Fateful Days

Hello minna-san! I’m terribly sorry for delaying the update for so long. But now I’m back and I hope you’re all still with me ^_^. I’ve been writing at the second part of ‘A little bit of peace and quiet’ and after delating the whole thing or parts of it three times I finally think I’m on the right way. The second part has already twelve pages and it’s drawing slowly to an end. So be prepared ^^. Anyway, as usual I’ll now answer to my faithfull reviewers.

jess249 - Thank you! Here is the update you asked for, though I have to warn you its not a nice chapter and to your question about that woman - no, she is not but more about her in this part ^^

Tyra - Ahhhh, please don’t go insane!!! Then I won’t get your awsome reviews anymore (and sweets, too) - you know, I have gained 3 pounds since you started reviewing -_- *goes away grumbling about weight, all the time sucking on Tyras lolli pop*

Yersi Fanel - I just hope I still have your attenetion. I know I’m a terrible updater and I so sorry. Please forgive me and read the next chapter, too!

pen_name - God, thank you that the scene with Neji in the shower was drool-worthy to you. I’m still not fully into writing lemons and I’m happy about every positiv review I get. So thank you very much!! ^_^

nekokun61636 - Wow, what a praise o.O I’m blushing like hell right now, you know! I can’t believe I made it onto someones favorites list ^_^ And about the fanart....HELL YEAH!!!! Oh my gosh...someone wants to make a fanart for my fanfic...you make me soooo happy *does a little happy-dance* Please keep reading and tell me where you will put the fanart (if you still want to do it after such a long time)

darkcrimson - Thank you sooo much for reading my story. And I hoped you stayed tuned ^^ because here is finally the long awaited update. I hope you have fun reading it ^_^

Ruby Atar - Waaahh, thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m still working on the smut scenes and a review like yours tells me that I’m on the right way. Please continue reading my fanfic.

Word_Slave - Ahhh, sorry Slave...I really am so, so, so sorry! I hope you wil like my newest chapter as much as the last five. And since I’m almost finished with A lttle bit of peace and quiet I have more time to continue Fateful Days. So I should be able to update more often now ^_^

TillThatTime - Hello!!! You know you have shot me into deep space with yur review, right? I don’t know what to say. I’m a fan of your story and here you go and praise me like this. I’m humbled, really. The only thing I can say is that I’ll try to live up to your expectations. And please continue reading my story! Thank you ^_^


Now, after that long list - on to the story.

Oh, and a warning: GORE ahead!!!


Chapter 6

That night:


The dark creature paced the room again and again. Sometimes the ground beneath its feet slippery with the liquid spilled there. The walls were streaked in red like some morbid painting. The room stank of rotten flesh and absolute terror. The insanity was palpable, hovering around the moving figure like a cloak. Broken mumbles streamed out of a mouth that may have been kissable once, a long time ago. Hair that hang down to the waist glistened with blood, even dripping. The sharp knive, almost as long as the entire forearm was thrown into the air and caught again. This knive that had been buried in bodies up to the hilt. But not as the weapon who brought death upon the unsuspecting men. No, it was a torture device of another kind.

The screams still echoed around the room from when she had pushed the knive into the anus of her latest victim - again and again and again. Everytime it went in a little bit smoother. The blood welling up and running down creamy white legs was so pretty. And it made everything so easy. After three strokes her entire fist had fit into his ass. And he screamed and begged her to stop it. But she knew he enjoyed it. And she couldn’t have that. So she had gripped his dick and cut it off. And then she had used his own member instead of the knive and fist. Fucking him with his own dick until he passed out. She had asked him that this was how they did it, right. And he had shaken his head ‘no’ but she knew better, had seen it with her own eyes. How men pleasured and took each other. How he pleasured him.

He thought he was oh so clever. Just small glances and soft words at first. Then, later on he would touch him with gentle fingers. Seducing him to his side. Turning his eyes away from her. Taking him away. Doing unspeakable things to him with his nasty, slimy fingers. Things he was supposed to do with his wife, with women. Not with her husband. Hers, he was hers. They were married. God had signed their union. It was right. It was love. But now her husband was gone. Gone with him. He, with his long flowing hair and gentle smile. He, with the pale skin and soft touches. He, who took away her happiness. But no more. This time she would kill him. And then her husband, her one and only true love would come back to her. She was so sure of that.

She had been watching them. How they showed everyone their sickness. The way that man with the long hair would touch and caress him. The way he would lean over and whisper sweet nothings into the ear of her beloved. The way this pervert would look at the man that had sworn eternal love to her. It was all so wrong and she would end it. But she had to plan carefully. This man who had lulled her husband with a grotesque image of a woman, wearing skirts and make-up, never seemed to leave his side. Well, she would find a way. She always did. And this time would be final.

A sinister smile broke out across a face that once had held great beauty but was now frozen in an insane grimace. And then the creature vanished into the shadow. Leaving behind the remains of a poor soul who was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

~*~

Early next morning:

Neji sat bold upright when an ear-splitting scream cut through the morning mist. Shikamaru was out of the bed in seconds, hastely throwing on his clothes and running out of the room. Neji was only a few minutes behind him because he didn’t have the luxury of wearing simple clothes. No, he had to fight his way into the dress that they had choosen for the day. A cut-off jeans that barely covered his firm behind but showed off his endless seeming legs and a tightfitting shirt with the arms cut off. High-heeled sandals completed the outfit.

When he came to stand next to Shikamaru, his lover was pointing to a run-down motel where a small crowd had already gathered.

The two shinobi made their way over and elbowed their way through the crowd. A woman in her forties was crying hysterically and pointing behind her to the stairs that let up to the
second floor. Neji and Shika shared one look and slowly retreated back to the outer lines of the crowd. From there they slipped undetected into the dark alley next to the motel. Looking up they searched for and found a good way to get into the building.

After they had climbed through a broken window, Shikamaru pointed down the hallway to the only door that stood open. Nodding, Neji followed him. When they reached the room they had to seriously fight their gag reflexes. They had seen many gruesome things and yet again, this was way beyond everything they had ever witnessed. The only thing that could be used to identify the bits and pieces of flesh as something human was the head that lay, split wide open, in the middle of the room.

Covering their mouths and noses they slowly examined the room, hoping to find something that would help them indentify the murderer.

After they didn’t find a single clue, both returned to the hotel they stayed in and took a quick shower. But they whole-heartedly refused to go anywhere near something eatable.

Finding a secluded spot at a sake-bar and ordering a bottle, Neji cleared his throat.

„You know what? I think we can cross out the idea with a woman as the murderer. No ordinary woman should be able to do something like that. It takes too much strength to cut someone to pieces like that. I’d say it was a man. Probably someone who hates gay people and this is his way of punishing them.“

Shikamaru nodded.

„Yep, you’re right. But there could be one exception to your assumption - if the perpetrator is or was a shinobi like us. Think of Sakura. She would be able to do that.“

Neji ‘hmm-ed’.

„Alright, point taken. So we still keep our eyes open and search in all directions. How long do we do that? I mean, we can’t go on like this forever. People are dying right under our noses and we play the happy-go-lucky couple.“

Neji drowned his cup of sake in one go, filling the cup anew.

Shikamaru watched him. Something was unsettling his lover and he had a vague guess what it was.

„Neji, you saw what I did. We can’t make any hasty decisions before we know as much as possible. Let’s wait for another three days. Maybe we find something in that time. And if not, we can still change our plans.“

Neji looked up and there was a steely glint in his silvery eyes.

„Yes I saw what you did. By now two brutally slaughtered men. And do you know what else I saw? Long, dark hair, like mine. Pale skin, just like mine. And light violet eyes, almost like mine. Does that qualify for me for being a possible target? I’d say yes. And after I saw how the bodies looked like, I don’t think I want to end like them.“
His voice had turned colder and colder at the end. And the hands that were lying on the table were shaking.
Shikamaru was slightly taken aback by Nejis outburst. Of course he knew what had his lover so troubled yet this was an almost angry reaction. As if it was personal.

And then it klicked. Personal, of course it was personal for Neji. Since their target was most
likely someone who hated gay people and Neji had lived his whole life with the same hatred against himself, it was as if it was him who had been slaughtered.

Shit, thought Shikamaru. Now, how to go about this?

„Neji, I know this is difficult for you but please understand that I don’t want to risk your or my life because I made a wrong decision. I did that once and I still feel guilty about that
mission. And this one is almost as dangerous, if not more so for you. Yes, I recognized the
similarities. But I still think we should wait and see what will happen for the next three days.“

Shikamaru looked Neji square in the eyes, trying to convey how much he meant to him and that he was doing this for both of their safety. When Neji didn’t meet his eyes Shika lost a
little bit of his usual calm.

„Damnit Neji! Don’t you understand that I’d do everything in my power to keep you save? I don’t want to lose you just after I found out I love you! Not if I can help it. I want to go back to Konoha together with you. And I want a chance to find out where this might lead us.“

Neji looked at him, surprise clearly written across his face. Never would he have dreamed about Shikamaru losing his cool like that. And because of him no less. Neji felt elated. His heart fluttered in his chest and his knees were week. His throat had tightened at Shikas admission about that first fateful mission after his promotion to chuunin. He hadn’t known how his lover felt about it. Hadn’t known how it still affected him. Hadn’t known Shika loved him this much. But now he knew and it was an indescribable feeling.

„I love you, too.“ Said in a near whisper yet more powerful then any scream he could ever have emitted.

There was a softness in Shikamarus eyes that spoke the words right back to him.

„I know and that is exactly why I don’t want to rush this and endanger everything - especially you. And believe me, the next part I have planned goes against everything I have just said.“

Neji blinked. Next part of the plan? Did he miss something?

„What is this next part?“

Shika too a deep swallow of his sake before he answered.

„I want you to become the decoy. After the second body was found I have no doubt that our target is only after men who look alike - and this means who look like you do. If he or she has already seen you, I’m sure that you’re already on his or her list. But with the two of us always being together he or she won’t risk an attack. So, I want you to go out alone for a few minutes each day from tomorrow on. Therefore you make yourself available. I’ll be there of course, watching your back. And when he or she tries to get you we will turn the tables and instead get her or him. For today though, we leave everything as it is. Walking around town. Flirting and watching.“

When his lover explained his plan, Neji couldn’t suppress the small shiver of fear that raced down his spine. Understandable, really. And he also understood why Shika liked his own plan so little. But his resolve was firm and he trusted Shika with his life. And he was a damn shinobi.

„Well, then let’s get out of here and go shopping. That’s the best way of being seen, right? And while we are already at it, you could buy me a pair of comfortable shoes. These are killing me before anyone else could do it.“

Shikamaru just laughed and, after paying their tab, followed his beautiful, strong, amazing
lover out of the bar.

~*~

Later that day:

„Phew, is it just me or is it really that hot? I feel like my skin wants to melt right off my
bones.“

Neji fanned himself, desperately wishing for a breeze to cool him down.

Shika just laughed. Yes, it was hot as hell itself but Neji shouldn’t be the one to complain, seeing as he was wearing the right outfit for this weather. Although, with all that hair flowing down his back...let’s just say Shika was happy about his strange hairstyle at the moment.
„How about we go back to the hotel and rest for a little while. That way we can cool down and you can pack away your new things. Plus it will be much cooler later on.“

Neji looked gratefully at his lover.

„I knew it would pay off to get paired with a genius for this mission.“

Shika glanced at the older ninja and smirked.

„And here I thought you liked me because of my looks and not my brains. Tche, it’s always the same. Everyone just sees what’s in me, never what’s on the outside. Tragic. I’m being reduced to my brains.“

Neji just looked at him.

„Yeah, right, “ he deadpanned.

But the laughter was there in his eyes. Just his strict upbringing kept him from laughing outright at his boyfriends antics.

Shika was pleased with himself. He wanted Neji to enjoy himself as much as possible. Even if they were on a dangerous mission. Neji had little to laugh about in his life and Shika wanted to change that, starting right now.

Back at their hotel, the first thing Neji did, was flinging away the high-heeled sandals. With a downright erotic groan he flopped down on his bed and stretched his slender body. Shika was mesmerized. The pictures from yesterday came flooding back and he was instantly hard. Luckily for him he always wore rather loose pants.

Clearing his throat and walking over to the window, the Nara heir tried to keep his senses
together. It was probabaly the most difficult thing he ever had to do.

Neji, who had been watching from his position on the bed, just smirked at his lovers
predicament. He wasn’t naïve like some people he knew – especially one blond haired dobe. Reclining back against the headboard he decided that he didn’t want Shika standing at the window but lying next to him. He wanted to feel the warmth of the younger man. He wanted to inhale that comforting scent that always seemed to surround the other. Something earthy and musky. It had a kind of grounding affect on him. It calmed his soul like nothing else could. His body though was a totally other affair.

„Oi, Shikamaru. Don’t stand there. Come over here and join me. You could rest a little bit.“

Shikamaru felt the shiver running down his spine at the low tone Neji used. Staying at his
place by the window frame, he looked over to the longhaired siren.

„Honestly, Neji? If I come to you right now we won’t be getting much rest. Quite the
opposite, actually.“

Neji body reacted immediately to the heat in Shikamarus eyes and the throaty quality to his voice. His blood turned to molten lava that flowed through his veins. His pulse quickened and he caught his breath. Letting his eyes travel across Shikas body, he slowly got up from the bed and went to stand right behind the ponytailed man. Sliding his arms around the slender torso, his hands came to rest over the flat stomach. From there, one hand slid slowly downward, to the edge of Shikamarus shirt. Gliding under it, Neji felt a fine tremor race through the man in front of him as soon as he touched the silken skin.

„Still want to stand here and watch the clouds flying past? Or do you want to come to bed with me?“

The hunger was obvious in his voice and Shika had to take a deep, deep breath to keep his cool. Turning in the loose embrace, he looked his Hyuuga in the pale eyes that showed him exactely how much the older man wanted him. Groaning he leaned his forehead against the pale one in front of him.

„You will be the death of me, you know that? How can I even try to resist you?“

A tiny smirk hovered at his lips though and when Neji eyes slid close nothing could have kept him from kissing his lover.

And he kissed him with a hunger only a starving man would know. Mapping every surface with his tongue and memorizing the unique taste of vanilla and something hidden. A more subtle flavor. He tried to catch it, sucking at Nejis tongue and biting the lower lip in frustration when he couldn’t seem to pinpoint this special something. Then suddenly it clicked when Neji let out one of this soft noises. A quiet, keening noise in his throat. Like an animal begging to be petted and played with. And Shika could taste it. This sound, it flowed over his tongue like the finest wine, making his head spin and his blood run south.

Neji was drowning. And he didn’t mind it one bit because he was drowning in Shikamaru. The heat of his body, the smell and taste of him where slowly sucking him down into a world where only the two of them existed. And Neji did something that he had never done before - he let himself go. He leaned against Shikamaru and trusted him to keep him falling. Tuning everything around them out, trusting his lover to keep an eye open for any danger. He just wanted to feel, to let his senses become overwhelmed with sensations.

Shikamaru noticed the change in Neji and he knew that right now he could make love to the beautiful man in his arms without either of them regretting it come morning. But he had promised himself that he would wait until after this horrible mission. He wanted it to be special and not with some crazy murderer lurking somewhere in the shadows.

Slowly he gentled the kiss until it was nothing more than a mere brushing of swollen lips. Then he leaned back and pulled Nejis head against his shoulder, needing to hold him just a little while longer. Looking out of the window he silently cursed this mission for being so complicated. When he was about to turn his head back to his slightly trembling lover, he caught a sight of someone standing in the shadow right across their hotel room. He squinted, trying to see through the darkness that surrounded the figure. But the person standing there seemed to feel his gaze and vanished in the blink of an eye. An uneasy feeling overcame the young genius and he tightened his hold around Neji. Something was going to happen - and soon.

Neji looked up when he felt the arms around him tighten. He saw the pensieve look his lover had on his handsome face and instantly his hormones, which had been in quite the uproar a few minutes ago, died down.

„What is it,“ he asked quietly, concern evident in his voice.

Shikamarus eyes met the pale ones and the wave of love that passed through him was strong enough to steal his breath. After inhaling deeply he smiled slightly and answered.

„Nothing. I just saw someone watching our window. Could be purely accidental, could be more but I have a feeling we should be really careful from now on. No wandering around for each of us without the other knowing where one is at every moment.“

Neji snorted.

„I’m no child and I’m not Naruto. I know what to do. But didn’t you plan on making me the decoy? How do you plan on doing that when you don’t want us to be seperated?“

Shikamaru smirked. A slow, confident smirk, that had Nejis stomach doing strange flip flops.

„Let me guess, you already have an idea. You probably even planned it in advance.“ An
exasperated sigh escaped Neji when the smirk on Shikamarus lips only got wider.

„Yep, I prepared something. Shino helped me.“

When Neji just threw him a look that said ‘and?’, Shika went over to his bed, opening the small bedside drawer and fished around in it for a moment. With a triumphant ‘ha’ he closed the drawer again and came back to stand next to Neji. In his hand he held a small container.

„This is the answer to your question.“

Neji didn’t understand the slightest bit. He just wandered if his genius lover had finally lost it.

„Er..okay, if you say so.“

Some of his thoughts must have shown on his face for Shika rolled his eyes and explained.

„In this container is the female part of a pair of bugs that Shino lend me. I have another one with its male counterpart. The females of this species constantly emit a kind of pheromon which is used to lure the male to her. Now, if I put the female bug somewhere on you, the male bug will follow the scent the female leaves behind. Ergo, I will be able to find you.“

Neji eyed the small comtainer. He wasn’t so sure if he liked the idea of having a bug crawling over him. But Shika semed to know what he was doing and therefore Neji opted on trusting his partner.

„Okay. If you really belive that this will work I won’t object. When will you put it on me?“

Shikamaru thought for a moment.

„I think tomorrow morning will be good. Tonight we will be together and from tomorrow on you can leave alone on small errands. This way it won’t look suspicious but the target will still have the opening he needs.“

Neji nodded.

„Alright. Now, what about that hour of rest? As I recall, we didn’t get much of that and I have to admit the weather here is kind of exhausting. Not to mention the sandals and high-heels I have to wear.“

Shika snorted.

„Yeah, better you than me. I would never be able to walk in those things and I truly admire you for that. But you know what?“ Neji looked at him questioningly.

„Now I know why the girls are always bitching around so much. It has to be really strenous to not fall flat on the ass when walking in those toture devices and at the same time trying to look good.“

Neji blinked and then started to laugh. Amazed, Shika watched him. Neji laughing was a rare sight as it was but this carefree way of doing it was a sight to behold. It totally transformed him, making him look so much younger and heartbreakingliy beautiful that Shikamaru fell in love all over again.

After composing himself again, or at least enough to speak clearly, Neji smiled at his beloved Nara and, taking his hand, pulled him over to his own bed. Sitting down on the edge he reached up and started undoing the buttons on the pants the younger man wore.

Spluttering, Shikamaru caught Nejis hands in his own. Puzzeld he looked down at the long haired shinobi.

„Oi, oi, what do you think you’re doing? I thought you wanted to rest.“

Smirking up at his suddenly shy partner, Neji shook his head, making his beautiful long
tresses sway with the motion.

„Baka, I do want to rest. But don’t you think it will be much more comfortable without the clothes? And no, I’m not going to molest you, promise.“

Shikamaru rolled his eyes at himself for being so stupid. Or better, for being so presumptuous to think that Neji wanted anything else from him at the moment. Well, a few minutes ago he did want more but that’s not the point.

„Ah, gomen. But I still think it’s safer for me to take off my clothes on my own, thank you very much.“

Neji snorted but kept his hands to himself. Literally. He stood up from the bed and, while
turning his back to Shikamaru, started to undress himself. The top took only seconds and was flung over the back of the chair that stood next to him. The cut-offs took a little more time. One final wiggle of his hips and the stubborn thing met the same fate as the top. Turning around again to face Shikamaru, now completely devoid of any clothing, Neji became aware of two things.

First - you don’t often see Shikamaru totally stunned. Second - stunned and sporting an
obvious erection was defintitely something no one had ever wittnessed. Not on the young Nara, anyway.

Sauntering over to his polaxed friend, Neji smirked a truly evil smirk, coming to stand within an inch of the other man.

„Are you coming,“ he husked right into one ear, feeling Shika shiver against him.

„You, Hyuuga Neji, are evil. Has anyone ever told you that?“ growled Shikamaru and, while shaking his head, he divested himself of his clothes and settled down onto the bed, pulling his infuriating lover next to him.

„Now be quiet and rest. I have a feeling that in the next days we won’t be getting much of that.“

The long haired man looked contemplatingly at the one lying next to him and decided that there was too much space between them. He rectified the situation with a slight wiggle and a short shuffeling and, being comfortably snuggled against Shikamaru, Neji closed his pale eyes and drift off into a light slumber.

Shikamaru, who had watched the progress, smiled and listened to Nejis deep even breathing, vowing again to keep his lover safe.

TBC


Okay, this was it again. I had planned on making this much longer but since I’m also writing A little bit of Peace and Quiet part 2 I made this a little bit shorter. I hope you are not too
disappointed! I will continue this, I promise but, as you by now surely noticed, I’m terrible at updating so please, if I ever take too damn long give me a hearty KICK IN THE ASS!!