Primal Scars (SasuNaru)

Chapter: A Meeting

The elder teenager arrived sharply at noon, in fine suit of brown and a purposefully carved stoic expression which twitched every other moment. Naruto was unsurprised as Tenten lead him kindly to the white gazebo they had in the rose garden, the man was not adept to being invited anywhere unless permitted by his Uncle. Thus he grinned as the brunet approached, kindly as he might, he had no wish to make the man more uncomfortable.

Neji was a handsome man and he well represented the simple beauty of the Hyuga family. His linage clear, though such a statement would likely drive Hiashi into an inner rage, for his nephew looked to be more of traditional Hyuga heir then his own heiress did. With his waist length, dark golden brown hair, smooth ivory toned skin, sharp diamond jawline and of course the signature lavender eye colour caused by genetic cataracts. Naruto always found the appearance quite beautiful, despite the cloudy vision often associated by the condition it had been written by historians that the dominants born into the Hyuga who had the condition, did in fact possess ad superior vision to most people. A fact which would likely go unproven until there was less bias amongst the secondary sexes.

Neji bowed to him, quite low in fact which Naruto hadn't expected.

"Your Royal Highness." There was a strength in his gaze as he looked forward which Naruto found a respect in, before he flicked the mans gaze flicked slightly down of course. It was considered improper to look him in the eyes, a fact which Naruto wanted to hit over the head, were it possible to hit a concept.

"Sir Neji, please come, sit with me." The man twitched at the respectable title but carried himself with dignity to one of the plush bench seats across from Naruto himself, as if he was adept to it. The blond man felt a spark of sympathy, for one of such an esteemed family to be so illequiped to being addressed respectably spoke heavily of the man's upbringing and current treatment by his family, and indeed, society.

There were some light appitizers before them, sandwiches and scones, along with a pitcher of chilled apple juice to fight against the hot day.

"I must admit Princess, I was hardly expecting to receive your summons." He smiled towards the nervous man, Neji kept himself well, he sat straight and his expression was sure set, on the edge of stoic while remaining polite, softened eyes and expressionless lips. Naruto could never fathom keeping himself so blocked from express, then again he was hardly expected to. He was the Princess of the Kingdom of Fire, his general demeanour was to remain well mannered and kindly unless called upon to be otherwise.

"I imagine so, but you see Sir Neji, you are in a unique position, and I could use your support." That had a flicker of interest come into the man's cool gaze, changing warming it just a fraction. He was making a gamble risking the knowledge becoming public, it was as of yet a strict secret amongst the royal family, but if he were to gain an advantage over Sakura, Naruto knew he would need to take some significant risks. "You are no doubt familiar with my cousin, Princess Sakura." He hardly had a need to ask, so he continued. "What is not widely known is that we are presently engaged in a... competition. That is for the title of Crown Princess. Because of each our unique situations the Council of Leafs has yet to proclaim whom is to inherit the throne."

Afore him, he noted he had no doubt caught the man off guard.He was taken aback and his broken posture reflected that, his once expressionless lips were lightly moving up and down, not gaping, but its less extreme sibling, shoc certainly. Naruto waited with patience for him to regain himself, taking a bite of a scone instead, and smiling kindly towards the man. Neji was kept far from politics the blond knew, but certainly he had been taught the basics, so such as statement must make little sense.

He took a moment but his speech was a slight baffled as he spoke. Not nearly as controlled as he had been.

"But surely Princess, you are the rightful heir. You are the after all, the next submissive in line, and to speak candidly, her Royal Highness Princess Sakura is only a rife." He did not sound nearly so assured as his words inclined, but Naruto merely shook his head to the logic, it was indeed properly thought out, and were his cousin not a factor Neji would be correct.