The Choices Between Friends
Plots
Chapter 4
PlotsThey arrived at a run down old building. It was about five stories, fortunately Nara's apartment was only on the second floor. Once inside, Nara threw his keys into a bowl on the counter. The kitchen and living room were right inside the door, the apartment was very small by normal standards, but to Neji it was the size of one of the hall closets at the estate. He'd never seen anything quite like it. The small confines actual appealed to him after the expansive, cold and impersonal rooms he was used to. He looked at the pictures on the wall. Several were family portraits, but most were of Nara and his friends.
Was that the Grand Canyon? That one was Mount Rushmore and the one over there was one of the coasts. Wait, those are Mardi Gras beads around Naruto's neck. The four of them were standing with arms around shoulders, leaning into the camera and all four were bare chested. Well, now I know that Nara has more tattoos than I've seen. There was a large, intricate scene that seemed to flow from Nara's right shoulder and down across his chest to his stomach. It was apparent that at that time, Naruto's chest and arms were clean. Kiba had a small one on his left breast, but the picture quality sucked, so Neji couldn't tell what it was. Cho had one on each breast. All four man were in excellent condition. Each one had a clearly defined six pack and the kind of pecs that most men would kill for.
He moved along the wall without concern that he might be viewed as rude. Three of the four were speaking in low conspiratorial tones and he gave them time to plan what they would do with him next. He liked the idea of not being in charge of things. He could end the game at anytime, if he chose, so he just let them have it their way for now. He wasn't startled when Cho came up behind him and coughed softly. He half turned from the picture he was admiring. It was one of Cho, he was holding a wrestling trophy in one hand, with Nara and Kiba in a head lock under each arm and Naruto hanging on his back. They were all grinning like fools. Neji couldn't resist the soft smile that came to his lips. He looked up into the big man's eyes. "How nice it must be to have such good friends." He remarked softly as his eyes flicked to the conspirators.
Cho grimaced and dove in. "Yeah, it is. Anyone hurts them and I hurt that anyone." It was short, sweet, and to the point. Neji's smile deepened unconsciously.
He thought for a moment before answering. "People get hurt Cho. It's not always someones fault and sometimes it's their own. Are you indiscriminate in your 'hurt'ing or do you see and recognize the differences?"
Oh, yeah. This one's smart. Chouji sighed and answered as his eyes went to another picture. It was Naruto, his senior picture. They were the only ones with it. The man had no other family to display it on their walls, so he, Kiba, and Nara each made a point of putting it up for the world to see how much he meant to them. He and Nara had been friends almost since birth, but there was not one even one picture in Nara's apartment or Chouji's of the other that didn't include the blond. Chouji had never noticed, but he figured it was the same with Kiba's place. Kiba and Naruto were best friends like he and Shikamaru. "I know the difference. But if anyone ever hurt them intentionally or used their weaknesses against them, that man would regret it, for a long long time before I was finished with him." Chouji wasn't a cruel or hard man by nature. Truly he was a teddy bear for the most part, but he meant every word he'd just said.
Neji nodded. "So you are concerned about all three, or just one at present?" He was puzzled by the way Chouji kept implying all three.
Chouji grinned then. "All three Neji. I know it's Naruto that drew you here, but the other two are getting pretty involved in this game too. You do see the game, don't you?"
Again, Neji nodded, he even gave that half smile. "Yeah, I can see it. The two are helping the other maneuver me how they want me." Chouji was like Naruto. He's rather intuitive too. Of course, he's known them a long time. That thought prompted a thought that dampened the experience a little and he almost didn't ask it. "So, is this a normal amusement?"
The sharp scowl was a pretty good answer without words. "They play around a lot, but this game is new."
Neji smiled thoughtfully. "I have no intention to hurt anyone. I don't enjoy such things." He sighed and closed his lovely eyes for a moment. "Cho, I just want to enjoy this. It's pleasant and so much easier than what I'm used to." When he opened his eyes, the big man was nodding softly.
"Just answer two questions for me and I'll drop it, okay Nej?" Neji raised an eyebrow and waited. "One, are you gay?" Neji's eyes widened. No one had ever asked it straight out like that before.
He cleared his throat and shook his head incredulously. He answered with a self-conscious chuckle. "Well, yeah, I am." He was blushing softly. He could feel the warmth in his cheeks.
"Okay. Two, are you in any kind of a relationship, with anyone, right now?" The other man's voice was stern, demanding an answer.
Neji shook his head for real this time. "No. There is no one who could even begin to imagine a tie like that to me." Cho sighed heavily, as if he'd been holding his breath. Somehow Neji knew he would have been able to detect a lie and then the liar would be in trouble. "So, are we okay now Cho?" He asked, really wanting it to be so.
"It's really Chouji. 'Nara' is really Shikamaru. We call Naruto 'Nar', so it can get a little confusing if you don't pay attention. Kiba is just Kiba or 'Dogface' if he's pissin' ya' off." He clamped a huge hand on Neji's shoulder and almost knocked him to the floor. Wow, he's even stronger than he looks. I'm glad we are ok, now. Neji thought emphatically and knew he would do his best to stay on the right side of the giant.
They looked over at the other two just in time to see Chouji pat/slam Neji with his hand. All three broke out in smiles. It was a really good sign as to Neji's nature. Chouji was good at reading people and usually tested the water before he let his friends dive in too deep into anything. Kiba flashed a grin at Naruto and the blond blushed furiously. "Well, I think it's about time we headed out. It's already twelve thirty."
Shikamaru looked at Neji critically. "You know he's gonna stick out like a sore thumb, right?" Neji's black slacks and white button up shirt were not normal clubbing attire for the Alt. scene. Naruto was always dressed the part, because of his job. Kiba was always grungy looking, it was just the way he was. Shikamaru made it a point of only needing to get dressed once a day, so his look was always appropriate for his life. The college he went to didn't really have a dress code, as long as your interesting bits were mostly covered, the faculty didn't care. Chouji's second job was as a bouncer and he just always had that look.
Neji and Chouji became aware of their intent attention. "What?" Chouji asked as he removed his paw from the smaller pale man's shoulder.
"Even dressed differently, he's gonna draw attention, but dressed like that?" Shikamaru voiced his thoughts for the whole group this time.
Neji smirked. "I can't fix the pants, but the shirt....." He went to where he'd left his satchel on the couch and pulled out the shirt he'd bought earlier. He ripped the tag off the shirt and stripped off the dress shirt without a thought. And three mouths fell open in shock. Neji was built beneath that loose material. The washboard abs, strong shoulders, defined arms, and fabulous pecs were almost too much to take in at once. The scar became noticeable as their minds adjusted to the god-like physique. It wasn't the kind of scar that was lighter than the tissue around it. Now it was a deep burgundy slash several inches wide, running from just below his left pectoral muscle and down to just above and past his navel.
Neji looked over at the trio after he slipped the soft black material over his head. The shirt was bunched around his chest. He smirked again. "Can I help you three with something?" He asked casually as he tugged the material into place. If Chouji acknowledged that they were all three in this game, Neji decided it might be okay to tease them as a group. The three of them shook their heads dumbly and continued to stare. He pulled the long chocolate tresses out from under the tight black shirt. A medium sure wasn't a medium. He never wore his clothes this tight. The black material hugged every contour of his upper body, molding like a second skin.
When he could speak again, Shikamaru observed, "Okay, so that helped, but still the pants..." Naruto was thinking along the same lines as Shikamaru. Neji was of a similar size as Shikamaru. They were almost the same height and their body types were similar, except that Neji definitely had more meat/muscle on his bones.
"Maybe one of yours Nara?" The blond asked. Shikamaru nodded and the blond headed toward the bedroom saying, "I know just the pair too." Shikamaru just bet he did.
Neji looked confused and Nara decided he liked that look on Neji's pretty face. He smirked at their victim. When they were through with him, he would look like he belonged with their little group. "Hey Kiba, go get the hair paint from Halloween out'ta the bathroom, it's under the sink." Kiba ducked his head into the bedroom to make sure he knew which pants Naruto was getting. When he emerged from the bathroom he had a can of blue and a can of purple. He held them up to Shikamaru who took the blue. "Now Neji, this won't hurt a bit and washes right out."
Shikamaru put his hand on Neji's shoulder and guided him over to the couch, he spun the pretty boy around and pushed him down on the couch in front of him. Neji looked up at him with that arched eyebrow. Nara smiled, leaned down, and reached around Neji's back to slide the hair tie down to the end of his long hair and came away with it in his hand. Neji tried not to feel turned on by the close proximity of the other man, he really did, but he was beginning to feel very wound up, it had been building slowly since he kissed Naruto, something he wasn't used to.
Shikamaru smiled and began threading his fingers through the hair framing Neji's face and smiled more as Neji bit his lip to keep from moaning. He loved to have his hair toyed with, it was a very sensual thing for him. Nara took a thick piece on the left side of his face and pulled it forward with one hand, then swept the rest back out of the way with the other. He held his hand out, waiting for Neji to retrieve the can of hair paint from where Nara had tossed it on the couch a moment ago.
When he put the can into Nara's hand, their hands touched and Neji shivered. He got the distinct impression that Nara was fucking with him. The man was working him up intentionally. Neji was starting to get irritated. Nara wouldn't want to hurt Naruto, so what the hell was this twist in the game? Nara began spraying the hair at the tip and worked up toward Neji's scalp. Just before he got there, he heard a delighted shout.
"Oh wow Nara! Good idea!" Naruto's enthusiasm was a little startling. It was only hair paint after all. Then the blond was at his back, behind the couch. A towel was laid on his head to protect his face and the rest of his hair from the colored spray. Shikamaru was thorough, so it took several minutes to completely coat all of the long lock. When the others deemed it dry enough, the towel was taken away and Nara let the strands slip through his fingers slowly. Naruto was leaning over the couch watching. His breath caught audibly as he watched. Shikamaru smirked at Naruto, who blushed nicely.
"Okay, time to get dressed, so we can go." Naruto vaulted over the couch, grabbed Neji's hand, and dragged the man to the bedroom. Kiba was chuckling as Naruto shoved Neji through the door. The laughter died when Naruto shut the door behind them and a muffled "Hey!", could be heard through the door. Naruto's eyes glittered in the dim light one lamp gave off. Neji arched the eyebrow and the blond laughed, then covered his mouth tightly, giggling. He motioned to the door and there was mischief in his big blue eyes. So, he wants them to wonder just what we are doing in here.....
Neji was feeling mischievous himself and very turned on, so he decided to 'play' along a little more than the blond intended. He moved quickly and pinned Naruto to the door with his body, then closed the distance between their mouths slowly. The blue eyes were wide and a little misty as Neji's lips brushed his. Naruto groaned and the expressive orbs were slowly covered by the soft tan eyelids. Neji's tongue demanded entrance for the second time that night and Naruto's soft lips granted it.
This kiss was slower, sweeter, it was more about learning the blond than taking advantage of a chance that might not come again. Neji was confident that he'd get another opportunity to slide his strong tongue against the yielding one again, making the blond clutch at him just as he was now. The need for air came far too quickly for them both. Neji settled for kissing the tender skin of Naruto's neck softly. The man moaned softly in appreciation and clutched Neji even closer.
"If you bastards make a mess in there, your asses are cleaning it up!" Nara shouted from the living room and Neji was sure he heard "pain in the ass" too. He chuckled deep in his chest, the vibration made Naruto shiver between him and the door.
The blue eyes opened and looked into the pale violet ones and Naruto drowned. Naruto panicked deep inside. The game has to change. He thought desperately. I can't do this, not like this. Outwardly, he smiled and gently pushed Neji away. "You need to get changed. The pants are on the bed." Naruto reached behind himself, turned the knob, and slipped out the door backwards.
Neji looked at the door thoughtfully. Had he seen fear in the blue eyes? What had he done to startle him? He'd seemed so into it..... He busied himself shedding his pants. When he held up the faded, torn blue jeans he grinned. No one he knew would ever picture him in these. He was chuckling until he slid the soft thin fabric over his hips. Wow, these are tight. He buttoned them and pulled the zipper up. He couldn't resist a look in the full length mirror on the wall by the door.
Neji was more filled out than Nara, so it stood to reason that these jeans would be tighter on him, but the way they formed themselves to the curves of his ass was sinful. The legs weren't tight, but weren't baggy either, they looked okay. The waistband rode low on his hips and with the tight shirt there was a thin strip of pale skin showing between them. He was glad he had worn his dockers to school today, at least they went well with the whole look. He had been so focused on his lower body, he hadn't looked at his face and hair. When he raised his head, he saw why Naruto had been excited about the hair paint. That thick strip of blue framing one side of his face set off his eyes and made his pale skin seem to glow. The whole image was a little overwhelming. Neji didn't look like Neji Hyuuga anymore. He loved it.
Naruto rushed toward Shikamaru and put himself in the man's arms. He was shaking a bit. Shikamaru was instantly pissed, Kiba went from laughing to rage in an moment. Oddly, it was protective Chouji that put a calming hand on each man's shoulder and asked Naruto quietly, "What is it Nar?"
"I can't do this like this." He whispered into Shikamaru's chest. "I want him, but I think I could fall for him....no, I know I will." He couldn't ask them, they would do it, but he couldn't ask them.
"So what do you want, Nar? You want him to go away?" Chouji continued to press. "I think he'd do that if we asked him."
Naruto looked up horrified. No, he didn't want that. He just needed a buffer, but more of one than just 'his friends' could provide in this situation/relationship.
Kiba actually picked up on it first. He was the most honest with himself about Naruto's failings. He knew how his bestfriend only chose men that wouldn't mean a lot to him in the end and pushed away the ones that might actually be something special. He sighed, "You want us to share him with you, so you can't get too close and neither can he." It wasn't a question and when Naruto buried his head back into Shikamaru's chest, his friend came around to embrace him and Nara. Physically, Kiba wanted Neji. He knew that, admitted it to himself. "What are the odds that he'd want that too?"
The question was for the 'smart one', but the 'muscle' answered it for them. "He'd go along with it. He's attracted to all three of you, although, I think Naruto has a special place that the two of you can't reach. Naruto's right though, this could get serious and quick. Neji doesn't strike me as timid."
Shikamaru sighed softly and stroked Naruto's hair. "You sure about this Nar? I don't want to stand in your way or anything...." He felt helpless, Naruto had just given him permission to go after something he did want, but wouldn't have pursued otherwise. He'd been flirting with the edge earlier to keep Neji off balance, so he wouldn't suddenly change his mind and walk out before Naruto could show him how special he was. But during the exchange, Shikamaru's imagination had definitely gotten away from him. ~TBC...