Window of Vulnerability

Summary: Nara Shikamaru also knows how to show some appreciation in his own little way. Prequel to 'Is it Anxiety?'. NejiShika.

Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine.

A/N: Taking a break from my other NejiShika fic.

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There goes Chouji and his rather brute technique. Shikamaru stayed calm and hoped that Chouji can maintain his jutsu for another few seconds to dent and possibly destroy the wall barrier from the opposite side of the Sound nin's chakra source.

Neji watched silently as Chouji did his work. This was their last chance to survive. If this plan fails, then their chakra would obviously be Jiroubu's lunch for the day. For another five seconds or so, small rocks and dust started to gather inside the claustrophobic space they were in. suddenly, a rock as large as a fist flew towards Neji's direction, accelerating at great speed. Lucky for the Hyuuga, he was aware of it and dodged the damn rock that would've smugly hit him on his face.

"You okay?" Shikamaru said as he caught the long-haired nin who tripped backwards towards the Chuunin. Damn, thought Neji, even the slightest of movements were costing him too much energy.

"I'm fine." Neji replied with a petite smile amidst the irritation he felt. It was nice to find some pithy comfort in his Shikamaru's arms which were coiled around his waist.

No one could see them in their small yet intimate position since Kiba and Naruto were busy cheering and hoping for Chouji's success. Neji and Shikamaru were situated further behind the two and tried to be discreet as much as possible.

"Hey."

"Hm?" Neji turned his head sideway only to feel Shikamaru's already dry lips pressing softly on his temple. Such a small sign of affection meant a lot both the Hyuuga and the Chuunin.

"Thanks for the help." Shikamaru said against Neji's soft and scented hair. Neji never ceased to catch Shikamaru's interest when it comes to vanity and other worldly deeds.

"Well not all help comes for free, Nara-kun." Neji said with a flicker of haughtiness in that tiny sly smile as he freed himself from the Chuunin's embrace. If he were two seconds late, Naruto would've caught them already.

Shikamaru snorted. "We'll settle that when we get home."

"Then make sure you'll get out of this mission alive. I'm not that good on handling debts."

"Hey, its no—"

"Shikamaru! Neji!" Shikamaru ceased talking and looked at Naruto who called them again.

"When the hell are you two going to get out from there? Hurry up or you'll be buried alive!" Naruto yelled. Neji and Shikamaru swore the blonde uttered some more but the couple could not comprehend what it was. Something about saving precious time and being busy….

Surprisingly, the two didn't realize they were the only ones left inside the half-destroyed cage of the Sound nin. Both boys hurried towards their other team mates and watched as the once sturdy soil crumbled to pieces.

"What were you two talking about?" Naruto asked, his curiosity never ending with his bright blue eyes slitting like a cat's.

"Something personal." Neji simply answered.

"Personal?" Naruto, Chouji and Kiba chorused.

"Shut up." Shikamaru interrupted further questioning. "We still have some business to finish." With that, every one of them grew alert of the foreboding enemy. But inside Naruto's head, the curiosity lingered on about what 'something personal' truly meant.

And was that a smile passing through Shikamaru's lips as he briefly looked at an unsuspecting Neji? Naah…. he was probably just tired and dizzy from the lack of energy.

END

A/N: Review? Thanks. One more to go.