Chapter 9

Neji's POV

I thought going to bed would be a good idea. He goes straight to sleep even with what just happened, fresh on his mind. We could have died and I almost…well that wasn't important.

How did he manage it?

I laid in bed for what seemed like hours, reliving that same moment of him in bed and me kissing him. I wanted more. I don't know why, but I did. That small contact didn't answer my questions and I needed answers I suppose.

My mind never went to the mission. The mission where we almost died. Only on the feel of Shikamaru's skin or the outline of his body under that thin sheet. This had to stop.

I was up early the next morning as usual. We had to present our findings to the Hokage.

He didn't know what to expect exactly from this meeting. He had never done a mission so important that a meeting with the Hokage was necessary.

Nevertheless, Shikamaru and I had a meeting scheduled later on that morning. I could already tell it would be hell to even get Shikamaru out of the bed. Instead of going ahead and waking up Shikamaru, I did everything I possibly could do to avoid going anywhere near where Shikamaru was sleeping. I took a shower, did chores, ate. Anything to keep him from Shikamaru's room. I even considered sending in a servant to wake Shikamaru up. But I decided against it however.

I eventually willed myself to go to his room. I was lying there, obviously in only his boxers because I could see his bare skin that wasn't covered by the sheet and I could see the waistband of boxers against the sheet…not that I was looking that low. I could really make out the overlook of his body with that sheet across him. Maybe Shikamaru worked out more than he let on. Finally, I made my way over to him and shook him gently. "Wake up. We have to leave soon. We have a meeting with the Hokage. Get up, take your shower, and eat right now." I somewhat commanded. He didn't respond too well to that. He rolled over and groaned before he finally moved. "I have you a towel and everything right here." I put the things on the bed. "I'll be in the kitchen when you are finished." With that, I left immediately before he had a chance to reply.

Shikamaru's POV

I knew we had a meeting with the Hokage today. And I knew the meeting was going to be early. I didn't get the reputation of being lazy by actually getting up on time when I had to. This time would be no exception. I woke up on time actually but I didn't move. I thought Neji or someone would come in and tell me I had to get up. Then I would.

I heard his footsteps but they never came to me. He was avoiding me. Either he's shaken up about the mission or he's embarrassed about after the mission. Either way, more rest for the weary. Finally, Neji appeared in the room. He felt those hands on his bare shoulders. Surprisingly soft actually, then again…he was a Hyuuga and they were pampered.

I 'woke up' and looked at him as he spit out a list of commands. That wasn't something I wanted to hear so I turned over for a moment. He said a few more things and was gone so fast, I had to think back to make sure it even happened. A few more moments of being lazy and I was on my way out the door and over to the bathroom to shower. After finishing up everything, I headed to the kitchen where Neji was waiting for me. For anyone else, this probably would have been awkward. Neji decided to eat in silence, his only words were to greet Shikamaru as he entered the room. I didn't have a problem with eating in silence. I did it a lot actually, people just didn't usually let it stay silent.

After that painful breakfast, We made our way to our meeting. I hoped Neji would take it upon himself to do the talking. I didn't feel like it at all. We were directed in with ease and were soon standing before the Fifth with Gai on the side. Thankfully, Neji gave, in detail, what happened to them during the mission while I kind of stood there, looking around the room. I'm sure Tsunade wasn't too appreciative of such actions by a Chuunin of all people.

"Do you agree with Neji's report, Shikamaru?"

That got my attention. I looked up and saw I was getting the coldest stare Tsunade could manage. I sighed dramatically, "Eh?...Yeah. It's accurate." I said very nonchalantly. Too nonchalantly I suppose because I could hear Tsunade crack her knuckles from here. So troublesome.

"I have another mission for you two. Your work together seemed efficient enough even in a very dire situation."

Neji's POV

We walked out of Tsunade's office with the information about our new mission. Shikamaru wasn't too happy about it. I couldn't blame him. I wasn't too happy about it either. "It's just a recovery mission. Simple mission." I said. Shikamaru didn't exactly agree, he just gave me a look or something. His bored, uncaring expression. I asked him if he wanted to stay with me instead of going home since his dad might need a punching bag that night but he denied. The mission would start tomorrow.

Ninja. Jounins. Several of them. Shikamaru and I watched them silently from a bush nearby. He grabbed him, gesturing that he stay quiet. He made a face the pushed me away roughly. He jumped back himself. A kunai his the tree near our position and an explosion occurred. Plenty enough of an explosion to take us out. So there was no cover. We immediately grouped together and made a dash away from our position. We couldn't take them. That much was obvious. We fled as quickly as possible, setting traps along the way as quickly as possible. It didn't help.

I could see they were still advancing on us. It wouldn't be long. In the one second that I blinked, Shikamaru was tackled, seemingly out of nowhere by one of them. I couldn't run. I couldn't leave Shikamaru even if we agreed upon such a thing in that circumstance. I turned back. I headed for him. My attention was totally on his attacker and not on the guy that struck me in the face with a flying kick. I never saw him. He was moving so fast and I was so focused. I flew into a tree, colliding with a thud.

…It felt like something broke. My body was numb. I looked up at Shikamaru, into his eyes. He looked concerned…for me. A few of the jounin loomed over me, saying something that I couldn't make out. I was almost unconscious at that point. All I know is that they decided on kicking me while I was down. I felt fire on my ribs, back…everywhere from them kicking me. It was terrible. Shikamaru looked away, seeming almost in tears. I wanted to think about why he was acting that way but the pain held my attention elsewhere. My vision started to blur and I knew it was all over from there. In my last effort, I reached out to Shikamaru, only to have my hand stomped. My head dropped to the ground. Darkness.

Shikamaru's POV

I don't know what's wrong with him. I can't wake him up. On our way to begin the mission, we got caught in someone's illusion. After walking in circles for a while, we were ambushed. Enemies all-around us. We knew it was an illusion at that point but there wasn't anything we could truly do. I was about to surrender due to the sheer bleakness of the situation but Neji had other plans I suppose. He stepped in front of me and attacked. They did something to him and he's been in this unconscious state for hours. They threw us in a cell together…probably to use us for information then dispose of us. That's my guess at least. Maybe use us against the others since this mission was being approached from different angles. I don't know.

I've done everything to wake him up. I shook him, slapped his face, and even waited to see if he'd just wake up. Nothing. What's creepy is his eyes are open. It's like he's dreaming. It's not a good dream. He has the pained look on his face. His muscles clenched often as if he were getting hurt.

"Neji. It's ok. Calm down. Grrr…this is so troublesome. Neji, wake up." I said, trying to get some kind of response out of him. He made some kind of a whimper then stopped moving. I jumped in fear and checked his vital signs. What the hell was going on? What the fuck did they do to him? His vitals were good, his breathing was even…but I still couldn't get him to respond to me. I laid his head in my lap to at least get his head off of the cell floor since it was very damp to the touch and held a very peculiar smell that made me want to vomit. I'm sure he didn't want that in his hair. I leaned against a wall with his head in my lap and started to doze off. I did until I heard footsteps nearing our cell. And talking.

"We captured two of them. Even got to test our little concoction on one of them."

"HA! Very good. You say they are from Konoha? Very good indeed. They are obviously sending men our way. We have two little bargaining tools just in case now."

"Bring one of them to me. I want to speak with one of our little ninjas."

I was not happy to hear that. Those bastards. I pretended to be asleep as the man entered the cell. I knew I couldn't really attack and get anywhere by myself. Neji was obviously the better fighter.

"Come on, kid. Wake up. Put your little girlfriend down and come with me."

What a bastard. I hated him already. I opened my eyes to glare at him, making no move to get up and go with him. He didn't appreciate that much.

He grabbed me by the throat and hoisted me up, allowing Neji's head to fall against the floor with a small thud. He held me against that damp wall. I could really seem him from the darkness of the cell but I could smell him. His breath smelled of old cottage cheese and his body odor was similar to dirty clothes in a hot room. I frowned in response to the smell.

"Now come on. You can't defend yourself so don't bother."

I really wanted to spit on him right then. I was so close to doing it but I knew just how much trouble that would get me into. Way too troublesome for my tastes. I, instead, played along. He pulled me out of the cell, where I got on last look at Neji's motionless body before I was walking down a long dark hall where the light flickered randomly, giving the walk a very eerie feel. That definitely increased my heartrate that much more. I knew I could die at any moment now. I would never see anyone from Konoha again. I'd never see Neji again…Neji?

No. I'm not dead. I thought all this work I have for school would have killed me but somehow I survived long enough to make it through another chapter. I tried to make this somewhat long at least. I do care. I know the beginning is really slow but I tried to throw in some twists to keep you somewhat interested. I'll try to get something to you guys a little earlier next time. Hope you didn't go kill yourselves without me. Hope you enjoy!