Hiashi was shaking. He'd never seen Shikamaru this upset. "You really care about him." said Hiashi. "I can't watch him live in fear for the rest of his life. He never disrespects the main family because he's afraid the curse mark will be activated." said Shikamaru. Hiashi watched as Shikamaru's control shattered. He sunk to his knees and cried. " I asked him if you ever used it. He said no. you do not know your nephew and Probably never will. He trusts me I hope your not jealous. I don't want Hayate near Neji. I don't trust him." said Shikamaru.
Hiashi walked up to Shikamaru and knelt down in front of him. He embraced Shikamaru. Hiashi couldn't believe this was the same lazy ninja. That complained about doing too much work. Was this the real Shikamaru? Hiashi saw someone who had seen too much. " Please, please, don't hate me. I can't take another person hating me." said Shikamaru.
Hiashi was in shock. He knew it took a lot to admit this. He felt close to Shikamaru. If Neji allowed it, he would try to be a supportive father figure to Shikamaru. Given time, hopefully Neji would learn to get closer to him bit by bit. He knew he could never replace Gai. He would never dream of taking the only father figure away from his nephew. Shikamaru's crying subsided. Hiashi unwrapped his arms from Shikamaru and stood.
Shikamaru stood. He then walked out of the ally and into the arena. He went and jumped the railing, landing on the balcony. Hiashi fallowed him. He landed next to Shikamaru. As Shikamaru looked around, he saw Kiba with Akamaru, Sasuke, Kakashi, Asuma, Iruka, Sakura, Gai, Lee, Naruto, Shino, and Hayate. Gai was looking around frantically as if to find someone. Shikamaru's guess was he was looking for Neji.
Shikamaru's hands formed the signs for his shadow possession jutsu. The shadow shrouded them in protective, concealing darkness. Suddenly, Shikamaru felt someone land behind him. He realized it was Gai and relaxed.
" Where is he?" asked Gai. "Asuma wanted to speak to him." answered Hiashi. Gai was deeply confused as Asuma was in the arena watching the match. " But he's right here." said Gai. Suddenly Gai paled.
" Who came to your door?" asked Gai. With a sneaking suspicion. " Asuma. Why?" asked Hiashi.
" Because, I saw Inoichi and Ibiki of the intelligence core and torture divisions looking pretty smug on the way out of the village. Like they were going to a forest." said Gai. Shikamaru's knees buckled. Hiashi walked over, dropped to his knees, and once again, embraced Shikamaru. His breathing was ragged. " Calm down, you'll find him." said Hiashi. " How did you?" asked Shikamaru. "Because, you know him better then we do. He'll want to be with someone trustworthy. That he's comfortable with. Bring him back to the village when he's ready. I'll cover for him." said Hiashi.
Hiashi put his hand on Shikamaru's head. He stroked his hair. Shikamaru felt content. He never had this feeling before. That he had a father. Hiashi stood and turned around. Gai walked around Shikamaru to stand next to Hiashi. Shikamaru let his control over the chakra dissipate. The shadow disappeared, leaving them once more visible. The match going on this time was between Shino and Hinata. It was a tie so far.
Suddenly, a strange sight walked into the arena on four legs. It was a dark brown fawn and a black and white hound. Everybody's heads turned simultaneously to look at the newcomers. Shikamaru's eyes widened at see the fawn. Shikaku was confused. He didn't understand why one of his fawn were here.
" What is it doing here?" asked Asuma. To Shikaku as he was standing right next to him. " I wouldn't know. I've never been able to get near them, let alone learn their behaviors." said Shikaku.