Solo Prince

Impact

#impact #cresenthozuki #i'm a huge bum for taking so long #i am so sorry

As Suigetsu followed through with the idea that change was looking good for him,he listened. That’s what was importat,wasn’t it? “Well maybe after this we can actually go out and get you a girlfriend.”he suggested with casualty„though he had truly meant it. He didn’t quite understand,though. Neji held so much power and yet he didn’t have a girlfriend,it was like he was so engrossed in his work.”Everyone,yeah like the main people around here. I sort of pissed a few people off already,this girl Karin,another girl named Ino Yamanaka,which by the way is smoking hot. Though she looked like she was gonna knock my lights out because i was sort of hitting on her. Then theres,well there’s just the rest of everyone who i don’t know yet. That’s where you come in,as Student President.”he explained with a nod.

Reaching the student council area,Suigetsu observed the area as unknown territory. He wondered,just how often someone was just let in like this. Which led him to be suspicious.”Why do you really want me to join this thing?”he asked mid sentence.”There’s a million other better and potential people rather than the new kid with temper issues and you choose me? I’m not buying this.”he stated with an indifferent look across his face. He continued his walk through the area and looked into the small glass that served as a window.

"It’s great." he commented on the office space. Maybe he could put all his bad issues into something positive,or actually do something with his school life? That would be great,wouldn’t it? He turned to the darker haired boy on his heel and crossed his arms,observing him. He didn’t look like he was one to lie and God forbid he did anything remotley bad. Maybe Neji needed him here more than Suigetsu thought."What would your followers think if you brought someone like me opposed to you on board?" He asked.

Suddenly,he moved to sit down in one of the seats and turned to him.”Consider your offer taken. It would be cool to be vice president, You seem to know what you’re doing anyhow,right?”he saif with an edge in his words. Maybe this would go somewhere and maybe he would gain a friend,who knows. Tapping his chin with his finger he looked around the room.”So how many people exactly are in here?Besides me?”he asked,with a smile this time.

Maybe Neji could be a more important friend than he initially imagined. Maybe they would be best friends,and he would stop moping around Mangetsu so much. He wasn’t coming back. Standing up,Suigetsu extended his hand to the other and smiled.”To new friends.” he stated,waiting for the other to react. He still didn’t know where the boundaries lied between them.

"That won't be necessary," Neji assured the boy. Why was he ever so curious about this, the Hyuga asked himself. Having a girlfriend, not having one, it made no difference to Neji himself. Really, Neji paid no mind to anything of the sort. Then, as Suigetsu began to speak of the school's females Neji was struck by his words. Of course he had thought fleetingly that Ino was beautiful but hearing it from another's lips ignited a small jealousy that burned slowly in the older boy. He cast it aside with determination, however. Neji knew that this and that were different matters and that he technically had no possession on Ino. She was free to do whatever she pleased just as she should.

"I suppose we can give you a proper tour once you're ready. Or perhaps you'd rather meet people at a slower pace. In that case, you may prefer to join me on rounds or other such endeavors. You will have to let me know about those you've had a chance to meet beforehand of course." Neji marveled at his favourite place in the school.The council room was one of the lesser trafficked areas in the school, it stayed relatively clean, despite the mess of papers on desks here and there. Neji had grown accustomed to the look of the room and he wasn't sure how anyone else would take it. He hoped that his own perception came off as Suigetsu's reception of the office. But he knew he could only do so much. He could show Suigetsu this room, give him an invitation and Suigetsu could still refuse.

Neji got that more than one would expect. He'd been refused before and it was only ever by students. Probably thinking he was being modest and didn't need their help or that he was too busy to be asking them questions. But Neji was nothing if not always genuine. As busy as he got, he always had time for the things that mattered the most. Like his mother. He prioritized whatever seemed important and left everything else for the future. Like a girlfriend, it wasn't a priority so he'd pay attention to that later. Then, Suigetsu brought the boy out of his reverie. "I believe that of the supposed 'million others' you have something they do not. And that, Hozuki-san, is perspective. You mentioned that you moved here? That makes it all the better. We need some culture if you ask me."

Neji thought for a moment. "I do not have followers, Hozuki-san. I am the president of the student council, not His Magistrate the Emperor. At any rate, they have nothing of you to think do they not? How long have you been in Konoha? or have you already made a reputation of which I'm unaware?" Neji, interrupted by Suigetsu's acceptance stood stunned. Had his ear deceived him? They had to, there was no way. Had he really done well enough to gain this one member; possibly friend? Neji's ears rung with the truth that he of course had done it. "There are about five other members but we do go through a cycle of loss and gain. I am always open to new members. Oh thank you Sui-San, pardon me." Neji started to reach in to pat Suigetsu on the back then opted for the less invasive approach and took his extended hand instead. "Hozuki-san, I appreciate this very much and I look forward to working with you."

"To new friends," Neji repeated. Meaning every word.

ooc: thanks guys for the birthday wishes, if you could see the smile on my face as i say this you'd be happy !

BAAACCK!!!

let me know if i owe you a reply doing all of them tomorrow after i get home from my last exam (:

ooc: sorry if you try to get to me in the next few days; internet's down at home and i'm not sure how long it'll last. maybe a week :/

itachi-kun-blog

陽.

#lucidveil #dogboy-inuzuka #omfg

lucidxveil-deactivated20161010

First Sight

"Yes, I stick to the main road." Out of habit, shifting the bag on her shoulder. "The building I live in sits on the main road too. I like the security of knowing there’s people around most hours, that I would be out."

The walk home like no other. His soft, but masculine scent, carried with the breeze. Every slight detail Hinata soaked in, mindfully. Out right gawking, didn’t seem like an appropriate manner in handling her growing curiosity. Now that the initial shock had worn off, she noticed things.

With no shame, call it.. an artist’s eye? Neji is striking, no, he is absolutely beautiful. Technically, her cousin had always been visually appealing. Not that she would ever openly admit it, he took the role as her first crush. Sought his approval, acceptance, over her father’s. Played a vital part during the first six years of life, influenced her.

Granted, to anyone else, would naturally assume they were related. Which seemed a little vain on her part, but that wasn’t the case. There were obvious similarities. Both born with the unusual, Hyuga eyes. The same fair skin, same traditional Asian structure. The difference came in detail, his face long, sharp, her own petite, round. Both framed with long hair, his dark brown, near black. The same as most of the men in their family. She took after her mother however, with indigo hair, pale lilac eyes, soft against his bold. It probably helped that their father’s were twins.

Neji took to her left; A wall between herself, and oncoming traffic. For whatever reason, this caused her cheeks to warm. Unlike the boys in school, visually mature, professional. With dark, fitted, attire, a headband too. This must mean the scar remained, troubling the artist some what. Though his legs were long, matched her pace. Up until they reached the door to her apartment building.

Finding her keys in the knapsack, “a-ano.. it used to be a hotel. So it might look a little.. strange at first.” Moving towards the staircase, soon walking down a hallway, until they reached Hinata’s doorway.

Neji's arm bristled against the thin space between Hinata and himself. The main road? Probably another reason Neji had never encountered his cousin all these years. he and his mother lived in a suburb in Konoha, away from heavy traffic, in a peaceful neighbourhood. How long, Neji wondered. How long had Hinata lived alone? He couldn't imagine living without his mother; still found living without his father difficult at times. How did Hinata manage. He gave her a once over from behind, her walk wasn't regal and proud as his sometimes was. It was soft and light like he remembered. Some of the details of his past intact.

Hinata had always been Neji's sister. When she was taken away from him, the pain he felt was more than a cousin would feel. She was his playmate, someone to teach. In other words, she was Neji's first pupil. All that changed when they were seven though. Neji didn't want to move on but life pushed him through the motions. He would wake up and forget that Hinata wasn't a part of his life anymore, only to be disappointed when he took in his surroundings. Neji had missed his cousin dearly every day they had been apart. Now, he walked almost as if his feet couldn't touch the ground. His excitement was laughable. Next to Hinata, the quiet little princess that Neji remembered, he himself was an erratic that needed to calm down.

Neji hung on Hinata's every word, noticing that he gait was just as reserved as it used to be. He wondered how much he had missed in these past ten years, how much had stayed the same. Hinata's hair had grown out of course, a big change. But she still smelled the same and acted the same. Neji wondered if giving her a happy hug would feel the same too. Upon meeting they'd both been in tears and of course that was nothing like their childhood.

Neji walked alongside her, shielding her from traffic. It was a reflexive reaction. There was no way he would allow her to risk herself when he could protect her. But Neji didn't realize it might make the teenage Hinata uncomfortable. He was taking cues from the Hinata of his memory, a six-year-old girl with less knowledge of the cruelty of the world. Finally, they made it to the building Hinata seemed to be referring to. In the dim streetlight, Neji couldn't fully appreciate the exterior, but he made a show of looking up and down the premises. "All to yourself? You do not ever feel alone, Hinata san?" he asked as they stopped in front of Hinata's door. Neji wasn't good with small talk, he usually ended up coming off some way or another without meaning to.

Now, it was just his hope that he came off familial. Trustworthy. He could see himself and Hinata's future in a light that gave him hope. He could see himself visiting her whenever possible, bringing his mother and food when he could. Neji hadn't even been inside yet but he knew this apartment would become a second home to him. Just as he hoped Hinata would find solace at his house.

#first sight #lucidveil

Approval ;

The smile was off, albeit charming. It was odd to see after being treated with distaste earlier. Acting like he cared was something Sasuke knew all too well, and is what he assumed the other to be doing. Then Neji brought up how Sasuke had too much free time and almost rubbed in how he was always swamped with work. Brows knitted together, offended by the other’s superiority complex. “I just don’t waste time when I do my work, giving me the free time to do other things; less stressful things. You should try it sometime.” Sasuke was about to get up and leave, but he needed to know about this girl, needed to know that if he was going to be dating a girl that looked like the president that he would not have to deal with a big brother as rude as him.

Sasuke was straight up with the other now, not wanting to continue with this back and forth. He was already in one too many fights this week. “Look, are you related to anyone in the area that is our age or not? I want to be out of your hair just as much as you want me out.” He leaned forward with his elbows on the desk.

Neji's smile dropped as soon as Sasuke's tone became rude. He was about to tell the younger boy to watch his tongue but he let Sasuke go on. Perhaps he would say something interesting. Neji leaned back in his chair, a certain irritation started to build up and it made his smile less charming and more condescending. What had the other said? "I am extremely efficient in my work Uchiha-san." The two were like stones rubbing to create fire. Friction at every turn. As it would seem, all possibility of conversation was lost. Neji couldn't think on continuing the way they were. There was a darkness around Sasuke that made Neji's skin crawl.

"Straight to the point then, Uchiha-san?" Neji was still smiling but now it looked forced, and crazed. He looked almost like he was about to rip Sasuke's throat out. But he would never. Neji wasn't like that. He resolved his problems verbally. He rose from his seat and left the boy with his elbows so rudely placed upon his desk. With one arm resting on the small of his back and the other smoothing out his ponytail Neji resumed speaking. "If you must know, Uchiha-san. I do, a younger cousin. I haven't seen her in years, but she would be around your age by now. Why, may I ask are you so interested in her?" Neji's voice seethed venom now. There was no way he would allow Sasuke near her. Hinata was his own innocent flower, his beloved cousin. She couldn't be tainted by this evil boy.

Neji's stance was princely. He wanted Sasuke to understand that this was dangerous territory. And now that he knew for sure that Sasuke had happened upon Hinata, Neji knew there was some searching to be done. Maybe his mother would have answers. Although she was shunned by the rest of the family for Neji's choice in wife, there had to be some kind of link. Hinata couldn't just disappear for ten years without a trace. Neji always wondered... but now he knew.

#Approval #novuson

Butterflies and Worriment

For a moment, her eyes had spilled her soul. As if she were looking into his own, she saw so many things she had never seen of him before. Not counting the other night of course when they had actually been together. When he was speaking right then and there at some point of his speech had she tuned him out completely. There was something. Something that Ino needed but she didn’t know what it was. She nodded quickly as if she had been paying attention to him but really,all she could focus on right now was…well him. She needed to remember what she had been told. By both Sakura and Hinata,each girl had brought something to contribute to her own Dilemma. However Ino had asked how to get rid of the feelings.

By the way he had been looking at her she could already tell her eyes had betrayed her once again. Remembering quickly what Sakura had said to her,she felt a wave of nerves hit her system like water on an electrical box. 'Write down all the things you don't like about him,then write the ones you do. Whichever is longer should answer your question..' Ino didn’t have a pen or paper but she did have him in front of her. She liked the way he looked at her,like she had something important to say. He never shushed her when she was in the middle of saying something,but when he did she was always apologizing and he would tell her to stop. There was always a look of happiness in his eyes,but if you looked close enough you could see a smile on his lips.She hated the way he made her feel. Like she was on cloud 9. She liked the way he was taller than her,she liked the feeling of his body next to hers.. Oh. Shit. Her eyes widened. No no no. she should have just talked to Sakura. She probably did something wrong.

"It sounds like an exception."she retorted in a mumble,a slight playfulness hanging on the last word.She looked up to him with kind eyes at his offer,but then,out of nowhere Hinata had popped into her mind.Not only did the thought of her over stepping her advice with Hinata but the fact that she had feelings for her cousin. Her cousin that she holds dear to her,the one she hadn’t seen oh and only just probably reconnected with. Ino,yet again swallowed the lump in her throat. She didn’t want to lose Hinata as a friend. ‘Just give it space,give yourself space. You have every right to be upset about that,I would. But if he didn’t like you,he would just tell you,wouldn’t he?’ Ino stared at the boy in front of her. Wouldn’t he? She didn’t think he would,because he was polite like that. But if he didn’t like her,he would be acting like this for sure. internally groaning,she had two options. Okay,she had only one. Space. When he had asked if she would take the offer,a small expression of sadness had appeared if you looked close enough."It sounds..really nice."she began,one small step forward."Everything about it,I know why you would think of me. I actually don’t know what you think of me,and i don’t want to know."she said with a slight smile. "you’re student president,you must hear everything."she noted.

"I don’t think I can take this..offer right now. I can’t."she shook her head slightly,as if she was tryng to tell herself this. Biting down on her lip,she glanced at him."Neji,I don’t know if i can do this."she said,referring to the job he had offered,yet there was a part of her that meant it in another way.Quiet,nothing more to say,she looked down.She had hoped he didn’t think she hated him at all. How could she hate him?He was a great guy and he deserved everything that wasn’t her. She had done bad things in her life,and he probably heard about them. She couldn’t believe she was going back to this thought process again,but she was.Letting out a softer sigh,she looked over to him to see if he had any reaction towards this.She wanted to tell him and thank him for being there for her,but she couldn’t."Thank you.."she spoke,breaking the silence."For tutoring me,when I was giving you a hard time. don’t..say it was part of your duty,because it left a mark on me,that I probably will never forget."she said. "About learning."she quickly said,a light flush had taken her face for a moment. She wasn’t going to talk anymore. because it sounded like the beginning of a confession. Putting on a sharper face,she had to remember she was still mad at him for acting this way.

Neji remembered everything from that night in painful succession but he couldn't let his face show what his heart knew to be real. He remembered their kiss now and it made him shake with the realization that there had been more that just watching stars. His lips had met hers and now more than ever he felt heat for her. Ino's figure in front of him made Neji's heart pound and stir. He couldn't breath. If anything, he might have a panic attack at any moment. this was too much. A kiss? how could he have forgotten?

And then came the rejection Neji knew was inevitable.He wanted to ask why she would have even shown up if she would have refused his offer in the end but Neji was having enough trouble collecting his thoughts. A thin sheen of sweat appeared on his face and Neji's eyes focused everywhere but Ino's face. His ears rang with the sound of rejection and Neji couldn't seem to regain composure. Why? Why is is that every time I put myself out there I end up getting hurt, Neji asked himself. He couldn't understand why it hurt so bad. Had Ino been more than a friend to him? No. She was his former student and for a short time. There was nothing Neji could do to hold on to Ino. He had no ties with her anymore.

Not now that she'd broken them. But then why was she here? Neji couldn't piece the two together. She wanted space yet here she was, and now refusing an offer he'd created especially for her. What exactly did she want? Neji's heart beat fast when he finally looked up at her. Despite his raging emotions, Neji managed his typical calm and hollow look. His mask was back in place and he had made sure it would stay for at least a few more minutes. He wanted to tell her that she could do it, Neji knew that if anyone was able to take on the role of making the school more beautiful it would be Ino. She herself was a picture of grace a beauty.

Neji stood and gestured for Ino to follow him out his own office and to the door of the student council room. "I tolerated your behaviour because it was a part of my job, you're precisely correct." Neji didn't look at her face to gauge her reaction. He just ushered her out the door. Once she was out of sight, his mask crumbled once more as he slid down the side of the door. "Everything else was for my own enjoyment, it left a mark on me as well." He said to himself. It was Neji's first time dealing with feelings like this. What did he do? What should he have done? There were too many questions and such little information to go on.

This was a puzzle Neji would never solve on his own. Would he ever understand why he and Ino were at ends? Or would they be like this always?

Impact

Did Suigetsu want to see a boring old room? no. When he glanced at Neji though,it seemed he was really stepping out of his comfort zone with this entire conversation so who would Suigetsu be if he simply walked away after he had basically made him talk and explain the student council without really talking about it? He would have been himself. He guessed he was trying to change that part of him to this day and maybe it could start with befriending Neji,at least then he would know that someone here had his back. He held a great amount of power here to pull strings anyways,he didn’t think it would have been so strange to see a room full of furniture. It could have been part of a tour. No matter how many sizes he cut it into,he had to comply.

"Sure,why not?" he shrugged casually. He wouldn’t say he was excited,but he was ready for a change in scenery. Though he just got there,he didn’t want to be a floater,he wanted to be someone who was manning the ship. His brother was a floater,he probably still is. It was a sour thought,but he pushed it to the back of his mind for now. Hearing his speech about the way students looked at him,gave him a new perspective. If he couldn’t show him he could be like everyone else,then maybe the students here were intimidated by him."You just need to let loose sometimes,not be so serious." he explained. He thought maybe a girlfriend could do that,but maybe not. He thought this guy didn’t look like he understood what it meant to even obtain a girl other than a friend.

"That’s cool,there’s a bunch of girls here anyways. Better looking than the ones back in my home town at least. Everyone there is so pale,meanwhile Kohona girls actually have a color to their face, some have interesting hair,and some are just hot. I wish i moved here sooner." He was joking of course,not about the girls but about moving here. He hated it here and the last thing he wanted was to live here. But to ensure that people wouldn’t ask stupid questions to set him off he was determined to make it seem like he was incredibly happy here.

As the two walked to the student council building a question had been building up. “So since you’re the Student Council President of this place could you tell me something.” he looked to the side. “Can you tell me who everyone is so i don’t have anymore bad first impressions coming at me like a high tide.” it was true. Most of the first interactions had been god awful and it was something he wanted to change. Again,more changing. He wasn’t liking where this new attitude was coming from and maybe he hoped it would go away. But another part,just didn’t.

Eventually the had reached their destination and at this point the white haired boy had been leaning against one of the walls casually,as if he were comfortable. The only reason he was there was because Neji hadn’t automatically pushed him away. Though it was a lingering thought to push the other,Neji seemed to be his polar opposite. They both had been searching for something that seemed similar. Neji was an esteemed higher up meanwhile Suigetsu was a notorious asshole. Could he change his fate here? He didn’t know.

Neji saw the wheels turning in Suigetsu's mind as he decided whether or not to come along. Neji's aniticipation of the white-haired boy's rejection was all he could feel. Somehow, Neji just knew. Maybe he was being pessimistic, maybe he was being realistic. But Neji had a gut feeling that Suigetsu would refuse, just as other students refused to acquaint themselves with Neji in general. He sparked fear in others, something unintentional but true.

But at the sound of Suigetsu's response, Neji's heart lifted to the sky. Had he really just agreed to come along? Neji almost didnt't know what to do, then he remembered what he'd proposed in the first place. To the council room! Neji led the way across the damp courtyard and into the main building. Just as he'd predicted the rain started up once more as soon as the both of them made it into the other building. Thank goodness, Neji had his umbrella in the office. Let loose, it had been something Ino told Neji too. Why did everyone tell him that? Neji couldn't understand. He was perfectly open. He didn't tell this to Suigetsu though, he'd rather not start an argument. Neji nodded instead and replied, "I suppose I am quite serious. But I intend to change that. I want to be more familiar with the students."

Neji flushed as Suigetsu spoke on about the girls at Konoha. There was nothing for Neji to comment on as Suigetsu went on. Neji was interested in women, that much he knew. But he couldn't bother to think about such trivial things. Not when he had work at the cram school and his AP classes. Not to mention all the work he did for student council. The list of responsibilities goes on. Neji had more important things to worry about than girls. They were complicated and nothing they said made any sense to him, happy sometimes sad others. Neji just couldn't keep up. But he had to agree that Suigetsu couldn't have moved to Konoha sooner. Neji was glad to at least have entertained the boy for their short time together.

Neji nodded without realizing the Suigetsu might not have noticed. He cleared his throat and answered the boy. "Yes, I would be able to introduce you to everyone. However, I'm unsure of the 'everyone' you speak of. Are you referring to the students or teachers? Or student council in general?" Neji motioned to Suigetsu to turn left and the next hallway, they'd be at the council room in no time.

Finally, they made it to the door of the of the council office and Neji's hands started to shake. What if Suigetsu didn't like the room? What would he do then. Neji knew this was a last ditch effort, he knew just how much he wanted Suigetsu to hold on. He opened the door and gestured for the other to make his way inside. Neji closed the door behind the two and took his place to give Suigetsu a proper tour. The office was large, probably the same size as the teacher's office with separate rooms for the highest ranking executives. "This is my office," Neji said while pointing to the closed room in the back corner. It was the biggest of the four executive offices. Desks, for other members were strewn about the room with stacks of paper on each one.

"And," Neji said hesitantly, "If you so decide to join the council, that office could be yours." Neji pointed to the room next to his own. It was imperceptible from their distance away, but the door was labelled as was every other door in the school. Fine characters read out the position of the holder of the room; student council vice president.

#impact #cresenthozuki

Butterflies and Worriment

Her eyes narrowed in that moment she had been sitting in the chair across from him. She however had been looking down at the desk,the papers held her eyes;but if her glare could set fire,the papers would be the first to go.Her body was stiff as she sat there in the chair. How many times was he going to call her with formalities? This time it had felt different than the many times before. It was like he had been so submissive to her request and he wasn’t fighting back. Usually,in her experience when she pulled crap like this they often let her go. She didn’t want to,oddly enough,be let go this time. Noticing she had been clutching the pen tightly,she set it down on the desk with a soft click.

She would not talk unless she needed to answer him.She sat there,still and tense in the already tense environment she had walked her pretty little head right into.”No one can stand alone.”she retorted,avoiding his gaze. Ino wasn’t sure if she would ever understand Neji,sometimes she didn’t think she could. How? He never really opened himself up. Well..maybe in ways he did. But..maybe even she hoped she could plant flowers in the darkest parts of him. It wasn’t looking that way.

Just as she was about to leave,believing she had proven everything she needed to herself,he had spoken. Just like a series of dominoes,her face had fallen from it’s previous angered state. she knew,what he was doing. She knew very well that,that wasn’t possible,what he was offering.With her back faced to him,it was all in fear that she was afraid to turn around.What was she supposed to say? She couldn’t just explain to him she couldn’t do that because she couldn’t be around him. and it really wasn’t even him;she harbored feelings that she didn’t even know of. They were feelings towards him that seemed like they had been electric,that jolted to the touch.

Swallowing the lump in her throat,she bit her lip.”Beautification Comittee?”she asked questionably. she had no idea what that was. In a somewhat calmer voice,though there was a guard that still presented herself,she turned her head towards him slightly.”What is that?are you sure?”she asked,adjusting the strap on her bag. “Why is..there an exception for me? A minute ago you had said I could only start a club with three members..”she stated,staring at the boy who seemed like he couldn’t look her in the eyes.

Nerves had run through her like a hot wire;She wondered,if he was feeling anything too? If he felt anything that is. It seemed like he was numb to the world,and she didn’t understand. Never to understand it seemed. She kept Hinata’s words close to her mind. wouldn’t he be trying to talk to her now? trying,seemed like she was the only one trying. Subtly of course,she didn’t want to suddenly go back on her word. but it sort of hurt her,to think she was actually falling for someone who probably didn’t care. This wouldn’t be the first occurance;but this is what she deserved. After all,her friendship or whatever they had,it wasn’t sought out with the best intentions. Guilt had creeped up on her suddenly,and she had felt like she was sitting in the hot seat.

Neji saw the tension in Ino's hand when she dropped the pen. If only there was a way to know exactly what he'd said to upset her. Neji wasn't one to intentionally cause pain, he preferred to help others. But this was driving him insane, he couldn't pinpoint exactly what he'd done wrong. Everything had been to her specifications, aside from their contact of course. Otherwise, Neji had done all she wanted, yet still she didn't seem satisfied. What more could he do? What was he doing wrong? Neji let his mask fade a bit as he pondered, but hardened once more when he saw Ino's face. There had to be something he could stop doing. Something wasn't right.

Neji heard Ino's comment that no one could stand alone but he didn't address it. Instead, he tucked in the back of his head. His hand, went to touch the sleek black phone in his pocket, her words were starting to crash together. She said no one could stand alone, yet she told Neji she wanted time by herself. He was without a doubt confused. What did she want really? He could, would, do whatever she asked. When she wanted him near, he was there. When she asked him to leave, he went. But Neji couldn't do both. He didn't have the mental capacity to keep up with this hot and cold routine that was starting to turn up. Neji wished he could just understand Ino's true feelings. He wished he knew her well enough to tell if she was lying or telling the truth when she said she didn't want to be around him anymore.

When Neji looked back up after his pitiful attempt at lying, Ino's back was turned to him. He deflated at the sight, happy only not to have been met by an icy glare. "Yes," Neji said almost pleadingly. It was getting harder and harder to keep up his facade. At first, he was genuinely upset, he would be when she left too. But now, with her in his presence, Neji softened on the inside. Without her he would be a shell, but as long and Ino was around, Neji found that he could remove himself from the plainness, the stoic attitude. He found that he was approaching normal. Now, he was somewhere in between. He could see the possibility of breaking free of his self-induced shackles but Neji would never disobey Ino like that. "Yes, a Beautification Committee, you'd be in charge of gardening and possibly helping others in need of decor and other such things. But you would have full reign over your club. You may even retain any name you please. The only minor flaw is that you will need to have a student council member as your affiliate name. For example, myself. I would need to liaison between you and the rest of the Council so that everyone knows what is happening."

Neji cleared his throat. "It's not really an exception, the position has been empty for quite some time and you are willing to fill it." His lies were only half-truths at this point. Konoha High's last Beautification Committe was long disbanded, back when the teachers were students. But the exception was real. Neji shouldn't have been using his power to bend the rules like this. But for Ino? Anything. Neji looked into her eyes for what seemed like the first time in years. He saw questions, so many unanswered questions that never reached Ino's lips. Whatever she wanted to know Neji would tell her, he'd explain his whole family story to her, his relationship with Hinata. Everything so long as she asked. But nothing came. His own steely eyes softened to the plush white that made his own questions apparent. He was curious and confused and it showed on his face, his mask broken once more. Before he built up his wall once more he asked, "So, will you accept the offer?" His voice portraying all his sadness and regret. Quickly, he looked down and refocused.

Butterflies and Worriment

"Great."she spoke after he was finished speaking.She looked up at him but his attention wasn’t even on her,it was on his desk. Two. She was slowly getting angry with him. but she didn’t know why. She knew she didn’t like him like this,he seemed like he was before..and she had already reminded herself of that,hadn’t she? Well. she doesn’t like him. Shouldn’t she feel a little happy that he made her dislike him? She wasn’t,she felt really down,but it was candy coated with anger.She felt as though she was being lectured,rather than told what she needed to do.It was difficult for her to sit there quietly when she had all these emotions transcending into actions. Almost.

Why did she even come in to the meeting in the first place?She stopped thinking. A club without major benefits?”That’s fine. i don’t need help from the school,or anyone really. I’ll just figure it out,I tend to do so anyways.”she added. She could probably borrow some things from the shop itself..but then she would need to work extra hours and days just to refill the stock she had borrowed.It was like he had been testing

Still irritated,she sighed quietly.Coming off as rude seemed to be defending only herself,and it was just that. She wasn’t trying to be mean.Though,when he had slid the paper,she didn’t leave.”Well it’s a good time I have actual time now,so I think I’ll fill it out here.”she stated,pulling out a pen. She started to make the correct fill ins before things had gotten really quiet. She didn’t understand why though,she didn’t know why either.Why it had left her with a sunken feeling of sorts.She wanted to ask if anything was wrong with him but the anger was still pooled in her being. She didn’t need to,obviously Hinatas words were maxed out at this point. He didn’t like her back,and she wasn’t going to subject herself to a rejection again.

"you seriously could have asked someone else to talk to me if you really didn’t want to."she spoke without looking up.Which she really meant,why aren’t you talking to me? She knew she had needed space but she shouldn’t have been there in the first place. She should of had Naruto with her so things weren’t so tense and stingy."I think I’ll need to finish this at home,but if I don’t come back in less than a week then you can scrap it. I don’t think I’ll find a third person,or a fourth. no one appreciates gardeneing besides me and Naruto."she placed the papers in her bag.

Ino's tone was ice in Neji's ears. He knew she could be like this, and he realized that it was probably his fault in the first place for overstepping his boundary. He should have kept their relationship strictly business. But he let his feelings get in front of his focus. Now he would pay the price. Ino probably won't ever look at him the same, never again with her glistening smile. And to Neji, that was the least of his problems. Ino's smile was nothing in comparison to the feel of her skin against his. He'd have to give that up too. Neji pleaded with himself to just step away from being so stiff. But he convinced himself to continue, this is what Ino wanted and he would comply no matter what.

"I beg to differ, Yamanaka-san." Neji had reverted back to his formality with Ino, hoping it would satisfy her more. "No club can stand alone." Neji stopped speaking though, he could see that his efforts were to no avail. He just kept saying and doing the wrong things didn't he? Neji prayed for social skills. Maybe if he wracked his brain he could sum up the ability to speak normally. As if he hadn't been trying to do just that for the past 17 years. He'd be the most popular student at Konoha High if he could just talk to people.

Neji could see the irritation written on Ino's face like words printed on paper. He was the downturned eyebrows and the downcast eyes. He wanted to hush her and tell her that she could do it. He wanted to compliment her on her idea to form a club, he would have done so himself if not for all of his obligations. Then, by surprise, Ino decided to sign the papers right in front of Neji. He had expected her to leave in a haste as soon as he passed her the forms. Instead, she pored over the application papers dutifully, her hair waterfalling to one side of her face. Neji noted how feminine she looked as it got quiet. He watched without actually looking at her. He couldn't risk her wrath.

That she thought Neji would rather someone else have taken his place was like an arrow. He didn't show his upset though. It's about her, he thought. This meeting is for her and about her and so she can say whatever she pleases. That didn't make the pain any less intense or sharp. He words stung. But every time Neji felt the ache of losing her he'd shield his face in a mask. His armor was his stoic disposition. Of course Neji was hiding but it was the only place he could go while he currently faced Ino.

Neji was really looking away when Ino started gathering her things to leave. He bit his tongue but he wanted to reach for her and tell her to take a seat. She'd probably just turn up her nose and swish her way out. But... Neji had an idea. "Wait, Yamanaka-san. I believe it's possible to make an exception for you." Neji cleared his throat at the lie. Rules were rules and he usually enforced that, but he couldn't let her leave. And, what if doing her a favour helped her see him in a better light? Neji straightened his necktie, then his head band and spoke once more, "Considering the school's urgent need for a beautification committe, if you affiliate with the student council, your club does not need any more than just you yourself. You just need to become a subsidiary of the student council.You'd be able to get funding and other such things." Neji looked down but he hoped Ino's expression wasn't too harsh.

#ooc #crimsonyuhi #dogboy-inuzuka #karinuzuu #cresenthozuki #naruewto.tumblr.com #lucidveil

just in case

ooc: the order in which i'll thread with you for Transition is this:

Kurenai

Kiba

Karin

Suigetsu

Naruto

Hinata

???

No one else really showed interest so that's it for now. you can let me know if you want in but the thread has already started with Kurenai. also make sure you understand what we're doing before we start (:

Transition

Did he understand? Truly? Neji was looking at his texts with Ino from the day things went sour. He did it every night for a week. Just looking back and thinking about how things were. It was short-lived but his experience with her was good. He just wished he hadn't said goodbye. It had been days, since their last meeting and Neji didn't seem any further past it than he was the day Ino broke things off. Well, stopped things. There really was never anything but a budding friendship between them. Neji had no hold over Ino. He sighed regretfully, she was free to go wherever she pleased and to speak to whomever she wanted.

Neji rolled over, it was Saturday morning and later than he'd ever spent in bed. He stretched and rose, time to get ready. Like always when he slept in, Neji's mother left him breakfast and a note; she'd be back in a few hours and a list of errands she needed done. Like always, Neji ate in solitude. He remembered the days when his father would sit him on his lap and they'd read the paper together. Now things were just so lonely. But it had been years since Neji's father passed, enough time that the pain faded to dull numbness.

He buttoned up his shirt and slipped his backpack over his shoulders before locking the empty house. The first thing on his list was some grocery shopping at the market. The pantries at home were never very hard to fill, considering only two people lived in the house. But Occasionally they'd run out of bread or milk or cheese. Today Neji had to pick up all three. He neared the dairy aisle and started eyeing a wheel of cheese. He was looking for a good price when finally he saw the perfect one. Neji reached for it and so did another. A feminine hand made contact with his and Neji looked up to find it attached to Kurenai-sensei from school.

He smiled, though it was pained. Neji couldn't stop thinking about how Ino was no longer in his life. He bowed and greeted the woman with proper respect. "Kurenai-sensei, how have you been?" Neji's voice quivered slightly in his distress. How much pain could he bare before he broke? He was already suffering from so many other demons, couldn't this problem leave him be? "I'm glad," he said without inflection, "to see you outside of school."

#transition #crimsonyuhi

Butterflies and Worriment

itallstartswithino

The past few days were more than rough on the blonde haired girl.Of course everyone was going to say ‘how hard is your teenage life?’ Well,Ino had been low on her close friends and she had pushed away a really good friend. Not to mention her sleep schedule had been off the wack since she had been using Sleep aid pills to regulate her sleeping schedule but it had only made her lag throughout the day. Which,she was feeling crappier than her usual peppy and snarky self. She didn’t even check the time. She knew she needed to meet Neji after school regarding the club she wanted to start but she couldn’t face him. She didn’t know if he was effected at all and she didn’t want to find out. She was not going to allow herself to give in to these feelings. Oh,was she wrong.

It didn’t make it any better when he had opened the door before she had a chance to knock. She was looking up into steeled and lifeless eyes;much like the ones she had seen on the first day she met him. Something inside her had felt a little disconnected with the other but this was all in the process. For now she would ignore Hinata and Sakuras words of advice,maybe she could stop this herself.His tone,it was demanding and that’s all there was. She stopped mid walk for a moment,before turning around to shut the door. She had contemplated leaving the entire scene,but she instead shut it promptly before taking her own seat. Something was different.Something had changed. but she hadn’t been processing fast enough. She had bags under her pale blue eyes,even though she had desperately tried to hide it.

She was offended the way he had asked her to remind him. she knew she was wrong to tell him she wanted space but was he really doing this?”You know,I really thought I wouldn’t need to remind you since it’s kind of important.”she began,letting her own anger simmer down.”I wanted to start a club. I know one other person who would be willing to join it too.”she began,pausing to rub her temples.She wouldn’t let him see how badly it had stung her that he was acting this way. She never would have thought he would have iced himself out to her. It proved her own theory was right and that she wouldn’t need to tell Hinata anything anymore.”It’s a garden club. i really think this school needs a bit of livening up when it comes to the atmosphere. and a few flowers in the courtyard or in the front of the school wouldn’t hurt.”she further explained.

The connection was lost. The person sitting across from her wasn’t her friend anymore. she did this,she would own up to it. But it was more than she had bargained for. “I was told I needed to speak with you. So,if I’m inconveniencing you,then I’m ..”she crossed her arms.”Not sorry. Because there’s no one else I can speak to about this.”she finished carelessly. Her mood had doubled over. Maybe it had been the lack of sleep that was irking her,but she knew that the tension was cutting thick.”So,that’s the club i want to start. “she added on quietly,in a softer voice. She moved her eyes to the floor,refusing to look at him.

Neji didn't regard Ino the same as he might have two days ago. Now, she was merely another student, nothing more. The tiredness of her eyes, dark circles and glaze, meant nothing to him. Or at least he fought to ignore them. Ino didn't want anything to do with him and as much as he reminded himself of this, he had to wish he accepted it. As much as the fact slammed him hard in the face, there was a part of him that refused to understand. A part that held on. Otherwise he wouldn't have noticed her tired eyes or her unusual quietness. On another day Neji would have asked if Ino was alright, or how she was sleeping. But those days were gone by Ino's demand.

Neji didn't react to Ino's irritation. He knew he didn't mean to come off snide and overconfident, perhaps self-serving, but that was the only way he could sound in a situation like this. He was the class president afterall, and if he didn't choose his words wisely he could sound extremely rude. But the way Neji was thinking didn't really lead him to make correct word choice. He was too focused on keeping himself together. Every part of his body ached to be near to Ino or to at least be on good terms, but he wasn't and he would never touch her against her will. Neji's only choice was to put as much focus as possible on restraint and forget about manners until he was mentally stronger.

Maybe this was too soon, maybe he should have delegated this meeting to someone else. No, Neji argued with himself, his own turmoil was written boldly upon his face. He wanted to speak with Ino, but not like this. And still, he couldn't give up this chance.

"Clubs need at least three members, you'll need to find another before you can apply for official status. For now you will be a club but without club benefits, such as booths at school festivals or major funding. You have as long as you need to find your last member, be sure to look for one." Neji kept his eyes facing his desk as he spoke. If things weren't so rotten between them, Neji might have asked how she got the idea or who the other was, if she needed help. But curiosity didn't bubble up inside of him the way it might have once. "In terms on logistics, you may have access to school materials such as pails and shovels, but club members would be responsible for taking care of anything you grow. You would also need to create a space, develop proposals for where you plan on growing plants and what you plan on doing.

"Amongst you and your club members you might want to create a schedule for caretaking and look further into gardening." Neji tucked his hair behind an ear, he'd forgotten to tie it this morning. Probably a sign of his loss. Neji was usually very particular in things like appearance, nothing ever out of place. He got up and referred to the application cabinet just behind his desk. Just under "C" he found the club application form and slid them across the table. "Fill this out with the name of your member for now and you will become a pseudo-club."

Approval ;

Sasuke looked back at the other when he asked him to join. He could not help but feel a little hint of joy at the thought that he was being given the chance to get to the bottom of this mystery. He did not show that joy though, just simply re-entered the office and took a seat. “Not occupied.”

Placing his bag on the ground beside his chair once again, he crossed his legs and leaned back in his seat. When Neji finally asked the question about his interest in the family, Sasuke’s onyx hues lit up. That was easier than he though. “I met this girl the other night, and she looked a lot like you. Well, same eyes and skin tone, anyway. Her name started with an H…” He muttered the last part, able to remember the beginning of her name now, but still unable to remember her full name.