My One Love

My One Love
Part 8

Pairings: Chouji/Shika, Lee/Gaara, slight mentioning of Naruto/Sakura and Neji/Hinata sorta...
Warnings: I guess slight incest, some language. And crying Neji...
Rating: PG-13 will go to NC-17 again at some point.
A/N: Sorry to everyone who’s been waiting for this part, unfortunately I’ve been having some problems with my eye’s recently and I’ve just really gotten back to writing so I do appreciate everyone’s comments and patience


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Neji walked through the hallways quietly. He was feeling slightly awkward in his own skin at the moment and didn’t feel like making anyone aware of his presence. It was almost like a kick to the face at how quickly Shikamaru left him for Chouji. While he told Shikamaru he was happy for him, it still hurt to be left so suddenly. Neji knew it was better this way, he knew with everything he was that Shikamaru had done what he could not to hurt the Hyuuga. That didn’t mean it wasn’t a shock to be left for someone Neji never even thought of as a threat.

He knew he would have to thank Hinata for caring about him so much. She really was worried about his feelings. Of course that didn’t mean he wanted to see her right at the moment. He had never felt this ~wrong~ before. It was a feeling that attacked his chest and made his eyes well with tears. He knew he was hurting, he wasn’t in denial about that. He had just never come so close to breaking down in public before. He was embarrassed and hurt. It just felt so different from how he normally felt. It ~hurt.~

Neji sighed as he sluggishly made his way to his room. It was a surprise to him that as he looked deeper inside himself, he really was happy for Shikamaru and Chouji. He had always thought it so sad to see Chouji so obviously in love and Shikamaru so blind. Of course that didn’t mean he would ignore his own feelings.

He sighed to himself as he entered his room. He sat on his bed and just remembered. He had loved Shikamaru for a long time. That is how he and Chouji became bitter acquaintances. They were not enemies of course, Chouji never had the heart to really hate anyone. That of course didn’t stop the slight dislike they had for one another. When they were younger Neji would laugh at Chouji constantly. The kid had been so emotionally weak, it was easy to put thoughts into his head of how useless he was. Neji was not the only one to see it either. The children of Konoha were always making fun of the slightly chubby Akimichi. One thing always bothered Neji though, and that was how close Shikamaru had gotten with the other boy. It seemed that Shikamaru had a soft spot for Chouji and would always try to help the other boy out. As they grew older, Neji didn’t bother playing with the other kids. He just spent his time practicing his ninja skills. He would sometimes see the two boys on that hill together eating chips or talking while he practiced. He was never very happy about that.

Seemingly they had both fought for the Nara’s attention for a long time. He could always remember seeing them together and wishing to split them apart just so Shikamaru would notice him more than the Akimichi.

At first, Neji didn’t even give a second thought about Chouji’s constant presence. It was just nice to finally have the one he wanted. When Shikamaru had told Neji it was troublesome to hold the feelings to himself any longer, Neji had jumped at the chance. He never thought for a minute Shikamaru would find out about Chouji and then actually ~fall~ for the bigger man. Hell if there was one thing Neji knew, it was that he himself was definitely attractive. Granted he didn’t think Chouji was the worst thing to grace the planet, but he couldn’t ~really~ understand why he was second to the auburn haired man.

Neji looked down at his hands and suddenly felt embarrassed. Not only was he not as special to Shikamaru as Chouji, but he had also really believed he and Shika had a future together. He had shared things with Shikamaru, had tried to open up and bare his soul and still he looked like the bad guy. It wasn’t fair, he was the best at everything! Yet somehow he managed to loose everything and look like a complete bastard. Neji shook his head as a lone tear trailed down fine cheek bones.

‘Perhaps Chouji really is stronger than me....’

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Chouji woke up slowly to the sun beating in his eyes and a whimpering next to him.

“Nnn, clo’ th’ blin’s!” Chouji looked over to the man lying in his arms. Black hair spread like wings across the pillow case, pale skin just visible over the sheets, even his face scrunched up into a cute little scowl. Chouji couldn’t help the smile that climbed onto hiss face.

“What was that my love?” Shikamaru rolled over so that he was now facing his lover.

“Close the blinds Chouji, it’s too bright...” Shikamaru’s eyes slipped shut, causing the smile on Chouji’s lips to grow. He leaned over and gently nuzzled the other mans neck. Shikamaru, not being the most charming of morning people; tried to smack Chouji away. “No, go’way and close the blinds.” Chouji chuckled, he always knew Shika to be a whiny morning person. Chouji moved closer and pressed his body against Shikamaru’s feeling the warmth and comfort of another body. He felt the heat of the one person he’d always dreamed about and it pulled at his heart strings. He felt Shika sigh and couldn’t help the lump in his throat that was suddenly threatening to choke him. How many times had he wished for this, dreamed of it. Now that it was true, he felt a shot of happiness race through his body. It was better than he imagined, he always wondered just how it would feel o hold this man, and now that he could, it was simply euphoric. Shikamaru shifted slightly so he was pressed entirely against Chouji,

“Do you really want me to go away just so the sun won’t be in your eyes.” There was a long pause, Chouji didn’t know whether he should be offended or just think Shika had gone back to sleep. Of course he wasn’t expecting the other ninja to quickly turn and tackle him to the bed. He felt Shikamaru’s lips at his neck and a hand through his hair. Chouji smiled and pulled those slender, naked hips closer.

“No, stay just like this.” Suddenly it was as if all of the black haired ninjas bones left his body. He flopped onto Chouji’s chest and sighed. Chouji wrapped his arms around his love and held him tightly. “You’ve made me so happy Cho, even before last night.” Chouji felt his heart tighten in a way he wasn’t used to. This was a much different feeling then what he used to feel. It wasn’t that painful pressure that threatened to suffocate him. It still hurt slightly but for once it felt as if his heart was expanding with absolute adoration. It felt ~good.~ Chouji smiled and realized Shika had fallen back to sleep.

“Thank you for everything Shika, Thank you...”

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“Chouji!” Chouji smiled as Lee ran up to him.

“Where’s the Kazekage?” Lee frowned as his shoulders dropped.

“He’s meeting with the Hokage and I was told I couldn’t go.” Lee shook his head then beamed up at Chouji. “Anyway enough about that, where is Shikamaru? Did you have a good time last night?” Chouji felt the flush along his cheeks. He looked at the ground and tried to rid his brain of the images of the night before. He heard Lee snicker and glared slightly, amusement clear in his eyes.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you are ~trying~ to make me blush.” Lee smirked and shrugged slightly.

“Well it does look rather dashing on you.” Chouji rolled his eyes, but even as he did he could feel his cheeks burning even more. “I am truly happy for you Chouji. You really deserve to be happy.” Chouji smiled slightly and flung an arm over Lee’s shoulders.

“Thank you for everything.” In all his years, Chouji would have never guessed he’d find a brother in Lee.

“Hey you didn’t answer my question! Where’s Shikamaru?” Chouji shook his head.

“He went off to his house to pick up a few things, he should be back any min...”

“Chouji-kun! Lee-kun!” Both Chouji and Lee jumped about a mile apart as Hinata ran to them. They both tried to calm their hearts, who ever knew Hinata to ~yell.~ “Please I need you both to come with me!” Lee walked over to the hysterical girl trying to calm her.

“Hinata, what is wrong? You must calm down.” Hinata looked up at Lee with wide eyes.

“I-It’s Neji! H-He...” She was crying now as she tried to speak. Lee bit his lip and looked to Chouji. Chouji felt his heart hammer in his chest. ‘What did he do...’

“Where is he?” Hinata looked at Chouji tears streaming down her face.

“H-He’s home b-but....” Before she could finish both Lee and Chouji were running for the Hyuuga mansion. Chouji hoped with everything he was, that this would not come down to a fight.

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Shikamaru really hoped Hinata would get back soon. It wasn’t easy caring for Neji when he was like this. Of course Hinata had taken things way out of proportion. So the man had had too many bottles of Sake, it wasn’t really that bad. Though seeing Neji with no reserves was rather interesting. Shikamaru didn’t know whether to find it pathetic or funny. ‘So troublesome....’ Neji held onto the tree he was standing by and started to swing around it.

All Shikamaru had been trying to do was go home and pick up a few things to bring to Chouji’s place. That was until Hinata had ran to him and asked him to help with Neji. Apparently he had decided to drink himself into a stupor after not being able to deal with the heartache. Shikamaru really couldn’t blame him.

“Shika?” Shikamaru turned and frowned as Lee and Chouji made their way closer to him.
“Are you alright? Where’s Neji?” Shikamaru jabbed his thumb in the direction of the Hyuuga. He was now humming off tune while trying to stand on one foot.

“Hinata has never seen him like this so it scared her.” Chouji nodded as did Lee.

“Yes, but I don’t think anyone has ever seen him like this.”

“I’ll get him, you two just wait here.” Chouji frowned as Shikamaru made his way over to Neji. He couldn’t hear what Shika was saying to the other ninja but he looked concerned. Chouji tried to fight the dread that worked it’s way into his stomach. Shikamaru was just being nice, there was nothing to worry about. ‘Well he did say he still loved him...’ Chouji tried to shake the feelings crawling under his skin. He knew Shikamaru wouldn’t hurt him like that especially, but for some reason he found it hard to relax. Perhaps it was the feeling that nothing ever worked out for him. Every time he wanted something or made it know, he’d always get hurt, and it was getting harder to deal with. ‘Maybe it is a dream...’

“Chouji?” Chouji looked at Lee and tried to smile. Lee sighed and looked at the other ninja’s a few feet away. Lee knew Neji better then a lot of people, he must have been feeling pretty low himself to do something as foolish as this. “Shikamaru, perhaps I better take him inside to sleep it off, why don’t you two enjoy the rest of the day together.” Chouji looked at Lee and smiled slightly. Lee went after Neji and Shikamaru. Shika nodded and handed Neji over to Lee.

“Thanks Lee.” Lee smiled at the genuine great-fullness he heard in Shikamaru’s voice.
Lee picked up the Hyuuga and dragged him inside. He just really hoped Gaara didn’t see him....

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“You’re being too quiet, I know you are upset.” Chouji looked next to him at Shikamaru was lying on his back looking at the clouds.

“I’m not upset. I’m more...well I don’t know really, but I’m not upset. I saw the way you looked at Lee when he took Neji for you. You seemed happy.” Shikamaru grunted and rolled on his side to face Chouji.

“I was happy, I wanted to spend time with you today, hence me going to my place to get my toothbrush.” Chouji laughed and shook his head as he lay on his back.

“You could’ve just used mine you know.” Shikamaru shifted over so he was leaning over Chouji. He gave him a quick kiss and smiled slightly.

“I know but I want you to have at least something of mine with you. And lets face it, to have a toothbrush at someone else’s place is a pretty strong tie, don’t you think?” If Chouji hadn’t been absolutely head over heels in love with the man leaning over him, he knew at that moment he would’ve been lost.

“I love you.” Shikamaru blushed slightly at the unexpected reply. That didn’t stop a small smile and the loving kiss that followed.

“Well that’s a good thing.” They kissed a little more passionately as the clouds floated above them. Shikamaru sighed happily and rested his chin on Chouji’s chest. “A very good thing.”

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TBC
A/N: Yes this will continue. Actually it was weird, while I was writing this I was just in such a good mood that I couldn’t really make it angsty, which hey that works for me. Anyway hope you all enjoyed it. As always comments are welcome. Oh and thanks again to everyone who’s been leaving such beautiful comments about my story. I’m so glad you like it!