Neji glanced back at Shikamaru and Diamond. He was happy to see they got along. Not only that, but Diamond considered Shikamaru his litter mate. Neji sent out a chakra burst and Diamond appeared at his side. " I'm not mad. I do to." said Neji. Shikamaru didn't understand what Neji was talking about.
" What are you talking about?" asked Shikamaru. " Diamond considers you a litter mate." said Neji. Shikamaru stopped in shock. " He does?" asked Shikamaru. " Your not the only one that considers me a brother," was the only explanation Neji gave. Shikamaru started jumping branches again. " I'm glad I matter to the both of you." said Shikamaru. Neji and Diamond whirled around. " Um, duh genius. That's why I love you as a brother. Diamond felt a connection with you as soon as he met you. We both consider you a litter mate." said Neji. With a raised voice.
Shikamaru's eyebrows rose. " You care that much?" asked Shikamaru. Neji raised an eyebrow and if Diamond had eyebrows, he would have to. Neji jumped to the branch Shikamaru was on, barely rustling it. Neji hugged him. After awhile, he let go. Neji turned around and continued jumping branches, Shikamaru by his side. Diamond at some point, had moved behind them. Shikamaru was happy to know he finally had a family. " Neji, I kinda exploded at your uncle." said Shikamaru.
" Shikamaru, I'm not mad. My uncle would be a good father figure to you." said Neji. " Why the sudden change of heart?" asked Shikamaru. " I don't have a change of heart. I said he'd be good for you not me. I wouldn't trust him with my life in a million years. I'd die first." said Neji.
" I would never let him hurt you. There is a reason why I'm with you all the time over there." said Shikamaru. " You can't control what he does when the clan elders are near." said Neji. " Your right, I can't. But I can be there with you to make sure they don't do anything." said Shikamaru. Suddenly Diamond appeared in front of Shikamaru. Shikamaru jumped on Diamond's back. Diamond jumped from the tree. Diamond landed and took off. Shikamaru's hands gripped Diamond's fur.
Shikamaru couldn't figure out what Diamond was doing. Shikamaru watched from Diamond's back as everything blurred together. Suddenly he felt chakra coming up fast. A moment later, there was Neji on his right side. Neji kept up with them easily. " You need to be able to safely jump off his back while he's still moving." said Neji. Shikamaru threw himself into a sideways cartwheel and landed on the ground on the other side of Neji. He straightened up and ran after Neji.
" That would work outside of a mission, but you need to be able to be close by and not half way around the world." said Neji. Shikamaru fell back and appeared at Diamond's back. He jumped on and gripped Diamond's fur. Diamond ran for a bit. Shikamaru straightened out his legs as he had them bent at the knees. He kicked his legs out and pushed off Diamond's back at the same time. The momentum sent him into a back flip. He landed behind Diamond. Suddenly Diamond disappeared. Shikamaru's eyes flitted around frantically, looking for Diamond.
Shikamaru whirled around and wished he hadn't. Diamond's paw swiped at him like a cats. Shikamaru went flying. He threw himself into a hand stand. He felt his hands hit the dirt and curled his hands like claws, making him skid to a stop. He shifted his weight and landed on his feet. Neji appeared at his back. Shikamaru pulled his katana in a lightning fast move Neji didn't even see. He spun around and threw it over Neji's head. Neji saw Shikamaru's fingers twitch. His eyes widened as felt Shikamaru's blade pierce the skin on his back. He was falling backwards, but hands gripped his shoulders pulling him upright so he didn't impale himself on the blade. He gripped Shikamaru's shoulders, panting. Shikamaru wrapped an arm around the tops of Neji's shoulders and used the other hand to pull the blade out of Neji's back with the other.