Tiny Visitor
Neji was unsure what possessed him to return, asides from the fact he promised her whilst she was falling asleep. Surely she wouldn't remember and he'd look like a fool; but, he was a man of his word. Even if tonight he'd be leaving town for a few days, he had to stop by. As he stood outside her door he looked at the dark sky, the air smelled moist with rain. There was a cruel, chokingly warm breeze going through that surely signified a coming shift. It would storm today he knew. He took a deep breath before he knocked a few times against the wooden door. Stepping back, he shoved his hands in his pockets and waited. His mind was alight with worries about seeing her again or what she may think. It made him want to jolt away and prepare for his coming mission.
Faint shuffling could be heard from inside before a lock clicked and the door opened. Chihiro looked as if she'd just woken up with her messy hair and pajamas still on. She looked at him with shocked look that faded into content as her eyes looked up him and down.
"Hi," she smiled, "you did come back."
"I said I would, and I'm surprised you remembered. You were half asleep." he frowned.
"You know you have an intense stare." she grumbled moving onto her next thought as she tried to shake away his gaze, "feels like you're trying to murder me with those special eyes of yours."
His eyes widened for a second before softening, "Sorry, didn't realize. You're just... strange."
"In a good or bad way?"
"I don't know yet."
"Is that why you keep conveniently showing up places?" Chihiro teased.
"Maybe." he shrugged.
She giggled, "well then I guess we'll be seeing each other a lot until you figure that out. You should come in, I made some breakfast- well toast."
"Just toast?"
"Yep!" she said proudly, "have to try to get something in my stomach,"
Neji smiled as he took her up on her offer. Her mood was a stark contrast from yesterday but he supposed that was a good thing. Inside it smelled of burnt bread which made his nose crinkle up in distaste. He saw two blackened pieces of bread discarded on the kitchen counter and two more golden brown with melted butter.
"Yeah I underestimated the power of the toaster at first," she shrugged, "whoops. You're not hungry are you? I have some fruit otherwise."
"I already ate but.. maybe I'll take you up on the fruit offer."
"I have peaches!" she pointed over to a windowsill over her dining room table where a bowl of fresh peaches sat, "Ino dropped them off this morning. You can grab one."
Neji obliged as he walked over to where the bowl of fruit sat, a soft breeze wafting through as the window was open, "you may want to close this, gonna rain soon."
"I love the vibes before it rains." she called over to him, plate and hand as she walked towards him to take a seat at the table, "it's the best time, I enjoy storms."
Neji took a seat across from her as he took a bite of the fruit, "I prefer colder weather actually,"
"Hm I don't like being cold as I always find myself needing a blanket."
Chihiro's stomach was empty, but filled with tiny butterflies at the same time. She wasn't fond of the idea of eating knowing it would make her feel sick. But regardless, she brought the roast up to her mouth to take a bite. Back when she used to her monthly stomach bugs as a kid, her grandmother always shoved toast onto her so she assumed this was a good option. Her and Neji sat in a comfortable silence as she finished her toast. She was well aware of his eyes never leaving her form, yet she couldn't bring herself to look at him.
When Chihiro woke up that morning she felt horrible. Her head ached and her eyes were puffy it made her vision blurry at first. Seeing her half-dead face in the bathroom mirror and remembering the night prior made her cringe, sigh in defeat. Remembering her panic attack with Naruto and Neji conveniently coming to her aid... then staying with her until she fell asleep. She was thankful for his kindness, but self conscious about it nonetheless.
"I uh, want to apologize about yesterday." Chihiro worked up the courage to speak as she looked at him with sad eyes, "I'm embarrassed you saw me like that we barely know each other... I don't even let my friends at home see me like that."
"Don't apologize." he responded immediately.
"You probably think I'm ridiculous." her voice was so tiny, like she was a meek animal ready for the prey to pounce.
"Quite the opposite actually. I don't know how you're doing so well with this. I've seen great shinobi break under lesser conditions."
A look of gratitude shown on her face, almost surprised he spoke such serious words to her. It was a compliment that made her chest soar. From what she was beginning to understand about Neji was that he was a serious shinobi,
A soft drizzle began to rain down from the sky, pattering against her windowpanes. She set her cheek down on her first as she stared out the one open window above her table. It was light enough that she didn't want to get up and close it, just let the few droplets come in.
Neji spoke to her so softly it made her feel relaxed, hearing his voice talk to her about a mission. She liked how he treated her, even if he still had concerns. She liked the way his nose scrunched up as her talked about things going idiotically wrong. Liked how his headband sat on his forehead and his hair framed his face. He was pretty and it took her breath away.
It was the sound of a soft meow that made both them jump. Little paws could be heard scratching along the wood as a white, fluffy head poked into their view. It was a small white cat approaching the bowl of peaches that lay out with droplets on them. It paid them no mind as it clawed at the bowl of fruit, meowing as it did so.
Chihiro gasped at the sight of the dirty cat that tried to take bites of the peaches, immediately going over to it. The cat looked at her apprehensively as she held her ands out to show she meant no harm. After sniffing Chihiro's fingers and nudging her nose into them, she must have deemed her not a threat and allowed Chihiro to pick it up. Cradling the cat into her chest she looked to Neji,
"Oh she looks so underweight.." Chihiro sighed sadly as her fingers ran over the dingy white fur, "she needs a bath too."
"I doubt she has an owner," Neji added getting up to stand in front of her so he could run a hand over the cat's body to feel, "probably should see a vet first."
"Do you know where one is?" she watched as he nodded, "I'll give her a bath and then go."
"I'm sure they'd clean her up-"
"It'll help her feel dignified when she goes though! She just looks tired."
Neji smiled at how endearing and kind she was. It was cute the way she cared for the cat, cooing to it so it could feel safer. It made him feel giddy inside in a way that was like being able to sleep after not for two weeks. Chihiro was a wonderful girl within his eyes like a shining light and he felt himself growing fascination towards her.
He offered to help but she denied it adamantly as got got to work taking care of the cat. It seemed to enjoy the scrubbing that ensued when Chihiro filled the kitchen sink with warm water and soapy bubbles. The cat elicited small meows of seemingly bliss as it's eyes were closed, nuzzling into Chihiro's tiny hands that held her. Neji couldn't wipe the tiny smile off his face as she talked to the cat with reassuring words.
When she was finished, the cat went to curl up on a lone towel discarded on the floor. Chihiro took her spot on the floor besides her, softly petting her wet fur. Neji decided to sit on the other side of them, so he could face her. He analyzed every situation he was in and yet couldn't stop himself from doing so in such a warning situation. There was one thing on his mind from when he'd just arrived, he had to ask about,
"Earlier, you mentioned my eyes."
"Yeah... someone said they were Baku- something?"
"Byakugans."
"What are they? In simplest terms for me," Chihiro wouldn't learn about important shinobi families until a month or so before graduation, so she was sure she'd be missing those lessons soon. But there always was a ring to the last name Hyuga whenever she heard it.
"Well," Neji thought to himself as he tried to decipher what would make the most sense to her, "it literally means 'all seeing eyes' which sums it up pretty well. When I activate it I basically have a full 360 view around myself and I can penetrate almost everything to see through it. I can see up to I would say.. 800 feet? And I can see chakras, which is why I can see you're aura. It's the simplest version I can think of right now..."
"No it makes sense, I think I understand the basics of what it allows you to do... But do you see normally until it's activated?"
"Mhmm I would think I do. At least normal for me. The Byakugan can take a lot of strength to use though."
"Seems pretty awesome." Chihiro said with awe in her voice as she gleamed up at him. Slowly in her eyes, she could see him as someone who walked on water, could do no wrong. She was admiring him, "what should we name her?" she asked, switching focus to the sleeping cat.
"We?"
"Yeah, she came to both of us in a way. She can be our cat."
It was so innocent that she couldn't have realized what she was doing to him, "guess so." his heart was melting in a way that made his cheeks grow pink.
"I was thinking Peaches or Peach, because she came to sniff my bowl of peaches before."
"I think that would be perfect," he whispered, "do Peaches, then she can have a nickname."
"Very true," she smiled, "and we're not splitting custody she's gonna stay with me."
"Let's first get her to the vet and make sure she doesn't have an owner just in case... though I doubt it."
"And if she does have an owner, they aren't getting her back," Chihiro pouted, "they've treated her terribly."
"You're not wrong... hopefully she helps you while you're here."
Chihiro looked at him and smiled in a somberly way as her lips were pressed together. She just nodded her semblance of an agreement, "perhaps. I'm glad she decided to show up at my window."
"Meant to be," he said under his breath. Neji reached out to pet Peaches and at the same time so did Chihiro. Their hands barely brushed together before they pulled back in shock, muttering apologies. It was like it slowed time, their skin burning from the contact suddenly. Chihiro was bright red and looking away, he saw it clear as day.
Neji looked to the clock at sat on the wall by the door. He hadn't realized how much time had passed.
"I hate to uh, leave you but I have to get going. Mission."
"Oh," Chihiro tried to hide her disappointment, "will it be dangerous?"
"Probably." he replied nonchalantly, "can't avoid that aspect. I'll be gone a bit, so you'll have to update me about Peaches when I get back."
Chihiro nodded, "will do. You stay safe, yeah?" maybe she didn't understand fully what Neji would be leaving to do, to know she should genuinely worry about him coming back. But she also didn't understand the talent and power Neji held.
"I will don't worry. You'll see me soon enough." Before Neji left, he gave Peaches some more pets then looked to Chihiro like he was debating something. But he couldn't. So he bade her goodbye with a pit in his stomach, something telling him 'not to go.'
Chihiro was breaking down his walls in a way that confused him. He wanted someone to call his own but he wasn't someone who let others in easily. He could be too critical. Too secretive about his family and feelings.. even if he didn't mean to. His upbringing and beliefs had taken a toll on him subconsciously even to this day as he made amends with family members, found new ways to believe in his future. But, he never accounted for Chihiro.