- Oh, please, forgive my husband, Naruto!

Putting ice on his nose and lip, Uzumaki looked at himself in the mirror. Blood mingled with the melting cubes and dripped down his chin. He accepted the napkin held out by Neji's mother.

-It's all right, Megumi-san. I understand why he reacted this way.

-It doesn't excuse him, though.

-Huh, - Naruto grimaced, hitting his smashed lip. How unfortunate. He'd be meeting Madara and Sakura in a couple of days, and he'd look like a delinquent from the neighborhood.

From the upper floor, there were sounds of shouts from Neji and Hizashi.

***

-Mom, this is my friend, Naruto,- the blond man held out a bouquet to the short, dainty woman. Megumi's gaze lingered on Uzumaki's palm that descended to the brunet's waist, and then turned to her son's face. He crumpled, hesitating to take Naruto's hand in front of his mother.

-Come in, - she smiled.

There didn't seem to be much of a problem from her side. If she didn't know exactly about her son's orientation, she was probably guessing. There were bursts of laughter and loud voices coming from the living room.

-Your house is amazing, Megumi-san, - Naruto sincerely admired the abilities of Neji's mother. He knew that the entire interior was based on her design projects. She was one of the best professionals in the city, her phone number passed from hand to hand. And she only worked by recommendation - at least that's what Sakura said.

-So, Neji, is everyone here yet? - Hizashi came out of the living room to meet them.

-We're just waiting for a few more people. Father, this is Naruto, my friend.

-Nice to meet you, young man. You don't go to school with Neji, do you? - Hyuuga immediately noticed Uzumaki's age.

-No, Hizashi-san. We met in the queue for an appointment with the psychologist.

-Ah, I see, - the older Hyuuga's lips curved into a skeptical smirk. - What do you do for a living?

-I'm a consultant in the field of interpersonal relations.

-A psychologist, too? - Hizashi arched an eyebrow suspiciously.

-Something like that, - Naruto didn't go into detail. He was saved from going further by the doorbell.

-It must be Kimimaru and Tayuya. They were supposed to be coming in together. Come on, I'll introduce you right away, - Hyuuga pulled the blond by the sleeve.

As they walked away, Naruto asked:

-I thought you wanted to tell them today. When are you going to, if they will leave right after the cake?

-I'll tell them when my dad gets in the car.

-I don't think that's a good idea.

-I think it's a great idea. It'll give him time to digest the information over the weekend.

-Didn't you think he wouldn't go anywhere with that information?

-My father to change his plans for me? Pah! That hasn't happened in ages!

Naruto sighed. Even though they had discussed several different options, Neji was free to choose whichever one he saw fit.

-Did you two - did you have time to make out while you were waiting for us? - The tall, skinny blond and the red-haired beauty bounced off each other, hiding their swollen lips.

-Neji, happy birthday! That's from both of us. And is this your boyfriend? - The girl winked at Uzumaki.

The brunette's face became ten times redder than their lips.

***

The lights went out and a few seconds later Megumi-san brought a cake into the living room, styled as...

- Isn't that... 64 touches of heaven? - Neji's favorite martial arts technique was skillfully reflected in this pastry masterpiece.

- Come on, Neji, blow out the candles! - There were whispers on all sides. With one mighty gasp the brunet plunged the room into darkness. And when the lamps were lit again and everyone was looking at him, waiting for the cake to be cut, he said:

- I have important news for all of you. - He looked as if he were delivering God's message: solemn and pompous.

"No, no, no," Uzumaki jumped up from his seat. - "What the hell are you doing, Neji? Not now, not in front of the crowd! You can tell them later!" And he twitched to interrupt Hyuuga, but didn't have time.

- I'm gay. I have a non-traditional sexual orientation.

***

The blond swiftly glanced around at the guests: some stared at Neji in amazement, a couple of people grimaced unpleasantly, but mostly his friends and classmates were smiling. Someone even shouted:

-That's the man, Neji!

Naruto exhaled, turning to face Neji and his nose got acquainted with Hyuuga-senior's fist. He flew away, hitting his lower back on the table and fell to the floor, seeing his blood dripping onto the white parquet. Out of the corner of his eye he could see two pairs of feet beside him.

- Father! - Neji tried to keep Hizashi from striking again. Naruto looked up.

-You! You! That's all because of you! - Shaking a finger at him Hyuuga. - Did you seduce him?

- Father, what are you talking about, Naruto had nothing to do with it, we didn't...

- You son of a bitch,- several of the guests had already dragged the enraged Hizashi away from Uzumaki.

He got to his feet. The front of his shirt was covered in red stains.

- Hizashi-san, I did not, in your words, seduce Neji. He and I are not a couple. And I wouldn't want to bring up the details in front of so many people, so why don't we talk privately?

- You, brat, telling me what to do in my house?!

- Hizashi, - Megumi stood in front of her husband. - I think Naruto-san wants us to settle this matter within the family, not in front of Neji's guests.

Hizashi looked around the living room with a hazy gaze, seemingly only now realizing that a couple of dozen people saw him smash the face of someone he hardly knew. He jerked his hands free of those holding him, and tossed Neji:

- This one, - he nodded at Naruto, - I don't want to see ever again. And you, follow me to the study.

And swiftly walked out of the living room.

-Naruto-san, let me treat your wounds, - Megumi touched the blond's shoulder, pulling him behind her. - Neji, I think the party should be postponed. Tell that your friends.

She took the blond to the bathroom while Hyuuga announced to everyone that the celebration is over for now and waited for the guests to leave the house.

***

- You embarrassed me in front of all the guests!

- What's that got to do with you, Father? As always, you only think of yourself!

- Oh, it's my fault now?! - Hizashi's cheekbones were knuckling. - You ungrateful brat! I only care about my family! But you...

- What about me?!

- How could you? My son got fucked by men in the ass! Did you want to humiliate me that badly?

Neji mentally screamed, clenching his fists: the elder Hyuuga didn't care how his son felt. He only cared about his reputation.

- Father... - Neji sighed and tried to calm down. Anger wouldn't help him resolve the situation. - The guests are all friends of mine. They have nothing to do with you.

- They will tell their parents! What will the Inuzuka think of me? And Aburame? His father owns the largest processing company in the country! How do you think he'll react to his son hanging out with some faggot?

Neji's anger boiled over. How could his father call him that?! Before he knew it, Hyuuga had scissors in his right hand and his left hand grabbed his father by the chest.

- S-Son... Y-You...- Hizashi's eyes widened. And then Neji's consciousness was covered in darkness.