Chapter 4
The next morning Neji awoke to the sound of a rumbling engine and rubbed his chin with a deep breath. He stepped out his door cleaned up and his eyes widened in surprise. In his driveway sat a bright orange car lined with sharply contrasting black and blinding chrome accessories. Who in the right mind would have a car like this? “Hey there old friend!” Ah, Uzumaki. “Let's head out to lunch! You haven't eaten yet have you?” There was no point in saying no, Uzumaki didn't seem like the type to take that answer.
Uzumaki seemed like a very hyperactive person with the bouncing of his knee or tapping his fingers along the steering wheel. It was quite distracting while Neji tried to admire the sleek interior of the orange vehicle. “Like it do you? It's a very sharp line of whether you like it or not, always one of the other.” Neji nodded as he ran his hand along the leather interior.
“It's a very attention drawing color.” Uzumaki flashed a wide grin.
“You know me old friend, I'm always trying to get attention.” Neji noted that the man's face had fallen into a more somber expression before bouncing back. Blue eyes flashed back to Neji with a smile. “I do hope you don't mind but I also invited two old friends of mine. They're pretty friendly, at least I can confirm that of one of them.” It did not really seem to be a statement requiring an answer in Neji's opinion, they were already invited. A chuckle emitted from the man next to him with his ever present smile. “You don't talk much do you old friend? That's quite alright, I talk enough for the both of us. Now that I think about it,” he paused feigning a look of contemplating, “what is your opinion of me old friend?” Neji looked at him curiously and the blonde chuckled again looking at him sideways.
“I'll tell you a bit about me then I suppose. My family all died when I was young, a wealthy family so they of course had targets on their heads. Then I was taken under the wing of an old pervert and gambler, traveled the world and surprisingly enough, made some noble accomplishments. Though we lost quite a lot from a gamble from the old hag, we somehow managed to get back here. They thought I was old enough to stand on my feet and booted me out. Exhilarating times let me tell you old friend. Risked my life more times than I can count on honorable occasions. Not that I need a medal to prove what I did, I know in my soul what I did.” Neji had no clue how credible this man's story was, but for some reason he felt a strong urge to believe him. Was it all of the story? Of course not, but no one tells all the skeletons in their closet.
A sputtering sound of a motorcycle echoed next to them making them glance off to the side. “Sir!” The officer called. Uzumaki slowed his vehicle and raised his leg using his knee to drive. With his hands he pulled out a wallet and flashed a bright orange card. The officer's eyes widened for a moment then nodded frantically. “My apologies Mr Uzumaki! Carry on!” With that the officer raced off.
“What was that?” Neji asked with furrow brows. Uzumaki glanced at him and then smiled.
“I've solved some police cases, nothing big.” Nothing big, Neji was astounded. This man must have solved a serious case for him to be able to send off any officers that wish to ticket the man.
Well into New York they walked into a restaurant the brunette didn't catch the name of. It was much darker than it had been outside making Neji blink a few times before his eyes adjusted and were seated.
“Mr Hyuga, these are my friends. Mr Sabaku and Mr Inuzuka.” Two men regarded him. One with firey red hair and sea foam green eyes contrasting his pale skin that could rival Sasuke. He had an expressionless face much like his cousin when he wasn't being smug. The other regarded him in a wide grin mush similar to the blonde's. His hair was a messy brown and he had dark eyes that seemed as though they caught every movement. Both men had tattoos, the red head had a tattoo on his forehead in a language Neji was unfamiliar with while the other had curved triangles down his cheeks.
“Well it's nice to meet another friend of N-Uzumaki! He definitely doesn't keep many of us close, consider yourself lucky, huh?” The blonde and red head shared a look between each other. Neji was almost amused. It seemed as if the two men before him were two halves of Uzumaki's personality. He had a inact for reading people with his knowledgeable eyes and he knew Uzumaki had more than his overly friendly persona.
“I suppose you could say that.” Mr Inuzuka rattled off more conversations with Neji about various things, such as Uzumaki's parties, what all they've done, and then how they even met to which Neji wasn't sure how to respond. The conversation flowed fine before the other brunette slipped.
“So you're the one looking for some business to make some money from correct?” The air went tense for a moment before the blonde let out a hearty laugh to break the atmosphere. Mr Sabuku turned sharply to his companion and smacked him in the back of the head. “You do have a few screws loose. Perhaps you've been dropped as a child.” Inuzuka pouted rubbing his head glaring back muttering an apology to Neji.
Neji let out a huff once the two new men were distracted by newcomers walking into the restaurant. “Mr Uzumaki, what is it you wish to speak about? I hate being run for loops. What do you want, and why do you use Miss Haruno as your spokesperson?” He stared sharply at the blonde.
The blonde grinned and waved it off. “It's nothing to worry about old friend! It's just easiest to speak with someone so use to people-”
“The time, Uzumaki.” The red head interrupted. His emotionless voice unnerved Neji, not that he would ever show it.
“Ah! You're right!” With that he jumped up from the table and rushed away. Pale eyes shot a look over at the green eyes boring into him. The brunette companion was ogling and whistling at girls that winked and passed by.
“Buisiness, I apologize for him.” Sabuku commented looking unaffected by the inturruption.
“He's a good lookin man, hm?” Inuzuka mused looking slyly at Neji.
“I suppose.” He drifted off suspiciously. “How long have you all know Uzumaki?”
“Several years. Sabuku has known him since they were young. Wouldn't believe that by their personalities hm?” The man grinned followed by a laugh. This man's behavior made Neji uncomfortable. Why was everyone suddenly acting like best of friends? The red head didn't seem so bad however. “You know,” he continued on without a hesitation, “Uzumaki is very particular in his partners. Never so much as look at a married person.” Sabuku smirked so faintly that Neji almost didn't even catch it.
“With such sorrow to end this exhilarating conversation, we must leave. Give Uzumaki out farewells.” With that the red head grabbed his companions elbow and they walked out. Just as they had left Uzumaki returned. He shot a curious look to the brunette.
“They send their regards but they had to leave.” The blonde nodded with a smile.
“No matter old friend.” Uzumaki paid for the check ignoring Neji's refusal and they talked about idle things. Then movement caught pale eyes as he looked over curiously. Surprise took his face for a moment.
”Excuse me for a moment,” Neji said with slight amusement, “I see a familiar face.” He stood up striding over to Suigetsu who hopped up hastily when he spotted Neji in return.
“What have you been doing? Sasuke said to see you soon, yet you haven't dropped by for even a hello.” Suigetsu demanded patting his shoulder roughly.
“I was just having lunch with Uzumaki and his friends.” He had turned to introduce the two men, but the blonde was no longer there.
Some time later Neji sat at the table with Sakura eccentrically waving her hands and rattling off in conversation. “It was several years ago where my career had just started to take off, and I was just become close with Sasuke.” She spoke.
Sasuke had gotten engaged to a sports man for mere months before getting married. It was made into a huge deal, just what Sasuke dispised. Hundreds of people came to see the mysterious man become bound with a sports legend. The day before Suigetsu had stocked a library fully of scholar reading for Sasuke that cost well over thousands of dollars, he knew better than to buy the man gaudy jewelry.
I was sasuke's grooms-maid. It was an hour and a half before the wedding when I found Sasuke standing in his room. He was facing the mirror with his famous expressionless face, but his eyes told of his displeasure. The raven held an almost empty bottle in his hand before he sneered in at his expression and began pacing the floor.
“What's happened Sasuke?”
“I hate having to do this, this isn't what I want. But I have no choice, perhaps if I'm deliriou- lucky enough, I'll learn to love this nitwit.” The man muttered under his breath with his knuckles wrapped tightly around the bottle.
“Sasuke, the wedding is soon. I have no idea what's going on with these second thoughts, but they're absolutely normal! Everyone gets cold feet before their wedding, so down the rest of that bottle so I can help you get ready!” Sasuke froze for a moment looking at her with an unreadable expression before nodding. He downed the rest of the bottle before tossing it onto the bed and striding into the bathroom.
Not even half an hour later Sasuke was ready and looking devastatingly handsome with his lean figure wrapped in a black suit. After the wedding they left for a trip for a few weeks of their honeymoon. When they returned I was delighted to see how much Sasuke watched Suigetsu. I thought it was charming that he couldn't keep his eyes off his partner and always knowing where he was at given times. However he worried me when his temper would slip for a fraction of a second when no one was aware of Suigetsu's whereabouts. Otherwise they were quite romantic. Suigetsu being curled around Sasuke in one way or another, showering him with gifts anyone would swoon over. It wasn't until I mentioned the name Uzumaki to you that he had woken me up, quite rudely if I might add, asking about Uzumaki.
“There is a seceret between them, and now I'm positive. Though it leaves me a bit worried.” She murmured to Neji as she worried her bottom lip between her white teeth. “Bu I do understand now, Uzumaki bought that house across from Sasuke to be closer to him.” Neji remembered when he first saw the man reaching out across the bay.
“Also,” She cut in squirming in her seat shyly, “he wants to know if you'll invite Sasuke to your home and allow him to come as well.” Neji chuckled shaking his head. The man had even admitted to him that he was trying to draw attention. Now he could see that it was Sasuke's attention he was trying to gain. Though, why he wanted to leave Neji as the third wheel to get him together he might have a few comments about.
“Why my house? Surely his house would be more suitable.” Neji inquired. Sakura placed her hand on top of his with an amused smile.
“How well do you think it would be if his husband found out he was at a strangers house alone? Don't tell me you havent noticed that you're going to be a cover for them.” Neji leaned his head over the back of the chair with a deep sigh and felt her squeeze his hand with a giggle. “Oh don't be so dramatic Neji!” She leaned in closer with a wink. “I'm a cover too if that helps. Don't you think its so romantic?”
Neji gave her an unimpressed look. “As long as this doesn't blow up in everyone's face.”
She waved her hand at him. “Details, details. All we can do is support Sasuke and his decisions.” They proceeded to leave the booth sparing glances at each other as they walked down the road. She shook her head with a laugh yanking Neji's arm towards her and she gave him a quick peck on the lips. With Neji showing a surprised look she laughed. “Don't be so shy Neji, live a little. Timid doesn't suit ya!” With a wave she joined a group of friends running off to play a bit at some late night parties. He let out a heavy sigh. What was he getting himself into?