted, I will respect that."
"That is good, she has insight to information known to very few when it comes to myself. Just remember though she calls me Uncle, I see her as if she were my own daughter, should any harm come to her, I will not be pleased."
Neji nodded his understanding, fully aware of the unspoken threat, "I would protect her with my life if the situation called for it. I would never hurt her." He watched as Orochimaru nodded his acceptance at the statement.
"Tell me Sasuke," Orochimaru said, turning to face the young Uchiha, "have you discussed the task, I suggested you partake in, with Hikari?"
"Yes Orochimaru-sama, I have spoken with her about it and she provided me with a moment of clarity as well as a suggestion of who to discuss it with further."
"I'm sure that when the truth comes to light it will change your outlook on the whole situation."
Hikari entered the room at that point stopping any further discussion, she had her guitar with her, "Uncle Orochi, would you accompany me in a song before we call it a night?"
"Of course child," he told her accepting the guitar, " what song would you like?"
"Sweet afton, if we could," she suggested as she picked up the violin again.
"Of course, why don't you count us in," she nodded and Orochimaru began to play, Hikari joining in when her time came.
Flow gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes,

Flow gently, I'll sing thee a song in thy praise;

My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream,

Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream.

Thou stock-dove whose echo resounds thro' the glen,

Ye wild whistling blackbirds in yon thorny den,

Thou green-crested lapwing, thy screaming forebear,

I charge you disturb not my slumbering fair.

How lofty, sweet Afton, thy neighboring hills,

Far mark'd with the courses of clear winding rills,

There daily I wander as noon rises high

My flocks and my Mary's sweet cot in my eye.

How pleasant thy banks and green valleys below,

Where wild in the woodlands the primroses blow;

There oft as mild Ev'ning weeps over the lea

The sweet scented birk shades my Mary and me.

Thy crystal stream, Afton, how lovely it glides,

And winds by the cot where my Mary resides,

How wanton thy waters her snowy feet lave,

As gathering sweet flow'rets she stems thy clear wave.

Flow gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes,

Flow gently, sweet river, the theme of my lays,

My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream,

Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream.
"Will you stay the night with us Uncle Orochi? We have a guest room."
"I would love to, but I should be returning, I left Kabuto in charge in my stead, and it would not bode well for any of us if I were seen in Konoha."
"I understand," she said sadly, "I can't wait until there is peace between our villages and you are free to visit as you please."
"The time will come Hikari, you just have to be patient." He embraced her once more before changing back into his disguise and taking his leave.
She turned back to Sasuke and Neji, wiping away a few rogue tears that had formed during their goodbye.
"Can I speak to you for a moment in private Hikari?" Sasuke asked her.
"Of course," she led him into the hallway, "what's up?"
"Neji is bound to have questions for you tonight, Orochimaru mentioned that he had set a task for me, but he did not elaborate further, Neji knows that you're aware of it however."
"I suppose you don't want me to speak of it?"
Sasuke sighed, "just don't tell him anything he doesn't need to know."
Hikari nodded, she would choose her words carefully when the time came. "Speaking of which, have you spoken with Aunt Tsunade about what we talked about."
"I have, she is looking into the matter. I should go now, thank you for dinner," he said politely before leaving.
Hikari went back to the family room and straight into Neji's waiting arms, "He really does care for you doesn't he?"
"Yes," she answered softly, "I'm glad he found a way to come tonight. Every Christmas they would all come to my Mother's house, it was the one night of the year they would always put aside their differences, I was sure I wouldn't have the chance to see him this year and it made me sad. Now I'm just happy I got to spend Christmas with everyone I care about." She paused for a moment, "Sasuke told me that Uncle Orochi said something while I was out of the room about a task..."
Neji silenced her with a kiss, "don't worry about it tonight. I'm sure that if I needed to know you would tell me. I will respect Sasuke's privacy in the matter."
"Thank you, if you change your mind though I will tell you what I am able to."
He nodded his understanding, "Now why don't you show me the rest of the house," he said with a smile. They moved through the house, room by room before ending at the master bedroom. It had been a long day and both were more than happy to crawl into their new bed. This would be there home now, no more need to sneak around, no having to rely on the generosity of another for a roof over their head, it was theirs, home. Though Neji had already come to think of anywhere Hikari was as home.
Lyrics from Once upon a December by Deana Carter and Sweet Afton by Nickel Creek
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When I'm Gone