Sealed Heart

Minna!!!! Here's chapter 6. Please say thank you to Simplyinsane (from Aarinfantasy) for editing this chapter. She did a great job To my dear beta...I post the story in advance coz I might not be able to do so later. I might be offline anytime. Thanks again and hope you all enjoy the story. Please read and review as it'll help keep me motivated.

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Chapter 6 : Bird Cage
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The loud beeping sound of an alarm clock went off on time at 3:30 am, piercing the silence of the still darkened room. Hyuuga Neji fumbled for his clock on the table besides his bed, groaning at the shrill sound that he swore could have even woken up the dead.


Sighing, he got up, switched the table lamp on and then shut the alarm off before flopping back onto his bed. Damn clock. He must've forgotten to set the right time.


Suddenly, his mobile rang. Shit. Now what? "Yeah...?" mumbled Neji on his mobile. "Shika? You know what time is it, man?"


"Bad news, Neji." Shikamaru said over the phone, his tone serious.


"What? Can't it wait till the sun comes up? I went to sleep late last night…" He yawned just to show him and he heard Shikamaru grumble in retort.


"Afraid not. We're at the hospital right now. Shigure's in the emergency room..."

"Huh? Who?" The longhaired youth asked while stifling another yawn. "Shigure!!!" He shouted at the phone when he finally realized that Shikamaru was referring to their newest member of their racing crew. "How did-?"


"Just get your butt over here, Neji. The others are waiting for you." Before Neji could say anything, Shikamaru had already hung up.


Fifteen minutes later, after a quick shower, he was ready to leave. Dressed in a pair of faded blue jeans and a dark brown jacket over a white polo shirt, he grabbed for his car keys and walked as quietly as he could past his uncle's study room. Judging from the light coming from under the door, his uncle apparently was still in there.


"Neji…"


The young Hyuuga froze in his tracks. Neji had barely made his way past his uncle's room and had taken a few steps down the staircase when he heard his uncle's voice.


"What do you think you're doing at this hour, Neji?"


"I'm going out for awhile," he said without turning to face his uncle.


"And what for?" his uncle asked.


"I really have to go." Neji said, not wanting to face his uncle longer than he needed to. He and his uncle, Hiashi, were not on good terms.


"You're not going anywhere unless you explain yourself, boy."


"Look, I don't need to explain anything to you." said Neji curtly, "You're not my father."


"You will follow the rules, Neji, as long as you are a member of the Hyuuga family. Understood!?"


"Perfectly!" Neji replied as he strode down the stairs and out of the mansion, wishing he could break free from the man whom he despised the most.


******

"What's going on?" Neji asked Shikamaru. He had driven as fast as he could and after asking the nurse on duty, he ran for the emergency room where he found Shikamaru waiting anxiously.


"Shigure's still in there." Shikamaru told him.


"How serious?"


"Pretty bad."


"How did it happen?"


"He was speeding downhill on the Hokage's Mountain."


"An accident?"


"Not sure... the area's secured by the police now, so we won't be able to check it out for a while."


"Man… how long has he been in the operating room?" asked the Hyuuga youth.

"Three hours now." Shikamaru looked at Neji as if he had something to say. "Look… I don't know how to explain this to you, Neji." After taking a deep breath, he grimly added, "…I've talked with a few of the local guys who hang out there, not far from the mountain's exit point..."


"And?"


"They claimed they saw t-this… car… passing by them… so fast like some phantom… from the exit… and… it looked like a red RX-7."


Neji's eyes widened in surprise. "Can't be," he said. There was only one person he knew who owned such a car…


"Anyone who came down Mount Hokage would have to pass through that check point, Neji." Shikamaru said and Neji couldn't help but agree with that fact.


"Shika, you stay here and keep me posted on Shigure's condition, okay?"


"Where are you off to?"


"Sand City."


"W-what! Neji, are you out of your mind? You can't meet him now... not before the race, damn it!" said Shika. He frowned and mumbled "mendokuse" as he watched Neji stubbornly walk away.


*******


"You're not good enough for the team, man."


"Kankuro-san... I-I'm s-sorry…" replied the boy. He looked no more than 16 years old as he bowed his head down to Kankuro. "I'll try h-harder. Please… Kankuro-san!"


Kankuro looked at the boy, feeling a bit sorry for him. But he wasn't the one with the say in this team. The Desert Storm needed to maintain their reputation after all. This meant throwing out any potential weakness they might have that could lessen their chance of winning a race. And The Desert Storm always played to win.


He scratched his head and turned his eyes towards his red headed brother, Gaara. "What do you say, Gaara?" he asked. But he knew the silent youth's answer even before he mentioned anything.


With one cold and dispassionate word, the red head gave his judgment. "Leave."

The boy burst into tears and slipped on the ground. He then tried to cling onto Gaara's leg in an effort to plead some more.


"You are an eyesore," said Gaara curtly while two other guys grabbed each of the boy's arms and dragged him away at Kankuro's order.


"What a wimp. Some people can't take no for an answer eh, little bro?" said Kankuro, attempting to sound cheerful. The red haired youth remained emotionless. Kankuro thought, Damn. He doesn't have a single funny bone in him, does he?

He sighed and glanced at his brother who remained in his silent mode. Gaara was never one for conversations and even though they were siblings, there was not an ounce of similarity between them. Kankuro saw that Gaara had opened the door to his car and asked, "Um… Gaara, you going somewhere? I thought we had a meeting with the rest of the team tonight?"


"You handle it." Gaara got in and started his engine. With one fluid motion, the red head had maneuvered his car from the parking lot and onto the road. When Gaara was in his wheels, he was a force to be reckoned with. The way he handled his car screamed power and skills that few could even match.


As he watched the tail lights of Gaara's car disappear into the night, Kankuro wished that his younger brother was a little less intimidating than he looked. Kankuro admitted that even he was scared shitless whenever Gaara was around.


******

A half hour later, still in the midst of their meeting, Kankuro was in the process of explaining something. Suddenly, one of their team members dashed inside the small eating outlet, where their meeting was taking place.

"Kankuro-san! Kankuro-san!"


"You're late! Ryota! Where the hell have you been?"


"Sorry Kankuro-san. But it's him… that guy's here… you know…" explained Ryota between breaths.


"Who?"


"Look outside… there!" Ryota urged Kankuro to the window and pointed to a longhaired brunet waiting next to a blue car. He looks vaguely familiar, thought Kankuro.


"Isn't that Hyuuga Neji?" asked one of his teammates.

Kankuro nodded his head. "Yeah," No wonder he looked familiar. Leader and ace racer from Konoha's team, The Neon Sabers. This guy was known for his brains and oozing good looks. Kankuro reluctantly admitted that this Hyuuga Neji was the only one who could rival Gaara anywhere, anytime. Plus, he knew that Gaara was obsessed with him ever since Neji's debut into the street-racing world at the age of seventeen.

How did he know? Well, inside Gaara's wallet, Kankuro had found a picture of Neji. He didn't need a high IQ to know what that meant.


Kankuro stepped outside and walked over to where Neji was. So, this is the guy my brother's obsessed with? He had seen the brunet before in other racing events they had participated in over the years, but this was the first time Kankuro was looking at him so closely. He was almost as tall as Gaara, but more on the slender side compared to his brother. Neji wasn't just good looking, he was absolutely gorgeous up close and personal, admitted Kankuro.


You're the type my brother goes for, huh? He raised his hand in a greeting gesture while Neji nodded in return. Kankuro couldn't help but smile to himself. Who would have guessed that Gaara had pretty good taste after all?


******


Where in hell’s gate is Gaara? Neji pondered as he drove back to Konoha City. He was disappointed when Kankuro had told him that Gaara had gone off without telling them of his whereabouts.


Suddenly, Neji could feel the hair on the back of his neck rise. Something doesn't feel right. Glancing at the rear mirror, Neji's eyes caught sight of a pair of headlights coming in closer. Huh? At first, he shrugged off the notion that someone was following him. But after driving onwards and taking a couple of turns, the car behind him was still there. It made no move to overtake him or head into another direction. Neji muttered a curse under his breath. It was obvious the car was tailing after him.

Changing his gear quickly, Neji increased his speed, hoping to shake off his chaser at the next junction. He swerved to the left and saw that his chaser did the same and was soon gaining up on him.

Neji looked at his side mirror again. What the hell…when did he come this close? Neji frowned, surprised to see that his chaser caught up to him so quickly and was at such a close distance. Their cars were so close that Neji was able to see what kind of car it was. He swore when it dawned on him who his chaser was: Gaara.


Tail to tail. The two cars drove down the empty highway. Every time Neji changed lanes, hoping to let Gaara pass by, Gaara would follow in suit and continued to tail behind him. Don't f*** with me, Gaara! You think I'm going to give in that easily?


Ahead of him, Neji saw the traffic light changing abruptly from yellow to red and that a large trailer had suddenly appeared on the other side of the road. Neji desperately hit the breaks and made a sharp turn.

And then the world seemed to swirl around him. He heard the loud honking from the trailer that had managed to pass by harmlessly. The screeching of his tires scraped the road desperately, trying to stop from swinging out of control. He felt the car stop abruptly. His head banged against the steering wheel and his body ached as the seat belt pulled, restraining him from hitting the window.

It took a couple of steady breaths to calm the pounding of heart in his chest. Neji realized that he was still gripping the steering wheel tightly. He let go, noticing that his palms felt moist and clammy. Sweat ran down his face. He wiped it off quickly with the back of his jacket before getting out of the car, trying to hide that he was slightly shaken by the recent incident.

He didn't know where he was. Maybe some remote part outside the city. He had come this far thanks to-

Gaara had stopped his car near his and when he noticed the red head walking calmly towards him, Neji blew a fuse and lunged at the man.


"YOU!" Neji grabbed Gaara by the collar and looked him in the eyes as he demanded an explanation from the red haired youth. "Are you f***ing crazy!?"

The dark haired youth was ticked off by the way Gaara's mouth lifted into a smirk, those green eyes watching him with amusement. Neji had never been so pissed off in his life.


Two hands clasped firmly around Neji's wrists, forcing him to let go of his hold. Neji's eyes widened in surprise when suddenly the situation was reversed and he found himself pushed against the hood of his automobile.

He felt Gaara whisper in his ear and Neji couldn't help but shiver slightly as he felt the hot breath tickling his skin. "Say…let's f***." he said. Neji stared at the man before him, wondering if he heard what Gaara was saying correctly.


"What?" he asked in confusion.


"Let's F-U-C-K." Gaara said to Neji, smirking like the devil. "Even better… let me do the f***ing for you… NE-JI" he said in a low, husky voice. He's crazy, decided Neji. He felt chills run down his spine at the way the man was eyeing him hungrily, his tongue wetting his lower lip.


"Are you sick in the head!?" Neji asked, raising his voice in irritation. "If you've got nothing better to say, then get off me!"


Neji tried to push Gaara away, but the green-eyed man had quickly pinned both his hands above his head with one hand. His other firmly held his jaw, forcing his mouth open. Before he could register what was happening, he felt demanding lips upon his own, brutishly. Neji wanted to close his mouth or perhaps kick him. With Gaara's weight on him, his grip was so tight that he wasn't able to do anything even when he felt Gaara's hot tongue pushing down his throat.

Even though both of them were of the same height and build, Gaara was obviously by far stronger than him since Neji couldn't seem to push him away.


"Mmph!" Damn it! Need air! Can't breath! He let out a breathy moan and almost shrieked when he felt a hand over his pants, groping his manhood.


"Stop!!!" He managed to mouth out and abruptly pushed the red head back a little. At the slight opening, Neji landed a blow on Gaara's jaw, knocking the stunned man back.


"F***! Don't you dare do that again!" said Neji angrily. He glared at the red head, who had already steadied himself on his feet, as if the knock didn't have any effect on him.


Neji wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. His lips were probably bruised by that brutal kiss. Neji didn't want to admit that somehow, this forceful red head was having an effect on his senses.


He heard Gaara chuckle as he eyed him in satisfaction. "Neji… I'll have you sooner or later." Gaara said with a smug look, which further infuriated Neji.


"When hell freezes over!!!" burst the brunet heatedly as he made for his car. Who the hell does he think he is!? So casually claiming him, Hyuuga Neji, as his property!


He heard Gaara laughing behind him as he got into his car. "Better prepare that ass of yours, sweetheart, 'cause my cock will be pounding it when I win." said Gaara.


"Hmph! IF you win that is!" replied the dark haired man as he slammed the door to his car quickly. He had the guts to even demand such a thing!

Neji wanted to get as far away from this guy as possible. And as he drove off, he could still hear Gaara's laughter, his last words still ringing at the back of his mind as clear as a bell.


"Neji… I'll have you sooner or later."


"Damn!" said Neji, suddenly remembering something.


Because he was so angry with Gaara, he had totally forgotten to ask the guy if he had something to do with the accident at the Hokage Mountain in the first place.


******

Naruto stepped out of the apartment and inhaled the cool morning air. He couldn't sleep that night. He was envious of Kiba who was sleeping like a log. Even Akamaru was snoring loudly in La La Land next to Kiba. Naruto had previously drank five cups of warm milk to help him sleep. That didn't help much since he kept frequenting the bathroom to ease his full bladder afterward. Ever since his meeting with the mayor that day, Naruto's mind kept remising about his past: who his parents were or what they were like.


He sighed. This wasn't like him at all. What's in the past is ancient history. Instead of wasting his time on gloomy thoughts, like a certain Uchiha Sasuke he knew, Naruto decided to cheer himself up by taking a walk. Perhaps some fresh air would help clear his mind.


After feeling he had enough fresh air, he noticed someone driving up to him and parking nearby. The person got out and Naruto was surprised to see Neji walking up to him.


"Hey…" Neji said with a small smile. But Naruto could see that the smile was forced and that something was on Neji's mind.


"Hi…Neji…what are you doing here?" Naruto asked, smiling back. "It's 6:00 o'clock in the morning…what's-" The blond was shocked to find himself pulled into Neji's embrace. He blushed when his face crashed against Neji's hard chest and he could smell Neji's cologne: musky and masculine.


"Er…Neji?" Those arms wouldn't let go and locked tighter around him. Naruto's face turned a deeper shade of red when the brunet rested his head at the crook of his neck and sighed.


"Can I stay over?" the longhaired brunet asked in a weary voice. Shikamaru had called him a few minutes ago and told him that the operation had been successful. He told Neji not to worry and to just go home. But Neji didn't feel like going home. After meeting Gaara and after hearing the news about Shigure's condition, he suddenly realized how tired and worn out he was, both physically and mentally.


Heading home right now and having to face his uncle didn't seem like a desirable option either. What he needed most was sleep and comfort; someone who could stay and hold him for a while. Someone like… Naruto.


Naruto had taken him up into the apartment and told him to sit on the sofa. Meanwhile, he went to the kitchen to get him something hot to drink, giving Neji some time to himself.


A few minutes later, Naruto arrived with a steaming mug of hot milk and some chocolate cookies.


He gave Neji an apologetic grin as he gave him the mug and set the plate of cookies down on top of the coffee table. "Sorry… there're only these."


"S'kay…thanks." replied Neji, smiling graciously. He glanced at the blond who sat next to him. He already felt better just by having Naruto beside him. He sat the mug down and leaned closer towards the smaller youth. "Naruto?"


"Hmm?" The blond youth wondered what was on his friend's mind.


"Can I kiss you?" Neji asked in a solemn voice.


"Huh?" Before Naruto had time to react, he was pushed down flat on his back with Neji above him. Neji's face was touching his, kissing him hard till he was gasping out for air. Then, Naruto began to panic when he felt Neji's hand slipping inside his waistband, his intention made clear as to what was to come next.


"Stop!!!" The blond squirmed and managed to yell before slapping Neji on the cheek.


That somehow brought Neji to a halt and his dazed eyes met Naruto's shocked ones.


Neji suddenly went limp and flopped right on top of Naruto. "Sorry…" Naruto heard Neji mutter regretfully.


For a while, Naruto didn't know what to do: whether to push him off or simply stay still for a while. He opted for the latter and waited before realizing that Neji had somehow fallen asleep.


Naruto sighed. That was quick, he thought. He didn't know what was wrong with Neji, but he didn't have the heart to wake him up either. Pulling the blankets he had around them, Naruto tried to close his eyes and gain what little sleep he could. He hoped that when morning came, Neji would feel better and perhaps could provide him with a logical explanation over his strange behavior.


******

End of Chapter 6

TBC

*******

That’s it for now. Hope you like it. If not then I need to do better ^^ I’m currently writing chapter 7 and it would be nice if you guys can rate this story so far. Take care and enjoy the teaser I have for you *bwahaha*


Preview of next chapter
(This is still in the drafting stage so there’s bound to be changes. Lot of naughty parts in this chappy too O.O; )…

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Naruto and Neji (*cough* Neji makes his move? XD)…
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Naruto suddenly stirred in his sleep and Neji's eyes instantly caught sight at the smooth tanned belly, exposed before his very eyes. Somehow, the blond was unconsciously scratching his stomach, uncovering most of his abdomen for Neji to see. Well, he couldn't see the nipples but he hoped to and bet that they were cute just as Naruto.


Wait. He sounded just like a pervert. But really, he was tempted to find those nipples. Lightly tracing a finger over the belly button, following the lines of the his taut stomach, up to his chest, Neji lifted the cotton material further up and was delighted to see two perked nipples greeting him. Cute, pink nipples. Just the way he liked them.


He'll burn in hell for what he was about to do next, declared Neji as he give in to the temptation. Sliding a tongue over one nipple, he licked the small bud, earning a small shiver from Naruto and feeling somewhat motivated he lightly took the bud in his mouth and gently sucked it. That was when Naruto's eyes fluttered open, first looking at him groggily then those blue eyes widen in surprised and a piercing shriek filled the room.

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Naruto and Sasuke (Naruto deflowered by Sasuke!? *evil grin*)…
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Naruto mumbled something incoherently and buried his face deeper into the warmth and comfort of beddings around him. He opened his eyes and was about to get up when his head felt as if it was about to crack open

"Ow" He clutched his head and blamed it all on having too many bottles of champagne last night. Naruto laid back into the soft pillow, trying to clear his vision for a minute then turned his head on his right when he realized that he was facing directly at Sasuke's sleeping face.

Naruto blinked, a look of horror on his face, as he tried to reassure himself that this is all just a bad dream…or not. But when the image of Sasuke sleeping beside wouldn’t disappear he began to panicked and quickly slipped out of the king sized bed but his foot was caught with the beddings and instead he landed unceremoniously onto the carpeted floor with a loud thud.

"OUCH!!” why does his back hurt? Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! He was so focused on the searing pain in his back that he fail to notice the brunet had awaken and was looking down at him with a disgruntled expression.

"For god's sake. Can you not shout so early in the morning!" Sasuke muttered, looking half asleep but annoyed.

"God my head hurt! What happened last night, bastard!?"

The taller man yawned, "Isn't it obvious, moron?" replied Sasuke crossly as he got up and ran his fingers through his hair while looking at the blond in disdain. He hated when someone disturbed his sleep.

Obvious? About what? No..Can’t be...Naruto glanced down at his own body. His own naked body... And quickly looked at the brunet. The sheets was draped just below Sasuke’s sleek, well toned abdomen but Naruto had a bad feeling that underneath it all was…

Oh god.


End of teaser ^^