Disclaimer: All characters appearing in this fic are Masashi Kishimoto's except for some random passers-by.

Summary: Neji has this hobby he does not want anybody to find out. Unfortunately for him, Shikamaru comes into the picture. ShikaNeji


Neji is on his way to work. He is still trying to avoid Shikamaru for a few more days, so he left a bit earlier than usually to not meet Shikamaru on the way.

But as proved, fate is never on Neji's side, at least never acts the way Neji would want it to. So as Neji is walking peacefully on the surprisingly empty road, looking at the clear blue sky, someone taps his shoulder.

"Oy."

Neji freezes on the spot as he recognizes the voice. It is Shikamaru, who else. Damn it, why does fate have to always be against him! Not that he dislikes Shikamaru's presence, not at all, never, it is the exact opposite in fact... He just doesn't want his 'hobby' to be revealed.

"Morning", Neji says without stopping or turning to look at him.

"Why are you avoiding me?"

"What?" Neji really is surprised of the question. He even turns to look at Shikamaru for a short moment.

"That's why you left earlier today 'cause usually we meet on your way to work."

"..."

"You're so predictable."

"Shut up", Neji says, embarrassed, and quickens his pace.

"Is it 'cause I'm gay?"

This is the second time Neji hears Shikamaru confess his sexuality and this time he almost chokes on his breath. 'Idiot!' he hisses in his mind. 'Of course it's not that; why would it be? You must be the only one who yet hasn't noticed I'm gay too!' "Yes", he says coldly and turns to the road that leads to the mission centre. It was the easiest answer, although it must be the one most far from the truth.

"Then I won't bother you."

Neji stops turns around to look at Shikamaru.

"Let's see if our friendship can cope with this." Shikamaru doesn't look into Neji's eyes. He turns away and leaves to the direction where they came from.

Neji just stands there at the same spot where he was left after Shikamaru and stares after him. 'Damn you fate, you've messed up my life totally...'


That day Neji did not do well at work. He scared away half of the genins who came to ask for a mission from him, and would have made the rest run away too if his co-worker Takeshi hadn't come to the rescue at the right minute. At some point his boss Genma came to say that perhaps he needed the rest of the day off, or borrowing Genma's words that hit it surprisingly right: 'Go fix your love life and come to work after you're done'.

So Neji did as Genma told him to, because who was he to say no to his boss.

He decided it would be time for Shinju to appear and let Neji take a break from everything.