-Chapter Four-
Floral
"No way you're coming..." he ordered the jonin as if he were a small and stubborn kid. "I'll handle it."
"How unusual of you to be so insistent as to take all the work Nara."
It always began like this. It was his first mission after weeks of being released of his hospitalization ,the Nara had taken upon himself to make sure the Hyūga was neglected of taking part on any mission by secretly messing up his paperwork. Every time the Hyūga approached the Hokage's office it seemed like there was always a excuse why he was rejected on taking part on any kind of mission. It took him few days to realize whom the culprit was.
"Why is he not coming with us, Shikamaru?"
"Because, I need him to patrol our things."
"Why? You're the only one who messes around with our stuff. Or is it because you want to have a peek a the girls all by yourself?"
False accusations again. The pink haired girl looked at him with an accusatory glance. He scratched the back of his head in discomfort at the constant and annoying accusations. The only thing he wanted to take a peek at was a good place to fall asleep. He sighed and gave Sakura a look.
"Would you give me a break? I don't wanna be handled by troublesome women. Do I have to repeat it every time? Is all part of the plan."
He could feel the pearl orbs opening a hole in the middle of his head. The fury of being left out was something that a prideful workaholic like the Hyūga took as an attack to his ego.
"Is part of your plan to toss me aside by doing unprofitable labor?" He was pissed and Shikamaru knew well there was another reason. "Why do you always impose your idealism on me Nara? It's not the first time you doing this."
The tension had build up to the major point. Green eyes looked back and forth at the lazy strategist and the proud jonin. The so calm Hyūga looked furious and frustrated at the serene face of Shikamaru. It was almost as if the Nara refused to listen to Neji.
"Shikamaru is it true what Neji is saying? Have you been interfering with Neji's missions?" Even as she looked back, she and the others had done missions. The absence of Neji was unusual at best, he was well know for working more than them. "Shikamaru...Why would you do that to Neji? You know, even he works hard for that. Did he did anything to you?"
Shikamaru sighed. Great, it had camedown to this then.
"Sakura...mind giving us a moment."
She paused for a minute. Crossing her arms she fiercely gave Shikamaru a once over.
"You better not piss him off more Shikamaru. I really don't get why you doubt Neji's skills this much..."
She began to walk away to the farm. One of her words constantly echoing on his head. Doubt...
It didn't took him long. This time he thought he did deserve the slap behind his head.
"Argh..."
"Is that it? You doubt of me?..."
He was silent.
It wasn't doubt. It was his bad habit of overthinking of the possibilities that were out of his control when it came to the safety of Neji. He was being stubborn, he couldn't let the Hyūga roam free.
It all had started weeks he went to visit Neji in the hospital; the image of the Byakugan-user laying helpless in the bed for two weeks with a large scar on his back made something in his hearth and head ache. At first that annoying thought of losing the Hyūga had become a bigger nuisance as time passed. Thoughts became actions, actions to make sure Neji wasn't sent to any mission without the Nara's knowledge.
"Look. Just stay here and make sure no one gets close to our stuff."
He tried hard to evade the conversation. He wasn't going to give the Hyūga any freedom to act in the mission. He had brought him for the selfish desire of knowing Neji was fine. It wasn't a mission that required physical strength. So it was perfect for him, but not for Neji.
"I'm going."
"No you're not troublesome Hyūga."
He grasped the Hyūga's shoulder. A small plead that caught Neji by surprise, desperate to understand the unusual behavior the Hyūga pushed more.
"I'm going and that's the end of it..."
"Dammit Hyūga. Just listen to me."
The cold digits that approached the back of his head almost made Shikamaru jump. He simply gave Neji a stupid look.
"Trust me..."
He didn't feel any trill with the fear that danced inside his head, he sure as hell wasn't in the state to trust himself. Even less to leave the Hyūga on his own.
"Fine."
The Hyūga mocked him. Shikamaru would've given him a medal of gold for making him lose this round.
"You're the one being troublesome Nara."
"That was a lame comeback..."
"Just try to relax."
Shikamaru gave him a look.
"Just be quiet. I don't think I'm going to relax at any point around those harpies."
It was just for a mere moment but it caught his complete attention. The warm skin of the fingers on his back assured him that the state of Neji was fine.
"Why are you being so stubborn, Nara?"
He finally spat his truth.
"You were there for two damn weeks. Did you know that you weight 54.2 kg? Kind of fat..."
As if lightning had struck him Neji blinked as he realized what bothered the Nara. He remembered reading in his medical reports his weight at the time, not only that. But, Ino has informed him that Shikamaru seemed to be visiting a lot in hospital. She had thought he was helping Kurenai. Too bad it was nothing of those things, the Nara had visited Neji everyday.
Sneaking like always.
"I need a break."
And just like air, the Nara vanished from his vision in an instant.
.
.
.
He hid in the shadow of a big oak, the summer breeze playing with the spiky end of his ponytail. He closed his eyes as he began to succumb more in the peaceful heaven that he had found. His own eden away from all those troublesome things that were meters away from him.
No women, no girly flowers, no angry comrades.
Regardless, he had a gut feeling that his eden would be ending as soon as it had started .And literally, it was his gut the one whom ended his harmonious rest. The impact of a wooden bucket full of flowers crashing in his stomach provoked . And just like the flowers that exploded at the end of the collision as they fell all over his head his peace had vanished in the air.
"Ugh!" In response of the ache in his belly he groaned as his hand began to rub his attacked area. "Fucking hell..."
He heard three witches laughing. Blinking hard as he began to recognize three figures from afar carrying buckets with flowers, pausing their walk as they adored the ridicule of the Nara as he glared back annoyed.
Damn harpies. They did it on purpose.
They began to walk towards the livestock taking Shikamaru's anger as something unworthy of their attention. The chorus of their laughter began to fade as their distance increased.
"Troublesome. I hate this place."
Somehow the universe had decided that everyone should witnessed his indignity. As he began to pick the flowers under his hair and tossing them one by one back in the bucket a familiar voice reached his ears, as he sighed and shook the last petals that invaded his ponytail; he shook his head side to side as he finally looked up and welcomed his two comrades.
Sakura pressed her lips together, trying really hard to shut her laughter. The Byakugan user simply approached, attempting to hide any of emotion on his face.
"Pfff-" oh great his eden sure turned into a humiliating hell. "Ha ha ha! I can't-They hate you more than they hate Neji."
"Tsk, that's because I'm the only one rebelling against the dictatorship of Aiko. Neji never backs up the male power, thus these harpies only go after me."
Pearls eyes traced the ends of the ponytail.
"You still have petals on the back."
Shikamaru rolled his eyes. Refusing to put more fuel in his ridiculous state he began to oconcentrate more in the reason of their sudden visit.
"So why you two here? Is not three yet, and I need a nap."
He was kidding himself. He knew damn well it was ten minutes before three.
Sakura and Neji shared a look. This made Shikamaru curious as he watched the farmhouse, his two teammates were supposed to be there guarding the cows that the Nara forced to eat Sakura's lunch instead of those abominable flowers.
"We were kicked out. Aiko informed me that they needed to farm the cows at this hour." Sakura said as she recalled her awkward encounter with the leader. "So it's clear as water they are manipulating the milk of the cows. But, all they do is feed them those flowers."
"Right, so now we need to find where they keep their flowers."
"I still don't see why we were send only thing that we have found is a group of maniacs gathered in the same place only hurting each other."
Shikamaru sighed. He was supposed to be the leader directing the small squad. The major problem that they had informed him was the concern of the cult possessing some kind of herbal medicine that contained chakra that matched those of the bijus.
Sakura crossed her arms, lost on her thoughts.
"You know what time it is,right?" Shikamaru preferred not to know.
Shaking the feeling of discontent as he tried to get used to the idea of making a surprise visit to those crazy women whom already had him in the black list.
"This is so stupid..."
"It was your idea." She said trying to shake the same discomfort that came as she felt the same disgust for what was to come. Neji maintained his iron mask as usual. "So. What the hell am I gonna say to Aiko, when she is that I brought unwanted company?"
Shikamaru smirked. Neji shook his head.
"Why is your desire to overthrow her on this game of egos so persistent, Nara?"
"He can't accept the fact he was beat up by a woman."
"Whatever." He grunted annoyed. "Which side are you on?"
She sighed.
"Anyways...time to go to the party."
As if a great burden had just been bestowed upon him the Nara corrected with little enthusiasm in his voice.
"The girly party."
.
.
.
It was like a lost paradise. The lake was clear, large oaks near the water provided protection from the summer heat. Small flowers grew like grass all around her, it almost felt like a win to step in them.
All of the wore white as usual. Playing in the water, laughing and swam. This time she was surprised to actually see the whole collective in one place. She swore there were about fifty of them. What she didn't expect was to see different ages.
Three older women with white hair simply braided the hair of the younger women. Talked calmly and enjoyed the summer festivity. Everyone seemed to enjoy the party, except for the new member.
The black haired girl that had arrived in the morning sat in grass. Her eyes lost somewhere else. No really desiring to socialize, and it surprised Sakura to see that they didn't approach her.
This time instead of worrying for the new girl, she pitied herself.
She didn't feel any better as she awkwardly approached the lake. Too self aware of her discomfort around them. Nothing had felt right when these women tried to force their hospitality on her. Shikamaru had insisted on accompanying her first, but she had refused. They needed to keep a low profile before interrupting their celebration with two unwanted guest. After all, it was Sakura the only one whom had an invitation to the lake.
She approached the water.
Slowly sinking, only leaving her head above water. From afar she caught the glimpse of two young men slowly approaching the lake. She smiled.
"I can't wait to see their reactions."
.
.
.
He was smiling from ear to ear. Neji gave him a look as if disapproval to his stupid excitement. Shikamaru didn't bother to look at him.
"Nara-"
"O quiet Neji. I'm so destroying their stupid party."
"You know the possibility of this turning into a S-rank-"
Shikamaru blinked and sighed.
"Yeah, I'm not an idiot."
Neji gazed at him with a fierce expression. Doubtful of the way Shikamaru had behaved as the leader of mission. Not taking Aiko as a threat, just as a player he found interesting.
"Is this what you wanted after being so bored Nara? A dangerous player to match against?"
Shikamaru turned his head arching one of his eyebrows.
"You're so wrong."
"Then why cut corners and do something that you know well it would offend,Aiko. It would only create a greater gap for us to get information. You gain nothing from these stupid actions-"
"Tsk, you think this is a game for-" the venom in the tune of his words weren't unnoticed. Neji quickly turned his gaze. Shikamaru's bit his lips."Is part-"
Neji finally got his answer. It hit him like a cold shower with the insistent actions of Shikamaru against Aiko.
"You're making it personal."
Shikamaru gazed back. A deep anger that he rarely showed. Instead of confronting the Nara with the same anger, he asked calmly the question that made Shikamaru feel uneasy.
"Why?" He said low, playing with the shallow silence that accompanied them. The question hanging heavy in the air. "Why are you making it personal?"
"Shut up, Neji."
"No."
The sudden answer made Shikamaru surprised. Neji was determined to get in the way of his plans.
"You're mad at her for something."
Shikamaru's silence was the perfect response he needed.
"Nara. What-"
Not responding he just began to walk towards the lake. Breaking any chance for Neji to read him more, the Hyūga sighed. He only needed to observe Shikamaru's actions rather than forcing the answer to come at him with direct words. The lingering hatred towards Aiko hung heavy over the Nara's aura.
.
.
.
He rather escape the Hyuga's eyes. He doomed his stupid plan as he walked unconsciously towards the lake. Stumbling as he looked back making sure the Hyūga wasn't too close to him. He fell straight to the grass.
In slow motion he fell and observed the eyes of the many young women turn his way as he fell like a moron in the floor. He felt his chin hit the hard ground . He only managed to let a loud groan. The silence accumulated as the girls admired his humiliation. Then laughed erupted as they finally broke the awkwardness of his stupidity.
Neji approached him. Looking up, his dark orbs met with the opal eyes.
"You fear me more than Aiko? Running away from-"
"Shikamaru, Neji!"
Sakura came running. The girls were silent, the image of a girl approaching two male enemies making them angry. Sakura sensed the disappointment of the cult members. She tried to ignore it as she helped the Nara up.
Whispering Sakura got close to Shikamaru's ear.
"I found the new girl. She is by herself on your left. She seems really skeptical about them. We can get to her."
He slowly raised and tried to regain balance.
"Why doesn't this surprise me?"
The familiar voice made the three of them freeze in place. He recognized it instantly. His defensive nature and anger raising up as he began to turn behind them to meet the red haired woman. Her green-blue eyes sparkled as she registered the disgust that her presence provoked in the Konoha's small unit.
"Young Nara, I suppose you decided to come with no invitation."
He gulped down all his frustration. The facade of his lazy persona was the perfect move against the imprudent smirk of Aiko. She gazed back.
"Mind telling me why you invaded my party,Young men?"
The facade on the sweet tunes of her voice as she played with every word slowly like a silent warning just gave Shikamaru a little bit of joy as he finally got a light signal of making Aiko suffer.
"I just thought we might lighten up the mood."
Aiko smirked viciously.
"How kind of you..."
She turned her back. Leaving her naked back exposed as she retired towards the lake.
The Hyūga looked at Shikamaru. The dark orbs penetrated a hole in the back of Hana. As if wishing to really open a hole that could kill Aiko.
Thanks for reading. I am sorry for the delay. Sorry for grammatical errors. Apoligies O deleted the chapter had problems with the archieve.