"Breaking into pieces… is unpleasant."

Shikamaru turned his head slightly from the clouds to glance at his previously silent companion. With a sigh, he turned his face back to the clouds. "Aa."

"Why do people hurt others, Shika? Why is the whole world only concerned with gaining for themselves? What is the point, if you are just going to die, and become part of a forgotten history?"

Shika sigh again, but this time didn't bother turning his head. "I don't know, Naruto."

Naruto sighed in turn, and rolled onto his stomach facing Shikamaru. "I hate it. I want everyone to be happy. I want to make everyone happy! Is it so wrong?"

For a while, Shikamaru stayed silent. A calm breeze rustled the leaves of the trees that dotted the grassy hill, which was otherwise silent. The sun hung calmly is the sky, as though watching the drama unfolding, but having no more interest than someone who accidently turned on a soap-opera but decided to watch anyway. Shikamaru contemplated his answer, and the merits and demerits of sighing again, before he spoke: "No. It's not wrong."

It was a short answer, but it cheered Naruto nonetheless. "Aa. It's not wrong," he said with a soft smile, before falling into the first peaceful slumber he'd had for a while.

Shikamaru turned to gaze at his sleeping companion. A lazy hand raised and began playing with Naruto's hair. Shikamaru gave his own soft smile. "It may be impossible, Naruto; but if anyone can do it, its you."