Engagement Trouble
Summary: Neji's in super trouble and Shikamaru came to his rescue, well, accidentally. NejiShika.
Disclaimer: Neji belongs to Shikamaru and vice versa and Naruto is not mine.
A/N: I changed the spelling of Neji's surname from Hyuga to Hyuuga because the latter looks more right to me.
Chapter 2
Hyuuga Neji and Nara Shikamaru sat on the reception room of the Hyuuga mansion uncomfortably. For Neji he was uncomfortable because he hoped that his uncle would buy such a crappy trick of him having a lover in the blink of an eye. For Shikamaru he was damn nervous because he regretted having Hyuuga's way with him. He should've opted for a homicide and besides, this was so troublesome.
When Shikamaru heard Neji say that he was Hyuuga's lover he nearly shouted in defense but stopped upon seeing the worried expression Neji was bearing since then. He still didn't think that the idea of approving to be Neji's 'lover' would be an advantage for him. Aside from that, he was so damn tired he might fall asleep while waiting for Neji's uncle to sprout. And from his position of sitting on a soft pillow with good ventilation in the wide room, he just might.
"Oi Neji, what the hell is happening here?" Shikamaru started, trying to see things in a clearer way even if it means to force himself to open his mouth and utter words. Everything was super troublesome. Why him?
"It's only a play and besi—,"
"Neji." A soft voice was heard behind them. Neji tried his best not to cringe but Shikamaru was quite aware of Hyuuga's reaction. Neji's uncle, Hyuuga Hiashi walked around and faced them, sitting on the pillow placed in front of the two Anbu officers.
Silence surrounded the vast room that Shikamaru wryly thought would be as big as the area of their house. The Hyuuga family was the richest family in Konoha and to have a big reception room was a normal feat for them. What more is the size of their land? Servants rushed to their sides as they poured hot green tea and placed some sweets in front of them to enjoy. So this is how a person feels when being pampered. No doubt he knew where Neji's prima donna behavior originated. He nearly snorted of the thought.
Hyuuga Hiashi sipped his hot green tea before speaking. "I hope you like green tea with sweets, Nara-kun."
Shikamaru was astonished that he was addressed so formally by one of Hyuuga's clan heads. He looked at his own cup and produced a small smile of acknowledgement, it was bothersome but needed.
"Well, I do." Shikamaru said as he lifted the cup to his mouth and sipped some.
Hiashi smiled softly at Shikamaru and turned to Neji who was silent for the rest of the period. Hiashi's features hardened a little as if ready to reprimand Neji's sudden action. Of course, who would believe that Neji has a lover when he doesn't even go out of his room except for missions?
"Why didn't you told me earlier that you have a lover?" Hiashi stated making Neji and Shikamaru twitched at the word 'lover'.
"I-I…you didn't give me a chance." Neji stuttered, not looking at his uncle.
Hiashi sighed. "Well, I'm quite expecting that you should marry another Hyuuga, too but the—"
"No!" Neji objected quite aggressively then suddenly regretted the move. If he were to marry another Hyuuga then that would be the end for him. Can't they see? He doesn't want to be married! He composed himself and spoke more softly. "I-I…I don't want another man."
That statement made Shikamaru's cheeks flushed lightly and looked at Neji whom sat beside him. He never expected Neji saying such and yet even if he knew that this was only for a front, he couldn't help wishing that somehow he shouldn't be the one Neji bumped against with. Suddenly, Neji looked towards him making eye contact for the first time since the incident on the road. Shikamaru could almost see the desperation present in Neji's face, an expression he never saw in a cocky bastard like Hyuuga Neji.
"How long have you been dating my nephew?" Hiashi asked breaking their eye contact. The question was directed to Shikamaru and he felt himself looking at Neji, asking for help.
"Two years."
"Three years."
Hyuuga Hiashi looked at Neji and Shikamaru with a questioning glance upon hearing the boys' simultaneous yet dissimilar answers.
"I mean, we've been dating for two years but he…he courted me for a year so…so that makes it three years." Neji reasoned.
Hiashi didn't look satisfied with his nephew's answer. "Is that why you're always missing in every family gathering? Because you're with Nara-kun?"
"Y-yes." Neji lied when in fact; he was always lounging in some quite places with a good book in hand.
Shikamaru couldn't keep up with Neji and his uncle's conversation but he was curious, making him put his sleepiness aside for awhile. So Neji was one hell of a bastard, really. So annoying. Just then, he remembered his conversation with the Anbu earlier. Engagement…one week vacation…hmmm here was a miracle knocking boldly at his door.
"Are you sure?"
"I am, Uncle Hiashi."
Shikamaru snapped back to reality upon hearing Neji's continuous conversation with his uncle. He and Neji were both desperate for different matters and as what Hyuuga might say; it was fate that they collided with each other.
"Nara-kun, do you really want to marry my nephew or are you just being forced? Because I know that Neji is quite the…well, dominating type of person." Hiashi declared.
Neji squirmed, reacting to what his uncle said. Shikamaru almost laughed at the remark, knowing how perfect the description was. But laughing would tire him more so he opted for a small crooked smile, appreciating the lewd assertion. Nara weighed his options before answering, somehow during the past years of his life he began to practice prudence, much to his advantage and actually saving him from such predicaments before.
He then made up his mind, besides, he really needed at least a one-week vacation. Missions were pouring like water from an open dam for the past months. A little rest wouldn't hurt him.
"Yes, I want to marry him." Shikamaru incited, adding more energy to his statement to make it look more believable. His first option was to say, 'yeah I'll marry your cocky bastard nephew', but preferred not knowing how aristocrats react to such uncouth words.
Neji's head bolted up and stared at Shikamaru who began to drink his tea again. He looked at his uncle, noticing that he was contented with Nara's answer. By now, he should really be rejoicing and all knowing that his plan did worked. But somehow a foreboding sense was creeping towards him making him doubt his future actions.
Hisahi stood and excuse himself as Neji and Shikamaru followed suit and bowed their heads as a courtesy. Before Hiashi exited the room, he turned around for a final say. "I'll arrange everything starting tomorrow."
Shikamaru was the one who nodded in acknowledgement since Neji was still musing. Seeing his nephew's worried look, Hiashi gave Shikamaru a suspicious gaze. Nara looked towards Neji and noticed his 'lost' expression, too. Knowing no good will happen if he and Neji's plans would be ruined today, he quickly placed a 'protective' arm around Neji's shoulders and pulled the Hyuuga boy closer to him.
Neji made a small sound of surprise as he found himself being forced to lean towards Nara's taller form. "What the he—"
"He's alright. Just a minor headache, I think." Shikamaru replied. Hyuuga Hiashi finally exited the room with a nod, leaving Neji and Shikamaru stuck in the same position for another ten seconds.
Realizing that his uncle wouldn't return any moment, Neji quickly slapped Nara's arm away from his shoulders and scowled directly at the person beside him. "What the hell do you think you're doing!"
Shikamaru shrugged nonchalantly as he finally let out a yawn he suppressed for awhile. As much as he wanted that seven-day vacation, it was still going to be a long work before achieving it. He sighed heavily not noticing Neji's seething anger.
"What?" Shikamaru asked.
Neji grabbed Shikamaru's vest and pulled the lazy nin towards him. He didn't care if Nara was a good 5'10 versus his one-inch deficit. By any means, he was still more intimidating than Shikamaru.
"Don't 'what' me, Nara," Neji growled.
"Hey, you were the one who wanted this. Why put the blame on me?" Shikamaru asked calmly, not at all being intimidated by Hyuuga's presence. Oh man, Neji's personality was so troublesome.
Neji wholly hated Nara's insouciance, making him angrier. But knowing the nin's capacity to take any kind of insult without being emotionally damaged, Neji didn't know if he had a chance of beating the crap out of him. Sighing annoyingly with defeat, he released his hold on Shikamaru with a slight push.
Shikamaru lazily adjusted his vest and scowled. To accept Hyuuga's plan of being his lover was fine with him. But to experience the boy's unending stubbornness, cockiness, arrogance and anything negative that may impart Neji's personality, Shikamaru wryly thought that this plan may not be worth his one-week vacation.
"Might as well take a mission next week…" Shikamaru uttered unconsciously while rubbing the back of his head.
But Shikamaru's prattle didn't escaped Neji's keen hearing. "What did you say?"
"Huh? Nothing." Shikamaru replied as he started to walk out of the room. But the next statement Neji said made him stop in his tracks and re-evaluate his plans.
"Why not, Nara? Cut off our 'engagement' and might as well be doomed by my uncle's vengeance. You'll be the first one to try his patience after many decades. That would be quite an interesting sight to see, don't you think?"
Even from behind his back, Shikamaru could sense the smugness and sinister tone Neji was emitting. He knew Neji got the upper hand this time but that doesn't mean he would get the upper hand always.
Shikamaru turned around to see Neji gloating, victory spelled out boldly in front of him. "I won't back out, you bastard."
Neji wanted to throw his head back with laughter but suppressed his regal glee with a chuckle. He could smell, feel and taste his glorious victory right then and there. He almost hopped towards Shikamaru, smugness never leaving his face.
"Then don't." Neji softly whispered as he leaned towards Shikamaru's ear giving the taller man pleasant shivers (WHAT!) running down his spine. Much to Nara's discomfort, Neji leaned completely, quickly leaning his head on Shikamaru's shoulder before seductively placing his hands on the younger man's lean chest. Shikamaru swore that Neji did that move purposely. "Take care then, Shika-kun."
That was it, Shikamaru's discomfort turned to a mounting arousal threatening to form. As much as he didn't have a normal man's inclination for pleasure, he couldn't think why Neji—of all people—would be the one to give him his first well… sexual discomfort. This was oh-so-troublesome, bothersome, annoying and whatnot. Why are the gods punishing him? Was staring at the clouds a sin? Was being a lazy high-ranking officer a sin? Was sleeping ten hours a day a sin? Was he a BIG sin who needs to be punished?
Shikamaru pushed Neji away who still wore that smug look on his face. He checked himself if he was blushing and unluckily, he was. Damn. He turned around, saying to himself not to look back if ever the bastard calls him again. There, Neji was calling him again sans the sultry voice the Hyuuga used; he was now calling Shikamaru with that same cocky and demanding voice.
"Oi! Nara!"
Keep walking! Keep walking! Don't look back! He's just annoying you! Ignore him Shikamaru! Just ignore his call! Walk faster! Forward! Never look back! Wait! You forgot where the main gate is! Damn Hyuuga mansion! Why do they have to have a big house! Should I turn left? No, maybe right or mayb—
"I said wait." Neji stated calmly as he held onto Shikamaru's arm.
Shikamaru stood still forcing himself not to look at Neji who was already beside him.
"Meet me tomorrow at the park around nine o'clock. We have to talk." Neji uttered silently. "Turn to the right then to the left corner. You'll find the main gate there."
Shikamaru followed Neji's instruction and soon found the gate. He quickly went out and released a big breath he never thought he restrained while inside. He absently scratched the back of his head, a soon forming habit. He walked away from the Hyuuga mansion a couple of meters before stopping and taking a last look—for the time being—knowing that he'll be there around more often.
"Naa Shikamaru…what shit have you done?"
TBC
A/N: I was planning to do a romance/humor fic but I don't think I have that kind of talent that's why I placed it on a romance/general fic. Did I portray Shika's character off the hook? Damn. It's so hard…but it's worth it. It's still bad, isn't it? Sigh. TT Uhmmm reviews would be nice….