Neji's Birthday!

[twinlionfists]

Who: Konoha Shinobi and whomever else wants to come!
What: Birthday Party!
When: Backdated to July 1st to July 3rd
Where: Outside CH1
Summary: Hinata and Lee set up a party for Neji!
Rating: PG

July 1st and July 2nd

[The time since her arrival had passed by swiftly and before she knew it, Neji's birthday was swiftly approaching. In a rush to make sure that things were done correctly and perfectly for her older cousin, Hinata enlisted the assistance of Lee and Chouji. She knew that her cousin's teammate/best friend/greatest rival would want to lend his help and she didn't think that she could handle the food for the entire party on her own. Besides, she and the Akimichi had discussed cooking together. What better way to do that than for a party?

She'd spent two days of afternoon practice making one of the gifts for Neji, away from the floor where the rest of the shinobi lived. Lucky for her, Kiba lived on the top floor of their building and she'd been able to use the kitchen up there. The rest of the food and sweets had been prepared as normal on the fourth floor.]

July 3rd

[The party is well under way. There are plenty of things to do. Of course, this party is not like Masaomi's recent birthday party. Off to one side, Lee has set up a sparring area for those interested. Hinata is demonstrating tea ceremony with a high blush on her face the entire time, in a formal kimono. Chouji's setting up food on a long banquet table. There's a big table with lots of presents there already for the stoic Hyuuga shinobi.

There are also tables with lovely flowers from Raine-san's shop decorating the top for people to sit and talk.]

Comments

[floralogy]

[Ino is present in the party, of course!! It's funny how in the party she organized for Chouji, she talked about how close comrades would do the same for Neji with Neji himself. It's a good thing Lee didn't make them wear spandex or else there'd be hell to pay.

She instantly recognizes Chouji's cooking in the buffet table and some of them Hinata's too. (Ino can still remember the incident with the cupcakes even if she's trying to forget about that.) With grace, she takes a small serving of the dessert and tentatively takes a bite. Oh gosh, that was delicious! Okay, maybe she'll forget her diet for now.

She'll also try and spot the birthday boy among the sea of ninjas and friends and will also begin some small talk if you're around her vicinity.]

[generalflirt]

Ino-chan! I barely got the chance to admire you in your bikini at my party, and you're not going to give fair trade here?!

[Masaomi says this with some faux-despair, trying to ninja in on her from behind while she's eating something in violation of her diet. Clever. Silent. Not quite ninja]

[floralogy]

[Oh, Masaomi. You have to be better than that. Ino just snorts at his feigned despair.]

I don't think wearing the same thing here would be appropriate, Masaomi. [Since they're not in the beach.] That, and I can't be in a bikini for long. [Someone might get a little protective.]

[generalflirt]

Yeah, I can see Hinata-chan flipping a gasket over it. [With a thoughtful glance over to the other girl]

[floralogy]

If not her cousin first. I'm not about to pull a Naruto here, you know. [She chuckles a little at that.] Anyway, have you been taking care of the gift I gave you?

[generalflirt]

[Yeah but Neji's alarm or disapproval he's okay with - after all, in a sense, it would be a gift to him. Hinata's he's not. None of this is spoken however, because instead-]

Come on, you said I had to, Ino-chan.

[floralogy]

That's right.

[A quick response accompanied by a quicker smirk.]

I wouldn't expect anything less from you, you know. I appreciate guys who take care of flowers.

[screw_fate]

[If Lee tried to make spandex the obligatory uniform of the party, there wouldn't be a party, there'd be a fight.

That said, Neji is circulating, making sure to be a gracious guest of honor and greet everyone who's come. So when he catches sight of Ino, he approaches her with a graceful nod of acknowledgment.]

Ino. Thank you for coming.

[floralogy]

[Upon sensing Neji approaching and then hearing his gratitude, Ino turns around with a smile.]

There you are! Happy Birthday, Neji! [A beat.] Of course, I'll make it. [This is a party and a party of a comrade, of all people. SO SHE'S DEFINITELY HERE.]

[screw_fate]

[He dips his head in acknowledgement.]

I can't imagine you missing a party, that much is true. But the point does stand. [It's nice to be surrounded by friends today. Feels good, man.]

[floralogy]

Especially the party of a comrade.

[Neji deserves it, Ino thinks, especially after everything they learned. He's willing to put his life on the line for his friends, so the best birthday gift for him is their presence. Her eyes travelling around briefly, she continues with a smile.]

Hinata did a great job with setting this up, as did Lee. Of course, you can't go wrong with food when Chouji's the one cooking.

[screw_fate]

Of course. I appreciate everyone's efforts. [The words are formal, but he doesn't say them woodenly; it's the truth.]

Hinata-sama is more talented at leadership than she gives herself credit for.

[floralogy]

[She snorts, crossing her arms before her chest.]

Yeah. In fact, she's talented in many things than she gives herself credit for.

[niceguypose]

[And Lee pops up nearby while she's eating, collecting his own plate.]

Ino-san! There you are. I have composed a mental training exercise. Would you like to hear it?

1/2

[floralogy]

[OH GOD LEE WHERE DID U COME FROM??]

[floralogy]

[A mental training exercise, huh... That sounds interesting so with a sheepish smile, Ino nods.]

Yeah, sure. I'm all ears.

[niceguypose]

[He smiles and goes straight into it.]

Very well! Please pause for moment! Now... with that as your starting position and using only what means are available to you at the moment! Imagine that... Everyone at this party is your enemy! In what order would you choose to defeat them, and how?!

[floralogy]

[Okay, Ino does what Lee told her with the suspicion that this would turn into-- Yup, it did.]

Well, of course, I'll analyze their abilities first and devise a simple plan of action. I'll probably go and finish the weaker ones first.

[niceguypose]

It certainly sounds like a reasonable strategy. But who would you consider to be the weakest at this party? Who would be your first target?!

[floralogy]

[A little smirk.]

Now I don't think it's good to give away such vital information.

[twinlionfists]

[She'd seen the other girl arrive, but as she was speaking with the Yondaime, she couldn't get away. However, she still wanted to talk to her friend, so she took a break to find her at the buffet table.]

Thank you for coming, Ino-san. I am sure that Neji-niisan appreciates your presence as well.

[floralogy]

[Seeing the girl who made this all possible, Ino gives her a smile.]

Hey, it's no problem! This is a party and dedicated to a comrade too, of all people. So, you bet I'll be here. [A brief pause as she fleetingly tries to locate Neji.] Yeah, he did thank me earlier for coming too. You know, a party like this does him good from time to time.

[twinlionfists]

[Hinata returns her friend's smile easily.] Yes, it is good to see him so relaxed and happy. He does not smile enough.

[floralogy]

I can't agree with you more. You should tell him that smiling isn't that tiring more often.

[twinlionfists]

[She tries to hide the fact that she's amused at Ino's words. Hinata should be horrified, but it's a sentiment she's shared with her friend for a while now.] I will...keep that in mind, Ino-san.