Chapter 19:

Neji turned around. "What did you say?"

"Catfist," Shino repeated. "That's the technique you're using, correct?"

"Uh…" Neji was speechless.

Shino took him by the arm behind a building where they could talk in private. "I researched it. That potion you drank was to teach you catfist. I looked it up again just to be sure."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Then I'll go slow." Shino gave a short look around to see if anyone was watching. Then he looked back at Neji. "The way you've been acting, the cravings for fish, sudden fear of dogs, a fascination with shiny objects… All of it points to one thing. You've learned catfist."

Neji rubbed his temples. "Ok… What the hell is that? I've never heard of that before."

"Really? Well, I'm not all that surprised, to be honest. It's a very rare technique; no one uses it anymore. But judging from your behavior, I'd say that you've tampered with it. But you don't seem like the type to attempt to learn a technique artificially… Where did you get it?"

"Huh? Oh… Sasuke…"

"I see. Yes, he would be the type, wouldn't he? Let me guess. He discovered the potion and needed a guinea pig to help him test it due to the fact that he's obsessed with obtaining power by any means and needed to make sure that it was safe enough for him and to keep you quiet. But soon after that, the both of you discovered the truth, were embarrassed about it and decided to keep it secret. But then Naruto found out and now takes care of you when your actions get out of hand. And the reason why no one has seen you guys very often recently is because you've been hiding out at Naruto's because that is the last place anyone would look for you. Am I correct or is this theory just scratching the surface?"

Shino hit it right on the nose. It was amazing how he found out all that with so little information. Rather than speak, Neji nodded, telling him that he had it right.

He sighed. "Ok, I'll start from the beginning. According to a book I read a while back, there was a technique that some martial artists were trying to perfect. It all started when they were studying cats. At first it was just a passing-glance kind of observation, but then it evolved into in-depth research. They studied how cats moved, how they reacted to certain things such as a situation or a specific object. But mostly, they observed their fighting style. It was… interesting, for lack of a better word. They loved the agility, the poise and the power they showed. So much so that they decided to base a fighting style off of it called the catfist. It comes from watching how cats fight. It looked like a promising technique, so they started to develop it."

Neji listened very carefully. At first, it sounded ridiculous, but after a while, he realized that those researchers may have been onto something.

"Unfortunately, they didn't get the same power and precision that the cats displayed. They had a natural talent for it, but humans were merely mimicking their moves. It wasn't the same. So, they started to study from the cat's point of view. In other words, think like a cat. So, the humans trying to master the technique put themselves in the cat's perspective. They acted like cats, ate like cats, thought like cats. But it still wasn't enough. There was still that human factor that they had as a constant obstacle. They couldn't fully become cats because of their human nature."

"Just a second," Neji interrupted. "What does this have to do with me?"

"I'm getting there right now. Anyway, they finally came up with a solution. They created a potion that would force the drinker to think like a cat. Not only that, but also have the mindset, instinct and desires of a cat. Only then could they truly master the technique. After all, only a true cat would know when to strike and how hard and fast to do so. And it worked. They had finally come up with catfist. The fighters could perform it perfectly… for a time, at least."

"Hm?"

"Turns out that there were some complications with the potion. It worked, but just a little too well. You see, the fighters could perform the technique and respond to the changes well enough, but the issue was the fact that they couldn't come out of it. They were permanently transformed into cats. They couldn't turn it off like they had initially planned. They were stuck in the state you're in right now. They think, behave and react as any cat would."

"Wait a minute! Are you telling me that this is a technique?!"

"Yes."

"How can that be? Since when is being lazy a technique?"

"Well, the actual technique activates on its own when you're either in danger or threatened in some way. During which time you may suffer a blackout of some sort. From what I understand, it's not painful at all. In that state you'll actually use the technique instinctively. Once the danger is gone, the technique shuts off and you return to your normal self."

It all made sense now. Everything was so clear. The potion did work after all. The technique they were supposed to learn was catfist!

"Now that I know that, could you please tell me how to cure this?"

Shino said nothing.

"You mean there isn't a cure?!"

"Now, I didn't say that. But the thing is that once the experiment backfired on them, the researchers packed up shop, as it were, and ran off. They disappeared without a trace. However, they did leave behind numerous bottles containing that potion. Some people who either have been involved in some way or just happened across it at the right time, have an instruction book telling you how to activate the potion and use it yourself. I take it that Sasuke happened across such a book, correct?"

Neji wasn't listening anymore. "So, you mean to tell me that we're stuck like this for the rest of our lives?!"

"Perhaps… Although, it is possible that the potion will wear off in a few years or there may be a cure that hasn't been discovered yet. Hard to say."

"Where is this book that you found this information in?" He had every intention to research it himself and find a cure on his own. Maybe he'd find more about it along the way.

"It was a while ago. I just brushed up on it the other day when I found you chasing fireflies. I knew you were acting very cat-like so I decided to have a look. There wasn't very much information in the book that I read the other night. It was mostly pieced together from multiple sources. It's more of a sum-up than anything. It has no information other than the symptoms that you're displaying now. It won't help you much."

Neji bashed his head against the brick wall behind him. It was hopeless after all. On a list of things to go wrong today, so far, he had: embarrassing himself in front of his team, forced into a bath he was less than happy about, got high off catnip and went out into public, and now found out that there was no cure for the potion to speak of. What else could go wrong today?

"Shino, is there anything else I should know about?"

He thought behind his high collar and dark glasses. "Even though I knew the truth early on and knew of your situation, I haven't told anyone. I knew you wouldn't approve. Hinata had asked me where you were and what you were doing since I had seen you last, but I told her that you were doing some secret training by yourself. But if she ever needed to talk to you, I suggested that she leave some milk out in a bowl for you."

"That's not funny," Neji glared.

"Oh. Are you aware that Kakashi is also aware of your condition?"

His eyes widened. "What?!"

"I'll take that as a 'no'. Yes, he's aware of your predicament but has decided to keep quiet about it and enjoy the show. He wants to see where it goes."

Neji snarled. "That jerk...!"

"Shino!"

"Arf! Arf!"

He turned and looked out into the street. Kiba and Akamaru were looking for him. At the sound of Akamaru's tiny barking, Neji took to hiding in the shadows. They were getting closer.

"Where'd he go? We've got stuff to do today. Leave it to that guy to just disappear, eh, Akamaru?"

"Arf!"

"Yeah… He probably found a moth or something. I bet you he's asking a butterfly to be his girlfriend right now."

Shino narrowed his eyes with a soft growl.

"Shino!"

"Arf! Arf!"

He turned back to Neji. "I'd better go. If I find anything new, I'll let you be the first to know."

"Fine, whatever, go!" Neji didn't want that dog to come any closer.

Shino stepped out from behind the building and over to his team. "Stop shouting, I hear you."

"Finally! Where the heck were you?"

"Arf!"

"Just doing a little research."

Neji staggered back to Naruto's apartment with his mind full of new information. Catfist? They knew catfist? Kakashi knew but saw it as entertainment and was going to continue watching from afar? There was no cure? It was a lot to take in at once. He had to get back and tell Sasuke. He had a right to know, too.

He opened the door and stepped inside. "I'm back."

Hearing giggles, he looked around. Naruto and Lee were sitting in the middle of the floor. Lee was trying to reason with Naruto, but he was too busy giggling to listen. He was holding a flashlight in his hand. He turned once he was aware of Neji's presence.

"Hey, check this out, Neji! It's so funny!"

Neji took a seat next to Naruto and watched. He shined the flashlight on the wall. Suddenly out of nowhere, Sasuke went soaring through the air and into the wall with a loud thud.

"What in the...?"

"I told you it was funny!"

"I don't get it."

"Then watch again!" Naruto shined the light on the floor this time. He moved the light around in small circles really fast. Sasuke appeared and chased after the light, trying to catch it in his hands. He looked confused every time he failed as if he really expected to catch it. The light appeared behind him and he turned. He tried to chase it but the light disappeared. He looked wildly around and found it dancing on the wall again. He followed it around with his eyes. Sasuke crouched low to the ground, preparing to spring. At just the right moment, he jumped and smashed face-first into the wall, sliding to the ground.

Now Neji understood. It was another cat game.

Naruto roared with laughter. "Isn't that awesome?! He's been doing it for the past ten minutes!"

"This game is mean, Naruto," Lee scolded him. "You should really stop now. I think he has had enough."

"Aw! But it's funny!"

"Please?"

"Oh, fine." Naruto clicked the flashlight off with a sigh. He was really having fun with that game.

Neji went to Sasuke's side and help him up. "Are you alright?"

Sasuke let out a loud moan. "I've got such a headache…"

"Are you well enough to listen to me and comprehend what I'm saying to you?"

"Probably. Why? What's going on?"

Neji sighed heavily, indicating that it wasn't good news. "Where do I begin...?"

"WHAT?! How could you tell them?! What's wrong with you?!"

"I didn't tell them! Shino told me that he knew because of a book he read. Kakashi knew from the start but he thinks of it as entertainment and that's why he hasn't said anything. So don't get mad at me! Get mad at your sensei!"

Sasuke snarled and his hair started to stand on end. "This is such a pain in the ass! That jerk sensei of mine… Is our condition just a big joke to him?! The next time I see him, I'm gonna...!"

Neji knew that Sasuke was going to react this way. He just knew it. He couldn't blame him, though. It was pretty cruel, what Kakashi was doing to them. Well, maybe cruel wasn't the right word. He was being more of a nuisance. No, that wasn't it either. Whatever you wanted to call it, it was pissing them off. They hated being teased. This was nothing to laugh at. Entertainment?! Kakashi was nothing more than a bigger more quiet version of Naruto in that sense. He just wanted a cheap laugh at their expense.

They both sat at the end of Naruto's bed discussing what they were going to do next. No ideas came to mind. After all, it wasn't like Shino to go around blabbing to everyone. And as long as Kakashi was being quiet about it, there was really nothing much to worry about.

In mid-conversation, Sasuke started to lick his arm, grooming himself. He licked the back of his hand and ran it through his hair. He licked his hand again and rubbed it against his cheek.

Watching him do that made Neji want to do it, too. His hand started to lift up to his face and his tongue started to creep out of his mouth. Just before it made contact, Neji snapped himself out of it and sat on his hands. "Sasuke!"

"Hm?" he asked, still grooming.

"We're doing it again! Look! You're grooming yourself!"

Sasuke looked down and immediately stopped. "God! Not again! I just can't help myself anymore! I feel like I have to do it!"

"I don't get why we're doing it. We just had a bath. Why would we be trying to… Sasuke, you're doing it again!"

Sasuke grabbed hold of his arm with the other and tried to force it back down away from his mouth. "I can't help it! I can't stop myself! I have to do it!"

Neji started to lick his arm, too, even after telling himself that he wouldn't. "Crap… I'm doing it, too…"

Sasuke lost the fight and went back to licking his arm. "Dammit."

Once finished with his arm, Neji laid down on the bed and started to lick his knee. He just couldn't help himself. It was an impulse he couldn't resist.

"Hey, Neji...?"

"I know, I'm licking my leg. Shut up about it."

"No, not that." Sasuke paused, rubbing the back of his hand on his face. "Did you notice something?"

"How pathetic we both are?"

"No." Sasuke laid down next to Neji on the bed and curled up. "I was wondering if you noticed how we feel after we lick."

"Stupid? Gross? Slimy? Wet? Ridiculous? Pathetic? Stop me when I get close."

"No." Sasuke rested his closed fist under his chin and gave it a lick. "Tired."

"Hm?"

"I feel tired after I've been licking myself. It wears me out."

"Really? I didn't notice."

Sasuke yawned and closed his eyes, still licking his hand. "Well, I did… I feel sleepy."

Neji scoffed. "Just a second ago, you were fuming mad. Now look at you, so calm and quiet."

Sasuke rolled into a ball. "Funny… I can't even remember why I was so mad before… It was something about… about… can't 'member…" Sasuke stopped licking his arm. "G'night." He fell asleep moments later, his hand still wet from licking it so much.

To tease him a little, Neji blew on his hand, cooling the saliva and making him shiver. He tucked his hand under his chest and turned his head the other way. Watching him sleep was making Neji a little sleepy himself. Stretching his body out until he was nice and limber, Neji curled up into a ball next to Sasuke and closed his eyes.

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