Control

A Guilty Conscience

Shikamaru's P.O.V.

Sighing a bit, I glanced up at the sky. It was late in the afternoon, about the time I would take a nap. Lately sleep had been impossible though. It had been for the past few days. Every time I would try to sleep I thought of (YN) and what happened in the arena.

I didn't want to believe what that guy said but the more I thought about it the more I began to question everything. (YN)'s reaction to what was said proved that at least some of what he said was the truth but in the arena (YN) also proved that she wasn't a killer. She could have killed Saito but she didn't...but then why did she kill her family?

It didn't make sense and the more I thought about it the more I felt guilty for it. (YN) was a good friend and a good person so why did I consider believing some stranger's story? I didn't want to but I couldn't help it. There would be no reason for somebody to make up something like that but at the same time I also couldn't see (YN) voluntarily killing her own family. None of it made sense.

"What a drag..." I murmured, my head beginning to hurt. Rubbing my head with a sigh, I lazily looked up. Ahead of me was one the many training grounds in Konoha.

I had left my house a while ago to try and find some peace in one of the fields I usually laid in to watch the clouds. The one I chose to go to today was part of one of the training grounds but it was also one of the closest to my home.

It wasn't usually being used around this time of day so I was a little surprised to find someone there. As I got closer I recognized the individual as Neji Hyuga. Frowning at the unwanted company, I watched as the dark haired male looked towards me. From his appearance, it looked as if he had been training.

Not in the mood to talk, I simply raised my eyebrows in acknowledgement as I walked to the opposite side of the training ground. Slowly setting down in the soft grass, I casually glanced back towards Neji. He was now training once more.

Choosing to ignore his presence I laid back on the grass with my arms crossed behind my head to act as a cushion. I then allowed my mind to wander as I gazed up at the clouds. Finally, after a few hours my mind began to settle as it was overcome with tiredness. Slowly closing my eyes I began to fall asleep only to snap my eyes back open at the sound of footsteps.

Glancing towards their source, I watched as Neji made his way past me to leave. As he walked he paused to glance down at me. His eyes ran over my form, narrowing slightly as he hummed in annoyance.

"You're one of (YN)'s friends right?"

Nodding, I glanced away at the mention of (YN).

"Some friend."

"What?" I questioned, now looking back at him with a raised eyebrow.

"You. You're some friend. (YN) can be annoying and impossible at times. Strange even but she's never doubted her friends." Neji calmly responded still staring down at me.

"That's more than I can say for you."

Now setting up, I narrowed my eyes slightly as I stared back at Neji.

"And what gives you a right to say that?"

Frowning at me, Neji crossed his arms over his chest as he completely turned towards me. Looking down at me he began to speak.

"I have every right and the guilt on your face—It's so painfully obvious that it's pathetic. You've been thinking about what happened in the arena like everyone else has. You wonder if any of it is true and doubt (YN)'s character—your supposed friend." Neji mocked, looking off to the side.

"I suppose it's really none of my concern to bother myself with the problems of others or their personal matters. However, I'm tired of all the speculation and idiocy concerning (YN)'s past so I will set the record straight." Neji stated before proceeding to tell me the rest of the truth about (YN). He didn't go into too much detail about her past but he shared enough so that the half truth Saito said became the whole truth.