Constructive Possession

A/N: All right! In chapter one, Neji and Shikamaru have agreed to allow Hiashi to use Neji’s penthouse for the weekend while they stay together on Hiashi’s yacht. What happens next?

Thank you for all my first-chapter reviews. Your support and enthusiasm is greatly appreciated.

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Warning: unbeta’d; language; angst; implied yaoi

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Neji and Shikamaru devised a strategy. If Tenten Kire had become romantically involved with Neji’s uncle, then there was no way she wouldn’t know the two of them were related. To that end, the two men decided to avoid any contact with the crack markswoman whenever possible until she and the elder Hyuuga managed to sort out their differences.

Neji almost could not believe his uncle’s antics, except that for as long as he’d known the man he’d been a stereotypical wealthy playboy. Although it was frustrating for Neji, who was often asked to run interference in his uncle’s affairs, he had to admit it made his life interesting.

Neji did love his uncle, the only sibling of his late father. And he was proud of the man for becoming wealthy in his own right, independent of his status as a Hyuuga heir.

It wasn’t an easy thing to accomplish. Growing up Hyuuga typically precluded having a normal childhood. For all the opportunities afforded them, many of the adult Hyuugas had been reduced to a dysfunctional mess, contributing nothing to society and leeching from the vast Hyuuga fortune to sustain themselves. But Hiashi Hyuuga had defied that legacy. Neji was certain his father would have been proud of him too.

It was Neji’s goal that his own life should have some meaning beyond that of his status as the only son of the late Hizashi Hyuuga as well.

Neji’s life. In the past month it had almost become unrecognizable to Neji. Gone were those strictly-structured days of nothing but work, exercise and solitude inside a luxe gilded cage that seemed to blur together into one long, vague memory. Shikamaru was part of his private life now, and being with him had opened up Neji’s mind and heart to another lifetime of endless possibilities. The Hyuuga’s affair with his partner had changed him into someone who allowed himself to laugh, to cry; to feel all the sensations of pleasure and woe and everything in between; and to feel all those things without fear, and without a sense of compromise to his dignity.

The moment Shikamaru Nara had admitted his feelings, Neji Hyuuga had been born again.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The weekend always ended too soon for Neji and Shikamaru.

Before either of them knew it, it was Monday and they were back on the job. It was training day. Captain Hatake stood at the front of the classroom lecturing on the protocols for working with bounty hunters, private detectives and the like.

Shikamaru sat quietly, listening intently to the captain’s rhetoric. Next to him sat a very blond Naruto Uzumaki, who had taken the seat beside the Nara just as the lecture began.

Neji sat at the desk directly behind Shikamaru. He didn’t dare risk sitting next to the Nara and getting caught in an act of some mixture of PDA¹ and molestation by the very shift commander who’d busted them when their affair began.

The Hyuuga was only half-listening to the captain’s lecture. Another part of him was silently assessing the Uzumaki. Upon realization, Neji didn’t know why; then, as time passed, it became obvious to the Hyuuga that he found Naruto attractive.

Well, Naruto was attractive. He was blond and blue-eyed and tanned, as if he lived on the shores of a sandy beach. He always seemed so happy and had that curious affection for the color orange.

Naruto and Shikamaru had been friends since before the Nara and the Hyuuga had become partners. Naruto was still a detective, as the Nara had been when they first became friends. The Uzumaki wasn’t much good at analysis, not that he needed to be. There were other team players for that.

Naruto’s gift was his stamina. He just wouldn’t go down. No one could go on taking a beating the way Naruto Uzumaki could. He could stay in the game long after others were out cold from sheer exhaustion. During operations, it was a handy skill to have.

At any rate, logic mandated that, if Neji found this Naruto attractive--this sexy, sunny Naruto with his seemingly endless reserves of stamina--and Naruto was Shikamaru’s friend…then Shikamaru found Naruto attractive as well.

Therein lies the rub.

The two men sat beside each other, close enough to touch elbows, close enough to touch the soles of their shoes together if both decided to cross an ankle over a knee at the same time. Neji actually calculated the distance between their bodies and silently wondered how they would look to the Hyuuga sitting together if he were looking at them from the front of the classroom as the captain was.

They were both virile, handsome men, near in height to each other. They probably made an exquisite vision sitting there, concentration etched into their beguiling features.

Neji sighed internally and fought the urge to bite his lip. Why did he choose to torture himself like this anytime there was good-looking blond man within fifty yards of his Shikamaru?

Derek², was it? If I ever fucking find you, you’re history.

In the row behind Neji, three seats to his right, sat one Kabuto Yakushi, silently observing the Hyuuga in the throes of anxiety he probably didn’t realize he could no longer camouflage.

And smiling.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Hey, Inuzuka”, Kabuto called out. He had the urge to seek the man out after training ended, and found him in the break room. “How’s it going?”

Kiba eyed the man warily. The Yakushi had been friendlier toward the Inuzuka since helping him after the skirmish between Kiba and Neji a month ago, but Kiba didn’t know how to deal with it, mostly because he hadn’t couldn’t figure out what Kabuto wanted or how he’d react to finding out if what Kabuto wanted was him.

“Meh. It’s going.” Kiba gulped his soft drink from a can. “We had to send one of our unit into surgery today. Crazy dog--tried to jump a five-foot chain-link fence and got caught on his inner thigh.”

“Ouch”, Kiba responded, sitting down across from the Inuzuka.

“So, how are things in forensics?” Kiba asked. The Inuzuka wasn’t much for small talk, but Kabuto had helped him when no one else would, and Kiba felt he owed the man something.

“Somewhere between gory and boring all the time.” Kabuto pulled at the strings holding his buttons to his shirt. “I had an interesting training session today.”

“Oh really?” Kiba responded with a distinct lack of enthusiasm.

“Yeah…Hyuuga and Nara were there. Uzumaki was with them—or should I say, Uzumaki was with Nara.”

Kabuto would have sworn that Kiba was a dog the way his ears perked just then. His expression changed. “What do you mean?”

“Well”, Kabuto began, “Uzumaki wound up sitting next to Nara. Hyuuga was in the row directly behind them, sitting directly behind Nara. I don’t think he was too happy about that.”

“Why?” Kiba asked. “Did Uzumaki do something?”

“No. In fact the three of them just sat there the entire time, no one spoke to anyone else.”

“So what makes you think that Hyuuga had a beef? You can usually count on the guy to have a stick up his ass anyway.”

Kabuto chuckled. “You’re right. I guess you had to be there, then.” Kabuto sought out Kiba’s eyes and held them with his own. “He doesn’t seem different to you since you had that falling-out?”

“Who, Hyuuga?” Kiba asked.

“Yeah”, Kabuto responded.

Kiba snorted. “I don’t know. I try not to think about that schmuck if I can help it.”

Kabuto chuckled again, and Kiba glared. “How’s that working out?” the Yakushi asked.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kiba countered.

“Come on, Inuzuka, are we back to this again?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Kiba pushed his chair back and stood. When he made to leave, Kabuto put a hand on his arm, stopping him. “Wait. Just answer me one question”, Kabuto said.

Kiba sighed, trying to get himself back under control. “Out with it, Yakushi. I don’t have all day.”

“Is it him, or is it men in general?” When Kiba didn’t answer Kabuto asked, “Or is that your dilemma?”

Kiba yanked his arm from Kabuto’s grasp and walked out of the break room. Kabuto sat alone at the table, head resting in his hand and playing with a button that had come loose from his shirt.

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Frustration. Outrage. Fury. All those words came to Kiba’s mind as he all but stomped out of the break room. The nerve of that bastard! I. DON’T. SWING. THAT. WAY. How difficult is that to understand? What’s that guy’s racket anyw—

Kiba’s internal tirade stopped abruptly as he rounded a corner to find the Nara, the Hyuuga and the Uzumaki together in the hallway. The three stood side-by-side, with Naruto in the middle. Naruto’s body was turned toward Neji. The Uzumaki was looking up at the Hyuuga, chatting animatedly about something while Shikamaru looked on.

The image stunned the Inuzuka into a state of near-catatonia. The three wore dress shirts, with belted trousers and dress shoes. Of the three, only Neji wore a tie. Light from the ceiling glinted off Naruto’s blond hair. Shikamaru wore his reading glasses and held a Styrofoam cup with steam rising from it.

They looked like models standing there, posing in an advertisement for raw sex appeal and keen fashion sense.

And it was the hottest thing Kiba had seen all day.

Escape. I need an escape. The Inuzuka’s eyes scanned the area until they landed on the door of the men’s bathroom. In a flash, Kiba willed his body to move and not stop until he was safely beyond the door.

The door closing behind Kiba muffled the sound of the Uzumaki’s voice in the hallway. The Inuzuka sought out an empty stall and locked himself inside it. He sat on the toilet, holding his head in his hands and squeezing his eyes shut in an attempt to block the thoughts and emotions that were suddenly flooding him.

It isn’t fair how did the three of them wind up friends why isn’t Hyuuga jealous I bet they hang out together after work I wonder if Uzumaki is like them I wonder if Nara is into blonds why doesn’t Hyuuga like me why doesn’t Uzumaki like me why is Nara so fucking lucky what’s wrong with me why do I want to touch them why do I want them to touch me why do I care why can’t I just be happy why do I want to be them why do I want them why do I want them why can’t I just be happy…

Kiba tugged at his hair with fingers curling into his scalp and shuddered as the first tear fell, quickly followed by others.

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TWO DAYS LATER

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“Shit”, Neji and Shikamaru muttered under their breath in unison as they approached their desks in the bullpen. For there, at Neji’s desk sat a beautiful but deadly long-legged, brown eyed brunette who went by the name of Tenten Kire. She turned, smiling easily at the two men’s approach.

“Good afternoon.” She stood up, facing both men, and extended her hand to Neji. “Tenten Kire, I’m a detective on the night watch.” Neji took her extended hand and shook it. She withdrew her hand, extending it now to Shikamaru, who shook it as well.

“You’re Shikamaru Nara”, she continued, turning to face the Hyuuga, “and you’re Neji Hyuuga. Your reputations precede you.” Her smile was pleasant, a gift for anyone lucky enough to behold it.

Neji wondered to which reputation the woman was referring. “To what do we owe this honor?” he asked.

“Well, I want to talk to you about a mutual acquaintance.” When neither man spoke the Kire added casually, “Listen, this will only take a minute. I know you’re busy.”

Her gaze belied her casual tone as it fixed itself on the beautiful Hyuuga. Gods, there’s two of them, Tenten thought to herself, and from what I hear this one is very taken--by the man standing next to him.

“Go on.” It was Shikamaru who spoke then.

Tenten tore her eyes away from Neji and focused them on the Nara. Not bad, Tenten decided. Not hard to figure out why everyone thinks Hyuuga is nailing this guy. Hmm…almost makes me want to put in for a switch to the day watch.

Almost.

“Ms. Kire?” Shikamaru asked. Gods is it really that hard for a woman to stay focused during a conversation with us? He thought to himself.

“Tenten. My name is Tenten”, she responded.

“What may we do for you, Tenten?” Neji asked in his potently proper way. The Kire turned back to Neji again. He’s going to get me with those eyes of his, she thought to herself. I have to make this quick, or I’ll come apart right in front of them.

“I need you to tell me where to find your father.”

Though it was hardly the first time someone had mistaken his uncle for his late father, it always stung Neji in a deep down place whenever anyone mentioned him. “There must be some mistake. My father has been dead for 23 years.”

Tenten’s expression changed so quickly that both men panicked internally. “The only mistake is the one you’re making if you think I’m dumb enough to fall for that, Hyuuga. I happen to know your father personally”, she declared in a hard voice, drawing increased attention from those around them.

Then Neji’s expression changed, turning that panic into a palpable wave of somewhat disarming, very icy energy. “Ms. Kire, I am not in the habit of lying or joking at my late father’s expense. I won’t repeat myself.”

The dismissal was clearly evident in Neji’s tone. The only thing that stopped him from sitting down at his desk was the fact that she was still standing in front of his chair.

“You can’t keep covering for h—“

“That’s enough!” It was Shikamaru who spoke this time, causing the young woman’s mouth to fall open. “In the span of not more than two minutes since meeting us for the first time you have accused him of lying to you and then covering up for someone else. I think,” the Nara continued, getting right into the woman’s face and locking his intense gaze on her, “you better get a handle on yourself, and your facts, before you speak another word.”

Tenten closed her mouth. The Nara had a point. She knew the two men were related somehow, but she didn’t know the details. She was approaching this thing the wrong way. Wasn’t she a detective? Hadn’t she been trained to investigate? To interrogate? Damned Hyuuga men; one look at one and all her training flew right out the fucking window.

Tenten sighed. “You’re right, of course. I apologize for my behavior, Hyuuga.” She lowered her eyes. “I guess I’m feeling a little desperate.”

Interrogation counter- tactics 101, both men thought. Cue the waterfall.

“Why don’t you start over?” Shikamaru asked in a calm, quiet voice, deciding to play along.

Tenten looked to both men. The Hyuuga’s typically watery pastel eyes had become steely and he wore no discernible expression on his face. For that matter, neither did the Nara. This had quickly become an even bigger challenge for the Kire. She only hoped she hadn’t already blown it.

“Hiashi Hyuuga”, Tenten stated.

“What about him?” Shikamaru asked.

Yeah, I pretty much fucked this up. “You know this man.” It wasn’t a question.

“He’s my uncle”, Neji finally stated.

Now that that’s settled…Tenten turned to Neji again. “Where is he?” she asked, and Shikamaru chuckled.

“Didn’t you hear what he just told you? He said Hiashi Hyuuga was his uncle, not his wife. Why the hell should he be able to tell you where to find him?”

She turned to Shikamaru then, frustrated. “What are you, the Hyuuga pit bull? This man seems perfectly capable of answering for himself—“

“Then permit me to end the dance, Ms. Kire.” Neji was bored of this. “I do not know where my uncle is. If I did I most certainly would not divulge that information to you. In case it’s escaped your notice, this is a police station, not a detective agency.”

Neji gave Shikamaru a telling glance, and they both turned to leave the bullpen.

“I’ll get my answer!” Tenten exclaimed, folding her arms across her chest.

“If that’s true, then you didn’t need to speak to us anyway”, the Nara responded without looking back.

Shit, Tenten thought to herself. That bastard is right again—I should have known better than to think I could get someone I thought was Hiashi’s son to rat him out. This was a complete waste of time.

I guess I really was feeling desperate.

Tenten realized she was still standing in front of Neji’s desk. She looked at its surface, at its paperwork neatly laid out. When she looked up she realized the Nara’s desk was directly across from where she was standing.

An exchange, she thought. An exchange of power. That’s what’s required here. I underestimated those two the first time—this time, I’ll get it right.

Tenten smiled and gathered her things to leave.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“We’re going to need backup on this”, the Nara stated, walking alongside his partner. “Got any ideas?”

Neji smirked. “One good one, I think.”

“Do you think he’s in?” The Nara asked.

“Let’s check the classrooms.”

The men went off together in search of Captain Hatake.

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A/N:

(1) Public Display of Affection
(2) Kindred, Chapter 5.

All right! Chapter two is complete! Here we got to see a little of Neji’s anxiety, Kiba’s angst and Tenten’s neurosis. Some chapter, eh? What’s going to happen when the team goes to Captain Hatake for help? Stay tuned to find out and please leave a review!