Three Months (A Naruto Fanfic)

Melted Chocolate

Neji paused, his attention caught by the gossipy conversation behind him. Usually he hated that kind of thing, but the names involved were familiar to him. He finished paying for his purchase and waited as the man carefully wrapped up the new sandals. Neji hated shopping, but the strap on his favorite pair of boot-sandals broke this morning and he had no choice.

If he had a small sense of of unease about a broken sandal strap bringing 'bad luck' he just ignored it. He was above such mundane superstitions.

Neji headed back toward the Hyuuga compound wondering about the gossip he'd overheard, stopping only when he his name was called. Turning, he caught sight of Chouji. Perfect. He went over to join the Akamichi as he stood in line at the fruit stall. "Ossu."

Chouji nodded. "Sorry to interrupt your morning, but I was hoping to ask you a question. What do you think would be an appropriate festival gift?"

The Hyuuga was a bit surprised, then he remembered that this was to be Hinata's escort to the Winter Festival. "Oh." Neji paused, looking around the fruit stall. "Lord Hiashi is very proper, but he isn't very picky when it comes to host gifts. Anything is good. He does like winter melons though."

"Good, good." Chouji commented. "But my parents are taking care of that. I meant for Hinata and Hanabi."

Pale eyes widened slightly in surprise. "For ...oh, well ...I don't know. Something girly I suppose, maybe something sweet."

Chouji shook his head. "For Hanabi maybe, I don't know her at all. But I wanted to give Hinata something special."

Neji smiled, shaking his head. "Don't worry so much about it, Hinata will be happy with just about anything."

Frowning, Chouji looked away. He didn't want to give Hinata 'just anything'. Looked like asking her cousin for advice was a bust. He thanked the Hyuuga, but the other young man didn't move away. Chouji looked at him again, waiting to see what else the long-haired youth wanted.

"Uhm. I heard something interesting this morning." Neji started, frowning at himself. "Listen to me, I sound like a girl."

Chouji chuckled. "Can't be helped. Everyone's been asking me about it all morning. Yep. Shikamaru got handed his walking papers. In public, loudly, and in the most embarrassing way possible." He said matter-of-factly.

"Oh." Neji's lips quirked. "By TWO women?"

"Stupid move, that." Chouji nodded absently. "He's fine though. Got up and walked out with his head held high. Food was dripping from his hair but he acted like it was no big deal."

"Good. That would have been the best way to handle it." Neji nodded. "Don't give them the satisfaction of a reaction."

"I don't know." Chouji sighed. "I think it was dumb of such a smart guy to be dating two women at the same time. They're kunoichi. They were bound to find out about it sooner or later."

Neji shook his head. "Mabye." He allowed. "Still, it was awfully bad mannered of them to pull a stunt like that. Kunoichi have no sense of decorum."

"But, but aren't you seeing TenTen?" Chouji asked curiously, looking over at the Hyuuga in surprise. "She's a kunoichi."

Neji laughed. "Oh, TenTen's different. She'd never act like that."

o.o.o.o.o

TenTen sighed, sipping her tea. "I'm sick that you guys left me out of this."

Sakura laughed and lifted her own tea cup in a mock salute. "Sorry. You and Hinata had already left when inspiration struck."

The weapons expert sighed and peered down at the drawing. "This is perfection. I love the expression on his face."