Falling (Apart)
The Konoha gallery was quaint yet that held the town's most famous arts through their history. Laid out in the eclectic building were a most a dozen rooms with paintings from different time periods lining the walls. Chihiro finds herself enjoying every painting, sculpture, or more. Neji offered to take her out for the day since he'd returned from a mission the day prior. And it was adorable watching him tell her about the history behind each work; he knew so much. Watching his focused face and now his eyes lit up as they walked and stopped, her arm linked with his. She was constantly learning more about Neji and this was another side to him. Chihiro was excited to see how the rest of their day would play out.
The shinobi and the girl certainly looked like a couple out on a date. They were so engaged in each other and nothing else, sneaking glances at the other and darting their gaze when they looked. Cheeks dancing with a faint pinks and reds. Her mind was not only focused on the art but at how he greeted her- their first hug that lasted far too long for just friends. The way he'd wrapped his arms around her waist, tugging her into his strong chest. It made her stomach erupt in nerves and a smile pull at her lips just thinking about it. Her mind was a wreck with thoughts of Neji, especially whilst he looked so attractive showcasing his interests to her.
It was no worry that they weren't speaking much outside of Neji explaining artists behind the art and their time period. They were just excited to be in each other's peaceful company.
They come to an almost empty room, with a few benches surrounded by renditions of paintings from the nine tailed demon attack. Neji lead Chihiro to a bench against a light cream wall,
"Thank you for bringing me Neji, I've enjoyed this. It's so beautiful." Chihiro said with a smile as she sat down, "I've learned a lot about Konoha or shinobi countries in general from school but it's nice to hear it from you. And well see artworks that came out of it."
"I felt like you'd enjoy coming here with me. Wanted something relaxing for you still."
"Yes well this has been! I appreciate everyone going above and beyond for my sake. Everyone seems so worried I feel bad."
"Don't feel bad. We choose to do this for you. And I like coming here to clear my head, I'm glad you didn't mind spending time staring at what some would call mundane."
"It's not mundane. When we're younger at school, not focusing on coursework so seriously we got to take art classes. I found it so much fun to paint or sculpt, or whatever. Even if I sucked it helped me appreciate it more."
"I still can't believe you guys are in your academy for twelve years, I would've lost my mind dealing with some of those idiots for that long."
"Are you always so impatient?" she laughed, playfully poking him.
"You should've met me when I was fourteen." he shook his head, "I may have been a little obnoxious."
"Really?"
"Yeah..." Neji sighed, "Can I tell you about my upbringing? I wanted to tell you when you told me about your parents but, I felt waiting was appropriate."
"Yes." Chihiro nodded, almost surprised he was the one to bring it up. He'd seemed so uncomfortable talking about his past or family, it made her feel honored in a way as he positioned his body more towards her, their knees touching.
"As you know I'm part of the Hyuga clan, which is why I have my Byakugan. I was born into a branch house, not the main house. Ideally, you want to be born into the main house..." he sighed, "we're supposed to live and breathe for the main house, I always thought my fate would be servitude to them. That's how my father viewed it at least. That someone of my talent shouldn't have to be below anyone I always thought, so that's why I keep my headband on, I have markings on my forehead that basically signify I'm of a branch house to the Hyuga family. It binds us. I'll show you one day..." Chihiro reached and grabbed his hands, interlocking their fingers as she saw his eyes clouded with emotions, "it mad me uh, bitter. Hateful. And I was cocky trying to compensate for what I believed my fate to be. And as much as Naruto pisses me off, he changed everything... I have just as much ability as anyone to change the paths I'm on and I actually believe that. For years I've been freed of those feelings that taunted me, it's definitely nice to have a better outlook and improve upon myself. I think it's made me an even stronger shinobi too."
"Oh Neji," Chihiro felt her chest get heavy, "that's extremely difficult to grow up with, I'm so sorry. But it seems like you've become such an amazing person."
"Thanks Chi," he nodded shooting her a smile, "you told me about your family and I wanted to do the same."
"You told me you're a private person, I understand that better now. I'm glad that you felt like you could tell me, it means a lot."
"I feel like I can tell you a lot." he whispered, "I don't get personal with many people, this line of work is hard enough."
"I can imagine.."
"That's why I've felt something new awakening in me since you... it's scared me seeing how my life has bled into yours, someone trying to hurt you..."
Chihiro stared into his eyes trying to understand his words. She was analyzing them, wondering if it was a possibility that he looked at her as more too, "i-it's been tough, but I'm surviving, I have for awhile."
"I can tell with you. You're easy for me to read."
"While you're hard for me to read..."
Neji shrugged, staring down at their fingers intertwined loosely. His thump stroked along her palm feeling the warmth of her skin, "sorry about that."
"Can I ask you something?" she asked abruptly, feeling confidence from their soft touches.
"Mhmm,"
"Do you ever think about settling down? I see Naruto and Hinata, and of course Sakura talking about Sasuke as if he'd return any day. Everyone seems to have somebody here they care for,"
"I mean yeah, I've thought about it. I want someone I love, that loves me, and my clan accepts but if they don't it's no bother. I've never stayed serious with anyone as it wasn't worth risking being a jonin."
"Oh," her heart dropped thinking of him being with anyone else, but she couldn't be hypocritical, "not meaningful enough?"
"No, and not the right person."
"Do you believe in that stuff? Like soulmates and you know who you're meant to be with? Not that I think soulmates exist exactly, more like... I don't know, just rambling."
"Yes." Neji responded so seriously and instantly that it shook her to the core. Two months ago, Neji would have said no. But now, because of her, he did, "do you?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Have you been with anyone?"
"Sort of but not really, I've been to academy formals with guys, some dinners and stuff but yeah."
"I see." he had to ask, couldn't breathe without knowing since she asked him. But in a way it made him feel relieved no one met any standards she probably had. Because Neji felt as if no man could be good enough for Chihiro, maybe he wasn't either but, he'd try. He'd want to be the best for her, be the one to take care of her, protect her, make her happy. Even if this was how just friends cared for another, he desperately wanted a place in her life.
For a second it felt as if the tension could be cut with a knife, awkward. Neji saw the girl was bright red, gazing at her feet which couldn't reach the floor. She was adorable swinging her feet, but clearly an awkward aura swirling about her. She was someone who bounced back though he learned. She was strong in surviving the sudden move to Konoha being stripped from her home. Even making a comeback from the last few week's dangerous events. Chihiro was amazing in his eyes.
"Hey you know, I know it was you who left those flowers for me when I got back from the hospital." she giggled, shaking her head as she snapped out of her small trance.
"Yeah well, you said your old bouquet died and they were tulips too... and you wear pink a lot so I assumed you liked that color."
Chihiro grinned at how shy he suddenly was and how much he noticed about her, "well pink is my favorite color. And I don't actually have a favorite flower, I like almost all of them. Tulips are just like- perfect in a way to have as a decoration."
"I'm glad you liked them." his eyes lit up as reassurance surged in him.
"Thank you."
"Anytime." he swallowed hard as his palms began to heat up in hers, "Want to keep walking around?"
"Yeah." they'd gotten to know each other so well. Chihiro felt comfortable in his presence, safe. She loved the way he gracefully stood up over her, holding hands out for her to grasp, to help her up. He was a gentleman to her, always making her feel special. Chihiro stared at him as she got to her feet, hands on his much larger ones.
It was like time was stopping for a few seconds as they peered into the depths of the other's eyes. Slow motion around them as she wobbled forward suddenly losing balance. He stopped her but saw the blank look on her face. Black dots began to litter her vision as she placed her hand against her head, pushing into her temple.
"S-sorry I must have stood up to fast." she felt dizzy, a sudden rush of blood leaving her head, yet it wasn't going away, getting worse as her vision clouded. Neji held her firmly on her waist as she stood there trying to grasp herself. It was like a force was pulling at her body, being set on fire as everything around her began to pulse with black.
"Chi?" Neji called to her softly, but his voice sounded miles away. Chihiro couldn't feel herself anymore. She felt like she was floating while standing in the Konoha museum at the same time, "Chihiro?"
She began to slump down, knees going weak.
Neji caught her as she went down, body limp in his arms as he sat with her on the floor. He was panicking, feeling for her pulse, calling out to her. Chihiro felt cold to the touch, her breathing raspy as she struggled to intake air. His reactions were slow, his mind was clouded. Neji cradled her in his arms as if he'd lose her, holding her close, trying to smother her with his chakra as he'd done on the cliffs edge. But nothing, not a sign of life outside her shallow breaths. No twitch of her fingers or movement behind her eyelids, and that devastated him. Even when a cluster of people began to gather to see what was happening, Neji couldn't move. It took him far too long to realize he needed to get her to the hospital, for once he was frozen in a moment he needed to act.
Her hardly moving body had him alight with anger and worry- anger towards himself for not being able to act as he carried her to the hospital. Worry for her well being as death invaded his mind as if her final breath was upon them. Neji was built for stressful battles, to handle all situations but this was one that he didn't have the upper hand. Tears pricked at his eyes as medical-nin took her from him, Sakura barging into the room to take over. He'd been forced out and left in the dark of her state, left wondering if she'd awake.
-
"Oh my god! Someone get the nurse!"
"Chihiro's awake!"