Title: Shades
Pairing: Gaa/Neji … and Naru/Sasu (if you squint very and I mean VERY hard.)
Genre: Angst/Romance.
Fair warning, I'm going way off tangent this time, whole different field. I'm shamelessly ripping off 'Shades Of Grey' the title, the actions, some of the plot, and all of the freaking hotness.
Disclaimer: I do not own "Naruto" or "Shades Of Grey". The honors go to Masashi Kishimoto and E.L. James respectively.
Warning: BDSM, sadism, drugs, alcohol, snark, kink and sex and lots of it. I will not be responsible if little kids get corrupted, just sayin'.
Summary: "I always wonder why some of Kohona's elite like you turn up on this particular side of the tracks…" a dark smoky voice materialized out of the gloom, "but then again you wouldn't believe how much of your kind ends up down here." Those were the first word Neji Hyuuga heard while squinting in the thick darkness. Pity he didn't know those words would change his life.
Song: "Got Your Back" by T.I. Ft. Kerri Hilson. No seriously, this song sums up everything in this chapter. I'd recommend that you listen to it on replay while reading this. No law degree people….remember that.
And I've just got news that Prince had died…the world has lost an epic legend. #whendovescry
Chapter Five: Walking A Line
Dinner at the Uchiha mansion is a carefully coordinated Orchestra... Literally.
A string quartet played muted classic something in 'D' minor while the stiffly white clad servants lined the imperial sized dining room.
It was a mishmash of cultures, European ideas mixed with eastern symbolism.
As token, the head of the family, Uchiha senior, sat in the middle of the table clad in a formal western suit while sitting at his right hand was his demure wife Mikoto wearing a beautiful gray and white kimono.
Neji glanced up at the Uchiha senior, the Member of Parliament for South East Kohonagakure and dimly noticed that the man had more greys at his temples than before. Must be stress from the job, Neji reasoned. Itachi and his fiancée Karin were directly across from the older man who had steered the dinner conversation towards strictly business.
The man had just finished grilling Itachi on his cafe, his fashion line and the fiscal collaborations with his fiancée family. Each question was met with a decisive and cohesive answer. The man looked extremely pleased .
Then his attention turned to his younger son; questions about his academic performance, his martial arts, and his dedication to the mentorship program at the legalities office of one of his colleagues Fugaku had set up for him.
Sasuke had answered every question calmly and truthfully. Again the patriarch seemed pleased until this came;
"And you son," he asked," what's this I hear about you still getting into fights with the Uzumaki boy? "
Sasuke laid his chopsticks carefully on his plate and with eyes slightly diverted to the top of the table answered, "lt's nothing major father, " he replied," it's just that his ignorance and condescension irritates me."
Neji dared to look up at Fugaku and nearly had a heart attack. The patriarch's lips were quirked into a half smile. The table went silent, even the servants looked stunned.
"Is that so Sasuke, because from the years you and that boy have known each other, from grade school I gather, I thought his particular modus operandi wouldn't affect you that much."
Sasuke's face was blank but Neji could see a tense line in his shoulders clearly signaling that his fists under the table were clenched.
"I admit father, that there are times when I just can't ignore his attitude and I...react. I know it's disgraceful of the Uchiha way and I promise to try and not get into any more detrimental incidents with him."
Fugaku nodded and turned back to a strangely smirking Itachi to discuss the stock market.
Neji, without moving his gaze from the wall behind the older Uchiha, slowly slid his hand over Sasuke's and softly pried his stiff and cold fingers apart, squeezed his hand once and then, just as softly, returned his hand to his own lap.
" Neji-kun," Mikoto then directed, "how is your dear cousin?"
Grateful for the distraction, a softly smiling Neji turned to the woman, who upon the moment he and Sasuke had become friends and ascertained that he had no stable mother figure to turn to, had inserted herself in his life as a fitting substitute.
There was no birthday, no Christmas, no major accomplishments he had that wasn't met without an extravagant gift from the woman. There also were no question or objections when Mikoto would just show up mysteriously on the Hyuuga compound with a batch of freshly baked peanut butter chip cookies and a plethora of questions.
"Hinata - itoko is very well. She is improving in every aspect I can think of."
A smile, "And what about you, Neji-kun...any new developments in your life?"
Neji felt a blush rising but swiftly clamped it down, "Not particularly Mikito-san, my academics are on point, my training is progressing and I fully expect my application to the Tokyo University, law program to be accepted soon."
She smiled over the rim of her glass of water, "Well that's good, I wish you luck on everything."
Neji nodded and returned to the sashimi chicken before him, intensely aware of Sasuke's eyes on him.
...
It was getting late, almost nine thirty in the night, Neji had done everything in his power to avoid Sasuke's questions, even something as bland as discussing the traffic reforms in kohona.
Then his phone rang. It was his uncle.
"Moshi, mishi, Oji san."
"Neji, " his uncle said," please remember your appointment with the Amarashi firm tomorrow."
Neji could've slapped himself for the oversight. Upon ascertaining of his desire to be a lawyer, his uncle, with agreement the Academy, had arranged for a mentorship program with a local law firm in kohona.
He was to observe and learn the basics of being a defense attorney and the duties of a paralegal and if necessary assist the lawyers in their cases.
"Arigato Oji-san, I won't forget."
"Make sure." Hiashi replied just before hanging up.
Aside from the fact that it was getting late and the fact that he needed to avoid the barrage of questions that he sure that Sasuke had lined up for him, his uncle had just given him a silver plated reason to leave and he'd be damned to not take advantage of it.
Making his way over to the Uchiha senior he patiently waited for the man to finish his cell phone conversation.
"... Yes… put the briefs on my desk for Tuesday... Yes, I'll be there to meet the deputy police chief. Okay fine... Oyasumi nasai." The man asked after hanging up. "Hyuuga-san, is something wrong? "
Neji shook his head," No, Uchiha-san, it's just that I need to be going now. It was a lovely evening, thank you for having me."
The man curtly nodded, "You are welcome."
Turning to find Mikoto he bumped into Itachi. Neji stepped back aware of the red flush that was starting to rise. The youngest tensai of the Uchiha clan quirked an eyebrow at him.
"Sumimasen, Itachi-san," Neji stuttered, "I wasn't looking where I was going."
The older brother smirked, clearly amused. "No worries Neji-kun, it's okay. I hope the scarf outoto gave you is to your liking."
Neji blinked, "It is, why do you ask?"
A small smile while turning to wrap an arm around his redheaded fiancée, "Because that particular scarf was designed with the intention of making a statement... Hyuuga-kun I was wondering who you wanted to impress."
Neji stood there mind spinning, trying to decipher what the older, and genius, Uchiha had said to him but shook it off a moment later when he felt Sasuke standing beside him.
"What did he mean by that?" Neji wondered aloud,
Sasuke grunted," Who the hell knows. Itachi is weird as fuck."
Turning to face the young raven Neji said, "I have to go".
Sasuke's lips thinned in annoyance, "Just make sure to say goodbye to my mother but be warned, this doesn't end here."
A roll of grey eyes, "I know that."
With that he made his way to the matriarch who was talking to one of the servants. Upon seeing him she dismissed the man and turned to him.
"You're leaving, I take it."
He nodded, "Yes, Mikoto-san. It was a beautiful evening."
She tilted her head, "Why always so formal, Neji, but it's okay. Drive safely. "
With a slight bow Neji departed, not seeing the soft sympathetic look she shot at his back.
Under the starry sky, Neji paused for a moment, glancing up at the moon before slipping into the car. The short trip back to the Hyuuga compound was done in under ten minutes but all the way back Neji was contemplating every way, underhanded or not, to avoid Sasuke's eventual questions. The youngest Uchiha was like a dog with a bone, he didn't give up until he reached the marrow.
...
Monday morning, 7:30am
The silence in the car was palpable. Neji took a fleeting look at Sasuke, noticing the stiff set of his jaw.
Turning a corner he sighed, "Just say it."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed but he still stared stiffly out the windshield. "So now you want to hear anything I have to say, right. Please Neji, give me a break. "
Pale hands tightness imperceptibly on the steering wheel while turning to the temperamental Uchiha. "Just say it, Sasuke."
A beat. The tension broke.
"I know my mother," Sasuke sighed, "she wouldn't ask you that question if she didn't suspect something, so what going on?"
Neji pulled up to a parking spot and shut the engine off, his eyes closing for a second. He knew Sasuke and he also knew that he was going to admit everything one day. There was no way that he was going to avoid it completely but there was a way he could stall, and to be honest, he needed time to really think about what the hell he had gotten himself into.
Looking straight out the front window he admitted, "There is something going on but I don't want to talk about it." 'At least not now'; he mentally tacked on.
Silence. Neji turned to face him to see Sasuke staring out the passenger window with an indecipherable look on his face. Tracing his blank gaze Neji came upon a grinning Naruto talking animatedly with the Inuzuka kid, Kiba or something. Absently he wondered why Sasuke's lips were pressed together tightly.
"Sasuke?" He asked.
The Uchiha snapped back, gripping the inner door handle," You will tell me if it gets out of hand."
It wasn't a request, it was an order. One Neji knew he was going to fulfill...Just not yet.
...
All through the two hour lecture in government class Neji couldn't pretend to not feel the intense look scanning his person. Sasuke, under all his snark, sarcasm and controversial attitude was very loyal to anything he determined was worthy of his attention. Under all their acts, the truth was that, thick or thin, they always stuck together.
Neji didn't doubt that when it came to any test Sasuke would do almost anything to help him, and that was one thing he could cherish.
"That's a good attempt Akimichi - kun, but incorrect. Under statue 21 the incumbent of-"
Neji sighed, twiddling his pen, looking put the window, his mind pondering about Gaara, running over and over everything he knew (or what he thought he knew) about the man. Right now the redhead was a mystery, like some shadow figure from the netherworld. He had no idea what Gaara was, what was his past, his family, his life? What did he do for a living, what did he do for fun, what his interests were and finally, and most important, why on earth was Gaara even interested in him?
Neji closed his eyes. Sure, the man was drop dead attractive, so why did he like him, a typical, unremarkable seventeen year old high school student.
Gaara said he "wanted him" and based on the fire that raced in his blood after the two kisses he had shared with the man, he would be lying if he didn't feel the same.
He didn't know anything about gay relationships or what to expect, but...somehow
... he wanted it.
With that thought something undefined tightened on his belly.
...
Monday afternoon; Amarshi Legal Office. 2:15 p.m.
"Hyuuga-kun," Rowan Amarashi called through his frosted glass door. "Could you come in here please?"
Neji paused and laid down the pen he was using to highlight the torts in a property complaint before him, got up, tugged his navy blue button down shirt and entered the cold office of the lawyer.
Rohan Aramashi was the younger brother of Rowen Aramashi but had achieved both bachelors and master's degree by the way time he was twenty nine.
The amber eyes of the man quickly darted to the young Hyuuga and then back to the stack of papers before him.
"Please, sit."
Neji felt like he'd just been summoned to the principal's office for some unknown reason but nevertheless, he sat.
"Have you read the case against Gorge Barrington?"
Neji breathed, 'Oh' "Yes, I have. Mr. Barrington was charged with libel and identity theft for impersonating actor Charles Levin."
A small smile. "Do you know the reasons for the charges?"
Neji took a minute to carefully phrase his answer in his head before verbally replying, "Apparently, when Mr. Levin was in Germany for a three week of drug rehabilitation treatment in Germany, Mr. Barrington assumed his identity and went on a spate of appearances for the construction of a supposed homeless shelter when all the money was diverted to an account in Switzerland for the purchase of a château. Based on Mr. Levin's actual philosophic action they, the people he deceived, thought the whole thing was legitimate. "
"Excellent," the older man said, "How did they discover the ruse?"
Settling back Neji answered, "A real client of Mr. Levin had arranged for a comedy short by him for a fundraiser. When she contact his agent she was told that he was disposed. Upon further checking she realized that the man they all thought was the actor was in fact one of his paid doubles."
"And what is the primary issue here?"
Neji smiled, "The deficit of a disclaimer, verbal or written. Under the definitions of his agreement, he was obligated to inform any clients that he's just an impersonator and that his input is just an act. "
Another smile, wider this time. "And what are the repercussion?"
"Aside from the prison sentence of five years he being sued by not only the people he had conned but the actors' guild and Mr. Levin himself."
"Any other thoughts on this matter?" He was asked.
Neji paused for a minute before speaking, "I think he should be also charged with fraudulent and malicious intent."
A searching look, "Defend."
"Even if he didn't rack up an enormous amount of debt and destroying Mr. Levin's credit score he clearly knew that he would be damaging Mr. Levin's reputation. His act has completely destroyed Mr. Levin philanthropic status resulting in constant suspicion and social derision. That amount of damage is not reversible."
The attorney smiled while standing up, "You're learning fast Neji-kun; with your intuition you are going to be an excellent defense attorney."
A warm feeling flooded Neji's chest. Standing up he bowed slightly, "Thank you."
...
Wednesday, History class.
It was one of those days when the Academy only held classes for half a day for seniors, the other hours were free. Neji had successfully avoided Sasuke for the last three days but he knew that his time was running short. Sasuke was bound to confront him sooner or later. He needed to get away.
But how?
He glanced up at the clock above the white board and grimaced. It was 11.27. Classes stopped at twelve. He needed to get and stay away fast. Eyebrows furrowed he quickly ran through every excuse he could think off and sighed. He could claim an unscheduled Key club meeting, a chess match, a trip across town, a training session with his uncle but no, not one was sufficient enough.
Sighing his massaged his forehead and wiped his hand over his face which incidentally brushed against his lips.
His eyes flew open. Gaara.
With furtive glances at the lecturer whose back was turned he secretly he took out his phone and wrote 'Gaara, are you free this afternoon?'
Turning back with feigned attention he tried to jot down some notes while, pulse racing, anticipated the reply.
The clock ticked... Ticked... Ticked... Ticked...
Five minutes passed.
Neji's foot was bouncing under the desk like a demented ball.
11. 35.
Then a slight vibrate. He breathed. Shifting to view the screen he read; 'Yes, but it bequeaths me to ask, why.'
Beside himself Neji arched an eyebrow. Like seriously, which era was Gaara in? Who uses the word 'bequeath' in this century?
Rolling his eyes he replied, 'Remember that canker sore friend of mine, well I've got to get away from him'
A beat.
'Okay, if you insist... But be warned, this doesn't count as one of our dates.'
Another roll of eyes. 'Sure, have it your way...You extortionist."
"... Wait... I think that's the first compliment I've gotten out of you. I'm touched. I'll text you."
With a small amused shake of his head Neji settled down with a pleased smile on his face.
"A competition." Neji deadpanned while looking up at the looming amphitheater.
"Yes." Gaara said while placed a hand on Neji's lower back softly guiding him into the building, "You said you're into martial arts, correct, a friend of mine is in the semifinals."
When the classes had ended Neji quickly left the Academy, took a quick trip home; changed into pair of black jeans and a hunter green short sleeved shirt. Gaara had given him directions to the upper side of Kohona and to the theatre.
Neji had arrived to see Gaara leaning on a cement column, dressed in full black. A midnight pair of jeans and a no less obsidian sleeveless shirt baring his fair muscles to the world. His red hair looked like a riotous beacon under the blazing sun.
Three steps towards him, Gaara looked up and pinned him with those glimmering green eyes.
Neji had to stop to breathe.
"Do I have to suffer through the prelims?" The young Hyuuga asked petulantly.
"Yes you do." he replied.
"I'm going to be bored." he said following Gaara's lead into the open space.
"No, you're not." the Sabaku said while choosing seats on the fifth row above the floor.
A brow quirked, "Oh, so you are psychic. Tell me o gifted one, how sure are you? "
Gaara's smile was lupine, "Oh, I'm definitely gifted all right..." he paused leaning into Neji face.
The Hyuuga went still, eyes widening. Desired effect achieved Gaara pulled back, eyes dancing "... But not with that. What I can tell you though it's not a typical match."
Neji after re-controlling his lungs asked nonchalantly, "Oh why?"
"It's aikido versus various types of martial arts, like kickboxing, wing-chun and krav maga."
Neji blinked, "Oh. Okay. Just make sure it's not some steroids addicted junk heads bashing each other with metal chairs. "He said settling back.
Gaara snorted "No, princeling it's definitely not that."
"Hmmph. " Neji replied. He tensed slightly when Gaara wrapped an arm around his shoulder and drew him in. After a second Neji capitulated and leaned in on the redhead shoulder.
"And you so owe me something covered with chocolate." he murmured.
...
Pale eyelids slipped to half-mast and a hand tightened around a slim shoulder. The faint scent of ripe almonds wafted up to Gaara's nose and he breathed in deeply.
How he had come across one human being that had, in one move, captured him completely.
Neji was so innocent, so trusting, so young, so pure; while he was fifty shades of fucked up.
He knew he was playing Russian roulette and if he lost there would be hell to pay and this innocent being would be caught in the crossfire. With Neji body pressed against his Gaara felt a gamut of emotions flooding his system, calmness, awe, desire, lust, possessiveness, and an extreme desire to protect. The empty cold hollow feeling in his chest that had been haunting him for years was starting to warm.
He knew that eventually he would have to leave the Hyuuga but right now, with the small window of time, the tiny space of grace granted to him; it could very well be his last chance at redemption and he wanted, no, needed to immerse himself in it. No holding back.
...
"Neji...wake up, the finals are starting."
A start. Neji sat up blinking hard. Had he just fallen asleep on Gaara's shoulder? Talk about embarrassing.
"Gaara, I'm so sor-"
The older man's lips twisted, "No worries Neji. It's fine." He said nodding to the stage. "Juugo's up."
Neji looked at the stage and saw a man with orange hair and orange-ish eyes. "Your friend..." his head titled grey eyes scanning the man."... If you don't mind me saying...he looks..."
"...way too peaceful to be a fighter, right?" Gaara filled in for him, "I thought so too, before I saw him in action. Don't be fooled, that guy is a fucking battle-ax when he get irritated. That's only when it's personal though. With martial arts he sticks to the books like glue."
"Oh." Neji realized, leaning back into Gaara side again he asked, "What's his style?"
"Maui Thai. It's kind of an Indonesian version of American kickboxing paired with traditional hand to hand combat."
Neji trained his gaze on juugo's and watched keenly. At the starting bell Juugo slipped into a stance that screamed offensive. Neji then shifted his gaze to the opponent. The man looked confused for a moment then slipped into a stance Neji recognized, the Gyakugamae-ate; the low strike.
"That's foolish." Neji pronounced soundly.
"Why?"
"Because it's basic common sense to go defensive if you don't know what you're up against." Neji declared leaning back, "Mark my words, he's going to get his ass kicked."
...
"Didn't I tell you?" Neji said smugly while leaving the show room.
Gaara sighed dramatically, "Yes, you did. And I'm obligated to give you a reward."
"Make it chocolate covered and I'll pardon you."
Gaara snorted while walking up to the small tuck shop, "One day we're going to find a way to tame your sweet tooth."
A flip of hair, "Yeah, good luck with that." he looked around, "I've got to go to the bathroom, give me a minute."
"Go ahead, take your time. No rush.
Neji walked away and found the lavatory. Mercifully it was empty. Choosing a stall against the wall he unzipped and started to pee when the door opened and someone walked in.
Keeping with bathroom etiquette didn't even glance up until he finished and closed his fly. Walking to the sink he switched it on and his back promptly met the walk with an arm across his neck.
Eyes flew open, "W…wh' r yo-".
He couldn't talk with the obstruction against his neck but he saw a shock of silver hair. At first he thought it was one of the twins he'd seen in the alley but one look at the deranged purple eyes changed everything.
"Your savior." The man hissed, "My lord Jashin will love you on his table."
'He's crazy.' Neji realized. He didn't have much room for releasing himself from an arm lock but what he had he used. Flattening his palm he struck the man's sternum twice just above the heart and ducked down and under to gain some space.
A furtive glance aided him to duck a wild grab and struck at the man's knees. He stumbled but didn't fall. Neji automatically slipped into striking pose and with a swift feint and move struck the man in the middle of his back and shoulder.
He skipped back expecting the man to finally fall but was surprised when he still stood. He was about to do something drastic like gouge out an eye when;
"Neji, you in he-"
For the record, Neji had never seen anyone get so mad in that small frame of time. Under a nanosecond Gaara face morphed onto one of complete rage.
It looked like slow motion to the frozen Hyuuga. Gaara was punching the man so hard Neji could hear cartilage shatter. One uppercut sent the man flying backwards, one roundhouse clearly shattered a jaw, a jab to the stomach most likely broke a rib.
When he came to his senses he saw the man against the wall in a cruel parody of minutes ago, with Gaara's elbow pressed into his trachea.
In a second Neji ascertained what the redhead was going to do. He reacted and grabbed Gaara's shoulders while babbling, "No, Gaara, no… no… don't, please don't do it. Stop!"
Slowly, by inches, Gaara released the man and stepped back. Neji stepped in between them and grabbed Gaara face forcing him to look at him in the eyes. The usual benign emerald were lit afire like a lightning storm.
"I'm fine Gaara, I'm okay." He whispered making sure to keep solid eye contact with the furious man.
Pale eyelids closed over the hellfire eyes for a second. The redhead breathing stabilized. Gaara's hands came up and softly loosed Neji's. Reluctantly the young Hyuga released him and stepped aside. Gaara took a step, knelt down, grabbed the man by his hair and hissed. "You even try to approach him again, I will fucking kill you."
Pushing off he grabbed Neji's hand and stalked out of the building at a frantic pace. It was nearly three blocks from the theater where Gaara slowed down and stopped.
Leaning against a streetlight post his tapered fingers covered his forehead and massaged the tense furrowed brows.
Neji had the sense to let him talk first.
"I didn't want you to see that." he murmured.
Neji stepped up and softly pulling Gaara hand down he stared the Sabaku in the eyes, "See what, Gaara?"
A mirthless smile, "Me...When I get..."
"Angry." Neji supplied for him.
A dry scoff, "No, not just angry. I have episodes when I fly into a rage… I have an anger problem baby...When I get like that I'm not...stable."
The tender endearment ricocheted in Neji's head and left a warm sensation to settle in his stomach.
Neji stepped up, "So you get angry, based on that situation it was completely understandable."
"You're not...disgusted?" Gaara asked.
"Why should I be?"
"Because I scared you... I'm sorry." Gaara whispered softly.
Neji looked up under his bangs and saw real contrite in those spell binding orbs. All his life he had never had someone to stand for him, someone to defend him, someone to risk anything for him. The frantic worry he had seen in Gaara's eyes, the level of frenzied protection that basically oozed from the man's skin, the amount of care he was looking at now made something in Neji's mind go concrete towards the man.
Stepping up he wrapped his arms around the redhead's waist, buried his head in Gaara's chest and breathed in the clean scent of the man. Looking up he raised his head to the other's lips and murmured, "Don't be." And kissed him.
….
TBC
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And I SWEAR 'Drafted' is on deck….