Broken Promises

This started to snow ball after the last chapter. Hope you guys like it! I’m getting nervous about this part.


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CHAPTER 15 – Reality Check

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Kanazerosukenmaro: Yes he needs to get stronger for where I’m taking him. Sasuke needs to grow up a little. He and Naruto have been together since they were very young and that sort of relationship can stunt the people in it. As for Neji and Sasuke smex, not so much. They really do not have an interest in one another on that level. But this will help them grow a friendship that had never been there before. Sorry.
Valmasy 03: Well this one came faster than most! Hope you’re happy with it.
JtheChosen1: Not amused at all. Please see below. LOL
Sadie237: The house description was important for two reasons, one it needed to show the vast difference between life with Sasuke and life with Shikamaru. Two it showed how broken and disjointed his life had become. He knew it was the only way to get Neji as an ally. Neji would respect honesty. Yeah Gaara’s a little perv. Glad to still have people following this! A break like that could really hurt a story.
Kudichan: I’m so glad you came out of lurking. Thank you for feedbacking. I love break up to make up fics, but I’m often left going… wait WHY did he forgive him? I wanted this to be something different and I’m glad people are enjoying that. Yeah I’m a big ole tease. Ask the hubby. LoL

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Things had been going quite well, every one sat around talking and listening to music. The beer Naruto had purchased was long gone and they were well into the cases Kiba had brought along most having swapped to the quality sake` Hinata had brought with her. For such a tiny woman she could really hold her liquor and so she always brought the really strong stuff to give her a buzz. It wasn’t until Lee managed to get his hands on the alcohol that any one said anything about Neji’s absence. “Where the fuck is Hyuuga?” Kiba growled trying to avoid getting hit by Lee at the same time as pin the snookered ninja. “Tenten HELP! He’s your teammate.”

Tenten watched wide eyed. “Neji and Gai Sensei are the only ones who can do anything with him when he’s like this!” She exclaimed jumping out of the way.

“Fine! Where the fuck is that pampas jerk then?” He watched wearily as Hinata glared at her boyfriend then moved toward him. She stilled when Lee began giggling.

“My illustrious comrade is in the youthful blush of new love! He has succumbed to the passions of spring.” A loud hiccup and then his fist shot out and up, taking Kiba down before he crowed. “He has captured the heart and rather sexy body of none other than he heart stoppingly beautiful Sasuke Uchiha.”

With a growl Hinata took the defensive and knocked Lee out in moments. “Will you please call Gai Sensei to take him home, Tenten?” They noticed Sai glaring at Lee before getting up and walking out the open back door. It was no secret Sai wanted Sasuke, but since Sai hit on every one no one had taken him seriously. Nodding Tenten ran to call her team lead. Gaara sighed turning from where he’d been quite comfortably seated, he’d kill the first fucker to call it cuddling, with Shino on the sofa to look at Naruto and Shikamaru. He’d expected the shock and hurt he saw on Naruto’s face but to see it in the face of the man sitting in the blonds lap made him groan. Looking up at Shino he knew the silent Aburame had seen it as well. When the shade wearing man muttered ‘troublesome’ under his breath Gaara began laughing loud making Kiba trip to the floor looking at the scary ninja in shock.

“Warn a guy Gaara.” He muttered deciding to just pull Hinata into his lap. “Hey, guys I’m sure Lee was exaggerating. Neji wouldn’t do Sasuke. Come on… who’d be on top?” Naruto snorted but Shikamaru appeared to be contemplating it.

“Ac… actually Kiba, I think it is true. I was trying to get Choji to hurry up when I saw them.” She started out strong but had faded to a whisper when Shikamaru’s hurt eyes fell to her face. “Sasuke’s shirt was torn around the neck and Neji’s hair had fallen down.”

Chomping on some pretzels Choji frowned at Ino. “They could have just had a fight Ino, they both have pretty bad tempers.” He was scolding her. “You know your dad told you about gossiping.”

“Choji!” She growled hands going to her hips in annoyance. She snatched the salty snack from him. “Eat some fruit! It’s not gossip. They kissed each other. Right there still hidden in the opening of the ally. I wouldn’t even have seen if I hadn’t been right across from them!”

“But why right there in broad daylight! They both have private homes.” Kiba scowled. “It’s like they wanted to get caught. Something doesn’t smell right.”

“Perhaps Ni-san does not wish Father to know he is seeing Sasuke. Neji is careful to take lovers my father will not pressure him to commit to. Commitment to Uchiha would be very good for our clan. Any number of branch women would happily carry a child for them.” The lavender eyed woman sighed. Such relationships were not uncommon in her family and branch women often carried for members of their family who had male spouses. It served many purposes. Most importantly it ensured the line did not die out for something as silly as sexual preference and enabled loving couples to have children. It was one more way the Hyuuga clan differed from others it had been a tradition in their line as far back as the written history went back. The elder had seen no reason to change it now.

Kiba frowned and shook his head. “Your clan still freaks me out Hinata.” But he wrapped arms around her lovingly nuzzling until she giggled. “So Sasuke has his own place.” When Hinata elbowed him the dog ninja blushed. “Sorry Naruto.”

Sighing Naruto pressed his forehead to Shika’s beck, trying to force the anger and jealousy Kiba’s words inspired. Neji in his bed under Sasuke. Drinking coffee in silence at his breakfast table. Reading quietly in his living room. They would be such a good match for one another and it made his blood boil. “It’s fine Kiba. We aren’t together any more. It’s been months and I’ve got Shikamaru.” He forced one of his bright smiles and saw the other’s relax. “They haven’t gone to Sasuke’s house because Sasuke is too stubborn to move out of the house and get a place of his own. He has trouble with that sort of thing. Itachi’s bedroom on the compound still hasn’t been entered since he left.” The others blinked in shock. Very few people knew how deep the Uchiha’s small quirks of obsession went, but Naruto knew exactly why they hadn’t moved their relationship into his home, because it was still his fucking house.

Shikamaru was more than troubled by this news. He’d believed he was making progress with Neji. The other man spent more time with him, seemed more comfortable around him and they had started talking about things that truly mattered. He’d wanted more than friendship from the incredibly beautiful man for over a year now but Hyuuga had always been out of his reach, mostly because he believed the other man straight. That thought pissed him off even more, the fucker could have at least told him that Shikamaru had a chance.
Two weeks, two weeks and Neji had sent note after note rescheduling the completion of their shoji game. Shikamaru was growling in irritation as he crumpled yesterday’s stupid fucking note. Training, Neji was doing an awful lot of training and as it turned out all of it with Uchiha. From what he had heard he and Sasuke walked the streets talking, had lunch together and parted ways after a day on the private training fields dirty and looking completely disheveled. Naruto was being equally irritable as time continued. On day sixteen there were whispers that Neji had been seen exiting the Uchiha’s home late in the evening. Growling Naruto had stormed from the house, Shikamaru had gone to get groceries for dinner that night as well as turn in some reports so he’d not seen the frustration his lover had been in.

Pacing Shikamaru waited for the inevitable note saying Neji was passing up their shoji game in favor of fucking that stupid black haired bastard. When the knock sounded at the back and then it slid opened Shikamaru rounded on Neji. “So you’ve finally found time to complete our game?”

Blink Neji slid the door closed. “I apologize I’ve been busy with… training.” He finished after a paused moment to think. Watching Shikamaru fume, this had worked far better than anticipated.

“Oh please spare me. I’m not stupid Neji. You’re fucking Sasuke aren’t you? Why lie about it. The entire village knows. You were seen. Kissing in allies and leaving his house in the middle of the night. Are you a heartless bastard? Do you know what he did to Naruto?” Shikamaru wanted to rip that beautiful waterfall of chocolate out of the other man’s head.

“I believe it’s been months and even a man who’s made mistakes deserves a chance to be happy. What Uchiha or I do is none of your concern. You are with Naruto are you not?” Neji eyed the Nara trying hard not to smirk.

“Neji you aren’t even GAY!” Shikamaru’s arms crossed as anger rolled off him in waves.

“Until recently neither were you. Unless there is something you’d like to reveal about Tamari.” The Hyuuga raised a smug brow.

Growling Shika shook his head. “Fuck you Hyuuga. I’m not in the mood for shoji. You should go… to hell.” Turning the shadow nin passively told the other man. “Close the door behind you.”

Later that night as they prepared for bed Naruto tugged his clothes off angrily, brushing his teeth and watched Shikamaru in an equally foul mood. Sighing he walked out, “Sasuke won’t hurt him. He’s… he’s not a bad guy, Shika… selfish and prissy and they’re probably perfect for each other. Fucking HELL I hate him. How could he?”

Throwing the pillow down Shikamaru growled. “Exactly! How could Neji DO this? He’s not even gay and you are his friend.” The brunette looked up furiously and blinked. He didn’t want to hurt Naruto. It was the last thing he’d wanted. He loved Naruto he did and he always would. But their relationship had never felt permanent to him, but he didn’t know if Naruto felt the same way.

Blinking Naruto started laughing. “I guess this is where we admit forever was never in our cards?” Falling onto the bed he shared with the man who had become his best friend and lover blue eyes looked up sad but at the same time happy. “So it’s Neji? Your crush is that prissy fucker?”

Blushing Shikamaru plopped on the side of the bed. “Yeah. He’s beautiful and so smart… he gives me more of a challenge at shijo then Asuma did. I think given some time he might beat me some day. My father’s the only fucker who can do that. Dads suck.” The Nara was pouting now.

“Hey earth to Shikamaru. What are you going to do about it?” Naruto asked.

Sighing the pony tailed man shook his head. “Me? What can I do, he’s with Uchiha now.”

“Kiba was right. Those two are so seme it leaks from their pores. Likely they would self destruct on their own.” Shikamaru looked at Naruto. “But there’s no reason we can’t help them along.”

Shikamaru smiled quite evilly. “That sounds… dangerous but worth it.” Looking at Naruto cautiously. “Are you sure?”

Sighing Naruto nodded. “I love the cheating Bastard. He doesn’t deserve it. And I’m not ready to let him off the hook but… seeing him with someone else made me realize I’m deluding myself. There really isn’t anyone else. Things with you have been different and good for me. But it’s always been Sasuke.”

Nodding Shikamaru patted Naruto’s shoulder. “I’m sorry… that really sucks.” Frowning a little he looked down at Naruto. “Does this mean we can’t fuck anymore?”