Title: Passing Time

Author: Scottishfae Ratings: PG-13 (I promise smut will occur later on!)

SPOILERS! There is a huge spoiler by the end of this fic. It deals with something in the manga past the point where the anime is. If you don't want to know what happens after the anime, DON'T READ! Thank you!

All Standard Disclaimers Apply

Sorry this took so long to get out, I noticed that "next week" lasted longer than just one week. Things are busy and I'm running on no sleep.

I didn't mean for this story to be more than one chapter, but some how it's evolved into something bigger. Next Chapter will be the end, however. I'm just glad I got Gaara in there because he's one of my faves!

Chapter Two:

The battle for dominance finally came to an end as Shadowed Night encapsulated Nebulous Dusk. The Ageless Stars blinked awake, slowly shifting sleep hazed gazes down to the oblivious world below them. The Tranquil Moon admired its reflection in the shape of a dark-haired man with pupil-less eyes. Said man was stretched out on the cooling ground facing his heavenly embodiment.

The night had welcomed Neji as he impatiently passed the time. The rest of his friends had abandoned him a while ago, needing to continue on with their own lives. So here he sat, waiting patiently to be allowed to continue onwards himself.

"This is ridiculous." Neji sighed.

The only answer he received was the sudden silence of the crickets and the curious flicker of the forming constellations above him.

As the cold finally became too much for the Hyuuga, he decided that he would have to go and forcibly take his abode from the scheming women.

Standing, he glanced around, checking for items left by the rest of the group. Kiba had decided to be an ass before he left, by taking the blanket Neji had curled up in after Naruto's departure. The blanket had actually belonged to Hinata, so it would've made more sense for Neji to keep it. However, for some childish reason, Kiba thought it infinitely funny to continue torturing the Hyuuga.

He put his hands in the pockets of black slacks and began walking back to the village, his thoughts reflecting back on Kiba's earlier actions.

flashback

Neji lay peacefully at the edge of consciousness. Assured by his friends' presence he allowed his guard down some. His thoughts then focused on the swirl of crystal blue and vivid yellow that was present right behind his closed eyes.

Suddenly a weight was pressed against his prone form interrupting the soothing images and causing the Hyuuga to snap his eyes open. Kiba smiled down at him bringing their foreheads to meet. "Your damn sexy too Neji, just laying there all peacefully and shit," He said with a smirk evident in his tone. "If things were different, maybe we could have hooked up."

Smiling the Inuzuka bent down and licked playfully at the Hyuuga's pursed lips. "Get. Off. Me. Now." Neji said with only the smallest bit of anger creeping through his usually stoic voice.

It had no affect on Kiba.

The Inuzuka did sit up so he was no longer reclined over the man but continued to straddle the Hyuuga as if it was perfectly normal. "But then again, if things were different, I'd still be going after Naruto and that tight ass of his."

Neji clutched the blanket with white-knuckled fists, desperately trying to suppress any goaded reactions to the idiot's words. "You know what I'm talking about, right guys?" Kiba asked looking at the rest of the group who were wisely trying to stay out of the conversation.

"I'd love to show Naruto my 'O' face. (1)" Kiba's voice dropped down to a sultry baritone with a devilish look in his eyes.

The Inuzuka stuck out his hands as if grasping something in front of him and began to thrust suggestively into his hold. His smile only widened when Neji closed his eyes and looked away.

The Hyuuga was desperately trying to hide a blush as the man above him continued to grind into, what Neji assumed, was supposed to be an imaginary Naruto.

Kiba leaned forward so his warm breath would fan across the shell of the Hyuuga's ear. His voice had remained gruff as he whispered for only the two of them to hear. "Oh come on Neji, I bet you can't wait to pound into Uzamaki tonight."

There was a slight pause as Neji calmed himself and willed away the images Kiba had produced. "I'll only warn you one more time, Inuzuka. Get off me."

Neji's threat was real but Kiba realized his victory at the husky quality the Hyuuga's voice had taken. Not the kind of person to let things go easily, Kiba nipped at Neji's ear. The Hyuuga moved to grab the other's hair, which he had grown out over the years and now held in a low ponytail. The dog-like man, not being as stupid as he often portrayed himself as being, grabbed the offending hands and pinned them above Neji head.

"Don't hurt him." The words were almost whimpered.

A gasp was ripped from Neji's throat as he felt the elongated canines of the man on top of him trail down his throat. After the brief contact, Kiba removed himself and walked away, his boisterous attitude fallow for the moment.

Later, after Kiba's effervescent side had returned, he had violently snatched away the blanket from under Neji. He and Akamaru ran away laughing as the others just shook their heads and left.

end flashback

Neji found himself back in the village. Having been so lost in his thoughts he hadn't even noticed his own return.

Most of the shops had been closed down, except for the few restaurant stalls that stayed open for dinner. A select few would also remain open even after, until early in the morning, to provide for the ninjas whose missions had kept them out late.

"Hey Neji."

The Hyuuga stopped at hearing his name called. Genma came strolling up to him, senbon casually held between smirking lips. "Hey, you know your apartment is being invaded and redecorated?"

Neji closed his eyes, he could feel a headache creeping in under his guard.

Neji had asked, and been granted permission, to live outside of the Hyuuga compound after he had become a Jounin. It was only temporary until the Main Branch decided they wanted him to move back, but Neji was happy to receive a bit of freedom, even if for only a short while.

The apartment building Neji had moved into was near the Hyuuga compound, so he could be reached quickly if he was needed for whatever reason. Neji found that several other Shinobi lived in this building, including Genma, who lived two doors down on the same floor. The two men had become companionable and would oblige the other by watching the other's stuff if one was away on a long mission. It was because of this that Neji was not surprised Genma had looked into Neji's apartment to find out what was going on.

Genma just seemed amused by the other's discomfort. His smirk widened and the senbon dipped low, resting on his lower lip, completely ignoring the laws of gravity. "You got a date tonight?" Neji opened his eyes a bit surprised by the question.

"You do know what they are doing to your apartment, right?" The older man asked skeptically at the look of panic within the Hyuuga's clear eyes.

Neji turned and began walking towards one of the food stalls. "Setting the mood." He mumbled.

Genma followed him just barely catching the muddled response. "For whom?"

Interest piqued, Genma felt like pestering the younger man. Neji sent a warning glare that Genma ignored, having been used too much worse throughout his long life. He threw his arm around the Hyuuga's shoulders. "Come on, I'll buy you dinner and you can tell me who you're planning on fucking tonight."

Neji pulled away and continued walking. He lifted the flap to enter the restaurant, Genma close behind him. It was sparsely populated currently, giving the two men their choice of seats.

The older man followed the younger to a seat just inside the stall. In Neji's mind this worked better in allowing the four meddling women to find him easier. Neji's plan to take back his apartment was forgotten for the moment in stay of getting food.

The two men sat down at the long communal tables, both were facing the street. "So what's up?" The elder asked after they had ordered.

Neji did not want to share the earlier encounter with Naruto with anyone. It was bad enough his home was being taken over by romantically and sexually starved women.

"I know there is a reason you have four women in your apartment decorating for an orgy." Genma persisted.

Unfortunately for Neji, the waitress had walked up at the end of the sentence. She turned bright red and stumbled her way to serving their drinks after a quiet 'ep'. Water tossed onto the wooden tabletops from her shaking hands and she apologized repeatedly for her mistake, trying to soak the water up and moving far into Neji's personal space.

The events of the day were wearing down on Neji's calm demeanor and he was finding himself at the end of his fuse. Finally, in a very uncharacteristic move, the Hyuuga blew up at the girl. "It's fine, just leave us alone!" The poor girl jumped back at the venom in her customer's voice.

Genma had to laugh at his younger friend.

"That wasn't very nice." A familiar voice said from outside.

Moments later a blonde head appeared just under the fabric flaps. The tall man hunched over and entered the stall.

"Hey Naruto." Genma greeted. "Wanna join us?"

The blonde smiled and made his way to sit across from the other two men. "What caused that?" He asked motioning with his head to the girl who was trying to calm her nerves behind the counter.

Neji looked down, embarrassed at his lack of control.

"It was my fault!" Genma said draping his arm around the Hyuuga man. Neji, still a bit ashamed at his actions, made no move to shrug out of the embrace.

To the romantically paranoid Naruto, the picture painted was a very intimate one between the two and Neji's downturn head was evidence that he was ashamed of their earlier actions. Naruto began to fidget nervously, unsure how he should act around the two men, one of which he felt strongly towards, who he was sure were a couple. Berating himself mentally for coming onto the Hyuuga earlier, he neglected to see the waitress return with soup for the two men who had ordered.

When said waitress set down the two bowls Naruto, taken by surprise, jumped up. The girl mimicked his actions, once again spilling the liquid she held all over the table. Genma burst into another round of laughter, while Naruto began to apologize profusely. Neji watched the wide range of emotions spread across Naruto's face.

"W-well, I-I'm sorry to interrupt y-your...um, yeah. I-I'll let you two be on your own." He stuttered.

He gave a quick apologetic smile to the waitress before rushing out of the restaurant, barely ducking enough to clear the beams as he left.

Neji only slightly heard what the blonde had said since he was trying to avoid the hot broth from spilling on him. Genma however, hadn't missed a beat. "He made it seem like we were on a date." He laughed a bit, helping the waitress clean up the mess.

Neji froze at those words. He looked around noticing finally the blonde had left. "Shit."

The Hyuuga jumped up and over the table. Genma called after him but Neji ignored him as he looked for Naruto. He spotted the blonde already a ways down the street. "Naruto, wait up!" He called.

The blonde took a few more steps before he stopped and half turned around. The Hyuuga jogged down the street to meet him. "Naruto, listen. It's not...it wasn't…" He stopped, not sure exactly how to continue.

Naruto's eyes had drifted down the street to where Genma had just exited the restaurant to watch them.

Neji grunted in frustration. His usual facade long since abandoned. "Naruto..."

"You two seem really...comfortable together." Naruto's voice was bland allowing just a bit of his hurt to filter in.

"Comfortable? Yeah, I guess we are comfortable together, but no more than I am with Lee, Shikamura, Kiba or any of the others." Neji paused and scrunched up his face comically. "I take that back, I'm not comfortable around Kiba, at all."

Naruto shifted on his feet, giving Neji a strange look at his uncharacteristic ranting. "Well, um—" Neji stifled laughter at the embarrassed flush that crept up into Naruto's cheeks. "Um, w-well, it w-was just...well...you know." Naruto began, yet again stuttering.

Neji relaxed a bit and allowed himself to quietly laugh. It was a deep melodious sound, one that was rarely heard and always treasured. He continued to chuckle as he began walking in the direction Naruto was heading before. He paused for a second when he felt the blonde watching him and not following. "Coming?" The Hyuuga asked and instantly found a smiling blonde next to him.

---

"Well I'll be damned, who would have seen those two getting together?" Genma said to seemingly no one but himself.

A low chuckle preceded the appearance of Kakashi. Iruka followed slightly behind him with their hands connecting them. "Naruto's been obsessed with Neji for years." Kakashi explained as he walked to stand next to his fellow Jounin.

"Hey Iruka." Genma greeted with a wink and a smile. Iruka blushed and greeted the other man in return. "I'm guessing you knew about this too?"

"Yeah, Naruto actually came to me last week asking if he should make a move. From what I just heard from Jiraiya, he made his move this afternoon." Iruka supplied.

Kakashi looked over at his boyfriend questioningly. It was obvious, at least to the copy-nin, that the Chunin was holding something back.

"Jiraiya was spying—or doing research—whatever you want to call it, anyway, he saw Naruto basically molest Neji outright on a picnic with their friends."

"In front of people? Man those two have kink. I wonder who they got that from?" At Genma's accusation Iruka looked pointedly at Kakashi. He just looked innocently back at the brunette as if he didn't understand at all what was being implied

Genma chuckled and looked back down the street. The two had long since walked out of sight. Kakashi and Iruka watched Genma refocus on the empty street.

Kakashi leaned over to whisper something in his boyfriend's ear. Iruka's eyes widened briefly before bowing his head. "I'm sorry Genma, I didn't know you had a thing for Neji."

Genma looked over at the two men beside him. He smiled gently at the kindly Chunin. "No worries Iruka. Those two seem well fit for each other, and now I get the opportunity to get some with the lovely Sand ladies."

"Sand?" Iruka asked looking at Kakashi with a strange mix of panic and dread.

"Iruka, man, you really need to take the Jounin exam one of these days, you get left out of so many things." Genma said. "For example, we were briefed today that the Sand is coming next month for the Chunin exams."

Iruka shifted uncomfortably. "Kakashi, that means..."

"He won't be here for another month, by then he won't have a chance of getting between those two." Iruka sighed, it was simply in his nature to worry, and Kakashi's words hadn't helped a whole lot.

"Stop acting like that! If I wanted to date a woman, I would have gone after Anko!" Kakashi teased wrapping his lover up in a backward embrace. Iruka huffed but didn't resist.

Genma looked at the two questioningly. Kakashi sent him a look promising more information later, when Iruka wasn't around.

---

He couldn't help but allow a smile to grace his lips as the blonde clung to his arm. Naruto continued to explain excitedly everything he would be doing within the next week. As the future Rokudaime, he was expected at all sorts of meetings and ceremonies and with the coming Chunin exam, Naruto was expected to entertain the Kazekage when he came to Konoha.

Neji stopped, thus forcing his companion to stop. A frown marred his beautiful face. "Neji?" Naruto asked quietly.

"Why is the Kazekage coming this early?" Neji asked curiously. He knew perfectly well who the Kazekage was and normally he wouldn't care, however...

"I dunno," The blonde answered. A bashful grin overtook his face. "Actually, Gaara seems to come visit a lot for no real reason. He usually ends up staying at my place and we just, you know, hang out."

Neji's brows knitted together. "Hang out?" He said more to himself than to the blonde.

A grin split Naruto's face as he clung onto the smaller man. "Come on Neji, its Gaara! No need to be jealous."

Neji looked up at the taunt. He was surprised not only because of Naruto's obliviousness to Gaara's attraction but also because Neji had been unable to hide the emotion that was running through him. Yes, Neji was jealous. But who wouldn't be in that situation.

The blonde had started walking again, dragging the Hyuuga with him. Neji had no clue where they were heading, but it seemed Naruto did because before he knew it, Neji found himself at the entrance of his apartment building.

Pupil-less eyes widened and he stammered a bit. "Um, N-Naruto?" He said, trying to think of some reason that would get them away from his apartment.

In Naruto's mind the sudden slip in the Hyuuga's mask was being caused for another reason. They had come to the entrance of the building where the door was encased in a small room with one wall missing. It was one of the sidewalls running perpendicular to the door that Neji found himself shoved up against.

Naruto pressed himself firmly against the smaller man. "Neji, why are you so nervous all the sudden?" The blonde asked.

Slightly offended and anxious to get the oversized blonde away from the vicinity of his apartment, Neji stood straight in order to shoot back a retort. However, as he stood straight he hit his head against the blonde's chin who was leaning down in an intimidation technique.

Naruto chuckled as he stepped back and rubbed his chin. He smiled at the other man who had the courtesy to have the slightest hint of embarrassment within his recently recovered façade. "Now I know why you're nervous." The blonde teased.

Neji narrowed his eyes and stalked forward. Naruto was enjoying completely ruffling the usually calm man's outer demeanor. It was rare that the Hyuuga showed this much emotion, ever.

Neji walked up to Naruto fully intending to shove the blonde up against the wall. He collided against the taller man and all intimidation was gone instantly. With a man this tall it was impossible for one to even try to intimidate him. Naruto only laughed harder and threw his arms around Neji.

"What's wrong short stuff?" He said and instantly began to dodge a punch throw at his abdomen.

Naruto continued to dodge half-hearted punches in the small area in front of the entrance. Ever on his feet the blonde took off indoors and rushed up the stairwell. Knowing from previous visits with friends, Naruto made his way to the third floor where he knew Neji's apartment was.

Neji took off after Naruto, forgetting for a brief moment that his apartment was currently occupied by three well-meaning, meddling women. When he chased the blonde into his apartment and immediately met the back of his prey, he realized something was wrong.

Naruto had his embarrassed, bashful pose currently displayed. One hand scratching his head behind his head and an odd chuckle indicating he was a loss for words.

The Hyuuga had fallen to the ground at the impact with Naruto's back and now looked up at the man. He couldn't see beyond him but the lights were held dim with the light smell of burning candles and scented fragrances poignant in the air.

The blonde stared at the romantic induced apartment. The furniture had been moved out of sight and now decorative pillows and blankets were strategically placed on the floor. Candles were on every surface giving off a light ambiance. While an assortment of finger foods and wine was set out on small sections of flooring gapped between pillows.

Even in Naruto's mind, the scene was set for a perfect romantic night alone. Or in Neji's case, it seemed, with four women who were all standing staring at the blonde who had just barged in.

The blonde was completely embarrassed and for the second time that night felt he had completely misread his friend. He didn't know Neji went for such kinky things, and was inclined to ask about the skewed male to female ratio currently. However, Hinata's presence unnerved him a bit and decided to leave the question unasked.

A little upset that Neji was already claimed, the blonde turned around to find the Hyuuga still on the ground looking up at him. "H-hey, sorry man. Didn't know you were having company. I-I'll leave you alone." He said trying to cover up the sadness laced in his voice.

"N-Naruto, wait! It's not..." Neji called out but the blonde had already run out of the apartment, and mostly like the building. "…not again." He finished off dejectedly.

"What are you doing! We told you not to come back until we told you!" Ino screamed at the man who was now lying on his back on the floor.

"Neji you have to go after him! He'll get the wrong impression!" Sakura said. She had run to window at Naruto's departure and was now watching him run down the street, towards his own apartment.

"He's already got the wrong impression." Neji mumbled and closed his eyes.

He felt a quiet presence walk up next to him. She kneeled down next to him. "Neji, I'll go after him." Hinata quietly offered. "I'll try to get him back here..."

Neji got up and walked through his decorated living room. He opened the door to his bedroom only to find decorated similarly. The Hyuuga fought the urge to scream.

He turned around sharply and stalked out of his apartment. "Neji, where are you going?" The women called after him. He ignored them, he was sick of their help; if anything they were only making things worse for him.

---

(1) Reference to the movie Office Space

I should be paper clear after tomorrow, so I'll get on to writing the next chapter. Sorry again for the long wait.

AND DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW! THANKS!

Until Next Time…

Scottishfae