An Indecent Proposal

Author's Note: I have been receiving for a female Neji x Sasuke story. So I decided to grant them. In this story, Neji was born female and her name is Nera. Obviously, this story is going to diverge from canon because Neji doesn't die and is female in this. If any of that bothers you, you might want to turn back now. For those of you still here, I hope you enjoy this story and reviews are always appreciated.

Special Thanks to Celestial193 for helping me pick out a name female Neji. If you're interested, feel free to check out her stuff. She's got a bit of everything.

Disclaimer: I own nothing and make no profit off of any of my stories.

Chapter 1

Beautiful. There was something beautiful about the way she struck her imaginary opponents as woman likely performed the motions of her family's trademark fighting style for the thousandth time.

"Why is she here though?" It didn't make any sense.

Why was Nera Hyuga training in the Forest of Death when her Clan had their own private training grounds? Well he supposed that it didn't matter. If his Journey of Redemption had taught him one thing it was to appreciate the little things.

Beauty and happiness in this world might both be fleeting, but that just made them all the more special. They would disappear as suddenly as they appeared. A flower might only bloom for a season, but the fact that it bloomed in spite of the impending harsh winter just made it all the precious.

She was nothing like most of the women whom he had grown used to associating with. "GENTLE FIST!" Nera was the very definition of classical beauty and possessed a lethal grace.

He barley knew her, but Sasuke had spoken to her once before at the Chunin Exams. Even then though, it hadn't been a particularly long conversation. Now though, he was noticing many similarities that he hadn't noticed before.

He tilts his head as he watches her punch the air. "It's like looking into a mirror in some ways." In a lot of ways, actually.

Their fates had been decided by chance. Shaped by something as seemingly inconsequential as who their parents were or when they had been born. Had he been older than Itachi, maybe the Massacre wouldn't have happened. Maybe, his older brother wouldn't had to suffer and maybe, his Clan would still be alive. As for Nera, she wouldn't be a Branch Member…if Hiashi Hyuga had been her father or if her own hadn't been born just a few minutes after the Hyuga Patriarch.

Umpf! "Is there a reason why you're watching me?!" He shouldn't have let his guard down like that!

The Byakugan had nearly 360 degree vision and even without it, Nera was still a Jonin. A Jonin who hadn't gotten caught up in her daydreams.

Though she was also a Jonin who had bitten off more than she could choose. "Is there a reason why I shouldn't?" And judging by the shocked look in those shimmering orbs, the Hyuga woman was well aware of that.

"S-Sasuke?" The fact that he had made her stutter was immensely satisfying for some reason.

He smirks at her and frees himself of her grasp before pinning her to the tree with her back towards him. "Yes, it's me and I'll admit that I deserved that." For letting his guard down. "Any ninja who lets their guard down like that deserves to have a shot taken at them, but lets save any punches for training."

He had no reason to want to fight with her. He'd been gone for two years on a Journey of Redemption. Hurting someone like Nera, who was a Leaf Ninja in good standing, was the fastest way he could think of to prove that he hadn't changed.

Sasuke liked to think that he had though. He might never be able to make up for everything that he had done, but these days the weight of his past wasn't as heavy as it used to be.

"You're right." To her credit though, she didn't flinch. "No matter how powerful someone is, they shouldn't let their guard down." The woman even had the audacity to threaten him (that or to imply a threat at the very least).

He chuckles at that. "Is it a Hyuga Trait to give such backhanded compliments or is that just something that is particular to you?" Sasuke didn't know why he said that, it was just that he was amused.

Most women either quaked in terror at the sight of him or threw themselves at him. Some did both. To be fair, men generally had a somewhat similar reaction to his presence though. Fear, disgust, or envy.

So to find a "neutral" person who was doing none of those things, well that made him feel oddly happy or at least intrigued. Happiness was still something of a foreign emotion to him. It was such a rare feeling that he almost didn't know how to identify it anymore.

"Both." Nera tries to free herself from his hold. "With Hinata being the exception to the rule." Naturally.

He couldn't imagine the Hyuga Princess insulting anyone about well anything. She was such a polite and meek little thing, unless it came to her comrades.

He barely knew Nera, but he knew that a wide gulf existed between the Jonin in his arms and her beloved cousin. One that was at least in large part shaped by their environment, but also by their personalities.

All her struggling was in vain, though it had accomplished one thing. "Yeah I could see that." It had knocked loose a purple orchid which fell onto Nera's beautiful chestnut colored tresses.

It was a whim, but one that he couldn't entirely resist. He runs his fingers through the silky locks. Soft and warm. Almost like water in the way they slipped right through his fingers as he weaves the bloom more firmly into her hair.

"Is there a reason why you're braiding my hair like an Academy Student?" Nera sounds half amused and half wary.

Not that he could blame her. Sasuke knew his reputation better than anyone. She'd be a fool not to be wary and while Nera was obviously man things, he didn't believe that she was foolish. (That was his job, according to Itachi).

Though when she phrased it that way, Sasuke suddenly felt rather ridiculous about his actions. "The flower suits you." Why had he woven it into her hair?

It was lovely hair, but at best his action could be construed as a childish impulse and at worst, well Sasuke wasn't entirely sure what worst would be in this context. He did know that it was at best humiliating for him and at worst, frightening for her though.

"I wouldn't have thought that you would care about such frivolous things." She tilts her head over her shoulder just enough that he could see her eyes. "Should I inform Ino of your new passion for Botany? She might be able to secure you employment in her family's flower shop." And her forehead.

It was her forehead that set him off. That Seal. Nera's own personal curse mark so to speak.

He wasn't sure why it made him so angry. Possibly because it brought back memories of his own Seal, maybe. Sasuke just knew that it did and that's when he was struck by another whim.

The last Uchiha pauses. "There is a lot you don't know about me." That was an understatement. "Perhaps the most important thing though is that I can be rather impulsive." Or foolish depending on one's interpretation.

She was perfect in a way. Just from an academic perspective, of course. Nera was intelligent, strong, she had a bloodline of her own, she was beautiful, and in a way, they needed each other.

It wasn't love. Sasuke wasn't that naïve or idealistic, but she did seem to check off all the "boxes." If he had ever sat down and come up with a list for what he wanted in a wife, she likely would have been it.

"Impulsive?" She looks at him in confusion as he moves away from her.

Why not? Nera was a practical woman. She might say yes and the more he mulled over the idea, the more sense it made.

Sasuke nods as he traces the mark on her forehead until he was cupping her cheek and pulling her closer to him. "Yes, I have a proposal. It's going to sound crazy, but I think that we can help each other." A lot.

"Help each other?" Nera wasn't pushing him away. "How?" That was a good sign.

Of course, that might have just been the shock. He doubted very many people would dare to invade her personal space in such a fashion. The woman was a formidable Jonin and aloof at the best of times. He would though.

Meanwhile Jugo watches with amusement. Suigetsu had demanded they stop for a water break and Sasuke had gone up ahead of them. The place was named the Forest of Death, so proceeding with caution was wise…even if they were all powerful ninjas.

"You seriously couldn't wait ten more minutes?" Karin rolls her eyes at Suigetsu.

He gives her a dirty look. "Hey, it's been forever since we stopped for a water break!" Well honestly, it hadn't been that long, but Suigestu was a Hozuki. His body chemistry was just different than theirs.

The gentle giant was on the lookout for anything suspicious when one of his birds landed on his arm. He often sent birds and other animals out ahead to ensure the path was clear and today was no exception in this regard.

"It seems that Sasuke has run into an old friend of sorts." Jugo smiles at them. "Come on, we should go and see what is going on."

The birds hadn't seemed distressed. So Jugo could only assume that there wasn't actually a battle happening. (That and he didn't hear the sounds of fighting from nearby, so their leader must have run into an old teammate or peer for the conversation to be going this smoothly).

Suigetsu raises an eyebrow at that. "Sasuke has friends?" Oh boy. "Since when?"

The swordsman was really asking for it, Jugo muses to himself as Karin whacks the man upside the head. "You're such an idiot!" He really shouldn't have said that in front of Karin.

Sasuke had been gone for two years. So it was only natural that they would all be eager to investigate his return. Which was how they had ended up in the Forest of Death.

"That's enough." He smiles at them. "Come on. Sasuke is going to be so surprised to see us." And with that, the eldest member of Taka leads his teammates off.

Nera had absolutely no idea what was happening! One moment, she was training and the next, she had sensed someone nearby. Of course, she had confronted them. Imagine her shock and horror, when the Hyuga woman realized it was Sasuke Uchiha that she had just shoved against a tree! And now, perhaps the most infamous ninja in the entire world wanted to make her some kind of offer?!

"You can offer me salvation and I can offer you freedom." He gently caresses her cheek. "You're a Branch Member. A slave to your own family, but it doesn't have to stay that way."

He was barely making any sense at all. Had Sasuke finally lost his mind? The man had suffered through several traumatic events in his short life. Anyone of them could have triggered a psychotic break of some kind, but he didn't look insane.

Sasuke was looking at her in a hopeful way. Hopeful, but wary. Was he afraid of being rejected?

The only thing he was correct about was her status in the Hyuga Clan. "You're right. I am a slave. This Seal ensures that I am a bird, locked inside a cage." She'd never truly be able to stretch her wings. She could only stare at the sky and long for freedom. "Though I fail to see how you could help me in that regard or why you would care." For the chance to fly.

"There are only two ways to remove that Seal." Sasuke's hand still hadn't left her cheek. "Death and marrying out of the Clan." His hand was large and rough, though his touch at the moment was paradoxically gentle.

His words were accurate though. "My uncle would never allow such a thing." The only way that she'd be allowed to marry outside the Clan was if he couldn't risk offending another Clan.

While offending another Clan was never advisable, it was something that Hiashi Hyuga could afford to get away with. After all, the Hyuga Clan was large, wealthy, and powerful. Few Clans were willing to enter a Clan War with it over one rejected marriage proposal.

"He would, if it was to a Clan of equal or greater power than your own." Maybe, but such a Clan probably didn't exist anymore.

Even if it did, why would someone from that Clan propose to her? It made no sense. Sasuke wasn't thinking logically.

She shakes her head. "Theoretically, yes." This was the real world though.

There was no time to dwell on such childish notions. A fantasy wrapped in a daydream and hidden within a fairy tale. That's what he spoke of.

Did Sasuke actually believe that some "prince" was going to come along and save her from a life of servitude. The very idea was laughable on its face!

"More than theory." He shakes his head. "Your Clan is larger than mine and wealthier, but my own Clan owns far more land and I'm strong enough that any war between our families would only end in disaster for your own."

She blinks. That was true. Sasuke was the last Uchiha, but he was also powerful enough to hold his own (with Naruto fighting with him) against Madara. The man who had forced the entire Ninja World to unite due to his sheer might. He was more than strong enough that even Hiashi Hyuga wouldn't risk offending him.

"Are you proposing to me?" It was all Nera could do not to gape at him like a fish.

He nods as he touches the flower. "I know that it must sound insane, but I think that we can help each other." A business transaction? "I can grant you your freedom. As my wife, you could come and go as you pleased. The only thing that I would want in return is help restoring my Clan." A marriage of convenience?!

"You're right." It did sound insane. "It's not only foolish and impulsive, it's the height of insanity. We barely know each other and you expect me to be the mother of your children?!"

Which could only mean one thing. He was not only proposing marriage to her, Sasuke was asking to share his bed. Repeatedly.

One child wouldn't make for much of a Clan Restoration. Sasuke would likely want multiple children. Which would entail a warm martial bed to some degree.

"It is impulsive, but it's not foolish." He shakes his head. "We both get what we want out of this. You get your freedom and I get a family."

It was enough to make her blush and to smack him! The pervert! The pervert was trying to seduce her in some awkward way!

"Owe!" Sasuke blinks as he touches his cheek in shock.

For a brief moment, it felt rather satisfying to smack the deviant. She honestly hadn't expected that of him. Nera could have envisioned Sasuke giving her many reasons to strike him, but perversion had been at the bottom of the list.

She narrows her eyes. "Do not stroke my hair, give me flowers, and tempt me with mirages of freedom." It would take far more than that for her to fall for whatever he was planning. "I'm not foolish enough to be tricked by whatever game you're playing. Besides, we've never even kissed. How do you know that we are even compatible in such an area?!"

Sasuke tilts his head as if considering that. "You're right." Of course, she was right! "We haven't kissed and it wouldn't be wise to marry someone that you had no chemistry with." True! True! "We can remedy that now though." Wait. What?

Before Nera knew what was happening, she felt Sasuke's lips against her own. He was kissing her! Sasuke Uchiha was kissing her!

That's when Suigetsu blinks as Taka comes upon the two kissing ninjas. Well more accurately, they were several feet away behind some nearby trees, but still!

"Are you seeing this?!" He stares in shock.

It didn't take long for Jugo to cover his mouth and as much as Suigetsu hated to admit it, he was probably smart to do it. Smart to cover his mouth and then Karin's. There was no way any of them were going to keep quiet after witnessing this!

Sasuke was actually kissing someone! Seemingly of his own freewill! Damn. Suigetsu didn't know the Bastard actually had it in him.

Of course, their 'fearless leader' was always going on about restoring his Clan, but that was more of an abstract thing. The thought of Sasuke actually liking someone enough to find them 'worthy' of restoring his Clan were just seemed impossible.

For a moment, the woman in Sasuke's arms definitely looked like she was enjoying it. That was until she raises her hand to strike him, but Sasuke catches it. "I let you slap me once, I'm not doing it again." This chick had actually slapped Sasuke?

Damn. That was pretty ballsy! Suigetsu liked this chick!

"How dare you kiss me like that?!" Yeah. Sasuke had really been going for it. Suigetsu was pretty sure that he saw some tongue. "That was highly improper and your proposal was just as indecent!"

P-Proposal? Wait! Sassy had actually asked the other ninja to marry him?! No freaking way! When did Sasuke find the time to decide he wanted to marry her?!

He'd been gone from the Leaf for two years. Well unless the woman had been away on a mission. Maybe, something interesting had happened on Sasuke's Journey of Redemption, after all!

Sasuke shakes his head and smirks. "I can't really argue with that." He didn't seem all that upset at her rejection. "But you also can't argue with the fact you kissed back."

The woman's creamy white skin was now turning a cute shade of pink. Sasuke had good taste. Suigetsu had to give him that.

"We should go." Jugo shakes his head. "I'll leave a message with Sasuke." What?! Go now?! Jugo had to be out of his mind!

Why they Hell did he want to leave and miss this show?! This was amazing! Sassy was finally getting rejected by a woman!

"Take this to Sasuke, when he's finished." Jugo quickly scribbles a message on a scroll and attaches it to a bird's foot.

Unbelievable! Why did the gentle giant have to spoil all their fun, Suigetsu sulks to himself as he leads them off. They were just getting to the good stuff!

Sasuke knew that what he had just done was foolish. He had done it on a whim, but he considered it a logical one. Right now, he had two choices.

He could plead with Nera for her forgiveness and hope that she was willing to pretend it never happened or he could try to convince her. The feeling of her warm skin against his own and the taste of her kiss still lingered though. Cucumbers and melons.

It was an odd thing to note, but that's what she tasted like. "I can't deny that." He liked it and he liked Nera admitting that even more.

Sasuke had never really given much thought to things like passion outside of battle. He was very familiar with bloodlust, but the other variety of lust wasn't something he experienced much. Some biological urges were natural. Occasionally, a small flicker of interest in the subject would appear. Unbidden and then, it would disappear just as quickly.

"Well I know that it's an indecent proposal and I don't have a ring." He smiles at her. "The orchid will have to do for now, but I want you to consider it anyway.

He would try to convince her. Whatever it was this wasn't love. There was a potential for it to grow into love though.

Nera was a powerful and intelligent ninja. He could respect her and her kiss felt good. That was something, right? Certainly, it was far more than he had ever felt for the other women in the Hidden Leaf.

She shakes her head. "I will not." Though a slight waver in her voice made him smirk.

Proper. She was worried about what this would do to her reputation. Becoming his wife would cause a scandal and her Clan would likely want nothing to do with her. He was asking a lot, but he was willing to give just as much in return.

"Well then, if you're so sure…you won't mind this." He snatches the purple orchid from her hair and injects some of his chakra into it. "It won't wilt now. Not as long as I'm alive or until someone purposely destroys it."

Really, Sasuke was impressed by the symbolism. "You preserved a flower. How unexpectedly sentimental of you." Nera it appeared was not though.

"If you destroy it, I'll know." He'd ignore her scoffing for the moment. "I'm not too concerned about that, but just so you know. I don't think that you'll destroy it. And if you wear the orchid, I'll consider it your way of saying yes." And with that being said, he quickly flits off.

He wasn't going to give her time to protest. Sasuke still had to find Taka. It was just sheer dumb luck that his team hadn't stumbled upon them in the middle of his proposal.

Thank the Gods and Goddesses for small mercies. He could just imagine their reactions to such a thing. Karin would probably attack Nera or start crying. Jugo would offer naïve encouragement and then there was Suigetsu.

"That idiot would never let me live it down." That much was obvious.

That's when a bird lands on his shoulder and Sasuke raises an eyebrow. He recognized it as one of the birds that favored Jugo. Cats loved Sasuke, but birds were attracted to his large friend like magnets it seemed.

He smiles at the raven and undoes the scroll. "Thank you." Quickly reading it, before he sighs.

We decided to go on ahead. We'll let Kakashi know that you're back. Don't worry. We'll meet you at home, when we're done~ Your Team.

Well at least they were smart enough to keep it vague. If someone intercepted that, they wouldn't necessarily know the truth. That Sasuke Uchiha was back and his second team was also in the Leaf.

"I guess I should go and make dinner." It had been a long trip and it was likely Nera wouldn't destroy the orchid or wear it for awhile. "There's no sense in starving myself while I wait for an answer."

He never would have thought of such a thing before today. It had been perhaps the most impulsive decision of his life and yet, Sasuke couldn't regret it. Nera Hyuga would make an excellent wife.