Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Undercurrents	By : Darkprism Category: Naruto > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2136 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Naruto - neither characters or original story lines - and I make no money from these writings.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
Neji didn�t slow down until they reached downtown and traffic lights forced him to obey the rules. The darkened windows of the Ferrari were cracked, and Kyo�s screaming voice seemed to come from the leather and metal of the car itself. Neji�s hand gripped the shift, and he eyed Shika�s loose and sprawled form. His eyes were closed, his chin moving a little in time to the music, and one hand lazily traced the contours of the door.

Shika felt him looking and blinked at Neji. He gestured to the stereo and moved as though to turn a dial.

�Too loud?� he yelled.

Neji shook his head. It was rarely ever loud enough, actually. Neji was thrilled that Shika seemed so at ease; so very much himself. The first minutes of the drive away from the Nara Farm had been slightly tense. Then Shika stretched and reached for the stereo.

�What�re you listening to?�

After that, it was smooth sailing at four times the posted speed limit.

Neji coaxed the car into the busy parking lot of one of Monoshizukanohi�s five star restaurants. Typically, the management kept the front of the building clear except for the valet service and doormen.

Much to Neji�s chagrin, however, tonight there was a small crowd of paparazzi taking pictures of the guests as they entered.

�Should have worn a jacket,� Shika commented, seeing their destination.

Neji shook his head. �Nah, this is Tobi�s. They�re pretty laid-back here.� He nodded at the voyeuristic camera crowd as the occupants of the car two ahead of Neji exited the vehicle.

�You okay with that nonsense?�

Shika shrugged. �I�ve been around when they�ve mobbed you before,� he said.

Neji smiled and stopped the car. �True,� he agreed. �Wait here. I�ll get your door.�

Ignoring Shika�s bemused expression, Neji got out of the car and made his way to the passenger side. When Shikamaru climbed out of the Ferrari, catcalls and questions came from the little mob representing yellow journalism. Neji ignored it, and he put one hand on Shika�s lower back as they walked through the entrance. He would never give the press the show Naruto and Sasuke did, but he wasn�t going to act distant from Shika, either.

�Good evening, sirs,� the hostess said once they were inside. The front lobby was entirely quiet except for the bubbling of a fountain and the tinkle of harp music through hidden speakers. The walls were midnight blue with maroon swirls of paint sweeping in circular patterns. The ceiling over the lobby was slanted and made entirely of tinted glass, and a dark, wooden staircase leading to the second level was to the left of the hostess station. The main part of the restaurant lay through a pair of glass doors tinted such a dark blue that they blended in with the walls.

�It�s always a pleasure to see you here, sir,� the hostess said to Neji as she came out from behind the podium. She was petite, blonde, and good at playing gatekeeper.

�Only one guest?� she asked with a smile.

�Yes,� Neji confirmed. �It�s just the two of us.� He kept one hand on Shika�s lower back and was pleased when the Nara leaned into the touch.

�Excellent, sir. I�m to tell you that Madara sends his regards, and if you�ll follow me, I�ll escort you to your regular table.� She bowed and then turned to walk up the stairs.

Neji and Shika followed the woman up the stairs to the more private second level. The floors were dark blue tile covered here and there with artistically-placed rugs. The second floor had its own bar and a view of the sky through several large, deeply-tinted skylights. The tables were the same dark wood of the staircase, and all of the seating on the second floor was in booths. To offer the most privacy and to support the swirling, abstract art theme, the tables were round and accessible on one side through an opening just large enough to accommodate a single person. Dark blue glass etched with maroon patterns rose from the backs of the booths. To complete the look, chandeliers on extremely long, silver chains hung low over the tables, making each one glow from within.

Shika slid into their designated booth first, the plush maroon leather bench whispering with movement, and Neji followed. The table could easily seat six, so Shika stopped halfway around.

�Enjoy your dinner, gentleman.� The hostess flashed one more brilliant smile and was replaced immediately by a waiter holding a bucket of ice and a bottle of chilled champagne.

�Compliments of Uchiha Madara,� the waiter explained. �We�re honored to have you with us this evening, sir.� He nodded at Neji.

�Please convey my gratitude,� Neji replied. They watched as the waiter uncorked the bottle with a deft hand and then poured the liquid. Neji ordered an appetizer and then they were alone.

�Come here a lot?� Shika asked, sipping the champagne.

Neji shrugged a shoulder. �Occasionally. Uncle likes bringing people here, and we have a standing reservation for up to six guests. But this is the first time I�ve gotten champagne.� Neji smiled.

�Your uncle do a lot of business with the Uchihas?�

�Not really,� Neji replied and smoothed one hand over the white tablecloth. �Most of the Uchiha family lives outside the country, and no one knows where Madara is off to these days. I believe Sasuke loosely manages his businesses in the city.�

�Why not Itachi?�

�Itachi�s always had his own agenda. I�m not even sure what it is he does, exactly, but he lives out in the country, I think. He and Sasuke only mended fences last year, and they�re still wary of one another. Itachi is happy to let Sasuke have the city, and he does his own thing elsewhere.�

�I heard a crazy rumor that he�s some sort of magician,� Shika said, leaning his elbows on the table to prop his chin up with a hand.

�Magician?� Neji smirked.

Shika nodded. �Illusionist or some such; working on a show.�

�Where on earth did you hear that?�

�Kankuro,� Shika replied and sipped the champagne. �He, Kiba, and I went out for drinks a couple months ago to catch up.�

�He still over at the University?�

Shika nodded. �Still in theatre, torturing prima donna undergrads.�

�Well, that fits.�

Waiters invaded the table at that moment, one pouring ice water into tall goblets before stepping aside to let another set down the Vietnamese spring rolls. Plates and food were distributed and served with stark efficiency, and then they were alone again.

After a moment of chewing and appreciative noises over the food, Shika looked at Neji, his gaze assessing.

Neji sipped his water. �Something on your mind?�

�I�m pretty bad with small talk,� Shika stated. �And as this is only my third official date in my life, I�m even worse when it comes to knowing what�s appropriate to talk about over bisque.� He looked down at his plate. �Or spring rolls, in this case.�

�We�ve known each other for years, Shika. You�ve never had problems talking to me.�

�Don�t play coy, Neji, you know things are different now.� Shika looked away. �And we didn�t so much talk as just hang out.�

�Which is fine by me, too,� Neji said. Spending time with Shika in just about any capacity was fine with Neji.

�Yeah, I get that, but there are things I want to know.� Shika fidgeted with one chopstick and Neji absently thought about sharp objects and eyeballs.

�Then ask,� Neji picked up a stray noodle from the spring roll.

Shika scowled. �You�re infuriating.�

�Because I�m agreeable?� Neji half-laughed.

�No, because I can�t figure out what you want.� If Shika frowned any harder, his eyes would cross.

Neji set down the chopsticks and rolled his eyes. �You know, for someone so intelligent you are rather deaf to honesty.�

�It�s not something I�ve experienced much of in this kind of relationship,� Shika said, voice flat. �Humor me, okay?�

Neji reached over and removed the chopstick from Shika�s grip. Then he brought the hand to his mouth, scooting closer to Shika to do so. Neji placed light kisses across each knuckle of Shika�s hand and then smiled.

�I�m happy to reassure you as often you as like, Shika. All I want is you � the good, the lazy, and the deaf.�

Shika snorted. �Sometimes you remind me of Lee with more verbal skills.�

�I�ll take that as a compliment,� Neji said and gave Shika a thumbs up.

Shika laughed and the waiter reappeared to take their order. That out of the way, Neji turned back to Shika.

�Now, what did you want to talk about?� He released Shika�s hand to resume eating.

�What can you tell me about Break?� Shika asked.

�Not much, I�m afraid,� Neji replied.

�Why not?� Shika pressed.

Neji smiled. �Break is like Fight Club � the first rule is you don�t talk about it.�

�Then how do people get in?�

�By invitation of current members only,� Neji replied. �It�s a heavily guarded secret, Shika, and not one that anybody takes lightly.� He paused, thinking how best to explain.

�Break is a place people go to be true to a part of themselves that may or may not be readily accepted. It�s safe and so are everyone�s secrets.�

�Obviously,� Shika replied. �I surmised that much. But how do you keep people out?� Shika asked, gaze intent. �I mean, it�s a physical place, so how do you manage to keep some out and some in?�

�Break�s not out in the open, and you need a key,� Neji carefully hedged. He wanted to tell Shika everything, but he valued the privacy that Break offered. He would respect the rules as much as he could. One of those rules was not to speak of Break to anyone until you were ready to bring that person as a guest. Shikamaru wasn�t ready for that by a long shot.

Shika frowned but nodded. �Can you tell me how you�re involved with it?�

Neji took a sip of water. �I�m a regular guest and have other duties that I fulfill.�

�And let me guess�you can�t tell me what those are?�

Sighing, Neji leaned back in the booth. �Not yet, Shika, but I will. And I�ll be happy to take you to the club sometime if you ever want to go.�

Shika swallowed at that and didn�t say anything for a moment.

�Break isn�t that room in your house, is it?� Shika asked.

Neji turned his head sharply to look at Shika. �Good God no,� he said. Then laughed. He could just imagine Naruto and Sasuke on his doorstep at 3 a.m. wanting the room. What a horrific thought.

�Sorry,� he said and sat up. �I was just trying to imagine how that would go. But no, I don�t have a secret club in my house. Whatever gave you that idea?�

Shika looked at Neji for a long couple of seconds and then determined he was telling the truth. Shika shrugged and then ticked off reasons on one hand. �I know you�re connected to the club in some important way; the room in your house could accommodate a fair number of people without problem; you told me it wasn�t out in the open and that you need a key. All those things fit that room, you know.�

Neji couldn�t argue the logic. �That�s all true,� he conceded. �But no�that space is just for me.� A small smile split his lips as Neji thought of the locked room in his house. Briefly he flashed on what Shika would look like in that room but then shoved the images away. They could feed fantasy later, but it was way too early to tell or show Shika anything of that room.

Shaking himself a little, Neji dabbed his mouth with a linen napkin and glanced at Shika. The Nara looked back with a deliberate and calculating expression. If it�d been anyone else, Neji would be nervous.

The food arrived and for a few moments the clatter of china and the polite chatter of the waiter interrupted the conversation. Neji didn�t know quite how to feel about Shika�s curiosity. On one hand, it was fantastic that the curiosity existed and Shika felt comfortable asking questions. On the other hand, he didn�t like keeping anything from Shika. And that feeling reminded him of how desperate he was for Shika to have a permanent place in his life, which made him feel a little like begging Shika not to run screaming in the other direction.

Neji drained his champagne and reached for the bottle.

�So, are you only a dom?� Shika asked.

Neji topped off his glass.

�I don�t really think anyone�s only anything, personally. But that is my preference, yes.�

�Are you a dom for the club?�

Neji smiled a little as he chewed a mouthful of food. He had to hand it to Shika; the man was persistent in his information gathering.

�I am often a dom at the club,� Neji answered.

�And how often is that?� Shika asked, his food untouched.

�Sometimes once a week, sometimes once a month.� Neji shrugged. �It varies based on many things, but Shika�� Neji set down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and leveled his gaze on Shikamaru.

�I know all this seems important because of your past and how new we are, but it�s good to remember that Break and the lifestyle are only two things in my life. There are many others, and they often keep me quite busy. And happy.�

Shika shook his head. �Neji, I know I�m dwelling and giving you the third degree, but I have to understand.�

�Of course,� Neji quickly agreed and leaned toward Shika. �That�s not what I meant, Shika. I�m happy to tell you anything I can, and I�ll do it honestly.� His expression grew tender. �I just don�t want you to work yourself up over all this.�

One of Neji�s hands rested on the bench between the two men, and Shika reached and lay his hand on top of Neji�s. Then he smiled a little and laced his fingers in between Neji�s.

�A week ago you were just my friend Neji, the brilliant and beautiful Hyuga heir.� Shika said the last with some heavy irony. Neji�s lip twitched.

�But now you�re�� Shika rubbed his thumb over the side of Neji�s hand. Neji shifted to take the weight off that arm so that Shika could do as he liked. The simple touch was short circuiting Neji�s focus, but he couldn�t bring himself to mind. At all. It was the first time Shika�d touched Neji of his own volition.

�Say it,� Neji pleaded softly.

�Now you�re my boyfriend, I guess,� Shika said.

Outwardly, Neji continued to sit still and listen. But on the inside, the giddiness returned full force.

�And I want to know what�s important to you. Well,� Shika amended. �I know some of that already. But this Break stuff is new, and it�s not only important for me to understand it because we�re together. It matters enough to you that you�re willing to risk your reputation, keep secrets, and dedicate a four-car garage of your home to what I have to assume is a large dungeon.�

�All true,� Neji admitted. �But I�d gladly convert that space into a sewing room if it made you happy.�

Neji felt Shika look up at him, but Neji�s gaze was locked on Shika�s fingers wrapped around his own.

�Playing means that little to you?� Shika asked.

Now Neji looked up. He knew beyond a doubt that Shika set him up to say it, but he spoke the words anyway. �No, Shika. You mean that much.�

A smile quirked Shika�s lips, and he picked up Neji�s hand to lay it palm-up in his lap. With one finger he slowly traced circles and patterns over Neji�s skin, his head tilted down to watch. Then he made an exasperated noise and shook his head.

�You really are as sentimental as Lee.�

Neji refrained from saying that Shika was no better. �He is my best friend,� Neji said instead. �We had to have something in common.�

�You mean other than an obsession with one-uppmanship and training?� Shika quipped.

�Mm,� Neji agreed and felt himself relax as Shika�s swirling patterns made their way to his inner wrist. Then the movement stopped, and Shika tensed. Neji looked up.

�This is�okay, right?� Shika asked, his expression a little wary. For a moment, Neji had no idea what he was talking about. Then he realized Shika was referring to Neji�s hand in his lap.

�More than okay,� Neji replied. The tracing resumed, and Neji chuckled.

�What?� Shika asked.

�Oh nothing�it�s just that at some point you�re going to realize how much power you have over me and then I�m in serious trouble.�

Neji smiled up at Shika, whose expression was unfamiliar: thoughtful, distant, maybe pleased. Neji cocked his head.

�What is it?�

Shika shrugged. �Just adjusting my thinking.�

Neji sat up and impulsively kissed Shika on the cheek. �That brain of yours�� he said. �And I thought mine was difficult to deal with.�

�Why do you think I like to sub?� Shika deadpanned.

Neji nodded and turned his hand over to squeeze Shika�s. �I think I understand the impulse,� he said mildly.

The two men looked at one another for a long moment, the soft harp music still playing in the background overlaid with the quiet drone of other conversations.

�Dinner�s cold,� Shika commented.

�They can warm it up.�

Shika turned in his seat to finish off his glass of champagne. Neji�s skin tingled and missed the contact.

�So where to next?� Shika asked.

�It�s a surprise,� Neji said and flashed a quick grin.

�I hate surprises,� Shika nearly whined.

Under the table Neji quickly reached out and squeezed Shika�s thigh, making him jump a little.

�I know,� Neji said smugly. �That�s just too bad, isn�t it?�

~*~

A/N: First and foremost - thank you so much for everyone's kind words, the votes, the reviews - I'm truly ecstatic that you like the story!!! Makes me fangirl squee in delight.

Secondly: Jordash00? We should chat, darling. Neji is absolutely similar to Wilde and even Byron's ideal of pure hedonist. I find it fascinating that you would compare him as such. However, I would say that he's just shy of the true embodiment: he still has hope, purpose - though dark, really - still finds love, etc.

However! The entire Monoshizukanohi world is very much the final straw of "decadence" - a sort of hopeless affair with finding meaning or something worth living for. Gaara's Story - the one that comes after this one - is absolutely in the spirit of that period. Not intentionally, mind you: but the parallels can be drawn. Gaara is the true hedonist: self-destruction for the sake of meaning as all is lost and pointless. And his story will be up on this site shortly. Need to catch UC up a bit first. Thank you for giving me things to ponder/read/research/remember - and for the enticingly kind words.

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Undercurrents