[closed] Multi-Purpose AU Post for Neji and Flirtsuke

[boundgenius]

[Because these two are adorable in every world.]

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[konohasuperstar]

And who should stroll down the streets, steps lively and carefree, but the last of the Uchiha clan (at least in this world), the one the only the ever-dashing Uchiha Sasuke.

Dressed in his usual off-duty outfit, one could most certainly tell him apart from any other of his multiple selves: no other Sasuke would wear those types of clothes. Entierly too casual, and yet bearing that clan symbol upon the back of the quite comfortable showrt-sleeved dark purple shirt he wore.

With this village oh-so-peaceful, he was mostly quite off-duty as it appeared. He was even humming a random song as he went.

[boundgenius]

Sasuke was likely the most carefree person in this entire village, Neji had to reflect. Admirable, in its own way, enviable in another. The rest of the clan here was most certainly not that which she was used to, and she had found herself more willing to speak with the wayward Uchiha than any other here. Thus when she saw him, from the small outdoor table of a teashop, she raised a hand in greeting to call his attention.

"Uchiha Sasuke."

[konohasuperstar]

The movement caught his eye, and his name was like music to his ears, as narcissistic as it may sound. Of course it was only intensely more beautiful coming from a lady's lips.
Responding quickly to her call, it was only a matter of making a beeline over to het table.

"So we meet again. Having a good day?" he purred. "...you shouldn't go out at night..." what, because it was dangerous, oh please do't be ridicul-- "...you radiate such light that the night might turn to day~"

...oh.

[boundgenius]

She just gave him a rather impatient look, though she didn't refute the compliment(?) this time. "I am having a rather pleasant day, yes." Made all the more pleasant by his company, but, well, she had no reason to tell him so. "If you are not otherwise occupied, would you care to join me for tea?"

Tea, the eternal staple of the Hyuuga clan.

[konohasuperstar]

"I actually got done with what I had planned today and was just on my merry way home." he deftly slid into the seat facing her. "Thank you very much for your invitation~" he drawled, doubtlessly as pleased as she was -even though she hid it- to be in her company. "..hm... this aroma and color.... so subtle... Sunset Green blend, is it?" he was, of course, talking about the tea.

[konohasuperstar]

"Hahah, go slower, chibi! The markets aren't going to disappear if you just spend two minutes more." Sasuke called out to his younger self.
The boy turned around, his hair still looking like a nest of colorful paper cranes. He was now up to five all attached with chakra as some practice. He actually had forgotten why at length, but his older self kept reminding him without stating the purpose. "But if we don't hurry, all the good stuff'll be gone!!" he gave a pout. "Come ooooon!"

"It's like he never went to the markets before." the older Uchiha gave an apologetic, sheepish grin Neji's way. "I forgot he could be so loud... but don't worry! Once we've gotten him a few tomatoes, you won't hear him~" he knew himself well...

[boundgenius]

Neji only huffed and shook her head, feigning disapproval, though it evaporated quickly in the face of the older Sasuke's grin.

"You mean you, of course," she all but chided with a small, contented smile, moving closer beside him to follow the younger. "Which reminds me, I had intended to ask what it was you would like for dinner tonight. I had thought curry."

Sweet, not spicy.

[konohasuperstar]

"But if I use 'me' to refer to 'him', it gets pretty confusing, I'd rather call him chibi." besides, that was what he was. "He sure is the most energetic kid around though." they caught up to the comically pouting kid, and Sasuke ruffled that dark hair. "Oh~ you didn't lose one this time~" yes, he had been trying to dislodge those paper cranes.

"It's harder to hold five..."
"Yeah, it is, but you'll get the hang of it, just like when you went to four. Don't forget to take breaks and recover your chakra, because even if I don't mind carrying you home doesn't mean it's any good for your system." he had no choice but to hurry somewhat more, since his littlest self had decided those tomatoes were within sighting distance and he -had- to drag him over. "Was I really that excited when I spotted a pile of tomatoes at his age?" he asked the sky.

"This one, I want this one!!" he pointed. "they scolded me when I chakrawalked to the top of the pile." he pouted.
"There are some things you can't do even if you're a shinobi~" he claimed the indicated veggiefruit, able to just tell he wanted the biggest and reddest, and turned slightly. "Curry's good. There's a few sorts of em though, what do we put in? Beef for sure, carrots too right?" Since carrots were close by, he headed that way, his littlest self at his heels, staring at his big shiny tomato.

[boundgenius]

She hung back slightly to watch him with -- his younger self. Odd as it was, it was still as endearing to watch as it had been during the festival. Even if the boy could hold more cranes now, the way Sasuke watched out for him...

Her smile softened further. He would be a wonderful father, someday.

"Beef or chicken yes, perhaps some corn and peppers," she added, ever-so-casually slipping her hand into his to hold. A silly gesture, maybe, but one that had grown more natural over the months.

[konohasuperstar]

Over time, the two had fixed the roof's leaking problems with Sasuke suggesting they replace all the drain pipes to be on the safe side. A few walls inside were repaired, and two that were beyond such a state simply taken down and remade. For this part, of course, Sasuke liked to surprise her with her leaving to work in the morning and coming back to finished business. He was just sneaky like that. He only ever did this for the walls though.

There were a few more needed furniture around as well, but only what was needed. They both kept a quite simplistic and traditional approach.
The last finished area was their outer garden, which they spared no effort on. Sasuke knew how Neji was looking forward to it, since she liked meditation and this would be a perfect spot. He had poured himself into research and was able to find a few plants that were attractive and kept mosquitoes away.

It was there that he knew where he would find her filling any spare time from the moment it was completed.
He had also learned to respect her meditation time, and today made no exception, as he silently sat by her side and waited, having prepared apple slices for them to casually enjoy. When he'd been back from work to a silent house, he knew she would be found here.

[boundgenius]

Neji was exactly where Sasuke had assumed her to be, seated beneath one of the trees to keep her skin from being burned. She had been there for more than an hour already, letting time pass, clearing her mind of distractions. Dreams, hopes, fears, all of it was so easy to dismiss given a quiet place.

The shift in air nearby was enough to bring her out of the deepest levels, where she was passively monitoring the Chakra of everyone in the village. As she let herself become more aware, she focused on Sasuke's chakra there beside her, the smallest of smiles crossing her lips as she identified it as his.

Perhaps a minute after his return, she slowly opened her eyes and glanced to him, noting the apples, but more importantly, his presence. "Good afternoon, Sasuke."

[konohasuperstar]

"I'm home." he gave her forehead a kiss and her cheek a brief nuzzle. "Had a good day?"

As always, he smelled of flowers, tea and oils since the last hour of his shift involved preparing what was to be set out in the front. He had taken to wearing those red-tinted glasses out of the house, but inside, they always remained away, being the first thing he removed even before his shoes.

"All the rain from yesterday dried overnight... I was pretty surprised it did." but he knew it meant very good things for her favorite meditation spot.

[boundgenius]

"Welcome home." The kiss to her forehead protector only widened her usual smile as she leaned in and lightly kissed his cheek in greeting. He always did smell nice after working -- perhaps some might think it a feminine smell, but to her, it was only Sasuke, and that's all she needed.

"I am rather pleased that it did," she confirmed with a small smile, making no move to get up, but instead only leaning to rest lightly against him. "How was yours?"

[konohasuperstar]

He had gotten quite a ways better at making elaborate dishes, finding out over time that he very much loved to cook for two. The look on her face was just precious when he would manage to pull off a certain flavor she liked.

He had pleaded to finish earlier after taking care of everything at work, and when he was out, raced to the markets so he could secure the last of fresh herrings. The plan? Welcome her home with herring soba and a side-dish of steamed vegetables. The table was already set, and if her timing was perfect (which it always was since she was perfection incarnate) she would be coming through the door a few minutes before everything was ready.

[boundgenius]

He was right about the time she'd come home, though she chalked it up far more to her tendency to come home at around the same time almost every day rather than anything about perfection. Still, as she slipped off her shoes and called, "I'm home," to let him know she was indeed back, the familiar smell of herring was immediately present.

Her favorite. Had he known, or just decided to make something with it? Either way, as soon as her shoes were off, she was padding to the kitchen in search of him.

[konohasuperstar]

"Welcome Home~" oh of course he knew, because he'd seen those eyes one evening at a restaurant, shining brighter than ever. he could put two and two together, and after so long, he would be the most pathetic of lovers if he was unable to tell what she liked and disliked!

And here he was, shaking the delicately-cut pieces of herring on top of of a bed of soba, sprinkling just a light amount of finely-chopped chive. "Dinner is ready, my dear~" he purred and allowed himself a moment away from pots and pans to giver her a kiss on the cheek.. "Go and get seated. Want anything to drink or tea's fine?"

[boundgenius]

"Tea, please," she confirmed, unable to stop a small smile from crossing her face as she turned her head to instead catch that kiss on her lips before moving to take her seat at the table. "Is it a special occasion, Sasuke?"

[konohasuperstar]

"They have the best of the best!" Sasuke spoke of the place they were headed at with wide eyes. Really, everyone needed to eat to live, and it isn't that they ate poorly, but he felt that now and then they should treat themselves to something above the norm, just like how sometimes he surprised her with having made dinner when she got home, today he had surprised her by all but dragging her away from work the second her shift ended.

Tonight, he was treating her to the nicest of restaurants in Michi no Sato. Prime beef? Freshest, rarest and tastiest fish? Noodles made with rich flours and grains from exotic outerlandish places? This place had it all.
There were not many seats available since it was a small place, and reservations were a must. Who knew how long he had kept that a secret from her.

"And here we are~" he gestured to the entrance, large double doors giving a view of the inside, where each cloth napkin was painstakingly and artfully folded.

[boundgenius]

She couldn't help but smile as she followed, content to let him describe it. After all, it sounded like quite the place, and in spite of herself... she was rather looking forward to it. After all, the quality of food she'd begun preparing for herself since arrival in this village was far below what she'd grown accustomed to being able to purchase on the salary of a Jounin, and a well-prepared meal that she did not have to fuss with herself?

It sounded absolutely perfect, especially considering the news she felt certain enough to share with him now...

Her jaw dropped slightly at the sight of it, though; certainly she had seen the restaurant in her many Byakugan-aided scans of the village, but to actually arrive here upon Sasuke's insistence...?

"This is perfect, Sasuke," she murmured quietly, taking his hand and twining her fingers with his in genuine contentment.

[konohasuperstar]

"Knew you'd like it~" he purred, nuzzling her hair just briefly. She did allow just a few showings of affection in public, and holding hands was all right. He respected that, since a long time. "This is going to be the best dinner ever~" he chuckled, somewhat proud he had brought out that reaction in her.

After walking inside and stating his name, they located the reserved table and the couple was led to it. Inside, straight upon its floor, the restaurant had a koi pond with a few gurgling fountains to provide ambient calming noise. There was no other music than the clinking of glasses or cutlery or simple conversations of other patrons.
The decor was quite artistic and tasteful without going overboard.

He gave her hand a light squeeze before letting go so they could take their seats, the menus awaiting, along with glasses of iced water. "Don't even look at the prices, love~ My treat."

[boundgenius]

She tilted her head to avoid the nuzzle, but for once didn't scold him for it. Cheeks flushed with pleasure, she took a moment to survey the place, noting the pond, the ambiance... it was all perfect.

A somewhat patient look, and she let her hand drag down the front of the menu before opening it. "I would be rather surprised were the prices even listed, for a place such as this... Truly, Sasuke, you have outdone yourself."

Neji shook her head in response to the server asking if she would like wine to start with, though Sasuke was more than welcome to drink should he choose to. Nevermind that they were both underage -- as she had heard from Tenten's mishaps, that didn't seem to matter much in this village. Instead, she focused on the food, trying to mentally calculate the prices in spite of his words.

[konohasuperstar]

The trip had been long. Not as grueling as he would have thought, but long. He had made certain to watch for signs when they may need breaks and took a few accordingly. Riku no sato, the seaside village, was finally within sight.

That sea air might be good too, or so he hoped. The main attraction for them though, was to find a few special things for a very special someone. "Here we are~ Want to have lunch first things first? There just might be a place where they make herring soba~" Sasuke gave her a wide smile. "We can stop for tea somewhere too if you're not hungry right this moment~" but he seemed to imply resting after this would be a good idea.

[boundgenius]

As much as she didn't want to admit it -- it had been more on the grueling side for her, something that irked her to no end. Her stamina should be perfect, better than Sasuke's, but she was more prone to exhaustion and vomiting up what nutrition she could manage early in the morning before being terribly hungry later in the day. Annoying. Not to mention the extra weight of being into the second trimester of pregnancy -- adjusting to the shifts in her center of balance had been easy enough, but it was still more tiresome than she was comfortable admitting.

In either case, she definitely appreciated the smell of the sea, nodding and moving closer beside him as they entered. "Lunch is a good idea... something cool, if that is to be found."

[konohasuperstar]

He was not fond of mornings either. There was little he could do to help, short of having something with ginger handy, which he did. He hoped those things helped as much as it was written they did, since he only could leave it up to them.

He knew if they had wanted to make this trip it was now or never. Later in the pregnancy it would be suggested to remain in bed as much as possible. Sasuke was already making plans to have a looser work schedule so he could be home more and take care of her in the last weeks. It was far from now still, but he knew it was important to look ahead.

"What do you think of sushi..?" no wasabi of course. "It should be really fresh, too~"

[boundgenius]

She was -- handling it, after a fashion. In the best fashion she could, really, but there were times when she was at the mercy of her own body.

For now, however, the idea of fresh fish sounded absolutely perfect, and she nodded at his suggestion, squeezing his hand. "Yes, that would be wonderful. Some kind of chilled tea would be excellent, as well."