Hello Friends! Sorry this has been such a long (and will probably continue to be long) journey! I hope you enjoy this chapter though!

Disclaimer: I Don't Own Naruto!

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Love of the Lost

Chapter 5

~Time Skip: 1 Week~

Kakashi had finally become well enough to leave his 'nurse' and it was much harder than he had expected. While he'd been hell-bent on getting out of the apartment as quickly as possible when he'd initially woken up, he couldn't deny the attention and pampering was like a dream.

"So, you'll be going back to your place to continue resting for a little longer right?" The Chunin asked as he helped put the clothes and other items he'd brought over for Kakashi into a bag.

"Do I really have a choice?" he queried, his voice holding a slightly playful edge.

Iruka crossed his arms and shook his head, "No, Kakashi-san. You've been pushing your body past its limit for too long and you need to let it recover before you start going on missions again. I looked in your files and the assignment you were on that left you so injured was B-ranked, something someone with your strength would have been able to easily deal with if you'd been well rested before leaving."

The Jonin almost rolled his eyes but knew it would lead to a severe scolding; a habit Iruka picked up teaching children no doubt. "Of course, he looked through my files. He does help to keep records for the Hokage… I guess I have no choice then but to do what he says if I want to go on missions at all. One word from him and Lady Tsunade would suspend me for sure since he often helps Kotetsu and Izumo get her work finished."

"Alright, sensei!" he said aloud, raising his hands in defeat. "Mah… you really have got that teachers stare down. It's no wonder Naruto straightened up under your tutelage. He'll become a fine shinobi, one that I know will protect the Leaf time and time again. It's all thanks to you, Iruka."

The Chunin blushed heavily, obviously grateful and embarrassed for the praise he was receiving. "You've taught him quite a lot as well, he looks up to you."

"So, you were being literal when you said your door was always open…" Kakashi teased, knowing the younger would remember their conversation at the Memorial Stone.

Iruka rubbed the back of his head and laughed in embarrassment. "Well, I didn't expect you to come in without knocking, but I'm glad it was open, otherwise you probably would have figured out you weren't in the right place before I noticed you were here."

The two smiled at each other warmly at first, but then a nervous feeling filled the elder. Kakashi gulped a bit, making his mask rub uncomfortably against his neck. The Jonin leaned down slowly, his face inching closer to Iruka's. The younger turned an even darker shade, and stayed still, not wanting to be wrong about what was happening or jinx it.

Right as they were about to touch, however, Kakashi reached across the table to grab a spare shirt, effectively covering up what he'd almost done. A flash of what he temporarily thought might be disappointment crossed the Chunin's eyes, making him feel guilty, but he decided to ignore it.

The elder wanted so badly to pull his mask down and give Iruka a sweet kiss, but he didn't, in his mind, it wouldn't be right. The Chunin had taken him in and treated him, but that was what comradery was all about. His mind had been so warped by his many losses that he couldn't believe that such a man would ever fall for a damaged soul like his, and even if by some miracle that did happen, what right did he have to be happy.

Rin, Obito, Minato, and Kushina crossed his mind as they returned to packing, reminding him of how many lives were cut short before they could achieve their dreams before they could live out long happy lives. "No, I couldn't bring the sensei into my world. I don't deserve someone like him taking care of me or putting up with my failures as a man and shinobi."

Hinata walked over to the training grounds to meet with her teammates, still upset with herself that she'd been unable to tell her father how she felt yet. He had left the village for a diplomatic meeting, and wouldn't be back for some time, allowing her to go back to training with the people she enjoyed the most.

"But, at least I'll get to spend time with them. They'll know just what to say to make me feel better," she thought happily.

As she approached the small clearing, however, she was surprised to discover Neji and Shikamaru were already there. Although they knew each other from the mission to retrieve Sasuke and the Chunin exams, she didn't think they were close. Still, something about how they were sitting together made her feel like she shouldn't be watching.

Before Hinata could turn to leave though, her curiosity got the better of her and she decided to stay just a bit longer. The heiress snuck as close as she could without being noticed and hid behind a tree, her big eyes peering out at the two as Shikamaru put his arm around the elder.

The thought crossed her mind that they might be in an actual relationship, but then she shook her head at the notion. "He's just comforting Neji like Shino and Kiba do for me when I'm upset… that must be-" While she was trying to convince herself it was something else though, the Nara nuzzled Neji's cheek before kissing it, making her cousin blush and glare at the Chunin.

She could tell that Neji was scolding the shadow user before being silenced by another kiss, this time on the lips. He resisted at first, but quickly gave in and grabbed the youngers spiky hair, deepening their embrace.

Seeing her cousin doing something so intimate made her feel incredibly intrusive and she turned to leave for real this time. As she did though, she came face to face with her extremely shocked teammates, who had apparently been standing behind her watching too.

The three and Akamaru exchanged stunned glances and then stalked off together quietly, deciding that training could wait for their friends to finish having their romantic moment. They also needed a small break to fully digest what they'd just witnessed.

As they made it to the next clearing, Kiba couldn't contain his surprise anymore "man… what the hell was that about?"

Hinata blushed heavily and nodded her head, "I guess brother Neji has started dating Shikamaru then?"

Shino looked between his teammates, too consumed by envy to contribute to the conversation. There were so many times that he'd almost told Hinata about his feelings for her, but it never seemed like the right moment, especially since she was so taken with the blonde idiot.

"What d-do you think Shino?" Hinata questioned, rousing the teen from his thoughts.

"I don't under the question," Shino responded, realizing he had no idea what she was talking about at this point.

"She means do you think it's a good idea for that Shikamaru kid to be macking on her cousin, that's what," Kiba answered loudly.

"Yes, but why would it be a problem?" the bug asked, now truly not understanding the query.

"I-it's just… In the Hyuga, most of our members are eventually given arranged marriages. If Neji and Shikamaru actually f-fall for each other… it would be terrible for them when it comes he's assigned a wife…" Hinata explained, her eyes downcast in sadness.

"You mean, both you and he will have no choice in who you get married to?" Shino asked incredulously.

The kunoichi shook her head, holding herself for comfort. "It is the way of my clan to ensure strong bloodlines and a high political status."

Shino reacted to her unhappiness without thinking and hugged her tightly, his height advantage allowing him to rest his chin on her head. When he noticed how Kiba was staring at them, however, he pulled away, hating the feeling of losing her soft body immediately.

After clearing his throat some, he decided to answer her original question and get the attention off his impulsive hug. "I think we should put our trust in Naruto. That's because, despite his shortcomings, he has proven himself repeatedly. He has said he will change the Hyuga, and when that happens Neji can be with who he wants, and you will also, Hinata."

The girl blushed heavily, her mind whirling at the prospect of being able to marry whomever she chose. "Do you really think so, Shino?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

The bug user nodded behind his shirt collar, doing his best to hide how depressed he was she was probably thinking about Naruto instead of him.

"Yeah, you're right!" Kiba added, "that little squirt is going to show all of us up if we don't train just as hard as him!"

The three nodded and headed off to a separate training ground, each determined to prove themselves and get stronger.

"Stop it right now!" Neji hissed as the Nara continued to leave marks down his neck.

"But you like it don't you?" Shikamaru asked innocently.

Neji growled and flipped them so that he was sitting on top of the other, pinning him to the ground. "You know that isn't the point! Someone is going to catch us if we aren't careful and giving me hickeys is one of the most reckless things you could do!"

Shikamaru sat up and ran his hands up the elder's thighs, his small pupils boring into Neji like daggers. "You really are worried about that aren't you? Is it because you know this can't go on forever?"

Neji's face filled with shock before he turned away in shame and frustration. "So… you've already figured it out, have you? How long have you known my secret?"

The Nara smiled and leaned back, supporting his weight on his hands. "Come on Hyuga, your eyes might see just about everything, but to me, they're like giant windows. Plus, I come from an important clan too you know, I'm not so naïve to think arranged marriages aren't a big part of keeping a clan in good standing."

The elder sighed and crossed his arms, he was irritated that the genius could read him so easily, but somewhat relieved as well. He'd been feeling guilty about not saying anything since the very start of their relationship. Knowing he'd failed at withholding information from his boyfriend eased his worry, though only a little.

"So, if you were aware of what was destined to become of this relationship, why have you been pursuing it at all. It is utterly pointless." Neji stated coldly.

Shikamaru smiled, confusing the elder teen. He pulled himself back upright and placed one of his hands on Neji's waist, the other tangling in the long silky hair. "Just kiss me, Hyuga" he breathed, willing the teen to submit to his desires once again.

Neji looked at his boyfriend's confident face and gave in, bending down so that their lips could connect again. Their kiss became deeper, tongues fighting for dominance. The Hyuga pushed Shikamaru down arching his back some so that his body could rub against the youngers sensually.

The Hyuga could feel himself starting to get aroused and knew that Shikamaru was as well judging by the bulge building beneath his spread legs. Part of him wanted to keep exploring this impulse… to be closer to Shikamaru. But his pride wouldn't let him; he couldn't bring himself to let go of his inhibitions just yet. He pulled away from the embrace, doing his best to control his heavy breathing before getting to his feet and gliding off.

Shikamaru stayed where he was, panting from the loss of contact. He smirked at the clouds as they slowly blew past him, content with how their meeting had gone. "I love it when he plays hard to get. Not much will get me to put in effort but that Hyuga, he's just too good to pass up."

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Thanks for reading my friends! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I had fun writing it!

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