The Choices Between Friends

Chapter 27

 

More than meets the eye

The girls were thankfully very quiet for the rest of the shopping trip and the ride back to the college. Neji crawled into his bed and looked longingly at his phone. He wanted to call them, but something was holding him back. Did he really want to expose them to the kinds of people that lived in his world. Was that fair to them? A knock at the door disturbed him from his thoughts. 

 

Shino and his friends were out there. He had heard them come in just after him. 



"Neji?" Shino asked nervously. "You have a visitor," Neji got out of bed and threw a tank top style undershirt over his body. He couldn't bring himself to care about modesty. His boxers were loose fitting and long anyway. He cracked the door open and saw a smirking face over Shino's head. 



"Teufel?" 



"You run around other men in your boxers often? I think I'm gonna have to kick your ass Neji,"  Kiba growled playfully. The door fell open further and gave Kankurou and Itachi a far better view from their couch than before. Kankurou actually licked his lips. Itachi just smirked. 



Shino felt very uncomfortable between the two men. There was some quality in the growling voice behind him that had him breathing a bit heavily and quivering slightly. 



"What are you doing here?" Neji asked incredulously.



"Nar said he saw you with your cousin today. Said it might not have been the best trip. Figured I'd come kidnap your fine ass and have my wicked way with you," Neji's eyes bugged out of his head.



Kiba started laughing and couldn't stop. He fell back and barely caught himself. "Don't have a heart attack on me hottie!" 



Shino couldn't breathe. He started to black out. Neji caught him at the last minute. He clung to Neji's chest for a moment as air returned to his lungs.



"Okay, not funny anymore. Gettin' pissed now," Kiba's face had darkened and his eyes narrowed dangerously. "Just how close are you and your roommate?" He demanded.



"Kiba," Neji had his faculties back. "Stop talking," He ordered firmly as he helped a very green Shino to the couch where Gaara collected his friend. Gaara was glaring at Kiba and Kiba was growling low in his throat.

 

Neji's eyes narrowed.  "I have spent half my day dealing with emotional women. I will not tolerate irrational behavior any longer. If the two of you can not control yourselves, then get out of this suite." 



Kiba gave him a dark look. "Answer the question Neji."



"Shino and I are friends, nothing more. You will take my word Kiba. I will not have my integrity questioned." 



Kiba took a deep breath and bit his lip. "So.... go get dressed, get your things, and get your ass back out here. We ARE leaving," Neji resisted the urge to rise to the challenge in Kiba's voice.



"You are too much sometimes Teufel. You really are," Neji shook his head almost sadly. "Give me a moment and don't bite anyone." 



Kiba smiled at that comment as he leaned against the wall opposite Neji's door. "Wouldn't dream of it pretty. Now hurry up. I've got no patience and you know it."



Itachi watched Neji's boyfriend out of the corner of his eye. Gaara refused to look at him. Shino was looking at him through his tinted lenses as he tried to figure out what had just happened to him. It had felt like and still did feel as if the gruff man leaning so haughtily against the wall stole all the oxygen from the room. Shino felt as if he were an asteroid being pulled into a black hole.  Kiba was without a doubt the most uncouth and ruggedly masculine man Shino had ever seen in real life. He just wasn't ready to admit that yet. 



Kankurou was openly staring at Kiba. His mouth was split in an amazed grin. Kiba grit his teeth and bore it as long as he could manage. In one move he turned and lunged at the gawking goth and... "Grrr!" He growled, loudly and Kanky literally fell backward into Itachi's lap in surprise. Kiba lost it. "Man! You guys are WAY too uptight!" 



Neji stepped out of his room and gave Kiba a scathing look. Kiba raised his hands in supplication. "I couldn't take the staring anymore Neji! It was creepy," Neji was about to say something when Kiba's phone rang. "Saved by the bell," Kiba yelled and immediately answered it. 



"Hey. Yeah, I'm here. Of course I am. No. You don't need to ask him," Kiba sighed and rolled his eyes. He handed to phone to Neji with a definite pout. "He wants to talk to you."



"Hello?" Neji smirked his voice was deep and rich with contained mirth. "Kiba? Behave himself? You must be joking," Kiba mouthed the words 'tattle tail' at Neji and his pout deepened. "We will be there soon," Neji handed the phone back to his boyfriend, who took it as if he expected it to bite him. 



"Uh, yeah?" The trepidation in Kiba's voice was thick. He sounded like a child waiting to be scolded. "But, they started it! Oh, um, Neji's roommate's friends. No, not Neji's roommate, he's cool enough. Huh? Yes, I remember his name. No I don't know their's," He growled into the phone. 



"You're kidding right? I'm not doing it," Neji had never heard Kiba's voice go from the normal overly expressive to flat. This was new. He watched the other man with as much fascination as the others in the room. "Rrrrrr! Fine! I really really want to kick your ass sometimes genius, you know that?!" 



CLICK, shove, and the phone disappeared into his pocket. Kiba took a deep breath. Sometimes he really disliked Nara. The man had learned too much about manipulating people from that mother and father of his. "I am very sorry for my behavior. I apologize to all of you, but most to Shino. I hope you all have a lovely night," It was THE most rehearsed and forced sounding speech ever given.  Neji couldn't help but wonder how many times Kiba had been forced to use it.



He turned to Neji. "Now that I have NO pride left. Can we just get the FUCK out of here?!" Kiba's copper eyes were blazing and Neji was sure that he was contemplating mayhem. 



"That sounds like a very good idea. Help me with my bag, will you?" He turned his back on Kiba even though all natural instinct was screaming that it was not a good idea to turn his back on a rabid dog. 



They left quickly. Neji gave Shino a slightly pained look and hoped that the younger man realized how badly he felt about the incident. Shino waved goodbye to his roommate still feeling a little dazed.



"Okay!" Kanky yelled when he was sure the lunatic and Neji were out of earshot. "What the fuck was that?!"



"That appears to be someone who is crazier than you," Itachi said smoothly. He sounded a little distant, as if he was lost in thought. "And to think, he is Neji's new boyfriend. Interesting. Very very interesting development."



"This is going to KILL Sasuke!" Kankurou cackled. Itachi actually smiled. Yes, this just might send his little brother off the deep end. 



Gaara looked down at Shino's dark head resting in his lap. "Will you be alright?"



"Yes. It was like there was no air between them," Actually, if he were honest; he would have said 'there was no air around HIM'. Shino didn't feel like being honest. Shino didn't understand what had happened and he was not up for trying to figure it out at the moment.



Itachi nodded. "There is a definite feeling of tension between them."



"What do you think 'Tachi? Downtown or Eastside?" Kankurou definitely wanted to know.



"Downtown."



"Excuse me, gotta make a call," Kankurou disappeared into Shino's room. 



Shino looked up at Gaara worried. "I know you're pissed, but really wouldn't you have been upset with someone hanging on your boyfriend? He wasn't all that out of line. He's just... different than us."



"Far more honest," Itachi supplied. Gaara met the older Uchiha's eyes for a moment then shrugged.



"I refuse to think about him that much," Was all the younger Sabaku said. Itachi hid the smirk, while Shino gave Gaara a worried glance. 



"He's important to Neji. Have you ever seen him act so... human?"



"Dude, you know you're askin' the wrong person about 'human' behavior, right?" Kakurou sounded so serious, they all turned toward Shino's bedroom door. Gaara's brilliant green eyes met

Kakurou's for a moment before the elder brother turned away.



"Please don't do anything Gaara. I really think Neji needs this," <i>'And why does the thought of him hurting Kiba, hurt me? This isn't happening. I won't let this happen.'</i> Shino turned his face into his friend's shirt and willed away every emotion he couldn't or didn't want to name. 



"Because you asked. I won't," Gaara's delicate hand stroked his friend's hair. Shino just nodded his thanks, unable to face those piercing eyes. Gaara would know. Gaara always knew.



"Think they're gone yet?" Kankurou opened the window and peered down at the side parking lot.



--------------------------

 

Kiba stopped when they reached the trees. "You know, I really came to get you because of Nar," Neji turned to him, his face full of concern. Kiba smiled. Yeah, Neji had it bad. "He kinda freaked out after he left the mall. He told us what Ino said, and that you heard it."



Neji frowned. <i>'Why would I care what that girl said?'</i> "Her opinion is unimportant."



"Told him you'd say something like that, but he's worried about what you think now," Kiba leaned against the tree and ran a slightly shaky hand through his hair. "But see Neji, here's the thing. It kinda is true," Kiba forced himself to look up at Neji. 



"Nar and I both, have had more 'boyfriends' than we probably should have. I'm using that term real loosely," A white sharp tooth caught on his bottom lip. "Nara, well... he's only had a few besides us. He always said it was too 'troublesome' to mess with." 



"I understand Kiba. It is irrelevant," Kiba looked unconvinced. "I am certain that all of your encounters were far more honest than any of mine," It was Neji's turn to look ashamed. "Never being open. Always hiding what you did together, for fear of 'appearances'," He took a deep breath. "In the light of day you are perfect, but behind closed doors... you use one another and would deny it ever happened with your dying breath. It's hurtful and filthy and you do it anyway." 



Kiba grimaced and looked down at his feet. He understood, but didn't. It was confusing. "Let me finish Neji. Nar's an orphan and he always had trouble making friends and stuff before us. So, when he got older and was so good looking, he kinda got the wrong idea about some things," He didn't continue. He just kept staring at his shoe. 



"Kiba, you can't leave it like that. Tell me what I need to know. I can't help him if I don't know," Neji was getting irritated. There really was nothing Nar could have in his past that would keep Neji from him.



Those oddly feral eyes came up to look at Neji, and for a moment he looked like a kicked puppy. Neji reached for him, but Kiba pulled away. "He thought that sex was love, Neji. He thought if they fucked him, they must care, right?" 



Kiba shook his head angrily. "He didn't listen to us when we told him they were all using him, every time Neji. He didn't want to listen, so he didn't. The bastards knew it too. They preyed on his, what's the damn word?!" Kiba growled in frustration and glared up at the stars.



"Insecurities..." Neji offered.



Tears started to roll down Kiba's face. "Yeah, that. He got a bad rep, as the neighborhood 'cock whore'. I can't tell you how many people Nara, Chouji, and I beat up for that. It was real bad. It's only gotten better recently. He's been avoiding men for a while. It's the reason we started this." 



Kiba took a shuddering breath. "I don't know what you did in the bedroom that night. I know it wasn't anything bad, but you scared the hell out of him. He freaked and said he couldn't be with you. That's when it started. He wanted you, but needed us there to keep him from getting hurt." 



Kiba looked at Neji hard. "There's no way we could have known that Nara would fall for you too. Nar always gives too much of himself too fast, but Nara... He's cold, man. No one touches any part of him if he doesn't want them to. That goes for his heart too," Neji was more than a little overwhelmed. It was a lot to take in. His heart swelled at the thought of them loving him, even against their own best interest.



"Snap out of it Neji, 'cause I'm only gonna say this once," Neji turned to see cold fury burning in Kiba's strange eyes. "I'll let you have them. But if you hurt them..." The threat was unspoken and still more real than any he'd received so far. Because he was going along with it, if they got hurt Kiba would carry some of the blame. He would definitely follow through on his threat. Neji just nodded.



"What of you then?"



"Me? Oh, I don't have any excuse," There was a wolfish grin, sharp teeth and all. "I just really like sex."



Neji laughed and shook his head. "Not what I meant. You talk as if you won't be there with us."



"I won't. You know that. Look, I wanna be friends when this stops between us, but you know I don't feel the same way about you as they do. Things would move forward for you three, but not me. I'll make a clean break when it's time," He leered at Neji. "But 'til then...."



"Until then, I have a chance to return the favors you've shown me," Neji's voice was so dark, so rich and commanding as he stepped forward and wrapped an arm around the other man's waist. Kiba shuddered. "I know you want that Teufel. No matter how much you wish to deny it, you want me inside you." 



He nipped at the full bottom lip possessively. "You don't go until we both get that, understood?" Kiba's eyes were glazed, all he could do was nod.



<i>'I didn't want to admit this... but I want you Neji. I want you like this...'</i> He didn't say it. His body arched up into Neji's and there was no doubt what Kiba meant. Neji leaned in, pinning Kiba between his own hard body and the unforgiving surface of a very old tree. Kiba's hands slid around Neji's waist holding him there. That beautiful face drew back from his newly bruised neck. Thin lips brushed his cheek.



"I want that as well," Neji breathed as he ground himself against Kiba. Both stopped breathing for a moment as their denim clad erections ground together. The pleasant friction gave them each a burst of warm pleasure.



"Fuck!" Kiba gasped before taking Neji's mouth in a rough kiss.



-------------------------

 

"You really wanna see this," Kanky said, while waiving the others towards the window. His eyes never left the pair in the shadow of the trees.



---------------------------

 

Breathing heavily, they parted. Both remembering the rules at the last moment. Neji realized then, just where they were.  He cringed, but made himself look toward the building. He could see silhouettes plastered to no less than six windows. 



There was no helping it now. He would have to go to the Manor soon. It would be better to face Hiashi on his own terms than wait to be called.



When they reached the parking lot, Kiba stopped and looked back at the building thoughtfully. "So, I should be flattered, huh?" 



Neji gave him an odd look and he couldn't help but smile. "I'm the first 'boyfriend' anyone up there," he gestured to the building; "has ever known about." Neji smiled sadly and nodded.



"That's cool Neji. But will it be okay? What's gonna happen to you?"



"I will go to my uncle's home and we will 'discuss' things. He will certainly be displeased.  However, I am beyond caring what he thinks. The three of you are unique and precious and I will NOT give you up. I have given up so very much for them. I will keep what matters," <i>'Now that something finally does.'</i>



"Um, I was an ass up there. I'm sorry," Kiba mumbled, turning away from Neji and standing there with his back hunched a little, waiting for harsh words. Neji stepped forward to wrap his arms around Kiba's waist.



"Which one was it?"



"That set me off? All.... Shino's pretty. He hides behind those clothes and the glasses, you can tell that. When he fell against you... I... Neji, you know how out of our league you are? I love Nar and Nara and know that they are both gorgeous and amazing, but they don't fit here any better than me. Why do you want us, when there are people like Shino HERE? He just looks like a good guy too!" Kiba growled in irritation. He really didn't like feeling inferior.



Neji's chin rested on his hunched shoulder. "Shino is attractive, and kind. I've never heard him utter a harsh word to anyone. He is very like me, controlled and cold. What a loveless relationship that would be. Tesoro and Beleza... they..." Neji had trouble verballizing the emotions.. "They are... 'BLISS'."

 

"And you, you make me feel things I'd rather not. Things I've always thought were wrong," Neji's grip on him tightened possessively. "Anger, aggression, you bring those out in me. I didn't know how pure such things were," He spun Kiba and pushed the stunned man against another tree. "I've fallen for them Kiba. You know that,"  Kiba nodded. "It doesn't mean I don't want you as well."



Kiba smirked. "I get it. You love them.  For us it's more like animals Neji. I get that. Like you said, it's pure."



Neji nodded as he leaned in to nip Kiba's neck again. "Primal," he purred. 



Kiba's eyes slid shut, he turned his head to the side giving Neji better access to his sensitive neck. 



After again marking Kiba's neck as his, Neji pulled away and headed towards his car. "Good. Let's go see to our broken angel now. I think my 'darling' needs to be reminded of his worth."  



He was confident that Kiba would follow.

 

 

 

-----------------------------

 

Kankurou leaned back against Itachi as they both hung in the window. "You know... There's just something not right here," The idiot murmured. Kanky's instincts were usually dead on and Itachi also sensed something amiss. The young master of the Uchiha family had a weakness for puzzles. He could feel the familiar pull. There was something to be found out, he could feel it.

 

 

~TBC...