Break to Breathe

 

BREAK TO BREATHE

by Okami Rayne

Chapter Eighteen

A low drawn-out hoot carried across the campsite. In the stillness, the pre-dawn mist wove low between the tents, coating a thin film of moisture to the canvas. A scops-owl, perched low in the trees, swivelled its head once. It was quiet for a moment, almost serene…before another forlorn whoop sounded.

Shikamaru's eyes fluttered open half-way.

Hovering between sleep and awareness, he gazed drowsily at the threadbare mesh of the blankets drawn up over his head. Cocooned in the shell of thin sheets, he felt his breath gently puff the fabric, causing him to duck his head away from the irritating sensation.

Three troublesome things registered as he blinked slowly, closing his eyes again. First, it was god damned freezing. Second, a weird inkling had pulled him from sleep. Third, he had no idea what said inkling was.

Ugh…I don't care…I'm not moving…

Sloughing out a slow, tired sigh, he hunched his shoulders against the chill, remaining burrowed in the meagre warmth of his own body heat while his mind chugged its way back up from fatigue to awareness. Other things began to register then, like the fact that when he slipped his eyes open again it was darker than he expected. Even with the blankets drawn up, the tent should have brightened a little since the time he'd managed to fall asleep.

What time is it?

The steady and uninterrupted loop of an owl's hooting slowly prompted him to move. He craned his neck back slowly, like a submerged diver coming up for air. His ponytail broke the surface of the blankets, forehead, nose and chin following suit.

Chilly air slapped him in the face.

Crap.

He grimaced at the sensation, only to regret the new one that ached across his brow. Untangling his arm from the sheets, he slipped his fingers up to skim the pads along the hurting area. Hinata's salve must have worked its wonders, as he felt no trace of a scar from the gash. Relief eased his frown, but it had nothing to do with vanity. No scar meant no troublesome questions about how he got it.

Good…

Shikamaru closed his eyes, fully intent on burrowing back into his makeshift nest before the scuff of footsteps outside had him turning a little, glancing over his shoulder and squinting.

Why the hell is it so dark?

He heard the whisper-soft tones of Hinata and Sakura, straining to catch dialogue but only picking up their hushed intonations, muffled by the tent canvas.

…Switching shifts?

No wonder he was tired. He hadn't been sleeping too long if the girls were just heading out. Sighing, Shikamaru dug his elbow in and slowly twisted around to prop himself up, knotting the sheets around his body. He paused mid-tangle when something caught his attention.

He squinted a little more against the gloom…then widened his eyes.

When the hell did he sneak back in…?

Shikamaru could just about discern the figure across the other side of the small tent, settled as far away as he could place himself. The sleeping ninja lay on his side, his back facing Shikamaru.

The gap between their bodies was defined and telling…

…which is why Shikamaru's eyebrow quirked when he noted the long, thick mass of mocha hair meandering across the ground, the tied ends brushing his bedroll, closing the distance between them.

This is way too metaphoric for me…

Shikamaru's amusement softened into a faint smile as he followed the river of hair back up to Neji's head, then repeated the stroke of his gaze back down to the hair-tie securing the ends of the dark steam.

He'd expected Neji to be gone for longer, if not for the rest of the night.

Shikamaru tilted his head slowly, watching the other ninja in unblinking silence.

Then a grumble sounded outside, breaking his stare.

He flicked his eyes away from the sleeping Jōnin and scanned around for the direction of the voice. Judging by the semi-whine of complaint that it tapered into, he guessed it was Naruto.

So he and Chōji just got back? Ugh. Why the hell am I awake?

Shikamaru sighed, levering off his elbow to detangle the sheets from around his waist. The cold pricked his skin, seeping through the mesh in his clothes as he crawled his way to the entrance of the tent, unzipping the canvas as slowly and quietly as he could.

Neji didn't stir.

Listening out for any movement or lowered voices, Shikamaru tugged on his sandals, parted the tent flap with the back of his hand and slipped outside. A thin swirl of vapours shifted around him as he stood, pressing lightly at his forehead.

Hmn. Temperature sure took a nose-dive…

He scanned the clearing, turning at the loud, rattling snore that came from one of the tents. At least someone was as deep in sleep as Shikamaru wanted to be. Pushing out a wafting sigh, he took an idle stroll through the fog. The navy gloom hanging around the clearing indicated that dawn was still about a couple of hours or so away; which brought back the frustrating question of why the hell he was awake in the first place.

Dammit…

A soft rumble sounded.

He caught movement out the corner of his eye, pausing by one of the tents as a large white muzzle nudged its way past the canvas flap. The soft, sleepy growl of the dog caused Shikamaru's lips to curve.

"You too, huh?"

Akamaru sniffed, nuzzling his head further out, followed by a large paw, which he propped his muzzle atop, observing Shikamaru through sleepy eyes. The shadow-nin hummed, slipping his hands into his pockets as he turned to continue his stroll. A rustle sounded behind him, but he didn't look back. A wet nose prodded at the mesh cloth of his forearm, drawing his gaze down to the large canine.

Akamaru cocked his head up.

Shikamaru arched a brow. "If you bite me, I'm gonna flip."

He couldn't have flipped if he tried. He was way too tired. But Akamaru appeared content to sniff around him, lazily flanking the shadow-nin and following at a heel.

Weird.

Shikamaru glanced down at the white mutt again. "Troublesome."

Akamaru snorted, shaking out his fur and upturning an ear in a flop. Not bothering to question what the dog wanted, Shikamaru continued to stroll around the periphery of the campsite. Akamaru remained beside him, occasionally sniffing at the air as mists stirred in lazy pools around them; like grounded clouds. Shikamaru let his mind churn as he watched the vapours, walking off the drowsiness in his limbs.

Better get a strategy together…

A low-pitched whine drew his focus down, then over his shoulder. Akamaru had stopped a few paces back, white head cocked and floppy ears arched attentively. Shikamaru raised a brow in query, his dark eyes taking in the alert posture of the canine. Then Akamaru grew completely still and the soft swish of his large, white tail stopped altogether. Shikamaru frowned before he followed the dog's gaze across to the tree line.

Shit…

The shadow-nin kept his hands in his pockets, slowly turning on his heel. He let his gaze shift between the dog and the trees, strolling over at a leisurely drift toward the vigilant animal. Despite his easy pace, his mind raced, already calculating. If a threat was within range, it had somehow bypassed Sakura and Hinata.

Not good.

To infiltrate the camp and avoid the Byakugan's detection suggested a dangerously high level of stealth. It was doubtful anyone had chanced a direct attack on the girls, not with six other ninja in range.

Unless they've incapacitated Hinata and Sakura somehow…

That being the case, it was safe to assume that anyone cunning enough to get this close was an enemy who'd known what they were taking on beforehand.

And will know how to act accordingly…dammit…

Shikamaru crouched down beside Akamaru, pretending to reassure the dog with a pat while playing into the guise of appearing distracted. Just as he formulated a tactic, the white-furred canine surprised him by relaxing its stance and swishing its tail again.

Shikamaru frowned.

False alarm?

Akamaru turned his head sharply, but yipped softly. Shikamaru froze as he detected the movement out the corner of his eye, but relaxed when the figure came into view, making no attempt to disguise itself.

"Bondin' with my buddy there, Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru glanced over his shoulder at Kiba. "I don't speak dog."

Kiba snorted, yawning loudly. "Hell, you're up real early."

"So are you."

Kiba cocked his head toward Akamaru by way of explanation.

Shikamaru turned back to the dog, only to get a curious poke in the forehead as Akamaru's wet nose sniffed him. He barely had time to jerk back before the mutt slapped a rough drag of its tongue across his brow.

"Dammit!" Shikamaru shoved to his feet, dragging a forearm across his brow to wipe away the saliva. "Ugh…just bite me next time…"

Suddenly, the sloppy lick didn't disturb him as much as the fact that Kiba wasn't laughing at his expense. Shikamaru continued to rub the back of his wrist across his brow, slanting a glance at the Inuzuka as Akamaru sidled up to his master, a string of low whines and growls telegraphing a signal Shikamaru couldn't hope to read.

Whatever the dog 'said', it etched a frown into Kiba's face.

"Do I taste that bad…?" Shikamaru asked dryly, deceptively bored.

Kiba arched a brow, a look of aggressive scrutiny narrowing his animal-slit eyes. "You smell like Hinata."

What?

Shikamaru's eyebrows rose to his hairline, a burst of inappropriate amusement bubbling up before he pushed it back down, clearing his throat. He blinked slowly as if pretending he'd misheard.

"What?"

Kiba's stare turned a little feral and he shook his head as he stalked over. Shikamaru held his ground, outwardly unfazed by the other ninja's expression. The Inuzuka stabbed a finger at his forehead.

"You smell like Hinata's salve. Why?"

"Maybe 'cause I used it?"

"She doesn't just hand that stuff out to anyone."

Shikamaru tried not to snort.

Alpha male protective mode…give me a damn break…

Not liking the accusation in Kiba's voice, but having clocked the Inuzuka's protectiveness of Hinata earlier, Shikamaru found himself prepared. He fell back on the quickest way to diffuse the situation, retaining a calm, bored expression without giving away his thoughts.

"Neji," Shikamaru said.

Kiba blinked. "Eh?"

"Neji lent me the salve." Shikamaru shrugged, dropping a proverbial hook with his next words. "He said it would help with my headache."

When Kiba snorted, Shikamaru knew he'd taken the bait.

"You don't use salve for headaches," Kiba growled.

"Who the hell told you that?" Shikamaru arched a brow, using his greatest weapon, his intelligence, to combat the troublesome confrontation. "The ointment is similar to the one she gave Naruto at the Chūnin exams."

Kiba's nose wrinkled like an animal preparing to snarl. "What's your point?"

Shikamaru heaved a sigh while simultaneously drawing on the stash of medicinal information filled away in his mind. He could almost hear his mother's voice droning in his ear as he repeated the words by rote.

"That type of salve uses botanical extracts and menthol crystals to relieve pain, especially inflammation." Shikamaru watched the expression on Kiba's face loosen from its angry pinch. "So the stuff doesn't go wrong with headaches either, when you use it on the temples and forehead. The menthol is cooling and kind of relaxing…when it's not being licked off by dogs."

Sensing the subtle reprimand, Akamaru ducked his head, peering up and swishing his tail slowly in a display that could only be described as sheepish. Shikamaru played it in his favour and shot the canine a half-hearted glare while Kiba scratched at his head, looking equally shamefaced.

"Ah…right," the Inuzuka mumbled, looking anywhere but at Shikamaru.

Mission accomplished, Shikamaru smirked. "You should use it…might cool you down before you go for someone's throat."

"Heh," Kiba grinned slightly, embarrassed. "Sorry about that."

Shikamaru shrugged, slotting his hands back into his pockets. "Forget about it."

Obviously eager to change the topic, Kiba pitched a question that almost had Shikamaru cringing at a reminder he really didn't want or need.

"So you and Neji get that plan all worked out?"

"Yeah," Shikamaru glanced toward the tree line.

"Cool, so what the hell are you doin' up at like three in the morning?"

I have no idea…

He didn't have time to think of a lie.

Akamaru issued a low growl, drawing attention to the tree line his golden eyes had been previously fixed on. Kiba reacted by sniffing the cool air, turning his head just as Akamaru's muzzle twitched and the dog took off in a light bound towards the misted woods.

Kiba frowned, breaking into a jog. "Akamaru!"

"Problem?" Shikamaru called, falling into Kiba's footsteps at a slower pace as the Inuzuka trotted after the canine.

"Not sure, he doesn't seem anxious, just curious!" Kiba called back, hopping over gnarled tree roots before planting his feet abruptly.

Shikamaru stepped up beside him, his dark eyes swinging down to follow Kiba's gaze. Of all the things that could have roused suspicion, he didn't expect to find Akamaru nuzzling a small log of wood.

I swear…why am I not sleeping right now…

Shikamaru shook his head. He couldn't help but wonder whether this was some troublesome prelude to a game of 'fetch'. But a low, raspy whine from the mutt prompted him to take a step closer. The darkness didn't aid his attempt to discern what the problem was, but a closer peek at the log had the Nara's eyes widening.

It wasn't a chunk of wood that the dog was pawing at.

"The hell…?" Shikamaru frowned. "Is that an owl?"

Kiba cocked his head and crouched down to scratch at Akamaru's scruff, reaching out with his free hand to roll the bird over. "Yeah…It's dead."

Shikamaru immediately cast his gaze skyward, scouring the soupy gloom of the canopies, obscured by darkness, a mesh of leaves and crossing boughs.

"Impact killed it?" Shikamaru asked, dropping his gaze back down as Kiba examined the owl.

"Nah. No sign of anything broken or damaged from a fall…" Kiba let the bird's wing drop back down. "It died on the ground."

Shikamaru hummed, sparing another cursory glance to the boughs above. He heard Kiba straighten up beside him.

"No wounds. So musta been sick or something …" Kiba shrugged, gently toeing the bird's wing back into place. "I mean, birds don't just stop breathing and drop out the air."

Shikamaru blanched.

Shit...

He stiffened as if ice had slipped down his spine. "What time is it?"

"Huh?"

"You said it was around three?" Shikamaru turned on his heel, his face a picture of lazy calm, completely devoid of the urgency that began to quicken his steps.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

He forced himself not to bolt, stepping swiftly over tree roots and almost snagging his ankle in the process. He didn't slow down, if anything, he moved faster. Kiba hopped into pace beside him, nodding.

"Well yeah, roughly give or take…what's wrong?"

"I need to sleep before we're up again," Shikamaru lied, not bothering to see whether he had Kiba convinced.

He hadn't known what had pulled him from sleep before.

But he knew now.

It was 4:00 AM.

---

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Shikamaru slowed his pace, aiming to diverge from Kiba's path without appearing obvious. He pretended to stretch out a crick in his neck as he waited for Kiba to near the tent he was sharing with Lee.

"Catch ya later," Kiba grinned, tugging the tent flap back.

Trying to appear relaxed, Shikamaru offered a half-assed wave to the other Chūnin, waiting until Akamaru followed the Inuzuka. The moment the white tail vanished and the canvas flap rustled shut, Shikamaru turned sharply and ducked into the tent he was sharing with Neji.

He didn't need time to adjust to the dimmer light. Neji's wheezing breaths drew his gaze straight to the Hyūga. In the darkness he could just about make out the other ninja's form. Neji had pulled himself up to sit, doubled over slightly. Shikamaru frowned, raising his voice enough to carry over the increasingly agitated breaths.

"Neji," he said softly.

No reply.

Shikamaru searched the obscured form in the darkness. As his eyes adjusted, they softened from their squint the moment he took in the faint tremble along the Hyūga's rigid frame. Neji's fingers were gnarled into any anchor available; one hand gripped the sheets, twisting them like a white chain around his wrist while the other hand fisted the pale fold of his robe.

Shikamaru couldn't make out his face, curtained behind the fall of his hair, but the Nara could guess his expression...wrought with pain.

Dammit, Neji…

While Neji hadn't catapulted into panic, a wet, bloody rattle hacked up his breathing.

This is only going to get worse…

Shikamaru stood stiffly, shuttered eyes settled on the Hyūga, his own fingers curled into loose fists in his pockets as he shook his head once, fighting back the urge to move. This was always volatile territory. But each strained second tore a little more of his reluctance away, leaving a pit in his stomach that grew colder with concern after every hoarse rasp and shudder from the Jōnin.

Shikamaru drew a breath.

Then he moved.

He closed the distance in three quiet steps and crouched down beside the other ninja, his motions slow and as unobtrusive as he could manage given the situation. Neji didn't appear to register his presence, or if he had, the Hyūga chose to ignore him. Shikamaru assumed it to be the latter.

He pursed his lips, considering the wisdom in playing it safe.

Hn…Why start now?

So he acted, damn the consequences.

Draping one arm across his thigh, the shadow-nin reached out with his free hand, letting it hover in the briefest hesitation before he gently set it down upon a shaking shoulder.

Neji's fingers tightened in the sheets.

The rustle of fabric drew Shikamaru's gaze down before it swept back up along Neji's arm to where his hand rested on the Hyūga's shoulder. He squeezed lightly, brushing his thumb against a sharp collarbone. The bold touch caused Neji to straighten up; Shikamaru felt the tension tightening the muscle beneath his hand.

Better take this slow.

He gently tapped his thumb against Neji's collarbone, mimicking a steady heartbeat. Neji remained tense, trying to still his breathing. But he didn't lash out. Shikamaru watched him closely, wondering if this tolerance communicated a tentative trust. Though less extreme than their last confrontation, it was just as precarious. The stability between them was as fragile as Neji's breath, likely to snap or cave under the slightest pressure.

Despite this, Shikamaru took a chance.

He slowly slipped his touch higher, sliding his fingers beneath the fall of the dark hair to gently knead Neji's nape. The Hyūga remained rigid, his body trembling with a combination of pain and tension, a dangerous mix likely to prove reactive.

Come on, Hyūga…

Shikamaru kept his focus honed on the Jōnin, searching for the slightest shift or response, despite the lazy half-mast of his gaze. He continued the easy press of his fingers, working them slowly and calmly along Neji's nape. He said nothing and offered only this light, soothing touch, which translated one word without a sound.

Relax…

Over and over he let the message play along his fingers, rubbing the Hyūga's nape, working against the tension that pressed back against his touch. He kept a small part of himself braced, ready for the jerk and snap of Neji's elbow, or the angry hiss and twist of the strained body.

Normally, that's how things would have played out.

So when Neji's ragged breaths pulled into a steadier rhythm, Shikamaru was fully prepared for a violent reaction. What he didn't expect was for Neji to bow his head slightly, releasing a slow, shaky breath as he relaxed a little. With the Hyūga's face still veiled behind the fall of his hair, it was impossible to gauge his expression, which might have helped indicate his mood.

After a painfully tense moment, he watched Neji raise a hand to his mouth, following the movements quietly.

The Hyūga stayed this way for a few seconds.

When he lowered his hand again, the back of his wrist was wet with blood.

Shikamaru's eyes pinched. "Neji…"

"How is…your head…?" Neji croaked out.

Shikamaru released a slow breath through his nose, trying not to push his luck.

"Functioning normally," Shikamaru said, shrugging. "That's what matters."

Neji turned his head a little, shifting the sharp shard of his bangs to expose a high ridge of cheekbone and the smooth slant of his jaw. Shikamaru caught a glimpse of pale iris observing him. He returned the gaze, stilling his fingers briefly before continuing the easy massage.

Relax.

Neji's eyes fluttered shut, betraying his reaction to the touch before he seemed to catch himself, reaching his hand back under the fall of his hair to gently grasp Shikamaru's wrist, stopping the press of the shadow-nin's fingers.

"We need to…" Neji paused to ease his breathing. "We need to work on that strategy…"

"I know." Shikamaru relaxed his trapped hand, watching calmly.

Neji didn't release him.

For a moment they stayed this way; the Hyūga's fingers curled loosely around Shikamaru's wrist while the Nara's fingers rested lightly at the Jōnin's nape. Of all the things that should have settled or sparked off between them in that moment, an easy silence wasn't one of them. So when they remained ensconced in this unexpected calm, Shikamaru briefly wondered whether his head was functioning normally – or Neji's, for that matter.

This is either good, or going to get seriously bad…

Shikamaru kept quiet, not wanting to disrupt this safe ground they'd somehow strayed onto, devoid of the usual landmines they both rigged unconsciously when around each other.

It was steadier, calmer.

He wasn't sure how long they stayed that way, but it must have been a while, because he registered that his legs were tightening from holding his crouch. Despite this, he made no move to shift, not wanting to break the rare spell of calm.

Then it happened.

Neji's thumb brushed along the skin of his wrist, tracing a soft touch along the veins. It drew an instant tickle of warmth along Shikamaru's forearm, sparking off tiny bursts of static in his blood. His fingers curled instinctively, brushing Neji's nape.

He heard the Hyūga's breath fray slightly; so soft he almost missed it.

Almost.

Embers of heat stirred between them.

Shit…and we're barely touching this time…

As if sensing the fire they were playing with, Shikamaru straightened his fingers out just as Neji's grip squeezed lightly around his wrist, tugging his hand away. Their fingers grazed, then both of them leaned away from each other, Neji slanting one way as Shikamaru scooted back to sit in the crumpled nest of his own bedroll.

Silence stood thickly between them, cooling the air again.

Neither spoke as Shikamaru leaned back onto his palms and Neji combed his fingers back through the mocha strands framing his face. Thankfully, the easy quiet settled once more, like a thin veil of denial being pulled across the sparks that had almost flared.

Dammit…

Shikamaru closed his eyes, trying to chill the warmth still tingling along his arm. It was crazy, but undeniable. He could have convinced himself that he was a lot of things, but being ignorant to his own behaviour wasn't one of them.

His attraction to Neji was bypassing dangerous now.

Every time this heat gripped them the claws sank in a little deeper…ripped away a little more control. From just a brush against his wrist, he'd felt it flare up again, stronger this time. He knew, right then, that the last time they'd caved in to the unexplainable hunger, it had only been a taste of something potentially consuming.

Shikamaru's eyes slipped open, settling on Neji again.

He knew – viscerally knew – that the heated night at his home was just a lick of desire compared to whatever the hell would sink its teeth into them if they ever touched like that again.

Shit…that can't happen again…

He snapped his eyes shut, rubbing at the closed lids as if to impress the vision of dancing spots rather than strobe-like flashes of that night…

He shook his head against the memories, trying to pull back his priority and objective from the murky depths it was slipping into.

I made a deal, that's all that matters…this 'can't' get personal…

Shikamaru dropped his hand sharply when he realised his name was being called. He shifted his gaze across to the moonstone eyes watching him and just about discerned Neji's expression in the gloom.

The Hyūga arched a brow, his lip quirking weakly. "When you're back from orbiting your planet, Shikamaru, we have a strategy to plan."

Shikamaru sensed the easy humour in Neji's normally serene but stoic tones and recognised what Neji was doing instantly; offering him a way out. He took it, immediately, using the opportunity to launch into a humorous but tactical repartee.

Safer ground…

He cocked his head and offered a lazy smirk. "It better involve a trade of players, Hyūga."

Neji's lips curved slowly. "Not likely, Nara."

"I'm serious. Naruto and Lee are gonna do some serious damage to the delicate state my head is in after your little…" Shikamaru jerked his head sharply to mimic a head-butt.

Neji passed a hand across his mouth to smooth out his smile, humming. "I suppose I could trade you Chōji for Lee."

"Sakura."

Neji shook his head. "I don't think so."

"She's better on backup offensive than recon, Neji."

"So is Lee."

"Yeah," Shikamaru snorted. "But Sakura's less likely to walk on her hands and drive me insane."

"That's weak, Nara." Neji was fighting a chuckle now.

Shikamaru shrugged, knowing that Neji wasn't about to compromise, though that didn't mean he wouldn't look for a way to sow the seed. Ultimately, he needed the pink-haired kunoichi. She was a necessity in his plan. Or at least she had been, before it had been turned on its head.

"Better to have a taijutsu fighter like Lee upfront and a medic-nin like Sakura stationed in backup."

Neji hummed. "A fair point under normal circumstances, but Sakura is more than an adequate fighter, with the benefit of ninjutsu. Not to mention Kiba and Chōji. I'm quite satisfied with the balance of teams."

Shikamaru rolled his eyes, leaning back on his elbows. "Balance? Did I mention the handstand walking?"

"Just wait until he attempts to carry you, against your will, for 'training' purposes."

Shikamaru shook his head, smirking. "You're a troublesome bastard, Hyūga."

Neji arched a brow, amusement playing across his eyes. "So you keep saying."

Shikamaru pursed his lips, tipping his head back to stare at the roof of the tent as it began to lighten, corresponding to the lighter mood between them, despite the lack of compromise on Neji's part.

He knew there was no way in hell Neji would allow for a team switch now – the Hyūga had his pieces exactly where he wanted them and despite the disruption to Shikamaru's original plan, the shadow-nin had already begun to work with the new hand he'd been dealt.

It's a drag…but it's the only damn option…

Which meant that getting angry over the situation was a waste of precious energy, not to mention too troublesome when he was this tired. Besides, the banter playing out between him and Neji right now held a different purpose. A rare opportunity that Shikamaru wasn't willing to let slide, for a reason he didn't want to give his attention to.

He couldn't.

It's not personal…

Staring up at the tent, Shikamaru hummed. "You know, you could always use Naruto's shadow-clones for—"

"—You did not just suggest Naruto for recon, Shikamaru."

"Gag him and you'll have no problem."

"Getting one to be quiet is difficult enough, if not impossible…let alone clones."

Shikamaru dropped his gaze without lowering his head, glancing through his lashes at Neji with a wry smirk. "Is the formidable Hyūga scared of Konoha's knucklehead?"

"When said 'knucklehead' becomes plural, I have cause to be uneasy, not scared." Neji shook his head. "Besides, he never follows orders."

"Yeah, but he doesn't go down easy. I don't think anyone's more resilient."

Neji inclined his head. "I cannot deny his strength, which is all the more reason to keep him as backup."

"Sakura packs a punch. Backup could use her."

"No."

"You're a pain, Hyūga…" Shikamaru drawled, but his eyes flickered with laughter. "You know that Sakura snores?"

Neji smirked. "Even if I believed you, it would be all the more reason for me to keep her. We wouldn't want her to disturb your narcoleptic naps."

"And she hits like Ino…probably harder if Naruto's bruises are anything to go by."

Neji shook his head with an amused press of his lips.

Shikamaru arched a brow. "She's troublesome?"

"Sorry, Shikamaru, but I will give Sakura a chance to outshine Lee this time."

"Outshine? Not gonna happen. They're unevenly matched."

"Oh?" Neji blinked. "And why's that?"

Shikamaru's deadpan expression matched his voice.

"…She doesn't 'burn with the flame of eternal youth'."

It was worth uttering the ridiculous quote, just to hear Neji laugh.

---

Two hours later, the teams were set to part ways.

The fractured light of dawn slotted through the trees, illuminating the campsite in a misty beige. All traces of shinobi presence had been removed. As the teams finished mobilising, Shikamaru watched Naruto heft the ridiculously heavy backpack that Chōji had originally carried, muttering under his breath about pack-horses having it easier.

"Suck it up," Kiba teased, grinning.

"Why do we have'ta carry your crap too?" Naruto scowled, shrugging against the weight of the added sleeping rolls and tent canvases with a growl.

"See it as an opportunity to train…" Shikamaru muttered, his sleepy eyes shifting over to Lee. "Right Lee?"

"Any challenge is an opportunity, Naruto!" Lee chimed, way too energetic given the hour. "It is invigorating!"

Shikamaru shook his head, watching as the bushy-browed ninja eagerly strapped twice the weight of equipment onto his back, adjusting the hip belt and offering a thumb's up. Naruto scowled, muttering incessantly as he shifted his weight between each foot, trying to compensate for the added cargo.

Hinata looked on with quiet concern, offering to carry what she could while trying to get Kiba to stop teasing the Uzumaki. Shikamaru yawned and shouldered his own pack, retaining his idle lean against a tree. He tracked his gaze across to Neji, watching him through shuttered eyes.

The Hyūga was crouched a short distance away, speaking with Chōji and Sakura, his head bowed and attention focused on the map spread out on the ground. Shikamaru watched the Jōnin trace a finger along the Byakugan-charted territory, circling at the point where he and Shikamaru had agreed the teams would touch base. They'd rendezvous after the recon team had assessed threat levels at a distance and scoured the periphery of the village for Tsubasa rebels.

Judging from Neji's mission with TenTen and Lee two months back, there was obvious division within the Tsubasa clan. Finding allies behind enemy lines was an advantage in this situation, where the relations between Hanegakure and Konoha had become so damned murky.

And now, potentially hostile…

Gauging the threat and gathering intelligence on allies; this was the entry phase. Next would come the objective and, if necessary, the need to either send in an envoy on behalf of the Hidden Leaf…or mount an offensive and eliminate the threat.

Hopefully it won't come to that…

"Man, hurry it up already! I'm gonna get cramp!" Naruto called over, earning himself a glare from Sakura.

Shikamaru shook his head. "Settle down."

It wasn't necessary; Neji was already rolling up the map, Chōji and Sakura both moving to retrieve their packs. Shikamaru made to shift away from the tree, but paused with a faint frown as he watched Neji straighten up with a wince. The Hyūga touched a hand to his chest, before slipping his fingers to the strap of his black-and-tan bag, making it appear as if he were adjusting the strap.

It was a subtle movement, but Shikamaru didn't miss it.

Time's running out…

Instantly, his mind played over his ulterior objective, Tsunade's words running a warning commentary above the churn of his own thoughts.

"We have a deal. Make it happen, Nara…because time is going to force my hand. If you don't fix this, I have no choice but to bring in a Hyūga who can."

Shikamaru released a breath he didn't realise he'd been holding.

He quickly resurrected his drowsy expression when Neji stepped towards him, handing over a radio transmitter.

"Tried and tested, so to speak," Neji said quietly. "We have a priority channel, should you need to contact me without interrupting the other feeds. I will give you a situation report as soon as we've completed the entry phase. Then we'll confirm our meeting point, just in case plans change."

"Got it," Shikamaru nodded, slipping the radio into a pocket of his flak jacket. "We'll be advancing at the rate we agreed. The added cargo should help keep Naruto from rushing ahead."

"As agreed," Neji said, lip curving faintly as he glanced across at the still grumbling Uzumaki.

Shikamaru didn't follow his gaze and instead dropped his eyes to Neji's chest. When he looked back up, Neji was watching him. They exchanged a quiet glance, a subtle tilt of the Nara's head prompting a slow blink from the other ninja.

A question posed and an answer given without a word.

No, Neji, you're not fine…

Shikamaru wanted to verbalise this reply, but he didn't. The Hyūga must have sensed his unease because Neji shook his head, looking away before glancing back.

Time to go.

Shikamaru held the pale gaze for beat longer then shifted away from the tree.

Their silent communication went unnoticed.

Even when the teams finally parted, no one but Hinata noticed the way that Neji glanced strangely at Shikamaru's forehead…

…Or the way that Shikamaru's brow furrowed a little as he watched Neji walk away.

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