A/N: The title is a play on the meaning of Neji's name (screw), and the situation in which he finds himself. I've been working on this for eight months now, and have finally reached a point where I'm happy with it, plus I decided it's time to stop over thinking it. References events in Bedside Manner and Scenes from Wedding-chapter 5.
Otouto-younger brother, Otousan-Father, Ojisan-Uncle, Imouto-little sister, Anou-"well…", Gomen nasai-polite, I'm sorry, Arigatou gozaimasu-polite, thank you very much, Mitsu no Kuni-Honey Country from anime filler episode 194, Nakahehairu-Enter

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, or any of the characters from the anime/manga. Tenten's grandma and a few random OC's? They're mine.

Screwed

Hyuuga Hiashi's face, normally so somber was all smiles as he explained the situation to his nephew.

"So you see Neji, your marriage has been arranged since you were eight years old. It's the least I could've done for Otouto; making sure you married well." He put his hand on the younger man's shoulder. "As members of the Mitsu no Kuni Daimyo's family, the Yasukawa clan is highly influential. It's a strong alliance, not only for our family but for Konohagakure as well."

"I understand Ojisan," the pale eyed genius frowned. "But why was I never made aware of this before?"

Here Hiashi's smile faltered.

"Anou, since you decided to follow the path of the shinobi, the elders thought it would be best to make sure you survived to manhood."

Neji nodded, his uncle's answer was reasonable, clinical, some might even call it cold. But it made perfect sense. He knew he shouldn't be surprised by the news, this was the way of the clan. In order to preserve the byakugan, the Hyuugas were very selective about who married into the bloodline. Up until Uzumaki Naruto proposed to his cousin Hinata, only Hiashi and the elders had known of the marriage contract drawn up between the Hyuugas and the Uchihas shortly after she was born. It had taken some doing to break said contract, what with the intended groom the last of his clan, not to mention an international criminal. But contracts were binding and payment had to be made. In the end, a large donation to the Konoha Police Force, which the Uchihas had run for generations, did the trick.

Neji also knew that the only reason Uzumaki was an exception was largely due to his status change. Who would deny Konohagakure's savior, child of the Fourth Hokage, and himself rumored to be the future Hokage? The elders practically drooled over the prestige this would bring to the family. A Hyuuga had never been this close to ruling the village before.

His thoughts turned to his younger cousin Hanabi and her boyfriend, Aburame Shino. He wondered how much harder it would be for her when her turn came. But then she was only sixteen, for all Neji knew the pair would be completely over each other by then.

"You're very quiet," Hiashi's voice was suddenly concerned. "Aren't you pleased?"

A voice Neji didn't recognize wanted to burst out of him screaming, "NO! My life is my own!"

But his long established sense of family loyalty, the part of him that squashed any personal preference and did what was best for the greater good, won out and he remained quiet. Besides, he told himself, it's not like he was in love or anything, and quite frankly, this saved him the trouble of establishing a relationship and all the drama that went with it. Neji didn't like drama. His was a very reasonable, clinical, some might even call it cold personality. This was really the perfect situation for him.

"Gomen nasai, Ojisan," he bowed. "Arigatou gozaimasu, I'm very pleased. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some mission reports I have to go over."

Hiashi's smile returned and he patted his nephew's shoulder again. Hizashi would be SO pleased.

o-o-o

Walking though the compound Neji was overwhelmed by the "caged bird" feeling that had plagued him for most of his childhood. His longing to decide his own fate began doing battle with his ingrained sense of obedience to his clan.

"Shimatta! I'm only twenty-two!" The rebellious voice screamed inside of him, "why do I have to get married now? What if I don't like this girl? What if we're completely incompatible? Shouldn't I be able to decide who I spend the rest of MY life with?"

But to question his uncle's decision was to insult the head of the clan. Did he truly believe that Ojisan didn't have his best interests at heart? He knew Hiashi had loved his twin brother, Neji's father; and quite frankly he could've come up with a much worse match. He was going to marry the niece of the Mitsu no Kuni's Daimyo! Could he honestly find a better match for himself?

"But what about love?" The voice insisted.

What about it? How many matches based on love actually lasted? He knew his father had eventually fallen in love with his mother only to lose her when the Nine Tails attacked. His Aunt and Uncle might not exactly love each other, but they certainly held each other in high regard. Then there were some, especially among the main branch, whose wives were only there to provide children. Their love was saved for their concubine, typically the woman deemed "unfit to be a wife" by the elders.

But it didn't really matter to him either way. It's not like he had a girlfriend, it's not like anyone would be upset by the news that he would be leaving the village. Except maybe Gai sensei…Neji smirked as he slid open the panel door to his room. Count on his overly animated sensei to be the one who would miss him when he was gone.

Walking over to his desk, Neji stared down at the pile of scrolls stacked up neatly, waiting for him to critique. He'd asked his gennin squad to write up detailed reports of their last mission so they would get a feel for the less exciting side of the job. He sat down and scanned the first few lines of the top scroll. Sighing, he closed his large opal eyes. He was suddenly very glad he hadn't made any plans for the day.

o-o-o

Two hours later he sat frowning over Murasaki Suzu's description of what everyone was wearing when they left Konoha to meet up with the silversmith's caravan. The previous two pages had discussed the many ways she could organize her supplies and weaponry ending with her decision to color coordinate everything. He shook his head, four pages on and the mission had just barely gotten started. Looking at the ten remaining scrolls on his desk and knowing that they were all hers only caused his frown to deepen. His other two gennin, had taken up four scrolls between them. Admittedly, Ueno Kane had left out a good many details, but he had mentioned the most important points.

Thinking about his squad brought his thoughts around to his own time as a gennin, and the one person he really counted as a friend. Hinoki Tenten was smart, focused, and would die before she thought of doing something as obnoxious as color coordinating her weaponry.

"…and it doesn't hurt that she's easy on the eyes," the voice from before murmured.

Hai, but that's hardly important now. She's strong, a force in her own right. Her incredible accuracy and skill with weapons was unmatched by anyone they'd ever encountered. The fact that she was also attractive just made it easier for her to fool opponents who had a tendency to underestimate her.

"And yet," the voice countered, "there is no coldness in her. Her eyes are warm and alive, her very skin burns with a passion for life. You've felt it, you know."

Neji couldn't stop the visions that burst forth from his memory. Tenten at his bedside, tears streaming down her face swearing that if he was ever going to face death again she was going to be at his side and they'd do it together. She'd thought he was unconscious at the time otherwise she would never have let him see her weakness.

He remembered carrying her in his arms, she was unconscious and her skin was cold, it terrified him though he'd never told her. The relief he'd felt when her eyes opened was unmatched by anything he'd felt before or since.

Tenten in a red kimono appeared before him. Her hair was long and loose, hanging in thick waves down her back. She was laughing up at him as they danced together, their hands fit perfectly in each others, and her eyes were bright and alive. He could still feel her slim but solid frame in his arms. Neji shook his head to rid himself of the images and the uncomfortable feelings that they brought with them.

"It's not like that between us," he grunted in frustration "We're friends, comrades, there's never been any indication that she feels anything more."

"Suit yourself," the voice mocked.

Neji slammed his fist on the desk in answer and several scrolls fell to the floor.

"Shimatta," he hissed bending down to retrieve the now out of order epic. A knock on the door caught him by surprise and he banged his head on the underside of the solid oak desk.

"Nakahehairu!" He growled rubbing his head.

"Oniisan?" Hinata's soft voice called as she slid the panel open. "Neji-kun are you alright? May I come in?"

"Hai Imouto," Neji replied sitting up. "Come in."

The young woman with eyes to match his own smiled shyly as she carried a tray of food into the room.

"Otousan said you were working on reports, but I thought you might be hungry," she explained as he hurried to clear a space on his desk without disrupting the pile of scrolls again.

"Domo," Neji nodded not having the heart to tell his cousin that food was the farthest thing from his mind.

Hinata set the tray down then stared at her hands not sure how to continue. Finally she met her cousin's eyes and smiled.

"Otousan told me the news," she hesitated. "I um, just wanted to say congratulations. I'm sure you'll be very happy."

Neji frowned, how would she like it if out of the blue she was informed that in a few months time she would be leaving Konohagakure forever to marry a complete stranger?

"Anou," he sighed. "That makes one of us."

"Oh," Hinata eyed him curiously. "You don't think you'll be happy?"

Neji shrugged, "no more or less than anyone else I suppose."

"But look at Shikamaru-san and Temari-san," Hinata pointed out. "They're very happy."

"It's different for them," Neji countered. "They're a love match. There's plenty of those that don't last," he said instantly sorry for his remarks. Hinata looked as though he'd slapped her. She'd been in love with Naruto her whole life, and here they were, finally engaged.

"Look," he said sadly. "My marriage was arranged when I was a child, I won't even see the woman until our engagement party." His shoulder sagged, "Hinata-chan, I…"

"Is there someone else you'd rather marry?" Hinata's voice wavered but her gaze didn't, they both knew who she was talking about. "I'm sure if you told Otousan he'd…" she stopped when Neji held up his hand.

"He'd what? Pay a bunch of money to break a contract? Lose face with the Mitsu no Kuni Daimyo? With our Hokage?" Neji shook his head. "No matter what's happened in the past few years, I'm only a member of the branch family, not the main house. I always knew I'd never really be able to escape my destiny."