To clear something: Sasuke is actually mad in the manga. What you don't believe me? Ok, this IS a spoiler!!!

http://www(dot)onemanga(dot)com/Naruto/480/16-17/ What did I tell you? =) I am actually sorry Sasuke fans =( He is actually crazy.

KISHIMOTO YOU BASTARD!!! D: D: D:! Ahem yes, that is all I shall say.

Neji was tired. His muscles ached, his migraine throbbed, and his throat hurt. His eyes were sore from lack of sleep. He had lost weight. It was quite noticable. His ribs peeked through his paper-thin skin. But...

Neji was happy. Even if it was a morbid happiness.

Shikamaru was coming back. His chest felt warm, his cracked lips smiled faintly, and his eyes seemed to regain a bit of life, which his mission had stolen. Neji couldn't help but long to see Shikamaru. Somewhere. Anywhere. In the streets, shopping with Temari, drinking, at Ichiraku's... Yet..

Neji didn't want to see him. He did.. But he didn't. He did, because he loved the man. He didn't because it was unhealthy for him.

Neji sighed.

...

Sasuke stared out of the window. It was raining. Sometimes when the wind picked up the rain would be sprayed obnoxiously on to his window. It had been... Well.. Two years since he had come back. Nothing had changed. Not much. Naruto was loud. Sakura, annoying. Pest.

And he.. Sasuke.

Brooded.

When he was alone. He grinned. When he was alone he remembered how good it had felt to kill Danzou.. the bastard who was responsible for his brother's murder, for his brother's exile, for his brother's broken life.

But.. He hoped at least, that now Itachi could rest. Maybe there was a heaven. And Itachi smiled down upon him. Just maybe...

Sasuke blinked owlishly as he saw Temari with that pathetic husband Shikamaru cuddle under the one umbrella. She leant upwards abruptly to kiss him. Sasuke's eyes narrowed in anger. Stupid woman.

...

The rain pattered cosily on Hinata's window. The dark storm clouds were a violent shade of grey.

"Ouch!" She hissed. The baby had kicked. Gingerly, she felt her stomach. Another kick.

The door creaked open.

"Hinata-chan!"

Hinata smiled happily. It had been lonely in her room, and although the rain was comforting, it was just no fun if you had nobody to snuggle up with. She felt a stab of guilt. Neji... How selfish..

"Naruto-kun?"

Naruto greeted her happily, kissing her cheek and wrapping his arms protectively around her swelling stomach.

Hinata blushed somewhat as she felt Naruto's warm hands resting on her waist. A kick. And Naruto had to stifle a cry of excitement.

"Neh, Hinata-chan... We should think of a name."

Hinata sighed.

"But Naruto-kun we don't know if it's a boy or a girl yet."

"It's a boy." Naruto answered without hesitation.

Hinata frowned.

"What makes you so sure?"

"I've got a feeling.." Naruto smirked.

"Oh really, well, I guess I'd better check with Tsunade, as obviously she needs replacing, because her machines aren't a accurate as Naruto's feelings."

Naruto pouted.

"You're having mood swings again Hinata-chan!"

Hinata smiled softly.

"Sorry Naruto-kun.. I'm just worried about Neji-ni-san."

Naruto's face clouded over.

...

"It felt like this."

And Naruto, began to cry.

And so, Naruto and Neji, let the rain pour.

...

"Naïve of you to think he'd come and visit." Neji berated himself angrily.

"Neji!"

Neji closed his eyes in annoyance. He counted to ten.

"One..."

"Two."

"Three.."

"Four-"

"Neji!!"

Neji snapped his eyes open.

"What is it?" He called down, trying to keep the traces of fury from his voice.

"I need you to pick something up from that Sake store!"

"Right..."

A pause.

"Hiashi-sama." Neji added carefully.

...

Shikamaru was getting tired of holding endless stacks of pillow cases.

Surely it didn't really matter what their bed cushions looked like? That is to say, all they did in bed was sleep and make love. What the hell did the cushions matter? Unless Temari wanted to introduce cushions in to their sex life. Shikamaru thought idly that if this were the case, he would never have married her.

"Neh, Shikamaru-kun, what do you think of this colour?"

She thrust a carmine cushion under his nose.

"Uhh... It's... nice."

Temari huffed, hitting him angrily over the head with said cushion.

"You should really show more enthusiasm about this, I mean really, you think you can just marry me, and then not expect to have to tidy up and make-over that dreary flat of yours? I mean, when we have children, do you think they'll be enter-"

"Right, fine, you want my opinion on that cushion? I think it's shit. I mean how the hell am I meant to sleep with that violent colour under my head."

Temari seethed.

"You'll. Have. Your. Eyes. Shut."

"You think I'll be able to shut my eyes with that thing staring at me?"

Shikamaru was teasing now.

"Fine, fine, woah, I like the teal ones. They're calm-" But Shikamaru stopped abruptly.

He had just spotted some rather attractive looking, silky pillows. They were a beautiful shade of silver.. Or mauve. Shikamaru could not decide.

They seemed..

Familiar.

He could have sworn he had seen them a thousand times before... But where?

"Temari, hang on, I like those ones." Shikamaru walked over to said cushions.

Temari smiled.

"Thank god, you're taking this seriously! They're not too bad!"

Shikamaru handed her a large amount of money.

"You go buy them, yeah, I'm going for some fresh air."

Temari smiled. Men always got so tired shopping.

...

"Neji!"

Neji stopped slowly. That voice.

So... This would be the first time they met in... Two weeks.. One and a half. Neji was not sure.

He turned.

"Shikamaru?"

He walked towards the Nara.

Shikamaru looked a thousand times better in than last time. Of course he had been in the sun. It was snowy here. His tan was gorgeous... Shut up brain.

"How're you Neji?"

Shikamaru would have thought Neji would say terrible, his bones stuck out, his clothes hung off him, like a tent, his eyes were heavy and unfocused, there were dark panda rings underneath them, which clashed with his pale, pale skin. His hair hung limply, none of it's usual life there. His gaze was distant as though not really seeing Shikamaru.

It was hurting.

"Fine. And you? You must be miserable to be back."

"Nah, not really, it's just that, Temari's been shopping a lot lately... My money is burning."

"I see."

Indeed, Neji could see Temari emerging from a shop, carrying bags and bags full of... Stuff.

"Listen, I won't hold you up, I'll be going."

And Neji walked away, his shoulders hanging, his bones jutting out awkwardly.

Shikamaru wanted to call after him, wanted to make him stay. It was just like in his dream. Neji was close. But so far.

Temari clucked on about the shopping, the arrangements, unimportant, minor issues.

Neji...

Neji...

Neji!

Why didn't Neji see him. He just saw.. right through.

Sasuke's eyes had seen everything.

He smirked.

They Hyuuga was in love.

This... might just be easy.

The scene where Shika sees Neji.. Is all thanks to torib0o!!! We all love her =) Thank you Tori n_n