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 honours 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:
Chapter Seven: Confessions pt 1 (Honesty, best policy)
Song: "Confident" by Demi Lovato
...
A/N: I'm still amazed that people are gravitating to Shades. A story that I started with no expectations for anything really and no, I'm not being modest, I just didn't expect it, being that with the majority is stuck to the Naru/Sasu fandom (which I love, don't get me wrong) I thought that not much would gravitate to the Gaa/Neji one.. .But thanks guys for following/faving a unconventional story like this one.
A/N 2: #slapsself. Major snafu with the dates on the last chap. Friday was written twice when the first one was supposed to be Thursday night after Neji got the books...but meh.
A/N 3: I'm not going to lie, Shades is taking the majority of my head space right now. Huge ass long chapter for y'all. Like the title says, confessions is the order of the day...romance and some (really) overdue smut too... #smirk.
Kiddies, walk away.
Monday morning
"Oh my god." Sasuke gaped, "He fucked you, didn't he?"
Neji slapped a hand over the Uchiha's mouth and hissed, "Shut the hell up, Sasuke. Could you be any more uncouth? "
Once the Uchiha looked slightly composed (but his black eyes were still dancing mockingly) Neji released his hand to just run through his loose hair, "And no, he didn't."
"But you want it, right." he was taunted.
The scathing glare Neji sent to the smirking Uchiha just made Sasuke chuckle. "That's what I thought."
Neji harrumphed while extracting his sociopolitical textbook from his satchel and walking in tandem with Sasuke to their first class. Entering the room he sat down and turned to the Uchiha sitting beside him. "I'm still amazed that you haven't busted a gasket knowing what you know."
Sasuke snorted while pulling his own textbook, his tablet and stylus, "Then clearly you don't know shit about me."
'What?' Something troubling niggled at Neji's mind. His brows contracted in thought. "Sasuke... are you saying th-..."
The raven shot him a look that clearly shouted "shut-the-fuck-up" which then mellowed a second after to "we'll-talk-about-it-later."
Neji released a tense breath. If what he was suspecting was even halfway true, they certainly had a lot to talk about.
...
Lunch time:
They had both skipped the cafeteria in pursuit of more important matters. Secluded in an empty classroom Neji and Sasuke faced each other. The air in the room pulsing with a weird kind of energy.
"Sasuke." Neji said softly, standing up, ankles crossed, palms braced on the desk behind him. "Now it's my time, what is it with you? Why did you say that I don't know shit about you because, currently; I think I know you more than anyone else. "
Sasuke's black eyes closed for a second. When he opened them his vision was trained on the wall behind Neji. Sasuke took a deep breath and then faced the Hyuuga.
"I wasn't sure if you I wanted you to know but, it seems with everything that you're going through, I've decided that there is no point hiding it..." he trailed off.
"Hiding what, Sasuke?" Neji pressed, his mind tensing in preparation for Sasuke's next words.
The Uchiha sighed, "That fact that we're both rowing with the rainbow oars."
Neji took a minute to process what Sasuke had just said to him. Rainbow oars...rainbow oars...rainbo-Then it hit. Like a mac truck to the brain.
"A... are you telling me that you're-"
Sasuke snorted but then nodded.
Neji flopped down on the nearest chair in absolute shock. "And you're sure?"
He was gifted with a roll of exasperated eyes.
"From when?" he inquired
"Junior high." was the short answer.
Sable eyebrows skyrocketed. "From you were thirteen?"
A grunt. "Maybe even before that."
"How'd you know?"
Sasuke went silent, lips pressed together. Neji stared at the other for a moment before an idea so ridiculous that it seemed absolutely insane sprung up in his mind.
"Whom did you know it with? "he carefully asked.
A look of varied mixed emotions crossed Sasuke's face at that moment that Neji could've smacked himself for not seeing it before.
"Uzumaki Naruto, right?" his voice sounded like a proposal but in his mind he was completely sure he had hit it on the money.
Sasuke sighed and closed his eyes just before he promptly slumped on the desk, hiding his face in the cradle of his black clad arms and mumbled. "Yes."
"Then Sasuke," Neji asked completely confused, "why all the fights?"
A bare rise of an obsidian head. "It's...complicated."
Neji rolled his eyes, "Then un-complicate it for me."
This time Sasuke raised his head completely, and ran a pale hand over his grimaced face. "Trust me, when I figure it out myself, I'll be sure to let you know."
...
The Hyuuga compound, 3:27 p.m
...
Back at home, sequestered in his suite of rooms, nestled against his bed's headboard, wrapped up in a blanket with a bottle of mineral water and a plate of cookies on the night table beside him, Neji was halfway through the first book, King Rat.
Pausing to lean his head back, his eyelids slipped halfway as he reflected on the fact that he had actually agreed to be with Gaara. In what capacity he still hadn't figured that out yet but all he knew was that the redhead evoked emotions out of him he didn't knew existed; fascination, curiosity, arousal, interest, desire...want.
After his answer of 'yes' to Gaara's 'Be mine,' the two had devolved into a untamed stint of kissing that even now still evoked trembling under his skin. Neji had never known that his upper body had so much erogenous zones but Gaara seemed to find them all. The spot on his clavicle that made his head light, the one behind his left ear that sent trembles down to his toes, the one under his chin that paired with a nip of teeth made his breath stop in his lungs. Each spot sent trembles of pleasure singing through his veins.
His own teeth bit into a lower lip. Even the memory of it made his gut tense. Fingers rose to trace over the tender spot on his neckline that Gaara had suckled on for a small eternity. Neji had feared that it would have blossomed the bloody red of a blaring hickey but no, the spot, even tender stayed pale.
His phone pinged, "I hope that you're holding up your half of the deal."
Feeling mischievous Neji answered, "And what if I wasn't, what would you do...tie me up and flog me?"
A beat, "Oh baby, you don't know the half of it. Don't tempt me."
Sable eyebrow rose slightly, but he wasn't going to press, "Relax you maniac, I'm half way through the first one...I don't know how you got the idea to send me those, because I'm sure I didn't tell you about my obsession with historical fiction.'
A moment then, 'Guess I just got lucky.'
A small smile crossed his face. He hesitated for a moment before steeling himself to do it.
'Gaara, I have to level with you. I haven't ever had a...relationship before. I'm totally out at sea here. I just don't know what to expect.'
Pressing send he hoped, heart beating hard, that Gaara wouldn't shut him down.
Eyes closed he whispered something like a prayer until he heard a ping,
'Don't freak out...we'll take it slow. And I'm very willing to teach you everything you need to know... "
Well, that was some measure of comfort. Then;
"... To be honest with you I'm kind of at fault here. You're so young and I knew that you were innocent, but the moment I saw you I still wanted you. I guess we'll just have to work out our dynamics ourselves. You push, I'll pull.'
More assurances. Neji fervently hoped they were true.
'That I can do. I've got to go, I have a training session with my uncle."
'Speaking of that, I seem to remember that you proposed a match, if I'm correct you said "take me to a dojo and we'll see how delicate these hands are'. One day I'll be sure cash that promise. But sure, go ahead. We'll talk later."
A smile, "I always honor my word. Just tell me when.'
"Definitely. Now go, you prospective ninja."
Neji dissolved in laughter while getting up and changing into his Gi.
….
Three hours later...
...
"Absolutely perfect Neji." Hiashi praised after another gruelling three hour training session.
Grey eyes widened for about five seconds before Neji got a hold of himself and controlled his features while inside he was feeling ecstatic. It wasn't frequent when his uncle would issue sincere praises.
"That technique was done perfectly. You have done very well."
Neji blinked, he was exhausted but he managed to bow. "Thank you, Uncle."
He felt a hand on his head lifting it up to face the slightly smiling face of his uncle. A moment passed then Hiashi's face went sober.
Neji frowned slightly. "Is something wrong, Uncle?"
"No," the Hyuuga patriarch said voice clearly nostalgic, eyes dim. "I just wish my brother could see you now, he'd be so proud."
Neji blinked back what threatened only to be tears. The one thing he could do was offer a small smile.
The older Hyuuga nodded sympathetically," Rest son."
Neji bowed again and silently left. On his way back to his room he glimpsed his younger cousin Hanabi, Hinata's younger sister, sequestered in one of the small window alcoves that faced out the acres of compound land, with a stack of books before her and her brows furrowed in concentration.
"Hanabi-chan," he called softly." You look like you need some help."
The youngest child of the family glanced up, pale silvery eyes wide then smiled. "Yes Nii-san, I could...but you look tired, are you sure?"
Neji shrugged, "The only thing I have to do is take a bath. I'll be back in fifteen minutes. Stay there please. I'll be back."
Her eyes lit up, "Thank you Nii-san, I'll be here."
Back in his room he took five minutes to cool down, wrapped a towel around his waist and stepped into the shower. If there was one thing that he could always count on, it was that water cascading over his body always returned a measure of energy into him, no matter how exhausted he was. Working shampoo into his hair he sighed. His uncle had gone and mentioned his father. If there was one thing that could make him pensive it was a reminder of his absent parents.
There were times when he yearned to ask his uncle about his mother but the last time he had done that, when he was seven years old, he had been met with a stony silence before a strict admonishing to never ask that question again.
Sighing he stepped out, quickly but thoroughly towel dried his hair and twisted it in a thick braid. Donning a cool linen suit he slipped into some soft soled shoes and left the room.
Finding his way back to the twelve year old he pulled up a chair and smiled at her. "What are you working on?"
"Fractions." She slumped back. "I despise math."
Neji sympathized while scanning over her notebook, "We all have at some point." looking at one equation he smiled and pointed a finger at the numbers, "Here Hanabi-chan, this is where you went wrong.. See this, you should have done this inst-"
...
Wednesday afternoon. Kohona Academy.
Sighing Neji closed his algebra book and lifted two fingers to massage the bridge of his nose, trying to relieve the budding pain behind his eyes.
"Neji?" Sasuke asked lowly." You okay? "
" No," the Hyuuga sighed," I have a Key Club meeting to go to. It's a two hour meeting meaning and that means that I'll have to drive you home after four. Are you okay staying here alone until the meeting is done? "
Sasuke smirked," Yes, it's not like I'm going to burn down the school and I'm in no hurry to go home."
Neji arched an eyebrow, "Why do I not believe you, but I guess I'll just have to trust you." he murmured while reaching into his bag to retrieve the points for discussion for the meeting just as Sasuke pulled out his tablet and a pair of earphones.
Curiously Neji leaned over to spy on what the Uchiha was streaming and had to refrain from rolling his eyes. Sasuke was watching the thirty fourth episode of 'How to Get Away with Murder.'
He snorted and tapped the Uchiha on the shoulder. Sasuke pulled out one earbud, "What?" he asked tersely.
"You do know that is just enhancing your serial killer tendencies, right Uchiha."
A shrug. "Family trait cousin." was the bland reply before he replaced the earphones.
Neji snorted.
Glancing back up at the quiet Hyuuga, Sasuke started to say, "Well go on Mr. Pres-" when his cell phone rang.
Glancing at the screen he cursed, pausing the show he answered tightly.
"Hello Itachi, what can I do for you?"
Neji silently left, he didn't want to stick around for the repercussions of that conversation.
…
An hour and fifty-two minutes later...
"Well that's settled." Neji pronounced, "Shino," he said addressing the club's treasurer "Please make sure that I get the budget for the book drive by Friday and the community repainting project by next week Monday." he paused to look around the room, "Any more business?"
Most of the members of the executive board shook their head. Neji glanced around one more time to make sure there was nothing else, then solidly pronounced "If that's it then this meeting is adjourned."
Leaving the room he ran a hand through his hair and wondered what Sasuke was doing. Reaching the classroom where he had left the Uchiha he glanced in and found it empty.
A sigh. Turning around he walked down the corridor and heard this from a half opened door.
"Ignore him S'uke, you know he only does this to get you angry." Uzumaki Naruto's voice.
He stopped immediately.
Neji paused and then silently looked around the door. Ten seconds later he still couldn't believe the signals his eyes were sending to his brain.
He blinked. Twice. Hoping it was a mirage.
It wasn't.
It was there all right. Naruto, Uzumaki Naruto, uniform top halfway open to show his orange under-shirt, sleeves rolled up to bare his muscled forearms that were tenderly holding Sasuke on his lap. A broad hand was softly massaging the stiff tendons in the back of Sasuke's neck whose face was buried into the Uzumaki's shoulder.
Neji silently watched as the blond teen placed a hand under the Uchiha's chin and titled it up. The lost look on his cousin's face made Neji grimace. The two stared at each other for a moment before Sasuke's eyelids fluttered slightly and in that moment Naruto cupped the back of the raven's neck and pulled him in for a deep kiss.
Neji went immobile as he watched pale hands reached up and clutched at short spiky blonde locks as the embrace continued. Feeling like an uninvited voyeur Neji silently backed away and walked from the two.
"Guess he was telling the truth." Neji whispered to himself and quietly left the building entirely.
Deciding to casually call the Uchiha in the next few minutes just to notify him of the meeting's end he glanced at his phone and saw;
"How about we take it down a notch, dinner and a movie this weekend?"
Neji smiled. Leaning on the car's hood he replied," I'm shocked, and frankly terrified, you have lost you unconventional streak. Pray tell, what made you do something considered normal for a change?"
A beat.
"I'm still not even close to normal but I thought you'd like the expected new boyfriend experience, you know, cozy, cuddling and chocolate...if not we could always go to my first idea, skydiving.. Your call."
Neji had to lean on his car side to not fall from the amount of nonstop snickering.
"Deal." he replied.
...
It was just after six in the evening; he'd just finished reading the last page of King Rat when his cell phone rang.
"Hello?"
A husky chuckle." Hello to you too."
Neji flipped the books cover closed, "What exactly are you doing; checking up on me?"
"You could say that, but really I just wanted to hear your voice."
Eyes closed and phone cocked on his shoulder Neji said, "And I want to know the real reason you sent me those books."
A sigh, "Can't you just accept them?"
"I have but I still want to know."
Another pause, "You're curiosity might kill you...but Neji, like I told you, I've had a real rough introduction into life…. I'm not the Romeo and Juliet, hearts and roses kind of man... but there is something about you that is making me want to try."
Neji lips twisted into a small smile at the frank truth he could practically sense coming from the man. "So since you're not the sappy romantic type, what should I expect about this 'boyfriend experience'?"
"Me." was the curt answer. "I'm going to ma-" Then connection between them went static.
Pulling the device from his ear Neji frowned.
"Hello...Hello... Gaara, you there?"
More static. He was about to terminate the call when he heard this;
"Neji, I'll email you." Gaara's voice sounded strained. "I'll have to deal with something. It's kind of urgent. "
"Yeah, sure." he replied still wondering what was going on.
Click.
Staring blankly at the phones screen he frowned, wondering about the static, and a minute later dismissed it. His mind ran over the frank admission Gaara has said ' I'm not the Romeo and Juliet, hearts and roses kind of man, but there is something about you that is making me want to try."
Neji lips twisted into a small smile. Shrugging he took up Tai Pan and started reading.
….
Thursday morning
It was just by chance that he glimpsed the morning news coming from breakfast.
The reporter, a blonde, green eyed, trophy wife looking woman who ironically had double master's degrees in international relations and journalism named Temari Samuels had a satisfying smile on her face as she delivered the breaking news.
"... That's right Michael, the leader of the terrorist group, Hebi, a man named Kabuto Yakushi has been killed about midnight last night with a raid by the special task force of the IIF, the International Intelligence Force."
The corresponding reporter's eyebrow arched slightly. "He was the one suspected of the murder of Dr. Matsushi, the physicist of Applied Science Faculty of Tokyo University, correct?"
"Yes and remember, his cell had claimed responsibility for the bombing of the Hogake bridge, the Ramada Financial Centre and the abduction of Governor's Sarutobi Hiruzen grandchild, Konohamaru, which, fortunately, was returned to his family safely by a previous operation by the IIF."
"How'd he die?" Michael asked blankly.
"Well, by the reports we have been given, he apparently resisted arrest and chose t-"
"Well that's good." Neji murmured absently while walked away and buttoning up his uniform sleeves, mind turning to prepare for the events of the day.
…..
Thursday night, about 8:00pm
...
Returning from his shower and towel drying his hair, Neji absently picked up his phone just check the time and saw an email. Opening it he read:
From: Gaara Sabaku
Subject: The Boyfriend Experience Date: Date: May 9, 2016.
To: Neji Hyuuga
I will collect you from your house at 7:00 pm tomorrow.
Gaara.
Nejis eyebrows skyrocketed.
From: Neji Hyuuga
Subject: Are you that crazy?
Date: May 9 2016
To: Gaara Sabaku
Sir I have a perfectly good car; I would prefer to meet you somewhere...you know somewhere not in the line of sniper rifles. And I bet that if you did show up that you'd not be wearing running shoes. Bottom line, I'm not allowing you anywhere near the Hyuuga compound. Where shall I meet you?
Neji
From: Gaara Sabaku
Subject: Stubborn Chit.
Date: May 9 2016,
To: Neji Hyuuga
Dear Mr. Exasperating.
For once I'm trying to do the chivalrous, knight-in-white-armor thing. I'd like to pick you up at home and FYI, its non sequitur but I can run really fast.
G.
From: Neji Hyuuga
Subject: Intractable Man
Date: May 9 2011
To: Gaara Sabaku
To Mr. Intractable, that may be so but I'm not up for being a witness in a murder. I'd still like to drive.
N.
From: Gaara Sabaku
Subject: Stubborn Young Man
Date: May 9 2016
To: Neji Hyuuga
Mr. Defiant,
I can see that this is going nowhere very fast. I'm not happy about it. I wanted to do what normal boyfriends do for a change.
Please change your mind. Let me pick you up.
Annoyed but patient.
G.
There was that word again; 'boyfriend'
From: Neji Hyuuga
Subject: Intractable Man
Date: May 9 2016
To: Gaara Sabaku
I applaud your integrity but NO. Well not until I can guarantee that my uncle will not set the hounds of hell after you. It's better for everyone if I drove.
Not negotiable.
N.
From: Gaara Sabaku
Subject: Not Pleased
Date: May 9 2016
To: Neji Hyuuga
To the impending death of me.
Fine.
(Neji could just imagine the man giving off a huge agitated huff)
I've attached the directions and details of the place I've planned to take you to. Meet me there by seven.
G.
From: Neji Hyuuga
Subject: Not So Intractable Man
Date: May 9, 2016
To: Gaara Sabaku
Thank you.
N.
From: Gaara Sabaku
Subject: My exasperating Baby
Date: May 9 2016
To: Neji Hyuuga
I'm still not pleased but you're welcome.
G.
Friday night, 6:50pm
The restaurant was called 'The Ruins'. Situated on the top floor of the Ibis hotel in down-town Kohona; it was an amazing recreation of the destruction of Pompeii after Mt. Vesuvius had released its fury on the town below it.
The restaurants ambiance was a sultry dim, the roof was painted with deep purple and midnight blue hues of a balmy Greek night sky with sporadic speckles of glittering orbs resembling stars. Scattered around the room were seemingly antique statues of Greek gods and heroes and framing the tables were artistically half corroded white Greek columns.
The floor was totally made of a continuous lay of grey and white marble slabs.
Following Gaara's instructions about going semi-formal, Neji had dressed fashionable but understated. Coal black pants, a cream colored long sleeved shirt and leather loafers. His hair, as usual, was cascading down his back.
After entering the hotel he paused to notify the Maître D of who he was here to see and after she had graced him with a soft smile offered to lead him to the table. Blushing Neji declined her offer, just asking her the general directions and assuring her that he could find it himself.
She acquiesced and gave him the instructions he asked for. Following her guidance Neji found his way, took the elevator to the top floor, found the section that held the in- house bar and the man he was seeking.
Gaara was casually leaning against the bar's counter, drinking a glass of white wine and chatting with the bartender. Dressed in a sculpted white linen shirt, black jeans and black tie. His hair was, as usual, tousled as ever.
Neji paused just to look at the man, standing for a few seconds in the entrance of the bar, just gazing at him.
In that moment Gaara glanced up toward the entrance, eyes steady and a playful smirk on his face. Blinking a couple of times, the smirk then transformed into a slow, lazy, sexy smile that made Neji's inside flutter and his teeth, unconsciously to bite down on his bottom lip.
Gaara, settling down a glass on the bar counter walked gracefully over to meet the nervous Hyuuga. "Gorgeous as ever." he murmured as he leaned down to kiss him on the cheek. Turning around, his custom possessive palm met Neji's lower back to guide him to the balcony.
Neji took a minute to gaze at the nighttime visage of Kohona under the real stars and had to hold a breath. The scenery was breathtaking. The lights on the town from this high gave a surreal halogen, mirage like feel.
A gust of chilly wind sprang up and lifted his hair to flutter around him while he was still mesmerized by the scenery.
He was interrupted by Gaara softly taking his arm and leaning him to a secluded booth and signaled for the waiter. "What would you like to drink?"
Neji turned to look at him, "Whatever you had a while ago."
A smirk while placing the order, "Good choice."
Gaara shifted then to pin Neji with his eyes and there it was… that latent static energy radiating from him just to connect and envelop something deep inside the moonlit eyed teen.
Neji shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny, his heart palpitating.
"Are you nervous?" Gaara asked softly.
"Yes." Neji admitted with a whisper.
The other leaned forward and clasped the Hyuuga's cold hand in his own, "Me too," he whispered conspiratorially.
Neji stared at him for a moment then something seemed to snap in place. Every nervous tension he was feeling disappeared in a nanosecond.
He breathed. "You're still a mystery to me you know."
A thin dark eyebrow arched, "Why?"
He shrugged while softly removing his hand from the others. "You just are."
Gaara looked thoughtful for a while before saying, "Maybe it would help if we play twenty questions. You can ask me anything and I promise I'll answer them as truthfully as possible. Deal?"
That was a surprise. An unfettered opportunity to get into the underbelly of the man sitting before him. He couldn't even think of refusing.
"Yes." he answered just as the waiter arrived with the bottle of wine and flipped up the two glasses while quietly pouring the sparkling liquid in the crystal receptors.
With a soft murmur the waiter said," I'll give you a moment to place your order sirs."
Neji took a sip of the wine to settle his nerves. He'd decided to start with general tame topics and then work up to the more important stuff. Looking at the other he calmly asked, "What is your favorite type of music?"
"Eighteen century European but not the stereotype composers like Beethoven, I like transitional ones like Franz Schubert, Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Mauro Giuliani."
Neji nodded, he had heard of a few of them. "Favorite genre of books?"
"Mystery and suspense. I like books that contort historical facts with modern fiction. Like The Templars Legacy or Angels and Demons."
Neji blinked. "That's abnormally strange... I was reading that book the night I met you."
Gaara snorted while sipping his wine, "Fate huh?"
Neji smiled and then pursued on a spate of questions, digging into Gaara's mind, pulling out information on his hobbies, (playing guitar and free climbing) education (bachelor's degree in economics) his most validating experience, (which was helping to rebuild a house after a tsunami had destroyed it. He quietly recounted when the five years old daughter had hugged his knees and whispered a mangled thank you) his most embarrassing moment: (which was losing his keys to his jeep which had his change of clothes to be worn after a scuba diving contest and had to hitch a ride home, shirtless, with a bus full of leering grandmas).
The look on the redhead face recounting that experience was nothing short of horrific (and equally hilarious). Neji had to stifle his snickers.
Then halfway through Gaara paused to order the meal. Appetizers were oysters, the salad was Dakos, and the meal was a light supper of Shrimp & feta casserole with seasonal fruit.
Throughout the whole meal Neji kept delving into Gaara's mind.
"I swear," Gaara snorted while sipping his wine, "that bozo was just asking for it, if he didn't want to be dunked with paint he shouldn't have been standing under the scaffold."
Neji smiled then sobered whole picking at his slice of Pantespani (1).
"Gaara," he hesitated, "Why did you even want to know me...what did I had that drew you..." he was acutely aware that he was babbling, he placed his fork on the half empty plate. "... I mean I'm just a teen, wouldn't you be more...comfortable with someone your age?"
Gaara leaned on the table and steepled his fingers, green eyes piercing grey ones. After a minute he answered, "Would you believe me if I said I don't know."
Neji blinked. "What?"
Gaara leaned back with a shake of his head, "That's the simple truth, Neji. I just don't know."
Neji took a minute to digest the words, he was still skeptic but he accepted it.
Closing his utensils he asked his last question tentatively. "Gaara have you ever tried to find or contact your siblings?"
Lips thinned. Neji was about to apologize when Gaara replied,
"Once. The only result it gave me was to know that they were alive. But then I realized, would it matter if I suddenly appeared in their lives like a ghost from the past? I thought it would cause more harm than good. I've simply allowed bygone to be bygones. I do know of them though, I just chose to not disturb them. "
Tilting his head Neji analyzed the answer, even though it seemed wise he still thought it would have been better to try and fail then not try at all. But he had to acknowledge the others decision.
He smiled. "I seem to remember you saying something about a movie." he teased.
"That is coming in short order. Finish your desert first, I wouldn't want that low blood sugar to fuck up what I've planned next."
...
The elevator descended one story and opened to a deserted hallway. Gaara took Neji's hand and lead him to a set of double doors. Pushing them open Neji found himself in a darkened intimate room with a couch, a side table laden with food items and an antique looking projector.
Neji watched as the older one tugged to loosen his tie, unbuttoned the top two claps of his shirt, sat down and beckoned for him to join him.
Settled on the enveloping chair Neji leaned again the older one and went still as Gaara swept the bulk of his hair around his neck to gracefully fall over his chest and then promptly buried his nose in the crook of Neji's collarbone.
"I...I... Thought we're going to watch a movie?" he asked voice slightly stuttering.
Without a word Gaara clicked a remote and the projector started to whirl. On the screen was a black and white movie. Neji watched for a moment before realizing he was seeing a live recount of King Rat.
"Where did you find this?" Neji wondered.
"Like I said," Gaara admitted voice muffled," I know people."
Settling back Neji was entirely captivated with the performances while Gaara, it seemed, was entirely captivated with exploring his tender skin with moist lips, tender teeth nips, light peppered kisses and the occasional heated breath.
There were times Neji had to take a deep stabilizing breath to control his own arousal. It didn't help either that at some point Gaara took to finger feeding him with small balls of potent wine filled chocolate.
Once, feeling bold Neji trapped the redhead's fingers in his mouth and suckled at them. He was rewarded with a husky, "Do that again and we'll never leave this room till dawn."
Apprehensive Neji obeyed and allowed the time to pass until the movie ended. Staring at the white blank scene for a moment, he then turned to the man behind him and cupping his face quietly spoke, "Who are you?"
Green eyes lowered for a second before returning to meet grey ones. "I ask myself that question every day." Before capturing the lips before him in a slow kiss.
Perched on the others lap Neji reveled on the attention bestowed on him. Hands deftly unbuttoned his shirt to let it fall halfway to reveal his dusky nipples which after being treated to an exhale of warm breath were suckled on.
The heat of Gaara's mouth made Neji release a string of gut deep moans. His fingers clutched at the auburn locks before him, tightening ever so slightly when a wave of sensual sensation hit him. Bending over the other's head his own hair fell around them creating a curtain to block the world off.
Gaara hands, clasped on his hip bones seemed to be a live circuit of energy because that was the only reason Neji could think of why his skin was tingling like crazy.
"Aaahh." he softly gasped when teeth worried his left nub. Unbidden his own teeth bit into his lower lip.
"Don't do that." Gaara admonished, while freeing the abused digit. "That's my job."
He then turned to ravishing Neji's mouth. Absently Neji shifted and gasped again. His cock was painfully hard. Pulling back he whispered, "Gaara..."
Green eyes glimmered knowingly. "Do you want me to take care of that for you?"
Neji hesitated for a moment then steeling himself nodded.
"Stand up."
"Gaara..." Neji whispered, heart beating triple time, "I don't kno-"
Two fingers were laid lightly in his lips, "I did promise to teach you, didn't I... Well this you can be considered as your first lesson."
Neji slipped silent.
Deft fingers pulled the clasp of Neji's pants and Gaara, eyes never leaving the grey ones before him, slowly slipped the material down to his thighs. He then tugged down the tight boxer briefs and wrapped his fingers over Neji's filling erection , reached up and placed Neji own hand with his, enclosing the shaft with their combined hands .
"Aahhh…" Neji choked out a sound of need. Gaara twisted his hand around the base of the cock as he brought his face forward and gently blew warm air on the erection before capturing the head between his lips.
Neji's head fell back, mouth halfway open with a quick gasp. Seconds later Neji found himself holding a tense breath as the unfamiliar pleasurable sensation of being enclosed in a warm wet mouth blanketed him. Now he knew what everyone was always talking about in the gym shower, how most of the guys bragged about getting numerous blow jobs. But then every thought fled his mind just as Gaara started to suck.
His hands clutched at the others head while his breathing went staccato. He felt a tongue trace along the underside of the ridge of the head and had to release sharp hiss of breath when Gaara dipped his tongue into the slit at the tip made Neji temporarily black out.
Then humming started. The vibrations of the sound traveled up Neji's cock, made him thrust reflexively and forcefully into the Sabaku's mouth. Strong hands quickly braced Neji's hips as he continued to thrust. Neji's whole body was shaking now, pale hands clenched in red hair.
His vision was starting to blank out at the edges when he felt Gaara remove one of his hands from his hips. The hand then slipped under to cup his balls and roll them slightly before taking the tips of his two fingers and sliding them further back, massaging the sensitive area between his balls and his ass.
That was it. Neji climaxed with a shout nearly pulling strands of red hair out of Gaara's head. His whole body arched in pleasure.
A second later the strength in his legs failed him and he slumped forward just to be caught in Gaara's arms.
Breathing hard he looked up with bleary eyes under hooded eyelids, completely incoherent.
"That was your first official orgasm, correct." Gaara inferred.
Neji couldn't do anything but nod. After a minute he rose up, and buried his head on the older man's chest. Then a second later placed a closed kiss on the bared skin there.
He was met with a smile. "I should get you home."
"Yes, you should." Neji whispered still weak.
...
It was a calm but dark night. With a possessive arm wrapped around Neji's shoulder Gaara walked Neji to his car that was parked in the hotels parking lot. Before they reached the pale Audi Gaara steered them towards his jeep unlocking it to retrieve something inside when a blaring ring cut through the air.
Gaara's phone was going crazy. Releasing Neji's hand and then pulling out the device he took one look at the screen and cursed. "Green, what is it?" He snapped.
Neji looked curiously as Gaara's face morphed onto pure horror." Fuck no! I'm coming! Two minutes."
The Hyuuga sat up immediately, a surge of adrenaline rushing through his veins." Gaara, what is it?"
The only answer he got was Gaara softly but firmly pushing him inside the car. A minute later the Jeep was pulling a wild U-turn and shooting off the opposite direction. Gaara's hands clenched on the steering wheel.
"Neji baby," Gaara said stiffly as the car shot through the night swiftly swerving and overtaking vehicles on the road. "I'm going to ask you to do something and you can question me about it later but right now-" The Sabaku said voice very tense, while increasing his speed, "I need you to listen to every word I say."
Neji grabbed at the dashboard, balancing himself as the car careened around a corner, shot out of the alley and into a part of the town called the Red Line.
Thirty terse seconds later Gaara slammed on the brakes and told the Hyuuga, "Unlock your door and the minute you see me come back, open it wide."
With one glance at Neji Gaara hopped out of the Jeep and ran towards an old dilapidated phone booth, yanked the door open and knelt down. Neji strained against the seatbelt to see what the Sabaku was doing when Gaara reappeared with a limp body on his arms.
Neji quickly pulled the seat belt off and pushed the door wide just to allow Gaara to brace himself on the footrest and carefully hand his cargo over to the silent Hyuuga. It was a woman, half unconscious, half naked, her scanty top nearly ripped off, and shivering.
"Hold her." Gaara ordered softly." Don't allow her head to slip."
Neji silently obeyed, bracing the woman's orange head on his shoulder and placed a soft but sturdy hand under her chin.
Gaara started the car and, jaw stiff, pulled out into the street. Neji glanced up at the redhead and wisely remained silent. He trusted Gaara to explain everything soon.
Through the twenty minutes' drive from the red line to the waterfront sector Neji, while bracing the woman, felt warmth slowly creeping back into the woman's body.
Gaara pulled up to a bunker style house, half concealed under a thick corpse of trees. Parking the car he jumped out and pulled out a set of keys which he used to promptly open the front door. Coming back he reached in over Neji and silently took the half unconscious woman from him. With a slight nod, Gaara invited Neji to follow him.
Which he quietly did.
Entering the house Neji calmly noted it was a huge flat just made up of a fusion of modern and traditional styles. Bamboo partitions separated the rooms over modern midnight black ceramic tiles. The furniture was minimalist, low sectional couches in dark blue cloth with white and turquoise pillows scattered on them.
Gaara carefully laid the mysterious woman on the longest sectional.
"Neji," he asked, "could you go into the kitchen and get some ice packs, a glass of water and then to the bathroom to get some Advil please."
The young teen nodded and went to fetch the items. When he came back it was just to see the woman's eyes fluttering open and heard Gaara release a deep breath.
"Tayuya," he said, "how are you feeling?"
"Like I got hit by a truck." She replied, voice hoarse and weak." He called you, didn't he?"
'Who's 'he'?' Neji wondered while handing the items to Gaara.
"Yes," Gaara answered offering her the green pack of ice, which she promptly placed on her left temple combined with the glass of water and the pills which she quickly took, "He did."
She managed a slight smile. "That's surprising, I thought that to him I was just disposable."
A frown crossed the redhead's face, "Tayuya, you're not disposable, none of you are. He wouldn't have sent me if he didn't think that you were worth something."
The smile she faced him then was depreciating, "Keep telling yourself that honey," she said voice fading as her eyelids bopped, "...maybe one day you might believe it."
Gaara softly lifted her limp head and placed a pillow under it and then covered her with a thick crocheted throw. He brushed back a lock of her hair behind an ear and slowly rose to his feet.
Looking up he calmly met Neji's inquisitive gaze and nodded to him to follow him. Doing so the Hyuuga found himself walking under a scaffold and outside in the inky night. He looked down to see he was on a boardwalk and listening he could hear the rhythmic churns of the ocean current.
Stepping up behind the silent Sabaku he softly asked, "Gaara, what is going on?"
The older man went quiet.
Neji tried again, "Who's she and who's he?"
The redhead, after running a hand through his hair, turned to him and sighed, "Neji, what I'm about to tell you..."
...Dum Dum Dum duuuummmm. #smirk
Pantespani (1). Sponge cake
Challenge: you guys put the pieces together… And come on guys, if you read Summer Camp, you'd know that I'm the Queen of Cliffhangers.
And REVIEW DAMNIT