Hinata wandered the streets in search of Gaara. The night chill sent shivers down her back as she wrapped her arms around herself for warmth. Her light dress blew against her form with the passing breeze. Gaara-sama, where did you go?
She scanned the rooftops hoping the sand ninja had only left to find a quiet place and not to go back home. Neji's always being a burden to me, the girl thought with a frown. It was getting late and she decided to abandon her search and go home. Maybe he doesn't want to be found.
She looked up at the moon and a silhouette of a seated figure caught her eye. He wasn't there a minute ago
Hinata lifted herself to the roof and stood timidly watching the solitary ninja. She leaned over and slipped off her sandals before walking over to him.
"Gaara-sama..."
He looked up at her with solemn eyes. "Please, just 'Gaara' is fine."
"Oh...ah...Gaara..." she took a step closer and kneeled down beside him. "I don't mean to bother you...I...uh...just thought you looked lonely..."
Her words felt foreign to him. Someone whom he barely knew was expressing compassion towards him. He looked down at her delicate hands that were clasped in her lap, fidgeting slightly. What does she want?
"I...uh...hope you can ignore what Neji said earlier. Please, forgive him."
"Yes. It is forgotten."
Hinata smiled with relief. "I'm glad."
A hint of amusement crossed Gaara's face. "Is that what you wanted to tell me after spending hours of looking for me?"
The girl lowered her head in embarrassment. "Uhh...yes...but...you were watching me?"
This time it was the sand ninja's turn to look away. "Well...maybe I happened to see you a few times..."
He smoothed the cloth wrapped around him and returned his eyes to her gaze. "You looked lonely too."
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Lee glanced at the clock. The hands pointed a quarter past one. He and Ten Ten had been having a long conversation throughout the evening. She noticed that he looked tired as he rested his chin on his hand. It had been a long day for them, after all they had just returned to the village that afternoon.
A snore caught their attention and they turned to find Neji fast asleep at a nearby table. He was slumped over with his head resting on his folded arms.
"Do you think we better take him home?" Lee asked.
"Yeah, usually Kiba and Chouji end up carrying him back to the Hyuuga's place, but it looks like they've all left," she looked around the empty bar. Only Sasuke and Temari were still seated in the corner and Shikamaru and Ino's feet were visible from a booth.
"Alright, then" They stood up and walked over to Neji. Lee looked down, "I guess we each take an arm?"
"I guess..." Ten Ten nodded.
They helped Neji up to his feet. "Ok, Neji...we're gonna go home now." Lee tried to rouse the ninja to cooperate, but all he got was a mumbled response of "...Hinata?...."
"No no, no Hinata...we just need you to move your feet in a walking manner," Lee tried to explain.
"Huh???......"
"NEJI, MOVE YOUR FEET!" Ten Ten ordered.
"Okay...." The Hyuuga sleepily obliged and began walking with the support of the two sober ninjas. He glanced back at the bar they were leaving "....Hey, where are we going???......."
"We're going home," Lee answered.
The drunken eyes opened a little wider, "Lee, are you staying with me tonight?"
"Uhh...no, we're just taking you home."
"Lee's staying at my place tonight," Ten Ten decided for him. Lee's eyes widened.
"Lucky" Neji said under his breath before drifting off into partial sleepness.
Lee had to confirm what he thought he just heard. "I'm sorry...Ten Ten...Did you just say that I am sleeping with you—I mean at your place tonight?"
"Yeah...the way I see it your place hasn't been touched by human existence for six years and I thought I would offer my place...it's cozy" She looked at his surprised expression. "That is if you want to..."
"Umm...yes, that would be great. Thank you for your kindness."
They continued on in silence, making slow progress with their load.
Lee stole a glance at Ten Ten as she stared ahead. The moonlight outlined her profile which he was still getting used to. He gave a short laugh.
"I still can't believe I'm doing this," he nodded at Neji. "My lifetime rival has drunken himself into a state of unconsciousness and I have to help carry him home...Never in a thousand years could I have imagined this."
Ten Ten sighed. "Yeah, I guess it was about a year ago now that Neji joined the Anbu and Gai-sensei threw a party for him, like they did for you guys tonight. Neji had never really drank before, I mean drank drank. So we were all shocked at how he different he became throughout the night, which then led to his proceeding to remove all of his clothes and perform a strip show for us. Luckily, Chouji and Kiba hauled him out of the place before he was able to "unleash the Hyuuga's pride" as he put it. From time to time I would catch him at the bar, usually by himself...He still ranks high as a skilled ninja and when he's not drunk he's just like his old self: silent and spiteful. It's like he's gone from one extreme to another."
"Hmm...sounds kinda like some other spiteful dark-haired guy I know...But what about Neji's hair? Why the dreadlocks?????" He picked one of the locks up and let it fall in Neji's sleeping face.
"Yeah, I'm not sure where that came from. I think the Hyuuga's are still hoping it's just a phase he's going through," her laugh quickly faded at the thought of Neji's alter ego. She remembered a conversation she had with him several months ago. She caught up with him one evening as he was leaving the bar and curiousity got the best of her.
"Neji...why is it that you're like this now?"
The Huuyga had a puzzled look on his face. "Like what?????"
"You know....'Hey man, get me a drink' and all loud and crazy."
"Ohhh...well I realized that I needed to live a little. Be more social. Have some fun."
"Why the obsession with Hinata?"
"My feelings toward her are no business of yours."
"But, don't you see that you're kind of annoying?"
Neji scoffed. "I don't care...you think I'm putting on a show for you guys. Hah! I'm doing it for myself...helps ease the pain."
"But, before you always just dealt with the pain," Ten Ten was confused. That's what they had always been taught as ninjas. And alcohol was one of the three taboos anyways.
"Yeah...well the way I see it," he clamped a hand down on her shoulder. "The way I see it, it is the right way. All the best ninjas allow themselves to indulge. Take the legendary Sannins, minus the snake freak, Tsunade and Jiraiya both drink...a lot, and they are among the highest ninjas in Konoha—"
Ten Ten interrupted his speech, "But they're old now and have nothing better to do. Neji you're still young and drinking will interfere with your performance."
A firery spark sprang into his eyes as he grabbed her shirt and pulling her close to him so that her face was just inches in front of his. His fist trembled against her chest. Ten Ten noticed that his cheeks were no longer flushed as he spoke in a gruff whisper.
"I will not let it interfere, Ten Ten. Don't misunderstand. I may appear to be a foolish idiot at times, but I am very aware of what is going on..." He decided to leave it at that and let her go. His quick change of character caught her off guard. It was like she saw a flash of his old self in that pale face.
The Huuyga cleared his throat and adjusted the sleeves of his shirt before adding, "Ninjas are masters of disguise, Ten Ten...keep that in mind the next you start talking about me..." The rosy color reappeared on his cheeks and his eyes became half-lidded. He turned to leave, and a drunken sway took over his gait. Her eyes widened at what he had suggested, all of this was an illusion???
This encounter replayed itself over and over through her mind as she and Lee neared the main house on the Hyuuga property, bringing her back to the present. Two maids greeted them at the door and quietly took Neji away to his chambers, but not before he shot a glare at Ten Ten, letting her know that he had been listening to their conversation. She coughed as a distraction and wondered why the hell he was taking this act so seriously. Well I guess he wouldn't be Neji if he didn't take things seriously, she thought. She decided to forget it for the time being and turned her attention back to the attractive man in front of her. Ten Ten smiled up at him.
Lee spoke first. "Sooo...do you live with someone else? Sakura? Ino?"
"No...I live by myself. There's only one bedroom—"she stopped, embarrassed at what she just suggested. "But I have a couch."
"I see. And it's still okay that I stay there tonight?" he said gently.
"Yes...I want you to," she looked up at him, then away as a blush appeared on her cheeks.
Lee smiled at her and took her hand. He brought it to his lips, kissing it. "Then lead the way..."
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Sakura stumbled as they left the bar. Naruto caught her arm and steadied her.
"Whoops! I guess I had a little more to drink than I realized," she laughed.
"Will you be able to make to Sasuke's?" he asked a little concerned.
"Oh, yeah. I'll be alright...as long as you're here," she added placing his arm around her.
They made their way to the Uchiha estates. The property stretched to the farthest corner of the Konoha village. The clan's symbol, though now faded, was still visible on the walls of old living quarters.
"I can't believe Sasuke still lives here. It's kinda creepy," Naruto said, commenting on its emptiness.
They went inside Sasuke's quarters. Apparently the Uchiha had returned earlier in the evening to clean the age that had set in. Bookshelves were dusted and the floors looked swept. The couch looked fresh and inviting.
Sakura stretched out on the couch while Naruto wandered around checking the place out.
"So, this is where Uchiha Sasuke grew up," she said, looking around the bare room. "He doesn't have much stuff."
"Yeah, except for his shrine of shurikens, kunais, and scrolls," Naruto called out from Sasuke's bedroom. "I guess he wanted to be prepared in case anyone tried to sneak up on him while he was asleep," he said coming out of the sit with me," Sakura called to him. He took off his sandals and walked over to where she was lying on the couch. She smiled at him as he peered down at the situation.
"Looks like there's no room for me here," the blonde said teasingly. "I guess I'll just have to make some." He scooped her up in his arms and sat down in her place, laughing at her bewildered look as she ended up in his lap.
"You could've just asked me to move," she teased back, stretching herself out on the couch again, her head resting on his thigh. Sakura's pink hair spilled out over the rest of his lap. Naruto picked up a strand and began twirling it around in his fingers. Her green eyes were fixated on him.
"Naruto..."
"Hmmm?"
"Why haven't you kissed me yet?"
Her face was twisted in thought as she tried to conclude why the blonde was holding back. After all, he had liked her his whole life and now she was finally beginning to realize the extent of his affection.
He looked down into her eyes. "Because...I'm waiting for the right moment."
"How will you know when that is? Maybe it's now..." Her pink lips beckoned him.
"I'll know when," His face was sincere. He brought a hand to her face and gently brushed his thumb across her lips. I know you want to now, but that's the physical attraction that the alcohol has accentuated. I want our first kiss to be special and I want for us both to fully appreciate it. "Maybe we should try to get some sleep, eh?"
"Yeah, I guess it is late..." By her tone he could tell she was content with his answer. "Can I sleep like this next to you?" She turned over on her side and snuggled into his lap.
"Sure..." He chuckled to himself as he began running his fingers through her hair.
"Mmmm...that feels good...you're going to put me to sleep," She said lazily, closing her eyes, soothed by his touch.
She thought about what Sasuke had told her about him being a virgin. So he behaved himself while he was away and he really doesn't have any experience with girls, not that I'm one to talk. Although maybe I'm coming across kind of easy to him. Here we are spending the night together on his first day back. But it feels right to be with him! He's kind and sweet and handsome and I've got my head in his lap...her eyes closed shut at that last thought. Naruto heard her breathing even out and he took his hand out of her hair and draped it across her waist.
"Sweet dreams, Sakura..." But the girl had already dosed off.
Naruto leaned his head back on the couch and waited for sleep to take over.
The right moment...I'll be waiting...
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"I'm ready to go." She whispered in his ear, giving him a sly smile.
Sasuke caught her meaning and finished his drink. He ran his hand down the sand ninja's arm and intertwined their fingers before leading her away.
He smacked Shikamaru's foot as he passed by the absorbed couple.
"Oi, we're leaving. See ya tomorrow," Sasuke informed him.
Shikamaru lazily looked up at the clock. "Tck, it's late." He looked around and noticed they were the only ones left at the bar.
Sasuke paused at the door before disappearing with an anxious Temari, "Oh, by the way, Sakura and Naruto are staying at my place tonight."
Ino looked up, "Oh, they are? That means I'll have the place to myself."
Shikamaru's eyes lit up as he realized what she just said. "What!? Then what are we still doing here? Let's go!!" He leapt to his feet pulling a giggling Ino with him as they raced off to her apartment.
This burst of enthusiasm is quite out of character for Shikamaru, Ino shook her head, smiling at the thought. It seems as though all guys only have one thing on their minds sometimes They reached the door out of breath. Shikamaru's hand was poised on the door handle, waiting for Ino to unlock it. Instead she crossed her arms and looked at him.
"Who said I invited you to stay the night?" She raised a mischievous eyebrow.
A grin spread across his face as his eyes narrowed slightly. "I see...Then you'll have to put up with my whining all night long outside your window. But it doesn't really matter if you let me stay or not because I'll just sneak in after you fall asleep anyways."
"Oh, is that so? Well, I'll spare you all that trouble and allow you to 'accompany' me inside, since that sad little face of yours doesn't have anywhere else to go..." She said grabbing his chin and planting a kiss on his nose.
"Your attempt to resist me is failing miserably..." he pointed out.
"You're right..."
"And I'm going to make it become even more difficult once we walk through this door," he said running his hands down her sides as they backed into the apartment, their eyes never breaking away from each other.
"You're so right..." She threw her arms around him and he picked her up, heading for a bedroom. "Mine's on the left..." she directed him.
He laid her down gently on the bed, trailing kisses down her neck in the darkness. His hands slid over her body, getting lost in her flesh. It surprised her how good the trained hands of a ninja could feel doing something so intimate.
She heard him kick off his shoes before he crawled all the way on the bed. He was positioned on his hands and knees, hovering over her. His lips paused over hers, ready to get serious.
Ino touched his lips. "Shikamaru...tell me what you want..." she whispered to him as she hooked a finger at the hem of his shirt, pulling it up to reveal his toned muscles. Her cool finger tips tickled his skin.
He thought for a moment then leaned in to kiss her. Many things raced through his mind as he replayed how he had envisioned their first night back together would play out. The possibilities were endless and the look in Ino's eye told him she was ready for anything. However, after his conscience descended upon his sexual fantasies, he came up with an alternative suggestion that he knew would truly feel good. Releasing her lips he answered, "I want you to massage me."
Ino laughed. "Really? A massage? And I thought I had you figured out."
"You can't figure me out," he lied. Damn, it's like she can read minds. He peeled off his shirt and stretched out on the bed beside her. His bare back waited while Ino just looked at him.
"You know...it will feel a lot better if you're totally naked," she suggested as she tugged at his pants.
"Huh?" He turned over on his side to stare back at her. He could see her smile in the darkness. "Well, if you insist..." Sometimes her aggressiveness can be such a good thing...He pulled off the rest of his clothing. "You better not take advantage of this naked ninja...To make it fair, maybe you should do the same."
"Not a problem," she replied as her dress slipped down her body onto the floor, followed by the rest of her garments.
"Hmmm...less work for me now," he said, making her giggle.
They stood facing each other in the dark room only able to see the other's form outlined by the moonlit window. His eyes strained in the darkness. Ino had taken her hair down. He noticed how the pale tresses cascaded well past her waist. Man, I kinda wish she'd turn a light on, he caught himself thinking.
"Just a massage?" She took several steps toward him and placed her hands on his chest, the tips of her fingers working into his muscles. He noticed as her touch continued to move lower down his body.
"Uh...yes...a good one...for now...Hey, stop trying to manipulate me," he teased, returning to his position on the bed. She could see he was struggling to fight his true desires by being a rational Jounin leader. But Ino didn't care about rationality at this point. He was back and they were together again. She wanted to make the most of their time alone before he might have to disappear again on another mission.
"Oh, Shikamaru, stop trying to do what's right and live a little!" she laughed, smacking his bare butt as she joined him on the bed.
"Ino?!" A brief wave of surprise washed over him with her smack before fading away as her words sunk in. A grin spread across his face as he spoke in a low voice, "That felt kinda good..." He reached out and pulled her closer.
"Well, when I'm finished with you, it will be my turn next," she said setting to her task at hand by working on his shoulders. "And, don't think that I waited six years to ask you for a massage..."
"Oh, boy...sounds like I need to prepare myself for the big work load that lies ahead," he joked before closing his eyes to imagine what his assertive blonde counterpart had in store for him.
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A/N: Sorry for the delay, I was having editorial issues. For those of you wondering what the deal is with Neji, let me explain. When I first started writing this story I had planned for Neji to be just a drunk, the comic relief in the plot. But after reading the Great Saiyaman's comment I thought: "Yeah, it's not really fair to Neji that I demean him like that...everybody else is close to character." So now Neji has a little mystery to him, where that is going I'm not sure yet, but his character will be resolved.
A big thank you to everyone who has enjoyed the story thus far, Chapter 5 shouldn't have such a delay, I just need to rewrite a few sections.
joryuu
