AN: I seriously debated whether or not I wanted to put this up; because the last time I tried to put up an angst/dark fic I went chicken shit and removed it because I had been uncomfortable with what my depraved mind could honestly come up with. Fairheartstrife(I love that girl so much) convinced me to at least put it up on my LJ though.
This is a request fic from Maya Nara. She requested ShikaNeji and she wanted angst. This is what popped up in my head. I don't read angst or ShikaNeji fics so if the plot is something you've seen before in like, 50 ShikaNeji fics I am truly sorry. I will try and throw in as much originality as possible, however. Unbeta'd.
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1
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In high school, students are broken down socially in their own personal cliques. Some of them randomly come together through little more than coincidence or random encounter. Some were long time friends, some all gather together from mutual acquaintances.
Then there were the cliques that had a specific reason for existing. You had the nerds, the jocks, the cheerleaders, the list goes on. These particular cliques tended to have perquisites to joining, similar to a 'You Must Be This Tall to Ride' sign at an amusement park. There was the 'You Must Be This Nerdy' to join the nerds; but not only that you had to have the attitude...and you had to be unpopular. This was an unwritten rule that everyone knew and accepted.
There was the 'You Must Be This Cool' perquisite that pretty much filled in anything and everything that could garner lots of attention from lots of people. Either that or involved lots of money and connections. Athletes, cheerleaders and the like. Their standards were much higher and they tended to mingle with the 'Preps' and 'Spoiled Rich Kids' cliques. One could be highly intelligent and make it to the Preps or Spoiled Rich Kids clique but, of course, you either had to be 'cool enough' or have an absurd amount of money or fame. If one did not conform in an acceptable manner; they slipped down to the lower rungs of teenage society.
There were some exceptions to the rule, of course, but due to being classified as belonging to a certain clique they could or would be shunned by others. With cliques came stereotypes and, unfortunately – or fortunately, depending – stereotypes existed for a reason – the majority ruining or running it for the minority. Sometimes they did both.
Then there were drifters. These individuals could sometimes float through any clique and do well all at the same time. They didn't really belong to any sort of clique or showed any sort of stereotypical traits to properly classify them. Very rarely were these individuals overly popular; usually drifters were ignored and they blissfully went about their business on a daily basis.
Nara Shikamaru was one of these individuals. A second year in high school, the lazy bum – his own self-proclaimed title – had no interest in anything but drifting by in anything and everything. No one really liked him but no one really hated him either. He floated along like the clouds he so loved to watch, preferring absolute simplicity and avoiding anything overly complicated unless it involved the mind – and sometimes even then it was questionable.
He didn't do bad in class but he didn't do well either. He did the bare minimum in everything presented to him and he slept all the time. Teachers had all but abandoned him as a lost cause after his first year and since he didn't snore he was ignored. His presence denoted that he didn't give a damn about your opinion on him and yet it was not arrogance or overconfidence – he simply couldn't be bothered to care. It made him a rather unique individual, as not even the jocks would mess with him – what was the point?
But even drifters had their exceptions. Although Shikamaru was not in any club – couldn't be bothered to attend meetings – he did wander down to the chess club's room on the Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays –rarely – they got together. He didn't play western chess as their club focused on; he instead played shogi.
Whether or not anyone challenged him was of little consequence; although many on the team would try now and then. In the 'nerd' community he was considered a tactical genius and he neither confirmed nor denied such claims. Shikamaru merely enjoyed playing and it was one of the few places where he could do so quietly. Home wasn't an option, his mother was about as quiet as a foghorn and nagged him all the time.
Parks were annoying; old guys would start congregating once he beat a few of them. This would have been fine if they had done so quietly. He really couldn't be troubled to know or care about what old men did in their lives and what they had done in their pasts. They also talked a surprising amount of shit and tended to be condescending because he was a kid. Annoying and troublesome.
So the chess club's room was his place to go when he wasn't cloud gazing, his other favorite hobby. He had formed a small association with the others and it was a comfortable setup.
There was one thing that Shikamaru did that every other individual in high school did: he judged. Jocks tended to be idiots, cheerleaders airheads, nerds were bitter and whined too much, it went on. It was rare that anyone deviated from their stereotypes and so he threw people into their categories like everyone else and was content with that.
So when Hyuuga Neji, vice captain – at the time – of the karate team and therefore categorized as 'jock' came walking into the chess team's room his freshman year he had truly been surprised. He had known who the guy was; there wasn't a person alive in Konoha High that didn't know him. A supposed genius who was perfect at absolutely everything. Personality-wise, he tended to be quiet and aloof, which only translated to 'hot as hell' to fangirls everywhere. Many guys thought him to be self-centered and arrogant and secretly Shikamaru had figured they were probably right – he had seemed the type.
He had been even more surprised when everyone in the room had actually, and genuinely, welcomed him. For some reason that he couldn't explain even now a year later; the Hyuuga's appearance and everyone's reaction to him had piqued his interest. Normally he wouldn't have cared – so the guy wasn't as his stereotype claimed, so what? – but there was something about his presence that drew a person in. It wasn't just his looks, although with his long hair he was almost borderline feminine in appearance, it was...him. Just him.
Setting his bag down, he had looked over at Shikamaru and blinked once. There had been no emotion on his face or in his gaze and yet the Nara had felt himself distracted by the almost-white eyes. He had heard of the Hyuuga's strange genetic trait and there was a girl in his class like that, but he had never really paid attention until then.
"Are you enjoying the show?" the older male had asked and there had been a biting note to his tone. It made Shikamaru read what was lying underneath – "Are you done staring at my 'freakish' eyes"? He couldn't have really blamed the guy; more than likely he had gotten that negative reaction his entire life.
Instead of answering he had merely gone back to pretending to pay attention to his game, although he had been well aware of eyes on him. After a while he had sighed and leaned back, looking up at the taller man lazily "What?"
The question had caused the Hyuuga to blink at him again, this time in slight confusion. It had quickly disappeared "Why are you here?"
"Huh?" he had given the Hyuuga a look that had clearly showed he didn't get why he was asking an obvious question "Why are you here?" dark eyes had gone back to the board "I didn't know you guys even bothered to play chess."
"'You guys'?" he had definitely sounded offended and Shikamaru had tried hard not to sigh. He had known then that the guy was going to be annoying.
"Forget it." He hadn't wanted to get into a pointless argument with a guy who probably thought he was superior to everyone anyway. "I'm playing shogi." Had been trying to anyway.
"I see that. That was why I had asked the question."
He had actually found himself growing irritated at the guy and had looked back up at him. Their gazes met and for one second he had actually contemplated rising to the bait. Then he had snapped out of it and yawned. Whatever. "I like playing." Against his better judgment, he had opened his mouth again "What's your excuse?"
A muscle had ticked in the Hyuuga jaw "I also like playing."
The freshman had shrugged "Didn't think you were the type of guy to bother."
"You know absolutely nothing about me, Nara Shikamaru."
He knows my name? "Huh?" had been his rather intelligent response.
Having seen the opening, the Hyuuga had crossed his arms and smirked slightly "You, by some miracle or mistake I still have yet to determine, are in my advanced chemistry class so yes, I know who you are. I also know you are unmotivated, extremely lazy, and possibly narcoleptic. So, based on those observations; I am completely baffled at why someone who seems to avoid anything and everything involving advanced intelligent thought would be playing a strategy game."
Shikamaru had wanted to snort at the 'narcoleptic' part but the rest of it annoyed him for some reason. Why give a damn what this pompous sounding jerk thought? It wasn't like he had pointed out anything untrue.
Instead he had shrugged "Guess we're all full of mysteries." He had said dryly "Are you gonna play?" because he really hadn't been in the mood to argue.
He had stared at Shikamaru for a bit longer before sighing and sitting down "Very well. I suppose I'll discover the truth during this match."
Something about the way he had said it had caught the Nara off guard. It hadn't sounded arrogant; it was as if he had been genuinely curious, there had been nothing mocking in his tone.
The first match had the Hyuuga thoroughly and quickly beaten. For a while he had sat there, staring at the pieces as if they were going to pop out and start riverdancing. Shikamaru had been surprised once again when Neji had leaned back and looked at him, frowning thoughtfully.
"Again." Was all he had said.
The second time had found Shikamaru surprised as it had only taken him a few moves to see what the Hyuuga had been trying to do. He had played moves to test his opponent; it hadn't been about winning at all. Every move the Nara had made; those white eyes would scan the board a few times before settling back on the piece. While the freshman had been sure that Neji would have taken any advantage to win, it felt as if the Hyuuga had known he wasn't going to. Strangely, he hadn't seemed bothered by it.
That was when Shikamaru had realized Hyuuga Neji was really a drifter like him. He was aloof and kept people at a distance but not because he felt himself superior. He came off as insulting and arrogant because he was brutally blunt and didn't seem to care what people thought of him. He was an exception; popular, but not because he wanted to be.
When he had been defeated again the Hyuuga went silent once more. After a long moment his white eyes had flickered to Shikamaru's face, his expression stern.
Then he had started laughing.
The entire room had stared at him as if he had lost his mind and with good reason, no one had yet to even see him smile much less laugh. When he had quieted down he had tilted his head slightly, looking very amused "I think I understand now. You're lazy because everything is so far behind you in intelligence you can't be bothered to deal with it." Crossing his arms, he had looked back at the board and chuckled.
"I admit, Nara, it did take me the middle of the first match to realize that you were thinking probably fifty if not one hundred moves ahead of me. I had been so stunned I was actually unable to fully concentrate." A smirk flickered on his face as he looked at his opponent again "I don't like losing, but I also know when I'm out of my league. I am impressed."
His smile had been genuine and actually friendly, which had completely thrown Shikamaru out on a loop. It was as if the Hyuuga had been showing him a side of himself he didn't show others and they barely even knew each other.
Besides being an athelete, Hyuuga Neji was nothing like the stereotype he was categorized in.
Pulling back a sleeve, the older male had looked at his watch, drawing the Nara's attention to his bandaged wrist. At the time, Shikamaru had thought it had been a training accident. At the time. "I should get going." Neji had looked at him "I come here every Tuesday and Thursday. Saturdays all the clubs meet and so I am at the school's dojo. Do you plan on coming here often?"
A shrug was what the Hyuuga had received but he hadn't seemed upset in the slightest. If anything, he had seemed almost excited "We will play again." it had been a promise "I might be out of my league but from here on out, Nara Shikamaru, any win you get from me you will have to earn." Standing, he had grabbed his bag and politely excused himself.
And so began the strange 'friendship' between one of the most popular males in school and an absolute nobody.
Neji hadn't been joking. Every Tuesday and Thursday he would show to play shogi with him and every time Shikamaru would walk out of there feeling as if he had actually had to use his brain that day. The tales of the Hyuuga's genius was not exaggerated. He was an extremely good tactician and was amazing at analyzing and adapting.
Whenever Shikamaru would make a move Neji would go over several different typical counters one would make in his head and then would do something completely different from all of them. It made predicting him difficult. In addition, Neji would 'trap' him often. He would ensure that his opponent was nice and comfortable with his current strategy before he would switch to something off balancing. Shikamaru had found himself having to actually sit back and concentrate on what it was that Neji could be trying to do, but the challenge was in the fact that the Hyuuga made sure he wasn't predictable.
In the end Shikamaru would always win. After a while there were very few ways the Hyuuga could go in the game and only then was it a cake walk for him. Neji never got angry, he never tried to goad or distract him. He was calm, collected, and – although Shikamaru felt he was probably stretching it – peaceful.
Outside of those meetings Shikamaru found himself actually beginning to take an active interest in what Neji did during the day. It hadn't been often at first; only when he had been awake enough to care. Just as Neji was observant, he was as well and the discoveries he had made about the Hyuuga had confused him. It truly was as if Neji became a completely different person when he walked into the chess room. His cold gaze would warm and he smiled often, although it was small and many times easy to miss. He was an excellent conversationalist but he wasn't overly chatty.
As the year went on Neji's attitude towards him in general changed. It wasn't like he had started greeting him out in the halls or anything, but if they would pass each other he wouldn't just outright ignore him either. He did not talk about his family or himself at all but he did occasionally ask about Shikamaru's family or things that he liked or liked to do.
The biggest change was the fact that he started actually spending time with him outside of the chess class. It was only during lunch, for that was when Shikamaru would either go out near a shaded grassy area and watch the clouds or go up on the roof. When Neji started joining him he hadn't cared. They rarely spoke during those times but it was always companionable silence. There was...an atmosphere between them that Shikamaru had been truly surprised had developed – and through Neji's own volition.
It was never spoken out loud but it was pretty much a good assumption between them that they were friends, or very good associates. He had once again found himself surprised and realized that the Hyuuga was truly full of them.
Some of them, he learned, were unpleasant.
He still had yet to say anything but Shikamaru, actually beginning to pay attention to the Hyuuga, started to notice...things. For one, Neji's wrists were always wrapped and he wore long sleeves all year long – something that teachers seemed not to want to bother to give him crap about.
Then he realized that there was another reason Neji was aloof; he went out of his way to ensure that people didn't touch him unless absolutely necessary – like during a spar. He seemed to be especially wary of anyone touching his arms and back.
The biggest one had been the bruises. He hid them well and whenever someone asked him he always claimed it was from a spar. If it had happened on a non-club day he would claim that it was from him sparring at the dojo.
Only problem with that? Neji didn't train at his dojo at home, he had told him that himself in passing once.
There was one reason Shikamaru never said anything: it wasn't his damn business. He didn't get involved in things that he didn't need to get involved in, and that included people's problems. Especially other people's problems. The two of them played shogi and had lunch together, that had been it and that was all the Nara had wanted to be involved in.
Still, he kept watching Neji from afar at school; it had almost become an obsession around the middle of the year. The only other person the Hyuuga reacted to emotionally was his cousin, Hinata. He was quite protective over her – almost too protective. Sometimes when he would look at her a strange expression would come over the Hyuuga and it had taken a while for Shikamaru to realize it was sadness.
Once he had noticed that look he discovered that whenever they were out during lunch and he didn't think Shikamaru was looking that expression would emerge. Neji would look...tired. Not just tired, but tired, as if life itself was draining him.
It was as if Neji walked around constantly wearing a mask; keeping up an illusion of strength and steel will when in reality it seemed as if he was just barely hanging on...to what was the question. Even though he didn't want to be, he was fascinated with the strange mystery that was Hyuuga Neji. Even though he knew deep down that the answers were things he couldn't deal with he wanted to know anyway. Something about the older teen drew him in and as much as logic was screaming at him to back the hell out and cut his losses he couldn't.
By the end of the year, he knew that he couldn't because he was already in. Even though they were still not terribly close he knew that somehow the Hyuuga had found something within him. Something about the Nara made Neji feel at peace and he seemed to be fine with only those few moments a day. By the time Shikamaru had a good idea of what was going on he also knew that if he backed off he would probably kill a part of the Hyuuga that he needed.
He wanted to continue to pretend that he was oblivious and for a few weeks into their second year he did just that, pretended. The Nara tried lying to himself, to believe that there wasn't something seriously going on with Neji. He tried to believe that he didn't care because he didn't consider Neji a friend even though he knew he did. He wanted to believe that the strange skip in his chest that started happening whenever the other male smiled at him was indigestion or acid reflux. He wanted to pretend that the few times their hands or arms had brushed that he hadn't felt as if that spot was on fire.
I need to keep this simple. The Nara would constantly tell himself, because if Neji could do it, why couldn't he? The Hyuuga didn't try to confide in him, he didn't let Shikamaru get too close although he knew the other wanted to spend more time around him. Neji tried, and was very good at, keeping Shikamaru out of whatever it was he was in. It was obvious that whatever it was that was bothering Neji wasn't something he was going to reveal to anyone; not even the only person Shikamaru had seen him call a friend.
No, it wasn't that he wasn't trying to get him involved; it was as if he was protecting him. It didn't make any sense and it was only a strong feeling but it was there. Watching him around Hinata more made him realize that protecting those close to him was something he did by nature; as if he were a shield or something.
But a shield from what?
xxxxx
"Hey, Shikamaru." The Nara's best friend since childhood, Akimichi Chouji, nudged his arm and his head snapped up, groggy.
"Class over already?" Yawning loudly, he scratched at his side and began to get up "Damn, I was having a pretty good dream too." Another yawn. Advanced chemistry – damn Asuma for sticking him in that class knowing he couldn't afford to fail because his mom would bitch him out forever – was next, then lunch and he was pretty sure today was a half-day. "Hey Chouji, what was it that Ino was screaming about again that she wanted to do?" that girl was as loud and naggy as his mom sometimes so he tuned her out about as often.
"Mm, something about a birthday party. I think the Uchiha's."
A loud groan. Resting his hand on his shoulder while he carried his bag he followed his friend out. He could give two shits about the Uchiha's birthday. Seriously. That guy was every stereotype one could pin on him, except he also didn't participate in clubs. He and Neji were currently neck and neck with the females concerning who was hottest. "Isn't that guy's birthday in July? It's almost September."
Chouji shrugged; he didn't try to decipher the inner workings of Ino's mind any more than he. "I guess the girls all finally found out and so they're trying to do something for him. Or something. All I know is that she wants us to go shopping with her to find the perfect 'guy gift'."
He'd rather go walk out in rush hour traffic than go to the mall looking for the 'perfect' gift for Uchiha Sasuke. The guy was just too arrogant and a jerk to everyone for no reason. It was annoying because the girls still ate it up and begged for seconds while guys like Chouji couldn't even get his childhood friend to even glance twice at him. As far as he was concerned, Chouji was a hundred times a better guy.
"Nara."
Frowning, Shikamaru turned to the current bane of his thoughts "Uchiha. What's up?" He really wanted to know; there was absolutely no reason why Uchiha Sasuke would need to speak to him about anything.
Shoving a hand in his pocket, Sasuke frowned, as if thinking about something "You seen Hyuuga?"
The first person that came to mind, since she was in their class, was Hinata. He shrugged "I think she has Ancient History after this."
Although he looked very uncomfortable at the mention of Hinata, it seemed that wasn't the answer he had been looking for "I mean her cousin, Neji."
"How should I know?" he actually did know, because Neji was in his chemistry class.
And apparently, Sasuke knew it. "You two have the same class after this and then you meet up for lunch." Realizing that Shikamaru probably wasn't going to give him what he wanted to know he shook his head "Never mind. I'll find him myself."
"Did he seem like he was in a hurry to you?" Chouji asked and the Nara nodded. It did seem strange; what was Uchiha's problem that involved the Hyuuga?
It's none of my business. Just keep walking, Nara.
Although he slept through most of chemistry class he did notice when awake that Neji seemed terribly upset about something. He actually looked upset. Shikamaru wanted to growl at the fact that he wanted to know why and actually gave a damn, because he knew he shouldn't. So he forced himself to bury his head in his arms and sleep, even though his mind was running on overdrive.
Something was happening and somehow it involved the Uchiha and even Neji's cousin if Sasuke's reaction meant anything. Given all of his suspicions concerning the older Hyuuga he began to wonder. Neji's 'sparring bruises' had increased over the past few weeks; he even came in once with one on his left cheek, as if someone had really slugged him a good one.
Damnit. Don't think about it. Don't get involved. It's not your problem and there's a good damn reason why he's never mentioned or hinted at it.
But it was becoming harder, because the more he was around Neji the more those strange feelings were increasing. Now every time he saw the Hyuuga his heart did that funny skip and his breath would catch just a bit. He actually had to avoid looking the other teen in the eyes because his face for some stupid reason would start heating up if he locked gazes with the Hyuuga for too long. Logically, he knew what was going on with him and he wanted no part of it. In fact, he was going to find Chouji after lunch – his best friend unfortunately had the second lunch period while he had first – and ask if he wanted to hang out after school even though it was Tuesday.
He had a feeling Neji probably wasn't going to show anyway.
Deciding he would eat up on the roof today, he actually hurried and left the room before Neji could approach him about where to go as he usually did. It was running away and he knew it – it wasn't like the Hyuuga wouldn't figure it out, they ate lunch in only two places – but he couldn't do it. He didn't want to get involved because getting involved meant that he would feel obligated to do something and there was jack and shit he could honestly do for the Hyuuga's problem. Not if it was what he thought it was.
For some idiotic reason, he found himself walking back after he had made it to the steps that led up, going to look for Neji who was more than likely having a confrontation with Uchiha if the other got a hold of him.
Damnit. He hated being right sometimes.
"Stop being an idiot about this!" that was Uchiha's voice around the corner where the lockers were. "What do you think is going to happen when you graduate?"
"Uchiha, it is none of your affair." Neji. He sounded very cold and unemotional "I know what I am going to do and it would be best if you stayed out of my way...and away from Hinata-sama. Besides, I do not think it is you she is interested in."
"I know that." Since Shikamaru was standing at the edge of the corner he couldn't see Sasuke's expression but he didn't sound very concerned "It's not like that, anyway."
"That is not what the rumor mill seems to think."
"Screw that." Now Uchiha sounded irritated "Stop being stubborn, Neji, I'm serious. I can hel –"
"And as I've said, it is not needed. I don't get into your family's affairs with your brother, stay out of mine with my cousin."
Apparently, the two males knew each other, and well. Strange, since they've never even glanced in each other's direction much less spoken inside of school. Very tense silence followed the cold and angry statement from Neji and Shikamaru was wondering why the hell he was just standing there eavesdropping when he should have turned and gone back to the roof sentences ago?
"I'm not the one you'll need to worry about, Hyuuga. Just remember that." A pause "Oh yeah, whoever it is that's hiding behind the corner, you can come out now. We know you're there."
Shit. He decided to bolt instead, practically running up to the roof and away from what had about to become an extremely uncomfortable and troublesome situation for him. Panting, he flopped down on his back, looking up at the sky. It was, strangely enough, a clear day. He had honestly expected it to be cloudy, or perhaps it was just because of the atmosphere around him.
Closing his eyes, he once again tried to tell himself that Neji's situation was not his business, he was just a guy he played shogi with, he was not attracted to him because that would be its own can of worms with them both being guys. Society liked to pretend they were tolerant with same sex relationships...that didn't extend to teenage society. There were a lot of guys in their school that would possibly react violently and so far he'd done a great job of avoiding that sort of thing.
"Shikamaru?" Neji's voice. "Is everything alright? I tried to find you after class but you had already left."
So different. With Uchiha, Neji's voice had been cold and hard but around him it was so vastly different it was almost as if they belonged to two different people.
He opened his eyes and started. Long hair was dangling off of Neji's shoulder as he was bent over and effectively blocking Shikamaru's view of the sky. He looked genuinely puzzled and something else that the Nara wouldn't know because he didn't spend any real time around him.
"Yeah. Sorry about that." He didn't elaborate and, thankfully, the Hyuuga didn't press the issue. Instead he sat down beside him with a small sigh. There was silence for a little while.
"So," Neji's deep voice cut into his friend's thoughts "how much did you hear?"
Shikamaru snapped himself up to a sitting position, eyes wide "How did...?" he immediately realized his folly when Neji looked at him briefly and then looked away, smiling sadly.
"I didn't; but I had guessed. You are sweaty even though it's not hot out."
He had played right into that. Damn. "I didn't hear enough for it to matter." He admitted, because he really didn't know what they were talking about. He wanted to say that he wasn't going to ask but the words wouldn't form.
Instead, he took in the way Neji seemed to be holding his left arm; almost as if he were cradling it. He took in the fading bruise that looked like a hand print right below the collar of his shirt that he thought couldn't be seen. Something hot settled in his chest and he realized what it was and tried hard to fight it down.
He couldn't get involved.
But he also couldn't take seeing what was so obviously there and ignoring it. Not just because he was – and he decided to be realistic with himself – crushing on the older male; Neji was his friend. If it were Chouji...he would have done something and he knew it.
"Don't get involved." The warm tone to the Hyuuga's voice dropped and it was a clear warning.
I know. I don't want to.
"Neji –"
"Please." It was said softly and sadly, the Hyuuga wasn't even looking at him. A thin smile emerged "You'll thank me later."
What? When you're dead? The thought came unbidden and it wasn't until he saw Neji staring at him that he realized he had said it out loud. He mentally cursed. Damnit, he couldn't get involved with his home situation, there was nothing he could do about it. The only thing he could honestly do anything about was that and he didn't even know if it was true or not – it could just be more of what he was receiving at home.
"I should go."
Stop him.
Let him go.
His body began to move on its own and he suddenly found himself standing right along with Neji. He could tell the Hyuuga was trying to close himself off when in reality he just looked sad and tired. Shikamaru thought of Chouji and if he could have stood back and just watched it all while turning the other cheek at the same time. He hated it that the answer was going to bring him more trouble than he could handle.
When Neji turned to leave, the Nara's hand shot out and grabbed not the Hyuuga's wrist but his forearm. His grip was tight and a sick feeling grew in his stomach when his friend actually cried out slightly in pain. It was true, gods he had hoped that it was just that but...
"Neji, when did you start cutting yourself?"
For as long as he lived Shikamaru did not think he would ever forget the look that graced the Hyuuga's fine and well bred features. He looked stunned, hurt, guilty, angry, and just...
"Let go of me." He snatched his arm away and walked out without another word.