A/N. Hay, hay! I just want to thank you all for the support I'm receiving! Your reviews really press me into updating when my lazy-assed brain is dying xDD!! All your reviews and favs and subscribes are just... WOW. I feel so unworthy! Thank you ALL so much! I hope you continue to enjoy as I put Neji through all 7 shades of Shounen-ai hell 3. Poor Neji. It's all for the best.
Neji jumped, eyes flying open as he woke from his sleep. Something had brushed his stomach and it had woken him. From the pitch black surrounding them, it was still the middle of the night and he couldn't have been asleep for more than three or so hours. He hurriedly looked over at Shikamaru, working out where he was. Shikamaru seemed to be half lying on Neji, half not. His hand was--.
Neji froze.
Shikamaru's hand was... Under Neji's shirt.
Neji swallowed. What the...!? No! Neji lifted his hand, reaching to move Shikamaru's hand from his stomach, which really begged the question of why the hell it was there in the first place, only to tense up again and twitch as Shikamaru shifted and dragged said hand along and down his side. Neji shoved Shikamaru away almost violently, accidentally pushing himself out of the bed and crashing down onto the floor with a startled 'Oof!' noise. When had he gotten so near the edge?!
That wasn't important.
What the hell had Shikamaru been doing!? Why the hell had his hand been under his shirt!? Surely that could not have been by accident!? What the...!?
Neji got to his feet, breath ever so slightly labored and mind whirling. Shikamaru stirred and sat up, obviously confused and still half asleep.
"... Neji?"
His voice was a whisper, slightly husky. Neji bit his lip, not saying anything.
"... Neji, you there?"
"... Mn."
Neji kept his voice low. He could see Shikamaru raise an eyebrow in confusion.
"... What're you doing?"
"..." Actually, Neji thought, the question is more like what were you doing?! "... Nothing."
"... Then come back."
Neji bit his lip.
"... I'm... Going through to the other room."
He saw Shikamaru's other eyebrow rise.
"What the...? Why?"
Neji shook his head, even though Shikamaru couldn't see it and walked off. He grabbed a blanket from the linen cupboard and went through to the sofa, collapsing down on it, mind racing. What the hell had happened there?! No-one had ever told him what to do when you woke up with your friend's / Team mate's hand under your shirt! God, what the hell had happened to him? This was all this mission's fault. He was going to need therapy after this. At least. He threw the blanket over himself, fully intent on sleeping on the sofa for the rest of the mission.
Two minutes later, Shikamaru came through.
"... Neji?"
Neji sighed, letting Shikamaru know he was there but didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say.
"... Why're you sleepin' on the couch?"
Shikamaru's voice was still heavy with sleep, slightly scratchy and deeper. Neji kept his back to Shikamaru.
"I want to."
"... Well... You can't."
"Why not?"
"Because it's not comfortable and it isolates you."
Neji snorted. He didn't mind that. He really didn't.
"No it doesn't. I'm perfectly happy here."
Shikamaru sighed and sat down on the chair opposite.
"You're so troublesome... Why did you suddenly decide the couch was better than the bed?"
Neji bristled slightly at the 'troublesome' comment, but still didn't turn around. Well, fine. If Shikamaru really wanted to know.
"... I felt uncomfortable."
"Why? If it's the bed, then I guess we can change positions..."
He could almost hear the reluctance in Shikamaru's voice at that, but was still slightly surprised to feel pleased that he'd at least offered to switch.
"It's nothing to do with the bed."
"Then it's something to do with me."
There was another silence.
"... Mn."
Shikamaru sighed again.
"Why has sharing a bed with me suddenly become such a big deal?"
Neji was tired of this conversation. Actually, he was tired full stop and just wanted to sleep.
"Because you were touching me."
"... I kinda have to if I'm sleeping on you, Neji-"
"Not like that."
There was a pause. Neji, unable to help himself turned around and sat up, glaring at Shikamaru, feeling embarrassed. Which was stupid, because it was Shikamaru who had been touching him and he should be the one feeling humiliated. Not Neji. After all, it wasn't as if Neji wanted Shikamaru to do that! Not at all. Shikamaru looked slightly confused. He was a goddamn genius! Surely he could work out what Neji had meant?!
"... What do you mean?"
Obviously not. Neji felt his eyebrow twitch in annoyance. He had to! He had 200IQ right?!
"... Work it out."
Neji lay back down and turned around. There was a pause.
"... W-Where was I touching you?"
There was a note of panic in Shikamaru's voice.
"... Stomach."
Shikamaru let out a sigh of relief and Neji went slightly redder. Where the hell did Shikamaru think Neji had meant?! Oh god... This was terrible.
"... Well... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
"That just makes it worse."
"No. I wasn't intentionally feeling you up--"
"Don't say that."
Shikamaru sighed.
"Look, if it'll make you feel better I'll... Bind my hands behind my back before I go to sleep."
Neji snorted softly and slowly turned, sitting up. The couch was cold and really uncomfortable to lie on, more so than the bed. He didn't say anything.
"... I'm sorry, Neji."
He shrugged, looking away. Shikamaru hadn't meant to. It was... An accident.
"It's alright. Just, please restrain yourself in future."
Shikamaru laughed, getting up. The relief that it had been sorted without a serious fight rang out in his voice.
"Well, with you in the bed it could prove difficult, Neji."
Neji instantly felt heat racing to his cheeks. Shikamaru hadn't meant it. It was a joke, right? ... Right? Neji was so glad it was dark and Shikamaru couldn't see the shade of red Neji had gone. God, he'd had worse said to him from acquaintances and foe alike! Why was Shikamaru's comment making him act like this?! He took a few seconds to carefully delete Shikamaru's comment from his memory, got up and climbed back into the bed. Shikamaru shifted slightly, voice barely more than a murmur.
"D'ya wanna swap?"
Neji bit on his lip for a second, not sure. It might be more comfortable, and at least his stomach wasn't going to be anywhere near Shikamaru's hands, wandering or not.
"... Alright."
He felt one of Shikamaru's hands push his shoulder, making Neji sit up a little before wrapping around his back and pulling him gently down again to rest on Shikamaru. The first thing that came to Neji's mind was that it was even warmer like this, and that he could clearly hear Shikamaru's heartbeat. A steady doku doku sound that made him want to sleep. He sighed, relaxing a little.
Just before he slipped into sleep again, his last thought was how amazingly safe he felt, with two arms that weren't his own wrapped around him and a steady heartbeat that didn't belong to him loud and comforting in his ears.
This time, Neji woke up completely of his own accord. From the light starting to creep through the blacked out windows, it was dawn and he had to move. He sighed softly, eyes still closed and head on Shikamaru's chest which was rising and falling with each breath he took. It was comforting. In a way Neji could not explain. It just... It reminded him that someone else was alive. Although he and Shikamaru both knew Neji could kill him in one hundred different ways with the flick of a finger, should he choose to, and vice-versa. The fact that... That they trusted each other not to do that was... It felt good. To be able to have that trust in a friend. Perhaps, he mused, this was the 'bond' Naruto was always screaming about. Trust. He sighed again because he didn't actually want to move. The bus had stopped, everyone was asleep... He didn't want to move from this warmth...
It took him three seconds to realize that he'd just thought of all that, move quickly and quietly away and pretend that had never happened.
Pretend what had happened? Nothing had happened.
Nothing at all.
With that comfortable thought, Neji lay back down – on his own side of the bed – and tried to fall back asleep. Cold? Hah. Hyuuga Neji could withstand temperature drops of tens of degrees. He was fine.
Absolutely fine.
After a few more minutes of careful blankness of mind, Neji fell back asleep. Then he woke up back in Shikamaru's arms ten minutes later. He scowled at Shikamaru's sleeping form because this stupid, stupid situation was all his fault and got up, grabbing clothes and taking a quick shower, changing and drying and straightening his hair on automatic.
Who cared that it was 5AM?
He sat down on the sofa, desperately trying to think of something other than the bed, and Shikamaru in the-.
Neji stopped, carefully deleted his last sentence and started again.
He desperately tried not to think of how nice it would be to spend five more minutes in bed. Not Shikamaru. In Shi-?
Nope.
Neji got up, face as blank as stone and very carefully got himself a large glass of water, drinking it down quickly. Then, he drank another one. Perhaps he'd explode and be free from all this? It was all the dresses fault. He shot it a quick scowl, noticing it was quite lurid today. Bright pink and white on black... Satin? Ugh... Why him?
He sat back down on the sofa and grabbed the paper and pen from the night before, writing more lyrics. An hour and a half later, he put it back down. There. One set of song lyrics. They were awful, probably didn't make sense but they were done. Shikamaru would look them over and object to anything too disastrous. He yawned, stretching. He was still tired... Hmn... He lay down on the couch, yawning again. Three minutes later, he'd fallen asleep.
"... Kinda cute... ... Like a... ... Sleeps, huh?"
"Dumbass... ... ... Comment will... ... ... You're gay."
"Wh-What?! Bastard... ... ... You're gay... ... One!"
Neji's eyebrow twitched as he slowly started to wake.
"Troublesome... ... ... Both camp."
"Watch it, Nara.. ... ... You."
"Say whatever ... ... ... Sakura."
Neji huffed, scrubbing at his eyes and woke fully.
"What're you talking about?"
He sat up, looking at Sasuke, Naruto and Shikamaru.
"Naruto was commenting on how you look when you sleep. I warned him it would make people think he was gay-"
"Bastard! Shut up! You're the gay one!"
"Excuse me? You have to be the campest guy I've ever seen, barring Sai!"
"Oh, jeez..." Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "Will you both shut up? You're as gay as each other."
Sasuke glared at him as Neji tried to grasp reality.
"You're the one who always deems girls as 'troublesome'."
"Hmn. You're the one who spent seventeen years turning down every girl who crossed your path."
Sasuke scowled as Naruto jeered.
"..." Neji climbed to his feet, rubbing his eyes again. He'd fallen asleep. Perhaps this was all a dream? He glanced at the clock. 9AM? He'd slept for quite a while. Shino and Lee were in the kitchen, cooking something that from this distance looked edible. The trio behind them had stopped their bickering dead. Neji glanced around. They all looked shocked.
"... What?"
"... Holy crap... None of us have ever had a girlfriend?!"
Everyone froze for a second before all turning to face each other. Shikamaru scratched the back of his head.
"Hmn... That's odd. Statistically, at least one of us should have."
Naruto still looked shocked.
"Have any of us ever been on a date before?"
Shino turned back to his cooking.
"Your calculations are wrong."
Everyone turned to stare at him.
"... What!? What!? You've got a girlfriend, Shino!?"
Naruto was gaping.
"Fiancé."
There was a long, long silence. Shino glanced back around, face still blank.
"It's an arranged marriage."
Everyone was still staring at him. There was another long silence before Shino turned back to his cooking, shoulders slumping minutely.
"You've insulted me now. Are you not meant to be congratulating me?"
At that, everyone seemed to snap out of their shocked trance. Lee thumped Shino on the back, beaming and congratulating for all his worth, Shikamaru calling out his as well while Naruto just gaped at him and Sasuke blinked a few times. Neji scrubbed his eyes one last time before congratulating Shino too and turning to Shikamaru.
"I finished a song."
"Good. Can I see it?"
Neji nodded and handed over the scroll which he'd put on the table before falling asleep again. Shikamaru took it with a small nod of thanks and read it through a couple of times while Neji waited, slightly uncomfortably, for the verdict. Finally, Shikamaru grinned.
"It's good. Really good. But can I suggest a few things?"
Neji nodded as Shikamaru stepped closer, pointing out various little things which Neji changed. He reread it.
"Thank you."
"No problem. One down, seven more to go."
"Five. You said you'd write two."
Shikamaru smirked.
"Yep. And I've worked out the perfect song for you to sing in our next concert."
Neji frowned.
"... What is it?"
"Wait and see."
Shikamaru turned, walking towards the kitchen area where Lee and Shino had finished preparing the food. Neji sighed and followed, bopping Naruto out of his still shocked state. They ate in silence and cleaned away quickly. Neji sighed out, rubbing his forehead.
They had another concert tonight. He'd forgotten...
"All right. We should do some more practice, and then-"
The small mobile phone rang. Shooting it a quizzical glare, Shikamaru picked it up.
"Hello? Oh... Sure."
He handed it over to Neji.
"It's for you."
Neji blinked and slowly took it.
"... Hello...?"
"Hey, Hikaru! It's me, Hiyan."
Oh god.
"... Oh. Hello."
"Ahhh, are you grumpy in the mornings, 'Karu?"
Neji's eyebrow twitched. Shikamaru motioned to put it on loudspeaker. After a second of hesitation, Neji did so.
"No. I was just... Surprised."
"Ah, I see! Good surprised?"
Neji glanced to Shikamaru with a desperate look as Naruto covered his mouth to bite back sniggers. Shikamaru nodded, lips twitching in amusement.
"... Sure."
"Awh, you don't sound it! I think you are cranky in the mornings. Perhaps I should call late at night, hmmn?"
... Oh god... Naruto had his head buried in a cushion now, laughing in silence while Shikamaru and Sasuke sat on the sofa, smirking.
"No, no. Mornings are fine. Is there any reason you called me?"
"No, not really. Just to hear your voice again, in honesty!"
Never had Neji wanted to press the red button so much before.
"... Ah."
Hiyan laughed down the phone.
"So, you've got a concert tonight? I was thinking about going!"
No! Please, don't!
"... Oh."
"Perhaps I could meet you after the show...?"
Neji glanced at Shikamaru again, even more desperate. Shikamaru nodded, hand covering his mouth. After another few seconds, Neji sighed out silently.
"... Sure."
"Really?!"
"Yes."
"That's awesome! Thank you! So, should I wait for you outside, or meet backstage?"
Neji frowned. Did they really have to meet at all?
"... Outside. Wait by the entrance. I'll find you."
"Yay! OK!"
Ugh... Oh god, what had he done?! By this time, Shikamaru was laughing too, Sasuke smirking wildly while Lee looked on politely and Shino blankly.
"It's all right."
"Thanks again, 'Karu! I've got to go now, but I'll see you tonight!"
"Good bye."
"Bye bye!"
Neji hung up, put the phone on the table and clenched his fists.
"... Neji...?"
Neji said nothing, eyes closed in fury.
"... Neji...?"
"What?!"
Shikamaru smirked again.
"Congratulations. You just got a date."
"It's your fault! You made me agree!"
"If you really didn't want to, you would have ignored me."
Neji's glare was enough to send a normal man running. Shikamaru just smirked.
"... I hate you. I really, really do. I hope you go missing nin so I can find you and kill you."
"Now, now. Don't be cranky."
Neji's glare intensified. Shikamaru's smirk faltered a little.
"... It's just a joke."
"I'm not laughing."
Shikamaru rolled his eyes.
"You rarely do. Look, just say you're tired from the concert. Bear with him for half an hour before returning."
Neji closed his eyes and triggered a mental exercise he used when he had trained too hard and was tired and stressed and in pain. After a few seconds he relaxed slightly, breathing out through his mouth and calming himself down.
Half and hour. Just half an hour. Then he could come back here and sleep and pretend it had never happened. He was a Jounin. If the guy tried anything, Neji could disarm him in a second. It wasn't a problem. He just had to do half an hour.
"I'm still angry with you."
Shikamaru stood up.
"Well, put some of that emotion into the music. Come on. We've got a concert tonight. We need to practice."
Neji heaved a sigh and stood up, knowing winning an argument against Shikamaru was not really an option while the rest of the group followed.
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-
Hiyan grinned, clutching the phone. Yes! He'd gotten a date! Not that he didn't get dates often, it's just that this guy... Well. He was the hottest thing since the sun! And a cross dresser!? How much more kinky did you get?!
Not to mention he had a fantastic voice and an amazingly photogenic body to boot. Hiyan's grin grew. A few more dates, a couple of gifts, a candle-lit dinner or two...
And then...
He chuckled, spinning on one foot.
And then... The bedroom! He shoved the phone back in his pocket, practically skipping down the hall to his Set. And, he added, if Hikaru wasn't so... Eager to go to the bedroom stage, a little alcohol and a trace of something chemical would help him along... Hiyan laughed again. Now all he had to do was secure tickets to tonight's show!
8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8
Neji massaged his aching throat. Was it going to hurt this much every time?! He sighed out, accepting the glass of water from Shikamaru and sat down on the sofa, glad for the break while Sasuke and Naruto prepared lunch.
The bus was racing it's way towards the venue they were booked into, and Neji couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the driver. His job was surely the worst. Well... Neji glared down at his dress. Nearly the worst.
Shikamaru sat down beside him again, nursing his own glass.
"So. How come we found you asleep on the couch this morning, Neji?"
Neji bit down on his lip and looked away.
"... I woke early."
"How early?"
"5AM."
Neji heard Shikamaru sigh.
"... Why?"
"I don't know. I just did. I could not go back to sleep."
"Any reason?"
"No."
"Hmn... Then why won't you look at me?"
Neji scowled but turned to look at him.
"I am."
"Hmn. I'm worried about you."
"Why?"
"You've been acting very strangely."
Neji huffed and crossed his arms, sipping his water as calmly as he could.
"I'm fine."
Shikamaru was looking at him with that calculating gaze. Neji looked away again.
"... Sure. Am I making you uncomfortable?"
"No."
"Hmn. Well, what is it?"
"Nothing. I'm fine."
They were thankfully interrupted by Naruto announcing lunch. As quickly as he could without making it look suspicious, Neji got to his feet and walked over, grabbing his plate and sitting in a chair between a wall and Lee. A safe distance from Shikamaru. As soon as they'd finished eating, Shikamaru sent them all back to practice for a while before doing another full run through of tonight's show.
Neji was beginning to feel those familiar butterflies in his stomach as he glanced at the clock. The hours had flown by and now it was 7PM. An hour away from the venue, and two from their act. Finally, Shikamaru stopped them, pointing out that any more practice would tire them out and it would be nothing but a counter-productive use of their time. He sent Shino to make sure his lighting was up to scratch, Lee he had enough sticks and skins, Naruto and Sasuke for broken strings and Neji to prepare a small introduction for them this evening, including their website and tour in Suna.
A painfully stressful hour later, they were pulling up to the venue. Neji had the bag full of make-up in his hands and a coat for afterwards, the rest carrying instruments. Shikamaru was first off the coach. The second he hit the ground, cameras were flashing and, a couple of hundred feet away, a long line of people waiting to get into the show started pointing and screaming. Photographers launched themselves upon them, taking photos madly as Shikamaru told them all to wave to the crowds and smile.
The panic grew. Neji swallowed to try and keep himself calm, waving with one hand. Shikamaru was leading them towards the doors, doing a wonderful act of enjoying himself immensely. Naruto was beaming and leaping around, overjoyed that people were screaming in joy from seeing him, and not fear. Him and Lee were right behind Shikamaru, both sending forth bursts of happy energy that were almost infectious. Neji and Sasuke hung back with Shino, slightly more cowed by the attention and the smiles they were forced to wear instead of their usual emotionless facades or frowns. It wasn't that they were nervous, it was just that being in the spotlight wasn't natural or comfortable for them.
Within minutes they were inside and being shown to their dressing room (Shino to the other mangers and tech studio), and then the stage to set up. Neji was glad for the calmness after the screaming outside and concentrated on checking everything was in working order, not looking too closely at the space for millions upon millions of people that could fit in this venue. The butterflies were growing at an alarming rate. Finally, their preparations were complete and they were being ushered back towards the dressing room. He just managed to slip in his contact lenses before there was another knock, another make-up student, another agonizing ten minutes of make-up, and they were waiting to be called. Neji was silent, face itching beneath the power and ooze on his face. It was stupid, he told himself for the millionth time, to be nervous. But nervous he was, and all too soon they were on and Shikamaru was giving him an encouraging pat on the shoulder and leading them all out onto the stage. He swallowed as he stepped up to the microphone, the crowd screaming in delight and recalled his planned introduction.
"Hello and good evening!"
He tried to keep his voice light and happy, not nervous and sharp like it usually was. The crowd screamed again.
"We are AttentionDeficitDisorder and tonight we're here to play for you! I hope you enjoy the show!"
More screaming as Neji nodded to Shikamaru, indicating for him to start.
"This one's called Throw Me The Key."
There was a heartbeat of stillness before Shikamaru came in with Sasuke, the music filling the hall as lights danced over them, Neji sinking back into the music. His voice was filled with reverb, probably the microphone, and rolled around the air, breath-catching in it's beauty. In what seemed like seconds but was actually 3:54 minutes, the song was over and the crowd was going wild. The sense of euphoria was crashing through him as they moved onto the next and the next and the next, the audience clearly loving it.
Finally, it was time for the solo. Neji caught his breath, addressing the crowd.
"Just like last time, we're going to cover another song. This one is called Potential Break-Up Song by Aly and AJ."
The crowd made a noise that was half excitement, half laughter. Neji nodded to himself and started.
"La la la la la la,
la la la la la la,
la la la la la la,
la la la."
Shikamaru came in with the keyboard, joining Neji.
"It took too long, it took too long, it took too long
for you to call back, and normally I would just forget that,
except for the fact it was my birthday, my stupid birthday."
He put his hand on his hip and looked away, just like they'd practiced. Naruto and Sasuke and Lee were playing, concentration obvious on their faces.
"I played along, I played along, I played along,
it rolled right off my back, but obviously my armor was cracked,
what kind of a boyfriend would forget that? Who would forget that?"
Neji raised his eyebrows and a hand, addressing the question to the crowd and tossing his hair, stepping forwards and slightly to the right, not noticing it was towards Shikamaru.
"The type of guy of doesn't see what he has until he leaves,
don't let me go,
'cause without me you know you're lost, wise up now or pay the cost,
soon you will know-"
He included the changed word from 'she' to 'he' as practiced, glancing over to Shikamaru. Not as practiced.
"you're not living 'til you're living, living with me,
you're not winning 'til you're winning, winning me,
you're not getting 'til you're getting, getting to me,
you're not living 'til you're living, living with me."
He realized halfway through he'd turned slightly to Shikamaru, who was giving him a hidden puzzled look. Oh crap. He turned his head away, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks and walked back towards center stage a bit, hardly noticing that the crowd's screams had gotten a little louder at that act.
"This is the potential breakup song, our album needs just one,
oh baby please, please tell me."
They'd practiced Neji turning to thin air to 'talk' to, but suddenly that seemed stupid. Naruto and Sasuke were too far away. He turned back to Shikamaru, as if addressing him. The crowd's screams got louder again.
"We got along, we got along, we got along,
until you did that.
Now all I want is just my stuff back, do you get that?
Let me repeat that. I want my stuff back."
He jabbed his finger at Shikamaru who instantly cottoned on as to what was happening and looked away, as if guilty and upset. Good. This was going fine. The crowd sounded almost hysterical, but he didn't have the time to think about that.
"You can send it in a box, I don't care just drop it off,
I won't be home.
'Cos without me you know you're lost,
minus you I'm better off, soon you will know-"
He waved his hand in a 'whatever' motion and looked away, half turning his back.
"you're not living 'til you're living, living with me,
you're not winning 'til you're winning, winning me,
you're not getting 'til you're getting, getting to me,
you're not living 'til you're living, living for me."
He turned back, gesturing again, a hint of triumph to it and stepping closer to Shikamaru, forgetting about the audience.
"You can try, you can try. You know I know it'd be a lie.
Without me you're going to cry.
So you'd better think clearly, clearly before you nearly, nearly,
bust up this situation that you're going to miss dearly, dearly, come on-"
Suddenly, Shikamaru half turned to him, still playing the piano and started to sing the second part they'd agreed to leave out. The air between them turned electric, thick.
"you're not living 'til you're living, living with me,"
"You're not living... No!"
"You're not winning 'til you're winning, winning me,"
"No no no no!"
"You're not getting 'til you're getting, getting to me,"
"You're not getting... 'Til you're getting!"
"You're not living 'til you're living, living for me."
"No no, no no, no no..."
They were close together, the crowd screeching as they continued to play and sing, Neji taking over the whole singing part again.
"This is the potential breakup song, our album needs just one,
oh baby please, please tell me.
This is the potential makeup song, please just admit you're wrong,
which will it be? Which will it be?"
They were even closer, Neji the only one who could have been moving because Shikamaru was still playing and was now joining in again.
"La la la la la la,"
"La la la la la la,"
"La la la la la la, la la la la la, la, la..."
The song trailed to an end, the crowd still screaming their heads off as Shikamaru winked at Neji and pulled back. Neji snapped out of whatever strange trance he'd fallen into and walked, slightly red faced, back to center stage and tried to smile at the crowd.
"Well, that's all for tonight. Thank you for coming and listening to our music, and I hope you had a good time."
His instincts picked up Shikamaru walking over and putting a hand on his shoulder, ignoring the crescendo of screaming. Shikamaru grabbed the microphone from Neji, speaking into it.
"Yeah. Thanks for coming and listening. Remember, we'll be playing in River Country in two day's time and our website has all the rest of our dates and other information!"
He turned to Neji with a smirk/smile.
"Right, 'Karu?"
What was he playing at?! The crowd went even louder as Neji smiled back.
"Right."
Shikamaru leant in for a second before pulling back and walking off, the rest following and waving one last time. A slightly bemused and, goddamn it, red faced Neji followed too, hurrying offstage to the screaming of the assembled audience. He caught up with Shikamaru back stage and grabbed his arm, spinning him around.
"What the hell was that?!"
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow and shrugged out of Neji's grip.
"What was what?"
"That... That thing at the end!"
"... I was just going with what you started, Hikaru."
Shikamaru turned away, walking again. Neji could only stare after him, a mix of shock and anger flowing through him until a technician gave him a nudge and told him he was meant to be back in his dressing room. With a haughty glare only someone from a noble family could produce, he stormed into the dressing room, ignoring the rest of the team and concentrated on scrubbing off the rest of the despicable makeup stuck to his face. Naruto and Lee were capering around, joy and excitement obvious while Sasuke and Shikamaru sat on a sofa, calmer but still happy. Neji was the only one in a foul mood.
Going with what he'd started? He hadn't started anything! He hadn't done anything. Perhaps Shikamaru's 'genius' had rotted his brain. Tch. Going with what he'd started. What the hell was that meant to mean? The mobile phone rang. Naruto picked it up.
"'Yello?"
Sasuke rolled his eyes at the greeting.
"'Karu? Sure. 'Karu! It's for you!"
He chucked the phone over. Neji caught it flawlessly and held it up to his ear.
"Hello?"
"Hey!"
Hiyan. Oh, damn. This just got better and better. He'd forgotten about meeting up.
"Hello."
"Your show was fantastic! Simply amazing! I'm outside the entrance, do you know how long you're going to be?"
If he went out, he'd be attacked by all the people.
"... Go around to the east side. I'll meet you there in ten or so minutes."
"Yay! OK!"
Neji hung up and turned to the group.
"I need to borrow some of your clothes."
"What!? Why?" Naruto pulled a face.
"Because," Neji took a tone as if addressing someone particularly slow and idiotic, "if I go out there dressed like this I will be recognized."
"... Troublesome."
Neji snorted.
"I'm surprised you didn't think this far ahead."
Shikamaru snorted back and smirked.
"Did I say I hadn't? All I said was 'troublesome'. Not 'I didn't think of that'."
"So you've got a magical set of clothing on you, then?"
Neji's tone was sarcastic and snappy. Shikamaru rolled his eyes and reached over, grabbing a bag and chucking it to Neji.
"Not on me. But beside me, yeah."
Neji huffed and caught it, turning and opening it.
"... These are yours."
"Well done."
Neji shot him a glare. Shikamaru continued.
"You've only got skirts and dresses. People except you to be in them. In these, you'll just be another regular guy."
"Hmn."
He ducked behind a curtain thing and got changed, so, so glad to be in trousers. Even if they were a little tight... He tied his hair in it's normal style and made sure his strip of cloth was covering his seal. He walked out, ignored the glances over and went to the door.
"I'll be back on the bus in half an hour."
"Right."
He ignored the lazy wave from Shikamaru and stormed out, creeping down the corridors to avoid being spotted as much as possible. In a few moments, he was outside the east wall. He spotted Hiyan and, with a heavy heart, trudged over to meet him.
"Hello."
Hiyan turned and beamed, throwing his arms around Neji who stiffened up immediately, fighting the urge to shove him away. He was a civilian. A shove would break every rib he had.
"Hello-ooooo!"
Oh god. Neji tried not to throw up from the sickly sweetness of the greeting.
"Hello."
Hiyan squeezed tighter before finally relenting and pulling back.
"Your show was fantastic! It was... Guh! I'm your number one fan, 'Karu! It was superb! Your voice was mind-blowing! I swear I almost orgasmed, it was that good!"
... Ew. Neji fought not to run away. That was... Disgusting.
"... Thank you."
"Are you OK?"
Hiyan leant in, too close for comfort. Neji leant back.
"I'm fine. I'm just tired."
"Oooh, OK! I understand! I booked us a table at a small restaurant not far from here. How does a bite to eat sound? I'm sure you must be starving and I bet you can't cook on a bus!"
Neji hesitated for a second before his stomach growled, somewhat loudly. Hiyan laughed and grabbed his wrist.
"Come on. My car's just over here. I promise to have you back soon!"
Neji bit back a sigh and allowed himself to be dragged along. He was a ninja. He could fight off any threat easily, and he was hungry.
"All right. Thank you."
Hiyan smiled again and moved his hand so it was holding Neji's.
"It's my pleasure, 'Karu!"
Neji debated on whether to remove Hiyan's hand or attempt to ignore it, but before he could come to a conclusion he was outside a car and Hiyan was opening the door for him to climb into. He did so and buckled the seatbelt. Hiyan climbed in the other side, still smiling, and started up the engine.
"It's not far from here at all! In fact, only a few moments but it's secluded and very, very pretty."
"Thank you."
Hiyan looked over and with a smile that had taken on an edge that made Neji want to jump out the window, spoke.
"It's my pleasure, 'Karu..."
He turned back to the road. Neji wondered if this had been a wise decision, but again, before he had time to really object they were pulling up outside a small cafe and Hiyan was leading the way, all smiles. Neji was bundled into a seat in the corner of the cafe, Hiyan opposite him. He looked around. It was nice and there was an easy exit. His stomach growled again and Hiyan laughed, handing over a menu.
"Here, 'Karu."
"Thank you."
He took it and flicked through, quickly deciding. Hiyan flipped through his own and put it down, leaning forwards with a smile.
"So, like I was saying, I think your voice is simply fantastic, not to mention you're very good looking."
Neji refused to shy away like he wanted to.
"... Thank you."
Hiyan waved his hand as if trying to wave the thanks away.
"But I couldn't help but notice that you and, um... Shii?"
Neji nodded.
"Yes, Shii, seemed very close."
Neji raised an eyebrow.
"... What do you mean by that?"
"Well, you know... Close! Like, relationship kinda close."
"No! No. There's nothing like that at all!"
Neji's cheeks heated up, a tiny stain of red darkening them.
"Oh, really? You and Shii aren't dating?"
"No!"
Why the hell did everyone seem to think that?!
"So it's just like... Close friendship?"
"Yes. Exactly." Neji paused. "... Why?"
"Oh, no reason! I was just wondering, that's all!" Hiyan beamed at him again. Seconds later, the waiter came over and took their orders, Neji declining Hiyan's offer for some wine.
"You don't drink, 'Karu?"
"No. I don't think much of the taste."
"That's very noble of you in todays world."
"Hmn."
The waiter nodded and walked away, Hiyan turning his full attention back to Neji.
"So... When's your next concert, 'Karu?"
"In two days time, in River Country."
"Ooh! That's kinda far away..."
"Well, I suppose. We are touring in a full circle, after all."
"Is that so? I'm sure I can take some more time off work to come and see you."
Oh god, no!
"Please. Don't trouble yourself. It's perfectly fine."
"No, no! I want to! To tell you the truth, 'Karu, I just can't get enough of you."
Neji prayed the food would arrive and he could leave. Now.
"... That's very kind of you to say so."
"It's not a problem at all! I'm just so glad that we can meet up like this, even though you're famous now."
"Hmn. Yes."
"Awh, are you still tired?"
"Yes."
The food arrived before anything else could be said and they ate in relative silence. The food was good and warm, better than the cold stuff they'd been eating for a while. The atmosphere was nice and relaxed. The only trouble was Hiyan, whose presence was making Neji feel slightly uncomfortable. It was obvious what the man's intentions were, and Neji didn't know how to react. He'd never, ever been in this sort of situation before.
Soon they had finished and their plates were being whisked away.
"Would you like some dessert or coffee?"
"No, thank you. I really am very tired."
"OK then! I understand completely. I guess next time I'll just have to catch you before you get tired, ahahah!"
Neji laughed back, praying there wouldn't be a next time. He reached into his pocket, pulling out the small wallet he'd slipped in the with his money in it. Hiyan shook his head and put his hand over Neji's, stopping him from pulling any money out.
"No, no. I'm paying."
"I really must object, I can't let you pay for--."
"Please. I really do want to. Take it as a gift of appreciation."
He hand on top of Neji's squeezed gently.
"... Thank you. It really is very kind of you."
"It's my pleasure, 'Karu. Besides, if you really feel badly towards it you can pay me back for it at a later date."
Neji had nodded before he realized he'd just signed himself up for another one of these meetings with Hiyan. He felt like banging his head off the table in annoyance.
"All right. Thank you again."
Hiyan grinned like the cat who'd eaten the canary, got the cream and then been patted on the head. He quickly paid for the meal and lead Neji back to the car, letting him in and driving him back to where the bus was parked. Neji had his hand on the door, ready to climb out when a hand on his arm stopped him. He turned, half fearful.
"I had lots of fun tonight, 'Karu. Thank you very much for coming to dinner with me."
"It wasn't a problem."
Was it just him, or was Hiyan getting closer?
"I'm glad you had fun too, 'Karu. I hope we can do this again soon."
Not his imagination. He nodded and fumbled for the handle, needing to escape. His ninja instincts had picked up that the rest of the group was watching from inside the bus.
"Yes, me too. Thank you again."
He undid his seatbelt. Hiyan was even closer, boxing Neji in. He was a civilian, Neji told himself. I am not allowed to hit him in any way. He managed to open the door before Hiyan did what Neji had been dreading and desperately trying to escape. He froze up as he felt lips on his own in a gentle kiss.
His brain threw a fit. No! No! This was not happening! He was not being kissed by another man in a car with his team mates watching! No! Hiyan finally pulled back and Neji scrambled out.
"Th-Thank you. Good bye."
He turned, trying not to run as Hiyan called out a farewell too and drove away. Neji felt faintly ill as he stormed up to the bus, waiting for the door to open. It did so and he strode in, instantly turning to the group.
"Not. A. Single. Word."
Naruto was sniggering loudly, both Sasuke and Shikamaru trying to hide their grins. Lee bounded over, eyes full of unshed tears.
"My eternal rival! You have once again surpassed me and succeeded in gaining your first kiss before I!"
Neji scowled.
"Lee, shut up."
"I am truly sorry, Neji, if I have insulted you!"
Shikamaru butted in, a grin in place.
"That was your first kiss? Unlucky."
"I'm going to bed."
He couldn't stand the teasing. He'd been cornered. Escape unavoidable. He stormed past them and into the bedroom, hurriedly getting changed into his night clothes and slipping under the sheets, desperately trying to go to sleep. A while later and still awake, he heard the rest of the group come in and change and felt the bed dip as Shikamaru climbed in beside him. He clamped his eyes shut, pretending to be asleep. The lights went out, a few more good nights called and silence fell.
Soon, he felt hands gently grab his shoulders and haul him backwards, again onto Shikamaru. With a huff, he turned away but finally gave in a few seconds later, allowing himself to be pulled onto Shikamaru's chest. This was so annoying. He was still angry at Shikamaru for that stupid 'what you started' comment and for the first kiss comment, so why was he so readily not fighting him? It didn't make sense, and that annoyed him even more. And the whole Hiyan thing was so annoying too! It was so stupid of him to accidentally say yes to another date with him. Date!? No! It was not a date! It was a friendly dinner. That was all. Just like the one he and Shikamaru had yesterday.
A few moments later, he fell asleep.
A/N Wahoo! Exams are so nearly over and I finally got this chapter done! I hope you all like!
I've also got a mini offer thing :3
If there is a song you want Neji and Shikamaru to duet, leave it to me in a review. Make sure to put both the title and artist, so I can look it up and have a listen. I'll choose my top three favorites, and then put those up to be voted for :3
So, If you want to see your favorite duet sung by our favorite duo, drop me a quick review :3. The person who got their song picked as the best will also get a cameo appearance! Good luck!