A/N OMG this is a really bad chapter, and I apologize, I was having major writers block, the next one is more interesting, once again I apologize! Thanks so much to Joy and Lola for reviewing! I appreciate it!

TO Cloud Envy! Thank you for reading my other fan fictions! I Love you! Not like that, I just appreciate it so much that you reviewed! Thank you! You get a prize! A request of any pairing, not limited to Naruto! I will write anything, if u give me what you want to happen, and the pairing! Thanks again for reviewing!

Now the story, thanks again everyone who reads this, it makes me feel like writing more, so any and all requests are currently applicable, but Cloud Envy is first!

Nightmare or Dream?

Nibbling his lip, few frustration tears slid from his eyes as he looked at a dark corner, he'd just recognized to himself that he had, inadvertently began loving Neji, he deffinantly didn't know why. Forcing his bored careless expression back in place, he analyzed Neji's face and posture, his normal arrogant air was missing and before he thought, he asked, "What's been bothering you?" Neji's gaze bore into him, "Nothing, I've been dwelling on my punishment, for our failure," he paused, watching guilt flicker across Shikamaru's face, "It's not your fault." Shikamaru shook his head, he knew it could have ended better, his eyes landed at the wraps around Neji's major injuries.

As Neji started to comment, four anbu appeared, sitting on the window, "Nara, your mother informed us you were heading out to become rogue, the Hokage would like to see you," turning to Neji, "It must have been hard to catch him, before it even became a mission, Hyuuga well done." Neji stared mildly shocked, "I'll see you to finish our conversation." Shikamaru swore Neji sent him an apologetic look, which was off. Shikamaru smiled, and even as his hands were bound, he formed the sign, sticking all anbu, he was happy Neji had a light in the room. The shadow cut him free, and he stood up, calmly walking to the Hokage's, with the anbu stuck walking with his shadow, he watched as Neji followed on the room, unsure of why he followed.

Knocking on the Hokage's door, he walked in, releasing the angry anbu, as he sat down, tired, and looking bored. Tsunade looked at him, sighing as she sipped sake. "What was your mother yelling about this evening, and what is there about you leaving Konaha?" Her voice ordered an answer, and Shikamaru calmly answered, "I got tired of lectures, and decided to move out, sleeping on the hill was more preferable for the night." Tsunade's analyzing gaze did nothing to his posture.

"Why then were you bound, and stuck in Neji Hyuuga's apartment?" Shikamaru laughed, "A troublesome misunderstanding with Hyuuga-san." Smirking at his could care less attitude, she sighed, "Until we get to the bottom of this, you're stuck in jail, I'm sorry Shikamaru." Gulping he nodded, better than dead. "Yes Hokage." The angry anbu entered, and not so gently shackled his hands with those itchy chakra draining shackles. As they tossed him harshly in he smirked, relaxing against the wall, happy they didn't toss him with the prisoners who hate ninja. "We will be your guards, don't get comfortable." Shikamaru just looked bored, probably not his wisest move to angry four anbu, add embarrassment, and he made enemies.

Shikamaru drifted into a fitful dream. He was sentenced to death, as a rogue ninja, and Neji killed him. Shikamaru laughed as he woke up, "As many mess-ups as I've made, that's not improbable, troublesome, but have to think, stupid troublesome women!" Neji took that second to appear at the small window. "Talking to yourself will get you killed Nara." Shikamaru laughed, "Well headed there anyway." "Where's your normal confidence Nara?" Neji inquired, raising an eyebrow. "As many mistakes as I've made in the last 24 hours, are causing a troublesome pile up." Shikamaru shrugged, "So why did your mom report you?" Neji asked. Snorting he answered, "Because I actually had the gall to tell her I don't appreciate being treated like I was four meddlesome troublesome women!" Anger seethed into his words, resentment, sadness, all adding an odd tone, compared to his normal tone, he almost sounded evil.

Neji smirked, "And here I thought I was the only resentful one in the village. Any plans Nara or do you need me to save your ass?" Before Shikamaru could answer, Neji vanished, the guards making there rounds. "He's messing with me, I'm stuck here for a while." As the guards entered, he didn't struggle, he was sad that they remembered to chain him. "Guess I don't get to watch the clouds how troublesome." As the day passed his guards "Forgot" to give him water, and food and his stomach protested. Tsunade appeared, "Your free Nara, tanks to an excellent explanation, but you are to have proof of a new living area, and a Shinobi will be watching you at all times, simple procedure, see you tomorrow." Releasing the chakra bands and leaving. Shikamaru rubbed his wrists. He smiled lightly, and headed out to find an apartment. He sensed his stalker, and laughed when he recognized Neji's chakra. "Stalker." He muttered, wondering what was with the Hyuuga.

Realizing finding a place to stay was increasingly hard, he was becoming frustrated, and it seemed all of Konaha was booked. Finally he found the worst possible apartment open. At least it's cheap, his optimism for the day. He tossed in his bag and go to work, he bought a broom, mop, and few other cleaning supplies. Within hours, the apartment was spotless, falling apart, but clean, his roof was cracked so much he wondered why it hadn't fallen. All the while, he felt an amused gaze watching him.

Shrugging Shikamaru relaxed, letting his eyes drift shut. Neji flowed through his thoughts, causing Shikamaru to smile, Neji really did try hard to seem superior, but Shikamaru was sure there was some part of him that wasn't an ass. Shikamaru watched as Neji wandered, enjoying the peace of his dream. Waking up, he was immediately alert, his window was open, and he always kept them closed. Pulling out a kunai, he gazed swiftly around the room, eyes landing on a note. He swiftly picked it up, reading elegant scrawling, "Meet me at the hill, at midnight, we need to talk." Raising an eyebrow, he hoped it was from Neji, and not the group of anbu.

Deciding to eat out, instead of staying at the damp musty room, he now called home, he turned in his housing info, and headed to the Raman stand. Chouji appeared next to him, "I saw Neji earlier, he seemed agitated, and I actually saw him fidgeting!" Chouji laughed, and kept up friendly chatter. When they finished, Chouji paid, "Good luck Shikamaru, I think you actually might just have a chance! I think you should ask him out!" Chouji left, and Shikamaru headed to the hill to wait for whoever left him the mysterious note.

As he lay down, he sensed Neji, and finally relaxed, no anbu fight tonight. Neji sat next to him and smirked, "care for a game of shouji?" Shikamaru laughed and the game began. Neji was unsurprisingly good. The game continued as Shikamaru analyzed Neji, and Neji analyzed him, "So why Nara?" Neji asked, countering a move. "Your complex, and actually less troublesome, hard to explain." Shikamaru attacked and could see victory. Neji watched thinking, "Why not Tenten, or Sasuke?" Shikamaru stared at him, mouth open, as he countered the attack. "Tenten is a troublesome woman, much like my mom, and Sasuke is an ass, and so self centered that he forgets people care. He's so absorbed with revenge, no one could survive him, and his duck butt hair….." Neji laughed at that, and Shikamaru's heart fluttered, it was the first time he'd heard Neji's non mocking laugh. It was very soft, yet strong. Shikamaru was lost in thought over Neji's laugh, and moved his piece in a bad move.

Neji smirked, moving his piece and won. Shikamaru stared, he hadn't lost in, he couldn't even remember. "Nice game Hyuuga." He acknowledged, pulling out a cigarette. Neji frowned, "Smoking now?" Shikamaru sighed, "Stresses have risen, need the calming effect, how troublesome." Neji sighed, "Ever think of getting a pet?" Shikamaru laughed at that, "Do I look like I'd go through the trouble of caring for an animal? I'm the lazy ninja remember?" Neji looked at him oddly, "Then why bother going through the trouble of liking someone? " Shikamaru thought about that one, "I'm not sure, I guess even I get lonely, how very troublesome."

They said their goodbyes, and headed home. (OO Beloved time skip!) After many midnight chats over a week, talking and learning they meet again.

"Hey Neji," Shikamaru started, they were on friendly terms, at this point, "Would you bother maybe…" Shikamaru paused, nerves annoying him, "Never mind, too troublesome." Neji smirked, "I might as well, if your too much of a wimp Shikamaru, want to go to a movie Friday?" Neji laughed softly at Shikamaru's shocked expression.

A/N I know it wasn't the best! I will have next chap up soon, have most of it written already! THANKS TO ALL! Hearts and loves to you all !