The message was simple enough, and the words froze the blood in his veins. Temari was visiting and she'd be in the village for the festival. That was enough to make his heart soar with a weightless joy. Their stolen moment in Kirigakure could hardly compare to the freedom of being able to spend time with her without the constant nagging worry of being caught. Although there had been some thrill in that, the potential consequences were sobering enough to merit reluctant caution.

Except this was not quite as simple as any of her usual visits- her brothers had come with her, and one of them was singling him out for a talk he'd known was coming, but had hoped would be much further down the line. While he was relatively sure he could handle Kankuro, Gaara was danger on an entirely different level than he was accustomed to facing.

So he'd taken to actively seeking out Temari's youngest brother through the Byakugan, and studiously avoiding him despite the request to meet. He'd claim preoccupation if asked, though he doubted it'd hold under scrutiny. Aware he was being tracked, Neji avoided his apartment and stayed in the compound to visit his father- a part of him guilty for using the man as a kind of scapegoat, but he assured himself it wasn't the only reason. There was the upcoming celebration to prepare for after all, and brothers or no, Neji had every intention of spending it with Temari.

And all things considered, he'd rather have this particular confrontation over before then.