"Congratulations Shikamaru!" A clink of glasses followed this statement. Why was Neji here again? Why was he sitting in a bar with his fellow ninja Naruto, Chouji, Shikamaru, Shino, Kiba and of all people Gaara and Kankuro? It's not like he had wanted to go to Shikamaru's hen night. After all going would be painful, it would confirm the fact that, yes, Shikamaru was going to be married to that… Temari woman… Neji didn't think he would have minded as much if it had been Ino. Lies. Neji knew that he would think badly of any woman whom the genius married. Childish really. But he couldn't help it. Neji had always had some odd fascination with Shikamaru. When had it started? After the Sasuke retrieval mission? Maybe. Before that? He vaguely remembered bumping into Shikamaru's then, ridiculously weak team, and how Ino had attempted to seduce him. He mentally scoffed. Or was it during the Sasuke retrieval? Where he had somehow known exactly what was going through Shikamaru's head. He had felt slightly proud of himself then.

"Earth to Neji!"

Neji blinked, slightly irritated at being brought from his musings. The blonde boy ginned at him.

"You musta been thinking about something very important to not notice that you're supposed to raise your glass and drink."

Neji raised his eyes to the assembled group around the table, all of whom were patiently waiting for Neji to raise his Sake too. Hurriedly he raised his glass, attempting fruitlessly to fight down the heat that was steadily rising in his face.

"To Shikamaru!" was chorused throughout the room, followed by gulping down the slightly unpleasant tasting substance.

"So Shikamaru, how did you and Temari end up together anyway?" inquired Naruto nosily.

Shikamaru looked lazily at the blond, before sighing and saying, "That Naruto is none of your business, I might ask the same about you and Hinata." Naruto's face quickly darkened.

"Well.. That's… I mean to say… Neji did it!"

All eyes turned to the stoic Hyuuga, who glared at Naruto feeling slightly irritated. It was such a bother to explain that he, Neji Hyuuga, had forced his cousin into confessing to the blond after having to revive Hinata from one of her infamous fainting sessions. What he hadn't (unfortunately) foreseen was that the Uzumaki might actually consider having a relationship with her. Hence Hinata now being three months pregnant, and the loud addition to the normally peaceful Hyuuga household.

Kiba was the first to speak up. "Ha! I would never have thought that you of all people would do something as beneath you as match-making!" Neji narrowed his eyes at the Inuzuka.

"Well I suppose you don't know me as well as you assumed. At any rate this is meant to be Nara's hen night isn't it? Why are we talking about Hinata-sama and Naruto-kun?"

Kiba seemed to be about to open his mouth when Naruto piped up unnecessarily, "Man Neji, drop the suffix, you're family now right?!" A thump was planted none to gently on Neji's back.

Neji shot his infamous I-Will-Kick-You-So-Hard-In-The-Balls-They-Will-Stay-In-The-Back-Of-Your-Throat-For-The-Rest-Of-Your-Life glare. Naruto gulped nervously. There was an awkward pause at this point. Everyone except Naruto seemed to understand that Neji could never drop the suffix. He was Branch, Naruto Main. Despite how much the Hyuuga clan had and would change, there would always be a feeling of resentment towards the Main Family.

More to cover the strained silence than anything else Kiba grabbed the back of Shikamaru's collar and with a loud 'Come on Shikamaru! It's your hen night which is basically a guilt free pass, so enjoy the fine specimens of women while you can!' A spluttering Nara was pulled after Kiba, who was heading to the bar, where the women there dressed as though they were at the beach.

Now normally Neji wouldn't pay them any attention, but as he saw Shikamaru smiling at them while Kiba forced even more Sake into the shadow-user's hands, Neji couldn't help but feel a horrible, twisted, gut wrenching feeling. Was this jealousy? Was this how Hinata had used to feel when she thought Naruto was in love with Sakura? He couldn't now help but feel for her. He had felt it for an instant yet she had felt it for years. Poor kid. He remembered when Hinata confessed to Naruto, the blond idiot had been about to die, and she had stepped in, told him how she felt and nearly got herself killed for him. He remembered the destruction Naruto had caused around him. Everything crushed, and that monster standing where Naruto had been. That fox. Neji wasn't surprised, he had after all seen Naruto's chakra systems and that odd orange glow.

Naruto and Hinata had spoken for hours in the hospital. Neji supposed they worked things out, he wasn't one to pry. But Hinata had come out smiling, and Naruto had had his arm around her shoulders. It had been a strange sight, and Sakura had been slightly shocked, but after seeing them together, she seemed to smile for them, and continued to wait for the Uchiha.

TenTen had somehow wound up with Lee. Neji had no idea how it happened, but gradually those touches, those brief moments in which the pair's eyes had locked, became hand holding, small kisses, gestures of affection. It had given Neji the biggest shock. Lee was his 'rival' and TenTen… Well he had never thought that she of all ninja would consider a relationship. It seemed though, that everyone had grown up around him, not just mentally but physically too. All Neji knew was that, suddenly, all his fellow male ninja had grown at least a centimetre in height. It had struck a big blow to his ego. He had always prided himself on his height, and as though to add insult to injury he was a year older than the rest. Yes, everyone had matured, found someone to spend their lives with, and they had all found their Utopia. Neji was left alone it seemed.

"Hyuuga… Are you alright?" A voice interrupted his, albeit nostalgic musings. Neji raised his eyes only to see Shino's sunglasses glinting back at him. A small sigh forced it's way through Neji's lips.

"I'm fine Shino, just tired, I think I may take a breath of fresh air." Neji glanced absently at Shikamaru's form, which incidentally, was now surrounded by women, stood gracefully and made his way out of the door.

The cold air hit him, and his breath came out in small puffs of steam. The moon shone coldly down upon him, as though mocking his envy, and sorrow. The snow crunched under his feet as he made his way to the back of the inn they had been seated in. Neji leaned stiffly against the side of the building before glancing upwards to the midnight black sky, illuminated only by the thousands of stars which shone brightly down upon Earth.

Neji wasn't good with emotions. He knew that much. He tended to bottle it all up, keep it locked away, never showing anybody. Who would he show anyway? Hinata? Not likely. But right now he wouldn't care who he told. His chest hurt, his sight was slowly blurring, the blue and white colours of the street he was standing on, blending in to one big mess, his throat felt like it had a lemon wedged in the base and his fingers were trembling slightly. Neji slowly became aware that he was crying when he felt a tear track on his right cheek. He rubbed it away, feeling frustrated. How could one man make him feel like this?! What was this emotion anyway? Why did he feel so attracted to the stupid, moronic, idiotic genius? Why? Was it lust? Or just his hormones wanting to experiment? What was it? A crush? Or… Love? Love. He had heard about it so many times, how amazing it felt, how beautiful it was, how wonderful, how miraculous, how glorious. They must all be getting it wrong because whatever it was that constricted his breathing didn't feel amazing. It hurt. Damn it hurt. He had felt love once. He had loved his father, had admired him, had copied him when he fought, wanting always, to be just like his dad. Following him faithfully. Looking forward to the time at night where his father would tuck him into bed, kiss his forehead and whisper good-night stories to him. Sometimes his dad wouldn't be there because he said he was busy, or his dad was on a mission. On these nights, little Neji would clutch his pillow speculating on how awesome his dad would look taking down the enemies. Then his world was pulled from under his feet. A horrible blow. Hiashi had stood in front of four year old Neji, emotionless, cold, unfeeling, callous and described to his nephew how and why his dad had died. When the horrible monotone of Hiashi's voice stopped speaking, Neji had been furious, confused angry and oh how unhappy. He had rushed to his dead father's side, letting the tears fall silently, wishing death upon the evil man, also known as Hiashi.

BANG.

Neji froze, and looking towards his left saw a back door slam open. Shikamaru seemed to stumble outside, his clothes a disarray, his hair was down and hung shaggily around his face, which seemed to be red with embarrassment. Shikamaru walked slightly drunkenly towards where Neji was standing, and upon reaching the Hyuuga leaned back against the wall, recovering his breath.

"Rowdy party then?" Neji questioned cooly, while attempting to stop his heart fluttering against his ribs.

"Tch, you could say that. Troublesome… Why aren't you in there Neji?" questioned the Nara unexpectedly.

"Well I was getting some fresh air but looking at the state of you I'm not going back in there, thanks." Neji responded coldly.

"As kind as ever I see." said Shikamaru with a smirk. Neji gave him a small glare.

"So will you be coming to my wedding Neji?" Shikamaru queried. Neji chewed his lip, a horrible hole seemed to open up at the word wedding, and his stomach turned unpleasantly. Neji swallowed the lump building up in his throat with difficulty before saying, "Yes, I will be arriving with Hiashi-sama, Hinata-sama and Naruto-kun tomorrow morning."

Shikamaru grinned before patting him on his shoulder, (why did people always have the urge to do that to him?!) "Glad you 're coming! You need to get out a bit more."

BANG.

Shikamaru paled.

"Oh shit. See you tomorrow Hyuuga!" Shikamaru called over his shoulder.

A stampede of screeching women ran past Neji hounding the unfortunate Nara relentlessly.

Neji's breath caught in his throat. His shoulder felt warmer than usual. On fire even. His cheeks felt warm, and his heart pace had quickened. So… this was love? It didn't feel so bad after all…