Fateful Days

Oh my God!!! I’m so so so so sorry! Urgh, you must think the worst things of me, letting you wait for the next chapter this long. I am truly sorry -_- And I don’t even have a very good excuse for my delay. Just a tiny little one – I bought Final Fantasy XII. I have been a fan of the game from part eight on and up till now I’ve played parts eight, nine and ten. I’m in the middle of part seven and now part twelve has captured me so thoroughly that I hardly did anything else then playing in my freetime. GOMEN NASAI!!! But now I’m back (though still playing ^^) and I will give you the next chapter of Fateful Days AND (probably in the next few days) a one-shot. Yep, you read that right, I’m trying my luck with a one-shot ^_^ It will be about Neji (duh) and maybe I will make a series of one-shots (when everything turns out the way I want with that one ^^’)
Another apologise goes to everyone out there who read my fic and had to endure my spelling mistakes! Since I’m from Germany and English isn’t my native language I often make mistakes. The problem is, I don’t see them. Even if I re-read the story, I’m totally blind to them (does anyone have the same problem? -_-‘). So, if there is someone out there who has a little bit of free-time on his/her hand and would like to beta, feel free to mail me at yaoilovergirl@hotmail.de ^_^

Now on to your reviews –

ClaireBear – waaahh, you remembered my story! Thank you soooo much. I always get this mushy, butterfly like feeling in my stomach when you say that my English isn’t all that bad. Because up to my 19th birthday I didn’t understand a single thing my English-teachers tried to squeeze into my head. I always had bad grades. The best one I ever got in school was a C in my ninth schoolyear. And now I’m even writing a fanfic in English…HA, take that Mrs. Schröder!!! ^_^ Please keep reading!

Tyra – jeez, now ice-cream?! My hips are getting bigger and bigger here…bad Tyra, bad! …Nah, again, just joking, you know I love you! How I came up with the idea for Neji’s past? The heck I know…I was just sitting there, innocently typing the story and suddenly there it. Standing there in bold letters, black on white. But my Ex told me to keep it that way and I did. I was a little bit nervous because I didn’t know how you would react but I said to myself ‘fuck it all’ and kept the idea. Well, I hope you keep reading, because angsty-ness will await you ^_^ And romance of course…and maybe even a little lemon(ade) in the future ^^

Crazyforkakashi – Thank you for your kind words. It’s always good to know that the tempo is alright. I hate nothing more then hastely and sloppyly written fics that have a good basic plot but are unreadable because the plot is not fully outlined. So, thanks again and keep reading ^^

HumanInfiltrator – hehe…you know it! Breaking hearts is my hobby (yeah, right *snorts*) I have to admit that I’m not intending on ANYTHING here. I just write what pops into my head. No planning into the future or anything…I know it’s not the right way to write a fic but everytime I try to plan ahead I get stuck midway and the story ends up in the trashcan. Anyway, I just hope you will stay with me through out the story!

TheSirens – glad to hear that my story wasn’t the cause for failing the finals (hopefully) ^_^ As for Shika being Neji’s first…I still haven’t decided how to go about that. Maybe while writing this chapter I get an inspiration ^^’ I fear you have to keep reading to find out more ^_^

Yersi Fanel – hello, to you too! I’ll do best and I hope I won’t give you too much cliffhangers in the future ^^ I honestly don’t plan them. I just think ‘hey, this is a good point of ending the chapter’ and there you have them. What our mysterious meant at the end of the last chapter will probably be revealed in this one. So, scroll down and read it ^_^

Pen_name – heh, like the butler in ‘Ms Sophie’s 100. Birthday’ said…I’ll do my very best ^_^ And I cannot wait to read more of ‘Golden Murder’ (is this advertising?)

Word_Slave – huh, your favorite one?! *nearly topples over* I’m the favorite of someone, YAY!!! *huggles Word_Slave to death*…*goes away to continue writing*…uuups, almost forgot…*comes back to revive Word_Slave*…there you go, now keep reading the fic ^_^

And that goes for all – on to the fic!


The Same Day – Early Evening

“Ne, Shikamaru. How do you think we can attract the attention of the rapist? I mean, we must be discreet enough that he…or she, won’t suspect a trap, yet we cannot be too subtle and risk being overlooked. What do you suggest?”

Shikamaru, who had been sitting on a chair by the window, slowly lifted his head from a piece of paper he had been scribbeling on.

“Hn, that is the same thing I had just been thinking about and I believe I have a few ideas.”

Neji, sitting on his bed,his back against the headboard, just snorted.

“Thought so.”

“Then why ask? Tch, mendokuse.” But Shikamaru was smiling at his…lover? Hn, nope, not yet.

Thinking…more thinking…and even MORE thinking… and then it hit him.

“Iitoshi.”

“Hm? Did you say something, Shika?”

“…no, nothing.” Shikamaru, lips still frozen in a gentle smile, looked back down at his map. Yes, he thought, that’s it. Iitoshi – beloved. My beloved Hyuuga.

Then, sobering up again, he took the map and walked over to his longhaired partner and sat down beside him. Placing the map in front of them he began explaining his plan to Neji. Sometimes waiting for him to ask something or to let him make a suggestion of his own.

An hour later they had formed a good plan A along with a few plan B’s and C’s - curtesy of one Shikamaru Nara – and decided to set said plan A into action right away.

Getting up from the bed, Neji went into the small bathroom to take a short shower. Shika thought about joining him – just to help him with scrubbing his back, of course! But Neji closed the bathrooom door right in front of his nose with such a finality that Shika didn’t dare to re-open it. The Nara heir thought his beloved Hyuuga had way too many self-esteem problems.
Half an hour later the same Nara heir thought he should better take an ice-cold shower because, seriously, who wouldn’t want to ravish Neji when he paraded around like he did at the moment. Instead he was rooted to his spot on the bed and let his eyes roam over the perfect body in front of his hungry eyes.

Slender, yet powerful, sinfully long, pale legs encased in a tight-fitting skirt that ended a handspan over Neji’s knees. Nothing too spectacular. But then in came. The shirt, that is. Not loose enough to flutter about but also not tight enough to cling to Neji’s skin. It seemed more like it was hugging his torso. Sometimes flowing in a gentle caress across his stomach and other times molding to firm muscles. And the fabric was one of a kind. A creamy white with shimmering silver threads making the shirt almost see through. If Shika squinted hard enough and if the light from the window caught Neji’s frame in the just the right angle he could see the two dark hues of Neji’s nipples. It was a teasing, maddening and wholly arousing display. One Neji was fully aware off. And even if he wasn’t, one look at Shikamaru would have been enough to confirm that yes, he was sexy in this outfit. The eyes of the young Nara were practically smoldering. Ravishing him, undressing him, making his knees weak. And at the same time it made Neji feel powerful. Confident in himself and his looks. He was wanted, he was loved and in return he loved. The combined feelings made his head spin and his pulse race. It was addicting. Like a drug but without the bad aftereffects. And Neji was toying with it. Discovering this new found sexyness in himself. A small look here, a wink there. A tiny gesture with his hand, a extra sway to his hips. A flicker of tongue across soft lips. A low, humming sound while slowly streching his body. And the whole time he felt hyper aware of Shikamaru’s eyes on him. Devouring him. Burning him. Caressing him. Making love to him. When Shikamaru finally stepped up to him, embracing him from behind, his hardness pressing into Neji’s rear, Neji was feeling his body heat and trembled. Closing his eyes and letting his head roll back and come to rest on Shika’s shoulder, a small sound escaped his throat. A needy, wanting groan that spoke volumes of his desire.

It took everything in Shikamaru to NOT throw Neji down on his bed and fuck him till he screamed. It took practically every ounce of selfcontrol in him to JUST turn Neji around kiss him until there was no breath, no sound, no thought and no space left between their bodies. It took every damn cell in his body to keep his hips from thrusting against the hot body in front of him. To NOT ground his raging hardness into the answering one. It took the bite of his own fingernails into the palms of his hands to let Neji go.

They stood there, panting. Desire still coursing through their veins, making thinking straight a bit difficult. Finally Neji took one long, shuddering breath.

“We better make ourselves ready. It’s already past eight.” His voice was still rough ad had a throaty quality to it that made Shikamaru’s knees almost buckle. But he was a damn shinobi and he would see this mission through before he claimed the beauty in front of him. Or at least he would see this evening of the mission through before he went any further with Neji. But, God, how he wanted to just stay here, in this dingy hotelroom and make love to the longhaired Hyuuga.

Seeing his inner conflict, Neji poked Shikamaru in the chest and ordered him with a stern voice to ‘get his sexy ass into the shower, because I’m hungry and I still have to apply that damned make up’.

Chuckling, Shikamaru did as he was told and slipped out of his clothes right in front of Neji – why being modest, they would see each other fully naked anyhow in the near future. And then he had to dodge the shoe that was thrown in his direction with an aggravated growl. Blowing Neji a rasperry over his shoulder Shika quickly vanished into the bathroom and closed the door right before the second shoe hit it.

Half hour, and a very cold shower for Shika, later they were both ready. Together they went down the stairs and left the hotel. Crossing the street they decided on a nearby restaurant for a small supper. Neji felt like grinning from ear to ear when Shikamaru laid an arm around his waist and pulled him closer. But being the ever stoic Hyuuga that he was he just let a tiny smile appear. For Shika it was enough to know that his gesture wasn’t unwelcomed. He even dared to slip his thumb under the shirt and caress the smooth skin he found.

A shiver raced down Neji’s spine and he shot a look at Shika to see if he had felt it. The smug look on the Nara’s face told him all he needed to know. In his mind he decided to get his revenge at a later time, back in their hotelroom, when they were aaaallll alone.

After their dinner the two shinobi followed their plan and began to walk down the street, flirting and joking with each other. To every onlooker they seemed like the perfect couple totally in love and devoted to the other. But right now they were two ninjas on the search for a rapist. Every gesture was a secret signal, every stolen kiss a way to tell the partner about a suspicious looking man or woman, every bend head a way to hiddenly observe the crowd. And yet they found nothing.

Hours later, it was already past midnight, they went back to their hotel. The two had seen many strange things but nothing that hinted at a psychopath, ready to rape and kill unsuspecting people. Neji and Shikamaru were tired but not discouraged. They knew right from the start of this mission that it would probably take a few days to even find a small trace of their target.

When Shikamaru went into the bathroom to get ready for bed, Neji remembered his vow from earlier. How he would make his dear Shika pay. And he had the perfect opportunity right in front of him.

When Shika emerged from the bathroom, Neji was already undressed. That alone send heat into Shikamaru’s eyes and made his breathing heavier. Neji played possum and just got into the bathroom. But this time he left the door slightly open. Enough that Shikamaru could see his reflection in the mirror but not himself. And he knew that the genius would realize his subtle invitation to look. So, he slowly gathered his hair and pinned it to the top of his head. A few tendrils of the dark, silky strands escaped the confinement and carressed his high cheekbones and his chin. This way his long, slender neck would be displayed to its full advantage.

Stepping into the shower, after letting the water heat to a pleasurable temperature, he first washed the make up from his face. Though it was never more than a slight dusting of eyeshadow and rouge and a bit of mascara and lipgloss it still felt foreign on his skin. Having finished with the face he continued on to the rest of his body. Not lingering on any part for too long, yet caressing his skin with soapy hands more than necessary. After washing off the suds he stayed under the spray, just soaking for a little bit. And then he slowly started. At first nothing more than a soft caress of his neck. Nimble fingers tracing and searching their way across his skin, finding the spots were a tingle spread through his body. One on the juncture where shoulder and neck met. Another in the hollow of his throat. Slowly he let his hands travel downwards. Across his collarbone down to his pectorals and in ever tighter wounding circles to his nipples. The anticipation of his touch already hardening the small nubs, making them sensitive to his touch. First he just circled them, caressing them with butterfly touches. When they were standing hard and erect he got bolder, rubbing and twisting them until a small gasp left his lips from the sensations. His skin felt like it was on fire, turning every drop of water, every touch of his hand into a torrent of pleasure that left his heart pounding and his blood rushing south. When a slight pain started to mix into the pleasure he left his nipples and let one hand wander down, over his flat stomach, feeling the muscles tremble beneath the skin. Muscles that never showed much but were there nonetheless, hinting at high agility and flexibilty. The second hand traveled back upwards until wet fingers encountered parted lips, tracing them. A tongue flickered out, tasting clean water and a hint of vanilla from his shower gel. Slowly he let a finger dip inside his mouth, sucking and licking it, thinking about how he would love to do this to another part of Shikamaru’s anatomy. While immersing himself in his fantasy, his other hand continued its downward journey. Bypassing his hard, quivering cock and instead stroking along his tigh. Down on the outside and up on the inside the hand followed an unseen path, leaving nothing but an intense pleasure. Neji felt himself burning, his blood rushing hotly through his veins, his heart pulsing in an ever increasing staccato. He yearned to touch himself fully. To encase his throbbing cock with his hand. To succumb to this wild side of him. To just give up and bring himself to the peak of pleasure. But he held himself back. Continued with his sensual dance. Seconds streched to minutes, minutes that felt like hours before he finally let his hand enclose his now dripping cock. The pleasure that shot up his spine was so intense that it made his knees buckle and a small cry leave his lips. Leaning back against the shower-wall he concentrated on a slow, steady pace - he didn’t want to finish it just yet - sliding his loose fist up and down in his own private dance of bliss. On every second upward stroke he let his thumb glide over the head tracing the tiny slit there, enjoying the tiny shocks of pleasure that shot through his veins and hightened his pleasure to an almost unbearable level. His second hand was slowly traveling down to his nipples again. Alternately tweaking and rubbing over them. Unconsciously his hips had started to thrust into his fist and his grip became stronger, ending his time of selfinduced torture. He wasn’t aware of the sounds that left him. Tiny mewls and gasps, throaty moans and small cries. And then his imagination gave him the final straw. A picture of Shikamaru, lieing on his bed in the other room, watching him, pleasuring himself like Neji did right now. His eyes would be heavy-lidded but full of burning passion, his hair unbound, spilling across the pillow, groans torn from him and the slender hips thrusting upwards into his fist, crying out Neji’s name when he came, coating his skin with his hot essence. Opening his pale, silvery eyes Neji looked to the mirror to see if his imagination was as good as the reality.

***************

The first glimpse of Neji’s naked body right before he went into the bathroom had successfully driven any sleepyness from Shikamaru’s mind. Instead leaving him with multiple scenarios on how this evening could end. And all of them leaving him with a hard-on. With a heartfelt sigh Shika sank down onto his bed and stared up at the ceiling. When the sound of water hit his ears he was a bit surprised. Hadn’t Neji showered only a few hours before? Sitting upright again he chanced a look at the bathroom-door and discovered that it was standing slightly ajar. Knowing Neji, he realized instantly that it couldn’t be a mistake. Neji never made mistakes like that. So it had to be on purpose. Now curious, Shika made himself comfortable and watched what his Hyuuga had planned. Feeling his cock harden further in his boxers he also decided to strip now, because he sure as hell didn’t want to miss even a single minute of the show. After undressing in a hurry, the young Nara sat back down again and continued to watch Neji. At first nothing spectactular happened. At least for someone who wouldn’t know where to look or who didn’t knew Neji as good as he did. But Shikamaru noticed that Neji took his time with cleaning his pale gleaming skin. Hungryly his eyes took I every nuance of that perfect body. He saw the round scars on Neji’s torso, left behind by a now very dead and rotting Kidomaru. Shikamaru still felt the old self-hatred and guilt when thinking about his first mission and the way he had risked the life of his friends. Neji had almost died back then. It was a thought that hit him like a sledgehammer. Neji could have died! A fierce, burning pain in his chest made him gasp. Driving tears to his eyes. No, I won’t! I won’t ever let him die! Not if I can do something. I’ll prevent it. This time, on this mission I won’t let anyone harm him! With this silent vow firmly in his heart and mind he went back to watching his loved one.

Said loved one was by now tormenting his nipples and Shika instantly felt his own harden. Not knowing if he should follow Neji’s example or just keep watching, Shikamaru’s hand hovered above his own body. Finally, when his soon to be lover let his hands wander different paths across his skin, he touched himself. At first going at his own pace but he soon realized that it would be much more interseting if he copied the moves of that sexy Jounin in the shower. Inflicting the same maddening pleasure on himself. Ten minutes later Shikamaru cursed his decision. He didn’t know if Neji could actually see him too and tortured him on purpose or if the Hyuuga was simply a masochist at heart. His body felt on fire, his cock dripped a steady trickle of precum onto his skin and his balls ached. Shika felt near bursting and needy little whimpers and pained moans mixed with his throaty cries of ‘Neji’ and ‘oh God, please’. His hips were snapping upwards, trying to creat enough friction to send him over the edge. But he wanted to wait. Wait for Neji to come first, to hear him cry out in ecstasy. Looking intently at Neji’s reflection, Shikamaru let his eyes travel the expanse of flushed skin, over the hand fisting the erection almost desperatly, over the flat stomach to the nipples that were being abused oh so deliciously, along the slender, arched neck up to the face contorted in absolute pleasure. And then...

…their eyes met. Blazing silver and smoldering brown clashed. And something clicked. Holding the eye-contact they flew over the edge, calling out the others name as their orgasms ripped through them, tearing through their systems, shattering them and leaving them broken only to put them back together slowly with the first deep, shuddering breath.

Shikamaru sank back down to the mattress, his eyes closing without his consent, his mind for once free of all thoughts. Just drifting.

Neji collapsed to the floor of the shower, his knees finally giving out on him. He was panting, trying desperately to clear his vision and gain his footing. He wanted to be with Shikamaru. To touch him, hold him, be near him. Hear his breathing, feel his skin beneath his fingers. Shutting of the water, Neji slowly, painstakingly got his legs under him and pushed himself up from the floor before stumbling out of the shower and into the room where Shikamaru was still coming down from his high. He gave a low sound of need, not sexual in nature but on a wholly basic level. Shikamaru was up in an instant and not a moment too late when Neji’s legs gave out and collapsed into his waiting arms. Staggering under the added weight, Shikamaru carried Neji over to his bed and laid his precious burden down, before he followed. Pulling the longhaired Jounin into his arms, he took a few deep breaths before croaking out what was on his mind.

“Fuck.”

Oka~y, that had not been on his mind…though it was the close second.

Neji snorted.

“No, not really but maybe someday in the near future, Nara.”

“Oh, good, you’re still alive. Hm, which means I’M still alive, too.”

Another snort.

“Yeah, but don’t ask me how. I still have dark spots dancing in front of my eyes.”

“Hn, must come from the heat of the water and the high humidity. No wonder you collapsed. Your circulation must be either abnormally high or low at this point. I’d say it is the former. You should… .”

He couldn’t finish his sentence because Neji had put a slender finger over his lips, sealing them shut.

“Nara, I swear, if you will even so much as think about my circulation after we’ve had sex, I’ll kill you in the most terrible way I know. Now shut up, hold me and sleep.”

“Yes, sir. Your wish is my command.”

A tiny smile stole across Neji’s face. Within minutes he was asleep.

Shikamaru watched him. He couldn’t sleep right now. Something kept nagging at him. But the more he tried to think about it the more his thoughts got tangled. Minutes ticked by. Finally, slightly frustrated, because he had a feeling that it was something important, he closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep.

************

In the deep shadows across the street an even darker shadow spat a curse and vanished into the night, its thoughts on vengence and unending toture.

-tbc-


Alright, I just know that I put quite a few spelling mistakes in here but for the life of me I CANNOT FIND THEM! Please, just bear with them. Or maybe someone out there will be so kind to point them out to me. I know I promised that a few things about the rapist would be cleared in this chapter but I’ve waited with that and instead I put the first serious Shika/Neji action here. I’m lousy when it comes to write erotic scenes and /or lemons. I love to read them and I admire everyone who can do it. I’m not one of them so please don’t flame me ^^’ I did my best and hope it is at least acceptable. The next chapter shouldn’t take too long for I have already a rough outline of what will be happening. And as I mentioned at the beginning, I’m also working on a Neji one-shot. These two should be up this month. If not KICK MY ASS!!! Stay save ^_^