Third Strike

Naruto awoke alone, cold and for some reason greatly unsatisfied. His whole body felt wound up and ready to strike. Usually, he felt good in the morning, but not this morning. Then he realized that he was cold, in a small enclosure, and that he was partially undressed.

He wondered if the ramen he ate at the ramen shop was secretly spiked with some sake, but then he realized that he hadn't eaten anything since he came back. He sat up and groaned, feeling his shoulder. There was blood caked to his skin.

That's when he remembered: he came out to tell Neji that he was back. Then he got blind sided by a kunai. That thing really hurt. He rotated his stiff shoulder bringing circulation back to the muscles.

He was glad he was alright, but he wondered if Neji was okay too. He would be upset if he got hurt too. Thoughts of Neji lying somewhere on the ground bleeding to death made the blood drain from Naruto's face.

The cool morning air hit his bare chest. He would have been cold if his mind registered it, but he was too busy looking for Neji's dead or injured body to care about his own health. He ran about screaming the other boy's name. He came up empty handed. He hoped the guy was alright.

He went back to the cave and put back on his jacket. He reemerged a few moments later ready to go back to the village and get something to eat. But first he needed to make sure that Neji wasn't attacked either.

He started back when a familiar face caught his attention. Naruto flung his arms about and started to call out his name. Shikamaru landed in front of Naruto and scowled.

"You are so troublesome."

Naruto grinned and scratched the back of his head. "Hey have you seen Neji?"

Shikamaru frowned. "Yeah, I saw him early this morning."

"Good, then that means the ninjas weren't able to attack him last night."

Shikamaru simply raised his eyebrow, but kept his comments to himself. He turned and started back to the village. "Now hurry up. I hate being used as a rescue dog."

"Why did you come and get me?"

The lackey sighed, "Seems you missed your date with Lee, and he's in an uproar."

Naruto chuckled, "Then let's go, because I'm starved!" The eager child took off ahead of Shikamaru.

Shikamaru caught movement of a shadow that wasn't supposed to be there. Then he caught sight of Neji's clothing, and he smirked to himself. It seems like he would have to give the guy a push in the right direction. Mulling over his idea, he took off after Naruto.

It wasn't too long after he left Naruto that Shikamaru came up with his idea. Everyone could tell Neji was changing, and that Naruto was the cause. Everyone that is, unless his name was Naruto, but then that boy was oblivious.

Neji watched with translucent eyes as Naruto became too familiar with Shikamaru. He didn't like the idea that Naruto was so friendly. The only redeeming part about the situation was knowing that Naruto was worried about him.

Then Naruto had little faith; why would he be hurt when he was the one that attacked? He realized that Naruto hadn't put two and two together. Neji vowed to never tell Naruto about what really caused Naruto's wound.

It would be his little secret. He wouldn't be able to face the hurt and betrayal that would be present in Naruto's eyes. Then again Sasuke did nothing but betray…and look where they were now.

Neji watched as Shikamaru took sight of him. He wanted to make himself known. He wanted to make sure Shikamaru knew that Naruto was off the market. He didn't care if Shikamaru wasn't looking or even window-shopping: his point was clear.

Naruto would belong only to him.

Neji continued to watch from afar as Naruto met up with Lee. His eyes slanted as he watched as they ate and talked and laughed. He almost growled once when Naruto touched Lee on the arm.

Eating food was not supposed to involve touching. It was supposed to be eating, and a little talking, but mostly eating. He continued to watch as the pair were laughing and having fun.

Fun? What was that about? He wanted to have fun too, but then someone had to carry out missions around here. He scowled and left seeking refuge against the raging beast within.

He was about to run and seek his sanctuary when Tenten stopped him.

"Neji!" She flailed her arms about. He wanted to roll his eyes, she had gained his attention by calling his name, and now she had drawn attention to herself as well.

He simply stopped in the middle of the road and waited for her to continue. "Have you heard? Naruto's back in town. Isn't that great?"

Neji gave a light snort, "Superb."

Tenten's smile faded. "So I take it then that you've met up with him."

"You could say that." Neji knew that Tenten had figured out something about his fancy towards Naruto, he just didn't know how much she knew. The girl beside him was dense but observant. It was an annoyance.

"I gotta run Neji; I have to find Sakura and get a few things from her."

Neji watched as the female blushed at the other woman's name. He could care less about her desires. As long as they stayed away from what belonged to him. She could have been in love with a goat, and he wouldn't care. It was her life.

He started walking back towards his spot when Shikamaru appeared behind him. Neji stopped and glared at the unimpressed teen. "What?"

Shikamaru simply rolled his eyes and stared at the clouds for a few moments before addressing Neji. "You are wanted for a new mission."

Neji stared blankly at the teen before him. "Why didn't Tenten inform me when I saw her a few moments before?"

Shikamaru rolled his eyes again and puffed non-existent hangs from his face. He turned to leave expecting Neji to follow. He realized that Neji was following him like the good little obedient ninja he should be. "Are you coming?" He asked with a bored tone.

"No," Came Neji's drawn out and equally bored reply.

Shikamaru gave him a cold glare and raised his eyebrow. "I should inform you that Naruto and Hinata are already waiting."

Neji's somber façade turned cold. How dare his cousin try to take what was his. He tried to calm the rage that was trying to surface. Having suppressed his rage he followed Shikamaru to a clearing where everyone was already gathered and waiting.

This looked suspicious. Why were there eight people for a simple mission? Neji watched on in faint interest as Shikamaru spoke. "The mission is simple. This is a capture the flag."

"Now why would I want to waste my time doing something like that?"

Shikamaru glared at Ino. "Because," He continued after he was so rudely interrupted, "Whoever captures the flag will be given the chance to look for Sasuke."

Neji wondered why he would want to go on a mission to find his rival. If he could kill Sasuke then maybe, but not to return him to Naruto so they can be reunited with some hot passionate makeup sex. The very thought of the two teens together made Neji's stomach churn. He would win simply to keep Naruto as far away from Sasuke as possible—that was all.

"I will pick two captains for this game. One is Naruto and the other is Neji." Shikamaru silenced their questions with a glare. "I'm in charge, and I decide on the captains."

"Fine then, but we will decide on who is on our team." Neji glared coldly at the coordinator.

Shikamaru shrugged his shoulders and stared at the blue sky above him.

"I'll pick first." Neji glanced around at the choices. A pink haired woman: pass. Tenten: possible she was competent. Hinata: pass—not in this lifetime. Lee: not if he could help it. Blond chick with a loud mouth: pass. And a thing eating a bag of chips. Yes, this was a competent bunch. He hated them all really. "Tenten." He decided after picking the lesser of all the evils.

Naruto rolled his eyes at the long wait and grinned. "Sakura!"

The pink haired girl rolled her eyes and took place beside Naruto.

"If Sakura is over there, I'm joining you." Ino stated and marched onto Neji's team. "Don't look at me like that; besides, I'm not going to let Sakura win." The two females stuck their tongues out at each other. Neji rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Okay so my turn." Naruto looked at the remaining three. Chouji, Hinata and Lee. The decision was a tough one to make. "I'll pi—"

"Chouji's with us. So then you can have the rest." Ino dragged her teammate towards her group.

Neji looked at his opposing side. He didn't like the team Naruto was with one bit. Naruto was fawning over the 'Sakura' chick, and Hinata was blushing towards Naruto. He didn't like the looks of this one bit. He knew trouble was coming. He almost wished he had hurt Naruto more. That way this mission wouldn't be possible.

"Good, the teams are set. There is a flag up there." Shikamaru pointed to the peak of a cliff that was almost out of sight. Whoever captures the flag will go with me to rescue Sasuke. The rules are simple: Capture the flag. Use any method you deem fit to stop your opponent from succeeding. Try not to kill anyone because I will not clean up the mess. We will meet back here in one hour so gather what you need." Shikamaru smirked at Neji and took off towards the village.

Neji didn't like this one bit. He was going to demand some answers from Shikamaru, and the boy was going to answer him. Neji took off at full speed and caught up to Shikamaru with little effort.

Shikamaru was surprised, rather taken aback by the force in which Neji pinned him to the ground. "What do you think you are doing?" Neji snarled coldly.

Shikamaru stared blankly at the guy on top of him. "My job."

"Don't be coy with me. What was your purpose of putting Naruto and myself on different teams?"

"The game." Shikamaru shoved Neji off of him. "Think about it. The purpose of the game is to stop your opponents from capturing the flag."

"I can use any method?" Neji was catching on to the ninja's game. It was sly and devilish, but he could use it to his advantage.

Shikamaru sighed and nodded his head. He watched as a dark smirk settled over Neji's features. Without a word Neji took off towards the village. Somehow he felt sorry for Naruto. Whatever Neji had planned…He was just glad he wasn't Naruto.

Neji returned to the clearing an hour later ready to start this game. Neji leaned against the trunk of a tree and watched the opposition. He didn't like how they were close. He didn't like how Hinata was sitting a little too close. He didn't like how carefree Naruto's smile was. He didn't like the fact that he couldn't be there holding Naruto in his arms.

He grit his teeth and closed his eyes. He felt the pressure build up behind his eyes. He exhaled and willed the pressure to dissipate. What he hated most was the fact they were having a picnic. A bloody picnic before the so-called mission was about to begin.

"Wow, Hinata these cookies are great!"

"I agree with Sakura," Lee said taking a bite out of the mini Naruto head.

Hinata blushed. "Wha—What about you Naruto-kun?"

Naruto looked at the Naruto shaped cookie. He couldn't eat himself. It seemed too much like cannibalism. He looked at Hinata who was waiting for him to take a bite. He closed his eyes and took a bite. He hoped he wasn't hurting himself by eating it.

Naruto's eyes went wide and shoved the rest into his mouth. "You'd make a great wife someday." He complimented and grabbed another ignoring the fact that Hinata blushed deeper.

"Sounds like Naruto is proposing." Sakura supplied while helping herself to another mini-Naruto cookie.

Neji was ready to slaughter them all. How dare they insinuate that Naruto would marry a wench like that? He could feel his blood boil.

"Teams, you may now commence." Shikamaru stated from is spot towards the center of the clearing.

"Hey Hinata! Can you see the flag from here?" Naruto asked getting psyched.

Neji looked at Naruto and shook his head. Everyone knew they could see far, but that far was impossible. Not even he could see that far away and he was the better of the two.

"I see it Naruto-kun."

Neji's eyes slanted as he felt his hand slowly creep into his back pocket for his kunai. His hand froze and his blood stilled as he watched Naruto hug Hinata in gratification. Now he didn't care about any flag, he just needed to have Naruto alone and all to himself. He had no desire to save Sasuke. As far as he was concerned, it was better off if the boy was dead. It would solve many problems.

"Stop them no matter the cost. Naruto is mine." Neji said taking off into the forest.

The team shook their heads and went off in search of the second group.

Okay people, here is the next chapter...or rather there it went...I would like to thank all the fillers (beautiful, beautifulfillers) that provided me with enough inspiration to write this. Thanks to my beta who slaved over this making it coherent. Oh and thanks to all the reviewers! Remember to leave a lasting review.