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

[believeit]

Ah, Hinata!

[Hang on- let him swallow this piece of food so he isn't spitting it everywhere.]

Did you cook this stuff? It's really good!

[twinlionfists]

[She smiled wider as her cheeks flushed a bit.]

Th-thank you, but Chouji-kun and I cooked everything together. Make sure that you tell him that you enjoyed it as well.

[believeit]

I will when I see him!

[Grabbing another piece to put in his mouth, it sure is great!]

So who all else is comin' anyway?

[twinlionfists]

[Watching him eat, she wonders if Chouji and she made enough of the takoyaki. She knows that he loves red bean paste anything, but she hopes he doesn't eat too many of them, especially since some of them are of different flavors for the other guests.]

Well, Lee-san and I were hoping that our other friends would show, including Asuma- and Gai-sensei. Y-your parents are welcome to come, of course! Sakura-san said that she would try, but I believe that she also mentioned working at the larger clinic today as well.

[believeit]

Yeah, my Mom and Dad said they're coming! They should be here any minute.

[Don't worry Hinata, he's not rude enough to eat all your food. ]

[twinlionfists]

[She can't help but be so happy for him. When he speaks about his parents, he's so...bright.]

I will always be happy to see your parents, Naruto-kun.

[believeit]

Yeah-- me too.

[Obviously.]

Uh- though I didn't get Neji a gift or anythin', since I dunno what he likes. So you gotta help me think f something and I can just bring it round later.

[twinlionfists]

Neji-niisan will be happy with anything that you give him. However, you want something a little more personal, yes? [She tries to think of the things that Neji likes, meditation, tea, sparring...His special shampoo.]

I have an idea. [She flushes a bit.] But it will have to wait until after the party.

[believeit]

[Once she says she has an idea, his whole face lights up.]

Thank you, Hinata! We can do it later, after the party yeah?

[twinlionfists]

[She basks in the brightness of his smile before ducking her head with a blush.]

You are welcome, Naruto-kun.

[believeit]

Right!

[Another flash of his smile, and he turns to face the table an pick up a glass of water.]

Neji said you guys (Her, Lee and Chouji) made this party for him. It's good.

[twinlionfists]

It is the least that I can do for Neji-niisan. He has given me so much.

[believeit]

Yeah, I guess it must be nice havin' someone like him looking out for you now. [He remembers when it wasn't always that way.]

[twinlionfists]

[She ducks her head as she blushes prettily.] Naruto-kun was there to look out for me when I most needed it as a child.

[believeit]

[Oh, yeah. It's funny, he never really thought he had that much of an impact on anyone when he was a kid. The fact that she still remembers it, and it meant so much to her.

He's blushing a little.]

Yeah, well. Nobody deserves to be bullied and stuff y'know?

[twinlionfists]

[Naruto has always been an impact on Hinata. He should have realized that long before now. Hadn't she and others told him that many times, hadn't she let him know how important he was to her during the whole fight with Pein?]

I...I agree. I only wish that I could have been more courageous and help you when we were children.

[believeit]

Hey c'mon, don't be like that. I mean I think you've always had courage and stuff yeah?

And you stood up for me, against Pein. That took a lot of guts.

[He smiles at her, he'd never seen it the same way as her. She gained more confidence eventually, and that's what mattered! For her sake, not his.]

And not just then. [Neji's death too, but he isn't going to mention it. Not here, of all places. Actually, he never did get much of a chance to talk about that, did he?]

So thank you, Hinata.

[twinlionfists]

[While she is proud that she could be a source of inspiration for him instead of the other way around, she has a feeling that he is thanking her for something she doesn't want to know about, aside from her words during the Pein fight.]

Is that not what comrades do for one another during battle, Naruto-kun? [She wouldn't make herself so vulnerable again. She couldn't stand it if he just ignored her words a second time. Her feelings have not changed, but she was so tired of trying to smile when he pushed her into the position of friend only.] You were the one to teach me that as well.

[believeit]

[He's gotta save the world before he can focus on romance! Sure he asks Sakura on dates now and again, but he already knows she's gonna say no so it's more like a joke.

If she actually asked him he might go, but until then going to just keep on being Naruto. Stuffing a piece of food in his mouth.]

Right! We're all comrades, it means a lot to me.

[twinlionfists]

[The likelihood of her asking him on a date is pretty slim-to-none. However, she wouldn't change Naruto if she could. She prefers him the way he is. Even if his words hurt sometimes.]

It means a lot to me as well.

[Best to change the subject before she leaves herself too open.]

Oh! I know that we have not had a chance to have the training time together. [She's refusing to call it a date because that word isn't really appropriate for that.] I am free for the whole day in two days. Would that be good for you?

[believeit]

Oh yeah, training! [He grins at that, it should be fun!]

After this party I don't really have anything planned, so either day will be fine for me.

[twinlionfists]

[She returns his grin with a smile of her own. The mention of the party has her attention, however.]

Ah, yes, I-I can just come and get you when I am available then. I have to get back to the tea ceremony platform. Um....perhaps you should come over to get a cup of tea if you want.

[believeit]

Mm! You know where I live, you can just come over. Or send me a message on the book thingy, I don't mind.

[He looks over at the tea platform once she mentions it. Might as well.]

Sure, I'll have some.

[twinlionfists]

[She nods before grabbing his hand and dragging him over to the platform. However, when she gets to it, she realizes what she's done and drops his hand as if it burned her.]

I-I apologize, Naruto-kun. I should not have...done that.

[believeit]

[It surprises him but he just sort of lets her pull him along.]

Er.. it's okay.