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The Shadow's Monster

Chapter 8

Shikamaru lay there, relaxed and comfortable. He'd long since adjusted to Sasuke's presence and truth be told, the rare times he didn't show up to sit quietly with him, Shikamaru felt the void next to him. It was cold and empty and he didn't like it. Those few times he remained only for a short while, trying to convince himself he was leaving early because he was tired or needed to get errands done, but he knew better. He was leaving early because Sasuke wasn't there.

But this wasn't one of those times. Sasuke was lying next to him and Shikamaru was thanking his lucky stars to be safely home. His mission had taken a few weeks longer than expected, his paranoia at failing to gather all relevant information making him overly cautious. It had caused him to be been gone for a little over two months. Too long. Way too long. As soon as his mission was complete he raced for home, not bothering to stop except for food and once during an especially bad downpour.

I'm home now and it feels so good. But I'm so tired I'm not sure I'm going to make it back home before I pass out. The daytime weather is still fairly warm, but it's already starting to get chilly at ni---

Shikamaru's thoughts were brought to a crashing halt when he felt a hesitant touch to his cheek. Then a deep whisper tickled his ear.

"Welcome home."

Shikamaru's eyes flew open and stared up into the star-speckled sky. The small moist spot on his cheek began to radiate a heat which only grew and quickly covered his whole body. He couldn't seem to find the ability to speak or move or even blink. He knew that a few moments after Sasuke had whispered in his ear that the mysterious man disappeared in a silent blur of black.

Did he just---?

Shikamaru found himself suddenly awake but he did nothing for the next few hours but stare up into the night sky and wonder: Had Sasuke really kissed his cheek or had he imagined it in his tired stupor? And since when does a simple kiss on the cheek make a man sweat?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"You still haven't told him."

If he were a lesser shinobi, he would have jumped out of his skin at the sound of the quiet voice. But since he was Sasuke Uchiha, ANBU of Konoha, he only started as he whirled around to face the source of the voice, sending three shuriken flying.

The intruder easily avoided the attack and leapt down from his perch on the window and into Sasuke's apartment. Acting as if nothing peculiar were going on, Kakashi looked around Sasuke's apartment, hands shoved in his pockets as he slowly meandered his way in a small circle, re-familiarizing himself with his surroundings. How long has it been since I was here last?

"Are you crazy? You don't just show up on someone's window sill! You could have been killed!"

One steel blue eye focused on Sasuke. It was sharp and for the first time in a long time, Sasuke saw the true fire that burned within the notorious Copy Nin. He understood the message loud and clear: "you couldn't kill me if you tried, whelp." But when he spoke, his voice was the same casual, carefree voice.

"I suppose there was the slight possibility of being injured. Your sill is rather splintery. You should take care of that."

Sasuke just shook his head and started back the way he was originally headed before the interruption. Damn crazy bastard.

"What are you doing here?"

Kakashi sat down at the small kitchen table and watched as Sasuke pulled out food and began to prepare a meal.

"Are you hungry? You can stay for dinner."

Kakashi could see that Sasuke was still tense, despite his friendly offer. It was obvious in the stiff shoulders and his heavy-handed cutting.

"My my, aren't you the inquisitive one tonight. Am I crazy? Why am I here? Am I hungry? Such concern for your former sensei is touching, Sasuke."

Sasuke whirled around and threw the chopping knife towards Kakashi, the blade imbedding itself six inches away with a muted thud into the kitchen table. Sasuke knew Kakashi well enough to understand his teasing was only half-hearted and the barbs were only meant to pinch, not actually hurt. But he was in an especially bad mood and didn't have the patience for it at the moment.

"This is why you need to tell him."

Kakashi flicked the knife with his index finger and watched it wobble back and forth.

"You're too tense. You need a comforting presence in your life."

Sasuke had no plans to tell Kakashi anything, but the insecure person inside weaseled out fast enough to blurt out,

"I kissed him."

A silver eyebrow raised in curiosity, the knife forgotten.

"Oh?"

Sasuke growled and turned back around, grabbing a new knife and chopping vegetables once again with renewed vigor.

"Sort of. It was on his cheek. No big deal."

"But you're worried. How did he react?"

"He….didn't."

"At all?"

Sasuke just shook his head, not trusting his voice at the moment. His grip on the knife tightened as he recalled watching Shikamaru just lay there and stare at the sky for hours before leaving. That had been three days ago. Since then Sasuke had withdrawn, not seeking the Shadow Shinobi for fear of being rejected.

"I see."

Kakashi felt sorry for the younger man, knowing what havoc being in love can wreak on a man's sanity, never mind unrequited love. He took a deep exaggerated breath and plucked the knife once again.

"Well, in answer to your questions, I'm here to check up on you and yes I am hungry, thanks for the invitation."

Sasuke scoffed and turned around to fix his former sensei with a smirk.

"You didn't answer the first question."

"So it would seem. But I would think a bright, astute shinobi such as yourself would know that there isn't a shinobi out there who isn't at least a bit crazy. It's a prerequisite for the job."

Sasuke's smirk twitched, wanting to be set free into a full smile, but he turned before it could happen. As he continued to prepare dinner, Sasuke's body and mind relaxed as he and Kakashi fell into a familiar give and take.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Shikamaru walked towards the window, not really hearing his students as they bid him goodbye and left for the day. Instead, his attention was focused on a tree branch across the way. An empty tree branch.

It's been four days. He's not on a mission, I checked. So where the hell is he? You don't just kiss a guy and then disappear. You explain yourself, maybe even apologize, or do it again.

Shikamaru slammed his fist into the sill and turned away in frustration.

What the hell am I talking about? Do it again?! I'm not even sure it happened the first time!

Shikamaru reached out for the doorknob, ready to storm out of his classroom and to a nearby bar when a whisper invaded his mind.

"Welcome home."

His grip tightened on the doorknob and he laid his forehead against the door. I don't know what the hell is going on, but the next time I see him, I'll damn well get my answer.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Shikamaru felt his presence before Sasuke even entered the protective border he had set up around him. He didn't open his eyes or say anything in greeting. In his mind's eye he could see Sasuke's hesitant approach. Sasuke sat down next to him with barely a sound or movement of air.

After several minutes of reciting the shinobi manual in his head to keep himself calm, Shikamaru spoke up, determined to get his answers.

"What do you want from me?"

"Anything you're willing to give."

Sasuke's answer was immediate and this surprised Shikamaru. He was expecting the question. But what the hell kind of answer is that? He opened his eyes and turned his head slightly to look up and see Sasuke gazing down at him.

"What does that mean?"

Shikamaru watched in fascination as Sasuke's lips curved into a smug grin. As he found his mind focusing on the thin, smooth lips he unconsciously bit his own bottom lip.

Sasuke's hope soared as he saw Shikamaru's attention focused elsewhere. He turned his body and leaned in a little closer, forcing Shikamaru to drop his hungry gaze from Sasuke's lips and concentrate on the onyx eyes boring into him.

"You're the genius. You figure it out."

Shikamaru narrowed his eyes and Sasuke's smirk grew.

"Don't play games with me, Sasuke. Tell me now, what the hell are you up to?"

Sasuke studied the shinobi laying next him. His shadows haven't appeared yet even though he's obviously agitated, which means he trusts me not to pull anything. Well, I'm afraid he's wrong on that count today.

In a swift move Sasuke turned his body so he was now straddling Shikamaru's outstretched body. He chuckled at Shikamaru's wide eyes and slowly leaned down so he was now on all fours. A quick check and Sasuke was pleased to see no shadows creeping towards them.

Feeling confident, Sasuke bent his elbows, coming to within a mere inch or two of Shikamaru's face, and in the process he let his knees slide back a bit, bringing their lower bodies together.

"I didn't imagine it."

Sasuke heard the barely breathed words and spoke gently to Shikamaru.

"You didn't imagine what?"

"The kiss."

Sasuke's smile faded as he closed the gap between them, placing a soft kiss on Shikamaru's cheek.

"…..stop."

Shikamaru turned his head away, and as much as he wanted to escape Sasuke and the whole situation, he couldn't seem to get any other part of his body to move. He was laying on the ground with Sasuke hovering over him, warming him, confusing his mind and body.

"Don't you like it?"

Shikamaru tried to concentrate on the grass, seeing separate blades, veins, insects crawling on them, but it was no use. All his senses were overwhelmed by Sasuke and what he was doing to him. He was warm, with a pleasant, nervous tightness in his chest and Sasuke was so close he could smell what he assumed was vanilla wafting from Sasuke's equally overheated skin. He hated to admit it, but the situation wasn't disagreeable to him.

"….yes."

"Then what's the problem?"

Another feather light kiss, this time on his neck, and it sent shockwaves of electricity down Shikamaru's spine and he gasped as he clamped his eyes shut.

"Tell me, Shikamaru."

"I'm…."

"You're what?"

The deep voice caressed his ear and Shikamaru clenched his teeth, trying to resist Sasuke's attention and failing miserably. He'd endured torture and withstood so much pain and yet now, at the slightest touch or provocation from Sasuke, Shikamaru was ready to sell his soul and that was his problem.

"Scared."

Sasuke pulled back slightly, surprised at the admission from the Black Ops shinobi. He swallowed hard and prepared himself. Shikamaru had never cared much for public opinion and always did as he pleased, but perhaps this was different. He was older now, had certain responsibilities to the village, his students.

"Are you scared of me? Of what people will think?"

"Don't be ridiculous. I just…I don't know what to do, ok? I don't….I've never…"

Shikamaru growled and in his flustered state shoved Sasuke away and stood up, stomping down the hillside. I have to get out of here, clear my head. What was I thinking, letting things get this far? Why can't I--

A strong arm halted his progress and Shikamaru found himself turned about, facing an angry and confused Sasuke who had an iron grip on both upper arms now.

"Wait. Are you seriously telling me you've never kissed anyone before?"

Shikamaru struggled to get out of Sasuke's grip and as the two grappled they slipped on the slick grass and tumbled to the ground where their struggle continued.

"Damn it, Shikamaru, stop!"

Sasuke quickly gained the advantage and pinned Shikamaru to the ground.

Shikamaru lay there, mortified, chest heaving, cheeks blazing, looking off to the side wishing he were a shinobi from Water so he could turn into mist and fade away.

"Just tell me….have you ever kissed anyone before? Is that what this is all about?"

"Of course I've kissed someone, you idiot! I've just never wanted to before now!"

Sasuke's body stiffened at the shouted confession and Shikamaru's body suddenly went lax. Once the admission was out, it was as if all the fight had left his body and there was nothing left to do but admit defeat and face the consequences.

"I don't get it. Why you? Why now? And what the hell am I supposed to do? Pretend this is ok and perfectly normal?"

Shikamaru scoffed and turned to face Sasuke, but he wasn't prepared to see the emotion so blatantly visible on the man's face. In all the years he'd known Sasuke, not once had he seen the man so….exposed.

When their eyes met Sasuke flinched and sat back, looking as if he'd just been caught doing something horribly wrong.

Shikamaru pushed himself up onto his elbow and reached out for Sasuke. When he made contact with Sasuke's cheek he could feel the tiny tremors under the flesh.

"Hey…say something."

Sasuke opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. After a few seconds he closed it and with a strangled noise he reached out and cupped Shikamaru's face, bringing their lips together for a bruising kiss.

Shikamaru allowed the kiss, suddenly realizing just how insecure Sasuke had been feeling and what a huge risk he'd taken tonight. I wouldn't have had the courage. I would have let things stay the way they were.

Finally Sasuke let Shikamaru's lips go but he held his face close to his own, forcing Shikamaru to support himself by leaning up on his hands.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For…."

….accepting me, for caring, for treating me like a person, for giving me that ridiculous umbrella, for having such soft lips….

"….for wanting to."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I see you told him."

Sasuke didn't even flinch when the voice sounded from above his head. He just cracked the barest of smirks as he scoffed.

"Yeah."

Kakashi heard the satisfaction and contentment in Sasuke's voice and he was happy for his former student. He'd been worried that Sasuke would spend his days isolated, never finding peace until his death. But then a certain teacher caught his attention, for whatever reason, and Kakashi had hope again.

Sasuke turned his attention from Shikamaru who was now sitting at his desk reading while his students took a quiz to find Kakashi had dropped down to his own branch and was now crouching by his outstretched foot, observing Shikamaru.

"Do you know why teachers insist on wearing their hair in spiky ponytails?"

"Hmph. No."

"Me either."

Kakashi's voice held a tone of wistfulness to it and Sasuke turned back to watch Shikamaru again, wondering if Kakashi was seeing Shikamaru or Iruka as he stared into the classroom.

"But…I like it."

"Me too. Easy access to the neck."

Sasuke felt his cheeks warm. Not at the implications of Kakashi's words, but at the truth of the statement. He closed his eyes and thought back to just a few hours ago when he greeted Shikamaru in his classroom, his lips roaming languidly down the thin neck, tasting the warm, smooth flesh and letting his lips rest against his jugular for a few extra seconds before being shooed away.

"Yeah."

End.

My thanks to all who read through until the end; I hope it kept you entertained, at least for a moment or two.