Dragons and Pale Eyes Chapter 4: Showing Her Cards, a naruto fanfic

Title: Dragons and Pale Eyes

Chapter Title: Showing Her Cards

Summary: Neji, a king, is being pressured to have kids. However, he rejects the thought of having a Queen. So what does he do? He goes to the local whore house and gets him a prostitute. Tenten is the last of her clan and wants revenge. Will she choose hatred over love? Or will the dragon inside of her learn peacefulness?

Pairing(s): Neji/Tenten, Naruto/Hinata, Sasuke/Sakura, Shikamaru/Temari, and many more!

Authors Note: Hello, everyone! Sorry, it's been so long! The holidays have kept me away, plus I needed some time to just relax. But I'm back now! If you like this chapter, why not leave me a lovely little review?

Hinata watched Naruto's departure timidly from one of the highest windows of the palace. She could see her husband, Shikimaru, her old teammates Kiba and Shino...And another figure. She frowned. She could see the figure very well, so she took a moment to focus her chakra to her eyes before activating her Byakugan. It took a lot more out of her than she thought, but she was happy to still be able to use it. However, her eyes widened as she realized who the figure was.

Neji-kun? She thought to herself in surprise. Hinata knew that Neji was forming a team to go search for Sasuke by the Sound Village...But she didn't expect him to go with them. Her worry for Naruto only increased, since she knew just how quickly the blonde could anger her cousin. Hinata sighed and shook her head, and worried her lower lip. Was Neji that determined to make sure the Sound Village doesn't get the Sharingan that he would endanger himself? Or was that the council?

Wouldn't you do the same thing? Hinata asked herself, and she knew that she would. If someone found out how to replicate its abilities...Especially one of Konohagakure's enemies...They'd be in real trouble.

"Something the matter, Hinata?" Hinata turned around and smiled as she saw the woman who had quickly become her best friend. Neji's prostitute, Tenten. At first, Hinata didn't know how she'd feel working for a prostitute. But Tenten had been a delight, and Hinata was comfortable with her position. Hinata knew she wouldn't make a good leader for the Kingdom, being much too timid and weak in both body and mind. Her cousin was the exact opposite, though, and she was happy that he would get his chance to shine. Even with that X on his forehead.

"I'm just worried about Naruto, is all. He's a bit hyper, and this is his first mission since the three weeks that we have been back." Hyper was a bit of an understatement. Not only was this any mission, but they might find and bring back Sasuke Uchiha. She saw the group suddenly move into a blur of movement, starting their mission at a rather fast pace. "I'll admit, I'm surprised he's letting you stay behind."

Hinata knew that Neji had seen Tenten's abilities. And she knew that her cousin was impressed. Unknowingly to the prostitute, as Hinata cleaned her room while she trained outside Neji would come stand at her window watching. Hinata never dared speak about it, but she could see the appreciation and lust in her cousin's eyes. She knew he wasn't used to being actually attracted to someone, but she could see why he liked Tenten. Neji was a strong person, and he would need an equally strong partner. And Tenten was just that.

When they first met, Tenten had creeped her out. Hinata couldn't get over the fake smile that was always on her face. It was almost like she was a doll with a painted on face. But more and more, Tenten was opening up and "You don't need to worry. I'm sure Lord Hyuga will make sure to take care of his team."

The only problem was that Hinata couldn't tell if Tenten found her cousin attractive. She knew that the two had slept together, multiple times every night surely, but did she desire him? Or was this strictly business? She took a deep breath before letting it out and shaking her head. Her worry lessening a bit at Tenten's calming words. "I suppose you're right..." Hinata mumbled as she made her way towards Tenten's closet, looking for an outfit that would fit her to sleep in.

XXX

It was time to make a choice.

Tsunade had been in the middle of a fight for power. Neji thought he had her in his pocket, and Orochimaru thought he had her in his. But as Shizune told her that Neji and a group are heading towards the Sound Kingdom, she knew that now was when she needed to start showing her hand. She took a deep breath and gave Shizune her orders.

It was time for them to make a move.

XXX

Neji had never been more happy to leave the comforts of his Kingdom than he was now. The council hadn't taken the news of him having a prostitute to well, but they had no way of controlling his sexual desires. Many of them questioned why he would want a prostitute instead of a wife, but he was getting tired of repeating the same thing over and over.

When will they realize I don't want a wife? He thought to himself as he jumped from tree to tree, taking the point in the group. The council was a group of wise people, but the politics have corrupted them and made them into nothing more than greedy leeches that tried to reach for his power. They wanted to be involved in every decision he made but didn't want to take any blame if something went wrong. They would, however, take credit to some of the things that went right.

How considerate of them, he thought bitterly with a shake of his head. Neji could never understand why they preach to him about taking responsibility for his actions, yet it's a different story when they do it. There's always a reason, always an excuse, and Neji was starting to get tired of it.

And then there was the prostitute herself. Tenten had proven to be quite the handful. He hated that her poker face was just as good, if not better, than his own. And she had a sharp tongue. The few times she had lost her cool, he had seen the dragon that lay in sheep's clothing. And, for once in his life, instead of ensnaring a woman he wished to set her free. He wanted to see her talk to him and desire him, yet she refused both things. After their nightly exercise, she would promptly go to sleep.

All in all...She was an interesting woman and a puzzle, and Neji was determined to solve this puzzle. Still, that didn't mean he was any less strict with her. She was expected to speak to him respectively in the presence of an audience, and of course, he expected her to pregnant sometime within the next year. After all, all of this wouldn't be worth it if he didn't produce an heir somehow.

"So what's the plan?" Neji looked back at the familiar blonde and rose an eyebrow. "Please tell me you, at least, have a plan." Naruto groaned as he looked at Neji.

But Shikamaru was the one who answered. "We track down Sasuke Uchiha using Neji's Byakugan and Kiba's sense of smell," The lazy shinobi began. "And then Shino," he nodded towards the young man who was wearing a high collar shirt with a pair of cargo pants and sunglasses. "will put one of his bugs on Sasuke so we can track him from a distance until we realize what he's doing here."

Naruto listened to their story and nodded his head. "So what am iI here for?"

"If we run into trouble," Neji spoke up from the front, "we might need your skills. Even I have to admit that you're at least a decent fighter." He stressed the word decent.

Neji didn't even have to turn his head to fill Naruto's eyes rolling.

XXX

Things are going just as planned, Orochimaru thought as he looked down at the crater. Sasuke was in the middle of it with the Haruno girl, a stronger fighter than the Sanin had thought. However, she was no match for Sasuke. She panted and struggled to stand while he merely looked at her with emotionless eyes and a hand on his hip. However, he was still a little displeased.

"Sakura, dear," Orichimaru began, and he could physically see her stiffen. "How is our Sasuke going to get stronger if you keep pulling punches like that?" Orichimaru asked with a pointed look at the pinkette. He could see her jaw clench, and knew that she hated him. But he didn't care. He knew that she would stay on his side as long as Sasuke was on it. The girl was an amazing fighter and follower, but she was definitely not a leader. Unless someone was injured, her skills in medicine far exceeded Kabuto's. Something that Orichimaru loved. He saw Kabuto as a friend, but Kabuto was getting arrogant. He needed some competition.

"This is pointless," Sasuke said, his voice as emotionless as his eyes. "What is me beating up Sakura going to do?" Orichimaru's perceptive eyes didn't miss the flinch that the girl made at Sasuke's tone. It sounded so...Dismissive. And that's what Orichimaru was happy about. Sasuke was picking power over love, and right in front of his lover. But he still needed Sakura. Orichimaru was a smart man, and he knew Tsunade quite well. And he knew that she wouldn't dare risk turning on her. Yes, Sakura was valuable, but she wasn't needed.

And should Tsunade anger him, Orichimaru thought as he watched Sakura lunge towards Sasuke, he wouldn't be opposed to eliminating her.

XXX

As all this was going on, however, no one noticed the group of shadows standing outside of Neji's mansion.

So this chapter was a bit of a filler, I'll admit. But next chapter is going to be really interesting! Hopefully, I'll be able to post it by tomorrow. Please feel free to leave a review!