Sign Me Yours

Ino walked out of her family's shop, finally done with her duties that day, and she was dying to know how Shikamaru's 'blind date' had went. In fact, she was very eager, so three minutes later, she found herself at his home.

Shikamaru had been lying out on the roof, trying to avoid everyone as best he could. He sat up and crawled over, peeking down as he heard someone approach. His eyes narrowed at Ino before he signed Rat, letting his shadow extend down the house, trapping her.

About to knock again, Ino's eyes widened as she couldn't move. Oh yes, she knew this jutsu very well.

"Shika! Let me go, damnit, I know you're here somewhere!" she yelled.

Shikamaru smirked then let his hands fall to the side, standing up and just jumping down onto the street; movements that obviously Ino couldn't mimic.

"Well, well, well, looks like I've caught a conniving, little pig," he said, mocking.

Ino just glared at him, though she didn't seem as confident anymore, not being trapped like that.

"I got you a date, well sort of, with him, what would you have done had you been left to yourself? Brood and never show yourself to him ever again?" she challenged, mentally crossing her fingers that her plans had brought some fruit.

"That's not the point, Ino," he said, eyes narrowing. "He obviously didn't know what was going on either. You told someone else. Without my permission. You had to; he wouldn't have come on his own."

He paused, fighting off the urge to grip his hair, or hers, or something, calming his anger down only to feel the nervousness again. "Do you know how awkward and embarrassing it was? Stuck there with him and trying to make small talk? Admitting it to him?"

He stopped in his rant for now, wanting to hear what she had to say, not knowing-- or maybe caring-- that he'd been almost yelling that on a semi-public street.

"H-hey now..." Ino seemed to be getting a little nervous, which was completely her right, being at the mercy of a very pissed Shikamaru at the moment.

"I didn't tell them that much..." she at least had the grace to blush. "Besides, they aren't going to tell anyone else, they're just as concerned about Neji as I am for you." she tried smiling at him to soften him up a little.

"Come on, Shika... I didn't say anything that put you in a bad light."

"That doesn't matter. You still told someone, Ino," Shikamaru responded, shaking his head, unintentionally making Ino do the same.

"And they told me in turn about Neji," Ino stood her ground, annoyed as her head was shaking.

"You..." he stopped and sighed. "I don't even know how it's going to be anymore. At least before I could've waited until it blew over and then just... acted normal again."

"But would you have wanted to just act normal?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Come on... you fancy someone! It's the first time I've heard you take an actual interest in someone and as one of your best friends it's my duty to help you out."

"And what if he'd had Juukened me to the grave when he saw me? He threatened me with it, and there's nothing stopping him if he still wanted to," he shot back, leaving out that Neji was at least trying to understand, wanting to make her feel as bad as possible short of having her cry.

He avoided her question; of course he wouldn't have wanted to act like that normal again, but he would have.

"Honestly, Shikamaru!" Ino gave him an almost hurt look. "You think I'd let you go if I thought he'd do that? Uh… those I told, they... well, they know Neji better than anyone else, they wouldn't have let you go if they thought you'd be in any kind of danger!"

"Who, his teammates? His family? You know he keeps himself closed off from everyone as much as he can. No one but himself knows what he's really thinking or going to do."

He had plenty more chakra-- probably enough to hold Ino for another hour if she didn't struggle against it-- but he didn't feel like wasting it, hoping this discussion would end soon enough.

"Lee and Tenten know him better than you!" Ino glared at him. "I think they can read him better than anyone. Besides, Lee had a talk with him and we could kind of conclude he wasn't pissed about what you did from it." Ino was getting more confident now. Shikamaru hadn't done anything to hurt her yet, which meant he probably wasn't going to at all.

Shikamaru's eyes widened slightly before narrowing again. "It-- Kind of isn't good enough when it comes to these things, Ino!" he yelled, surprised that she had really done this with so many unknown variables. They had learned better than that and the basics didn't change from a ninja mission to everyday life.

"He was really confused about it and testy and, yes, pissed off."

"Because you left before he could say anything..." Ino said innocently, knowing she had gotten the upper hand.

"Besides, had he been really pissed, he could have just left you there. No one forced him to stay, I'm sure he's bright enough to understand that.”

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "And I'm sure you'd have stayed around to wait for a reaction if you kissed, oh, I don't know, Sakura?" he snapped.

Ino tensed. Then came the imagery.

"Ew, Shika!" She glared, not happy about the suggestion of who she could have been with. Then again, boys were such perverts. She huffed, and had she been able to, she would have put her hands on her hips.

"That's not my point!" She pouted. "My point is that I knew what he was mad at you for, and it was not the kiss! You don't hurt someone badly for walking out on you, you just don't! Hyuuga Neji or not!"

"But you didn't know," he pointed out. "You just assumed that was the reason." He sighed then grinned slightly, chuckling. He walked closer to Ino, making her do the same, and then leaned in a little.

"Just next time, make sure your assumptions are fact, I-no-chan," he said, name rolling off his tongue, knowing she hated the suffix ever since Sakura decided not to be her friend anymore.

He leaned back again and stepped around her, walking to his front door as she walked farther away. "Oh, and Ino?" he added, glancing over his shoulder. "Thanks for paying for our lunch. We'll have to do that again sometime."

He opened the door and walked in, closing and locking it before releasing the jutsu, letting her mind draw her own conclusions from his wording.

The streets were silent for a moment, before a loud SHIKAMARU! was heard, creating an echo in between the houses. Oh, that was it! Ino stalked away angrily. Like hell she would ever help Shikamaru again. He could beg as much as he wanted to, she'd just laugh and watch his demise! Yes, that's exactly what she would do. Ino Yamanaka was seething.

Said boy just laughed, leaning back against the door. He half-wondered if he had pushed it too far, but then just shook that off. She had deserved all of that and if she couldn't take it that was her problem.

--

The next day, Neji looked up to see the sun glare brightly at him, as if mocking the fact that he had gotten no sleep that night. It wasn't that he hadn't been tired, but he hadn't been able to sleep. Having tried to make sense of all that had happened in just two days, he was now very sleepy. Sure, he'd go train later today, he had to, but he was for once considering just watching clouds, just like a certain Nara he knew.

Shikamaru was lying on the grass in his spot, having been there for a few hours already. He had thought of not showing up today but just decided that would be an even stupider move than hiding from Neji in the first place had been.

Then he'd frequently thought that he should get up a leave before the Hyuuga showed up, but something kept him anchored to that spot.

Finally showing up, about half an hour later than usual, Neji dropped down beside the other unceremoniously, closing his eyes with a sigh, finally relaxing. At least here his uncle wouldn't catch him relaxing.

Shikamaru glanced over, both eyebrows raised in surprise. He held back a comment, though, not wanting to push the other away before they even started talking.

However, time stretched and the Hyuuga didn't speak. Closing his eyes, he let himself drift, and before he knew it, he was asleep. Granted, it was a light sleep and practically any noise might wake him up, but he was asleep.

Shikamaru smiled and slowly turned himself so as to not disturb the Hyuuga. He propped his head up on his hand and just watched him, utterly content and happy that Neji felt that comfortable near him.

He took his time, studying his face, not really having had much time during the so-called sleep over until Tenten had come barging in. He really was amazed how calm and soft and just... gorgeous the Hyuuga looked when really relaxed.

After what might have been about an hour, Neji stirred again, his mind still having trouble letting him rest. Groaning softly, he opened an eye, feeling slightly bewildered at first, not really knowing where he was.

Shikamaru rolled back onto his back, acting like he hadn't just been staring at Neji for who knows how long.

He gave a chuckle, letting it be loud enough to help wake him up. "Morning, Sunshine."

Huffing a little, hearing Shikamaru's voice, Neji turned to face him, glaring slightly as he remembered where he was and who he was with.

"Shut it, I didn't get any sleep tonight," he muttered, closing his eyes again, silently wanting some more sleep.

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, sitting up. He decided not to press on the why, hoping that it hadn't been a bad thing and about him.

"Then why'd you come out here? If you're tired, you should rest. You can't train if you're not in good health," he said, almost scolding.

"...my uncle would find out," Neji explained shortly, still keeping his eyes shut. It was nice to lay there like that, now if only he could get some more sleep... A small yawn forcing itself from his lips, Neji put his arms behind his head, using them like a pillow.

Shikamaru smirked, observing to himself how like himself the other was acting right now. But he knew Neji wasn't used to sleeping on the ground, at least always having a sleeping roll during missions, and he wouldn't be surprised if he was cranky and upset later on when he was sore.

He shook his head and stood up, leaning down and tugging gently at one of his arms. "Come on, you can take a nap at my place," he offered.

"Hm?" Neji cracked an eye open, looking up at his... friend? Boyfriend? That's right, he still hadn't answered him. However, he decided that could wait until he wasn't ready to fall asleep on the other.

"...is that really alright?" He asked.

Shikamaru gave a short laugh, shaking his head. "I slept over at your place; it's only right I return the favor. Besides," he added, "when have I ever offered something that was stupid or troublesome?"

"Fair enough," Neji smirked slightly up at him before getting up. Then he realized he didn't know where the Nara lived.

"Lead the way," he murmured, blushing slightly at the thought of sleeping in the younger boy's house. The phrase sounded so suggestive, even though they both knew it was purely sleep that was the goal. At least for today.

Shikamaru nodded and started walking, shoving his hands into his pants pockets. Eventually they reached his house, small comparatively to those around the village, especially when placed alone against the big forest surrounding it.

He really hoped his mother wasn't home, too late to back out if she was, opening the door.

Walking beside the Nara in comfortable silence, Neji felt a bit strange as about everyone out on the streets stopped to stare at them as they passed by. So, alright, Neji may not have many friends, Neji may not hang out with someone that often, and it might be a bit strange for people to see him and Shikamaru together, but this was getting ridiculous. He was tempted to ask if he had something between his teeth.

If Shikamaru had been asked, he would have claimed that Yoshino had literally swooped down upon him and started asking questions about where he had been and why had he skipped breakfast and just disappeared on her.

She suddenly stopped talking, spotting Neji, surprise taking over her features. "Oh, and who are you?"

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "'Kaa-san, this is Hyuuga Neji. Neji, this is my 'kaa-san," he reluctantly introduced them, wondering why she hadn't recognized him by his eyes.

"He wants a place to relax for a few hours and he can't anywhere else with his family breathing down his neck," he emphasized, giving her a look. "We'll be up in my room. Please don't interrupt unless you have to?"

Yoshino frowned slightly at her son's tone of voice but nodded. "Fine, but you're helping out with dinner tonight, then, Shikamaru." She turned and gave a smile to Neji. "Nice to finally meet you. I'm glad you liked my cooking."

"Nice to meet you too, Nara-san." Neji bowed respectfully, not looking anything like he needed sleep. When he had to, that is when he represented his clan, he had to force himself to behave like a proper Hyuuga would. Thanking her for the bento, he complimented her cooking yet again, before exchanging quite a few polite phrases before politely excusing himself and retreating after Shikamaru up to his room.

Yoshino, though knowing that the Hyuuga's were nice and proper, was still surprised at how nice the young man was. It made her want to smack her own son for how rude he always was.

Shikamaru heaved a sigh as they were finally away from her and in his room. "Sorry about her being here," he said, noticing how cluttered and messy his room was. "And... Uh, the mess," he ended lamely.

"No... it's to be expected," Neji shook his head, before trailing off, entering the Nara's room. And yes. It was messy. Neji was not aware a room could be that messy, or at least, he hadn't been until now.

"Ah..." he was going to say that it didn't bother him, or that it didn't matter to him, but the words somehow stuck in his throat.

Shikamaru sighed and gave a small smirk. "Go lay down, it's clean over there. And I guess I'll straighten up a little," he said, inwardly wincing. If Ino knew he was suggesting that, he'd never hear the end of it.

"If you're sure you don't mind.." Neji nodded, before looking at the mess. "I could help you clean it up first?" he suggested, finding the idea of going to sleep while others worked, especially if it seemed they did it for him, quite rude.

Shikamaru shook his head. "No, it's fine. You haven't slept," he said, reassuring him. He bent down, starting to pick up the clothes scattered around his room.

Nodding, Neji wasn't going to press matters further. He would have, had he not been so incredible sleepy. Pulling off his jacket and his pants, leaving him in a fishnet-shirt and boxers, he climbed into the bed, barely able to cover himself with a blanket before he was fast asleep.

Shikamaru blushed, trying to not watch him as he undressed. He held back a chuckle, glad that someone else thought his bed was comfortable.

It took him another good half an hour before his room was looking decent again; clothes stuffed into his hamper or in his drawers and any books and papers piled in three stacks on his desk, not bothering to straighten his small bookshelf.

After he deemed it clean enough he sat down on the floor and leaned against the twin-sized bed, resting his head back, ready to doze off himself.

--

About three hours later, Neji woke up again, his tummy grumbling this time, hungry for some food. Sitting up, he looked around sleepily, before spotting Shikamaru on the floor. He noticed the room looked much better now.

"Shikamaru?" he asked softly, wondering if he was asleep or not.

He was but he stirred slightly, never sleeping deeply at his house unless it was nighttime. There were plenty of things that his mother, father, and Ino and even Chouji had done to wake him up over the years. Cruel and unusual, he claimed every time.

He took a deep breath and opened an eye, glancing around until he spotted Neji, then opening the other.

"Ah..." Neji blushed a little. "Do you... have you any food in the house? I'm kind of... starving," he admitted once his stomach decided to growl loudly, making his blush deepen.

Shikamaru blinked and nodded slightly, pushing himself to his feet. He stretched with a yawn, his back popping. "Come on, we'll sneak down and raid the fridge," he said, not wanting to run into his mother and have to actually cook something.

"’Raid the fridge’?" Neji asked, almost incredulously, as he watched the Nara for signs that he was lying.

"You're serious?" He asked after a while, getting up to pull on his pants, not wanting to walk around in his boxers.

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Yeah, why not? If we don't, 'kaa-san'll keep us there for a few hours."

"I see," Neji smirked amused. Well, this was something he had never done before. Raiding the fridge... it sounded so childish, so immature... It was irresistible for the usual stiff Hyuuga.

"Let's go then."

Shikamaru chuckled, more than amused by the other's small rebellious streak. This was something he'd have to explore more. After all, what good was he but for corrupting others?

"Just be careful to not let her spot you," he warned, opening the door and walking silently down the hall and then stairs.

Nodding, Neji felt like a disobedient child as he snuck out of the room after Shikamaru, moving with the same stealth he did on missions, masking his chakra just in case. He didn't know if Yoshino could sense chakra, but he didn't take risks. Being caught raiding the fridge did not sound appealing, especially if Hiashi would find out later.

Shikamaru slowed down as they got to the first floor, poking his head around the corner, looking into the kitchen. He relaxed a little, seeing Yoshino was nowhere in sight. Hopefully she had just gone out to tend to the deer; that normally took an hour or two.

He motioned for Neji, letting him know it was okay as he walked into the kitchen, heading over to the fridge.

Following the other, Neji was amused that such an easy task could be so... satisfying. Opening the fridge, he looked into it, wondering what would be okay to grab.

"Take whatever you want," Shikamaru said, grabbing a peach for himself. "Just don't touch the left-over bean curd, that's my 'tou-san's."

Nodding, Neji grabbed some ham, some cheese, as well as a tomato and a half cucumber.

"I'm done," he looked at Shikamaru, saying it as if he had found all groceries he needed at a store, telling him they should be going to the exit, pay and go home. Or something like that.

Shikamaru nodded, looking over what he'd selected, flushing slightly as he spotted the phallic-like green vegetable. Which they would be taking up to his room. Where Neji had been half-naked.

The Nara inwardly shook himself, pushing those thoughts far, far away from his mind.

"Let's go back up, then," he muttered, turning and making his way back up the stairs again.

Following the other again, Neji was pleased that Yoshino hadn't caught them. If she had, and told his uncle, who would in turn tell Hinata and Hanabi... he would never live it down. Hinata wouldn't be a problem. Hanabi would. Sitting back down on the bed, he smiled, feeling like a mischievous child that had succeeded whatever mischief he was up to.

Shikamaru took a seat on his desk chair, sitting in it backwards and straddling it, arms resting on the back. He took a bite of his peach as he watched Neji, wondering if the other knew how cute his face looked just then-- all giddy and mischievous.

Not conscious of that smile on his face, Neji started eating the food he had taken, delighting in for once eating with his fingers, not having to fix a sandwich even, just taking a bite of this, a bite of that. It wasn't something he had done before at home, or on missions, and it was all new.

Shikamaru did his best to not laugh at the Hyuuga, but it was just so... different. He was really glad that Neji felt he could let go around him now.

He opened the window once he finished the peach and threw the pit out, aiming towards the forest part instead of the street. With any luck, they'd have a peach tree after a few years.

Having eaten everything but the cucumber, Neji took some of it into his mouth before biting off a piece, chewing on it happily, the smile now fading away, yet he still looked rather pleased. The question now, was what to do? He didn't think he could go back to sleep, besides it'd be rude to do so. Glancing over at the Nara, he frowned a little at the other's obvious amusement.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

His eyes widened slightly, remembered his train of thought from earlier. He shook his head, glancing away slightly. "Nothing," he muttered. "You, ah, look happy." He smirked lightly, looking back over as he added, "It's a nice change from your usual 'grumpy' or 'insulted' moods."

"Hn," Neji didn't quite know what to reply to that, having never had anyone complement him on him looking… happy. However, he couldn't find it in him to be displeased by it either.

"So... about what we talked about yesterday..." he looked away from the younger boy, a faint blush staining his cheeks again.

Shikamaru blinked, letting out a small sigh. "It's okay, Neji," he said, shrugging lightly, resting his chin on both his arms, staring down at the floor. "It's... no big deal." He just didn't want to actually hear Neji reject him; if it happened, fine, he'd move on, but he didn't want to hear it.

Tensing at Shikamaru's words, Neji bristled a bit before he took back control of himself.

"If that's how you see it..." he replied coldly, getting up from the bed and starting to put on his jacket, his movements a bit sharper than usual. It's no big deal... perhaps he had done a major mistake actually considering the Nara's words seriously.

Shikamaru furrowed his eyebrows, confused. He sat up straight, starting to stand up. "Neji? I... I just mean, if you wanted to-- to stay friends, it's okay. And you don't have to answer yet if... you're still unsure."

Whirling to face him, glaring, Neji walked up to Shikamaru, getting into his personal space as he stared into his eyes.

"Do you want us to stay friends?" he asked, voice still cold.

Shikamaru fought the urge to take a step back, hands tightening on the back of the chair.

"I-I--" He cut off, turning his gaze away and sighed before bringing it back to him. "...No," he said. "Not, not just friends. But I will be, if that's all you want."

Staring at him with an unreadable look for a while more, Neji finally took a step back and sat back down on Shikamaru's bed, crossing his arms.

"If I chose to accept," he started, giving the other a piercing stare, "it better not be… not a big deal," his eyes narrowed slightly as he repeated Shikamaru's previous words.

Shikamaru looked startled for a second, shaking his head as he slumped back down into the chair.

"N-no, it won't be; I-I mean it will!" he said, half covering his face with a hand, laughing derisively at himself. This is why he hated relationships, but the other just seemed... worth it.

"I meant that if you wanted to stay friends, you didn't have to worry about hurting me. I... don't want you to feel pressured about it."

"Then I say no," Neji looked at him, seemingly calm, but there was an edge to his words.