Castle Guards
Castle Guards
By Ammie Hawk
Disclaimer: Claim? What claim? The only thing I can claim at the moment is my stuff, I don't even own my room, so there.
AN: First off, I'd like to apologize. No matter how hard I tried to get the lemon in this chapter it wouldn't work. In the end not even Neji was willing to help me out. Who knows, with the way this is going, I may just dedicate a whole chapter to all my couples shagging.
Anyway, I needed to make a decision as the Draco/Harry bit looms ever nearer now. So with the vote 4 to 1, they will be getting together. I'm sorry if this offends anyone, or they didn't want to see that pairing, you should've let me know.
However, if you'd like to help me decide who to put with the Uchiha brothers, they're now free. I'd like for them to be in crossover pairings, so if you keep that in mind when you make suggestions. The only thing I ask is that you remember this small fact, in this story set, Sasuke is gay, Itachi can go either way at the moment. Oh and just to let you know the pairings thus far that shall not be changed are: Neji/Naruto, Shika/Gaara, Shino/Kiba, Kakashi/Iruka, Temari/Sakura, Kankuro/TenTen, Draco/Harry, Ron/Hermione, Remus/Sirius, oh and Snape's paired with someone too.
Okay enough of my ramblings.
Flashback
Chapter 18: What the Hell is Valentine's Day?
The next day at breakfast, Naruto watched Harry in subtle curiosity, which for the kitsune vessel was anything but. However, the only one who seemed to notice his scrutiny was Hermione, but she was quickly distracted by the delivery of the morning paper.
"Hey, Harry," Naruto whispered to the raven haired wizard, "you okay?"
"Fine," Harry muttered, absently rubbing his scar.
"Really?" the blonde looked as if he highly doubted this. "Oh, by the way, I saw you talking with Cho yesterday, what was that about?"
"Oh," the wizard looked taken aback for a moment, "she just wanted to get together on the next Hogsmeade visit, which just so happens to fall on Valentine's Day."
"What's that?" the ANBU asked curiously.
"Well, it's a day to spend time with the one you love, or care about," Harry began, but Hermione interrupted him by giving a yelp that caused everyone in the vicinity to stare at her.
Naruto shrugged after a moment and turned his attention back to his breakfast, his mind running wild. What was all this hype about Valentine's Day? It wasn't as if you couldn't spend time with the one you loved on any other day. He'd have to ask Harry more about it later, or possibly Hermione, she might understand.
On the other side of the table, Gaara was reading over the paper that Hermione had spread across the table. The news was most distressing to the Kazekage. A prisoner escaping was always a big deal, but these were apparently some of Voldemort's biggest supporters. Their security measures would have to be doubled. He'd get in touch with Iruka and Kakashi at the earliest possible convenience. Perhaps it was also time to speak with their charges about their mission, after all they now knew they were shinobi.
His chance arose a few weeks later when he, Kankuro, and Temari were watching their charges late at night in the common room.
"Maybe it's a bit like an illness," said Hermione, looking concerned when Harry confided in her and Ron about his scar. "A fever or something. It has to get worse before it gets better."
"It's lessons with Snape that are making it worse," said Harry flatly. "I'm getting sick of my scar hurting, and I'm getting bored walking down that corridor every night." He rubbed his forehead angrily. "I just wish the door would open, I'm sick of standing staring at it—"
"That's not funny," said Hermione sharply. "Dumbledore doesn't want you to have dreams about that corridor at all, or he wouldn't have asked Snape to teach you Occlumency. You're just going to have to work a bit harder in your lessons."
In that moment, Gaara was exceedingly glad he'd placed those seals on their charges. If Harry was still having trouble blocking his mind then the information he housed was dangerous at best.
"I am working!" said Harry, nettled. "You try it sometime, Snape trying to get inside your head, it's not a bundle of laughs, you know!"
"Maybe…" said Ron slowly.
"Maybe what?" said Hermione rather snappishly.
"Maybe it's not Harry's fault he can't close his mind," said Ron darkly.
"What do you mean?" said Hermione, and the Kazekage's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Well, maybe Snape isn't really trying to help Harry…."
Harry and Hermione stared at him. Ron looked darkly and meaningfully from one to the other.
"Maybe," he said again in a lower voice, which caused the three Sand shinobi to inch closer, "he's actually trying to open Harry's mind a bit wider… make it easier for You-Know—"
"Shut up, Ron," said Hermione angrily. "How many times have you suspected Snape, and when have you ever been right? Dumbledore trusts him, he works for the Order, that ought to be enough."
"He used to be a Death Eater," said Ron stubbornly. "And we've never seen proof that he really swapped sides…."
"Dumbledore trusts him," Hermione repeated. "And if we can't trust Dumbledore, we can't trust anyone."
"Oh yeah," Harry rolled his eyes. "Cause Dumbledore's trust has never led us astray before. I mean, come on, Hermione, he trusts fucking ninja for god's sake. Do you even think he knows who they are? It took you months to figure it out."
"You might want to keep it down, Potter," Gaara said, stepping from the shadows with his siblings, who were looking shocked by the revelation. "It would not do for us to be known as shinobi."
"So you don't deny it?" Hermione held his gaze, though it was a difficult task for her, his stare was creepy.
"Why should we?" he asked calmly. "We can no more change that fact than you change the fact that you are a witch."
"But you were less than accommodating when we asked for your help," Hermione's brow furrowed.
"Well duh," Kankuro shook his head. "Why would we help you figure out a secret we were trying to keep?"
"So," Harry got over his shock at the sight of the shinobi, "does Dumbledore know you're ninja?"
"Who do you think hired us?" Temari rolled her eyes. "Who do you honestly think would hire the best shinobi of two villages to protect Harry Potter and his little gang of friends?"
"Temari," Gaara's voice was quiet but it held a note of authority that was not missed by anyone present, and the kunoichi bowed her head in acquiesce. "Dumbledore knows who and what we are, down to our ranks. He also was very specific in his request that no one knows he hired ninja to help at his school."
"So why are you telling us then?" Ron asked curiously.
"You found out for yourselves who two of us were," Gaara held his gaze. "We cannot change that fact. However, you could make it easier on us by complying with our wishes and not doing something stupid."
"How are you going about protecting Harry from Voldemort controlling his mind?" Hermione asked suspiciously.
"We do not have the means to protect him from that onslaught," the redhead shook his head sadly. "However, we have protected ourselves from being discovered."
"How?" Harry asked confused.
"Have you not noticed that whenever you are in a lesson with Snape, he never manages to bring forth a memory that involves information about us?" the Kazekage tilted his head to the side.
"Now that you mention it," Harry's brow furrowed.
Flashback
Snape stopped his assault on Harry's mind for a moment, a thoughtful expression on face. They had been doing Occlumancy lessons for two weeks now.
"Potter," Snape demanded quietly, "is there some reason why select memories are hidden behind a wall within your mind?"
"What are you talking about, sir?" Harry asked incredulously.
"There is a wall in your mind, Potter," the Potions Master said as if addressing a small child, "which stops me from viewing some of your memories. I do not believe that even the most skilled Legillimens, like the Dark Lord and the headmaster, would be able to access them."
"Weird," Harry shrugged. "At least I know that part of my mind is safe from the likes of Voldemort."
End Flashback
"Yeah," the raven haired teen nodded. "Snape mentioned a wall blocking him from getting to some of my memories."
"Interesting, usually it's just a fog," Gaara raised a non-existent brow. "I placed a seal on the five of you, blocking all knowledge you have on us from being accessed from an outside party. I'm glad to see it is working effectively."
"Why would you do something like that?" Hermione asked incredulously. "And without our permission?"
"You contain within you head valuable information on two of the most prominent members of Suna and Konoha," Gaara answered calmly. "We cannot risk that information falling into the wrong hands. If Voldemort were to discover that we are here, most specifically Naruto, then he would have the aid he needed from the Akatsuki. We cannot have them coming here, the nine of us are not a match for them."
"So you blocked them to protect Naruto?" Ron nodded. "Makes sense. But why didn't you tell us?"
"I just did," the redhead smirked. "Now, I believe that everyone should get to bed. You've talked long enough."
Once the three wizarding students had gone to their respective dormitories another figure emerged from the shadows.
"Why did you do that, Gaara?" Neji asked in disbelief.
"I have my reasons, Hyuuga," the Kazekage leveled him with a glare. "Now what do you want?"
"I came to request some time off, for both myself and Naruto," the long-haired brunette shrugged. "It hasn't escaped my notice that you seem to be keeping us as far away from each other as possible."
"And when did you want this time off?" the redhead crossed his arms over his chest, not willing to show his true feelings. Inside he was panicking. If Neji realized what he was doing, would Naruto as well? He didn't want to think about what the blonde would do if he realized Gaara was trying to keep him from his boyfriend. It's not that he didn't like the Hyuuga, he just didn't want to lose his first friend.
"February fourteenth," Neji smirked slightly, knowing exactly what the Kazekage was thinking. "The next Hogsmeade visit. That day is supposed to be important to lovers, so I thought it fitting."
"Very well," Gaara sighed. "Though I want you to be on the alert. If I send for you or Naruto, you will come immediately."
"Of course," the pale eyed teen nodded. "Good night, Gaara. Kankuro. Temari."
8888888 (AN: This section is dedicated once again to greenboy313, who planted the idea in my head, though I tweaked it a bit.)
On the morning of the fourteenth, Harry was standing despondently in front of a mirror. No matter what he did, he didn't think he looked right for his date with Cho.
"I don't know what you're problem is, mate," Ron said from his bed. "It's just a trip to Hogsmeade, so what if you're going with a girl."
"You wouldn't understand," Naruto rolled his eyes at the redheaded wizard. "Come on, Harry, let's see what you've got to wear."
"Oh no," Neji groaned as he entered the room and saw clothes flying in all directions. "You want Naruto to help you? Oh my god. Naruto, get yourself dressed. I'll help Harry. And no orange, Naruto."
He began going through the pile of clothes that Naruto had scattered, folding them and placing them in piles on Harry's bed. He finally shook his head as he laid the last item down.
"Kiba! Shino!" he called over to the two shinobi. "Bring me your bags, as well as my own."
Kiba grinned wickedly as he reached down and grabbed the three bags. He brought them over to the Hyuuga and together they began going through them.
"Wait!" Kiba jumped up suddenly. "I'm sure Gaara won't mind if we borrow some of his things."
"Naruto, go ask Gaara," Neji commanded, eyeing the clothes before him carefully.
Naruto left and returned a moment later with the stoic redhead in tow.
"What do you want now, Hyuuga?" jade eyes rolled in annoyance.
"Kiba was wondering if we could let Harry borrow some of your clothes," Neji shrugged, setting aside a simple pair of black ANBU pants.
Gaara waved him off and went right back the way he had come, not wanting to get involved in the madness of fashion. Naruto beamed at his retreating back before lugging the Kazekage's bag over to his boyfriend.
"Ah, perfect," Neji beamed as he pulled out a gray vest from Gaara's bag and added it to the black pants. "Now all we need is an undershirt."
"You need more color than that, otherwise he'll look washed out," Naruto shook his head. "Green would be perfect! I've got that shirt Kakashi gave me that one time."
"Bring it over," the Byakugan user said quietly.
Naruto brought over a dark hunter green, long sleeve shirt and laid it with the vest and pants.
"Excellent," Neji nodded, handing the pile to Harry. "Go put it on."
Harry disappeared into the bathroom and reappeared a moment later, the vest still in his hands as he didn't know how to put it on. Kiba went over and helped him out and then the three shinobi stood back to admire their handiwork.
"Those shoes have got to go," Naruto pointed at Harry's trainers. "You can borrow a pair of mine."
He went over and rummaged in his trunk.
"Now for your hair," Neji circled Harry, eyeing the unruly mop with a critical eye. "Naruto, bring the gel, you know the one we used on Lee that one time."
Naruto grinned at his boyfriend before diving back into his bag. A moment later, he returned with a pair of ninja sandals and a bottle of hair gel. Neji took the bottle and motioned for Harry to have a seat. The wizard complied nervously, not sure what was going to happen to him at the hands of the long-haired shinobi.
Neji tipped the bottle and poured a generous amount of the gelatinous liquid into his palm. He then began working it into the raven's hair.
"The messy look works for you, Harry, as it does Kiba and Gaara," he said as he worked. "But the way it normally sits is doing nothing for you. Kiba, headband!"
The dog ninja nodded and ran over to his trunk. He pulled out a plain black strip of leather and handed it to the Hyuuga. Neji nodded and tied it firmly over Harry's forehead, in a similar fashion to the way most of them wore their ninja headbands.
"Whoa!" Ron gaped at the finished product. "I didn't know you could look like that, mate."
Neville, Seamus, and Dean, who had just woken up, looked over at Harry in confusion. All three jaws dropped open in shock.
"Wow, Harry," Seamus's eyes about popped out of his head. "Got a date or something?"
"Yeah," Harry fidgeted with the hem of the vest nervously.
"Looks good, mate," Dean gave him the thumbs up.
"Yeah," Neville nodded in agreement.
"Good, let's go," Neji prodded Harry in the back to get him out the door. Naruto and Kiba followed proudly, neither one wanting to wait to show off their work.
Ron caught up with them in the common room and they made their way down to breakfast together. Everyone turned to look at them as they walked in. Everyone knew that the foreigners were some of the strangest dressed individuals in the school, but they always managed to look good. However, today, all eyes were drawn to the shy figure behind them. Harry kept his eyes down as he made his way over to the Gryffindor table.
"Whoa! Harry?" Hermione asked as he sat down next to her.
"Oh, please don't stare at me, Hermione," he pleaded, once again fidgeting with his clothes.
"You look amazing, what happened?" she shook her head slightly.
"They happened," he pointed at the three shinobi, who were all wearing smug expressions on their faces.
"Wherever did you get those clothes?" she asked them curiously.
"The pants are Kiba's, the shirt and shoes are Naruto's, and the vest is Gaara's," Neji smirked.
"I can't believe you did a makeover without me," Sakura pouted across from them. "But I have to say, he looks good. Who did his hair? It was Neji, wasn't it?"
"Of course it was Neji," Temari rolled her eyes at her girlfriend. "You think either one of those shag heads," she pointed to Naruto and Kiba, "could do anything with hair? Honestly, that'd be like asking my brothers to do it."
"Hey!" both boys yelled in outrage.
At that moment the post owls arrived and they were all distracted.
"Come on, Naruto," Neji said after awhile, "we've got things to do today. And don't worry, Gaara said he'd take care of things."
"Gaara?" the blonde turned to the Kazekage, who nodded once to validate the Hyuuga's claim. "Okay then, let's go."
The two of them disappeared out the door. Not a moment later, Ron was nudging Harry in the side, trying to get his attention. He turned to his friend in irritation but noticing Ron's look, followed it to see Malfoy and Shikamaru headed their way.
"What happened, Potter," Malfoy sneered, but his eyes were roaming the other wizard appreciatively, "lose a bet?"
"What's it to you, Malfoy?" Harry crossed his arms over his chest, he didn't need this right now, he was supposed to meet up with Cho for their date.
"Nothing," blue eyes met green and neither one could look away.
"So Gaara," Shikamaru turned to the Kazekage, "where's Naruto? I was hoping to spend some time with him today."
"He's going to the village with Hyuuga," the redhead said evenly.
"This is such a drag," the brunette sighed. "Why'd you let him do that? Don't you realize what kind of trouble they could get into?"
"I had no choice," the Kazekage gave the other a pointed look, which brooked no argument. "Hyuuga would've gotten him away, one way or the other. And I trust Hyuuga to keep him out of trouble, he is level-headed enough for that."
"True," Shikamaru sighed, shoving his hands in his pockets. "So, you want some company today?"
"Why?" Gaara asked suspiciously.
"I have a feeling we'll be seeing each other a lot today," he gave a subtle nod toward the two wizards. "So why not just plan on spending time together anyway? Besides, it'll keep me from getting bored."
"Alright," the redhead sighed, and then glanced at his charge. "Harry, weren't you supposed to be meeting someone?"
"Wha—" Harry looked over at him in confusion for a moment. "Oh right, yeah, I should go. See you around, Malfoy."
The three of them, Harry, Gaara, and Shikamaru, began making their way to the doors. They saw Cho waiting for Harry a little to the side of the oak front doors.
"Hi," said Cho slightly breathless, "you look nice."
"Hi," said Harry.
They stared at each other for a moment, then Harry said, "Well—er—shall we go, then?"
They joined the queue of people being signed out by Filch.
"So why are they with you?" she nodded toward the two shinobi.
"Oh, they're just heading to the village," Harry shrugged. "We happened to leave the Great Hall together."
"Shika!" Pansy ran over to the lazy teen and latched herself onto his arm. "Would you possibly like to spend the day with me in Hogsmeade?"
"Nope," he loosed himself from her grip and threw his arm around the Kazekage's shoulders, which caused the redhead to immediately tense. "Already got a date."
Pansy looked a bit put out but shrugged, thinking him to be joking. She could get him away from that creepy redhead any day, today would be no exception. Besides, they were both too good looking to be gay.
"Play along," Shikamaru leaned over and whispered in Gaara's ear. "I would've had Naruto pretend to be my boyfriend today, but he's with his actual boyfriend. I can't stand that girl, she's too troublesome. Won't take no for an answer. She's worse than your sister."
Gaara's hand flew to his mouth to stop his laughter. Harry and Shikamaru gave him curious looks, they'd never seen the Kazekage act like that before.
"So you mean she's scarier than hell?" Gaara removed his hand, trying valiantly to keep a straight face, but he could feel the corners of his mouth twitching.
"Finally, someone who understands," Shikamaru shook his head. "Though how you can find anyone scary is beyond me."
"You're not afraid of me," Gaara said matter-of-factly.
"Not anymore," the lazy ninja shrugged. "I was at one point. But now, I guess Naruto made me realize you weren't what you appeared at first."
"Or maybe you've been deceived," sand shot up Shikamaru's arm, which was still draped around the Kazekage's shoulders, encasing it.
"You know, that threat only works if I know you mean it," Shikamaru chuckled, not moving his arm. "And remember, you're pretending to be my boyfriend, not a mass murderer."
They had made it to the village by this point and were still following Harry and Cho around, though it appeared that they just happened to be going in the same direction as they were. They ended up in a horribly decorated shop called Madam Puddifoot's. The two shinobi took up a small table in the back, sitting side by side so they had a clear view of the entire shop.
"What can I get you, m'dears?" a very stout woman with a shiny black bun asked. "It's not very often I get a male couple in here."
"We're not a couple," Gaara said quickly, shooting a glance at his companion.
"He's a bit shy," Shikamaru winked at the woman. "We'll have some coffee, please."
She nodded and left them alone, returning a moment later with two steaming mugs of the dark brown liquid. Gaara sniffed it tentatively before taking a sip.
"You're not going to go insane on me, are you?" Shikamaru gave him a sidelong glance. "I can't give Naruto caffeine, he gets out of control."
"I could imagine," Gaara shrugged, glancing around the room at all the other couples, who seemed to be in various stages of embraces. "I think it was a bad idea to come in here."
"Why?" Shikamaru raised a questioning brow.
The Kazekage made a subtle nod of his head in the direction of the other couples, his gaze lingering on Harry and Cho, the latter of which seemed to be watching them intently. Shikamaru followed his gaze and realized why the redhead would be feeling uneasy.
"You afraid, Gaara?" he smirked.
"What? No!" the Kazekage shook his head animatedly. "I'm not afraid."
"Good," Shikamaru nodded.
Then without warning, his arm dropped to the Kazekage's shoulders once more and pulled the smaller shinobi closer to him.
"What are you doing?" the redhead asked confused.
"This," Shikamaru replied as he leaned in and captured Gaara's lips with his own.
The Kazekage stiffened at the contact, but slowly melted into the strong arms of the shadow ninja. He felt Shikamaru smirk as the kiss deepened, the Leaf ANBU slipping his tongue lazily past Gaara's pliant lips.
"Cho!" Harry's cry pulled them apart.
Gaara pulled back, his hand flying to his mouth and rubbing it in a dazed sort of manner. He finally met the brown eyes of his companion and Shikamaru saw a faint tint to his cheeks before he turned away.
"Time to go," Shikamaru muttered quietly as he pulled Gaara to his feet.
8888888
To say Neji's day wasn't going as planned was an understatement if there ever was one. He had planned to take Naruto out to lunch in the village and do a bit of leisurely shopping as well, but the blonde insisted on dragging him to see Iruka and Kakashi first. That was why, he now found himself seated in the living room of the older shinobi's house with the silver haired jounin, while his boyfriend had a little chat with their former sensei.
"So Neji," Kakashi looked up from his book, "what are your plans with Naruto?"
"I don't think it matters," the Hyuuga sighed, leaning back in his seat. He wasn't pouting, nope definitely not pouting, Hyuugas don't pout.
"Don't sulk, Neji," the jounin chuckled slightly. "It doesn't suit you. Now what makes you say that?"
"It seems that no matter what I do, something or someone always interferes," Neji shook his head, he wasn't sulking, damn it! "I haven't had a moment alone with Naruto since we got back together, even before that it was hit and miss at best."
"Okay," Kakashi nodded in understanding, there were times he felt that way with Iruka. "So tell me, what seem to be the biggest things that interfere?"
"Well, there's Gaara," the long-haired teen sighed, "and now Shikamaru, and of course this damn mission. Everything seems to be getting in the way, even Naruto himself, though he doesn't realize it."
"Let me ask you something, Neji," the copy ninja gave the Byakugan user an apprizing look. "I'm sure with this information, I can ease all concerned parties, well at least Iruka, Gaara, and Shikamaru. What are your intentions? Is this just a quick fuck or are you in this for more?"
"What?" Neji sat up indignantly. "Is that what they think? That I'm only interested in Naruto for sex?"
"Or maybe you're just using him to get out of a marriage you don't want?" Kakashi supplied helpfully. "Iruka filled me in on that unfortunate detail."
"I would never do something like that," the brunette shook his head. "If that is what they think I will wait until we return home before coming near Naruto again."
"That won't be necessary, I assure you," the jounin sat back, at least now he could reassure his chunin that their little kitsune was in good hands. "In fact, that would confuse Naruto even more. Now, I know that neither one of you are virgins, so I don't have to worry about you stealing his innocence or anything like that. But Iruka wanted me to talk with you."
"Excuse me?" the pale-eyed teen looked at him in confusion, a faint blush tinting his cheeks. "How do you know that?"
"Well, Naruto came and talked with me and Iruka shortly after he moved in with Shikamaru, telling us that he and Shika had done some things but he didn't think he wanted it. Iruka was pissed about it actually. I honestly feared for Shikamaru's life." Kakashi explained. "And as for you, did you honestly believe my self-proclaimed rival would not tell me that his two youthful students had lost their virginity to one another?"
"I will never live that down, will I?" the Hyuuga buried his now glowing face in his hands. "Lee got me drunk. I don't even remember it. All I recall is waking up in the same bed as him and nearly having a heart attack."
"I can understand that," Kakashi nodded. "I would feel the same way if Gai had done that to me. Oh wait, he did. But if you wanted a better experience, I would recommend Naruto, he's quite the catch."
"I'm not going to sleep with him just to erase some bad memories of Rock Lee," Neji shook his head. He was not having this conversation with Kakashi Hatake, he just wasn't.
"Good to know," the silver haired man smiled beneath his mask. "Now my advice to you is to just take things as they come. Don't worry so much about things being perfect. I know that's hard for your ego, but considering it's Naruto, just be happy you can get him to sit still for five minutes. And as for Gaara and Shikamaru, find them someone else to worry about other than your boyfriend. It worked with Naruto when I was trying to get Iruka."
"And how did you do that?" Neji latched onto the topic, hoping to get as far away from the topic of sex as possible.
"I arranged for him to have a mission to Suna for a couple weeks," Kakashi chuckled. "Though I don't think that will help in your case. But if you can find Gaara another friend, he might not be so protective of one of the only ones he has. Maybe you could find him a boyfriend, or girlfriend, whichever one he's interested in."
"Oh yes, because that would work splendidly," silver eyes rolled in annoyance. "I can see it now, setting Gaara up on a blind date only to have the other party disappear in a Sand Coffin."
"It's just something to think about, Neji," Kakashi shrugged. "Anyway, let's go see what's keeping Iruka and Naruto. I'm sure they're conspiring behind our backs to have us take them out for dinner at the nearest ramen bar, which if memory serves me right, would be in Konoha."
After a surprisingly pleasant day spent with the two senseis, Naruto and Neji headed back to the castle. As they both prepared for bed, Naruto kept glancing surreptitiously at his boyfriend from the corner of his eye. Neji knew this of course, but he wasn't going to let on.
"Hey, Neji?" he asked as he climbed into his four-poster bed.
"Yes, Naruto?" the brunette looked at him curiously.
"Um, don't take this the wrong way or anything," Naruto bit his lip nervously, "but would you sleep with me?"
"Of course, Naruto," he nodded, a faint smile pulling at the edges of his mouth.
He slipped beneath the covers and pulled the blonde into a light embrace. It was late, and even if things didn't go how Neji had planned, it had turned out alright in the end.
--
Ammie: Well there you go, the next installment. I will apologize once again for the lack of lemon. However, if you'd like me to write them, I'll put up the Shika/Naru and Neji/Lee ones in my Happy Birthday, Naruto and make it a collection of oneshots.