A/n: This chapter kinda steers off the sasu/naru for awhile. It's mainly focused on Neji and Shika, so you might not see other main characters, but their presence is made mention of.

The Constant Image of Your Face

Shikamaru'sP.O.V

'Ok everyone.I want you all in pairs for this work I have planned.' Iruka announced.

'Oh sir,please put me with Neji!'

'Me too!'

'No.I asked first.'

'I want to be with Shikamaru!' some random girls shouted out at the teacher standing at the front of the class.

'Ugh!' I sighed. It was always like this when there was group work... no matter what, I always end up with a nagging, annoying girl.

'Calm down class. The work isn't hard. Why is it always like this? You don't need Neji and Shikamaru to get As. You all have little genuises inside of you just waiting to pop out.'

After Iruka's light speech, the class stared at him as if he was talking crap and then they returned to their complaining.

'But Iruka!'

Everyone wanted to be in a group with either Neji or me,both boys and girls. Most of the times the boys just wanted an easy A and the girls had some stupid crush and love confession. When will they ever learn?

'You know what...Neji and Shikamaru.'

I looked up at the sound of my name.

'Yes sir.' Neji answered.

'I want both of you to be one group.'

'Uh?'

The class fell silent at Iruka's order. This was was very unusual for Neji and I to be paired up.

'No that's like so unfair!'

'You can't just go around putting smart people together, they're bound to get an A.' some random kid argued.

The class, all in agreement with each other, then exploded and everyone surrounded Iruka at his desk to debate against his decision. In the midst of the chaos, I caught a glimpse of Neji, his pale purple eyes narrowed at me.

After Iruka threatened everyone with community service, they got seated and he explained the work to us. We were to write a poem on any theme we wanted.

'Now this is due tomorrow.'

'Uhhhh.' The class mumbled in disappointment.

'And I want you all to be creative.'

After those words the class was dismissed and everyone got up to leave...well everyone except me. I remained seated, too tired to get up. Call me lazy if you'd like , but I've never been one to rush in the first place. When the class was empty, I decided that it was about time to leave and got up and walked towards the door, just to be stopped by Neji, who had suddenly appeared by the door.

'Where the hell did you come from?' I asked in my usual monotone, not the least bit interested to hear his answer.

'Hn.'

'What is it?'

'Meeting, under the Sakura Tree, second period of lunch, be there.'

'Whatever.' I mumbled and we both separated to our different classes.

OoOoOoOoO

'Umm...Kiba... Naruto...What's up with you ?' I asked the two who were unsually quiet. It was lunch, the time they would be free and talk Gaara and I to our deaths. No matter what, they always had something to say, even if Gaara and I weren't the least bit interested, they never got too bored to share it with each other, so the quietness I wasn't quite understanding.

'Did something happened?' Gaara asked when they didn't answer.

'No...nothing happened... why'd you ask that? Noone is acting strange or anything...'

The blond answered first. His voice totally uneasy. Yep. Something was definately up.

'Kiba?'

'What? Don't you guys have anything better to do than question us?'

'No.' Gaara answered immediately, while I stopped to think about it. I felt as if I was forgetting something...something very important...

'Somewhere to be maybe...'Kiba continued.

Oh yeah. Now I remember.

'Umm guys I have to go. I have a meeting to attend .' I slowly pushed myself up and got up from the table.

'Now it's your turn Gaara.' Kiba spoke up. 'Leave.'

'Nope. I have nothing important to do.'

'Darn it.'

OoOoOoOoO

I slowly walked out of the cafeteria, through the painted halls and unto the playgrounds. Suprisingly, there were a lot of children who ate on the fields, despite the fact that there was plenty of space inside. I made my way pass some chattering girls and a group of boys playing football, until I was further away from the noise, nearing the Sakura Tree. From where I was standing I could see that Neji was already there; seated and focusing on something in his hands.

On arriving at the meeting place, I looked back at the school. You could see everything from here; every tree and every child. This place was great. It was far away from all the noise and better yet... I'll get a good view of the clouds. It was peaceful. This was now my number one spot when skipping classes.

'You're late.' Neji's cool voice dragged me from my thoughts. 'Second period of lunch started 20 minutes ago.' he continued, not once looking up from the book he held in his hand.

'I'm here aren't I? You told me to be here...never said anything about being early.' I defended myself, even though I knew that I had totally forgotten all about the meeting.

'Tsh...' he hissed at the statement, then took his pen in hand.

'Not complaining or anything, but why did you pick such a far meeting place?' I asked looking back at the school.

'It's peaceful.' he answered still focused on the book.

I knealt down beside the Hyuuga who was seated beside his bag, his back resting against the tree and looked over his shoulder on the page he was looking on.

'Ooh. Invisible ink... never thought it existed.' I said dryly, trying to lighten the tension, which only got worseby the way. Neji then slammed the book closed and placed it on his bag.

'What should we write about?' he asked annoyed, resting his head against the trunk ,his arms folded at his chest.

'I don't know.' I answered immediately.

'You didn't even think about it.' he said with brow arched.

'How did you know?' I said laying back on the green grass, my head resting on my knapsack, watching the clouds. 'What a nice view.' I continued, much to Neji's annoyance. 'I'm sorry, what were you saying?'

'Let's choose the theme love, since it's the easiest to write about, considering the little time we have.'

'Nah, that's too soppy and boring.'

'And what do you suggest we write about genius?' he asked rather annoyed.

'Nothing.' I answered. 'Life is way too troublesome and I'm tired.'

'Ugh. I knew being in the same group with you was a bad idea.' he sighed.

'So, you've thought about it uh?'

'Please, don't flatter yourself.' He replied, reluctantly rolling his eyes.

'I think I will, thank you.'

He hissed and a soft ringing was heard coming from the school. I sat up and looked down the small hill to see children making their way towards the main hall. I guess lunch is over.

'I never wanted this.' Neji mumbled taking up his bag.

'Neither did I.' I replied, still seated in my previous position.

'Why did I have to get someone who would keep me back.' he mumbled to himself, but loud enough so I could hear.

'Is that so?' I retorted a little offended. 'Excuse me if I'm mistaking, but wasn't it your name that's always below mine on the exam list?'

The statement seemed to have upset him. He didn't answer, he just threw his bag on his shoulder and walked he had disappeared down the hill , a smirk crawled to my face.

Great.

OoOoOoOoO

In English class the next day, everyone was excited and ready with their poems. I looked down at Neji who was seated in the front of the class. To anyone else he might seem calm, but I could tell that he was freaking out.

Neji's P.O.V

Shit!Shit!Shit!

I don't have a poem. Iruka is going to kill me. I stayed up the whole night trying to think of something, but my brain just froze. That damn idiot...It's all his fault!

'Neji and Shikamaru, you're up.'

Shikamaru's P.O.V

I casually made my way to the front of the class.

'Umm...Neji?' Iruka called at the said person who was still seated.

'Yes sir.' he said, slowly rising from his seat and timidly came and stood next to me.

'What theme did you choose?' Iruka asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Although he doesn't like showing it, we were his favourite students and he was probably expecting something out of this world from us.

'Love.' I answered the teacher who was seated among the students.

'Love?' Neji said in a questioning tone. His face showing both suprise and confusion.

'Yes love.'

'Yeah...love.' he repeated, trying to reassure himself.

'Ok then...please begin.'

'...'

'...'

'...'

'...'

The class stared at us and so did Iruka.I looked at Neji, who returned the favour. The expression he was wearing now was priceless.I wish he could see himself right now. He was completely clueless, anxiety killing him, but when I was sure he got enough, I pulled the paper that was hidden behind of me and began to read.

'The Constant Image of Your Face.'

'Oooh.' the class murmured at the title. It even got alittle attention from Neji.

'It was the constant image of your face,

Why i made my my mind to win this race.

To take a risk and to love; To be rejected

Turn away humbly like a dove.

It was the constant image of your face,

Why i would take a knife, my blood to taste.

To be near river, sea or lake,

To do what's best, my soul to take.

It was the constant image of your face,

Why i wake, to feed on emotions i crave.

To see you smile, to see you frown,

To see those lips turn upside down.

It was the constant image of your face,

Why i'm always first, never second place.

To hear you complain all day round,

Nothing else to do, my hands and feet seem bound.

It was the constant image of your face,

That kept me going at a steady pace.

And if by chance , you see me too,

Give me a hint on what to do.

Because...

It's the constant image of your face,

The reason i love you.'

At the end of the poem everyone clapped and some even stood. Neji just stared at me ; his face blank, the element of surprise still visible.

'Wow...that's such a lovely poem you two...I expected nothing less. Well done.'

'Thank you sir.' I answered. 'We're glad you liked it...right Neji?'

'...Yeah...'

'I'd like a copy if you don't mind.'

'Sure.'

'Next!' Iruka called out and we returned to our seats. Neji, who was still shocked, looked back at me and I smirked once more.

Nice.

Neji'sP.O.V

'Neji...You okay?' Sasuke asked, while we were having lunch.

'Yeah...I guess so.' I answered .

That Shikamaru...There's more to him than what meets the eye. I thought, my eyes automatically drifting towards his table.

Shikamaru's P.O.V

I looked up from my resting place to meet pale purple orbs staring at me. A smirk immediately tugged at my lips.

'Shika...What's up with the sudden smirk on your face.' Naruto asked.

'Hn. I think I might have made an impact on somebody's life today.' I said more to myself.

'What was that?' Naruto and Kiba asked completely confused.

I ignored them.

If only you knew Neji, it was the constant image of your face.'

A/n: Ok...here endeth the neji/shika fluff.I write poems, but unfortunatelty I'm no poet, so I'm sorry if the poem sucks. I dunno it seems...it's kinda...hmmm whats the word...yea stupid to me. Hoped you guys liked it anyway. If you did like this chapter...You can leave a review by pressing the magic button below. If you hated it... you can do the same... although i really hope you don't hate it . Until next time. Bye bye.

: )