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. Got the formal wear of Shikamaru from LoveYouHateYou. Reference in the end of this post.

A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews, I really do appreciate it and I'm doing my best to finish this story. Enjoy. Happy New Year everyone!

Chapter 10

Nara Shikamaru was already trembling. With anxiety. Here they were in one of the biggest rooms in the Hyuuga mansion. He was wearing a black haori with the Nara symbol on the back matched with an immaculate white hakama accented by a dark blue keku obi.

Why in the name of hell were guests invited! He groaned inwardly at the gory sight presented before him. Almost everybody he knew was present! He didn't mind seeing his former team here (Asuma, Ino, Chouji). Not even minding Neji's ex-teammates (Gai, Lee, Ten-Ten). But Naruto was here! The fucking loud mouth of Konoha was here! He's excited and he's smiling at him! Giving him two thumbs up! Argh! He'll make sure to give the blonde guy a dozen S-rank missions and make sure he won't survive it (Shikamaru has a higher rank than Naruto).

He didn't realize he was trembling badly until his mother's hand touched his arm. Shikamaru looked at her as she gave a soft motherly smile.

"Relax," Nara Tori said. "Neji won't run away from your engagement!"

Shikamaru instantly slapped himself internally. He knew it. He shouldn't have expected more comforting words from his beloved mother.

—--

This is just an engagement. Nothing to worry about, Hyuuga Neji. Relax. Breathe more normally… argh! He couldn't! He should've run away! He should've planned it last night! He sighed as he stood there as five maids tend to his kimono. First of all, he was getting irritated every moment. His kimono was heavier and more complex looking than the usual ones he used. Finishing touches were made and there he was looking… gloomy.

"Neji-sama, its time to go." A maid gently said.

Neji nodded and took a last look at his reflection in the mirror. He was going to be engaged to Nara Shikamaru within this hour. He didn't even know the man. He didn't even harbor intimate feelings for him… and yet….

—--

You know the usual arrangement in a wedding ceremony? Well, they're arranged that way right now. Shikamaru stood in front of the crowd who sat with their feet tucked underneath soft pillows. The crowd was divided in to two creating an aisle for Neji to walk in. Every passing minute Shikamaru stood there and felt like melting. Neji was nowhere to be seen yet which he hopefully thought might be a sign of escape. Then he would be free of obligations and start living his usual life again. Then the crowd stood up. Groan. Shikamaru tried his best to look less nervous but he couldn't. He exactly looked like a criminal waiting for his execution. Then… Neji entered… and he felt….

Hyuuga Neji entered alone in the room. His gold colored kimono stood out amongst all the people wearing one. The intricate design of three canaries flying grazed the lower portion of the beautiful dress with white small petal-like embroidery surrounding the birds. A lilac colored obi was tied around his torso with a trickier knot tied behind with a two feet long excess obi pendent until the floor. His soft dark hair tied to an abstruse chignon with all the accessories dangling around his head. He didn't wear make-up and the summer heat of Konoha caused his pink tainted cheeks to be more conspicuous.

Shikamaru could only look with awe as his fiancée walked down in the aisle with his head lowered. Neji looked more beautiful than anyone he had seen in his life. Yes, he's being too clichéd and corny and what else? Just excuse him for this day, okay? He never thought such a sight could make his mouth hang open when he's so cynical about aesthetic perspectives.

"Relax." Neji mouthed surprising him a bit. He didn't realize Neji was there beside him already. And he's holding both of Shikamaru's trembling hands, giving it a soft gentle squeeze of reassurance that pacified Shikamaru temporarily. Neji didn't look nervous. Or if he was, he didn't let it show. He was a master of emotion that even his cold eyes wouldn't emanate a little passion. He knew this holding hands thing was also a performance but Shikamaru trusted Neji's assurance and cleared his mind of doubt. Releasing Shikamaru's right hand but holding onto the other, Neji and Shikamaru faced Hyuuga Hiashi—the head of the traditional Hyuuga engagement ceremony.

—--

Neji used to attend such ceremonies for his cousins. When a member of the Souke is getting engaged, every Souke member should be present. Even the members of the Bunke should be. It was a century old tradition treated more as a sacred ritual than a mere exchange of vows. But Hyuuga Neji belonged to the Bunke. No Souke was present which a part of the Hyuuga tradition was. Most from the Souke thought that it would be a disgrace to attend such and that the presences of the Bunke in their opulent ceremonies were merely for protection, security. Nothing more.

The usual ceremony consisted of sipping tea in a single cup that Neji knew symbolized for unity of the couple. He always thought the ceremony to be baloney. And now that he's the one doing it, he felt more of a fool than a glorious fiancée. No rings were yet to be worn since it was just an engagement. In accordance with the family's tradition, rings were used in the actual wedding already.

A simple exchange of vows meant more for the Hyuugas that's why they were celebrating their engagement in accordance with the clan's tradition. The Naras agreed to the arrangement. They had to.

At last the ceremony was finished with a bow to the head of the ceremony and to the guests who were already hooting and clapping vigorously. Neji and Shikamaru released a bated breath they both held. It didn't seem much difference at all. Shikamaru still felt like a human being and Neji felt nothing happened.

"Kiss!"

"KISS!"

"Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiissssssssssssssssssssss!"

The newly engaged couple blinked before they got the message. Everyone was cheering for a kiss! What the hell were they thinking! Neji almost growled. Both his and Nara's former teammates were the ones cheering blatantly for a kiss! Oh, he forgot he and Shikamaru were a 'couple' to everyone but no! He swore to mutilate Gai and Lee after the party. Even Tenten was cheering! And Uchiha Sasuke! What the? Sasuke wasn't shouting like the others but he was smiling approvingly! And he wasn't even invited! And Hinata! God! Hinata already has the gall to shout with the crowd! Do women have some dignity left? Oh good heavens, Neji groaned. There was a party after this. Some dinner party for the guests and the couple alike. He didn't felt like celebrating, he might retire in his room for the night.

"Come on, Shikamaru! Kiss Neji!"

"Yeah! A kiss won't hurt! You've done it a gazillion times already!"

"Nii-san! Kiss him! Don't worry! The camera's rolling!"

Shikamaru now losing his anxiety was replaced with annoyance. So troublesome! They weren't even invited! Argh!

A sudden cleared throat.

Shikamaru and Neji looked behind them and saw Hyuuga Hiashi smiling softly. "I think a small kiss wouldn't hurt."

Both boys groaned and looked at each other. No way were they going to kiss! Even if the world ends today! Shikamaru cursed inwardly. No way was he going to kiss the bastard! Not in a million years! He'd rather die than kiss Neji!

Neji snarled at Shikamau. Touch me and you die you fucking shit. I've had enough of this front I might go ballistic any moment. He glanced at the crowds who were still cheering for a lip lock. Hell! Even the Hokage was cheering! Why in the name of gods was Tsunade here? Then he suddenly realized all the faces of the crowd. They weren't even invited! This was supposed to be a private ceremony! Usually, guests were invited on the wedding itself!

He composed himself a little and glanced again at his uncle. Neji produced the most humbling look he could muster. "Uncle, I think the guests are already hungry, we should usher them to the reception room and le—"

"Kiss!"

"KISS!"

"Kiss! Kiss!"

Hiashi smiled gently. Neji growled internally. The crowd wouldn't even shut up! Fuck it! Stop it! Neji looked at his uncle pleadingly but regretted it when Hiashi mistook it for shyness.

"Don't be shy, Neji. It's just a kiss." His uncle said with reassurance.

Shikamaru on the other hand was growing more impatient. He was hungry and already wanted to eat but here were these moronic uninvited guests hollering for a kiss! What were they thinking! Did their engagement look like boxing match where they can bet for anything? Argh! This was so troublesome! The lazy nin looked at Neji who was already flustering. The Hyuuga was flustering with annoyance. If the Hyuuga committed a massacre right then and there, Shikamaru would be the happiest man right then.

"Oi Nara!" Neji hissed inconspicuously cutting Shikamaru from his 'happy' thoughts. "Will you hel—"

Oh fuck.

Oh no.

No fucking holy shitty way.

Shikamaru didn't know what happened but in an instant, Neji was so closing towards him and his hands finding his fiancée's hips and… and his lips were connected with him! Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Neji swore on his father's grave to kill whoever pushed him. Who the fuck pushed him forward! And now… and now he's kissing Shikamaru! His first kiss was a fucking dumb and indolent nin he doesn't even consider an acquaintance! A clumsy mesh of lips from a damn stranger wasn't in the least appealing, especially when the said stranger has a very hideous personality.

Neji pulled away abruptly making a small smacking sound. And then loud cheers from the room. Neji stared at Nara with shock. His hands were placed on Shikamaru's shoulders. And Shikamaru couldn't even close his mouth from shock.

Shikamaru stood there and returned Neji's stare. He was quite afraid to make the first move of moving away from Neji lest the longhaired nin might strangle him. No, that would be too kind. Probably skin him alive and feed him to crocodiles.

"Way to go, Shikamaru!" Several voices were heard around Neji and Shikamaru. Both men blinked as if awoken from a trance and looked beside them. Three kage bunshins were smiling jovially at them, giving them two thumbs up sign.

"Naruto…." Shikamaru growled at the kage bunshin behind him.

"You fucking cretin…." Neji snarled. Obviously Naruto's kage bunshins were the ones who pushed them together into lip lock.

Three poofs and the annoying clones were gone. Shikamaru was on the brink of losing his patience and Neji… if the lazy nin didn't know better, he might surmised that Neji was about to cry. His fiancée was obviously more pissed than him and was currently boring a hole on the tatami mat with ruddy cheeks.

"Come on you two." Hiashi said as the guests were ushered to an adjacent room to dine.

Shikamaru nodded at Neji's uncle and turned to his side. "Oi Neji we shou—"

"I know." Neji snapped and followed his uncle leaving Shikamaru behind.

The Nara boy scratched the back of his head. Neji tended to have some mood swings, really. It kept reminding him of his mother with the same tendencies. Hell, it was also his first kiss. A rather unexpected first kiss. Well, there was nothing left to lose on his part since he wasn't the type of person to save all his 'firsts' to someone he truly loves and will give his heart and soul and all that bullshits. He thought Neji took the kiss quite seriously. He only thought.

—--

"Cheers for the newly wed!"

"Dad! We were just engaged!"

"Whatever! Nyahahahahahaha!"

Shikamaru groaned. It seemed that everyone was having a good time except for him and Neji. They were seated in a long rectangular table with him and Neji seated at the head. His parents were seated at the right side while Neji's uncle and Hinata sat at the left across with both nearest the head. The guests were farther to them but nonetheless noisily and lively.

"Cheers for the newly wed for such good food! Eat everybody! Hey Naruto! Stop eating the tempura!"

That was definitely Chouji. Shikamaru hoped his friend wouldn't have a stomachache after this evening.

"I'm giving a toast to Neji! I'm so proud of you my boy! You know that your handsome Gai-sensei will always be there for you! And you, too, Shikamaru! Right Asuma?"

"Yeah, Gai. Cheers!"

"Cheers for Nara and Hyuuga! Since you two are very competent and important part of the Anbu who works hard in the name of their country, I'll both give you another week of leave with pay! Cheers minna!"

"CHEERS!"

Groan. That was Tsunade and she was obviously drunk already. Good thing Shizune was there to accompany her home. One thing Shikamaru thought glumly was that everyone was assuming they're already married. Was that the reason they attended the ceremony with complete formal attires?

Shikamaru glanced at Neji who didn't look like enjoying the party either and looking rather jumpy. Neji would look here and there every other minute as if expecting something.

"Neji," Shikamaru softly nudged Neji. "Are you waiting for more guests?"

Neji briefly glanced at him and started to eat his food, which he suddenly touched after almost an hour. "No… I'm just… just tired."

Shikamaru could see that. Neji was already drained. He wouldn't start imagining how tedious Neji's day was. He was quite aware to how many processes an aristocrat would go through for some occasions. He suddenly pitied the longhaired nin but it seemed that Neji has still another reason than fatigue. Well, Shikamaru didn't question further. He continued to eat.

—--

After almost another hour, the guests were already going home. Shikamaru and Neji had to give appreciation to the guests at the door. Hiashi already retired to his room while Shikamaru let his family go home without him by Neji's request. And his family took it the wrong way since they all gladly agreed to it. He could even sense his dad's perverseness coming to life again. It wasn't like that!

"I'll meet you in my room." Neji said as he left. Shikamaru stayed to assist the remaining guests namely his former teammates.

"Oi Chouji that's enough. You'll get a stomachache." Shikamaru said lazily as he tried to pull Chouji from his seat.

"Don't want yet! Come on, Shika! This heavenly meal comes only once a lifetime! Give me another half hour to finish this."

"Oh come on! I still have to see Neji and go ho—"

"Chouji will be okay with me, Shikamaru. Go to Neji now!" Ino happily said as she pushed Shikamaru forcefully out of the room. "Hurry up! Neji might die waiting for your lazy ass already!"

"What?"

"Hurry up, Shika! Are you ready for some exercise tonight?" Ino said with big hopeful eyes.

Shikamaru suddenly got the meaning and almost strangled the blond. "Oi! Its not like that! Were just going to talk!"

"Phooey," Ino said with a dismissive hand. "That excuse won't work on me Shika! Just go now!"

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. This day was so troublesome. "Riiiiight." He said and walked away with Ino cheerfully waving goodbye. Then the lazy nin stopped in his tracks and faced Ino.

"Where the hell is Neji's room!"

—--

Neji felt uneasy after the ceremony. Something wasn't right. It wasn't about the 'fateful' kiss that happened. Hell yeah that was his first kiss but he can't do anything about it already. It's gone and besides, it's just a kiss. He wasn't such a person to start a brawl for such nonsensical stuff.

He wanted to talk to Shikamaru about Shou and their little show. Neji thought that Shikamaru was already aware about it but he had to make sure. He walked silently on the corridor and eyed the garden. It was already twilight. The weather seemed fickle. A few hours ago, the sun was shining like there's no tomorrow and then now, the sky was overcast and a drizzle was already starting. Neji extended an arm to catch some fine rain dripping from above.

"Well, well what a surprise to see to you, Hyuuga Neji." A cold voice vibrated around the serene surrounding making the hairs on Neji's nape stand. He slowly turned towards his anterior to face the direction of the voice and Neji's hand tightened.

TBC

A/N: Happy new year to everyone! I know the engagement ceremony is quite dull, I'm sorry for the lack of good material. Listen, I'm having a big problem regarding this fic. I probably will postpone further updates after another one next month. I haven't touched this fic for two months already and I'm afraid this will also lead to one of my neglected works. I'm trying to avoid another incident as much as possible. I'm terribly sorry but please leave a review and I will appreciate it.

Haori- wide sleeved jacket similar to a cut off kimono

Hakama- finely striped in black and white - wide, pleated trousers or skirt. Striped in black and white, they are of the most formal kind.

Keku obi- a soft obi of precious fabric for men's formal wear.

Reference:

LoveYouHateYou. (2005). Weisskruez Special Gifts. Taken: October 2, 2005