Chapter 4
Neji tugged at the sleeve of his uchikake*. He smiled at the designs slithering up his arms. Neji had never been one to think of his wedding, even when he was with Shikamaru. 'Shikamaru.....I wonder if he's here....' Neji looked around the room and spotted Shikamaru, who was wiggling his finger at him. Taking the bait, Neji made his way over to Shikamaru.
"You look cute, really cute." Neji blushed, and let his loose hair fall over his shoulders as he bowed a little. Shikamaru brought his hand up to Neji's face and cupped his cheek, bringing Neji's face closer to his own in the process.
"You know that I will always love you." Neji smiled but once he looked at Shikamaru's clothes, he felt his heart drop. Shikamaru was wearing a long black shirt with a gray Nara symbol on it and was wearing dark gray pants with the black sandals. He turned to the side and saw Gaara, clad in a typical black montsuki haori hakama*. He looked back at Shikamaru, the sadness evident in his eyes. Shikamaru felt his lip twitch. He wanted to give Neji a kiss so badly. But he knew better, he knew that these stuck up Hyuugas would use this against him. Instead he settled with giving Neji a hug, a long hug. Once the released each other they took a step back to look each other in the eye. But then......
"Neji! It's time." Neji nodded at the older Hyuuga and gave one last glance at Shikamaru before turning away. It was a typical Shinto- style wedding. Neji was led to Gaara, who had his hand extended at Neji. With a heavy swallow, Neji accepted the hand and was led to the alter. The man at the head of the alter* was an older Hyuuga who looked agitated just looking at the two, mostly Neji. The elder began to speak. It was painfully obvious that he had no intention on making this any easier for Neji.
"Before we begin, I would like to be assured of Neji's virginity." Neji's eyes went wide, his face red, and his mouth slightly hanging open. 'I know that Hiashi ogi-sama already told everyone who needed to know that I wasn't a virgin!!' Neji declined his head. He felt ashamed that he would have to admit to all these people that he didn't save himself for his husband. A very powerful husband at that. Shikamaru's fists were clenched tightly at his side, causing Ino to lay a gentle hand on Shikamaru's shoulder. All of Neji's friends were there, they too were upset with what was going on. However.....
"Sir, that is of no concern of yours. You should show the utmost respect to the boy who is giving your family something to brag about," Neji looked at the speaker in shock. No one, not even the Hyuuga themselves, had ever spoken to this man in such a matter. The only person he thought would have the gaul to do such a thing was the lazy Nara he had fallen in love with. However, said boy was standing in the back of the room, his mouth agape. No, the person who had spoken was...(ha, drama!)
"Gaara, what are you thinking?!" Neji whispered in a harsh manner. He knew he would pay for this, be it valuables missing during the move, or a "headache" that could put him in the hospital. Gaara looked at Neji and smiled.
"He is also one of Konoha's most valued ninja. You should show more respect, even if he is lower in the family. Neji continued to stare at Gaara. There were few people who had the gaul to even dare speak against the main household, and yet this new comer was willing to speak up.... for him. The elder looked extremely agitated, but nodded.
"Ofcourse, Kazekage-sama. My manners had left me." He then turned to Neji. "I apologize young master," he said through gritted teeth. Neji could only nod. This was so surprising. To see a person of the main house apologizing to him. The man continued the ceremony, only looking at them when he deemed it necessary. Neji wasn't paying full attention until he felt a hand roughly pulling his arm up. He expected it to be the Hyuuag elder trying to spite him, but was shocked to see that Gaara was the one holding his arm up. He was also surprised to the glint of agitation in Gaara's eyes. 'Did I do something wrong?'
"Hold your pinky out," Gaara simply said. Neji nodded spacily. It was a tradtion for the bride and groom's pinkys to be tied together. The red string was tied half-heartedly around Neji's and Gaara's pinky. Sad realization hit Neji. 'This.... is a symbol of commitment.' Neji sighed. There was nothing he could do now.... except hope.
The ceremony went by quickly after that. Gaara was now protectively wrapping his arm around Neji's small waist. He felt awkward like this, but he knew full well that he needed to be getting used to Gaara's affections. Gaara could feel the tension in Neji's body, and was truly doing his best to ease it. So much so that he was getting extremely agitated with Neji. He squeezed his shoulder painfully. Neji looked up at him. This was the second time he had been rough toward him. 'Maybe he's as nervous as I am...' Neji relaxed alittle for Gaara's sake. Once they reached Neji's group of friends, Gaar realized his hold on Neji.
"I'll leave you here while I get our ride ready," Gaara said sweetly.
'Our.... ride?" Gaara nodded. "I assumed you would be too tired to walk all the way to suna, so we'll be traveling in a carriage." Neji smiled a little. That sounded like fun.
Gaara the shoved Neji in the direction of his friends. "Enjoy yourself," he simply said, before stalking off in another direction. Neji's smile faded as he reached his group of friends. Lee and TenTen were crying, while Naruto, Hinata, and even Shikamaru were holding back tears. The group excluding Shikamaru were huddling around Neji in a group hug. The group hug ceased and Neji was faced with Shikamaru's eyes. Neji took a step toward Shikamaru, tilted his head up at Shikamaru's lips and....Gaara looked over, a little upset that Neji had taken so long to get back. He grew furious at the sight before him. There in the middle of the group, Shikamaru was holding Neji up by the small of his back, letting his hands roam up and down Neji's small frame. Shikamaru's lips were no longer latched onto Neji's, but were now pushed against the crook between Neji's neck and shoulder. Neji's head was thrown back, his lips parted, amd his eyes sealed shut. It was as if niether of them were aware of their surroundings, or really cared. Gaara rushed up to the two and grabbed Neji's arm. Said boy blushed heatedly, and quickly turned his back to Shikamaru.
"I...I'm sorry but I must get going," Neji said sadly. Shikamaru nodded and gave Neji a hug before turning to Gaara.
"Take good care of him for me," Shikamaru said. Gaara nodded and led Neji off to their ride. Neji gave a sad smile and wave to his friends before getting in the carriage and riding off toward Suna with Gaara.
