Neji continued watching the match. Soon, Naruto won by swinging his fist around and nailing Lee in the chest. He went down on his back. Naruto offered a hand and pulled Lee into a standing position. Neji saw their lips moving and guessed they were congratulating each other.
Meanwhile, Shikamaru was walking to the Hokage's office door. He knocked on the door. The Hokage called " Enter." and Shikamaru walked in, scroll in hand. He stopped in front of her desk. " What can I do for you Shikamaru?" she asked. " Hokage sama, Could you read that missive over and get back to me?" asked Shikamaru. He then left without waiting for an answer, closing the door behind him.
Shikamaru walked to the arena. Once inside, he looked around. It was filled with ninja from all clans. It looked like even the Hyuuga clan elders had shown up as well. He spotted Neji watching the matches from a secluded corner of the balcony that had a good view of the matches. He spotted his father. His father beckoned him over. He ignored it and walked over to the corner of the balcony where Neji was.
He jumped up, landing on the railing. Neji grabbed his wrist and pulled him off the railing.
" Is it done?" asked Neji. Shikamaru saw Neji was tense and his tone was cold. " Yes it is. Why are you so tense?" asked Shikamaru. " Family." said Neji. It was said in a low tone that was almost hissed and through gritted teeth. Shikamaru turned and sure enough, Neji's whole entire clan were staring at him, Byakugan activated. Shikamaru turned around and watched the current match.
He was filled with anger. Neji's clan was staring at Neji as if he were an exhibit at a zoo. He couldn't blame Neji for trying to find a corner. It was annoying to him and they weren't even staring at him. He knew this was putting an enormous strain on Neji's body to have to constantly regulate his chakra and redirect it when needed if they were looking at his neck.
Soon the proctor called an end to that days matches and everyone started going their separate ways. Shikamaru and Neji both threw themselves over the railing as if they were diving. They landed on the ground simultaneously, in a crouch and straightened up. They heard footsteps behind them and turned around as one. It was Kiba, the resident idiot of the village. Neji wanted to scream. He couldn't stand him. " Hey you two. No one's seen you around the village these last two days." said Kiba. " We were busy." snarled Neji.
" I didn't ask you. I was asking Shikamaru who's more human." said Kiba. As he sneered at Neji. Shikamaru glanced at Neji out of the corner of his eye and saw the hurt flash across his face. Neji looked like he wanted to cry. Shikamaru held himself ramrod straight. He wanted to slap Kiba for that comment. How dare he. Neji put up with crap from his clan, he didn't need this too.
" What he said." said Shikamaru. Shikamaru was not surprised that Kiba missed Neji's reaction. Neji looked past Kiba and saw Akamaru coming their way. He was surprised, when Akamaru walked past Kiba and over to him. Kiba's eyes narrowed. " Akamaru, get over here." said Kiba. Akamaru ignored Kiba. Neji knelt down and Akamaru nuzzled into his chest whining. As if to say " He was wrong." Neji wrapped his arms around Akamaru neck and clung for a few moments.
He let go after a few seconds and stood. Akamaru backed up and stood at Kiba's side. Neji than turned around and ran out of the arena. Shikamaru stood there, not knowing what to do. " Well, who knew he had feelings." said Kiba. Shikamaru wanted to clobber Kiba for that, but settled for clenching his hands into fists at his sides. He then turned around and walked out.