Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Protector	By : djserani Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female Views: 1759 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, and I do not make any money from these writings.

Chapter List
- 30
- 31
- 32
Much later, Neji and Lee joined their wives in the tent, each snuggling up to their respective spouse. Neji lay awake for a while, listening to their breathing, thinking through the situation they found themselves in. He knew his feelings toward Tenten had morphed beyond that of friend and teammate, but he couldn't easily put a label on it.
Hinata was still his first love, his wife and always would be. But he couldn't deny that there was more there, now, too. Maybe part of it was how much she loved Hinata. Anyone who cared about her that much was someone he could understand and appreciate. But no, he knew there was more than that. They'd been intimate, they'd kissed and as much as their couplings were about sex more than anything, the closeness that came from it couldn't be written off.
He looked now, at Tenten, and felt the stirrings of a paler form of what he felt for Hinata. He wondered if Lee felt the same about Hinata. Lee was certainly protective of her. Neji knew he was protective of Tenten, but then he always had been, to a certain extent.
He remembered the time they'd gone up against Kisame's puppet when they went after Gaara. They'd almost lost her to those damnable water bubbles they were stuck in. The thought had scared both of them quite a bit, after everything had calmed down and they'd taken the time to think about it.
No, it was more than that. When they fought Kabuto, he'd been more afraid then. He knew her capabilities, like he knew Hinata's, but that didn't keep him from worrying about her. Then to find out she was pregnant� Lee's baby, maybe, but that didn't diminish the protective feelings at all.
What did it all mean, in the end? His eyes moved from Hinata to Tenten and back again. No, things weren't the same, but as they got closer to Konoha, he began to wonder more and more what was going to happen when they got back.
* * *
The rest of the trip home was very uneventful, which did not go unnoticed by the entire party, especially Neji. It was too quiet, too smooth. He was sure they would try to send someone. It simply wasn't possible that they wouldn't take the opportunity.
As they were walking the last couple of miles to the Konoha gates, he turned the events of the last couple of weeks over in his mind and the only thing he could come up with was their run-in with Kabuto. It had to be him. There was no other explanation. But� Kabuto didn't do others' bidding, not since the end of Orochimaru.
Then it hit him. Kabuto was still doing Orochimaru's experiments. He'd wanted their eyes�and the babies. They'd offered the Byakugan in exchange for getting rid of them.
Neji stopped dead when the realization hit. Hinata turned around. "Neji?"
Neji refocused on the here and now. "I think I've figured it out. We need to see Tsunade-sama."
"Okay." Hinata looked worried, but he just put two and two together and didn't want to worry her more until he was sure.
At the gates, Kiba ran straight for the Hyuuga homes to see Hanabi, Shino headed to his parent's place to discuss the new bugs and Lee and Tenten, after big hugs, headed to their home. Hinata turned again to Neji. "Okay, now, what do you know?"
Neji paused. "They sent Kabuto after us. They offered the Byakugan in exchange for our deaths."
Hinata gasped. "They wouldn't! They� I can understand that they want to get rid of me, but to compromise the Byakugan??" Hinata sat abruptly on the low wall they were near and stared into space. "How�why�"
"They fear you, Koishii. You're turning into a much stronger leader than they could even begin to imagine." He sat next to her and put his arms around her. "Let's go talk to Tsunade-sama. Let's see what she found out from Kabuto, then we'll need to talk to your father."
Hinata nodded and they got up and made their way to the Hokage offices.
* * *
"WHAT?!" Neji stared, dumbfounded.
"He's gone. We're not exactly sure how yet, but he escaped." Tsunade stood with her back to them, staring out the window behind her desk. They could see the anger boiling under the surface. "I've sent the ANBU after him, we're watching everything we can and Suna has agreed to send some of their own forces for us. But he's very adept at disappearing."
"I�" Neji cleared his throat. "I think I may know who helped him escape, even if I don't know how."
Tsunade turned and leveled a look at him. "Oh?"
Neji nodded. "As you are aware, we know that there are several elders and members of our clan who are trying to get rid of us. When we met up with Kabuto, he told us he wasn't interested in the other members of our party, only us. He wanted the Byakugan�and the baby."
Tsunade absorbed the information in silence. "The Byakugan he'd know about, but the pregnancy isn't widely known. The only ones who do know are your friends, and the clan." She nodded slowly, but her face showed even more anger.
Hinata spoke up. "I understand that they do not want me as leader, but it still surprises me that they would consider compromising the Byakugan."
Tsunade turned to her. "Sometimes power-hungry people lose sight." She smiled wryly. "That does not excuse them. Konoha cannot afford to have something like that get away from us. Not now, when we're so weak." She sighed. "I can't interfere with your clan business, but know that you have the support of the Hokage and if you need any help, please let me know."
Neji and Hinata bowed to her, then headed up to the Hyuuga compound.
* * *
"NEECHAN!!!" Hanabi launched herself at Hinata and hugged her fiercly.
"UMPH!" Hinata staggered in surprise. "Hello, Hanabi." Her voice was muffled by Hanabi's hair.
"I'm so glad you're home! Otousan has missed you so much! So have I." She hugged her once more and pulled back. "It's been very tense around here," she whispered in Hinata's ear.
"What's going on?" Hinata asked.
But Hanabi shook her head. "Later," she mouthed and dragged her back to their father's study.
Hiashi stood up the moment they entered the study. Hinata took note that Hanabi didn't even knock. "Otousan! Nee-chan's home!!" Hiashi came around the desk and pulled Hinata into a hug.
Hinata closed her eyes and savored the feeling of hugging her father. It was still a new thing to her and she wanted to enjoy every one. "Hello, Otousan." She smiled into his chest.
"I was worried. I'm glad you're home." He hugged her tighter another moment before letting her go.
Neji and Kiba walked in then. Hiashi turned to Neji and, to the surprise of all, hugged him, too.
"I have been very worried about all of you. Kiba�" he turned to Kiba and extended his hand. Kiba shook it, surprised.
"It is so good to have you all home, together. Much has happened. Would you care for some tea? There's a new tea house that has recently opened."
They caught his drift and the five of them made their way out of the compound and down to the main market area.
None of them had noticed on their way back in, but there were three new shops open and two new restaurants, along with the new tea house. Hinata smiled, happy to see that, despite the turmoil within her clan, things were still progressing.
They settled around a table, ordered tea and dumplings and turned to Hiashi. "They're getting careless." He stared at his tea.
Neji didn't look surprised and Hinata merely looked disturbed, but Kiba showed shock. Hanabi leaned forward, "they're trying to spread discontent within the clan. They're still being very careful, making sure that none of the rumors can be traced back to them. But they're the only ones who would do something like that."
"How many are listening?" Neji's mind worked furiously. At the rate things were going, this was going to get very bloody very quickly.
Hiashi shrugged one shoulder. "I really couldn't say yet. There are many who are loyal to Hinata. She's always been well-liked by both houses." He smiled warmly at a personal memory. "But there are those that, I'm sure you know, are jealous of you, Neji." At this, Hinata gasped.
"Jealous? Of Neji? But�" she looked between Neji and her father. "Why?"
Hanabi was the one who answered. "He's escaped. He's no longer branch. And though Otousan and I have done our best to spread contradictory rumors - the truth, rather-- there are some in the branch house that see him as almost a traitor to them."
Neji contemplated this quietly, while sipping his tea. "I hadn't thought of that." He sighed and looked up at Hiashi. He glanced around, making sure no one was nearby and pulled his headband down a short way.
Hiashi sucked in a breath and turned to Hinata. "You did it! You found the jutsu?!"
Hinata blushed and smiled. "Hai. It is a very long series of hand signs and takes a tremendous amount of chakra." At this she looked into her tea. "But I can do it."
Neji filled Hiashi and Hanabi in on the rest of the trip, including Kabuto and their quiet trip back. Hiashi listened attentively and, when Neji finished, his mouth had drawn into a thin line. "I'm sure you're right. This has to stop."
The table grew silent for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts. "I intend to remove the rest of the brands, but I'm thinking that we might need to keep my ability to do so quiet for a bit yet. Perhaps we should arrange for that renewal of vows, Neji? We can get a feel for how people are thinking."
Neji nodded. "I think that's a good idea. But we're going to open the reception up. I think it would be wise to have some of our friends attend."
Hinata smiled. "And it would give us a good excuse to have a party." She sighed. "This isn't exactly how I thought things would go if I took over the leadership�"
Hiashi chuckled. "This is certainly not what I envisioned when I decided to hand it off to you."
* * *
They parted company after they finished their dumplings, Kiba and Hanabi undoubtedly to make up for lost time. Neji and Hinata went to the Hokage's offices to discuss the new plans with Tsunade. She agreed readily and they then went to see Sakura.
"Well, you're back to normal, as far as I can see. Remember my warning. This takes incredible chakra. No more than a couple a day, please." She moved back around her desk and sat down. Neji and Hinata glanced at each other.
"We�won't be removing them right away. We...need a favor." Neji took a deep breath.
Sakura just raised an eyebrow and sat back.
"We believe we know who sent Kabuto after us. You're also aware of the�conflict within our clan right now." When Sakura nodded, Hinata continued. "We also believe that the same elders responsible for Kabuto are responsible for spreading the discord within the clan." Hinata sighed. "We need to draw them out. We're planning a ceremony to renew our vows and a large reception after. We'd like you and Naruto to be there. Except, it won't be much about celebrating."
"Of course, you know we'll help." Sakura smiled and got up to hug her. "Just be careful, okay? I want to meet these two little guys." She touched Hinata's belly and hugged her again as they left the office.
***
Several stops later to discuss announcements, wedding clothes, and food, they finally made it home. Hinata sighed as she sat on the side of the bed. Their things had been brought in, their clothes washed and put away. Sometimes, it was nice to have servants, Hinata thought.
Neji ran water into the large bathtub and began undressing Hinata. She smiled up at him and pulled him down for a thorough kiss. Not a moment later, they were tearing each others' clothes off, desperate to feel skin against skin. There, in the bathroom, Neji lifted her against the wall and drove himself into her.
Hinata almost screamed, using her legs to pull him further into her. She licked, bit, and sucked anything she could reach with her mouth. Her nails dug into his shoulders as he almost pounded into her, driving her to orgasm almost immediately.
When she came back down, she moved as much as she could, driving Neji toward his own release. "NEJI, harder�faster�please..." She felt herself tensing, her second climax on her and as her tight heat rippled around him, he shouted her name and filled her with his seed.
It took some time for them to be able to breathe again. He let her down carefully and had to scramble to turn the water off. They climbed in together, letting the water relax them, and they took the time by themselves to just revel in each other's touch.
Hinata looked over her shoulder into Neji's face. She smiled up at him. "It's nice to see it gone." She paused and contemplated the hot, steamy water. She turned in the tub to face him. "Neji-" she started.
He covered her lips with one finger. "No. I told you before it was gone that I made my own choices. I did not have to marry you. I was not bound to you by duty then. I chose to do what I did. That hasn't changed. I love you. I have loved you for years, though I didn't know it then. I can't imagine a life without you, Hinata." He leaned forward and kissed her thoroughly, washing all doubt forever from her mind.
She snuggled into him and they stayed there until the water began to turn cold. They dried off, dressed and went to have dinner with her father. There was much to discuss.
- 30
- 31
- 32
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Protector