" I will protect him. I will be there for him Gai sensei." said Shikamaru. They stopped. " Sensei, why'd we stop?" asked Neji. " How could you keep up with me?" asked Gai. As he turned around to face the two students. Neji paled. He hadn't realized that he'd been going his normal speed. He took one look at his sensei and ran. Shikamaru took off after Neji. Gai stood there in shock at how fast Neji had moved. He turned around and took off after the blurred forms of Shikamaru and Neji.
Shikamaru slowly gained on Neji. He didn't blame Neji for bolting. Though he was surprised Neji hadn't told Gai at least about his speed. When Shikamaru was almost right behind Neji, he pounced. Neji was in shock as he felt a heavy weight hit his back. They went down. Shikamaru's arms locked around Neji. " What the heck are you doing Shikamaru?" asked Neji " Stopping you. I won't let you run away from this. If any sensei's trustworthy, it's yours." said Shikamaru. " Let me up." said Neji. "No, because you'll run." said Shikamaru. "Fine, but at least let me turn over." said Neji.
Shikamaru rolled over and let his arms drop. Neji rolled over onto his back. " Why did you run from your sensei?" asked Shikamaru. " He doesn't know." said Neji. "About my speed or anything else." Shikamaru and Neji both sat up. " I can't loose the only trustworthy person besides you that doesn't say anything to my uncle." said Neji. " Neji you won't loose him he loves you too much. I can see it in his eyes." said Shikamaru. As he put a hand on Neji's shoulder. " He's right, you won't loose me Neji. I wouldn't tell your uncle or anyone else your secrets unless you asked me to." said Gai
Neji and Shikamaru's heads whipped around at the sound of the sensei's voice. " Your like a son to me." said Gai. As he smiled gently. " How long have you been standing there?" asked Shikamaru. " Long enough that I heard your whole conversation." said Gai. They both blushed embarrassed that Gai had seen them fighting.
Shikamaru stood. Gai walked around to stand in front of Neji. He offered his hand. Neji took it. " Now, where were you two going?" asked Gai. " I was going to walk him home and then go home myself." said Neji. " OK said Gai. " Do you want to race?"
Neji smirked, and took off. Shikamaru ran after him and caught up easily. Gai ran after both. He slowly caught up and soon was on Neji's right side. " When you write up that missive, make sure to have Gai sensei as someone we can go to." said Neji. Shikamaru nodded. After ten minutes, they stopped. " Have a good night Shikamaru." said Neji. Shikamaru nodded. Shikamaru than walked away towards his house.
Neji watched Shikamaru's retreating form for five more seconds than turned around. Gai walked towards Neji and stopped in front of him. He slipped one arm around Neji's shoulders and the other one underneath his knees. Gai picked him up. Neji's hands came to rest on his sensei's shoulders. Gai started walking back the way they'd come. Neji snuggled into his sensei's chest and let the soothing gait in which Gai walked lull him to sleep.
As Gai walked,he mused on why Neji hadn't told him about his speed. He knew Neji couldn't easily confide in people without them using the information against him. As he looked down at Neji in his arms, he noticed he had fallen asleep. He let a smile overtake his face at seeing Neji so relaxed. After an hour of walking, Gai finally arrived at the main Hyuuga compound. He let his chakra leach out, pushing against the seals. Two seconds later, Hiashi appeared in front of him.