Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Thanks for all your lovely reviews! Oh, and congrats on who got the teacher and the red-head's identity correct. Ah, how much I love Sasori and Deidara.
Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter 2
"I broke the key..."
Neji stood there, expression blank and unreadable as he processed the information.
If the key is broken, you can't get into the house. If you can't get into the house, you're stuck outside. Outside, where it is currently a very cold winter.
The Hyuuga ran this through his mind several times to get a hold on the situation.
"Okay..." He finally muttered after about ten minutes of silence. Naruto was still smiling worriedly, brow furrowed as though he was trying very hard to think of some way into the cottage.
"So, there's no way to get into the house?" The raven concluded, still concentrating as he stared at the starry sky.
"Yeah... Unless we break a window. But we're not going to do that. I don't have much money, and it costs a lot to repair a window. It's happened before, so I should know..." The blond answered, rambling due to his nervousness.
Neji stayed like that for about ten more minutes, as did Naruto. The only difference was the blond's smile getting more and more strained and a vein starting to appear ominously on the brunette's head.
"We're stuck outside, on a freezing night, with no source of warmth?!" It started off as a whisper, then grew into an angry shout.
"Don't get so mad! Look, do you have any money?" The kitsune asked, rubbing his own forehead.
"Me?! Why would I have any money!?"
"Because, smartass, you're a model! You're meant to have money!!"
"I just ran away from home, you moron! I didn't have any time to leisurely pack my things!!"
"Didn't you get paid for being a model in our art class?" The blond lowered his voice a few decibels, thinking there was an actual way out of the mess they were currently in, thanks to his sudden brainwave.
"I don't get the money till tomorrow!"
Whoops. Goodbye so-called genius idea.
"Alright! Let's just relax for a minute." Naruto closed his eyes slowly, raising his hands to stop the shouting match. "We have to think of some way to keep warm. Agreed?" The Hyuuga nodded, the vein reducing in size gradually.
"So, how are we gonna do that?" At the raven's question, the blond rubbed his scalp thoughtfully, messing up the already scruffy locks.
"Good question..." He slumped on the doorstep. Neji sighed and sat beside him. Note: He sat, not slumped. He was far too neat to slump. The Hyuuga was starting to shiver when the blond suddenly stood up, pumping his arm in the air successfully.
"I've got it! We're gonna have to cuddle!" He grinned widely, showing rows of white teeth as though this was the best idea in the world.
"Uh, okay. Wait, hold on a second... Wha-?! Cuddle?!" The brunette gaped at the kitsune.
"Oh, you know what I mean." The blond waved his hands irritably, as thought the answer was easy.
"No, I don't. Please explain, Mr. Genius!" Neji growled, the vein reappearing, like a warning sign.
Caution: Blood pressure dangerously high and still rising!!
"We're gonna have to huddle together like penguins!" Naruto rolled his eyes as the raven's eyebrows raised even higher on his head in befuddlement. "We have to share our body warmth, idiot!"
"Y'know, you could've said that in the first place, rather than confuse me with talk of penguins and cuddling..." The brunette took on a sour tone, looking away from the blond pointedly.
"Now, now, Neji! Don't be so harsh! Or I'll have to hug you!" The kitsune threatened, grinning mischievously.
"Don't you dare, Uzumaki. Or else."
"Or else what? Huh, Hyuuga?" The blond taunted, putting extra emphasis on his surname. Neji simply glowered hatefully at Naruto. So intensely, in fact, that the kitsune swore he felt his own baby blues burn by the powerful glare. Intent on revenge, he paused, waiting for the right moment. When the brunette looked away once more, he got into position, and launched himself forward.
"Wha-?!"
They both tumbled on to the grass, Neji cursing and Naruto laughing.
"That's some very colorful language, Hyuuga! I didn't know you knew such awful wor-Whoops!" The blond dodged a pale fist, chuckling as the raven showed off more of his knowledge of swears. The long haired man suddenly flipped over, taking Naruto by surprise. The blond was pinned firmly beneath him, and Neji was enjoying his small victory.
"Now, don't do that again! If you do... Well, let's just say I can play dirty too." The kitsune's eyes widened at the unintentionally suggestive statement. Neji blushed lightly, not meaning in like that at all. It just... came out wrong. After getting over the initial shock, Naruto returned to his normal self.
"Meanie!" He yelled as the Hyuuga stood up, dusting imaginary dirt off his clothes, trying to hide his embarrassment.
"Real mature, Naruto." The raven sighed, once again sitting down on the doorstep. He was sure the blond was going to try and attack him again, but he was wrong. He watched Naruto out of the corner of his eyes. The Hyuuga sighed again as the kitsune began to shake violently from the cold.
"You really are an idiot. Come over here." Naruto complied reluctantly, shivering as he stumbled towards the brunette.
Neji gasped as he felt how cold the blond was. Feeling guilty, he removed his thin coat, gingerly wrapping it around the two of them. Naruto glanced at the Hyuuga, surprised by his kindness. The raven felt his skin tingle lightly as the other's icy frame was pressed against his own, warmer, figure.
"You're warm, Neji..." The blond muttered tiredly, on the edge of unconsciousness. The brunette groaned as he felt Naruto slump and rest his head on the pale boy's shoulder.
"How am I supposed to sleep if that thing's stealing my body heat? And his hair tickles my neck." He grumbled to the night. "Geez, he was the one who was supposed to be helping me. Now we've swapped roles." He glared angrily up at the sky as the blond nuzzled further into his neck. "Somebody up there must hate me..."
---
Naruto woke up first, eyes adjusting to the morning light. He was quite reluctant to move, as he was very comfortable and warm. A thick layer of snow covered the ground like a pure white blanket. As nice as it was, the blond knew it was a bad idea to lie there, as he might catch a cold. Having a runny nose doesn't do much for your image. After reasoning for a few moments, Naruto tried to get up. Tried and failed. He looked around for what was preventing him from standing. After searching for a while, his eyes fell on to the culprit.
'Well, what a pleasant surprise!'
The harsh Hyuuga had his arms wrapped firmly around the kitsune's waist. The blond chuckled softly.
"Wow, Neji. I didn't realize you were so clingy." Naruto muttered to the sleeping raven. Deciding it would be impossible to leave without waking the other, he lowered himself back on to the floor. He had a sneaking suspicion that Neji was a grumpy morning person, and thought it was best to let him be. Anyway, it would be fun to see the Hyuuga's expression when he woke up and realized he was snuggling up to Naruto. At the movement, Neji moaned slightly, shifting in his sleep. The blond froze as he felt the brunette suddenly hug him closer.
"Geez, someone's affectionate in their sleep... Why can't you be just as fond when you're awake?" He complained lightly. It wasn't that he was uncomfortable or anything. It was the total opposite, in fact. But having someone as antisocial as Neji hugging him felt a little strange, even if it was in his sleep.
'Yeah, just in his sleep. He wouldn't consciously do this.' He reminded himself. Naruto didn't mind it that much, to tell the truth. He was one to make contact as much as possible. The blond loved to interact physically with his friends whenever he could. Naruto was sure he was about to fall asleep again by the warmth of the sleeping male. Sure enough, he soon found his breathing slow down to match the sleeping raven beside him and his eyelids droop. In less than three minutes, he was unconscious again.
Chapter 2 finished! I'm really annoyed, as I can't seem to make Neji IC. Stupid Neji... So hard to write about. Anyway, I had fun writing the little NejiNaru scene there. Bwahaha!
Hoped you liked it!