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: Thank you to those who reviewed, I really do appreciate your comments.

Chapter 3

Hyuuga Neji sauntered towards the park listlessly. Yesterday was something he thought would never occur in his life for a million years. And the fact that he was still engaged was not a good thing. Right, but he had to do this if he wanted to escape his uncle's claws.

So what now? What happens after this? Yeah, he is 'engaged' to an indolent nin he barely considered as an acquaintance, meaning his first problem is solved. But future problems will soon arise and Neji didn't even think about it. Maybe he shouldn't have pulled Nara with his predicaments. If he let his uncle choose whomever he wanted for him, maybe the world would be a better place for him to live in. Besides, marriage was just a business deal for an aristocratic family like the Hyuuga.

Cousins were forced to marry their own cousins. It can already be considered as incest for many but it was a Hyuuga tradition. And traditions for them weren't a list of laws, which can be ignored so easily. Neji sighed, thinking about the 'what ifs' would be a waste of time. He should be dealing with the present already. And just that, he saw his 'lover' sitting idly on a nearby bench. Even from afar, Neji could already sense the Nara boy to be in deep slumber.

"Sleeping so early, Nara?" Neji asked as he sat beside the said boy. Shikamaru obviously stirred and sat more upright lazily, a yawn escaping his mouth.

"Yeah, yeah so what do we have to talk about?" Shikamaru said giving the Hyuuga boy a sidelong glance. Neji was dressed in a dark red kimono with silver lines emblazoning the lower part of kimono representing huge waves and a black obi to match the blood red dress. Shikamaru vaguely thought how the dark red dress made Neji's snow-like complexion look paler. His dark brown hair put in a simple bun with an ornate comb placed on top exposing the older boy's neck; very geisha indeed. Even without looking up close, Neji's rosy cheeks were obvious because of the warm weather. Aside from that, Neji was looking more and more feminine each time he saw him dressed in a kimono.

"I'll give you a deal." Neji declared without looking at Shikamaru. "I won't let my plans be ruined so I'll give you a deal. Anything you want in exchange for your participation."

Shikamaru pondered what Neji had just said. Quite a good way to keep someone's mouth shut, really. "Can't think of something right now."

Neji sighed expecting that kind of answer from the man. He looked at Shikamaru who was staring at the clouds. He followed suit and thought how Nara found staring at the clouds interesting.

"They placate me." Shikamaru replied at Neji's silent query.

"Oh." Shikamaru lowered his head and looked at Neji who still kept on staring above as if starting to find some interest on the clouds.

"You should be accustomed to go to our house everyday, Nara." Neji dictated the essentials. "Your presence will always be counted since we're about to be engaged. Our formal engagement would be a week or so from today which means as a couple, we have many things to needed to be arranged."

"Such as?" Neji looked at Shikamaru quite surprised that the lazy nin was actually listening to him.

"Well such as giving away invitations, having a formal gathering with your family and my family, accompanying me to have a kimono be made and all that bullshit usual couples do. You got me?"

"Yeah, I got you."

Neji knew what the Nara boy was feeling. He also didn't want those kinds of things but he had to if he wanted to make his show more plausible. His relatives weren't that easy to be fooled instantly. Well, experience made them like that. He wasn't the only Hyuuga who attempted a faux marriage ordeal just to cut off family ties.

Neji thought it was really stupid for his deranged cousins to turn their back against their family. They would sacrifice their family name for the sake of their lovers who didn't belong to the Hyuuga clan. Even if he has some hatred lingering for the Hyuuga's way of living, he wouldn't betray his family for such trivial matters—especially love.

"You look beautiful today." Shikamaru uttered unconsciously.

Neji's cheeks turned rosier at Shikamaru's remark. For the first time, Neji didn't have a retort to throw in. He was speechless, all in all. Shikamaru on the other hand was beating himself internally for letting such a remark be spoken. What the hell was he doing? He shouldn't be giving such compliments to cocky bastards. What a troublesome thing to say, he really should start to keep his mouth shut from this moment onwards.

An uncomfortable silence hung in the air each passing moment. Either of them wanted to start a conversation since both men weren't that good with pleasing words.

"Oi! Shikamaru! Is that you?"

Shikamaru looked towards his right and saw Ino, Chouji and Asuma walking towards their direction.

"Oh shit!" Shikamaru said as he pulled Neji upright and started to run and at least hide before his teammates saw him with Neji. He wasn't planning to reveal to anyone yet—not even his parents (although they'll know soon enough) that he was 'engaged' especially to a Hyuuga! That would definitely spell big trouble.

"Shikamaru! Wow! You have a girl with you!" It was definitely Ino's voice and from the tone she was implying, he knew Ino wouldn't let such a feat be ignored.

Shikamaru stopped in his tracks and cursed silently. Now what! Damn it!

"Will you let me go!" Neji nudged Shikamaru back to reality as he tried to pull his wrist away from Nara's hold. He didn't know why Nara started dragging him away making him almost fall because of his fucking tight kimono.

"Sorry…" Shikamaru uttered as released Neji's wrist. Neji made a grunting noise as he gently checked his now reddening right wrist.

"Oi! Shikamaru! Who is she, huh?" Shikamaru cringed seeing his teammates as well as his sensei nearing.

"What a beautiful woman!" Chouji said while munching greedily on his snacks.

"Woman…" Neji whispered dangerously, alerting Shikamaru with fear. He almost forgot that Neji hated being called a woman.

"Hi miss! We're Shikamaru's frie—"

"What did you ca—!" Shikamaru covered Neji's mouth automatically. Oh shit, they were really in deep trouble.

Ino looked at Chouji and Asuma with confusion. Then realization dawned upon them as Ino as spoke. "Hyuuga? Hyuuga Neji is that you?"

Neji wanted to say, 'Yeah! You morons! I'm Hyuuga Neji and you're going to pay for calling me a fucking woman!' Unfortunately for him, Nara was covering his mouth tightly, preventing him from killing the idiots.

"Yeah, he is Neji." Shikamaru said, not taking his hand off Neji's mouth.

"Wow Neji, never thought you had it in you to dress like a wo—"

"Uh… yeah, we're going now." Shikamaru said trying to suppress Neji's boiling anger. This was really troublesome. Now he knows that the gods were truly smacking him cheerfully. His supposed vacation became more of a punitive blessing than a graceful one.

"Oi matte, Shikamaru," Asuma said nonchalantly, "why are you with Neji?"

Sensing Neji's anger toning down a bit, he let go of the older boy whose cheeks were still flushed because of embarrassment and anger. Shikamaru didn't know what to answer. If they were his mere acquaintances, he would've easily lied, saying they accidentally met in the park.

But knowing Ino's unending meddling about such issues, he knew better than to give off such a lame fabrication. He might as well be expecting another bunch of hardcore gossips courtesy of Ino and her big loud mouth. Aside from her, Asuma could also be a blabbermouth when he's drunk. And Chouji…well he wouldn't care about such things if he always have a supply of food to chew. And that would also be troublesome if he were to supply Chouji's food.

"I'm his lover."

Shikamaru's mouth slackened.

Chouji's snack fell to the ground.

Asuma's cigarette followed the fate of Chouji's snack.

Ino's eyes buldged.

A cold wind blew around them, time seeming to stand still for a moment.

Neji almost threw his head back with laughter seeing the mixed reactions he got from them. Oh, this was so much fun for him that he decided to play on. With a smirk plastered smugly on his face, Neji curled an arm around Shikamaru's arm as he leaned his head on Shikamaru's shoulder.

"Ne, Shika-kun," Neji said sweetly, "we really should go to my house now. Uncle Hiashi is expecting us this hour. Haven't I told you?"

Hearing Neji's words made Shikamaru instantly awake simultaneously connecting his mandible with his maxilla. He looked sideways and saw Neji's head comfortably leaning on his shoulder. What the hell was Neji up to? Isn't he aware of how his reputation might be ruined by what he was doing… in public! Thank god, no one seemed to stroll in park this early, Shikamaru thought, cold sweat forming on his forehead.

"Uh… well…"

"Shika-kun?" Ino repeated Neji's words weakly. Chouji was still rooted in his spot, not even noticing his ruined snack. Same state goes for Asuma who just kept on blinking, his jaws starting to slack lower.

This was it. He didn't have a reputation to start with and with news like this he knew would spread around Konoha in the next twenty-four hours, he was so dead. Just facing his parents' wrath (his mother was tolerable but his father's rants were deadly) would mean a victorious suicide. Where was his dream one-week vacation? Ah well, it was quickly dissolving into thin air already, leaving no traces behind. By now, he was already praying so hard for the ground to gape open and eat him alive, better send him to hell quick. He closed his eyes tightly ready for the cacophony his teammates and sensei was capable of coming his way. I'm ready… bring it on…

"SHIKAMARU!" Ino shrieked. Oh shit, here it goes… one, two three….

Shikamaru was almost thrown towards the ground, Neji quickly separating himself from him as Ino jumped and gave him a 'bear hug' as many would consider it.

"I'm so happy for yooooouuuuuuuuuuuuu!" Ino never ceased to make Shikamaru's ears suffer. It was like the past, when they were still a team and with Chouji adding up to…wait a minute. Was he dreaming or was he already eaten alive by hell? Wh-where did the supposed chiding and hardcore ramblings he swore he would hear any minute? Why was his face still bruise-free when Asuma was supposed to beat him to death together with Chouji? Wait! Wait! Wait! Was he hearing correctly? He focused on what Ino and Asuma were saying.

"Congratulations, Shika! Never thought you had it in you to court anybody! And to think that you fished a beautiful Hyuuga, might as celebrate tonight!"

"SHIKAMARUUUUUUUUUUU! You dolt! Why didn't you tell us earlier! How long were you dating, huh?"

"Shika! You owe me a day's meal at my favorite restaurant for not telling me all about this! I thought we're friends? Chomp. Chomp. Chomp."

"Hey wait, did you and Neji already settled for some plans? When will your wedding day be?"

"Ohhohohohho, Shikamaru, I'm so proud of you! My student! My lazy student is getting married! Now I have something to boast when I get to have some drinks with Gai!"

"Shika! Have you bought Neji some gifts?"

"Oi Shikamaru! I expect an invitation okay? Don't forget I was once your sensei…."

"Invitation? Chomp. Chomp. Chomp. Oi Shika! I want one, too! And be sure to consult me for a good menu for the reception! Chomp. Chomp."

"Shikamaru! You asshole! You're such a lucky man! Even if you're lazy and ugly and dull, you're getting married! Aaaah! I wish Sasuke-kun would propose to me, too!"

"But Ino… I'm here… I can propose to you if you want!"

"Shut up, Chouji! Aaaaaah! Sasuke-kun!"

Shikamaru blinked several times before realization hit him. He felt himself wilt uncontrollably. He was… saved in the least of expression. He looked at his teammates engorged on planning stuffs for him and unbelievably, Asuma was listening and eager to help, 'in any possible way.' He shuddered at the very thought of them planning something for him. Everything was damn troublesome!

"Having fun with them, my dear Shika-kun?"

Ah, Shikamaru almost forgot the promoter of this soon-to-be-booming problem. He could almost touch the intangible arrogance and sheer conceitedness of Hyuuga Neji. He rarely gets mad but he was now totally pissed with the longhaired man.

"You really are a bastard, Hyuuga." Shikamaru seethed as he turned around to face Neji.

Neji smirked smugly and crossed his arms across his chest. "Thank you. That is the best compliment I've ever had in my lifetime."

Shikamaru was ready to charge the bastard but resulted to clasping both sides of his head and let out an exasperated sound that was half sigh and half shout. Truly, Shikamaru does know 'murder' when he's enraged but the time-lapse of his heightened emotions are short spanned. Which leads his just blossoming anger kaput; it truly was pesky and annoying in an endless way.

"Heh, you want to marry me so badly, Neji? You're such a woman." Shikamaru said with unconditional contempt behind his lazy expression.

"What did you say?" Neji snapped, veins starting to be visible along the lateral side of his eyes. To think that he had the upper hand on this again, he was being countered!

"Heeeeeyyyy… lover's quarrel early in the morning?" Ino asked with pretentious concern. She obviously was enjoying the show. And with Neji and Shikmaru obviously eyeing her with murderous intent, Ino ignored it. She walked (almost trotted) between the two and placed a hand on each shoulders, patting it cheerfully. "Ne Shika, why don't you and Neji go to the Hyuuga mansion already? I'm sure Neji's uncle is already waiting for both of you, right Neji?"

Neji only stared at Shikamaru with hatred. You want a fight, Nara? Then you're getting one. Neji relaxed as his eyes returned to normal. He shrugged off Ino's continuously patting hand and turned to leave.

"Neji?" Ino asked more for Shikamaru's sake.

"If you wish to come with me, you may." Neji spoke, addressing his words to Shikamaru.

"What are you waiting for!" Ino said with enthusiasm as he pushed Shikamaru to walk. "Go with him! Hurry!"

Shikamaru, who was annoyed, pissed and already itching to go home and sleep, somehow forced himself to follow Neji. The Hyuuga was obviously challenging him. He maybe lazy and all but if his dignity and vacation is at stake, there's no turning back.

TBC