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
A/N: Thank you for the nice reviews I've got; they always make my day! Now I'd like to ask what, this far, has been the best scene in this whole fic? It's always interesting to know what you like about the stories the best, so I'd be happy if you'd tell me.
Please enjoy this chapter!
'Don't tell me Ino knows - I mean thinks I like Shikamaru. She'll soon tell the whole village!' Neji imagines the scene in his head: Ino running around Konoha, screaming about Neji and Shikamaru in the same sentence with some words not suitable for publishing... 'Oh god.' He has to stop her.
Or should he just let her go on?
The though seems impossible at first, especially after the horrible mental image, but soon Neji's only remaining piece of common sense perks up inside him and confirms him it is only good to let Ino go around screaming that. As Neji would never go tell Shikamaru himself anything.
'There's nothing to tell', Neji tries to defend himself. 'Well, not much at least...' Only that Neji wants to be with Shikamaru in every way possible, wants to touch every part of him, hear his voice every day, see him wake up besides him every day...
"Hey, guys, anyone seen those save-the-cat mission scrolls?"
Simply said, he wants Shikamaru all to himself.
But how could that happen? Shikamaru has not showed any sign of interest towards Neji... except for all those times he has talked with Shinju about the 'just someone'. But what if that just someone is not Neji? It could be just anyone for all Neji knows! It could be Chouji, it could be Naruto, Genma, even the Yondaime!
Well, maybe not anyone dead, as Shikamaru sounded like this just someone is very alive and kicking, but still, the point is, Shikamaru has never said his name. It could be anyone!
"Neji, you seen them? The save-the-cat scrolls?"
In that case, if it really is, for example, Lee - Neji shivers at the thought - then should Neji go and stop Ino from yelling out about his fetish with Shikamaru? Or should he just let it be and let Shikamaru know that way about his sexuality?
"Neji? Hello?"
Maybe he should stop Ino, just in case. Even if a miracle happened and the next time Shikamaru and Shinju met Shikamaru would say 'By the way, this just someone is called Hyuuga Neji', it would still not be the best to let an outsider tell everything to him. No, it is better for Neji to confess soon, because there isn't even any need for playing around anymore.
"Neji, stop that day dreaming this minute and answer!"
Shikamaru knows Neji is Shinju, and he hasn't told anyone it, so there is no need to keep a distance between them anymore. Shikamaru would probably understand why Neji started this all anyways, right? He couldn't be too angry with Neji since he too has been playing along.
And if it really is Neji who Shikamaru has been talking about, he would be only happy to finally officially hear of Neji being gay...
"Hyuuga Neji, if you won't answer me this second I'll fire you!"
"Yes, Genma-san?" Neji says, looking at his boss, wondering why he is so angry already this time of the morning. "What's with the yelling, you could have just called me."
Genma's eye twitches in a manner that does not predict any good. "You..." he hisses. If one squints their eyes, they could be able to see smoke coming from his ears. "Clean this whole place today after work! So shining clean that I could be able to eat my lunch off this floor!"
Neji decides not to say anything at this. Genma looks already ready to explode at the smalles word. "Roger."
Genma gives one last glare at him before stomping off.
"Slave driver..." Neji mutters under his breath.
"And you're staying overtime too!"
Neji twitches. Damn it. That means he'll be here until midnight if not even more. No time to silence Ino today then...
'Damn Ino and her pretty-boy fetish...' Shikamaru growls in his mind as he rushes to the grocery store after their team's short mission. 'She could just turn lesbian and fall for Ten-Ten or something...' Well, really Shikamaru didn't care who Ino fell for, as long as it wasn't Neji. Anyone else but Neji - or Shikamaru himself - was okay.
'Not that I have any say in this... They've prolly already planned their wedding out...' Shikamaru kicks a rock on his way to relieve his stress. The rock, which is about the size of his head, hits an innocent tree and cuts some of its lower branches.
But if Neji really is into girls, then why had he blushed like a schoolgirl with a huge crush so many times in Shikamaru's presence? Why just a few hours ago when only their fingers had touched?
"Whatever..." Shikamaru mutters out loud. "Love's too troublesome..."
Maybe he should just give up his silly day dream of Neji being Shikamarusexual - yes, Shikamaru wants Neji to love only himself and not anyone else - and try to atleast re-form their once so good friendship to a tolerable one.
Shikamaru gives a quick look to the wall where the anonymous girl always sits, then changes his destination and heads to the jewelry shop.