Keeping Watch (Neji x Reader)
âAir Palm!âChakra barreled through the air as the genius of the Hyuga trained alone. Fallen leaves grew abundant as the trees took the brunt of each attack, and birds flew flustered and panicked above his head. Sweat dotted his pristine white robe and his hair stuck against the sides of his face. Teeth bared and panting, Nejiâs temples burst in pain and he takes a knee. Damn it!
 The young Jounin knew well that he shouldnât be training this hard, if at all even. Heâd strained his eyes a little over two days ago in a reconnaissance mission, limiting his ocular prowess almost completely aside from seeing in general. Of course, this alone wasnât enough to shake his infallibly calm persona, it was the effect of his injury that set him off.
Because his wellness was integral to his clan, the Clan Head banned him from participating in missions as well as train until he was well-recovered. Simple as it sounded, a fire raged inside when heâd been told this. Self-improvement had always been his everyday; it is imperative considering his duties to both the clan and village. To be stripped of it so suddenly felt almost like a punishment than what was intended, and he was not having any of it.
So of course, he marches into the forest at the crack of dawn as if nothing happened and wore himself out to his current predicament. Vision blurry and doubled, his knees wobble furiously as he tried to stand up, only to collapse back onto the ground. A groan escapes his lips, and his brows draw together as the pounding in his temples grew stronger. Just as he was about to attempt to get on his feet once more, the sound of footsteps on his right freezes him. Careful not to move too fast, he turned his impaired gaze to the source of the noise and inwardly cursed when he recognized who it was.
Walking towards him was (y/n), known by many as the prodigy of the Ayakatsu Clan, Â a select few as one of the deadliest ANBU of their generation and even fewer as Nejiâs significant other. His inner voice spouted curses; he should have known theyâd assign her to watch him. Her clan is known for their unique ability to render their chakra completely invisible, even to the likes of the Uchiha and Hyugaâalong with her knack for stealth, it was what made her so effective as black ops. But last he heard, she was en route to the Cloud for a mission, so what was she doing here?
âI see youâve finally worn yourself out.â She hums, shifting her weight onto her right leg and held out an arm.
âI thought you were out of the village.â was the only response he could mutter, accepting her hand and hoisting himself up.
âI finished yesterday, came back just before midnight. Finished my report only to be on guard detail because a certain someone canât be trusted to follow orders.â she sighed as her hand glowed green âHonestly, must you be so stubborn? All they asked was for you to relax for a couple of days.â A cooling sensation washed over his sore eyes and he leaned into her touch, not a word from his mouth. His beloved lets out another heavy breath and finishes healing him. âYouâre aware that I have orders to keep you home, right?â
âAnd yet here we are.â came his sass, and it only deepened the frown on (y/n)âs face. âEven if you did try, though, I still wouldâve found a way to train, and you know it.â
âI had a little hope that maybe you wonât be so difficult, what with your condition and all. Guess I got my work cut out for me.â With his sight better healed, he took notice of the bags under her eyes and the slight slump of her shoulder and felt guilt creep into his gut.
âHave you gotten any sleep since you got home?â She lolled her head left to right, a yawn punctuating her wordless answer. âGuess not. Come on, Iâll take you home.â
âDid the eyestrain affect your memory too, or did you forget that I was literally paid to look after you?â
âIâll join you in resting.â Finally gaining enough strength to walk, he moves past her in the direction of the Hyuga compound. When he didnât hear even the softest crunch of grass, he turned to see that she hasnât moved. He sighed at her exhausted, yet defiant face. âI promise I wonât sneak off to train, okay?â
The walk home was silent. Neji looked around while keeping tempo with (y/n)âs steps, taking in the trees, the leaves turning almost purple as the sun set. They reach his abode and (y/n) starts removing her ANBU gear on a nearby shelf. Being compulsively hygienic he goes for a quick rinse before changing into more comfortable robes and laying down on his side of the bed. He rested his eyes as he listened to his girlfriend move about, the sound of running water nearly lulling him to sleep. He only pulls his eyes back open when (y/n) exits the bathroom in one of his shirts, and he is shocked awake. The shirt skirted the top of her knees, and the neckline gave him a glorious view of her cleavage. The strain on is eyes, he decided, was completely worth it. Her lips pull into a tired smile, sliding onto the bed and straddling his waist. On instinct his palms find refuge on her thighs, massaging the firm muscle slightly. Unable to help himself, he craned his neck to meet her lips in a loving kiss, to which she immediately smiled into. Carefully, he slid his fingers up and down her back, the arch she gave a swell in his heart. Soft sounds of lips colliding fluttered in their space, the occasional rustle of his lover settling onto him making it all the more intimate somehow.
The soft press of her lips remove from his, travelling to his cheek and unto the closed lids of his eyes, and he had to withhold from breaking into what he was sure was a silly grin from how much the gesture melted him inside. Her hands slid from his hair and onto his temples, the familiar swoosh of chakra signaling the relief to his strain. She parts from him, and he slowly opened his eyes to see hers brimming with affection and care. âYou must take care of yourself more.â Her voice, smooth and sweet as honey, coos to him. âEvery time we are parted I canât help but worry if youâre eating or sleeping enough. I understand you wish to be stronger, but recovery and self-care is part of the process.â The air she created seemed so fragile Neji almost didnât want to speak in fear of it shattering.
Yet with stuttered breath, he was able to utter âI knowâ, and his forehead was blessed with a kiss.
âSomehow I doubt that.â (y/n) whispers against his skin, and his shoulders shrug when he chuckles. Her nose tickles his cheek and their eyes meet once more. Â
âThen perhaps your constant surveillance is needed even without assignment.â His playful remark makes her giggle, the raise of her brow already a retort.
She hums âPerhaps.â, and seals their deal with a kiss.
