Tangled Up in Fate

日向ネジ "No one can determine another's destiny." [[an RP blog]]

[tangledupinfate]

What if...reincarnation fic though???

He dreamed of death. A far away battlefield, and blood. So much blood he could taste it. Thick, filling his lungs. Suffocating, and so hot some nights he woke up gasping for air. He dreamed of hands, small and familiar grabbing at him in desperation. There were voices, but each night, the faces of the players in his dreams were obscured. Blurs against the violent landscape. The harder he tried to focus on the details, the hazier they would become. Usually any features he could discern were lost by morning. 

Most nights he dreamed of death.

The ringing of the alarm clock tore through the darkness and just like that, the dream was gone. The warm feeling of tears on his face that were not his own, vanished the same way it always did. He opened his eyes to soft morning light. His room, the same as always. The new uniform hanging. pressed and smart, in the closet felt foreign to him. He sighed, and sat at the edge of his bed. He’d push the dreams aside. Just like he always did. He didn’t want to be late to his first day at his new high school. 

[ramenuzumaki]

Neji pancake art~😄🍴

Happy Birthday, Neji! 🎉 July 3rd ✨🎂✨

[itshinata-blog]

tangledupinfate | itshinata

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"Hinata!" the sudden feel of her mouth around him caught him off guard.

He exclaimed loudly in spite of himself, trying gather his wits again. It was a futile effort though as he came undone under her touch. The slickness of her tongue moving against his arousal was a new and surprising sensation. And when she took him, hard and dripping into her hot mouth he did all he could to hold himself back. Her sex, sweet and moist so close to him, was enticing in a way he'd never imagined. Just the smell of her was alluring and he dipped his own tongue into the girl, tasting her wetness. He felt Hinata tense and his hold on her  thighs tightened. Bruises where his fingers dug in would appear by morning but neither seemed to care.

He was divided between the feel of her, trickling down his chin like thick syrup, and her lips wrapped tightly around his cock. She brought him into her mouth over and over until felt himself being driven over the edge. He lapped greedily at the girl now, deft fingers carefully parting the folds of her sex. Exploring further and slipping into her easily before a shudder rolled over him, senses overloaded. "Hinata...please stop now," He whimpered, not wanting her to stop at all. 

Hinata only looked up at him, eyes unreadable. She filled her mouth with him again, this time deeper, swallowing him to the base. Neji gasped and tensed, unable to hold back any longer. He finished, flooding his younger cousin's mouth.

[itshinata-blog]

tangledupinfate | itshinata

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They laid entangled on the floor of Neji's bedroom. No safeguards, no locked doors, nothing to ensure the security of their secrets. And neither of them made any move to change that. Neji surmised that his cousin felt the same raw thrill kicking at the pit of her stomach as it did his. This was the last place either of them expected to be tonight and last place either should have been. They both knew the danger they were in tonight and somehow it only hightened their shared desire. Holding her now, looking into warm, affectionate eyes he'd known his entire life, he knew this was right. They belonged together, like this, and in all ways. "I am the one who should thank you," he muttered between kisses. Making his way deliberately down her belly.

He savored her skin, biting and licking. Rough hands gripped her hips, soft and wide, tugging down the casual cotton shorts she wore. He heard her gasp but she did not protest. And when he was done he set to work on the next layer, his fingers hooking themselves under the flimsy fabric of her panties.

[aww-yis-breadcumbs-deactivated2]

Damn it Kiba

[tangledupinfate]

Kiba is the new Hanabi

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Small shaking hands guided his to the silver zipper of her jacket. Could she really be asking him for such a thing? As if in answer to her question, she began the task for him, making her intentions clear. The fabric parted revealing smooth, milky skin and Neji understood. He took the zipper's tab and very slowly brought it down to her navel. Strong shoulders and collar bones exposed as the garment fell to the floor around her. She wore nothing underneath save for a lace bra nearly as pale as her own supple skin. Neji gave her a quick questioning glance before returning to the delicious curves of her body. Was this a sight meant for that blonde idiot he couldn't help but wonder. Neji smiled a wickedly knowing he'd never see it now. This was a sight for his own eyes from ow on. He slid the straps down off her shoulders replacing them with feather light kisses. The smell of her was intoxicating. Clean like crisp fall air and the faint residue of her soap. She smelled like his childhood and everything he'd ever wanted without even knowing. Before he knew it, she'd unclasped the delicate item for him. Together they slid it off her body. Hinata's breasts fell full and heavy into Neji's hands. He traced her contours with skilled fingertips. She shivered and blushed under his touch which only caused his passion to grow inside him. He kissed a trail, warm and wet between her breasts and teased a rosy nipple with one hand. Her wild responses driving him mad with lust, he took the other into his mouth, gently at first, nothing more than a kiss. Then roughly, taking her between his teeth. Dizzy with desire, the young man wondered how much more of this he could withstand.

[itshinata-blog]

tangledupinfate | itshinata

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Neji moved slower now, the girl's hands in his hair bringing him back to reality. She was always so gentle and he was a destroyer. It came so easily to him and and he wasn't often asked to hold back. Not on missions, or with his duty to his village. But with her, he'd need to. Years of unacknowledged longing was threatening to burst free and surface. He'd almost lost her once, he'd not make the same mistake twice. And truthfully, he'd never done anything like this. His hands and mouth wandered on their own, instincts primal and desperate guiding the young man. "Hinata..." he began breathlessly, "perhaps it would be wise if we stopped here. I fear this could lead to something, more intimate." The boy flushed slightly. "I'm not well versed in this sort of thing, forgive me if I've crossed any lines."

[itshinata-blog]

tangledupinfate | itshinata

[tangledupinfate]

Naruto…

Naruto… Always Naruto. Neji seethed with anger red hot. She WAS toying with him. Taunting him. Holding the one thing she knew now he feared more than anything over his head. Neji’s hand shot out quickly taking a hold of his cousin’s arm and pulling her back before she could reach the door with such force she collided with him painfully. They both fell backwards, Hinata landing on top of him. Neji took advantage of the confusion of the moment and flipped her on her back roughly, ignoring her wimper of pain, pinning her down with his body. His hands tight on her wrists. "You think I was ‘tossing you aside’? You think I would kiss you so carelessly? You know, that was my first as well." Neji flushed at the admission. "I was only trying to do as you wished," Neji’s voice dropped to a low growl against her ear now, “but maybe you don’t know what you want." "Maybe, if you don’t understand my feelings," he began gripping her harder than ever before, “I suppose I’ll have to show you…" He bent his head down into the crook of her neck and bit down hard on tender skin, marking her. "You’re mine, MINE. Not his, never his. I won’t give you up do you hear me?!"

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He assaulted her neck and hands moving on instinct left her tender wrists to wander over her body. Her gasps and quickening breath only urging him forward. "Hinata," he exhaled, "could it be, this is what you wanted? Or are you still thinking about him?" The young man's lips tasting and teasing the girl trapped under him for the first time, yet she was so familiar to him. "Do you think he could make you feel this way? Know you the way I know you?"

[itshinata-blog]

tangledupinfate | itshinata

[tangledupinfate]

"Hinata!" Neji grabbed her slim wrist and pulled the girl roughly into his bed room.

He peered out the door cautiously before shutting it. "You know anyone could have heard you?! Then what? You said it yourself, the dangers are too high. You shouldn’t have come here." When Neji realized he hadn’t let go of his hold on her, he dropped her hand as if seared by her. "Damn it Hinata! You keep toying with my heart! You say one thing then contradict yourself. I’m just trying to give you what you want. What you deserve. My feelings… our feelings, don’t matter. I’m sworn to protect you and that’s what I am going to do." He sighed, eyes fixed on the rising moon outside his window. "Please…just go."

[itshinata-blog]

"So…so I really mean that much to you? So much that you would share my first kiss and then toss me aside?" Hinata shut her eyes, brow furrowing as she clenched her fists once more. “If that’s what you want…then I’ll do it! If you w-want me to leave and act as if nothing ever happened between us, then I’ll do that for you!"

She turned her back on him, tears flowing down pink cheeks. 

"But if Naruto-kun…if he takes me out and we become involved…then it’s too late! Because I gave you this opportunity; I told you what I wanted and you said ‘no’!" 

The woman made to leave, still shaking though now it were with anger and despair.

[tangledupinfate]

Naruto... Naruto... Always Naruto. Neji seethed with anger red hot. She WAS toying with him. Taunting him. Holding the one thing she knew now he feared more than anything over his head. Neji's hand shot out quickly taking a hold of his cousin's arm and pulling her back before she could reach the door with such force she collided with him painfully. They both fell backwards, Hinata landing on top of him. Neji took advantage of the confusion of the moment and flipped her on her back roughly, ignoring her wimper of pain, pinning her down with his body. His hands tight on her wrists. "You think I was 'tossing you aside'? You think I would kiss you so carelessly? You know, that was my first as well." Neji flushed at the admission. "I was only trying to do as you wished," Neji's voice dropped to a low growl against her ear now, "but maybe you don't know what you want." "Maybe, if you don't understand my feelings," he began gripping her harder than ever before, "I suppose I'll have to show you..." He bent his head down into the crook of her neck and bit down hard on tender skin, marking her. "You're mine, MINE. Not his, never his. I won't give you up do you hear me?!"

[itshinata-blog]

tangledupinfate | itshinata

[tangledupinfate]

"I…I remember that day…"

He smiled softly recalling that day of their youth. Light finger tips tracing dry lips. His hand caught hers and slowly he laced his fingers with hers. The look in her eyes was far away, lost in a Summer memory, so he was certain she didn’t quite notice at first as he bent down to kiss her. His lips met hers, warm and soft and careful. No, he thought, he would never be satisfied with anyone but her. They fit together perfectly like two halves of a whole. And when their lips met, a spark burst into a flame. He pulled her to him tightly now, crushing her against him. "Just for a moment longer…" he whispered, “just for right now…" He deepened their kiss, tasting her, indulging in her sweetness. Fingers lost in the black silk of her hair. And when he came up for air he was panting, helpless and in love. And then he knew what he must do. He pulled away from the girl, the absence of her leaving him cold and incomplete. Each spot on his body that she touched now ached without her. "You’re right." Neji stated now, trying to gather all his will power to say what needed to be said. "Hinata, I have been selfish. Everything you said, is true. How could I put you in such a difficult position? I could never ask you to go down such a road with me. Like I said, I’m not handling this well. My own feelings were just as surprising to me as they were to you. And nothing has changed them. If anything my love for you burns more fiercely now, but for your sake, I will take my leave from you tonight." Neji took one last longing look at his cousin, the sweet shy girl who grew into the strong kunoichi he so admired, and the woman he swore an oath to protect. He gave a slight nod and left the room without another word.

[itshinata-blog]

Her heart pounded furiously as he kissed her lips, probing gently at first before his tongue breached her mouth. She heard herself whimper as he held her body against his, allowing her to taste him. 

She’d never kissed before and she was well aware that her cousin knew this by the way he lead her, tenderly and silently instructing her on how to move her mouth in unison with his. 

Hinata’s knees turned to water as she melted in his arms, her weak grasp on him her only attempt to hold herself up. She’d never experienced anything like it; such fireworks exploding without the assistance of any explosives.

It was just the two of them, creating such a beautiful picture in the dark of the night. 

And god, the way he looked at her. Even though he’d pulled away, leaving her on a pair of legs which now felt foreign to her, he still looked at her as if she were his entire world.

"No…" The heiress shook her head, tears reflecting the moonlight which now shone through the blinds. “No! Please…please don’t go; not now!" 

But she was speaking to his back.

And then the door.

She allowed herself to fall to her knees, much too shaken up to remain standing without his support. Her chest still felt like static; her body trembling and lips warm and comfortable. The woman’s tongue ran over her lower lip, able to taste his essence there.

"…my love for you burns more fiercely now."

No. She wouldn’t lose him. Not now; not after that. 

Hinata steeled herself, utilizing her arms for assistance to stand. Fists clenched, she exited her room, finding the nearest branch member. 

"Excuse me..? I’m sorry to bother you, but could you please find Uzumaki Naruto and inform him that I won’t be seeing him tonight? Please tell him that I apologize but I have imperative matters to attend to." 

The man nodded and bowed, muttering that he’d be honoured to deliver this message, before he ducked around a corner and was off.

She really hoped that the information reached Naruto before he arrived to pick her up.

~

After some sneaking around the Hyuuga heir found herself at the door to Neji’s room and she lifted her hand to knock, halting for a moment as she questioned herself.

What if he didn’t want to see her? What if he didn’t answer the door? 

The indigo-haired woman braced herself for whatever was to come, her knuckles connecting with the wooden door.

To her relief it slid open right away, a pair of silver eyes meeting hers. He looked surprised to see her, but at the same time as if he were expecting it. She didn’t understand this. 

"Neji…" His younger cousin glanced to the ground, frowning as she fumbled with clumsy fingers. “I don’t want to lose you. I know it’s selfish of me to say this…I know it’s selfish of me to be here. I just need you. I need you; I always have. Y-you’ve been there for me when no one else was; it was thanks to you that I have grown stronger. You trained me yourself, you taught me things that I never thought I could learn. You’re brilliant and handsome and mysterious and strong and you can be really funny." A soft smile ghosted her lips as she murmured this, recalling his reactions to certain things. He really was comical. 

"Th-the point is that I want you…I want you to be with me," She reached out and gently grasped his hand, boldly meeting his gaze. “and I’m willing to fight for it." 

[tangledupinfate]

"Hinata!" Neji grabbed her slim wrist and pulled the girl roughly into his bed room. He peered out the door cautiously before shutting it. "You know anyone could have heard you?! Then what? You said it yourself, the dangers are too high. You shouldn't have come here." When Neji realized he hadn't let go of his hold on her, he dropped her hand as if seared by her. "Damn it Hinata! You keep toying with my heart! You say one thing then contradict yourself. I'm just trying to give you what you want. What you deserve. My feelings... our feelings, don't matter. I'm sworn to protect you and that's what I am going to do." He sighed, eyes fixed on the rising moon outside his window. "Please...just go."

[itshinata-blog]

tangledupinfate | itshinata

[tangledupinfate]

Neji did not expect her reaction. Her arms wound tightly around him and declarations of love falling so easily from her lips he almost couldn’t believe it. It was the warmth of her body and the feel of her clinging to him as tightly as he had to her that convinced him he wasn’t dreaming. 

As she spoke, he realized he did mean something to her after all. She knew him the way he knew her. They’d grown up together, they fought, and had known hardship together. And now that he knew her feelings, nothing, NOTHING, would keep him from her again. Not clan, or duty, or the Hokage herself would get between them. Hinata, it seemed did not feel the same way. "I…but I do! I do love you! I am sorry for not realizing it sooner. I am a fool. I always have been." Neji brought a hand up to cup her cheek. "When I thought about you, with someone else, when I pictured you in someone else’s arms, I felt so desperate. I…I didn’t want that to happen. Of course, I have no choice ultimately, but I wanted to try and convey to you why. It seems I’ve done a rather sloppy job of that. But Hinata," He looked into her eyes as he spoke, addressing her alone now, not as the heiress to the clan, but as a woman. Just Hinata. "If you feel the same way about me, how can I possibly ignore that?! How can we just go back to the way it was before tonight? There is no way I can! I need you and only you and everything else be damned!"

[itshinata-blog]

"Neji-" The woman started, but simply shut her mouth. 

He was right.

They couldn’t possibly return to idle chit-chat after this; not after revealing so much of themselves to each other. But at the same time…

"I want…I want to be with you…but you don’t understand! If I give in to this selfish desire I would be putting you, someone I love, in danger! It’s difficult to weigh my options with that guilt hovering over me. If you…if you got hurt because I wanted to be with you, because I have no willpower, then I could never forgive myself! And I know you think it’s worth it and that you don’t care because it’s you who is at risk…but what if it were the opposite?! What if you were the heir and I was the branch member who was watched so meticulously by the higher-ups?! What if I could be put to death if I were caught with you?! What then?!"

She took a deep breath, only clutching onto him harder despite her words. The more she pushed him away, the more she realized how badly she needed him. There was no way she’d be able to go on without this man at her side; it had taken until then to see that.

Hinata leaned her forehead against his once more, slender arms wrapped tight around his neck as she shut her eyes. 

Despite all of these concerns; they were safe now. No one would see them and no one could hear them. Perhaps they could live that way; sneaking around in the shadows.

But he deserved so much better than that.

"You’re  the first person I ever wanted to kiss." She whispered, the admission leaving her mouth before she’d had a chance to reconsider. “I remember… I remember the exact moment when I saw you, when I saw your mouth do this thing and I just…" 

It had been a beautiful day; Neji had spent the entire thing training, sweat matting his forehead, bangs clinging to wet skin stubbornly. He’d gratefully accepted the glass of water she’d brought to him and the young girl had watched as he drank every last drop.

He’d panted after that before wiping his mouth, turning to face her. The slightest smile quirked at his lips, though they did not shut due to his incessant need for labored breath. His lips had looked so perfect, so enticing, that she found herself unable to glance away, then. Her face had turned redder than the sunburn on her cousin’s back and she remembered clumsily heading away to find shelter in her room.

She opened her eyes, coming back to reality, only to find that her fingertips were now slowly trailing over the man’s bottom lip. “I just wanted…I wanted to…" Her cheeks burned once again and Hinata looked up toward him, meeting his gaze through long lashes and glossy eyes.

"I wanted you." She finished helplessly, the words barely audible despite the stillness of the room.

[tangledupinfate]

"I...I remember that day..." He smiled softly recalling that day of their youth. Light finger tips tracing dry lips. His hand caught hers and slowly he laced his fingers with hers. The look in her eyes was far away, lost in a Summer memory, so he was certain she didn't quite notice at first as he bent down to kiss her. His lips met hers, warm and soft and careful. No, he thought, he would never be satisfied with anyone but her. They fit together perfectly like two halves of a whole. And when their lips met, a spark burst into a flame. He pulled her to him tightly now, crushing her against him. "Just for a moment longer..." he whispered, "just for right now..." He deepened their kiss, tasting her, indulging in her sweetness. Fingers lost in the black silk of her hair. And when he came up for air he was panting, helpless and in love. And then he knew what he must do. He pulled away from the girl, the absence of her leaving him cold and incomplete. Each spot on his body that she touched now ached without her. "You're right." Neji stated now, trying to gather all his will power to say what needed to be said. "Hinata, I have been selfish. Everything you said, is true. How could I put you in such a difficult position? I could never ask you to go down such a road with me. Like I said, I'm not handling this well. My own feelings were just as surprising to me as they were to you. And nothing has changed them. If anything my love for you burns more fiercely now, but for your sake, I will take my leave from you tonight." Neji took one last longing look at his cousin, the sweet shy girl who grew into the strong kunoichi he so admired, and the woman he swore an oath to protect. He gave a slight nod and left the room without another word.

[itshinata-blog]

tangledupinfate | itshinata

[tangledupinfate]

She pulled away from him and he crumbled.

"Why?! You just said you’d stay didn’t you? Are you going back on what you said? Is…is HE really that much more important to you?!" Neji was shocked when the girl had agreed to his request. Stay. It was a statement filled with a million promises and one question begging an answer. And when she did answer he was filled with a peace he never thought he’d have again in this life. The same peace he’d felt holding his mother’s hand and listening to his father explain the juuken that would be the art he devoted his life to. It was the same peace he felt the first time he met the shy young would be heir to the clan. This time he grabbed her by both shoulders and pulled her to him. "Answer me! I must know, is he really that important to you? Do I…" His fingers dug into the flesh of her shoulders, his eyes searching her place face. "Do I mean anything to you at all?"

[itshinata-blog]

Hinata gasped at his words, lilac orbs shining with unshed tears as her lower lip quivered, delicate shoulders shaking under his wrath.

"Do I mean anything to you at all?"

Her heart broke when he asked her this; honestly not knowing whether or not she cared for him one bit.

Did he really…did he not know, how much he meant to her? 

"N-Neji." The woman choked out as he grabbed her so roughly that she felt frightened, her body suddenly against his.

She’d gotten her wish, yet…this was so forced…

The younger Hyuuga pushed him away, shaking her head once again.

"Just stop! For one second, please stop…" 

She headed toward the door, praying that he wouldn’t take it the wrong way. Trembling fingers fumbled with the lock, flicking it in order to ensure their privacy. The woman then activated the seal on her room, preventing any all-seeing eyes from peering in.

"Th-there…I’m…sorry." 

Hinata returned to him immediately, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist and nuzzling into his chest as she wept openly, soft sobs muffled by his shirt.

"Neji you mean so much to me, you’re so important… I could never choose between you! I would die for you both. You’ve never shown any interest in me before, I mean…I u-used to… used to th-think about it…sometimes. I…I’d wonder what it would be like…I mean…what it could be like if you- if you did want me, like that…but I…I didn’t think you did!" 

Blunt nails dug lightly into his back as she gripped onto him, vigorously shaking her head. “I love you, Neji, don’t ever doubt that! You’re my cousin; no one knows me as well as you do. I…I know you, too, Neji. I know that you’re kind-hearted no matter how much you’d hate to admit it. I know that you like your tea bitter because you have me make it whenever you can. I know that you prefer sunny days to rain because bad weather reminds you of your Father’s funeral…" 

She leaned back enough to stare into cloudy grey eyes, gently cupping his jaw. “But Neji… We could never be together…it could get you in so much trouble…I won’t see you hurt because of me. I will stay with you; I will speak with you all night if that’s what you wish. But despite what I may want, this can’t…this can’t happen. You can’t love me!" 

[tangledupinfate]

Neji did not expect her reaction. Her arms wound tightly around him and declarations of love falling so easily from her lips he almost couldn't believe it. It was the warmth of her body and the feel of her clinging to him as tightly as he had to her that convinced him he wasn't dreaming. As she spoke, he realized he did mean something to her after all. She knew him the way he knew her. They'd grown up together, they fought, and had known hardship together. And now that he knew her feelings, nothing, NOTHING, would keep him from her again. Not clan, or duty, or the Hokage herself would get between them. Hinata, it seemed did not feel the same way. "I...but I do! I do love you! I am sorry for not realizing it sooner. I am a fool. I always have been." Neji brought a hand up to cup her cheek. "When I thought about you, with someone else, when I pictured you in someone else's arms, I felt so desperate. I...I didn't want that to happen. Of course, I have no choice ultimately, but I wanted to try and convey to you why. It seems I've done a rather sloppy job of that. But Hinata," He looked into her eyes as he spoke, addressing her alone now, not as the heiress to the clan, but as a woman. Just Hinata. "If you feel the same way about me, how can I possibly ignore that?! How can we just go back to the way it was before tonight? There is no way I can! I need you and only you and everything else be damned!"

[itshinata-blog]

tangledupinfate | itshinata

[tangledupinfate]

"I-I don’t even know what I’m trying say!"

Neji spat out in anger. He looked away from her now, her eyes so full of innocence and questioning. He kept his grip tight on her arm, feeling as if he let go now, she’d forever be out of his reach. He grit his teeth, frustrated by his own lack of restraint. What could he possibly say now? He knew if anyone found them like this, he’d be punished severely. He wondered then just how painful the activation of his seal would be. Hiashi had never sought to punish him in such a way before, not even after his match with his younger cousin during the Chuunin exams. He was simply warned, never again. He felt certain, this time Hiashi would not hold back. And this time, it wasn’t that he wanted to revenge, he wanted something much more precious. Something he was was terrified of losing but couldn’t admit it to himself until now. It was true Hinata could reject him, but he at least had to try. Had to keep her close to him for just a while longer. He knew he was being selfish.

Hinata, it had always been Hinata. Why didn’t he see it before? The boy let out a sigh and moved slightly closer to the girl. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers. "Stay."

[itshinata-blog]

"O-okay…" Hinata whispered, shutting her own eyes and clutching onto his kimono. “Okay." 

She would send a guard out to let Naruto know she wouldn’t be seeing him tonight, but she would do it later. 

"Neji…I…" The woman shifted slightly, one of her hands slipping up his chest to rest on the side of his neck. Lithe fingers began to gently knead his skin and she was able to feel him relax a little bit more. “I don’t understand…what’s happening." 

But she didn’t mind it; that was the thing.

She didn’t mind it.

His skin felt cool under her heated fingertips, her hands shaking with uncertainty.

Yet even though he’s probably bruised her arm with his firm grip, she still felt so damn safe with him.

The heiress was completely aware of how the Hyuuga would try to punish him, should they walk in on this now, and despite how hard she’d fight to protect him, she would probably lose in the end. 

The thought made her part from him, shaking her head as she stepped back.

"N-no…no." Her gaze met his, a frown tugging at her lips. “You could be condemned for this." 

She missed him, already. She longed to be close to him again, to feel that long, beautiful hair of his that had always enticed her so. 

But she wouldn’t.

She couldn’t. 

[tangledupinfate]

She pulled away from him and he crumbled. "Why?! You just said you'd stay didn't you? Are you going back on what you said? Is...is HE really that much more important to you?!" Neji was shocked when the girl had agreed to his request. Stay. It was a statement filled with a million promises and one question begging an answer. And when she did answer he was filled with a peace he never thought he'd have again in this life. The same peace he'd felt holding his mother's hand and listening to his father explain the juuken that would be the art he devoted his life to. It was the same peace he felt the first time he met the shy young would be heir to the clan. This time he grabbed her by both shoulders and pulled her to him. "Answer me! I must know, is he really that important to you? Do I..." His fingers dug into the flesh of her shoulders, his eyes searching her pale face. "Do I mean anything to you at all?"

[itshinata-blog]

tangledupinfate | itshinata

[tangledupinfate]

Why? Why was she getting so upset over this idiot? Neji turned the thought over in his head multiple times. She seemed defensive, protective even and somehow it made him feel even worse.

Why shouldn’t she be upset at his request, he reasoned. It’s not like he could ever hold such a place in her heart. He was too late. Always too late with Hinata. Clumsy in his handling and she was slipping away from him again. He’d tried so hard to bridge the rift his foolishness had caused and still it had been too little and far too late. Just like his feelings. She was apologizing and it made his face flush from guilt. He didn’t even understand his own feelings, how the hell was he supposed to make her understand? "Hinata…I…," He drew a deep breath steeling himself, “It’s not that I dislike him… I…" Neji closed the short distance between them, and grasped her arm firmly. "I don’t want him to take you away from me!" His voice angry and loud in the quiet room. His eyes blazed with all the emotion he’d been trying to push away all these years.

[itshinata-blog]

His words shocked her, completely. She attempted to come up with some reasonable explanation in her mind, but was simply blank.

The woman could feel his strong fingers gripping onto her upper arm as if he would pull her against him at any moment.

She didn’t understand why her heart skipped a beat at that thought, or why she couldn’t look away from his piercing gaze. 

Hinata could see it, now; all of the feelings he held for her. She could see the pain, the sorrow, the regret, the jealousy, the rage…the love.

She just couldn’t make sense of it.

"N-Neji…what…"

The heiress lifted her free hand, gently placing it on top of his which was resting on her bicep. 

"What do you mean?" 

Her words came as a whisper, her cheeks flushed and lips parted as she watched for any sign from him. She needed him to spell it out for her; needed him to break this heavy moment of anticipation before it broke her.

What was she to do? 

She couldn’t deny the fact that she had held feelings for Neji in the past…bad feelings, really bad feelings. 

For god’s sake; the woman had felt desire for him before she even knew what arousal was! But damn her if she didn’t admire Naruto more than anyone. 

She had ignored her feelings for Neji; completely shoved them away until they were a distant, humiliating memory. But now he was simply digging all of them up again, and even worse; admitting his own. But it was so taboo; so wrong! She couldn’t possibly become involved with her elder cousin! 

Yet despite these thoughts she found herself softly compressing her fingers around his, anxiously biting her lip as she gazed up at him through the dark fringe of her lashes. Was this what love was supposed to feel like? Dangerous; forbidden? 

Because if it were, then she’d hit the mother load. 

[tangledupinfate]

"I-I don't even know what I'm trying say!"

Neji spat out in anger. He looked away from her now, her eyes so full of innocence and questioning. He kept his grip tight on her arm, feeling as if he let go now, she'd forever be out of his reach. He grit his teeth, frustrated by his own lack of restraint. What could he possibly say now? He knew if anyone found them like this, he'd be punished severely. He wondered then just how painful the activation of his seal would be. Hiashi had never sought to punish him in such a way before, not even after his match with his younger cousin during the Chuunin exams. He was simply warned, never again. He felt certain, this time Hiashi would not hold back. And this time, it wasn't that he wanted to revenge, he wanted something much more precious. Something he was was terrified of losing but couldn't admit it to himself until now. It was true Hinata could reject him, but he at least had to try. Had to keep her close to him for just a while longer. He knew he was being selfish.

Hinata, it had always been Hinata. Why didn't he see it before? The boy let out a sigh and moved slightly closer to the girl. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers. "Stay."

[steampunkskulls]

[itshinata-blog]

tangledupinfate | itshinata

[tangledupinfate]

"Don’t…"

Neji’s words were soft and uncertain at first. He knew he was being selfish and was stepping over some invisible line. This was his cousin, the soon to be heir of their entire clan, Main and Branch house alike. To suggest something so bold was likely inappropriate. Neji was a man of careful actions and had long since left behind the boy who acted solely on emotions. Or so he’d thought. "Don’t go. Hinata-sama, I… I don’t like it," He finished with more conviction this time, the words leaving his mouth before he could fully understand why. Hinata’s face was hard to read. Was it anger, confusion, or disgust he saw there. He wasn’t sure.

[itshinata-blog]

"Don’t…Don’t go. Hinata-sama, I… I don’t like it,"

Hinata quickly met his gaze, her breath leaving her all at once. 

"What…what do you mean?" 

The heiress’ eyes narrowed when she realized.

"It’s just because it’s Naruto-kun, isn’t it?! You’ve never liked him!" She took a step back, shaking her head. “I’m not…I’m not rejecting him simply because of your personal distaste for him! That’s not a good reason!" 

Some part of her felt that this wasn’t why, but it had to be. 

‘Maybe…maybe I’m being insensitive. I was too harsh…’

The Hyuuga heir glanced up to him, a sorrowful frown playing at her lips. “I apologize…I..didn’t mean that." Then again, when it came to Naruto, she’d always been protective.

[tangledupinfate]

Why? Why was she getting so upset over this idiot? Neji turned the thought over in his head multiple times. She seemed defensive, protective even and somehow it made him feel even worse. Why shouldn't she be upset at his request, he reasoned. It's not like he could ever hold such a place in her heart. He was too late. Always too late with Hinata. Clumsy in his handling and she was slipping away from him again. He'd tried so hard to bridge the rift his foolishness had caused and still it had been too little and far too late. Just like his feelings. She was apologizing and it made his face flush from guilt. He didn't even understand his own feelings, how the hell was he supposed to make her understand? "Hinata...I...," He drew a deep breath steeling himself, "It's not that I dislike him... I..." Neji closed the short distance between them, and grasped her arm firmly. "I don't want him to take you away from me!" His voice angry and loud in the quiet room. His eyes blazed with all the emotion he'd been trying to push away all these years.

[itshinata-blog]

tangledupinfate | itshinata

[tangledupinfate]

Her words hit him like an icy punch. Not unlike that blonde’s surprise blow that ended their Chuunin exam final. Unexpected but decidedly painful. Neji bit back a bitter taste in his mouth, blood running cold.

“A Date?" He questioned, shock evident in his voice and on his face.

It wasn’t a passtime Neji himself pursued, nor did he care as much for the idea as some other young men his age. His loud, overly-emotional teammate especially. He had to admit that the idea brought to mind only vague impressions from the tall tales he would have much rather not heard, from other shinobi around town.

He tried to picture Hinata as the girlfriend in some of the boastful stories he’d suffered through, but it all just seemed very wrong to him. And with Naruto no less. Neji felt the weight of his confusion heavy in his heart. He was angered by his cousin’s words but he couldn’t quite place why. And he was angry with Naruto. They had not been on bad terms in years, but suddenly he felt like an enemy. A thought, Neji even in his distraught state, realized was absurd. But for as much as Uzumaki Naruto had promised him in their youth, why did it seem now that he was taking everything away from him? Neji looked at the his cousin with eyes clearer than ever before. Was he jealous? The girl looked nervous, awaiting a reply to her admission. She hazarded a shy shimmering smile and his heart skipped a beat. A feeling he’d grown accustomed to around her. Could he…did he… "I see." He began quietly. “Is this really what you want Hinata-sama?"

[itshinata-blog]

Neji seemed so shocked that Hinata almost felt insulted.

"Yes…is there…something wrong with that?" The heiress frowned, meeting his gaze once more.

"I see. Is this really what you want Hinata-sama?"

"Why are you acting this way, Neji-niisan?" The woman’s brow pinched in concern. He seemed as if he were upset…but he never…why would he be upset over this?

Despite this rationality, the look on his face told her that he wasn’t too fond of the news. 

She shut her eyes, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. 

Hinata felt uneasy, for more reasons than one. 

She hated seeing her cousin upset, and to think she was the cause of it… It wasn’t an easy thought.

[tangledupinfate]

"Don't..." Neji's words were soft and uncertain at first. He knew he was being selfish and was stepping over some invisible line. This was his cousin, the soon to be heir of their entire clan, Main and Branch house alike. To suggest something so bold was likely inappropriate. Neji was a man of careful actions and had long since left behind the boy who acted solely on emotions. Or so he'd thought. "Don't go. Hinata-sama, I... I don't like it," He finished with more conviction this time, the words leaving his mouth before he could fully understand why. Hinata's face was hard to read. Was it anger, confusion, or disgust he saw there. He wasn't sure.