Despite the unsettling end to the day Neji actually had a pleasant rest that night, memories of the kiss he and Gaara shared keeping the nightmares at bay. Now he was awake, well rested and happily aware that Gaara once again snuggled up to him during the night. He had his arms were wrapped around the elder's chest and his head nestled beneath his chin, snoozing peacefully. Neji noted, with mild amusement how this seemed to be turning into a habit… not that he minded. And although the promise he'd made to himself last night was still fresh in his mind he'd already decided that he wasn't quite ready to untangle himself.
'All that other stuff can wait a little longer. I want to stay like this for a while…'
Outside their tent a squirrel leaped from a tree branch onto the ground. The sudden landing snapped several twigs creating a loud noise that roused the redhead from his sleep. Neji watched, fascinated, as his mint green eyes slowly opened and the boy blinked against the new day's light.
"Good morning, Sleepyhead."
The younger smiled up at him sweetly, the warmth of the other man's body and the soothing blanket of sleepiness having yet to lift off of him. As if in a trance he tilted his head up so their noses brushed together.
"Morning."
He whispered the words softly, pale pink lips brushing up against Neji's lightly.
Despite being taken aback by the unexpected boldness the Hyuga reacted as any sane person would, leaning in for a gentle kiss. He was even further surprised when Gaara recuperated his affections with vigor, wrapping his arms around his neck and opening his mouth, asking for more. Never one to let an opportunity pass the brunette rolled over so he was lying on top and began heatedly tonguing the slender teen. The younger boy giggled slightly into the kiss, running his fingers through the silky dark locks. Neji smiled inwardly as the boy beneath him squirmed delightfully.
'Even in the morning he still tastes sweet.'
A pleasurable moan tore from Neji's throat as Gaara nibbled on his lower lip, running his tongue teasingly over it before turning back up for another kiss, mouth open. Neji's hands trailed along the boy's arms longingly, the skin beneath his fingers felt soft and warm to the touch. Yearning for more made his way down to the hem of Gaara's shirt sliding up underneath the garment and rubbing at the faint lines of his ribcage. When he felt no resistance to the action he pushed up further, bunching the shirt up beneath Gaara's chin and fully exposing his torso. He began gently nipping and sucking at the boy's neck and chest, savoring every soft noise that elicited. Gaara arched, grasping hard at his soft brown hair now, inhibitions thrown to the wind as Neji moved lower, circling his tongue around one nipple, and then the other.
"N-Neji…"
Upon hearing his name he glanced up to see that the slender teen had his head thrown back, eyes squeezed shut and face flushed with pleasure. The sight caused a stir of excitement in the Hyuga's groin, area making him suddenly aware of his erection digging rather provocatively into Gaara's clothed butt. It was all too much for one person to take and he started rocking his hips needily against the redhead.
Gaara's eyes flung open, the familiar motions bringing back startlingly vivid, memories of being pinned beneath Sasuke... trapped, hurting, defenseless, scared…Utterly panic-stricken he brought up his fists and pounded frantically on Neji's chest.
"Stop!"
Shocked beyond words the Hyuga froze, staring down into a pair of suddenly open and frightened emerald eyes. All at once he too was painfully aware of the situation, the color immediately draining from his face and he rolled off the boy, backing several feet away to the opposite side of the tent.
"Oh God I'm so sorry."
Gaara pulled his shirt back down to its rightful position, shutting his eyes as he allowed himself several moments to calm down and collect his thoughts. To Neji it felt like an eternity passed before the boy lifted his head, regarding him with remorseful eyes.
" It's okay. I'm sorry… I did initiate that, it's just…I'm not as ready as I thought I was."
Relaxing slightly at the words Neji scooted forward again, hell bent on making the boy trust him.
" I wont rush you."
A moment of silence passed before Gaara slowly brought his head up to stare searchingly into Neji's eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I would never force you to do something you don't want to do."
Gaara chewed his lip anxiously, unsure if he and Neji were even having the same conversation anymore. Finally, he took a deep breath in and decided to just ask.
"So…you'll wait for me to be ready?"
"I-."
Neji stopped midway through his sentence, a dizzying sensation creeping up as it occurred to him just what Gaara was implying. For a brief second he sat there, frozen with indecision as the boy looked at him, hope and uncertainty reflected in deep pools of green. Feeling oddly lightheaded, Neji reached out to take the other boy's hand gently in his own.
"Yeah…I'll wait as long as it takes."
A shaky smile took over Gaara's face and his eyes shone with unshed tears.
"Thank you."
---
Sasuke had awoken with an unbearable ache in his joints.
'This is what I get for sleeping in a fucking car.'
The only thing that kept him from going insane was the fact that his older brother was still asleep. An evil grin spread over the younger's face as he reached into the backseat and pulled a bottle of water out from their cooler.
'Now it's my turn to be the alarm clock… '
Slowly he removed the cap and pointed his weapon at his brother, pausing briefly to savor what was to come.
'I wish I had a camera.'
He squeezed the body of the bottle as hard as he could, sending an ice-cold spray of water all over the sleeping Itachi.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
Sasuke burst out into uncontrollable laughter as the eldest Uchiha started awake, arms and legs flailing about awkwardly.
"Sasuke, you Bastard!!!"
---
Gaara reclined against a mountain of pillows, happily watching Neji throw on a jacket and lace up his hiking boots.
"Alright, I'll be back in about forty-five minutes, you're sure you'll be okay by yourself?"
"Yep."
"Okay, Babe. See you soon."
Neji leaned in and planted a quick peck on his lips before exiting the tent. Half of him preferred that Gaara was staying at the tent, visiting the shack was something he knew had to be done by himself. Still, the other part of him couldn't bear to have the petite beauty out of his sight for even a second.
'Oh well, I guess it shows progress that he's not afraid to be alone anymore.'
Gaara watched his new found love interest's retreating back with a very odd sense of pride swelling up within him. These past couple of days he had experienced things he had never thought he'd have the misfortune or the luck to encounter, and although his mind was still reeling with a thousand different emotions a certain amount of accomplishment had managed to arise from it all
'I bet those Uchiha bastards think they've won. I bet they think that I'm broken now…but they're wrong. I have Neji now, and that's all I need. He smiled smugly. Those assholes deserve to rot in jail…and I'm going to make sure they do.'
----
Neji walked hurriedly through the woods, eager to get back to the shack.
'I just want to resolve all these problems so Gaara and I can move on with our lives together.'
He looked forward to that so much, the day that all this would be put in the past and he could be with the little redhead worry free. The thought brought a smile to his face. And although he knew he was really rushing things along and being uncharacteristically idealistic he just couldn't bring himself to care. Hyuga Neji was utterly smitten by a pretty green-eyed boy.
For awhile he simply walked, thanking god for his nearly photographic memory that was allowing him to find his way back to where he was yesterday, even though he knew his good mood would immediately dissipate upon reaching his destination. The path crunched below is feet and cool wind blew, he glanced down at his watch and bit his lip nervously.
'About ten more minutes until I get there
---
The Uchiha brothers were standing outside their car now, one dripping wet while the other sulkily nursed an aching arm.
"Alright."
Itachi turned to his brother.
"The first place we're going is back to the shack to see if he's still there." Sasuke raised an eyebrow doubtfully.
"Why the hell would he want to go back?"
"Because, stupid, he's probably realized by now that he'll die out here and he wanted a chance to beg for his life."
"Oh."
Another wave of what Sasuke could only assume was guilt hit him.
"Let's go."
---
Neji brushed away the branches and stepped back out into the clearing, eyeing the small wooden shack warily as he approached. Quickly, he pulled a pair of leather gloves from his pocket and put them on.
'Don't want to tamper with the crime scene.'
Taking a deep breath in to prepare himself for what lay ahead he flung the door open, gasping as light flooded the small room. He took one step forward and surveyed his surroundings with wide horrified eyes.
"Oh God."
He walked over and knelt by the dingy mattresses; noting that the center one was covered with what appeared to be multiple splotches of blood and semen. So many stains…far too many for them to all have come from one person…
As the magnitude of what he had discovered dawned on him Neji was filled with an overwhelming desire to get as far away from this hellhole as possible. Screw the fact that he'd been in there for all of ten seconds he needed out!
---
Sasuke and Itachi stood side by side, staring through the open door at a male figure crouching inside their shack. The figure was far too large to be Gaara.
"Fuck."
The only word Sasuke could pry from his throat, and despite its barbaric simplicity it perfectly conveyed what both were feeling. Sasuke's whole body was frozen as his mind struggled to register the sight in front of him. The whole purpose of building their "second home" out here was to avoid situations like this, and now, the unthinkable had happened.
Itachi was the first to break out of the stupor, grabbing his younger brother by the arm and hurriedly yanking him into some overgrowth in the exact instant that the figure stood, turning to face where they had been standing seconds before.
'That was way too close for comfort
"Stay quite."
Itachi whispered harshly. The figure stepped outside, shacking slightly. Both Uchihas leaned forward, watching intently as the man lifted slowly lifted his head and sunlight hit his face. Sasuke felt his breath catch in his throat and Itachi's grip on his arm tightened painfully. Despite his casual clothing, messy hair, and uncharacteristic fear it was undeniable to the two Uchihas who this person was.
"It can't be…"
Itachi looked at his brother before turning back to face the other man, hatred burning in his eyes.
"Hyuga Neji."
---
Yes I know, another cliffhanger I'm an evil bitch.
This chapter was unbelievably hard to write, I can't even describe it…I had read through and edit so many times I nearly threw my computer out the window. :: Takes deep breath:: but it's done now! Still… Is it just me or are these chapters getting shorter and shorter? I need a muse! Seriously if there is anyone out there who will edit my stories and help me think of ideas contact me!
…Anyway leave reviews. And if anyone has any ideas for what they think should happen do tell. I already know how this will end up but there are a million ways to get it there and I could use some inspiration. -Evie