A/N: Welp here I am with my next and final chapter for this story. I was debating splitting it into another chapter but there was no point in dragging it on any longer. I'm fairly happy with the way this turned out, though I may tweak it a bit later. I'm very tired and sick right now so I haven't had much time to work on my stories. I'll go back to my other stories now and work on them a bit! I mention the character in this story to be Neji's cousin, the info is false. I made the character up for my own intents and purposes. I think of Neji's family as having many people they cause cousin or uncle, so I just stuck him with the title of cousin. Enjoy, lemmie know what you think! Thanks soooo much for your feedback guys!

Disclaimer: I sadly don't own Naruto.

Warning: This story contains YAOI (malexmale relationships). If you don't like don't read.

"W-who the hell are you?" Shikamaru stammered.

"My name is of little importance. All that you need to know about me is that I was sent here under orders of my clan. Direct and specific orders" the Hyūga replied.

"Orders?" Shikamaru breathed, eyeing the Hyūga with distaste.

The man nodded before adding "Orders...to eliminate."

.Three.

Shikamaru yanked the kunai from his lover's back and threw it at the ground rather hard. He glared with an unyielding hatred at the older Hyūga. Eliminate? How could anyone have given such an order? He had never thought of Neji's family to be anything like an actual family, but Gods he had thought them better than this. Weren't they supposed to be elite or noble or something? Shikamaru had never heard of such highly respected families behaving in such a way. Neji shook the shock of pain from himself and turned to face the Hyūga.

"Hiteo?" Neji called a tad bewildered.

"I'm sorry, cousin. Hiashi's word is absolute" Hiteo answered.

The urge to slap himself overtook Shikamaru. How could someone murder their own cousin? Better yet, how could someone order death upon their own nephew! He realized how little he knew about Neji's family and by the look on his lover's face Shikamaru suspected Neji was shocked as well. It didn't take much common sense to figure out why Hiteo had been sent to kill his cousin, nothing other than his relationship with Nara would make sense. Neji's eyes narrowed before he dashed forward, flinging himself at his cousin. Shikamaru watched in awe as the Hyūgas faced off, delivering paralyzing blows. Finally he was able to snap out of his trace and rushed for the opposing Hyūga. Neji darted his palm for Hiteo's abdomen but a slight miscalculation gave Hiteo an opportunity to evade the attack. The elder Hyūga gripped Neji's wrist and spun him around, tugging Neji into a painful hold. Shikamaru wasted no time in leaping for the Hyūga holding his lover, going for an offensive attack. Hiteo extended his free arm in Nara's direction, facing his palm outwards and emitting a blast of chakra. Shikamaru thudded backwards into the snow, gritting his teeth as he glared at Hiteo.

"My fight is not with you, Shikamaru Nara. I was ordered to kill Neji, not you" Hiteo stated calmly.

Neji popped his wrist forward, snapping a surge of chakra through Hiteo's hand just painful enough to gain release. He spun around, slamming his foot into Hiteo's side. Shikamaru felt a rush of irritation. Was Hiteo simply insulting him by suggesting he wasn't worth killing? Or perhaps it was Hiashi whom was insulting him by declaring only Neji need be killed. Not that Shikamaru was thrilled with the idea of either of them targeted. He got the feeling Hiashi had some how turned his arrogant Hyūga pride into a matter that concerned Neji's lifestyle choices.

"Are you alright?" Neji asked, offering his hand to Shikamaru.

Shikamaru nodded and took it gratefully, returning to his feet. Hiteo ran forward, driving Neji back a good distance. His blows for Neji came quickly at a steady beating which mimicked the sound of pounding drums. Growling, Shikamaru chased after the Hyūgas, releasing kunai knives as he advanced. Hiteo yanked Neji's forearm, swiveling the younger Hyūga's body to shield himself. With a frown Neji dropped himself to the ground, grabbing the front of Hiteo's shirt as he fell. The weight of Neji's fall in combination with his grip on Hiteo's shirt sent the elder Hyūga flying forward into Shikamaru's kunai. The shadow wielder wasted no time in smashing his fist into Hiteo's face, ricocheting him past Neji's kneeling position. Hiteo rolled to his feet, appearing as if he had never been attacked. He heaved in air, wiping the corner of his mouth as he eyed the duo.