"I killed someone yesterday."

They were laying in a small clearing, faces turned up and looking at the clouds. It was too beautiful a day for such a topic.

"I slit his throat."

Yes, the clouds were definitely too fluffy today. And the sun was simply too bright.

"He was about our age."

Shikamaru hadn't told anyone else yet. Not even his dad or Asuma-sensei. For some reason he had to tell Choji first. He needed to know how Choji would react before he faced the understanding looks and simple advice of his elders. Choji...simple, caring, big-hearted, soft. How would this boy, his best friend, react to such grotesque news?

Nothing happened for a few seconds and then, slowly, in a manner befitting the beautiful day and calm meadow, Choji nodded and pulled out a bag of chips, silently offering Shikamaru the first one.

Shikamaru took it, equally silent and gentle in his movements. There were no comforting words. How could there be. But he didn't turn away. And that's more than Shikamaru could have ever hoped for.

The bright sun no longer seemed quite so out of place.