Phantom Pains

One month and two weeks. It was forty-five days of uncertainty and desperation, mixed with moments of joy and belonging. Confusion- it summed Chihiro up perfectly. If she'd come to Konoha in any other way, freely able to go home whenever, she'd love every second. It was an unfortunate way to come to a new land and meet new people. It was unfortunate that Konoha was where a boy made her heart skip a beat, skin burn with anticipation.

And it was unfortunate that she found herself in Konoha's karaoke bar with a happiness-drunk smile on her face. She was laughing, yelling with everyone else in joy as Naruto stood up on stage.

Loud music was blaring in the bar as Naruto yelled into the mic, almost louder than the tunes he sang. It was dim in the joint, with neutral lights in the corner. There were speckled lights pointed at the stage to dance across whoever was up there. Leafy green plants and strange knick-knacks were scattered everywhere, unique paintings all over the wall. Pictures of former patrons were tacked on behind the bar from a former competition. The floors were fairly sticky as waitresses went around passing out drinks, other drunk onlookers spilling about. Tables were packed with boisterous groups of chunin and civilians alike. When Sakura told Chihiro of their plans hours ago, she wanted to take advantage of it. Chihiro was excited to be able to forget about her stresses and have fun.

Chihiro looked pretty in a short pink dress lent to her. It hugged at her waist as it cut low at her chest, cleavage popping out. If it weren't for her safety shorts she'd be too nervous to do any sort of moving about. And she was almost the most conservatively dressed one there. At Eva Academy kids would sneak in drinks all the time, she'd been drunk on a few occasions with Hana and Kasumi. But Chihiro was not knowledge with alcohol and being with people older than her definitely made her nervous.

She hasn't stopped smiling all night as soon as everyone arrived. Naruto introduced her to Hinata. She met a few other shinobis named Shino, Lee, and Choji. And she couldn't stop smiling when Kiba walked in through the door with Akamaru, which apparently nin-dogs were allowed. The large fluffy dog had taken quite a liking to her, electing to sit at her feet compared to his 'owner.'

"Chi! Take this," Ino had a grossed out look on her face as she shook her head, shoving a tiny glass towards her.

Chihiro didn't know if she enjoyed drinking or hated it. She knew why people drank- to have fun or to forget. For her in the moment it may have been a little of both, but with a lopsided grin she took the shot glass to her lips. The second the cruel liquid hit her tongue and went down her throat, her body shook involuntarily, "eck!" she immediately went to take a large gulp of her mixed drink she'd been sipping on.

Kiba and Ino laughed at her reaction, simply saying they would get another one for her later. Better tasting, she hoped.

Her eyes would scan the room constantly. At first she didn't understand why she felt so 'out of it' as she'd keep checking the front door, feeling bored in conversations. Until looking at everyone who sat around the circular booth, realizing Neji was missing. The older boy with the prettiest eyes, perfect hair, sculpted serous face. He was refined, strong, kind- made her feel comfortable but he wasn't there. It disappointed her but, he wasn't obligated to inform her of his whereabouts.

"Hey Sakura," Chihiro leaned across Kiba, probably giving him quite a view, "um, did Neji say if he was coming?"

"Look at that blush!" Ino giggled, immediately embarrassing the poor girl.

"I don't know if he's coming-"

"Oh my! I'll have to go get him,' Lee's eyes were sparkle with emotion as he looked at Chihiro, having heard plenty of his teammates time with her.

"I'm sure he'll show." Kiba said nonchalantly, "Chi's here so."

"T-that means nothing." Chihiro was growing even redder, trying to deny whatever he was implying.

"Oh come on you guys spend so much time together." Sakura pointed out, "you've got to fill us in!"

"There's nothing to fill you in on. We're just friends."

"We never said you weren't!"

Shit, Chihiro thought to herself, "he's just been there for me." she stumbled over her words feeling her vision become a bit woozy.

"Neji isn't there for anyone ever." Tenten added in, "I've been stuck around him for years now."

"He's my greatest rival, but best friend. And I would love nothing more than to see love blossom for him," Lee, who was onto his second bottle of sake, looked as if he'd cry.

"I-I... I think I need more to drink." Chihiro muttered.

"So another shot?" Kiba laughed. It'd gone around everyone at the table about Chihiro and Neji. Just like she was, they were all patiently waiting for his arrival to see for themselves.

"Guess so," she grumbled as Kiba poured clear liquid into the glass she'd drank out of earlier.

Chihiro grimaced as she brought it to her lips. Sucking a deep breath in, she held it as the tipped her head back and drank the shot. After she swallowed she let out her held in breath. Some kid back in Yggdrasil told her that's how to taste a shot less...

"Look at the youngin' go!" the boy with red triangles painted on his cheeks let out a hearty laugh.

"That is nasty!" Chihiro squeaked, "I'm sticking with whatever this drink is here."

While everyone was focused at their table, loud music still echoing in their ears- they didn't notice who walked through the door. Neji had considered not coming, he rarely attended their social gatherings in public like this. He felt nervous as he picked out non-shinobi clothes- electing for joggers and a simple teeshirt with a zip-up hoodie. But the konoha headband never left. He looked unbelievably handsome as his eyes darted across the dim crazy room.

Neji lost all feeling at the sight of her. From across the room he could see Chihiro leaning over to talk to Kiba, cleavage hanging out. Pink cheeks, hair done, and the most perfect smile. She looked beautiful, enchanting as she giggled, nodding her head with wide eyes. It made his mouth go dry, heart beat wildly in his chest. The pink dress made her look like a doll, unscathed in every way and pure in his eyes. He seemed stuck in place, almost too afraid to walk over. But seeing her so into her conversation with Kiba was what pushed him forward.

He stopped at the bar first, ordering a bottle of sake, knowing he'd need it to get through the night. Seeing and hearing Naruto up on the stage made him let out a deep sigh the second he walked in. He really needed a drink.

With the sake bottle in hand, Neji strode over to the table of his friends. Everyone was so engrossed in their tipsy conversations they hadn't noticed the tall, mysterious shinobi until he was behind Chihiro, and clearing his throat,

"May I?" he stared at Kiba, like he was signaling him to move aside. All the girls were loving it. Seeing Chihiro look at him with dovey eyes and Kiba with a smirk,

"Sure man, have fun." Kinda scooted down, forcing Sakura closer to Hinata.

"Hi!" Chihiro smiled up at him, patting the now empty spot next to her.

"Hey," Neji gave her a nod as he sat, their sides now touching, "how are you?" he took a swig from the sake bottle before setting it down

"I'm good, I'm glad you could make it!"

"I was just a bit busy, that's all. Sorry I kept you waiting,"

"S'okay,"

"Guys Naruto is finally done! We're going up!" Ino cheered, trying to convince others to go up on the small stage. She got an immediate yes from Lee, Naruto (again) and Sakura; then had to beg Kiba, Shino, and Shikamaru. No one dared tried to remove Chihiro or Neji from the other.

They were suddenly so absolved in the other, the music and crowds around them gone. She was drunk as she beamed at Neji, scooting closer and hands folding on the table. Her eyes danced across him, taking in his clothes and his face. Giddiness was all she felt when she looked at him, butterflies filling her stomach. Chihiro was bold with alcohol in her system, suddenly reaching to grab one of his hands. Neji's eyes widened at her brashness feeling tingles down his spine at the contact.

"Your hands's big," she giggled, moving their hands together as his engulfed hers in size.

"That's because I am big- bigger than you..." Neji stammered, not expecting this from her. But he liked it nonetheless. Even if eyes were on them from a distance. Neji took her hand into his and under the table, playing with her fingers in his own as he kept eye contact for a few seconds. With his free hand, he brought his sake up to his lips and took a long swig. It was almost gone.

"You look really pretty." he whispered.

Chihiro shook her head, "t-thanks." her eyes immediately looked down to avoid his gaze, "it's a bit tight on me."

"I can tell." he was no better than a stereotypical man as his eyes would flick downwards occasionally. How he was eating her up and his core shook at the sight of her.

Part of her hair had fallen in front of her face, which led him to brush it behind her ear. His actions made her stare up at him with an innocent-like look, squirming.

A tiny pout came over her lips though, "why were you so late?"

"Busy."

"That's a bad answer." she huffed, "I didn't think I'd see you!"

"I guess I was... nervous. But I was going to come regardless. I wanted to see how you were."

"How I am?" she cocked her head confused.

"Are we going to ignore last night? I know you're worried after meeting with Akira." he said under his breath as he moved his sake bottle out of her reach as he saw her going for it, "careful missy."

"Mm maybe I'm in denial but I'll figure it out when I get home," she exclaimed, "it's not like I can do anything while I'm here."

"Yes I get that, probably need your teachers and all," Neji held his arm out so she wouldn't topple over onto him, which he didn't think possible as they were seated.

"When I get back I'll tell them, see what has to happen," she nodded, like it was a game plan she was setting to happen.

"Yeah," the thought of her leaving even when she was besides him, hand in his, pained him. He squeezed her hand which was snug in his.

"Neji?"

"Yeah?"

"Why do you always wear your headband? I've seen everyone without them now, just not you. And I spend the most time with you," she said with a new slurring to her words.

"I'll show you one day,"

"You're so mysterious," she groaned.

"I'm private," he emphasized.

"Hmph still," Chihiro poked his cheek, "I'll find out all your secrets Neji you better watch out."

He knew she was drunk, knew that those words were due to her inhibited state. But at the same time they excited him- the thought of letting someone in like that. Neji wanted to tell her more about him, maybe about his family as she was straightforward with him. But it was difficult for him. So he just nodded and smiled at her, assuring her that soon she could know everything. For the rest of the time at the karaoke bar they never left each others side, chatting and laughing about whatever. They'd both had more to drink, their visions blurry as their actions became more bold, strenuous. Chihiro couldn't stop laughing at whatever she said, absolutely louder than normal from the liquid courage.

In that moment, it felt like nothing could go wrong. That nothing could possibly get worse for her. Chihiro was content as she looked at her friends on state singing and then to Neji. Even if this wasn't Yggdrasil, it was still forming a place in her heart.

"She has melted his cold heart." Lee cooed, so proud of him.

"Look at him blush!"

"Bets on when Neji will ask her out-"

"Wait they're not dating?"

"Naruto..."