Shikamaru's POV
"All right, just stay calmed", he told himself. "Was that real or not?"
He was standing in the road which lead to the Nara forest, watching at the point where Neji had disappeared seconds ago. It hadn't been a crazy situation, mostly because he knew that the boy was returning to Konoha that day. But the dozen of people that were there too and that wouldn't stop talking to him, made it hard to be sure. He felt stunned, having so many things happening inside his mind at the same time. But he tried to analyze the conversation with cool calm.
When he first saw Neji standing in front of him, he immediately thought he was an illusion. After all, he had seen the boy many times in the most strange and unlikely situations lately. But this was different, because he knew there was a possibility of it being true, as the Hyuuga could already be in the village.
Shikamaru had discovered that this people that appeared apparently inside his head weren't just all the same. One part of them reproduced events from the past, just exactly as they had happened. Others belonged to situations that had never occurred before. The ones that were just memories didn't responded to him. He had tried to talk to them, but they simply kept repeating the past. On the other hand, the ones that corresponded to new events, could reply to him. So knowing this, he could be sure that, if he asked a question and the supposed illusion didn't answered it, it was a memory. But if it did, it could be an illusion from the other type, or an actual person.
So he had to ask questions that allowed him to decipher who was real and who was not. That's why he had told Neji "Welcome back". That stated that he had been away for a long time, which was true. The Hyuuga had responded affirming the fact by saying "Thank you". If he had been just another vision, he would've probably ignored his sentence, approached and smashed his mouth against Shikamaru's, like he had been doing in every illusion during the last days, for some reason that he still couldn't get.
So the boy had been real, and that meant he had to be very careful to keep him from noticing that he was actually totally losing his mind in that moment. He put all his strength in ignoring the crowd that kept forming around them, and in showing a calmed and normal expression. He decided to speak the little as possible to not screwing things up.
The kiss Neji had given him in the cheek was unexpected, but he couldn't ensure that the boy wouldn't do something like that after not seeing each other for so long. Again, if he had been a mere product of his imagination, things would've got way more hot, judging from his previous observations.
All that was a mess, yes, and it made his brain ache with that strange and unpleasant tingling. But the bigger problem was ahead. If Neji and him met alone the next night, he would be too exposed. And he honestly didn't feel capable of controlling his reactions.
Shikamaru had been trying to go on with his life despite of the constant pain in his brain and the weird visions, but it was getting harder every time. Still, he had to act normal and continue with his usual activities. If he just hid in the forest, people could start wondering where he was.
He sighed, feeling tired and frustrated. Asking himself what the hell he was going to do, he took a look around, watching the faces of those who kept talking to him. The obnoxious sensation in his brain intensified, and he closed his eyes, clenching his teeth.
The next day, he decide to arrive to the Hokage Mansion very early. That would allowed him to finish his job with the reports sooner, and he would have time to return to the cabin and spend some time there, preparing himself for that night. It sounded like the best idea in his head, but things turned out in the worst possible way.
Not even an hour after he arrived, Shizune appeared at the door of the office in which he was working. Trying to control his expression, Shikamaru paid close attention to what the woman told him, searching for hints that could told him if she was real or not.
-Oh, so good you are here, Shikamaru-kun. I need you to come with me. -the lady said.
The Nara turned to her in his seat, acting bored.
-For what? -he asked.
-A mission has arrived and there are little ninjas available now. -she explained. -We need you to take care of it.
Shikamaru tried to think as fast as he could. Shizune asking him to handle a mission was a plausible situation. It had happened many times before, though no exactly like that. So it wasn't a memory, and it could be a real scenario. And a new illusion? He had noticed that that kind of visions always regarded something meaningful to him. Most of them were about Neji or his father. There was no way to prove it, but he had the impression that those illusions were connected to his fears and desires. So it would have been weird that he had delirious with being assigned to a new mission. He decided that the situations was most probably real.
-Fine… -he finally answered, standing up slowly.
Shikamaru follower Shizune through the halls, maintaining his usual lazy posture. When they got to the Hokage's office, they simply entered. Tsunade, who was sitting behind her desk, raised her head at hearing them.
-Good, you found someone. -the woman said, looking at the boy. -Shikamaru, I have a job for you.
-Mmm… -was the Nara's reply, as he approached to stand in front of her.
-We have information about a gang in the south side that is planning to poison the river that provides form water to the village of Okina, to besiege and plunder them. -the Hokage informed. -I need you to go there and stop them. And if you can, capture them too. Here you have the location and the information we have gathered.
Tsunade handed him a folder with papers, and Shikamaru raised his arm to take it. He opened it and stared at the documents with resigned eyes.
-Can you do it? -the Hokage asked him.
The boy shrugged.
-Do I have a choice? -he responded.
The woman smiled, and reclined in his chair.
-Good answer. -she said. -Gather a team and leave now. We can't lose time.
Shikamaru turned around and left the office. He walked slowly to the buildings exit. Damn, how was he going to deal with a mission with his broken mind? He couldn't even imagine how troublesome it would be to strategize surrounded by visions. And to prevent his team to notice his state. He had to end with the mission as fast as he could, to avoid being discovered.
Analyzing his situation, he decided he was going to take a small team. That increased his chances. And the best would be to sumong people that didn't know him so well. He lowered the entrance stairs thinking about this, wondering when the firsts visions would start to appear. He didn't noticed the three shinobis walking towards the training fields that crossed his way.
-Hey, looks who's here! -a girl voice exclaimed.
Shikamaru raised his head to find Tenten, Lee and Neji standing in front of him. He tightened the folder in his right hand, and quickly chose a question from the ones he had already practiced for any possible encounter.
-Hey. -he said. -What are you guys doing?
-Good morning, Shikamaru-kun! -Lee shouted with great energy. -We are about to show Neji our improvements during his absence!
-Sound nice, and exhausting. -the Nara replied, and decided to end the conversation fast. -Well, proceed. I have to go.
He started walking away, but Neji's voice stopped him.
-Are you leaving to a mission?
Shikamaru looked at the older boy, and saw that he was watching the folder in his hand.
-Aamm, yeah… -he answered, searching for an excuse to disappear from that place.
-Where? -the Hyuuga asked again.
Damn, why didn't he let him go?
-In the south side. -he responded. -And I have little time, so I better get going.
He tried to walk away again, but this time it was Tenten who held him back.
-Wait! -she exclaimed. -Do you have a team already? We could go with you!
No, no, no. That was a terrible, terrible idea. Shikamaru smiled awkwardly.
-I doubt Hyuuga wants to spend his break doing missions. -he said. -It's fine, I'll find someone else. You guys go do your training.
-But Neji likes doing missions, right? -the kunoichi insisted, looking at her friend. -And it'll be fun! What do you say, for the old times?
The Hyuuga stared at her and smiled softly. Shikamaru felt fear.
-Yes, why not? -he answered. -Lee, what do you think?
The alluded boy lifted his fists with enthusiasm.
-YES! LET'S PUT OURSELVES AT THE SERVICE OF JUSTICE!
There was no way to scape. He would simply have to go with them.
-Looks like you have a team! -Tenten exclaimed, looking at Shikamaru.
The boy stared at her with bored eyes, and simply murmured:
-Hurray…
-I think the word you're looking for is "thank you". -the kunoichi added.
The Nara sighed, and started walking again.
-Yeah, whatever. -he said. -Let's go.
Team nine followed him, while they chatted animatedly. Shikamaru thought he couldn't be more unlucky, but when they were getting closer to the village's exit, he realized he was completely wrong.
-Good morning, y'all! -the happy voice of Naruto resonated in the air.
Shikamaru turned his head to the sound, and saw the boy cheerful waving at them. He was with Sakura, and for his disgrace, with Ino and Choji.
The four ninjas approached the group to say hi.
-Working early? -Sakura asked.
-We're leaving to a mission. -Tenten explained. -Do you guys want to come with us?
Shikamaru felt more anxious, and prayed that the others will decline the invitation.
-Sure! -Naruto answered. -I'm getting rusty, need a little exercise.
-Yeah, is something to do. -Ino agreed.
Not liking the way things were going, Shikamaru raised a hand to ease the excitement.
-Thanks, but we don't need that much people. -he said.
-Oh, don't make yourself beg. -Tenten pressed. -It'll be nice!
-Hey look! -Naruto interrupted, waving again. -There are Kiba and Shino! Let's invite them too.
All right, now things definitely couldn't get worse. The two boys reached them and agreed to join them. Now he would have to travel with nine people, which was way more than he had planned. Trying to stay cool, he resumed the walked, followed by the others. They left the village and headed to the south.
The trip was indeed exhausting. Shikamaru walked in silence, while the rest of the ninjas talked and joked behind him. After only an hour, the first visions started appearing. Genma, the Godaime, even the deceased third Hokage. He ignored them, and focused on the voices of the real people. He couldn't let anyone realized that he was hallucinating, but his brain was already starting to ache.
When they finally got to their destination, they stopped near the river, but not too close, in case the enemies could see them. They were almost in the place were the report said the operation would take place. Shikamaru opened the folder and took a map, intending to choose strategic positions for each member of the team. His friends kept talking, waiting for his instructions.
At least seven more visions had appeared already, and he was struggling a lot to concentrate. The pain got sharper, and he frowned at it, but expected that it would pass as simple thinking. After long minutes, he put the map away and turned to his team. Among them, the visions talked unperturbed. He focused to ignore them.
-All right, listen up. -Shikamaru started. -The priority is to destroy the poison so they can't pour it in the river. And if there's a chance, we must try to take them as prisoners. Hyuuga, could you check the perimeter?
Neji made a step forward and activated his Bakugan. After a few seconds, he spoke:
-There are two groups of people near the river coast. Some of them are carrying bags that look pretty heavy. They must have the poisson there.
-How far are they? -Shikamaru asked, and unconsciously took a hand to his forehead when a penetrating pain assaulted his brain.
-About half a kilometer. -the Hyuuga answered. -They don't seem worried for being caught.
-Yeah, they don't know we got information about their plan. -the Nara explained, lowering his hand to not raise suspicions. -We got it from an infiltrate informant. Okay, we'll split into three groups. Two will confront the enemies, and the other will stay behind as back up. The primary objective is to destroy or to steal those bags.
He was about to instruced how they will split up, when the trees and the ground under his feet started shaking. Slowly, his surroundings begun to change.
"No, please, not now", he thought, panicking. But there was nothing he could do. The road in which he was standing vanished, and transformed into a wet, dark cavern. He could hear the sound of water running over his head in the surface.
He had been in that place during a mission a few years ago. With horror, he saw that his team was no longer on sight. Nor even the vision were there anymore. He didn't knew how his real body would be in that moment. Maybe he was still standing up in front of his friends, maybe he had fallen to the floor and was now convulsing or something.
He stood still for long minutes, not knowing what to do. Finally, he decided that he must try to dissimulate anyway, just in case his friends were yet looking at him. So he slowly turned around, expecting that with a little time things would get back to normal.
But it didn't happen. The only thing ahead was the dark depths of the cavern. The pain in his brain got stronger when an enormous snake came out from the shadows, tasting the air with its long tongue. Shikamaru went petrified, knowing that the thing might actually hurt him. But he couldn't make his body move. He was simply numb.
He remembered having seen an animal like that one, the day Orochimaru attacked Konoha during the chunin exams. So it was probably very, very dangerous. As it had happened with the worm days before, the boy saw the creature getting ready to jump over him. When the snake sharp fangs flew towards him, the pain under his skull went unbearable. He couldn't help to scream, but seconds later, the already familiar acute sound exploited in his ears, followed by that blinding white light that made him feel like he was no longer anywhere.
Neji's POV
Shikamaru made a pause, and the team waited. And waited. And waited. He was taking a lot of time, just looking straight ahead, completely mute. It was strange. Seconds ago, he seemed ready to tell them his strategy. But now, he looked blank. Had he realized something he had not considerate before?
-Sooo…? -Ino asked after long minutes of silence. -How are we going to do it?
But the Nara didn't answered. Actually, he didn't even seemed to hear her.
-Um, hello? -Ino questioned again.
But once more, no answer. Neji narrowed his eyes, expecting to find an explanation to the boy's silence. After a while, he started feeling that something was wrong.
-What's up, man? -Kiba asked. -I thought we had little time.
Nothing. Shikamaru didn't stir.
-Come on, Shikamaru. -Ino insisted. -If you have doubts, maybe we can help with the plan and…
Before she finished talking, the Nara slowly turned around. Neji looked at his back, waiting for something to happen. But another minute went by in complete silence.
-Could you at least explain us what's going on? -the blond kunoichi continued.
But Shikamaru's state didn't change. Now Neji was definitely worried.
-Don't ignore me! -Ino shouted, already pretty annoyed. -I hate when you do this. Hey, look at me!
Again, nothing. Suddenly, Neji felt a strange vibration in the air. As if someone's chakra was starting to flutter agitatedly. He didn't need much time to realize it was Shikamaru's.
An alarm sounded in his head. Something was going on.
Apparently Ino hadn't realized yet, because she kept complaining.
-If you don't answer me right now, I swear I will kick your… -she started threatening, but she stopped when Neji grabbed her by the wrist.
The girl looked at him, but he had his eyes nailed on the Nara. He let her go, and made a few steps towards Shikamaru.
-Nara. -he called with a serious voice, but had no answer. The rest of the team stared at his captain, not understanding.
Noticing that there was something really odd there, he decided to act.
-Bakugan. -he whispered, activating his jutsu.
What he saw made his heart give a jump. Shikamaru's chakra was waving in a chaotic way, and it didn't look like the boy was controlling it. Wasting no more time, Neji walked forward and slowly surrounded him, until they were facing each other.
Shikamaru's eyes were wide open. His lips were tightly pressed, and he was looking ahead with a very strange expression. He didn't even seemed to notice Neji in front of him.
-Nara. -the Hyuuga called again. But the boy's face stayed the same. -Shikamaru?
He noticed the rest of the team exchanging confused looks. Wanting to be sure of the Nara's unawareness, Neji raised a hand and moved it in front of the boy's eyes. Not a single blink.
That was when everybody understood that there was something wrong with him. The rest of the ninjas approached, surrounding him.
-What's happening? -Sakura asked.
-I don't know. -Neji replied. -His chakra is behaving strangely, and he doesn't seem to be aware of his surroundings.
-Dude, wake up! -Naruto screamed close to the Nara.
-Are we sure he's not, like, faking? -Ino questioned.
-Why would he be faking? -Shino interrogated.
-I don't know. He's weird, and his always lying in strange ways.
-I don't think he is lying. -the Hyuuga stated. -I think there is something wrong with him.
Suddenly, Shikamaru's body shook violently. Neji was the closest to him, so he put a hand on the boy's shoulder, trying to stabilize him. The Nara went still again, but something even stranger happened. He blinked twice, with one single eye. It gave the impression that he was a malfunctioning robot, and Neji thought it couldn't be a good sign. But he didn't had time to analyze it, because Shikamaru closed his eyes strongly, clenching his teeth. It looked like he was going through a terrible pain. The Hyuuga tightened his grip on him, but it passed unnoticed. After a second, the taller boy opened his mouth to release a loud scream. It resonated among the trees, sending a chill through Neji's spine.
What happened next filled him with terror. Shikamaru's head inclined back, and he opened his lids. But his eyeballs had rolled backwards. There was nothing in them but pure white.
The Nara's body started shaking again, this time more violently. Ino placed herself next to him and grabbed his other shoulder, trying to hold him still, but the movement was to strong. Naruto and Kiba took him by both arms, intending to help, but he just shook more. The movement was too intense, so much that the Choji, Sakura and Shino grabbed him too. The whole team was holding to their captain, with worried expressions on their faces. Some of them scream in panic, not knowing what to do.
To everyone's surprise, things got worse when black thick tentacles started climbing over Shikamaru's body. "What is happening?!", Neji thought with terror, and then he realised that those strips look a lot like one of the Nara's jutsus. They kept going up, surrounding the boy's legs, stomach, chest and arms. They were very tight, and were obviously hurting him. One of them reached Shikamaru's neck, and got entangled around it with violence. Neji grabbed the black tentacle and tried to make it release the boy, but it was impossible. It was just too strong.
This was bad. They needed to take him out of that state. Neji moved his hands to the boy's face, but he couldn't lower his head.
-Shikamaru! -the Hyuuga screamed, feeling fear.
-I think is something on his mind! -Ino shouted. -I can get inside it and see what's happening!
-No! -Sakura said. -We don't know what's going on. He could hurt you!
-Well we have to try something! -the blond girl replied.
She let go Shikamaru's shoulder and put a hand over his forehead. But a second later, she was expelled backwards, falling to the ground.
-Ino! -Choji exclaimed, turning to go help his friend.
The girl grabbed her head and closed her eyes, with evident pain.
-Ouch, what the hell? -he said.
That wasn't right. Whatever was going on inside Shikamaru's mind, it was strong enough to send a ninja flying away. It couldn't be good for him.
He was seriously considering knocking him out, when the shaking stopped. Slowly, the Nara lowered his head, and his eyes rolled back into place. With his lids half opened, he returned to look straight ahead, and then stop moving at all. The dark tentacles retracted until they disappeared under his feet.
Everybody stood still for a few minutes. They didn't knew what to do. Some called his name, but Shikamaru didn't seemed to hear them. They let him go, and he simply stood standing there with a unreadable expression.
They were in a big problem. Their captain was totally out, and they had little time to act on their enemies plan. Carefully, Sakura and Shino took the Nara to a tree, and made him sit down against it. The boy didn't resisted, and he just remained completely absent. The team started discussing what to do.
-Should we retreat? -Sakura asked.
-No way. If we don't stop his people, they will poison the whole river and a lot of people will die! -Naruto responded.
-Should we go on with the plan, then? -Sino questioned.
-I don't know. -Choji said. -Shikamaru always has a plan B, in case things go the wrong way. Maybe we should make one too.
-We don't have that much time. -Kiba interrupted. -We need to act fast! Let's just do it and maybe we'll be lucky.
They debated for about fifteen minutes. Neither of them had ever lead a mission, so they were filled with insecurities. When they had almost decided to go on with the first plan, they heard a sound coming from the Nara's place.
-Fuuuuuck…
The boy was leaning against the tree, grabbing his head with his hands.
-Shikamaru! -Choji exclaimed, happy to see his friend awake again. -Are you okay?
The Nara pressed his eyes with his fingers.
-What the hell happened? -he asked.
-You went totally crazy, and scared the hell out of us, that happened! -Ino answered, putting her hands on her hips. -Could you explain to your team what was all that?
-Team? -Shikamaru repeated, obviously not remembering where he was yet. But suddenly, he seemed to understand, because he lowered his hands and opened his eyes wide. -Shit. The mission.
-Yes, the mission! -Ino confirmed. -What do we do?!
Supporting himself in the tree, the boy stood up. He tried to made a step forward, but staggered, taking a hand to his head again. He looked dizzy.
-Damn it… -he cursed.
Then, he closed his eyes again and kneeled in the ground, like if it was too much an effort to stay on his feet. He took a few seconds to regain his composure, breathing hard. The team surrounded him, worried and waiting for an instruction. After a while, he spoke, without opening his eyes.
-Listen. You have to take the bags with the poison before is too late. Just like I said, two teams go, and one stays as backup. There's no plan B, so be careful. Forget about taking them prisoners, that'd be a problem for the future.
-What do you mean with "you"? -Naruto asked. -Are you not coming with us?
Pressing his temple his his fingers, Shikamaru shook his head slowly.
-I can't. -he answered harshly, and after a long pause, he called without rising his head: -Shino.
The boy made a step forward.
-Yes?
-You're on charge. Assemble the teams, and keep note of their movement with your bugs. Keep everyone safe above all.
-Me? -the Aburame asked, stunned. -But, I don't think that I…
-Trust me. You'll be fine. -Shikamaru cut him. -Neji will help you with his Bakugan, right?
-Of course. -the Hyuuga answered.
-But I'm not ready to lead, I mean… -Shino continued.
-You are. -the Nara interrupted him again. -If I didn't think you can do it, I'll choose someone else. Just stay calm as you always do. I'm very sorry, but you guys can't count on me right now. -After saying this, Shikamaru leaned back against the tree, falling through it until he was sitting in the ground. Even behind his closed eyes, Neji could see that he was exhausted. Letting his hands fall next to his body, he whispered:-Now hurry up, it might be too late already.
Then, as strange as it could sound, he seemed to fall asleep.
Neji felt a tremendous need of running to the Nara and cheek his state. The boy had look so out of himself, and so much on pain, that he had felt it in his own body. But he was afraid of aiding Shikamaru like that in front of the others. He didn't wanted them to know that he cared that much about him. What he had to do instead was to help with the mission. But he was so paralyzed by the image of the Nara's pale face, so tired and week, incapable of even stand up or stay awake, that he just stood frozen, looking at the boy.
Fortunately Sakura got next to him a second after, and started looking for wounds. Shino's voice starting to give calmed orders took Neji back to reality, and he got out of his trance. He had to help with his Bakugan, and they had to be successful, of many would die.
Thanks to Shino's leading and to everyone's cooperation, they were able to destroy the poison. Their enemies run away, but que Aburame managed to stik one of his bugs in their captain's clothes, so they would be easy to track later. What they had to do now was to return to Konoha and get Shikamaru medical attention.
When they went back to the starting point, the boy was still sleeping. Sakura said that she couldn't find any anormal symptom. He actually seemed healthy. So for Neji was it obvious to think that it had something to do with his mind. They were discussing how to carry him to Konoha, when he finally moved.
-Mmmmm….. -he whined, frowning deeply.
Apparently he was awakening, and the first thing he did was to take a hand to his forehead. Sakura went back to kneel next to him again.
-Shikamaru, are you okay? -she asked kindly.
The Nara complaid with a groan.
-Yeahh… -he murmured. -What happened?
Shino took a step forward.
-We destroyed the poison and stopped the operation, but we imagine they have probably more of that substance and might try to repeat it. -he informed. -I adhered a Cryptorhynchus lapathi to one of them , so we can send another team to find the rest of the poison and finish the work.
Shikamaru lowered his hand and stared at the boy with his eyes half closed. He nodded slowly.
-Good job. -he said. -You've saved my ass. You all have. -he added, looking at the rest of the team. -Thank you.
-Could you now tell us what the hell happened to you? -Ino questioned, crossing her arms.
Shikamaru clicked his tongue and started standing up slowly.
-How would I know that? -he answered.
The girl just stared at him with an offended expression.
-You really have no idea? -she insisted.
The Nara finally stood up and made a step, though he stopped, looking a little dizzy.
-No, I don't. -he said, as he shook his head a little to clear his sight. -Let's go back and report this to the Hokage so she can send another team.
-Can you walk okay? -Choji asked, worried.
-Yeah. I'm fine now, I swear. -the boy affirmed. -Let's go home.
They started heading back. During almost the whole trip, Ino kept asking Shikamaru things about what had happened to him. But the Nara only assured that he remembered nothing, and that he had no clue of what it had been about. The girl made him promise that he would get chek in the Hospital after reporting to the Godaime.
Neji kept a close look on the boy as they walked slowly. His expression seemed as bored an normal as always, but the Hyuuga knew he was a very good actor. He had to know something more than what he was telling.
It was already night when they got to the village, and Shikamaru headed calmly to the Hokage Mansion. Neji looked him go, as Tenten and him took another direction.
-You want to go after him, don't you? -the girl asked him with a smile.
Neji looked at her and opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.
-It's fine, go. -his friend added. -I know you want to check on him. I'll see you tomorrow.
Then she turned around waving at him.
"Damn woman's sixth sense", he thought. But he was grateful with her anyway. Without thinking it twice, he turned to walked in the way Shikamaru had disappeared.
The boy must have already got to the Hokage Mansion. Neji decided to wait outside, before the Nara headed to the Hospital. After all, knowing him, it was pretty likely that he had been lying when he promised he was going to get medical attention.
But time passed, and Neji started thinking that it was taking a little to long for a simple report. After maybe half an hour, he decided to activate his Bakugan.
The Nara wasn't inside. How was that possible? Neji had arrived only minutes later than he should. Had he never entered? Maybe he didn't only lied about going to the Hospital.
After thinking for a few seconds, he decided that the boy had probably returned to the forest, to lock himself in his cabin. Without hesitating, he started heading towards there, expecting to find him.
Neji entered the forest about twenty five minutes later. He walked the path through the cabin, recognizing it perfectly. When he arrived to the clearing were the little constructions was, he was surprised to find a big young deer lying in front of it. The animal raised its head at seeing him and let out a soft sound.
-Suimin? -Neji asked, and approached to him to tap his nose.
The creature licked his fingers with affection. Did it had a meaning that Shikamaru's deer was there? Was he worried about him or something?
He caressed Suimin one last time and turned to the cabin. Without knocking, he slowly opened the door.
At first all he saw was darkness, but after a little he started distinguishing shapes under the light that came from the window. The place looked more messy that the last time he had been there, with tones of papers and notes all over the ground. Neji watched how a path of them leaded to a boy sitting in the floor with his back against the opposite wall. Shikamaru had one of his legs flexed, and was supporting in his knee a lose arm, in which hand he held a cigarette. His eyes were half open, and he stared at some point in the floor far away from him.
Neji closed the door and approached slowly.
-Shikamaru? -he called.
But the boy didn't seem to hear him. So Neji walked closer, where the light could reach him.
-Shikamaru. -he said again.
But once more, the boy didn't answered or looked up. The Hyuuga watched the papers that surrounded him, and saw that in them there was nothing but lines and lines of numbers. Starting to get worried, Neji stepped right in front of him.
-Hey, Shikamaru. -he called louder.
Finally, the Nara raised his eyes slowly and stared at him. After long seconds, he leaned his head against the wall to see him better.
-Hi. -he said, without a single change in his face.
Neji watched him with suspicion.
-Didn't you hear me? -he asked.
Shikamaru watched him for a while, and then answered:
-No, I'm sorry. I was partially sleeping.
The Hyuuga frowned, and studied his face.
-What is happening to you? -he questioned. -You don't seem alright.
The taller boy slowly rolled his cigarette between his fingers.
-I don't know… -he replied in a exhausted voice. -I've been working a lot latter. I think I just had a mental collapse or something.
Neji shook his head, not believing it.
-If you had seen your face in that moment, you'll be more worried. -he affirmed.
Shikamaru pressed his lips a little.
-Maybe… -he admitted. -Sorry if I scared you.
At hearing that, the Hyuuga's stare softened. He had been scared. Slowly, he approached and sat next to the younger boy.
-You did. -instantly, the contact of his arm against the Nara's made a warm wave spread across his body. Almost unconsciously, he lifted a hand and carredes the boy's cheek.
Shikamaru leaned into the contact, closing his lids. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Neji watched him, and realized that he had dark circles under his eyes. After a moment, the Nara looked at him again, and they just stared at each other in silence.
-Is there anything I can do to help you? -he asked, caressing Shikamaru's cheek with his thumb.
The boy shook his head slowly.
-No, I'm fine. -he answered with a half smile. -I just need to relax.
Neji got himself lost in that familiar grin, and felt inevitably attracted. He smiled too.
-Well, I can help with that. -he said mischievously, and leaned to kiss Shikamaru on the lips.
The Nara raised his eyebrows in surprise, but it only lasted a second, because he willingly accepted Neji's tongue inside his mouth, moaning softly. That sound made the Hyuuga's body vibrate, and he deepened the kiss. He tasted the cigarette in Shikamaru's breath, traveling seven months into the past.
The heat between them increased fast. Neji groaned into the Nara's mouth, which made him let his cigarette fall to the floor and take his hand to the older boy's hip, were he gently nailed his fingers. The Hyuuga groaned again under the contact, and slowly started turning to get closer.
Shikamaru's tongue entangled with his a million times, in a slow and wet rhythm. Neji could feel his cheeks getting red from the arousal. Letting lust take control if him, he slowly lifted his body to sit over the Nara's lap. They kissed deeply, starting to pant.
Wanting to taste Shikamaru's skin, Neji broke the kiss to stroke his tongue under the boy's jaw. He continued planting wet kissed down his neck, which made the boy moan in pleasure. He put his hands on the Hyuuga's hip bones and caressed them with desire.
The situation was just too hot, like every time there were together. Slowly, Neji started taking his clothes off, helping Shikamaru with his. After a little, their bodies were able to touch without barriers, and the feeling in his skin was simply incredible.
The older boy put his arms around the Nara's neck and pressed their bodies together, making their hot erections rub, while sticking his tongue in the other's mouth again. As an uncontrollable reflex, Shikamaru started moving his hips up and down, making Neji move deliciously over his lap. They broke the kiss to pant hard, without stopping the movement.
In that moment, their eyes met again. Neji knew his must be pink and turbulent, and that it was something Shikamaru's had always liked. But the way the Nara's dark pupils narrowed on his had something more than just that fascination he had seen before. They seemed to be looking for something. He held the stare, trying to decipher it.
After a while, Shikamaru took a hand to Neji's face and studied every inch of it with his eyes. He looked as if he was wondering about something. Long seconds passed, and he frowned slightly. He seemed confused. Then, he whispered in an almost inaudible tone:
-You feel so real…
Neji didn't expected that. It was a very weird sentence. He frowned too, not understanding.
-What do you mean? -he asked. -I am real.
Shikamaru took another moment, but finally relaxed his face and answered:
-Of course you are.
There was definitely something strange going on. Neji put a hand on the Nara's face too, and watched him worried.
-Why did you say that? -he questioned.
Without breaking their stare, the boy slightly raised an eyebrow.
-What? -he interrogated.
The Hyuuga frowned again.
-That I felt real. -he responded.
Shikamaru looked at him with a hint of surprise.
-I said that? -was his answered. -I'm sorry, I don't remember. I think I'm still half asleep.
He knew that it was very likely a lie, but he boy really seemed very drowsy. Neji knew that he needed to rest.
-Okay. -he finally said, smiling a little. -Why don't I help you sleep, then?
Slowly, he crossed the distance between them and kissed the Nara tenderly. But as always, the contact turned their skins into fire in a second. Both of them nailed their fingers into the other's nape, and they tongues met again.
It was amazing how the whole reality disappeared when they were like this together. Their naked bodies started moving once more, and they breathes got heavier. The kiss took them to that high arousal in which they had get lost just minutes ago.
Slowly, the Hyuuga's hands traveled down to Shikamaru's shoulders and then to his chest, caressing the hot skin and making the boy shiver under his touch. He continued to his stomach, and stopped when he reached the sharp hip bones. He nailed his fingers to them with one hand, and the other moved to the Nara's hard shaft. Deepening the kiss, Neji grabbed the wet erection and started stroking it gently. The body between his legs shook at the sensation, and Shikamaru moaned into his mouth with the most delicious sound he had ever heard.
Touching the younger boy like this was simply exquisite. And the long wait made it even more intense. He had spent seven months remembering the last two weeks he had shared with Shikamaru, and his body hadn't do anything but long for him. Neji felt the need to taste every inch of the boy's skin.
Getting completely lost, he drove his head back and started kissing the Nara's jw again. Then he went down to his neck, and then to his chest. Without stop wandering the boy's body with his tongue, he kneeled between his legs, getting closer and closer to the hot erection. He planted wet kissed along the junction of Shikamaru's thigh and groin, when he felt a hand at his nape. Neji raised his eyes and stare at the Nara with high lust.
The boy was breathing hard, and his cheeks were red with arousal. He looked at the Hyuuga through half closed lids with his penetrating black eyes.
The image was unvelibelvy exiting. With a randy expression, Neji moved his head over the Nara's dripping member, stuck his tongue out, and lick it slowly, without breaking their stare.
Shikamaru groaned, shivering, and his fingers nailed on the Hyuuga's nape, going through his hair. Wanting to hear that sound again, Neji repeated the stroke of his tongue once and again, making the boy in front of him shake and moan. Getting more and more arouse, he moved forward and took the hot shaft with his mouth.
-Shit… -Shikamaru whispered with a sharp breath.
The Hyuuga felt his precum coming out, and tasted it, moving his tongue along the hot tip. The Nara shivered again. Slowly, Neji started going up and down the throbbing erection, making the younger boy pant hard. He kept his eyes on Shikamaru's face, who looked at him breathing heavily through his opened mouth.
After hot minutes of stroking his tongue through the delicious shaft and taking it inside his mouth repeatedly, Neji felt that the Nara's legs were starting to get stiff. He felt fingers pressing harder on his nape, and realized that the boy was getting to the edge.
-Stop… -Shikamaru murmured, probably knowing this too.
But Neji simply shook his head slowly, narrowing his lustful eyes on the Nara's. The younger ninja bit his lower lip, as his erection got passionately sucked. He moaned louder, and then louder, shivering. The Hyuuga grabbed him by the hips to hold him still, when he felt a hot liquid filling his mouth. Shikamaru let out a deep groan before his fingers relaxed at Neji's nape. He blinked slowly, and watched the boy between his legs again.
The older boy moved his head back. After tasting the Nara's hot release for a few seconds, he swallowed it. Shikamaru pulled from Neji's head to make him straightened again. Willingly, the Hyuuga got back to sit in the other's lap.
When they were face to face again, the Nara tangled his fingers into his hair and drove him closer. Shikamaru kissed him deeply, tasting himself in his mouth.
When they separated their lips, Neji studied the younger boy's face, and find that he looked exhausted again. Gently, he took him by the hand.
-Come. -he said in a whisper.
Slowly, he helped the boy up and walked him to the pile of blankets, were they both laid together. Resting his head on Shikamaru's shoulder, he caressed the bare chest with the tip of his fingers.
-Now close your eyes and sleep. -he murmured, kissing the boy's jaw.
The Nara took a deep breathe and let it out slowly, closing his lids and leaning his cheek against the Hyuuga's forehead, that was covered with a black ribbon, as always. Neji felt a hand tenderly stroking the base of his back. After only a minute, the movement stopped, and he knew that Shikamaru had finally fall asleep completely.
Hello there!
This chapter was a little shorter than the previous one. I'm sorry for that. I intend to write longer chapters, but I just wanted to post this new part now to not take too much time to upload. I promise that soon you'll have an explanation for Shikamaru's problem!
Thank you so so much for reading and for your kind comments!
Till next chapter! ^^