Nejis pov

I opened my eyes to see the fermilier white walls. So it wasn't a dream. I really did escape the hyuga clan. I smile spread across my face. I'm finally free-

My happy thoughts were cut off by yelling outside my door. It sounded like several voices at once. I covered my ears as panic began to set in. I never thought there would be more people. It was silly for me to think that. Of course shikamaru would be part of a big pack.

I can do this. I can't deal with so many people!

I jumped at the sound of my door knocking "neji" it was shikamaru "can I come in?"

"yes please come in!" I said quickly.

He walked in and was immediately shocked by my shaken state.

"neji" he took a seat next to me with a worried expression "what's gotten you so upset?"

"there's so much noise outside" I muttered "it's too much like home"

"oh neji" he pulled me into a hug "it's ok. That's just my pack. Their all good people"

I nodded. I'm sure they are but I really didn't want to meet them. My social anxiety was too much for it. I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it!

"actually we're all going to get breakfast together" shikamaru said "It would be a good chance for you to introduce yourself"

Panic immediately set in. I can't do this. It's too much.

"Umm I think I'm going to take a shower" I hopped out of bed and grabbed a towel, hoping he'd drop the conversation.

"oh that's ok" he smiled understandably "when you get out we can meet up with the other-"

"I said I'm taking a shower. Stop pushing me!" I screamed at him before slamming the bathroom door behind me and locking it.

I turned on the water and let the hot water run down my body. I shouldn't have yelled at shikamaru like that but I just got so scared. I mean what if they don't like me? What if they think I'm like my family? What if they try to hurt me!?

I sunk down to my knees as I burst into tears. This is all too much. I can't handle all this stress. I don't want to be alone with my thoughts anymore!

"neji are you alright in there" I heard shikamaru knock on the door.

"shikamaru" I sobbed "I'm sorry I yelled at you. Please don't leave me!"

"hey it's alright darling" he said gently "your right. I was pushing you. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do"

A sense of relief filled my body at those words. He really is a kind man.

"can you talk to me until I get out of the shower?" I asked.

"of course. I'll stay right out here" he said reassuringly.

And so we talked. It was quite nice actually. We surprisingly had alot in common. It felt easy to talk to him. I can't remember the last time I felt this comfortable around someone.

"I am grateful to you you know" I muttered softly.

"hmm? Why's that?" he asked.

"I was scared to leave before but you gave me the courage to do so. Even if you were cruel about it"

"I still wish I could have done things differently" I could hear the regret in his voice.

"there's no use regretting things now. What's done is done" I said as I turned off the shower and dried myself off. It's then that I realised that I'd forgotten to bring a change of clothes.

I wrapped a towel around my waist, opened the door and buried my face in shikamarus chest.

"is something wrong?" shikamaru gave me an amused look.

"I forgot that I didn't have a change of clothes. That was silly" I muttered as my face turned red from embarrassment.

Shikamaru chuckled and petted my head "don't worry darling. I'm sure we'll find you something to wear"

Thankfully he managed to find something of his for me to wear. It was a little big on me but it was still comfy.

"ok kid. Take a seat and I'll blow dry your hair" he said with the dryer in hand.

I nodded and took a seat. He dryed my hair, taking extra care not to burn me. I honestly feels nice being pampered like this. If everyone in his clan was this nice then I'd have nothing to worry about.

"shikamaru"

"yes?"

"if I was to join your clan for breakfast and ran away to hide after a little while would you be mad at me?" I asked timidity.

"no. I'd be proud of you for trying in the first place" he smiled at me.

I nodded, finally making up my mind "I want to meet your clan"