Summary: Before his birth, Shikamaru is foretold to be taken by the barasingha, a clan of deer-monsters who ensnare young travellers and devour their souls. His parents kept him away from the dangers, trapping him inside at night and in a loveless betrothal, but Shikamaru has secrets of his own. On one such night expedition, a young barasingha saves him from being gored by a boar and from then on, nothing can stop the fated events from unravelling.
Pairing: Neji x Shikamaru
Written for My Fandom Needs Fresh Blood contest.
For MayaNara
A Fate Foretold
His parents were both at home the following night so Shikamaru took extra caution when leaving. He padded his bed, kept his shoes off until he was outside of the house and ran like a creature possessed as soon as he was free. No more aimless wandering for Shikamaru; he had a purpose now.
Neji was waiting for him, antlers glinting in the moonlight as he turned his head to Shikamaru's approach. His smile was wide as he shifted, moving forward to clutch Shikamaru's hands.
"I missed you," were the first words from Neji's mouth. In any other circumstance they would have been too much and too soon, but this was Neji. This was their fate and there was nothing that could stop it.
"Why is it so strong?" he had to ask though, peering into Neji's eyes for the truth as they walked to the barasingha camp, hands clasped tightly.
For a moment, Neji was silent. Then, he began explaining.
"For a human and a barasingha to be fated, there has to be an incredibly strong connection. We are… incompatible otherwise. The magic that surrounds the barasingha, in our clan home and in our bodies, would possess your mind and drive you to insanity." Neji's voice sounded sad, and there was suddenly a reason for all the hatred and the fear that the village had cultivated over the years.
"Our bond is only one of a handful and it is powerful. It overcomes any of the magic the camp holds and is instantly stronger than any other bond in terms of what we feel." Neji stroked a thumb over the back of Shikamaru's hand, smiling at him.
"And?" Shikamaru prompted, drawling the words almost lazily.
"Our bond wants us to prove to each other we mean everything. It wants us to consummate our feelings and prove our love. Though you cannot carry my child, or I yours, the act itself is proof enough." Neji looked away, as if the words had embarrassed him slightly.
Sex wasn't just sex for the barasingha. It was an emotional connection between Dolhorina partners and would prove their bond and love to the world. Their bond was much stronger and so the intensity of their feelings hit harder than most.
But Shikamaru was still a human and he wanted to know Neji more. He'd been sheltered his entire life and was unsure about the smallest of relationship bonds, let alone sex. Even though Neji wouldn't have been intimate with anyone, Shikamaru was willing to bet he knew more on the subject.
They continued on through the forest, sides brushing together, speaking in quiet whispers. Their life stories came out – Shikamaru as someone who'd been hidden away from fear and Neji as, initially, a cast-aside child, until he'd proved himself to be a strong branderi, not worthless to his uncle after all. The connection between them was astounding, and Shikamaru knew he could never give it up.
Dawn approached faster than either wanted and they parted at the edge of the forest, with a gentle kiss. Shikamaru ran back to his home and snuck in once again, sleeping by the time he was checked upon.
They continued in this fashion for a week, two even, until Shikamaru could no longer deny the intensity of his feelings and it began interfering with his village life. Wedding preparations were being made, but Shikamaru paid no heed to them, turning a blind eye and letting Temari take the work.
She'd expressed concern, taking him aside and asking what was wrong, but Shikamaru simply shook his head, looking to the forest instead. Temari's mouth had thinned, but she'd shrugged her shoulders and walked off, the lingering sadness in her eyes becoming more pronounced by the hour.
Shikamaru didn't know how he was going to break the wedding off, but he knew he had to now. Not only for Temari's sake – he was foolish for thinking she couldn't just take herself off and care for herself – but for his and Neji's. Marrying Temari could literally kill him and, besides, Shikamaru wanted Neji.
I stand on the mountains and call people to hear
"The wedding is in a week's time," Shikamaru said softly, lying next to Neji in his hut.
Rains had begun falling that eve and the woodland around was wet, so Neji had suggested they go back to the barasingha camp. Shikamaru had been warmly welcomed by all and in turn gifted the clan with supplies from the village. They liked to collect certain things from time to time, but it was risky for a barasingha, even in human form, to enter the village.
They'd gone to Neji's hut, lying comfortably with one another and picking at a selection of fruits Neji had laid out. It was warm in the hut and anticipation was high in the air.
"You need to tell her," Neji replied softly, arms strong around Shikamaru's waist. He was so patient and understanding of the situation that it constantly baffled Shikamaru how alright he was even though Shikamaru was set to marry.
"How do I explain it? She has the same prejudices as the rest of the village-"
Neji silenced him with a kiss, smoothing loose hairs from his ponytail away.
"She is your friend and you know she doesn't want this marriage. She's been waiting for you to say it, to do something, because she's a gaoni. Your village has no respect for a gaoni." Neji sounded disapproving, yet another thing Shikamaru agreed with him on.
"I'll speak to her," he promised, twisting on the rug set down until he was on his side. Now was the moment, Shikamaru could feel it, and he smiled to Neji's confused expression as he pushed Neji back, until his hips were facing Shikamaru.
"Trust me," he said, pushing down the soft breeches Neji wore, exposing his muscled thighs and cock. It was flaccid, but as Neji realised what they were about to do, it began to harden, darkening in arousal and curving upwards.
Shikamaru licked his lips, swallowing thickly. Even without the Dolhorina bond screaming at him to taste Neji, the sight before him would have been too much to resist.
With care and a gentle touch, Shikamaru lowered himself onto one elbow, reaching lazily for the base of Neji's cock and testing the reaction. The prick jerked to his touch and Neji sucked in a breath, cocking his hips for more.
Even though he wanted nothing more than to sink down on Neji and let him take him, Shikamaru was curious. He'd always been the type to plot his course before he moved, and this was no different. He wanted to know every inch of Neji, tease him beyond imagining, before he took his prize.
A hand brushed against Shikamaru's waist and he stiffened as Neji hauled his upper body up, tugging at Shikamaru's garments with fire in his eyes. Shikamaru shifted his weight, letting the trousers slip from his legs, cock already hardened and waiting. He jerked under Neji's hand as fingers pulled foreskin back, thumb slipping through precum and down the shaft, curling around balls and pressing ever so lightly against his perineum, spiking the tender, sweet spot inside of him.
Shikamaru wouldn't let him win this game though. He leant forwards, licking the underside of Neji's prick with the flat of his tongue and smiling as Neji's hand stilled. He then worked his way around the length, moistening the entire cock before he finally slipped the head into his mouth, wincing just slightly at the bitter precum and moving down the shaft once again.
Not all could fit in his mouth and Shikamaru pulled back and away as an incredible heat engulfed his own cock head. Neji's head bobbed up and down, tongue swirling as he moved. Shikamaru let his head fall back onto his arm, legs pushing forward of their own accord until Neji had to pull away, stop him with a glare and hands to his thighs.
"Not yet," he whispered, voice husky and full of need.
There was nothing that could stop him now, Shikamaru knew, and he returned to Neji in fervour, licking and letting the cock fall into his mouth, brush his cheeks. He could worship it, easily, not too thick, not too long, but perfect for Shikamaru. The tip poked out from the foreskin and Shikamaru ran his tongue over the ridge and against the top of the head, causing Neji to finally abandon his own mission and fall back in need.
Shikamaru smirked to himself as he pulled back, Neji gasping, his cock bobbing hot, wet and wanting. He lowered his mouth again, lapping gently over the head and sinking down, allowing Neji to roll his hips as he clutched at Shikamaru's thigh.
He was so needy and wanting of Shikamaru, undone by his mouth that it made Shikamaru wonder what else he could do, how else he could make Neji fall apart under his direction. He was smart, had been told that so many times, and so let Neji do the work, fucking into his mouth with ever-growing ferocity, pulling back as he came and coating Shikamaru's cheek, neck and collar.
It was a few seconds before Neji let go of his grip on Shikamaru's thigh and sat partially up, eyes blown dark and lower lip caught between his teeth.
"Come here," he commanded, and Shikamaru obeyed, taking off his top as he crawled on his knees, either side of Neji's thighs. As he reached his lap, Shikamaru felt Neji's arousal press against the back of his thigh, and he smiled, leaning in and licking Neji's lips until he opened them with a hiss.
Cum still marred Shikamaru's cheek, but Neji turned his cheek gently, taking his chin in his hands and turning so that he could lap at the skin, cleaning it until the slight stubble showing on Shikamaru's jaw was clean and his breath was a little more needy.
It had to be now, Shikamaru knew. He wanted to throw away all inhibition and let Neji claim him, but their bond worked both ways. He was going to claim Neji as much as Neji claimed him, and the thought thrilled him greatly.
With a quick of the eyebrows, Shikamaru twisted in his seat until he could grip Neji's thighs before him and all Neji could see was his back. Though he was less muscular than Neji, Shikamaru knew that he was toned of sorts and that Neji appreciated the smooth curve of his back.
Neji traced the curve of his arse with gentle, wet fingers, smoothing over the puckered skin between the cleft and Shikamaru's cock bobbed in expectation. He was already close, but he wanted to feel Neji inside of him before he came, needed their bodies to connect.
Fingers worked him gently, uncomfortable and able to flag off the stem of orgasm. Shikamaru let the desire temper just slightly, afraid that it would be far too soon when he came, wanting to feel Neji like this for as long as he could.
He had to move eventually though, sucking in a deep breath as he pushed back. Neji's hands were there to steady his cock and guide it inside of Shikamaru, grunting as he filled Shikamaru and loosening his grip to smooth over spine and shoulder blades, lovingly tracing the skin.
Shikamaru shifted his hips, balls slapping against Neji and cock throbbing with need. He wanted to touch himself, but should he then it would all be over. He moved more then, up ever so slightly and then back down, easing his body open and drawing pleasured moans from Neji.
Shikamaru didn't know how long he lasted, but he could feel the coil of pressure building in his stomach and his cock felt thick and heavy, pressing against his belly with each thrust. Neji was warm and whole underneath him and Shikamaru palmed his cock, grunting for more pleasure.
Neji took the cue, changing their position so that Shikamaru lay on the edge of the bed and he could push into him, gently, ever so gently, and gaining momentum. Shikamaru reached behind his back, gripping Neji's arms as the head of Neji's prick brushed his prostate, and he moaned as Neji came, squeezing down slightly and milking his orgasm for all that it was worth.
Cum dribbled down his inner thigh and Shikamaru smiled in satisfaction with what he had done. It was a fleeting thought though, for Neji was kissing his neck, wrapping his own hand – so different and yet similar to Shikamaru's own – around his erection and jerking his fist, the pleasure spiralling until Shikamaru couldn't stop it. He came with Neji's lips on his neck and his hand clutching Neji's hair, mouth open and eyes screwed tightly.
It was perfect.
After, Neji cleaned Shikamaru quietly, pausing every now and again to kiss him tenderly. They wrapped themselves in blankets and Shikamaru promised they'd only sleep for a short while, not willing to give up the warmth in his chest or the man in his arms.
It's a tempting communion it's a fate foretold
Shikamaru was woken by a woman dragging him from the bed, her staff raking through the moss and cleaving paths through it on the ground.
"You foolish child!" she shrieked, drawing Neji's attention and waking him. He didn't even hesitate, shifting into his centaur form in a split second, rearing on his hind legs to push the woman with his hooves.
"Calm down," she hissed at Neji and he startled, ducking his head and twisting his body to the side. His hooves hit the soft moss with just a bare sound, but he shifted his weight next to Shikamaru, glaring at the woman.
"What do you want, shaman?" he said with little love, but the woman seemed unconcerned, instead focusing on tugging Shikamaru from the hut.
"The sun has risen," she cried, shaking her head and her staff. "You have ruined everything!"
Shikamaru tumbled from the hut and into the sun. Though it was still low in the sky and clearly dawning, it would be too late. His mother would know he was gone and that would be it.
Panic rose in his chest as he saw Hiashi and Hanabi, standing off to the side with some other members of the clan. They were all worried, and Shikamaru darted back inside to dress.
"I'll take you back," Neji whispered and Shikamaru paused to kiss him, wanting nothing more than to stay in their hut and never have to leave. But he had things to do, a wedding to cancel, and had to explain his absence to his parents.
Neji was sleek and swift through the wood, but even he couldn't risk the open field, not even in daylight. They parted regretfully, Shikamaru still wanting to slip into the mist of the morning, through the forest and never look back at the village. Except he couldn't; his parents had been told that Neji would join the barasingha and they would provoke a hunt for the clan, stopping at nothing to destroy them until Shikamaru was found.
He couldn't do that to them, to his people and his family.
"I'll return as soon as I can," Shikamaru promised between desperate kisses, drinking Neji in and trying to soak him into his skin. They would have to part for a day, perhaps more, if Shikamaru couldn't calm his parents.
A deer bayed mournfully across the field and the thick flap of wings echoed around them as a pheasant lifted its heavy body into the air. Their moment had been disturbed and now was the time to part, Neji walking back into the safety of the trees and Shikamaru slipping on dewy grass as he sprinted home.
As he'd predicted, his window was shut tightly and Shikamaru had no option but to use the front entrance. Fear curled in his stomach as he re-tied his hair, smoothing his clothes and hoping to high heaven Neji hadn't left any visible marks on his body.
His parents were waiting at the door, Yoshino white-faced and Shikaku stern, both with crossed arms and standing ram-rod straight. Shikamaru approached with caution and, when she saw him, Yoshino darted forwards, grabbing his arm painfully and dragging him into the house.
"Where the hell have you been?" she demanded furiously, depositing him in the kitchen and circling him. Shikaku entered cautiously and slowly, judging the situation before he entered.
"Do you know how worried we were?" she hissed, moving to the opposite side of the kitchen counter and slamming a hand down. "Where did you go? What did you do? Why?" she demanded, the questions getting louder and angrier with each second.
"Yoshino," Shikaku chided gently, looking suddenly weary and old. "Is it so hard to imagine the boy wants a bit of privacy?"
Yoshino's eyebrows rose. "Do you mean…?" she asked, but didn't finish the sentence, leaving apprehension and terror to grow in the pit of Shikamaru's stomach.
The nod Shikaku gave did nothing to calm Yoshino's temper and her face contorted angrily.
"You let him? Even though you know-" she cut her words off, turning to her son with fury in her eyes. "Was it a deal or something? Fool your mother into thinking you were doing what was right, what was good for you when all this time you were running to your father and letting him cover your secret?"
Shikamaru looked nervously to his father, unsure what she was talking about. Yoshino bit her lip, shaking her head at his silence, and Shikaku stepped in.
"I doubt he knows," he said, looking at Shikamaru and directing his next words at his son. "I've known for a long time that you've been sneaking out of the house," he admitted, and Shikamaru felt a cold, hard weight settle in his stomach. "I never said anything because you deserved that time. You had always come back before."
And just when Shikamaru had thought his father was on his side, he turned. Shikaku had been on his side, until last night – this morning – when he'd been late.
"I fell asleep," Shikamaru stated blankly, telling a half-truth. "I fell asleep in the fields with the deer."
The words, made to calm his mother from anything that could involve the barasingha, seemed to work. Yoshino relaxed a little, pausing in her tirade to look at Shikaku.
"The fields?" she questioned softly, not to Shikamaru though. At Shikaku's small nod, she relaxed even more and even smiled tightly, patting the table in front of her.
How stupid did they think he was not to notice that? Did they really believe he was the compliant son, who never minded his life being dictated by them, never minded being shut away and told what he had to do, rather than being given a choice? Shikamaru had had enough, and if not for the fact that he'd endanger the barasingha, he would have told them the full truth.
"And you," Yoshino began, flicking her glances between Shikamaru and her husband. "You were alone?"
Gritting his teeth, Shikamaru nodded. Yoshino nodded in relief, looking to Shikaku.
"Then… perhaps we shall skip the discussion, so long as you promise to stay inside." She smiled. "After all, you have a wedding in less than a week and after that you'll be expected to father children and take over the Nara business. It's the done thing nowadays, and I will not have a son of mine as a vagabond." Her voice was harsh, as it always had been, but Shikamaru swallowed down what he wanted to say with a bitter taste, nodding. He couldn't do anything for his freedom without speaking to Temari. He owed her hat much at least.
Shikamaru didn't say anything, but that was little consequence to Yoshino. She smiled again, moving around the kitchen counter and grasping Shikamaru's arm tightly. After, she led him to his room, shutting the door behind them.
"I'm not a cruel woman," she said, half-desperately. "Your father and I only want what's best for you, you do understand that, right?"
Oh how desperately they'd tried to keep Shikamaru from his fate. Ignorance mixed with fear was a deadly combination in any circumstance, but coupled with the fierce protectiveness, it was stifling. Shikamaru couldn't bear it anymore, didn't know how he'd managed to put up with it for so long.
"You need to stay," she implored, moving to the window and pulling a key from her pocket. She pulled the latch over the window clasp, locking it tightly before pocketing they key again.
Shikamaru darted over to the window, trying to wrench it open, but Yoshino slapped his hands away.
"It's for your own good," she said, repeating the words she must have told herself again and again until they lost meaning over the years. "You'll thank us after you're married."
With that, Yoshino left and Shikamaru fell onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. He tried to ignore the raised voices of his parents and after a while managed to fall into a fitful and uncomfortable sleep, wishing he'd never left Neji and stayed with the barasingha instead.
I showed you my hand once and you hit me in fear
A dog barked out in the village, but Shikamaru simply rolled his eyes, looking back at the window. Though the lock was off now, there were bars strapped to the outside, iron ones at that. Any hope of escape was lost and it had been two days now. Only a few more until his wedding, and then it would be over. How could Shikamaru face up to Neji after that? Neji didn't deserve him, no matter what fate had foretold.
There was a knock outside, something clanging against the metal of the bars. Shikamaru paid it no mind, instead looking up at his ceiling, mapping the indentations and small marks that he already knew off by heart.
There was another clang and Shikamaru frowned, hoping for the best yet expecting the worst. He moved to the window slowly, opening the latch and opening the window as far as it would go. He couldn't push it far, but if someone was out there, if someone could talk… Shikamaru would be able to hear.
"What have they done to you?" a voice called and warmth flooded Shikamaru. He had realised exactly how painful it had been to be separated from Neji until his voice floated up from the night outside.
"Neji!" Shikamaru pressed himself to the cracked opening of the window. "What are you doing here? It's dangerous."
Neji laughed lightly. "I'm not leaving you here."
It took a moment for the words to process, and Shikamaru smiled when they did. Neji had come for him and together they'd escape. There was nothing but heartache left for Shikamaru in the village now and he needed to get away for a while before coming back. He didn't care what his parents wanted anymore, he needed Neji more than he needed them.
"We can get you back in the morning so they don't know anything," Neji was saying, and Shikamaru nodded, though he'd rather stay away forever.
"The door should be unlooked at the front," Shikamaru said. "And if it isn't, there's a pot beside the door. Underneath is a key."
It took a while, but after promises that he'd see him in a moment, Neji vanished from the back of the house to risk everything by invading the Nara home. Silence rang through the house – his father was out with the deer again and his mother was sleeping heavily in her room, on the opposite side of the house – until he heard the cautious shuffle of footsteps in the house. There was a tug on the bond between them and Shikamaru knew Neji was looking for his room, locating it with ease thanks to the magic bonding them.
Shikamaru's door posed the most problem, but he'd been working for weeks to try and unlock it from the inside. He'd found wire and made short work of the lock, opening the door quietly. Shikamaru pulled Neji into a kiss, just a small one of need, before he pulled Neji out of the house and they were running across the fields, laughing brightly, not caring that they might be heard.
They made it to a clearing at the edge of the wood before stopping, kissing properly for the first time since they'd had to part. It felt like nothing Shikamaru could remember and he sighed into it, wrapping his arms as tightly as he could around Neji, feeling Neji do exactly the same.
There was a crash in the wood and then everything went to hell in a split second. Dogs hurtled into the clearing, barking and snapping at Neji's heels as men tore them apart, throwing Neji to the ground and holding Shikamaru back.
Shikamaru turned haunted eyes to the scene, watching as men from the village tried to surround Neji. Neji had shifted, rearing up on his hind legs in effort to fight the others off, but it was in vain. There were too many men and Shikamaru couldn't bear it any longer.
"Run!" he shouted instead, waving his arms for Neji to leave. "Run!"
With one longing look, Neji accepted defeat and left. There had been anger in his eyes, but Shikamaru would rather that than have him killed. He could feel the desperation and hate in Neji through their bond, and urged him to go, knowing that if Neji was captured now, the fight would be forever lost.
"Get him!" a burly man said, and Shikamaru tensed as ropes were slung over his shoulders, tying him up tight.
"They boy's enchanted from that beast!" another called, horror lacing the words.
"No," Shikamaru began, but the words were lost as the group surrounding him began crowding around, hooting and howling for the blood of the Barasingha. They were angry, convinced he'd been ensnared, and dragged Shikamaru back to the village.
In all of this, as Shikamaru was strapped to a pole in the centre of the village square, left to fend off the elements for the night before they convened tomorrow to decide what to do (though it would likely be the executioner's block knowing the amount of fear that ran through the village), he didn't see Temari or his parents until it was too late. They were standing at the back of the mob, Temari horrified and his parents devastated, but none made a move to help him.
Yoshino was looking at him as if he were a monster and Shikaku turned his shoulder, trying not to look at all. Temari was there, but her father stood next to her, hand grasping her arm tightly and Shikamaru knew that she would have run, would have pushed past all the mob members until she was at Shikamaru's side.
The thought warmed him and he tried not to think of his parents. He shouldn't have expected more from them – a mother who was frightened beyond belief of losing her son and too convince in her right to see he'd already slipped away and a father who was too tired to stand up for it anymore. He shouldn't have expected more, but it was too late. He still loved them, but seeing them watch as he was trussed up and left, a piece of Shikamaru's heart hardened.
"No one is to talk to him!" someone cried, pointing fingers at Shikamaru as If he were some beast. "We shall purge him of the enchantment this night, and if that fails by morn, he shall face our judgement!"
A roar of approval sounded across the gathered group and Shikamaru slumped in his bindings. He felt sick and weak, wanting nothing more than to crawl out of the village and tuck himself behind Neji, but that was impossible now.
"We shall find the devils' home tomorrow and lay fire and metal to it," another voice called. "The barasingha will enchant no more of our sons and daughters. From tomorrow, we will be free of their plague!"
Shikamaru shut his eyes tightly, wanting to block the jeers and calls from his mind, but unable to. Instead he tried to remember the feel of Neji's arms holding him and how Neji felt in return, of the quiet glade full of moss, deer and people who would never stoop to this level.
It was then that Shikamaru realised he'd stopped thinking of the village as home a long, long time ago.
I don't stand for the devil I don't whisper to him
Shikamaru's chest was heaving from the effort of trying to break his ropes when he saw a shadow to the side of the village, over by the village shop row. The shadow darted and he realised someone was there.
"Come on then," he muttered, trying to break the ropes again. It was probably someone come to spit on him, again, or throw something at his feet. Rotten fruit marred the ground at his feet as well as a handful of stones, all things thrown by younger members of the crowd that had gathered earlier, intent on making the traitor pay.
Instead of a grubby teen or child that should have been in bed, a silvery doe stepped into the darkness. Shikamaru's eyes widened as he recognised the trademark stock of the barasingha, but she had a strange purple sheen, a silvery glimmer. Whoever she was, she was here for Shikamaru, though he didn't know whether she'd help or not considering what he'd done.
"They're going to kill you," he hissed into the darkness, trying to shoo her away. She looked skittish enough and it was ridiculous to think that they could get free in this way. Instead he could warn her and she could get the barasingha far away from the village when they attacked.
"You have to tell Hiashi. Tell Neji, Hanabi, anyone! They're going to kill you." The doe flicked her ears and took another step forwards, eyes wide and head constantly searching for anyone else.
She inched closer and closer until Shikamaru could feel her velvety muzzle on his hands. She nibbled the rope before shifting, hands coming to untie the knots instead.
Shikamaru craned his head to see his saviour and was rewarded with a long haired, beautiful woman around his age. She worked hard, making short work of the knots and let Shikamaru's hands free.
"Who are you?" he asked, staring into her eyes as she tried to tug him away.
"Hinata," she replied, "now come on. Already we've spent to long here."
Nodding, for there was little else he could do, Shikamaru let Hinata pull him from the village, slipping into the shadows and away from the pole he'd been tied to. It wouldn't be long before he was found missing, and he wanted to warn the barasingha as soon as he could. He wanted them safe, if nothing else.
They paused in the large shadow of an official's house and Hinata shifted again, looking at Neji pointedly and scuffing a hoof on the ground. He knew what she wanted, but she looked so fragile that he couldn't imagine settling on her back.
Just as he began to shake his head though, there was a cry from the village. Shikamaru's disappearance had been noted and, without hesitation, he swung a leg over Hinata's back and she took off, a wisp on the wind by the time others came looking for them.
They made it to the edge of the forest when Hinata paused, one leg raised and Shikamaru instantly jumped to attention, reaching for the antler that was supposed to be at his belt, but was instead in Neji's hut. There was a crash in the undergrowth – whoever it was didn't care about being stealthy at this point – and he picked up a stick from the ground. It was useless, but it felt better than nothing.
The figure who stumbled into the clearing was nothing that Shikamaru could have imagined. Temari was dressed in trousers and a thick jacket, panting as she reached them.
"It was you," she muttered in wonder, looking at Hinata from the corner of her eye and straightening up, catching on to what was happening. In a moment, she went from relief to anger, tilting her chin and narrowing her eyes.
"Fuck you Shikamaru," Temari spat, eyes welling with tears. Hinata shuffled nervously beside Shikamaru, clearly unsure whether to attack Temari or simply run away.
"You finally grow a pair and you're still so much of an idiot." She wiped at her eyes furiously before closing the distance between them, arms tightening their hold on her friend.
"I'll throw them off. Say I thaw you sneaking through the fields with the barasingha." She bit her lop. "Here, give me your jacket."
Shikamaru shrugged the material off with ease and Temari took it with shaking hands.
"I didn't want to marry you," she said softly, clutching the jacket to her chest. "But if it had to be anyone, I'm glad it was you."
He pulled her closer, tucking his nose into her neck. This would be the last time in a long while he saw Temari and he was going to make it worth it.
"Now you can find some poor soul to love," he said with a smile, nudging her gently. Temari nudged him back, turning to Hinata as she pulled back.
"Look after him?" she asked, giving a watery smile. "He's my best friend."
She stayed until they were gone, Shikamaru upon Hinata's back as she streaked through the forest. They were a silver blur through the night and Temari was a solitary shadow, growing smaller as their paths diverged.
She'd be okay though. Temari would get what she wanted and Shikamaru felt nothing but hope for her.
And it's knowing what it is that you're told
Hinata was sleek and fast, faster than Neji and certainly faster than Hanabi or Hiashi. From the conversations of Neji's family tree, he knew that she was Hiashi's daughter, heir to the clan yet underappreciated by most. Now, though, as they galloped through the forest, Hinata made fast work of dodging trees and leaping bushes. She was flying through the forest, like a white hart of myth.
The thought that Temari was willing to help them warmed Shikamaru, and he knew there was some hope yet for the village. If there were people like Temari in the world, a woman who was unafraid to stand up for herself anymore, then more surely would come. Perhaps a time would come when Shikamaru and Neji could return, and as more than a distant pair on the horizon.
Hinata slowed suddenly, coming to an abrupt halt a few paces more. Her ears twitched and her head turned to the east, eyes darting around for predators. Shikamaru knew that if there was any real threat she would shift – threat to a deer that is – and get high to safety, so there had to be another reason.
Mist flowed from her mouth and into the air as she bellowed, a sad cry that echoed the forest. There was a responding call and she shook her head, trotting forwards a beat and waiting for Shikamaru to hold on again before continuing their flight, haunches not once bucking under his weight.
They had turned away from the usual path Shikamaru had taken to the barasingha camp, and dread filled his stomach as Hinata looped round. She brushed through dense undergrowth, brambles snagging and breaking around her ankles, before coming to a halt once again, breathing heavily.
She halted completely, turning to look at Shikamaru. He understood and dismounted, catching Hinata as she shifted and fell, exhausted from their travel.
"I'm sorry," he apologised, not knowing what else to say. Hinata looked up from where they were crouched together on the ground, shaking her head.
"It's nothing. I care for Neji and I care for you, I'd do anything to protect my family." And so she had. She'd risked her life in approaching the village and calling for Shikamaru, taken an even bigger one by allowing him to flee on her back. It wouldn't be long before the village took action, bigger action that even Temari couldn't distract from, and Shikamaru told as much to Hinata.
She simply smiled. "We've been here too long now," she said softly, taking Shikamaru's hand and leading them through the woods. Her footfalls were as silent as her deer form's and they passed through the wood as if the light around them was daylight, Hinata an expert at navigating her home.
"The clan is moving on, that's why I came to get you." Shikamaru felt his heart sink into his stomach. She'd come to let him say goodbye.
"Father was going to leave it some time, but I said you wouldn't understand. You humans can't feel the same as barasingha do, no matter how strong the Dolhorina connection." Hinata turned to him with a small smile, clutching his hand tightly. "He wanted to come back for you, but I knew it had to be now."
Shikamaru's eyes widened. She couldn't possibly mean what he thought she did.
"You can decline, of course, but we want you to move with us. We'll be travelling the swamps a while before we can find a good home, but don't let that put you off. Neji would carry you for eternity if he could." She sounded wistful, a little sad, and Shikamaru wondered if she'd found her Dolhorina yet.
"Thank you," Shikamaru said honestly, voice open and raw with how much Hinata had done, even though he'd never even seen her before. "Why have you done so much for me?"
She squeezed his hand.
"My father cast Neji aside when we were younger. When he realised that his second born, Hanabi, was a better candidate for leadership than I… I grew up with Neji. He's a brother to me, no matter the fact he's branderi and I'm ranjitsinhi. You make him happy and all I want is for him to be happy." There was no more sadness in her eyes, just honesty and love. She loved Neji as a brother, Shikamaru realised in relief, for he didn't think he could bear breaking her heart.
"Come," she said. "Neji doesn't know about this."
They slipped into the barasingha land, huts looking lone and barren as people packed up belongings. Carts were strapped to some deer already – volunteers by the looks of things – and some of the branderi were fitting weapons on their backs, precautions if needed. Hinata strode through them all, heading with one destination in mind.
They paused outside of Neji's hut, Hinata finally letting go of his hands. Without them, though, Shikamaru felt strangely barren and alone, nervous beyond belief.
"Go on," Hinata said, and the thought of all she had done for him made Shikamaru enter the hut.
Neji was sitting on the bed, head in his hands and looking down at the ground. He looked a mess, hair and clothes rumpled, and Shikamaru was willing to bet there were dark circles under his eyes.
"I don't want to hear it again Hiashi," he growled and Shikamaru smiled, heart speeding up as he heard his voice. "I can't leave him! I don't care if you'll come back, I need him here, how do you expect me to just leave him, I-" Neji looked up and stopped, jaw slackening as he saw Shikamaru.
"You…" he began, but drifted off as he stood. "How can you be here?"
Shikamaru stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Neji. He was warm, real and what Neji needed after the horrible situation they'd faced.
"Hinata came for me," he whispered into Neji's hair, kissing his temple and forehead, smoothing over the slightly raised mark that signalled him as a branderi.
"Hinata?" Neji repeated, clinging tightly to Shikamaru. "She left to get you?"
"She's a good gaoni," replied Shikamaru, leaning in to kiss Neji.
The kiss was a welcome back, a promise for the future and a sign of their love. The Dolhorina bond between them echoed the promises, knitting them ever more tightly together, and Shikamaru could feel it pulse through his blood.
"We can't," Neji said, "not now."
Another small kiss and Shikamaru pulled back, nodding.
"Do you have everything?" he asked instead, looking to the large bag sitting at the foot of the bed. Their shared antler poked out of a smaller pocket, and Shikamaru smiled, knowing that even if Hinata hadn't come for him, Neji would have.
Neji slung the bag on his back, drawing a curious look from Shikamaru, until he threaded their hands together and led Shikamaru from the tent, joining the procession that were already leaving.
"It's been your home," Neji began and Shikamaru nodded.
"Perhaps, but it's also been yours too." He swallowed thickly as he looked back at the forest. He'd miss these trees, miss the deer he had loved and nurtured and miss his family despite the mistakes they'd made. They'd only been trying to protect him and when he could, Shikamaru would return, show to them that the barasingha weren't to fear and Neji was good.
At the moment, though, that wasn't an option.
"I love you," Shikamaru stated suddenly, the words hitting him with force. It was a human thing to utter those words, because Neji already knew he loved him, and Shikamaru knew that Neji loved him, but those words made it final, more than it had been before.
"I can feel it," Neji replied, smiling as the dawn hit the sky. "And I love you too."
Though there were many regrets and mistakes littering their path, one day they'd return. Shikamaru needed Neji though, just as much as Neji needed him. They needed to be together, no matter the cost.
The barasingha had already done so much for Shikamaru with hardly knowing him, and he swore to repay their kindness however he could.
For now, though, as the sun broke through the darkness of the night and they left their pasts behind, all that mattered was Neji's warm hand in his own, and the beat of their footsteps as they shed their old, lone lives. They were together now, their fate foretold so many years before.
Darling I loved you
Notes:
Thank you for all the comments! This is the last part so I hoped you enjoyed this too. Feedback is appreciated as always
I also forgot to say last time that the page breaks/title come from the amazing Laura Marling song 'A Creature I Don't Know'
