A Troublesome Series of Events

I was sad no one guessed who it was. xD Oh well. Pretty much an uneventful chapter, but it's adorable so. Who cares? xD

ShikaChouFan4Life: xD I'm glad it was realistic! Kiba will be back later in all his perverseness. 8D And I'm glad the cliffhangers are effective! Muahahaha.

We love everyone who reviewed! -kissu-

Luney played Neji in addition to the norm.

--

Sasuke cursed. Damn Hyuuga’s and their damn eyesight.

Shikamaru scowled, almost light enough to be a pout, and after a second just let out a sigh. “Just let him come in himself,” he muttered to Sasuke, still not opening his eyes. “I’m sure by the end of the night I’ll need a new lock, or, hell, another door.”

“What the hell could Hyuuga want anyway? I always considered him the intelligent one.”

And the one least likely to shove his nose into our business, he added mentally. The soft sound of the door swinging open could be heard in the silence, followed by nearly silent padding.

“In the bedroom, Hyuuga.” Sasuke said, not raising his voice. He wouldn’t need to, it was Neji. Soon the other was standing in the doorway, positively leering at the snuggled up couple.

“Well, I would say I hope I’m not interrupting, but I can tell you two are comfortable.” Neji said calmly, lips twitching upward.

Shikamaru opened one eye to look over at the Hyuuga. “Yes, we are. So what story have you heard?” he asked bluntly. Damnit, he wanted to sleep.

The Hyuuga’s lips twitched again, forming a smug smirk. Sasuke’s arms tightened around Shikamaru, glaring at the other.

“Many, many things. That Sasuke takes it up the ass, that you only let him give head and he only gets off by masturbating, that Sasuke likes to tie you up and fuck you till you bleed. They’re all so conflicting; I had to come check it out myself.” He stepped further into the room, not intending to leave any time soon.

“Well, none of those are true,” Shikamaru said. He closed his eye again, muttering a soft ‘troublesome’ and added, “But as you can see, he is here, we are together and that’s all the information you need.”

A smirk pulled at his own lips. “So don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Neji.”

“Aw, don’t be like that, Nara.” Neji said, pausing by the foot of the bed. Sasuke had the extreme urge to see if he could kick him from where he lay.

“I’m just wondering what is the truth, and also what Naruto thinks of all this.”

“I’m not going to give you more fantasies to masturbate to, Hyuuga,” Shikamaru said, smirk still in place. “You’re the one who didn’t have the patience to wait and broke it off.” He opened his eyes again and gazed over at Neji.

“And I might be a genius, but I can’t read minds so you should talk to Naruto about that.” He paused then, as his smirk grew, added, “But he is moving in here next week, if that helps.”

Neji narrowed his eyes, face becoming rigid and cold. Sasuke glanced at Shikamaru, wondering what he’d missed. Had that much really happened while he was away?

“I do wonder what it is you, such a shy and innocent little boy, have been doing to start such rumors?” He said icily. At his sides his fists clenched.

Shikamaru sighed, expression becoming bored again. “That’s a low blow even for you, Hyuuga,” he said, adding sarcastically, “So sorry for taking away Naruto’s attention by getting raped.”

“I’m not sore about Naruto caring for you, Nara. I’m just wondering why it is the Uchiha’s in bed with you and not him, if he matters so much to you.” Neji snarled. Sasuke glowered harder at the boy, not liking his tone at all.

“He’s not here because he’s packing, Hyuuga. Shikamaru is being kind enough to offer him a home with friends.” Neji turned his eyes on Sasuke, frigid and unrelenting.

“He doesn’t desire a home of friends, Uchiha.”

“We,” Shikamaru interrupted, voice raised just a little to make sure he had their attention, “have all agreed on it and if you have a problem with it, go try taking it up with Tsunade. Besides, you keep forgetting any relationship worth having starts with friendship, Hyuuga.”

“Then I feel bad for Naruto.” Neji finished, turning his eyes on Shikamaru. “For seeking something more than friendship.”

After that he turned, stalking out of the room with his head held high and his spine rigid. Sasuke, after he heard the door open and close and felt Neji’s chakra leave, lifted up onto one elbow, looking down at Shikamaru.

“Care to share?”

Shikamaru glanced up at Sasuke, still having been watching the doorway with a frown. He groaned in annoyance after a second and turned to half bury his face into his pillow.

“Troublesome. Can’t you ask me tomorrow, after I sleep?” he asked, voice muffled.

“I could, but then I don’t know if I’ll ever get the chance with how many people keep popping up.” Sasuke said. He leaned down, resting his chin on Shikamaru’s shoulder, waiting.

Shikamaru turned his head, watching Sasuke from the corner of his eye. He released a sigh, not wanting to argue. “Be more specific. I don’t feel like reciting a novel-length story.”

Sasuke would have smiled at Shikamaru, if it weren’t for the subject at hand. He thought about all he’d heard, trying to place which question he most wanted answered.

“Were you and Hyuuga together before?”

Muttering another troublesome and rolling his eyes, Shikamaru just nodded. If Sasuke wanted more information about it, he’d have to ask specifically. In the back of his mind, he wondered if the Uchiha just wanted information on what had happened while he’d defected or if he was jealous.

Sasuke drew Shikamaru closer, one arm over his waist. He slid down, placing his lips against Shikamaru’s nape as he slipped his other arm under his ribs and across his chest.

“What happened between you two?”

Shikamaru leaned against the other boy, closing his eyes once again. “Nothing,” he said, “He asked me out once, it was too troublesome to say no so we dated for a few months. I wouldn’t put out and he broke it off.”

Sasuke scowled, but at a thought couldn’t help snickering into Shikamaru’s skin.

“I knew I was better than the Hyuuga. Even at sex.” He said smugly, pressing against Shikamaru even more for the sheer pleasure of not getting turned away. Like some people.

Shikamaru elbowed the Uchiha just shy of actually hurting him. “And that’s one of the reasons I wouldn’t have sex with him,” he said, smirking faintly. “He bragged.”

Sasuke only smirked, holding onto Shikamaru even more. He licked at the skin under his lips in a smug, almost possessive way.

“Is it really bragging if I only do it to you?”

Shikamaru held back the shiver trying to rack his body and snorted, countering with a question of his own. “Are you still talking about how amazing you are?”

“True. I guess instead of talking I’ll just stick to showing.” Sasuke’s hand slipped down Shikamaru’s front, caressing at his closest nipple through the shirt he was wearing. He didn’t intend to go much further, wasn’t even sure if enough time had passed for Shikamaru to respond enough to go further, but he still enjoyed feeling the flesh harden into nubs under his fingertips.

Shikamaru chuckled and grabbed his hand, bringing it up to press a light kiss to it. He twisted his upper body to look at Sasuke. “Think you can show me tomorrow instead?”

“Hmmm, yes, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop touching you.” Sasuke said, leaning forward and nipping at Shikamaru’s throat. “I trust you to have control and not ravish me.” He added, licking up towards his ear.

Shikamaru smirked and turned back around, spooning against him again. “Fine. But don’t bitch at me tomorrow when I fall asleep on you,” he responded, closing his eyes again and, hopefully, for the last time that night.

Sasuke only smirked, dropping his hand down again and playing with the nipple. It had started to soften again in the sparse moments he’d been inattentive.

“If we find the time to even try tomorrow, I’ll keep that in mind.” Sasuke whispered, pinching and circling the one nipple idly while he nuzzled into Shikamaru’s nape again.

Shikamaru just grunted in acknowledgement that he’d heard Sasuke. After a few minutes he was able to recognize the touches and block them out, letting his body relax more as he started drifting off.

Sasuke breathed out, recognizing the feeling of Shikamaru’s body relaxing against him. He smiled, continuing his attack on the nipple. He lifted his other hand off of Shikamaru’s waist, moving it to the other one and beginning to pinch and roll it as well. He could feel himself beginning to stir, but willed it down. He just wanted to enjoy touching Shikamaru, feeling him under his hands.

--

Shikamaru grumbled to himself and pushed his face further into the pillow below him. He didn’t want to wake up yet, but damnit, he’d forgotten to close the window shades last night. And now the sun was shining through the window and pulling him from his sleep. Troublesome. It probably wasn’t even nine in the morning.

Sasuke grunted, pulling the warm body closer to him as it began to move around. He felt his hands press into warm skin and remembered what he’d been doing before falling asleep himself. He flexed his fingers, wondering at which place on Shikamaru’s chest they were at the moment.

Shikamaru shivered a little, the fingertips pressing into him slightly colder than his body. He turned his head and opened one eye, sleepily gazing at Sasuke before squinting his eye again as the light hit it.

Sasuke lowered his head, using Shikamaru as a shield between himself and the accursed sunlight.

“Morning.” He said into the others neck, not feeling like getting up just yet.

“Mm,” he mumbled incoherently. Shikamaru brought a hand up to rub at his eyes before just letting it fall back onto the pillow, closing his eyes again and snuggling back against the Uchiha more. No way was he getting up either.

Before Sasuke could begin letting himself fall back to sleep, a knock was heard at the door. He growled softly.

“Not this early in the morning…” He muttered. A voice suddenly cut through his dark thoughts, piercing the silence that had followed deathly behind the knock.

“Shikamaaaaru! It’s Naruto! Remember, you told me to come over!” The blond’s voice cracked every now and then, attesting to his teenager vocals but he just kept talking. Sasuke paused in his soft growling, pushing his face against Shikamaru questioningly.

“Did you?” He mumbled in question.

Shikamaru groaned and turned just enough so his face wasn’t being covered by the pillow.

“Yeah,” he said, voice scratchy from sleep. “Didn’t think he’d come over this early though.” He went silent for a few seconds, most likely starting to doze off again. He heaved a sigh and cracked open his eyes. “I suppose we should get up so he doesn’t just barge in again.”

“Shikamaruuuu, come on! Are you awaaaaake?!” Naruto called, pounding on the door once again. Sasuke pulled his hands out of Shikamaru’s shirt, rolling onto his side.

“You talk to him.” He mumbled, tossing an arm over his own eyes.

Shikamaru pouted and sat up, half-glaring down at the Uchiha. “Tch. Troublesome. You’re getting up too,” he said. His pout changed to a smirk and he pushed Sasuke off the bed. Without another word he stood up and, only pulling down his shirt, walked out to answer the door.

Sasuke pouted himself from the floor. He was tempted to simply get up and crawl back under the covers. Very tempted. He eyed the blankets, then the bedroom door.

“Finally!” Naruto said upon seeing the door open. He smiled, leaping forward and throwing his arms over the sleepy Nara. “Morning!”

Shikamaru stumbled back a step before catching himself. “Morning, Naruto,” he said, cracking a smile. He was sure he was a sight—in the clothes from yesterday, hair mostly out of his tie, and probably some sleep lines on one side of his face—but he really couldn’t care.

“Mmm, so how’d it go, huh?” he asked, drawing back enough to see the boy’s face again. He looked like he’d just woken up. Naruto smirked, thinking the lazy nin was adorable that way.

Sasuke came up behind Shikamaru having decided he’d been lazy enough yesterday. He watched Naruto’s happy leer change into a flash of anger and then settle into Naruto’s best stoic look.

Shikamaru sighed and pulled away from Naruto. He grabbed his wrist and led him into the apartment so he could sit on the couch. After he sat down—leaving room on either side of him for the other two shinobi if they wanted—he finally said, “It went fine. Only real problem was the parade of people barging in while I was trying to sleep.”

Naruto allowed himself to be led away, past the younger Uchiha brother and into the living room silently. He sat down to one side, watching quietly as Sasuke stepped past him and slumped down, crossing his arms.

“That’s good, that it went well. Why were so many people coming over?” Naruto asked, his voice not quite as cheery as it had been, but he tried. Shikamaru didn’t need that kind of stress, especially with the baby.

Shikamaru frowned a little, noticing Naruto’s mood though he decided to not say anything yet. “Ah, everyone wanted to confirm that he was really back,” he said, giving the simplest explanation.

Naruto snorted, his mood lifting somewhat as he remembered some of the rumors he’d been hearing. Knowing what the truth was, although still a little painful, he was able to laugh at most of what he heard.

“I’ll bet they all had sex question too, right?” He said with a snicker. He tossed his arms over Shikamaru’s shoulders good humouredly, his fingers brushing Sasuke’s shoulder. He flinched, curling his hands tightly to Shikamaru’s shoulder, but keeping his arm where it was. Sasuke remained relaxed, leaning back on the couch.

Shikamaru gave a snort, raising an eyebrow. “You have no idea,” he muttered. “The three people we actually bothered talking to were Ino, Neji and Kiba. To put it lightly, it was far too troublesome.”

Naruto laughed, tilting his head back and grinning. He felt Sasuke’s shoulder on his hand, the Uchiha resting slightly against Shikamaru. The action made Naruto tense again, but after a few moments and Sasuke not moving away, he began to relax.

“I’ll bet that was fun. Who was the most troublesome?” Naruto asked, leaning against Shikamaru as well.

Shikamaru let out a sigh, but his lips twitched upwards into a smile. It felt nice to have both of them near. “I’m not sure. Ino was way too loud, Kiba just… wouldn’t shut up. And Neji… Well…” he trailed off, not sure how to put it without saying something he’d rather not.

Naruto snorted, waving his hand to emphasize his next words.

“Neji’s an ass.” Sasuke couldn’t help but chuckle at that.

“That he is.” He agreed out loud, the first words he’d said in Naruto’s presence so far.

Shikamaru had to laugh too, nodded. “That’s one way to put it,” he said. “You would think he’d relax a little after growing up, you know?”

Naruto nodded his head, being seized with a sudden and random urge to stretch his hand out and touch Sasuke’s hair for the first time in years. He tightened his hand, not sure if he should or not.

“Yes. He was getting better, and then at some point he just became an ass again. Wonder what happened…”

Shikamaru shrugged, leaning back further into the couch. “It could be a couple of things,” he said, though was sure he knew the reason, but he didn’t feel like talking about Neji.

Sasuke snorted, leaning his head to the side and against Shikamaru’s shoulder, forgetting about Naruto’s hand until he felt it rubbing the side of his skull. He paused, but internally shrugged. Naruto could pull his hand back or leave it.

“A couple of things my ass. He’s always been that way.” Naruto flinched against Shikamaru, hand tightening even more before he told himself to relax. If he moved in, he’d be forced into these sorts of positions a lot.

“Isn’t there a thing for that, uhh… something about a kettle… and a tea pot?” Naruto said, scrunching up his face in thought. Wasn’t there a color involved? In his absence of mind, he unclenched his hand and ran it through Sasuke’s hair. The Uchiha relaxed even more against Shikamaru at the action, remaining quiet and allowing it.

Shikamaru chuckled and nodded slightly. “’Pot calling the kettle black’, you mean?” he asked casually, though mentally readying himself in case they started arguing. It had always happened before, even when friends, and he knew they had to confront all the issues sometime. He just hoped it wouldn’t ever get out of hand.

“I’ll admit that. When Naruto admits he’s a dunce.” Sasuke said, unable to keep quiet once Shikamaru clarified what Naruto meant. It wasn’t the worst thing he could have said, but the hand running through his hair was mollifying the need for sharper words. No one had really touched his hair since Itachi…

“I am not!” Naruto said indignantly, still not even aware of his hand slipping through the silky locks. He leaned forward, sticking his tongue out at Sasuke as he did so.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes but his lips twitched upwards. It really didn’t seem like years since the last time he heard this same argument in passing while he lay with Chouji in a training field.

He wisely kept his mouth shut now, not willing to get brought into the banter if he could help it.

“Right. Just like how I’m not an ass.” Sasuke conceded, closing his eyes. It really felt wonderful, Naruto’s hands running through his hair. His arm snaked behind Shikamaru’s back, brushing Naruto’s sides as he settled himself.

“But, but!” Naruto wasn’t sure what to say without digging himself deeper into the hole he’d somehow found himself in. Upon feeling Sasuke’s hand he realized where and what his other was doing and stopped, blushing slightly. His eyes widened when he felt Sasuke lean into the abandoned touch, sighing contentedly when the blond started petting him again.

Shikamaru sighed and opened his mouth to make a comment but closed it again at a knock on his door. He scowled, eye twitching a little. He hoped it wasn’t someone coming to confirm rumors again, though the probability of otherwise was low.

Reluctantly, he extracted himself from the other two ninja and made his way over to the door. He opened it, raising an eyebrow at the shinobi. “…yes?”

“Nara Shikamaru, you are wanted at the Hokage Tower promptly,” he said, trying his best to look inside the apartment discreetly.

“Ah, fine,” the Nara said, frowning. “Tell her I’ll be there in a few minutes.” And he closed the door on the other, not caring if he was about to respond.

Sasuke frowned as his arm fell away from Shikamaru’s back, slipping down to hang uselessly while he watched the Nara walk to the door. Naruto did the same, his hand pausing in its ministrations to Sasuke’s hair.

“What does she want with you?” Naruto called as soon as Shikamaru closed the door, bringing his hand back from Sasuke’s dark locks as he looked at the Nara worriedly. Sasuke retracted his arm as well, coal eyes showing a shallower amount of the same emotion.

Shikamaru shrugged, yawning as he started to head back into the bedroom. “No idea,” he said before shutting the door behind him. He went into the adjoining bathroom to take a quick shower before heading out.