Shikamaru re sheathed his katana. As Neji came into view, he saw he was smiling. Diamond skidded to a stop right in front of Neji. " That was amazing." said Shikamaru. With a smile. Neji chuckled at the enthusiasm in the normally lazy ninja's tone. " I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." said Neji. As he offered his shoulder to Shikamaru so he could grab on. He gripped Neji's shoulder and swung his leg over.
As he stood in front of Neji, he saw the ghost of a smile on his face. Neji did five hand signs. And with a puff of smoke, Diamond was gone. Shikamaru noticed Neji had never removed his headband to summon Diamond. " How did you summon Diamond without removing your headband?" asked Shikamaru. " I don't need to remove it. I can channel chakra through to the seal from a chakra point on my forehead." said Neji. Shikamaru went through ten hand signs. And with a puff of smoke, there stood Shikamaru in his before attire.
" Hey Neji, I would've thought that with the increased Chakra sensitivity that you have sensitive ears?" asked Shikamaru. In a questioning tone. " Yes I do. My ears are very sensitive. They're as sensitive as the Inuzuka's without the need of chakra enhancement." said Neji. " When we get back. I'm going to write that missive to the hokage stating that we should be a three man team." said Shikamaru. " Alright." said Neji. And with that, Neji did thirty five hand signs and they were gone in a puff of smoke.
They landed back in the Hyuuga compound. Hiashi's head snapped up. His eyes widened as he saw Shikamaru and Neji facing him. He noticed Shikamaru's hand was on Neji's shoulder. " About the question you asked me earlier about why I was panting, the seals of all Hyuuga compounds leach chakra off those of us with the caged bird seal." said Neji.
Shikamaru's eyes turned towards Hiashi. They were cold. " Who?" asked Shikamaru. His voice was low. " The same one from earlier." said Neji. " Calm down. I'm fine and I would tell you before anyone else if I wasn't." said Neji. In a soothing tone.
Hiashi was scared. He had never seen such protectiveness in a Nara eyes. He wondered what those two had discussed. He was sad that Neji would tell the Nara he had an injury before he'd tell him. But if any one had to look out for his nephew, he was glad it was the Nara. " I had no idea the seals were feeding off your curse marks." said Hiashi. Shikamaru let his hand drop from Neji's shoulder.
Shikamaru turned to face Neji. " I'll get that missive we spoke about earlier written so we don't have to put up with this anymore." said Shikamaru. " Aright. I'll walk you home." said Neji. They walked out of the compound. They stopped in shock right outside. " Gai sensei, what are you doing here?" asked Shikamaru. " Lets talk as we run. I'd rather not do it here." said Gai. Both nodded. Gai turned around and ran. Shikamaru and Neji right behind him. They slipped into their formation as they ran.
" Are you alright Neji?" asked Gai. In a serious tone. Shikamaru was surprised. The man in front of him was different from the man who was always shouting about youth and challenging Kakashi to battles. " I'm fine." said Neji. As he relaxed. Shikamaru hadn't been wrong when he'd said Neji trusted his sensei with his life, but it was more than that. Shikamaru realized, that Gai sensei was a father to Neji. Someone he could rely on when he needed a fathers compassion.
They had only ran for fifteen minutes when Gai asked " Neji, do you trust Shikamaru?" Said person, was surprised at the coldness lacing the usually friendly Jounin's tone. " Yes I trust him the same as I do you sensei." said Neji. Gai was glad Neji had someone his own age that he could trust. He knew trust was a big issue with Neji as he was betrayed multiple times by people he knew.