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• N E J I x H I N A T A • R A T E D E • 1 0 K W •

S U M M A R Y:

'Talk to her!' Lee's words still rang in his mind, and he wondered if he actually should. Shame and guilt have the tendency to consume one's soul. How far can a gesture or a series of them compensate for the sins of the past? And will the sufferer be able to accept the atonement given or will they succumb to the guilt and heaviness of those emotions? Could Neji and Hinata relink a relationship that is plagued by the ghost of the past? Prompt 1: Dry Humping

✦ A O 3 - F F . N E T ✦

Peculiar Considerations For Atonement

Part 1: Adagio

Late September.

Lee had always struggled with his alcohol intake and had decided to take his low resistance seriously.

He could be a liability in a mission if someone slipped something into his drink and, as a preventive measure, he had taken his drinking into his hands. Or more accurately, into his and Neji's hands. He had convinced Neji to train him, making him his drinking buddy. And, in one of those fortuitous drinking nights, his friend had mentioned liking someone. Neji had always been very private, he never talked about relationships, much less who he liked. Lee hadn't wanted to lose such an opportunity, he didn’t stop bugging Neji about who the girl was or whether he had talked to her ever since.

Nothing was going to stop Lee's youthful desire to discover his friend's secret love. Neji had been well aware of Lee's tactics, waiting for him to get drunk enough to slip up again.

"So? "

"So what Lee?" He asked, irritated.

"Tell me! "

"I don't have to tell you anything " He tried to sound more threatening than he knew he would.

"So you haven't?... But! What about..."

"If you continue talking. I swear I'll kill you!"

One drunken evening, that had been all Lee needed to make Neji talk.

"Ah man, so you are not telling me about her and worse than that, you are not telling her about your feelings, the flame of your youth is going to dim when she goes out with another guy" Lee said while sipping the sake.

"I told you I don't want to talk about it"

"But why not? Common man! We cannot talk about missions because they are confidential, we cannot talk about your clan because that's too convoluted" He complained. "I will tell you about my love if you tell me about yours" He said in a velvety manner, seeing how it had no effect on him when trying to persuade him "I don't want to get drunk just because! At least, let's make it worthwhile!"

"I can't!", said Neji angrily. "Plus, we all know that you love Sakura. But regardless of how much you fight, that's a long-lost battle. You are just fighting for nothing.

"Tou are wrong, my friend! That's the thing, don’t you see? I can still enjoy the beauty of these heartfelt and youthful emotions, even if they are not corresponded”

“You are not letting it die, aren't you?" Lee's sardonic smile confirmed his stubbornness, not letting him off the hook. Neji sighted, he was usually more strongly-willed than this, but he felt the tiredness sinking into him, he didn't know where to start or what to say without letting much information out.

"So?"

"Ok, ok... She - She's one of us"

"Uuuh , a fellow kunoichi from the Leave then. Do I know her?" Neji just stared blankly at him, but after so many years in each other's lives Lee had learned to read his facial expressions, and didn't feel any kind of intimidation anymore.

"I'll take that as a yes!" he said pointing a finger at him. "Next question! Have you given her anything?"

He sighted.

"Ye-es…"

‘I gave her a heart failure ’, he thought morbidly. He could feel his friend gaze scrutinizing him once again.

Despite what people thought, Lee was more perceptive than he let on, and people usually took him for granted. Neji knew him, and as naturally cautious as he was, he knew Lee would get the information out of him one way or another. It was only a matter of time.

"Wait, you said that you... can't ? You can't talk about your mysterious lady?" Neji saw the moment Lee had caught him, deduced him, read him. A mix of surprise, shock and confusion was coursing through his face, making him groan.

‘Goddammit. I really need to start drinking less! ’, he thought. They had finished one bottle and were only halfway through the second one, said barely 4 words about the matter and deadpanned the whole way through the conversation, in the hopes of not being discovered. But it hadn’t been enough, that was everything Lee had needed.

He saw his intentions, clear about saying something regarding the matter. But before he could say anything...

"Fuck you Lee!"

"Neejii!" he said giggling. The alcohol always made him laugh "My dearest and most esteemed friend and rival, you certainly are a complicated person. I'll give you that" Neji started rubbing his eyes half-heartedly with the heel of his free hand, wanting to let out some of his frustration "So , what was it that you gave he-… Oh, man! Common! Don’t be like this!”

"This is why I didn't want to talk about it! It's complicated, and dangerous, and... We both know I shouldn’t be thinking about her like this, not after everything between us. What I almost did, the whole intention of it. It's shameful. And, a disgrace. The only reason why I am alive, it's because of how it happened. Never before had three senseis and a referee interjected a duel"

Lee kept a poker face while listening to his friend, not wanting to make him feel judged, but deep down he knew he was right. If the fight had happened outside the chunin exams, he would have been sentenced to a painful death.

The rules of the clan were absolute, and he had had too much anger inside him. And although he had worked on his issues and his temper, and the relationship with the lady had improved. He had never had the watchful eyes of the clan taken off of him.

"Well, my friend, I shall drink this one for our ladies! May them rule our hearts in the most benevolent way!"

"Cheers" Neji toasted dejectedly, raising his cup of sake to Lee’s and drinking it.

He had to thank the fact that she was such a good person.

𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ

"Are you sure that you can go up the stairs?"

"Yeah, man! Worry not. I am now better at this! Thanks for sharing a cup with me."

"Yeah, well. I'm the only one who has been able to handle your drunken fist, so I guess it has to be me"

"Ha! You wish!” He said between hiccups. “Only once and by pure luck, three years ago. You're just pure tell but can't show up for shit! Same time next week?"

"Maybe, if neither of us is on a mission. I'll pay for the first bottle"

"You ?"

"Don't start or you'll pay for both!"

"Ok, ok. I'll shut up" Neji started walking away towards the district.

"HEY NEJI!" Lee screamed from where he was "TALK TO HER!" Neji scoffed, Lee had improved, but he still got really really drunk.

The moon was beautiful that night, it was full but blurred by a dense layer of thick clouds, dimming its light.

‘Talk to her’

Lee's words still rang in his mind, and he wondered if he actually could.

A part of him wished that they were closer.

Maybe he could...

‘NO!’

Definitely not. What was he thinking? He was being delusional. And at this point he didn't know if he needed a stronger drink before going to sleep, or simply sober up and never drink again.

𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ

He walked straight into the kitchen, still undecided between that last drink or some aspirin, but to his surprise it was not empty. Hinata was there, and apparently she had also thought about having a drink before going to sleep. ‘Correction. That is more than simply a drink ’ he thought after noticing the big bottle of sake resting in the middle of the table.

"Neji-onisama!" she said surprised, feeling like a little child who had been discovered in the middle of a naughty prank. The fact that she was drinking on her own, made her self-conscious. She felt as if she had been doing something illicit. Neji was petrified, Hinata was the last person that he wanted to see while being drunk.

"Hi... Hinata-Sama. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. I-I was coming for a glass of water" he improvised while willing his words out of his body. Still surprised by her presence. The alcohol had affected his most perceptive ninja skills "I will get a glass and be... be on my way"

"Wait! Can... can you sit and have a cup with me?" he could not refuse her. Especially when he could see the need for companionship in her eyes.

"I'd be honored" he formally replied while she served him some sake.

She sighted.

"Are you ok?" He tried to analyze her demeanor closely but failed, his mind too hazy and only a couple of brain cells were working at a time.

"I... um... yeah. I am just tired and needed something strong before going to sleep" her eyes were glued to the cup of sake in her hand. She was deep in thought, her eyelids almost closed. The bottle was not halfway through yet, but she had pulled out a big one. So, she must have drunk quite a bit before his arrival, and to her credit, she didn't look as if she was that deep into her cups.

He finished his drink while she was mechanically raising her hand, going for the bottle once again, getting ready to serve herself yet another shot. Slowly grazing his hand over hers, he subtly indicated to her to stop drinking for tonight, since he could see the tiredness reflected under her eyes.

"Please" he said trying to call her attention "let me escort you back to your room Hinata-sama". She squinted her eyes, not breaking eye contact, and for a moment he felt a rumble in his chest where everything mixed: his feelings, the sensation of his hand over hers, and the fire in her eyes. She stood up, leaving the bottle open in the middle of the table, determined to not look back at him once again.

Neji walked through the wooden corridors and everything was spinning around him, he followed the wobbly steps of Hinata, but if that was his perception or her actual footing, he couldn't say. He walked behind her until the door to her room was visible.

"You are relieved from your duties tonight" the sluggish iciness of her voice was something he had not expected from her. What just happened? He was confused. They hadn't talked that much, and in his mind they had shared what he could call a comfortable silence, hadn’t they? She had never dismissed him. Ever. Or anyone else, as far as he remembered. The distant and impersonal dismissal made him more uncertain. She had never talked to him in such a distant manner.

･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚

Next morning.

He was still feeling the effects of the drinks, with his head still spinning. The sun hadn't come out yet. He must have slept 4 hours tops. And although it was still early, he didn't feel like training at all. Lee would be out after all the shots he had drunk, that was for sure.

He tried remembering last night’s details. Trying to make sense about last night's Hinata, and the rarity of the circumstances. She had been so surprised when he got into the kitchen, she had reacted so skittish when he got there, and she had already gotten drunk, drinking half a bottle on her own... ‘ Why? ’. He couldn’t remember ever seeing her drinking, at least not like that. She had always gone for one or two shots, especially when she was invited to the Inuzuka parties. But last night… her demeanor, body language and posture had been narrating a different story. And the worst part was that she had been drinking alone. That made him feel uneasy. Was that something she did frequently, or had something happened?

‘God, I need a painkiller ’. He looked through his medicine cabinet and pulled out some tablets. Gulping down two at the same time.

𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ

By the time she entered the kitchen around 6 am, he had already prepared some steamed rice, sides, miso and was now frying some fish.

"Morning Neji-onisama,” she sounded a little sleepy, “that fish smells good. Do you need help?"

"Good Morning Hinata-sama, please sit. I'll be done in a minute"

"I would have thought you on the training grounds at this hour"

"I - I usually would be. You are right"

"But...?"

"But I have a terrible headache, it seems like I drank much more from what I can stand. How about you?"

"I'm - I'm a little... I don't know, not fully dizzy, but not fully ok"

"Here" he said, extending the capsule and a glass of water.

"Oh, thanks. This, this is very thoughtful of you"

"You can start drinking the water but, please, wait for the food before taking the pill. Otherwise, you might hurt your stomach"

"Thank you" she said with a shadow of a smile gracing her face.

Neji started serving the food while Hinata drank some of the water. The bubbly texture of the drink made her open her eyes surprised, lowering her glass and she stared into it trying to put two and two together despite the haziness of her mind.

"Did you put a seltzer in the water?"

"Um, well... I thought that - that you could wake up with a stomach ache" he could feel the blood running up his face. She smiled fully after his answer, and it was the most beautiful sight an early morning could bring him. She stood up from the table and went around it. And once she stood in front of him, she bowed.

"Thank you for being so thoughtful with me today. I'll set the table, so we can have breakfast" He eyes followed her moving around the kitchen, still in disbelief, paralyzed. Musing in the warmth he felt in the depth of his chest.

They ate in silence, but unlike last night, his head was now mostly clear and Hinata seemed to be enjoying what she was tasting.

"Can I ask something?" he dared himself, he felt that he had to know. They were not friends but maybe, maybe, he could show her that she could talk to him.

"Yes, of course", she answered expectantly.

"Did - did something happen last night?"

"Oh..." she felt her cheeks beating hard, remembering the events of the day before, "well..." looking for the appropriate words seemed like a struggle. "It's quite embarrassing, actually… I - I was back from a date"

‘A date ?’. He tried assimilating the idea, and he knew he shouldn't be surprised. After all it was Hinata, with everything that she represented and was, she was bound to have suitors pursuing her, it was inevitable. But the surprising part for him was that she had actually gone out with someone, since she was usually timid. And, she had been secluding herself for almost two years now.

"And… was it a good one?" He cringed internally at himself. What kind of question was that one?! He certainly didn’t know how to continue a conversation like that. From all the things that could be discussed, Hinata’s love life had never been one of those. He felt as if he was crossing a boundary, invading her privacy. It felt inappropriate and invasive, every fiber of his body was screaming at him, telling him that he was not the person she ought to have that conversation with. Deep down he could only hope to not make Hinata’s embarrassment any greater, especially not at the expense of his curiosity.

"I wish" she simply said, and he wondered if he should ask more about it? or- "I finally had a date with Naruto-kun” her low tone indicated more than the words itself. “It wasn't at all as I had imagined it would be. I mean, he was nice, but... I don't know… I had been so excited and had spent hours getting ready for it. But I don't think he would ever be able to understand what it feels like to be part of a family like ours. Can you imagine that he said he would come and tell us to change our traditions?" She looked genuinely sad, the pressure of being the heir and now head of a noble clan weighing her down. He wanted to say something, but he knew that anything he said could end up sounding patronizing. “I just couldn't help but feel that we would have such a perfect date after years of wanting one, and while I'm happy I took the courage to ask him out... I - I - feel like a silly little girl"

"You asked Naruto out?" To say he was astounded would be an understatement "I feel congratulations are in order, then".

"Please, don't make fun of me, Neji-onisama. I feel bad enough already" she looked like she was about to bolt, she had started collecting the dishes in an attempt to escape the kitchen. Ready to recoil.

"No, wait!" he grabbed her wrist from across the table "Please sit, I didn't want to make you feel on the spot. It's just that...” She audibly heard him exhale, trying to find the appropriate words, “You always wanted to go out with him, and you asked him out. I commend you for your bravery" she wasn't looking at him, embarrassment fogging the previous brightness of her eyes.

"Well...” she said defeatedly “at least the ramen was really tasty"

"Was your date at Ichiraku?" He asked incredulously.

She nodded, feeling more and more embarrassed by the second, covering her face. "Ino will kill me when I tell her. She thinks that Ichiraku isn't the place for a date".

He regarded her for a second and blurted a “Is there a place where you'd like to go?” before noticing. And he couldn’t lie to himself, the reality was that he was curious. He had never thought about the places she would like to visit. Nor dared to imagine the possibility of ever going out with her. He couldn't fool himself, there was a social gap dividing them. Letting his thoughts drift that way was dangerous. It would be considered an insolence, since she was a member of the main family.

"I guess, I would like to go to a place that wasn't one I have visited almost every day for more than 10 years, a place where I go all the time with my team. I want to do something different... Something special" He could see that. Her craving for something new and different to happen when you are constricted by the rules of a strict family like theirs, was more than understandable. They all did it, in one way or another they all looked for ways of escaping the harshness of their reality.

･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚

Mid-October

“Excuse me, Hinata-Sama. Something has been delivered for you” said Kaya.

A white envelope with no signature had been given to her, and inside, there was... a gift card?

She looked confused at the colorful card. It had the name of a place she vaguely seemed to remember.

She checked the paper again, as if checking it once again would make a name appear, the harder she started to do it. But despite her effort the paper remained as blank as it had been when she had received it.

She never received anything.

Who would have sent it?

𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ

"Hinata-chan! How's your day going?"

"Ino-chan! Sakura-chan! Thank you for coming!"

"So? What's today's plan?"

"Actually, I'm... not sure. I received a card for a place called... La... Lade-Ladu"

"LADURÉE???" Screamed Ino and Sakura excitedly at the same time. Hinata was a little stunned by how loud her friends had reacted.

"Ok, enough. Tell us! Who is it?"

"Who is who?"

"Oh common! Don’t play coy. Your boyfriend, of course!" asked Sakura "Who's your boyfriend?"

"I don't have one, you girls know that"

"Commooon, don't be shy! You can tell us" said Ino.

"No. I'm serious... I - I don't know who sent it" the last was said in a really quiet voiced “Kaya-san gave me the envelope a week ago, and I wasn't sure if it was really for me, I asked her more than once if it she was sure, and she was vehement about it, but I cannot imagine who or why I was sent something like this”

"Argh! Not you too then!” Ino groaned.

“Me too?” she didn’t understand.

"I don't want to sound as if I'm stealing your moment but... I've also been receiving random gifts from time to time. And I have never been able to figure out who is the one sending me things", said Sakura

Ino sighed "You girls are so lucky, I only get bad dates. I'm so tired of 'what's your rank?', 'Where did you go on your last mission?', 'Do you belong to a clan?' over and over and over again” Ino stopped ranting for a second “This place opened not long ago, so it must be someone who considers you special. I've been dying to come ever since they opened. But enough is enough, don't let me bring down the mood, let's get some macarons!"

"Macarons?" Hinata was puzzled by the whole thing.

𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ

"Thanks for walking me back, girls" Hinata bowed when she was at the gates of the Hyuga district. "It was a lovely afternoon".

"Thanks to your boyfriend! It was very delicious, can't wait to go again!" Said Ino.

"Have a nice night Hinata-chan" said Sakura, bidding goodbye to her friend.

･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚

Tea Nation

"Don't you think I sent it too soon?" For once, Neji was deeper into his cups, and Lee was actually surprised of seeing him so flustered "I mean, she looked so distraught and embarrassed after her date with Naruto, I just couldn't not do something "Lee saw his friend lamenting while drowning down the rest of his cup.

"Don't worry Neji! Did you send it the next day?"

"No, of course not. I thought about it some days before deciding to get the card."

"You see, don't stress out! It'll be alright" Lee served him a little bit more liquor, if anyone needed to have liquid courage at this moment, it was certainly his friend "So have you thought about giving her something else?"

"In fact, I have" He said while gracing the cup over his lips covering a shy smile.

･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚

Late October

"Hinata-sama" Kaya called her attention "There’s a new envelope for you".

Roughly two weeks had already passed since the first envelope arrived. And this one was a very similar one. It was blank, no label nor penmanship. She tried scrutinizing it even further. Who could it be? She mused.

“Byakugan” She activated her blood limit. She wanted to detect the faint traces of chakra left by the sender. Maybe she would be able to see something that gave her a clue about this person. But to no avail, nothing could be read out of the paper.

She pursed her lips, thinking.

𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ

"Kyaaa!!!! Hinata-chan!!! This is amazing, Just what I needed!"

"Ino is so right" said Sakura "I hadn't come to the hot springs in a hot second, this is so nice!!"

"I'm happy that you are enjoying this!"

"We really need to get Ino a secret admirer, that way we can go to more restaurants and cafés" continued Sakura jokingly.

"Do you really have no idea? Absolutely no idea who these men sending you gifts are?"

"I really don't" said Hinata thinking about those closer to her "I know Kiba-kun and Shino-kun are not the kind to be giving gifts"

"Yeah, I don't even want to talk about mine, they are a lost cause", said Sakura.

"Yeah, I bet mine are part of that group... Actually no, I could see Choji doing so, he doesn't deserve to be grouped with Shika’s lazy ass, I know he could never" Ino was taking the question very seriously "so no one in team 7, 8 or 10... and the cards, gifts and flowers you guys receive are usually nice, like really nice! So I'd say that they have to be top ninjas who get high ranking missions regularly"

"I mean, that doesn't really narrow down the list, there are still lots of Jounin or ANBU who could be in a position where they can give you nice presents" Sakura contemplated. The girls tried to think of other ways to continue narrowing down the list but the only thing they knew was that no one on their teams could be responsible.

Gasp

"What Hinata? What?" asked Sakura.

"What are the possibilities of both you and I, receiving gifts from admirers simultaneously?!" asked Hinata

"What if they are friends?!" Followed Ino.

Understanding flashing through their faces.

･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚

Early November

He could listen to the sounds coming from the kitchen. A bitter and warm smell flowing in the air, tea was being prepared. The closer he got to the kitchen, the more he could listen to the water boiling and the slightly warmer temperature.

"Tadaima Hinata-sama" he said once he saw the woman he had fallen in love with in front of the stove.

"Neji-onisama, okaerinasai! I am preparing tea, would you like some, or would you like water?"

"I'll wait for the tea, thanks. It smells really nice. How have you been?"

"I've been well. I even had the chance to go out with the girls while you were on mission"

"Yeah? Where to?"

"We went to a frent pâtisserie, a new place in the village. We ate macarons"

"Macarons?" He asked quizzically, feigning ignorance, curious about whether she had had a good time.

"Yes! They are these little cookies that..." for a moment, her words couldn't reach him. He was entranced by the glint in her eyes. It was a stark difference compared to the previous time he had seen her, almost a month ago.

"I'm glad to hear you had a good time"

"Yeah! It was really nice. We also went to an onsen. It was very relaxing, it had been a while since we had the opportunity to go together since we had been going and coming back from different missions and Sakura working at the hospital" she said while pouring the prepared tea in a cup "be careful, it's quite hot"

"Thank you very much, Hinata-sama"

"Please tell me about your mission, how was it?"

"It was good, I went to several villages in the south near the Wood Nation. Originally it was supposed to be a solo mission, but then Lee was sent to support me, so it was nice to have a familiar face with me. Even if it means enduring his endless energy"

"Did you see anything interesting?"

"Not much to be honest, but" he stopped for a second and turned around to his backpack and from it, he pulled out a small package "I thought... you might like this"

The fruity smell of the box reached her. The box read ‘Peach oolong Tea’ and he saw her take the tea pack with both hands, closing her eyes as her hands pulled the box closer to her nose, slowly breathing the sweet essence it emanated. He couldn't hear it, but he saw her chest rise up and down with a breath; inhaling, appreciating the subtle notes in the sweet smell.

"I hope you like it, Hinata-sama" he saw her face change instantly, her shoulders looked tense again "Are you ok?"

"Uh, am, yeah, sorry." she smiled, but now it looked force "I'll prepare some tomorrow and tell you how it tasted"

"Oh...ok” now Neji was feeling tense himself “I..." he wanted to save the conversation, but was unsure how to do so "I... I have heard that a festival is coming"

"Oh yes, Ino-chan asked me to help her, she's ordering flowers and when they get here I'll be helping her with the arrangements. It should be nice. I feel I haven't gone to one in ages! There will even be fireworks!" This made Neji feel a rumbling in his chest, a sort of agitation, remembering the time when she had been temporarily blind thanks to him.

That was another thing he had never apologized for. He could feel the blood surging to his face.

"Neji-onisama?" Now she looked worried "Are you alright?"

A sharp pain striking his heart.

"I am - nothing to worry about"

"Are you sure?" He saw her bend over the table and extend the back of her hand over his cheek, which made him blush even more furiously. "It doesn't seem like a fever... Try not to exert yourself too much. You should rest. It’s been a long journey.

"I'll... I'll try to get a full night of sleep tonight" he knew that he was still blushing. Especially under her unflinching eyes.

"Neji-onisama. Can I ask you something?"

"Ask away" She looked uneasy. She wasn't sure about how to ask what she wanted, ideas spinning inside her head, not knowing how to ask the questions plaguing her mind. She was still reclining over the table, and was that his imagination or was there a tint shade of pink on her face?

“What do you think about me?” The unexpected question left him speechless for a second.

“Hinata-sama” he saw her flinch, visibly flinch. “You have always been the respected heiress and now you are our honorable clan Head” She looked 10 times more uncomfortable.

Neji pursed his lips forming a fine line when she broke eye contact with him. And in a quieter voice she asked “Are- are we friends?” The pumping of his heart resounding so loud he couldn’t hear his own thoughts.

Well, that question was something he certainly didn't expect. He didn't know what to say.

They were... complicated.

That's what they were.

They had been childhood friends, and he thought of her a cute girl from the very first time. Then politics had gotten between them, he was branded and had proudly promised to be at the service of the main family, swearing loyalty. He had been a new member of the secondary branch, bound through duty and sacrifice to protect the main family. But then, he had seen his father being subjugated by such duty and one day he had lost him. The closest person in the family, and the one who had guided and loved him, had simply vanished. The tomb located in the cemetery was a shell, empty of any real remains. For many years he blamed her for his death and he tried to kill her. ‘An eye for an eye’ some said, and without remorse or hesitation he had gone for her heart, giving her a heart failure that still required medical control. And to put the cherry on the cake, he had unintentionally blinded her while training.

He couldn't allow her to call him a friend, she deserved more. Much more.

She continued to look at him, but his silence spoke more than enough. She picked up all the china from the tea set. Full of shame he walked towards her, cringing on the inside, leaving his empty cup of tea in the sink.

"Hinata-sama?" He lowered himself, trying to see her beautiful eyes once again. But her hair curtained forward, covering most of her face.

"I'm sorry Neji, I think I asked for more than I should have" her voice was trembling, but he could feel her effort, not trying to cry in front of him "Please go get some rest, you've just come back from a long journey, don't let me stall you any further"

"Hinata-sama, please look at me" he placed one of his hands on her shoulder. A part of him reminded himself that he was playing with fire, he wasn’t allowed to take such liberties.

She didn't respond, she continued looking down to the sink and her eyes stuck on the dirty china.

Neither said anything further.

Resigned, he just took a step back and bowed, exiting the kitchen.

𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ

"I feel like an idiot, Lee" His friend was judging him with open eyes, and he deserved it.

"You are an idiot"

He groaned.

"Life gives you the best opportunity to repair your relationship with her, and you simply said: No, thanks. I'm good " Lee sipped his sake

"I knoooooow" his palms covered his face "I'm seriously questioning why people call me a genius" if he could, he would pull out each hair from his head. Individually.

"Well, now that we agree on your idiocy. What are you going to do to not be an idiot anymore?"

"Face it, I guess" Neji was about to lift his cup, when Lee interjected him, stealing it.

"Good!" He drank Neji's sake on one go. "No more alcohol for you then. Not tonight"

𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ

The wind had started feeling colder and colder during the nights. And at this point, he could only hope for the best.

"Hinata-sama? Can I come in?" He could only hope for her to be in the mood to give him an audience, despite the hour. It had been some time since he had walked to this area of the house on his own. The only exceptions were when he escorted her back. "I can feel your chakra signature, please, I just - I just want to talk..." He could hear her quiet steps approaching before the door slowly slid open. Despite being in front of her she wouldn't look at him. "I brought something..." he raised his hand, a pastel green of the bag calling her attention "I - I thought you might like to have some''

"You brought Macarons?"

"I remember you mentioned liking them" she grabbed the bag shocked. Inside there was a collection of six cookies. She could feel something spreading within her, something reassuring.

"Can I come in?" She walked back a couple, giving him enough space to enter.

"Do you mind if we sit outside?" she asked quietly "It'll not be long before the winter comes with full force, and I’d like to enjoy the weather before it turns too harsh"

"Of course” they both were wearing the traditional black training clothes. The fitted shirt with short sleeves and black pants didn’t provide much warmth, but the nights hadn’t turned that cold yet. Hinata sat on the engawa with her feet dangling, while trying to appear calmer than she actually was, still affected by their last conversation. Neji could see the hurt and rejection still reflected in her body language.

He had told Lee that he was going to face the situation and that's what he ought to do.

"I'm sorry Hinata-sama"

"No, Neji-onisama. I'm sorry for putting you in a difficult position"

"No, please" he interrupted "don't apologize. Just, listen to me" He looked at her with determination and Hinata for a moment thought that she had seen something in his eyes, although she didn't know what.

Neji moved a little closer to her, he wanted her to see his sincerity.

"I didn't want to give you the impression that we can't be friends. And, while I feel honored that you would even consider me in such light. It's just that... I don't feel worthy"

"Neji. Please..."

"No, I beg you, let me continue" He interjected desperately "I tried to kill you when we were young, I have exhausted you to the point of temporary blindness and demeaned you in the process. These are actions that I can’t forgive myself about, even if you have been gracious enough with your generosity. You can’t possibly call me a friend under such circumstances. But I want you to know that I will always comply with my duty, and I will always follow you. There are many others who deserve to be your friends, but me" he sat down in seiza and bowed to the floor.

"Neji-onisama! Ple-please! Don't do that, please don't bow to me. I-I"

"I can only beg for your forgiveness" his forehead rested firmly against the wooden floor.

Hinata was getting more and more flustered about the whole situation. Her heart pounded loudly and the air escaped her lungs.

The most respected and acclaimed member of the Hyuuga family was bowing to her.

NO!

She was horrified.

She put her hands on his shoulders and pulled as hard as she could, and he resisted. Her fingers dug into his skin as hard as she could, trying to break his stance. Trying to force him to sit up once again. Her ragged breath tried to collect the oxygen she needed. Until she finally pulled hard enough to see his eyes.

"NEVER..." her voice was trembling and she gasped looking for the necessary air "Never! Never do that again! Ever!" He looked down, he hadn't intended for her to feel more distressed, but he had to say it. He had to make things right.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make the situation worse. I know - I don't deserve forgiveness"

"No! No Oni-sama, don't say that! Yes... We have been through a lot, and, and it hasn't been easy, but... it's... it's us" She tried to smile for him, but her trembling lips shaped an abstract expression "We have always had each other, we have always been there... Maybe not in the best ways, but... it's always us in the end - I already forgave you a long time ago" Neji could feel her fingers digging back again into his shoulders "Neji, we were friends once, I thought... that maybe" her voice wavered "maybe we could be once again"

"How can you just forgive me? I've done horrible things to you, you should despise me"

"You might think that, but the truth is that I have never despise you, and probably never will" A part of him knew he should feel happy, he should *be* happy listening to her answer. But he wasn't. Sometimes he wished he had her rage instead, at least that would be understandable. "So, do you think we could be like that? Is there a chance we could be friends? No hierarchies between us"

"But we're not. I'm branded. I am part of the secondary branch. We could never be equal. It would be frowned upon" comprehension shone through her eyes. He was afraid

"This - this is not about the clan Neji. This is not even about us" she couldn't contain the heartache anymore "This is just a very selfish wish. I just wish to feel that there's someone I can rely upon within these walls and I thought that you might feel the same. After everything, everything that has happened… These last two years have been the most horrible ones of my life. And I feel empty and so alone. How can a house full of so many people feel so empty? I’m losing my mind and I can’t do this anymore, I can’t continue pushing on my own. That is why, I thought that you might feel the same… but you are in no obligation to do this. I can understand if you don't..."

"I am here for you, Hinata-sama. If you want me to be your friend- If you want me to share your pain, I’d happily be your friend, even if I think I don't deserve it" He saw the light start to shine in her eyes.

"Thank you, Neji" He raised his hands and caressed one of her forearms, which were still firmly attached to his shoulders.

'Neji '

His own name echoing in his ears.

He felt lost for a moment, looking deep into her eyes.

She started feeling warm again, and she was sure that the blood was going up her neck and cheeks.

･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚

Mid - November

"I mean, it's white!"

"Really, Ino? As if we hadn't seen it with our own eyes" Sometimes Ino could be so exasperating. Sakura rolled her eyes "All that grandiosity of great spies and intelligence that runs in your family must have skipped you"

"I don't see you contributing, Haruno. If you are so amazing, tell me what you see" Ino passed the envelope to Sakura, daring her to examine it.

"You already said it, there's nothing special about it. What do you think, Hinata-chan?"

"The paper looks very similar to the other two envelopes, I have been saving them in case I can detect a chakra pattern or something, but so far I haven't noticed anything"

"Hmm, I wish we could have a clue, that way we could uncover who your boyfriend is" Hinata found it humorous that Ino had already decided that this person was 'her boyfriend', she didn't know if it was in fact a man.

"You know Ino, it could very well be a woman, for all we know. None of us can have an exact idea of who it is" said Sakura

"Open it Hinata! We must see what's in it"

Hinata examined it once again before she started peeling the flap of the envelope and from it, she pulled out a sachet.

'Cosmos seed', it read. Hinata opened her eyes, surprised to see that she had been given flower seeds.

"Well it's definitely someone close to you", Said Sakura.

"Or a creep"

･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚

One week before the festival

Hinata sighed satisfied.

She needed a bath, that was for sure. Helping Ino in her spare time with the orders was taxing, but she loved it. The arrangements looked beautiful and everything was looking amazingly good. They would need to revitalize the flowers before the festival but with their jutsu skills they could make them look fresh during the festival. She was so excited, after the war and with the reconstruction efforts, everything had looked dreadful for a while but little by little Konoha was starting to feel like home again.

‘So many things to do… I have to check how many orders are left to be done. And I need to make sure my clothes are ready for that day. And Sakura-chan already confirmed she will go, I wonder if Tenten w- Neji-onisama! I had totally forgotten! ’

She hadn't talked to him yet, but thinking about him made her feel fuzzy on the inside. ‘ I still don’t know if he will be in the village that day’ Since he had been going on a lot of solo missions recently it was hard to know. Hinata turned on her heels walking now towards her cousin's room, she could take a bath after she had asked him.

"Neji-onisama?" No answer.

It wasn't that late, maybe he was still training or attending to business. Knowing he could be assigned a mission with short notice, it'd be better to leave a note. The room was neatly organized. Very Neji-like, the thought made her giggle. She would need parchment paper and ink. Hinata started opening the drawers of his desk.

"Here's the ink" she said to herself pulling out the small container "and here's the..."

Eyes wide open.

Was someone coming?

She didn't know if she could trust her senses or if it was her paranoia. Her instincts maxed to her surroundings. Her eyes rapidly went from left to right. She tried to feel if there were any chakra signatures around her. She could feel her heart beating three times faster. Her breathing went in and out, echoing loudly in the dead silence of the room.

Delicately she lifted the sharpened feather quill and underneath it laid a white enveloped. A pack of them actually.

‘I have to get out of here!’

No one could see her in Neji's room at that moment, especially him.

And as discreetly as she had entered, she went out.

Leaving no trace of ever being there.

･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚

At the Konoha market

"Have you decided which one you are buying?" asked Neji.

"Yes! And it's the most beautiful one in the store! It'll bring out her dynamic green eyes and highlight her beauty. I just hope to be around that day, unless Hogake-sama has different plans"

The busy streets of the market had been busier now that everybody was shopping for everything they needed to get ready for the festival. Especially clothing and accessories. Lee and Neji had been out and about since the early hours of the afternoon, they were getting some other presents for their ladies. and since the festival was going to be so special for everybody, they had teamed up. Hopefully this way, they could help each other to not screw up.

"Well then, let's go to the next store. I still haven't decided what I'm buying. And I need to buy it today"

"Let me pay really quickly and talk to them about the delivery", said Lee, disappearing within the maze of patrons that flocked to the store. Ten minutes later they were going to the next store, it was Neji's turn now "Have you thought about what she might like?"

"Not yet, but I think I'll know what to get her once I see it"

･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚

Six days before the festival

The skies had turned a dark shade of gray. She sighed. She knew that the seasons were changing and she should not be surprised, but since most of the week had been particularly nice, she was not expecting to see such dull skies, but she guessed that it suited the day in a way. In her arms rested a beautiful bouquet of the most beautiful white Chrysanthemums. She felt the cold of the wind in her neck, hands and toes making her tremble. The light cardigan she had chosen to wear did not provide the needed warmth for the incoming cold front. From what she saw, it was probably going to be incoming during the night. The landscape looked drab now that the sunflowers had been cleared. At least during the summer, the place looked livelier, specially for a vicinity this solemn.

The Hyuga cemetery was a secluded area, she tried visiting once a month, she had started coming more frequently when she was fifteen, she would come and clean her mother’s tombstone and place flowers and incense. But now, sadly, she now had more reasons to visit.

“Hello Hanabi-chan. How have you been?” She kneeled down sweeping the dried leaves that had fallen over the tomb “I brought some Mums for you. Ino gave me the freshest and biggest ones she had for you. They are kind of peppery and sweet. I think that they suit you” she was starting to feel the pain in the middle. “I have missed you so much, I have gotten better and have improved a little. Although I haven’t been going on many missions, you know, clan things happening and decisions to be made.”

“I just hoped I am doing what is correct and my decision will improve people’s life for our family” the wind was starting to pick up with more force “I… I have to confess something. I have been very confused lately. Neji-onisama and I have been talking more recently. Some days things feel easy, but sometimes, I don’t know what to think. He’s been so- so-” her cheeks felt warmer despite the cold air “He’s been through a lot, you know how our traditions and customs have affected the branch family, especially him. Our family has long been plagued by loss and despair and although we are resilient, we have grown indifferent and cold among each other. I was feeling desperate and lonely. So I did the most reckless thing I have ever done. You’ll not even imagine”

“Oh god, this is so embarrassing”, she laughed. Not feeling as embarrassed as months ago ”Can you imagine? I invited Naruto out!'' She was nervous, laughing, imagining and remembering the whole ordeal. “Do you remember that he said that he would change the Hyuga once he becomes Hokage during the chunin exams? Well, he told me the same thing during our date. As if things were this simple. But I do see change happening to us, but not on the promises of an outsider. We need to change ourselves for things to get better”

“I can feel myself changing and I think Neji’s changing too. You know how he was very reserved, well I don’t think you would recognize the amazing person he has turned to be. He’s grown fond of Lee’s antics, I know they are friends now, he is caring, and gregarious” her heart skipped a beat before she continued “He’s been putting a lot of effort into himself, well he always has. But I hope you understand what I mean. I wish you could see the sincerity that his eyes have. Sometimes I think they have gotten clearer that they really are”.

“Please, watch over us from where you are in this times on uncertainty”

･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚ ⋆･˳ . ⋆ .˳⁺⁎˚

Four days before the festival

"Girls! Come here, I just got this" Ino said animatedly.

"What is it?"

"I think it is from Tenten" Ino opened it and read out loud.

Hi!

I have missed hanging out with you girls, the weather here is drier than ever. I told T that if she didn't tell me about a spa I could go to in my free time, I would have to be deported for murder. My skin has been itchy but it looks like the treatments are having a good effect.

I heard that there will be a festival around the days I'm expecting to arrive.

I know you must be busy doing your things, but, could you get me something to wear in case I get there in time?

You know where to find the key for my apartment

Tn.

"Well, we have to get her something, she cannot not go to the festival with us, it's been ages since we've gone together to something like this" said Ino "We might need to get her a new Kimono and probably a headdress..."

"Oh wait! I almost forgot to show you!" Sakura called up to them "I received something yesterday"

"What is it, Sakura-san?"

"You have to see this" Sakura stood and walked towards her handbag and pulled out a sizable wooden box out of her bag. "It was delivered to the hospital reception, the girls were so excited, I am sure they were betting on whether I’d receive something" Sakura opened the box revealing a headpiece that had a big red peony, gold ribbons and hanging flowers, in a very traditional style "I think that they got it for me, to wear it this weekend" Sakura felt their surprise in their gasps.

"That's so beautiful Sakura-chan! It'll make your hair pop up, they'll combine very nicely with your clothes" said Hinata excitedly.

"You are a lucky one Haruno" She didn't want to sound bitter despite feeling a little jealous of her friends. *I don't have time for this, I have a business to run and clothing to get for Tenten!* She reprimanded herself "Have you received anything Hinata?"

"Not y-yet..."

"But?" They asked in unison

"I think I know" said Hinata to her friends, confusion and caution clear in her eyes "I know who's been sending me gifts" Sakura opened her eyes in surprise.

"Are you sure?"" she needed to know if Hinata was being dead serious.

"I am, and knowing that I'm correct, we might know who's been sending you things as well"

"Well? Who is it?" Ino was eager to know.

"It's-it's Neji" Both of her friends went instantly quiet.

"But... How?!" Confusion clear on Sakura's face.

"Well... I was on my way to ask him if he was going to be here for the festival, but he wasn't in his room, so I wanted to leave him a note since... Oh no!" She grunted "I never wrote the note!" she mentally chastised herself "Anyway, I started pulling out ink and quill from one of his desk drawers and I saw the envelopes! Same material, paper density, color, everything! To be honest, I am still trying to process the whole thing" Hinata was getting flustered and had started pacing around Ino's shop.

"Sakura! You know what that means, right?" Sakura had sunk into a chair putting two and two together.

"It's Lee then, it has to be him" concluded Ino "I mean" She said, racking her hands through her hair, seeming deep in thought.

"I don't know what's more surprising, the fact that you never suspected him or the fact that he has continued feeling this way after so many years!" Ino’s jealousy was long gone now. Hinata receiving gifts from Neji stood from a very dense history that she herself shared with absolutely no one, and was in no rush nor desire to experience anytime soon. And, Sakura and Lee... Well, it wasn't complicated, but Sakura had never been interested in reciprocating. Not an ideal situation either way “Well, since you both got into a conundrum, I guess we better order food or something”

𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ 𓄹 ⊹ ᳝ ࣪⠀. ִ ་ ּ

40 minutes later

"Sushi's here!" said Sakura, carrying the bags of food and presenting it to Hinata and Ino.

"I'll serve the drinks" Ino sighed "I really need a break from this arrangements"

"Thanks Sakura-chan, my hands are also starting to cramp here," said Hinata, shaking her hands vigorously.

"Everybody sit down", said Sakura, serving drinks for everybody.

"Is it spiked Haruno?"

"Knowing what we know, you shouldn't even be asking..."

"Would it be that bad?" Hinata asked her, picking up her "Lee-san is really sweet guy"

"It's not that," said Sakura, frustrated, sinking her head over her palms. "That's the problem. He really is a good guy" she somewhat frustrated.

"Sakura-chan" said Hinata in a more comprehensive tone, "it's been years. You do deserve to be happy. Your relationship with Sasuke-son was tumultuous, you were always close to a panic attack and it's ok to be wary, but Lee-san has always been caring"

"You are afraid", said Ino, baffled. "I never thought that you would be scared of something like this..."

"It wouldn't be fair with Lee-kun” Ino pursed her lips while listening to her friend "he deserves someone who isn't walking on eggshells all the time..." she didn't want to push her too much, she was clearly sensitive.

"And you Hinata? What do you think about this?" asked the blonde

"I'm not sure" she sighed "I feel this might be..."

"difficult?" offered Ino

"intricate?" countered Sakura

"confusing" she paused for a second "I think Neji is being consumed by guilt"

"He should be, tho" replied Ino "what he did was awful and he never addressed it"

Sakura furrowed her eyebrows "Has... something happened? Has he...?"

"Nonono, please don't judge Neji too harshly” she felt as if she was playing devil's advocate "He has been really cordial to me for years and lately he has been attentive with me but - but nothing special, we have just been talking more" she tried to focus "The manor is too big. These years haven't been easy on anyone... and I thought - I thought we were becoming closer again and it all devolved into a horrible afternoon" she needed a moment. "We kind of had a situation recently. I-" - she needed to take a deep breathe "I asked him if we were friends and he didn't say anything ! I thought I had overstepped some boundary or offended him in some way, and THEN that same evening I was in my room dreading how the only person who actively talks to me in my house was angry with me, knowing our relationship was going south again and that everything would be tense and awkward yet again"

Sakura and Ino were listening attentively to her friend. Not daring to interrupt her.

"That evening, I was in my bedroom and he came by. I didn't want to talk to him, I was so afraid of making things worse. He asked me if we could talk, I didn't know what to expect at this point, even though I was clearly intending to avoid him and he started to apologize and then he..." it hurt to even remember the whole ordeal. She lowered her voice. The taste of profanity stung her tongue "he... he bowed to me" everything came out of her in a spurt.

"Noooo..." Ino couldn't believe it, and Sakura covered her mouth with her hands. The sushi was long forgotten over the small table in the employee room of the flower shop.

"Our clan... our traditions and protocols, they consume you, and eat you alive from the inside. I am always surrounded by many people that treat me as their master, I... I would like a sense of normalcy, but trying to change our customs is difficult. I guess I have been feeling lonely in my own house" Hinata took a second to breathe "And... And I asked Neji, the only person who I knew who would understand me, if we were closer. But he didn't say anything, he simply stood there"

"He can be a jerk sometimes" said Sakura "I still remember when we were 12 and he needed to get a" she abruptly stopped herself, maybe mentioning that incident now was not the best idea “... anyway, Naruto and I crossed paths with Neji and he was really rude".

"Sakura, I know he was like that. I know. But that's the Neji from 10 years ago. That's not the current Neji, he is different. But he feels guilty"

"So..." Asked Ino "What happened afterwards?"

"He apologized. He sounded very sincere! He did a full bow, his forehead touched the floor and everything. It felt so wrong. He shouldn't have done that" She crossed her arms trying to hug herself, seeking solace of her own memories. The uncomfortableness of the ordeal clearly coursed through her body.

"Somehow I feel he owed you that, even if you felt uncomfortable. It's good to know he finally apologized, properly apologized" stated Sakura.

"It is Hinata, even if you didn't want it or expected it. It is good that he apologized. He wouldn't have been able to lift the blame any other way" - Hinata was conflicted, Neji had been wronged so many times by the Main House that... she felt that he shouldn't have apologized, at least not in such an extreme way.

"Will you tell him that you know?" questioned Sakura.

"I wouldn't know what to even say, or how to ask if it's him. I feel it might do more damage than good"

"And you? What are you going to do with Lee?"

"To be honest, I don't want to think about it right now"

The three friends decided to put the topic aside momentarily and eat their food, once their stomachs started protesting again. Ino felt tired and she was ready to call it a day. Her friends helped her to close the store.

"Thank you for your help Hinata, it's much appreciated" she said in a comically formal accent, making Hinata giggle.

"No problem at all, but I better get going. Sakura-chan, Ino-chan. I hope you have a good night" She bowed to them before leaving.

"Did you notice Sakura?" asked Ino, now that Hinata was gone

"Notice? What was I supposed to notice?"

"She didn't call him 'Neji-onisama'. Not even once"

"You're right!" Sakura was smiling, replaying the conversation in her mind. Which brought a similar realization to her mind "You know who else she has been skipping honorifics with?"

"Who?" Intrigue reflected on Ino's face.

"Us" a smile gracing both of them.

✦ N E X T ✦

✦ N E J I H I N A F A N F I C D I R E C T O R Y ✦

☆ P E R M I S S I O N S T A T E M E N T

Hi! so here is my policy:

Ask permission for:

Translating my fics to other languages (I do my own translations for english or spanish).

Recording podfics.

No need to ask permission for:

Making fanarts

Companion or reimagining fics

Other inspiration works

Big No-nos:

Reposting my works to other sites and accounts under any circumstances, I manage my own works.

Thanks!

#ShiningStarDan - Fanfics #nejihina fanfics #nejihina fanfic #nejihina #neji x hinata #Fanfic: Peculiar Considerations For Atonement

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