Sign Me Yours

FFFFF LONGEST WAIT EVER, Y/Y?
there should be more updates of this and my other stories later today because IT'S SHIKAMARU'S BIRTHDAY YAYYYYYY /kermit flails

--

The next day, Shikamaru faux-kidnapped Chouji from his house and walked with him to the Yamanaka's shop, hoping Ino would either be there or in the back where their actual house was.

Standing at the counter, Ino sighed. Yet another boring day. Sure she had had a few customers, but it was too early for there to be much traffic in and out of their shop. Also, the flowers had already been tended to, and there wasn't anything to do, except wait for someone to walk in the door.

Shikamaru pushed open the door, strolling in and walking towards the back counter. "Yo," he said in greeting, raising a hand slightly.

"Shikamaru!" It was a mix between a yell and a growl, and a bucket hit the brunette's head, a pissed-off blonde glaring at him from behind the counter. "You dare show up after yesterday?" she asked coldly, none-too-happy. She had obviously not forgiven him yet.

Shikamaru scowled and rubbed his head before picking up the bucket and setting it on the counter.

"If anyone has the right to be mad still, it's me, Ino. But if you want to be upset over something so childish, fine," he said calmly, knowing the other considered herself mature.

"You... you-- AUGH!" Ino growled, crossing her arms over her chest, still glaring at him. "Why do I even bother with you, now get lost!" All she had done was help him get a boyfriend, she would have at least expected a thanks from him. Honestly, boys could be so rude sometimes!

Shikamaru rolled his eyes, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Me and Chouji were gonna go cloud-gaze and he insisted we invite you, too, though I'm not sure why," he said, using the other boy as an excuse, knowing he wouldn't mind and it was more believable.

Looking over at a slightly blushing Chouji that was munching on his chips, Ino sighed, knowing that she wouldn't say no. She wasn't mad at Chouji, so she wasn't going to say no to spend some time with her friends. Didn't mean she had forgiven Shikamaru though.

"Fine, I'm coming. 'Kaasan! Going out!" she called to her mother. At least she was getting out of this boring shop.

Shikamaru turned around before giving a smirk of triumph. Step one complete.

--

Neji had just finished talking to his uncle about something concerning Hanabi, and on his way out he stumbled into his team-mates. Perfect, he smirked inwardly.

"No, Lee! You can't do it like that!"

"But why not?" said boy asked, eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he looked down at the paper in his hand before the weapons girl tore it away from him.

"Because it's too forward," Tenten tried to explain again. "If Sakura didn't like you yelling out your love before, I doubt she'll want to read a sonnet about it."

Lee sighed and nodded dejectedly. This was so hard! But he couldn't give up!

Sighing, Neji would have rolled his eyes at his team-mate had he been anyone else.

"You should quietly ask her on a date, quietly," he told the martial-artist. He could very well understand that Sakura didn't want to go out with someone as loud as that. He also knew that Lee could be quiet if he wanted to, if anything, that was his best shot. "Take her on a picnic or something."

Both ninja started slightly, not having noticed Neji appear; Tenten feeling slightly ashamed about that.

Lee turned to face him, eyes widening a little before he nodded, determination shining in his eyes. "Yosh! I shall go find my Cherry Blossom and ask!" he yelled before turning to go search for her.

Tenten scowled and grabbed the back of his unitard before he could move. "Quietly, Lee!" she reminded him. "Besides, I heard her team went out on a mission."

Neji nodded, sighing.

"Lee, if you want her to like you, learn to do things a little more quietly," he said and gave him a pointed look. The Green Beast of Konoha should know exactly what he was talking about. After all, even though he hadn't cared at all at the time, he knew that Lee had thought Gai-sensei was just as weird and slightly scary in the beginning, just like him and Tenten.

Lee nodded slowly, looking more put out by the fact Sakura wasn't in the village than anything else. Then he remembered what they had done a few days before and glanced at Tenten, grinning.

If Neji was talking with them, obviously something had gone right since they had, after all, ditched him. Unless of course, he just hadn't shown up which could be quite possible. But he didn't want to think about that.

"Let's go," Neji gave them a cold look, having noticed the grin on Lee's lips when he looked at him. They should know by now that he mostly talked to them because he had to, not because they really were his friends, so it didn't matter if he was mad at them.

"Did you want, ah... assistance with your training, Neji?" Tenten asked as she followed him with Lee hobbling along behind, catching herself before she said 'help'. She never said that word to Neji anymore; not after that one time.

Giving a curt nod, Neji just walked towards his usual training-field, now also Shikamaru's usual cloud-gazing spot. He wondered who would get there first, him, or his boyfriend.

--

Shikamaru was contentedly lying back in the grass and eating a chip he had 'stolen' from Chouji's bag, eyes shifting around every now and then, wondering when Neji would show up with his teammates.

As fast as lightening, Neji and Tenten were standing beside them, a seemingly pissed Hyuuga eyeing them, his arms crossed and a clear frown adorned his face. In the background, Lee was slowly hobbling to catch up with his team-mates.

"What are you doing here?" Neji eyed the younger team angrily.

Shikamaru was actually surprised at his sudden appearance but quickly recovered and slapped a scowl on his face.

"Lying down. I'd think it was obvious, Hyuuga," he drawled, voice mocking. "I guess those eyes of yours need to be fixed, hm?"

Tenten's eyes widened and she immediately took a step back. That was not something you said to Hyuuga Neji unless you wanted to be hurt. She worriedly turned her gaze to Ino. What had gone wrong?

Shit. Ino looked wide-eyed at the Hyuuga that was glaring at them-- at Shikamaru to be more specific. Hadn't their date gone well? Shikamaru hadn't let on anything other than that Neji hadn't physically harmed him even though he had threatened to. Scooting a bit away from her friend, she did not want to be in the Hyuuga's line of fire.

THACK.

A kunai stood in the ground, one millimeter from cutting Shikamaru's throat and pulse.

"Have a death-wish, Nara?" Neji asked, voice cold as he glared daggers at the younger boy, internally amused, but not showing it. "I'd be more than happy to assist!"

Tenten let out a squeak and retreated further just as Lee finally caught up, looking just as worried.

Shikamaru narrowed his eyes and sat up, reaching over and pulling the kunai out from the ground. He studied it for a second, looking contemplative though really trying to school himself so he wouldn't let a grin slip.

He sighed heavily, rolling his head a little as he looked back up. "You're troublesome, Hyuuga. Just go train somewhere else."

"Get lost, Nara!" Neji spat, enjoying seeing the blonde girl, Ino, scurry further away, pulling Chouji with her. Giving him a kick in the side that made him roll over, Neji made sure it looked like it hurt more than it actually did, having used the tip of his foot to roll the Nara around, instead of hitting him with it in the side.

"This is a Hyuuga training compound." he added, another kunai suddenly sticking into the ground between Shikamaru's legs, so very close to his crotch, actually cutting a little of his pants, but doing no real damage.

Lee winced, looking concernedly at his friend. He normally wouldn't give a cheap blow like that; obviously he was really upset about something.

Shikamaru's eyes widened and he tensed, head snapping up and looking at him in surprise. That had been way too close for comfort. He mentally shook himself and the next moment he was on his feet, glaring at Neji and pointing the kunai at his throat.

"That doesn't give you the right to attack me like that!" he snapped.

Holding another kunai to Shikamaru's throat, Neji returned the glare. He had caught the surprise in Shikamaru's eyes, but he would settle that later. After all, the Nara didn't seem to know he couldn't possibly miss from such a short distance.

"Says who?" He asked haughtily, pressing the kunai slightly more into Shikamaru's skin, not yet drawing blood, not that he intended to anyway. He knew how much pressure he could put before anything happened.

"Hey, hey!" Ino yelled, not going to let anything happen to her friend, despite the fact that she was scared to death of the Hyuuga when he got like this, knowing she was no match for him. "Stop this at once you two!" she put her hands on her hips, trying to act like she was completely confident in herself.

"Stay out of this, Ino. It doesn't concern you anymore," Shikamaru growled, inwardly smirking and satisfied. He moved his wrist, turning the kunai sideways and pressing it under Neji's chin, next to his throat.

Tenten trembled slightly then shouted, "Neji, stop it! Whatever happened at the restaurant can't be enough cause for this!"

"Tenten, I have told you to stay out of my business!" Neji shot a glare at the girl, before refocusing on Shikamaru, pushing the kunai just enough to draw a small drop of blood. He assumed that since Shikamaru hadn't been mad at him for the accident with the kunai earlier, he could draw just a little, for effect.

"Shikamaru!" Ino glared at her friend. "Stop being such an ass! Tenten's right, there's no reason to be like this!"

Tenten flinched, not wanting his rage turned onto her, as Lee frowned, eyes darting back and forth. If only he had his full strength, then he could pull Neji away!

Shikamaru took a sharp intake of breath, scowl deepening but quirked an eyebrow. "There's a really good reason to 'be like this', Ino," he said, before lowering his arm suddenly and turning around, grinning. "To mess with you."

Lowering his arm as well, Neji couldn't help the small smirk that adorned his lips, amused as he watched the flabbergasted looks of Ino, Tenten and Lee. "And it went rather well," he added, smirk widening.

Shikamaru chuckled and nodded, bending down to pick up the other kunai and handing both back to Neji. "You might have over-did it a bit, though," he commented, grabbing his arm and leading him away.

He felt a bit bad that he was leaving Chouji back there with the other three, but there was no way he was going to be present when they recovered from the shock. At least Chouji could claim innocence.

"Hn." Neji took the kunai, putting it back in his weapons bag. "But it was convincing, wasn't it?" he chuckled slightly, letting Shikamaru lead him away from the others, silently agreeing. He really didn't want to be there when Tenten recovered. She couldn't best him, but he had learned from experience that a pissed-off Tenten was not easy to handle.

"I guess," Shikamaru acquiesced, as they started getting far away enough that he felt comfortable. "But you're buying me a new pair of pants."

Neji just shrugged, he could live with that. At the moment, he was too amused with his first practical joke ever. And he decided that it did feel good.

Tenten blinked, not in her right mind to even turn and watch them leave, and blinked again. And blinked again. Then her eyes narrowed, turning around. "Hyuuga Neji, you better be using your byakugan every minute of the day from now on because you better watch your back!" she yelled out after him, fuming.

Lee, on the other hand, had watched them, forehead creased. He was more hurt than angry, wishing that his rival could have shared in the joy if what he could gather from how he and the Nara had interacted was true.

"I can't believe them!" Ino was just as fuming as Tenten. "Those... those... BASTARDS!"

Eating his chips, Chouji was having a hard time trying not to laugh.

Lee sighed and turned back to look at the other three still there. His eyes caught on Chouji and thought back to the past couple of days; no, he hadn't been there.

He grinned slightly, then asked, "They are together, are they not, Chouji-kun?"

Looking up at the black-haired boy, Chouji smiled, swallowing some chips.

"They are," he confirmed, nodding, amused at the show, but he kept a small distance from the two fuming girls.

Lee smiled and hobbled over to a tree, using it to help him sit down on the ground. "I am glad," he said. "Neji had seemed almost depressed when trying to understand earlier."

"He did?" Chouji scooted over, making more place for the injured boy to sit, offering him chips. "I can't imagine Neji being depressed..." Sure, the Hyuuga was reserved, he got angry, and frustrated, and perhaps angsty, but not depressed.

Lee declined the chips with a shake of his head.

"He does not show it, but he was very unsettled before," he said, smile widening. "I am glad he is happy now."

Taking another mouthful of chips, Chouji nodded thoughtfully. Even though Neji didn't seem to understand it all the time, he supposed that Lee was to Neji what he was to Shikamaru.

"He's lucky to have you as a friend," he grinned.

Lee's eyes widened and he stared at Chouji for a second before grinning widely and diving over and giving him a one-armed hug. "Thank you, my friend! Shikamaru-san is lucky to have you too!"

Eyes widening a little at the hug, Chouji was, mildly said, surprised. Though he shouldn't be, considering the other's personality. "Thanks," he smiled after he recovered, munching on his chips some more, finding he didn't mind the spontaneous hug.

"Lee!" Tenten snapped, making him flinch slightly and move away from Chouji, looking at her with wide eyes. "Aren't you upset?!"

Lee shook his head, a little confused. Sure, the prank had been a bit much, but shouldn't they happy for them?

"At least they're together," Chouji pointed out, looking up at Tenten, smiling.

"Cho..." Ino came up to them, her voice too calm for comfort. "Did you know about this?"

Tenten huffed a sigh and crossed her arms over her chest. That was true, but still!

Lee turned his gaze to Ino, feeling a little intimidated. He didn't know the Yamanaka, but he had learned that whenever a girl went from hysterics to calm like this, it was never a good thing.

"No," Chouji took another mouthful. "I just don't get upset when my best buddy is happy," he shrugged, trying to ignore the glare he was getting from the blonde girl. He didn't like lying to her, but... he couldn't let her know he knew; that would hurt more.

Lee nodded quickly in agreement. "Yes! We must be happy that they had worked things out for the better!"

"Still, the least they could do is thank us!" Ino huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "If it wasn't for us, they wouldn't be together!"

"Exactly!" Tenten said, putting in her two cents. "They should have been at least grateful enough to not scare us like that!"

"It probably was their way of thanking you," Chouji shrugged again, flinching a little at the growl Ino emitted.

"What kind of retarded thanks is that?!" she almost screeched.

--

Shikamaru was still smirking, arms behind his head as he walked. "That was more fun than I thought it would be," he commented.

Neji smirked, agreeing with him. "So now what?" He asked. They could obviously not go back there, they would be torn to shreds by two furious girls. That could hardly be very healthy.

He turned his head slightly to look at him. "First I want to change my pants since someone over-did it and ripped them," he said, though was obviously not upset.

"Alright," Neji's lips twitched in amusement. "I hope you know I couldn't have missed," he added after a while, glancing over at the younger boy. He still remembered the startled an slightly uncomfortable look the other had sported right after.

"It's still not something you want to chance happening," Shikamaru said, rolling his eyes a little. "I'm sure you wouldn't have hit me, but it's still unnerving."

"I suppose," Neji nodded, not really feeling guilty; the look on the blonde girl's face when he did it was absolutely priceless. "I apologize then."

Shikamaru shrugged. "It's fine; as long as you buy me new ones or fix these," he said as they arrived at his house, opening the door.

Muttering something about not being a woman, Neji turned away from him once they were in Shikamaru's room, giving him privacy to change his pants. "I'll buy you new ones then."

Shikamaru snorted, remembering the conversation with Chouji the day before. "Alright," he said as he undid his pants, peeling them off and just throwing them randomly on the floor before grabbing a new pair from his chest of drawers and slipping them on.

Turning back around when he deemed it safe, Neji frowned a little at the pants thrown on the floor, but he didn't mention it. One, it was not his place, and two, the room was no where close to as messy as it had been the first time he was there.

"I'll be right back; make yourself comfortable," he said, walking out and heading to the bathroom. He knew it wasn't big, but he wanted to clean the cut on his throat. If Yoshino saw it, who knew what she'd think?

Nodding, Neji looked a little around the room, studying Shikamaru's book-shelf before pulling one out, it having caught his attention. Laying down on the other boy's bed, knowing he wouldn't mind, Neji started reading the book.

About ten minutes later, Shikamaru walked back into his room, neck smeared slightly with a salve to heal it faster.

Not looking up from the book, Neji's face was beat-red as he stared down at the... the... abomination that had been hidden inside the book. He had been flipping through a few pages when he discovered it, and a few of the pictures were... well, just not proper.

Shikamaru quirked an eyebrow at Neji's expression and went over, leaning over him slightly. "What's wrong?"

However, the only thing leaving the Hyuuga's mouth were splutters as he looked from Shikamaru to the book with the perverted pictures and back to the younger boy again.

Shikamaru blinked, looking confused, and glanced down at the book. His eyes widened and his face grew red to match Neji's.

"I-I... T-that-- Ah, troublesome," he huffed, now scowling, and took it from Neji, closing it and peeling off the fake-cover. "It's my 'tou-san's," he explained. "He likes to hide them around so 'kaa-san doesn't find them."

"Ah... I see..." Neji was still feeling highly disturbed by those images. He considered using bleach on his brain to try to forget them. Sitting up, he couldn't bring himself to look at Shikamaru after that, feeling embarrassed, though for what exactly, he wasn't sure.

Shikamaru sighed and tucked the book under his arm. "Be right back again," he muttered before strolling out, dropping the book off in his parent's bedroom. His father deserved any lecturing he got for hiding it in his room without him knowing.

Forcing down his blush while Shikamaru was out of the room, Neji looked around for something to distract him from the disturbing book. Spotting a go-board, he smirked lightly, remembering when he and the Nara had played shogi during the storm. It had been fun, he admitted that, and interesting. Shikamaru was a strong opponent, someone he had to think hard to beat.

Coming back in, Shikamaru unceremoniously flopped back onto his bed, not caring if some of his limbs draped over Neji in the process.

"Did you think of something you want to do?"

"...Go?" He asked, not coming up with something else; after all, this was his first relationship. What did you actually do with your boyfriend or girlfriend? Neji had no clue, having never had one or even had an interest in having a relationship before.

Shikamaru shrugged then nodded, sitting up. He'd rather just relax, but one game wouldn't hurt.

"Sure, bring the board over."

Nodding, Neji got up from the bed and brought the board and the pieces over to the bed, placing them in front of Shikamaru, sitting on the opposite side of him.

Shikamaru took the tops off the pieces containers then looked at Neji. "Black or white?"

"White." Neji said, never having really cared for being the one to begin.

Shikamaru nodded, sliding the right container towards him and brought the other one closer. He picked up a piece between his fingers and placed it down on one of the star points.