Phantom Pains

Neji had to know who Chihiro was precisely. Not just some 'out-of-this-world-girl' who was destined to wind up in Konoha. Had to know if she was a danger. Had to know why she had such an impact on him. He could recount everything he ever learned about the all mighty Yggdrasil but it wasn't adding up to satiate his thirst. So he found all the books at his disposal, locked himself away, and read for days straight. There had to be an explanation why she suddenly showed up and why she made his heart race.

From what he could find- Yggdrasil was said to be a tree, the center of life as they knew it. Started from a wee sprout and overtime as it grew, so did the life it gave. It was how their world existed as it was the only explanation given. But Yggdrasil itself was a combination of mortal and immortal, literally like heaven. Keepers, the words Kakashi used, stood for citizens of Yggdrasil that watched over realms on the tree's branches. They were like celestial beings in a sense, like how some in the shinobi world had gifts of their own. Like the Byakugan. And as Neji scoured and scoured, taking all the information in with the mindset it was all true, he was mind blown. Absolutely seeing another way of looking at life like when his mindset snapped out of hatred of the main house. Twenty years old and still learning.

But fear of the unknown continued to scratch at an itch that couldn't be satisfied. He yearned to be near Chihiro again. He needed to use his Byakugan in her presence to understand it. Even when he closed his eyes he could see the glittering swirls of her aura crisp in his mind. It was engrossing his every thought since the meeting with the Hokage, more so then after he found her outside the wall. Perhaps it was the fact she was awake that was setting events in motion for him. But the Hyuga didn't like being one-upped, didn't like not knowing, didn't like having questions.

Just as he stopped believing his fate was bound to the main house and he could choose his- it was crashing down over Chihiro. The first Hokage specifically knew of her arrival. If he truly had gone to Yggdrasil then perhaps it was foretold there. But he'd shake his head at that thinking. The realm that began life, it had to work different. But maybe, predetermined destiny was big events. Like the chunin exams, going right to Jonin, or Sasuke leaving, and now Chihiro.

So when Sakura knocked on his door to invite him to Chihiro's that night, he couldn't say no. He had to see her again to grasp how his body and mind were involuntarily reacting to her.

He'd probably redone his hair about a dozen times at this point. Probably switched shirts twice before settling on a plain black short sleeve with his shinobi joggers. Neji had been too dense to even realize his inner turmoil about looks (when he'd never cared before) as he got ready. Still tacking on his headband over his forehead made him second guess. A slow, unknowing descent was beginning within him right under his nose.

-

Maybe it was pure bliss that made her smile as the group in front of her made fools of themselves, had genuine fun. Or maybe it was the fact that Ino showed up with extra paintings and lights for her to decorate with. Or perhaps it was the amount of new people and familiar ones from the Hokage's that made her smile. She'd stood there playing with her fingers with nerves coursing as she greeted those who walked through her door. So far there were six shinobi standing in her apartment with assortments of foods. Chihiro did her best to smile and nod as she rehearsed their names. There was Kiba, Shikamaru, Tenten, Naruto, and of course Sakura and Ino. Apparently shinobi by the names Hinata and Lee gave their regrets they couldn't make it. In a way Chihiro was surprised so many people came tonight just for her, she wasn't used to many going out of their way for her...

It was entertaining as Naruto tried to bribe Shikamaru to give up his seat on the couch, practically on the ground begging as he wouldn't dare ask Ino or Tenten to move. The noise level was something she wasn't used to as voices echoed in her ears even over the sounds of the television. Her friends in Yggdrasil were primarily reserved and they'd spend their time in comfortable silence together. Chihiro was smiling but still felt out of place.

"Hey," he had short, spiky brown hair and red triangles on his face on top of a wide grin as he approached her.

"Hi Kiba," she said with an emphasis on his name making sure she was right, which he nodded.

"Wondering how you felt about animals? I got a dog if you'd like to meet him."

Chihiro's face lit up, "oh yes!"

"Here's a picture of him," Kiba got excited seeing her reaction, "his names Akamaru." Akamaru was a big, fluffy white dog with brown on his ears, "he's a nin-dog, helps out on missions."

"That's really cool, he's adorable. I'd love to meet him."

It was the knock on the door that immediately ended her conversation with Kiba as she walked over. The final person to arrive was the one she knew she was anticipating the most as she swung the door open. Neji stood much taller than her as he looked down at her as she invited him in. Chihiro felt her stomach do flips as he walked by, everyone shouting out to greet him. It was the way he stopped in the kitchen before going to the living room to greet her that made her nerves fly,

"Hi, my name's Neji Hyuga." he held out his hand, "I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself at the Hokage's meeting."

Chihiro accepted and the second their hands touched they pulled them back in shock feeling a tiny jolt between them, "sorry," she murmured unable to meet his gaze, "I'm Chihiro but you already know that.. Thanks for coming."

"Yeah... uh... if you need anything."

"Mhmm," she nodded with a lost look on her face.

"Or a tour of Konoha.." he felt shy as he spoke those words, trying to understood the storm of emotion in her eyes, "let me know."

"I have her for ramen tomorrow!" a loud voice boomed out, making the two turn. It was then they realized everyone in the apartment was watching their encounter. Chihiro blushed as she took a step away, knowing they'd all been listening in.

Chihiro made her way to Sakura who sat cross legged on the floor fiddling with the TV remote. Chihiro felt embarrassed (and curious) as she couldn't help herself from watching Neji. He was meticulous even with the way he walked, taking a seat at her dining room table besides Kiba. His face was handsome and stern, his hair was so long and well kept it put hers to shame. He sat with pristine posture, which reminded her of when Ino said he was from an important family. Chihiro wanted to ask about his eyes, as she hasn't the slightest clue what Byakugan's were.

It wasn't hard for Chihiro to come to the conclusion that she liked the group in front of her. Regardless of the stark differences in personalities between each and every one of them. They told her of their younger shinobi days and filled her in on important information. A group of eleven that wished they were twelve; as Chihiro saw the sadness in Sakura's eyes as she explained Sasuke. This realm, the shinobi one, was dangerous. Chihiro felt the sooner she could get out may have been for the best, even if she was enjoying her night with them.

"So how different is Konoha than Yggdrasil?" Naruto asked, "no way some tree of life is better! Wait do you live in a tree?"

"Naruto!" Sakura groaned through her teeth.

"No," Chihiro chuckled, "I don't live in a tree. It's more like a figurative meaning."

"Oh." Naruto said.

Chihiro shrugged, "it's so different there you can't compare it. But, we certainly don't have shinobi, though we have a guard that patrols and does... honestly I don't even know." she giggled to herself thinking about how much Kasumi made fun of them, "We have students like me and people just living a regular life. And of course those who are really into all the realm stuff like keepers. But life here in Konoha seems so fast. Everything in Yggdrasil is slow paced, adults talk in weird philosophies only caring about the future of Yggdrasil. It's quite... hard." she began to lament. "And of course it looks completely different, like a woodland kingdom I guess." she shook her head, "time moves different there than here. You have to experience it to know."

Everyone grew quiet seeing the sadness on her face as she talked of her home. Those in tuned with others emotions feeling empathy and those that it never crossed their minds- they understood her predicament. However, no one fully comprehended the pain Chihiro was probably in. They were strangers to her in every sense of the term.

"I'm sorry to be so serious, didn't mean to. This is all just a lot." Chihiro sniffled.

"Don't!" Sakura said, "we can't imagine what you're going through being completely snatched from your realm. Feels crazy to say."

"I know right!"

"But we've all known each other since our academy days or a little after. Hopefully we can be there for you too as we have for each other, dealing with hell." Tenten added.

"You all go through so much at a young age. I haven't even graduated from our academy yet." Chihiro laughed, wiping at her eyes.

"Maybe we'll teach you a thing or two about being a shinobi." Kiba teased. "let you in on all the fun."

"Um no thanks, don't let me near anything sharp!" Chihiro looked over and caught Neji's eyes, which were already on her. She blushed as he showed no emotion, her head dropped as her body warmed. It wasn't hard to tell that his gaze wasn't broken on her, she could feel his intensive stare from days prior. What was his problem?

It was like Ino or Sakura motioned to the other of Chihiro's discomfort as Ino said, "Chi, want to look more at the extra decorations I brought? Oh I hope it's okay I call you that,"

Chihiro nodded furiously as she'd never had a nickname before, "yeah sure," like her feet were moving out from under her, she stood up to lead Ino into her room where she'd left a bag.

There was tightness in her chest as Ino held up paintings and fairy lights, offering ideas of where they could go. Chihiro would smile and agree, not caring where any of it went as... did it really matter? In the back of her head she didn't know how long she'd even be in Konoha, making Ino's and other's efforts seemingly in vain.

She didn't understand how she was already at this point. She'd never been able to shove this many people in her dorm to hangout, too many people showing up for her. Guilt panged in her chest at the thought of beginning another life while she waited for Yggdrasil to scoop her back up. She felt in a daze about being uprooted from her home that starting anew felt like the only logical thing to do. Arms were wide open for her in the mean time and she couldn't resist falling into them.