A/N: Neji and Shika are my absolute favorite pairing and characters from Naruto...ever. So I hope I gave them justice in this one. It will be five chapters and I have them all about written. Criticism is always welcomed. I do hope you all enjoy.

It features boy love so if you don't like it then leave.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. That mastermind is in Japan killing his house plants.

The clouds drifted by one by one, lazily blowing in the gentle autumn breeze. The sky was a beautiful azure blue complimenting the white, fluffy clouds perfectly. Seven sparrows flew towards the sun, slowly disappearing in the brightness.

To a normal person the birds would signify nothing but Shikamaru Nara was far from normal. The genius lay on his back enjoying his favorite hobby. With Asuma dead he had no one to play shogi with, since Lady Tsunade was busy. He slowly sat up, brushing the colorful leaves off his vest and reached into his right pocket, pulling out his cigarettes and silver lighter. He put one to his lips and lit the end enjoying the taste that flooded his senses.

After a few drags of the stick he looked around remembering the birds. Whenever seven birds flew by it usually meant Neji was back. The Nara had no clue why this was and he had no reason to question it either. Neji had been on an S-class mission for the past few days and Shikamaru was looking forward to his arrival. He heard a rustle to his left and saw Hyuga walking towards him. He was still in his ANBU uniform, his red scarf dragging on the ground collecting leaves. His mask was in his hand as his hair let loose blowing in the breeze, but Shikamaru couldn't help but notice that e was covered in dried blood.

His cigarette lay forgotten on his lips and fell to the ground as Neji approached him, and soon Neji was sitting next to him. He felt a hand cup his chin and his dark eyes soon met light ones.

"Shika are you well?" Neji asked gently, his eyes narrowing with concern, but all Shikamaru could do was stare into those beautiful eyes...remembering the day when he realized how gorgeous they truly were.

Pain had encased him from everywhere. He remembered jumping in front of the sword before it hit his comrade, Naruto. He remembered hearing the tear of his flesh against the metal.

His eyes were made of lead. Every nerve on his body was on fire. He could ear the faintness of the battle but he then studied on the drumming of his heart. It was weakening along with his will to hear it. The pain was to much to bear, he wanted a release. No he needed the release. Is this why Asuma let go? Was The pain to much to take? All this time he blamed his sensei on being weak but now he understood. Now, he let his mind fall into the darkness.

~*~*~*~

"Damn it!" Sakura screamed as she forced her chakra to stabilize the dying Shikamaru.

"Sakura hurry," Naruto sobbed. He sat next to the Nara holding his hand. It should be him there not Shikamaru. He had let his guard down and now his friend was dying from his mistake.

"Naruto be silent let her focus," Neji snapped holding Shikamaru's head in his lap. His hair had fallen loose and the normal spiky ponytail was now shoulder length hair. He ran his fingers through it loving how soft it was. He was in charge of this squad and he couldn't let Shikamaru die. Not because he was a comrade but because he was a dear friend.

"Sakura you need to breathe. Your panic will not help Shikamaru," He calmly stated while petting the Nara's hair.

" I know! Shut up!" Sakura glared at him. Neji chose to ignore it and turned to Naruto..

"Wrap a bandage around his wound so it is easier for Sakura to stop the blood flow."

"Yes Neji," Naruto sniffled, doing the command.

~*~*~*~

The blackness was suffocating. No matter were he looked he couldn't escape it. The drumming, the constant beating was harder and harder to hold on to. He felt weak and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't hold on to the beating.

Then a surge of light flooded from ahead and he couldn't find the strength to hold on. His body felt at ease as he went to the light. The brightness was to much to take, and he felt blinded. Shikamaru went back to the darkness, back to the beating, and back to the pain.

~*~*~*~

"Shika open your eyes. Come on we're almost home now." Neji whispered, carrying Shikamaru as he sprinted through the forest. They had managed to stabilize him but he still needed to go to the hospital.

"Any movement?" Sakura asked.

"Not yet but his eyes keep fluttering." Neji stared at the Nara's face. "Come on Shika look at me please. Nara stop being lazy and open your eyes." Neji continued to whisper words to Shikamaru hoping he would come around.

"Angel..." Neji snapped his face down and his pale eyes finally met dark ones.

"Excuse me?" He smiled chuckling over what Shikamaru just said.

"Are you...my guardian angel?" Shikamaru asked breathlessly.

"Shika you're not dead. Stop being irrational you are a shinobi. You were stabbed and I am taking you to the hospital."

"You have to be my angel. Your eyes...are like clouds. I love clouds. Your beautiful angel." Neji turned a slight shade of pink and Shikamaru's words.

"Shika...please." Neji snapped.

"My angel..."

"Angel." Shikamaru smiled looking into Neji's eyes. Neji blushed at the name and let his lover's chin go.

"What?" He asked looking towards the ground.

"How was your mission angel?"

"Fine and stop calling me that."

"Why?" Shikamaru slowly pushed Neji down and crawled on top of him. He started to kiss his jaw line never letting eye contact go.

"Be-because" Neji whimpered as Shikamaru began to nibble. Shikamaru stopped and smirked at his boyfriend.

"I made you stutter."

"Whatever Shika," Neji blushed again grabbing Shikamaru's face and kissed him deeply.

"I missed you angel," Shikamaru whispered in Neji's ear.

"I missed you too," Neji smiled shoving Shikamaru off of him. "Come on I want to shower."

"Your blood or the enemies?" Shika laughed helping Neji up.

"What do you think?"

"I think you and Kiba have way to much fun killing people." Shikamaru laughed, entwining his hand with his lovers as they walked to their apartment.

"Not true Nara,"Neji glared.

"I love you angel," Shikamaru glanced over at Neji.

Neji sighed," I love you too."