Prologue

-.-

How to make a baby? It is a subject that is almost never breached, and when talked about, is seldom detailed and straightforward. Usually, vague terms are involved such as 'flower', 'pussy', 'core', 'tool', 'manhood', and 'pride' such that save for those who are either rather curious, porn-familiar, or friends with 'knowledgeable' and/or experienced people, one would not really know how sexual intercourse happens and what is its real relationship with reproduction and human needs.

Neji Hyuuga, age twenty six and a steadfast member of a naturally quiet, career-driven, nearly archaic clan knows almost naught about making a baby except for two bits of information: a baby is created either through sex or through meticulous science. Although male - the sex which has almost no biological clock limit in terms of reproduction - the continuously increasing risk of death with each new mission of a rare thick-blooded Hyuuga prodigy - Neji himself - puts a great deal of pressure on the young man to beget a child for the clan and for the village. For such purpose (and of course, after thinking the pros and cons thoroughly), the white-eyed genius decides to start a family after he had a narrow escape from death in his most recent S-class mission. The only problem now, at the moment, is finding a suitable wife.

- for him -

Neji, in general, is not fond of females - he does not dislike the particular population, but neither does he like them. When he was a young adolescent, he used to look down on them: civilians were worth no amount of attention; wealthy female clients requested useless missions such as finding a lost cat and were only good for missions of the weak ninjas; girl ninjas were too centered on appearance and paid more attention to vanity than to survival; and women ninjas - there were just a few of them compared to the males - were a drag to their male counterparts. Fortunately enough, he learned to respect a few select female figures in his life as missions and daily encounters widened his perspective considerably; and before long he became neutral in his views (if one girl is just too vain, that does not mean that all girls are inherently vain). For a wife, however, he would want someone with more than his respect, thus the list of tolerable wife-candidates is already really, really short. But what, exactly, are Neji's criteria?

While the young man is not looking for romance, he desires a good companion to have for the rest of his - or her - life (he might as well enjoy marriage, although he is going through it mainly for obligation, right?). The good companion he has in mind is someone who understands enough of what being a ninja means so that she would not whine when he is not around during missions; an independent woman who can act on her own but knows when to heed another's opinion or advice; a person who is capable of taking care of and protecting a dependent child or children; and someone who could be accepted by the people he respect and the people he love. Someone he is comfortable to have so near, someone he would not mind lowering his defenses for.

For some time, Neji Hyuuga pondered on his very short list of wife-candidates. Days, weeks, and months passed, and then suddenly, during one of his missions - when the sun's first rays for the day hit the horizon, signaling that his long guard duty is almost over, and the chilly night air begins to regain its daytime warmth - he found a certain peace between him and his mission partner and thought that this companionship is the one he would not mind to have forever - and thus with the utmost certainty, the firmest resolve, and a brief skip of his heart - he turned to his partner and uttered the words that in the silence of dawn could never be misheard and taken back:

"Would you like me as your husband, Tenten?"

- for her -

"Would you like me as your husband, Tenten?

Tenten, who has not slept a wink in the past twenty four hours, almost thought that she was just dreaming. Neji does not, at least normally, shoot questions pertaining very personal opinions and relationships as if they are merely everyday conversation topics. The young woman could not tell whether the question is hypothetical or - dare she let her mind wander - a serious proposal, and she spent some time openly gaping at her partner's perfectly sober face before trying to formulate an appropriate answer.

In her humble opinion, Neji is quite a desirable husband - he would be able to provide a sense of security to his family, a definite plus point in many women's 'checklist'; he is a very responsible person who never neglects his duties and even goes out of his way to exceed one's expectations; he is hygienic and his manners are well-polished, his tact a lot better than most men; and if one wants to go for looks, he - with that aristocratic, straight nose and well-defined, masculine jawline; not to mention the pair of eyebrows that arches so smoothly on his fair face, plus the pale gray shade of his eyes that is both cool and mysterious - is among the best looking males in Konoha. What is there to say 'no' for?

Tenten actually likes Neji enough to want him as her husband. She may not be in-love, but she is one of the most realistic among her female peers and she knows marriage may not be necessarily lovey-dovey. What she is not sure of, rather, is whether a husband - Neji Hyuuga or possibly someone else - would not hinder her dream of being a great female ninja. She has no qualms about marrying relatively early in her ninja career (these days most ninjas marry in their thirties) nor bearing a child or children (Konoha needs to sustain a good amount of population, and she considers it a duty to ensure that the hidden village would indeed have a next generation), but if a child is desired so soon or too often... she may not have the time to sharpen her skills as a ninja. After a bit more mental work, Tenten concludes that she needs to sort things out little by little to come up with a proper, solid, 'yes' or 'no' answer. She does not like returning questions, but to tackle a tiny bit of concern first...

"And you, would you like me as your wife?"

There was a short pause, whence Tenten shifted uncomfortably under Neji's calculating gaze, and then:

"Yes."

"Then let us discuss what changes a union between us would bring and if we are both agreeable to them, then consider my answer a 'yes'."

-.-

After the mission, when they were properly rested and fed, Neji and Tenten spent a good long while in a local secluded spot in Konoha discussing, and at certain points bargaining, the terms of their marriage (if there would be one between them, that is, provided they would agree to a lone set of terms). In the end, they both agreed on the following set of 'rules':

1. No extramarital affairs.

2. No important decision that would affect both of them should be made without having both of their agreement on it.

3. Respect each other's privacy.

4. One should not force the other to change a long-standing habit or interest.

5. Share household expenses according to who consumed how much.

6. Both would work in the fields they have chosen. No butting in, just give support to another. For objections, suggest or persuade - no forcing against will.

7. Respect each other's family.

8. Allow one another personal time alone.

9. Share household duties equally.

10. Terms of marriage subject to change every year, with each wedding anniversary, upon agreement of both parties.

Neji and Tenten signed two copies of their marriage terms with one copy for each to keep and hide from his or her family, friends, and acquaintances (in other words, only the two of them should know about it). They shook hands and parted ways for the time being (for soon there would be the meet-the-parents/relatives, the engagement, the wedding preparations, and then the ceremony itself and from then on they would be together); with Neji content on having his wife-problem solved and Tenten quite happy on finding a life-companion who agreed not to hinder her beloved career and ambition.