Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Warnings: Um…none? Although you all might want to kill me for the plot…
A/N: It seems like I always update after a month or so. I'm sorry. And thanks to the people who wished me a happy birthday!
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-Guardian of My Heart, Chapter 6-
It was a little before 5 o'clock on the morning of June 30th that three people (plus a small raccoon) were grouped inside a small business: specifically, a bank for hearts. Two out of the three were famous in Konoha society, the two being Uchiha Itachi and Sabaku Gaara, and the third, if not famous in public spheres, was very well known in some private ones for being one of the best ANBU in this generation, a reputation Hyuuga Shisui had worked hard for.
Sabaku Gaara had been the last to arrive for this little meeting. He hadn't seen the need for it – he had already promised Shukaku to give Neji a chance, what else was there to discuss? But Shukaku had dragged (uh, coerced?) him there with his influence (read: cuteness), and now his raccoon heart was sucking up to Uchiha Itachi and Hyuuga Shisui. Though, Gaara admitted to himself, not intentionally. Shukaku was just asking about everybody's wellbeing, and his cuteness just leaked out. Like that. It was…scary.
Are you two all right? Shukaku asked. Manda and Iyaku didn't do anything, right?
He was perched on Itachi's lap and looking up at the two, tail waving in worry.
"We're fine, Shukaku. Don't worry." Itachi answered. "Kitai and I defeated Manda and Iyaku before Sparrow got there."
What about Neji? He's fine too, right?
"Yeah." This time Shisui answered. "He's upstairs, sleeping. He'll wake up soon, so we've got to get this done quick. We need Gaara and Neji to meet sometime today."
Why?
"Because with Mourning, Neji is going to start obsessing over Gaara-san in the next 24 hours, and we have to make it seem natural, or as natural as it can be. How can we get them to meet?" Shisui asked.
Gaara would have commented on how they were talking as if he wasn't here, but then decided staying silent would be better. Shukaku would take care of the situation.
"I'm having lunch with Neji today. Perhaps I could bring Sabaku-san along?" Itachi suggested quietly. "I could say I have business to take care of during lunch, and not mention his name to Neji."
That's a good plan. Shukaku agreed. What do you think, Gaara?
The three finally turned to the redhead in question. "Do I have any choice in it whatsoever?" He asked, bored.
Shukaku looked at him with wide eyes, and Gaara flinched at the sheer pleading in those eyes. But Gaara, I just want you to be happy…
Gaara grumbled under his breath about what a (cute) manipulative bastard Shukaku was (and how they were so alike in that respect), sighing deeply. "Fine, fine. And it's a good idea, introducing us again over lunch. It'd seem strange if I just turned up in the middle of the day. Anything else I have to do?"
"Be nice to him." Itachi replied frankly. "Which I suppose would be quite a challenge to you, hmm?"
Gaara growled, but inside was glad to have someone to argue with. Arguing was his natural state. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that while Shukaku is quite nice, your nature…leaves something to be desired. You've needed to be emotionless and callous in order to succeed as the CEO of your company, and I don't begrudge you that, but you can't be like that with Neji."
"I know that." Gaara said. "And I've already had this conversation with Shukaku, so I don't feel I have to explain myself to you. I will give Neji a chance. I will be nice to him. Ok?"
Itachi looked pained at Gaara's answer, but gritted his teeth and gave an answer. "Fine. But if Neji turns out miserable, I'll be personally going after your company. Don't think I don't have the power or money to destroy Sabaku Corp." The two CEOs glared at each other, and Shisui intervened.
"Come on, we don't have much time. Neji's going to wake up anytime, and Shukaku needs to be up in his room when he does. You need to convince him it's just a normal day, ok?" Shisui directed the last part of this sentence towards Shukaku.
Yeah, I'll do that.
"Then we'll all go and leave you alone." Shisui grabbed Itachi's collar and Gaara's sleeve when it looked like the two were going to start fighting again, "We don't have anything else to do anyways. Well, I have one thing." Letting go of the other two but shooting them a warning glare, Shisui picked Shukaku up, along with a set of keys from on top of Neji's desk.
Shisui walked to the elevator, pressed the button, and went in when the doors opened. He held Shukaku up to see how he inserted one of Neji's keys into a keyhole on the side of the elevator, and only then did the doors close and the elevator go up. Shukaku recognized this procedure as what Neji always did to start the elevator, and understanding came to him. You don't have the keys to start this elevator, do you Shisui?
"Well, I do, but they're in my civilian clothes. I don't usually need them because Neji is always downstairs when I come in the mornings, and I like to keep the jingling to a minimum on my job. It's bad enough with my weapons…"
What about Itachi?
"He doesn't carry it on hand for the same reason I don't, because Neji's always here, so no."
Oh. So what are we going to do now? They had reached the second (and only other) floor, and Shukaku knew Shisui would need the keys to go back down.
"You're going to wait in the hall outside the elevator, and I'm going to use the key and throw the whole ring of keys out to you. You just need to return it to Neji's bureau table, the one in front of his bed. I left his door open because I know you can't go through walls, but I can't put his keys back myself, so…"
I'll do it, Shisui. Don't worry about it.
"Are you sure? The keys are heavy…"
I'm not weak. Shukaku replied dryly.
"That's right, I suppose. You know, Shukaku, sometime we'll have to sit down and discuss how you managed to defeat Sparrow so easily. He's going crazy trying to figure it out himself."
Yeah, we'll have to do that sometime, because I don't know myself, really… Now Shukaku jumped out of Shisui's hands and out of the open elevator doors. Ready?
Shisui nodded, twisted the key, and as the elevator doors started closing, wrenched the keys out and threw it towards Shukaku. It made it, and Shukaku chased after Neji's keys as it tumbled down the hallway. He grabbed it and it came to a stop, and the small raccoon proceeded to drag a bunch of keys (that was almost half his size) down the hallway, into the living room, and slowly, slowly, into Neji's bedroom.
And downstairs, Shisui was ushering both Itachi and Gaara out the door. They were going to put on a show for Neji tomorrow, but right now, they all needed sleep.
--(going back a little in time)--
Orochimaru and Kabuto came back to themselves with a start as Itachi defeated their hearts, both breathing hard and sweating. They calmed themselves quickly though, and Kabuto glanced at Orochimaru through the corner of his eye.
"I'm fine, Kabuto." Orochimaru didn't miss a thing. "And even though we didn't get Loveless, I'm sure we've made Neji's life much more difficult. And we do have those future plans, so…" He smirked as he stood up and stretched his sleeping limbs. "We'll see how this goes. And who wins in the end."
-----
Neji woke up slowly and smiled up at the ceiling. He didn't know why he was so happy, but he must've had a nice dream or something…though how did he get here anyways? The last thing he remembered was getting Shukaku back from Kiba…
Neji's brow furrowed as he looked around for Shukaku, but he relaxed again as he saw Shukaku slumbering, body and tail wrapped around his neck like yesterday morning. He stroked Shukaku's back and the little raccoon stirred, so Neji stopped. But that didn't stop Shukaku from waking up and looking up at Neji with sleepy little eyes. Neji?
"I'm fine, Shukaku, go back to sleep. I didn't mean to wake you up."
Oh… Shukaku mumbled some more incoherent words before going back to sleep. Neji noticed the bandages Kiba had put on Shukaku were gone, but Shukaku seemed back to normal, so he didn't quibble about it.
He looked around for a clock and saw it was almost 6:30, but since Shukaku was sleeping so peacefully…Neji decided the ANBU would have told him if they had had a love-potion bust last night, and that there wasn't much chance of them dropping over and needing him. Most of them just wanted breakfast, and there was enough food in the refrigerator downstairs…
Neji fell asleep again a little later, wishing to relive that dream from last night…whatever it was.
-----
Neji woke up again around 8, and when he saw the time he freaked. The last time he had allowed himself to sleep in was…probably in college, if he didn't count sicknesses and alarm clocks that didn't work. He'd never taken a vacation, and he'd gotten this business right after college…
He sat up gingerly, removing Shukaku from his position around his neck and placing him on the covers. Neji then slipped out of bed and started dressing for the day, being a little rushed but not that much. It was only after he had finished dressing that Shukaku spoke up.
Neji?
Neji turned around to see Shukaku walking across his tousled bedcovers. "Yes Shukaku?"
You weren't thinking of leaving me behind while you worked, were you?
"You were sleeping, and…"
Shukaku jumped into Neji's arms and peered into his eyes. Neji, I give you permission to wake me up the next time I'm sleeping and you're going off to work. I don't want to spend the entire day stuck in your apartment…
At that moment Shukaku's stomach rumbled, and Neji laughed. "And besides, you'd be hungry if you were stuck in my apartment all day. That's the real reason, isn't it?" he teased.
Think what you want. Shukaku told him tartly. Just don't leave me behind.
"Hmm." Neji smiled and started walking towards the elevator, pocketing his keys as he passed the table they rested on. He didn't see Shukaku's eyes following his every move, trying to see if he knew anything was wrong.
-----
After making his rounds and eating breakfast, Neji settled down to filling out paperwork and making phone calls, the things he did when there wasn't an appointment waiting for him. Shukaku sat on his desk and slept a little more, sometimes looking over Neji's paperwork and commenting on it when he was awake. Around 11, Neji's cell phone rang.
"Hyuuga Neji." Neji said as he picked up.
"Hey Neji, it's Itachi. You haven't forgotten about our lunch, have you?"
"Of course not! You just never told me what time. Should I come over now?"
"Well, you see, there's a little problem. I forgot that I needed to meet with someone for business today, so we're both here at Little Sicily. Would you still like to have lunch together?"
"I don't want to intrude on your business meeting…"
"It's fine, we're almost done. I'll send my driver over to pick you up, and we'll still have lunch together, ok? I want to spend more time with you, Neji. And bring Shukaku too, if you want."
Neji paused, not knowing whether to accept the offer or not, but he did want to spend more time with Itachi… "Sure. I'll see you in a few minutes?"
"Yup. Bye Neji."
"Bye 'tachi."
Neji hung up and looked down at Shukaku. "We're going to eat lunch with Uchiha Itachi. Is that ok?"
Shukaku nodded enthusiastically. "I can't wait to meet him. Kitai seems so nice, and I'm sure Itachi is too."
"Yeah, he is…" Neji smiled and stood up, letting Shukaku jump onto his hand, up his arm and onto his shoulder. He walked out of his office and told Haku they were going to lunch and he was welcome to take his lunch break too, before Neji moved to the door of his business. Itachi's limo was already there.
Neji walked down to the limo and got in, thanking Tezuki by name, because by now he knew Itachi's personal limo driver pretty well. They drove to Little Sicily and Neji got out, going into the restaurant a moment later. He got some strange looks from the maitre d' and servers for coming in with a raccoon perched on his shoulder, but no one commented, because they all knew who he was. Neji was directed to Itachi's table, but Neji stopped short when they got there. Sitting beside Itachi was…Sabaku Gaara. He hadn't noticed them yet, and all Neji could see was the back of his head, but that was enough.
Shukaku, of course, jumped off Neji's shoulder and ran to Gaara, clamoring for attention and getting it. Gaara looked down at his heart and actually smiled, before picking the raccoon up and placing him in his lap, not caring about if Shukaku shed fur or anything (for the record, the raccoon didn't). And then Gaara looked up into Neji's eyes, with still a trace of a smile on his lips, and Neji…melted. His pulse sped up, his stomach was suddenly stuck in his throat, and his eyes widened. It was hard to breathe…
Neji didn't know what this feeling was or how it had come, but he was all of a sudden enchanted with Gaara. He stared at Gaara's skin, and hair, and eyelashes and mouth, and inexplicably never wanted to look away. What was this?
"Neji." Itachi's voice broke through the hazy fuzziness that had pervaded Neji's mind. "Neji, sit down."
An involuntary blush spread through Neji's cheeks (what would Sabaku Gaara think of his dim wittedness?) and he quietly did as he was told, looking down at his hands. Unbeknownst to him, the rest of Neji's lunch partners (and that included Shukaku) were astonished by his meekness.
A waiter came a second after Neji sat, offering the Hyuuga a menu, and Neji took it and flipped through it distractedly. "Is your business meeting over?" he asked softly, still not daring to look up.
"Um, yes." Itachi didn't trust himself not to leap out of his seat, shake Neji by his shoulders, and ask what had happened to change him so much. Was this what love had reduced Neji into?
But Gaara can stay, can't he? Shukaku asked excitedly, jumping into Neji's lap. You don't mind, do you Neji?
Neji smiled. "Of course he can stay. That is, if he doesn't have any other appointments right now that we're keeping him from…"
"No, I don't have any pressing matters right now." Gaara replied stiffly. He didn't know quite what to say in this situation. Knowing last night that Hyuuga Neji was going to be in love with him and seeing it today were two different things altogether. What was he supposed to do? His first instinct was to push the other away, because the blushing and timidity reminded him way too much of his fangirls. But he didn't have that choice today, not with both Uchiha Itachi and his own heart staring at him and reminding him of his promise to give Neji a chance. It was so frustrating…
I'm glad you can stay. Shukaku said, jumping to Gaara again. I don't see you a lot these days, and sometimes I miss you. Maybe you could visit once in a while?
"No, no." Neji protested after he gave his order to the waiter. "Sabaku-san will be much too busy for that, won't you?" He looked to Gaara for an answer.
"I-I suppose I will be." Gaara thought Neji's eyes were alright though. The Hyuuga looked blind and therefore harmless, and it was calming to look into them. So he liked Neji's eyes.
"See, Shukaku? But if you really want we'll go visit Sabaku-san at his office sometime, when he isn't so busy. Is that all right with you?"
And Gaara admitted that the Hyuuga was certainly thoughtful. He would have had to be, working with people and their hearts so often. "Yes, it's fine." Gaara answered. "Just be sure to make an appointment first."
"Of course. It would be rude to intrude on your workplace."
The rest of lunch passed with the same light conversation. By the end of it Itachi and Shukaku were satisfied that Neji and Gaara were on the right track, Gaara had admitted that perhaps liking Neji would not be such a bad thing after all, and Neji was just hopelessly in love without even knowing the reason why. He didn't know how his view of his client had changed so drastically since the last time he had seen the other, but he didn't feel like questioning it. Shukaku was nice, and Gaara's attitude towards him seemed to have improved. Neji felt happy, blissfully happy, and didn't think about it. Not yet. Later, perhaps, he would face reality, but not yet. Not now.
-----
Itachi gave Neji and Shukaku a ride back in his limo, and throughout the ride Neji stared out the window while Itachi observed the aforementioned Hyuuga. Itachi knew the silence between them was no fault of Neji's. Neji's thoughts would be all for Sabaku Gaara now, because of Mourning, and yet Itachi felt jealous. Cheated. He had been Neji's best friend for such a long time, and he had like Neji for so long too, and now to not have any chance at all, because of the love potion and Orochimaru.
Yes, Orochimaru was at fault here. But Itachi would find a way to thwart the snake bastard, somehow. He thought of his surgery, the process he had worked on for the past year, and knew he had to rethink it now. If he wanted to do this for Neji, he had to make sure it was safe. Now Loveless was in Gaara, so to complete the procedure he would have to have both Neji's and Gaara's cooperation. He would have to transport the both of them to Tsukuyomi, and it would be more complicated than ever. On the plus side, this surgery would get rid of Mourning as well as Loveless, and then maybe Itachi would have a chance again.
But he shouldn't think of his gain. He was doing this for Neji, had always been doing it for Neji, will always do it for Neji even if he didn't gain anything from it. Because Neji would do it for him.
Still, Itachi couldn't help looking at Neji and wishing it was him Neji was thinking of, not Sabaku Gaara.
-----
Neji got out of the limo, thanking Itachi and Tezuki for the ride, and went back into his business, Zabuza opening the door for him despite being startled by the starry look on his boss's face. Even Haku noticed as Neji passed him to go into his office. "Hey Neji, you all right? You seem…ill."
Neji stopped before Haku's desk and smiled at the other. "Hmm, do I? I don't feel ill, so don't worry about it." He went on, then stopped. "Hey, Haku, want to take the rest of the day off?"
Haku stared at him as if he were crazy. "But Neji, you just gave me half a day off yesterday for my anniversary with Zabu! Are you sure you aren't sick or something?"
"Nah. It's summer, and I don't get sick during the summer. But…I dunno, I don't feel like working today. Do I have any appointments scheduled?"
"No, you're all cleared for the rest of the day."
Neji smiled. A day without appointments was rare for him. "Then you can go, Haku. I'll take care of any paperwork or phone calls for the rest of the day."
"…You sure?"
"Yeah, just have a good time with Zabuza. And invite me to the wedding."
"Eh, then you'll have to wait a while," Haku replied while getting out of his chair. "We aren't quite ready for marriage yet."
"But I'm sure you will be. Don't protest, Haku, I can see how happy you two are. Now scat." The two grinned at each other and Haku picked up his keys and ran out the door. Zabuza looked surprised as Haku tugged on his hand, and looked back at Neji once, but Neji just smiled and waved them goodbye.
Neji really thought Haku and Zabuza were the perfect couple. They certainly didn't look like they should work as a couple, but they loved each other, and Neji thought their hearts were some of the happiest he had ever seen.
He sighed in content and went into his office, letting Shukaku jump down onto his desk. "Did you have a nice lunch?"
Hmm, yeah. Shukaku nodded enthusiastically. The warm milk was nice. 'Cept that the waitresses all cooed about me…
Neji laughed. "Do you have the same fear of fans that Gaara has?"
Probably worse, really. He can stand up to them, at least. I just look cute. Shukaku sulked.
"Cuteness is a very useful skill, you know. Gaara at least doesn't seem to be able to resist it."
You think so? Shukaku perked up. He seemed very pleased that he had Gaara wrapped around his little finger.
"Yeah, definitely." Neji paused, thought a little before speaking. "Hey, Shukaku…"
Yes Neji?
"I…want to ask your permission for something."
Shukaku waited for him to go on with a hopeful mind.
"You see, it's about Gaara."
Yes Neji?
"I…" Neji gulped and changed his sentence. "You know I promised to set him up with someone that'll make him happy, right?"
Right.
"Would…would you mind terribly if I delay that for a while? I…" Neji blushed and wondered how he was being so forward with this. "I think I like him."
Shukaku was ecstatic at this confession, though he didn't show it. Was Neji opening up? Would their plan work out?
Good for you, Neji.
Neji looked shocked. "No, no it's not! I know he can't love me, and I'm just stopping him from finding someone he truly loves, but…I really like him. Will you let me, um, date him?"
Shukaku wanted to learn how much Neji was affected by Mourning. How much do you like him?
Neji blushed. "I don't just like him. I think I want him. It's really…strange. I keep staring at him, and my pulse goes up, I blush profusely, and I'm pretty sure I'd stutter if I looked up at him while speaking. I don't know why Gaara affects me so much, but it's so close to the things I see from my former clients, the ones that are in love, that…that…" Neji visibly drooped. "I'm finally in love. Just like I always wanted to avoid."
But Neji, don't you see? This is a great chance for you!
"What do you mean? Even though Gaara isn't as hostile as before, he's still not friendly towards me. And he'll never be as close as I want him to be. Maybe I should just give up now, not bother him…"
No, Neji, you promised to help him get over Naruto, remember?
When Neji's expression dropped, Shukaku knew that he had said something wrong. Neji?
"I also just remembered that I need to tell him Naruto is married now. He's going to hate me."
No he isn't, Neji. If you're there for him, and if you break it to him gently, he won't hate you at all. Maybe he's gotten over Naruto. You don't know for sure, and I don't either. So it won't hurt to try, will it?
"Will it? It'll just all hurt me in the end when I have to let go of him. Maybe I just shouldn't do this, Shukaku. It isn't good for him, and it doesn't do me a lot of good either, when I know I have no chance. Maybe I should just stop this nonsense."
But Neji, don't give up so soon! It was just like Hiashi-sama had said. Maybe Neji's curse was just a self-fulfilling prophecy, because Neji didn't want to fall in love in the first place, so he would stay loveless. You should ask first if Gaara wants this or not, shouldn't you? And if he says he does, maybe you have a chance. We'll just do that before you make yourself miserable, ne?
"But then he'll know."
Shukaku paused. Neji did have a point there. What could he say to reassure the Hyuuga? I…guess you're right. Shukaku admitted lamely. But are you really determined to hold onto Loveless? You should try at least once, shouldn't you? Just to…make sure. Your heartname got misinterpreted once. Maybe you've misinterpreted it once again.
Neji's head snapped up. "You think so? Is it possible?"
Shukaku nodded. I think it's very possible. You'll try to have a relationship first though. Will you? For me? For yourself?
"I guess it could be ok. But what would I have to do? I don't know anything about dating or-"
Just follow what your heart says, Neji. And besides, all you have to do is be nice and pay attention to Gaara, and he'll be half in love with you before you know it.
"Really? You think so?"
Well, you know LOTS of people are half in love with you, they just don't do anything because you push them away.
"I push them away?" Neji apparently hadn't noticed this.
You, well, no. You don't push them away, you just make it hard for them to know you. I guess for some people you seem so perfect that they're afraid of getting close to you, and for others they know you're always affectionate, so they don't know if you're being nice just because it's you or you're being nice because they have a chance with you. And because they're confused and they don't want to look foolish, they don't want to try.
Neji frowned. "How do you see all that?"
Because it would be what I'd feel if I were to like you. Which…I do.
"You do?"
Shukaku nodded quickly. Doesn't everybody?
Neji didn't know what to say. Shukaku's words could be interpreted two ways, and he didn't know which way Shukaku meant. "I…"
Shukaku saw Neji's discomfort and smiled. Don't worry about it, Neji. I'm just glad we've got this figured out. Now, how are we going to tell him?
"Erm…will you tell him?"
Aww, Neji, you're so shy!
"Am not." But the blush on Neji's cheeks overturned his denial. "Anyways, I should go back to work. We'll discuss this later."
Shukaku wondered at the language Neji used. You know, Neji, when you're in love and you're with Gaara, you won't be able to brush it aside so easily. You won't be able to 'discuss it later'. That's just something you sacrifice with love.
"I know that. I'm being distracted even now, and I haven't even told Gaara yet." He smiled a dreamy smile. "But you know, the more work I do know, the less I have to do later…"
Shukaku snorted. Yeah, but you'll still be really behind. But I suppose you're right. I won't talk until you finish, k?
"Hmm, thanks."
-----
Neji stood up and stretched, yawning all the while. "Hmm, sleep sounds so nice right now."
I agree. Shukaku jumped up Neji's arm, up his shoulder, and perched on top of his head, nestled in his hair. Hmm, soft…
Neji rolled his eyes and started walking toward his bedroom. He got there a moment later and lifted Shukaku from his head, settling the raccoon on his bed while he went to the bathroom, brushed his teeth, and undressed. After putting his clothes in the laundry hamper, he crawled into bed and snuggled against Shukaku. The raccoon, though Neji hadn't noticed it before, smelled very nice. Sorta salty like the beach, but with this fiery tang in it, like the spice of something (like a candle or a piece of paper) burning. Maybe nice wasn't the correct word to use…
Neji fell asleep with his face cushioned against Shukaku's tail, murmuring in content.
-----
Neji opened his eyes groggily, not wanting to wake up. It was so warm…
He turned in his covers, eyes still closed, when his nose bumped into something, and it wasn't any part of the bed.
Hmm? What could that be, he wondered. Neji slowly opened his eyes, his eyelashes grazing the thing in question. He saw skin. Smooth skin, but so pale that it almost looked unnatural. Neji looked up from the chest his nose was almost touching, and up into a face.
Sabaku Gaara's face, with open eyes that were looking down at him.
"Good morning." The redhead's voice was sultry, and Neji felt as if this was an everyday morning ritual, as if Neji woke up to Gaara everyday. He blushed.
"G-Good morning."
Gaara smirked and cupped Neji's face with one hand. "Well, aren't we all shy and innocent this morning?" He kissed Neji's nose gently. "Come on, we need to get up."
"W-We do?"
Gaara pinched Neji's cheek teasingly. "Well, we can't stay in bed all day, can we? It'd be inappropriate. But…" Gaara leaned close, touching their noses together. "Since today's our anniversary, you can stay in bed a little longer. I'll make breakfast."
Gaara scooted out of bed, and Neji was faced with the tantalizing sight of Gaara's body clad in a wrinkled dress shirt 3 sizes (or more) too big for him. And, it seemed when Gaara leaned over to pick something up from the floor, he wasn't wearing anything else. Oh god…
Gaara straightened up again and Neji struggled to rid the red from his face. Gaara turned around and apparently saw something despite Neji's efforts, because he smiled and winked. "Like what you see, Neji? Be patient, tonight you'll see a lot more." After being such a tease, Gaara turned around again and walked out of the room. Neji sunk back down into the pillows, having bolted straight up when Gaara had gotten out of bed, and pulled the covers back up to his chin again. Just then he realized he was, um, naked, totally, and Neji pulled the covers even closer to his body.
And then he noticed a glint of something shiny on his finger.
Neji gasped, and grabbed his left hand tightly. Was that what he thought it was…where he thought it was?
Was that a wedding ring?
It certainly looked like it. The ring was garishly decorated, gold and diamonds and everything. It looked like the best ring money could buy, and Neji was sure it was. He frowned. It wouldn't have been a ring he would've bought. He would've chosen something simple, something silver (because it complemented him better), not gold, and one diamond, at the most. Not seven!
But still, it was definitely a wedding ring, and Gaara had mentioned something about their anniversary…so they were married!?
-----
Neji tumbled off the bed and his eyes burst open, now wide awake. He groaned, cursing the hardwood floor under his carpet. "Ugh…"
And then Neji felt the furriness still under him, and sat up in a flash. "Shukaku? Shukaku? Are you ok?"
Ugh…N-Neji, what happened? Did you have a nightmare or something?
Neji got off the floor, cradling Shukaku in his arms and soothing the poor raccoon he had fallen on. "No, no." He reached out and turned on the lamp beside him. "I didn't have a nightmare."
Neji sat cross-legged on his bed, his hair falling around his face. "It wasn't a nightmare at all, actually. It was…"
Yes Neji?
"I dreamed Gaara and I were married."
WHAT?
"Yeah, I know. It's unusual, isn't it? And you'd think…I've only know him for a few days, I'd be more likely to have a wet dream about him than something like this, even though I haven't experienced any of those dreams before. But…it'd be easier to lust after him than to love him, I think. Lots of fangirls already do, I suppose. And yet…I dreamed we were married."
And how did you feel?
"Really really happy. Even though I was shocked, and even though the wedding ring on my finger was horrible and not at all to my taste, I felt glad that I was married, and even gladder that it was Gaara I was married to. Strange, isn't it?"
Shukaku purred. Not at all. Love is blind, isn't it? But you should go back to sleep, shouldn't you? You need your rest.
Neji sighed. "I would, but I don't think I'll be able to sleep again tonight really. I'm just…too awake now to sleep, even though I want to."
Then what do you want to do? Since you're awake and technically I don't need sleep?
Neji stared off into the distance. "Maybe we should take a walk. I'll go put my clothes on."
He got off the bed and did as he said, while Shukaku asked, Where are we going?
Neji paused. "I don't know. Where do you want to go?"
Shukaku gave him a piercing look. Well, where do you want to go?
Neji met his eyes and blushed. "I…"
You want to visit Gaara.
"Um, yes. I do."
Then we'll go visit Gaara.
Neji frowned. "Isn't he in his apartment right now, sleeping?"
Shukaku shook his head. No, he isn't. This is something almost nobody else knows, certainly not the public, because if they found out it'd be disastrous. But Gaara is an insomniac, you see. He sleeps something like one night out of a week, and the other nights he's either working or outside walking around. So there's a good chance we'll be able to catch him tonight. You want to try? I'll take you to him. A lot of the time he likes to go to a park somewhat near here and look up at the stars.
"Wouldn't he be mad if we interrupted him? If he wanted company he could always go to a nightclub or something, so if he's watching the stars he surely wants to be alone…"
I'm sure he wouldn't mind a few people for company. He gets lonely a lot, you know. It was better when Naruto stuck around him all the time, but now Gaara's lonelier than ever.
"Aa. Then…he wouldn't mind?"
Probably not. And why don't you bring a pillow and a blanket? Maybe you'll feel like sleeping there.
Neji chewed on his lip in thought. "Is it very far?"
I don't think so. Do you know the park about a mile away? With the really big fountain in the center of it?
"Yeah. I've been there a couple of times, though I don't know it that well. Is Gaara there?"
Yeah, he's been going there since Naruto started dating Sasuke. There was another park he liked, but too many memories lingered around that place.
"I see." Neji finished pulling a pair of slacks on, slipped his keys into his pocket and took Shukaku's advice, picking up a blanket and pillow, along with Shukaku himself. "Will you lead me there?"
Shukaku nodded, and they went out, down the elevator and out the door.
Shukaku jumped off the pillow then, saying, Neji's carrying too much stuff already, so I won't add to the burden. Besides, it's easier to lead you this way. Just follow me.
They walked through the empty streets quietly, Neji enjoying the summer evening. It was a little breezy, but not that cold, and even though he wasn't wearing a jacket, he wasn't shivering. It was nice weather.
Neji followed Shukaku for about a quarter of an hour before they reached the park, going through its unlocked gates. Shukaku pointed out the lone car in the parking lot, commenting, That's one of Gaara's cars, so he must be here.
Neji stopped and spared a glance to the obviously expensive car, complete with tinted windows, before starting to follow Shukaku again.
They branched off of the main path soon, going down a small footpath through a small forest. This park was pretty big, Neji knew, and very beautiful. It had lots of secluded little spots that would shield one's privacy. After walking some more, Neji and Shukaku came out to a large meadow, surrounded by trees on all sides. Shukaku sniffed the air carefully and started running towards a shadow on the side of the meadow, which was lying on the ground and looking up at the sky.
Gaara!
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Gaara looked up at the stars, his hands behind his head as he reclined on the soft grass. It was one of the better nights, he thought. No rain or other bad weather – in fact, the sky was cloudless, and he could see each and every star in the sky. He had changed out of formal clothing and was now wearing a t-shirt and jeans, both pieces of clothing so covered with grass stains that he didn't bother trying to scrub them off anymore. It was why he had bought such clothes anyway. It wouldn't do to have grass stains on his dress shirts.
At the sound of his name he sat up quickly, looking around for the intruder. Who knew he was here?
But it was just Shukaku running across the meadow, and Gaara let the raccoon fly into his arms because he was glad to see his heart too. It made sense that Shukaku would know where he was. They had been the same being a few days ago, after all. And he was happy Shukaku had come to see him.
Before he had given Shukaku up, Gaara had seen the raccoon in his dreams. It was only once in a while, made scarcer by the fact that he didn't sleep that often, but they had talked, and Gaara had known Shukaku was his heart. He had liked those talks, and had only separated from his heart because it had hurt too much. But now, now that Shukaku wasn't a part of him anymore but still tangible, Gaara longed to talk to him again, in private, in peace. It would clear his mind, he thought. And tonight was the perfect time. He wanted to talk about Neji and what to do.
But then Gaara saw another shadow at the edge of the clearing, and looked up. His former happiness stuck in his throat as he saw that it was Neji, holding a blanket and pillow and intruding so very much. "What are you doing here?" Gaara snapped, his voice sharp and accusing.
Neji stepped back at the question, knowing by the tone of voice Gaara used that the redhead didn't want him here. "I…" He took a deep breath. "I couldn't sleep, and Shukaku told me you were an insomniac, so I thought I'd visit you. And I brought a blanket and pillow in case you were cold."
It was the truth. He'd be safe telling the truth.
Gaara grumbled. "So you're bribing me to let you intrude? Shukaku's too nice – he won't even think about telling you to go away, but I will." This was supposed to be his alone time with his heart. Neji wasn't supposed to be here, not before Gaara had figured out what to do.
"Ah, you're…right…" Neji walked forward though, and Gaara frowned again. "Just take the blanket and pillow, alright? I don't want you to be uncomfortable or cold or…"
"…Fine." Gaara reached out for the blanket and pillow, noticing the way Neji's hands lingered just a touch longer than necessary. And before he could back away, Neji's arms had encircled him, and the other was way too close and Gaara was feeling way too uncomfortable with this. Or, he should've been. Except that he remembered the last time someone (Neji himself) had hugged him like this, had whispered in his ear that he loved him. That time he had believed it was Naruto who was telling him this, and in the darkness, with Neji's arms around him, he could, maybe, believe it was still Naruto who was holding him like this, and whispering into his ear that…
"Gaara-san, I know you don't like me very much, and I'm sorry that I'm intruding, but I hope you'll grow to accept my…affections, and the way I care for you." Neji knew it was strange to confess like this, but he just wanted so much for Gaara to know of his feelings, that all his embarrassment was just brushed off. And with his confession said, he brushed his lips across Gaara's cheek – a whisper of a kiss, and let him go. Neji started walking back across the meadow, when he heard Gaara calling him back.
"Wait!" A strangled call was torn from Gaara's throat, and even he was shocked at the ferocity of that command. As Neji looked back at him, Gaara swallowed and went on in an even voice. "I mean…don't go. It'd be unfair of me to send you away after you came all the way here, after all. Just…don't go."
Neji came back with a smile, and Gaara's stomach churned, because that smile was nothing like Naruto's bright grin, not even when hidden in the darkness. He wondered if this would actually work, if he could actually pretend that Hyuuga Neji was Uzumaki Naruto and love him as if he were Naruto, but that was the only way something like this would work.
As they settled down on the grass again, Gaara thought: if he was going to be forced into loving someone, truly loving someone, then he deserved having this illusion, didn't he? Deserved to think that it was Naruto's chest that he was leaning against, Naruto's arms that were wrapped around him, Naruto's heartbeat that he was hearing behind him.
Gaara looked up at the stars, and brought the blanket up to his chin. "It's nice." he whispered to no one in particular.
"Hmm, yeah it is." Neji agreed. He breathed in the scent of Gaara's hair, and sighed. This was much more than he had hoped for. He had his back to a tree, and he was holding Gaara in his arms. The blanket was covering both of them, and Shukaku was curled up on the pillow, which was on Gaara's lap. It was really, really…nice. Neji started drifting off, but then started awake when he thought of something. "Gaara, I need to tell you something."
"Yes?"
"Naruto's married now."
Gaara twisted his body to look Neji in the eyes. "What?"
Neji smoothed back Gaara's hair and hoped he wasn't too angry. "Yesterday, I married Naruto to Sasuke. So…so Gaara-san, you don't have a chance anymore. You've…you've gotten over him, haven't you? But I just thought…you should know."
Gaara turned back to face the meadow, and wondered how to reply. He wasn't really angry, not now, when he had his own Naruto. Not when he could just pretend Neji was Naruto, because, according to Shukaku, the Hyuuga lovedhim now. "Don't worry, Neji. I'm not angry. And…let's not talk about this, hmm? Let's just look at the stars."
And as Neji sighed in contentment, Gaara felt just a little bit of guilt for deceiving the other.
But then it passed. This was the best situation for everybody. Neji could feel loved, because Gaara could truly love him as Naruto, and Shukaku and Itachi and all of the rest of Neji's friends would be satisfied.
Yes, this would truly be the best arrangement. Gaara looked up at the stars and relaxed in Neji's hold.
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A/N: Erm…this is my plot. Don't worry, it'll get better. Poor Neji, you know? But still, sympathize with Gaara. You can't just expect him to bow down and love someone, even if his own heart is telling him to.
Next Chapter's Vague Ideas: Neji visits Gaara at his job, more GaaNeji.
Thanks for reading!