Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Seaswept
By : Daydreamer79
Category: Naruto > Threesomes/Moresomes
Views: 1959 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor make money from it
Chapter List
- 18
- 19
- 20
AN: This is another look at Neji and Shika's relationship. It's not necessary to read this to enjoy seaswept, but simple adds to the universe.
Understandings: Part Two
Neji stood silently watching the waves swell and crash against the hull of the ship as it plowed forward towards the unseen horizon. He had thought ending his decade long search for those who directly brought about the destruction of his family would be more satisfying. Instead, he was left with a strange empty feeling. It ate at his insides, twisting them with horrid clenches threatening to weaken his knees.
For so long his gaze was focused only on the objective at hand, finding and avenging the death of his family. The friendships he made were pushed aside under his all-consuming focus. Each night, his dreams were haunted by the sight of his younger cousins laying beaten, pirate seed mixing with blood on their thighs while eyes stared forward in sightless agony--their last sights being the laughing of men as they took turns on them before finally allowing their agony to end after hours of torture.
Closing his eyes, he pushed back the ever present nausea brought by the strong memories. He would not allow such a shameful act to be seen by those on the ship, even if it took every ounce of his strength. Years of hard earned restraint and determination assisted him in maintaining his willpower against the torment brought on by memories still fresh in his mind after ten weathering years.
"Hinata, Hanabi, I have fulfilled my vow to you," he whispered into the soothing breeze. The faintest of mist dampened his face as if the two girls, who he had made it his purpose to protect, were offering their own sort of comfort, though it did little to ease the weariness and sadness in him.
A shadow fell upon the sun bleached wood of the railing surrounding the upper deck of the ship. The presence several steps behind him did not speak or offer words of comfort. None were needed for it was the mere presence of someone that eased the pain.
Silence spread heavy and thick between them until Neji turned to see Shikamaru standing in a slightly hunched position. His dark eyes were calculating and sharp as they took in every inch of Neji's frame from his carefully braided hair to the tips of his boot clad feet and the spray of red droplets still staining the material of his loose fitting shirt. It was pointless to hide from Shikamaru for his keen mind would easily ferret out the truth eventually.
"Did it help?"
Of course, Shikamaru knew it had not. It was visible in his eyes even if the words held no trace of his understanding. In many ways, he was similar to Neji. He could see through even the most stringent guard.
"You know it did not." Neji lifted a hand to tuck a stray lock of hair behind his ear. "Both of us always knew it would not hide the memories."
"Yet you still fixated on little else all this time."
A mirthless chuckle escaped his throat. "My honor demanded it of me. I had hoped-"
"The future does not effect the past. It is the past that tints the future." Shikamaru spoke as if he could read Neji's every thought. It was disconcerting and at the same time, welcome.
He closed his eyes and took a deep inhalation of salt tinted air. "I had hoped something would change."
"It did."
Lids lifted to reveal pale eyes staring at Shikamaru's calm visage. "Oh?"
"You can live for yourself now instead of for others." A smirk tilted up the corner of Shikamaru's lips. "Which was the ultimate end, wasn't it?"
Neji leaned against the railing and tilted his head back to stare at the activity bustling along on the mast. "Hinata would have said I should have been doing so all along."
Shikamaru shrugged a shoulder. "You aren't Hinata."
"I couldn't be there for her when she needed me. She was my sister regardless of blood. I will always think of her as such. Hanabi as well. To think even after slaying that man, the past could not be put right."
"Did you expect it to be so?"
Neji shook his head. "I had hoped something would change in me."
Shikamaru sighed and took a step forward, closing the distance between them. His hand lifted and clasped upon Neji's shoulder. "Neji-"
A shudder went through Neji's frame, and for a brief moment, he allowed the touch before moving away. Shikamaru was the only one allowed to touch him so casually, and even then, only for short periods of time. Even now, knowing all that the two had been through, he could not bring himself to allow the touches graced upon him to extend beyond that of friend. Despite having kept his distance, he could not halt the faint flush of wistful longing rushing through him.
"Oy! Get off your arses and get to work."
It was both a welcome and unwelcome shattering of the moment by Kisame. Neji shrugged off the memory of the touch and immediately moved to the rigging only to have Shikamaru reach out and latch onto his arm.
"We'll talk later after dinner."
The words were spoken casually, but held so much promise. Or, perhaps it was only his own longing that called forth thoughts better left buried. With no focus left inside him, Neji felt empty. He no longer held a direction. The Hyuuga village was gone, leaving only a few pitiful fishermen, if they were still there at all. Returning to his former home was a pointless endeavor. There was nothing left for him there and now with his mission completed, nothing for him here either. He still housed more than a passing distaste for Captain Pein, but could not foist the entire blame upon him for it was an act of mercy on Pein's part that allowed the Hyuuga to be destroyed. Even Neji could not hold such an action against him.
The only option left for him was to lose himself in the physical labor until the numbness faded. Perhaps he could redefine his purpose. There was always the option of marriage, though the thought offered little pleasure be the woman maid or wench. He made a mental not to reconsider the option at a later time when the pain in his chest was not so poignant.
To free his mind from the thoughts, he threw himself into work. The muscles beneath his light shirt bunched and stretched as he went about duties in an almost automatic motion. He did not notice the cuts upon his arm or the burns upon his hands until the call for dinner when the block upon his mind opened enough to force him to realize his lack of personal care while completing his duties.
He moved towards a barrel of seawater and scooped a dipper onto his arms and hands, biting back a whimper at the stinging pain. His eyes clenched tight and he bit down harshly upon his lower lip to fight the urge to voice his pain until the stinging faded.
"You're an idiot."
Eyes snapped open to find Shikamaru standing before him with double portions of food cradled in his hands. "Is that mine?"
Tanned hands offered him a bowl filled with fish stew and a coarse piece of bread. Neji was careful to hide his pain as he took the bowl and settled down on a barrel tied to the deck. His fingers used the harder crust of the bread as a spoon to scoop up the larger chunks of meat and vegetables before sopping up the remainder of stew with the softer interior.
The food was plain and hearty, but eating it brought about a longing for the fare of his childhood. He missed the sticky rice and warm tea along with roasted fish. The memory of Hinata's miso soup brought forth renewed longing and bitterness. He could feel dark eyes on him and knew without looking that his thoughts were likely evident on his face.
"What do you think of Itachi locking away his brother?"
Neji almost smiled at Shikamaru's choice of topic in drawing him from his morose thoughts. "Wise."
"And if it was your brother?"
"I do not have a brother."
Shikamaru snorted. "Well then, what about that man the captain brought aboard?"
"Juugo." Neji glanced towards the shadows where the large man sat, his food cradled in his hands, but not eaten. "He is a hard worker."
"I heard he was the brother's lover."
"You sound like a gossiping fishwife." Neji's brow arched. "Who told you that rumor?"
"Most of the crew saw how he reacted when the man was led onto the Crimson Cloud. That sounds more like a lover than a friend."
"I don't care who they fuck in their spare time, just as I don't care who Kisame fucks or who you fuck." Neji slid from the barrel and moved towards the steps leading below towards the galley so to return the bowl to Chouza.
"Wait."
Neji stopped at the deep voice, turning to see Juugo standing on the steps leading down. "What is it?"
"Take this to Sasuke." Juugo extended his uneaten meal to Neji. "I'm not allowed to see him."
Neji frowned at the offered food. "He will be fed. I know all too well what the brig is like and will not expose another to long there without food and water."
Turning on his heel, he did not fail to see Shikamaru wince from where he stood behind Juugo. It was a bitter memory between both, though in a way, it aided them. Without Shikamaru's neglect, Jiraiya would not have assigned him to care for Neji as he recovered and they would not have had each other's company over the passing years. It was a subject nether chose to breach unless forced to do so, but never far from either's mind.
"Thank you," mumbled Juugo, taking his food back to the deck and settling down to eat the now cold stew.
Neji dropped his bowl off with Chouza before grabbing an additional bowl of stew and a piece of crusty bread. He always hated the brig and avoided it if possible. The cold moldy air always sent chills down his spine as if death was waiting for him in the dark shadows below. Seeing the man sitting silently behind the wrought iron cell, he approached cautiously and extended the bowl.
"I have food."
Dark eyes stared from a tightly drawn face. "Thank you."
"Your friend, Juugo was worried about you."
Lips quirked in a half hearted smile. "He does that."
Neji nodded and passed the bowl through the large holes in the cell and turned to leave. The less time he spent in the brig, the better he would feel. His stomach was already clenching tightly in the enclosed space.
"Wait."
The words gave Neji pause, causing him to turn and stare at the man. "What is it?"
"Have you seen my brother?" There was desperation in the words as well as the eyes. The previously tightly controlled gaze now stared insistently at Neji.
"No."
Neji exited the room before he was forced to remain any longer. He nearly doubled over as he slammed the door closed. His heart was pounding loudly in his chest and his breath was gasping out. Even after so long, memories of hovering on the edge of death while bathed in his own excrement and forced to drink his own piss was not a memory he wished to bear.
He was surprised to see Shikamaru leaning against the narrow hallway leading from the brig towards the upper decks. Shikamaru was haunted by the brig just as Neji, but for different reasons. It was visible in his eyes, if only for a moment.
"Have a nice visit?"
"We did not talk much," said Neji. "Why did you follow me?"
"You don't like the brig."
Feeling his temper flare, Neji could not stop the growl from rolling off his tongue. "Why does it matter to you?"
Shikamaru shrugged and turned to leave. It was always like that with them. Much like with gentling a feral dog, he knew when to withdraw his hand for fear of having it bitten off.
"Are you playing dice tonight?" called Neji before Shikamaru disappeared up the stairs leading up.
Shikamaru cocked his head and glanced leisurely over his shoulder, a small smirk tilting up the corner of his mouth. "Interested in joining me?"
"I would be a fool to wager against you, wouldn't I?"
Shoulders were shifted as Shikamaru shrugged. "Perhaps, but we both know you are just as good a liar as I…and just as strong in reading others."
This time it was Neji's turn to smirk. "Are you trying to inflate my pride enough to join you in wagering my hard earned gold?"
"Is it working?"
Neji shook his head, moving to Shikamaru. "Why try so hard?"
Shikamaru considered for a moment. "Because you need the distraction."
"Then, I challenge you, Shikamaru." Neji moved close so that their noses nearly touched and their eyes locked. "I challenge you to a game."
Shikamaru did not smile or tease. He merely held his place, staring intently into Neji's face. "Stakes?"
"Gold isn't good enough for you?" Neji pushed back, though he kept their eyes locked. "What do I have that you want?"
"What are you willing to give?"
Neji's lips tightened. "Fuck you."
He pushed past Shikamaru and set about climbing the stairs. Neji hated that about Shikamaru. He never said anything straightforward. Every moment of every day, he seemed to calculate everything, even the words passing his lips. It was frustrating to no ends like a never ending game of chess. Each word or action was a moment on the board just to see how others would react while already calculating all possible reactions.
A hand latched onto his wrist and his body reacted without thinking. Immediately, he his other arm shot out and slammed into Shikamaru's jaw, sending him crashing to the ground. A small trickle of blood dribbled from his lips where his teeth cut his lip.
"That was interesting."
Neji swallowed the thick lump in his throat at the blood visible on his friend's chin. "My apologies."
"Does this mean we aren't going to play?"
A few deep breaths to calm his frustration gave Neji a moment's respite. "Fine."
Helping Shikamaru to his feet, Neji led the way topside. Laughter and shouts came from the large space where crew hammocks were hung. Most of the crew not assigned to night watch were likely there, gambling away their spoils. On most nights, Shikamaru could be found there as well.
"Do you have dice?"
Shikamaru smiled and slipped away, returning several minutes later with two cups and ten identical dice. The game had begun. Or perhaps it had begun long before Neji ever approached the topic. Knowing Shikamaru, that was likely.
"Wager?"
Neji's nibbled on his lip. "One gold piece per game."
Shikamaru's lips twitched. "Then, let's begin."
They shook their cups and slammed the dice to the deck before them. Neji peaked beneath his cup, careful to keep his face as neutral as possible. Shikamaru was exceptional at judging the thoughts going through the minds of his opponents. With his pupils barely visible in his eyes, Neji held a slight advantage in the game.
The advantage was slight, it was barely there when playing against a master such as Shikamaru. It in no way evened the odds between them.
"Two twos," began Neji.
Shikamaru's face appeared drowsy and uninspired. "Five fours."
Neji fought the urge to clench his teeth. He had three fours in his cup. Had Shikamaru read him so easily? "Six fives."
Shikamaru arched his brow. "You're a liar, Neji."
Unable to stop his hand from clenching around the cup, he lifted his cup to show three fours and two fives. Shikamaru lifted his cup to show two twos, one three, and two sixes.
"Damn it." Neji reached into the pouch he kept at his waist and tossed Shikamaru a gold coin from the interior. "What gave me away?"
"Nothing." Shikamaru smiled and scooped his dice into his cup. "Lucky guess."
"And the captain is a fish," Neji grumbled under his breath.
"Would you be opposed to upping the odds?" asked Shikamaru casually.
A shiver of foreboding worked through Neji. He eyed his friend with trepidation, suddenly feeling as if he had walked into a carefully laid trap despite proceeding with the utmost caution. Shikamaru's dark eyes held a gleam of interest and intrigue as if he was silently calculating Neji's response in his mind.
Neji was proud of himself for maintaining his calm voice. "What is the wager?"
He watched calculating eyes. Wheels constantly spun behind Shikamaru's gaze. There were few times when his mind was obviously quiet.
Shikamaru tented his fingers and leaned against a latched barrel. "I want a kiss from you if I lose."
"What?" Neji could not stop his jaw from dropping open. Shikamaru had never made a single advance to him during their long friendship. Things were kept platonic and natural for nearly ten years, yet now he was seeking to break the innocent bond they possessed, possibly destroying a decade long friendship in the process. He refused to acknowledge the subtle thrill working through him. It was something always nudging the back of his mind and always kept tightly latched. With Shikamaru's carefully placed words, the latch was breaking free in noticeable increments.
The small smirk ghosting on the edges of Shikamaru's lips widened. "You heard me."
"Why?"
The skin around Shikamaru's right eye twitched. It was the first tell Neji had ever seen him display in all their years of knowing each other.
"Curiosity." Shikamaru shrugged a shoulder. "Does it matter? A kiss is what I want."
Neji bit the inside of his jaw until a flood of warm copper flavored his tongue. "And what will you offer to match the bet?"
Shikamaru smiled, his eyes twinkling. The asshole knew he had Neji within his grasp. "Anything I possess."
"All the money you possess on your person at this time."
"Done." Shikamaru gestured for Neji to collect his die. "Begin."
The dice rattled about in the cups and were immediately slammed down to the deck in the space between the two. Neji peered beneath his cup. "Three Threes."
"Four twos."
"Five Fours."
"Six sixes."
Neji fought a grin from spreading across his face, his eyes darting between his and Shikamaru's cup as he decided whether to bet again or to call Shikamaru on the bet. He had one six beneath his cup and the chances of Shikamaru having five sixes in his was nearly impossible. "You're a liar."
Shikamaru smiled and lifted his cup, revealing each of the five dice beneath. Five dice, all revealing six carved holes in them stared up at him.
"Son of a bitch." Neji lifted his cup to reveal his dice along with the single six.
Shikamaru settled back with an easy smile. "I win."
"You cheated."
Shikamaru's brow rose. "I am a pirate."
Neji's brows drew down in a furious frown. "How did you do it?"
"I didn't cheat," stated Shikamaru with a role of his eyes. "My dice simply landed that way."
Hands clenching in fists, Neji fought the urge to plow his fist once more into Shikamaru's amused face. His honor refused to renege on a wager. It was something he was certain was taken into account when the wager was presented.
Shikamaru closed the distance between them. His movements were slow and cautious. "I won't touch you. Just a kiss."
Nodding shakily, Neji allowed the approach, his hands clenching spasmodically. At the first touch of slightly chapped lips against his, he nearly pulled away. The last time someone had kissed him was before the death of his family. He took whores from time to time, but never kissed them or allowed them to kiss him. Now with the soft brush of lips on his, he was having trouble keeping his body from shaking at the intimacy the act represented. It roused both distress and arousal.
A quick flick of a tongue across his lower lip was a parting gesture as Shikamaru retreated. The kiss was innocent, more so than he expected when wagered against the contents of a money pouch.
"I think that is enough betting for tonight." Shikamaru stood in a graceful motion.
Neji watched in silence at Shikamaru's retreat before finally lifting his fingers to his lips. A door had been opened in that single act. They could never go back.

oOo

Stopping stiffly as he reached the lower steps leading from the top deck, Shikamaru leaned against the wall, pressing his brow to the damp wood and releasing a low groan. His lips still burned from the kiss, chaste though it was. His body thrummed alive and his mind whirled wildly with his thoughts.
He always kept his relationship with Neji platonic and friendly. Not since seeing him bathing that one day, ten years prior, had he allowed himself to think of his friend in any way but that of a friend. He had broken his first rule with Neji.
That slight brushing of lips could hardly be called a kiss, yet it was sending all sorts of undesired sensations through his body. He wasn't sure why he had demanded a kiss as payment for a loss, yet his lips had seemed to move without consulting his mind. Or perhaps, it was his heart that demanded what his mind refused to allow.
"Damn it." He cursed himself for losing control and possibly destroying the friendship that rivaled his relationship with Asuma. No member of the crew, except for Asuma and Neji, could say they were true friends with Shikamaru. The only other coming close was Itachi.
"Shika?"
Shikamaru's eyes shot open and stared at Itachi standing before him. Long hair was pulled back in a loose braid, a slender beaded lock hanging separate from the rest. The deep set, dark eyes looked troubled and his lips were pulled tight in a strained frown. His brother's presence was weighing hard on him and the knowledge was plastered across his face. There was something else well hidden in those dark eyes. Were Shikamaru not more focused on his and Neji's odd relationship, he might have set about seeking out what secrets Itachi hid in his mind.
"What are you doing here?"
Shikamaru shrugged and jerked his head towards the upper deck. "Neji and I were playing a game of dice."
Itachi nodded and shifted his gaze from Shikamaru towards the steps further down the narrow hall leading deeper into the hull of the ship. It did not take a master at deduction to know where his superior officer's thoughts lay. The man might have grown more proficient at hiding his emotions, but little could escape Shikamaru's knowing gaze.
"Neji fed your brother."
Itachi jerked his gaze back to Shikamaru. "I see."
"You should go see him. It's been ten years, hasn't it?"
Dark eyes grew pained before Itachi's mask was replaced. "I'll be sure to thank Neji for caring for my brother."
Shikamaru watched the man go with a shake of his head. He was just as fucked up as the rest of the crew. Everyone had their own demons to handle, some were simply more capable of hiding them than others. It was probably appropriate that their purpose in life was to steal for their own pleasure and amusement, for each member was cursed with something eating away at their soul.
Ribald laughter reached his ears as he entered the large bit of space designated for the crew to hang their hammocks. A few men snored loudly in the swinging begs, but most were crowded around a group playing dice.
"Care to join us, Shika?" asked Asuma as he looked up from his cup. "Most have money to blow after divvying the spoils today."
Judging from the groans, several of the men did not welcome the invitation. Most knew Shikamaru was better than all of them when it came to playing Liar's Dice to the fullest potential. Him joining the circle would ensure someone would be losing gold to him.
"Not tonight. It was a full day," he said dismissively.
More than one man breathed a sigh of relief. If not for Shikamaru's preoccupied mind, he might have been slightly offended at the attitude.
He swung himself into his hammock and settled himself with his arms behind his head. Even the laughter and groans from the men, could not distract his mind from what had transpired. There was no turning back from this, which meant he would need to move forward from now on.
- 18
- 19
- 20
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Seaswept	By : Daydreamer79 Category: Naruto > Threesomes/Moresomes Views: 1959 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor make money from it

Seaswept