Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Boy In The Closet ❯ Motivation or Problem ( Chapter 7 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A.N: Thank you again for the reviews and thank you silent readers. This could have been in Sunday but my computer was unplugged (vweep :-( Enjoy the chapter. Fantasy.

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Neji's day was going well and he moved about each class as though he truly has been in this school since the get-go and had the luck of being completely unacknowledged unless he wanted it. When his History class took a test and the teacher said he could wait to take it, Neji declined the offer and took the test; judging by the surprised look on the mans face he passed it and then some. It wasn't until his reading class took a trip to the library that he was noticed by a boy that he spotted in his Biology class. He believed the name to be... Nara Shika- something.... Maru... probably. Either way the boy, who looked to be Lee's age, strolled over to the bookshelf he resides at, leaning his weight on the shelf and just as he went to open his mouth to speak Neji cut him off.

"A. You'd be wasting my time, B. I'd be wasting your time, or C. No you can't borrow anything I have." Shikamaru blinked at the males blunt words. "File yourself into the right category and move on." Walking down a few steps he hoped the boy took the hint that he didn't want to be bothered and backed off. Pretending to look over book titles, he smiled seeing that the male did just that. Owning this school would be a piece of cake.

The Hyuuga boy functioned through the day talking with a boy, Shino, from geometry class and a few others he's taking. He thought the boy to be very mysterious with the way he always wears sunglasses but he later found out that Shino has very sensative eyes and under certain lights he can't see anything but blur; normal glasses wouldn't do anything but enhance the stigmatism, sunglasses are as good as having a tinted window on your car. He also liked how the Aburame boy didn't pry into his life as others would. It made friendship with him a lot easier then with most.

Neji is now in the teachers lounge reheating his lunch to eat on the roof. He planned to eat in homeroom but he didn't really care for a lot of the idiots in there so the roof seemed like the perfect place. But Neji never expected to see the young Nara laid out on his back on a little bench that someone has placed out there. Smirking in disbelief, he walks over to the male, taking a seat on the arm rest just beside his head. Feeling the cool of the shade hit his once warm forehead, Shikamaru opens his eyes then smiles lazily before closing them again.

"So, now the shoe is on the other foot." Says the boy. "You got a taste of me and want more."

"Hn. I just assumed this to be a peaceful place to have lunch." He takes a bite of his egg which has gone soggy a bit. Picking off a bite he holds it over the males mouth, tapping his lips a bit as if ordering for him to open up. "But then I find you here; guess I can't be right all the time."

Chewing the offered morsel, slowly as if he didn't want to actually eat it but dissolve it in his mouth, he smiled. "This is a quiet place once your ego shuts up."

That made Neji feel a slap to the face, but then he smiled it off. "Keep dreaming, I didn't want to have any conversations." He takes a bite of food for himself.

"Dream, huh? Well when I do I'll dream of someone a little more polite." He swallowed hard. "Maan, that egg is terrible. How 'bout some rice?"

The Hyuuga picked up a bundle of sticky rice dropping it into the boys waiting mouth. Tasting some for himself, he was at least satisfied with that. "You wanna talk about being polite?" He says absently picking off a piece of egg to put with the rice; seeing that Shikamaru is still nursing that second bite he ate it for his self. "Do you think those teachers appreciate you sleeping during class?"

Shikamaru shrugged. "Asleep, awake. If you can pay attention and do the assignments does your technique matter?"

Neji had to think about that. After all, some people are prone to sleeping, completely under, yet they can awaken with the knowledge of every sound that went on around them that night or afternoon. So who's to say. That brought on another question. "How old are you?" He offered another bite, but Shikamaru shook his head.

"15."

"Hm. So you've skipped a year?"

Shikamaru was silent for a moment; Neji thought the boy might have relaxed himself completely to sleep, but then he shook his head. "Skipped straight into college but...." he yawned. "Going to college is too troublesome right now."

"Are you kidding, think of the life you could have."

"As a young prodigy, then what? Get a job when no one will hire a minor? Being smart has nothing to do with the real world so I'd rather just hang out around here with my friends until we all get out together."

Smiling, Neji turned his face away from the boy to say. "How noble of you."

"Not really, because as it turns out my friends are troublesome too."

"Than I must really be getting on your nerves."

Shikamaru opened his eyes to gaze up at the pale eyes of the Hyuuga boy. "Not especially." He answered in honesty. "Now if you were to go out with me, maybe to a movie or something" he smiles as he says this. "You'd be my favorite person."

Scowling, Neji takes a bite of egg from his meal, then drops it into the grinning teens mouth. "Shut up." He laughs when Shikamaru scrunches his face.

"You should have left that cold." He complains.

The boys laughter sub-siding, the rest of lunch remained a respectable silent.

Sasuke loaded the bus, Naruto climbs on a step behind him, Neji behind Naruto; Kiba appeared to be walking home today as he waved his bestfriend off as the bus leaves. Shikamaru waved goodbye to Neji as he loaded a different bus, number 0015. The Hyuuga spared him a glance but nothing more. Sasuke takes a seat expecting Neji or Lee- who's mysteriously absent, to sit beside him but Naruto walled him in.

Scowling, he asks. "So you take this bus home?"

Grinning wide, he says. "Yup."

The bus driver pulled the door shut; Sasuke stood up. "Hold on, my brother didn't get on yet?" The youngest Hatake called to the man.

The driver shrugged then pulled out. Sasuke scoffed then sat back down. Neji leaned forward to look past Naruto at his brothers face.

"Don't worry about it, Lee knows the way home on foot. He might have had something to do after school."

Having not thought of that Sasuke relaxed into his seat, as best he could with the perky blond talking to him. When the bus made its third stop Sasuke and Neji stand up ready to leave. Thinking that he's finally gonna get to say goodbye to the stooge, he's surprised to see that Naruto is exiting the bus as well. Scrunching his eyes, he asks.

"So you live on this street too?"

"Sure do." His smile is so big now his eyes have actually closed because of it.

As they walked down the sidewalk, Neji snickering at Sasuke's side the more hunched over his posture becomes the bluenet looks up when Naruto starts across the street. Seeing that it's just diagonal of his own home, he asks to confirm.

"So your house is right there?"

"It sure is!" Just when Naruto opened his eyes from beaming he begins to say. "So I guess we'll be seeing each other, huh bu-.... Sasuke?" The last thing he noticed was the door at the Sabakan house closing. Cocking his head, he shrugs. Life's gonna be awesome with that cute boy just across the street, he couldn't wait to tell his Grandfather!

.................

"Can somebody let me out!" Shouts Lee, while banging on the locker door that he has become trapped in after Kiba shoved him inside of it during the sound of the last bell. "Please! I'm stuck in heeereeee!!!!"

Walking out of her classroom, a lovely dark haired woman with blazing red eyes looks on in question at the noisey locker. "Lee-san?" She asks recognizing the voice somewhat.

"Kurenai-sensei!! Can you let me out of here, please?!"

Taking out her set of keys; all the teachers have one that opens lockers incase kids might be hiding something that they could move while they, the teachers, get the janitor. "Lee? How in the world did you get in there?"

He staggered out, breathing heavily as if his very exsistance was suffocating in there. "I don't want to be a snitch, so please don't ask me that. I just wanna go home now."

"But Lee?"

"Please?" His large eyes begged her not to ask any more questions.

Shaking her head in dismay that she'll never understand children, she waved the boy away. "Be cautious on your way home, Lee-san."

"I will; I can run really fast if I need to." He took off doing just that with a hand waved over his shoulder to say goodbye.

That poor boy. Maybe I should bring his fathers in for a talk. Checking her watch, she blushed before walking down to the tech room to meet with teacher, Asuma, since he's her ride home. After a second thought, she wondered if she could catch up to Lee and offer him a ride with her as well. She's sure the man wouldn't mind; but it was already too late as Lee had exited the building.

The tall boy hurried down the street hoping that his running was for nothing and Kiba and his rat pack have decided to just ride home on the bus and leave him alone for the day. He loved sitting with his brother, but he couldn't help but feel the awkward stares and hate the uncomfortable silence everyone cast him but Sasuke who made an effort to include him in conversation. He failed. And as far as his luck was going for today, he seemed to have none of it as he went soaring face down to the hard concrete. Looking over his shoulder, he frowns seeing that the very boy in question has just tripped him.

"Better run, bobblehead."

Staggering to his feet he hears the Inuzuka boy howl before the sound of his and Bunrashi's feet came clammering after him. This was gonna be a long afternoon.

.................

"Looks like you've made a friend." States Neji while removing his shoes at the genkan before walking further into the living room.

Sasuke whacked the boy atop his head for even thinking such impure thoughts. "Uzumaki Naruto is not a friend. He's loud, he's a pain in the house because he never stops talking, and he's.... he's..." Thinking of a word nothing came to mind nicer than. "A pervert!" Stomping into the kitchen he looks questioningly at the fallen chairs, but shrugs it off before standing them back up. He then drops his back pack onto the floor beside the chair he planned to sit at while doing his homework. The teachers told him he could wait on it but he figured it would only hurt him in the long run, so he chose to take it. He had to read something in science while taking notes and do a bunch of pre-school math problems- at least they are in his genius mind.

Neji walked into the kitchen with a smile on his face. "Uh huh." Opening a cabinet in search of a cup he only finds cereal and dinner bowls. Opening another cabinet he then locates the cups taking two down to pour orange juice into for him and Sasuke. "I think you like him, or you will in time."

"Like hell I will, besides" he takes the cup thanking his older brother with his eyes. "He's mean to Lee and I can't like someone who treats my family that way."

"Mm hmm, and because of Lee you're gonna pass up a person who could be your best friend."

Thinking it over he nods. "Yeah, I think I am." He takes a sip of his drink, then a longer one before setting the cup down. "The guys at the table call him Fuzzy-brows all the time and that's just the nice one. The worst is... Walking bobblehead doll and Alien eyes."

Neji shakes his head, sitting down removing his own homework from his bag. "It's the way of life, you're picked on by people for whatever reason they can find. It's how you handle it that makes you strong and Sasuke," he paused to insure his little brother was listening. "Having you stick up for Lee when for three months, he has let the name calling go on then that's a bigger slap in the face than the name calling."

Sasuke thought that over.

"Think about it. How would you feel if your younger brother was defending you from being bullied?"

Sasuke couldn't relate because Itachi is older than him and anytime he had a problem- wait, Itachi never helped him with his problems, at least, not to his face. But anytime his brother told him to confront a bully, as few as there were, he always felt his brother lerking somewhere in the background as if to say 'should things go wrong those brats are toast'. Sasuke knew that if his mom and dad ever had another kid, he'd be the same way with them. And thinking about it now Sasuke has become tougher because his brother never butted in to his problems. But Itachi never hesitated to defend his best friend outright. If it weren't for that fateful day, Sasuke would have always been jealous of the other male wondering what it was that made him so special in his brothers eyes.

"I see your point. But can't he still sit with us at lunch?"

Neji shakes his head. "It would be too awkward for him. It's better things remain as they are until he makes changes."

Sasuke knew that Neji spoke the truth, guess that's what makes him so cool. He's wise beyond his years. But that doesn't mean that Sasuke won't watch over Lee when he can. And maaaybe Naruto isn't that bad, after all he isn't exactly a nerdy loser like he thought he would get his first day of school, he fits right in with the popular kids what more could you want? Of course now he has to smooth things over with Kiba but he was sure the dork would understand.

"But speaking of Lee, I wonder why he wasn't on the bus."

Neji shrugged, turning his head at the sound of the front door opening. "Hello?" He calls to the intruder.

"It's me." Says Lee walking into the kitchen head down then he sits at the table. Laying his head down for a second just to relax, he then picks his books from his bag and sets them on the table.

The two boys look at their brother sideways before Sasuke asks.

"Who hit you in the eye?"

Lee absently touched his red welt that's starting to get a tint of purple to it. "Just some kids at school."

"Was it Kiba?" The bluenet nearly growled.

Neji shook his head telling him to leave it.

"Just forget about it." Says the glum male.

"Speaking of forgotten things, did anyone hear the two of them last night?" He had to hold back a laugh.

"Who two?" Asks Lee confused.

Sasuke laughed. "I know! Did they think anyone would sleep during that?"

"Who would sleep during what?"

Neji turned his pale eyes to his middle brother. "Last night our fathers had sex."

Lee turned completely red after replaying the words in his head. He was so shocked by this news he actually froze up altogether; people just don't say words like that, they just don't.... do things like that! "Did you have to be so blunt?!" Squeeks the boy.

"Well would you rather I sugar coat it by calling it making love? Judging by the way they were moaning it was hardly that."

"Neji!?" Whailed Lee, covering his ears now.

Sasuke covered his mouth laughing into it or trying to keep it back. How could they listen in on their fathers doing that? It's not right. When he was sure Neji was done talking, he uncovered his ears and said.

"No, I didn't hear them and thank god."

"Too bad, it was some pretty interesting stuff. I'll have to record it sometime."

Record? Lee ponders.

"Speaking of sex.... have either of you two ever.... I mean because you're old enough to."

"Hn. I'm never having sex." Declared Neji. "Sex means a relationship and relationships cost money, which I don't care to spend on anyone but myself when it's necessary." After a thought he adds. "And I've got dishes tonight."

"I wanted dishes!" Says the bluenet.

"Take out the trash."

"My recording!" Lee runs from the table and out of the kitchen.

"What's with him?" Asks Sasuke.

Neji shrugs. "I don't know, but I can assure you he's never had sex."

The two boys do their homework quickly and quietly until ten minutes later they hear Lee calling for Sasuke. Wondering what could be so urgent he hurries upstairs into the boys bedroom.

"What is it?"

"Listen to this," he takes the headphones from his head then holds them out for his brother to take.

Walking over to the bed he takes a seat then slips the headphones over his ears.

"I'm leaving now!" Says Lee's voice before he stomps downstairs and closes the door.

Silence.... Silence.... Silence... then Thump! Thump! Thump!

"They're finally gone." Says a low tone. Before the thumps begin again then there's silence. Seconds later a few low bangs can be heard.

Lee looks the boys face over, taking the headphones when his brother takes them off. "Well?"

"Neji!!" Sasuke calls.

The older male came upstairs to be given the headphones and tape. He listens to it a moment, then cocks his brow in question. "When did you do this?"

"This morning before school, its what I went back for." Holding out his hands in question. "Do you see what I mean?"

Neji shakes his head, removing the headphones then smoothing his hair back down. "What you mean about what?"

"This house being haunted." He said with a sort of 'duh' in his tone.

Shaking his head the older male backed away from the bed. "That could have been from the television being left on."

"I don't know Neji, who was making those stomping sounds on the stairs." Asks Sasuke.

"I'm not sure but, I don't believe in ghost or magic or anything like that. So conclude it however you want."

"...Neji makes a point. I'm gonna finish my homework, we'll think it over later." Sasuke leaves the room without another word.

"But you guys...." He protest.

"Lee, I need to talk with you about something." The older male takes a seat on the bed glad to be alone with the boy.

"...Okay."

"It's about school." Neji looks him right in the eye. "Do you know how to make friends?"

"Huh?"

"Do you know how to walk right up to someone and just hang out with them, no introductions necessary."

Taken aback by the odd question he answers. "Of course I do."

"No, I don't think you do." He shrugged. "Because if you did then you wouldn't need help from Sasuke, your younger brother, to make friends for you."

"I don't need Sasuke to-..."

"You do Lee. You don't know how to be the puppet because you let the puppeteer take all the credit for you."

"Huh?"

"Think about it," he said slowly. "When you watch a puppet show, you really believe that the doll is alive, almost to the point of wanting to talk to the smart mouth yourself. No one acknowledges the man holding the doll, not even when he speaks."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"I'm telling you to take charge of the situation, stop letting the puppeteer carry the jokes when its your job to do that."

"I see what you mean." Ponders the middle child. "Let people gravitate towards me, rather than going to them."

"Exactly. No one is ever looking for new friends but they're ready to go to the next best thing compared to what they're with right now." Turning his head, he looks at the marker board the big eyed boy keeps in his room. Walking over to it. "Your Dad doesn't know what goes on in schools of this day and age. It's a cruel world and you have to eat first and leave scraps for the followers." Picking up a red marker he writes his words for better living down at the bottom. "Let it soak in." With that, he leaves the room.

Lee frowned a bit. Why does Neji always have to be blunt to an almost cruel degree. But what he says is true. He should be more forth coming in his life instead of letting others take the lead but... He's put his mean streak away since that fateful day he beat up Moritaka and gave a black eye to every member at that table, which thankfully no one but Moritaka told on him all too scared to have another beating come their way. Looking at his board he reads the red words. Live for now, be a force. Can he though?

Grabbing Heero, he lays down on his bed. Now was not the time for this but he's been having a rough day and a good cry is what he needs right now. With permission to do so, the clear drops of salted water ran silently down his face.

Gaara watched Lee doing this, when a thought occurd to him. If I can't scare these people. I'm going to break them up. A sneer twisted onto his face as he slid the closet door shut leaving Lee alone to hurt.