The Way Things Are
folder
Naruto › Yaoi - Male/Male › Shikamaru/Neji
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
32
Views:
3,438
Reviews:
777
Recommended:
2
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Naruto › Yaoi - Male/Male › Shikamaru/Neji
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
32
Views:
3,438
Reviews:
777
Recommended:
2
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 5
So this chapter...um...well, I'm satisfied with it, but not extremely happy. I was trying to get the end to go a certain way and it felt a little forced...So I apologize if the end is terrible. >_<
REVIEW REPLIES
Dying Dreams: Thank you. :) I hope you'll continue to think so.
Lavinia: lol Oh the more reviews, the better. XD Thank you so much. I kind of did backtrack with this chapter (hopefully), but it wasn't much. Anxiously waiting, huh? Oh I'm glad that I've inspired you to go back to your own story. ^_^ Yay! I'll have to check it out.
luxeflex: Obsession is good. lol Nothing wrong with that. ^_^ I'm very glad you like it!
solitare1: Oh, that makes me happy. ^_^ I personally think that Neji is one of the harder characters to write, so that makes me VERY happy! Thank you!
Syake: Of course! I must have my Lee/Gaara fix. XD Ack, starving is not good! Go get food! lol
AngelicChaos: She didn't. She is rather blunt at times. It kind of was a filler, as is this one (sorry!) but I hope you'll like it nonetheless.
jess249: I actually have a lot of people telling me that they laughed at that part. XD I personally think Lee is cute all the time, despite his somewhat annoying sensei. lol
Anaheyla: Glad to hear so. :)
Travellyr: Yes, Ino was trying to, but it's kind of hard when you're the only female mind in a group. XD lol I loved writing that line actually. Had me in the giggles. hee hee I'm so glad you think so. ^_^
Zenith-Kaitou: I hope you'll enjoy the update!
D.A. Maxwell: Thank you! I'm really glad you do like it!
lo: Thank you so much! I hope you continue to enjoy it. :)
pen_name: It's nice finding more than one new chapter to a story, isn't it? ^_^ I'm glad that the girls don't seem bitchy. That's a relief! I hope this chapter won't disappoint.
PotionsPet: I'd be more than glad to send you an e-mail! Thank you so much for the review!!
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Chapter 5
Sitting on the furthest hill he could find, Neji stared out over the fields littered with flowers and trees. He glowered at the scenery before a heavy sigh left his lips. Why did everyone seem to think that he had a stick up his ass all the time? Did he really act that rudely towards other people? He sighed again and stared almost sadly out over the fields. Did he really come across that way? The thought seemed to sink him further into his little depression. And the day had started out so well…
“You going to sit there all day feeling sorry for yourself?”
Neji frowned, but didn’t turn to face the man coming his way. “I don’t need any more criticism right now, Shikamaru. I’d appreciate it if you’d just leave me alone.”
Shikamaru sighed and sat down, despite what Neji wanted. He looked over at the Hyuuga before he rubbed the back of his head and laid back, staring at the clouds passing overhead. How was he going to mend this one? Telling Neji not to worry about his mom was one thing, but what Ino had said was the opinion of a lot of people in the village. And he knew that Neji knew that. So there wasn’t any point in telling him to shrug of the girl’s words.
“Having a stick up your ass isn’t always a bad thing, you know,” he said lazily, his eyes never leaving the skies.
Neji’s frown grew. “Trying to be nice isn’t going to make me feel better.”
Shikamaru sighed. “So you were brought up differently, by other people who seem to have the same problem. What’s the big deal?”
“The big deal,” Neji growled, “is that I come across a cold-hearted bastard.”
“Aren’t you?” Shikamaru asked, trying to lighten the mood.
It obviously didn’t work as the Hyuuga stood up. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” His voice was so soft that Shikamaru wasn’t sure it was Neji that had spoken. He sat up as the Hyuuga started to slowly walk away and grabbed onto the other’s hand, stopping him.
“Neji, I was just trying to make you feel better,” Shikamaru stated.
“Calling me a cold-hearted bastard is supposed to make me feel better?”
“I was being sarcastic,” Shikamaru sighed. “Look, I didn’t mean it, OK?” When Neji didn’t move he gently pulled on the other’s arm. “Come on, sit back down.”
Neji frowned but did as the other said after a few more moments of standing. He continued to stare out over the fields, not even faking a look in the Nara’s direction. Shikamaru frowned at this, but turned to look in the same direction that the Hyuuga was. They sat in silence for a moment before Shikamaru cast a sidelong glance at the white-eyed nin. Neji didn’t miss it, but chose to ignore it. Yesterday had gone so well too. Where did things go wrong?
“You know,” Shikamaru said slowly, “it wouldn’t hurt for you to ignore what people say.”
Neji frowned. “Trying to make me feel better again?”
Shikamaru smirked and shook his head. “No, but it if works, I’ll keep going.”
Neji snorted. “I’m not as easy going as you are, Nara.”
“True, but that doesn’t mean you have to let what people say affect you,” Shikamaru shrugged. “Look at me. I don’t care at all.”
“I’ve noticed,” Neji mumbled.
Shikamaru’s smirk grew. “Come on. Stop being so tense. Just relax like you did yesterday.”
“Yesterday it was only you and I,” Neji argued.
“I don’t see anyone else around, do you?” Shikamaru asked, raising an eyebrow.
Neji opened his mouth to reply only to stop, close it, and let out a heavy sigh. He shook his head and looked down at the ground. He hated the Nara for this and yet…was greatly appreciative at that same time. He wanted to be angry. He had just been told he had a stick up his ass after all. But something…something about Shikamaru made him feel better. He hated that. He wasn’t supposed to feel like that at all. For anyone! He always thought that he was going to be by himself for the rest of his life.
Suddenly that thought bugged him. There was nothing wrong with being alone, especially as a shinobi. If anything, that’s probably what most should want until after they retired, like his uncle. Being married at this young age was…terrifying. Especially as he still had room to grow with his skills. He was making himself a legend in the Hyuuga books so to speak. Being alone was ideal for that. But being alone now looked…agonizing.
He hated that feeling, the feeling of being unsure about anything. What was it about the Nara that would make Neji so confused? He wanted to be alone, he knew he did, but his mind screamed with him that he didn’t. Being with Shikamaru, even if it was in dead silence was nice. It helped calm him when he was upset, like now. He wanted to be angry, damn it! But with Shikamaru around, it wasn’t possible. He let out a heavy sigh, not realizing it had caught the other’s attention until he was poked in the head.
“Stop thinking,” Shikamaru ordered, though his tone was soft. “You’ll only hurt that brain of yours.”
Neji snorted. “I should be saying that to you.”
Shikamaru shook his head. “My thinking isn’t on the emotional level that yours it.”
“What, you can read minds now?” Neji asked, glaring at the other.
“No,” Shikamaru sighed. “I just know that I don’t worry about things as much as you do.”
Neji bristled. “I’m sorry for having emotions.”
Shikamaru paused. “Are you saying I’m heartless?”
“I never said any such thing,” Neji retorted.
“You meant it though,” Shikamaru said casually.
Neji gave a heavy sigh in frustration. “Forget it.” Talking with the Nara was suddenly getting him angry again.
When Shikamaru started to chuckled, Neji’s head snapped to look at him, irritated. He huffed angrily and laid down on the grass, turning to his side so his back was facing the Nara. “Does nothing bother you?”
Shikamaru looked at the rather childish action of the other and smiled. “Oh, there are a few things.”
“None of which you’re going to share with me lest I gain some sort of advantage into teasing and or annoying you, correct?” Neji asked,
“So you are a genius,” Shikamaru teased. It was working. He was slowly bringing the Hyuuga out of his funk.
“Ha ha,” Neji mumbled, trying to stay angry. It wasn’t working very well.
“So tell me,” Shikamaru started, “why is it so easy to tease you?”
Neji growled. “How would I know?”
Shikamaru shrugged and lied down on the grass. “Because you’re you? I don’t know. I’d think a person would know something like that.”
Neji frowned and rolled till he was facing the other. “You know, I don’t like you.”
Shikamaru chuckled. “That could be problematic.”
“You’re telling me,” Neji mumbled.
“Does my teasing annoy you?” Shikamaru asked, turning to look at the other, his eyes immediately catching the attention of the other’s.
Neji stared at him for a moment before he looked away. “Only when we’re around other people.”
“Why?”
Neji shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess…I just don’t like being made fun of, even in jest.”
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. “You that touchy?”
Neji scowled. “I already told you I was a touchy child…”
“Right, right,” Shikamaru sighed, looking back up at the clouds. “We really need to do something to just help you relax.”
“Like what?” Neji asked, staring blankly at the Nara.
Shikamaru shrugged. “I hear sex is relaxing.”
Neji blanched and sat up. “W-what?”
Shikamaru rolled his eyes and sat up as well. “Sheesh, I was just joking! You really are uptight.”
Neji blushed. “Well excuse me b-but I’m not one to just…have sex!”
Shikamaru stared at him before a smirk made its way onto his face that greatly unnerved the Hyuuga. “You’re a virgin.”
Neji’s blush grew. “In the sense of when it comes to two men, yes!”
Shikamaru shook his head and the smirk grew. “You haven’t ever done it. Period.”
Neji was sure the blush then spread through his whole body. “I-I don’t need to stay here and listen to this!” He started to get up when Shikamaru grabbed his hand and pulled him back down, effectively placing him on top of the other. The Nara was quick to wrap his arms around the Hyuuga, successfully trapping him and keeping him still. Neji tried to squirm out of Shikamaru’s hold, but found that any effort would be useless. “Let me go, Nara!”
Shikamaru shook his head. “No.”
“I said let me go!” Neji yelled, glaring at the other.
Shikamaru chuckled. “Are you that scared that I’ll do something to you?”
“You are treading on dangerous ground,” Neji snarled, his eyes narrowing at that other.
“Neji,” Shikamaru said softly.
“What!?” Neji hissed, starting to struggle again.
“Relax.”
“Relax?! You want me to relax when you have me sitting on top of-“
“I want to see if you’re willing to try,” Shikamaru stated, looking the Hyuuga straight in the eye. “Just relax.”
“But-“
Shikamaru shook his head. “No buts. The position doesn’t matter. Just let go. No one else is around and no one’s going to see. So just. Relax.”
Neji glared defiantly at the other before an angry huff escaped him. He looked away from the Nara, his eyes staring at the ground. “I can’t.”
“Why not?” Shikamaru asked, giving Neji a look of disbelief.
“Your knee is digging into my side,” Neji mumbled.
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Trying to trick me into loosening my grip?”
Neji flushed. “N-No.”
“You’re a terrible liar, Hyuuga.”
“Damn it Shikamaru, let me go!”
The Nara sighed. “Why won’t you at least try?”
Neji stopped moving and glared at the other. “You don’t find this awkward?! At all?”
“What?” Shikamaru asked. “Me with my arms around you or you on my lap?”
“Both!” Neji screeched, stopping his struggles. “What do you expect me to think?”
“Is this bothering you that much?” Shikamaru huffed. When Neji didn’t answer, he released his grip, the Hyuuga backing away from him almost immediately.
“I will speak with you tomorrow,” Neji said sharply, his voice low. “Good bye.” With that he left, hurt and fuming. Shikamaru sighed and lied back down, staring up at the clouds. He had pushed too hard. Pushed Neji a little too much. So he had miscalculated. It wasn’t often he did that, but there were times. Now he’d only have to fix his mistakes, but how to do that? It was easier to do on the battlefield than it was in real life. Sighing, he turned to sky, hoping the clouds could maybe give him an answer.
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Oh no! The Nara genius went overboard! O.O That's not good.
A review a day keeps...uh...I don't know. You guys finish it. XD lol
REVIEW REPLIES
Dying Dreams: Thank you. :) I hope you'll continue to think so.
Lavinia: lol Oh the more reviews, the better. XD Thank you so much. I kind of did backtrack with this chapter (hopefully), but it wasn't much. Anxiously waiting, huh? Oh I'm glad that I've inspired you to go back to your own story. ^_^ Yay! I'll have to check it out.
luxeflex: Obsession is good. lol Nothing wrong with that. ^_^ I'm very glad you like it!
solitare1: Oh, that makes me happy. ^_^ I personally think that Neji is one of the harder characters to write, so that makes me VERY happy! Thank you!
Syake: Of course! I must have my Lee/Gaara fix. XD Ack, starving is not good! Go get food! lol
AngelicChaos: She didn't. She is rather blunt at times. It kind of was a filler, as is this one (sorry!) but I hope you'll like it nonetheless.
jess249: I actually have a lot of people telling me that they laughed at that part. XD I personally think Lee is cute all the time, despite his somewhat annoying sensei. lol
Anaheyla: Glad to hear so. :)
Travellyr: Yes, Ino was trying to, but it's kind of hard when you're the only female mind in a group. XD lol I loved writing that line actually. Had me in the giggles. hee hee I'm so glad you think so. ^_^
Zenith-Kaitou: I hope you'll enjoy the update!
D.A. Maxwell: Thank you! I'm really glad you do like it!
lo: Thank you so much! I hope you continue to enjoy it. :)
pen_name: It's nice finding more than one new chapter to a story, isn't it? ^_^ I'm glad that the girls don't seem bitchy. That's a relief! I hope this chapter won't disappoint.
PotionsPet: I'd be more than glad to send you an e-mail! Thank you so much for the review!!
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Chapter 5
Sitting on the furthest hill he could find, Neji stared out over the fields littered with flowers and trees. He glowered at the scenery before a heavy sigh left his lips. Why did everyone seem to think that he had a stick up his ass all the time? Did he really act that rudely towards other people? He sighed again and stared almost sadly out over the fields. Did he really come across that way? The thought seemed to sink him further into his little depression. And the day had started out so well…
“You going to sit there all day feeling sorry for yourself?”
Neji frowned, but didn’t turn to face the man coming his way. “I don’t need any more criticism right now, Shikamaru. I’d appreciate it if you’d just leave me alone.”
Shikamaru sighed and sat down, despite what Neji wanted. He looked over at the Hyuuga before he rubbed the back of his head and laid back, staring at the clouds passing overhead. How was he going to mend this one? Telling Neji not to worry about his mom was one thing, but what Ino had said was the opinion of a lot of people in the village. And he knew that Neji knew that. So there wasn’t any point in telling him to shrug of the girl’s words.
“Having a stick up your ass isn’t always a bad thing, you know,” he said lazily, his eyes never leaving the skies.
Neji’s frown grew. “Trying to be nice isn’t going to make me feel better.”
Shikamaru sighed. “So you were brought up differently, by other people who seem to have the same problem. What’s the big deal?”
“The big deal,” Neji growled, “is that I come across a cold-hearted bastard.”
“Aren’t you?” Shikamaru asked, trying to lighten the mood.
It obviously didn’t work as the Hyuuga stood up. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” His voice was so soft that Shikamaru wasn’t sure it was Neji that had spoken. He sat up as the Hyuuga started to slowly walk away and grabbed onto the other’s hand, stopping him.
“Neji, I was just trying to make you feel better,” Shikamaru stated.
“Calling me a cold-hearted bastard is supposed to make me feel better?”
“I was being sarcastic,” Shikamaru sighed. “Look, I didn’t mean it, OK?” When Neji didn’t move he gently pulled on the other’s arm. “Come on, sit back down.”
Neji frowned but did as the other said after a few more moments of standing. He continued to stare out over the fields, not even faking a look in the Nara’s direction. Shikamaru frowned at this, but turned to look in the same direction that the Hyuuga was. They sat in silence for a moment before Shikamaru cast a sidelong glance at the white-eyed nin. Neji didn’t miss it, but chose to ignore it. Yesterday had gone so well too. Where did things go wrong?
“You know,” Shikamaru said slowly, “it wouldn’t hurt for you to ignore what people say.”
Neji frowned. “Trying to make me feel better again?”
Shikamaru smirked and shook his head. “No, but it if works, I’ll keep going.”
Neji snorted. “I’m not as easy going as you are, Nara.”
“True, but that doesn’t mean you have to let what people say affect you,” Shikamaru shrugged. “Look at me. I don’t care at all.”
“I’ve noticed,” Neji mumbled.
Shikamaru’s smirk grew. “Come on. Stop being so tense. Just relax like you did yesterday.”
“Yesterday it was only you and I,” Neji argued.
“I don’t see anyone else around, do you?” Shikamaru asked, raising an eyebrow.
Neji opened his mouth to reply only to stop, close it, and let out a heavy sigh. He shook his head and looked down at the ground. He hated the Nara for this and yet…was greatly appreciative at that same time. He wanted to be angry. He had just been told he had a stick up his ass after all. But something…something about Shikamaru made him feel better. He hated that. He wasn’t supposed to feel like that at all. For anyone! He always thought that he was going to be by himself for the rest of his life.
Suddenly that thought bugged him. There was nothing wrong with being alone, especially as a shinobi. If anything, that’s probably what most should want until after they retired, like his uncle. Being married at this young age was…terrifying. Especially as he still had room to grow with his skills. He was making himself a legend in the Hyuuga books so to speak. Being alone was ideal for that. But being alone now looked…agonizing.
He hated that feeling, the feeling of being unsure about anything. What was it about the Nara that would make Neji so confused? He wanted to be alone, he knew he did, but his mind screamed with him that he didn’t. Being with Shikamaru, even if it was in dead silence was nice. It helped calm him when he was upset, like now. He wanted to be angry, damn it! But with Shikamaru around, it wasn’t possible. He let out a heavy sigh, not realizing it had caught the other’s attention until he was poked in the head.
“Stop thinking,” Shikamaru ordered, though his tone was soft. “You’ll only hurt that brain of yours.”
Neji snorted. “I should be saying that to you.”
Shikamaru shook his head. “My thinking isn’t on the emotional level that yours it.”
“What, you can read minds now?” Neji asked, glaring at the other.
“No,” Shikamaru sighed. “I just know that I don’t worry about things as much as you do.”
Neji bristled. “I’m sorry for having emotions.”
Shikamaru paused. “Are you saying I’m heartless?”
“I never said any such thing,” Neji retorted.
“You meant it though,” Shikamaru said casually.
Neji gave a heavy sigh in frustration. “Forget it.” Talking with the Nara was suddenly getting him angry again.
When Shikamaru started to chuckled, Neji’s head snapped to look at him, irritated. He huffed angrily and laid down on the grass, turning to his side so his back was facing the Nara. “Does nothing bother you?”
Shikamaru looked at the rather childish action of the other and smiled. “Oh, there are a few things.”
“None of which you’re going to share with me lest I gain some sort of advantage into teasing and or annoying you, correct?” Neji asked,
“So you are a genius,” Shikamaru teased. It was working. He was slowly bringing the Hyuuga out of his funk.
“Ha ha,” Neji mumbled, trying to stay angry. It wasn’t working very well.
“So tell me,” Shikamaru started, “why is it so easy to tease you?”
Neji growled. “How would I know?”
Shikamaru shrugged and lied down on the grass. “Because you’re you? I don’t know. I’d think a person would know something like that.”
Neji frowned and rolled till he was facing the other. “You know, I don’t like you.”
Shikamaru chuckled. “That could be problematic.”
“You’re telling me,” Neji mumbled.
“Does my teasing annoy you?” Shikamaru asked, turning to look at the other, his eyes immediately catching the attention of the other’s.
Neji stared at him for a moment before he looked away. “Only when we’re around other people.”
“Why?”
Neji shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess…I just don’t like being made fun of, even in jest.”
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. “You that touchy?”
Neji scowled. “I already told you I was a touchy child…”
“Right, right,” Shikamaru sighed, looking back up at the clouds. “We really need to do something to just help you relax.”
“Like what?” Neji asked, staring blankly at the Nara.
Shikamaru shrugged. “I hear sex is relaxing.”
Neji blanched and sat up. “W-what?”
Shikamaru rolled his eyes and sat up as well. “Sheesh, I was just joking! You really are uptight.”
Neji blushed. “Well excuse me b-but I’m not one to just…have sex!”
Shikamaru stared at him before a smirk made its way onto his face that greatly unnerved the Hyuuga. “You’re a virgin.”
Neji’s blush grew. “In the sense of when it comes to two men, yes!”
Shikamaru shook his head and the smirk grew. “You haven’t ever done it. Period.”
Neji was sure the blush then spread through his whole body. “I-I don’t need to stay here and listen to this!” He started to get up when Shikamaru grabbed his hand and pulled him back down, effectively placing him on top of the other. The Nara was quick to wrap his arms around the Hyuuga, successfully trapping him and keeping him still. Neji tried to squirm out of Shikamaru’s hold, but found that any effort would be useless. “Let me go, Nara!”
Shikamaru shook his head. “No.”
“I said let me go!” Neji yelled, glaring at the other.
Shikamaru chuckled. “Are you that scared that I’ll do something to you?”
“You are treading on dangerous ground,” Neji snarled, his eyes narrowing at that other.
“Neji,” Shikamaru said softly.
“What!?” Neji hissed, starting to struggle again.
“Relax.”
“Relax?! You want me to relax when you have me sitting on top of-“
“I want to see if you’re willing to try,” Shikamaru stated, looking the Hyuuga straight in the eye. “Just relax.”
“But-“
Shikamaru shook his head. “No buts. The position doesn’t matter. Just let go. No one else is around and no one’s going to see. So just. Relax.”
Neji glared defiantly at the other before an angry huff escaped him. He looked away from the Nara, his eyes staring at the ground. “I can’t.”
“Why not?” Shikamaru asked, giving Neji a look of disbelief.
“Your knee is digging into my side,” Neji mumbled.
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Trying to trick me into loosening my grip?”
Neji flushed. “N-No.”
“You’re a terrible liar, Hyuuga.”
“Damn it Shikamaru, let me go!”
The Nara sighed. “Why won’t you at least try?”
Neji stopped moving and glared at the other. “You don’t find this awkward?! At all?”
“What?” Shikamaru asked. “Me with my arms around you or you on my lap?”
“Both!” Neji screeched, stopping his struggles. “What do you expect me to think?”
“Is this bothering you that much?” Shikamaru huffed. When Neji didn’t answer, he released his grip, the Hyuuga backing away from him almost immediately.
“I will speak with you tomorrow,” Neji said sharply, his voice low. “Good bye.” With that he left, hurt and fuming. Shikamaru sighed and lied back down, staring up at the clouds. He had pushed too hard. Pushed Neji a little too much. So he had miscalculated. It wasn’t often he did that, but there were times. Now he’d only have to fix his mistakes, but how to do that? It was easier to do on the battlefield than it was in real life. Sighing, he turned to sky, hoping the clouds could maybe give him an answer.
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Oh no! The Nara genius went overboard! O.O That's not good.
A review a day keeps...uh...I don't know. You guys finish it. XD lol