Gentle-Fist Massage VI: Night of the Dead

Part 3: "The Dead Truth"

Shikamaru moaned loudly as his throbbing erection entered his lover's familiar scorching heat. It felt almost like an eternity since he'd been able to see Neji like this, on his back, legs spread wide for him and a look of absolute bliss across his face. It took quite a bit of concentration for the Nara not to orgasm at the sight.

Neji groaned with him as he began thrusting slowly within the paler man. Hands untouched by sunlight roamed up Shikamaru's chest, leaving trails of heat upon his skin as they came to rest on his shoulders. The Hyuga pulled his lover down to place a fierce kiss on his lips, shoving his tongue as deep as it would go into the shadow wielder's mouth, the man on top quickening his movements.

They moved together, two sweaty bodies mingled in a way that could only be described as desperate as the lovers relearned each other's bodies. Shikamaru knew he wasn't going to last long, he could feel the swirling of his completion continuing to tighten and it would not take much to make it snap.

Neji suddenly cried out, body tensing and spurting several strands of semen across his sweat covered abdomen and throwing his lover into the same bliss-filled state. The Nara's vision blacked out and sound muted from his ears for a few very short moments as he filled the man his heart belonged to. He fell onto the Hyuga, panting heavily and wrapping his arms around his lover, sighing contently when the other did the same.

The ninja remained still for several minutes, the creatures of the night not seeming to mind the noises that had interrupted the air as they continued to make their own nightly song. Fireflies played tag in the tree not too far from the open space where the two men had collapsed onto the ground, kissing and removing clothing. A few of the more curious glowing bugs slowly floated down to them when they hadn't moved.

Shikamaru watched one glowing brightly as it landed on his lover's shoulder a moment before fluttering off again, a small group of fireflies coming down from the branches to play amongst the tombstones surrounding them. A heavy breath left him as he sat up and carefully pulled out of Neji, who made a small groan of disappointment. His dark eyes gazed at the man he loved, not really sure of what to say. What does one say to a person who's dead, but has been brought back for a night by some voodoo magic with the moon on Halloween; something he didn't even believe about in the first place?

After a little while of silence, the Hyuga sat up too, almost touching the shadow wielder's nose with his own. "It's good to see you haven't changed," Neji whispered, a small smile on his lips. "I was afraid you'd gotten rusty, since you haven't even masturbated since I died."

The Nara blushed, turning away. "It… was too painful to think about sex and… not having you there."

His lover chuckled. "Don't you mean 'troublesome'?"

Shikamaru laughed a bit. "Yeah, sure Neji." A few minutes of silence passed before the deceased shinobi gently smacked him on the shoulder.

"Get dressed, Shikamaru," he softly commanded, standing and began gathering his scattered clothing. The Nara followed slowly, trying to get his racing heart to stop going so freaking fast and also urging his tears not to fall. Somehow he knew that was the last time he and Neji were going to have sex and it pained him to think about the future, as his mind was very prone to do. As he dressed, Shikamaru kept coming up with dozens of different ways he and his lover could go somewhere and make love until the sun came up, but thinking that way made him sad and he knew something wasn't right with that.

Neji grasped the shadow wielder's hand when he finished putting on his equipment, smiling brightly as they began strolling down the path separating the markers, heading toward one of the more remote areas of the cemetery. They walked in silence, Shikamaru again not sure of what to say. The small sigh from beside him made his eyes lock a little worriedly onto his love, as white chocolate orbs showed a bit of sadness.

"You certainly are strange, Shikamaru," he said gently, gazing at the trail ahead. "When I was alive, you weren't what anybody would call talkative, but after I left this world…." He paused and lightly shook his head, the smile broadening upon his lips. "I don't think I've ever heard you talk so much when you visit my grave."

The Nara blushed again and looked away, noticing a few toads on the side of the path as they jumped away. "I miss you," he repeated softly, squeezing the hand clasped in his own.

"And now you have me," the Hyuga responded, tone just a hint harsher. "If you truly want answers, Shikamaru, now would be the time to ask those questions you've been babbling about for the past several weeks."

Even as the shadow wielder scowled, he pulled his love closer, biting his lower lip in a bit of embarrassment. "What makes you think I actually want answers, Neji?"

Neji sighed again, this time heavily as his hand abandoned Shikamaru's to wrap tightly around his waist instead. "We need to talk about a certain shinobi, love," he said sternly, face set in his classic 'I don't give a shit what you think,' scowl. "I believe you would like my opinion on a certain pale skinned artist you've got living at the house we shared."

Shikamaru wanted to run away, despite the fact that it was his deceased lover holding him. Yes, he had asked Neji what he should do about Sai; Shikamaru really wanted to know if it was all right to give his heart again, to love another. He hadn't done anything about the artist because he felt like these feelings were a betrayal to the Hyuga.

However, now that he was here, holding him close as they walked down the path, Shikamaru found his resolve crumbling. Did he truly want the answers to the questions he'd asked? The shadow wielder was suddenly unsure.

Naruto looked up at the stars a moment, watching them sparkle against the navy sky in an encouraging way. He and the Fourth Hokage had stopped at a small shrine built for the dearly departed. After saying small prayers, the two decided to take a little break, sitting along a stone wall that ran around the shrine.

That tiny word within the Uzumaki's mind hadn't gone away and it was bothering him greatly. For one thing, he had no idea where the word had come from; it seemed his brain just threw it at him after seeing the other blonde, like it was supposed to fit or something. Naruto really didn't see how. It was confusing and frustrating him as he continued to stare at the tiny sparkles above them, as if the heavens could help. What did this mean?!

"Everything all right?" the Fourth asked, voice calm and soothing.

Naruto turned his gaze to the other blonde, who was looking at him with a bit of a curious expression. It further confused him, though, as the sound of Minato speaking to him had somehow… comforted him. Why was that?

Remembering that the older man had asked a question, the Uzumaki shook his head and ran a hand through his unruly locks.

"What is it?" Minato softly pressed, gently placing a strong hand upon the younger ninja's shoulder.

Naruto's heart skipped a beat as it calmed its frantic and confused pace. What kind of man was this, which could so easily calm him? "Well, I uh…." He looked into the Hokage's blazing blue eyes for several moments, finding within them the small amount of courage needed to use his voice. "It's just that… I…." The Uzumaki sighed heavily and turned away, gazing at the grass beneath him. "I want to call you something, Minato," he finally whispered, "but… I don't think it's the right word."

To the younger man's surprise, Minato chuckled and gave him a light pat on the back. "Lest you forget, Naruto," he replied, tone a bit soft as his own eyes averted away from Naruto's to gaze at the stones across from them, "it was me who sealed the Nine Tailed Fox away within your body and caused your life to be much more complicated and painful than it would have been otherwise. I can image that there are several things you would like to call me."

Naruto noticed the other's voice turning sad as he spoke and it was enough to bring up the confidence he needed to say what his mind was pressing against his tongue.

"…dad?" The word was small and whispered in an unsure voice, but it seemed to be loud enough.

Minato started slightly and slowly turned his gaze back to the living shinobi. For a long while, they merely looked at each other, Naruto silently hoping he hadn't said anything to offend the dead Hokage. He was actually a bit surprised when a small smile spread on the other's lips and that strong hand returned to his shoulder.

"Yes… son?" the older blonde asked.

Naruto didn't waste another second; he immediately jumped into the man's arms, unexpected tears stinging his eyes as he buried his face into the Hokage's chest. "Dad!" he sobbed, the feeling of utter happiness flowing through his entire body; Naruto had found his family.

In the past he had never really worried about who his parents were, but there was always that little voice that would make itself known whenever the blonde saw other parents and their children together. It always cried out, at least wanting to know who they were, if they were dead or alive. Now he knew; even if his father was dead. At least he'd be able to go to his grave and visit him there.

Another soft sob was torn from Naruto as strong arms wrapped around him to hold him tightly. He'd waited for this for so long and now he finally had him.

Naruto Uzumaki had his father.

"I'm sorry, Neji," Shikamaru whispered, eyes gazing at the gravel by his feet; he couldn't look his lover in the eye, not about this. "I… I kissed Sai. I know I shouldn't have, but… fuck, Neji, he's so warm! A world without you… it's so cold and…."

"Shh," the older ninja said softly, gently wrapping his arms around the shadow wielder from behind and pressing their bodies together. "It's all right, Shikamaru. You don't have to apologize."

The Nara sighed and leaned against his lover. They had stopped at a little park along the path, where a tiny, soothing fountain ran in a pond filled with coins from past visitors. The full moon's reflection wavered against the water, regretfully reminding Shikamaru of the time.

"It makes me glad, Shikamaru," Neji whispered into the shadow wielder's ear. "Some people shut down completely when they lose somebody special in their life. You, however, want to love again. Your heart has not frozen over with death's icy darkness and I think Sai has helped to prevent it. It's only natural, Shikamaru, to be drawn to him."

Shikamaru turned within his lover's embrace to look into pale eyes to find sincerity and happiness sparkling at him. "Really, Neji? You… you're not upset that I… might love another?"

The Hyuga lightly sighed and held his lover tighter. "Shikamaru, I love you and I know you love me. There will always be a part of your heart that belongs to me, just as you have mine. Along with that knowledge, I am also aware of the extreme pain you're going through. It tears me up to see you in such a condition, Shikamaru, and I never want to see you like that ever again. I also believe it would be selfish of me to wish that you pine away for me for the rest of your life." Neji slowly leaned to kiss the Nara tenderly upon his lips. "All I want is for you to be happy and far away from the darkness. If Sai is the person who keeps you warm and sadness free then you absolutely have my blessings, Shikamaru."

Shikamaru released a long breath; it felt as if a heavy weight had finally been lifted from his heart. Closing his eyes, he placed his head against his lover's shoulder, breathing deeply to get his scent into the core of his being. "Thank you, Neji," he whispered.

Neji gently rubbed the back of the shadow wielder's neck. "I will always love you, Shikamaru."

They remained like that for several long, silent moments. Shikamaru found breathing to be easier than before; he hadn't noticed the problem until it went away. He sighed pleasantly at the soft massage upon his neck and found himself feeling drowsier and drowsier as the ministration continued.

The deceased shinobi lightly chuckled. "Why don't I give you a massage?"