Eternal Shadow Goddess: [excited] Okay! New chapter. Thank you all those who review/alerted!
Neji: [narrowed eyes]
Shadow: [happy] Oh, don't worry! I won't pick on you this chapter.
Neji: [glares suspiciously]
Shadow: [raises hands in defense innocently] Honest.
Neji: [suspicious] Why?
Shadow: [shrugs] I may have been a bit too harsh. That's all.
Neji: [raises an eyebrow] Is it because of the reviews?
Shadow: [grins] Maybe.
Neji: [still suspicious]
Shadow: [cocks head to the side]
Neji: [shoots a look] What?
Shadow: Nothing. Here's the next chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Loveless. I am just a fan-girl who currently likes both.
Chapter 4: Friends
"All right. Congratulations and keep us posted. Bye," Rin said before hanging up her phone. A smile formed on her lips just as the door opened, revealing the entrance of her Fighter and lover.
"Well?" Taki asked, moving to sit beside her.
"They won against a Hyuuga pair called Joyless," Rin explained, her excited gaze meeting Taki's interested gaze.
"That's great," Taki said, grinning.
"Even better," Rin continued, grinning. "Someone owes us about twenty, no, fifty yen…each." Taki smirked.
"Poor Nagisa," Taki smirked. Neji sighed as he hung up. Itachi stood behind him.
"What did she say?" Itachi asked.
"Congratulations and to keep them posted," Neji relayed. He turned and smiled calmly at Itachi, his tail wagging slightly. "What now?" Itachi shrugged and sent Neji a sly grin.
"We could just stay in bed all day," Itachi smirked, enjoying how red Neji's face became. Neji shot him a look.
"I hope you aren't messing with me," Neji warned. Itachi gave him a sly smile. A knock on the door sounded through the house, just as Neji was close to snapping at Itachi. Neji frowned. "Did you invite anyone over?" Neji asked. No longer smirking, Itachi silently shook his head as the knocking continued. Wordlessly, Neji walked towards the door and opened, seeing two older males. "Hello?" Neji asked. The first of the men smiled broadly at Neji.
"Hello, we're friends of Chi-chan! Is he here?" he asked. Neji blinked. The second one closed his eyes, slightly irritated.
"Kio, if you are going to barge into other people's homes, you should tell him your name first," the second said calmly.
"But Sou-chan!" Kio pouted. "You are barging in too!" Itachi, who had been listening from the hallway, rolled his eyes.
If it isn't some pair from the Hyuuga taking Neji-kun away from me, it is my friends. Typical. Itachi thought, annoyed. He strode over to the door, towering over Neji at the doorway. What was the term that Taki-sempai said? Itachi wondered. "Yes, Kio? Soubi?" Neji looked up at Itachi in confusion. Kio smiled at Itachi.
"Hi! Mind if we come in?" Kio asked. Itachi forced a smile on his face.
"Not at all," Itachi said. Itachi stepped back, allowing Neji to move smoothly from the door and head into the kitchen. Itachi turned and walked into the living room, Kio and Soubi following close behind after closing the door. The living room was simple enough, black decorating the walls with a heater and couches. The fan was turned on and attached to the ceiling, in joint with the light.
"Chi-chan!" Kio began, shaking his head. "First of all, nice place." Itachi glanced back as he sat on a couch within the room.
"Thanks. But what did you want?" Itachi asked, calmly. There was an annoyed tick under Kio's left eye.
"You know for a genius you act a little slow," Kio said, shaking his head. "We were worried about you. Especially since you left so suddenly." Itachi blinked and smiled at Kio.
"Thanks, but there was no need," Itachi assured them.
"I'm sure," Soubi remarked calmly, his gaze falling on Neji. Neji shifted uncomfortably under the gaze, his tail tapping the floor at a steady beat. Kio looked over to Soubi in confusion.
"Sou-chan?" Kio asked, confused. He followed Soubi's gaze and scowled. "Sou-chan! Must your eyes wander to every cute child within the area?" At this both Itachi and Soubi turned to Kio.
"Kio…I'm not a pervert," Soubi said calmly.
"Liar!" Kio complained, sniffling for added effect. Itachi rolled his eyes at their routine. Neji sighed.
"Um…it seems you have to talk. So I'll step out for a moment," Neji said. Kio looked at him.
"Oh, sorry. My name is Kio. This is Soubi but just call him Sou-chan. What's your name?" Kio asked brightly. Neji smiled at him.
"My name is Neji," Neji said. Kio smiled. Neji turned, heading for his jacket and the door.
"Where are you going?" Itachi asked swiftly. Neji stopped and smiled at him.
"I'm just going to the store around the corner to pick up a few things," Neji assured him. Itachi smiled broadly.
"Do you want company?" Itachi asked kindly.
"It's all right. Why don't you stay with your guests," Neji said before slipping on his jacket and shoes. "Feel free to look around the house but please don't touch my things." Neji waved and went out the door. Itachi gave a glare to both Soubi and Kio as soon the door closed. Kio winced. Soubi, however, met the glare with a calm stare.
"Don't blame us. If you wanted to go with him then let's go," Soubi suggested. Kio stiffened and glared.
"Sou-chan! Don't try to make Chi-chan into a stalker," Kio snapped. Soubi chose to ignore that as he watched Itachi get up and slip on his shoes.
"Good idea, Soubi. But I have one question, Soubi," Itachi said.
"Which is?" Soubi asked.
"I know why Kio came. But why was it that you came as well today, Soubi?" Itachi asked. Soubi frowned.
"You were…in the fight a little while ago," Soubi stated. Itachi nodded and walked to the door. Kio groaned.
"Chi-chan, you aren't really going to follow Neji-kun are you?" Kio asked. Itachi glanced back.
"Of course," Itachi said calmly. Kio slowly shook his head in disbelief.
"Great, now I'm hanging out with two stalkers," Kio grumbled. Itachi chose to ignore that as he walked out the door. Soubi calmly walked behind him. Kio shook his head. "Wait for me. Someone might have to bail you both out of jail if you two get caught." Kio walked quickly out of the door, locking it behind him soundly. The three of them walked in silence until they reached the store. They walked in.
"Hey, I'm going to take a look around. You guys want anything?" Kio asked. Soubi shook his head.
"Just let us know if you spot Neji first," Itachi asked. Kio rolled his eyes.
"Whatever you say," Kio said. Why couldn't I just have normal friends that weren't obsessed with stalking middle-schoolers? Kio wondered, shaking his head. Soubi followed Itachi in the opposite direction. They searched the aisles quietly for the Sacrifice until Soubi decided to break the silence.
"Itachi," Soubi said. "What is your name?" Itachi glanced over to him.
"Our name…is Fearless," Itachi said. Soubi nearly stopped walking.
"You….you two are a part of the Fearless project Rin-sensei and Taki-sensei were working on?" Soubi asked softly. Itachi's gaze continued to sweep the aisles.
"Yes. If I remember correctly, your new name is Loveless, is it not?" Itachi asked. Soubi nodded. "Relax. We are not here for you or Ritsuka-kun. We have a bit of our own trouble actually." Soubi nodded once again and his gaze caught the familiar Sacrifice next to the fish aisle.
"Itachi," Soubi said softly. Itachi turned and caught sight of Neji, smiling. "For now, I think it is best that we remain friends." Itachi nodded.
"As do I, Soubi-sempai," Itachi said, smiling softly as he watched his Sacrifice look through the aisles.
Eternal Shadow Goddess: Okay. That took a little longer than I expected.
Neji: [glares] I can't believe you.
Shadow: [blinks innocently] Why?
Neji: [black aura] I am not like that. And why was Itachi watching me?
Shadow: [rolls eyes] Because he is your Fighter.
Neji: [glares] And?
Shadow: [smirks] If I didn't know any better, Neji, I'd say you were blushing.
Neji: [faint flush but glares] Why am I not surprised that you would say that?
Shadow: [smile] Because you know me so well?
Neji: [black aura] Don't remind me.
Shadow: [smiles] By the way, Neji. Happy Birthday.
Neji: [blinks in confusion] Thank you, I suppose.
Shadow: [smiles] You're welcome.
Neji: [light bulb went off] That explains it. You didn't pick on me because it is my birthday.
Shadow: [nods] I keep telling you, you are my favorite. Therefore, I am going to be nice to you sometimes.
Neji: [suspicious] Sometimes?
Shadow: [smiles at readers] Please review and thank you once again for reading.